Corporate

Jerry M. Lehocky is a partner at Pond Lehocky Giordano, LLP. Mr. Lehocky has been a litigator of workers' compensation and Social Security since being admitted to practice in 1985. Initially, his practice involved representing employers and insurance companies. In 1991, Mr. Lehocky began representing claimants exclusively in the areas of workers' compensation and Social Security disability. A former chairman of the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Workers' Compensation Section (for 12 consecutive years), Mr. Lehocky served as a consultant to several Pennsylvania governors as well as numerous state senators and representatives on workers' compensation issues. He co-authored “House Bill 2738,” which created the Uninsured Employers Guaranty Fund. This fund provides workers' compensation benefits to injured workers whose employers do not carry workers' compensation insurance. The bill was signed into law by Governor Rendell on November 9, 2006, and was the first piece of workers' compensation legislation in favor of injured workers to become law in over 30 years. Mr. Lehocky continues to serve on the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice and the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association, and was previously on the Board of Directors of the Volunteers for the Indigent Program. Mr. Lehocky is also a member of the Workplace Injury Litigation Group and a committee member of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Mr. Lehocky is a former president of The Pennsylvania Association for Justice, the first workers' compensation attorney in the organization’s history to hold that position. Mr. Lehocky has been selected for inclusion in the Super Lawyers® Top 100 in Pennsylvania and Super Lawyers® Top 100 in Philadelphia lists. Mr. Lehocky was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2012-2016. Mr. Lehocky received the 1997 Legal Leader Award from Philaposh for distinguished service to injured workers of Pennsylvania and has also received an accommodation of dedicated service from the State Senate of Pennsylvania for his efforts on behalf of injured workers in Pennsylvania. Mr. Lehocky also received the Joe Hand Gym's 2014 Good Guy Award for his support of urban youth athletics. Mr. Lehocky has written numerous articles and publications on workers' compensation and lectures extensively on various workers' compensation issues. Mr. Lehocky has appeared on many different television shows to discuss workers’ compensation issues, and has been interviewed by National Public Radio to address the crisis of injuries to healthcare workers in America.

Samuel H. Pond has concentrated his practice in the area of workers' compensation litigation since his graduation from Temple University School of Law in 1984. He is a founding and managing partner of Pond Lehocky Giordano. Mr. Pond’s advocacy for his clients has resulted in some of the largest settlements in Pennsylvania and the nation. Mr. Pond is a member and past president of the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association and the current treasurer of the organization’s political action committee, the Committee for a Better Tomorrow. Mr. Pond is the past chair of the Workers' Compensation Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association, past chair of its Education and Ethics Committee and its Workers' Compensation Section Executive Committee. Mr. Pond was appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to serve on the Board of Law Examiners. He also served on the Board of The Pennsylvania Federation of Injured Workers, the Pennsylvania Association for Justice and the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Charitable Foundation. Mr. Pond was appointed by the Speaker of the House of Pennsylvania to the Workers' Compensation Advisory Board. He is a current board member of the Pennsylvania Alliance and the USC Shoah Foundation's Next Generation Committee. He sits on and has served on numerous other boards. Mr. Pond is also president of Union Services Access, a legal consulting services network for unions and their members. In addition to his practice as a workers' compensation attorney, Mr. Pond is a frequent author and lecturer in workers' compensation matters. His Martindale-Hubbell rating concerning Legal Ability and Ethical Standards has been given the highest grade. Mr. Pond was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® from 2007-2016. Mr. Pond has also been selected for inclusion in the Super Lawyers® Top 100 in Pennsylvania and Top 100 in Philadelphia lists for consecutive years. Through lectures and seminars, Mr. Pond educates union members and employees throughout the region on their rights under the Workers' Compensation Act. His charitable contributions are extensive and focused on children and education; they include the Union Services Access Scholarship Fund, The Pond Lehocky Trial Advocacy Scholarship and The Pond Lehocky Legal Studies Department Head Office at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business. He also created the Marie Pond Scholarship Fund in honor of his mother, which is a yearly scholarship awarded to a member of the Torresdale Boys Club.

John R. Vermillion works as an estate planning and probate attorney and is licensed to practice in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. A native Texan, he graduated from Texas Christian University in 1974 receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. In 1977, he received his Juris Doctor degree from the Louisiana State University Law School. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Vermillion worked extensively as a corporate attorney in the fields of oil and gas exploration and production, real estate development, finance and estate planning. He served for many years as corporate counsel and Vice President of a private independent oil and gas company. Mr. Vermillion is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Dallas Bar Association, the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Oklahoma Bar Association, and the Tennessee Bar Association. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Michael R. Cramer’s practice includes extensive experience in business law, civil and commercial litigation, employment law, corporate law, construction law, real estate, civil defense and estate planning. Attorney Cramer has more than 20 years of practice, Michael developed a statewide practice focused on litigation. His cases range from breach of contract to construction delay claims against the State of Texas. He also works with Family Law and Divorce cases. His business litigation practice includes the representation of corporations of all sizes. Michael has considerable experience in assisting corporations to avoid litigation through consultancy and risk avoidance. He counsels business owners on the best type of entity for their corporate structure and then assists the business in every step of the process from formation to contracts, collections to dissolution, and everything in between. Michael’s business law clients include construction companies, contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers, franchisors, owners, architects, business partners and many other entities in litigation matters. His family law clients include parents, grandparents, couples, and conservators in all areas of family law.

Chris Cagle is an experienced trial attorney and personal injury lawyer. Chris has represented thousands of individuals who have suffered devastating injuries as the result of someone else’s negligence. In his work protecting injured individuals, Chris has litigated cases throughout the State of Texas and the United States. Chris has been recognized as one of Texas Super Lawyers 2009-2019, as selected by Thomas Reuters, and published in Texas Monthly Magazine, an honor bestowed on less than 3% of lawyers throughout the State of Texas.

Tony began his practice in Mississippi as an associate with the Austin Law firm after practicing for one year in Tennessee. With the Austin Law firm he primarily handled matters of civil litigation and domestic relations. In 2001 he co-founded the firm Chamberlin-Nowak, P.C., a general practice firm that also served as counsel to the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors. In 2006 Tony merged his firm with Smith, Phillips, Mitchell and Scott to create Smith, Phillips, Mitchell, Scott and Nowak. Since 2005 Tony has focused his practice on government law. In addition to serving as the Board Attorney for the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors, the DeSoto County Recreational District and the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department. He also formerly represented the DeSoto County Convention and Visitors Bureau (d/b/a Landers Center). Tony also proudly serves as the Municipal Court Judge for the City of Hernando. He has been in that position since 2001. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire What should clients look for in a lawyer? There are several things clients should look for when hiring a lawyer. First, clients should hire a lawyer who has the knowledge and ability necessary to handle your case successfully. It is important to find a lawyer who has a proven track record of handling cases like the client’s and who has the staff and resources necessary to handle your case at the highest level. It is also important that clients hire a lawyer who they are comfortable with and will be available to answer any questions they may have about their case and who will keep them updated on the case as it progresses. How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? Local knowledge is extremely important and provides great assistance in the advancement of your case. Many times, different court jurisdictions implement different procedures and local rules as to how matters are handled. Different judges have different ways of conducting their courtroom. Having an attorney to represent you that understands these procedures and requirements and who has strong ties in the community provides strength to your case. Local knowledge is about relationships and engaging with people. As an attorney I have always been committed to helping others and in so doing understand that local knowledge plays a vital role in my representation. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? Free phone consultations are a great way for prospective clients to get a feel for their legal rights and also get a feel for the attorney. The more information the client and attorney have at their disposal, the better the advice that can be provided. It is important for persons to have the chance to “interview” the lawyer, and a phone consultation is a great first opportunity. Further, an initial assessment as to rights and remedies given the particular facts of a case can be provided. Prospective clients can use the opportunity to ask the lawyer if they have handled that particular type of case before?; how many other similar cases have they handled?; Case results?; Does the lawyer represent himself or herself with a demeanor you think would benefit you?; Do they have the time and resources to fully dedicate themselves to the matter? The more a person puts into a free phone consultation the better prepared both the client and attorney will be to decide how to will move forward. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? My firm has had a presence in the community for 30 years. Many of the attorneys are “local” and grew up in the area. There is great diversity in practice areas allowing representation of clients across a broad spectrum of matters. We like to emphasize the personal touch with the representation. While our firm has had success on a nationwide basis, we believe we still offer the hometown feel and commitment to all clients.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of California at Berkeley Law School, Mr. Muller has been practicing law in Denver, Colorado for more than 45 years. His practice has emphasized all aspects of business law, for both United States and international businesses. Mr. Muller brings extensive experience to his practice. Over a 20-year period, he was vice president and general counsel for Samsonite™ Corporation and general counsel for Gates® Corporation. He was also with the Gorsuch, Kirgis law firm, and the Conover, McClean and Heppenstall law firm, in Denver, Colorado. Additionally, Mr. Muller has a wealth of experience in the development and operation of private power projects in Colorado, serving as Executive Director of the Colorado Independent Energy Association for 20 years.

David Sanford has recovered more than one billion dollars for individual clients and the United States government since 2004. Mr. Sanford has represented CEOs, CFOs, and COOs, as well as non-managerial, hourly employees throughout the United States. Mr. Sanford has served as lead counsel in more than 50 class actions and numerous qui tam fraud cases around the United States. David has represented over 50 General Counsels and attorneys (in house and outside counsel) in contract disputes, employment matters, and severance packages.

Charles A. Ray, Jr. concentrates his practice in Federal Tax Law, representing both individuals and corporations. His impeccable resume reveals a proven record of hard work, integrity, and accountability. For your individual tax needs, Charles Ray will provide prompt personalized service at an affordable rate. His vast business background makes him the ideal Tax Lawyer for corporate interests as well. We under promise and over deliver. The Tax Law Firm of Charles A. Ray, Jr. represents individuals and businesses all over the United States, not just in Washington, D. C. The firm thrives not only because of satisfied clients and its reputation for success, but also because of referrals from other attorneys who know and trust the quality of Charles Ray’s work. We deliver personal attention to our clients by listening, remaining accessible, and promptly responding to their needs. We are selective about the cases we accept to ensure the consistent delivery of exceptional service and personal commitment to each case.

Pontius Tax Law, PLLC strives to resolve sensitive tax problems through trust, dedication, and value. The law firm was founded by John Pontius. Mr. Pontius regularly represents individual and business clients with sensitive and serious tax matters before the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities. His client base is local, national and international. Over the course of his career, Mr. Pontius has represented businesses and individuals with complex tax issues in the following areas: FBAR examinations, offshore disclosures, FATCA, tax planning, unfiled tax returns, release of tax liens and levies, trust fund recovery penalty, IRS and state audit examinations as well as Appeals, penalty abatement, US Tax Court litigation along with defense of tax fraud and evasion. Mr. Pontius has extensive examination experience with federal and state audits, protests of proposed adjustments and audit reconsideration. He represents clients on tax liens and levies, collection due process hearings, offers in compromises and requests for penalty abatement. He has experience with employment tax issues such as worker classification and the trust fund recovery penalty. Prior to founding Pontius Tax Law, PLLC, Mr. Pontius practiced for five years at Maryland tax controversy law firms in Rockville, Annapolis, and Bethesda. Mr. Pontius has two years’ experience in the international corporate tax group at KPMG in Tysons Corner, Virginia where he researched and analyzed a wide range of complex tax matters in the areas of compliance, provision, planning, and restructuring. At the accounting firm, Mr. Pontius worked with a broad range of U.S. multi-national and foreign-owned clients doing business as corporations and partnerships in the communications, financial services, and defense contractor industries.