State and Local

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.

I was born and raised in Seattle, and am pleased to practice in our great Pacific Northwest. This is my home. I graduated from law school in 1984 and went to work for the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. This provided an opportunity to develop trial skills and the ability to present cases to judges and juries. From 1986-1990, I was the managing attorney for the main Seattle Office for Hyatt Legal Services. This position provided an opportunity to analyze and solve various issues that confront a general practice such as: Domestic Relations, Criminal Defense, Bankruptcy, Real Estate, Wills, and miscellaneous consumer matters. It also provided many opportunities to practice in State and Federal court. From 1990-97, I was an insurance defense attorney for the Seattle law firm of Alexander & Bierman. For several years, I defended hundreds of cases on the insurance company's behalf. I know how insurance companies value claims and the techniques they employ in an effort to detract from the value of a claim. In 1997, I opened my own law practice. I specialize in representing people injured by the negligence of others against the insurance company. Let me use my experience from years of defending the insurance company to your advantage. Michael E. Mazon Attorney At Law Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. I had a case against a prominent hotel in the pacific northwest. The hotel itself was brand new and was celebrating its grand opening. My client fell on the stairwell within the hotel and incurred severe injuries. Others had previously been injured. by this stairwell. I brought suit and was able to obtain reasonable compensation for my client. The hotel completely reconfigured that part of the stairwell in question. How did you build a successful practice? I built a successful pracitce by focusing on one client at a time. What should clients look for in a lawyer? Ultimately, a client should look for a lawyer that is well versed in their specific field of practice. In other words, if a client has an injury claim, they want a lawyer that has dealt with that type of injury and the accident that caused it. It's kind of like choosing a doctor. How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? Local knowledge is important if the case goes to litigation. For example, an attorney should have knowledge of the local rules in the county where the case has been filed. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? I can provide all the information in a telephone consultation that I could in a live in-office consultation. I can educate the client in all aspects of the injury case starting with the claims phase all the way through a jury trial. What information do you need in a free phone consultation? Just the basics: date of the accident, location, liability, insurance, and type of injury. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? The fact that I had 8 years of experience defending the insurance company before I began representing the injured person against the insurance company. I can anticipate what the insurance company will do. I know their tactics and the tricks they attempt to pull. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Obtaining reasonable compensation for my client. Ultimately, that's all any personal injury attorney can do for their client. What are your other interests in addition to law? Music, travel, golf, family. Are you involved in your community? I'm a member of the Washington State Association for Justice and actively contribute to the American Cancer Society.

Stephen D. Morrison, III, is a Savannah native and son of a commercial fisherman. He is a formidable trial lawyer, championing his client’s cause with a unique combination of elite legal experience and blue-collar work ethic. After years of mostly defense practice, with big firms and the federal government, Stephen joined Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers to fight for plaintiffs and those wronged by the acts of others. He is adept at navigating diverse legal landscapes in high-stakes disputes, with broad-ranging experience from personal injury claims (like motor vehicle accidents, maritime injury, and medical malpractice) to commercial disputes involving mass torts, antitrust, consumer law, breach of contract, data practices, real estate, and unfair and deceptive trade practices. He has litigated cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the nation. Stephen now uses his experience in complex litigation to achieve a simple goal: win for his clients. Stephen’s expertise is born from high-level legal practice. His career began in Washington, D.C., as an associate with one of the world’s largest law firms representing Fortune 100 companies. After D.C., Stephen returned to Georgia to spend two years clerking for (now) Chief Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr., in Atlanta, Georgia. He returned to private practice in Minnesota, litigating complex cases and serving in lead roles on trial teams in multimillion dollar disputes. Among other engagements, Stephen has served as trial counsel in opioid litigation brought by state attorneys general and municipalities and held key roles in trial teams defending antitrust class actions and consumer investigations. His former defense counsel and federal law clerk experiences animate his plaintiff-focused practice at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers. Outside of the office, Stephen maintains a deep connection to his local and professional community. He is an Eagle Scout, volunteers with his neighborhood’s event committee, and holds various roles in national and local bar organizations. He has also provided thousands of hours of pro bono representation to clients who cannot afford counsel. Stephen lives in Savannah with his wife, Erin (also an attorney), daughter, Milligan, and English cream retriever, Ollie. He enjoys spending time outside, especially on the water, cooking, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, and traveling within and without the USA.

Jamie L. Cox is a partner at Willson & Pechacek, PLC, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Mr. Cox’s general litigation practice focuses on personal injury law, employment law, estate and trust litigation, business law, and civil rights law. He represents clients in Iowa and Nebraska. A native of Wapello, Iowa, Mr. Cox graduated with honors and distinction from the University of Iowa, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in history and sociology in 1998. He later obtained his law degree from The University of Iowa College of Law in 2001. Licensed to practice in the state courts of Iowa and Nebraska, Mr. Cox is also admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa, the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska, the U.S. Tax Court, the Iowa Supreme Court, the Nebraska Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of the United States. He joined Willson & Pechacek, PLC, in 2001 and became a partner in 2006. Mr. Cox belongs to a number of professional organizations, including the he American Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, the Nebraska State Bar Association, the Pottawattamie County Bar Association, and the Iowa Defense Counsel Association. He is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association section councils for Litigation and Employment Law, and also belongs to the dispute resolution, labor and employment law and state and local governing sections of the American Bar Association. In addition to his professional commitments, Mr. Cox enjoys participating in his local community. He serves as member of the Board of Directors of the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce, as a soccer coach for the Council Bluffs Soccer Club, and a Boy Scouts adult leader.

You Only Pay Legal Fees if We Win a Settlement!! I am the managing partner of Neufeld, Kleinberg & Pinkiert, PA and am in my 40th year of practice. Our law firm exclusively represents the injured (car accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian injuries, slip and falls, trip and falls, and any other kind of personal-injury case). I am very proud of the firm I have built. We fight hard on behalf of our clients to get them the compensation they deserve. We handle cases ranging from minor fender benders to the most catastrophic injuries (and everything in between). If you are in pain, we can help.

Matthew Crowley is a respected criminal and traffic defense attorney. With more than 17 years of experience, and having practiced throughout every jurisdiction in Northern Virginia, Matthew is a seasoned legal professional. Upon graduation from American University’s Washington College of Law, Matthew practiced with such distinguished regional firms as Davies, Barrell, Will, Lewellyn, and Edwards PLC, and Price Benowtiz, LLP. In 2015 and 2016 Matthew was distinguished as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the United States. In 2017 Matthew was recruited by the prestigious criminal defense firm, Robinson Law, PLLC, in Fairfax, Virginia, to act as the firm’s managing partner. Under Matthew’s oversight at Robinson Law, the firm’s criminal practice became one of the most successful and well-respected criminal defense firms in Northern Virginia. In 2020, Matthew and Seth Peritz, also previously an attorney at Robinson Law, opened their own criminal and traffic law practice, Crowley Peritz PLLC, in Fairfax, Virginia. Matthew and Seth’s continued alliance allows them to provide highly focused representation to their clients, as well as outstanding customer service. Matthew and Seth often work cases in tandem, which brings a synergy to their practice where the sum is greater than the parts. Matthew’s substantial legal experience, his professional demeanor, and his involved and detailed approach in every case make him a great option for anyone charged with a criminal offense. Matthew is peer-reviewed on Martindale Hubble, and holds a 10.0/10.0 rating on Avvo. Matthew has received Avvo’s Client Choice Award from Avvo every year from 2015 through the present. Matthew has successfully tried as well as settled hundreds of criminal and traffic cases, at all levels of Virginia’s trial courts. Matthew has also trained and mentored dozens of young attorneys throughout his career, including having both recruited and mentored his current partner, Seth Peritz.

Thad Mulholland is an auto injury and auto and motorcycle accident lawyer at Eng and Woods in Columbia, MO. He is also a workers’ compensation lawyer and has experience with serious injury and wrongful death claims. He has settled and tried cases throughout many Missouri counties. Thad received his undergraduate degree with distinction from the University of Iowa and graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1995. Thad is a member of The Missouri Bar, the Boone County Bar Association, the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America. He has received an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review RatingSM by Martindale-Hubbell®, which is recognized as the highest rating an attorney can receive and is based on feedback from peers.

Bio As a co-founder and partner at Basch & Keegan, Maureen A. Keegan (Moe) has practiced personal injury law exclusively since 1986. Maureen’s areas of practice include all aspects of civil litigation, medical malpractice, wrongful death, automobile and trucking claims, product and premises liability. Initially, Ms. Keegan worked for a medical malpractice defense firm in New York City. Based in Kingston for the last 30 years, Moe has successfully represented clients throughout the Hudson Valley, greater New York City, and Capital District areas. Before studying law, Keegan worked as a Pharmacist and a Pharmacy Resident at Johns Hopkins and at other teaching hospitals in New York State. She has been a Super Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer of New York State. Over the years, Keegan has successfully represented thousands of injury victims and is widely known as a successful and knowledgeable attorney in the Hudson Valley. She is active in local community and bar associations. Basch & Keegan’s philanthropic support is well known in Ulster and Dutchess Counties. The firm was honored by SUNY Ulster and Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. In addition, Basch & Keegan collects for the pantry of People’s Place at Thanksgiving time. They have supported the Jewish Federation’s Fall for Art for more than 20 years and support the Ulster County Bar Association’s Adopt a Star program at Christmas. There are dozens of other excellent philanthropic groups that benefit from Basch & Keegan donations. Moe, a native Long Islander, has enjoyed making the Hudson Valley her home for the past 30+ years. She and her husband Dave have two children, Ryan and Jane, who both graduated from Kingston High School. Jane is currently teaching math at Brooklyn Tech, and Ryan was awarded an MBA from Stanford in June, 2021. Moe enjoys the outdoors and is an active sculler and member of the Rondout Row Club. She and Dave enjoy travelling and exploring the hike and bike trails in Ulster, Dutchess, Greene and Columbia County.

Dovinh Law, PLLC is a law practice based in Seattle, Washington where its founder, Betty Trang Dovinh, was born and raised. The daughter of Vietnamese refugees, Ms. Dovinh’s experience as a first generation American gives her important insight into the unique challenges that historically disadvantaged groups face. She’s dedicated her career to advocating for those communities and fighting every day for the American principles of justice and equality for all to be upheld in the legal system and beyond. Ms. Dovinh has over 20 years of diverse professional experience, helping local businesses and serving the Greater Seattle community. Prior to launching Dovinh Law, she served as Strategic Initiatives Officer for National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Children, Director of Development & Community Relations for Millionair Club Charity and Executive Secretary for Seattle King County NAACP. She has also served as a strategic adviser to DNPro Counsel (now An Legal), an international corporate law firm based in Vietnam. She has has held leadership, consultation and operational roles for a range of other businesses including a nationally recognized capital investment firm, and the largest independently family owned and locally operated electrical distributor in the West. As an attorney, Ms. Dovinh has helped ease the burden for children and families experiencing the hardship of a variety of issues such as abuse, divorce and separation. She fights vigorously against discrimination in the workplace and other civil rights abuses. She litigates in both state and federal court, as well as administrative bodies such as Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), and The Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA). In her immigration practice, she’s authorized to represent clients from all 50 states and around the world in U.S. visa, immigration and naturalization matters. She has successfully reunified families in Washington and other states with their relatives abroad as well as assisted businesses expand in the local economy. Ms. Dovinh earned a B.A from the University of Washington and J.D. from Seattle University School of Law. Ms. Dovinh is a member of the Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Asian Bar Association of Washington, and the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Washington. She is natively fluent in English and Vietnamese.

Josh's civil litigation practice spans a broad range of areas, with a particular focus on insurance coverage and defense involving residential and commercial properties, automobile incidents, construction, trucking, and business losses, including bad faith claims. Additionally, he handles disputes related to contracts, property, businesses, and estates. Josh is committed to delivering positive and efficient outcomes for his clients. He exercises diligence in reviewing each case, identifying available options, and adapting to evolving circumstances to best serve his clients' interests. The practice areas that Josh works in involves: insurance coverage, bad faith, insurance defense, uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist, civil litigation, and arbitration. Josh met his wife, Jessica, during law school. They now live in Geneva, Illinois.