Leslie Rutledge is the Casualty Product Line Officer for the Americas Region.  She is responsible for supporting the Casualty businesses in developing, maintaining and disseminating General Liability, Commercial Auto, Excess Liability and Medical Professional Liability guidelines for the Americas. MS. Rutledge is also responsible for identifying emerging liability risks and new products.
                                                          
Ms. Rutledge has 17 years of legal and insurance experience.  She joined AIG in 2006 as a Complex Claims Director in the Excess Claims Department. In 2008, she moved to the Product and Single Event Claims Department as an Assistant Vice President and remained in the role of Assistant Vice President through two department mergers. She was promoted to the role of Casualty Product Line Officer in August 2015.   
 
Prior to coming to AIG, Ms. Rutledge had an extensive legal career. First, serving as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Seattle, WA prosecuting felony criminal defendants. She went onto to hold positions as Staff Counsel at SAFECO Insurance Company in Seattle, WA and Lead Trial Counsel for Travelers Insurance Company in New York.   
 
Ms. Rutledge earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Washington and her Juris Doctorate from Seattle University.

Began her career in Insurance in 1984 in the Sales and Underwriting departments at AAA Michigan. In 1986, Catia transferred to the claims department and in 1989 became a Claim Representative. In 1992, her natural curiosity was a perfect fit for the Claims Investigation Unit at AAA Michigan.
Since 1996, Catia has been in the Special Investigation Unit at Allstate Insurance Company. She has been an SIU Field Analyst since 2001. In her role, Catia handles affirmative civil actions and major case investigations for Allstate Insurance and Encompass Insurance.
Catia Monforton-Farris attended the Unversity of Michigan where she studied Political Science.

Kathleen Lyons is currently a Claims Lead at AXIS Capital concentrating in Professional and Casualty Lines under the reinsurance arm of the company. Prior to joining AXIS Re,  she served as a VP in the Property Casualty Business Management Unit at Swiss Reinsurance Holding Corporation managing a a variety of casualty claims. She started her insurance career at HANYS serving as claims counsel handling primary and excess medical professional claims.
Before joining HANYS, Ms. Lyons worked as an attorney for 20 years at several defense firms. She specialized in medical malpractice and hospital liability. She served on the curriculum planning committee and an instructor in the Legal Nurse Consulting Program at Pace University. She started her career as a nurse and worked in various clinical settings including the ICU and ER for 10 years

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing  from the University of Michigan and a JD from Fordham University – School of Law

Ms. Lyons is active in the NYS Bar Association and a member of the Committee of Women in Law.  She is on the Board of APIW - Association of Professional Insurance Women  and serves as Membership Chair .

Kati is a Healthcare Claims Manager at  Beazley, plc. Before joining Beazley in September 2008, she was a practicing attorney at a large New York City healthcare defense firm. Prior to her law firm experience, Kati clerked for the Honorable Walter Barisonek of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Union County.

Ana Watson concentrates on insurance coverage and litigation, often representing primary and excess insurers and reinsurers with respect to their North American professional liability and general liability exposures. Ms. Watson is skilled at assisting foreign and domestic carriers with pre-underwriting risk assessments and managing the claims portfolios of prestigious medical centers and physician groups nationwide. She has worked with insureds to improve their risk and claims management practices, and draws on her litigation experience to favorably resolve multi-million dollar claims for her clients. She also regularly provides coverage analyses to her clients with respect to a variety of exposures.

Ms. Watson belongs to the Chicago Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, the Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys, the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management and the Professional Liability Underwriting Society.

Lynn Pierce is a CNA Risk Control consultant. Prior to joining CNA, she worked in clinical settings such as emergency, surgical and cardiac critical care, and cardiac and orthopedic rehabilitation services. She has served as a director of risk management in acute care hospitals and integrated healthcare systems. Lynn also held leadership positions in quality, HIPAA privacy, environmental and patient safety, case management, corporate compliance, workers’ compensation and infection control.

In 2002, she became a certified legal nurse consultant. Lynn earned a bachelor of science in nursing degree from the State University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia, as well as the certified professional in healthcare risk management designation. 
 

Matthew Smith is Of Counsel, and formerly served as President of Smith, Rolfes & Skavdahl (skav-doll) Company, LPA. He founded the firm in 1989 after beginning practice as an insurance defense attorney in Florida. From starting as a one-attorney office, the firm has grown to eight offices and provides insurance law services throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
 
Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Smith attended the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music graduating with a degree in Radio, TV and Film. While working his way through college and law school he served as Director of Marketing Communications for the Kings Island Theme Park Complex in Ohio and founded Smith-Kaufman Public Relations representing such companies as Wendy’s International, Hyatt Hotels and The Cincinnati Reds.
 
Mr. Smith graduated from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University.  He is admitted to practice in both federal and state courts in Ohio, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan and Washington, D.C. as well as the United States Supreme Court.
 
He serves as legal counsel to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, is a past President of the National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, chairs the Insurance Committee of the International Association of Arson Investigators, and is a member of the Defense Research Institute, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance and numerous other insurance law related organizations. Mr. Smith is a frequent lecturer on insurance law matters throughout the United States.
 

Dr. Maddox's current focus is in assisting with the development and implementation of electronic medical records for 100 – 200 bed hospitals.

In the practice of law, she currently represents nurses and other allied health care workers before their respective licensing boards within the state of Texas. She practiced law in the areas of medical negligence, professional negligence, products liability, and pharmaceutical litigation. For over thirteen years, she has represented both individuals and families in medical malpractice litigation in obtaining compensation for substandard medical care.

As an Associate Professor at Houston Baptist University, she served on the College of Nursing Faculty Affairs and Peer Review Committee, the Graduating Level Curriculum committee, and the Academic Advising Team.

As a registered nurse, Tracy Maddox worked twelve years in critical care, medical surgical care, sub-acute care and psychiatric care in the acute care hospital setting. 

During her career Dr. Tracy Maddox has worked on the Board of Trustees for the Greater Houston Critical Care Society for three years, and served as president for one year. She has previously been a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, The American Association of Justice, and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.
 

Lee Weatherly has been lead counsel in over 75 jury trials and is a member of both the South Carolina and Kentucky Bars. He has tried cases to verdict involving medical malpractice, premises liability, food contamination, automobile and motor carrier liability, business and commercial litigation, employment litigation, and property disputes.  Lee’s current practice focuses on cases involving medical malpractice and defending commerical entities in personal injury matters. 

Lee is a graduate of Centre College and the University of Kentucky College of Law, where he was a member of the Kentucky Law Journal (Law Review).  He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) an invitation only organiation of experienced trial attorneys and judges.  Lee lives on the Isle of Palms with his wife and two daughters.  

Doug Vaughn is a partner in Deutsch Kerrigan’s Gulfport, Mississippi, office. His practice is focused on litigation including medical malpractice defense, commercial litigation, products liability, insurance first and third party claims, and motor vehicle/motor carrier catastrophic personal injury law. Mr. Vaughn has an "AV" rating from Martindale Hubbell and has been selected for inclusion in "Best Lawyers" and as a Mid South "Super Lawyer."   He is admitted to practice in Mississippi and Florida and is an alumnus of the University of Mississippi School of Law.  Mr. Vaughn has been an active member of the CLM, serving as a committee co-chair and presenting CEU/CLE programs at both its annual meetings and specialty conferences.  He is a past president of the Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association and has served on the faculty of the International Association of Defense Counsel's trial academy in Palo Alto, CA, after having  served as chair of its Medical Defense and Health Law Committee and its inaugural and subsequent Medical Liability Roundtable seminars in Manhattan and Chicago.  

Melanie Pita is a licensed attorney and industry executive with more than 20 years of experience in the claims and litigation field. As a graduate of both Indiana University Bloomington and Drake University Law School, Melanie has extensive experience resolving significant legal, business and compliance issues in C-Suites, board rooms and courtrooms. Melanie’s wide-ranging expertise includes litigation, insurance defense, claim management, data privacy and security, electronic medical records,  scrum/agile product development, and project management, contract negotiation, marketing, business development, strategic acquisitions/partnerships, product life cycle, strategic road maps, staff coaching/mentoring.  Melanie currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer for Foundation AI. 
 

Karen Salmon, Esq. AIC, AIS, is VP at GB Healthcare, currently working as the client liaison between GB Healthcare and one of their most prestigious healthcare client partners.  Working directly with C-suite level program executives, she provides direct oversight of large exposure complex professional and general liability claims, and directs the strategy of the program; from evaluation, retention and direction of counsel, as well as cases strategy and finances.  Karen is key in ensuring their program is at the forefront of industry standards. Karen is an IronMan triathlete, ultra marathoner, and yoga teacher, further marrying discipline with her mindset to aid client parters in achieving their program goals. By engaging in these activities, she has the space to think strategically, and align this with her client service model. Karen is a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, and New England School of Law. A member of the South Carolina Bar, Karen holds insurance adjuster licenses in multiple jurisdictions, and has earned the Associates in Claims (AIC), and Associate in Insurance Services (AIS).  She previously served as the Regional Manager, NC and VP of Hospital and Allied Claims for MagMutual Insurance Company. 
 

As the Director of Project Management, Yasko's responsibilities at Preferred Medical are vast and varying. Preferred Medical is a workers compensation PBM and ancillary services provider. In his role, Yasko helps to create the strategic focus of the organization while optimizing internal processes. He also serves a customer facing role however, where his consultative, trusted advisor approach has helped him to earn a modest reputation of a subject matter expert within the industry.

Scott is a member of the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, serving on the Medical Legal Committee. Through the CLM, as well as other industry affiliations, Yasko has evolved as a frequent contributor, both as writer and speaker, on topics related to prescription drugs, medical marijuana, drug testing, and complex claims issues. 

Scott received his Bachelors of Arts in business management from Robert Morris University and his Masters in Business Administration from Georgia Southern University. He resides in Atlanta, GA with his wife, Leah, and two daughters, Monroe and Kensington.

Jessica C. Smythe is a Medicare Secondary Payer compliance consultant with ISO Claims Partners. Prior to joining ISO Claims Partners, Jessica was a workers’ compensation defense attorney.

Jessica is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer on the subject of Medicare compliance, including the impact of Medicare compliance on claim handling and litigation management. She also writes a bimonthly column, “Medicare Matters,” for Claims Management Magazine and was awarded the designation of CLMP (Certified Litigation Management Professional) in October 2012. Jessica also holds the designation of CMSP (Certified Medicare Secondary Payer Act Professional). 

Jessica is a graduate of Meredith College and the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, Campbell University. She is an inductee to the Order of the Barristers and is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, the Wake County Bar Association, the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) and the National Association of Medicare Set Aside Professionals (NAMSAP).

Charles Cole is a partner in the Chicago office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Medical Malpractice Department. He spends the majority of his time defending physicians and other health care providers. After admission to the Illinois Bar in 1977, Mr. Cole has spent his career trying complex and significant matters to verdict in Illinois as well as other states, both in the State Court and the Federal Court.

Mr. Cole has tried more than 80 cases to verdict involving multi-million dollar exposures. His practice areas and trial experience include medical malpractice, professional liability, complex construction matters, amusement claims, commercial litigation, transportation negligence, and general liability defense. 

Jeremy Cayton brings more than 18 years of experience in the property and casualty industry to his presentations. Since 1998 he has worked for Liberty Mutual in a variety of roles, from claim handling to the WC Director of Complex Claims for the Northeast Region where he created all of Liberty’s pharmacy initiatives nationally. Jeremy currently is responsible for ensuring Liberty Mutual is compliant with the federal Medicare Secondary Payer statute.

Jeremy is a member of the claims board of the Massachusetts Workers Compensation Research Institute and is a licensed member of the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers.
 
 

John M. Foley is a Professional Liability Claims Manager for Markel, managing a staff of five senior claims examiners responsible for over 850 professional liability claims and suits against physicians, surgeons, hospitals, medical facilities and allied health professionals pending across the United States and its territories. Mr. Foley was in private practice in Chicago from 1992 - 2008, concentrating his practice in litigating professional liability cases involving medical professionals, attorneys, and financial service providers. He is a 1992 graduate of the DePaul University College of Law and a 1989 honors graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Frank has been a member of Marshall Dennehey's Workers' Compensation Practice Group since joining the firm in 1992. He has devoted his practice to representing employers from many different industries in a variety of Pennsylvania workers' compensation claims. Frank has successfully defended construction companies, food service companies, nursing homes, pharmaceutical companies, retail stores and supermarkets in cases involving hearing loss due to occupational noise, psychiatric injuries from abnormal working conditions, injuries from contact with toxic chemicals in the workplace and fatalities.

Frank's articles on important Pennsylvania workers' compensation cases frequently appear in well-known employer publications, such as the A.M. Best Insurance Digest, Counterpoint and the Pennsylvania Self Insurers' Association newsletter. He is a writer and editor of the firm's What's Hot In Workers' Compensation, a monthly update on significant developments in Pennsylvania workers' compensation law. Frank has also given numerous presentations and seminars on critical developments in Pennsylvania workers' compensation law to various employer and insurance industry groups, as well as to his colleagues.

Frank received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University in 1986. He attended the Widener University School of Law and obtained his juris doctor in 1989. In law school, Frank was a staff writer for the Delaware Law Forum and was selected to sit on its editorial board.

Frank is an active member of the workers' compensation sections of the Pennsylvania and Montgomery Bar associations

Carolyn W. Finch is a claim consultant with Munich Re Specialty--North America. She currently specializes in the successful resolution of professional liability claims on a nationwide basis, especially legal and accounting malpractice at both a primary and excess level.  Previously she specialized in product liability claims involving high risk product insureds include nutraceutical, medical devices, durable equipment, childrens’ products, recreational and construction devices/accessories, and food manufacturers and distributors. Carolyn has over 40 years claims experience handling primary, excess and reinsurance claims for leading excess and surplus carriers. She has been a frequent speaker on claims management topics at industry seminars.  She previously served as co-chair of the CLM Product Liability Committee.

As Corporate Medical Director, Dr. Robert Hall advises our customers and employees on evidence-based clinical and rehabilitation guidelines that optimize our pharmacy, home health, and durable medical equipment programs to promote better outcomes and earlier return-to-work for injured workers. He also offers counsel on our processes and procedures to identify and reduce prescription medication misuse and abuse.

A practicing, board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, Dr. Hall has treated patients in private practice, private and state-run hospitals, and out-patient clinic settings. His areas of focus include electromyography, pain management, musculoskeletal medicine, and stroke rehabilitation.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science (cum laude) in Electrical Engineering at The Ohio State University, he continued with his medical school training and served as chief resident in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the university’s medical center. He has been awarded the distinction of “Best Doctors in America®” since 2009.

Shelly Rorie obtained her associates degree in nursing from Charlotte Mecklenburg School of Nursing, her bachelor’s in Health Sciences from MUSC and her Master’s in Health Law from Nova Southeastern University. She has also completed several risk management educational programs to include earning her certificate in Health Care Risk Management from the University of South Florida. Shelly works closely with the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA) teaching Just Culture around the state and assisting with other collaborative programs including High Reliability in Healthcare settings. She is currently the director of Patient Safety and Risk Management for Palmetto Health, a Columbia SC based not for profit organization, leading the risk program for an 1138 bed system and 40 ambulatory practice settings. 
 

Mark Pew brings more than 30 years of experience in the property and casualty, healthcare and technology industries to his presentations. Since 2000 he has worked with PRIUM in a variety of roles, from creating the Medical Intervention Program in 2003 and TaperRx in 2013 to educating stakeholders around the country on issues around the prescription drug epidemic.Mark is a popular speaker at workers’ compensation conferences around the country as well as individual continuing education venues. He has spoken at the National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference, National Rx Drug Abuse Summit, at statewide or self-insured conferences in 17 states, and at national and regional association gatherings around the country. Between March 2012 and February 2015 he presented 227 times to 12,852 people in 37 states, including 10 national webinars. In addition, Mark serves on the Medical Issues Committee of International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) and the Workers’ Compensation Committee for the Self-Insurance Institute of America (SIIA).A frequent media source for stories on pharmacy in workers’ compensation, Mark also writes articles for several publications. He is a regular contributor to Claim Management Magazine and Insurance Thought Leader.

Dr. Pamella Thomas has an extensive 30-year background in occupational health, Aerospace Medicine, clinical quality assurance, physician education, managed care, and Population Health Management Strategies. She held numerous health and wellness positions with Lockheed Martin Corporation for 22 years, ending her tenure as Corp Medical Director of Wellness and Productivity Management. Dr. Thomas is an Adjunct Associate Professor since 1992, in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University and is currently a Consulting Medical Director at Prium. Dr. Thomas was Chair of the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency Program Advisory Board at Emory University for several years and has trained residents from a number of other U.S. Occupational Medicine Programs, including Harvard.
 
A Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine and the American College Occupational and Environmental Medicine and a Diplomate of both the American Board of Managed Care Medicine and the American College of Physician Executives. She earned her Master's in Public Health from the Medical College of Wisconsin and her Doctor of Medicine at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, conducting her surgical residency at Brookdale Hospital & Medical Center in New York. 
 
 

Scott Hoover has been in the structured settlement industry for more than 22 years. He owns and operates the Ringler Associates Orlando office.

His accomplishments include receiving The Rookie of the Year award during his first year of Associate Production. He also received the prestigious Chairman’s Award, followed by The Producer of the Year in 2008. Scott was the Southern Division Manager for five years, 2004-2009. Scott has served on the Ringler Associates Board of Directors since 2004.

He specializes in the evaluation, negotiation, and settlement of large physical injury claims including medical malpractice claims, auto bodily injury claims, premise liability claims, and workers’ compensation injury claims. Scott excels in the implementation of structured settlement periodic payment plans for the fulfillment of injured parties medical and financial needs.

He has significant experience in medical malpractice insurance, but routinely handles cases involving a wide spectrum of catastrophic physical and personal injury claims. Scott has focused much of his work on the implementation of structured settlements for physically and brain injured children. He is available to testify or provide expert testimony at trial regarding the periodic payment concept (structured settlements) and the financial benefit and reliability of utilizing the structured settlement.
 
 

Julie Fortune is Senior Vice President and Chief Claims Officer for Arrowpoint Capital based in Charlotte, NC. The Arrowpoint Capital insurance operation has a 165-year history in the United States, formerly as part of the worldwide Royal & SunAlliance Insurance Group plc. Julie is responsible for the workers' compensation claims management operation.  She has more than 20 years of claims and legal experience in the insurance arena with both ongoing and run-off companies.

Prior to joining Arrowpoint Capital, Julie served as the Vice President of Staff Counsel, Services Provider Group and Claims at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co., Sr. Vice President Claims Zurich Canada, Vice President – Customer Services Provider Group and National Litigation Manager for Zurich North America, and National Litigation Manager for Liberty Mutual. Throughout her career she has gained extensive experience in claims, organizational transition, and vendor and litigation management.

Julie earned her B.S. degree from the University of Oregon, M.A. degree from the Ohio State University, and J.D. degree from the Antioch School of Law.  She is a member of the Supreme Court of the United States, Tennessee, and Oregon.

She is a frequent speaker at industry events and has been quoted in various publications on the topic of claims and litigation management. She is the current Co-Chair and an Advisory Board member of the CLM, and a Chancellor for the Litigation Management Institute.  Julie is also a member of the American Bar Association and the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Susan Smith is a member of Goldberg Segalla’s Toxic Torts, Environmental, and Product Liability Practice Group. An experienced litigator and trial lawyer who has spent nearly twenty years defending clients in various industries against claims alleging injury as a result of exposure to carbon monoxide, mold, lead, Legionella bacteria, and other potentially harmful substances, Ms. Smith uses her extensive experience and knowledge to craft and execute strong defenses in response to high-stakes lawsuits. She also defends environmental contamination claims involving residential and commercial properties. She is the immediate-past Chair of the Maryland Defense Counsel’s Lead Paint Committee. Ms. Smith was the Co-Chair of the CLM’s Maryland/DC Chapter from 2012-2014. She is also a longstanding member of the Defense Research Institute.   

Ms. Goff began her career at Gallagher Bassett over 24 years ago in our National Liability Branch in Maryland Heights. Since then she has held many managerial roles, most recently Executive Vice President, U.S. Operations overseeing claims offices, strategic partner solutions and over 3000 team members.  She retired in October of 2015. Her leadership was vital to the ongoing success of GB’s U.S. Claims Operation and the launch of the Resolution Manager revolution, Quality Assurance, SCHIP and Licensing Departments.Prior to joining Gallagher Bassett, JoAnn worked in the claims organizations of Chubb, Farmers Insurance and The Hartford and the risk management department of a large grocery wholesaler.She holds Senior Claim Law Associate (SCLA) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations.JoAnn recently sold a business she established with her husband. The business focused on helping seniors stay in their homes as long as possible. She is now consultanting for not only the insurance industry but also is an Independent Consultant for Arbonne focusing on skin care and wellness products. 

Mike Bruyere is a Partner in the firm's CGL and Business Liability group, and he chairs the Firm's Complex and Commercial Litigation group, and he heads the Life Sciences Litigation Practice. His experience includes cases involving prescription and generic drugs, medical devices (including implantable devices), biologics, human clinical trials, genetic testing and prosthetics. He has represented clients facing claims in state and federal courts, including class actions, multi-district litigation, and arbitration. Mike has utilized his engineering background and legal training in class action lawsuits during his representation of some of the world's leading businesses. Mr. Bruyere often utilizes his engineering background during his representation of clients, which include some of the world's leading businesses. Mr. Bruyere is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point where he received a B.S. in Engineering and received a M.B.A. from Boston University. In his pre-law life, Mike served as an officer in the U.S. Army and was an Honor Graduate of the Army’s Ranger and Airborne Schools.

 

Dr. G. Steven Baer, a native of northern Illinois, studied his pre-chiropractic education at Illinois State University majoring in biology and chemistry. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, in 1978. Dr. Baer holds board certifications in Occupational Health and Forensic Sciences. 
 
Practicing his entire career in Southwestern Ohio he focused on general chiropractic practice, nutrition, exercise, ergonomic and lifestyle recommendations. He consulted with numerous companies regarding ergonomic and occupational issues. Due to disability he was forced to retire from practice.
 
In addition to private practice he maintained a forensic chiropractic practice. He served as a Disability Evaluation Panel member for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, as a consultant to self-insured employers and third party administrators. He also consulted and advised insurance carriers regarding chiropractic utilization. He has also been involved in fraud investigations for the U.S. District attorney, Ohio Attorney General, and other third-party carriers as consultant and expert witness.  
 
He was past-president for the College on Forensic Science through the American Chiropractic Association.   
 
He has lectured throughout his career on varied topics to include chiropractic practice, coding, and chiropractic fraud. Currently Dr. Baer lectures voluntarily to students regarding ethical chiropractic practice. 
 
 

Dr. Iglesias is a seasoned physician executive and national speaker with over 25 years of experience in workers' compensation and disability treatment, evaluation and insurance leadership. His professional interests include the prevention and mitigation of delayed recovery and disability. His passion for helping workers live active, productive and fulfilling lives has led him to develop innovative comprehensive disability management solutions that focus on early identification of risk factors and appropriate early interventions to return workers to preinjury function.

Joseph P. Menello is the managing partner of Wicker Smith’s Atlanta office.  Mr. Menello’s civil trial practice has focused primarily on the defense of professional and corporate institutions, as well as individuals. He has defended cases involving medical malpractice, premises liability, automobile liability, general civil litigation and professional negligence, covering a wide range of complex legal and medical issues. Mr. Menello is an active member of both the Georgia and Florida Bar Associations.

Mr. Menello earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in 1994 from Florida State University and continued on to receive his Juris Doctor with honors in 1998. He was admitted to practice in the State of Georgia in 2021 and the State of Florida in 1998. He is also admitted in the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida and Northern District of Florida. Mr. Menello has earned a Martindale Hubbell’s highest AV Preeminent rating from his peers.  He is also an active member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and Claims and Litigation Management (CLM).