Alumni Spotlight: Stevi Siber-Sanderowitz

When were you an attorney at Tressler?

I was an associate in Tressler’s New York City office and left to join SterlingRisk in October 2017.

Tell us about the current work you do at SterlingRisk.

In my role as Associate Coverage Counsel at SterlingRisk, I provide counsel on insurance coverage related issues, as well as general litigation matters involving SterlingRisk and its clients.

 What is most challenging about your current work?

Given the nature of my in-house role, I field requests from multiple teams within my company and am juggling multiple time-sensitive projects at once.  Often, non-lawyers do not understand the amount of time/work a “simple request “can take and lose patience when legal review/analysis takes longer than expected.

What are the biggest differences between law firm life and in-house life?

As in-house counsel, you are more than just a lawyer; you are a business executive. Accordingly, you are expected to make legal judgments as well as business judgments.

Tell us about the personal and professional satisfaction that you get from your work.

As mentioned, part of my responsibility as in-house counsel is to balance the legal implications of a decision with the business implications.  This can be challenging but can also be very rewarding.  Unlike in private practice, where a win or loss is easy to quantify (e.g., getting a case dismissed), satisfaction is more subjective.   Instead, I get satisfaction from knowing that we were able to help advance our clients’ businesses by helping their bottom line, reducing/mitigating risks, and protecting their interests.

How did your experiences at Tressler prepare you for your current role at SterlingRisk? How did Tressler help you in your career development?

My experiences at Tressler allowed me to have direct contact with clients and a variety of other “players” including brokers, wholesalers, defense counsel, policyholders, etc. These interactions helped prepare me for my current role where I am directly interacting with these players daily.

Can you share your most memorable experience at Tressler?

My most memorable experience at Tressler was when I successfully argued an opposition to a motion for summary judgment.  We had inherited the file after briefing on the motion had been drafted and submitted to the court, and I had less than a month to get familiar with the case and the arguments to be made in connection with the motion.  Further, this Judge asked a lot of follow up questions and posed hypotheticals to counsel for both parties.  My preparation paid off, and I was able to successfully advance our client’s position and win the motion.

Are you involved in any pro-bono or volunteer activities?

I’ve been involved in several volunteer activities that SterlingRisk participates in as an organization.  Most recently, my department volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island in New Hyde Park.  Additionally, I continue to serve as an Alumni Mentor with Pace University’s Alumni Mentorship Program.

What advice would you give to current associates moving up the ranks at Tressler?

Always read the policy!!! Also, time management is a crucial skill that you will need whether you are working at a law firm or in-house.

Any updates on your professional and/or personal life you would like to share?

With respect to my professional life, I’m happy to share that I recently became a licensed Property and Casualty Broker/Producer in New York. As to my personal life, I’m proud to share that my 15-month old son, Hank, has started walking!