THE ANNUAL LIST OF TOP ATTORNEYS
SUPERLAWYERS.COM
the magazine
A Quintessential American Story KEN LEE’S JOURNEY FROM KOREATOWN TO 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE.
ROLAND COOPER on facing Ted Wells JUSTICE ALAN PAGE gives lawyers three pieces of advice Touring Wilmington with JONATHAN LAYTON
RELAUNCH 2016
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RELAUNCH 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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VOIR DIRE
A brief survey of your bar colleagues LOCAL COUNSEL
Where Jonathan Layton might be about town JUDICIAL NOTICE
Former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice (and NFL MVP) Alan Page on the dos and don’ts for trial lawyers PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Three attorneys on their favorite apps
COVER STORY Kenneth Lee started out in Koreatown; he wound up at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
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THE DOCKET
22 Roland Cooper faces Ted Wells
the annual list Super Lawyers 16 THE TOP LISTS 18
LISTED BY AREA OF PRACTICE
Rising Stars 21 LISTED BY AREA OF PRACTICE
LAWYERS DID NOT PAY TO BE INCLUDED IN THE EDITORIAL FEATURES, DEPARTMENTS OR SUPER LAWYERS LISTS. COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUSTIN SNIPES
SUPER LAWYERS MAGAZINE | 2016
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voir Dire
A brief survey of your bar colleagues
Referring Clients How often do you refer clients to otHer attorneys?
past 12 months
wHat percentaGe of your new business would you estiMate coMes froM referrals?
4.98% 7.33%
3.29%
More than
10.55%
17.72%
12.12% 35.84%
29.2%
21.4%
one per week once per Month once per Quarter once per year rarely, if ever
of attorneys
have made a referral in the past year
16.8%
37.84%
95%
0% 1% – 20% 21% – 40% 41% – 60% 61% – 80% over 80%
factors wHen MaKinG referrals
Less than half of attorneys have a personal relationship with those they refer clients to 78% of attorneys said “expertise and reputation” are a determining factors in who they refer clients to
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73% of attorneys said “quality of work” is a determining factor in who they refer clients to
x
x
super lawyers is a third party source that validates a lawyers expertise in their field
super lawyers validates that a selected lawyer has a history of outstanding work
SUPERLAWYERS.COM
69% of attorneys said “trusting they will take care of my client” is a determining factor in who they refer clients to
x testimonials state that attorneys are much more confident when referring a client to a super lawyer selectee
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LOCAL COUNSEL Places to see (and be seen)
The Wilmington attorney tells us what’s good in the neighborhood
Jonathan Layton CRIMINAL DEFENSE
BEST PLACE TO REFLECT
Is this your nice way of saying, “Best place to go after a loss?” My place of reflection is inside my own head. Not a recommended space for others!
BEST JUDGE TO ARGUE BEFORE I’m partial to Judge Jan R. Jurden. A phenomenally smart and splendid woman.
BEST PEOPLE WATCHING
BEST CUP OF JOE
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Do I have to stay in Wilmington? Because my best people-watching is on the planks of the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk.
I log quite a few hours at the New Castle County Courthouse. While the on-site coffee isn’t horrible, I like to walk the few blocks to LOMA Coffee. LOMA is local-ese for “Lower Market Street,” which has seen a bit of a revitalization. This might be a little strange, but I find the Delaware Art Museum an interesting place to gauge a person. Even if you’re not that into art—I don’t confess I am—there are lots of great spaces within the museum to chat.
BEST COURTHOUSE PERK
If you’re at the County Courthouse at the right time, you can sit out on the front steps and hear the music acts warming up for concerts at The Queen, this gorgeous old theater with origins in the 1800s.
BEST SLICE
Pick a pie at PBE. That’s Pizza By Elizabeths to the non-local. My favorite is the Saint.
6 BEST POST-WIN CHEAT MEAL
Do I have to have won to cheat? I grew up loving Mrs. Robino’s chicken alfredo. Worth every calorie.
BEST FIRM-WIDE HAPPY HOUR
Piccolina Toscana. That was a gut reaction, but I checked with my paralegal, who is much hipper than me, and he agreed.
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BEST PLACE TO TAKE A NEW CLIENT
BEST WORK OUT
I swear by TRX at the Central YMCA. Although dodging Wilmington’s potholes on my road bike proves quite effective.
BEST CITY EVENT
If it has event-planning guru Barry Schlecker’s name attached to it, you should be there. The Brandywine Festival of the Arts is a great one, as is the Rockwood Ice Cream Festival.
BEST STATE LAW ON THE BOOKS
“No person shall pretend to sleep on a bench on the boardwalk.” Chapter 126 of the Municipal Code of the City of Rehoboth Beach. Jury’s out on what happens if you actually are sleeping.
BEST FAMOUS RESIDENT
Ever heard of a guy named Joe Biden?
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JUDICIAL NOTICE Advice from the bench
Benched! Minnesota Supreme Court justice—and former NFL MVP—Alan Page offers dos and don’ts for attorneys appearing before the court Look at the name. It says “brief.” So please be brief. Be clear, concise, and as far as arguments go, when you get asked a question answer the question. Don’t assume it’s a trick question; don’t assume that the person asking the question is out to trip you up or disagree with you. I ask questions because I need to know the answer to help me make my decision.
Think about the one question you don’t want to hear and have an answer for it, because you’re probably going to get it. You have seven people up there who have studied your briefs and the law and are pretty up-to-speed, and so they’re going to be concerned about various and sundry issues. We need answers to those questions so we can make a decision that accounts for the myriad of concerns that may be presented.
Don’t be hostile. You’re trying to get us to rule in your favor. The idea is to help us, and we’re asking questions so you can help us. If I ask a question and you disagree with the premise of the question, explain to me why I’m wrong and I’ll listen to that. I want to know why I’m wrong or if I’m wrong. Don’t try to avoid the question; don’t answer the question you want answered. Answer the question we asked.
Alan Page
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PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Handy legal technologies
TRIALPAD
DROPBOX
FASTCASE
It’s a little on the spendy side, but it’s totally worth it. It stores all the documents for each of my cases, and communicates with cloud services for others. I can highlight or circle passages, present video and audio, and loads of other features that pay off when presenting something to a jury.
My firm instituted the cloud storage program Dropbox a while ago and I love it. It allows us to store certain files, like a server, except we can then access it remotely with any device. I’ve heard good things about Google Drive, too.
I use it instead of a regular Google search when I want to find case information really quickly. It’s a law library, so the most relevant stuff typically pops up first.
iPad $130
Patricia Kennedy ASSOCIATE, CAMPBELL, WALLACE AND GREENWALD; DALLAS; CRIMINAL DEFENSE: DUI/DWI
Available on all devices FREE
Alex P. Engelson PARTNER, WILSON AND SLICHTER; HOUSTON; PERSONAL INJURY – GENERAL: PLAINTIFF
iPad/iPhone FREE
Rahul Burchall PARTNER, THE BURCHALL LAW FIRM; ODESSA; IMMIGRATION
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Kenneth K. Lee Partner, Jenner & Block Class Action/Mass Torts, Business Litigation, Criminal Defense: White Collar Southern California Rising Stars: 2013–2015; Up-And-Coming 100: 2015
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a quintessential American Story yyyyy
Ken Lee’s journey from Seoul, to Koreatown, to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue by JOE MULLICH
photography by DUSTIN SNIPES
When Ken Lee boarded Air Force One for the first time,
he was struck by the enormity of the plane, and the moment. Lee was an associate counsel for the White House in the waning days of the George W. Bush administration, and staffers who had never been on Air Force One were invited to take a flight with the president. After the plane was airborne, Lee, wanting to share the once-in-a-lifetime experience, asked for a call to be placed to his father. A few minutes later, the crewman who operated the phone system told Lee there was a problem. The senior Lee, whose grasp of English was unsteady, couldn’t understand where the call was coming from. He thought it was a telemarketing pitch so he kept hanging up. Lee, now a partner at Jenner & Block, laughs about the incident in his downtown Los Angeles office, which is decorated with a portrait of his favorite founding
father, Alexander Hamilton. “Hamilton was the quintessential American,” Lee says. “He was an orphan who came to the United States, worked his way up from nothing, and was a forward-thinking, modern guy.” Lee has a quintessential American story as well. He is a first-generation immigrant who went from his birthplace in South Korea to the White House. His stops along the way coincided with some of the most
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important moments in recent U.S. history, including the appointment of a chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and the legal aftermath of 9/11. He is currently representing various food corporations in nearly two-dozen class action lawsuits involving “all-natural” labeling. At the White House, Lee was the person who organized luncheons, bowling evenings, and other events so his colleagues could get to know each other. For such reasons, Michael M. Purpura, who served with him in the White House counsel office, calls Lee “the glue guy: the adhesive that kept the place together.” Lee was only 4 when his family moved from Seoul, South Korea, to Koreatown in Los Angeles. At the time, neither of his parents spoke English. His father, an engineer, opened a shop repairing spray-paint equipment; his mother, a
pharmacist, became an acupuncturist. Lee recalls his parents taking him to Disneyland, and being horrified because they had brought their own food. “They had packed Korean food to save money,” he says. “I was mortified, but now I can look back and laugh. I have so much pride now for the things my parents did.” “Like any good Asian parent, they wanted their kid to go to medical school or law school,” Lee says. “They saw the law as an honorable profession, and thought everything in the United States was so open and honest in comparison to South Korea, which was very corrupt.” At Cornell, Lee studied government; then it was off to Harvard Law. After a stint clerking for appeals court Judge Emilio Garza, he went to Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, where his first two years were spent on a case that gripped the nation.
Six weeks before 9/11, real estate mogul Larry Silverstein entered into a 99-year lease for the World Trade Center. He had an insurance policy that provided $3.5 billion in coverage for a terrorist act, and afterward, legal arguments raged about whether the two separate plane crashes into the towers represented one occurrence or two. If the latter, Silverstein was entitled to an additional $3.5 billion—which was the position that Lee, as part of his legal team, took. “A lot of people at the firm thought it was more than a business dispute,” Lee says. “It was an important task to get the money to rebuild downtown New York. It was exhilarating to start my career on such a high-profile case.” The insurers tried to limit the amount of damages by arguing that the first collapse of the tower would have destroyed the second tower, even if only one plane
January 23, 1975
November 12, 2008
The Lees in South Korea before the big leap.
The first time Lee boarded Air Force One.
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had struck one of the towers. In the end, some of the insurance companies had to pay for two occurrences and some for one, depending on how the individual policies were written. Essentially, the court ruled the 9/11 attacks represented 1.4 occurrences: a stance, Lee says dryly, “only lawyers could come up with.” Afterward, Lee returned to Wachtell but longed for government work. So he sent his resumé to the U.S. attorney’s office, hoping to become a federal prosecutor, and contacted friends about jobs in Washington. Finally, a friend told him of an opening … at the White House. Soon, Lee had interviews with White House counsel Harriet Miers, deputy counsel William Kelley and chief of staff Josh Bolten. His first day walking into the White House, he says, was “nervous and
humbling.” There was not much of an orientation and no manual covering his duties. “A person came to my office to have me fill out paperwork, and they asked if I knew what my salary was,” he says. “I told them I had no idea.” (For the record, it was $108,000.) Lee was given a diverse portfolio— from representing the White House in congressional and other governmental investigations to providing advice for the president and senior White House officials. “At first, it was somewhat terrifying,” Lee says. “In the private sector, you can often get extensions. But in the White House you have to make decisions without the benefit of all the time you want and all the information you want.” It was never boring. In December 2006, seven U.S. attorneys were dismissed midterm—an unprecedented event that
some felt was politically motivated—and a congressional investigation was launched. “To further fuel the media fire, there were allegations that Karl Rove and his aides had used private RNC email accounts in violation of the Presidential Records Act and to supposedly evade congressional oversight,” Lee says. The White House was pummeled with questions about the dismissals, and Lee had to advise the press office on what information it could. He became known for finding solutions that balanced legal and political needs. “He is a nuanced, critical thinker with tremendous judgment,” Purpura says. Lee notes, “We had a strong basis to withhold White House emails on privilege grounds, but the press would then unfairly accuse the White House of a cover-up. We ended up making
April 4, 2008 “It would not have been possible for me to meet the president of Korea … But I am meeting the president of the United States because of my son.” SUPER LAWYERS MAGAZINE | 2016
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a stressful, whirlwind experience: The media, Congress, and eventually a special prosecutor all had their own separate agenda in investigating the White House. We had to navigate around pitfalls and balance the competing demands.” After the investigation concluded, Lee helped devise a new email compliance policy to ensure that employees of the Office of Political Affairs adhered to the record-keeping requirements of the Presidential Records Act. “Some people didn’t like this new policy, but sometimes, as lawyers, we have to deliver difficult or bad news to the client,” Lee says. As for his thoughts on President Bush? Lee met with him on average every six to eight weeks, sometimes as part of a group, sometimes as an observer at policy time—when the president made a
b
He was Latino. Bush’s comment: “You couldn’t find a white guy for the job?” During Lee’s White House tenure, his most rewarding moment, he says, was bringing his parents to a White House staff event, where they got to meet the president. Lee’s father bought a new suit for the occasion but forgot to take the tag off the sleeve. His wife, noticing this, carefully hid the tag with her arm for the presidential photo. In his unsure English, Lee’s father told President Bush: “It would not have been possible for me to meet the president of Korea in all my life. But I am meeting the president of the United States because of my son.” <<
final decision on a matter. “He grasps key issues very quickly,” Lee says. “A senior adviser will drone on for 10 minutes and the president would immediately distill it down to a few key points; and you’d wish the senior adviser had done that and saved us a lot of time.” The president, Lee says, also used humor to make his point. One of Lee’s tasks was to interview and recommend federal judges, attorneys and marshals. The marching orders were to provide a diverse slate of candidates—relatively easy in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco; much harder in other parts of the country. “It turned out that nearly everyone was a white male,” Lee says. “You really noticed that as we went through the names. Finally, the last guy we recommended was for the U.S. marshal for the district of Puerto Rico.”
Ken Lee cites Alexander Hamilton as his favorite founding father.
c
WE CHALLENGE THEM TO A …
HEAD to HEAD
LEE
Seoul, South Korea
NON-US BIRTH PLACE
Nevis, British West Indies
Associate Counsel, George W. Bush
WHITE HOUSE RESUME
1st US Sec. of the Treasury, George Washington
Harvard Seoul, L.A., Massachusetts, New York Silverstein vs. Swiss Re, 9/11 insurance litigation 2 1987 $108,000 Took a spin on Air Force One 0-0
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HAMILTON
SUPERLAWYERS.COM
LAW SCHOOL D.C. VIA … LAW IN TIMES OF TERROR CHILDREN ADMITTED TO THE BAR WHITE HOUSE STARTING SALARY DEFINING MOMENT DUELING RECORD
King’s College (now Columbia University) Nevis, St. Croix, V.I., New Jersey, New York Rutgers v. Waddington, Rev. War bldg. damage 8 1783 $3,500 Got his mug on the $10 bill 0-1
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PENNSYLVANIA 2016 SUPER LAWYERS
TOP 100
AN ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF THE LAWYERS WHO RANKED TOP OF THE LIST IN THE 2016 PENNSYLVANIA SUPER LAWYERS NOMINATION, RESEARCH AND BLUE RIBBON REVIEW PROCESS
Ainsman, David I., Ainsman Levine, Pittsburgh Anapol, Thomas R., Anapol Schwartz, Philadelphia Aronchick, Mark A., Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, Philadelphia Axelrod, Barbara R., The Beasley Firm, Philadelphia Baldino, Jr., Gerald B., Sacchetta & Baldino, Media Baumann, Thomas C., Abes Baumann, Pittsburgh Beasley, Jr., MD, James E., The Beasley Firm, Philadelphia Bendesky, Larry E., Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky, Philadelphia Berkey, Todd, Edgar Snyder & Associates, Pittsburgh Brier, Daniel T., Myers Brier & Kelly, Scranton Carlson, Alfred J., Martin Law, Philadelphia Carson, Shanon J., Berger & Montague, Philadelphia Casey, Matthew A., Ross Feller Casey, Philadelphia Coben, Larry E., Anapol Schwartz, Philadelphia Cohan, Lawrence R., Anapol Schwartz, Philadelphia Console, Stephen G., Console Law Offices, Philadelphia Cooper, Scott B., Schmidt Kramer, Harrisburg Cordes, Samuel J., Samuel J. Cordes & Associates, Pittsburgh Danel, Cynthia M., Edgar Snyder & Associates, Pittsburgh Davis, Robert S., Flaster/Greenberg, Philadelphia DeCaro, A. Roy, Raynes McCarty, Philadelphia Dodig, John M., Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig, Philadelphia Duffy, Thomas J., Duffy + Partners, Philadelphia Elliott, John M., Elliott Greenleaf & Siedzikowski, Blue Bell Fairlie, Steven F., Fairlie & Lippy, North Wales Feldman, Alan M., Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig, Philadelphia Francis, James A., Francis & Mailman, Philadelphia Friday, Peter D., Friday & Cox, Pittsburgh Gismondi, John P., Gismondi & Associates, Pittsburgh Haggerty, James C., Haggerty Goldberg Schleifer and Kupersmith, Philadelphia Hangley, William T., Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, Philadelphia Harkins, Jr., John G., Harkins Cunningham, Philadelphia Harris, Jay Barry, Fineman Krekstein & Harris, Philadelphia Hof, Philip Marsh, Seidel Cohen Hof & Reid, Bethlehem Hoffman, Peter J., Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, Philadelphia Kline, Thomas R., Kline & Specter, Philadelphia Lauricella, Paul A., McLaughlin & Lauricella, Philadelphia Lehocky, Jerry M., Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano, Philadelphia Liebenberg, Roberta D., Fine Kaplan and Black, Philadelphia Lutz, David L., Angino & Lutz, Harrisburg Maliver, Deborah, Biancheria & Maliver, Pittsburgh Mancano, Joseph D., Cedrone & Mancano, Philadelphia Mannion, James F., Mannion Prior, King of Prussia Martin, George, Martin Law, Philadelphia Mattiacci, Laura Carlin, Console Law Offices, Philadelphia
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McCarron, Jeffrey B., Swartz Campbell, Philadelphia McHugh, Jr., James J., Lopez McHugh, Philadelphia McLaughlin, Slade, McLaughlin & Lauricella, Philadelphia McMonagle, Brian J., McMonagle Perri McHugh & Mischak, Philadelphia McTiernan, John W., Caroselli Beachler McTiernan & Conboy, Pittsburgh Messa, Jr., Joseph L., Messa & Associates, Philadelphia Mongeluzzi, Robert J., Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky, Philadelphia O’Donnell, Neil T., O’Donnell Law Offices, Kingston Olcott, Douglas J., Dallas W. Hartman, New Castle Perri, Jr., Fortunato N., McMonagle Perri McHugh & Mischak, Philadelphia Perry, Jon R., Rosen Louik & Perry, Pittsburgh Phillips, Dean R., Elliott Greenleaf & Siedzikowski, Blue Bell Pichini, Roberta D., Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig, Philadelphia Pokotilow, Manny, Caesar Rivise Bernstein Cohen & Pokotilow, Philadelphia Post, Benjamin A., Post & Post, Berwyn Quinn, Jr., Joseph A., Hourigan Kluger & Quinn, Kingston Rassias, Dion G., The Beasley Firm, Philadelphia Rayne, Timothy F., MacElree Harvey, Kennett Square Raynes, Stephen E., Raynes McCarty, Philadelphia Reich, Abraham C., Fox Rothschild, Philadelphia Resnick, Stephanie, Fox Rothschild, Philadelphia Ricci, William J., Ricci Tyrrell Johnson & Grey, Philadelphia Richards, Veronica A., Richards & Richards, Warrendale Rocco Kulp, Dolores, Law Office of Dolores Rocco Kulp, Philadelphia Ronca, James R., Anapol Schwartz, Philadelphia Rosenthal, Richard M., Edgar Snyder & Associates, Pittsburgh Rosenzweig, Michael H., Edgar Snyder & Associates, Pittsburgh Ross, Robert, Ross Feller Casey, Philadelphia Ryan, III, Daniel F., O’Brien & Ryan, Plymouth Meeting Sacchetta, Thomas F., Sacchetta & Baldino, Media Santarelli, Frederick Patrick, Elliott Greenleaf & Siedzikowski, Philadelphia Schiffman, Carl R., Schiffman & Wojdowski, Pittsburgh Shein, Benjamin, Shein Law Center, Philadelphia Sheller, Stephen A., Sheller, Philadelphia Shepherd, Carol Nelson, Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig, Philadelphia Sheridan, Thomas W., Sheridan & Murray, Fort Washington Sherman, David B., Solomon Sherman & Gabay, Philadelphia Sherry, Daniel J., Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, King of Prussia Sloane, Leonard A., Eckell Sparks Levy Auerbach Monte Sloane Matthews & Auslander, Media Smalley, Bernard W., Tucker Law Group, Philadelphia
Sonnenfeld, Marc J., Morgan Lewis & Bockius, Philadelphia Specter, Shanin, Kline & Specter, Philadelphia Spizer, Gregory S., Anapol Schwartz, Philadelphia Sprague, Richard A., Sprague & Sprague, Philadelphia Tanner, Mark W., Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig, Philadelphia Tretta, Christopher M., Yost & Tretta, Philadelphia Troy, Paul C., Kane Pugh Knoell Troy & Kramer, Norristown Tucker, Jr., Joe H., Tucker Law Group, Philadelphia Weinstock, Daniel S., Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig, Philadelphia Weiss, Sol H., Anapol Schwartz, Philadelphia Weitz, Eric H., Messa & Associates, Philadelphia Wohlgelernter, Ezra, Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig, Philadelphia Yost, Richard W., Yost & Tretta, Philadelphia Young, Cheryl L., Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, Norristown Young, James, Christie Sullivan & Young, Philadelphia
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ARONCHICK, MARK A. Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, Philadelphia FELDMAN, ALAN M. Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig, Philadelphia KLINE, THOMAS R. • Ranked Number One • Kline & Specter, Philadelphia
MONGELUZZI, ROBERT J. • Ranked Number Three • Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky, Philadelphia POKOTILOW, MANNY Caesar Rivise Bernstein Cohen & Pokotilow, Philadelphia QUINN, JR., JOSEPH A. Hourigan Kluger & Quinn, Kingston REICH, ABRAHAM C. Fox Rothschild, Philadelphia SONNENFELD, MARC J. Morgan Lewis & Bockius, Philadelphia SPECTER, SHANIN Kline & Specter, Philadelphia TANNER, MARK W. • Ranked Number Two • Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig, Philadelphia
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PENNSYLVANIA 2016 SUPER LAWYERS
TOP 50 WOMEN
AN ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF THE WOMEN LAWYERS WHO RANKED TOP OF THE LIST IN THE 2016 PENNSYLVANIA SUPER LAWYERS NOMINATION, RESEARCH AND BLUE RIBBON REVIEW PROCESS
Anderson, Linda M., Anderson Elder Law, Media Axelrod, Barbara R., The Beasley Firm, Philadelphia Axelrod, Sheryl L., The Axelrod Firm, Philadelphia Ballard, Alice W., Law Office of Alice W. Ballard, Philadelphia Barish, Miriam Benton, Anapol Schwartz, Philadelphia Barnett, Bonnie A., Drinker Biddle & Reath, Philadelphia Caravasos, NiaLena, Law Office of NiaLena Caravasos, Philadelphia Casale, Helen E., Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, Norristown Danel, Cynthia M., Edgar Snyder & Associates, Pittsburgh Dodge, Patricia L., Meyer Unkovic & Scott, Pittsburgh Elderkin, Dianne B., Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Philadelphia Flannery, Ann C., Law Offices of Ann C. Flannery, Philadelphia Fullam, Nancy H., The Fullam Firm, Philadelphia Gellman, Nancy J., Conrad O’Brien, Philadelphia Geraghty, Andrea, Meyer Unkovic & Scott, Pittsburgh Hansen, Heather E., O’Brien & Ryan, Plymouth Meeting Heidelbaugh, Heather S., Leech Tishman, Pittsburgh Hess, Wendy Castor, Goldblum & Hess, Jenkintown Homolash, Claudine Q., CQH Firm, Philadelphia
Jacobs-Meadway, Roberta, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, Philadelphia Kagan, Bethann Schaffzin, Shein Law Center, Philadelphia Kohart, Mary E., Elliott Greenleaf & Siedzikowski, Blue Bell Komar, Candice L., Pollock Begg Komar Glasser & Vertz, Pittsburgh Kosta, Stephanie L., Duane Morris, Philadelphia Liebenberg, Roberta D., Fine Kaplan and Black, Philadelphia Maliver, Deborah, Biancheria & Maliver, Pittsburgh Mattiacci, Laura Carlin, Console Law Offices, Philadelphia McCarthy, Carol S., McCarthy McDonald Schulberg & Joy, Pittsburgh McDevitt Hagan, Tracey, Reilly Janiczek & McDevitt, Philadelphia Munley, Marion K., Munley Law, Scranton Nast, Dianne M., Nastlaw, Philadelphia Pagac, Shelly R., Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, Pittsburgh Pichini, Roberta D., Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig, Philadelphia Pierce, Patricia V., Greenblatt Pierce Engle Funt & Flores, Philadelphia Ramsey, Natalie D., Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads, Philadelphia
Recker, Catherine M., Welsh & Recker, Philadelphia Resnick, Stephanie, Fox Rothschild, Philadelphia Richards, Veronica A., Richards & Richards, Warrendale Rocco Kulp, Dolores, Law Office of Dolores Rocco Kulp, Philadelphia Rossi, Mary Ann, MacElree Harvey, West Chester Rothey, Melaine Shannon, Jones Gregg Creehan & Gerace, Pittsburgh Ryan, Catherine S. (Casey), Reed Smith, Pittsburgh Shepherd, Carol Nelson, Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig, Philadelphia Sherry, Madeline M., Gibbons, Philadelphia Sicalides, Barbara T., Pepper Hamilton, Philadelphia Simon, Deborah H., Elliott Greenleaf & Siedzikowski, Blue Bell Willig, Deborah R., Willig Williams & Davidson, Philadelphia Winkelman, Nancy, Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, Philadelphia Winkler, Nancy J., Eisenberg Rothweiler Winkler Eisenberg and Jeck, Philadelphia Young, Cheryl L., Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, Norristown
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TEXAS 2016 SUPER LAWYERS
PRACTICE AREA INDEX Administrative Law ..................................... 80 Alternative Dispute Resolution .................. 80 Antitrust Litigation .......................................82 Appellate ......................................................82 Aviation & Aerospace .................................. 86 Banking........................................................ 86 Bankruptcy: Business ...................................87 Bankruptcy: Consumer................................ 89 Business Litigation ...................................... 89 Business/Corporate ................................... 102 Civil Litigation: Defense ............................. 102 Civil Litigation: Plaintiff ..............................105 Civil Rights ..................................................105 Class Action/Mass Torts ............................105 Closely Held Business ................................106 Construction Litigation ..............................106 Consumer Law............................................108 Creditor Debtor Rights ...............................108 Criminal Defense ........................................108 Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI........................ 112 Criminal Defense: White Collar .................. 112 Elder Law ..................................................... 112 Eminent Domain ......................................... 112 Employee Benefits.......................................114 Employment & Labor ..................................114 Employment Litigation: Defense ................118 Employment Litigation: Plaintiff ................118 Energy & Natural Resources .......................119 Entertainment & Sports ............................. 120 Environmental ............................................ 120 Environmental Litigation ............................ 121 Estate & Trust Litigation ............................. 121 Estate Planning & Probate ........................ 122 Family Law.................................................. 124 Franchise/Dealership ................................ 128 General Litigation....................................... 128 Government Contracts ............................... 129 Government Finance .................................. 129 Government Relations ............................... 129 Health Care................................................. 129 Immigration ................................................ 130 Insurance Coverage.................................... 130 Intellectual Property ................................... 131 Intellectual Property Litigation.................. 132 International ............................................... 134 Land Use/Zoning ....................................... 134 Legislative & Governmental Affairs ........... 134 Mergers & Acquisitions .............................. 134 Nonprofit Organizations ........................... 135 Personal Injury General: Defense .............. 135 Personal Injury General: Plaintiff............... 136 Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense ....................................................140 Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff......................................................141 Personal Injury Products: Defense .............141 Personal Injury Products: Plaintiff ............. 142 Professional Liability: Defense .................. 142 Professional Liability: Plaintiff ................... 143 Real Estate ................................................. 143 Schools & Education .................................. 144 Securities & Corporate Finance ................. 145 Securities Litigation.................................... 145 Social Security Disability ............................ 146 State, Local & Municipal ............................ 146 Surety .......................................................... 146 Tax............................................................... 146 Technology Transactions ........................... 147 Transportation/Maritime ........................... 147 Utilities ........................................................ 147 Workers’ Compensation............................. 147
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THE LIST BY PRIMARY AREA OF PRACTICE The list was finalized as of December 5, 2014. Any updates to the list (for example, status changes or disqualifying events) will be reflected on superlawyers.com. Names and page numbers in RED indicate a profile on the specified page.
Y Attorneys with this icon have a featured Super Lawyers video that may be viewed on their online profile. Visit video.superlawyers.com and enter the unique code in the box towards the top, right corner of the screen to view the attorney’s videos. If you are viewing this magazine in a digital format, simply click the icon. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
Casseb, Joseph, Goode Casseb Jones Riklin Choate & Watson, San Antonio Chalk, Sr., John A., Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz, Fort Worth, 817‑878‑0575 Pg. 147
JOHN A. CHALK, SR.
WHITAKER CHALK SWINDLE & SCHWARTZ PLLC Fort Worth • 817‑878‑0575
www.whitakerchalk.com
Conner, Jr., Coye, Mediator and Arbitrator, Southlake Cook, Brendan D., Baker & McKenzie, Houston, 713‑427‑5015 Cotropia, Carla, Mills Shirley, Houston Curtis, Jim C., Kemp Smith, El Paso Duvall, Suzanne Mann, Burdin Mediations, Dallas, 214‑528‑1411
Coffin, Ann M., Parsley Coffin Renner, Austin
Elliott, Kay E., Attorney at Law, Fort Worth
Fleishman, Lewis S., Lewis S. Fleishman, Houston
Flake, Richard P., Cokinos Bosien & Young, Houston, 713‑535‑5513
Gonzales, Alex, Winstead, Austin Heath, C. Robert, Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta, Austin Kever, Andrew, Enoch Kever, Austin Mendiola III, Lino, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, Austin, 512‑721‑2656 Rentea, Bogdan, Rentea & Associates, Austin Sharp, Michael R., Sharp & Cobos, Austin Williams, John F., Duggins Wren Mann & Romero, Austin, 512‑744‑9300
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION Akin, G.R. (Randy), Attorney ‑ Mediator, Longview, 903‑297‑8929 Bankston, Ron, Bankston & Associates, Houston, 713‑874‑9680 Bass, Courtenay L., Gilbert Mediation Group, Dallas, 214‑303‑4500 Bayer, Karl, Karl Bayer, Austin Pg. 54 Bergman, III, Edward “Trey”, Bergman ADR Group, Houston Betanzos, Todd, Betzanos Resolution Strategies, Dallas Black, Robert A., MehaffyWeber, Beaumont Pg. 52 Bourgeois, Greg, Lakeside Mediation Center, Austin Brin, George G., Brin & Brin, San Antonio Bristow, Daryl, The Bristow Law Firm, Houston, 713‑223‑1021 Bryant, Jr., Corbet F., Carrington Coleman Sloman & Blumenthal, Dallas, 214‑855‑3008 Burdin, Mary, Burdin Mediations, Dallas
Fuller, Kevin R., Fuller Mediations, Dallas Pg. 46, 50 Galton, Eric R., Lakeside Mediation Center, Austin, 512‑477‑9300 Gilbert, Mark W., Gilbert Mediation Group, Dallas Gregory, Mike, Gregory Family Law, Denton Hoover, W. Gerald (Jerry), Attorney Mediator Arbitrator, Houston Hughes, John W., John W. Hughes, Fort Worth Juneau, James J., Gilbert Mediation Group, Dallas Jury, Jeff, Burns Anderson Jury & Brenner, Austin, 512‑338‑5322 Keel, Patrick, Patrick Keel, Austin Knowles, James W. (Jim), Attorney at Law, Tyler Knull, III, William H., Independent Arbitrator, Houston Lehrman, Andrew J., Anderson Lehrman Barre & Maraist, Corpus Christi Levin, Alan F., The Levin Law Group, Houston Lopez, David T., David T. Lopez & Associates, Houston Manning, Tammy C., Galligan & Manning, Houston, 713‑522‑9220 Pg. 147 Matthiesen, David G., Matthiesen & Associates, Houston McGowan, Gary, McGowan Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, Houston McMullen, Wade H., McMullen Law Firm, Fort Worth Melamed, Richard, Richard Melamed, Houston, 713‑572‑7030 Morgan, Cecilia H., JAMS, Dallas
Butler, G. Allen, Butler Dispute Resolution, Dallas
Murchison, III, Frank E. (“Dirk”), Law Office of Frank E. Murchison, Lubbock
Calvillo, David N., Calvillo Law Firm, San Antonio, 210‑227‑3243
Nolland, Christopher, Law Offices of Christopher Nolland, Dallas
DAVID N. CALVILLO
Oliver-Parrott, Alice, Alice Oliver‑Parrott, Houston, 713‑222‑6338
www.calvillolaw.com
Philbin, Jr., Donald R., Donald R. Philbin Jr., San Antonio, 210‑212‑7100
CALVILLO LAW FIRM, PLLC San Antonio • 210‑227‑3243
Canterbury, Jr., Joe F., Canterbury Gooch Surratt Shapiro Stein & Gaswirth, Dallas Carlson, Larry D., Carlson Arbitration, Dallas, 214‑739‑2664
Pratt, Donald O., Pratt & Yungblut, Arlington Proctor, W. Thomas (Tommy), W. Thomas Proctor, Houston Pryor, Will, Mediation & Arbitration, Dallas
ATTORNEYS SELECTED TO SUPER LAWYERS WERE CHOSEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCESS ON PAGE 29.
TEXAS 2016 SUPER LAWYERS Seidler, David R., Shannon Gracey Ratliff & Miller, Fort Worth
Brister, Scott A., Andrews Kurth, Austin Pg. 54
Patton, Timothy, Timothy Patton, San Antonio
Shipp, John, Shipp Mediation, Dallas
Broaddus, III, J. Morgan, Gordon Davis Johnson & Shane, El Paso
Phillips, Thomas R., Baker Botts, Austin Pg. 54
Silverberg, Maxel “Bud”, Attorney ‑ Mediator & Arbitrator, Dallas
Callaway, Sharon E., Crofts & Callaway, San Antonio, 210‑569‑7201
Simpson, III, John E., Splawn Simpson Pitts, Lubbock
Christian, III, William G., Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody, Austin
Smith, Thomas J., Law Offices of Thomas J. Smith, San Antonio
Clinton, Ryan, Davis Gerald & Cremer, Austin
Stoddard, III, Ross W., Attorney ‑ Mediator, Irving, 972‑869‑2300
Crofts, Jr., Thomas H., Crofts & Callaway, San Antonio, 210‑569‑7201
Thompson, Greg, Greg Thompson Mediator, Beaumont
Crosnoe, Wade, Thompson Coe Cousins & Irons, Austin
Van Osselaer, Paul J., Van Osselaer Dispute Resolution, Austin
Cruse, Don, Law Office of Don Cruse, Austin
Wilk, Michael S., Hirsch & Westheimer, Houston
Duggins, David C., Duggins Wren Mann & Romero, Austin, 512‑495‑8842
Yungblut, Stephen K., Law Office of Stephen K. Yungblut, Dallas
Dunn, Nissa M., Houston Dunn, San Antonio, 210‑775‑0881
ANTITRUST LITIGATION Anderson, Darryl Wade, Norton Rose Fulbright, Houston, 713‑651‑5562
Eady, Michael W., Thompson Coe Cousins & Irons, Austin, 512‑708‑8200 Enoch, Craig T., Enoch Kever, Austin
Pozza, Dan, Attorney at Law, San Antonio Ramsey, Robinson C., Langley & Banack, San Antonio Ratliff, Laurie, Ikard Golden Jones, Austin Schulman, David A., Law Office of David A. Schulman, Austin Sheppard, Cynthia T., Attorney at Law, Cuero, 361‑277‑8539 Slavin, Ken K., Kemp Smith, El Paso Smith, D. Todd, Smith Law Group, Austin, 512‑439‑3230 Stroh, Jacqueline M., The Law Office of Jacqueline M. Stroh, San Antonio, 210‑477‑7416 Taylor, Amanda G., Martens Todd Leonard Taylor & Ahlrich, Austin Truesdale, Michael S., Law Office of Michael S. Truesdale, Austin, 512‑482‑8671
Eskow, Lisa R., Law Office of Lisa Eskow, Austin
Vance, Susan S., Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend, Austin
Bayer, Mark W., Barnes & Thornburg, Dallas
Gaultney, David B., MehaffyWeber, Austin
Wainwright, Dale, Bracewell & Giuliani, Austin
Berglund, II, L. James, Thompson & Knight, Dallas
Greer, Marcy Hogan, Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend, Austin Pg. 48, 54
Warr, Amy, Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend, Austin
Hanks, Kendyl T., Greenberg Traurig, Austin
Watson, Charles, Locke Lord, Austin
Blefeld, Bruce A., K&L Gates, Houston Breaux, Ronald W., Haynes and Boone, Dallas Brumbaugh, Kay Lynn, Andrews Kurth, Dallas
Harbour-Valdez, Cori A., The Harbour Law Firm, El Paso, 915‑544‑7600
Casas, Gregory J., Greenberg Traurig, Austin
Hatchell, Mike A., Locke Lord, Austin
Huffman, Gregory S.C., Thompson & Knight, Dallas
Hays, Susan, Law Office of Susan Hays, Austin, 214‑557‑4819
Katz, Jr., William M., Thompson & Knight, Dallas Kruse, Layne E., Norton Rose Fulbright, Houston, 713‑651‑5194 Pg. 52
Hicks, Renea, Law Office of Max Renea Hicks, Austin
McNeil, Barry F., Haynes and Boone, Dallas
Houston, III, Samuel V., Houston Dunn, San Antonio
Van Fleet, G. Allan, McDermott Will & Emery, Houston Weber, Bradley C., Locke Lord, Dallas Williams, Nicole L., Thompson & Knight, Dallas
APPELLATE
Hobbs, Lisa Bowlin, Kuhn Hobbs, Austin Pg. 54 Jefferson, Wallace B., Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend, Austin Johns, Chris, Johns Marrs Ellis & Hodge, Austin Keeney, Mary A., Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody, Austin Keller, Kimberly S., Keller Stolarczyk, Boerne Kirk, Terrence W., Attorney at Law, Austin Knight, Joseph R., Law Office of Joseph R. Knight, Austin
YOUR FIRM’S AD HERE Call Your Associate Publisher for Details
Knisely, Marc O., Jackson Sjoberg McCarthy & Townsend, Austin Kuhn, Kurt, Kuhn Hobbs, Austin, 512‑476‑6005 Livingston, Dana, Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend, Austin Lorber, Melissa Prentice, Enoch Kever, Austin Mackenzie, C. Alfred, Attorney at Law, Waco
CENTRAL & WEST TEXAS REGION Alexander, Douglas W., Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend, Austin Pg. 46, 54 Alsup, Debora B., Thompson & Knight, Austin Pg. 48, 54 Anderson, Ryan G., Law Offices of Ryan G. Anderson, San Antonio, 210‑399‑0198 Baron, Pamela Stanton, Attorney at Law, Austin Bennett, J. Bruce, Cardwell Hart & Bennett, Austin Bloch, Elizabeth G. (“Heidi”), Husch Blackwell, Austin
Malinas, Ruth G., Plunkett & Griesenbeck, San Antonio McBride, Brendan K., The McBride Law Firm, San Antonio Mitchell, Ellen, Dykema Cox Smith, San Antonio Mobbs, John P., Attorney at Law, El Paso Morgan, Craig A., Attorney at Law, Austin, 512‑608‑9324 Murray, Michael J., Watts Guerra, San Antonio, 210‑447‑0500 Parsley, E. Lee, E. Lee Parsley, Austin
Webre, Jane M.N., Scott Douglass & McConnico, Austin Pg. 46, 48, 54 White, Greg, Greg White, Waco Willi, Tracy J., Willi Law Firm, Austin Young, Evan A., Baker Botts, Austin
DALLAS/FT. WORTH REGION Ashley, G. Luke, Thompson & Knight, Dallas Auld, Marianne M., Kelly Hart & Hallman, Fort Worth, 817‑878‑3543 Ave, Gregory R., Walters Balido & Crain, Dallas Barton, Russell R., Harris Finley & Bogle, Fort Worth Baruch, Charles E. “Chad”, The Law Office of Chad Baruch, Rowlett, 210‑227‑3243
CHARLES E. “CHAD” BARUCH THE LAW OFFICE OF CHAD BARUCH Rowlett • 210‑227‑3243
www.baruchlaw.com
Bassel, Dabney D., Law Office of Dabney Bassel, Fort Worth Carroll, Ken, Carrington Coleman Sloman & Blumenthal, Dallas, 214‑855‑3029 Casada, Hilaree A., Cowles & Thompson, Dallas Cayce, John H., Kelly Hart & Hallman, Fort Worth Conway, LaDawn H., Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend, Dallas Cortell, Nina, Haynes and Boone, Dallas Pg. 46, 48, 50 Cowart, Thomas B., Lenahan Law Firm, Dallas Dodge, David W., Glast Phillips & Murray, Dallas Durham, Leighton, Kelly Durham & Pittard, Dallas Elrich, Katherine, Quintairos Prieto Wood & Boyer, Dallas CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
SUPER LAWYERS MAGAZINE | 2016
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TEXAS 2016 SUPER LAWYERS NIALENA CARAVASOS LAW OFFICE OF NIALENA CARAVASOS, LLC 926 Public Ledger Building 620 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 Tel: 215-925-5200 Fax: 215-925-5991 NiaLena4Defense@gmail.com www.nialenacaravasos.com
CRIMINAL DEFENSE through FAMILY LAW MICHAEL J. DIAMONDSTEIN
MICHAEL J. DIAMONDSTEIN, P.C. 2 Penn Center, Suite 900 1500 JFK Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19102 Tel: 215-940-2700 Fax: 215-940-2701 mjd@michaeldiamondstein.com www.michaeldiamondstein.com
ALEXANDER H. LINDSAY, JR.
THE LINDSAY LAW FIRM, PC 110 East Diamond Street Suite 301 Butler, PA 16001 Tel: 724-282-6600 Fax: 724-282-2672 al@lindsaylawfirm.com www.lindsaylawfirm.com
CRIMINAL DEFENSE FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE COLLAR
CRIMINAL DEFENSE CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE COLLAR CRIMINAL DEFENSE: DUI/DWI
CRIMINAL DEFENSE PERSONAL INJURY GENERAL: PLAINTIFF CIVIL RIGHTS
NiaLena is recognized in the Super Lawyers Top 50 Women list, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Best Attorneys of America, Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers, and 10 Best Criminal Attorneys for Client Satisfaction. NiaLena is a strategic, sincere, and relentless advocate who is unafraid to take Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” and employs a uniquely holistic approach in representing her federal criminal clients. Featured on the Super Lawyers cover in Philadelphia Magazine and in a feature story entitled “Fierce,” she was described as “going the extra mile,” as well as a “chief, not an Indian” who made her reputation early on in the Merlino federal mafia trial by being unafraid to break ranks when “arrayed against a coterie of high-powered attorneys drawn from the old-boy network of lawyers.”
As a member of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Federal Bars, Mr. Diamondstein has handled approximately 20,000 criminal cases in state and federal courts. He has defended high-profile, media-sensitive cases and serious, but unreported, criminal cases, having secured acquittals and dismissals for hundreds of clients. He is well respected in the legal community, as he routinely represents clients who have been referred to him by judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, sports agents, politicians, and fellow attorneys. His vast experience allows him to provide the highest standard of representation for anyone who has been accused of crimes, is under investigation, or has been recently arrested.
With a legal career that has spanned more than 40 years, attorney Al Lindsay has an impressive resume of experience in the practice of law. He has worked as an assistant district attorney, where he investigated and prosecuted public corruption. He also worked as an assistant U.S. attorney where he dealt with public corruption and white collar crime. In 1980 Mr. Lindsay went into private practice and has been lending his vast legal expertise to clients in need of representation in criminal defense and civil litigation, for both state and federal cases. Attorney Lindsay has successfully defended people in high-profile cases throughout Western Pennsylvania. He also maintains an office in the Gulf Tower, 707 Grant Street, Suite 1744, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
DAVID RIDGE
ANDREW F. SCHNEIDER
JAMES A. SWETZ
70 West Oakland Avenue Suite 306 Doylestown, PA 18901 Tel: 215-348-5150 Fax: 215-348-5152 andrew@schneiderlawyer.com www.schneiderlawyer.com
711 Sarah Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360 Tel: 570-421-5568 Fax: 570-421-5720 jaswetz@csmjlawyer.com www.csmjlawyer.com
CRIMINAL DEFENSE PERSONAL INJURY GENERAL: PLAINTIFF
CRIMINAL DEFENSE
CRIMINAL DEFENSE CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE COLLAR CRIMINAL DEFENSE: DUI/DWI
David Ridge has been handling high-profile criminal defense cases in both federal and state court for over 30 years. He practices throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has appeared in the federal courts in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and New York. He has handled over 35 homicide cases throughout the Commonwealth and has obtained successful results for his clients in numerous white collar cases in both state and federal court. He also has a very high success rate in DUI cases, at both the pretrial motion stage and trial. Attorney Ridge has served on a Disciplinary Board Hearing Committee, and is a longtime member of PACDL and NACDL. Attorney Ridge is proud to have been named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list for the sixth year in a row.
Andrew Schneider starts his 42nd year of practice. He’s achieved not guilty verdicts in the internationally reported case of a woman who was charged with binding her foster children in duct tape; a man accused of molesting his 5-year-old niece; a mother accused of arson and attempted murder of her 5-year-old daughter; and an immigrant accused of drugging and raping a woman. These are all reported on his website. Andrew is now co-author of the reference books West’s Pennsylvania Practice: Pennsylvania Criminal Practice. These books are used by criminal law practitioners, judges, and law schools. Andrew continues to try cases with the same passion and dedication he has always shown to ensure his clients are treated fairly.
Jim Swetz is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Advocacy and Civil Pretrial and Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is a founding member of Cramer, Swetz, McManus & Jordan, P.C., one of Monroe County’s oldest and largest law firms. He is President of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL) and previously served as Vice President, Middle District, and on PACDL’s Board of Directors. He served on the Lawyers Advisory Committee to the Judges of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania from 2008 to 2011 and is a member of the Pennsylvania and Florida Bars. In his practice, Jim has defended many high-profile criminal cases in state and federal court.
DIANNE C. MAGEE
BRIAN J. CALI
MARIA P. COGNETTI
103 East Drinker Street Dunmore, PA 18512 Tel: 570-344-2029 Fax: 570-347-9462 cali@brianjcali.com www.brianjcali.com
3304 Market Street Camp Hill, PA 17011 Tel: 717-909-4060 Fax: 717-909-4068 mcognetti@cognettilaw.com www.cognettilaw.com
ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE ELDER LAW ESTATE & TRUST LITIGATION
FAMILY LAW BUSINESS/CORPORATE REAL ESTATE
FAMILY LAW
Ms. Magee is a shareholder in Grim, Biehn & Thatcher, in Perkasie, where she is the head of the firm’s estate department. Her practice emphasizes estate administration, estate planning, elder law and Orphans’ Court litigation. She received her A.B. from Stanford University and her J.D. from Duke University School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New Mexico. She is a past president of the Bucks County Estate Planning Council and former chairperson of the Orphans’ Court Section of the Bucks County Bar Association. She is a member of the Bucks County Bar Association, where she has served on the Board of Directors and as trustee of the Bar Foundation and of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Sections of the Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations.
Attorney Brian J. Cali practices all aspects of family law throughout northeast Pennsylvania and engages in all levels of practice in the trial court and has argued family matters before the appellate courts. He serves on the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; is an active member of the Pennsylvania, American, and Lackawanna County Bar Associations; Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML); a member of the Lackawanna County Family Law Rules Committee; a charter member of the Library System of Lackawanna County; and, legal counsel and member of the Board of Directors of the Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank. In addition, he lectures on various topics of family law matters on behalf of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
Ms. Cognetti is the owner of Cognetti & Associates. She is the Immediate Past President of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and past President of its PA Chapter. She is a Diplomate of ACFTL and a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She is past Chair of the PBA’s Family Law Section. Ms. Cognetti worked tirelessly with the legislature on various issues, having testified on numerous occasions. She is currently Chair of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Domestic Relations Rules Committee and is a member of the Hearing Committee of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. In 2011 she was recognized by the AAML as Fellow of the Year and by the PBA with a Special Achievement Award for her work on the new Custody Act.
THE RIDGE LAW OFFICE 246 West Tenth Street Erie, PA 16501 Tel: 814-454-1010 Fax: 814-456-9398 dridge@velocity.net
GRIM, BIEHN & THATCHER, P.C. 104 South 6th Street PO Box 215 Perkasie, PA 18944 Tel: 215-257-6811 Fax: 215-257-7764 dmagee@grimlaw.com www.grimlaw.com
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SUPERLAWYERS.COM
ANDREW F. SCHNEIDER, ATTORNEY AT LAW
BRIAN J. CALI & ASSOCIATES
CRAMER, SWETZ, MCMANUS & JORDAN, P.C.
COGNETTI & ASSOCIATES
ATTORNEYS SELECTED TO SUPER LAWYERS WERE CHOSEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCESS ON PAGE 29.
TEXAS 2016 RISING STARS
THE LIST BY PRIMARY AREA OF PRACTICE The list was finalized as of December 5, 2014. Any updates to the list (for example, status changes or disqualifying events) will be reflected on superlawyers.com. Names and page numbers in RED indicate a profile on the specified page.
Y
Attorneys with this icon have a featured Super Lawyers video that may be viewed on their online profile. Visit video.superlawyers.com and enter the unique code in the box towards the top, right corner of the screen to view the attorney’s videos. If you are viewing this magazine in a digital format, simply click the icon.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
Casseb, Joseph, Goode Casseb Jones Riklin Choate & Watson, San Antonio
Seidler, David R., Shannon Gracey Ratliff & Miller, Fort Worth
Chalk, Sr., John A., Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz, Fort Worth, 817-878-0575 Pg. 147
Shipp, John, Shipp Mediation, Dallas
JOHN A. CHALK, SR.
WHITAKER CHALK SWINDLE & SCHWARTZ PLLC Fort Worth • 817‑878‑0575
www.whitakerchalk.com
Conner, Jr., Coye, Mediator and Arbitrator, Southlake Cook, Brendan D., Baker & McKenzie, Houston, 713-427-5015 Cotropia, Carla, Mills Shirley, Houston Curtis, Jim C., Kemp Smith, El Paso Duvall, Suzanne Mann, Burdin Mediations, Dallas, 214-528-1411
Coffin, Ann M., Parsley Coffin Renner, Austin
Elliott, Kay E., Attorney at Law, Fort Worth
Fleishman, Lewis S., Lewis S. Fleishman, Houston
Flake, Richard P., Cokinos Bosien & Young, Houston, 713-535-5513
Gonzales, Alex, Winstead, Austin Heath, C. Robert, Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta, Austin Kever, Andrew, Enoch Kever, Austin Mendiola III, Lino, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, Austin, 512-721-2656 Rentea, Bogdan, Rentea & Associates, Austin Sharp, Michael R., Sharp & Cobos, Austin Williams, John F., Duggins Wren Mann & Romero, Austin, 512-744-9300
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION Akin, G.R. (Randy), Attorney - Mediator, Longview, 903-297-8929 Bankston, Ron, Bankston & Associates, Houston, 713-874-9680 Bass, Courtenay L., Gilbert Mediation Group, Dallas, 214-303-4500 Bayer, Karl, Karl Bayer, Austin Pg. 54 Bergman, III, Edward “Trey”, Bergman ADR Group, Houston Betanzos, Todd, Betzanos Resolution Strategies, Dallas Black, Robert A., MehaffyWeber, Beaumont Pg. 52 Bourgeois, Greg, Lakeside Mediation Center, Austin Brin, George G., Brin & Brin, San Antonio Bristow, Daryl, The Bristow Law Firm, Houston, 713-223-1021 Bryant, Jr., Corbet F., Carrington Coleman Sloman & Blumenthal, Dallas, 214-855-3008 Burdin, Mary, Burdin Mediations, Dallas
Fuller, Kevin R., Fuller Mediations, Dallas Pg. 46, 50
Gilbert, Mark W., Gilbert Mediation Group, Dallas Gregory, Mike, Gregory Family Law, Denton Hoover, W. Gerald (Jerry), Attorney Mediator Arbitrator, Houston Hughes, John W., John W. Hughes, Fort Worth Jury, Jeff, Burns Anderson Jury & Brenner, Austin, 512-338-5322 Keel, Patrick, Patrick Keel, Austin Knowles, James W. (Jim), Attorney at Law, Tyler Knull, III, William H., Independent Arbitrator, Houston Lehrman, Andrew J., Anderson Lehrman Barre & Maraist, Corpus Christi Levin, Alan F., The Levin Law Group, Houston Lopez, David T., David T. Lopez & Associates, Houston Manning, Tammy C., Galligan & Manning, Houston, 713-522-9220 Pg. 147 Matthiesen, David G., Matthiesen & Associates, Houston
Stoddard, III, Ross W., Attorney - Mediator, Irving, 972-869-2300 Thompson, Greg, Greg Thompson Mediator, Beaumont Van Osselaer, Paul J., Van Osselaer Dispute Resolution, Austin Wilk, Michael S., Hirsch & Westheimer, Houston Yungblut, Stephen K., Law Office of Stephen K. Yungblut, Dallas
ANTITRUST LITIGATION
YOUR FIRM’S AD HERE Call Your Associate Publisher for Details Anderson, Darryl Wade, Norton Rose Fulbright, Houston, 713-651-5562 Bayer, Mark W., Barnes & Thornburg, Dallas Berglund, II, L. James, Thompson & Knight, Dallas Blefeld, Bruce A., K&L Gates, Houston Breaux, Ronald W., Haynes and Boone, Dallas Brumbaugh, Kay Lynn, Andrews Kurth, Dallas Casas, Gregory J., Greenberg Traurig, Austin Huffman, Gregory S.C., Thompson & Knight, Dallas Katz, Jr., William M., Thompson & Knight, Dallas Kruse, Layne E., Norton Rose Fulbright, Houston, 713-651-5194 Pg. 52 McNeil, Barry F., Haynes and Boone, Dallas
McGowan, Gary, McGowan Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, Houston
Van Fleet, G. Allan, McDermott Will & Emery, Houston
McMullen, Wade H., McMullen Law Firm, Fort Worth
Weber, Bradley C., Locke Lord, Dallas
Melamed, Richard, Richard Melamed, Houston, 713-572-7030
Williams, Nicole L., Thompson & Knight, Dallas
Morgan, Cecilia H., JAMS, Dallas
Calvillo, David N., Calvillo Law Firm, San Antonio, 210-227-3243
Nolland, Christopher, Law Offices of Christopher Nolland, Dallas
DAVID N. CALVILLO
Oliver-Parrott, Alice, Alice Oliver-Parrott, Houston, 713-222-6338
www.calvillolaw.com
Philbin, Jr., Donald R., Donald R. Philbin Jr., San Antonio, 210-212-7100
Carlson, Larry D., Carlson Arbitration, Dallas, 214-739-2664
Smith, Thomas J., Law Offices of Thomas J. Smith, San Antonio
Juneau, James J., Gilbert Mediation Group, Dallas
Murchison, III, Frank E. (“Dirk”), Law Office of Frank E. Murchison, Lubbock
Canterbury, Jr., Joe F., Canterbury Gooch Surratt Shapiro Stein & Gaswirth, Dallas
Simpson, III, John E., Splawn Simpson Pitts, Lubbock
Galton, Eric R., Lakeside Mediation Center, Austin, 512-477-9300
Butler, G. Allen, Butler Dispute Resolution, Dallas
CALVILLO LAW FIRM, PLLC San Antonio • 210‑227‑3243
Silverberg, Maxel “Bud”, Attorney - Mediator & Arbitrator, Dallas
Pratt, Donald O., Pratt & Yungblut, Arlington Proctor, W. Thomas (Tommy), W. Thomas Proctor, Houston Pryor, Will, Mediation & Arbitration, Dallas
APPELLATE CENTRAL & WEST TEXAS REGION Alexander, Douglas W., Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend, Austin Pg. 46, 54 Alsup, Debora B., Thompson & Knight, Austin Pg. 48, 54 Anderson, Ryan G., Law Offices of Ryan G. Anderson, San Antonio, 210-399-0198 Baron, Pamela Stanton, Attorney at Law, Austin Bennett, J. Bruce, Cardwell Hart & Bennett, Austin CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
SUPER LAWYERS MAGAZINE | 2016
21
THE DOCKET A day in the life
Facing Ted Wells The junior partner at Burris Lane lets us tailgate one heck of an important day for him
Roland Cooper BUSINESS LITIGATION
5:15 a.m.
Review what I need to do for trial today. Look over all the documents again, where the firm is with the case, what I’m going to ask the judge. I was up late last night doing the same thing. It was a late night but preparation is key to any court hearing. Especially considering I’ll be looking at Ted Wells across the aisle today.
7:00 a.m.
Shower. Brush teeth. Hope I have clean shirts. Gotta be in court by 8:45. Hit Lucky’s down the block from the courthouse for a quick cup of joe.
8:30 a.m.
Show up to court. According to the notice, I am scheduled to come in today at 8:45. The court clerk comes in at 9:00. I ask him what’s going on. “This isn’t an early court. Judge Smith usually takes the bench around 10:00 a.m.,” he says. “So why does the notice say 8:45am?” I ask. “Because it does,” he says. Wells already knows this. He strolls in at 9:45.
10:20 a.m. Judge Smith finally takes the bench. She sips her coffee. Opening arguments begin. I take as many notes as I can as the legend works. I get my turn and, miraculously, pull it off. I sit down, confident, as the judge begins to call witnesses. Is it my imagination or does Ted Wells give me a nod of approval? 1:30 p.m.
Court recesses for lunch. So far, an uneventful first day. I get a call from Joe Client, wrapped up in a matter stemming out of our Asia office. Joe wants to complain about the judicial system and lawyers in general. We’re in agreement that it sucks and it’s totally unfair.
2:30 p.m.
The judge calls court for the day. Ted Wells glides out. I can't do that.
3:30 p.m.
Back at the office, the phone rings at the same time an instant message pops up from Leo, a senior partner. “Did you get a chance to take a look at the Jones matter? I put it on your chair.” So that’s what I’m sitting on.
6:00 p.m.
Email from Leo. “Roland, I put the Jones file on your chair but I haven’t heard from you. I sent you an instant message earlier. We need to move this file along. What’s going on with it?” I reply: “I’ll get to it tomorrow. Gotta submit some stuff that’s due before midnight. Sorry.”
6:55 p.m.
A new Joe Client shows up for consultation. We spend a few hours going over his matters.
9:00 p.m.
A call. Not Leo, this time. Ted Wells. “Roland, I’ve heard good things. And I saw some good things today. Looking forward to the next few weeks. I think it’ll be a well-matched battle.”
12:00 a.m. Still on Cloud 9.
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