<h1>Workers’ Compensation Defense Team</h1><p>The workers' compensation legal team at [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"], boasts more than 130 years of combined experience. We have the knowledge and skills to effectively and efficiently defend workers' compensation claims from a wide range of industries. By partnering with our clients, we have successfully defended thousands of claims for New York businesses. To learn more about our team members, read the profiles below.</p><p>If you would like to speak with us about defending your workers' compensation claim, call [nap_phone id="LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-1"] or fill out our <a href="/contact/">online contact form</a>.</p><h2>Our Attorneys</h2><p><a href="/about/melissa-a-day/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/MAD-Copy1-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Melissa A. Day</h3><h4>Managing Attorney</h4><p>Owner and managing attorney of [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-3"], in Amherst, exclusively practices workers’ compensation defense. Melissa began her practice defending workers’ compensation insurance carriers. <a href="/about/melissa-a-day/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/james-b-cousins/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/JBC-Partner-250x250-1.jpg" /></a></p><h3>James B. Cousins</h3><h4>Partner</h4><p>James has dedicated his entire career to the practice of workers’ compensation law, honing both his knowledge of the hyper-technical and fact-sensitive case law as well as his litigation skills. <a href="/about/james-b-cousins/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/attorney/prince-brian-k/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/BKP1-250x250-1.jpg" /></a></p><h3>Brian K. Prince</h3><h4>Associate Attorney</h4><p>Brian has spent the majority of his career practicing workers' compensation law at the Special Funds Conservation Committee, where he completed over 5,500 hearings across western and central New York. <a href="/attorney/prince-brian-k/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/kristin-m-machelor/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/KMM-250x250-1.jpg" /></a></p><h3>Kristin M. Machelor</h3><h4>Of Counsel</h4><p>Admitted to practice in New York 1999. Education: SUNY at Buffalo School of Law, J.D. 1998 SUNY at Buffalo, B.A. 1994 Kristin Machelor has been defending workers’ compensation claims since 2005. <a href="/about/kristin-m-machelor/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/shannan-m-mackey/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/SMM2-250x250-1.jpg" /></a></p><h3>Shannan M. Mackey</h3><h4>Associate Attorney</h4><p>Shannan has exclusively practiced workers’ compensation defense for the Special Funds Conservation Committee from 2013 through 2018.  At Special Funds, Shannan specialized in litigation regarding weaning from opioid narcotics. <a href="/about/shannan-m-mackey/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/katrina-gray/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/KG2-250x250-1.jpg" /></a></p><h3>Katrina Gray</h3><h4>Associate Attorney</h4><p>Katrina Gray comes to [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-3"], after having representing injured workers in workers’ compensation claims. This experience allows her understanding and anticipation of strategy. <a href="/about/katrina-gray/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/paul-b-kornack/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/PBK-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Paul B. Kornacki</h3><h4>Associate Attorney</h4><p>Paul is an associate attorney practicing New York state workers’ compensation law exclusively. Prior to joining [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-3"], Paul successfully represented claimants for 17 years. <a href="/about/paul-b-kornack/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/attorney/christman-cassandra-e/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CEC-webrdy-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Cassandra E. Christman</h3><h4>Associate Attorney</h4><p>Cassandra is an associate attorney and was admitted to practice in the state of New York in 2018. Cassandra’s current practice is focused solely in the area of workers’ compensation. <a href="/attorney/christman-cassandra-e/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/vicki-l-buehler/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/VLB-webrdy-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Vicki L. Buehler</h3><h4>Associate Attorney</h4><p>Vicki is an associate attorney who has spent the past nine years exclusively practicing workers’ compensation law. Prior to joining [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-3"], she successfully represented claimants. <a href="/about/vicki-l-buehler/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/melanie-a-daly/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/MXD-webrdy-e1583244740263.png" /></a></p><h3>Melanie A. Daly</h3><h4>Associate Attorney</h4><p>Melanie is an associate attorney who was admitted to practice in the state of New York in 2017. Prior work experience includes investigations for National Security Clearances, Melanie worked as.. <a href="/about/melanie-a-daly/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/neil-a-diegelman/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NAD-webrdy-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Neil A. Diegelman</h3><h4>Associate Attorney</h4><p>Neil began practicing workers’ compensation defense at the Special Funds Conservation Committee. Neil’s primary focus has continued, defending insurance carriers, third-party administrators and self-insured employers. Over five years of handling.. <a href="/about/neil-a-diegelman/">Read More</a></p><p><a href="/attorney/hatten-alexis-d/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ADH-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Alexis D. Hatten</h3><h4>Associate Attorney</h4><p>Alexis is a 2012 graduate of Albany Law School and 2009 graduate from Loyola University Maryland. During law school, Alexis interned with the New York State Office of the State.. <a href="/attorney/hatten-alexis-d/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/brendan-t-shannon/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/BTS-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Brendan T. Shannon</h3><h4>Associate Attorney</h4><p>Brendan presently works as a law clerk, pending admission to the New York State Bar; after which, he will practice as an associate attorney. Notably, Brendan passed the New York <a href="/about/brendan-t-shannon/">Read More</a></p><h3> </h3><h3><strong>Legal Assistants And Paralegals</strong></h3><p><a href="/about/elena-n-camp/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ECamp1-250x250-1.jpg" /></a></p><h3>Elena N. Camp</h3><h4>Assistant Office Manager</h4><p>Elena is excited to a part of a lively group whose foremost goal is to foster strong partnerships with their clients, leading to a proactive rather than a reactive approach. <a href="/about/elena-n-camp/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/rebecca-c-brashear/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/RBrashear1-250x250-1.jpg" /></a></p><h3>Rebecca C. Brashear</h3><h4>Legal Assistant</h4><p>Rebecca comes to us with a strong background in workers’ compensation as a legal assistant having advocated for the claimants. When the opportunity arose for her to see workers’ compensation. <a href="/about/rebecca-c-brashear/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/najee-walker/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NWalker-1-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Najee Walker</h3><h4>Marketing Assistant/Billing Coordinator</h4><p>Najee Walker comes to us with a strong background in journalism and marketing. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Buffalo State College, Najee has had his hands.. <a href="/about/najee-walker/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/thomas-m-dickinson/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TXD1-250x250-1.jpg" /></a></p><h3>Thomas M. Dickinson</h3><h4>Legal Analyst</h4><p>Prior to joining [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-3"], Tom worked for Special Funds Conservation Committee for 23 years. During his tenure at Special Funds, Tom defended the interests.. <a href="/about/thomas-m-dickinson/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/daniel-h-flynn/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DHF-webrdy-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Daniel H. Flynn</h3><h4>Deposition Coordinator</h4><p>Daniel is originally from Syracuse, New York, and moved to Buffalo in 2013 to attend Buffalo State College. He graduated in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in history. He is currently <a href="/about/daniel-h-flynn/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/jillian-m-chavers/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/JMC-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Jillian M. Chavers</h3><h4>Hearing Coordinator</h4><p>Jillian comes to us with extensive experience in the legal field. She holds an associate degree in paralegal studies from Bryan and Stratton College, where she graduated with highest honors. <a href="/about/jillian-m-chavers/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/susan-eick/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/SLE-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Susan Eick</h3><h4>Legal Assistant</h4><p>Susan has her BA in English literature from St. Lawrence University. In 2000, she started at a local law firm as receptionist. Shortly thereafter she worked her way to a.. <a href="/about/susan-eick/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/hannah-e-kim/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HEK-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Hannah E. Kim</h3><h4>Deposition Coordinator</h4><p>Hannah graduated from the University at Buffalo with a bachelors in history. During undergrad, she interned with a senate district office where she helped with community outreach. She believes that.. <a href="/about/hannah-e-kim/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/jody-l-guiher/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/JLG-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Jody L. Guiher</h3><h4>Legal Assistant</h4><p>Jody is a retired army combat veteran. Jody has served 13 years in the military with one combat tour in Baghdad, Iraq and one combat tour in Afghanistan. In the <a href="/about/jody-l-guiher/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="/about/jenny-l-malkowski/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/JLM-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Jenny L. Malkowski</h3><h4>Legal Assistant</h4><p>Jenny graduated from Erie Community College with an associate degree in business administration. She has worked extensively in the legal field for more than 10 years in various areas of.. <a href="/about/jenny-l-malkowski/">Read more</a></p><p><a href="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentgetmad.today/team_member/justice-c-williams/"><img src="https://thelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-contentthelomad.com/getmad.today/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/JCW1-250x250-1.png" /></a></p><h3>Justice C. Williams</h3><h4>Legal Assistant</h4><p>Justice came to us fresh out of college with the associate’s degree as an applied science paralegal. She has always had a deep interest in law and is.. <a href="/about/justice-c-williams/">Read more</a></p>