Top Best Civil Lawyers | 33554 Available

Laura A. White is a partner with Smith O'Callaghan & White and has extensive experience advising corporations in employment-related litigation. She has in-depth knowledge of the employment discrimination laws, employer compliance and federal and state court litigation in the employment law arena.. Ms. White holds the AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for ethics and legal ability. Ms. White was selected by her peers and recognized as an Illinois Rising Star in Labor and Employment Law in 2008 and 2009, and an Illinois Super Lawyer in 2010, 2011 and 2012. www.superlawyers.com In addition, she is a Leading Lawyer in Illinois, named by her peers as a top lawyer in the category of Employment Law: Management. www.leadinglawyers.com. Ms. White has been a partner with Smith O'Callaghan & White since its formation, and was previously an associate with Kessler Smith & Powen. Prior to her years in private practice, Ms. White gained legal experience with the University of Dayton Office of Legal Affairs and was an attorney with Loyola University of Chicago's Office of the General Counsel.. Ms. White represents employers in numerous federal court and administrative agency proceedings, involving allegations of race discrimination, sex discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, age discrimination, disability discrimination and state handicap discrimination, to name a few. She consistently obtains favorable resolutions to discrimination and harassment charges and complaints filed with various federal, state and local fair employment practices agencies, including the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, the City of Chicago Commission on Human Rights, the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division, and the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, among others. Ms. White was a member of the defense team representing one of the first corporations to be sued under the Family and Medical Leave Act ("FMLA"), a case that resulted in the first matter to be heard by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals interpreting the FMLA. She also recently obtained the dismissal of FMLA and retaliatory discharge claims in a matter involving novel interpretation of judicial estoppel arguments.. Ms. White actively counsels employers on navigating the requirements of the ADA to ensure statutory compliance in dealing with employees with alleged disabilities and requests for reasonable accommodation. Ms. White's record of success in obtaining dismissal or summary judgment on ADA and other discrimination claims is a direct result of her expertise in the area of employment discrimination law and her impassioned result-oriented approach to representing her clients. Most recently, Ms. White has secured victory for her clients in contentious litigation involving alleged pattern and practice claims of age and disability discrimination in federal court, as well as numerous EEOC investigations.. Ms. White also represents employers in breach of employment contract litigation, wrongful discharge claims, wage and hour claims, including the recent vindication of an employer in a wage claim in which the employee abused the judicial process, and employment-related torts, such as employee theft and wrongdoing and workplace defamation. She frequently provides critical counseling to her clients on problematic discipline and termination decisions in order to limit potential exposure and liability.

Attorney Richard L. Williams provides legal services for civil infractions, misdemeanors and felonies, including OWI (DUI, DWI) drug possession, driver’s license restoration, expungement of criminal records, domestic assault, and other related issues and offenses. He also provides services for wills, trusts, businesses, and corporations.. Richard L. Williams is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, license #P-29583. He has been actively practicing law since his acceptance into the Bar in October 1978. The principal areas of law that he has focused on during his four-plus decades of experience have been trial advocacy and business organizations. Mr. Williams attained Diplomate status with the Court Practice Institute in Chicago, Illinois in 1978. He worked at the Michigan Department of Commerce, Corporation and Securities Division, Franchise Registration for two years prior to admittance into the State Bar of Michigan. During that time, he was also the Chief Legal Clerk for Circuit Court Judge Paul Mahinske in Howell, Michigan. He has also taught upper-division level contracts and business organizations at Michigan State University, Lansing Community College, and Thomas M. Cooley Law School.. In September 2021, he began his 44th year as a lawyer in private practice. He has represented more than 7,000 individuals and business entities in matters ranging from divorce, real estate, wills, corporations, and personal injury/wrongful death to defending those who are criminally accused. Today, he focuses on driver’s license restoration, expungement of criminal records, criminal defense, and setting up new businesses via corporate form or otherwise.. Personal & Educational History. Attorney Williams was born in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, New York in 1947. His father owned his own newspaper and was an investigative journalist by trade; his mother was a hospital dietitian with a Master’s degree in food chemistry. He attended high school in Thompson, Connecticut at Marianapolis Preparatory School and graduated with a classical and a scientific diploma. Thereafter, he attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and received a BA degree with majors in history and chemistry and a minor in economics. He attended and graduated from Thomas Cooley Law School in May 1978. He’s married with seven children, which include six sons and one daughter. His outside interests include gardening, wilderness camping, playing and teaching music, cooking, writing, and competitive league bowling during the winter months.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in United States and surrounding areas.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in United States and surrounding areas.

Jim is a founding partner at Kase & Druker. He specializes in tax law and federal criminal defense matters.. Jim began his legal career as an Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Special Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Organized Crime and Racketeering Section. He served as Assistant U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of New York, and Deputy Chief, Criminal Division and Chief of Official Corruptions Section. Jim was an Assistant District Attorney and Chief of Rackets and Narcotics Bureau in Nassau County.. Jim has served as the Master of the Bench, American Inns of Court, Theodore Roosevelt Inn. He is also the author of “New Cars and UCC Section 2-608: Your Client Isn’t Stuck with a Lemon.” He has been Guest Adjunct Law Professor at Fordham School of Law.  Also, a frequent lecturer at Baruch College Graduate Business school 2012 – present.. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and earned his J.D. at Boston College.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in United States and surrounding areas.

Mike Dortch is a trial lawyer with extensive experience litigating civil cases of all types, including commercial, contract, insurance coverage, probate, environmental, and real property disputes.. I am admitted to practice before all Ohio courts by the Ohio Supreme Court and by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.  With permission of the court, I have also represented clients in courts within the states of Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina and Texas.. In my energy practice, I have represented one of Ohio’s investor owned utilities in evidentiary hearings before the PUCO, including numerous cases involving the restructuring of the electric industry in Ohio, regulatory compliance, rules proceedings, and a merger with another investor owned utility.  I have also represented rural electric cooperatives, a fully-integrated Ohio based energy services company, and natural gas local distribution companies.  I have successfully represented several entities before the Ohio Power Siting Board in connection with their efforts to construct electric power generation plants in Ohio.  I have advised commercial and industrial clients regarding their electric and natural gas services contracts.. In my  environmental practice, I have represented clients in cases involving CERCLA cost recovery actions, site remediation/reclamation activities required by RCRA, CRO, and SMCRA, emergency response, and TSCA penalty proceedings. In addition, he successfully opposed an EPA effort to list real property owned by clients on the National Priorities List. I successfully defended the executor of an estate against claims that the executor had both CERCLA liability and fiduciary obligations requiring it to undertake the remediation of contaminated property belonging to the deceased.  On behalf of a petroleum distribution customer of a pipeline terminal, I successfully demonstrated that petroleum contamination beneath Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego was caused by other customers of the terminal.. In my telecommunications practice, I have represented nearly all forms of telecommunications service providers (CLECs, IXCs, cellular, paging, mobile radio) in every manner of case before the PUCO.  He also advises developers and other large consumers of telecommunications services regarding their telecommunications issues.. I graduated summa cum laude from Capital University Law School, where I am now an adjunct member of the faculty.  The editors of Cincinnati Magazine, in conjunction with Law and Politics Media, Inc., regularly name me an "Ohio Super Lawyer" -- a tribute enjoyed by only 5% of the practicing bar.. I am a member of the American Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association.

Ohio State Bar, Member: 1983 to present; Texas State Bar, Member: 1991 to present. American Bar Association, Member: 1983 to present. Solo Practioner: 1983 - 1989; Hahn Loeser & Parks, Cleveland,OH, Associate : 1989 - 1990 Community Rehabilitation Services, Inc., Dallas, TX, Gen . Counsel 1990 - 1991; Law Offices of Christopher A . Kalis, Dallas, TX : 1991 to present; Prince of Peace Catholic School, Plano, TX, School Board Member 1999 - 2001; Married with four children.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in United States and surrounding areas.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in United States and surrounding areas.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in United States and surrounding areas.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in United States and surrounding areas.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in United States and surrounding areas.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in United States and surrounding areas.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in United States and surrounding areas.

In 1994, Randall came out of law school swinging, suing a group of twenty two judges, and then he sued the State Bar of Texas, all when the ink was barely dry on his law license. After those victories, Randall then built a career on standing up to abusive and corrupt authorities.. In the past twenty four years, Randall has been in front of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals dozens of times, as well as the Texas Supreme Court. These high profile cases have included an assortment of civil rights issues, ranging from police misconduct to freedom of speech to the removal of red light cameras from the City of Houston. Such cases regularly appear in print and television news, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, Houston Chronicle, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Guardian, BBC, Telemundo, and Univision. Randall also often appears as a trusted source of legal commentary for news stations as well as offering continuing education to other attorneys in areas related to Constitutional and civil rights issues.. Randall believes that it is of the utmost importance to fight for constitutional issues, civil rights, the freedom of speech, and freedom of religion, and also is determined to protect people from abuses. This includes criminal defense, personal injury, and advocating on behalf of anyone facing disciplinary action from work, school, or professional licensing boards. When you are confronted with the extreme power of the government or big business, Randall can even the playing field.

Experienced Civil attorney serving clients in United States and surrounding areas.

Beth Bloom has dedicated her career to restoring justice for employees. She is the principal attorney and managing shareholder of Bloom Law PLLC.. Beth has had a successful career to date including several multimillion-dollar jury verdicts for employees fired because of discrimination and retaliation. Her practice areas include employment discrimination, sexual harassment, whistleblower retaliation, and breach of contract. Her goal is to help her clients acheive justice through jury trials and help create lasting change by making discrimination and retaliation in the workplace unprofitable for businesses.. Beth has received many honors for her work, including being named perennially as a “Washington Super Lawyer” in plaintiff’s employment litigation. Beth is honored as one of the top 100 Trial Lawyers and Women Lawyers in Washington. Bloom Law has been named a Tier 1 firm in Seattle for Litigation – Labor and Employment and Employment Law – Individuals by U.S. News Best Law Firms® and Beth has also received individual Best Lawyers® recognition for her outstanding work. She regularly teaches trial advocacy and employment law at legal seminars.. Beth received her law degree from New York University School of Law. She is a former federal district court law clerk in the Southern District of New York in Manhattan. In 2001, she returned to her hometown of Seattle, Washington.. On her days off, Beth enjoys time outside with her family and friends, especially paddling the many lakes and rivers of beautiful Washington. She also loves to travel. Her favorite food is chicken tacos.

In the course of my twenty-eight year legal career, I have visited 47 of the 50 states. I have had cases from as far west as Hawaii and as far east as Boston. I have the unique ability to communicate effectively with all kinds of people from all walks of life and solve legal problems in creative and efficient ways.. In 2017, Expertise, a national ranking company, reviewed 150 Employment Lawyers in the Washington, DC Metro area and selected my firm for an award as a top 16 Employment Lawyer. I have won this award six more times between 2018-2023. I have offices in New York City and Silver Spring, Maryland, just outside of DC. I have won Appeals in eight different Appeals Courts. In 2020, I was selected to be in 2020 Top 100 Attorneys Magazine.. I will fight wherever and no matter how long I have to on behalf of my clients. I have litigated cases in New York, Massachusetts, Arizona, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland, Texas, and Mississippi, where I and local counsel obtained a successful $870, federal jury verdict. In 2012, I won a case against the Secret Service (Department of Homeland Security) for a federal employee; a case that had been previously litigated for 19 years, winning a total of $458,000. I am admitted to practice law in two states, the District of Columbia and 15 Federal Courts. I have won appeals in nine different Appeals Courts.. Our law firm has also garnered national media attention. In Hayes v. Napolitano, Civil Action No. 12-825 (ABJ) (2012), I represented New York City, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) Chief against DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano's Chief of Staff. in a sexual harassment case which was covered by NBC, CNN, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post. The case resulted in the Chief of Staff resigning and a $175,000 settlement without Mr. Hayes being forced to resign.. In Keegan v. Social Security Administration, MSPB No. PH-1221-15-0121-W-1, I represented my client Michael Keegan before the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Mr. Keegan’s testimony pertained to the Social Security Administration misleading Congress as to the need for $500,000,000 to replace the National Computer Center, when no such outlay was needed and the actual building was never replaced. The case made national news as well.. In another national case, Taylor Johnson v. Department of Homeland Security, M.S.P.B, Case No: SF-0752-16-0320-I-1, we represented Senior Immigration and Enforcement Agent, Taylor Johnson, who reported extensive abuse of the EB-5, USCIS Immigrant Investor Program regarding the refurbishing of a Las Vegas casino, headed by an investor group, represented by Rory Reid, Esq., son of U.S. Senate Minority leader, Harry Reid (D-NV). Ms. Johnson testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs regarding her whistle blower matter. The matter was resolved to the satisfaction of the parties.. We also represent businesses in employment and business litigation.  I have won jury trials both representing the employee and the employer. Between 2015 and February 2020, I represented Ergo Solutions, Inc., against two former employees who asserted sexual harassment and retaliation claims. After years of litigation, we obtained two DEFENDANT'S VERDICTS, in 2018 and 2019 respectively. I was also successful in getting a class action suit dismissed against my client. I am thankful to Ergo for selecting my law firm to represent them in this matter.. Having worked on employment law cases from both the employer and employee end, provides me with a unique ability to understand how each of the sides develops its case strategy. We take the time to listen to our clients, understand their frustrations and help them from a legal and financial perspective.. In August, 2019, I won a major appeal in Mount v. DHS, 18-1762, a ground breaking decision in which The United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the First Circuit held for the first time that a Federal whistleblower exhausts his perceived whistleblower claims before the Office of Special Counsel if he includes sufficient factual basis to enable the agency to investigate. This opinion effectively makes it more difficult for MSPB Administrative Judges to dismiss perceived whistleblower claims.. Actively involved in the legal community, I am a member of both the Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association, serving on the Judicial Nominations Committee and a member of the New York Employment Lawyers Association where I serve on the  Solo Practice Committee. I have testified before the Maryland House of Delegates, House Ways and Means Committee on the Maryland Civil Rights Tax Relief Act (CRTRA), with the aim to prevent the taxation of non-economic damages in the employment law settlements and awards. That testimony helped produce legislation exempting pain and suffering damages in employment cases from state tax.. I have also served as an expert witness in legal malpractice cases on both the Plaintiff and Defendant sides.. In addition to employment litigation, my law office has reviewed, drafted and negotiated hundreds of employment contracts as well as many high dollar sales commission agreements, separation agreements, employee handbooks and offer letters. We provide clients the necessary confidence to navigate the challenging waters of job change and solid advice to companies as to avoiding legal pitfalls when unfortunately they have to dismiss employees.. Licensed in the following states:. •    Maryland (2001). •    New York (1996). •    Washington, DC (2003). Admitted to Practice in these following Federal Courts:. The Supreme Court of the United States; The United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; The United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Armed Services; The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; The United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; The United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; The United States Court of Federal Claims; The United States District Court, District of Maryland; The United States District Court, District of Columbia; The United States District Court, Southern District of New York; The United States District Court, Eastern District of New York; and The United States District Court, District of Colorado. I have also published several books, including, Maximize Your Employment Lawsuit With My Top Secrets, which guides enabling clients to maximize the attorney-client relationship to give their cases the best chance of winning.. Tough, aggressive and vigorous litigation are the qualities I utilize on a daily basis to fight and achieve justice for my clients.