White and Williams Elects Four Lawyers to Partnership, Promotes Six Associates to Counsel

1.6.17

White and Williams is pleased to announce the election of Edward Beitz, Justin Fortescue, Jennifer Santangelo and Amy Vulpio to the partnership and the promotion of Paul Briganti, Joshua Galante, Dana Spring Monzo, George Morrison, Craig O’Neill and Steven Urgo from associate to counsel.

The newly elected partners and promoted counsel represent the wide array of practices that White and Williams offers its clients, including bankruptcy, corporate, finance, healthcare, insurance coverage, labor and employment, real estate and reinsurance. These lawyers have earned their elevations based on their contributions to the firm and their practices.

“We are thrilled to elect these four lawyers to the partnership and promote six associates to counsel. These promotions are representative of the breadth of services and deep bench that we have to offer at White and Williams,” said Patti Santelle, Managing Partner. “The election of our new partners and promotion of our counsel is a reflection of their success and dedication as well as the continued health of the firm.”

Edward Beitz is a member of the Healthcare Group, resident in the Philadelphia office. He focuses his practice on medical malpractice defense, defending doctors, nurses, physician assistants and hospitals at the trial and appellate court levels, as well as general liability matters. Ed also handles excess insurance coverage matters.

Justin Fortescue focuses his practice on reinsurance and commercial litigation matters, practicing out of the Philadelphia office. He counsels insurers and reinsurers on a wide array of issues, including the applicability of the follow-the-settlements doctrine, the accumulation of products and non-products losses and offset rights in the context of an insurer’s insolvency. Justin also has extensive experience in matters involving the Federal Arbitration Act, including actions seeking confirmation and vacatur of arbitration awards.

Jennifer Santangelo is a member of the Finance and Real Estate Groups, resident in the Philadelphia office. She counsels clients in all aspects of a transaction, including structuring, documenting and closing transactions and, when necessary, the restructure and workout of non-performing transactions. Jennifer's practice also includes the acquisition, construction and receivables financing for timeshare projects throughout the country. 

Amy Vulpio is a member of the Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy Group, based in the Philadelphia office. She focuses her practice on creditor and debtor representation, bankruptcy appellate work and bankruptcy-related commercial litigation. Amy’s clients include financial institutions and other secured lenders, insurance companies, lessors, trade creditors and other businesses and individuals whose interests are implicated in bankruptcy proceedings.

Paul Briganti practices out of the Philadelphia office and is a member of the Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Group. He advises and represents domestic and international insurers in complex coverage matters, primarily in the context of environmental, asbestos and other mass tort liabilities. Paul also has significant experience with issues relating to directors and officers and professional liability insurance.

Joshua Galante is a member of the Corporate and Securities Group, resident in the New York City office. He advises established and emerging businesses on financings, business combination transactions, commercial transactions and general governance matters. Josh also counsels private equity, venture capital and investment management groups in connection with fund formations, acquisitions and regulatory compliance issues.

Dana Spring Monzo is a member of the Healthcare and Litigation Groups and is based in the Wilmington office. She focuses her practice on complex civil litigation in the areas of medical negligence, professional negligence and catastrophic personal injury. She is also experienced in the representation of licensed professionals before their respective boards in connection with investigations by the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation and the Delaware Office of the Attorney General.  

George Morrison has experience in a variety of labor and employment matters, practicing out of both the Lehigh Valley and New York City offices. He counsels employers on compliance with federal, state and local laws and has successfully worked with investigators to minimize employer liability. George also advises colleges and universities on issues related to faculty and student procedural due process rights and compliance with the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Craig O’Neill is a resident of the Philadelphia office and has a broad range of experience in complex insurance coverage, bad faith and general commercial litigation. He represents insurers in coverage litigation involving environmental pollution and exposure to asbestos and other hazardous substances. Craig also has significant experience handling construction-related matters for insurance and surety companies.

Steven Urgo is based in the Philadelphia office. His practice includes litigation and counseling on areas such as insurance law, environmental law and professional liability for architects and engineers. Steve has authored coverage opinions on complex coverage issues involving general liability, environmental liability and professional liability.