Step into a world of inspiration, empowerment, and bold stories from women leading with purpose. This issue features exclusive interviews and practical insights for life, leadership, and growth. Perfect for readers who thrive on authenticity and ambition.
BAR ADMISSIONS
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
Prior to founding Elmm Law Group, Partner/Founder Gordana (Gordi) Mikalacki served as an Assistant Attorney General in Arizona under three Attorneys General and partnered with another Arizona personal injury law firm. Gordi founded Elmm Law Group because she found the Arizona personal injury legal market to be stale and saturated with predominantly male-run firms more concerned about their bottom lines than client injuries.
Elmm Law Group handles all types of personal injury matters including trucking, car, motorcycle, pedestrian, bicycle, & motorcycle accidents as well as dog bites & wrongful deaths.
Gordi’s firm prides itself on providing clients with a nontraditional law firm experience focusing on direct attorney-client contact (she gives clients her private cell phone number), diligence, and straightforwardness. It uses modern technology such as AI to elevate efficiency and build client case values.
Elmm Law Group also takes a no-nonsense approach geared towards settling cases while protecting client interests. Still, when it comes to cases that cannot be settled without litigation, Gordi and her Team advocate diligently for their clients in the courtroom, given her background as an Assistant Attorney General.
Karen E. Evans is a shareholder with The Cochran Firm’s Washington, D.C. office. She serves as its Director of Medical Malpractice and serves as co-chair of The National Cochran Firm Medical Malpractice Section. Ms. Evans is also a member of the National Cochran Firm nine-member Board of Directors. She has represented clients in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia throughout her career of over 30 years as a trial attorney and has successfully prosecuted a wide variety of high- stakes litigation matters. From 1995 to 2000, she successfully defended and won over 92% of all serious medical malpractice cases tried to jury verdict. Since 2000, she has used the combination of her experience as a registered nurse, inside defense attorney know-how, knowledge of medicine, and zealous trial advocacy skills to pursue claims on behalf of her clients. Ms. Evans has successfully and consistently tried or settled the claims and lawsuits she prosecuted in the seven and eight-figure ranges.
Ms. Evans has been awarded AV Preeminent rating, the highest level of professional excellence and ethics by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review. She has been consistently selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, The Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Lawyers, Lawdragon, and the Washington Post, Baltimore and Washington D.C.’s Top Lawyers, among other honors. Most recently, in 2025, she was selected for inclusion in the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
Ms. Evans is also a leader and stalwart in the legal community. In 2016, she was elected to the D.C. Bar Board of Governors and appointed by the D.C. Bar President to serve on the D.C. Bar Executive Committee. With approximately 100,000 members, the D.C. Bar is the second largest unified bar in the United States and provides oversight structure necessary to maintain the profession’s ethical standards and Rules of Professional Conduct. Ms. Evans is one of a select few Personal Injury (PI) attorneys to be elected to the D.C. Bar Board of Governors.
Ms. Evans is a Past President of the Washington Bar Association, one of the oldest and most prestigious African American bar associations in the country. She is a Past President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. and continues to serve on its Board of Governors. She is a Past President of the Washington Bar Association Educational Foundation. Ms. Evans is also a past President of The Black Lawyers Top 100. Additionally, she serves on the Executive Committee of the National Trial Lawyers Association. Ms. Evans is an active member of the Council for Court Excellence (CCE), serves as a member of its Executive Committee, and is Chair of the Nomination Committee. She is a member of The Melvin M. Belli Society, an invited national group of lawyers who have distinguished themselves as trial lawyers and who are committed to promoting the international exchange of ideas among lawyers through meetings and education.
Ms. Evans is also a member of the American Association of Nurse Attorneys and has been featured in its members’ recognition section. She has been an invited speaker and guest lecturer at the request of various legal associations and groups, including The George Washington University Law Center, the Virginia Nurses Association, the D.C. Superior Court Judicial Training session committee, the D.C. Trial Lawyers Association, the Ohio Association for Justice, the Maryland Association for Justice, East Carolina University College of Nursing, American University School of Law. National Trial Lawyers, National Bar Association, Maryland Association for Justice, and The Society of Women Trial Lawyers. Ms. Evans has been a keynote speaker for Bowie State School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony and the Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington, D.C.
Ms. Evans is a member of the state and federal Bars in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, as well as the United States Supreme Court. She was an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law from 2005-2012 and has served as a mediator for the D.C. Superior Court.
Before attending law school, Ms. Evans was a Captain in the United States Air Force Nurse Corps and practiced medical/surgical and intensive care nursing for ten years. She earned her B.S. in Nursing from East Carolina University in 1980. She began her legal education at Texas Tech University School of Law, where she was selected for Law Review. After her first year of study, she transferred to The University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill and earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1990.
Meliha loves being there to both guide and support her clients after they have been injured and take action on their behalf. She loves getting to know her clients so she can share how client’s life was changed when it comes time to hold the wrongdoer accountable. Sometimes Meliha and the CHASENBOSCOLO team can negotiate a settlement that meets her client’s expectation. Most of the time, she is required to sue to get justice and closure. Meliha is a trial lawyer at heart, yet understands that trial is not always the best option for every client. Either way, Meliha is there to listen to and advise her clients on the pros and cons of each option. Together, Meliha and her client reach the best outcome for the client. She understands that each client is different and that the “best outcome” looks different for each client.
Meliha is proud to be born and raised in Puerto Rico. She came to the Washington, DC area for college and never left. She is fluent in Spanish, which provides her the opportunity to get to communicate directly with her Spanish speaking clients so that they fully understand all aspects of their case. She also understands French and is able to speak it enough to communicate with French speaking clients.
Meliha is also very involved in the legal community and is especially passionate about helping other female lawyers. She is on the Board of Governors for the Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ) and is Co-Chair of its Women’s Caucus. As Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus Meliha is working to give back as she has had and continues to have amazing mentors that have helped her grow. In June of 2023, Meliha was received the Maryland Association for Justice – Women’s Caucus Award in recognition of her leadership to other women trial attorneys and commitment to giving back to other women inside and outside of the legal profession. Meliha is also a member of Society of Women Trial Lawyers.
When Meliha is not working on getting to know her clients and working on their cases, she loves spending time with her husband, son, and dog (all boys). You can find her sitting outside playing with her boys, playing tennis, hanging out by the pool in the summer or at the fire pit during the cold of winter, spending time with friends or reading a book.
Massiel Rhoden is a dynamic entrepreneur who has successfully ventured into various industries throughout her career. As the current owner of Boga Latin Cuisine and Station Lounge, Massiel brings a wealth of experience from her diverse professional journey.
Her career path includes:
Massiel’s unique blend of experiences in healthcare, beauty, and culinary arts has shaped her approach to business. She applies her attention to detail, commitment to excellence, and passion for customer satisfaction across all her ventures.
Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to quality have made her current venues must-visit destinations for food enthusiasts and those seeking memorable dining experiences. Massiel continues to leverage her diverse skill set to innovate and excel in the competitive world of hospitality.
My name is Lisa Knierim. Throughout my career I have worked diligently to become the rare combination of a Long-View Strategist coupled with a Short-View Tactician. I have a powerful understanding and commitment to spearhead company growth through leadership in restoring or developing a culture for success as well as getting new businesses up and running successfully and turning-around companies. I’m an operationally oriented senior leader and business partner who optimizes both revenues and profits with a business style always focused on driving business performance to achieve ROI objectives. I have achieved leadership roles in companies including Villeroy & Boch Americas, Panasonic North America, Wilton, Jarden Consumer Solutions, and Black & Decker. Industry exposure includes Consumer Products, Housewares, Textiles, Food Service/Hospitality and Consumer Electronics with revenues from $5MM to over $2B.
After earning my bachelor’s degree in business and marketing from SUNY, I entered the Textile Industry to explore my passion for product development, sales, and begin my journey towards executive management. Currently, I am the Chief Development Officer for Creative Tops Inc. where I’m focused on expanding our U.S. retail and food service businesses, as well as forming new relationships with foreign companies and brands to commercialize in the United States.
I’ve spent the last 30 years learning everything there is to know about the Housewares, Hospitality/Food Service industries as well as the U.S. Retail landscape. I’m currently applying this knowledge in my role as CDO for Creative Tops Inc. where I’m responsible for the U.S. business. I’ve held several leadership roles, CEO of Villeroy & Boch to GM of Wilton, but my latest challenge has been helping Creative Tops Inc. improve their B2B and B2C businesses in the tabletop and drinkware segments. You can follow my work via here.
I am an elected Councilwoman for Cranbury Township in New Jersey. I was sworn in as Mayor on January 2, 2025. I am the Vice-President of the Tabletop Association. I have just concluded my second, three-year terms as a Board Member for the International Housewares Association. I have attended and exhibited at the Internation Housewares Show, NRA Show, Ambiente, Maison Object Show, Gourmet Show, CES and many regional shows throughout my career. I have received my green and black belt certification in Six Sigma strategies.
I am married to my wonderful husband Adam, whom I affectionately refer to as our CHO, Chief Home Officer. He is incredibly supportive of my career and aspirations. Together we are raising our 15-year-old daughter Greta. Our home is made complete with our golden-doodle Monty and our crazy cat named Crouton. We don’t watch a lot of TV in our home, but we also say “sports don’t count”, so there is inevitably a court, field, course, rink of some sort on our television as we cheer on our favorite collegiate and professional teams. I was born and raised in New Jersey. I grew up in Manalapan Township and spent all my summers in Lavallette. I tell everyone with a preconceived notion of NJ, that we are “The Garden State” for many reasons. I have lived in Nutley, Wayne, Manalapan, Woodbridge, and currently reside in Cranbury New Jersey. That’s Exit 8 or 8A off the NJ Turnpike for those that don’t know how we give directions here.
Laura Moore, the founder and CEO of Moore Injury Funding, brings a diverse background and a deep commitment to helping those in need. Originally from Kaunas, Lithuania, in North Europe, Laura pursued her education at prestigious institutions, including Vilnius University in Kaunas and the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany, where she studied German Philology. In 2001, she immigrated to the United States and embarked on a journey that would lead her to make a significant impact in the personal injury arena. Laura Moore has a Pre-Medical Science Degree from Georgia State University. She spent eleven years in the medical field in various medical settings, including the ER, surgical ICU, pharmacy, cardiology, operating rooms, preventative and sports medicine, family medicine, OBGYN, emergency care, podiatry, DME, and functional medicine.
Laura’s personal experience with a life-altering accident became the catalyst for starting Moore Injury Funding. Following a T-bone collision in December 2021, Laura underwent extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, enduring numerous procedures and therapies to manage her injuries. Throughout her challenging recovery, she recognized the financial strain and emotional toll that individuals face during the litigation process. Determined to alleviate the burdens of injured individuals, Laura established Moore Injury Funding in June 2022.
With her educational background, extensive knowledge of personal injury cases, and profound compassion for those suffering from injuries, Laura provides nationwide Legal Funding services. Her goal is to offer financial relief to injured individuals, enabling them to meet their basic needs, receive necessary medical treatments, and sustain themselves during the litigation process until a fair settlement is reached. Laura's personal journey fuels her dedication to helping others navigate the challenges of their own injury claims with compassion and support.
My personal life philosophy is that we should always aim to leave things better than we found them. With a passion for community building and helping others realize their full potential, I’ve played an instrumental role in a leadership position for nearly six years for a membership-based community of consumer advocate attorneys wishing to practice in a more modern way. In my time with the company.
• Honed in intentional marketing and retention efforts to increase membership by over 400% since the formal launch in 2020.
• Provided company branding guidance and created the company’s new brand guidelines conveying proper tone, copy, visuals, etc.
• Planned, coordinated, executed, and hosted virtual, in-person, and hybrid programming/events rooted in education and/or curated networking – averaging at least 30+ per year from 2020-2024.
• Provided guidance for and executed sponsored activities as well as strategic partnerships connecting attorneys to vendors in the legal industry.
• Spearheaded organic social media marketing efforts to grow company platforms from zero to thousands of engaged followers. This includes content strategy, concepts, creation, and platform engagement.
• Launched an in-house Media Team to guide attorney members on appropriate and ethical usage of social media to enhance their personal brand.
• Managed, mentored, and advocated for direct reports to grow with the company based on individual strengths and skillsets exhibited throughout time at the company.
• Worked alongside Operations, Business Development, and Sales teams to create a consistent company message and customer journey.
Founder, SMT Litigation Consulting, and Founding Partner of Synergy Litigation Services [SLS].
Samantha Teal is a highly regarded litigation consultant and the founder of SMT Litigation Consulting, bringing over eight years of invaluable experience in trial preparation, jury strategy, and courtroom dynamics. Her career has been marked by a proven track record of success, contributing to verdicts exceeding $400 million across diverse jurisdictions, including Michigan, Illinois, Philadelphia, California, and Iowa.
Samantha’s expertise lies in developing winning strategies for complex, high-stakes cases. She specializes in jury selection, deposition and witness analysis, crafting persuasive trial themes, and delivering comprehensive trial preparation support.
Throughout her career, Samantha has collaborated with some of the most respected legal professionals in the field. Her strategic insights have earned widespread recognition, with attorneys praising her for being “thorough, inquisitive, thoughtful, supportive, and absolutely essential to the success of trial teams.”
Under Samantha’s leadership, SMT Litigation Consulting has become a trusted partner for law firms and legal teams seeking tailored, results-driven trial strategies.
In 2024, as a founding partner, Samantha started Synergy Litigation Services, a litigation support company providing court reporting services to legal professionals around the country.
When she’s not immersed in case preparation, Samantha enjoys spending time with her family in Detroit, where she was born and raised, in addition to, mentoring aspiring legal professionals, and sharing her insights through speaking engagements and workshops.
Giselle's academic journey began with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry followed by a Master's Degree in Biochemistry, both obtained from Georgia State University. Her scientific background laid a solid foundation for her analytical mindset and attention to detail, qualities that have proven invaluable in her professional endeavors.
Giselle honed her skills as a Chemist at The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, GA, where she spent nearly four years applying her expertise in chemistry to contribute to the company's product development and quality assurance processes.
Driven by a passion for optimizing systems and processes, Giselle transitioned to the legal sector, joining a law firm where she played a pivotal role in developing and implementing effective operational frameworks. Her dedication and strategic acumen quickly earned her the position of COO at the firm for ten years.
Currently, Giselle is the COO of Velocity Work, a company that focuses on quarterly strategic planning for attorneys. Known for her exceptional ability to establish dependable organizational processes and foster enthusiastic team participation, Giselle has played a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and efficiency within her organization.
Originally from Corozal, Puerto Rico, Giselle brings a diverse perspective and cultural richness to her work. Outside of her professional pursuits, she is a devoted mother to three daughters and enjoys exploring new destinations through travel, embracing the opportunity to immerse herself in different cultures and experiences.
With a relentless commitment to excellence and a drive to continuously innovate and improve, Giselle Urbina exemplifies leadership and expertise in her field, leaving an indelible mark on the organizations she serves.
Michael Alder is owner and Senior Trial Attorney at AlderLaw, a leading Los Angeles firm that represents plaintiffs in personal injury, business torts and employment litigation cases. As one of the top trial attorneys in California, Mr. Alder vigorously pursues all cases on behalf of his clients who have suffered injustices.
As an underdog advocate, Mr. Alder takes pride in being personally involved in every case his firm takes on. Along with his team of lawyers, paralegals, law clerks and litigation assistants, he is consistently breaking records and earning the praise of the press with significant settlements and impressive verdicts.
The former CAALA president, well renowned speaker, and published author on trial strategy has a long history of supporting other trial attorneys. Mr. Alder maintains a 9,000-deposition database and an expert witness directory and provides information, at no charge, to up and coming lawyers upon request.
Jeremy L. Tissot is an accomplished attorney with over 20 years of experience representing seriously injured plaintiffs in high-stakes cases. He began his career at one of California’s largest defense firms, becoming the youngest partner in the firm’s history while leading catastrophic injury cases. Transitioning to plaintiffs’ work, he handled major class action suits, including a $29.9 million settlement against Radio Shack. In 2007, he founded The Tissot Law Firm, which focuses on serious injury and wrongful death cases, with a specialty in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). His expertise in insurance company tactics has made him a sought-after trial lawyer known for adding immense value to cases.
Beyond his legal work, Tissot is deeply involved in charitable and professional organizations. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Consumer Attorneys of California and the Executive Committee of Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities (LATLC), where he will become President in 2027. He has received several accolades, including the LATLC Presidential Award for Outstanding Dedication. A frequent speaker at national legal conferences, Tissot has shared his expertise on TBI and trial tactics with thousands of lawyers and is a faculty member at the Dordick Trial Lawyer College and TBI Med Legal.
Attorney Jessica Tehlirian is the founder of Tehlirian Law Group. After a decade of practice, she started the firm to provide a firm that focuses on respect and open communication.
She began her career as a prosecutor in Tallahassee, Florida, where she advocated for thousands of victims in the community. She had more than twenty jury and non-jury trials ranging from misdemeanors to rape and murder. Thereafter, she was the Head of the Litigation Department for The Cochran Firm Jacksonville. There, she supervised other litigation attorneys while maintaining her caseload of personal injury cases involving serious injuries and death. She has personally recovered millions of dollars for her injured clients.
Additionally, she served as The National Social Media Manager for The Cochran Firm. Next, she became a managing partner for a law firm based out of Florida. She helped the firm grow from one office in Florida to offices in Atlanta and nationwide.
Attorney Tehlirian is admitted to practice law in the states of Florida and Georgia. She has practiced all aspects of personal injury litigation, including premise liability, car accidents, and truck accidents. She takes pride in treating all her clients as if they are family members. She works closely with clients to develop case strategies and obtain successful results. She has a sincere passion for helping others, not just as part of her job but also outside of work.
After graduating from The University of Michigan in 2011, she obtained her Juris Doctorate from Florida State University along with a Business Law Certificate with Honors in 2014. Thereafter, she obtained her Master of Business Administration from Florida State in 2019. She is licensed to practice in Florida and Georgia. She has been awarded The Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers and The National Black Lawyers for multiple years. She was also awarded the Nation’s Best Advocate “40 Lawyers Under 40” by The National Bar Association in 2022.
She also enjoys volunteering with various organizations in Georgia. Attorney Tehlirian is also the founder of The Tehlirian Foundation, a charity that helps underrepresented students navigate their academic careers.
Olivia Nuss is currently the Head of Legal and Business Affairs at Student Athlete NIL (SANIL), where she has played a pivotal role in the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics. Olivia’s expertise in contracts and sports law has propelled her to the forefront of the rapidly evolving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) industry, earning her recognition as one of the Top 70 most influential people in the NIL space, per Silver Wave Media.
A proud three-time graduate of LSU, Olivia’s sports career began long before she joined SANIL. Throughout her time at LSU, Olivia worked for LSU Athletics while earning both her bachelor’s degree in digital advertising and her master’s degree in strategic communications. Her early career included impactful roles at LSU Athletics Compliance and NIL, Eccker Sports, and Influential, where she played a key role in the development of LSU’s renowned NIL department, "NILSU," in 2020/2021.
Olivia oversees all aspects of contract management, which includes drafting, negotiating, executing, and enforcing all agreements for her company. Her responsibilities include managing student-athlete agreements, brand and business sponsorships, advertising partnerships, agent negotiations, and compliance with NCAA regulations. To date, Olivia has personally drafted over $50 million in NIL deals for student-athletes across 56 universities.
Beyond her work at SANIL, Olivia is an influential voice in the sports law community. She has shared her expertise as a guest lecturer at Rutgers Law School and the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication, and as a panelist at the Tulane Women in Sports Law Symposium. In addition to her speaking engagements, Olivia hosts "The Disclosure," a podcast dedicated to discussing student-athlete NIL advertising, sports marketing.
Through her leadership and passion, Olivia Nuss hopes to inspire and empower the next generation of women in sports.
Emerald is the founder of CEO of Emerald Consulting Group, LLC. During Emerald’s career, she has been coined the ultimate executor for her strong ability to produce intended results in an efficient and progressive fashion. She is regarded as a competent leader prepared to surpass all expectations. Emerald holds a Masters in Civil Engineering from Kennesaw State University, Southern Polytechnic School of Engineering and multiple engineering professional certifications. She has designed and oversaw the construction of various mid/high rises, homes, stadiums, and highways/bridges throughout Georgia. Emerald has provided engineering and construction consulting services as a Program Management Consultant for tens of billions of dollars in projects and programs.
She is a graduate of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC Georgia) Future Leader Development Program. Emerald was recently selected as one of the 35 Under 35 Women to Know in Georgia Engineering by ACEC Georgia’s 100 Most Influential Women in Engineering Committee. In addition to engineering, Emerald is also a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia proving residential and commercial services. Understanding the ins and outs of design and ground up construction, puts Emerald at an advantage to better represent her clients and provide them peace of mind that their home or business property is built efficiently.
Emerald’s passion for serving, promotes her servant leadership abilities. Emerald annually volunteers for ACEC’s Georgia, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, as well as the annual STEM Day event. She annually participates as a national judge for the DiscoverE annual Future City Planning competition, where she able to motivate and provide sound engineering judgment of the cities for our next generation of engineers.
Dr. Lisa Reid is an Endocrine surgeon in practice for over 15 years.
She is an Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief of the newly established Section of Endocrine Surgery at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ.
On faculty at Cooper Medical School at Rowan University (CMSRU), she is the Clerkship director for the M3 Surgery Clerkship and the M4 Surgery Sub internship. She is the proud recipient of the 2021 Sol Sherry award for teaching excellence, as chosen by her peers. Dr. Reid was a student advisor for 8 years, before assuming the role of the Administrative Director of the Advisory Colleges at CMSRU.
She was appointed chair of the Surgery DEI committee, which was developed in 2019. The committee has been working to address issues related to diversity to span the medical students, residents and faculty.
She has published book chapters having to do with Endocrine surgery topics of thyroid and parathyroid disease.
She is passionate about providing excellent patient care, health equity, and medical education at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Margarita Eberline is a pioneer in legal marketing and the visionary founder of Marketing Boss, a Chief Marketing Officer firm exclusively for law firms. Marketing Boss fills a critical gap in the legal industry by providing innovative marketing leadership tailored to the unique needs of attorneys. With her trailblazing approach, Margarita has redefined how law firms attract, engage, and retain clients.
She is also the author of Connect Convert, the groundbreaking law firm sales book that introduces her game-changing Connect Convert methodology. This innovative framework equips law firms with actionable tools to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Through the Connect Convert program, powered by Marketing Boss, Margarita offers a comprehensive suite of resources—including dynamic video training, customized Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development, and personalized 1-1 mindset coaching. Her programs are designed to help legal teams enhance their client intake, sales, and service strategies to maximize success.
Driven by her passion for helping law firms succeed, Margarita specializes in bridging the gap between lead generation and long-term client relationships. She teaches law firm teams how to build trust, foster emotional connections, and overcome the silent challenges—such as ghosting—that can sabotage their marketing investments. Her practical, results-oriented techniques are transforming how attorneys approach client acquisition and retention.
Margarita believes every phone call is a chance to create meaningful connections and transform lives. Her insights are revolutionizing the way law firms adapt to the evolving legal marketing space. A sought-after thought leader on client acquisition and conversion, she has inspired countless attorneys to step up, refine their processes, and bring their best energy to every conversation. Margarita enjoys inspiring attorneys to shift their mindsets, align their energy, and create a client experience that drives loyalty—from the very first ring to a signed case.
When she’s not guiding firms to greater success, you can find Margarita savoring a strong cup of coffee in her signature Marketing Boss Yeti, making lit memes, hitting the weights at the gym, or planning her next travel adventure. Most of all, she enjoys being a mother to her 5 boys who have inspired her to be a master negotator, as every day with them has been the ultimate test in creativity, persuasion, and resilience.
Michael Madadi is the Attorney Director of Pre-Litigation at BD&J. He has spent his career fighting for the rights of everyday people. Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Mr. Madadi has spent his lifetime around the same people that he knows entrusts him and his team with their cases. From his humble beginnings as the son of immigrant parents he fully understands the plight that many people must deal with while they are injured and battling insurance companies. Starting from high school in Calabasas, graduating from UCLA and finally attending law school at Whittier Law School in Newport Beach, Mr. Madadi knows California and its people because that is his home, and these are his neighbors.
Over $100 Million Recovered
As an advocate for the people, Mr. Madadi has worked in the Consumer Protection Unit of the San Diego District Attorney’s office, followed by a position at a prestigious antitrust firm with large-scale verdicts against corporate defendants. After leaving antitrust Mr. Madadi has worked with many of the most well-known litigators and large-scale personal injury firms in the state of California. Once settled at BD&J, Mr. Madadi has managed the pre-litigation department with his skilled team of case managers and assistants. Michael’s straight-shooting, empathetic, and organized style helps give his clients clarity about the direction of their case while understanding the pain they endure. His team fully recognizes the difficult and complex nature of both accidents and injuries, and his skill set is tailored to maximize the benefit while minimizing the costs associated to a client’s case.
Michael has represented thousands of clients and recovered millions on their behalf. He continues to successfully represent clients in auto accidents, slip and falls, premise liability cases as well as cases that involve traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and wrongful deaths. Mr. Madadi is highly skilled in victoriously litigating large verdicts and his commitment to obtaining the best outcome for his clients remains his top priority. Making every attempt to secure a proper case outcome prior to incurring litigation costs, Michael fights to ensure his clients receive the maximum recovery for their injuries.
Mr. Madadi is admitted to the California Bar as well as the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Michael is an avid basketball player who believes that basketball is the quintessential game for building chemistry, leadership, and teamwork, which are all elements that can be used within our daily work lives. His love of basketball and the city of Los Angeles makes him quite the fan of the Los Angeles Lakers. Mr. Madadi spends his free time doing physical activities that keep him fit, spending time with his wonderful family, and hanging out with his dog (aptly named “Buss” for the namesake of the Lakers organization).
Education
Representative Case Outcomes
Languages
Dawn Danna Marullo is a named member of Courington, Kiefer, Sommers, Marullo & Matherne, a majority owned woman law firm in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ms. Marullo was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in 2002. She received her education from the University of New Orleans (B.S. in biology and B.A. in psychology,1999) and Loyola University School of Law (J.D. 2002). While in law school, Ms. Marullo was a member of Loyola University Law School’s Moot Court, a Moot Court teaching assistant, and a Moot Court staff member. She was also a member of Loyola University’s Trial Advocacy Team and competed in mock trial competitions in Louisiana and Texas.
Ms. Marullo has extensive experience in the Louisiana court system having worked in both New Orleans Municipal Court and New Orleans Criminal District Court. Her practice consists of Civil Defense litigation, including Toxic Tort/Environmental, Motor Vehicle Accident, Bad Faith, Insurance Coverage, Property, Admiralty and Maritime Law, Louisiana State Workers’ Compensation, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and Subrogation Claims. She has tried cases in state courts and criminal courts, including before state and domestic court commissioners, and before the Office of Workers’ Compensation.
Seminars:
Speaker- 2022: Louisiana State Bar Association Mid-Year Meeting CLE Seminar: Women’s Personal and Professional Development Workshop.
Speaker- 2021: Trends Impacting Motor Vehicle Injury Claims in New Orleans.
Speaker- 2016: Louisiana Claims Association Educational Conference and Expo.: Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
Speaker- 2015: Louisiana Claims Association Educational Conference and Expo.: Is it a Jones Act Seaman, Longshoreman, or State Land Worker.
Speaker- 2013: Louisiana Claims Association Education Conference and Expo.: Waves of Change…Oceans of Opportunity: Overview of Jones Act/Maritime Law.
Speaker- 2011: NASP Subrogation Litigation: Skills and Management Conference. A
Fundamental Approach to Direct and Cross Examination.
Ryan Jensen is a dynamic business leader with a passion for scaling startups and driving industry-wide transformations. His journey began at the University of Utah, where he balanced academics with athletics, playing football while earning his MBA. This experience instilled in him the values of teamwork and motivation that continue to shape his leadership style.
Specializing in business efficiency and performance optimization, Ryan has consulted hundreds of law firms on improving their operations. His expertise includes increasing case capacity, optimizing tech stacks, implementing AI, and coaching to improve processes firm-wide. Ryan’s approach combines data-driven analysis with a deep understanding of operational challenges, allowing him to craft tailored solutions that yield tangible results.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Ryan embraces an adventurous spirit. He finds exhilaration in piloting helicopters and planes, showcasing his love for aviation. When grounded, he enjoys riding horses at his parents’ ranch, connecting with nature and his roots. Ryan’s commitment to community is evident in his dedication to volunteering, demonstrating that his passion for making a difference extends far beyond the business world.
Brittany Elmore, MHA, is a trusted management consultant dedicated to helping medical and legal teams achieve strategic goals, increase productivity, and reduce staff attrition. She specializes in staff development, professional coaching, and instructional design using data-driven insights and people-centric methods. In addition to over ten years in the healthcare field and nearly seven years working with law firms, Brittany also has experience across various professional sectors including startups, non-profits, government, real estate, and finance.
As the Co-Founder & President of ViaHire Remote Legal Support Staffing as well as the Principal Management Consultant at Bretagne Consulting, Brittany’s philosophy is “people-first is profitable” and brings her analytical rigor, tech-positive approach, and emotional intelligence to elevate both the bottom line and the people in every organization she serves.
Sandra Diggs-Miller was named vice president of external affairs for Entergy’s federal policy, governmental and regulatory affairs organization in 2023. In this role, she is responsible for collaborating across the enterprise to develop, manage and monitor the integrated stakeholder engagement strategic business plan. Prior to joining the external affairs group, she served as vice president of customer service for Entergy New Orleans from 2019 to 2023 where she was responsible for designing strategies for effective customer outreach; improving customer satisfaction and perception; promoting innovation in the delivery of service and products; and supporting the overall enterprise utility business plan. She joined Entergy in 2000 as part of the company’s legal department where she held the position of assistant general counsel and litigated cases on behalf of Entergy’s operating companies. Prior to joining the company, she was an associate at Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann law firm where she handled complex commercial litigation, personal injury and premise liability, and products liability cases. Diggs Miller earned her Juris Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law, an MBA from Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and sociology from Radford University. Sandra currently serves on the Board of Directors of the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity and Operation Restoration, and previously served on the board of First Tee of Greater New Orleans, KID smart, Pro Bono Project, Louisiana Civil Justice Center, and the R.C. Blakes Scholarship Foundation. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees.
Elia Diaz-Yaeger serves as the Chief Legal Officer for OnPath Federal Credit Union, where she oversees all legal matters, contributes to the company’s strategic direction, and ensures legal compliance while driving business objectives. As part of the executive team, she acts as a trusted advisor, engaging with management and the board of directors on strategic business issues.
Previously, Diaz-Yaeger was a member of OnPath’s Board of Directors, serving on the Executive Committee and as Board Secretary. In her role as Director, she developed, reviewed, and approved an annual budget of nearly $40 million, and was a key figure in drafting and revising credit union policies. She provided guidance on corporate governance, legal, and risk issues, and played a pivotal role in diversifying the Board and C-Suite. Her efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) led to the implementation of a comprehensive DE&I training and metric-driven plan at OnPath.
With over 20 years of management and legal experience, Diaz-Yaeger brings a wealth of expertise in litigation, defense, and board governance to her role. Prior to joining OnPath, she was a Shareholder at Lugenbuhl, specializing in commercial litigation, insurance defense, and coverage. Diaz-Yaeger is known for building inclusive teams that achieve outstanding results and has received numerous awards for her legal skills and leadership in DE&I and advocacy programs. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2018 and in multiple Best Lawyers ‘Women in Law’ editions, was a 2019 Lawyers of Color ‘Nation’s Best’ honoree and won the 2017 Chambers USA Women in Law Future Leader – Gender Diversity award.
Diaz-Yaeger also served on the Board of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) in various roles, including National President, where she developed governance policies, strategies, financial growth, and diversification for the organization. She enhanced the HNBA’s impact on issues important to the Hispanic community and forged partnerships that significantly benefited the community and the legal profession.
In addition to her professional achievements, Diaz-Yaeger serves on the Board of Directors for BLOOM Dance, Inc., contributing to its long-term strategic growth. She co-founded The A.D. Crossman Esperanza Library Project and is a member of the New Orleans Ballet Association and The Krewe of Muses.
Diaz-Yaeger holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (formerly USL) and a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, New Orleans.
Darleene is a native New Orleanian and has been a practicing lawyer for 25 years. She simultaneously earned her Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees from Loyola University College of Law and College of Business.
Throughout her tenure as an Attorney, she has largely worked in the civil defense arena. She is currently a Partner and the Chairperson of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee at Irwin Fritchie Urquhart Moore & Daniels in New Orleans.
When she began working at the firm, she was its first ever African American Attorney. In 2022, she became its first African American female Partner.
She represents manufacturers of Consumer Products, Pharmaceuticals, and Medical Devices in products liability matters, railroad corporations in accidents and employee lawsuits, and other corporations in environmental and occupational disease hazard cases.
She is also double certified in Health and Wellness Coaching and Nutrition Coaching. She is the Founder and CEO of Deep Wellness NOLA, her own holistic health and wellness coaching company, where she focuses on serving as a resource for addressing health, wellness, and lifestyle issues from a holistic perspective. She has a special interest and passion for addressing the challenges facing legal professionals. Darleene serves as a Wellness Contributor, Speaker, and Writer for various legal associations, organizations, and law firms and is committed to improving the Health and Well-Being of her fellow legal professionals.
“When something catastrophic occurs, we have the opportunity to stand up for those people. We look forward to balancing out justice.”
Clive Markland, an eminent figure as a personal injury attorney, has constructed a highly commendable career that extends from his tenure at the Harris County District Attorney’s office to the establishment of his own prosperous law firm. His reputation as one of Texas’s premier trial lawyers is not just a testament to his extensive experience but also a reflection of the unparalleled expertise he brings to the courtroom. With more than 80 cases tried for verdict, Clive’s prosecutorial approach and comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape have earned him widespread recognition and respect among his peers.
Nicole was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BA in European History and French from JMU, and is licensed to practice real estate in Louisiana and Tennessee. Before joining the Dudley DeBosier team in 2019, Nicole gained a variety of professional experience in the music industry, hospitality management and hotel sales, non-profit operations and development, and real estate. In her career, she has received multiple awards, including the 2011 “Manager of the Year” at Nashville’s Union Station Hotel, the 2014 Roy Hutton “Vision in Action Award” at Oasis Center, and the 2018 “Diamond Award” for $20m+ sales from the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee.
Nicole is motivated by an innate, relentless desire to clean, align, improve, and iterate herself and everything she touches. As COO and Salesforce Product Owner for DDB, she constantly asks questions, finds issues and works to understand them from all angles, and seeks to create appropriate solutions. Outside of the office, Nicole is busy raising her blended family of 5 children with her husband and working toward finishing her MBA.
Her favorite quote is “Be truthful, gentle, and fearless,” by Ghandi.
Originally from Baytown, TX, Geya Prudhomme went to Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA where she graduated with Honors with a Bachelor of Science Degree. During her time as an undergraduate, she was on a full academic and volleyball scholarship. In addition to being a student athlete, she was also a member of the Student Government Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and was extremely active in the Alpha Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Upon graduation, she continued her education at the Southern University Law Center and earned her Juris Doctorate Degree in 2003. While in law school, she served on the Moot Court Board, ATLA, BLSA, Louis A. Martinet Society, Inns of Court and was a student attorney for the Juvenile Court Clinic.
Geya has been practicing law in Louisiana for 12 years and is a former Assistant District Attorney for Caddo Parish. As a prosecutor, she was a supervisor that handled high grade felony cases, an array of violent crimes and high profile cases. She was also appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court to serve as a temporary ad hoc City Court Judge. She believes the most important aspect of being a good lawyer is being a great listener, an effective communicator and always going above and beyond to assist her clients. She is proud of being a trial attorney and is most comfortable in a courtroom standing in front of a Judge or Jury.
She is married to Attorney Carlos Prudhomme and has two small children, Zuri and Maze. In her free time, she enjoys doing community service with her sorority, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Born and raised in Russia, Olga is a graduate of South Ural State University Law School in Chelyabinsk, Russia. She was admitted into the practice of law in that jurisdiction in 2009. Olga later moved to the United States to continue her legal education, landing at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.
While at Loyola, Olga was an active participant in the Trial Advocacy program, which selected her to represent Loyola at two high-profile national competitions, in New Orleans, Louisiana and Waco, Texas. She then became involved as an assistant coach of Trial Advocacy teams. Olga was also a member of the Loyola Maritime Law Journal, which honored her with the publication of her student comment, “Medicare Set-Asides in Maritime Personal Injury and Jones Act Claims,” an article addressing the very practical, yet complex, implications of personal injury settlements involving Medicare recipients.
Upon earning her Juris Doctor degree from Loyola, Olga was admitted to practice before all Louisiana state courts. As a proud member of the Dudley DeBosier team, she is eager to use her legal training and advocacy skills to service clients from all walks of life in need of justice and assistance.
In her spare time, Olga enjoys spending time with her better half, her family, and friends. She is fluent in Russian, and is also learning Spanish. She has come to love the New Orleans culture and food so much that you shouldn’t be surprised if she shows up at your next crawfish boil.
Mary Lou Potter is a Senior Account Business Development Representative at Walker Advertising. Since joining in 1986, Mary Lou has built many million dollar firms over her longstanding partnership with Walker Advertising. With 37 years of experience, she has provided complete training and scaling of all departments, helping law firms build.
Briseida Robles is a distinguished professional in the field of litigation finance, with over six years of dedicated experience. Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Briseida’s journey began when her family migrated to Houston, Texas, when she was just four years old. This move laid the foundation for her deep-rooted connections with the Latin community in the legal field, as well as with other immigrant communities.
Briseida’s career is marked by impressive achievements, including facilitating roughly $40 million in pre-settlement funding advances and $10 million in commercial lending sales. Her expertise spans the Texas markets and extends across the United States. She has worked exclusively with the oldest plaintiff law firm in Texas and earned the business of top lawyers in major cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, as well as nationwide.
Fluent in Spanish, Briseida’s native language, she leverages her linguistic skills to build strong relationships within diverse communities. Her family’s story of resilience and determination— migrating to America with three daughters, a hundred dollars, and a car—shapes her approach to her work and life.
Briseida’s professional journey began after high school when she pursued a business degree in college. In 2014 she started her career as a paralegal for a personal injury law firm and a general practice law firm. This experience paved the way for her role as a Texas sales representative for LawCash. Demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit, Briseida eventually opened her own company and partnered with Key Legal Funding, based in New Jersey.
Beyond her professional life, Briseida is deeply family-oriented, cherishing her time with her 12- year-old daughter and her beloved golden doodle Teddy. She loves spending time outdoors, especially by the beach, where she finds the peace and rejuvenation needed to excel in her career. These habits help her restart and reset, enabling her to make the best decisions for her clients and herself when it comes to finances for their businesses.
Briseida is actively involved in her community, attending numerous fundraisers for judges and upcoming candidates for various offices, as well as sponsoring many law firm events across Texas. She is a proud member and fellowship business partner of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association, where she networks with the best trial lawyers in Houston. To stay current with the evolving legal landscape, she regularly attends Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars, particularly those focused on personal injury law and legislative changes.
Her dedication, sales acumen, and ability to foster meaningful connections have made Briseida Robles a trusted name in litigation finance, providing invaluable financial solutions to legal professionals across the country.
