Our People
Natalie M. Koss, Esq.
Managing Partner
As a seasoned litigator, Ms. Koss has a record of achieving outstanding results for her clients in employment, federal employment and commercial matters. She has litigated or participated in cases involving many areas of commercial litigation, including contract, real estate, labor and intellectual property disputes.
Ms. Koss has extensive experience in complex litigation involving employment discrimination, non-compete agreements, employment contract disputes and unpaid sales commissions.
In recent cases, Ms. Koss won a $2.8 million arbitration award for a Federal technology sales representative for FMLA interference and retaliation claims. It is among the largest arbitration awards for the type of employment claims involved.
Ms. Koss also won a significant EEOC hearing victory for a senior Federal employee, which included a judgment for backpay, pre-judgment interest, instatement to an equivalent position, employment record expungement and compensatory damages. In an unpaid sales commission lawsuit, Ms. Koss helped her client win a $1.1 million jury verdict.
As part of her employment, federal employment and labor law practice, Ms. Koss has litigated and secured settlements for numerous clients with employment claims, including gender and pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment, age discrimination, race discrimination and more. She has litigated cases to enforce employee rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the D.C. Human Rights Act and Title VII. Ms. Koss frequently counsels employees and professionals about severance agreements and represents them in severance package negotiations.
Natalie Koss maintains a substantial federal employment practice. Ms. Koss has significant experience representing federal employees in litigation and EEOC hearings, and she is an experienced advocate in EEOC mediation. Ms. Koss also counsels and represents federal employees in federal agency or inspector general investigations and in responding to proposed disciplinary and adverse actions.
Lisa White
Senior Associate Attorney
Lisa White is a Senior Associate in the Litigation, Employment Law and Real Estate & Construction practice areas. She counsels and represents clients in employment, real estate, business and civil disputes and negotiations. Ms. White has achieved numerous favorable settlements for her clients, including substantial severance packages, awards of attorney’s fees, and invaluable non-monetary relief.
Ms. White represents individuals and local businesses in contract negotiations, contract litigation, real property litigation, and business disputes. Most recently, she litigated and ultimately secured a favorable settlement in a real estate contract dispute case. As part of her practice, Ms. White advocates for her clients in arbitrations and mediations, as well as in state and federal courts.
Prior to joining Potomac Legal Group, Ms. White honed her litigation and negotiation skills in private practice in Howard County, Maryland. Ms. White earned her Juris Doctor from the American University Washington College of Law where she also worked in the Disability Rights Law Clinic and was a member of the Administrative Law Review.
Ms. White is an active member of the Maryland State Bar ssociation and the Montgomery County Women’s Bar Association. She is licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland and in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
Valerie Teachout
Of Counsel
Valerie Teachout is Of Counsel in the Employment Law and Litigation practice areas.
Ms Teachout is a distinguished employment attorney with over two decades of experience representing private and federal-sector employees. Her experience primarily includes representing employees who have suffered discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination.
Ms. Teachout is particularly adept at navigating the complexities of federal employment laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Her considerable successes include a landmark reversal in a sex discrimination case before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals: Merritt v. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., 601 F.3d 289 (4th Cir. 2010).
Ms. Teachout provides a high level of service to clients. She is known for her ability to communicate complex legal concepts, empowering clients to make informed decisions about their cases. Her dedication to justice and fairness in the workplace has earned her a reputation as a tenacious advocate for employee rights.
Ms. Teachout earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri Kansas-City School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.
Ayline Finucane
Of Counsel
Ayline Finucane is Of Counsel in the Employment Law and Litigation practice areas.
Ms. Finucane is a highly skilled attorney with a diverse background in civil litigation, intellectual property law, and international affairs. With over 15 years of experience, she offers expertise in complex litigation and international disputes.
Ms. Finucane advises and represents clients in a wide range of matters, from business and professional disputes to commercial negotiations and alternative dispute resolution. Her experience and linguistic skills have positioned her as a valuable resource for clients navigating complex legal landscapes.
Ms. Finucane holds an LL.M. in Intellectual Property from The George Washington University Law School and an LL.B. from The Academic Center for Law and Science in Israel. She is fluent in Hebrew and Arabic. Ms. Finucane is not licensed to practice in Maryland. She is licensed to practice law in the State of New York, with an application pending in California.
Nicholas Santoni
Associate Attorney
Nicholas Santoni is an Associate Attorney in the Firm’s Employment Law and Litigation practice areas.
Originally from Northern Virginia, Mr. Santoni graduated from George Mason University with a B.A. in Government & International Politics. He would later obtain his Juris Doctor degree from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in Westchester, New York. While in law school, Mr. Santoni was awarded an oralist award as one of four finalists in his First-Year Moot Court Competition. He also participated in the law school’s Disability Rights Clinic as a Student Attorney, representing indigent clients in Trust & Estate matters.
In his prior legal positions, Mr. Santoni has obtained experience in several legal areas, including medical malpractice, trusts and estates, and intellectual property law.
Mr. Santoni is licensed to practice law in Maryland.
John Baek
Law Clerk
John Baek serves as a Law Clerk to the Firm. Mr. Baek earned his Juris Doctor from American University Washington College of Law, and he is a graduate of Princeton University.
In law school, Mr. Baek served as the Note & Comment Editor for the American University Business Law Review, where he explored pressing issues in the intersection of technology and law, including the implications of AI language processors like ChatGPT.
Prior to law school, Mr. Baek earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University.
Mr. Baek previously served in roles with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Baek also co-founded Team Keep, a Philadelphia-based initiative where he served as a Privacy Officer and Operations Team Lead. In this role, he was responsible for ensuring HIPAA compliance, enhancing user privacy protections, and improving the accessibility of government aid applications.
Rashae Foster
Paralegal
Rashae Foster is an accomplished paralegal with nearly 20 years of experience in assisting attorneys in handling complex litigation matters, particularly in the areas of employment, commercial litigation and mass tort claims. In addition to providing support to the Firm’s attorneys, Ms. Foster is committed to client service and helping the Firm achieve the highest level of client satisfaction. Ms. Foster holds a degree in Business Administration.