Working for You.

Sergei Lemberg, Esq.

Principal

Sergei Lemberg has practiced law for almost a decade and has earned a reputation of a tireless consumer advocate. He is driven by his passion for helping people in his community fight for the respect, dignity, justice and compensation they deserve. He helps his clients stand up to often-intimidating auto manufacturers, insurance companies, debt collectors, and big businesses.

Mr. Lemberg graduated from Brandeis University in 1997 with a degree in Economics and a minor concentration in Business. He continued his studies at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and graduated in 2001 with a Juris Doctor degree. After holding positions with several major law firms in New York and Connecticut, Mr. Lemberg launched his own practice. He is licensed to practice in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. Mr. Lemberg is a native speaker of Russian, and speaks French and Spanish.

Susan Schneiderman, Esq.

Associate

Since her admission to the New York bar in 1985, Susan Schneiderman has represented individuals and businesses as counselor, advocate and advisor in a wide variety of fields and settings. Ms. Schneiderman received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and her legal education at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City. She is licensed to practice law in the States of New York and Connecticut and is also admitted to the Federal Bars of the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States. Ms. Schneiderman is a member of the American Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association and the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association.

Stephen Taylor, Esq.

Associate

Stephen Taylor is a graduate of Tulane University Law School and Boston College. In 2005 he received the Certificate of Achievement from Queen’s College London for studies in International Business. Additionally, Stephen is a former Judicial Clerk and has worked for the Connecticut criminal defense firm, the Law Offices of Norman Pattis. Mr. Taylor is admitted to the Connecticut Bar.

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. Ms. Burton graduated from the State University of New York at Albany in 1990 with a degree in English. She continued her studies at American University, Washington College of Law, and graduated in 1993 with a Juris Doctor degree. 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. Ms. Burton is licensed to practice law in Connecticut, the District of Columbia, and Pennsylvania.

Diana P. Larson, Esq.

Associate (Texas)

Diana Larson earned her Juris Doctor degree, summa cum laude, from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas in 1998 and her B.S. from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas in 1995. Immediately following law school, Mrs. Larson was the briefing attorney for the Honorable Sam Nuchia with the First District Court of Appeals in Houston, Texas. Mrs. Larson then worked for several large law firms in Houston, Texas. Most recently, Mrs. Larson was a partner with Gardere Wynne Sewell in Houston, Texas. In 2009, Mrs. Larson founded the Larson Law Office, PLLC. Mrs. Larson's practice consists of business law, family law, creating wills and trusts and consumer protection litigation. Mrs. Larson is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, all Texas State Courts by the State Bar of Texas, and is admitted to practice in federal courts in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Southern District of Texas, the Northern District of Texas, the Eastern District of Texas and the Western District of Texas.

Lara Shapiro, Esq.

Of Counsel (California)

Lara Shapiro has a long history of advocating on behalf of people, both as an attorney, and prior to that, as a nurse. Ms. Shapiro graduated with honors from California State University, Chico, with a degree in Philosophy in 2000 after a ten year nursing career. She graduated from McGeorge School of Law in 2003. During law school, and after becoming admitted to the Bar in 2003, she worked for a law firm in Sacramento specializing in elder abuse and medical malpractice. She later worked for a legal malpractice firm in San Francisco before moving to Los Angeles and opening her own practice. Ms. Shapiro practices California lemon law.

Jennifer Kurtz, Esq.

Of Counsel (New Jersey)

Jen Kurtz is a New Jersey native and was raised in Sayreville. Ms. Kurtz is licensed to practice law in New Jersey, New York and the District of Columbia. Ms. Kurtz graduated summa cum laude from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a Bachelor's degree in Government. After college, she attended The George Washington University Law School and graduated cum laude. During law school, Ms. Kurtz was an active member of the Moot Court Board and an Articles Editor for the American Bar Association's Public Contract Law Journal. She is also a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, the Bankruptcy American Inn of Court, Middlesex County Bar Association, and New Jersey Bar Association.

Forrest E. Mays, Esq.

Of Counsel (Maryland)

Forrest Mays earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1986. He has been a member of the Maryland federal bar since 1988. Since opening his own practice in 1990, Mr. 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 expansive criminal trial experience as well as medical malpractice and tort practice. Mr. Mays is also a member of the Maryland State Bar, and the American Inns of Court.

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, he 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 is admitted to practice in the State of New Hampshire, and the Federal District Court of New Hampshire. Mr. Kelly has also served on the Board of Directors of a number of New Hampshire non-profit organizations.

Brian T. McElroy, Esq.

Of Counsel (Ohio)

Some would say that that Brian T. McElroy began his career working for the “darkside”; defending debt collectors and credit reporting agencies for violations of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act. Presently, Mr. McElroy uses the valuable knowledge he gained defending these companies to now protect consumers throughout Ohio. Mr. McElroy graduated cum Laude from Ohio University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science. After working for nearly three years as a property damage claims adjuster, Mr. McElroy went to law school and obtained his Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2001. While at Case Western, Mr. McElroy earned a Business law Concentration, with honors and participated in a national mock trial competition. Mr. McElroy is admitted to practice law in Ohio. Mr. McElroy has served on his Community’s Board of Zoning and Building Appeals since December 2005 and has chaired the Board since April 2008. Mr. McElroy is also very active in the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, where he is currently serving as the Chairman of the Solo-Small Firm Section and is a member of the High School Internship Committee.

Mary M. Smythe, Esq.

Of Counsel (Mississippi/Louisiana)

Mary Smythe is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law and the University of the South. Prior to practicing in areas of consumer litigation, Ms. Smythe worked as a defense litigator and as a legal recruiter. Ms. Smythe is admitted to the Louisiana and Mississippi bars.