Associate at Block O’Toole & Murphy, a premier personal injury law firm serving New York and New Jersey. Located centrally in New York City right above Pennsylvania Station, the practice holds the best personal injury record in the state. According to ALM’s Verdict Search, no other law firm in New York resolved more cases exceeding $1,000,000 in value than Block O’Toole & Murphy since 2012.

• Responsible for the litigation and trial of and trial of high-exposure (wide-ranging) tort lawsuits including state and federal claims. Develop case strategies and substantive tactics. Take/defend depositions. Draft/argue motions. Negotiate settlements and appear at conferences. • Report to upper-level management and stakeholders to assess litigation risk and trial viability.• Train lawyers in trial, depositions, and third-party lawsuits.• Received multiple Division Chief Awards for for exemplary performance.

• Managed a variety of commercial, real estate, and title insurance-related litigation in both state and federal court. Defended major lenders and insurance companies against civil mortgage fraud, including matters involving state and federal criminal fraud investigations. Conducted investigations. Performed judgment enforcement.• Conducted hearings, trials, discovery, motion practice and oral argument in both state and federal courts. Took and defended depositions and negotiated settlements.• Worked closely with senior partners and in-house claims counsel for major title insurance carriers to achieve strategic objectives. Drafted litigation plans/risk assessments, strategic recommendations, legal memoranda, and updates.

• Coach for Hofstra Law School trial team. Advise students on all aspects of trial including openings, direct and cross examination, summations, evidence, and procedure.

• Managed an active caseload of homicides, sex crimes (including trafficking), investigations, property crimes, narcotics, and identity theft cases. • Conducted numerous hearings, trials, and grand jury presentations. Presented substantial forensic data from computers, cell sites, financial statements, DNA, and medical records. Interviewed hundreds of witnesses. Direct/cross-examined expert witnesses. Negotiated plea agreements.• Early Case Assessment Bureau Supervisor: managed the intake of new cases and charging decisions.• Criminal Court Supervisor: Supervised a team of junior attorneys, administered intake of new cases, oversaw investigations, motion practice, pleas, and court proceedings in Supreme and Criminal Courts.

• Provide critique and feedback to practicing attorneys and law students as a part of an intensive trial advocacy courses held at Hofstra Law School during January 2013 and August 2013, focusing on opening statements, closing arguments, impeachment, direct and cross examination, and general persuasive techniques.

• TJAG Intern, Summer 2004• Rotated through four divisions: Civil Law (labor/contract), Federal Litigation (federal civilian crimes), Criminal Law (courts martial), Trial Defense Service (criminal defense. Interviewed and prepared witnesses; advised commanders; drafted prosecution memoranda, litigation reports, and an arbitration exception. Attended seminars on leadership, prosecuting fraudulent workers’ compensation claims, urinalyses, military ethics, and the Law of War.

• As a law student, I was selected by the director of the Hofstra Housing Clinic, Professor Stefan Krieger, as an outside consultant to moot arguments to be given by him before the New York Court of Appeals, ATM ONE v. Landaverde in 2004, and before the Appellate Division, Second Department, in In re New York State Tenants and Coalition, in 2005. The clinic won both appeals.

• Analyzed and drafted injunction to close an illegal day care center. Conducted extensive legal research in defending two state police officers in federal court as well as on civil procedure issues. Advised on appropriate actions for assigned cases and consumer complaints. Assisted in defending the City University of New York at Queens before the Honorable Jack Weinstein.