Author: JGL Law

On March 15^th, JGL principal attorney Reza Golesorkhi celebrated Nowruz with the Iranian-American Coalition and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi in Washington DC Nowruz is a holiday celebration in honor of both the arrival of the Persian New Year and the beginning of spring. Congresswoman Pelosi was the keynote speaker and Joseph Greenwald & Laake was one of the sponsors of the fourth annual reception. The event was held at the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington DC

The event brought together distinguished members of the Iranian-American community, and allowed attendees to celebrate Nowruz, strengthen relationships, portray positive images and develop greater awareness of the community. The event was hosted by the Iranian-American Coalition, a group made of ten prominent Iranian-American organizations in the region including Children of Persia, West Asia Council, Iranian American Bar Association and the Society of Iranian American Health Professionals.

Reza is widely recognized as one of a handful of elite divorce lawyers in the Maryland Virginia and Washington DC area. He has gained a reputation as a skilled trial lawyer with a unique command of the courtroom that sets him apart. Reza handles a broad range of family law matters, and has a keen understanding of Family Law and Business, making him the go-to lawyer for high net-worth individuals.

NCAA’s March Madness is a time of athletic competition and excitement nationwide. JGL principal Brian Markovitz shares his perspective on how employers can manage their employees during this (seemingly distracting) time with Law360. From providing office pools to allowing free time to watch the game(s),employers have the chance to make this tournament a positive experience for all. Markovitz says, “I think you’ll get more in return from being cool about it than from being draconian.” He continues to say, “If someone’s a die-hard fan of some team and [they’re] going to play at a certain time, you should give them some leave and let them do it.” According to most in this article, with modern technology like smartphones and the Internet, to embrace the tournament could be more beneficial and less distracting than to fight it. To read the entire article, click on the image below.

In his practice, Markovitz serves clients from a variety of industries including government, construction, healthcare, and many more. His clients trust him to help them during their most desperate times, and they appreciate his dedication to correcting injustices that have a tremendous impact on their lives. Markovitz brings an individualized and holistic approach to every case, taking into account each client’s distinct needs and goals in resolving the dispute. His goal isn’t just to win the case – it’s also about helping each client in every way he can.

On March 13^th, Senior paralegal Jamerra Cherry testified in front of a House-Hearing before the Environment & Transportation in support of Bill 832. This Maryland House bill aims to provide Baltimore city residents some reprieve when it comes to renting in the city. Specifically, with the passing of this bill, there will be an extension from the 5^th to the 14^th day after filing of a certain complaint when a certain individual may be ordered to appear in court in a certain repossession action in Baltimore City. Additionally, this bill will require a court to reschedule a certain hearing and a sheriff to refund certain fees if the sheriff is unable to serve a certain summons in Baltimore City under certain circumstances.

“My main purpose of testifying in support of Bill 832 is to provide city renters more support and time to respond to issues that arise with the property,” says Jamerra. “When it comes to where people call home, the residents deserve respect.” JGL is proud of Jamerra’s work to help others and will continue to monitor her success. 

Joseph Greenwald & Laake attended the “Women Who Mean Business” panel discussion on March 14th held in the James Proctor Building at Bowie State University. This event is hosted by the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, Bowie State University and WETATI. 

Attendees had the opportunity to learn from leading women in Prince George’s County on how to think, work and lead entrepreneurially. Panelists included Dr. Margaret Dureke, president and CEO of WETATI; Patrina Clark, founder and president of Pivotal Practices Consulting; Dr. Sheila Brooks, president and CEO and SRB Communications; and Veronica Jeon, founder and CEO of V. Agency, Inc.

A team from JGL galvanized this past Sunday to volunteer time and energy to assist those in our community facing immigration challenges. On Sunday, March 4, 2018, JGL partnered with Ayuda, Catholic Charities, and the DMV Immigration Alliance to host an Immigration Consultation Clinic in Silver Spring. The Clinic comes at a particularly critical time for Maryland’s immigration population, especially those affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

JGL’s Maritza Carmona organized the JGL team, which included volunteer attorneys and staff interpreters conducting intake interviews with walk-in clients seeking advice on a broad array of immigration issues. Attorneys then consulted with experienced immigration attorneys, and provided legal advice to the clients regarding their options. Some 50 clients were served at this clinic. JGL has a strong commitment to access to justice. “JGL is proud to participate in pro bono events, such as this Immigration and Consultation Clinic, which can help those in our community desperately in need of sound legal advice and options,” said JGL’s Veronica Nannis.

In addition to providing volunteer attorneys and staff members, JGL also catered the event. Participating JGL attorneys included Veronica Nannis, Maritza Carmona, Alyse Prawde, Lauren Agresi, and Brenda Adimora. Staff member Vanessa Hernandez also participated as a volunteer Spanish interpreter.

JGL Principal Veronica Nannis was recently appointed to Ayuda’s Board of Directors. Ayuda is an organization solely focused on serving clients in the DMV by providing free legal work, social work and language access services to immigrants from 104 countries, 70 percent of whom are Spanish-speaking.

On Saturday, March 3rd, members of the Hispanic Bar Association of DC participated in the DC Bar Pro Bono Immigration Clinic to assist those in need of legal assistance. Attorneys conducted intake interviews with walk-in clients to discuss their needs and concerns. Attorneys then consulted with experienced immigration attorneys, and provided legal advice to the clients about potential eligibility for relief. JGL associate and Hispanic Bar Association of DC member Maritza Carmona was one of many who participated in the pro bono event in an effort to help others during a particularly critical time for the immigrant population, especially those affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). In total, attorneys served 58 clients. “Helping others in legal need is something that will always remain a top priority for me personally and professionally,” says Carmona.

Maritza M. Carmona is a trial lawyer in the firm’s Civil Litigation practice group with strong experience in protecting the rights of victims in Maryland and the DC area who have suffered injustice resulting from a variety of civil rights violations, including police misconduct and excessive force. She also helps employees recover the compensation they deserve after being wrongfully terminated or subjected to workplace discrimination, hostile work environment or retaliation on the basis of race, national origin, gender, age, disability and other protected classes. Maritza also represents employees dealing with internal administrative grievance processes, as well as other issues, such as violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Helping victims and underprivileged individuals was Maritza’s focus before she started her formal legal career.  While in law school, Maritza worked as a supervised student attorney in the Gender Violence Clinic conducting client intakes and representing disadvantaged individuals in divorce and custody proceedings and protective order hearings. She also compiled a nationwide survey and testified before a state legislative committee in favor of legislation to support human trafficking victims. Before law school, Maritza served in the Peace Corps in the Republic of Georgia.

Photo above courtesy of the Hispanic Bar Association of DC Facebook page.

JGL attorney Megan Benevento was invited by the Maryland State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect to testify in support of two child sexual abuse prevention bills, HB 1072 and HB 1571, due to her high involvement with two recent child abuse cases involving the Harbour School at Baltimore and Sylvania Woods Elementary School. Megan testified before the Maryland legislature’s House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday, March 1, 2018. Both bills will assist in the prevention of child abuse within the school system. Specifically, bill HB 1072 will implement annual instruction and training on the prevention, identification and reporting of child sexual abuse. While bill HB 1571 will focus on the employment process of those within the school system. “These cases were 100% preventable and it is time that we look to our legislators to cure the systemic failures in our education system that enable this abuse to occur,” says Benevento. 

Megan Benevento is a civil litigation lawyer and dedicated advocate with deep experience in protecting and enforcing the rights of children, parents, and other individuals who are victims of the system. She handles a broad range of civil rights and general litigation matters before state and federal courts throughout Maryland and the Washington, DC area, including police brutality, child abuse, domestic abuse, significant personal injury, litigation, professional and malpractice, and class action fraud litigation.

Alimony is getting a new look in 2019 and it’s getting a lot of attention now- including the front cover of The Daily Record. Joseph Greenwald & Laake attorney Jeffrey Greenblatt’s perspective of the new 2019 alimony law is used throughout the article. “There is a benefit to getting divorced this year because next year the playing field is going to change,” said Jeffrey N. Greenblatt. The new law will remove any and all federal tax deductions for alimony payments effective January 1^st, 2019. Many legal experts believe there will be a rush to get divorced this year in anticipation of the change having a seemingly large financial impact for all divorces involving alimony. Greenblatt goes on to say, “I think it’s going to be harder to get as much alimony. There is no benefit to the payor.”

For more than 43 years, Jeffrey N. Greenblatt has focused exclusively on representing individuals in complex, emotionally-charged family law matters in Maryland. Jeffrey has extensive trial experience and has negotiated out-of-court resolution experience in every type of family law dispute that impacts his clients’ lives.

To read the full article, please click on the image below. 

Joseph Greenwald & Laake attorneys David Bulitt and Tim Maloney served as guest panelists at the Montgomery County Bar Association annual Advanced Litigation Strategies Symposium. The symposium, which took place on March 2, gave intermediate and advanced litigators the opportunity to learn trial preparation skills that will give them an extra edge in the courtroom.

David presented “Let’s Make a Deal: The Art and Science of Settling a Case – Family.” Tim and Steve presented “How to Increase or Decrease Your Damages By Working With Your Expert – Civil.”

David Bulitt is a family lawyer, and JGL’s Assistant Managing Director. For years, David has been included amongst the DC area’s top divorce lawyers and is a published fiction author. Tim Maloney is a preeminent trial lawyer who has obtained millions of dollars in recoveries for his clients in a wide variety of matters, including civil rights and employment discrimination.

Jay Holland spoke to Law360, regarding the recent decision by the Second Circuit Court regarding Title VII. The court’s decision sided with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, stating that workplace sexual orientation bias falls under Title VII, which prohibits workplace discrimination and rejects anti-gay bias. As this is a nationwide issue, many experts believe this case will end up in the Supreme Court. Law360 reviews 4 takeaways from this situation including Jay Holland’s perspective on the “split Federal Government” as “very, very rare.”   

As a principal in Joseph, Greenwald & Laake’s Civil Litigation Group and chair of the firm’s Labor, Employment, and Qui Tam Whistleblower practice, Holland has years of experience litigating workplace discrimination cases. He has obtained favorable results for government and private-sector employees, in severe sexual harassment and retaliation cases. Outside of the courtroom, Holland is a frequent lecturer and writer and is often called upon to present to bar associations and other organizations.

To read the article in full, click on the following link or on the PDF below. https://www.law360.com/articles/1016780/4-takeaways-from-2nd-circ-ruling-rejecting-anti-gay-bias. By clicking on the link, account informaiton may be required. 

The Daily Record joins in the excitement of the appointment of Joseph Greenwald & Laake principal Jerry Miller to the board of the Bowie Business Innovation Center (BIC). BIC is a diverse entrepreneurial business community where companies in Prince George’s county can access mentoring, counseling, networking and technical assistance. The board is comprised of strategically selected area entrepreneurs, seasoned business executives and entrepreneurial resources. BIC serves over 700 entrepreneurs from a variety of industries including healthcare, construction and engineering. The innovation center also helps Bowie State University students with internship opportunities and post-graduate resources.

Jerry is a principal in Joseph, Greenwald & Laake’s Business Services Group, and has nearly 30 years of experience in helping clients large and small tackle the legal challenges of owning and operating a business. In addition to advising clients on a wide range of business issues, including business formation and choice of entity, corporate tax, and employment contracts & related issues. Jerry has extensive experience in advising his clients on commercial real estate matters including leases and the purchase and sale of real estate.

Joseph Greenwald and Laake is pleased to announce the hiring of our newest attorney, Ernie Dominguez. Before joining the JGL team, Ernie worked as an attorney with Maryland Legal Aid in their Baltimore City office. In the organization’s Migrant Farmworker Program, he was tasked with representing farmworkers across the state and protecting them from employer abuse.

Ernie is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law, and interned for the Honorable Clayton Greene, Jr. of the Court of Appeals of Maryland. He also developed a deep interest in litigation while serving as a judicial intern for the Honorable Maria Valdez of the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago.

A resident of Baltimore City, Ernie maintains a deep interest in civil rights work. He serves as a member of the Maryland State Advisory Council for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and seeks out opportunities to volunteer at local Baltimore organizations that advance the rights of vulnerable communities.

Ernie will officially join the firm as an attorney in the Workers’ Compensation practice group.

“We are excited to have hired an attorney with such a dedication to advancing the rights of workers across the state,” managing director Burt Kahn said. “We are proud to add him to our growing team.”