Menu
Log in

Defense Association
of New York

Log in

Continuing Legal Education

The CLE Committee endeavors to provide quality, cutting edge, and stimulating continuing legal education, coupled with networking socials at fine dinner clubs and restaurants.  These informative and enjoyable occasions are offered to DANY members and the Bar at large for very reasonable pricing.  The Committee consists of Chair Teresa A. Klaum of Hanover, Chair Bradley J. Corsair of Kowalski & DeVito, Steven R. Dyki of Berkshire Hathaway Guard, Heather Wiltshire Clement of Columbia University, and Eileen E. Buholtz of Connors, Corcoran & Buholtz, PLLC.

DANY has been providing Continuing Legal Education courses several times per year since 1998.  We periodically update this page to list courses held, and to provide materials from some of the presentations.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, DANY has been providing CLE via Zoom, free of charge to members and sometimes free of charge to guests. 

Past programs are described below;  click on the course title links or "CLE materials" links to obtain materials of some of the courses.  In instances where materials are not provided by link below, a request for a copy may be made to the course presenters via e-mail to Bradley.Corsair@aig.com. 

Please see DANY's Events page for upcoming CLE courses and other events.

-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

September 13, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.  (2 credits)

Coverage Developments for the Insurance Defense Attorney

Presented By:
-  Julian D. Ehrlich,  DANY Past President,  Senior VP Claims / Construction Services Group,  AON
-  Darrell John,  Managing Partner,  Conway Farrell Curtin & Kelly P.C.
-  Jennifer A. Ehman,  Senior Litigation Manager,  Merchants Mutual Ins Co.
-  Rona L. Platt,  U.S. General Counsel,  Accelerant


For CLE materials, click here:  CLE Materials 9-13-22


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLE March 15, 2022 by Webinar

Free for DANY members,  $20 for non-members

Creating a More Inclusive Work Environment:
Why Interrupting Implicit Bias Matters

Appropriate for both experienced and newly admitted attorneys.

Panelist:

Mirna Martinez Santiago, Esq.  President and CEO, Girls Rule the Law

Description This presentation discussed various ways in which law relates to implicit bias, including the Constitution (how white supremacy and anti-black bias was codified into law); SCOTUS cases and their findings (Parents Involved in Community Schools v Seattle School District; Brown vs Bd of Ed); legislation (Civil Rights Act of 1964, NY’s Crown Act, NY’s Fair Chance Act, NY’s Exec. Law 296); legal enforcement (NYC Commission on Human Rights’ finding that Gucci violated the anti-discrimination laws by continuing to sell a “black face” sweater in NY); the code of professional conduct (Rule 8.2 states that lawyers must not act in any way that harasses or discriminates another on the basis of a protected classification); and many others.

CLE Materials Potentially available upon request


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLE February 24, 2022 by webinar

Combating the Anchoring Effect

Free for DANY members,  $20 for non-members
Appropriate for both experienced and newly admitted attorneys.

Panelists:

John McDonough, Esq. Chairman of Complex Risk & Strategic Litigation Group, Vice Chair of Global Insurance Department, Cozen O’Connor, and DANY Past President

Eric Berger, Esq.  -  Member of Complex Risk & Strategic Litigation Group, Global Insurance Department, Cozen O’Connor

Supported by:   iMedView, by Brett Melchin, President

Description This program discussed the plaintiffs’ trial technique known as “anchoring” and was an examination of the psychological impact on jurors of the technique of “anchoring” -  also covered was how to defend against “anchoring” with a review of controlling law on “anchoring.”

CLE Materials Potentially available upon request


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLE held January 27, 2022 by webinar

Defense of Bad Faith Claims - Best Practices

Panelists:

Hon. Bernard J. Graham -  Justice,  Supreme Court / Kings County

David S. Gould, Esq.  -  Partner, Russo & Gould LLP

Sim R. Shapiro, Esq.  -   Partner, Baxter Smith & Shapiro, P.C.

Moderator:

Teresa A. Klaum, Esq, -  Lead Attorney,  Manson & McCarthy;  DANY Past President

Supported by:  LITIFY  via Dov Slansky, Vice President, Solution Engineering

CLE Materials Potentially available upon request


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CLE via Zoom  -  
September 23, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.  (2 credits)

Coverage Developments for the Insurance Defense Attorney

Presented By:
-  Julian D. Ehrlich,  DANY Past President,  Senior VP Claims / Construction Services Group,  AON
-  Darrell John,  Managing Partner,  Conway Farrell Curtin & Kelly P.C.
-  Jennifer A. Ehman,  Senior Litigation Manager,  Merchants Mutual Ins Co.
-  Rona L. Platt,  U.S. Head of Compliance and General Counsel,  Starstone  

Sponsored By:  

HAAG Engineering

For CLE Materials, click here:  CLE Materials 9-23-21


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Free CLE via Zoom  -  June 17, 2021 at 6 pm - 8 pm 

Traumatic Brain Injury Defense 2021:
Legal, Neuropsychological and Biomechanical Perspectives

Presented By: 
-  William N. DeVito,  Managing Attorney,  Kowalski & DeVito
-  Lena Dobson, Ph.D.,  Neuropsychology,  ScandicNeuro Corp 
-  Jacqueline Lewis, Ph.D.,  Biomechanist,  ARCCA

Supported by ARCCA and JEC Disability Management -

CLE Materials Potentially available upon request


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free CLE via Zoom  -  May 4, 2021 (evening)

Wellness and Ethics - 1.5 Hours

Presented By: 
Eileen Travis,  Executive Director / Lawyer Assistance Program,
New York City Bar Association  
Meredith S. Heller,  Law Office of Meredith S. Heller PLLC
Joseph Milowic III,  Partner,  Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
 

Coordinated By: 
DANY Officer Claire Rush,  Partner,  Barry McTiernan & Moore LLC

Sponsored By:
Compass Adjusters  /  Steve Weiss, V.P.

This course started with a discussion about specific mental health issues that lawyers confront, and resources that can be accessed by and for struggling attorneys.  The presentation then focused on ethical issues which arise from mental health and substance abuse difficulties of legal professionals.  The CLE finished with a presentation by an attorney who recounted his bout with depression and how he has addressed the situation.

CLE Materials Potentially available upon request


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Continuing Legal Education   

Free CLE via Zoom  -  April 12, 2021 at 5 pm - 6 pm 

Bigger Cases Mean More Insurance Issues for Defense Attorneys: Claims & Coverage Trends, Emerging Issues & Updates


PRESENTED BY:

DANY Past President Julian D. Ehrlich
Senior Vice President Claims - Construction Services Group, Aon 

CLE Materials:  CLE Materials 4-12-21


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free Ethics CLE via Zoom  -  March 11, 2021 at 6 pm - 8 pm 

Navigating the Ethical Implications of Social Media Investigations

PRESENTED BY:

DANY Past President Lawton W. Squires

For CLE materials, click here:   CLE materials 3-11-21 

DANY wishes to thank Mr. Squires and the sponsor, SpeakEasy Services, for this informative presentation.

CLE Materials Potentially available upon request


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free CLE via Zoom  -  February 25, 2021 (evening) 6 pm - 7 pm

Defending Exaggerated Knee and Hip Personal Injury Claims:
Part Two  -  The Hip

One NY CLE Credit (Skills)

Presented By:  Ronald P. Grelsamer, M.D. and John P. Connors, Esq.

This was part two of this mini-series.  The panelists educated the audience, from medical and legal viewpoints, about recognizing and overcoming smokescreens which make tiny knee and hip injuries seem major.  DANY thanks them and iMedView for supporting this event.  

For CLE materials, click here:  CLE materials February 25, 2021


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free CLE via Zoom  -  
February 11, 2021 (evening) 6 pm - 7 pm  


New Uniform Rules for Supreme and County Court:  
Highlights and Expectations


PRESENTED BY:

David Paul Horowitz, McNamara & Horowitz

This course discussed the changes to the Uniform Rules, effective February 1, 2021, as per Administrative Order 270/20.  These rule additions and amendments pertain to court appearances, communications with the court, filing of papers, discovery, interrogatories, privilege logs, depositions, TROs, orders to show cause, motions, and oral argument, as well as trial and pretrial practice.  This was quite informative for both experienced and newly admitted attorneys.  DANY thanks Mr. Horowitz and the event sponsor, J.S. Held.

CLE materials:  potentially available upon request


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free
 CLE via Zoom  -  November 12, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

How to Effectively Use a Neurosurgeon in the Courtroom
2.0 NY CLE Credits (Skills)

Presented By: 
Dr. Christopher Allyn Lycette   -  Board Certified Neurosurgeon 
Christopher Donadio, Esq.  -  Plaintiff's Perspective
Jennine Gerrard, Esq.  -  Defense Perspective
Sean Dugan, Esq.  -  Moderator


For CLE materials, click here:   CLE Materials 11-12-20


For a CLE credit affirmation form, click below and e-mail your completed form to danyexecdir@gmail.com:
Attorney Affirmation Form

DANY thanks ABOTA (NYC chapter) for co-presenting this event, and Expert Institute, Lexitas and PM Legal for supporting it.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free 
CLE via Zoom  -  November 5, 2020 at 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Defending Slip / Trip and Fall Cases with Biomechanical Analysis
1.5 NY CLE Credits (Skills)

Presented By: 
William N. Devito  -  Managing Attorney, Kowalski & DeVito
Angela Levitan, Ph.D., CPE  -  Senior Biomechanist, ARCCA


This course covered topics including
 kinematics and human movement;  engineering codes and standards;  human factors;  scene photos;  injury biomechanics;  fraud factors;  surveillance and/or accident videos;  maintenance and inspections;  slip resistance and the slip-o-meter;  evolution of biomechanics law and admissibility of experts;  rebutting plaintiff experts;  and summary judgment.


For CLE materials, click here:  CLE Materials 11/5/20

DANY thanks ARCCA for supporting this event

__________________________________________________________


Free CLE via Zoom  -  October 22, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
Defending Exaggerated Knee and Hip Personal Injury Claims:  Part One  -  The Knee
One NY CLE Credit (Skills)

Presented By:  Ronald P. Grelsamer, M.D. and John P. Connors, Esq.


This was part one of this two part series.  The panelists are educating, from medical and legal viewpoints, about recognizing and overcoming smokescreens which make tiny knee and hip injuries seem major.  DANY thanks iMedView for having supported this event.

For CLE materials, click here:  CLE materials 10-22-20



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free CLE via Zoom  -  September 24, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Inside the Mind of a Mediator:  Avoiding Impasse and Maximizing Outcomes in Mediation
One Credit (Skills)

Presented By:  Richard P. Byrne, Esq., NAM Mediator

Although mediation resolves most disputes, some mediations end in impasse.  Such disappointments can usually be avoided and positive resolutions achieved when advocates are armed with knowledge of common mediation pitfalls and develop negotiation skills that can enhance mediation outcomes.  This course educated as to appropriate preparation, smart brief-craft and thoughtful strategies during the mediation session – focused on the purpose, logistics and goals for the session – to reduce the potential for failure and maximize results.  DANY thanks NAM for having supported this event.

For CLE materials, click here:

CLE Materials - September 24, 2020


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free CLE via Zoom  -  August 18, 2020 at 5:45 p.m.
100th Anniversary of Women's Voting Rights  -  Passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
One Credit (Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias)

Moderator:  Teresa Klaum, Esq.  -  President, DANY

Panel:
-   Hon. Doris Gonzalez  -  Chief Administrative Judge, NY Supreme Court / Bronx County
-   Doris Cheng, Esq.  -  President, ABOTA / San Francisco Chapter
-   Alecia Walters-Hinds, Esq.  -  President, ABOTA / New York City Chapter
-   Grace Weatherly, Esq.  -  President-Elect, ABOTA

For CLE materials, click here:

CLE Materials August 18, 2020



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free CLE via Zoom  -  July 29, 2020 at 6 p.m.
Defense of the Spinal Fusion Personal Injury Case  - 
Medical and Legal Perspectives

one credit (skills)

Panel:
Leon R. Kowalski, Esq.  - 
   Managing Attorney, Kowalski & DeVito

Jared Brandoff, M.D.  -  Orthopedic Spine Surgeon,
White Plains Hospital Physician Associates

For CLE materials, click here:

CLE materials 7-29-20

DANY thanks iMedView for having supported this event.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free CLE via Zoom  -  May 14, 2020
The Biomechanics of Injury Causation:
  Traumatic Brain Injury

one credit (skills)

Panel:
Steven Balson-Cohen, Esq.  - 
  Captive Trial Counsel, American Transit Insurance Company

Calum G.A. McRae, Ph.D., M.Eng. of ARCCA  -  Senior Biomechanist


For materials, click here:  CLE Materials 5-14-20

DANY thanks ARCCA for having supported this event.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free CLE via Zoom  -  April 7, 2020
Taking Remote Depositions by Videoconference


Panel:
Teresa A. Klaum, Esq.  -  Conway Farrell Curtin & Kelly, PC
Mark Hoorwitz  -  President, Lexitas NY-Tristate Division


For materials, please click here:  CLE Materials


DANY thanks Lexitas / Dietz Reporting for having supported this event.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for having attended DANY's live CLE events,
some of which are described below.


BI Plaintiff's Background  -  January 2020

By:

Leon R. Kowalski  -  Kowalski & DeVito - http://linkedin.com/in/leon-r-kowalski-993b9327/ 

Jamie V. Tarallo  -  Pillinger Miller Tarallo - http://pmtlawfirm.com/attorneys/tarallo-jamie-v/

Mark Wilhelmsson  -  Terrier Claims Services - http://terrierclaims.com/trial-preparation/

Jason J. Gudaitis  -  Terrier Claims Services - http://terrierclaims.com/jason-j-gudaitis/


2019 Essential CPLR Updates

By:

  • David Paul Horowitz – McNamara & Horowitz, LLP


New York Labor Law Update 2019

By:

  • Michael B. Titowsky – Morris, Duffy Alonso & Faley


Traumatic Brain Injury Defense 2018

By:  

  • Jeffrey A. Brown, M.D., Esq.
  • David M. Mahalick, Ph.D, ABPN
  • William N. DeVito  /  Kowalski & DeVito



Taming the Elephant in the Courtroom - Strategies for female lawyers and their supporters to identify, defuse and combat bias in the courtroom and in the boardroom

By:

  • Claire F. Rush of Rush & Sabbatino, PLLC  (Moderator)
  • Suzanne M. Halbardier – Barry McTiernan & Moore LLC
  • Andrea Alonso – Morris, Duffy Alonso & Faley
  • Margaret G. Klein - Law Offices of Margaret G. Klein & Associates – Attorney of Record for GNY
  • Karen Campbell – Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP
  • Doris Rios Duffy - Kowalski & DeVito – AIG Staff Counsel
  • Moya O’Connor – MetLife

Insurance Coverage for the Insurance Defense Lawyer

By:

  • DANY Past President Julian D. Ehrlich  -  Aon Risk Services Northeast
  • Darrell John  -  Conway, Farrell, Curtin & Kelly, P.C.
  • Rona L. Platt  -  Enstar
  • Jennifer A. Ehman  -  Hurwitz & Fine, P.C.

Labor Law Update - 2017

By:

  • Leon R. Kowalski  -  Kowalski & DeVito
  • Michael J. Pearsall  -  Kowalski & DeVito
  • Gary A. Rome  -  Barry, McTiernan & Moore
  • Christopher M. Hart  -  Nationwide Insurance

Dram Shop Liability in New York

By:  Andrea M. Alonso  /  Morris Duffy Alonso & Faley


Defending Damages in Catastrophic Medical Injury Cases

By:

  • Leon R. Kowalski  -  Kowalski & DeVito
  • Michael J. Pearsall  -  Kowalski & DeVito

New York's Settlement Math Made Easy!

By:  

  • Sam Senders  -  EPS Settlements Group
  • Joshua Cohen  -  DeCorato Cohen Sheehan & Federico 
  • Edward Guardaro, Jr.  -  Kaufman Borgeest & Ryan
  • Emilio Grillo  -  Goldberg Segalla

Traumatic Brain Injury Defense, Version 3

By:  

  • Jeffrey A. Brown, M.D., Esq.
  • David M. Mahalick, Ph.D, ABPN
  • William N. DeVito  /  The Law Offices of Leon R. Kowalski

Assumption of Risk in Sports

By: Kevin G. Faley  /  Morris Duffy Alonso & Faley

Civility and Ethics

By: Steven R. Dyki  /  Russo & Toner, LLP

Ethics and Social Media - Attorney Advertising and Use as a Litigation Tool

By: 

  • Andrew Cabasso  /  JurisPage
  • Andrew Zajac  /  McGaw, Alventosa & Zajac

Mediation Advocacy

By: Hon. Joseph P. Spinola (Ret.)

New York Serious Injury Update 2015 - Winning Strategies for the Defense

By: 

  • Colin F. Morrissey  /  Baker, McEvoy, Morrissey & Moskovits, P.C.
  • Seth M. Weinberg  /  Mauro Lilling Naparty LLP

The Cutting Edge 2015:  Delving Deeper into TBI Law and Science

By: 

  • William N. DeVito  /  The Law Offices of Leon R. Kowalski
  • Jeffrey A. Brown, M.D., Esq.
  • David M. Mahalick, Ph.D, ABPN

Information Security:  Cyber Breach & Coverage Issues

By: David J. Walton  /  Cozen O'Connor

Preservation of Issues for Appeal

By: 

  • David B. Hamm  /  Herzfeld & Rubin, P.C.
  • Andrew Zajac  /  McGaw, Alventosa & Zajac

Ethical Considerations for the Use of Social Media in Litigation

By: 

  • Andrew Zajac  /  McGaw, Alventosa & Zajac
  • Dawn C. DeSimone  /  McGaw, Alventosa & Zajac

What Judges Expect from Attorneys

By: 

Hon. Martin Schoenfeld
Associate Judge, Appellate Term
First Judicial District

You Lost ...  Now What?  Move to Renew,to Reargue and/or Appeal

By: 

  • Elizabeth Anne Bannon
  • Dawn C. DeSimone

DANY has been serving New York's Defense Bar and legal community for over 50 years.  Historical materials, photographs, and announcements may be found throughout this website.


Defense Association of New York
Bowling Green Station, P.O. Box 950, New York, NY 10274-0950

Phone: 212-313-3657
Email: danyexecdir@gmail.com

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software