1. Dr. Seplaki served state and federal trial courts in many cases, in NY and elsewhere in the US. Major associated verdicts include *Martin v. NYCHHC: $121 Million; *Debes v. Saint Vincent: $103 Million [alleged to be Richmond Cty's largest med-mal verdict in "recent memory"​]; *Sence v NY Methodist: $25 Million; *Applewhite v NYC: $172 Million [One of the largest med-mal awards in NYC history​]; *Klupchak v. First E. Village Associates: $35.9 Million ["High-Low Deal"​: $29 Million]; *Hedges v. Costco, Target et al: $45.2 Million; Pastor v. Anyhony Policastro, MD, et al. $35 Million (October, 2024) ["the highest *pre-verdict malpractice settlement in New York's history"], and many hundreds more. Les is now in virtual retirement. 2. Juries observe expert credibility, and disregard collateral issues: .... Q(2010's): "Professor Seplaki, didn't you testify under oath in the 1976 case of P v. D that, and I quote ...." or, .... Q: "We've met many times before, haven't we?" A: "We must have, that tie of yours looks awfully familiar". Q: "You got your PhD years ago, are you still an economist?" Many more like these or worse, while huge testified damage numbers are settling in the jury's mind. Defense cross mostly on collateral or irrelevant issues suggests no preparation or outright incompetence. Frequently inadequate/nonexistent D economics expert support may yield a "free ride" for the P. At times, insurance company choice of defense in negligence matters seemed puzzling, even thought provoking. In New York's hugely heterogeneous litigation setting, the cost distribution and the ultimate bearers of litigation consequences need much closer attention. 3. D counsel has a decisive impact on the outcome of a case, affecting the daily lives of millions of people. See, for instance, $110 MILLION verdict in LICIAGA v. NYCTA [Index# 513495/2016], and Dr Seplaki's several postings on the matter.

1. Upon retirement from an over 45-year career as a university professor of economics, and after facilitating the development of his four great children - now highly accomplished professionals in their own right making major value added contributions to our society, Dr. Seplaki earned a JD and an LL.M in Health Law. 2. Current interests include: Legal ethics, legal malpractice, medical malpractice, healthcare contracts, healthcare costs/expenditures, competitive restraints ("antitrust"), negligence, damages. 3. In MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, pre-litigation assessment of fair claims is a common issue. Providers' open disclosures, "apologies", early offers uninhibited by threat of litigation, could be a complex route to fair dispute resolution. Perceptions of medical/healthcare providers as profit motivated "businesses", where "treat (i.e. sell) instead of prevent" may be the mantra, do not make early malpractice dispute resolutions easier. "Defensive medicine" with tests/remedies of marginal need further complicates potential negligence issues. "Side effects" and risks are expected, even signed off on. Omissions, or off-protocol practice, aggravate liability. "Sub-MD" providers' input may further muddy the waters. Few laymen can effectively assess provider competence and diligence, hence the "medical expert witness" industry. Moreover, these issues vary with clinical environment (solo, group, academic and non-academic medical center, etc). Protocol bound, instead of person/patient specific, practice further complicates issues (see recent Seplaki posts). Barriers to litigation discovery of M&M proceedings also make issues much more difficult.

1. Professor of Economics, Economics Department Chairperson, University Senator, committees, and other administrative/academic duties. Over several decades, Dr. Seplaki taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in economics, legal economics and business, and has been a full member of the multi-campus Rutgers University-wide Graduate Faculty.2. Les also spent a significant amount of time as an academic speaker, researcher, seminar chair or commentator, workshop and/or lecture participant in Asia. Extensively in Japan, also in China, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and India, and in several European countries.