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William P. Harrington to be Inducted into Iona Prep Hall of Fame

William P. Harrington, the Chair of our Litigation Practice Group, will be inducted into the Iona Prep School Hall of Fame on May 8, 2008. The purpose of the Iona Prep Hall of Fame is to formally recognize and publicly honor those who have distinguished themselves in a variety of endeavors, those who have contributed significantly to the growth and spirit of the Prep, and whose lives continue to reflect the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice and the teachings of the Christian Brothers. As a 1975 graduate of Iona Prep, Bill and his family have been dedicated to supporting not-for-profit organizations which promote and protect those less fortunate in our society.

In May 2007 Bill was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his exceptional humanitarian efforts and outstanding contributions to our country by the National Coalition of Ethnic Organizations (NECO). In 2005 Bill and his wife Carolyn were honored by DSFHS with the “Mother Mary Walsh Award” in recognition of their demonstrated belief in the dignity of each person, their dedication to family values and their reaching out to those in need. Bill’s other Leadership Awards include: 2001 Award from Iona Prep for Distinguished Service; 2002 Award from Holy Rosary School; 2002 Award from Food-PATCH for distinguished service to the hungry and homeless; 2003 Award from St. Bartholomew School; and the 2006 Leadership from the Cardinal’s Committee for Inner City Schools. Our Firm warmly congratulates Bill on his upcoming induction into the Iona Prep Hall of Fame.

Bleakley Platt Partner, James W. Glatthaar, to Speak at “Affordable Housing” Seminar

James W. Glatthaar, litigation partner in Bleakley Platt & Schmidt’s White Plains office, will speak on May 13, 2008 at a seminar on “Affordable Housing” sponsored by Lorman Education Services. Mr. Glatthaar will speak on the topics of “Operation & Management of Affordable Housing,” “Tenant’s Rights” and “Ownership Formats of Affordable Housing.” The seminar will cover the use of accounting tools and tax laws to make housing construction more affordable, problems which can arise with rented affordable housing units, zoning tools to encourage construction of affordable housing and how to target affordable housing units to the housing needs of specific communities.

Bleakley Platt to Sponsor Yonkers Chamber of Commerce Event

Bleakley Platt is proud to sponsor The Yonkers Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast on February 26, 2008, featuring Keynote Speaker Patricia A. Tursi, Chief Executive Officer of Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center. Ms. Tursi joined the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center as its first Executive Director in 2001, charged with creating a new independent leadership structure that would support a continuum of care for medically fragile children. She is a licensed nursing home administrator with over 20 years of health care administrative experience.

The Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center was established in 1988 by the Sisters of Charity as an affiliate of the New York Foundling to provide specialized residential and rehabilitative services to medically fragile children with complex clinical conditions and disabilities. Over time the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center has evolved into a healthcare system for children independently incorporated with its own distinct mission and leadership offering long-term care, special education and homecare services.

Ms. Tursi will speak at the Networking Breakfast on the “Relocation to Yonkers Project” of the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center. The Networking Breakfast will be held at The Royal Regency Hotel located at 165 Tuckahoe Road in Yonkers. Reservations for this event can be made by contacting The Yonkers Chamber of Commerce at (914) 963-0332.

Bleakley Platt Partner, John S. Diaconis, Speaks at Municipal Law Seminar

On January 9, 2008, John Diaconis gave a CLE lecture sponsored by the Municipal Law Section of the Westchester County Bar Association. The subject of the lecture was the operation of Town and Village Justice Courts in our County. The lecture was the third in a series of presentations by lawyers, Town Prosecutors, Town Justices and Assistant District Attorneys. The purpose of the series is to raise awareness and generate discussion on the operation of these important tribunals, which preside over two million cases per year in New York State. In addition to his municipal law and insurance practice, Mr. Diaconis serves as the Town Prosecutor in New Castle. He is Co-Chair of the Municipal Law Section of the Bar Association.

Bleakley Platt Welcomes Two New Members to the Firm

Bleakley Platt is pleased to announce that on January 7, 2008 John S. Diaconis and William M. Murphy will become members of our Firm.

Mr. Diaconis has over 25 years’ experience of counseling in the insurance and reinsurance industry and acting as defense counsel, mediator and arbitrator in the investigation and resolution of fidelity, commercial crime and financial institution bond claims. His experience includes his tenure as Vice President of Hartford Financial Services Group, and as a member of the firms of Peterson & Ross and Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker in New York City. Mr. Diaconis has served as a Councilman for the Town of New Castle for which he is currently the Town Prosecutor. Mr. Diaconis received his J.D. degree from Drake University Law School and his LL.M. degree from New York University School of Law. He is Co-Chair of the Municipal Law Section of the Westchester County Bar Association and resides in Chappaqua, New York .

Mr. Murphy is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Fordham Law School, and is admitted to practice in Connecticut and New York. He has an extensive business, commercial and securities litigation background that also includes client counseling on M&A and employment matters, and representation of corporations and individuals in regulatory investigations. Mr. Murphy was a founding member of the litigation boutique, Robinson Murphy & McDonald. Most recently, he was instrumental in establishing an East Coast presence for the San Francisco-based firm, Steefel, Levitt & Weiss. Mr. Murphy’s experience also includes his tenure with Cahill Gordon & Reindel in New York City. Mr. Murphy resides with his family in Old Greenwich, Connecticut.

Bleakley Platt Names Two New Partners

Bleakley Platt is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2008 Nancy J. Rudolph and John A. Risi will become members of our Firm.

Ms. Rudolph will continue to practice in the area of trusts and estates, estate administration, estate tax, and guardianship in the Surrogate’s Court, Supreme Court, and before the United States Tax Court. Prior to joining our Firm in 2001, Ms. Rudolph served in the public sector as an Assistant Attorney General in the New York State Office of the Special Prosecutor, handling white collar civil litigation (Medicaid Fraud). She was also an Administrative Hearing Officer with the New York State Racing and Wagering Board from 1980 to 1984.

As a member of our Firm’s Litigation, Insurance Law and Product Liability Practice Groups, Mr. Risi represents clients in a wide range of general civil litigations, trials and appeals, including land use, corporate, negligence and contract matters. He is also experienced in State Environmental Quality Review Act and municipal planning issues relevant to landowners and municipalities, including negotiations with, and public hearings before, lead agencies. Prior to joining the Firm in July 2000, Mr. Risi was engaged in the defense of Fortune 100 companies and other corporations against product liability and catastrophic injury claims.

Bleakley Platt Welcomes New Partner Joseph N. Madden

Bleakley Platt is pleased to announce that on January 7, 2008 Joseph N. Madden will become a member of our Firm. Mr. Madden was the First Deputy Corporation Counsel for the City of Yonkers. He has extensive experience in municipal law, land use, zoning, planning, SEQRA and litigation. Mr. Madden is a graduate of Colgate University and Villanova Law School and resides in Yonkers.

Bleakley Platt Partner, James W. Glatthaar, to Speak at Housing Seminars

James W. Glatthaar, litigation partner in Bleakley Platt & Schmidt’s White Plains office, will speak at two upcoming seminars on housing issues sponsored by Lorman Education Services.

On November 27, 2007, Mr. Glatthaar will serve on the faculty for a seminar entitled “Fundamentals of Real Estate Closings.” At the seminar, he will discuss considerations for purchasers and sellers of real property, negotiating the contract of sale and due diligence for purchasers and sellers.

On December 5, 2007, Mr. Glatthaar will serve as Faculty Chairman for a seminar entitled “Governing and Legal Issues of Cooperative Apartments in New York.” Mr. Glatthaar will discuss state law requirements, responsibilities of the board of directors, litigation regarding enforcement of by-laws, leases, rules & regulations. Other attorneys and accountants will also serve on the faculty.

Both seminars will offer practical advice directed at, among others, property managers, real estate agents and brokers, attorneys and accountants.

Bleakley Platt Attorneys Recognized as 2007 New York “Super Lawyers”

Bleakley Platt is pleased to announce that several of its attorneys have been recognized by New York Super Lawyers 2007 as among the top attorneys in the New York-Metropolitan Area in their respective areas of concentration. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers with at least 5 years’ experience from more than 60 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Super Lawyers are selected based on a multi-step process including, a region-wide survey, internal searches, an initial evaluation of candidates, peer evaluations by practice area and a final selection.

The Bleakley Platt attorneys named as 2007 New York Super Lawyers are the following in the indicated practice areas: William P. Harrington, Environmental Litigation; Daniel W. Morrison, Environmental Law; and Mary Anne Wirth, Criminal Defense: White Collar.

Bleakley Platt Welcomes New Counsel Sally A. Fitzsimmons

Bleakley Platt is pleased to announce that Sally A. Fitzsimmons has recently joined our Firm as Counsel and has become a member of our Commercial Finance and Real Estate Practice Groups. Ms. Fitzsimmons has a broad range of experience in real estate law and commercial finance including, commercial leasing, acquisitions and sales and secured financing. Her extensive experience greatly enhances our Firm’s capabilities in these important practice areas. Ms. Fitzsimmons currently resides in Bronxville where she had maintained a general real estate practice for more than 10 years.