Employee Rights

Ultimately, I decided to open my own practice to appeal to clients who desire a more personal and one-on-one experience from a lawyer. I pride myself on being unique to the practice of law and try to break the stereotype that most people have of lawyers, especially those in the personal injury field. By limiting the number of cases I take on, I am able to handle all aspects of the client’s case and devote more time, attention and finances to each client. I devote a substantial amount of resources to each client’s case, including hiring the appropriate engineers, medical experts, accident reconstructionists or health care planners that may be needed to properly litigate each claim to its fullest potential. My approach to the practice of law allows me to get to know each client on a personal level so that I am best able to present their story to a jury in hopes of getting the best result possible for each client. Many of my past clients have become life-long friends that I remain in touch with even after my representation. I consider a referral from a former client as the ultimate complement and testament to client satisfaction. All in all, we are a results-focused law firm that is passionate about helping people who are truly in need of quality representation throughout the legal process. I was originally born and raised in Lexington, South Carolina. I graduated from the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, receiving the highest distinction in my major. I graduated cum laude and was inducted into the prestigious Phi Alpha Theta honor society as a result of my academic achievements. I continue to remain dedicated to my alma mater by serving as a member of the College of Charleston Alumni Association. Following graduation, I earned my Juris Doctor from Charleston School of Law in Charleston, South Carolina. I was elected as an Articles Editor of the Charleston Law Review and Vice President of the Trial Advocacy Board. Throughout law school, I worked full time for a prominent personal injury firm, gaining invaluable litigation experience early on. I graduated from law school cum laude and earned CALI Awards for receiving the highest grade in Property I, Property II, Constitutional Law II and Business Associations. I began my legal career as a trial attorney at a small plaintiff’s firm in Charleston, South Carolina, and have been advocating for the rights of injured victims ever since. I have been able to gain considerable experience in the courtroom, litigating cases in both state and federal courts. Outside of work, I enjoy staying active and fit and have a genuine love for the outdoors. I begin each day waking up before sunrise to get a workout in. I also enjoy sports and traveling but, most than anything, I just enjoy the little bit of down time I get to spend with family and friends.

For over 40 years, Larry has been conducting trials and appeals in both state and federal courts in employment cases including public employee cases, Lemon Law actions, products liability matters, insurance litigation (including environmental matters, toxic tort and consumer fraud), commercial and corporate litigation, franchise matters, breach of warranty, and similar matters. He has also been involved in the defense of several class action suits and has handled a variety of matters before regulatory boards and he has frequently appeared before the New Jersey Office of Administrative Law. Larry has experience drafting, reviewing, and counselling clients regarding employment agreements, separation agreements and employee manuals. Larry also counsels corporate clients in a variety of areas. He has assisted manufacturing clients in product recalls, preparing warnings, warranties, and owner’s manuals for various products. Larry has been involved in representing clients with matters in China and Hong Kong. In addition to his practice, Larry is Vice President and General Counsel of Foreign Tire Sales, Inc. located in Union, New Jersey.

Zac Shaffer was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. Growing up, Zac’s parents, a nurse and a police officer instilled in him a desire to help people and a love for the law. In 2007, Zac and his family moved to the peaceful town of Pemberville, where he graduated in 2012 from Eastwood High School. After graduating, he attended the University of Toledo and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Law and Social Thought and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2016. Zac worked his way through law school in various positions, including as a law clerk for Cincinnati Insurance Company and Kisling, Nestico, and Redick. He graduated from the University of Toledo College of Law in 2019 with a concentration in Health Care Law. Following his admittance into the Ohio State Bar, Zac became employed as an Associate Attorney at a boutique law firm focusing on employment law. During the height of the pandemic, Zac was fortunate to return to his hometown and began working at the Law Offices of Levy and Levy, where he helped his clients with family law, criminal, and civil matters. In 2022, he returned to personal injury as a Pre-Litigation Attorney with Kisling, Nestico, and Redick, where he continued to learn and grow as a personal injury attorney before joining our office. Zac has successfully helped hundreds of clients injured and in need of help. In 2023, Zac received the Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Attorney award from the National Trial Lawyers. Since 2021, Zac has been an active member of the Toledo Bar Association and the Toledo Junior Bar Association. He is a Co-Chair of the Toledo Bar Association Young Lawyers Committee and the Social Engagement Committee with Attorney Andrea Young. In his free time, Zac enjoys playing softball and spending time with friends and family. He is also a lifelong fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

As an attorney for FGI, Michael Morton specializes in employment immigration law including both nonimmigrant (H-1B, L-1A/B, TN, etc.) and immigrant filings (PERM, immigrant petitions, Adjustment of Status, etc.) He brings to his position a solid commitment to mastering the ever-changing complexities of immigration law and to working with clients to realize their global talent mobility objectives. “As attorneys,” he says, “we must be knowledgeable about our area of the law, strategic in our approach, and empathetic and attentive to the needs of our clients.” Michael incorporates the skills he developed in his former career as a high school teacher into his current practice, carefully explaining immigration law to his clients and showing how it applies to their specific situations. His teaching experience and family history have also given him a strong appreciation for the contributions that immigrants have made to American society. “I am very cognizant of my ancestry and the stories of my family who came over to the United States,” he says, “and I am inspired to help others who are seeking opportunity in the U.S.” He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University and his J.D. from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Michael is licensed in the State of Michigan and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Steven Erkel (“Steve”) formed Erkel Law to help victims, individuals, and clients in moments of crisis. Steve enjoys getting to know each of his clients and guiding them through the legal process – many of whom are dealing with an adversary for the first time. Since founding Erkel Law, P.C., Steve works aggressively in litigating cases and is known for his tireless advocacy and relentless approach to law. Steve takes pride in understanding the complexities of each case, learning your perspective, and finding creative solutions to advocate for you. When clients join Erkel Law, Steve will treat them as family and will work tirelessly to advocate for their position. Steve is an experienced litigator and has worked for some of the most prominent law firms in the world. His work has included areas of employment, including wrongful termination, retaliation, and wage and hour law (e.g., “overtime”); class and representative actions; consumer protection cases; and privacy, including data breaches. Steve also has experience in personal injury matters, and has represented survivors who have experienced extreme trauma and/or injury. Steve’s background and exceptional experience is what separates Erkel Law from other firms. Steve is admitted to practice before all courts in California, including the Northern District of California, the Eastern District of California, the Central District of California, and the Southern District of California. Steve received his B.A. from the University of California at Los Angeles (“UCLA”), where he graduated magna cum laude; his M.A. from Georgetown University; and his J.D. from U.C. Berkeley School of Law. Steve and his wife, Sarah, are proud parents to two amazing kids. Steve is an avid baseball fan and played college baseball.

Teri Robins is an experienced Illinois assisted reproductive technology lawyer who can provide excellent representation across multiple states, whether you are an intended parent, surrogate, or gamete donor. Schedule a meeting to discuss your legal needs concerning ART contracts. Teri received her BBA from Emory University in Atlanta, GA, her MBA from Columbia Business School, in New York, and her law degree from University of Cincinnati in 2001. She is licensed to practice in IL, MA, MI, OH, and RI. When she’s not working, she likes to spend time with her family, including her husband, 2 almost grown and flown kids, and her dogs, reading, and needle pointing.

Kurt Heise has more than 30 years’ experience as a municipal, labor, and environmental attorney. He previously served as Assistant City Attorney in Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and Woodhaven, and as the Mayor’s Deputy in Dearborn Heights. Heise also served as Director of the Wayne County Department of Environment and County Drain Commissioner for six years, where he managed Michigan’s second-largest environmental protection agency with 145 employes and a $150 million annual budget. From 2010 to 2016, Heise served as State Representative for the 20th House District, covering Plymouth, Northville, and eastern Canton. As State Rep, Heise chaired the House Criminal Justice Committee where he sponsored 39 public acts, including the creation of the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission. From 2016 to 2024, Kurt served as Plymouth Township Supervisor, a full-time municipal CEO position responsible for a $24 million annual general fund budget and roughly 100 employees including full-time police, fire, public works, and clerical staff. During his tenure, Heise rebuilt the township’s first responder services and negotiated 12 public sector labor union contracts. Heise’s relentless economic development efforts generated more than half a billion dollars in private-sector investment in the township. From 2017 to 2021, Heise was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to serve as Commissioner to the Huron-Clinton Metropark Authority, representing Michigan residents.

* Inappropriately salaried employees violations * Meal break violations * Pre- and post-shift work violations * Minimum wage violations * Recovering back pay and compensation for undocumented workers * Independent contractor exemption violations