Civil Rights

Bringing years of experience and a distinguished career, David F. Nelson joined Hendrickson & Long, PLLC in 2013. David’s busy career as a WV civil litigation attorney has earned him impressive ratings as AV Preeminent in the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings and notable recognition listed in Best Lawyers in America© for work in his primary practice areas of civil litigation, insurance defense, and personal injury. Immediately after completing his undergraduate education, David worked in a bond redemption unit for a regional bank. It was while working there that he decided he wanted a career that focused on helping people and businesses solve problems and challenges, and he confirmed his desire to become a lawyer. He received his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia in 1987 and went on to earn his Juris Doctor from William & Mary Law School in 1991. As a former college soccer player (his wife, Kim, is also a college soccer athlete) and a current “veteran” soccer competitor, when not in the office, David can be found on or near the soccer field. He loves not only playing the game but also donating his time as a volunteer coach. While he started at the youth, travel, and middle school levels, since 2004 he has been an assistant head coach for the boys’ soccer team at George Washington High School, where he has helped the team to five West Virginia state championships. He also serves on numerous boards that promote healthy sport and active lifestyles in Southern West Virginia. David and his wife, Kim, volunteer their time through service projects at their church and in the community. With their three having grown and left the “nest,” outside of soccer season David and Kim also now look forward to having some time to travel and visit with friends and family.

When it comes to protecting your rights and interests in family law, criminal law, and civil litigation, among the most important decisions you’ll make is your choice of legal representation. Since 1999, lawyers at The Woodlands law firm of Steinmann Law Firm, Counsel & Services, have offered skilled, tenacious legal representation to individuals and to businesses concerning legal matters involving divorce and family law, criminal defense, and civil litigation. The Steinmann Law Firm, Counsel & Services is a law firm that truly cares about its clients. We work with clients to achieve their goals in a thorough and cost-effective fashion. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Jocelyn Burton has an in-depth understanding of the unique of the employment laws in California. Jocelyn Burton has over twenty-two years of legal experience and has litigated hundreds of cases in state and federal courts. Jocelyn Burton has successfully litigated a variety of matters ranging from administrative employment cases to class actions with multiple plaintiffs and potential damages ranging in the millions.

Stephen Bernhardt has been an attorney since he was 25 years old. Now, nearly a decade later, Bernhardt has extensive trial experience in both criminal and civil law. He began his legal career as a prosecutor, first handling misdemeanor offenses such as DUI, Battery, Possession of Controlled Substance, Violation of Injunction and many others. Bernhardt was quickly moved to a felony division and become the State Attorney’s Office’s representative for the county’s Drug Court Program. In this role, Bernhardt learned many techniques to help individuals overcome addictions as well as the differences between the many rehabilitation establishments throughout Florida. Prior to leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bernhardt was the lead prosecutor in his division. Bernhardt conducted several jury trials that ended in convictions and sentences of more than thirty years, including a mandatory life in prison sentence. After leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bernhardt began practicing civil law for one of the largest creditors’ rights firms in the United States. Bernhardt quickly became the lead litigating attorney for the firm’s Florida office and handled countless civil hearings and trials before leaving to start Bernhardt Law, PLLC. Bernhardt Law focuses on the practice areas of Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Debt Defense. Using the knowledge gained throughout the years, Bernhardt Law is dedicated to making sure each client’s specific situation is handled with the utmost professionalism, attention to detail, and integrity. How did you build a successful practice? I was fortunate enough to begin my legal career having great mentors and practicing in front of great judges. Having that foundation and always continuing to work hard has helped me build a successful practice. What should clients look for in a lawyer? Clients should look for a lawyer that has a strong work ethic and that conducts himself/herself with integrity. How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? Having knowledge of the local judges and attorneys for the other side in very important in all areas of law. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? I’m happy to discuss an individual’s legal matter for free over the phone or at one of our locations. I would review their case, discuss the strengths and weaknesses and determine what options may be available for the client What information do you need in a free phone consultation? I would like to review any paperwork they’ve received from the other attorney/party as well as contact information for following up. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? The two things that separate me from other lawyers are (1) my trial experience and (2) my experience on the opposing side. I have handled more trials in my first decade as an attorney than most attorneys will handle in their entire career. Additionally, as it pertains to criminal defense and debt defense, I have been the head attorney in my respective divisions for the sides I now go against. This gives me a big advantage in those cases. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? When someone comes to me, it usually means they’re going through a tough time. Either they’ve been hurt, arrested or sued. Helping someone get through that difficult time by putting these legal issues behind them is very rewarding. What are your other interests in addition to law? I am a big sports fan and I also love to travel.

Dean R. LeBoeuf is the Senior Partner at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A.. He focuses his practice on complicated civil litigation involving personal injury and all wrongful death matters, including accidents involving negligent motor vehicle drivers, medical malpractice cases, and nursing home abuse/neglect cases. He graduated in 1978 with honors from Florida State University with a political science degree and minors in accounting and economics. Mr. LeBoeuf then graduated from Florida State University College of Law in 1981 and went on to enter private practice with the law firm of Brooks, Callahan, and Phillips before becoming the cofounder and Managing Partner of Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. in 1987. He directed the operation and growth of the firm until 2023. Throughout his legal career Mr. LeBoeuf has had the honor of receiving recognitions for his dedication to justice. Such accolades have included being named Trial Lawyer of The Year by the American Board of Trial Advocates – Tallahassee Chapter (2006), receiving the title of Florida Super Lawyer for his work in the area of Plaintiff Personal Injury since 2006 (an award only given to the top 5% of attorneys in the state), as well as being named by Florida Trend Magazine as one of Florida’s Legal Elite (2006 – Present). Mr. LeBoeuf was also named the Best Lawyers® 2023 Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in Tallahassee for the area of Medical Malpractice Law. In addition to these achievements, Mr. LeBoeuf has received the AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell® since 1997, the highest lawyer rating available based upon confidential reviews by local lawyers and judges. Mr. LeBoeuf has also authored several articles for the Florida Bar and has lectured extensively in civil litigation and trial practice. Alongside these academic contributions, he has held many professional leadership positions such as having been President of the Tallahassee Bar Association (2003-2004), having been appointed to the Second Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee, and having served as the Chairman of the Leon County Bench Bar Committee. In addition, he has served on several professional and community board of directors, including the Bond Community Health Center, Community Christian School, Pembridge Place Homeowners Association, the Florida Bar Grievance Committee, and the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. Mr. LeBoeuf and his wife Carolyn, who is also a lawyer, are committed to the fight against human trafficking. Together with their daughter Nicole they have started a jewelry business, called Victress Over Darkness and all the profits from the business are used to fight against the injustice of human trafficking throughout the world. Their daughter Nicole is also executive director of Christians Against Trafficking (CAT), that has the same mission. When they are not working, Dean and Carolyn like to travel and go to the beach with their two adult children and three grandchildren.

Trevena, Pontrello & Associates offers legal representation in the areas of criminal defense, criminal appeals, and some civil and family law matters. As a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer with over 30 years of litigation and practice experience, John Trevena offers sophisticated and ingenious strategies for what can often be complex and difficult circumstances. John H. Trevena is the owner and managing attorney of his firm. His keen sense of strategy, accomplished skills as a trial lawyer and straightforward approach bring due process for his clients in the criminal justice and civil court systems. Attorney Trevena is listed in Florida Super Lawyers magazine in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. Super Lawyers are peer selected and considered among the top 5% of attorneys in their areas of practice. Attorney Trevena is also a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA). The LCA is comprised of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Membership is limited by invitation only and selection is based upon evaluations of effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation, and superior ethical reputation. Attorney Trevena is ranked ranked Superb (10 out of 10) by Avvo™, an independent company that ranks attorneys based on their years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements, and industry recognition. Trevena's firm was also recently named the Criminal Law Firm of the Year - Florida, by the publication Corporate America - The Legal Elite 2015. Attorney Trevena is a member of The American Trial Lawyers Association (The Association) and was selected for inclusion in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers for the State of Florida (2007-2015). Membership into The American Trial Lawyers Association is by invitation and is extended only to those attorneys who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, leadership, influence, reputation, stature, and profile in the trial attorney community, as viewed by The Association, other trial lawyers, members of the bench, and the public at large. Attorney Trevena was also elected as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation in 2010. The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation is an honorary organization representing one-third of one percent of licensed attorneys. Fellows are lawyers, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars who have been elected by their peers to become members of The Fellows because of their outstanding achievements in the legal profession. Attorney Trevena was admitted to the Florida Bar and US District Court, Middle District of Florida in 1986. He received his Juris Doctor from Stetson University in 1985, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1982 from the University of South Florida. His current memberships include: Clearwater, St. Petersburg and American (Member, Criminal Law Section) Bar Associations The Florida Bar; the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Life Member) Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association (President, 2005) Pinellas County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Life Member) American Judicature Society. John is a Lifetime Member of Phi Delta Phi, and was on the editorial board for the Florida Bar Journal and Florida Bar News from 1990-1993. He served as Assistant State Attorney from 1985-1987. Attorney Trevena has been a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer (Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education) since August 1, 1992.

Rob Cook is the founder of Rob Cook, P.A. Mr. Cook has practiced Civil Litigation and Trial Law since 2002. He has served as lead counsel on civil litigation for plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury, insurance claims and coverage, intellectual property/copyright infringement claims, contract disputes, real property disputes, maritime/admiralty law, property damage, federal civil litigation, business disputes. Prior opening his own practice, Rob worked for the law firm of Vernis & Bowling of The Florida Keys P.A. Rob obtained his Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law and a BS in Political Science from Capital University. At Rob Cook Attorney At Law, P.A. we are pleased to offer a wide range of legal services to fit your needs. Our attorneys take pride in giving each case the individual attention it deserves. When you choose our firm to represent you case, you are a treated as a person and not just another case number. Are you unsure about your rights in a legal matter? We offer a free consultation to review the details of your case. During you consultation we will gather and examine the information to determine the best course of action to protect you.

A civil trial lawyer since 1983, Alan Wagner brings an unusual skill set to his partnership in the firm. True to the firm’s dedication to plaintiffs’ rights, Alan’s experience plays a vital role in helping clients. Alan has distinguished himself as a trial lawyer, gaining extensive experience in handling claims of professional negligence, products liability, bad-faith litigation, complex commercial disputes, toxic torts, and legal and medical malpractice. One of Alan’s key areas of expertise is in the examination of expert witnesses — frequently a critical component in personal injury litigation — which he has perfected while honing a reputation for general excellence in trial advocacy. Alan became a partner in the firm in 1994 and today serves as President of Wagner McLaughlin. His exceptional skills and competence have refueled the practice’s growth and success.

Attorney Ryan T. Fasso was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2002 after having attended New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts where he graduated with his Juris Doctorate. Mr. Fasso now concentrates his practice in the areas of criminal law, family law, and civil litigation. He also handles quiet title actions. Prior to, he began his legal career as Dependency Attorney with the Circuit 10 | Florida Department of Children and Families. He gained immediate courtroom experience after having conducted numerous adjudicatory bench trials amidst the most controversial of cases. Thereafter, Mr. Fasso continued his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney with the Polk County State Attorney’s Office. During his tenure there, he quickly excelled from County Prosecutor to Senior Felony Prosecutor. He furthered his courtroom experience by routinely prosecuting felony cases and arguing many jury trials. He often prosecuted DUI’s, Drug Crimes, White Collar Crimes, Violent Crimes, and Fraud Cases. In late 2004, Mr. Fasso entered the private sector and joined forces with a major Tampa-based law firm. There, he focused his practice on criminal law, personal injury, and worker’s compensation. In short order, he was named partner and managed a steady caseload of diverse areas of law. He also handled both civil and criminal appeals. In 2006, he received his first written decision from the 2nd District Court of Appeals. Mr. Fasso now manages his own law practice and maintains a diversified caseload. He provides legal services in the greater Tampa Bay Area and in all surrounding counties. His mission is simple – “To find the truth and use it in the courtroom to get justice for his clients.”

Thomas P. Heeney, Jr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1967) and was raised in Doylestown, Buck County, PA where he attended and graduated from Central Bucks High School East (1986). While in high school, Mr. Heeney was a standout cross country and track and field runner. Mr. Heeney is also an Eagle Scout, a recipient of the Union League of Philadelphia Good Citizenship Award and a recipient of the Good Citizenship Award from the Bucks County Chamber of Commerce. Educationally, Mr. Heeney attended Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania where he earned both a Bachelor of Science Degree (1990) and a Master’s Degree (1991) in Public Administration. Thereafter, Mr. Heeney earned his Juris Doctorate from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland, Ohio (1995). Professionally, Thomas P. Heeney, Jr., Esquire is the founder and principal attorney of Heeney & Associates, P.C. (2001). Coining the phrase Get the LEGAL Edge, Attorney Heeney concentrates in the areas of Business Law and Transactions, Tax Law, Real Estate, Zoning, Subdivisions and Land Use, Wills, Estates and Probate, Entertainment Law and Civil Litigation. Mr. Heeney represents several Doylestown area corporations, businesses and nationally recognized music and literary artists. He has also successfully litigated cases involving intellectual property rights in the computer, trademark and copyright areas, as well as those cases involving traditional causes of action such as breach of contract and negligence. Mr. Heeney is a member of the Bucks County Pennsylvania Bar Association, where he participates in the Orphans Court and Civil Litigation Services. Civically, Mr. Heeney currently serves on the Board of Directors and acts as Vice President of Building a Better Boyertown (BBB) based out of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, where he and his family currently reside.