Novara, Tesija & Catenacci Doubles Insurance Defense Legal Team
Novara, Tesija & Catenacci, PLLC (NTC) - one of Southeast Michigan’s fastest growing law firms according toCrain’s Detroit Business - announced today that it has doubled its Insurance Defense legal team, now with a total of 24 lawyers.
“We’re pleased to have added 15 lawyers in the past year who have diverse legal experiences and backgrounds that benefit our insurance company clients,” said Michael Novara, NTC’s Managing Member.
NTC’s Insurance Defense Group focuses on First and Third-Party auto accident litigation, premises liability, general negligence, and trucking, commercial and contractual defense work. The team includes seasoned litigators, having handled hundreds of cases in state and federal courts throughout Michigan at both the trial and appellate levels.
The following lawyers have joined the Firm:
Gregory H. Akaraz was most recently a field attorney at Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. Prior to working in-house, he was an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. He received his J.D. from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Daniel Allen, returns to Michigan from Minnesota where he worked primarily in private law firms handling insurance defense and business counsel and litigation. He received his J.D. from University of Wisconsin Law School where he was president of the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association-South Asian Law Student Association.
Kelly Cole started her career as a law clerk and has vast experience in legal research in the insurance industry. She received her J.D. from Wayne State University Law School.
Melissa A. Durity spent 5+ years in private law firms focusing her practice in insurance defense for national auto-insurance companies. She was also a Judicial Law Clerk for the Hon. Marla E. Parker. She is a member of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association. She received her J.D., cum laude, from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Nadine Hammoud spent the past four years as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. She also has experience in-house at Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. She received her J.D., cum laude, from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Sulvia A. Jalaba spent two years as a law clerk before finishing her J.D. from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She joins the Firm from a private law firm where she handled First and Third Party insurance defense.
Zachary P. Krzyzaniak focuses his practice on insurance defense litigation and appeals. He has 6+ years experience in private law firms. He received his J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
James L. McCoy joins the Firm from an insurance defense law firm. He received his J.D. from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Jillian M. Peterson has experience with First and Third Party No-Fault Claims. She has also worked for judges including as a law clerk to Hon. Joseph J. Farah of Genesee County Circuit Court. She received her J.D. from Wayne State University Law School.
Jason C. Proctor has 5+ years experience in complex insurance defense work. He received his J.D. from Wayne State University Law School.
Kyle A. Schwark has focused his career as a trial lawyer handling insurance defense matters. He received his J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law.
Elizabeth Spiridon has spent 6+ years in a private law firm, starting as a legal assistant and most recently an attorney. She received her J.D., cum laude, from WMU Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Danielle Strace joins the Firm from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office where she was an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the past 5 years. She received her J.D. from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Brett P. Windecker joins the Firm from private law firms where he has spent his career representing insurance companies, including in premises liability, first-and-third automobile insurance and general negligence claims. He received his J.D. from University of Toledo College of Law.
Kaitlin M. Zolna has worked on both provider and First Party No-Fault Claims. She was a law intern for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. She received her J.D. from The University of Alabama School of Law.
Novara, Tesija & Catenacci, headquartered in Troy, MI, was founded by Gary Novara nearly 40 years ago to serve clients impacted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Since that time, the Firm’s services have expanded to include corporate, real estate, labor, tax and insurance defense. The Firm maintains satellite offices in Southfield, MI and Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit www.ntclaw.com.