Stephanie M. Berger joined the firm in May of 2002 and was made a partner in April of 2014. She specializes in both medical and dental malpractice defense and has been working in this field since 2000. Ms. Berger was admitted to the Florida State Bar in 1998, the New Jersey State Bar in 1999 and the New York State Bar in 2000. She is also admitted to the United States District Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.
She is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the New York State Medical Defense Bar Association. Ms. Berger received a Bachelor of Science in Communication from the University of Miami in 1994 and she graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 1998. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, running and practicing yoga.
Nicole Callahan is a Partner in the White Plains office of Amabile & Erman. She has two decades of experience as a litigator in both State and Federal courts. Nicole graduated cum laude from Pace University School of Law, with a concentration in Health Law. Prior to attending law school, Nicole earned a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine.
Nicole has extensive experience defending hospitals, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in a wide range of medical malpractice cases, including catastrophic injury, negligence and misdiagnosis. Nicole also successfully defends against claims involving violations of civil rights, and premises and other general liability matters.
Nicole has also co-authored several publications in peer-reviewed journals and teaches neuroscience-related classes at Columbia University. She has presented educational seminars on medical negligence and premises liability litigation to various groups of healthcare and other professionals. On a personal note, Nicole is very involved in the activities of her two daughters, often volunteering in their numerous extracurricular activities.
Partner
Michael A. Ellenberg
Michael A. Ellenberg joined the firm in 2026 as a trial partner. Michael is a seasoned trial attorney with almost five decades of experience representing clients in complex civil matters in state and federal courts, including medical malpractice and negligence matters. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Albany in 1973 and his Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law in 1976. Admitted to practice in New York in 1977, he is also admitted to the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Throughout his career, Michael has handled a wide range of sophisticated litigation matters, guiding clients through all phases of dispute resolution, from pre‑suit strategy and motion practice through trial and appeal. His extensive litigation experience makes him a trusted advocate and advisor to clients.
Jonathan S. Erman has been with the firm since May 1998. In 2006, he was made partner of the firm. His primary focus is on medical malpractice defense, complex claims defense and the representation of physicians and hospitals before various administrative agencies. He was admitted to practice law by the New Jersey State Bar in 1998 and the New York State Bar in 1999. He is admitted before the Federal Courts for both New York and New Jersey. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, New York County Bar Association, Richmond County Bar Association and Defense Research Institute. Further, he is also acting board member of the New York State Medical Defense Bar.
Mr. Erman received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami in 1994 and graduated cum laude, with a Juris Doctor degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1998. In his spare time, Jonathan can be found at hockey rinks and soccer sidelines watching his kids.
Marc J. Falcone joined the firm in September 1997 and was made a Partner in January 2010. He focuses primarily on medical malpractice, products liability and general liability defense. He has handled all phases of medical malpractice actions from inception through trial and appeal. He is admitted to the Bar in New York and New Jersey and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York and the Southern District of New York.
He is a member of the American Bar Association, New York State Bar Association and the New York State Medical Defense Bar Association. Mr. Falcone received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from St. John’s University in 1994 and a Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School in 1997. While in law school, Mr. Falcone interned in the Richmond County Supreme Court and in the Office of the District Attorney, Richmond County. Mr. Falcone enjoys spending time with his family.
Partner
David Gannon
David Gannon joined the firm as a Partner in March 2026. He graduated law school from Syracuse University College of Law in 1992, where he was Associate Editor of the Law Review. From 1992–1996, he was an Assistant District Attorney for the Kings County District Attorney’s Office where he presented hundreds of cases to the grand jury and successfully obtained numerous jury verdicts on behalf of the People of the State of New York, as a senior trial attorney primarily prosecuting violent felonies.
Since 1996, he has focused on medical malpractice defense at two prior defense firms, and he has handled cases from inception through trial, including obtaining defense verdicts in high exposure wrongful death and infant brain damage baby cases.
Partner
Todd Gilbert
Todd Gilbert concentrates his practice on high-risk medical malpractice and complex personal injury matters. Previously in his career, Todd was in-house legal counsel for a prominent medical malpractice carrier in New York, and he has represented national clients in New York and Connecticut on various litigation matters. He was part of a National Trial Team that handled high exposure medical malpractice actions in a variety of jurisdictions, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Delaware, and New Mexico.
PRACTICE AREAS
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LITIGATION
BAR ADMISSIONS
Connecticut 2014
New York 1995
EDUCATION
St. John’s University School of Law 1994
HONORS & ACCOLADES
Editor of the St. John’s Bankruptcy Law Review
Best Lawyers in America, 2023, Medical Malpractice Law
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Todd has presented to physicians, medical groups, hospital departments and medical associations on various medical malpractice and risk management issues.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Todd previously served on the boards of New Canann Youth Football and New Canaan Soccer.
Todd has represented on a pro-bono basis the Grace Community Church.
Todd has coached youth football in New Canaan for the last 10 years.
Anthony A. Lenza, Jr. joined our firm in June of 1997 as a summer intern and began working as an associate attorney in September of 1998. Anthony became a partner of our firm in January 2010. His practice focuses primarily on medical malpractice and general liability defense. Anthony was admitted to the New Jersey State Bar in 1998, the New York State Bar in 1999, and the Pennsylvania State Bar in 2021. He is also admitted to the federal courts in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of New Jersey.
Anthony received a bachelor’s degree in science comprehensive from Villanova University in 1995 and a Juris Doctor degree from St. John’s University School of Law in 1998. He is the President of Five Fathers Children’s Charity, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization established to provide financial assistance to children in need.
Some of Anthony’s first chair, jury verdicts in favor of his clients are listed below:
Kaja v. Staten Island University Hospital; NYC Civil Court, Richmond County; Index No. 5370/99; date of verdict: 02/27/2002;
Malecka v. Fietti, MD; NJ Superior Court, Bergen County; Docket No. L-3818-02; date of verdict: 03/11/2005;
Itri v. Downey, MD; NJ Superior Court, Union County; Docket No. L-3576-06; date of verdict: 06/30/2008;
Shectman v. Bransfield, MD; NJ Superior Court, Middlesex County; Docket No. L-4452-03; date of verdict: 01/15/2008;
Hageman v. Mirza; NJ Superior Court, Middlesex County; Docket No. L-2885-07; date of verdict: 06/04/2009;
Bono v. Silverman, MD; Federal District Court, Eastern District of New York; Case No. CV-04-3736; date of verdict: 05/13/2010;
Wegweiser v. Cruz; NY Supreme Court, Richmond County; Index No. 102585/09; date of verdict: 08/22/2012.
Flutra Limani joined the firm in March 2002. She specializes in medical malpractice defense and her focus is defending physicians and hospitals in complex medical malpractice actions. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1996, the United States District Court, Southern District in 2003 and the United States District Court, Eastern District in 2003.
She is a member of the New York State Bar Association. Ms. Limani graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in history from Brooklyn College in 1992 and received a Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School in 1995. In her spare time she enjoys traveling with her family and attending her sons’ soccer and football games and tournaments.
John A. Orbon joined the firm in June of 2001 and became partner in September of 2004. He handles all phases of personal injury litigation including construction/labor law matters, medical malpractice and products liability actions in New York State and Federal Courts. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1989 and is a member of the American Board Association. Mr. Orbon graduated cum laude from St. John’s University with a bachelor’s degree in History and a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy in 1985 and received a Juris Doctor degree from St. John’s University in 1988.
Judith Priolo joined the firm in 2022 as a senior associate and was promoted to partner in 2025. She specializes in the defense of medical, dental, nursing home and podiatric malpractice cases as well as general liability cases. Ms. Priolo has been working in the field since 2004 and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2005. She is also admitted in the federal courts in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. She received her juris Doctor degree from New England School of Law in 2004.
Adriana Solimeo joined the firm in 1998 as a law clerk and began working as an associate attorney in 2001, after graduating Cum Laude from New York Law School. She focused on the defense of medical, dental and podiatric malpractice cases. Recently, Ms. Solimeo has rejoined the firm after working as a per diem consultant in general liability cases. She has extensive experience in providing valuable litigation support to senior counsel, preparing cases all the way up to trial.
Ms. Solimeo is a member of the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association. She graduated Magna Cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from St. John’s University in 1997.
Shari D. Steinfeld joined the firm as an Associate in September, 2008 and became a Partner of the firm in February, 2018. She specializes in medical, dental and nursing home malpractice and has been working in this field since 2001. Ms. Steinfeld was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2000 and is also admitted to practice in the federal courts in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
She is a member of the New York State Bar Association. Ms. Steinfeld received a Bachelor’s Degree in English and East Asian Studies from Dickinson College in 1995 and graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1999.
Irene P. Ziegler has been with the firm since September of 1989 and became partner in February of 1997. She specializes in the defense of medical, dental and podiatric malpractice as well as general liability in New York State and Federal Courts. Ms. Ziegler was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1990 and is a member of the New York State Bar Association. She graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College in 1986 and received a Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School in 1989.
Of Counsel
Jennifer Bienstock
Jennifer Bienstock joined Amabile & Erman, P.C. in 2025 as Of Counsel, bringing more than three decades of experience in the defense of physicians, hospitals and healthcare institutions in complex medical malpractice litigation. Her practice focuses on the defense of physicians and healthcare providers across a broad spectrum of specialties. In addition to malpractice actions, Jennifer has also litigated drug product liability actions, general negligence and mass tort suits. She is known for her meticulous preparation, rigorous medical-legal analysis and commitment to delivering efficient, client-focused representation. She has also represented medical professionals before the New York State Office of Professional Medical Conduct.
While in college, Jennifer worked at SUNY Stony Brook Hospital conducting research in both the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, an early experience that sparked her enduring interest in medical-legal issues and shaped her career focus.
Jennifer is admitted to practice in all New York State and Federal Courts, as well as the United States Supreme Court. She earned her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1987 and was admitted to the New York State Bar the same year.
In addition to her legal practice, Jennifer serves as a Surrogate Decision Maker for New York State in Westchester County and has also served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate since 2008.
Paul M. DeCarlo has been with the firm since its inception. He was admitted to practice in New York in 1975 and is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York and the Southern District of New York. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Manhattan College where he received his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in 1971. He studied law at Fordham University School of Law and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1974.
Brian M. Linares-Ponce joined the firm in 2017 as a law clerk after graduating from Rutgers University and began working as an associate attorney in 2024. He worked at the firm while going to law school part-time, at night, and graduated Cum Laude with a Juris Doctor degree from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in 2023. Mr. Linares-Ponce graduated from Rutgers University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and double minor in American Studies and Spanish.
Mr. Linares-Ponce was admitted to the Connecticut State Bar, New Jersey State Bar and New York State Bar in 2024. Additionally, he is admitted to practice in federal court, namely the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York and the New Jersey District Court.
Mr. Linares-Ponce has lengthy experience with civil litigation matters. His practice at the firm focuses primarily on the defense of hospitals, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in a wide range of medical malpractice and civil litigation matters. In addition, Mr. Linares-Ponce focuses on defending premises and other general liability matters. Mr. Linares-Ponce’s practice also extends to New Jersey Municipal Court, where he represents and defends clients in traffic-related matters and petty crimes/offenses, and in the New Jersey District Court where he prosecutes fair credit reporting and fair debt collection practices civil matters.
Mr. Linares-Ponce is fluent in Spanish and has extensive knowledge about the use of computers, software, information security, and computer technical support. In his spare time, Mr. Linares-Ponce enjoys learning about American history, watching sports, traveling with his wife, and playing golf.
Associate Attorney
Sara M. Carney
Sara M. Carney joined the firm in March 2025. She was admitted to the New Jersey State Bar in July 2025 and the New York State Bar in February 2026. She received her Juris Doctor in May 2024 from New York Law School. Sara graduated from the Wagner College Honors Program with a Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude in 2020. She majored in English, in which she earned Departmental Honors, and achieved Minors in both Spanish and Psychology. Prior to law school, Sara ran NCAA Division 1 Cross Country and Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field.
During the summer after her first year of law school, Sara was a Corporate Law Practice Group Participant for the Venable-New York Law School Summer Simulation Program. Her tasks included conducting legal research and drafting memorandums on HIPAA’s Privacy and Security Rule. After her second of law school, Sara interned at the Civil Court of the City of New York, Richmond County. Currently, Sara enjoys running, Pilates, reading, and listening to music.
Kristen Coohill joined the firm in September 2022. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts School of Law in 2022 and is a member of Delta Theta Phi. Ms. Coohill was admitted into the New York State Bar in 2023. Prior to attending law school, Kristen worked in healthcare for over two decades and brings that extensive experience to the firm. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Psychology from the College of Staten Island in 2016.
Associate Attorney
Michael G. Kosowski
Michael G. Kosowski joined the firm in 2026 as an associate attorney. He was admitted to practice law in New Jersey in 2025 and in New York in 2026. He graduated magna cum laude from SUNY Binghamton in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts. After a rewarding seven-year career in corporate public relations, he decided that he wanted to be like the many attorneys he pitched for stories in press and on TV. Working at Rubenstein PR was the final crown on his PR career, and in 2025, he received his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers Law School.
During law school, Michael worked at the Queens District Attorney’s Office, Appellate Division, and at Legal Aid’s Wrongful Conviction Unit, where he investigated exculpatory evidence for those who, years after their convictions, were still proclaiming their innocence. Since graduating, Michael worked at Legal Aid’s Criminal Defense Practice, where he represented the criminally accused from the moment of arraignment all the way to dismissal or final disposition.
