BEST OF THE BAR AWARD

Rawle & Henderson LLP is pleased to announce that Jack Snyder has been selected by the Philadelphia Business Journal as one of the 2017 “Best of the Bar: Philadelphia’s Top Lawyers.”  Jack is one of 40 Philadelphia attorneys who were selected by the Business Journal from 167 nominees based on the business and legal significance of the matters he handled from January 1, 2016 to present.

He will be featured with other Philadelphia attorneys in the Philadelphia Business Journal’s October 25, 2017 edition. The Business Journal will celebrate the honorees at an event on October 24, 2017 at the Ballroom at the Ben, 834 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

Jack Snyder is a partner in our Philadelphia office. A major factor in Jack’s selection by the Philadelphia Business Journal was his involvement in the civil trial In re: Market Street Collapse. Jack and his team represented The Salvation Army in this case, which resulted from the June 2013 collapse of a building adjacent to The Salvation Army Thrift Store at 22nd and Market Streets in Philadelphia. The case included 19 plaintiffs and 7 defendants.  The trial was contentious, highly publicized and received national media attention despite a gag order imposed upon the parties and their attorneys. According to the judge who presided over the trial, it was the longest civil trial in Philadelphia court history. It was reportedly the second-longest civil trial in Pennsylvania history. During trial, Jack’s relentless cross-examination of plaintiffs’ key witnesses, including experts in structural engineering, architecture, construction management, demolition, occupational safety, and retail operations, was critical to the defense of The Salvation Army.  The trial ended with a global settlement on February 8, 2017 after nearly 21 weeks and a verdict in the liability phase of the proceedings.

Jack Snyder focuses his trial practice on the defense of catastrophic losses, with particular emphasis on construction, industrial, pharmaceutical, medical malpractice and product liability matters. He is a very experienced litigator, having successfully tried a large number of cases to verdict in a number of jurisdictions, including those with known high verdict potential, such as Philadelphia County. He is Chair of the Firm’s Catastrophic Loss Group, and he and his practice group are regularly retained in high exposure cases (demands commonly in $30 million to $80 million range), often weeks to several months before trial, to try a case to verdict. In addition, Jack is Chair of the firm’s Medical Professional Liability Group.

Jack is a native of Philadelphia and was a Scholar-Athlete at St. Joseph’s University and the captain of the basketball team in 1971. He received the Honorable Francis X. McClanaghan ’27 Award in November 2015 from St. Joseph’s University for his accomplishments in the field of law and the distinction that he has brought to St. Joseph’s University throughout his career. Jack received a B.A. degree from St. Joseph’s in 1971. He graduated from Temple University Law School in 1975. He is a past president of the St. Joseph’s University Law Alumni Association.

He has been rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell from 2003 to 2017. He was selected as a 2013 Top Rated Lawyer in Construction by Martindale-Hubbell. Jack has been selected by his peers as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer from 2004 to 2017.

Jack can be reached directly at: (215) 575-4220 • jsnyder@rawle.com

NEW YORK SUPER LAWYERS

Rawle & Henderson LLP is pleased to announce that Robert A. Fitch has been named a 2017 New York Metro Super Lawyer. Super Lawyers selects attorneys each year for recognition through a rigorous nomination process that includes peer review by practice area and independent research on candidates. Only the top 5% of the lawyers in the New York metro area are chosen annually for this honor. Bob was also selected as a Super Lawyer in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. He is the resident partner in our New York City office. Bob concentrates his practice in the defense of architects and engineers, construction, medical and oral surgery malpractice claims, and commercial motor vehicle litigation. He received his undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and his J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law. He is admitted to practice in New York since 1974, as well as in federal courts in Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of New York and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He has tried over 100 cases to verdict and is a member of the Defense Research Institute, Federal Bar Council, PIAA and Trucking Industry Defense Association. He has a peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell of AV (the highest).

Bob can be reached directly at: (212) 323-7060 • rfitch@rawle.com

James Modzelewski, a partner in our Long Island office, has been selected as a 2017 New York Super Lawyer.  James focuses his practice on defending health care professionals—including dentists, oral surgeons and physicians—in malpractice matters and defending general liability matters. He has over 15 years of experience in these areas and handles all phases of civil litigation, including trials, as well as alternative dispute resolution. James also has considerable appellate experience, including appeals in the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division in the First, Second and Third Departments, and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. James earned his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law in 1998 and his B.A. in Political Science from the University at Albany in 1995. He was also chosen as a New York Super Lawyer in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

James can be reached directly at: (516) 294-2007 • jmodzelewski@rawle.com

ARKANSAS TRUCKING SEMINAR

Anthony D. Luis, a partner in our New York City office, co-presented a session at the Arkansas Trucking Seminar in Rogers, Arkansas, in September 2017. The session, titled “Citation Manipulation: An Overview of the Effect of Traffic Tickets and Equipment Violations On Motor Carriers and Their Drivers,” focused on ways to mitigate losses from traffic and equipment citations. Anthony co-presented the session with Lee Watson, Esq., Assistant General Counsel for ArcBest.

Anthony concentrates his practice on the defense of clients involving commercial motor vehicle litigation, medical malpractice, oral surgery and dental malpractice, architectural and engineering malpractice, construction litigation, workers’ compensation and commercial litigation. Anthony received his J.D. from Western New England University School of Law in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1999. He earned a B.A. in Political Science and English in 1996 from State University of New York at Geneseo. Anthony served as an Assistant District Attorney in Queens as a prosecutor in the Homicide Investigation Unit, Domestic Violence Unit, and the Felony Trial Bureau, where he tried numerous cases to verdict including several jury trials. He is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey, and before the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Anthony has been rated AV Preeminent.

Anthony can be reached directly at: (212) 323-7063 • aluis@rawle.com

2017 FETTI ANNUAL CONFERENCE

John C. McMeekin II and Julie Nord Friedman spoke at the Annual National Forum for Environmental & Toxic Tort Issues (FETTI) Conference in October 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Their session “Personal Jurisdiction: A New Look at Mass Tort Litigation – Where Do We Go from Here?” examined recent developments in the exercise of personal jurisdiction and explained where personal jurisdiction motions can be used. If you were unable to attend and are interested in learning more on this topic, John and Julie are available to present the session at your offices.

John C. McMeekin II is a partner in our Philadelphia office. He represents clients as local, national and trial counsel in environmental, toxic and mass torts product and related class actions, products liability, insurance coverage and aviation litigation. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law. John is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland and related U.S. District Courts. He has been published in professional and law review journals on a variety of topics related to toxic tort and environmental litigation. His significant cases can be found in the BNA Law Reports and Law 360. He was recently elected Section Secretary of the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association. He has served as the Section Revenue Officer, Chair of the Toxic Tort & Environmental Law Committee, Chair of the International Law Committee, Chair of the CLE Board and is currently co-Chairing the Corporate Counsel Initiative Task Force. In addition to his service with the ABA, John chaired the Philadelphia Bar Association Environmental and Toxic Tort Law Committee and has been a member of the Delaware Valley Environmental Inn of Court. He is a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee and Chair of the Firm’s Aviation Section. He has been selected as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in 2005-2011, 2014, 2015 and 2017. He has been rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.

John can be reached directly at: (215) 575-4324 • jmcmeekin@rawle.com

Julie Nord Friedman is a partner in our Pittsburgh office. She concentrates her practice on the defense of manufacturers, suppliers and contractors in mass and toxic tort litigation, with an emphasis on asbestos litigation. Her clients range from Fortune 500 companies to regional contractors and suppliers. She is a National Coordinating Counsel for one client and she also acts as trial counsel in the defense of claims in mass tort and toxic tort litigation and regularly handles matters for multiple clients in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Julie is active in the Defense Research Institute and is a member of the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance. Julie has been rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. She earned her J.D. in 1995 from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and her B.A. in 1992 from the American University in Washington, D.C.  She is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of West Virginia.

Julie can be reached directly at: (412) 261-5709 • jfriedman@rawle.com

ABA TIPS

Zachary M. Rubinich, a partner in our Philadelphia office, was recently appointed as the Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice (TIPS) Workers’ Compensation and Employers’ Liability Law Committee for 2018-2019. He is currently Vice-Chair of the Workers’ Compensation and Employers’ Liability Law Committee for 2017-2018. He also served as Vice-Chair in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. In addition, Zach has been appointed as Vice-Chair of the 2017-2018 American Bar Association Standing Committee for Diversity and Inclusion.

Zach defends and counsels a variety of businesses, insurers and third-party administrators against workers’ compensation claims in Pennsylvania. In addition, Zach assists his clients to identify ways to control rising workers’ compensation costs without litigation and seeks to recover funds already paid on their claims through subrogation and the Pennsylvania Supersedeas Fund. Based on his extensive experience, the Pennsylvania Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Law Section has certified him as Specialist in the practice of workers’ compensation law. Zach has handled all aspects of litigation before workers’ compensation judges, the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, the Commonwealth Court and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Zach is proactive in keeping clients informed about changes in the law and routinely counsels employers, carriers and adjusting companies on claims management strategy, workplace safety, return-to-work programs, employment practices and risk management issues. Zach was rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell for the fifth consecutive year in 2017. He has been selected as a Pennsylvania Rising Star by Super Lawyers from 2010 to 2014.

Zach can be reached at (215) 575-4340 • zrubinich@rawle.com

NEW ADDITION

Corinne E. Williams has joined our Philadelphia office as an associate.  She concentrates her practice in the area of workers’ compensation litigation. Corinne earned her J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 2016. She completed Temple Law’s Integrated Transactional Program, which focuses on an integrated approach to the study of trial and transactional practice skills. Corinne worked with Philadelphia Legal Assistance as a Custody and Support Assistance Clinic Advocate in the Family Law Unit during the Summer of 2015. She served as a Judicial Intern for the Honorable Judge Rayford A. Means in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas during the Fall of 2014. In addition, Corinne was a Judicial Intern for the Honorable Judge Richard M. Hughes III in the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas during the Summer of 2014. She earned a B.S. in Political Science and a B.A. in English Literature, magna cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh in 2013. Corinne graduated in three years and was on the Dean’s List from 2011 to 2013. She was a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Craig L. Corson in the Superior Court of New Jersey from August 2016 to August 2017. She worked in the Middlesex County Superior Court’s Civil and Family Divisions. Corinne is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Corinne can be reached directly at: (215) 575-4214 • cwilliams@rawle.com

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