DEVITT SPELLMAN BARRETT - Key Persons
Christi Kunzig is an attorney who concentrates her practice on drafting and arguing appeals. Prior to joining Devitt Spellman Barrett, she drafted and argued appeals for the Nassau County Attorney's Office. She has successfully handled appeals before the Appellate Division Second Department, Second Circuit and the New York State Court of Appeals. Additionally, Ms. Kunzig has made numerous appearances as a legal analyst on Fox and Friends First, Mornings with Maria, Coast to Coast with Neil Cavuto, Your World with Neil Cavuto, Making Money with Charles Payne, Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen and Dan Abram's Law and Crime Network.
Education:
Hofstra University School of Law, Hempstead, New York
With over twenty years of extensive trial and litigation experience in State Supreme Court and Federal District Court, Mr. Dave S. Pallai is a leading attorney in his field. Mr. Pallai's experience includes defending complex litigation cases with catastrophic exposure including wrongful death, quadriplegia and infant brain damage, and birth defects.
Mr. Pallai has developed a tremendous skill set throughout his career, specifically, trials and litigation in medical, hospital, dental and nursing home malpractice, school and municipal law, product liability, labor law, construction, automobile and premises liability, insurance coverage issues, uninsured, underinsurance and no-fault arbitration, municipal employee liability, Dram Shop Act, and general liability cases.
During his career, Mr. Pallai has also litigated hundreds of motions and appeals in the Courts throughout New York State, and the New York State and Federal Appeals Courts.
Mr. Pallai is fluent in the English, Spanish, and Italian languages.
With over twenty years of extensive trial and litigation experience in State Supreme Court and Federal District Court, Mr. Dave S. Pallai is a leading attorney in his field. A graduate of St. John's University, Mr. Pallai received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1980 and was awarded his Juris Doctor Degree at St. John University's School of Law in 1985. He was later admitted to the New Jersey and New York Bar, as well as the U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York and U.S. District Court Southern District of New York.
Mr. Denby is a leader in his field. His career began as a Court Attorney with the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department and he has since practiced in the litigation groups of both large and small law firms as well as the Suffolk County Attorney's Office. He has represented municipalities, corporations, insurance companies and individuals in all aspects of civil litigation from trials to appeals, and has developed a prestigious proficiency in appellate, insurance coverage and complex tort litigation.
Mr. Denby has handled over three hundred appeals and has appeared in all New York State appellate courts.
John M. Denby received his Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Fredonia in 1978, his Master's Degree from New York University in 1982, and was awarded his Juris Doctor Degree from New York Law School in 1986. Admitted to the State Bars of Connecticut and New York, as well as the U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, and U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, Mr. Denby is a leader in his field.
John M. Shields joined Devitt Spellman Barrett of counsel in January of 2012 and became a partner of the firm in January 2017. During his first year with the firm, Mr. Shields successfully completed six Federal and several State jury trials to verdict. Prior to joining Devitt Spellman Barrett, Mr. Shields was an Assistant Attorney General in the Suffolk Regional Office for twelve years, where he supervised all Federal and State litigation. While working at the Attorney General's Office, Mr. Shields was awarded the Louis J. Lefkowitz Award for outstanding service.
Mr. Shields has completed several hundred State and Federal trials to verdict, including over forty Federal jury trials. His extensive trial experience includes discrimination based on age, gender, race, and disability; excessive force, malicious prosecution and false arrest; catastrophic injuries; roadway and intersection design; premises liability; motor vehicle accidents; contracts; and assault.
Mr. Shields was previously an Assistant Town Attorney with the Town of Southampton. Prior to that, he was a trial attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County. He has published dozens of legal articles and has taught at the graduate, college, paralegal and high school levels. Mr. Shields's teaching experience also includes responsibilities at New York City Corporation Counsel Trial Advocacy training.
During his time at Fordham University, Mr. Shields served as the Business Editor of the Urban Law Journal as well as an Associate Editor for the Moot Court. He has an extensive list of published works, including law review articles and those written for the New York Law Journal and The Suffolk Lawyer, from 1997 to 2011.
John M. Shields joined Devitt Spellman Barrett of counsel in January of 2012 and became a partner of the firm in January 2017. During his first year with the firm, Jack successfully completed six Federal and several State jury trials to verdict. Prior to joining DSB, Jack was an Assistant Attorney General in the Suffolk Regional Office for twelve years, where he supervised all Federal and State litigation.
Justin Rowe focuses his practice on preparing for and trying cases in challenging venues. He has over 17 years of experience in the legal profession handling high exposure cases for both companies and high-net worth individuals. He has tried numerous cases to verdict in the City of New York and Long Island. He has taken verdicts involving serious injury claims, including severe burns, fractures requiring multiple surgeries, amputations, scarring, and traumatic brain injuries. He is experienced defending clients in construction accidents, premises liability actions, automobile accidents, product liability and toxic tort litigation. He has recently obtained defense verdicts in Kings and Queens Counties, both difficult venues for defendants, involving negligent supervision and premises liability. He has also obtained very favorable settlements during trial for a fraction of the pre-trial demand. In addition to his trial practice, he handles all aspects of the firm's Construction/Labor Law practice, including representing and defending construction companies on the personal injury claims and pursuing risk transfer opportunities. He seeks creative solutions to problems, and is a results-driven litigator.
During his time at St. John's University School of Law, Mr. Rowe earned a place on the Dean's List and the Moot Court Honor Society. He also wrote for the American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review and served as the publication's Articles and Notes Editor.
Throughout a legal career that exceeds thirty years, Mr. McHugh has a well-earned reputation as a zealous advocate for clients, who works tirelessly to assure a successful result in all aspects of litigation - from the filing of pleadings through trial and appeal. Mr. McHugh has, most often, defended clients in a wide array of negligence and intentional tort actions. He has handled many cases involving allegations of negligence concerning the maintenance of commercial and residential properties, the operation of municipal trains and buses, commercial trucking fleets, and personal vehicles, and the management and execution of operations on construction sites. As an Assistant County Attorney, Mr. McHugh also spent several years presenting evidence of child abuse and neglect in Family Court, so that the best interests of children could be protected.
Job Titles:
- General Counsel
- Managing Partner
Kevin M. Spellman has extensive civil litigation experience. As a trial attorney, Mr. Spellman has defended numerous lawsuits in New York State Supreme Court and Federal District Court in the areas of premises and automobile liability, school and municipal law, product liability, labor law, no-fault, construction, insurance coverage, uninsured and underinsurance arbitrations, no-fault litigation, Dram Shop actions and general liability. On trial, he has represented the interests of the insureds of State Farm, CNA, New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal, New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal and the State Insurance Fund, as well as numerous business entities and individuals in commercial disputes. Additionally, Mr. Spellman has defended State Farm Insurance in numerous first-party lawsuits.
Presently, Mr. Spellman is the Managing Attorney of the law firm. He is a former President of his local Rotary Club and has been a member of four international teams for Habitat for Humanity, Global Village, building homes in Alaska, Nepal, Chile and Vietnam. He is also a past President and board member of Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck, a summer residential camp for special needs children, and devotes a substantial amount of time trying to improve the lives of children who are developmentally disabled and physically challenged.
Having practiced law since 1992, Kevin M. Spellman has extensive civil litigation experience. Kevin received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Providence College in 1988, Cum Laude and was awarded a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law in 1992. Admitted to the Bar in the States of New York and Rhode Island and U.S. District Courts in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, Kevin has built a reputation for success.
Marie Elaine Holbrook joined Devitt Spellman Barrett, LLP in 2023. She has been a practicing attorney for over 20 years. She has extensive experience with personal injury litigation involving motor vehicle accidents and premises liability, supplemental underinsured/uninsured (SUM), property damage, and contractual disputes. Ms. Holbrook previously worked as in-house counsel for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, handling personal injury and property damage litigation, as well as working with the special investigations unit (SIU). Ms. Holbrook also worked for a property damage litigation firm handling first-party contractual litigation, third-party defense, and subrogation claims. She has conducted numerous depositions, arbitrations, and mediations throughout her career. She has engaged in extensive motion practice as well as briefed and argued appeals.
Ms. Holbrook received her Juris Doctor from Hofstra University School of Law in 2001. Ms. Holbrook is magna cum laude graduate of Stony Brook University. She is currently licensed to practice law in New York State Courts, and in the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.
Michele A. Perlin joined Devitt Spellman Barrett, LLP in 2019. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Perlin was an associate at an insurance defense firm on Long Island. Ms. Perlin has substantial experience litigating in courts through the State of New York. Ms. Perlin specializes in the litigation of claims involving complex civil litigation focused areas of premise liability, automobile liability, labor law, personal injury, no-fault litigation, general litigation, subrogation, construction, and property damage. Ms. Perlin handles cases involving all aspects of civil litigation from inception to trial. She is skilled in all aspects of litigation, including motion practice, mediation, and arbitration. While she attended law school, she worked as a research assistant to the law school's faculty, law journal, and law review. During law school, she received a Certificate of Merit in trial practice and was Vice President of the Student Intellectual Property Law Association. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Perlin worked as a legal assistant for Lexis Nexis and interned for the Queens District Attorney's Office in the White-Collar Crimes Bureau.
Ms. Perlin currently sits as the co-chair of the Real Property/Premises Liability Law Section of the New York State Bar Association.
As the firm of Devitt Spellman Barrett was growing, Mr. Barrett handled numerous types of cases from inception through jury verdict, including motor vehicle, products liability, premises liability, no-fault, labor law construction, defamation and insurance coverage matters. Mr. Barrett has particular and significant products liability experience including countless products, such as cutting and grinding machines, stun guns, furnaces, tires and rims, deep fryers, automobiles, printing machines, and computers.
As the law firm of Devitt Spellman Barrett grew and litigation became more complicated, Mr. Barrett assumed the position of Managing Partner, overseeing attorney assignments, case strategy and workflow in the office, while continuing to litigate complicated and high-profile cases from initial investigation through the conclusion of discovery, including motion practice.
His experience in all aspects of municipal liability, including road design, and school district liability is extensive. He has also established a reputation in directing and personally conducting the immediate investigation of potentially high-value subrogation cases, often on the day the loss is reported.
Mr. Barrett also serves as a prestigious litigator speaking at many lectures and seminars regarding his areas of excellence. Classes and seminars he taught for State Farm Insurance Company include Damage Awards Evaluation in 2006; Estoppel and Waiver Issues in 2005; Sidewalk Liability in 2004; and Video Surveillance and Issues in 2002.
Admitted to the New York State Bar since 1982, Mr. William J. Barrett received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Cortland College in 1977 and was awarded his Juris Doctor Degree from Albany Law School Union University in 1981. As the firm of Devitt Spellman Barrett was growing, Mr. Barrett handled numerous types of cases from inception through jury verdict, including motor vehicle, products liability, premises liability, no-fault, labor law construction, defamation and insurance coverage matters.
An attorney with both trial and appellate experience, Mr. Brino is involved with all aspects of the firm, across all practice areas.
Starting with the firm out of law school, Mr. Brino initially gained experience litigating no-fault matters from inception through trial. As the firm grew larger, Mr. Brino began to manage his own property and casualty caseload, working with a number of insurance carriers, including State Farm, Ocean Harbor Casualty Insurance and National General Insurance Company.
Mr. Kreppein joined Devitt Spellman Barrett, LLP in 2019. Prior to joining our team, he was a partner with another Long Island firm, concentrating in municipal defense. He has been admitted to practice law in the State of New York since 2007 and has handled municipal liability matters throughout his career.
Stephan D. Trace has extensive experience handling personal injury litigation. Prior to joining Devitt Spellman Barrett, LLP in 2005, he worked for a general practice firm and was involved in both plaintiff personal injury and commercial litigation, as well as criminal matters. Mr. Trace also worked as in-house counsel to both Allstate and CIGNA Insurance Companies, managing all phases of personal injury litigation from inception through trial.
As part of the firm, Mr. Trace is heavily involved in the handling of personal injury litigation files, which includes, premises, school districts and municipalities from inception through trial, including preparing pleadings, motions, drafting discovery demands and responses and conducting depositions.
Thomas J. Spellman, of St. James, NY, and Naples, FL, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on September 10, 2023, in New York at the age of 84. He was born on November 11, 1938, and spent his early years in Manhasset, New York where he attended St. Mary's High School and curated his lifelong sense of humor by cracking jokes for his classmates just outside of earshot of the Brothers who taught him.
Manhasset was also the place where he met the love of his life, Margaret Spellman who showed him around Lord & Taylor as he began a summer job there. "He asked me out shortly after he started working" Margaret recalled. "He took me out on a wonderful date and after that, we were a couple" added Margaret.
Tom went on to attend Fordham University, graduating both college and law school. Fordham and the Jesuits helped form his lifelong Roman Catholic faith and devotion to daily Mass and the Eucharist. He graduated from the evening division of Fordham Law, holding a variety of positions, ranging from service on a ship to a U.S. mail carrier to advertising professional with Ted Bates, as he pursued his education. He also proudly served as a Captain in the U.S. Army in the Armored (Tank) Division. The diversity of positions he held and the people he met along the way propelled his success as an attorney. He had a natural charm about him that attracted people and a strong passion for achieving justice for his clients. He founded and led a very successful law firm, Devitt Spellman Barrett, LLP where he practiced until his 75th birthday.
Thomas J. Spellman, Jr. carved an illustrious 40-year career in trial practice, showcasing exceptional expertise in a diverse range of cases. These areas include product liability, discrimination cases, premises liability, personal injury claims, school district liability matters, intentional torts such as assault and battery, malicious prosecution, and false arrest, as well as negligence cases. Beyond civil litigation, his expertise extended to criminal defense. With four decades of experience, he displayed remarkable versatility and dedication to the legal profession, leaving a lasting impact in multiple facets of the law. His legal acumen also extended to criminal defense, representing clients accused of manslaughter and burglary. Operating in both state and federal courts across New York City and Long Island, he left his mark on appellate courts as well. Spellman's arbitration prowess, both as an attorney and Federal Arbitrator, added depth to his legal portfolio. Mr. Spellman was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1966. He is also admitted to the Eastern and Southern Districts of the U.S. District Court of New York; the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit; the U.S. Court of Military Appeals; and the U.S. Supreme Court Professional. Furthermore, he actively contributed to the legal profession by representing fellow attorneys in disciplinary matters and educating peers on legal ethics and trial techniques through lectures, leaving an enduring legacy in the legal community.
Thomas J. Spellman, Jr. was deeply involved in various legal organizations and held key positions throughout his career. He was a member of the American Bar Association and served in the House of Delegates for the Torts & Insurance Practice Section from 1992 to 1993. He was also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. In the New York State Bar Association, he was a Tenth Judicial District Member of the House of Delegates, a former Vice President, and a former Nominating Committee Member. He was a member of the Trial Lawyers Section and the Executive Committee of the Torts, Insurance Compensation Law Section, and a Fellow of the New York Bar Foundation. Additionally, he was affiliated with the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, The Defense Association of New York, and The Defense Research Institute. Notably, he served as the President of the Suffolk County Bar Association from 1992 to 1993, and he was a former Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He also held the position of Trustee in the Suffolk Academy of Law and served as the Past Chairman of the Trial Lawyers Section of the Nassau/Suffolk County Bar Associations. Furthermore, he contributed to the legal profession by being a member of the Grievance (Lawyer Discipline) Committee of the Tenth Judicial District from 1984 to 1992. Thomas J. Spellman, Jr.'s extensive involvement in these organizations reflects his commitment to the legal community and his dedication to various aspects of the law.
Following his legal career he retired, splitting his time between his homes in NY and Florida where he was a fan of the performing arts and fine dining. He also loved the sun, the beach, and the company of good friends as a long-time member of his beloved Swordfish Beach Club in Westhampton Beach, NY.
William Kirrane is a seasoned defense attorney who works tirelessly to achieve the best possible results for his clients. For over twenty years, William has successfully handled many cases from inception through trial. He has represented clients in complex and high exposure cases and has obtained successful results at both the trial and appellate levels. He concentrates his practice on the defense of catastrophic injury claims and large exposure property damage claims. He has handled numerous matters involving construction and labor law, premises liability, and product liability claims.
William represents building owners and construction companies in the defense of construction defect, accident injury, and property damage claims and represents corporations, municipalities, and building owners and managers in the defense of casualty claims. He also handles commercial litigation, professional malpractice cases and corporate directors and officers and resolving complex claims through both litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He is also well versed in briefing and arguing appeals.
Before joining Devitt Spellman, William was the administrative partner of litigation defense team at an international law firm.