John joined the firm in January 2019 and heads the Connecticut office. John’s practice focuses on commercial and business litigation with an emphasis on construction law, intellectual property protection, corporate governance disputes, securities litigation, employment issues, and environmental/energy law. John’s career started with Kelly Drye & Warren, and he has been a partner at Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan for the last fifteen years. John is admitted in New York and Connecticut, all of our region’s federal courts, and the United States Supreme Court. He has an AV rating, is a member of ABA and Connecticut Bar Association, served as a Fact Finder Arbitrator for the Connecticut Judicial Branch, and is currently a FINRA Arbitrator. John served three terms in the Connecticut General Assembly as a State Representative for the 135th Assembly District (2011-2017: Easton, Redding, and Weston) where he served on the Judiciary Committee, the Environment Committee (Ranking Member), and the Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee. He was also the Republican Party and Independent Party candidate for US Congress (CT4) in 2016, and a candidate for Connecticut Attorney General in 2018.

Todd Shadle has developed an expertise in labor and employment law based on nearly 20 years of experience in that field. Reflecting those capabilities, he is board certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. His employment law experience includes counseling and preparation of policies, litigation, conducting investigations, and dealing with state and federal agencies. These issues include claims under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, state causes of action, covenants not to compete, and trade secret litigation. Todd also handles complex commercial litigation matters and counsels clients regarding their data governance issues and exposure and the response and handling of data breaches.

Mali is a family law and trial attorney at heart. She began her practice after law school in Forsyth County, Georgia, where she quickly began to try cases and advocate for her clients in the courtroom. Mali’s passion is to protect and lead others while helping create a new life for parents and children who are undergoing the tribulations created within the realm of family law cases. While she most enjoys her time in the courtroom, she places an emphasis on guiding her cases to settlement and bringing only the cases that truly warrant court intervention to trial. Her philosophy is that the best trial attorneys make even better settlement attorneys and that good lawyers should lead by example and guide their clients to responsible conclusions that will lead to a smooth transition into a new chapter after navigating the difficult waters family law typically entails. She considers her team to be her wolfpack and enjoys leading and guiding other lawyers in their development as family law practitioners. She believes that to be the best, you must surround yourself with the best. To that end, Mali enjoys dedicating time to team building and mentorship with the Hastings Shadmehry team and to seeing her associates grow and flourish in their practices. Mali began working with Andee Hastings in 2019 and became a partner with Andee in 2021. They formed Hastings Shadmehry Family Law in 2023. Mali is known for her ability in the courtroom and has tried cases in a wide variety of jurisdictions across Georgia. She prides herself on giving tough advice when needed, helping her clients make efficient decisions, and in bringing an intense and focused energy to the table in every case. Mali grew up in Forsyth County, Georgia, where she attended North Forsyth High School. She currently serves as the President of the Forsyth County Bar Association and is proud to serve her community and work with her fellow Forsyth County colleagues in building and growing a strong Bar. Outside of her work, Mali enjoys bodybuilding, running, hiking, riding horses, being a foodie, and hanging with her two dogs, Stormie and Cohen. She believes that strong family law attorneys must be balanced in mind, body, and spirit so that they can come to the table to serve their clients every day. She enjoys encouraging others, including her clients, to embody this mentality and grow to reach a place of peace and strength, and she values her role in helping others to do so.

Leading criminal defense and DUI lawyer Arja Shah represents clients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, and surrounding areas. Arja gained her experience by successfully defending hundreds of clients who were facing serious criminal charges. Arja takes great pride in providing her clients with highly individualized service because she genuinely understands what is at stake when you are accused of committing a crime or arrested for drunk driving. Arja is adamant that it takes more than just knowing the law to support and guide people through trying times.

Anelia Shaheed is a Partner with the Law Offices of Julie W. Allison P.A. Joining the firm in January of 2015, Ms. Shaheed brings a variety of skills and experience in the managed care, insurance reimbursement, provider risk management and other areas involving healthcare providers and insureds. Ms. Shaheed attended the University of London for her undergraduate studies, where she received her LLB or Bachelor of Law Degree. Subsequently, Ms. Shaheed was admitted to Nova Southeastern University’s Law Program where she graduated Cum Lade in July of 2012. Ms. Shaheed focuses her practice on overpayment demands, payor issues, and billing and claims problems with third party payors. She has successfully negotiated reimbursement issues with payors such as Cigna, Humana, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Additionally, Ms. Shaheed provides expert guidance on industry issues with compliance, statutory regulations, accreditation and licensure standards.