Biography
Judy focuses her practice on the defense of complex personal injury and significant property damage actions. With over two decades of experience in defending clients as a senior trial attorney for two major international insurance companies, she has successfully litigated major Labor Law, products liability, elevator, trucking, environmental and premises liability cases through trial. Judy zealously advocates her client's position while keeping defense costs in mind. She has represented clients ranging from major construction companies, real estate management companies, product manufacturers, distributors, municipalities, hotels and major retailers to small retail chains, pharmacies, and small businesses.
Judy strongly believes that a high quality defense can be provided in a cost effective manner. To that end, she regularly meets with clients to fully understand their business needs and develop a resolution strategy that includes dispositive motions, pursuing risk transfer, mediations, and trials. She understands the importance of pre-litigation investigation and the early retention of experts, which can be key to mounting a successful defense. In addition to her position as a senior trial attorney, she was a Labor Law Team Leader for AIG Staff Counsel, providing insight and supervision to the Labor Law attorneys, and conducting seminars. During her sixteen years at AIG, Judy was tapped to become the Head of the Property Subrogation Practice Group and established the subrogation practice in New York and California. Prior to her tenure at AIG, she was a senior trial attorney for Zurich North America, where she successfully defended medical malpractice, Labor Law, premises liability, motor vehicle and major property damage cases. While at Zurich, Judy created and managed the subrogation practice involving fire loss, building collapse, explosions, water damage, legal fee and worker's compensation lien recovery, and no-fault loss transfer. Judy was recognized throughout the company for her expertise in the field of no-fault loss transfer.
Prior to her defense practice, Judy spent fourteen years as a plaintiff's attorney for two major plaintiff's firms, concentrating her practice on Labor Law, medical malpractice, premises liability, and trucking accidents. Her unique insight into how the other side thinks has made her a firm believer in the "know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em" strategy when resolving cases.
When she is not working, Judy enjoys working out, barre classes, travelling, reading and spending time with her husband Ken, three grown children and her dog Ollie.
Education
Boston College Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1986
St. John's University, B.A., cum laude, 1983
Professional Leadership
Former Labor Law Team Leader for AIG
Former Head of the Property Subrogation Practice Group for AIG
Former New York Subrogation Practice Head at Zurich
Representative Matters
Successfully litigated a wrongful death trucking accident case involving an oversize vehicle for a major Canadian trucking firm through trial.
Obtained a favorable trial verdict for a safety company in a major Labor Law case involving a 32 year old construction laborer in which the verdict amount, even after interest accrued during the appellate process, was less than the amount offered in pre-trial settlement negotiations.
Obtained a summary judgment dismissal for a product distributor in a products liability action involving a two year old infant plaintiff who poured drain cleaner over her head, causing significant facial scarring and permanent disfigurement. This case had an eight figure verdict value.
Obtained a defense verdict for a major religious establishment in an alleged slip and fall on ice case, after establishing through the admission of medical records and other evidence that the accident, which was not recorded on videotape, did not occur on my client's premises.
Community
Catholic Migration Services, volunteer for asylum and naturalization clinics
Presentations
"Common HVAC Challenges and Subrogation Opportunities," CEU Institute, Continuing Legal Education Western World & AIG Property & Casualty Claims, April 19, 2023
"Reverse Engineering of Complex Fires," CEU Institute, Continuing Legal Education Western World & AIG Property & Casualty Claims, April 19, 2022
"Lessons on Landlord Liability," Lexington Insurance Company-Continuing Insurance Education Course, October 20, 2017
"Emerging Trends in Excess Casualty Claims," CEU Institute AIG Property and Casualty Claims, Alpharetta, Georgia, June 12, 2015
"Serious Injury vs. Grave Injury," Claims Presentation AIG Private Client Group, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, October 20, 2014
"Evaluating Damages in Labor Law Cases," Claims Presentation AIG Property and Casualty Claims, Alpharetta, Georgia, June 15, 2011
"Joint and Several Liability," "Grave Injury Under the Worker's Compensation Law," and
"Worker's Compensation Lien Recovery," Claims Presentation Zurich North America
Parsippany, New Jersey, May 2005
"Res Judicata/Collateral Estoppel," Claims Presentation Zurich North America,
Parsippany, New Jersey, October 2004