Ernie is the attorney you want in your corner when the stakes are highest. With over three decades of legal experience, his unwavering commitment to protecting and advancing client interests has been the foundation of a distinguished career marked by strategic victories, complex problem-solving, and success across multiple practice areas. Ernie has successfully guided clients through high-stakes litigation in state and federal courts across more than a dozen states and territories. Whether leading matters from inception to resolution or trying cases through jury verdict, he is a trusted advocate known for his ability to navigate the most sensitive and consequential legal challenges.
While primarily a defender of lawyers and law firms and Deputy General Counsel at Cohen Vaughan, his practice spans a broad spectrum of specialty professional liability and tort litigation, including defending various professionals in aviation, accounting, broker-dealer, and medical malpractice matters. He has also handled complex contract disputes, construction and labor law claims, property management, product and general liability lawsuits, and insurance coverage matters.
Ernie began his career at a boutique New York City law firm, where he represented individuals in personal injury, medical and dental malpractice, and criminal defense matters. He then moved to a national defense firm, practicing in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, where he focused on medical malpractice and product liability defense. Upon returning to New York, he honed his expertise in defending lawyers, law firms, and other business professionals—not only in liability claims but also in Judiciary Law matters, ethics proceedings, and professional disciplinary actions. Beyond litigation, he helped law firm clients implement risk management strategies to prevent claims and mitigate future exposure, regularly lecturing on malpractice prevention and cybersecurity risks in the legal profession.
A leader in aviation and aerospace litigation, Ernie built and led a national team that handled some of the most high-profile aviation errors and omissions claims for nearly a decade. His experience spans a broad range of aviation matters, including component failures, mid-air collisions, helicopter incidents, private and commercial airline cases, and FAA investigations. Many of his cases have centered on aircraft performance, maintenance protocols, and manufacturing and design defects.
Ernie earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, where he was selected for the prestigious Federal Litigation Clinic and worked at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Beyond the courtroom, Ernie is a dedicated mentor and leader in his community. He has coached youth soccer, football, baseball, and basketball, and currently serves on the board of the Manhasset Soccer Club and the Soccer Advisory Committee for the Town of North Hempstead. He also contributes his expertise to a community subgroup providing academic and athletic guidance to the local Board of Education.
Practices
Admissions
- New York
- District of Columbia
Education
- Brooklyn Law School, J.D., 2001
- University of Albany, B.A., 1997
