Joaquin Madry has significant experience litigating major catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases in federal and state court. He has tried numerous cases to verdict and has recovered more than $100 million for his clients. Joaquin has built an extensive record serving individuals and families who received substandard medical care or who were the victims of negligence, including the following few recent examples:
- A $9 million jury verdict, rising to $14.4 million with interest, in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
- A $16.5 million settlement for a young woman who was catastrophically injured by a tractor-trailer on I-195.
- An $8.5 million settlement for a woman who suffered an amputation because of improper medical treatment.
- A $5 million settlement for a family whose son committed suicide because of school bullying.
Joaquin is a frequent speaker on trial skills, advocacy, and career building. He is a board member of the Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity and the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and is active in the Crawford Black Bar Association and the American Association for Justice Minority Caucus. He has been recognized by Law & Politics magazine as a Connecticut Super Lawyer every year since 2011. Joaquin has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in America.
Attorney Trisha Starks-Byron is the founder of Starks Byron and concentrates her practice in the area of personal injury litigation. She has successfully represented clients in all types of negligence claims, including wrongful death, car and motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bite injuries, and premises liability claims.
Trisha is a Georgia native who graduated magna cum laude from Georgia Southern University and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law. She began her legal career as an associate attorney at a boutique personal injury firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to founding Starks Byron, she worked as lead attorney at another large, Atlanta based personal injury firm.
After personally representing hundreds of injured individuals, Trisha decided to pursue her dream of opening her own practice. She channels her passion for helping others into fighting for justice and guiding clients through the often complicated and confusing insurance process.
With a strong understanding of the court system and a talent for negotiation, Trisha successfully advocates for compensation on behalf of individuals injured by the negligence of others. She understands that the lawyer client relationship is built on trust and has worked to create a firm environment where clients feel comfortable discussing deeply personal matters.
The atmosphere at Starks Byron fosters positive outcomes for clients both financially and emotionally.
I earned my Juris Doctor, with honors, from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where I represented indigent clients through the law school’s pro bono legal clinic. I continue to provide pro bono services in my own practice and remain committed to serving those in need.
Prior to law school, I proudly served in the United States Army as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. I continue to serve in the United States Army Reserves as a logistics officer. My military experience has strengthened my ability to work with diverse groups of people and reinforced my commitment to the liberties and rights guaranteed under the United States Constitution.
My practice focuses primarily on real estate, probate, and family law. Success in these areas has also allowed me to expand the firm’s services into various types of civil litigation. I am dedicated to public service and committed to serving the interests of all.
I also hold a Master of Business Administration from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Politics from The Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania.
I am admitted to practice in Texas and in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
My professional memberships include the American Bar Association, Houston Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, Houston Lawyers Association, Houston Young Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, and the Penn State Alumni Association.
My current and past community service includes involvement with Partnership in Education, YMCA, Police Athletic League and Camp C.O.L.D.E.R., Houston Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Veteran’s Legal Clinic, and Good Hope Legal Ministry, with more than 320 hours of pro bono legal services rendered.
Johnine P. Barnes has wide-ranging experience in labor and employment law. She is nationally recognized by the Legal 500 U.S. Guide for her counselling and compliance practice regarding employment laws, including but not limited to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other federal and state statutes governing employment issues.
In addition, Johnine is recognized by Lawdragon 500 as Leading Lawyer in America, and as a Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyer. She is experienced in litigating and defending employment claims of harassment, retaliation, discrimination, wrongful discharge, and breach of contract, as well as business litigation matters. She has experience handling non-compete agreement and contract disputes, trade secret matters, international disputes, white collar crime claims, property interest disputes and legislative matters.
Concentrations
- Employment litigation (both state and federal courts)
- Employment and labor counseling and compliance
- Business litigation (both state and federal courts)
- Noncompete and trade secrets
- Sports and entertainment
Capabilities
Labor & Employment
Litigation
Trial Practice
Trade Secrets Automotive
Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented clients in employment litigation involving complex and precedent-setting electronic discovery issues.
- Conducted employment audits and advised clients on matters before the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division.
- Presided over and advised clients regarding collective bargaining/labor negotiations.
- Counsel clients on labor and employment matters, including OFCCP, Affirmative Action Plan and Service Contract Act matters.
- Represented foreign sovereign’s interest and defended foreign sovereign in litigation in U.S. District Courts.
- Represented corporate clients in litigation involving shareholder disputes and corporate valuation issues.
- Represented clients in malpractice lawsuits.
- Represented clients in insurance coverage actions.
- Represented clients in government contract disputes and advised on compliance with Services Contract Act.
- Conducted corporate investigations regarding employee misconduct.
°The above representations were handled by Ms. Barnes prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Recognition & Leadership
Awards & Accolades
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2021-2023
- Listed, Lawdragon 500
- “Leading Lawyers in America,” 2020-2022
- "Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers," 2020-2021
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, 2012-2013, 2015-2022
- Listed, The Legal 500 United States, "Labor and Employment," 2013-2016, 2018-2021
- Listed, Benchmark Litigation, "Labor & Employment Star," 2020-2021
- Listed, Lawdragon and Human Resources Executive® magazine, "The Nation's Most Powerful Employment Lawyers - Top 100," 2019
- Recognized, Profiles in Diversity Journal, "Women Worth Watching," 2018
- Team Member, a Law360 "Employment Practice Group of the Year," 2011 and 2013
- Recipient, "Outstanding Outside Counsel of the Year," National Bar Association Commercial Law Section, July 2012
- Listed, Washingtonian Magazine, "40 Top Lawyers Under 40," 2006
- Listed, Kaleidoscope magazine, "40 Under 40"
- Recipient, "Presidential Award," National Bar Association
Professional & Community Involvement
- Foundation Board Member, University of the District of Columbia School of Law
- Member, Corporate Advisory Board, MasterCorp, Inc.
- Member, American Employment Law Council
- Member, International Women’s Forum, Washington, DC (Executive Committee 2020-2021)
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2015-Present
- Former Director, Historical Society of the District of Columbia Circuit Board
- Former, General Counsel, District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Member, District of Columbia Bar
- Bar Board of Governors, 2006-2012
- Member, National Bar Association
- Former Deputy General Counsel and Special Counsel to the President
- Former Co-Chair of the Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia, Working Mother’s Committee
- Former Commissioner, Northern Virginia Regional Commission
- Past Chair and Former Member, District of Columbia Public Employee Relations Board, a quasi-judicial agency that resolves labor-management disputes between agencies of the District government and labor organizations representing agency employees
- Past President, Prettyman-Leventhal American Inn of Court
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law, 1995
- B.A., Political Science, magna cum laude, with honors, Case Western Reserve University, 1992
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Ohio
Vanessa Allen Sutherland is Executive Vice President of Government Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Phillips 66. She has over 25 years of legal experience.
Before assuming her current role in January 2022, Sutherland was Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for Norfolk Southern Corporation, where she held a series of positions.
Sutherland brings considerable knowledge of the public sector, having served as Chairperson and CEO of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board from 2015-2018 and as Chief Counsel at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration from 2011-2015. She also served in senior legal counsel roles for Altria Group and Philip Morris USA.
Sutherland earned a bachelor’s degree from Drew University, as well as a law degree and MBA from American University.