This episode of USLAW Live brings together Dan Gerber and John Jablonski of Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady in Buffalo, New York, with co-hosts Jessica Dark of Pierce Couch in Oklahoma and Pam Hallford of Carr Allison in Alabama for a wide-ranging, engaging conversation that starts with snowstorm stories and quickly moves into serious business. You’ll hear how Gerber Ciano has evolved, driven by culture, client service, and a strong commitment to technology and early AI adoption. The discussion dives into data security, e-discovery, preservation obligations, and why speed and expertise matter when cyber or litigation risks arise. The group also tackles timely issues in New York, including RICO actions, fraud concerns, and the evolving impact of litigation funding. It’s packed with real-world perspective—listen in for enlightening conversation and practical takeaways.
):04 Welcome and weather talk – especially how a foot of snow is just another day when living in Buffalo versus those residing in southern states impacted by Winter Storm Fern.
3:20 About Gerber Ciano, growth, firm culture, excellent client service, and early adoption of AI.
4:45 John shares an overview of his practice, including helping clients negotiate tech contracts with large providers such as Google, Microsoft, and others, and advising C-suite clients on data security, privacy policies, procedures, and disaster recovery. He then delves into the preservation process, why it's important to preserve evidence, litigation hold policies, and more.
10:00 John shares one key issue he sees that clients and lawyers are not prepared for regarding preservation and data security.
13:30 Dan Gerber shares an overview of his practice, which focuses heavily on the insurance space, including work on company structure, setup, risk acquisition, M&A, regulatory matters, and more.
14:15 The firm has a sizeable insurance solutions practice that serves clients across the insurance industry. It also has traditional practices - insurance defense, professional liability, retail, transportation - you name it, and we also have a sizeable products practice.
15:00 Dan tells us what’s fun for him, albeit a bit nerdy: building things from insurance. He also shares his experience as an expert witness in federal and state courts, as well as internationally when called upon.
17:40 What's going on in New York with respect to RICO and these plaintiffs' firms? Dan and John discuss the New York Labor Law (aka the New York Scaffolding Law), how the judiciary is slowly getting involved in these matters, and the new frontier of legal and litigation funding.