About Us
WHAT WE DO
When veterinary care is called into question, expert analysis is essential. Our team of highly experienced veterinarians serves as expert witnesses in veterinary malpractice cases, offering professional opinions based on years of clinical practice, education, and adherence to industry standards.
Call us with questions or if you have a case to discuss:
Dr. Niedweske: 609-365-7937
Dr. Chew: 856-272-7888
Our Mission & Core Values
Our mission is to provide the legal system with accurate, objective, and ethical expert opinions, reports and testimony in veterinary-related legal cases, utilizing the highest standards of veterinary knowledge, experience, and integrity to ensure fairness and justice for all parties involved.
meet OUR TEAM
DR. DENNIS CHEW
Principal
Dennis Chew, DVM
Dr. Chew is a 1972 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. He did a one-year internship at South Weymouth Veterinary Associates and a two-year residency in internal medicine and nephrology at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. He became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1977.
Dr. Chew was an attending veterinarian at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital for 36 years and is now Professor Emeritus. He is an honorary member of the newly established ACVNU (American College of Veterinary Nephrology & Urology) and was granted the ACVIM Lifetime Achievement Award (Small Animal Internal Medicine) in 2024.
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The majority of Dr. Chew’s work in clinics, research and publications involves urology/nephrology in small animals. He has special interest and expertise in disorders of calcium metabolism, chronic kidney disease and vitamin D metabolite dynamics, idiopathic/interstitial cystitis of cats, diagnostic urinary endoscopy and all things associated with urinalysis. He has been the author of over 100 peer-reviewed publications, 2 editions of the Manual of Nephrology and Urology in Small Animals, and his latest book Urinalysis in the Dog and Cat.
Email Dr. Chew at: d_chew@veterinarylitigation.com
DR. IRA NIEDWESKE
Principal
Ira Niedweske, DVM
Dr. Niedweske is a 1977 graduate of the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine with a DVM degree and MS in Reproductive Physiology. He began his career at Ocean County Veterinary Hospital in Lakewood, NJ, where he was a staff veterinarian from June 1977 – May 1978.
Thereafter, Dr. Niedweske established and managed several successful veterinary hospitals, including from May 1978 to April 2013, Iselin Veterinary Hospital in Iselin, NJ; from January 1982 – April 2010, Woodbridge Veterinary Group, Woodbridge, NJ; and from April 2013 – December 2023, Ocean View Veterinary Hospital in Cape May Courthouse, NJ. From April 1981 – December 2012, Dr. Niedweske was also Medical Director for the Central Jersey Emergency Clinic, Iselin, NJ.
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Throughout his career, he has maintained direct contact with clients providing routine veterinary care primarily on small animals and exotics as well as performing a variety of surgeries including those of a complicated orthopedic nature. Dr. Niedweske has received numerous awards and held prestigious positions throughout his career including:
- Chair, Small Animal and Exotic Seminars, Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference;
- Chair, Continuing Education, New Jersey Metropolitan Veterinary Medical Association;
- President, New Jersey Metropolitan Veterinary Medical Association;
- Recipient, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Award; and
- President, Cooperwood Equine Rescue.
Dr. Niedweske has also taught emergency medical classes for K-9 handlers throughout New Jersey.
Email Dr. Niedweske at: i_niedweske@veterinarylitigation.com
DR. TURI AARNES
Associate
Turi K. Aarnes, DVM, MS
Dr. Aarnes is a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist and pharmacologist with extensive experience in academic medicine, specialty clinical practice, and regulatory-relevant standards of care. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Prince Edward Island and holds Master of Science degrees in Comparative and Veterinary Medicine and Translational Pharmacology from The Ohio State University.
She began her academic career in 2009 as a clinical instructor at The Ohio State University where she is currently a tenured Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management. She also served as a locum specialist at multiple veterinary schools and referral centers across the United States and Canada. In addition to her extensive teaching experience at both the professional and graduate levels, she has advised and mentored veterinary interns, residents, graduate students, faculty, and veterinary technicians across all stages of professional training.
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Dr. Aarnes has been published in countless journals and has received a substantial amount in grant funding for her research. She has also contributed through lecturing, continuing education and outreach. Her professional certifications and credentials include:
- Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia
- Licensed in Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, and Pennsylvania
- Multiple teaching and curriculum design endorsements through The Ohio State University’s Michael V. Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning
- Course leadership in anesthesiology, pharmacology, and clinical problem-solving at the DVM and graduate levels
- Charles C. Capen Teaching Excellence Award for Graduate Education
DR. SHANE BATEMAN
Associate
Shane Bateman, DVM, DVSc , MSc
Shane Bateman is a Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), University of Guelph, and a board-certified specialist in Emergency and Critical Care. With over two decades of experience in clinical veterinary medicine, he brings a unique perspective to veterinary forensics, combining acute care expertise with a long-standing commitment to animal welfare.
Dr. Bateman served as Chair of the Board of the Guelph Humane Society for a decade, playing a pivotal role in the development of its new $10 million shelter facility. He has also led outreach initiatives delivering preventive veterinary services to underserved populations and First Nations communities in Ontario. These experiences shaped his leadership in founding the Kim & Stu Lang Community Healthcare Partnership Program—an innovative veterinary education and service program built on a One Welfare approach.
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During a sabbatical in 2022, Dr. Bateman completed a Master’s in Veterinary Forensic Science at the University of Florida. Since then, he has worked to build veterinary forensics into the OVC curriculum, including the development of an elective clinical rotation. He is particularly interested in how forensic principles can support practitioners—including those in equine and large animal practice—in Recognizing, Reporting and Responding to animal maltreatment. He is committed to fostering strong collaborations with law enforcement and criminal justice professionals to strengthen investigations and ensure effective prosecution of animal maltreatment cases.
DR. KIMBERLY COLE
Associate
Kimberly Cole, PhD
Dr. Cole earned her B.S. in Animal Science from Virginia Tech, and her M.S. in Animal Science and Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Arkansas. She joined The Ohio State University in 2007 and was appointed Professor in 2022. She is currently a Professor and Extension Equine Specialist in the Department of Animal Sciences where she leads statewide equine education and outreach programs and teaches a range of undergraduate courses in equine health, including Equine Health and Disease, Equine Production and Management, and Equine Studies in Europe.
Dr. Cole has advised numerous M.S. and Ph.D. students and mentored countless undergraduate researchers. She serves as faculty advisor for multiple student equestrian organizations, and her Extension programs, which aim to advance equine health, welfare and youth education across Ohio, reach thousands annually.
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Her accomplishments as an educator have garnered her numerous awards, including:
- Rodney F. Plimpton Outstanding Teacher Award
- Towers Agricultural Honorary Outstanding Mentor
- CFAES Outstanding Academic Mentoring Award
- Gamma Sigma Delta Extension Award of Merit
- Towers Agricultural Honorary Outstanding Mentor
Dr. Cole’s research on equine health, immune function, and welfare has received over $1.1 million in grant funding and her extensive academic contributions include numerous journal publications and international patents on immune response technologies.
DR. KENNETH KNAACK
Associate
Kenneth E. Knaack, DVM, DACVIM
Dr. Knaack is a board-certified veterinary internist currently practicing in West Hartford, Connecticut. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where he also completed his residency in internal medicine. A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, his advanced training reflects the highest level of professional expertise in that specialty. His clinical focus centers on complex internal medicine cases, where he emphasizes diagnostic precision, individualized treatment planning and compassionate care.
He is currently a staff internist at VCA Veterinary Specialists of Connecticut, where he provides comprehensive specialty care and collaborates closely with referring veterinarians. In addition to his work in internal medicine, Dr. Knaack is certified in veterinary acupuncture, allowing him to integrate complementary therapies into patient care when appropriate. Prior to joining VCA, he served as Medical Director at Southshore Veterinary Hospital in South Weymouth, Massachusetts.
DR. FEDERICO LATIMER
Associate
Federico G. Latimer, DVM, MS, DACVS
Dr. Latimer is a board-certified equine and small animal veterinary surgeon with extensive experience in surgery, critical care, and academic medicine. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Villanova University and his first Master’s degree in Animal Science at Penn State University. In 1984 he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University, along with a second Master’s degree in Veterinary Preventive Medicine. Following graduation, he entered private equine practice in Puerto Rico before joining the University of Tennessee faculty, where he later completed a residency in Comparative Surgery.
Dr. Latimer has held faculty and clinical appointments at leading veterinary institutions including The Ohio State University, Louisiana State University, North Carolina State University, Oregon State University, and the University of Tennessee. In addition to his academic work, he has practiced equine medicine in both the continental United States and Puerto Rico and served as a consultant to the United States Equestrian Federation’s Drug and Medication Program.
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Dr. Latimer has published numerous scientific articles, including studies on the pharmacokinetics of antifungal agents in horses and has authored or co-authored multiple veterinary textbook chapters. He holds the distinction of Diplomate Emeritus with the American College of Veterinary surgeons (ACVS), and is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Veterinary Orthopedic Society (VOS). He is currently a practicing surgeon with MedVet Jupiter in Florida.
MARIO MARANO
Associate
Mario Marano, Veterinary Management & Operations
Mr. Marano graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 2000 with a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry. He began his work in the veterinary industry as a Veterinary Technician at Ardmore Animal Hospital, focusing on anesthesia and pain management. This hands-on experience provided him with a strong clinical foundation as well as a keen understanding of operations and management. He has since built a 27-year career as a veterinary professional spanning clinical practice, hospital administration, consulting, and corporate veterinary operations.
Mr. Marano’s extensive background includes hospital leadership roles overseeing daily operations, quality assurance and policy development, as well as corporate positions assisting with practice growth and technology implementation. He currently serves as Hospital Administrator and Special Projects Manager for two different organizations. In addition, he runs his own veterinary consulting practice and advises hospitals, private practices and other industry partners on such things as operational efficiency and process improvement.
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As an associate with VLC, Mr. Marano brings depth of knowledge and expertise in:
- Veterinary hospital management and operations
- Standards of care, quality assurance and regulatory compliance
- Technology initiatives and implementation
- Collaborative problem solving across clinical and business environments
DR. MOLLY MUSMAN
Associate
Molly Musman, DVM, CHPV
Dr. Molly Musman grew up in semi-rural Inverness, just outside Point Reyes National Seashore. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz and went on to St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies. Dr. Musman did all of her clinical training at the University of Minnesota and, after graduation, went on to complete an internship in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine at a private specialty hospital in the Bay Area.
Dr. Musman has worked in various types of clinics since she began practicing in 2007, but finds that she prefers general practice and family medicine because of the relationships she has formed with her patients’ families. She is frequently consulted for second and third opinions, not only because she is a thorough diagnostician, but also because she listens very carefully to her clients and develops pragmatic plans that are rooted in comfort and feasibility.
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Over the course of her years in practice, Dr. Musman has seen a growing need for palliative care and support for families who are not yet ready to say goodbye to terminally ill companion animals. She completed her CHPV (Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian) certification through the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative in September of 2023.
DR. BARBARA OGLESBEE
Associate
Barbara L. Oglesbee, DVM, DABVP
Dr. Oglesbee is a board-certified specialist in avian and exotic animal medicine with decades of experience in clinical practice, teaching, and research. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology, summa cum laude, from the University of Cincinnati. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Avian Practice) and the American College of Exotic Pet Medicine.
Dr. Oglesbee currently serves as Specialty Team Leader for Avian and Exotics at MedVet in Columbus, Ohio, where she provides advanced care exclusively for companion avian and exotic species. She also holds a long-standing academic appointment as a Clinical Associate Professor at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she teaches avian and exotic animal medicine, mentors students, and advises residents and interns.
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During her career, Dr. Oglesbee has held leadership roles in both private practice and academia, including directing the General Practice Service at Ohio State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She has authored numerous publications, book chapters and textbooks, and is the editor of Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Small Mammals. She is a regular speaker at state, national and international veterinary conferences.
DR. MARJORIE O’NEILL
Associate
Marjorie O'Neill, DVM
Dr. O’Neill is a 1991 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State Universtiy. She began her career at Iselin Veterinary Hospital where she worked from May 1991 – May 2010 as a staff veterinarian. During this same time period, she was also the acting Medical Director at Central Jersey Veterinary Emergency Service, performing emergency, critical care and surgery for companion animals and exotics.
Subsequently, Dr. O’Neill practiced at Animal Medical Care of CT for 6 years, treating companion animals, exotics and wildlife. Her work there included traditional Western Medicine and Western Herbal Veterinary Medicine. From July 2021 through the present she has been practicing at Yalesville Veterinary Hospital where she specializes in Integrative Medicine.
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Her specialties include:
- Traditional Western Medicine
- Western Herbal Veterinary Medicine
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Chinese Herbal Veterinary Medicine
- Acupuncture
- Tui Nua
- Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy
- Laser Therapy
For over 20 years, Dr. O’Neill has proven her skill and dedication to veterinary medicine, both on a traditional as well as wholistic level. Her experience and expertise make her a valuable member of our team.
DR. VALERIE PARKER
Associate
Valerie J. Parker, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM, Nutrition)
Dr. Parker is a board-certified specialist in small animal internal medicine and clinical nutrition. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tufts University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Massachusetts. She is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in both Small Animal Internal Medicine and Nutrition.
Dr. Parker currently serves as a Clinical Professor at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she has been a faculty member since 2012. An accomplished researcher and clinician, she has authored numerous publications focused on nutrition, gastrointestinal disease, kidney disease, and metabolic health in dogs and cats. Her work has contributed to advancing nutritional management and improving clinical outcomes in companion animals.
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In addition to her research and teaching, Dr. Parker has served in editorial roles for leading veterinary journals, including as Associate Editor for the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. She is involved in several professional organizations and contributes to committees focused on education, research, and credentialing within her specialty.
DR. STEPHEN REED
Associate
Stephen Reed, DVM
Dr. Reed is a 1976 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He did a one-year internship at the College of Veterinary Medicine at MSU, and finished a three-year residency there in 1979. He became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1985. From 1983-2007 Dr. Reed held several academic positions at The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, including Associate Professor, Development Director and Head of Equine.
Over the years he has received numerous honors and awards in academia, such as Professor Emeritus at OSU, The Jenne Professorship (the Bud and Marilyn Jenne Designated Professor in Equine Clinical Sciences and Research), and Adjunct professor at University of Kentucky’s Department of Veterinary Science.
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Dr. Reed’s principal field of study is equine internal medicine with a focus on equine neurological diseases. His contributions to research, publications and fundraising is extensive. His professional memberships include the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and Kentucky Equine Practitioners, among others.
Call us with questions or if you have a case to discuss.
Dr. Niedweske: 609-365-7937
Dr. Chew: 856-272-7888