Mr. Nye is Senior Counsel at Jackson & Campbell, P.C. and a member of the Firm’s General Litigation and Trial Practice Group. Jordan is an experienced and trusted litigator and family law practitioner. Jordan assists clients in all areas of family law, ranging from litigating contentious divorces and custody disputes, drafting prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, negotiating settlement agreements, mediating separations, drafting uncontested divorces documents, handling child and spousal support issues, adoptions, and advising clients on property division. Jordan’s years of experience, extensive legal knowledge, and intimate understanding of the local courts make him uniquely situated to advocate zealously for his clients. From the first meeting until a matter is resolved, Jordan is dedicated to listening to his clients, advising them on the best course of action, and developing effective strategies to alleviate his client’s problems and worries. Jordan understands that family law matters are often emotionally and physically taxing on the client, and he tailors each case strategy to meet that particular client’s needs and goals through pragmatic and detail-oriented approaches. While Jordan is a proponent of collaboration and mediation, he is also a formidable advocate for his clients in the courtroom.
In 2017, the Supreme Court held in Moore v. Texas, 581 U.S. ___ (2017), that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals used a flawed analysis to determine that Bobby James Moore was not intellectually disabled, and thus eligible to receive the death penalty. In part, the flaw was that the Texas court focused on Moore’s adaptive strengths instead of... Read More
DUI/DWI
In 1988, a Mexican-national was convicted in California for felony DUI and then deported because at the time such a crime was an “aggravated felony” permitting removal. That same person illegally re-entered the United States and was indicted for unlawful reentry. The immigrant sought a collateral challenge of his prior removal order on the basis that the Court had since... Read More
Wrongful Death
Recently Jackson & Campbell’s Health Law Practice Group successfully defended Children’s National Medical Center in a wrongful death lawsuit. Judge Anthony Epstein entered judgment for the hospital after Plaintiff rested his case at trial. Attorneys Crystal S. Deese and Diona Howard-Nicolas, along with the entire Health Law Practice Group, are honored to have served our client in... Read More
Traffic Violations
A North Carolina law made it a felony for a registered sex offender “to access a commercial social networking Web site where the sex offender knows that the site permits minor children to become members or to create or maintain personal Web pages.” When a sex offender posted on Facebook about getting a traffic ticket dismissed, he was convicted and... Read More
Sex Crimes
Originally, the Uniform Code of Military Justice mandated that a rape conviction could be punishable by death. Under that Code, penalties punishable by death could be brought at any time, while all other offenses had to be brought within five years. In United States v. Briggs, three servicemembers were convicted of rape, but after their convictions the Court ruled in... Read More
Fraud
In Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. v. Arkansas Teacher Retirement System, shareholders alleged securities fraud by Goldman Sachs and sought a class action certification. The shareholders invoked a presumption under Basic Inc. v. Levinson, 485 U.S. 224 (1988), that investors are presumed to rely on the market price of a company’s security, which is presumed to reflect all of the company’s... Read More
Burglary
After Jamar Quarles pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, prosecutors sought to give him an enhanced sentence under the Armed Career Criminal Act because he had at least three prior “violent felony” convictions. The Act defines “burglary” as being a violent felony, meaning “unlawful or unprivileged entry into, or remaining in, a building or structure,... Read More
Theft
Misdemeanors
The Fourth Amendment permits police officers to enter a home when “the exigencies of the situation” create a compelling law enforcement need. The question in Lange v. California was whether pursuit of a fleeing misdemeanor suspect categorically qualified as an exigent circumstance. In this case, the suspect was driving while listening to loud music and honking his horn. When an... Read More
Drug Crimes
Andre Barton was a green-card holder who was convicted of several crimes, including a firearms offense and certain drug offenses. The government decided that it wanted to remove Barton based on those convictions. Barton applied for cancellation of removal, which has certain strict requirements including an initial seven years of continuous residence. The residency requirement would be cancelled, however, if... Read More
Assault
Murder
In Dunn v. Reeves, after Reeves was convicted of murder, he argued to the state court that he received ineffective assistance of counsel under Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984). However, he did not call his attorneys to testify to rebut the presumption that counsel acted reasonably. The state appellate court denied relief because of the lack of evidence,... Read More
Restraining Order
When a pregnant minor unlawful immigrant sought to get an abortion while in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, the Office’s policy prohibited her from getting an abortion without the Director’s permission. The minor moved for a temporary restraining order of the policy, which the district court granted. The minor then attended preabortion counseling as required under Texas... Read More
Prostitution
The United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act was enacted in 2003 as a foreign aid program focused on global health. Congress dedicated billions of dollars in funding to the Act, but required that organizations could only receive funds if they had a “policy explicitly opposing prostitution and sex trafficking.” In Agency for Int’l Development v. Alliance for... Read More
Our individual and corporate clients, who span dozens of industries— nonprofit, real estate, health care, and professional services— rely on our skills and knowledge in the areas of corporate and business law in order to get deals completed and in the successful day to day operations of the company.
Mergers and Acquisitions
In addition to these significant real estate and business transactions, John has counseled several companies and individuals on a whole range of business issues, including organizational structuring, mergers and acquisitions, stock agreements, commercial leasing, real estate, governance, workouts, bankruptcy, and employment issues. John also represents non-profit organizations on similar issues, as well as obtaining tax-exempt status and providing compliance advice with IRC 501(c) regulations. Additionally, he has experience with succession and estate planning issues, for businesses and their owners, including the preparation of wills, trusts, living wills, advance directives, and family LLCs.
Business Formation
Business Disputes
With more than 30 years of experience representing businesses both in the U.S. and abroad, David is an attorney and counselor in the true sense. He represents clients in arbitrations and federal and state courts on a wide range of civil matters, ranging from product liability and toxic tort claims to contract and business disputes. He regularly advises clients on risk management issues relating to product manuals, hazard review procedures, pre-sale and post-sale warnings, employee training, and government enforcement proceedings.
Business Transactions
Nathan obtained his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2007. During law school, Nathan worked for the District of Columbia Office of Administrative Hearings and for Lindner & Associates, P.C., a District of Columbia law firm focusing on commercial transactions and real estate. Prior to law school, Nathan served as a paralegal for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia from 2001-2004.
Limited Liability Companies
Corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and other business entities are certainly aware of the need to make certain end of year decisions for income tax purposes, but it also is a good time to perform a business audit for possible state, local, and personal property tax return deadlines. It is also advisable for businesses to review other corporate compliance issues, such... Read More
Construction Contracts
Intellectual Property
The July/August edition of the intellectual property law magazine includes Arthur D. Burger’s article “Conflicts of Interest Issues for Intellectual Property Lawyers: Problems and Solutions.” The article explores aspects of how an intellectual property practice can create atypical conflict of interest problems and suggests fixes that are geared to those problems.” Burger serves as the chair of Jackson &... Read More
The case of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Yuan, Puerto Rico v. Feliciano concerned complaints filed by employees of Catholic schools in Puerto Rico alleging wrongful termination of their pension plan. Initially, the Puerto Rico trial court determined that the Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church in Puerto Rico was the proper entity that owed obligations to the plan, and... Read More
Employment Discrimination
When two firefighters were terminated to cut costs, they sued under the Age Discrimination Employment Act, alleging they were discriminated against based on their ages. The fire department argued that it did not have enough employees to qualify as an employer under the Act. The Act provides: “The term ‘employer’ means a person engaged in an industry affecting commerce... Read More
Employment Contract
Jackson & Campbell, P.C.’s Business Law Practice Group counsels a range of entities from startups to more mature companies dealing with growth and succession issues. Our attorneys represent a wide array of businesses, trade and professional associations, government contractors, tax-exempt public charities, and private foundations, throughout the Washington, D.C. region. We advise clients by working with them side by side, in some cases going so far as to serve as the company’s virtual general counsel, on a variety of legal issues, from the structuring and implementation of deals to corporate governance, business and vendor agreements, loan and other financing documents, employment contracts, and other general corporate matters. At Jackson & Campbell, we are most proud of the continued confidence that our Business Law Practice Group has maintained with companies, many of whom have relied on our trusted advice for decades and through numerous generations of their family owned businesses.
Employment Litigation
Members of the Employment Law Practice Group, working closely with the General Litigation & Trial Practice Group, when litigating employment disputes in federal and state courts and in numerous administrative tribunals. We represent clients in a wide variety of claims including...
Non-compete Agreement
Severance Agreement
Our attorneys handle a variety of domestic and international transactions; including business formation, mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate transactions, joint ventures, bringing companies to market, buyouts, and strategic partnerships. We also routinely assist our clients in financing transactions, including the negotiation of debt and equity financing, creative financing, and equipment leasing agreements. Our attorneys also assist numerous business clients in negotiating hundreds of executive employment, non-compete, and severance agreements.
Sexual Harassment
In Fort Bend County, Texas v. Davis, Lois M. Davis filed a charge of sexual harassment and retaliation for reporting the harassment with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). While the EEOC was investigating, the employer fired Davis when she went to a church function instead of work on Sunday. Davis handwrote “religion” on an intake questionnaire to... Read More
In Mr. Cox’s continuous years of service with the Firm, he has developed a reputation as an effective negotiator, advisor, and litigator, successfully resolving a myriad of issues arising out of a variety of corporate, commercial, and residential real estate matters.
Premises Liability
Edward Sedlacek & Crystal Deese obtained summary judgment for their hospital client against a Plaintiff suing for premises liability and res ipsa loquitur. Plaintiff claimed to have received an electrical shock forceful enough to fracture two different bones. None of the medical experts agreed that electricity caused these twisting type fractures. The court rejected Plaintiff’s argument that a lay jury... Read More
Construction Litigation
Mr. Ferragamo is a Director at Jackson & Campbell, P.C. and serves as co-chair of the Insurance Coverage Practice Group. Chris represents insurance companies in complex coverage cases arising from toxic tort, environmental, professional liability, and construction defects matters. Chris also provides clients with coverage analysis and recommendations regarding primary, umbrella and excess general liability policies, pollution legal liability policies, various types of professional liability policies, and directors and officers liability policies.
Real Estate Transactions
With 30 years of experience representing companies, non-profit organizations and closely held businesses, John concentrates his practice on business and commercial legal matters, including those arising in health care and real estate transactions.
Eminent Domain
In 1947, Congress amended the Natural Gas Act to permit the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue certificates to natural gas companies enabling those companies to exercise federal eminent domain power in order to obtain the land needed to build their pipelines based on “public convenience and necessity.” In PennEast Pipeline Co, LLC v. New Jersey, PennEast received a certificate... Read More
Easement
Land Use and Zoning
A former president of the Firm, David currently serves as chair emeritus of the Real Estate Practice Group. He is a member of the Land Title Associations of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia and the American Land Title Association Title Counsel Committee. He serves as a member of the D.C. Legislative Action Committee of the Community Associations Institute and is the Firm’s representative to the Council for Court Excellence (CCE), while serving on the CCE Executive Committee. He also serves as Vice President of the Kiwanis Foundation of Washington, D.C. He is the immediate past president of the Barristers and an active member of the Lawyers Club. David recently served six years as a peer-elected member of the Steering Committee of the Real Estate and Land Use Section of the District of Columbia Bar. He also served as president of the District of Columbia Land Title Association from 2003 to 2005. He is past president of the District of Columbia Jaycees and the Kiwanis Club of Washington, D.C.
Landlord-Tenant Disputes
Spencer works with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service and handles primarily pro bono residential landlord and tenant work. Spencer previously served as a law clerk for the Honorable Audrey J.S. Carrion of the Circuit Court for Baltimore, Maryland. He is currently admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and New Jersey.
Property Damage
The Supreme Court of Ohio agreed to accept the matter of Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc. v. National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., Case No. 1:17-cv-01782-DAP (N.D. Ohio) on certified question as to whether an insured is permitted to seek full and complete indemnity under a single policy providing coverage for “those sums” when the property damage occurred over... Read More
Under 18 U.S.C. sec. 922(a)(2), it is illegal for an immigrant “illegally or unlawfully in the United States” to possess firearms and “knowingly violates” that prohibition. In Rehaif v. United States, an immigrant entered the country on a nonimmigration student visa, but was dismissed for poor grades, making his further residence unlawful. He then went to a firing... Read More
Mr. Chapman is an Associate in the General Litigation and Trial and Real Estate Practice Groups. Prior to joining the Firm, Zach represented large and small national and regional insurance companies in subrogation litigation and in cases involving property damage, construction, personal injury, and workers’ compensation. He handled all aspects of his litigation cases while having an active docket of approximately 50 cases, in various points of litigation. Zach has successful trial and courtroom experience and has settled hundreds of cases.
Medical Malpractice
Attorneys Crystal Deese and Benjamin Harvey secured dismissal of a medical malpractice case from D.C. Superior Court on forum non conveniens grounds. Defendants’ motion was successful despite the fact that the defendant hospital system was incorporated in the District and its nurse employee was licensed in both the District and in Maryland. The court weighed the private and public interest... Read More
Social Security Disability
In Biestek v. Berryhill, Michael Biestek applied for Social Security disability benefits, claiming he could no longer work due to physical and mental ailments. His case was heard by an administrative law judge (ALJ), who analyzed whether there was other work Biestek might be able to perform. The Social Security Administration offered the testimony of a vocational expert as... Read More
While the Firm prides itself on the technical skills of its attorneys, it places an equal emphasis on attorney sensitivity to the specific needs of each client. Our attorneys take special pleasure in working with clients to ensure that their estate planning goals and objectives are met.
Wills
Our Trusts and Estates Practice Group includes experienced litigators who are able to provide dispute resolution and comprehensive risk management services. The Firm offers a wide range of such services to individuals, professional fiduciaries, and institutional trustees, developing strategies to avoid disputes and to resolve disputes in a favorable and expeditious manner when they arise. Our trusts and estates attorneys have extensive experience in litigation relating to trust construction, enforcement and modification of trusts, will and trust contests, removal of fiduciaries, as well as in the negotiation of settlement agreements to resolve disputes without court intervention.
Trusts
Our attorneys advise trustees on irrevocable trusts and the powers and fiduciary duties of the trustee in the administration of a trust and the liability of a trustee for a breach of trust.
Power of Attorney
In creating a power of attorney, the client can appoint an agent responsible for his or her financial affairs in the event he or she should become incapacitated prior to death. Such an appointment may avoid a court intervention proceeding in which the court is required to appoint a conservator of the property of the incapacitated individual with the responsibility for handling that individual’s financial affairs.
After Ritzen Group, Inc. sued Jackson Masonry, LLC over a contract, Jackson filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which immediately halted Ritzen’s litigation. Ritzen moved the bankruptcy court for relief from the automatic stay, which was denied. Ritzen then filed a proof of claim, which was eventually disallowed. Ritzen then opted to file a notice of appeal of the bankruptcy court’s... Read More
Foreclosure
In October 2021, D.C. Council provided Mayor Bowser, under Act 24-178 1, the power to extend the foreclosure moratorium from November 5, 2021, to February 4, 2022. 2 The purpose of this extension was to allow the Housing Assistance Funds (‘HAF”) Program to be implemented. The goal of the HAF program is to prevent mortgage... Read More
Tax Law
The Tax Law Practice Group at Jackson & Campbell, P.C. specializes in tax planning for all types of taxpayers, including non-profits, for-profit corporations, international business structures, estates, and individuals. In addition, our attorneys represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service as well as state and local taxing jurisdictions, whether applying for recognition of exempt status; under civil examination; or subject to collection actions and liens/levies. Jackson & Campbell’s attorneys zealously represent clients before the IRS, and patiently work through the bureaucracy to reach the best solution for the client taxpayer. In addition, we work with clients to achieve the business structure that best satisfies the client’s business model and purpose, while minimizing the tax burden imposed, whether domestic or foreign. Our attorneys also keep abreast of current legislation and IRS guidance, in order to keep clients compliant and on the forefront of any new tax incentives.
Debt Collection
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires that claims be brought “within one year from the date on which the violation occurs.” In Rotkiske v. Klemm, a debt collector filed suit against Kevin Rotkiske, served him where he no longer lived, and obtained a default judgment against him in 2009. Rotkiske learned of the judgment in 2014, and sued... Read More