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Picture of Jean Marie Westlake Esq.

Jean Marie Westlake, Esq.

A lifelong resident of the Syracuse area, Jean Marie Westlake graduated from LeMoyne College, cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Labor Relations in 1994. She received her Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 2001. While in law school, Ms. Westlake was a member of the Tournament of Champions and National Trial Teams, where she received extensive training in trial techniques. Prior to joining DeFrancisco and Falgiatano Law Firm, she was a litigation associate for a local law firm and is well versed in insurance industry practices.

Ms. Westlake is currently the President of the Onondaga County Bar Association.

Ms. Westlake focuses her practice on civil litigation involving serious personal injury and wrongful death. She has experience in a broad range of personal injury cases, including but not limited to medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, construction accidents and products liability.

She is a member of the New York State Bar Association, Onondaga County Bar Association, Central New York Women's Bar Association, and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.

Ms. Westlake is an instructor for the Syracuse University College of Law Trial Team program and is a former advisor for both the Syracuse University and Hamilton College undergraduate trial team programs.

Education

J.D., Syracuse University College of Law, Syracuse, New York, 2001

B.S., LeMoyne College, 1994
cum laude

Bar Admissions New York
U.S. Federal Courts
U.S. District Court Northern District of New York
U.S. District Court Western District of New York
U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit
Professional Associations and Memberships

New York State Bar Association

  • House Delegate, 2013 - Present
  • House Delegate Alternate, 2012

Onondaga County Bar Association

  • President
  • Board of Directors
  • Chair, Human Resource Committee
  • Member, Executive Committee
  • Member, Finance Committee
  • Member, Judicial Committee
  • Member, Nominating Committee
  • Former President-Elect, 2014
  • Former Vice President, 2013
  • Former Secretary, 2012

Volunteer Lawyer’s Project of Onondaga County Membership No. Board of Directors
Member Since: 2014

Assigned Counsel Program of Onondaga County Membership No. Board of Directors
Member Since: 2014

Central New York Women’s Bar Association

  • Board of Directors, 2007 - 2012
  • Chair, WBASNY, 2010 - 2012

Classes / Seminars
  • Instructor, Syracuse University College of Law Trial Team Program
  • Advisor, Hamilton College Undergraduate Trial Team Program
Pro Bono Activities
  • Member of the Tournament of Champions and National Trial Teams
  • Arbitrator for the City of Syracuse Small Claims Court as well as The New York State Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Resolution Program
Client Reviews
★★★★★
"We were very impressed with how Jeff DeFrancisco represented us at trial and we were extremely happy when the jury found in our favor." D.M., Auburn, NY
★★★★★
"I cannot express in words what an awesome job Charlie Falgiatano and Jean Marie Westlake did in representing my family in my mother's case at trial. There can never be enough thank-yous." D.L., Cortland, NY
★★★★★
"I suffered a serious injury as a result of medical malpractice. My husband and I retained Jeff DeFrancisco to assist us in this case. We were extremely happy with his representation and highly recommend him." Kelley R., Syracuse, NY
★★★★★
Since the insurance company was unwilling to settle the matter my case ultimately went to trial. At trial Jeff DeFrancisco did an absolutely amazing job by obtaining a very favorable result for me." T.H., Oneida, NY
★★★★★
"I highly recommend DeFrancisco & Falgiatano - Charlie represented me for a medical malpractice case. He is the best of the best. He is friendly and I am very happy with the representation he provided." Roger N., Oneida, NY