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Rachel V. Stevens

Senior Counsel
Senior Counsel
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VCard
VCard

Areas of Focus

Overview

With over 20 years of experience, Rachel Stevens is a seasoned litigator focusing on general commercial and impact litigation, and recovery opportunities for clients. She has advised a broad range of clients, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, major media companies, individual employees, and financial services firms on issues such as product liability litigation, defamation claims, contract disputes, employment advice, and insurance coverage. Rachel approaches all her matters with the dual goal of providing outstanding client service and efficient yet innovative legal strategies.

Currently, she leads a historic employment discrimination class action lawsuit on behalf of New York City public school teachers. In this matter, which has been active for nearly 30 years, Rachel has twice prevailed at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, worked with experts to develop a complex damages model, navigated an arcane regulatory framework to obtain back pay and pension relief, and worked one-on-one with thousands of individual class members. She also advises clients on insurance and supply chain recovery opportunities. In this role, she helps clients obtain insurance coverage and ensure minimal to no disruptions to key supplier relationships. Finally, Rachel advises public universities on issues related to liability associated with federal grants and contracts. She has appeared in federal and state courts in New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C., and Illinois, and has substantial experience in appellate proceedings.

Rachel is also dedicated to pro bono work. Over the years, she has partnered with clients and New York City agencies on pro bono projects that tackle discrimination, poverty, and hunger and support Head Start programs. Notably, she was honored by the New York City Coalition Against Hunger in 2012 for outstanding anti-hunger advocacy work, and she was separately twice honored by her prior firm for her dedication to pro bono matters. In 2025, Crowell awarded Rachel with a George Bailey Public Service Award, which recognizes the firm’s lawyers and staff who have made a substantial impact on the lives of others.

Career & Education

    • New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, EMPA, 2020
    • University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D., 2004
    • Barnard College, Columbia University, B.A., cum laude, Urban Affairs, 1995
    • New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, EMPA, 2020
    • University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D., 2004
    • Barnard College, Columbia University, B.A., cum laude, Urban Affairs, 1995

    • New York
    • New York

Rachel's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 02.04.26

New York District Court Confirms Insurance Coverage Must Mean Something

In GuideOne National Insurance Co. v. Systems 2000 Plumbing Service, Inc., the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York addressed whether excess insurer GuideOne was required to provide coverage under a “follow form” excess policy based on mutual mistake or illusory coverage principles. The insured, Systems 2000, is a plumbing contractor that worked exclusively in residential apartment buildings. It held a $2 million primary general liability insurance policy with Travelers and a $4 million excess insurance policy with GuideOne, both of which were effective March 15, 2021. Eight days later, there was a fire in a Manhattan apartment building where Systems 2000 had been performing work. Systems 2000 made timely claims under both policies for coverage related to the fire....

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Representative Matters

  • Representing over five thousand public school teachers in employment discrimination case against New York City Board of Education, recovering $2 billion for the class.
  • Representing major restaurant chain in dispute with insurance carrier over coverage of alleged violations of wage transparency statute.
  • Defended international media company again libel and defamation claims brought by professional athletes.
  • Represented major pharmaceutical company in securities class action matter and multi-district product liability litigation.
  • Advising major public university on possible False Claim Act liability in connection with federal grants and contracts.
  • Representing nonprofit organizations in review of programs and hiring practices to evaluate risk and provide guidance for maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
  • Working with major anti-poverty organization to evaluate state preemption laws and strengthen local government self-rule.

Rachel's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 02.04.26

New York District Court Confirms Insurance Coverage Must Mean Something

In GuideOne National Insurance Co. v. Systems 2000 Plumbing Service, Inc., the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York addressed whether excess insurer GuideOne was required to provide coverage under a “follow form” excess policy based on mutual mistake or illusory coverage principles. The insured, Systems 2000, is a plumbing contractor that worked exclusively in residential apartment buildings. It held a $2 million primary general liability insurance policy with Travelers and a $4 million excess insurance policy with GuideOne, both of which were effective March 15, 2021. Eight days later, there was a fire in a Manhattan apartment building where Systems 2000 had been performing work. Systems 2000 made timely claims under both policies for coverage related to the fire....

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Practices

Industries

Rachel's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 02.04.26

New York District Court Confirms Insurance Coverage Must Mean Something

In GuideOne National Insurance Co. v. Systems 2000 Plumbing Service, Inc., the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York addressed whether excess insurer GuideOne was required to provide coverage under a “follow form” excess policy based on mutual mistake or illusory coverage principles. The insured, Systems 2000, is a plumbing contractor that worked exclusively in residential apartment buildings. It held a $2 million primary general liability insurance policy with Travelers and a $4 million excess insurance policy with GuideOne, both of which were effective March 15, 2021. Eight days later, there was a fire in a Manhattan apartment building where Systems 2000 had been performing work. Systems 2000 made timely claims under both policies for coverage related to the fire....

View All Insights