Law Offices of Stephen J. McGiff

WILLIAM M. DUFFY received his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science from The State University of New York at Stony Brook in Political Science. After graduation from Stony Brook, William M. Duffy attended The Hofstra University School of Law on Long Island. Mr. Duffy was awarded a J.D. with Distinction. Mr. Duffy graduated at the top 6% of his class and held the position of Notes and Comments Editor for The Hofstra Labor and Employment Law Journal.

Prior to college, William McQuaid Duffy served four years in The United States Marine Corps. Mr. Duffy began his legal career serving in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office as an Assistant District Attorney. During Mr. Duffy's tenure as a Assistant District Attorney, he gained valuable trial experience while prosecuting felony and misdemeanor criminal cases on Long Island.

William M. Duffy then practiced law with a private Long Island law firm, focusing on criminal defense and civil litigation cases. Mr. Duffy has wide experience in litigating Aricle 78 proceedings, breach of contract actions, eminent domain proceedings, representing applicants before local zoning and planning boards, and defending real estate owners accused of town code violations.

Mr. Duffy had defended individuals accused of a wide array of felony and misdemeanor offenses in courts throughout Long Island and New York City. William M. Duffy is a member of the Suffolk County Bar Association and a Past President of the Brehon Law Society. He is married with two children.

JOHN HALVERSON received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University at Albany, where he was a member of the football team. For the next decade he served in the private security industry, rising to Executive Vice President of Patriot Courier Service, a security firm providing armored car service  to over 150 corporate clients in the metropolitan area.

After receiving his Juris Doctor from Touro Law School, he was hired by the District Attorney's Office of Suffolk County, rising to Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Major Crimes Bureau, where he gained a reputation as a skilled trial attorney. Mr. Halverson now brings these formidable skills into the civil arena, while continuing to defend those accused in the criminal courts. He is married to Melissa and is the proud father of three young daughters.

JAMES GIBBONS graduated from Siena College where he was a memeber of the hockey team. After working in the environmental and real estate industry for a number of years, he received his Juris Doctor from Touro Law School.

He was previously associated with a firm which defended the NYC Transit Authority. He has successfully drafted and argued numerous motions for summary judgment and recently won a defendants verdict in his first trial. James is a important component of the firm's litigation team. He is married and resides in Patchogue.

STEPHEN J. McGIFF was educated by the Christian Brothers at LaSalle Military Academy, and then received his Bachelors of Arts degree from Fordham,

where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the 69th Infantry Regiment, the famed "Fighting 69th". After completing the United States Army Infantry Officer Basic Course, he received a Juris Doctor from St. John's University.

Steve then served three years as an Assistant District Attorney in Kings County before gaining valuable trial experience as a staff attorney for Travelers Insurance Company. For the past nineteen years, Mr. McGiff has concentrated in insurance defense litigation, labor law, and all facets of personal injury litigation.

In early 2007, The Law Offices of Stephen J. McGiff were opened and the firm's attorneys have engaged in litigation and have tried cases on Long Island and the Five Boroughs of New York. The firms attorneys regularly appear in both State and Federal Court, and have argued before the Appellate Divisions of the First and Second Departments.

Stephen J. McGiff  served as a Trustee of the Village of Patchogue for 8 years, and had previously served as Deputy Mayor. He is an active member of his parish of St. Francis De Sales located in Patchogue, NY, where he is a member of the Finance Committee . Steve is currently the Vice President of the Brehon Law Society. He is married to Julie and is the proud father of Theresa, Justin, and Amelia.