LaWanda M. Geter concentrates her litigation practice on the defense of commercial owners, general contractors, and subcontractors in the area of New York Labor Law. Ms. Geter is also experienced in litigating and defending against premises liability claims, general liability clams, negligent hiring, retention, and supervision claims, and other complex claims.

LaWanda is a graduate of Daniels College of Business at University of Denver. She was a risk manager for a financial services company for approximately 15 years before entering the legal profession. She graduated cum laude from Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University located in White Plains, New York where she was an active participant in the National Black Students Association and competed in numerous moot court and mock trial competitions.

After law school, LaWanda clerked for the Hon. Alexander W. Hunter, Jr. (Ret.), a justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Term, First Judicial Department. She is admitted to practice in New York, Connecticut, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York. She is a member of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. When she is not serving her clients, Ms. Geter devotes her time to her family and local community.

Representative Matters:

DeLeon v. Olympic Building Partners, LLC, et al., Index No. 714186/2016 (Sup Ct., Queens County, J. Esposito, December 12, 2024). In a cervical fusion case, LaWanda won a motion to reargue, the Court reversing its prior decision and granting her client, an independent contractor, summary judgment on plaintiff’s premises liability claims.

Rodriguez v. Manhattan Restoration LLC, et al., Index No. 31677/2018 (Sup Ct., Bronx County, J. Alpert, September 25, 2023), aff’d by Appellate Division, First Department, Docket No. 2024-02286 (December 17, 2024). LaWanda won summary judgment dismissing plaintiff’s Labor Law §200 and negligent hiring claims against the general contractor where plaintiff was assaulted by a subcontractor at an active construction site.

Garcia v. 115 Commerce Drive LLC, et al., Index No. 609843/2018 (Sup Ct., Suffolk County, J. Kevins, September 15, 2012). Plaintiff fell through an opening in an upper floor, sustaining serious injury. On behalf of the building owner, LaWanda won summary judgment dismissing the Complaint, arguing lack of notice, latent condition, and that plaintiff was not a “covered worker” under the Labor Law.

Wakula v. Dixon Valve & Coupling Company, Index No. EF18-869 (Sup Ct., Cortland County). In a complex products liability case involving severe third degree burns, LaWanda conducted an extraordinarily thorough investigation of plaintiff’s claims which included obtaining field reports from the local OSHA office and obtaining damaging and inculpatory non-party witness testimony that demonstrated that plaintiff caused her own injuries. The case was settled for nuisance value before party depositions were conducted. 

Education:

University of Denver, B.S.B.A., 1997
Pace Law School, J.D., 2012, Cum Laude

Admissions:
New York State Bar, 2013
Connecticut State Bar, 2013
United States District Court, Southern District of New York, 2016
United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, 2016

Memberships:
American Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Bronx County Bar Association