Skip to content

Thompson Coe is focused on growth and client service as it opens new offices in New York and Honolulu.

Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, LLP, a premier litigation firm, is proud to announce the strategic expansion of new law offices in New York, New York and Honolulu, Hawaii on July 1, 2024. These two new offices join six other locations providing legal services for more than 70+ years to clients both regionally and nationally in the Southwest, Southeast, and Midwest.

While the firm built a reputation as a Texas insurance powerhouse, Thompson Coe has broadened its offerings to meet the complex business litigation needs of its Fortune 500 clients, expanding into areas of product liability, property and casualty litigation, labor and employment litigation, professional liability, and appellate services. This addition of five attorneys across two offices will grow the personal injury, product liability, and complex business litigation practices for the firm.

“The needs of our existing clients and the significant opportunities for additional work in the East Coast and Hawaii are the driving forces behind this expansion,” said Shawn Phelan, Chair of the Management Committee. “We have worked with each of our new partners on prior cases and are excited to have them join our deep bench of talented attorneys.”

The New York office will be led by partner Bernadette Catalana, who focuses on toxic exposure cases, other product liability mass torts, and Child Victims’ Act cases. She serves as National Coordinating Counsel for a Fortune 100 company, managing its mass tort docket’s strategic defense and resolution. Bernadette serves as settlement counsel for many of her clients and has mediation certification from Pepperdine University. She is an author and speaker, focusing on mentoring younger attorneys and supporting women at every stage of life.

“I have worked alongside many of the Thompson Coe attorneys in the mass tort space and find them to be consistently outstanding,” said Bernadette Catalana. “It is my great privilege to join them in the practice of law and my honor to introduce them to New York City and the Northeast.”

Joining Bernadette in the New York office will be partner Ingrid Golemi, who focuses on complex civil and commercial litigation, including asbestos litigation. Rounding out the NY team is senior attorney Jessica Naegely, who handles a variety of litigation matters as well as property damage and insurance coverage disputes.

The Honolulu office will include the team of Thom Benedict and Dawn Sugihara, who are a well-known and respected duo in Hawaii’s courts. Thom is a trial lawyer who handles high-stakes cases involving commercial disputes, mass torts, unfair and deceptive trade claims, product liability, and personal injury for clients ranging from individuals to Fortune 100 clients. Dawn is an extremely effective litigator in many areas of civil litigation, and her cost-effective resolution strategies have made her beloved by her clients and integral to Thom’s practice.

“We are excited to join Thompson Coe because of the potential synergies,” said Thom Benedict. “Dawn and I have worked with Thompson Coe attorneys for over 20 years in cases for one of our largest clients. We have a varied, Fortune 100 client base we will bring to Thompson Coe, and Thompson Coe will provide access to the resources of a big firm and, more importantly, the ability to get an assist from the incredibly talented trial attorneys like Zandra Foley.”

The Thompson Coe Honolulu office will be located at 700 Bishop St., Suite 1601, Honolulu, HI 96813. The Thompson Coe New York office is currently in final lease negotiations in Midtown Manhattan.

Related People

Thomas Benedict
Partner

Thomas Benedict

808-451-3177
Email

Dawn  T. Sugihara
Partner

Dawn T. Sugihara

808-451-3176
Email

Bernadette W.  Catalana
Partner

Bernadette W. Catalana

212-404-0709
Email

Ingrid Golemi
Partner

Ingrid Golemi

212-404-0713
Email

Jessica  L.  Naegely
Senior Attorney

Jessica L. Naegely

212-404-6159
Email

Related Resources