Sacco & Fillas, LLP welcomes Scott J. Laird, Esq to the firm as an Associate Attorney in the Commercial Department. Mr. Laird holds a bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University, and a juris doctorate degree from the Syracuse University College of Law, where he graduated cum laude. Mr. Laird served as an Associate Notes Editor on the Syracuse Law Review, an Associate Articles Editor on Impunity Watch, and was a recipient of the James P. Fox Academic Scholarship.
NO ONE ACHIEVES SUCCESS DOES SO WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING THE HELP OF OTHERS. THE WISE AND CONFIDENT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS HELP WITH GRATITUDE.”
-unknown author
OUR GRATITUDE GOES OUT TO OUR SUPPORT STAFF WHO IS THE ENGINE BEHIND SACCO & FILLAS THAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND OUR SUCCESS. THANK YOU!
Litzy Acevedo, Miguel Alar, Mercedes Arias, Mila Benzon, Richard Claverie, John Dunne, Retoria Estaphan, Ana Garcia, Xavier Garcia, Elba Garin, Danielle Kuchinskas, Rosalind Mendoza, Gershom Miranda, Kelly Mihalios, Danny Min, Cathy Mitrotasios, Marcos Mora, Laura Munoz, Rachel Prout, Jennifer Reynoso, Samantha Reynoso, Charisse Richardson, Yami Rojas, Ryan Smith, Adriana Solera, Solon Stephanou, Jessica Tobar, Polly Tolis, Destiny Torres”
Notable Verdict: Igor G. Grichanik, Esq. new to the Trial Team obtained his first verdict in Supreme Court: Queens County. For obvious reasons, an attorney’s first trial to sink his teeth into tend to be the most difficult cases. The case at hand the plaintiff had no objective evidence of an injury after undergoing MRIs of his back i.e. the MRIs were negative. Accordingly, to meet the threshold of proving a permanent partial injury to a body member or part or a significant limitation to the same as required under Insurance Law Section 5102(d) was more than an uphill battle since the plaintiff sustained mere sprains and strains. Notwithstanding the same, the jury determined that the injuries warranted $50,000.00. Kudos to Igor for a job well done at his first Trial. We are sure he is on path of a long history of outstanding verdicts, and are honored to have him as part of our Trial Team.
Noteworthy Case for the Personal Injury Department: 76 year old plaintiff slipped and fell on ice embedded in a cracked walkway within the common area of a shopping strip sustained a subdural hematoma but the plaintiff had pre-existing and ongoing treatment to her head prior to the fall. This matter settled during a mediation for $490,000.00. The individual stores all contributed to the resolution of the matter since they each had a duty to maintain the common area clean and defect free, as discovered during the litigation. Congratulations to partner, Elias N. Fillas, Esq. of bringing this matter to a close by holding all the individual stores accountable for their negligence.
Sacco & Fillas, LLP welcomes Shibu J. Jacob, Esq to the firm as an Associate Attorney. Mr. Jacob obtained his Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University in 2000, and his Bachelor of Arts in 1994 from Stony Brook University. He is admitted to practice in all State of New York courts as well as The United States District Court of the Eastern District and Southern District. Mr. Jacob has an extensive background in personal injury litigation as well as in commercial and real estate matters.
Sacco & Fillas, LLP welcomes Ying Hua Huang, Esq., Associate Attorney to its Litigation Department. Ms. Huang is admitted to practice in the State of New York and New Jersey. She brings over ten (10) years of diversified litigation experience in the areas of insurance defense, business law, and subrogation. Ms. Huang is a former Judicial Law Clerk to Judge Brogan. She graduated with honors from Brandeis University and received her law degree from Emory University School of Law. She is a Member of the Asian American Bar Association of New York.
Congratulations to Our Appellate Team: Si Aydiner, Esq. magnificently obtained a reversal of a Supreme Court: Queens County order dismissing our client’s slip and fall on ice action on the grounds there was a storm-in-progress. By way of Mr. Aydiner’s advocacy the Appellate Division reversed the lower court’s order properly noting that the defendant failed to make a proper prima facie showing of its entitlement to summary judgment. Bravo, Si!!
Sacco & Fillas, LLP Partner Elias N. Fillas and George Vomvolakis interviewed by Dimitris Filipidis of Hellas FM Radio on the recent events involving Eric Garner and Michael Brown as well as the overhaul of the criminal justice system.
Sacco and Fillas, a local law firm dedicated to serving Astoria and New York City with the best lawyers around, recently won big against coffee giant Starbucks.
http://www.givemeastoria.com/blog/2014/11/29/sacco-fillas-starbucks
Notable Decision by The United States District Court: Eastern District Of New York, and the article commenting on the same decision: “Hot Coffee Lawsuit: Proceeds Against Starbucks” as published on the front page of the New York Law Journal on November 12, 2014. Congratulations to lead counsel, Lamont Rodgers, Esq. for his victory on defeating Starbucks motion for summary judgment. The United States District Court decision found that the improper securing of the lid “established reasonable probability that her injury was caused by Starbucks” without requiring evidence on the temperature of the coffee.
www.newyorklawjournal.com/id=1202676048843?slreturn=20141026084320