In this episode of Lawyers Who Care, host Andrew Samalin talks with Erik Pelton, founder and lead attorney of Erik M. Pelton & Associates, a Falls Church, Virginia law firm dedicated to trademark and copyright protection.

Erik shares how a career that began at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office grew into decades of helping thousands of businesses protect their brands. From launching trademarks for the Premier Lacrosse League to advising entrepreneurs nationwide, his approach is rooted in building lasting client relationships—even making time to meet in person whenever possible.

He also discusses his commitment to giving back—whether through pro bono work for veteran-owned businesses or by contributing to the trademark law community through speaking, mentoring, and leadership. Erik’s story is a testament to how generosity and expertise can fuel both client success and a thriving legal practice.

🌐 Connect with Erik: erikpelton.com

In this episode of Lawyers Who Care, host Andrew Samalin speaks with Queens-based criminal defense attorney Eric Shapiro Renfroe, whose determination led to the long-overdue exoneration of Steve Lopez—one of the young men caught up in the infamous 1989 Central Park jogger case.

Eric shares how Lopez, unlike the “Central Park Five,” had pled guilty decades earlier to avoid the risk of a wrongful conviction at trial—only to be overlooked when the others were exonerated. For years, he lived with the stigma of a conviction for a crime he didn’t commit. Most lawyers told him nothing could be done—until he met Eric.

In just a few years of practice, Eric tackled what others deemed impossible, navigating complex legal barriers to clear Lopez’s name. His story is a powerful reminder that when you see something wrong, it’s worth fighting for—no matter the odds.

📞 Contact Eric:

- Google “Eric Shapiro Renfroe” for contact details.

In this episode of Lawyers Who Care, host Andrew Samalin talks with Tricia Dunlap, Managing Partner of Dunlap Law PLC in Richmond, Virginia. Tricia’s journey from high school government teacher to business and corporate lawyer is one of resilience, courage, and a deep commitment to her clients’ missions.

She shares the groundbreaking story of representing Impact Makers in the first-ever benefit enforcement proceeding in the United States—fighting to protect a company’s unique mission of donating its equity to charity. Tricia’s legal strategy not only preserved the company’s purpose but also helped restore its founder’s leadership role.

From navigating complex corporate structures to standing in the trenches with small business owners, Tricia’s approach blends legal expertise with genuine care, ensuring her clients have the knowledge and support to protect and grow what they’ve built.

🌐 Connect with Tricia:

- DunlapLawPLC.com

- LinkedIn: Tricia Dunlap

- Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn: Dunlap Law

In this episode of Lawyers Who Care, host Andrew Samalin sits down with Justin Contratto, partner at Rutkin, Oldham & Griffin in Westport, Connecticut. Justin’s career spans from advocating for abused and neglected children at the Legal Aid Society to representing ultra-high-net-worth individuals in complex family law matters.

Justin shares how, despite the vastly different financial circumstances of his clients over the years, the core challenges often remain the same—vulnerability, mistrust of the court system, and the emotional toll of life-changing legal battles. He discusses the parallels between helping a child find safety and guiding a divorcing spouse toward autonomy, agency, and a renewed sense of self.

Whether you’re a lawyer, a client, or someone interested in the human side of the legal system, Justin’s journey offers powerful insights into resilience, advocacy, and transformation.

📞 Contact Justin:

- [Google "Justin Contratto, Rutkin Oldham & Griffin"]

- Call the firm directly at (203) 227-7301

Welcome to Lawyers Who Care, the show that features attorneys who go beyond legal work to truly serve their clients. In this episode, we meet Fallon Whidden, an estate planning attorney at J.S. Burton in Virginia, whose journey from family law to legacy building is both deeply personal and powerfully inspiring.

Fallon opens up about how her own experiences shaped her early career goals—and why she ultimately left family law in search of a more sustainable, meaningful way to help people. Now thriving in estate planning, she shares what it’s like to be the go-to attorney for friends and family, why loyalty matters so much to her, and how one supportive client gave her the confidence to take a leap into a new chapter.

Fallon reminds us that trust, empathy, and connection are just as important as legal skill—especially when planning for the future.

👉 Connect with Fallon:
📧 Email: [email protected]
📸 Instagram: @estateofmindattorney
📘 Facebook: Fallon F. Whidden, Esq.

Welcome to Lawyers Who Care, the show that highlights attorneys who go beyond legal counsel to make a real difference in their clients' lives. In this episode, we sit down with Jim Landau, a partner at Lachtman, Cohen & Belowich in White Plains, NY, and a longtime commercial litigator with deep roots in the legal world—he's the 17th or 18th lawyer in his family!

Jim shares what drew him to litigation over transactional law, how his love of structure and competition makes the courtroom feel like home, and how his approach to law is grounded in empathy, strategy, and helping clients achieve their goals efficiently. He also opens up about a harrowing moment during a deposition that forever changed his view of what it means to be a lawyer.

Whether you're an attorney or simply interested in the stories behind the profession, this conversation is a powerful reminder that litigation isn't just about winning—it's about caring.

👉 Learn more about Jim and his firm: https://lcb-law.com
📞 Contact Jim directly: (914) 505-6169

In this episode of Lawyers Who Care, host Andrew Samalin sits down with employment law expert Alix Rubin, founder of Rubin Employment Law, serving clients in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Alix shares how her journey from journalism to law gave her the tools—and the conviction—to stand up for individuals and companies facing sensitive workplace issues. Whether it’s guiding employers through fair termination practices or securing life-changing settlements for wronged employees, Alix brings clarity, compassion, and strategy to every case.

Tune in to hear:

• Why Alix left “Big Law” to build a more values-driven practice

• The emotional toll litigation can take—and the power of resolution

• The importance of proactive employment policies for business owners

• How one former client transformed her life after a successful case

📬 Contact Alix: [email protected]
🌐 More at: alixrubinlaw.com

In this eye-opening episode of Lawyers Who Care, host Andrew Samalin welcomes blockchain legal pioneer Jacqui Cooper, partner at Cogent Law Group and founder of the Blockchain Legal Institute and Maryland Blockchain Association. With over a decade of experience in blockchain law, Jacqui breaks down the often-overlooked risks of holding crypto and digital assets without a clear estate plan.

💡 From Bitcoin wallets to NFTs and decentralized platforms, Jacqui shares why it’s crucial to document, protect, and pass on your digital wealth—before it’s lost forever. She also explains the difference between blockchain and crypto, explores the concept of multi-sig wallets, and introduces her workbook: The Essential Digital Asset Organizer for Attorneys and Their Clients.

Whether you're deep in Web3 or just getting started, this is a must-watch conversation about legal responsibility, future planning, and the tools that can help safeguard your digital legacy.

🔗 Learn more:

• Blockchain Legal Institute: https://bli.tools

• Contact Jacqui: [email protected]

On this episode of Lawyers Who Care, host Andrew Samalin welcomes Cary Jacobson, founder and managing partner of Jacobson Family Law in Columbia, Maryland. Cary shares how her personal experience with divorce inspired a career devoted to helping families resolve conflict outside the courtroom.

Cary’s firm exclusively practices family law with a unique twist—they don’t litigate. Instead, they focus on flat-fee services, mediation, and amicable resolutions that protect families and prioritize well-being over courtroom battles. In this powerful conversation, Cary discusses the benefits of a no-litigation model, shares a real story of transforming conflict into collaboration, and explains how her firm protects vulnerable clients during mediation.

💼 Learn more about Cary’s work: https://jacobsonfamilylaw.com
🎙️ Check out her podcast: Divorce Diaries: Lessons from the Trenches

If you or someone you know is a lawyer who goes above and beyond for their clients, reach out to be featured: (914) 666-6600.

In this episode of Lawyers Who Care, we’re joined by Margaret Donohoe, a partner at Donohoe Talbert in New York City. With over 25 years of experience in matrimonial and family law, Margaret brings a rare blend of litigation expertise, deep financial insight, and human understanding to every case.

Margaret shares how her journey from Yale Law School and high-stakes securities litigation led her to family law, where she now works directly with individuals navigating life’s most personal legal challenges. She walks us through a compelling case in which creative legal thinking and collaboration turned an impossible financial situation into a win-win-win—for both parties and their child’s future.

Whether you're a fellow attorney or simply interested in how family law can be practiced with intelligence, compassion, and strategic thinking, Margaret’s story is one you won’t want to miss.

📧 Contact Margaret: ⁠[email protected]⁠🔗 Learn more: ⁠https://donohoetalbert.com