Legislative Practice

Frederick W. Nessler has been practicing law throughout the state of Illinois and the United States for over 40 years. Mr. Nessler opened his law office in Lincoln, Illinois in 1977. Since that time, he has helped injured people recover hundreds of millions in compensation for the injuries they suffered due to the negligence of others. Mr. Nessler has been awarded numerous recognitions throughout his career, each of which is detailed below. Nessler & Associates now has offices in Springfield, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, Lincoln, Rockford, Sherman, and Chicago, Illinois. Nessler & Associates also maintains offices in Denver, Colorado; Ft. Worth, Texas; Orange, Texas; Largo, Florida; Tampa, Florida and St. Petersburg, Florida.

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.

Glenn has specialized in catastrophic medical malpractice, nursing home and other injury cases for over twenty years. He has successfully litigated and resolved many seven figure cases. He is the Past President of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. Prior to that he was on the Executive Committee and was the Legislative Chair. He has spoken extensively at legal seminars and has authored a book chapter on medical malpractice reform.

Practice Areas: Insurance Litigation, Bad Faith, Products Liability, Ciguatera Poisoning, Establishing Insurance Coverage As one of the few Triple Board Certified attorneys, Mr. Stewart’s practice involves complex litigation in both Federal and State Courts, including helping individuals and businesses who’s insurance companies have abandon them. Mr. Stewart also assists individuals who have been poisoned with a fish borne toxin known as Ciguatera. In addition to receiving dozens of multi-million dollar awards, he received the largest collectible punitive damage verdict in State history, the largest Ciguatera settlement in the Country, what was reported as the largest Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy verdict in Florida, and the largest personal injury verdict ever in Okeechobee County. He also took on the automobile insurance industry for its practice of under-reimbursing health care providers. Mr. Stewart was the first attorney in many years to defeat GEICO in a Powell type Insurance Bad Faith case. Mr. Stewart has been recognized with awards by many organizations for the work he has done, including as a Florida Super Lawyer (given to the top 5% of attorneys) since 2007, Top 100 Trial Lawyer by National Trial Lawyers since 2013, Top Lawyer in Florida by The Legal Network since 2013, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 1996 and he and his firm have attained the highest rating possible, AV, with the Martindale-Hubbell legal directory of exemplary lawyers. He has published and frequently speaks to lawyers, paralegals and law students across the Country. He has taught several courses at Stetson Law School. He also has served as an Adjunct Professor of Constitutional Law at the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College. Mr. Stewart stays active in his community; including Harmony House, the Miami Project, Habitat for Humanity, The American Cancer Society and public television and radio. However, he has spent most of his time as a member of Palm Beach County Special Olympics’ Steering Committee, where he coordinated the community volunteers for more than ten (10) years. With a proven track record as a trial attorney and multiple a significant victories to his credit, Mr. Stewart’s career has been dedicated to the pursuit of justice. If you have any questions regarding a matter for which you believe Mr. Stewart can assist, he welcomes you to contact him at TStewart@ForTheInjured.com.

Sam G. Caras (samcaras@caraslaw.com) was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. After a youth marked by participation in sports, Sam attended Wright State University, from which he graduated cum laude. During his last two years of undergraduate education he worked as a legislative aid for the Honorable C. J. McLin, and as a laborer in several industrial plants. Sam enrolled in the University of Dayton Law School in 1977 and graduated in 1980. During law school he enjoyed the privilege to clerk for the Honorable George J. Gounaris of the Civil Division of the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court for three years, while working part-time for two years with the City of Dayton Prosecutor's Office. Following graduation from law school he entered into private practice as an associate in an insurance defense firm, focusing on civil litigation defense of motor vehicle accidents, products liability, insurance, and professional liability cases. For several years after becoming partner in the insurance defense firm his practice concentration increasingly developed in plaintiff's personal injury and wrongful death. In 1990 he left the insurance defense practice and has since been practicing almost exclusively in the areas of medical and professional malpractice, wrongful death, serious personal injury, insurance litigation, with periodic referrals for business and contract litigation. Sam has practiced before all levels of Ohio courts, including successful arguments before the Ohio Supreme Court. He also has extensive experience in federal practice, particularly including practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, along with pro hac vice admissions in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama and U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Trecker Fritz & Williams has a history of helping people after an accident or professional error. We have more than 40 years of experience representing injured clients, including residents of Hawaii, military members, and their families and visitors to our state who have suffered a catastrophic injury or death. Our reputation speaks for itself: Trecker Fritz & Williams was named by the prestigious Best Lawyers in America as a Tier 1 law firm in Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiff. Our founding partner, Collin M. (Marty) Fritz, was named Lawyer of the Year in Hawaii by Best Lawyers and Honolulu Magazine for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiff in 2017. This is important. Lawyers who are honored by companies like Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers are chosen only by the very best lawyers and judges who see lawyers in action. They are the people who know! Founding Partner Collin M. (Marty) Fritz served in the U.S. Army in the judge advocate general's corp. He has more than 40 years of personal injury experience and is committed to finding creative and beneficial outcomes for his clients. Mr. Fritz has been recognized by his peers and judges in Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell AV* (highest for competence and ethics), Best Lawyers in America and was named Lawyer of the Year in Hawaii by Best Lawyers and Honolulu Magazine for Personal Injury Litigation — Plaintiff in 2017. He is a member and frequent lecturer to other lawyers at American Association for Justice and Western Trial Lawyers Association.

You deserve a top rated law firm that you can trust to help you following an accident, or criminal investigation. Our experienced lawyers at Durflinger Oliver & Associates have a proven track record of protecting clients, and helping them move forward in life. Things are almost never as bad as they seem. Call us, and we can help put your mind at ease with a smart plan of attack. If you have been charged with a crime, received a traffic ticket, or have been injured because of someone’s negligence, the choice you make in an attorney will have long lasting consequences. Criminal charges can result in Article 15 and Chapter proceedings, jail, fines, and treatment. All of these things are expensive, and potentially life altering. Traffic tickets, while less serious, can affect your insurance rate, and even your license. An accident can result in massive hospital bills, suffering and bankruptcy. When you need help, our team is here for you. At Durflinger Oliver & Associates you don't have to settle for a single attorney when you can hire a team of experienced lawyers to fight for you. Our attorneys have a half century of collective litigation experience. That means you can rest assured that your case will receive the benefit of 50 years of courtroom practice and experience working with judges, insurance adjusters, and opposing attorneys. Best of all, you get this team at a great value, so you don't have to settle for a single, less experienced lawyer. Founding Partner and Of Counsel attorney James Oliver paid for college by serving in the Army Reserves. In college, he co-captained his university’s NCAA Men’s Volleyball team. As a result of his athletic experience and military service, he understands the value of a team, and the needs and concerns of service members and their families. That’s why he built this firm, and that’s why he instituted the Military Discount offered to service members by Durflinger Oliver & Associates. Founding partner Natalie Durflinger graduated with honors from both the University of Washington and Gonzaga School of Law. At Gonzaga, Natalie was a Thomas More Scholar, and founded the university’s American Civil Liberties Chapter, serving as President. She also performed community service locally, and in Central America before following her passion for criminal defense and establishing Durflinger Oliver & Associates with James Oliver. Natalie’s practice is dedicated almost exclusively to misdemeanor criminal defense including domestic violence, driving offenses, drug charges, and property crimes. She has an established reputation as an aggressive defense attorney who is respected by judges and prosecutors alike. Natalie also has shared her Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure knowledge as a College Adjunct Professor. Senior Associate Martha McLaughlin heads up the firm’s Personal Injury section. She is an Honors Graduate from the University of Puget Sound, and also from Seattle University School of Law. Martha's husband of 30 years is a retired Air Force officer, so Martha knows the difficulties endured by service members and their families. She also knows how to protect you and your family following an accident, or criminal charges. As a former prosecutor, she has been on both sides of the fight and understands what judges are looking for. Martha’s dedicated personal injury paralegal brings three decades of injury litigation experience to the firm, and the two professionals work closely with the firm’s other attorneys to ensure exceptional results for each of our clients. Tracey Munger represents clients accused of felony offenses, and clients in danger of losing their children in dependency proceedings. Her litigation experience began in Louisiana during law school, and continued on into Washington in 2002. She has represented clients in almost every court in the Puget Sound region, and is admitted to practice in the U.S. Federal Court as well. She has won cases as simple as traffic infraction to as complex as federal drug trafficking and everything in between. As head of the Felony Section, Tracey decides which cases the firm will accept, and which staff to assign as support. Her reputation as a “street fighter” has been earned through countless negotiations, hearings, motions, and trials. After 14 years of practice in Western Washington, Tracey has a great understanding of, and appreciation for, the sacrifices of our service members and their families, and she works hard to protect them. Durflinger Oliver & Associates Of Counsel attorney Andrew Huff is a Seattle native who started his career as a prosecuting attorney with Kitsap County before being hired as an associate by well-known criminal defense firm Bennett Raney Moran and Gianneschi. In 2001, he went out on his own and started the Law Office of Andrew Charles Huff in Seattle. Andrew is a former board member of “Citizens for Judicial Excellence,” member of “National College for DUI Defense” and the “Order of Barristers.“ He is also an experienced Judge Pro Tem, which means that he clearly understands what needs to be done to protect his clients. Andrew is a valued teammate of Durflinger Oliver, and his contributions to the accused have brought relief to hundreds of Washington families. No legal team is worth a thing without high quality support staff, and the Durflinger Oliver team is exceptional. In fact, Durflinger Oliver has twice been awarded the “Firm of the Year” award by the Pierce County Chapter of NALS – The National Association of Legal Professionals. The staff at Durflinger Oliver make the weekly team meetings possible and productive and ensure that every client file is regularly team reviewed. This ensures the highest quality representation at the best value. In addition to our Military Discount, we also offer convenient payment plans, and bilingual Spanish services. We look forward to meeting with you for your free consultation. Call today to schedule your free meeting with an experienced attorney who can put your mind at ease and tell you what Durflinger Oliver can do for you. IF YOU DEMAND JUSTICE, DEMAND DURFLINGER OLIVER!

Guy has been representing injured clients for over 25 years. He has taken his years of experience and courtroom skills developed while working in both large and small law firms and opened the GT Law Firm. Guy became a lawyer because he wanted to help the powerless against the powerful. To do this effectively, he chose to work at a law firm that represented insurance companies as his first law-related job in order to learn how large insurance companies handle insurance claims. He took that knowledge and began representing injured victims and their families in 1990, first working for a small firm, then opening his own office in 1992.

Attorney D. Russell Thomas was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, August 3, 1952. He attended Middle Tennessee State University (B.S., 1970-74). He was a member of Kappa Sigma after his undergraduate degree. He attended Memphis State University Law School for his J.D. degree (1974-77). Mr. Thomas was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1978, and is admitted to the U.S. District Court in the, Middle and Eastern Districts of Tennessee.D. Russell Thomas was a member of Phi Alpha Delta and a 1985 Graduate of ATLA’s Advanced Civil Litigation Course. Mr. Thomas served on the Board of Governors as the Representative for the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association for the 6th District of Tennessee, 1991—2005 and 2016-2018. He is a member of the Rutherford County, Tennessee Bar Association, The Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association (Legislative Committee, 2000—2004), Trial Master, and 2005-2006 President of the Andrew Jackson American Inns of Court. He is the author of "Automobile Liability in Tennessee" published in The Tennessee Trial Lawyers Magazine.Mr. Thomas has been a guest lecturer for the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association since 1992; lecturing on selected topics, including worker's compensation, personal injury,(which includes automobile cases, product liability, and premises liability) as well as the effective utilization of the American Medical Association Guides to the evaluation of permanent impairment in workers' compensation, personal injury cases, trial tactics, and civil jury trials.Based on a confidential survey of other attorneys in this area by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, D. Russell Thomas received an AV Rating. The A – is the mark of the highest rating of legal ability. The V – is the mark of the highest standards of legal ethics.According to Martindale-Hubbell, “AV Peer Review Rating" shows that a lawyer has reached the height of professional excellence. He or she has usually practiced law for many years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity". He has held this rating for approximately two decades. He is a 2018 graduate of Keenan Trial Institute which is an advanced trial techniques college out of Atlanta, Georgia. He spends many hours in continuing education each year.Mr. Thomas was raised on a dairy/beef farm in Cannon County and was active in the 4-H club with interests in cattle and horses. He kept an ongoing cattle operation until 2010. He played music with rock and blues bands off and on for 25 years. He now lives in Murfreesboro, TN with his wife Jeanmarie. His current office where he has practiced for 20 of the last 43 years is 5 minutes off of the square. The practice is devoted to plaintiff's cases for personal injuries and selected workers' compensation cases.

Vermont trial lawyer Chris Maley has extensive experience in the area of medical malpractice and personal injury. In February 2006, Chris recovered $2,375,000.00 in a medical malpractice lawsuit involving the negligent delay in diagnosis of prostate cancer. In 2004, Alan Sylvester and Chris recovered $5,400,000.00 for a Wrongful Death case. In 2003, John Maley and Chris settled, just prior to closing arguments, a United States District Court personal injury motor vehicle accident claim for $2,925,000.00. Chris's accomplishments have been recognized by his fellow attorneys. He has been selected by his peers to be included in the publication The Best Lawyers in America.Chris has participated in trials, arbitrations and mediations arising out of malpractice claims against physicians, nurses and hospitals. Chris has litigated dozens of cases involving medical negligence during pregnancy and delivery. Chris has handled medical malpractice cases involving: failure to diagnose prostate, lung, breast, cervical, testicular and other cancers, as well as failure to diagnose stroke, heart attack and other conditions. Other malpractice cases he has resolved include overdoses, experimental medicine complications, surgical negligence, misdiagnoses and emergency room errors. Chris's personal injury practice involves representation of those injured or the families of those killed in car and trucking accidents. He also represents those harmed due to defective and unreasonably dangerous drugs or other products. Chris was born in Burlington, Vermont. He graduated cum laude from both St. Lawrence University in 1993 and from Suffolk University Law School in 1996. At Suffolk, he was a recipient of an American Jurisprudence Award and was a member and an editor of the Transnational Law Review. Chris was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1996 and practiced in Boston at the law firm of Martin, Magnuson, McCarthy & Kenney for six years primarily in the area of medical malpractice before being admitted to the Vermont Bar in 2002. Chris was also admitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in 1997. Chris is on the Executive Committee and the Board of Governors of the Vermont Trial Lawyers Association.  He is a member of the American Association for Justice, Vermont Bar Association and Massachusetts Bar Association. His practice areas include general personal injury matters, medical malpractice, wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, pharmaceutical litigation, and product liability.