CRUSER MITCHELL - Key Persons
Alameda Tank Co. v. Starkist Foods, Inc., 103 Cal App. 3d 428, 162 Cal Rptr. 924 (1980)
Job Titles:
- Member of the State Bar of Georgia
- Senior Associate / Georgia
- Senior Associate at Cruser
Alexa Morris is a senior associate at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. Her practice covers a wide range of civil matters in both state and federal court. Alexa specializes in employment, public entity/municipal liability, civil rights, and complex tort and product liability law.
Alexa received her undergraduate degree from Furman University and her Juris Doctorate from New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts.
Alexa is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and South Carolina, and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, the Supreme Court of Georgia and the Court of Appeals of Georgia.
Education
New England School of Law
Furman University
Amanda J. Phillips is of counsel, focusing on insurance defense and personal injury.
Amanda earned her Juris Doctor from University of Miami School of Law. Prior to law school, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi. While at the University of Miami School of Law, Amanda participated in the UM Death Penalty Clinic and worked as a Capital Litigation Intern at the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office. Amanda previously worked as an attorney at one of Florida's largest civil defense firms in areas including personal injury, insurance defense, and liability.
Education
University of Miami School of Law, Juris Doctor, May 2014
University of Mississippi, Bachelor of Arts, May 2011
Angel Castillo, Jr. has significant experience during more than 30 years of practice in employment and other civil litigation and in domestic and international arbitrations. He is AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized by both the South Florida Legal Guide and Florida Super Lawyers as one of the top Labor and Employment lawyers in South Florida.
Angel's legal practice currently focuses on workplace legal issues. He represents employers in state and federal court litigation and appeals, and before the EEOC and other agencies. He defends claims alleging employment discrimination on the basis of:
Physical and mental disabilities (Americans with Disabilities Act)
Age (Age Discrimination in Employment Act)
Gender (including sexual harassment)
Pregnancy
Religious beliefs
Race
National origin (Title VII and the Florida Civil Rights Act)
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / California
Angelica A. Ramos is a partner in the Los Angeles office. She is an experienced litigator representing insurers and insureds in all aspects of litigation from inception through trial and appeal. Angelica's practice focuses on defending against claims for professional liability, premises liability, construction defects, unfair business practices, breach of contract, wrongful death, and elder abuse. Angelica also analyzes insurance coverage issues and represents insurers in bad faith and reimbursement actions.
Angelica graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California, earning her bachelor's degrees in religion (ethics) and sociology with a minor in journalism. She obtained her Juris Doctor from Southwestern School of Law in 2008 and was admitted to the California Bar that same year.
Outside of the office, Angelica enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with her fur babies. She is also an avid sports fan and can often be spotted at games for the Angel City Football Club, Los Angeles Sparks, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Angelica is a native Spanish speaker.
Education
Southwestern University School of Law
University of Southern California
Job Titles:
- Senior Attorney
- Member of the State Bar of Georgia
- Senior Attorney / Georgia
Ashley Landers is a senior attorney at Cruser Mitchell's Georgia office, specializing in employment practice litigation. Before joining Cruser Mitchell, Ashley spent eight years as an associate for a boutique labor & employment firm in Atlanta, Georgia where she primarily defended manufacturing companies in L&E matters nationwide. Ashley's prior experience includes representing both sides of complex class action litigation, as well as defending matters in front of the DOL, EEOC, OSHA, NLRB, and the IBEW.
As part of her employment practice at Cruser Mitchell, Ashley handles a wide variety of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation claims under federal and state law, including Title VII, ADEA, ADA and the FMLA. Ashley also handles wage and hour claims under the FLSA, as well as whistleblower actions in front of government agencies.
Ashley is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and has also practiced pro hac vice in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.
In her spare time, Ashley enjoys working out, coaching club volleyball, spending time with her family and her dog, attending Braves games, and traveling as often as she can.
Education
John Marshall Law School, J.D., 2012
Kennesaw State University, B.B.A., 2008
Audrey Fernandez is of counsel, focusing on insurance defense and personal injury. She earned her Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law. Before law school, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Miami.
During law school, Audrey honed her legal writing and analytical skills as a member of the FIU Law Review and was also an active member of the FIU Law Board of Appellate Advocates (Moot Court), where she received various recognitions for arguing novel issues of law and procedure in both local and national competitions.
Education
Florida International University College of Law, Juris Doctor, 2020
University of Miami, Bachelor of Arts, 2016
Brandt Roen focuses on appellate litigation, commercial litigation, medical malpractice, professional malpractice, and trust litigation. Previously, he served as an analyst for a government relations firm which represented Fortune 500 companies, professional associations, and issue groups.
During law school, Brandt interned for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and the City Attorney's Office for Madison, Wisconsin, and represented the State of Wisconsin at initial appearances and preliminary hearings as a Prosecution Extern and returned to Miami following law school.
Brandt earned his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School on a full tuition scholarship. He earned his B.A. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where he was a Varsity Letter Winner, earned All-Big Ten Academic Honors, and twice selected to the U.S. Rowing National Team U-23 Selection Camp.
Education
University of Wisconsin Law School, Juris Doctor, 2021
University of Wisconsin - Madison, B.A., 2016
Job Titles:
- Associate / California
- Associate in the Los Angeles Office of Cruser
Brian Holloway is an associate in the Los Angeles office of Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. Born in Germany, Brian completed schooling at North Carolina Central University and Emory University Law School. Between undergraduate and law school, Brian lived in Nagoya, Japan and taught English and he was admitted to the UNU Merit Program at Maastricht University. During law school, he interned at Autodesk Technologies in San Francisco and Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City. Brian brings to Cruser Mitchell years of experience in general litigation and intellectual property transactions. He is a great lover of traveling, cheesecake, and astrophotography.
Education
Emory University School of Law, J.D.
North Carolina Central University, B.A.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate / Georgia
- Associate With
Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Brooke received her juris doctor from Samford University's Cumberland School of Law in May of 2020, completing her final year at Georgia State University's College of Law. Prior to law school, Brooke graduated with a master's degree in public administration from Augusta University in 2017, where she was the founding President of the Masters of Public Administration Student Association, Graduate Student Counsel Senator, and member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. Earning a bachelor's degree in political science from Troy University in 2015, Brooke also competed in Division One College Tennis during her collegiate tenure.
As an associate with Cruser Mitchell, Brooke has been able to transform her competitive athletic spirit into fierce advocacy on behalf of her clients by providing competent legal guidance in all stages of their case, whether that be in alternative dispute resolution, or in taking a case to trial.
When she's not zealously advocating on behalf of her clients, Brooke enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending live sporting and musical events, as well as participating in ALTA and USTA events.
Education
Samford University's Cumberland School of Law, Juris Doctorate
Augusta University, Master of Public Administration
Troy University, Bachelor's Degree in Political Science
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner / Indiana
- Member of the Indiana Civic Education Advisory Committee
- Partner at Cruser
Bruce D. Jones is a partner at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. Bruce's practice focuses on general civil litigation with an emphasis on state and federal constitutional law, professional and E&O liability, premises liability, products liability, gig economy liability, and employment matters, including employment discrimination under Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, and the Rehabilitation Act. Before joining Cruser Mitchell, Bruce was a law clerk for the Honorable Brent Dickson of the Indiana Supreme Court where he gained invaluable state appellate experience. While at the Indiana Supreme Court, Bruce reviewed and wrote more 50 state appeals covering a wide spectrum of state and federal law issues, including labor and employment law issues under state and federal employment laws, civil rights appeals arising under the Indiana and United States Constitutions, complex litigation, premises liability, products liability, profession malpractice, and civil litigation.
Bruce serves as a member of the Indiana Civic Education Advisory Committee where he works to ensure the health of civic education in the State of Indiana. Bruce also works with the Indiana State Bar Foundation's "We the People Program" as a judge and mentor to Indiana's civic education students learning about and applying the important principles found in the Constitution of the United States in national competitions. For his commitment to civic service and civic education, Bruce was inducted as a Fellow of the Indiana State Bar Foundation in July 2011. Bruce currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Indiana State Bar Foundation.
Bruce received his J.D., cum laude, from Indiana University School of Law -Indianapolis with a concentration in Health Care Law. While in law school, Bruce served as the Executive Notes Editor for the Indiana Health Law review. Additionally, he interned with Judge Robin Moberly of the Marion County Superior Court. Bruce graduated, summa cum laude, from Washington University, St. Louis with a B.S. in History and Political Science. Bruce is a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served a medic and a member of the Honor Guard. He received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named his Group's Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year in 2000. Additionally, Bruce is a member of the American Inn of Court.
Education
Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis, J.D., cum laude
Washington University, B.S., summa cum laude
Job Titles:
- Partner / Georgia
- Partner at Cruser
Candice R. Bryant is a partner at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. Candice specializes in insurance coverage litigation, professional liability litigation, premises liability litigation, and general insurance defense, representing individuals, companies, corporations and insurance companies.
Candice received her undergraduate degree in 2010 from the University of Georgia and obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2015.
Prior to joining Cruser Mitchell, Candice worked as a fellow with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation in their Safe Families Office. During law school, she interned with the Western Judicial Circuit Public Defender Office and studied international and comparative law at St. Anne's College, Oxford University through UGA Law's Oxford Program.
Education
University of Georgia School of Law, J.D.
University of Georgia, B.A.
An associate in the Atlanta office of Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP, Charles graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Dakota, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He then graduated from Emory University School of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia.
Education
Emory University School of Law, J.D.
University of North Dakota, B.A, B.S.
Job Titles:
- Associate / Georgia
- Associate in the Georgia Office
Chelsea Cooke is an associate in the Georgia office of Cruser Mitchell and her practice focuses on insurance defense litigation, representing individuals, businesses, and insurance companies.
Chelsea attended Kennesaw State University where she earned a degree in criminal justice with a concertation in criminal justice administration. Prior to law school, Chelsea gained experience in the legal field through an internship with the Gwinnet County Solicitor's Office, interning with an intellectual property attorney, and working in a bankruptcy law firm upon graduating college.
During law school, Chelsea obtained her certified legal intern clearance and interned with the 9th Judicial Circuit Public Defender's Office in Orange County (Orlando, Florida) where she had the opportunity to argue various motions and assist in high-stake trials. While in law school, Chelsea also worked at a firm which specializes in insurance defense, contractual disputes, and third-party property damage claims. Additionally, she was a student tutor for the Student Bar Association as well as a tutor for the Black Law Student Association.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner at Cruser
Christopher Cerullo is Partner at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. Christopher's practice primarily focuses on representing self-insured corporations, business entities, insurance carriers, and individuals in all stages of state and federal court litigation claims involving product liability, gig economy liability, construction defect, civil rights, professional liability, insurance coverage disputes, employment practices, transportation, and premises liability. Christopher is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and New York.
Christopher has substantial experience defending clients in all aspects of product liability, transportation, premises liability, construction defect, civil rights, product liability, and other general civil liability matters in both New York and New Jersey state and federal courts, including trial, mediations, and binding/nonbinding arbitration. He also served as a law clerk to Honorable Thomas F. Brogan, Presiding Judge of the Civil Division in the Passaic County Superior Court.
Christopher earned his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, where he served as an Associate Editor of the Fordham Law Review and published a Note on the impact of implicit bias in employment discrimination claims.
Education
Fordham University School of Law
University of Delaware
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate at Cruser
Christopher F. Coulson is an associate at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. His practice primarily focuses in the areas of commercial litigation, transportation liability, insurance coverage disputes as well as professional liability and employment liability claims. Christopher has prior experience handling plaintiff's personal injury and medical malpractice matters as well as white collar criminal defense cases.
Christopher completed his undergraduate education at Arizona State University, and then went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from New York Law School. Christopher played baseball in two Junior College World Series and played college baseball at Arizona State University.
During his time at New York Law School, Christopher was a student writer for City Law, a New York Law School student publication. After law school, Christopher served as Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Gregg A. Padovano, Law Division, in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen Vicinage.
Christopher is admitted in the State of New Jersey, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and the State of New York.
Education
New York Law School
Arizona State University
Colleen J. Downes received her Bachelor of Arts degree in literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and her Juris Doctorate from Southwestern Law School. During her time at Southwestern, she completed externships with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, and the United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington.
Job Titles:
- Partner / Georgia
- Partner at Cruser
Craig P. Terrett is a partner at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP, who specializes in civil tort litigation. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Florida State University and his Juris Doctorate degree from Georgia State University. Craig has represented individuals in a wide variety of areas, including personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice and labor. He has also defended self-insured corporations in disputes involving railroad/trucking accidents. The focus of Craig's practice at Cruser Mitchell is on automotive/trucking litigation, insurance coverage, and premises liability. Craig is admitted to the state bars of both Georgia and Florida and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
Education
Georgia State University College of Law, Atlanta, Georgia, J.D.
Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, B.S. and M.P.A.
Daniel Berkowitz focuses his practice on representing insurers in complex insurance coverage litigation arising under general liability, director and officer, and professional liability policies. He also handles matters involving claims of bad faith and provides strategic counseling to clients regarding potential liability and strategies for handling underlying liability matters.
Previously, Dan spent more than two years with the Illinois Attorney General's Office where he was an Assistant Attorney General in the General Law Bureau. In that role, he represented state agencies and state employees in State and Federal court, handling all manner of complex litigation work from initial case analysis through trial. Cases handled included a variety of work from the constitutionality of COVID-era executive orders to police-involved shootings. He also litigated administrative actions involving state agencies and state employees, including the Illinois Department of Corrections, Illinois Department of Transportation, and Illinois State Police.
Daniel Liebowitz is the Managing Partner of the firm's Orlando office, focusing his practice on products liability, premises liability, auto liability, and complex general liability matters involving wrongful death and catastrophic injuries.
Daniel has a wide range of experience litigating cases on behalf of corporations in state and federal courts throughout Florida, as well as in other jurisdictions across the United States. He has represented Fortune 500 companies in various types of matters including automotive litigation, construction law, trucking litigation, general liability, premises liability, products liability. and gig economy liability.
Most of Daniel's 20-year career has been committed to to defending companies in vehicle and premises liability lawsuits. He also has extensive experience defending clients in product liability matters, including manufacturers of automobiles, tires, sanitation vehicles, personal watercraft and boat components, ATVs, construction equipment, tankless water heaters, ladders, personal hygiene products, law tractors and other outdoor power equipment. In addition, Daniel has represented many types of construction clients in multi-million dollar, multi-residence projects as well as bad faith litigation.
Education
University of Miami School of Law, J.D.
University of Miami, B.A.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Managing Partner of the New Jersey
Douglas V. Sanchez is the managing partner of the New Jersey, Pennsylvania and South Florida offices of Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. He is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney and his practice focuses on complex civil litigation. Doug represents self-insured corporations, business entities, public entities, insurance carriers, and individuals in state and federal court litigation claims, involving technology platforms, employment practices, professional liability (legal malpractice and architects & engineers claims), partnership disputes, insurance coverage disputes, gig economy liability, construction defect, and products liability. Doug has tried, mediated, and arbitrated hundreds of cases and is admitted to practice law in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Illinois. Doug has a Martindale Hubbell AV rating (the highest possible) and has been named as a Super Lawyer for the past ten years.
Elizabeth Brown works in the Georgia office of Cruser Mitchell, representing clients in the areas of automotive litigation, trucking liability, insurance coverage and premises liability.
Before joining the firm, Elizabeth represented various creditors in consumer collections actions.
Education
Emory University School of Law, J.D.
Florida State University, B.A.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / New York
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate / Indiana
Emily Sery is a litigation associate at Cruser Mitchell, where she advises clients primarily on trucking liability, motor carrier law, premises liability and products liability.
Emily received her undergraduate degree from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and gladly stayed in Bloomington thereafter to earn her Juris Doctor from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. While in law school, Emily participated in the Outreach for Legal Literacy project, where she taught basic legal concepts and constitutional foundations to local fifth graders. During her second and third year of law school, Emily was also chosen to serve as a mentor for first year students.
Before joining Cruser Mitchell, Emily served as a claims attorney for a trucking insurance company, where she handled high-dollar commercial trucking claims.
Education
Indiana University Maurer School of Law, JD
Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, BSPA with Honors & High Distinction
Job Titles:
- Associate / Georgia
- Associate at the Metro Atlanta
Emma W. Hancock is an associate at the metro Atlanta office Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet, LLP and her practice focuses on premises liability, product liability, and professional liability.
Prior to joining Cruser Mitchell, Emma practiced law in Colorado, after having attended law school at The University of Colorado Boulder. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia Emma is excited to be back.
In her spare time, Emma enjoys taking her dog, Fig, on walks, going to museums and art exhibits, and trying out new food.
Education
University of Colorado School of Law, J.D.
Saint Mary College of California
Job Titles:
- Associate / Georgia
- Associate With Cruser
- Member of the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society
Emmaline Wilder Harter is an associate with Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. She specializes in automotive litigation, trucking liability, bad faith litigation, insurance coverage, premises liability, and catastrophic injury and wrongful death.
Emmaline earned her Bachelor's and law degrees from Mercer University and worked as a law clerk in Macon, Georgia while in law school. She was a legal intern with the Office of the General Counsel with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta and also worked as a family law attorney.
Emmaline is a member of the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society and The American Health Lawyers Association, and a recipient of the CALI Award in Administrative Law and in International Law.
Education
Mercer University School of Law, Juris Doctor
Mercer University, Bachelor of Science Arts
Job Titles:
- Partner / New York
- Partner at Cruser
Gary E. Dvoskin is a partner at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. He specializes in civil tort litigation. Gary has spent most of the last ten years specializing in the representation of construction companies in various labor law and personal injury matters. Gary also has extensive experience in handling diverse matters involving premises liability and automobile accidents. Gary has concentrated his practice on defending clients from labor law, negligence, general liability, premises liability, municipal liability, breach of contract claims and insurance coverage issues.
Gary received his Juris Doctor degree at Hofstra Law School in 1993. He has tried and arbitrated cases throughout New York on a variety of legal issues. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Education
Hofstra Law School, New York, J.D., 1993
Hofstra University, Honors, New York, B.A., 1989
Gary Spitzer is an experienced and accomplished lawyer with more than twenty five years of litigation experience, including acting as lead counsel in numerous bench and jury trials and arbitrations. His practice focuses in the areas of business litigation, E&O liability, complex tort litigation and employment law, including claims for wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, and harassment. He also handles claims for violation of wage and hour standards, conducts employment investigations and provides advice and counsel to employers, including drafting of employee handbooks, employment agreements and personnel policies.
Working at smaller boutique law firms and national law firms, Gary has represented national corporations, mid-sized companies, individuals, and public entities in cases before Federal and State courts. He is admitted to the California State Bar and the Central, Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of California of the United States District Court.
Gary earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, where he was a member of the Dean's List. He graduated, with honors, from the University of Southern California with a double B.A. in History and International Relations. He also studied International Law at the University of Bonn in Germany.
Education
Loyola Law School
University of Southern California
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate at Cruser
Gerald A. Wynn is an associate at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. His practice primarily focuses in the areas of commercial litigation, transportation liability, as well as professional liability and employment liability claims. Gerald has prior experience handling plaintiff's personal injury and medical malpractice matters as well as construction defect cases.
Gerald completed his undergraduate education at Fairfield University, and later went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from New York Law School. Gerald works with his alma mater high school football team during the season.
Gerald is admitted in the State of New Jersey, and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. He is also a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association.
Education
New York Law School
Fairfield University
Gonzalo Barr focuses his practice on the defense of professional liability actions and insurance defense. His notable client work includes the defense of attorneys, physicians and surgeons, design professionals, hospitals, insurance agents, and major airlines against claims for personal injury and death, domestically and internationally.
Gonzalo is a native speaker of Spanish, conversant in Italian, and knowledgeable of Portuguese and French, including their use in law, medicine, and science.
Education
University of Florida, J.D., 1990
Toward M.D., Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, 1988
Columbia University, B.A., 1981
Job Titles:
- Associate / Georgia
- Associate at Cruser
Grace Kim is an associate at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet LLP. She specializes in civil tort litigation, defending insured individuals and corporate entities in automobile, general liability, and personal injury lawsuits.
Grace obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Emory University School of Law and undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University. In law school, Grace participated as a competitive member and student coach of the Emory Transactional Law Program Negotiation team. To this day, Grace continues to volunteer her time as a coach to the team.
Prior to joining the firm, Grace served as Judicial Staff Attorney for the Honorable Ashley Wright at the Augusta Judicial Circuit Superior Court in Augusta, Georgia.
In her free time, Grace enjoys playing outdoor tennis, strength training, and hanging out with her dog, Sunny.
Education
Emory University School of Law, J.D.
Vanderbilt University, B.A.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate at Cruser
Gregory Hoffman is an associate at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP with a focus primarily in civil litigation, including transportation, employment liability, construction defect, premises liability, and professional liability claims.
Gregory earned his J.D. from Rutgers Law School. During his time there, he was President of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Society and Vice-President of the Student Bar Association. He competed in several regional and international mediation and arbitration competitions, earning accolades such as best oral advocate and negotiation champion. Prior to law school, Gregory obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Connecticut. He was a high school all-American pole vaulter and continued to compete in college on the men's track team.
Gregory is admitted to the New Jersey Bar. He is a member of the NJ State Bar Association as well as the Bergen County Bar Association, where he serves on the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Corporate & Business Law Committee, and Real Property Committee.
Education
Rutgers Law School, Newark, J.D.
University of Connecticut, B.A.
Job Titles:
- Associate / Georgia
- Associate in the Atlanta Office of Cruser
Hannah Lee is an associate in the Atlanta office of Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. She specializes in civil tort litigation, defending insured individuals and corporate entities.
Hannah received her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University and her master's degree from Boston University. She graduated cum laude from Georgia State University's College of Law and has worked as an immigration attorney.
Hannah's interests include aerial acrobatics and CrossFit. She is fluent in Spanish and Korean.
Education
Georgia State University College of Law, J.D., cum laude
Boston University, M.S. in Criminal Justice
Georgia State University, B.A. in Spanish Language & Literature
Ian McClain-Sewer received his B.A. from Yale University in 2007. He received his J.D. from Harvard University in 2013. He is a civil defense attorney in the areas of employment practices liability, professional liability, and directors and officers liability. He is licensed to practice in California. Previously, Ian worked at a reputable non-profit in Berkeley.
Education
Harvard Law School
Yale University
J. Alan Frederick is rated A.V. Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell in both peer and judicial reviews. He is an experienced trial and appellate attorney specializing in professional errors and omissions litigation, medical and health care provider malpractice litigation, indemnity and construction litigation, insurance coverage matters and bad faith and declaratory relief litigation, products liability litigation, general and premises liability litigation, general liability litigation, intellectual property litigation, toxic tort litigation, and appellate litigation.
He has drafted insurance policy language on behalf of insurer clients and participated in drafting proposed legislation on insurance matters. He has appeared as an expert witness in insurance coverage matters. He has published chapters in CEB volumes and served as a consultant regarding civil litigation publications.
In near 50 years of civil litigation practice, Alan has taken dozens of cases to trial and has handled many matters on appeal, including appearing as amicus curiae. He is admitted to practice in all California State and Federal Courts and in Colorado Federal District Court.
Education
University of California, Los Angeles, 1974, JD
University of California, Santa Barbara, 1971, with highest honors
Job Titles:
- Firm Managing Partner / Georgia
- Partner at Cruser
J. Robb Cruser is a Partner at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. Prior to forming Cruser Mitchell, Robb was a partner at one of the largest litigation firms in the southeast. He is a former Certified Public Accountant who worked in the audit department with the accounting firm of Ernst & Young. Robb is a graduate of the College of William and Mary, where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting, and he received his Juris Doctor degree at Emory University School of Law.
Robb specializes in civil tort litigation and represents individuals, corporations, and insurance companies in state and federal courts. His practice emphasizes the areas of professional liability, transportation liability, gig economy liability, premises liability, bad faith litigation, coverage disputes and other significant civil matters. He has tried, mediated, and arbitrated cases throughout Georgia and established landmark appellate decisions on a variety of legal issues. Robb is a member of the Defense Research Institute, Claims Litigation Management Alliance, the Georgia Bar Association, and the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association. He is a frequent lecturer on a variety of litigation and insurance topics throughout the State of Georgia.
Education
Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, Georgia J.D.
College of William & Mary, B.B.A
At Cruser Mitchell, we combine creativity with core competency and always insist on expertise over general knowledge to minimize our clients' legal exposure and expenses. We are aggressive on our clients' behalf, but because of our years of experience, we also know when they should avoid trial. We have litigated disputes for a variety of clients including individuals, insurance companies and Fortune 500 companies.
Job Titles:
- Associate / Georgia
- Associate at Cruser
Jaci Gilliland is an associate at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP, specializing in civil tort litigation. Her practice focuses on defending individuals, corporations, and insurance companies in general liability, automotive litigation, and premises liability claims.
Born and raised in Alabama, Jaci graduated from Auburn University in 2017, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She then earned her Juris Doctor from The University of South Carolina School of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia.
Education
University of South Carolina, Juris Doctor
Auburn University, Bachelor of Arts
Job Titles:
- Senior Attorney / Georgia
Jade is a senior attorney in the Atlanta Office of Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. She specializes in civil tort litigation defending individuals, corporations, and insurance companies in general liability, premises liability, and automotive ligation cases, as well as E&O liability matters.
Jade earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Georgia in 2003 and earned her Juris Doctorate Degree with Honors from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas in 2008.
Before joining the firm, Jade spent a few years working as an insurance defense attorney focusing primarily on all aspects of automotive litigation cases as well as general and premises liability. Additionally, Jade spent four years in public service as an Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County, Georgia, where she obtained extensive courtroom and jury trial experience. Prior to her years in public service, she practiced in the areas of Bankruptcy and Family Law.
In her spare time, Jade can be found spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys creating new baking recipes, traveling, and visiting amusement parks around the country.
Education
Thurgood Marshall School of Law, J.D., cum laude
University of Georgia, B.B.A. Finance
Job Titles:
- Associate / Georgia
- Associate at Cruser
Jamelah J. Plato is an associate at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. Jamelah received her Bachelor of Arts from Clark Atlanta University, and her Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law. Jamelah specializes in civil tort litigation with a focus on automotive litigation, defending individuals, corporations, and insurance companies.
Prior to joining Cruser Mitchell, Jamelah worked as a Staff Attorney for the Honorable Linda Warren Hunter in the Superior Court of DeKalb County, for several years.
In her free time, Jamelah enjoys spending time with family and friends, visiting new restaurants, and exercising.
Education
Emory University School of Law, J.D.
Clark Atlanta University, B.A. Magna Cum Laude
Job Titles:
- Associate / Georgia
- Associate With Cruser
Janelle Russell is an associate with Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP, specializing in civil tort litigation. Her practice focuses on automotive litigation defending individuals, corporations, and insurance companies.
Janelle received her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University and her Juris Doctor from Mercer University School of Law.
During law school, Janelle was a summer intern with the Travelers Insurance Staff Counsel Office and worked part-time as a law clerk for a boutique personal injury firm. She also studied human rights at the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law, and Armed Conflict at the University of Oxford through Mercer's Oxford Program.
Janelle is a native of Brooklyn, New York and of Jamaican descent. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, mentoring young girls, and spending time with her friends.
Education
Mercer University School of Law, J.D.
Georgia State University, B.S., cum laude
Job Titles:
- Partner / Georgia
- Partner at Cruser
Jason G. Wyrick is a trial lawyer and partner at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP, who specializes in civil tort litigation. Jason has handled cases in a variety of areas including automotive litigation, catastrophic injury & wrongful death, construction, general liability, governmental liability, insurance coverage, premises liability, products liability, professional liability, subrogation, trucking liability, workers' compensation, and bad faith litigation. Jason has tried cases to jury verdict in Georgia's state, superior and federal courts.
Jason graduated from The George Washington University Law School in 2005. He completed his undergraduate education at The University of Maryland, receiving his B.A. in economics in 2002. Jason is admitted to the State Bar of Georgia, State Bar of California, Georgia Court of Appeals, Supreme Court of Georgia, United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, and the United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit.
Education
The George Washington University Law School, 2005, J.D.
University of Maryland, 2002, B.A.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner at Cruser
Jason M. Chung is a partner at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. His practice primarily focuses in the areas of commercial litigation, transportation liability, defense against construction defect, insurance coverage disputes, education law, as well as professional liability, E&O liability, and employment liability claims.
Jason completed his undergraduate education at Rutgers University, and then went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law. During his time at Rutgers University, Jason was a member of the Honors College and Pi Sigma Alpha Honors Society, as well as captain of the Rutgers Men's Soccer team.
In law school, Jason served as the school's first Business Law Fellow, during which he founded and was President of the Business Law Society, and helped in the creation and implementation of the Sager Speaker Series for the school. He also served as a Student Attorney for both the Pop-up Legal Clinic and Nicaragua Micro-Trade Development Clinic, helping tech start-ups and small businesses with all their legal needs. Jason served as a panel member at the North Carolina Bar Association's 3rd Annual Minority Pre-Law Conference.
Jason is admitted in the State of New Jersey, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, State of New York, and the United States District Courts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He is a member of the New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York State Bar associations.
Education
Wake Forest University, J.D.
Rutgers University, B.A.
Jennifer is Of Counsel at Cruser Mitchell's Philadelphia office, specializing in employment practice litigation. Jennifer graduated from Widener University Delaware Law School in 2008 and received her B.A. in Spanish from Fairfield University in 2005. Prior to joining Cruser Mitchell, Jennifer worked for two major insurance carriers and has extensive knowledge of insurance coverage and claims handling. Additionally, she worked for a small plaintiff's firm, handling a wide variety of cases from inception through trial.
Jennifer is very active in her community, where she coaches Girls on the Run and sits on the boards of her local elementary school, community house, and ballet theatre.
Education
Widener University Delaware Law School, Wilmington, DE
Fairfield University, Fairfield CT
John P. Maniatis is a trial lawyer with 40 years of experience handling matters in state and federal courts locally and nationally. He has won bench and jury trials in the areas of business disputes, fraud, Lanham Act violations and serious injury.
John's clients have included individuals and small businesses to large corporations in the financial and sales sector, manufacturers, maritime and motor carriers, the construction and commercial real estate field, municipalities, non-profits and religious institutions. In addition, John was outside national litigation counsel for a major motor carrier for over 20 years and previously served as outside general counsel for a major religious institution.
Education
University of Illinois Chicago, J.D., 1982
Jordan Hoffman's practice in the New York office of Cruser Mitchell focuses on the representation of lenders in connection with the foreclosure of timeshare units.
Prior to joining Cruser Mitchell, Jordan represented institutional lenders in connection with the origination of mortgage loans secured by multi-family, mixed-use, retail, commercial and industrial properties primarily in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Jordan also represented lenders in connection with leasehold mortgages, construction and project loans, co-op and other UCC secured loans, unsecured loans and lines of credit, loan participation and intercreditor agreements, as well as representing clients in connection with the assignment and satisfaction of mortgages.
Jordan has additional experience representing clients in connection with residential purchase and sale transactions and both commercial and residential §1031 transactions.
Education
Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, Juris Doctor
University at Albany, B.S., Political Science
Job Titles:
- Member of the Firm
- Partner / California
- Partner at the Los Angeles
Jose Gonzalez is a partner at the Los Angeles office of Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. He is a seasoned, results-oriented litigator who aggressively handles matters, consistently obtaining early resolution and favorable settlements. When reasonable settlements are not possible, Jose has extensive trial experience and has successfully defended general contractors, subcontractors, and professionals, including lawyers, at arbitrations, bench, and jury trials.
Jose focuses his practice on defending personal injury, premises liability, construction defect and real estate litigation, gig economy liability, surety bond claims, mold and toxic tort, habitability, and employment practices. Jose also handles all types of professional liability claims, including insurance agents/brokers, architects, engineers, lawyers, accountants, and financial advisors. Jose recently obtained a jury defense verdict for a general contractor in a complex construction defect, fraud, breach of contract, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress claim.
Jose is a UCLA alumnus, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1996. He received his J.D. from Southwestern School of Law in 2002 and was admitted into the California State Bar that same year. He is admitted into California's Supreme Court and the U.S. Federal Courts for the Central, Southern, and Eastern Districts of California.
Jose is a member of the firm's Diversity Team, promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Outside of litigation, you can find Jose on a baseball field or volleyball court coaching his son and daughters and mentoring other children to be not just good athletes, but better persons.
Education
Southwestern University School of Law
University of California, Los Angeles
Job Titles:
- Associate / New York
- Associate at Cruser
Julissa Proaño is an associate at Cruser, Mitchell Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. Her primary focus is in civil tort litigation, specializing in the areas of automotive litigation, professional and E&O liability claims, premises liability claims, and claims relating to uninsured and underinsured motorist benefits.
Prior to joining Cruser Mitchell, Julissa spent a few years in the plaintiff's bar where her practice focused on personal injury, wrongful death, governmental official misconduct and employment discrimination. Her prior experience with plaintiff firms gives her an edge on her adversaries, having handled cases from their perspective.
Julissa earned her Juris Doctor from City University of New York School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Stony Brook University. While attending law school, she was a Judicial Intern at Queens County Supreme Court for the Honorable Elizabeth Yablon; before that, she worked as a Summer Extern with the Honorable Leonard D. Wexler in 2014 in the United States District Court of the Eastern District. During her final year of law school, Julissa was personally selected to be a Teacher's Assistant for the Trial Practice course.
Education
City University of New York School of Law
Stony Brook University
Job Titles:
- Partner / Georgia
- Partner at Cruser
Karen Woodward is a partner at Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP, specializing in civil rights, employment, and public entity matters. In addition, she provides direct representation to public entities, providing regular advice and counsel, drafting policies and legislation, negotiating contracts and intergovernmental agreements, conducting EEO and other employment-related investigations (e.g., police use of force investigations), and handling open records and open meetings issues.
Prior to joining Cruser Mitchell, for over 10 years, Karen was a senior assistant city attorney with the City of Atlanta Law Department where she was lead counsel to the Atlanta Police Department, the Atlanta Water Department, and the Department of Corrections. In this capacity, she provided daily advice and counsel to the police chief, other department heads, and members of City Council. Karen handled a number of extremely complex cases including cases regarding the alleged systemic mistreatment of the homeless, inadequate medical care in the jail, and unhealthy jail conditions, as well as civil rights conspiracy actions and freedom of speech cases.
She has defended numerous alleged police misconduct and police shooting actions, motor vehicle lawsuits, and police pursuit cases, as well as employment discrimination matters asserting race, national origin, age, religion, disability, and sexual harassment claims. Karen also clerked for Magistrate Judge John E. Dougherty of the United States District Court in Atlanta.
Karen is a graduate of Duke University, where she obtained a B.A., and Emory Law School, where she obtained a J.D. She has published a number of articles on these topics, including "Mob Violence and the Ku Klux Klan Act: State of the Law After Park v. City of Atlanta," Stetson Law Review, vol. 28, no. 3 (Winter 1999); "Attorney's Fees in Civil Rights Litigation: The Latest Developments," Labor and Employment Law: Rights and Benefits in the Workplace (special supplement to the Fulton County Daily Report), January, 1994; "Impact of the ADA on Employer-Provided Insurance: Limiting the Potential Financial Burden of Health Care for AIDS Patients," The Labor Lawyer, vol. 8, no. 2 (Spring 1992).
In addition, she has been a speaker at CLE seminars and has provided client EEO and civil rights training.
Education
Emory University School of Law
Duke University
Job Titles:
- Associate / California
- Associate in the Los Angeles Office of Cruser
Katie Coy Galvin is an associate in the Los Angeles office of Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. Her current practice includes representing individuals, corporations, and insurance companies in automotive litigation, construction law, employment practices and other general insurance defense litigation matters.
Katie graduated summa cum laude from Vanguard University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. During her time at Vanguard, Katie interned for the office of United States Congressman John Campbell and studied abroad in the Republic of Ireland at the Institute for Public Administration in Dublin. Subsequently, she received her Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law, and a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, the top-ranked Alternative Dispute Resolution program in the United States. While at law school, Katie studied abroad in London, UK, as well as volunteered in Pepperdine's Global Justice Program serving as a judicial extern for the Anti-Corruption Court of Uganda.
Upon graduating law school, Katie worked as a mediator for the Department of Fair Employment and Housing for the State of California, where she focused on resolving a variety of housing, employment, and sexual harassment disputes. Prior to joining Cruser Mitchell, she worked for a number of mid-sized insurance defense firms in Southern California where she gained valuable experience in defending clients in personal injury, construction defect, employment law, workers compensation, and ADA disputes.
In her free time, Katie volunteers at her local community church and enjoys training her mini schnauzer, Mr. Bixby. She also recently served as a volunteer at a Children's Home in Columbia, for which she organized a wine tasting event to raise money for clothes and soccer balls for the children and much needed funds for a new nursery.
Education
Pepperdine University School of Law
Vanguard University, summa cum laude
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner / Indiana
Job Titles:
- Senior Attorney / Georgia
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner, California / California
Job Titles:
- Director of Litigation Management, Training and Quality Assurance / Georgia
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / Georgia
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner, Washington / Partner, Georgia
Job Titles:
- Firm Managing Partner / Georgia