CKBB CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY

In October 2011, CKBB partners, associates and support staff marked the 30th anniversary of the founding of the law firm.  Since its formation in 1981, Callan, Koster, Brady and Brennan, LLP has proudly represented its clients with excellence and professionalism.  CKBB is known nationally as a premier litigation law firm.  Its partners have been honored with Martindale Hubbel's highest “AV" rating. The firm has for many years maintained its listing in the Directory of Preeminent Law Firms. CKBB partners have been honored as "Super lawyers" in business, medical malpractice, insurance coverage and defense as well as general litigation.

Defense Verdict -
New York Pediatrician Cleared In Brain Damage Case

On June 20, 2011 Kenneth S. Merber obtained a defense verdict in favor of a pediatrician and his partnership after a three week jury trial in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Nassau County before the Honorable F. Dana Winslow. The plaintiffs alleged that the pediatrician committed malpractice and failed to obtain their informed consent before he prescribed an anti-malaria medication for their son who was 14 years of age at the time. Plaintiffs claimed that as a result of the medication, the infant developed psychosis, depression, an anxiety disorder and other mental illness requiring three separate in-patient psychiatric hospital admissions. Plaintiffs alleged that the infant has been permanently brain damaged as a result of the alleged malpractice and that he will require medical treatment for the remainder of his life.

CKBB prevails in appellate court on case of first impression

On July 1, 2010, Callan, Koster, Brady & Brennan, LLP obtained a unanimous decision from the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, affirming a lower courts dismissal of the complaint against the firms client, a commercial property owner. The case involved an alleged trip and fall over the broken stump of a No Parking signpost embedded in a New York City sidewalk. In affirming the lower court, the Appellate Division adopted this law firms position that the City of New York, and not the abutting property owner, was responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of sidewalk signposts. The Court held that signposts are not part of the sidewalk for purposes of 7-210 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York. This case represented the first time that this specific issue was addressed by any New York appellate court. Additionally, this case was decided by the first all female panel of judges in the history of New York State. Several media outlets reported on this historic event. Associate David LoRe handled the argument on behalf of the firm. Smith v. 125th Street Gateway Ventures, LLC, 2010 NY Slip Op 05873.

Paul Callan Case Profiled on ABC's 20/20

Paul F. Callan's representation of a young woman who falsely accused a man of rape and later recanted her story was the subject of a half hour program on ABC's 20/20. The client came to be represented by Paul after confessing to a Catholic priest that she had made the false claim and that she wished to get the man released even if it meant going to prison. The fascinating case was also widely profiled in the press including the New York Times.

Defense Verdict In Novel Reverse Discrimination Employment Case

In April 2010, Louis E. Valvo successfully defended one of the nation’s best known supermarket chains against a claim of reverse employment discrimination. In the case, tried before a jury in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, a white female plaintiff alleged racial and gender discrimination in the workplace, a hostile work environment, and constructive discharge. She asserted that members of minority groups at the chain’s store subjected her to racial epithets and harassment. CKBB’s thorough investigation of the plaintiff’s medical, psychiatric and work history was instrumental in allowing Valvo to convince the jury that the claims were legally unsubstantiated. Plaintiff’s counsel had sought in excess of a million dollars in damages. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the defendant on all claims.

CKBB Partners Named 2009 New York “Super Lawyers”

Callan, Koster, Brady & Brennan, LLP takes pride in announcing that Paul F. Callan, Warren S. Koster,and Bruce M. Brady have been selected as New York Super Lawyers for 2009. Super Lawyers recognizes outstanding attorneys in more than 70 areas of practice using a rigorous, multiphase selection process that considers 15 separate indicators of peer recognition, professional achievement and high ethical standards.

Summary Judgment Granted – Catastrophic Damage Case Dismissed

In June, 2009, CKBBLAW won a motion for summary judgment filed on behalf of a driver involved in a serious motor vehicle accident that occurred in Poughkeepsie, NY. The plaintiff sustained catastrophic injuries while a passenger in a vehicle being operated by the co-defendant. He brought suit in New York State Supreme Court, Dutchess County, alleging that each defendant shared fault for the accident. After considering our motion, Justice Pagones disagreed with plaintiff, ruling that our client was not negligent and that the co-defendant was solely responsible for the horrific crash.

Callan and Wilner Obtain a Unamimous Decision from NYS Supreme Court.

In June 2009, Paul F. Callan and Marc R. Wilner obtained a unanimous decision from a panel of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, affirming the lower court's dismissal of the complaint against the firm's client in a case claiming legal malpractice and fraud.

Labor Law Seminar

In April, 2009, Warren S. Koster appeared before a group of New York masonry contractors to discuss the ramifications and case law developments of the New York Labor Law. The seminar was arranged by Bollinger Insurance. The seminar stressed the importance of contractual indemnification and contractual liability coverage as tools to transfer liability in a construction accident case. The contractors were advised about the ramifications of the Workers’ Compensation Law, as well as the General Obligations Law.

Employment Discrimination Seminar for Managers

In April 2009, Warren S. Koster presented the first part of a training seminar on Employment Discrimination to Whole Foods Market Group, Inc., management employees. The focus of the training seminars was on sexual harassment in the workplace. Techniques management should utilize to educate, investigate and remediate sexual harassment in the workplace were emphasized. Case law for 2008 was reviewed to identify areas where employers excelled in handling employment discrimination and cases where employers failed to meet their obligations.

Warren S. Koster Presents Premises Liability Lecture

In April 2009, Warren S. Koster delivered a seminar on New York Premises Liability to the management of Whole Foods Market Group, Inc. The seminar included a discussion of recent developments in New York law with particular emphasis placed on New York Labor Law.

Paul Callan named as regular legal analyst on CNN Headline News.

Callan, Koster, Brady & Brennan, LLP, is pleased to announce that Paul Callan has been named as a regular legal analyst on the CNN Headline News Program 'Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell'. Paul will appear on this show as a regular guest between 7 and 8 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday evening. He will be commenting on prominent legal cases in the media."

CKBB Partner Lectures on Employment Discrimination

In January 2009, Warren S. Koster presented training seminars in the areas of Employment Discrimination and Ethics in The Workplace to the managers DCI Biologicals, Inc. The seminar trained managers on how to prevent workplace harassment and concentrated on educating the workforce to avoid discrimination. Managers were taught investigative techniques and trained in remediation. Case law developments during 2008 were reviewed and the managers were placed in hypothetical situations so they could apply the techniques to avoid, investigate and remediate discrimination in the workplace. The Ethics Seminar stressed the responsibility management and the workforce have to each other to ensure appropriate behavior. Managers were placed in various scenarios dealing with ethical issues and instructed how best to respond to various situations to foster a productive work environment.