José Ramón Paz Padilla

Practice Areas Commercial & Business Litigation Temporary Restraining Orders & Temporary Injunctions Professional Liability Legal Malpractice & Legal Ethics Disqualification Disputes Appellate Practice Emphasis Carol helps businesses and individuals solve their commercial legal problems, everything from addressing disputes before a lawsuit is filed to aggressively pursuing full-blown litigation and trials. A lawyer for more than 20 years, Carol is experienced, creative, tough and ...

Lisa Kathumbi represents and advises companies, ranging from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, in a broad range of labor and employment matters arising under state and federal law and in denial of benefits claims arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). An experienced employment law litigator with a national practice, Lisa has represented companies and executives in more than twenty jurisdictions in labor and employment matters involving allegations of discr...

Melissa A. Vallone is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Patent Law. Melissa A. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Melissa A. Vallone since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Melissa A. Vallone is held by other lawyers.

Dirk J. Derrick grew up in Conway, SC. His first job was at the age of six as a farmhand on his grandfather's tobacco farm in rural Horry County. He has worked and made money every year since. Dirk credits hot, humid summer days in the tobacco fields as his inspiration to get a good education and work in a climate-controlled environment. His father was a high school teacher and football coach who had been co-captain of the 1957 South Carolina Gamecock football team. Coach Derrick was very com...

Adam Polk is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs. Adam practices law in San Francisco, California Best Lawyers has recognized Adam Polk since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Adam Polk is held by other lawyers.

Zachary O. Bazara is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Zachary O. practices law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Zachary O. Bazara since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Zachary O. Bazara is held by other lawyers.

William Thacker’s practice concentrates on traditional labor matters, employment litigation and day-to-day counseling of clients on the various employee and labor relations issues that arise within their organizations. He advises clients during union representation campaigns and elections as well as non-Board recognition processes, including the negotiation and administration of card-check recognition agreements. Mr. Thacker negotiates collective bargaining agreements; advises clients r...

Tom is a litigator who represents property taxpayers throughout the country, ensuring their tax liabilities are secured at the lowest level allowable under the law. He represents clients spanning numerous industries, ranging in size and complexity from those with large, sophisticated real estate portfolios to those with just one building critical to their operations. Tom sets his clients’ expectations regarding measurable results in every property tax appeal. Before filing, he provides ...

J. Andrew Rogers concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial leasing and all aspects of commercial real estate development, including the representation of owners and developers in the acquisition, financing, and disposition of office buildings, mixed-use developments, hotels, condominiums, warehouses, and apartments. Mr. Rogers' clients include a national retailer with over 1,000 stores (primarily in power centers in the United States and some foreign countries), Fortune 500 compani...

Recognized for his national reputation and success as a child advocate, Dov Apfel has investigated and litigated birth trauma and obstetrical malpractice claims involving children with cerebral palsy and other neurological and intellectual disabilities throughout the United States for over forty years. Those in the legal profession who have worked with Mr. Apfel consider him to be the premier “lawyer’s lawyer” in the area of birth trauma litigation. When families and lawyers...