On the Pulse...Other Notable Achievements

We recently announced the official integration of 25 attorneys from Jones Hirsch Connors Miller & Bull, P.C. and the opening of a 20th office located in Westchester County, NY. Of the 25 attorneys, five will staff the new Westchester location; 15 will join the firm’s existing Manhattan office; and the remaining five will join the firm in Melville, Long Island.

Butler Buchanan, shareholder, hiring attorney and Chair of the Diversity Committee, has been named managing attorney of the firm’s Philadelphia headquarters office. He replaces Peter S. Miller, who retired in June.

Niki Ingram has been promoted to the position of Director of the Workers’ Compensation Department, making her the second woman in the firm’s history to lead one of the firm’s core departments.

Kacey Wiedt, shareholder in the Harrisburg office, has been named Assistant Director of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Department. In this new role, Kacey will assist Department Director, Niki T. Ingram, in overseeing 35 workers’ compensation attorneys throughout ten of the firm’s 20 offices.

The Maritime Litigation Practice Group in our New York City office has been recognized as one of the top national maritime practices by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Recognized in the Nationwide: Transportation: Shipping: Litigation (New York) category, the firm was called out for its “respected marine practice” and “extensive experience in handling catastrophic litigation matters, P&I liability cases and marine insurance disputes.”

Niki Ingram, shareholder and Director of the Workers’ Compensation Department, was a featured speaker at the July 10th diversity luncheon hosted by the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance. The luncheon, hosted by CLM’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, provided an opportunity for attendees to network and hear three dynamic leaders provide insight into “Winning by Inclusion.”

Janice Merrill and John Heilman spoke at the August 11th Florida Assisted Living Association 2014 Annual Conference. In the session “Outsmarting Smart Technology: Legal Ramifications in the Assisted Living Setting,” Janice and John discussed how assisted living facilities are increasingly at risk for liabilities associated with the usage of smart technology. The presentation addressed the many areas where health care and technology intersect, including electronic medical records, video surveillance, social media, e-correspondence and the use of personal electronic devices. Best practices for risk management and reducing liabilities for assisted living facility owners and operators were explored.

Christopher Boyle and John Gonzales were featured speakers at the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Centennial Conference. On July 14, Chris presented “Civil Litigation Boot Camp for New Police Chiefs,” and John presented “Legal Updates for Law Enforcement.”

Robin Romano, a shareholder in the Workers’ Compensation Department, was a panelist at the July 11th Philadelphia Bar Association CLE program “From Kachinski to Phoenixville Hospital: Proving Earning Capacity in the Modern Era.” This CLE reviewed the evolution of job development and earning capacity evaluations from Kachinski, through the passage of Act 57 and the run up to Phoenixville Hospital.

Patrick Reilly, associate in the Pittsburgh office, has been selected to the Northside Common Ministries Advisory Board. An affiliate of Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Northside Common Ministries is a non-sectarian, non-profit organization devoted to meeting the needs of the region’s homeless population.

Mark Thompson and Russell Buhite (Orlando, FL) have been named to the 2014 Florida Super Lawyers ® list. No more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected for this honor. Additionally, Ryan Burns, Lindsay McCormick, A.C. Nash and Danielle Robinson have also been named to the 2014 Florida Rising Stars list as up-and-coming attorneys, as determined by the research team at Super Lawyers. No more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected for this designation.

 Michaelene Weimer, associate in the Pittsburgh office, was recently appointed Chair-Elect of the Young Lawyers Division of the Allegheny County Bar Association. Michaelene will oversee appointments of committee chairs and liaisons and report activities of the Division to the Board of Governors for the ACBA. She will serve a one-year term beginning in July, after which time she will become Chair of the Division.

Denis Dice, shareholder in the Securities and Investment Professional Liability Practice, has authored a chapter in the book, Inside the Minds: New Developments in Securities Litigation 2014, published by Thomson Reuters Westlaw. His chapter, “Representing Broker-Dealers and Stockbrokers in Securities Litigation,” focuses on defending clients against securities fraud claims, recent trends in the area of securities litigation, and the lingering impact of the 2008 financial crisis.

Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin has been named to the 2014 Honor Roll of Legal Organizations Welcoming Women Professionals by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession. The firm was selected for its programs and initiatives that help women lawyers continue and advance in their professional careers, including overall culture and atmosphere, mentorship opportunities, flexible work schedules, annual women’s events, and its high numbers of female attorneys and women in positions of leadership at the firm.

 

Defense Digest, Vol. 20, No. 3, September 2014

Defense Digest is prepared by Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin to provide information on recent legal developments of interest to our readers. This publication is not intended to provide legal advice for a specific situation or to create an attorney-client relationship. Copyright © 2014 Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, all rights reserved. This article may not be reprinted without the express written permission of our firm.