Meet Our Team
Shawn VanSlyke, J.D
Shawn VanSlyke is a security professional with over 20 years as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and 7 more in private security consulting. He is also a longtime attorney who obtained his law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and has been a member of the Commonwealth of PA Bar Association since 1999.
Shawn is a recognized expert in workplace violence prevention and crisis management. Most recently, as a Principal in Control Risks’ Crisis and Security Consulting practice, Shawn developed and led a team which provided elite consultative services focused on assisting organizations in bolstering preparedness and resilience. Shawn has vast experience in assisting companies across industries with the development, implementation and execution of best-practice level Workplace Violence Prevention and Response (WVPR) and Active Assailant preparedness programs. Shawn regularly created and facilitated C-Suite level crisis management simulation exercises for clients across all major industries to identify planning gaps and improve capabilities.
Shawn’s earlier career as an FBI Special Agent included subject matter expertise and leadership roles with the national crisis negotiation and behavioral analysis programs. Shawn's vast and specialized experiences in responding to high profile crisis situations on a global level qualify him as one of the country’s foremost experts in assessing situations of concern and crafting comprehensive threat mitigation strategies.
He is also an ASIS Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and was a contributor to the Workplace Violence and Active Assailant – Prevention, Intervention and Response Standard (ANSI/ASIS WVPI AA 2020).
Alicia O'Neill, J.D.
Alicia O’Neill is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law and spent the first decade of her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Harris County, Texas. During her time as a prosecutor, Alicia gained extensive experience investigating cases, specifically in scientific analysis and interrogation techniques. She specialized in handling sexual assault and domestic violence cases. O’Neill was featured on TNT's true-crime drama Cold Justice: Sex Crimes.
Once Alicia entered private practice, she became the Managing Partner of one of the nation’s premier Plaintiffs Mass Tort Law Firms. She is the formidable spearhead to VSO’s commitment to comprehensive defense. Alicia's expertise in evaluating and driving lawsuits against corporate giants including in sexual harassment and assault cases uniquely positions her to help protect companies. Her intimate understanding of this kind of litigation allows her to fortify your defenses, keeping your employees safe, and ensuring airtight defenses against potential future lawsuits.
With a decade as a Prosecutor, Alicia brings unwavering determination into the courtroom, and to keeping clients out of it.
Andre Simons, CTM
Andre Simons is a Capital Partner at VanSlyke O'Neill Law, based in Washington D.C., where he specializes in workplace violence prevention and response with a specific focus on active assailant attacks and communicated threats. With a distinguished 23-year career in law enforcement and public service, Andre served as the Unit Chief of the FBI’s Behavioral Threat Assessment Center at the Behavioral Analysis Unit in Quantico, Virginia, before retiring in 2019.
Andre has co-authored numerous works on targeted violence including A Study of the Pre-Attack Behaviors of Active Shooters in the U.S. (2018), The Assessment of Anonymous Threatening Communications (2021), and Publicly Humiliating Events: A Precursor to Workplace Violence? (2024). He is a Certified Threat Manager and the 2019 recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP).
Following his career with the FBI, Andre worked as a Principal for Control Risks Group in Washington, DC, helping clients navigate crisis situations and develop workplace violence prevention programs.
Ronald Schouten, M.D., J.D, CTM
Dr. Ronald Schouten, a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, specializes in forensic psychiatry, behavioral threat assessment, and workplace violence prevention. A board-certified forensic psychiatrist and licensed attorney, Dr. Schouten has advised corporations, government agencies, and academic institutions for decades, helping them mitigate behavioral risks and navigate complex mental health-related challenges.
Dr. Schouten is the Director of the Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship at Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, DC, and an Affiliate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Howard University College of Medicine. He previously served as Director of the Law & Psychiatry Service at Massachusetts General Hospital and is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. A thought leader in his field, Dr. Schouten has co-authored landmark publications such as Mental Health Practice and the Law (2017) and Almost a Psychopath (2012).
At VSO Law, Dr. Schouten provides strategic guidance on high-stakes workplace violence prevention and behavioral risk matters. His ability to bridge the legal and psychiatric fields ensures clients receive solutions that are not only effective but also defensible under the law.
Paola Gonzalez, J.D.
Paola is a distinguished attorney with extensive experience in handling intricate high-profile cases, specializing in Mass Tort and Personal Injury law. A distinguished graduate of the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, Paola holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in Political Science (Summa Cum Laude). She further expanded her knowledge base by completing her Juris Doctor at the Inter-American University, School of Law, where she excelled as the President of the Inter-American University Litigation Association (A.L.U.I).
While in law school, Paola honed her expertise in federal litigation through a prestigious internship at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Puerto Rico. After being admitted to the Bar, she embarked on her professional journey at a large plaintiff’s law firm.
Paola's professional character is underscored by an unwavering commitment to excellence, ethics, and accountability. Her career trajectory aligns seamlessly with our mission, as she is equipped with a robust legal background and a keen understanding of regulatory compliance. Paola is well-positioned to assist businesses in navigating and implementing stringent requirements with precision and efficacy.
Holly Torrefranca, COO
Holly Torrefranca has over two decades of experience in the insurance and financial sectors. Holly began her career in leadership roles within Administration Operations Management, where she led teams and departments of diverse sizes, from 2 to over 100 members. Her career evolved to encompass higher-level corporate responsibilities, including Enterprise Business Planning, Corporate Project Management, and serving as the Vice President of a Life & Retirement Corporate Transformation Office.
Holly holds a pivotal position as the Chief Operating Officer of VanSlyke O’Neill Law. Her vast corporate experience and sharp business insight are instrumental in steering VanSlyke O’Neill's organizational development, strategic planning, and dynamic growth.
At VanSlyke O’Neill, Holly is responsible for overseeing finance, human resources, technology, and administration. She plays a key role in the firm’s strategic and swift expansion, ensuring that the firm is able to deliver top-notch legal services to its clients.
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