Event Overview
Thursday, January 15, 2026
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM – CLE Program
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM – Reception
The 2026 Annual Meeting of the New York State Bar Association’s Trial Lawyers Section and Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section will bring together leading practitioners, judges, and scholars for a dynamic and practical program. Designed to strengthen the skills of litigators and insurance law professionals alike, the program will address timely issues, recent developments in the law, and strategies to navigate an evolving legal landscape.
Attendees can expect a mix of thought-provoking presentations, lively panel discussions, and opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the state. Whether you are an experienced trial lawyer or newer to the practice, this joint program will offer valuable insights to enhance your work, better serve your clients, and stay at the forefront of the profession.
Highlights and Objectives:
- Gain practical insights into emerging trends and recent developments in tort, insurance, and trial practice to strengthen advocacy and client representation.
- Engage with leading practitioners and judges through interactive discussions designed to share strategies, perspectives, and best practices in litigation.
Program Chair:
Joanna Roberto, Esq.
Trial Lawyers Section Chair:
Brett French, Esq.
Torts, Insurance & Compensation Law Section Chair:
Richard Kokel, Esq.
General Registration Fee
Required for all Annual Meeting attendees.
| NYSBA Members | $250 |
| Non-members | $395 |
+plus…
$225 Program Registration Fee
Program Chairs;
Joanna Roberto, Esq.
Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady LLP
Garden City, New York
Brett D. French, Esq.,
Chair, Trial Lawyers Section
The French Firm, P.C.
Albany, New York
Richard W. Kokel, Esq.,
Chair, Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section
Law office of Richard W. Kokel
New York, New York
Presenters:
Helene E. Blank, Esq.
Blank and Star
Brooklyn, New York
Brian Donnelly, Esq.
Cullen and Dykman, LLP
Uniondale, New York
Erin R. Frost, Esq.
Cullen and Dykman, LLP
Uniondale, New York
Michele Kern-Rappy, Esq.
Michele Kern-Rappy Dispute Resolution
New York, New York
Edwin Lawson, Esq.
Vahey Law Offices
Rochester, New York
Angélicque M. Moreno, Esq.
Avanzino & Moreno P.C., Attorneys at Law
Brooklyn, New York
Thais E. Rodriguez, Esq.
Goldberg Segalla
Garden City, NY
Stuart M. Saft, Esq.
Holland & Knight LLP
New York, New York
Christian J. Soller, Esq.
Hodgson Russ, LLP
Albany, New York
Laurie Vahey, Esq.
Vahey Law Offices
Rochester, New York
Agenda
New York State Bar Association 2026 Annual Meeting
Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section
&
Trial Lawyers Section
Thursday, January 15, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
New York Hilton Midtown
Morning CLE Session | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Regent, Second Floor
Afternoon CLE Session | 1:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. | Regent, Second Floor
Awards Networking Reception | 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Sutton South, Second Floor
6.5 MCLE Credits
(3.0 Credits in Areas of Professional Practice, 2.5 Credits in Skills, 1.0 Credits in Cybersecurity)
This program is transitional and is suitable for all attorneys
including those newly admitted.
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Check in and Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.
Business Meeting of the Trial Lawyers Section Executive Committee: Executive Committee 2026-2027 Nomination Slate
Speaker
Brett D. French, Esq. | Chair, Trial Lawyers Section; The French Firm, P.C.
Business Meeting of the TICL Section Executive Committee: Executive Committee 2026-2027 Nomination Slate
Speaker
Richard W. Kokel, Esq. | Chair, Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section; Law office of Richard W. Kokel
9:05 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.
Welcome & Introductions
Speaker
Brett D. French, Esq. | Chair, Trial Lawyers Section
Richard W. Kokel, Esq. | Chair, Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section
9:10 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Navigating New York No-Fault: From Statutory Framework to Recovery and Risk Management
This topic offers a comprehensive guide to New York’s No-Fault insurance system. Attendees will gain insight into the historical and statutory framework, understand how benefits are processed, and claims are handled, and explore the complexities of rights of recovery, risk transfer, and arbitration between insurers. Designed for attorneys seeking practical knowledge and strategic tools, this session equips participants to effectively advise clients and manage No-Fault claims.
Speaker
Laurie Vahey, Esq. | Vahey Law Offices
Edwin Lawson, Esq. | Vahey Law Offices
1.0 Credit in Areas of Professional Practice10:00 a.m. – 10:05 a.m.
Break
10:05 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.
Workers Compensation Impacts: Staged Accidents in Construction
This engaging session explores the rise of staged accidents in New York construction and their profound impact on the workers’ compensation system. Attendees will learn how sophisticated fraud schemes are orchestrated, including the recruitment of workers and collaboration with complicit legal and medical professionals, resulting in millions lost to unwitnessed and fabricated claims. The panel will address the challenges these cases present for litigators, insurers, employers, and injured workers, while examining developments. Practical strategies for detection, defense, and risk management will be covered, making this a critical session for counsel and insurers.
Speaker
Thais E. Rodriguez, Esq. | Goldberg Segalla
1.0 Credits Areas of Professional Practice10:55 a.m.- 11:45 a.m.
Top 20 Practitioner Tips: Refresher Course for Seasoned and New Trial Attorneys & Litigators
This interactive refresher course presents the top 20 practitioner tips—drawn from leading legal experts, judges, and veteran attorneys—for both experienced and new trial lawyers and litigators. Participants will enhance core advocacy skills, learn vital preparation strategies, and gain perspectives on professionalism in and out of the courtroom.
Speaker
Christian J. Soller, Esq. | Hodgson Russ, LLP
1.0 MCLE Credit Skills11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Remarks from NYSBA President, Kathleen Sweet or President Elect, Taa Grays
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Break for Lunch (Lunch on your own)
1:00 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.
Check-In
1:10 p.m.
Welcome Back
Speaker
Brett D. French, Esq. | Chair, Trial Lawyers Section; The French Firm, P.C.
1:10 p.m. – 2:00p.m.
Using AI to Enable Case Preparation, Facts, Evidence and Trial Documents
Join this ever-evolving discussion that investigates the capabilities, boundaries, and responsible use of AI in modern legal practice, focusing on AI-driven tools for case preparation, document analysis, and evidence organization. Participants will explore how AI empowers attorneys to streamline the drafting process and also predicting outcomes, but at what cost.
Speaker
Stuart M. Saft, Esq. | Holland & Knight LLP
1.0 Credits in Cybersecurity2:00 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
Break
2:10 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
CLE at the Movies – Trial Skills Edition
Ever watched a courtroom scene on TV and thought, “No lawyer would do that”? In this CLE, we put Hollywood’s most memorable trial moments under the microscope. Using selected clips from films and television shows, we will analyze openings, closings, direct examinations, and cross-examinations to highlight both the surprisingly accurate techniques and the glaring missteps. Participants will gain practical insights into effective advocacy by comparing dramatic on-screen lawyering with real-world trial practice.
Speaker
Angélicque M. Moreno, Esq. | Avanzino & Moreno P.C., Attorneys at Law
Helene E. Blank, Esq. | Blank and Star
Michele Kern-Rappy, Esq. | Michele Kern-Rappy Dispute Resolution
1.5 Credits Skills3:25 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Criminal Past, Present Peril: Weaponizing Convictions in Cross Examinations
This presentation discusses how to locate and implement criminal history, both locally and nationally to explore use at trial and during cross examination to maximize destroying credibility with the details of criminal convictions.
Speaker
Brian Donnelly, Esq. | Cullen and Dykman, LLP
Erin R. Frost, Esq. | Cullen and Dykman, LLP
1.0 Credits in Areas of Professional Practice4:15 p.m.
Adjourn
Sponsor the 2026 Annual Meeting Program
New York Hilton Midtown, New York, NY
Join us as a sponsor of one of the New York State Bar Association’s most anticipated events — the 2026 Annual Meeting of the TICL and Trial Lawyers Sections. This full-day program brings together leading practitioners, judges, and professionals for an engaging CLE program and a celebratory awards reception.
Sponsorship is a great opportunity to showcase your organization to a highly engaged audience, gain visibility across event materials and NYSBA platforms, and demonstrate your support for the legal community.
Sponsorship levels include:
- Gold ($2,500): Premium visibility, up to three complimentary registrations, speaking opportunity, and more.
- Silver ($1,000): Strong recognition across marketing channels and one complimentary registration.
- Supporter ($500): Recognition in program signage and digital materials.
- Exhibitor Table ($500): Connect directly with attendees outside the CLE program room.
All sponsors receive logo placement on event signage, digital listings, and acknowledgment on the Sections’ website and social media.
The deadline to submit sponsorships is December 15, 2025.
Sponsorships are confirmed upon receipt of full payment and a completed form.
For questions, please contact: Gina Bartosiewicz – Section Liaison, Program & Event Manager
gbartosiewicz@nysba.org | (518) 487-5671
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Gold Reception Sponsor and Exhibitor
Gold Reception Sponsor
Exclusive Photography Sponsor
Supporter
Join Us to Honor Excellence in Law!
The Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section, together with the Trial Lawyers Section, will celebrate the recipients of their prestigious awards on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The event will take place during the Awards and Networking Cocktail Hour at the New York Hilton Midtown.
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: New York Hilton Midtown, 1335 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10019
Room: Sutton South, 2nd Floor
Registration is complimentary, but pre-registration is required.
To register for the awards program, visit:
2026 NYSBA Annual Meeting Registration
For those not attending CLE functions, please select the Annual Meeting 2026 Non-CLE Meal Function Only option.
For assistance with registration, please contact the Member Resource Center at: 1-800-582-2452.
Congratulations to this Years’ Winners:
The Trial Lawyers Section 5th Annual Awards:
Justice Irma Vidal Santaella Memorial Award for Excellence in the Courtroom
Honoree: Angélique Moreno, Esq., Avanzino & Moreno, P.C., Brooklyn, New York
Peter C. Kopff Trial Advocacy Award
Honoree: Christian Soller, Esq., Hodgson Russ LLP, Albany, New York
Betty D. Friedlander Award for Trial Excellence
Honoree: Hon. Deborah H. Karalunas, Administrative Judge for the Fifth Judicial District
Learn more about the Trial Lawyers Awards here: https://nysba.org/trial-lawyers-section-annual-awards/
The Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section Outstanding Jurist Awards:
Hon. James G. Clynes
Supreme Court, New York County
Hon. Mae A. D’Agostino
United States District Judge, Northern District of New York
Hon. Richard E. Sise
Presiding Judge, New York State Court of Claims
Learn more about the TICL Awards here: https://nysba.org/committees/torts-insurance-compensation-law-section/