David F. Boucher, Jr., is a partner in the firm's No-Fault department. David attended New England School of Law and is admitted to practice law in New York State.
Admitted: New York State Bar, 2011
Education: New England School of Law, J.D., 2010, Hamilton College, B.A., 2007
Member: New York State Bar Association
Email: [email protected]
Charles T. Rubin is a founding partner of the firm and heads the First Party Insurance Defense and Regulatory Law departments. He attended John Marshall Law School, J.D. and Franklin Pierce College, B.S. He is admitted to practice law in New York State, U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. Charles is a member of The Gavel Society, Tau Epsilon Rho, The Association of the Bar of the City of New York and the New York State Bar Association.
Admitted: New York Bar, 1974; U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1975; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 1978; U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 1980.
Education: John Marshall Law School, J.D. 1974; Franklin Pierce College, B.S. 1970
Member: The Gavel Society; Tau Epsilon Rho; The Association of the Bar of the City of New York; New York State Bar Association.
Email: [email protected]
Kenneth S. Fiorella is a founding partner of the firm and heads the Litigation, Insurance Coverage and Insurance Defense departments. He attended State University of New York at Buffalo, J.D., B.A. cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa Assistant Corporation Counsel and New York City Law Department. He is admitted to practice law in New York State and United States District Court, Southern District of New York. Kenneth is a member of the American Bar Association, Nassau County Bar Association and AV Peer Review Rated
Admitted: New York State Bar, 1978; United States District Court, Southern District of New York, 1978.
Education: State University of New York at Buffalo, J.D., 1977, B.A., cum laude, 1974. Phi Beta Kappa.
Member: American Bar Association; Nassau County Bar Association. AV Peer Review Rated
Email: [email protected]
Bruce M. Friedman is a founding partner of the firm and heads the Reinsurance Law, Commercial Litigation, Arbitration and Litigation departments. He attended New York University, LL.M. in Corporate Law, New York Law School, J.D. and State University of New York at Stony Brook, B.A. He is admitted to practice law in New York State, U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit, Second Circuit, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York and U.S. Supreme Court. Bruce is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association
Admitted: New York State Bar, 1975; U.S. Court of Appeals, First and Second Circuits, 1975; U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1975; U.S. Supreme Court, 1975.
Education: New York University, LL.M. in Corporate Law, 1980; New York Law School, J.D., 1974; State University of New York at Stony Brook, B.A., 1971;
Member: New York State Bar Association; New York State Trial Lawyers Association.
Email: [email protected]
James E. Mercante heads the firm's Admiralty, Transportation and Marine Insurance practice team. He specializes in commercial and recreational admiralty consultation and litigation, marine insurance coverage, transportation disputes, arbitration and appeals. Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired). President, Board of Commissioners of Pilots of the State of New York. AV Preeminent Rated. Proctor in Admiralty.
Publications: Author of the Admiralty Law column for THE NEW YORK LAW JOURNAL and the "SEA-TRIALS" column for LONG ISLAND BOATING WORLD. Frequent guest speaker on wide variety of admiralty and transportation subjects. Click here to view publications.
Admitted: New York State Bar; New Jersey State Bar; U.S. District Courts, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, Western District of New York, Northern District of New York; U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey; District of Connecticut; U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit, Second Circuit, Third Circuit, Fourth Circuit; United States Court of Military Appeals; Supreme Court of the United States.
Education: Graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, and sailed as a Merchant Marine Deck Officer; attended University of Bridgeport School of Law, and Tulane Law School.
Member: Maritime Law Association of the United States; New York City Bar Association.
Email: [email protected]
Stewart B. Greenspan is a partner in the firm's General Liability department. Stewart attended Pace Law School and is admitted to practice law in the State Courts of New York and in the United States District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts. Stewart handles all aspects of General Liability including premises, liquor law liability, Labor Law, police liability and related coverage matters. He is especially versed in construction matters, including issues of indemnity and additional insured tenders. He has tried numerous cases to verdict.
Admitted: New York State Bar, 1987; New Jersey State Bar, 1987; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 1993.
Education: Pace University, J.D., 1986; Queens College of the City University of New York, B.A., cum laude, 1981;
Member: New York State Bar Association
Email: [email protected]
Leila Cardo is a partner in the firm's General Liability department. Leila attended Fordham University School of Law and is admitted to practice law in the State of New York as well as the United States District Court, Southern District of New York and Eastern District of New York. She was formerly an Attorney of Record and Managing Attorney with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company's Brooklyn Legal Office.
Admitted: New York State Bar, 1981; U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, 1981.
Education: Fordham University School of Law, J.D., 1980; St. Francis College, B.A., summa cum laude, 1977.
Member: Columbian Lawyers Association. Phi Alpha Theta.
Biography: Court Evaluator and Foreclosure Referee, 1999-2004.
Email: [email protected]
Michael E. Tomsky is a partner in the firm's First Party and Insurance Coverage departments. Michael attended Temple Law School and is admitted to practice law in New York State. Michael also worked at the Queens County District Attorney's Office from 2007 to 2013 prosecuting high level felony cases
Admitted: New York State Bar, 2008.
Education: Temple University, J.D., 2007; Michigan University, B.A., 2004 with honors.
Member: New York State Bar Association; American Bar Association
Email: [email protected]
Aaron F. Fishbein is a partner in the Firm, handling first-party and liability coverage matters. He has over 30 years of experience advising insurance companies and litigating complex, high profit lawsuits and mediations, including some with over $100,000,000 at risk.
Publications: Contributor: Lawyers As Whistleblowers Under The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, New York State Bar Association Journal 11 (July/Aug. 2012). Contributor: 1 The New York Rules of Professional Conduct, Chs. 1.16, 1.18 (Oxford Univ. Press 2d ed. 2011). Contributor: 2 New York Insurance Law, Ch. 30 (Matthew Bender, 1992). Contributor: United States Money Laundering Laws: International Implications, 9 N.Y.L Sch. J. Int' 1 & Comp. L. 1 (1988).e.
Admitted: New York State Bar, 1985; United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, 1986; United States district Court, Southern District of New York, 1989; United States Supreme Court, 1989.
Education: University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 1984; Binghamton University, B.A., 1981. Phi Beta Kappa.
Member: New York State Bar Association
Email: [email protected]
Grant M. Meisels is a partner in the firm's General Liability department. Grant attended The Jacob B. Fuchsberg Law Center of Touro Center, J.D. and is admitted to practice law in the State Courts of New York and in the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. Grant is also a certified public accountant
Admitted: New York State Bar, 1989.
Education: The Jacob B. Fuchsburg Law Center of Touro Center, J.D., 1987; Queens College of the City University of New York, B.A., 1984.
Member: New York State and American Bar Associations.
Email: [email protected]
Crystal Monahan is a partner in the firm's Reinsurance department. She joined the firm in 2006. Crystal attended the University of Michigan Law School and is admitted to practice law in New York State.
Publications: ARIAS Quarterly | Assessing USF&G's 'Objective Reasonableness' Standard
Admitted: New York State Bar, 2003; Michigan State Bar, 2000.
Education: University of Michigan, J.D., 2000; Southeast Missouri State University, B.A., 1997.
Member: New York State Bar Association, Phi Alpha Theta.
Email: [email protected]
Alan J. Sorkowitz is a partner in the firm’s Reinsurance department. He attended St. John’s University School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review. Alan is admitted to practice in New York State, the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the Second Circuit, and several other federal courts. He has 35 years of experience in the insurance and reinsurance fields. He has been published in the ABA Practical Lawyer, the ARIAS Quarterly, and Bloomberg’s Corporate Law & Accountability Report. After graduating law school, Alan was a law clerk to the Hon. Sterry R. Waterman of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
Admitted: New York State Bar (1981); U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit (1987); U.S. District Courts, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York (1983); several other U.S. District and Circuit Courts; U.S. Court of Federal Claims (2017).
Education: St. John’s University School of Law, J.D. cum laude 1980; City University of New York (Queens College), B.A. 1977.
Member: New York State Bar Association
Email: [email protected]
Michael Stern is a partner in the firm's Admiralty and Transportation department. Michael attended Duke University School of Law and is admitted to practice law in the states of New York and New Jersey, and the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the District of New Jersey and the Court of International Trade.
Admitted: New York State Bar, 1992; New Jersey State Bar, 1991; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 1997; U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1994; U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 1992.
Education: Duke University, J.D., cum laude, 1991; University of Pennsylvania, B.A., 1987. Member: Association of the Bar of the City of New York; Maritime Law Association of the United States. Reported Cases: TMC Co., Ltd. v. M/V Mosel BR, DG-5, 2002 A.M.C. 2355(S.D. N.Y. 2002); Bacwilascm v. M/V Sava, 44 F.SU88. 2d 484 (E.D.N.Y. 1999); Cniyoda v. Hyundai Freedom, 1999 AMC 1603 (S.D.N.Y. 1999).
Reported Cases: In re Miller's Launch, Inc., 773 F.Supp.2d 294 (E.D.N.Y. 2011); Haney v. Miller's Launch, Inc., 773 F.Supp.2d 280 (E.D.N.Y. 2010); In re Hlywiak, 573 F.Supp.2d 871 (D.N.J. 2008); Insurance Co. of North America v. Zaglool, 526 F.Supp.2d 361 (E.D.N.Y. 2007); Cunningham v. Insurance Co. of North America, 521 F.Supp.2d 166 (E.D.N.Y. 2007); Louis Dreyfus Negoce S.A. v. Blystad Shipping & Trading, Inc., 94 F.Supp.2d 474 (S.D.N.Y. 2000); Barwil ASCA v. M/V SAVA, 44 F.Supp.2d 484 (E.D.N.Y. 1999)
Email: [email protected]
Deena Khalifa is an associate in the firm's no-fault department. Deena attended the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center of Touro College and is admitted to practice law in New York State.
Admitted: New York State Bar, 2015.
Education: Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center of Touro College, J.D. 2014; SUNY Stony Brook University, B.A. 2010.
Member: New York State Bar Association
Email: [email protected]
David Landfair is an attorney practicing in the Firm’s No-Fault Department. He previously practiced no-fault litigation representing healthcare providers. David attended Brooklyn Law School and the University of Florida. He is admitted to practice in New York.
Admitted: New York State Bar, 2013
Education: Brooklyn Law School, J.D. 2013; University of Florida Warrington College of Business, M.S. 2008; University of Florida, B.A. 2004.
Member: New York State Bar Association
Email: [email protected]
Lochlan J. McDonnell is an attorney admitted to practice law in New York State.
Admitted: New York State Bar, 2021.
Education: Widener Delaware Law, J.D.; Villanova University, B.A.
Member: New York State Bar Association
Email: [email protected]
Joshua Shack is an associate in the firm's No-Fault litigation department. Josh attended the Pennsylvania State University, Dickenson School of Law and is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey.
Admitted: New York State Bar, 2015, New Jersey State Bar, 2014.
Education: Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, J.D., 2014, State University of New York at Buffalo, B.A., 2011.
Email: [email protected]
Vitaly Vilenchik is an associate in the firm's no-fault and first-party coverage groups. Vitaly focuses his practice primarily on first-party coverage, claim investigations, and no-fault litigation and arbitration. Vitaly helps insurers and self-insurers develop investigation, claims handling and litigation strategies to detect, prevent and deter fraud. He specializes in complex coverage issues raised by first-party claims and has taken hundreds of examinations under oath, handled scores of insurance fraud investigations and dozens of fraud litigation matters.
Among Vitaly’s most notable successes is PV Holding Corp. v AB Quality Health Supply Corp., 2020 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 7917, 2020 NY Slip Op 07725 (1stDep’t 2020), in which the appellate division upheld an insurer’s disclaimer of coverage and explicitly held that the disclaimer was applicable on a global basis.
Admitted: New York State Bar, 2018
Education: New York Law School J.D., 2017, State University of New York at Albany, B.S., 2010.
Email: [email protected]
Kyeko ("Kiki") M. Stewart is a partner in the firm's various departments. Kyeko attended Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and is admitted to practice law in New York State.
Reported Decisions: Hertz Vehicles, LLC v. Gejo, LLC, 161 A.D.3d 549, 77 N.Y.S.3d 375 (1st Dep't 2018); Maiga Prods. Corp. v. Hertz. Co., 2018 NY Slip Op 51448(U), 61 Misc. 3d 132(A) (App. Term, 2d Dep't 2018); Hereford Ins. Co. v. Bon Acupuncture & Herbs, P.C., 2018 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 4338, 2018 N.Y. Slip Op 32445(U) (Sup. Ct. NY Co. 2018)
Publications: "The NYSBA Annual Meeting: Where Past, Present, and Future Meet For A Better Tomorrow," New York State Bar Association Pathway to the Profession E-Newsletter, Issue 4, Spring 2016
Admitted: New York State Bar
Education: Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, J.D.; Fordham University-Lincoln Center, B.A.
Email: [email protected]
Paul Kovner is of counsel in the firm's General Liability and Insurance Coverage departments. Paul attended New York Law School and is admitted to practice law in the State Courts of New York and in the United States District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts. Paul handles all aspects of General Liability involving personal injuries or property damage and related coverage matters, including premises, Labor Law, liquor law liability, broker's errors and omissions and legal malpractice. He also handles first party coverage disputes involving fraud and arson defenses. He has tried approximately 70 cases to verdict.
Reported Decisions: Gulf Ins. Co. v. Quality Bldg. Contractor, Inc., 58 A.D. 3d 595 (2d Dept. 2009), U.S. Pack Network Corp. v Travelers Ins. Co., 42 A.D.3d 330 (1st Dept. 2007), Belsito v State Farm, 27 A.D.3d 502 (2d Dept. 2006) and Ashkenazi v Hertz Rent A Car, 18 A.D.3d 584 (1st Dept. 2005).
Admitted: New York State Bar, 1978; U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, 1979; U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 1982.
Education: New York Law School, J.D., 1977; State University of New York at Buffalo, B.A., 1973.
Member: New York State Bar Association; New York State Trial Lawyers Association.
Biography: Order of the Coif.
Email: [email protected]
Matthew Langweil is an associate in the firm's General Liability department. Matthew attended the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of law and is admitted to practice law in the State of New York
Admitted: New York State Bar, 2021
Education: Benjamin N. Cardozo School of law, J.D. 2020; Queens College, City university of New York, B.A.,2016
Email: [email protected]
Lenard Brumfield is an associate in the Firm’s no-fault department. Lenard attended Albany Law School and is admitted to practice in the State of New York.
Admitted: New York State Bar, 2017; Southern District of New York, 2022; Eastern District of New York, 2019.
Education: Albany Law School, J.D. 2016; The College of Saint Rose, B.A. 2013.
Member: New York State Bar Association
Email: [email protected]
Lee Mandarino is an associate in the firm’s General Liability department. Lee attended Widener University School of Law and is admitted practice in the State of New York, as well as the State of Pennsylvania.
Admitted: New York Bar, 2008; Pennsylvania Bar, 2012; Middle District of Pennsylvania Bar, 2019
Education: Widener University School of Law, JD, 2007; State University of New York at Buffalo, BA, 2004.
Email: [email protected]
Jared Blau-Kursman is an associate in the Firm’s no-fault department. Jared is a former Clerk for State Justice Manuel J. Mendez and is now working in Insurance litigation.
Publications: Over Regulating Cannabis and Under Regulating Prescription Opioids: Is a Compelling Opiod Crisis Remediation Strategy Getting Lost in the Weeds?
Admitted: New York State Bar; District of Columbia
Education: Seton Hall University School of Law, L.L.M. in Health Law & Public Policy, 2022; Fordham University School of Law, J.D., 2015; Hamilton College, B.A., 2010.
Member: New York City Bar Association; American Health Law Association; Health Care Compliance Association.
Email: [email protected]
Douglas K. Scheller, Jr.is an associate in the Firm’s Admiralty, Transportation
and Marine Insurance practice team. Douglas attended Tulane University
School of Law where he attained a Certificate of Concentration in Maritime
Law. He is admitted to practice law in the states of California and New York.
Admitted: New York State Bar, 2022; California State Bar, 2018.
Education: Tulane University School of Law, J.D., 2017; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, B.A., 2013.
Email:[email protected]
Kevin Zhang is an associate in the firm's General Liability department. Kevin attended Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
Admitted: New York State Bar 2022
Education: Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, J.D.,2018; The University of Texas at Austin, B.A., Plan I Honors Program, 2013.
Email:[email protected]
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