We’re happy to present Class Notes online quarterly. Catch up with classmates and share your own activities and achievements. To submit to Class Notes, please email Claire C. McKeever ’80SVC, ’93L, Assistant Dean for Alumni Relations and CLE, at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

‘85
Hon. Deborah A. Kaplan, Administrative Judge, New York County Supreme Court, Civil Term, has been appointed co-chair of the New York State Justice Task Force, where she works alongside co-chair and fellow St. John’s Law alumna Hon. Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick ’67, ’03HON.

‘86
Grand Central Partnership President/CEO Alfred C. Cerullo, III was included in City and State’s 2020 Responsible 100 list.

Louise Ann Kelleher, an arbitrator and consultant, has established LAKelleher, LLC.

‘89
Hon. Nestor Diaz was elected to serve as a New York City Civil Court Judge.

‘91
Roy Breitenbach has joined Harris Beach, PLLC as a partner on the firm’s health care industry team.

’93
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance has named Andy Barberis to the company leadership role of Senior Vice President of Claims.

Gerard R. Luckman, a partner and chair of the bankruptcy & corporate restructuring practice group at Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP, has been appointed to the Institute of Management Accountants– Long Island Chapter Board of Directors.

‘95
Sean Conroy has been promoted to chief of staff for the U.S. Air Force’s Louisiana Air National Guard.

‘96
Christopher Butler has joined Bowhead Specialty as the head of claims.

Hon. Leigh Cheng was elected to serve as a New York City Civil Court Judge.

Kevin Fogarty, a longtime capitol hill staffer has established Ambrose Partners, an integrated government and public affairs solution firm. He previously served as a senior advisor on Capitol Hill for over 20 years, including as chief of staff and communications director for Congressman Peter King.

Laurence Grayer, general counsel, vice president and chief compliance officer at Creative Associates International, received a 2021 OnCon Icon Top 50 Corporate Counsel Award.

Craig M. Johnson, founder and CEO of Long Point Advisors, was included in City and State’s 2020 Responsible 100 list.

‘97
Michael Choi has been named Special Counsel for Complex Financial Investigations at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.

Foley & Mansfield partner Timothy Ferguson is heading up the product liability and toxic tort division in the firm’s Miami office.

‘98
Corey Ackerman has been named Director, Contracts & Commercial and Assistant General Counsel at iCIMS.

The Los Angeles office of Kids in Need of Defense has named Nelson Castillo a Pro Bono Attorney of the Year in recognition of his 10-plus years of service to the organization.

‘00
Hon. Jessica Earle-Gargan was elected to serve as a New York City Civil Court Judge.

Darryl Gibbs has been named Chief Diversity Officer at Equitable. In this role, he is responsible for fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment across the organization, positioning the company to fully deliver on its mission as it helps more Americans face the future with confidence.

Lowenstein Sandler LLP has announced that Jeffrey Cohen, a partner and vice chair of the firm’s bankruptcy, financial reorganization & creditors’ rights department, assumed leadership of the practice as its new chair.

‘02
Michael Comerford has joined Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP as a partner. He provides restructuring and insolvency counsel.

David Dunn has joined Providence, a leading financial advisory firm, as a principal and head of the firm’s newly opened office in Stamford, CT.

James Gallagher has joined Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo, LLP as counsel in their Charlotte, NC office.

Liza Milgrim-Reyes, a member at Sullivan Papain Block McGrath Coffinas & Cannavo, P.C., was sworn in as the president of the Long Island Hispanic Bar Association.

‘03
Robert Cristiano has joined Duffy & Duffy, PLLC, where he practices personal injury law with a concentration in medical malpractice.

Fortune magazine interviewed Worthy Company co-founder and CCO Nydia Durand Shipman about her business and predictions for the plant-based food industry.

‘04
Matthew DiDora has founded the Law Office of Matthew F. Didora, P.C. in Garden City, NY, where he concentrates his practice in commercial litigation and transactional matters.

David M. Eskew, a partner at Abell Eskew Landau LLP, co-authored the article “Propensity – Persuasion and Prejudice: A Look at “Other Acts” Evidence and What the Defense Can Do About It” with fellow alumnus and Teitler & Teitler, LLP partner Paul A. Murphy ’90.

‘05
Brian Connor has joined Barbiero Bisch & O’Connor LLP as an associate.

LL.M. alumnus Ian Fredericks has been named president at Hilco Merchant Resources, LLC.

‘06
Meghan Flaherty has been named an AVP Excess Casualty Claims at Core Specialty Insurance Holdings, Inc.

Robert Graham has been promoted to partner at Slater and Matsil, LLP, where he focuses his practice on intellectual property.

Kelly McDonald has been promoted to Director at Barclays.

‘07
Marc Berkowitz has joined Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP as a partner in their intellectual property group. He concentrates his practice in intellectual property and e-commerce litigation.

Hon. Denise Johnson was elected a to serve as a New York City Civil Court Judge.

Eleonora M. Migliaccio has been promoted to senior relationship partner at Bloomberg Industry Group.

William Ng, a shareholder at Littler Mendelson P.C., has been named president-elect of the Asian Bar Association of New York.

Christos Pamboukes has joined BakerHostetler as senior legal researcher.

‘08
Massimo Giugliano has been named a partner in the corporate and insolvency, creditors’ rights & financial products practice groups at Davis & Gilbert LLP.

Christine Hogan has joined Wigdor LLP as a partner focusing on plaintiff employment issues.

Brian G. Smith has been promoted to special counsel at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, where he focuses his practice in the areas of estate and tax planning, estate and trust administration, litigation, family law and charitable giving for high-net-worth individuals.

‘09
Hon. Vanessa Fang has been appointed to serves as a New York State Housing Court Judge.

Brooke Hazen has joined the Elate Group, Inc. as in-house counsel.

Marc T. Ladd has joined Cohen Ziffer, Frenchman & McKenna as a partner. He represents and advises large corporate policyholders, handling a wide range of insurance coverage disputes in federal and state courts and other venues.

Erica Markowitz has joined the Law Offices of Aaron Katsman, a boutique residential real estate firm.

Chris Walch is COO & Co-Founder of LifeScore Ltd., an adaptive music platform that creates unique, real-time soundtracks. She is also the founder of Women of Winter, a Montana-based, grassroots community organization that showcases women who are carving their own paths in the mountains and in life.

‘10
Daniel Buckley has joined Michael A. Neufeld & Assoc., LLC., focusing on trusts & estates and estates planning.

Victoria Cantrella has joined Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts as their Director of Labor and Employment.

Christina R. Kormylo Errico has joined Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance as a complex claims director.

Darnisha A. Lewis-Bonilla has joined the litigation team at the Williams Law Firm.

Tara McDevitt has been promoted to counsel at Harras Bloom & Archer LLP, where she focuses her practice on litigation and real estate.

Matthew S. McNamara is senior corporate counsel at GAF, a leader in the building materials industry and America’s largest roofing manufacturer.

LL.M. alumnus James Newton has been named partner at Morrison & Foerster, where he is a member of the finance department and part of the business & restructuring group.

Best Lawyers has recognized Vishnick McGovern Milizio, LLP partner Constantina Papageorgiou for her work in Trusts and Estates,

Crain’s New York Business included Nick E. Smith in its Notable Black Leaders and Executive list. He serves as First Deputy Public Advocate in the Office of the New York City Public Advocate.

‘11
Patrick Brand has been promoted to Senior Investigative Counsel at the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.

Preston Demouchet has been promoted to counsel at Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP, where he focuses his practice on tax and estate planning and administration of estates and trusts.

Robert J. Guidotti has been promoted to principal at Jackson Lewis, P.C. He counsels employers of varying sizes and industries in a wide range of labor and employment matters.

Elizabeth Riordan Hurley has been named Senior Law Attorney at Northeast New Jersey Legal Services.

Eric Lipenholtz has joined Adam America Real Estate as general counsel.

Causeartist has named George Tsiatis, CEO & co-founder of The Resolution Project, one of its Non-Profit Leaders Who Will Impact the World in 2021.

Amanda Reynolds has joined J. Joyce & Associates, P.C. in South Jordan, UT.

Laura Fanelli Sarkis is Associate Director, Corporate Counsel at Regeneron, a leading biotechnology company that invents life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases.

‘12
Moshe Bobker is a partner at Tane, Waterman & Wurtzel, P.C., where he practices civil litigation.

Corinne Donohue Adams, an attorney at Yumkas, Vidmar, Sweeney & Mulrenin, LLP, was included in The Best Lawyers in America for 2021. She focuses her practice on bankruptcy and litigation.

Danielle A. D’Aquila has been promoted to partner in the litigation and arbitration practice group at Brown Rudnick LLP.

Leah Edelboim has joined Cadwalader, Wichersham & Taft LLP as special counsel.

Jennifer Elson was promoted to partner at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP., where she is a member of the general liability and construction practices.

Michael Goldberg is a vice president at Hiltzik Strategies, a strategic communications and consulting firm.

Dean McGee has joined McCabe, Coleman, Ventosa & Patterson PLLC as a partner and is the head of the firm’s civil litigation department.

Lena Paxos has been named a partner at Condon Paxos PLLC, where she handles all aspects of commercial and general civil liability matters.

Christopher Rubino, a partner at Thompson Burton PPLC, was included in Super Lawyers 2020 Mid-South Rising Star list. He practices in the area of commercial real estate.

Michael Webb has been promoted to counsel at Nixon Peabody LLP, where he practices in all areas of real estate, handling a broad array of commercial transactions.

‘13
Gregory Bruno is a senior associate at Day Pitney LLP, focusing on complex commercial litigation matters.

Terence Cremins has been named a Director at Sterling National Bank.

Ian Hayes has been named a partner at Creighton Johnsen & Giroux. His practice includes representing private and public-sector labor unions in arbitration, administrative agency work, and litigation, as well as individual employees in various labor and employment matters.

Lisa Lin has been promoted to Principal Court Attorney in the Queens County Criminal Court.

Piergiorgio Maselli has been promoted to partner at Kranjac Tripodi & Partners LLP, where he works in the corporate and transactional practice group.

Chris Newton has been named Acting Director of the Homeowner & Consumer Rights Project at Queens Legal Services.

Alyssa Zuckerman was named a partner at Lamb & Barnosky, LLP, where she represents public and private sector employers in labor, employment, and education law matters.

‘14
Pamela Albanese has been promoted to partner at Mendes & Mount LLP, where she works in the counseling services and professional liability practice areas.

Michele Chavez has joined the insurance fraud practice group at Rivkin Radler LLP. She focuses her practice on insurance defense and no-fault insurance fraud matters.

 Joseph Donnelly is a partner at Donnelly Stehn LLP, a firm focusing on personal injury, employment discrimination, real estate, civil rights, criminal defense, and construction litigation matters.

Frank Gramarossa has been promoted to partner at Welby Brady & Greenblatt, LLP, focusing on construction law and labor law.

Alicia A. Matusheski has been promoted to counsel at Perkins Coie LLP, where she counsels clients on a range of complex trademark issues.

Michael Molina has joined Flock Safety as counsel. The company builds ethically designed crime solving technology.

Edda Santiago was selected as a 2021 Council of Urban Professional New York Fellows. She is the Campaign Manager for John Sanchez, City Council Candidate for District 15 in the Bronx.

Benjamin Yeamans has been promoted to senior counsel at Publicis Groupe.

’15
Justin Arborn has joined Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP in their global litigation group.

Cristina Delise has been promoted to senior attorney at the Lanier Law firm, where she practices in the pharmaceutical litigation and business litigation divisions.

As senior counsel at Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP, Kristin Lee handles complex civil litigation involving professional liability matters, catastrophic injury, and medical negligence.

Salvatore Lapetina has joined Furman Kornfeld & Brennan LLP, concentrating on general liability litigation and construction accident litigation.

‘16
Donald P. Casadonte, Jr. has joined Turek Roth & Grossman LLP and is focusing his practice on commercial, business, and real estate matters.

Cecilia R. Ehresman has joined K&L Gates as an associate in the firm’s labor, employment, and workplace safety practice group.

Anthony J. Holesworth has joined Legion Athletics as Director of Talent and Business Affairs.

Shanshe Khosroshvili is Vice President and Counsel at Credit Suisse.

Josephine Marino is a partner at Gemelli Gross Shapiro & Marino, where she concentrates her practice on family law matters.

Michael Mulia has joined Wagner, Berkow & Brandt, LLP, a firm that concentrates on real estate, corporate, commercial litigation, and cooperative and condominium law.

Matthew O’Neill has joined KPMG US in Washington, DC. as an associate in the mergers and acquisitions tax group.

Chanel Smith was promoted to co-chair of the Legal Aid Society’s Child Welfare Action Committee.

James West has joined Tane Waterman & Wurtzel, P.C. His practice concentrates on real estate transactions, condominium and cooperative law, and general corporate law.

‘17
LL.M. alumna Claudia Carbone, a litigation and arbitration attorney at Wuersch & Gering LLP, is a Visiting Assistant Professor for International Capital Markets Law at Universita della Calabria.

Michael C. DeBenedetto, III has joined Kiernan Trebach LLP, focusing on civil litigation.

 Maria Miller is a senior litigation associate at Cullen and Dykman LLP, where he works in the firm’s construction litigation group.

Rebecca Schwartz has joined Sweeney, Reich & Bolz, LLP.

‘18
Tasnova Amanullah has joined Traub Lieberman Straus & Shrewsberry LLP, where her practice focuses on general liability matters.

Divya Acharya has joined EY Law LLP (Canada), concentrating on tax controversy.

Mackenzie Brennan has been promoted to Senior Assistant Counsel to the New York Chief Administrative Judge in the New York State Unified Court System.

Gregory C. Brown has joined Jackson Lewis P.C. as an associate representing employers in workplace law matters.

Kyle Gens has joined the Lois Law firm as an associate, concentrating his practice on defending employers in New York workers’ compensation matters.

Christopher Hofmann is an associate at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP.

Keith Olsen has joined Ingerman Smith, L.L.P. as an associate.

Jonathan Schwartz has joined Loeb & Loeb LLP as an associate. He has a broad-based corporate practice focused on a wide range of business.

‘19
Crystal Barnes has joined the labor and employment practice group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

‘20
William Healy has joined Carman Callahan & Ingham, LLP.

Hunter Igoe is Assistant Corporation Counsel at the New York City Law Department.

Omar Mulamekic has joined Tyson & Mendes as an associate. His practice focuses on complex litigation, including construction, transportation, and catastrophic injury matters.