Brown & Kelly

Donald B. Eppers recently gave a presentation to the Young Lawyers subcomittee of the Erie County Bar Association.  Styled the "Nuts 'n Bolts of Drafting Discovery Demands", it involved discovery basics in civil litigation.

Following a week long trial, Patricia S. Ciccarelli brought in a defense verdict, convincing the jury that despite the significant injuries alleged by the plaintiff, such injuries could not have been caused by the conduct of her client.

Tara E. Waterman will be speaking at this years' annual meeting of the Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSP) in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on June 18, 2010. Tara will give a presentation on copyright issues that arise in the context of medical student education.

Ryan J. Mills successfully appealed to the New York State Supreme Court the denial by the zoning board of appeals of an application for a zoning variance which adversely impacted the ability of his client to fully utilize his property.

Paul Michael Hassett has been reappointed to a three year term as the Chair of the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Eighth Judicial District, the organization which screens candidates for elected judicial office.

Kenneth A. Krajewski recently spoke at the program "Law School for Claims Professionals - More Than the Basics" sponsored by the New York State Bar Association.  He also recently spoke at the Association's program on "Additional Insured Coverage:  Hot Topics and Critical Issues for 2009".

Patricia S. Ciccarelli has been appointed to the Eighth Judicial District Pro Bono Committee. The Committee is part of the statewide initiative, “ProBonoNY,” sponsored by the New York State Unified Court System to encourage and help support attorneys’ pro bono involvement.  Ms. Ciccarelli works with Volunteer Lawyers Project to increase law firm commitment to expand legal services to the poor in Western New York.

Joseph M. Schnitter, who is known as the "go to" attorney in Buffalo on uninsured and underinsured coverage, was the local chair for the New York State Bar Seminar, entitled "2009 General Auto Liability," held in Buffalo. He spoke on recent developments on uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Mr. Schnitter also recently spoke at a New York State Bar Association program entitled "Handling Tough Issues In A Plaintiff's Personal Injury Case." He will address challenging issues faced by counsel when handling a SUM claim.

Ryan J. Mills received excellent results for the defendants he represented in two recent jury trials. In one case he obtained a defense verdict despite extremely difficult liability issues. In the second case he was successful in bringing in a verdict of nominal damages where the plaintiff alleged significant personal injuries. In two other recent cases, Mr. Mills represented plaintiffs who had sustained personal injuries as a result of the negligence of the defendants. Each case was resolved favorably for the plaintiffs. He negotiated generous settlements for his clients prior to trial.

H. Ward Hamlin was successful in the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, obtaining a reversal and dismissal of a case against our client. In a decision which clarifies the law on successive accidents, the Fourth Department held in Barnes v. Fix, 63 A.D.3d 1515 [June 5, 2009], that a person who furnishes only the occasion for the injury will not be deemed to be the cause of the injury.

Donald B. Eppers spoke at a Continuing Legal Education seminar for the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers entitled “Doctors and Their Records at Trial”. He also made a presentation at the Finger Lakes Insurance Council Annual Conference on “Managing Your Case: Reviewing Medical Reports in Litigated Matters”. In two recent litigated matters, Mr. Eppers achieved excellent results for the defendants he represented. Notwithstanding claims of significant back injuries sustained by each plaintiff, Mr. Eppers brought in jury verdicts of only nominal damages in each case.

Karen Cook Serotte, who is a recognized leader in the area of real property tax assessment law and litigation, authored a recent article which appeared in the Buffalo Law Journal regarding tax assessments and the valuation of real property under the Real Property Tax Law.

Paul Michael Hassett has been appointed to the Governing Board of the New York State Fee Dispute Resolution Program by Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman.  Mr. Hassett previously served on the Board from 2001-2007.  He has also been appointed to the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association by the New York State Bar Association and was elected Treasurer of The New York Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the NYSBA.