GALE GALE & HUNT - Key Persons

Andrew Borelli obtained his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University at Buffalo School of Law, where he served on the Buffalo Law Review. He obtained his B.A. in Political Science, summa cum laude, from Le Moyne College. Prior to joining the firm in 2015, Andrew was an Assistant Appellate Court Attorney and an Appellate Court Attorney with the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department. Andrew is admitted to practice in New York State and the United States District Court, Northern and Western Districts of New York. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Onondaga County Bar Association and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. Andrew has also published articles in the area of health law in the Syracuse Law Review and is a board member of the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing. Andrew resides in Cicero with his wife Alissa and two sons.

Catherine Gale obtained her J.D. in 1978 from the Syracuse University College of Law. She also obtained her M.P.A. and B.A. from Syracuse University, as well as an R.N. from St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing.Catherine has over thirty years of experience as a trial attorney and has successfully brought hundreds of medical malpractice and negligence cases to verdict. She was previously a partner at a mid-sized firm in Syracuse, where she managed the medical malpractice defense group. In 1997, Catherine established our firm. Catherine has been recognized as a Top 25 Women Super Lawyer, 2019 Woman Leader in the Law, has a Martindale-Hubbell "AV" Rating, and was selected by her peers for The Best Lawyers of America for her work in Medical Malpractice Law-Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law-Defendants and a recipient of the 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" award for her work in Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants in Syracuse. Catherine is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the preeminent organization of trial lawyers in North America, dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics and the administration of justice. Catherine is also a member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates, a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial. Induction into both organizations is by invitation only and its members/fellows must demonstrate the highest standards of ethics and professionalism as well as advocacy skill and experience. Catherine is also a member of the Litigation Counsel of America, Judicial Hearing Officer Selection Advisory Committee for the Fourth Judicial Department, New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, Fourth Department Magistrate Selection Committee, New York State Bar Foundation, New York State Bar Association, Onondaga County Bar Association and American Health Lawyer Association. Catherine frequently lectures on issues related to medical malpractice defense at the Surgical Grand Rounds at Crouse Hospital and to the SUNY Upstate Department of Orthopedic Surgery Residents. She also previously taught at the Syracuse University College of Law, the SUNY at Utica/Rome College of Nursing and Cazenovia College. Catherine has served on the boards of the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York, Cazenovia College, Excellus, the Regional Learning Services, the Metropolitan School of Arts and the Onondaga Pastoral Counseling Center. Catherine is admitted to practice in the States of New York and Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, the Northern District of New York, and the United State Supreme Court. Catherine resides in Cazenovia.

Job Titles:

• ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
• Office Manager

Kevin Hunt obtained a J.D. in 1991 from the Syracuse University College of Law and a B.A. in Economics in 1988 from Washington & Lee University. Kevin has accumulated 30 years of experience as a trial attorney. He has conducted hundreds of trials, with over sixty to verdict. Another part of his practice is spent representing health care providers and related professionals in matters involving the New York State Office of Professional Medical Conduct and Office of Professional Discipline. In 2014, Kevin was honored to be inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL). The ACTL is an invitation-only fellowship of exceptional trial attorneys of diverse backgrounds from the United States and Canada. The College selects only those who have demonstrated the very highest standards of trial advocacy, ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism and collegiality. Kevin has also been recognized as a Super Lawyer in the field of Professional Liability Defense every year since 2010 (voted Top 50 in Upstate NY in 2021) and was selected by his peers for The Best Lawyers of America for his work in Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants. In June 2021, Kevin was awarded the Peter C. Kopff Trial Advocacy Award by the New York State Bar Association Trial Lawyers Section. The Kopf Award is given annually to a trial attorney in private practice who embodies the highest ideals of the Trial Lawyers Section. Kevin frequently lectures on issues related to medical malpractice defense at the Grand Rounds at Crouse Hospital, the LeMoyne College Physician's Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Programs, the New York State Bar Association and the National Business Institute. He has also published articles on issues related to medical malpractice litigation including HIPAA, the Good Samaritan Law, tort reform and expert testimony. Kevin is admitted to practice in New York State, the United States District Court, Northern and Western Districts of New York, and the Western District of New York, Bankruptcy Court. He is a member of the Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association, the Onondaga County Bar Association and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. Kevin currently or in the past has served on the boards of the Onondaga County Bar Association, Central New York Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Syracuse Meals on Wheels and the Town of Onondaga Assessment Review. He resides in Syracuse with his wife Kathleen and three children.

Kirsten Lerch Kroft obtained her J.D., cum laude, from the University at Buffalo School of Law, where she served on the Buffalo Law Review. She obtained her B.A. from the State University of New York at Geneseo. Kirsten has been selected to the Super Lawyers Upstate New York Rising Stars list. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Onondaga County Bar Association. She has lectured on issues related to medical malpractice defense at the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, for the Mohawk Valley Health System and for the New York State Bar Association. She has also published articles in the area of health law and medical malpractice defense in the Syracuse Law Review. Kirsten is admitted to practice in New York State and the United States District Court, Northern District of New York. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Onondaga County Bar Association, and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. Her volunteer activities include the Vera House Legal Clinic and the Volunteer Advocate for Lawyers Animal Abuse Court. Kirsten resides in Manlius with her husband Adam and two children.

Max Gale obtained his J.D. in 1997 from the Syracuse University College of Law and his B.A. in 1991 from Dartmouth College. Max Gale has over twenty years of experience as a trial attorney and has had a number of victories at the Appellate Division which have resulted in favorable legal precedent for residents and hospitals. Prior to joining the firm in 2000, Max was an Attorney Advisor with the Federal Communications Commission, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau in Washington, D.C. Max is admitted to practice in the State of New York and the United States District Court, Northern District of New York. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association and Onondaga County Bar Association. Prior to law school, Max was a journalist for a political newspaper in Virginia. Max resides in Cazenovia with his wife Kristen and two children.

Job Titles:

• ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
• Office Assistant

Robert Carpenter obtained his J.D., magna cum laude, from Syracuse University College of Law, where he served on the Syracuse Law Review. He obtained his B.A., magna cum laude, in Economics from the State University of New York at Geneseo. Rob is admitted to practice in New York State. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Onondaga County Bar Association and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. He has published in the area of health law in the Syracuse Law Review. Rob resides in Syracuse.

Job Titles:

• ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
• Billing Analyst

Job Titles:

• ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Member
• Office Assistant