Frederica Lawyers

Benjamin A. Schwartz is a husband, father, trial lawyer, and Managing Partner of the firm. Ben was born and raised in Dover, Delaware and now resides in Wilmington, Delaware. Ben primarily accepts representation in cases involving serious personal injury and death as the result of negligent, careless or reckless behavior. Ben believes that by holding society’s wrongdoers responsible for their harmful conduct, we create a safer society.

Susan Ament is a partner at Morris James Personal Injury Group and works primarily out of the Broom Street office in Wilmington, DE. She also serves as Guardian Ad Litem attorney through the Office of the Child Advocate for the Family Court of Delaware.

Justin K. Weeks focuses on providing exceptional legal representation to individuals injured by the negligence of others in personal injury, and workers’ compensation matters. Throughout his legal career, Justin remains dedicated and committed to the goal of serving all Delawareans with integrity and dedication. Prior to joining Morris James, Justin served as a Deputy Attorney General for the Delaware Department of Justice. During that time, he prosecuted criminal misdemeanor offenses in the Court of Common Pleas for Kent and Sussex County. In this role, he gained valuable skills and a unique perspective on judicial proceedings. In the year 2003, Justin enlisted in...

At heart, I am a teacher. That's what happens when you come from a family full of educators. When a client comes in, I listen to their story and ask a lot of questions. Then, I explain their legal situation to them and give them a "road map" of how their case will likely play out. When a client's doctor doesn't explain their medical condition to them very well, I give them more information so they can understand what's happening to their body. When they don't understand a medical procedure, I'll explain that to them as well. I'll explain to...

Keith has spent his entire career litigating personal injury and insurance-related cases since 1991. During the first decade of his career he worked in Delaware focused on representing insurance companies and insureds in litigation. Starting in 2002 Keith started working with individuals injured by the negligence of others. He now exclusively handles these types of cases. Keith is a frequent speaker on personal injury insurance issues and on trial techniques and strategies. He is often selected by his peers to serve as an arbitrator and/or mediator.

Admitted to practice law in Delaware in 2011, Julie opened Murray Law LLC in early 2012 because she had a vision of a law practice that was based on constitutional principles and marked by personal service and a common-sense approach.

She introduced herself and her practice by doing a daily call-in on a local radio show. For eighteen months, she used the call-in time as an educational segment that focused on various aspects of the law and conducted many “schools” on topics such as the U.S. Constitution, the Delaware Courts, real estate, landlord/tenant law, traffic offenses, and estate planning.

In January 2015,...

JOSEPH J. RHOADES, ESQ. is the firm's founder. He received his education at the University of Delaware (B.A.A.S., 1976) and the Delaware Law School of Widener University (J.D., Magna Cum Laude 1981). He was a law clerk to The Honorable Henry R. Horsey, Supreme Court of the State of Delaware, from 1981 to 1982. He is a member of the American and Delaware State Bar Associations, the American Association for Justice and the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association. He is a Past President of the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association and a current member of the Association's Board of Governors. He is...

Ron first worked as an associate for the law firm of Hudson, Jones, Jaywork, Williams and Ligouri and practiced out of the firm’s Dover office. In 1998, Ron became a partner with the firm and was the resident managing partner of the Georgetown office from 1998 until 2003. In 2003, Ron left the firm to open his own office in Georgetown which ultimately led to the formation of the Law Offices of Murray, Phillips & Gay.

Ron’s current practice centers almost exclusively on criminal defense and he has successfully defended cases ranging anywhere from murder to simple traffic tickets. As a lawyer,...

With years of legal experience under her belt, Mary has championed causes in Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation, fighting for her clients in Delaware and New Jersey. She also brings a unique perspective from her time defending large corporations. In addition to her formal work, Mary has made impactful contributions through pro bono services. She's stood as a guardian for a vulnerable adult and has acted as a Fair Hearing Officer for the State of Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. Mary's passion extends beyond law and into public service. With a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, she’s been recognized with...

STEPHEN MORROW, ESQ.is a graduate of Milford High School and Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In 2002, Steve earned his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts, where he served as executive managing editor for the New England Journal on Criminal and Civil Confinement and was active in moot court and mock trial programs. Steve is admitted to the bars of the State of Delaware and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has practiced before the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. Steve is an active member of the Delaware Trial Lawyers...

Joseph Jachetti has a diverse civil litigation practice. His primary practice focuses in the area of personal injury claims, catastrophic injuries and wrongful death from automobile accidents, work-related injuries, products liability and general negligence. Prior to practicing law, Joe was an automobile insurance claims adjuster for 10 years. Therefore, he is exceptionally qualified in dealing with all types of insurance related personal injury claims.

Bill is an attorney practicing in the areas of personal injury and workers’ compensation. Bill spent over a decade defending insurance companies in personal injury lawsuits. During this time, Bill worked for a regional defense law firm and as staff counsel for one of the country’s largest insurance carriers. This experience has provided Bill with a keen insight on how insurance carriers value and defend claims that he now uses to provide excellent results for his clients. Prior to joining Pratcher Krayer, Bill was employed by another personal injury and workers’ compensation firm in Wilmington, Delaware where he represented...

I am a trial lawyer specializing in the areas of medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, and personal injury. My practice is focused on helping people who have been injured by the negligence of others. All too often, when a person is injured they are confused about what happened, why it happened, who is responsible, and what to do next. I am committed to providing the personal attention my clients need to get their questions answered and to help them better understand their legal options. In my view, helping individuals obtain fair compensation for their injuries promotes...

Lewis Lazarus focuses his practice on corporate governance and commercial matters in the Delaware Court of Chancery. He has been lead counsel in trials arising out of mergers and acquisitions, including cases involving the entire fairness standard of review, appraisal, books and records actions, actions to compel annual meetings, and actions to determine who rightfully are the managers of a Delaware entity. As a result of his knowledge and familiarity with these and related cases, Lewis often advises special committees and boards in conflict-of-interest transactions. He has counseled boards, companies, or special committees in conflict-of-interest transactions totaling over $7 billion...

Kevin Healy is a founding member of the Morris James Personal Injury Group and is the resident Personal Injury Attorney in the Newark, Delaware location. Every day offers Kevin the opportunity and privilege to serve our clients with the help of our personal injury team. The Personal Injury Group is dedicated to helping individuals who have been injured as a result of the negligence of others as well as those who have suffered injuries at work. It is with great pride that Kevin takes a personal interest in his clients, counseling them through a claims process...

Ross Karsnitz chairs the workers' compensation practice and assists clients with a wide variety of civil litigation including personal injury, workers' compensation, business, and real estate matters in the Georgetown Office. Ross was raised in Sussex County Delaware, and is a second-generation attorney with both his mother and father practicing in Delaware. Following his clerkship with the now President Judge of the Superior Court, Ross practiced criminal defense for the Office of Defense Services, rising through the ranks in Family Court, the Court of Common Pleas and Superior Court in Kent County and New Castle County. By the end of his...

Wilson A. Gualpa is an attorney in the Morris James personal injury practice, with experience representing clients in personal injury cases, including automobile accidents, premise liability cases, and workers’ compensation matters. Wilson advocates for his clients to ensure they are rightfully compensated and receive all the benefits they are entitled to through alternative dispute resolution and litigation. He is a bilingual attorney that can provide services in English and Spanish. Practice areas: • Áreas De Especialización • Car Accidents • Construction Accidents • Dog Bites / Attacks • Infant Formula Litigation • Injury Law • Mass Torts • Motorcycle Accidents • Negligent Security • Product Liability • Rideshare Accidents • Serious Injuries • Slip and Fall • Truck Accidents • Workers' Compensation • Wrongful Death wgualpa@morrisjames.com 302.651.3582

Doug Candeub has long and broad experience working to achieve effective outcomes for his clients in matters pertaining to bankruptcy, insolvency, and creditors’ rights. As a litigator, Doug represents business clients in both state and federal court, at the trial and appellate level, while as a business lawyer, he provides advice and representation to clients on business issues and disputes. Doug has represented a wide range of creditors as well as corporate and individual debtors, creditors' committees, purchasers of debtor assets, and chapter 7 trustees. Creditor representations have included prepetition lenders, trade creditors, landlords, homeowner associations, tort plaintiffs, construction...

If you are injured at work or in an automobile accident, I will be there through the thick and the thin. I have offices in Wilmington, New Castle and Seaford because I want to be near to you when you need me the most. I am a dedicated personal injury and workers’ compensation attorney who will answer all of your questions – even the ones you forgot to ask when you talked to me the first time – and I will lay out a practical, step-by-step plan for you and your family moving forward. When you are hurt...

Kimberly Hoffman uses her 20+ years of experience to serve as lead counsel in real estate, healthcare and government relations matters. She has assisted clients with strategic planning, legislation, documentation, and formal proceedings before courts, federal, state, and local agencies, including Congress. She is the only Delaware attorney recognized as a Top Lawyer by Delaware Today in the areas of both Zoning and Healthcare law. Kimberly represents a diverse group of businesses and high-net-worth individuals, including publicly traded companies, physician groups, health care IT providers, developers and construction companies, schools, telecommunications carriers, banks, churches, and investors. She project manages multifaceted legal...

Matt Fogg represents plaintiffs in the areas of personal injury and workers' compensation. He focuses his practice on the representation of individuals injured due to the negligence of other individuals or companies and to those injured at work. Matt takes great pride in representing individuals to see that they are justly compensated, while always treating his clients with compassion, dignity, and respect. Matt is licensed to practice before all of the state courts in Delaware, the US District Court for the District of Delaware and the US Supreme Court. Matt regularly handles matters through all stages of litigation before the Delaware...

Chris Componovo is a civil litigation attorney with almost 30 years of experience handling cases for clients involved in personal injury and workers’ compensation matters. Chris has the knowledge needed to efficiently advocate for his clients. He provides innovative legal strategies and tactics to recover maximum compensation for his clients who are hurt or injured by the negligence of others or companies. Prior to joining Morris James, Chris focused his practice on representing individuals in Lemon Law and breach of warranty claims against automobile manufacturers, and personal injury and worker's compensation matters. He gained valuable legal experience managing all aspects of...

Michael is a partner in the Intellectual Property Litigation Group and serves on the Firm’s Diversity Committee. He represents clients as lead or Delaware counsel in litigation in the District of Delaware in a wide variety of industries, with a particular focus on web-based technology, networking, biotechnology and consumer products. Representative clients include Amazon.com, Aruba Networks, Cisco Systems, f’real Foods, Gillette, Nespresso, Orbitz, Rite Aid, Sprint, Staples, Symantec, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Trend Micro, UCB, and Xilinx. In 2016 and 2017, Michael was named an “associate to watch” in the Chambers USA category for Delaware Intellectual Property.

Prior to law...

Brian Ellis is a Partner in our Rehoboth Beach and Georgetown offices. His practice focuses on providing legal guidance and advice to individuals and businesses in a variety of areas, concentrating on business, transactional and real estate law. Business and Transactional Practice Includes: • Family business formation and planning • Preparation and negotiation of various commercial agreements • Business restructuring and reorganization • Mergers and acquisitions • Joint ventures and strategic partnerships • Legal guidance as to new business formation • Business finance • Legal advice as to Delaware business law • Delivery of Delaware Opinion Letters, as to Delaware corporations and other entities Real Estate Practice Includes: • Residential and commercial real estate settlements • 1031 like-kind exchanges • Preparation and negotiation of leases, purchase...

Samuel Bashman is a member of the Corporate and Commercial Litigation Group at Morris James LLP. He focuses his practice on corporate and complex commercial litigation for business entities formed under Delaware law. During law school, Samuel completed an externship at the Civil Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, where he assisted in the investigation and litigation of civil cases in Manhattan's federal courthouse. Practice areas: • Business Torts • Contract Litigation • Corporate and Fiduciary Litigation • LLC, LP, Partnership Litigation sbashman@morrisjames.com 302.888.6890

Jim Gallagher maintains a comprehensive business and tax practice that includes the preparation of wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents. In his business practice, Jim counsels and advises clients on business formation and management, including the drafting of operating agreements and stockholder agreements. He is experienced in the preparation, review, and negotiation of documents for the purchase and sale of assets or stock or other equity interests, as well as commercial and employment-related contracts. Through the representation of physicians and physician groups, Jim has also developed a thorough understanding of federal and state healthcare regulatory compliance issues, which accentuates...

Mr. Ferry was born in Wilmington, Delaware and attended Salesianum School. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice & Sociology from University of Delaware in 2008, and graduated cum laude from Widener University School of Law in 2012. During his time at Widener Law, Brian served as an Articles Editor for the Widener Law Review, was recognized as a Widener Merit Scholar, and worked as a law clerk at Ferry Joseph. Brian focuses his practice on estates, probate, guardianships, wills, trusts, contract disputes and litigation.

Daulton Gregory is a partner of Marin & Gregory LLC: a Litigation Law Firm focusing in Personal Injury, Auto Accidents, and Insurance Claims. Daulton Gregory is licensed to practice law in Delaware, New Jersey, and the Delaware District Court. Daulton is also a board member of the Wilmington Police Foundation and is a part-time educator for local middle schools in the Christina School District. Daulton graduated a 1/2 year early from the University of Delaware and was a member of the Blue Hen's football team. Daulton received his J.D. from Widener-Delaware Law were he graduated with honors (Cum Laude) and volunteered...

The Williams Law Firm leads business owners to attain goals. The firm advises business owners with sophisticated business and estate planning and litigation at reasonable rates. You can trust us when the most important things in your life are on the line: everything you own and everyone you love. John Williams is Vice President of the firm. He is known nationwide as an expert on the Delaware Series LLC. He has presented many lectures on the topic and has consulted with the Uniform Laws Counsel on proposed series provisions to be added to the uniform LLC Act. He also has experience...

Ryan T. Keating is an experienced and skilled medical malpractice attorney, focusing exclusively on complex cases involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. He represents individuals in the States of Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Ryan has litigated hundreds of medical malpractice cases covering a wide range of claims, including those involving birth injuries, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, medication errors, hospital malpractice, surgery errors, emergency medicine errors, failures to diagnose, and nursing home neglect and abuse. While Ryan now advocates for those who are victims of medical negligence, he previously spent several years defending medical providers and hospitals in medical malpractice cases. Ryan's...

Paige Alderson is senior counsel at Grant & Eisenhofer where she focuses her practice on complex pharmaceutical and medical device litigation as well as sexual assault and retaliation claims. Ms. Alderson is a zealous advocate for the rights of individuals and families harmed by large corporations as well as survivors of sexual assault, discrimination and harassment. Ms. Alderson has represented thousands of injured victims in nationally coordinated litigations against major pharmaceutical companies. Sample matters include: - Gilead Tenofovir Cases (JCCP No. 5043), representing members of the HIV community injured by Gilead Sciences, Inc.’s negligent design...

Michael Galbraith is an attorney and director at Cooch and Taylor P.A. in Wilmington, Delaware. Mr. Galbraith focuses his practice exclusively on representing individuals injured in various personal injury and workers’ compensation cases, serving clients throughout Delaware who have been injured or lost a loved one due to negligence.

Mr. Galbraith has more than a decade of extensive litigation experience and provides committed and dedicated representation to his clients. Over his time in practice, he has handled matters involving motor vehicle accidents, industrial accidents and work-related injuries, insurance coverage disputes, premises liability and products liability.

A passionate and skilled advocate for...

Mike Dingerdissen is uniquely qualified to represent clients in the areas of tax, estate planning, trust administration, and strategic business planning. As part of the Tax, Estates and Business Practice, he assists businesses and individuals with various matters, including strategic business & succession planning, tax planning & controversies, stock & asset acquisitions, including private equity transactions, wealth transfer & estate planning. Mike has gained a wide range of experience throughout his career, including most recently serving as Vice President and Senior Trust Officer at The Goldman Sachs Trust Company, where he focused on managing and administering trusts, estates, and other...

John Newcomer practices in the areas of real estate and commercial litigation. His experience in these dual fields provides his clients with a rare perspective in dealing with complex real estate and business matters. Understanding the dynamics of litigation, and how it impacts his clients’ business strategies, gives John the ability to draft transactional documents with an eye towards avoiding problems before they arise. John chairs Morris James' Real Estate Group. In his real estate practice, he represents landowners and developers in the acquisition, improvement and financing of properties in Delaware, including hotels, medical and assisted living facilities, apartments, shopping centers...

Brya Keilson is a Partner of Morris James LLP, Vice Chair of the Firm's Bankruptcy and Restructuring group. She counsels clients on commercial bankruptcy, restructuring, and insolvency matters. She represents Chapter 11 debtors, insurers in all facets of bankruptcy-related issues, creditors' committees, liquidating trustees, trade creditors, and financial institutions, purchasers of assets, and both plaintiffs and defendants in numerous avoidance actions, including preference and fraudulent transfer actions. Outside of bankruptcy, Brya represents receivers and assignees in assignments for the benefit of creditors. She represents corporate clients in asset purchase deals and banks in front-end lending and workouts. Brya has experience in...

Samantha Mertz is senior counsel at Grant & Eisenhofer, where her primary area of practice is complex pharmaceutical and medical device litigation. She handles all phases of mass tort and personal injury litigation from commencement through trial. Ms. Mertz has focused much of her practice on manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and medical devices that have harmed women and children, including Risperdal, Zofran, Transvaginal Mesh, and Essure, and represents victims of the PG&E Camp Wildfire. She is adept at caring for clients who are at their most vulnerable. Ms. Mertz’s key roles include service on the Law and Briefing Committee...