US Courts

Daniel Schlanger is a partner at Kakalec & Schlanger, LLP, where he heads the firm's consumer practice. His practice focuses on representing victims of unfair collection tactics, predatory lending, hidden fees, auto fraud, defective products, and other marketplace injustice. The firm brings affirmative litigation (including class actions and significant individual claims) on behalf of consumers and also regularly represents consumers who have been sued on significant debts, including credit card debt, medical debt, auto loans, home loans, lines of credit, personal guarantees, etc. Dan joined Kakalec & Schlanger, LLP's predecessor firm (Schlanger & Schlanger) in 2007 after working as a staff attorney at Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, where he was a member of that organization’s consumer law unit, and helped to found a program focused on wage and hour litigation on behalf of low-income workers. Prior to that, Dan clerked for the Hon. R. Lanier Anderson, III on the United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Dan received his law degree from Harvard Law School, cum laude, in 2004. He received his undergraduate degree from Carleton College, magna cum laude, in 1994.

Marissa Maggio advocates for individuals injured through no fault of their own, bringing over 25 years of legal experience and holding Board Certification in personal injury trial law. Her practice spans both state and federal courts, with a focus on cases involving serious workplace, vehicle, and product-related injuries. Her practice areas involves brain & spine injuries, truck accident brain injury, nonsubscriber workplace brain injury and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Previously, she worked at Fulbright & Jaworski, gaining experience in environmental law and intellectual property. Marissa earned her law degree from Emory University and holds a business degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She is licensed in Texas, Connecticut, and New York. To schedule a free consultation, please visit the website or call 214-466-7770.

Kenneth Trombly is a civil trial attorney whose practice is limited to catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation in state and federal courts. Licensed in the District of Columbia and in Maryland, he has handled numerous significant cases on behalf of seriously injured persons, from seven figure settlements to noteworthy cases that have resulted in local or national publicity. Mr. Trombly Is nationally recognized as being Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, only one of a dozen District Of Columbia attorneys who have earned this honor - by virtue of his jury trial experience, peer reviews, and passing a written exam administered by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. In 2010 he was honored with the Trial Lawyer of the Year award, by the Trial Lawyers Association for the DC Metropolitan Area, an organization. which he also served as President in 1995. For a number of years, Mr. Trombly has also been one of a select group of D.C. catastrophic injury attorneys who are included in both The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward White Publishing Co.) and “Super Lawyers” (Law & Politics magazine). A 1973 graduate of Columbus School of Law of The Catholic University of America, where he was both a staff member of the Law Review and a student coordinator of the school’s legal services clinic, Mr. Trombly earned his undergraduate degree at The George Washington University (B.A., 1970). Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. We recently represented a college student who was riding a bicycle in downtown Washington, DC when he was hit by a dump truck that was going too fast and failed to yield at a crosswalk. Our client suffered a closed head injury and was very lucky to survive. We investigated the case promptly and found eyewitnesses who gave us statements. We closely monitored our client’s medical recovery and assisted him in being seen by one of the top neurologists in the city. When it same time to file suit, the other side knew that we were prepared to try the case and asked to do an early settlement mediation with a retired judge with whom both parties were familiar. The case settled on very favorable terms for the client. It was extremely gratifying to be able to have a positive impact on this young man’s life. How did you build a successful practice? By being attentive to my cases, treating my clients with respect and working hard on each case. When I am getting ready for trial, there is nothing else that I am focusing on for weeks, and I think that even when I sleep I am thinking about the case. We bring considerable preparation and passion to our cases, and that is the secret. If you do not really believe in your case and your client, the jury will know that. What should clients look for in a lawyer? Experience and dedication to the practice of law. There are some lawyers who approach personal injury law solely as a business. They have never stepped inside of a courtroom, and their goal is to settle the case as soon as possible, regardless of what is best for the client. A person who has been seriously injured and is looking for an attorney should find out what real jury trial experience the lawyer has. The insurance companies know which lawyers are real trial lawyers and which ones will go for the quick settlement, and it affects results. Also, is the lawyer active in the local or national Bar Associations in a meaningful way, such as, in the case of a trial lawyer, taking an active role in the local trial lawyers association, attending national and local trial lawyer seminars, teaching and mentoring young lawyers? The law, like medicine, is constantly changing, there are new cases and new techniques of which an effective trial lawyer must be aware. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? There are many fine lawyers in the DC area who do what I do. There are also many mediocre ones. It is up to the consumer to determine who has real experience and who is simply good at internet or TV promotion. We are among a limited group of lawyers who actually try serious catastrophic injury cases before local juries. In fact, a good number of our cases are referrals from other attorneys. To further differentiate myself, I am one of only eleven plaintiff trial lawyers based in DC who are Certified as Civil Trial Lawyers by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. This Board Certification is based on demonstrated trial experience, references from Judges and former opponents, and a written examination. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Practicing law is a privilege. To be the advocate of a person or a family that has been hit by personal tragedy, and to be able to formulate a solution for them is tremendously rewarding. What are your other interests in addition to law? I am very interested in politics, have been a lifelong Democrat, and have assisted campaigns with time and money on a national and local level. In terms of hobbies, I have been a passionate magic enthusiast since I was a kid, starting by putting on magic shows at birthday parties when I was in junior high school, and continuing up through law school, when I helped support myself by performing shows. I have kept up the hobby, and I believe that the skill set of learning how to get up and talk to people in an engaging and personal way, how to present things in an interesting manner, and how to prepare a presentation for maximum impact has carried over to the courtroom for me. Were it not for this public speaking experience, I am not sure that I would have even gone into this area of the law. Are you involved in your community? Yes. I am actively involved in Trial Lawyer Association committees that directly impact the community on issues of DC legislation and public safety. I am also on referral panels in which I am asked to assist persons especially in need, such as the Legal services for the Elderly and the National Victims Center. Through my magic hobby, I donate my magic skills, having entertained at charity fundraisers, for senior citizen groups and local Cub Scouts, and I was honored to be among a group of magicians who performed at the “Salute to Heroes” Inaugural Balls for President Obama in 2009 and 2013, events honoring the President and the living Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.

Richard Dudek knows the Sacramento courts, procedures and prosecutors. Our highly skilled defense team includes licensed private investigators who use their skills to uncover the facts and find evidence supporting your innocence. With over 30 years of criminal law experience, Richard Dudek recognizes that an effective defense comes from unrelenting investigation coupled with rigorous legal preparation.

William G. Panzer is a practicing lawyer in the state of California. Attorney Panzer received his J.D. from the Golden Gate University School of Law.

Attorney Matthew K McDowell is committed to helping those in need of legal help with the criminal justice system in Tampa, Florida. Obtaining the best results often requires aggressive and experienced legal representation. Twenty-four years of legal experience has given Matthew McDowell the skills to help those charged with a misdemeanor or felony in the Tampa Bay area. Matthew McDowell has handled hundreds of criminal cases and he believes that everyone deserves a second chance. Matthew McDowell has practiced law in Florida since becoming a member of the Florida Bar in 1996. He is licensed to practice in all Florida state courts, including the Florida Supreme Court. Having handled hundreds of cases, he brings his skills to help those charged with a violation, misdemeanor, or felony. We want to help our clients through the stress of arrest and we want to preserve their record - we don't take a case unless we believe we can help. We will see our clients through these difficult times.

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.

Bob Finnell has over thirty-six years of experience using the law to change lives and has protected the rights of more than 10,000 injured victims. He understands the challenges facing you and your family and has built the Rome, Georgia law office of The Finnell Firm based on that understanding. When we accept a case, we front all legal expenses in pursuing your claim and help you through the entire legal process, making sure that you get the protection and compensation you deserve. We are located off I-75 in Rome, Georgia and offer after-hours appointments as well as off-site home and hospital visits. Bob Finnell specializes in Plaintiff Civil Litigation with his focus in the areas of Personal Injury, Medical Negligence, Wrongful Death, Product Liability, Professional Malpractice, Auto Collision, Workers' Compensation, Class/Mass Tort Litigation, Employment Discrimination and Sexual Harassment; however, he also handles a wide range of cases outside of these specialties. He is the sole practitioner of The Finnell Firm and is well known throughout the state as well as across the country for his extensive experience in negotiating and litigating civil cases. His goal is to help you during your most difficult times. Mr. Finnell is also the co-inventor of the state-of-the-art presentation software program ExhibitView, a courtroom presentation tool designed to make even the most complex cases understandable and persuasive to juries. Mr. Finnell created the original version of ExhibitView for use in his own law practice in 2005, and today ExhibitView is used by law firms and law schools as well as non-legal businesses across the country.

Alan Hamilton focuses his law practice on significant personal injury cases, wrongful death, and business torts. Alan has helped numerous clients obtain seven- and eight-figure verdicts and settlements during his career. He has represented individuals and appeared before courts in twelve different states. Prior to co-founding Shiver Hamilton, Alan practiced with a nationally recognized trial firm and served as a federal judicial law clerk. Since its founding in 2011, Shiver Hamilton has obtained a series of outstanding jury verdicts, many of them far exceeding the insurance company’s best offer. Alan decided early on to dedicate his career to representing injured victims of negligence and corporate wrongdoing, turning down multiple job offers from corporate defense law firms to pursue a law practice representing plaintiffs.

Tony has over 28 years of litigation experience in state and federal courts across the United States and has handled or managed thousands of cases under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Tony is a graduate of the University of Georgia where he received his undergraduate degree in political science and was inducted into the Pi Sigma Alpha political science honor society. During his tenure at UGA, Tony worked as an intern in the Governor’s Honor Program assisting with the prosecution of criminal cases in the Conasauga Circuit District Attorney’s office. After graduating from UGA, Tony attended law school at the Georgia State College of Law in Atlanta. During law school, Tony was an Associate Notes and Comments Editor on the Law Review and a recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award for Research, Writing, and Advocacy. He also worked as an intern for the Legal Clinic for the Homeless around the time of the Atlanta Olympics to survey the treatment of Atlanta’s homeless population leading up to the Olympic events. After graduating from law school in 1993, Tony worked as a litigation attorney for several Atlanta law firms in the areas of personal injury, products liability, and general litigation. His work included representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases and, subsequently, representing defendants through his insurance defense practice. Tony subsequently began his two decades long career in the field of consumer litigation, including representing a number of Fortune 500 clients and a national consumer reporting agency in individual and class action claims arising under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and other consumer protection statutes. Tony has been continuously rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell for over 17 years.