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Vincent Malulani Bowen

Title: Attorney

Company: Banyan Law

Location: Pomona, CA

Education: JD, Santa Clara University School of Law, Magna Cum Laude (2021); BA in Political Science, California State University, Fullerton, with Honors (2016)

Career History: Attorney, Banyan Law, Mountain View, CA (2021-Present); Law Clerk, Banyan Law (2021); Law Clerk, Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP, Campbell, CA (2019); Executive Administrative Assistant, Gonzalez & Gonzalez Law, Professional Corporation, Los Angeles, CA (2016-2018); Assistant Manager and Driver, Papa Johns International, Inc., Fullerton, CA (2012-2016)

Vincent Malulani Bowen, Attorney at Banyan Law, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of law.

A licensed attorney since 2021, Mr. Bowen has begun to carve out an accomplished career in the state of California, where he excels in the legal area of business immigration. Starting out as a law clerk at Banyan Law, a global immigration firm whose mission is to support immigrants and their employers, his passion for utilizing his skills and knowledge to help others drove him toward a full-time position within a year. At Banyan, he has found success by always empathizing with and listening to his clients, developing strong bonds with them in one-on-one sessions; his daily responsibilities include case management, corresponding with clients and other employees, drafting documents, and writing support letters for client petitions.

Prior to this role, Mr. Bowen served as an intern within the Division of Enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2020, a law clerk at Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP in 2019, and as an executive administrative assistant at Gonzalez & Gonzalez Law from 2016 to 2018. Throughout his undergraduate years, between 2012 and 2016, he worked in a managerial role at Papa John’s.

Fueled by a love for the law, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science, with high honors, from California State University, Fullerton in 2016, was granted a scholarship, and then obtained a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law—where he graduated magna cum laude and in the top 4% of his class—in 2021. In addition, as a student, he was recognized with a CALI Excellence for the Future Award by the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction in 2019 and was inducted into the Order of the Coif at Santa Clara University. Throughout his busy career, he keeps connected to his industry as an active member of both the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the California Lawyers Association.

Originally interested in working with start-up companies and venture capital, Mr. Bowen strives to one day utilize his current legal passions to counsel young emerging companies and help them grow, most of whom—he noted—have a significant immigration workforce. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue to excel as a business immigration lawyer and serve his clients well at Banyan.

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Kieran T. Ensor, Esq.

Kieran T. Ensor, Esq., Attorney at Law at Fox Rothschild LLP, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of law.

Raised by hardworking parents, one of whom was an immigrant from the United Kingdom, Mr. Ensor developed a strong work ethic at a young age—and, growing up, appreciated all the sacrifice and assistance by others to grant him the opportunities he had. Striving to make a difference in the world, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in history, and minored in business, from Loyola University Maryland—from which he graduated magna cum laude—in 2016. Equipped with this degree, he set his sights on becoming a lawyer and, in the midst of schooling at Seton Hall University School of Law, gained experience as a judicial intern for the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey from 2017 to 2018. Mr. Ensor continued on his path by serving as a law clerk for the firm Connelly Foley LLP throughout 2018 and 2019.

In May 2019, Mr. Ensor earned a Juris Doctor from Seton University School of Law and received a commendation for the pro bono services he rendered throughout law school—where he completed more than 50 hours of non-credit-driven pro bono work for various clients. In this capacity, he not only learned a lot about the field but also gained a new appreciation for the importance of his profession for people who need legal help. After advocating for the individuals he represented, he realized that reading cases and legal treatises can only teach concepts and that he could never truly appreciate exactly what applying concepts mean to someone until he is sitting across the table from them, experiencing the human element of crisis management, and finding solutions to an individual’s unique legal needs. It was an incredibly rewarding experience that has set the tone for his career.

Following law school, Mr. Ensor served as a judicial law clerk, first for Judge Covello, for whom he previously served as an intern, during the 2019-2020 judicial term, and then as a magistrate judge seated in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey until February 2021. Thereafter, he rejoined Connell Foley as an associate attorney until February 2022 when he joined Fox Rothschild LLP, a national, full-service law firm, in its Morristown, New Jersey office. A business attorney, he utilizes his skillset to meet the needs of every client and assists businesses and entrepreneurs across many industries and specialties. Admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York, and before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Mr. Ensor is well-versed in federal and state court practice.

Looking toward the future, Mr. Ensor hopes to continue to sharpen his skills as a lawyer in order to become as strong a resource as possible for people—and expand his services throughout the world.

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Shaun Anthony Mark, Esq.

Title: Real Estate Finance Attorney                         

Company: Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Location: Boston, MA

Education: Pursuing LLM in Taxation, Boston University School of Law;

JD, Roger Williams University School of Law, Cum Laude (2019);

BS in Criminal Justice Administration and Management, University of Phoenix (2014)

Career History: Real Estate Finance Associate Attorney, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Boston, MA (2021-Present);

Community Development Finance Associate, Nixon Peabody LLP, Boston, MA (2019-2021);

Legal Intern, The Kraft Group & Affiliates, Foxboro, MA (2018);

Summer Legal Intern, Nixon Peabody LLP, Providence, RI (2018);

Regulatory Compliance Legal Intern, State of Rhode Island, RI (2017);

Summer Law Clerk, Liberty Utilities, Fall River, MA (2017);

Legal Research Assistant, Rhode Island Center for Justice, RI (2017);

Advanced Individual Tax Preparer, Internal Revenue Service, Bristol, RI (2016-2017);

Information Systems Technician, United States Navy, Coronado, CA (1999-2003)

Shaun Anthony Mark, Esq., Real Estate Finance Attorney at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of law.

Dedicated to the area of real estate finance law, Mr. Mark has excelled in his role at Seyfarth Shaw LLP since 2021—through which he represents financial institutions, investors, and developers in the acquisition, sale, lease, finance, and development of multifamily, retail, office, commercial and industrial real estate projects. His expertise in the field has been fostered over the course of several years of experience. He previously served as a community development finance associate at Nixon Peabody LLP from 2019 to 2021 and was an advanced individual tax preparer for the Internal Revenue Service, where he provided his services to low-income residents and families through the East Bay Community Action Program, from 2016 to 2017.

An information Systems Technician for the United States Navy from 1999 to 2003, Mr. Mark earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice administration and management from the University of Phoenix in 2014 and then a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Roger Williams University of School of Law, graduating cum laude, in 2019. In between the degrees, he was active as a legal research assistant at the Rhode Island Center for Justice in 2017; a summer law clerk at Liberty Utilities in 2017; a regulatory compliance legal intern in Rhode Island in 2017; a summer legal intern at Nixon Peabody LLP in 2018; and a legal intern at The Kraft Group & Affiliates in 2018.

As a man of color in a field that largely lacks racial diversity, Mr. Mark found the road to becoming an attorney extremely challenging, but he considered his circumstances as a driving force to succeed professionally and make a difference—and has been grateful for a strong support system of mentors and sponsors. Outside of his primary endeavors, he feels extremely proud of his role as a board member of Youth Moving Forward, a nonprofit that provides transitional services—such as job training courses and homes—to young men who were in foster care. Looking toward the future, he strives to contribute to his community by increasing homeownership for Black families. Additionally, he hopes to develop his skills as a real estate finance attorney, draw large clients, and eventually become a partner at the firm.

LinkedIn

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Ved Nanda

Title: Law Educator, Director, Academic Administrator

Company: University of Denver

Location: Denver, CO

Education: LLD (Hon.), Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, India (2000); LLD (Hon.), Soka University, Tokyo, Japan (1997); Postgraduate Coursework, Yale University (1962-1965); LLM, Northwestern University (1962); LLM, University of Delhi (1958); LLB, University of Delhi (1955); MA, University of the Punjab (1952)

Career History: Distinguished University Professor, University of Denver (2018-Present); Director, The Ved Nanda Center for International and Comparative Law (2014-Present); Professor of Law, University of Denver Sturm College of Law (1970-Present); Honorary Professor of Law, University of Delhi (India) Faculty of Law (2017); Vice Provost, University of Denver (1994-2008); Evans University Professor, University of Denver (1992-Present); Thompson G. Marsh Professor, of Law Emeritus, University of Denver Sturm College of Law; Founding Director, International Legal Studies Program, University of Denver College of Law; Assistant Provost, University of Denver (1993-1994); Associate Professor, Law, University of Denver College of Law (1968-1970); Assistant Professor, Law, University of Denver College of Law (1965-1968)

Ved Nanda, Law Educator, Director, and Academic Administrator at the University of Denver, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leaders for their contributions and achievements in the fields of law and education.

A renowned figure in legal education, academic administration, and the fight for human rights, Mr. Nanda has dedicated himself to helping students reach their highest standards, predominantly at the University of Denver—where he has been a Professor of Law at the Sturm College of Law since 1970, an Evans University Professor since 1992, and was recognized as a Distinguished University Professor in 2018. In addition, at the university, he has served as director of the Ved Nanda Center for International and Comparative Law since 2014, through which he and other colleagues promote quality writing and research in international law and excellence in international law teaching, scholarship, and practice among faculty, staff, and alumni. He was previously active as the assistant provost from 1993 to 1994; an associate professor from 1968 to 1970; and an assistant professor from 1965 to 1968—and was the founding director of the university’s international legal studies program. Among the many students he helped to guide and mentor was former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

On top of these primary endeavors, Mr. Nanda has also lent his expertise to numerous other institutes of learning, finding success as a visiting professor at Florida State University, the University of Iowa’s College of Law, the University of San Diego, the University of Colorado, and for numerous summer programs between 1973 and 1992. In the midst of those appointments, he also excelled as a consultant for the Solar Energy Research Institute from 1978 to 1981, a consultant for the U.S. Department of Energy from 1980 to 1981, a distinguished visiting professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1981, a distinguished visiting professor of international law at California Western School of Law from 1983 to 1984, and a distinguished visiting scholar at the University of Hawaii from 1986 to 1987. In 2010, he was honored as a distinguished visiting scholar at the John Marshall Law School. A dedicated member and chair across several national and international civic organizations, he has been affiliated with the Board of Trustees for both the Hindu University of America and Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of the Rockies since 2019, and previously served on the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado and World Federation of United Nations Associations in Geneva, Switzerland. Additionally, Mr. Nanda has been the honorary vice president for the American Branch of the International Law Association since 2001, honorary president of the World Jurist Association since 2000, a counselor for the American Society of International Law since 2000, and a member of the governing council for the United Nations Associations since 1990, among several other professional organizations.

Just as prolific in his written works, Mr. Nanda has authored and edited numerous publications over the course of his career, acting as the co-editor of several texts in the field, including “A Treatise on International Criminal Law,” “Water Needs for the Future,” “The Law of Transnational Business Transactions,” “Global Human Rights,” “World Climate Change,” “Human Rights and Third World Development,” and “Climate Change and Environmental Ethics,” among many others. He also recently co-wrote “Litigation of International Disputes in US Courts” and “Private International Law: Avoiding and Resolving Conflict of Law,” has been a columnist for the Denver Post, and has served on the editorial boards for the American Journal of Comparative Law, Indian Journal of International Law, and Transnational Weekly. In recognition of his impact on the world of education and law, he has earned several accolades, including the World Legal Scholar Award from the World Peace Through Law Center in China in 1990; Civil Rights Award from the Anti-Defamation League in 1996; Medal of Honor from the World Congress of Ukrainian Lawyers in 1999; was named an Ambassador for Peace by the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace in 2001; a Lifetime Teaching Award from All India Law Teachers Congress in 2009; and a Founder’s Faculty Award from the University of Denver in 2020, among others.

Born and raised in India, Mr. Nanda obtained a Master of Arts from the University of the Punjab in 1952 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Delhi in 1955. Then, in 1960, he immigrated to the United States, where he earned a Master of Laws from Northwestern University in 1962, completed postgraduate coursework at Yale University from 1962 to 1965, and later received honorary degrees from Soka University in Japan in 1997 and Bundelkhand University in India in 2000. A significant voice in the area of human rights, Mr. Nanda has greatly valued his ability to help people and take care of his students.

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Taylor Scruggs-Smith, Esq.

Title: Attorney 

Company: Whitaker & Hamer, PLLC

Location: Raleigh, NC

Education: JD, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, Campbell University (2018);

BA in Political Science and Government, Campbell University (2015)

Career History: Associate Attorney, Whitaker & Hamer, PLLC (2019-Present);

Document Review Attorney, Dauntless Discovery (2019);

Law Clerk, Triangle Law Group (2018-2019);

Summer Law Clerk, Kurtz & Blum, PLLC (2017);

Legal Intern, Wake County Family Court (2016);

Legal Intern, Alpha Legal (2015);

Lobby Attendant, Campbell University (2012-2015);

Cashier, Walmart (2012)

Taylor Scruggs-Smith, Esq., Attorney at Whitaker & Hamer, PLLC, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of law.

Wielding legal expertise in family law and real estate transactions, Ms. Scruggs-Smith attributes her successful career as an attorney at Whittaker & Hamer, PLLC to her mother—a licensed clinical therapist who raised her on her own and was the first in her family to hold an advanced degree. Her mother encouraged her to work hard and strive for whatever dream she had in life no matter what and promised to always be supportive. Upon graduating from high school, Ms. Scruggs-Smith was determined to become a lawyer and attended Campbell University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and government in 2015. She subsequently enrolled at the institution’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, during which time she cut her teeth in the field as a legal intern for both Alpha Legal and Wake County Family Court in 2015 and 2016, respectively. She also served as a summer law clerk at Kurtz & Blum, PLLC in 2017.

The following year, Ms. Scruggs-Smith passed the bar and obtained a Juris Doctor, which she considers her proudest and most notable achievement, and also received a Trial Advocacy Award. Afterward, she became a law clerk at Triangle Law Group and then a document review attorney for Dauntless Discovery. Since 2019, she has excelled at Whitaker & Hamer, PLLC, a North Carolina-based firm through which she handles closing transactions; has taken over family law matters; and is dedicated to building the firm’s civil litigation. She also leads consultations and real estate closings; on Fridays, she serves as counsel in court for divorces in Wake County. Among her numerous responsibilities, she also helps sign off on title searches for closings and answers questions with the paralegal in regards to title policy, separated parties, and separation agreements.

In addition, Ms. Scruggs-Smith remains on top of developments in her field as a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, North Carolina State Bar, Tenth Judicial District Bar, Wake County Bar Association, and Capital City Lawyers Association. Looking ahead, she hopes to become more involved in volunteer work, especially in service of minorities, and animal rescue organizations—as well as better establish the civil side of her firm. Upon reflection on her accomplished career so far, Ms. Scruggs-Smith considers her journey to have been different and at times challenging as an African-American and a woman. However, she was determined “to not let anyone get her down” when she was mistaken for either a secretary or a paralegal. Instead, she took it “as a push to keep going.”

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Tamika Grace Jude, Esq.

Title: Attorney

Company: Jude Law LLC

Location: Miami, FL

Education: MBA, Barry University (2021);

JD, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law, Barry University (2020);

BA in Criminal Justice and Psychology, University of Virgin Islands, Magna Cum Laude (2017);

AA in History and English Literature, Dominica State College (2012)

Career History: Attorney, Jude Law LLC (2021-Present);

Law Clerk, Johnson & Masumi, PC (2021);

Legal Assistant, Law Offices of Restrepo & Gonzalez (2019-2020);

Certified Legal Intern, Barry Law Immigration Clinic (2019);

Legal Assistant, Jonathan Zucker’s Law Office (2016, 2018);

Teacher, Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica (2012-2014)

Tamika Grace Jude, Esq., Attorney at Jude Law LLC, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of law.

Since 2021, Ms. Jude has excelled as an attorney, working out of her own firm, Jude Law LLC, where she primarily focuses on immigration law—everything from removal defense to green cards—as well as the Violence Against Women Act. Attributing her success to being open and honest with her clients, she strives to always be available and fight as hard as she can for them, which, in turn, makes them feel comfortable and relaxed no matter how intense their cases are. She also utilizes the messaging outlet WhatsApp, as well as Facebook forums, in order to communicate with international clients and those located across the United States. Despite being a young and new figure in her field, she is extremely proud of attaining success and building a strong reputation in a short amount of time.

Originally from Dominica in the Caribbean, Ms. Jude gravitated toward her profession at a young age as the second of four children, serving as the one defending others who were in trouble. From early on, she was told that she was going to grow up to be a lawyer. Additionally, one of her cousins was a victim of domestic violence in high school. Witnessing the attitude that people had toward domestic violence, she saw that it was not an issue taken seriously at all—even by the police. From that moment, she was dedicated to advocating for victims in situations like this. Upon earning an Associate in Arts in history and English literature from Dominica State College in 2012, she taught for the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica for two years and then, from 2015 to 2017, found success as a teaching assistant at the University of Virgin Islands, where she also obtained a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and psychology. She then immigrated to the United States, where she pursued her law degree at Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law; in the midst of her studies, she was active as a legal assistant for Jonathan Zucker’s Law Office in 2016 and 2018, became a certified legal intern for Barry Law Immigration Clinic in 2019, and was a legal assistant at the Law Offices of Restrepo & Gonzalez from 2019 to 2020. She earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence and a Master of Business Administration from Barry University in 2020 and 2021, respectively, and served as a law clerk for Johnson & Masumi, PC before starting her own firm.

A dedicated member of both the New Jersey Bar Association and American Bar Association, she was honored as part of Lawyers of Distinction in recognition of excellence in immigration law. Looking ahead, she hopes to see her practice grow with partners and at least five associates, and ultimately aspires to become an immigration judge.

LinkedIn

Jude Law Office

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Amy Chen, Esq.

Title: Associate

Company: Adam Leitman Bailey PC

Location: New York, NY

Education: JD, St. John’s University School of Law (2017-2020); Bachelor’s in  Political Science and East Asian Language and Literature, Minor in Asian-American Studies, University of Florida (2013-2017)

Career History: Associate Attorney, Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. (2021-Present); Legal Associate, Law Office of Yeung & Wang PLLC (2021); Law Clerk, Morici & Morici, LLP (2019-2020); Bankruptcy Assistance Project Advocate, Legal Services NYC (2018-2019); Legal I, TROY LAW, PLLC (2018)

Amy Chen, Lawyer at Adam Leitman Bailey PC, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of transactional and real estate law.

Ms. Chen was inspired to pursue a legal profession due to seeing the power of law being the daughter of first-generation immigrant parents. In her academic pursuits, she first received a bachelor’s degree in political science and East Asian literature with a minor in Asian-American studies from the University of Florida in 2017. In 2020, she earned a JD from St. John’s University School of Law. During her time at St. John’s University, she participated in the bankruptcy clinic.

In 2021, Ms. Chen joined Adam Leitman Bailey, PC as an associate attorney and has been helping clients with all matters pertaining to sales transactions, representing buyers and sellers in residential transactions. Prior to joining her current firm, she served as a legal associate at the Law Office of Yeung & Wang PLLC and as a law clerk with Morici & Morici, LLP. From 2018 to 2019, Ms. Chen provided her skills and experience as a bankruptcy assistant project advocate for Legal Services NYC, and in 2018, as a Legal I for Troy Law, PLLC.

In five years, Ms. Chen hopes to continue getting more exposure within the different areas of real estate. She also would like to have a more balanced life in terms of giving back to the community. In addition to being recognized among Marquis Emerging Leaders, Ms. Chen is also honored among Marquis Who’s Who Professional Women.

Adam Leitman Bailey PC

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Jared H. Starr, Esq.

Jared Starr

Title: Medical Malpractice Defense Litigator

Company: Thiebaud Remington Thornton Bailey LLP

Location: Texas

Education: JD in Health Law, DePaul University College of Law (2020); Fellow, Jaharis Health Law Institute Fellowship Program (2017-2018); Summer Legal Extern, SmithAmundsen LLC (2018); Wellness Intern, Douglas County District Court (2017); BS in Community Health, The University of Kansas (2017); Business Development Associate Intern, RecruitIQ Staffing (2016)

Career History: Medical Malpractice Defense Litigator, Thiebaud Remington Thornton Bailey LLP, Dallas, Texas (2021-Present); Health Care Attorney, Brown & Fortunato (2021); Law Clerk, Dougherty, Molenda, Solfest, Hills & Bauer P.A. (2020); 711 Temporary Licensed Student Attorney, DePaul Law Civil Litigation Clinic (2019); Law Clerk, Dougherty, Molenda, Solfest, Hills & Bauer P.A. (2019); Law Clerk, Krzak Rundio Law Group, LLC (2019)

Jared H. Starr, Esq., Medical Malpractice Defense Litigator at Thiebaud Remington Thornton Bailey LLP, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for his contributions and achievements in the field of health law.

The emergence as an accomplished legal professional has come very naturally to Mr. Starr, a Texas native who hails from a family of seven attorneys. However, despite an upbringing surrounded by law, he has always been interested in health care first and foremost, and upon graduating from high school, he pursued a Bachelor of Science in community health at the University of Kansas—which he ultimately obtained in 2017. With his sights set on law, he decided he could combine his two passions and specialize in health law. According to him, “health law is always changing and there is always a need for good lawyers familiar with health care practices.” He earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence with a certificate of health law from the DePaul University College of Law in 2020, and was admitted to the bar in Minnesota in 2020 and Texas in 2021.

In the midst of his studies, Mr. Starr gained experience in the field of law as a summer legal extern at SmithAmundsen LLC in 2018 before becoming a law clerk at Krzak Rundio Law Group LLC and Dougherty, Molenda, Solfest, Hills & Bauer P.A. and a temporary licensed student attorney for the DePaul Law Civil Litigation Clinic the following year. He subsequently served as a full-time law clerk at Dougherty, Molenda, Solfest, Hills & Bauer P.A. throughout 2020 and a health care attorney at Brown & Fortunato in 2021. Additionally, since 2021, he has excelled as a medical malpractice defense litigator for Thiebaud Remington Thornton Bailey LLP, a Dallas-based firm where he zealously defends doctors and hospitals in health care liability lawsuits.

Motivated by the motto that “each day will be better than the previous,” Mr. Starr strives to keep growing in his role and one day advance to become a law partner and one of the most preeminent health care attorneys and medical malpractice defense litigators in the field. Extremely personable and skilled in building and maintaining relationships with his colleagues and clients, the quality of his work has always been driven by a strong dedication and compassion toward his clients and their goals. Outside of his primary endeavors, he co-authored “Insanitary Conditions at Compounding Facilities: The Latest FDA Guidance” in 2020 and is a member of the Texas Health Lawyers Association.

LinkedIn

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Ian Ballard

Title: Associate Attorney

Company: McCrink, Kehler & McCrink

Location: New Jersey

Education: JD, Rutgers School of Law, Camden, NJ (2016); BA in History and Political Science, Rutgers University, Cum Laude (2008)

Career History: Associate Attorney, McCrink, Kehler & McCrink (2019-Present); Attorney, Law Offices of Lawrence W. Luttrell (2017-2018); Law Clerk, Hon. Andrea I. Marshall, J.S.C. (2016-2017)

Ian Ballard, Associate Attorney at McCrink, Kehler & McCrink, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leaders for their contributions and achievements in the field of law.

An expert in a wide spectrum of the law, from civil and personal injury matters to real estate and family, Mr. Ballard gravitated toward the legal profession after obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science from Rutgers University in 2008 and then working in the retail industry for several years. Through this early work, he developed an interest in employee rights and protection, especially for those who were treated poorly; this passion grew into a determination to pursue a career in law to enact real change and help people.

Upon earning a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Rutgers School of Law in 2016, and being admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Mr. Ballard gained experience as a law clerk for the Hon. Andrea I. Marshall, J.S.C. for a year. He then launched his career as an attorney at the Law Offices of Lawrence W. Luttrell from 2017 to 2018 and has served as an associate attorney for McCrink, Kehler & McCrink since 2019. Other legal focuses of his include trusts and estates, bankruptcy, debt collection and litigation, and legal research and writing.

Outside of his main endeavors, he contributes as a donor to numerous charities and organizations, including Rainbow Railroad, which helps members of the LGBTQI+ community escape violence in their intolerant home countries. Living his life by the mantra to “do unto others as you would them do unto you,” he looks forward to continuing to help others through his work in the law and strives to eventually become a full-fledged trial attorney or a partner in a firm. Mr. Ballard attributes his overall success to the love and support of his family and feels proud to be the first member of his family to graduate from law school.

McCrink, Kehler & McCrink

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Michael Drew Samson, Esq.

Title: Attorney

Company: Wolfe Research, LLC

Location: New York, NY

Education: JD, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law – Yeshiva University, (2014-2017)

Career History: Attorney, Wolfe Research, LLC, (2021-Present)

Michael Samson, Attorney at Wolfe Research, LLC, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of finance and corporate law.

In his daily responsibilities, Mr. Samson mostly works in legal, but exercises his skills and expertise in compliance as well. He reviews every single report to ensure none of the companies have a conflict of interest within their company. He drafts the contracts and a variety of agreements with the vendors. Mr. Samson’s most notable achievement thus far has been being selected as a Rising Star two years in a row (2020-2021). He has practiced with Wolfe Research, LLC, since 2021 and endeavors to continue growing his career within the next few years.

Mr. Samson graduated with a JD from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law – Yeshiva University. While matriculating, he was awarded several scholarships and contributed to the Cardozo Journal of Law and Gender. The biggest motivations in his career have been his mother, who raised him as a single parent, and his uncle who passed away in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He maintains professional affiliation with the New York City Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the New York Legal Assistance Group. On a civic level, he is involved with human rights with the New York City Council.

Wolfe Research