Class Notes

Carl Steinhouse has authored his 14th book, The War Under the Waves, about the World War II battle against German U-boats fought initially by Britain and then the United States, to ultimately defeat Hitler.

Arnold Etelzon retired after serving 54 years as a municipal judge. Etelzon served as a municipal judge for the Village of Spring Valley, the Town of Ramapo and the Village of Montebello in Rockland County, New York.

Lawrence Smith was honored by the Florida Bar Association for being a member in good standing for 50 years.

Gene Laks, who specializes in health care law for Barclay Damon, will be listed in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Allen Grubman was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Grubman, a co-founder of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, is the first practicing attorney to be inducted.

Gerald Lefcourt was included in the 2022 Law Power 100 by City & State. Lefcourt is the president of Gerald B. Lefcourt, PC.

Alan Pearl was honored by the Florida Bar Association for being a senior counselor in good standing for 50 years.

William Berger was honored by the Florida Bar Association for being a member in good standing for 50 years.

David Louis Cohen was elected chair of the Criminal Justice Section of the New York State Bar Association. Cohen maintains a private criminal defense practice and serves on the Board of Prisoners Legal Services and Queens Legal Services.

Steven Rosen was honored by the Florida Bar Association for being a member in good standing for 50 years.

Samuel Weiss Samuel Weiss was honored by the Florida Bar Association for being a member in good standing for 50 years.

Mark L. Zientz Mark L. Zientz was honored by the Florida Bar Association for being a member in good standing for 50 years.

David Connolly joined Taylor Connolly as of counsel. Connolly is also the principal attorney at the Connolly Group.

Joseph S. Karp was named a 2021 “Super Lawyer” for the 13th consecutive year by Thomson Reuters. Karp is the founder of The Karp Law Firm.

Michael Sackheim retired after 30 years with Sidley Austin. Sackheim is also the author of Mask Murder, a mystery and political thriller that delves into the world of violent right-wing extremists and militias.

Jeffrey Citron was included in the 2022 Law Power 100 by City & State. Citron is co-managing partner at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron.

Stephen J. Silverberg was named a 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America in the area of elder law for the eighth consecutive year. Silverberg manages his own firm, the Law Office of Stephen J. Silverberg.

David Perecman was named a 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America in the area of personal injury litigation. Perecman was also included in the Best Lawyers in America for a 15th consecutive year.

Vincent Pitta was included in the 2022 Law Power 100 by City & State. Pitta is the chair and managing partner at Pitta LLP.

Marvin I.C. Siegfried retired after over 34 years of working for the New York City Department of Education. Siegfried will continue teaching as an adjunct at Kingsborough Community College.

Louis J. Testa was awarded the 2021 Louis J. Lefkowitz Award, which recognizes excellence in the practice of law by attorneys of the New York State Attorney General, for his work in the field of bankruptcy law as a member of the Attorney General’s Opioid Litigation Team.

David Cohen was named a 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America in the area of real estate law. Cohen is a partner at Moritt Hock & Hamroff.

Bruce Feffer joined Scarinci Hollenbeck as a partner in its commercial real estate practice group. Feffer was previously a partner at Mandelbaum Salsburg.

Scott Thompson joined Chill Brands Group board of directors as an independent, non-executive director. Thompson is a partner at Lippes Mathias.

David Wander joined Tarter Krinsky & Drogin as a partner in its bankruptcy and corporate restructuring practice group. Wander was previously a partner at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron.

RoseAnn Branda was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams to the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary. Branda is an executive partner and co-director at Abrams Fensterman in its family and matrimonial law practice group.

Eleni Coffinas was named “New Yorker of the Week” by amNewYork for her efforts as an attorney. Coffinas is a partner at Sullivan Papain Block McGrath Coffinas & Cannavo.

Paul Monte was included in the 2022 50 over 50 by City & State. Monte is co-managing partner at Peckar & Abramson.

Edward Jordan earned a masters of arts in Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Jordan is the CEO and founder of Northeast Private Client Group, a real estate investment brokerage firm.

Sherri Steiner-Stewart was promoted at Cook & James and will now supervise the New York team. She focuses her practice in the area of real estate law.

Andrew Finklestein wrote I Hope We Never Meet: Client Stories of Tragedy, Recovery, and Accountability From a Life in Deterrence Law. The book tells nine stories of how his clients pursued holding wrongdoers accountable through the civil justice system.

Frank Napolitano was named chief administrative officer of the Archdiocese of New York.

Hemalee J. Patel was included in the 2022 Law Power 100 by City & State. Patel is general counsel for the New York City Board of Elections.

Alan Rubenstein was named a 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America in the area of family law. Rubenstein is counsel at FLB Law.

David M. Grill was included in the Best Lawyers in America 2022 “Ones to Watch” in the area of construction law. Grill is a partner at Rivkin Radler.

Matthew Rowland released his first historically-based novel, Fireball. Although officially retired, Rowland splits his time between writing and working as a criminal justice and management consultant.

Jaime Siegel was named a United States 101 Top Founders in the Events Space by Best Startup. Siegel is the chief executive officer and co-founder of FlipTix and the chief executive officer of Cerebral Assets.

Christina Van Vort joined the Metropolitan Jewish Health System (MJHS) as its chief legal officer. Van Vort was previously a partner and director at Garfunkel Wild.

Frank Carone is the chief of staff for New York City Mayor Eric Adams. He was previously an executive partner at Abrams Fensterman.

Christopher Chin was elected New York City Civil Court Judge. Chin is the designated acting Criminal Court Judge, Bronx County. Chin was previously a trial attorney at Margaret G. Klein & Associates.

Carolyn Pokorny became first assistant U.S. attorney at the United States Attorney’s Office. Pokorny was previously inspector general of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Scott Richman joined the Anti-Defamation League as director of its New York and New Jersey regional office. Richman was previously a regional director at the American Jewish Committee Westchester/Fairfield.

Daniel S. Rubin joined Farrell Fritz as a partner in its trusts & probate and probate litigation practice groups. Rubin was previously a partner at Moses & Singer.

Steve Sanders was named Senior Appellate Counsel by U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger. In addition to Sanders appellate docket, he now oversees his office’s response to all criminal-side collateral attacks.

John Sordillo joined B. Riley Financial as senior managing director. Sordillo was previously managing director at CBIZ Corporate Recovery and Litigation Services.

Joseph Brasile joined Faegre Drinker as a partner in its real estate practice group. Brasile was previously a partner at Pryor Cashman.

Ari Markenson joined Venable as a partner in its health care and corporate practice groups. Markenson was previously co-chair of Winston & Strawn’s health care and life sciences industry practice group.

Joseph Patella was in the 2021 High Net Worth Guide by Chambers and Partners as one of the top attorneys nationwide in the art and cultural property law category. Patella is a partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth.

Rob Acton was named to the Big Path Capital MO 100 Top Impact CEO Ranking, which honors the 100 most impactful leaders sparking positive environmental and social change. Acton is the founder and CEO of Cause Strategy Partners.

Jason Cohen joined Portage Point Partners as its managing director and head of investment banking. Cohen was previously co-head of the restructuring practice group at Lazard.

Melique Jones joined the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts as its chief people officer. Jones was previously the chief talent pipeline and diversity, equity & inclusion officer at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. She is also a member of the Brooklyn Law School Board of Trustees.

Justine Block was promoted to partner at Thompson Coburn. Before joining Thompson Coburn, Block was special counsel at Hahn & Hessen.

Kalman Magyar released a self-help memoir, titled Put Your Pants On and Get to Work - Ten Principles for Zestful Living.

Stephanie Katzovicz released her debut middle-grade fiction novel, HurriCamp.

David R. Ehrlich was promoted to equity partner at Stagg Wabnik Law Group. Ehrlich concentrates his practice in the areas of labor and employment law.

Gerry Gordon joined Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment as senior corporate counsel. Gordon was previously general counsel and chief compliance officer at Norwich Commercial Group.

Craig Price was appointed co-chair of the transactional practice group at Belkin Burden Goldman. Price is a partner at the same firm and has worked there since 2004.

Sharon Watts Williams joined Ulster County as its director of employment and training. Williams was previously Hudson Valley AGAPE director at the Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York.

Jeffrey Schulman was elected managing partner at the insurance recovery law firm, Pasich. Schulman has been with Pasich since 2017.

Eric Winstrom became the 15th chief of police for the Grand Rapids Police Department. Winstrom was previously commander of Area 5 Detectives at the Chicago Police Department.

Anne Fornecker Johnson was promoted to partner at Hagens Berman. Fornecker Johnson focuses her practice on antitrust, consumer, and personal injury cases.

Anta Cissé-Green was included in the 2022 Law Power 100 by City & State. Cissé-Green is the president of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association.

Linda Linwas named executive vice president and general counsel of Coaction Specialty Insurance Group. Lin was previously senior vice president and general counsel at QBE North America.

Grace Bonilla joined United Way as its president and chief executive officer. Bonilla was previously senior vice president for Latin America at Covenant House International.

Michelle Gitlitz joined Flexa as general counsel. Gitlitz was previously a partner at Crowell & Moring.

Seth Liebenstein joined Seyfarth Shaw as a partner in its real estate practice group. Liebenstein was previously of counsel at Blank Rome.

Katherine McGrail founded McGrail Law, specializing in financial services law. She was previously managing partner at Murphy & McGonigle and had been with the firm since 2012.

Joshua Selig was recognized by Thomson Reuters as a 2021 Washington State “Super Lawyer” in the area of business litigation. Selig is a partner at Byrnes Keller Cromwell.

Timothy Sini became the president-elect of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York. Sini is a partner at Nixon Peabody in its white-collar practice group.

Peter Bills was promoted to shareholder at Foran Glennon. Bills focuses his practice on first-party property insurance coverage and large-loss subrogation matters.

Blair Wallace joined Vida Capital as its president and chief executive officer. Wallace was previously a partner at Tenor Capital Management Company.

Steven J. Auletta was recognized by Super Lawyers as a 2022 “Upstate New York Rising Star” in civil litigation-defense. Auletta is an associate at Rivkin Radler in its general liability practice group.

Benjamin Battles joined Pollock Cohen as senior counsel. Battles was previously solicitor general for the state of Vermont.

Lee Jacobs was promoted to managing partner at Helbraun Levey. Jacobs has been with the firm since 2016 and is an adjunct associate professor of law at Brooklyn Law School.

Karen Kim was included in City & State New York’s 2022 Power of Diversity: Asian 100. Kim is counsel at QBE North America and president-elect of the Asian American Bar Association of New York.

David Kronenberg joined Blank Rome as a partner in its finance, restructuring, and bankruptcy practice group. Kronenberg was previously of counsel at Sidley Austin.

Chris Lucas joined the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as its chief of staff. Lucas was previously co-head of U.S. government affairs at BNY Mellon.

Deepinder Singh Mayell joined the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota as its executive director. Mayell was previously executive director of the James H. Binger Center for New Americans at the University of Minnesota Law School.

Hayden Goldblatt was included in Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report 2021. Goldblatt is a partner at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.

Jack Rossi joined Propeller Airports as vice president and general counsel. Rossi was previously associate general counsel at Alaska Airlines.

Jason Zakai was promoted to partner at Hiller. Zakai focuses his practice on commercial litigation, business and partnership disputes, condominium disputes, and land-use, preservation and zoning law, including Article 78 proceedings.

Tamar Kaplan-Marans was promoted to partner at WilmerHale in its securities litigation and enforcement group.

Marissa Lefland was promoted to partner at Condon & Forsyth. Lefland focuses her practice on aviation law.

Jesse Rubinstein was promoted to director at Goulston & Storrs. Rubinstein focuses his practice on complex financial transactions, including private equity sponsored leveraged buy-outs and recapitalizations.

Valerie Durollari Biberaj joined the Washington Commanders Charitable Foundation as executive director. Biberaj was previously a private consultant.

Daniel Isaacs was promoted to partner at Morrison Cohen in its business litigation practice group.

Justin Mayer was promoted to legal senior director at PepsiCo. Prior to working at PepsiCo, Mayer was an associate at Morrison & Foerster.

Nicholas Richard joined Cozen O’Connor as a partner in its commercial real estate practice group. Richard was previously special counsel at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan.

Christine Rodriguez was promoted to partner at Kasowitz Benson Torres. Rodriguez focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation.

Patrick Taurel joined Grossman Young & Hammond as a partner in its federal litigation practice group. Taurel focuses his practice on complex immigration case litigation. Taurel was previously a senior staff attorney at the ACLU.

Evan Goldman joined Greenspoon Marder as a partner in its newly created franchise law practice group. Goldman was previously a partner at A.Y. Strauss.

Daniel Michaelson was promoted to partner at Kramer Levin in its securities practice group.

Danielle Moss joined Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher as a partner in its labor and employment practice group. Moss was previously a senior associate at Proskauer Rose.

Vito Pitta was included in the 2022 Law Power 100 by City & State. Pitta is a co-managing partner at Pitta LLP.

Carmela Romeo was promoted to partner at Arnold & Porter. Romeo's practice focuses on the area of complex commercial litigation

Rachel E. Brennan was promoted to of counsel at Sills Cummis & Gross. Brennan focuses her practice on complex corporate restructurings.

David Shapiro joined the Maryland Energy Administration as an assistant attorney general. Shapiro was previously an assistant public defender at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender.

Gregory S. Sparer was recognized by Super Lawyers as a 2021 “New York Rising Star” in securities litigation. Sparer was promoted to partner at Bressler, Amery & Ross on January 1, 2022.

Janine Stanisz was promoted to partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. Stanisz focuses her practice on advising and representing individual and corporate policyholders in insurance coverage matters.

Julienne Verdi was named the executive director of the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy, an organization committed to advocating for equitable policies for those living with headache disorders. Verdi is the principal attorney at J. Verdi Law.

Evelyn D’Angelo was promoted to partner at the real estate law firm, Starr Associates. D’Angelo has been with the firm since 2013.

Naheem Harris was promoted to counsel at Vinson & Elkins in its real estate practice group.

Ashley Miller joined Litera as vice president sales, North America. Miller was previously a senior manager at EY.

Peter Tringali was promoted to senior legal counsel for the New York Red Bulls. Tringali was previously a managing associate at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe.

Jenny Chung was named a “New Jersey Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters. Chung also recently joined the United States Attorneys’ Office as an assistant United States attorney. Chung was previously of counsel at Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi.

Jeff Lowell joined the New York City Office of the Chief Counsel to the Mayor and City Hall as associate counsel. Lowell previously served as the policy director for the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President.

Max Borg joined Burns & Levinson as a partner in its cannabis business and law advisory practice group. Borg was previously an associate at Feuerstein Kulick.

Alejandra Caraballo joined Harvard Law School’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society as a clinical instructor at the Cyberlaw Clinic. Caraballo was previously a staff attorney at the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund at New York Legal Assistance Group.

Jen Jorczak joined Tides Advocacy as general counsel. Jorczak was previously associate general counsel at Planned Parenthood.

Alexander R. Tiktin joined Tarter Krinsky & Drogin as an associate in its bankruptcy and corporate restructuring practice group. Tiktin was previously an associate at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron.

Alexandra Velella joined Goldberg Segalla as an associate in its workers’ compensation practice group. Velella was previously an associate at Schwab & Gasparini.

Ashley Vicere was promoted to partner at Foran Glennon. Vicere focuses her practice on first-party property coverage and commercial litigation.

Carra Pope joined Panasonic Avionics as a cybersecurity compliance analyst.

Christina Preminger joined Blank Rome as an associate in its real estate practice group.

Volha Holik joined McCarter & English as an associate in its tax, employee benefits & private clients practice group.

Vincent Paradise joined Gruenberg Kelly Della as an associate attorney.

Georgia Bender joined McCarter & English as an associate in its insurance recovery, litigation, and counseling practice group.