Uniondale, NY – September 30, 2021 – Twenty-five 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 2021.
“It is remarkable that twenty-five attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers in eight different practice areas,” said Managing Partner Adam Silvers. “Being Named a Super Lawyer is an astounding accomplishment, one that comes from their peers. RMF is fortunate to have such a wide range of talented attorneys who are acclaimed for their legal knowledge and devoted to their clients.”
The attorneys recognized from Ruskin Moscou Faltischek represent many of the firm’s major practice groups — Bankruptcy, Business Litigation, Construction Litigation, Employment & Labor, Estates & Trusts, Healthcare, Insurance and Real Estate.
Named as 2021 Super Lawyers (alphabetically) were:
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), Douglas J. Good (Business Litigation), Ellen F. Kessler (Health Law), Mark S. Mulholland (Business Litigation), E. Christopher Murray (Business Litigation), Douglas M. Nadjari (Health Law), David A. Robins (Employment & Labor), Eric C. Rubenstein (Real Estate), Michael Schoenberg (Business Litigation) and Benjamin Weinstock (Real Estate).
Additionally, identified by Super Lawyers as a ‘Rising Star’ (age 40 or younger) were Lois Bladykas (Estate & Trust Litigation), John D. Chillemi (Real Estate), Neil P. Diskin (Business Litigation), David F. Durso (Health Law), Lisa Fenech (Estate & Trust Litigation), Sheryl P. Giugliano (Bankruptcy: Business), Ross Kartez (Business Litigation), Nicole E. Osborne (Employment & Labor), Brian Passarelle (Business Litigation) and Elizabeth Sy (Business Litigation).
Super Lawyer Biographies
Alex Bateman, Partner, is the co-chair of the firm’s Health Law Department, chair of the firm’s White Collar Crime and Investigations Practice Group and is active an active member of the firm’s Not-For-Profit Practice Group. Mr. Bateman is a former Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney, which is where he developed extensive trial and investigative expertise in a wide array of subject matters. Mr. Bateman’s work involves representing individuals, for profit and not-for-profit corporations and their directors, officers and management in the course of investigations and prosecutions in federal and state proceedings; Medicare/Medicaid fraud and abuse matters; professional disciplinary proceedings before the Office of Professional Medical Conduct (“OPMC”) and the Office of Professional Discipline (“OPD”); the FDA and DEA, to name a few. Mr. Bateman is often called upon to conduct internal investigations for not-for-profit as well as for profit corporate clients. He has served on the Board of the United Way of Long Island for several years, is a member of that organization’s Executive Committee and currently serves as Board Chair. 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. Many of his clients are in the food and supermarket industry (retail, wholesale, and distribution) as well as the electrical and construction fields. Mr. Berzow is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School.
Michael D. Brown, Partner, is the chair of the firm’s Insurance Litigation Practice Group where he focuses on litigation, corporate and insurance defense, coverage and regulatory areas. He is also a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department and Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice Group. A frequent lecturer, Mr. Brown has spoken on a variety of topics including litigation management techniques, insurance coverage issues, the defense of a variety of professional liability and Directors & Officers claims and more. He has been recognized as a New York Metropolitan area Super Lawyer, is published in “Who’s Who in America” and was one of nine professionals in various professions to receive the 2017-2018 Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Brown received his law degree from New York University School of Law.
Adam L. Browser, Of Counsel, is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department, Corporate Restructuring & Bankruptcy Practice Group, Insurance Litigation Practice Group and Construction Law Practice Groups. Mr. Brower’s practice involves helping clients with a wide assortment of legal issues including construction, real estate, contracts, business relationships, financial services, professional liability, landlord-tenant, collections, insurance and title claims. Mr. Browser has litigated disputes in both Federal and New York State Court, including trials and appeals, has mediated, and arbitrated disputes before the AAA, JAMS and NAMS. He regularly represents owners, contractors and subcontractors in construction disputes and drafting construction agreements. Mr. Browser frequently writes on legal issues that affect the areas of his practice. He also volunteers at the Nassau County Bar Association foreclosure clinic. He is a graduate of Hofstra University School of Law.
John G. Farinacci, Partner, is co-chair of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Department and chair of its Estate Litigation Practice Group. Mr. Farinacci’s practice involves handling contested cases in New York State Surrogate’s Court and Supreme Court as well as appeals in the Supreme Court Appellate Division and New York State Court of Appeals. Although he focuses on litigation, Mr. Farinacci also represents beneficiaries, heirs, executors, trustees and corporate fiduciaries, in all aspects of trusts and estates law, including in matters involving estate planning, probate, estate and trust administration and guardianships.
Michael K. Feigenbaum, Of Counsel, is a member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Department and Estate Litigation Practice Group. With over 40 years’ private and public sector experience, Mr. Feigenbaum is a leading regional authority in trust and estate planning, administration and litigation, as well as tax and insurance planning, and probate and Surrogate’s Court proceedings. Mr. Feigenbaum has served on the executive committee of the Trust and Estates Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. He received his law degree from New York University.
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 Certified Mediator in the Commercial Division of the Supreme Court of Nassau County. Mr. Good serves on the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Standards of Attorney Conduct. He received his law degree from New York 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 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 law degree from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.
Mark S. Mulholland, Partner, is a senior member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department and former managing partner of Ruskin Moscou Faltischek. Litigating in state and federal courts, Mr. Mulholland represents large businesses, entrepreneurs, municipalities and individuals in complex business disputes, including constitutional challenges, intellectual property, business torts, securities, condemnation, and antitrust matters. Mr. Mulholland is a former captain in the U.S. Army JAGS Corps. He received his law degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
E. Christopher Murray, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department and chair of its Environmental and Land Use Practice Group. With more than 30 years’ experience in commercial litigation, municipal affairs and environmental law, Mr. Murray represents clients in federal and state litigation, arbitration and administrative hearings. His practice includes jury and non-jury federal and state trials. Mr. Murray received his law degree from Georgetown University School of Law.
Douglas M. Nadjari, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Health Law Department, White-Collar Crime Practice Group and Commercial Litigation Department. Mr. Nadjari has over 35 years’ experience as a trial lawyer concentrating in criminal defense, regulatory enforcement and commercial litigation. He regularly represents physicians and other health professionals in criminal matters, in civil litigation, before myriad government agencies, in medical staff proceedings, audits and commercial disputes. Mr. Nadjari received his law degree from Tulane University School of Law.
David A. Robins, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Employment Law Practice Group and Commercial Litigation Department. Mr. Robins’ practice focuses on wage and hour and 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 law degree 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 commercial lenders, as well as real estate developers, owners and operators in some of the region’s largest and 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 his law degree 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 is a graduate of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.
Benjamin Weinstock, Partner and Chairman Emeritus of the firm’s Real Estate Department. He has once again been named to Super Lawyers, having been selected every year since 2008. For over four decades, Mr. Weinstock has served clients in real estate matters large and small, including purchases, leasing and sales, financings, zoning and land use and construction projects. Mr. Weinstock’s ability to navigate even the most complex transactions has placed him among the most respected and sought-after attorneys in the real estate industry. He is a leader in the field, and as such, Governor George Pataki named him to the New York State Real Estate Board, where he was elected secretary and served for seven terms. He is an elected fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, an adjunct professor at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, and former chair of the Real Property Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. Mr. Weinstock is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School.
Rising Star Biography
Lois Bladykas, Associate, is a member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Department and Estate Litigation Practice Group. Ms. Bladykas’ practice focuses on estate and trust litigation, probate, estate administration, and estate planning. This includes all manner of Surrogate’s Court proceedings including probate contests, accounting proceedings, discovery proceedings, and other complex disputes between beneficiaries and fiduciaries. Ms. Bladykas represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in Surrogate’s Courts as well as trial and appellate courts throughout the New York metropolitan area. Ms. Bladykas received her law degree from Brooklyn Law School.
John D. Chillemi, Associate, is a member 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. Specifically, he has experience handling “zero net bond leasing” transactions and 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchange transactions. Mr. Chillemi also represents borrowers and lenders with respect to construction and permanent financing. In addition to his real estate work, 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 received his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law.
David F. Durso, Associate, is member of the firm’s Health Law Department, White Collar Crime and Investigations Practice Group, Corporate & Securities Department and Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice Group. Mr. Durso’s practice focuses on health care professionals and companies in matters involving enforcement, investigation and compliance. As part of his white-collar crime and investigations practice, Mr. Durso represents corporations and individuals in various criminal matters. Mr. Durso received his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law.
Neil P. Diskin, Associate, is amember of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department, Insurance Litigation Practice Group, White Collar Crime & Investigations Practice Group and Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice Group. Mr. Diskin handles all manner of cases spanning the gamut, including business disputes and breaches of contract, litigation arising out of real estate transactions, employment matters, insurance coverage, and regulatory violations. Mr. Diskin is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center.
Lisa Fenech, Associate, is a member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Department and Estate Litigation Practice Group. Ms. Fenech’s practice focuses on estate and trust litigation, probate, estate administration, and estate planning. This includes all manner of Surrogate’s Court proceedings including probate contests, accounting proceedings, discovery proceedings, and other complex disputes between beneficiaries and fiduciaries. Ms. Fenech represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in Surrogate’s Courts as well as trial and appellate courts throughout the New York metropolitan area. She received her law degree from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.
Sheryl P. Giugliano, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Corporate Restructuring & Bankruptcy Practice Group, Corporate and Securities Department and the Commercial Litigation Department. Ms. Giugliano’s experience includes restructuring, bankruptcy, and litigation. 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 filing for bankruptcy protection, or facilitating a sale, an assignment, or an out-of-court dissolution. Ms. Giugliano also represents both early stage and middle market businesses on a variety of financial and other legal issues, including mergers and acquisitions, financings and other complex business transactions and agreements. Ms. Giugliano received her law degree and a Masters of Law in Bankruptcy from St. John’s University School of Law.
Ross J. Kartez, Partner, is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department. His 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. He was elected to serve as the Chair of the Dispute Resolution Section of the New York State Bar Association from 2021 to 2022. Mr. Kartez handles a wide-range of disputes, dealing with important small claims matters to issues involving hundreds of millions of dollars. Mr. Kartez received his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law.
Nicole E. Osborne, Associate, is a member of the firm’s Employment Practice Group, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice Group, Commercial Litigation Department, Health Law Department, and the White Collar Crime and Investigations Practice Group. Ms. Osborne has experience in virtually all matters involving the employer-employee relationship. 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. Her 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. Ms. Osborne received her law degree from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.
Brian Passarelle, Associate, is a member of the 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 disputes. Mr. Passarelle has represented insurance companies and their insureds in both insurance coverage and defense matters, with an emphasis on professional liability claims. Mr. Passarelle received his law degree from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center.
Elizabeth Sy, Associate,is a member of the firm’s Litigation Department and Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group. Her practice focuses primarily on complex commercial litigation, including matters involving franchisor/franchisee disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes, unfair business practices, trademark and copyright infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, real estate disputes, breach of contract, and Article 78 proceedings against municipalities and corporations. A portion of Ms. Sy’s practice also involves insurance-related matters, with an emphasis on defending professional liability claims against attorneys. Ms. Sy received her law degree, Summa Cum Laude, from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center.
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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