August 18, 2022
James Gallagher
Profile
James “Jim” Gallagher, a litigation attorney with twenty (20) years of experience representing clients in the trial courts of New York, is a graduate of the St. John’s University School of Law and Villanova University. Jim has represented corporations and private individuals in all phases of the litigation process from pre-suit investigation through trial on low and high exposure casualty, subrogation, and contract matters in the areas of products liability, premises liability, motor vehicle accident liability, fire and water damage liability, construction worker accident liability, aviation liability, architect & engineer liability, indemnity and contribution liability, workers’ compensation liability, and commercial disputes (contracted for goods & services). Jim was part of a team that represented airline and airport operator clients in The September 11th Terrorist Attack Litigation.
Throughout his career, Jim has diligently represented his clients and counseled them, respectively, on all matters of conflict resolution, including, alternative dispute resolution through negotiation, arbitration, and mediation. Jim is a graduate of the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Group Trial Academy and is also admitted to practice law in the State of North Carolina.
Personally, Jim is married with two children, regularly performs as an acoustic musician at local venues, is a member of F3 – – a fitness, fellowship, and faith-based national men’s group, and is an avid Villanova University Men’s Basketball fan.
Education
- St. John’s University School of Law – Juris Doctorate
- Villanova University – B.A., Political Science
Practice Areas
- Subrogation & Recovery
Admissions
- State of New York
- State of North Carolina
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, New York (Southern & Eastern Districts)
Memberships
- Mecklenburg County Bar Association (North Carolina)
- Defense Research Institute (2002 – 2009; 2021 – 2022): Young Lawyer’s Steering Committee Member 2008-2009; Young Lawyer’s Substantive Liaison Law Committe
- Chair 2007-2008; Construction Law Committee Liaison 2005-2006 ; Aerospace Committee Liaison 2004-2005.
- Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (2015, 2021)
Writings
- Co-authored Products Liability Case Law Update (Defense Research Institute Products Liability Annual Meeting Materials, 2011).
- Co-authored “Current Observations of the Fair Use Doctrine” (Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel Annual Meeting Materials, 2006).
- Co-authored “Grokster v. MGM: Why Is My Teenager Being Sued?” (Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel Annual Meeting Materials, 2005).
- “Hand and Power Tools: Selected Cases” (DRI Products Liability Annual Meeting Materials, 2004).
June 14, 2022
Michelle Smith Lambert
Profile
Michelle Smith Lambert is a graduate of Florida State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 2008. Michelle obtained her Juris Doctorate degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2011. Prior to joining the firm, Michelle was an attorney at a prominent insurance defense firm wherein she specialized in insurance coverage analysis, determination and defense; first and third-party insurance defense, bad faith, and commercial general liability.
Michelle was previously in-house counsel at a large Florida homeowners insurance carrier wherein she handled the litigation of first and third-party insurance claims and bad faith.
Michelle currently concentrates her practice on first and third-party insurance defense.
In her free time, Michelle enjoys traveling with her husband throughout the United States and abroad.
Education
- Nova Southeastern University – Juris Doctorate
- Florida State University – Bachelor of Arts in English
Practice Areas
- First-Party Property Defense
- Third-Party Property Defense
Admissions
- Florida
- U.S. District Court (S.D. Fla.)
June 6, 2022
Richard T Freilich
Profile
Richard T. Freilich received his juris doctorate from New York Law School. He has more than 20 years of experience representing individuals and small businesses in cases ranging from simple small claim matters to complex product liability, construction liability, and insurance disputes.
Richard has extensive experience with personal injury litigation, commercial litigation, commercial transactions, and commercial leasing. Richard has taken cases from initial investigation through discovery, motions, trial, and appeal. Primarily a plaintiff’s attorney for much of his career, Richard is a strong negotiator, always looking for a strategy to bring about a settlement that is advantageous to his client.
Education
- New York Law School – Juris Doctorate
- New York State University, Buffalo – Dual B.A. English and Philosophy
Practice Areas
- Subrogation
- Product Liability
- Construction Liability
- Personal Injury
- Commercial Litigation
- Commercial Transactions
- Commercial Leasing
Admissions
- New York State
- United States Southern District of New York
- United States Eastern District of New York
June 6, 2022
Douglas M Allen
Profile
Doug received his Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law, where he was a member of the Seton Hall Legislative Journal and was named Best Oral Advocate for his section in Appellate Advocacy. Prior to joining DSB&C, Doug worked for the New Hampshire Department of Justice and several law firms. Doug started handling subrogation claims in 2018. After law school, he clerked for the Honorable Patrick DeAlmeida, P.J., in the Tax Court of New Jersey. Prior to law school, Doug had a successful career as a Financial Advisor.
In his spare time Doug is a filmmaker and screenwriter.
Education
- Seton Hall University – Juris Doctorate
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor – Bachelor of Arts
Practice Areas
- Subrogation
Admissions
- New York
- New Jersey
- Washington, D.C.
- New Hampshire
May 27, 2022
Robert Stern
Profile
Robert received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics and completed the degree requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Union College. He was awarded a Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law. Prior to practicing law, Robert was employed with various law enforcement and investigative entities (as a Guard, Patrol Officer, Agent/Special Agent and/or Officer), including the Department of the Treasury, United States Custom Service as an Inspector. Robert was also a licensed N.Y.S. Emergency Medical Technician.
Robert has been investigating and litigating insurance claims for more than 30 years. Robert began his legal career working on many reinsurance matters (including being the only associate handling the Unigard v. North River trial and appeals). As a coverage attorney, many of Robert’s motions to dismiss/summary judgment were granted, and he received several arbitration and trial victories in his clients’ favor. As a defense attorney, Robert successfully acquired many voluntary discontinuances, thus saving his clients litigation fees/expenses, and potential adverse judgments. The vast majority of Robert’s career has focused on subrogation. His first subrogation investigation was the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. As a subrogation attorney, Robert has investigated, mediated, arbitrated and/or tried thousands of claims.
Robert has an AV® rating with Martindale-Hubbell indicating the highest ranking in legal ability and ethical standards as determined by his peers in the legal community. He is a Certified Subrogation Recovery Professional. Robert is a member of NASP’s Board of Directors, its Executive Committee and serves as its Vice President following 4 years as Treasurer. He has been named a New York Super Lawyer every year since 2006. Robert was the 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Chair of the National Property Subrogation Strategies ExecuSummit; Co-Chair of the Property Track for NASP’s 2010 Litigation Skills and Management Conference; Co- Chair for NASP’s 2011 Litigation Skills and Management Conference; and was Co-Chair of the Product Liability Track for NASP’s 2012 and 2013 National Annual Conferences. He is also included on the New Jersey Courts’ Statewide Roster of court-approved mediators as an R. 1:40 qualified mediator. He is a Certified Property Subrogation Arbitrator and was listed as a member in the Global Register’s Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals. Robert has served as an Editor of NASP’s Subrogator, including one term as Editor-in-Chief.
Robert frequently presents seminars and articles of interest to insurers, including courses at various insurance forums, such as NASP (Annual and Spring Conferences) and PLRB/LIRB (Annual and Regionals). He received the New York County Lawyers Association’s Certificate of Appreciation for pro bono work from 1992 through the present; the New York State Bar Association’s Certificate of Appreciation; and was awarded “Partner in Education” by the New York City Public Schools. He was also Co-Editor of the Youth Law Manual distributed in New York Public Schools and a legal research assistant for the treatise “Securitization.”
Robert created an educational video/DVD titled: “Alternative Dispute Resolution Techniques and Preparation.” The 60-minute course addresses strategies and techniques in preparing for arbitration, mediation and negotiation. The course is available at http://www.researchandmarkets.com/. Robert was also a panel speaker for a CLE program: “Skills for Preparation and Effective Representation in Insurance Mediations. This course is available at http://www.lawline.com/.
Robert authored a chapter in the New Appleman on Insurance Law Library Edition, a LexisNexis publication considered to be the most comprehensive source for insurance law. Chapter 161, entitled “Limitations On Bringing Subrogation Claims,” addresses various subjects such as subrogating against an insured, actions impairing subrogation rights, waivers of subrogation, voluntary payment doctrine, estoppel, splitting causes of action, unclean hands, laches and invalidity of a tortfeasor’s insurance policy. The Chapter not only provides an analysis of recent case law, with citations, but also helpful hints from Robert. A copy of New Appleman on Insurance Law Library Edition is available by searching the publication at www.lexisnexis.com/store.
Recent Posts
Education
- Boston University, School of Law, 1990 – Juris Doctorate
- Union College, 1987 – B.A. in Political Science & Economics
- Completed requirements for B.S. in Psychology
Practice Areas
- Appeals
- Admiralty/Aviation/Maritime Transportation
- Casualty/Liability
- Corporate Disability/Health/Life
- Fidelity/Surety
- Construction
- Environmental
- First Party Property
- Intellectual Property
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Real Estate
- Reinsurance
- Subrogation
Admissions
- New York
- New Jersey
- Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court (E.D.N.Y.)
- U.S. District Court (S.D.N.Y.)
- U.S. District Court (New Jersey)
- U.S. District Court (Massachusetts)
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
Awards & Honors
- New York County Lawyers’ Association
- New York State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- National Association of Subrogation Professionals
- Martindale Hubbel AV® rating 2021-2022
- Super Lawyers® 2006-2022
- Spirit of NASP Award from the President of the National Association of Subrogation Professionals 2015 Annual Conference
February 28, 2022
KirSheng “Kirk” Chen
Profile
KirSheng “Kirk” Chen is an associate out of the firm’s office in West Palm Beach, Florida. He practices in the areas of Commercial and Civil Litigation, with an emphasis on construction disputes. He has experience representing design professionals, contractors, owners, developers, inspectors, and associated business entities. Mr. Chen also has extensive experience representing large financial institutions, as he did so during the residential foreclosure crisis.
Mr. Chen was also previously an Assistant State Attorney for the 17th Judicial Circuit, where he served as a division lead in the Misdemeanor Trial Unit.
As an actively serving officer in the Florida Army National Guard, Mr. Chen was deployed for domestic disaster relief for Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Irma. He has also served our nation overseas, in support of Counter-Terrorism missions.
Education
- University of Florida – Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Minor in Business Administration – 2008
- University of Maryland Carey School of Law – 2011
Practice Areas
- Construction Defect Litigation
- Construction Law
- Professional Liability
- Premises Liability
- General Liability
Admissions
- Florida Bar, 2011
- U.S. District Court (S.D. Florida)
- U.S. District Court (M.D. Florida)
October 25, 2021
Meghan A. Wilson
Profile
Meghan graduated with honors from the University of Florida in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She obtained her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Florida in December of 2006 and has been admitted to the Florida Bar since April of 2007. Meghan joined the firm as a Partner in 2021.
Meghan is also admitted to the Southern and Northern Districts of Florida, and she has practiced in both State and Federal courts. Meghan has assisted both homeowners and insurers in pre-suit matters and litigation. Her practice areas include insurance defense, commercial and residential contracts, and bad-faith litigation.
Education
- University of Florida – Juris Doctorate
- University of Florida – Bachelor of Arts in English (with honors)
Practice Areas
- Litigation
- Insurance Defense
- Contracts
Admissions
- Florida
- U.S. District Court (S.D. Fla.)
- U.S. District Court (N.D. Fla.)
Awards & Honors
- National Association of Subrogation Professionals
- Palm Beach County Bar Association
- Legal Research, Writing, and Drafting Certificate
- Book Award in Advanced Legal Research and Writing
October 1, 2021
Cairin Sager
Profile
In 2015, Cairin graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. In 2020, Cairin obtained her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School. During law school, Cairin served as the Executive Director of Appellate Competitions with the Journal of Trial Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Honor Board.
In 2020, Cairin was published by the Suffolk Journal of Trial Appellate Advocacy, in Volume XXV 2019-2020, Issue 2.
Prior to joining the firm, Cairin expanded her skills to include complex civil litigation, insurance defense, employment law, construction defects, professional malpractice, and personal injury and premises liability. Since joining the firm in 2021, Cairin has become a valued addition to the firm’s expanding subrogation team in New England.
Recent Posts
Education
- Suffolk University Law School: Juris Doctor
- Boston University- Bachelor of Arts and Sciences
Practice Areas
- Insurance Subrogation
Admissions
- Massachusetts
Awards & Honors
- Published in the Suffolk Journal of Trial Appellate Advocacy, in Volume XXV 2019-2020, Issue 2
October 1, 2021
Daniel Platzek
Profile
Daniel Platzek is a graduate of the University of Miami, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. He then went on to obtain his Juris Doctor degree from Nova Southeastern University. While in law school, Mr. Platzek participated in the Judicial Internship Clinic, where he interned as a legal assistant for the Civil Court Judges of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. Prior to attending law school Mr. Platzek worked as a career firefighter and paramedic for over ten years helping others through their fire and medical emergencies.
Mr. Platzek’s unique work experience has enabled him to recognize distinct legal issues involving property damage, personal injury claims, and estate planning. As a firefighter and paramedic, Mr. Platzek saw firsthand how estate planning legal documents ensure families are protected during times of uncertainty. Now, his experience and passion to help others has transferred into his career as an attorney. Mr. Platzek currently focuses on subrogation recovery, insurance defense, and estate planning.
Education
Mr. Platzek’s unique work experience has enabled him to recognize distinct legal issues involving property damage and personal injury claims. Mr. Platzek currently focuses on subrogation recovery and insurance defense.
Education
- Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center – Juris Doctor
- University of Miami – Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
Practice Areas
- Subrogation
- Insurance Defense
- Estate Planning
Admissions
- Florida
Awards & Honors
- Book Award for Caribbean Law Seminar
- Certified Paramedic – Florida
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
October 1, 2021
Hayley Brunner
Profile
In 2018, Hayley graduated magna cum laude from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. During law school, Hayley served as the Assistant Lead Articles Editor for Nova Law Review, Volume 45, and was an active member and competitor in Nova’s Moot Court Society. In 2020, Hayley began her career with the firm as a law clerk and in 2021, she received her Juris Doctorate Degree, cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University.
Education
- Nova Southeastern University: Juris Doctorate
- Florida Atlantic University: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
Practice Areas
- Insurance Subrogation
Admissions
- Florida