Kenneth Trombly is a civil trial attorney whose practice is limited to catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation in state and federal courts. Licensed in the District of Columbia and in Maryland, he has handled numerous significant cases on behalf of seriously injured persons, from seven figure settlements to noteworthy cases that have resulted in local or national publicity. Mr. Trombly Is nationally recognized as being Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, only one of a dozen District Of Columbia attorneys who have earned this honor - by virtue of his jury trial experience, peer reviews, and passing a written exam administered by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. In 2010 he was honored with the Trial Lawyer of the Year award, by the Trial Lawyers Association for the DC Metropolitan Area, an organization. which he also served as President in 1995. For a number of years, Mr. Trombly has also been one of a select group of D.C. catastrophic injury attorneys who are included in both The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward White Publishing Co.) and “Super Lawyers” (Law & Politics magazine). A 1973 graduate of Columbus School of Law of The Catholic University of America, where he was both a staff member of the Law Review and a student coordinator of the school’s legal services clinic, Mr. Trombly earned his undergraduate degree at The George Washington University (B.A., 1970). Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. We recently represented a college student who was riding a bicycle in downtown Washington, DC when he was hit by a dump truck that was going too fast and failed to yield at a crosswalk. Our client suffered a closed head injury and was very lucky to survive. We investigated the case promptly and found eyewitnesses who gave us statements. We closely monitored our client’s medical recovery and assisted him in being seen by one of the top neurologists in the city. When it same time to file suit, the other side knew that we were prepared to try the case and asked to do an early settlement mediation with a retired judge with whom both parties were familiar. The case settled on very favorable terms for the client. It was extremely gratifying to be able to have a positive impact on this young man’s life. How did you build a successful practice? By being attentive to my cases, treating my clients with respect and working hard on each case. When I am getting ready for trial, there is nothing else that I am focusing on for weeks, and I think that even when I sleep I am thinking about the case. We bring considerable preparation and passion to our cases, and that is the secret. If you do not really believe in your case and your client, the jury will know that. What should clients look for in a lawyer? Experience and dedication to the practice of law. There are some lawyers who approach personal injury law solely as a business. They have never stepped inside of a courtroom, and their goal is to settle the case as soon as possible, regardless of what is best for the client. A person who has been seriously injured and is looking for an attorney should find out what real jury trial experience the lawyer has. The insurance companies know which lawyers are real trial lawyers and which ones will go for the quick settlement, and it affects results. Also, is the lawyer active in the local or national Bar Associations in a meaningful way, such as, in the case of a trial lawyer, taking an active role in the local trial lawyers association, attending national and local trial lawyer seminars, teaching and mentoring young lawyers? The law, like medicine, is constantly changing, there are new cases and new techniques of which an effective trial lawyer must be aware. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? There are many fine lawyers in the DC area who do what I do. There are also many mediocre ones. It is up to the consumer to determine who has real experience and who is simply good at internet or TV promotion. We are among a limited group of lawyers who actually try serious catastrophic injury cases before local juries. In fact, a good number of our cases are referrals from other attorneys. To further differentiate myself, I am one of only eleven plaintiff trial lawyers based in DC who are Certified as Civil Trial Lawyers by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. This Board Certification is based on demonstrated trial experience, references from Judges and former opponents, and a written examination. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Practicing law is a privilege. To be the advocate of a person or a family that has been hit by personal tragedy, and to be able to formulate a solution for them is tremendously rewarding. What are your other interests in addition to law? I am very interested in politics, have been a lifelong Democrat, and have assisted campaigns with time and money on a national and local level. In terms of hobbies, I have been a passionate magic enthusiast since I was a kid, starting by putting on magic shows at birthday parties when I was in junior high school, and continuing up through law school, when I helped support myself by performing shows. I have kept up the hobby, and I believe that the skill set of learning how to get up and talk to people in an engaging and personal way, how to present things in an interesting manner, and how to prepare a presentation for maximum impact has carried over to the courtroom for me. Were it not for this public speaking experience, I am not sure that I would have even gone into this area of the law. Are you involved in your community? Yes. I am actively involved in Trial Lawyer Association committees that directly impact the community on issues of DC legislation and public safety. I am also on referral panels in which I am asked to assist persons especially in need, such as the Legal services for the Elderly and the National Victims Center. Through my magic hobby, I donate my magic skills, having entertained at charity fundraisers, for senior citizen groups and local Cub Scouts, and I was honored to be among a group of magicians who performed at the “Salute to Heroes” Inaugural Balls for President Obama in 2009 and 2013, events honoring the President and the living Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.

Wayne R. Cohen is the founder and managing partner of Cohen & Cohen, P.C. Mr. Cohen is an AV-rated lawyer, whose practice is concentrated in the areas of medical malpractice, wrongful death, automobile accidents, product liability, class actions, and other personal injury areas. In short, he has devoted his professional career to representing the rights of the injured. Mr. Cohen has appeared on numerous occasions in local and national television shows and print media. Mr. Cohen has been called one of “Washington’s best lawyers”, one of Washington’s “top 40 lawyers under 40,” one of “Washington’s top trial lawyers,” one of “the 50 best lawyers in Washington,” and “one of the city’s most feared personal injury lawyers.” (Washingtonian Magazine, November 2015, December 2013, November 2011, December 2009, December 2007, July 2006, August 2004, April 2002, and June 2001). The Washington Examiner identified Mr. Cohen as a “prominent, personal injury lawyer” on January 31, 2006. He was named in The National Trial Lawyers Association’s 2008Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the District of Columbia, has been named as one of Washington DC’s Super Lawyers for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 and has been featured by Washingtonian Magazine.

Mr. Watters is the president and founder of the firm. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Washington, DC to attend law school at Georgetown University. Shortly after graduating from law school in 1980, Mr. Watters opened the firm, first practicing criminal law and then transitioning to personal injury law. Mr. Watters has substantial trial experience as he has now been practicing for almost 40 years. He has served as lead counsel in over 100 jury trials. Mr. Watters was named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the DC Trial Lawyers Association and Lawyer of the Year by the Washington Bar Association. His service and contribution to the community is unmatched by many. He served as president of the Washington Bar Association, National Bar Association, and the Bar Association of the District of Columbia. He is currently the president of the Foundation of the Bar Association of the District of Columbia. During his time as president of the National Bar Association, which is the nation’s oldest and largest group of predominantly African-American lawyers and judges, he accompanied famed attorney Johnnie Cochran on an international lecture tour. Mr. Watters also previously served on a number of American Bar Association committees throughout the years, including Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Professional Discipline, and Medical Professional Liability. He is a former chairman of the Advisory Committee on the selection of magistrate judges for the DC Superior Court. In addition, he served as a trustee of Ithaca College for 10 years. Mr. Watters has always been a voice for the underdog and is a long-time advocate for the socially and economically disadvantaged. He grew up in a children’s home as a multiracial child in the 1950s and ‘60s and was able to see firsthand how race and poverty play a part in society. He opened his firm in the hopes of helping those with no money, those out of work, or those who have been injured due to the fault of another. His lifelong dedication to achieving justice has earned him countless accolades. Mr. Watters was named among the 100 most influential African American leaders by Ebony magazine. He was awarded the C. Francis Stafford Award by the National Bar Association, which is the highest honor the association can award. The National Bar Association also awarded Mr. Watters the Gertrude E. Rush Award, which honors lawyers and judges for their leadership, concern for human and civil rights, and perseverance for social activism. Mr. Watters was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Washington Bar Association. He has been awarded numerous Presidential Awards and Certificates of Appreciation from the Washington Bar Association, National Bar Association, and the Bar Association of the District of Columbia. He is also a Life Sustaining Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, in which membership is limited to 1% of lawyers licensed to practice in each jurisdiction who demonstrate outstanding dedication to their community and the legal profession. In addition to being a trailblazer in the courtroom and in the community, Mr. Watters is a loving father and husband. He is married to Patricia Watters, who serves as counsel to the firm. They are proud parents of three children. Mr. Watters was chosen as a Father of the Year semifinalist by the National Center for Fathering.

Karen J. Malachi is the founding attorney of Malachi Legal & Strategic Services, L.L.C., bringing over 3 decades of legal expertise to clients in Georgia, the District of Columbia and throughout the continental U.S.A. Known for her dedication to empowering the community through justice and economic development, Karen provides personalized legal representation, prioritizing the unique needs of each client.

Jason A. Grant, a native of the Bronx, New York, is a 2002 graduate of the College of Arts & Sciences at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in African American Studies. Upon graduating from Syracuse University, Jason enrolled at Howard University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in May 2005. Jason began his legal career as an associate attorney at The Law Offices of Glenn S. Wainer from 2006 – 2008. Jason was a founding partner of The DGO Law Group, PLLC from 2010 – 2020, and became a founding partner of the GO Law Group, PLLC in October 2020. His practice areas include employment law, civil rights, personal injury, and general civil litigation.

Seth Price is a founding partner of Price Benowitz LLP and the firm's business backbone. Seth is committed to a firm that provides excellent representation and exceptional customer service, a business formula that has seen Price Benowitz grow from two attorneys to more than forty. A transformational leader, Seth is often asked to speak on law firm development and legal marketing strategy. Seth is also an accomplished attorney in the DC area, with a focus on personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation law. He has received countless awards and accolades for his dedication and ability to stand out as an exemplar for his peers.

Debora Fajer-Smith is an attorney representing plaintiffs in complex personal injury and workers' compensation matters for over 40 years in Maryland and the District. She was admitted to the United States Supreme Court. Born in Sao Paulo Brazil, Debora speaks Portuguese and French. She started as an associate with another firm. She then founded her own firm in Bowie Maryland, which grew successfully to several branches in 21 years. She then merged as with another firm, and is now a partner at Price Benowitz. When not engaged in the practice of law, Debora earned her private pilot license and flew Piper Warriors. She is an accomplished novelist under the pen name Leah Kelly for children and adults. Her most recent project, with graduates of UMBC, is the launch of Amron Home and Health LLC, a new venture with a mission to bring greater awareness to the risks of untreated sleep apnea and to provide comfort products to CPAP users worldwide. Her two sons were raised in her hometown of Annapolis, Maryland.

With a significant repertoire of personal injury experience under her belt, Hannah Amundson provides client-focused, zealous legal representation. For years, Hannah has been providing aggressive legal representation for injured plaintiffs due to the fault of others in the District of Columbia and Maryland. She is also licensed to practice law in Florida (where she is from). Hannah’s passion for excellence is demonstrated by the years of achieving results for plaintiffs. With experience in cases in the District of Columbia and Maryland involving auto accidents, motorcycle and bicycle accidents, trip/slip and falls, dog bites, assault and battery, security negligence, medical malpractice, and more, Hannah has the knowledge and experience to zealously pursue clients’ goals. Hannah graduated Summa Cum Laude and a member of the Honors Program at Florida Gulf Coast University. She also graduated Cum Laude from the University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law. Hannah was an associate editor of the UDC Law Review and was a Dean’s Fellow at UDC Law. While in law school, she was also a student attorney in the UDC Immigration and Human Rights Clinic and the UDC Legislation Clinic.

Kenneth A. Koppelman (“Ken”) is a civil litigator handling all matters of personal injury litigation. Now licensed in Virginia and Washington DC, he brings his passion and proven track-record of advocacy to the Price Benowitz Team. Ken is a zealous advocate who will fight for his clients to ensure the best possible outcome in their case. He is a tireless worker who focuses on a client first approach. He uses his strong communication and negotiation skills to understand the core issues of a case, and position his clients in the best situations possible to obtain fair and just compensation. Ken has experience handling a wide array of civil litigation matters, ranging from personal injury, to workers compensation, civil rights, and veterans disability law. Ken received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy, with a criminal justice minor from Temple University, and his Juris Doctorate degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law. His legal career began in the Philadelphia Office of the Attorney General, where he focused on protecting consumers from unfair business practices. During law school, Ken was certified as a mediator, and gained valuable experience in trial advocacy. He spent several years working in the fast-paced Chicago legal field, representing victims of serious injuries. Ken’s dedication to his clients is evidenced by his fighting and winning a case before the Illinois Supreme Court to protect the interests of his clients, establishing sweeping new law which positively affects thousands of injured victims across the state of Illinois.

Kenneth J. LaDuca (“Kenny”) is a civil litigator focusing his practice on matters involving serious personal injury and wrongful death cases. Kenny is known for employing his superior communication, problem-solving, negotiation and research skills on high-level complex cases to obtain the best possible result for clients. Kenny has made it a habit of obtaining six and seven-figure results for clients in cases ranging from car accidents to jail deaths. He has successfully negotiated countless claims against the largest insurance companies in the country, common carriers (like WMATA), and private institutions. Additionally, when negotiations are not successful, he does not shy away from heading to the courtroom for clients. Kenny is a member of a number of organizations, including the Maryland Association for Justice, the D.C. Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. He is licensed in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. He is also admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for Maryland and D.C. Originally from Syracuse, New York, Kenny graduated from American University Washington College of Law. While in law school, he was an articles editor for the American University Business Law Review. Prior to attending law school, Kenny earned his B.A. in political science from American University. When he is not working, Kenny enjoys working out, fishing, and partaking in all that D.C. has to offer. You can regularly find him at Nationals and Capitals games.