Accolades

Mound Cotton Wollan & Greengrass has achieved prominence in a number of leading law firm directories and industry associations, reflecting the firm's pre-eminence in Insurance and Reinsurance Law. Below is a list of the various entities that have recognized our firm and our people.

Mound Cotton Wollan & Greengrass Recognized in Chambers
Chambers and Partners extensively researches law firms and lawyers in the United States. Their objective is to identify and subsequently recognize top firms and individuals in the Legal community.

Mound Cotton Wollan & Greengrass was recognized in the category Insurance: Dispute Resolution. In addition to the firm being acknowledged, four partners were recognized as Leading Individuals: Stuart Cotton, Lawrence Greengrass, David Silva and Philip Silverberg. Partner Mitchell Otto was recognized as an Up and Coming Individual.

Chambers had the following to say about the firm and the highlighted attorneys:

"This long-standing practice earns wide acclaim for its solid insurance and reinsurance offerings and its competitive billing practices. The team's expertise spans insurance and reinsurance disputes; environmental claims; and life insurance and speciality coverage issues, including kidnap and ransom policy drafting. Litigator Stuart Cotton earns high praise from the market and is described by sources as 'one of the group's pivotal people.' Equally well regarded is Lawrence Greengrass, who impresses with his depth of experience and knowledge. His practices covers insurance and reinsurance disputes, including property, casualty and life insurance matters. Philip Silverberg is active across trial, arbitration and appeal work and, according to a source, is 'one of the best lawyers I've ever dealt with.' Another reports: 'He's smart, he's responsive and he's always available.' David Silva wins high praise from clients for his reinsurance expertise, his commerciality and his willingness to listen: 'He's the best reinsurance lawyer I know,' declares one. Rising star Mitch Otto stands out across the reinsurance arbitration and litigation space. He is described by one satisfied client as 'sharp as a tack.'"

MCWG Wins 2010 Burton Award for Best Law Firm Newsletter
Mound Cotton Wollan & Greengrass is the winner of the 2010 Burton Award for Best Law Firm Newsletter. The Burton Awards recognize and reward oustanding legal writing and legal publications.

Best's Review Cites MCWG as Only New York-Based Firm Recommended by Its Clients for 75 Years or More
In an article appearing in the May 2009 issue of Best's Review, Mound Cotton Wollan & Greengrass is noted as the only New York headquartered law firm with an insurance defense practice that has been recommended for at least 75 years by its clients. 69 US headquartered law firms were recognized in the review.

The Loss Executives Association Appoints Costantino P. Suriano as a Consultant to its Board of Directors
The Loss Executives Association (LEA) has appointed Costantino P. Suriano, a partner at MCWG, as a consultant to its board of directors.  Founded over 75 years ago, the LEA provides a forum for discussion, study and consideration of common loss adjustment problems to explore options and alternatives.  Mr. Suriano is an active member of the LEA and in 2008 was awarded the Stephen P. Cronin, Jr. Memorial Award, presented each year at the LEA's Annual Meeting to an individual who donates their time, skill, and exceptional service to the property claim profession.

Lawrence Greengrass and Philip Silverberg Recognized in Guide to the World's Leading Insurance & Reinsurance Lawyers
Guide to the World's Leading Insurance & Reinsurance Lawyers identifies leading professionals around the world. The individuals selected to appear in the Guide have been nominated by their peers and clients based on their command of a specific field.

MCWG Obtains Defense Verdict in Katrina Lawsuit
The Mound Cotton trial team of Wayne Glaubinger and Hilary Henkind obtained a defense verdict on behalf of Commonwealth Insurance Company in a Hurricane Katrina Lawsuit involving claims for insurance proceeds and bad faith.

The plaintiffs were the landlords of an A & P supermarket. The tenant, A & P, was the named insured under the Commonwealth policy.  The plaintiffs contended that they filed an insurance claim and proof of loss with Commonwealth for a sum exceeding $4.4 million for damage to their building.  It was shown at trial that plaintiffs were engaged in a deliberate strategy to delay filing a claim in order to address an ongoing landlord/tenant dispute with A & P, which was the only named insured under the Commonwealth policy.

The case was tried in the United States Federal Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana over an eight-day period.  After 13 hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict fully exonerating Commonwealth respecting all claims in the lawsuit.  In addition, Commonwealth is entitled, in light of the jury verdict, to be fully reimbursed for all its legal fees, costs, and expenses in the action. 

Mound Cotton Wollan & Greengrass Recognized in Benchmark Litigation
Mound Cotton Wollan & Greengrass received a national first tier rating from Benchmark Litigation in the area of Insurance Law. Mound Cotton is one of only three firm's in the nation to receive this designation. Benchmark Litigation also bestows individual honors and named Stuart Cotton, Wayne Glaubinger and Michael Goldstein National Insurance Litigation Stars. Mr. Cotton, Mr. Glaubinger and Mr. Goldstein have been recognized as pre-eminent litigation practitioners in the country as well as New York State, and will be featured in the 3rd edition of the publication.

Barry Temkin Wins 2008 Otto Walter Award
Barry Temkin won the 2008 Otto Walter award for his article "Deception in Undercover Investigations: Conduct-Based vs. Status Based Ethical Analysis." The Otto Walter award is presented to a member of New York Law School's adjunct faculty for an outstanding article written during the academic year.

Frank DeAngelis Recognized in New Jersey Law Journal's '40 under 40'
Frank J. DeAngelis was selected for the New Jersey Law Journal's 2009 class of '40 under 40.' This annual Journal feature recognizes lawyers under the age of 40 who are up and coming leaders in the New Jersey legal community.

MCWG Recognized in Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers is a published listing of attorneys by state and practice area that is formulated based on peer reviews and professional accomplishment. The following attorneys have been recognized:

Stuart Cotton
Frank J. DeAngelis*
Michael H. Goldstein
Robert S. Goodman
Lawrence S. Greengrass
Arthur M. Handler
Michael R. Koblenz
Costantino P. Suriano
Jeffrey S. Weinstein

*Frank J. DeAngelis has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in New Jersey. Rising Stars identifies top up-and coming attorneys who are either 40 years old or younger, or who have been a practicing attorney for up to or less than 10 years.

Five Mound Cotton Wollan & Greengrass Partners Selected as Finalists for Insurer Attorney of the Year Award
The LexisNexis Law Center's Insurer Attorney of the Year Award recognizes the attorney who did the most in 2008 to effectively advance insurer positions and improve insurance law from the perspective of insurers. Out of 17 finalists selected by the Advisory Board, 5 are Partners at Mound Cotton Wollan & Greengrass.  They are:

Stuart Cotton
Lawrence S. Greengrass
Lloyd A. Gura
Philip C. Silverberg
James D. Veach

Michael Koblenz appointed to Board of Directors of Long Island Insurance Community
Michael Koblenz was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Long Island Insurance Community (LLIC). LLIC was founded in 1995 by members of the Long Island insurance industry looking to give back to their community.

John Parker Appointed to Advisory Board of Cancer and Careers
John F. Parker was recently appointed to the Advisory Board of Cancer and Careers, an organization committed to changing the face of cancer in the workplace. Cancer and Careers is a program of the CEW Foundation, the charitable arm of Cosmetic Executive Women, Inc.

Frank DeAngelis Named Adjunct Professor of the Year
Frank J. DeAngelis was selected as the 2008-09 Adjunct Professor of the Year at Seton Hall University School of Law. Frank has been an adjunct faculty member since 2001 and has been teaching New York Practice since January 2002.

Lawrence S. Greengrass is named a 'Best Lawyer'
In the December 2009 issue of New York Magazine, Lawrence S. Greengrass is named a 'Best Lawyer' in the field of Insurance Law.

Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. In the U.S., Best Lawyers publishes an annual referral guide, The Best Lawyers in America, which includes 39,766 attorneys in 80 specialties, covering all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Martindale Hubbell/AV-Rated
Martindale Hubbell Law Directory is one of the premier resources available to locate an attorney or law firm and, for over a century, professionals have relied on Martindale for authoritative information on the worldwide legal profession.  MCWG has been awarded the highest peer review rating, the AV. An AV rating is a significant accomplishment - a testament to the fact that the firm is ranked at the highest level of professional excellence.