We're here to help
The attorneys in this office limit their practice to defending lawsuits against people like you who are insured by Allstate or one of their subsidiaries. They represent you and will exercise independent professional judgment in your defense.
Understand the process
Take a few minutes to look over this page and get to know the next steps. The more you know about the litigation process, the better.
Meet your team
Take some time to meet your legal team. While your case is pending, you will likely talk to several members of the firm, including your attorney, paralegals, and administrative assistants.
Got questions?
If this is the first time you have been involved in a lawsuit, you likely have questions. We've put together some frequently asked questions to assist you.
The litigation process
What is litigation?
Contesting a legal action in court.
First steps
How to begin the initial steps of your defense. Your legal team will ask you to fill out a detailed questionnaire. Someone from our office will speak with you to discuss the details of your case.
Discovery
What we need to help prepare your case. We will collect information relevant to your case during the "discovery" phase. You may be asked to give a deposition. But your lawyer will be with you.
Resolution
The different ways your case can be finalized. If appropriate, we'll meet with the plaintiff's lawyer to discuss the possibility of settlement. Each case is different. Most do not go to trial and are settled or dismissed.
Glossary
- Discovery
When attorneys learn about their client's case and the other side's case by examining all of the relevant documents, photos, emails, etc. - Deposition
A meeting with your attorney in front of a court reporter where you will give your testimony under oath administered by a court reporter. - Mediation
A meeting before an independent third party who attempts to work out a settlement between the parties. If the case does not settle, it continues through the court system. - Arbitration
Both sides present their case and the arbitrator decides who wins. The arbitration decision may be final, or one party may reject the decision, letting the case proceed through the court system until there is a resolution.
Staff counsel attorneys
Here's the team of attorneys available to defend you.
Rachel Vicari
Lead Counsel
West Virginia University, B.A.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Wall, NJ
Email me
Phone: 609-789-3493
Xenia Calderon
Lead Counsel
Montclair State University, B.A.
Rutgers School of Law Newark, J.D.
Practice Location: Cranford, NJ
Email me
Phone: 908-653-2138
Mobile: 862-621-3804
Maria O. Rodriguez
Lead Counsel
LaSalle University, B.A.
Widener University , J.D.
Practice Location: New Jersey
Email me
Phone: 856-654-5062
Ahmed Adam
Attorney at Law
Rutgers University, B.A.
North Carolina Central University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: New Jersey
Email me
Phone: 732-737-5219
Nida Sayeed Alam
Attorney at Law
Stony Brook University, B.A.
Charlotte School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Union County
Email me
Phone: 551-330-6534
David B. Angeluzzi
Attorney at Law
Loyola College, B.A.
Marquette University Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: New Jersey
Email me
Phone: 862-221-0581
Suzanne Ciobanu Baidon
Attorney at Law
University of Pennsylvania, B.A.
Rutgers University School of Law-Newark, J.D.
Practice Location: Northern, New Jersey
Email me
Phone: 201-723-9149
Michele F. Benenato
Attorney at Law
Rutgers University, B.A.
Seton Hall University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Cranford, NJ
Email me
Phone: 908-653-2191
Mobile: 862-621-3607
Khaleah Buffalo
Attorney at Law
East Stroudsburg University, B.A.
Southern University Law Center, J.D.
Practice Location: Southern New Jersey
Email me
Phone: 856-562-2358
John C. Ciabattari
Attorney at Law
University of Minnesota, B.A.
New York University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Cranford, NJ
Email me
Phone: 908-653-2115
Mobile: 201-286-2465
Andrea S. D'Eletto
Attorney at Law
St. John's University, B.S.
Rutgers University, J.D.
Practice Location: New Jersey
Email me
Phone: 732-751-3964
Mobile: 732-614-5764
Nicole M. Downs
Attorney at Law
University of Maryland, B.S.
Widener University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: New Jersey
Email me
Phone: 856-642-2905
Phone: 856-266-7903
Michael Forcino
Attorney at Law
Brooklyn College, B.A.
New York Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: Cranford, NJ
Email me
Phone: 908-653-2117
Mobile: 732-856-7270
Mindy P. Fox
Attorney at Law
University of Pennsylvania, B.A.
Fordham Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: Hudson County
Email me
Phone: 908-548-3370
Christopher Hughes
Attorney at Law
Rutgers College, B.A.
Seton Hall Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: Passaic County, NJ
Email me
Phone: 551-580-2236
Uwaila Igbokwe
Attorney at Law
Howard University, B.S.
Rutgers School of Law Camden, J.D.
Practice Location: Cranford, NJ
Email me
Phone: 908-653-2160
Mobile: 908-587-6174
Brian James
Attorney at Law
Rutgers University, B.A.
Widener University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Southern New Jersey
Email me
Phone: 856-631-4439
Monica Lloyd
Attorney at Law
University of California, San Diego, B.A.
Temple Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: New Jersey
Email me
Phone: 856-642-2593
Phone: 856-571-9309
Shane Mallon
Attorney at Law
Seton Hall University, B.A.
Pace University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Cranford, NJ
Email me
Phone: 908-653-2122
Mobile: 862-216-5182
Janelle C. L. Matthews
Attorney at Law
Haverford College, B.A.
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D.
Practice Location: Middlesex, New Jersey
Email me
Phone: 908-251-1542
Brittany McCloskey
Attorney at Law
Arcadia University, B.S.
Widener University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Southern New Jersey
Email me
Phone: 856-323-3576
Debra Tyukody Mirandi
Attorney at Law
Douglass College, B.A.
Rutgers School of Law Newark, J.D.
Practice Location: Cranford, NJ
Email me
Phone: 908-653-2132
Mobile: 201-310-4631
Denise M. Neuffer
Attorney at Law
State University of New York at Albany, B.A.
Albany Law School of Union University, J.D.
Practice Location: New Jersey
Email me
Phone: 732-751-3963
Mobile: 732-456-9793
Richard Oldfield
Attorney at Law
Cook College, Rutgers University, B.S.
Seton Hall University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Northern, NJ
Email me
Phone: 908-653-2112
Mobile: 201-214-9396
Natalie Pena
Attorney at Law
St. Peter's College, B.S.
Rutgers Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: Cranford, NJ
Email me
Phone: 201-334-6770
Susan D. Pontoriero
Attorney at Law
Rutgers College, B.A., B.S.
Seton Hall Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Mercer and Atlantic Counties
Email me
Phone: 732-278-1341
Gabrielle Pribula
Attorney at Law
Fairfield University, B.S.
St. John's University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Cranford, NJ
Email me
Phone: 908-653-2139
Mobile: 973-307-8390
Stephanie A. Reynolds
Attorney at Law
Rutgers University, B.A. & M.A.
Seton Hall Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: Cranford, NJ
Email me
Phone: 908-653-2180
Mobile: 973-997-7271
Cindy Satter
Attorney at Law
The Pennsylvania State University, B.A.
Boston University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Cranford, NJ
Email me
Phone: 732-513-8569
Theo Tsakalis
Attorney at Law
Rowan University, B.A.
Widener University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Essex County, NJ
Email me
Phone: 551-284-9380
Joseph Verga
Attorney at Law
Hamilton College, B.A.
Albany Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: Middlesex County, New Jersey
Email me
Phone: 732-216-5091
Jane Ann E. Whitchurch
Attorney at Law
Rutgers University, B.A.
New York Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: Cranford, NJ
Email me
Phone: 551-502-4197
Crystal M. Wyatt
Attorney at Law
Rutgers University, B.A.
North Carolina Central University, J.D.
Practice Location: Cranford, NJ
Email me
Phone: 908-653-2193
Mobile: 908-487-8392
Support staff
Administrative assistants and paralegals work closely with staff attorneys. Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or other issues you may have.
Main Number: 908-653-2100
Toll-Free: 877-895-5691
Fax: 877-772-5142
Frequently asked questions
Do you have some general questions? Our FAQs might help. But if you don't find your answers below, feel free to contact our office. Your attorney and the attorney's support staff will be happy to assist you.
Throughout the litigation, you may be required to: answer written questions called interrogatories, give oral testimony under oath at a recorded proceeding called a deposition, and testify at an arbitration hearing and/or a trial. We will give you as much notice as possible of events requiring your presence. To do so, it is extremely important you notify us of all changes to your address, telephone numbers (home, business, mobile), and email address.
Although each case is different, the average lifespan of a case is about one to two years. If your case is one of the few that goes to trial, this time frame may be doubled.
Do not discuss this case with anyone except a representative of your insurance company or the staff of this office. Contact this office if you receive any communication regarding this case from anyone other than a representative of your insurance company or this office.
Our role is to defend the claim that has been filed against you. We do not represent you on a claim that you might want to file against anyone else. If you feel that you may have such a claim, you should contact your personal attorney immediately, at your own expense, or pursue such a claim on your own. There are strict time limitations on actions for damages. Any claim that is not brought within the time limitation may be lost forever.
You must avoid using a workplace device (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.) or any system (for example: a public library computer) where others are able to read information sent to or by you. Communications between you and your legal team can only be kept confidential if they are not disclosed to third parties. If you use a company owned device and your employer has a policy reserving the right to access employees' email correspondence sent using company devices, you may lose the right to keep these communications confidential.
Your legal team may email forms for you to complete and return. If you provide information (including any attachments) that contains personal information such as someone's name and address, social security number, date of birth and/or personal health information, you should respond by U.S. mail. If, however, you do use email containing personal information, the email (including attachments) must be encrypted, password protected and the password shared with your legal team in a separate and confidential communication to better protect the information from being viewable by unintended persons.
Keeping in mind the above precautions, you can email the firm or individual members of your legal team at the addresses provided on this website.
No. Do not communicate with others about this case on the internet in any forum.
It's crucial that we always have your current address, telephone numbers, and email address. If you move or will not be accessible for an extended period of time using the contact information we have for you, please let us know as soon as possible and give us your new or temporary contact information.
Also, we need your responses to the questionnaire that we enclosed with our letter of representation.
Contact
Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or other issues you may have.
Law offices of Rachel Vicari
Signature Corporate Center
100 Walnut Avenue
Suite 602,
Clark, NJ 07066
Main number: 908-653-2100
Toll-Free: 877-895-5691
Fax: 877-772-5142
Toll free: 1-877-895-5691
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