Magnolia 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.

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...

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...

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.

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.

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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,...

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,...

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...

Ms. Williams' practice focuses on Intellectual Property and General Business matters. She handles intellectual property prosecution, litigation, contracts, sales, and licensing. Additionally, Ms. Williams advises clients on general business issues including IP portfolio assessment and management. Utilizing her vast experience in the areas of risk management, business analytics, and due diligence, Ms. Williams works with emerging growth businesses counseling on risk reduction and capitalization. She provides unique legal counseling to businesses looking to establish and grow their intellectual property portfolios. Ms. Williams specializes in advising businesses on long-term and layered strategies for intellectual property protection; brand establishment and re-branding; and intellectual...

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...

GARY S. NITSCHE is the managing partner of the law firm of Nitsche & Fredricks LLC. He handles personal injury matters with an emphasis on motor vehicle accidents, work injuries, nursing home cases and premises liability cases. He has substantial litigation and trial experience and has tried approximately fifty jury trials. He has received numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. He has litigated some of the most significant and important personal injury cases and law changing decisions in the fields of personal injury uninsured motorist coverage and worker’s compensation. Gary has been regularly honored as a Super Lawyer seven...

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...

Samuel D. Pratcher, III is an attorney at Pratcher Krayer LLC. Samuel was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and attended Salesianum High School. He graduated with honors from Hampton University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. In 2009, he received his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley School of Law.

While in law school, Samuel served as judicial extern to the Honorable Joseph J. Farnan, Jr., in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. He gained valuable experience researching and writing court opinions on civil rights and employment law matters.

After law school, Samuel completed a...

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...

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...

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

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...

Josh Meyeroff chairs the medical malpractice group at Morris James. He represents injured persons in medical malpractice and negligence suits in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Josh is a seasoned litigator, who has tried numerous cases to verdict and has obtained many successful results. Prior to representing injured persons, Josh defended healthcare providers and hospitals in medical malpractice claims. His experience includes successful litigation outcomes involving wrongful death, birth injuries, surgical errors, failures to diagnose health issues--like cancer, and other serious medical issues. He has also worked with clinicians in a number of medical specialties, including primary care, family medicine, surgery,...

Megan D. Halter focuses her practice in the representation of school districts, administrative personnel, teachers, staff, and third-party vendors, with regard to education and special education law matters. Ms. Halter implements preventive strategies in order to minimize exposure to legal risk and potential liabilities for public school systems, colleges and universities, non-profit organizations and charter schools.

Ms. Halter, along with other members of the Firm’s Special Education Group, proactively provide in-house training programs to all school district employees so that our clients can stay abreast of changes in the law and keep current on education-related legal requirements in order to...

Arthur D. Kuhl focuses his practice in the areas of insurance defense litigation, uninsured and underinsured motorist litigation, no-fault litigation, wrongful death litigation, premises liability, construction injuries and construction defect litigation, subrogation, and commercial collections.

Paul D. Sunshine focuses his practice in the areas of general liability, construction defect, trucking and transportation litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Mr. Sunshine brings with him more than 25 years of experience representing clients in a wide range of matters including products liability, toxic tort, transportation, general liability, personal injury and construction defect litigation.

Mr. Sunshine has a proven track record of representing regional, national and international clients in all phases of litigation throughout Delaware and Maryland. He has extensive experience with a wide range of client products and services and incorporates the varied needs and goals of his...

Joel H. Fredricks is an attorney at Nitsche & Fredricks LLC practicing in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice and workers’ compensation. Joel was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and graduated from Newark High School. He attended the University of Delaware and received his law degree from Widener University School of Law in 2009. Prior to joining Nitsche & Fredricks LLC, Joel worked for a regional defense law firm where he represented insurance companies. As a result, Joel is aware of how insurance companies attempt to diminish the value of injury claims and can effectively advise his clients to...

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...

Rebecca Kilmon is a member of Morris James' Business Transactions, Strategic Planning and Counseling Practice, a group that handles over $100B in financings annually for a wide range of clients. Rebecca’s focus has been with the administration of Delaware Statutory Trusts in connection with securitizations, equipment finance and vessel finance. While in law school, Rebecca served as a Judicial Intern to The Honorable Sherry R. Fallon in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. Practice areas: • Business Transactions, Strategic Planning and Counseling • Corporate Trust and Fiduciary Services • Delaware Alternative Entities: LLC, LP, Partnership and Trust • Energy Industry • Legal Opinions rkilmon@morrisjames.com 302.888.6846

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...

Eric J. Monzo focuses on issues relating to business restructuring and insolvency. He regularly represents a wide range of stakeholders with a focus on official and unofficial committees, indenture trustees, commercial creditors and lender groups, in addition to, corporate debtors and their independent and special committee management. Eric is widely recognized by clients and peers for his preeminent legal ability and creative solutions. Clients regard him as a true professional, who is fully prepared and focused on the business objectives. Eric handles matters relating to the restructuring and liquidation of companies in a broad range of industries with experience...

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...