Severson & Werson is pleased to announce the elevation of six attorneys as its newest Members. This class brings a wealth of financial services, insurance, employment, litigation, and trial expertise. Duane Geck, the Firm’s Co-CEO, acknowledged the achievements of these new Members: “We recognize the promise of six outstanding attorneys from across our practice areas and offices. These attorneys represent the next generation of the Firm and our continued commitment to the success of our clients.” Co-CEO Mark Lonergan remarked: “We are proud to welcome these distinguished attorneys as our new partners. They reflect the depth of our practice areas and will help us expand our ability to provide the highest quality of service to our clients.”
Alisa Givental Alisa defends financial institutions—primarily national banks, mortgage and auto lenders, and loan servicers—in consumer class actions and single-plaintiff lawsuits. She has extensive experience in defending suits brought under the FCRA, CCCRAA, FDCPA, RFDCPA, ASFA, CLRA, TCPA, RESPA, TILA, UDAP, and HBOR. At ease in an adversarial environment, Alisa tempers her instinct to fight when an early resolution is the best way to meet her clients’ goals.
David Berkley Since joining Severson and Werson in 2012, David has worked diligently in the Firm’s financial services group. His breadth of experience is wide, including mortgage litigation, TCPA, FDCPA, and banking operations. David has also developed a unique expertise as one of the Firm’s “go to” attorneys in claims involving credit reporting brought against the Firm’s banking clients. He is regularly sought out for his trial skills and courtroom expertise.
Eryk Gettell During his 11 years as a practicing attorney, Eryk has advised insurers on hundreds of insurance claims such as securities class actions, board of director disputes, employment discrimination and sexual harassment matters, wage and hour lawsuits, malpractice claims, regulatory investigations, and fiduciary liability matters. Clients turn to Eryk for his depth of knowledge and his real-world approach to resolving challenging legal disputes.
Genevieve Walser-Jolly Combining her legal and business experience, Genevieve approaches the practice of law in a pragmatic manner, with an emphasis on efficiency and client service. Understanding her clients’ individual needs and goals is key to effectively litigating on their behalf. Genevieve’s practice includes representing auto finance companies victimized by sophisticated fraud rings, and defending reverse mortgage litigation matters and TCPA class actions.
Laura Ruettgers Whether in the context of “bet the company” catastrophic product claims, complex business disputes, multi-district litigation matters, or class actions, Laura is adept at navigating the nuances of specialty lines policies on behalf of her carrier clients in litigation and non-litigation contexts. Understanding the high costs involved in both litigated and non-litigated matters, Laura always seeks out the most effective path to press forward quickly toward resolution.
Matthew Garfinkle An accomplished litigator with in-house experience, Matt routinely represents financial services clients in high-stakes lawsuits. Matt also represents employers in civil court actions and administrative proceedings. He has defended wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage-hour, breach of contract, and other employment claims. Matt prides himself on delivering highly effective results to his clients with honed efficiency.
About The Firm
Severson lawyers are relentlessly committed to our clients’ success and responsive to the pressures they face. For over 70 years, we have crafted a culture of talent, creativity, energy, and commitment – leveraged by hard-won expertise and profound “institutional memory” for our clients’ businesses. We deliver sound counsel, fierce advocacy, cost-effective results and shortened resolution times.