Top Lawyers Awards Gala 05-17-2023

Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island Class of 2023

To o ur Ev E n T Spon S or S

MAJOR SPONSORS

Dear fellow Long Islanders,

It is with great pride that we present to you the 2023 Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island — showcasing the best and the brightest legal guidance for both personal or business needs — memorialized in this special section guide.

The Long Island community nominated lawyers who have exceptional expertise within their areas of legal practice, stride beyond expectations and have dedicated their time towards giving back to the community in myriad impactful ways.

Legal firms and all who work for them are an essential part of our community. They ensure that everyone in our communities is both protected and represented.

We celebrated their efforts on Wednesday, May 17, at the Heritage Club at Bethpage in Farmingdale at an awards gala attended by 300 guests and produced by RichnerLive. Thank you to the organizations and people that made this gala possible, from the honorees and their supportive friends and families to our event sponsors — Major Sponsors: Easy Tax Credits and Tenantbase; Photo Booth Sponsor: Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran, LLP; Gold Sponsors: Mejias, Migrim, Alvarado & Lindo, P.C.; Cronin & Cronin Law Firm, PLLC; and Duffy & Duff, PLLC; Silver Sponsors: Meyer Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C.; Certilman Balin Attorneys; Bond Schoeneck & King; Raimondi Law P.C.; Touro Law Center; Nixon Peabody; Vishnick, McGovern, Milizio LLP; Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz, PLLC; Rosenberg Calica & Birney LLP; Kaplan, Kaplan, DiTrapani & Rabanipour LLP; Schroder & Storm, LLP; Harris Beach PLLC; Cona Elder Law PLLC; Verron Law Group; Littler; Meister Seelig & Fein PLLC; PBI Payroll; and Capell Barnett Matalon & Schoenfeld LLP.

We will also be furthering the charitable works of the incredible honorees by donating a portion of the gala's ticket proceeds to the Suffolk County Bar Association Charity Foundation.

Congratulations again to the 2023 Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island.

Sincerely,

PHOTO BOOTH SPONSOR

Stuart Richner Publisher, Herald Community Newspapers CEO, Richner Communications, Inc.

GOLD SPONSORS

SiLveR SPONSORS

BUSINESS LITIGATION AND CONTRACTS

Steven Levitt is principal and founding partner of Mineola firm Levitt LLP. He focuses on business disputes and corporate law.

In civil litigation, he has tried and/or resolved nearly $2.8 billion of complex, highly technical business, contract, business divorce, and trade secret disputes in courts and arbitrations nationally and internationally. He has won numerous cases at the appellate level, including before the New York Court of Appeals, and Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals.

Business representations include: L3 Harris, Mercury Systems, GFI Capital Resources Group, Snapple Beverages, Hartz Mountain Industries, East Coast Petroleum, law firms, accounting firms, and medical practices.

Past party opponents include the Sultan of Brunei, the Sultan of Oman, Lockheed Martin, Serco, The Men’s Wearhouse, Kalitta Air, and real estate mogul John Fareri.

In corporate work, he assists companies spanning from Fortune 150 to regional and family-owned businesses on multi-million dollar transactions and real estate.

Scott serves on the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Village of Muttontown.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

I was lucky enough, with a great team, to win a $37m arbitration.

AWARD WINNERS

Cullen and Dykman LLP

Brendan J. Mooney is a partner in Cullen and Dykman LLP’s Corporate Department and member of its Environmental and Energy, Renewables and Utilities practice groups. Brendan's energy practice is focused on siting and permitting of major utility facilities and he also routinely advises clients on environmental and land use development issues, permitting, electric and natural gas regulations, facility operational compliance, and general regulatory compliance.

Brendan's environmental practice includes representing clients in matters involving state and federal clean water and air laws, hazardous waste regulations, petroleum storage and discharge laws, environmental due diligence, permit compliance, spill response cost recovery, environmental insurance coverage, and facility permitting.

Brendan also regularly advises clients regarding the sale, purchase, leasing and subleasing of commercial property, as well as the purchase and sale of ownership interests in corporations and limited liability companies.

HON. IRA B. WARSHAWSKY (RET.)

Of Counsel / Arbitrator and Mediator Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. | NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation)

Hon. Ira B. Warshawsky retired from the New York State Supreme Court at the end of 2011. Since that time, he has been a member of Meyer, Suozzi English & Klein, P.C. located in Garden City, New York. Judge Warshawsky has concentrated his efforts in the areas of mediation and arbitration as an independent arbitrator and mediator, as well as for Long Island based NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation) and for the ADR program at the Nassau County Bar Association. He chairs the ADR Advisory Council at the Bar Association. As a mediator, he has handled one of the largest mediations in Nassau County dealing with an apartment complex located in the Garden City area and for which he was actually the judge on the case prior to leaving the bench. He is active in his community as a vice president of Temple Or Elohim, a Community Reform Congregation in Jericho, New York and mentors middle school children as part of the Nassau County Bar Association’s mentoring program.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

Upon joining Cullen and Dykman’s Corporate Department in 2013, I was immediately impressed with the congenial atmosphere, as well as the depth of knowledge and professionalism of the firm’s attorneys. As an associate at that time, C&D’s senior attorneys provided mentorship, challenges, and the opportunity to succeed. Those early experiences instilled in me a passion for counseling clients, which continues today, and significantly influenced my career path.

STEVEN L. LEVITT

Principal and Founding Partner Levitt LLP

BRENDAN J. MOONEY Partner

CIVIL RIGHTS LITIGATION

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

AWARD WINNERS

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC

Frederick K. Brewington, Esq., is the principal of The Law Offices of Frederick K. Brewington in Hempstead. He is a powerful promoter of our nation’s highest values. He has successfully challenged the “at large” voting system in the Town of Hempstead and the Town of Islip and worked on preventing future unconstitutional and discriminatory purging of voters from the voting rolls. He challenges other discriminatory practices as well — with a sustained focus on affordable housing, community revitalization, employment and civil rights, the environment and especially, voting rights and fair representation in government.

He labors against injustices through litigating, writing, lecturing and through building relationships of encouragement among citizen organizations. Fred is a highly sought-after presenter to the legal community and many community organizations and is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions.

A commercial litigator, Giuseppe Franzella’s clients include entrepreneurial business people all along the Eastern seaboard. His practice includes all phases of litigation, potential litigation, and litigation avoidance. Giuseppe has been able to expand his litigation work from what can be a fairly narrow and discrete discipline to serve as an outside general counsel.

Giuseppe joined Bond, Schoeneck & King as a member (partner) last year when his former firm, Lazer Aptheker, combined with the 285-lawyer regional powerhouse. He now leads Bond’s participation in the Nassau Volunteer Lawyer Project, working pro bono with Nassau Suffolk Law Service representing tenants in residential tenant landlord issues.

Giuseppe is also committed to pro bono representation of minors under 18 years of age seeking asylum in immigration proceedings. He is currently working on four cases through Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). He is a graduate of Villanova and Fordham University School of Law.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

There are several things and people that inspire me on a daily and regular basis. Those who stood for justice in the Civil Rights Movement from leaders like Dr. King to every person that braved fire hoses and police dogs provide inspiration. Also, the lessons taught at home on concepts of right and wrong continue to push me forward. In all, the inspiration is related to a spiritual and moral directive that requires that none are truly free until all are fully liberated keeps me pointed toward the Arc of Justice!

Q&A

If you weren’t in the industry you’re in now, where would you be?

I would be working in the legislative sector to try to create and shape the laws I currently work to interpret and apply on behalf of my clients. I have had a longstanding interest in politics and, specifically, the drafting and adoption of legislation.

Christopher A. Raimondi founded Raimondi Law, P.C. to help business owners avoid the profit-robbing mistakes that prevent them from achieving their personal and business goals. He believes in taking a proactive approach to identifying potential issues and addressing them before they have an adverse financial impact.

Chris honed his legal skills working alongside some of the most prominent and respected attorneys in New York during his tenure with Proskauer Rose, LLP. After years of gaining valuable knowledge and experience at Proskauer, he founded Raimondi Law, P.C. a business focused, results driven firm capable of providing clients with the high-quality legal services of a large firm and the personalized attention and responsiveness of a small firm.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

Successfully vacating a substantial judgment against my client by persuading the State of New York Court of Appeals that broad indemnification provisions in business agreements do not provide for the recovery of attorney's fees incurred for actions between the parties, thereby clarifying the proper legal standard and upsetting a line of cases that held otherwise.

FREDERICK K. BREWINGTON Principal

The Law Offices of Frederick K. Brewington

GIUSEPPE FRANZELLA Member

CHRISTOPHER A. RAIMONDI Founder & Principal Attorney Raimondi Law, P.C.

We thank our friend and partner, Brian Ziegler, for his 37 years of leadership and congratulate Brian and all of 2023 Top Lawyers for this well deserved honor.

AWARD WINNERS

CORPORATE/SECURITIES

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

BRIAN K. ZIEGLER

Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP

Brian K. Ziegler, a member of the Executive Committee and co-chair of the Corporate/ Securities Law Group of Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP, has been advising businesses for over 42 years. His expertise spans the areas of mergers and acquisitions, joint venture transactions, operating and partnership agreements, private placements, license agreements, distribution agreements and employment agreements.

He is outside general counsel to many businesses and services many clients in the golf club industry. Brian is the Justice for the Village of Woodsburgh, has been Chair of the Commissioner’s Cup at the Black Course of Bethpage State Park since 1998, and was Committee Co-Chair for the major championships at Bethpage. He is a former Co-Chair and current Board Member of Mentor New York. Brian graduated with honors from the Wharton School and earned a JD and LLM in Taxation from the University of Miami School of Law.

Q&A

If you weren’t in the industry you’re in now, where would you be?

I would be a sports broadcaster. That was always my passion and in college, I was the play-by-play broadcaster for football, basketball and hockey.I even had the privilege of broadcasting a U.S Olympic Hockey game. However, as my college graduation preceded the creation and development of sports programming on cable television and the expansion of opportunities in that field by a couple of years, I chose to go to law school instead of pursuing what seemed like very limited broadcasting opportunities at that time. If I knew then how much that industry would explode in the coming years, that would have been my career path. In the end, all worked out fine for me in the legal profession.

JACQUELINE SILVEY

General Counsel & Vice President, Commercial Division

NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation)

Jacqueline Silvey, Esq. is general counsel of NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation), an Alternative Dispute Resolution firm headquartered in Garden City. She has been affiliated with NAM for over 16 years and is integrally involved in various management operations of the company including panel development, oversight and implementation of commercial and employment dispute resolution initiatives, the creation and enactment of various rules of procedure, new business development, and the general business affairs of the company.

A longtime resident of Nassau County, she raised her family there, and was an active parent/participant in the public school system attended by her children. Additionally, her family is an avid supporter of Sunrise Day Camp – Long Island, the world’s first full summer day camp for children with cancer.

Jacqueline’s experience, dedication and leadership are exemplary and second to none.

DAVID L. MEJIAS Founder & Managing Partner Mejias, Milgrim, Alvarado and Lindo, PC

Dave Mejias has received many accolades in his years serving the community, both as managing partner at Mejias, Milgrim, Alvarado & Lindo, P.C. and in the past as a county legislator. However, his greatest accomplishments continue to be the victories he secures on behalf of his clients. Dave has won numerous precedent-setting cases in the appellate courts on cases involving custody, maintenance and child support.

A divorce or custody battle can be the most traumatic time in a person’s life. Dave’s strength as a litigator has led to life altering victories for his clients. For Dave Mejias, the business of law is personal. It is passion and principle that guide his practice and allow him the triumph on behalf of his clients, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

Dave is a graduate of the University at Albany School of Business and Fordham University School of Law.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

My two children have inspired me and have been a part of the journey that has led me to the path that I am on today.

I was a role model for them – as a lawyer, as a woman, and as a working mother – especially now that they are entering the workforce and beginning their own careers. My children are my two most significant success stories and have inspired me to accomplish all that I have accomplished in my career.

Q&A

What/Who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

My father was a political prisoner in Communist Cuba. He was imprisoned for fighting for democracy. He came to America to find freedom and justice.

He taught me that in America we have freedom, opportunity and most importantly a system of justice that ensures that all people have basic rights and are treated equally.

Partner and Co-Chair, Corporate/Securities Group

David L. Mejias

Founder, Managing Partner

Randi M. Milgrim Partner

Mejias, Mi lg r im, Alvarado & L indo, P.C.

DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW

EDUCATION LAW

AWARD WINNERS

EDUCATION LAW

RANDI M. MILGRIM Partner Mejias, Milgrim, Alvarado & Lindo, PC

With more than two decades of success and experience, Randi Milgrim, Partner at Mejias, Milgrim, Alvarado & Lindo PC, has earned a reputation as one of the top matrimonial and family attorneys in New York.

Randi is one of the few attorneys in New York who has been qualified as an expert by a trial court. She has served as an expert in many legal malpractice cases and her expertise and advice is sought after by attorneys all over the state.

Randi strikes a balance between relentless advocacy for her clients and obtaining compassionate and amicable resolutions for them.

She has helped victims see beyond their current abusive situation, giving them the strength, courage and ability to remove themselves from an unhealthy relationship.

Randi’s success has been recognized by the community at large. She received the prestigious “Outstanding Woman in the Law” award from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. She has also been named as “Best Divorce Attorney on Long Island” by the Long Island Press.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

While attending law school at Touro Law Center, I had the opportunity to intern for a domestic violence clinic. During my internship, I learned from seasoned attorneys how to protect and fight for women who were the victims of domestic violence. I listened to their stories and their desperation to escape abusive relationships. I was fortunate to work with these women to help them obtain Orders of Protection in Family Court, which was generally their first step in a journey to end their marriage. Their bravery and courage to come forward inspired me to dedicate my legal career to working in the family and matrimonial field, helping spouses end difficult and, at times, dangerous relationships, while securing them for the future.

Anthony J. Fasano is a partner at Guercio & Guercio, LLP in the firm’s Farmingdale, Westchester and greater Capital Region offices. His practice focuses on providing general and labor counsel to municipalities, civil litigation, construction law, and government investigations. Anthony brings a diverse litigation experience to the firm with experience in both state and federal trial and appellate courts, in grievance arbitrations, employee disciplinary proceedings, and in proceedings with the New York Public Employment Relations Board, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the New York State Division of Human Rights.

Anthony is the co-chair of the firm’s personal injury practice group. He handles all aspects of civil litigation from inception to trial and appellate work, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. This broad range of knowledge provides a significant advantage to clients, as Anthony is able to see cases from both sides, allowing consistent and expected results for clients.

Anthony also chairs the firm’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) practice group. As one of the few practice groups in the state focusing on FOIL, Anthony has developed a wide set of knowledge in FOIL litigation, enabling the firm to provide greater representation of its clients in FOIL matters.

He is a cum laude graduate of Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, and served as a Research Editor on the Touro Law Review. In addition to his academic career, Anthony received his commission as a second lieutenant in the New York Army National Guard as a graduate of the Hofstra University Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, where he earned the George C. Marshall Award for overall outstanding student in military studies and leadership. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Field Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course. Anthony honorably separated from the New York Army National Guard in 2014.

Jennifer McLaughlin is co-chair of Cullen and Dykman LLP’s Higher Education Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department. Jennifer has over 20 years of complex commercial litigation experience representing clients in various industries with a focus on higher education and not-for-profit entities.

Jennifer advises colleges and universities with respect to policy development and implementation, disability accommodation issues, Title IX, employment law matters, as well as internal and external investigations. She also represents higher education institutions in litigation commenced under federal and state statutes and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Education, the Office of Civil Rights, the National Labor Relations Board, the New York State Division of Human Rights and in arbitrations and mediations.

Q&A

If you weren’t in the industry you’re in now, where would you be?

If I wasn’t a lawyer, I believe I would have a role in higher education, whether it be in teaching or administration. As a higher education attorney, I see all the amazing things colleges and universities offer current and future students and I would welcome the opportunity to be a part of that.

ANTHONY J. FASANO Partner Guercio & Guercio, LLP

JENNIFER A. MCLAUGHLIN Partner Cullen and Dykman LLP

TYLEANA K. VENABLE Associate

Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP

Tyleana K. Venable is an associate in the Education and Labor and Employment Law practice groups. Tyleana provides general and labor counsel services to public school districts, private schools, libraries, not-for-profit organizations, as well as municipal and private entities.

Prior to joining Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP, Tyleana was a litigator at a Long Island law firm representing individuals in federal court. During law school, Tyleana clerked for Hon. Judge Denise Hochul and Hon. Judge Walter Ruehle of the Executive Office for Immigration Review. She also served as Executive Editor of the Human Rights Law Review.

KEN KERN Senior Partner Cona Elder Law PLLC

Ken Kern is a partner at Cona Elder Law. Ken leads the firm’s Health Care Reimbursement and Recovery Department, concentrating his practice in health care facility representation, civil litigation, complex Medicaid eligibility matters, Fair Hearings, Article 78 proceedings, guardianships and resolution of all issues related to resident financial accounts and health care facilities’ bottom line. Ken handles a wide range of complex matters affecting not only health care facilities but older adults and the disabled as well.

AWARD WINNERS

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

My parents taught me to be passionate about what I do. There was a lot of discussion on what they would do differently if they had the chance. We talked about living my life in pursuit of the things that made me come alive. So I did.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

Jennifer Cona, the Managing Partner and Founder of the firm I’ve called home for the last twenty years (Cona Elder Law) is without doubt the reason why I’m on the path I am on today. In the legal world, Jenn is known as a pioneer in our field; but ever since my first days at the firm as law school student, the true magic behind Jenn’s success is her unmatched business acumen and exceptional work ethic. During the first decade of my relationship with Jenn, she entrusted me with the corporate side of the firm’s work and supported my abilities and judgment with a practice area she literally built from the ground up. And with the exponential growth at the firm my family has grown as well (with what feels like exponential children) and it is Jenn’s leadership I appreciate most of all—for the firm she has created that covets a “family first” atmosphere in a highly competitive arena.

David R. Okrent, managing attorney at the Law Offices of David Okrent, concentrates in the Elder Law, Tax, Estate Planning, Administration, Special Needs Planning & Asset Protection. He has more than 39 years in both the legal and accounting fields. He received The L,I. Coalition for the Aging, Inc. "Man of Spirit" Award for commitment to the field of Aging, in 2006, was honored by the L.I. Alzheimer’s Foundation as an "Angel of Spirit” in 2010, by Day Haven and in 2012, with a “Leadership in Law” award by the Long Island Business News.

David is a frequent lecturer and author and appeared on Channel 12’s“Best Years" and cohosted WEVD's morning "Elder Law & Senior Forum" radio program.

He is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Suffolk County Bar Association, Managing Director of its Charity Foundation, member of the Executive Committee NYSBA’s Elder Law Section, NYSBA Trust & Estates Committee, and Elder Law & Surrogates Court Committees of the Suffolk County Bar association.

At St. John's University School of Law, David received his Juris Doctor, graduating Cum Laude in the top fifth percentile of his class. He received his B.S. degree in Accounting, Cum Laude, from the School of Professional Accountancy at Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus and the Faculty Award for Academic Excellence in Accounting. Finally, his experience includes judicial internships with The Honorable Judge Cecelia H. Goetz at Hauppauge Bankruptcy Court and The Honorable Judge Raymond C. Radigan at Nassau County Surrogate's Court.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

Seeing the success of my triplet sons as they graduate from college with great success and move forward into the world as valuable contributors.

DAVID R. OKRENT Managing Attorney The Law Offices of David R. Okrent

CONSTANTINA S. PAPAGEORGIOU

Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP

Constantina Papageorgiou is a partner in Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP’s Wills, Trusts, and Estates Practice. Her work focuses on Trust and Estate Planning, Trust and Estate Administration, and Elder Law.

Constantina assists individuals and families with asset protection and long-term care planning through advance directives and various planning techniques. She also provides legal counsel to individuals and families with the administration of estates and the liquidation of a deceased’s assets.

Her practice additionally focuses on estate planning and guardianship matters for young families. Her passionate advocacy for her clients and sharp business acumen have made her the youngest partner in the firm’s history. She has been named to Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, a Long Island Herald “Top Lawyers of Long Island Rising Star” and a Long Island Business News “Top 50 Women in Business.”

Her practice has been named a New York Law Journal “Top-Rated Trusts and Estates Lawyers” and in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Law Firms in America.”

Constantina is an active member of the New York State Bar Association Trust and Estates and Elder Law Sections and the Queens County Women’s Bar Association, as well as a board member of HANAC (Hellenic American Neighborhood Action Committee), Hellenic Lawyers Association, and St. Demetrios of Astoria Alumni Association.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

As the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the elderly population medically and financially, as well as the nursing home industry, with the significant familial and financial challenges of in-home care, and with the constantly changing legal landscape, I was called upon relentlessly to protect my clients’ rights and wellbeing. I've worked nights and weekends to ensure their wellbeing. For just one example, I myself am the legal guardian of 17 clients. But helping the elderly and their families be safe and have peace of mind has been immensely rewarding.

AWARD WINNERS

HEALTHCARE

STUART H. SCHOENFELD Partner

Capell Barnett Matalon & Schoenfeld LLP

Stuart H. Schoenfeld has been a partner with Capell Barnett Matalon & Schoenfeld LLP since 2005. His areas of concentration include elder law and estate planning, business, corporate and real estate transactions. Stuart’s extensive elder care and estate planning practice includes the preservation of assets for the benefit of chronically ill, developmentally delayed and elderly individuals, planning and applying for Medicaid, guardianship proceedings and supplemental needs planning. With regard to estate and asset preservation planning, Stuart favors an approach integrating the financial, legal and tax objectives of the client into a plan that protects and preserves assets, maintains standard of living and maximizes available tax benefits.

In addition to his elder care and estate planning practice, Stuart counsels clients regarding the sale or purchase of personal or investment properties or businesses, including leasing and financing transactions, buy-sell agreements and succession planning, assisting clients with all aspects of the transaction from due diligence to closing.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

There isn’t one single achievement I can point to because every day, my work as an eldercare/trusts & estates/special needs/Medicaid attorney permits me to help people protect their families and preserve their legacies for future generations. I also get to help my clients ensure that their loved ones with special needs will have the appropriate care and support during their lifetimes.

GLENN M. JONES Member Harris Beach PLLC

Glenn Jones is a partner at Harris Beach PLLC and a seasoned litigator and trial attorney who represents individuals and organizations in challenging federal, state and local regulatory enforcement, criminal and civil matters from investigation to trial. He has extensive experience in the area of healthcare fraud, waste and abuse and health care regulatory and compliance issues, having served as Special Assistant Attorney General in the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the New York State Attorney General's office.

Over his career in private practice, Glenn has represented healthcare providers and institutions in many government investigations, including grand jury investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, United States Attorneys’ Offices, and state and local prosecutors’ offices.

In his practice, Glenn represents doctors, physician groups, hospitals, nursing homes, hospital and nursing home staff and executives, substance abuse rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers, sleep centers, imaging centers, pharmacy, pharmacists, home health, home infusion, medical devices and pharmaceutical companies.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

Jacqueline Berrien. I met Jackie when she was a student at Harvard Law School and dating my best friend Peter Williams. Jackie would marry Pete and become a friend, sounding board and mentor. She was always there to give me advice and was instrumental in many career decisions that I made including selecting Northwestern University School of law for law school. I was also able to watch Jackie’s rise to prominence as a Civil Rights attorney including her service as the Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under President Barack Obama. It is with great misfortune that Jackie passed in 2015, but her friendship and sage advice lives on in me. She is gravely missed.

Partner

AWARD WINNERS

INSURANCE

PETER EGAN Partner & Practice Group Leader, Healthcare Nixon Peabody LLP

Peter Egan is the practice group leader of Nixon Peabody’s Healthcare practice, and also leads the firm’s Behavioral Health team, bringing cross-disciplinary skills to solve regulatory, M&A, investment, and supportive housing issues for our clients. Pete helps healthcare providers structure transactions to comply with federal and state fraud and abuse laws and regulatory issues.

His M&A experience also includes whole hospital mergers and affiliations, private equity transactions, and the purchase and sale of licensed facilities, such as nursing homes and ambulatory surgery centers. With considerable experience representing hospitals and medical centers on all types of corporate and regulatory matters, Pete provides strategic advice on physician alignment issues. Additionally, Pete and his team work with clients on compliance counseling advice, including investigating potential fraud and abuse matters.

RICHARD P. BYRNE

Senior Counsel | Hearing Officer

L’Abbate, Balkan, Colavita & Contini, LLP | NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation)

Richard P. Byrne, Esq., a native Long Islander, has been part of the local legal community since joining the firm of L'Abbate, Balkan, Colavita & Contini, LLP in 1985. Beginning his career as an Associate, he rose through the ranks to Partner, Equity Partner, and on to CoManaging Partner, a role he had for 18 years. His practice focused on complex matters in the areas of commercial insurance, construction law, professional liability, and Alternative Dispute Resolution. While maintaining the base of operations on Long Island, thanks to the trust and faith placed in him by his clients, Richard was asked to handle cases beyond the New York area, throughout the United States and overseas. In 2021, Richard took on the title of Senior Counsel at L'Abbate Balkan and presently devotes his efforts exclusively to serving as a Mediator and Arbitrator through NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation), an affiliation about to enter its 10th year. Throughout the course of his career, Richard has received a series of honors and recognitions from his peers as both a practicing attorney and a neutral; most recently, being voted one of the Top Three Mediators in the United States in the 2023 National Law Journal "Best Of" Survey.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

I was inspired to become a lawyer by Joe Ortego and Kemp Hannon, during my college years. Joe lived across the street from my parents’ house, and I knew Kemp from working on his Senate campaigns. Fast forward 30 years later, and Joe and I are both partners at Nixon Peabody, and I had the pleasure of crossing paths with Kemp numerous times to discuss New York State healthcare issues.

Q&A

What/Who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

From a time when I was young, I recall being drawn to a career as an attorney and, frankly, never considered another path. I saw the role to be equal measures of history, study, hard work, strategy, and theater. And it is very satisfying now - after 40 years of practice - to know I did indeed choose the path for which I was best suited.

JOHN T. BAUER Office Managing Shareholder Littler Mendelson P.C.

John T. Bauer has more than 35 years of experience representing and advising employers in all aspects of labor and employment law.

John also has an active litigation practice, representing clients before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, as well as in arbitration proceedings.

Additionally, he regularly speaks to business groups on labor and employment law topics. He is also a member of Board of Directors, HIA-LI; Advisory Board, Island Harvest; New York State Bar Association; Suffolk County Bar Association; and Nassau County Bar Association

He has been recognized as The Best Lawyers in America, 2014-2023; Lawyer of the Year, Litigation - Labor and Employment, Long Island, The Best Lawyers in America, 20182019; and Top Labor and Employment Lawyers on Long Island, Long Island Business News, among others.

John received his J.D. from Albany Law School, 1986, and his B.A. from State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1982, with honors.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

My greatest achievement within the last year has been growing Littler’s Long Island office with the addition of 5 new attorneys, bringing our total attorney headcount to 18 (with 2 more new attorneys scheduled to join us in the Fall). This significant growth reflects the growing need for labor and employment law services by companies of all sizes in and around the Long Island area. When we opened Littler’s Long Island office in 2006, we had just two attorneys and an administrative assistant. We now have 18 attorneys (soon to be 20) and 4 administrative assistants in a thriving, diverse office, which provides us not only tremendous “boots” on the ground capability here on Long Island, but also the amazing resources of Littler—the largest labor and employment law firm in the country with over 50 offices and 1,000 attorneys nationwide. This all allows us to provide significant value to our clients as we work with them on solutions to their labor and employment law issues, whether it be complex class action litigation or dayto-day employment advice.

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

LABOR

AVROHOM GEFEN Partner

Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP

Partner Avrohom Gefen heads Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP’s Employment Law and Commercial Litigation practices and is a key member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution practice.

Avrohom focuses on commercial and employment litigation, with extensive litigation experience representing businesses and individuals in a wide array of matters before federal and state courts and administrative tribunals.

Avrohom also advises employers on a variety of topics, including drafting and revising employee handbooks, personnel policies, employee discipline, offers of employment, separation agreements, termination decisions, and compliance with federal, state and local statutes.

Avrohom has extensively written about and been interviewed in the press on business and employment matters.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

With the constant flurry of new and revised laws and regulations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, VMM has become the “go-to” firm in matters of business and employment law compliance. Working at the forefront of a particularly complex legal landscape in constant flux, we've been able to help influence the interpretation and application of laws on Long Island on behalf of our clients, which is a series of achievements we're very proud of. We've also been called upon for our expertise by mainstream and legal trade press, from CBS to Bloomberg Law to the Herald, allowing us to help many other people navigate these choppy waters.

Member Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC

A problem solver of the highest order, Alyson Mathews, member at Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC, provides employers with experienced counsel and practical solutions on all aspects of labor and employment law with the goal of preventing litigation and resolving contentious issues at the pre-litigation stage. She advises private and public sector clients, school districts and municipalities.

Before joining Bond, Alyson spent 15 years at a full-service law firm. She rose quickly from associate, becoming one of five equity partners at age 36.

In 2022, in the course of her work she met the deputy managing member of Bond's Garden City office. Several case-related conversations led to larger discussions, leading to an offer of firm membership.

A Boston College and Brooklyn Law graduate, Alyson is active in the NYS Bar Labor & Employment Law Section and NYS Association of School Attorneys.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

Last year, I made the unnerving decision to leave my previous law firm of 15 years of which I worked my way to the top and join Bond. I knew that my departure would be the best decision for my career, but it was difficult to leave a place in which I was settled. Throughout my life, I have taken advantage of opportunities that pushed me out of my comfort zone, including going to law school. While an English major at Boston College, I took an introductory law class. Had I not taken that class, I doubt that law school would have entered my mind. I could not envision myself in a career that did not involve reading and writing.

My work as an English major has set me up well to analyze cases and statutes. Every day brings opportunities to play with words, and I’m still finding new ways to challenge myself.

Having the courage to take the leap to join Bond is my greatest achievement because it will push me to progress further than I would have otherwise been able to go.

AWARD WINNERS

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

HON. PETER B. SKELOS (RET.)

Of Counsel | Hearing Officer Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP | NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation)

With 42 years of experience in the law, 21 of which were as a member of the New York State Judiciary, including 11 years as an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division Second Judicial Department (which includes Nassau and Suffolk counties), Hon. Peter B. Skelos (Ret.) has a keen understanding in diverse areas of the law. Since 2016, Judge Skelos has been Of Counsel at Forchelli, Deegan, Terrana, LLP in Uniondale, New York. For the past eight years he has been a neutral at NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation) where he focuses on resolving disputes in commercial, construction, employment, insurance coverage, labor, matrimonial, medical malpractice, and more.

In the context of employment litigation, he has been invited to present CLE programs on topics that include: "Arbitration and Mediation in the Workplace – Important Considerations for an ADR Program"; "Reasonable Accommodation in the Workplace Under the ADA"; and "Gender Diversity in Arbitration and Mediation: If Not Now, When? Achieving Equality for Women Attorneys in the Courtroom and in ADR", to name a few.

He has been an active member of various bar associations and community organizations, including the We Care Advisory Committee of the Bar Association of Nassau County, of which he served as co-chair for three years. He has received the President’s Award in recognition of his leadership on behalf of the Lawyers Assistance Program of the Nassau Bar Association and has consistently been voted a Top Ten neutral in the NYLJ “Best of” Survey.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

My mother and father have always been the inspirations for my professional and personal achievements. My mother taught me compassion and honor in helping those less fortunate. My father was a model of professional perseverance and dedication to the family.

ALYSON MATHEWS

AWARD WINNERS

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

LAND USE & ZONING

LAWRENCE J. TENENBAUM Partner

Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP

Lawrence Tenenbaum is a member of the management team at Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP and is Chair of the firm’s Education Law practice group and a member of its Labor and Employment Law practice group. Larry provides general counsel and labor and employment counsel services to public school districts, private schools, libraries and not-forprofit organizations, as well as municipal and private entities. He uses a proactive approach to practicing law and emphasizes hands-on collaboration with his clients to achieve the best results.

Larry provides clients with day-to-day legal advice and counsel and works with his clients’ leadership teams to develop and implement strategies and remain compliant with the law. He also attends board meetings, prepares resolutions, updates his clients on changes and developments in the law and represents clients in proceedings before state and federal agencies including the State Education Department, the Public Employment Relations Board, the New York State Division of Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

In addition, Larry is a past president and current member of the board of directors of the New York State Association of School Attorneys and has served on numerous not-for-profit boards. He is a frequent writer and speaker around the state on matters affecting public school districts and libraries.

Q&A

If you weren’t in the industry you’re in now, where would you be?

What enticed me to pursue a career in law were the various facets involved, including the intellectual pursuit of researching issues, the collaboration associated with counseling a client, and the challenge of facing off against an adversary. These skills involve the use of language to express oneself effectively and precisely, which has always appealed to me. For those reasons, if I wasn't practicing law, I could see myself as a writer or possibly a professor. Maybe someday!

SIMONE M. FREEMAN Partner

Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP

Simone M. Freeman is an experienced land use and zoning attorney, with an extensive background in public sector/municipal law. Simone’s expertise lies in executing public and private development, risk/site analysis, and litigation for public/municipal and private corporations. Through her practice in both the public and private sectors, she has become adept in overseeing a wide variety of legal, operational, and fiscal responsibilities relating to various types of public/municipal and private projects

Simone is Vice President of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, she recently served as Treasurer (2020-2022) and was Past President of the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association. She had been selected as Super Lawyers New York Metro Rising Stars (2015-2019), and is the recipient of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law Center for Children, Families and the Law Long Island Outstanding Women in Law award (2016); and Nassau County Women’s Bar Association Bessie Ray Geffner, Esq. Memorial Award for Outstanding Newly Admitted Attorney (2011). She received her J.D. from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, where she was a member of the Family Court Review and Moot Court Association, and received Hofstra Law School’s Pro Bono Certificate, Bronze Level Award for her work in the public sector during law school.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

Strong women. Specifically, my mother. She taught me to dream big and be fearless in the pursuit of your dreams. If you don’t challenge yourself, you will never know what could be. She also reinforced the notion that success is a gift (even success earned from hard work) so it is important to always remember to give back, and help others with that gift.

RONALD J. ROSENBERG Senior Partner

Rosenberg Calica & Birney LLP

Ronald J. Rosenberg, Esq. leads a group of professionals consistently recognized by clients and colleagues as the “go to” regional law firm for difficult and complex litigation and transactions. When clients demand and deserve results, they turn to Rosenberg Calica & Birney LLP of Garden City and its team of skilled and tireless attorneys to help them achieve their goals.

Through Ronald’s role as senior partner, the firm offers a wealth of experience in all areas of commercial and civil litigation, including real estate, corporate, appellate and estate litigation, as well as transactions and leasing, corporate law, land use, and zoning matters.

Ron serves on the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct and is a trustee at Nassau Community College. He is a graduate of Hofstra University and St. John’s University School of Law. Ronald began his career as an associate with a Manhattan law firm and later started his own firm, the Law Offices of Ronald J. Rosenberg. He previously served as Chair of the Banking Committee and as a member of the Judiciary Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1979. He has also been appointed by various Supreme Court Justices to serve as a Special Referee, Referee, and Receiver.

Q&A

What/ho inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

Decades after his passing my father remains a daily inspiration to me. As I get older his integrity, insight, and intelligence remains my beacon by which I guide my own professional career. If I can be considered half the man he was I will count my life a success.

JON BELL Founding Partner Bell Law Group, PLLC

Jon Bell began his career at one of the largest litigation law firms in New York. Despite gaining vast experience in multi-million dollar claims, Jon was dissatisfied with not being able to select his own clients and, therefore, sometimes had personal conflicts in handling cases where he believed to be “on the wrong side.” Thereafter, he started his own law firm, which allowed him to select his own cases, handling them with passion in realizing he has made a personal commitment to each client.

Jon Bell became interested in Federal Employee litigation as he discovered the need for Federal Employees to have strong knowledgeable representation. Jon Bell loves “David and Goliath” type scenarios and always roots for the underdog. Most of his cases involve an employee fighting their management and taking on an entire Federal Agency. Jon thrives under this environment and gives his client the tools to stand up and fight back.

Jon also handles cases in New York State involving a multitude of issues that relate to Private Sector Employment and Personal Injury. His knowledge in these fields is extensive and the results he obtains for his clients are among the best.

Jon is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School. He is a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

Jon is related to the Bielski Brothers, recently portrayed in the movie starring Daniel Craig called “Defiance.” He is proud of his heritage and believes in fighting for the rights of his clients even when the odds seem against them.

DAVID GREEN Partner

Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP

David Green represents all types of businesses and individuals in various areas of litigation. He achieves results for his clients by understanding that every situation is unique, and by utilizing all available legal strategies to help them navigate a complicated legal system. As a native New Yorker, he believes that supporting New York businesses and facilitating a robust business community is essential to the growth and advancement of Long Island.

David has spent many years in courthouses fighting for his clients and developing a reputation as an attorney with knowledge, skill, talent, and who works incredibly hard. His experience counseling clients includes complex discovery, trials, appeals, securing settlements, and alternative dispute resolution.

At CMM, David puts this hands-on experience to work representing all types of litigants in complex situations, having gained critical perspective into how such cases can be effectively resolved. His unique background allows him to successfully represent companies and individuals in a wide range of industries. His experience inside and outside the courtroom allows him to craft creative and effective solutions that help his clients save critical time and resources.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

I am proud to share that in the past year my greatest achievement was being named partner of Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP. It was an honor to be recognized for my contributions and dedication to the company and community. I will continue my commitment to the success of the firm and look forward to what the future brings. We rise by helping others.

AWARD WINNERS

Adam H. Koblenz, member and partner of Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz PLLC, consistently demonstrates dedication and passion for the law, thought leadership, strong business acumen, avid client development, and active participation in civic, charitable and pro-bono organizations. He is a leader at the Firm, and has been instrumental in its growth and development.

Adam volunteers as pro-bono legal counsel to the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Inc., a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect animals in Nassau County from abuse and neglect and provide basic welfare.

Adam also serves on the Children’s Medical Fund of New York’s Board of Trustees (CMF) and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York. Adam, in conjunction with CMF’s Men’s Division, was instrumental in the opening of the CMF Center for Diagnostic Studies, a state-of-the-art MRI and diagnostic wing within the Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center. Adam’s dedication to these non-profit organizations demonstrates his long standing commitment to serving those underserved locally as well as the community-at-large.

Adam mentors new lawyers at the Firm and first-year law students at his alma mater George Washington Law School. He also serves as a Village Prosecutor for the Incorporated Village of East Hills, where he has held that position for over a decade.

Adam received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandeis University (B.A., 2003), and his Juris Doctor degree from The George Washington University Law School (J.D., 2006).

If you weren’t in the industry you’re in now, where would you be?

If I was not in the legal profession, I would own and operate another business venture as I enjoy being an entrepreneur and growing and developing business opportunities.

ADAM H. KOBLENZ Member and Partner Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz PLLC

AWARD WINNERS

PERSONAL INJURY

PERSONAL INJURY

Michael D. Napolitano is a shareholder of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. and chair of the firm’s Personal Injury group. With more than 33 years of experience, Michael represents clients with matters ranging from motor vehicle, slip/trip and fall to complex construction accidents. Michael has successfully litigated and obtained hundreds of injury settlements for his clients and prides himself on continuous communications and accessibility.

Prior to joining Meyer, Suozzi in 2010, he was in private practice and performed Of Counsel work for various personal injury firms. He began his personal injury career as an Assistant Town Attorney for the Town of Hempstead and his legal career as a tax attorney for Ernst & Young. He is actively involved in charitable and community institutions, and has served on various committees for the Arthritis Foundation, Long Island chapter and St. Anthony’s High School, Melville.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

I had been handling a case for a client for the past few years and because of Covid, it had been delayed longer than anyone anticipated. I was able to get the matter into mediation and then resolved for an amount that exceeded the client’s expectations. He was genuinely appreciative of all of my efforts and expressed how thankful he was to have retained me when he was being inundated with recommendations from friends and relatives of other personal injury attorneys. He advised me that he knew I was the right choice after we had met, and I had kept him informed all along the way of the status of the litigation and was always responsive to his questions about his matter. He told me that he would make sure to recommend me to anyone he knew who needed an attorney that would always protect the best interests of the client.

When I receive such heartfelt gratitude from a client I know why I’m in this profession.

Frank Torres, trial attorney at Duffy & Duffy, was born in Brooklyn of Latino immigrant parents. Frank went on to attend Brooklyn Prep, then St. Francis College, graduating summa cum laude, and later Columbia Law School. Frank has practiced for the past 40 years in the field of medical malpractice and personal injury, initially on behalf of defendants, and for the past 23 years solely on behalf of plaintiffs.

Since 2010, Frank has been with the renowned medical malpractice and personal injury firm of Duffy & Duffy, representing injured parties, throughout the tri state area. As a past President of the Long Island Hispanic Bar Association, Frank mentors a number of young, Latino/a lawyers. Being bilingual,Frank represents many Latino clients throughout the NY region. His awards include, Top Latino Lawyer, 50 Over 50, Super Lawyer, Top Attorneys of New York, Distinguished Attorney of the Year and The Latino Lawyer of the Year. Frank serves on the Boards of the Brooklyn Prep Alumni Association and Accident Mate.

FRANK TORRES Associate Attorney Duffy & Duffy, PLLC Q&A

What/Who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

My parents, neither one with a formal education, and both from the Islands of Cuba & Puerto Rico, instilled in me the importance of education and were always there for me through their sacrifices as a constant encouragement.

JAY M. HERMAN Partner

Herman Katz Cangemi Wilkes & Clyne, LLP

Jay M. Herman began his legal career in the field of property valuation litigation (Tax Certiorari and Condemnation Law) as a trial attorney for the two largest assessing jurisdictions (New York City and Nassau County). He was fortunate to be associated with both jurisdictions at a time when each litigated matters on a frequent basis.

Jay subsequently became a partner in several major Long Island law firms. In 2005, Jay and his longtime friend and former colleague in the tax certiorari department of the NYC Law department, Robert S. Katz, formed Herman & Katz, LLP. The firm consisted of two attorneys and three support employees.

Today, over 17 years later, the firm Herman Katz Cangemi Wilkes & Clyne, LLP has three offices (NYC, Long Island, Westchester) and consists of 11 attorneys and 25 support staff. Jay and the firm practice throughout New York State and have developed a national presence by overseeing national portfolios for major clients. Jay’s litigation experience has involved properties from Buffalo to East Hampton.

Jay is a member of the Institute of Professional in Taxation (IPT) where he and the HKCWC attorneys have lectured numerous times to a national group of attorneys, consultants and corporate real estate leaders. He is also affiliated with the IAAO (International Association of Assessing Officers) and The Appraisal Institute and has lectured before both organizations.

Q&A

If you weren’t in the industry, you’re in now, where would you be?

Since I wasn’t going to play centerfield for the New York Yankees, I was admitted to the LLM program in Corporate Law at New York University with a pending interview at Citibank.

MICHAEL D. NAPOLITANO Shareholder Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C.

We pride ourselves in answering not only the questions our clients ask of us, but also in answering the questions they didn’t think to ask; of analyzing not only what we are given to analyze, but what we were not given as well.

AWARD WINNERS

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

GILBERT L. BALANOFF Founding Partner The Law Offices of Gilbert L. Balanoff, P.C.

Gilbert L. Balanoff has been practicing law for 49 years. His law firm represents clients in all aspects of divorce/matrimonial and family law matters.

He is admitted to practice law in the state of New York, before the Federal Courts of the Eastern and Southern Districts, Second Circuit Court of Appeals of New York and the Third Circuit Federal Court in Pennsylvania. He is a member of the New York State and Nassau County Bar Associations’ Matrimonial Committees and has been a member and lecturer for the Nassau County and New York State Bar Association. During his over 25 years as a member of the Nassau County Grievance Committee, he has served terms as its chairperson and was appointed to the Appellate Division Second Department’s Tenth Judicial District Grievance Committee.

Gilbert is highly regarded as a skillful strategist and aggressive litigator and has represented those within the legal profession. No matter how sensitive or complex the issues may be, his main focus is bringing the matter to a swift and equitable resolution.

His extensive work has been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as having brought him to the pinnacle of professional excellence and has earned him the highest possible rating as a Preeminent Attorney in both legal ability and ethical standards.

Q&A

What/Who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

Real estate transactions, residential and commercial, have been a part of my practice for most of my career. In 2016 my daughter, Tiffany Balanoff, got her real estate license. This naturally led to more real estate transactions becoming part of my practice. I currently work with several real estate agents on a regular basis and I am always happy to be there for them and our clients.

MATTHEW E. KASINDORF Partner & Co-Chair

Meister

Seelig & Fein PLLC

Matthew Kasindorf is the Chair of the Meister Seelig & Fein PLLC ’s Real Estate Group. He is an accomplished transactional lawyer specializing in sophisticated real estate and investment ventures in New York and throughout the United States. Matthew counsels clients in the formation, syndication, acquisition, financing, development, sale and leasing of all real estate asset classes. He has extensive experience in crafting joint ventures, investment funds and other strategic alliances with particular emphasis on business, tax and finance issues.

Matthew’s team handles single asset and portfolio real estate acquisitions and sales, sophisticated financing transactions including securitized mortgages, multitranche mezzanine loans and preferred equity transactions, fund formation, new construction, ground lease negotiation and development, office, industrial and retail leasing for both landlords and tenants, workouts and foreclosures, co-op and condominium development and conversions and air rights and zoning matters.

“Award for Teaching Excellence”. He is considered such a dynamic advisor that he is also invited to lecture at NYU’s Real Estate Development and Asset Management Institutes, catering to the most serious investors and real estate professionals from the U.S. and around the world. Matthew is well known as the Chief Networking Officer (“CNO”), and spends a significant amount of time teaching others how to effectively network in the real estate industry. He is the developer of “Atomic Networking®”, a lecture series focused on creating success for all members of the real estate community.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

I was always self-motivated, but the love and support of my wife, Susan and daughters, Amanda and Erica have been endlessly motivating.

Jared Kaplan is the managing member of Kaplan, DiTrapani, Faria & Rabanipour LLP, a partner in Kaplan Lawyers PC and the owner of Appellate Land Services. Jared represents both large financial institutions and private lenders in both residential and commercial transactions. He also represents buyers and sellers of residential and commercial properties while also providing guidance on structure and set up of corporate entities.

A graduate of the University of Maryland and New York Law School, he also serves on the Board of Trustee for Children’s Medical Fund, the fundraising arm of Cohen Children’s Hospital and the M Club, the University of Maryland’s Athlete Alumni Association.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) of 2022?

Establishing Appellate National Title, an expansion of my title company Appellate Land Services to a national level by adding 36 additional state licenses.

JARED S. KAPLAN Managing Partner Kaplan, DiTrapani, Faria & Rabanipour LLP

Andrew S. Nachamie is the principal of the Law Firm of Andrew S. Nachamie, P.C.. He is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia as well as the Supreme Court of the United States, United States Court of Military Appeals, United States District Court – Eastern District of New York and the United States District Court – State of New Jersey. Andrew has been in private practice since 1988.

He attended Penn State University, graduating with a degree in Accounting and receiving a Juris Doctor from Hofstra University School of Law.

He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Merrick Club of Kiwanis International, Penn State Alumni Association and has been active in the local Little League Organization and as coach of his children’s baseball and softball teams. He has been honored by the Nassau Council of Chambers as Merrick Chamber of Commerce Small Businessperson of the Year and is proud to be a Sponsor of the South Shore Chapter of LIBOR. He has been on panels for seminars on various topics concerning Residential Real Estate.

The Law Firm of Andrew S. Nachamie, P.C. would not be where it is today without the support and effort of 2 very special people. Gone but never forgotten are Stuart W. Nachamie, ESQ., and Bonnie S. Nachamie, P.C..

Q&A

What/Who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

My family was the main inspiration and set the foundation for my path in life. My parents and my sister taught me the importance of working hard, helping people, showing compassion and supporting the community. I have tried to apply these concepts in all facets of life and to my conduct and actions, both professionally and personally.

SCOTT A. NEWMARK Partner & Co-Chair

Meister Seelig & Fein PLLC

Scott Newmark is a partner at Meister Seelig & Fein (MSF) and co-chair of the firm’s Real Estate Group. Scott is active in all aspects of the firm’s real estate practice, including sales and acquisitions, leasing, financing, loan workouts and deal restructuring and condominium and cooperative offerings. Scott’s clients range from institutional property owners, developers and tenants to young entrepreneurs who may be entering into their first purchase or lease and need the guidance Scott’s years of expertise can provide.

Scott’s real estate expertise is leveraged regularly by MSF’s litigators to analyze causes of action and potential defenses in complex real estate litigations.

AWARD WINNERS

Jayson J.R. Choi is a member of the Wills, Trusts & Estates, Corporate and Municipal, Land Use & Environmental Compliance Law practices at Meyer Suozzi.  He represents clients in Surrogate’s Court probate and accounting proceedings and other matters involving the administration of estates and trusts. He prepares wills, trusts, advance directives, estate and gift tax returns, and handles corporate and real estate transactions for trusts and estates clients. He is also involved in representing clients in estate and gift tax audits.

He is a member of the Advisory Board of the We Care Fund (the charitable arm of the Nassau County Bar Association), the AsianAmerican Attorney Section of the Nassau County Bar Association and the KoreanAmerican Lawyers Association of Greater New York.  He is a former member of the Nassau County Bar Association Board of Directors.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

Professionally, my greatest achievement within the past year was the $1.1B refinance of two upper west side properties. Personally, my greatest achievement was watching my son, Jacob, achieve his goals of becoming a 3 time Big 10 Champion and All-American swimmer, and watching my daughter, Ella, work towards her high school graduation with honors.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

Most definitely my parents, who were immigrants to this country. They taught and showed me that through education, hard work and perseverance, you can achieve anything you set out to do.

ANDREW S. NACHAMIE Principal Andrew S. Nachamie, P.C.

JAYSON J.R. CHOI Shareholder Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C.

LEADING THE WAY

Nixon Peabody is proud our attorneys are recognized once again as Top Lawyers of Long Island. But we know we’re only as strong as our people. Congratulations to Allan Cohen for his lifetime achievement award, and to Top Lawyers of Long Island Honorees Peter Egan and Michal Cantor, and all the attorneys who make the Long Island office great.

Allan Cohen, Partner

Peter Egan, Partner Michal Cantor, Counsel

TRUSTS & ESTATES

NATHANIEL L. CORWIN

Meyer,

Andrew M. Cohen was born and raised on Long Island. Andrew holds a Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School and an LLM in Taxation from the University of Miami, School of Law.

Andrew is an attorney with a private practice that focuses on trusts and estates law, elder law and guardianship law. Andrew provides comprehensive estate planning for his clients with a special emphasis on assisting families who have loved ones with special needs. Andrew strives to provide his clients with exceptional representation and support so that they feel comfortable throughout the scope of the legal representation. Andrew understands the stress that families with special needs members endure, and he is committed to easing the burden that these families are often faced with.

The representation that he provides includes the preparation of estate planning documents such as Last Will and Testaments, Trusts, advance directives and related documents. Additionally, Andrew has extensive experience in petitioning for guardianship so that family members are vested with the appropriate authority to ensure that their loved ones with special needs are protected throughout their lifetime. On numerous occasions, Andrew has provided his legal services on a pro bono basis for families in crisis.

Andrew is trained and certified as a New York State Part 36 Guardian and as a Part 36 Supplemental Needs Trustee. As such, Andrew has been appointed by various courts to serve as Guardian or Trustee for disabled individuals. Andrew is a member of the New York State Bar Association, and is active in the trusts and estates and elder law sections.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

My kids are my daily inspiration. They keep me motivated, grounded and remind me that at the end of each day that practicing law is really about the people you serve and not the overwhelming business that attorneys tend to get too caught up in.

AWARD WINNERS TRUSTS

& ESTATES

Shareholder

Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C.

Nathaniel L. Corwin is a shareholder of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. (Garden City, NY) with more than 35 years of firm experience concentrated in the Wills, Trusts & Estates department and also performs legal work in the areas of corporate law, real estate, municipal law and contractual matters. His work includes the drafting of sophisticated wills and trusts, the administration of estates, succession planning, and handling of real estate transactions for the firm’s trusts and estates clients.

Nathaniel is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest level of professional excellence. He has served his community through the Rotary Club of Huntington, on various boards of Old First Presbyterian Church, and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Huntington Rural Cemetery.

Rosenthal, Attorneys at Law, P.C. President

Women’s Bar Association of the State of NY

Deborah G. Rosenthal, owner of Rosenthal, Attorneys at Law, P.C., focuses on estate planning, probate and administration of estates, estate litigation, guardianship and special needs planning, corporate and contract law, real estate and representation of closely-held businesses.

She has served as a court-appointed Court Evaluator, Guardian ad Litem, Counsel to Guardian, Attorney for Alleged Incapacitated Person, Trustee of Supplemental Needs Trusts and Guardian.

Deborah is the president of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York — the second largest statewide bar association in New York and the largest women’s bar association in the country — and the past president of the New York Women's Bar Association.

Deborah, a Cornell Law School Graduate, has earned Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review AV Rating, Preeminent, 5 out of 5. In 2022 and 2023 she was named as one of the Law Power 100 by City and State New York. In 2021 she was a recipient of an Outstanding Women in the Law Award from Hofstra University School of Law. She also has an L.L.M degree in Taxation from New York University School of Law. She is a graduate of Wellesley College.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

My grandfather, Hilary E. Corwin, and my father, Robert L. Corwin, were both well-respected attorneys who practiced for many years in my hometown of Huntington. Their devotion to the profession and standing in the community inspired me to follow in their footsteps.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

Achieving my goals for Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, such as increasing membership to pre-Covid levels; achieving record-breaking fundraising for the organization;and establishing three new committees, including the Business Development Committee, which established a listserv for our members to refer business to each other throughout the State, and the Social Action Committee, which has had meaningful social action projects all year.

ANDREW M. COHEN Principal Law Offices Of Andrew M. Cohen

DEBORAH G. ROSENTHAL Principal

RISING STARS: 40 & UNDER

RISING STARS: 40 & UNDER

SPECIAL AWARDS

RISING STARS: 40 & UNDER

LEAH JACKSON Associate Attorney The Law Offices of Frederick K. Brewington

Michal Cantor is a member of Nixon Peabody’s Healthcare practice, as well as the firm’s State Attorneys General team. Michal has cultivated a practice at the intersection of healthcare and white-collar investigations. She represents clients through all stages of criminal and civil government investigations and related litigation. Michal handles internal and regulatory investigations, risk mitigation, and compliance matters in healthcare and other industries. She also has experience assisting hospitals with medical staff issues and advising academic medical centers on graduate medical education issues. Additionally, Michal conducts investigations of abuse of children and vulnerable individuals on behalf of institutional clients. She dedicates a portion of her practice to representing victims of abuse.

Michal leads the Long Island Office’s Women’s Resource Group, and she previously served on the firmwide Mental Health & Wellbeing Committee and on the Associates Council. She is also a recipient of the firm’s pro bono award for outstanding service.

Q&A

If you weren’t in the industry you’re in now, where would you be?

I love to cook and, in another life, I think I would really enjoy working as a chef. In my spare time, I enjoy trying out new recipes and kitchen gadgets, and I’d like to think that I could keep up with the fast-paced energy of a commercial kitchen.

Leah Jackson — born and raised on Long Island — serves as Board Chair of Minority Millennials, which seeks to help young people of color become civically engaged and build wealth. She also volunteers for Long Island Citizens for Community Values which seeks to protect women, children and families from the harmful effects of the internet. Leah graduated from SUNY Oswego in 2016 with a B.S. in Business Administration.

In 2017, Leah enrolled into Touro Law School where she developed a love for criminal justice reform and civil rights. In 2020, Leah obtained her Juris Doctor. After graduation Leah began her career with the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society advocating zealously for the indigent. Today, Leah currently works for the Law Offices of Frederick Brewington where she continues her zealous practice of law in the areas of Criminal Defense and Civil Rights.

Mika Mooney is a New York-based business, trademark and employment attorney and fellow entrepreneur. Mika Mooney Law was born out of a desire to support female founders in all things legal in a straight-forward, caring and sound way; all with a goal of also making legal counsel approachable and accessible. As a litigator, she argued countless cases in court and vigorously defended big businesses day in and day out, gaining a deep and extensive understanding of the legal needs of businesses and how best to protect them. Now, Mika uses that knowledge to keep entrepreneurs and small business owners from experiencing any legal headache, hopefully creating a stress-free, easy and seamless legal experience.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

I would not be where I am today without the inspiration and guidance from my boss Frederick K. Brewington. When I joined his firm as a Summer Associate in 2018, I already had an idea of the type of law I wanted to do and what I thought justice meant. After spending the summer working on discrimination and criminal defense cases, my passion for people, my ideas of justice and who needs the most legal protections changed. I have been on this path ever since and have no regrets.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

My mom was my biggest inspiration. Every day I strive to be the woman that she was and to make her proud. She immigrated to the United States from Japan, spoke little English, had no formal education and raised me as a single mom. She had an entrepreneurial spirit and was so creative and vivacious but ultimately chose to go down a different path so that she could secure my future, provide and care for me. She had an incredible work ethic and persevered always, all with a smile and a sparkle in her eye. She always told me to believe in myself and I try to remind myself and others of that every day!

MICHAL E. CANTOR Counsel Nixon Peabody LLP

MIKA MOONEY Founder & Attorney Mika Mooney Law, PLLC

RISING STARS: 40 & UNDER RISING STARS: 40 & UNDER PHILANTHROPISTS OF THE YEAR

Joseph Packard became a partner at Schroder & Strom in 2022. He concentrates his practice on representation of commercial and residential property owners in real property tax litigation.

Always active in his community, Joseph has provided pro-bono legal services to elderly, low-income homeowners seeking assistance with Senior Exemptions. He served on the Board of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club for many years. He was Treasurer of the club for several terms and is a Past-President. Additionally, Joseph is a firefighter and currently the secretary for Ladder 2 of the EMFD, as well as current chairman of the Fund Drive Committee.

Professionally, Joseph is an active member of the Nassau, Suffolk, and the NYS Bar Associations. He belongs to the Community Bankers’ Mortgage Forum, the Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island (CIBS), the Long Island Real Estate Group (LIRE”), the Mineola Lions Club, as well as the Mineola Chamber of Commerce.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

Being elevated to the partnership level of my firm.

ROCHELLE L. VERRON Founder & Attorney Verron Law Group, P.C.

Rochelle L. Verron, founder & managing partner of Verron Law Group P.C., has 11 years of experience in the area of Elder Law and Trust and Estates. Before attending law school, she graduated from John Jay College in New York City with a degree in Criminal Justice. Inspired by her work in the legal field, she went on to attend Touro Law School here on Long Island where she earned her Juris Doctorate, cum laude.

Rochelle is presently the co-chair of the Suffolk County Bar Association Elder Law and Special Needs Committee. Rochelle focuses her practice in all areas of Elder Law as well as Estate Planning, Estate Administration, and Guardianships. She can also provide invaluable support on obtaining Medicaid eligibility with simultaneous or subsequent asset protection. It’s often uncomfortable and difficult to address personal, financial, and family matters during the legal process but clients can be confident that Rochelle will help make the process clear, help them understand their options, and allow them to have peace of mind for the future.

Being family-oriented, Rochelle takes great pride in being able to help the elderly and also position younger families with a more secure future. Rochelle is a member of the Suffolk County Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, as well as the Suffolk County Elder Law Committee.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

Co-Chair of the Suffolk County Bar Association Elder Law and Special Needs Committee

Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP

Joseph Milizio is the managing partner of Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP. He leads the firm’s Business and Transactional Law, Real Estate, Exit & Succession Planning for Business Owners, LGBTQ Representation, and Surrogacy, Adoption, and Assisted Reproduction practices. Joseph founded the firm’s groundbreaking LGBTQ Representation practice twenty years ago, one of the first in the nation. He provides legal counsel, representation, and education to the LGBTQ community in a variety of matters.

Joseph is a founder, leader and member of several nonprofit LGBTQ organizations, including as a founding member of the New York State Bar Association LGBTQ Law Section, former cochair of the Nassau County Bar Association LGBTQ Committee, founding member of the Suffolk County LGBTQ Advisory Board, and HRC (Human Rights Campaign) National Board of Governors and NY Steering Committee member, to name just a few. As Managing Partner, he’s led VMM in numerous pro bono and community engagement projects.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

With the constant flurry of new and revised laws and regulations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, VMM has become the “go-to” firm in matters of business and employment law compliance. Working at the forefront of a particularly complex legal landscape in constant flux, we've been able to help influence the interpretation and application of laws on Long Island on behalf of our clients, which is a series of achievements we're very proud of. We've also been called upon for our expertise by mainstream and legal trade press, from CBS to Bloomberg Law to the Herald, allowing us to help many other people navigate these choppy waters.

JOSEPH C. PACKARD Partner Schroder & Strom, LLP

JOSEPH G. MILIZIO Managing Partner

PHILANTHROPISTS OF THE YEAR

PROFESSORS

SPECIAL AWARDS

PROFESSORS

JOTHY NARENDRAN Co-Managing Partner

Jothy Narendran is chair of the Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP’s banking and financial services practice group. She represents institutional and private lenders in a variety of commercial real estate financing transactions. These include acquisition and construction loans, equipment financing, leasehold financing, multi-lender participation/ syndicated financing, real estate investment trust and interest rate swap transactions, revolving credit facilities, letters of credit, industrial development agency transactions, Section 1031 exchanges and reverse exchange loans, mezzanine and structured financing and defeasances.

Jothy has worked on a variety of properties, ranging from multifamily properties to assemblages of entire city blocks for the development of multi-use projects, including residential, retail, and office components. She has also negotiated regulatory agreements, leases, and subordination agreements with various municipal agencies. Jothy also acts as counsel to lenders in connection with negotiating intercreditor agreements, tri-party agreements, and note sales and purchases.

Jothy is a member of the firm’s management committee and co-managing Partner with Steven R. Schlesinger.

Prior to joining the firm in 2010, Jothy was a partner at another prominent Long Island law firm. Before that, Jothy served for eight years as the controller of G&S Investors, a real estate development firm.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

Looking back on the past year, I was very proud of my involvement in the growth of Spectrum Designs Foundation, whose mission is to employ people with autism. I was honored to be named the Chair of the Touro Board of Governors, my alma mater, and to become a named partner at my firm Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP. While these are all significant accomplishments, the greatest achievement of all is being present in my grandchildren's lives, day in and day out!

Elena B. Langan serves as dean and professor of law at Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. Elena led Touro Law through the Covid-19 global pandemic, ensuring a successful transition to online learning for Touro Law students and faculty. She has guided the law school through a re accreditation process with the ABA, increased fundraising for scholarships and the annual fund, expanded the clinical program, graduated the first class of FlexTime students, and has established alumni relationships nationally. Touro Law has seen its highest employment rate for graduates during her tenure. She also teaches a course in Family Law.

Prior to her appointment at Touro Law, she served as the Dean of Concordia University School of Law in Boise, Idaho and Interim Dean at Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she also served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of the first year lawyering skills and values program.

ELLEN C. YAROSHEFSKY

Howard Lichtenstein Professor of Legal Ethics

Maurice A. Deane School of Law Hofstra University

Ellen Yaroshefsky is the Howard Lichtenstein Professor of Legal Ethics and Director of the Monroe Freedman Institute for the Study of Legal Ethics at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.

She is the longstanding co-chair of the Ethics Advisory Committee of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and regularly advises NACDL lawyers around the country, and a member of the Reproductive Justice Task Force of the National Association of Criminal Defense lawyer.

She serves on various national, state and local bar associations and formerly served as a Commissioner on the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics and from 19942016 she was a Clinical Professor of Law and the Director of the Jacob Burns Center for Ethics in the Practice of Law at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York. Prior to joining the Cardozo faculty, she was an attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York, a public defender at the Seattle-King County Public Defender Association and then in private practice.

In 2022 she received an NACDL Champion of Justice award as well as the ABA Criminal Justice Section’s Charles English award. She previously received the New York State Bar Association awards for “Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Criminal Law Education” and for “A Lifetime in Legal Ethics.”

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

After practicing law for 25 years, I realized that the time I was enjoying the most was spent with new lawyers joining my firm. Mentoring them and watching their growth and development into confident, ethical, skilled practitioners was a thrilling experience. When the opportunity to join the faculty of the local law school came my way, I grabbed it and never looked back. Having an impact on the education of the next generation of lawyers is a rewarding experience every day.

Q&A

What was your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

My 67 page expert report to civil rights lawyers analyzing the pattern and practices of unethical practices of the Queens District Attorney's Office during several decades. These lawyers obtained a multimillion dollar settlement on behalf of a wrongfully convicted person who spent decades in prison. My report remains under a protective order.

Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP

ELENA B. LANGAN Dean and Professor of Law Touro Law Center

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT - TAX CERTIORARI

ALLAN H. COHEN

Office Managing Partner Nixon Peabody LLP

Allan Cohen, office managing partner of Nixon Peabody’s Long Island Office, represents a variety of companies, ranging from large and middle-market companies engaging in mergers and acquisitions to closely held and family-owned businesses engaging in transactions or otherwise in need of outside legal advice, to technology-based startups organizing new business ventures and raising capital.

Allan maintains a transactional and general business law practice, adept at handling his clients’ varied business needs and providing the type of business-minded advice that businesses would expect from an in-house general counsel. His clients view him as the “quarterback,” ensuring that not only their business law but also their other legal needs are met.

Emerging companies represent a significant part of his practice, including biotech, medical device, and other technology-based companies. He assists with business formation and organization and seed, angel, venture capital, and private equity financings. Much of his work is for “serial entrepreneurs” who have exited prior businesses and are starting their next ones.

Q&A

What/Who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

Gregory Peck in “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

BRAD W. CRONIN Founding Partner

Brad Cronin, founding partner of Cronin & Cronin Law Firm, represents a cross section of the largest New York developers, property owners, national corporations and retail chains throughout Long Island. Brad has successfully resolved and litigated numerous high-profile cases.

Brad has been a speaker discussing various subjects affecting tax certiorari. As a member of the Nassau and Suffolk Condemnation and Tax Certiorari committees, he has worked to implement changes to facilitate the resolution of commercial tax protests. Martindale Hubbard has given him the highest rating for both competency and ethics.

Brad is on the Executive Board and steering committee as well as past president of the Long Island Real Estate Group. He is a cofounder of the Northwell Hospital Department of Medicine Leadership Circle Committee and serves on the Village of Plandome Planning Board.

Brad and Judy, his wife of over 40 years, raised three children in Manhasset, two of whom are his partners in their law firm.

Q&A

What has been your greatest achievement(s) within the past year?

It has been tremendously rewarding to reduce taxes and obtain significant tax refunds for business owners navigating the post Covid world. We’ve seen a number of shifts and adjustments based on economic activity. Many of these market changes directly impact property taxes, which in turn, can change an owner’s bottom line considerably. Both large and small taxpayers have struggled due to the changes that have occurred in the real estate market. By expediting their property tax case and bringing it to a resolution, we have played a role in their ability to lower their overhead costs and, not only survive, but financially prosper. This is also a direct benefit to the Long Island economy since healthy businesses are the backbone for a solid local economy. I am proud to have been able to contribute to our clients’ success and help put them in position for future success as well.

The Herald WE Summit is an exclusive women's leadership conference where executives and entrepreneurs discover new paths to

August 7, 2023

8:30a - 3:30p

The Crescent Beach Club 333 Bayville Ave Bayville, NY 11709

Cronin & Cronin Law Firm

CONGRATULATIONS to Hofstra Law Prof. Ellen Yaroshefsky

and Hofstra Law alumni:

Michal E. Cantor ’14

Anthony J. Forzano ’10

Simone M. Freeman ’07

Matthew E. Kasindorf ’83

Ken Kern ’05

Steven L. Levitt ’81

Brendan J. Mooney ’08

Andrew S. Nachamie ’87

Christopher Raimondi ’00

Stuart H. Schoenfeld ’85

A celebration for legal professionals and firms who embody excellence in their special area of legal practice and outstanding community involvement

David R. Okrent

Hon. Peter B. Skelos

Jay M. Herman

Rochelle L. Veron

Elena B. Langan, Dean and Professor of Law

Christopher Raimondi

John T. Bauer

David Green

Nathaniel L. Corwin

Leah Jackson

Brad W. Cronin

Vincent J. Messina, Jr., President

Suffolk County Bar Association, Officers, Board of Directors, Sarah Jane LaCova, Executive Director

Academy of Law Officers, Members and Staff

Would like to congratulate these outstanding members!

Long Island Hispanic Bar Association

A trusted name for over 50 years — and winner of the “Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island: Top Law Firm” award 5 years in a row! — Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP is a full-service law firm providing counsel and representation in a variety of matters.

Whether you're a private or business client, you can expect individual attention, understanding of your needs, and dedication to your success.

Their highly skilled attorneys collaborate across a wide range of practices to provide you with legal and business solutions that are customized, comprehensive, and costeffective.

Many of their clients trust them for all their legal needs, creating lasting relationships over decades and generations. Business

Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz is one of the region’s most highly regarded and recognized law firms. Their attorneys concentrate their practices in the areas of zoning and land use planning on Long island and in New York City; real estate law; civil litigation and appeals; municipal law and legislative practice; environmental law; corporate law and commercial transactions; matrimonial and family law; estate and trust practice; labor and employment; personal injury and criminal defense.

The Firm’s attorneys are well respected, and have broad experience from their legal backgrounds as well as from their dedication to community and public service. Since 2015 no less than 10 of the firms’ lawyers have been selected for recognition by Super Lawyers in their respective practice areas, or as Rising Stars.

Some of the firm’s more notable accomplishments include representing the Northwell Health System with the zoning approvals for the state-of-the-art Advanced Surgical Pavilion at the North Shore University Hospital, obtaining a landmark ruling on behalf of Suffolk County in litigation with LIPA, and guiding various real estate developers, with land-use and IDA financing approvals for various developments

Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP is one of Long Island’s oldest and largest full-service law firms. Innovative yet practical and responsive, they’re the trusted partner clients count on to help them solve real-world problems — locally, nationally and globally — and to proactively help prevent problems from happening in the first place.

From individuals and families to entities ranging from small start-up companies to international conglomerates, financial institutions, school districts and municipalities, and not-for-profit organizations, there is no client they cannot service. They leverage their breadth and depth of experience and diverse team of professionals to deliver the thinking, resources, and customized solutions needed to help each client make smart decisions about what matters most to them.

The events division of Richner Communications and Herald Community Media

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d w e b i n a r s p l e a s e v i s i t w w w R i c h n e r L I V E c o m !

LEGAL FIRM (1-20 EMPLOYEES) TOP LEGAL FIRM (21-74 EMPLOYEES) TOP

FIRM (75+ EMPLOYEES)

PARTNERS

Michael E. Duffy

Mary Ellen Duffy

James N. LiCalzi

Sean M. Duffy

Dorothy R. Renz

Clifford S. Argintar

Together with the Associates and Staff of Duffy & Duffy

Extend best wishes and congratulations to their associate,

FRANK TORRES, ESQ.

In recognition in being named the Long Island Herald ’s Top Attorney of the year in the field of personal injury