On the Pulse…Other Notable Achievements
2022 New Shareholder Class
We are happy to announce that 16 attorneys, 9 women and 7 men, have been elevated to shareholder effective January 1, 2022. The class of new shareholders includes one of the highest percentages—59 percent—of women in the firm’s 60-year history. These new shareholders represent the firm’s four core departments—casualty, professional liability, health care and workers’ compensation—and come from 10 of the firm’s 19 regional offices.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Dana A. Gittleman, Professional Liability Department.
• Todd J. Leon, Professional Liability Department.
• Alesia S. Sulock, Professional Liability Department.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Ryan M. Krescanko, Casualty Department.
• Erin N. Margolin, Casualty Department.
• Darren M. Newberry, Casualty Department.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• Karen ‘Missy’ E. Minehan, Health Care Department.
Wilmington, Delaware
• Lisa M. Grubb, Casualty Department.
Roseland, New Jersey
• Debra M. Marcus, Health Care Department.
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
• Adam E. Levy, Professional Liability Department.
Melville, New York
• Jennifer M. Roberts, Casualty Department.
• Sam V. Ruggeri, Casualty Department.
Purchase, New York
• Jennifer M. Meyers, Casualty Department.
• Steven B. Saal, Casualty Department.
Cleveland, Ohio
• Andrew H. Isakoff, Casualty Department.
Jacksonville, Florida
• Corey K. Setterlund, Professional Liability Department.
Recognition
Marshall Dennehey received the 2021 Champion of the Bar Award from the Philadelphia Bar Association at the Association’s annual member appreciation event. Created in 2020, the Champion of the Bar Award is given annually to a law firm, law department, legal services organization, or law school in Philadelphia that has fully supported the Association through 100% membership, leadership roles, member engagement and contribution to the community through public service.
Colleen Bannon (Philadelphia, PA) was selected among the Top 100 Women Leaders in Law 2021 by the Women We Admire organization. From secretary, to administrative assistant, to IT specialist, to attorney, to Director of Litigation Support, to Director of HR, to Chief Operating Officer—Colleen’s 41-year career with our firm is an inspiration to all women that the sky’s the limit when you have grit and determination and put in the hard work.
Joan Orsini Ford (King of Prussia, PA) received the 2021 James P. Fox Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from the Montgomery Bar Association Trial Lawyers Section. The award recognizes not only proficiency in the courtroom, but also a dedication to promoting a positive image for attorneys through one’s professional demeanor, service and integrity. In addition, it seeks to acknowledge an attorney who has created a reputation among her peers as a daunting adversary, while remaining a respected colleague.
Lauren Gandle (Tampa, FL) has been selected as a member of the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers Leadership Academy Class of 2021-2022. The Leadership Academy is a multi-session professional development program designed for attorneys seeking to advance their self-advocacy skills, leverage their talent in their legal position, identify leadership strategies and opportunities, create a plan for personal and professional leadership, and network with like-minded leaders.
Daniel McDermott (Purchase, NY) received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Institute of Marine Underwriters (AIMU). The award is given annually in recognition of outstanding service not only to the AIMU organization, but also to the larger marine insurance community.
Michele Punturi (Philadelphia, PA) has been approved for nomination by The Board of Governors of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers as a Fellow of the College. Election as a Fellow represents the recognition by colleagues that Michele has distinguished herself as an outstanding professional who has made a sustained contribution to the field of workers’ compensation and met the College’s standards of integrity, professionalism and character.
Jeremy Zacharias (Mount Laurel, NJ) has been awarded the PLUS Emerging Leader Award from the Professional Liability Underwriting Society. The annual award recognizes young professionals who exhibit the attributes to become future leaders in their organization and industry. Congratulations, Jeremy!
Appointments
Josh Byrne (Philadelphia, PA) has been named as Co-Chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Professional Responsibility Committee.
Niki Ingram (Philadelphia, PA) was named Vice President of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation. Niki also serves as the Foundation’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer.
Alan C. (A.C.) Nash (Fort Lauderdale, FL) has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Broward County Chapter of RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society. The RIMS Broward County Chapter strives to promote risk management professionals and elevate the risk management industry through education, community involvement, legislative participation, and networking opportunities. RIMS, a global not-for-profit, is the preeminent organization dedicated to advancing the practice of risk management throughout the world.
Michele Punturi (Philadelphia, PA) has also been selected as a “Risk Insider” contributor to Risk & Insurance magazine. In this capacity, Michele will author two articles per year for publication in the prominent insurance trade magazine. Click here to read Michele’s first article, “Workers’ Compensation Claims Mounting? A Collaborative Review Process Can Help.”
Published Articles
Tom Brown (Orlando, FL) and Patrick Delong (Fort Lauderdale, FL) authored the article, “Defending Ride-Hailing and Car-Sharing Claims – Handling Accident-Related Lawsuits in a Sharing Economy,” published in the January 2022 issue of CLM Magazine. Click here to read: https://736506f6.flowpaper.com/CLMJanuary2022/#page=10.
Josh Byrne (Philadelphia, PA) had two articles published in November. “Employing a Formerly Admitted Attorney” was published by PLUS Blog on November 1, 2021, and can be read at https://marshalldennehey.com/articles/employing-formerly-admitted-attor…. “Remorse and Acceptance, Lessons From the Disbarments and Suspensions of 2021, published in The Legal Intelligencer on November 19th, can be read at https://marshalldennehey.com/articles/remorse-and-acceptance-lessons-di….
Michael Duffy (King of Prussia, PA) authored the article “Bullying in the Workplace,” which appeared in the December issue of CLM Magazine. Click here to read the full article: https://theclm.org/Magazine/articles/bullying-in-the-workplace/2354?utm…
Allison Krupp and Christopher Woodward (Harrisburg, PA) authored, “Pa. Ruling Leaves Auto Policy Stacking Questions,” for Law360.com. Click here to read: https://marshalldennehey.com/articles/pa-ruling-leaves-auto-policy-stac…
Carolin Pacheco’s (Orlando, FL) article “‘Dodge v. People’s Trust Insurance’ and Its Effect on Coverage of Cast Iron Pipes Claims,” was published in the November 1, 2021, edition of the Daily Business Review. Click to read the article: https://marshalldennehey.com/articles/%E2%80%98dodge-v-people%E2%80%99s…
Michael Salvati (Philadelphia, PA) authored the article, “After ‘Tincher,’ Evidence of Industry Standards Should be Admissible in PI Litigation,” appearing in The Legal Intelligencer’s Personal Injury Supplement. You can read the article here: https://marshalldennehey.com/articles/after-%E2%80%98tincher%E2%80%99-e…
Michael Sweeney’s (Mount Laurel, NJ) article “Mandatory Policy Limit Disclosure: How Pre-suit Negotiations in NJ Are Set to Change,” was published in September in the New Jersey Law Journal. Read the article here: https://marshalldennehey.com/articles/mandatory-policy-limit-disclosure….
Jeremy Zacharias’s (Mount Laurel, NJ) article “Incorporating DEI Into an Evolving Litigation Practice,” was published in The Legal Intelligencer on November 16th. Read his commentary here: https://marshalldennehey.com/articles/incorporating-dei-evolving-litiga…
Speaking Engagements
Linda Farrell (Jacksonville, FL) presented “Permanent and Total Disability” for the Association of Workers’ Compensation Claims Professionals.
Brooks Foland (Harrisburg, PA) presented “Joint and Several Liability in 2022” to the Pennsylvania Bar Institute.
Scott Gemberling (Philadelphia, PA) presented “Dram Shop, The Toxicology and the Law” to the National Academy of Continuing Legal Education.
Jessica Julian (Wilmington, DE) presented at the January Workers’ Compensation Breakfast Seminar, hosted by the Delaware State Bar Association. Jessica was part of a panel that discussed “Protocols Post Web-Ex.”
Matthew Keris (Scranton, PA) co-presented an educational session, “Anticipated Liability Risks of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare,” during the ASHRM Annual Conference held in San Antonio.
Mark Kozlowski (Scranton, PA) presented the webinar “Where to Find Talent & the Do’s/Don’t’s of Interviewing” to the Society for Human Resource Management.
Daniel Krebbs (Philadelphia, PA) participated in the 2021 Dispute Resolution Institute’s Personal Injury Practicum and gave an update on the uninsured/underinsured motorists in Pennsylvania.
Morgan Randle and Teresa Sirianni (Pittsburgh, PA) presented “Employment Claims Involving Law Enforcement: Prepare to Defend” before the Western Pennsylvania Chiefs’ of Police Association. The program highlighted the risks of discrimination and employment-based lawsuits that can arise in law enforcement, along with recommendations and best practices to protect chiefs and ranking officers. Topics included an employment law primer, two interactive and real case studies, information about individual liability and what to do if you are personally named, and hot topics.
Patrick Reilly and Lauren Purcell (Pittsburgh, PA) met with representatives from the Rutgers School of Law Appellate Advocacy Program to discuss liquor law in Pennsylvania. Their discussion was based on a 2020 article they wrote for The Legal Intelligencer’s Liquor Law Supplement titled, “Should Mandatory Liquor Liability Insurance Be in Pa.’s Future?”
Bradley Remick (Philadelphia, PA) presented “Trials in the Pandemic World” at the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association Annual Conference.
Courtney Schulnick (Philadelphia, PA) presented “Returning to Normal: Handling Stress Like a PRO” at the recent DRI Professional Liability Seminar.
David Shannon (Philadelphia, PA) moderated the Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel program, “Cybersecurity: Crucial for a Law Firm’s Survival.” The panel discussed ways to protect ESI and the importance of conducting information security assessments, and how to manage budgeting issues and remote work vulnerabilities.
Robin Snyder (King of Prussia) was a panelist for a roundtable webinar hosted by the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Sponsored by the Large Law Firm Committee, the webinar, “Business and Practice of Law Post-COVID-19: How Will It Change?,” brought together legal leaders for a conversation focused on how law firms are adapting to conducting business post-COVID. Topics included attracting and retaining talent; onboarding and mentoring; balancing hybrid work environments; and building and maintaining client relationships.
Lary Zucker and Sara Mazzola (Mount Laurel, NJ) participated in the the annual “IAAPA/IALDA Legal Roundtable” at the IAAPA EXPO in Orlando, Florida.
Defense Digest, Vol. 28, No. 1, April 2022 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. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING pursuant to New York RPC 7.1. © 2022 Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be reprinted without the express written permission of our firm. For reprints, contact tamontemuro@mdwcg.com.