Insurance Construction

RICHARD J. WELLS, ESQ.

**** ***** ****** #**, *** York, NY 10128 (646) 320 – 7243• *********@*****.*** Admitted to the New York State Bar and SDNY

EDUCATION

Pace University School of Law, White Plains, NY

Juris Doctor received May 2008

Honors: Dean’s List; Trustee Scholarship Recipient Duke University, Durham, NC

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science received May 1987 LITIGATION EXPERIENCE

Wilkofsky Friedman Karel & Cummins

Litigation Associate, January 2018 – January 2019

Represented insured plaintiffs in property damage and construction defect cases. Appeared in Supreme Court on scheduling, procedural and settlement conferences. Drafted pleadings and procedural/substantive motions including summary judgment and restoring a case to the trial calendar. Analyzed insurance policies, interpreting relevant clauses and provisions for coverage. Managed relationships with clients to expedite recovery goals. Recruited and retained expert witnesses. Developed business interruption claims and alternative bases of recovery. Negotiated access licenses for property developers. Contract Litigator

Defense/Plaintiff Attorney, January 2014 – December 2017 Provided research and conducted file reviews on complex construction and property damage cases. Drafted pleadings, discovery demands/responses and motions on personal injury cases. Appeared in Civil and Supreme Court on scheduling, discovery and settlement conferences and argued procedural motions. Prepared mediation statements and reports to client. Conducted document reviews on the defense of antitrust investigations. Jaffe & Koumourdas, LLP/ Country-Wide Insurance Company In-House Litigator, January 2012 – December 2013

Managed No-Fault automobile litigation caseload for insurance company clients. Negotiated settlements with opposing counsel prior to trial. Argued preliminary motions in civil court for summary judgment, partial summary judgment and dismissal. Participated in arbitrations to resolve claims, drafting post-hearing memorandums and master arbitration appeals. Conducted examinations under oath, investigating claims for fraud. Appeared in Supreme Court regarding issues related to discovery and scheduling orders on bodily injury cases. Defended carriers at trial involving property liability claims and contractual issues. Malaby & Bradley, LLC

Document Review Attorney, July 2010 – November 2011 Appeared in Supreme Court, communicating with court attorneys and drafting memorandums on issues relating to pre-trial conferences and summary judgment motions. Represented firm at asbestos defense counsel liaison meetings, summarizing pertinent developments in firm- wide reports. Conducted document review, classifying construction records for attorney deposition preparation.

Stephen Jeffries & Associates

Attorney, March 2009 – October 2009

Drafted extraordinary ability and national interest support letters to obtain immigration benefits for physicians and scientists, by reviewing client’s curricula vitae and relevant background information.