Kaufman Dolowich Elevates 14 Attorneys to Partner and Of Counsel, Patrick Kennell Appointed as Co-Managing Partner of New York City Office, 3-5-2026

(March 5, 2026, Woodbury, N.Y.) — Kaufman Dolowich LLP, a leading national law firm, today announced the elevation of 14 attorneys: nine attorneys were promoted to the firm’s partnership and five attorneys as of counsel across seven of the firm’s offices from coast to coast. All promotions were effective as of Jan. 1, 2026. Additionally, partner Patrick Kennell has been appointed to the position of co-managing partner of the firm’s New York City office.

“We are proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of these attorneys,” said Michael Kaufman, firmwide co-managing partner. “Their talent, determination, and unwavering commitment to client success continue to elevate our firm and strengthen the relationships that define our work. They consistently deliver strategic, high-quality counsel while embodying the collaboration, integrity, and service that shape our culture. We congratulate them on this well-earned recognition and look forward to the continued impact they will make on our clients, our firm, and in our communities.”

Kennell, who joined Kaufman Dolowich more than 15 years ago as a founding member of the firm’s New York office, joins Michael Zigelman as co-managing partner of the office. His practice focuses on directors and officers liability, commercial litigation and insurance coverage litigation. Kennell takes the reigns from Mary Jo Barry, who steps down from her long tenure as co-managing partner to focus on expanding the firm’s D&O coverage practice and mentoring junior attorneys.

Attorneys Promoted to Partnership (Previously Of Counsel)

Chris Arcitio (New York City) counsels and litigates on behalf of clients in professional and general liability, and insurance coverage matters. His work includes defending insurance carriers in motor vehicle coverage disputes and labor law matters, defending clients in housing discrimination claims and in New York State administrative proceedings. He has also litigated professional liability matters on behalf of healthcare professionals and hospitals. Active within his local legal community, Arcitio is president-elect of the Filipino American Lawyers Association of New York and Chair of Student Relations for St. John’s University School of Law’s Alumni Association and has been recognized among New York Metro’s Super Lawyer as a “Rising Star,” 2022-2025.

Charles “Ben” Bergin (Westchester, N.Y.) represents clients in labor and employment, business litigation, general liability, entertainment and intellectual property law. His experience litigating cases at both the federal and state level. Bergin’s work includes assisting employers with visa applications and compliance related to H-1B visas. He has been recognized among New York Metro’s Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star,” 2020-2025.

Dan Brainard (Chicago) represents insurance carriers in coverage and litigation matters pertaining to the financial services industry. He counsels insurers on policy matters involving commercial crime, fidelity bonds, directors & officers’ liability, and professional liability errors & omissions. He handles coverage analysis, monitoring, disputes and litigation.

Gerard Collins (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) represents Florida condominiums, homeowner associations (HOAs) and cooperatives and directors and officers in commercial and complex litigation and professional liability defense. With nearly three decades of experience spanning Florida and the Northeast, he has defended clients in foreclosure and commercial litigation matters, corporate governance and compliance matters, including conducting arbitrations and mediations, as well as litigating shareholder derivative matters. Collins also formerly served as in-house general counsel for a national organization in the travel industry.

Donna Cook (Westchester, N.Y.) is a labor and employment attorney who also represents clients in general liability, land use and municipal law issues. She mediates and litigates on behalf of clients in both state and federal courts. Cook represents clients across multiple industries, representing companies and their insureds in construction incidents, motor vehicle accidents, employment discrimination claims, harassment matters, as well as municipalities and housing authorities in civil rights claims. She also represents beneficiary clients in probate and litigation matters and serves as general counsel for a housing authority. Cook is a continuing legal education lecturer, Second Vice President of the Bronx County Bar Association Board of Directors and is Chair of the Association’s CLE & Membership Committee.

Benny Menaged (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) is a labor and employment attorney who handles the full range of workplace issues for management including discrimination, sexual harassment, wage and hour violations, wrongful discharge and retaliation claims. He also represents clients on real estate matters, including homeowners associations, condominium issues and title actions and in commercial litigation in state and federal courts. He is a frequent speaker among industry groups he serves, and frequently volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House of Central Florida and the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation.

Kathleen Mullins (New York City) concentrates her practice in the areas of professional liability, insurance coverage and litigation, cyber liability, general liability, and commercial and transactional litigation. She represents a broad range of professionals in defense of allegations of errors, omissions, malpractice, and negligence. She defends businesses, individuals, and their insurers against claims alleging a violation of professional or ethical standards in courts, before regulatory bodies, and at arbitrations and mediations.

Timothy Ortolani (Hackensack, N.J.) focuses his practice in maritime, employment and commercial litigation, and professional liability. He represents clients in matters arising on vessels at ports and within marine terminals, and which frequently implicate the Jones Act and the Longshore & Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act. He also regularly handles matters involving the contested liability of employers and non-profit organizations, general lease and business disputes, and various professionals’ obligations.

Adam Perlin (Woodbury, N.Y.) practices construction law and commercial litigation. He represents general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, and developers in all stages of litigation, as well as clients in a broad range of litigation matters in state and federal courts.

Promoted to Of Counsel (Previously Associate)

Rosely George (Los Angeles) focuses her practice on insurance defense litigation, professional liability including defense of lawyers, real estate brokers and other business professionals and employment liability defense, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and wage and hour claims. She also has extensive experience in conducting depositions, settlement negotiations and trial preparation. Additionally, she represents places of accommodation in website, and brick and mortar accessibility claims brought under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and state and local laws.

Anna Isker (New York City) focuses her practice in insurance coverage and litigation, insurance claim management, and directors and officers liability. She represents insurance companies and their insureds in a full range of services including coverage disputes, policy drafting, risk management for policy underwriting, claims handling, and in defense of directors and officers in claims of negligence and fraud.

Jonathan Katzman (Chicago) is an insurance coverage and litigation attorney with a focus on matters pertaining to the financial services industry. He advises insurers on policy matters including commercial crime, fidelity bonds, directors & officers liability, professional liability/errors & omissions, commercial general liability, and first-party property claims. He handles insurance coverage analysis, disputes, monitoring, and litigation.

Alex Lee (Hackensack, NJ) concentrates his practice on labor and employment law and commercial litigation. He represents clients across a broad range of industries, as well as insurance carriers, in matters involving wage and hour claims, harassment, discrimination, whistleblowing, retaliation, and restrictive covenants.

Erika Rosenblum (Woodbury, N.Y.) is a labor and employment attorney who represents management in all areas of employment litigation including discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wage and hour violations.  She provides counsel to employers regarding employee discipline and termination, workforce reductions, requests for accommodations and leaves of absence, and how to limit exposure to claims, and provides general employment advice and counsel to management. 

About the Firm

Kaufman Dolowich LLP is a leading national law firm serving a broad range of industries in practice areas including labor and employment, directors and officers liability, professional liability, commercial litigation, insurance coverage and litigation, data privacy and cybersecurity, consumer financial services, general liability and construction law. Headquartered on Long Island, N.Y., Kaufman Dolowich attorneys represent national and global clients of all sizes nationwide. For more information, visit kaufmandolowich.com and follow the firm on LinkedIn.