NATIONAL – FordHarrison LLP, one of the country’s largest management-side labor and employment law firms, is pleased to announce that, in the fourth quarter of 2024, the firm added seven associates to offices throughout the U.S. including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City, St. Louis, and Tampa.
“We’re thrilled to have these seven associates join
FordHarrison,” said Lavern Wilson, Talent & Recruiting
Partner / General Counsel. “They bring a range of talents and
qualities that will strengthen our team and I am confident our firm
will support them in rewarding careers.”
The following attorneys have recently joined the firm:
Nicholas P. Bonastia
Associate | (St. Louis, MO)
Prior to joining FordHarrison, Nick was an associate at Gausnell
O’Keefe & Thomas representing clients in business
litigation, general liability, insurance, medical malpractice,
product liability, premises liability, and toxic torts. During law
school, Nick gained valuable experience clerking for Judge Matthew
Schelp of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
Missouri. During law school, he also worked with several complex
litigation firms in St. Louis and Chicago.
Kendall Marie James
Associate | (Los Angeles, CA)
Prior to joining FordHarrison, Kendall worked as a Post-Bar Law
Clerk at NBCUniversal, where she worked in the Labor &
Employment department, advising client groups on legal issues such
as accommodations, contract interpretation, discipline, and
workplace policies. During law school, Kendall served as a
certified student Attorney in Loyola’s Rights in Systems
Enforced clinic, as well as completing a summer internship at
SAG-AFTRA. She was a research editor for the Loyola of Los Angeles
Entertainment Law Review, Vice President of the Day Student Bar
Association, and received Highest Honors in Trademark Law.
Hannah R. Kramer
Associate | (New York, NY)
Prior to joining FordHarrison, Hannah worked as a Law Clerk at
NBCUniversal, where she advised on legal matters involving both
union-represented and non-represented personnel, issues involving
employee leave, accommodations, workplace policies, hiring,
separation, discipline, and compliance issues. During law school,
Hannah completed a Clinical Legal Internship at Manhattan Legal
Services, served as a Judicial Intern with the New York State
Supreme Court, and as a summer law clerk with a general services
law firm. She was a notes editor for the Cardozo Journal of Equal
Rights and Social Justice and received the award for outstanding
performance in Corporations.
Gabriel P. McCarthy
Associate | (Atlanta, GA)
Prior to joining FordHarrison, while earning his J.D., Gabe
completed a judicial externship at the U.S. District Court District
of Massachusetts for Senior Judge Timothy Hillman, and a judicial
internship at the New York Supreme Court with Judge Kelly
O'Neill Levy. While in college, he completed a legal internship
with Robinhood Markets, preparing daily and weekly congressional
reports, reviewing and analyzing congressional hearings, and
documenting and providing commentary on the positions of
legislators.
Alyssa N. Rodriguez
Associate |(Dallas, TX)
Prior to joining FordHarrison, Alyssa worked as a paralegal at
Stanton LLP for two years. Her pursuit of a legal career led her to
UNT Dallas College of Law, where she made significant contributions
as President of the Hispanic Law Student Association, one of the
largest student organizations on campus. While earning her J.D.,
Alyssa was a Quarterfinalist and was awarded Best Brief at the Fall
2022 Thompson Coburn Moot Court Competition. Alyssa obtained
hands-on professional experience while in law school, completing a
judicial law clerkship at the Court of Appeals for the Fifth
District of Texas, a legal internship at the U.S. EEOC, and a
judicial internship at the 68th Civil District Court of Dallas
County for the Honorable Martin Hoffman.
Isabella T. Scott
Associate | (Tampa, FL)
Prior to joining FordHarrison, Isabella served as a Teaching
Assistant to Civil Procedure & Business Entities students and
Articles & Symposia editor for Stetson Law Review. She
was a member of Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honors Society,
and was awarded Book Awards in 2021 and 2023 for Criminal Law and
Florida Constitutional Law. Isabella also completed a federal
judicial externship for Judge Julie Sneed at the U.S. District
Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Joel M. Zeid
Associate | (Chicago, IL)
Prior to joining FordHarrison, Joel was an Assistant State Attorney
at the Cook County State's Attorney's Office - Civil Rights
and Torts Division. Joel possesses a strong track record of success
including securing multiple motions to dismiss and for summary
judgment; adeptly conducting and defending more than 20 depositions
of plaintiffs, defendants, physicians, and witnesses; routinely
propounding and responding to written discovery; favorably settling
several high exposure cases in state, federal, and appellate
courts; and obtaining favorable appellate judgments in multiple
cases. While in law school, Joel obtained judicial experience as a
Judicial Intern to the Honorable Senior District Judge Richard E.
Webber in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri,
and as a Legal Extern in the U.S. Attorney's Office Western
District of Missouri. As an undergraduate, Joel served as a
Legislative Assistant in the U.S. Senate.