Kathleen M. Massimo is Partner in Houser LLP’s New York and New Jersey offices. Ms. Massimo represents corporations, financial institutions, corporate directors and officers and other institutional clients. She has successfully tried cases in both New York and New Jersey. As an active litigator, Ms. Massimo represents clients in all aspects of litigation including evidentiary hearings, mediations, depositions, bankruptcy proceedings, discovery disputes and motion hearings. Ms. Massimo’s focus is to creatively resolve matters for her clients quickly and efficiently. She also works with clients to develop best practices and legal compliance. A substantial portion of Ms. Massimo’s practice is also devoted to Appeals. She has successfully argued before the New York and New Jersey state Appellate Courts and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Before joining Houser, Ms. Massimo clerked for the Honorable Joseph L. Yannotti, P.J.A.D. of the New Jersey Appellate Division and was as a litigator at a large, New York firm.

Christopher Cianci is a Senior Associate at Andrews Lagasse Branch + Bell LLP in Los Angeles, California.  Mr. Cianci has more than 10 years’ experience as a litigator and trial attorney. He practices in the areas of employment law and business litigation. His employment practice entails advising and representing employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, including wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour, and trade secret matters. His business litigation practice involves breach of contract, unfair competition, fraud, and ownership, partnership, and shareholder disputes.  As a litigator, Mr. Cianci has successfully served as lead counsel on jury and bench trials and has represented clients in all types of proceedings, including evidentiary hearings, depositions, arbitrations, and mediations.

Angela de Cespedes is a litigator who serves as lead trial counsel for companies involved in disputes, both domestically and internationally, in state and federal courts, in arbitration, and before administrative agencies. Businesses rely on Angela to represent them in disputes involving complex tort and commercial litigation, both pre- and post-suit, including preliminary and permanent injunction hearings, discovery, responding to party and third-party subpoenas, evidentiary hearings, bench trials and jury trials. When a client is facing a potential or actual crisis, she advises them on options to minimize the risk of litigation and provides training and guidance regarding the collection and preservation of evidence in order to avoid or minimize the impact of litigation and possible exposure. Her strategic approach to reducing litigation risks also includes liaising with government agencies and third parties on behalf of clients.

Angela represents clients across numerous industries and sectors who rely on her counsel, including: commercial property and hotel owners; developers and operators; professional sports leagues, teams, stadiums and arenas; hospitality, entertainment, restaurant and food service providers; social media and software companies; real estate development and construction firms; high net worth individuals; municipalities; insurance carriers; educational institutions; global supply chain companies; apparel and retail brands; manufacturers; suppliers and distributors; and chemical manufacturers and distributors.