Archives: Team Members

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.

• New York Law School – Juris Doctorate
• New York State University, Buffalo – Dual B.A. English and Philosophy

• Subrogation
• Product Liability
• Construction Liability
• Personal Injury
• Commercial Litigation
• Commercial Transactions
• Commercial Leasing

• New York State
• United States Southern District of New York
• United States Eastern District of New York

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 the President of NASP’s Board of Directors, after serving 2 years as its Vice President and 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.

• Boston University, School of Law, 1990 – Juris Doctorate
• Union College, 1987 – B.A. in Political Science & Economics
• Completed requirements for B.S. in Psychology

• 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

• 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

• 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

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.

• University of Florida – Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Minor in Business Administration – 2008
• University of Maryland Carey School of Law – 2011

• Construction Defect Litigation
• Construction Law
• Professional Liability
• Premises Liability
• General Liability

• Florida Bar, 2011
• U.S. District Court (S.D. Florida)
• U.S. District Court (M.D. Florida)

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.

• University of Florida – Juris Doctorate
• University of Florida – Bachelor of Arts in English (with honors)

• Litigation
• Insurance Defense
• Contracts

• Florida
• U.S. District Court (S.D. Fla.)
• U.S. District Court (N.D. Fla.)

• National Association of Subrogation Professionals
• Palm Beach County Bar Association
• Legal Research, Writing, and Drafting Certificate
• Book Award in Advanced Legal Research and Writing

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.

• Unlocking The Recipe to Successful Subrogation Claim Management

• Nova Southeastern University: Juris Doctorate
• Florida Atlantic University: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

• Insurance Subrogation

• Florida
• District of Columbia

Hillarie Miller is a graduate of the University of Idaho, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Crime and Justice Studies. She graduated cum laude from the Florida Coastal School of Law, ranking in the top 6% of her class. While in law school, she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review and received numerous academic accolades. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2012.

Ms. Miller is a former prosecutor with extensive courtroom experience, having successfully prosecuted hundreds of cases in misdemeanor, juvenile, and felony court. She has been professionally recognized for her trial work and was awarded the Trial Top Gun award for the State Attorney’s Office, 7th Judicial Circuit, Florida. Additionally, Ms. Miller has worked in private practice as a civil litigator. Her prior experience includes Engle progeny tobacco litigation, products liability, wrongful death, premise liability, worker’s compensation, and automobile negligence.

• Florida Coastal School of Law – Juris Doctor
• University of Idaho – Bachelor of Arts in Crime and Justice Studies

• Construction litigation
• Professional liability
• Premises liability
• Personal injury
• Products liability
• Negligent Security
• Criminal Law
• Civil Litigation
• Contracts

• Florida

• Trial Top Gun Award, Office of the State Attorney, 7th Judicial Circuit
• St. Johns County Bar Association, Treasurer, 2020
• Editor-in-Chief, The Florida Coastal Law Review, 2011-2012
• Dean’s Scholar, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
• Book Award in Persuasive Legal Writing
• Best Oral Advocate and Best Memo in Lawyering Process II

• https://www.staugustine.com/story/special/2020/03/12/jacksonville-man-gets-8-years-in-prison-for-hit-and-run-that-killed-2-women-on-racetrack-road/1536029007/
• A 65-year-old man was sentenced on four counts of sexual battery on a mentally defective person Tuesday after a jury trial
• Man gets 8 years in embezzlement case
• Judge sentences man to life in rape cases
• A Palatka woman who was accused of hitting a woman over the head with a beer bottle last summer is facing up to 30 years
• Pleading out to killing her 5-year-old daughter in a head on collision while high on drugs cost a Hollister woman 15 years in prison
• An attempt to run over a man in a parking lot sent 48-year-old Tangie Lyvonnie Paul to prison for 10 years
• A second woman arrested for nearly beating a woman to death headed to prison after an interim judge sent her away

Chanel Rossi is a Florida native who received her bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from Florida International University. Chanel decided to take her talents to law school and pursued her formal legal education by attending New England Law | Boston thereby receiving her Juris Doctorate. During law school, Chanel served as the Vice President of the Business Law Society and Vice President of the Art Law Society. Chanel continued her legal education by receiving a Certificate of Negotiation and Leadership from Harvard Law School. Throughout law school, Chanel worked as the Senior Paralegal at Murphy PC, a firm that specializes in Real Estate and Project Development matters. Additionally, she served as the Director of Constituent Services for Massachusetts Senator Barry Finegold. In addition, Chanel worked for a First Party Property Litigation firm, managing cases from intake through litigation.

When Chanel is not fiercely advocating for her clients, she enjoys spending time with her family, looking for the next adventure, and learning about different cultures.

• New England Law | Boston – Juris Doctorate
• Florida International University – Bachelor’s in Health Sciences

• First and Third-Party Coverage and Defense
• Subrogation

• Florida

In 2017, Jessica graduated from Suffolk University with a Bachelor’s of Science in U.S. History and Government, with a focus on Public Policy, and in 2020 obtained her Degree of Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School. During law school, Jessica served as the Vice President of the Journal of Trial Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Honor Board.

In 2020, Jessica was published by the Suffolk Journal of Trial Appellate Advocacy, in Volume XXV 2019-2020, Issue 1. During her time in school, Jessica also served on numerous associations and committees, including the Women’s Law Association, Criminal Law Association, and Fundraising Committee.

Prior to joining the firm, Jessica expanded her skills to include complex civil litigation, insurance defense, tax and estate management, products liability, business transactions, immigration law, and premises liability. As such, Jessica has experience litigating cases of all sizes involving various issues and areas of practice. Since joining the firm in 2021, Jessica has become a valued addition to the firm’s expanding subrogation team in New England.

• Suffolk University School of Law – Juris Doctorate
• Suffolk University – Bachelor of Arts in History and Government

• Insurance Subrogation

• Massachusetts

• Member of the Women’s Law Association and Criminal Law Association
• Published in the Suffolk Journal of Trial Appellate Advocacy, Volume XXV 2019-2020, Issue 1

Stephen is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston Massachusetts, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing and Literature. Stephen received his Juris Doctorate Degree, from Suffolk University School of Law and is admitted to practice law in the state of Massachusetts. Stephen has extensive experience in complex civil litigation cases, as well as experience across a wide variety of areas including, but not limited to, medical malpractice claims, insurance subrogation, insurance defense, personal injury, products liability, family law, landlord tenant disputes and appellate practice. Since joining DSB&C in 2020, Stephen has become a valued addition to the firm’s expanding subrogation team in New England.

• Suffolk University School of Law – Juris Doctorate
• Emerson College – Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Literature

• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island
• U.S. District Court (Massachusetts)

• Suffolk Law School Jurisprudence Award – Criminal Law 2011-2012
• Essex County Bar Association