Constitutional Law

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Gene Riddle is a founding member and managing partner of Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, a law firm that employs 9 attorneys with over 160 years of combined legal experience. Gene is quick to stress his family’s deep North Carolina ties. A Stanly County native, he grew up in Aberdeen after moving from Albemarle. He has practiced law in North Carolina since September 1985. Gene’s parents were both educators. His father, a longtime superintendent of Moore County Schools, encouraged him to go to law school after college. Today, Gene believes honesty, integrity and willingness to work hard are the bedrock principles of a good attorney. That is what he and the other lawyers at Riddle & Riddle provide to their injured clients. Gene spends much of his time reviewing cases as well as instructing and supervising attorneys and paralegals. However, he also continues to directly handle cases as the lead attorney and he touches most of the personal injury cases that come into the firm. Gene takes on cases that involve serious personal injury in car accidents, truck accidents, dog bites, premises liability, wrongful death and violations of Constitutional Rights. In every case, Gene’s objective is obtaining an outcome that his client believes is fair. Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers serve in surrounding areas of North Carolina, including Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Charlotte, and more. “The client’s goals are most important,” he says. “That has to be measured by what’s reasonable and what’s fair. Our guiding star is fairness. We’re about fairness. Justice counts.” Gene’s legal accomplishments have earned him several professional honors from his legal peers, including the 2014 Litigator Award. He also has a high AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell as well as designation among the Best Attorneys of America and the American Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers. Additionally, he earned membership in the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums, based on verdicts won and settlements reached. Gene and his wife have two daughters and several pets, including a Westie named "Otis” who has been featured in several videos for the firm. Church activities are also an important part of their lives. In his free time, Gene enjoys several sports, including tennis, golf and skiing. *** Disclaimer: An attorney must meet certain requirements to join these organizations or receive these awards. For more information on Membership Criteria for Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, visit our Membership Criteria page. These awards and memberships should not be construed as a promise or guarantee of a similar result. Each case is different and must be evaluated separately.

Christine graduated from Troy State University in 1990 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Sports Medicine. She moved to Mobile, as a graduate student and obtained her Master’s Degree in Education and Educational Leadership while working as an Athletic Trainer and teaching in the Education Department at the University of South Alabama and in the public school system in South Alabama. Christine worked as a teacher in the Parochial School System, the Mobile County Public School System, and at the University Level. Christine earned honors in the field of education being awarded Middle School Teacher of the Year and the first Nationally Board Certified K-12 teacher in Alabama. She was a frequent speaker for educational seminars across the state. In 2006 Christine graduated from Law School and was admitted to the Alabama Bar in 2007. With a Juris Doctorate from Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, she opened her own law practice in 2008 and the practice has grown over the years. Christine has offered argument in local and state courts across Alabama, in Federal Courts in the South East, Appellate Courts in both State and Federal Divisions and has been successful with the United States Supreme Court in Searcy v. Strange, the Alabama Marriage Equality Case. Christine is no stranger to controversy arguing the Constitutional Rights of her clients, handling Capital Murder defense and appeals, arguing under appellate review wrongful convictions in criminal cases and for compassionate release from prison. Christine has also been known to argue for judicial reform and against Judge’s that abuse their power and influence across the state. She has frequently argued for the rights of juveniles and for juvenile probation reform in the southern counties of Alabama. In the area of education, Christine has been an advocate for the rights of special education students, championing the fight against bullying and discrimination in schools, and protecting the employment rights of teachers and administrators against school systems. Drawing from her years of teaching and coaching experience, Christine has worked hard to level the playing field and strives to educate her clients and equalize justice for those clients the Hernandez and Associations Law Firm represents. The Hernandez and Associates Law Firm located at the Mid-Towne Works Building at the Loop on Airport Blvd offers in-person, Zoom, teleconferencing, Face Time and Skype for initial consultations and client meetings. We have a full staff working collectively on your cases. Christine personally understands how difficult, stressful, and even frightening the legal system can be, particularly if you are a litigant and this is your first encounter with the legal system. This firm was built from the ground up where the legal team has provided determined representation on difficult and challenging issues. Christine and the other attorneys in the law firm work hard for their success and reputation as a legal team that fights for your rights. Christine returns to Thomas Goode Jones School of Law as a guest lecturer in the areas of Constitutional and Family Law from time to time and has served as mentor to many interns over the years. Christine has also traveled to numerous locations to lecture at continuing education seminars over the span of her career as she is a firm believer in giving back to the community. In addition, to work, Christine coached for nearly 30 years in a number of team and individual sports. Christine freely gives her time, knowledge and experience to younger lawyers and has mentored several attorneys over the years. When she is not at work, she enjoys spending quality time with her spouse, children and the five family dogs.

Do you need a relentless criminal defense? If you have been charged with a crime in Texas, you deserve the aggressive, detail-oriented, and cutting-edge defense that Attorney John L. Venza Jr. will provide. Based in Sugar Land, Texas, John L. Venza Jr. defends citizens accused of crimes throughout Southeast Texas, including the following counties: Fort Bend County, Harris County, Brazoria County, Wharton County, Matagorda County, Galveston County, and Montgomery County. From the time he was old enough to think about it seriously, John L. Venza Jr. aspired to be a criminal defense lawyer, and he began laying the groundwork for this goal early. When other children were reading the comics, John L. Venza Jr. was sitting at his parents' breakfast table, scouring the newspaper for stories about big trials and the lawyers who argued them. Later on, while other high school students busied themselves with typical teenage pursuits, John L. Venza Jr. took on a demanding schedule that involved honors classes, writing for the school newspaper, playing football, serving on the student council, and working at a pizza restaurant. Ultimately, John L. Venza Jr.'s dedication and hard work enabled him to graduate cum laude from Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas, Texas.Staying focused on his goal, John L. Venza Jr. enrolled in college at the University of Texas in Austin, where he majored in Government and minored in English. He concentrated on the system of government, the motivations behind it, and - most importantly - how the government could direct its power at its citizens through the court system. During those studies, John L. Venza Jr. developed an insider's understanding of the challenges people face when they are criminally accused by the government.After obtaining his undergraduate degree, John L. Venza Jr. enrolled at South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. In law school, John L. Venza Jr. excelled academically. He graduated in the top fifteen percent of his class and, based on his high grades, was honored with a position on the prestigious South Texas Law Review. While on Law Review, John L. Venza Jr. wrote two lengthy research papers on criminal law topics, one on capital punishment, and the other on Texas constitutional search and seizure law. A brilliant writer, John L. Venza Jr. volunteered for and was granted the honor of serving as an Assistant Articles Editor on the Law Review While Law Review and his studies enabled John L. Venza Jr. to assimilate an incisive understanding of the law, it was his tireless work in mock trial that John L. Venza Jr. believes best prepared him for the things to come. Like his other extracurricular pursuits, John L. Venza Jr.'s enlistment in mock trial was purely voluntary. He could have been at home at night watching television. Instead, he concentrated on evidence law, rehearsed opening statements, and crafted the first of what would later become his calling card: excruciating cross examinations. John L. Venza Jr. competed in a series of rigorous mock trial tournaments, which often went on late into the night. During these simulated trials, John L. Venza Jr. began to develop a keen understanding of the law of evidence, an awareness of how judges evaluate cases, and an appreciation of what juries want. For his total commitment to mock trial work, John L. Venza Jr. was recognized with several individual awards and a school-wide team championship. In addition to classes, homework, Law Review, and mock trial, John L. Venza Jr. also worked during law school as an intern for the Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office. In this capacity, John L. Venza Jr. was awarded a temporary bar card, which enabled him to prosecute actual criminal cases == while still only a law student. Also during law school, John L. Venza Jr. worked as a law clerk for a Houston law firm, which specialized in white collar criminal defense. His work at that firm included researching federal criminal issues and coauthoring articles, which were published statewide, on federal white collar crime. Both of these jobs, which John L. Venza Jr. held at the outset of his legal career, helped John L. Venza Jr. hone his understanding of the government, its powers and its ways.After graduating law school, John L. Venza Jr. went to work as a Do you need a relentless criminal defense? If you have been charged with a crime in Texas, you deserve the aggressive, detail-oriented, cutting edge defense that attorney John L. Venza Jr. will provide. Based in Sugar Land, Texas, John L. Venza Jr. defends citizens accused of crimes throughout Southeast Texas, including the following counties: Fort Bend County, Harris County, Brazoria County, Wharton County, Matagorda County, Galveston County and Montgomery County. From the time he was old enough to really think about it, John L. Venza Jr. aspired to be a criminal defense lawyer, and he began laying the groundwork for this goal early. When other children were reading the comics, John L. Venza Jr. was sitting at his parents' breakfast table, scouring the newspaper for stories about big trials and the lawyers who argued them. Later on, while other high school students busied themselves with typical teenage pursuits, John L. Venza Jr. took on a demanding schedule that involved honors classes, writing for the school newspaper, playing football, serving on the student council, and working at a pizza restaurant. Ultimately, John L. Venza Jr.'s dedication and hard work enabled him to graduate cum laude from Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas, Texas. Staying focused on his goal, John L. Venza Jr. enrolled in college at the University of Texas in Austin, where he majored in Government and minored in English. He concentrated on the system of government, the motivations behind it, and - most importantly - how the government could direct its power at its citizens through the court system. During those studies, John L. Venza Jr. developed an insider's understanding of the challenges people face when they are criminally accused by the government. After obtaining his undergraduate degree, John L. Venza Jr. enrolled at South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. In law school, John L. Venza Jr. excelled academically. He graduated in the top fifteen percent of his class and, based on his high grades, was honored with a position on the prestigious South Texas Law Review. While on Law Review, John L. Venza Jr. wrote two lengthy research papers on criminal law topics, one on capital punishment, and the other on Texas constitutional search and seizure law. A brilliant writer, John L. Venza Jr. volunteered for and was granted the honor of serving as an Assistant Articles Editor on the Law Review. While Law Review and his studies enabled John L. Venza Jr. to assimilate an incisive understanding of the law, it was his tireless work in mock trial that John L. Venza Jr. believes best prepared him for the things to come. Like his other extracurricular pursuits, John L. Venza Jr.'s enlistment in mock trial was purely voluntary. He could have been at home at night watching television. Instead, he concentrated on evidence law, rehearsed opening statements, and crafted the first of what would later become his calling card: excruciating cross examinations. John L. Venza Jr. competed in a series of rigorous mock trial tournaments, which often went on late into the night. During these simulated trials, John L. Venza Jr. began to develop a keen understanding of the law of evidence, an awareness of how judges evaluate cases, and an appreciation of what juries want. For his total commitment to mock trial work, John L. Venza Jr. was recognized with several individual awards and a school-wide team championship.

Martin Garbus has a diverse practice that consists of individuals and companies involved in politics, media, entertainment, and the arts. His courtroom skills have earned him a distinguished reputation as a trial lawyer. Mr. Garbus is experienced in every aspect of litigation and trial, from jury selection to cross-examination to summation. He has argued cases throughout the country involving constitutional, criminal, copyright, and intellectual property law. He has appeared before the United States Supreme Court, as well as trial and appellate courts throughout the United States. He has argued and written briefs that have been submitted to the United States Supreme Court; a number of which have resulted in changes in the law on a nationwide basis, including one described by Justice William Brennan as "probably the most important due process case in the Twentieth Century." An international observer in foreign elections, he was selected by President Jimmy Carter to observe and report on the elections in Venezuela and Nicaragua. Mr. Garbus also participated in drafting several constitutions and foreign laws, including the Czechoslovak constitution. He also has been involved in prisoner exchange negotiations between governments. He is the author of six books and over 30 articles in The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times. Mr. Garbus is featured in Shouting Fire, an award-winning documentary film about his life and career. He received the Fulbright Award for his work on International Human Rights in 2010. In 2014, University College Dublin's' Literary and Historical Society honored Mr. Garbus with the James Joyce Award for Excellence in Law, which is also the same year Trinity College awarded him for his human rights and free speech work. Mr. Garbus has also taught trial practice at Yale Law School and Constitutional law at Columbia. He has also taught classes in Beijing, China, and Prague, Czech Republic. He has lived and practiced in China and Italy as well as the United States. He authored six books and numerous articles that have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and numerous legal publications. Mr. Garbus has given hundreds of speeches on various aspects of law before Bar Associations, corporations, law schools, and on CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, and other television and radio networks. Martin Garbus’ devotion to ethics, justice, free speech, and the law has garnered enormous respect within the legal community, commercial and corporate sectors, and beyond. His numerous honors include designation in Who’s Who in America, a Profile in the New York Times, inclusion in Who’s Who in Best Lawyers in America, awards from his law school and college, and praise from his numerous high-profile clients.

Marsh Law Firm focuses our legal practice exclusively on representing survivors of sexual abuse and discrimination. We pride ourselves on being survivor focused, trauma informed, and justice-oriented lawyers. We advocate for our clients both in and out of the courtroom to secure justice and hold perpetrators and the institutions that enable abuse accountable. Our legal team understands that disclosing sexual abuse is an incredibly difficult process. Our goal is to work closely with each of our clients and approach each situation with empathy, respect, and understanding. Our first promise to our clients is that we will support them throughout their healing journey. Marsh Law Firm has a robust legal practice in New York and Pennsylvania. Our attorneys have substantial experience handling claims involving childhood sexual abuse, including claims against the Catholic Church and other institutions, adult sexual abuse, as well as online sexual exploitation and child sex abuse material (CSAM). Our attorneys represent survivors of campus sexual assault and discrimination in educational settings at the K-12, college, or university level, state and federal administrative proceedings, and in the courts. Marsh Law Firm celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive atmosphere that is welcoming to all. We help survivors rebuild their lives with dignity and respect through comprehensive legal representation. Contact us today for a free legal consultation.

Attorney Jason G. Miller brings over 15 years of criminal law experience to Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys. As a former assistant state’s attorney for Anne Arundel County, he has handled every type of criminal defense matter, from DUI and traffic-related matters to homicide. Having tried hundreds of criminal bench trials and dozens of criminal jury trials, Mr. Miller’s vast experience positions him well to challenge prosecutors at every facet of a trial. He began his legal career at the State’s Attorney’s Office and rose through the ranks from law clerk to Chief of the District Court. Mr. Miller spent time handling DUI’s and criminal misdemeanors, burglaries, violent crimes, and sexual offenses. He received a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) certification in the administration of standardized field sobriety tests in 2010. He has also attended the National Computer Forensics Institute twice for training related to computer forensics and cellular devices. For the last five years Mr. Miller was trusted with supervising and training all new attorneys. In 2021, he was named Director of Attorney Training for the entire State’s Attorney’s Office. His experience training uniquely positions him to advocate the best outcomes for his clients. In 2019 he was certified by the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission as an instructor in constitutional law, criminal law, search warrants, use of force, and charging documents. Mr. Miller has been a frequent guest instructor to multiple local law enforcement agencies, at the University of Maryland DUI Institute, the Fort Meade Drunk & Drugged Driving seminar, and the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Association. Mr. Miller began teaching introduction to trial advocacy to law students as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Baltimore School of Law in the spring of 2023. His experience allows him to teach the judge or jury about the deficiencies in the prosecution. In 2023, Mr. Miller was certified as a DWI detection and standardized field sobriety test instructor by the NHTSA. Mr. Miller was born and raised to a career firefighter in Northern Virginia. He spent time as a volunteer firefighter while pursuing his bachelors in fire and safety engineering technology. For years, Mr. Miller handled all of the arson cases in Anne Arundel County. In addition, he has presented numerous times as a subject matter expert at the International Association of Arson Investigators and also presented to the Maryland Fire and Explosion Investigators Association. His background and experience with complex criminal investigations and expert witnesses is a valuable asset to Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys. Having been in Maryland since 2005, Mr. Miller has made this area his home. He graduated cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2009 and was also a staff editor of their flagship journal, Law Review. Mr. Miller lives in Anne Arundel County with his wife and two children. He enjoys spending time at his children’s various sporting events, hiking, running, and fishing.

A veteran attorney with years of “big firm” experience, he has opened his own law practice to fight for the justice that every man and woman deserves. He has experience in all types of litigation including complex civil litigation, civil trial practice, criminal defense, domestic matters, and a wide range of other legal issues. A former law clerk for a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, he has handled cases across the state of Mississippi and in Washington D.C. With extensive experience in both trial and appellate courts, including and up to the United States Supreme Court, he has the experience, strength, and tenacity to fight for you. After graduating at the top of his class from Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson, Mississippi, Mr. Clanton served as a law clerk to the late Honorable David A. Nelson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Clanton’s prior professional experience includes tenure as a shareholder in a large, national AmLaw 200 law firm. He has also previously served as Chief Counsel to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, where he acted as Chief Counsel advising both the Chairman and the Members of the Judiciary Committee on legislation and Congressional oversight, regulatory authority, civil and constitutional rights, Congressional authority, separation of powers, proposed constitutional amendments and oversight of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. While practicing with the law firm of Baker Donelson, he handled civil litigation in both Mississippi and Washington, D.C.

The Law Offices of Shaun Whitehead Esq LLC, also known as GET1LAW, are licensed to practice in Michigan and Ohio in the areas of family law, corporate, estate planning and personal injury. The law firm primarily focuses in Family/Domestic Court on divorce, custody, child support, alimony, parenting time, genetic testing and Probate Court issues such wills, estates, trust, guardianships and adoptions. Attorney Whitehead currently serves as Councilman for the City of Oak Park. Whitehead earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy. Attorney Shaun earned his Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University’s Law School where he was the research assistant to Professor Kevin C. McMunigal and gained additional exposure with the third revision of American Bar Association’s Prosecution and Defense Function Standards. Attorney Whitehead began his legal career in entertainment law (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame), focusing on licensing and copyright issues and moved quickly into providing consulting services to entities such as: Cisco, Deloitte and Black Box. Attorney Shaun also gained criminal and juvenile law experience as a Summer Law Clerk in 2015 with the Cuyahoga County Office of the Public Defender. A staunch community advocate, Attorney Whitehead has been involved with Meals on Wheels for more than 15 years and volunteers as a caddy for the U.S. Kids Golf Association. Attorney Shaun is also a Proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.