MCCOY LEAVITT LASKEY LAW - Key Persons
Alison is an associate in McCoy Leavitt Laskey's Falmouth office. Alison's practice focuses on product liability, catastrophic fire and explosion cases, and general liability.
Prior to joining McCoy Leavitt Laskey, Alison worked at a mid-sized litigation firm in Boston, Massachusetts. As a paralegal while attending law school, Alison worked on a variety of practice areas including products liability, general liability, premises liability and personal injury. As an attorney, Alison represented a large manufacturer on a series of product liability claims in both state and federal jurisdictions around the country.
Alison assists Justice Bridge with the Volunteer Lawyers Program for Covid Eviction Legal Help Program as a pro bono attorney to facilitate legal assistance to lower income landlords throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Alison is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
Brandon is a Partner at our Albuquerque office. He joined the firm in October 2017 as a lawyer, but he clerked with the firm intermittently beginning in 2015. While in law school, he served as the Executive Editor of the Journal of the Legal Profession, a member of the Campbell Moot Court Board, and the Vice President of the Student Bar Association. He completed the National Fire Investigation Training Program at Eastern Kentucky University in 2018. In 2021, New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association (NMDLA) named him the Young Lawyer of the Year. And in 2023, Super Lawyers selected Brandon to the New Mexico Rising Stars list.
Brandon is currently the Co-Editor-in-Chief of Defense News (the publication of NMDLA) and the Chair of the Scaffolding Cranes & Aerial Devices subcommittee of Defense Resource Institute's Product Liability Committee. He also serves as Chair of the Governing Board for Albuquerque Collegiate Charter School.
Brandon focuses his practice on cases involving personal injury, products and premises liability, construction defect, wrongful death, and catastrophic fires and explosions.
Education
University of New Mexico. B.S. in Environmental Science, B.A. in Communication, August 2009 - May 2014
University of Alabama School of Law, J.D., August 2014 - May 2017
Brendan is a dynamic, results-oriented attorney with experience advising on and litigating complex legal issues across the U.S. He regularly assists clients with loss investigations, commercial contracts, claims, and defenses focusing on product liability, professional negligence, personal injury, and insurance defense. From investigation through litigation, Brendan is a thought partner with his clients, zealously representing their interests from investigation through litigation.
Before joining MLL in 2020, Brendan was a general practitioner and criminal prosecutor, giving him a diverse background with expertise advising across platforms. He has led dozens of trials, hundreds of evidentiary hearings, and successfully negotiated claims at settlement conferences and ADR. Whether it be in a boardroom, a conference room, or a courtroom, Brendan is prepared to offer practical, business-friendly advice to manage any situation.
Brendan lives in Falmouth, Maine with his family, and enjoys traveling, gardening, and playing guitar.
Education
University of Maine School of Law (2014), Juris Doctor
Bates College (2011), Bachelor of Arts (Economics)
Certifications / Trainings
David A. DuBois was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia and grew up in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2002 he received his bachelor's degree in English, with honors, from St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, New York. During his undergraduate years, David was accepted into a highly selective program for six weeks of study at Oxford University in Oxford, England.
David received his J.D. in 2005 from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania. While in law school, David served as a staff writer and Special Projects Editor for the Villanova Sports and Entertainment Law Journal. David designed and oversaw the summer writing competition for selection of new staff writers during the 2004-2005 academic year.
After graduation, David spent the first 10 years of his career practicing with some of the largest defense firms in the mid-Atlantic. During this time, David's practice included cases involving fires and explosions, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, products liability, wrongful death and construction defects. David was actively involved in all phases of case management, from discovery through trial.
David moved to San Antonio, Texas in 2016, where he practiced for a well-known defense firm. During this time, David quickly gained significant trial experience in south Texas and litigated matters in dozens of counties throughout the state. David joined McCoy Leavitt Laskey in 2018, where he continues to focus his practice on fires and explosions, motor vehicle accident, premises liability, products liability and wrongful death cases.
David is married to his wife Elizabeth, a respiratory therapist. In his spare time he enjoys pinball, hiking, and reading biographies. He is an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and 76ers.
David Irwin was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He attended Arizona State University and received his Bachelor of Arts in History and his Master's Degree in Education. Before law school, David was a tank commander in the United States Army and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to Baghdad, Iraq. During the Iraq War, David was promoted to the rank of Captain and was awarded both the Combat Action Badge, for multiple instances of direct enemy contact, and the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during combat operations. Upon leaving the service, David attended St. Mary's School of Law and received his J.D. in 2008. After graduation, David returned to Phoenix, Arizona, and began his practice with a small Plaintiff's firm and then transitioned to a civil defense litigation firm, handling cases that included complex civil litigation, medical malpractice defense, premises liability defense, and general insurance defense. David then became a Prosecutor and worked at the Maricopa County Attorney's Office as a Deputy County Attorney. Initially, David handled all levels of violent felony and misdemeanor criminal matters. He then transitioned to the Special Victims- Sex Crimes Unit handling all levels of violent sexual offenses. David returned to San Antonio, Texas, and joined McCoy Leavitt Laskey.
David's practice includes representing clients in cases involving personal injury, products and premises liability, construction defect, wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, trucking accidents, and catastrophic losses involving fires and explosions.
Education
Arizona State University - B.A. in History and M.A. in Education
St. Mary's University School of Law - J.D.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate at McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC
Erica Karch is an associate at McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC. Erica attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for her undergraduate education and received a degree in psychology. Erica is a recent graduate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law where she focused on alternative dispute resolution and litigation. Erica also received her paralegal certificate in 2009 and was working as a paralegal up to her graduation from law school. For nine years, Erica worked at a firm which practiced subrogation and insurance defense nationwide where she gained valuable experience in all stages of litigation. Her experience in both insurance defense and subrogation allows her to bring a holistic perspective to her current practice.
Outside of work, Erica is an avid equestrian and enjoys spending time with her family.
EUGENE M. LaFLAMME is a partner at McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC. Eugene primarily works out of the Milwaukee office and is also the managing partner of the Chicago office Eugene has been Peer Review Rated as AV® Preeminent™, the highest performance rating in Martindale-Hubbell's peer review rating system.
Eugene has defended clients throughout the country and he serves as national and regional counsel for a number of corporations and insurance companies. His practice focuses on the defense of companies facing catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage claims. He has extensive experience defending complex fire and explosion claims, product liability matters, construction cases, and architectural/engineering negligence matters. Eugene has had his trial victories highlighted in publications issued by the Defense Research Institute and the Wisconsin Law Journal. He has also been consistently recognized as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer.
Eugene was a top 5 finalist for defense counsel of the year with CLM and is the lead co-chair for CLM's property loss committee. He was also the founding co-chair of CLM's fire and explosion committee and the past president and current board member of CLM's Southeast Wisconsin chapter. Eugene is a member and former vice president of the Hearth Patio Barbecue Educational Foundation, a trade organization comprised of companies involved in the fireplace and barbecue industries. Additionally, Eugene is a frequent presenter and author for numerous national and local conferences and publications.
Education
University of Massachusetts 1999
Marquette University Law School 2002
Felix brings a wide range of trial and appellate experience to the firm. Never afraid to try a case, Felix is passionate about his advocacy for his clients, and constantly seeks to develop new and innovative strategies and tactics. Felix has been recognized for his significant success as a lawyer, even having been hired as personal counsel by two different judges over his career. He has been rated as "Distinguished" by Martindale-Hubbell, an independent attorney-rating service.
Having served almost four years as a staff attorney with the Twelfth Court of Appeals, Felix brings to his practice a keen understanding of how to preserve, brief, and argue appellate issues successfully. Felix spends significant time working to stay ahead of emerging legal trends and theories, leveraging his time at the Twelfth Court to provide a more thoughtful and creative approach to his litigation and appellate practices. This has paid off particularly in his pre-trial motions practice, where his approach has led to "offense" successes in areas such as summary judgments and evidence exclusion, and "defense" prophylactic successes, where his careful positioning of cases has served to protect against exclusions of favorable evidence.
Felix has served as a lawyer at one of San Antonio's other largest law firms, where he handled cases involving deaths or alleged serious injuries, in relation to trucking and company-vehicle accidents, allegedly defective products, fires, and premises accidents. He also handled appellate matters at that firm, including as appellate counsel to San Antonio's VIA Metropolitan Transit. In addition to his time at a traditional law firm, Felix also served as the managing attorney for a large insurance company's staff counsel operation in South Texas, overseeing or handling hundreds and hundreds of cases, including claims for personal injury, wrongful death, construction defect, and defective product, involving personal, commercial, and surplus insurance lines. Because of this, Felix is intimately familiar with the concerns and needs of his "Claims Customers" and, in addition to providing a top-notch defense for his clients, he works to make sure adjusters and claim managers have what they need, before they need it, and in the way most helpful to them.
Felix received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Georgia Southern University in 2000. While at Georgia Southern, Felix was enrolled in the Order of Omega academic honor fraternity. He was also the recipient of the Dorman, Dwyer, HOPE, and Regents scholarships. He then attended the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University, receiving a Juris Doctor in 2003. While at SMU, Felix was named 2002-2003 Outstanding Advocate of the Year by the Dedman School of Law Board of Advocates. He was admitted to The Order of Barristers, a prestigious courtroom-advocacy honor society. Felix also received awards for writing a national best brief and competition best brief, respectively, in the 2002 National Criminal Procedure Tournament and the 2002 Howey & Sweeney Appellate Advocacy Competition. Further, he was a national finalist and competition finalist, respectively, in these same competitions.
Felix is married and is the father of three daughters. In addition to spending time with his family, he is an avid nonfiction reader, and loves to camp and hike. Felix formerly served as the captain of a trivia team, leading that team to five annual city-wide championships.
Education
Georgia Southern University - B.A.
Southern Methodist University - J.D.
Greg's depth of knowledge, his breadth of experience and his undaunted focus on providing the best defense for his clients is what makes him so successful in his craft, appreciated by his clients, and respected by his peers. Having tried cases in all corners of Texas, Greg understands what is necessary to help clients navigate lawsuits, appreciate risk and develop an advocate driven strategy for their defense.
Greg was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He attended Taylor University in Upland, Indiana where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work. After moving back to San Antonio he attended St. Mary's University School of Law where he thrived in competitions such as mock trial and trial advocacy. After graduating and becoming licensed in 2002, he started working for a sole practitioner, handling both plaintiff's cases and representing defendants in civil matters.
In 2004, Greg went to work for a local South Texas insurance defense firm where he immediately began taking the lead on large complex cases involving significant loss and damages. During his 17 years with that firm he defended clients all over Texas, trying dozens of cases to verdict and reaching amicable resolutions through negotiated settlements where possible.
In 2021, Greg accepted a Partner position at the San Antonio office of the nationally recognized firm, McCoy Leavitt Laskey, and instantly began working to apply his skill, knowledge and experience for the benefit of his clients. He handles a volume of cases where he represents, individuals, small businesses and large corporations sued for negligence, premises liability, breach of contract, fraud, Deceptive Trade Practices and product defects. Treating each case as a unique opportunity and challenge, Greg works tirelessly to orchestrate and direct strategic outcomes that are the most beneficial for his clients. Greg has been recognized for many years as a Texas Rising Star, and he has been named by his peers as one of the top attorneys in San Antonio.
Greg and his wife, Gretchen, have been married for 21 years and they have three children. He spends much of his time supporting the activities and involvements of his children as they pursue their many endeavors in sports and academics. He loves spending time outdoors and specifically enjoys hunting, fly fishing, hiking, camping and running.
Brook is a trial lawyer. He focuses his practice on products liability, tort and negligence cases, mostly involving fire and explosions. From Hawaii to New York and Oregon to Georgia, Brook has defended more than 400 fire or explosion cases since he began his law career in 1996. He has become a common sight on the largest fire scenes around the United States due to his critical understanding of fire origin and cause investigations, along with his broad-based knowledge of gas industry standards. In addition, Brook has developed close working relationships with some of the nation's top fire forensic experts and government authorities due to his reputation as a straight-shooter and his willingness to dig in to seek out the truth at a fire scene. Brook is the managing partner of the firm's Albuquerque, NM office.
Brook has achieved the highest Martindale Hubbell rating (AV) and he is listed in The Best Lawyers in America for his expertise in both Products Liability Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. In addition, he is on the board of directors of the Propane Gas Defense Association and is a voting member of the ASTM E58 Subcommittee on Forensic Engineering. Brook also proudly serves as a goodwill ambassador for the State of New Mexico through the New Mexico Amigos, a state organization overseen by Governor Michelle Lujan.
Brook serves as national counsel for multiple corporations and insurance companies. He is licensed in both New Mexico and Texas, as well as several federal courts. He has also been admitted pro hac vice or handled claims in other states, including New York, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Idaho. Brook graduated from Penn State University in 1992 and Case Western Reserve University School of Law, cum laude, in 1996. He and his wife, Sarah, are the proud parents of Ella and Luke, who are both teenagers.
Hallie Semmel is an associate attorney at McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC. Hallie graduated summa cum laude from Southern New Hampshire University where she earned her degree in history. Hallie graduated magna cum laude from Roger William's University School of Law where she was a member of the honors program. During law school, she focused on complex tort litigation and catastrophic injury. During her last semester of law school, Hallie externed for the Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, the Honorable Chief Justice Paul Suttell. Prior to that she was a summer associate at Rudman Winchell in their litigation department where she gained experience in tort litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Her practice is currently focused on insurance defense, products liability, and fire and explosion cases. Hallie has served as Marketing Committee Chair for DRI, and she presented on Defending Lithium Ion Battery Claims at the 2023 DRI Fire Science Seminar.
In her free time, Hallie enjoys running, hiking, and reading.
Job Titles:
- Partner at the Waukesha
- Partner Milwaukee, WI
Jacob E. Kempowski is a partner at the Waukesha office of McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC. After graduating from Marquette Law School in 2012, Jake spent almost three years working at a boutique personal injury firm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While there, he handled an array of personal injury cases including: motor vehicle accidents, products liability cases, and aviation accidents.
As a Partner in McCoy Leavitt Laskey's Falmouth office, Jared's practice focuses on the defense of companies facing catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage claims. He has experience defending complex fire and explosion claims, product liability, complex general liability, premises liability and professional liability matters. Jared serves as national counsel for several large manufacturers on a series of product liability claims across the country.
Prior to joining McCoy Leavitt Laskey, Jared worked at a mid-sized litigation firm in Boston, Massachusetts. He participated in the Discovering Justice Mock Trial Program, wherein he taught inner city middle school students about the Fourth Amendment and illegal searches and seizures. At the end of the semester, the students conducted a mock trial.
Jared also participated in the Middlesex District Attorney's Domestic Violence Pro Bono Program, which was a partnership with the District Attorney's Office to provide free legal assistance to domestic violence victims during the restraining order process. He successfully secured a number of one-year extensions of restraining orders for victims of domestic violence.
Jared is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. He has been admitted pro hac vice in other jurisdictions across the country in the course of his work as national counsel for various manufacturers.
Education
Boston College, 2004
New England School of Law, 2009
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal Los Angeles, CA
Jeff is an AV rated trial lawyer, whose 40 plus years have provided him with a vast array of experiences, including arguing successfully at the California Supreme Court and a published Appellate Decision in Dominguez v Financial Indemnity Company, (2010) 183 Cal App 4 th 388. His focus has always been on trial work and a great part of that dealing with complex medical causation and products liability. Although over 95% of his matters favorably settle, many during trial, he has secured verdicts in cases involving wrongful death, severe traumatic brain injuries, quadriplegia, severe burns and drug induced allergic reactions. He has maintained a continued interest in the medical aspects of injuries including psychological complications. His reputation is an aggressive litigator with a passion for a just result. His philosophy is to know more about the facts of each unique case than any other lawyer or for that matter the expert. He continues to take great pride in learning the facts and the "why" of each issue. Jeff is the managing partner of the firm's California office.
He is a native of Los Angeles, California attending public schools. He was fortunate to be born into a middleclass family of the 50's, whose dad worked at Lockheed Aircraft in industrial design and his mom stayed at home. He has worked continually since early childhood and his love of animals started with caring for injured birds to having a private Wild Animal Keepers License. In High School, he received the prestigious Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) award in his ROTC training. He has achieved Black Belt ranking in five different martial arts, which ultimately lead to his operation of his own school in Burbank, while studying Criminal Justice at California State University at Los Angeles. He achieved a bachelor's degree with honors and was also the Captain of the Sabre fencing team taking the Western States Championship. During both high school and college, his passion for martial arts lead to years of full contact competition. He graduated from Loyola Law School and has often been invited to Judge at Moot Court competitions. His defense background includes serving as counsel to many insurance companies, Third Party Administrators, Fraternal Order of Police and private corporations, as well as personal counsel to a host of Hollywood elite.
Prior to becoming a lawyer his work included automotive repair and classic car restoration, private security, law enforcement, sales, self-defense martial arts studio and horse breeding and training. He started as a law clerk in the firm of Patterson, Ritner and Lockwood, a well-established civil litigation firm. After 2 years as an Associate attorney working directly for the firm's founding partner John Patterson, who was instrumental in Jeff's exposure to Court room trial work, he joined the firm of Mercer & Gallagher which soon became Mercer, Gallagher & Zinder. For the last 25 years he has practiced as Zinder & Koch, where he has been assisted for over 25 years by his wife Jacqueline Zinder. After working as local counsel with Brook Laskey on the defense of JLG Industries, Inc. in the Camacho case he was asked to join McCoy Leavitt Laskey and his firm became their California office. Although his practice has had a heavy California base, he has also handled matters along with local counsel in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, and Minnesota. Internationally, he has handled cases with local counsel matters in England, Denmark, India and China. He has three adult children, the two eldest successful college graduates and the youngest at ASU. He and Jackie live on a small ranch with their two dogs, three horses, a parrot and a beautiful and serene backyard with various Bonsai trees, the latter being cared for by Jackie.
Education
California State University at Los Angeles, B.S., 1976
Loyola University of Los Angeles, J.D., 1979
Jill Lukens is an associate at McCoy Leavitt Laskey, LLC's Wisconsin office. She is a 2019 graduate of Marquette University Law School. She represents clients in all aspects of civil litigation, working with businesses, insurance companies, and individuals to help resolve their legal challenges. Prior to joining McCoy Leavitt Laskey, Jill worked for a boutique insurance defense firm predominately handling motor vehicle accidents and construction defect cases.
When not at the office, Jill is an avid golfer and equestrian, and enjoys cheering on her hometown sports teams, the Philadelphia Eagles and Flyers.
Johanna is a partner in McCoy Leavitt Laskey's Maine office and focuses her practice on insurance defense, products liability, and fire and explosion cases. In 2023, Johanna utilized her extensive courtroom experience to help prepare Eastern Kentucky University's Fire, Arson, and Explosive Investigation students (most of whom are current practitioners in the field) for testifying in court based on their fire investigations conducted as part of their course. She joined the firm in 2022 after spending almost a decade working as a prosecutor, most recently for the State of Maine Attorney General's Drug Task Force. As an Assistant Attorney General in the State's highest volume jurisdiction, she litigated hundreds of motions, first-chaired many trials, and argued appeals before the Maine Supreme Court on multiple occasions. Prior to her experience representing the State of Maine, Johanna worked as a criminal defense attorney handling matters in both State and Federal courts.
During law school, she completed an externship with the Federal Defender's Office in the District of Maine and also worked for a criminal defense firm.
Prior to law school, Johanna worked as a paralegal for a Boston-based firm that specializes in toxic tort litigation with a specific focus on asbestos cases.
In 2021, along with a local nonprofit, Johanna worked to establish the Paul Gauvreau Legacy Fund in honor of her late father, who was an attorney and dedicated public servant. The PGLF assists communities in Western Maine by providing diverse programming, engaging in strategic partnerships, and addressing the barriers to economic opportunities for all.
In her spare time, Johanna enjoys being on the water, exploring National Parks, and cold water dipping year-round. She lives in Portland with her partner Justin, and dog Tiller, although they try and spend as much time as possible in Tenants Harbor.
Education
Northeastern University, B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, 2006, magna cum laude
University of Maine School of Law, J.D., 2012
John is a trial attorney who prides himself on providing effective and efficient representation to all of his clients. During his 30 years of practice, John has focused primarily on defending catastrophic fire and explosion cases brought against gas suppliers, product manufacturers, detector manufacturers and others. John has developed a particular expertise in propane cases in which he has represented retailers, wholesalers, transporters and refineries in cases brought throughout the country. John serves as national or regional counsel for several of his clients and has long standing relationships built upon confidence and trust. In addition to his litigation practice, John regularly consults with his clients on safety, training and warning issues and proactively works with his clients to prevent accidents. John is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences focusing his presentations on practical advice designed to enhance safety.
John has worked cooperatively with local counsel in many states and is licensed to practice in both Missouri and Kansas. John has achieved the highest rating from Martindale-Hubbell (AV). John is a past President and current board member of the Propane Gas Defense Association.
Education
Iowa State University, BS, Political Science, 1984, Phi Beta Kappa
University of Iowa Law School, JD, 1987, High Distinction
John is a nationally known trial lawyer. John's practice primarily involves fire and explosion and products liability cases. In practice since 1984, he has defended more than 500 of these cases. He provides 24/7/365 response to catastrophic claims and lawsuits. His knowledge of the relevant experts, rules and regulations and complex litigation has proven invaluable to achieving best outcomes for his clients over the years. In addition, John is the managing partner of McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC and of the firm's Milwaukee, WI office.
John is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and in 2016 was selected as the Products Liability Defense Lawyer of the Year for Milwaukee. Since 2005 to the present he has been selected as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer in Products Liability Defense. In 2008 the Wisconsin Law Journal selected him as one of 25 Leaders in the Law. In 2004 he was honored by the National Law Journal as obtaining one of The Top Ten Defense Verdicts in the United States for a case he tried in Pennsylvania. John is the author of several legal columns that deal with fires and explosions and products liability.
John serves as National Trial Counsel for several companies and insurance carriers for their catastrophic fire and explosion cases. He has served as Chair of the DRI Fire & Casualty Committee and as a member of the Attorney Advisory Committee of the IAAI. He is past president and a founding member of the Propane Gas Defense Association. He has served as lead trial counsel in 38 states and counting.
John graduated from Drake University Law School in 1984 where he was selected to the Order of Barristers. He recently served on the Law School Board of Advisors from 2009-2015. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1980 and was selected as Outstanding Senior, Graduation Speaker and Distinguished Military Graduate. He served as an Army Captain in the JAGC from 1984-1988 earning the Meritorious Service medal and was airborne.
Education
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, BS, 1980
Drake Law School, 1984
Josephine was born on Long Island, New York and moved to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania before her senior year of high school. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Marketing and International Business from Penn State University. She obtained her law degree from Texas Tech University where she graduated with highest honors and served as the managing editor of the Texas Tech Law Review.
Prior to joining McCoy Leavitt Laskey in 2022, Josephine practiced at one of the largest personal injury law firms in Texas for eight years where she gained valuable experience handling plaintiff personal injury litigation involving commercial motor vehicle collisions. She began her legal career at a plaintiff personal injury law firm with offices in El Paso, Texas and New Mexico where she gained experience in workers compensation and oil field accidents.
As a litigation attorney, Josephine has participated in trials involving personal injury disputes, contract disputes, and motor vehicle accidents. Her practice includes representing clients in cases involving personal injury, products and premises liability, construction defect, wrongful death, motor vehicle and transportation litigation, and catastrophic fires and explosions.
Josephine enjoys spending time with her family, lifting weights, running, traveling and baking.
Education
The Pennsylvania State University- B.S.
Texas Tech University School of Law - J.D.
Joshua is a litigator who in the past 10 years has tried over 30 jury trials to verdict in cases involving claims of catastrophic personal injury, negligence, premises liability, breach of contract, and deceptive trade practices. He represents individuals and companies in a broad range of practice areas, with an emphasis in personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, construction defect, product defect, and general transportation litigation.
Applying the wealth of trial experience he has acquired over the past 10 years, Joshua works closely with clients and other attorneys to develop best practices aimed at improving due diligence and safety while reducing client liability exposure. He has appeared before numerous Federal and State Courts throughout Kentucky and Texas where he has successfully argued dispositive motions that expeditiously resolved cases without the need for a trial.
When he first started practicing law in Kentucky, Joshua discovered that there was a significant need for an effective parenting program that coincided with child protective service goals. While this problem was generally outside his field of expertise, Joshua singlehandedly developed, implemented and taught a state-funded parenting program that enabled 120 parents to meet their court-mandated goals and be reunited with their children. Joshua continues to take this pro-active approach with clients when addressing common problems in an effort to find better solutions.
Education
Brigham Young University - B.A.
Northern Kentucky University, Salmon P. Chase College of Law - J.D.
Kevin Banville is a partner in the Albuquerque office. He practices in the areas of products and general liability, including complex and catastrophic fires/explosions as well as wrongful death and various tort matters. As part of his practice, Kevin has been admitted pro hac vice in multiple states including California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Texas. Over his 15 years' experience, he has handled hundreds of cases from investigation, through discovery, and trial. Kevin is a member of the Arizona State Bar (2008), New Mexico State Bar (2009) and the Federal Bars in New Mexico (2011) and Colorado (2016). From 2015-2022, Southwest Super Lawyers named Kevin a "rising star". Prior to joining MLL, Kevin practiced for a large civil litigation firm in Albuquerque and was a prosecutor. Kevin graduated from the University of Arizona, cum laude, in 2004 and Creighton University School of law, cum laude, in 2008. He is the proud father of his daughter, Lauren, who is 11 years old.
Education
The University of Arizona, B.A. Political Science (2004) (cum laude)
Creighton University School of Law (2008) (cum laude)
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate at McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC
KEVIN W. MURRAY is an Associate at McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC (Milwaukee office). He is admitted to practice in Wisconsin. Kevin received his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (B.S., cum laude, 2016). Kevin attended Law School at Northern Illinois University where he received his juris doctor and graduated cum laude in2022. In Law School, Kevin participated in the school trial advocacy class where he competed in two mock trials. Kevin also worked as a law clerk for several organizations, among them include a financial institution, non-profit, and at private law firms as well. Before joining McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC, Kevin worked as a law clerk for a personal injury firm, focusing on automobile accidents and product liability matters. In addition, Kevin also spent a semester with the Honorable John B. Rhode of the 9th Circuit Court in Langlade County, Wisconsin, where he completed an Externship in 2021.
Before Law School, Kevin worked in regulatory compliance for one of the largest gas distributors in the world. Thereafter, he worked in global product compliance for a hospitality wholesaler located in Chicago, Illinois. Some of his primary responsibilities at this organization included facilitating product recalls, performing product inspections, and maintaining domestic and international compliance standards for over fifty thousand products.
Kevin lives in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He enjoys spending time up north with his family, attending sporting events, and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Associate Albuquerque, NM
Job Titles:
- Associate at McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC
- Associate Los Angeles, CA
Manuel S. Boxler is an Associate at McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC (Los Angeles, California Office). He was born in Parana, Entre Rios, Argentina. He is admitted to practice in California. He has been a licensed attorney since December 2017. He is fluent in Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Partner at McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC
MATTHEW R. ROSEK is a Partner at McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC (Milwaukee office). He is admitted to practice in Wisconsin, Minnesota, the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Eastern and Western U.S. District Courts of Wisconsin, and the U.S. District Court of Minnesota. He received his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (B.A., cum laude, 2000). He then attended Marquette University Law School where he received his juris doctor in 2004. While in law school, Matt was a member of National Moot Court Team (trial and appellate). Matt has been admitted pro hac vice in nearly thirty states around the country and is an experienced trial attorney representing clients locally and nationally in complex fire and explosion cases as well as other general liability and product liability matters.
Matt has been an Adjunct Lecturer at Carroll University in the Politics and Global Studies Department where he coached the Carroll University Mock Trial Team and has taught Advanced Business Law. In 2011 he was recognized by the Wisconsin Law Journal as one of Wisconsin's Top Up and Coming Lawyers, a distinction only given to a handful of attorneys every year. He has also spoken at dozens of national and local events and has had dozens of legal articles published in a variety of print and online sources
Matt prides himself on giving back to the community. Currently he is an elected Alderman in the City of Oconomowoc (2014-present). He has also served his community as a former Chairman of the City of Oconomowoc Zoning Board of Appeals and as a volunteer EMT/Firefighter. He is still a certified Firefighter. Matt is also Vice President of the Board of Directors of Pantheon Services, a non-profit entity that provides training and placement for persons with mental and physical disabilities.
Matt lives in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin with his wife, Melissa, and four children, Cassandra, Amanda, Emily and Alexander.
Michael A. LoCoco is an associate in McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC's Milwaukee Office.
Michael was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy as class valedictorian. He then proceeded to Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law where he received his Juris Doctor, graduating with honors. While at SMU, Michael served as President of the school's chapter of the Federalist Society as well as his class's representative to the Texas State Bar.
Michael's legal experience as a litigator crosses both sides of the court room. As a plaintiff's personal injury attorney he has represented clients in cases ranging from products liability, premises liability, and trucking accidents in both federal and state courts and cases involving international defendants. As a defense lawyer, Michael has been involved at all levels of litigation in products liability, construction, property, and personal injury cases. Michael's cross-aisle experience gives him a wide-angled understanding of case strategy.
In addition to his experience at the jury trial level, Michael is an accomplished appellate litigator with several victories at the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Wisconsin.
In his free time, Michael is an avid sports fan of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks, as well as the Green Bay Packers. He enjoys camping, chess, and spending time with his wife, Courtney, and their five children, Julian, Dominic, Vivian, Maximillian, and Valerie.
Education
University of Dallas - B.A., Philosophy
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - J.D.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner at McCoy Leavitt Laskey
MICHAEL D. AIKEN is a partner at McCoy Leavitt Laskey, LLC. He obtained a B.A. in psychology from Miami University in 2002, and graduated from Marquette University Law School in 2006. Michael competed in the corporate litigation competition and served on the general board. He also served as a legal intern for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Jon P. Wilcox and Wisconsin Eastern District Court Judge Lynn S. Adelman.
Through his lifelong interest in psychology and strategy, Michael has developed a methodic approach to evaluating claims, negotiation, and building persuasive stories and themes to connect with a jury at trial. His practice is inspired by his father and grandfather, who were both civil litigators in Milwaukee. He works in the areas of insurance, product and system failures, and catastrophic personal injury accidents. His cases have included gas and other chemical explosions, consumer products, mechanical devices, workplace equipment, fireworks and carbon monoxide poisoning. Michael was recognized as a Wisconsin Rising Star in 2012, and 2014-2019.
Outside of work, Michael enjoys learning about computer programming, racquet sports, and skiing. He lives in Whitefish Bay, WI with his wife Jennifer and three children.
Born in McAllen, Texas in 1968, Michael grew up in South Texas and graduated from High School and College in San Antonio, after having lived in many different parts of the State. Michael served in the United States Marine Corps and his tours of duty took him to California, Hawaii, Egypt, Japan, and the Middle East.
Michael was a partner at another South Texas insurance defense firm, where he practiced for almost 20 years. He joined McCoy Leavitt Laskey, LLC in June of 2018 as a Partner. Michael has a wealth of experience handling both first party and third party cases and is particularly skilled in catastrophic fire and explosion, trucking, oil and gas personal injury and property damage litigation, premises liability, products liability, construction defect, personal lines property damage, and elevator/escalator cases. He has tried multiple cases with exposure well in excess of $20 million dollars, obtaining outright zero verdicts each time. His trial and litigation experience includes trials on behalf of some of the most well recognized entities in the world such as The State of Texas, AMWAY Corporation, Ford Motor Company, Six Flags of America, and ThyssenKrupp Elevator to name a few.
He has been recognized by his peers as being one of the best personal injury defense attorneys in San Antonio and has handled cases throughout South Texas, including complex and catastrophic cases all along the Mexican-American border.
Michael has been married to Kellie for 25 years. Kellie is an Underwriting Manager at USAA where she has been employed for 29 years. Michael has a son who is in his Orthopedic Residency at Dartmouth Hitchcock in New Hampshire. He has a daughter who is a 2 nd Grade School Teacher after having graduated from The University of Texas at Austin. Michael enjoys competing in athletics. He played 3 seasons of semi-professional football for the San Antonio Talons and the San Antonio Thunder. He also played 3rd base in the MSBL for the San Antonio Brewers. He has completed over 40 Triathlons and is a multiple Ironman Triathlon finisher.
Michael is fluent in Spanish, both written and spoken.
Education
The University of Texas at San Antonio - B.A
St. Mary's University School of Law - J.D.
Mike Hallock is a Partner in the Chicago office of McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC. Mike is an accomplished attorney whose practice focuses on products liability, construction, transportation, fire, and explosion litigation. Mike is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Washington, DC, and his cases involve extensive property damage, serious injury and death. Mike represents utilities, manufacturers, national retailers and transportation companies in state and federal courts nationwide.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate in McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC 's San Antonio
Mikayla Longoria is an associate in McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC's San Antonio, Texas office. She recently graduated summa cum laude from St. Mary's University School of Law. While in law school, Mikayla served as a Staff Writer and Senior Associate Editor of the St. Mary's Law Journal. Mikayla previously clerked for McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC throughout law school.
Mikayla earned her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University at College Station. She received her degree in Business Management from Mays Business School and while in college, competed as an amateur boxer.
When not in the office, Mikayla enjoys boxing, swimming, and spending time with family.
Job Titles:
- Associate San Francisco, CA