Nima Baratzadeh Wins for Firm Client in Rockland County
Congratulations to our associate Nima Baratzadeh for his recent win in NY State Supreme Court in Rockland County. Nima won a threshold motion for our client.
Alexandra Alvarez and Nima Baratzadeh Obtain Summary Judgment in Alleged Motor Vehicle Accident
Two of our associates, Alexandra Alvarez and Nima Baratzadeh obtained summary judgment dismissing the plaintiff's Complaint against our client, Charles W. Heath II, in Jennifer Stephan v. John Cozzali, Charles W. Heath II, L.I. Drag Racing Club, Corp, et al., venued in Morris County of the Superior Court of New Jersey.
Alan Russo and Marie Castronuovo Discuss Avoiding Nuclear Verdicts on DRI Webinar
Headline verdict amounts continue to rise, dragging up settlement values and turning claims scenarios into high-stakes negotiations. Alan Russo and Marie Castronuovo were part of a panel of insurance defense experts discussing the rise in nuclear verdicts at a DRI webinar in March. They discussed how new research and strategies are helping insurers to better assess, triage and limit their litigation liabilities, and how to counter an increasingly better funded, coordinated and sophisticated plaintiff's bar.
March Madness Comes to Russo & Gould
It''s that time of year - March Madness has come to the firm. We conducted a fun and informative CLE program for a client with a March Madness theme. The Russo & Gould team showed up in our college basketball finest, while presenting on defense of bad faith claims and best practices.
Florina Altshiler Included in Lawline's Top Women Faculty of 2021 - Again!
Congratulations to our partner, Florina Altshiler, for being included on Lawline''s list of Top Women Faculty for 2021. This is not the first time Florina has received this honor; she was also on the 2016, 2019 and 2020 lists. Lawline compiles this annual list to highlight these womens'' contributions to the legal community and to celebrate their accomplishments. Florina made this year''s list due to two of her programs, Conducting Cross and Direct Examination of Expert Witnesses at Trial and Preparing to Climb Everest: A Guide to Trial Preparation. Both were incredibly well-received. One commenter even pointed out, "Absolutely excellent. It was a privilege to attend this presentation. Instruction and presentation top-notch. Excellent insight shared by a truly great trial counsel."
David Gould Appearing on Panel Regarding Defense of Bad Faith Claims in January
David Gould will be a panelist for the Defense Association of New York CLE program, "Defense of Bad Faith Claims - Best Practices." The program will be held online on January 27 at 5:30pm, and is geared toward both experienced and newly admitted attorneys. Participants will earn two (2) CLE credits. Learn more and register at this link on the DANY website.
Dan Schiavetta Presenting CLE on Litigating Civil Cases in New York
Dan Schiavetta is presenting at a National Business Institute program, "Litigating Civil Cases in New York From Start to Finish." The program will be held January 18, 2022 at 9:00 am. At Russo & Gould, Dan focuses on nursing home and adult residential facility defense, and has wide experience in appellate and insurance coverage litigation. This online seminar features veteran attorneys who will provide you with real-world insights and concrete instruction. From initial filings to trial, uncover best practices that will help you work your way to a favorable case resolution. Learn how to be an effective advocate for your clients in civil proceedings.
Audrey Medd Wins Motion to Dismiss in Connecticut Superior Court
Congratulations to our Senior Associate, Audrey Medd, for winning a Motion to Dismiss for one of our firm''s clients. Audrey appeared for oral argument in Connecticut Superior Court, Judicial District of New Haven before the Honorable Justice James Wilson Abrams where she successfully argued the motion in favor of our client.
Supporting Feeding America and City Harvest
So many are still dealing with food insecurity. Russo & Gould has made contributions to Feeding America and City Harvest this holiday season in honor of our clients and friends. Thank you for your support these past 25 years; we look forward to continuing to work together.
Alan Russo and Marie Castronuovo Discuss Social Inflation on AM Best Podcast
Partners Alan Russo and Marie Castronuovo joined AM Best''s John Czuba on Best''s November podcast. Alan and Marie talked about how social inflation is changing liability insurance, and how liability insurers and defense attorneys can combat tactics to reduce claim settlements.
Meet Terre Villani
Terre has been with Russo & Gould for 15 years, although she and Alan Russo met years before. They stayed in touch when Alan started the firm in 1996 and ten years later, Terre came on board. Terre is an accomplished trial lawyer having tried cases for the greater part of her career. In addition, she is a mediator in the New York State Supreme Court Commercial Division, a Special Master at Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division 2nd Department and a mediator for the Supreme Court, Bronx County.
Partner Florina Altshiler Serving as Instructor for NITA's Trial Skills Program
Our partner Florina Altshiler is again serving as an instructor for NITA''s Trial Skills Program for Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) and Legal Aid Association of California (LAAC). The program will run online November 1 - 4, 2021. Florina will present on Evidentiary Foundations on November 2 and will work with the participants to practice what they learn.
Talking with John Komar from His 100-Year Old Home
John has been with the firm since 2004. His trial practice encompasses transportation liability (both personal and commercial auto), labor law and construction liability, coverage claims and premises liability, with a particular focus on livery car and commercial motor vehicle defense. He has tried over 100 cases ending in verdicts, many in defense verdicts or damages awards well below the reserve. John attributes his success at trial to meticulous preparation. "I think of every case as if it''s going to trial, whether it is or not. That way, I can identify the issues that are pro and con to the defense and I know where to go and where not to go with research and investigation. It''s a better use of time and more economical for the client," he says.
Get to Know Marie Castronuovo
Marie Castronuovo handles New York Labor Law and premises liability cases through all phases of litigation, including discovery, making and arguing discovery motions and motions for summary judgment, negotiating and mediating settlements, trial, and appellate proceedings. "We handle the entire thing from soup to nuts," she says. She regularly defends insurance carriers and cleaning contractors in premises liability cases. She has extensive experience in New York Labor Law, defending corporations and contractors in construction site accident claims.
Alexandra Alvarez Wins Motion for Summary Judgment for ConEd and Other Defendants
Congratulations to Senior Associate Alexandra Alvarez for winning Motions for Summary Judgment for firm client, Con Edison and others. Alexandra appeared for oral argument before Justice Katherine Levine of the Supreme Court, 2nd Judicial District on September 15. She successfully argued the motions for ConEd, Verizon, Five Star Electric Corp. and the MTA/NYCTA.
Meet David Gould (and Grab a Slice)
David is a proud named partner of Russo & Gould LLP, a firm he's been with since 2002 and served as partner since 2007. As a trial attorney, David has tried more than 75 cases to verdict throughout New York, and has participated in more than 100 trials. Litigation is not the only path he looks for on behalf of his clients; he also heads Russo & Gould's Early Settlement Division and has settled hundreds of cases on behalf of insurance carriers and self-insured entities within 12 months of their inception. For the past 25 years, David has been an Adjunct Professor at the City University of New York, Queens College where he teaches courses such as Freedom of Speech, Trial Advocacy and Media Law and Ethics. Several of his former students have been hired as paralegals at the firm. He also lectures frequently for the National Business Institute continuing legal education series and has taught such courses as: Advanced Trial Tactics, Trial Skills Workshop, Mini Med School for Attorneys, Working with Experts and Using Medical Records to Prove Your Case.
David Gould and Josh Kardisch to Present on NBI's Mini Med School For Attorneys Program
David Gould and Josh Kardisch to Present on NBI''s Mini Med School For Attorneys Program Legal cases involving medical issues require a strong grasp of how the body functions, how injuries impede those functions and what the prognoses and treatments look like. Attorneys need to know how to effectively evaluate medical records, depose doctors and more. Russo & Gould's David Gould and Josh Kardisch are on the panel for this NBI CLE program on September 30, 2021.
Florina Altshiler Article Published in Stetson Journal of Advocacy and the Law
Florina Altshiler''s article, entitled "Employing Generally Accepted Scientific Principles to Address False Eyewitness Testimony Through Trial," Appears in the 2021 Stetson Journal of Advocacy and the Law.
Russo & Gould Welcomes Nima Baratzadeh
Please join us in welcoming Nima Baratzadeh to Russo & Gould. Nima has substantial litigation experience. He has worked in insurance defense for several years, after gaining valuable insight into the workings of opposing counsel during his tenure with a high-volume plaintiff''s personal injury firm. Nima started his legal career with the Chicago Public Defender''s Homicide Task Force.
Cecil Floyd Elevated to Partner
Please join us in congratulating our newest partner, Cecil Floyd! Cecil joined us in 2012, bringing his decades of experience to the firm. He focuses on the defense of general liability matters and works with a broad range of clients, including construction companies, property owners and managers, restaurants, trucking companies, product manufacturers, gas stations, bus companies, utilities and small businesses.