Spiegel, Brown , Fichera & Acard Attorney; Michael A. Cote

Donald D. Brown Jr. || Cynthia K. Fichera || Brian D. Acard || Michael A. Cote || Joseph L. Spiegel

Education:
Fordham University School of Law, New York, NY
J.D., May 1997, G.P.A.: Spring 1997: 3.6, Cumulative: 3.3
Honors: Dean's List
Fordham Sports Law Symposium, Founder and co-Editor in Chief
One of nineteen students selected to participate in the Fordham Litigation
Skills Clinic, Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award

Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY
B.A. Political Science, cum laude, May 1994;
Minor in Philosophy, GPA.: 3.4
Honors: Dean's List: Fall 1990, 1992-1994
Baccalaureate award for outstanding achievement in Political Science
Phi Kappa Delta (National Speech and Debate Honors Society)
Phi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honors Society)
Champion and First Speaker in four debate tournaments

American University, Washington Semester Program, Fall 1992
Completed extensive research project, titled: "Can a Third Party Succeed in Today's Political System?"

Experience:
September 2000 - Present
Spiegel, Brown, Fichera & Acard
Associate Attorney
Litigation practice specializing in insurance defense and plaintiff personal injury. Case analysis and evaluation, depositions, court appearances, settlement negotiations, preparing and arguing motions, preparing pleadings, conducting discovery, preparing appellate briefs, preparing status reports for insurance carriers, conducting research, preparing memoranda. Personal injury, professional malpractice, products liability, sexual discrimination, admiralty and other fields. Depositions, court appearances, settlement negotiations, preparing and arguing motions, preparing pleadings, conducting discovery, preparing appellate briefs, preparing status reports for insurance carriers, conducting research, preparing memoranda. Personal injury, professional malpractice, products liability, sexual discrimination, admiralty and other fields.

November 1997 - August 2000
Lynch & Lynch, Mineola, NY
Associate Attorney
Litigation practice which specialized in insurance defense. Case analysis and evaluation, depositions, court appearances, settlement negotiations, prepared and argued motions, prepared pleadings, conducted discovery, prepared appellate briefs, prepared status reports for insurance carriers, conducted research, prepared memoranda.

August 1996- May 1997
Lincoln Square Legal Services, Inc., New York, NY
Legal Intern
Participated in all aspects of trial and appellate practice. Interviewed clients, drafted court papers, conducted discovery, conducted research, prepared memoranda, perfected appellate record, prepared appellate brief, court appearances, interacted with opposing counsel and planned case strategy.

May - August, 1996
Stiles & Wright, P.C., New York, NY
Summer Associate
Researched and prepared legal memoranda, motions and pleadings. Advised attorneys on points of law, discussed strategy and attended conferences and depositions. Admiralty, personal injury and other fields.

January - April, 1996
Grievance Committee for the Appellate Division, First Department,
New York, NY
Legal Intern

July 1995 - June 1996
Professor Ann Moynihan, Fordham Law School, New York, NY
Research Assistant

June - August, 1995
The Honorable John G. Koeltl, United States District Judge (S.D.N.Y.)
Judicial Intern

Bar Admission/Professional Associations:
New York State (Admitted 1998)
Dutchess County Bar Association
Catholic Lawyers Guild