O'CONNOR FIRST - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the New York State Bar Association
Aaron M. DePaolo is a 2010 graduate of Siena College. He received his J.D. from Albany Law School in 2013, graduating magna cum laude. While at Albany Law School, he served as a Senior Editor of the Albany Government Law Review. Additionally, he was a member of the school's moot court trial advocacy team for two years, winning The Capital District Trial Lawyers Association Prize in 2013.
Prior to joining O'Connor First, Aaron was an Associate Attorney at a civil litigation law firm in the Hudson Valley, where he gained experience in all aspects of civil matters from case intake through final disposition at trial. He is admitted to practice in the State of New York, the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Aaron concentrates his practice in civil litigation defense, including medical malpractice, product liability and general liability. He is an experienced litigation attorney who has been involved in the successful defense of physicians and doctors at trial. He has also successfully prepared and argued motions and appeals in various courts throughout New York State, including the Supreme Court and Appellate Division.
Aaron is a member of the New York State Bar Association, Albany County Bar Association, Capital District Trial Lawyers Association and American Bar Association.
Education
Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, New York
J.D. - 2013
Abigail A. Dean is a 2013 graduate of Le Moyne College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with minors in Communications and History. Abigail received her J.D. from Albany Law School in 2016. In 2017, Abigail published an article in the Albany Government Law Review Online relating to physicians and patients.
Prior to joining O'Connor First, Abigail was an Associate Attorney at a civil litigation firm in Albany. She has extensive experience with all phases of complex litigation, including drafting pleadings, attending depositions, and preparing for trial. Before she became a litigation associate, Abigail was also an Assistant Counsel for the majority counsel for the New York State Senate.
Abigail is admitted to practice in the State of New York and the United States District Court for the Northern District. She focuses her practice in the area of civil litigation, including medical malpractice, premises liability, motor vehicle negligence and general liability. In 2023, Abigail was awarded the Sheldon Hurwitz Young Lawyer Award presented by the New York State Bar Association Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section. This award is given in recognition of outstanding contribution to the practice of law in the field on insurance.
An active member of the profession, Abigail belongs to the New York State Bar Association, the Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association, as well as the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. Abigail also serves as an executive committee member for the New York State Bar Association Torts, Insurance & Compensation Law Section.
Education
Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, New York
Juris Doctor - 2016
Le Moyne College, Syracuse, New York
A.B., Bachelor of Arts - 2013
Alexander L. Stabinski received his undergraduate degree from Hartwick College with departmental distinction in 1999. He received his juris doctorate degree cum laude from Albany Law School in 2003 where he was an Orange L. Vanhorn Scholar, a member of the Justinian society and received the Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar Association award. Alex started his career specializing in family law and criminal litigation and after two years took a position at a prestigious Albany Law Firm where he spent the next 17 years defending medical professionals in medical malpractice cases and litigating general liability lawsuits. Alex is approved trial counsel for insurance defense clients and self-insured entities.
Alex has successfully tried cases to verdict for his clients in New York State Supreme Court, Surrogate' Court, City Court and Family Court. He has lectured for the National Business Institute on trial tactics and taught continuing legal education courses to newly admitted attorneys. He was also selected to be a member of the House of Delegates for the New York State Bar Association. When Alex is not litigating, he can be found helping his wife and children on the family farm.
Education
Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, New York
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Albany County
Anne Hurley graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from State University of New York at Buffalo, where she was a University Honors Scholar. She earned her JD from State University of New York at Buffalo in 1988 and also received the Robert J. Connelly Award for Excellence in Trial Practice. Since her admission to the New York State Bar, her practice has focused on defense of Health Care professionals, as well general liability claims, and related issues.
Anne is a member of the Albany County and New York State Bar Associations, as well as the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York and the Capital District Women's Bar Association, where she has served on the Judicial Screening Committee and the Working Mothers' Committee. She has lectured on various aspects of civil practice, as well as work/life balance issues.
Education
State University of New York, Buffalo School of Law, Buffalo, New York
J.D. - 1988
Job Titles:
- Member of the Defense Research Institute
- Retired
Brian P. Krzykowski attended Allegheny College and graduated with a B.A. in History in 1980. He received his J.D. from Albany Law School of Union University in 1983. He entered private practice immediately with the defense firm of Carter, Conboy, Bardwell, Case & Blackmore. He was Chief Operating Officer and managing partner for that firm from 1993 through 1997. After a hiatus in order to obtain his provisional teaching certificate and teach at Bethlehem Middle School, he resumed his defense practice with The Mills Law Firm from 2001 through January 2013.
Brian is an experienced litigation attorney with over 30 years of experience in litigation whose practice includes serious personal injury litigation, premises liability defense, products liability defense, medical malpractice defense, construction accident defense and trucking/automobile liability.
Brian is a member of the Defense Research Institute, American Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, Albany County Bar Association and Capital District Trial Lawyers Association.
Brian enjoys hiking, biking, skiing and fishing. He regularly leads outings and loves being outdoors.
Education
Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, New York
J.D. - 1983
Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania
B.A. - 1980
Carol Poles is a partner and senior trial attorney in the firm. She is an experienced, dedicated, and determined advocate and trial attorney. Her practice predominantly focuses on medical malpractice defense. Over the course of her career, she has vigorously and successfully represented physicians in a wide variety of specialties, physicians assistants, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, nurses, skilled nursing facilities, healthcare institutions, and medical practices. She has tried countless actions to favorable verdicts for her clients, including many complex lawsuits seeking multi-million dollar damages. She counsels clients on effective strategies in order to achieve beneficial results.
From 2018-2024, Ms. Poles has been honored with the Lawyers of Distinction Award in Medical Malpractice Defense. She is a member of the NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers.
Curtis L.S. Carpenter is a 1992 graduate of the University of Vermont where he received a Bachelor of Arts for Political Science. Before beginning his legal career, Curtis was a lobbyist for Associated Industries of Vermont (AIV), where he represented the interests of Vermont's manufacturing community in the Vermont Statehouse. Since graduating Magna Cum Laude from New England School of Law in 2003, Curtis has been admitted to practice in the state courts and United States District Courts of Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maine. He is also admitted to practice before the United States First Circuit Court of Appeals. His practice includes trials and appeals in medical malpractice, product liability, construction disputes, civil rights disputes, and general liability. Mr. Carpenter has tried cases in state superior and district courts as well as in federal court. He has handled appeals before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, and the First Circuit Court of Appeals. In addition, since 2019, Curtis has served as a hearing officer for the Vermont Occupational Health and Safety Administration (VOSHA) Review Board, hearing and ruling upon cases involving alleged workplace safety violations.
Curtis lives in Lyndonville, Vermont, where he is an active member of the community, serving on the Planning Commission, the Development Review Board, and the Police Advisory Commission.
Education
New England School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts
J.D. - 2003
Dianne C. Bresee is a 1976 graduate of Skidmore College, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and a 1979 graduate of Albany Law School of Union University. Her practice focuses on insurance matters, coverage defense litigation and the defense of environmental and toxic tort claims. Dianne is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell (Martindale.com) and has been recognized as one of the top twenty insurance coverage lawyers in upstate New York by the SuperLawyers consumer guide (superlawyers.com) every year since 2007.
Dianne regularly represents insurers in environmental and general insurance coverage litigation. She also defends insurers and their insureds in environmental and toxic tort claims. For nearly 30 years, she has defended cost recovery and enforcement actions for petroleum spills under New York State's Navigation Law. She has served as appellate counsel in state and federal courts in numerous cases involving environmental and other insurance coverage issues. She also practices in the area of equine law.
She has lectured for the New York State Bar Association and other professional organizations on developments in New York Civil Practice, Appellate Practice and Insurance Law. Dianne served for many years on the New York Supreme Court's Committee on Character and Fitness, Dianne is a member of the New York State Bar and the American Bar Associations. She is also a member of the Defense Research Institute and is an elected member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the American Bar Association
Emily A. Phillips is a 2016 graduate of Fairfield University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. In 2019, Emily received both her J.D. from Albany Law School as well as her Master of Science in Bioethics from the Alden March Bioethics Institute at Albany Medical College. While at Albany Law School, she served on the Anthony V. Cardona '70 Moot Court Board; as the Domenick L. Gabrielli Appellate Advocacy Associate during her second year, and then as the Executive Director of the Moot Court Program during her third year.
Prior to joining O'Connor First, Emily was an Associate Attorney at a civil litigation firm in Albany, where she gained experience in defending civil matters from their inception through trial, as well as in the appellate stages. She is admitted to practice in the State of New York, the United States District Court for the Northern District, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Emily focuses her practice representing defendants in the areas of medical malpractice and general liability. She also assists physicians, dentists and nurses involved in disciplinary proceedings before State regulatory agencies.
Emily is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the Albany County Bar Association, and the Capital District Trial Lawyers Association.
Education
Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, New York
J.D. - 2019
Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut
B.A. - 2016
Alden March Bioethics Institute, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
M.S. - 2019
J. William "Billy" O'Brien is a 2017 graduate of Providence College and a 2021 graduate of Suffolk University Law School. While in law school, he worked as a litigation paralegal, providing reports on case law to a client network of legal research databases.
Jeanne M. Gonsalves Lloyd is 1985 graduate of the College of St. Rose, cum laude, where she was the recipient of the Outstanding Scholarship Award in Political Science. Jeanne received her JD from Brooklyn Law School in 1988. Prior to joining O'Connor First, Jeanne gained extensive experience practicing law on Long Island, New York City and the Capital Region of New York. Jeanne is admitted to practice in the State of New York as well as the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Northern District of New York, and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
In addition to her 24 years in private practice where she has represented clients in general litigation, aviation defense, complex product liability defense, construction site accidents, motor vehicle accidents and premises liability cases, Jeanne also served as Claims Legal Counsel to Nationwide Insurance for 4 years, prior to becoming staff counsel for Nationwide for an additional 7 years. In her role as Claims Legal Counsel Jeanne evaluated coverage and prepared coverage opinions for the claims department on all personal and commercial lines policies. She also assisted and counseled claims personnel in liability and damages evaluations and monitored defense counsel in all litigated cases.
In 2000, Jeanne was asked to open Nationwide's first staff counsel office in the Capital Region of the State of New York. As staff counsel Jeanne represented Nationwide insureds in a wide variety of personal injury actions pending in the counties located within the Third Judicial Department, including: motor vehicle, SUM, premises liability, construction site accidents, and dog bite cases.
In 2007 Jeanne returned to private practice where she has continued to represent clients in personal injury, premises liability and medical malpractice cases, as well as in general litigation, insurance agent errors and omissions cases, and insurance coverage cases. At O'Connor First, Jeanne focuses her practice in the areas of general litigation, insurance coverage disputes, and defense of complex personal injury, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, premise liability and construction site accidents. Jeanne is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Albany County Bar Association. She has been a speaker/presenter at CLE programs presented by the New York State Bar Association in the areas of civil practice, handling automobile accident cases, litigating construction site accidents, and insurance coverage.
Education
Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York
J.D. - 1988
College of St. Rose
Joe Perkins attended Union College and graduated with a B.A. in Economics in 1984. He received his J.D. from Michigan Law School in 1991. He entered private practice immediately with the defense firm of Carter Conboy. From 1999 through 2003, he served as a partner at that firm. In 2004 he joined the defense firm of Wilson Elser. He practiced as a partner with that firm from 2006 through 2019.
Joe is a civil defense litigation attorney with experience in construction law, premises liability, product liability, trucking/automobile liability and defamation. He has tried cases to verdict across Upstate New York, and also has extensive appellate experience. He has lectured for the New York State Bar Association Construction Site Seminars on multiple occasions. Joe has provided construction law seminars for the New York State Association of General Contractors, the Capital District Building Owners and Managers Association and the Albany Business Review.
Joe is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Education
University of Michigan Law School at Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D. - 1991
Union College, Schenectady, New York
B.A. 1988
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Capital District Trial Lawyers Association
Kathleen A. Barclay is a 1999 graduate of Union College and received her law degree in 2004 from Boston College Law School. Prior to joining O'Connor First, Kathleen gained extensive experience practicing law in Boston, MA and Albany, NY. Kathleen is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Kathleen focuses her practice in the areas of medical malpractice defense, errors and omissions, product liability, general liability defense and insurance coverage. Kathleen is a highly skilled courtroom advocate and has successfully obtained jury verdicts for her clients at trial, as well as obtained dismissal of cases prior to trial through motions for summary judgment.
Kathleen is an active member of the Capital District Trial Lawyers Association, Albany County Bar Association, Capital District Women's Bar Association and New York State Bar Association. Kathleen is the Treasurer and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Capital District Trial Lawyers Association. Kathleen currently serves as the President of the Albany County Bar Association, as well as the Chair of the Judicial Qualifications Committee. Kathleen also serves on the New York State Bar Association Committee on the Tort System, and is a member of the Trial Lawyer's Section. Kathleen is a member of the House of Delegates for the New York State Bar Association.
Since 2015, Kathleen has been honored by Super Lawyers and included in its annual issue acknowledging outstanding Upstate New York attorneys. Kathleen was recognized for her successes in the category of Personal Injury Medical Malpractice Defense.
Running is one of her favorite activities, and Kathleen has participated in the Boston, Baltimore, and San Francisco marathons. Kathleen has also become an active Crossfitter. She resides in Ballston Lake with her husband and two sons.
Job Titles:
- Officer
- Partner
- Member of the New York State Bar Association
Michele is an officer of the firm and an experienced litigation attorney whose practice focuses on the representation of physicians and hospitals in medical malpractice cases. She also assists physicians, dentists and nurses involved in disciplinary proceedings before State regulatory agencies. Prior to entering private practice, Michele gained significant appellate experience while serving as a judicial law clerk to an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Third Department. In that capacity, Michele researched and drafted judicial opinions in criminal, civil and administrative law matters. She has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers of America for the specialty areas of Appellate Law and Medical Malpractice Defense, and is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Michele is a member of the New York State Bar Association, Albany County Bar Association and Capital District Women's Bar Association.
P. Baird Joslin, Jr. is a 1993 graduate of the University of Vermont. He received his J.D. with honors from Albany Law School of Union University in 1997, and is a member of the Justinian Society. Baird is admitted to practice in the States of New York and Vermont, the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, the District of Vermont and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Baird is a partner of the firm, and a trial and appellate defense lawyer, whose practice emphasizes: the defense of physicians and hospitals in medical malpractice cases; the representation of medical professionals in professional discipline and licensing proceedings; commercial litigation, including breach of contract claims, continuing guarantee disputes, mechanic's lien foreclosures, fiduciary duty litigation, internal corporate investigation and fidelity coverage, and disputes emanating from purchase and sale transactions; the defense of manufacturers in product liability cases; and the defense of general liability cases, including premises liability, construction accidents, automobile negligence and municipal liability. His experience in the professional liability arena includes medical, dental, psychiatric and podiatric malpractice cases. Baird's experience in products liability litigation includes industrial machines, consumer products and medical devices.
Education
Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, New York
J.D. - 1997
Peter B. Joslin, Sr. is a 1966 Graduate of the University of Vermont. Peter received his J.D. from Albany Law School in 1973. He was a Captain in the United States Air Force from 1966 - 1970. Peter is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He is admitted to practice in Vermont (1973), USDC Vermont (1973) and the US Second Circuit Court of Appeals (1991). Peter practices in the areas of medical malpractice defense, dental malpractice defense and representation of doctors, nurses and dentists before licensing boards. He has participated in jury trials in all state courts in Vermont and in the U.S. District Court in Vermont. He also acts as a mediator of civil cases in Vermont.
Education
Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, New York
University of Vermont
Rebecca J. Smyth is a 2019 graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, where received a Bachelor of Science in Biology. In 2021, Rebecca received her J.D. from Albany Law School. While at Albany Law School, Rebecca served as a mentor through the Student Bar Association, and she was a lead article editor on the Albany Law Journal of Science and Technology.
Prior to joining O'Connor First, Rebecca worked for a solo practitioner in Albany where she gained experience in various aspects of civil and criminal litigation. Rebecca is admitted to practice in the State of New York.
Rebecca concentrates her practice in the area of civil litigation, including premises liability, motor vehicle negligence, medical malpractice, and general liability.
Rebecca is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Education
Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, New York
J.D. - 2021
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the New York State Bar Association
Samantha V. Vedder is a 2014 graduate of Hartwick College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Samantha then went on to receive her J.D. from Albany Law School in 2017. While at Albany, Samantha was the director of the Elder Law Pro Bono Program and a member of the Moot Court Trial Advocacy team. She was also the recipient of the 2017 Capital District Trial Lawyers Association Prize.
Prior to joining O'Connor First, Samantha was an Associate Attorney at a civil litigation firm in Albany, where she gained experience in all aspects of civil litigation from inception through trial. She is admitted to practice in the State of New York.
Samantha focuses her practice in the area of civil litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in the areas of medical malpractice, premises liability, motor vehicle negligence and general liability.
Samantha is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Albany County Bar Association.
Education
Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, New York
Juris Doctor - 2017
Shannon D. Frazier is a 1997 graduate of Union College, and graduated from Albany Law School of Union University in 2000. Shannon is admitted to practice in the State of New York and in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. Shannon is an associate handling consumer bankruptcy cases. Shannon is a member of the New York State Bar Association. Her personal interests include running, swimming, hiking, skiing, and golf.
Terry O'Connor is a 1980 graduate of St. Lawrence University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa. In pursuing his undergraduate degree, he also studied in Copenhagen, Denmark. Terry received his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1983. Terry is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been voted by his peers on an annual basis as one of the Top 10 Upstate New York Attorneys recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine. In addition, Terry has been named the Best Lawyer, Lawyer of the Year for both Medical Malpractice Law (defendants) and Products Liability Law (defendants). In 2011 he was honored with the Albany County Bar Association's President's Award. In 2015 he was elected as a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
Terry is a trial lawyer who defends physicians, dentists, nurses, hospitals and nursing homes throughout New York State and Vermont. Over the course of his career, Terry has tried upwards of 125 cases to verdict. In defending physicians, he has handled cases involving licensing issues, wrongful death and birth trauma claims. In addition, Terry has handled a wide variety of other civil litigation matters, including cases involving Labor Law violations, trucking accidents, motor vehicle accidents, products liability and premises liability.
Terry has been appointed by the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York as a mediator/arbitrator/early neutral evaluator. Over the past decade, Terry has mediated and arbitrated approximately 200 cases.