Frederick M. Molod
Frederick Molod is the founding member of the firm. Fifty years after earning his law degrees, he is still active in the law and in MSD business — whether he is providing direction, reviewing cases or consulting on strategy. At the invitation of the U.S. Federal Court, Southern District of New York, Fred is a specially trained, certified mediator in its compulsory mediation program.
Fred has helped educate MSD's insurance carrier clients by speaking at meetings for claims representatives. He has demonstrated his commitment to educating law students and young lawyers by participating in mock trials at law schools, as well as by lecturing at legal educational seminars. He is also a founding member of The Harmonie Group.
Fred has earned an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell - the highest peer review rating, based on legal ability and ethical standards. He was born in Brooklyn, New York.
Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court - 1998
U.S. Court of Military Justice and Immigration Court - circa 1953
U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York - 1952
New York State Bar - 1951
Education
LL.M., Brooklyn Law School - 1952
LL.B., Brooklyn Law School - 1951
College, Long Island University
Memberships
American Board of Trial Advocates
Association of Trial Lawyers of the City of New York
Bar Association of the City of New York
Bronx County Bar Association
Defense Research Institute and Trial Lawyers Association
Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel
The Harmonie Group
Jewish Lawyers Guild (former President and Chairman of the Board of Governors)
New York County Lawyers Association
New York State Trial Lawyers Association
New York State Bar Association
Alice Spitz
Alice Spitz is a member of the firm. Her areas of concentration are premises liability and environmental litigation. Alice leverages her extensive experience conducting trials as a frequent lecturer, teacher and author. She provides insight into dozens of areas — from admissible expert testimony to cross-examination techniques — for the benefit of law students, insurance professionals and women lawyers at venues including Mealey's National Lead Litigation Conferences.
At the invitation of her peers, Alice has been elected to membership into the American Board of Trial Advocates. To qualify, a lawyer must first have tried 20 civil jury trials to verdict, and evidence high personal character, honorable reputation and proficiency as a trial lawyer. Alice also has earned an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell — the highest peer review rating, based on legal ability and ethical standards. She was born in Brooklyn, New York.
Alice is the firm's liaison attorney to the Harmonie Group, and its immediate past President 2011-2013.
Admissions
U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York - 2011
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York - 1985
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York - 1983
New York State Bar - 1983
Education
J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law - 1981
B.A., with honors, University of Maryland - 1978
Memberships
American Bar Association (Law Practice Management section, Women Rainmakers section)
American Board of Trial Advocates
Defense Research Institute and Trial Lawyers Association
The Harmonie Group
International Association of Defense Counsel
National Association of Insurance Women
NASP (National Association of Subrogation Professionals)
National Association of Women Lawyers
The Navigators, Board of Directors - 2012
New York State Bar Association
New York State Trial Lawyers Association
Salvatore J. DeSantis
Salvatore DeSantis is a member of the firm. His areas of concentration are construction litigation, premises liability and insurance coverage. Sal has vast trial experience. He is known in the courts and among clients for his no-nonsense approach to negotiating cases. Sal shares his knowledge as a lecturer on subjects including the defendant's perspective in personal injury cases, and as an author on such topics as defense ethics and professionalism.
Sal has earned an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell — the highest peer review rating, based on legal ability and ethical standards. He counts among his most significant work his pro bono activities as an advocate for families and small businesses impacted by the September 11 attack (see Our Commitment to Diversity). Sal was born in Bethpage, New York.
Admissions
U.S. States District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York - 1986
New York State Bar - 1986
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey - 1985
New Jersey State Bar - 1985
Education
J.D., St. John's University - 1985
B.A., State University of New York at Binghamton - 1982
Memberships
Columbian Lawyers Association
Defense Research Institute and Trial Lawyers Association
The Harmonie Group
Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
New York State Bar Association
Julie E. Molod
Julie Molod is a member of the firm. She is heavily involved in automobile litigation, especially matters related to no-fault threshold. In addition, she frequently conducts depositions in all types of negligence cases. In addition to her law degree, Julie holds a degree in psychology. Outside the office, she is active in the United Jewish Appeal Federation and participates in fundraising activities. Julie was born in Brooklyn, New York.
Admissions
Education
J.D. Brooklyn Law School - 1994
B.A., State University of New York at Binghamton - 1991
Memberships
David B. Owens
David B. Owens is a partner of the firm. In his 25 years as a trial attorney, David has served as counsel to some of the nation’s largest insurers. With an emphasis on resolving complex litigation matters, David has earned a reputation for obtaining favorable outcomes in difficult cases tried through verdict. David’s main focus is defending personal injury claims, and his record of success in this area encompasses wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury cases. His other specialties include premises liability, product liability and property damage.
Admissions
New Jersey State Bar - 1988
U.S. District Court, Western District of New Jersey - 1988
New York State Bar – 1987
Education
J.D., Brooklyn Law School - 1987
American Jurisprudence Award for Trial Advocacy
B.A., Queens College of the City of New York – 1984
Sean P. King
Sean P. King is a partner of the firm. With more than 21 years of litigation experience, Sean has represented some of the nation’s largest insurers and has an established record of success trying difficult cases through verdict. His main focus is construction litigation – encompassing personal injury, negligent construction, design and defect, collateral property / building damage, contract disputes between general and subcontractors, including indemnification and additional insurance provisions and declaratory judgment actions. His other specialties include insurance coverage opinions and declaratory judgment actions and the representation of religious organizations in all aspects of civil litigation.
Admissions
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey – 2010
New Jersey State Bar – 2010
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit – 2006
U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York – 2006
New York State Bar – 1993
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit – 1992
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts – 1992
Massachusetts State Bar – 1990
Education
J.D. and B.A., Boston University School of Law,
Boston, Massachusetts, Six Year Law Program
Teresa A. Gruber
Teresa A. Gruber is a partner of the firm. Her areas of concentration are transportation law, environmental law, insurance coverage and premises liability. Teresa has practiced in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and the federal courts. Prior to joining the firm, Teresa was the managing partner of the New York office of a small bicoastal transportation specific firm. She is a trial attorney, having taken numerous verdicts, but also has significant experience in mediating and arbitrating cases to favorable resolutions for her clients. Her vast experience in transportation litigation includes having represented interstate and intrastate motor carriers, trucking specific insurance companies including primary, excess and reinsurers, taxicab operators, customs brokers, cargo carriers, and overnight and expedited shippers in all types of claims. Teresa also handles statutory violations and vehicle code violations on behalf of individual truck drivers and their employers. She has instituted and resolved numerous declaratory judgment actions and insurance coverage disputes. She has also authored several articles relating to trucking defense, insurance coverage and environmental issues, and has lectured on state and federal government regulation of emissions standards in the transportation industry.
Admissions
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York - 2001
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York - 2001
New York State Bar - 1998
Connecticut State Bar -1997
Education
J.D., Pace University School of Law - 1996
Earned Environmental Law Certificate
B.A., History, Indiana University - 1993
Earned Teaching Certificate
Christopher M. Coleman
Christopher Coleman is an associate of the firm. His civil litigation practice focuses on premises liability, product
liability and automobile negligence cases. He is an experienced litigator, having successfully handled numerous jury
and bench trials. Prior to joining the firm, Chris was in private practice where he specialized in insurance defense
litigation, including automobile negligence, professional malpractice and premises liability. He also has experience
in commercial litigation, including contract disputes, and landlord/tenant issues. Prior to his law firm experience,
Chris served as the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Chris has represented
major national insurance companies as well as hospitals, health care providers, accountants, real estate professionals,
businesses, churches, synagogues and non-profit organizations. He was born in Washington, D.C.
Admissions
Education
J.D., New England School of Law - 1998
B.A., University of Maryland - 1994
Memberships
Metropolitan Black Bar Association
National Bar Association
Ciarán McGrath
Ciarán McGrath is an associate of the firm and is part of our expanding subrogation practice group. As such, his practice primarily focuses on insurance law matters relating to automobile and property damage liability.
Before joining MSD, Ciarán worked in criminal and civil litigation. His legal background ranges from his involvement in the defense of criminal accuseds in Ireland's High Court, that state's penultimate court of appeal, to civil litigation in the courts of the State of New York.
In addition to his admission in New York, Ciarán has been called to the Bar of Ireland as a barrister, the traditional role of litigation specialist. This well-respected qualification reflects the advocacy skills that Ciarán brings to bear on behalf of his clients, and in the protection and pursuit of their interests and rights.
Ciarán was born in Dublin, Ireland.
Admissions
New York State Bar - 2011
Bar of Ireland - 2010
Education
Hendrick Vandamme
Hendrick Vandamme, an experienced trial attorney, recently joined our firm. Prior to joining the firm, Hendrick was the attorney of record and trial counsel for the staff counsel operation of two major insurers, in which capacity he managed a large case load while supervising staff attorneys and paralegals. Hendrick also practiced securities and commercial litigation with a Manhattan litigation boutique. He has extensive experience in civil and commercial litigation having handled civil rights, intellectual property, contract, products liability, securities and construction disputes in New York State and Federal courts. In addition, he has successfully argued appeals before the Appellate Division in New York. Prior to practicing law, Hendrick worked as a financial advisor for a New York based hedge fund. He is fluent in French, German, and Czech.
Admissions
New York State Bar - 2006
US District Court, Southern District of New York - 2006
US District Court, Eastern District of New York - 2006
Education
LL.B., with honors, University of Essex Law School, Colchester,
England - 1999
LL.M. Fordham Law School, New York, New York - 2005
Editor and Graduate Fellow, Fordham International Law Journal
Memberships
Cato Institute
New York State Trial Lawyers Association
The Federalist Society
John Chaconas
John G. Chaconas is a senior associate of the firm. He is an experienced litigator, having successfully handled numerous jury trials within the five boroughs and various venues in upstate New York. Prior to joining the firm, John worked as a litigator for various major national insurance companies and corporations, specializing in premises liability, automobile negligence, construction accidents/labor law and navigation law. Before becoming a litigator, John put his undergraduate accounting and subsequent law degree to use working for two of the top four accounting firms where he authored various articles for banking/tax trade magazines. John is also an adjunct professor teaching paralegal studies for Keiser University Online, which is based in Florida. He was born in Bethpage, New York.
Admissions
U.S. States District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York - 1995
New York State Bar - 1991
Education
J.D., St. John's University – 1990
B.A., State University of New York at Binghamton - 1983
Memberships
New York State Bar Association
Bronx Bar Association
Mark Grodberg
Mark Grodberg is an associate with the firm. He has been practicing civil, commercial and bankruptcy litigation in the State and Federal courts of New York since graduating from law school in 1999. Mark has practiced in every facet of litigation from the initiation of lawsuits through the verdict of trials. He has represented insurance companies as defendants, as well as individuals as plaintiffs in civil and commercial litigation. Additionally, he has represented corporate creditors and corporate and individual debtors in Chapter 7 and 11 bankruptcy filings. He worked for several medium to large firms before coming to MSD, and was born in Massachusetts.
Admissions
New York State Bar - 2000
U.S. District Court, Eastern & Southern Districts of New York - 2001
Education
Brooklyn Law School, J.D. - 1999
Boston University, B.A. - 1987
Nirav Shah
Nirav Shah is an associate of the firm. He has experience representing carriers as well as home and business
owners in property damage claims. He has also represented clients in general practice areas such as personal
injury, commercial/residential real estate transactions, and landlord/tenant disputes. Prior to joining
MSD, Nirav interned in the U.S. Eastern District Court, the New York State Criminal Supreme Court, and the
New York Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud and Protection Bureau. Nirav was born in London, England.
Admissions
Education
J.D. Hofstra Law School - 2000
B.A. State University of New York at Binghamton - 1996
Oisin Lambe
Oisín Lambe is an associate with the firm. His practice areas focus on automobile negligence and property damage, both subrogation and defense, as well as premises liability.
Oisín manages the firm’s highly successful, and rapidly growing, subrogation practice. He assists our clients in timely and effectively recovering millions of dollars in paid claims against the at fault party. In doing so, he works closely with our clients and helps them to meet their internal performance goals and, as a result, add substantial value to their operations.
Prior to joining the firm, Oisín was involved with Securities Exchange Commission compliance and litigation on behalf of a Fortune 500 company. He also has commercial litigation experience and international law experience in Ireland.
Oisín is an active member of the Irish and Irish-American communities in New York.
Oisín was born in Dublin, Ireland.
Admissions
New York State Bar - 2007
California State Bar - Pending
Education
LL.M., University of California, Los Angeles - 2008
Bachelor of Business and Law, University College Dublin - 2006
Memberships
American Bar Association
Irish American Bar Association of New York
Irish Network - New York City
Irish Network - USA
National Association of Subrogation Professionals
New York State Bar Association
Ross G. Weaver
Ross Weaver is a senior associate with the firm. His areas of concentration are personal injury and property damage. Ross has extensive experience trying cases to verdict. His legal knowledge encompasses practice areas from general negligence and labor law to product liability and construction accident cases. Prior to joining MSD in 2004, Ross held positions that included staff counsel to a casualty insurance company; private practice attorney in the areas of personal injury, property damage and insurance; assistant district attorney for Bronx County; and arbitrator and mediator. He also has significant appellate experience. Ross was born in Buffalo, New York.
Admissions
U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York - 1976
Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit - 1984
New York State Bar - 1974
Education
J.D., St. John's University School of Law - 1973 (received American Jurisprudence Award for criminal law)
B.A., Alfred University - 1970
Marcy Sonneborn
Marcy Sonneborn is Of Counsel
to the firm. Her area of concentration is appellate practice. Marcy began
doing appellate work for the firm in 1986. Since then, she has achieved a
strong record of dismissals and reversals in the 1st and 2nd Departments of
New York State's Appellate Division. Her wins are often cited in other cases
and in treatises; for instance, a lead paint case Marcy won on appeal on behalf
of MSD's client was cited in support of five similar cases won by defendants
the following year, and a landmark premises security case Marcy won involving
an attack in a restaurant's bathroom is cited in treatises for the proposition
that altercations between patrons are not situations that are to be anticipated
or prevented even when a similar incident occurred previously. Marcy also
works with MSD's attorneys when they serve as trial counsel. Before working
with MSD, Marcy served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of New
York, doing commercial litigation. She was born in New York, New York.
Admissions
Court of Appeals, New York State - 2011
New York State Bar - 1979
Education
J.D., Cum Laude, New York Law School - 1978
B.S., Cornell University - 1973
Memberships
New York State Bar Association
