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| Attorneys The partners and associates at Conroy, Simberg, Ganon, Krevans, Abel, Lurvey, Morrow & Schefer, P.A. have diverse backgrounds. Many of our attorneys attended law school outside of Florida and have practiced in a wide variety of jurisdictions. A number of our attorneys have also chosen law as a second career and bring to the firm invaluable life and career experiences. In addition, many of our attorneys are fluent in foreign languages. A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z Abel, Jonathan C.* Abosch, David M. Alvarez, Manuel F. Antell, Debrah L. Berger, Karen E. Blaker, Jeffrey A.* Bloch, Brett R. Buschbom, Ronald L.* Cabrera, Carlos D. Canton, Joshua C. Caputo, Louis A.* Casal, Cristobal A. Clayton, R. Scott Cliburn, Joshua N. Coad, Kristan S. Cohen, Stuart F.* Conroy, Thomas W.* Conte, Nicole B. Corker, Matthew J. Corkran, Christopher T.* Cortese, Dawn Criss, Thomas R.* Crumpton, Jr., Marc M. Dubinsky, Barry A. Eckhart, James M. Fallon, Seric J. Feldman, Todd M. Flores-Dickman, Odelsa Forte, Jennifer Frankel, Joanna E. Fretland, Millard L.* Friedman, Dale L.* Gallagher, Michael J. Ganon, Neal L.* Goldberg, Seth R.* Gordon, Lawrence S.* Greenstein, Marc A. Gregory, Jacqueline M.* Grundorf, C. Jason Gutterman, Marc J.* Guzman, Sandra Haire, Jr., Michael G. Hatch, Heather L. Hefley, William M. Henderson, Michael J. Hendon, Sharon W. Herndon, Jr., John E.* Hess, Chad B. Hochberg, Jeffrey H. Hoffman, Jr., Philip T.* Howard, John A.* Hoy, Nathan J. Hyman, Blair J. Ireland, Julie C. Jenne, Lee W.* Kast, Michael S. Kemp, Lori D. Klein, Hinda* Klosky, Chad Klotzman, Scott E. Kraft, Michael* Krevans, Scott D.* Layman, Shawn Letzter, Katherine G.* Lewis, Melissa M. Lorie, Jessika X. Lundy, Rodney C.* Lurvey, John A.* Mallett, Dean R. Mannino, Jillian M. Matthis, Kirsten Mayer, Robert J. McCausland, Thomas J.* McDavitt, Melissa G. McGory, Starlene D. McLean, Robert Medeiros, Crystalin C. Minetree, Rachel H. Mockler, Katherine A. Morley, Michael R. Morrow, John L.* Paris, Michael J.* Parker, Jennifer Petric, Christian* Pieczonka, Jason J. Pittman, Jayne A.* Resnick, Bryan S. Roberts, Ashley D. Robinson, Stephanie A. Roero, Nicole E. Rogalsky, Marni E. Rothenberg, David S. Ruderman, Esther Z.* Schaet, Kelly B. Scharf, Bram Schefer, Alison J.* Seligman, Stephanie A. Sette, Joseph M. Shaw, Kendra F. Simberg, Bruce* Simpson, Daniel J.* Sperounes, Michael S. Stevens, John S. Stosik, Darlene Struble, Matthew Stukey, Stephen Thorn, Eric M. Tice, Christopher A.* Torron-Bautista, Lisa* Valle, Damary Walker, Jonathan E. Warner, J. Steven Weiss, I. David Wilder, Robert Wilensky, Michael K.* Winitz, Edward N.* Zelnick, H Ross
Named Partner Hollywood Jonathan Abel was born in Miami, Florida and attended the University of Florida, where he graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in 1980. Jonathan received his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida School of Law in 1983. Since his admission to the Florida Bar in 1983, Jonathan has engaged in all aspects of insurance defense litigation, with a particular emphasis on medical malpractice, including the defense of acute care and psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, physicians, psychologists, emergency department groups, dentists, and chiropractors. Jonathan is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida. In addition, Jonathan is a member of the Dade County Bar Association, the Broward County Bar Association, the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, the Defense Research Institute, the South Florida Claims Association, the Florida Society for Health Care Risk Management, the American Society for Health Care Risk Management and the International Association of Defense Counsel. Since 2004, Jonathan has been recognized annually as a Top Lawyer by the South Florida Legal Guide. Jonathan lives in Hollywood with his wife, Frankie, and has two sons, Kevin and Stephen. Email: jabel@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood David Michael Abosch was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware in 2001, and his juris doctor from Nova Southeastern University School of Law in 2006, where he was a member of the ILSA Journal International and Comparative Law. David practices in the firm's Property Department, which primarily handles first-party property damage claims and coverage matters. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2006, and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts as well as the United States District Court in and for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Email: dabosch@conroysimberg.com
Associate Pensacola Manuel F. Alvarez was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Manny received his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida in 1990 and his Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley School of Law in 1996. Manny practices in all areas of workers' compensation. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1996 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts, the United States Court of Federal Claims, the United States Court of Appeal for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. In addition, Manny is a member of the Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association and the Hispanic National Bar Association. Manny is a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army Reserve and also served as a State Prosecutor in Miami for approximately two and one-half years. Manny also served one deployment in Iraq with the U.S. Army as an Infantry Officer. During his entire deployment, Manny was embedded in an Iraqi Army Infantry Battalion as their U.S. Army Operations and Maneuver Advisor. As part of his current military assignments, Manny traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to lecture military forces from multiple South American nations in areas of Human Rights and Law of War. Manny continues his workers' compensation defense work with the firm. Email: malvarez@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Debrah L. Antell was born in New York, New York. Debrah received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 1993 and her Juris Doctor in 1996 from St. Thomas University. Debrah practices in the areas of workers' compensation and the Special Disability Trust Fund. She has been a member of the Florida Bar Workers' Compensation section since 1997 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. In addition, Debrah is a certified arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau Auto Line program. Email: dantell@conroysimberg.com Berger, Karen E. Associate Hollywood Karen E. Berger was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up outside of Detroit, Michigan. Karen earned her undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University in 2003 and her Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University in 2009. Karen practices in all areas of general liability with an emphasis on appellate practice. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2009 and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida. While in law school, Karen became a board member and competitor with Moot Court Society upon winning her law school’s Feinrider Moot Court Upper Class Competition. She was also a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, International Citator and Vis International Arbitration Competition. Upon graduation, she was awarded the Order of the Barrister. Email: kberger@conroysimberg.com
Partner West Palm Beach Jeffrey Alan Blaker was born in Passaic, New Jersey, October 17, 1959. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Miami School of Business Administration in 1981 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 1984. Jeffrey practices in the area of general liability. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1984 and is admitted to practice before all federal and states courts in Florida. Email: jblaker@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Brett R. Bloch was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He earned his undergraduate degree from New York University, cum laude, in 1984 and his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 1987, where he was a Lead Notes and Comments Editor of the Syracuse Journal of International Law and Commerce. Brett’s practice is concentrated on insurance coverage, bad faith, professional liability litigation, construction and mold litigation. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2001 and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. In addition, he is admitted to the New York and New Jersey bars. In the past, Brett spent more than twelve years in the insurance industry as an underwriter, broker and claims analyst, specializing in complex professional liability and technology risks. He was also licensed as both an insurance broker and claims adjuster. In addition, he has earned the Registered Professional Liability Underwriter designation awarded by the Professional Liability Underwriting Society. Email: bbloch@conroysimberg.com
Partner Fort Myers Ronald L. Buschbom was born in Miami, Florida, and earned his undergraduate degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1966; a Masters in Business Administration Finance from the University of Miami in 1970, and his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami in 1977. Ronald practices in the area of general liability, auto liability, premises liability, products liability, negligent security, professional liability, arson and fraud, patent, copyright and trademark litigation, civil rights litigation and employment discrimination litigation. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1977 and is admitted to practice in Florida State Courts, United States Supreme Court, United States District Court for the Southern and Middle District of Florida, and United States Tax Court. In addition, Ronald is a member of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association and the Defense Research Institute and is President Elect of the Federal Bar Association, Ft. Myers Division, 2003. Ron lives in Ft. Myers with his wife, Marion, has three children, Greg, Amanda and Ryan and two grandchildren, Tim and Jake. He enjoys fishing, cooking and family genealogy. Email: rbuschbom@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Carlos Daniel Cabrera was born in Havana, Cuba. Carlos earned his undergraduate degree from Florida International University in 1994 and his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University in 2000, where he served as the Managing Editor for the St. Thomas Law Review. Carlos practices in all areas of general liability with an emphasis on appellate practice, and has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2000. He is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts, the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, and the United States Court of Appeal for the Eleventh Circuit. Carlos is also a member of the Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section and the Broward County Bar Association Appellate Law Section. Email: ccabrera@conroysimberg.com
Associate Orlando Joshua Christopher Canton was born in St. Petersburg, Florida. He earned his undergraduate degree in Anthropology from the University of Central Florida and his Masters Degree in Business Administration from Rollins College. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami in December 2001. Joshua practices in all areas of civil litigation, including products liability and general and professional negligence. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in May 2002 and practices before all Florida state courts, the United States District Court for the Middle and Northern Districts of Florida and the United States Court of Appeal for the Eleventh Circuit. Email: jcanton@conroysimberg.com
Partner Hollywood Louis A. Caputo was born in New York City, New York and relocated to Florida in 1977. He attended the University of Florida and earned his undergraduate degree with honors in 1984. He went on to attend law school at the University of Florida College of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1987. Lou worked as an Assistant State Attorney for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Broward County, from 1988 to 1992, prosecuting felony crimes. Lou has been a member of the firm since 1992 and practices in all areas of workers' compensation defense. In addition to being a member of the Workers' Compensation Section of the Florida Bar, he is also a member of the Broward County Bar Association and has litigated cases in Broward, Dade and Palm Beach Counties. Lou lives in Fort Lauderdale Beach where he enjoys music, sports, traveling and photography. Email: lcaputo@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Cristobal Antonio Casal was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Cristobal earned his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in 2001 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami in 2005. Cristobal practices in all areas of general liability. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2005 and practices before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida. Cristobal was admitted to the State Bar of Illinois in 2005. He is also a member of the American Bar Association. Email: ccasal@conroysimberg.com
Associate West Palm Beach R. Scott Clayton was born in Sarasota, Florida. Scott received his undergraduate degree from Kutztown University in 1997, and his Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2004. Scott practices in all areas of liability. He is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts, the New Jersey state courts, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Scott has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2004, and is a member of the American Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association. Email: sclayton@conroysimberg.com
Associate Orlando Joshua Nolan Cliburn was born in Orlando, Florida. Joshua earned his undergraduate degree in 2003 and his Juris Doctor in 2006 from the University of Florida. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2007 and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Joshua is also a member of the American Bar Association and the Orlando History Center. Email: jcliburn@conroysimberg.com
Associate Tampa Kristan Smith Coad was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kristan earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1994 and her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida in 1998. Prior to joining the firm, Kristan was in-house counsel for Nationwide Insurance Company. Kristan practices in all areas of general liability including personal injury protection. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1998. Kristan is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. She is a member of the St. Petersburg Bar Association and a past member of the Florida Prosecuting Attorney’s Association. Email: kcoad@conroysimberg.com
Partner Hollywood Stuart Cohen was born in Smithtown, New York, and has lived in South Florida since 1981. Stuart attended the University of Miami where he earned a Bachelors of Business Administration with a major in finance in 1990. He then attended the University of Miami School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1993. While attending law school, Stuart was a member of the State and National Trial Teams, and won the Book Award in Litigation Skills. Stuart is a trial lawyer who practices in all areas of tort and insurance law, including professional and medical negligence, auto and premises liability, product liability, insurance coverage and bad faith. The focus of his practice has been medical negligence. He also handles the firm's large recovery/subrogation matters throughout the state. Since his admission to the Florida Bar in 1993, Stuart has litigated and tried cases throughout Florida. He is admitted to practice before all Florida courts, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Stuart has been awarded an AV® rating with Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. The Law Directory establishes this rating by anonymously querying members of the Bar and Judiciary. Stuart's AV® rating signifies he has been recognized by his peers and the judges before whom he has appeared for the highest levels of skill and integrity. Stuart is a member of the Trial Lawyers Section of the Florida Bar and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Email: scohen@conroysimberg.com
Founding Partner - Retired Hollywood Tom Conroy graduated from the University of Miami with a B.B.A. in 1971. Tom moved upstate to attend Florida State University, receiving his Juris Doctor from that institution in 1974. Since his admission to the Florida Bar in 1974, he has specialized in the defense of workers' compensation claims. Initially employed as house counsel of a major insurance company, Tom went on to become an assistant city attorney for the City of Miami. In this position, he began to acquire an expertise concerning the problems unique to municipalities and self-insureds. Tom Conroy and Bruce Simberg founded the firm Conroy & Simberg, P.A. in 1979 and Tom continued to specialize in workers' compensation defense. Tom has been a board certified workers' compensation attorney since certification was first offered in 1988. From 2004 through 2007, the South Florida Legal Guide recognized Tom as one of South Florida's Leading Attorneys and he has recently been named a "Florida Super Lawyer" in that yearly publication. In addition, Tom is a member of the American Bar Association, the Dade County Bar Association, the Broward County Bar Association and the Palm Beach County Bar Association. He is also a member of the Defense Research Institute and is on the Workers' Compensation Executive Council where he served as its chair from August 2006 to August 2007. He has served as a trustee and as president of the Friends of 440. Tom is now retired and lives with his wife, Michelle, in Henderson, Nevada. Email: tconroy@conroysimberg.com
Associate Orlando Nicole B. Conte was born in Memphis, Tennessee and was raised in Melbourne, Florida. She earned her undergraduate degree from Smith College in 1999 and her Juris Doctor from Florida State University in 2002 where she was an editor on two Journals. Nicole practices in all areas of workers' compensation, the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, and the Jones Act. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2002, and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Nicole is also a member of the Orange County Bar Association and the Broward County Bar Association. Email: nconte@conroysimberg.com
Associate Orlando Matthew James Corker was born on Long Island, New York. Matthew received his undergraduate degree from St. John’s University in 2000, his Juris Doctor from Hofstra University School of Law in 2003. Matthew practices in all areas of insurance defense and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and to the United States District Court in and for the Middle District of Florida as well as the New York state courts. Matthew has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2006, and is a member of the New York Bar since 2004. Email: mcorker@conroysimberg.com
Partner Hollywood Christopher T. Corkran was born in Alliance, Ohio. Chris is a fourth generation attorney who received his undergraduate degree in economics from Ohio State University in 1995. He then moved to South Florida where he pursued his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law in 1999. While in law school, Chris was selected to be a member of the prestigious Peter T. Fay American Inn of Court. He was also chosen to be an Executive Editor for the Opinio Juris Legal Review of the University and selected to be an Articles Editor for the St. Thomas Law Review. Also during law school, Chris began his legal career by clerking for the Conroy Simberg law firm, where Chris was ultimately hired as a full time associate and went on to become a Partner of this firm. Chris is fluent in Spanish and he practices in all areas of general liability with an emphasis on Negligent Security, Premises Liability, Motor Vehicle Negligence (bodily injury and property damage), Uninsured Motorist litigation and all other aspects of Personal Injury and Insurer Bad Faith litigation. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1999 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Chris resides in Miami, Florida with his wife, Veronica and daughter, Briana. Email: ccorkran@conroysimberg.com Cortese, Dawn Associate West Palm Beach Dawn Cortese was born in New York and lived on Long Island before relocating to Boca Raton, Florida with her family in 1978. Dawn graduated from Boca Raton Community High School in 1982, earned her undergraduate degree from Florida Atlantic University in 1991 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami in 1994. Dawn dedicated the first six years of her legal career to public service, trying more than 30 criminal jury and 100 bench trials as a prosecutor in the Dade State Attorney's Office. In 2000, Dawn switched her concentration to the private sector, honing her civil litigation skills as a trial attorney for two of the nation's three largest automobile insurance companies. She acquired an extensive understanding of automobile liability, personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance while defending these cases. Dawn is admitted to practice in all Florida Courts, practices in all areas of general liability, and has significant experience litigating premises liability, negligent security, errors and omissions, professional liability, construction defect, special investigation and fraud matters. Email: dcortese@conroysimberg.com
Partner Tallahassee Tom Criss was born in Detroit, Michigan. He moved to Tallahassee, Florida to attend Florida State University in 1976. Tom graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Finance in 1978. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1981 from Florida State University College of Law. Tom joined the firm in 1986. In 1992, he became a partner in the firm. Over his 25 year career, Tom has been instrumental in the growth and development of workers’ compensation law throughout the State of Florida. Tom opened the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Division in Orlando in 1996, which he managed until 2002. In 2002, Tom opened the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Division in Tallahassee, which he continues to manage. Tom has vast experience representing both employers and insurance companies in the field of Workers’ Compensation law. He has tried cases in every Workers’ Compensation District in the State of Florida. He has also handled numerous appellate matters to conclusion. Tom has lectured at the Florida Workers’ Compensation Convention, at firm seminars, at Claims Professional’s Board Certification seminars, as well as numerous forums throughout the Southeast United States. He has extensive experience in handling the most complex Workers’ Compensation matters including cases involving catastrophic injuries such as quadriplegia, paraplegia and death. Tom also represents employers in cases involving wage and hour disputes, as well as other Employment Law matters. Tom is not only licensed and admitted to practice law in all Florida state courts, but also he is admitted to practice in Federal Court in the Northern District of Florida. Tom is an active member of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Florida Bar. He was Board Certified in Workers’ Compensation law from 1992 to 2002. Email: tcriss@conroysimberg.com
Associate Tampa Marc Crumpton was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Marc earned his undergraduate degree in 1999 from Western Michigan University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2002. Marc practices in all areas of general liability. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2003 and practices before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Marc is also a member Phi Alpha Delta and the Lee and Hillsborough County Bar Associations, as well as the Medical Claims Defense Network. Email: mcrumpton@conroysimberg.com
Associate Pensacola Barry Dubinsky was born in Queens, New York. Barry earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from Denison University in 1980 and his Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law in 1984. Prior to joining the firm, Barry worked as a plaintiff’s civil trial attorney. He practices in all areas of general liability with an emphasis on trial litigation. Barry has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1986. He is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Barry is certified as an instructor of insurance education, personal lines, in the State of Florida since April 20, 1999. He is an active member in the community, volunteering with Junior Achievement and Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership (HOBY). Email: bdubinsky@conroysimberg.com
Associate West Palm Beach James Milton Eckhart was born in Miami, Florida. Jim earned his undergraduate degree in 1965 and his Juris Doctor in 1968, both from the University of Miami. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1968 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and in the District of Columbia. He is a member of the Florida Bar, the District of Columbia Bar, the Defense Research Institute, the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, and is AV® rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Jim is a member of the Board of Directors of the Health Foundation of South Florida, a $190 million dollar health organization that grants over $10 million dollars per year to health related causes in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties. He is co-author of a chapter in Clinical Anesthesia Practice, W.E. Saunders Company, entitled "Medicolegal Issues and Concerns" which is currently in its 2d Edition. In addition he is a contributor to Current Reviews in Clinical Anesthesia, a bi-weekly medical publication. Email: jeckhart@conroysimberg.com Fallon, Seric J. Associate Hollywood Seric James Fallon was born in Los Angeles, California. Seric earned his undergraduate degree from Webster University in Leiden, the Netherlands in 1999, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami, School of Law in 2007. Seric practices in the firm's Property Department, which primarily handles first-party property damage claims and coverage matters. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2007. Seric is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts, in the United States District Court for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Email: sfallon@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Todd Feldman was born in Plantation, Florida, and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 2003, and his Juris Doctor degree from Florida State University in 2006. Todd practices in all areas of general liability. Todd has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2007, and is admitted to practice law in all Florida state courts and in the United States District Court, for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida. He is also a member of the American Bar Association and the Miami Beach Bar Association. Email: tfeldman@conroysimberg.com
Associate Fort Myers Odelsa Flores-Dickman was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Odelsa earned her undergraduate degree in 1996 from Florida International University and her Juris Doctor in 1999 from Nova Southeastern University. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2000 and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Odelsa practices in all areas of general liability and is a member of the American Bar Association-Litigation Section, the ACLU, the Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers, the Florida Women Lawyer’s Association, the Lee County Women Lawyer's Association, the Lee County Bar Association, Leadership Collier and is on the Board of Directors for the Collier County Hunger and Homeless Coalition. Email: odickman@conroysimberg.com
Associate Tampa Jennifer Forte was born in Chicago, Illinois. Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree from Loyola University of Chicago in 1999 and her Juris Doctor from Stetson University in 2004. Jennifer practices in all areas of general liability. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2005 and is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association. Jennifer is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and in the United States District Court in and for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. Email: jforte@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Joanna Frankel was born in Brooklyn, New York. Joanna received her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida in 1995, and her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University in 1998. Joanna practices in the firm's Property Department, which primarily handles first-party property damage claims and coverage matters. She is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, as well as the District of Columbia. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2007 and is an active member of the Broward County Bar Association. Email: jfrankel@conroysimberg.com
Partner Pensacola Millard L. Fretland has been involved in a civil trial and appellate practice in both state and federal courts. His primary areas of practice include defense of product liability claims and representation of businesses in defense of class actions, environmental law, employment discrimination and general litigation matters. Millard was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1983 and to the Bar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida in 1985. Millard has served as President of the Northwest Florida Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates and is a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and the American Bar Association National Appellate Institute. He has been chosen as a participant/presenter in an American Board of Trial Advocates "Masters in Trial" Seminar. In 2006, Millard was selected as one of six national co-authors of the book "Product Liability Client Strategies", which is part of the Inside the Minds series published by Aspatore Books of Boston, Massachusetts. In addition, he is a member of the Defense Research Institute and is active on the DRI Industrywide Litigation and Product Liability committees. His community involvement in Pensacola includes service as Past-President of the Board of Directors of Manna Food Bank. He is also a former member of the Board of Directors of the Children's Home Society of Northwest Florida. Millard graduated with honors from Florida State University in 1980 and received his law degree from Washington & Lee University also with honors in 1983. He was a member of the Washington & Lee Law Review in 1982. Email: mfretland@conroysimberg.com
Partner Hollywood Dale L. Friedman was born in Hackensack, New Jersey and moved to Florida in 1957. In 1969, Dale received a Bachelor of Education from the University of Miami with an emphasis on speech pathology and audiology. Prior to law school, Dale was employed as a teacher, speech pathologist and audiologist at Hope Center for the Mentally Disabled until 1986 when she returned to the University of Miami to obtain her law degree. Dale earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami in 1990. In law school, Dale was an editor of the Entertainment and Sports Law Review and won First Place in the 1989 State Moot Court Competition. Dale is a member of the Order of the Coif, a national organization recognizing the top 10 percent of all law students. Dale has been named by her peers as one of the top 1.6% of attorneys in Florida, as published in the July 2004 edition of Florida Trend Magazine entitled "Florida Legal Elite." Since her admission to the bar in 1990, Dale has practiced in all areas of commercial, personal injury and class action litigation, with an emphasis on trademark and copyright law, employment law, fraud, railroad liability, premises and automobile liability and insurance coverage disputes. Dale is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida. Dale and her husband, Ken, have two sons, Darren and Brett, and reside in North Miami Beach. Email: dfriedman@conroysimberg.com
Associate Orlando Michael Gallagher was born in Baldwin, New York. He earned his undergraduate degree from Florida State University in 1993, and his Juris Doctor from Western New England College School of Law in 1996. Michael practices in all areas of general liability. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1996 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Email: mgallagher@conroysimberg.com
Named Partner West Palm Beach Neal Ganon was born in New York City, New York and moved to Florida in 1971. In 1980 Neal earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University, magna cum laude with Distinction, in Health Policy Sciences. Neal was awarded his Juris Doctor from Indiana University in 1983 where he clerked for the Honorable Kenneth G. Todd of the Monroe Superior Court while attending school. Since his admission to the Florida Bar in 1983, Neal has specialized exclusively in the field of workers' compensation and has litigated cases throughout the state and primarily in Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties. Neal is the managing Partner of the firm's workers' compensation practice in all offices. He is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Neal is also a member of the Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie County Bar Associations. Neal is board certified in all areas of workers' compensation and has lectured extensively on numerous workers' compensation topics. In addition to practicing and lecturing on all facets of general workers' compensation, Neal specializes in the defense of catastrophic claims such as those involving quadriplegics, paraplegics, traumatic brain injuries, occupational diseases and exposures to deleterious substances. Neal also has distinct expertise in the defense of "presumptive statutes," such as " Heart and Lung" claims under F.S. 112.18, "First Responder" claims under F.S. 112.1815, and "Communicable Disease" claims under F.S. 112.181. Finally, Neal further specializes in defense of intoxication claims, mold and/or "sick building claims," and is especially passionate in the war against fraud. Neal is AV® rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is in the National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals and V.I.P. Section and Strathmore's Who's Who. He was also voted a "Florida Super Lawyer" by his peers, and 2009 Man of the Year in Law by the American Biographical Institute, Inc., voted most outstanding attorney of the Treasure Coast by “The Friends of 440,” and is certified as a member of the Council on Litigation Management with the highest Ethical Standards and Integrity. Neal and his wife, Rosa, have two daughters, Jessica and Rachel, and reside in Wellington, Florida. Neal enjoys hiking, skiing, white water rafting, and paragliding in the Colorado Rockies, fishing, physical fitness, the martial arts, horseback riding and spending time with his family. Email: nganon@conroysimberg.com
Partner Hollywood Seth R. Goldberg was born in Brooklyn, New York. He earned his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University in 1990 and his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University in 1994. Seth practices in all areas of general liability including, premises liability, contractual liability, bad faith/extra-contractual liability and coverage work. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1994 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. In addition, Seth is a member of the American Bar Association. Seth and his wife, Shari, live in Cooper City with their three daughters. Seth's interests include golf and all professional athletics. Email: sgoldberg@conroysimberg.com
Partner Hollywood Lawrence Scott Gordon was born in New York, New York. He earned his undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from Emory University/ University of Miami in 1978 and his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law in 1983. He also received a Masters of Science, summa cum laude, in English Education in 1996 from Florida International University. Lawrence practices in all areas of general commercial and corporate liability, with an emphasis on intellectual property litigation. Prior to joining the firm, his practice also involved international and domestic commercial and corporate litigation and arbitration, construction law and appellate law involving state and federal appeals of bench and jury verdicts, as well as extraordinary writs and interlocutory review. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1983 and practices before all Florida state courts, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal, and the United States Supreme Court. Lawrence is also a member of the American Bar Association and the Dade County Bar Association, and also served as past Chairman of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee II-L. Recent awards include Florida International University, Outstanding Alumnus; 2008 South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyer, Intellectual Property Law; 2007 South Florida Legal Guide’s Top Lawyers, Intellectual Property Law; 2007 Florida Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property Law; and 2006 Florida Trend, Legal Elite, Intellectual Property Rights. Email: lgordon@conroysimberg.com
Associate Orlando Marc Alan Greenstein was born in Passaic, New Jersey. Marc earned his undergraduate degree from Emory University in 1991, his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 1995, his Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami School of Business in 1999, and his Master of Science from the University of Miami School of Business in 1999. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1998. Marc has several years of experience defending both employers and carriers in all areas of workers' compensation. In addition, Marc has held significant workers' compensation management roles at a major insurance carrier. Marc is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Email: mgreenstein@conroysimberg.com
Partner Hollywood Jacqueline M. Gregory was born in London, England. She received her undergraduate degree from Simmons College in 1980, her Master of Arts from the University of Miami in 1984 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami in 1989. Jackie practices in the area of workers' compensation and has lectured extensively on the topics of subrogation, apportionment, mental and nervous injuries, handling catastrophic injury cases and the defense of permanent total disability claims. Jackie has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1991 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. She is currently a member of Kiwanis International where she volunteers on projects which enhance the lives of children. Jackie is also a member of the Caribbean Bar Association, the T.J. Reddick Bar Association and the Friends of 440. Email: jgregory@conroysimberg.com
Associate Orlando Christopher Jason Grundorf was born in Jackson, Mississippi. Jason earned his undergraduate degree in 1999 from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee and his Juris Doctor from Florida State University in 2002. Jason practices in all areas of general liability. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2002 and practices before all Florida courts. Email: cgrundorf@conroysimberg.com
Partner Hollywood Marc J. Gutterman was born in Brooklyn, New York, but moved to Florida with his family in his late teens. He has lost his New York accent, although it comes back from time to time. He earned his undergraduate degree from The Florida State University in 1994, and his Juris Doctorate from Syracuse University College of Law in 1997. Marc chairs the Firm's Property Department out of the Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale office. He has focused his legal career on the area of first-party property insurance practice since law school. His statewide practice encompasses all areas of first-party property insurance coverage matters, including fire and theft claims, sinkhole, windstorm, “collapse,” first-party extra-contractual/"bad faith," and large-loss subrogation. His diverse practice has also allowed him to handle and try commercial transactional cases, as well as numerous arbitrations. He has been an active member of the Florida Bar since 1997 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts, the United States District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal. Marc lives in Fort Lauderdale with his two Shetland sheepdogs, Caddie and Ruddie. He is an avid sports fan, holding the Seminoles, Orange, Yankees, Giants and Rangers nearest and dearest to his heart. He is also a sports car enthusiast. Email: mgutterman@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Sandra Guzman was born in Mineola, New York. Sandra earned her undergraduate degree from Northeastern University in 2001 and her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2004. Sandra practices in the area of workers' compensation. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2004 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the Supreme Court of Florida. Sandra is listed in Florida Super Lawyers 2009 as a "Rising Star", an honor conferred on only 2.5% of the attorneys in the state and only on those practicing for less than 10 years. Email: sguzman@conroysimberg.com
Associate Tallahassee Michael G. Haire, Jr. was born in Ft. Walton, Florida. Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Brigham Young University in 1994, a Master of Arts in Comparative Literature from Brigham Young University in 1997 and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Florida State University College of Law in 2000. He practices in all areas of general liability, products liability, fire/theft and fraudulent claims. While at Brigham Young University, Michael was co-founding editor of the Journal of Environmental Studies and assistant editor for the Journal of International and Area Studies. He also served as production manager on the International Comparative Literature Association Bulletin and Scandinavian Studies. Michael is a member of the Florida Bar, the Tallahassee Bar Association, the Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention (FACAP), and serves on the Executive Committee of the Florida Bar Journal and News Editorial Board. He is admitted to practice in all Federal District Courts of Florida, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Email: mhaire@conroysimberg.com
Associate West Palm Beach Heather Lynn Hatch was born in Sandusky, Ohio. Heather received her undergraduate degree from Wittenberg University in 1997 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida in 2000. Heather practices in all areas of workers' compensation and has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2000 and the American Bar Association since 2000. Heather is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts, the United States Dirstrict Court for the Northern, Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and the United States Court of Appeal for the Eleventh Circuit. Email: hhatch@conroysimberg.com
Associate Fort Myers William M. Hefley was born in Miami, Florida. William earned his undergraduate degree, Bachelor of Science in Accounting, from the University of Florida, Fisher School of Accounting in 1992 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida College of Law in 1995. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1996. William practices in all areas of general and professional liability and insurance defense with an emphasis in products liability, complex commercial and construction litigation. He is admitted to practice before all Florida state and federal courts, including the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal and the United States Supreme Court. William is a member of the Defense Research Institute and the Orange County Bar Association. Email: whefley@conroysimberg.com Henderson, Michael J. Associate Hollywood Michael J. Henderson was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He earned his undergraduate degree from Florida State University in 1996, and his Juris Doctor cum laude from Stetson University in 2001. Upon graduation, he served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Charles R. Wilson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Michael spent his first two years of practice handling defense litigation in Tampa, Florida and, thereafter, he relocated to Washington D.C. where he specialized in complex civil litigation, products liability defense and environmental matters. Michael has since moved back to Florida and now practices in all areas of general commercial liability. He has been a member of the Florida Bar and District of Columbia Bar since 2001 and 2005, respectively. He is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida and the United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Email: mhenderson@conroysimberg.com
Associate Orlando Sharon W. Mondrut-Hendon was born in New York, New York. Sharon received her undergraduate degree in 1984 and her Juris Doctor in 1987 from Nova University. Sharon practices in the area of workers' compensation. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1987 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts, the United States Court of Appeal for the Eleventh Circuit and the Court of Veterans Appeal. Email: shendon@conroysimberg.com
Partner Tallahassee John Edward Herndon, Jr. was born in Elberton, Georgia. He earned his undergraduate degree from Florida State University in 1970 and his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami in 1975. Ed practices in many areas of civil litigation with an emphasis on general tort and insurance litigation, including insurance coverage, automobile liability, products liability, medical malpractice, environmental law, insurance agents errors and omissions, accounting malpractice, premises liability, and other forms of commercial litigation. He is a member of the Florida Bar and admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the Southern District, Middle District and Northern District Federal trial courts of Florida, Eleventh, Fifth and Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeal and the United States Supreme Court. In addition, Ed is a member of the Insurance Law Committee and Seminar Committee of the Defense Research Institute and the Florida Defense Lawyers Association. Ed resides with his wife, Carol, in Tallahassee, Florida. He has three daughters, Lauren, Natalie, and Amy, and one stepdaughter, Leslie. In addition to golf, fishing, hiking, and collecting antique Lionel trains, Ed is active in the Florida State University Alumni Association and Seminole Boosters. Email: eherndon@conroysimberg.com
Associate Tallahassee Chad Brandon Hess was born in and grew up in Melbourne, Florida. Chad earned his undergraduate degree from Flagler College in 1996 and his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in 1999. He was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2000 and the Florida Bar in 2003. Prior to joining the firm, Chad practiced with the Washington, D.C. office of a nationally-known aviation law firm and in the South Carolina lowcountry. Chad practices in all areas of general and professional liability with an emphasis in premises and products liability, automobile negligence, civil rights, insurance coverage and construction site accidents and construction defects. Chad is admitted to practice before all Florida and South Carolina state courts and the United States District Courts for the District of South Carolina and the Southern District of Florida. Email: chess@conroysimberg.com Hochberg, Jeffrey H. Associate Hollywood Jeffrey H. Hochberg was born in Manhassett, New York. Jeff earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Florida in 2003 and his Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law in 2006. Jeff practices in the firm’s Property Department, which primarily handles first-party property damage claims and coverage matters. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2006 and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. Email: jhochberg@conroysimberg.com
Partner Pensacola Philip T. Hoffman, Jr. was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and has lived in Florida most of his life. Phil earned his undergraduate degree in 1983 from Florida State University, cum laude, and was awarded his Juris Doctor in 1987 from the University of Florida College of Law. Since his admission to the Florida Bar in 1987, Phil has specialized in the defense of Florida workers' compensation claims. Since his association with the firm in 1987, Phil has practiced in all areas of workers' compensation in the South Florida jurisdictions of Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties and has been practicing in the Panhandle jurisdiction since March of 1999 to include Pensacola, Panama City, Tallahassee, and surrounding areas. Phil is currently the Managing Partner of the firm's workers' compensation division of the Pensacola office and is a member of the Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association. Phil and his wife, Margaret, live in Gulf Breeze with their sons, Philip and Pierce, and daughter, Katie. Email: phoffman@conroysimberg.com
Partner West Palm Beach John A. Howard was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. He received his undergraduate degree from Bridgewater State College in 1981. After teaching for a number of years he returned to school at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and graduated with a business degree in 1985. Prior to law school, John worked in the restaurant industry running multi million dollar restaurants in Massachusetts before moving to New York to pursue his law degree. John earned his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from St. John’s University School of Law in 1994. John was a member of the law review while at St Johns and was also the president of the Civil Trial Association and participated in mock trials throughout the Northeast. John initiated his career as a trial attorney practicing in New York City and the surrounding Counties where he tried substantial cases to jury verdict. He is admitted to the courts of New York, Florida and Connecticut. In 2000, John and his wife, Tiana, moved to Jupiter, Florida where they currently reside with their two sons, Trent and Wade. Email: jhoward@conroysimberg.com Hoy, Nathan J. Associate Hollywood Nathan J. Hoy was born in Elkhart, Indiana. He earned his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University in 2004 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo in 2008. Nathan practices in the area of Workers’ Compensation. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2008 and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts. Email: nhoy@conroysimberg.com
Associate West Palm Beach Blair Jonathan Hyman was born in West Palm Beach, Florida. Blair earned his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2003 and his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University in 2007. During law school, Blair was president of the Student Bar Association and co-founder/vice-president of the Student Bar Initiative. Blair practices in all areas of general liability. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2007 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Email: bhyman@conroysimberg.com
Associate Fort Myers Julie Clark Ireland was born in Centerville, Ohio. Julie earned her undergraduate and master's degrees from Bowling Green State University in 1994 and 1996, respectively, and her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Boston University School of Law in 1999. Julie handles cases involving motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, PIP, fraud, negligent security, wrongful death and construction defects. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1999 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Email: jclark@conroysimberg.com
Partner Hollywood A native of Michigan, Lee Jenne has been living in Florida since 1956. Lee attended Florida State University and received his bachelor's degree in 1971 with a major in International Affairs and a minor in Political Science and American History. Prior to law school, Lee was employed as cost accountant for a major South Florida construction and land development company. Lee earned his Juris Doctor from Fort Lauderdale's Nova University in 1978. While gaining his education, Lee spent six years in the U. S. Naval Reserves. A member of the firm since June of 1982, Lee is board certified in all areas of workers' compensation. He is a member of the Florida Bar, as well as a member of the Dade County Bar Association, the Broward County Bar Association and the South Florida Claims Association. Time away from the office is often spent traveling, playing tennis and enjoying diverse spectator sports. Email: ljenne@conroysimberg.com
Associate Orlando Michael S. Kast was born in New Jersey. Michael earned his undergraduate degree from Emory University in Atlanta in 1981 and his Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law in 1984. While attending law school, Michael was a member of the Moot Court Society. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1984. Michael practices in all areas of general liability, medical malpractice defense and nursing home defense. He is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Email: mkast@conroysimberg.com Kemp, Lori D. Associate Orlando Lori Kemp was born in Miami, Florida. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 1992 and her Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University in 1996. Lori received the Book Award in Legal Research and Writing at Nova Southeastern University. Lori's practice is focused on handling any and all types of litigation matters, including but not limited to cases of general liability, premises liability, negligent security, employment litigation, commercial litigation, wrongful death and medical malpractice. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1996. Lori is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. She is also a member of the Broward County Women Lawyers Association and the Broward Bar Association. Email: lkemp@conroysimberg.com
Partner Hollywood Hinda Klein was born in Brooklyn, New York. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 1982 and her Juris Doctor from Syracuse University in 1985, where she served as Notes and Comments Editor of the Syracuse Law Review and was an active member of the Moot Court Board. Hinda joined the firm in 1991 and practices in all areas of general liability with an emphasis on appellate practice. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1985 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts, the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, the United States Court of Appeal for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. Hinda was voted by her peers as one of Florida's Leading Civil Appellate Attorneys, has been chosen as a "Florida Super Lawyer" in Florida Super Lawyers magazine in 2006-2009 and is listed in the 2009 Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers. She has also published articles in Trial Magazine and Trial Advocate Quarterly and has been rated by the legal website Avvo.com as a "Superb" practitioner. Hinda has been board certified in appellate practice since 1995 and is a charter member of the Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section. In addition, Hinda was Chairman of the Broward County Bar Association Appellate Practice Committee, a Board Member and Master Bencher in the Steven Booher Inns of Court, and is a member of The Florida Bar Appellate Rules Committee. Hinda is also AV® rated in the Martindale-Hubbell legal directory. Hinda lives in Boca Raton with her husband, Rich. When not in the office, she enjoys reading, music and travel. Email: hklein@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Chad A. Klosky was born in Miami Beach, Florida. Chad earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 2004, where he was a University of Florida Outstanding Student. He then earned his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University in 2007. Chad practices in the Firm’s Property Department, which primarily handles first-party property damage claims and coverage matters. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2008 and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts. Chad is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Miami-Dade County Bar Association and the Jewish Community Services. Email: cklosky@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Scott Klotzman was born in Yonkers, New York. Scott earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont in 2000, and his Juris Doctor from Quinnipiac University School of Law in 2005. Scott practices in the firm's Property Department, which primarily handles first-party property damage claims and coverage matters. Scott has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2007, and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Email: sklotzman@conroysimberg.com
Partner Tampa Michael Kraft was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned his Bachelors of Business Administration degree from George Washington University in 1993. Michael received his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami in 1996. Michael has always practiced in the Insurance Defense field and joined Conroy, Simberg, et al. in 2000. He continues to practice in all areas of general liability and has been the managing partner of the liability division of the firm’s Tampa office since 2006. He has handled and tried numerous complex claims, including wrongful death, products liability, environmental law, construction defects, premises liability, malpractice and automobile liability cases. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1996 and is admitted to practice before all Florida State Courts and the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. In addition, Michael is a member of the American Bar Association and the DRI. Michael, an avid runner and cyclist, lives with his wife, Kim, and their two dogs in Tampa. Email: mkraft@conroysimberg.com
Named Partner Hollywood Scott D. Krevans was born in Queens, New York, earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and his Juris Doctor from Nova University. Scott is a trial lawyer who practices in all areas of defense litigation, including bad faith, premises and products liability, environmental law, automobile liability, legal malpractice, agent errors and omissions, architects, engineers and accounting matters, public municipality liability, as well as coverage disputes, and the defense of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. He is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. In addition, he is a member of the American Bar Association, the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, and the Defense Research Institute. Since his admission to the Bar, Scott has litigated cases throughout Florida. Scott has also lectured extensively on bad faith and extra-contractual liability, and is AV® rated. Scott and his wife, Deena, have two daughters, Juliana and Emma, and reside in Boca Raton. Email: skrevans@conroysimberg.com Layman, Shawn Associate West Palm Beach Shawn Layman was born in Duluth, Minnesota. Shawn earned his undergraduate degree from Florida State University in 2003 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2007. Shawn practices in all areas of workers' compensation. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2007 and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts. Email: slayman@conroysimberg.com
Partner Tampa Katherine G. Letzter was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina and has been a member of the firm since 1995. Since joining the firm, she has practiced exclusively in the defense of workers' compensation cases. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1989 and her Juris Doctor from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in 1994. Prior to attending law school, she worked full time as a registered nurse in the surgical intensive care/open heart unit at North Shore University Hospital in New York. Katherine has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1995 and is admitted and licensed to practice law before the Florida state courts. In addition, she is admitted and licensed to practice law in the States of New York and New Jersey, with admission to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. She also holds a license as a Registered Professional Nurse from the State of New York. Katherine manages the workers' compensation division of the firm's Tampa office. Email: kletzter@conroysimberg.com
Associate West Palm Beach Melissa Lewis was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Melissa earned her undergraduate degree in 2001 from Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, Florida and her Juris Doctor in 2004 from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida. Melissa practices in the area of general liability. She is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Melissa has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2005. Email: mlewis@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Jessika X. Lorie was born in Miami, Florida. Jessika received her undergraduate degree from Florida Atlantic University in 1996, and her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 2001. Jessika practices in all areas of workers' compensation and is admitted to practice before all Florida State courts. Jessika has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2001, and is a member of the American Bar Association, the Dade County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section, and the Cuban American Bar Association. Email: jlorie@conroysimberg.com
Partner Orlando Rodney C. Lundy was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and earned his undergraduate degree from Washington & Lee University in 1985 and his Juris Doctor from the Nova University in 1988. Rod also attended William & Mary College of Law and earned his LL.M. in tax law in 1989. He practices in all areas of general liability. Rod has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1989 and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Middle and Southern District of Florida and all Florida state courts. He is also a member of the Orange County Bar Association. Email: rlundy@conroysimberg.com
Named Partner West Palm Beach John Lurvey was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and then raised in South Florida. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 1980. John was then awarded an internship in the State of Florida Governor's Office. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida in 1984. While in law school, John was selected as a teaching fellow. Following law school he served as a member of and was then elected Chairman of the Civil Service Board for the City of North Miami Beach. John practices in all areas of general liability. He has handled and tried numerous complex claims, including wrongful death, products liability, environmental law, sexual harassment, construction defects, premises liability, errors and omissions and automobile liability cases. He is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to practice before all courts of the State of Florida and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. He is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association. John has lectured at numerous continuing education seminars and before the Palm Beach County Bar Association. He has received an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell. John was elected by his peers to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). He is a former member of the American Inns of Court. He is listed in Madison’s Who’s Who of Business Professionals. One of his trials was a death case which resulted in a defense verdict and was featured nationally on Court TV and selected by Verdict Search as one of the Top 20 Defense Verdicts in the country for 2003. John and his wife, Susan, reside in Jupiter, Florida with their children, Julia and Joey. Email: jlurvey@conroysimberg.com Mallett, Dean R. Associate Hollywood Dean R. Mallett grew up in Bowling Green, Ohio. He earned his B.A. in philosophy, cum laude, from the University of Toledo in 2004. He earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, and Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Miami in 2007 and 2008, respectively. As an active member of the Moot Court Board during law school, Dean received the Best Written Brief Award at the 2006 Robert Orseck Memorial Florida State Moot Court Competition, was a finalist at the ABA Regional Negotiation Competition at Texas Tech University, and graduated in the Order of Barristers. Dean also served as the Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP Fellow for the University of Miami Center For Ethics & Public Service. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2009 and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts. Dean practices in the firm's Property Department, which primarily handles first-party property damage claims and coverage matters. Email: dmallett@conroysimberg.com Mannino, Jillian M. Associate Tampa Jillian May Mannino was born in Clearwater, Florida. Jillian earned her undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida in 2002 and her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2005. Jillian practices in all areas of general liability. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2005 and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts. Jillian is also a member of the Hillsborough Bar Association and the Florida Bar, Young Lawyers Division. Email: jmannino@conroysimberg.com Matthis, Kirsten Associate Tallahassee Kirsten Hope Matthis was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Kirsten earned her undergraduate degree from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 2004 and her Juris Doctor from Florida State University in 2007. Kirsten practices in all areas of insurance defense. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2007 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Email: kmatthis@conroysimberg.com
Associate West Palm Beach Robert J. Mayer was born in New York City, New York. Rob earned his undergraduate degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1973 and his Juris Doctor from Albany Law School in 1976. Rob practices in the areas of general liability and has been a member of the New York State Bar since 1977 and a member of the Florida Bar since 2004. He is admitted to practice before all Florida and New York State courts, the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Email: rjmayer@conroysimberg.com
Partner Hollywood Thomas Jeffrey McCausland was born in Washington, D.C. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland in 1978 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore in 1981. Tom practices in the area of general liability and environmental law. Tom has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1985 and is admitted to practice before all Florida and Maryland state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. In addition, Tom has been awarded an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and is a member of the Defense Research Institute. Email: tmccausland@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Melissa McDavitt was born in Plantation, Florida. Melissa earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 2001, and her Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude, from Nova Southeastern University in 2007. She practices in all areas of insurance defense. Melissa has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2007, and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Email: mmcdavitt@conroysimberg.com
Associate Tampa Starlene Dawn McGory was born in Tampa, Florida. Starlene earned her undergraduate degree from Florida State University in 1986 and her Juris Doctor from Loyola School of Law - New Orleans in 1996. Starlene practices in the area of workers' compensation. Prior to joining the firm, Starlene practiced in all areas of general liability. Starlene has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1996. She is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Starlene is also a member of the Hillsborough Bar Association. Email: smcgory@conroysimberg.com
Associate Orlando Robert McLean was born in Ferndale, Michigan. Rob earned his undergraduate degree from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in 1988, his Master of Arts degree from the University of North Florida in 1990, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida in 1996. Rob was a Trial Court Staff Attorney for three years, and currently practices in all areas of liability - trials and appeals. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1996, and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and the United States Supreme Court. Rob is a former President of the Marion County Bar Association and is active in the American Inns of Court. Email: rmclean@conroysimberg.com
Associate West Palm Beach Crystalin C. Medeiros was born in Providence, Rhode Island. Crystalin earned her undergraduate degree from Northeastern University in 2003 and her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from St. Thomas University in 2008. During law school, Crystalin was an active Law Review and Moot Court member. She also participated in the Florida Distinguished Students Program where she served as a Florida Supreme Court Intern for Justice Cantero. Crystalin practices in the area of workers' compensation. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2008 and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts. Email: cmedeiros@conroysimberg.com
Associate Miami Rachel Hope Minetree was born in Leesburg, Virginia. Rachel earned her undergraduate degree from Emory and Henry College in 1998 and her Juris Doctor from University of Dayton in 2001. She practices in the area of general liability. Rachel has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2001 and is admitted to practice before all Florida State Courts. Rachel is also a member of the Dade County Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Email: rminetree@conroysimberg.com
Associate West Palm Beach Katherine Ann Mockler was born in Boynton Beach, Florida. Katherine Mockler earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 2002 and her Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University in 2005. Katherine practices in the area of workers' compensation. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2005 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Email: kmockler@conroysimberg.com
Associate West Palm Beach Michael R. Morley was born in West Palm Beach, Florida. Michael earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 2002 and his Juris Doctor from Stetson College of Law in 2005. He is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2005 and practices in all aspects of general liability. Email: mmorley@conroysimberg.com
Named Partner Orlando John L. Morrow was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He came to Florida to attend the University of Miami where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1981 and a Masters in Business Administration in 1983. John received his Juris Doctor from Nova University in 1987. John began his legal career as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Miami Beach and joined Conroy, Simberg, Ganon, Krevans, Abel, Lurvey, Morrow & Schefer's Orlando office in January, 1996 and heads the liability division in that office. John practices in all areas of insurance defense litigation, including civil rights, products liability, environmental law, wrongful death, construction defects, premises and automobile liability, personal injury protection (PIP) and first party litigation. John is a member of the Florida Bar and the Orange County Bar Association. He is admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. John and his wife, Kathy, live in Orlando with their daughters, Shelby and Lindsey. Email: jmorrow@conroysimberg.com
Partner Hollywood Michael J. Paris was born in Long Island, New York. He earned his undergraduate degree in 1971 from the University of Miami and his Juris Doctor from Nova University in 1977. Michael is a former Assistant State Attorney and Assistant Public Defender for Broward County, Florida and has also taught as an Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University Law School. Michael practices in all areas of general liability with an emphasis on products liability, transportation/trucking liability, construction defects and third-party litigation, negligent security, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and errors and omissions. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1977 and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and the United States Court of Appeal, Fifth and Eleventh Circuits. Michael and his wife, Nancy, reside in Hollywood, Florida. He enjoys motorcycling, photography and traveling. Email: mparis@conroysimberg.com
Associate West Palm Beach Jennifer L. Parker was born in Gainesville, Florida. Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree, cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2006, and her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2009. During law school, Jennifer served as vice-president of the Women's Law Student Association and was recognized for her service to the community with the Pro Bono Honors Award. Jennifer practices in all areas of general liability. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2009, and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts. Email: jparker@conroysimberg.com
Partner West Palm Beach Christian Petric was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He relocated to Florida in 1979. Christian earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida in 1994 and his Juris Doctor in 1999 from the University of Miami School of Law. Christian has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1999 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. He practices in all areas of workers' compensation and has extensive experience with complex workers' compensation litigation such as catastrophic claims, exposure/occupational disease claims and with the heart and lung bill. He has successfully litigated cases in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Broward Counties. Christian is certified by the State of Florida as a lecturer in all areas of workers' compensation law. He has spoken at numerous client seminars, firm seminars and general continuing education seminars on such topics as: permanent total disability, average weekly wage, the 120 day rule, major contributing cause, case law updates, third party lien resolution/subrogation, claims handling techniques and workers' compensation for employers. Christian has dual citizenship as a U.S. and Croatian citizen and he speaks fluent Croatian. When he is not practicing law he enjoys fishing, furniture making, traveling, skiing and spending time with his family. Email: cpetric@conroysimberg.com
Associate Fort Myers Jason J. Pieczonka was born in Buffalo, New York. Jason earned his undergraduate degree from Case Western Reserve University in 2004 and his Juris Doctor and Masters in Business Administration from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2007. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2007. Jason practices in all areas of general liability. He is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts. Email: jpieczonka@conroysimberg.com
Partner Orlando Jayne Ann Skrzysowski Pittman was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Jayne earned her undergraduate and masters degrees from the University of Scranton in 1994 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami in 1997. Jayne practices in all areas of liability with a specialty in construction litigation and complex multi party litigation in federal/state courts and arbitrations. At the firm's Orlando office, she is the head of the construction division. Prior to joining the firm, Jayne served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAGC) for six years, stationed with the 82nd Airborne Division and U.S. Army Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She served as a prosecutor and defense attorney and an administrative law attorney. She was an airborne soldier with over 25 parachute operations. Her last assignment was providing legal advice to the commanding general of the U.S. Army Special Forces Command during recent military operations against terrorism. Jayne has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1997. Jayne is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Jayne resides in Orlando with her husband, Mike, and two dogs, Captain and Bailey. Email: jpittman@conroysimberg.com
Associate Orlando Bryan Steven Resnick was born in Detroit, Michigan. Bryan earned both his undergraduate degree and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida in 1998 and 2002, respectively. Bryan practices in all areas of general liability. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2002 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Bryan is also a member of the Orange County Bar Association. Email: bresnick@conroysimberg.com
Associate Fort Myers Ashley D. Roberts was born in Lexington, Virginia. Ashley received her undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University in 1994 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida in 1997. Ashley practices in all areas of workers' compensation and heads the workers' compensation division of the firm's Fort Myers office. Ashley has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1998 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Email: aroberts2@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Stephanie A. Robinson was born in New York City, relocating to Hollywood, Florida in 1972. She earned a Bachelors of Arts in Economics from the University of Florida in 1992 and a Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law in 1996. Stephanie has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1996, practicing in all areas of workers' compensation. Stephanie also handles appeals, having argued before the First District Court of Appeals. She has also been a member of the Florida Bar Workers' Compensation Section since 1997. She is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Email: srobinson@conroysimberg.com Roero, Nicole E. Associate West Palm Beach Nicole Elaine Roero was born in North Miami Beach, Florida. Nicole earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida in 2001 and her Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University in 2006. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2006. Nicole practices in all areas of workers’ compensation and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Email: nroero@conroysimberg.com
Associate West Palm Beach Marni Rogalsky was born in Miami, Florida. Marni earned her undergraduate degree from Tulane University in 1988 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami in 1991. Marni practices in all areas of liability. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1991 and is also a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association. Marni is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Email: mrogalsky@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood David S. Rothenberg was born in Brooklyn, New York. David earned his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Florida Atlantic University in 2003 and his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University in 2006. During law school, David served as Justice of the Fleming Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, on the Board of Editors of Moot Court Honor Society, as well as competing in the Tulane National Invitational Competition twice. Upon graduation, David was inducted into the Order of Barristers. David practices in all areas of general liability. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2006 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States Federal District Court for the Northern and Middle Districts of Florida. David currently serves as District Justice of Southern Florida for Phi Alpha Delta. Email: drothenberg@conroysimberg.com
Partner West Palm Beach Esther Zapata Ruderman was born in Key West, Florida. She earned her undergraduate degree in 1985 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida in 1988. While attending law school, Esther was a member of the University of Florida Trial Team and an editor for the University of Florida, Journal of Law and Public Policy. Esther also taught business at the College of Business. She practices in all areas of workers' compensation. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1989 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. In addition, she is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and the Hispanic Bar Association of Palm Beach County. Esther lives in Wellington with her husband, Marc, and her two children, Joshua and Sarah. Email: eruderman@conroysimberg.com
Associate West Palm Beach Kelly Bennison Schaet was born in Hollywood, Florida. Kelly earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 1987 and her Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University in 1993. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1993. Kelly practices in all areas of workers’’ compensation. Kelly has distinct expertise in the defense of “presumptive statutes” such as heart and lung claims and those under the First Responder’s Bill. Prior to joining the firm, Kelly practiced in the areas of criminal law, personal injury and personal injury protection. She is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Kelly is also a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Email: kschaet@conroysimberg.com Scharf, Bram Associate Jacksonville Bram L. Scharf was born in Miami, Florida. Bram earned his Bachelor’s degree from Stetson University in 1991 and his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in 1994. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1995 and he is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. From 1994 through 2002, Bram served as an assistant State Attorney in the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Jacksonville, Florida where he participated in more than 100 jury trials. Bram has served as an adjunct professor at the Florida Coastal School of Law, given numerous lectures on the criminal and civil prosecution of insurance fraud and is a Certified Florida Residential Contractor. Since leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bram has represented insurers and their insureds in various areas of civil litigation. Email: bscharf@conroysimberg.com
Named Partner West Palm Beach Alison J. Schefer was born in Bronxville, New York and moved to Florida in 1978. Alison earned her undergraduate degree from Stetson University in 1984 with a major in finance. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida School of Law in December, 1986. Thereafter, Alison moved to the State of New Jersey where she was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1987. While in New Jersey, Alison practiced with two general practice firms and gained extensive litigation experience in both civil and criminal courts. She was also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Alison moved back to Florida and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1990. Since her admission, Alison has specialized exclusively in the defense of workers' compensation cases and has litigated cases in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Broward Counties. In addition to being a member of the Florida and New Jersey Bars, Alison is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the Friends of 440. Alison has lectured at the Florida Workers' Compensation Convention, to the Association of Claims Professionals, at the Florida Prima Conference and at firm seminars on topics such as death benefits, compensability, ethics, apportionment, exposure claims, the defense of permanent total disability claims, and on mediation strategies. In December, 2002 she was honored to be named the Treasure Coast's Outstanding Workers' Compensation Defense Attorney. Alison is currently the co-chairperson of the Workers' Compensation Committee of the Florida Defense Lawyer's Association. In 2007, Alison was honored to receive the Kenny Edwards Award for Excellence in advocacy and ethics. She was also recently selected to be a guest faculty member for the Florida Bar's Trial Advocacy Seminar. Alison lives in West Palm Beach, Florida with her husband, Lee, and their two children, Ryan and Zack. Alison enjoys spending time with her family and is an avid baseball fan. Email: aschefer@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Stephanie A. Seligman was born in Miami, Florida. Stephanie received her undergraduate degree from the School of Journalism at Florida International University in 1996 and received her Juris Doctor in 2002 from Nova Southeastern University. Stephanie practices in the area of general liability. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2003 and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts. Email: sseligman@conroysimberg.com
Associate Fort Myers Joseph Michael Sette was born in Concord, Massachusetts. Joseph earned his undergraduate degree in 1987 from the University of California - Davis and his Juris Doctor in 1990 from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. Joseph practices in the area of general liability and coverage. He is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Joseph has been a member of the California Bar since 1990 and of the Florida Bar since 2005. Email: jsette@conroysimberg.com
Associate Tampa Kendra Shaw was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. Kendra earned her undergraduate degrees from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, in 1999, and her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 2004. Kendra practices in the area of first party property coverage and defense litigation. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2004, and is also a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association. Kendra is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Email: kshaw@conroysimberg.com
Founding Partner Hollywood As an undergraduate, Bruce Simberg attended Emory University and was awarded a B.B.A. in 1970. Accepted by the University of Miami Law School, Bruce earned his Juris Doctor in 1975. As an attorney, Bruce has concentrated on all types of litigation, with an emphasis on products liability, construction disputes and personal injuries, professional liability, and negligent security. Bruce Simberg joined Tom Conroy in founding Conroy & Simberg, P.A. in 1979. Today at Conroy, Simberg, Ganon, Krevans, Abel, Lurvey, Morrow & Schefer, P.A., Bruce directs the liability department, utilizing his expertise in all areas of insurance defense. Bruce is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to practice as a member of the Trial Bar before the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, as well as the United States Supreme Court. In addition, he is a member of the American Bar Association, the Dade County Bar Association, the Broward County Bar Association, the Palm Beach County Bar Association, the Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention, the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, the Defense Research Institute, the South Florida Claims Association, the International Association of Defense Counsel and The Florida Bar Grievance committee. In 2004, the South Florida Legal Guide recognized Bruce as one of South Florida's Leading Attorneys. He and his wife, Elissa, live in Boca Raton. An avid sports enthusiast, Bruce enjoys playing racquetball, skiing and yoga. Email: bsimberg@conroysimberg.com
Partner Hollywood Daniel J. Simpson was born in Rivervale, New Jersey and moved to Florida in 1978. Danny, the youngest of six children, grew up in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and is a graduate of Cardinal Newman High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Georgia Southern University in 1996, with a major in general business. He received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Stetson University College of Law in December, 1999. While in Law School, Danny clerked for a Federal Magistrate of the Middle District of Florida and interned with the in-house counsel for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Following graduation, he was admitted to the Florida Bar in April of 2000. Upon admittance, Danny immediately went to work for the firm in our West Palm Beach office where he has specialized in the defense of workers' compensation claims and has litigated cases throughout the State in Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Hendry, Duval and Lee Counties. In addition to being a member of the Florida Bar, he is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Northern Palm Beach County Republican Party and the Treasure Coast Chapter of the Friends of 440, where he served as the chairman of the annual 440 Golf Tournament from 2004-2006. Danny has lectured at numerous seminars, firm and otherwise, on topics such as implementing an effective defense strategy regarding catastrophic injuries, special requirements for compensability, expert medical advisors, fraud, emergency medical hearings, the defense of permanent total disability claims, tort immunity and on mediation strategies. He has also had the opportunity to successfully litigate complex claims including, the heart and lung bill, fraud and other compensability issues. Danny is now managing the Workers’ Compensation Division of our Hollywood Office and lives in Tequesta, Florida with his wife, Elaine, and their two children, Liam and Emma. He delights in spending time with his family and also enjoys tennis, baseball, politics, history and jazz music. Email: dsimpson@conroysimberg.com
Associate Jacksonville Michael S. Sperounes was born in Carbondale, Illinois. He attended Occidental College and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida in 1985 and his Juris Doctor from Stetson College of Law in 1989. Michael has twenty years of trial experience, handling numerous complex claims, including wrongful death, products liability, transportation/trucking liability, negligent security, professional liability, construction defects, premises liability, and automobile liability cases. He continues to practice in all areas of general and professional liability defense and is now the managing attorney of the liability division of our firm’s Jacksonville office. Prior to joining Conroy, Simberg, Ganon, Krevans, Abel, Lurvey, Morrow & Schefer, P.A. in 2006, Michael spent some time as a consultant with the United States Department of Justice combating liability insurance fraud. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1990 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Email: msperounes@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood John S. Stevens was born and raised in southeast Louisiana. After graduating from Louisiana State University Medical Center-New Orleans in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science, cum laude, John practiced as a Registered Respiratory Therapist for nine years in both New Orleans, Louisiana and Atlanta, Georgia, while also serving as an officer in the Louisiana Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve from 1987-1996. John received his Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law in 2000 and practiced law in Georgia for nine years before relocating to Florida. John is licensed to practice before all Florida state courts, all Georgia state courts, and is admitted to the United States District Courts for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida and the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia. In addition to The Florida Bar and State Bar of Georgia, John is a member of the American Bar Association, Georgia Defense Lawyers Association and Defense Research Institute. John's practice is concentrated on the defense of acute and long term health care institutions and individual providers in medical litigation claims and the defense of products liability matters. Email: jstevens@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Darlene Stosik was born in Miami, Florida. Darlene earned her undergraduate degree with highest honors from Florida International University in 1978 and her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami in 1982. During law school, Darlene served as Articles and Comments Editor for the University of Miami Law Review, participated in Moot Court and Mock Trial competition and was a member of the Society of Wig and Robe. Darlene practices in all areas of general liability with an emphasis on medical malpractice. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1982 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Darlene is a member of the Broward County Bar Association, American Bar Association, Florida Defense Lawyers’ Association, and the Florida Medical Malpractice Claims Council, Inc. (FMMCCI). Email: dstosik@conroysimberg.com Struble, Matthew Associate Hollywood Matthew Struble was born in New Jersey. Matt attended Temple University on a tennis scholarship and earned his undergraduate degree from Temple in 2007. He earned his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University in 2009, where he was a Law Review Member. His writing chosen for publication was 34 Nova. L. Rev. Seminole Gaming Compact Part II: Whether Senate Bill 788 Satisfies the Compact Process Requirements as Written. Also at Nova Southeastern University, Matt became a member of Moot Court by advancing to the semi-final round at the Feinrider Upper Class Moot Court Competition. Matt practices in the Firm’s Property Department, which primarily handles first-party property damage claims and coverage matters. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2010 and is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts. Email: mstruble@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Stephen Stukey was born in Panama City, Florida. Stephen earned his Bachelors of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida in 1998, and his Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law - Newark in 2004. Stephen practices in the areas of construction and insurance defense litigation. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2004. Stephen is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts. Email: sstukey@conroysimberg.com
Associate Tampa Eric M. Thorn was born in Danbury, New Jersey, however later relocated to Melbourne, Florida where he grew up and considers home. He practices in the areas of commercial litigation, construction litigation, employment law, long-term care litigation, medical malpractice, personal injury and casualty defense. Eric received his Bachelors Degree in Biology from Vassar College and a Masters Degree from the University of Florida wherein he specialized in Muscle Physiology and Biochemistry. Eric later received his Juris Doctor from Stetson University, College of Law. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2001, and is admitted to practice before all Courts in the State of Florida, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. Eric is also a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, American Inns of Court, Tampa Bay Inns of Court, and the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund. Email: ethorn@conroysimberg.com
Partner Jacksonville Christopher A. Tice was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Christopher earned his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from the University of Florida in 1993 with a major in Telecommunications with a concentration in business management. He earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami in 1997. While in law school, he received several distinguished honors and awards and became a Dean's Fellow. As a Dean's Fellow, he worked alongside law professors to provide enhanced teaching for law students enrolled in Constitutional Law. Before becoming an attorney, he was a certified legal intern who clerked in family law for the Legal Aid Society of Dade County. Chris has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1997 and the Georgia bar since 2005. He is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and Georgia state courts. Chris began his career with the firm in the Ft. Myers office in 1998, moved to the Orlando office in 2000, and opened the Jacksonville office in 2005. He practices in all areas of workers’ compensation in counties throughout the state including Duval, Nassau, Baker, Columbia, Union, Bradford, Clay, St. Johns, Putnam, Alachua, and Marion. He has practiced in Flagler, Volusia, Lake, Seminole, Orange, Brevard, Osceola, Polk, Highlands, Hardee, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Levy, and Taylor County. He also practices workers' compensation throughout the state of Georgia. Chris has lectured at a number of seminars including the West Coast Regional Case Management Association, Duval Builders Association and firm seminars on a variety of workers' compensation topics including defenses, ethics, case law update, permanent total disability, apportionment and contribution, the going and coming rule, immunity and death claims. He is a member of the Jacksonville Bar Association, E. Robert Williams American Inn of Court, American Bar Association, Georgia Bar Workers Compensation Section, Atlanta Claims Association and the Jacksonville Ski Club. Christopher manages the Jacksonville office workers’ compensation division for Northeast Florida and Georgia. He lives in Jacksonville with his wife, Mary, and their two children, Jacob and Maxton. In his leisure time, he enjoys skiing, golf, tennis, physical fitness, live music, hiking, and spending time with his family. Email: ctice@conroysimberg.com
Partner Orlando Lisa Torron-Bautista was born in Miami, Florida. She earned her undergraduate degree from Florida International University in 1989 and her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law in 1993. Lisa practices in all areas of workers' compensation, Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, and Defense Base Act. Lisa heads the workers' compensation division of our Orlando office and specializes in the defense of Longshore claims for the entire State of Florida as well as Defense Base Act throughout the country. Lisa has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1993 and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Lisa is also a member of the Washington, D.C. Bar and is admitted to practice before all courts in that jurisdiction. In addition, she is a member of the American Bar Association, the Cuban American Bar Association, the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, the Orange County Bar Association, and the Dade County Bar Association. Lisa also graduated from the National Guild of Piano Teachers with a teaching degree in piano. She has always been involved with music and was a member of the Miami Music Teachers' Association for many years. Lisa and her husband, Ralph, live in Orlando, Florida with twins, Emma and Marcus. Email: ltorronbautista@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood Damary Valle was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Damary earned her undergraduate degree from Florida International University in 2002, and her Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University in 2006. She practices in all areas of insurance defense with an emphasis on third party claims. Damary has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2007 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. Damary is also a member of the Hispanic National Bar Association. Email: dvalle@conroysimberg.com
Associate Pensacola Jonathan E. Walker was born in Selma, Alabama. Jonathan received his undergraduate degree from the University of West Florida in 1988 and his Juris Doctor from Samford University's Cumberland School of Law in 1997. Jonathan practices in the area of workers' compensation. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1997 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts. In addition, Jonathan is a member of the Escambia/Santa Rosa and Okaloosa-Walton Bar Associations. Email: jwalker@conroysimberg.com Warner, J. Steven Associate West Palm Beach J. (Jay) Steven Warner was born in Brooklyn, New York. Steven attended the University of Miami where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1978 and his Juris Doctor in 1981. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1982. Steven practices in all areas of general and professional liability and insurance defense. He is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts, the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Steven is also a member of the National Association of Subrogation Professionals. Email: swarner@conroysimberg.com Weiss, I. David Associate Hollywood David Weiss was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in Long Beach, Long Island. David earned his undergraduate degree from Adelphi University in 1982, and his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2002. David practices in all areas of liability. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2002, and admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Email: dweiss@conroysimberg.com
Associate Tampa Robert Wilder was born in Chicago, Illinois. Robert earned his undergraduate degree from Benedictine University in 1990 and his Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School in 1998. He is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts, all Illinois state courts and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2009 and the Illinois Bar since 1998. Email: rwilder@conroysimberg.com
Partner Hollywood Michael K. Wilensky was born in Yonkers, New York and has lived in South Florida since age 5. He earned his undergraduate degree with honors in 1977 and his Juris Doctor in 1980, both from Florida State University. Michael has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1980 and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts, United States Court of Appeal for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Practice areas include a broad range of general liability (premises liability, products liability, automobile liability, wrongful death arising from various alleged torts, negligent security, and many other negligence and tort claims), and construction related claims (including job site accidents/injuries/wrongful death, construction defects, coverage and indemnity issues, and alleged fraudulent liens). Michael has had well in excess of fifty jury trials, mostly in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, but has also litigated cases on client request all over the state including jury trials in Tampa, Ocala, Fort Myers, West Palm Beach and Key West. Michael and his wife Connie live in Sunrise. They have a daughter and two sons. Email: mwilensky@conroysimberg.com
Partner Miami Edward N. Winitz was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He earned his B.B.A. from Temple University in 1969 and his Juris Doctor in 1972 from the University of Toledo College of Law where he was a member of its Law Review. After graduation, he served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Earl Chudoff of the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia. After a brief period in private practice with a large Philadelphia law firm, Eddie attended both the law and medical schools at Case Western Reserve University and earned his LL.M.(Master of Laws) in Law and Medicine in 1976. For eight years, beginning in 1977, Eddie was Adjunct Professor of Law at Nova Law School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida teaching Law and Medicine and Medical Malpractice Litigation while practicing full time in the area of medical malpractice litigation. Eddie has been a member of the Pennsylvania Bar since 1972, the Florida Bar since 1973, and the Washington, D.C. Bar since 1975. He is admitted to practice before all Florida and Pennsylvania state courts; the United States Supreme Court; the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, and the United States Courts of Appeal for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits. He is also a member of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Dade County Trial Lawyers Association, Dade County Bar Association, American College of Legal Medicine, and the American Society of Law and Medicine. Email: ewinitz@conroysimberg.com
Associate Hollywood H Ross Zelnick was born in Hollywood, Florida. Ross earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with majors in Finance, Management and Marketing from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis in 2002. He received his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center in 2008. While attending law school, Ross served as a Staff Member for the ILSA Journal of International and Comparative Law. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2008 and is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association. Ross practices in all areas of general liability and insurance defense and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Email: rzelnick@conroysimberg.com |
