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EDUCATION:

 

Juris Doctor Degree - Touro College-Jacob Fuchsberg School of Law, June 1985. Graduated with Honors

 

S.U.N.Y. Downstate Medical School - courses included advanced training in Gross Anatomy, Neuro Anatomy, Histology,Pathology, Pharmacology, Human Physiology, Microbiology, Medical Research in Immunology and Cellular Response to Invasive Antigens

 

Master of Science Degree - Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York: Biomedical Sciences: courses included MedicalPhysiology, Histology, Anatomy, Cellular Biology, Advanced Biochemistry, Electron Microscopy, Histology, Microbiology

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           Bachelors' Degree - Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York: Biomedical Sciences; minors in Abnormal, Behavioral     

           Psychology

 

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RECENT CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION CREDITS:

 

NACDL and Cardozo Law National Forensic College-6-day intensive program on Basic and advanced DNA analysis of

Mixtures, Probabilistic Genotyping, Validation, Statistical Variation, Cross Examination of experts,  a Genotyping,

Pattern Evidence, Eyewitness Identification, Crime Scene Evidence, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Sexual and Physical

Abuse, and Digital Evidence. (2017 and 2019)

 

Harvard Law School – 58 hours of Ultimate Trial Advocacy Course: Art of Persuasion (2019)

Harvard Law School – 50 Hours of courses in Advanced Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (2018)

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​Center for Mediation & Training, New York City – Certified in Family and Divorce Mediation.

           

DNA uses in Criminal Trials - 9 Hours at Cardozo Law School.

                       

Article 81- Special Needs Trustee Training and Certification- Nassau County Bar Association.

 

                 

 

RECENT LECTURE PRESENTATIONS TO THE SUFFOLK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION:

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Functions and Responsibilities of New York State Article 81 Court Examiner; Death and Dying in New York State Law Update (2021)

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Death and Dying in New York State - Analysis of the medical/ legal issues related to pending legislation in New

York State (2019 and 2020)

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DNA in the Courtroom - Criminal Courts Bar Association lecture (2013)

 

Medical Evidence in the Courtroom - Civil and Criminal Cases (2010)

 

Child Sexual Abuse – Medical Evidence and Sexual Abuse Nurse Examiner Report Analysis (2009)

 

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ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS:

 

Adjunct Professor of Health Care Law - Touro Law Center, Huntington, NY: Teach Health Care Law including topics in Federal and State regulation of the practice of medicine, the trial of a medical malpractice law suit. Lectures on Criminal Defense of Major Crimes

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Former Adjunct Associate Professor of Management - Dowling College, Oakdale, New York: Teach       

business law and Health Care Law to undergraduate students and graduate MBA candidates. (“Ref.: Dr. Albert E.

Donor, Past President)

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Former Adjunct Associate Professor, St. John's University, Jamaica, NY: Taught courses in Anatomy & Physiology, and Bio-Medical Sciences to undergraduate premedical students.

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Former Associate Professor (Full Time and Adjunct), Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY: Taught courses in Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Genetics, General Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology & Histology and Health to undergraduate students. (Chairman: Dr. Albert E. Donor)

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LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

 

Admitted To Practice Before The Following Courts:

 

Admitted to the NYS Supreme Court Appellate Division: June 11, 1986

Admitted to the US District Court Southern District: July 1, 1986

Admitted to the US District Court Eastern District: July 18, 1986

Admitted to the US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit: September 2, 1987

Admitted to the US Court of Claims: August 22, 1990

Admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States: November 1, 1993

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

 

LAW OFFICES OF JOSEPH A. HANSHE, P.C.: Principal Managing Attorney and Senior Share Holder.  The practice

concentrates on Major Felony Criminal Defense, Medical Malpractice and Major negligence cases, Defense of

Physicians accused of Criminal offenses or Major Crimes, Court Examiner for the Appellate Division Second

Department for Guardianships, Appellate Practice (Civil & Criminal), Matrimonial and Family Law, Estates & Trusts,

Elder Law, Contract Law, Business Law, Business Dissolutions of Professional Organizations (Physicians & Law

Firms),  Real Estate Law.   

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SIGNIFICANT CASES (current, pending, and past settlements and verdicts of a few actions of law):

 

Phillip Kuslansky MD v. KUSLANSKY, ROBBINS, STECHEL & CUNNINGHAM, LLP. - Represented Dr. Phillip Kuslansky and obtained a judgment after Trial award of $850,000.00 against his former partners for Breach of Partnership contract

 

Nelson v. Ely Lilly Pharmaceutical Corporation - 1.8-million-dollar settlement negligent use of Diethylstilbestrol (DES) causing clear cell adenoma carcinoma of the Vagina in a 14-year-old girl

 

Leary v. North Shore University Hospital - Successfully represented the Hospital in the Appellate Division of the State of New York 

 

Metaxas v. North Shore University Hospital - successful in overturning a an adverse finding by the Supreme Court of Nassau County against the Hospital

 

Tate v. Peninsula Hospital Center - Successful in reversing an adverse finding against our client, Peninsula Hospital Center

 

Furleiter v. Davol - Negligent use of hernia mesh resulting in partial colectomy (colon removal) and long-term disability

 

Stengel v. Good Samaritan Hospitals, Dr. Mechanic, Dr. Kieff (neurosurgeons)- for the wrongful death of Plaintiff and failure to treat subdural hematoma

 

Woehrle v. Drs. Buono and Brady (Ophthalmologist) -  for negligence in biopsy procedure causing blindness in the left eye

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Rayniah Maynes, by her Mother Teresse Shorter v. NYS and Drs. Demishev & Rimpel - Shoulder Dystocia, resulting in Erb's Palsy (Court of Claims and Supreme Suffolk)

 

People v. Wiseallah Hightower-Castro - 27 count indictment for rape, sexual assault, sodomy, sexual abuse. Verdict of Acquittal, Nassau County Court (Hon. Jerald Carter, AJSC)

 

People v. Bobby Costic - Homicide - Verdict of Acquittal, Suffolk County Court (Hon. Martin Efman, JSC)

 

People v. Carlos Melendez - 2 month King Pin Drug Trafficking, 12 Counts: Guilty of 8 of 12 Counts. (Hon. Martin Efman, JSC)

 

People vs Shawn Lawrence - Murder in the Second Degree, found guilty and sentenced to 74 years in prison, recently returned to the trial court or violations of Brady v Maryland and CPL 240 violations and others; the case has been DISMISSED by the Honorable William Condon

 

People v. Enrique Vega - Murder in the Second Degree - found guilty and sentenced to 75 years in prison; currently on Appeal because of alleged Police negligence

 

Appellate Division Decisions - over 50 matters appealed and argued in the Appellate Division Second Department. All recorded on West Law and Lexis Nexus Data Bases

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**OVER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE AND CRIMINAL LAW IN THE TRIAL AND APPELLATE COURTS OF NEW YORK STATE, THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURTS.

 

FAGER & AMSLER: Managing Attorney and Supervisor for Litigation of Health Care and Professional Liability Issues for New York City, Westchester and Long Island. Litigation and Appellate Attorney, Representing physicians, hospitals and dentist in medical malpractice claims, lawsuits, trials and appeals in all of the Courts of New York State and in all Federal Jurisdictions. Trial experience: 50 + trials to verdict in Supreme, County and District Courts. Administrative Trial experience includes representing physicians and dentists before the Office of Professional Medical Conduct of the Department of Health (NYS) and Office of Professional Discipline of the Education Department (NYS)

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Current Chair of the Hospital and Medical Law Committee - Suffolk County Bar Association (2018 to 2021)

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Appellate Practice experience : Personally, prepared briefs and or orally argued in excess of forty Appeals in the following Courts: the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, New York State Court of Appeals, and the New York State Supreme Court-Appellate Division Second Department, concerning matters of Hospital Negligence, Criminal Law, Domestic Relations Law, Civil Rights Law, Family Law, Child Abuse, Medical Malpractice and General Negligence Law

 

Criminal Practice experience: Appointed to the Nassau County 18-b Major Felony Offense Panel in 1987. Tried in excess of 40 major felony offenses to Juries in Nassau County, Suffolk County and Queens County. Represented in excess of 500+ defendants in major felony matters before the Courts of New York State. Currently appointed and qualified to be the Suffolk County 18-b Major Felony and Murder panel

 

Matrimonial Practice experience: Practicing matrimonial law since 1985. Today approximately 20% of current case load is involved with matrimonial law, including the marriage dissolution of professionals with special valuation issues concerning advanced degrees and practices. Member of the New York State Bar Association Matrimonial Law Section, American Bar Association Family Law Section

 

Certified by the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division Second Department and the Capital Defender Screening Panel of the Second Department to be Sole Appellate Counsel in Capital-Death Cases

 

Designated Law Guardian in Family Court and Supreme Court, 10th Judicial Districts by New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division Second Department. Handled cases of neglect and child abuse (1999 to 2004)

 

Designated New York State Supreme Court Evaluator - Article 81 (MHL- Art. 81) proceedings. (2003 to present) – Representing the interest of the Court in evaluating the resources of Incapacitated Persons

 

Designated New York State Court Examiner by the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division,Second Department. Perform the functions of evaluating and auditing on behalf of the Court, Law Guardians and Court Evaluators (2007 to Present)

 

Ackerman, Salwen, & Glass: Medical Malpractice and Health Care Defense Attorney

 

S.B. Ackerman Associates: Medical Malpractice Claims Administrator and Investigator, Represented Self-Insured Hospitals and physicians throughout the New York State

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HONORS AND CITATIONS:

 

Elected to Beta Beta Beta - National Biomedical Science Honor Society

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Honored as Lawyer of the Month by the Nassau County Bar Association

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Noted in the Long Island Business News week of February 18 - 24, 2000 for professional expertise and work for the indigent

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Honored by the Board of Directors of Sharanalayam Orphanage, Pollachi, for helping to finance the building of three new

buildings at the Orphanage

 

 

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS: (Past and Present)

 

SUFFOLK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION: Chosen by the Executive Committee of the Bar to be DIRECTOR OF THE SUFFOLK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION for the period 2017 to 2020

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SUFFOLK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION: Chosen by the Executive Committee of the Bar to be DIRECTOR OF THE SUFFOLK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION for the period 2008 to 2011

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Member, Judicial Screening Committee of the Suffolk County Bar Association - 2015 until being elected to the Board of the Bar Association.

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American Bar Association

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American Association for Justice

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New York State Bar Association

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New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

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Suffolk County Bar Association - SC Bar Charitable Foundation Committee – Founding Chairman, Major contributor

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Suffolk County Criminal Courts Bar Association - Co-Chair of the Criminal Committee

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Nassau County Bar Association - Nassau County Criminal Court Bar Association 1988 to 1994

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Hospital Law Committee (Co-Chair 1999-2000)

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18-b Major Offense & Murder Panels (Criminal); Appellate Panel (Criminal and Family)

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Mentor - East Meadow Junior High School - troubled Teens, Speakers Bureau of Nassau Bar Assoc.- 50 + lectures to Colleges, High School and University students on the issues of Drug and Alcohol abuse (1995-2004)

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NYS Supreme Court Article 81 Guardian

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NYS Supreme Court - Court Evaluator (Art. 81 proceedings)

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NYS Court Examiner – (Appt. by Appellate Division 2008 to Present) Over see over 80 Guardianships in Suffolk County- (2007 to present)

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Judicial Screening Committee - Member; Assigned to screen candidates for Judgeships' ; recently resigned from the JS Committee when elected to the Board of Directors of the Bar Association

 

 

CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES / ORGANIZATIONS:

 

Past President, the Long Island Early Fliers, Inc. (500 members)  - An organization dedicated to the preservation of Aviation History on Long Island. Personally responsible for effectuating the change of name of the Suffolk County Airport to the Col. Francis Gabreski   (1997-2001)

 

Board Member (Former) - Nassau County Cradle of Aviation Museum  - Constructing a 65 Million Dollar Museum to honor the efforts of Long Islanders in the Aviation Aerospace industry (1999-2002) 

 

Board Member - Sharanalayam Orphanage, Pollachi, Tamilnadu, India - Sharanalayam cares for abandoned children, and children afflicted with Aids or those who are physically disabled. Donated $30,000.00+ to build an Orphanage on the campus of Sharanalayam Orphanage (2003-Present)

 

Board Member & Current President - Sky Education &World Community Center, Inc. - A not for profit organization working with the Community using the tools of Anger Management, Personality Development, Raja Yoga and Meditation; Profits benefit the Bihar School of Yoga and local charities. In the past  the Organization provided services to the Suffolk County Probation Department in Anger management. Sky worked with the Suffolk County Probation Department's At-Risk Teens in project NextUs, a program in Restorative Justice that brings together Teens on Probation with the Community using Victim-Offender circle meetings and conflict resolutions. Currently, SKY is teaching children and adults that are disabled and students on the Autism Spectrum (2002-Present)

 

Past Chairman of the Board – Bethany House of Nassau County, Inc. - A not for profit organization that ministers to homeless women and children.  Bethany House is the First emergency shelter to open on Long Island. It is a loving shelter for women and children who are homeless and provides safe, supportive emergency housing for homeless women and their dependent children, combined with a comprehensive component of services. Board member for over 10 years. Non-paying position. Position expires on September 2018, thereafter, a member of the Board of Directors (2003-2019)

 

MILITARY SERVICE:

 

United States Navy Veteran - Served in South East Asia Vietnam theater of operations with the 7th Fleet Carrier Task

Force 77.  

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FAA licensed-Instrument Rated Private Pilot with flight experience in: Single Engine Land, Multiengine Land, and Jet Aircraft.

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Federal Aviation Administration Flight Safety Advisor (voluntary non-paying position) (Emeritus)

 

INTERESTS:

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Topics in Philosophy and Theology (Facts concerning the “Historical Jesus”); Forensic Sciences; Biochemistry, Mathematics (Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, and the History of Mathematics.

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