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P/S Basic Tort & Insurance Law Practice (Buffalo)

- Location -
Holiday Inn Amherst
1881 Niagara Falls Blvd.
Amherst, NY 14228
(716) 691-8181

6.5 TOTAL CREDITS
5.5 credit hours of skills; 1.0 ethics
This basic-level course has been approved for MCLE credit in New York for all attorneys, including newly admitted (less than 24 months).

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This full-day practical skills program is designed for the newly-admitted general practitioner, as well as the more experienced attorney, who is interested in learning or reviewing the issues confronting those who litigate cases involving bodily injury, whether incurred in an automobile accident, an accident at commercial or personal premises, or on a sidewalk. In addition to providing a general overview of substantive law relative to bodily injury litigation, the local faculties, comprised of experienced litigators, will also address recurring insurance issues as they relate to the specific claims and will address the topic of liens and subrogation, including the recent amendment to the General Obligations law and the new Medicare set aside legislation.

AGENDA
8:30–9:00  REGISTRATION

9:00–9:05  INTRODUCTION

9:05–9:55
1. THE FUNDAMENTALS OF A CIVIL LAWSUIT
 A. The Plaintiff's Perspective – Identifying Necessary Parties and Causes of Action
 B. The Defendant's Perspective – Affirmative Defenses, Discovery and Motion Practice
 C. Available Resources and Forms to Assist the Practitioner
Speakers: Paul Pelagalli, Esq. (Albany); John C. Murrett, Jr., Esq. (Buffalo); Kenneth A. Bloom, Esq.; Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick, Esq. (Long Island);  Hon. Lewis J. Lubell (Westchester); Christopher A. Carucci, Esq.; A. Michael Furman, Esq. (New York City); Edward Gozigian, Esq. (Syracuse)

9:55–11:10
2. INSURANCE COVERAGE FUNDAMENTALS – OVERVIEW
 A. Policy Fundamentals – Understanding the Basics
 B. Insurance Law 3420-The New Notice Prejudice Legislation: Notice and Disclaimer Issues
 C. Recent Caselaw
Speakers: William C. Foster, Jr., Esq.; Alexandra M. George, Esq. (Albany); Sarah J. Delaney, Esq. (Buffalo); Kenneth A. Bloom, Esq. (Long Island); Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick, Esq. (Long Island); Charles Hyman, Esq. (Westchester); Michael A. Miranda, Esq. (New York City); Robert G. Bullis, Esq. (Syracuse)

11:10–11:20 BREAK

11:20– 12:10 
3. PREMISES LIABILITY CLAIMS – OVERVIEW
 A. General Principles from Plaintiff and Defendant’s Perspectives
  1. Notice of Defect,
  2. Proof of Prior Accidents
  3. Creation of a Condition
  4. Recent Caselaw
Speakers: Jennifer Dominelli Lecakes, Esq. (Albany); Steve Boyd, Esq. (Buffalo); Brian J. Donnelly, Esq. (Long Island); Eric J. Sauter, Esq. (Westchester); Lawton W. Squires, Esq. (New York City); Robert Dwyer, Esq. (Syracuse)

12:10–1:10  LUNCH

1:10–2:00
4. PREMISES LIABILITY COVERAGE — OVERVIEW
 A. Additional Insured Coverage
 B. Commonly Litigated Coverage Exclusions 
 C. Priority of Coverage – Analysis and Caselaw
Speakers: Carolyn B. George, Esq. (Albany); Steven E. Peiper, Esq. (Buffalo); Rona L. Platt, Esq. (Long Island); Patti F. Potash, Esq. (Westchester); Neil L. Sambursky, Esq. (New York City); David M. Gouldin, Esq. (Syracuse)

2:00–2:50
5. AUTO INSURANCE COVERAGE
 A. Identifying sources of coverage
 B. What you need to know about Supplementary Uninsured Motorist (SUM), Mandatory Uninsured and No-Fault Coverage
 C. Priority of Coverage – Issues and Analysis
Speakers: Mirna M. Santiago, Esq. (Albany); Nicole B. Palmerton, Esq. (Buffalo); Jonathan A. Dachs, Esq. (Long Island and New York City); Richard S. Vecchio, Esq. (Westchester); Richard L. Weber, Esq. (Syracuse)

2:50–3:00 BREAK

3:00–3:50
6. ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES OF SETTLING A CIVIL LAWSUIT ETHICALLY
 A. Liens: Workers Compensation, No Fault
 B. GOL 5-335—The New Subrogation Legislation
 C. Medicare Set Aside 
Speakers: Timothy J. Higgins, Esq. (Albany); Laurie A. Giordano, Esq. (Buffalo); Michael T. Colavecchio, Esq. (Long Island and New York City); Anthony Pirrotti, Jr., Esq. (Westchester); Philip C. Johnson, Esq. (Syracuse)

3:50–4:00  QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

4:00 ADJOURNMENT

PROGRAM FACULTY
Overall Planning Chair
Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick, Esq., Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP, Melville, NY

Local Panels (listed in order of appearance)
Thursday, May 6, 2010

Albany
Chair: Robert H. Coughlin, Jr., Esq., Flink Smith LLC, Latham, NY
* Paul Pelagalli, Esq., Law Office of Paul Pelagalli, PLLC, Ballston Spa, NY
* William C. Foster, Jr., Esq., Hiscock & Barclay LLP, Albany, NY
* Alexandra M. George, Esq., Hiscock & Barclay LLP, Albany, NY
* Jennifer Dominelli Lecakes, Esq., Flink Smith LLC, Latham, NY
* Carolyn B. George, Esq., Friedman, Hirschen & Miller, LLP, Albany, NY
* Mirna M. Santiago, Esq., Nationwide Insurance Company, Elmsford, NY
* Timothy J. Higgins, Esq., Powers & Santola, LLP, Albany, NY

Buffalo
Chair: Dan D. Kohane, Esq., Hurwitz & Fine, P.C., Buffalo, NY
* John C. Murrett, Jr., Esq., Cellino & Barnes P.C., Buffalo, NY
* Sarah J. Delaney, Esq., Goldberg Segalla LLP, Buffalo, NY
* Steve Boyd, Esq., O'Brien Boyd P.C., Williamsville, NY
* Steven E. Peiper, Esq., Hurwitz & Fine, P.C., Buffalo, NY
* Nicole B. Palmerton, Esq., Brown & Kelly, LLP, Buffalo, NY
* Laurie A. Giordano, Esq., Leclair Korona Giordano Cole LLP, Rochester, NY

Long Island
Chair: Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick, Esq., Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP, Melville, NY
* Kenneth A. Bloom, Esq., Gartner + Bloom, P.C., New York, NY
* Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick, Esq., Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP, Melville, NY
* Brian J. Donnelly, Esq., Ahmuty, Demers & McManus, New York, NY
* Rona L. Platt, Esq., WRM America, Uniondale, NY
* Jonathan A. Dachs, Esq., Shayne, Dachs, Corker, Sauer & Dachs, LLP, Mineola, NY
* Michael T. Colavecchio, Esq., Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP, Melville, NY

Westchester
Chair: Patti F. Potash, Esq., White Fleischner & Fino, LLP, White Plains, NY
* Hon. Lewis J. Lubell, New York State Supreme Court Justice, Orange County, Goshen, NY
* Charles Hyman, Esq., Kissel Pesce Hirsch & Wilmer, Tarrytown, NY
* Eric J. Sauter, Esq., Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP, White Plains, NY
* Patti F. Potash, Esq., White Fleischner & Fino, LLP, White Plains, NY
* Richard S. Vecchio, Esq., Worby Groner Edelman LLP, White Plains, NY
* Anthony Pirrotti, Jr., Esq., Pirrotti Law Firm LLC, Scarsdale, NY

Friday, May 7, 2010

New York City 
Chair: Michael A. Miranda, Esq., Miranda Sambursky Slone Sklarin Verveniotis LLP, Mineola, NY
* Christopher A. Carucci, Esq., Everest National Insurance Company, Liberty Corner, NJ
* A. Michael Furman, Esq., Furman Kornfeld & Brennan LLP, New York, NY
* Michael A. Miranda, Esq., Miranda Sambursky Slone Sklarin Verveniotis LLP, Mineola, NY
* Lawton W. Squires, Esq., Herzfeld & Rubin, P.C., New York, NY
* Neil L. Sambursky, Esq., Miranda Sambursky Slone Sklarin Verveniotis LLP, Mineola, NY
* Jonathan A. Dachs, Esq., Shayne, Dachs, Corker, Sauer & Dachs, LLP, Mineola, NY
* Michael T. Colavecchio, Esq., Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP, Melville, NY

Syracuse
Chair:  David M. Gouldin, Esq., Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP, Binghamton, NY
* Edward Gozigian, Esq., Gozigian Washburn & Clinton, Cooperstown, NY
* Robert G. Bullis, Esq., Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP, Binghamton, NY
* Robert Dwyer, Esq., Sugarman Law Firm, LLP, Syracuse, NY
* David M. Gouldin, Esq., Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP, Binghamton, NY
* Richard L. Weber, Esq., Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC, Syracuse, NY
* Philip C. Johnson, Esq., Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP, Binghamton, NY

PROGRAM LOCATIONS
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Albany
New York State Bar Center
1 Elk Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 463-3200

Buffalo
Holiday Inn Amherst
1881 Niagara Falls Blvd.
Amherst, NY 14228
(716) 691-8181

Long Island
Melville Marriott
1350 Old Walt Whitman Rd.
Melville, NY 11747
(631) 423-1600

Westchester
Holiday Inn Mt. Kisco
1 Holiday Inn Drive
Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
(914) 241-2600

Friday, May 7, 2010
New York City
New Yorker Hotel
481 Eighth Avenue @ 34th St.
New York, NY 10001
(212) 244-0719

Syracuse
Renaissance Syracuse Hotel
701 East Genesee St.
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 479-7000

Important Note: If you plan to pre-register within 10 days of the program or register at the door, please call us at (800) 582-2452 or in Albany and surrounding area, dial (518) 463-3724, to verify that the program is not sold out or that the date or location has not been changed. Those who pre-register in advance of the program will automatically be notified of any such changes and will receive a full refund up to the day prior to the program, if they cannot attend and notify us of their cancellation. Please pre-register as early as possible.

INFORMATION AND POLICIES
Pre-registration Strongly Advised: You can save money and guarantee your seat and course materials by registering early. Registrations received or postmarked within 10 days of the event, or at the door, are subject to a higher registration fee. Seating is limited in all locations and registrations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. If you plan to pre-register within 10 days of the program or to register at the door, please call the CLE Registrar’s Office at (800) 582-2452 to verify that the program is not sold out or that the date or location has not been changed. Pre-registrants are guaranteed a seat and set of course materials, and will automatically be notified if there are any such changes in the date or location of the program.

Cancellations are easy – full refunds are given: Your full registration fee will be refunded if you give us notice no later than the close of business (4:45 p.m. EST) on the day prior to the date of the program for which you registered. To cancel, write the CLE Registrar’s Office at One Elk Street, Albany, New York 12207; or fax (518) 487-5618; or call (800) 582-2452. If you do not cancel and do not attend the program, a complete set of materials will be forwarded to you in consideration of the registration fee. Non-registrants may purchase program materials after the final program date.

MCLE Credit: This program is acceptable for MCLE credit in New York and many other MCLE jurisdictions.

Tuition Assistance: NYSBA members may apply for tuition assistance to attend this program, based on financial hardship. Under that policy, any member of our Association who has a genuine financial hardship may apply in writing, not later than five working days prior to the program, explaining the basis of his/her hardship, and, if approved, may receive tuition assistance, depending on the circumstances. For more details, please contact our CLE Registrar’s Office at (800) 582-2452.

Non Members - Join the NYSBA and enjoy great discounts on CLE seminars, products, and other valuable NYSBA services. NYSBA members can save 30 percent or more over non-members on CLE seminars alone. Join now and take advantage of NYSBA membership discounts throughout the year.
If you wish to join, please contact NYSBA Membership Services at (518) 487-5577 and an application will be sent to you.

Tape Recording of NYSBA Seminars is not permitted.

6.5 TOTAL CREDITS
5.5 credit hours of skills; 1.0 ethics
This basic-level course has been approved for MCLE credit in New York for all attorneys, including newly admitted (less than 24 months).

This program has also been approved for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California and the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for 4.5 credit hours of substantive law and 1.0 credit hours of ethics. All inquiries regarding MCLE credits may be directed to (518) 487-5606.

This course includes NO credit hours for the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements of New York and New Jersey CPAs.  Sponsor Numbers:  New York: 000026; New Jersey: 20CE00099900.

The New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Continuing Legal Education has been certified by the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board as an accredited provider of continuing legal education in the State of New York.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: PARTIAL CREDIT FOR PROGRAM SEGMENTS NOT ALLOWED. Under the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board Regulations and Guidelines, attendees at CLE programs cannot receive MCLE credit for a program segment unless they are present for the entire segment.  Persons who arrive late, depart early, or are absent for any portion of the segment will not receive credit for that segment.

Directions

From Buffalo-Niagara Int'l Airport: Exit the airport onto Rt. 33W and continue to the 90E. Take exit 50, Rt. 290W. Exit on Niagara Falls Blvd. exit 3 turn right.From the Canadian Border: (Peace Bridge) Take the 190N to the 290E to exit 3B, Niagara Falls Blvd. N (Rt. 62). Our hotel is just past the overpass on the right.From Niagara Falls Canada: (Rainbow Bridge) Take the 190S to the 290E to exit 3B, Niagara Falls Blvd. N (Rt 62). Our hotel is just past the overpass on the right.From the NYS Thruway (90) E or W: Exit 50, Rt. 290 W to exit 3, Niagara Falls Blvd. Turn right at the signal and right again into our parking lot.

The last day to pre-register online was May 5, 2010.

Members, please login to get member discounts.

Seminar
BUFF-P/S Basic Torts	$140.00

Seminar
BUFF-P/S Basic Torts	$190.00

Seminar
BUFF-P/S Basic Torts	$55.00

Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities:
NYSBA welcomes participation by individuals with disabilities. NYSBA is committed to complying with all applicable laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of its goods, services, programs, activities, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations. To request auxiliary aids or services or if you have any questions regarding accessibility, please contact Cindy O'Brien at 800-582-2452 or cobrien@nysba.org.