OUR TEAM & OUR VALUES

Ross & Cristaldi, LLC is a next-generation law firm that takes a tech-savvy approach to practicing law. Our firm is committed to providing highly skilled legal representation to businesses and individuals alike. We take pride in delivering efficient and effective representation and legal counseling.

Jeff Ross

Partner

 

Jeff Ross is the founding partner of Ross & Cristaldi, LLC. Jeff graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and attended law school at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2005, Jeff has litigated numerous cases throughout South Carolina. Jeff has been handling insurance defense claims for more than 15 years and has a broad practice in complex and technical litigation. He has extensive trial experience, having tried more than 75 cases, including multiple construction defects cases. He has handled matters before both the Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court.

Jeff worked as an engineer in Greenville, SC for five years designing industrial equipment. As lead engineer, he ran a team designing, constructing and implementing various international projects. In that role, he handled all aspects of the material specifications, heat transfer, thermodynamics, air flow analysis, electrical load calculations and structural design. Jeff’s background in engineering and construction provides a distinct technical advantage with regard to the nuances of complex litigation.

His practice areas include complex civil litigation, premises liability, construction defect, mechanics liens, contract disputes, professional liability, product liability claims, personal injury, trucking accidents, bad faith and coverage disputes.

Jeff competes regularly in triathlon competitions, and has completed four full IRONMAN™ Triathlons since 2017. He resides in Mt. Pleasant, SC with his wife Lynnley and their dog Copper. He enjoys cooking, traveling, boating, and engineering custom cars.

Philip Cristaldi

Partner

 

Philip P. Cristaldi, III (“Phil”) is a partner at Ross & Cristaldi, LLC where he concentrates his practice on insurance defense, construction defect, products liability, premises liability, personal injury and general civil litigation. Phil frequently defends general contractors and subcontractors against multi-million dollar construction defect claims, including class-action litigation, multi-family projects, single-family residences, commercial projects, site work claims, and a variety of other types of construction-related project disputes. In addition to contractors, Phil represents a variety of developers and suppliers in lawsuits involving any number of construction-related disputes. Outside of the litigation realm, Phil offers non-litigation support for his clients providing advice related to industry issues and payment disputes, as well analyzing and drafting contracts in an effort to prevent disputes and provide protection in the future.

Phil is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a summa cum laude graduate of the Charleston School of Law where he graduated at the top of his class. While in law school, Phil served as the Student Works Editor for the Federal Courts Law Review and received CALI awards for the highest grade in his class in Civil Procedure I, Legal Research and Writing II, Criminal Procedure, Secured Transactions, Land Use Planning, and Insurance Law.

Outside of the office, he is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys running, cycling, surfing, snowboarding, and spending time with his wife, Kelly, and dog, Shaka.

Scott Winograd

Associate

 

Scott Winograd is an associate at Ross & Cristaldi. His practice is focused on construction defect, insurance defense, and personal injury.

Prior to joining the firm, Scott handled a variety of cases at a Charleston-area law firm relating to construction defects, mechanic’s liens, real estate disputes, personal injury, HOA and community association law, business formation, advice and disputes, as well as contract formation, review and litigation. Scott brings to the firm and its clients his knowledge and experience gained through a variety of educational and professional experiences over his career that has included working for law firms, companies, non-profit organizations, as well as state and local governments. Scott graduated from Miami University and the Ohio Northern Pettit College of Law. He has also received master’s degrees from the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and Oregon State University.

He is admitted to practice in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Ohio as well as the United States District Courts of South Carolina and the Northern District of Ohio. He is a member of the Charleston County Bar Association.

Outside of the office, he enjoys playing basketball and softball as well as reading and spending time with his wife, Emily, and their two kids.

Kirkley White

Associate

 

Kirkley White is an associate at Ross & Cristaldi. Her practice is focused on construction defect, insurance defense, and personal injury. Prior to joining the firm, Kirkley gained experience handling cases related to construction defect, personal injury, and asbestos litigation at another Charleston Area law firm. Kirkley also has experience handling Workers’ Compensation claims.

Kirkley graduated from College of Charleston with a B.S. in International Business and is a magna cum laude graduate of the Charleston School of Law. While in law school, Kirkley served as the Editor in Chief of Resolved Law Review, Journal of Alternative Dispute Resolution. She also served on the Moot Court team, winning Best Brief in the NY Bar Moot Court Competition for Region V and was a two-time quarterfinalist in the John R. Brown Admiralty Moot Court Competition. Kirkley also received CALI awards for the highest grade in her class for Admiralty I and Admiralty II.

Outside of work, Kirkley enjoys exploring Charleston’s culinary scene with her husband, taking her dog to the beach, and spending time with her son.

Emily Sheets

Associate

 

Emily Sheets is an associate at Ross & Cristaldi. Her practice is focused on construction defect, insurance defense, and business matters. Prior to joining the firm, Emily has handled a variety of litigation cases related to construction litigation, HOA and community association law, business disputes, and personal injury. Emily also has experience assisting businesses with contract formation, risk management, and disputes. Emily brings to the firm and its clients her knowledge and experience gained through a variety of educational and professional experiences over her career that has included working for law firms and corporations.

Emily has a undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University and a J.D. from Regent University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in South Carolina and the United States District Courts of South Carolina. Emily is a member of the Charleston County Bar Association and the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association (SCWLA).

Outside of the office, she enjoys cooking, caddying, and spending time with her husband Brian, their two human kids, and her fur kid, Callie.