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Contributing Authors

FindLaw.com has 35,000+ articles currently published on the website. Hundreds of thousands of articles and blogs have been published here since its creation in 1996. Many talented professionals have created content for the site. All current and former authors are attorneys, journalists, or writers who specialize in legal content. Learn more by visiting our About Us page or reading our Editorial Standards.

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About FindLaw.com Legal Writers

Read the biographies below to learn more about the talented individuals currently writing, editing, and researching for FindLaw.

Individual authors list their qualifications, thought leadership, and active participation in their fields of expertise, including:

  • Professional credentials
  • Bar admissions
  • Board certifications
  • State licenses
  • Specializations
  • Awards or accolades
  • Professional associations 
  • American Bar Association (or state-specific bar associations) membership
  • Media mentions

Author biography pages automatically provide a feed of the author’s most recent FindLaw.com articles. You can find their recent contributions to FindLaw.com as well as past or upcoming external publications.

Our contributing authors provide thought leadership and legal information, not specific legal advice. They do not create an attorney-client relationship through their content. If you are seeking a specialized attorney, FindLaw provides an attorney directory listing hundreds of local attorneys for you to select from.

Hal Armstrong, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Hal Armstrong, Esq.

Hal Armstrong, a personal injury attorney with more than 18 years of experience, reviews and edits articles for FindLaw.com and LawInfo.com.

Omri Ben-Ari

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Attorney Omri Ben-Ari

Omri has been exclusively practicing labor and employment litigation for almost a decade. He reviews employment law articles on FindLaw.com.

Melissa Bender, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Photo of Melissa Bender

Melissa is an attorney consultant and legal editor with over 20 years of trial experience in family and criminal law.

Maddy Buck, Esq.

Legal Writer, FindLaw.com

Maddy Buck, Esq.

Maddy Buck was a Legal Writer for FindLaw’s Legal Forms & Services.

Susan Buckner, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Susan Buckner, J.D.

Susan is a J.D. writer whose legal experience ranges from contract law to personal injury law.

Lisa Burden, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Lisa Burden, J.D.

Lisa Burden is a freelance writer with degrees in journalism and law. She writes about legal, business, technology, and energy topics.

Kathy Burns

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Kathy Burns

Kathy Burns is a freelance writer specializing in crafting long-form business, financial, and legal content designed to engage and inform readers.

Jeff Burtka, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Jeff Burtka, Esq.

Jeff has more than 10 years of practice experience as a prosecutor, health care attorney, and estate planning attorney. He writes and reviews articles for FindLaw.com.

Jade Chounlamountry, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Contributing author Jade Chounlamountry

Jade is an attorney licensed in both Minnesota and Nevada. She has worked with small businesses on choosing legal structures, creating operating documents, and reviewing contracts.

Aviana Cooper, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Aviana Cooper, Esq.

Aviana Cooper is an attorney reviewer with litigation experience. She also has substantial experience advising small businesses. She is licensed in Maryland, D.C., and the U.S. District Court of Maryland.

Mathew Courtney, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Mathew Courtney, Esq.

Mathew obtained his J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law and spent his final year of law school working in probate and estate planning.

Richard Dahl

Legal Writer, FindLaw Blogs

Legal Writer Richard Dahl

Richard Dahl is a veteran legal writer who has written hundreds of legal blogs for FindLaw.com.

John Devendorf, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

John Devendorf, Attorney

John Devendorf is a licensed attorney with more than a decade of experience. He writes and reviews articles for FindLaw.com and Abogado.com.

Rhonda Earhart, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Family law attorney Rhonda Earhart

Rhonda has practiced family law and criminal law in a variety of settings. She became certified as a guardian ad litem for children in 1998 and has represented hundreds of children in abuse and neglect, foster care, and custody cases.

Steven J. Ellison, Esq.

Senior Legal Writer, FindLaw.com

Steven J. Ellison

Steve Ellison writes for FindLaw.com’s Learn About The Law and State Law article sections.

Sean Bailey Fields, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Sean Bailey Fields, Esq.

Sean Bailey Fields is a practicing attorney in Georgia. He works in tax controversies, personal injury, landlord/tenant law.

J.P. Finet, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

J.P. Finet, J.D.

J.P. Finet is a legal writer, editor, and J.D. who has covered the U.S. Supreme Court for several financial publications and has written about state, federal, and international law.

T. Evan Eosten Fisher, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

T. Evan Eosten Fisher, Esq.

Evan is an attorney licensed in three states with significant experience as a municipal attorney and a criminal prosecutor. He contributes to FindLaw primarily by verifying the legal accuracy of articles.

Vaishali Gaur, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Vaishali Gaur, Esq.

Using her passion for researching and writing, combined with a commitment to social justice, Vaishali contributes to articles on FindLaw.com.

Danielle Gilmore, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Danielle Gilmore, Esq.

Danielle Gilmore is a licensed attorney with a J.D. from Seattle University.

Oni Harton, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Oni Harton, J.D.

Oni Harton is an attorney with significant experience in litigation and estate planning. With writing and research experience spanning over two decades, Oni has served as a legal writer and editor in several roles.

Isobel Healy, J.D., M.P.H.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Isobel Healy, J.D., M.P.H.

Isobel is a writer and reviewer for FindLaw’s LGBTQ+ law content. She has focused her career on public policy and health.

Hannah Hilst

Legal Writer, FindLaw.com

Hannah Hilst, FindLaw.com Legal Writer

As a legal writer and content strategist, Hannah loves learning and teaching others. She reviews and writes legal content for FindLaw.com’s Learn About the Law.

Thomas Hootman, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Thomas Hootman, J.D.

Thomas is a former paralegal and J.D. who writes and edits legal articles for FindLaw.com.

Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.

Lyle is a skilled legal writer with a background in law, visual arts, and content writing who contributes articles to FindLaw.com.

Michelle Kaminsky, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Michelle Kaminsky, Esq.

The author of three true crime books (another forthcoming in 2025), Michelle is a licensed attorney with over two decades of experience as a legal writer and editor.

Caoilte Kurtzman, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Caoilte Kurtzman, Esq.

Caoilte is an experienced military attorney and reviewer for FindLaw.com. She started her legal career in the US Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps.

Camila Laval, J.D.

Former Managing Editor, Abogado.com

Camila Laval, J.D.

Camila Laval was the managing editor for Abogado.com from 2019-2024.

Kimberly Lekman, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Kimberly Lekman

Kimberly uses her legal research, writing, and contract law experience to write and edit legal articles for FindLaw.com and Thomson Reuters’ Practical Law.

Lydia Leung, LLB

Contributing Writer, FindLaw.com

Lydia Leung, LLB

Lydia Leung is a writer and editor with a strong foundation in journalism and media.

Lark Lewis, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Lark Lewis, J.D.

Lark, a J.D., has over a decade of experience writing and editing legal content for FindLaw.com and Thomson Reuters.

Linda Long, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Linda Long

Linda is an experienced writer in personal injury, business formation, estate planning, and appellate advocacy.

Leslie Mackenzie

Legal Writer, FindLaw.com

Leslie Mackenzie

Leslie MacKenzie has been a writer and editor for more than 35 years, 17 of those years writing marketing and informational content about U.S. law.

Jocelyn Mackie, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Jocelyn Mackie, Esq.

Jocelyn Mackie, J.D. offers two decades of legal experience as an attorney and a legal marketer.

Ally Marshall, Esq.

Former Managing Editor, FindLaw.com Legal Professionals

Ally Marshall, Managing Editor

During her time with FindLaw, Ally Marshall managed FindLaw.com Legal Professionals, Forms, and AI search and summary capabilities.

John Mascolo, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

John Mascolo, Esq.

Legal Writer and Attorney Editor John Mascolo has 30 years of legal experience in family law and criminal law.

Melissa McCall, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Contributing author Melissa McCall

Melissa McCall is a lawyer and writer from Brooklyn, New York.  Melissa earned her JD from the Syracuse University College of Law and an MS in Science Journalism from Stonybrook University.

Taylar-Simone McCants, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Taylar-Simone McCants, J.D.

Legal writer Taylar-Simone McCants focuses her work primarily on FindLaw’s Small Business Law and Intellectual Property Law content.

Ty McDuffey, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Contributing author Ty McDuffey

Ty McDuffey is a native of the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. He has led a life marked by sports, academics, and a passion for creativity. He is a law graduate with substantial journalism and legal writing experience.

Donald C. Meyers (Chris), Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Donald C. Meyers (Chris)

Chris Meyers is a lawyer focused on commercial and residential real estate transactions and employment law. He writes and edits articles for FindLaw.com and SuperLawyers.com.

Natalie Moritz

Legal Writer, FindLaw.com

Natalie Moritz

Natalie is known for distilling complex legal ideas into accessible FindLaw.com content that is readily available and easily understood by all.

Meagan Neil, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Attorney Editor Meagan Neil

Meagan Neil grew up in Georgia and is the co-founder of Aspire Visa Attorneys. She is a graduate of Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law.

Chelsea Neubecker, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Chelsea Neubecker, Esq.

Chelsea is a licensed attorney with a J.D. from the University at Buffalo School of Law. They write and review LGBTQ+ law content for FindLaw.com.

Kellie Pantekoek, Esq.

Senior Legal Writer, FindLaw.com

Kellie Pantekoek, Esq.

Kellie Pantekoek wrote and edited article and blog content for FindLaw.com and LawInfo.com. She is the product manager for FindLaw Forms and Services.

Danielle Patterson, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Danielle Patterson, J.D.

Danielle Patterson is a New Jersey Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a J.D. degree from St. John’s University School of Law.

Cody Miller Pyke, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Cody Miller Pyke, Esq.

Dr. Cody Pyke is a nonbinary transgender woman and practicing attorney living in Houston, TX. She also has an M.D., LL.M. in Health Law, and M.S. in Bioethics Policy. Cody writes and reviews LGBTQ+ law content for FindLaw.com.

Robert Rafii, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Attorney Robert Rafii

Robert is a lawyer and writer specializing in business contracts, real estate, estate planning, and personal injury law.

Melanie Rauch, JD

Legal Writer, FindLaw.com

Melanie Rauch, JD

As a seasoned content writer with over a decade of experience, Melanie brings a unique perspective to the legal field.

Carmen Reyes-Wolfe, J.D.

Contributing Writer, Abogado.com

Carmen Reyes-Wolfe, J.D.

Carmen Reyes-Wolfe began her career at Thomson Reuters writing for Abogado.com, where she authored hundreds of articles on various legal topics for American Spanish speakers.

Susan Mills Richmond, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Susan Mills Richmond, Esq.

Susan Mills Richmond is a seasoned attorney who practiced law in New York as a litigator and transactional lawyer for a number of years prior to reviewing and editing legal articles for FindLaw.com.

Marjorie Richter, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Marjorie Richter, J.D.

Marjorie holds a J.D. and an M.A. in English/Creative Writing. She combines her interests in writing, research, and law in her work to explain legal concepts to both broad and specialized audiences.

Rebecca Rosefelt, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Rebecca Rosefelt, Esq.

At FindLaw.com, Rebecca explores the intersection of digital assets and estate planning.

Linda Sanabria, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Contributing author Linda Sanabria

Linda M. Sanabria is a writer and editor from Miami, Florida, who holds a law degree, a B.S. in criminal justice, and a minor in history.

A. Hollyn Scott, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

A. Hollyn Scott, Esq.

At FindLaw.com, Hollyn Scott helped draft estate planning documents for clients, including wills, trusts, advance health care directives, and more.

Amber Sheppard, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Amber Sheppard, Esq.

Amber Sheppard (she/her) is an attorney who focuses on small business law and service dog laws. Amber, along with her service dog Tubbs, has been published over twenty times nationally and serves as legal counsel for “mom and pop” start-ups, international brands, and nonprofits.

Stephen Smith, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Stephen Smith, Esq.

Stephen Smith has 40 years of experience handling liability injury claims, including work with two of the most successful firms in the nation. He has written numerous legal education articles.

Jennifer Steinberg, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Jennifer Steinberg, Esq.

Jennifer Steinberg is an attorney reviewer for FindLaw.com’s Social Security articles. She has practiced federal administrative law for over a decade.

Sam Strom, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Contributing author Sam Strom

Sam Strom contributes as a legal writer for FindLaw. He grew up in Clover Valley, Minnesota, a small community north of Duluth.

Aisha Success, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Aisha Success, Esq.

Attorney Success is a licensed member of both the South Carolina and Georgia State Bars. She uses her knowledge of the intricacies of estate planning, probate, and estate administration to review articles for FindLaw.com.

Maddy Teka, Esq.

Legal Writer, FindLaw.com

Maddy Teka

Maddy Teka holds a law degree from Ethiopia, and a JD and LLM from the University of St. Thomas School of Law. She is a writer and editor for FindLaw.com and Thomson Reuters’ Practical Law.

Amy Vandervort-Clark, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Amy Vandervort-Clark, J.D.

Amy Vandervort-Clark is a Legal Writer for FindLaw. She worked as a victim’s advocate for domestic abuse and stalking survivors in the Toledo, Ohio, court system before being inspired to attend law school.

Olivia Wathne, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Olivia Wathne, J.D.

Olivia is a former civil litigation attorney who writes legal articles for FindLaw.com. While in practice, she specialized in real estate litigation and business disputes.

Richard Weiner, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Richard Weiner, Esq.

Richard is a retired legal professor and J.D. with decades of experience writing in the areas of legal technology, legal ethics, estate planning, business formation, and more.

Samantha Weinstein, J.D., LL.M.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Samantha Weinstein, J.D., LL.M.

Prior to writing FindLaw.com articles, Sam wrote regulations, draft legislation, and newsletters explaining fisheries law in Alaska.

Sarah Williams, J.D.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Sarah Williams, J.D.

Sarah Gandari Williams holds a Juris Doctor from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minnesota and contributes to FindLaw as a Legal Writer.

Acacia Wilson, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Acacia Wilson

Acacia Wilson brings a decade of small and large law firm experience to FindLaw.com content.

Katrina Wilson, Esq.

Attorney Editor, FindLaw.com

Katrina Wilson, Esq.

Katrina has more than 15 years of experience in personal injury, landlord-tenant, real estate, and government law.

Jade Yeban, Esq.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Jade Yeban, J.D.

Jade Yeban edits articles for FindLaw.com. She is a 2022 graduate of Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida, where she concentrated her legal education in business law.

Kit Yona, M.A.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Kit Yona, M.A.

Kit Yona uses his experience as a published author and M.A. in English (Michigan State) to write, edit, and publish content for FindLaw.com.

Hanan Zaki, J.D., LL.M.

Contributing Author, FindLaw.com

Hanan Zaki, J.D., LL.M.

Hanan is a legal writer who holds a Masters of Law in Admiralty and a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing.

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