Defense Verdicts

2025 DEFENSE VERDICTS

Philip Galasso v. Superior NY Limousine Corp., Index No. 1057946
Congratulations to Paul Duer for securing a strong defense outcome in a damages-only trial in Queens County on behalf of American Transit Insurance Company. Despite the plaintiff’s claims of serious injuries requiring both an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion as well as lumbar surgery, the jury awarded just $20,000. Paul successfully leveraged evidence of minimal vehicle damage and highlighted inconsistencies in the plaintiff’s account of a prior accident and injury, effectively undermining the credibility of the damages claim. This result reflects a sharp trial strategy and a disciplined presentation of the facts—an outstanding outcome in a venue where larger verdicts are typical. Congratulations to Paul on this excellent result.

Kelly Mena v. Mohammed S. Islam (1085819)
Congratulations to Charles Mailloux for securing a defense verdict on the issue of liability in Queens County before Hon. Laurentina S. McKetney-Butler. The defense successfully undermined the plaintiff’s credibility by introducing social media evidence that contradicted her claims of being unable to work. With critical support from Chris Harris, the defense also located and produced the driver, who testified at trial and bolstered the case. This result reflects thorough preparation and strategic execution by the entire team.

Michal Romantowski & Nicholas Liakaris v. Khan Chudery (902806)
Congratulations to Rich Brown for securing a strong defense outcome in Kings County in a summary jury trial. The jury returned a defense verdict as to plaintiff Michal Romantowski, awarding him no damages. Co-plaintiff Nicholas Liakaris was awarded only $7,000, a fraction of the claimed injuries. Both plaintiffs alleged significant injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, orthopedic damage, and ongoing cognitive issues. However, the defense was able to dismantle their claims through an extensive social media investigation revealing photos of international travel and activities inconsistent with their alleged impairments. This result highlights Rich’s meticulous preparation and effective trial presentation in exposing credibility issues and defending against enlarged claims.

Brayan Hernandez v. Ahmed Munir Salimi (5212V160K)
Congratulations to Anthony Graziani for securing a defense verdict on damages in Suffolk County before Judge Farneti. The plaintiff’s expert, Dr. Dov Berkowitz, testified that two surgeries were causally related to the accident, but Anthony’s strategic cross-examination exposed key weaknesses in the claim. By challenging causation, highlighting inconsistencies in the plaintiff’s medical history, and questioning the necessity of surgery, Anthony effectively dismantled the damages case. Key moments included:

Casting Doubt on Causation – Anthony exposed the lack of comparative diagnostic films and alternative explanations for the injuries.

Undermining Medical Testimony – Anthony led the testimony to reveal that while MRIs are useful, they don’t always capture the full extent of an injury or differentiate between acute trauma and pre-existing damage, reinforcing doubt about causation.

Highlighting Prior Injuries – Anthony raised contradictions in the plaintiff’s medical history to weaken the claim.

Questioning Surgical Necessity – Anthony got plaintiff’s expert to concede that exploratory surgery can be performed without definitive proof of a problem.

2024 Defense Verdicts

Glenn Flowers v. Anil John (3206X270F)
Congratulations to Rich Brown for a defense verdict on the issue of liability today before Judge Richard Velasquez in Kings County. Our client, the insured, maintained a primary policy with Farmers of $100,000 and an excess policy with State Farm, also $100,000. The codefendant had a $25,000 policy with Nationwide. Plaintiff was seeking a recovery of all coverage ($225,000). The jury found the codefendant solely responsible on the issue of liability, completely absolving our client. Rich took the lead on trial for another great result for the firm.

Samuel Moise v. Iyesha Nesbitt (19735M239)
Congratulations to Tim Jones for securing a defense verdict on damages today in Bronx County before Hon. Veronica G. Hummel. The plaintiff alleged right knee and shoulder injuries, including surgeries for a meniscus tear, ACL repair, and rotator cuff tear, with medical expenses exceeding $100,000. Claiming lost wages of $26,000 from 400 days of missed work, the plaintiff sought $5 million in past pain and suffering, $150,000 in future medical expenses, and $10 million in future pain and suffering.

While the jury found our client was responsible for the accident, the plaintiff failed to prove a causal connection between the accident and the alleged injuries. As a result, the court dismissed the plaintiff's case with a defense verdict. This result highlights Tim Jones’ exceptional trial work, including a pivotal cross-examination of the plaintiff’s surgeon, Dr. Touliopoulos.

Michil A. Gadalla v. Khalsa 13 Inc (1063565)
Congratulations to Isaac Dana for securing a defense verdict in Queens County before Hon. Mojgan Cohanim Lancman. The plaintiff had declined a $25,000 settlement offer before trial, and after a thorough defense, the jury returned a verdict in favor of our client. This result showcases Isaac’s exceptional preparation and trial advocacy.

Raymond Jones v. Martin Delgado Inc. (605125/2019)
Congratulations to Gil Hardy for securing a defense verdict in Nassau County before Hon. Gary M. Carlton. The case, a State Farm matter, was resolved on the issue of liability in a summary jury trial with a $0 low and $300,000 high.
This result underscores Gil’s strategic approach and attention to detail in trial.

Lenin Alvarez v. Bienvenido Franco (608828/2021)
Congratulations to Jeff Baron and Carmella Antoine for securing a defense verdict on damages in Suffolk County before Hon. S. Betsy Heckman Torres. This case, an Amica Insurance Co. matter, resulted in a favorable outcome for our client and reflects the team’s thorough preparation and dedication.

Shunnu Piao v. Shawkat Hossain (1048667)
Congratulations to Charles Mailloux for securing a defense verdict in Queens County on the issue of liability before Hon. Claudia Lanzetta. The plaintiff’s attorney declined a $25,000 settlement offer before the verdict. This outstanding result was achieved despite the challenges posed by a difficult client.

Ajaz Asgarally v. Michael J. Zelenetz (328192Q72)
Congratulations to Paul Duer for securing a defense verdict on damages in Queens County before Hon. Nicole A. McGregor-Mundy. The case was tried in a summary jury trial format with an agreed-upon high/low of $10,000–$175,000. The plaintiff had alleged a left shoulder surgery and several collateral injuries, but had a notable pre-accident medical history, including a knee surgery from cricket. His involvement in cricket became a key turning point in the case. This verdict showcases Paul’s outstanding trial skills.

Derek Earle v. Grace Episcopal Church (CIC34565)
Congratulations to Frank Scahill for securing a defense verdict on the issue of liability in Queens County before Hon. Timothy Dufficy. This case arose from a trip-and-fall claim in which the plaintiff alleged they tripped on the sidewalk while exiting a city bus near the church. This result highlights Frank’s effective advocacy.

Renata Basman v. Mohamed Tarafder (670552)
Congratulations to Paul Duer for securing a defense verdict on the issue of liability in Queens County before Hon. Karen Lin. Despite communication challenges presented by our client requiring an interpreter, Paul achieved an excellent result, showcasing his ability to navigate complex trial dynamics.

Whitney Jones v. Daniel King and Brer Four Transportation Corp (326015P64)
Congratulations to Charles Mailloux for securing a defense verdict on the issue of liability in Queens County before Hon. Timothy Dufficy, reflecting Charles’ dedication and effective trial strategy.

Miguel Torres v. SM Bahadur (1044757)
Congratulations to Paul Duer for securing another win for American Transit Insurance Company in Queens County before Hon. Denise Johnson. The jury apportioned liability 60/40, but found that the plaintiff did not meet the serious injury threshold under New York State Insurance Law 5102(d). This result reflects Paul’s expertise in effective trial strategy.

Jessica Cleaning Services, Inc. (325K16516)
Congratulations to Sam Amini for securing a dismissal in this case. Sam successfully argued a motion for a directed verdict, contending that the limited testimony provided by plaintiff’s expert, Dr. Wynierski, was insufficient to sustain the evidence required for the jury to consider whether the serious injury threshold had been reached. After extended deliberations, the judge agreed and dismissed the case, showcasing Sam’s courtroom expertise.

Daniel Allen v. American United Transportation, Inc. (507154/17)
Congratulations to Richard Brown for securing a defense verdict on the issue of damages in Kings County before Hon. Richard Velasquez. Rich’s cross-examination of the plaintiff effectively exposed inconsistencies in prior deposition testimony and highlighted exaggerated claims about the severity of his injuries. This approach significantly undermined the plaintiff’s case, leading to a favorable verdict for our client and showcasing Rich’s witness examination prowess.

John McAvoy v. Tong Shen Trading Inc. (3202S568P)
Congratulations to Rich Brown for securing a difficult defense verdict on the issue of liability in Kings County before Hon. Caroline Piela Cohen. The jury determined that the plaintiff taxi driver was 100% at fault. While the jury found negligence on the part of our driver, they concluded that it was not a substantial factor in causing the accident. This outcome is particularly notable given that our client’s truck rear-ended the taxi, highlighting Rich’s exceptional effort and strategic advocacy.

Denys Mukhin v. Olzhas Tokhtarov (524475/18)
Congratulations to the team on securing a unanimous defense verdict in Supreme Court, Kings County, before Hon. Richard Velasquez. This case was tried on the issue of liability, with an agreed value of $75,000. Our client testified that his vehicle experienced mechanical issues and was pulled to the side of the road. The plaintiff, a passenger in the vehicle, alleged that the car struck a wall at 120 mph and spun out six times. After deliberations, the jury fully rejected the plaintiff’s claims, returning a defense verdict. This result is a great example of the Scahill team’s effective trial advocacy.

Gregg Brown, Alan J. Kelton, and Christoph J. Kelton (153831/2018)
Congratulations to Eric Flores for securing a defense verdict in New York County before Hon. J. Machelle Sweeting. This case, tried in a summary jury format with a $0 to $100,000 parameter, addressed both liability and damages simultaneously. Our client, insured under a $250,000 primary policy and a $1 million umbrella, faced allegations of failing to yield at a stop sign. Despite this, the jury determined that our client bore no responsibility for the incident, delivering a complete defense verdict and demonstrating Eric’s advocacy skills.

Contact Scahill Law Group PC

Trial Attorney-Insurance Defense

Scahill Law Group seeks a full-time Trial Attorney with a minimum of ten years of experience with an insurance defense background to take over a full pending caseload. The attorney would be responsible for representing civil defendants with primary venues being the five boroughs of New York City, Nassau, and Suffolk in Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley. The position would require the Attorney to analyze lawsuits, prepare pleadings, conduct depositions and attend arbitrations, conferences, motions, and trials. The candidate must be organized, a team player, and able to handle a high volume of court appearances, virtual or/and in-person while handling a large caseload.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE

Analyze complex lawsuits referred from Claims and prepare necessary answers and responsive pleadings.
Interface and develop a rapport with our clients, claim customers, and our office team.
Conducts depositions and attends court conferences, arbitrations, motions, and trials.
Participates as a trial and/or appellate attorney in matters of significant exposure and complexity.
Possesses excellent knowledge of rules of evidence and civil procedure.
Possesses excellent knowledge of all aspects of Automobile Litigation, UM/SUM, and Premise Liability Insurance Law.
Provides legal research, advice, and direction to Claims on cases of significant exposure and complexity.
Work independently in making decisions in file handling, communicating those decisions appropriately, and keeping the Legal Management Team apprised.
Adept at working in a paperless environment, video conferencing skilled and proficient in computer legal case management systems.
Maintain minimum billing requirements

QUALlFICATIONS:

Possesses a minimum of ten years of relevant litigation and trial experience encompassing liability and damages verdicts.
Fully licensed to practice law in New York State and admitted to Federal Court in the Eastern and Southern Districts.
Must be able to handle a large caseload of High Indemnity matters including reporting requirements, roundtables, and a moderate to a significant amount of trial work.
Have a comprehensive knowledge of motor vehicle, premises, UM/SUM, and subrogation claims.

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE. SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Excellent written and Oral Communication Skills
Willingness to work within the established system while also looking to improve processes and procedures and able to be flexible in all work assignments.
Proficiency with computer software including current Windows Operating System, MS Word, MS Teams, MS Outlook, and ability to adapt to new programs.

Legal Case Management Program experience is a plus. LexisNexis/TM

Attorney - Insurance Defense

Full Job Description

Attorney – Scahill Law Group
Responsible for handling a large volume of assigned litigation cases from inception through trial and to ensure all internal case handling and reporting requirements are consistent with the Scahill Law Group Litigation Philosophy and Litigation Management Guidelines. Provide the highest level of legal representation for Scahill Law Group Clients and their insureds.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Following is a summary of the essential functions for this job. Other duties may be performed, both major and minor, which are not mentioned below. Specific activities may change from time to time.

Answer summonses and complaints
Initiate and respond to written discovery.
Prepare and respond to motions before the court.
Prepare for and attend all court appearances, as necessary.
Prepare for [including written submissions] and attend arbitrations where appropriate.
Prepare for, schedule, and conduct depositions and examinations under oath, as necessary.
Prepare for and attend trials, as necessary.
Maintain reporting procedures (i.e., file reviews, diary control)

Minimum Skills and Competencies:
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

J.D. (Juris Doctor) Degree from an accredited US law school
Maintain appropriate licensing and educational requirements.
3 plus years of experience in insurance defense on behalf of an insurance carrier in any combination of the following areas: automobile liability, premise liability, liability claims and homeowner/premises,
Experience in all phases of litigation (including trials to verdict) involving complex, high risk and/or high exposure cases.
Possess a strong understanding of insurance law, including the laws and rules governing civil practice in the state of practice.
Ability to analyze legal issues and identify relevant case opinions and facts, as well as the ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off

Schedule:

Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

Do you have experience in meeting hourly billing requirements?

Experience:

Insurance Defense: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: One location

Full Job Description

Primary Purpose:

Responsible for handling a large volume of assigned litigation from inception through trial and to ensure all internal case handling and reporting requirements are consistent with the Scahill Law Group Litigation Philosophy and Litigation Management Guidelines. Provide the highest level of legal representation for Scahill Law Group Clients and their insureds. Take ownership of any issue, problem, or error that could impact the company, policyholder, and/or loss participant.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Following is a summary of the essential functions for this job. Other duties may be performed, both major and minor, which are not mentioned below. Specific activities may change from time to time.

Answer summonses and complaints
Initiate and respond to written discovery.
Prepare and respond to motions before the court.
Prepare for and attend all court appearances, as necessary.
Prepare for [including written submissions] and attend arbitrations where appropriate.
Prepare for, schedule, and conduct depositions and examinations under oath, as necessary.
Prepare for and attend trials, as necessary.
Maintain reporting procedures (i.e., file reviews, diary control)
Research and analyze legal questions and issues.
Write confidential legal memoranda.
Draft confidential opinions
Research and prepare post-trial motions and appeals.
Maintain current knowledge of applicable insurance law in the state of practice.

Minimum Skills and Competencies:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

J.D. (Juris Doctor) Degree from an accredited US law school
Maintain appropriate licensing and educational requirements.
3-5 years of experience in insurance defense on behalf of an insurance carrier in any combination of the following areas: automobile liability, premise liability, liability claims and homeowner/premises,
Experience in all phases of litigation (including trials to verdict) involving complex, high risk and/or high exposure cases.
Possess a strong understanding of insurance law, including the laws and rules governing civil practice in the state of practice.
Ability to analyze legal issues and identify relevant case opinions and facts, as well as the ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations.
Possess strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to provide concise, practical advice to non-lawyers.
Possess strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to write motions and legal prose with clear and cogent arguments.
Possess strong organizational and time management skills.
Possess strong skills in attention to detail.
High degree of initiative, mature judgment, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive matters on a confidential basis.
Possess strong client relationship skills with the ability to resolve conflicts and empathize with insured clients.
Possess strong negotiation skills.
Knowledge of complex medical issues, particularly orthopedic and neurological, with the understanding of etiology, causation, and treatment of injuries consistent with motor vehicle and premises accidents
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
Proficient in Westlaw software
Solid understanding of the insurance industry and organizational relationships of the company, including the functions of other departments.

Desired Skills:

Experience in Legal Files case management software

Calendar Clerk

Job Description

A calendar clerk at Scahill Law Group, PC, is part of a team of dedicated professional’s that can handle a high-volume calendar. Under general supervision compile, verify and schedule daily calendars for court appearances of attorneys and perform other administrative duties related to the Calendar Department.

Essential Functions

· Experience scheduling Depositions

· Knowledge and understanding of the various court reporting agencies.

· Confirming court calendar, including but not limited to virtual conference, motions.

· Experience using a calendar system, such as a case management system to enter and keep track of all appearances.

· Contact attorneys and/or other parties regarding changes to court dates, including adjournments and cancellations.

· Review calendars to prevent over-booking.

· Interact with court, clients and attorneys on a daily basis.

Skills

· Oral Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.

· Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words).

· Attention to Detail: Requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

· Time Management: Ability to manage one’s own time and utilize available work time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.

· Adaptability: Ability to adapt to change in the workplace.

· Dependability: Requires being reliable, responsible, dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Defense Verdicts

2025 DEFENSE VERDICTS

2024 Defense Verdicts

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Trial Attorney-Insurance Defense

Full Job Description