Stephanie R. Messina, Treasurer and State Delegate, is an experienced civil litigator with Burgio, Curvin & Banker. She currently focuses her practice on insurance defense and has extensive experience managing the defense of cases through all stages of litigation. She has represented both Plaintiffs and Defendants in claims involving transportation negligence, premises liability, retail and hospitality liability, catastrophic losses, education and special education law, and the Child Victims Act litigation. She has successfully argued motions and appeals before the Fourth and Second Department Appellate Divisions and in the United States District Courts. In addition to her membership with WBASNY, Ms. Messina is a member of the Erie County Bar Association, the Western New York Trial Lawyers Association, and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. She is a member and sits on the Board of Directors of the Defense Trial Lawyers Association. She is also an adjunct professor with the Erie Community College Department of Paralegal Studies.

Ms. Messina graduated cum laude from Albany Law School. During law school, she was the Managing Editor for Research and Writing for the Albany Government Law Review, and the winner of the Donna Jo Morse Client Counseling Competition. She studied abroad in China, visiting Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai, and participated with both the law school and Shanghai Maritime Court while abroad. She was a student practice intern in the Albany City Court Domestic Violence Prosecution Clinic, as well as the Albany Law Health Law Clinic. Prior to law school, Ms. Messina received a Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from the University at Buffalo.

Ms. Messina serves as Vice President for the Board of Directors for Sensational Fun, Inc., a non-profit therapy and play center for children with special needs and differing abilities. She is also a member of the Unlawful Practice of Law Committee of the Erie County Bar Association, which seeks to protect the public against the unlawful practice of law by investigating allegations of unlawful practice. She was formerly a member of the Erie County Bar Association’s Judiciary Committee and a former co-chair of the Erie County Bar’s Negligence Committee.

In addition to her work with the WBASNY WNY Board of Directors, Ms. Messina is the chair of the Book Club and co-chair of the Working Parents’ Committee. She is a recognized speaker on negligence, tort, and insurance coverage matters and has lectured for numerous legal organizations, including the Erie Institute of Law. She regularly presents continuing legal education programs and provides practitioners and insurers with updates on significant statutory, regulatory, and case law developments affecting civil litigation and insurance defense practice.

Ms. Messina lives in Cheektowaga in a very crowded but happy home with her husband, children, and dogs.