DRI Faculty List
Professional Liability Seminar
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel | New York, NY | December 5 - 6, 2019
Bolanle Akinrimisi Beazley Group
Bolanle Akinrimisi is a Claims Manager for Cyber & Executive Risk claims at Beazley, handling data privacy and cyber security matters, including guiding policyholders through immediate and comprehensive responses to data breaches and network intrusions. She has experience managing claims arising out of privacy breaches, Tech E&O, Intellectual Property, Media and Advertising liability. Prior to joining Beazley, Bolanle worked at another major insurance company handling E&O claims for lawyers, insurance companies, insurance agents, miscellaneous professional liability and cyber. |
Scott Barabash Vice President, Professional Liability Claims
Aspen Insurance
Scott Barabash joined Aspen Insurance in 2012 as Vice President and currently oversees their Lawyers and Accountants Claims programs. He has more than 20 years of industry experience, including 15 years handling and supervising claims professionals on a variety of professional liability claims. He currently serves on the executive committee of the Legal Malpractice Section of the Bar Association of San Francisco. Scott received his law degree from Brooklyn Law School and admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey. |
Ryan D. Bolick Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP
Ryan D. Bolick defends licensed professionals against claims of professional negligence, malpractice or ethical violations in all North Carolina Courts and before professional licensing or administrative boards. He is co-chair of his firm's professional liability practice group. |
Lisa Fontana Brennan Executive Claims Examiner
Markel Corporation
Lisa Fontana Brennan is an Executive Claims Examiner for Markel Corporation. She handles claims in all states for a variety of professional lines including architects and engineers, accountants, dentists, directors and officers, employment practices liability, homeowners associations, miscellaneous errors and omissions, and technology services. Lisa is a licensed attorney in Illinois, Michigan and Indiana and practiced law at an insurance defense firm prior to joining Markel. |
Gawain Charlton-Perrin Director of Risk Management
The Hanover Insurance Group
Gawain Charlton-Perrin is a nationally recognized author and lecturer on professional liability, ethics and risk management. At The Hanover, Gawain focuses on Risk Management for Professional Liability Programs for lawyers and other professionals. Prior to joining The Hanover in November of 2012, Gawain focused on Risk Management for lawyers for another insurance carrier. Formerly, Gawain prosecuted attorneys for ethical violations for the State of Illinois and later defended attorneys for a Chicago law firm in legal malpractice cases and ethics complaints. Gawain is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, the Federal Northern District Court in Illinois and the U.S. Supreme Court. |
David Y. Choi Goldberg Segalla LLP
David Y. Choi is a partner at Goldberg Segalla LLP in the Los Angeles and Orange County offices, and is a member of the Management and Professional Liability Practice Group. A versatile counsel, David offers a wealth of experience defending against high exposure claims involving directors and officers and professionals across an array of disciplines including real estate brokers, attorneys, insurance agents and brokers, architects and engineers, property managers, escrow officers, and accountants, amongst others. |
Roseanne DeBellis Great American Insurance Group
Roseanne DeBellis is a Divisional Assistant Vice President at Great American Insurance Group, leading the Design Professional Claims Division and handling risk management for design professionals. Roseanne has more than 14 years of professional liability experience and has previously held senior claim positions at other top insurance carriers. She began her career in private practice, defending design professionals against errors and omissions claims. Roseanne is a licensed attorney in New York and Connecticut and holds adjuster licenses in various jurisdictions. |
Penelope M. (Penny) Deihl Clark Hill PLC
Penelope M. (Penny) Deihl with the Clark Hill law firm in Los Angeles. Penny is an effective litigator and negotiator with more than 25 years of experience representing individuals, corporations and other entities in a range of commercial and civil disputes. Her professional liability practice includes the defense of real estate, accounting, financial managers, and insurance brokers. Focused on developing and pursuing legal strategies that work, Penny's extensive trial experience is unique among her peers. On behalf of her clients, she has argued and won numerous jury awards and judicial decisions in open court. |
Zandra E. Foley Partner
Thompson Coe Cousins & Irons LLP
Zandra E. Foley with Thompson Coe Cousins & Irons in Houston, TX is a seasoned trial attorney who represents clients in complex litigation matters related to products liability, mass torts, malpractice, and errors and omissions. She represents corporations, national product manufacturers, insurance agencies, law firms, accountants, financial advisors, doctors, nurses, engineers, and other professionals in both state and federal courts across the state of Texas. Zandra has first chair trial and arbitration experience. She currently serves as national trial counsel for a national product manufacturer and has extensive experience advising clients on a variety of complex disputes with an eye toward early and efficient resolution. |
Dennis L. Galvin Assistant Vice President - Claims
Argo Pro
Dennis L. Galvin is Assistant Vice President - Claims of Argo Pro, in charge of overseeing the Lawyers Professional Liability claims group. Prior to joining Argo Pro, Mr. Galvin was Vice President – Professional Liability Claims for OneBeacon Professional Insurance, where he oversaw a group of claim attorneys handling claims in Lawyers Professional, Real Estate Professional, Insurance Agents Errors & Omissions, Content Technology and Cyber Insurance. Prior to joining OneBeacon, Mr. Galvin worked for Lexington Insurance Company, where he was responsible for handling complex professional claims in a variety of areas including LPL, RPL, insurance agents, accountants, media corporations and government entities. Prior to joining Lexington, Mr. Galvin was in private practice in the Boston area where he specialized in civil litigation including insurance defense and coverage litigation. Mr. Galvin received his Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, MA and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Stonehill College in North Easton, MA. Mr. Galvin is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. |
Daniel W. Gerber Partner
Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady LLP
Daniel W. Gerber is a founding partner of Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady LLP. Mr. Gerber chairs the firm's Insurance Solutions Practice Group. He maintains an international practice in complex insurance coverage and reinsurance matters. He has served as an expert witness in insurance disputes all over the United States. In addition, he advises insurance and reinsurance companies on regulatory risks and compliance. Among his many leadership roles, Mr. Gerber is a former member of the Defense Research Institute (DRI) Board of Directors and is a current member of the Law Institute for DRI. |
T. Andrew (Drew) Graham Partner
Hall Booth Smith PC
T. Andrew (Drew) Graham started his practice with Hall Booth Smith, P.C. in 1992, developing expertise in traditional medical and professional negligence. In 1996, Mr. Graham created the firm's Long Term Care Practice Group in response to industry demand for specialist attorneys in the evolving area of long term care litigation. As chair of the LTC Practice Group, Mr. Graham is committed to making it the go-to resource for healthcare providers facing the challenges of a complex and highly regulated specialty. The group has grown to include over 20 attorneys, each with an in-depth appreciation of the industry. Mr. Graham specializes in the management of high exposure professional liability claims including complex regulatory and reimbursement actions, class actions, and batch claims. He has tried more than 40 cases to resolution and has resolved hundreds professional liability of cases through the use of alternative dispute resolution strategies including arbitration and mediation. Mr. Graham is frequently called to assist local counsel with the management of complex batch claims, complex discovery, and trial. Mr. Graham is actively involved in numerous professional organizations and is frequent speaker at industry and legal meetings. He is peer rated AV by Martindale Hubbell. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and daughters. |
Nicholas A. Gumpel Western Litigation Inc
Nicholas A. Gumpel is Director of Professional Liability for Western Litigation/GB Specialty – a Gallagher Bassett company. He has more than 20 years experience in the insurance industry. Nick previously managed the claim department for The Plus Companies and held management positions with Liberty International Underwriters and Fireman's Fund/Interstate Insurance Group. He graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1990 and received his law degree magna cum laude from Hamline University School of Law. |
Todd D. Hampton VP of Claims
Berkley Select
Todd D. Hampton with Berkley Select provides E&O insurance to over 90,000 attorneys nationwide at both small and large law firms. Berkley Select is an insurer a majority of the AMLAW 100 firms providing both primary and excess coverage. Berkley Select also provides D&O, EPL and Accountants E&O to insured entities across the United States. Todd has an MBA from Loyola University in Chicago. |
Melody J. Jolly Partner
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP
Melody J. Jolly is a partner at Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP in Wilmington, NC. She leads the Firm's Professional Liability Section, and concentrates her practice on the defense of professionals including design professionals, attorneys, real estate professionals and others. Melody is the Vice Chair of the Professional Liability Committee. |
Seth L. Laver Partner
Goldberg Segalla LLP
Seth L. Laver is a partner in Goldberg Segalla whose practice primarily involves professional liability defense and employment litigation. He represents attorneys, design professionals, and accountants in professional negligence claims. Seth is Chair of DRI's Professional Liability Committee and the editor of Professional Liability Matters, a blog focusing on the professional liability community. |
Thompson Mackey, CRM, ARM Epic Insurance Brokers & Consultants
Thompson Mackey, CRM, ARM with Epic Insurance Brokers & Consultants advises private equity and corporate clients on insurance related matters from due diligence through deal close and post-merger integration of target companies. His focus is professional and management liability insurance program design for his clients, which includes private equity and venture capital firms, hedge funds, asset managers, and more, with considerable experience presenting to and communicating with the C-Suite and Board levels. His practice areas include Privacy / Security Cyber Liability, Professional Liability (E&O), Directors and Officers Liability (D&O). |
Erin McCartney Attorney Protective
Erin McCartney earned her JD from Villanova University School of Law, and her Bachelors degree from Georgetown University. Erin began her career as an insurance defense attorney in Philadelphia. She later joined Fireman's Fund Insurance Company where she handled professional liability claims and acted as the risk and claims service consultant for the company's top accounts. Erin is currently the Risk Management Lead for Attorney Protective, which entails leading the development and implementation of risk management initiatives for insured law firms. |
Kimberly K. (Kim) Noble, JD, CPCU, RPLU, CCP Sr Vice President
Thompson Flanagan
Kimberly K. (Kim) Noble, JD, CPCU, RPLU, CCPis Senior Vice President at Thompson Flanagan, where she advises lawyers and law firms on insurance coverage, risk management and claims processes. Ms. Noble has 26 years of professional liability experience in outside counsel, underwriting management and advisory roles. She previously managed professional liability programs at The St. Paul, GE Westport, OneBeacon and Argo Pro. Ms. Noble obtained her law degree from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. Kim is the Professional Liability Seminar Vice Program Chair. |
Marissa Olsen AVP-Claims Counsel
Coalition Inc
Marissa Olsenis Claims Lead/Legal at Coalition, Inc., a technology-focused cyber security insurer, where she focuses on responding to first-and third-party cyber security incidents, as well and technology and media claims. Prior to joining Coalition, Marissa was an Assistant Vice President/Claims Counsel at Sompo International Insurance, where she was responsible for managing and handling cyber, media claims, technology and miscellaneous errors and omissions claims. Before her tole at Sompo, Marissa was a Complex Claim Director at AIG for over seven years in the Network Security/Media/Technology group, where she specialized in handling high-value cyber, technology and media claims. In her role at AIG, Marissa managed a wide variety of high-exposure claims for nationally-recognizable corporations in a wide variety of sectors including banking, hospitality, software development, entertainment, education, technology, retail, and health care. Before joining AIG, Marissa had her own private law practice in New York, specializing in commercial and residential real estate, as well as trusts and estates and general corporate work. Prior to that, Marissa worked at several New York-based law firms where she specialized in representing lenders, buyers and sellers in commercial and residential real estate transactions, and working with clients on general corporate transactions. Before those firms, Marissa worked for a firm where she specialized in entertainment law, representing actors, singers and other performers. Marissa is a member of the New York and New Jersey Bars, and is also admitted to the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. She received a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and a B.A. from The George Washington University. |
Ashley T. Parrish Cantey & Hanger LLP
Ashley T. Parrish is the partner-in-charge of Cantey Hanger's Dallas office and also serves as the firm's General Counsel. He has extensive trial experience in professional liability, real estate, insurance, commercial litigation and product liability matters. He has represented a wide variety of professionals including, title insurance agents, attorneys, accountants and real estate professionals. A significant part of his practice is devoted to representing insurance professionals who place risks into the Lloyd's of London market. |
David S. Perlmutter, AIC Lancer Claims Services
David S. Perlmutter, AIC, with Lancer Claims Services obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge in 1988. In addition, he has obtained his Associate in Claims (AIC) professional designation from The Institutes in 2002. Mr. Perlmutter has a total of 28 years of insurance claims experience, which includes handling personal and commercial auto liability, general liability, home inspector errors and omissions, insurance agent errors and omissions, registered representative and broker/dealer errors and omissions, reinsurance auditing and has experience in handling/recommending coverage position to insurance carriers. |
Katie S. Phang Partner
Katie S. Phang PA
Katie S. Phang is the Principal and Owner of Katie S. Phang, P.A., where she represents a diverse group of clients in complex commercial and real estate litigation, marital law, and white collar/FCPA/compliance matters. She also provides clients with assistance in Media Relations and Crisis Communications. Katie has more than 20 years of trial experience in state and federal courts. As a former prosecutor and private practitioner, she has tried dozens of jury and bench trials throughout Florida, several of which as Lead Trial Counsel. AV-Preeminent rated in Litigation, Bankruptcy, Family Law, and Criminal Law, Katie has been recognized several times as a Top Lawyer in Corporate and Business Law by the South Florida Legal Guide and Florida Trend's Legal Elite, and as a Rising Star by American Lawyer Media/Daily Business Review and one of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's 40 Under 40 Outstanding Lawyers of South Florida. In 2014, Katie was honored by the State Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) as a "Leader in the Law" and is the Past-President of the Miami-Dade Chapter of FAWL. She has served as the Chair of a Florida Bar Grievance Committee, on the Board of Directors for the Dade County Bar Association, as the Vice-President of the Executive Board of Suited for Success/Dress for Success Miami, and as the Vice-Chair of the City of Miami Beach's Design Review Board. Katie currently teaches as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami School of Law's Litigation Skills Program and she serves on an Eleventh Judicial Circuit Professionalism Panel, as well as a Vice President for the University of Miami Alumni Association. A Legal Contributor for NBC News/MSNBC, Katie frequently comments on the hottest, trending legal issues and cases. She also appears on other national TV and radio outlets. |
LaToyia Watkins Pierce FirstService Residental
LaToyia Watkins Pierceis Vice President, Legal Affairs with FirstService Residential in Dallas, Texas. LaToyia is responsible for overseeing and developing the litigation management process and strategy for all matters effecting the company throughout the United States and Canada. Prior to joining FirstService Residential, LaToyia retained and managed outside counsel to defend professionals who are sued in courts, before regulatory bodies, and in arbitrations across the country. She oversaw cases involving errors and omissions insurance, miscellaneous professional liability insurance and other forms of insurance coverage and actively participated in all aspects of litigation and practice and risk management for insureds and their counsel. |
Sean C. Pierce Harbuck Keith & Holmes LLC
Sean C. Pierce is one of the founding attorneys of Harbuck Keith & Holmes LLC and practices across Alabama and the Southeast Mr. Pierce has over 17 years of experience handling professional liability, commercial litigation, and privacy, data security and cyber liability litigation, emphasizing complex litigation and class actions. He is on the Steering Committee of DRI's Professional Liability Committee, currently serves as Liaison to DRI's Lawyers' Professionalism & Ethics Committee and Co-Vice Chair of The Professional Liability Committee Lawyers SLG. |
Courtney B. Schulnick Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin PC
Courtney B. Schulnick with Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin PC litigates cases in both state and federal courts. In an effort to better manage her anxiety and the stressors associated with litigation and life in general, she enrolled in the MBSR Program at the Mindfulness Institute at Jefferson University. She completed both the Teaching Practicum and Internship at Jefferson. She now pursues her passion of helping others by teaching Mindfulness so that they, too, can live more fully in the present moment and achieve greater balance, vitality and health. |
Thomas P. Scrivo O'Toole Scrivo LLC
Thomas P. Scrivo is a Managing Partner of the firm O'Toole Scrivo. Mr. Scrivo is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney and has been listed as one of New Jersey's Top 100 Lawyers in Super Lawyers®, a Thomson Reuters business. From 2005 through 2015, and beginning again in 2018, Mr. Scrivo has been listed in Super Lawyers® in the areas of Business Litigation and State, Local & Municipal. (No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.) In 2016 and 2017, Mr. Scrivo was listed as No. 16 in the NJBIZ Power 100: the 100 most powerful people in New Jersey and No. 15 (2016) and No. 35 (2017) in the PolitickerNJ Power List. Mr. Scrivo served as Chief Counsel to Governor Chris Christie from 2015 to 2017. As Chief Counsel, Mr. Scrivo was responsible for leading the Governor's legislative initiatives, supervising gubernatorial appointments, and overseeing New Jersey's Executive Branch, including all state departments and authorities. Mr. Scrivo represents employers' interests in employment discrimination claims involving race, sex, religion, age, handicap or sexual orientation. He regularly handles cases involving wrongful discharge, retaliation, breach of contract, whistleblowing, and related claims. |
Mark A. Scruggs Lawyers Mutual Liability Ins of NC
Mark A. Scruggs joined Lawyers Mutual in March 2001 as claims counsel. Formerly a partner with Spear, Barnes, Baker, Wainio & Scruggs, LLP in Durham, North Carolina, Mark has over 14 years' experience as a trial attorney concentrating in insurance defense litigation. For the last 18 years, Mark has worked with Lawyers Mutual primarily in litigation-related claims, workers compensation and family law matters. Mark is a past chair of the Law Practice Management section of the North Carolina Bar Association. |
Denis K, Sheehan Markel Services Inc
Denis K, Sheehan began his career at Markel in 2008 and he presently serves the Company as the Director of the Complex Claims unit for the United States Professional Liability team which includes Environmental, Med Mal, Architects & Engineers and Miscellaneous Professional Liability, and Lawyers. During his tenure at Markel, Denis has served the Professional Liability team as a Manager of the Medical unit as well as a Senior Examiner for both the A&E unit and the Miscellaneous Professional teams. |
Jill Huntley Taylor, PhD Dispute Dynamics Inc (DDI)
Jill Huntley Taylor, PhD,heads the Philadelphia office of Dispute Dynamics, Inc. For over twenty years, Dr. Huntley Taylor has worked throughout the country, alongside some of the best lawyers and law firms developing trial themes and strategy, conducting jury research, assisting with jury selection and witness preparation. Dr. Huntley Taylor attended Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California where she earned a Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Social Psychology. |
Megan Halverson Trexler Chubb
Megan Halverson Trexler is a Claim Director for the Errors and Omissions section of the Chubb North America Financial Lines. In this position, Megan primarily handles technology and miscellaneous professional liability claims. She joined Chubb in January 2017 after leaving her position as shareholder with Graham Curtin, PA, a law firm located in Morristown, New Jersey. At Graham Curtin, Megan's focus was professional liability defense with an emphasis on legal malpractice as well as employment law on the management side. |
Matthew (Matt) Wagenknecht, CREA, CISSP, CEH Citrin Cooperman
Matthew (Matt) Wagenknecht, CREA, CISSP, CEH is a very technically-adept IT specialist with eighteen years' experience in Information Technology, fifteen of which dealt directly with Information Security. Having a wide range of skills in all technical disciplines within IT allows him to provide superior technical direction or assistance with any IT matter. Matt holds active U.S. Top Secret and NATO Secret clearances and works on projects related to cryptography and security assessments with CENTCOM, SOCOM, NRL, NSA and other government organizations. |
R. Bruce Wallace Nexsen Pruet
R. Bruce Wallace lives in Charleston, South Carolina and practices in Nexsen Pruet's Torts, Insurance, Products litigation group (TIPS). Representing banks, insurers, and corporate clients in litigation gives Bruce a healthy perspective about today's complex business world. Bruce represents insurers and corporate clients in bad faith and coverage issues, professional liability, business litigation (including disputes involving partnerships, limited liability companies, and closely held companies), as well as fiduciaries in probate litigation matters (including trusts and estates). Bruce is the 2019 Professional Liability Seminar Program Chair. |
Kathryn S. (Kate) Whitlock Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP
Kathryn S. (Kate) Whitlock with Hawkins Parnell & Young has over 30 years' experience in a wide variety of litigation, including professional liability and grievances, products liability, premises liability, and commercial cases. Kate is active in all aspects of litigation, from pre-suit negotiation through appeal. She appears in all Georgia state and federal courts, as well as courts in several other states. She has tried over 50 cases. She speaks and writes on numerous subjects, including professional malpractice, legal ethics, trial practice, products liability, and premises liability. |
Jonathan P. Zayle Athens Program Services Inc
Jonathan P. Zayle is a licensed New Jersey attorney and the Professional Liability Claims Supervisor for Athens Programs Services, Inc., where he manages an Addiction Treatment and several other national programs. Early in his career, Jonathan defended insureds in various Professional Liability, Products Liability and Construction Defect claims. Immediately prior to joining Athens, he spent six years as the Professional Liability Claims Manager for a specialty insurer focusing on LPL and CPA matters. He enjoys playing bass and acoustic guitar. |