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Patents and trademarks are my focus. I have expertise in electrical engineering, telecommunications, computer hardware and software, RFID, Internet, and medical device technologies.  For over 20 years, I have helped clients obtain and enforce their intellectual property worldwide.

John Merriam was an unlicensed seaman in the U. S. merchant marine for 12 years before becoming a lawyer, working his way through college and law school. He served aboard 17 freighters and tankers in 12 different job classifications for the deck, engine and steward departments.    Other employment included 19 full-time jobs in eight states ranging from carpenter to cab driver, from roustabout in the oil fields to factory hand on the line. John paid law school tuition with a scholarship from the Seafarers International Union.     Passing the bar in 1982, John practiced with a small firm through 1995 --- first as associate, then as partner. Cases handled ran the gamut of general practice with an emphasis on maritime personal injury.     In 1993-94 John was the Chairman of the Maritime Section for the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association.Starting his own firm in 1996, John now restricts his practice to representing seamen on wage and injury claims.

I am a trial attorney at McNaul Ebel in Seattle, Washington. I represent plaintiffs and defendants in commercial litigation, including disputes involving professional malpractice, insurance, securities, employment, business, and real estate. I have represented clients in numerous trials and arbitrations, and through the appellate process as well. After clerking for a Federal District Court judge, I joined McNaul Ebel in 1997 as an associate and became a member in 2004.

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

Chris regularly handles civil matters in state and federal courts in Colorado and Utah. His areas of emphasis include representing business and individual clients with natural resource, commercial, and real property disputes. Chris also represents government and private clients in matters involving municipal law, zoning, and land use issues.. In addition, Chris regularly represents business entities with construction-related disputes. His practice includes advising clients on contract negotiation and representation in business transactions. He says, "Our focus is always to provide practical advice and cost-effective representation.". Chris serves as City Attorney for the City of Moab, Utah, and as general counsel for the Grand Valley Drainage District in Western Colorado.

Mr. Hargrove graduated Magna Cum Laude from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in 2001.  He graduated from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University Magna Cum Laude in 2004, finishing 4th in his Law School Class.  While at Mercer, Mr. Hargrove was a member of the Mercer Law Review, Moot Court Board, and the Brainerd Curie Honor Society.  Mr. Hargrove also obtained a Certificate in Advanced Legal Writing.. Mr. Hargrove is licensed in the State and Superior Courts of Georgia, the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, all Alabama State and Federal Courts and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.  Mr. Hargrove was honored on the “Georgia Rising Stars” list in Atlanta Magazine/Law and Politics in 2015, 2014 and 2013, voted by his peers as one of Georgia’s best Civil Litigation Young Lawyers.. Mr. Hargrove began his legal career in private practice in Atlanta with the firm of King & Spalding, LLP.  Mr. Hargrove then made the decision to return to his hometown of Columbus, Georgia.  He joined the firm of Page, Scrantom, Sprouse, Tucker & Ford, P.C. where he practiced for ten years (six as a Partner) before joining the Finley Firm.  During his more than ten years in private practice, Mr. Hargrove has handled cases throughout the state and federal courts in Georgia and Alabama, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in Business Disputes, Contractual Disputes, Landlord/Tenant Disputes and Evictions, Construction Litigation, Copyright and Trademark Litigation, Banking Litigation, Workouts and Foreclosures.  Mr. Hargrove has tried numerous cases to verdict in Bench Trials, Jury Trials and Arbitrations and has obtained Summary Adjudication in his clients’ favor in a multitude of cases.. Mr. Hargrove is a member of and serves on the advisory board of MyChurch in Columbus, Georgia, and is the Chairman of the Board of Auburn Christian Fellowship, a Campus Ministry at Auburn University.  He and his wife Trisha have three children.  In his spare time, Mr. Hargrove enjoys both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

For nearly forty years, Richard Dykstra's practice has focused on issues of insurance coverage and insurance company good faith claims handling.  He has been involved in many of the noteworthy Washington cases that establish the standards for insurance company conduct.  He now represents policy holders and serves as "personal counsel" for large and small businesses, law firms and medical professionals to establish and protect their interests whenever insurance is at issue.  He has achieved a number of confidential settlements involving payment of many millions of dollars for injured persons and businesses.  He also assists attorneys, both in Washington and around the country, to help them evaluate the insurance coverage available to satisfy their client's claims, and to help strategize and negotiate to accomplish the client's goals.

Edward Susolik specializes in complex insurance litigation and catastrophic personal injury, as well as a broad spectrum of commercial and business litigation from both plaintiff and defense perspectives, including professional liability, intellectual property, construction law, employment law, real estate, securities law, directors and officers liability, governmental liability and numerous other areas of commercial litigation.. Mr. Susolik is chair of the Insurance Department at Callahan & Blaine. He has been responsible for many multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements over the years, including settlements in the amount of $28 Million, $15.5 Million and $8.1 Million.. In the insurance area, Mr. Susolik has wide expertise in insurance coverage and bad faith litigation covering the full spectrum of insurance law. First, Mr. Susolik has extensive experience in representing policyholders who have been denied insurance benefits. For example, he has successfully represented many professionals in insurance disputes, including doctors, lawyers, accountants, brokers, directors, architects and consultants. Likewise, Mr. Susolik has represented many corporations, homeowners’ associations, municipalities, charitable organizations, contractors and other business organizations in complex insurance disputes. Mr. Susolik also has broad experience in the representation of insurance industry professionals, including agents, brokers and insurance companies in disputes within the insurance industry, including litigation with reinsurers, excess and umbrella insurers and the Department of Insurance.. Mr. Susolik has broad expertise in resolving both first party and third party insurance disputes. In the first party context, Mr. Susolik has tried, litigated and handled hundreds of first party insurance claims, including major claims arising out of the Northridge earthquake, landslides and mudslides, toxic mold contamination, fire claims, water damage, pollution, life insurance, disability insurance, health insurance and numerous other contexts. Likewise, in the third party context, Mr. Susolik has litigated hundreds of liability insurance disputes, including advertising injury claims, Cumis counsel, duty to defend and recovery of attorneys’ fees, wrongful failure to settle, reimbursement, rescission, and other third party insurance disputes.. Mr. Susolik is a frequent speaker on insurance and litigation issues to lawyers, business groups and others. Mr. Susolik is currently a member of the adjunct faculty at USC Law School, where he teaches Insurance Law. He was also Chair of the Insurance Law Section of the Orange County Bar Association for 12 years. Mr. Susolik has been retained on many occasions as an expert witness on insurance law issues by both insurance companies and policyholders. He is also frequently retained by attorneys to provide expert insurance advice and consultation.. Mr. Susolik is the author of many articles on litigation and insurance issues and is a frequent contributor to periodicals, treatises and other legal publications. Mr. Susolik was an editor for the Rutter Group California Practice Guide on Insurance Litigation for over 15 years, where he updated chapters on Insurance Bad Faith and the Duty to Defend.. Mr. Susolik's many awards and accolades speak to his reputation in the legal community. For example, Mr. Susolik has been recognized by his peers as one of the "Top 100 Attorneys in Southern California" for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 , 2017, 2018, and 2019 -- one of only a handful of Orange County attorneys given that distinguished honor by Super Lawyer Magazine.. On the personal side, Mr. Susolik was born in Trnava, Czechoslovakia. He graduated from the University of Southern California with degrees in Philosophy, English and History. He also received his law degree from the University of Southern California Law School, where he graduated Order of the Coif and was an Articles Editor on the Law Review.

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

Admitted to practice in Kentucky since October 2002. Admitted to practice before the United States Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky. Admitted to practice before the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Admitted to practice before the the United States Supreme Court. Graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Brandeis School of Law. Former President of the Brandeis Moot Board. Former Notes Editor of the Brandeis Law Journal

Recognized for his excellence and integrity in the practice of law, Mike Chastaine has beenselected by his peers to the Best Lawyers in America list since 2013, to the Northern CaliforniaSuper Lawyers list since 2005, to the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, plus the2018 Top 100 DUI Attorneys in Northern California list. Attorney Michael Chastaine also has thetop ranking, 10.0, on the peer-reviewed AVVO site.Attorney Michael Chastaine is also established as one of the Sacramento area’s top sex crimeattorneys. Throughout his career, he has handled all these types of cases successfully. He alsoprovides outstanding representation for adult and juvenile clients in state and federal courts andbefore various professional licensing boards. Michael has appeared before the Third and SixthAppellate Districts and the California Supreme Court.. With over 50 years of experience in criminal defense, Chastaine Jones is the place to call if youhave been arrested or charged with criminal misconduct.In 2007, Mike Chastaine established Chastaine Jones, putting his comprehensive experience ofcriminal law to work on behalf of those accused of criminal misconduct in the many counties andcommunities surrounding Sacramento in Northern California. Before that, Attorney Chastaineserved 11 years as a Deputy Public Defender for Santa Clara County and worked for five yearsin the county’s Alternate Defender Office before serving six years as “of counsel” to a well-respected private practice firm in Sacramento. In 2021, preeminent trial attorney Martin Jonestook over the company and has been expanding the firm to help more people.

Barrett Weisz specializes in criminal defense, personal injury, and insurance bad faith litigation in state and federal courts. Barrett has tried more than 90 cases to verdict in state and federal courts throughout Colorado.. Barrett has successfully defended people accused of murder, sexual assault, domestic violence, drug possession/conspiracy, firearms offenses, and white-collar crimes. Barrett’s has successfully represented plaintiffs in personal injury and insurance bad faith matters resulting in substantial settlements and verdicts. Barrett also acts as personal counsel for individuals and companies in disputes or litigation with their own insurance companies.. Barrett’s recent representations include:. Jury verdict and judgment for $2,663,499 in Colorado state court on behalf of a client who suffered lung damage from raw sewage forced into her home by companies performing fiber optic cable drilling on her street.. Six-figure jury verdict in Colorado federal court on behalf of small business client against its insurance company for bad faith failure to pay insurance benefits.. Acquittal in Colorado federal court on charges of assaulting a prison guard for a client facing a 20-year mandatory prison sentence.Probation sentence in Colorado state court on charges of attempted murder in the first degree based for an individual facing 16 to 48 years mandatory prison sentence based on significant mental health issues.. High six figure settlement for a client injured in a rollover car crash during winter driving conditions on I-76 in Colorado.Six figure settlement for an organic hemp farm whose crop was destroyed by negligent spraying of ariel pesticides.. Barrett is admitted to practice in Colorado as well as the United States District Courts for Colorado, Wyoming and the Northern District of Oklahoma. Barrett has argued appeals before the Colorado Court of Appeals, the Colorado Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.. Barrett has been named a Colorado Super Lawyer for criminal defense from 2008 through 2023 and to Best Lawyers in America for criminal defense from 2012 through 2023. Barrett is currently a member of the Faculty of Federal Advocates. Barrett previously served on the Criminal Justice Act Standing Committee which is responsible for the selection and administration of attorneys appointed to represent indigent defendants in the United States District Court for the District if Colorado. Barrett also previously served on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar.. Prior to establishing Nielsen Weisz, LLC, Barrett was a solo practitioner, Of Counsel with Levin Sitcoff, P.C., a partner with Ridley, McGreevy, Winocur, and Weisz, P.C., an associate with Richilano and Ridley, P.C. and a trial lawyer with the Colorado State Public Defender.. Barrett received his juris doctorate from the University of Denver and his undergraduate degree with high honors from the University of California, San Diego.

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.

My goals as an attorney, both personally and professionally, are relatively simple-to be just, and to do good work. I therefore consider my legal career to be at once a profession, a vocation and a means to further achieve my goals. My career as an attorney affords me the opportunity to satisfy my intellectual curiosity by approaching complex, evolving issues in a thoughtful way, to contribute to solutions to the demanding challenges facing individuals and groups in my community, and to work meaningfully for justice by helping others to help themselves.. At Donovan & O'Connor, I am genuinely privileged to work with and to learn from a group of remarkably talented, dedicated and industrious professionals in a wonderful setting; one grounded in principled tradition and in diligent service to clients. The warmth, resourcefulness and attention to detail of each individual consistently provides me with guidance, inspiration and motivation to continue to represent our clients to the very best of my abilities.. Recent Professional Accomplishments. Obtained a $7,988,300 verdict in a surgery error case. The action was brought on behalf of a Vermont woman who underwent unnecessary anti-reflux surgery in Albany, NY. The primary allegation was that the surgeon failed to order appropriate and required pre-surgical tests. The case was tried in Federal District Court in Syracuse, NY, and the result is believed to be the largest medical negligence verdict ever achieved in that jurisdiction.. Litigated and negotiated a $950,000 settlement on behalf of a local family in a complex medical malpractice case.. Litigated and negotiated a $750,000 settlement on behalf of a local family in a complex medical malpractice case.. Litigated and negotiated a $650,000 settlement in a medical malpractice case involving the failure to diagnose a heart attack which led to death.. Secured settlements totaling $957,500 reflecting payments and interest owed to a Vermont manufacturer in connection with a bridge replacement project in Waltham, Massachusetts.. Litigated and negotiated a $500,000 settlement in a medical malpractice case involving a delay in the diagnosing of cancer which led to death.. Obtained a $125,000 jury verdict (before interest and costs) in a motor vehicle trial. The action was brought on behalf of a local man who was injured when his truck was struck from behind by another car. The primary argument was that the defendant broke the rules of the road and injured the plaintiff.. Litigated and negotiated a $420,000 settlement in a pharmaceutical negligence case involving a misfilled prescription and subsequent serious injury.. Litigated and negotiated a $350,000 settlement on behalf of a local family in a negligence case involving the failure by contractors to cover a floor opening and subsequent serious injury to the plaintiff.. Litigated and negotiated a $150,000 settlement on behalf of a local family in a negligence case involving the failure by parents to supervise the use by minors of a snowmobile, resulting in injuries to one of the children.. Litigated and negotiated, following two days of trial, a substantial settlement on behalf of a local high school teacher allegedly terminated in violation of the Massachusetts Whistleblower statute. The case was hotly contested and the terms of the settlement are confidential.. Secured a $95,000 settlement on behalf of a woman injured in a motor vehicle collision.. Secured a $90,000 settlement on behalf of a local woman who suffered injuries as a result of a fall on an icy stairway.. Secured a $75,000 settlement on behalf of a local woman who suffered a broken wrist and other injuries as a result of a fall on an icy stairway.. Secured a $68,000 settlement on behalf of a local woman who suffered a broken wrist and other injuries as a result of a fall on an icy stairway.. Secured a $62,500 settlement on behalf of a woman injured in a motor vehicle collision.. Secured a $50,000 settlement, representing all available insurance, on behalf of a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.. Secured a $60,000 settlement on behalf of a man injured in a snowmobile collision.. Obtained not guilty verdicts on behalf of a Vermont man charged with four counts of vehicular homicide and negligent operation following a tragic motor vehicle accident. After trial, the man was found not guilty on each and all counts.. Obtained a verdict following trial in favor of a Massachusetts developer charged with a zoning violation by a Western Massachusetts municipality. Following trial, the Court reversed a preliminary injunction previously issued against the developer and entered judgment in his favor.. Subseqently  litigated and obtained, on the eve of a trial, a $200,000 settlement on behalf of the Massachusetts developer referred to in the paragraph above. The developer alleged various state and federal civil rights violations by municipal officials.

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.