Gfeller Laurie LLP has announced the strengthening of its Sports & Recreation practice group with the opening of a new office in Denver. Leading that office are three highly experienced trial attorneys – Steve Zweig and Maryjo Zweig as Senior Counsel, as well as Brian Birenbach as Counsel.
“We are very excited to welcome Steve, Maryjo, and Brian to the firm. They are among the most qualified attorneys handling ski litigation and risk management in the United States,” said co-founding partner, Charles F. Gfeller. “For years they have worked to protect the interests of ski areas in New York, and we plan to accept the torch from them with pride and a sense of continued responsibility. As a firm, we are also eager to expand the reach of our ski litigation presence into Colorado.”
Gfeller Laurie’s Sports & Recreation practice represents sports and recreational facilities throughout the United States and the Caribbean. Clients include a wide variety of recreational facilities and operators, including, among others, ski areas (winter and summer operations), ice arenas, parasail operators, jet ski operators, rock climbing facilities, zip line operators, gyms, equine facilities (including internationally known racetracks), auto racetracks, bike parks, scholastic/college/university operated sports and recreational facilities, camps, fairs, festivals, carnivals, and water parks.
Gfeller told Sports Litigation Alert that the firm has always been open to “opportunities for growth that are in our wheelhouse, even if we aren’t necessarily proactively looking for them.
“That was the case here when Steve approached me two and half years ago to ask if my firm would be interested with respect to his own succession plan as a litigator representing ski resorts in the New York.”
Gfeller went on to note that he has known the attorneys for decades and that he was confident that the attorneys would be a “cultural fit.”
“The Colorado piece was more or less a secondary decision in all this. I knew that Maryjo and Brian, in particular, were active in Colorado. We’ve always had an eye towards expanding our geographical reach beyond the Northeast.”
Specifically related to the group, Gfeller said the addition of the attorneys gives the firm “a stronger bench” and more business development opportunities. “In fact, a new matter from a pretty well-known ski resort in Colorado came in today through Brian. We’re also seeing traction with institutional clients.”
Asked about whether the firm would be hiring associates to support the senior litigators, Gfeller did not dismiss the idea.
“However, we already have a pretty robust team within our existing firm that can service the work. I think we have it under control right now. But if and when the time comes, and the attorneys say they need more support, then we’ll go out and get it for them.”
Meanwhile, Steve Zweig was excited about the opportunity to work with the new firm.
“The transition of our practice into Gfeller Laurie is a natural fit. The firm is a nationally known leader in sports and recreational risk management and litigation, particularly with respect to the ski industry. Their existing bench and footprint provide the ideal opportunity for us and the loyal clients that we have served for so many years,” said Zweig.
Zweig has worked as a trial lawyer for close to 40 years and is a past President of the Association of Ski Defense Attorneys. Admitted to practice in New York, he has defended ski areas, other recreational facilities, and recreational product manufacturers and distributors at trial throughout New York in state and federal court. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in New York.
Gfeller is the immediate past President of the Association of Ski Defense Attorneys. His term ended in March, 2025.
Maryjo Zweig, meanwhile, has been practicing law for over 35 years and is also a past President of the Association of Ski Defense Attorneys. A seasoned trial attorney, she has successfully defended ski areas, river rafting outfits, and other recreational facilities in state and federal courts throughout New York and Colorado. She is admitted to practice in New York and Colorado.
Birenbach focuses his practice on product liability, personal injury, sports and recreational liability, professional liability, and premises litigation. He also has extensive experience handling commercial, construction, employment, civil rights, and first-party insurance matters. A member of the Association of Ski Defense Attorneys, he is a frequent speaker on issues relating to ski industry liability and is admitted to practice in New York, Colorado, and Florida.
