Government

A caring and compassionate attorney: For two decades before I became an attorney I worked for some of the largest corporations and government agencies in the world. That meant I had a significant amount of real world experience and unlike many in our field, developed a kind personality along the way. As a senior communications executive I drove strategic communications and crisis management at IBM, JPMorgan, Siemens Healthcare, and Experian. Additionally, I spent six years in Washington, working as a press secretary for two of the most powerful members of the United States Congress. What changed: After a while, I just got tired of working for the nameless, faceless corporations and had enough of the partisan politics of Washington. I decided I wanted to help real people in crisis and focus efforts as a compassionate attorney. And here I am… The most important element in choosing a lawyer is finding the right connection. Divorces can take time. Trusting your attorney is key. Things move a lot smoother if we work well together. Let me be your compassionate attorney. And what better way to get to know me is learn my likes and dislikes. I am a family guy, who enjoys the simple pleasures. Having everyone around the table for dinner is worth a million bucks. I love music – all kinds of music. It is what I use to relax after a long day (with a glass of Scotch, of course). I love food – all kinds of food. My wife is a great cook. I enjoy volunteering in my community. Even though the practice of law keeps me very busy, I still find time to work on giving back. I am a member of the Cold Spring Lions Club, the Our Lady of Loretto Knights of Columbus, United Way of Dutchess County and the Northern Dutchess NAACP. Boy do I hate bullies. And in my line of work I see plenty. I don’t stand for bullies. They better bring their A-Game if they are going to deal with me. I will not stand for my client to be pushed around by their spouse or an opposing attorney. You will not be “nickel and dimed” either. My rates are fair and I will try and work with you. But don’t go crazy here…respect for my time and profession is still required. Prompt payment is much appreciated.

Milo Schwab is a civil rights attorney who has spent his career advocating against government and corporate interests. Milo takes on the hard cases that others won’t take. Milo graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and has been practicing law for over 10 years. In 2020 Milo was the recipient of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Case of the Year Award in Abay v. City of Denver. Milo is licensed to practice in Colorado, New Jersey, New York and in the 7th and 10th Circuit respectively.

Specializing in navigating the complex legal issues present in consumer and corporate asset & debt cases. Our firm assists clients both statewide and nationally. My team is experienced and committed to your case. We work with all incomes and offer payment plans that can fit your budget. I graduated law school with Cum Laude Honors and was ranked in the Top 10 and Top 10% of my class. I achieved top marks in Real Estate, Bankruptcy, and Estates. I am experienced in the courtroom, in mediation, and in government. My specialty is finding creative solutions that help you get from where you are to where you want to be! I became a lawyer to help people solve complicated problems, and I appreciate the opportunity to assist you with your legal needs.

Sam L. Amirante, a retired Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County has returned to private practice, where he concentrates in the areas of criminal and civil litigation. While a Judge, Sam Amirante was assigned to the County’s Third District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows for 13 years and 3 years in the City of Chicago, Judge Amirante carried out his duties with competence, integrity, dedication and compassion. A Chicago columnist, who dubbed Judge Amirante the Hugging Judge, noted that he occasionally directed youngsters in court to hug their parents after resolving matters which have caused an emotional break between them, usually evoking a round of applause from his courtroom. After his appointment to the bench in December, 1988, Judge Amirante presided over hundreds of jury and non-jury trials involving Felonies, Misdemeanors, Traffic, Domestic and Civil matters. He earned approval and praise from sundry citizens, government officials and court watchers. Upon graduation from Loyola University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1970 Sam enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. From 1970 to 1976 Sam honorably served in the United States Marine Corps on both active and reserve duty attaining the rank of Sergeant and Platoon Leader. While in boot camp he became the17th Marine in the long history of the Corps to receive a perfect 500 points on the tough Marine Corps physical fitness test. Sam is currently a member of the American Legion, Chicago Police Marine Corps League, Italian American War Veterans and various other veteran groups. While on reserve duty, Sam earned his Juris Doctor Degree (JD) from Loyola University School of Law in 1974, graduating in the upper third of his class and was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. While attending school, he worked part-time as a policeman for the Village of Norridge. Following his admission to the Illinois Bar, he became an Assistant Public Defender participating as lead counsel in hundreds of felony and misdemeanor bench and jury trials. Sam eventually became the supervising attorney for all of Northwest Suburban Cook County. In 1978,Sam entered the private practice of law where he tried cases throughout the State of Illinois and other States and served for a Prosecutor for the Village of Norridge. That same year, together with Attorney Robert M. Motta, provided legal counsel for serial killer John Wayne Gacy. At the conclusion of the trial, the trial judge commended Amirante and Motta for the excellent legal defense they had provided during the 15-week long trial. Prior to Judge Amirante’s appointment to the bench in 1988, he was a partner in the law firm of Amirante & Etchingham with offices in Park Ridge. In 1987, upon completion of the United States v. Jack Farmer et.al. trial in the United States Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois the Court Buffs of Chicago reported in their December 10, 1987 Courtwatchers Newsletter: “Having observed the likes of BAILEY, BUGLIOSI, AND SPENCE PERFORM IN CHICAGO COURTROOMS, we can say the amicable AMIRANTE ranks with them.”Sam is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, the Federal and U.S. Supreme courts. He has appeared pro hoc vice on matters in Wisconsin, California, Michigan, Washington, Indiana, and Washington, D.C. He has served as a representative of the Illinois State Bar Association; Northwest Suburban Bar Association (past president); Italian American Bar Association; Illinois Judges Association; the Justinian Society of Lawyers; the Board of Special Olympics; Board Member of Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church in Chicago; Legal Technology Advisory Board at Harper College; the Arts and Science Alumni Association of Loyola University; National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame; the Italian American Political Coalition and Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans; Director and Legal Counsel for the Italian American Police Association; Director for the Little City Board; and as author of the Missing Child Act of 1984, commonly referred to as I-SEARCH; and authored the Loyola Law Review article George Orwell’s 1984 Revisited, Police Abuse of Computers in the 20th Century; and has appeared on numerous television and radio programs as well as speaking engagements.

We specialize in bringing the law to your corner. We are dedicated to understanding what results you want and to helping you understand what actions we can take on your behalf. We will work with you every step of the way to make sure that you understand the choices you are making and feel empowered to make them.

Darren VanPuymbrouck is a trial lawyer with an active nationwide trial practice. As first-chair, he has successfully tried dozens of high-profile, bet-the-company cases involving myriad issues before juries in state and federal courts around the country. Most of his cases involve complex engineering, science, medical, and financial issues and he has successfully deposed and cross-examined thousands of expert witnesses. Recently, he successfully completed a month-long jury trial as first-chair in Ocean County, New Jersey involving construction defect and professional liability issues resulting in one of the largest verdicts in that county. In the fall of 2014, he successfully tried a high-profile product-liability case that resulted in a $22 Million jury verdict, among the top 100 verdicts nationally. Mr. VanPuymbrouck recently won the dismissal of a RICO class action in the Northern District of Illinois that has been the subject of national press coverage. Mr. VanPuymbrouck has also successfully briefed and argued appeals in state and federal courts around the country, including in the Missouri Supreme Court and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. VanPuymbrouck has litigated and tried cases for well-known companies in the consumer product, pharmaceutical, medical supply, financial services, construction, professional services, electronics, food, gas and electric public utilities, chemical, and many other industries. In addition to trials, those cases have included the defense of nationwide class actions, including MDL proceedings, national litigation strategy, and the trial of bell weather case, arbitrations, and mediations. Utilizing his trial experience, Mr. VanPuymbrouck also advises and conducts investigations for domestic and international clients on risk avoidance, regulatory compliance, and litigation strategy. Mr. VanPuymbrouck is also an internationally recognized leader in the investigation and litigation of catastrophic fire and explosion matters about which he is a frequent nation-wide speaker. He also conducts emergency response exercises for clients in the petroleum, natural gas, electric generation and transmission, and transportation industries. He has specialized expertise in the defense of claims involving lithium-ion and polymer batteries.

T. J. Jesky began his corporate career working for a Fortune 500 company that was acquired by a Fortune 50 Company. He spent 23-years working for the International Fortune 50 Company. As Division Manager, his responsibilities included commercialization of pharmaceutical products, negotiating and writing contracts with suppliers and customers, working with government agencies. He was one of the spokes in the wheel in changing State and Federal laws for the benefit of the pharmaceutical industry. Mr. Jesky spent 20-years as a business consultant whose responsibilities included designing capital structures, negotiating contracts/business opportunities, assisting companies in going public, completing due diligence for a wide variety of businesses. He was involved in mergers and acquisitions with approximately 100 companies. For the past few years, his law practice, includes, but not limited to: business, corporate, securities law, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, medical malpractice lawsuits. He is fluent in the Spanish language.

Andre Pennington is an accomplished Arizona, federal and military attorney that concentrates his practice on estate planning, wills, trusts, probate and trust administration and litigation. What makes Andre unique is that he has specialized estate planning training and experience from his time as an attorney for the United States Air Force, but also has extensive trial experience with over 75 jury trials to his credit at the state, military and federal level. This blend makes him uniquely qualified and able to effectively navigate the waters of your estate plan and administration. Since 2011, Andre has lived in Surprise, Arizona. He is married to his stunning wife, Amanda, and has six young children, two sons and four daughters. As a father, he rarely misses a family obligation and believes that family is one of the greatest gifts a person can receive and that protecting their future is of paramount importance. With that sentiment, he uses his years of estate planning, trial experience and expertise to guide, navigate, and protect your family’s interests in their most difficult time. He grew up in Southern California, graduating from California State University, Fullerton, and Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. He then started his legal career in 2006, as a trial attorney within the Colorado state courts. In 2007, he joined the United States Air Force and for over four years engaged in estate planning and trial work. During that time, he was recognized by leadership as being within the top five percent of trial attorneys in the Air Force. With a desire to have a more stable home life, he left active duty and transferred to the Air Force Reserves, where he is the rank of Major, and has been a trial advocacy instructor, government appellate counsel and estate planning attorney. Until 2014, Andre practiced as a federal trial attorney for the District of Arizona, handling the highest level of federal cases; when he left to take his current position and to go into private practice as a full-time estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate attorney. Andre has been recognized with numerous honors and awards that include voted Best Attorney in Sun City West by the Daily Independent 2021, selected as Litigator of the Year 2021 by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers, Lawyers of Distinction 2021, Best Attorneys of America 2021, Elite Lawyers 2021, Best Probate Attorneys in Surprise, Peoria and Goodyear by Expertise.com. Andre founded residential homes dedicated to the well-being of foster children; he was appointed as a part-time Judge for the Maricopa County Justice Courts (2015-2017); and co-founded and is a Director for Arizona’s Children Coalition. Andre is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu; and he is a Coach and lifetime member at De Boa Jiu Jitsu Academy in Surprise, Arizona.

Robert Demirji pursued his law degree at the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he contributed as Production Editor for the University of Baltimore Journal of International Law and was a Student Fellow at the Center for International and Comparative Law. His academic background also includes degrees in Criminology & Criminal Justice and Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park. With a wealth of experience in numerous cases, Robert is dedicated to providing strong representation in criminal defense, traffic and personal injury services. His compassionate and thorough approach allows him to address challenging legal situations effectively, ensuring clients receive the support they need. Fluent in Arabic, Robert takes pride in his Lebanese roots and enjoys playing basketball, soccer, and spending time outdoors when not practicing law. To arrange a FREE consultation, please visit the website or contact 301-589-9500 today.

Attorney Whitlock hails from Wilson, North Carolina and is an alumni of NC State University. During her time at the university, she was an active member of the tennis team, representing the Wolfpack with vigor. Her academic journey continued at the David A. Clarke School of Law, part of the University of the District of Columbia, where she was honored with the Dean's Cup in recognition of her exceptional commitment to public service. While pursuing her law degree, she took on significant responsibilities, including her role on the Judiciary Committee of the Student Body Association. She also dedicated her time as a teaching assistant for a course titled Katrina Law, which explored the intricacies of government responsibilities during national emergencies and the legal frameworks for disaster relief. During her final year at law school, she demonstrated her dedication to community service by completing over 800 hours of pro bono legal work. Under the guidance of an experienced attorney and professor, she provided invaluable legal assistance to underprivileged residents of the District of Columbia, ensuring their access to justice. After obtaining her law degree, she began her professional career in Virginia, working for a firm that concentrates on personal injury cases. This experience deepened her interest and commitment to the field of personal injury law. Following her tenure in Virginia, she further honed her skills at a renowned personal injury law firm in Washington, DC. Subsequently, Ms. Whitlock decided to leverage her accumulated experience by starting her own practice, named Roeser & Whitlock, LLP. In her practice, she continues to advocate for individuals who have experienced personal injury, tirelessly working to ensure they receive the support and legal representation they deserve. To schedule your free consultation with the Silver Spring, Maryland Personal Injury Attorney, please visit online or by calling 301-565-1655.