Legal Malpractice Law Review : Professional Responsibility Case Summaries & Commentary : Bennett J. Wasserman : LegalMalpractice.com : Lawyer Malpractice & Legal Ethics

Fall  2010

Laura A. Binski is in her third year of law school and a staff member of the Hofstra Law Review. She graduated from the University of Dayton in 2008 with a B. A. in Political Science. She has interned for the Nassau County Attorney and Schwartz & Perry, LLP in Manhattan. After law school, Laura would like to be an employment discrimination attorney.

Jeffrey Cain is in his third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for his J.D. in 2011. He received his B.A. in Geography and History at Eastern Washington University. At Hofstra, he has participated in the Unemployment Action Center, where he represented clients before Administrative Law Judges. He has also been involved in Legal Emergency Aid Project, a student organization that organized a trip to provide pro bono legal assistance in New Orleans. He has worked at the Office of the Nassau County Attorney and an employment discrimination law firm. Prior to entering law school, he worked in an apple orchard, an oil refinery, and aboard Washington State Ferries, among other, more conventional workplaces.

Karen Dindayal is in her third year at Hofstra Law School and is a May, 2011 J.D. candidate. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Investments from Baruch College and then worked as an accountant prior to starting law school. She currently works as a part time law-clerk in the commercial litigation division of Weinstein, Kaplan & Cohen, P.C. and serves as a Research Assistant in the area of Securities law. Karen is a senior editor for the Journal of International Business & Law and Professional Development Coordinator of the Student Bar Association.

Megan D. Diodato is in her third year and is a J.D. candidate, May 2011. She received her B.A. in June 2008 from The Pennsylvania State University in Psychology and Communication Arts and Sciences. Her legal internships have provided her with diverse experience in Matrimonial Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Mediation, and Environmental Law. She has also interned for the General Equity Judge, Honorable Frank A. Buczynski Jr., Superior Court of New Jersey.

Benjamin J. Doyle is a third-year law student at Hofstra University pursuing a concentration in civil litigation, J.D. expected May 2011. He earned his B.A. in English and a minor in Spanish from NYU’s College of Arts and Science. The summer before his senior year, he interned with the Hon. David Sullivan at the Nassau County Court in Mineola, NY. During his time at Hofstra Law, he has acquired legal experience working with family attorney Joedy DeFrank in Sacramento, CA and obtained admittance to the Moot Court Board through an oral advocacy competition.

Clem Durham is in his third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for his J.D. in June 2011. He is a Senior Editor for the Journal of International Business and Law and a Director on the Moot Court Board. He also was a summer associate at American Lawyer Media and a law clerk at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Clem completed his undergraduate studies at Rowan University where he earned a B.A. in Political Science (magna cum laude). 

Matthew Feinbloom is in his third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for his J.D. in the Winter of 2011. He received his B.A. from Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI. During his time as an undergraduate he studied the Australian Legal System as a student at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, AUS. He has interned in Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Immigration, and Corporate Law. He is also a member of the Sports and Entertainment Law society and hopes to pursue a career in Entertainment Law after graduation.

Jason W. Hake is in his third year at Hofstra University School of Law and will be a candidate for his J.D. in June, 2012. He currently works in a general practice law firm in Center Moriches where he plans on remaining following admittance to the bar. Jason did his undergraduate work at Stony Brook University where he earned a degree in philosophy/psychology.

Meghan Jean is a third year law student at Hofstra University School of Law and is a candidate for her J.D. in May 2011. Having interned at Schwartz & Perry, the leading law firm in Employment Discrimination Law, Meghan hopes to continue on in this field of law. In addition, due to her love of writing, Meghan currently holds the Executive Editor position of the Out of Court Statements, Hofstra Law School’s student run newspaper. 

Eric B. Kang is a third-year student at Hofstra Law School and a candidate for J.D. in June of 2011. He has a demonstrated passion for labor and employment law, a field in which he intends to seek employment upon graduation. He is a member of the Hofstra Labor & Employment Journal and is currently a legal intern for a Martindale-Hubbell “AV” rated employment law firm, focusing largely on employment discrimination. Eric completed his undergraduate studies at Hunter College, receiving a B.A. in Political Science in 2007. 

Merry Manavalan is in her third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for her J.D. in May 2011. She is currently a member of the Hofstra Law School Community and Economic Development Clinic. She received her B.A. from Binghamton University in 2007. She spent the summer of 2009 as an intern at a law firm in Delhi, India that specializes in Commercial Litigation and the summer of 2010 at a law firm in New York that specializes in Medical Malpractice.

Nicole Milone is in her third year at Hofstra Law School and is a J.D. candidate in June 2011.  She has interned at Schwartz & Perry, LLP, an employment discrimination firm, and for the Nassau County Attorney's Office in the Housing Advocacy Department.  She was also an extern at the Nassau County Commission for Human Rights where she worked primarily with housing and employment discrimination.  At Hofstra, Nicole was part of the Legal Emergency Aid Project, a group of students who fundraise throughout the year to travel to New Orleans, LA over spring break to provide free legal services to victims of Hurricane Katrina.  

Farah Shahidpour is in her third year at Hofstra Law School and is a J.D. candidate, June 2011. She is a graduate of the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, FL with a Bachelor of Science in Food and Resource Economics and a minor in Agricultural and Natural Resources Law in 2008. She served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Andrea C. Phoenix of the Nassau County District Court in Hempstead, NY in the summer of 2009. Farah is a certified Transformative Mediator, from the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation at Hofstra. Her certification includes the completion of thirty-five hours of Basic Mediation Training with special emphasis on mediating Parent/Teen Conflicts, which is approved by the New York State Unified Court System’s Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs. Farah has a strong interest in alternative dispute resolution and is currently a member of the Hofstra Mediation Clinic.

Robert Siegel is in his third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for his J.D. in Spring of 2011. He is in the part time night program and currently works during the day at a firm in the Hamptons running a debt management department which he built from the ground up. Rob did his undergraduate work at Binghamton University and graduated with a B.S. in Human Development. Rob is most interested in building a mediation practice with offices spanning from NY to CA. 

Laura Stein is in her final semester at Hofstra Law School and anticipates graduation in December 2010. She graduated from the University at Albany in 2007 where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in psychology and English, with a minor in communications. She has an interest in health law and corporate law. She currently works with a solo-practitioner in Mineola in an office in which another attorney is facing a lawyer’s malpractice situation. 

Manju Sunny is in her final year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for her J.D. in June 2011. Manju graduated from St. John’s University with a B.A. in Sociology and Theology. She is currently employed as a legal assistant in a Brooklyn firm that specializes in personal injury. She interned with both the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office (Special Victims Bureau) and Richmond County Supreme Court after the completion of her first year of law school. During her second year, she worked at the Nassau County Attorney’s Office (Family Court Bureau). Manju is currently in the Hofstra Law Mediation Clinic, where she has received certification as a Transformative Mediator, with a specialization in Parent Teen conflicts.

Shiv Vydyula is a 3L student at Hofstra concentrating in Corporate and Securities Law. He is an extern at FINRA’s Jericho office. Shiv is the Director of Competitions for the Moot Court Board and a Research Assistant for Hofstra's Law, Logic, and Technology Lab. Before attending Hofstra, he received his B.S. in Public Health from Rutgers University and then as a Client Advocate for the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation. 

Vanessa L. Wachira is in her third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for her J.D. in June 2011. She currently works as a law clerk to the in-house counsel at Galli Engineering, P.C.—a civil and environmental engineering company based in Melville, New York. During the summer of 2010, Vanessa served as an intern for the Bronx division of Legal Services-NYC, working to prevent evictions in the Housing Unit. Vanessa completed her undergraduate work at the University of Maryland- College Park, where she received a B.A. in English. She also holds Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice, Social Science and Liberal Arts. During the spring of 2010 Vanessa enjoyed much success in the Irving R. Kaufman Memorial Securities Law Moot Court Competition; she hopes to enjoy similar success this spring in the ABA’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition.

Fall  2009

John J. Anzalone is in his third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for his J.D. in June 2010. John did his undergraduate work at St. Joseph’s College (B.A. 2007).

Joshua D. Aronson is in his third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for his J.D. in June 2010. He currently works at a law firm which focuses on Bankruptcy Law. During his second year of law school, Joshua interned at a law firm working in the Wills, Estates, and Personal Injury departments. He also served as a real estate title closer. He received his B.S. in Finance and Business Administration from the University of Buffalo.

Candice L. Deaner is in her third year and is a J.D. candidate, June 2010. She received her B.A. received in June 2007 from the University of Scranton in Criminal Justice and Sociology. Her legal internships have provided her with diverse experience in Tax Certiorari matters, Criminal Defense, Education Law, Labor Relations and Landlord Tenant and Collections.

Thomas C. Eck is in his third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for his J.D. in June 2010. He currently works in the Hoftsra Law Reform Advocacy Clinic. This year, he has already deposed a witness in a federal housing rights law suit. As he prepares to graduate, he is working with new students in the Law Reform Clinic to bring them up to speed on the current pending litigation matters. Thomas did his undergraduate work at Nyack College (B.A. 2004) while working full-time as a bus operator with the City of New York. He then left the Transit Authority to pursue his passion in the law and is now a full-time law student.

Todd S. Feinstein is a visiting third year student from Loyola University New Orleans. He received his B.A. from San Francisco State University in 2007. For the spring 2010 semester he will be studying international law in Tokyo. Todd brings to law school a wealth of life experience, including several securities trading licenses and a 100-ton Coast Guard Captains License. Studying in New Orleans afforded him many opportunities that were unique to the region such as helping in the representation of Hurricane Katrina survivors.

Anthony J. Forzano is in his third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for his J.D. in June 2010. He serves as a legal intern in local law firms and has worked in Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Real Estate, Wills, Trusts & Estates, and Commercial litigation. Anthony did his undergraduate work at St. Johns University and the College of Staten Island (B.A. 2007). He then worked in a Real Estate company where he was involved in commercial transactions as well private sales. He worked closely on a highly contested zoning issue, the result of which enabled over six houses to be built for a combined value of over 3.5 million dollars.

Colleen Gaedcke is in her third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for her J.D. in June 2010. She interned at the Office of the University Counsel for the State University of New York at Stony Brook and worked on health, employment and education law issues. She has also interned for Judge Mark Falk of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Colleen did her undergraduate work at Seton Hall University (B.A. 2007).

Melissa S. Goldberg is a third year student and is a staff member of the Hofstra Law Review. She plans to be a criminal prosecutor. Melissa received her B.B.A. in Legal Studies in Business and was in the third graduating class of the Hofstra University’s Honors College.

Christopher S. Henn is in his third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for his J.D. in June 2010. He currently serves as Law Clerk to the Honorable Ira B. Warhsawsky of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Nassau, Commercial Division. Christopher has been selected as a member of the Willem C. Vis International Moot Arbitration Team, Hofstra’s only international moot court team, which participates at competitions in Vienna and Hong Kong each year. During his second year of law school, he interned at a local law firm working in Trusts & Estates, Matrimonial, Bankruptcy and Commercial litigation. Christopher did his undergraduate work at the University of Delaware (B.S. 2006). He then became a Field Engineer in the New York City Construction Industry working on projects including New York City Public Schools and the American Airlines Terminals redevelopment project at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Evan Michael Hess, a third year law student at Hofstra Law School, graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Religion, with Departmental Honors (cum laude), and a B.A. in Political Science (cum laude). He serves as the Managing Editor of Articles for the Family Court Review, as well as Executive Editor and Chairman of the Editorial Board for Out of Court Statements, the student news publication for the law school. A Child and Family Advocacy Fellow, Evan has engaged in a range of community service activities, including service as an Advocate for the Unemployment Action Center, where he earned recognition as Advocate of the Year. Additionally, he is the Head Coach of the Hempstead High School Mock Trial Program. Evan has served as a law clerk for the Los Angeles County Public Defender and the Los Angeles County District Attorney. In addition, his legal experiences include Internships for the Honorable Joseph F. Bianco, United States District Court Judge and the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Currently, Evan is a Judicial Intern for Senior District Court Judge Leonard D. Wexler of the Eastern District of New York.

Angela M. Ignelzi is in her final year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for her Juris Doctor in June 2010. She is currently employed as a legal assistant in a family law firm. In her position with this firm, Angela makes frequent visits to the Queens County Supreme Court to file documents and observe court appearances. She has had the opportunity to observe family and divorce mediations and has also completed a forty-five hour Mediation Skills Training with Parenting Plan Mediation Specialty with Professor Robert A. Baruch Bush. Angela was an intern at a commercial litigation law firm located in New York City. She has also held internships with the District Attorney’s Offices in Queens and Broome Counties. Angela did her undergraduate work at the State University of New York at Binghamton where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Law with concentration in American Law and Government. She spent the first semester of her senior year studying abroad in Florence, Italy where she studied International Law.

Jason R. Klein is in his third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for his J.D. in June 2010. He has worked with in-house counsel for Bayer HealthCare, LLC at their Diabetes Care Business headquarters in Tarrytown, New York. During his second year of law school, Jason got great experience working at law firms focusing on Bankruptcy, Real Estate and Matrimonial law. Jason completed his undergraduate studies at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business in June 2005 and began his career in law as a paralegal for a New York City law firm before enrolling at Hofstra Law School in August 2007.

Marina V. Kritikos is in her third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for her J.D. in June 2010. She is currently a Law Clerk working in Matrimonial, Trusts & Estates, Real Estate and Immigration law. In the spring of 2009, she was selected as a member of the Association for American Justice Trial Team and participated in an annual nationwide mock trial competition. She interned at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, Trials Bureau and before that she served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Kevin Sasinoski of the Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, Alleghany County, Court of Common Pleas. Marina did her undergraduate work at Hofstra University (B.A. 2004).

Evan S. Kusnitz is a J.D. candidate, 2011; He received his Bachelor of Talmudic Law in 2007 from Ner Israel Rabbinical College. Evan is a member of the Hofstra Law Review, and he has been awarded a full honors scholarship. Some of his recent work includes writing an amicus brief in a religious rights case involving judicial interference with rabbinic arbitration. Evan has also represented unemployment insurance claimants in administrative hearings and has assisted in editing Simon’s New York Code of Professional Responsibility Annotated. In addition to attending law school, Evan continues his advanced studies of Talmudic law.

Lisa A. Laratro is a third year student at Hofstra Law School and is a J.D. Candidate June 2010. She received her B.A. In 2007 from the University of Miami.

Justin Lieberman is a J.D. candidate, June 2010. He received his B.S. in 2007, from Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management. Justin firmly believes in giving back to his community and has been a volunteer Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician with the Hewlett Fire Department for over eight years. While attending Syracuse University, he served as a Field Supervisor and two years as President for Syracuse University Ambulance.

Selena K. Marchan is a third year student with an expected graduation date in June 2010. Her concentration is in Intellectual Property. She has interned at the Children’s Law Center in Kew Gardens, New York and worked as a research assistant for an attorney in Manhattan. Selena received a B.S. in Legal Studies and graduated cum laude from St. John’s University.

Karen L. Mills is a third-year law student and will graduate with a Juris Doctorate (JD) in June 2010. Karen worked as a Research Assistant at the Criminal Justice and Child Advocacy Clinics. Before attending Hofstra, Karen, a native New Yorker, had a career as an Executive Human Resources Assistant that spanned approximately 20 years. In 2001, she relocated to Atlanta, Georgia and completed her undergraduate studies earning a Baccalaureate in Political Science from Georgia State University in 2004.

Rachel M. Morris is in her third year and is a candidate for her J.D. in June 2010. For the 2008-2009 academic year, she served as Secretary of the Black Law Students Association, Hofstra Law Chapter. During the summer of 2008 Rachel was an investigative intern at the New York State Division of Human Rights, Nassau Office. There, she investigated discrimination claims based in employment, housing and public accommodation. After her second year of law school, she interned and worked in Entertainment law. Rachel did her undergraduate work at Temple University (B.A. 2007). During the summer after her freshman year she traveled to Germany and was a volunteer with the U.S.O.

Cheryl Neuman is in her third year and is a candidate for her J.D. in June 2010. She has interned at a New York City firm specializing in matrimonial law. She drafted affirmations and affidavits concerning legal matters. Her responsibilities also included corresponding with clients, preparing and filing motions in court, and conducting legal research. Specifically, Cheryl did extensive research concerning the effect that Internet pornography has on divorces and child custody proceedings and determinations. The research was compiled into article that will be published in the fall of 2009. After her first year of law school, she interned at the Queens County Supreme Court. Cheryl completed her Bachelor of Arts in Queens College, CUNY, majoring in Studio Art and minoring in Business (June 2007). As Cheryl is an active painter and has a strong interest in art, she plans to combine her passion for both art and law and to pursue a career in the field of art law.

Ryan M. O’Donnell is in his third at Hofstra Law School and is a J.D. candidate in June 2010. He has been an active member of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society at Hofstra since 2007. He received his B.A. in New Media from SUNY Purchase in 2004. While enrolled at Purchase, he volunteered at the Bay Ridge Center for Older Adults where he taught computer classes. Upon graduation from college, Ryan’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged and he began working full time as a web developer and sales representative for St. James Clothing, a New York based clothing company of which he is a part owner.

Michael H. Park is in his third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for his J.D. in June 2010. He received his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University. Michael is no stranger to hard work in diverse fields. He’s been everything from a pizza deliveryman to a flooring and tile installer. He spent his freshman year in construction demolition of a factory and learned firsthand what asbestos insulation looks like and all the hazards it poses to those who have worked in that environment. Michael has volunteered at a NYC suicide hotline for the last five years and was promoted to supervisor. He has served as an advocate in the Unemployment Action Center and has already argued before Administrative Law Judges in unemployment benefit claims. At leisure, Michael enjoys sailing and kayaking. He has traveled throughout Europe. He plans to open his own law practice and allow his work ethic; compassion and entrepreneurial spirit carry him forward to success.

Natalie Resto is in her third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for her J.D. in June 2010. She currently works as a law clerk and has she served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Stacy D. Bennett of the Nassau County Family Court in Westbury, NY. Natalie graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in journalism in 2006. While completing her undergraduate degree, she served as a senior staff writer for the UCF newspaper. She also interned at the Orlando Sentinel newspaper and several regional magazines writing profile pieces as well as assisting in editing stories. After graduating, Natalie continued to work for the Orlando Sentinel as an editorial assistant and freelancer.

Maninder (Meena) Saini hails from Toronto, Canada and is a third year student expecting her J.D. in 2010. She received her B.A. in Criminal Justice and Public Policy, and Social Psychology with Honors in 2006, from Ontario’s University of Guelph. She s certified in Conflict Transformation Mediation. She hopes to pursue a career in criminal law in New York City.

Daniel Schick is a candidate for his J.D., December 2009. He has received certification as a Transformative Mediator, from the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation at Hofstra. His certification includes the completion of forty-five hours of Mediation Skills Training with Elder Mediation Specialty, which is approved by the NYS Office of Court Administration Community Dispute Resolution Center Program. He received his undergraduate degree from the Israel Torah Research Institute in Jerusalem, Israel (BTL) June, 2003. He has a strong interest in the field of Criminal Defense, and most specifically the area of post conviction law. He has acted on behalf of Inmates at the federal prison camp in Otisville, N.Y., in the filing of a pro-se class-action federal lawsuit against the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, contending that the BOP violated inmates' constitutional rights of religious freedom and due process by restricting access to religious books. Additionally, he is currently doing pro bono work in assisting inmates at FCI Otisville by providing legal research on post-sentencing matters such as appeals, claims against the BOP and custody & post-release issues.

Ally M. Shuster is in her third year and is a candidate for her J.D. in June 2010. She is currently an intern with the Nassau County Attorney’s Office in the Family Court Bureau. Ally has a strong interest in family law and is currently a member of the Hofstra Child Advocacy Law Clinic. Through the clinic, she has been assigned three children to represent in family court in various cases. Ally did her undergraduate work at the State University of New York at Buffalo (B.A. 2007). While there, she interned at the Buffalo Crisis Center which sparked her desire to become a lawyer.

Jason M. Zemsky is in his third year at Hofstra Law School and is a candidate for his J.D. in June, 2010. He has worked at a securities and antitrust litigation law firm in New York City, where he conducted research and helped prepare briefs and motions for several pending cases. During the summer of 2008 he worked in the legal department at Societe Generale. Jason attended the University of Maryland where he received his B.S. in June, 2007. At the University of Maryland he was part of CIVICUS, a community service program.