Uniondale, NY – October 24, 2024 – Thirty-three 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 2024.
“Congratulations to our attorneys for achieving this prestigious recognition. It is a true testament to their unwavering dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence. Their devotion to delivering exceptional service to clients and upholding the highest standards of integrity sets a shining example for peers and aspiring attorneys alike. We know this achievement will be a source of pride and inspiration as they continue to make meaningful impacts in their respective legal fields”, 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, Business Litigation, Business/Corporate, Cannabis Law, Construction Litigation, Employment & Labor, Employment Litigation: Defense, Estate & Probate, Estate & Trust Litigation, Health Care, Insurance Coverage, International, Intellectual Property, Real Estate, and Securities & Corporate Finance.
Named as 2024 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 A. DeMaro (IP), John G. Farinacci (Estate & Trust Litigation), Michael K. Feigenbaum (Estate & Trust Litigation), Stephen E. Fox (Securities & Corporate Finance), Sheryl P. Giugliano (Bankruptcy; Business), 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), Adam H. Russ (Business Litigation), 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), Alexandra C. McCormack (Business/Corporate), Rachel A. Morgenstern (Business Litigation), Nicole E. Osborne (Employment & Labor), Dominick Ragno (Business/Corporate), and Kera N. Reed (Estate & Probate).
Super Lawyer Biographies:
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 the Chair of the firm’s 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’s employment law practice involves the defense of employers against claims alleging discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour violations, and in lawsuits involving the enforcement of employment and separation agreements. As a complement to her litigation practice, Ms. Baquet routinely provides labor and employment counsel to employers of all sizes.
Alexander G. Bateman, Partner, is co-chair of the firm’s Health Law Department, Not-for-Profit Practice Group, and the White Collar Crime and Investigations Practice Group. Mr. Bateman is also a member of the Corporate Governance Practice Group and Blockchain Technology and Digital Asset Practice Group. Mr. Bateman specializes in representing 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. 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.
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.
Michael Brown, Partner, is an accomplished commercial litigator, counselor and started the firm’s Insurance Practice. Mr. Brown’s practice areas include commercial litigation, Alternate Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation), insurance coverage, both in counseling and litigation, and insurance litigation including defense and regulatory areas. In addition, Mr. Brown is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department, and its Cybersecurity and Data Privacy practice group and its Alternative Dispute Resolution practice group. Mr. Brown was 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. Mr. Brown represents insurers, brokers, and insureds in developing structures for insurance programs and in dealing with the regulatory aspects of those programs. Mr. Brown represents clients with matters before the New York Department of Financial Services and has served as counsel to a number of national insurance programs. Mr. Brown has served as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Insurance Demutualization of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and has served on the boards of directors of several publicly owned companies.
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. He has handled disputes for Fortune 500, mid-size and small companies, as well as individuals. Mr. Browser has handled cases in Federal and New York State Court, and in various dispute resolution forums, such as the American Arbitration Association. Acting as outside general counsel, Mr. Browser provides advice and assistance for small and privately owned companies on day-to-day operations, contract review and drafting and conflict avoidance and resolution. Mr. Browser is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law, and is an active member of the Hofstra Law School Career Services Alumni committee. He is also currently on the Board of Directors of the Nassau County Bar Association and is active in its Commercial Litigation and Construction Law Committees.
John A. DeMaro, Partner and General Counsel, is chair of the Firm’s Intellectual Property Group, a member of the Litigation Department, chair of the Firm’s Food & Beverage Group and a member of the Firm’s Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Group. Mr. DeMaro is a leading intellectual property attorney, recognized in the field for his work on complex transactional matters and dispute resolution. He represents and advises clients in connection with all conceivable intellectual property issues, including trademark, copyright, licensing, new media, privacy, Internet, domain name, unfair competition, trade secrecy and technology-transfer matters. Mr. DeMaro supervises the firm’s International Trademark Practice and advises clients regarding worldwide intellectual property matters. He also has substantial experience in connection with the drafting and negotiating of software, Internet and technology-related agreements. He has litigated intellectual property and complex commercial matters on behalf of national and regional clients in federal and state courts. Mr. DeMaro is a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Intellectual Property section and the Nassau County Bar Association’s Intellectual Property section. Mr. DeMaro is also a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and currently serves on the Board of Directors of The INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network).
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 developing litigation-avoidance strategies as well as experience in resolving disputes through alternate dispute resolution methods such as mediation. Mr. Farinacci has extensive experience in estate planning matters, probate, estate and trust administrations, guardianships and uncontested Surrogate’s Court proceedings. Mr. Farinacci is a member of the New York State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section, Current Vice-Chair of the Surrogate’s Court Committee, a member of the Nassau County Bar Association Surrogate’s Court Estates and Trusts Committee, and a member of the Suffolk County Bar Association Surrogate’s Court Committee.
Michael K. Feigenbaum, Of Counsel, is a member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Department, and a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group. Mr. Feigenbaum is a leading authority in trust and estate planning, administration and litigation. With over 40 years of trust and estate experience, both in the private and public sectors, he ensures that the firm’s trust and estate clients receive superior meaningful counsel. 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 is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
Stephen E. Fox, Partner, is a member of the Corporate & Securities, Corporate Governance, Cannabis Law, and Blockchain Technology and Digital Asset practice group. Mr. Fox has over 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. He has advised both strategic and financial clients across numerous industries, including technology, medical device, manufacturing, entertainment, energy, food and beverage, media, and financial services. Additionally, as transaction counsel, he has led or has taken an active role in hundreds of transactions, ranging from less than $1 million to more than $1 billion. He 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’s client base includes foreign companies doing business in the United States, including companies based in Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom and France, among other jurisdictions.
Sheryl P. Giugliano, Partner, is a member of the Corporate Restructuring & Bankruptcy Practice Group, the Corporate and Securities Department, and Commercial Litigation Department. Her experience includes restructuring, bankruptcy, and litigation. Ms. Giugliano also advises clients with respect to corporate governance issues and related matters. Ms. Giugliano works with companies facing solvency issues to identify a solution and implement a strategic response, which includes negotiating with interested parties, creditors, and shareholders, and may also include filing for bankruptcy protection, or facilitating an out-of-court wind down. Ms. Giugliano is a member of the New York Institute of Credit, and is co-president of their Women’s Division, a member of the Turnaround Management Association, Long Island Chapter where she serves as co-chair of TMA Network of Women (TMA NOW), and is on the board of directors of the Chapter 11 Lawyers Advisory Committee, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York, a member of the New York City Bar Association, Bankruptcy and Corporate Reorganization Committee, its Voidable Transactions Subcommittee, and its Confirmation Issues Subcommittee where she serves as co-chair, a member of the New York State Bar Association, its Federal and Commercial Litigation Section, and its Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Litigation Committee where she serves as co-chair, a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, The New York Bar Foundation, an Adjunct Professor at St. John’s University School of Law, and member of the Executive Committee for the American Heart Association – Go Red for Women 2024 Long Island Luncheon.
Douglas J. Good, Of Counsel, a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department. Mr. Good has extensive experience in trial and appellate advocacy, as well as substantial experience in alternative dispute resolution. He currently serves as a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Standards of Attorney Conduct (COSAC). He is also a past President of the Nassau County Bar Association and is a current member of its Board of Directors.
Elizabeth S. Kase, Of Counsel, is co-chair of the firm’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. Ms. Kase is also well known for her tireless advocacy and commitment to her clients, defending large-scale federal and state criminal matters including public corruption cases, conspiracies, mortgage fraud, health fraud, immigration fraud, embezzlement schemes, sex crimes, and narcotics cases, as well as complex DWIs. Ms. Kase was a long-serving Village Justice in Port Washington and sits on the Board of Advisors for the Freedman Institute of Legal Ethics at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.
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 advises 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. She also advises clients on employment agreements, shareholder and partnership agreements, management agreements, and professional service agreements. Ms. Kessler is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association’s Hospital & Health Law Committee for which she has served as a past chair and vice-chair and is a member of the New York State Bar Association and a member of its Health Law Section.
Mark S. Mulholland, Senior Partner, is Co-Chair of the highly regarded Commercial Litigation Department, and has served as the Managing Partner at the firm. 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. Mr. Mulholland is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Nassau County Bar Association and Suffolk County Bar Association. He lectures and writes often on litigation topics, is a contributor to the New York Law Journal and serves as a mediator in the Eastern District of New York’s Federal Court Mediation Program.
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 concentrating in criminal defense, regulatory enforcement proceedings, and complex commercial litigation. 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 NYS Board for Professional Medical Conduct, the Office of Professional Discipline, the Office of the Inspector General for the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the DEA, in hospital medical staff proceedings, audits, claw-backs and demands for repayment made by Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers as well as the defense of physicians and corporations in criminal, administrative and commercial disputes. 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 Law and Procedure “Boot Camp” faculty. He also serves as a Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Island Harvest Food Bank and is a member of the Board of Advisors to the L.I. Energeia Partnership, and American Health Law Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.
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 is a trusted advisor to clients on compliance with employment laws, employment handbook drafting, employment applications, disciplinary and separation issues, harassment prevention training and other HR matters. Mr. Robins is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Eric C. Rubenstein, Of Counsel, is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Department and a member of the Environmental Practice Group. Mr. Rubenstein successfully manages a diverse real estate transactional practice with specific emphasis on commercial leasing, acquisitions and sales, and mortgage financing and 1031 transactions. Mr. Rubenstein’s clients are major lenders and real estate developers, owners and operators in financing and sales transactions in New York City and the metropolitan area, as well as other areas throughout the U.S.
Adam H. Russ, Partner, is a member of of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department, Insurance & Insurance Litigation Department, Alternative Dispute Resolution Department, and Fine Art Law Practice Group. Adam litigates vexing and sensitive business and legal problems and disputes. He helps clients in complex contract and commercial disputes before state and federal courts, arbitration tribunals, and mediators throughout the United States. Adam has litigated, tried, arbitrated, and mediated insurance and reinsurance disputes, insurance runoff and agency disputes, fine art title, ownership and authenticity disputes, business torts, declaratory actions, bad faith and insurance coverage claims. Adam has prosecuted and defended actions for clients in a variety of industries, including insurance, fine art dealers/auctions/collectors, electronics, technology, manufacturing, banking and financial, healthcare, real-estate, construction, and sanitation. For many years, Adam represented the world’s largest international auction house. He has represented auction houses, investors, collectors, estate and trust fiduciaries, art advisors, artists, and galleries in connection with all aspects of fine art disputes and transactions. In addition to his litigation and ADR practice, Adam also advises and represents clients in connection with commercial and business transactions, including corporate formation, acquisition and governance, purchases and sales of artworks and commercial assets, and insurance agency and claims administration agreements. Adam is also approved and designated by the New York Supreme Court, Nassau County to serve as a mediator on the official roster of the Nassau County Commercial Division ADR Program pursuant to Part 146 of the Rules of the Chief Administrative Judge. He has served as a mediator in several matters.
Michael A.H. Schoenberg, Of Counsel, is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department. Mr. Schoenberg has experience in both the federal and state courts, as well as before various arbitration and mediation forums, representing and counseling individuals and companies across many industries on a variety of complex commercial litigation issues. Mr. Schoenberg’s practice also includes litigating and advising Insurers, Insureds, and Policyholders on claims and defenses involving complex insurance coverage matters. Mr. Schoenberg serves a member of the Board of Trustees of the LI Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, as well as the Governing Board of L.I. Against Domestic Violence.
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. His practice includes corporate dissolutions and franchise, shareholder, partnership and contract disputes. He also regularly litigates claims involving antitrust or unfair business practices, trademark and patent infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, and the enforcement of restrictive covenants. Mr. Telesca also has experience involving RICO actions, securities litigation, and construction and real estate related matters as well as Article 78 proceedings against municipalities and corporations. Mr. Telesca has also prosecuted civil rights claims against municipalities and private entities. Mr. Telesca’s practice also includes the prosecution of trademark applications in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on behalf of both foreign and domestic clients, and he represents his clients in proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Mr. Telesca serves as Long Island Liaison to the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section of the New York State Bar Association. Mr. Telesca is also a member of the Unfair Competition Committee of the International Trademark Association and the Commercial Litigation Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association. Mr. Telesca currently serves as Vice President and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, a not-for-profit he founded, which provides marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response.
Benjamin Weinstock, Partner, is chair of the firm’s Real Estate Department. His scope of work is vast and includes sales and purchases, commercial leasing, sale-leasebacks, Section 1031 tax deferred exchanges, construction lending, development agreements, purchase options, residential and commercial coops and condos, senior citizen housing, zoning variances, site plan and subdivision approvals, title insurance claims, real estate tax redemptions, condemnations, architect’s and construction agreements, mortgage restructurings and transfer tax audits. 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 is a fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL).
Rising Star Biography:
Lois Bladykas, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Trusts & Estates Department; Estate, Trust & Fiduciary Litigation Practice Group; and the Insurance & 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 also has significant experience in estate administration, including handling probate and administration proceedings, preparing fiduciary accountings, and preparing federal and New York State estate tax returns. Ms. Bladykas has written and co-written many articles for the New York Law Journal and other publications concerning trusts and estates issues and is an update editor of the LexisNexis New York Practice Guide on Probate and Estate Administration. Ms. Bladykas is a member of the New York State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Law Section, where she serves as Vice Chair of the Legislation & Government Relations Committee; Treasurer of the Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association; member of the New York State Bar Association Membership Committee; member of the Nassau County Bar Association Surrogate’s Court Committee; and a member of the Long Island Estate Planning Council.
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 with specific experience in “zero net bond leasing” transactions and 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchange transactions. Mr. Chillemi has experience with 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. Mr. Chillemi is a board member of Vision Long Island and a member of the Long Island Association’s Young Professionals Committee.
David Durso, Partner is a member of the firm’s Corporate & Securities and Health Law Departments, as well as the firm’s White Collar Crime and Investigations, and Cybersecurity and Data Privacy practice groups. David regularly counsels business owners, public and privately held companies and health care professionals 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, David was an Assistant District Attorney with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office. David is a member of the Board of Directors of Contractors for Kids, a Long Island charity that provides financial assistance to families with sick children. He is also a member of the Nassau County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association.
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. In addition to, defending professional liability claims against attorneys, as well as representing clients in business reorganizations and restructurings and bankruptcy litigation involving fiduciary duty and fraud claims and actions to avoid preferential transfers and fraudulent conveyances. Ms. Enck-Smith is an active member of the Nassau County Bar Association and New York State Bar Association.
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, a Board of Directors member of Girls Inc. of Long Island, a member of the Board of Directors for the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association, a member of the Nassau County Bar Association, the New York City Bar Association, and the New York State Bar Association.
Ross J. Kartez, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department, 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 navigates a wide spectrum of disputes, from modest claims to high-stakes litigation involving breach of contract, insurance coverage, and professional liability matters. His expertise also spans real estate disputes, lender recourse, securities matters, and business torts. Beyond advocacy, Mr. Kartez acts as outside general counsel for several companies on a variety of matters and regularly recommends the integration of dispute resolution practitioners in day-to-day business operations. A significant portion of Mr. Kartez’s work revolves around professional liability and errors and omissions claims. He adeptly defends and pursues claims involving attorneys, stockbrokers, investment advisors, accountants, architects, engineers, and other professionals. Mr. Kartez’s success in the field led to his invitation to join the American Arbitration Association’s Panel of Commercial Arbitrators at a young age, underscoring his strategic approach to resolving disputes. Mr. Kartez practices in federal and state courts as well as various arbitration forums, including AAA, ICDR, JAMS, and FINRA. Mr. Kartez is a member of the mediation rosters for various New York State Supreme Courts, including Nassau, Suffolk, Kings, and Bronx counties. He is a member of the NYSBA’s Dispute Resolution Section, Commercial and Federal Litigation Section, and International Section. Mr. Kartez serves on the Executive Committee of both the Dispute Resolution Section and the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section. Mr. Kartez is a proud member of the Nassau County Bar Association’s Board of Directors, and serves as the Chair of its ADR Committee and a member of its ADR Advisory Council.
Alexandra C. McCormack, Associate, is a member of the Corporate & Securities Department and a member of the Cannabis Law, White Collar Crime & Investigations, and Blockchain Technology and Digital Asset Practice Groups. Ms. McCormack’s practice concentrates on general corporate representation where she advises public and private clients on a broad range of corporate, securities and real estate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, contracts, and SEC filings. Ms. McCormack is a member of the Marty Lyons Foundation’s Young Professionals Committee, the Nassau County Women’s Bar Foundation, and the Nassau County Bar Association WeCare Fund.
Rachel A. Morgenstern, Associate, is a member of the firm’s Estate, Trust and Fiduciary Litigation Practice Group, Commercial Litigation Department, Employment Practice Group, and the Insurance & Insurance Litigation Practice group. Ms. Morgenstern’s practice focuses on trusts and estates litigation, complex commercial litigation, insurance coverage 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 specific experience in the prosecution and defense of contested probates/will contests, fiduciary negligence and malfeasance claims, elder financial exploitation cases, employment practices liability, professional liability, cannabis litigation, shareholder disputes and breaches of contract. 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.
Nicole Osborne, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice Group, Employment Practice Group, Commercial Litigation Department, Health Law Department, White Collar Crime and Investigations Practice Group, and Blockchain Technology and Digital Asset Practice Group. Ms. Osborne assists companies in managing and responding to data privacy and security incidents and breaches of all sizes, across various industries. During breach management, she works closely with a client’s internal/external IT team and third parties such as forensic investigators, public relations consultants, and cybersecurity insurance companies. Ms. Osborne assists in defending enforcement proceedings, government investigations and private party civil actions following a cybersecurity incident. In addition to her data breach incident response work, Ms. Osborne advises businesses based on their level of cyberpreparedness and conducts risk and threat assessments, incident response planning and privacy impact assessments. Ms. Osborne also assists companies in complying with the growing web of state, federal, and international data privacy laws and regulations. Ms. Osborne also has experience in a variety of matters involving the employer-employee relationship, including wage and hour compliance and investigations, employment discrimination prevention, employee handbooks and trainings, administrative proceedings, disability accommodations and leave related issues. Ms. Osborne has experience as a commercial litigator, in federal and state courts, representing individuals and companies in a wide area of complex commercial litigation – including matters involving employer/employee disputes, trade secret misappropriation, business torts, breach of contract and shareholder disputes, professional liability, and Article 78 proceedings.
Dominick Ragno, Associate, is a member of the firm’s Corporate & Securities Department, as well as the firm’s Corporate Governance and International practice groups. Mr. Ragno’s practice concentrates on general corporate representation, where he advises public and private clients across a wide array of corporate and securities matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, capital raising, business disputes, contract review and negotiations, and compliance with reporting obligations to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Kera N. Reed, Of Counsel, is a member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Department and the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Estate and Trust and Fiduciary Litigation practice groups. 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. Ms. Reed is Co-Chair of the New York State Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section’s Trust, Estates, Wills and Guardianships Committee and is the current President of the Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association.
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.
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