Sage case handling and consistent results are a common thread cited in the announcement of each individual elevated to senior counsel this past week at Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman (WSHB). Eighteen individuals were elevated to senior counsel by WSHB, a national trial firm with offices in 15 states.

"Each of the individuals have demonstrably strong legal prowess and case handling abilities," said WSHB Firmwide Managing Partner Stewart Reid. "They each enjoy records of success in cases resolved and have strong working relationships with our clients." Added Co-Founder Stephen Henning, "Collectively, these 18 represent rising stars in the legal field throughout the nation."

The 2020 senior counsel class consists of the following attorneys:

Melissa Burghardt – Based in WSHB’s Tampa office, Melissa is experienced in all facets of civil litigation and has extensive experience in the areas of first and third party insurance, focusing on insurance coverage litigation, hurricane/windstorm and hail loss litigation, sinkhole litigation, and water loss litigation. Melissa also has experience handling and defending medical malpractice actions and actions involving, hospitals, outpatient facilities, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities.

Kirsten Cinquemani – Headquartered in our Orange County office, Kirsten's practice is focused on complex civil litigation, with an emphasis in medical malpractice defense. In addition to medical negligence, she has significant experience handling professional liability, products liability and general liability matters.

John Cofresi – Focusing on professional liability and complex litigation dealing with catastrophic injury and cyber exposures, John combines his years of experience litigating cases as a defense attorney with his carrier-side experience from his tenure as a claims consultant to benefit the firm’s clients. John’s experience includes the successful defense of owners, developers, general contractors, and construction managers in a variety of different matters. John is based out of the firm's New York City office.

Kimberly Dorner – Licensed to practice in both New York and New Jersey, Kim focuses her practice on the defense of physicians and hospitals for medical malpractice litigation. She also has experience in collections, creditor’s rights, and financial services litigation. She is headquartered out of the firm's New York City office.

Lindsay Goodloe – Admitted to practice in both New York and New Jersey, Lindsay focuses her practice on the defense of businesses, employers and public entities against claims of business tort liability, employment practices liability, product liability defense, and construction defect litigation. Lindsay also serves as a first-term council woman for the residents of her town of Watchung, New Jersey. Lindsay's work as a council woman has assisted in her representation of municipalities handled by the firm's New Jersey office. She is based out of the firm's New Jersey office.

Jonathan “Boomer” Hart – A 2019-2020 Super Lawyers' "Rising Star" for insurance coverage, Boomer's practice squarely focuses on complex first party insurance coverage, litigation, and counseling. He handles various first party matters including claims involving disasters, fraud, theft, suspected arson, and business interruption claims. In connection with his insurance practice, Boomer regularly advises numerous London market insuring syndicates. He also has extensive experience in employment-related litigation including, defense of employers against claims of discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination. Additionally, he defends nationally known trucking companies in cases involving significant and catastrophic injuries as well as wrongful death claims. Boomer is based out of the firm's Tampa, Florida office.

Nick Herrick – Based out of the firm's Denver office, Nick specializes in general liability defense; labor and employment litigation, including the defense of discrimination and wage and hour matters; construction defect litigation; commercial and business litigation; and professional liability.

Bolam Kim – Bolam's expertise lies in the counseling of businesses on corporate issues and employment law matters. She also manages complex real estate transactions totaling multi-millions, and worked with both sellers and purchasers to negotiate and draft contracts for the purchase or sale of residential or commercial property. In addition, Bolam has a wide variety of litigation experience and has represented clients in breach of contract disputes, defense of catastrophic injury actions, real property issues, insurance coverage, and employment discrimination matters. She is based out of the firm's New York City office.

Molly Moyer – Based out of the firm's Atlanta office, Molly handles a diverse range of complex litigation including transportation, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury claims. She has successfully handled all phases of litigation in a variety of civil litigation matters.

Jill Mucerino – Headquartered in WSHB's New Jersey office, Jill specializes in the defense of developers and contractors in complex construction defect litigation and in handling professional malpractice claims. She is also well versed in all facets of claims involving consumer fraud and alter ego liability, as well as claims made by condominium and homeowner associations that are subject to the New Jersey Condominium Act and the Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act (PREDFDA). Further, Jill has experience in the fields of insurance coverage and personal injury litigation, including but not limited to construction site accident and premises liability cases.

Jeffrey Oberto – Jeff's practice is focused on the defense of physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers in medical and dental malpractice cases. In addition to medical malpractice and healthcare law defense, Jeff also handles catastrophic injury claims, product liability defense, and pharmaceutical and medical devices. He is based out of WSHB's Los Angeles office.

Matthew Rochlin – Based in Los Angeles, Matt's broad-based practice focuses on a variety of civil litigation matters, including habitability, real property, and catastrophic injury. While attending Pepperdine University School of Law, Matt worked for three years at the Compton branch of the Los Angeles District Attorneys’ Office, spending time in both the Hardcore Gang Division and Victim Impact Unit.

Ryan Schoeb – Named a 2019-2020 "Rising Star" for civil litigation in Tampa, FL by Super Lawyers magazine, Ryan has extensive trial experience in a host of different practice areas. He represents clients in complex commercial litigation, professional liability, subrogation, construction, transportation and intellectual property. Prior to joining the firm, Ryan was an Assistant Public Defender in Pinellas County where he litigated high profile cases.

Michael Sekkas – Licensed to Practice in both New York and Connecticut, Michael is experienced in defending tort claims involving wrongful death, catastrophic injury, and professional liability. Michael is currently the Mock Trial Coach for his alma mater's, Quinnipiac University School of Law Mock, Trial Honor Society. Michael is based out of the firm's White Plains, New York and Connecticut offices.

Ryan Tarter – Headquartered in the firm's Portland office, Ryan handles a variety of complex civil litigation including catastrophic injury, employment law, professional liability, construction, transportation and products liability. Originally born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Ryan now, whenever possible, can be found backpacking, rock climbing, mountaineering or kayaking somewhere around the Pacific Northwest.

Heather Thomas – Growing up in Colorado, Heather worked for her family’s construction supply business. Heather learned much about the construction industry, including the issues facing contractors relating to quality construction practices, hiring skilled employees, job site safety and securing payment. This, in turn, has helped her develop a unique insight, which she routinely utilizes to successfully represent and defend contractors to minimize risk, transfer risk and guide them throughout the litigation process. Heather’s versatile practice focuses on construction litigation, catastrophic injury, dram shop liability, premises liability, products liability, catastrophic injury, Colorado Ski Safety Act, and wrongful death law. Heather is based out of WSHB's Denver office.

Lauren Vanga – Lauren has a road range of experience in many areas of complex civil litigation, including construction, catastrophic injury, and transportation. Lauren has defended several of the area’s largest homebuilders and general contractors in cases brought by homeowners under California’s Right to Repair statutes (SB800) and other related claims. She is also a certified mediator under the Dispute Resolutions Programs Act (DRPA). Lauren is based in the firm's Rancho Cucamonga office.

Keith Ybanez – Named a top rated insurance coverage attorney by Super Lawyers magazine, Keith has been selected as a "Rising Star" for 2019-2020 in Chicago, IL. Keith's practice focuses on insurance coverage, commercial litigation, product liability, professional liability, subrogation, and employment disputes. He represents firm clients at the state and federal level, and is well-versed in conducting fact and expert discovery, defending depositions, drafting dispositive and evidentiary motions, and negotiating favorable resolutions. He also has experience advising and defending public and governmental entities in a variety of legal matters. Keith is based out of WSHB's Chicago office.

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