FRENCH & CASEY - Key Persons
Andre A. Brochetelli is an attorney at French & Casey, LLP in New York City. His practice is devoted to commercial and general liability matters including premises liability, labor law, insurance coverage, subrogation, contract review, property damage and professional and products liability.
Barry Meade is of counsel with French & Casey, LLP. He represents clients in a wide range of commercial and insurance defense litigation, with particular emphasis on construction related issues. Read Full Biography >
Barry Meade is Of Counsel with French & Casey, LLP. He represents clients in a wide range of commercial and insurance defense litigation, with particular emphasis on construction related issues. Mr. Meade has successfully represented major construction companies and property owners in multi-million dollar tort claims, as well as successfully defending product liability claims brought against product manufacturers, including manufactures of construction equipment and office and hospitality furniture. Additionally, he has successfully defended a private organization against a civil claim for damages based upon allegations of sexual assault and improper supervision.
Mr. Meade has served Pro Bono as an Arbitrator with the New York County Lawyers' Association to resolve attorney-client disputes in accordance with the Joint Committee on Fee Disputes and Conciliation.
Mr. Meade is admitted to practice in the states of New York and New Jersey, as well as before the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of New Jersey, and the Supreme Court of the United States. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association and New York County Lawyers' Association.
Mr. Meade has published a number of articles. He was the winner of the 1997 NYSBA James A. Coon writing competition, wherein he authored New York Connects Cellular Telephone and Public Utility: The Extension of the Public Necessity Standard to the Siting of All Public Utility Facilities, Municipal Lawyer Vol. II, No.3, May/June 1997. He also authored Double Jeopardy Prohibition Included in a Extradition Treaty and Decree is Not a Bar to Sufficiently Separate Offenses Even Though Similar Evidence Presented in Prior Foreign Prosecution Forms Basis of Subsequent U.S. Prosecution, a comment on U.S. v. Jurado-Rodriquez, 9 New York International Law Review 123 (Summer 1996).
Mr. Meade received his undergraduate degree in Business Management from St. John's University in 1981, and an Advanced Certificate in Energy Management from New York Institute of Technology in 1995. He received his law degree from St. John's University School of Law in 1997, where he was Executive Notes & Comments Editor of the New York International Law Review, and an editor of the New York Real Property Law Journal.
Beth Rex is a partner with French & Casey, and a skilled litigation trial attorney with over 35 years of experience. She began her practice in a firm that was in-house counsel to a well-known boutique insurance company, where she spent nearly 17 years, rising from a beginning associate to managing attorney and partner.
Ms. Rex has spent her career in civil litigation, with a primary focus on construction site and premises liability. She has particular expertise in defending claims arising from construction site accidents, and she is highly knowledgeable of the Labor Laws and Codes applicable to these claims. She also has expertise in the defense of personal injury claims involving lead paint, scalds and burns, assault, wrongful death, products liability, highway defects, and general premises liability, as well as property damage claims. She handles all aspects of litigation, including pleadings and discovery, motion practice, trials and appeals, with great commitment and dedication.
Ms. Rex is a skilled and neutral mediator in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and a Special Master in the Supreme Court for New York County. She has written an article on agreements to procure insurance, and she has lectured at seminars pertaining to Premises Liability, Insurance Procurement, Construction Worksite Accidents, and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.
Ms. Rex is a seasoned trial attorney, having tried over 50 cases. She is also a highly capable negotiator having handled over 100 mediations, with a high rate of success.
In her private life, Ms. Rex raised three wonderful children who now have successful careers of their own, and she is very involved in community service and charitable organizations. For the past 20 years, Ms. Rex has participated in the 3-Day for the Cure, a 3-day 60-mile walk to raise funds and awareness in the battle against breast cancer. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, the arts, and spending time with her family.
Beth Rex is a partner with French & Casey, and a skilled litigation trial attorney with over 30 years of experience. She began her practice in a firm that was in-house counsel to a well-known boutique insurance company, where she spent nearly 17 years, rising from a beginning associate to managing attorney and partner. Read Full Biography >
Elizabeth Kimundi is an attorney at French & Casey LLP. She joined the firm in January 2019. Ms. Kimundi has more than a decade of domestic and international civil litigation experience in a broad range of specialties, ranging from insurance defense litigation and subrogation claims to class actions and foreign sovereign immunity cases. Her experience also includes complex multi-district litigation, commercial litigation and breach of contract matters, employment discrimination, labor and wage disputes and civil rights issues.
James R. Flanagan is Counsel to French & Casey, LLP. Mr. Flanagan is a seasoned litigator and trial attorney with over thirty years of experience representing clients in a wide range of litigated matters in the state and federal courts of New York.
Mr. Flanagan has extensive expertise in every aspect of civil litigation, with a proven track record of successfully defending construction site cases brought under the NYS Labor Law, premises liability actions, elevator and escalator cases, and commercial lines automobile liability claims. He has also handled significant property damage subrogation claims, as well as product liability cases involving defective design and manufacture claims.
Mr. Flanagan began his career as an associate and later a partner at a well-respected midtown civil litigation firm. While concentrating in the defense of elevator, escalator, Labor Law, construction defect and product liability actions, he also successfully defended many premises claims.
Mr. Flanagan later joined one of New York's most prominent plaintiff's litigation firms. As a senior associate in its Complex Litigation Division, he prosecuted many high value Labor Law, product liability, elevator, escalator, and toxic tort cases which resulted in significant jury verdicts and pre-trial settlements.
Mr. Flanagan then returned to defense work, founding a New York staff counsel office for a major property & casualty insurance company. As its Senior Managing Trial Counsel and New York attorney of record, Mr. Flanagan managed the office while handling a large case load of Labor Law and premises liability matters on behalf of the company's commercial insureds, mainly trade contractors. His effective advocacy and negotiation skills resulted in the favorable resolution of numerous claims at mediation, binding arbitration and trial.
Mr. Flanagan is admitted to practice in the State of New York, as well as the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association. Mr. Flanagan earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame in 1982. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1986 from St. John's University School of Law.
Job Titles:
- of Counsel
- Adjunct Professor in the Legal Studies Department of the City University of New York
Mr. Harris currently serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Legal Studies Department of the City University of New York teaching Trial Preparation and Civil Law & Procedure.
Mr. Harris earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Colgate University. He received his Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law where he was a semi-finalist in an intrastate moot court competition and a member of the Order of Barristers.
Job Titles:
- Founding Partner
- Partner
- Founding Partner of French & Casey, LLP, Is an Experienced Litigation and Trial Attorney With over Thirty Five Years of Experience.
- Member of the New York State Bar Association
Mr. French began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Office of the District Attorney for Kings County (Brooklyn, New York). During his tenure with the Kings County District Attorney's Office, he successfully prosecuted numerous cases, primarily in the Narcotics and Homicide Bureaus, and obtained dozens of verdicts. Following his experience with the Kings County District Attorney's Office, Mr. French worked with the firm of Flemming Zulack & Williamson, LLP where he defended toxic tort, product liability and commercial litigation defendants. After working at a prominent New York City insurance defense firm, Kroll & Tract LLP, Mr. French became Special Counsel at Rosenman & Colin, LLP (now Katten, Muchin & Rosenman LLP) in 1997.
Joe began his own practice in 2000, as a partner in Flanagan, Cooke & French, LLP, a predecessor to what eventually became French & Casey, LLP. He is well-known for representing and defending major New York City scaffold and hoist companies, and he has obtained numerous verdicts and scores of favorable summary judgment decisions for his varied construction clients. His practice, however, has expanded and has included a variety of clients ranging from rock star Ozzie Osbourne, whom he successfully defended at a three week trial, and Motley Crue, to sports and recreation facilities and coaches, defending well-known New York City night clubs and restaurants, prominent religious organizations, and many metropolitan area businesses and individuals.
A seasoned trial attorney, French has tried over 100 cases to verdict during his career. Mr. French's practice has gradually expanded from construction and insurance defense arenas to commercial litigation, religious organizations, legal malpractice, sexual abuse, railroad law, and trusts and estates litigation. He has also frequently argued before the appellate courts in the First and Second Departments. Many litigation clients now retain the Firm for services ranging from business planning and advice to estate planning.
Mr. French earned his undergraduate degree in American Studies with highest honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1979. He received his Juris Doctor from the Columbus School of Law, at The Catholic University of America in1983, where he was a staff member of the Catholic University of America Law Review. He was also the recipient of the Nathan Burkan Award for Copyright, Trademark and Patent Law.
Mr. French is an active participant in numerous community and professional organizations. For many years, he served as a Special Master for the Supreme Court in New York County, working closely with various judges in the Court's Commercial Law Division to assist in the resolution of disputes discovery between commercial litigants.
Mr. French has frequently contributed articles to several trade publications. Mr. French has also co-authored three articles published in Scaffolding Industry Magazine entitled, "Sidewalk Bridges and the General Public, How to Minimize Liability for Trips, Slips and Falls Underneath Sidewalk Bridges"; "Overlooking Minor Details in a Contracted Job can Result in Major Problems"; and "Sidestep Sidewalk Bridge Risks". He also co-authored "Sidewalk Bridge License Fees: Are They Under RPAPL881?", New York Law Journal, March 26, 2013.
Mr. French is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the New York County Bar Association, the Queens County Bar Association, the New York Brehon Law Society and the Defense Research Institute. Mr. French has also been an active member of the Douglaston (Queens) Civic Association, serving as President between 1991 and 1995 and Vice President between 1995 and 2000. Additionally, Mr. French has served on the Douglas Manor Association Board of Directors, and was a basketball and soccer coach for Queens County C.Y.O. for nine (9) years. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Douglaston Club, Inc., and served as its legal counsel from 2012-2018. He also served on the Independent Judicial Screening Committee for the Civil Court of New York County in 2014 and 2018.
In recognition of his dedication to his community, Mr. French was the 2007 recipient of the Van Zandt Award for Community Service, Douglaston, Queens. In 2018, both he and his wife, Moira Casey, were awarded with Distinguished Alumni Awards by the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. In 2018, he was also honored by the NYC Brehon Law Society for service on the Brehon's behalf in regard to his service on the Independent Judicial Screening panels for the Civil Court of New York County. In 2022 he was honored to be recipient of Mater Die Prep's, Frank Outwater Award for Lifetime Achievements.
He has received a New York Super Lawyers designation from 2018 through 2022.
Mr. French currently serves on the board of directors for the Edge/Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation (EDGE). He formerly served on the Board of Trustees of Mater Dei Prep, New Monmouth, N.J and as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Douglas Manor Association. He also is a member of the Board of Visitors for the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
Joseph A. French, the founding partner of French & Casey, LLP, is an experienced litigation and trial attorney with over thirty-five years of experience. Read Full Biography >
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the State Bar of New York
Lance E. Benowitz joined the firm in 2008 and was made a Partner on January 1, 2014. His practice is focused on labor and construction law, as well as insurance coverage and litigation. Since joining the firm, Mr. Benowitz has worked on numerous construction law cases with an emphasis on defending trade contractors from Labor Law 200, 240(1) and 241 (6) causes of action and sub-contractors from claims for defense and indemnification.
A member of the State Bar of New York, Mr. Benowitz is admitted to practice in New York State and was previously admitted to practice in California. Mr. Benowitz is also a member of the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
In 1994, Mr. Benowitz earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California Law Center. Upon graduation he interned for the Legal Aid Society in their Kew Gardens, New York office. Thereafter, Mr. Benowitz worked with a well known insurance defense firm specializing in construction law, premises liability, and medical malpractice. Mr. Benowitz also has broad practice experience in the areas of errors and omissions litigation, the representation of insurance brokers, as well as in commercial and matrimonial litigation.
In 1991, Mr. Benowitz earned a Bachelor of Arts in three years from Franklin and Marshall College, where he was also a member of the Political Science National Honor Society.
Lance E. Benowitz joined the firm in 2008. His practice is focused on labor and construction law, as well as insurance coverage and litigation. Read Full Biography >
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Member of the Hellenic Lawyers Association
Ms. Stamatelatos is a member of the Hellenic Lawyers Association and the Queens County Women's Bar Association. Moreover, Ms. Stamatelatos is fluent in Greek.
Maria E. Stamatelatos is an attorney at French & Casey, LLP. Ms. Stamatelatos joined the firm in March 2020. Prior to working at French & Casey, LLP., Ms. Stamatelatos represented indigent New Yorkers in criminal proceedings at the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County, Inc. in a variety of areas, including all-purposes crimes and DWIs. Ms. Stamatelatos has experience in courtroom advocacy, motion practice, trial preparation, and pre-trial hearings. Ms. Stamatelatos is dedicated to providing zealous representation to each and every one of her clients.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- of Counsel
- Bronx County District Attorney 's Officer
Markus Wilson is an attorney at French & Casey, LLP. He joined the firm in January 2022. He is an experienced litigator and trial attorney. His practice is dedicated to general liability matters.
Mr. Wilson began his legal career with the Bronx County District Attorney's Office as a prosecutor in the Narcotics Bureau and General Crimes Bureau. While in the office he obtained many favorable verdicts and assisted in the trial training program. He was also selected to serve in the Bias Unit which investigated and prosecuted Bias crimes.
Following his time at the Bronx County District Attorney's Officer, Mr. Wilson worked as a trial attorney for the New York City Transit Authority in the Torts Division. While there he obtained numerous favorable verdicts and settlements.
After leaving the New York City Transit Authority, Mr. Wilson has worked in private practice in the areas of Civil Rights, Criminal Law, and insurance defense.
Mr. Wilson is very involved in his community serving as a Trustee on his local Board of Education and volunteering as a youth coach for various community organizations.
Mr. Wilson earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Livingstone College. He received his Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University, School of Law.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the New York State Bar Association 's Trusts
Moira E. Casey is a partner at French & Casey, LLP. Ms. Casey concentrates her practice on trusts & estates and real estate. Ms. Casey is experienced in all aspects of estate planning and administration as well as estate litigation. Read Full Biography >
Moira E. Casey is a partner at French & Casey, LLP. Ms. Casey concentrates her practice on trusts & estates and real estate. Ms. Casey is experienced in all aspects of estate planning and administration as well as estate litigation. Her practice includes the drafting and execution of will and trust instruments, powers of attorney, health care proxies, living wills, prenuptial agreements, and the probate and administration of wills and trusts. Additionally, Ms. Casey also advises clients on business succession planning.
Ms. Casey also has extensive trial and appellate experience, having previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Kings County District Attorney's Office (1983-1995), handling felony trials and criminal appeals in both state and federal courts. In her capacity as an Assistant District Attorney, Ms. Casey frequently argued before the First and Second Department Appellate Divisions, the New York State Court of Appeals, and the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Ms. Casey is a 1983 graduate of the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University, where she was the Production Editor of the Law Review. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the University of Vermont in 1980.
Ms. Casey is a member of the New York State Bar Association's Trusts and Estate Law Section and Elder Law Section. She is also a member of the Queens County Bar Association. In addition to her professional activities, Ms. Casey also served as a member of the School Leadership Team at Townsend Harris High School on the campus of Queens College. She is also a member of the Douglaston/Little Neck Historical Society.
Recently, both she and her husband were awarded with Distinguished Alumni Awards from their school at the Catholic University of America.
Nicholas MacInnis is Of Counsel with French & Casey, LLP. He has experience handling a broad range of civil litigation matters, with a particular focus on construction law. Mr. MacInnis has represented developers, general contractors, architects, engineers, and sub-contractors at all phases of the construction process and uses those experiences to help obtain favorable results for his clients engaged in construction related disputes.
Mr. MacInnis graduated cum laude from Suffolk University Law School, where he was the Lead Articles Editor on the Suffolk University Law Review. Mr. MacInnis earned a bachelor's degree from Bates College.
Mr. MacInnis is admitted to practice in the states of New York and Massachusetts, as well as before the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of Massachusetts.
Roger Frankel, Esq., is an attorney at French & Casey, LLP. He joined the firm in 2021, coming from a well-respected Manhattan litigation firm.
Mr. Frankel graduated Cum Laude from Rutgers Law School in 2017, where he was a member of the Intellectual Property Law Clinic. While in law school, Mr. Frankel served as Vice President of both the Jewish Law Students Association and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Society. Mr. Frankel was also a recipient of the Rutgers Law School Dean's Merit Scholarship, Bergen County Bar Association Scholarship, and Rutgers Law School Pro Bono Award.
Mr. Frankel earned his Bachelor's Degree Magna Cum Laude from Rutgers University in 2013.
Mr. Frankel is admitted to practice law in New York, New Jersey and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Sarah A. Trepel is an Associate Attorney at French & Casey, LLP. Ms. Trepel joined the firm in January 2018. Prior to working at French & Casey, LLP she represented defendants in criminal proceedings throughout New York City. Ms. Trepel has experience in courtroom advocacy, motion practice, and trial preparation. She has defended clients in state and complex federal matters. Ms. Trepel is detail oriented and dedicated to providing effective and competent representation to each of her clients. Read Full Biography >
Practice Areas
Commercial Litigation
Sarah A. Trepel is an Associate Attorney at French & Casey, LLP. Ms. Trepel joined the firm in January 2018. Prior to working at French & Casey, LLP she represented defendants in criminal proceedings throughout New York City. Ms. Trepel has experience in courtroom advocacy, motion practice, and trial preparation. She has defended clients in state and complex federal matters. Ms. Trepel is detail oriented and dedicated to providing effective and competent representation to each of her clients.
Ms. Trepel is an excellent negotiator and has successfully negotiated dispositions in numerous cases. She conducts herself with the highest level of professionalism when communicating and negotiating with opposing counsel.
Ms. Trepel was admitted to practice law in the State of New York in 2015. She earned her J.D. from Tulane University Law School, where she also received a certificate in International and Comparative Law. In law school, Ms. Trepel was a managing editor of the Tulane Journal of International and Comparative Law
She was actively involved in the Tulane Criminal Litigation Clinic, where she represented indigent clients in post-conviction and habeas proceedings. Upon graduation from law school, Ms. Trepel received a certificate of recognition for outstanding pro bono service.
Ms. Trepel earned her B.A. from New York University, where she graduated magna cum laude. She double majored in International Relations and German Language and Literature.
Languages:
English (native)
Sean Edwards is Counsel to the firm. He is an experienced litigator and trial attorney.
Edwards handles complex business disputes for clients across a wide variety of profit and non-profit industries, including but not limited to, defending companies against products liability claims and matters arising under the New York State Labor Law. He is also frequently sought after to provide counsel to principals and their insurers on coverage and risk transfer-related issues.
While his practice covers the spectrum of commercial tort disputes, Edwards has been Assistant Outside General Counsel for a New York City-based property management company. He has lectured on "Risk Management Guidelines to Ensure Insurance Coverage," and most recently, "A Primer on the New York State Labor Law and Personal Injury Matters." He has consulted for insurance carriers and private businesses at numerous round tables to provide trial valuations.
Edwards is a frequent advocate in alternate dispute resolution forums, mediating and arbitrating matters of significant exposure, in addition to litigating to disposition matters in City, State and Federal Courts.
Edwards is committed to volunteerism and serves as lead minister at his church in Queens, New York. He has been recognized by Northeastern University Law School for distinguished community service. For over 15 years, he has lent his expertise in various capacities to Legal Outreach, Inc., whose mission is to provide law-related education programs to New York City youth in underserved communities.
Susan A. Romano is a partner with French & Casey, LLP having joined the practice as an associate in 2001. Prior to her association with the firm, she worked in-house defending claims for a major New York City privately held corporation. Read Full Biography >
Susan A. Romano is a partner with French & Casey, LLP having joined the practice as an associate in 2001. Prior to her association with the firm, she worked in-house defending claims for a major New York City privately held corporation. Ms. Romano also worked with a well-known insurance defense litigation firm.
She has more than 15 years of civil litigation experience, in particular, she has expertise in the areas of construction, premises liability, sports and recreation, personal injury, contract disputes, products liability disputes, insurance coverage, and employment discrimination. She handles a variety of complex matters involving major construction projects in the NYC metropolitan area. Ms. Romano also assists clients in evaluating contractual issues and implementing strategies to reduce liability.
Ms. Romano is a skilled neutral and advanced trained mediator in the U.S. District Court Southern District of New York. She has conducted numerous mediations and arbitrations, and works diligently for each client to ensure that the objectives of the settlement are reached fairly and as efficiently as possible.
Ms. Romano shares the firm's commitment to mentoring its junior associates and works with them to hone their skills and develop their unique talents. Ms. Romano takes pride in handling matters with professionalism and concern.