Page 47 - NYLJ Professional Excellence 2021

to show the extreme financial losses, they have suffered over From left, partner Keith McKenna, managing partner
the past 14 months, has been extremely rewarding. Kenneth H. Frenchman, chair Robin Cohen, and
partners Adam Ziffer and Meredith Elkins.
A prospective client in crisis calls and asks why your team
should be retained. What is your answer? Our team has Responses prepared by Robin Cohen, chair, and
seen every possible ending to this crisis and can guide you Meredith Elkins, hiring partner of the firm.
toward the best outcome as quickly as possible. Because our
team exclusively represents policyholders (often in crisis),
we can see several steps ahead and can help our clients avoid
common pitfalls and maximize their chances of success. Our
track record of success speaks for itself, and our opponents learn how to do what we do, is to do it. We like to start
know we’re willing to take any case to trial if necessary— from day one with new hires by teaching by example, expos-
where we’ll likely win. Because of that, our representation ing our young lawyers early and often to every stage of a
itself creates leverage, and our clients are often able to avoid case. Robin prepared for a recent significant hearing with
litigation altogether when we get involved. a team of several junior associates who got to witness her
process firsthand. Now some of those associates are slated
What traits do you respect most in opposing firms and law- to argue upcoming hearings. Our practice is always busy
yers? We are straightforward but zealous advocates for our enough to give young lawyers hands-on experience early in
clients, and we admire the same traits in opposing counsel. We their careers. Many of our young associates have already
have great working relationships with many of our adversar- taken dozens of depositions, attended client meetings
ies, which are born out of honest communication and respect and prepared for hearings and trials, while learning from
for one another’s time and intelligence. Plus, it’s more fun to our more experienced lawyers. We also value the social
litigate against others who are also at the top of their field! aspect of work, which gives young lawyers the chance to
learn from us in a more casual environment; we want our
What is the firm doing to ensure that future generations future litigation stars to be well-rounded as well as skilled
of litigators are ready to take the helm? The best way to attorneys.

Photo: Ryland West/ALM | October 2021 45