Lawyers
Alex Garrett is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Tampa office and is a former Public Defender with extensive experience in a broad range of civil disputes. Mr. Garrett represents a wide range of clientele, including condominium associations, homeowners associations, small businesses, governmental entities, resorts, restaurants, and other establishments within the hospitality industry.
A Florida Native, Mr. Garrett is a “Double Gator” and received his Bachelor of Science in Finance and his Juris Doctorate at the University of Florida.
Mr. Garrett is committed to staying up to date on new developments in the law and is dedicated to providing his clients exceptional outcomes with a focus on their individual needs.
Matthew Gelder is an Associate in Lydecker’s Jersey City office. Mr. Gelder’s practice involves all aspects of state civil trial litigation with a primary focus in insurance litigation.
Mr. Gelder earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in May 2024. During law school, Mr. Gelder interned at the New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Control (NJABC), where he was responsible for researching issues relating to alcohol licensing enforcement. Mr. Gelder also earned a concentration in gaming, sports, entertainment, hospitality, and administrative law while at Seton Hall Law. Furthermore, Mr. Gelder was a member of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society. Mr. Gelder spent the year after graduating law school clerking in the New Jersey Superior Court Family Division.
Doug Gerber is Of Counsel with Lydecker and works in the Firm’s Orlando office. Mr. Gerber been a member of the Florida Bar since 2005 and the Middle District of Florida since 2006. Mr. Gerber’s areas of practice include but are not limited to civil litigation, commercial litigation, general liability litigation, premises liability, property practice, and business law throughout the State of Florida. He has extensive experience in representing business entities, insurers, and individuals in litigation often involving motion practice, mediations, and trials.
A native Floridian who was born in and raised in South Florida and who has lived in Central Florida for more than 25 years, Mr. Gerber is a double Gator, having earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida in 1992 and his master’s degree in Exercise and Sports Sciences with a Specialization in Sports Management from the University of Florida in 1996. While at the University of Florida, Mr. Gerber was admitted and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
After working for various sports organizations in Central Florida involving amateur sports events, college bowl games, NFL exhibitions, and the 1996 Olympic Games, Mr. Gerber attended the Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University, where was first a Staff Member and then became an Articles Editor for the Nova Law Review. Mr. Gerber had his article on the validity of arbitration clauses in personal injury suits involving minors published in the Fall 2003 issue of the Nova Law Review. He was also a member of the Pro Bono Honor Society while at the Shepard Broad Law Center after interning with the Administrative Judge for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida and with the City Attorney’s Office with the City of Coral Springs.
Mr. Gerber has served as the Chairman of the Real Property Law Committee of the Orange County Bar Association, was a member of the Small Claims Rules Committee of the Florida Bar, and most recently served as the Chair of Section C of the Grievance Committee of the Florida Bar for the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
Madeleine Gerdes is an Associate in the firm’s Dallas office. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a Minor in Legal Studies, from the University of Mississippi. Madeleine returned to her home state of Texas to pursue her Juris Doctor at the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law.
During law school, Madeleine demonstrated a strong commitment to public service. She volunteered with the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, assisting veterans through the program’s legal clinic. She also served at UNT Dallas’s Community Lawyering Center, providing pro bono legal assistance in a variety of civil matters to underserved communities across North Texas.
Following her admission to the bar, Madeleine began her legal career as a plaintiff’s personal injury attorney, where she managed a range of personal injury cases throughout the litigation process. She joined Lydecker with valuable experience advocating for clients in complex civil matters.
Morgan Taylor Gieser is a Partner in the Miami and Tampa office. Ms. Gieser represents clients throughout the state in a variety of federal and state civil litigation claims with a focus on labor and employment. These claims involve allegations of violations of Title VII, whistleblower claims, ADEA claims, Title IX, EPA claims, ADA claims, Family and Medical Leave Act claims, Fair Labor Standards Act claims and Florida Civil Rights Act violations. As part of her practice, Ms. Gieser represents clients in pre-suit claims, in addition to handling charges filed with government agencies such as the EEOC and NLRB.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Gieser represented private companies in all aspects of labor and employment litigation. Ms. Gieser has additional litigation experience in insurance defense, defending clients in a wide array of general liability matters as well as property damage cases.
Brett Goldman is an Partner in the firm’s New York and New Jersey offices. His practice focuses on employment law including discrimination and retaliation cases before state and federal courts and agencies, professional liability matters, and insurance coverage, as well as general liability cases and commercial disputes. Brett has represented health care, treatment and long term care facilities and professionals in cases involving employment claims , professional liability, personal injury, and other matters.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Brett spent two years at a large insurer in Jersey City, New Jersey handling employment practices liability claims, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation matters. While a claims representative, Brett provided litigation and claims management services, made coverage decisions, and oversaw settlement discussions and mediations. Insured clients, found nationwide, ranged from large education networks to healthcare institutions, as well as car dealerships and supermarket chains.
Additionally, Brett spent time as a management consultant for the advisory services division of a Big 4 accounting firm, for which he provided consulting services to clients in the financial services industry. His projects included mortgage remediation for a large U.S. bank and project management for a notable financial services corporation’s anti-money laundering efforts. Brett also gained valuable experience as a volunteer attorney for the New York State Unified Court System’s Access to Justice program, assisting pro se litigants in New York and Kings County Housing Courts.
Michelle Gonzalez is an Associate in Lydecker’s Los Angeles office. Her practice focuses on Employment Practices Liability (EPLI) and Professional Liability litigation, representing employers, businesses and insurers in a wide range of civil matters. Ms. Gonzalez is known for her sharp legal analysis, client-focused approach, and commitment to delivering strategic, cost-effective defense.
Ms. Gonzalez earned her Bacherlor’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles, and her Juris Doctor from Abraham Lincoln University School of Law.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Gonzalez served as a staff attorney at Bet Tzedek Legal Services, where she provided legal advice and representation to low-income older adults across a broad range of poverty law matters, including housing access, income stability, consumer debt, and access to health care services.
Mr. Gruber is a partner at Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. Gruber’s practice spans first- and third-party property claims, including bad faith litigation, fire/theft/fraud investigation, and windstorm coverage and defense. Mr. Gruber litigates insurance disputes involving high exposure commercial and homeowner losses and bad faith issues in both State and Federal court. His practice includes all aspects of pre-suit, appraisal, trial, and appellate litigation. Mr. Gruber has successfully handled hundreds of lawsuits with various degrees of exposure.
Mr. Gruber received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Florida State University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. While in law school, Mr. Gruber was an executive member of the University of Florida Trial Team and chaired multiple criminal trials as a Certified Legal Intern for the Office of the Public Defender for the 8th Judicial Circuit.
Emily Gunderson is an Associate in Lydecker’s Los Angeles office, where her practice focuses on General Liability and Employment Practices Liability (EPLI) litigation. She defends employers, businesses, and insurers in a wide range of civil matters, including bodily injury, premises liability, property damage, and employment-related claims such as discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour disputes. Ms. Gunderson is known for her sharp legal analysis, client-focused approach, and commitment to strategic, cost-effective defense.
Ms. Gunderson earned her J.D. with honors from Seattle University School of Law, where she served as Research and Technical Editor for the Seattle Journal for Social Justice. She was actively involved in the Women’s Law Caucus, acting as the King County Washington Women Lawyers Liaison.
While in law school, Ms. Gunderson completed a high-level internship with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., and served as a judicial extern with the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Before joining Lydecker, Ms. Gunderson worked as a judicial law clerk with the Los Angeles County Superior Court, gaining valuable experience across a wide range of civil litigation matters. She earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Fordham University.
Ms. Gutierrez is an Associate Attorney at Lydecker’s Miami office handling matters throughout the State of Florida. She maintains a varied practice in insurance defense and commercial litigation matters, including general liability defense, bodily injury defense, professional malpractice, and a variety of other matters.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Gutierrez worked as an Associate at Florida defense firms where she gained significant litigation experience representing numerous insurance carriers in a wide range of litigation matters. After graduating from law school, Ms. Gutierrez was an Assistant State Attorney where she gained significant trial experience.
Mr. Harutunian was born and raised in suburban Boston, Massachusetts. He practices in the areas of bankruptcy law, commercial litigation, and labor and employment law.
Mr. Harutunian has litigated numerous bankruptcy, commercial, and employment cases in federal and state courts in Florida and New York. Prior to joining Lydecker, he worked as an Associate attorney at Phillips Nizer LLP, a medium sized general practice law firm, and Gazes LLC, a bankruptcy boutique, in New York, New York. Mr. Harutunian negotiated and litigated matters in large scale bankruptcy cases, including complex claims in the Enron Corp. and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. bankruptcy cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Harutunian also has litigated a variety of commercial disputes involving shareholder liability, insurance law, sales agreements, and other matters. From 1997-2000, he worked as an Associate attorney at Ford & Harrison LLP, a national labor and employment law firm, in Tampa, Florida. He litigated numerous employment discrimination cases including class action and other cases involving national retailers and grocery chains. After graduating from Tulane Law School, Mr. Harutunian served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Thomas B. McCoun III at the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa.
Mr. Harutunian has counseled clients, given lectures, and authored articles on a variety of legal subjects in his practice areas. His publications include Trademark License Agreements: The Rights of a Debtor/Licensee to Assume, or Assume and Assign, are Uncertain, Vol. 237, No. 42, P. 10, New York Law Journal (March 5, 2007), focusing on whether a bankruptcy trustee or debtor in possession as licensee may assume, or assume and assign, trademark rights, and Market Value Is Key For ESOP Buys, Vol. 24, No. 47, P. B8, National Law Journal (August 12, 2002), exploring the duties of fiduciaries of Employee Stock Ownership Plans in light of the accounting scandals at Enron, WorldCom, and Arthur Andersen.
Maria Gabriela Hasbun is an associate at Lydecker’s Boca Raton office, where she concentrates her practice on defending developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, environmental consultants, product manufacturers, and insurance carriers in matters arising from the construction and use of real property.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Hasbun worked as a law clerk at a large, multi-practice law firm, where she supported corporate insurance clients in litigation matters before transitioning into practice within the firm’s complex commercial litigation group. She previously served as a law clerk at a boutique business law firm, where she drafted and reviewed business and commercial agreements, including lease agreements, licensing agreements, and liability disclaimers, and assisted with transactional business and intellectual property matters. Her experience also includes roles in business and legal affairs at NBCUniversal, as a junior legal analyst at Document Crunch, and as a legal intern at Southeast Toyota Finance, providing her with a strong foundation in contract drafting, negotiation, business law, and litigation.
Ms. Hasbun earned her Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law, where she founded and served as President of the Technology Law Society and served as Symposium Chair for the Sports, Entertainment, Fashion, & Art Law Society. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Political Science, magna cum laude, from Florida Atlantic University, where she was recognized with numerous academic honors.
Ms. Hasbun is active in her community and has served as a teacher in the Legal Diversity Pipeline Program at Street Law, Inc., educating high school students on immigration law. She also served as assistant campaign manager for a successful mayoral campaign in Coral Springs, Florida.
Alex Garrett is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Tampa office and is a former Public Defender with extensive experience in a broad range of civil disputes. Mr. Garrett represents a wide range of clientele, including condominium associations, homeowners associations, small businesses, governmental entities, resorts, restaurants, and other establishments within the hospitality industry.
A Florida Native, Mr. Garrett is a “Double Gator” and received his Bachelor of Science in Finance and his Juris Doctorate at the University of Florida.
Mr. Garrett is committed to staying up to date on new developments in the law and is dedicated to providing his clients exceptional outcomes with a focus on their individual needs.
Matthew Gelder is an Associate in Lydecker’s Jersey City office. Mr. Gelder’s practice involves all aspects of state civil trial litigation with a primary focus in insurance litigation.
Mr. Gelder earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in May 2024. During law school, Mr. Gelder interned at the New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Control (NJABC), where he was responsible for researching issues relating to alcohol licensing enforcement. Mr. Gelder also earned a concentration in gaming, sports, entertainment, hospitality, and administrative law while at Seton Hall Law. Furthermore, Mr. Gelder was a member of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society. Mr. Gelder spent the year after graduating law school clerking in the New Jersey Superior Court Family Division.
Doug Gerber is Of Counsel with Lydecker and works in the Firm’s Orlando office. Mr. Gerber been a member of the Florida Bar since 2005 and the Middle District of Florida since 2006. Mr. Gerber’s areas of practice include but are not limited to civil litigation, commercial litigation, general liability litigation, premises liability, property practice, and business law throughout the State of Florida. He has extensive experience in representing business entities, insurers, and individuals in litigation often involving motion practice, mediations, and trials.
A native Floridian who was born in and raised in South Florida and who has lived in Central Florida for more than 25 years, Mr. Gerber is a double Gator, having earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida in 1992 and his master’s degree in Exercise and Sports Sciences with a Specialization in Sports Management from the University of Florida in 1996. While at the University of Florida, Mr. Gerber was admitted and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
After working for various sports organizations in Central Florida involving amateur sports events, college bowl games, NFL exhibitions, and the 1996 Olympic Games, Mr. Gerber attended the Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University, where was first a Staff Member and then became an Articles Editor for the Nova Law Review. Mr. Gerber had his article on the validity of arbitration clauses in personal injury suits involving minors published in the Fall 2003 issue of the Nova Law Review. He was also a member of the Pro Bono Honor Society while at the Shepard Broad Law Center after interning with the Administrative Judge for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida and with the City Attorney’s Office with the City of Coral Springs.
Mr. Gerber has served as the Chairman of the Real Property Law Committee of the Orange County Bar Association, was a member of the Small Claims Rules Committee of the Florida Bar, and most recently served as the Chair of Section C of the Grievance Committee of the Florida Bar for the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
Madeleine Gerdes is an Associate in the firm’s Dallas office. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a Minor in Legal Studies, from the University of Mississippi. Madeleine returned to her home state of Texas to pursue her Juris Doctor at the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law.
During law school, Madeleine demonstrated a strong commitment to public service. She volunteered with the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, assisting veterans through the program’s legal clinic. She also served at UNT Dallas’s Community Lawyering Center, providing pro bono legal assistance in a variety of civil matters to underserved communities across North Texas.
Following her admission to the bar, Madeleine began her legal career as a plaintiff’s personal injury attorney, where she managed a range of personal injury cases throughout the litigation process. She joined Lydecker with valuable experience advocating for clients in complex civil matters.
Morgan Taylor Gieser is a Partner in the Miami and Tampa office. Ms. Gieser represents clients throughout the state in a variety of federal and state civil litigation claims with a focus on labor and employment. These claims involve allegations of violations of Title VII, whistleblower claims, ADEA claims, Title IX, EPA claims, ADA claims, Family and Medical Leave Act claims, Fair Labor Standards Act claims and Florida Civil Rights Act violations. As part of her practice, Ms. Gieser represents clients in pre-suit claims, in addition to handling charges filed with government agencies such as the EEOC and NLRB.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Gieser represented private companies in all aspects of labor and employment litigation. Ms. Gieser has additional litigation experience in insurance defense, defending clients in a wide array of general liability matters as well as property damage cases.
Brett Goldman is an Partner in the firm’s New York and New Jersey offices. His practice focuses on employment law including discrimination and retaliation cases before state and federal courts and agencies, professional liability matters, and insurance coverage, as well as general liability cases and commercial disputes. Brett has represented health care, treatment and long term care facilities and professionals in cases involving employment claims , professional liability, personal injury, and other matters.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Brett spent two years at a large insurer in Jersey City, New Jersey handling employment practices liability claims, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation matters. While a claims representative, Brett provided litigation and claims management services, made coverage decisions, and oversaw settlement discussions and mediations. Insured clients, found nationwide, ranged from large education networks to healthcare institutions, as well as car dealerships and supermarket chains.
Additionally, Brett spent time as a management consultant for the advisory services division of a Big 4 accounting firm, for which he provided consulting services to clients in the financial services industry. His projects included mortgage remediation for a large U.S. bank and project management for a notable financial services corporation’s anti-money laundering efforts. Brett also gained valuable experience as a volunteer attorney for the New York State Unified Court System’s Access to Justice program, assisting pro se litigants in New York and Kings County Housing Courts.
Michelle Gonzalez is an Associate in Lydecker’s Los Angeles office. Her practice focuses on Employment Practices Liability (EPLI) and Professional Liability litigation, representing employers, businesses and insurers in a wide range of civil matters. Ms. Gonzalez is known for her sharp legal analysis, client-focused approach, and commitment to delivering strategic, cost-effective defense.
Ms. Gonzalez earned her Bacherlor’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles, and her Juris Doctor from Abraham Lincoln University School of Law.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Gonzalez served as a staff attorney at Bet Tzedek Legal Services, where she provided legal advice and representation to low-income older adults across a broad range of poverty law matters, including housing access, income stability, consumer debt, and access to health care services.
Mr. Gruber is a partner at Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. Gruber’s practice spans first- and third-party property claims, including bad faith litigation, fire/theft/fraud investigation, and windstorm coverage and defense. Mr. Gruber litigates insurance disputes involving high exposure commercial and homeowner losses and bad faith issues in both State and Federal court. His practice includes all aspects of pre-suit, appraisal, trial, and appellate litigation. Mr. Gruber has successfully handled hundreds of lawsuits with various degrees of exposure.
Mr. Gruber received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Florida State University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. While in law school, Mr. Gruber was an executive member of the University of Florida Trial Team and chaired multiple criminal trials as a Certified Legal Intern for the Office of the Public Defender for the 8th Judicial Circuit.
Emily Gunderson is an Associate in Lydecker’s Los Angeles office, where her practice focuses on General Liability and Employment Practices Liability (EPLI) litigation. She defends employers, businesses, and insurers in a wide range of civil matters, including bodily injury, premises liability, property damage, and employment-related claims such as discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour disputes. Ms. Gunderson is known for her sharp legal analysis, client-focused approach, and commitment to strategic, cost-effective defense.
Ms. Gunderson earned her J.D. with honors from Seattle University School of Law, where she served as Research and Technical Editor for the Seattle Journal for Social Justice. She was actively involved in the Women’s Law Caucus, acting as the King County Washington Women Lawyers Liaison.
While in law school, Ms. Gunderson completed a high-level internship with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., and served as a judicial extern with the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Before joining Lydecker, Ms. Gunderson worked as a judicial law clerk with the Los Angeles County Superior Court, gaining valuable experience across a wide range of civil litigation matters. She earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Fordham University.
Ms. Gutierrez is an Associate Attorney at Lydecker’s Miami office handling matters throughout the State of Florida. She maintains a varied practice in insurance defense and commercial litigation matters, including general liability defense, bodily injury defense, professional malpractice, and a variety of other matters.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Gutierrez worked as an Associate at Florida defense firms where she gained significant litigation experience representing numerous insurance carriers in a wide range of litigation matters. After graduating from law school, Ms. Gutierrez was an Assistant State Attorney where she gained significant trial experience.
Mr. Harutunian was born and raised in suburban Boston, Massachusetts. He practices in the areas of bankruptcy law, commercial litigation, and labor and employment law.
Mr. Harutunian has litigated numerous bankruptcy, commercial, and employment cases in federal and state courts in Florida and New York. Prior to joining Lydecker, he worked as an Associate attorney at Phillips Nizer LLP, a medium sized general practice law firm, and Gazes LLC, a bankruptcy boutique, in New York, New York. Mr. Harutunian negotiated and litigated matters in large scale bankruptcy cases, including complex claims in the Enron Corp. and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. bankruptcy cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Harutunian also has litigated a variety of commercial disputes involving shareholder liability, insurance law, sales agreements, and other matters. From 1997-2000, he worked as an Associate attorney at Ford & Harrison LLP, a national labor and employment law firm, in Tampa, Florida. He litigated numerous employment discrimination cases including class action and other cases involving national retailers and grocery chains. After graduating from Tulane Law School, Mr. Harutunian served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Thomas B. McCoun III at the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa.
Mr. Harutunian has counseled clients, given lectures, and authored articles on a variety of legal subjects in his practice areas. His publications include Trademark License Agreements: The Rights of a Debtor/Licensee to Assume, or Assume and Assign, are Uncertain, Vol. 237, No. 42, P. 10, New York Law Journal (March 5, 2007), focusing on whether a bankruptcy trustee or debtor in possession as licensee may assume, or assume and assign, trademark rights, and Market Value Is Key For ESOP Buys, Vol. 24, No. 47, P. B8, National Law Journal (August 12, 2002), exploring the duties of fiduciaries of Employee Stock Ownership Plans in light of the accounting scandals at Enron, WorldCom, and Arthur Andersen.
Maria Gabriela Hasbun is an associate at Lydecker’s Boca Raton office, where she concentrates her practice on defending developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, environmental consultants, product manufacturers, and insurance carriers in matters arising from the construction and use of real property.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Hasbun worked as a law clerk at a large, multi-practice law firm, where she supported corporate insurance clients in litigation matters before transitioning into practice within the firm’s complex commercial litigation group. She previously served as a law clerk at a boutique business law firm, where she drafted and reviewed business and commercial agreements, including lease agreements, licensing agreements, and liability disclaimers, and assisted with transactional business and intellectual property matters. Her experience also includes roles in business and legal affairs at NBCUniversal, as a junior legal analyst at Document Crunch, and as a legal intern at Southeast Toyota Finance, providing her with a strong foundation in contract drafting, negotiation, business law, and litigation.
Ms. Hasbun earned her Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law, where she founded and served as President of the Technology Law Society and served as Symposium Chair for the Sports, Entertainment, Fashion, & Art Law Society. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Political Science, magna cum laude, from Florida Atlantic University, where she was recognized with numerous academic honors.
Ms. Hasbun is active in her community and has served as a teacher in the Legal Diversity Pipeline Program at Street Law, Inc., educating high school students on immigration law. She also served as assistant campaign manager for a successful mayoral campaign in Coral Springs, Florida.
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