Uniondale, NY – September 22, 2023 – Thirty-one members of Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C., have been named among the top attorneys in the New York Metropolitan area by Super Lawyers ratings service and magazine in 2023.
“We are extraordinarily proud of our firm members who have attained this distinctive recognition. Being named a Super Lawyer is an accomplishment, which comes from their peers and indicates that these attorneys are at the top of their profession”, said Adam Silvers, Managing Partner.
The attorneys recognized from Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C. represent many of the firm’s major practice groups — Bankruptcy: Business, Employment Litigation: Defense, Health Care, Insurance Coverage, Construction Litigation, Estate and Trust Litigation, Securities & Corporate Finance, Business Litigation, Cannabis Law, Employment & Labor, Real Estate, International, Business/Corporate, Estate & Probate, and General Litigation.
Named as 2023 Super Lawyers (alphabetically) were:
Michael S. Amato (Bankruptcy: Business), Jessica M. Baquet (Employment Litigation: Defense), Alexander G. Bateman (Health Law), Harold S. Berzow (Bankruptcy: Business), Michael D. Brown (Insurance Coverage), Adam L. Browser (Construction Litigation), John G. Farinacci (Estate & Trust Litigation), Michael K. Feigenbaum (Estate & Trust Litigation), Stephen E. Fox (Securities & Corporate Finance), Douglas J. Good (Business Litigation), Elizabeth S. Kase (Cannabis Law), Ellen F. Kessler (Health Law), Mark S. Mulholland (Business Litigation), Douglas M. Nadjari (Health Law), David A. Robins (Employment & Labor), Eric C. Rubenstein (Real Estate), Michael A. H. Schoenberg (Business Litigation), Thomas A. Telesca (International) and Benjamin Weinstock (Real Estate).
Additionally, identified by Super Lawyers as a ‘Rising Star’ (age 40 or younger) were Lois A. Bladykas (Estate & Trust Litigation), John D. Chillemi (Real Estate), David F. Durso (Health Law), Briana Enck-Smith (Business Litigation), Samantha M. Guido (Business/Corporate), Ross J. Kartez (Business Litigation), Rachel A. Morgenstern (Business Litigation), Nicole E. Osborne (Employment & Labor), Brian Passarelle (Business Litigation), Kassandra Polanco (Bankruptcy: Business), Kera N. Reed (Estate & Probate), and Daniel E. Shapiro (General Litigation).
Super Lawyer Biography
Michael Amato, Partner, is the Chair of the Corporate Restructuring & Bankruptcy Practice Group, and a member of the firm’s Litigation Department and Block-chain Technology and Digital Asset Practice Group. Mr. Amato is a skilled bankruptcy attorney with considerable experience representing debtors, creditors, trustees and creditor committees in complex restructuring and reorganization matters. He focuses his practice on business reorganizations and restructurings, and bankruptcy litigation. Mr. Amato has advised clients in negotiating, structuring and drafting complex Chapter 11 plans and debtor-in-possession financing agreements. He regularly represents parties in interest in bankruptcy litigation, including fiduciary duty and fraud claims, actions to avoid preferential transfers and fraudulent conveyances, turnover proceedings and actions to recover assets. Mr. Amato’s litigation experience includes both jury and non-jury trials in federal and state courts. He has represented clients in complex commercial matters, including shareholder valuation and dissolution actions, unfair competition and labor matters, including wage and hour claims. Mr. Amato has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution and is an approved mediator in the United States Bankruptcy Court for both the Eastern and Southern District of New York. Mr. Amato is an active member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Turnaround Management Association and the Nassau and Suffolk County Bar Associations.
Jessica M. Baquet, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department and the Employment and Estate, Trust and Fiduciary Litigation practice groups and Chair of the firms Blockchain Technology and Digital Asset practice group. Ms. Baquet is a litigator who devotes her practice to complex commercial disputes, labor and employment matters and contested proceedings concerning trusts and estates. She represents individuals, municipalities and institutional clients in all phases of litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative bodies. Ms. Baquet also handles appeals to the Appellate Divisions of the New York State Supreme Court, the New York Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In her commercial practice, Ms. Baquet has specific experience in representing businesses and individuals in cases involving contract disputes, partnership and shareholder disputes, insurance coverage issues, joint venture agreements, breaches of fiduciary duty, unfair competition claims, and breaches of restrictive covenants. In her estate litigation practice, Ms. Baquet represents beneficiaries, creditors and fiduciaries in proceedings before the Supreme Courts and Surrogate’s Courts throughout New York state, including those involving probate, will construction, inheritance rights, fiduciary accountings, and the removal or suspension of fiduciaries. Ms. Baquet routinely provides labor and employment counsel to employers of all sizes. She advises clients regarding compliance with federal, state and local laws; drafts employment contracts, severance agreements, handbooks and policies; prepares affirmative action plans and compensation analyses; and provides sexual harassment and sensitivity training. Ms. Baquet received her Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law.
Alexander G. Bateman, Partner, is co-chair of the firm’s Health Law Regulatory and Transactional Group. He is also the chair of the White Collar Crime and Investigations Group and a member of the Corporate Governance Practice Group and Blockchain Technology and Digital Asset Practice Group. Mr. Bateman represents healthcare professionals and companies in the areas of federal and state criminal and regulatory matters, such as Medicare/Medicaid fraud and professional disciplinary proceedings. He is active in developing and implementing corporate compliance programs for hospitals and other healthcare providers. He also works in white-collar criminal defense, including government funded and private insurance fraud and abuse cases. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Bateman was a trial attorney with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office where he investigated and prosecuted cases in the areas of felony street crimes, organized crime, narcotics, sex crimes and political corruption. Mr. Bateman is a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Health Law Section and a former chair of that section’s Committee on Licensed Professionals, the Suffolk County Bar Association and the Suffolk County Criminal Bar Association. He is also a board member and member of the executive committee of the United Way of Long Island. Mr. Bateman received his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University.
Harold S. Berzow, Of Counsel, is a member of the Corporate Restructuring & Bankruptcy Practice Group. Mr. Berzow focuses on debtor and creditor rights, business reorganizations, bankruptcy and commercial transactions representing buyers and sellers of assets, real estate transactions and representation of secured lenders. Mr. Berzow’s represents clients in a wide range of businesses and industries, including the food, electrical and construction industries. Mr. Berzow also works extensively with manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers and distributors, with a strong emphasis on the food industry and supermarket operators. Mr. Berzow has handled complex transactions involving the purchase and sale of independent supermarkets, as well as matters on behalf of wholesale grocers. Mr. Berzow received his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School.
Michael Brown, Partner, is an accomplished commercial litigator, counselor and head of Ruskin Moscou Faltischek’s Insurance Practice. Mr. Brown’s practice areas include litigation, insurance coverage, advice and litigation and insurance defense. In addition, Mr. Brown is one of the founders of the Firm’s Advertising, Marketing & Promotion Defense Practice. Mr. Brown has been recognized in “Who’s Who in America.” In 1983, Mr. Brown was a founding partner of Ohrenstein & Brown, LLP, whose insurance practice was rated “Tier 1” By “U.S. News & World Report,” and was the only Long Island Firm to be ranked as Tier 1 for the insurance area. He has frequently been called upon to litigate significant and unusual cases in many states of the country. Mr. Brown represented a large satellite operator in a “life insurance” claim, and when an insurer and one of the nation’s largest banks had a dispute over the meaning of a unique insurance policy involving 250,000 leased automobiles, involving hundreds of millions of dollars, Mr. Brown was asked to defend the insurer in North Carolina. Mr. Brown represents entrepreneurial businesses, insurers, brokers, and insureds in developing structures for insurance programs and in dealing with the regulatory aspects of those programs.
Adam L. Browser, Of Counsel, is a member of the firm’s Litigation, Financial Services, Banking & Bankruptcy Departments, and the Insurance Litigation and Construction Practice Groups. Mr. Browser has nearly three decades of experience in complex commercial litigation, including trials and appeals, covering a wide variety of industries. His broad litigation experience includes creditor’s rights, collections, construction, contracts, employment, insurance, landlord-tenant, licensing, partnerships and other business relationships, professional liability, real estate, title claims and trusts and estates. Mr. Browser has handled cases in Federal and New York State Court, and in various dispute resolution forums, such as the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Browser is on the Board of Directors of, and General Counsel to, the Professional Remodeling Organization of New York and is on the Board of Directors for the Nassau County Bar Association. Mr. Browser received his Juris Doctor from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.
John G. Farinacci, Partner, is chair of the Trusts, Estates and Fiduciary Litigation practice group and a co-chair of the broader Trusts & Estates trust department. John is a litigator with over a quarter of a century of experience who devotes his practice to complex trust and estate disputes. Mr. Farinacci is also a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution practice group. Mr. Farinacci handles numerous contested cases, including both the prosecution and defense of contested probates/will contests, will and trust construction proceedings, contested fiduciary accounting proceedings, imprudent fiduciary investment cases, fiduciary negligence and malfeasance claims, contested guardianship proceedings, kinship proceedings, discovery and turnover proceedings, constructive trust proceedings, commercial and real estate disputes in which estates or trusts interests are implicated, elder financial exploitation cases and a broad variety of other disputes that relate to the affairs of a decedent or administration of an estate or trust. Mr. Farinacci’s litigation practice is most heavily concentrated in the Surrogate’s Courts, but he routinely handles cases in New York State Supreme Court and he handles appeals to the Appellate Divisions and the New York State Court of Appeals. Mr. Farinacci has extensive experience in estate planning matters, probate, estate and trust administrations, guardianships and uncontested Surrogate’s Court proceedings. Mr. Farinacci received his Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law.
Michael K. Feigenbaum, Of Counsel, is a member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Department and Estate, Trust and Fiduciary Litigation Practice Group. Mr. Feigenbaum provides counsel on all aspects of estate planning and administration, including preparation of wills and trusts, tax and insurance planning, probate and Surrogate’s Court proceedings, including litigation, and other fiduciary matters such as conservatorships and guardianships. Mr. Feigenbaum has served on the executive committee of the Trust and Estates Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. Mr. Feigenbaum is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and has lectured extensively on estate planning, tax and estate litigation issues. Mr. Feigenbaum received his Juris Doctor from New York University.
Stephen E. Fox, Partner, is a member of the Corporate & Securities, Corporate Governance, and Blockchain Technology and Digital Asset practice groups. Mr. Fox has 25 years of experience specializing as a corporate and securities lawyer, and acting as outside counsel and a trusted adviser to companies, individuals and investment funds. Mr. Fox has advised both strategic and financial clients across numerous industries, including technology, medical device, manufacturing, entertainment, cannabis, energy, food and beverage, media, and financial services. Additionally, as transaction counsel, Mr. Fox has led or has taken an active role in hundreds of transactions, ranging from less than $1 million to more than $1 billion. Mr. Fox prides himself in his application of practical, creative and real-world guidance and solutions to client issues, not simply reciting the law or falling back to customary practice. Mr. Fox received his Juris Doctor from New York Law School.
Douglas J. Good, Of Counsel, is Chairman Emeritus and a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department. He is also a member of the firm’s Employment Law Practice Group and ADR Practice Group. Mr. Good has extensive experience representing clients in the trial and appellate levels, and is a past president of the Nassau County Bar Association. Mr. Good serves on the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Standards of Attorney Conduct. Mr. Good received his Juris Doctor from New York University.
Elizabeth S. Kase, is co-chair of RMF’s Cannabis Law practice group. She counsels clients seeking licensure in the emerging adult-use cannabis space pursuant to NY’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act. Since the inception of The Compassionate Care Act in 2014, Ms. Kase guides entrepreneurs, businesses, and social equity applicants seeking to navigate NY’s ever-changing regulatory landscape. She lectures extensively about the status of the laws, legal ethics, and compliance in the cannabis space. She has published numerous articles pertaining to criminal law, cannabis law, and cannabis/derivative products. Ms. Kase is widely recognized for her distinguished experience and was named a “Trailblazer in Cannabis Law” in the National Law Journal. She began her career as Assistant District Attorney in New York County and defends clients in complex federal and state criminal matters for more than twenty years.
Ellen F. Kessler, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Health Law Department. Ms. Kessler assists healthcare clients in structuring business relationships and transactions to comply with federal and state laws including self-referral, anti-kickback and professional misconduct statutes. She regularly counsels health care clients on mergers, acquisitions and establishment of professional practices, employment and professional service relationships, establishment of management service organizations and their relationships with health care providers, establishment and transfers of Article 28 and Article 36 facilities, HIPAA compliance, and regulatory and professional licensure issues under state and federal law. Ms. Kessler received her Juris Doctor from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.
Mark S. Mulholland, Senior Partner, is Co-Chair of the highly regarded Commercial Litigation Department, and has served as the Managing Partner at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek. Litigating in state and federal courts, and before domestic and international arbitration tribunals, Mr. Mulholland represents businesses, entrepreneurs, municipalities and individuals in all manner of disputes, including constitutional, intellectual property, contract and business torts, securities, condemnation, corporate and fiduciary issues, and antitrust matters. Mr. Mulholland served as a Captain in the U.S. Army JAGS Corp, trained with the famed 1st Airborne Battalion, 507th Infantry Regiment where he earned the prized “Silver Wings” of the U.S. Army Airborne Corps, and earned a Juris Doctor from the State University of New York at Buffalo after graduating from the University of Notre Dame in Southbend, Indiana.
Douglas M. Nadjari, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Health Law Regulatory Department and White-Collar Crime & Investigations Practice Group. Mr. Nadjari is an accomplished trial lawyer specializing in criminal defense and regulatory enforcement proceedings. He has successfully tried to verdict dozens of criminal, civil, and administrative cases. He is widely recognized in many arenas for the creative and aggressive representation of physicians and other health professionals. He represents clients in criminal matters and before the OPMC, OPD, OIG, DEA, hospital medical staff proceedings, audits, claw-backs and demands for repayment made by Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers. Mr. Nadjari serves as co-chair of the Professional Discipline Committee of NYSBA Health Care Section and is a member of the Tulane University School of Law Criminal and Procedure “Boot Camp” faculty. Mr. Nadjari received his Juris Doctor from Tulane University School of Law.
David A. Robins, Partner, a member of the Employment Practice Group and Litigation Department. Mr. Robins’ practice focuses on wage, hour, employment law counseling, and litigation. He represents clients in all forums, including federal, state and local courts, mediations, arbitrations, and administrative agencies such as USDOL, NYSDOL, EEOC, SDHR, CCHR, DCA and Comptroller’s Office. Mr. Robins has extensive litigation experience in wage and hour, hybrid collective/class actions, multi-company and multi-location class actions, restrictive covenants, sexual harassment, employment discrimination, retaliation and matters involving FLSA, NYLL, Title VII, ADEA, ADA, FMLA, WARN, FCRA, ERISA, NYSHRL, NYCHRL, ESSTA and commercial litigation for clients. He has led company self-audits, DOL audits, union fund audits, prevailing wage matter audits and litigation, NYLL wage order and FLSA regulations and exemption interpretations. Mr. Robins received his Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law.
Eric C. Rubenstein, Of Counsel, is Chairman Emeritus of the firm’s Real Estate Department. Mr. Rubenstein represents major real estate developers, owners and operators, and lenders in some of the region’s largest and most complex financial transactions. Projects include financing, leasing, acquisition and sale of shopping centers, hotels and resorts, office buildings, retail sites, nursing homes, co-operatives and condominiums. Mr. Rubenstein received received a BA in Economics from the University of Rochester and his Juris Doctor from New York Law School.
Michael A.H. Schoenberg, Of Counsel, is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department. Mr. Schoenberg represents individuals and corporations before arbitration and mediation boards as well as in the federal and state courts on shareholder disputes, business dissolutions, torts, real estate disputes and employment discrimination. Mr. Schoenberg serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the LI Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis. Mr. Schoenberg received his Juris Doctor from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.
Thomas A. Telesca, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Litigation Department and Chair of the International Practice Group. Mr. Telesca has extensive experience in a wide range of commercial litigation, including corporate dissolutions, franchise, shareholder and partnership disputes, antitrust or unfair business practices, trademark and patent infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, enforcement of restrictive covenants, RICO actions, securities litigation, construction and real estate related matters, contract disputes, and Article 78 proceedings against municipalities and corporations. Mr. Telesca also prosecutes trademark applications in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on behalf of both foreign and domestic clients and represents his clients in proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Mr. Telesca serves as district liaison to Long Island for the New York State Bar Association’s Commercial and Federal Litigation Section. Mr. Telesca is also a member of the Pro Bono Committee of the International Trademark Association and the Commercial Litigation Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association. Mr. Telesca is a founding board member of the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and currently serves as its Treasurer. Mr. Telesca received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Seton Hall University School of Law.
Benjamin Weinstock, Partner, is chair of Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C.’s Real Estate Department. His scope of work includes sales and purchases, commercial leasing, sale-leasebacks, title insurance claims, Section 1031 tax deferred exchanges, construction lending, development agreements, purchase options, zoning variances, site plan and subdivision approvals, real estate tax redemptions, condemnations, architect’s and construction agreements, mortgage restructurings and transfer tax audits, residential and commercial coops and condos, and senior citizen housing. Mr. Weinstock’s knowledge and skills place him among the most respected and sought- after real estate lawyers in the region. In recognition of his many contributions to the real estate industry, Governor Pataki named Mr. Weinstock to the prestigious New York State Real Estate Board, where he was elected secretary, serving for seven terms. Mr. Weinstock currently serves on the New York State Bar Association’s Committees and is an adjunct professor at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. Mr. Weinstock received his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School.
Rising Star Biography
Lois A. Bladykas, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Trusts & Estates Department, Estate, Trust and Fiduciary Litigation Practice Group and the Insurance and Insurance Litigation Practice Group. Ms. Bladykas’ practice focuses on estate, trust and fiduciary litigation, including all manner of Surrogate’s Court proceedings such as probate contests, accounting proceedings, discovery and turnover proceedings, will and trust construction proceedings, and other complex disputes between beneficiaries and fiduciaries. Ms. Bladykas is an active member of the New York State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Law Section, where she serves as Co-Chair of the Legislation & Government Relations Committee, and is a past Co-Chair of the Suffolk County Bar Association Surrogate’s Court Committee. Lois is a member of the New York State Bar Association Membership Committee, Nassau County Bar Association Surrogate’s Court Committee, and Suffolk County Estate Planning Council. Ms. Bladykas received her Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School.
John D. Chillemi, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Department, Land Use and Environment Practice Group and IDA & Municipal Development Incentives Practice Group. Mr. Chillemi’s practice focuses on commercial real estate transactions, including the acquisition, disposition, leasing and financing of commercial properties throughout the United States. In addition to his real estate work, he handles complex land use and zoning transactions, including representation of land developers of various projects ranging from change of zone petitions, variances, municipal hearings and IDA financing. He also represents borrowers and lenders with respect to construction and permanent financing. Mr. Chillemi is an active board member of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Association’s Young Professionals Committee. Mr. Chillemi received his Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law.
David F. Durso, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Health Law and Corporate & Securities Departments, as well as the firm’s White Collar Crime and Investigations, and Cybersecurity and Data Privacy practice groups. Mr. Durso regularly counsels business owners, health care professionals, and public and privately held companies in a wide variety of matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, government investigations, prosecutions and administrative proceedings. Mr. Durso also represents health care professionals in matters involving the Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC), Office of Professional Discipline (OPD), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Durso was an Assistant District Attorney with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office. Mr. Durso is a member of the Board of Directors of Contractors for Kids and a member of the Nassau County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association. Mr. Durso received his Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law.
Briana Enck-Smith, Associate, is a member of the Commercial Litigation Department, Corporate Restructuring & Bankruptcy Practice Group, and Insurance & Insurance Litigation Practice Group. Ms. Enck-Smith practice focuses primarily on complex commercial litigation, including matters involving breach of contract, shareholder and partner disputes, unfair business practices, trademark and copyright infringement, real estate disputes, and related financial and business disputes. Additionally, she defends professional liability claims against attorneys, as well as represents clients in business reorganizations, restructurings, and bankruptcy litigation involving fiduciary duty and fraud claims and actions to avoid preferential transfers and fraudulent conveyances. Ms. Enck-Smith received her Juris Doctor from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.
Samantha M. Guido, Associate, is a member of the Corporate and Securities Department and Blockchain Technology and Digital Asset Practice Group. Ms. Guido’s practice concentrates on general corporate representation where she advises public and private clients on a broad range of corporate and securities matters including mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, contracts, and SEC filings. Ms. Guido has specific experience in representing businesses and individuals in cases involving contract disputes, partnership disputes, joint venture agreements, and breaches of fiduciary duty. Ms. Guido is the President and Co-Founding member of the Jane Guido Foundation and a member of the Nassau County Bar Association, the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association, the New York City Bar Association, and the New York State Bar Association. Ms. Guido received her Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law.
Ross J. Kartez, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department and Chair of the Firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group and the Vice Chair of the Firm’s Insurance & Insurance Litigation Practice Group. Mr. Kartez’s practice focuses primarily on matters involving breach of contract claims, insurance coverage issues, real estate disputes, lender recourse, secured claims, enforcing guarantees, securities matters, shareholder and partnership claims, business torts, employment disputes, alternative dispute resolution and other business-related issues. A large portion of Mr. Kartez’s practice involves claims related to professional liability, and errors and omissions. Mr. Kartez is an independent mediator and commercial arbitrator. Mr. Kartez was elected to serve for the New York State Bar Association as the Chair of the Dispute Resolution Section from 2021 to 2022. Mr. Kartez success and leadership in the dispute resolution field resulted in his invitation to join the American Arbitration Association’s prestigious Panel of Commercial Arbitrators. Mr. Kartez is the creator and co-chair of the Judith S. Kaye Arbitration Competition. Mr. Kartez represents clients in Federal Court, State Court, and all arbitration forums (including AAA, JAMS, FINRA, ICC, CPR, and NAM). Mr. Kartez received his Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law.
Rachel A. Morgenstern, Associate, is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department, Employment Practice Group and the Insurance & Insurance Litigation Practice group. Ms. Morgenstern’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, business torts, estate litigation and other types of civil litigation. She has experience handling cases before federal and state courts in all phases of litigation, including discovery, court conferences, motion practice and oral argument. Ms. Morgenstern has experience handling cases involving employment practices liability, professional liability, cannabis litigation, shareholder disputes and breaches of contract. Ms. Morgenstern also served as counsel to a New York State Supreme Court Justice in proceedings before the Commission on Judicial Conduct and obtained a dismissal of all charges after extensive briefing. Ms. Morgenstern is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association, the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association, and the New York State Bar Association, Commercial and Federal Litigation Section. Ms. Morgenstern received her Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School.
Nicole Osborne, Associate, is a member of the firm’s Employment Practice Group, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice Group, Commercial Litigation Department, and Health Law Department. Ms. Osborne’s practice focuses in the cybersecurity arena as well as federal and state litigation. Ms. Osborne handles matters involving wage and hour compliance and investigations, employee handbooks and trainings, disability accommodations and leave related issues. She has also defended against claims in administrative and court proceedings relating to sexual harassment, discrimination, restrictive covenant violations, confidentiality violations, and trade secret theft. Ms. Osborne’s practice also focuses in the cybersecurity arena. Ms. Osborne’s work includes advising businesses based on their level of cyber preparedness and conducting risk assessments, incident response planning, data breach incident response, privacy impact assessments, and defending against enforcement actions and government investigations. She is a Board of Directors member of Girls Inc. of Long Island and is an Adjunct Professor at Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law. Ms. Osborne is also an adjunct professor at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University where she received her Juris Doctor.
Brian Passarelle, Associate, is a member of our law firm’s Commercial Litigation Department and Insurance Practice Group. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation matters, including breach of contract, unfair competition, business torts, partnership disputes, and real estate conflicts.
Kassandra Polanco, Associate, is a member of the firm’s Litigation Department, Corporate Restructuring & Bankruptcy Practice Group, and Insurance & Insurance Litigation Practice Group. Her practice focuses primarily on complex commercial litigation, including matters involving commercial and residential real estate, breach of contract, shareholder and partnership disputes, and related financial and business disputes. Additionally, Ms. Polanco handles a variety of insurance coverage matters and assists with professional liability claims. She is an active member of the New York State Bar Association and American Bar Association. Ms. Polanco received her Juris Doctor from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law.
Kera N. Reed, Of Counsel, is a member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Department, the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Estate, Trust and Fiduciary Litigation practice group. Ms. Reed’s practice includes all Surrogate’s Court proceedings to appoint an Executor or Administrator of an estate, SCPA Article 17 and 17-A guardianship proceedings, preparation and litigation of fiduciary accountings, and preparation of New York State and Federal estate tax returns. She also is qualified to serve as Guardian ad Litem and mediator in Surrogates’ Court proceedings. In addition to her Trust and Estate practice, Ms. Reed is certified to serve as counsel and court evaluator in Supreme Court Guardianship matters. She is a Co-Chair of the New York State Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section’s Trust, Estates, Wills and Guardianships Committee and is the past Co-Chair of the Surrogates Court Committee of the Suffolk County Bar Association. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association and as one of the Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association’s delegates to the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York. Ms. Reed has served on the New York State Office of Court Administration E-Filing Advisory Committee which assisted in implementing E-filing procedures statewide.
Daniel E. Shapiro, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department, Insurance & Insurance Litigation Practice group, and Blockchain Technology and Digital Asset Practice group. Mr. Shapiro focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, with specific attention to partnership-related business disputes. The matters he handles regularly involve disputes between feuding business partners, shareholders, limited liability members and other contracting parties. Mr. Shapiro has handled several commercial cases from inception up through and including trial, as well as on appeal. Mr. Shapiro also advises corporate clients on employment matters, financial matters and issues of corporate governance. Mr. Shapiro received his Juris Doctor from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and his undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University.
For over 50 years, Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C., headquartered in Uniondale, has built a reputation as one of the region’s leading providers of innovative legal services. Its attorneys are practical, experienced advocates who measure their success by their clients’ success. Cornerstone groups in all major practice areas of the law are represented at the firm, including corporate and securities, corporate restructuring & bankruptcy, commercial lending, commercial litigation, intellectual property, health care, real estate, employment, not-for-profit, cybersecurity and data privacy, energy, and trusts and estates. Clients include large and mid-sized corporations, privately held businesses, institutions and individuals.
Super Lawyers is a rating service identifying outstanding lawyers in more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Its selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.
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