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.
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.
Most of his 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.
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. JAMES BELKNAP
Associate
James Belknap, DVM, PhD, DACVS
Dr. Belknap is a1985 graduate of Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He did a one-year internship in Large Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Georgia, and completed a three-year residency in Equine Surgery at Michigan State University in 1989. In addition, he received a Ph.D. in Cardiopulmonary Physiology from Colorado State University and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1993.
Dr. Belknap spent much of his career as an equine surgeon at university hospitals and held academic positions at University of Colorado at Denver, Colorado State University, Auburn University (Head of Equine) and the Ohio State University (Chief of Staff of Equine). In 2018 he was awarded Professor Emeritus in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at OSU.
Since 2018, Dr. Belknap’s work has focused on small animal surgery and over the years he has worked with top-notch small animal surgeons, performing both advanced and routine procedures. Currently, he is the owner of Northwest Veterinary Surgical Services, LLC where he performs small animal orthopedic and advanced soft tissue surgeries (see nwveterinarysurgery.com).
Email Dr. Belknap at: j_belknap@veterinarylitigation.com
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, including:
- 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.
Email Dr. O’Neill at: m_oneill@veterinarylitigation.com
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.
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.
Email Dr. Reed at: s_reed@veterinarylitigation.com
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.
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.
Email Dr. Cole at: k_cole@veterinarylitigation.com
Call us with questions or if you have a case to discuss.
Dr. Niedweske: 609-365-7937
Dr. Chew: 856-272-7888