
Nicholas C. Kapsimalis
Nicholas is a lawyer with experience at both the arbitration and trial levels focusing his practice on the defense of casualty, premises, trucking and transportation lawsuits.
Nicholas joined German, Gallagher & Murtaugh as an associate in 2023, focusing his practice on the defense of insured and self-insured entities in a variety of litigation matters, including products liability, premises liability and motor vehicle accidents. Prior to joining German, Gallagher & Murtaugh, Nicholas was an associate at a civil litigation firm where he represented both individuals and corporate entities in personal injury claims, premise liability claims and insurance coverage disputes. Before shifting his focus into defense work, Nicholas zealously represented Plaintiffs in personal injury matters in several counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a Philadelphia based law firm.
Nicholas earned his Juris Doctorate from Widener University Delaware Law School in 2018. While earning his Juris Doctorate, Nicholas worked in a boutique law firm in Philadelphia, which specialized in transaction matters for small businesses.

Education
Widener University Delaware Law School
J.D., 2018
Drexel University
B.S., History, 2015
Court Admissions
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Professional Affiliations
Philadelphia Bar Association
GGM is pleased to announce its newest Litigation Associate Nicholas C. Kapsimalis
Read MoreFrancis V. Bovio
Fran focuses his practice on the defense of casualty, premises, and trucking and transportation lawsuits.
Francis joined German, Gallagher & Murtagh as an associate in 2021, focusing his practice on casualty litigation and trucking litigation. Francis participates in the defense of insured and self-insured entities in a variety of litigation matters, including premises liability, dram shop/liquor liability cases, motor vehicle accidents, and professional liability matters.
Prior to joining German, Gallagher & Murtagh, Francis was an associate at a Philadelphia-area civil litigation defense firm where he defended parties in a wide range of matters, including premises liability, nursing home liability, and asbestos litigation matters.
Francis earned his Juris Doctorate from Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia. During his time in law school, Francis was the Managing Editor of the Temple International and Comparative Law Journal and a Law and Public Policy Scholar. He also served as a Certified Legal Intern for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted cases at preliminary hearings. Additionally, Francis interned with a federal district court judge and the United States Department of Justice.

Education
Temple University Beasley School of Law
J.D., 2019
Temple University
B.A., Political Science, cum laude, with Minor in Business Studies
Court Admissions
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Professional Affiliations
Matthew McColgan and Francis Bovio Successfully Obtained the Dismissal of a National Transportation Client Following a Motion to Dismiss in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Read MoreAdmissions of Agency: Pennsylvania Trucking Defense Gains Instructive Momentum
Read MoreM. Dinora Smith
Dinora focuses her practice on the defense of products liability, medical malpractice, and casualty liability suits.
As an associate at German, Gallagher & Murtagh, M. Dinora Smith contributes to the firm’s products liability, medical malpractice, casualty litigation, and premises liability practice groups. Dinora’s litigation strategy involves developing a comprehensive grasp of the merits of a case to generate efficient defensive tactics, which often lead to dispositive motion practice.
Dinora successfully represented hundreds of clients in employment litigation matters in Manhattan and its surrounding counties. She has handled claims of discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination before federal courts and various governmental agencies in both New York and New Jersey.
Dinora earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. During her time in law school, Dinora maintained a variety of internships, including positions at the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office in the Employment Litigation division and the New York Department of State Office of Administrative Hearings. Dinora was also elected to the Board of Cardozo’s Arts & Entertainment Law Journal as an Articles Editor. The Journal published Dinora’s Note, Abilify, Brintellix, Champix: The ABCs of FDA Proprietary Name Disputes.

Education
University of St Andrews
M.A., Philosophy & Social Anthropology, 2014
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 2017
Court Admissions
State of New York
State of New Jersey
State of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
Professional Affiliations
Honors and Awards
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
Rising Star (2021, 2023)
Jacqueline E. Schneiders
Jacqueline is a hands-on trial attorney involved in all aspects of a case, from initial accident response and investigation through trial and appeal. She is sensitive to the business objectives and core values of her clients and works closely with them to develop the best defense strategy for each case.
Jacqueline defends insured and self-insured companies in commercial vehicle, construction accident, employment, premises liability, and product liability cases. She leads real-time catastrophic accident investigations to identify any potential claims early on and secure the evidence needed to defend them. Her unique approach involves finding creative ways to move cases forward, be cost-effective, and identify pathways for early resolution or dismissal. To that end, she frequently discovers opportunities for tendering defense or transferring risk, removes cases to federal court, and moves for dismissal based on lack of personal jurisdiction or improper venue.
Jacqueline has successfully tried several complex injury cases to verdict in Philadelphia and its surrounding counties. She has significant experience defending third-party claims brought by employees and temporary workers and enforcing her client’s worker’s compensation immunity. In addition to litigation, Jacqueline counsels clients on drafting contract provisions and releases that provide them with the most protection from future claims. Also, Jacqueline handles employment litigation cases involving claims of discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination. She has been selected to serve as an arbitrator for the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County.
A Bucks County native, Jacqueline has lived in Philadelphia since the Phillies won the World Series in 2008. She lives in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia and eagerly awaits the next victory parade on Broad Street.

Education
University of Delaware
B.A. in Biological Sciences with Honors,
Minor in Management Information Systems, 2005
Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
J.D., Health Law Concentration with Honors, 2009
Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
Temple American Inn of Court
HenLaw Alumni Society Board of Directors
Honors & Awards
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
Rising Star, 2022
Webinar for Mid-sized Insurance Company
“Plaintiff’s New Bait and Switch Settlement Tactic”
2020
Webinar for International Insurance Company
“Fraud and Claim Handling Concerns Post-COVID”
2020
Webinar for International Insurance Company
“Transfer Should Not be Tough: How to Make it Tender”
2019
The Gavel National Conference
“The Calm Before the Storm: Preparing Your Defense to Snow and Ice Cases”
2019
Terence M. Pitt
Terry is a trial lawyer who focuses his practice on the defense of medical malpractice liability suits.
Mr. Pitt has spent the last 27 years of his career practicing civil litigation, after 3 years as an assistant district attorney. His experience includes the defense of cases involving medical malpractice, asbestos, design defects and automobile accidents. He has tried cases to verdict in counties all across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Education
Widener University School of Law
Juris Doctor, 1991
University of New Haven
Bachelor of Arts, 1986
Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
Professional Affiliations
Philadelphia Bar Association
Garrett M. Field
Garrett focuses his practice on the defense of medical malpractice liability suits.
Garrett Field joined German, Gallagher & Murtagh as an associate in the firm’s medical malpractice practice group. Prior to joining German, Gallagher & Murtagh, Garrett worked as an associate at a medium-sized insurance defense firm in center city Philadelphia. Garrett previously served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Hon. Michael E. Erdos in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in 2017.
Garrett earned his Juris Doctorate from Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During his time in law school, Garrett was the President of the Business Law Organization and Transactional Law Society, organizing events and competing in national competitions. Garrett was also a Marshall Brennan Fellow, and volunteered at a local high school to teach children about the constitution and their rights.

Education
Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, 2019
The Pennsylvania State University
Bachelor of Science in Marketing, 2016
Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
Professional Affiliations
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Philadelphia Bar Association
Gianna Silverman
Gianna focuses her practice on the defense of employers, insurance carriers, and third party administrators in all aspects of worker’ compensation matters in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Gianna Silverman joined GGM in 2019 as an associate in the firm’s workers compensation department. At GGM, Gianna represents employers, insurance carriers, and third party administrators in a variety of workers’ compensation cases.
Gianna is a 2016 graduate of Widener University School of Law, where she was an Articles Editor of the Law Review and member of the Moot Court Honor Society. She also obtained a specialization certificate in Criminal Law. Following graduation, Ms. Silverman clerked for a Superior Court Judge in New Jersey, completing Criminal Law and Family Law rotations.
Prior to joining GG&M, Ms. Silverman worked for a firm with varied practices, including concentrations in workers’ compensation, contract disputes, and family law.

Education
Saint Joseph’s University
B.A. in English with minor in Business Administration, 2013
Widener University School of Law
J.D. 2016
Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Professional Affiliations
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Yana N. Shapiro
Ms. Shapiro is a Partner practicing in the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Department. Her practice includes representation of self-insureds, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators. She also represents clients in various employment matters.

Education
Temple University
B.S., magna cum laude, 2001
Widener University School of Law
J.D., 2004
Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
American Trial Lawyers Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Worker’s Compensation Section
Philadelphia Bar Association, Section Liaison to the Young Lawyers Division
Honors & Awards
Elected to Pennsylvania Rising Star (2010-2013)
Nikki A. Mosco
Nikki is a trial attorney who focuses her practice on the defense of medical professional liability matters throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Nikki Mosco joined German, Gallagher & Murtagh as an Associate in 2017. Nikki’s practice centers on the representation of professional liability cases involving medical professionals. She devotes her time entirely to the defense of physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, medical practices and others professionals in the medical field.
Prior to joining German, Gallagher & Murtagh, Nikki was an Associate at a firm in the Philadelphia area where she also focused on the defense of medical liability matters. While in law school, Nikki worked for a personal injury firm. In her final year at Widener Law, she served as a Legal Intern for Widener’s Veterans Law Clinic where she assisted disabled veterans apply for benefits and appeal denials of benefits. In her final semester at Widener Law, Nikki served as a Legal Extern for the legal department of a large Philadelphia area hospital and health system.

Education
Cabrini College
B.A. Political Science, History and American Studies, 2012
Widener University School of Law
J.D., 2015
Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Professional Affiliations
Member of the Philadelphia Bar Association
Honors & Awards
Certification in Medicine and Law, 2019
Michael J. Dolan
Michael has extensive experience litigating personal injury, premises liability, and products liability matters.
Michael has an active practice defending companies and governments in employment matters relating to wrongful termination and discrimination claims throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Michael’s substantial experience in defense litigation includes working as lead counsel in major environmental contamination matters, including toxic tort personal injury claims, both mass tort and individual, defending property owners in construction/design claims, defending corporations and insurance companies in sophisticated products liability matters, and defending municipal liability claims.
Michael has tried and arbitrated numerous cases in the Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas, The New Jersey Superior Court, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. He has also successfully litigated in numerous mediation and alternative dispute resolution forums including the American Arbitration Association, the EEOC, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. He has achieved defense verdicts in such diverse trials as: allegations of property damage during a construction project due to vibratory impacts of equipment, wrongful partnership dissolution, and racial and age discrimination. He practices throughout the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Education
United States Military Academy
West Point, B.S., 1983
Thunderbird School of Global Management
MBA, 1992
Widener University School of Law
J.D., 2001
Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
New Jersey Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Philadelphia Bar Association
Honors & Awards
Captain, U.S. Army