Manik J. Saini and Kimberly S. Conidi join the Firm as Associates

August 2009 — Chelus, Herdzik, Speyer & Monte, P.C. today announces that Manik Saini and Kimberly Conidi have joined the firm as associates. They will be working with the other members of the firm in handling the firm's litigation files as well as other general practice matters.  In addition to working with the firm at its downtown office at 1000 Main Court Building, 438 Main Street, at Lafayette Square, Manik and Kimberly will also be practicing at the firm's branch office at 2448 Union Road in Cheektowaga.

A resident of Williamsville, New York, Mr. Saini received his juris doctor in 2008 from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School.  In addition to his J.D., Manik also holds a Bachelor of Administrative and Commercial Studies from the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada.

Ms. Conidi is a resident of West Seneca, New York, and received her juris doctor in 2005 from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School.  In addition to her J.D., Kimberly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo.  Prior to joining Chelus, Herdzik, Speyer & Monte, P.C., Ms. Conidi worked as a law clerk to Federal Magistrate Judge Leslie G. Foschio.

Mr. Saini and Ms. Conidi  now join with the other associates of Chelus, Herdzik, Speyer & Monte, P.C. in serving the legal needs of the Western New York Community.

Targia Appointed to Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

March 2009 — We are pleased to announce that a member of our firm, Anthony B. Targia, has been appointed to the Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Founded in 1939, the mission of the Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce is to assist, support and promote business in the Cheektowaga community through economic, educational and legislative programs and in doing so strengthen the Cheektowaga community.

March 2009 – Rebecca E. Monte, a partner with the law firm of Chelus, Herdzik, Speyer & Monte, P.C. will be a guest speaker at the New York State Bar Association CLE "Practical Skills – Basic Elder Law Practice". Ms. Monte will present on the topic of "Basic Medicaid Eligibility Rules". Her discussion will focus on Rules for Transfer of Assets, Spousal Issues and Right to Recovery. Rebecca E. Monte's knowledge of these topics comes from many years of successful work in this area.

March 2009 – Rebecca E. Monte, a partner with the law firm of Chelus, Herdzik, Speyer & Monte, P.C. will be a guest speaker at the Erie Institute of Law CLE "Practicing Elder Law, Now that the Dust of the DRA Has Settled Program". Ms. Monte will present on the topic of "Medicaid Planning – Options, Tactics and Strategies".

February 2009 — On February 11, 2009, Art Herdzik addressed and presented written materials to a gathering of about sixty members of the Buffalo Claims Association on the potential benefits and pitfalls of surveillance as governed by New York State statute and case law. The discussion included a number of hypothetical surveillance scenarios and the impact of New State Law on the effectiveness on the surveillance conducted within each hypothetical.

Chelus Nominated as Member of CLM

January 2009 — We are pleased to announce that the senior member of our firm, Michael F. Chelus, and our firm Chelus, Herdzik, Speyer & Monte, P.C., have been nominated to become members of the Council on Litigation Management.

The Council is a national non-partisan alliance of law firms, general counsel from some of America's largest businesses and insurance companies.  Its goals are to create a common interest in the representation of companies and individuals to promote and further the highest standards of litigation management in pursuit of client defense.

The invitation was extended to us by a Fellow of CLM.  It is based upon the recommendation of its Advisory Board.  The appointment follows evaluations of the highest ethical standards and integrity, accomplishment in the profession of law and adherence to the canons, ethical considerations and disciplinary rules of the model code of professional conduct.

It is a recognition of our firm's commitment to high standards in professional responsibility, professional excellence and integrity in the representation of our clients.

Anthony Targia Wins Defense Verdict

 January 2009 — In a five day trial decided by jury verdict on December 18, 2008, Anthony Targia successfully defended the County of Chautauqua against plaintiff's claim that an alleged defective condition in the shoulder of a roadway caused a one car accident in which the plaintiff was injured.
 

Art Herdzik Wins Slip and Fall Defense Verdict

January 2009 — In a trial decided by jury verdict on December 23, 2008, Art Herdzik successfully defended condominium group and the management company retained by the condominium group against plaintiff's claim that she slipped, fell and sustained serious injuries while walking upon a purportedly icy sidewalk upon the condominium complex.

 

Michael Chmiel Obtains Unanimous Defense Verdict at Trial

January 2009 — Associate Michael Chmiel obtained a unanimous defense jury verdict following a bifurcated trial in front of the Honorable Diane Devlin.  In this case, our client was accused of – while in the driver seat of her vehicle – grabbing the plaintiff (a pedestrian) by the hair and dragging her down the street, causing a catastrophic injury.  Our client, the defendant, accused the plaintiff of being the actual aggressor.  She testified that the plaintiff reached into her vehicle and actually grabbed her by the hair, giving her no choice but to drive away in order to fend off this attack.

After a weeklong trial that included the testimony of several witnesses, the jury required only one hour of deliberation to return a verdict in favor of defendant.

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Chelus, Herdzik & Speyer Named "Super Lawyers"

December 2008 — Michael F. Chelus, Arthur A. Herdzik and Thomas J. Speyer each have been named by New York State Super Lawyers magazine as one of the top attorneys in New York State for 2008.  Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers.

The selections for Super Lawyers are made by Law & Politics, a division of Key Professional Media, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Each year, Law & Politics undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by Law & Politics' attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check.

Super Lawyers can by found online at superlawyers.com, where lawyers can be searched by practice area and location.

 

Lion Art Herdzik is presented the Lions' Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award by Lancaster Lions President Mike Lawkowski

July 2008 — The New York State and Bermuda Lions Foundation recently awarded "Lion" Art Herdzik the prestigious Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award in recognition of Art's service to the community.

The award was presented at the June 17, 2008 installation dinner of the Lancaster Lions. It was accompanied by certificates of recognition presented by New York State, Town of Lancaster and Village of Lancaster elected officials.

Art has been a member of the Lancaster, New York Lions Club for over 25 years. He has served the club in a number of capacities, including President and Chairman of the Board. For the last 8 years, he has served as club treasurer.

 

 

 

Art Herdzik Selected As
"New York Super Lawyer"

 

Law and Politics, publisher of New York Super Lawyers Magazine, has announced that upon completion of a peer review process, Art Herdzik is one of 15 lawyers included within its 2007 list of "New York Super Lawyers-Upstate Edition" for "personal injury defense- general ". More on the peer selection process can be learned by visiting www.superlawyers.com.