Discrimination

Lynn M. Mirabella is a partner at MKFM Law, where her practice is concentrated almost exclusively in the area of family law, including high-profile cases and complex litigation files. Prior to joining MKFM Law, she worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office. She is certified to represent children as a Guardian ad Litem, Child’s Representative, and Attorney for Child. In addition, she is certified in collaborative law, arbitration, and as a mediator. She has taught several classes and seminars in both DuPage and Kane Counties. She is a member of the DuPage County, Kane County, and Illinois State Bar Associations. She was President of the Justinian Society of Lawyers, DuPage County, and a member of the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers. In addition, she previously served on Senator Mark Kirk’s Federal Judicial Review Commission from 2011 through 2016.

Elizabeth Afriyie is a California-licensed attorney, a litigator, and an MBA. With her extensive experience and expertise, Elizabeth confidently represents California businesses in a wide range of business-related disputes, including employment disputes under California and federal labor regulations. She has litigated contract disputes and employment disputes under California labor regulations, including claims of sexual harassment, disability discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, and wage and hour disputes. Elizabeth has extensive experience in simplifying and advising California employers on compliance with ever-complex state and federal regulations. She is the author of the regulatory compliance book CODE-COMPLIANT: California Employers Guide to Understanding and Complying With California’s Employment Regulations, a testament to her ability to make complex regulations understandable and manageable. Elizabeth has drafted various business contracts for California businesses, from simple employment and arbitration agreements to complex commercial contracts such as triple net leases, management agreements amongst physicians, medical corporations, and their management entities, and SEC-compliant private placement memorandum (PPM) for private investors. Her vision is to take a research-led and holistic approach to law practice. While she delights in robustly defending the interests of California businesses in litigation, she also seeks to provide competent advice on compliance matters to businesses to help mitigate their risks of lawsuits and liabilities.

Mr. Math, is originally from New York and after having served in the U.S. Navy relocated to Los Angeles where he attended California State University at Los Angeles, graduating in 1968. Mr. Math subsequently attended and graduated from Loyola University, School of Law. While attending he was, as a result of his having excelled in Moot Court Competition and Legal Writing, awarded a Teaching Fellowship. Mr. Math graduated from Loyola University in 1972 afterwhich he attended UCLA, Institute of Industrial Relations under a grant of the U.S. Department of Labor and was trained as an Arbitrator. Mr. Math has served as a Mediator, Arbitrator and Judge pro tem. Our firm is composed of experienced attorneys and associates with over 70 years of cumulative experience in many aspects of the law. Our firm focuses on representation of individuals and small businesses in areas of employment law, alternative dispute resolution, representation before all types of administrative agencies and in all courts, state and federal within the State of California. We also offer counseling and advice with respect to employment policies and procedures, contracts and all aspects of civil litigation. We have successfully represented thousands of clients within areas of practice engaged in by our firm.

Throughout my 35 plus years of practice, I have represented individuals in all aspects of employment law in order to protect their jobs and families from the arbitrary actions of management who often view their employees as disposable. I have been proud to represent victims of discrimination of all types and effectively prosecuted their claims in either federal or state court. More recently my firm has advocated for an employee who has been harassed on the basis of their sex, age, or race. We have discovered that simply because an employer may have a procedure for reporting such harassment does not mean that the employee is protected or that the claims are fully investigated. The Law Offices of F. Benjamin Riek III has won significant victories for whistleblowers in both administrative and state court actions. We are proud to represent those few individuals who are willing to put aside the fears of retaliation and bring forth the illegal or dangerous actions of their employers -whether it is a pollution violation or misstating financial records. There are strong laws to protect employees in many areas who become aware of illegal activities at work. We are always willing to represent you before the proper agency or in court. In recent years, I have seen a significant increase in the number of cases of retaliation from employers for either reporting discrimination or harassment or cooperating in the company’s investigation of the claim. The employees targeted for retaliation are not just those who were victimized but also the witnesses who saw and heard what happened and told the truth, however inconvenient it might be to management. Don’t let the human resource department or a supervisor intimidate you! It is surprising that even today many companies try to cheat their employees out of the proper earnings through a variety of illegal activities. Some of the more obvious are forcing their workers to work off the clock, either before or after their shift, failing to pay overtime for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week, or telling you that you are an independent contractor when you have no control over your work hours. All of these actions violate the Fair Labor Standards Act which has been enforced since the 1930s. If you are classified as an independent contractor, not only does the company avoid withholding taxes, they also don’t pay their portion of social security and unemployment taxes that could affect you as you near retirement. I have a broad and diverse background representing employees and am always willing to meet with you to discuss your situation.

Attorney Janice Alfred is the managing attorney at the Alfred Law Firm. She has been practicing law in the state of Georgia since 2004. Ms. Alfred concentrates in the area of Divorce & Family Law and Criminal Defense. Her philosophy is that each and every client deserves to be treated with respect and that each case is equally important regardless of the client's social or economic status. Ms. Alfred obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College located in Clinton, NY in 1998. After graduating from college, she worked as a paralegal supervisor for Lane & Mittendorf (now known as Windels, Marx, Lane & Mittendorf) until May of 2000, when she enrolled at New York Law School. In 2002, Ms. Alfred became an editor of the New York Law School Journal of Human Rights and published a note titled "Denial of the American Dream: The Plight of Undocumented High School Students Within the U.S. Educational System" and an article titled "The 4th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women: Gender Discrimination and the AIDS pandemic". After graduating from law school, Ms. Alfred moved to Atlanta, Georgia and subsequently became admitted to the Georgia Bar. Thereafter, she worked in-house at two telecommunication companies prior to going into private practice.

Ari R. Karpf is a zealous trial advocate concentrating his practice in all facets of employment and labor law, including, discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, union avoidance, unemployment compensation, Warn Act violations, and on a select basis, criminal matters. Mr. Karpf graduated summa cum laude from International College of Fort Myers, Florida, finishing first in his class. He graduated magna cum laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he was awarded the President's Achievement Award, honors for outstanding advancement of the Thomas Cooley Law Journal, was recognized as a distinguished appeals magistrate, and received several certificates of merit for outstanding scholastic performance. Mr. Karpf is a member of the bars of state courts in Pennsylvania, the state courts in New Jersey, the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the United States District Court of New Jersey. Although Mr. Karpf focuses primarily on employment and labor law, he also has a very strong background in complex criminal litigation at the trial and appellate levels. He takes criminal appeals, state or federal, and handles habeas corpus petitions.

Attorney Jay Lauer has been practicing law in the state of Indiana for 40 years, but his love and passion for the law actually goes back further than that. Jay's journey into law began when he decided to go to school at Valparaiso in 1972. As an integral member of the track team, Jay worked hard to split his time between studying and running. As a political science major, his classes touched on both law and theology -- a combination that quickly ignited a passion and drive to help people in need. Upon graduation in 1975, Jay immediately decided to enter law school and was quickly accepted into the Valparaiso University School of Law. From there, Jay decided to forego any future as a track athlete so that he could focus all of his time and energy on studying the law. In just three short years, Jay was able to graduate with his Juris Doctorate while also passing the Indiana Bar -- all in the year of 1978. Through hard work and relentless dedication, Jay was also admitted to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District in the same year, providing him the opportunity to officially begin practicing law. Soon after, Jay caught the attention of the Legal Services of Northern Indiana where Jay would be brought on board to focus on family law. For 10 years Jay would work for the Legal Services of Northern Indiana, broadening his experience and knowledge to extend beyond family law and into the areas of personal injury and criminal defense. After over a decade of working with legal services, Jay decided it was time to strike out on his own so that he could focus his services on an area close to home -- the Michiana region. After careful consideration and planning, Jay founded his very own firm, Jay Lauer Attorney at Law, in South Bend, Indiana. With his own firm, Jay felt he could now focus on the areas of the law that are not only best suited to his strengths but areas that could also help make a difference in the Northern Indiana community. Since the firm opened its doors in 1988, Jay has helped countless clients deal with issues of personal injury, criminal defense, and family law. Focusing on these areas has allowed Jay to use the extensive knowledge gathered over the years to help clients through difficult situations when they often felt like they had nowhere else to turn. Through it all, Jay Lauer believes that every person, regardless of circumstance, has the right to have their case heard. If you or someone you love is facing a difficult legal issue in the Michiana region, we invite you to reach out to our firm to learn more about Jay Lauer's experience and commitment to making a difference in the South Bend community.

David K. McGill was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Dayton, Ohio. Mr. McGill specializes in Entertainment Law, Business Affairs and Consulting. His global entertainment services include but not limited to record label development, artist development, drafting and negotiation of entertainment contracts, digital and mobile music content, copyright, and trademark. Mr. McGill has been active in the entertainment industry since 1996. Mr. McGill also focuses on foreclosure defense law and labor and employment law, stemming from race discrimination, race harassment, sexual harassment, and wrongful termination. Mr. McGill is a graduate of University of Miami Law School. During his law school years, Mr. McGill was a recipient of the Dean's Scholarship, served as VP of International Moot Court and was a member of the Entertainment Sports Law Society, and Black Law Student Association. Mr. McGill received his undergraduate degree from Thomas More College (B.A. Management Info Systems, Cum Laude) and his M.B.A. from Xavier University (Business Entrepreneurship) David McGill's professional affiliations include the Entertainment and Sports Law section of the Florida Bar, American Bar Association, Dade County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association. Mr. McGill is also active in the community and volunteers as a mentor and legal consultant to inner city youth.

Bruce Stoltze is a top-rated attorney practicing in the Des Moines, Iowa area. Providing legal representation in Iowa for a variety of different issues, Bruce Stoltze was selected to Super Lawyers for 2009 - 2018. He is admitted to practice before the courts in Iowa. After completing undergraduate studies, Bruce Stoltze attended law school. Bruce Stoltze was enrolled at The University of Iowa College of Law. He earned a Juris Doctor degree in 1977. Bruce Stoltze was admitted to the practice of law in 1977. Attorneys like Bruce Stoltze are recognized by their peers for their outstanding work and commitment to the spirit of the legal profession. Their knowledge of the law, professional work ethic, and advocacy on behalf of their clients allow them to stand out among other attorneys in the field. Bruce Stoltze represents clients with Employment Litigation: Plaintiff issues. Additional legal issues represented include Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff and Workers' Compensation.

Kevin M. Crowley is a well-known attorney in the Phoenix legal community, renowned for his unwavering commitment to defending the rights of his clients. With a deep-rooted passion for justice and an extensive background in criminal law, Kevin has established himself as a formidable advocate in the courtroom. Raised in the heart of central Phoenix, Kevin’s upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of community. His journey into the legal profession began with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Kevin pursued his undergraduate studies at Northern Arizona University, where he studied psychology and criminal justice. He excelled academically, laying the foundation for his future legal career. Driven by his aspirations to defend justice, Kevin went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, where he honed his legal skills and developed a deeper understanding of the complexities of criminal law. As a seasoned criminal defense attorney, Kevin Crowley has earned a reputation for his exceptional advocacy and unwavering dedication to his clients’ best interests. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the State Bar of Arizona. Kevin was also admitted to practice before the US District Court for the District of Arizona. In addition, Kevin is an active member of Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, an association dedicated to promoting fairness and due process in the criminal justice system. Through his involvement, Kevin remains at the forefront of legal developments and maintains a steadfast commitment to upholding justice for all. Beyond his legal endeavors, Kevin Crowley finds joy in his personal pursuits. An avid golfer, he relishes the challenge of the game and time with friends. He also cherishes spending quality time with his family, particularly his twin son and daughter, who bring him immeasurable happiness. Kevin M. Crowley exemplifies the epitome of legal excellence and unwavering dedication to his clients’ rights. Through his profound understanding of criminal law and steadfast commitment to justice, Kevin continues to make an impact in the legal community and beyond. As a devoted family man and respected professional, he embodies the values of integrity, compassion, and relentless advocacy.