Defense Digest 

On The Pulse... Other Notable Achievements...

Jim Caponi, Megan Cinberg and John Gonzales (Norristown) recently presented the annual Tort Claims Act Seminar for Delaware Valley Insurance Trust members.  Jim and John also recently presented a seminar for Code Enforcement and Zoning Enforcement Officials for the Delaware Valley Insurance Trust regarding Civil Rights Liability and Liability Under the Tort Claims Act.

Steven Polansky (Cherry Hill) recently spoke at the annual Property Loss Research Bureau (PLRB) conference in Chicago regarding The Claim File - Your Best Friend or Worst Enemy.

Jeff Albinson (Tampa) has been appointed to serve a four-year term on the State of Florida, Statewide Nominating Committee for Judges of Compensation Claims.  The Committee makes recommendations to the Governor for appointments to the workers' compensation bench across Florida.  This will be his second four year term on the Committee.  Also, Jeff was elected by the other committee members to serve as Vice-Chair of the Committee and has been assigned the task of promulgating operational rules for the Committee.

Jeff also recently spoke at a seminar to the Palm Beach County Bar Association addressing Stress Relief For Lawyers.  His segment was Liars and Tyrants and Boors:  Oh Why?  A Seminar Dealing With The Bad Behavior of Counsel, Clients, Witnesses and Others.

Timothy Casey (Wilmington) recently spoke at the Workers' Compensation In Delaware seminar held in Wilmington.  Tim spoke regarding Current Case Law Developments; Petitions to Terminate and Return to Work Issues; and Medical Management, Vocational Placement and Rehabilitation Issues.  The seminar was hosted by Lorman Education Services.

Jacqui Canter (Philadelphia) recently spoke on Ethical Considerations at the National Business Institute's seminar Trying the Automobile Case in Pennsylvania.

Jason Banonis (Bethlehem) has been appointed to a five-year term on the Building Code Board of Appeals for Lower Saucon Township, Pennsylvania.  His responsibilities will include hearing appeals of violations under the Uniform Building Code.

Congratulations to Ralph Bocchino (Philadelphia) for receiving an award from the Pennsylvania Bar Institute in appreciation for his outstanding academic contribution as a continuing legal education faculty member and presenter.

Andy Davitt and Denis Dice (Philadelphia) recently presented a seminar for Lancer Claims in Orange, California on NASD case analysis and liability.  Additionally, Andy Davitt was a featured lecturer at the FPA Broker-Dealer Division Annual Conference in Huntingdon Beach, California on the subject of regulatory investigations and examinations by regulators.

John Gonzales (Norristown) recently presented an all-day CLE Seminar in Philadelphia at the Hilton for Lorman addressing Use of Force issues for police officers.  The attendees included police officers, attorneys, and insurance representatives and addressed issues such as current state of the law concerning use of force, the impact of Title II of the ADA on use of force and legal updates regarding qualified immunity.

Marshall Dennehey received the "2003 Hope for the Holidays" award from the Salvation Army for the Philadelphia's office's generosity in contributing a large number of stockings to the Holiday Stocking Stuffer program.

Brad Remick (Philadelphia) recently spoke at the Defense Research Institute's annual product liability conference in New Orleans, LA obtained and Preparing Expert Witnesses in Hand and Power Tool Litigation.

Jim Pocius (Scranton) recently addressed the central Ohio Self-Insured's Association regarding Medicare Set-Asides and Workers' Compensation Settlements.  He also spoke on behalf of Professional Education Systems, Inc. on the topic of the Top 20 Workers' Compensation Cases of 2003.  Finally, Jim made a presentation on Medicare Set-Asides and Workers' Compensation Settlements at the National Risk and Insurance Management Society meeting in San Diego, CA.

Jennifer Callahan (Scranton) presented a seminar to the Occupational Nurses Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania regarding how to be an effective witness as an occupational nurse in a deposition. 

Lary Zucker (Philadelphia and Cherry Hill) participated in a risk management seminar to introduce new Roller Skating Association risk management guidelines, which he helped to write, at the Roller Skating Association International Annual Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV. 

Ted Kobus (Philadelphia) will speak at a seminar hosted by Lorman Education Services in Lancaster, PA on July 16, 2004.  Ted's seminar is entitled Construction Management/Design-Build in Pennsylvania. 

Frank Brennan (Cherry Hill) was a presenter at the Insurance Society of Philadelphia's seminar Insurance Fraud to held on May 11, 2004.  This seminar covered such topics as application fraud, medical fraud, auto/property fraud, solutions to insurance fraud, and bad faith avoidance.  In addition, on May 13, 2004, Frank presented a Medical Fraud in Pennsylvania seminar for the Delaware Valley Chapter of the International Association of Special Investigations Units.

Judd Woytek (Bethlehem) was asked by the National Business Institute to serve as a speaker at its Advanced Workers' Compensation in Pennsylvania held in Allentown, PA on June 30, 2004.

Scott Gemberling (Philadelphia) served as a featured speaker at the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association's Annual Symposium on Alcohol Beverage Law held in Washington, D.C. on March 2-3, 2004.  Mr. Gemberling's presentation focused on the impact of dram shop laws, tort reform, and significant verdicts upon the defense of liquor licensees in civil litigation.

Jim Stevens (Philadelphia) recently presented a one-day seminar to regional and district personnel of American Suzuki Motor Corporation regarding warranty and leman law litigation matters.

Gary Alderson (Wilmington) was part of a panel that presented a seminar entitled Mental Stress Claims in Delaware to attorneys, risk managers, and adjusters.  Also on the panel was a plaintiff's attorney, another defense attorney, a psychiatrist, and a psychologist.