US Courts

Jarrunis L. Yates (J.R.) grew up in Rock Hill, SC and graduated from Westminster Catawba. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education from Clemson University. He received his Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law. While attending Howard University, J.R. was selected for the criminal justice clinic, which was tasked with representing indigent defendants in Washington, DC charged with felonies and misdemeanors. J.R. received a direct commission as a Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force Reserve in March 2011. In his reserve capacity, Major Yates is a Staff Judge Advocate. J.R. is admitted to practice law before the Supreme Courts of South Carolina and Alabama, the United States District Courts of South Carolina and Middle District of Alabama, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the Air Force Court of Appeals. He has been a social security disability lawyer for over 10 years. J.R.’s experience as both a civilian and reserve attorney gives him a unique perspective on addressing various legal issues facing families today.

Attorney Vikas Bajaj is widely regarded as one the leading criminal defense attorneys in San Diego, CA. With over 16 years experience, Mr. Bajaj has successfully handled thousands of criminal cases including murder trials. Mr. Bajaj's expertise can be seen in courtrooms throughout San Diego as well as both local and national news, where he is called upon to give his expert legal opinion on current issues. If you have been charged with a crime, call the Law Office of Vikas Bajaj, APC today for a free consultation.

Attorney Jason Reynolds has a passion for helping people. Along with his work in the community and schools, Jason channels his passion for helping injured people get the medical treatment they need and fair compensation from those that caused their injuries. To that end, Jason has handled complex personal injury cases for well over a decade. Jason began his legal career with a large firm, where he spent eight years practicing on the defense side of personal injury litigation (primarily defending large corporations and national trucking companies in catastrophic injury cases). His experience on the defense side gives him a unique perspective and knowledge base which he now uses to maximize the results for his clients. Jason focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, tractor-trailer accidents, serious automobile accidents, premises liability (slip and fall) and nursing home abuse and neglect. SuperLawyers® named Jason a Rising Star in South Carolina in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 based on his successes in helping his clients. Jason is admitted to practice in all courts in South Carolina; U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina; and the United States 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. He has tried cases involving personal injuries in multiple courts and has handled personal injury cases all over the United States. Born and raised in Columbia, SC, Jason received his B.A. from The Citadel in Charleston, SC, and J.D. from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Jason is also heavily involved in the community serving on multiple committees for the City of Columbia and on the governing boards for Young Life Columbia Downtown and Haiti Under God. Jason lives in Columbia with his wife Anne and their four children; Allison, Eliza, Emma and Charlie. A competitor at heart, when he’s not practicing law you can find Jason coaching one of his children’s sports teams or coaching football on Friday nights in the fall for Ben Lippen School.

Bob was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1981. He has represented only individuals and small businesses his entire career. Bob has tried more than seventy jury trials and dozens of bench trials. As a result of his experience and results in jury trials, Bob was invited to become a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates in which he holds the rank of Advocate. He has also been named a Top 100 Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers and a Top 25 Mass Tort lawyer by the same organization. He has been recognized as one of the Top 100 High Stakes Litigators in the country and has been named a Mid-South Super Lawyer each year since 2011. Bob was appointed by the Court to serve on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in In re Aredia and Zometa Products Liability Litigation (MDL-1760) and In re Fosamax Products Liability Litigation (MDL-1789). He tried four bellwether cases in MDL-1760, including the first three, one of which was named a Top Ten National Jury Verdict by Law360 (2009). These were the first bisphosphonate cases tried in the United States. Bob is admitted to all courts in Mississippi. In addition, he is admitted to numerous federal courts around the country and has been admitted pro hac vice in dozens of others. In addition to Mississippi, Bob has tried jury cases in California, Montana, New Jersey, and North Carolina.

Brad, a Baton Rouge native, fearlessly launched his own law practice straight out of law school, dedicated to battling relentlessly for his clients’ rights. With a background as a Prosecutor for the City of Baton Rouge, Brad knows firsthand the importance of protecting victims’ interests and is unyielding in his pursuit of justice. In the courtroom, Brad is a force to be reckoned with, tirelessly advocating for his clients in front of judges and juries. His tenure as a prosecutor honed his skills, securing numerous convictions across a spectrum of cases, from D.W.I. to Domestic Abuse Battery. Brad is a relentless advocate who never backs down from a fight. As a founding member of Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer, & Dick, Brad has represented countless clients throughout Southeast Louisiana, leaving an indelible mark on multiple Parishes. Brad’s unwavering dedication has not gone unnoticed. Recognized with prestigious accolades including Avvo’s “Clients’ Choice Award,” “SuperLawyers Rising Star,” and the “American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Attorney Client Satisfaction” award, his commitment to excellence is unmatched. Brad earned his J.D. and D.C.L. from Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University, where he excelled academically and served on the Trial Advocacy Board. He is deeply involved in legal and charitable organizations, championing causes close to his heart. Admitted to practice in all Louisiana State Courts and Federal Courts, Brad is a tenacious advocate both in and out of the courtroom. Married to his supportive wife Chloe, with two children, Brad finds solace in family, philanthropy, and cheering on his beloved Saints and Tigers when he’s not tirelessly fighting for his clients.

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.

Nicole Brenecki is a native-born New Yorker who, following an extensive overseas education, returned to practice law in her place of birth. Fluent in English, German, and Polish, Ms. Brenecki’s distinctive global experiences allow her to fully understand and appreciate the unique needs of her clients with the ability to explain the intricacies of New York law in multiple languages. Ms. Brenecki obtained her Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School in 2017. At Brooklyn Law, Ms. Brenecki was awarded the prestigious Brooklyn Law Students for the Public Interest Fellowship and in 2018, she co-founded an organization that was instrumental in the repeal of the New York City Cabaret Law by Mayor Bill DeBlasio. Prior to obtaining her Juris Doctorate, Ms. Brenecki received a Master’s Degree in Law at the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warsaw and a Diploma in American Law at Center for American Law Studies at the University of Warsaw in 2013. Nicole has extensive experience working for both Plaintiffs and Defendants and specializes in Personal Injury and Labor Law, as well as Employment and Wage Law, in which she heads the firm’s practice. In only her second year of full-time practice, Nicole was named a “Super Lawyer – Rising Star,” a distinction awarded to no more than 2.5% of attorneys in each state for her excellence as a litigator, in 2021. In 2022, she was honored with the “Super Lawyer – Rising Star” award again, followed by the “Top 10 under 40” Award for New York Personal Injury Attorneys, as well as the Lawyers of Distinction Award. Ms. Brenecki is admitted to practice law in the state of New York, as well as before the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.

With a 93% trial success rate, Chris has earned a reputation for skilled advocacy and unmatched preparation. Having tried everything from misdemeanor DUI’s to third-strike felonies carrying life in prison, Chris’ broad range of expertise and experience is unique among defense attorneys. After earning his stripes in the trial courts of Los Angeles County, Chris launched CBS Law with the goal of protecting people against an unjust and broken system. Recognized as a trial lawyer’s lawyer, his passion for the practice of law is only eclipsed by his commitment to the Lakers.

Marla Zide’s interest in the law began at a young age, inspired by her father’s work as an attorney. A native of New England, she moved to Maryland in 1993 to attend Goucher College, earning a degree in psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies. She later graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2001, focusing her studies on family law. During law school, she gained valuable experience through the Family Law Clinic and her work with the Maryland Legal Service Network, where she helped expand access to legal resources across the state. Since her admission to the Maryland Bar in 2001, Ms. Zide has dedicated her practice to guiding clients through family law matters, including divorce, custody, visitation, support, and adoption. She has represented parents, grandparents, and children in Anne Arundel County and throughout Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, Harford County, and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Known for her compassionate approach, she strives to provide clear guidance and strong advocacy during times of uncertainty and stress. Marla Zide’s professional achievements have earned her recognition as a “Super Lawyer” in Family Law from 2013 to 2025 and inclusion among the “Top 50 Women Attorneys in Maryland” for multiple years. She remains active in the legal community through her involvement with the Maryland State Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association, and the Anne Arundel County Bar Association. To speak with Ms. Zide about your family law concerns, call 410-760-9433 to schedule a consultation or complete our online contact form.

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