Judy Farrington Aust, a founding partner in Goodman McGuffey Lindsey & Johnson, LLP, is a trial attorney with extensive experience in state and federal court.  During more than twenty years of practice, Judy has focused on the trial of civil cases, with emphasis on employment matters, including discrimination and harassment issues, as well as professional malpractice, construction, product liability, personal injury and insurance coverage litigation.

Judy is active in the State Bar of Georgia; Atlanta Bar Association; Federal Bar Association; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association; and Lawyers Club of Atlanta. Her involvement with industry-related organizations includes participation on various committees of The Claims & Litigation Management Alliance and DRI. She was privileged to participate as a Barrister in the Joseph Henry Lumpkin Inn of Court. She served for a number of years on the Board of Directors of the Litigation Section of the Atlanta Bar Association, ultimately as chair of the section, the largest in the Atlanta Bar Association. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Bar Association and was a member of the Judicial Selection and Tenure Committee and the U.S. District Court Magistrate Merit Selection Committee. She is a former member of the Atlanta Bar Association's Task Force Juris. She has been a faculty member for the Atlanta College of Trial Advocacy and is a certified mediator. Judy has been a frequent speaker at seminars directed to various aspects of trial and discovery procedure, professionalism and employment law.

Bill Murray is a partner in the Glastonbury, CT office of Gordon & Rees LLP. Bill is admitted to practice in both Connecticut and Massachusetts and regularly practices in the state and federal courts of both jurisdictions. His practice focuses on insurance coverage litigation, professional liability litigation, and employment practices liability litigation, but Bill also has experience defending complex personal injury, product liability, lender liability, and secured transaction cases, as well as defending class actions and prosecuting commercial and residential foreclosures. Bill also works on providing coverage opinions and advice to various insurers relating to real estate professional liability, legal professional liability, technology services liability, and commercial general liability policies.

Jeffrey R. Neidle, Esq. is Assistant Vice President, Professional Liability, at AIG where he manages a group handling severity Managed Care, Accountants, Realtors, EPL and D&O matters.  Mr. Neidle leverages over 25 years’ experience as both private counsel and an insurance executive. Formerly, Mr. Neidle served as Vice President of Professional Liability Claims at the OneBeacon Group of Insurance Companies where he was responsible for Architects & Engineers, Contractors, Lawyers, Realtors, Insurance Agents and Cyber Products. Mr. Neidle has also held leadership positions at CNA, Chubb and The Hartford where he was responsible for a range of professional liability, management liability and Directors and Officers claims. Prior to joining Chubb, he was in private practice in both Connecticut and Michigan where he specialized in civil litigation including employment defense, professional liability defense, coverage litigation and school law. He received his Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, MA, a Master's Degree from Trinity College in Hartford, CT and his Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, from The University of Connecticut. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut School of Law.

Sarah Abrams is Head of Claims at Baleen Specialty, a division of Bowhead Specialty. Baleen underwrites wholesale and surplus lines insurance policies, leveraging proprietary digital underwriting and a technology-forward claims platform that Sarah helped design and implement.
 
Previously, Sarah served as Head of Professional Liability Claims at Bowhead Specialty, where she built the framework, guidelines, and team structure for handling D&O, E&O, and Cyber claims. She began her career as a litigator, representing insurers, reinsurers, and TPAs in defense and coverage matters following her graduation from Chicago-Kent College of Law. Sarah later joined Markel, where she advanced to Director of Management Liability, overseeing people managers across public company, private company, and financial institution teams.
 
Sarah holds a liberal arts degree in Psychology from Duke University. She is an active thought leader in the industry, having keynoted and spoken on numerous panels.  Her writing has appeared in various publications, including Law360, CLM Magazine, and the PLUS Blog.  Sarah is also a regular contributor to The D&O Diary.
 

Assistant Vice President, Claims & Liability, at Corporate Solutions, Swiss RE America Corporation since 2005, handling insurance agent’s and attorney’s liability claims. Previously employed as a Senior Claims Attorney at Executive Liability Division, Great American Insurance from 1998-2005, handling varied professional liability claims, including director’s and officer’s liability claims, financial entity’s liability claims, non profit executive ‘s liability claims, and employment practices liability claims. Additionally, held various management positions in human resources and risk management at W.H. Smith and Federated Department Stores. A graduate of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Government and Economics and of DePaul University School of Law, receiving a Juris of Doctorate in law. Presently, resides in Chicago with her family and remains active in numerous community projects and youth focused volunteer activities.

Jeff Ruple left his position as a shareholder in a National Law Firm to join Bob and Ric in 2014. He has over 22 years of experience representing individuals and businesses in a broad range of legal issues. Jeff's experience has included defending Fortune 500 Companies to small businesses and individuals in premises liability, product liability, contractual, professional liability, trademark/copyright, employment, real estate and insurance disputes.

Jeff has represented manufacturers, suppliers, contractors in product liability cases for over 19 years.  This includes toxic tort matters such as asbestos and silica cases where Jeff has defended regional suppliers of products, construction companies, premises owners, suppliers of raw asbestos, and manufacturers of friction products, gaskets, boilers, wire and cable products and more.  Jeff also has defended claims related to consumer and industrial products ranging from gas containers, gas grills, candles, fork lifts and even pet leashes.

In the area of insurance disputes,  Jeff was appointed in 2012 by the Ohio State Bar Association to serve on the inaugural Insurance Coverage Specialty Board, whose responsibility was to prepare the first examination for lawyers seeking to be certified specialist in the area of insurance coverage.  He continues to represent his clients with respect to commercial, automobile and homeowners insurance polices.

Jeff Albinson has practiced law since 1985.  His practice is focused on professional liability law with an emphasis on issues facing lawyers and law firms.  Jeff also defends claims brought against the Directors & Officers of non-profit organizations.

 His law practice has always been focused on litigation.  Following graduation from Stetson College of Law, Jeff served as an Assistant State Attorney in the 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida.  He served as a lead trial attorney over a misdemeanor division and also handled serious felony cases, including trials involving murder, arson, white collar crime and child abuse.

After nearly five years of service as an Assistant State Attorney, Mr. Albinson was recruited by former US Attorney Robert Merkle to enter the private practice of law.  Once into private practice, Jeff utilized his extensive trial experience to handle complex commercial litigation including civil conspiracy actions and may other types of large dollar commercial disputes and he began to develop a professional liability defense practice coupled with the defense of clients before The Florida Bar and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.  Jeff’s trial experience includes handling such complex matters as first degree murder, professional liability, personal injury, commercial contract and non-contract disputes and state tax cases.  In addition to his trial practice, Mr. Albinson has utilized his knowledge of litigation based issues to also develop a consultative practice focused on managing and controlling the risk inherent in professional practices and other commercial enterprises.

 During his professional career, Jeff has also served as general counsel to a large professional liability insurance brokerage and President of a statewide professional liability insurance agency.  This experience allowed Jeff to develop a strong understanding of the underwriting, marketing and administrative side of professional liability insurance.

 In sum, Mr. Albinson’s practice focuses on professional liability defense, risk and practice management for professionals (including the formation, merger and dissolution of firms), general commercial litigation, and all aspects of litigation regarding the commercial nature of professional practice.  The firm also defends grievance cases before The Florida Bar and Bar applicants before the Board of Bar Examiners and represents licensed professionals before the DBPR and all licensing bodies.

Dennis Galvin is Assistant Vice President - Claims of Argo Pro, in charge of overseeing the Error and Omissions claims group, including Lawyers Professional Liability and Architects & Engineers claims.  Prior to joining Argo Pro, Mr. Galvin was Vice President – Professional Liability Claims for OneBeacon Professional Insurance, where he oversaw a group of claim attorneys handling claims in Lawyers Professional, Real Estate Professional, Insurance Agents Errors & Omissions, Content Technology and Cyber Insurance.  Prior to joining OneBeacon, Mr. Galvin worked for Lexington Insurance Company, where he was responsible for handling complex professional claims in a variety of areas including LPL, RPL, insurance agents, accountants, media corporations and government entities. Prior to joining Lexington, Mr. Galvin was in private practice in the Boston area where he specialized in civil litigation including insurance defense and coverage litigation.
Mr. Galvin received his Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, MA and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Stonehill College in North Easton, MA.  Mr. Galvin is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. He is a frequent speaker at various industry events and an active member of CLM.

A dedicated advocate, Joseph P. Garin is a partner in the firm of Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer & Garin, P.C. He maintains a national practice, focusing on the defense of professional liability claims, insurance coverage disputes, directors and officers claims, and risk management. Throughout his career, Mr. Garin has defended more than 400 lawyers and law firms across Michigan, Illinois, Nevada and Colorado. He is also experienced in complex and commercial litigation matters, including cases involving breach of contract and unfair business practices. He has successfully pursued and resisted claims for extraordinary relief, such as temporary restraining orders and preliminary and permanent injunctions. He specializes in a range of litigation matters, including professional liability disputes, insurance coverage, director and officer liability, commercial law and employer/employee disputes. He regularly consults with insurers and businesses of all sizes to manage their risks and reduce litigation expenses. Mr. Garin earned a B.G.S. degree from the University of Michigan and received his J.D. degree cum laude from Michigan State University-Detroit College of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the State Bar of Illinois, the State Bar of Nevada and the State Bar of Colorado. He is admitted before the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western District of Michigan, the District of Nevada, as well as in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Garin serves as the Vice Chair to the Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Ethics and is a member of the Professional Liability Committee for the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance.  He has served as a court-appointed special master and settlement facilitator. He is an SCAO-trained Mediator. 

Ian Matyjewicz is an Assistant Vice President with Herbert L. Jamison & Co., L.L.C., in West Orange, New Jersey, where he focuses on the risk management and insurance needs of law firms throughout the country. Prior to joining Jamison, Ian practiced for 15 years as a litigator. During that time period, he was lead counsel in over 60 cases tried to verdict. Ian’s experience includes: insurance coverage issues; complex commercial litigation; and intellectual property. He is a frequent speaker on attorney ethics, social media, and privacy and security exposures confronting law firms.
 

Nick Conca is the Chief Claims Officer of Berkshire Hathway GUARD Insurance Companies. He was previously the Chief Claims Officer of Markel Corporation, which he joined as part of Markel's acquisition of Alterra, where he served as Chief Claims Officer.  Prior to Alterra, Nick was Executive Vice President of Integro Insurance Brokers, where he oversaw US operations for the company.  He has more than 25 years of insurance industry experience, including senior leadership positions with other international brokerage, insurance and claims organizations.  He began his career as an attorney with the international law firm Wilson Elser.Nick Conca is the Chief Claims Officer of Markel Corporation and is responsible for the strategic direction of the Global Claims Department.  Nick joined Markel as part of the acquisition of Alterra, where he served as Chief Claims Officer.  Prior to Alterra, Nick was Executive Vice President of Integro Insurance Brokers, where he oversaw US operations for the company.  He has more than 25 years of insurance industry experience, including senior leadership positions with other international brokerage, insurance and claims organizations.  He began his career as an attorney with the international law firm Wilson Elser.

Dr Edward Eden is Associate Professor of Medicine at Columbia University. He attended St Mary’s Hospital Medical School London and continued his training in the United States with medical residencies at Wayne State and SUNY programs. He underwent further training in pulmonary disease at Mt Sinai Hospital NY and research at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center NY. He joined the staff of St Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital and was appointed as Director of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care and Sleep Medicine in 2004, a position he currently holds.

He has extensive experience as a medical expert in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. He has testified in areas of personal injury including environmental exposure, product liability and medical malpractice. He has been appointed an impartial pulmonary specialist for NYS Workers Compensation Board.

Dr Eden’s has a strong interest in teaching and finds review and discussion of malpractice cases useful as an education tool for trainees.

Cathleen is a partner and shareholder at Rebar Kelly. She has been advising and counseling clients in complex litigation matters for over two decades. She represents leading insurance companies and their insureds in multi-faceted matters involving violations of professional standards of care. Cathleen’s representation extends to design professionals, architects, engineers, contractors, surveyors, appraisers, environmental consultants, agents, brokers, service providers, medical professionals, business professionals, food manufacturers and distributors and property owners.

Cathleen has represented clients in the following types of claims:

duty to represent dangerous conditions inadequate security failure to advise, failure to implement design specifications failure to supervise, failure to inspect design defects errors in professional judgment and failure to refer failure to meet/inform of deadlines failure to diagnose and misdiagnosis emergency medical care and nursing mistakes mental health issues corporate liability subcontractor responsibility/indemnification indemnity and obtaining coverage under additional insured status failure to warn

Cathleen has defended one of the nation’s largest healthcare providers in claims of medical malpractice. She has also represented design professionals in legal matters stemming from defective design of electrical equipment resulting in multiple claims and lawsuits. Cathleen has been defending one of the region’s largest real estate brokers in errors and omissions matters for over a decade. She has also represented physicians in connection with allegations of failing to properly diagnose, as well as long-term care facilities against allegations of inappropriate preventative measures for the avoidance of pressure sores. Cathleen also defended one of the country’s largest retail suppliers of electronics in claims of product defects and premise liability matters.

Education: Villanova University School of Law, J.D., 1998 & Long Island University, B.A., 1995, magna cum laude
 

 

Robert J. Bergson is a partner and co-chair of the Litigation Practice Group at Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP. Mr. Bergson earned his law degree from Boston University School of Law, where he was honored as a Paul J. Liacos Scholar. Mr. Bergson received a B.S.B.A. degree in Economics from the University of Denver. Prior to forming AGMB, Mr. Bergson was a founding member of Margolis Bergson LLP. He was also formerly counsel to Herrick, Feinstein LLP and associated with the international firm of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP.

Mr. Canada is a Director with the firm of Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith working out of their offices in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Mr. Canada is a seasoned trial attorney with significant experience in handling large complex matters. He has tried numerous cases to Judges and Juries in both State and Federal courts in Louisiana and Mississippi. He has also mediated and arbitrated cases in Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Mr. Canada is panel counsel for several insurance companies in Louisiana and South Mississippi in the areas of employment law, construction law and professional malpractice defense. He is also general counsel for several local and regional companies to whom he gives legal advice related to all aspects of their businesses.

Mr. Canada is a frequent lecturer in the areas of insurance defense, employment law, risk management, professional malpractice and construction law having presented seminars annually since 1997. Mr. Canada serves as an Assistant Bar Examiner for the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Steve joined CNA in 2006, and is currently a Consulting Director in the Lawyers Professional Liability Claims Group responsible for managing complex lawyer malpractice claims throughout the United States. Steve began his legal career as a prosecuting attorney in Idaho, before moving to Chicago. Prior to his employment with CNA, Steve was in private practice in Chicago for 19 years focusing on insurance defense and coverage litigation. Steve received his undergraduate degree in business from Boise State University and his JD from the University of Idaho.

Since 2008 Ms. Ross has served as Executive Director of Abilis, a Connecticut nonprofit organization providing support, services, and advocacy for people with developmental disabilities and their families. She has 25 years of experience serving youth and adults in the developmentally disabled community as a teacher, program coordinator, and in various management roles. Ms. Ross received her B.S Summa Cum Laude from the C.W. Post Center, Long Island University, and both her M.S. and Sixth Year Degree from Southern Connecticut State University.

Carol Kreiling
Attorney
Swiss Re

Carol Kreiling is a Vice President at Swiss Re. She is a Claims Expert in Swiss Re's Property and Casualty Business Management.  Ms. Kreiling graduated with honors from the University of Missouri at Kansas City with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law where she was a member of the Law Review. Ms. Kreiling practiced law at Shook, Hardy and Bacon Law Firm in Kansas City, Missouri, where she specialized in tort litigation. In addition, Ms. Kreiling served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. As a Trial Counsel in the JAG Corps, Ms. Kreiling prosecuted numerous service members at General Courts Martial and served as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. 
Prior to managing reinsurance claims, Ms. Kreiling handled and supervised professional liability errors and omissions claims for Employers Reinsurance Corporation. Over the last ten years, Ms. Kreiling has managed complex litigation involving reinsurance claims. She currently serves on Canada's claims team for Swiss Re.
Ms. Kreiling has written a number of publications, blogs and white papers on emerging risks, including social media, cyber liability and drones.  In addition, Ms. Kreiling has been a speaker at numerous industry events on the subject of social media, technology, and cyber liability.

May Mon Post is an associate Deasey Mahoney Valentini & North, Ltd., where she represents corporations, municipalities, officers, directors, and senior members of management in federal and state labor and employment matters, and on civil rights litigation where she represents municipalities and their management. Prior joining the firm, May Mon focused her practice in all aspects of labor and employment litigation in private practice. Prior to this, she worked as an assistant city solicitor with the labor and employment unit of the City of Philadelphia Law Department in its honors program.

In 2010, 2011, and 2012, Pennsylvania Law & Politics named May Mon as a “Rising Star Super Lawyer,” a distinction awarded to 2% of eligible attorneys based on peer surveys. In August 2007, Pennsylvania Law Weekly named May Mon a “Lawyer on the Fast Track,” placing her in the top 1% of attorneys in her peer group. In 2010, May Mon was awarded Best Lawyers Under 40 recognition by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, a distinction given to only 18 Asian American attorneys across the United States.

In 2012, May Mon was appointed by Mayor Michael Nutter as a Commissioner on the Mayor’s Commission on Asian American Affairs. Currently, she also serves as Chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Civil Rights Committee. She has served as the president of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania (“APABA-PA”), chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Committee on Minorities in the Profession, vice chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division’s executive committee, and treasurer for Campaign for Qualified Judges.

Ms. Post often provides lectures and commentary on labor and employment law, diversity, and immigration to print media, panel discussions, and legal education classes. Her articles have appeared in Temple International and Comparative Law Journal, The Philadelphia Lawyer, Philadelphia Bar Reporter, The Legal Intelligencer, and the newsletters for APABA-PA.

May Mon received her J.D. from Temple University School of Law, where she was Editor of Notes & Comments for the Temple International and Comparative Law Journal and received the outstanding oral advocacy award for Trial Advocacy I and the Albert P. Friedman Prize for research and writing. May Mon received her Master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her Bachelor's degree from Haverford College.

In her free time, May Mon enjoys cooking, traveling, skiing, and spending quality time with her family and dog.

EDUCATION

• Haverford College (B.A. 1995)
• University of Pennsylvania (M.A. 1998)
• Temple University Beasley School of Law (J.D. 2001)

EXPERIENCE

• Deasey, Mahoney, Valentini & North, Ltd. (2012-Present)
• Wong Fleming, P.C. (2010-2012)
• The Post Law Firm (2008-2010)
• Cohen, Fluhr & Gonzalez, P.C. (2007-2008)
• City of Philadelphia, Law Department (2002-2007)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association

AWARDS & ELECTIONS

• Pennsylvania Rising Star Super Lawyer for Employment Litigation (2010, 2011, 2012)
• Best Lawyer Under 40 (2009)
• Lawyer on the Fast Track (2007)
• President of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania (2009)
• Vice President of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania (2005 & 2006)
• Vice Chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Young Lawyers’ Division (2007)
• Executive Committee Member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania (2001– present)
• Executive Committee Member of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Young Lawyers’ Division (2005 – 2008)

APPOINTMENTS

• Appointed by Mayor Michael Nutter as a Commissioner on the Mayor’s Commission on Asian American Affairs (2012)
• Co-Chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Solo & Small Firm Committee (2011 & 2012)
• Editorial Board Member of the Philadelphia Lawyer Magazine (2006 - present)
• Philadelphia Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service Committee (2009-present)
• Philadelphia Bar Association’s Committee on Judicial Selection and Retention (2009)
• Treasurer of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Campaign for Qualified Judges (2008 & 2009)
• Philadelphia Bar Association’s Elections Committee (2008)
• Chair of the Minorities in the Profession Committee (2006 & 2007)

PUBLICATIONS

• 10 Questions for Carl E. Singley, THE PHILADELPHIA LAWYER, Vol. 73, No. 1 (Spring 2010).
• Question of Authority, THE PHILADELPHIA LAWYER, Vol. 72, No. 1 (Spring 2009).
• Curbing Cyberbullying at School and on the Web: Fertile Ground for New Rules, New Laws, and New Clients, THE PHILADELPHIA LAWYER, Vol. 71, No. 2 (Summer 2008).
• The Next Level: Firms Invest in Strategies to Increase Diversity, THE PHILADELPHIA LAWYER, Vol. 69, No. 4 (Fall 2007).
• How to Survive Your First Year as a Government or Public Interest Attorney, THE LEGAL INTELLIGENCER, SUPPLEMENT: FIRST-YEAR ASSOCIATES, p. 6 (September 4, 2007).
• Sweatshop Conditions: The T Visa Offers Trafficking Victims in American Samoa Hope for a Better Life, THE PHILADELPHIA LAWYER, Vol. 65, No. 2 (Summer 2002).
• Human Cloning: New Hope, New Implications, New Challenges, INTERNATIONAL & COMPARATIVE LAW JOURNAL, 15 TEMPLE INT’L & COMP. L. J. 171 (2001).

PRESENTATIONS AND LECTURES

• Faculty, “The Nuts & Bolts of (Discrimination) Litigation in Federal Court,” Jenkins Law Library, Philadelphia, PA (October 26, 2011).
• Faculty, “Preparing for Your First Federal Trial,” Jenkins Law Library, Philadelphia, PA (September 29, 2010).
• Faculty, “Practical Pointers for Use of Depositions in the Courtroom,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, PA (December 8, 2009).
• Course Planner, “The Pursuit of Justice: the Murder of Vincent Chin and the Origins of a Civil Rights Movement,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, PA (November 6, 2009).
• Speaker, “Labor & Employment Law Update: Develop Your Game Plan for 2009 and Beyond,” National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Northeast Regional Conference, Philadelphia, PA (April 25, 2009).
• Speaker, “Help: I Think I’m Going to Lose My Job: Employment and Job Security,” Asian American Women’s Coalition Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA (February 28, 2009).
• Speaker, "Welcoming New Refugees: Discussion on Burma/Myanmar," HIAS and Council, 126th Annual Luncheon Meeting, Philadelphia, PA (September 24, 2008).
• Course Planner, "Young Guns: Procedures for Motion Practice in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas," Pennsylvania Bar Institute/Philadelphia Bar Association’s Young Lawyers’ Division, Bench Bar Conference, Atlantic City, NJ (September 28, 2007).
• Faculty, "Fundamentals of Labor & Employment Law," Philadelphia Bar Association’s Young Lawyers’ Division, People’s Law School, Philadelphia, PA (September 2007).
• Faculty, "Fundamentals of Labor & Employment Law," Philadelphia Bar Association’s Young Lawyers’ Division, People’s Law School, Philadelphia, PA (September 2006).
• Faculty, "Primer on Retaliation," National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA (September 2005).
• Faculty, "My First Federal Trial," Pennsylvania Bar Institute/Philadelphia Bar Association’s Federal Courts Committee & Young Lawyers’ Division, Philadelphia, PA (October 7, 2004).
 

Michael has extensive experience at the federal, state and county level, including over 100 jury trials and numerous appellate arguments before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Michael’s government liability practice has ranged from the successful defense of the municipal solid waste ordinance in Houlton, Citizens v. Town of Houlton to road reconstruction and taking claims in King v. Town of Monmouth and various employment practices litigation. Michael also handles employment practices liability cases, product and premises liability and professional liability claims. He served as  Assistant Attorney General, State of Maine, Criminal Division 1979-1982 and  Assistant District Attorney, Prosecutorial District # 1 (York County, Maine) 1982-1984. He is co-author: Commentary to the Maine Juvenile Code, Vol 8 Maine Revised Statutues Annotated (1980) Chair, Committee to Monitor the Implementation of the Juvenile Code-1981-1983; Chair, Maine Criminal Law Advisory Commission-1987-89; Chair, Maine Juvenile Justice Advisory Group-1990-1997. National Chair, Coalition for Juvenile Justice, Washington D.C.- 1994. Award of Excellence in Law, Boston College Alumni Association-1996.

BORN: Waterville, Maine

EDUCATION: Boston College, A.B. cum laude, 1975; University of Maine School of Law, J.D. 1978; Maine Law Review, staff member 1976-1978

BAR ADMISSIONS: Maine and U.S. District Court, District of Maine, 1978; U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit, 1979; New Hampshire 2011; U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire, 2012.

PRACTICE AREAS: Civil Rights Defense Environmental & Toxic Tort;Employment Practices Liability; Fire and Premise Liability; Insurance Defense Municipal/Public Official Liability Products Liability State County and Local Government Liability.

Prior to returning to private practice in 2002, I served as Vice President of Litigation Management for Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. In this position,  I was responsible for a Staff Counsel Program composed of over 400 attorneys and support staff located in 41 cities in the United States. I also advised claims management on the selection and retention of outside counsel.
I am currently the Managing Member of a Firm specializing in Personal Injury Defense, Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Litigation. The Firm also has expertise in Employment Law. We focus on litigation avoidance, providing immediate advice and counsel to employers. If needed, however, we have significant trial experience in all areas of Employment Law.
In addition to insurance carriers, the Firm client base is composed of automobile and truck dealers, non-profit corporations, senior living facilities and hospice.
The Firm services all Georgia Counties and is admitted in all three Federal District Courts in the State.

Lucy Ann Galioto was most recently the President of YorkPro, Inc., New York, N.Y. Ms. Galioto spent more than 15 years in both claims and underwriting management roles at AIG. Her claims experience includes Employment Practices Liability (EPL), Directors & Officers (D&O) and Professional Liability. While at AIG, Ms. Galioto was a Senior Vice President of AIG Executive Liability, where she managed the Employment Practices Liability book of business. Ms. Galioto is frequently invited to speak at Insurance Industry conferences. In 2005, she received the Helen M. Garvin Outstanding Achiever Award from the New York City Chapter of the National Association of Insurance Women.

Before joining AIG, Ms. Galioto practiced law in New Jersey where she was active in politics and served as the Mayor of Tewksbury Township, New Jersey.

She earned a B.A. from Rosemont College and a J.D. from Seton Hall Law School.

Professional liability insurance professional, specializing in Errors and Omissions, Directors and Officers, EPLI, Privacy/Network Security and Fiduciary insurance for private and public corporations nationwide.

Javier has worked for Axis Insurance Services, LLC since early 2005. As Executive Vice President of Sales, he is responsible for the overall direction and supervision of the company’s sales force.

Javier has highly-developed instincts which help him anticipate the needs of his clients and build custom professional liability solutions. His consultative approach has helped him establish a deep trust with his clients. They allow him to dive head-on into their business operations, assess the potential risks and make appropriate changes to their insurance policies so they are well-protected.

Prior to joining the company, Javier worked for a financial services firm in Northern New Jersey and spent time with the administration of Private Placements/IPO filings and related materials to be filed with the SEC.Other Accomplishments

Designated as a 40 Under 40 Broker Leader by Business Insurance B.S. in Business Administration, Fordham University, NYC 3-Year Letterman, Fordham University Football Completed The Oz Principle Corporate Training NAR Speaker at Ft. Lauderdale Chapter Meeting Professional Liability Underwriting Society Member

Ms. Erlich is a professional liability defense attorney specializing in defending professionals including, real estate brokers, attorneys, design professionals and insurance agents. She is a founding partner of Zelms Erlich LLP, a legal malpractice specialist, and a licensed real estate broker. Graduate of Tel-Aviv University (BA 1992, magna cum laude), Whittier Law School (JD 1997, magna cum laude) and California State University (MA, Philosophy of Law 1998). In the last 25 years she has defended many professionals through trial and appeal. Ms. Erlich is a member of the Real Estate Executive Committee of the California State Bar, a delegate to the House of Delegates, and a member of the Legal Affairs California Association of Realtors. She is on the steering committee of several Defense Research Institute committees, Professional Liability Underwriters Society Southern California Chapter, as well as, the Southern California Chapter of the Claim and Litigation Management Alliance. Ms. Erlich is a recipient of Rising Star and Super Lawyers awards, and is an author and frequent speaker on professional liability topics. Ms. Erlich is a former Israeli Defense Force officer.

Adam Sills is currently Vice President, Errors and Omissions at Allied World Assurance Company, US. He is responsible for the management of several E&O offerings, including the suite of technology, media and privacy products, as well as the miscellaneous professional, and insurance agents/insurance companies professional products.

Prior to joining Allied World in 2008, Adam worked at Darwin for three years, where he was responsible for their suite of technology and privacy products.

Adam has been quoted in various publications including Computerworld, American Banker, Insurance Journal and InformationWeek. Adam has served as both a moderator and panelist at several industry events including PLUS International, the ASHRM Annual Conference, the RIMS Annual Conference, the McAfee FOCUS conference and the NetDiligence Cyber liability Forum.

Adam is a graduate of Cornell University.
 

Benjamin B. Adams is an attorney in Robinson & Cole’s Litigation Section and a member of the firm’s Insurance and Reinsurance Practice Group. He focuses his practice on insurance coverage litigation, professional liability defense, complex commercial litigation, and products liability. He is also experienced in representing insurers in litigation involving allegations of bad faith and unfair claim settlement practices.

Prior to joining Robinson & Cole, Mr. Adams was an associate at a boutique litigation firm based in Hartford, Connecticut, where he focused on civil litigation, state and federal criminal defense, and appellate practice. His white-collar criminal defense experience includes numerous state and federal investigations, including allegations of bribe receiving and extortion, wire/mail fraud, tax evasion, export controls, and Medicare/Medicaid fraud. In addition to trying a number of civil and criminal cases to verdict, Mr. Adams has briefed and argued appeals before the Connecticut Appellate Court.

Mr. Adams graduated, with honors, from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is also a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Connecticut, where he earned a degree in political science.

Michael Anderson

National Sr. Complex Claims Manager
Complex Construction Defect Claims, Special Liability
Liberty Mutual Group
Weston, MA

Michael Anderson is the National Sr. Complex Claims Manager overseeing the Dedicated National Construction Defect Group for Liberty Mutual. Michael has overall responsibility for delivering Liberty’s Construction Commercial Market claim services countrywide for its general liability customers.

Previously, Michael was the Vice President of a National Recovery Center for Travelers Insurance Company located in Massachusetts. There he was responsible for overseeing an organization that when benchmarked, was rated “best in class” among large, national P & C carriers.

Prior to these positions, Mr. Anderson served in various operational and claims management positions with Travelers and Aetna Insurance, including overseeing the New England Region National Accounts for contractor and general liability claims, the Coverage Unit, where he was responsible for all coverage determinations throughout the New England region, as well as managing Workers Compensation and the Operations team.

Mr. Anderson obtained his B.A. from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, graduating with an economics degree.
 

Dan's practice is focused on all legal aspects of the construction industry. He advises owners, contractors, and developers in various phases of the construction process, including negotiation and arbitration of contract disputes and contract development. Dan has successfully litigated cases for construction and commercial clients in state and federal court, as well as before numerous administrative agencies. Dan has also handled litigation cases involving real estate and land use matters. Practice Areas Construction & Public Contracts Franchise Real Estate Land Use & Development Education State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Law, J.D., 2001 Cum Laude Buffalo Law Review, Articles Editor Buffalo Moot Court Board, Senior Editor 2000 Dean's Fellowship Award Recipient

State University of New York at Albany, B.A., Biology and English, 1996

Bar Memberships New Hampshire, 2001 U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire, 2001

Mr. Mierzwa, PE, is a forensic Civil/Structural Engineer based out of LWG Consulting’s New England Office. Tom has expertise in areas such as premises liability investigations, structural damage assessment, civil/structural engineering accident investigations, roofing evaluation, geotechnical engineering, construction defect, building foundation analysis, and bridge engineering/construction.

He is a member of PLRB, NASP, CLM, and NECEA where he has been a featured speaker on topics such as “Weather Damage to Roofing Systems”, “Sinkhole investigations”, “Pipe Ruptures” and “Slip and Fall Investigations”.

Tom earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in 13 states.