A partner of the firm, Michael Giordano serves as a trusted advisor to his clients. His broad range of experience representing both individuals and corporations in federal, state, and local courts allows him to provide personalized and strategic representation. Michael dedicates the time to understand his clients' complex matters and needs, prioritizing their goals and objectives whether strategizing, negotiating or advocating on their behalf. Michael practices in the federal and state courts of New York and New Jersey. His areas of focus include business and commercial litigation, real estate, and representation of individuals and businesses subjected to government investigations or charged with federal or state offenses. Michael serves as in-house counsel and strategic advisor to small and medium-size businesses, start-ups, and sole proprietorships. He provides legal guidance on a wide array of potential issues, including incorporating, structuring, restructuring, scaling and financing. Michael served as an editor for the Pace International Law Review and as a trial director on the Advocacy Honors Board where he coached and competed in national trial competitions. After graduating cum laude from Pace University School of Law, he served as an honors extern at the Westchester County District Attorney's Office. He interned for the Honorable Judge Travis L. Francis, A.J.S.C., New Jersey Superior Court, where he worked on matters including commercial liability coverage, commercial litigation, and administrative appeals. Mike is passionate about mentoring the next generation of lawyers and devotes time to appearing on panels and coaching trial teams at his alma mater.

Mishiyeva Law, PLLC., is a law firm focusing on estate planning, probate, and estate administration. We service the hardworking individuals of New York City with pride and expertise. We are here to represent beneficiaries, administrators, executors, grantors, heirs, creditors, and trustees. Our firm is ready to take on cases delving into the complexities of a will contest as well as general estate litigation. There are many crucial estate planning documents that should be considered when you are thinking about planning ahead for the future. We are able to assist in drafting the following: • Revocable Trust • Irrevocable Trust • Living Will • Last Will and Testament • Healthcare Proxy • Medicaid Trust • Power of Attorney Should you need assistance with a guardianship appointment, our firm is ready to provide the proper legal guidance you seek. You can contact us at (646) 535-1667 and make an appointment for a free consultation located in our office on 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004. If you are in need of a Brooklyn probate lawyer, or an estate planning and probate lawyer in New York, we are here to help. A major misconception that most people have is the idea that estate planning should only apply for the elderly. This is completely false. By subscribing to a basic estate planning strategy today, you allow not only yourself, but your family the opportunity to avoid major hurdles as far as taxes are concerned, the possibility of avoiding probate, and a solid plan to avoid a will contest. Elder Law, Estate Planning, & Probate Help in NYC Estate Law is vast and complex. It deals with many items that can come up within a persons lifetime. Probate Administration is the process in which a decedent dies testate which means a will was in place. This process verifies if the will is valid and if so, the distribution of assets within the decedents estate are made to the appropriate parties. Estate Planning considers a wide range of possibilities in an individuals life and plans accordingly to withstand any unpredictability that may pose as an issue on ones financial state along with their medical needs. From appointing a power of attorney in order to have your finances handled while you are incapacitated, to preparing a will, estate planning covers important decisions whether one has passed away or is still living. You can learn more about the numerous aspects involved with this area of law by reading our New York Estate Planning Blog.

Born and raised in New York, Associate Attorney Noah Passer is an experienced litigator who focuses his practice on representing injured workers and maximizing their compensation. Noah has extensive experience in all aspects of Workers’ Compensation, handling claims from inception and trial through permanency and settlement. He is comfortable litigating any disputed issue dealing with aspects of the employment relationship, medical treatment authorization, disability, permanency, or otherwise. Extremely respected by his peers and colleagues, Noah’s commitment is to the best interests of his clients.

Leigh is a founding partner of Sutton & Smyth, LLP. Born and raised in New York City, Leigh learned valuable lessons in street smarts, which provided him with a relentless work ethic and a tireless dedication to excel. Combined with his legal education and extensive experience, Leigh is a formidable trial attorney that does not shy away from the courtroom and has recovered millions of dollars for his clients. Leigh has dedicated his practice to zealously representing hard-working New Yorkers injured as a result of someone else’s negligence and representing victims who experienced property damage due to a fire or water loss. He gained invaluable early experience as a Partner of a renowned insurance defense firm, working closely with insurance adjusters and learning the ins and outs of how insurance companies value personal injury and property damage cases. He uses this knowledge, together with excellent negotiating and litigation skills, to maximize his client’s monetary recoveries. Leigh believes that all victims deserve a lawyer that truly cares about them. To that end, he makes himself available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and will continually communicate with clients to provide updates as their case progresses. He provides his cell number so clients can contact him whenever the need arises and is committed to excellence in the representation of his clients to bring them the justice they deserve and the compassion they need. Leigh is a native of Manhattan and is proud to continue to live there with his family. He attended college at Columbia University and Boston University and graduated from New York Law School. He is admitted to practice in all the Courts of New York State, the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. If you have been injured in an accident, or have sustained property damage due to the fault of another, Leigh will fight for you.

I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Miami where I clerked for the Hon. Edward Moore of the 11th Circuit Court and interned with the US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. I have been practicing law in New York for almost 30 years. I am a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Bronx Bar Association, and I am a member of the Bronx 18B panel which appoints private attorneys to represent indigent individuals charged with crimes in the Bronx. I am admitted to practice in all of the Courts of the State of New York as well as the Southern and Eastern District Courts. I have represented clients in immigration matters in the Federal Immigration Court and before the USCIS in several different States. I represent attorneys in disciplinary proceedings before the Office of Character and Fitness, and I volunteer as a Judge at mock trials and moot court competitions at NYU Law School, Cardozo Law School, and NY Law School. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. Working with a same-sex couple where we are on the verge of obtaining permanent residence status for the beneficiary through the Immigration court. Prio counsel didn’t take the time to listen to the clients to really establish the bona fides of the relationship Got a criminal matter dismissed on behalf of a client whose spouse had lied about him in order to obtain government benefits. The client was facing incarceration and was devastated both by the loss of the relationship, the nature of the charges and of course the consequences. We proved that the charges had been fabricated, without subjecting the client to the financial and emotional burden of a trial. How did you build a successful practice? Listening to my clients and working with them. Understanding that the client needs to be part of the process. Providing cost-effective, successful results. What should clients look for in a lawyer? Someone who has the time to handle their case. Someone who will give them an honest assessment of their matter in advance. Someone who is personable and with whom they can establish a relationship of trust. How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? Knowing your venue and your possible Jury pool can be essential in certain types of cases, especially in personal injury matters. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? Depending on the type of case that answer will vary greatly. A short conversation can generally point the client in the right direction and put them at ease whether or not they retain my firm. Things like the type of bankruptcy, whether they should be speaking to law enforcement, or whether they have a case at all. What information do you need in a free phone consultation? That answer will vary greatly. Generally, the nature of the case, when, where and how they the matter arose, and then the broad particulars of the matter. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? I believe that it is my level of empathy and my ability to visualize situations and present creative solutions that sets me apart. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Achieving a successful result for a client where the consequences would otherwise be truly life-changing. Things like saving someone from deportation, or jail, or crushing debt gives me a feeling that is almost indescribable. Its why I continue to practice law. What are your other interests in addition to law? My family of course. I also enjoy staying fit and outdoor activities hiking and cycling. Are you involved in your community? Besides being on the board of a local county bar association, and being on the Bronx 18b panel for appointments to criminal cases, I am a member of the NY Bar Association, and I am affiliated with the National Action Network, and STARR, (Strategic Trans Alliance for Radical Reform.

Creative Solutions to Immigration Problems A continuing commitment to justice for immigrants Our team of dedicated attorneys at Bretz & Coven, LLP are known throughout New York City for enthusiastically taking on the cases that other lawyers turn down. When we believe an injustice is being done, we are prepared to fight for our clients — in federal court, if necessary. Our firm is AV-Rated® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, and our team includes a former litigator for the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Because of our reputation in immigration law, other immigration attorneys often refer difficult cases to us. Dedication to immigration justice in every venue Our work is not limited to the administrative process of immigration. While we eagerly help individuals and families understand the process of obtaining citizenship, New York residency or a green card, we consider complex cases to be the strongpoint of our practice. Our attorneys have argued immigration appeals in federal appellate courts and have had a statute declared unconstitutional. We are dedicated to comprehensive immigration reform and remain invested in the latest immigration legislation and rulemaking, including deferred action. This allows us to advise our clients in New York of the full range

Eugene Litman, Esq. established Litman & Litman, P.C. in 1958. Eugene raised his four sons with aspirations that they would join him in the legal profession. He and his sons often discussed legal cases and argued their potential outcome over the dinner table. Eventually, all four of Eugene’s sons took up the legal profession by becoming lawyers. Two of Eugene’s sons, Jeffrey Litman and Kenneth Litman, joined their father’s firm. Today they have nearly 100 years of combined legal experience in personal injury law. Eugene Litman earned his degree from Brooklyn Law School while both Jeffrey Litman and Kenneth Litman earned their J.D. degrees from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. Jeffrey received a B.S. in Management from Boston University while Ken earned his B.S. in Management from Arizona State University. The Litman family has brought justice to thousands of clients by securing hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for them. With degrees in both law and business, they are more than qualified to defend your interests. They will accommodate your schedule with visits to your residence, hospital, or nursing home. They treat clients and their client’s circumstances with sensitivity. They understand that clients are potentially dealing with personal tragedies such as personal injury and wrongful death. The Litman team remains competitive and keeps apprised of the latest legal matters by extensive readings, attending conferences, and constant networking. They have met many leaders in American law, including United States Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Antonin Scalia.

Gentian Sholla Esq. is the founder and owner of Sholla Law Firm, P.C. Mr. Sholla has over 17 years of experience in immigration law. His practice is diverse in matters involving immigration as well as criminal, family and legal issues.

Courtney Davy proudly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps before receiving his Bachelor's and Juris Doctorate degrees. Courtney believes in giving back, especially during these times of economic despair for many Americans. His passion for community service is exactly why he has done pro bono work with the New York City Bankruptcy Project, assisting clients in sorting out their financial futures and helping them get back on their feet. Courtney recognizes the complexity of the legal system and understands that it's a lawyer's job to bridge the gap between the client and the law. He works towards making the system more accessible to his clients and getting them the best results possible. When he's not lawyering, you can find Courtney in the gym, producing his own music, or reading a good book.

Hendrick Vandamme is a partner of the Firm. He was born in former Czechoslovakia and has the distinction of having participated in the demonstrations dubbed the Velvet Revolution which ended 40 years of Communist oppression and foresaw the normalization of relationships between East and West. After leaving Prague, he lived and worked in Germany, Belgium, and England. He is fluent in Czech, German, and French. Before forming Vandamme Law Firm, his work experience encompassed practice with a securities litigation boutique firm and with a major North American insurance company as the attorney of record and trial counsel. Hendrick successfully handled a number of jury trials and has conducted numerous mediations and arbitrations on behalf of his clients. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Essex University in England and his law degree from Fordham University Law School. On multiple occasions, Hendrick has served as a correspondent to Radio Journal in Prague where he uses his expertise to discuss American legal issues of international interest. Hendrick is also a board member of the Olga Forrai Foundation, which provides support for the training, education, and career development of opera singers and classical music conductors. He is admitted to practice in New York and in the US District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts.