Personal Injury

After high school, John attended the University of Utah, graduating in 2001. John then attended his dream school, Notre Dame Law School, where he graduated, with honors, in 2004. John is licensed to fight in court for real people in the State of Arizona, the United States Federal District Court of Arizona, and the 9th Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. Before establishing what is now Torgenson Law, John practiced in the litigation group at Fennemore Craig, the oldest law firm in Arizona, and one of the largest firms in the Southwest. John will always be grateful to the excellent lawyers and great leaders who gave him a shot and taught him so much about being a personal injury lawyer at Fennemore Craig. Having practiced at Fennemore Craig in both the defense and plaintiff’s practice areas gives John a complete perspective of the litigation process, and valuable insight into how to efficiently and effectively advance his clients’ interests. His unique and balanced background enhances his credibility with defense lawyers, insurers, and defendants as well as with judges and arbitrators. John realizes that civic and community involvement is essential in order for him to keep a solid balance between his professional and personal life. He was named one of Phoenix’s top 35 entrepreneurs by the Arizona Republic. He has been a board member at Kids @ Core (offering fitness and healthy living classes for underprivileged children), has coached the 7th and 8th grade football teams at St. Francis Xavier, is an active member of the Los Abogados Hispanic Bar Association, and serves meals to the homeless at Andre House in downtown Phoenix. John is also a member of Grand Canyon River Guides, and has been a licensed Grand Canyon River Guide for the past 22 years. John devotes 100% of his career to fighting insurance companies and corporate interests on behalf of good people who are hurt. People call this “personal injury law.” John wears that term proudly. Although insurance companies, corporations, and their lobbyists want you to envision slick-backed hair, greedy, desperate lawyers running after an ambulance when you hear “personal injury lawyer.” John wants people to envision what it really is – taking vulnerable, broken, hurt people who are at the loneliest, darkest times in their life, and helping them rebuild – piece by piece. Having the backs of real human beings by fighting against greedy insurance companies and corporations who are looking to boost their ever-increasing profits on the broken backs of the people they hurt. That’s what a real “personal injury lawyer” is. And John is proud to be one. John devotes his practice to sticking up for those wronged by others. Then, holding the wrongdoer accountable. Whether his client is injured due to someone’s choice to disregard basic safety rules, or a corporation or insurance company’s attempt to take advantage of an individual, John relentlessly pursues justice for his clients through loyal advocacy, honest communication, and the committed pursuit of the truth. John works hard and creatively, drawing on his mind and his heart for his clients to ensure that they are treated fairly in every single step of the litigation process. John gets his tireless work ethic from watching his dad, Fernando, report to work like clockwork as a Journeyman Lineman in Southern Utah for the past 43 years, then coming home and showing John how a real man works by being an amazing dad, coach, and maintaining their house. John’s mom, Karen, who raised him and his siblings to always stick up for themselves and anyone else getting picked on, gives him his unbending will to continue to take the fight to well-financed opponents, and seek justice for his clients.

Marshall N. Dickler, is a condominium and homeowner association attorney with over 50 years of experience. Based out of Arlington Heights, IL, Attorney Dickler has provided representation for different areas of condominium and home owners associations including litigation, real estate transactions, real estate tax disputes and challenges, zoning, collections, catastrophic injury and more. His understanding of these legal areas has garnered recognition locally and nationally. Since 1977, Attorney Dickler has been a member and teacher at the Community Associations Institute (CAI), where he has discussed many different topics dealing with condominiums, homeowners associations, corporations, real estate and more. At one point, he also held the title of director and president at the CAI-Illinois chapter, showing his experience for this area of law. To schedule your consultation, contact us at 847-593-5595.

John has dedicated over 30 years, to serving the needs of personal injury clients in Michigan, and across the country. Some of his resilience may have come from playing Big Ten Football for coaching legend Duffy Daugherty at Michigan State University, where he was also a Rhode Scholar Candidate. He then went on to the University of Notre Dame Law School and passed the Michigan bar exam and hung out his shingle as a Personal Injury Sole Practitioner, a first for Livingston County Michigan. He is licensed in both State and Federal Court in Michigan and is a member of the Bar in California. Mr. Schalter views Personal Injury Law as his life calling. His father experienced a massive heart attack and stroke due to carbon monoxide poisoning at his job. For 11 years John’s father, once a healthy man, sat in a wheelchair watching his family suffer and feeling constant confusion and despair. He never thought about talking to a personal injury lawyer, or realized he could even afford one. Since then, John has made it his life’s mission to help bring justice to innocent victims of reckless conduct. Consequently, Jon is constantly trying to bridge the gap between law and the people it was designed to protect. The evolution of OurAdvocate is the product of these efforts. He sees this firm as a "work in progress," constantly evolving into a "better way" of protecting his clients and serving their unique needs in Michigan, and throughout our country. He has been a long-standing member of almost all state and local bar associations. In his free time, he writes screenplays for major studios in Hollywood. Also, he and his wife Carrie have spent the last year building schools in Kenya, Africa. OurAdvocate has a network of lawyers throughout the state who we think are the “best in the business.” This gives our clients the unparalled service at no extra cost to our clients!

Upon graduating from Duquesne, Robert began as an associate with Saperston & Day, P.C., working for or on behalf of the major insurance carriers in their Insurance Defense and Insurance Coverage Departments. In 1995, Robert joined Andrews, Sanchez, Amigone, Mattrey & Marshall and was named its youngest partner. Shortly thereafter, Robert became a named partner in the law firm of Andrews, Bernstein & Maranto, LLP, along with Benjamin J. Andrews and Alan L. Bernstein, one of the founding partners of Cellino and Barnes. Robert focuses his practice on all areas of personal injury and has achieved multi-million dollar settlements and jury verdicts throughout his career. Mr. Maranto, a graduate of St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, received his Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after completing his undergraduate studies at Canisius College. While studying at Duquesne, Robert was the Associate Editor of Law Review and in the top 20% of his graduating class. He was recently added to the top lawyers in New York. If you or a loved one was injured due to the negligence of another party, contact dedicated Buffalo injury attorney Robert Maranto today to arrange a free confidential consultation. Let his experience work for you.

You deserve a top rated law firm that you can trust to help you following an accident, or criminal investigation. Our experienced lawyers at Durflinger Oliver & Associates have a proven track record of protecting clients, and helping them move forward in life. Things are almost never as bad as they seem. Call us, and we can help put your mind at ease with a smart plan of attack. If you have been charged with a crime, received a traffic ticket, or have been injured because of someone’s negligence, the choice you make in an attorney will have long lasting consequences. Criminal charges can result in Article 15 and Chapter proceedings, jail, fines, and treatment. All of these things are expensive, and potentially life altering. Traffic tickets, while less serious, can affect your insurance rate, and even your license. An accident can result in massive hospital bills, suffering and bankruptcy. When you need help, our team is here for you. At Durflinger Oliver & Associates you don't have to settle for a single attorney when you can hire a team of experienced lawyers to fight for you. Our attorneys have a half century of collective litigation experience. That means you can rest assured that your case will receive the benefit of 50 years of courtroom practice and experience working with judges, insurance adjusters, and opposing attorneys. Best of all, you get this team at a great value, so you don't have to settle for a single, less experienced lawyer. Founding Partner and Of Counsel attorney James Oliver paid for college by serving in the Army Reserves. In college, he co-captained his university’s NCAA Men’s Volleyball team. As a result of his athletic experience and military service, he understands the value of a team, and the needs and concerns of service members and their families. That’s why he built this firm, and that’s why he instituted the Military Discount offered to service members by Durflinger Oliver & Associates. Founding partner Natalie Durflinger graduated with honors from both the University of Washington and Gonzaga School of Law. At Gonzaga, Natalie was a Thomas More Scholar, and founded the university’s American Civil Liberties Chapter, serving as President. She also performed community service locally, and in Central America before following her passion for criminal defense and establishing Durflinger Oliver & Associates with James Oliver. Natalie’s practice is dedicated almost exclusively to misdemeanor criminal defense including domestic violence, driving offenses, drug charges, and property crimes. She has an established reputation as an aggressive defense attorney who is respected by judges and prosecutors alike. Natalie also has shared her Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure knowledge as a College Adjunct Professor. Senior Associate Martha McLaughlin heads up the firm’s Personal Injury section. She is an Honors Graduate from the University of Puget Sound, and also from Seattle University School of Law. Martha's husband of 30 years is a retired Air Force officer, so Martha knows the difficulties endured by service members and their families. She also knows how to protect you and your family following an accident, or criminal charges. As a former prosecutor, she has been on both sides of the fight and understands what judges are looking for. Martha’s dedicated personal injury paralegal brings three decades of injury litigation experience to the firm, and the two professionals work closely with the firm’s other attorneys to ensure exceptional results for each of our clients. Tracey Munger represents clients accused of felony offenses, and clients in danger of losing their children in dependency proceedings. Her litigation experience began in Louisiana during law school, and continued on into Washington in 2002. She has represented clients in almost every court in the Puget Sound region, and is admitted to practice in the U.S. Federal Court as well. She has won cases as simple as traffic infraction to as complex as federal drug trafficking and everything in between. As head of the Felony Section, Tracey decides which cases the firm will accept, and which staff to assign as support. Her reputation as a “street fighter” has been earned through countless negotiations, hearings, motions, and trials. After 14 years of practice in Western Washington, Tracey has a great understanding of, and appreciation for, the sacrifices of our service members and their families, and she works hard to protect them. Durflinger Oliver & Associates Of Counsel attorney Andrew Huff is a Seattle native who started his career as a prosecuting attorney with Kitsap County before being hired as an associate by well-known criminal defense firm Bennett Raney Moran and Gianneschi. In 2001, he went out on his own and started the Law Office of Andrew Charles Huff in Seattle. Andrew is a former board member of “Citizens for Judicial Excellence,” member of “National College for DUI Defense” and the “Order of Barristers.“ He is also an experienced Judge Pro Tem, which means that he clearly understands what needs to be done to protect his clients. Andrew is a valued teammate of Durflinger Oliver, and his contributions to the accused have brought relief to hundreds of Washington families. No legal team is worth a thing without high quality support staff, and the Durflinger Oliver team is exceptional. In fact, Durflinger Oliver has twice been awarded the “Firm of the Year” award by the Pierce County Chapter of NALS – The National Association of Legal Professionals. The staff at Durflinger Oliver make the weekly team meetings possible and productive and ensure that every client file is regularly team reviewed. This ensures the highest quality representation at the best value. In addition to our Military Discount, we also offer convenient payment plans, and bilingual Spanish services. We look forward to meeting with you for your free consultation. Call today to schedule your free meeting with an experienced attorney who can put your mind at ease and tell you what Durflinger Oliver can do for you. IF YOU DEMAND JUSTICE, DEMAND DURFLINGER OLIVER!

Attorney Mehrmann concentrates in the areas of personal injury law, workers compensation, divorce, and business law. In addition, Attorney Mehrmann serves as corporate counsel to numerous closely held corporations who engage in all types of business. As a corporate attorney, he routinely represents clients in the purchase, lease, and development of real estate, in employment disputes and relations, in negotiating franchise and distribution agreements and counseling company owners in day to day business operations. A good lawyer should also be a good negotiator. Achieving fair settlements for our clients when possible, to minimize legal fees and anxiety is our goal. However, when negotiations fail, Attorney Mehrmann has the trial experience needed to protect your rights. Attorney Mehrmann lives on the South Shore, has coached youth football and baseball, and served on the Community Development Advisory Council for the Town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for a period of four (4) years. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. In obtaining a1.6 million dollar recovery for an injured motor cycle driver, I was able to establish that the responsible driver had excess coverage through a company with whom he was employed and fend off allegations that a failed headlight on the bike was the cause of the accident by using experts and scientific testing. How did you build a successful practice? A successful practice is built by only taking cases you are qualified to handle then by following through with the hard work and commitment needed to achieve the best result given the situation . What should clients look for in a lawyer? Knowledge experience and competence. beware of empty promises. How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? Very important. being local to the legal problem gives the lawyer a better context to understand the problem and recognize the solution, allows the attorney a better opportunity to actually visit local important locations without increased traveling costs to the client and makes direct client attorney contact which is also quite important, easier and more affordable. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? During a free consultation I can usually identify the issues, give a preliminary assessment of the strengths and if present weaknesses of the case and provide a fee estimate. What information do you need in a free phone consultation? Any documents they have which are related to the legal issue for which they seek consultation. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? I have been practicing law at this location for 30 years . I am committed to any cause i undertake , have a great track record, work hard and am responsive to my clients. I take pride in doing well for my clients. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Helping people through what is usually one of the most difficult problems they have ever faced. What are your other interests in addition to law? Art, history, travel, outdoors, exercise, family Are you involved in your community? At this time in my life and other than socially , only in the practice of law.

James V Hill, attorney at Russell & Hill, PLLC, is a lifelong Washingtonian and has spent time calling both sides of the Cascades “home.” Jim has devoted his law practice to helping people obtain the benefits and compensation they deserve, both in personal injury cases as well as social security disability claims. After graduating with academic honors from Seattle University School of Law, Jim went to work at a law firm that provided legal defense for multiple insurance companies. Working as a lawyer for the insurance companies provided valuable experience and insight into how insurance companies do business, how they value claims, and what they look for when litigating a claim against a plaintiff. In 2002, with the knowledge and information he learned to work as an insurance defense attorney, Jim transitioned his legal practice to focus solely on representing injured people against the insurance companies. Jim’s experience working for insurance companies has given him the knowledge to bring a successful claim for injury and the insight to avoid the pitfalls that exist in the settlement and litigation process. Jim has successfully represented thousands of Washingtonians in personal injury claims. In 2005, Jim Hill had a handful of personal injury clients ask him for help with their applications for Social Security Disability benefits. After successfully helping these clients obtain disability benefits, Jim noticed similarities between the two areas of legal practice. In both instances, injured people need help fighting for the compensation that they deserved against entities much larger than an individual – whether the fight was against an insurance company or the federal government. Out of that experience grew a passion to help people with disabilities obtain their rightful benefits. When a physical or mental health condition leaves a person unable to work on a full time, sustained basis, Jim represents the client in all proceedings with the Social Security Administration to get his clients the disability benefits they need and deserve. Most clients have a hearing in front of a federal administrative law judge, and Jim makes sure that his cases are prepared thoroughly and presented in a manner that will best deliver a favorable ruling. Jim Hill continues to be busy with his vibrant and growing law practice at Russell & Hill, PLLC. He splits his time representing hundreds of local people in both personal injury claims and disability claims.

Tyler carries the tradition of law in the Young family into the next generation – and very successfully. After finishing his baseball career at Utah Valley State College (now U.V.U.) in 2000, graduating from University of Utah in 2002, Tyler moved on to study law at Oklahoma City University. In 2006, he received his J.D. and brought back his experience to Utah where he has since helped hundreds of personal injury clients receive the settlements they deserve. Tyler was selected as one of Utah’s top 40 trial lawyers under 40, which evidences his drive and dedication to serve his clients to every extent of the law. He has also been a major contributor to charitable and legal organizations. He currently serves on the Board of the Utah Association for Justice (formerly known as the Utah Trial Lawyers Association), where he serves on the amicus committee and membership committee. He is also a Commissioner Elect on the Utah State Bar Commission (which manages the affairs of the Utah Bar Association). He continues to give back to the community through his involvement in the Springville Rotary Club where he was President from 2011 to 2012, and occasionally, as time allows, coaching high school baseball.

Attorney D. Russell Thomas was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, August 3, 1952. He attended Middle Tennessee State University (B.S., 1970-74). He was a member of Kappa Sigma after his undergraduate degree. He attended Memphis State University Law School for his J.D. degree (1974-77). Mr. Thomas was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1978, and is admitted to the U.S. District Court in the, Middle and Eastern Districts of Tennessee.D. Russell Thomas was a member of Phi Alpha Delta and a 1985 Graduate of ATLA’s Advanced Civil Litigation Course. Mr. Thomas served on the Board of Governors as the Representative for the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association for the 6th District of Tennessee, 1991—2005 and 2016-2018. He is a member of the Rutherford County, Tennessee Bar Association, The Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association (Legislative Committee, 2000—2004), Trial Master, and 2005-2006 President of the Andrew Jackson American Inns of Court. He is the author of "Automobile Liability in Tennessee" published in The Tennessee Trial Lawyers Magazine.Mr. Thomas has been a guest lecturer for the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association since 1992; lecturing on selected topics, including worker's compensation, personal injury,(which includes automobile cases, product liability, and premises liability) as well as the effective utilization of the American Medical Association Guides to the evaluation of permanent impairment in workers' compensation, personal injury cases, trial tactics, and civil jury trials.Based on a confidential survey of other attorneys in this area by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, D. Russell Thomas received an AV Rating. The A – is the mark of the highest rating of legal ability. The V – is the mark of the highest standards of legal ethics.According to Martindale-Hubbell, “AV Peer Review Rating" shows that a lawyer has reached the height of professional excellence. He or she has usually practiced law for many years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity". He has held this rating for approximately two decades. He is a 2018 graduate of Keenan Trial Institute which is an advanced trial techniques college out of Atlanta, Georgia. He spends many hours in continuing education each year.Mr. Thomas was raised on a dairy/beef farm in Cannon County and was active in the 4-H club with interests in cattle and horses. He kept an ongoing cattle operation until 2010. He played music with rock and blues bands off and on for 25 years. He now lives in Murfreesboro, TN with his wife Jeanmarie. His current office where he has practiced for 20 of the last 43 years is 5 minutes off of the square. The practice is devoted to plaintiff's cases for personal injuries and selected workers' compensation cases.

Jon graduated from Marquette Law School in 2000 and has worked in Wisconsin litigation and personal injury law exclusively since that time. Jon and his firm have handled every kind of injury case you can imagine: auto and motorcycle collisions, product liability, civil litigation, nursing home neglect, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, and animal attacks. When it comes to Wisconsin injury law, Groth Law Firm puts knowledge, compassion, and experience on your side. Jon grew up in the City of Milwaukee. His father was a Milwaukee Firefighter and mother worked for various nursing homes. Jon knows the value of hard work and what it means to understand his clients and their needs; that’s ultimately what’s brought him from a clerk in law school (where he discovered his knack for legal problem-solving) to owning his own firm with the best staff of lawyers and paralegals he’s had the pleasure to know. Groth Law Firm itself enjoys glowing reviews and recommendations from clients and colleagues alike and Jon has earned statewide recognition for his work. He was named a Rising Star and SuperLawyer and is a proud Life Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Last year the National Trial Lawyers Association named Jon one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Wisconsin and one of the Top 40 Under 40 for the third year in a row.