Education

“The practice of law is a service industry. We serve with integrity, communication, and dedication to you.” – Brian Davis

Doron has worked for top law firms helping them to negotiate and draft contracts for start-up companies from the early stages of business formation to corporate maintenance, taxation and securities. He has represented entrepreneurs in different industries with different needs and potential. Doron has represented Directors, Producers, Actors, Musicians and others in the entertainment industry. Doron is a prolific writer with publications in various media outlets. He has also lectured on various legal issues including business and real estate law. Doron has interned for Judge Cynthia Dianne Steel in Las Vegas and Senator Ron Wyden in Washington DC. Doron currently is the President-Elect of Beverly Hills Bar Association, Barristers. Doron is also on the Beverly Hills Bar Association Senior Board of Governors, Co-Chairs the Real Estate section of Beverly Hills Bar Association and is an Executive Committee Member of Beverly Hills Bar Association Entertainment, Business, International Law and Conflict Resolution Sections. Doron has earned the highest level of prominence on Avvo.com. In addition, Beverly Hills Bar Association has bestowed upon Doron the "President's Award" for dedicated service in 2012-2013 Annual Installation and Awards Dinner at the Four Season's Hotel. Further, Beverly Hills Bar Association bestowed upon Doron the "Distinguished Service Award" for "Outstanding Leadership as Chairperson of the Real Estate Law Section 2010-2013" on September 24-2013.

Phillip "Bruce" Leslie was born June 24, 1947. Bruce is a 1965 graduate of Paul Blazer High School, in Ashland, Kentucky. Bruce is married to Leannah Leslie and they have two children, Allison Allred & Brett Leslie. After graduation, Bruce pursued his college education at the University of Kentucky, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Education. In 1969, Bruce was admitted to the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1970, receiving his Juris Doctorate in 1973. Shortly thereafter, Bruce, along with John R. McGinnis, became a partner in what would become one of the State’s most prominent law firms. Bruce currently is a Senior Partner. For nearly four decades, Bruce Leslie has vigorously pursued his belief in giving back to the community. He has served with distinction as a member of the Kentucky Bar Association House of Delegates, member and Chairman of the Board of Ashland Community & Technical College; a member, secretary, vice president and Chairman of the Board of the Paramount Arts Center, a member and Chairman of the Institutional Review Board of Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital, a member and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital and a member and Board member and Chairman of the Board for Community Hospice. In addition, Mr. Leslie is proud to serve as a vestry member of the Calvary Episcopal Church since 2004.

Lawyer John W. Thurston is an experienced Northeast Kansas DUI defense lawyer who has successfully completed extensive training that puts him in a unique position to defend people in Kansas against DUI charges. John’s history as both a defense lawyer and previous prosecutor, plus his commitment to education and ongoing improvement makes a significant impact on his ability to effectively represent his clients. Training and accreditation includes: Forensic Lawyer Scientist designation by the American Chemical Society (Chemistry and the Law Division). The requirements for this award include 160 hours of coursework including hands-on lab work, after which one must pass an extremely rigorous written exam. Standardized Field Sobriety Test training developed by NHTSA. This is the DUI investigation training undergone by all Kansas law enforcement officers. John has completed this course multiple times, to include completing the course with actual Kansas Highway Patrol instructors. Standardized Field Sobriety Test Instructor training. This is the course that police officers must complete if they want to become an academy-level instructor in DUI investigations. Drug Recognition Expert training, also developed by NHTSA. This is the training undergone by officers needed to investigate whether or not a citizen is driving under the influence of drugs, legal or otherwise. Few police officers actually receive this training. Very few lawyer do so. Mastering Scientific Evidence in DUI/DWI Cases - Certificate (awarded multiple times). DNA for Lawyers I - hands on DNA lab training at Boise State University. Several of the courses and certification programs John has completed are rare for a Kansas lawyer to have taken. When you work with him, you work with someone committed to ongoing education in a way that can make a big difference in how a case is handled and received. John’s early experience includes awards won during competitive mock trial teams while at law school, and these efforts have paid off throughout his career thus far with an overwhelmingly positive track record. John believes his focus on being a DUI and criminal defense lawyer puts his clients at an advantage over the alternative of working with a generalist lawyer who divides his or her time between divorces, personal injury, and other law areas as well as DUI and criminal cases. His continued focus on DUI and criminal defense and ongoing efforts to deepen his skills have made John a sought after lecturer for other DUI and criminal defense lawyers and cases. His teaching and consulting skills are frequently requested in several states as well as for local print media, and he has been asked to consult for out-of-state cases from clients ranging from those charged with multiple priors and first-time offenses.

Heber Simmons III, the founder of Simmons Dallas, PLLC, is a lawyer who always remembers whom he represents, and keeps their interests at heart from start to finish. He is licensed in all federal and state courts in Mississippi and Tennessee. He originally started his legal practice in 1989 with the firm of Watkins Ludlam and Stennis in Jackson, Mississippi. He then joined Armstrong Allen, a Memphis, Tennessee firm, to start a Mississippi office in 1994. After becoming Managing Partner, Mr. Simmons decided to pursue his individual interests and the freedom to represent clients across a broad spectrum of legal matters. His representations include Fortune 500 companies, as well as individuals and businesses, in matters involving medical malpractice, product liability, administrative healthcare matters, nursing law, nursing licensure, contracts, workers' compensation, wrongful denial of insurance, contract actions, personal injury, toxic exposures/injury, and business litigation. Mr. Simmons also serves as a mediator, and is approved by the Mississippi Bar and the Federal Panel of Mediators. Mr. Simmons received his law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he served as Editor in Chief of the Mississippi Law Journal. He has served as an adjunct professor of Healthcare Law at the Else School of Management at Millsaps College, and authored and co-authored many published materials, including the Mississippi Chapter from West Publication's Product Liability in 50 States, and numerous lectures for continuing education seminars and in-house presentations. Mr. Simmons is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association, and National Health Lawyers Association. He serves as a member of the Mississippi Bar Committees for Health Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution. He is active with the Rotary Club of Jackson, where he currently serves as a member of its Board of Directors. He enjoys time with his family, as well as hunting, fishing, archery, tennis, golf, scuba diving and being an amateur carpenter. Mr. Simmons has been named a SuperLawyer by Top Lawyers of Mid-South for 2012, 2013, and 2014, and he has served as the Chairman of the Medicine and Law Committee of the American Bar Association, and President of the Jackson Rotary Club (2011-2012).

Mr. Boyd completed his undergraduate studies at Mississippi College in 1981. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Mr. Boyd completed his legal education at Mississippi College School of Law in 1984. During law school, Mr. Boyd was selected to serve as a member of the Editorial Board of the Mississippi College Law Review, and he had a casenote selected for publication in the Fall1983 Law Review. Mr. Boyd is also a “graduate” of the 1996 MiniMed School seminar sponsored by the University Of Mississippi Medical Center. Mr. Boyd devotes most of his legal practice to personal injury and wrongful death claims including car wrecks, 18-wheeler/big truck wrecks, motorcycle wrecks, slip and fall injuries, and UM insurance claims (underinsured and uninsured auto insurance issues).

Nathan Russell is the founder and owner of Russell Law Offices, SC. Born and raised on his family’s fifth-generation dairy and crop farm in Shullsburg, he returned to Southwest Wisconsin to practice law in 2009. Nathan earned a degree in Agricultural Economics and his Juris Doctorate from UW-Madison. Prior to opening Russell Law Offices, Nathan taught Agricultural Education in Minnesota and served as an agriculture and commercial lender in Madison. With extensive experience in agriculture and lending, Nathan’s practice areas include real estate, contracts, business/farm transfer and startup, civil litigation, estate planning, probate & trust administration, creditor collections, municipal law, and family law. Nathan also has extensive experience in contested probate and divorces that involve farms/businesses. Nathan is married to Jennifer, whom he met through the FFA. Jennifer is the agricultural education and FFA instructor in Shullsburg, WI. They have six children: Reagan, Madison, Taylor, McKinley, Lincoln, and Jackson. Nathan is an avid sports fan outside the office, supporting the Packers, Badgers, Bucks, Brewers, and Miners/Knights. He is heavily involved in his children's’ activities, including assisting them show sheep across the country. Nathan is also very proud to be starting his 14th year serving as the girls’ basketball head coach for Shullsburg. Nathan has recently been sworn into the Illinois State Bar and is excited to serve clients in Northwestern Illinois. Nathan has presented to a variety of community and professional groups on numerous legal topics. He has been active in the Lafayette County community by previously serving on the Shullsburg Fund Board, Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Shullsburg School Board.

Nick Deets has been a partner with Hovde Dassow + Deets in Indianapolis since 2001. His primary areas of practice are personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability, and wrongful death. He has tried more than 80 jury trials to verdict. Nick was named the Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association in 2010, Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Plaintiff’s Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions, in 2018, and Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice, in 2020. He has been recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer by Indianapolis Magazine every year since 2006 and has been listed in Best Lawyers, Personal Injury Plaintiffs, every year since 2010. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Litigation Counsel of America, and is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell.

A.J. Serafini grew up in Hagerstown, Maryland, and is the son of former State Senator Andrew Serafini, Sr. He graduated from Grace Academy in 2005 and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Government from Liberty University, graduating summa cum laude in 2008 after just three years. He further pursued his education at Liberty University School of Law, finishing in the top 5 of his class in 2011. During his time at law school, Serafini was active on the moot court board, mentored first-year students, and coordinated the Street Law program, which educates at-risk youth about the law’s significance. He is part of several legal associations, including the Maryland State Bar Association, the Maryland Association for Justice, The National Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. Professionally, A.J. concentrates on his practice in personal injury, medical malpractice, and nursing home abuse. He has achieved notable successes in personal injury cases throughout Western Maryland. He keeps his legal knowledge current by attending continuing education courses through associations like the American Association for Justice and the Maryland State Bar Association. A.J. is also a board member of the Washington County Bar Association and has served on the Judicial Nominating Commission under Governor Larry Hogan. A.J.’s excellence in his field has been recognized with several awards; he was voted Best Attorney in the Herald-Mail Readers' Choice Award in 2018, and received the Herald-Mail Media's “Best of the Tri-state” award in 2019 and 2020. His peers have recognized his skills and dedication with a Top 40 Under 40 ranking from the National Trial Lawyers Association. He has been four times named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers and was recently designated an Elite Lawyer. To schedule a free consultation, contact Serafini Law by filling out a form online, or calling 240-744-1600.

Ray has been practicing in Idaho since 1989. After attending the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1970, he graduated with his BA in Philosophy with highest honor from DePaul University in Chicago, received the Arthur J. Schmitt Fellowship and attended graduate school. He received his Juris Doctor with honor from the DePaul University College of Law in 1982. Ray began his law career in Chicago, clerking for the Chief Judge of the Cook County Law Division and practicing at top-flight litigation firms, also serving as the Sauk Village, IL Fair Housing Administrator and receiving the Mayor's Award for mentoring moot court law students. Ray moved to Idaho in 1989 and began his private practice. He has a long-standing independent practice and was a partner in Martin, Chapman & Schild in Boise. Ray has worked alongside Dennis Sallaz extensively over the years, becoming a partner in the firm in 2014. Ray has been listed in Who's Who in American Law and the Martindale-Hubbel Register of Pre-eminent Lawyers, co-hosted a Treasure Valley legal talk show, was for several years the Legal Columnist for the Idaho Business Review, has taught several Continuing Legal education courses and was published in the Idaho State Bar's Advocate magazine. Ray has an extensive and varied legal and litigation background, spanning divorce, custody and family law, criminal defense, corporations and LLC's, wills, estates and probate, guardianship, contracts, land use and planning, real estate, collections, administrative law, personal injury, fraud, insurance claims and general civil litigation, lawsuits and appeals. Ray co-authored the appellate brief in Bewley v. Bewley, and successfully appealed before the Idaho Supreme Court in Kawai v. Longstreet. Ray is licensed before the Idaho State Courts, the U.S. District Courts of Idaho and the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals for the 7th and 9th Circuits and the U.S. Supreme Court. He maintains his Illinois license on inactive status relating to Illinois State Courts. Ray's organization memberships have included Rotary Club, Oriental Lodge #60, AFAAM and El Korah Shrine, having been Temple Attorney and liaison to the Shriner's Children's Hospital.