Stamford Lawyer To Play Role with New Quinnipiac Medical School

November 12, 2013

STAMFORD - When John Lahey, president of Quinnipiac University in Hamden, was looking for a legal authority to advise the dean of the new medical school on legal issues affecting medical professionals, he didn't have to look too far.

All Lahey had to do was contact attorney Richard Silver, senior partner of Silver Golub & Teitell LLP in Stamford, a member of the university's law school advisory board and a new appointee to Quinnipiac's board of trustees.

Lahey and his staff were impressed by Silver's reputation as a tough litigator representing plaintiffs, often in medical malpractice law suits and saw him as an ideal choice for the university's new School of Medicine's Board of Visitors.

"He is a pillar in terms of his legal and medical knowledge and his business acumen," said Donald Weinbach, vice president for development and alumni affairs. "We're always looking for advice and counsel from our board members."

Silver sees it as an opportunity to play a role in keeping young medical professionals out of court.

"It's an opportunity to give input so they can prevent malpractice suits. Communication with the patient is very important. Medical school is an excellent place to start," said Silver, who expects to have close contact with Dr. Bruce Koeppen, dean of the school, which is scheduled to admit its first class in 2013. "I'm not going to teach. This is an advisory board."

Silver, who once won a $37 million lawsuit, is familiar with working with physicians and accompanying them on their rounds.

For 20 years, he has been listed in the "Best Lawyers in America" under personal injury and medical malpractice insurance litigation.

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