I live in a great community in New Jersey, where I am actively involved in my community. My wife and I met in high school, went to college together, have been married for over 25 years, and plan to grow old together. We have three beautiful daughters who, as I accept, run my life! I have held several local positions in my town, always staying involved to help others, such as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary club, I have spent time as a baseball, softball, basketball and soccer coach, a member of the YMCA Board and Soccer Club Board. I live and practice law by the theory that if you do right by people, you will do well. This means I take the time to explain to my clients the details of their case, how it is progressing, and the options they may be able to explore. My integrity, high standards, morals, and honesty have made me a caring and skilled attorney who has earned respect from my colleagues as well as my adversaries. I am here to help you. I will offer an honest and fair evaluation of your case up front and discuss whether I believe your case is worth pursuing or if there is an alternate course of action that may provide you with better closure. In trying to produce the best outcome for your situation, I treat you like I would treat my own family. To me, you are more than a client.

I have been helping people in New Jersey and New York resolve their legal problems for twenty nine years. During this time, I have learned that informed and involved clients can contribute greatly to the achievement of a successful outcome. Whether the matter involves family law, divorce, wills, real estate, or bankruptcy, I will carefully examine your options and help you to determine the legal strategy best suited for your needs. Each client and every case will be treated with care, compassion, dedication and excellence. I have been a solo practitioner for over ten years. Prior to opening my own law office, I worked as a managing attorney at a prestigious law firm in New York City. I also worked for several law firms providing legal services to union members, including members of construction and law enforcement unions, and I have provided representation to an organization assisting victims of domestic violence.

At the Law Office of Charles Dawkins, Jr, we focus on Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Immigration, and Federal & State Appeals and we are here to listen to you and help you navigate the legal system.

Scott Kessler specializes in Personal Injury matters, including Motor Vehicle Accidents, Slip and Fall Accidents, Truck Accidents, and Dog Bite cases. Mr. Kessler also specializes in Workers’ Compensation cases, and was for ten years recognized by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Certified Workers’ Compensation Law Attorney. Mr. Kessler has been named a total of thirteen times to the annual “Super Lawyers” list published in New Jersey Monthly Magazine, for his work in the areas of both Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury law. Appearing in the New Jersey Supreme Court, Mr. Kessler successfully fought to establish new legal precedents and expand the rights of injured workers in the Supreme Court case of Sager vs. O. A. Peterson Construction Co., and has appeared in New Jersey’s Appellate Division on several additional matters. He was the Acting Municipal Prosecutor for Freehold Borough from 1990 – 1991, and has also served as a Monmouth County Public Defender Pool Attorney, and as a private Criminal Defense attorney. Mr. Kessler has been the Managing Shareholder of Team Law since 2012, and has been the Managing Attorney of the Team Law Workers’ Compensation Department since 1991. Mr. Kessler graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980, and received his Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School in 1988. He became licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey and the United States District Court, District of New Jersey, in 1988. He has served as a Vice-President of The New Jersey Advisory Council on Safety and Health, a workers’ rights advocacy group, since 2008, and is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association and the New Jersey Association of Justice.

Roy Konray is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney. He has extensive jury trial experience in the areas of medical malpractice, legal malpractice, catastrophic personal injury cases, and employment law. He has served as chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Medical Malpractice committee. He is a shareholder in the firm and chairs its Complex Litigation Department. Martindale-Hubbell is America’s oldest lawyer rating organization. Based on peer reports from judges and lawyers, it awards Mr. Konray the highest ratings in both legal ability and ethical conduct (pre-eminent). NationalTrialLawyers.org places Mr. Konray on its “Top 100 Trial lawyers list. Based on surveys of New Jersey lawyers published in New Jersey Monthly magazine, Mr. Konray has been selected as a “Super Lawyer in every year the survey has been taken (2005 to 2015). He serves as a Master in the Richard J. Hughes American Inn of Court. Lawyers.com reports Mr. Konray has client ratings of 5 out of 5, as well as peer ratings of 5 out 5. Mr. Konray is the co-author of a book chapter on detecting fraud in medical records and has authored several articles concerning civil litigation. He is a frequent lecturer on various issues related to trial work. Some legal matters he has handled have received national and worldwide media coverage. Mr. Konray has appeared on the Today show, CNN’s Joy Behar Show, ABC Nightly News and other television shows as a result of legal cases he has handled.

A graduate of George Washington University Law School, Ashton Thomas is a skilled civil attorney with a proven track record. He has been practicing law for over thirty-three (33) years in New Jersey. He has been a municipal prosecutor for the City of Elizabeth for over twenty-five (25) years. Ashton Thomas is admitted to practice in the United States District Court of New Jersey, the U.S. Third Circuit Court, and the United States Supreme Court. Ashton Thomas is here to help you!

With a legal mind honed at New York Law School and a global perspective cultivated at the London School of Economics, I bring over 15 years of experience to every challenge. I thrive in fast-paced environments and deliver clear, strategic solutions. I am deeply compassionate about my clients' legal standing, constitutional rights, and individual interests. I spare nothing in my drive and effort to protect them and advocate for their needs. Whether it's reviewing a contract, managing a transaction, planning for the future or advocating for their civil and constitutional rights, I take pride in using my expertise to fiercely champion their cause. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you as your attorney and advocate.

Adam J. Kleinfeldt has more than twenty-two years of experience as an employment attorney, primarily representing individuals in employment-related matters. He has extensive litigation experience in discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblowing cases, and in all phases of the litigation process. Adam has obtained significant results for his clients, including a $525,000 jury verdict in a sexual harassment case; a $650,000 settlement in a gender discrimination and retaliation case; a $1,100,000 settlement in a gender bias case; a $1,000,000 pre-litigation settlement in a race discrimination and retaliation claim; and a $2,000,000 settlement for a group of police officers in a racial harassment and retaliation case. He has helped thousands of clients obtain compensation and justice after wrongful employment actions. Clients’ results may vary depending on the particular facts and legal circumstances. Adam also has substantial experience negotiating executive agreements, severance agreements, and other employment contracts. He regularly advises individuals faced with difficult workplace situations. He counsels and represents individuals faced with post-employment restrictive covenant concerns (such as non-competes). Adam was previously a partner at a distinguished employment law firm in Northern New Jersey. Before focusing on representing individuals, Adam worked at McCarter & English and then Proskauer Rose, where he represented and counseled employers.

Christopher Jackson came to employment law through a background built on public service and advocacy. After graduating from Rutgers Law School, where he represented vulnerable populations in the Immigrant Justice Clinic, he clerked for the Honorable Kay Walcott-Henderson, developing a strong foundation in motion practice, legal analysis, and courtroom procedure. He then practiced at several litigation firms before joining Mark & Kleinfeldt, where his practice is now focused on representing employees in workplace disputes. Christopher's litigation background extends beyond employment law to include healthcare disputes and complex multi-issue matters, and he is admitted in New Jersey and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. His breadth of experience gives him a practical advantage in cases that involve overlapping legal theories or procedural complexity. His commitment to the legal profession extends well beyond his caseload. Christopher has served as Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Chair of the Rutgers Camden Law Alumni Association Young Lawyers Division, and Chair of the Mercer County Young Lawyers Division. He currently serves on the NJSBA Board of Trustees, the Diversity Committee, and the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement. He was named the 2022 Mercer County Bar Association Young Lawyer of the Year and received the 2024 NJSBA Young Lawyers Division Service to the Bar Award.

Howard Lesnik is certified as a trial attorney by the New Jersey Supreme Court. The New Jersey Supreme Court has certified Howard Lesnik as a board certified trial attorney. Only 2% of the 75,000 registered NJ lawyers meet the stringent standards of experience, education, and knowledge, to be recognized and achieve board certification by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Have questions? Need answers about an injury that occurred in New Jersey as a result of someone else’s negligence, or need to consult a criminal defense attorney in Mountainside NJ? Call Howard Lesnik at 908.264.7701 or email Mr. Lesnik at howard@lesniklaw.com. Mr. Lesnik is a Certified Trial Lawyer in New Jersey who brings his experience and knowledge of the laws of New Jersey to protect you and your family. Allow yourself time to heal from your injuries while your attorney handles the insurance company, and other legal matters concerning any exposure to criminal charges.