New Attorneys Join Vaughan Baio’s Deep Bench in Workers’ Compensation Law & Employment Litigation
PHILADELPHIA, August 10, 2021 – Vaughan Baio & Partners announced today the addition of nine new attorneys, who will be at the forefront of the firm’s expansion in New York State. Partners Zachary H. Pratt and Tracey A. McLean lead the group which consists of Bola Awujoola, John W. Becker, Claire T. Brookins, Cory A. DeCresenza, Kelly C. O’Connor, Susan Biggins Owens – who also join as Partners; and Robert S. Smith – who joins as an Associate. The new attorneys will be resident in two new offices – Albany and Syracuse – in addition to the firm’s established New York City presence. All of the attorneys were previously at Goldberg Segalla.
Vaughan Baio & Partners has been on a smart growth trajectory since its rebranding in June 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. Soon after its launch, the firm welcomed three attorneys in Philadelphia last August, and four more attorneys last October, broadening their reach in New Jersey. In March of this year, they established an office in Baltimore, and two additional offices are slated for Garden City, N.Y. and Morgantown, W. VA. before the end of the year.
“We are very pleased to welcome these talented and insightful attorneys to Vaughan Baio,” said Founding Partner Joseph E. Vaughan. “With them leading our expansion in New York State, we look forward to providing employers with the thoughtful and strategic counsel and representation they will need to face the novel challenges that lie ahead.”
Since co-founding the firm just over a year ago, Partner Madeline S. Baio has looked forward to the prospect of expanding the firm but says she “wanted growth to be thoughtful and strategic– for the right reasons, with the right people, in the right places and at the right time. I am excited to say we have hit a home run on this expansion initiative and look forward to welcoming our new partners and associates into the firm.”
The attorneys joining are:
Bola Awujoola has advised and represented corporate entities and individual clients at various levels of the dispute resolution process. While starting as an in-house counsel for a global corporate services firm, based in Lagos, Nigeria, where he counseled corporate executives and administrators on numerous legal issues, including tax law, regulatory compliance, contracts, and commercial transactions, he has in more recent years focused on providing counsel and representation to clients at all stages of workers’ compensation litigation — from intake to trial and appeal.
John W. Becker focuses his practice on defending clients in workers’ compensation claims, frequently representing them before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. John handles his cases from inception through completion, and has extensive experience in drafting appeals and memoranda, and deposing medical professionals on issues pertaining to workers’ compensation claims.
Claire T. Brookins brings more than fifteen years of experience to the vigorous defense she provides clients in a range of worker’s compensation issues. She represents insurance carriers, third-party administrators and employers before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.
Cory A. DeCresenza concentrates his practice on workers’ compensation litigation, drawing from his significant experience in general and appellate litigation. He has experience handling trials at the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, including lay witness testimony and medical testimony on the issues of accident, notice, and causal relationship; period and extent of disability; entitlement to medical benefits under the board’s Medical Treatment Guidelines; and fraud.
Tracey A. McLean brings her nearly three decades of experience defending employers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators in workers’ compensation claims across New York State. Representing clients across the entire eastern and middle United States, Tracey has handled matters involving virtually every type of injury or occupational disease claim and in various types of work settings.
Kelly C. O’Connor has significant experience defending employers, insurance carriers and third-party administrators in workers’ compensation litigation. She frequently represents her clients before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board and has guided them through trials, depositions of medical experts and appeals.
Susan Biggins Owens focuses her practice on defending employers and insurers in workers’ compensation matters. She draws on more than a decade of experience representing clients in New York and Vermont to deliver valuable insights and procedural knowledge of workers’ compensation and personal injury matters. She handles trials, hearings, and proceedings at the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board across New York State.
Zachary H. Pratt Pratt has extensive experience representing employers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board and in traditional federal workers’ compensation litigation. He is involved in every aspect of the workers’ compensation claim process, from intake through resolution.
Robert S. Smith focuses his practice on counseling and defending insurers, employers, and third-party administrators in a wide range of workers’ compensation claims. He has extensive experience negotiating settlements, leading depositions, and writing legal memoranda. His background includes handling employment and labor cases, including discrimination claims and matters involving workers’ safety.
Vaughan Baio & Partners represents clients from startups to Fortune 500 companies, across Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Our attorneys provide insightful and strategic counsel to regional, national and international clients in the construction, transportation, general and professional liability, workers’ compensation, commercial litigation and employment practice areas. Vaughan Baio & Partners helps our clients minimize and manage risk in today’s business environment.
To learn more about Vaughan Baio & Partners, please visit our website http://www.vaughanbaio.com