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How I Help Our Clients

I take great pride in putting in the hard work to secure tangible results for my clients. I am diligent in developing the strongest possible evidence in support of the case. I also craft a clear strategy to handle any potential defenses or tactics used by opposing counsel and insurance companies.  This work is rewarding because I get to ensure my clients receive top notch legal representation and help them secure the best possible outcome under the circumstances.

My Background

I graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations in 2013. I was a member of the Cornell Varsity Lightweight Rowing Team. Upon graduation, I attended Wake Forest School of Law where I was elected Chief Justice of the Moot Court Board. I graduated with a J.D. from Wake Forest in 2016 and was admitted to practice law in North Carolina later that year.

I began my legal career at a boutique civil litigation firm in Charlotte, North Carolina. In this role, I gained hands on experience in all facets of the litigation process including initial filings, arguing motions, crafting discovery strategies, trying cases, and negotiating settlements.

In 2019, I was admitted to the New York Bar and began advocating on behalf of disabled clients throughout the New York Metropolitan Region. My practice initially focused on Social Security Disability Insurance Appeals. I represented clients at over 150 hearings before Social Security Administrative Law Judges, obtaining favorable outcomes in over 90% of these cases. I also represented numerous municipal employees in their disability pension litigation cases.

My Current Practice

As a Partner at Riemer Hess, I represent physicians, attorneys, executives, financial professionals, and other individuals with complex long term disability insurance claims. My practice includes developing strategic work-exit plans, preparing initial disability claims, protecting approved claims from termination, appealing denied claims, and litigating ERISA disability disputes in federal court.

I have handled some of the firm’s most complex and high-stakes disability matters, including cases involving multiple policies, multiple business interests, physician-owned practices, disputed occupational classifications, and multi-million dollar benefit exposure. I also have significant experience challenging insurer claim practices, managing discovery disputes, and developing legal arguments involving Department of Labor claim regulation violations, including arguments supporting de novo review.

My work combines careful factual development, strong legal analysis, and a practical understanding of how disability insurers evaluate claims. I work closely with clients, treating providers, vocational experts, and the Riemer Hess litigation team to build persuasive claim and appeal records designed to protect clients’ financial security.

Publications & Presentations

I have written and presented many times on ERISA-related topics.

Articles:

• • ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal: Assessing the 2018 ERISA LTD Claims Regulations: Five Years Later (2024) 

• • "What Every Employment Attorney Advising Individuals Should Know About Long-Term Disability" for the 's (NYSBA) Labor and Employment Law Journal

I have taught live webinars and CLE courses, including:

• •    
  • Mastering Disability Insurance: A Guide for Financial Advisors (Available Free On-Demand)

Hobbies and Interests

I’m an avid runner. I’ve been competing in local 5K and 10K races for most of my life.  In 2020, I began training for longer distances and have now run marathons in multiple cities across the U.S. including New York; Philadelphia; Providence; and Boulder.  As a long term goal, I'd love to eventually run a marathon in every state.

Growing up on Long Island, I spent a lot of time at the beach. I was an ocean lifeguard for 7 years, surfing and spearfishing on most of my days off. Today, I still go to the ocean as much as possible.

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

• • New York State Courts
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • New Jersey State Courts
  • U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Contact our New York Disability Lawyers

If you are in need of a lawyer to represent you or if you have any questions regarding a case, contact our New York Disability Lawyers.  Call us at 212-297-0700.