VAUGHAN BAIO & PARTNERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Partner / Newark, NJ & Philadelphia, PA
Practice Areas
Workers' Compensation
Biography
Anthony focuses his practice in New Jersey workers' compensation defense matters. He represents employers, self-insured companies, third party administrators, and insurance carriers ranging from local businesses to national companies. Anthony manages litigation from initiation to conclusion, including medical and factual investigation of claims, drafting and arguing motions, negotiating settlements, witness preparation, and trial.
In complex workers' compensation matters, successful outcomes for the defense require a keen attention to detail and understanding of how best to apply the law. Effective counsel utilizes these skills to identify opportunities to reduce exposure and ensure the most effective resolution of claims. Anthony has demonstrated his proficiency in these skills throughout his career leading to exceptional results for his clients.
Anthony received his Juris Doctor from Temple University in 2015 and graduated cum laude. Prior to beginning his career as a workers' compensation attorney, he gained extensive experience in many areas of law, including a legal internship with a multinational company in Tokyo, Japan. In his spare time, Anthony enjoys studying history, attempting golf, exercising, and traveling.
Bola Awujoola has advised and represented corporate entities and individual clients at various levels of the dispute resolution process. While starting as an in-house counsel for a global corporate services firm, based in Lagos, Nigeria, Bola subsequently garnered experience spanning close to a decade in complex defense litigation and appeared regularly before all superior courts of record in Nigeria, including the apex Supreme Court. In more recent years, Bola has focused his practice on providing counsel and representation to clients at all stages of workers' compensation litigation -from intake to trial and appeal. Bola also defends employment liability, discrimination and civil rights/public sector claims in federal court. Thoroughness and passion are the hallmarks of Bola's litigation approach.
Bola's span of experience is extensive and his scope of knowledge is considerable. He graduated with Merit from Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom where he earned his Master's in International Commercial and Maritime Law. He also holds a Bar Qualifying Certificate from the Nigerian Law School and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria.
Experience
Recognition
Practice Areas
Workers' Compensation
Biography
Claire T. Brookins focuses her practice on counseling and defending insurers, employers and third-party administrators in a wide range of workers' compensation matters. She brings more than fifteen years of experience practicing workers' compensation defense work before the New York State Workers' Compensation Board. As part of her representation, Claire regularly appears at hearings and trials across New York State.
Claire's extensive experience litigating claims includes conducting depositions of lay and expert witnesses, negotiating settlements, legal research, and preparing appeals, rebuttals and memoranda of law.
Earlier in her career, Claire practiced in multiple areas of law including divorce, real estate, bankruptcy, and product liability defense.
Practice Areas
Workers' Compensation
Biography
Drawing from his more than 30 years in workers' compensation law, Dan focuses his practice on complex issues such as fraudulent claims, coverage disputes, drug-free workplace cases, and compensability determinations. He represents a wide range of individuals and entities including departments and agencies from the State of Florida, a large Florida county, a Sheriff's Office, retail department stores and their distribution centers, assisted living facilities, construction companies, and a multinational wholesale restaurant food distributor.
Dan has a long track record of achieving successful outcomes for his clients. They include obtaining judicial findings of workers' compensation fraud, which permanently closed the claims, required the claimants to repay costs to the clients, and in certain instances, resulted in criminal prosecutions against the claimants. Other trial successes include judicial denials of requests for medical treatment and payment of indemnity benefits. In addition, claims have been successfully settled for well below their exposure levels, as a result of aggressive and thorough investigation and discovery efforts.
Dan also shares his knowledge and expertise by lecturing to many businesses and trade organizations regarding timely workers' compensation topics such as preexisting and idiopathic conditions, employee leasing, drug-free workplace, and employer safety programs. He has earned the recognition of being Board Certified in Workers' Compensation Law by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education since 1994. Dan also has earned an AV Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubbell®. He is a member of the Sarasota County Bar Association, Sarasota-Bradenton Claims Association, and the Workers' Compensation Section of The Florida Bar. Daniel graduated from Central Michigan University with his Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in journalism (with Honors). He then graduated from Stetson University College of Law and received his Juris Doctor degree (also with Honors). During his time at law school, Dan served as a staff writer for the Stetson Law Review.
Experience
Recognition
Biography
As Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the firm, Deirdre Leible manages all financial operations and transactions. Her goal is simple - maximize revenue, minimize expenses, elevate client service. Deirdre calls on her finance and accounting background to develop and guide strategic financial policy-making and implementation, directing all accounting, budgeting, negotiating, and profit planning for the firm.
Deirdre leads a team of 24 that includes paralegals, legal assistants and administrative staff who work closely with the attorneys on a variety of matters across the firm's practice areas. She also is part of the firm's Operations and Human Resources team, responsible for initiating hiring of new staff.
Deirdre joined Vaughan Baio's predecessor firm in 2014. She earned a B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Manhattan College.
Practice Areas
Workers' Compensation
Biography
Elizabeth A. Yohe specializes in Workers' Compensation matters in Florida. She represents numerous public employers in law enforcement and education as well as private employers in the construction, restaurant and hospitality, medical, and food industries. Elizabeth also represents insurance carriers, third party administrators, and professional employer organizations. She regularly appears at hearings, conducts depositions, handles settlements and takes matters to trial. Elizabeth strives to mitigate her client's risk exposure by implementing cost-effective solutions.
For a medical group client, Elizabeth successfully defended against a complex workers' compensation claim to demonstrate that the claimant failed to meet her burden, which did not result in workers' compensation benefits being awarded. When a law enforcement client was faced with a claim for costly surgery, Elizabeth successfully defended against the claim by showing that the claimant's expert had not properly evaluated the key medical evidence.
Earlier in her career Elizabeth gained extensive experience in the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). While at the DOL, she conducted several high profile investigations of civil and criminal matters along with public outreach efforts. Elizabeth then joined the FBI as an Intelligence Analyst. Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from DePaul University with Honors. She went on to receive her law degree from Tulane Law School, where she was selected to represent clients pro bono at The Civil Litigation Clinic providing much needed legal assistance to the community.
Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family and rescue dogs, as well as cooking and baking.
As CMO, Emily Rae Aita spearheads the visual branding, digital presence and communications efforts at Vaughan Baio & Partners. She oversees the firm's website, social media visibility, internal and client-focused communications, and works in tandem with the firm's public relations specialist to elevate the visibility of the firm.
Emily Rae gained valuable sales, marketing, and client relations experience through her work in the beauty, dance, and media and entertainment industries. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Muhlenberg College with majors in Business Administration, with a concentration in marketing, and in Dance, with concentrations in performance, choreography, and dance education.
In addition to her work with the firm, Emily Rae is a professional dancer, philanthropist, educator, and "pup-parent" to her mini Australian Shepard.
Job Titles:
- Associate / Palm Beach, FL
Practice Areas
Workers' Compensation
Biography
Jane McGill brings 20 years of experience to her practice of workers' compensation law as a defense attorney in Florida. Typically, her clients are self-insured organizations. As a workers' compensation defense attorney, her responsibilities include providing ongoing comprehensive evaluation of cases with recommendations, negotiating settlements, handling litigation of claims to trial, and representing clients in the appeal of lower court decisions.
Job Titles:
- Associate / Palm Beach, FL
Practice Areas
Workers' Compensation
Biography
ason Hall primarily focuses his practice on defending clients in workers' compensation claims in Florida, representing employers of varied sizes and industries, professional employer organizations, insurance carriers, and third party administrators. He also has provided legal counsel for and drafted contracts for a luxury event planning and design business in South Florida.
Jason has experience in litigating Florida workers' compensation cases from the assignment of a file through trial, including negotiation of settlements and performing all aspects of discovery. He consistently maintains a detailed approach to litigation that focuses on the clients' needs and objectives, while preparing for the defense of claims should a case go to trial. Through his litigation efforts, he has won judgments on behalf of his clients, eliminated liability of medical and indemnity benefits for clients, and prevented attorney's fees and costs from being awarded against clients; have awarded clients taxable costs; and reduced the opposing counsel's attorneys' fees and costs against clients.
Jason's earlier legal and professional experiences include working as an attorney in enforcement litigation with the State of Florida's Department of Environmental Protection, Office of General Counsel on matters involving underground and aboveground storage tanks compliance, petroleum contamination cleanup, potable water, and used oil. Jason next moved into business development for a private Florida environmental services company, building on his previous legal knowledge and experience. Prior to focusing on workers' compensation, Jason worked for a South Florida personal injury protection insurance defense firm where his practice required consistent attention to litigation, discovery, and negotiations. He has been serving as an officer and as a member on the Board of Directors for a condominium owners association in Florida since 2006.
Outside of his practice, Jason enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, live music, photography, and discovering new food and wine experiences.
Practice Areas
Workers' Compensation
Biography
Jeff Marks focuses his practice on workers' compensation defense, representing clients including both public and private employers, professional employer organizations, insureds, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators. With his considerable depth of experience, he's described as a "calm, knowledgeable and resourceful" litigator and negotiator. Jeff helps his clients navigate the pitfalls and complexities of workers' compensation matters and identifies his responsiveness as a trait that sets him apart.
Biography
Jenna Pitner is instrumental in the day-to-day operations and ongoing success of the firm in her role as Human Resources Manager. She was elevated to that role officially after handling human resources responsibilities alongside her work as a legal assistant in the workers' compensation practice group. Jenna now handles all HR issues including the training and orientation of all new attorneys and staff.
Jenna decided to pursue a new career path after almost a decade in the restaurant industry. She held and mastered virtually every front of house position, including restaurant manager, overseeing a staff of 75 employees and relationships with vendors. She brings that ability to lead a team and deliver results to her work with the attorneys and clients of Vaughan Baio & Partners.
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Development & Client Relations
- Director of Business Development and Relations
Biography
John Bullock is the Director of Business Development and Relations at Vaughan Baio & Partners. His primary focus is developing and securing defense representation opportunities for the firm in several legal disciplines. They include construction, commercial litigation, employment, municipalities, transportation, and workers' compensation. With over 30 years of marketing experience in the insurance industry, John has developed unique relationships with insurance carriers as well as self-insured and third party administration groups. As the former Chairman & CEO of a national investigative company, John has used his expertise to foster client relationships for the firm and build its marketing program from the ground up.
John dedicates much of his free time to supporting and developing fund raising programs for educational based organizations. He currently serves on numerous committees, focusing on primary and secondary school fund raising programs. He has created several annual programs which have amassed over $10,000,000 since their inception. He also co-founded a regional aeronautics program for inner-city students. The program is geared toward teaching each student the fundamentals of plane mechanics, how to build them and actually gives them the opportunity to fly single-engine propeller planes.
When he is not working, John enjoys golfing, sailing, and building museum quality ship models.
Job Titles:
- Partner / Philadelphia, PA
Practice Areas
Workers' Compensation
Biography
John P. Goetz III concentrates his practice solely in Workers' Compensation defense
litigation. Earlier in his career, John practiced at a regional defense firm where he handled all aspects of workers' compensation matters across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for insurance carriers, third-party administrators and large self-insureds.
Drawing from his 20 years of experience, John currently represents multiple insurance carriers and a multitude of large self-insureds across a wide range of industries including healthcare, retail, nursing homes, construction, manufacturing, and transportation. He is dedicated to establishing and nurturing long term relationships with his clients and claims personnel. This has allowed him to provide sophisticated problem solving and representation, while also being able to anticipate clients' future needs.
Outside of his practice, John's favorite pastime is cooking, where he tries his hand at dishes from a wide range of cuisines including Italian, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, Hungarian and French. He hopes to pass his love of food and feeding friends and family on to his son.
John W. Becker focuses his practice on defending self-insured employers and insurance carriers in Workers' Compensation claims in New York. John has over five years of litigation experience in Workers' Compensation, and regularly represents clients in depositions and trials before the New York State Workers' Compensation Board.
John has extensive experience in representing a wide variety of clients, including retailers, manufacturers, distributors, gaming and hospitality entities, and construction companies. He focuses on a comprehensive approach to defending claims that involves open and regular communication between employers' risk management teams, insurance carriers and third party administrators to ensure that all parties with an interest in the defense of any claim are in alignment regarding litigation and resolution strategies.
Prior to obtaining his license to practice law in New York, John's experience included serving as a legislative assistant for a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and in the American Petroleum Institute's Office of General Counsel, where he advised on Environmental Protection Agency regulations and issues facing the oil and gas industry.
Experience
Representative Matters
Prevailing in a denied claim where the insurance carrier's medical consult conceded that the injury was causally related to the alleged incident by discrediting the claimant at trial.
Kelly C. O'Connor has significant experience defending employers, insurance carriers and third-party administrators in workers' compensation litigation. She frequently represents her clients before the New York State Workers' Compensation Board and has guided them through trials, depositions of medical experts and appeals. Kelly is well versed on the complicated workers' compensation and risk management issues related to prescription pain management and opioid addiction.
Kelly also focuses a segment of her practice on occupational safety and health law, advising clients in the construction industry on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, inspections, investigations, and enforcement actions.
Kelly successfully earned OSHA-30 Construction Training certification from the U.S. Department of Labor and was recognized by the Upstate New York Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in 2016.
Experience
Recognition
Practice Areas
Workers' Compensation
Biography
Ken Kaup joins the firm with more than a decade of experience handling workers' compensation matters from inception through trial and appeal. Ken gained significant experience while working on behalf of in-house counsel for a large national insurance carrier. He has served as defense counsel for some of the largest and most recognizable corporations in the country. Ken also defends smaller employers, third-party administrators and municipalities against a variety of workers' compensation claims.
As outside counsel, Ken has represented major retailers, and companies in the automotive, banking, building and supply, food and beverage, grocery, and restaurant industries. He has developed an expertise for mitigating large exposures for his clients, including resolving multiple cases via Section 20 with dismissal where the claimant had been seeking an award for permanent and total disability.
Admitted in New Jersey and New York, Ken will be based in the firm's Newark, NJ office. In his spare time, Ken enjoys reading non-fiction, watching sports and playing outside with his two-year-old son.
Experience
Representative Matters
Successfully secured a dismissal on behalf of municipal employer where the petitioner, a former police officer with 25 years of experience, filed occupational psychiatric & orthopedic claims seeking permanent and total disability three years after he retired. The decision was upheld by the NJ Appellate Division.
Job Titles:
- Associate / Palm Beach, FL
- Member of the Civil Trial and Workers' Compensation Sections of the Palm Beach County Bar Association
Mark D'Amore focuses his practice primarily on defending clients in workers' compensation matters in Florida and is based in the firm's Palm Beach Gardens office. Mark handles litigation matters for employers, insurance carriers, self-insureds, professional employer organizations and third-party administrators in all aspects of workers' compensation matters.
During Mark's successful 30+ year career in New Jersey, he worked with clients on both sides of legal equation from interview to trial. For the first half of his career, he represented plaintiffs in civil litigation and workers' compensation matters. Later in his career, he made the move to the defense side where he represented clients within the casino industry with regard to workers compensation matters.
Mark is a current member of the Civil Trial and Workers' Compensation Sections of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and a full-time member of the Florida Bar, Palm Beach County Bar, and North Palm Beach County Bar Associations. He also remains admitted to practice in New Jersey.