Nicholas Papain

Nicholas Papain is a member and director at Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C. He is one of New York’s prominent personal injury trial lawyers and served as the firm’s managing member from 1999 to 2018, while continuing his long career with the firm.

Nicholas earned his J.D., cum laude, from American University, Washington College of Law in 1978. He earned his B.A. from Adelphi University in 1974. His legal education helped prepare him for a career focused on trial work, complex litigation, and serious personal injury matters.

Nicholas has been with the firm for his entire legal career. He first joined as a summer law clerk in 1977 and became a full-time lawyer after graduating in 1978. He started trying cases in 1980 and won his first trial for a woman wrongfully imprisoned.

Nicholas handles complex litigation, construction accidents, mass disasters, municipal liability, plaintiffs’ personal injury, premises liability, and product liability matters. He has won many multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for clients harmed by defective products, fires, unsafe premises, and negligently operated vehicles in serious injury and wrongful death cases.

Nicholas played a major role in negotiating a $700 million settlement for 9/11 World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers. He also helped in fee proceedings tied to New York State’s action against major tobacco companies, which resulted in a historic $25 billion recovery.

Nicholas has served as president of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and remains on its Board of Directors. He received the Attorney Of The Year Award from The Hellenic Lawyers Association of New York and has been recognized by Super Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America®, and Martindale-Hubbell.

Nicholas Papain is admitted in New York and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. His professional memberships include the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, New York State Bar Association, and The Hellenic Lawyers Association of New York, reflecting decades of trial advocacy.

Law Office Affiliations

• Director, Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C.
• Member, New York State Trial Lawyers Association
• Member, New York State Bar Association
• Member, The Hellenic Lawyers Association of New York

Licensed State

• New York

Education

• American University, Washington College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Adelphi University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges