Founding Partners
Jerrold S. Parker
Admitted to bar: 1984, New York; New Jersey; U.S. District Court, Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of New York; U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey; 1985, District of Columbia; 1993, U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Federal Claims; 2012, Colorado; U.S. District Court, District of Columbia: 2013. Martindale-Hubbell rating of “AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5”. Voted by peers into Best Lawyers® for Personal Injury Litigation.
Herbert L. Waichman (1993 – 2014)
Admitted to bar: 1984, New York; New Jersey; U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey; 1993, U.S. Supreme Court.
Partners
Raymond C. Silverman
Admitted to bar: 2000, New York; U.S. District Court, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of New York.
Brett A. Zekowski
Admitted to bar: 2000, New York; 2005, U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York; 2008, United States District Court, Northern and Western Districts of New York; 2016, U.S. Supreme Court.
Melanie H. Muhlstock
Admitted to bar: Bar of the State of New Jersey 1997, Bar of the State of New York 1998, United States District Court for the District of New Jersey 1997, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York 1998, United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York 1998, United States District Court for the Western District of New York 2001, United States District Court for the Northern District of New York 2006, United States Supreme Court 2019.
Francisco Albites
Admitted to bar: 2010, Florida U.S. District Court, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida; American Bar Association, Miami-Dade County Bar Association.
Managing Attorney
Michael Siravo
Admitted to bar: 1998, New York; U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Appellate Counsel
Jay L.T. Breakstone
Admitted to bar: New York 1977, Supreme Court of the United States 1986, United States Claims Court 1989, United States Courts of Appeal, 2d Cir. 1979, 3rd Cir. 1982, 8th Cir. 2014, 9th Cir. 2015 and 11th Cir. 2015, United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York 1977.
Senior Litigation Counsel
Admitted to bar: Massachusetts 2014, New York 2018.S. Joonho Hong
Admitted to bar: New York State Bar in 2009, U.S. District Court, SDNY, and EDNY in 2016.
Admitted to bar: New York 2014.Gerard Ryan
Admitted to bar: 2013, New York, U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York; 2014, New Jersey, U.S. District Court District of New Jersey.
Charles Silverstein
Admitted to bar: 1985, New York; 1989, U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, US Military Court of Appeals.
Alex Tovstolug
Admitted to bar: 2010, New Jersey, 2011, New York, U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York
Mass Torts Attorneys
Admitted to Bar: 2020, New York.Jason S. Goldstein
Admitted to Bar: 2011, New Jersey, 2012, New York, 2015 U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Anthony Mastroianni
Admitted to bar: 2017, New York; U.S. District Court Southern District of New York; 2018, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York.
Single Event Attorneys
Steve Fils-Aime
Admitted to bar: New Jersey 2013, New York 2014, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York 2016, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York 2017.
Ryan McAllister
Admitted to bar: 2007, New York; 2015, U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Denny Tang
Admitted to New York Bar: 2016. United States District Court, Southern, and Eastern District Court.
Law Clerk
Benjamin Portnoy
University of Maryland (B.A. 2019); New York Law School (J.D. 2022)
Parker Waichman Divisions
Annmarie George – Law Firm Administrator
Ms. George has more than twenty years of experience as a paralegal and has been employed by Parker Waichman since the firm’s inception in 1993. Ms. George is highly experienced in all aspects of plaintiff’s personal injury litigation, Surrogates Court proceedings, and Mass Tort Litigation. She is responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of non-legal personnel and communication with firm management. She also provides administrative leadership for the office and acts as a liaison between office staff and management. Ms. George additionally works on special projects including management, maintenance, and user training of SmartAdvocate, the firm’s proprietary state-of-the-art case management system. Ms. George is also a Notary Public.
Tamika Parker – Intake Supervisor
Tamika Parker joined Parker Waichman LLP with more than 20 years of paralegal, law firm management, and litigation experience. She currently oversees the firm’s Intake Department. Tamika attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice for both her undergraduate and graduate studies, holds a paralegal studies certification, and is a licensed Notary Public.
Legal Nurse Consultants
Joanne Stevens
Ms. Stevens is a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who has worked for many years in her field at several local hospitals. She spent a considerable portion of that time as an orthopedic nurse frequently specializing in the area of surgery and wound care. Ms. Stevens has been employed by Parker Waichman as a nurse consultant since 2006. She reviews medical records and provides medical summaries for the firm’s clients as well as communicates regularly with clients regarding their medical condition, care, and treatment. Ms. Stevens utilizes her vast knowledge and experience to help answer clients’ questions regarding medical conditions, treatments, and test results. Ms. Stevens also volunteers in her community assisting the elderly with proper wound care.
Case Managers
Jillian Cantinieri
Ms. Cantinieri has been employed by Parker Waichman for more than eighteen years has brought twenty-seven years of experience in the personal injury field to our firm. Ms. Cantinieri oversees the development of negligence claims from inception to settlement or filing of the suit. She maintains daily interaction with clients, attends mediations, and, under the supervision of our attorneys, negotiates claims with insurance carriers. Ms. Cantinieri was the executive assistant producer of the firm’s television advertising campaign and is a Notary Public.
Linda R. Ingber
Ms. Ingber has been employed in the personal injury field for more than thirty years. Since joining Parker Waichman almost twenty years ago, she has worked as a paralegal primarily on nursing home and medical malpractice cases. Ms. Ingber’s position as Case Manager involves the handling and development of negligence cases from inception to settlement or through the filing of a lawsuit. She maintains close contact with clients and works under the supervision of our attorneys to negotiate claims with the insurance carriers. Ms. Ingber holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Albany and is a Notary Public.
Valeria Merzel
Ms. Merzel has over five years of experience in negotiating and settling personal injury cases. Prior to joining Parker Waichman, she worked as a case manager/settlement coordinator handling workers’ compensation and personal injury claims. Ms. Merzel currently oversees the development of Parker Waichman’s negligence claims involving automobile accidents and premises liability from inception to settlement under the supervision of our attorneys. Ms. Merzel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs from overseas. Ms. Merzel is fluent in Russian.
Michael Nici
Mr. Nici has more than eleven years of property and casualty insurance experience including six years of automobile claims experience. Prior to his employment with Parker Waichman, Mr. Nici was employed as a bodily injury adjuster for a major insurance carrier, and more recently, a bodily injury negotiator for another personal injury law firm. He is in frequent communication with clients while working under the supervision of our managing attorney negotiating claims with insurance carriers. Mr. Nici holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Queens College.
Julie Trinidad
Ms. Trinidad has over fifteen years of extensive experience in the field of personal injury law. Prior to joining Parker Waichman she worked as a senior paralegal with a law office specializing in personal injury claims and gained valuable experience working as a bodily injury negotiator for a major insurance carrier. Ms. Trinidad currently oversees the development of Parker Waichman’s negligence claims involving automobile accidents and premise liability from inception to settlement under the supervision of our attorneys. Ms. Trinidad holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Manhattan College, paralegal certification from Queens College, and personal training certification from Hofstra University.
Settlement Coordinators
Michele Josama
Ms. Josama has worked in the personal injury field as a paralegal and law firm office manager for more than twenty five years. Ms. Josama currently works in the firm’s Nursing Home Litigation Unit and assists our attorneys working on cases from beginning to end. Her responsibilities include preparation of legal documents such as complaints, motions, discovery demands and responses, bills of particulars as well as surrogates court filings. Ms. Josama attended both Queens College and Technical Career Institute and is also a licensed Real Estate Agent.
Carrie Tangney
Ms. Tangney joined Parker Waichman as a Paralegal more than ten years ago. She is currently the Settlement Coordinator for our Mass Torts Unit, which litigates thousands of pharmaceutical, medical device, consumer products, and other complex claims nationwide each year. In this capacity, Ms. Tangney assists the firm’s Mass Torts attorneys in ensuring the swift conclusion of cases upon resolution by organizing all aspects of the settlement administration process. From initial client communications to the final calculation and distribution of settlement proceeds, she verifies that all of the comprehensive steps required by complex settlements are completed with precision and efficiency. Ms. Tangney holds an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Science from Nassau Community College and is also currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Psychology remotely at the University of Massachusetts – UWW while working full-time.
Karen Wienclaw
Ms. Wienclaw brings more than 35 years of experience as a full charge bookkeeper along with 25 plus years’ experience as a personal injury paralegal, handling all aspects of cases from intake to trial, to Parker Waichman. Ms. Wienclaw is a Settlement Coordinator in the Bodily Injury and Nursing Home Units. As settlement coordinator her responsibilities include preparing and/obtain settlement documents, communicating with the client, defendant carriers and defense counsel, as well as negotiating and finalizing client liens. She is also responsible for calculating and distributing settlement proceeds to clients, forwarding attorneys and the firm as well as other office related accounting and record keeping processes. Ms. Wienclaw holds a Paralegal Certificate from Stony Brook University and is a Notary Public.
Paralegals
Kelli A. Alexander
Ms. Alexander has over ten years of experience in the field of personal injury law. Prior to joining the firm several years ago, Ms. Alexander gained valuable experience as a paralegal working on claims involving automobile accidents, slip and fall cases, construction accidents, and defective products. Since joining Parker Waichman, Ms. Alexander has applied her knowledge and experience to our Mass Torts Unit, working on national litigation of defective pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other product liability claims.
Maxine An
Maxine is employed as a paralegal in our firm’s Mass Torts Unit, which litigates defective pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other product liability claims. Maxine holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Communications from Northeastern University.
Sean Brown
Prior to joining Parker Waichman’s Mass Torts Unit, Mr. Brown acquired more than ten years of paralegal experience in the areas of subrogation and personal injury claims as well as no-fault insurance defense claims. Mr. Brown has applied this knowledge to his work in the firm’s Mass Torts Unit, which litigates defective pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other product liability claims. Sean holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Farmingdale University.
Stacy Candalino
Ms. Candalino began working at Parker Waichman as a Legal Assistant in our Intake Unit several years ago after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from C.W. Post University. After graduating with honors from the Paralegal Program at Hofstra University in 2008, Ms. Candalino took on new responsibilities as a paralegal assisting several attorneys in our litigation department, working on cases from beginning to end including the preparation of legal documents, no-fault filings, and arbitrations. In 2014 she began working in our Mass Torts Unit assisting on the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 claims providing assistance to first responders, residents, and employees experiencing injuries as a result of exposure to toxins at the Ground Zero sites.
Teresa Carvelli
Teresa has been a paralegal in the field of personal injury law for over 10 years. Prior to joining Parker Waichman, she gained valuable paralegal experience working on claims involving automobile accidents, slip/trip and fall cases, and insurance litigation. She is now applying this experience to our Mass Torts Unit, which litigates defective pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other product liability claims. Teresa also holds a Paralegal Certification from LIU Post and is a Notary Public.
Kathleen Carroll
Ms. Carroll is employed as a paralegal in the firm’s Mass Torts Unit where she works on national litigations involving defective pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other product liability claims. Prior to joining our Mass Torts Unit, Ms. Carroll worked as a Legal Assistant in the firm’s Intake Unit where she assisted worked on new leads in gathering information and communicating with clients throughout the intake process. Ms. Carroll completed her undergraduate studies at Siena College, majoring in International Affairs and Criminal Justice. While at school, she had multiple internship experiences within the legal field.
Amanda Coyne
Ms. Coyne began working at Parker Waichman LLP as a Legal Assistant in our Intake Unit before moving to our Mass Torts Unit. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Coyne gained valuable experience as a real estate paralegal for more than five years. She has applied her knowledge and experience assisting the firm’s attorneys in our Mass Torts Unit, which litigates pharmaceutical and medical device claims nationwide.
Cindy Custodio
Ms. Custodio brings eleven years of experience as a legal researcher and assistant court clerk manager for an attorneys’ service to Parker Waichman. Since joining the firm, she has worked in the Single Event Unit, where she works primarily on nursing home abuse cases, working cases from beginning to end, preparing legal documents including complaints, motions, discovery demands and responses, bills of particulars as well as Surrogate’s Court filings. Ms. Custodio holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from John Jay College as well as a Paralegal Certificate from Queens College and was awarded an Outstanding Academic Achievement Award from Westlaw.
Austin Deck
Mr. Deck is assigned to the firm’s pre-suit department. He brings with him seven years of automobile accident claims experience with two major insurance companies where he worked in the areas of liability assessment and bodily injury case preparation. Mr. Deck also has two prior years of working for another personal injury firm as a legal assistant. He currently assists our case managers in preparing negligence cases for settlement or commencement of litigation as well as preparing arbitrations and no-fault filings.
Monica Hernandez
Ms. Hernandez is a long-term Parker Waichman staff member with eleven years of service as the firm’s bookkeeping assistant. Ms. Hernandez is responsible for payroll information, overseeing office expenditures, and other general office operations.
Sabrina Hogan
Ms. Hogan joined Parker Waichman LLP as a paralegal in our Mass Torts Unit bringing with her more than 10 years of retail customer service and management experience. Sabrina is a volunteer with a veterans organization giving her time alongside her father, a fellow veteran. Ms. Hogan holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Relations and a Legal Studies certificate from St. John’s University. She plans on attending law school sometime in the future.
Meredith Ippolito
Ms. Ippolito is a paralegal in the firm’s Single Event Unit with more than 30 years of experience in medical malpractice and personal injury law. Ms. Ippolito handles cases from the commencement of the lawsuit, including discovery and motions, to the trial phase. She has a degree in Paralegal Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice.
Elisa Lopez
Ms. Lopez brings considerable experience to Parker Waichman having worked as a Litigation Paralegal since 2017. Since joining the firm, Elisa has worked in our Single Event Unit assisting on nursing home and general liability cases. She has an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and Certificate in Paralegal Studies. She is a Notary Public and is fluent in Spanish.
Lynda L. Luckman
Ms. Luckman has worked in the personal injury field as a legal secretary/paralegal for more than twenty-five years and has been employed by Parker Waichman for more than seven years. Ms. Luckman is currently assigned to work with one of the firm’s trial attorneys and assists in litigating cases from the commencement of a lawsuit through discovery, depositions, motions, and trial. Ms. Luckman is also a Notary Public.
Catherine Morsucci
Ms. Morsucci has worked in the personal injury field as a paralegal for more than 15 years. Since joining Parker Waichman, she has worked in our Single Event Unit, on nursing home and general liability cases. Ms. Morsucci is highly experienced in all phases of litigation from the inception of the file at intake throughout the trial and the appellate process. She is a Notary Public and is fluent in Spanish.
Kelly O’Brien
Ms. O’Brien is employed as a paralegal in our firm’s Mass Torts Unit, which litigates defective pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other product liability claims. Prior to joining Parker Waichman, Ms. O’Brien accumulated two years of experience in the legal field. Ms. O’Brien holds an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from Nassau Community College.
Michelle Pabon
Ms. Pabon joined the Single Event Unit as a paralegal with more than 12 years of experience in personal injury, negligence, medical malpractice, family, and criminal law. She assists our personal injury attorneys in all phases of litigation from inception to end. Ms. Pabon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ithaca College and a Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University School of Law. Ms. Pabon is fluent in Spanish.
Michelle Pandolfo
Ms. Pandolfo is a member of Parker Waichman’s Mass Torts Unit which litigates an extremely high volume of pharmaceutical, medical device, consumer products, and other complex claims nationwide each year. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Pandolfo gained valuable experience as a customer service representative. She holds an Associate’s Degree from Nassau Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY Purchase College, and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Gail Ravenell
Ms. Ravenell joined Parker Waichman with over 15 years of medical malpractice and personal injury experience. She is currently assisting one of the firm’s senior litigation counsel/senior trial attorneys with medical malpractice claims from commencement to settlement. Ms. Ravenell has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from The Lincoln University and is a Notary Public.
Shaquilla Reid
Ms. Reid joined Parker Waichman LLP as a paralegal in our Mass Torts Unit, which litigates defective pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other product liability claims nationwide. Prior to joining our firm, she gained legal experience working in a law firm focused on elder law. Ms. Reid obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Daemen College where she majored in Political Science while minoring in Pre-Law and Criminal Justice.
Melissa Rivadeneyra
Ms. Rivadeneyra is employed as a paralegal in the firm’s Single Event Unit and is assigned to work with one of the firm’s trial attorneys. Ms. Rivadeneyra assists in litigating our cases from the commencement of the lawsuit through discovery, depositions, motions, and trial. She brings more than seventeen years of experience in personal injury law to the firm and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from LaSalle University, Philadelphia, PA. She is a Notary Public and is also fluent in Spanish.
Benita Rollis
Benita Rollis works as a paralegal in our Mass Torts Unit, assisting with James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 claims. Benita provides support and assistance for the many first responders, as well as other 9/11 survivors experiencing illnesses as a result of their exposure to toxins in the affected areas.
Dahlia Rosen
Prior to joining Parker Waichman’s Mass Torts Unit, Ms. Rosen was employed as a Spanish, French, and ENL (English as a New Language) teacher in Long Island public and private schools. In addition, Ms. Rosen worked as an Executive Assistant for the president of a successful beauty products company, utilizing her language and customer service skills. She has applied her knowledge and experience assisting the firm’s attorneys in our Mass Torts Unit, which litigates pharmaceutical and medical device claims nationwide. Ms. Rosen has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and French from Barnard College and a Master’s Degree in Education from New York University.
Gio Sanchez
Mr. Sanchez has worked in the legal field for more than ten years, and he has extensive experience in the areas of personal injury and workers’ compensation law. Mr. Sanchez is employed as a paralegal with the firm, and he is responsible for overseeing the coordination of case referrals with different law firms across the country. Mr. Sanchez studied at InterCoast Colleges in Burbank, CA, where he received his Paralegal Studies Certificate. Mr. Sanchez is bilingual and fluent in Spanish.
Paul Segal
Mr. Segal is a paralegal in the firm’s Mass Torts Unit where he assists our attorneys in litigating claims involving defective pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other product liability matters nationwide. Prior to joining the team at Parker Waichman, Mr. Segal worked for nearly five years as a paralegal in the personal injury and medical malpractice fields. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Industry from SUNY Oneonta and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University.
Kathleen M. Snedecor
Ms. Snedecor is employed as a paralegal in the firm’s Single Event Unit and is assigned to work with one of the firm’s trial attorneys. Ms. Snedecor assists in litigating our cases from the commencement of the lawsuit through discovery, depositions, motions, and trial. She brings more than six years of experience in personal injury law to the firm and holds a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from St. John’s University.
Nadia Sotero
Ms. Sotero is a member of Parker Waichman’s Mass Torts Unit. Prior to joining our firm, she gained valuable experience as a personal injury paralegal specializing in automobile accidents and premises liability, working on cases from inception to settlement. Ms. Sotero has applied her knowledge and experience to her responsibilities in our firm’s Mass Torts Unit, which litigates cases involving defective pharmaceuticals, medical devices and other product liability claims nationwide. Nadia is fluent in Spanish.
Gina Viti
Ms. Viti has been employed by Parker Waichman for more than nineteen years and is highly experienced in all aspects of plaintiff’s personal injury litigation as well as Mass Tort Litigation. She has been involved in the creation, testing, and maintenance of SmartAdvocate, the firm’s proprietary state-of-the-art case management system. Ms. Viti is a Notary Public. Ms. Viti manages the team handling claims pertaining to the 9/11 World Trade Center attack and the James Zadroga compensation fund.
Hannah Wallace
Ms. Wallace is employed as a paralegal in our firm’s Mass Torts Unit, where she works on national litigations involving defective pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other product liability claims. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Wallace worked in a medical-related field. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from SUNY Plattsburgh as well as her paralegal certification from Hofstra University.
Rhonda Ware
Ms. Ware has significant paralegal experience in the field of personal injury law. As a paralegal in the firm’s Single Event Unit, she assists our attorneys in the practice areas of nursing home negligence, motor vehicle accidents and premises liability cases. Ms. Ware is highly experienced in all phases of the litigation process. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from the College of New Rochelle and is a licensed Notary Public.
Josephine Burgess-Zephrine
Ms. Burgess-Zephrine is a member of the firm’s Single Event and has more than 19 years of experience in the areas of plaintiff’s and defendant’s personal injury, labor law, medical malpractice, mass torts, and negligence claims. Ms. Burgess-Zephrine assists our attorneys in all phases of litigation from inception to case conclusion. Ms. Burgess-Zephrine is a Notary Public who holds a Bachelor of Science degree from New York City Technical College (CUNY).
Calendar Clerk
Alison J. Bifulco
Ms. Bifulco has been employed by Parker Waichman for more than thirteen years and presently holds the position of calendar clerk. Ms. Bifulco schedules various activities for the firm’s attorneys including arbitrations, depositions, client appointments, and court conferences. She confirms these appointments and notifies our clients and opposing parties of the schedule. Ms. Bifulco additionally reviews multiple daily civil court docket websites for court appointments relating to the firm’s cases.
Intake Specialists
Carmelina Baio
Carmelina Baio is employed as a new case specialist in our firm’s Intake Department. She is a recent graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. While attending college, Ms. Baio obtained multiple internship opportunities including working with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Her duties include managing a high volume of new case leads including information gathering, data entry, and communicating with clients throughout the intake process.
Viviana Ferreira
Ms. Ferreira is employed as a new case specialist in the firm’s Intake Department where her duties include communicating with potential clients gathering information regarding their claims as well as communicating with client’s on the status of their case. Prior to joining the team at Parker Waichman, Viviana gained valuable legal experience as a calendar clerk. Viviana graduated from Nassau Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Humanities and Sciences, and more recently obtained her Paralegal Certification.
Zarahi Mata
Zarahi Mata is employed as a new case specialist in our firm’s Intake Department. She graduated from Queens College, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Arts. Prior to joining Parker Waichman, she gained related work experience in the legal field. Zarahi’s duties include managing a high volume of new case leads including information gathering, data entry and communicating with clients throughout the intake process. Zarahi is also fluent in Spanish.
Aliya Mathura
Ms. Mathura is employed as a new case specialist in our firm’s Intake Department. Prior to joining Parker Waichman, she gained related work experience in the legal field. Her duties include managing a high volume of new case leads including information gathering, data entry, and communicating with clients throughout the intake process. Aliya obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she majored in Political Science while minoring in German.
Nicoleta Mereuta
Nicoleta Mereuta is employed as a new case specialist in our firm’s Intake Department, working on new leads gathering information and communicating with clients obtaining case-related information and documentation Ms. Mereuta graduated from Berkeley College earning her Associate’s Degree in Applied Science majoring in Marketing Communications and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies. She is fluent in Romanian, Spanish, and Italian.
Asia Gali-Parks
Ms. Gali-Parks is a member of the firm’s intake department having joined Parker Waichman with relevant job experience in the legal field. Her responsibilities include managing a high volume of new case leads acquiring information, entering and updating data, and corresponding with clients during the intake process. She recently graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Psychology.
Roberto Picariello
Roberto Picariello is a new case specialist working in the Intake Department. After graduating from Nassau Community College in 2019, Roberto earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Binghamton University in 2021. He is currently working towards a Paralegal Certification from Nassau Community College. Roberto is also fluent in Spanish.
Legal Assistants
Rachael Adebayo
Rachael Adebayo is assigned to the Medical Records Department. She corresponds with medical providers and facilities to obtain records for our clients. Additionally, she assists with client correspondence as needed. Ms. Adebayo received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law Enforcement Administration.
Nicole Copertino
Ms. Copertino began working at Parker Waichman LLP in our receptionist team before moving to the firm’s Mass Torts Unit assisting with James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. Nicole provides support and assistance for 9/11 first responders and other survivors who are seeking compensation for illnesses related to their exposure to toxins from Ground Zero. Ms. Copertino holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement and Technology and has many years of customer service experience.
Maryann Gallizzi
Ms. Gallizzi is employed as a Legal Assistant in the firm’s Pre Suit Department. She assists our case managers in preparing negligence cases for settlement or commencement of litigation as well as preparing arbitrations and no-fault filings. Ms. Gallizzi is a New York State Licensed Notary Public. Ms. Gallizzi is bilingual and frequently translates for our Spanish-speaking clients. Ms. Gallizzi holds an Associate Degree in Science from Nassau Community College and is pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Nursing.
Madelyn Higgins
Ms.Higgins is currently assigned to the Accounting Department. She is responsible for calculating and distributing Mass Tort settlement proceeds to clients and forwarding attorneys. She also handles the firm’s accounts payable and processing payments for all medical records. Ms. Higgins is bilingual and assists any Spanish-speaking clients in need of help with translations.
Biker Helmkamp
Prior to joining Parker Waichman’s Single Event Unit, Biker Helmkamp supported the attorneys and staff from his position in the file room. Mr. Helmkamp is currently responsible for ordering, organizing, and upkeep of client medical records, both electronically and paper, for the firm’s nursing home department.
Dawn Kielbasa
Ms. Kielbasa started her career at Parker Waichman as one of the friendly voices you hear when calling the firm. Following her time working on our reception team, she applied her experience and knowledge and was assigned to Parker Waichman’s single events medical record unit where she expanded her knowledge of the personal injury field. Dawn is currently one of our legal assistants responsible for assisting our case managers in preparing automobile, slip/trip and fall cases and negligence cases for settlement or commencement of litigation.
Aurora Krol
Aurora Krol began working at Parker Waichman as a receptionist before moving to the firm’s Pre-Suit Department. Ms. Krol is responsible for assisting case managers in preparing auto cases, slip/trip and fall cases, and negligence cases for settlement or commencement of litigation and no-fault filings. She handles her job in the utmost professionalism and good manners, after having five years in customer service. Aurora Krol holds an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts.
Christina Morace
Ms. Morace began working at Parker Waichman LLP as an Intake Specialist/Legal Assistant in the firm’s Intake Department before moving to our Mass Torts Unit, to assist with James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 claims. Christina (Tina) provides support and assistance for the many first responders as well as other 9/11 survivors in the downtown Manhattan area seeking compensation for illnesses related to their exposure to toxins from Ground Zero
Ana Palacios
Ana Palacios has been with Parker Waichman for more than five years having started with the firm as a member of our reception team. She is currently one of our legal assistants who is responsible for assisting case managers in preparing auto cases, slip/trip and fall cases, and negligence cases for settlement or commencement of litigation and no-fault filings. She thrives on helping clients and is an outstanding team member of our Pre-Suit Unit. Ms. Palacios is bilingual, frequently translates for the firm, and holds an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts.
Myra Pesce
Ms. Pesce is assigned to Parker Waichman’s Medical Records Department. She is responsible for processing invoices and payments relating to medical records requests. She also assists with client correspondence as needed. Ms. Pesce is currently attending Nassau Community College pursuing a certification in Business Management.
Office Managers
Jeanetta Whelan
Ms. Whelan spent most of her career working for a large telecommunications company prior to joining Parker Waichman. As office manager, Ms. Whelan oversees the operation and implementation of all administrative activities such as partner support, personnel, finance, procurement, negotiation, and implementation of all marketing materials. Ms. Whelan holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters of Business Administration from Adelphi University, Garden City, NY. Ms. Whelan is also a Notary Public.
Information Technology (I.T.)
Roy Cronin
Mr. Cronin, a Microsoft Certified Professional with more than 10 years of experience, manages the firm’s extensive PC, Network, and Telecom systems.
Javier Cobenas
Mr. Cobenas holds an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts studies from Suffolk County Community College and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Computer Science at Farmingdale State College. A Macintosh Certified Professional with more than five years of experience in the information technology field supports the firm’s extensive PC, network, and Telecom systems.
Marketing and Web Technology
Mary Sotomayor
Mrs. Sotomayor has a B.A. in Fine Arts and A.A.S. in Graphic Design. She has spent over 15 years executing all visual design stages from concept to final hand-off. Mary is Parker Waichman’s creative services manager and front-end developer specializing in brand identity, web design, user interfaces, and user experiences.
Receptionists
Nicole Giuliano
Nicole Giuliano is a part of our reception team. Ms. Giuliano holds an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. She previously has worked in customer service for four and has three years of managerial experience which greatly assists her in being able to manage the firm’s high volume of calls in an efficient, effective and pleasant manner.
Ariana Holness
Ariana Holness is a recent graduate of the University at Albany holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in sociology with a focus in criminology. Ms. Holness brings years of customer service experience and a welcoming attitude to the firm while assisting clients and other callers by offering a comforting voice and guiding their calls to the proper team members.
Ashley Lopilato
Ashley Lopilato has been with the firm for over half a decade and is one of the efficient, friendly voices fielding all inbound calls received by our reception team. She spent several years as a Legal Assistant in the firm’s Zadroga Act/Victim Compensation Fund Department and uses her experience in client communication to treat each caller with the respect and compassion they deserve. Ashley also assists in covering the firm’s calendar and other administrative tasks.
Kira Swidzinski
Kira Swidzinski joined Parker Waichman due to an interest she developed in the legal field when she participated in an environmental legal campaign during her undergraduate studies. Kira holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management and Forestry from SUNY ESF. Her customer service experience and friendly and nurturing demeanor are helpful in assisting clients and other callers connect with the appropriate Parker Waichman team members.
File Room
Julio Benitez
Julio Benitez is the firm’s hardworking, diligent and conscientious building maintenance man who is responsible for the smooth operation of Parker Waichman’s building and premises. Julio is an essential member of the firm’s team who also shares the responsibility of ensuring the smooth operation and organization of the firm’s file and mailroom supporting the firm’s photocopying, filing, scanning, faxing, and mailing needs.
Joseph Colimon
Joseph Colimon is an essential member of the firm’s file room staff who shares in the responsibility of ensuring the smooth operation and organization of the firm’s file and mailroom.
Jorge Peniche
Mr. Peniche is responsible for the smooth operation and organization of the firm’s file and mailroom. Mr. Peniche, a highly experienced law firm file room manager, supervises the file room staff and supports the firm’s employees with photocopying, filing, scanning, faxing, and mailing.
Tavares Perry
Tavares Perry is an essential member of the firm’s file room staff who shares the responsibility of ensuring the smooth operation and organization of the firm’s file and mailroom. Tavares also supports the firm’s staff with photocopying, filing, scanning, faxing, and mailing.
