Litigation

Eric L. Siegel has over 30 years of experience dedicating his practice to the litigation and resolution of business, employment, civil rights, disability rights and whistleblower disputes. Eric has tried jury and bench cases in both state and federal courts in numerous jurisdictions, including but not limited to the District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, and Mississippi. He formerly served as a trial attorney in the Employment Litigation Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division where he enforced Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In addition, he spent the last decade working part-time in the real estate industry as an owner and developer, working on acquisition, financing, zoning, affordable housing, property management and leasing issues. Consequently, he understands first-hand the challenges facing owners, landlords and developers and approaches legal problems of real estate clients from a broader, results-driven and cost-effective perspective. He works closely with his clients to identify and fully understand their goals. Thinking strategically and creatively on behalf of clients, he uses all available tools to pursue a successful outcome for his clients. Mr. Siegel has been a frequent lecturer and author on a wide array of topics, including employee work eligibility under immigration laws; compliance with wage and hour laws; emerging sexual harassment law issues; English-only rules; arbitrability of jurisdictional disputes in tri-lateral arbitration, ADA case analyses and articles on mental disability, health insurance, pre-employment inquiries under the ADA, which was published in Disability Discrimination in the Workplace (Clark Boardman Callaghan), and medical examinations and reasonable accommodation under the ADA, and litigation tactics to avoid summary judgment, publishing in several employment-related treatises.

Mr. Bottar brings more than 15 years of experience to the pursuit of medical malpractice, wrongful death, construction accident, and other complex personal injury actions throughout New York and the northeastern United States, with a focus on claims for birth injuries, neonatal/pediatric negligence, heart attack, stroke, brain damage, spine/nerve injuries, and liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Mr. Bottar is a graduate of Colgate University and is a summa cum laude (top 2%) graduate of Syracuse University College of Law where he is an adjunct professor of law, authors the "Civil Practice" chapter of the Syracuse Law Review’s Survey on New York law, and serves on the law school's Board of Advisors. Mr. Bottar has been selected by his colleagues for inclusion in the oldest peer-reviewed publication in the legal profession, The Best Lawyers In America®. For the areas of plaintiff's medical malpractice, product liability and personal injury, he is the youngest attorney in central New York listed in Best Lawyers®, and is the only attorney in Syracuse listed in all three fields. Mr. Bottar was honored by The Best Lawyers In America® as Syracuse's 2019 Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year, its 2019 Product Liability Lawyer of the Year, and its 2017 Product Liability Lawyer of the Year. Mr. Bottar is regional vice president of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers and is a member of its judicial screening committee. He is also one of the region's best known speakers and has, on behalf of various bar associations, provided continuing legal education on nearly 50 occasions to thousands of attorneys in Syracuse, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, New York City and throughout Long Island. In addition, Mr. Bottar has been invited to speak by the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, and was selected to serve as a faculty member for the New York State Bar Association Advanced Trial Academy. Every year since 2013, Mr. Bottar has been recognized in Upstate New York Super Lawyers®, a publication with membership limited to the top 5% of lawyers in each state, and was selected for its "Top 50" lawyers list in 2016, 2018 and 2019. He was named a 2016 New York Daily Record Attorney of the Year for his "professional accomplishments, exceptional character, integrity, ethics, and commitment to clients and community." He has achieved an AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the organization's highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards, and holds the title of fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America, a trial lawyer honorary society with membership limited to less than one-half of one percent of lawyers. Since 2013, Mr. Bottar has been recognized annually by The National Trial Lawyers as one of the "Top 100" trial lawyers in New York State and, having recovered nearly $75,000,000 for his clients, he has earned life membership in the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums. Mr. Bottar is a past member and executive editor of the Syracuse Law Review, which published his note titled "Robbing Peter to Pay Paul: Medicaid Liens, Supplemental Needs Trusts and Personal Injury Recoveries on Behalf of Infants In New York State Following the Gold Decision." Mr. Bottar’s article, which addressed the complexities of personal injury settlements, has been cited as an authority by the Practicing Law Institute (twice), American Jurisprudence Proof of Facts, the American Law Institute, and the American Bar Association’s Real Property Trusts and Estates Law Journal. In addition to the Syracuse Law Review, he is a past member of the Syracuse University College of Law Moot Court Honor Society, and was inducted into the Order of the Coif, the Order of Barristers, and the Justinian Honorary Law Society. Mr. Bottar began his legal career as a litigation associate with the New York City office of White & Case, LLP, one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the world (41 offices in 28 countries), with professional highlights including representing a French bank on trial for fraud, advising Fortune 500 companies on various liability matters, and conducting Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations in Buenos Aires, Brussels, Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Immediately prior to joining Bottar Law, PLLC, Mr. Bottar was a litigation associate with Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC, then the largest law firm in Syracuse, New York. Mr. Bottar is also a founding donor in support of Syracuse University's newly-constructed law school, where the Lorraine and Anthony V. Bottar Lecture Hall is named in memory of his grandparents. He was born and raised in Syracuse, New York, and presently resides in Manlius with his wife, Tiffany, a physical therapist, and their children.

Solving family disputes since 1999 The loss of a loved one is a difficult time, and it could be made even worse when a family feud arises over the distribution of the estate. While these issues can tear a family apart, the good news is that there is help available. At the Law Office of Ira M. Kopito, I have been representing clients in Brooklyn, New York in estate litigation, estate administration, and surrogate's court practice cases since 1999. My knowledge of New York estate law allows me to get a resolution to your case, no matter how complex, with the bare minimum of stress and heartache. You've already suffered enough; let me take care of your case from here. Committed to getting results I know how sensitive this area of the law is and that you need capable legal assistance by your side. While some attorneys dabble in the complex areas of estate law and family issues, this is my sole focus. My concentration on this area of law has allowed me to hone my skills and keep up-to-date on all any changes to the law as they occur. I take pride in my profession, and I offer everyone who comes to me for assistance the benefit of my: -Acclaimed legal counsel One of my most prized accolades is my AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest recognition possible in the legal industry, for my professionalism and ethics. -Dedication to the Brooklyn community In addition to having comprehensive knowledge of New York law, I am thoroughly familiar with the courts of Brooklyn. -Aggressive attitude Cases involving estates and family strife can be tough to deal with, but I have the demeanor necessary to get you the results you need. I aggressively go after results for my clients and never back down from a fight, no matter how intimidating the opposition may seem. Areas of practice I proudly represent clients in my Brooklyn office in the following areas of the law: -Estate litigation -Estate administration -Surrogate's court practice

I have been practicing law for over 25 years, representing individuals and small business owners in New York City and Long Island, with the legal issues that arise in their everyday business or personal life. For business owners, I act as a general business advisor, help form new businesses, review and negotiate contracts, including operating agreements, vendor agreements, independent contractor agreements, and commercial leases. I also teach clients how to avoid disputes by showing them what to do to ensure that they get paid at the end of a deal, how to protect themselves against liability and how to operate their businesses efficiently. In the event a dispute does arise, I work with business partners to assist them in resolving disputes among themselves or with companies they do business with, including representing companies in litigation against customers for unpaid bills or breached agreements. In addition, I have experience with other types of litigation, including construction and real estate contract litigation. I started my firm, the Law Office of Michael A. Kofsky, PLLC, in November 2008, after having worked at law firms both large and small in New York City. At Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom, LLP, I gained experience working with businesses, reviewing and analyzing business and real estate contracts and operating agreements to identify potential liabilities and compliance issues, and help manage risk. I also examined organizational structures and operating revenues and worked on joint ventures and other transactions. After leaving Skadden, I worked at several small boutique law firms at which I gained experience interacting with clients on a personal level in order to fully understand their needs and accomplish their goals. Thereafter, I took the best parts of my Manhattan experience and created my own firm to be closer to my family and to give back to the Long Island community. I am a lifelong New Yorker, born and raised in Manhattan and now living on Long Island. I graduated with honors from Brooklyn Law School and Boston University. I am an avid sports fan and am devoted to my family, including my two young daughters.

Litigation attorney since 1983 specializing in all facets of trial work with over 125 jury verdicts in that time period representing both defendants and plaintiffs.

Attorney Giordano started his career in the Enforcement Division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in its New York Regional Office. There, he participated in civil and administrative actions against broker-dealers and registered representatives for violations of federal securities laws; and conducted discovery and administrative investigations. ‍ After his employment with the SEC in New York City, between the 1980’s and the early 1990’s, he worked as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of New Jersey where he investigated and prosecuted federal criminal matters with a concentration on federal securities fraud violations; presented evidence and witnesses before the U.S. Grand Jury. ‍ Attorney Giordano entered private practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in early 1990’s and acted as principal in various law firms for over three decades. In May 2005, Attorney Giordano along with Attorney Reed opened their law firm, Reed & Giordano, P.A. ‍ Attorney Giordano deals with various areas of commercial and complex litigation, securities litigation, arbitration and many more. He has over thirty years of experience representing businesses and individuals in a wide variety of legal disputes and transactions. Attorney Giordano is experienced in all phases of civil and commercial litigation, including trial and appellate practice in state and federal courts. Attorney Giordano is experienced in representing both individuals and companies in complex commercial matters, including shareholder disputes, buyouts, fraud and claims involving breach of fiduciary duty.

Sam G. Caras (samcaras@caraslaw.com) was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. After a youth marked by participation in sports, Sam attended Wright State University, from which he graduated cum laude. During his last two years of undergraduate education he worked as a legislative aid for the Honorable C. J. McLin, and as a laborer in several industrial plants. Sam enrolled in the University of Dayton Law School in 1977 and graduated in 1980. During law school he enjoyed the privilege to clerk for the Honorable George J. Gounaris of the Civil Division of the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court for three years, while working part-time for two years with the City of Dayton Prosecutor's Office. Following graduation from law school he entered into private practice as an associate in an insurance defense firm, focusing on civil litigation defense of motor vehicle accidents, products liability, insurance, and professional liability cases. For several years after becoming partner in the insurance defense firm his practice concentration increasingly developed in plaintiff's personal injury and wrongful death. In 1990 he left the insurance defense practice and has since been practicing almost exclusively in the areas of medical and professional malpractice, wrongful death, serious personal injury, insurance litigation, with periodic referrals for business and contract litigation. Sam has practiced before all levels of Ohio courts, including successful arguments before the Ohio Supreme Court. He also has extensive experience in federal practice, particularly including practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, along with pro hac vice admissions in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama and U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Thomas P. Heeney, Jr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1967) and was raised in Doylestown, Buck County, PA where he attended and graduated from Central Bucks High School East (1986). While in high school, Mr. Heeney was a standout cross country and track and field runner. Mr. Heeney is also an Eagle Scout, a recipient of the Union League of Philadelphia Good Citizenship Award and a recipient of the Good Citizenship Award from the Bucks County Chamber of Commerce. Educationally, Mr. Heeney attended Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania where he earned both a Bachelor of Science Degree (1990) and a Master’s Degree (1991) in Public Administration. Thereafter, Mr. Heeney earned his Juris Doctorate from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland, Ohio (1995). Professionally, Thomas P. Heeney, Jr., Esquire is the founder and principal attorney of Heeney & Associates, P.C. (2001). Coining the phrase Get the LEGAL Edge, Attorney Heeney concentrates in the areas of Business Law and Transactions, Tax Law, Real Estate, Zoning, Subdivisions and Land Use, Wills, Estates and Probate, Entertainment Law and Civil Litigation. Mr. Heeney represents several Doylestown area corporations, businesses and nationally recognized music and literary artists. He has also successfully litigated cases involving intellectual property rights in the computer, trademark and copyright areas, as well as those cases involving traditional causes of action such as breach of contract and negligence. Mr. Heeney is a member of the Bucks County Pennsylvania Bar Association, where he participates in the Orphans Court and Civil Litigation Services. Civically, Mr. Heeney currently serves on the Board of Directors and acts as Vice President of Building a Better Boyertown (BBB) based out of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, where he and his family currently reside.

Steven F. Fairlie has been designated a Pennsylvania “SuperLawyer” in both Personal Injury and Criminal Defense and placed on their lists of the Top 100 Lawyers in Pennsylvania for more than a decade straight, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Top Rated Attorneys in Pennsylvania as published in The Wall Street Journal, Philadelphia Inquirer, and the The Legal Intelligencer, The National Advocacy for DUI Defense Top 100 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Attorneys, and is a holder of Martindale-Hubbell’s prestigious “AV” rating and Client Distinction Award, designating preeminent lawyers based upon legal ability, ethics, and client satisfaction. He has been rated a perfect 10.0/10.0 on AVVO.COM and is one of a just 35 attorneys in Pennsylvania to be named a “Lawyer on the Fast Track” by The Legal Intelligencer in 2006. He has been named a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (awarded to less than one-half percent of judges, lawyers, and scholars in America), received the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys Top 10 Attorney Award, and been named a Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer by the American Society of Legal Advocates. He has won many other awards for his trial work that are simply too numerous to list here. He has successfully handled numerous civil (slip and fall, auto accidents, land development litigation, etc.) and criminal trials (narcotics, DUI, capital murder, robbery, rape, etc.). Prior to private practice, he worked on the Narcotics Team and the Major Crimes Team of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office from 1996 to 2000. He successfully argued for the death penalty in 1999 and was lead prosecutor in a case involving $55 million of cocaine. Subsequently, as a defense attorney, he took the appeal of a client sentenced to death and convinced the prosecutor to vacate the death sentence. He used forensic tire print evidence to prove another client not guilty of attempted murder. In yet another case he uncovered evidence which reduced the offer on a robbery case from 25–50 years down to 2 years probation. He represented one individual charged with 3 separate charges of DUI and had the first case dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing, the second accepted into the A.R.D. program, and the third case dismissed after a trial judge granted suppression of all evidence in the case. Mr. Fairlie has obtained not-guilty verdicts in major jury trials involving shootings, burglaries, rape, etc. despite positive eyewitness identifications of his clients. On appeal, he has successfully argued for reversal of a death sentence in one case and a sentence of 70 years in another case. Recent successful plea negotiations include 2 1/2 to 5 years in the case of a man who struck his wife in the head with a hammer and strangled her and 6 to 12 years in a First Degree Murder case. Mr. Fairlie went to trial on a case involving more than $50 million of land transactions and settled the case in the second week of trial. He has obtained six-figure settlements in numerous personal injury cases, including car accident, back injury, and dog bite cases. Mr. Fairlie often serves as a speaker or course planner for various organizations such as the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Annual (2007–2025) Criminal Law Symposium in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Montgomery and Bucks County Bar Associations, and various law enforcement training programs. He also teaches numerous other continuing legal education seminars for lawyers every year. He earned his B.A. in Government and Law from Lafayette College in 1991 and his J.D. from The Dickinson School of Law in 1995 where he was a member of the Appellate Moot Court Board, the Environmental Law Journal, and a Chairman of the Student Bar Association. He has been Co-Chairman or Chairman of the Montgomery County Bar Association’s Criminal Defense Committee since 2001, a member of the Montgomery County Bar Association’s Judiciary Committe and Trial Lawyers’ Section, a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Professionalism Committee and Civil Litigation Section, a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Hotline Panel of Experts Committee, a member of the Montgomery County Sexual Assault Task Force, a member of The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and an Associate Member of the Philadelphia Bar Association. Mr. Fairlie’s areas of practice include personal injury, car accidents, criminal defense, and DUI defense. Mr. Fairlie enjoys scuba-diving, hunting, fishing and coaching youth sports.

Representation of parties in civil litigation in Philadelphia and surrounding counties and Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Pa. and before the American Arbitration Association; litigation of contract disputes including actions in the Supreme Court of New York, Manhattan and Montgomery County, Md. (admitted pro hac vice); construction arbitration; employment contract arbitration; class action consumer litigation; private mediation of contract disputes. Representation of plaintiffs in legal malpractice and accountant malpractice actions; expert witness in legal malpractice actions. All aspects of real estate practice including agreements of sale, mortgage financing, condominiums; cooperatives; leasing; sale-leasebacks; partnerships; limited liability companies; land development; land planning; easements; secured transactions; title insurance issues; cemetery law; served as Chairman of Abington Township (PA) Planning Commission. General corporate practice, including acquisitions and mergers; employment agreements; corporate documentation.