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Jenipher Jones

Jenipher is a civil movement and human rights attorney and Managing Attorney of For the People | A People’s Legal Office, LLC. Jenipher began her career in the New Orleans office of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) through the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship of Harvard University and the City of New Orleans Office of Independent Police Monitor (OPM). Her work challenging the system of mass incarceration has resulted in binding affirmative decisions regarding the constitutional rights of prisoners in the U.S. Jenipher litigates complex civil litigation cases involving the rights of political prisoners, employment discrimination, and law enforcement/correctional officer misconduct. Her work in litigation and in the community have been recognized by Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA) and Denver Public Schools (DPS). As a clinical law professor, Jenipher has instructed law students regarding the rights of prisoners, movement lawyering, professional identity formation, and has been published domestically and abroad serving as Editor in Chief of the National Lawyers Guild Law Review. Jenipher currently joint chairs the Mass Incarceration Committee of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG). She serves on the Board of Directors of the Faculty of Federal Advocates (FFA) and has been recognized as one of Denver's 40 Under 40 young professionals. Jenipher is a proud board member of the National Conference of Black Lawyers (NCBL). She also received extended integrative training in contemplative practice and social justice as informed by the perennial tradition, receiving a certificate from the renowned Center for Action & Contemplation (CAC).

Nichad Davis

Nichad Davis is a personal injury and civil rights attorney who fights to protect the rights of others. Nichad has always been driven to help others. Born in Fairfax, VA, he was one of five children and learned at an early age to advocate for himself and others. When times were tough, he knew that having a solid education and strength of character were keys to overcoming poverty and adversity.

A Passion for Civil Rights Is Born

Nichad’s family moved to Greensboro when he was young, and it was there that his passion for civil rights would be nurtured and encouraged by his grandfather and role model, Estell Harper. Estell, a professor at North Carolina A&T State University, played a pivotal role as a counselor and faculty advisor to the Greensboro Four, the four young Black students who staged the historic 1960 sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter.

Nichad recalls witnessing impassioned speeches about “freedom and justice” and hearing about famous civil rights activists, such as Jim Brown, convening in his grandfather’s living room. He knew early on that his destiny included fighting for the rights of others.

A Belief in the Importance of Education

Nichad understood the value of education and applied himself wholeheartedly while in college. He attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he majored in Psychology and graduated with honors. He received multiple awards, such as the Martin Luther King Service Award and the University Transition Opportunities Program (UTOP) Mentor of the Year Award.

One of the most pivotal moments in Nichad’s life was his study abroad experience. Nichad traveled to South Africa on an Odyssean Study-Abroad Scholarship as a student and research assistant at Stellenbosch University. He returned home eager to create change in the world and began his career as a 7th grade Teach for America instructor in Eastern North Carolina.

Nichad also coached his school’s football and basketball teams and volunteered with educational programs, such as DUKE T.I.P. and Freedom Schools. These experiences further ignited the desire in Nichad to fight for educational equity, economic justice, and civil rights.

Law School Beckons

After three years with Teach for America, Nichad turned to the practice of law to reach his goals of promoting justice. He earned his J.D. from the Norman A. Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University where he was the recipient of the Janette Soles Nelson Public Service Scholarship, awarded to students committed to public service and academic excellence with leadership potential.

Nichad was an active member of the Mock Trial team and he competed nationally, earning recognition and awards such as the National Black Law Students Association (NSBLA) National Championship and Nation’s Best Advocate awards. While at Campbell, he was also inducted into The Order of Barristers (law school graduate honor society), received the David Teddy Innovative Leadership Award, and was awarded the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award for distinguished achievement in the student advocacy program.

“My true purpose is to be an advocate for people who are facing painful circumstances and need someone to stand up for them.”

Before joining the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, Nichad litigated civil rights, personal injury, wrongful death, and education and employment discrimination cases. He brings with him “other side experience” gained while working as a law clerk and attorney at an insurance defense firm. He combines this work experience with an undeniable energy and an eagerness to help others.

Firm Partner Coleman Cowan describes this zeal by saying, “Nichad is driven by a desire to help the injured and oppressed get back on their feet and stand up for their rights, no matter the challenges to face or the forces to overcome.”

The legal community has recognized Nichad’s professional and civic accomplishments as well. In 2022, he was honored on Black Business Ink Magazine’s “40 Under 40 Most Influential African Americans in the Triad”.

Kareem Vessup

Kareem R. Vessup, Esq. is the founder of The Law Office of Kareem R. Vessup, Esq., which specializes in Civil Rights litigation and offers trial counsel services to attorneys representing injured plaintiffs in personal injury actions. He is admitted to practice in New York State Courts and the Eastern District of New York.

Regarded as a true trial talent, Vessup's early career has been marked by his aggressive yet charismatic and personable manner in the courtroom. He has often been praised for his ability to engender trust from jurors and clients and for his passionate commitment to the inner-city minority communities of New York City. These qualities have enabled Vessup to distinguish himself in his early career.

As an associate with prominent Plaintiff's Personal Injury Firms Block O'Toole & Murphy and The Pillersdorf Law Firm, and continuing in his own practice, Vessup quickly achieved verdicts and settlements totaling well in excess of $10 million.

In addition to practicing law, Mr. Vessup has taught trial advocacy at the undergraduate and law school levels of St. John's University for the past 11 years. He serves as an Adjunct Professor of Legal Studies at St. John's University for the past 7 years and recently completed his first year as a trial advocacy professor working alongside Prof. Lou Fasulo, Esq., at Pace Law School. Vessup has also been a guest lecturer in trial advocacy at several area law schools, mock trial programs, national leadership programs, and public schools.

Vessup is a double alum of St. John's University and St. John's School of Law. He has been recognized repeatedly for excellence in trial advocacy by the nation's leading trial organizations. Most recently, he was named a New York Metro Area "Rising Star” for 2013 and 2014 by Super Lawyers, a distinction reserved for top attorneys under the age of 40.

Yolanda Melville

Yolanda N. Melville serves as Senior Counsel and Director of Community Engagement, the position charged with serving as a liaison to stakeholders across the state to connect them with the Office’s initiatives. Melville was previously a Partner at Cooper Levenson, P.A., where she represented municipal and corporate entities as solicitor/general counsel, handled litigation in the federal and state courts, and led the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Melville clerked for the Honorable Susan F. Maven in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division. She received her B.A. in English and Government from the College of William and Mary, M.S. in Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University and J.D. from Howard University Law School, where she was the managing editor of the Human Rights and Globalization Law Review.

Professional Associations and Memberships

Yolanda has many credentials and association affiliations:

Awards and Honors

Yolanda has been honored with many awards for her work:

Community Involvement

Yolanda is very active in the community:

Education

Yolanda attended The College of William and Mary where she graduated in 2007 with a dual degree in English and Government. Yolanda also earned a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2011. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Howard University School of Law in 2012.

Reginald McDaniel

Founded in 2002, Reginald D. McDaniel, Attorney at Law, LLC prides itself on providing quality legal services to those in need. The firm strongly believes that individuals and families who have been seriously injured or killed by the negligence of others deserve someone who will fight for their rights to recover damages.

Attorney Background

Prior to entering private practice, Attorney McDaniel worked in federal government, television and print media, public relations, and sports information. He brings a unique perspective to solving complex legal issues with over 25 years of federal management, administrative, and executive experience combined with 23 years of legal experience.

Recognition & Awards

Named to Birmingham's Top Lawyers (2014), Top 100 National Trial Lawyers, and National Black Lawyers Top 100 Association annually since 2015.

Practice Areas

Attorney McDaniel’s firm specializes in Employment & Discrimination Law, Business & Governmental Relations, Serious Medical Malpractice/Personal Injury, and Entertainment Law. He also practices complex civil litigation, representing plaintiffs and businesses nationwide in cases involving catastrophic injury, catastrophic birth injury, wrongful death, and negligence litigation.

Approach to Clients

Attorney McDaniel selectively takes cases, preparing them diligently with an unwavering focus on client needs and best interests. While the firm prioritizes serious cases, it also assists clients with smaller personal injury claims.

Community & Mentorship

Committed to underserved communities in the Wiregrass area of Southeast Alabama, Attorney McDaniel takes pride in his talented team of attorneys and experts and is actively involved in mentoring and grooming new lawyers.

Types of Cases Handled

Attorney McDaniel has successfully represented clients in matters including, but not limited to, catastrophic injury, employment discrimination, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and neglect, wrongful death, 18-wheeler litigation, auto accidents, insurance fraud and bad faith, defective products, and social security disability.