Christopher J. Belter
Chris Belter joined Goldberg Segalla as an associate in 2001, just six months after the firm’s founding. A trial lawyer—he has taken more than 100 trials and arbitrations to verdict or award—Chris was instrumental in building out the firm’s construction and commercial litigation capabilities. He now co-chairs the firm’s Corporate Services and Commercial Litigation practice and its Construction practice. In June 2020, he became the first attorney to serve as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer.
Connect with Chris on LinkedIn.
If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a chance at winning the Gold medal for?
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- Smoking a bourbon peach-glazed double smoked ham.
If you had a personal flag, what would be on it?
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- A Case Tractor
If you could join one band, who would it be?
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- Pearl Jam during the October 17, 2014, show in Moline, IL—the only time the band played “No Code” in its entirety.
What would you do if you won the lottery today?
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- Buy a house on the coast near Galway, Ireland, and live there with my family and dogs (and throw away my iPhone).
Caroline J. Berdzik
Caroline Berdzik joined Goldberg Segalla’s Princeton office as a partner in 2012, coming from a position as in-house counsel at the largest privately held long-term care company in New Jersey, with operations throughout the United States. With a deep background in all areas of employment and labor law and a wealth of experience in health care and long-term care, Caroline helped to expand the firm’s capabilities in these areas. Caroline stepped up as chair of the Employment and Labor practice and helped grow it from a small team in Upstate New York into a nationally recognized practice of nearly 50 attorneys with particularly deep benches across the Northeast and in California. She is co-chair of the firm’s Women’s Initiative and has held numerous leadership positions in professional organizations, including the FDCC and DRI.
Connect with Caroline on LinkedIn.
What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
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- Don’t sweat the small stuff.
What is one of your favorite smells?
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- Hawaiian Tropic sun tan lotion. It reminds me of being on the beach or poolside.
What song or artist do you like but rarely admit to liking?
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- Duran Duran
If you could share a meal with three individuals, living or dead, who would they be?
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- Margaret Thatcher, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and President Abraham Lincoln
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
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- Contents Under Extreme Pressure—Handle with Care.
What is a vacation spot you would recommend people to go to?
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- Paris, France—“Paris is always a good idea.”
David L. Brown
David Brown joined Goldberg Segalla as a partner in 2015, helping to open its office in North Carolina. David brought to Team GS his experience as managing partner of his previous firm, and quickly stepped up as co-chair of Goldberg Segalla’s Global Insurance Services practice. A nationally renowned insurance coverage attorney, David has tried more than 75 cases to verdict, and has been lead counsel in over 50 appeals to state and federal appellate courts.
Connect with David on LinkedIn.
What is a vacation spot you would recommend people to go to?
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- North Carolina beaches
What is one book you could enjoy over and over again?
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- The Gold Coast by Nelson DeMille
What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
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- Be bold. Take chances.
If you could sing a duet with one singer, who would it be?
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- Jimmy Buffett
What would you do if you won the lottery today?
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- Start a foundation to support education initiatives.
What movie/songs/artist do you like but rarely admit to liking?
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- “Mamma Mia” by ABBA
Albert J. D’Aquino
Al D’Aquino is a founding partner of Goldberg Segalla and co-chair of its General Liability practice, one of the firm’s largest. A trial lawyer with more than 30 years of experience, Al has focused on defending clients in product liability, premises liability, and construction site personal injury/New York Labor Law litigation. A former president of the Professional Liability Defense Federation, he has also defended clients in professional liability and malpractice claims. Inside the firm, Al has focused on teaching trial technique and mentoring associates across Goldberg Segalla’s growing footprint.
What’s the most unusual job you’ve ever had?
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- Night watchman (midnight to 8 a.m.) in a medical school, including rounds in the animal morgue.
What is one book and/or movie you could enjoy over and over again?
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- The Festival Express
If you could share a meal with four individuals, living or dead, who would they be?
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- George Washington, Jackie Robinson, Queen Elizabeth II, and Clive Davis
Joseph M. Hanna
Joe Hanna joined Goldberg Segalla in 2005 as the youngest associate ever hired at the firm. He founded and continues to chair Goldberg Segalla’s Diversity Task Force, a group of attorneys from across the firm’s footprint and practice areas dedicated to conceptualizing and implementing diversity-focused programs and giving diversity a voice in decision-making at the highest level. He has been recognized nationally for his leadership in advancing diversity by the ABA, DRI, LCLD, and other organizations. A commercial litigator and advisor to clients including large retail and restaurant chains, global hospitality enterprises, and national commercial developers, Joe serves as chair of the firm’s Retail and Hospitality practice. He also founded and chairs the firm’s Sports and Entertainment practice, and represents multiple major league sports franchises. In addition, Joe is founder and president of Bunkers in Baghdad, a nonprofit that collects and sends golf equipment to U.S. troops and veterans worldwide to aid in recreation and rehabilitation from injuries.
Click here to learn more about Bunkers in Baghdad.
If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a chance at winning the Gold medal for?
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- Packaging golf balls
What is one of your favorite smells?
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- Fresh cut grass
If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
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- A Bob & John’s cheese and cup and char pepperoni pizza.
What is a vacation spot you would recommend people to go to?
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- Dublin, Ireland
If you could share a meal with three individuals, living or dead, who would they be?
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- My father, Joseph G. Hanna, John F. Kennedy, and Condoleezza Rice (with this lunch taking place at Augusta National, of course).