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About CFO Legal

CFO Legal is a premier litigation firm representing businesses, insurers, contractors, property owners, municipalities, school districts, public entities, and other organizations throughout New York and the New York Metropolitan Area. Our attorneys provide experienced representation in municipal and school district defense, subrogation and recovery, civil litigation defense, premises liability, construction accidents, property damage and construction defect claims, trial work and appellate practice.
 
Our practice encompasses matters ranging from routine liability claims to complex, multiparty litigation involving New York Labor Law claims, construction accidents, premises liability, catastrophic losses, property damage, construction defects, and significant personal injury claims. We represent contractors, property owners, developers, businesses, municipalities, school districts, insurers, and their insureds through every stage of litigation, from initial investigation and pre-suit evaluation through discovery, depositions, dispositive motion practice, trial, and appeal.
 
In our subrogation and property loss practice, we represent insurers in pursuing recovery for significant property losses and defend insureds, including businesses, property owners, contractors, and other entities, against subrogation and property damage claims. Our experience encompasses losses arising from fires, water intrusion, construction defects, product and equipment failures, and other casualty events. Our extensive experience both prosecuting and defending these types of claims provides a unique perspective and strategic advantage that distinguishes our practice. CFO Legal is committed to providing responsive, strategic, efficient, and cost-effective representation, combining thorough case preparation with practical litigation strategies focused on protecting our clients' interests and achieving favorable results.
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CFO Attorneys

CFO Legal’s attorneys bring extensive experience, strategic insight, and a shared commitment to providing responsive, cost-effective representation. Our team works closely with clients throughout every stage of litigation, combining careful preparation with practical legal guidance focused on protecting their interests and achieving favorable outcomes. Learn more about the attorneys who make up CFO Legal and the experience they bring to each matter.

PARTNERS

John p flaherty portrait v2

John P. Flaherty

Partner
John P. Flaherty is a Senior Partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. Mr. Flaherty is a trial attorney focusing on personal injury defense work. He has defended many different types of cases, including medical malpractice, aviation, construction site accidents, products liability, motor vehicle liability claims, premises, civil rights, school and municipal liability issues. He has tried over 100 cases to verdict in both State and Federal Courts.

Mr. Flaherty has lectured on trial techniques and medical issues, for the New York County Lawyer’s Association, Nassau County Bar Association, and the New York State Bar Association.

He has also conducted seminars on trial tactics and strategy in medical malpractice cases, including mock trials, at the New York University Medical School, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, the Suffolk County Podiatry Association, and the Suffolk County Medical Society. Mr. Flaherty has received Martindale-Hubbell, Inc.’s highest “AV” Rating.
 
Practice Areas
  • General Liability Defense
  • Educational Institution Defense
  • Municipal Defense
  • Motor Vehicle Liability Defense
  • Premises Liability Defense
  • Products Liability Defense
  • Professional Liability
  • Personal Injury
 
Education
  • Fordham Law School
  • Villanova University
  • Columbia University School of Law Masters Program
  • Molloy College School of Nursing
     
Admissions
  • New York State Bar
  • US Supreme Court
  • US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • US District Court for the District of Hawaii
  • US Court of Military Appeals
  • Hawaii State Bar
     
Memberships
  • Association of Trial Lawyers of America
  • Hawaii State Bar Association
  • Nassau County Bar Association
  • Nassau-Suffolk Trial Lawyers Association
  • Suffolk County Bar Association
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William J. Fishlinger

Partner
William J. Fishlinger is the managing partner of the firm and is responsible for its strategic guidance. He has litigated some of the largest and most complex civil cases in the State and Federal Courts, representing foreign and domestic corporations and entities.

Mr. Fishlinger has been recognized by the insurance industry for his accomplishments, receiving some of its most prestigious awards. He is the former Chairman and CEO of The Wright Insurance Group. In 2014, he formed Gramercy Risk Holdings LLC, to among other things, provide program management and financial, operational, and legal resources to both domestic and foreign property and casualty insurance companies. He currently serves as its Chairman and CEO.
 
Practice Areas
  • General Liability Defense
  • Educational Institution Defense
  • Municipal Defense
  • Insurance
  • Coverage Litigation
  • Regulation
  • Professional Liability
  • Board of Directors Liability
  • Board of Trustees Liability
  • School Board Legal Liability
  • Public Officials Liability
  • Personal Injury
 
Education
  • St. John’s University School of Law (J.D. 1987)
  • University of Maryland (B.A. 1971)
     
Admissions
  • New York State Bar
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
     
Memberships
  • American Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Nassau County Bar Association
  • New York State Bar Association
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Brenden Gallagher

Partner
Brendan Gallagher is an associate who has been practicing in the defense litigation and insurance coverage fields for over 30 years. He has handled all aspects of litigation from inception to trial in areas of law that range from personal injury and subrogation to complex insurance coverage disputes. Gallagher previously served as General Counsel at the New York Schools Reciprocal where he was responsible for claims and litigation.
 
Practice Areas
  • Insurance
  • Regulatory
  • General Liability Defense
  • NY Labor Law
  • Motor Vehicle Defense
  • Premises Liability Defense
  • Torts
  • Municipal Liability
  • Negligence
 
Education
  • Hofstra University Law School (J.D. 1985)
  • Lehigh University (B.A. 1982)"
     
Admissions
  • New York State Bar
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • US District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • D.C Court of Appeals
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Christopher Halka

Partner
Chris brings over three decades of extensive legal experience to CFO. Previously, Chris successfully managed and resolved complex litigation involving high-value claims across various domains such as general liability, commercial auto and trucking, premises liability, and large property subrogation cases for a large-scale commercial insurer with a particular emphasis on municipal liability and large self-insured retention clients. His responsibilities also included coordinating over 450 cases for the New York City Department of Transportation bus account for a decade, negotiating cases utilizing arbitration, mediation, and trial.

Previously Chris served as staff counsel for two carriers on Long Island and Manhattan, where he handled cases from inception through appeal, including labor law, employment discrimination, insurance coverage, automobile negligence, dental malpractice, and conducted UM/SUM framed issue hearings and obtained trial experience in New York, Kings, and Staten Island counties.

He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Villanova University School of Law and earned his Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude with Phi Beta Kappa honors from Stony Brook University. He is admitted to practice in the State of New York as well as in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. Beyond his litigation and trial work, Chris contributes to the legal and claims communities as a CLE lecturer on municipal and school district liability and has produced training materials on alternative dispute resolution. He is also an active member of the Nassau County Bar Association and the Defense Association of New York, Inc., and engages in pro bono work with Long Island Cares.
 
Practice Areas
  • General Liability Defense
  • Motor Vehicle Liability Defense
  • Premises Liability Defense
  • Products Liability Defense
  • Personal Injury
 
Education
  • Villanova University School of Law (J.D.)
  • Stony Brook University (B.A.), magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
     
Memberships
  • Nassau County Bar Association
  • Defense Association of New York, Inc.
     
Admissions
  • New York State Bar
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Jane o'callaghan

Jane M. O'Callaghan

Partner
Jane M. O’Callaghan is a Partner and a highly experienced civil defense attorney with decades of experience handling significant personal injury and liability matters. Her practice encompasses wrongful death, catastrophic personal injury, premises liability, motor vehicle liability, products liability, construction site accidents, negligence, and general liability claims.
 
Ms. O’Callaghan has extensive experience handling complex and high exposure matters from their earliest stages through discovery, depositions, motion practice, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation. She is particularly experienced in the defense of wrongful death and serious personal injury claims, where careful case evaluation, strategic litigation planning, and close coordination with clients and insurers are critical.
 
An integral member of CFO Legal, Ms. O’Callaghan takes a hands on and highly personalized approach to client representation. She works directly with the firm’s clients, insurers, claims professionals, and insureds throughout the life of a matter, providing practical guidance, strategic case evaluation, and consistent communication. Her extensive litigation experience and longstanding client relationships make her an important part of the firm’s continued commitment to providing responsive and effective representation.
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Laura Endrizzi

Partner
Laura Endrizzi is a Partner and a highly experienced civil defense attorney with decades of experience whose practice focuses extensively on the representation of municipalities, school districts, and other public entities. She handles a broad range of matters involving municipal and school district liability, premises liability, personal injury, employment discrimination, motor vehicle liability, civil rights litigation, and general negligence claims in both New York State and Federal Courts.
 
Ms. Endrizzi has substantial experience defending municipalities and school districts against complex liability claims, including matters involving school premises, public property, negligent supervision, municipal operations, and other claims arising from the activities of public entities and their employees. She represents clients throughout all stages of litigation, from initial investigation and discovery through depositions, substantive motion practice, trial preparation, and resolution.
 
Drawing upon her extensive experience representing public entities, she also regularly provides risk management presentations and guidance to municipal clients concerning liability exposure, claims prevention, and litigation related issues.
Michael reagan

Michael Reagan

Partner
Michael Reagan is a Partner and highly experienced appellate attorney who handles a broad range of complex trial level and appellate matters. His practice includes New York Labor Law, construction accidents, premises liability, strict products liability, municipal liability, motor vehicle liability, indemnification, insurance coverage, and complex civil litigation.
 
Mr. Reagan has extensive appellate experience, having argued more than 150 appeals before all four Departments of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, as well as the New York Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. His depth of appellate experience provides the firm’s clients with seasoned advocacy on complex legal and procedural issues at every stage of litigation.
 
Mr. Reagan also maintains an extensive motion practice, having authored over 500 substantive motion briefs, both in support of and in opposition to summary judgment. A significant portion of his appellate and motion practice has involved complex New York Labor Law §§ 240 and 241 claims, including issues concerning construction site liability, statutory interpretation, indemnification, and risk allocation.
 
His combination of extensive appellate advocacy, sophisticated motion practice, and substantial experience handling complex liability matters makes Mr. Reagan an integral part of the firm’s appellate and litigation practice.
Paula pavlides

Paula Pavlides

Partner
Paula Pavlides is a Partner and highly accomplished trial attorney with decades of extensive experience handling complex insurance defense and high exposure civil litigation. Her practice focuses on municipal and school district defense, New York Labor Law and construction accident claims, premises liability, motor vehicle liability, personal injury, negligence, and general liability matters.
 
Ms. Pavlides has substantial experience representing public school districts, municipalities, insurers, and their insureds throughout New York State. She handles matters through all stages of litigation, from initial case evaluation and discovery through depositions, substantive motion practice, settlement negotiations, and trial. An experienced courtroom advocate, Ms. Pavlides has successfully tried cases to verdict and secured defense verdicts on behalf of her clients.
 
An integral member of CFO Legal, Ms. Pavlides takes a hands on and highly personalized approach to client representation. She works directly with insurers, claims professionals, school districts, municipalities, and other clients, providing strategic guidance and maintaining close communication throughout the life of each matter. Her extensive litigation and trial experience, together with her longstanding client relationships, make her a trusted resource for the firm’s clients.
 
Prior to joining CFO Legal, Ms. Pavlides served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York during the administrations of Attorneys General Dennis Vacco and Eliot Spitzer. Her public service and extensive private practice experience provide her with a well-rounded perspective in defending both public and private entities in complex litigation.
Thomas nemia

Thomas J. Nemia

Partner
Thomas J. Nemia is an experienced trial attorney in the firm whose practice focuses on the defense of complex personal injury and civil litigation matters on behalf of the firm’s commercial, insurance, and municipal clients. A seasoned courtroom advocate, Mr. Nemia has tried numerous jury and nonjury matters to verdict and brings substantial trial experience to the defense of every case he handles.
 
A significant focus of Mr. Nemia’s practice is trial preparation and strategy. He is experienced in evaluating cases for trial, preparing witnesses, developing effective examination and cross examination strategies, addressing evidentiary issues, preparing motions in limine, and positioning matters for favorable resolution or verdict. His practice encompasses New York Labor Law and construction accidents, premises liability, motor vehicle liability, construction defects, professional liability, insurance coverage, toxic torts, and significant personal injury claims.
 
Before entering private practice, Mr. Nemia served as an Assistant Prosecutor with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City, New Jersey, where he gained extensive courtroom and investigative experience. He also received advanced advocacy training at the National Advocacy Center operated by the United States Department of Justice.
 
Following his prosecutorial career, Mr. Nemia transitioned to civil defense litigation, where he has represented insurance carriers, insureds, businesses, contractors, professionals, and other entities in a wide variety of complex matters. His extensive courtroom background and ability to prepare cases effectively for trial make him a valuable resource to the firm and its clients, particularly in matters requiring experienced trial counsel.
Thomas m evans portrait v2

Thomas M. Evans

Partner
Thomas M. Evans is a Partner and co-leads the firm’s Subrogation and Property Loss Practice Group with David M. Vilaça. An accomplished and experienced trial attorney, Mr. Evans maintains a broad litigation practice with a particular focus on personal injury defense, construction litigation, construction site accidents and NY Labor Law violations, steel erection matters, premises liability, municipal and school district liability, and complex property loss and subrogation matters.
 
Mr. Evans has tried more than 50 cases to verdict, including matters involving motor vehicle liability, premises liability, school district liability, libel and slander, construction disputes, NY Labor Law, and mechanics liens. His extensive trial experience provides clients with practical and strategic representation throughout every stage of litigation, from initial case evaluation and discovery through dispositive motion practice, settlement negotiations, and trial.
 
As co-leader of the firm’s Subrogation and Property Loss Practice Group, Mr. Evans handles complex, high value matters involving fires, explosions, product failures, construction defects, equipment and machinery failures, and other significant property losses. His experience includes complex product liability litigation against major manufacturers, as well as numerous fire and explosion cases involving heating and mechanical systems.
 
Mr. Evans has been instrumental in securing multimillion dollar recoveries on behalf of the firm’s insurer clients and continues to handle substantial property loss matters throughout New York. His combination of extensive trial experience and decades of experience handling complex subrogation and property loss litigation enables him to strategically develop cases from their earliest stages and position them effectively for recovery, resolution, or trial.

ASSOCIATES

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Kathleen D. Foley

Associate
Kathleen D. Foley is a highly experienced appellate and motion practice attorney who works primarily in the firm’s Appellate Practice Group. She has extensive experience researching and drafting substantive and dispositive motions, appellate briefs, and complex legal arguments, as well as orally arguing appeals before all four Departments of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
 
Ms. Foley’s practice focuses extensively on the defense of municipalities, school districts, towns, villages, and other public entities, as well as matters involving New York Labor Law, premises liability, products liability, motor vehicle liability, dram shop liability, negligence, and other complex civil claims. Her substantial motion and appellate experience enables her to identify critical legal and procedural issues and develop effective strategies at both the trial and appellate levels.
 
Ms. Foley has also participated in the preparation of amicus curiae briefs submitted to the New York Court of Appeals on behalf of the Defense Association of New York, addressing significant legal issues affecting the defense bar.
 
Her depth of experience in appellate advocacy, sophisticated motion practice, and municipal defense makes Ms. Foley an integral part of the firm’s litigation and appellate practice and an important resource in matters presenting complex or potentially dispositive legal issues.
Matt garber

Matthew Garber

Associate
Mr. Garber is an experienced litigator whose practice focuses on civil litigation defense, municipal and public entity liability, premises liability, negligence, tort claims, appellate practice, and complex motion practice. He represents insurers, municipalities, school districts, and other public and private entities in a broad range of civil litigation matters.
 
A significant component of Mr. Garber’s practice involves appellate advocacy and substantive motion practice. He has extensive experience researching, drafting, and arguing dispositive and complex motions, as well as preparing appellate briefs and handling matters through the appellate process. His strong legal research and writing background enables him to identify and develop critical legal issues throughout litigation and position matters effectively for motion practice and appeal.
 
Prior to joining CFO Legal, Mr. Garber served as an Assistant District Attorney with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, where he worked in the Animal Cruelty Prosecutions Unit. His prosecutorial experience provided him with substantial courtroom, investigative, and advocacy experience that continues to inform his civil litigation practice.
 
Mr. Garber is admitted to practice in the State of New York and is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
 
He graduated from Tulane University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Management, majoring in Legal Studies in Business, and received his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law in 2018.
 
His practice areas include Appellate Practice, Civil Litigation Defense, Insurance Defense, Municipal and Public Entity Liability, Premises Liability, Negligence, Torts, and Complex Motion Practice.
David vilaca

David Vilaca

Associate
Mr. Vilaça is an attorney in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group and co-leads the firm’s Subrogation/Property Practice Group with Thomas M. Evans. Admitted to practice in the State of New York, he maintains a diverse litigation practice representing insurers, businesses, contractors, property owners, municipalities, school districts, and other public and private entities.
 
His practice includes subrogation and property loss litigation, municipal and school district defense, premises liability, New York Labor Law and construction accident claims, construction defect litigation, property damage claims, negligence and general liability matters, and other complex civil litigation.
 
In the firm’s subrogation practice, Mr. Vilaça handles matters from both perspectives, prosecuting subrogation actions on behalf of insurers seeking recovery for significant property losses while also defending insureds against subrogation and property damage claims. This experience on both sides of subrogation litigation provides him with a distinct perspective in evaluating liability, developing litigation strategy, anticipating opposing arguments, and effectively positioning matters for resolution or trial. Mr. Vilaça is also involved in motion practice, regularly researching and drafting substantive and dispositive motions involving complex issues of liability, damages, and discovery.
 
Prior to joining CFO Legal, Mr. Vilaça gained experience through legal internships with several matrimonial law firms and with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in its Financial Crimes Bureau. He also worked for a hedge fund specializing in small growth companies that were overlooked or misunderstood by the broader market. His background in finance provides an additional perspective when evaluating complex damages, property losses, and financially significant litigation.
 
Mr. Vilaça graduated from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in 2024. Prior to law school, he earned a Master of Science in Finance from Hofstra University in 2020 and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance in 2019.
 
Mr. Vilaça is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, a significant asset and differentiator in his litigation practice. His fluency allows him to communicate directly and effectively with clients, insureds, witnesses, and other parties, as well as to conduct depositions effectively when translation is necessary.
Sean zaremba

Sean Zaremba

Associate
Mr. Zaremba is a significantly experienced litigation attorney in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, where he maintains a broad civil defense practice representing insurers, municipalities, school districts, businesses, property owners, and other insured entities. His practice focuses on personal injury defense, municipal and public entity liability, premises liability, negligence, tort claims, property damage, NY Labor Law construction accidents, and general liability matters.
 
Mr. Zaremba handles matters throughout all stages of litigation, including case investigation and evaluation, discovery, depositions, motion practice, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation. He has substantial experience defending clients against a wide range of personal injury and liability claims and developing effective defense strategies tailored to the particular circumstances of each matter. Mr. Zaremba is also involved in motion practice, regularly researching and preparing substantive and dispositive motions involving complex issues of liability, damages, and discovery matters.
 
Mr. Zaremba is admitted to practice in the State of New York and is a member of the New York State Bar Association and Nassau County Bar Association.
 
He graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science and received his Juris Doctor from the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center at Touro University in 2022.
 
His practice areas include Civil Litigation Defense, Insurance Defense, Municipal and School District Liability, Personal Injury Defense, Premises Liability, Negligence, Torts, and Property Damage.

F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
 


What types of clients does CFO Legal represent?
CFO Legal represents insurance carriers, businesses, municipalities, school districts, property owners, contractors, developers, manufacturers, and other organizations involved in civil claims and litigation throughout New York. Our attorneys provide defense counsel tailored to the risks, operational concerns, and objectives of each client.
 

What types of cases does CFO Legal handle?
Our practice includes municipality and school district defense, motor vehicle accident defense, premises liability, products liability, Labor Law and construction site accident claims, appellate matters, property damage and construction defect litigation, and property subrogation. We handle cases ranging from initial investigation and claim evaluation through trial and appeal.
 

Does CFO Legal represent municipalities and school districts?
Yes. CFO Legal represents municipalities, school districts, public agencies, officials, administrators, and employees in a variety of liability claims and civil litigation. These matters may involve premises liability, personal injury claims, governmental operations, construction-related disputes, and other claims affecting public entities.
 

Does your firm handle New York Labor Law and construction accident cases?
Yes. CFO Legal defends property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, developers, and insurers in claims arising from construction site accidents and alleged violations of New York Labor Law. Our attorneys evaluate issues involving site control, contractual obligations, indemnification, insurance coverage, and potential statutory liability.
 

Can CFO Legal handle a case through appeal?
Yes. Our appellate practice includes legal research, appellate briefing, oral argument, complex motions, and post-trial matters. CFO Legal can represent clients seeking to preserve a favorable ruling, challenge an adverse decision, or address significant legal issues arising from civil litigation.
 

When The Stakes Are High
Put a Focused Defense Team Behind Your Next Move.

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