S. Karen Bamberger, Esq. is a skilled negotiator and mediator who has settled hundreds of cases over her more than 35-year career as a litigator in private practice and now, thrives in doing so as a JAMS neutral. While in private practice, Ms. Bamberger served as lead counsel, focusing primarily on personal injury and product liability cases, running the gamut from soft-tissue injuries to wrongful death cases in as varied contexts as there are fact patterns. Ms. Bamberger’s experience also includes a wide breadth of cases, including employment, real property, commercial, life sciences and civil rights claims. Ms. Bamberger tried jury and bench trials in both state and federal courts and has a true appreciation for the risks facing all participants involved in the legal process. She has witnessed first-hand “the good, the bad and the ugly” that can occur and with this experience informing her perspective, works tirelessly as a mediator to try to reach resolution whenever possible. To be an effective advocate means to understand the weaknesses in a case, not just the strengths. To be an effective mediator means to actively listen to understand a party’s point of view and to help them understand how the same facts can be viewed differently and why resolution is in their best interests. 

Throughout her career, Ms. Bamberger also was privileged to serve as an arbitrator on three-member UIM panels, as well as an arbitrator for mandatory arbitration cases. Her selection by both sides of a conflict is a reflection of her reputation for being prepared, fair and decisive.

Since 2002 Matthew Brady has managed a wide variety of litigated matters including Product Liability, Commercial,  Insurance, Intellectual Property and Toxic Tort for Eaton Corporation, a global technology leader in power management solutions that make electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power operate more efficiently, effectively, safely and sustainably.  He also has been responsible for selecting and promoting global compliance and ethics legal training for Eaton’s approximately 102,000 employees that sell products to customers in more than 175 countries with 2013 sales of $22.0 billion.

Prior to joining Eaton he served as an attorney and litigator for various governmental agencies including the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, the latter in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions.  Matthew has also litigated a number of significant jury trials in State and Federal Courts representing both plaintiffs and defendants.  He has served as a lecturer in National Institute of Trial Advocacy courses and as co-instructor for Trial Advocacy courses at Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall Law School where he also received his law degree.

Matthew is licensed to practice in Ohio and the District of Columbia. 

David's law practice is focused in the areas of appellate advocacy, automotive, industrial, heavy equipment and recreational vehicles, product liability, healthcare litigation, insurance litigation, employment and labor litigation, pharmaceutical and medical device,  tort and general litigation.  In addition to Alabama, David has litigated cases in Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Arkansas.   He is a member of the Shades Valley YMCA Board of Managers.

B.A.: University of Alabama, 1998
Juris Doctor: University of Alabama School of Law, 2001

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. Randy Clarksean has an extensive background in failure analysis and forensic investigations.  He has worked in aerospace, nuclear, materials processing, and manufacturing environments over his career of 30+ years.  Randy's focus has been on the analysis of complex systems as it relates to their operation and potential failure.  His background in the thermal sciences as it relates to fires and explosions has been an area of focus for a number years. Dr. Clarksean has presented nationally and internationally on a variety of topics over his career.

Partner Business Litigation (IP and Commercial Litigation) International/Cross-Border Practice Group Transportation Practice Group (Surface, Air, Marine)

Professional Experience: Ms. Devine enjoys providing domestic and international companies with an interest in transportation with advice to enforce and protect their interests. She has litigated disputes in the areas of: trade secrets, confidential information, patent and trademarks, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, breaches of contract and product liability. She specializes in representing companies with cross-border interests which requires coordinated litigation with foreign legal Counsel, and was lead counsel in an ICC arbitration where the damages awarded were Euro 8million.

Ms. Devine represents Canadian companies at all levels of court Provincial Court (defending regulatory compliance); Ontario Superior Court of Justice (injunctions, oppression remedies, torts, breach of contract, and some intellectual property rights); and the Federal Court of Canada (patent, trademark, admiralty and aviation). Ms. Devine has a particular fondness for issues arising in the transportation industry. Many clients enjoy the benefit of Ms. Devine’s extensive professional network, both within her firm and internationally; whatever the specialized nature of a problem, Ms. Devine will assist with identifying the best legal Counsel for a client’s needs.

Presentations/Articles: In 2012, Ms. Devine has spoken to audiences on the topics of Protecting Trade Secrets in Cross Border Discovery Bullies, Showboats, and Other Bad Apples: Dealing with Difficult Lawyers Five Key Canadian Developments Affecting Cross Border Businesses Updates in Canadian Law on Costs and Security for Costs for US Attorneys Multi Modal Update on Canadian Aviation Law

Professional Associations: Lawyer and Pilots Bar Association, Transportation Lawyers Association, Canadian Transportation Lawyers Association, Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association, Hamilton Lawyer’s Association, Nova Scotia Barrister’s Society, Advocate’s Society, Canadian Owner and Pilot’s Association

Claims Team Leader.

28 years in the… read more Insurance Industry with Continental Insurance, Progressive Insurance, Atlanta Casualty, Guide One Insurance, Safe Auto  Insurance and State Auto Insurance Company. I currently work for ESIS as a Claims Team Leader.  I oversee the claims department for NiSource an energy company.

In my career I have been a Claims Supervisor, Call Center Manager, Senior Claims Examiner, Senior Casualty Adjuster, PIP Adjuster and Human Resources Associate. My areas of expertise include Claims Management, Insurance Coverage, Litigation Management, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Product Liability, Transportation, Construction Defect and Liquor Liability.  I have handled and supervised claims in the states of Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, Massachusetts, and Colorado. 

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.  AIC, AIS, SCLA designations and currently enrolled in the CPCU program.

I’m the President of the CLM Central Ohio Chapter. I served for 8 years as board member of the Columbus Claims Association (CCA). I am the Community Relations Director for the Linden Cleve Theater and sit on the board of Heart of Christ Community Church.


 

I am a graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Business Administration and Economics.

My adjusting career began in 1989 where I developed a specialization in Transportation Industry claims.  I have been a Regional Manager with Custard since 2007 managing the offices in Ohio and Michigan.

Personally, I am interested in being as active as possible with many different interests. Life is too short to watch others.  I compete in Triathlons and have reached the level of Ironman.

J. Victor Flanagan was born in Beckley, West Virginia. After receiving his undergraduate degree in Education from West Virginia University, he returned to Beckley and was employed by the Raleigh County Board of Education as an educator before returning to West Virginia University to pursue his Juris Doctorate degree. Upon graduation from law school and acceptance into the West Virginia Bar in 1989, Mr. Flanagan immediately began practicing in Charleston, West Virginia.

In 1993 Mr. Flanagan joined the firm now known as Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe, PLLC and has been its managing member since 2002. Mr. Flanagan was a leading force behind the firm's move into its nationally recognized historic offices in downtown Charleston, West Virginia . The Charleston office has been recognized both locally and nationally for its innovative concepts including the State's first full time, on-site daycare center; health and fitness club for employees; and off-site accessible mainframe, allowing attorneys to work from home or while traveling.

Mr. Flanagan concentrates his practice in defending civil claims against individuals, corporations and government entities. He has tried a wide variety of cases pertaining to government liability, municipal liability, employment issues, product liability and construction law.

In his career, he has handled cases in all areas of corporate law and defense litigation. In this regard, he has defended claims of sexual harassment, vehicular negligence, products liability, premises liability, manufactured home disputes, bad faith litigation, civil rights, and toxic tort defense. Mr. Flanagan has extensive litigation experience in both State and Federal Court.

Mr. Flanagan also has extensive training in Alternative Dispute Resolution and frequently serves as a mediator for civil disputes. Subsequently, Mr. Flanagan has been certified in mediation by the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. .

Mr. Flanagan frequently serves as a guest speaker for legal organizations, corporations and community groups.on employment disputes, contractual obligations, and tort liability issues. He stays active in the community supporting charitable organizations such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Multiple Sclerosis, the American Cancer Society, and Toys for Tots. He is currently the vice-chairman and chairman-elect of the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce, the second largest chamber of commerce organization in West Virginia. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital and the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Defense Trial Counsel.

Current Employment Position(s): Managing Member

Areas of Practice:

Products Liability Governmental Liability Construction Insurance Coverage Medical Malpractice Property Civil Rights Automobile and Trucking

Litigation Percentage: 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions: West Virginia, 1989 U.S. District Court Southern District of West Virginia, 1989 U.S. District Court Northern District of West Virginia, 1999 U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1996

Education: West Virginia University College of Law, Morgantown, West Virginia, 1989 Honors: Order of the Barristers West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, 1981 B.S. Honors: Cum Laude Major: Education

Representative Cases: Carrol K. v. Fayette County Bd of Educ., 19 F. Supp.2d 618 (S.D.W.Va 1998) Ambrose v. Knotts, 865 F.Supp. 342 (S.D.W.Va 1994) Reed v. Gardner, 986 F.2d 1122 (C.A.7 (Ill.) 1993) Wriston v. Raleigh Co. Emergency Services, 518 S.E.2d 650 (W.Va. 1999) Fisk v. Lemons, 497 S.E.2d 339 (W.Va. 1997) State ex rel. Mitchem v. Kirkpatrick, 485 S.E.2d 445 (W.Va. 1997) Eaton v. City of Parkersburg, 482 S.E.2d 232 (W. Va. 1996) Harrison v. Davis, 478 S.E.2d 104 (W. Va. 1996) Eaton v. City of Parkersburg, 494 S.E.2d 910 (W.Va. 1997) State ex rel. McDowell County Sheriff's Dept. v. Stephens, 452 S.E.2d 432 (W.Va. 1994)

Representative Clients: Energy corporations including: oil, gas and coal companies

Insurance companies including: Chartis, Westfield, Erie, State Farm, Farmers, Zurich and Swiss Re

Numerous county and municipal entities in West Virginia

Classes/Seminars Taught: Insurance Coverage and Claims in West Virginia

West Virginia Municipal Law Civil Rights Liability

Medical Malpractice in West Virginia: An Update on the Law, 8th Annual PsiMed, Inc. Mountain Retreat, September 18, 2004

Psychological and Psychiatric Evaluations Used During the Trial Process in West Virginia, Charleston, West Virginia, October 15, 2004 Probate Administrators Executors & Trustees, Office Management, Raleigh County Bar, October 2, 2000

Emergency Medical Training, 1998

Trauma Surgeons on Trial, West Virginia Medical Staff

Professional Associations and Memberships:

Claims & Litigation Management Alliance

Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA)

Defense Research Institute, 1989 - Present Member

Energy Mineral Law Foundation Member

West Virginia State Bar Association 1989- Present Member

American Bar Association, 1989 - Present Member

West Virginia Oil & Natural Gas Association

Kanawha County Bar Association, 1989—Present Member

Raleigh County Bar Association

West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association Vice Chairman, President Elect of the Beckley Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce

Past Employment Positions: Shuman Annand & Poe, 1989 – 1993

Pro Bono Activities: West Virginia Bar Association Phone Bank, 1989 – 1996

Ancillary Businesses: Expert, Insurance Bad Faith Law

Birth Information: December 16, 1958, Beckley, West Virginia, United States of America

After years of practicing with a multi-national law firm, Alan Freisleben acted on his passion to create a boutique litigation firm focused on making his clients’ lives easier. A smaller firm allows for greater flexibility and creativity in resolving the client’s problems. The firm is in the business of simplifying the complexity of insurance coverage and business litigation disputes. 

With over 25-years of trial experience Alan knows that winning can often be accomplished at the negotiation table or through alternative dispute resolution options. If all other remedies are exhausted, years of successful big-firm trial experience speaks volumes to opposing counsel. Alan is admitted to all state and federal courts as represents out of state clients on a pro hac vice basis when called upon. Prior to forming his firm, Alan led the insurance practice group in the Orange County office a large international firm. He has earned an “AV” rating published by the Martindale Hubbell Law Directory, which is the highest possible rating. Alan has also been selected as a “Super Lawyer” for many years.

Greg Gilliam is Claims Manager with Schools of Ohio Risk Sharing Authority (SORSA), located in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Gilliam oversees and handles the full line of property-casualty claims on behalf of one of the largest school districts risk pool in Ohio. Prior to joining SORSA, Mr. Gilliam was the Claims Supervisor for the County Risk Sharing Authority (CORSA). In this position, Mr. Gilliam supervised a staff of claims professionals handling the full line of property-casualty claims for the largest public entity risk pool in Ohio.

He began with Alternative Service Concepts (ASC) as first a Claims Adjuster, and then Claims Manager for this third-party administrator responsible for handling CORSA's claims, This TPA handled not only the public entity claims of CORSA, but also private sector accounts with construction, transportation, and food service industries.

His claims experience includes general liability and public officials error and omissions coverage, police liability insurance coverage, commercial lines insurance coverage, school districts liability, property and inland marine insurance coverage, in addition to the related claims and litigation for all. He is involved in complex litigation associated with the public sector, and skilled in mediation and alternative dispute resolutions.

Mr. Gilliam assisted CORSA as a frequent presenter for their statewide member information and risk management seminars. He was also a part of CORSA's participation in the Association of Governmental Risk Insurance Pools (AGRIP).

Mr. Gilliam is a Fellow in the CLM, and holds the Senior Claims Law Associate designation, as well as the CLM's Certified Claims Mediation Professional designation.

Robert is President of Catalytic Claims Services, Inc. (a part of DUAL, North America)  managing a TPA handling commercial property claims for policies written through DUAL, NA and personal lines claims for policies written though NALICO General Agency. Previously, he was Chief Claims Officer for Tower Hill Insurance Company overseeing all claims and litigation operations for the group. Prior to this, he was the head of Claims for QBE’s Financial Partner Services division, and Chief Claims Officer of Balboa Insurance Group overseeing a nationwide claims operation handling claims under property & casualty policies for consumer, commercial and lender placed insurance products, life & accident insurance products and debt cancellation products. Prior to his roles as a claims executive, he was in house counsel for Balboa Insurance Group leading the Claims Legal Team providing guidance on a number of issues including litigation, coverage and regulatory issues. He started his career as outside counsel for a number of insurance carriers handling insurance bad faith, coverage, regulatory and insurance defense matters. Robert graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, and in January 1992 with a Juris Doctor degree. He is a licensed member of the State Bars of California (1992) and Maine (2004), and admitted to the bars of the U.S. District Court for the Southern (1992) and Central (1994) Districts of California, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit (2008). In addition, he is a licensed insurance adjuster in multiple states. He served on the Specialty Editorial Board for Business Litigation for the CLM Journal of American Law, the Executive Council for the CLM School of Leadership and has spoken on various topics at seminars presented by CLM and other organizations.

John Livatino is a healthcare underwriter for Beazley, a leading Lloyd’s of London syndicate and international specialist insurer. As part of the Miscellaneous Medical team, John specializes in developing tailored policies for unique and complex medical professional and product liability risks. He is also the lead underwriter for their nutraceutical book of business. John joined Beazley in 2010 in an effort to increase their domestic underwriting presence in the healthcare professional liability segment. Prior to joining Beazley, he spent more than a decade underwriting and managing underwriting teams focused on professional liability including architects & engineers, medical malpractice, lawyers and technology E&O. He was also the regional underwriting manager for brokerage casualty which specialized in complex product liability risks. John holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Southern California.
 

Since joining Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Gogin in 1993, Edward J. McGinn, Jr. has been devoting his practice to the defense of product liability matters, with particular emphasis on automobilies, motorcycles, ATVs, forklifts, scissor lifts, and other industrial and commercial equipemtn and products.
 

Ed represents aerial lift rental companies, contractors, manufacturers of various industrial products. He is most frequently asked to defend catastrophic personal injury cases. The cases typicaly involve construction related accidents and product liability claims. He also handles general negligence claims.

In 1998, Ed received his Masters Degree in Trial Advocacy with honors from the Temple University School of Law. He has been named a Pennsylvanian Super Lawyer for 2006, 2008, and 2010 in the areas of Civil Litigation Defense.

Ed is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame. Following graduation from Notre Dame in 1981, he attended Duquesne University School of Law. Ed graduated in the top 25% of this class and received his Juris Doctor Degree in 1984. Ed joined the defense litigation firm of Liebert, Short, Fitzpatrick and Lavin, where he developed extensive experience in a wide range of casualty defense matters, with particular emphasis on the defense of product liability claims.

Colin is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Ankuda, Stadler & Moeller Ltd. in Cleveland, Ohio.  In addition to being licensed in Ohio, he has defended clients in Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Colin  represents manufacturers and suppliers of products ranging from industrial material handling products, plastics, roofing materials, wood-chippers, cranes, hydraulic lifts, commercial cooling devices, trucking components, hydrogen gas storage units and fork-lifts against multi-million dollar catastrophic  injury and property claims.

In addition Colin devotes a significant time to issues stemming from the oil and gas industry. He has been called on at the state and national level to speak on issues concerning hydraulic fracking and natural gas extraction.

BAR ADMISSIONSOhioU.S. District Court, Northern District of OhioU.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio

EDUCATIONJ.D., Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
  Order of the BarristersB.A., DePaul University

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Claims & Litigation Management AssociationOhio Bar Association

William A. Nebeker, Esq. is the managing partner of the Phoenix office for the law firm of Koeller, Nebeker, Carlson & Haluck, LLP. He practices in the area of insurance litigation defense with an emphasis on personal injury and construction defect litigation. Mr. Nebeker received his B.S. degree in political science from Arizona State University and his J.D. degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. After admission to both the California Bar in 1976 and the Arizona Bar in 1977, Mr. Nebeker began his career as House Counsel for Home Insurance. After entering private practice, Mr. Nebeker became one of the first lawyers certified by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization for personal injury and wrongful death litigation. Mr. Nebeker has tried to conclusion over 75 civil jury trials. Mr. Nebeker is an active member of the Arizona Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, the International Association of Defense Counsel, the Arizona Association of Defense Lawyers and the American Bar Association. He is also a member of the California Bar Association and the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel. Mr. Nebeker is AV peer rated by Martindale Hubbell and in 2008, Mr. Nebeker was elected an Advocate Level Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Mr. Nebeker has been selected as a Super Lawyer for the Southwest Region four the past four consecutive years and was nominated for Fellowship in the Litigation Counsel of America, Trial Lawyer Honorary Society.

Mr. Nebeker is a recognized national speaker on construction litigation issues and has successfully represented developers and general contractors in all phases of litigation for the past 30 years in both Arizona and California. Mr. Nebeker has spoken at and presented written materials for the following organizations: West Coast Casualty, Mealey Publications, Lorman Educational Services, National Business Institute, Maricopa County Bar Association, MC Consultants' Construction Law Seminars, Defense Research Institute and the State Bar of Arizona.

The Arizona office, currently managed by Mr. Nebeker, includes ten attorneys as well as five paralegals. The caseload involves traditional litigated cases including automobile, premises, and product liability. In addition, in the construction defect arena, the firm is currently representing Beazer Homes, Centex Homes, Fulton Homes, Ryland Homes, Meritage Homes, D.R. Horton Homes, Toll Brothers, Shea Homes and Pulte/Del Webb Homes. Recently, this firm was named Pulte Homes Litigation Counsel of the Year (2006 and 2008).

Mr. Nebeker has several published opinions in the Arizona and California Court of Appeals. See: Gouvis Engineering v. Superior Court, 43 Cal.Rptr.2d 785 (1995); Camelot by the Bay Condominium Owners' Assn. v. Scottsdale Ins. Co., 27 Cal.App.4th 33, 32 Cal.Rptr.2d 354 (1994); Equitable General Ins. Co. v. Helm, 128 Ariz. 6, 623 P.2d 365 (Ariz. 1981); La Jolla Village Homeowners' Assn. v. Superior Court, 212 Cal.App.3d 1131, 261 Cal.Rptr. 146, Prod.Liab.Rep. (CCH) P 12,277 (Cal.App. 1989); Decca Design Build v. American Automobile Insurance Co., 206 Ariz. 301, 77 P.3d 1251 (Div. 1 2003).

Jim Pattillo is the Litigation Practice Chair at Christian Small, LLP, a regional trial and appellate litigation firm based in Alabama and Mississippi. Jim is litigation trial counsel in high exposure products, commercial, and insurance matters for corporations as well as insurers. He conducts investigations into special matters involving potential fraud and misconduct working frequently with special investigative units. He also represents high net worth individuals and insurers in personal exposures and potential liability. He is based in the firm's Birmingham, Alabama office. 

Fred Perez is Vice President and Executive General Adjuster for McLarens Global Claims Services, an adjusting firm with more than 300 offices in over 80 countries.  Fred entered the insurance industry in 1978 after graduating from UCLA with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. Later, he attended Southwestern University School of Law and joined McLarens in 1990. 
Fred is a licensed adjuster in California, Nevada, Idaho & Utah. He has been involved in a number of losses spread between various lines of business. Fred also serves the specialty market by attending mediations and settlement conferences on behalf of insurers’.
His liability experience encompasses all aspects of casualty claims. He has adjusted numerous multi-million dollar claims. Fred has acted as the Third Party Claims Administrator on several programs for domestic Insurers and London Underwriters.
Fred has served as Chapter Secretary, Vice Chair & Chair of the Southern California Chapter of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) He is also past president of the Southern California Insurance Professionals (SCIP) and has served as a member of the Board of the Latin American Agents Association (LAAA).

Kevin M. Quinley is the Principal at Quinley Risk Associates, LLC.  He is a nationally recognized authority on claims-handling and litigation management.  He has over 30 years experience in managing casualty claims and litigation.He has a BA from Wake Forest University and an MA from the College of William & Mary.  He holds the Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation and specialty designations from the American Insurance Institute in Risk Management (ARM), in Claims (AIC), in Reinsurance (ARe), in Management (AIM) and he holds the Registered Professional Adjuster (RPA) designation.  Kevin is also a licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Consultant in Virginia.A Contributing Editor to Medical Product Outsourcing magazine, Kevin is the author of over 700 published articles and ten books.  The latter includes Managing Product Liability Risk and Avoiding Litigation.  Kevin is a co-author of the CLM "Product Liability Adjuster Training Course."  He is a frequent writer, speaker and trainer on topics relating to claims and litigation management.  Law firms and clients throughout the country seek him out as a testifying expert on litigated matters relating to bad faith, extracontractual liability, claims-handling and adjuster standard-of-care.  You can reach him at kevin@kevinquinley.com and follow him on Twitter @ClaimsCoach.

Brenda Radmacher specializes in construction and real estate law, regularly counseling general contractors, construction managers, design professionals, contractors, and owners on contract negotiations, risk management and disputes. Her practice emphasizes resolving complex construction disputes through negotiation, mediation, and, when necessary, arbitration and litigation, on projects in California, nationwide, and internationally. She frequently addresses claims involving breach of contract, construction/design defects, liens, delays/impacts, construction defects, bonds/insurance issues, and represents many of the nation’s largest contractors and developers in the commercial, multifamily, and residential markets. She also provides advice regarding franchise/corporations issues, ADA, and California's Proposition 65. She also has developed risk management protocols for her clients in both the construction, regulatory, and employment areas.

Brenda has been recognized in the industry with many awards including: Women of Influence - Attorneys (Los Angeles Business Journal); The Best Lawyers in America© - Construction Law (2020); Top 50 Most Influential Women Lawyers List (Los Angeles Business Journal, 2017); CLM Outside Counsel Professional of the Year 2016, Pasadena's Top Attorney list (2013-20), Martindale-Hubbell, Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers (2015-2021); Construction Dive, Industry Veteran Award (2021). 

Her Board and membership positions include: USC Alumni Real Estate Network; West Coast Lumber & Building Material Association; Associated General Contractors, California  - LA District; Women Construction Owners & Executives; and Women in Design + Construction. She is a past Co-Chair of the CLM Product Liability Committee, Advisory Member for CLM's Wiki Guide and Claims Handling Manual. 

She is a Certified Mediator and was an adjunct faculty at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law for a decade teaching Negotiation and Mediation and is a frequent speaker on negotiation and mediation skills.

Dr. Clyde C. Richard , one of CED’s senior Me-chanical Engineers, holds both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute located in Troy, New York. After performing basic re-search on energy conversion devices for four years at United Technologies, Dr. Richard joined the mechanical engineering faculty at the University of Connecticut where he re-ceived his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering.

While teaching at the University of Connecti-cut, Dr. Richard also consulted for the nuclear power generation industry, resulting in an invi-tation to join the Northeast Utility Service Com-pany as a section manager involved in solving mechanical engineering problems at several different to take a position with the Danish Power Consortium as a consultant to the man-aging director. After leaving the consortium, Dr. Richard continued working in Europe, be-coming a department head for Babcock Brown Boveri GmbH. In 1976, Dr. Richard became a professor in the Naval Systems Engineering Department at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he taught mechanical engineering and engi-neering design courses. Additionally, he performed research and consulting for numer-ous different agencies including the Navy and the Department of Energy. Through teaching and research Dr. Richard has authored over 29 publications, has two patents and has been a speaker and paper presenter at symposiums in the United States, Europe and Israel.

 

In 1982, a company interested in applying sci-ence and engineering principles to better un-derstand the dynamics of an accident asked Dr. Richard to conduct a forensic investigation. This investigation led to numerous other acci-dents where Dr. Richard performed experi-ments and tests in order to determine the likely cause of a particular accident. Some of the tests Dr. Richard performed included test-ing human subjects to better understand how an adult or child would respond to a certain set of circumstances.

Since 1987, when Dr. Richard founded CED Technologies, Dr. Richard has been providing forensic engineering and expert testimony to some of the leading insurance companies, at-torneys and corporations in the nation.

 

Education

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut

M.S.M.E., Mechanical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

B.M.E., Mechanical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Licensed Professional Engineer

 

Areas of Expertise

Mechanical Engineering

Machine Analysis/Guarding

Human Factors Analysis

Product Liability

Mechanical Equipment Evaluations

Analysis and Testing

Accident Reconstruction

 

 

 

Alan is currently a Manager of GL Claims in the Casualty Claims department of Markel Corporation, a surplus lines insurance carrier.  He is responsible for managing a team of claims professionals handling general liability claims and lawsuits across the entire United States and its territories.  Prior to joining Markel in January of 2014, he was a trial and litigation attorney for over 20 years.  Most recently, he was a litigation partner at a medium size Chicago law firm defending  hospitals, physicians and medical groups in medical malpractice lawsuits and also handled various commercial litigation matters.  He is licensed in both California and Illinois.  Alan attended The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1989, and received his law degree from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law in 1992.

Steven A. Rosenstein is an Assistant Vice President with AIG Property Casualty. He manages a Coverage Unit in Complex Casualty Claims. Before joining AIG, Steven was counsel with O’Melveny & Myers LLP, where he litigated complex commercial matters, and was also a litigation associate with Kaye Scholer LLP. He graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and received a B.A. in Economics from Rutgers College.

Paul J. Schumacher is a shareholder of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. and the Shareholder-in-Charge of the Cleveland office. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial law and litigation, construction, product liability, and toxic tort.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Schumacher was Product Liability Practice Group Manager and a partner at a Cleveland-based litigation defense firm. While there, he represented public and private companies, insurance carriers, and individuals in cases involving industrial accidents, product claims, OSHA claims, intentional torts, and toxic exposure.

Professional Accomplishments: AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® Ohio Super Lawyers® every year since 2004 Named as one of Leading Civil Litigation Lawyers for Northeast Ohio, Inside Business, every year since 2001 Representative Matters:

Mr. Schumacher possesses 30 years of courtroom experience as lead trial counsel in numerous state and federal cases successfully tried to jury verdict.

National Speaking Engagements: “Risk Management for Pregnant Workers” (Elective Course Instructor); American Industrial Hygiene Association Meeting; Montreal, Canada; 2013 “There Goes the Neighborhood: When a Chemical or Industrial Explosion or Release Occurs — Before, During, and After” (Panelist); Federal Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC); Sun Valley, ID; 7/28/2007 “OSHA: Employer’s Rights and Responsibilities”; Ohio Safety Congress and Expo; Cleveland, OH; 3/22/2007 National Institute of Trial Advocacy (Instructor), 2005–2009 Publications: “Preventing and Managing Chemical Catastrophes: A Practical Guide for In-House and Outside Counsel” (Co-Author), FDCC Quarterly, Vol. 58, No. 3, pp. 319–366, Spring 2008 “Chemical Catastrophe: A Practical Guide to Prevention and Preparation,” For the Defense, July 2005 “Defending Workplace Prenatal Injury Claims,” Exploring Toxic Tort and Environmental Liability Claims, The DRI Defense Library Series 2007, pp. 227–243; For the Defense, Nov. 2003 Admissions and Licenses: Ohio Bar Admission United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Memberships: Cleveland Association of Civil Trial Attorneys Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC) Ohio State Bar Association Defense Research Institute (Product Liability, Toxic Torts, and Environmental Law Committees) Trial Attorneys of America Education and Specialized Training: J.D., Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1983), cum laude; Cleveland State Law Review (Editor 1982-1983) B.A., University of Dayton (1980), Political Science OSHA General Industry Outreach Trainer, authorized to conduct 10- and 30-hour OSHA training OSHA Institute, 70 hours Represents employers nationwide before OSHA and the Department of Labor Court-Appointed Mediator and Arbitrator

 

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Charles Smart has been employed as Head of Warranty by Triumph Motorcycles Ltd, based in Leicestershire, England since February 1992. Triumph currently manufactures 50,000 motorcycles per year from factories in England and Thailand, distributed to 900 dealers globally via a network of wholly owned subsidiary offices and independent distributors. He has international responsibility for warranty policy and procedure which encompasses product liability claims and issues. Having gained relevant PL experience in most major markets, his role involves claim management and internal / external stake holder liaison.

Having owned motorcycles since the age of 10 and competed in motocross from this age through to 26, Charles has owned numerous road legal motorcycles from different manufacturers over the intervening years. Charles has 45 years of motorcycling experience. Originally working part time in motorcycle dealership service departments, he graduated with a Higher National Certificate in Business Studies, from Coventry, joined the UK’s trade association representing the interests of motorcycle manufactures and importers in 1979, where he worked for 12 years. An original co-author of the UK’s Code of Practice governing motorcycle safety recalls and a past director of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Charles joined Triumph in February 1992 after 2 years of consultancy”.

Ian is the Regional Managing Partner of Wilson Elser’s Los Angeles and Orange County offices. He is founder and co-chair of the firm’s Cannabis and Hemp Law practice, where he leads a national multi-disciplinary team of lawyers who serve all aspects of the cannabis and hemp industries, as well as financial institutions and insurance companies that service those industries.
 
Ian has achieved a national reputation as a distinguished cannabis attorney and has been named to the exclusive Band 1 of cannabis lawyers nationally by Chambers USA guide in Cannabis Law (2020-2024).  He is a member of the Advisory Board of the International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) and has participated on the Policy Council of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA). Ian is chair emeritus of NCIA’s Risk Management and Insurance Committee. He is one of MG Magazine’s “30 Powerful Cannabis Attorneys You Should Know” and is listed within Cannabis Reports’ “10 Powerful Marijuana Lawyers in California.” Ian has also been named by National Law Review as “Go-To Thought Leader” in 2018 and 2021 for his publications on cannabis law and policy.

 

Robert’s product liability practice primarily involves defending foreign and domestic
tire manufacturers in high-exposure matters. Specifically, he works with Philip
Quaranta (Partner-White Plains) as the foreign client’s national counsel. Robert
oversees local counsel’s handling of the claims and works directly with them on
developing defense strategies; communicates with the client’s expert team on defense and
strategy-related issues; and develops approaches to deconstruct the plaintiffs’ expert
opinions.

Bar Admissions
Massachusetts State Bar
New York State Bar
Education
Pace University School of Law, J.D., 2003
University of Massachusetts at Amherst, B.S., 2000, cum laude
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern and Western Districts of New York
Professional Memberships
New York State Bar Association
American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources
 

Brian Voke acts as lead trial counsel in the defense and trial of complex products liability, toxic tort, transportation, negligence, professional liability, employment and insurance coverage matters. As one of the firm’s principal trial attorneys, Brian has tried catastrophic injury and death cases in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Georgia.

He has more than 26 years experience defending and trying complex litigation for clients such as Ford Motor Company, Mercedes Benz U.S.A., Nissan Motor Corp., American Honda Motor Company, Tyco International, Ltd., Lafarge North America Inc., Werner Co., and other major corporations. He is also trial counsel for a variety of insurers including ACE, Chubb, Colony Insurance, Navigators Insurance, and others.

Mr. Voke, who holds a degree in Accounting from Boston College and who previously worked as an accountant, has also defended a wide variety of business litigation matters over the years for directors and officers, brokers and accountants.

Brian is the Past President of the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association and was a Faculty Member at Stanford Law School for the IADC 36th Trial Academy. He is a member of the Product Liability Advisory Council. In 2005 he was the moderator for a one-week program on product liability law for China Pacific Insurance. In 2006, Brian moderated a one-week program on product liability for the People’s Insurance Company of China in Guangzhou, China. In 2010, he lectured at Lloyd's of London on "Considerations in Defeating Class Certification in Products Liability Cases in the United States."Representative Jury Trial Verdicts

Benoit v. Home Depot U.S.A., Inc.Norfolk Superior Court, Norfolk, MassachusettsIssue: Brain damage allegedly caused by goods negligently loaded onto tractor trailerResult: Defense Verdict

Bartolomeo v. Lynn Ladder & Scaffolding Co., Inc.Worcester Superior Court, Worcester, MassachusettsIssue: Blindness allegedly caused by defective ladderResult: Defense Verdict

Berarducci v. Ford Motor CompanyUnited States District Court, District of Connecticut, Hartford, ConnecticutIssue: Crush injuries allegedly caused by defective transmissionResult: Defense Verdict

Royce v. Ford Motor CompanyHillsborough Superior Court, Southern Division, Nashua, New HampshireIssue: Death allegedly caused by defective transmission controlsResult: Defense Verdict

Ramcharran v. CarintUnited States District Court, District of Massachusetts, Boston, MassachusettsIssue: Degloving injury to hand crushed in printing pressResult: Defense Verdict

Hollis v. Ford Motor CompanyUnited States District Court, District of Massachusetts, Boston, MassachusettsIssue: Crush injuries allegedly caused by defective transmission controlsResult: Defense Verdict

Johnson v. National Sea Products LimitedUnited States District Court, District of Massachusetts, Boston, MassachusettsIssue: Crushed hip allegedly caused by improperly packaged goodsResult: Defense Verdict

Saracen v. Figgie International, Inc.United States District Court, District of Massachusetts, Boston, MassachusettsIssue: Major damage to hotel allegedly caused by defective sprinkler systemResult: Defense Verdict

Hoffman v. Ford Motor CompanyNorfolk Superior Court, Norfolk, MassachusettsIssue: Personal injuries allegedly caused by defective seatbackResult: Defense Verdict

Reported Cases

Bower v. Bower, 2011 WL 3702086, (D.Mass. April 05, 2011)Metlife Auto & Home v. ADT Security Systems, Inc., 2011 WL 1223023, (D.Mass. March 31, 2011)Bower v. Mirvat El-Nady Bower, 2011 WL 1253897, (D.Mass. March 14, 2011)Santander Consumer USA Inc. v. Walsh, 762 F.Supp.2d 217, (D.Mass. November 30, 2010)Turner v. Boyle, 425 B.R. 20, (D.Me. March 29, 2010)Milward v. Acuity Specialty Products Group, Inc., 664 F.Supp.2d 137, (D.Mass. July 31, 2009)Tabb v. Journey Freight Internations, 584 F.Supp.2d 334, (D.Mass. September 26, 2008)American Capital Corp. v. Blixseth, 575 F.Supp.2d 379, (D.R.I. August 21, 2008)Plunkett v. Valhalla Investment Services, Inc., 409 F.Supp.2d 39, (D.Mass. January 03, 2006)Tarr v. Werner Ladder Co., 2005 WL 6001395, (D.N.H. October 03, 2005)Lutts v. Smithkline Beecham Clinical Laboratories, Inc., 1999 WL 102749, (N.D.N.Y. February 24, 1999)Schubert v. Nissan Motor Corp. in U.S.A., 148 F.3d 25 (1st Cir. 1998)Johnson v. National Sea Products, Ltd., 35 F. 3d 626 (1st Cir. 1994)Morrell v. Precise Engineering, Inc., 36 Mass. App. Ct. 935 (1994)Ramcharran v. Carraro Graphic Equipment, Inc., 823 F. Supp 63 (D.Mass. 1993)Albano v. Colby College, 822 F.Supp. 840, (D.Me. June 08, 1993)Boston Helicopter Charter, Inc. v. Agusta Aviation Corp., 767 F. Supp. 363 (D.Mass.1991)Holbrook v. Andersen Corp., 130 F.R.D. 516, (D.Me. April 26, 1990)

Representative Experience: Bower v. El-Nady Chartier v. Brabender Technologie, Inc. Cavu Copters v. F&L Helicopter Transport Metlife Auto & Home v. ADT Security Systems Inc. Ray v. Mendenhall more >

Mary Ann Vorndran is an accomplished claims executive with more than 30 years of experience leading casualty and excess claims teams across the insurance industry. She currently serves as Regional Casualty Claim Director at EMC Insurance Companies, where she oversees complex casualty claims, strengthens operational practices, and supports teams in delivering consistent, high-quality results.

Before joining EMC, Mary Ann held several leadership roles at AXIS Capital, including AVP Excess Claims Manager, where she managed national excess casualty litigation and guided strategy on high-exposure matters. Her earlier career includes leadership positions with The Navigators Group, American Claims Management, and AIG, where she directed multi-line teams, advanced claims handling standards, and managed a wide range of challenging and high-severity losses.

Mary Ann has contributed to the industry beyond her day-to-day work, including co-authoring a CLM Leadership White Paper and presenting at the CLM Annual Conference. She holds an MBA in International Business from National University, a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the CLMP designation.

Known for her collaborative leadership style and deep technical expertise, Mary Ann continues to make a strong impact on the claims profession and the teams she supports.

ERIC L. ZALUD is chair of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group,focusing his practice primarily upon commercial litigation; transportation and logistics; e-commerce law; insurance defense, coverage and bad faith matters; and product liability matters including medical device defense. He was named Medmarc Insurance medical device Defense Attorney of

the Year for 2002. Mr. Zalud has successfully litigated a broad array of medical device and pharmaceutical cases that included products such as implantable morphine pumps, cardiac surgery equipment, aortic cannulae, laser hair removal implements, cold packs, loftstrand crutches, ear piercing apparatus, dietary supplements, forceps, thimerosal, wheelchairs, bed rails, blood pressure machines, weight loss devices, home health care equipment, contact lens solutions and home oxygen tanks.Mr. Zalud has litigated or arbitrated matters in 29 states, before state and federal trial and appellate courts in various jurisdictions, and before the Surface Transportation Board, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Olympic Committee.

He has coordinated nationwide product liability litigation for various clients. He also has significant experience in product liability prevention matters. He has served on internal product safety committees for consumer product manufacturers. He has assisted in orchestrating various product recalls. He has authored the warnings and instruction manuals for numerous products, and has reviewed many products in the prototype stage for product safety, adequacy of product testing and product warnings.He has had extensive dealings with the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Federal Trade Commission regarding product safety aspects and liability aspects of advertising relating to various products. Mr. Zalud also has expertise in manufacturing law, dealing with the interrelationships of manufacturers and their suppliers. Mr. Zalud received his A.B. cum laude from Miami University and earned his J.D. in 1985 from Vanderbilt University where he was associate editor of the Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law. He also attended courses on Public International Law at the International Court of Justice in Den Haag, the Netherlands. Mr. Zalud speaks Spanish and Portuguese and is also licensed to practice in Indiana.