Our Team

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Dan Castan represents injured workers before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation and plaintiffs in State and Superior Courts of Georgia for injuries suffered in accidents. He litigated one of the claims that helped establish the rights of undocumented aliens to Workers’ Compensation benefits in Georgia in the case of Wet Walls, Inc. vs. Ledesma. Dan has successfully negotiated and settled multiple million dollar claims. Dan was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to immigrant parents from Cuba. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and received his Juris Doctor from The Washington College of Law at The American University in Washington D.C. During law school he clerked for the Honorable S. Martin Teel, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia. Dan was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November, 1993.  He is an active member of the Hispanic Bar Association, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta Bar Association and Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Dan spends his free time with his wife and twins and enjoys racing in triathlons.

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Alexander Lecca (Alex) was born in Miami, Florida to immigrant parents from Cuba and Peru. Alex graduated from Coral Gables High School, where he was a recipient of the Elsa Glazer Award (given to students who graduate with a 3.5 GPA and above). He went on to study marketing at the University of Miami School of Business Administration. At the University of Miami he was also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. In law school, Alex received several book awards and graduated Cum Laude. During law school Alex clerked for the Honorable Beth Bloom, had an internship with the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s office, and clerked for a prestigious litigation law firm. Alex is licensed to practice law in both Georgia and Florida and handles workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. He is also a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Alex is also fluent in Spanish. During his spare time, Alex enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and four children. He also helps coach his children’s baseball, football, basketball, and soccer teams. Alex and his family are parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.

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Ken was born in Holden, Massachusetts. He graduated from York Suburban High School in 1981. Ken graduated from Pennsylvania State University and received his B.S. in 1985. While at Penn State, Ken was a National Merit Scholar. Ken graduated from Wake Forest University Law School where he received his J.D. in 1989. While at Wake Forest, Ken was a member of the Student Trial Bar and was an Articles Contributor for the Jurist, Wake Forest Law School Magazine. After graduating from law school, Ken worked as an associate at Webb Carlock Copeland Semler and Stair from 1989 to 1992. While with Webb Carlock, Ken represented defendants in automobile collisions, medical malpractice, premises liability, and construction cases. In addition, Ken represented employers in workers’ compensation claims and various insurance companies in cases involving arson and theft. In 1992, Ken began representing individuals injured through the negligence of others and injured workers. Since that time, his practice has focused on assisting individuals in cases involving personal injury, automobile collisions, trucking accidents, products liability, construction accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, workers’ compensation, corporate litigation matters, insurance claims, and railroad accidents. Mr. Brosnahan has devoted himself to achieving the best possible result for his clients. Unlike many attorneys, Ken is not afraid to try cases if his opponent refuses to settle for an amount that is appropriate. As a result, he has tried over 100 jury trials and over 300 workers’ compensation cases, plus numerous bench trials, administrative claims, arbitration claims, etc. Ken has spoken at well over forty seminars on various issues of law regarding personal injury and workers’ compensation. He has recovered well over $40,000,000 for his clients. Ken is devoted not only to his clients, but also to the ethical practice of law and has served the Georgia Bar in various positions throughout his career, including: Chair, Workers’ Compensation Section of Atlanta Bar Association (2004-2005), Board Member, Executive Committee of WCCLL (1999-2004), Atlanta Bar Association Board of Directors (2004-2005), National Asian Pacific Islander Bar Association (NAPABA), Founding Member, (1994), Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta Legal Aid Volunteer Lawyers Program, Latin American Association Legal Clinic, State Bar of Georgia, Lawyers Club of Atlanta, Membership Committee (2006-2012). Ken is Of Counsel to Castan & Lecca.

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Linda G. Carpenter, of counsel for Castan & Lecca, is an AV rated commercial litigator. She began her law career with Alston & Bird in 1989. She joined Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs, LLP in 1996 and became a partner in 2000. Ms. Carpenter has represented individuals, partnerships, and corporations in a variety of matters ranging from the smallest slip and fall cases to multi-million dollar commercial litigation cases. Ms. Carpenter offers clients not only a broad range of experience, but also the understanding that every case is unique and may require more or less resources depending on the client’s needs and the circumstances of the case. In Ms. Carpenter’s view, the client is the most important resource in determining the best method to resolve issues both before and after litigation is instituted. Ms. Carpenter has handled a wide range of commercial and banking litigation in the state and federal courts of Georgia and other states, as well as before the American Arbitration Association. She has represented regional and national banks, mortgage servicing companies, money transfer companies, credit card processors, and securities companies in cases involving RICO, UCC, breach of contract, ERISA, class actions, good faith and fair dealing, fraud, conversion, and other significant tort claims. Ms. Carpenter has also represented numerous clients in both state and federal courts in cases involving restrictive covenant and trade secret issues. In that vein, Ms. Carpenter has pursued and defended numerous actions seeking injunctive relief.

Education

McNeese State University, (B.S., magna cum laude, 1986) Wake Forest University, (J.D., 1989) Wake Forest University Law Review – Notes and Comments Editor, American Jurisprudence Awards: Torts I and II, Property I and II, Civil Procedure I

Memberships

State Bar of Georgia Atlanta Bar Association Georgia Association for Women Lawyers Board, Georgia Bar Journal

Representative Matters

New Concepts Marketing, Inc. v. First Data Corp. (S.D. Fla.) Successfully represented Fortune 100 credit card services company in defending against multi-million dollar claim for trade secrets misappropriation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the entry of summary judgment in favor of Ms. Carpenter’s client. Successfully represented money transfer provider in case involving claims for malicious prosecution, fraud, conversion and breach of contract in California state court. The plaintiff alleged that she was imprisoned due to the actions of client in relation to a money transfer transaction and requested compensatory and punitive damages of over one million dollars. Summary judgment was entered in favor of Ms. Carpenter’s client. Gemplus v. First Data Resources, Inc. Represented credit card processor against significant breach of contract claims brought by credit plastics manufacturer in the AAA. After significant briefing and numerous hearings, the arbitration panel granted summary judgment on the bulk of the claimant’s claims. On the eve of hearings that were scheduled to last three weeks, the parties entered into a settlement agreement under which the parties agreed to extend their contractual relationship under mutually agreeable terms. Miami Heights Lt, LLC v. Home Depot U.S.A, Inc. (Superior Court of Fulton County, Ga.) Represented Fortune 100 home products retailer in failed real estate transaction involving a letter of intent that the plaintiff claimed was legally binding. The Georgia Court of Appeals upheld the ruling of the lower court granting summary judgment to client. Exxon Corporation v. Jones (State Court of Fulton County, Ga.) In representing a gas company against a wrongful death claim arising from a gas explosion, Ms. Carpenter was able to convince the Georgia appellate courts to accept the bulk supplier doctrine. Under this doctrine, the gas company was immunized from liability. Assisted major financial institution in pursuing breach of contract and tort claims against property management company and security company to recover funds stolen in a robbery. The parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement after two years of litigation. Robb v. CSX Transportation, Inc. (Superior Court of Fulton County, Ga.) Represented CSX Transportation, Inc. in a hearing loss case brought under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act. The Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed the entry of summary judgment in favor of the railroad company. Obtained jury verdict in favor of insurance company in a case involving a claim for life insurance benefits. Successfully represented an insurance company in a non-jury trial in the Northern District of Georgia. The trial court entered judgment in favor of Ms. Carpenter’s client and ruled that the plaintiff’s claim fell within an exclusion contained in the insurance policy at issue. Obtained numerous injunctions against various brokers who resigned from Ms. Carpenter’s securities clients based on trade secret misappropriation and breach of restrictive covenants.

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Michael Boeschen (Mike) was born in Wichita, KS and raised in Chattanooga, TN. Mike graduated from The McCallie School and went on to study history, Spanish, and Latin American Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from the University Of Georgia School Of Law. During law school, Mike participated in the Legal Aid Clinic, assisting in the defense of indigent criminal defendants. Mike has been licensed to practice law in Georgia since 2002 and his main practice area consists of representing injured workers as they navigate through the Georgia workers’ compensation system. Mike is also fluent in Spanish. In his spare time Mike enjoys following soccer, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two young daughters. Mike and his family are parishioners of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA.

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Sharif Cheatham was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in California. After high school he volunteered to serve his country in the United States Army. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, Sharif attended Georgia College & State University where he graduated Cum Laude, making Dean’s List every quarter. He attended law school at Mercer University on a full scholarship. At Mercer, Sharif was a member of the Moot Court Board. During law school he gained valuable practical experience at the Bibb County District Attorney’s office and clerking for a personal injury law firm. Sharif received his J.D. in 1999 and began working for a litigation firm in Atlanta. He became a partner at a prestigious litigation firm before accepting a position as Claims Counsel for a Fortune 100 Insurance Company. He also served as Managing Attorney for the staff legal office of a Fortune 200 Company. Sharif now proudly dedicates his time representing individuals injured at work or by the negligence of others. Sharif is also a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.

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Ken Thaxton was born and raised in Roberta, GA. When Ken was a child, his father started a trucking business, which Ken ultimately spent over ten years working with through his late teens and twenties. Ken graduated from Houston County High School in Warner Robins, GA in 2001 with a 4.0 GPA. He then studied Business and Information Technology at Macon State College, ultimately graduating with a 4.0 GPA in 2004. After graduation, Ken continued to work with his father’s trucking company, and in late 2005, Ken and his father started an aircraft charter company, Southern Jet, Inc., under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Ken served as President of Southern Jet from 2006 until 2010, when he and his father sold the company. Ken is a Commercially Licensed Instrument, Multi-Engine Pilot. While serving as President of Southern Jet, Ken started Law School at the University of Georgia School of Law in 2009. Ken focused primarily on business and civil law, including Workers’ Compensation, while at UGA. He graduated Cum Laude and in the top 25% of his class from UGA Law in 2012. Ken is a licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia, and he is also a licensed neutral (mediator) in the State of Georgia. Ken represents small businesses in transactional matters and business conflicts, and he also represents injured workers and Plaintiffs injured in cases of negligence. During his spare time, Ken enjoys swimming, cycling, sporting clays, and fishing. He also does charity work with a national scholarship fund.

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Claudia Caycho-Acosta was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Norcross, Georgia. Claudia graduated from Norcross High School in 2005. Her academic achievements and community involvement earned her a full scholarship to the University of Georgia, awarded by the Goizueta Foundation and the University of Georgia Charter Scholarship. During her time at UGA, Claudia served in leadership positions for the Hispanic Student Association (HSA) and Students for Latino Empowerment (SLE), as well as being the chapter president of her sorority, Lambda Theta Alpha. She received numerous awards such as the NAACP Image Awards 2007, Youth Service Award 2008, Atlanta Latino Person of the Year 2006, National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) Fellow 2007, and induction into the Order of Omega Honors Society. Claudia graduated from the University of Georgia in May 2009 with a double major in International Affairs and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Following her graduation, Claudia attended Cumberland School of Law at Samford University on a Merit Scholarship. At Cumberland, Claudia was president of the Hispanic Interest Law Student Association (HILSA) and clerked for different organizations representing immigrants. Also while in law school, Claudia developed a passion for immigration law. Her experiences have given her a unique perspective in representing undocumented workers and undocumented accident victims. Claudia graduated law school in May 2013. During her career as an attorney, Claudia has successfully represented injured workers at the State Board of Worker’s Compensation. She has recovered millions of dollars for her injured clients. In fact, Claudia recently settled a case for more than one million dollars for two victims of a car accident. With her passion for the under-represented and vulnerable, Claudia is a true advocate for her clients who understands the despair and confusion an unforeseen accident brings to injured victims and their families. She brings compassion and expertise to every case. Claudia is licensed to practice law in Georgia and handles Personal Injury and Worker’s Compensation cases.

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Iliana Dobrev was born in Bulgaria. After high school, she immigrated to the United States to study law. She graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s in political science concentrating on pre-law and minoring in Spanish. In 2015, she graduated from Georgia State University College of Law. While in law school, Iliana completed a Graduate Research Assistantship in Labor and Employment Law and Employment Discrimination and two externships in Immigration Law. As an immigrant herself, Iliana is passionate about advocating for and defending immigrants. She is delighted to help families stay together and pursue the American dream. Iliana is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and worked in both a fellowship and a firm specializing in immigration law. Iliana is fluent in Bulgarian and Spanish.

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Cesar Orantes was born in Los Angeles to Guatemalan parents, but grew up in Calhoun, Georgia. He attended Brescia University on a soccer and academic scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor’s in History. He then graduated cum laude from Faulkner University, Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, where he was on the Law Review and Board of Advocates and was awarded “best brief” in Appellate Advocacy. Cesar has been practicing law since 2011 and began focusing on workers’ compensation and personal injury in 2013. His hands-on experience with factory work, working class family, and small-town roots give him special empathy and personal understanding of the devastating effects an injury can create. He’s also Spanish-speaking, which helps him serve Georgia’s thriving Hispanic community. Outside the office, Cesar enjoys playing soccer and hiking.

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Edward Denker was born in Philadelphia, PA but has made Georgia his home since 1999. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. He then earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia. Edward spent his first years in practice representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death claims. He then spent more than a decade honing his litigation skills representing employers and insurers in workers’ compensation claims, where he gained immense experience and knowledge of how insurers defend those claims. In 2017, Edward returned to his passion of representing people who have been injured at work or through the negligence of others. When he isn’t working, Edward enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children. He is also an avid sports fan, and enjoys cooking and travel.

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Nicolas Rodriguez Sturba was born in Argentina. His family of five left everything to come to the US when he was 9 years old. After 13 long years of going through the US immigration process, he finally became a citizen in 2015. Nicolas knew he wanted to become an attorney to help immigrant families who went through struggles like his. In 2016, he graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree in political science concentrating on pre-law, and minoring in Spanish. In 2020 he graduated from the Florida A&M College of Law. While in law school, Nicolas was a part of the Immigration Society, where he met with Legislators from the state of Florida in the hopes of granting Temporary Protected Status to Bahamians following the catastrophic effect of hurricane Dorian. Now, as an attorney, Nicolas focuses on immigration and workers compensation. His mission is to help those that have left everything behind in pursuit of the American dream, just as his family had. Nicolas is fluent in Spanish and English and a certified legal interpreter.

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