Author: JGL Law

Bethesda Magazine has named nine JGL attorneys, 2023 Top Attorneys.

• Timothy Maloney – Appellate, Civil Litigation, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury
• Drew LaFramboise – Civil Litigation, Personal Injury
• Jay Holland – Employment (employee), Employment (employer)
• Michal Shinnar – Employment (employee)
• Erika Jacobsen White – Employment (employee)
• Jeffrey Greenblatt – Family & divorce
• David Bulitt – Family & divorce, Alternative dispute resolution
• Steve Pavsner – Medical negligence
• Valerie Grove – Medical negligence

In this podcast David Bulitt and Andrew Greenwald (one of JGL’s founders) discussed from A to Z – step-by-step, how a medical malpractice case is handled, common issues that one can face, and what to expect when communicating with an attorney for a possible medical malpractice case.

A U.S. government agency violated federal law by failing to step in when an employee trumpeted support for Adolf Hitler, Nazism and antisemitic conspiracy theories in the workplace, three workers told a Washington, DC, federal court.

JGL Principal Brian Markovitz, who represents the three workers told Law360 reporter, Grace Elletson that employees shouldn’t have to face such conduct in the workplace. “This is a terrible situation that our clients had to endure,” Markovitz said. “Nobody should have to deal with this stuff at work, especially if they work for the federal government.”

You may read the full article here (PDF).

Renee Blocker joined JGL as Senior Counsel. An experienced trial attorney, Renee has a client-centric approach to the practice of law.

Her primary practice areas are personal injury, product liability and professional negligence. Renee’s unique experience in both plaintiff and defense litigation allows her to analyze and evaluate each case strategically identifying the path to the greatest award, be it through settlement or trial.  You may contact her by email at rblocker@jgllaw.com

JGL attorneys Brian Markovitz and Michal Shinnar represent the plaintiffs in this case covered in the article “Federal agency accused of tolerating employees who distributed Nazi propaganda and harassed colleagues,” featured in Government Executive.

The Washington Post summarized the lawsuit exposing a worker of the U.S. Government Publishing Office who brought antisemitic materials to work in the article entitled “Lawsuit claims federal worker Nazi materials to work, praised Hitler.“

JGL attorneys Brian Markovitz and Michal Shinnar represent plaintiffs Sarah Hunt, Joshua Crotty, and Jonathan Romain who have come forward demanding justice after their complaints about their coworker were ignored.

Detailed Claims Include Anti-Semitism, Racism, Sexism, Homophobia, and Transphobia Within the Federal Organization

Washington, October 17, 2023 — A groundbreaking lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia against the United States Government Publishing Office (U.S. GPO), unveiling a shocking pattern of hostile work environment, harassment, and discrimination.

Represented by Brian Markovitz and Michal Shinnar of Joseph Greenwald & Laake, plaintiffs Sarah Hurtt, Joshua Crotty, and Jonathan Romain have fearlessly come forward to demand justice after enduring egregious mistreatment and systemic neglect of their rights as U.S. GPO employees.

The complaint, which names Hugh N. Halpern, the Director of U.S. GPO, and Samuel Mewshaw, a U.S. GPO employee — and the plaintiff’s disturbed co-worker — as defendants, alleges a pervasive culture of anti-Semitism, racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia within the agency. Nazi salutes, sexually explicit and derogatory comments, and vile racist remarks were just some of the repulsive behaviors that the plaintiffs allege polluted the workplace, creating an unbearable work environment.

Despite their repeated reports to management and many of the inappropriate actions taking place in front of management, no appropriate actions were taken to address these violations. This systemic failure to protect the plaintiffs from unwarranted harm and hatred is a stark example of the U.S. GPO’s disregard for the well-being and dignity of its employees.

“This case shines a spotlight on the deeply alarming and distressing conditions that our clients have endured, including economic losses and significant emotional distress,” explained Markovitz. “The U.S. GPO, as a federal agency, has a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of equality, respect, and fairness and they haven’t. We will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of justice for our clients, and meaningful, comprehensive change within the U.S. GPO.”

Shinnar added, “There is no justification for allowing our clients to be harassed by a Nazi in the workplace. It is outrageous that GPO subjected our clients to this hostile work environment.”

Markovitz, Shinnar, Hough, and their clients are available to speak to members of the media about the case. Complaint is available to view here (PDF).

A Maryland federal judge granted class certification to mortgage borrowers alleging Home Point Financial Corporation engaged in an illegal kickback scheme in exchange for payments from a title and settlement services company that were laundered through third parties.

This class is represented by Smith Gildea & Schmidt as well as Drew LaFramboise, Timothy Maloney and Veronica Nannis of JGL. You can read the entire Law360 article here.

On October 11, Gov. Wes Moore named Paul Riekhof, president and managing director of JGL to the Commission charged with nominating appellate court judges.

Paul is among 17 people appointed. You may view the entire article here.

Introduction

Family dynamics can be complex even during times of tranquility, but this complexity can be exacerbated when it comes to divorce or separation. Yet, the well-being of the children involved remains paramount. In recent years, Maryland families are increasingly using a unique custody arrangement known as “nesting.” Nesting is an arrangement where children remain in a primary residence and parents alternate their time in the residence, which prioritizes stability and continuity for children during a divorce or separation. In this blog post, we’ll explore what nesting entails, how it works, its benefits, and some considerations for Maryland families.

What is Nesting?

Nesting is unconventional but an innovative approach to co-parenting during or after a divorce or separation. With a nesting arrangement, the children remain in the family home, while the divorced or separated parents alternate their time in the home. This means that the children maintain a consistent living environment while the parents rotate in and out according to a predetermined schedule. The goal is to minimize disruptions in the children’s lives and provide them with a sense of stability.

How Does Nesting Work?

The specifics of a nesting arrangement can vary depending on the parents’ preferences and the needs of the children. Typically, parents establish a detailed schedule outlining when each parent will be in the family home. During their time away from the family home, the non-residential parent may stay in a separate residence, such as an apartment or with relatives. It’s important to note that nesting is often a temporary arrangement until a more permanent custody arrangement is reached.

Benefits of Nesting

1. Stability for Children: Nesting allows children to remain in their familiar home, attend the same school, and maintain their routines, minimizing the emotional upheaval often associated with divorce such as dividing their own personal possessions.
2. Effective Co-Parenting: Nesting encourages parents to work together and communicate effectively since they share the same living space. This can lead to better cooperation and co-parenting outcomes.
3. Smooth Transition: For some families, nesting can serve as a transitional arrangement, giving parents and children time to adjust to the new circumstances before settling on a permanent custody arrangement.

Considerations in Maryland

While nesting can offer several benefits, it’s essential to consider its practicality and suitability for your family’s unique situation. Here are some factors to think about:

1. Legal Agreements: It’s crucial to formalize the nesting arrangement through a legal agreement, even if it’s intended to be temporary. A family law attorney can help draft an agreement that outlines responsibilities, schedules, and financial contributions.
2. Costs: Maintaining two separate residences can be financially challenging. Discuss how you and your co-parent will share these expenses and ensure that it’s sustainable for both parties.
3. Long-Term Viability: Nesting is unlikely to be a long-term solution. So, it’s essential to consider when and how you will transition to a more traditional custody arrangement as the children grow older.
4. Child’s Well-Being: The best interests of your children should remain the priority in a nesting arrangement. If nesting becomes stressful or detrimental to their well-being, it may be necessary to reconsider the arrangement.

Conclusion

Nesting in Maryland family law is a unique approach that prioritizes the well-being and stability of children during the challenging times of divorce or separation. While it offers several benefits, it’s crucial for parents to carefully consider their specific circumstances and understand the potential pitfalls of nesting. Consulting with an experienced family law attorney is critical when considering a nesting arrangement that can achieve your goal of creating a supportive and nurturing environment for children as they navigate the complexities of their parents’ separation.

The U.S. Department of Justice will be prosecuting a whistleblower’s decade-long claims that a contractor bilked the U.S. Department of Defense for $ 12.6 million by adding hidden markups to audiovisual equipment, attorneys for the whistleblower announced.

The DOJ unsealed the matter on October 3, 2023. This case was highlighted in the recent Law360 post entitled “Firm Accused of Overcharging DOD $12.6M for AV Gear.”

Read the entire article here (PDF).

JGL Principal Reza Golesorkhi has been named Best Attorney by DC Magazine by Modern Luxury Media on their “Best of the City” List for 2023.

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