Three years ago, Sullivan & Worcester partner Barry Pollack launched the S&W International ChildFind Program, which provides pro bono legal assistance to parents of limited financial means whose children have been kidnapped by family members and taken overseas. The program also represents parents who feel compelled to take their children out of dangerous situations.
According to seventh-year associate Kevin M. Colmey and fourth-year associate Lindsay Barna, who both work on ChildFind cases, the program provides a unique training experience for associates who want to get involved in the cause and obtain courtroom experience. Colmey, a 2002 graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, is a member of the litigation department in the Boston office. Barna, a 2005 graduate of American University Washington College of Law, is a member of the environmental and natural resources department in the Washington office.
The ChildFind Program has seven to eight attorneys who work routinely with the Office of Children’s Issues in the Department of State in connection with child abduction cases arising under the Hague Convention, an international treaty designed to protect parental rights and to return abducted children to their prior place of residence.
“I get personal satisfaction working on the cases,” Colmey said. “They are hotly contested family issues, and attorneys need to be prepared to handle serious issues and briefings. The reward is helping to reunite a family.” Colmey was the lead attorney on a case that reunited a father with his six-year-old son after several years apart. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the courtroom when the two of them hugged for the first time in three years,” said Colmey. “These kinds of cases are full of emotional moments like that, and they make all of the hard work worthwhile.”
Pollack said, “Because of the relatively short time frame between filing and an actual trial in Hague Convention cases, we can mentor our associates to help them hone their trial skills with the guidance of experienced trial lawyers.”
During a recent trial, Barna says she was able to take the lead in every part of the case, from interviewing the client and writing motions to assisting the sheriff’s department in finding children. She also made the closing argument. The reward, said Barna, “is returning a parent to a child, knowing that the child is able to have the best situation or that the appropriate rules [are] followed.”
ASSOCIATE PROMOTIONS TO PARTNER
Damon & Morey (Buffalo, N.Y.): Gregory Zini and Heidi Brauer Ruchala have been promoted to partnership. Zini will focus on commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation. Zini received his J.D. from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1997. Heidi Brauer Ruchala will focus on personal injury, products liability, toxic substance, sports and recreation liability and trucking litigation in both state and federal courts. Ruchala received her J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker (New York): 16 associates have been promoted to partnership.
In the Chicago office, Jason M. Kuzniar will focus on professional malpractice, products liability and complex commercial litigation. Kuzniar received his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1999. Christian Novay will focus on products liability, general liability, trucking and transportation litigation, construction, professional liability, automobile negligence and employment practices liability litigation. Novay received his J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1997.
In the Dallas office, Omar Galicia will focus on counseling and representing insurance companies in insurance coverage disputes and bad faith litigation. Galicia received his J.D. from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 1999.
In the Los Angeles office, Jacqueline J. Harding will focus on labor and employment law. Harding received her J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law in 1996.
In the New York office, Shelly L. Baldwin will focus on the defense of health care professionals and institutions in medical malpractice and negligence claims. Baldwin received her J.D. from State University of New York at Buffalo Law School in 1998. Christine A. Bernstock will focus on insurance defense litigation, including general liability, automobile liability and products liability, with an emphasis on construction accidents. Bernstock received her J.D. from Quinnipiac University School of Law in 1999. Allison R. Graffeo will focus on the defense of medical malpractice claims. Graffeo received her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1999. Dennis J. Pak will focus on construction litigation and associated contract and coverage issues. Pak received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in 1999. Bryan T. Schwartz will focus on complex litigation in state and federal courts. Schwartz received his J.D. from New York Law School in 1999. Nancy V. Wright will focus on employment and labor law, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, Family and Medical Leave Act leave, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, contract issues, unfair labor practices and unequal pay claims. Wright received her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1995.
In the San Francisco office, Bernard Gehlhar will focus on professional liability matters and the representation of insurance brokers, third-party administrators, investment advisors and securities broker-dealers. Gehlhar received his J.D. from Cornell Law School in 1999.
In the McLean, Va., office, Jason R. Waters will focus on products liability, toxic tort and commercial litigation. Waters received his J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law in 1999.
In the White Plains, N.Y., office, Joseph C. Baiocco will focus on defending lead poisoning, toxic tort, premises security and general negligence lawsuits. Baiocco received his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law in 1998. Lorraine E. J. Gallagher will focus on products liability defense. Gallagher received her J.D. from Pace Law School in 1999. Jennifer S. Heitman will focus on general liability, premises liability, security guard liability, products liability, construction accidents and labor law claims. Heitman received her J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law in 1998. Joseph A. H. McGovern will focus on insurance law, contingent excess insurance coverage, general liability and personal injury litigation, and appellate practice. McGovern received his J.D. from Pace Law School in 1999.
NEW ASSOCIATES
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan (Atlanta): Pilar Mata has joins the firm’s tax practice group as an associate in the Washington office. Mata will focuses on state and local tax matters. Previously, Mata was an associate at Morrison & Foerster.
Read more Associate News
