Derek Sells

Derek Sells is the Managing Partner for The Cochran Firm’s New York office. He is an exceptional trial attorney, having achieved many successful results, including a damages trial verdict against The City of New York for $33.52 Million Dollars, a result featured in the Nation Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts of 2002.

A 1985 graduate of Dartmouth College and a 1988 Yale Law School graduate, Derek began his legal career at the prestigious Washington, D.C. firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering. He then joined the Washington, D.C. Public Defender Service, rising to a senior trial attorney.

In 1995, Derek joined New York’s Schneider Kleinick Weitz Damashek & Shoot, later known as The Cochran Firm, Schneider Kleinick Weitz Damashek & Shoot, as a trial attorney. In May 2002, Derek became Managing Partner of The Cochran Firm. He has since amassed an extraordinary number of Million Dollar verdicts and settlements, exceeding a total of $100 Million Dollars.

Derek has taught trial advocacy at various seminars, including those sponsored by the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, the New York State Bar Association and Harvard Law School. He is a member of the New York and Washington, D.C. bars.

Derek was selected to 2010 New York Super Lawyers for personal injury plaintiff – general. Only 5% of lawyers in the state of New York are chosen for this honor each year. The multi – phase, selection process for this recognition includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney – led, research staff at Super Lawyers, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good – standing and disciplinary check.

Professional Associations

New York Bar Association

Washington D.C. Bar Association

Education

B.S. – Dartmouth College

J.D. – Yale Law School

Bar Admissions

New York

Washington D.C.

Yolanda Means

Yolanda was born and raised in Newberry and Gainesville, Florida. She began her criminal law experience very early as a member of the Criminal Justice Academy at Newberry High School, where she participated in countless Teen Court proceedings where she was able to prosecute, defend, and judge cases. She went on to graduate from Buchholz High School, while being dual-enrolled at Santa Fe College. Yolanda continued her education at the University of Central Florida, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies. Soon after, she obtained her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.

While in law school, she studied abroad at the Université d’Auvergne in Clermont-Ferrand, France, where she studied International Business Law, and Human Rights Protection in Regional and Global Context. She also participated in the Disability & Public Interest Clinic, Veteran Law Clinic, and Criminal Law Clinic. She was also a member of the Criminal Law Club, Corporate Law Club and the Women's Law Student Association.

Yolanda first became licensed in the state of Georgia. While in Georgia, she worked as a Third Year Practicing Attorney for the Office of the Child Attorney, where she defended children's legal rights and protections of child clients alleged to be abused and/or neglected throughout the dependency process, as mandated by the Georgia Constitution.

After her tenure with the Office of the Child Attorney, she joined the Dekalb County District Attorney's Office, where she was a Third Year Practicing Attorney in the Sexual Exploitation and Crimes Against Women and Children Division. More particularly, she practiced in the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, assisting in the prosecution of cases in which children have been victims of physical and/or sexual abuse, neglect or death, in addition to human trafficking and child sexual exploitation crimes.

Yolanda’s family has been in Alachua County since the 1800s. Needless to say, she is very passionate about her clients and representation, as most of her clients are citizens from her native community. Since the beginning of her legal career, she has been fervently devoted to public service and advocacy. As a criminal trial lawyer, Yolanda has independently represented approximately 1200 clients in misdemeanor and felony cases.

Prior to becoming Managing Partner for Bullock & Means, Yolanda was the Head of the Criminal Department at the Meldon Law Firm, who is partnered with the Florida Gators. As Head of the Criminal Department, she was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the firm's criminal defense practice. This role involved leadership, case management, business development, and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Beyond her legal expertise, she has a unique blend of experience, community engagement, and both local and state affiliations.

Yolanda's Community and Involvement:

Florida Justice Association

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International

Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association

Gainesville Area Trial Lawyer Association

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL)

Take Stock & Children Mentorship Program

Yolanda’s hobbies and interests include reading, fishing, traveling, attending church, and spending time with family. Her bubbly personality separates her from the fray. She is a zealous attorney and a force to be reckoned with and is known to fight for every client until the end.

Most recently, Yolanda has also been recognized in the National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, showcasing her dedication to excellence and growth.

As a Managing Partner for Bullock & Means, she fights to ensure that justice is done right!

Licensed:

State Bar of Georgia

State Bar of Florida

State Bar of Texas

Middle District of Florida, United States District Court

Northern District of Florida, United States District Court

Rashida Jeremie

Rashida A. Jeremie, Esq. is Of Counsel at Kiernan Trebach LLP, where she concentrates her practice on complex litigation, wrongful death, transportation, premises liability, and construction matters. She has built a career distinguished by versatility and impact, moving seamlessly between public defense, private practice, and community leadership.

Ciera Gainey

Ciera Gainey is a Florida native and Co-founder of The Law Offices of Gainey & Gainey. She practices general civil litigation and specializes in premises liability and motor vehicle negligence cases. She also handles a variety of civil litigation cases, including, but not limited to, breach of contract, collection cases, landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures, and homeowners' association disputes. Before founding The Law Offices of Gainey & Gainey, Ciera held the title of Senior Partner at a notable trial law firm, where she managed a high-volume caseload, supervised a team of legal staff, and oversaw associate attorneys. She was also the lead attorney in client acquisition. As a result, client satisfaction, ethics, and efficiency are of the utmost importance in her legal practice.

Ciera has significant experience as both a civil Plaintiff’s and Defense attorney. Ciera’s prior experience provides her with keen insight into evaluating claims, injuries, and treatment in personal injury cases. Her elite skills permit her to negotiate aggressively, which often leads to early claim resolution. While early resolution is always the goal, Ciera also possesses impressive trial skills and does not shy away from the courtroom.

Ramsey Chew, III

Mr. Chew is an associate at Wapner Newman. His practice is focused primarily on the representation of victims injured in motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, products liability, and construction site accidents.

Prior to joining Wapner Newman, Mr. Chew was an associate at a well-respected defense law firm where he represented a Fortune 100 corporation in a wide variety of premises liability and premises security matters. He managed and was responsible for an active litigation case list.

Mr. Chew is a graduate of Howard University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in history in 2011. He received his law degree from Widener University Delaware Law School, in 2016. While in law school Mr. Chew interned for the Honorable John Milton Younge in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas – Civil Division.

Mr. Chew is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and before the United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the District of New Jersey.

In 2022, he was recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star.

Mr. Chew currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia. He was born and raised in Philadelphia and lives in South Philadelphia with his wife and two children.