Experience

The Coppola Firm

• United States
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Partner

  • Nov 2019 - Present

  Litigator and health law attorney who obtains outstanding results in personal injury lawsuits for injured individuals, represents medical practices and providers, counsels and litigates employment law matters for both individuals and employers, and provides general counsel services to businesses and licensed professionals.



University at Buffalo School of Law

• United States
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director, Trial Advocacy Program, Adjunct Faculty Liaison; Adjunct Instructor

  • Jan 2020 - Present

  Director, Trial Program (June 2017 - present)Adjunct Faculty Liaison (August 2017 - present)Adjunct Instructor, Trial Technique (Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015; Spring 2016; Spring 2017)Teach trial basics to students of varied skill levels. Course includes instruction on criminal and civil caseanalysis, motions in limine, witness preparation, opening statements, direct and cross examinations, andclosing arguments.Adjunct Instructor, Handling a Personal Injury Case (formerly Principles of Case Analysis) (Fall 2014, Fall 2015; Fall 2016; Fall 2017); Adjunct Professor, Principles of Case Analysis (Fall 2013)Created and developed course to give students the tools to handle a civil case from intake to trial and appeal, with focus on the CPLR and NY Court Rules.Instructor, Trial Advocacy (2007 - present)Teach advanced litigation course; develop lesson plans to prepare students to try high-level cases,understand the rules of evidence, effectively advocate, and excel in nationwide competitions.



University at Buffalo

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Co-Director, Trial Program; Adjunct Faculty Liaison; Adjunct Instructor

  • Aug 2007 - Dec 2019

  Co-Director, Trial Program (June 2017 - present)Adjunct Faculty Liaison (August 2017 - present)Adjunct Instructor, Trial Technique (Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015; Spring 2016; Spring 2017)Teach trial basics to students of varied skill levels. Course includes instruction on criminal and civil caseanalysis, motions in limine, witness preparation, opening statements, direct and cross examinations, andclosing arguments.Adjunct Instructor, Handling a Personal Injury Case (formerly Principles of Case Analysis) (Fall 2014, Fall 2015; Fall 2016; Fall 2017); Adjunct Professor, Principles of Case Analysis (Fall 2013)Created and developed course to give students the tools to handle a civil case from intake to trial and appeal, with focus on the CPLR and NY Court Rules.Instructor, Trial Advocacy (2007 - present)Teach advanced litigation course; develop lesson plans to prepare students to try high-level cases,understand the rules of evidence, effectively advocate, and excel in nationwide competitions.



Erie County Medical Center Corporation

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Attorney

  • Feb 2016 - Oct 2019

  Provide legal counsel to ECMCC on matters including Human Resources and employment law, litigation, risk management, business, governance, HIPAA/HITECH, compliance, and ethics. Represent ECMCC in litigated matters before courts, regulatory bodies, and administrative agencies; manage litigation and outside counsel. Develop risk mitigation strategies and policies. Conduct internal trainings.



Monica Wallace for Assembly, New York District 143

• Campaign Manager

  • Jan 2016 - Dec 2016

  Campaign manager for successful candidate for New York's 143rd Assembly District.



Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Associate General Counsel

  • Feb 2014 - Feb 2016

  Provide in-house legal services to administrators, medical and professional staff and employees of the Hospital.Represent Hopsital in litigation matters and manage outside counsel. Counsel members of the medical, professional and administrative staff on matters.Provide legal advice and counsel to our HR professionals regarding labor and employment matters including employment, ADA, and FMLA.Draft pleadings, correspondence, administrative responses, contracts and other documents and provide in-person representation of the company in hearings, mediations, arbitrations and negotiations.Prepare and negotiate offer letters and employment agreements.Draft and negotiate physician and health care operations contracts, including call coverage, affiliations, collaborations, memoranda of understanding, and hospital based arrangementsRepresent the Hospital and its affiliates on various legal matters in court and at hearings before administrative review boards and federal, state, and municipal governmental regulatory bodies.Participate in and advise on business development initiatives, including research and analysis of compliance with federal and state health care laws and regulations: Stark Laws, federal Anti-kickback Statute, False Claims Act, Civil Monetary Penalty Statute, HIPAA and state health records privacy matters, federal health care program requirements, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs.Assist in the development of Hospital policies, procedures, and forms pertaining to patient care, labor and employment, and administrative matters by reviewing and recommending revisions to new or existing policies, procedures, and forms to conform with legal standards and requirements.Analyze and advise on regulations affecting state Public Benefit Corporation.Draft, review, and negotiate contracts.Advising on matters of risk management, regulatory compliance, HIPAA/HITECH, and intellectual property.Working with and managing outside counsel.



Duke, Holzman, Photiadis & Gresens, LLP

• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Attorney

  • Apr 2011 - Jan 2014

  Representation of professionals in professional licensing matters, malpractice, regulatory compliance, and business and corporate litigation. Labor and employment law. Advising medical business clients on employment matters from incorporation; preparing Employee Handbook, Policies and Procedures, regulatory compliance documents. Working with and setting up client relationships with Human Resources Outsourcing. Advising on matters of employee discipline and termination. Preparing employment, retention, and severance agreements. Representing employers in matters before New York State Division of Human Rights, EEOC, Unemployment, and Department of Labor.Strategic representation of businesses to yield financial results; identify, manage, and mitigate risk; and comply with legal and ethical standards.Personal injury (plaintiff and defense).



Connors & Vilardo, LLP

• Attorney

  • Apr 2006 - Mar 2011

  Represent and defend physicians in medical malpractice cases; Department of Health and professional licensing matters.Plaintiff-side personal injury.Appellate practice.Criminal defense (state and federal).



Healing Hands Project

• Outreach Coordinator

  • 1999 - 2005