Civil Rights

Bridget Tartaglia is a graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Ms. Tartaglia received her Juris Doctor with honors from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in 1995. While attending Touro, Ms. Tartaglia was one of the founding members and the Research Editor of the Environmental Law Journal. Ms. Tartaglia was instrumental in publishing the first edition to the Law Journal in 1995. She also received numerous academic honors during her tenure at Touro, including a Community Service Award and the American Jurisprudence Aware of Excellence in Creditor’s Rights. She was active and integral member of the Columbian Lawyers Association where she served as President. She also served as intern for the Honorable Howard Levitt of the Supreme Court, State of New York, County of Nassau. Ms. Tartaglia was also recipient of two academic scholarships from the Columbian Lawyer’s Association while attending Touro. While attending her last year at Touro, Ms. Tartaglia was a law clerk at Jakubowski, Robertson & Goldsmith. After graduating from Touro, Ms. Tartaglia became an associate attorney with said firm and later became a member of said firm. Ms. Tartaglia was admitted to Practice in the State of New York, Second Department in January, 1996. She was admitted to Practice in the State of Connecticut in November, 1995. She was admitted to Practice in the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York in March, 1996. She was most recently admitted to Practice in the Supreme Court of the United States America in March, 2005. Ms. Tartaglia has engaged in the general practice of law with an emphasis in Matrimonial and Family litigation. Since 1996, she has had substantial experience in litigating all issues relative to Matrimonial and Family Law matters. Ms. Tartaglia has litigated almost every possible issue that may arise between divorcing and non married parties. In addition to Matrimonial and Family Law litigation, Ms. Tartaglia also substantial experience in performing residential real property closings, representing both purchasers and sellers as well as experience in general civil litigation. Ms. Tartaglia is an active member of the Suffolk County Bar Association and the Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association. She is also a member of the Matrimonial Bar Association of Suffolk County, the Columbian Lawyers Association of Suffolk County and the New York State Bar Association (including the Family Law Section of said Bar Association). Ms. Tartaglia has received multiple awards relative to her practice in the area of Matrimonial and Family Law. These include her having an AV Preeminent rating in both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards with Martindale-Hubbell since 2013; a 2019 Lawyer of Distinction for her work in Family and Divorce Law; Martindale-Hubbell Top Rated Lawyer in Family Law; 2016 10 Best Females Attorneys in Family Law; Avvo Top Rated Lawyer, 2017 and a 2015 Client Distinction Award. Ms. Tartaglia also has been honored for the past two years by the Suffolk County Bar Association for her donation of her time to pro bono divorce matters in Suffolk County. In addition to receiving multiple awards relative to her work in the Matrimonial and Family Law field, Ms. Tartaglia also was honored by the WVI Dolphin Foundation and received a 2019 Spirit of Youth Sports Awards for her continued commitment and time volunteered to Youth Sports. Ms. Tartaglia is has been a youth basketball coach for Infant Jesus Church CYO program in Port Jefferson, NY for the past 9 years. She has spent countless hours each season coaching up to two different teams. Ms. Tartaglia was a division I college athlete where she played basketball at Brooklyn College. In addition, Ms. Tartaglia has worked on the fundraising committee for Mount Sinai Youth Soccer for the past 5 years where has volunteers time to raise money for a local soccer organization. Since 2013, Mrs. Tartaglia has been a Catechist for St Louis De Monfort Church in Sound Beach, NY where she has and continues to volunteer her time each week to teach two different religion classes each year. She is also a team leader for the Mount Sinai Neighborhood Watch for which she acts a liason for members of her community. In addition to work in her community, she also is a volunteer with the Suffolk County Bar Association pro bono foundation. She is a longtime resident of Mount Sinai where she resides with her husband and two sons.

Steven Felsenfeld, Esq., the sole member of Felsenfeld Legal, PLLC, has been admitted to the NYS Bar since 1996 and is also admitted to the Eastern and Southern Districts of the Federal Courts of New York, as well as the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He maintains membership in the American Bar Association and its section on Labor & Employment Law and Alternate Dispute Resolution. An excellent legal researcher, writer, and orator; as appellate counsel, he has briefed and argued on many occasions and engaged in a broad array of litigation, not limited to commercial as well as Labor and Employment law, including civil rights and sexual harassment claims. He has represented numerous clients in arbitration and mediation and is qualified as a neutral in arbitration and mediation having sat on dozens of such matters. Experiences in Labor and Employment include his research, guidance, and appearances before the EEOC, SDHR, and with regard to UI, WC, Title VII, ADEA, ADA, NLRA, ERISA, FLSA, and OSHA, and ADR; as well as planning and participating in Union Negotiations. His strong business background includes six years of experience in cost and management accounting.

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.

Sandy Meizlish is the managing partner at Barkan Meizlish, LLP, with extensive experience in personal injury, medical malpractice, and product liability law. Throughout his career, Mr. Meizlish has worked diligently to represent individuals injured or wronged through the negligence of others. Mr. Meizlish is a life member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum signifying that he has won individual settlements in excess of $2 Million Dollars for his clients. Mr. Meizlish has been named to Who’s Who in the Law, as well as received the American Jurisprudence Award. Mr. Meizlish is a past editor of Bar Briefs, the publication of the Columbus Bar Association. He has been selected as a Top Attorney in Ohio by Cincinnati Magazine and the American Trial Lawyers Association has named Mr. Meizlish one of the top 100 trial attorneys in Ohio. Mr. Meizlish has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2013 Best Lawyers in America listing. Around the Columbus Metropolitan Area, Mr. Meizlish is heavily involved with the Leo Yassenoff Jewish Community Center (former board member), the Columbus Bar Foundation, and the William A. Barkan Memorial 3 on 3 Charity Basketball Tournament. He is a past member of the Columbus State Community College Foundation Board.

At The Law Office of Sofia Teren LLC, we represent clients in personal injury matters, business formation, contract disputes, criminal and juvenile defense cases, as well as various legal matters that arise under the Family Law and General Civil Litigation. Attorney Sofia Teren has extensive experience and excellent reputation in representing clients. In the courtroom, Ms. Teren fiercely and passionately represents clients’ best interests. Especially, in criminal and juvenile cases when the freedom of clients at stake, Attorney Sofia Teren protects the constitutional and due process rights of each client, and delivers justice clients deserve. Attorney Sofia Teren provides individualized legal services, and interacts directly with the clients from the commencement of the legal matter and until it is resolved. Ms. Teren answers the phone, gives clients advice and represents their best interests through the entire duration of the cases. Attorney Sofia Teren ensures that her clients are always well informed and updated on the status of their legal matter. At the Law Office of Sofia Teren LLC, we always evolve and find new tactics to provide effective legal representation in order to make it easier on our clients. Attorney Sofia Teren is fluent in Russian. Thank you for the interest in my practice and choosing to visit my website. I have been practicing law in the Greater Cleveland Area for almost a decade. I graduated Case Western Reserve University School of Law with the Master of Laws (LLM) Degree and Jurist Doctor (JD) Degree. In pursuit of my passion to practice law, I deliver justice and always represent people’s interests. I am proud to call myself a Clevelander. I live with my husband and together we raise two beautiful children.

With over a decade of experience, Terrell A. Ratliff, Esq., is a trial-tested attorney known for fearless advocacy and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for his clients. Licensed to practice in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Federal Court, Terrell focuses his practice on criminal defense, civil litigation, and education law, including Title IX cases, school discipline matters, and academic dishonesty defense. Terrell’s extensive trial experience and strategic approach have earned him a reputation as a steadfast advocate. He combines meticulous preparation with persuasive courtroom advocacy to protect his clients’ rights and interests in even the most challenging cases.

I started Pappas & Richardson, LLC in 1998 with my good friend, Jay Richardson. We have grown into a very successful law firm and our latest success is the Hercules Law Group (HLG). We handle areas of general litigation, criminal defense and business law. We strive to do a thorough job for clients and do whatever we can to get the best possible results. We have an incredible team of competent and compassionate people behind us and we are serious about what we do. I served as a Prosecutor in Waterford Township from 2010-2011. This was an incredible experience and it has been quite helpful in the handling of my practice.

Gary Schafkopf is a practicing lawyer in the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey specializing in Business, Employment, and Real Estate.

Attorney Adam D. Meshkov is an accomplished and experienced Easton personal injury lawyer who also handles Social Security disability, employment discrimination, unemployment compensation, and civil rights cases. Adam became an attorney because he wanted a career that would allow him to contribute to society by helping people solve their legal problems. He firmly believes that the world needs more attorneys who are willing and able to work for ordinary, everyday people who have found themselves in difficult situations. When people are harmed, they are often out-resourced; Adam seeks to provide those resources his clients need to fight back against an often unjust and imbalanced system. His goal is to stand in the way of powerful interests who wish to take advantage of regular people in unfortunate circumstances. Adam received his Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from the University of Minnesota. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in History from Pennsylvania State University. Adam went on to attend the Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate. Adam is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He is an active member of the Northampton Bar Association and the Lehigh County Bar Association, as well as the prestigious Trial Lawyers College, of which he is a graduate. Outside of his professional activities, Adam is a family man who enjoys spending time with his three children and his partner in law and marriage, Attorney Eleanor M. Breslin. He is also an avid fly fisher, devoted outdoorsman, and active member of Trout Unlimited.

Thomas Malone is a practicing lawyer in the state of Pennsylvania. Mr. Malone received his J.D. from the Temple University - James E. Beasley School of Law in 1994.