Torts, Insurance, & Compensation Law Section

Torts, Insurance, & Compensation Law Section

The Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section of the New York State Bar Association is pleased to welcome Section members and visitors. Among the resources available for Section members on this site are Section publications and access to the TICL Section’s private online professional community. Section members receive the Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section Journal and the Construction & Surety Law Division’s newsletter, Deconstruction, as a benefit of membership.

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As a member of the Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section of the New York State Bar Association, you have access to our journals, MCLE programs, networking events with members of the bench and bar, and online community. But there is more. Our section hosts over 15 committees in substantive areas of law, as well as two Divisions. As a member of our section, they are free to join. Please consider getting involved with one or more committees or divisions. There is no required time commitment to join a committee or division, but active participation is encouraged. Please also tell your colleagues about us and give them a copy of TICL’s brochure.

Feel free to reach out to any member of our Executive Committee for information, or contact us to join a committee or provide your opinion or feedback.

Contact the Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section Liaison

To learn more about this Section, please contact Gina Bartosiewicz
[email protected]
(518) 487-5671

Please do not contact the Section liaison with a request for legal advice or an attorney referral. You can instead visit our ‘Public Resources’ or ‘Lawyer Referral Service’ page for this type of request.

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Brian Rayhill, Esq.

Brian Rayhill is the 2023 Chair of the New York State Bar Association Torts, Insurance & Compensation Law Section, (TICL). He also sits on the Executive Committee of the TICL Section and is the Chair of the TICL Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. Other notable legal appointments include his current role as Chair of the New York State UM/SUM Screening Committee and serving as a past president of the Defense Association of New York, for the 2013-2014 term, (DANY). He also presently holds the position of DANY Committee Chair for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section. Mr. Rayhill is a past member of the American Arbitration Association No-Fault Advisory Panel and has been an arbitrator panelist with Arbitration Forums.

In 2014, Mr. Rayhill was the DRI Award Recipient for “Contributions to the New York Defense Bar”. In 2009, Mr. Rayhill was the recipient of the New York State Bar Association Torts, Insurance & Compensation Law Section “Outstanding District Representative” award.

Brian has lectured on many diverse topics including:

New York State Bar Association: CLE Moderator – Advantages of Arbitration, Mediation and Summary Jury Trial.

New York State Bar Association: A Panel CLE – Emerging from the Legal Stone Age: The Advent of the Wired Courtroom; Advances in Demonstrative Evidence; and the Cyber Law Office.

New York State Bar Association: CLE – What You Need to Know About the Medicare Secondary Payer Statute.

New York State Bar Association: CLE Moderator – The Impact of No-Fault on the Courts, AAA and Your Practice. A Comprehensive Look at Resolution Opportunities for Both PIP and Bodily Injury Claims.

New York State Bar Association: Panel CLE – What Every Attorney Needs to Know About No-Fault.

New York State Bar Association: Ethics CLE – Ethical Issues Relating to Depositions and Attorney Advertising.

Defense Association of New York: Labor Law Update.

Defense Association of New York: CLE Moderator -Navigating the Ethical Implications of Social Media Investigations.

Defense Association of New York: CLE – What You Need to Know About Medicare Set Asides: The Medicare Secondary Payer Statute and The Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act.

Nassau County Bar Association: A Panel CLE – Meet the Carriers.

Mr. Rayhill is the Managing Attorney of the Law Offices of Brian Rayhill with offices in New York City, Westchester and Long Island. He is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law and is admitted to the New York State Bar, United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts and the United States Supreme Court. Brian is an accomplished litigator with over 25 years of civil litigation trial experience. His varied insurance defense experience has focused on complex and high exposure commercial and personal lines litigation.

Online Community

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Section Publications

Torts, Insurance & Compensation Law Section Journal - Vol. 50 No. 1

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TICL Journal Archive

TICL Journal

The Torts, Insurance & Compensation Law Section (TICL) Journal features peer-written substantive articles relating to the practice of torts, insurance and compensation law on various topics including workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, products liability, depositions and trial preparation. Edited by David A. Glazer, Esq., the TICL Journal is published by the Torts, Insurance & Compensation Law Section and distributed to Section Members free of charge. The TICL Journal is published as a benefit for members of the Torts, Insurance & Compensation Law Section and is copyrighted by the New York State Bar Association.

The Torts, Insurance & Compensation Law Section (TICL) Journal encourages article submissions on topics of interest to members of the Section. Writing an article for a NYSBA Section publication is a great way to get your name out in the legal community and advertise your knowledge. Our authors are respected state-wide for their legal expertise in such areas as workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, products liability, depositions, and trial preparation.

Submit an article for future publication

Section Publications

Deconstruction- Vol. 48 No. 2

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Deconstruction / Construction and Surety Law Newsletter Archives

Deconstruction

Deconstruction features decisions and statutes relating to the practice of torts, insurance and compensation law. Edited by Patricia A. Rooney, Esq., Deconstruction is published by the Construction and Surety Division of the Torts, Insurance & Compensation Law Section and distributed to Section Members free of charge.

Deconstruction is published as a benefit for members of the Torts, Insurance & Compensation Law Section and is copyrighted by the New York State Bar Association.

Bylaws

TICL Workers’ Comp. 1 – S6087/A7435

Torts, Insurance, & Compensation Law Section Committee

2024 Trial Academy Scholarship

TICL is proud to announce their sponsorship of the 2024 Trial Academy. As a Silver Sponsor of the Academy, the Section is now accepting applications for scholarships to cover the registration fee to attend.

The Trial Academy will be held: Saturday April 6, – Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the New York State bar Association, Albany, NY. There is no virtual option to the program.

To apply for a scholarship, complete the application form and submit along with your resume to Gina Bartosiewicz at [email protected]. The scholarship is a full tuition scholarship which covers the scholarship recipient’s registration fee only; those awarded a scholarship are responsible for costs associated with room, travel, and some food.

On the scholarship application form, applicants are asked to describe their trial experience (if any), anticipated benefits of attending the Trial Academy, and any financial hardships. NYSBA membership is required and applicants must be in good standing with the bar. The application notes that government attorneys should check with their ethics officer to ensure they are able to accept a scholarship from NYSBA.

Seats at the Trial Academy will be available to scholarship applicants who are not awarded a scholarship, provided that the member registers and pays the full registration fee by March 1, 2024. The Trial Academy sells out each year.

Seats cannot be guaranteed after March 1.
Scholarship Application Deadline: 2/1/2024.

Download Scholarship Application (PDF)

To learn more about the Trial Academy, go to: nysba.org/trial-academy
For more information, please contact [email protected]

Annual Awards 2024

The TICL Section is now accepting nominations for their Annual Awards!

Deadline for nominations is December 1.

Download nomination form (PDF)

The recipients of the annual awards will be honored during the 2024 Awards and Networking Reception on January 18 during Annual Meeting at the New York Hilton Midtown at 5pm in Beekman. Limited tickets are available. Light refreshments will be served.

Registration for the annual meeting and the Awards and Networking reception will open soon!

2023 Winners

Sheldon Hurwitz Young Lawyer Award

In recognition of outstanding contributions to the practice of law in the field of insurance.

Brian D. Barnas, Esq., Hurwitz Fine, PC, Buffalo, New York
Abigail A. Dean, Esq., Albany, New York

The Professor David D. Siegel Award

In recognition of outstanding contributions to the study of New York Law

Prof. Patrick M. Connors, Albany Law School, Albany, New York

John E. Leach Memorial Award

In recognition of the outstanding service and distinguished contributions to the legal profession as a member of the TICL Section

Saul Wilensky, Esq., Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP, New York, New York

Outstanding Jurist Awards

Hon. George J. Silver (ret.), Silverstar Mediation and Arbitration
Recognized for his outstanding contributions while Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for the New York City Courts.

Hon. Denis J. Butler, Supreme Court, Queens County
Recognized for his outstanding contributions as a Justice of the Supreme Court, Queens County.

Hon. Anthony Cannataro, New York Court of Appeals
Recognized for outstanding contributions while Citywide Administrative Judge for the New York City Civil Court.

Hon. Vito C. Caruso, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Courts Outside New York City
Recognized for outstanding contributions while Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for the courts statewide outside of New York City.

Previous Years’ Winners

2022 TICL Awards

Award Winners:

Patrick D. Leavy, Esq., Vahey Law Offices, PLLC

Sheldon Hurwitz Young Lawyer Award

Recognized for outstanding contributions as a young lawyer to the practice of law in the field of insurance

NYSBA TICL Section Outstanding Jurist Award

Recognized for outstanding contributions as a Justice of the Supreme Court, Queens County

Hon. Anthony Cannataro

NYSBA TICL Section Outstanding Jurist Award

Recognized for outstanding contributions while Citywide Administrative Judge for the New York City Civil Court

Hon. Vito C. Caruso

NYSBA TICL Section Outstanding Jurist Award

Recognized for outstanding contributions while Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for the courts statewide outside of New York City

Alyssa Pantzer, Esq, Assistant Attorney General

NYSBA TICL Section Outstanding Executive Committee Member Award

Recognized for outstanding contributions while a member of the NYSBA TICL Executive Committee

NYSBA TICL Section Outstanding Jurist Award

Recognized for outstanding contributions while Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for the New York City Courts

Committee Chair of the Year

To recognize an outstanding TICL Section Committee Chair. Presented by: Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section Prize: Crystal award

Award Recipients

2018 Joanna M. Roberto, Esq. 2017 Kathleen Feroleto Chetta, Esq. 2016 A.G. Chancellor, III, Esq. 2016 Diana Neyman, Esq. 2014 Robert J. Permutt, Esq. 2013 Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick, Esq. 2012 Mirna M. Santiago, Esq. and Joanna L. Young, Esq. 2011 Heath J. Szymczak, Esq. 2010 Christopher R. Lemire, Esq. 2009 Robert F. McCarthy, Esq. 2008 Glenn A. Monk, Esq. 2007 Jean F. Gerbini, Esq.

John E. Leach Memorial Award

To recognize outstanding service and distinguished contributions to the legal profession as a member of the TICL Section. Presented by: Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section Prize: Tiffany & Co. crystal paperweight

Award Recipients

2020 Timothy J. Fennell, Esq. 2019 Hon. George J. Silver 2018 Jonathan A. Dachs, Esq. 2017 Jean F. Gerbini, Esq. 2017 Laurie A. Giordano-Vahey, Esq. 2016 Glenn A. Monk, Esq. 2016 Robert F. McCarthy, Esq. 2015 Thomas J. Maroney, Esq. 2014 Charles J. Siegel, Esq. 2013 Dan D. Kohane, Esq. 2012 Hon. Douglas J. Hayden 2011 Paul J. Suozzi, Esq. 2009 Eileen E. Buholtz, Esq. 2008 Sharon Stern Gerstman, Esq. 2007 William N. Cloonan, Esq. 2006 Edward B. Flink, Esq. and Dennis R. McCoy, Esq. 2005 Louis B. Cristo, Esq. 2004 Prof. Michael J. Hutter, Jr. 2002 William S. Yaus, Esq. 2001 James D. Gauthier, Esq. 2000 Hon. Anthony J. Mercorella 1999 David M. Gouldin, Esq. 1998 Richard J. O’Keeffe, Esq. 1997 Maxwell S. Pfeifer, Esq. 1996 Thomas N. Trevett, Esq. 1995 Robert C. Minion, Esq. 1994 Sheldon Hurwitz, Esq.

The Professor David D. Siegel Award

To recognize outstanding contributions to the study of New York Law.

Award Recipients

2020 Dean Aviva Abramovsky, Esq

Sheldon Hurwitz Young Lawyer Award

In recognition of outstanding contribution to the practice of law in the field of insurance. Presented by: Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section Prize: Crystal award

Award Recipients

2022 Patrick Leavy, Esq., Vahey Law Offices, PLLC 2020 James T. Rellis, Esq. 2019 Kelsey W. Shannon, Esq. 2018 Matthew R. Bremner, Esq. 2017 Jennifer A. Ehman, Esq. 2017 David M. Knapp 2016 Martin A. Lynn, Esq. 2014 Steven E. Peiper 2011 Michael Paul O’Brien, Esq. 2010 Audrey A. Seeley, Esq. 2010 Mirna M. Santiago, Esq. 2009 John H. Snyder, Esq. 2009 Lisa Giovanna Berrittella, Esq. 2008 Matthew S. Lerner, Esq. 2008 Joanna L. Young, Esq. 2007 Jacqueline Phipps Polito, Esq. 2006 Anthony D. Martine, Esq. 2005 Laurie A. Giordano, Esq. 2004 Jason R. Waters, Esq. 2003 Daniel W. Gerber, Esq. 2002 Kevin T. Merriman, Esq. 2001 Jeffrey D. Present, Esq. 2000 Michael P. Dandini, Esq. 1999 Robert A. Glick, Esq. 1998 Kevin A. Lane, Esq. 1996 Patricia M. Curtin, Esq. 1995 Jonathan A. Dachs, Esq. 1994 Cecilia E. Norat, Esq.

Outstanding District Representative Award

TICL District Representative Award

To Recognize an outstanding TICL Section Executive Committee District Representative Presented by: Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section Prize: Crystal award

Award Recipients

2020 Molly C. Casey, Esq. 2020 Kathleen A. Barclay, Esq. 2018 Darian A. Bryan, Esq. 2018 J.P. Delaney, Esq. 2017 Robert H. Coughlin, Jr., Esq. 2016 Terrence Lee Tarver, Esq. 2014 Ronald Balter and Michael P. O’Brien 2012 Sharon Stern Gerstman and Paul F. Jones 2011 Ronald Balter and Heath J. Szymczak 2010 Brian J. Rayhill

Mary M. Russo-John Sciortino Award

In recognition of outstanding contribution to the practice of law in the field of Workers’ Compensation. Presented by: Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section Prize: Crystal award

Award Recipients

2019 William W. Crossett IV, Esq. 2018 Susan R. Duffy, Esq. 2017 John J. Cunningham, Esq. 2017 Thomas T. Walsh, Esq. 2016 Ronald Balter, Esq.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Paul Edelman 2011

Outstanding Jurist Award

Hon. Anthony Cannataro, New York Court of Appeals
Recognized for outstanding contributions while Citywide Administrative Judge for the New York City Civil Court.

Court Rules and Procedures

This page contains the websites of the Judicial Districts of the State as well as a link to the Future Court Appearances site and E-Court. Some of these sites contain the local rules and procedures of the local courts. We will update this page from time to time with additional sites.

If you become aware of a site and wish to have it posted, please email Gina Bartosiewicz at [email protected]. Click on any link to go to that Website.