Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

Lynn Chen joined Robert J. Semrad & Associates in 2011, and is an associate in the Duluth, Georgia office. Ms. Chen received her J.D. degree from Emory University School of Law in May 2010, and also holds a B.A. degree in Anthropology from National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Ms. Chen is a native speaker of Mandarin.

Julie M. Anania joined Robert J. Semrad & Associates in January 2011 and is an associate in the Atlanta Office. Ms. Anania has been practicing law since 2010. She currently supports Robert J. Semrad & Associates with case assembly and filing. Ms. Anania received a J.D. from Liberty University School of Law in May 2010. While in law school, Ms. Anania participated in mock trial and ADR Board. She also served as co-chair of the Barrister’s committee for the Student Bar Association. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she earned a B.S. in Justice Sciences with a minor in marketing. Ms. Anania also played college soccer for UAB and is an avid fan of the Atlanta Falcons.

Israel J. Moskovits joined Robert J. Semrad & Associates in 2011 and is an associate in the firm's Chicago Loop office. He is a member of the firm's bankruptcy department. Mr. Moskovits focuses primarily on representing debtors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. He also handles adversary hearings before the Honorable Jack B. Schmetterer.

Prior to joining Robert J. Semrad & Associates, Mr. Moskovits practiced foreclosure defense at a Chicago-area law firm. He received his law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2010. While in law school, Mr. Moskovits was co-chair of the local chapter of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers and a member of the Dean's List. He served internships with the City of Chicago Law Department and the Illinois Department of Human Services and volunteered at the Cook County Detention Center, teaching courses in legal rights to at-risk youth. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Northeastern Illinois University in 2007.
Mr. Moskovits was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and is member of the Illinois Bar and the General Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Janna Quarless joined Robert J. Semrad & Associates in 2007 and is an associate in the Chicago office. She is a member of the bankruptcy department and currently heads the Chapter 7 Department where she represents clients in a variety of Chapter 7 matters including appearing before judges in the State and Federal levels, negotiating settlements with the Office of the United States Trustee, creditors, and Chapter 7 Interim Trustees.

Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Quarless graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2007. While attending law school, she worked with the Michigan House of Representatives and interned with the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association working with lobbyists on variety of matters. Ms. Quarless received a Bachelor of Art in History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2003.

Kristi Smith joined Robert J. Semrad & Associates in March 2010 and since that time, has worked as an associate in the Atlanta office on both Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 cases. Currently, she handles all Chapter 13 matters before the Honorable Mary Grace Diehl. Prior to joining the firm, she served as an intern with the United States Trustee Program. Ms. Smith received her J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law in May 2009. While in law school, she was elected and served as Student Representative to the American Bar Association and was also a member of the Christian Legal Society. She received the CALI Award for Excellence in Securities Regulation and was a member of the National Scholars Honor Society. In May 2006, Ms. Smith graduated magna cum laude from Georgia Southern University where she received her B.B.A. in Accounting. While at Georgia Southern, she served as Vice President of Beta Gamma Sigma, was selected University Public Speaking Champion, and received both the Excellent Student Scholarship and Academic Achievement Award. In her free time, Ms. Smith enjoys playing golf, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Jordan Van Matre joined Robert J. Semrad & Associates, LLC in 2010 and is an associate in the Atlanta Office. Mr. Van Matre has been practicing law since October 2010. He currently serves as a "Building" attorney, whose primary objective is preparing petitions for clients filing for relief under Chapters 7 and 13 of Title 11 of the United States Code. Mr. Van Matre received a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Liberty University School of Law in May 2010. While in law school, Mr. Van Matre won numerous awards and recognitions for his achievements in interscholastic competitions, including "Best Oralist" in the Regent University Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition, "First Place" in the ABA Regional Negotiations Competition, and the "ADR Award for Outstanding achievement in Alternative Dispute Resolution." Mr. Van Matre also served as the Chairman of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Board, and served as a member of the Moot Court Board. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Mobile where he earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Humanities, and also served two terms as the University's SGA Vice-President. Mr. Van Matre enjoys spending time with his wife Whitney, fly fishing, and hunting.

Nic Perino joined Robert J. Semrad & Associates in 2006. He is a senior associate and a member of both the bankruptcy and litigation departments. Mr. Perino’s primary practice focus is counseling and representing Debtors in Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy. Mr. Perino has successfully defended and settled numerous adversary proceedings relating to allegations of fraud against consumer debtors.

Mr. Perino also serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s volunteer attorney panel. Members of the panel help represent indigent parties on a pro bono basis in discrete adversary proceedings and contested matters.

Mr. Perino earned his law degree from Duquesne University School of Law. During law school, Mr. Perino worked for the Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General. A member of the Charitable Trusts and Organizations division, he helped enforce the proper use of gifts from deceased individuals to the Commonwealth’s numerous charitable organizations.

Mr. Perino was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science from Penn State University.

Brian Zeft is the supervising attorney for the Firm's Illinois offices. Mr. Zeft is a member of both the Firm’s bankruptcy and litigation departments. While at the Firm, Mr. Zeft has twice argued in front of the United States Court Of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. One decision successfully overturned long standing Seventh Circuit precedent, resulting in new law requiring secured creditors to immediately return property of the bankruptcy estate to the debtor without the need to file an adversary proceeding. See Thompson v. General Motor Acceptance Corp., 566 F.3d 699 (7th Cir. 2009). ??Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Zeft graduated cum laude from The John Marshall Law School, where he was a member of The John Marshall Law Review. While attending John Marshall Law School, Mr. Zeft was an extern for the Honorable Alexander B. White for the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Prior to attending John Marshall Law School, Mr. Zeft worked for a Wall St. investment bank. Mr. Zeft attained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2001 from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ. Mr. Zeft was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA before moving to Chicago to attend law school.

Keith Cornwell joined Robert J. Semrad & Associates in 2009 and he is an associate in the Atlanta office. He currently handles all Chapter 13 matters in the courtroom of the Honorable James R. Sacca. Mr. Cornwell received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and his Juris Doctor from Georgia State University. While in law school, Mr. Cornwell interned at the United States Trustee's office. Mr. Cornwell enjoys spending his time with his son, playing golf and is an avid sports fan.

Mr. Lentner joined the firm in 2007 after graduating from the University of Dayton School of law. Mr. Lentner has overseen the firms Will County office and cases as well as the firms office on Western Ave. in Chicago.

Prior to joining the firm Mr. Lentner worked in the law department of an Ohio municipality, and also for United States Senator Charles Grassley.

John J. Forbes joined Robert J. Semrad & Associates, L.L.C. in early 2011 and is an associate in the downtown Atlanta Office. Mr. Forbes has been practicing bankruptcy law since 2009. He received a J.D. from the Georgia State University College of Law in May 2009. While in law school, Mr. Forbes interned at the United States Trustee’s Office, the part of the Department of Justice that oversees the administration of bankruptcy cases. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College where he earned a B.A. in Economics. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Forbes spent more than a decade in the marketing department of a large media corporation prior to becoming a lawyer. He is a native of Philadelphia, PA and the father of three. Mr. Forbes is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.

Patrick Semrad is the Managing Partner of the Firm’s Illinois offices. Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Semrad graduated Magna Cum Laude from DePaul College of Law, where he was a member of the DePaul Law Review. Mr. Semrad received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from DePaul University in 2001. Mr. Semrad is a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association. Mr. Semrad is member of the General Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Mr. Semrad is a member of the Illinois Bar.

Professional Activities:
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Union League Club of Chicago

Courtney Alexander Raville joined Robert J. Semrad & Associates in 2010 and is a courtroom attorney in the Atlanta office. Mr. Raville currently manages all cases assigned to the Honorable Judge C. Ray Mullins' courtroom. He obtained his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2009, and his B.A. in English Literature from UCLA in 2005.

Nathaniel O’Rourke joined Robert J. Semrad & Associates LLC in 2010 and is an associate in the Conyers Office. Mr. O’Rourke has been practicing law since 2009. He currently primarily supports Robert J. Semrad & Associates LLC's Bankruptcy division. Mr. O’Rourke graduated from Georgia State School of Law Magna Cum Laude in May 2009. He received his undergraduate degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in International Affairs. Mr. O’Rourke currently works in the Conyers office as an associate attorney.

Practicing in Newnan, Peachtree City and Fayetteville for over 23 years, I have represented thousands of clients and recovered at last count, 2005, well over 10 million dollars in settlements and verdicts. Today I practice primarily in the areas of injury law, defective products law, family law, and estate law ~ though I have experience in a wider range of problems people encounter that make a visit to a local lawyer a need. Call me if you need a local counsel and advisor in your life.

Nichole represents clients in family law cases (divorce, custody, child support, Family Violence Protective Orders, legitimation and paternity) in Henry County and the surrounding area.

Nichole has represented hundreds of clients. With the exception of Nichole's obligation for a part-time judgeship as an Assistant Magistrate Judge, her practice is almost exclusively in the area of family law.

As founder of The Castaneda Law Firm, P.C. , Johnny R. Castaneda has been practicing law in the areas of criminal law, family law, personal injury and workers' compensation law since 1999. Mr. Castaneda is a graduate of John Marshall Law School in Atlanta Georgia. Mr. Castaneda has a B.S.B.A. degree from Colorado State University (Pueblo, CO) and an MBA from Cleveland State University (Cleveland, OH). His practice has successfully secured favorable resolutions in criminal law, family law, personal injury and Workers' Compensation cases.

Mr. Castaneda has handled thousands of cases. He has taken cases from the beginning to resolution. On occasion, he has been brought in to take over cases that other attorneys have had little success with and through his experience and negotiating skills has obtained favorable settlements for his clients. His legal skills and vast experience has resulted in the dismissal of criminal charges, all they way up to and through not guilty jury trial verdicts for his clients. He has turned difficult Workers' Compensation cases into satisfactory settlements for his clients. He has taken on complex and difficult family law issues and steadfastly resolved the issues amicably for his clients. In the area of personal injury he has relentlessly worked towards increasing the settlement value of his client's cases.

In 2006, Attorney Stephen Knights became an Assistant Solicitor General with the Clayton County Solicitor General's Office. There he prosecuted all misdemeanor offenses ranging from traffic offenses (suspended license, speeding, tag violation, no insurance) to DUIs (per-se and less-safe) and Battery-Family Violence cases. He also received the Professional Image Award while at that office.


In 2007, he became an Assistant District Attorney with the Griffin Judicial Circuit for three years. There he specialized in prosecuting drug offenses and had cases in Spalding, Pike, Upson, and Fayette Counties. He had numerous jury trials, ranging from ounces to kilograms of drugs including; cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Part of his duties also included arguing Motions to Suppress, Preliminary Hearings, Bond Hearings, and occasional Juvenile Court proceedings.

In 2009, he became a Senior Litigation Assistant District Attorney with the Clayton County District Attorney's Office. He prosecuted all felony criminal cases including murders, armed robberies, rapes, and child molestations. In addition, he handled appeals to the Georgia Court of Appeals and Georgia Supreme Court. He completed 10 successful appeals. Most recently, in June 2011, he successfully presented a case in front of the seven justices of the Georgia Supreme Court. The case involved an issue of the inconsistent verdict rule in a murder conviction. The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the conviction in the case of Guajardo v. State, S11A0965. While at the Clayton County District Attorney's Office, Mr. Knights had a 98% conviction for his two and a half years tenure. And a 100% conviction rate in 2011.


Mr. Knights is licensed to practice law in Georgia, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Mr. Knights has over 6 years experience as a Prosecutor in Georgia, and he has over a decade of experience in the Criminal Justice System. He now brings his expertise to Knights Law Group to serve you. Mr. Knights solely specializes in Criminal Defense.

Attorney J. Stephen Mixon, Esq. concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law. Mr. Mixon is best known as one of Georgia 's most successful advocates of women in sexual harassment cases. Additionally, Mr. Mixon represents both employers and employees in race discrimination cases, non-compete agreements, and other contract disputes.

Attorney J. Stephen Mixon, Esq. is a graduate from Oxford College and Emory University (1989), in Atlanta, GA, and the University of Georgia School of Law (1992) in Athens, GA. Upon graduation, Mr. Mixon served as a staff attorney for the Honorable Senator Strom Thurmond in the United States Senate where he worked for Senate Judiciary Committee. Mr. Mixon then served as the Law Clerk for the Honorable Deborah Benefield on the Superior Court in Clayton County . Upon completion of his clerkship, Mr. Mixon was hired by the law firm Foster & Foster, PC where he represented Clayton County, Georgia, the city of Riverdale and other municipalities as well as many of Georgia's largest corporations such as Georgia Power in lawsuits throughout metro Atlanta in both our state and federal courts. Mr. Mixon has also served as in house counsel for Racetrac Petroleum. In 1998 Mr. Mixon opened his own firm which is now Millar and Mixon, LLC

Mr. Mixon is best known as one of Georgia 's most successful advocates of women in sexual harassment cases where he has represented hundreds of women in complex cases of all types.

Sexual Harassment:

Sexual harassment, like other forms of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, national origin, age, or disability, is barred by a federal law called Title VII. http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/vii.html Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and to labor organizations, as well as to the federal government. Examples of sexual harassment include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. See the EEOC website for more details: http://www.eeoc.gov/types/sexual_harassment.html

There are two basic types of sexual harassment. The first type of sexual harassment is called Hostile work environment sexual harassment. This form of harassment occurs where an employee, because of his or her gender, is subjected to an atmosphere of unwelcome conduct (this can be words or actions) that unreasonably interferes with the employee's work performance or otherwise creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

The second form of sexual harassment is called quid pro quo sexual harassment. This form of sexual harassment occurs where an employee is required to submit to unwelcome sexual conduct as a condition of his or her employment, or in order to gain some tangible job benefit. For instance, if a superior demands that you have sex with him in order to be considered for a promotion then he would be guilty of quid pro quo sexual harassment.

Generally, in order to violate the law, the sexual harassing behavior must establish certain criteria. First, the sexual harassment must be unwelcome and offensive to the complaining party/employee. Therefore, if the complaining party/employee has participated in telling the sexual jokes that she is complaining about or has engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with the co-worker she is complaining about, this evidence will be used by the employer to argue that the harassment was welcome. Second, the complaining party/employee must show that the employer knew or should have known of the sexual harassment. This does not mean that the complaining party/employee must have complained about the sexual harassment in order to recover. For example if the harassment occurred to others employees in the past or the harassment occurred in front of supervisors. etc. that may be sufficient notice to the employer. Third, the employer must establish that after the employer knew or should have known of the sexual harassment, they failed to take prompt remedial action.

Lastly, it is illegal for an employer to retaliate against a complaining party/employee for bringing a complaint or legal claim of sexual harassment, just as it is illegal for the harasser to retaliate against the employee.

If you are the victim of sexual harassment, contact Attorney J. Stephen Mixon, at Millar and Mixon, LLC today for a free initial consultation 770-955-0100.

Race Discrimination:

Race Discrimination like other forms of discrimination or harassment is barred two federal laws, Title VII http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/vii.html and 42 USC 1981. These laws make it illegal for employers, including state and local governments to make employment decisions on the basis of an individual's race. Race discrimination can include: racial harassment, failure to hire or promote, creation of a racially hostile work environment, and/or termination due to race.


It is unlawful to discriminate against any individual in regard to recruiting, hiring and promotion, transfer, work assignments, performance measurements, the work environment, job training, discipline and discharge, wages and benefits, or any other term, condition, or privilege of employment See the EEOC Race and Color Discrimination Manual http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/race-color.html

Harassment:
Federal law prohibits offensive conduct, such as racial or ethnic slurs, racial "jokes," derogatory comments, or other verbal or physical conduct based on an individual's race/color. The conduct has to be unwelcome and offensive, and has to be severe or pervasive. Employers are required to take appropriate steps to prevent and correct unlawful harassment.

Compensation and Other Employment Terms, Conditions, and Privileges

Federal Law prohibits discrimination in compensation and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Therefore, race or color discrimination may not be the basis for differences in pay or benefits, work assignments, performance evaluations, training, discipline or discharge, or any other area of employment.

Retaliation
Employees have a right to be free from retaliation for their opposition to discrimination or their participation in an EEOC proceeding by filing a charge, testifying, assisting, or otherwise participating in an agency proceeding.

If you have been discriminated against on the basis of your race, contact Attorney J. Stephen Mixon, at Millar and Mixon, LLC today for a free initial consultation 770-955-0100.

Business Litigation:

If you or your business needs representation against another business over a contract dispute, business fraud, business torts, financial accounting irregularities, government investigations, technology and intellectual property disputes, copyright infringement, professional malpractice, or shareholder disputes you should contact J. Stephen Mixon, Esq. of Millar and Mixon, LLC. Mr. Mixon and his team have represented small businesses and individuals throughout the Southeast in complex cases of all forms listed above. Mr. Mixon is an experienced Atlanta business litigation attorney who is skilled in trying business contract and torts claims Mr. Mixon is committed to providing legal services of the highest quality for a fraction of the cost you would pay with a large downtown Atlanta firm.

If you have a business litigation question concern contact J. Stephen Mixon, at Millar and Mixon, LLC today for a free initial consultation 770-955-0100.

Non-Compete Agreement and/or Severance Package Reviews:

Employers are increasingly trying to prevent their employees from leaving their employment and competing with them. Whether these agreements are enforceable or not in Georgia are matters often hotly contested. J. Stephen Mixon, Esq. of Millar and Mixon, LLC has extensive experience in representing both Employers and Employees in these matters. Unless the severance package/ non-compete agreement review implicates one of the types of discrimination claims, we handle these reviews on an hourly basis only.

If you have a Non-Compete Agreement or a Severance Package that you would like us to review contact J. Stephen Mixon, at Millar and Mixon, LLC today for a free initial consultation 770-955-0100.
Profile and background:

Attorney J. Stephen Mixon, Esq. is a graduate from Oxford College and Emory University (1989), in Atlanta, GA, and the University of Georgia School of Law (1992) in Athens, GA. Upon graduation, Mr. Mixon served as a staff attorney for the Honorable Senator Strom Thurmond of the State of South Carolina . Mr. Mixon then served as the Law Clerk for the Honorable Deborah Benefield on the Superior Court in Clayton County . Upon completion of his clerkship, Mr. Mixon was hired by the law firm Foster & Foster, PC where he represented Clayton County, Georgia, the city of Riverdale and other municipalities as well as many of Georgia's largest corporations such as Georgia Power in lawsuits throughout metro Atlanta , and our federal courts. Mr. Mixon has also served as in house counsel for Racetrac Petroleum. In 1998 Mr. Mixon opened his own firm which is now Millar and Mixon, LLC.

Attorney J. Stephen Mixon practices in Atlanta, GA., and all over metro Atlanta including Marietta, Ga, Douglasville, GA., Decatur, Ga. Forest Park, Ga., Riverdale, GA., Fayetteville, GA., and McDonough, GA.

Areas of practice
Employment Litigation 100%

After over 20 years of business and banking experince, Mark Peek went to law school to to gain the legal tools to help inividuals, businesses and families plan for the future. Let Mark Peek help you with your estate planning, wills, trusts or business issues.

See Web Sit at "www.claydavislaw.com"

Attorney Knights gives each client the personal attention that his or her case requires. She takes pride in handling each case personally, and is prompt and efficient in keeping her clients informed and returning client phone calls. Previously, Attorney Knights worked for firms that practiced civil litigation in the areas of local county government law and juvenile law. In addition to managing Knights Law Group, LLC, Attorney Knights also teaches legal courses on the university level in her fields of expertise.

Philip S. Coe is a trial lawyer and counselor with more than 30 years of litigation experience. Mr. Coe's practice over the years has been wide-ranging, but with major focus on family law, including contested divorce, custody and support modification actions. Although he remains first and foremost a trial lawyer, Mr. Coe is also a registered Mediator and Arbitrator and Neutral Case Evaluator. Most recently, Mr. Coe has become a passionate advocate for and practitioner of Collaborative Divorce Practice.