Congratulations Suzanne Halbardier and Claire Rush: 2024 Super Lawyers Top Women of New York Metro

Barry McTiernan & Moore LLC is pleased to share that Suzanne Halbardier (Executive Partner) and Claire Rush (Partner and Senior Trial Attorney) have been selected for the Thomson Reuters, 2024 Super Lawyers Top Women of New York Metro List. This honor highlights the hard work and dedication they bring to their practice, as well as decades of experience in litigation.

Congratulations to Ms. Halbardier and Ms. Rush for receiving this recognition from their fellow peers and for being among New York’s top five percent of attorneys selected to Super Lawyers.

2024 Women’s Luncheon

Last week Barry McTiernan & Moore LLC hosted its 2nd Women’s Luncheon in honor of Women's History Month. While some of our female attorneys were hard at work, we were able to get a small group to take time out of their busy schedules to make this lunch happen. The group came together to connect and discuss accomplishments within the firm and how we can make improvements as well. Executive Partner, Suzanne Halbardier and Human Resources Director, Shelly Evans led the conversation on various topics where the attendees gave their input and honest feedback on how to better the firm. Here is what Suzie had to say:
 
“I loved having the opportunity to talk, get feedback, and enjoy a meal with all of you. I look forward to implementing some of the ideas and suggestions as we build a positive and inclusive culture at BMM.”

Thank you to everyone who was able to participate, and we look forward to next year’s event!

Congratulations to BMM’s 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

Barry McTiernan and Moore is excited to congratulate 7 of our lawyers who were recognized as 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars!

BMM’s 2023 Super Lawyers are, Executive Partner, Suzanne Halbardier was selected for her fourteenth consecutive year for Environmental defense. Managing Partner, Alex Malino was selected for his second consecutive year in Constructional Litigation defense. Partner, Claire Rush was selected for her eleventh consecutive year for Personal Injury defense. Of Counsel, Roger "Paul" McTiernan Jr. was selected for his tenth consecutive year for Construction Litigation defense. Of Counsel, Richard Wedinger was selected for his tenth consecutive year for Civil Litigation defense.

We are also excited to announce BMM’s 2023 Rising Stars! Senior Associate, Ryan Rayder was selected for his first year for Personal Injury defense, and Associate, Edoardo Maffia was also selected for his first year for Civil Litigation defense.

Barry McTiernan and Moore’s dedicated and award-winning attorneys truly make us unique as a firm and well-known to the Tri-state legal community. They continue to show their enthusiasm, great work ethic, and individuality on a daily basis which puts BMM on the path to legal success.

Suzanne Halbardier and Claire Rush selected to the 2023 Top Women Edition of New York Metro Super Lawyers

BMM is proud to announce that Executive Partner Suzanne Halbardier as well as Partner and Senior Trial Attorney Claire Rush have been selected to the Thomson Reuters, 2023 Top Women Edition of New York Metro Super Lawyers. This recognition is a testament to their work, dedication, and decades of litigation experience.

Each year, the Super Lawyers list recognizes New York's top five percent of lawyers based on independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.

Congratulations to Ms. Halbardier and Ms. Rush on receiving this recognition from their peers and being evaluated based on their professional achievements in their respective practice areas.

• Suzanne Halbardier is featured on the Environmental practice list

• Claire Rush is featured on the Personal Injury practice list

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Employee Spotlight - Suzanne Halbardier

Written by Suzanne Halbardier

As March is Women’s History Month, I started to think about why I became a lawyer which was not always considered a career for women.  We all have heard about limited opportunities and the careers of Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  Those of us who came from a later generation still dealt with misperceptions about our abilities and commitment and struggled in the very old fashioned world of insurance defense litigation. 

Originally, I thought I’d become a lawyer because my parents told me I was good at arguing with them.  Perry Mason was an early hero.  When I went to law school, everyone was asked to identify the lawyer who made them decide to become a lawyer.  Classmates yelled out “Learned Hand” or similar names, but mine was always Perry Mason.  I never thought of myself as a woman lawyer.  I just wanted to be a good lawyer and represent clients to the best of my ability.  Like another childhood hero, Nancy Drew, I wanted to solve problems and be creative.  As I became more skilled as a lawyer, I took on cases in developing areas of the law – even those my boss at the time said would not be worth our time to handle.  It was tough not always getting support from my boss and fighting with adversaries.  But like Nancy, I thought I could do anything and would never be defeated in my goals.  So, I took on cases others thought were problematic and developed creative solutions to obtain great results for clients.  As the proud owner of our firm, I seek to instill that eagerness and optimism in our younger lawyers, both male and female. 

And as a woman lawyer, I use all my skills, knowledge and optimism to succeed as a lawyer.  In the end, being confident of my abilities has made me successful.  Developing confidence about my skills was something I developed from my childhood heroes.

Suzanne Halbardier to Speak at the Upcoming New York Asbestos Litigation Conference

Our firm is pleased to announce Executive Partner, Suzanne Halbardier will be a speaker at the upcoming Perrin Conferences New York Asbestos Litigation Conference to be held on December 7th, 2022, at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. Ms. Halbardier will speak on the panel titled " Appellate and Summary Judgment Decisions".

Hosted by Perrin Conferences, the leader in joint plaintiff/defense conferences, the event speakers include prominent plaintiff and defense attorneys, in-house counsel, and insurance professionals. It also includes many opportunities for networking. To view the agenda and register please go to: https://www.perrinconferences.com/conferences/new-york-asbestos-litigation-conference-3/

Ms. Halbardier has over 30 years of experience defending manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and suppliers in high-stakes asbestos and talc litigation. Ms. Halbardier has tried many cases to verdict in New York state and federal courts. Ms. Halbardier was recently elected by the defense bar to serve as NYCAL Defense Liaison Counsel where she works closely with NYCAL Coordinating Judge, and Special Master, to coordinate discovery procedures, address ongoing issues on behalf of the defense bar and organize monthly defense meetings. For the last five consecutive years, Ms. Halbardier has been recognized as an elite trial attorney by the New York Times, New York Super Lawyers and New York Top Women Lawyers.

Perrin Conferences Sexual Abuse Litigation and Coverage Conference features Suzanne Halbardier as a Speaker

Our firm is pleased to announce Suzanne Halbardier will be a speaker at the upcoming Perrin Conferences Sexual Abuse Litigation and Coverage Conference to be held on October 12, 2022, at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. Hosted by Perrin Conferences, the leader in joint plaintiff/defense conferences, the event will include many opportunities for networking and will feature prominent plaintiff and defense attorneys, in-house counsel, and insurance professionals.

Ms. Halbardier will speak on a panel titled "Trends in Sexual Abuse Litigation and the Status of the Litigation". The session will cover New York Adult Survivors Act and Child Victim’s Act, Southern Baptist Church sexual abuse lawsuits, and Update on California sexual abuse cases.

Suzanne Halbardier serves as Barry McTiernan & Moore's Executive Partner. Ms. Halbardier has over 30 years’ experience defending manufacturers, retailers, distributors and suppliers in high stakes asbestos and talc litigation. She also handles sexual harassment, abuse, and molestation cases in foster care, school and security settings. Ms. Halbardier has tried many cases to verdict in New York state and federal courts. Ms. Halbardier was recently elected by the defense bar to serve as NYCAL Defense Liaison Counsel where she works closely with NYCAL Coordinating Judge, and Special Master, to coordinate discovery procedures, address ongoing issues on behalf of the defense bar and organize monthly defense meetings. For the last five consecutive years, Ms. Halbardier has been recognized as an elite trial attorney by the New York Times, New York Super Lawyers and New York Top Women Lawyers.

To view the agenda, register and book your hotel room please go to: https://www.perrinconferences.com/conferences/sexual-abuse-litigation-and-coverage-conference-3/

BMM Attorneys Have Been Named to the 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

BMM is pleased to announce that six of our New York and New Jersey-based attorneys have been named 2022 super lawyers and 2022 rising stars for their excellence in a range of practice areas. Only 5% of attorneys in New York receive this distinction, reserved for those who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

The following attorneys are listed for Super Lawyers 2022:

Suzanne M. Halbardier

Alex Malino

Paul McTiernan, Jr.

Claire Rush

Richard Wedinger

Super Lawyers Rising Stars recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state who are 40 years old or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. No more than 2.5 percent of total lawyers are selected for inclusion in the Rising Stars list.

The following attorneys are selected for Super Lawyers Rising stars 2022:

Patrick W. Kenny

Dismissal Obtained for Client in Asbestos-Related Cancer Case

(New York, NY)- BMM Of Counsel, Jason Riemer, and Executive Partner, Suzanne Halbardier obtained a dismissal for a client after filing a motion for summary judgment.  After reviewing the motion filed by the firm, plaintiff’s counsel conceded they would not succeed and agreed to a dismissal.

Plaintiff alleged that he was exposed to asbestos at a powerhouse where he performed repairs.  He alleged exposure to equipment at the facility because of others working in his presence.  While he claimed that our client had equipment present at the site, the firm conducted extensive research from publicly available records to demonstrate that we did not sell or ship equipment to plaintiff’s worksite.  The client also submitted proof that it did not ship any equipment to plaintiff’s worksite. 

After submitting the motion, we were contacted by plaintiff’s counsel.  Having reviewed the documents submitted in support of our motion, counsel acknowledged that we would likely succeed at summary judgment.  A dismissal was signed in our client’s favor, thus avoiding a lengthy and costly trial.

Barry McTiernan & Moore LLC Attorneys Recognized As 2021 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Barry McTiernan & Moore LLC is excited to announce six of our New York and New Jersey-based attorneys have been named 2021 Super Lawyers or 2021 Rising Stars across a wide range of practice areas.

The following attorneys were selected for Super Lawyers 2021 inclusion:

Suzanne M. Halbardier

Paul McTiernan, Jr.

Claire Rush

Richard Wedinger

Super Lawyers, part of Thompson Reuters is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. No more than five percent of total lawyers in a state are selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers.

The following attorneys were selected for Super Lawyers Rising stars 2021 inclusion:

Patrick W. Kenny

Cara E. Manz

Super Lawyers Rising Stars recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state who are 40 years old or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. No more than 2.5 percent of total lawyers are selected for inclusion in the Rising Stars list.

Barry McTiernan & Moore Joins The Ranks of Women-Led Law Firms

Barry McTiernan & Moore, a leading insurance-defense litigation firm in the Tri-State area, is pleased to announce the role expansion of Suzanne Halbardier, who will now be the firm’s executive partner and majority stakeholder. The leadership continuity will bring even greater focus towards delivering outstanding service to our clients and protecting their interests.  

A well-known and accomplished litigator, Ms. Halbardier joined the firm in 1983 and became one of its owners in 2006. On January 1, 2021, Ms. Halbardier assumed the role of executive majority partner, transforming Barry McTiernan & Moore into a woman-owned business. The firm is excited to join the network of other women-owned businesses and looks forward to continuing its efforts to foster more opportunities and increased inclusion in the legal profession. 

For more than three decades, women have comprised more than 40 % of the law school population. However, as reported by the ABA Journal, women make up only 24 % of the lawyers achieving partnership and hold just 12 % of the top law firm leadership positions. While the presence of female attorneys in the legal profession has grown, women-owned law firms continue to be rarities. Despite equal numbers of women entering the practice of law, female attorneys still lag in equity partnerships and leadership positions.   

Ms.  Halbardier, a proud graduate of the University of Maryland (cum laude) and Georgetown University Law Center (JD), oversees the firm’s toxic tort unit and also specializes in high exposure discrimination, liability and molestation claims. She has tried many cases to verdict in New York state and federal court and her trial skills are continually recognized by the New York Times, who has named Ms. Halbardier one of their New York Super Lawyers as well as one of New York’s Top Women Lawyers for the past several years.