Defense Digest, Vol. 25, No. 2, June 2019

On the Pulse...Other Notable Achievements

Recognition

John J. Hare (Philadelphia, PA), co-chair of the Appellate Advocacy and Post-Trial Practice Group, and Heather Russell Fine (Philadelphia, PA), shareholder in the firm’s Casualty Department, have been selected to join the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC). The IADC is an invitation-only organization of 2,500 peer-reviewed inside and outside counsel, and insurance industry executives representing companies across the world.

Congratulations to John J. Hare and Teresa Ficken Sachs (Philadelphia, PA) who have been selected 2019 “Influencers of Law” in the area of business litigation by The Philadelphia Inquirer. The awards program recognizes attorneys who have raised the bar through outstanding leadership and counsel, and whose contributions have helped to shape, change and transform the legal industry in Pennsylvania.

Brooks Foland (Harrisburg, PA) was recently installed as the 2019 president of the Dauphin County Bar Association. Brooks has been a member of the Bar Association for several years and most recently served as its vice president.

Ashley Talley (Philadelphia, PA) was awarded a Westfield Insurance Company ‘Golden Gavel’ for outstanding legal representation on behalf of the insurer in a complex workers’ compensation case. ​The Golden Gavel Award is a formal recognition program designed by Westfield to recognize outstanding achievement by its outside counsel. Nominations for award winners are completed by Westfield claims professionals and submitted to its legal unit for consideration.

 

Marshall Dennehey Announces 2019 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Eight attorneys from our New Jersey offices have been selected to the 2019 edition of New Jersey Super Lawyers* magazine. The attorneys selected to the 2019 New Jersey Super Lawyers list include:

  • John L. Slimm, Professional Liability Defense
  • Lary Zucker, Personal Injury Defense and Entertainment & Sports Defense

The attorneys selected to the 2019 New Jersey Super Lawyer Rising Stars list include:

  • Ariel Brownstein, Insurance Coverage
  • Alicia Calaf, Personal Injury General Defense
  • Christopher DiCicco, Transportation/Maritime Litigation
  • Julie Dorfman, Civil Litigation Defense
  • Ryan Gannon, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice Defense
  • Heather LaBombardi, Medical Malpractice Defense

*A Thomson Reuters business, New Jersey Super Lawyers is a rating service of lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected as Super Lawyers and no more than 2.5 percent are selected for Super Lawyer Rising Stars. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. A description of the selection methodology can be found at http://www.superlawyers.com/about/selection_process.html. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

 

Speaking Engagements

Eric Fitzgerald and Michele Punturi (Philadelphia, PA) were presenters at the CLM Annual Conference in Orlando. ​Eric joined a panel of industry professionals to present “Tear It Up and Start Over – The New Generation of AFAs.” This panel discussed the new generation of AFAs, including what is working and what are the next great ideas. In “Driven to Distraction – Mitigating Distracted Driving Claims,” Michele joined other industry professionals to discuss the importance of developing a roadmap to minimize the impact and effect of distracted driving by limiting exposures, reducing costs, and mitigating workers’ compensation claims.

Christopher Dougherty and David Shannon (Philadelphia, PA) participated in the 3rd Annual Insurance Law Global (ILG) conference in London. The theme of the conference was “Privacy, Cannabis and the Future of Claims.” More than 100 insurance and claims professionals attended the half-day event at the Lloyds of London Library. Speakers included ILG representatives as well as outside business and insurance leaders. While in London, Chris was elected to serve another year on ILG’s Board of Directors.

Kacey Wiedt and Christopher Conrad (Harrisburg, PA) presented “Navigating the Bermuda Triangle: The Intersection of Workers’ Compensation, FMLA and ADA.” The presentation was part of the risk management training program for the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. The session explored the interplay between the multiple state and federal laws, and provided attendees with best practices for compliance strategies to minimize liability, and tips for avoiding costly mistakes related to leave issues.

Janice Merrill and Chanel Mosley (Orlando, FL) were the featured speakers at an educational workshop hosted by the Florida Society of Healthcare Risk Management & Patient Safety. ​Their presentation, “Strategies for Optimizing Risk Management & Patient Safety in Long-Term Care,” focused on techniques to manage communications between families and healthcare providers, the importance of promoting collaboration between LTC and acute care providers during transitions in patient care, and how to avoid pitfalls in practice that create litigation exposure, and what to do when problems arise.

Paul Krepps (Pittsburgh, PA) was invited to present a seminar for Allegheny County law enforcement leadership on the topic of the law and litigation as it applies to mass disturbances. ​The event was sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh. Paul’s presentation was entitled “Mass Disturbances Law and Litigation.” The seminar covered a number of topics which included the history of development of the Mobile Field Force Concept, the three stages of potential litigation, civil rights that are implicated in mass disturbances, and a recommended methodology for preparing for and assisting in the defense of litigation arising out of such events. The seminar was attended by over 100 command-level police officers.

John Hare (Philadelphia, PA) presented a seminar on the state constitution to trial and appellate judges at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania State Trial Judges Conference. ​The seminar focused on the increasing use of the state constitution to develop claims and decide cases.

 

Defense Digest, Vol. 25, No. 2, June 2019. 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. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING pursuant to New York RPC 7.1. © 2019 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.