Category: Attorney Bio

A Rochester native, Rachel brings a strategic, detail-oriented approach to Workers’ Compensation defense. Rooted in years of customer service experience, her practice prioritizes proactive communication and strong client relations, ensuring employers and insurance carriers receive clear, sophisticated navigation through the complexities of the New York State Workers’ Compensation system.

Rachel graduated summa cum laude from RIT before earning her J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law. In law school, she served as Form & Accuracy Editor for the Journal of Science and Technology, publishing a note on insurance and autonomous vehicles, and gained vital experience as a Student Attorney in the Disability Rights Clinic.

Her comprehensive background includes interning at the Monroe County DA’s Office and preparing Social Security disability appellate briefs at the Burton Blatt Institute. Before returning to private practice, Rachel spent several years negotiating competitive government contracts in the aerospace and defense industry. This high-stakes negotiation background, combined with her extensive prior experience in claimant-side litigation, gives her a powerful, “360-degree” view of the legal landscape. She leverages this unique perspective to anticipate opposing strategies and deliver exceptional results for her clients. 

Dylan Prendergast joined Hamberger & Weiss in 2025, starting his career in workers’ compensation defense. During law school, he worked in public sector labor and employment matters as well as in employment discrimination under both state and federal law. Dylan was born and raised in the southside of Buffalo and is committed to continuing to make a home here. When not working, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, biking, and experiencing new events and places around Buffalo.

Glenaida Mercado joined Hamberger & Weiss LLP in 2025, beginning her career in workers’ compensation defense. Previously, she focused on housing litigation in Erie County. Glenaida is very active in the Buffalo community. She is determined to help disadvantaged groups be linked with important resources and services. Glenaida is a strong advocate for affordable housing and healthy food for all Erie County residents. In her personal time, she loves to volunteer with her children in the community. She can be found creating clubs, community events, fundraisers, and family adventures. Glenaida’s favorite thing to do is go camping and spend time in nature connecting with Earth.

Joshua Solomon focuses his practice on workers’ compensation,
bringing a diverse background in law and education to his practice. He earned
his J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law in 2023 and holds dual
Rabbinic Degrees from the Talmudical Institute of Upstate New York.

Before his legal career, Joshua worked in property management and taught Talmudic Law for many years, developing a strong and diverse skill set in organization, management, education, and persuasion. His multifaceted background enriches his ability to provide strategic legal counsel and client-focused solutions at Hamberger & Weiss LLP. In his spare time, he enjoys soccer, fermenting his own fruit wines, and spending time with his
wife and kids.

Mr. Hall devotes the majority of his practice to litigating workers’ compensation claims. He has specialized in analyzing chemical exposure and volunteer firefighter claims.

During law school, Mr. Hall was a member of Law Review and he is published. He authored United States v. Wake: Fifth Circuit Hands Down Hard-Line Intent Requirement in School Yard Statute, 10 Cooley L. Rev. 443, 1993. While attending law school, he received honors including the American Jurisprudence Award for both Advocacy and Labor Law, as well as a Book Award for Gun Control Seminar.

Mr. Hall has appeared before the Third Department, Appellate Division, arguing various issues on both Volunteer Firefighter and Workers’ Compensation claims.

He is the former Chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Committee for the Bar Association of Erie County. He is also a member of the Bar Association of Erie County and the New York State Bar Association.

Mr. Hall is a passionate outdoorsman. He loves to hunt and fish with his family and friends, and he volunteers his time to teach others about the hunting and shooting sports. In 1991, Mr. Hall was certified by the N.Y.S. D.E.C. to teach both the Hunter Safety and Duck Identification courses. Since 1991, he has instructed hundreds of New Yorkers in safe firearm handling, hunting ethics and hunting regulations, as well as seasons, bag limits and methods of identifying different species of waterfowl. By teaching others about the wise and ethical use of the environment Mr. Hall hopes to ensure the preservation of this resource for generations to come.

Mr. Snyder joined the firm in 1993 after several years in general practice to focus on workers’ compensation cases exclusively.  Although he has litigated a wide variety of cases, he is particularly interested in no insurance cases, pulmonary diseases, employee/employer relationship issues, third party settlement issues and appellate practice.  In 1998, he argued Bates vs. Marine Midland Bank at the Appellate Division, Third Department.  Bates helped limit the scope of occupational diseases under the workers’ compensation law in select cases where the claimant’s work lacks a “distinctive feature” to explain the medical condition alleged.

Mr. Snyder began as an associate in the Buffalo office and was named a partner in 1996.  He has been a resident in the Rochester office since 1998. He has been a frequent speaker at the firm’s annual seminar and has been a mentor to several attorneys new to the firm.

He is a member of the New York State and Monroe County Bar Associations.

Ms. Thai defends insurance carriers and self-insured employers in workers’ compensation claims. Her experience includes all aspects of the workers’ compensation process, including evaluation of potential claims, development of defenses, testimony of lay and expert witnesses, preparation of legal briefs, including Memoranda of Law, appeals and rebuttals, and negotiation and evaluation of claims for settlement,  including preparation of settlement agreements, calculation of Medicare Set-Asides, and submission of applications to CMS for settlement approval.  She is a member of the Monroe County Bar Association.