
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
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
Matthew J. McColgan
Matthew J. McColgan is a key player in the firm’s transportation practice, defending trucking and transportation companies in cases ranging from catastrophic injuries to property damage and cargo claims. He also handles premises liability and other casualty matters.
Matt’s practice consists not only of defending transportation matters in suit, but also providing 24/7 support to investigate accidents and losses when they occur and in counseling clients about how to manage losses pre-suit. Matt’s practice covers all of New Jersey and Pennsylvania where he practices in all relevant state and federal courts. In addition, Matt assists in the defense of premises liability cases and other casualty matters. Throughout Matt’s career, he has had the privilege of representing a variety of clients, including supply chain logistics, property management, full service oil, lending and home care businesses. As a trial attorney, Matt understands the best settlement strategy is to be trial-ready. He strives to be efficient, to identify cases that merit early resolution, and to be responsive to his client’s business needs.
Matt earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, PA (now known as Commonwealth Law School). His trial experience began during his time as an intern with the Dauphin County Public Defender’s Office. In that role, he represented clients at preliminary hearings and formal arraignments, and successfully tried a case before a jury to verdict, resulting in an acquittal. Matt graduated from Widener having achieved Dean’s List and receiving Pro Bono Service distinction.
In addition to his trial and litigation practice. , Matt serves as an arbitrator for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Education
Temple University,
B.A. Philosophy: Pre-law, 2011
Widener University Commonwealth Law School
Juris Doctorate, 2014
Court Admissions
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
State of New Jersey
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Professional Affiliations
- ALFA International – Steering Committee Member: Transportation Practice and Gig Economy Practice Groups
- New Jersey Defense Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel – Executive Committee Member
- Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA) – Young Professional Committee Member
Honors & Awards
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
Rising Star, 2024
Partner, Matthew J. McColgan Co-Moderates Panel at ALFA International’s 2024 Future Leaders Group Seminar
Read MorePunitive Damages in Motor Vehicle Accident Cases Survive Summary Judgment in Pennsylvania State and Federal Courts
April 11, 2018
Read More
Marni J. Stahl
Ms. Stahl is a Partner with the firm in our Workers’ Compensation Department.
Her zealous practice includes representation of self-insureds, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators. Ms. Stahl is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Education
East Stroudsburg University
B.A. Political Science, 1998
Widener University School of Law
magna cum laude, 2002
Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Federal District Court of New Jersey
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Professional Affiliations
Philadelphia Bar Association
Honors & Awards
Elected to Pennsylvania Rising Star (2010)
Kim R. Plouffe
Mr. Plouffe is an experienced and accomplished advocate who handles a broad range of civil litigation matters.
He has extensive bench and jury trial experience in a broad spectrum of cases including products liability, bad faith, medical malpractice, trucking, and general negligence claims. A substantial part of his practice is devoted to construction and premises liability cases. He has represented contractors, property owners, building managers, lessors, franchisors and franchisees, and operators of retail and commercial establishments in matters involving claims of inadequate security, slander, catastrophic injuries, use of excessive force, and physical and sexual assault. He also has represented insurers in ERISA cases and declaratory judgment actions concerning coverage afforded by automobile, homeowner and commercial insurance policies. Mr. Plouffe has argued before the Pennsylvania Superior and Supreme Courts and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Education
Millersville University
B.A., cum laude, 1977
Temple University School of Law
J.D., cum laude, 1981
Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
Professional Affiliations
The Defense Research Institute
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Pennsylvania Defense Institute
Philadelphia Bar Association
Honors & Awards
AV Peer Review Rating by Lexis Nexis Martindale-Hubbell
Kathryn A. Dux
Kathy’s practice has been focused on the representation of insurers in insurance coverage disputes and also includes the representation of professionals in professional malpractice actions, commercial litigation and appellate work.
Kathy has been involved in various aspects of insurance coverage from opinion letters and reservation of rights letters to litigation between insureds and insurers or among insurers in many jurisdictions throughout the United States. Kathy has handled disputes between insureds and insurers over coverage for environmental contamination, patent infringement, advertising liability, TCPA violations, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, assault and battery, employment claims, discrimination and civil rights violations, and involving claims for bad faith, violations of the Unfair Insurance Practices Act and Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
Kathy, along with other members of the firm, acted as national coordinating counsel for an insurer on environmental, asbestos and toxic exposure insurance coverage disputes.
She has represented property insurers with respect to a variety of issues including claims under money and securities coverage and employee dishonesty coverage. She has represented life insurers with respect to claims for accidental death benefits, claims relating to variable life insurance policies, competing claims for death benefits requiring interpleader of benefits, claims for disability benefits, claims for fraud in the application and rescission. She has also represented life insurers and/or the companies to which the life insurers assigned annuities in actions for the transfer of structured settlement payment rights.
Kathy also has experience in the area of defense of professional liability claims having represented insurance agents and brokers, real estate agents and brokers, structured settlement brokers, architects and engineers and nurse midwives. She has been involved in commercial litigation and arbitration disputes, including American Arbitration Association proceedings. Her practice also includes post-trial and appellate work.

Education
Marywood College, B.A.
Temple University School of Law, J.D.
Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
U.S. Supreme Court
Professional Affiliations
- Philadelphia Bar Association
Honors & Awards
- AV Peer Review Rating by Lexis Nexis Martindale-Hubbell
Co-Author of article titled “The Expanding Web of Employment and Insurance Litigation: Insurance Coverage for Employment Related Claims Under CGL and EPLI Policies” appearing in Declarations, Excess Surplus Lines Claims Association, Winter 1999-2000.
Contributor for Pennsylvania updates to the Fifty-State Insurance Law Compendium for the Insurance Law Practice Group of ALFA International
Authored written materials for ALFA International seminars on topics including advertising injury coverage and intellectual property claims and indemnity and additional insured coverage in products liability claims.
John P. Shusted
“Jack” is an experienced trial lawyer with a focus on efficiency, excellence and client-responsiveness.
Jack’s practice centers on the trials of professional liability cases involving medical professionals, financial advisors and brokers/dealers. He also defends and prosecutes matters on behalf of insurance companies involving fraud in the insurance coverage, securities and life insurance fields. Jack represents local governmental entities in federal civil rights litigation. Jack advises clients on employment related disputes. He also handles larger exposure casualty matters. He has tried over 100 cases to verdict, and appears often in commercial and securities proceedings pending in the American Arbitration Association and National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) dispute forums. Jack is the Responsible Attorney for the New Jersey office.
“Jack” is proud to be a member of GGM for the past 25 years and counting.

Education
Boston College
B.A., magna cum laude, 1981
Boston College Law School
J.D., 1985
Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Professional Affiliations
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Member
Honors & Awards
AV Peer Review Rating by Lexis Nexis Martindale-Hubbell
Elected to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2012-2024)
Examining Fine and Ward: What Do the Decisions Mean in Statute of Limitations Cases?
The Legal Intelligencer
April 13, 2005
What Every Medical Professional Should Know about the 2002 MCARE Act.
German Gallagher & Murtagh publication
May 2002
Insurers and Agents Beware: “Attachment Statutes” Enable Insureds to Obtain Coverage Despite Misrepresentation.
Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel
Vol. 45, No. 4, Summer 1995
Jeffrey D. Laudenbach
Mr. Laudenbach’s practice involves representing National self-insured employers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and State of New Jersey and he has developed a national client base through client education, communication and goal oriented results.
Mr. Laudenbach is a Partner in the Workers’ Compensation and Employment Practice Group, joining German, Gallagher & Murtagh, in 1999. He is a graduate of Lehigh University and Widener School of Law and has over 25 years of experience litigating Workers’ Compensation, Employment and Casualty related matters.
Mr. Laudenbach’s practice involves representing National self-insured Companies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and State of New Jersey and he has developed a national client base through client education, communication and goal oriented results. His past experience as Vice President to a privately held business, where he was responsible for the legal, operational, retail web development and financial management matters, offers a valued business perspective on the litigation and resolution strategy for all matters. His practice has also included handling various casualty, employment practices and subrogation matters.
Additionally, he has been an active participant in the ALFA International organization. Previously, he was the Program Chair for the 2014 ALFA International Workers’ Compensation Program in Charleston, SC, former Practice Group Chair for ALFA International Workers’ Compensation Practice Group and a member of the ALFA International Marketing Committee. He has been a regular speaker at various educational programs and served on the ALFA International Board of Directors and Executive Committee as Secretary. Jeff is an active member of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC), a widely recognized defense organization composed of leaders in their practice area who have achieved professional distinction. The FDCC membership is highly selective via nomination only.
In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Laudenbach also provides Alternative Dispute Resolution services in the form of Binding Arbitration and Mediation services. Jeff’s experience in representing national employers with diverse needs and strategies through the litigation, arbitration and mediation process offers a broad understanding of the requirements needed to bring cases to conclusion through binding arbitration or even mediation. He also participates as an Arbitrator for the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County – Compulsory Arbitration Program.

Education
Lehigh University
B.S., 1989
Widener University School of Law
J.D., 1993
Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Professional Affiliations
- ALFA International Workers’ Compensation Program Chair – September 2012 – April 2014 – Navigating the shifting Tides of Your Workers’ Compensation Program – Charleston, SC
- ALFA International Workers’ Compensation Practice Group Chair – April 2014 – September 2015
- American Law Firm Association International – Workers’ Compensation and Employment Practice Groups
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Self Insured Association
- Philadelphia Bar Association – Workers’ Compensation
Honors & Awards
- Elected to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2008-2024)
Employment Contracts Cannot Be Assigned Absent Protective Contract Language
ALFA International Labor and Employment Update
Spring 2005
Don’t Be Late – Be Early: Untimely Requests for Impairment Rating Evaluations
In Summation, German Gallagher & Murtagh
Fall 2003
Funded Employment: What is it and When Should it Be Used?
In Summation, German Gallagher & Murtagh
Fall 2000
ALFA Workers’ Compensation Program in Austin, TX on the Department of Labor trends that impact workers’ compensation and joint employer issues
March 2017
ALFA International 2012 Workers’ Compensation Practice Group Seminar
September 27, 2013
11th Annual Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Conference, Hershey, PA, Presentation, titled “Undocumented Workers”
June 11, 2012
H1N1: Employer Medical and Legal Strategies for Managing Contagious Disease Outbreaks”
February 2010
22nd Annual PBA Workers’ Compensation Law Section – Fall Section Meeting, Speaker – Hot Topics: Jeanes Hospital Gardner and Medical Only NCPs
September 8, 2006