Asbestos Litigation Essentials: Navigating Toxic Tort Cases

The NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers is the largest statewide trial bar in the US with 5,700+ lawyer and judge members. We are committed to protecting, preserving and enhancing the civil justice system. Our highly acclaimed CLE programming features extraordinary presenters covering the most timely and important topics.

The Honorable Adam Silvera was appointed Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for the New York City Courts, effective August 27, 2024. The appointment was made by Chief Administrative Judge Joseph A. Zayas, with the approval of Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson and in consultation with Appellate Division Presiding Justices Dianne T. Renwick and Hector D. LaSalle. Prior to his appointment, Justice Silvera served as Administrative Judge for the New York State Supreme Court – Civil Term in New York County (Manhattan). Justice Silvera was first elected to the New York City Civil Court in 2014, serving initially as a Family Court judge in Kings County (Brooklyn). He was later assigned to the Civil Court bench in Kings County, presiding over a consumer credit and self-represented part, and later served in New York County, handling consumer credit and other cases. In 2017, he was named Acting Supreme Court Justice and assigned to the Integrated Domestic Relations Part in Family Court, New York County, where he handled Family Court matters and matrimonial cases. In 2018, Justice Silvera was elected to New York County’s Supreme Court-Civil Term, where he presided over a motor vehicle part and later served as the New York City Asbestos Litigation Coordinating Judge. He was later elevated to the Appellate Term, First Department, hearing appeals from cases in New York City’s Civil Court and Criminal Court. In January 2022, he was named Administrative Judge of the New York County Supreme Court’s Civil Term. Justice Silvera has presented CLE topics, including child custody law, motor vehicle accidents, no-fault, toxic tort asbestos, and settlement techniques for various bar associations. A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, Justice Silvera was a Senior Associate at Paul B. Weitz & Associates, specializing in personal injury, negligence, medical malpractice, labor law, and civil rights litigation before ascending to the bench.

Joseph W. Belluck is widely recognized for his outstanding representation of clients, high ethical standards, and public service. He has been advocating for cannabis legalization since 1985. Joe has a national reputation for excellence in mesothelioma, truck accidents, and other serious injury litigation. He is a dedicated, compassionate attorney who has spent his entire life and legal career advocating for injured consumers and workers. He has settled over $1 billion in asbestos and personal injury lawsuits. He was appointed trustee of The State University of New York (SUNY) in 2010. In 2017, Joe was appointed to the advisory committee of the Rockefeller Institute of Government's Center for Law and Policy Solutions. He previously served as a member of New York's Medicaid Redesign Team, and advised the State of New York on cannabis legalization. He is a founding member of Belluck & Fox, LLP, and a graduate of SUNY Binghamton and University at Buffalo Law School.

Kerryann Cook is the Managing Partner and founding member of The Cook Group. As one of the premier product liability defense attorneys in the United States, Kerryann has managed, tried, or resolved thousands of cases across the country. Kerryann was chosen by her peers, currently serving as one of four defense liaison counsel to the New York City Asbestos Litigation (NYCAL). She has also served as a member of the NYCAL Case Management Committee, is liaison counsel for active docket cases, and is also a member of the defense medical liaison group. Kerryann received her undergraduate degree from Western Carolina University and her Master's Degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She received her J.D. from the University of Memphis School of Law.