Lawyers
Allyson Balcolm is an Associate in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Ms. Balcolm joins Lydecker’s Environmental Team, bringing her experience representing public and private entities in every aspect of federal and state litigation, regulatory compliance and land use matters, with an emphasis on contaminated site remediation and commercial business transactions.
Associate
Angela M. Bekhit is an Associate in the Orlando office. She was born and raised in The City Beautiful Orlando and has resided in Florida her entire life. She earned her Juris Doctor at Barry University, Dwayne O. Andreas in 2016 and her Bachelor of Science Degree from Nova Southeastern University.
Prior to joining the firm, Mrs. Bekhit was an associate at a general civil litigation firm practicing in the areas of family law, probate, homeowner’s association disputes, and estate planning.
Associate
Chris Brennan is a senior associate in Lydecker’s Orlando office where he concentrates his practice in architects and engineers, construction law and litigation. In his construction practice, he represents and advises developers, contractors, subcontractors, owners, and design professionals in various complex construction matters ranging from mid-project issues like construction liens, payment disputes, delay claims, regulatory compliance, and insurance disputes, to post-completion construction defect and professional liability claims.
His experience includes active engagement in claims analysis, risk management, litigation strategy, discovery, dispositive motion practice, as well as the successful resolution of disputes both at trial and through alternative dispute resolution processes like mediation and arbitration. Drawing on his wide-ranging experience in construction law and litigation, Chris is able to devise innovative and versatile solutions in order to meet the sophisticated needs of his clients.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Chris spent more than half a decade as an associate at an AmLaw 100 firm where his practice focused on construction law and litigation as well as other various complex commercial disputes. Chris also served as an litigation intern in the enforcement division of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and a judicial intern to the late Hon. Marcia G. Cooke in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. As a law student, Chris served two terms as his school’s student bar association treasurer and was also elected president of the mock trial team.
Senior Associate
Ms. Brice joined Lydecker as an associate in 2023. Ms. Brice has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. She earned her law degree from Glendale University College of Law.
She currently focuses her practice on insurance defense litigation, products liability and personal injury. She also has experience in medical malpractice and worker’s compensation defense.
Ms. Brice is a member of the State Bar of California, California Lawyers Association, and Women’s Lawyer Association of Los Angeles, and is dedicated to promoting the full participation of women lawyers and judges in the legal profession. She is a vigilant advocate for each client she represents, taking great pride and interest in each case.
Associate
Patience Brown is an Associate at Lydecker, a full-service AV Preeminent law firm, in the New Jersey office. Her practice involves all aspects of federal and state trial litigation with a primary focus on complex insurance disputes. Ms. Brown also handles personal injury, premises liability, and employment litigation. As a trauma informed advocate, Ms. Brown is also adept at resolving Title IX violations involving discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment.
Ms. Brown earned her J.D. from Villanova Charles Widger School of Law. During her time in law school, she focused her work experience mostly on insurance law matters. Ms. Brown was a leader in the Villanova Law community. She served as the Diversity and Inclusion Chair, Secretary of the Black Law Students Association, and a Student Ambassador. She interned at Venerable Annuity Insurance Co., CDM Law, Wawa Inc., and Shemtob Draganosky Taylor, P.C. Ms. Brown has extensive courtroom experience in various areas of law.
Before law school, she served the Honorable Neil N. Jasey, the Honorable Sherry Hutchins-Henderson, and numerous judges in the juvenile and civil division. Before joining Lydecker, Ms. Brown served as the judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Robert Bingham II, J.S.C. As a result of her efforts, Ms. Brown received the Arthur J. Kania Award, the Lawyers as Leaders Award, and has been recognized by both the Black Women Lawyers Association and the Garden State Bar Association, for her commitment to the field of law.
Associate
Rebecca A. Burstein is an Associate at the Boca Raton office. Mrs. Burstein’s practice includes general civil litigation, premise liability matters, and professional liability claims.
Mrs. Burstein obtained her law degree from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law in 2019. During law school Mrs. Burstein participated in a judicial internship in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court, was enrolled in a Civil Field Placement Clinic with Southeast Toyota Finance’s legal and compliance department, and was a law clerk at a large defense firm. Mrs. Burstein achieved Dean’s List recognition four consecutive semesters, and received the CALI Excellence for the Future Awards for receiving the top grades in Constitutional Law II, as well as in Law, Finance and Markets Seminar.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Mrs. Burstein was practicing divorce and family law, and before that was an associate attorney at civil litigation firm where she specialized in complex litigation.
Associate
Yina Cabrera is an Associate in the firm’s Miami office. Ms. Cabrera’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation with a primary focus in personal injury, government liability, and civil rights litigation. Ms. Cabrera also handles employment litigation matters, including FLSA and FMLA violations, and Title VII violations including discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment.
Ms. Cabrera earned her J.D. from Florida International University College of Law in May 2021, graduating with honors. During law school, Ms. Cabrera interned at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and was a research assistant at FIU Law, responsible for researching topics in employment discrimination. Ms. Cabrera was on the Executive Board of the FIU Law Review, serving as the Executive Comments Editor; her Law Review student note was chosen for publication in the FIU Law Review. Ms. Cabrera was also a member of the FIU Board of Appellate Advocates and was a semifinalist in the Intramural Moot Court Competition. Ms. Cabrera was the President of the Cuban American Bar Association, Vice President of the Employment and Labor Law Society, and served as a Student Ambassador. Furthermore, Ms. Cabrera was a Dean’s Scholar and was awarded an Excellence in Civic Engagement Medallion for her pro-bono work.
Associate
Christopher J. Campbell is a Partner at Lydecker’s Newport Beach and Los Angeles offices, serving as lead counsel in state and federal courts, as well as high-stakes arbitration. Mr. Campbell’s practice focuses on defending companies across materials, industrials, utilities, healthcare, information technology, financials, and consumer discretionary sectors. Mr. Campbell prioritizes organizational objectives over legal convenience to secure favorable verdicts, settlements, and dispositive judgments.
As a trial attorney for Lydecker’s EPLI Department, Environmental Mass Tort, Product Liability Department and Professional Liability Department, Mr. Campbell has defended against complaints involving consumer and commercially available substances and materials, class action, mass, and toxic tort litigation, and recalled products claims. Mr. Campbell spearheaded growing nationwide silicosis litigation by bringing its bellwether case to verdict in Los Angeles County. His work with EPLI offers clients invaluable guidance on navigating the complex landscape of employment law. With a focus on defending employers in employment-related claims, Mr. Campbell has experience handling a wide range of workplace issues, including wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, and wage and hour disputes. Mr. Campbell has a deep understanding of the complexities involved in professional liability cases and is committed to protecting the reputations and careers of his clients. His dedication to delivering tailored solutions and safeguarding his clients’ interests makes him a trusted advocate in professional liability defense.
Finding his roots in the in-house legal department of an international company with over 13,000 employees, Mr. Campbell brings a unique perspective to the courtroom, tailoring litigation strategies to his clients’ executive philosophies and microeconomic constraints to advance long-term organizational goals through a trial-focused approach that forces outcomes on his clients’ terms. This has allowed Mr. Campbell to adopt a proactive methodology in developing internal employment policies and procedures to reduce risks and avoid costly litigation in the first place.
Mr. Campbell’s representative clients are diverse, ranging from multinational corporations, medical device and pharmaceutical companies to local business and municipal governments, as well as global manufacturers, distributors, and major retailers. Mr. Campbell specifically focuses on defending companies against complaints involving consumer and commercially available substances and materials, class action, mass and toxic tort litigation, recalled products claims, employment discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage disputes.
Before joining Lydecker, Mr. Campbell defended businesses operating throughout California, and has acted as lead trial counsel throughout strategic discovery, pre-trial motion practice, and to completion of trial. His prior experience includes a range of manufacturer defect, fraud, employment, and regulatory compliance litigation on a state and federal level. In law school, Mr. Campbell was a Dean’s Merit Scholarship Recipient, and finalist and Best Opening Statement winner in University of California, Irvine School of Law’s Mock Trial competition. Mr. Campbell continues to participate in the development and mentorship of aspiring civil litigators.
Partner
Denis M. Carey is Of Counsel in the firm’s New Jersey office. He is licensed to practice law in the federal and state courts of New Jersey and New York. He handles matters in the fields of premises liability, motor vehicle, construction defect, professional malpractice, construction casualty and insurance coverage. Mr. Carey has over 12 years’ experience in commercial litigation. He has been involved in numerous nationwide multidistrict litigations dealing with various product liability and drug injury cases. He’s also worked in securities fraud, data privacy, employment law, antitrust, and consumer fraud matters.
Of Counsel
Filippo Carnazzi is an associate in the firm’s Miami office. Mr. Carnazzi’s practice focuses on construction defect litigation. In his practice, Mr. Carnazzi represents developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals in a variety of contexts arising from the construction and design defect. Mr. Carnazzi joined the firm in February 2022.
Mr. Carnazzi was born and raised in Italy and he obtained his Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in International Arbitration from the University of Miami School of Law. While in law school, Mr. Carnazzi interned with the in-house counsel with two multinationals companies, and he started his practice of law in Miami based law firm as an associate to assist companies in litigation and transactional matters.
Associate
Katrina Carrillo is an Associate at Lydecker handling Florida civil litigation matters. Ms. Carrillo has extensive experience in the defense of civil disputes. She maintains a varied practice in insurance defense and commercial litigation, including general bodily injury and casualty, and professional malpractice.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Carrillo was an Associate at a prominent Florida defense firm where she gained significant litigation experience representing numerous insurance carriers in First Party Property matters throughout Florida. While earning her Juris Doctorate, Ms. Carrillo clerked with the Honorable Judge Peter Lopez and also worked as a law clerk with boutique law firms in the Miami area who focused on insurance litigation at both the State and Federal levels.
Associate
Matthew Cassman is Of Counsel in the firm’s Jacksonville office. Mr. Cassman’s practice involves all aspects of general litigation. Mr. Cassman graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law in May of 2015. While attending law school, Mr. Cassman was on the Moot Court team and earned Pro Bono Honors for volunteering more than 125 hours during his time in law school. Additionally, Mr. Cassman was in the inaugural “Fast Track” program, where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree in two years. Upon graduating, Mr. Cassman spent time working on first and third party property insurance claims, as well as personal injury matters.
Of Counsel
