Beth Atwood (Paralegal)

As a paralegal with Addelman Cross & Baldwin, Beth assists in all aspects of complex litigation, including investigation, document collection, management and production, as well as trial preparation. She has more than 30 years of litigation experience.

Beth earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Canisius College and holds a certificate in Litigation Management from The Philadelphia Institute for Paralegal Studies.

A self-proclaimed foodie, Beth enjoys spending time with her husband, as well as running, cycling and being outdoors.

Elaina Marino (Associate)

Attorney Profile

Elaina has experience in all aspects of the litigation process, including pre-suit investigations through trial. She focuses her practice in civil litigation, including the defense of trucking companies, professionals, municipalities, and other individuals and entities. Elaina earned her JD from Syracuse University College of Law. During law school she founded the Syracuse Chapter of the Mindfulness in the Law Society (MILS). From 2018 to 2019 she served as the National Mindfulness in the Law Society’s National Student Chair managing and forming 25 law school chapters across the country. She spoke about mindfulness practices at law schools at the National Association of Law Student Affairs Professionals Conference (June 2018) and National Mindfulness Conference endorsed by the ABA (August 2018). She also worked as a Student Attorney with the Elder Law and Health Clinic, where she assisted in advanced planning for clients and community outreach. During law school, Elaina clerked for the Honorable Emilio Colaiacovo, Supreme Court Justice. Elaina served as both a Research Assistant to Associate Dean Nina Kohn and a Teaching Assistant to Professor Andrew Greenberg. Prior to attending law school, Elaina graduated in three years with her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo in 2016 majoring in Political Science and minoring in History.

EDUCATION

• J.D., Syracuse University College of Law

• B.A., State University of New York at Geneseo, Political Science with a History Minor

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Founder and President of the Mindfulness in the Law Society Syracuse Chapter

• National Student Chair, MILS Student Division

• Syracuse College of Law Teaching and Research Assistant

ADMISSIONS

• New York Courts

• United States District Court, Western District of New York

AFFILIATIONS

• Erie County Bar Association

• New York State Bar Association

• Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, Western New York Chapter

---

News

Kaitlyn Fales (Nurse Paralegal)

As a nurse paralegal at Addelman Cross & Baldwin, Kaitlyn assists in analyzing complex medical records. Kaitlyn has been a member of the litigation team for two years. Kaitlyn has nearly a decade of clinical experience. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Alfred University in clinical psychology and counseling and then went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science in nursing. Katie is currently pursuing her pediatric nurse practitioner's degree.

In her spare time Katie enjoys wine tasting, traveling to new places and time with friends and family.

Katie Wills (Paralegal)

As a paralegal at Addelman Cross & Baldwin, Katie’s primary case work involves complex litigation matters, where she assists in the handling of cases from intake to resolution.

Katie holds a certification in e-discovery from the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists. She is a graduate of Ohio University, where she earned a B.A. in History. She subsequently completed and American Bar Association approved Paralegal Studies program through Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Katie is a member of the Board of Directors for the University at Buffalo Child Care Center. Katie lives in East Amherst, New York, with her husband, Nate, and two sons.

Brook Falcone (Paralegal)

As a paralegal at Addelman Cross & Baldwin, Brooke assists with all aspects of litigation, including document collection and production, matter investigation, and trial preparation. She has been a member of the litigation team for over a decade.

Brooke earned her Bachelor of Science from Hilbert College, with a concentration in Legal Studies, and her Associates of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies from Genesee Community College.

In her spare time, Brooke enjoys travel, cooking, and wine making.

Sara Pondolfino (Consultant)

Sara works as a dental hygiene consultant analyzing complex dental claims and injuries. Sara has over three decades of clinical experience. In addition, Sara served as the Dental Team Leader in charge of risk management, establishing policies and procedures, managing patient complaints, and acting as a liaison to other hospital departments for an Upstate New York hospital system. She earned an A.A.S. in Dental Hygiene from Broom Community College.

Sara volunteers with Global Dental Relief, traveling to developing countries to provide free dental care to children. When not traveling, Sara enjoys hiking with her dog Alfie and spending time with her grandchildren.

Kara M. Addelman (Partner)

Attorney Profile

Kara handles all aspects of litigated matters, from pre-suit discovery through post-trial appeals, in both New York State and Federal Courts. She concentrates her practice in professional liability, medical and dental malpractice defense, municipal and police liability, products liability, Labor Law and workplace accidents, sports and recreation law, commercial litigation, and personal injury. She represents individuals, professionals, local and national businesses, hospitals, and municipalities. Kara frequently handles appeals and complex motions in high exposure matters. She also counsels clients regarding strategies to limit future exposure.

Prior to ACB, Kara was Co-Chair of the Professional Malpractice Group at a regional litigation firm. She started her career as a litigator at one of Western New York’s largest law firms.

Kara is involved in the community. She served as a Director of the Bar Association of Erie County. She is a Past President of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, Western New York Chapter and previously served on the State Board of Directors, as well as serving as a Chair of several committees of WBASNY, WNY. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Western New York Trial Lawyers Association, and the Buffalo Law School Alumni Association. She has provided pro bono representation for indigent clients in a variety of matters. Kara has served as a mentor for a college student through the Buffalo Urban League and Buffalo Renaissance Foundation, and for a high school student through the Williamsville Public Schools.

Kara has been honored to be named Buffalo Business First’s Legal Elite and 40 Under 40, The Daily Record’s Top Women in Law, and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and a Super Lawyer Rising Star.

A native of Western New York, Kara resides in Amherst, New York with her husband and five children.

Education

• J.D., State University of New York, University at Buffalo School of Law

• Buffalo Law Review, Note and Comment Editor

• B.A., Psychology and Art History, summa cum laude, State University of New York at Buffalo

Achievements

• Buffalo Business First, Legal Elite 2020

• Buffalo Business First, 40 Under 40 2019

• Buffalo Business First, Legal Elite Leader 2018

• The Daily Record, Top Women in Law 2018

• Recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a Super Lawyer 2021-2023 and Rising Star 2013-2019

• Instructor, Erie County Law Enforcement Training Academy Police Supervisors School, 2017-21

• Speaker, Western New York Breast Feeding Coalition, 2015

• Speaker, Ski Areas of New York Conference, 2013

Affiliations

• Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, Western New York Chapter (Past President)

• Bar Association of Erie County (Director & Co-Chair, Solo and Small Law Firm Practice Committee)

• New York State Bar Association

• UB Law School Alumni Association

• Western New York Trial Lawyers Association

• Minority Bar Association of Western New York

• Women Lawyers of WNY

Admissions

• New York State Courts

• Supreme Court of the United States

• United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

• United States District Court, Western District of New York

• United States District Court, Northern District of New York

---

News

Tara N. Karch Cross (Partner)

Attorney Profile

Tara devotes her practice to representing and achieving successful results for insured and self-insured clients.  She specifically has experience handling casualty and negligence matters involving trucking and transportation liability, premises liability, industrial construction site accidents and product liability, along with matters involving professional liability claims, contract disputes and employment disputes.  Additionally, in the past, Tara served as one of the lead counsel in the defense of a nursing home class action lawsuit.  Frequently, she publishes and presents on various on-trend law-related topics.

Prior to ACB, Tara was co-chair of the Trucking & Transportation Group at a regional litigation firm.

Outside of the office, Tara is very active in the community serving and giving back to others. Tara is a member of the Board of Directors of Crime Stoppers WNY, an organization that assists law enforcement agencies in their efforts to apprehend wanted individuals and gathering information related to older unsolved crimes. She previously served on the Board of Trustees for Mount Saint Mary Academy in Kenmore, New York, and was elected President for the 2012-2013 term. In addition, she assisted the school’s Mock Trial Team as the Attorney Coach for a number of years. Tara served on the Board of Directors for the Holocaust Resource Center of Buffalo and co-chaired the Buffalo community’s Holocaust Remembrance Day Program. She further assists various nonprofit organizations with fundraising activities.

Education

J.D., Syracuse University College of Law

Advanced Certificate, Health Services Management and Policy, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University

B.A., History, State University of New York College at Geneseo

Achievements

Recipient, Forty Under Forty, Buffalo Business First, 2016

Recognized as a Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2013-2017

Recognized as a Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2021-2022

Graduate, Trial Academy, International Association of Defense Counsel, 2016

Affiliations

New York State Bar Association

Bar Association of Erie County

Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, Western New York Chapter

Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA)

Defense Research Institute, Trucking Law Committee

Admissions

New York State Courts

United States District Court, Western District of New York

United States District Court, Northern District of New York

---

News

Jesse B. Baldwin (Partner)

Attorney Profile

Jesse handles litigated matters for individuals, business, and municipalities from commencement through trial.  He has tried dozens of cases in New York State and Federal courts, including many high exposure matters.  Jesse also represents professionals in licensure investigations, credentialing disputes, and other administrative proceedings.

Prior to ACB, Jesse was a partner in the malpractice and professional liability department of one of Buffalo’s largest law firms and at a statewide litigation boutique.  He has handled hundreds of medical and professional liability cases.  Continuing this focus at ACB, Jesse defends medical and dental professionals, healthcare organizations, hospitals, engineers, attorneys, and other professionals. He has tried general negligence, product liability, construction accident, and other specialty litigation matters for some of the largest self-insured retailers and manufacturers in the nation, as well as insured matters for local companies and organizations.

With substantial experience in police and other municipal litigation, Jesse is a certified General Topics Instructor by the New York State Municipal Police Training Council, and regularly presents on police liability and risk management at the Erie County Police Academy.  Utilizing this expertise, he advises and defends municipalities and other public entities in state and federal courts, as well as administrative proceedings.

Jesse is active in the Western New York community and serves on the board of trustees of several not for profit organizations, and has been recognized in Business First as Western New York’s Legal Elite and designated a Super Lawyer since 2017, and a Rising Star from 2013-2015, by Super Lawyers Magazine. He is the father of five children.

Education

•  J.D., cum laude, State University of New York, University at Buffalo School of Law

• B.A., cum laude, SUNY Geneseo

• Buffalo Law Review Note and Comment Editor

• Buffalo Moot Court Board

• Jessup Moot Court Board

Achievements & Involvement 

• Recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a Super Lawyer 2017-2022 and Rising Star 2013-2015

• Buffalo Business First Legal Elite, 2018

• Certified General Topics Instructor by the New York State Municipal Police Training Council, Erie County Police Academy

• Presenter, National Ski Areas Association Conference, 2013

• Frequent speaker on health care liability and risk management strategies

• President, Board of Directors – Lakeshore Connections, Inc.

• Immediate Past President – Community Connections of New York, Inc. 

• Past President - UB Law Alumni GOLD Group

• Member - Bar Association of Erie County

• Member - New York State Bar Association

 Admissions

• New York State Courts

• United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

• United States District Court, Western District of New York

• United States District Court, Northern District of New York

---

News