Sean C. McPhee
Partner
Buffalo; New York City
(716) 504-5749
(212) 759-4888 ext. 5749
smcphee@phillipslytle.com
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Mr. McPhee focuses on civil litigation, primarily in the area of commercial litigation. His practice includes litigating business and real estate disputes, lender liability, business torts and class actions. He also has significant experience with judgment enforcement proceedings in both federal and state courts. Between 2011 and 2012, Mr. McPhee was a secondee in the General Counsel’s Office of HSBC Bank USA, N.A. where he directly handled or managed numerous litigations across the country. He was also involved in regulatory compliance matters and government investigations.
Admitted to Practice
- New York
- Florida
- District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Honors and Awards
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America©, Commercial Litigation, 2021, 2022
- Selected for the Upstate New York Super Lawyers® list, 2018-2022
- Named Upstate New York Super Lawyers® Rising Star, 2013-2017
- Business First of Buffalo 40 Under Forty Award, 2011
Education
- State University of New York at Buffalo Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 2005
- State University of New York at Buffalo School of Management, M.B.A., 2005
- State University of New York at Buffalo, B.S., 2000
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
- Bar Association of Erie County
- Admission to the Bar Committee, Former Chair
- New York State Bar Association
- Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section
- Trial Lawyers Section
- Committee on Civil Practice Law and Rules
- Western New York Trial Lawyers Association
Representative Cases
- HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v. Spitz, 201 A.D.3d 108, 156 N.Y.S.3d 867 (2d Dep’t 2022)
- HSBC Bank USA, N.A., v. Shah, 185 A.D.3d 794, 128 N.Y.S.3d 32 (2d Dep’t 2020)
- Southwestern Investors Group LLC v. Turco, 169 A.D.3d 1510, 93 N.Y.S.3d 775 (4th Dep’t 2019)
- Deutsche Bank Nat’l Trust Co. v. Vu, 167 A.D.3d 844, 2018 N.Y. Slip Op. 08629 (2d Dep’t 2018)
- Harrison v. Republic of Sudan, No.13-CV-3127 (PKC), 2017 WL 946422 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 10, 2017)
- Scarola v. Verizon Communications, Inc., 146 A.D.3d 692, 45 N.Y.S.3d 464, 2017 WL 366246 (1st Dep’t 2017)
- Sutherland Global Serves., Inc. v. Adam Techs. Int’l, SA de C.V., No. 12-CV-6439, 2014 WL 5482708 (W.D.N.Y. Oct. 29, 2014), aff’d, 639 Fed. App’x 697 (2d Cir. Feb. 9, 2016).
- Miller v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A., No. 13 Civ. 7500, 2015 WL 585589 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 11, 2015)
- Estate of Heiser v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Nos. 11-CV-1607(KBF), 11-CV-1610(KBF), 2014 WL 6468977 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 18, 2014)
- Traina v. HSBC Mortg. Servs., Inc., No. 13 CV 2336(SJF)(GRB), 2013 WL 6576856 (E.D.N.Y. Dec. 12, 2013)
- Abraham v. Am. Home Mortg. Servicing, Inc., 947 F. Supp. 2d 222 (E.D.N.Y. 2013)
- Peery v. United Capital Corp., 84 A.D.3d 1201, 924 N.Y.S.2d 470 (2d Dep’t 2011)
- Ng v. HSBC Mortg. Corp., No. 07-CV-5434 (RMM)(VVP), 2011 WL 3511296 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 10, 2011), modified, 2014 WL 4699648 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 22, 2014)
- Ng v. HSBC Mortg. Corp., No. 07-CV-5434 (RMM)(VVP), 2010 WL 1292259 (E.D.N.Y. Apr. 5, 2010)
- Ng v. HSBC Mortg. Corp., No. 07-CV-5434 (RMM)(VVP), 2010 WL 889256 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 10, 2010)
- Ng v. HSBC Mortg.Corp., 262 F.R.D. 135 (E.D.N.Y. 2009)
- Ng v. HSBC Mortg. Corp., No. 07-CV-5434 (RMM)(VVP), 2009 WL 205048 (E.D.N.Y. Jan. 27, 2009)
- Ng v. HSBC Mortg. Corp., No. 07-CV-5434 (RMM)(VVP), 2008 WL 5274272 (E.D.N.Y. Dec, 18, 2008)
- Schafler v. HSBC Bank USA, Civ. Action No. AW-09-1758, 2009 WL 3398887 (D. Md. Oct. 19, 2009), aff’d, 381 F. App’x 282 (4th Cir. 2010)
- Ryder Truck Rental, Inc. v. Swish Maint. Ltd., No. 6:09-CV-842, 2009 WL 3381678 (N.D.N.Y. Oct. 16, 2009)
- Barnhard v. Cybex Int’l, Inc., 55 A.D.3d 1348, 864 N.Y.S.2d 378 (4th Dep’t 2008)
Present Activities
- Co-Author of “Western District Case Notes,” Column published in the Bar Association of Erie County’s Publication, Bulletin, and The Daily Record
- The Buffalo Club, Board of Directors (Secretary)
- New York State Bar Association Committee on Civil Practice Law and Rules
- United States District Court for the Western District of New York Local Rules Committee
Past Activities
- The Buffalo Club, Legal Committee (Chair), House Committee, Admissions Committee
- Canisius High School Alumni Association, Former Vice President, Board of Governors
- Medaille College, Adjunct Professor of Business Law
- State University of New York at Buffalo School of Management, Graduate Teaching Assistant
- Phillips Lytle LLP United Way Campaign, Coordinator
- Hospice Buffalo, Summer Affair Planning Committee, Member
