Biographies 

CARL PETE STEPHENS, JR. *
Born Miami, Florida, 1928. Admitted to bar, 1953, Florida. Legal education: University of Miami, graduated with honors, 1953. Member of Dade County Bar Association, Florida Bar Association. Past lecturer for Defense Research Institute (lectured for two days at DRI seminar in Toronto, Canada in May of 1980, "Defense Tactics and Trial Techniques"; lectured at DRI seminar in May of 1981, "The Defense of Excess Liability Cases"; lectured at DRI seminar in May of 1982, "Excess Liability Cases, Avoiding Them and Defending Them"). Handled all types of heavy litigation for insurance companies including all types of professional liability cases (including legal, accounting and medical malpractice); product liability cases; fidelity and dishonesty bond cases and insurance policy litigation.

*Retired Founding Partner.

JONATHON P. LYNN
Born Janesville, Wisconsin, 1947. Admitted to bar, 1972, Florida. Preparatory education: Exeter College Oxford University, Oxford, England; Lafayette College (A.B. 1969); legal education: Cornell University, graduated with honors; Order of the Coif, (J.D. 1972). Dade County Bar Association; Florida Bar Association; American Bar Association; Dade County Defense Bar Association; and Florida Defense Lawyers Association. Heavy trial experience involving personal injury of all types for insurance companies. Has been extensively involved in the defense of doctors and hospitals in professional liability cases and has assumed the responsibility for preparation and trial of numerous product liability suits. Frequent lecturer for various medical groups throughout Florida in the area of medical malpractice.

ROBERT MICHAEL KLEIN
Born New Haven, Connecticut, 1949. Admitted to bar, 1976, Florida; 1993, Massachusetts. Also: 1977, Florida Supreme Court; 1977, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; 1978, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; 1981, Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals; 1984, U.S. Supreme Court; 1988, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida; 1991, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida. Preparatory education: Franklin Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa. (B.A. 1971); legal education: Ohio Northern University (J.D. 1976), Manuscript Editor, Ohio Northern University Law Review. Clerk, Third District Court of Appeal (1976). Member Dade County Bar Association; Florida Bar Association; American Bar Association; Dade County Defense Bar Association; Florida Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Association; and American Board of Trial Advocates. Wrote papers for Defense Research Institute for Orlando presentation in 1979; Toronto, Canada in 1980 and Iowa in 1981; (these papers appeared in course books on "Bad Faith - - Defense Tactics and Trial Techniques.") Has handled all types of litigation for insurance companies and has done extensive appellate work in the District Courts of Appeal and Supreme Court of Florida, the Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal and the United States Supreme Court. Principally involved in the defense of professional liability cases (including legal, accounting and medical malpractice), product liability cases, surety, fidelity and dishonesty bond cases; and complex insurance coverage litigation. Considerable experience in multi-district product liability, CERCLA and coverage litigation, including defense of asbestos litigation at trial court level and coordination of multi-district defense teams for environmental and coverage litigation, and federally-based causes of action involving RICO and 1983 actions. Extensive experience in class action litigation involving both product liability and insurance coverage, underwriting, rate and premium matters. Has handled numerous appeals as amicus curiae before the Florida Supreme Court on behalf of major Florida medical malpractice carriers, the Florida Medical Association, the Florida Hospital Association, the American Medical Association and the Florida Defense Bar Association. Has lectured extensively for the Florida Bar on matters involving legal malpractice and trial practice, including presentation of one week seminar on trial techniques. Author of several chapters of Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education textbook on the trial of a legal malpractice action.

LOUIS J. LaCAVA
Born Bronx, New York, 1954. Admitted to bar, 1985, Florida. Admitted Federal Bar, Southern District of Florida, 1987, Middle District of Florida, 1995 and Northern District of Florida, 1996. Preparatory education: University of Florida (B.A. with honors, 1976). Legal education: Nova University (J.D., cum laude, 1985). Staff member Nova Law Journal, 1983-1985. Book awards in Evidence, Trial Advocacy and Federal Income Tax. Member Florida Bar Association, Hillsborough County Bar Association, West Coast Claims Association, Florida Defense Bar Association, Florida Medical Malpractice Claims Association, Extensively involved in defending professional negligence cases against physicians, hospitals and nursing homes. Also involved in representing physicians, nurses, dentists and psychologists in administrative actions initiated by the Department of Health and other administrative agencies. Additional experience in defending other types of professional negligence cases, including cases against lawyers, insurance agents and stock brokers as well as handling catastrophic general liability cases. Also involved in the defense of insurance companies in bad faith litigation. Frequent lecturer at risk management seminars for medical malpractice insurance companies and physician groups. Listed in Florida Super Lawyers 2006, 2007. Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2007, 2008. Martindale-Hubbell "AV" rated.

ILISA W. HOFFMAN
Born Miami Beach, Florida, 1957. Admitted to bar, 1982, Ohio; 1983, Florida. Admitted to U.S. District Court, North District of Ohio, 1983. Preparatory education: Ohio State University (B.S.S.W. 1979); legal education: Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (J.D. 1982). Member Florida Bar Association; Ohio State Bar Association; Florida Defense Bar Association; Dade County Defense Lawyers Association; Dade County Bar Association and Florida Association of Women Lawyers. Past Member of Board of Directors of Dade County Defense Bar Association. Member of the 11th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee of the Florida Bar. Elected as a member of ABOTA. Published article, "Women's Rights in the Criminal Justice System: Arrest to Trial, "Copyright (C) 1981. Principally involved in defense of medical and dental negligence cases, nursing home and hospital malpractice cases and general liability cases. Extensive jury trial experience in the defense of professional negligence cases. Representation of physicians, dentists and all health care providers in claims brought by the Florida Department of Health Care Administration. Frequent lecturer in areas of medical negligence, loss prevention and risk management. Annually recognized by peers as Florida Super Lawyer. Chosen as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in the State of Florida. AV rated litigation lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating available.

KEITH J. PUYA
Born Miami, Florida, 1957. Admitted to bar, 1986, Florida. Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 1993. Preparatory education: University of Florida (B.A. 1980); legal education: Nova University (J.D. 1983); Member Florida Bar Association; Palm Beach County Bar Association; American Bar Association; Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Principally involved in defending medical negligence cases against physicians and other health care providers, including nursing homes. Additional jury experience in defending dentists and lawyers and general liability cases. Has lectured in areas of medical negligence and risk management. Martindale-Hubbell "AV" rated.

GARY KHUTORSKY
Born Kiev, U.S.S.R., 1964. Admitted to bar, 1989, Florida. Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern and Middle Districts of Florida; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Preparatory education: University of Florida (B.S., B.A., with honors, 1986); legal education: University of Florida; Leiden University, Netherlands (J.D. 1989). Student Works Editor, Florida International Law Journal. Member Florida Bar Association; Dade County Bar Association; Florida Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Principally involved in the handling of appellate matters and all forms of insurance coverage litigation.

GREGORY S. GLASSER
Born Miami, Florida, 1968. Admitted to bar, 1994, Florida. Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (1995). Preparatory education: University of Texas at Austin (B.B.A., with honors, 1990); graduate education: University of Texas at Austin (M.B.A. 1991); Legal education: University of Florida College of Law (J.D., with honors, 1994). Member Florida Bar Association; American Bar Association; Dade County Bar Association. Principally involved in the defense of professional malpractice, automobile liability, premises liability and general liability.

KARI KATZMAN JACOBSON
Born Miami, Florida, 1967. Admitted to bar, 1992, Florida. Admitted to U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1994. Preparatory education: University of Florida (B.A. 1989); Legal education; University of Miami School of Law (J.D. 1992). Member: Florida Bar Association; American Bar Association, Hillsborough County Bar Association. Formerly an Assistant State Attorney for Dade County, and Pinellas County, Florida. Principally involved in the defense of employment discrimination, general liability, and professional liability claims.

CHARLES ANDREW THARP
Born LaJolla, California, January 24, 1961. Admitted to bar, 1988, Florida. Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida. Preparatory education: Occidental College (A.B. 1983); legal education: University of Miami (J.D. 1987). Member: Broward County Bar Association (Professional Responsibility Committee 2003-Present); Florida Defense Lawyers Association; ABA Standing Committee on Lawyer's Professional Liability. Presently involved in the defense of professional liability (including legal, accounting and insurance agent & broker malpractice) and product liability claims. Extensive involvement in handling premises, automobile and general liability cases as well as property insurance coverage issues. Martindale-Hubbell "AV" rated.

HOUSTON S. PARK III
Born Washington, D.C., 1944. Admitted to Florida Bar, 1993, District of Columbia Bar, 1994. Preparatory education: George Washington University (A.B., Design, 1967); legal education: University of Miami School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1992; Business Law Journal; Dean's Honor Scholarship; Dean's List; American Jurisprudence Book Awards: Commercial Law, Business Associations; Master of Laws, Taxation, 1993). Publications: "Innocent Mortgagees and In Rem Civil Forfeitures," University of Miami Business Law Journal, Spring 1993. Licensed Florida general contractor and real estate broker. Member Florida Bar Association; District of Columbia Bar Association; American Bar Association. Previous experience includes extensive criminal trial defense with Dade County, Florida Office of Public Defender. Presently engaged in defense of professional liability, product and general liability claims.

JASON M. AZZARONE
Born Paterson, New Jersey, 1970. Admitted to bar, 1998, Florida. Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (1999). Admitted to U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (2000). Preparatory education: William Paterson University (B.A., Magna Cum Laude, 1993); legal education: University of Miami School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1998). Moot Court Board. Member Florida Bar Association, American Bar Association, Dade County Bar Association, and the Hillsborough County Bar Association. Principally involved in defense of professional malpractice claims.

MICHAEL D. BURT
Born Lake County, Ohio, 1960. Admitted to bar, 1987, Florida, 1985, Ohio, United States Supreme Court, 1990, U.S.Court of Appeal, Middle District of Florida, 1996, United States Court of Military Appeals, 1986, United States Air Force Court of Military Review, 1989. Preparatory Education: The Ohio State University (B.A. 1982) (Phi Beta Kappa); Legal Education: Case Western Reserve University (J.D. 1985). Member: Florida Bar, Ohio Bar (inactive), Palm Beach County Bar Association; Leadership Palm Beach County. Previous experience includes extensive representation of health care providers and hospitals in all aspects of health care law, including medical malpractice claims, administrative and licensing actions, privileging and credentialing issues, contractual disputes, and other transactional matters. Extensive litigation experience at all levels of the trial and appellate process. Presently engaged in defense of health care providers and nursing homes in all manner of injury and damage claims, adverse administrative actions, and other matters.

ROBERT J. COUSINS
Born Dearborn, Michigan, 1950; admitted to bar, 1980, Florida; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; 1981, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth and Eleventh Circuits; U.S. Supreme Court. Education: LeMoyne College (B.A., 1972); Nova University (J.D., 1980). Alpha Sigma Nu. Member: Broward County Bar Association, The Florida Bar (Ethics Committee1993-94); Florida Defense Lawyers Association (President 1997); Defense Research Institute; Florida Medical Malpractice Claims Council (President 2002-03); Professional Liability Underwriting Society; International Association of Defense Counsel (Medical Malpractice Committee; Legal Malpractice Committee) Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education. Firm Member.

SHERRYLL MARTENS DUNAJ
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; admitted to the Florida and District of Columbia Bars; authorized to practice in all three Federal Districts in Florida (including the trial bars); admitted to the Eleventh, Fifth, and Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeals and before the United States Supreme Court. Education: graduate of the University of Wisconsin (B.S. with honors) and the University of Miami School of Law (J.D. cum laude); Associate Editor of the University of Miami Law Review (published multiple law review articles); member Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Alpha Delta, Society of Wig and Robe, and Society of Bar and Gavel; member Dade County Bar Association (service on many professional committees) and Florida Bar labor and employment law section. A former Federal judicial law clerk for the Honorable Charles B. Fulton (deceased), U.S. District Judge, Southern District of Florida. Former adjunct professor of law at the University of Miami School of Law, civil pre-trial skills, NITA sponsored program. Service as a mediator and arbitrator for the Department of Insurance and the National Association of Securities Dealers and a regular Lorman CLE speaker on pre-trial skills, civil procedure, and employment and labor law issues. Volunteer teacher, citizenship and naturalization preparation and English language skills. AV rated litigation and appellate lawyer in the following practice areas: commercial litigation, professional liability defense, employment and labor law, civil rights, Federal Court complex litigation.

JOSEPH H. LOWE
Born Bronx, New York, 1945. Admitted to the bar, 1979, Florida. Admitted to the U.S. District Court Southern (1979, including Trial Bar) and Middle District (1980):First (1989) and Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals (1981); U.S. Supreme Court (1985). Preparatory education: Baruch School of Business of the City College of New York (B.B.A. 1966): legal education: University of Miami (J.D. magna cum laude, 1979); Law Review, (1977-79). 1979 University Sturges Honor Scholar Award; Member the Florida Bar, Dade County Bar Association, The American Bar Association, Defense Research Institute. Member Civil Appellate Practice Committee of the Florida Bar Appellate Practice and Advocacy Section. Certified County and Circuit Court mediator. Past president, University of Miami Law Alumni Association. Extensive appellate practice as well as litigation practice involving the defense of non medical professional insurance coverage analysis and litigation; employment practice litigation including ERISA.

ROBERTA G. MANDEL
Born New York, New York, 1957. Admitted to bar, 1984, Florida; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 1985; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, 2005; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York (2005); Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals (1989); United States Supreme Court (1996). Preparatory Education: Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y. (B.A. with highest honors, 1979); Legal Education: University of Miami, School of Law (J.D. 1984). Board of Directors, Florida Association of Women Lawyers-Miami-Dade Chapter (2004-Present); State FAWL Amicus Committee; Dade County Bar Association; Florida Bar; Appointed Pro-Bono Coordinator of the Office of the Attorney General, Miami-Dade Criminal Appeals Division (1990-2004); Appointed Secretary of the Florida Bar Criminal Rules Committee, Florida Bar (2002-2003); Appointed member of the Florida Bar Appellate Court Rules Committee (2005-2009); Appointed member of the Executive Council of the Appellate Practice Section of the Florida Bar; Founding member of the Government Section of the Florida Bar. Member of the Defense Research Institute; Served as CLE Instructor in approximately 75 seminars presented to the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office; Awarded the 1996 Pro Bono Award by the Dade County Bar Association; Appointed Pro Bono Coordinator of the Miami-Dade Criminal Appeals Division of the Office of the Attorney General (1990-2004). Editorial Board of the Dade County Bar Association; Assistant Editor of "The Record," the Journal of the Appellate Practice Section of the Florida Bar; Written numerous articles for the "Florida Bar Journal," "The Record," and the "Criminal Law Reporter," publication of the Criminal Law Section of the Florida Bar; Editor, Florida Appellate Practice Section Pro Se Appellate Handbook.

Head of the firm's Appellate and Litigation Support Department. AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Argued approximately 850 appeals in every Florida District Court of Appeal, the Florida Supreme Court, the United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Listed as counsel of record in more than 500 published opinions. Responsible for handling and overseeing law firm's appellate and trial support practice in civil matters involving Insurance Coverage; Insurance Defense; Recreational Marine; Property & Casualty; Personal Injury; Complex Medical and Legal Malpractice Claims; Complex Products Liability; Business-Related Torts; Admiralty and Maritime; Commercial Litigation; Cruise Line Law; Employment Litigation and a variety of other civil litigation matters, as well as criminal litigation matters including state and federal Petitions for Writs of Habeas Corpus; Petitions for Writs of Certiorari; Petitions for Writs of Mandamus and Motions for Post-Conviction Relief. Previously served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Florida (1989-2004). Represented and defended the State of Florida in all criminal appeals in the state and federal court systems. Handled all felony appeals from basic sentencing guideline matters to all, other, non-capital murder cases. Also previously served as a federal law clerk to the Honorable Peter R. Palermo, United States Magistrate Judge (1985-1987).

MICHAEL MINKIN
Born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1945; admitted to bar, 1970, Pennsylvania and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania; 1973, U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit; 1982, Florida; 1984, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; 1988, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida; 1989, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. Education: Temple University (B.A., 1967; J.D.,1970). Phi Alpha Delta. Deputy Attorney General, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1971-1975. Chief, Civil Section, Eastern Regional Office, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1972-1974. Assistant Regional Director, Eastern Regional Office, Department of Justice, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1974-1975. Special Counsel, Department of Banking, 1975. Acting Special Prosecutor, City of Philadelphia,1975. Chairman, Attorney General Commission Investigating Refinery Fires, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1975. Counsel, Upper Dublin Government Study Commission, 1975-1976. Assistant United States Attorney, 1984-1987. Member: Pennsylvania American Bar Association; The Florida Bar; Medical Claims Defense Network. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Medical Malpractice Litigation; Insurance Litigation.

GERALYN M. PASSARO
Born Rockville Centre, New York, 1961. Admitted to bar, 1986, Florida; United States District Court Southern District of Florida, General Bar, 1989 and Trial Bar, 1990; 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1989; United States Supreme Court 1990; Preparatory education: Florida Atlantic University (B.A.A. 1983); Legal education: University of Miami (J.D. 1983). Member Florida Bar, American Bar Association, Florida Defense Lawyers Association and the Broward County Bar Association. Published article, "Sanctuary Reconciling Immigration Policy with First Amendment Rights", Inter-American Law Review, 1983. Primary areas of practice are professional malpractice, insurance coverage, appeals and general liability defense. Martindale-Hubbell "AV" rated; Member: Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel.

R. JAMES PELSTRING
Born Cincinnati, Ohio 1947. Admitted to Bar, 1976, Ohio; 1977, Florida. Also, 1976, Ohio Supreme Court; 1977, Florida Supreme Court; 2000 Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals; 1976 U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio; 1983, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, including Trial Bar. Preparatory Education: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio (B.B.A. 1971), Delta Sigma Pi; Legal Education: Ohio Northern University (J.D. 1976), inducted Omicron Delta Kappa for university leadership, Chief Justice, Ohio Northern University Moot Court Program. Member: American Bar Association, Florida Bar Association, Lee County Bar Association, Collier County Bar Association, Charlotte County Bar Association, Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Defense Research Institute. Spotlight speaker at National Association of Prepaid Dental Plans in 1991 regarding HIV transmission risks in dental practices following defense of a dental plan in Kimberly Bergalis v. David Acer; lectured in continuing nursing education videos regarding HIV transmission and legal requirements, 1992. Speaker to the Southeast Executive Claims Association in 1994 regarding ERISA and general liability claims. Appointed to the Florida Bar Grievance Committee 11-D in 1987, served as chairman in 1989. Extensive experience in ERISA litigation and defense of product liability and general liability claims. Martindale-Hubbell "AVT" rated; Million Dollar Advocates Forum Member.

ROBERT I. RUBIN
Born New York, NY., 1958; admitted to bar, 1984, New York; 1985, New Jersey and District of Columbia; 1990, U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Court of Federal Claims; 1994, Florida. Education: Brandeis University (B.A. magna cum laude, 1980); George Washington University (J.D., 1983). A.V. Rated; Westchester County Assistant District Attorney 1983-1986; Author, Letter to the Editor, Outcomes of Medical Malpractice Litigation," New England Journal of Medicine Vol. 336 No. 23 p. 1680 (June 5, 1997). Author: "Tainted Food," (Co-Author) Trial (March 1993) "Discovery and Use of Criminal Convictions of a Witness in a Civil Trial, " New York Law Journal Vol. 28 No. 18, July 27, 1992; "Administrative Agency Records Can Help the Defense," (Co-Author) For the Defense; "Arm Yourself with Discovery in Defending Construction Accident Cases, " Construction Litigation Reporter (Part I &endash Vol. 12, No. 7, July, 1991; Part II &endash Vol. 12 No. 8 , Aug. 1991); "Removing Guesswork from Calculating Damages in Personal Injury Cases," Defense Counsel Journal, (January 1991, Vol. 61); "Bulldoze Your Adversaries in Defending Construction Accident Cases, " For the Defense (January 1991, Vol. 33, No. 1), Construction Law Advisor (July 1991, No. 7): "Ski Liability Law Cuts New Trails, " Trial (October 1990). Co-Author, "Family Law Update," Minnesota Trial Lawyer, Vol 7, No. 4, 1982. Assistant Editor, Insurance, Negligence and Compensation Law Journal, 1992-1995.

JEFFREY D. SWARTZ
Born Toledo, Ohio, 1949. Admitted to practice in Ohio, 1976, Florida 1979 and Colorado 1992. Admitted Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern District of Michigan, District of Colorado and the 6th and 11th U.S. Circuits. Preparatory Education: The Ohio State University, B.A. 1972; legal education: Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D. 1976. Served as Miami-Dade County Court Judge 1995-2005. Member of the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee, 1998-2004 (chair 2002-2003); Florida Bar Traffic Rules Committee 1996-2000; Faculty of the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida, the Conference of Circuit Court Judges of Florida, Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies; Adjunct faculty to Barry University and Florida International University; Member of the Family Inns of Court, The "Ed"ucation Fund and the Florida Grand Opera.

MARCI L. STRAUSS
Born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1965. Admitted to bar, 1990, Florida. Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 1990. Preparatory education: University of Florida (B.S. 1987); legal education: Nova University (J.D. 1990), Book Award Torts. Member of the Broward County Bar Association; Florida Medical Malpractice Claims Association; Florida Defense Lawyers Association; American Bar Association; Phi Delta Alpha. Principally involved in defending all aspects of medical negligence cases against physicians and other health care providers including dentists. Also involved in defending general liability cases. Martindale-Hubbell "AV" rated.

MARIA VIDAKIS
Born in Crete, Greece, 1968. Admitted to the Florida bar in 1993. Admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida in 1999. Preparatory Education: Florida International University, B.S., in 1990. Legal Education: Nova Southeastern University, J.D., in 1993. Professional History: Criminal Prosecution, Assistant State Attorney, Dade County, Florida, 1993-1997; General Liability Defense, 1997-1999; Medical Malpractice Defense, 1999 to present.

JAMES D. WETZEL
Born St. Louis, Missouri, 1969. Admitted to Bar, 1995, Missouri; 1997, Florida. Admitted to U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1998. Preparatory Education; Beloit College (B.A. 1990); Legal Education: Washington University School of Law (J.D. 1995). Law Clerk, Missouri Court of Appeals - Eastern District (1995-1997). Member Florida Bar Association, Missouri Bar Association, St. Petersburg Bar Association. Presently involved in the defense of medical negligence cases on behalf of physicians, hospitals and health care providers.

DAVID P. YOUNG
Born Ashland, Kentucky, 1964. Admitted to bar, 1998, Florida. Admitted to U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, 1998. Preparatory education: Stetson University School of Business (B.B.A. 1982), University of Florida (M.A. 1989); legal education: University of Florida (J.D., with honors, 1997). Member, Florida Journal of International Law. Book awards in Administrative Law and Legal Drafting. Member Florida Bar Association; American Bar Association; Hillsborough County Bar Association. Principally involved in the defense of medical negligence cases on behalf of physicians, hospitals and other health care providers.

DIANE ZUCKERMAN
Born Washington D.C. 1955. Admitted to Florida Bar 1987. Legal Education: University of Florida College of Law. Undergraduate: Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida. Admitted to practice in the U.S District Court, Middle District. Frequently handles cases filed in Federal Court and the Division of Administrative Hearings. Extensive experience in complex insurance litigation including medical malpractice, employment discrimination, nursing home defense, premises liability, products liability, auto litigation, and general liability in cases involving personal injury or death. Member of the Florida Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, and Hillsboro Bar Association. Has lectured on Florida Law with respect to awardable damages in negligence cases.

JUSTINE D. ADAMSKI
Born Houston, Texas, 1968. Admitted to Maryland Bar 1993. Admitted to Florida Bar 1999. Preparatory education: University of Maryland (B.S. 1990); Legal Education; University of Maryland School of Law (J.D. 1993). Member Florida Bar Association. Presently involved in the defense of medical negligence cases on behalf of physicians, hospitals and health care providers.

TANESHA WALLS BLYE
Born Oakland, California, 1978. Admitted to Florida Bar (2004); Florida Northern District Bar (2004); Florida Southern District Bar (2005). Bar Memberships: National Bar Association; Dade County Bar Association; Wilkie D. Ferguson Bar Association. Preparatory Education: Howard University (B.A. 2000). Scholarships: Howard University Dean Academic Scholarship (1996-2000); Howard University Martin Luther King, Jr. Mock Trial and Debate Team Talent Scholarship (1998 - 2000). Legal Education: University of Miami, School of Law (J.D. 2003). Scholarships: University of Miami, School of Law, Dean Academic Scholarship (2000-2003); Kozyak, Tropin & Throckmorton Litigation Skills Scholarship (2002). Volunteered: Turner Gilford Knight Law Library, Co-Director (2001 - 2003). Professional History: Law Clerk, Florida Court of Appeals, Third District (2001); Criminal Defense, Assistant Public Defender, Dade County Florida (2003 - 2004). Practice Areas: Principally involved in legal malpractice, medical malpractice, and general professional liability defense.

CHRISTINE ANNE BROWN
Born Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1948. Admitted to bar, 1998, New York; Admitted to bar, 2000, Florida. Preparatory education: Palm Beach Community College (A.S. Nursing); Barry University (B.S. Psychology); legal education: New York Law School (J.D. 1997). Member Florida Bar Association, Broward County Bar Association, American Bar Association, New York Bar Association. Registered Nurse licensed in New Jersey and Florida. Principally involved in defense of medical malpractice cases.

BARBARA J. CHAPMAN
Born South Bend, Indiana; admitted to bar, 2001, Florida. Education: Case Western Reserve University, (B.S.N., magna cum laude, 1994). Legal Education: Stetson University (J.D., cum laude, 2001). Member: The American Bar Association; The Florida Bar; Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing. Principally involved in the defense of medical negligence cases on behalf of physicians, hospitals and other health care providers.

CARLOS A. FABANO
Born Long Island, New York, 1977. Admitted to Florida Bar, 2005. Admitted to U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida, 2005. Preparatory Education: Florida International University (B.A., 2000); Legal Education: Nova Southeastern University (J.D., 2004). Member: ILSA Journal of International & Comparative Law, Nova Southeastern University Moot Court Honor Society. Honors: Winner of the Feinrider Upper Class Moot Court Competition (2002); Dean's List; Publication: "Maximizing Plaintiff Protection in the World of Asset Freezing and Bypassing the Due Process Requirement of Notice: The Mareva Injunction as an Alternative to the American Legal Remedies." (Volume 9:1 ILSA Journal of International & Comparative Law). Experience: Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Fredricka G. Smith, Miami-Dade County Circuit Court, Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. (2004-2006). Presently involved in the defense of medical negligence cases on behalf of physicians, hospitals and health care providers.

JONATHAN FICARROTTA
Born Tampa, Florida, 1973. Admitted to bar, 2002, Florida. Admitted Northern District of Florida, October 2003, Middle District of Florida, December 2002, Southern District of Florida, October 2003, Preparatory education: University of South Florida (B.S. 1998). Legal Education: Stetson University College of Law (J.D. 2002). Member Florida Bar Association. Member of the Tampa Bay Inn of Court. Principally involved in medical malpractice, premises liability and general liability litigation.

OSHIA S. GAINER
Born Miami, FL, 1981. Admitted to Florida Bar (2007); Admitted to United States Southern District of Florida (2008). Bar Memberships: National Bar Association; F. Malcolm Cunningham Jr., Bar Association; Wilkie D. Ferguson Bar Association. Preparatory Education: Florida A&M University (B.S., cum laude, 2003). Legal Education: University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law (J.D. 2006). Member: The Order of the Barristers (2006); Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Board (Executive Board, 2006); University of Florida Trial Team (Executive Board, 2006); Florida Journal of International Law (2006). Honors: Moot Court Final Four Competitor, Florida Supreme Court (2005); Florida Bar Moot Court Competition, Semi-Finalist (2006); Chicago Bar Moot Court Competition (2006); National Civil Rights Trial Team Competition, Finalist (2006); Teacher's Assistant, Legal Research and Writing (2004). Externship, Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida (2006). Practice Areas: Appellate and Litigation Support.

BRIAN S. JACOBSON
Born: Miami, FL, 1978. Admitted to Florida Bar, 2007. Preparatory education: University of Miami (B.A. Studio Music and Jazz Guitar, Cum Laude, 2000). Legal education: St. Thomas University School of Law (J.D., Magna Cum Laude, 2007). Book Awards: Legal Research and Writing, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Wills and Trusts, Professional Responsibility, Florida Constitutional Law, Agency and Partnership. Recipient: Outstanding Public Service Award, Dean's Merit Scholarship. Member: Intercultural Human Rights Law Review, Moot Court Team. Professional experience: Judicial Intern for the Honorable Peggy A. Quince, Florida Supreme Court (2006); Law Clerk to the Honorable David M. Gersten, Third District Court of Appeal (2005). Principally involved in litigation support, insurance coverage litigation, and appellate matters.

BRETT A. KAPLAN
Born Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 1975. Admitted to Bar, 2006, Florida. Preparatory education: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (B.A., 1997); Legal education: Florida International University College of Law (J.D., 2006). Member American Bar Association. Principally involved in the defense of professional malpractice, automobile liability, premises liability and general liability.

KAREN L. MALLIN
Born Fayetteville, North Carolina, 1973. Admitted to Massachusetts Bar (2000); Florida Bar (2003). Preparatory education: Pine Manor College (B.A., cum laude, 1995); Legal education: Suffolk University School of Law (J.D. 2000). Suffolk University Law Review, Member (1998-1999), Lead Articles Editor (1999-2000). Law Clerk to the Justices of Massachusetts Superior Court (2000-2001). Law Clerk to the Honorable James D. Whittemore, United States District Court, Middle District of Florida (2005-2006). Member, American Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, Florida Bar Association, and Hillsborough County Bar Association. Principally involved in the defense of medical malpractice cases on behalf of physicians, hospitals and health care providers.

MALINDA R. LUGO
Born New York, NY, 1966. Admitted to Bar, 1996, Florida. Admitted Federal Bar, Middle District of Florida, 1997. Preparatory education: Florida State University (B.S. 1989). Legal Education: Florida State University College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1996). Book Award: Health Law. Member Florida Bar Association, Hillsborough County Bar Association, Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers. Principally involved in the defense of medical negligence cases on behalf of physicians, hospitals and health care providers.

BONNIE MARY MITCHELL
Born Hartford, Connecticut, 1973. Admitted to Florida Bar (2003). Education: Arizona State University (B.S. 1999); Brooklyn Law School (J.D. 2003). Member: Florida Bar Association. Certified Legal Intern: Office of the Kings County District Attorney, Appellate Bureau (2002-2003); New York City Law Department, Juvenile Prosecution. Professional experience includes extensive criminal trial prosecution, Martin County, Florida, Office of the State Attorney. Presently engaged in defense of professional liability, product and general liability claims.

CHRISTOPHER S. RUSSOMANNO
Born: Miami, Florida, 1980. Admitted to Florida Bar, 2005. Admitted to U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, 2005, U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida, 2005, Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, 2005. Preparatory Education: Elon University, B.S. Marketing 2002. Legal Education: St. Thomas School of Law, J.D. Cum Laude 2005. Book Awards: Advanced Legal Writing; Professional Responsibility; Trial Advocacy; Constitutional Law II; Debtor/Creditor Rights; Sports Law; Insurance Law; Juvenile Law; Labor and Arbitration; and Bankruptcy Seminar. Dean's Teaching Assistant for Advanced Legal Writing; Deans Scholar for Criminal Law and Torts; Deans Academic Tutor for Constitutional Law and Torts. St. Thomas Mock Trial Team, St. Thomas Moore Society, Peter T. Fay Inn of Court. Memberships: Dade County Bar Association, Federal Courts Committee; Federal Bar Association; Young Lawyers Section Dade County Bar Association, Professionalism & Judicial Outreach Committees. Experience: Law Clerk to the Honorable Peter T. Fay on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. 2005-06.

JENNY L. SHANE
Born West Palm Beach, FL, 1980. Admitted to Florida Bar, 2006. Preparatory Education: University of Florida, 2003 (Cum Laude, B.S. Psychology, Criminology minor). Legal Education: Stetson University College of Law, 2006 (Cum Laude, J.D.). Memberships: Dade County Bar Association, Broward County Bar Association, Florida Bar Association. Prior Experience: Judicial Internship with Retired Senior District Judge James C. Paine in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida; Worker's Compensation Defense. Principally involved in the defense of professional liability, premises liability, general liability, and property insurance coverage issues.

YELENA SHNEYDERMAN
Born Minsk, Belarus, 1979. Admitted to Florida Bar (2005). Education: Florida State University (B.A. 2001, cum laude); University of Florida College of Law (J.D. 2005, cum laude). Member: The Order of the Barristers (2005); Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Board (President, 2005); Journal of Law and Public Policy (Executive Research Editor, 2004-2005). Honors: Moot Court Final Four Best Brief and Best Overall Competitor Awards (2004); Florida Workers' Compensation Moot Court Competition Best Brief Award (2004). Teacher's Assistant, Handling Drug and Alcohol Crimes (2005). Volunteered, Three Rivers Legal Services. Certified Legal Intern, State Attorney's Office (2005). Professional Experience: Judicial Clerk, Florida Third District Court of Appeal (2005-2006). Practice Areas: Insurance Coverage and Litigation.

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