Ocean View Lawyers

I am a hard working, knowledgeable, compassionate, driven attorney who draws on past experience to work with clients who are in many different facets of life, to achieve their goals. My work is focused in Estate Planning and Elder law but with particular attention to government programs, such as Medicaid and VA benefits.

In what seems like a previous life, I gained valuable experience in listening, understanding, and communicating with clients from my previous employment in Customer Service. I have a strong work ethic and the attention for detail from my time working in a trade industry. I put these skills...

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...

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...

Rob Gibbs focuses his practice on business formation, commercial transactions, commercial lending, commercial and residential real estate transactions, and related civil litigation. Rob is actively involved in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) since completing the Delaware Superior Court Mediation Training in 2007. He serves as an arbitrator, mediator and neutral assessor both informally and under the ADR Programs of the Delaware Courts. Practice areas: • Business Transactions, Strategic Planning and Counseling • Commercial Transactions • Structured Finance Transactions • Real Estate • Land Use • Private Clients • Small Businesses and Start-Ups • Alternative Dispute Resolution • Energy Industry rgibbs@morrisjames.com 302.856.0016

Pat Gallagher was born and raised in southern West Virginia. He received his B.A. in Economics, magna cum laude, from Elon University in 2002. He thereafter attended law school at Wake Forest University, graduating cum laude in 2005. While in law school, he was involved in mock trial, Moot Court, and Law Review.

After graduating from law school, Pat returned to West Virginia where he worked for a large defense firm. He defended clients in consumer finance, deliberate intent, and Mine Safety Health Administration cases. In 2008, he moved to the Wilmington, Delaware, area where he joined a large Wilmington law...

Michelle Bounds is a business law attorney based in Sussex County, Delaware. She represents a diverse group of businesses and private clients in commercial transactions, education law, employment law, litigation, real estate law, and land use/zoning matters. Michelle was a Judicial Law Clerk to The Honorable Kenneth S. Clark, Jr and The Honorable Rosemary Betts Beauregard for the Delaware Court of Common Pleas in Georgetown, Delaware. Practice areas: • Business Torts • Commercial Transactions • Contract Litigation • Education Law • Employment Law • Land Use • Private Clients • Real Estate mbounds@morrisjames.com T 302.752.3344

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.

Tom graduated from the University of Michigan with Honors, Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1971. He was the author of numerous law review articles and was a speaker at national attorney conferences as a law student at the University of Virginia, graduating in 1975. While he attended the University of Virginia, he developed the university’s patent policy, which related to projects completed by scientists at the university. After graduation, he served as a law clerk for Federal Judge John T. Copenhaver in Charleston, West Virginia.

Tom worked briefly for a corporate and defense law firm in Louisville, Kentucky...

Robert Jacobs co-founded Jacobs & Crumplar in 1981. After graduating from City College of the City University of New York in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and receiving his law degree from Temple University in 1968, Bob practiced with the Wilmington law firm of Bader, Dorsey & Kreshtool before forming Jacobs & Crumplar. Jacobs applies his knowledge in chemical engineering to a variety of patent litigation cases. His experiences and successes in both engineering and patent litigation have made him an effective attorney in both State and Federal Courts.

Raeann Warner, a native of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, attended Florida State University where she graduated magna cum laude in 2002 with degrees in political and social sciences.

She then returned to the Delaware Valley and received her law degree from Widener Law School where she graduated, cum laude, in 2006.
She was admitted to practice in Delaware in 2006 and Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 2007.

She has been representing plaintiffs in childhood sexual abuse and employment cases since early 2007. She is a Director of the firm.

Raeann was selected to the Super Lawyers’ Delaware Rising Stars List in 2012, 2013, and...

I practice judgment enforcement/recovery throughout the State of California for Limited and Unlimited Civil Actions, judgments procured via Family Court (child/spousal support collections, asset awards), and Judgments awarded via Small Claims.

My methods of recovery include securing Orders To Appear For Examinations, serving debtors and/or third parties with Subpoenas; tracing financial transactions through various accounts where debtors may be concealing assets in their name(s), the names of third parties, and/or various business entities. I utilize various tools including Bank Levies/Brokerage Accounts, Wage Garnishments; execution of liens, levies, and forced sale of secured and unsecured property, i.e. Real Estate and Personal Property...

Elizabeth Lewis graduated from the University of Delaware (B.A., 1978) and the Delaware Law School (J.D. 1988) before she came to work at Jacobs & Crumplar. She is a Director of the firm.
Liz is a member of the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association, where she serves on the Board of Governors. Liz’s practice areas include personal injury litigation, worker’s compensation and other toxic torts including environmental litigation.

In September 2017, Thomas E. Gay joined the law firm with Julianne E. Murray and Ronald D. Phillips, Jr. forming the Law Offices of Murray, Phillips & Gay. Mr. Gay has been a guest speaker at “Fundamentals of Family Law,” “Custody Evaluations for the Private Practitioner,” “Property Division in the Family Court,” “Divorce Law 101-Obtaining the Best Settlement for Your Client in Delaware,” to name a few. Mr. Gay has been selected as one of the Top Delaware Family Law/Divorce attorneys in Delaware Today magazine. Mr. Gay was admitted to the State of Maine Bar in 1992 and the Delaware...

A native of Wilmington, Delaware, David graduated from Gettysburg College magna cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa with degrees in history and political science in 2006.

He subsequently received a Master’s Degree in Irish History from Queen’s University-Belfast in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2008.

Following a brief period of time working for a non-profit in Washington, DC, he attended the University of Richmond School of Law from where he graduated in 2012. At Richmond he served as Manuscripts Editor for the Richmond Journal of Law and the Public Interest and was on the Law School’s Trial Advocacy Board.

David is...

Attorney Taylor E. Trapp Nicholl founded The Law Office of Trapp Nicholl after more than half a decade practicing in both plaintiff and defense based law firms. She draws on that experience to offer her clients representation on a variety of personal injury, slip and falls, dog bites and workers' compensation cases. Ms. Trapp Nicholl's previous experience representing insurance companies provides her with a unique approach to representing injured clients. At its core estate planning is personal and Ms. Trapp Nicholl takes the time to truly get to know her clients on a personal level so she can best assist them...

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...

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...

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.

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.

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...

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...

Attorney Jeffrey S. Friedman is a partner at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman. Jeffrey joined Silverman, McDonald & Friedman in 2001 to better serve Delaware clients in need of auto accident, personal injury or workers’ compensation services.

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...

Attorney Robert McDonald is a partner at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman. Roberts primary areas of practice are personal injury, workers' compensation, auto accidents, and construction accidents. He joined forces with his partners to create Silverman, McDonald & Friedman in 1999.

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...

Michael I. Silverman is the co-founder of Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, which is located in Wilmington, Delaware. Michael maintains a general civil litigation practice with a focus on personal injury, workmen’s compensation and commercial litigation.

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...