Civil Rights

For 25 years Jason Wood has dedicated his career to fighting for the rights of ordinary people against abuse of power by government, insurance companies, and big moneyed interests. He enjoys putting the justice system to work for those who have nowhere else to turn. His clients are “we the people” described in the Constitution, and our “neighbors.” All too often, those we pay to protect our interests end up serving only themselves. For example, the insurance company of one of Mr. Wood’s clients refused to pay her the life and accidental death benefits she was entitled to when her beloved husband died, because the company wrongly claimed that the death might have been a suicide. None of the other law firms she consulted believed she had a case because of a federal statute that stacks the deck against her and you. Then she went to Jason Wood. He obtained a judgment against the greedy insurance company for almost $500,000.

Mr. Morris has been practicing law since 1994 and is a diverse individual with many interests. Unlike other attorneys, Mr. Morris was working on an advanced degree in an unrelated field when he had a calling to become an attorney and he instantly switched from his science-based studies to law. Mr. Morris has owned a retail store, has written computer software and has been on the Board of several non-profit corporations, including the SPCA of Northern Nevada. After graduating from law school, Mr. Morris based his practice on "righting wrongs" and started a heavy practice in civil rights and employment law such as wrongful terminations, disability discrimination, medical leave issues, personal injury and medical facility injuries. His law practice philosophy led him to a specialized area of Tribal and Indian Law where he has represented many Tribes and their members. He was eventually asked to be a judge for the Appellate Court for the Nevada Tribes and he served as a justice for this Inter-Tribal Court of Appeals of Nevada. He has worked as both a plaintiff’s attorney in private practice as well as being General Counsel, Employment Counsel, and Senior Employment Counsel for large national and international corporations including the World’s largest equipment rental company. Mr. Morris has received published decisions in both Federal and State Courts and he is currently licensed in all Nevada Courts including the Nevada Supreme Court, Nevada Federal Courts, Federal Ninth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals and multiple Indian and Tribal Courts. He has lived in both Reno and Las Vegas and provides services to all of Nevada including its rural towns. Due to the nature of the cases handled by Mr. Morris, the majority of them are filed in Federal Courts - which are located in either Reno or Las Vegas.

I am a New Orleans attorney fighting hard to protect my clients' rights, property, and liberty through experience, skill, and knowledge of the Louisiana judicial system.

An injury can be devastating to you and your family. Over the years, I have learned that people who have been injured have lots of questions and just want an honest assessment of their situation and their options. I believe that lawyers should be approachable and easy to talk to. It should not be difficult to get advice about a situation that might be new or unfamiliar to you and to have your rights explained to you. Insurance companies may not always be straightforward with you and your claim. I believe in an honest and open evaluation of your claim. Your case is likely to have positives and negatives and you deserve to understand how those impact your claim. Give me a call so we can discuss your case, go over your options, and allow you to decide if you wish to pursue legal options and if you would like my help in doing so. I have spent my entire legal career representing individuals who have been injured or killed as a result of the carelessness of others. I handle cases involving wrongful death and personal injury arising out of automobile crashes, premises liability, slips and falls, dog attacks, and civil rights violations. I have handled hundreds of personal injury cases throughout Indiana. With over 19 years of experience handling various types of personal injury cases, I have vast trial experience throughout the state.  I am honored to have been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. I remain active in the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.  I formerly served as a Chair of the Young Lawyers Section and currently serve on the Board of Directors.  I was co-editor of the Indiana Appellate Case Reporter, a publication offered to ITLA members, for many years. The Indiana Appellate Case Reporter is a monthly publication highlighting new appellate court decisions from the Indiana Court of Appeals and Indiana Supreme Court which impact personal injury claims. I am also a former board member of Young Professionals of Central Indiana, volunteer as a judge in the Reach for Youth Teen Court Program, and have volunteered with Play Ball Indiana. I grew up north east of Indianapolis, attending Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers. I completed my undergraduate degree at Indiana University in Bloomington and graduated from Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis. I live in Fishers with my wife, Kelly, a preschool teacher, and our daughters, Claire and Carlie. I am an avid sports fan of Indiana basketball and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball. I also enjoy exercising, traveling, and trying new restaurants.

During Raymond’s practice, which spans over a decade, he has gained extensive experience in all facets of complex litigation. His expertise includes litigation of employment, general liability, class action, construction, products, and general business litigation matters – from start through trial, and appeal. Further, he has prepared volumes of employment handbooks, construction and real estate disclosures and agreements, and general business contracts aimed to fully protect his clients and, when applicable, transfer risk to the appropriate parties. This allows Raymond to offer a unique perspective to his clients and create strategies for any scenario.

Ryan J. Stevens is a former felony prosecutor in Flagstaff, Arizona. Mr. Stevens dedicates his legal practice to criminal defense (felony, misdemeanor, and DUI), personal injury, constitutional rights litigation, and expert trial work all across Northern Arizona, including Coconino County, Yavapai County, Navajo County, Mohave County, Apache County, Maricopa County, the Navajo Nation, and the Hopi Tribal Lands. Mr. Stevens defends serious felony cases in the U.S. District Court (Phoenix/Prescott) and U.S. Magistrate Court (Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Page, Kingman). Mr. Stevens graduated cum laude from the College of William & Mary (B.S., Mathematics). He attended William & Mary School of Law on a merit-based academic scholarship. Mr. Stevens clerked for Chief Judge Walter S. Felton of the Virginia Court of Appeals. Mr. Stevens also clerked at a Flagstaff law firm and the Coconino County Attorney’s Office, accelerating his trial practice skills and experience. Early in his legal career, Mr. Stevens represented the State of Arizona in numerous successful jury trials, including first-degree murder, felony murder, second-degree murder, aggravated assault, burglary, sale of marijuana, aggravated DUI, and more. Mr. Stevens believes that maintaining a high-quality trial practice yields optimal results in all legal settings. A competitive runner and Ironman triathlete, Mr. Stevens looks forward to serving his clients with professionalism, energy, and vigor.

Peter is a registered patent attorney and an associate in the Intellectual Property group with experience in patent, trademark, copyright, trade secrets, and licensing matters. Peter’s practice involves assisting clients in establishing, protecting, maintaining, and enforcing intellectual property rights. His practice covers all phases of intellectual property prosecution, litigation, and counseling, and he has represented clients of all sizes from individuals and start-ups to large corporations. Peter’s experience includes handling and defending against contentious and IP assertion matters, providing invalidity, non-infringement, and clearance opinions, drafting technology licensing and assignment agreements, directing IP e-commerce enforcement, and managing domain name disputes, including UDRP actions. Peter is also a registered patent attorney capable of handling all stages of utility and design patent prosecution before the USPTO. His patent prosecution experience covers a wide range of fields including design, software, robotic and submersible vehicles, printers, and other mechanical devices. His litigation experience includes patent, trademark, and copyright litigation matters in U.S. District Courts on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants, as well as appeal and post-grant proceedings before the USPTO. Before joining ArentFox Schiff, Peter was an associate at a boutique intellectual property firm in the New York area, where he served as the brand enforcement team lead in addition to his normal duties. In this role, he and his team helped to remove counterfeit, knock-off, and infringing products from leading sales platforms and applications. While in law school, Peter served as the President of the Intellectual Property Law Society and as a Notes Editor for the Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal. He was also a member of the American IP Law Association’s Patent Committee and a summer patent extern at the USPTO.

Sexual Harassment and Employment Discrimination Attorney in New York, Philadelphia & New Jersey. Derek Smith is proud to have obtained several multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of employees like you, who have been discriminated, tormented, and humiliated at work. Attorney Smith and his firm have obtained a $2.5 Million verdict on behalf of a woman sexual harassed by a restaurant owner. He also obtained a $1.6 Million verdict on behalf of a woman who was subject to a hostile work environment while working as a chef. He believes in becoming emotionally invested in every one of his clients, and it shows in his results.

Nicholas T. Kocian is the president and founder of the Kocian Law Group. Nick has practiced law for over thirty years focusing on personal injury matters, including but not limited to medical malpractice, motor vehicle, products liability, construction, premises liability and workers’ compensation claims. He has handled cases at all stages of litigation and trial, including civil jury trials, court/bench trials, formal hearings before the Workers’ Compensation Commission, and hearings at the CRB appellate level. Nick has also appeared before the Connecticut Supreme Court. Prior to establishing the Kocian Law Group, Nick was associated with a prominent New York Wall Street firm where he defended physicians and hospitals in medical malpractice claims throughout New York. In this position, Nick worked with leading trial lawyers, becoming skilled in litigating and preparing cases and gaining an extensive understanding of how insurance carriers defend medical malpractice claims. Nick initially opened his own solo attorney practice in Hartford, Connecticut. His firm was founded on the principle of providing professional, immediate and personalized legal representation to individuals who have been injured or harmed by the negligence of others. Nick’s philosophy is that the needs of the client come first and being a lawyer means always standing up for the rights of your clients, regarding significant events and issues that affect their lives, and fighting for truth and justice. Today, the Kocian Law Group has evolved into a multi-specialty practice committed to protecting the rights of individuals and families with attorneys working across four office locations in Connecticut and one office in New York.

Nicholas T. Kocian is the president and founder of the Kocian Law Group. Nick has practiced law for over thirty years focusing on personal injury matters, including but not limited to medical malpractice, motor vehicle, products liability, construction, premises liability and workers’ compensation claims. He has handled cases at all stages of litigation and trial, including civil jury trials, court/bench trials, formal hearings before the Workers’ Compensation Commission, and hearings at the CRB appellate level. Nick has also appeared before the Connecticut Supreme Court. Prior to establishing the Kocian Law Group, Nick was associated with a prominent New York Wall Street firm where he defended physicians and hospitals in medical malpractice claims throughout New York. In this position, Nick worked with leading trial lawyers, becoming skilled in litigating and preparing cases and gaining an extensive understanding of how insurance carriers defend medical malpractice claims. Nick initially opened his own solo attorney practice in Hartford, Connecticut. His firm was founded on the principle of providing professional, immediate and personalized legal representation to individuals who have been injured or harmed by the negligence of others. Nick’s philosophy is that the needs of the client come first and being a lawyer means always standing up for the rights of your clients, regarding significant events and issues that affect their lives, and fighting for truth and justice. Today, the Kocian Law Group has evolved into a multi-specialty practice committed to protecting the rights of individuals and families with attorneys working across four office locations in Connecticut and one office in New York.