Lemberg & Associates – Consumer and Fair Debt Attorneys

Sergei Lemberg, Esq.

Principal

Sergei Lemberg, Esq. In almost a decade of practicing law, Mr. Lemberg has earned a reputation as a tough and tireless advocate with a passion for helping average people fight for compensation they deserve. He stands up to huge carmakers, insurance companies, debt collection agencies, and other big businesses. In fact, he has been designated the “most active consumer attorney” by the debt collection industry.

After holding positions with several major law firms in New York and Connecticut, Mr. Lemberg launched his own practice in 2006. Since starting as a solo practitioner, Mr. Lemberg has grown his firm to 4 full-time and 16 part-time attorneys, paralegals, and support staff. He has been lead counsel in a number of class actions, and is considered an authoritative source for consumer law issues by national media such as ABC News, MSN, and Chanel 7 in Boston, the Los Angeles Times, Consumer Reports, and the Boston Herald. Mr. Lemberg is a native speaker of Russian, and speaks French and Spanish.

Degrees:

• University of Pennsylvania Law School - J.D. (2001)
• Brandeis University - B.A. in Economics with a minor in Business (1997)

State Admissions:

• Massachusetts (2002)
• New York (2002)
• Connecticut (2005)

Federal Court Admissions

• District of Massachusetts (2006)
• District of Connecticut (2006)
• Southern District of New York (2003)
• Northern District of New York (2008)
• Eastern District of New York (2007)
• Western District of New York (2009)
• Western District of Texas (2011)
• Eastern District of Missouri (2011)
• Western District of Missouri (2011)
• Northern District of Illinois (2011)
• Central District of Illinois (2011)
• Southern District of Illinois (2011)
• Eastern District of Michigan (2012)
• Western District of Michigan (2011)
• District of Arkansas (2012)
• District of Nebraska (2012)

Appeals Court Admissions

• First Circuit Court of Appeals (2009)
• Second Circuit Court of Appeals (2011)
• Third Circuit Court of Appeals (2010)
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (2010)

Publications

• Connecticut Civil Complaints for Business Litigation – Contributing Author – Lemon Law and Auto Defect Litigation
• Seize Your Power: How to Stop Debt Collectors NOW - Author

Stephen Taylor, Esq.

Associate

Stephen Taylor is a former judicial clerk and has worked for the Connecticut criminal defense firm, the Law Offices of Norman Pattis.

Degrees:

• Tulane University Law School (2007)
• Boston College (2003)
• Queen’s College London – Certificate of Achievement in International Business (2005)

State Admissions:

• Connecticut (2008)
• New York (2010)

Federal Court Admissions:

• Eastern District of New York (2010)
• Northern District of New York (2010)
• Southern District of New York (2010)

Jody Berke Burton, Esq.

Associate

Jody Berke Burton understands that compassion, combined with a keen understanding of consumer law, are powerful tools for bringing justice to her clients. After two federal judicial clerkships in Washington, D.C., Ms. Burton represented the federal government in litigation before entering the private sector and joining Lemberg & Associates as a tireless consumer law attorney.

Degrees:

• American University, Washington College of Law – J.D. (1993)
• State University of New York at Albany – B.A. in English (1990)

State Admissions:

• Connecticut (2004)
• District of Columbia (1996)
• Pennsylvania (1994)

Federal Court Admissions:

• District of Connecticut (2011)
• District of Columbia (2011)
• Eastern District of Pennsylvania (2009)
• Middle District of Pennsylvania (2009)
• Western District of Pennsylvania (2009)
• Southern District of Texas (2011)
• Eastern District of Texas (2011)
• Northern District of Texas (2011)

Vlad Hirnyk, Esq.

Associate

Vlad Hirnyk joined Lemberg & Associates shortly after graduating Magna Cum Laude from Pace University School of Law. Mr. Hirnyk received an International Law Certificate from Pace University in recognition of his concentrated studies in the area of International Law. Mr. Hirnyk clerked for a year at John Jay Legal Services Center and was awarded an Outstanding Clinical Student award.

Degrees:

• Pace University School of Law – J.D., magna cum laude (2009)
• Pace University School of Law – International Law Certificate
• University of Connecticut – B.G.S. (2005)

State Admissions:

• New York  (2010)
• Connecticut (2009)

Federal Court Admissions:

• Eastern District of New York (2011)
• Northern District of New York (2011)
• Southern District of New York (2011)
• Western District of New York (2011)
• Northern District of Illinois (2012)
• Central District of Illinois (2012)
• Southern District of Illinois (2012)
• Western District of Michigan (2012)

Tammy Hussin, Esq.

Of Counsel (California)

Tammy Hussin has been protecting consumers’ rights since 2005, specializing in Fair Debt Collection Practices Act litigation.

Degrees:

• Southwestern University School of Law – J.D. cum laude (1991)
• Florida State University – B.A. (Business and Finance Administration, 1986)

State Admissions:

• California (1991)
• Michigan (1996)
• Colorado (1999)

Federal Court Admissions:

• Northern District of California (2007)
• Eastern District of California (2007)
• Central District of California (2007)
• Southern District of California (2007)
• District of Colorado (2007)
• Western District of Michigan (Not Sworn In)

Forrest E. Mays, Esq.

Of Counsel (Maryland)

Since opening his own practice in 1990, Forrest Mays has tried numerous cases in all levels of the state and federal court systems. Although Mr. Mays’ emphasis has been on civil rights, consumer law, and sexual harassment cases, he also has extensive criminal trial experience as well as medical malpractice and tort experience. Mr. Mays is a member of the Maryland State Bar and the American Inns of Court.

Degrees:

• University of Baltimore School of Law – J.D. (1986)
• University of Idaho (1979)

State Admissions:

• Maryland (1988)

Federal Court Admissions:

• District of Maryland (1988)

James D. Kelly, Esq.

Of Counsel (New Hampshire)

James Kelly began his legal career as a creditors’ rights attorney. Since then, he has spent time working abroad as Senate Legal Counsel to the Government of Palau, has served as general counsel to various corporate clients and local government entities, and has been plaintiffs’ counsel in numerous civil litigation matters. Mr. Kelly has also served on the Board of Directors of a number of New Hampshire non-profit organizations.

Degrees:

• Thomas Jefferson School of Law (2003)
• Plymouth State College – B.S. in Psychology (1995)

State Admissions:

• New Hampshire (2004)

Federal Court Admissions:

• District of New Hampshire (2010)

Brian T. McElroy, Esq.

Of Counsel (Ohio)

Some would say that that Brian T. McElroy began his career working for the dark side, defending debt collectors and credit reporting agencies for violations of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act. Today, Mr. McElroy uses the valuable knowledge he gained defending these companies to protect consumers throughout Ohio. After graduating from college and working for nearly three years as a property damage claims adjuster, Mr. McElroy went to Case Western Reserve University School of Law. While at Case Western, Mr. McElroy earned a business law concentration with honors and participated in a national mock trial competition. He has served on his community’s Board of Zoning and Building Appeals since December 2005 and has chaired the Board since April 2008. He is also very active in the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, where he is a past Chairman of the Solo-Small Firm Section, is the current Vice-Chairman of the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, is a member of the Section and Committee Oversight Committee, and also serves on the Ethics Committee.

Degrees:

• Case Western University School of Law – J.D. (2001)
• Ohio University – B.A. in History and Political Science (1995)

State Admissions:

• Ohio (2001)

Federal Court Admissions:

• Northern District of Ohio (2002)
• Southern District of Ohio (2002)

Appeals Court Admissions:

• Sixth Circuit (2003)

Kindra Deneau, Esq.

Of Counsel (Arizona)

Kindra Deneau earned her law degree from Arizona State University, where she also earned a Certificate in Intellectual Property from the Law, Science & Technology Center. In her six years of practice, Mrs. Deneau has represented small business clients and families in a wide array of legal disputes, including but not limited to consumer law cases, partnership disputes, defense of debt collections, defective construction matters, and real property causes of action.  Every client’s legal dilemma is an opportunity to help the community and to right a wrong. Mrs. Deneau takes pride in providing her client’s with top notch legal representation they can rely upon.

Degrees:

• Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University – J.D. (2005)
• Arizona State University – B.A. in Psychology (2000)

State Admissions:

• Arizona (2005)

Federal Court Admissions:

• District of Arizona (2006)

Appeals Court Admissions:

• Ninth Circuit (2010)

Sofia Balile, Esq.

Of Counsel (New York, New Jersey)

Sofia Balile earned her law degree from Wake Forest University. Upon graduating, Ms. Balile clerked with the Honorable Judge Maria Sypek in Trenton, New Jersey. She used her experience to enter into general litigation with Thaniel J. Beinert & Associates in New York, where her practice focused on litigation, divorce, and real estate law. Ms. Balile then worked for Cantor Epstein & Mazzola, defending condominiums, cooperatives, and management companies. She left defense litigation to join Paul Weiss in corporate litigation. She launched her own practice in 2009, focusing on real estate, family law, business litigation, and consumer protection litigation. 

Degrees:

• Wake Forest University – J.D. (2002)
• George Mason University – B.A., magna cum laude (1999)

State Admissions:

• New Jersey (2003)
• New York (2002)

Federal Court Admissions:

• District of New Jersey (2004)

Stacie Watson, Esq.

Of Counsel (North Carolina)

Following her admission to the North Carolina bar in 1997, Stacie Watson worked as a civil litigator in the areas of corporate law, real estate, and torts. As a solo practitioner, she represents small business clients, plaintiffs in consumer law disputes, and assists with estate planning and probate.

Degrees:

• Tuskegee University – B.S. in Computer Science (1987)
• University of Arizona – J.D. (1995)

State Admissions:

• North Carolina (1997)

Federal Court Admissions:

• Eastern District of North Carolina (2005)
• Middle District of North Carolina (2010)
• Western District of North Carolina (2010)

Edwinna C. Vanderzanden

Of Counsel (Maine)

Edwinna Vanderzanden has 27 years of trial and appellate experience in complex commercial, professional negligence and personal injury cases in state and federal courts in New Hampshire and Maine. She is also an experienced mediator and arbitrator in the New Hampshire Superior Courts. She is a former trustee of the University System of New Hampshire and has served as a director on numerous non-profit boards.

Degrees:

• University of Maine School of Law – J.D. (1984)
• University of New Hampshire – B.S. in Nursing, cum laude (1980)

State Admissions:

• New Hampshire (1984)
• Maine (1984)

Federal Court Admissions:

• District of New Hampshire (1984)
• District of Maine (1990)
• U.S. Court of Claims (1985)

Appeals Court Admissions:

• First Circuit (1986)
• Federal Circuit (1991)

Lark Fogel

Of Counsel (Colorado)

Degrees:

• University of Colorado Law School – J.D. (1988)
• University of Colorado, cum laude (1983)

State Admissions:

• Texas (1988)
• Colorado (1999)

Federal Court Admissions:

• Western District of Texas (1989)
• District of Colorado (1999)
• U.S. Court of Claims (1989)

Appeals Court Admissions:

• Fifth Circuit (1999)

Cara Hergenroether

Of Counsel (Georgia)

While at the University of Georgia School of Law, Cara Hergenroether served as Senior Notes Editor of the Georgia Journal of Intellectual Property Law and interned with the ACLU of Georgia. Following law school, she worked in the business litigation group at one of Atlanta’s largest law firms, where she defended a major credit reporting agency for claims under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Today, Ms. Hergenroether uses the valuable knowledge gained during this time to protect consumers throughout Georgia.

Degrees:

• University of Georgia School of Law – J.D. (2003)
• University of South Carolina – B.A. Journalism and Mass Communications (2000)

State Admissions:

• Georgia (2003)

Federal Court Admissions:

• Northern District of Georgia (2006)
• Middle District of Georgia (2011)
• Southern District of Georgia (2011)
• District of Colorado (2009)

Appeals Court Admissions:

• Eleventh Circuit (2007)

Jennifer Hsiao-Wei Tsai

Of Counsel (Nevada)

Jennifer HW Tsai graduated Cum Laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2008. Ms. Tsai is a former law clerk at the Nevada Attorney General’s Office. She serves as a pro bono attorney for various non-profit organizations in her community, and has had her own general practice since 2009.

Degrees:

• Thomas M. Cooley Law School – J.D., cum laude (2008)
• University of Arizona – B.A. (2003)

State Admissions:

• Nevada (2009)

Federal Court Admissions:

• District of Nevada (2009)

Appeals Court Admissions:

• Ninth Circuit (2009)

Amy L. Cueller

Of Counsel (Indiana)

Ms. Cueller graduated from Indiana University School of Law in 1989, and since that time, has focused her practice in the area of general civil litigation and trial work in both state and federal court. Ms. Cueller assists clients with a variety of litigation matters, ranging from personal injury and commercial disputes, to the defense of intellectual property rights. Ms. Cueller’s litigation experience in intellectual property matters includes protecting clients’ trademark rights before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, which is based in Washington, D.C. Ms. Cueller is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association and the Indianapolis Bar Association. She received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University.

Degrees:

• Indiana University School of Law – J.D. (1989)
• Indiana University - Bachelor of Science (1985)

State Admissions:

• Indiana (1990)

Federal Court Admissions:

• Southern District of Indiana (1990)
• Northern District of Indiana (1990)
• Indiana Supreme Court (1990)
• United States Supreme Court (1995)

Appeals Court Admissions:

• United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (2003)

Kenneth D. McLean, Esq.

Of Counsel (Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee)

While at the University of Mississippi School of Law, Kenneth McLean served as the Managing Editor for the Journal of National Security Law, Associate Mississippi Cases Editor for the Mississippi Law Journal, and as the Director of the Appellate Requirement and Executive Board Member for the Moot Court Board. Following his graduation from law school, he worked at law firms in Mississippi and Louisiana, where his practice focused on litigation, appellate practice, railroad defense, medical malpractice defense, insurance defense and criminal defense. In 2011, he founded his own firm in Memphis, Tennessee, focusing on cases involving personal injury and criminal defense.

Degrees:

• University of Mississippi School of Law – J.D., cum laude (2002)
• Louisiana Tech University – B.A., cum laude, Psychology (1999)

State Admissions:

• Mississippi (2002)
• Louisiana (2005)
• Tennessee (2011)

Federal Court Admissions:

• Northern District of Mississippi (2002)
• Southern District of Mississippi (2002)
• Western District of Louisiana (2005)
• Western District of Tennessee (2011)

Appeals Court Admissions:

• Fifth Circuit (2002)