SQUARE CIRCLE LAW - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• SHAREHOLDER
• Abogado
• Shareholder of the Ferraro Law

David A. Jagolinzer is a shareholder of The Ferraro Law Firm. He has focused his career on handling complex cases that involve victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. He also handles cases involving product liability, toxic torts, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death.

Job Titles:

• Abogado Que Ejerce En Miami, Florida, Como Asociado Del Equipo De La Firma Legal Ferraro.

Adrew J. Ferraro es un abogado que ejerce en Miami, Florida, como asociado del equipo de la Firma Legal Ferraro.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado
• Department Supervisor at the Ferraro Law Firm
• Supervisora

Aleksandra Sikorska is the Asbestos Settlement Department Supervisor at The Ferraro Law Firm. Ms. Sikorska graduated, cum laude, from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2008. She earned her law degree from the Florida International University College of Law in 2012. While in law school, Ms. Sikorska clerked for a Judge in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court and worked at two public interest law firms. She also volunteered with several non-profit organizations, and co-founded and served as President of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, a student chapter of a well-known national legal advocacy organization. For several years, prior to joining The Ferraro Law Firm, Ms. Sikorska worked with a prominent trial attorney at a boutique litigation firm where she performed extensive legal research, analysis, and drafted various documents in complex civil matters, including federal securities fraud, real estate, probate, defamation, and commercial disputes. She also served as Of Counsel to a litigation firm where she primarily focused on personal injury claims and worked closely with her clients to obtain positive results for them. In addition, she was routinely appointed by Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judges to serve as Attorney, Guardian, and Administrator Ad Litem in mortgage foreclosure and other civil actions to represent and protect the interests of heirs of deceased parties or difficult to locate defendants. Ms. Sikorska is fluent in Polish. Education J.D., Florida International University College of Law, Miami, Florida, 2012 B.A., cum laude, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 2008 Aleksandra Sikorska es la Supervisora del Departamento de Acuerdos de Liquidación para casos de Asbesto en The Ferraro Law Firm. La Sra. Sikorska se graduó, magna cum laude, por la Universidad de Florida con una licenciatura en humanidades en el 2008. Obtuvo su licenciatura en derecho por la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad Internacional de Florida en el 2012. Mientras estudiaba en la facultad de derecho, la Sra. Sikorska fue asistente de un Juez en el Undécimo Tribunal Judicial del Circuito y trabajó en dos bufetes de abogados de interés público. También fue voluntaria para varias organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro y cofundó y fue Presidenta del Fondo de Defensa Legal Estudiantil de los Animales, la sección estudiantil de una organización de defensa legal muy conocida a nivel nacional. Durante varios años, antes de unirse a The Ferraro Law Firm, la Sra. Sikorska trabajó con un prominente abogado litigante en un pequeño bufete de litigios donde se encargó de la investigación legal, análisis y redacción de varios documentos sobre asuntos civiles complejos, incluyendo fraude de títulos valores federales, propiedades inmobiliarias, sucesión testamentaria, difamación y disputas comerciales. También trabajó como asesora para un bufete de litigios en el que se centró principalmente en reclamaciones de daños personales y trabajó mano a mano con sus clientes para obtener resultados positivos. Además, fue elegida rutinariamente por los Jueces del Tribunal del Circuito de Miami-Dade para ejercer de Abogada, Guardiana y Administradora Ad Litem en casos de ejecución hipotecaria y otras acciones civiles para representar y proteger los intereses de los herederos de los fallecidos o demandados difíciles de localizar.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado
• Attorney in Miami, Florida

Andrew J. Ferraro is an attorney in Miami, Florida working as an associate with the team at the Ferraro Law Firm. Mr. Ferraro attended the University of Miami where he graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Miami School of Arts & Sciences. Additionally, Mr. Ferraro Minored in Business Management. While at the University of Miami, Mr. Ferraro received Departmental Honors in both Psychology & Management. After completing his undergraduate studies, Mr. Ferraro attended the University of Miami School of Law. Wanting to stay focused in the practice area of Torts, Mr. Ferraro successfully completed the Florida Tort Law Program under the Honorable Florida Supreme Court Justice Fred Lewis. Throughout his tenure in Law School, Mr. Ferraro spent time as a law clerk at Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen in Coral Gables, FL and at Weitz & Luxenberg in New York City. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2019. Education B.S. in Psychology, University of Miami School of Arts & Sciences

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado
• Attorney at the Ferraro Law Firm

Daniel J. DiMatteo is an attorney at The Ferraro Law Firm, focusing his practice on representing injured victims and consumers in catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, defective medical device, and product liability cases in state and federal court. Mr. DiMatteo dedicates 100% of his practice to litigation. Mr. DiMatteo is an experienced litigator in state and federal court. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. DiMatteo served as an Assistant County Attorney, where he represented government agencies as a trial attorney in premises liability, negligent security, motor vehicle, wrongful death, and complex intergovernmental conflict cases. Mr. DiMatteo gained a reputation as a fearless young trial lawyer, regularly taking cases to trial as a first chair and seeing them through to verdict. He was credited with reshaping his practice group's image as one prepared to take any case to trial. Mr. DiMatteo earned his law degree from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law. During law school, he was twice elected to the editorial board of the Florida Law Review, the highest ranking law journal in the State of Florida, where he sharpened his legal research and writing skills. Mr. DiMatteo also obtained invaluable insight into the inner workings of federal court as a judicial intern to Judge Paul C. Huck in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. In that capacity, Mr. DiMatteo researched and briefed contested legal issues for a senior federal judge, presented written and oral recommendations, and drafted proposed opinions for publication. Mr. DiMatteo received his undergraduate degree in history from the University of Florida. Mr. DiMatteo serves on the Board of Directors of the Miami Beach Bar Association and is a member of the Miami-Dade Bar Association and Miami-Dade Trial Lawyers Association. He is fluent in Spanish. Education J.D., University of Florida, Levin College of Law University of Florida

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado
• Distinguished Local and National Leader

Daryl D. Parks is an accomplished lawyer and businessman who received an undergraduate degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), and a law degree from Florida State University (FSU). His motto, "Advocate for the Least of These," is embodied in his zealous advocacy and activism in civil rights. As part of his civil rights activism and commitment to community, Attorney Parks has represented families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Corey Jones. The reputation gained by Attorney Parks and his firm has led to his appearances as a legal expert on national television broadcasts such as MSNBC, Fox News, and CNN. Daryl Parks has received numerous awards and accolades for his work both as an attorney and an outstanding businessman. A few of his awards include the Leadership Pacesetter Award from the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, the Leon County Small Business of the Year award, the NAACP Chairman of the Board Award, the Florida Bar Henry Latimer Award, the Advocates Award from the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Law, and the Johnnie L. Cochran Soaring Eagle Award from the American Justice Association. Because of his diligent efficacious representation of his clients, Parks is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocacy Forum. Daryl Parks is also a distinguished local and national leader who epitomizes a commitment to service. He has shared his business acumen, financial expertise and leadership locally with organizations such as the Sickle Cell Foundation, the Bethel Community Development Corporation, Legal Services of North Florida and the Tallahassee Urban League. He has also provided his expertise to the Florida Bar, serving as a member of both, the Florida Bar Foundation Board and the Florida Bar Student Education and Admissions to the Bar Committee. Attorney Parks has also served as Vice Chair of the FAMU Board of Trustees, and Chairman of the Board for both the FAMU Foundation and the FAMU Boosters. As a leader, Parks is a lifetime member of the National Bar Association (NBA), and has served in national leadership positions over the last sixteen years to include General Counsel, Vice President of Finance, Regional Director of Region XI, and President of the Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association. He has received NBA Presidential Awards in 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2011, Daryl Parks' was elected as the 69th President of the NBA. Because of his outstanding accomplishments and service history, Daryl Parks has also received prestigious appointments. In 2017 Attorney Parks was named the National General Counsel for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was appointed to serve as the minority caucus chair for the American Association for Justice and also to a number of leadership positions with the Florida Justice Association, including the Board of Directors. United States' Senator Bill Nelson appointed him to the Federal Judicial Nominating Commission for the Northern District of Florida, and former Governor Charlie Crist appointed him to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the First District Court of Appeals for Florida. Daryl Parks' philanthropy and civic engagement reveals his unwavering commitment to make a difference in the lives of others locally, nationally and internationally. In addition to his outstanding community service, Parks partners with other persons of goodwill to sponsor medical mission trips to Africa to provide medical treatment and supplies to the people of Africa. In addition to his personal commitments, his firm is equally committed to investing in the community. His firm also funds endowed scholarships at Florida A&M University, Livingston College, Bethune-Cookman College and Florida State University (for minority students). Education J.D. Florida State University, College of Law 1995 B.A. Florida A & M University, 1992

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado

Dick Maykel Ortega is a trial attorney at The Ferraro Law Firm representing victims in cases involving product liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, asbestos-related diseases, and toxic torts. Prior to joining The Ferraro Law Firm, Mr. Ortega worked in the Washington, D.C. office of a large international law firm counseling international and domestic entities in complex merger and acquisition transactions, finance transactions, market entry strategies, product liability litigation, antitrust litigation, and FCPA matters. During law school, Mr. Ortega held several positions that prepared him to represent our clients in complex matters. He interned with the Securities and Exchange Commission assisting counsel with the investigation and litigation of industry and issuer practices. He also interned with the FIU Office of the General Counsel developing litigation strategies and regulatory compliance parameters, and a boutique litigation firm working closely with clients to build their case and negotiate advantageous settlements. Mr. Ortega earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from Florida International University College of Law and graduated as the Salutatorian of his class. In addition, Mr. Ortega earned book awards in several courses including International Commercial Arbitration, Investor Advocacy Clinic, Legal Skills and Values III, and Contracts. He successfully competed in prestigious appellate advocacy and arbitration competitions and received the C.A.M.P. 4 Justice Human Rights Scholarship, Dean's Merit Scholarship, and Broward Hispanic Bar Association Scholarship.

Job Titles:

• Attorney
• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado

Attorney Erica L. Brady is a seasoned lawyer that handles tax whistleblower claims at our D.C. office. Ms. Brady is a valuable part of the team at The Ferraro Law Firm. As a Florida tax whistleblower attorney, she emphasizes the importance of providing elite, knowledgeable representation for clients facing complex tax issues. Ms. Brady is often asked to write and speak in the area of tax whistleblower claims and other tax-related matters. She was a speaker at the May 2010 meeting and the 2011 mid-year meeting of the ABA Section of Taxation on the topic of representing whistleblowers before the IRS. Her article, "Are Criminal Fines ‘Collected Proceeds'?" was published in the 2011 summer edition of the ABA Section of Taxation's NewsQuarterly, and the February 2012 issue of Taxes - The Tax Magazine published her article "Does Tax Crime Pay (Whistleblowers)."

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado

Gregory S. Lynam is an experienced tax whistleblower attorney who handles tax claims and federal tax controversies at our office in Washington, D.C. Mr. Lynam represents clients in cases involving federal tax controversies and tax appeals. He has maintained special attention in his career to international tax matters. Over the years, Mr. Lynam has served as a representative for numerous high net worth clients and multinational corporations, dealing with a wide variety of tax controversy cases both in litigation and with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), including partnership disputes, interest allocations, R&E credits, tax-advantaged transactions, and matters involving transfer pricing. Many of his cases have involved refunds or deficiencies totaling between hundreds of millions and billions of dollars. In his work before the IRS, Mr. Lynam has made IRS Whistleblower Office submissions and litigated award determinations from the IRS Whistleblower Office in U.S. Tax Court. He also handles tax disputes from the audit level through litigation and appellate review-including IRS appeals, competent authority, and alternative dispute resolution procedures. He regularly counsels taxpayers on steps to take before controversies with the IRS arise and strategic considerations with respect to filing claims for a refund. Education LL.M, New York University School of Law, New York, New York - Taxation Specialty, 2001 J.D., University of Iowa College of Law, Iowa City, Iowa, Honors: With Distinction, 2000 B.S., Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 1996

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Partner
• Abogado
• Founding Shareholder & President
• Partner at the Ferraro Law Firm

James L. Ferraro is an experienced and accomplished Florida mesothelioma lawyer with a long list of accolades and case wins. Ferraro has fashioned his law practice with a focus on cases involving personal injury, product liability, wrongful death, environmental toxic torts, and mesothelioma and asbestos cases. For over 20 years, he has focused his career on asbestos / mass tort litigation, achieving major results in injury cases, including jury verdicts totaling multi-millions of dollars. Mr. Ferraro obtained the highest compensatory recovery in a Florida mesothelioma lawsuit in 1995. He also achieved a nationally record-breaking compensatory jury award for a benign asbestos case in 1997. He was among just 10 finalists from around the country considered for 1997 Trial Lawyer of the Year after being the first to successfully prosecute a case against a major chemical giant whose products led to birth defects. In a nationally televised and recognized case, Mr. Ferraro held chemical giant DuPont responsible after a woman's baby was born missing eyes after she was exposed to a dangerous fungicide during her pregnancy. The Supreme Court of Florida re-affirmed this verdict seven years later. Mr. Ferraro later wrote a book about this case called Blindsided. This book chronicles his experience taking on the industrial giants in a real-life David and Goliath fashion. You can read this incredible courtroom drama and get an insider's perspective of Mr. Ferraro's relentless approach to litigation. James L. Ferraro, Jr. is a Partner at The Ferraro Law Firm. Mr. Ferraro has focused his career on handling cases that involve products liability, multidistrict litigation (MDL), toxic torts, class actions, environmental litigation, asbestos/mesothelioma litigation, catastrophic personal injury, and wrongful death. Since joining Ferraro Law in 2013, Mr. Ferraro has not only grown as a trial attorney, but has been instrumental to the firm's expansion into several high-profile mass tort areas, including, but not limited to, environmental litigation and pharmaceutical litigation. Part of Mr. Ferraro's expansion initiative has involved representing municipal clients in both opioid and environmental litigation. Additionally, he has been involved in several multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements. For example, in 2015, he served as co-lead counsel in Taylor v. Georgia-Pacific LLC (Miami-Dade County) and secured a $17,175,000 verdict. Mr. Ferraro was also named to the list of "Top 40 Under 40" lawyers in South Florida. Mr. Ferraro graduated from the University of Miami School of Law and is admitted to practice law in the state of Florida. He used the time surrounding his education to further his experience and prepare for his future career, while distinguishing himself academically. During his tenure at the University of Miami, he served as a law clerk for United States District Court Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. and as a law clerk for Grossman and Roth, P.A. Mr. Ferraro was a recipient of a Dean's Achievement Award. Prior to obtaining his law degree, Mr. Ferraro earned his a bachelor of business administration, while double majoring in finance and managing organizations, from Emory University's Goizueta Business School. His broad range of experience enables him to provide invaluable representation for clients at The Ferraro Law Firm. Education J.D., University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado

Mr. Portal has had his membership with the Florida Bar since 2002. He is admitted to practice law in the United States District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, the Northern District of Illinois, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He is an experienced personal injury and litigation lawyer in Florida. Mr. Portal served as the President of the Miami Dade Trial Lawyers Association ("MDTLA") for the 2017 - 2018 term. He has been an active member of the MDTLA since 2003 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2010. He is also an active member of the Florida Justice Association and Cuban American Bar Association. In addition, he is also a member of the American Association for Justice, where he served on the NLD Board of Governors for Florida from 2005-2006. Mr. Portal has been named as a "Top Up and Comer" by the South Florida Legal Guide and named to the Florida Super Lawyers® Rising Stars™ list in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Mr. Portal was named as a "Top Lawyer" in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado

Jose L. Becerra is a Florida asbestos attorney at The Ferraro Law Firm. Mr. Becerra earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law and obtained a bachelor of business administration with a concentration in marketing from the University of Miami. During law school, Mr. Becerra was a judicial intern for two federal judges: The Honorable Laurel M. Isicoff of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, and The Honorable Edwin G. Torres of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. In addition, Mr. Becerra served as the interschool vice president for the Charles C. Papy Jr. Moot Court Board and successfully competed in numerous appellate advocacy competitions. He was named "Best Oral Advocate" at the C. Clyde Atkins 2011 Fall Moot Court Competition, "Best Oral Advocate Runner Up" at the 2013 Cristol Kahn Paskay Cup, and "Outstanding Oral Advocate" at the 21st Annual Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition. Upon graduation, Mr. Becerra was selected to The Order of Barristers-a United States honor organization that encourages excellence in writing briefs and oral advocacy. Mr. Becerra was also a member of the International and Comparative Law Review and the recipient of the Kapila Family Foundation Scholarship, the Louis Phillips Scholarship, and the Dean's Certificate of Academic Achievement Award in Commercial Law and Tort Law & Policy Seminar. At The Ferraro Law Firm, he handles a broad range of personal injury cases including product liability, wrongful death, mesothelioma and asbestos litigation, and environmental toxic torts. In addition, Mr. Becerra handles family law cases including dissolutions of marriage, child custody and support, and post-judgement matrimonial matters. Education J.D., University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, FL B.B.A., University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado

Leslie Rothenberg is a former judge who served as a Florida trial judge on the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court (Miami-Dade County) for eleven years, and as an appellate court judge on the Third District Court of Appeal for fourteen years. During her tenure on the Third District Court of Appeal, she was elected by her peers to serve as Chief Judge and President of the District Court of Appeal Judges, where she represented the appellate judiciary state-wide and ran the judicial education program. Her twenty-five years on the bench, experience trying cases, rulings, and written opinions, have earned her the respect of her colleagues, the legal community, and the community at large. Prior to Judge Rothenberg's tenure on the bench, she served as a prosecutor for the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office where she prosecuted violently and repeat offenders, homicides, and capital sexual batteries while supervising an entire felony division. Over the course of her career, Judge Rothenberg has tried over 100 jury trials as a lawyer and over 300 jury trials as a judge. She has authored nearly 1,000 published opinions on the law. Her opinions include comprehensive opinions regarding tobacco and asbestos litigation, wrongful death, and product liability cases, closing argument error, and corporate liability. Judge Rothenberg is comfortable in the courtroom and is known for her dedicated work ethic and effectiveness both in and out of the courtroom. Judge Rothenberg has lectured on a number of topics including human trafficking, public corruption, sexual predators, preservation of error, how to avoid closing argument error, effective appellate advocacy, stare decisis, constitutional issues, statutory interpretation, ethics, and professionalism. She has also served on the Dade County Criminal Justice Council Victim's Rights Sub-Committee, on the Board of Directors for Kristi House (which provides services for abused children), as a Guardian Ad Litem for abused, neglected, and abandoned children, as an instructor for the Police Explorers of Homestead, Florida, on the Board of Directors for the Manhood Development Council (sponsored by the Urban League), as the co-chair of the National Council of Jewish Women Israeli Affairs Committee, and worked on an army base in Israel in the Volunteers for Israel Program during Operation Desert Storm. Education JD, Nova Southeastern School of Law, 1986 BA, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Lauderdale, FL University of Denver, Denver, CO.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Partner
• Abogado
• Partner at the Ferraro Law Firm

Marc P. Kunen is a Partner at The Ferraro Law Firm. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney in Miami, Florida, he has achieved a long list of case wins for his valued clients. He has focused his career on handling cases that involve complex civil litigation, products liability, asbestos/mesothelioma litigation, multidistrict litigation (MDL), toxic torts, catastrophic personal injury, and wrongful death. Mr. Kunen graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 2011 magna cum laude and is admitted to practice law in the State of Florida. Mr. Kunen has tried numerous cases and recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for the firm. Notably, Mr. Kunen has secured verdicts in the amount of $70,102,000 in Thornton v. GEA Mechanical Equipment US, Inc., $9,000,000 in Moure-Cabrera v. Johnson & Johnson, $6,785,000 in Moore v. John Crane Inc., and $2,854,159 in Hernandez v. Union Carbide Corporation. Mr. Kunen's $70 million verdict in Thornton was the third largest verdict in the State of Florida in 2019. His $9 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson in 2020 was the first verdict against a talcum powder manufacturer in the State of Florida. In 2014, The Daily Business Review nominated Mr. Kunen as a finalist for its Most Effective Products Liability Lawyers. Mr. Kunen has also been named to the National Trial Lawyer's "Top 40 Under 40" for the last three years and has served on the Board of Directors for the Miami-Dade Trial Lawyers Association since 2016. In 2019, Mr. Kunen was awarded South Florida's Champion of the Year by the Best Buddies nonprofit organization, for his work to promote inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Education J.D., University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado

Mathew D. Gutierrez is The Ferraro Law Firm's appellate practitioner. In this role, Mr. Gutierrez is responsible for every aspect of the firm's appellate practice, which spans all levels of Florida's state and federal courts. He also provides the firm's trial lawyers with litigation and brief-writing support and advises them on preservation of error issues. Prior to joining The Ferraro Law Firm, Mr. Gutierrez spent more than four years as a litigator at one of the largest multi-national defense firms in the country (Am Law 50). In that capacity, Mr. Gutierrez represented clients in high-stakes corporate litigation, with a particular emphasis on appeals, contractual and partnership disputes, federal securities law claims, and First Amendment litigation. His clients included Fortune 50 corporations, financial institutions, major political parties and candidates, hospital systems, brokerage firms, developers, and manufacturers. Mr. Gutierrez began his post-law school career as a judicial law clerk to Judge Leslie B. Rothenberg at the Florida Third District Court of Appeal. As an appellate law clerk, Mr. Gutierrez researched and analyzed contested legal issues, presented written and oral case recommendations to judges, and drafted legal memoranda and proposed opinions for publication. During his clerkship, Mr. Gutierrez also served as Moot Court Coach at the University of Miami School of Law. Mr. Gutierrez earned his law degree from Emory University School of Law (J.D., with honors, 2011), where he was a research assistant to Dean Robert A. Schapiro. During law school, he also served as an intern at the United States District Court, the United States Attorney's Office, the Fulton County District Attorney's Office, and the Fulton County Superior Court. Mr. Gutierrez received his undergraduate degree in English literature from the University of Miami (B.A., 2008). Mr. Gutierrez is admitted to practice in Florida and the District of Columbia. He is conversational in Spanish. Education J.D., With Honors, Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, Georgia, 2011 B.A., English Literature, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, 2008

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado

Natalia M. Salas focuses her practice on representing injured victims and consumers in catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, defective medical device, and product liability cases. Ms. Salas is an experienced litigator, who represents plaintiffs in both state and federal courts, with an emphasis on briefing dispositive trial-level motions and memoranda, class actions, and multi-district litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Salas served as Assistant General Counsel to the University of Miami, where she represented the University and UHealth in the areas of litigation, healthcare regulatory compliance, data privacy, technology transfer, sponsored research, athletics, and intellectual property. From 2012 to 2018, Ms. Salas was Senior Counsel at one of the largest multi-national firms (Am Law 50). In that capacity, Ms. Salas represented clients in high-stakes and complex commercial litigation disputes and arbitrations, with an emphasis on health care, real estate, securities fraud, reinsurance, and intellectual property. Ms. Salas also served as the MDL clerk to Judge James Lawrence King in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, responsible for overseeing a consumer financial fraud multi-district litigation, through class certification, resulting in over $1 billion in settlements. Ms. Salas earned her law degree from the University of Miami School of Law. During law school, she received a Dean's Merit Scholarship, awards in Litigation Skills, and served on the University of Miami Law Review and the Moot Court Board. Ms. Salas obtained her undergraduate degree in Public Policy and Spanish, with a Policy Journalism and Media Certificate, from Duke University. Ms. Salas is admitted to practice in Florida and Illinois. She is fluent in Spanish. Education Duke University University of Miami School of Law

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado
• Attorney in Miami, Florida

Ralph R. Longo IV is an attorney in Miami, Florida working as an associate with the team at The Ferraro Law Firm. Mr. Longo attended the University of Connecticut, where he graduated with a B.S. in Finance from the UConn School of Business. While at the University of Connecticut, Mr. Longo was a New England Scholar Award winner, as well as a Greenwich Scholarship award recipient. Further, during his undergraduate studies, Mr. Longo honed his research and writing skills while working as a Featured Columnist for a major online sports publication. After completing his undergraduate studies, Mr. Longo attended the University of Miami School of Law, where he was a Dean's Merit Scholarship award winner. Mr. Longo also successfully completed the University of Miami Litigation Skills Program. Further, Mr. Longo won the 2014 Collegiate Boxing Light Heavyweight National Championship while completing his legal studies. Throughout his tenure in law school, Mr. Longo spent time as a law clerk with The Ferraro Law Firm. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2016 and is a member of the American Bar Association, as well as the Dade County Bar Association. Education J.D., University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, FL, 2016 B.S., University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 2013, Major: Finance

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado

Scott A. Knott is an experienced tax whistleblower attorney in Florida who has focused his practice on handling these claims. He was instrumental in founding the tax group within The Ferraro Law Firm in 2007, and also filed the group's first tax whistleblower claim. These claims now total over $1 billion. Over the course of his practice, Mr. Knott has represented hundreds of clients in whistleblower cases to the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the United States Tax Court. His awards from the IRS total in the tens of millions of dollars; he has handled cases involving tax refunds and tax deficiencies totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. His clients have included individuals of high net worth, foreign governments, multinational companies, and disadvantaged taxpayers. He has handled cases in federal court and tax courts. Mr. Knott's broad range of experience encompasses both domestic and international tax issues. He has worked with cases from audit to appeals, representing some of the largest corporations in the world. He works directly with his clients, handling every aspect of the case from entering an initial submission with the IRS Whistleblower office to running communication throughout the duration of a claim to filing appeals with the tax court in regards to IRS award decisions. He has experience in alternative dispute resolution processes including Advanced Pricing Agreement plans and pre-filing agreements. He has also handled tax crime cases involving the criminal investigation division of the IRS as well as the United States Department of Justice. Education Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, District of Columbia, 2003 Mr. Knott is a regularly requested speaker for tax conferences.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Education Committee
• Abogado
• Associate Attorney at the Ferraro Law Firm

Steven Valdes is an associate attorney at The Ferraro Law Firm representing victims in cases involving product liability, wrongful death, asbestos-related diseases, and environmental toxic torts. Mr. Valdes graduated, cum laude, from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Thereafter, Mr. Valdes earned his Juris Doctorate from the Florida International University College of Law graduating, cum laude. He was the recipient of the C.A.L.I Excellence for the Future Award in Constitutional Law. During law school, Mr. Valdes was an active member of the FIU Moot Court Board of Advocates, where he received specialized training arguing complex matters before panels of seasoned attorneys. Mr. Valdes was also a teaching assistant for the Legal Skills and Values II course, where he conducted research, mock competitions, and assisted in training future lawyers to write and orate before a panel of judges. While excelling in his courses, Mr. Valdes also served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Judge Jose M. Rodriguez for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, where he further developed the necessary skills to analyze legal issues and advocate for our clients in a variety of complex matters. Mr. Valdes worked as a law clerk with The Ferraro Law Firm during his final year of law school before ultimately being admitted to practice law in the State of Florida. Mr. Valdes is fluent in Spanish. Education Bachelor of Arts degree, University of Florida, cum laude Juris Doctorate, Florida International University College of Law, cum laude

Job Titles:

• Presidential Foundation, Trustee