Arthur Cholodofsky, Partner/Shareholder

Arthur Cholodofsky was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has lived in South Florida since 1969. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Tulane University and graduated with honors in 1985. Because of his academic achievements at Tulane University, he was "tapped" as a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor Society and chosen for induction into Phi Beta Kappa. He was also a member of the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity. In 1988, Mr. Cholodofsky earned his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Florida College of Law. While attending the University of Florida, he clerked at a large South Florida law firm where he assisted in the defense of complex litigation matters, served as an associate editor of the Law Review, 1986-88, authored a Case Note selected for publication in the Law Review and received the Book Award, Torts II, 1986.

Since graduating from the University of Florida in 1988, Mr. Cholodofsky has concentrated his practice of law in the area of civil litigation defense with an emphasis on employment practices liability and healthcare law. As a partner with the Law Offices of Steven M. Ziegler, P.A., he heads the Firm's employment law division. He represents a diverse group of private and public businesses in a wide range of employment-related matters. He works closely with employers faced with issues involving contracting, hiring, promotion, compensation, discipline, leaves of absence, and termination to resolve problems before the institution of administrative proceedings or litigation. He also provides clients with dispute-prevention support, including management training and the review and drafting of policies, procedures and handbooks. He has extensive expertise in defending employers in all stages of administrative proceedings before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Florida Commission on Human Relations, and all other State and local agencies charged with investigating claims involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on race, age, gender, national origin, pregnancy, religion and disability brought under Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, Florida Civil Rights Act, Florida's Whistleblower Statute, and other Federal and State laws. As a cause finding in these proceedings can have a significant impact on an employer's business operations, he thoroughly investigates the allegations and meets personally with all material witnesses to gather the necessary information and documentation to secure a dismissal of the administrative charge. If a lawsuit is filed, he is expert in defending employers in these actions in State and Federal court.

Mr. Cholodofsky is also highly experienced in representing numerous healthcare providers and managed care organizations in complex cases involving medical malpractice and benefits litigation, with an emphasis on class actions, contract and commercial aspects of managed care law.

Mr. Cholodofsky's notable results include obtaining defense summary judgments in various race discrimination claims in Federal Court, which were later affirmed on appeal, obtaining defense summary judgment of product liability claims in State court later per curiam affirmed on appeal, obtaining successful dismissal of ERISA claims on behalf of managed care clients, obtaining defense summary judgment on vicarious liability claims on behalf of managed care clients and obtaining successful dismissals and no cause determinations issued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Florida Commission on Human Relations, and other State and local agencies.

Mr. Cholodofsky's publications include:

• Managed Care Liability Update 2000, Dade Ass'n Health Underwriters, 2000;
• Health Care Law & Ethics Workshop, Univ. Miami School of Law, Center for Ethics & Public Service, 2000;
• Note, Torts: Does The Negligent Entrustment Doctrine Apply To Sellers, 39 U. Fla. L. Rev. 925, (1987).

Mr. Cholodofsky is admitted to the Florida Bar, a member of the Florida Bar Health Law, Labor & Employment Law, and Trial Lawyers Sections and a member of the Dade and Broward County Bar Associations. In addition to practicing in Florida's trial and appellate courts, Mr. Cholodofsky has also extensively practiced in federal court, admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Mr. Cholodofsky is married with two daughters. He enjoys travel and is an avid golfer.