About Us

In New York and New Jersey

Founded in 1987, the law firm of Trief & Olk has tried numerous complex judge and jury trials in federal and state courts, and successfully continued representation through the appellate courts when necessary.

There is probably no greater endorsement of the caliber of Trief & Olk's skills than the fact that law firms throughout New York and New Jersey not only refer cases to the firm, but actually hire Trief & Olk when they need a lawyer themselves.

Our reputation in legal circles is such that it is not uncommon for adversaries of Trief & Olk to recommend our firm. On occasion, our adversaries on prior cases have even hired us to represent them.

Birth Injuries

We are highly knowledgeable about Brachial Plexus Injuries, Erb's Palsy, Shoulder Dystocia and the complications and quality of life issues that accompany these birth injuries.

We are also very caring attorneys. Although we are known for our litigation expertise, the in-depth analysis we give all our cases, and the level of time, energy, and due diligence we invest from the very beginning of each and every case, we are also known for the level of care and personal service we give each and every client.

About Our Attorneys

Trief & Olk takes a team approach to every case we accept. Every client has at least two – and sometimes more – attorneys staffing the case. Associates are never given responsibility for a case without the involvement of a partner. Our lawyer-to-case ratio is extremely high, thus assuring the degree of personal attention and thoroughness for which our firm is known.

Our attorneys are experienced litigators that have achieved consistently impressive results in New York and New Jersey. The Trief & Olk attorneys are:

  • Ted Trief, JD 1976
  • Barbara E. Olk, JD (Of Counsel) 1976
  • Eric Dinnocenzo, JD 2001
  • Jordan Rutsky, JD 2004
  • Arlene Stevens, JD 2009

Ted Trief

Ted Trief received his J.D. from Rutgers University Law School, graduating with honors in 1976. He received his B.A. in 1973 from State University of New York at New Paltz. He is a former Assistant D.A.

Practicing law since 1976, Mr. Trief is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association President's Club, the NY State Trial Lawyers Association, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and its Committee on Mass Disasters Planning.

He was admitted to the Bar in Massachusetts and New York in January, 1977 and in New Jersey in November, 2000, and is certified to practice before these U.S. District Courts: USDC/SDNY; USDC/EDNY; USDC/NDNY; USDC/NJ; as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.

Barbara E. Olk (Of Counsel)

Barbara Olk graduated from New York University Law School with a J.D. degree in June of 1976.

Ms. Olk completed her B.A. degree in English and Political Science at the University of Rochester in 1973, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Admitted to the Massachusetts and New York Bars in 1977, Ms. Olk is a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, and is admitted to practice before these U.S. District Courts: USDC/SDNY; USDC/EDNY; USDC/NDNY, and before the United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit; and the United States Supreme Court.

Eric Dinnocenzo

Eric Dinnocenzo graduated cum laude from Boston College Law School in 2001. He received his B.A. from Fairfield University in 1995.

Mr. Dinnocenzo has been admitted to the Bar in the following states: Massachusetts (2002), New York (2006), and New Jersey (2007). He is certified to practice before these U.S. District Courts: USDC/SDNY; USDC/EDNY; USDC/NJ; USDC/MA. His professional memberships include the American Association of Justice, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York City Bar, where he sits on the Small Law Firms Committee. From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Dinnocenzo served on the Board of Directors of Visiting Neighbors, a non-profit agency that provides services for senior citizens in New York City.

He published the article, "The Use of Similar Accident Evidence In Products Liability Cases," in the Fall 2007 issue of the Bill of Particulars, a publication of the New York State Trial Lawyers Institute. In addition, he published the article, "The postclaims underwriting 'gotcha'", in the January 2009 issue of Trial, a publication of the American Association of Justice.

The postclaims underwriting 'gotcha'
Reprinted with permission of TRIAL (January 2009).

Jordan Rutsky

Jordan Rutsky received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in 2004. He received his B.S. and B.A. in the fields of Business Finance and Political Science, respectively, in 2001 from the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he graduated with honors and the President's Disparate Majors Award. Mr. Rutsky is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey and is certified to practice in several federal courts, including the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and the District Court of New Jersey. Mr. Rutsky is also a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.

Arlene Stevens

Arlene Stevens graduated cum laude from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 2008. While in law school, Ms. Stevens was a member of the Moot Court National Honor Society and was awarded the Cardozo Writing Award. In 2003, she graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Criminal Justice from St. John's University, where she was a member of the prestigious President's Society. During her college years, Ms. Stevens also qualified for and was a member of the 2000 Olympic Fencing Team that represented the United States in Sydney, Australia. Ms. Stevens is admitted to practice in New York.

If your child was injured during birth, please feel free to call or e-mail the Shoulder Dystocia lawyers and Erb's Palsy attorneys at Trief & Olk. We may be able to help you get the compensation and justice you and your baby deserve. Trief & Olk is proud to serve the New York and New Jersey area.

Case Settlements

Find out about our Case Settlements and Verdicts

We have extensive experience representing families whose newborns have been diagnosed with Shoulder Dystocia and Erb's Palsy. View the results of Erb's Palsy cases litigated by Trief & Olk.

Legal Resources

Click here for helpful Legal Resources and information regarding your case.

If your child has suffered a birth injury, you're likely looking for answers and information on your child's condition. Trief & Olk has compiled a series of resourceful websites you may find helpful.

Follow Our Blog

Follow our Blog for up to date information and developments.

Our team of attorneys are experienced at handling the complex litigation of Erb's Palsy cases. View our blog for insight into factors associated with birth injuries, litigation and breaking medical developments.

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