Firm News

Firm News Archive

Attorney Greg Pepe's article, "Stepped-Up Frequency of Audits in Connecticut", published in "News Capsule" a Fairfield County Medical Association journal.

To read article click here.

Attorney Gregory Pepe recognized by Quinnipiac University School of Law Magazine for his work to improve the health care delivery system.

To read article click here. (February 2007)

Mark Ludovico - Web Producer
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Quinnipiac University
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Michael Neubert, Doug Skalka, Andrew Lubin and Eric Stockman named "Super Lawyers"

Attorneys Michael Neubert, Doug Skalka, Andrew Lubin and Eric Stockman were recently named by their peers to Connecticut Magazine's "Super Lawyers" 2007 edition. To qualify as a "Super Lawyer," an attorney must be nominated by his/her peers, subject to a background and experience check, and evaluated by a blue ribbon panel. According to the Magazine, those selected represent the top 5% of ALL lawyers in Connecticut. NPM also congratulates Attorney Lubin, who was also designated as a top 50 Superlawyer! (January 2008)

Attorney Eric Stockman wins wrongful death/medical malpractice jury trial on behalf of local hospital defendant. (December 2006)

Attorney Eric Stockman won a jury verdict in December on behalf of Stamford Hospital in a medical malpractice/wrongful death case in Superior Court. Plaintiff claimed the Hospital and a co-defendant surgeon failed to diagnose an infected abscess that allegedly developed after the patient underwent a complicated surgery for removal of a benign pancreatic tumor. Through cross-examination, Attorney Stockman revealed that the plaintiff's expert misinterpreted the Hospital record to erroneously conclude that the patient had an infected abscess. The jury rendered defense verdicts to both the Hospital and the co-defendant surgeon in less than an hour.

Douglas S. Skalka gives presentation to National Association of Credit Management (NACM) - Eastern Regional Conference on Sales of Assets in Bankruptcy. (October 5, 2006)

On October 5, 2006 Doug Skalka spoke to the NACM - Eastern Regional Conference at Foxwood Resort and Conference Center on the subject of Sales of Assets in Bankruptcy. A copy of Attorney's Skalka's presentation can be viewed, please click here.

Attorney Eric Stockman presents seminar to New Haven County Bar Association on Trial Evidence Strategy (August 2006)

Attorney Eric Stockman, with a local plaintiffs attorney and a New Haven Superior Court Judge, recently presented the Evidence Game: Views From The Plaintiff And Defense Perspectives, an annual trial practice seminar now in its 4th year. Attorney Stockman conducts mock-cross examinations and teaches effective use of deposition transcripts, and the panel itself debates and discusses fluid evidentiary concepts such as hearsay and materiality for new and experienced attorneys alike.

Attorney Eric Stockman recently obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a local hospital after a seven week jury trial (August 2006)

Attorney Stockman recently won a defense verdict on behalf of Stamford Hospital after a seven week jury in Stamford Superior Court. Plaintiff claimed that Stamford Hospitals residents failed to diagnose an ongoing myocardial infarction in post-surgical patient who complained of burning stomach pain. Attorney Stockman argued that the residents appropriately diagnosed the actual condition present during their examinations a bleeding stomach condition called gastritis and that subsequent events caused a silent infarction that led to the plaintiffs death. Attorney Stockman was able to prove the case without calling any expert on behalf of the Hospital, through cross-examination of the plaintiffs own experts. The jury deliberated for approximately 2 hours before rendering the defense verdict.

Attorney Michael Neubert and Attorney Maureen Sullivan Dinnan win significant Connecticut Appellate Court decision on behalf of a community hospital.

The Appellate Court of the State of Connecticut upheld the trial court’s decision granting Attorney Michael Neubert’s Motion for Summary Judgment on behalf of the Hospital of Saint Raphael in a wrongful death medical malpractice case. The trial court (Judge Thomas Corradino) granted the Motion for Summary Judgment based on Plaintiff’s lack of expert testimony to prove. Judge Corradino had previously granted a Motion to Preclude Plaintiff’s expert on causation due to late disclosure. The appellate Court held that the trial court properly found that there was no legitimate justification for Plaintiff’s late disclosure of a treating physician as a causation expert during jury selection. The decision is significant in establishing that precluding an expert from testifying is an appropriate remedy in certain circumstances including when disclosure occurs on the eve of trial. In addition, the Appellate Court’s decision establishes that a defendant’s disclosure of a treating physician as a possible expert does not open the door for the plaintiff to use that treating physician as an expert in their case unless the physician has been properly disclosed in a timely manner.

Attorney Mike Neubert and Attorney Greg Pepe make presentation on Hospital Credentialing to Board of Trustees and Section Chiefs at local hospital.

Attorney Mike Neubert and Attorney Greg Pepe recently made a presentation to the Board of Trustees and the Department Chiefs of a local hospital entitled “Hospital Credentialing in the 21^st Century: New Risks and New Rewards.” Attorney Neubert and Attorney Pepe discussed the expectation that hospital credential practices will come under increased scrutiny by the Office of the Inspector General and the greater risks and exposure hospitals face as a result. Their presentation also focused on the ways hospitals can improve their credentialing process. If you are interested in viewing a copy of Attorney Neubert’s and Attorney Pepe’s Powerpoint presentation, please click here.

Attorney Eric Stockman wins directed verdicts on behalf of Local Hospital and its medical resident.

Attorney Eric Stockman recently obtained directed verdicts on behalf of Stamford Hospital and one of its residents after five days of trial in Superior Court. Plaintiffs claimed that the Hospital resident negligently cared for her during surgery to repair a clogged dialysis graft. During the procedure, a vein was punctured, ultimately resulting in the loss of her arm. Plaintiffs claimed that the Hospital was responsible for the conduct of the resident under a vicarious liability theory. After plaintiff put on her case in chief, Attorney Stockman moved for a directed verdict on behalf of the Hospital on the grounds that the co-defendant surgeon admitted on cross-examination that the resident was under his direction and control during the surgery, thereby eliminating the Hospital’s vicarious liability. Attorney Stockman moved for a directed verdict on behalf of the resident on the grounds that plaintiff failed to prove any negligence on the resident’s part. The court granted both motions.

Michael Neubert and Kevin Godbout win significant Motion for Summary Judgment in legal malpractice case (June 2006)

Michael Neubert and Kevin Godbout win a significant Motion for Summary Judgment in a legal malpractice case involving a physician who sued his attorney alleging she failed to properly advise him of the potential consequences on his out of state medical licenses of entering into a Consent Order with the Connecticut Dept. of Public Health. To read the decision of Judge Nevas in this case, please click here.

Greg Pepe gives presentation to Yale New Haven Community Medical Group on Pay-For-Performance Trends (June 2006)

On June 1, 2006, Greg Pepe spoke to the Department of Medicine at the Yale New Haven Community Medical Group on the subject of Pay-For-Performance trends. A copy of Attorney Pepe’s presentation can be viewed by clicking this link.

Attorney Greg Pepe speaks to the New Haven County Medical Society on HSAs and High Deductible Insurance (May 2006)

Attorney Greg Pepe spoke to the New Haven County Medical Society on May 3rd, 2006 on the topic of HSAs and High Deductible Insurance. To view a copy of Attorney Pepe’s presentation please click here.

Attorney Greg Pepe spoke as a panelist on a national audio conference regarding Managed Care Payor Provider Contracting.

Attorney Greg Pepe, who represents numerous healthcare clients, was a panelist on a national audio conference entitled: “Can we get to Yes? Key issues in Managed Care Payor Provider Contracting” sponsored by the Managed Care Information Center on October 27, 2005. To view a copy of the program materials program materials you may visit the Managed Care Information Center’s website at www.healthresourcesonline.com/edu. To view a copy of Attorney Pepe’s conference materials, please click here.

Attorney Greg Pepe speaks at National Conference on Advanced Medical and Legal Practice Consulting.

Attorney Greg Pepe was a featured speaker at the National Conference on Advanced Medical and Legal Practice Consulting for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Tempe, Arizona on June 13^th and 14th. Attorney Pepe spoke on the development of ancillary services business within the context of medical practices and on the development and implementation of production based compensation models in medical practices.

Attorney Andrew Lubin and Attorney Douglas Skalka named for inclusion in the national publication “Best Lawyers in America.”

Andrew Lubin selected for inclusion in Connecticut Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Connecticut” which is to appear in February 2006.

Attorney Andrew Lubin has been re-elected for the inclusion in the national publication “Best Lawyers in America.” Attorney Lubin has been continuously listed in the publication since 1999 and is one of only 3 lawyers listed in the real estate section for New Haven County.

Attorney Andrew Lubin elected as a member of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys.

Attorney Andrew Lubin elected as a member of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA). ACMA is a national honorary organization awarded to lawyers with substantial experience in real estate lending and related activities. There are only 3 other attorneys in Connecticut to have been so recognized.

Attorney Michael Neubert makes presentation on new Medical Malpractice Legislation to Hospital Risk Managers

Attorney Mike Neubert made a presentation on “An Act Concerning Medical Malpractice,” a new Connecticut statute to the Connecticut Society for Healthcare Risk Management on September 22, 2005. Attorney Neubert discussed how the legislation will affect Offers of Judgment (now known as Offer of Compromise), Good Faith Certificates and reporting requirements for self-insured and captive insurance companies set up by hospitals. If you would like to view a copy of Attorney Neubert’s summary of Public Act 05-9275 (An Act Concerning Medical Malpractice) please click here.

Attorney Michael Neubert makes presentation on Informed Consent to medical staff physicians at local hospital

Attorney Mike Neubert made a presentation entitled “Informed Consent: Not Just a Piece of Paper” to a large group of staff physicians at a local community hospital on June 2, 2005. Attorney Neubert discussed the trend in the law of informed consent to require physicians to provide full disclosure regarding a physician’s experience with a contemplated procedure or what is called “provider specific information.” If you would like to view a copy of the handout prepared by Attorney Neubert, please click here.

Attorney Douglas Skalka presents seminar on Impact of Sarbanes-Oxley on Quality Systems to The American Society of Quality.

Attorney Douglas Skalka presented a seminar to the New Haven Chapter of the American Society of Quality (ASQ) entitled “Impact of Sarbanes-Oxley on Quality Systems” on November 16, 2005. Attorney Skalka was assisted by Associate Linda Pelechacz in the preparation of the seminar materials. An outline of our presentation can be viewed at the ASQ New Haven web site.

Attorney Douglas Skalka presents Bankruptcy Seminar for New Haven County Bar Association Nuts and Bolts Series

Attorney Douglas Skalka presented to the New Haven County Bar Association as part of its Nuts and Bolts Seminar series a Basic Bankruptcy Seminar on November 8, 2005. This is the 4^th year that Attorney Skalka have presented seminars with the New Haven County Bar Association.

Attorney Eric Stockman makes presentation before the New England Risk Management Society Annual Meeting

Attorney Eric Stockman, and the General Counsel of Hospital of St. Raphael, recently presented “New and Evolving Theories of Liability and Responsive Defense Strategies” to the New England Risk Management Society’s Annual Meeting in Manchester, Vermont. The NESHRM conference is attended by general counsel, risk managers, attorneys, and insurers from hospitals, law firms and insurance companies throughout the six New England states.

Attorney Eric Stockman presents at Grand Rounds at Local Hospital

Attorney Stockman recently spoke as part of the first panel discussion regarding patient safety issues to be held at a Local Hospital’s monthly Grand Rounds. In attendance were local doctors, nurses, hospital medical residents, and members of Hospital administration. Attorney Stockman made an address on Patient Care and Safety from the Lawyer’s Perspective.

Attorney Peter Fay wins verdicts for Realtor Clients

Attorney Peter Fay recently won two separate trials for real estate firms seeking to recover real estate commissions. Following a trial in Danbury, the court awarded Weichert, Realtors its full commission, attorneys’ fees together with statutory interest. The court also awarded additional interest as part of the Judgment.

Attorney Peter Fay also recovered a judgment for The Geenty Group following a trial in Middletown. In this action to recover a commission for the renewal of a commercial lease, the defendant argued he was entitled to make monthly payments of the commission due as rent was received. Following protracted litigation, the court awarded The Geenty Group the remaining balance of the commission and attorneys fees. The court also awarded additional interest as part of the Judgment.