Government Agencies

Scott Cole is a Partner in the Atlanta office and works with several of the firm’s practice groups. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Cole has a civil engineering degree from Vanderbilt University and a law degree from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. Mr. Cole is a senior member of the Transactional Practice Group. He focuses his energy on the sale of medical offices, including dental offices, to larger groups. In connection with this, he has worked with many of the larger national and regional DSOs. He represents clients, including technology, communications and energy companies, on a variety of matters ranging from entity selection, organizational structuring, transaction structuring, and working with clients through day-to-day and extraordinary business transactions. Mr. Cole works with corporate clients to identify strategic goals and assists them through initial planning, negotiations, and project completion. Mr. Cole worked as outside counsel to a suburban Atlanta county, local water authority, and currently serves as city attorney for Mansfield, GA. In those capacities, he drafted and reviewed various contracts, including GDOT and multi-million dollar construction contracts; drafted various ordinances and resolutions; and advised local officials on land acquisition, policy, and other matters.

Honorable Menelaos W. Toskos, P.J. Ch. (Ret.) brings 50 years of legal experience to the firm’s Alternate Dispute Resolution and Mediation Group. Appointed to the N.J. Superior Court in2005, Judge Toskos sat in the Law and Chancery Divisions. During his years on the bench, Judge Toskos authored hundreds of opinions, several of which were approved for publication. While serving in the Chancery Division, Judge Toskos was responsible for general equity, contract, real estate, business and probate cases. Several required appointment of receivers, special fiscal agents, special medical guardians, temporary executors and trustees. Judge Toskos aggressively case-managed all these matters, leading to resolution through settlement or trial. In the Law Division, Judge Toskos presided over hundreds of jury and bench trials concerning personal injury claims, employment (including LAD and CEPA) disputes, condemnation, construction and environmental cases. As a designated prerogative writs judge, he tried cases challenging enactments by county government, municipalities, land use boards and administrative agencies. In 2015, the New Jersey Supreme Court designated Judge Toskos as the Mount Laurel judge for Bergen County, tasking him with evaluating whether municipal zoning ordinances met the constitutional requirement to provide an opportunity for construction of low and moderate income housing. Judge Toskos was initially responsible for 59 lawsuits filed by municipalities seeking court approval of zoning ordinances. He was instrumental in negotiating amicable resolution of more than 30 cases prior to retiring. Judge Toskos was a faculty member of the Morris Pashman Inns of Court for 10 years, He was responsible for developing student sessions and lectured on civil litigation. A former teacher, Judge Toskos developed a Lunch and Learn Program arranging monthly lectures for the Bergen County Vicinage. This “CLE” approved program provided each law clerk an opportunity to understand the workings of the Civil, Family and Criminal divisions of the Superior Court. An avid fan of history, Judge Toskos was recently appointed to the New Jersey Supreme Court Historical Advisory Board. The Board created a Supreme Court Virtual Museum which educates the public on the rich history of the New Jersey Supreme Court. A former trustee of the Bergen County Bar Association, Judge Toskos has been a frequent lecturer on real estate, land use and municipal law. He made presentations for the N.J. State Bar Association, Bergen County Bar Association, the New Jersey Judicial College and various Inns of Court as a lecturer and panelist. During his years in the Chancery Division, Judge Toskos assisted in training newly appointed chancellors and incoming law clerks. Before being appointed to the bench, Judge Toskos was an equity member in the Hackensack law firm of Herten, Burstein, Sheridan, Cevasco, Bottinelli, Litt, Toskos and Harz. In his practice, Judge Toskos represented public and private clients in real estate and commercial transactions, government matters and general litigation, as well as acting as counsel for county utility authorities, zoning and planning boards and several municipal governments. Judge Toskos handled litigation in the N.J. Superior Court Law and Appellate Divisions, United States District Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He chaired the Bergen County Bar Association Land Use Committee. which presented an annual seminar for all Bergen County municipal and land use members. In 2001, he completed NJICLE training receiving mediator certification and then served as a New Jersey Superior Court Civil Case Mediation Panelist. With the enactment of the Uniform Construction Code, Judge Toskos taught construction code officials on the procedures for code enforcement. Appointed by the County Executive, he served several years as a member of the Bergen County Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Judge Toskos is a former chair of the New Jersey Supreme Court District IIB Fee Arbitration committee. He also served as the Bergen County High School Mock Trial coordinator organizing a competition for over 30 high schools. Judge Toskos is a graduate of Columbia University and Fordham Law School. In 2015, he was honored by the N.J. Fordham Law Alumni as its Distinguished Alumnus. For over 40 years Judge Toskos has been a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Wyckoff. As an attorney, he served as counsel to the Church and is President of the Parish Council. As an Adjunct professor at Montclair State University, Judge Toskos teaches graduate courses on ethics and U.S. Legal System. As Counsel to the firm, Judge Toskos will bring his extensive experience as a lawyer and judge to provide mediation and arbitration services. Judge Toskos will also be available to manage complex litigation and to act as a Special Discovery Master.

Meredith W. Germain of Turner Ross Germain Personal Injury Lawyers is dedicated to providing skilled legal representation to individuals, families, businesses, and local governments throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area. With more than two decades of legal experience, Meredith Germain has built a reputation for strong advocacy, detailed legal strategy, and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients. As a founding member of Turner Ross Germain Personal Injury Lawyers, Meredith represents clients in a wide range of civil matters, including personal injury claims, family law disputes, land use and zoning issues, property tax matters, and complex civil litigation. She also provides legal counsel to local governments and municipalities, assisting with ordinances, policy development, and regulatory matters. Meredith understands that legal challenges can be stressful and overwhelming. That’s why she provides personalized attention, clear communication, and strategic guidance throughout every stage of the legal process. Whether representing accident victims, homeowners, businesses, or government entities, her goal is always the same: protecting her clients’ rights and delivering effective legal solutions. If you need experienced legal representation in Georgia, contact Meredith W. Germain today to discuss your case and explore your legal options. Turner Ross Germain, LLC 1501 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 100 Marietta, GA 30062

Alexander Castro is a seasoned labor and employment attorney with a wealth of experience gained from practicing at national and global law firms. He has now shifted his focus to serving South Florida’s businesses, residents, and government entities, delivering top-tier legal services with a personalized approach. Drawing from his own experience as a business owner, Alex ensures that legal strategies align seamlessly with his clients’ operational goals. Alex has successfully handled hundreds of cases involving discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, breach of contract, wage and hour disputes, misclassification, and more. His in-depth understanding of employment law makes him a strong advocate in courtrooms, arbitration settings, and before government agencies. Known for his ability to focus on the critical issues, Alex helps his clients avoid unnecessary stress and uncertainty in legal proceedings. His expertise spans multiple industries, including financial services, retail, healthcare, technology, construction, and education, among others. From recruitment and hiring to termination and post-employment disputes, Alex provides comprehensive legal support at every stage of the employment lifecycle. Alex is also skilled in drafting and negotiating various employment agreements, such as severance packages, independent contractor agreements, and non-compete clauses. In addition, he assists employers in developing and implementing lawful workplace policies and offers training to ensure compliance in areas like equal employment opportunity, workplace safety, and diversity and inclusion. Clients trust Alex for his proactive approach, helping them navigate complex workplace challenges and fostering environments of compliance and productivity.

Victoria L. Plante is the founding attorney of Plante Law Firm, P.C. Since 1997, she has represented individuals and small to mid-sized businesses in business formations, transactions, contracts, day-to-day operations as well as in litigation and internal matters related to employment and labor law. She has trained and assisted corporate management in the implementation of policies and procedures related to harassment, discrimination, retaliation, overtime pay, minimum wage, medical leave, and employee and independent contractor designations. Ms. Plante earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Arkansas William H. Bowen School of Law. She also holds a Master of Divinity in Missions from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ms. Plante is licensed by the State Bar of Texas. She is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, United States Court of Federal Claims, and United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She has also represented clients in employment and labor lawsuits outside the state of Texas, including California, Louisiana, and New Jersey. For more than two decades, she has successfully tried many cases in federal and state courts as well as administrative bodies like the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Texas Workforce Commission. She has authored several state and federal appellate briefs and has orally argued multiple times before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Federal Circuits. She has also briefed for review legal issues presented to the U.S. Supreme Court. She has also drafted legal memorandum as a U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Jones law clerk for the Eastern District of Arkansas. She is a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association, the Texas Employment Lawyers Association, and the Labor and Employment and Real Estate sections of the State Bar of Texas. She is legal counsel and a member of the Board of Directors of two 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian Evangelism and Missions organizations. She is an active member of the Missions and Evangelism ministries at her church. She has performed foreign missionary work in Africa and other countries and plans to devote more time to foreign missionary work in the future. Ms. Plante has been a panel speaker or presenter for various community and government based agencies and organizations, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Government Procurement Connections. She has also given several pro bono seminars for employees and union members on employee rights. Throughout her scholastic and professional careers, she has received multiple awards and certificates. In 2009 and 2013, she was named among the successful businesses in Who’s Who in Black Houston.

After earning a statewide reputation for excellence as a prosecutor, Knox Fitzpatrick, in 1994, brought his formidable trial skills and gift for legal analysis to the defense of individuals and corporations accused of criminal wrongdoing by both state and federal authorities.His storied career as a prosecutor includes achieving the rank of Supervisory Chief Felony Prosecutor under the legendary Dallas County Criminal District Attorney Henry Wade. He successfully litigated scores of felony cases, ranging from complex white-collar crime to capital murder, where the jury awarded the death penalty every time Mr. Fitzpatrick asked the jury for that sentence.In 1993, the State Bar of Texas named Mr. Fitzpatrick its Prosecutor of the Year. A versatile lawyer with seasoned judgment, he has served the State of Texas in numerous leadership roles, including that of General Counsel to the Governor of Texas. In addition, Mr. Fitzpatrick has been President of the Dallas County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Of Counsel to the Prosecution Standard and Guidelines Study Commission, a member of the Governor's Criminal Justice Task Force, and a member of the State Bar of Texas Legal Representation for Those on Death Row Committee. He has lectured at numerous seminars and civic forums.Mr. Fitzpatrick serves on the Texas Task Force on Indigent Defense as an appointee of Texas Governor Rick Perry, and is a former director of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. An AV rated lawyer by Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Rating, Mr. Fitzpatrick has honed superior trial skills through more than 300 jury trials.As a lawyer Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, he has successfully represented numerous high-profile businessmen, doctors, school officials, police officers, and those in the securities industry, as well as corporations. Mr. Fitzpatrick's experience includes cases ranging from complex federal securities litigation to wire fraud to drug conspiracy to capital murder. Mr. Fitzpatrick's skills have been sought not only for cases in his home state of Texas, but in other states as well, including Oklahoma, Louisiana, Illinois, New York, and Florida.For the past four consecutive years, Mr. Fitzpatrick's peers have voted him a Texas "Super Lawyer" as reported in Texas Monthly magazine.

A FOUNDING PARTNER of the Los Angeles-based law firm Solomon Saltsman & Jamieson (SSJLaw), Stephen A. Jamieson is recognized as a leader in the areas of land use and zoning, alcoholic beverage licensing, compliance and disciplinary actions, government relations, and business and personal-injury litigation, both for the defense and for the plaintiff. He is licensed to represent clients in California, Michigan and Wisconsin, and has extensive experience working with all sizes of companies, from Fortune 100 publicly-traded corporations to stand-alone businesses. Mr. Jamieson is admitted to practice law before the State Courts in California, Michigan and Wisconsin as well as the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the U.S. Federal Claims Court, and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of California. He is also a member of the Intertribal Court of Southern California. Mr. Jamieson is rated AV® Preeminent with Martindale-Hubbell, a designation reserved for lawyers of the highest legal ability and outstanding legal ethics. His peers have voted him one of Best Lawyers® in America and rated him 10/10 on AVVO. Mr. Jamieson has also been honored by SuperLawyer as the top 1% of lawyers in Land Use/Zoning for each of the last 18 years. The National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals (NALCP) has recognized and honored Mr. Jamieson for his ongoing and exceptional commitment to his clients, awarding him the Most Valuable Associate Member Award in 2018. Mr. Jamieson is also an active thought leader in the legal community and a Strategic Thought Partner for SSJLaw’s clients. He has made numerous presentations before the West Coast Franchise Owners Association (WCFOA), the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA), and NALCP. He has contributed articles in the Daily Journal, the Advocate, and many other publications. Mr. Jamieson and his partners at SSJLaw wrote the handbook on alcoholic beverage control regulation. For over three decades, SSJLaw has prevailed in thousands of matters for its clients before Administrative Law Judges, ABC Appeals Boards, Superior Courts, Federal District Courts, Courts of Appeal, and the California State Supreme Court. Of particular note, SSJLaw obtained a unanimous decision by the California Supreme Court which determined that the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) violated the constitutionally-protected rights of alcoholic beverage retailers. This decision led to the dismissal of approximately 125 cases then-pending before various administrative agencies and courts. SSJLaw provides representation in California, Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Wisconsin and Alaska. Mr. Jamieson is an avid sailor, competing throughout the United States, and enjoys hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains with family and friends.

Representing employees against employers in claims for wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, assault & battery; whistleblower retaliation. Handle claims of retaliation for taking disability or medical leave, workers' compensation leave or family-medical leave, or denial of such leave. Harassment and discrimination claims are often based on sex, race, national origin, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, medical condition and other protected classifications. Adverse job actions based on discrimination may include excessive and unfair criticism, removal of responsibilities, fewer hours, transfers or assignments with less opportunity or income, assignment to menial or dirty tasks, demotion, denial of promotion, or simply termination. The firm also handles claims for unpaid overtime, denial of lunch and rest breaks. We handle all aspects of litigation including trial, arbitration, mediation and settlement in all state and federal courts in California and before the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) and the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Also represent independent contractors and managers with discrimination claims against their employers. Attorney Geoffrey Lyon has over 25 years' courtroom experience. He has litigated hundreds of cases in state and federal court collectively resulting in well over $15 million in verdicts and settlements. Attorney Lyon has handled dozens of trials, including jury trials, as well as arbitrations, hundreds of court appearances and mediations, and thousands of depositions. He has argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth and Ninth Circuits and the California Court of Appeal. He was a candidate for State Assembly in 2004. Lyon is married with three children. Collectively, the firm's employee-clients have sued dozens of Fortune 500 companies in numerous industries including aerospace, entertainment, defense, broadcasting, real estate, construction, advertising, automotive, sales, service, banking, mortgage, and many other industries. Representative public entities sued by clients of the firm include the City and County of Los Angeles, school districts and numerous city, county and government agencies. Nothing herein is intended to be a prediction, guaranty or estimate regarding the outcome of your case or any particular matter.

ROBERT SCOTT HANNAN limits his practice to Family Law and was formerly a State and County Child Support/Alimony Prosecutor. He has practiced in Fort Lauderdale for 22 years and grew up in South Florida. Mr. Hannan has handled many hundreds of Family Law cases from straight forward and simple divorces to complex divorces involving custody disputes, significant incomes, assets and liabilities often requiring the use of experts such as Forensic Accountants, Business Valuation Professionals, Parenting Coordinators and Child Psychologists. As well, Mr. Hannan has handled nearly all other aspects of Family Law cases involving Visitation (Time- Sharing), Support issues (Alimony and Child Support), Relocation, (including international relocation), Domestic Violence, along with a diverse variety of other Family Law issues. Mr. Hannan received his undergraduate degree from Florida State University and his Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern University. Mr. Hannan has been an active member of the Florida Bar since 1988 and is a member of the Family Law sections of the Florida and American Bar Associations. Mr. Hannan previously served on the Family Law Legislative Committee of the Florida Trial Lawyers Association Mr. Hannan previously represented what is now known as the Florida Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement Program, (DOR). His firm, Hannan and Rieman, PA, was responsible for enforcing and/or modifying approximately 30,000 divorce and paternity decrees from throughout Florida and the United States. Additionally, Mr. Hannan previously represented parents on behalf the Dade County State Attorney's Office, Child Support Enforcement Program, as well as parents on behalf of the Broward County Support Enforcement Division, (SED). Mr. Hannan no longer represents Government Agencies and has dedicated his private practice to Family Law cases only. Child support and alimony enforcement cases along with child support and alimony modification cases account for a higher than usual number of cases currently being handled by Mr. Hannan due to these difficult economic times. Mr. Hannan welcomes Child Support and Alimony cases where the client is defending Motions for Contempt or Supplemental Petitions for Modification. Mr. Hannan is a caring and understanding attorney who himself is a divorced Father. Mr. Hannan will throughly listen to your concerns, hopes, and fears and take the time necessary to see the issues as you see them. This is key. Beyond considering the purely legal issues, Mr. Hannan will consider and discuss factors which are non-legal, such as the inter-personal dynamics and potential fallout of certain legal avenues. He will then discuss your options, intended or anticipated results, and how best to proceed. For instance, is mediation possible or must the matter be litigated? If 1itigation is sought, then Mr. Hannan will aggressively and tenaciously litigate the matter in Court. After all, Divorce Attorneys are Trial Attorneys.

Nicholas I. Timko is the managing partner of the firm of Kahn, Gordon, Timko & Rodriques, P.C. having joined the firm of Kahn & Gordon in 1998 to create the current firm. Mr. Timko has been practicing law since 1983. and is licensed to practice in New York and Pennsylvania. He is dedicated to promoting public safety through the civil justice system by holding corporations, businesses, government agencies, hospitals, doctors, manufacturers, and individuals accountable when their conduct causes harm and loss to members of the public. Mr. Timko has spent his entire career representing clients injured in all types of accidents resulting from unsafe conditions of sidewalks, roadways, subways, buildings, construction sites, defective products, vehicle accidents and those injured by medical malpractice. He has earned a reputation for fighting on behalf of his clients and always putting the clients' interests first. He is a highly skilled trial lawyer having tried many cases to verdict and resulting in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients. He has also lead the fight to hold the City of New York accountable for unsafe sidewalks and roadways and its failure to comply with the prior written notice “pothole” law. Mr. Timko is past President of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA) and currently serves on the Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice and is a Dean of the New York State Trial Lawyers Institute, which is the educational arm of NYSTLA. He has received the highest professional and ethical rating, AV, from Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, and has been named to New York Super Lawyers®. Mr. Timko writes and lectures on various legal topics, working to educate other trial lawyers on how to better represent their clients.