RAPHAELSON & LEVINE - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Partner, Personal Injury Attorney

Since the beginning of his legal career, Andrew J. Levine has quickly ascended to the vanguard of the New York personal injury community. As one of New York's premier personal injury attorneys, Andrew has been winning verdicts and awards on behalf of Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm since 2005, bringing clients strong measures of justice in and out of the courtroom. A refusal to be outworked and consistent dedication to his craft and clients has helped Andrew earn more accolades and successful injury verdicts before his 40th birthday than many lawyers receive throughout an entire legal career. During his graduate studies at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, Andrew worked at our firm (known then as Raphaelson Law Firm P.C.). His law school studies focused on personal injury litigation and trial advocacy. In addition to graduating Magna Cum Laude, Andrew also served on the Law Review Journal and obtained a specialized certificate in civil litigation. Upon graduation, Andrew joined Raphaelson & Levine as an associate and quickly earned respect throughout the legal community as a strong advocate for the injured, an attribute that has only grown stronger throughout his years in practice. Helping seriously injured accident victims in New York has been his passion since day one. Through hard work and exceptional legal acumen his passion for helping others has served to improve the lives of victims of negligence and their families To date, Andrew has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients, providing them with the financial means to recover and move forward after a serious injury or wrongful death. Over the past decade, Andrew has been featured in New York Magazine as one of New York's "Top Personal Injury Litigators" and has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a "Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney in New York." In addition to his numerous accolades, Andrew has served on the Board of Directors for the New York State Trial Lawyers since 2012. Several of Andrew's notable recoveries have been featured prominently in the New York Jury Verdict Reporter and have appeared on annual Top Recovery lists published in New York Magazine and the New York Law Journal. These accomplishments have come well before Andrew turned 40 years old. Andrew refuses to be outworked and prides himself on always walking into every setting or courtroom as by far the most prepared voice in the room. His detailed approach allows him to achieve success no matter what obstacles a large corporation or defense may try to present. Through his preparation, Andrew can foresee defenses before they are ever presented and develop a litigation strategy to avoid and overcome these obstacles to justice. Andrew also is well regarded for his ability to understand complex medical conditions and present them in a clear, cohesive and powerful matter resulting in numerous significant recoveries. Andrew Levine handles a wide array of cases for the Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm including medical malpractice, product defects, general negligence, and automobile accident cases. His keen ability to focus on the small details while not losing track of the big picture has made it possible for him to receive successful results for the firm's clients. A magna cum laude graduate of Hofstra Law School, he was a member of the Law Review, the highest academic honor.

Job Titles:

• Associate at Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm
• Personal Injury Attorney

Benjamin Katz is an associate at Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm, P.C. and is licensed to practice law in the State and Federal Courts of New York. His practice is focused in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, general negligence, motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents and products liability. Mr. Katz grew up in Ohio and attended Ohio State University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. After college, he attended law school at the University of Miami, Florida where he graduated from in 2008. After graduating law school he practiced law in South Florida for several years before moving north to New York to practice law. While he misses the palm trees and his swimming pool he is happy to now be working in the Empire State. Mr. Katz has a wide variety of legal experience but has spent most of his career practicing in the area of personal injury. He has immense experience in the courtroom, mostly focusing on the litigation of serious injury cases. He has experience on both sides of the law, having worked for defense firms that represented large insurance companies and working in-house for an automobile insurance company. During his time as a defense attorney, Mr. Katz gained valuable experience, litigating wrongful death actions, serious motor vehicle accidents and premises liability cases. His defense experience provides him an insight into how the insurance companies operate and the strategies they want to employ. This has allowed him to understand how a defendant is looking to set up the defense of a case and how to counter those defense strategies to best serve his clients. Mr. Katz is able to use this background to obtain maximum compensation for his clients. "Personal Injury law is a customer service field and I strive to make sure my clients get the attention they deserve and know I am always there to answer any questions they have no matter how big or small." Mr. Katz joined the firm in 2013 and has taken his years of experience to continually help and assist his clients. This help begins right after the accident and continues through the end of a client's case. He is focused on achieving the level of service and results our clients expect and deserve. He is there is guide his clients through what can be a difficult and often times arduous process. He understands when someone has been in an accident they need support. He has been there over the years to provide that help and support and explain to his clients what is happening in their cases. He prides himself on communicating with his clients and keeping them updated on how their case is proceeding.

Job Titles:

• Associate at Raphaelson
• Personal Injury Attorney

Corey T. Flick, Esq. is an Associate at Raphaelson and Levine Law Firm, P.C. and an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of New York. Corey focuses his practice on motor vehicle collisions, premises liability, trip, and fall accidents, and various other types of negligence actions. Born and raised in Monmouth County, New Jersey, Corey has always been determined to practice law and has long held a passion for helping others. Corey is a graduate of The George Washigton University, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing. He then completed law school at https://www.brooklaw.edu/, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Juris Doctor degree. At Brooklyn Law, Corey graduated at the top of his class receiving awards in various classes and was included on the Dean's List. Prior to joining Raphaelson and Levine, Corey worked for the internationally recognized law firm Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson LLP, where he focused his practice on complex mergers and acquisitions. Outside of the office, Corey is an avid fan of the New York Mets, New York Jets, New York Knicks, and the New York Rangers. Corey also enjoys traveling, being active outdoors, and spending time with close friends and family. As he is early in his career, Corey has a fierce desire to continue learning the best ways to achieve success for his clients. He is determined to continue advocating for the injured people of New York and give them a voice that they would not otherwise have.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Dominican Bar Association
• Member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association
• Personal Injury Attorney

Dario Martinez has been a personal injury lawyer at Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm since 2006. Widely known throughout the industry as a gentleman and a tremendous advocate for all accident victims and individuals represented by the firm, he is a regular fixture in the Supreme Court of every county in New York State. Having fostered strong relationships with all members of the legal profession over the past decade, Mr. Martinez's relationships exist because of the respect he has earned inside the courthouses due to an impeccable record for always being prepared, respectful, honorable and ready to advocate for the firm's clients. Dario's character and integrity are characteristics that have always been at his core and make him the great lawyer and person that he is. He was born and raised in New York City by his parents from the Dominican Republic. A 1998 Graduate of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Dario is admitted to practice law in the state and federal courts of New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia. Mr. Martinez has practiced exclusively in personal injury throughout his legal career. During his tenure at Raphaelson and Levine, he has litigated and resolved cases that have resulted in multimillion-dollar awards. He has successfully advocated for many hardworking injured New Yorkers, including many construction workers that were badly injured and never able to return to work after an accident. Not to mention, Dario has also represented accident victims in motor vehicle accident cases, trip and fall accidents, and for people who sustained serious and catastrophic injuries. Dario's background allows Raphaelson and Levine a special perspective into the Hispanic and Dominican communities in New York. His background has complemented and reinforced the firm's strong roots in the Hispanic community, dating back to the early 1990's. Our law firm understands that to properly represent people injured in accidents, we must understand every aspect of their life and how a person's life is affected by injuries. Understanding the Latino communities' family values, culture, traditions, and lifestyles allow our firm to recover exceptional awards for Latino clients - some of which have been the highest awards achieved in the industry. Dario's zealous advocacy has earned him a well-respected role within the legal community as a voice of the injured. Dario is an active member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and as much is the most recognized Hispanic lawyer in New York advocating for this organization. Often visiting the Trial Lawyers Association offices, he regularly attends their organizational meetings, seminars, events, and award ceremonies. Dario travels annually to Albany, on behalf of the organization, where he meets state senators and assemblymen and women and lobbies for consumer protection for New York accident victims. The lobbying efforts have resulted in strengthening existing laws and spearheading new laws that are necessary for a state that is always progressing and moving forward. Mr. Martinez is also a member of The Dominican Bar Association. As a result of his efforts and hard work on behalf of the Dominican Bar Association, he has helped increase the organization's awareness and outreach throughout New York City. Mr. Martinez resides in New Jersey with his beautiful wife and three children.

Job Titles:

• Personal Injury Attorney

David E. Silverman, Esq. has achieved great success in several key areas of personal injury law. His practice includes the prosecution of claims for those injured by the negligence of others in the following areas: auto accidents, construction & scaffold accidents, dangerous drugs, defective products, dog bites, medical malpractice, slip & fall injury accidents, truck accidents and wrongful death. Prior to joining Raphaelson Levine, P.C., Mr. Silverman focused his practice not only on auto and slip and fall cases, but also on medical malpractice cases against hospitals and medical centers, nursing facilities, medical practice groups and individual physicians. Beyond law, the educational background of Mr. Silverman included the study of medicine, psychology and normative ethics. Mr. Silverman is also well-versed in environmental law, including issues relating to violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Clean Water Act, and toxic exposure to plaintiffs through contamination of water sources. Focusing his practice at Raphaelson Levine, P.C., exclusively on unyielding advocacy for those who were injured because of the negligence of others, and with a specific focus on taking cases to verdict, Mr. Silverman is known as a very aggressive litigator and a powerful trial attorney. As an attorney at Raphaelson Levine, P.C., he is an invaluable asset to the firm and its clients for whom he zealously advocates at each stage of the case from inception through and including any trial to verdict.

Job Titles:

• Associate at Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm
• Personal Injury Attorney

Frank M. Rizzo, Esq. is an Associate at Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm, P.C. and an attorney licensed to practice in the States of New York and New Jersey, as well the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. Practicing for almost a decade, Mr. Rizzo is a skilled litigator and comes to Raphaelson & Levine with extensive experience and insight working on the defense side. Throughout his career, Frank has handled a variety of complex cases, including premises liability, motor vehicle accidents, property damage, security premises, construction accidents, and various other types of negligence actions. Frank also has experience in real estate litigation, family law, and surrogate work. Frank is a native New Yorker, growing up in Brooklyn and subsequently Long Island. He graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree, double majoring in English and Political Science. Thereafter, he graduated with honors from Suffolk University Law School. During his time in law school, Frank was a recipient of the Pro Bono Honorary Award for completing over 250 hours of pro bono service for various public interest groups. He also served as a student prosecutor for the West Roxbury Criminal Court and was a practicing student attorney for Suffolk's Family Law Advocacy Clinic during his final year. Throughout his career, Frank zealously represents his clients, and it is shown through his courtroom experience, negotiation skills, and motion practice. Mr. Rizzo treats every client with the utmost importance, as he takes the time to learn who his clients are, and in turn, provides exceptional representation.

Job Titles:

• Partner, Personal Injury Attorney

Howard A. Raphaelson founded what is now known as Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm, P.C. in 1992 after graduating from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, determined to ensure that every personal injury victim and their family are treated with excellent personal service, respect, dignity and every resource available in the legal industry. Mr. Raphaelson has always understood how victims are affected by accidents and brings that empathy to the courtroom and settlement table every day. His approach - making defendants and insurance companies treat victims as people and not a file - is one of the main reasons why Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm is able to recover verdicts and settlements often in excess of industry standards. Three months after graduation Mr. Raphaelson left his position at a distinguished New York City personal injury law firm to open his own practice, evidence of the courage and leadership that has helped Raphaelson & Levine become a pillar of the legal community in New York.

Job Titles:

• Associate at Raphaelson
• Personal Injury Attorney

Jared B. Dubin, Esq. is an Associate at Raphaelson and Levine Law Firm, P.C. and an attorney licensed to practice in the State of New York. Mr. Dubin is an aggressive and skilled negotiator, with a focus on motor vehicle collisions, premises liability, construction accidents, and various other types of negligence actions. Mr. Dubin is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. He then went on to earn his Juris Doctor Degree from Touro College's Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. Mr. Dubin was admitted to the New York Bar in 2014 and in 2020 was named by The National Trial Lawyers as a top 40 under 40 civil plaintiff's attorney. Mr. Dubin has extensive experience in the courtroom and has spent years perfecting his negotiation, litigation, and legal writing skills; however, it is his firm belief that a case is won and lost through meticulous preparation. Preparation is the key to success and this mindset is evident in his determination and work ethic. Mr. Dubin is dedicated to vigorously pursuing the interests of his clients and ensuring that they are provided with the optimal legal representation. Outside of the office, Jared is an avid sports fan. He also enjoys snowboarding, traveling, and spending as much time as possible with his family and friends.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Firm
• Personal Injury Attorney

Jason Krakower has been a member of the firm since 2005 and has been admitted to practice law in the State of New York since 2003. Since his graduation from law school, he has focused his entire practice exclusively in the field of personal injury law. Over the past fourteen years, he has represented individuals who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents, trip, and fall accidents, construction accidents, and various other types of negligence actions. Mr. Krakower has gained extensive courtroom experience over the past fourteen years and has tried numerous cases to verdict. He has obtained jury verdicts in excess of a million dollars and in 2014, he received the third-highest jury verdict award in the state of New York for a motor vehicle no-fault case. He has also negotiated and settled thousands of cases totaling in excess of $50,000,000.00. In 2016, Mr. Krakower was selected as a Super Lawyer Rising Star which is a list comprised of the top up-and-coming New York attorneys under the age of 40, an honor bestowed on only 2.5% of lawyers in New York. Although he has worked on thousands of cases over his career, he understands that to the injured victim, this is their only case. Mr. Krakower works tirelessly to give each and every case that he handles the utmost attention that it deserves. One of his most rewarding victories was a multi-six-figure trial verdict for a good samaritan who underwent shoulder surgery as a result of a car accident. Our client was an individual who happened upon a cab driver who was attempting to sexually assault a young woman. Our client immediately intervened and his bravery allowed the young woman to escape. While the cab driver was attempting to flee, he struck our client with his vehicle causing our client's shoulder injury. Despite his injury, our client was able to trail the cab driver and follow him long enough for the police to arrive. The cab driver was arrested and prosecuted and our client was justly compensated for his injuries. Justice was served in all respects. Mr. Krakower also understands the importance of working with qualified experts to assist in getting our clients the full amount of compensation they are rightfully entitled to; not just for the losses they have suffered, but the losses they will continue to suffer into the future. Mr. Krakower routinely consults with medical experts, engineering experts, vocational rehabilitation experts, and economic experts to assist in proving these damages. Mr. Krakower, along with partner Howard Raphaelson, recently represented a 38-year-old mason who was seriously and permanently injured when he fell 45 feet from a scaffold. Through the use of expert testimony and affidavits, Mr. Krakower was able to secure a mediated settlement of $2.25 million. The settlement not only compensated the injured worker for the pain and suffering he endured but also compensated him for future lost wages and medical bills as testified to by the experts.

Job Titles:

• Associate at Raphaelson
• Personal Injury Attorney

Joseph M. Taylor, Esq. is an Associate at Raphaelson and Levine Law Firm, P.C. and an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of New York. Joseph focuses his practice on motor vehicle collisions, premises liability, trip and fall accidents and various other types of negligence actions. Born and raised in Essex County, New Jersey, Joseph has always been determined to practice law, and has long held a passion for helping others. Joseph is a graduate of the University of Delaware, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Minor degree in Economics. He then completed law school at The Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, receiving a Juris Doctor degree. At Penn State, Joseph competed successfully in a number of trial advocacy programs and competitions. He also received high praise for his achievements in legal writing and drafting, as well as in tort law. Mr. Taylor gained valuable legal experience well before his admission to the bar. Joseph grew up surrounded by his father's real estate law practice in New Jersey, which is what initially struck his interest in one day practicing law. Before law school, Joseph worked closely as an intern with a well-known criminal defense and litigation firm in New Jersey. During law school, he spent the summer following his first year as an intern with Raphaelson and Levine. He returned to Raphaelson and Levine the following summer to serve as a summer associate. As a summer associate, Joseph immersed himself into the practice and assisted in the drafting of legal documents, preparing substantial cases for trials and mediations, sitting in on depositions and managing cases on a day-to-day basis. Because Joseph spent the early years of his legal career at Raphaelson and Levine, he was able to study under the senior attorneys at the firm who have achieved great success over the course of their careers. Just as importantly, it was instilled in Joseph at the inception of his practice that there is no substitute for thorough preparation, attention, and understanding of each case and client. He has since used that knowledge to model his approach toward the practice of law. As an attorney with Raphaelson and Levine, Joseph spends the majority of his days in court throughout the State of New York, including in the counties of New York, Bronx, Queens, Kings Nassau, and Suffolk. Through daily court appearances, he has developed hands-on experience in interacting with other attorneys and achieving positive results for his clients through the discovery and negotiation process. Additionally, Joseph constantly communicates with insurance companies in an attempt to resolve his client's' claims. With the wide range of cases that come across his desk, Joseph has dealt with matters at all ends of the spectrum of Personal Injury law. In doing so, he has developed an understanding that no two cases or clients are the same, and that each deserves his full attention and effort. While in the office, Joseph is responsible for the preparation of a wide range of legal documents that are integral to particular cases. He also receives and meets with prospective clients who have been seriously injured, and assists in the evaluation of new cases that enter the firm.

Job Titles:

• Associate at the Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm
• Personal Injury Attorney

Steven C. November, an associate at the Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm, brings a rich and varied background to the firm's personal injury practice. Steven earned a biology degree from Vassar College in 1982, a Master's Degree in Secondary Science Education from Hofstra University in 1985, and a law degree from Hofstra University School of Law in 1990. Attention to details and personal service to the client are the hallmarks of Mr. November's style. He has represented hundreds of individual, municipal and corporate clients and has collected millions of dollars in personal injury settlements over the course of his 26-year career. Having initially honed his writing skills as a staff writer for Vassar's Miscellany News and Hofstra Law School's Property Law Journal, where he was also a Notes and Comments editor, Mr. November has long specialized in pre-trial motion and appellate practice, with an astonishingly high success rate. These results allow the law firm to obtain great trial and settlement results for our clients. Mr. November's recent successes at the Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm include appellate victories in New York's First Appellate Department for firm clients Steven Sterbinsky, (Sterbinsky v 780 Riverside Dr., LLC, and George Villafane (Villafane v Industrial Constr. Mgt., Ltd.).