Tanenbaum Keale partner & ACTL Fellow Jeffrey L. O’Hara was a featured co-speaker at this year’s American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) Region XIII meeting in Princeton, New Jersey.
O’Hara joined POVAT National Spokesperson, Keni Thomas, an Army Ranger Hall of Fame inductee, actor, 2-time Emmy Award winning producer, renowned musician, multi-published author, & acclaimed motivational speaker, in a weekend session entitled: “Finding A Way To YES!”.
As a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment with Task Force Ranger, Thomas described his experiences & the leadership lessons learned during Operation Gothic Serpent in the Battle of Mogadishu, later depicted in the film “Blackhawk Down”.
Thomas, one of the first to participate in the Project, recognized the value of POVAT during his civilian transition. POVAT provides medical and legal support at no cost to select veterans pursuing VA Compensation & Pension claims. Highlights of the Region XIII meeting were noted in the Fall 2026 issue of ACTL’s Journal magazine.
TK managing partner Philip F. McGovern, Jr., & O’Hara serve together on POVAT’s board. A Triple Nickel Partner of POVAT, TK supports numerous initiatives & events throughout the year.
The ACTL is an invitation-only fellowship of exceptional trial lawyers from the United States and Canada who have demonstrated the very highest standards of trial advocacy, ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism, and collegiality. The organization strives to preserve and enhance trial practice, civility, professionalism, and the administration of justice through support of an independent judiciary, the rule of law, trial by jury, and access to justice.
Through the ACTL U.S. Foundation, POVAT received grant support in both 2024 and 2025. The Foundation’s principal purpose is to improve the administration of justice and access to justice for underserved communities and individuals.