Counsel
Staff portaits by Noli Novak,
editorial illustrator for the Wall Street Journal
Kenneth F. Eichner
Founder
Tiffany Drahota
Senior Counsel
Jonathan Greenlee
Senior Counsel
Lynn Hartfield
Senior Counsel
Jeff Wilson
Senior Counsel
Hollis Whitson
Senior Counsel
We manage investigators and experts nationally and internationally, here are some of our key staff.
Maria Garcia
Investigator
Maria Garcia has more than 30 years’ experience as an investigator. Over the course of her career, she has investigated cases involving homicide, assault, domestic violence, sexual assault, bank robbery, identity theft, and countless other allegations of state and federal criminal and regulatory misconduct. Her testimony has changed the outcomes of hundreds of trials, and her expert findings and reports have led to the complete dismissal of charges early on in countless criminal cases. Maria’s investigative expertise is informed by over a decade of leading investigations in criminal defense cases at public defender’s offices at both the state and federal levels. Maria’s aptitude for investigation earned her the title of “The Very Grand Inquisitor” in her profile by Westword.
Natasha Powers-Marakis
Investigator
Natasha Powers-Marakis was a police officer for 14 years, and retired from the City of Palo Alto, California Police De- partment as a Sergeant. As a court-qualified expert in police, security, and public safety practices, Ms. Powers-Marakis has been retained in more than 250 cases in 5 jurisdic- tions. Ms. Powers-Marakis has testified on behalf of both defendants and plaintiffs, in both civil and criminal cases.
As a former police officer, supervisor, and manager, Ms. Powers-Marakis has been trained in all aspects of policing including the use of firearms and lethal force, pressure point control tactics (PPCT), TASERS, police pursuit driving, police motorcycle operation, riot control, the use of chemical agents, police batons and truncheon devices, hand to hand combat and arrest control tactics, handcuffing and other restrain devices, and the use of stop sticks. Ms. Pow- ers-Marakis is also trained in the investigation of homicides, and officer involved shooting investigations, use of force investigations, and internal affairs investigations, and the writing and revision of use of force police procedures.
Paige Stoesz
Chief of Staff/Paralegal
Paige leads our paralegal staff and brings to the Eichner Law Firm a decade of experience that includes legal assistance, marketing, and project management for businesses and nonprofits. Her diversified knowledge lends an understanding of the intricacies of business operations and keeps our administrative functions running smoothly. Paige’s proficiency with managing and organizing large amounts of discovery and facilitating administrative support within the firm makes her a vital asset to our practice. Paige obtained her bachelor’s degree in Family Studies and Human Services from Kansas State University and has been a certified paralegal since 2014.
paige@eichnerlaw.com
David Riordon
Certified Fraud Examiner/Investigator
David Riordon has over 22 years’ experience in fraud detection and investigation. David is a Certified Fraud Examiner and former federal law enforcement officer who served as a Special Agent with the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. In that capacity, he conducted tax evasion and money laundering investigations. David spearheaded investigations with the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of the Inspector General (FHFA-OIG) in response to the 2008 financial crisis, investigating some of the world’s largest investment banks that were involved in the mortgage crash. David’s work with the FHFA-OIG put him at the epicenter of the mortgage fraud crisis eloquently described in Michael Lewis’ book The Big Short. David’s additional public service included serving as a Computer Investigative Specialist, Senior Analyst, and as a Taskforce Officer with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Since transitioning into private consulting, David has worked on white-collar crime allegations for the Eichner Law Firm in areas such as forensic accounting, criminal tax controversies, and due diligence.
Michael Riebau
Investigator
Michael Riebau has over 33 years’ experience as a federal criminal investigator and senior special investigator with the United States Department of Justice and the United States Department of Homeland Security. He has spent a career investigating complex international drug and human trafficking organizations, national security and terrorism threats, and a variety of civil and criminal violations of federal law with an emphasis on immigration enforcement. Michael dedicated much of his investigative career to federal task forces, which include the U.S. Attorney’s Presidential Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force. Michael has received awards from the United States Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Attorney’s Office. His efforts have led to the successful prosecution and conviction of international drug traffickers and national security targets. Since his retirement from government service in 2007, Michael has spearheaded a number of state and federal investigations on behalf of the Eichner Law Firm.
Jason Chilson
Investigator
Jurors find Jason Chilson highly persuasive. He has been qualified as an expert witness in county, state, and federal courts over 40 times in areas such as police policies and procedures, traffic investigations, accident investigations, accident reconstruction, and event data recorders. After serving as a sergeant and platoon commander in the United States Marine Corp, Jason was employed with the Aurora Police Department for over 10 years. During his tenure in law enforcement, he co-founded the DUI Unit for the City of Aurora, where he deepened his knowledge of speed analysis, drug recognition, SFSTs, HGN and use of force. He served as a Special Operations Traffic Officer from 2012 to 2018 and has extensive experience in DUI and accident investigations. Jason served as a Police Area Representative (PAR) Officer and was the Head Coordinator for the City of Aurora Crime Free Housing Program. He has helmed investigations for our firm into homicides, fraud, sex crimes, domestic violence assaults, theft and all matters related to firearms.
