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Kyla Baxter
Associate, Houston, TX
Kyla Baxter joined Javitch Block LLC in 2020 as an Associate Attorney concentrating on consumer collections.
Kyla graduated from Angelo State University in 2011 with a Bachelors of Arts in English. She then went on to earn her J.D. from Thurgood Marshal School of Law in 2015.
She is admitted to practice in Texas and Southern District of Texas.
Lia Billings
Associate, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Lia Billings joined Javitch Block LLC in 2023 as an Associate Attorney focusing on retail collections.
Lia graduated from West Virginia University in 2013 with a B.A. in Gender Studies and English. She then went on to earn her J.D. from West Virginia University in 2016.
She is a member of the West Virginia State Bar.
She is licensed to practice in West Virginia and the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Brian Block
Partner, Cleveland, OH
Brian Block joined Javitch Block LLC in 2003 as an Associate Attorney and became a partner in 2006. In 2014, he became the managing partner of Javitch Block LLC and currently oversees practice management of the firm.
Brian graduated from Indiana University in 2000 with a B.A. in English and Speech Communications. He then went on to earn his J.D. from Cleveland Marshall College of Law in 2003.
He is a Board Member of National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys (NARCA) and is a member of Debt Buyers Association (DBA), Ohio Creditors Bar Association and the Cuyahoga County Metropolitan Bar Association.
Brian is licensed to practice in Ohio.
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Edna Coulter
Associate, Bardstown, KY
Edna Jenelle Coulter joined Javitch Block LLC in 2021 as an Associate Attorney focusing/concentrating on Creditors Rights.
Jenelle Coulter graduated from the University in Louisville in 1997 with a B.A. in Spanish. She then went on to earn her J.D. from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law in 2000.
She is licensed/admitted to practice law in Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia.
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Cherron Edwards
Associate, Brentwood, TN
Cherron Elizabeth Edwards joined Javitch Block LLC in 2023 as an Associate Attorney concentrating on retail collections.
Cherron graduated from the University of North Florida in 1996 with a B.S. in Finance. She then went on to earn her J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2004.
She is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association.
She is licensed/admitted to practice law in Tennessee.
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Jacob Figelman
Senior Associate, Cleveland, OH
Jacob Figelman joined Javitch Block LLC in 2006 as an Associate Attorney. He is currently a Senior Associate handling both retail collections files and subrogation files for the firm.
Jake graduated from the University of Maryland in 2000 with a B.A. in History. He then went on to earn his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2004.
He is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence; CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in the studies of Bankruptcy and Secured Transactions; and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.
Jake is admitted to practice in Ohio and Texas.
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Renata Guy
Associate, Houston, TX
Renata Guy joined Javitch Block LLC in 2023 as an Associate Attorney focusing on Consumer Debt Collection.
Renata graduated from University of Houston in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and double Minors in Biology and Classical Studies. She then went on to earn her J.D. from South Texas College of Law in 2018.
She is licensed to practice law in Texas.
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Luke Hamilton
Associate, Cleveland, OH
Luke Hamilton joined Javitch Block LLC in 2024 as an Associate Attorney focusing/concentrating on creditor rights.
Luke graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He spent some time working in insurance, banking, and asset recovery. He then went on to earn his J.D. from the University of Akron in 2022.
He is a member of the Ohio State bar and the Cleveland bar.
He is licensed/admitted in Ohio.
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Christopher C. Jones
Associate, Memphis, TN
Christopher C. Jones joined Javitch Block in 2023 as an Associate Attorney focusing on creditors rights, subrogation, and litigation.
Chris graduated from Talladega College in 1994 with a degree in Business Administration. He went on to earn his J.D. from The University of Memphis in 2023.
He is a Member of the Memphis, Tennessee, and National Bar Associations.
He is admitted to practice in Tennessee.
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Tyler Lansden
Partner, WV
Tyler Lansden joined Javitch Block LLC in 2013 as an Associate Attorney. He became a partner with Javitch Block in 2019. He handles retail collections files, appellate matters, and subrogation files for the firm.
Tyler graduated as a John Marshall Scholar from Marshall University in 2009 with a B.A. in History. He then went on to earn his J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law in 2012.
He is admitted to practice in the state courts of Texas, before the Supreme Court of Appeals of the State of West Virginia, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
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William McCann
Partner, Cleveland, OH
William McCann joined Javitch Block LLC in 2004. In 2011, he became a partner with Javitch Block LLC and is currently the client lead for the firm’s consumer commercial practice.
Bill graduated from Ohio University in 1996 with a B.A. in Political Science. In 2000, he received an MSSA from Case Western Reserve University. He then went on to earn his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2005.
He is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. He is also a member of NARCA.
He is admitted to practice in Ohio and the Northern District of Ohio.
Saundra Meyer
Associate, San Antonio, TX
Saundra Meyer joined Javitch Block LLC in 2018 as an Associate Attorney.
Sam graduated from Northeastern State University in 2003 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Business Administration. She attended University of Tulsa where she earned heard Master of Taxation and her J.D. in 2009.
She is a member of American Bar Association, Missouri Bar Association, Oklahoma Bar Association, and Texas Bar Association.
She is licensed to practice in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas, and US Eastern District Texas.
Austin Mitchell
Associate, Cincinnati, OH
Austin Keith Mitchell joined Javitch Block LLC in 2024 as an Associate Attorney focusing/concentrating on debtor creditor.
Austin graduated from Louisville in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in political science law and public policy. He then went on to earn his J.D. from Northern Kentucky University’s college of law in 2023.
He is a member of the Kentucky bar Association.
He is licensed/admitted to practice in Kentucky.
Melissa Morris
Partner/Legal Process Manager, Cleveland, OH
Melissa Morris joined Javitch Block LLC in 2000 as an Associate Attorney. In 2008, she became a partner with Javitch Block LLC. Currently, she is also the Legal Process Manager, overseeing attorneys, legal support and process staff for the firm.
Melissa graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 1997 with a B.A. in English/Journalism. She then went on to earn her J.D. from The University of Toledo College of Law in 2000.
She is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and the Ohio Bar Association.
She is admitted to practice in Ohio and the Northern District of Ohio.
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Emily Nenni
Senior Associate, Brentwood, TN
Emily Nenni joined Javitch Block LLC in 2014 as an Associate Attorney. In 2019, she became Senior Associate after establishing herself as the firm’s go-to Attorney resource for all things Tennessee. Emily’s primary focus is in retail collections, but she also handles subrogation files for the firm.
Emily graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.A. in Communication and Journalism. She then went on to earn her J.D. from Duquesne University in 2009.
In 2010, Emily received the “North Carolina Bar Association Younger Lawyer Outstanding Service” aware from the 28th Judicial District Bar for her commitment to pro bono service. From 2010-2012, she served as the Secretary for the 28th Judicial District Bar Young Lawyers Division. She also served from 2010-2012 as the State Liaison for the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys – Western North Carolina Chapter.
She is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and Knox County Bar.
She is admitted to practice in North Carolina and Tennessee.
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Olutomi “Tomi” Odukoya
Associate, San Antonio, TX
Olutomi “Tomi” Odukoya joined Javitch Block LLC in 2023 as an Associate Attorney concentrating on Commercial Debt Collection.
Tomi graduated from Florida A & M University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He then went on to earn his J.D. from Southern Methodist University in 2018.
He is a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens Chapter #4383.
He is licensed to practice law in Texas.
James Oh
Partner/Compliance Officer, Cleveland, OH
James Oh joined Javitch Block LLC in 1999 as an Associate Attorney. In 2007, he became a partner with Javitch Block LLC. Currently, he also serves as the Compliance Officer, overseeing litigation and regulatory compliance for the firm.
James graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 1990 with a B.A. in Chemistry. He then went on to earn his J.D. from Cleveland Marshall College of Law in 1999.
He is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, ACA International (Members’ Attorney Program), and NARCA.
He is admitted to practice in Ohio, as well as the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, Sixth District Court and the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.
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Tracy Parsons
Associate, Houston, TX
Tracy graduated from the University of Illinois – Urbana/Champaign in 1991 with a B.S. in Economics. She then went on to earn her J.D. from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in 1997.
She is a member of the Texas Bar Association and the National Creditors Bar Association.
She is admitted to practice law in Texas and Georgia.
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Alexander Ricco
Associate, McKinney, TX
Alexander V. Ricco joined Javitch Block LLC in 2022 as an Associate Attorney concentrating in the area of Creditor’s Rights.
Alexander earned his J.D. from Southern Methodist University in 2019.
He is licensed in the State of Texas, as well as the United States District Courts of the Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas, the United States 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Eastern District of Texas Bankruptcy Division.
Outside of the courtroom, Alexander currently plays forward for USA Rugby Division 1’s Dallas Harlequins RFC. He also enjoys lifting weights and is an avid fan of the Italian Serie A side Inter Milan.
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Michael Slodov
Associate, Cleveland, OH
Michael Slodov joined Javitch Block LLC in 1997 in the commercial and civil litigation practice group. Beginning in 2004, he served as the firm’s compliance officer and lead defense counsel until his departure in 2012. He rejoined JB in 2018 as an Associate Attorney, concentrating on Litigation and Compliance.
Michael graduated from Cleveland State University in 1985 with a B.A. in Psychology. He then went on to earn his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1990.
Mike has authored two law review articles, the most recent entitled: Documentation? I Don’t Have to Show You Any Stinkin’ Documentation! An Evaluation of the Verification Requirement of 15 U.S. § 1692g(b), appearing in 24 Loyola Consumer L. Rev. 156 (2011). He also co-authored amicus briefs on behalf of the Ohio Creditor's Attorney Association in the U.S. Supreme Court case of Jerman v. Carlisle, McNellie, Rini, Kramer & Ulrich (2010), on behalf of ACA International, in the case of Genesis HealthCare Corp. v. Symczyk, (2013), and on behalf of the Ohio Creditor's Attorney Association in the Ohio Supreme Court in Taylor v. First Resolution Inv. Corp., (2016).
He is a current member of the Akron Bar Association and New York Bar Association.
He is admitted to practice in Ohio and New York, including the N.D. Ohio, U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Cir., S.D. Ohio, N.D. Indiana, U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, Supreme Court of the United States, N.D. Illinois, W.D. Michigan, S.D. Indiana, S.D. Texas, U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit, E.D. Michigan, S.D. New York, E.D. New York, W.D. New York, U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit, S.D. Illinois.
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Marie Trefethern
Associate, Houston, Texas
Marie Trefethern joined Javitch Block LLC in 2024 as an Associate Attorney concentrating on debt collection.
Marie graduated from the University of Houston Clear Lake in 1994 with a B.A. in Humanities. She then went on to earn her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 1997.
She is a member of the State Bar of Texas.
She is licensed to practice in the state of Texas.
Janet Turay
Associate, Dallas, TX
Janet Bintu Turay joined Javitch Block LLC in 2021 as an Associate Attorney focusing/concentrating on pleading review.
Janet graduated from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone with a Bachelor of Laws with Honors. She then went on to earn her Master’s degree from Southern Methodist University in Texas.
She is a member of the Dallas Bar Association.
She is licensed/admitted to practice in Texas.
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Taylor Witt
Associate, Brentwood, TN
Taylor Witt joined Javitch Block LLC in 2024 as an Associate Attorney concentrating on pleading review.
Taylor graduated from MTSU in 2016 with a BA in English with a focus on writing. They then went on to earn their J.D. from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law in 2021.
They are a member of the Tennessee Bar Association.
They are admitted to practice in Tennessee.
Annemarie Wodzisz
Associate, Cleveland, OH
Annemarie Wodzisz joined Javitch Block LLC in 2024 as an Associate Attorney focusing on creditor’s rights.
Annemarie graduated from Walsh University in 2021 with a B.A. in Legal Studies. She then went on to earn her J.D. from The University of Akron School of Law in 2023.
She is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association.
She is licensed to practice law in Ohio.