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01 Jul 2024
Jonathan Heller, Joseph Hopkins, Maxwell Bottini, Michael Coffey, News, Robert Modica Permalink

Coffey Modica Promotes Three Attorneys

July 1, 2024
July 1, 2024

Coffey Modica LLP, a defense litigation firm representing prominent business and insurance companies in liability claims, excess property/casualty, medical malpractice, nursing, and other professional industries, announced that two of the firm’s attorneys have been promoted to Partner, with a third being given the role of Counsel.

“Each of these talented attorneys has played a key role in the incredible growth Coffey Modica has experienced in just under three years since its founding. The knowledge, dedication and integrity they bring to every client interaction is admirable and it is exactly that talent that our firm hopes to continue fostering with these much-deserved promotions,” said Founding Partner Robert Modica.

Partner Maxwell Bottini has been working with Coffey Modica since its founding in 2021. Practicing out of the firm’s New York and Connecticut offices, Bottini focuses on high-exposure labor law cases, defending general contractors and subcontractors alike. He has successfully tried more than 20 cases to verdict and settled even more, achieving the most favorable results possible for his clients. Bottini began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, where he investigated and prosecuted hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases. He is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School and currently lives in Fairfield, CT.

“I was the first attorney hired at Coffey Modica and it has been a privilege every day since to work alongside this top-notch team. I am grateful to all of my colleagues and mentors, especially Michael Coffey and Robert Modica, for their support and guidance, and I look forward to continuing to grow along with the firm well into the future,” said Bottini.

Partner Joseph Hopkins focuses primarily on New York Labor Law, construction defects, professional liability and casualty. A former judicial law clerk for the Honorable John I. Gizzo, Hopkins has represented prominent general contractors and developers in Manhattan on high-value matters, and he successfully achieved a defense verdict in New Jersey on behalf of a national real estate investment and management company. He practices out of the firm’s New York City office and is admitted to the Bar in both New York and New Jersey. A graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law, Hopkins currently lives in Cranford, NJ.

“I am truly honored to be elevated to Partner at Coffey Modica. It has been a privilege to work alongside Michael Coffey, Robert Modica and all of my esteemed colleagues, whose mentorship has helped guide my professional growth,” said Hopkins. “I am excited for the firm’s continued expansion, and I look to what the future has in store.”

Counsel Jonathan Heller joined Coffey Modica in 2022 and practices out of the firm’s White Plains office, where he specializes in labor law and general liability and casualty matters. As a third-generation attorney, over the course of his eight-year career, Heller has both defended and prosecuted cases on behalf of dozens of leading owners, contractors and major New York corporations, as well as one of the largest hospital conglomerates on Long Island and a host of well-known physicians and surgeons. The Long Island native is a graduate of Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law and currently lives in Teaneck, NJ.

“I am thankful to the entire Coffey Modica team for their faith and trust in me to be a part of the firm’s extremely bright future,” said Heller. “I feel that every day is an opportunity to learn a better tactic or a better argument that would further assist us in getting the best results for our clients, and I look forward to further cultivating our firm’s relationships. In this new role, I hope to contribute to the passion for excellent work product that makes our firm one of the top rising law firms in the United States, and one of the best places to work in the New York Metropolitan Area.”

Coffey Modica LLP is a New York-based defense litigation firm with offices in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, and is among the fastest-growing firms in the nation. The firm represents defendants in high-profile, high exposure matters across many disciplines and industries around the country. Known for being aggressive trial attorneys and litigators, Coffey Modica resolves matters on behalf of its clients with the most cost-effective resolutions aligned with their short- and long-term business goals and culture.

28 Mar 2024
Michael Coffey, News Permalink

8 Leadership Lessons From Former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman

March 28, 2024

With profound sadness, we mourn the passing of Joe Lieberman, whose dedication to public service left an indelible mark. In this Forbes article, our founding partner, Michael Coffey, and others pay homage by sharing invaluable leadership lessons gleaned from the Senator’s remarkable career.

FORBES LEADERSHIP STRATEGY
By Edward Segal, Senior Contributor, March 28, 2024

Former Democratic vice presidential nominee and U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman who died yesterday at 82, leaves behind a track record of professional conduct that can serve as a role model for business and other leaders.

Do The Right Thing

“Joe Lieberman and I didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but he had an extraordinary career in public service, including four decades spent fighting for the people of Connecticut,” former President Barack Obama said in a statement.

“He also worked hard to repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and helped us pass the Affordable Care Act. In both cases the politics were difficult, but he stuck to his principles because he knew it was the right thing to do,” Obama observed.

“At his political peak, on the threshold of the vice presidency, Mr. Lieberman— a national voice of morality [was] the first major Democrat to rebuke President Bill Clinton for his sexual relationship with the White House intern Monica Lewinsky…” the New York Times reported.

Humor And Humility

“Joe Lieberman was a great leader because he, throughout his life, was a very independent-minded person, a very compassionate person, empathetic, and he had both a sense of humility about himself and a sense of humor. Humor and humility is a good combination and kind of rare these days,” Jim Kennedy, who was the senator’s communication director for nine years, said via email.

Work Across Party Lines

“Senator Lieberman didn’t stick to talking points. He didn’t stick to partisan ideology, he worked across party lines to get things done, successfully in many ways. And that’s increasingly a rarity, and people like him are few and far between, unfortunately, but if we could get back to that kind of leadership, I think the country would be better off,” Kennedy noted.

During his final Senate speech in 2013, ‘Lieberman urged Congress to look beyond party lines and partisan rancor to break Washington gridlock,’ the Associated Press reported.

“It requires reaching across the aisle and finding partners from the opposite party,” said Lieberman. “That is what is desperately needed in Washington now,” the news outlet wrote.

Fight For What You Believe In

“In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one,” said Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat. “He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored,” according to a reported by the Associated Press.

Have A Solid Foundation Of Principles

“One essential reason for Lieberman’s success was having a set of values and principles that differed from conventional wisdom,” Daniel Boscaljon, an executive coach, said via email.

“Whether derived from religion or other influences, having a solid foundation of principles—and a community to continue nourishing them—is crucial for leaders. Leaders whose only influence in conventional wisdom only have two choices: to conform or rebel. Having different sources of wisdom and influence empower true leaders to govern creatively, because it allows different perspectives from which to evaluate a situation,” he commented.

Be A Good Listener

“Senator Joseph Lieberman was a great listener—someone who cared about what you had to say,” Michael Coffey, an attorney and senior partner at the Coffey Modica law firm, said en an emailed message.

“With a Zen-like calmness he was not guided by fury or passion, but rather knowledge and deep understanding on how to take actions to improve people’s lives with common sense,” Coffey noted.

Express Appreciation

In 2006, Coffey was one of only four elected state officials in Connecticut to back Lieberman’s re-election campaign.

“When Senator Lieberman won, he made sure to call me the next day and personally say thank you. It shows that despite his immense power and influence in our nation’s capital, he never forgot what got him there. His intellect, humor and demeanor will be missed and his impact on our nation’s politics will not soon be forgotten,” Coffey recalled.

Build Consensus

“With his good friend, the late Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), he was able to build consensus and move the country forward without rancor, without dividing the country,” Debra Caruso Marrone, CEO of DJC Communications, said via email.

“Members of today’s Congress should emulate Senators Lieberman and McCain and bring the country together, ending the chasm that exists between the right and left,” she recommended.

12 Nov 2023
Maxwell Bottini, Michael Coffey, News Permalink

Coffey Modica Attorneys Named Super Lawyers

November 12, 2023

Three Coffey Modica LLP attorneys were honored by Thomson Reuters for their annual Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists in 2023.

Founding Partner Michael W. Coffey and Partner Joseph A. D’Avanzo were selected as 2023 Super Lawyers, which recognizes the top-rated practicing attorneys across America, selected through a rigorous four-step nomination and evaluation process.

Coffey was also ranked as one of the top-rated construction litigation attorneys in White Plains, New York. Over the past 25 years, he has successfully arbitrated and mediated more than 300 cases. Having managed numerous high-profile insurance-related claims and litigated cases in the state of New York, Coffey has also acted as defense counsel in over 175 trial matters, representing various companies and syndicates in state and federal courts across the United States.

D’Avanzo, who serves as Chair of the Complex Litigation team and Senior Member of the Excess Trial team, was also named as one of the top-rated Business Litigation attorneys in White Plains, New York. His extensive legal practice encompasses intricate commercial and civil liability litigation in both state and federal courts. He has represented a diverse clientele, consisting of individuals and businesses from various sectors, such as aerospace, biotechnology, life sciences, construction, entertainment, fashion, sports, product manufacturing, real estate, and technology.

Associate Maxwell Bottini was selected as one of 2023’s Rising Stars, an honor given to attorneys who are under 40 years old or have been in practice for no more than 10 years. He was also named one of the top-rated Construction Litigation attorneys in White Plains, New York. Practicing out of the firm’s New York and Connecticut offices, Bottini has adeptly advocated for clients in intricate cases related to construction disputes and defects, product liability disputes, transportation issues, premises liability claims, both domestic and international reinsurance transactions, including captive insurance matters, as well as excess liability and casualty cases, achieving favorable outcomes.

“It is an honor to have multiple attorneys from Coffey Modica recognized as Super Lawyers across a variety of practice areas and geographic locations. As our firm marks its second anniversary, we are proud that the tireless work and strong results achieved for a wide array of clients has merited such recognition from the legal community. We look forward to continued success and growth in the years ahead,” said Michael W. Coffey.

04 Aug 2023
Michael Coffey, Michael Mezzacappa, News, Robert Modica Permalink

Coffey Modica O’Meara LLP Changes Its Name To Coffey Modica LLP

August 4, 2023

White Plains, NY (August 4, 2023) –Since launching in 2021, rapid growing insurance defense firm Coffey Modica O’Meara LLP has become Coffey Modica LLP, reflecting continued growth and appellate success.

Michael Coffey, who is known for defending insureds in catastrophic, high-exposure cases, has set a high bar for the firm with the recent addition of partners Joseph D’Avanzo, Paul Golden, and Michael Mezzacappa.

“Our litigation and appellate practice,” said Mezzacappa. “sets a high standard in a unique niche practice that delivers results on the highest exposure cases in the country. We provide strategic litigation and trial support, monitoring, consulting and drafting as needed from start to finish, from discovery onward.  This early intervention ‘full-court press’ provides our clients and their counsel added-value services that improve their ability to evaluate legal issues and liability exposure, implement tactics and arguments to craft compelling summary judgment motions, and position themselves for a successful appeal or favorable negotiation.”

Working with Coffey Modica’s strategic framework for trial litigation, the entire process of the trial team through appellate risk. The firm’s teams have an enviable success record in dealing with international and national excess insurers and private clients in a wide variety of fields. Clients rely on the team to identify, evaluate, monitor, mitigate, and defend their risk in catastrophic property and casualty matters including claims of catastrophic personal injury, construction defect, product liability, subrogation, professional liability, premises liability, labor law, employment law, mass torts, complex torts, toxic torts, insurance coverage, and general commercial litigation.

“In today’s climate, nuclear verdicts are a real threat to insurers,” said Michael Coffey, founding partner of Coffey Modica LLP. “Joe, Paul and Michael bring a strong record of attention to detail and successfully minimize their clients’ risk by not only accurately evaluating legal issues and liability exposure. They totally understand the insurance industry and how the judiciary addresses these cases.  This directly informs how they counsel clients.”

Coffey Modica opened its doors in September of 2021 with its three founders and the firm now boasts a roster of 35 attorneys. In addition to top-tier client service, the firm prides itself on a positive, creative, and collaborative culture.

Coffey Modica represents numerous private clients and all major insurers, as well as Lloyd’s of London syndicates and leading self-insured companies with the following primary practice areas: Property & Casualty; Community & Homeowners’ Association Law; Construction & Construction Defect; Cyber, Technology, & Media; Directors and Officers; Employment Law; Medical Malpractice; Professional Liability and Trucking &Transportation.  It services a wide range of industries.

“We are moving full steam ahead,” explained Coffey. “We are busy servicing clients, litigating and trying cases, and onboarding laterals. We are thrilled to close out 2023 with a new name and such an accomplished team.”

About Coffey Modica LLP

Coffey Modica LLP is a New York-based defense litigation firm with offices in Manhattan, White Plains, Buffalo, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The firm represents defendants in high-profile, high-exposure matters across many disciplines and industries. Known for being aggressive trial attorneys and litigators, Coffey Modica resolves matters on behalf of its clients with the most cost-effective resolutions that are aligned with their short- and long-term business goals and culture.