Search Results

Prior to his service at TVA, Mr. Savage was in private survey practice for 10 years specializing in dispute resolution and expert witness services. He has surveyed several disputed state boundaries to resolve jurisdictional conflicts. Mr. Savage is an adjunct professor at Cleveland State Community College where he teaches courses in boundary law, geodesy, GIS, and surveying fundamentals. He has researched and retraced the historical surveys of Henry David Thoreau and has published several articles on the subject. Mr. Savage teaches exam review and continuing education seminars at various state and local conferences across the country.

Mr. Spalding is a Member at Stoll Keenon Ogden, joining the firm in 2019 and working out of the Louisville, Ky., office. He is highly skilled in zoning matters, including changes to district development plans, variances, conditional use permits, waivers, and other administrative approvals. Additionally, Mr. Spalding has appeared on behalf of clients before zoning authorities in multiple counties in Kentucky on a variety of real estate classes, including retail, educational, and residential. As a member of the firm’s Real Estate, Corporate Finance & Lending, and Business Services practice groups, he is experienced in a range of complex real estate transactions. Prior to joining Stoll Keenon Ogden, Mr. Spalding worked in private practice at a large regional law firm, where he assisted institutional lending clients in commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) loan originations and warehouse line financings throughout the United States with interests of more than $250 million. He also served as in-house counsel for a regional real estate development and management firm.

Ms. Wimberly has been with the firm since 2016. She focuses on Utility & Energy law and has over five years of experience representing utility companies throughout Kentucky and Virginia. Ms. Wimberly assists electric, gas, and water utilities in a range of regulatory matters, including rate cases, certificate of public convenience and necessity proceedings, change of control proceedings, fuel filings, and environmental surcharge cases. She also has significant experience representing utilities in eminent domain lawsuits to secure property rights to construct utility infrastructure.

Ms. Baker practice focuses on elder law (including Medicaid and asset protection planning), disability law (including special needs trust law), and estate planning. She is licensed in Minnesota. Ms. Baker earned her B.A. from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and her J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law.

Mr. Estle is practices in the areas of elder law, Medical Assistance planning, probate and trust administration, and general estate planning. He routinely represents clients with elder law issues, focusing on the costs and considerations of long-term care and elder health. Mr. Estle practices with an exclusive estate planning and administration and elder law focus. He received his B.A. from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and his J.D. from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Estle is admitted to practice in Minnesota and is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association. He is a Board member on the Minnesota Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).

Ms. Frasier practices and counsels clients about elder law issues, such as long-term care and asset preservation planning, medical assistance and veterans benefits, as well as guardianship and conservatorship, special needs and disability planning, estate planning, and probate and trust administration. She received her B.A. from Carleton College and her J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law. Ms. Frasier is licensed to practice law in Minnesota State Court and is an accredited attorney for veterans benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In his thirty years of practicing law, Mr. Rephan has focused his practice primarily in the areas of elder law, disability law (including special needs trust law), government benefits law, and veterans law. He has successfully litigated class actions and individual actions on behalf of government benefits recipients. Mr. Rephan has also participated in successful legislative initiatives to increase the rights of persons appealing to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, as well as other rights of government benefits recipients.

Ms. Eurenius, is delighted to help seniors, individuals with disabilities, and their families. She has always focused her practice in the area of elder law, special needs planning and estate planning. Ms. Eurenius, is a certified specialist as a CELA® by the National Elder Law Foundation. Her passion for elder law stems from her personal experiences with her grandmother, Helen. Ms. Eurenius,’s grandmother helped to raise her while living with the family. Around the age of 84, Helen was diagnosed with dementia and a few short years later suffered from a stroke. She watched the repercussions of not planning ahead for these devastating occurrences in life. Ms. Eurenius, went to doctor’s visits and hospital calls at 3:00 A.M. and visited the nursing home. She saw the guardianship and Medicaid process firsthand. Ms. Eurenius, understands the stress and anxiety that a family can be dealing with during these situations. She will take the time to listen to your concerns and work with you to prepare a plan. Ms. Eurenius, plans to use her personal experience and legal knowledge to understand your situation and benefit you. Her goal while practicing law is to be a helping hand through the process, easing the tensions and fears that our clients and their families may be experiencing. Ms. Eurenius, works in the areas of estate planning, Medicaid, asset protection, Veterans benefits, special needs planning, and probate and trust administration. She earned her Undergraduate and M.B.A. degrees from Cleveland State University and her J.D. from Cleveland Marshall College of Law.

Ms. Houck believes strongly in the ability for seniors to have self-determination in the decision-making process regarding their care. She also believes in compassion, empathy, and listening. Her job is to hear her clients concerns, help them discover unknown or unanticipated issues, and work through them to provide options we implement together. Ms. Houck is honored everyday to be able to build relationships with clients and their families, educating and counseling them through what is one of the most difficult times in their lives. She has earned the title and distinction of being certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation. This certification is the highest level of specialty for Elder Law attorneys, and it pushes her to remain at the front edge of Elder Law planning. It allows her to provide the counsel and service my clients and their families need and deserve. Ms. Houck is also certified with the Veteran’s Administration to assist in helping war time veterans and their surviving spouses obtain special benefits to help with long-term care. She earned her J.D. degree from Ohio State Moritz College of Law.

Mr. Deliberato’s practice is focused on estate planning that incorporates wills, trusts, powers of attorney for administration and healthcare to protect the assets of an individual that have been earned over a lifetime. His elder law practice counsels clients on how to plan for nursing home care and how to establish successful Medicaid planning strategies. Mr. Deliberato was born and raised in Garfield Heights, OH. He attended St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland and graduated from the Loyola University, Chicago. Mr. Deliberato began his professional career as a fourth generation Funeral Director. After one short year, he returned to school at the Cleveland Marshall College of Law. He started the firm in 1999. Mr. Deliberato is an active community member, having served on several boards, including the Garfield Heights Financial Oversight Committee, the Northeast Ohio Planned Giving Commission, and the Knights of Columbus.

Ms. Houck believes strongly in the ability for seniors to have self-determination in the decision-making process regarding their care. She also believes in compassion, empathy, and listening. Her job is to hear her clients concerns, help them discover unknown or unanticipated issues, and work through them to provide options we implement together. Ms. Houck is honored everyday to be able to build relationships with clients and their families, educating and counseling them through what is one of the most difficult times in their lives. She has earned the title and distinction of being certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation. This certification is the highest level of specialty for Elder Law attorneys, and it pushes her to remain at the front edge of Elder Law planning. It allows her to provide the counsel and service my clients and their families need and deserve. Ms. Houck is also certified with the Veteran’s Administration to assist in helping war time veterans and their surviving spouses obtain special benefits to help with long-term care. She earned her J.D. degree from Ohio State Moritz College of Law.

Mr. Menninger has been a full-time estate planner since 2014. He is one of only approximately 155 attorneys in Ohio that is certified as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the Ohio State Bar Association. Mr. Menninger helps families implement simple and complex estate planning strategies, advising on tax and asset protection considerations, and educating and counseling clients along the way. He has served as faculty for the OSBA, Wealth Counsel State Forums, the National Business Institute, and Strafford Publications, among other organizations. Mr. Menninger has taught attorneys and CPAs on a variety of subjects, including basic estate planning, trust taxation, IRA planning, and irrevocable trust modification. Recently, he was recognized by Ohio Lawyer Magazine as a Rising Star in Estate Planning. He received his J.D. degree from Northern Kentucky University.

Ms. Daddino focuses her practice on elder law, estate planning, and guardianships. She developed her passion for assisting the elderly due to her upbringing surrounded by aging family members, including being raised with the help of not only a great-grandmother, but also her maternal grandparents. Ms. Daddino attended Wake Forest University School of Law and is licensed in both North Carolina and South Carolina. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and serves on the board of the North Carolina Chapter. She is also a member of the North Carolina Bar Association Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section and serves as a council member for the North Carolina Bar Association Elder Law Section. In South Carolina, she is a member of the South Carolina Chapter of NAELA and serves on the South Carolina Bar Elder Law Committee.

Mr. Fleming’s main areas of practice include Estate Planning, Medicaid & Elder Law, Probate and Trust Administration, and Business and Corporate Law. While in college, he worked as a weekend event planner at a local nursing home where he was motivated to become an attorney after witnessing nursing home residents struggle to navigate through their Medicaid and Medicare issues. Mr. Fleming earned his B.A. degree from Georgia College and his J.D. degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Ms. Horne specializes in guardianship, estate and trust litigation. She volunteers with the Corporation of Guardianship, providing pro bono legal services through the Corporation of Guardianship to vulnerable older adults. Ms. Horne is an experienced and seasoned litigator and a fierce advocate for elder abuse and exploitation victims. In June 2023, the Guilford County Family Justice Center recognized her as its 2023 Elder Justice Champion. Ms. Horne earned her J.D. degree from Elon University.

Ms. Owens is a Board Certified Specialist with the North Carolina State Bar in the area of Elder Law. She also assists clients with Special Needs Planning. Ms. Owens centers her practice on advocacy for older persons, persons with special needs, their representatives, and families. She offers advice for personal and health care planning for long-term care needs; asset protection and navigating the laws governing Medicare and Medicaid; litigation and administrative advocacy for those seeking public benefit and those who are victims of elder abuse (financial or consumer fraud); special needs counseling including Special Needs Trusts and other related issues. Ms. Owens practice area also encompasses Incompetency and Guardianship matters which often include children with disabilities transitioning to adulthood and continued advocacy of their specific needs. She is accredited for the preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims for veteran’s benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs and as a Veteran Marine spouse is proud to serve military families to receive benefits earned. Ms. Owens earned her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from The Ohio State University and her J.D. degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.

Mr. Chestnut formerly, he served as a director and practice leader for the Indianapolis office of Ryan, LLC, Thomson Reuters, and Deloitte. He has been involved with real and business personal property tax for more than 30 years. Mr. Chestnut has extensive experience with property tax reduction, administrative appeal representation, assisting clients with strategic tax planning, compliance work including the preparation of all business personal property tax forms and applications, audit representation, and testimony.  He received a B.S. degree in Accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University.  

After graduating from Indiana University School of Law, Mr. Greene started his career in state and local tax as a Sales Tax Hearing Officer with the Indiana Department of Revenue in 1988. He has worked with a small consulting firm as vice president and general counsel. Mr. Green started the state and local tax practice at the Indianapolis offices of Deloitte. He was the national product leader for Grant Thornton’s automation practice; he was the national practice leader for Crowe Horwath’s sales and use tax practice; and he opened his law office as a sole practitioner. Mr. Greene is active in the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT) and serves on the certification committee. He is a frequent speaker on multistate sales and use tax issues, and sales tax process improvement.

Hon. McAdam was appointed Judge of the Indiana Tax Court in 2023. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. Mr. McAdam came to the position after serving as deputy director and chief legal counsel of the Indiana Office of Management & Budget. He replaces retiring Judge Martha Wentworth.

Ms. McDonald’s quantitative analysis allows her to identify tailored incentives opportunities for each company’s specific requirements. Her negotiation skills with government entities highlight her ability to secure monetary incentives. Ms. McDonald’s extensive expertise in property tax, multistate income taxes, and other state tax matters plays a crucial role in helping clients maximize the benefits of incentives while navigating complex regulatory landscapes. Her dedication to understanding the intricacies of tax regulations and her commitment to delivering tailored solutions underscore her value to clients in achieving their goals. Before joining KSM, she gained experience in both public accounting and corporate environments. Ms. McDonald is a member of the Indiana CPA Society.

Professor Swain also serves as a lecturer of business law for the online MBA program offered by the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. His area of expertise in business law is state and local tax (SALT). Before transitioning to academia, Professor Swain held the position of Chief Counsel of the Revenue Division for the Indiana Attorney General, where he oversaw all tax litigation for the State of Indiana for twelve years. Before that, he worked as a tax manager at KPMG and Arthur Andersen’s offices in Denver, Colorado, specializing in tax controversies (audit defense) and corporate transactions within the SALT division. He has written over 200 tax-related articles and has delivered numerous lectures on tax topics.

Ms. DeWall is an experienced elder law and estate planning attorney who focuses her practice on Medicaid planning and asset protection.  Her practice is dedicated to providing comprehensive elder care services that prioritize her clients’ quality of life, asset preservation, and peace of mind.  Ms. DeWall’s commitment to empowering families during vulnerable times has made her a trusted advisor in the field. She is a member of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association.  She frequently speaks at conferences, sharing her expertise to help clients and fellow attorneys understand the intricacies of long-term care planning. Ms. DeWall earned her J.D. degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.

Mr. Lynch focuses in the areas of estate planning, probate, business and corporate planning, elder law, asset protection, residential and commercial real estate, and related litigation. He represents many of the law firm’s transactional clients, helping individuals create estate plans, start businesses, and buy and sell real estate. Mr. Lynch enjoys working with clients across the wealth spectrum, helping them avoid a costly probate process and simplify the management of assets during their lifetimes. He has helped clients with hundreds of acres in land holdings, family camps, large investment and retirement accounts, vast firearms collections, family conflicts, special needs children, diverse business interests, and more. Mr. Lynch earned his B.S. from Northern Michigan University (with honors), and his J.D. degree from Michigan State University College of Law (with honors).

Ms. Patterson, Esq. is a distinguished attorney who is the Principal Attorney of the esteemed law firm Patterson Justice Counsel, PLLC. She is also the President and Director of Research at The PuLSE Institute, a nationally renowned independent, nonpartisan anti-poverty think tank. Both organizations are headquartered in the historic city of Detroit, Michigan USA. Driven by conviction that the law is an important instrument of justice that can make a positive difference, Ms. Patterson began her legal career as a United States Federal Government Attorney, working for the Social Security Administration (SSA). Serving in one of the Federal Government’s key agencies that administers benefits for millions of Americans, Attorney Patterson trained at SSA Hearing and Appeals Division Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia, just outside the nation’s capital. In her role at the Social Security Administration, she was designated as an Attorney Advisor to Administrative Law Judges across the United States and United States Territories, including Puerto Rico. Ms. Patterson advised judges and wrote judicial opinions concerning Title II and Title XVI Social Security Benefits, which ensured judicial integrity and the legitimacy of the adjudicative process in the application of the law in granting relief to Social Security beneficiaries. As a veteran legal practitioner, Attorney Patterson leads clients on the transformational journey of becoming the legacy pioneers of their generation through properly and appropriately planning, preparing, protecting, preserving, and passing their valuable assets, financial wealth, and wisdom for the benefit of succeeding generations.

Committed to her craft, Ms. Patterson holds a Certificate of Completion in the Probate and Estate Planning Certification Program through the Institute of Continuing Education in Michigan. A skilled advocate in the courtroom, she is also dedicated to helping clients navigate the difficulties presented by legal challenges and effectively guides and represents them when confronting conflicts in the complex court process. 

Armed with a decade of legal expertise that has placed her at the center of solving some of the most complex legal issues for clients, as well as serving as a public advocate on the issues, Ms. Patterson has built and led influential businesses and nonprofit organizations that have made meaningful and lasting impact. Her work has established her as a prominent woman in executive leadership, including being one of the handful of Black women leading major national think tanks and among the rare 2% of Black women lawyers in the United States. A frequent analyst and sought after speaker on law, public policy, and leadership, Ms. Patterson regularly serves as a panelist and keynote speaker advocating for equitable policies and women in government and business leadership, including The PuLSE Institute’s Global Women’s History Month program with keynote by UN Under-Secretary General, Dr. Natalia Kanem. Her passion for the law, legacy, and leadership, stems from her love of history, and how it can be applied to contemporary issues in order to create a future for the betterment of humanity. Ms. Patterson is the author of many published articles on estate planning, economic policy, and public leadership, and is the author of an upcoming book on the principles to apply for leaving a lasting and transcending legacy, due for release soon.

Mr. Quinn is a distinguished attorney with over 20 years of expertise in Estate Planning, Probate and Elder Law. His remarkable career is marked by numerous accolades, including multiple recognitions as a Top 10 Attorney in Michigan for Estate Planning and being named one of the Top 100 Attorneys in Michigan by the National Black Lawyers for consecutive years. Beyond his legal accomplishments, Mr. Quinn leadership journey began during his college years when he played football for the University of Michigan. As an active member of the 1997 National Championship football team during his senior year, he demonstrated the same dedication and teamwork that he now brings to his legal practice. He currently serves as the Chair of the Real Property Trusts and Estates Section of the National Bar Association and has been a consistent contributor to Michigan’s Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), where he also served on the Executive Committee for years. Mr. Quinn’s role as a sought-after speaker by bar associations, Continuing Legal Education organizations and churches nationwide underscores his passion for sharing his extensive knowledge and expertise. In addition to his professional achievements, he is deeply committed to his community, serving as an ordained pastor. Mr. Quinn personal life is equally inspiring, having been married to his beloved wife, Adrienne, for over two decades. Together, they have two wonderful children, Titus and Jaida. His life and career are a testament to high achievement, leadership, and a deep commitment to making a positive impact. Mr. Quinn journey from a national championship football player to a top-tier attorney and community leader exemplifies the heights one can reach with dedication, passion, and a drive to serve others.

Mr. Yonkers main areas of practice are elder law and estate planning. Prior to becoming a lawyer, he worked as a Legal Clerk and has focused his education and practice in the areas of Estate Planning and Elder Law. He is a NAELA member. Mr. Yonkers is passionate about the outdoors and volunteers with the Friends of Harlow Lake trail builders group, the Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy, and the 906 Adventure Team, a youth cycling group where he has served as a coach and on the Board of Directors. Mr. Younkers earned his undergraduate degree in Public Administration from Ferris State University and completed his Juris Doctorate at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Mr. DeFilippis is a partner with 20 years of tax experience. He specializes in gift, estate, and fiduciary taxation and planning. He brings a unique skill set to all areas of wealth transfer planning and compliance including estate, gift, generation-skipping transfer tax planning, fiduciary income tax, fiduciary accounting, charitable planning, and business succession planning. Prior to joining Citrin Cooperman, Mr. DeFilippis practiced law for some of New Jersey’s top law firms in the areas of estate planning, including drafting and implementing of complex estate planning documents, estate administration, estate and gift tax compliance, probate litigation, and guardianships. His legal experience provides him with a unique and well-rounded perspective in areas of the trust and estate planning and compliance that serves his clients well at Citrin Cooperman. Mr. DeFilippis is admitted to the New Jersey, New York, and Florida bars.

Ms. Ferrantelli has a diverse background in public accounting with over ten years dedicated to delivering complex Trust, Estate, Gift and Generation Skipping Transfer Tax planning, administration, and tax services to the clients she serves. As director, She has broad national tax experience. Ms. Ferrantelli has a deep understanding of fiduciary and transfer taxes and employs a collaborative approach with clients and their advisors to ensure client goals are defined, implemented and achieved. Planning areas include multi-generational wealth preservation through transfer tax strategies, charitable giving and succession planning. She also assists individual and corporate trustees with administration services by way of providing fiduciary accounting services and complex tax analyses.

Ms. Niemela has over 30 years of extensive experience in High Net Worth, Tax Planning, and Trust and Estate practices. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administrative Accounting from Montana State University of Billings. Prior to joining Citrin Cooperman, she held a significant leadership position as a shareholder with Anderson ZurMuehlen and Company. Her deep knowledge of the High Net Worth, Tax Planning, and Trust and Estate practices field has been instrumental in guiding clients through complex financial decisions, ensuring compliance and optimizing wealth preservation. Ms. Niemela’s holistic approach to trust and estate compliance and planning positions her as a reliable partner for clients seeking expert financial guidance. At Citrin Cooperman, she leverages her expertise to provide strategic financial solutions that drive tangible results. With a track record of transforming financial challenges into opportunities, Ms. Niemela is dedicated to nurturing the financial well-being for individuals and organizations alike.

Ms. Oboda is a partner with over two decades of experience in public accounting. With a focus in trust and estates, she provides tax, financial, estate, and succession planning. She specializes in coordinating family group returns, including their entities, trusts, and private foundations, in addition to their personal returns. Ms. Oboda clients include trusts and estates, high net worth individuals, closely-held businesses. She is an active member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Practice. Ms. Oboda has presented at a number of events and has written a number of articles relating to estate planning. She has a well-rounded background due to her experience working at firms that has exposed her to all aspects of engagements, including bookkeeping and attest work (401k and not-for-profit audits). Ms. Oboda has significant tax experience, working with corporate, partnership, S-Corp, trusts, and individual returns, awarding her with an in-depth understanding of the engagement and her client’s transactions.

Mr. Abrahams specializes in Tax Planning, Tax Litigation, Estate Planning and Probate matters. He helps clients meet their legal and tax planning goals and objectives in the areas of business tax planning, entity formation, business transactions, wealth preservation, protection of assets, estate planning and probate estates. Mr. Abrahams also advises clients who have been contacted by the IRS regarding an audit or dispute of a tax return or a tax assessment. He represents individuals and businesses in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Ohio. Mr. Abrahams has published in numerous tax-related publications including: “Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts as an Effective Estate Tax Reduction Technique” in The Practical Tax Lawyer (Summer 2013) and ABA Section of Taxation News Quarterly (Summer 2013); “Employment Cases and Planning Implications” in the ABA Tax Times (November, 2017); “Medical Cannabis Business Operations: How can business owners navigate the Tax and Banking Law Minefields” in Bloomberg Tax (Tax Management Memorandum – February 4, 2019) (Reprinted in Maryland State Bar Association Tax Talk in 3 parts in 2019 and 2020); “Graegin Loans – Another Way to Reduce Estate Tax” in Bloomberg Tax (Tax Management Memorandum – May 2, 2019); “Representing the Professional Selling or Purchasing a Minority Interest in a Corporate Practice” in The Practical Tax Lawyer (Winter 2022) (Reprinted in Maryland State Bar Association Tax Talk in May 2022); “Update on Worker Classification for Professional Practices and Businesses” in The Practical Tax Lawyer (Winter 2023) (Reprinted in Maryland State Bar Association Tax Talk in Spring 2023).

Mr. Abrahams has over 25 years of substantive legal experience. In addition to a law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, he has an Advanced Degree in Taxation from the Georgetown University Law Center. He is licensed in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Ohio. Additionally, he is admitted to practice in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the Federal 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Tax Court, and the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Bornino’s practice focuses on assisting business owners with ownership transition planning and execution, with specialties in valuation advisory and ESOP advisory. He has been active in the national ESOP community for 25+ years and has been involved in 1,000+ ESOP advisory and valuation engagements. ESOP services provided include ESOP feasibility studies, initial ESOP valuations, ESOP implementation consulting, transaction advisory and structuring (company-side and trustee-side representation), annual ESOP valuations, fairness and solvency opinions, ESOP valuation report reviews, ESOP dispute consulting and advisory, and ESOP trustee advisory. Mr. Bornino currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Ohio/Kentucky Chapter of the ESOP Association and is the Chairman of its ESOP Awareness Committee and a member of its Membership Committee. He is a past winner of The ESOP Association’s Membership Recruitment Award for his work championing Employee Stock Ownership Plans. Mr. Bornino earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio University and his MBA in Finance and Economics from Case Western University.

Mr. Grundy’s main areas of practice include estate planning, succession planning, probate and business law. He has spoken at several continuing education seminars for lawyers on topics of estate planning, probate, and small business over the years. Mr. Grundy has spoken at the national conference of a Protestant denomination on the topic of “business as missions” in 2013. He has traveled extensively nationally, with limited international travel, in support of a few of his clients and the business as missions movement. Mr. Grundy is a member and coach of the OPEN Network of non-profit/charitable organizations. He earned his J.D. degree from the University of Akron School of Law.

Mr. Jamison, joined Prairie Capital Advisors in 2016 and is a shareholder in the firm. He is responsible for business development and growth initiatives and focuses on advising business owners about ownership transition alternatives including employee stock ownership plans (“ESOPs”) and mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”), among others. Services include adequate consideration analyses, feasibility studies, transaction financing and restructuring, fairness and solvency opinions, post-transaction cash flow analyses and annual valuations. Mr. Jamison has performed valuation and M&A work on a variety of companies in various industries. He also frequently presents webinars and speaks at conferences, including those hosted by Prairie as well as The ESOP Association (“TEA”), the National Center for Employee Ownership (“NCEO”) and the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (“OEOC”) on topics including ESOPs, sustainability, and other ownership transition matters. Mr. Jamison also serves on the Advisory Committee of the Ohio/Kentucky ESOP Chapter, is an officer for the Michigan chapter of the ESOP Association and sits on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Center for Employee Ownership (“TNCEO”). He earned his undergraduate degree from Bellarmine University, his Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University.

 Mr. Scott founded his practice in 2011, beginning in California. In 2020, he and his family relocated to Southeastern Ohio, where he has established a practice in Marietta. His license to practice in West Virginia is pending. Mr. Scott and his dedicated teams focus entirely on helping families and business owners to plan their futures. Working in close collaboration with a trusted network of financial advisers, CPAs, bankers, and real estate professionals, he delivers high-quality legal services in a no-nonsense fashion. He has prepared well over 3,500 estate and business plans, from basic revocable trusts to complex special-needs and asset-protection planning. Many of his cases involve high-net-worth business owners who desire sound strategies for their succession and tax minimization goals.

Mr. Scott received a Bachelor of Music degree with emphasis in Vocal Performance from Brigham Young University. He has sung in multiple countries and in a dozen languages, including an appearance at Carnegie Hall.  Mr. Scott has released two solo albums under his own label and continues to perform as occasion permits, including for clients on vintage grand pianos at his offices. Having held FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses, as well as life, accident, and health with annuities and long-term care licenses for many years, He brings a deeper knowledge of the financial implications of legal decisions on important planning considerations. Although he gave up those licenses in 2021 to focus entirely on the law, he remains deeply connected to the financial industry and maintains important relationships to better serve his clients.

As a water resources practitioner and manager for 33 years, Mr. Der provides regulatory and scientific expertise for public and private sector clients, with a commitment to equitable and sustainable solutions to complex projects while specializing in creative linkages between ecology and engineering. Mr. Der has been in private consulting practice since 2001, first as an associate and director of environmental services for two civil engineering firms in the greater Washington, DC, and Baltimore metropolitan areas. Since 2013, Mr. Der has been the principal of his own consulting firm, Andrew T. Der & Associates, LLC. He previously completed 17 years of service with the Maryland Department of the Environment as a manager leading major new initiatives to regulate and restore Chesapeake Bay water resources, and he is an appointed industry representative of the U.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council Stakeholder’s Advisory Committee.

Ms. Lathrop is licensed as a professional land surveyor in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, and as a professional planner in New Jersey. She holds a master’s degree in Environmental Policy and has been involved in surveying since 1974 in projects ranging from construction to boundary to environmental land use disputes. Ms. Lathrop is also a certified floodplain manager through the Association of State Flood Plain Managers (ASFPM) and a certified floodplain surveyor through the New Jersey Society of Professional Land Surveyors. A former adjunct instructor at Mercer County College in New Jersey, she has also taught as part of the team for the licensing exam review course at Drexel University in Pennsylvania. Ms. Lathrop has been teaching seminars for surveyors since 1986 and has been writing articles for surveyors since 1983. She is a contributing editor for The American Surveyor magazine, and she has four articles included in the American Bar Association’s text, Land Surveys: A Guide for Lawyers and Other Professionals. She and Stephen V. Estopinal, PLS, PE co–authored a book entitled Professional Surveyors and Real Property Descriptions: Composition, Construction, and Comprehension, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in 2011. She is also on the faculty of GeoLearn, a web-based educational provider. Ms. Lathrop is a past president of the New Jersey Society of Professional Land Surveyors and of the National Society of Professional Surveyors, and she has served on the Board of Directors for the American Association for Geodetic Surveying.

Bryan Peeples is a Pender and Coward shareholder and focuses his practice in the areas of maritime and riparian law, eminent domain/right of way law, and worker’s compensation. A prolific author, he has written articles on Virginia aquaculture and maritime law, including the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, the Virginia Primary Sand Dune and Beaches Act, and the Virginia Tidal Wetlands Act. He has been published in a number of professional journals on a variety of topics, ranging from Virginia real property law to the Anti-Terrorism Act. Mr. Peeples is a member of the firm’s waterfront law practice group, and writes blog articles regularly on the group’s website devoted to waterfront (riparian) property rights law, maritime and admiralty law, and environmental law. Before joining the firm in 2018, he retired from the U.S. Navy after 22 years of service as a pilot. He completed seven combat deployments and served as the Commanding Officer of a helicopter squadron. His last assignment was Lead Rotational Planner for the Joint Staff, where he provided strategic advice to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the Secretary of Defense.

Ms. King Jaiven,  is an attorney that focuses her practice on the representation of small businesses, including real estate brokerages and other related business ventures. She has experience with DBPR investigations, Board of Realtor complaints, commission disputes, and brokerage compliance matters. Ms. King Jaiven also assists with commercial leasing, corporate operations, and implementing robust marketing plans for various types of business ventures. She currently represents the 4th Appellate District on the Florida Realtor-Attorney Joint Committee and serves as Co-Chair of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section’s (RPPTL) Residential Real Estate and Industry Liaison Committee and Co-Vice Chair of the RPPTL Real Estate Leasing Committee. Ms. King Jaiven also serves on the Florida Bar Consumer Protection Law Committee and on the Board of Directors of Signatures Gives Back, Inc. Previously, she served as the General Counsel and Vice President of The Signature Real Estate Companies – one of the largest privately-owned real estate brokerages in the state of Florida – and as in-house counsel for American Tower Corporation focusing on commercial real estate. During law school, she clerked for the South Florida Water Management District focusing on environmental enforcement matters. Prior to becoming an attorney, Ms. King Jaiven had a rewarding career as a paralegal and regulatory compliance specialist with Hilton Grand Vacations. She earned her J.D. degree from St. Thomas University School of Law and her LL.M. in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School.

Ms. Miller has focused her practice on assisting Buyers and Sellers with real estate transactions for the last nine years. She is dedicated to educating clients and industry partners to ensure that their sale or purchase proceeds according to the terms of their agreements. Ms. Miller enjoys presenting and serving as a panelist for Real Estate Agent and Broker educational events.  Some of her recent presentations on the NABOR and FRBAR Contracts include: Keeping the Deal Together, Real Estate Inspections, Financing Contingencies, FIRPTA, Contract Updates/Comparisons, Seller’s Disclosures, HOA Disclosures, Avoiding Deal Breakers, Death and Real Estate Closings, Personal Property, and Hurricane Preparedness for Realtors. Ms. Miller earned her J.D. degree, cum laude, from Florida International University College of Law. 

This coming January is his 40th anniversary in practice.  Mr. Hazelbaker’s career includes service as in-house counsel to the Wisconsin Counties Association, and work as a county attorney, personnel director, and administrator. His 30 years of private practice experience include extensive litigation and business experience. Mr. Hazelbaker focuses on municipal and land use law, employment, and small business. He draws on a wide range of experience to be of assistance to clients in land use and real estate, municipal, business, government relations and general practice. Mr. Hazelbaker received his undergraduate and law degrees from UW-Madison. He has represented individuals, communities, and businesses in every part of Wisconsin. Mr. Hazelbaker frequently teaches other lawyers in continuing legal education courses. 

Ms. Wal’s practice focuses on real estate transactions and leasing, real estate development and construction. Since 2007, she has represented owners of construction projects that total over $1 billion. In addition to her real estate and construction practice, Ms. Wal advises corporate, institutional and bank clients in commercial and construction lending transactions.

Ms. Wal has an extensive background in banking as a former Business Banker, Middle Market Commercial Banking Paralegal and Project Manager for compliance issues at three of the largest banks in Milwaukee. While at Chase Bank (formerly Bank One), She was a member of a national project team formed to create new versions of Middle Market commercial loan documents.

Ms. Blattner is an attorney in private practice. She brings considerable skills, passion, and excellence in the areas of probate litigation, probate administration, and Guardianships/Conservatorships. Ms. Blattner represents clients in all different capacities, assists with the Courts as a Guardian ad Litem, and collaborates with fellow counsel. She is an active member of the Colorado Bar Association, including the Elder Law Section as a legislative liaison, as well as the El Paso County Bar Association – Probate Section. Ms. Blattner is also a member of the National Guardianship Association and serves as a Board of Director of the Pikes Peak Elder Justice Center. She has been actively involved in the general and legal community throughout her legal career and has received a number of awards and accolades for her community involvement. Through the Civic and Community Affairs Subcommittee, she began serving as the Managing Editor of the Senior Law Handbook in 2023, a joint publication of the Colorado Bar Association and Colorado Legal Education in Colorado, Inc. Ms. Blattner has presented to the community and other legal professionals on a variety of topics over the years, including Domestic Relations Cases, Guardianships/Conservatorships, NGA Standards of Practice for professional Guardians and Conservators, basic estate planning, and probate administration. She grew up in Lakewood, Colorado, and attended the University of Colorado at Denver where she received her B.S. in Business Management, cum laude, and then her Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver – Sturm College of Law in 2009. Ms. Blattner strongly feels that a person’s rights are not determined by their age or level of capacity. She strives to use collaborative approaches to find solutions for families during all stages of life.

Mr. Roth is the Managing Partner of the Probate & Estate Planning Division of Gasper Law Group. He joined the Gasper Law Group in 2017 after twenty years as a prosecutor. Mr. Roth started as an intern in the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, trying numerous misdemeanors and DUI’s while still in law school. Upon graduation, Mr. Roth joined the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office, progressing through the specialty units of Economic Crime, Gang Prosecution, Vehicular Homicide, Special Victims Unit and eventually homicide cases in El Paso and Teller Counties. He then joined the Violent Crimes Assistance Team at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, Special Prosecution Unit where he traveled the state, assisting and trying complex homicide and death penalty cases. Mr. Roth has also taught search and seizure, courtroom testimony, and officer involved shooting classes at several police academies, the Central Mountain Training Foundation for detectives and at Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (“COVA”) conferences. In addition to his prosecutorial experience, he was a reserve officer for the Parker Police department for thirteen years where he worked as a patrol officer, seeing both sides of law enforcement. He brings his vast experience in the courtroom to The Gasper Law Group where he represents clients in the areas of Probate and Estate Planning. Mr. Roth earned his Law Degree from the University of Denver in 1999 and his undergraduate degree, a self-constructed criminal justice major with a minor in business administration, in the scenic setting of Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. Before law school, he also played football for the semi-pro team, Colorado Springs Hornets. In any remaining spare time, the fifth generation Coloradoan enjoys researching the history of Colorado’s historic ghost towns and mining towns, taking his German Shepherd on hikes, and yelling in frustration at Broncos, Avalanche or Rockies games.

Ms. Seal is of counsel at Gasper Law Group in Colorado Springs. She is the Public Administrator for the Fourth Judicial District of Colorado, serving El Paso and Teller Counties. Ms. Seal is the first person ever awarded an LL.M. Degree in Elder Law from the Stetson University College of Law, graduating with honors. She is a past chair of the National Guardianship Network. Ms. Seal is a member of the American Bar Association’s Real Property, Trusts and Estate Law Section where she is a past chair of the Surrogate Decision-Making Committee and a member of the Senior Lawyers Division. She serves as an ABA advisor to the ABA Commission on Law and Aging. Ms. Seal is a former President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is past-chair of the Guardianship Section and is a Fellow of the Academy. She is one of only seven attorneys in Colorado designated a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. Ms. Seal is the author of Colorado Elder Law, published by Thompson West Publishing as part of their Colorado Practice Series. Her practice is concentrated in the areas of elder law, protective proceedings, probate, financial exploitation of the elderly, and related matters.

Ms. Lemon has worked for the Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB) of the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) for 20 years. The mission of the SWQB is to preserve, protect, and improve New Mexico’s surface water quality for present and future generations. As Bureau Chief, She currently manages and oversees three technical teams that fulfill the state’s responsibilities under both the federal Clean Water Act and state Water Quality Act, such as developing and revising water quality standards, collecting and assessing water quality data, managing and reducing nonpoint source pollution, protecting and restoring wetlands, and implementing surface water protection regulations related to point source discharges. Ms. Lemon is a Board member for the national Association of Clean Water Administrators. Prior to joining the Department, She was a high school and middle school science teacher, outdoor educator, and dive master. Ms. Lemon earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Hydrology from the University of Arizona.

Ms. Russo Baca is the staff attorney and Ombudsman Program Director at the Utton Transboundary Resources Center at the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In both roles that she fulfills, her mission is to support and represent constituents in a fair and unbiased manner. As the Ombudsman Program Director, she guides the activities of the Joe M Stell Ombudsman Program, a statewide program that provides impartial adjudication information and procedural guidance to unrepresented water rights claimants in the State of New Mexico. Ms. Russo Baca also manages the Native American Water Right Settlements E-Repository. She contributes significantly to the Utton Center’s overall mission of providing objective research-based public service to New Mexico’s communities on energy, climate change, ecological conservation, food systems, and international natural resource management issues. Ms. Russo Baca undergraduate degree is in agroecology, and she holds both Indian Law and Natural Resources and Environmental Law Certificates from the UNM School of Law. She has also served on the Tribal Law Journal as a staff member and editor and received the Dean’s Award upon graduation. During the Spring 2024 semester, she taught the inaugural Agricultural Law class at the UNM School of Law. Ms. Russo Baca is currently the Chair of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Board of Directors, holding Position No. 1, At-Large.

Quinn Scott Simons was born and raised in Santa Fe and is a fourth generation New Mexican. After attending undergraduate school at Colorado College (B.A. 1997), Quinn, an avid mountain climber, attempted an unclimbed route on a remote, 25,245’ peak in the Tibetan Himalayas. Due to an unexpected storm and highly technical climbing conditions at high altitude, Quinn suffered severe frostbite, costing him his fingers and feet. Undaunted by the challenges and adversity that ensued, Quinn started and ran a successful construction company in Santa Fe for several years, before moving to Kentucky to train horses.

After years in the horse business, Quinn reunited with his high school girlfriend, Veree, and chose to settle down and raise his family in Santa Fe. Quinn attended the University of New Mexico School of Law (J.D. 2013), and now maintains a successful law practice focused on construction and real estate law and litigation, general business law and litigation, and insurance law. He is licensed to practice in both New Mexico State and Federal courts with an emphasis on trial practice. 

Mr. Bowden is an Atlanta native, who attended high school at The Rectory School in Pomfret, Connecticut, before graduating from The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Georgia. He then attended Emory University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. After college, Mr. Bowden worked for an internationally recognized law firm in Atlanta before enrolling at the Emory University School of Law, from which he earned his Juris Doctor in 2012.

During law school, Mr. Bowden worked for the Honorable Michael Johnson in the Superior Court of Fulton County and the Honorable Julie Carnes in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. After law school, He briefly interned with the Honorable Robert Flournoy, III in the Superior Court of Cobb County.

In February 2013, Mr. Bowden started his own legal practice, Bowden Law, LLC, focusing primarily on estate planning, estate administration, estate litigation, guardianship, conservatorship, and business planning. In March 2017, he affiliated his practice with the firm of Johnson & Ward. Mr. Bowden has extensive experience not only in the estate planning, estate administration, trust, guardianship, conservatorship, and business planning areas, but also in the personal injury, landlord/tenant, domestic relations, creditor/debtor, traffic disputes, and general litigation areas.

Since joining The Bowden Law Firm in January 2020, Mr. Bowden has focused his practice on estate planning, probate and estate administration, trust administration, including the removal and appointment of trustees and judicial and non-judicial trust modifications, business planning, and guardianship and conservatorship appointments, including emergency guardianships and emergency conservatorships.

Ms. Boyd’s practice focuses on estate planning, transfer tax planning, and charitable giving. In particular, she advises clients regarding sophisticated wealth transfer strategies, business succession planning, and the formation and taxation of private foundations and other charities.

Ms. Boyd was a member of the inaugural 2022-2023 class of the Southeast Fellows Institute of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and a member of the 2022-2023 class of the Philanthropic Advisor Leadership Institute. She has previously served as the Secretary of the State Bar of Georgia Fiduciary Law Section Code Revision Committee and currently sits on the boards of two Atlanta charities.

Mr. Brooks is an Atlanta-based estate planning and probate firm serving clients throughout Georgia. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgia State University College of Law, his alma mater, and holds an LL.M. from the University of Florida Graduate Tax Program. Mr. Brooks is an active member of STEP, the Estate Planning and Elder Law Sections of the Atlanta Bar Association, and various other professional organizations.

Ms. Lacey nationally recognized expert in elder law and special needs planning, she has over thirty years of experience in matters involving estate planning, probate, elder law, and planning for disability. Ms. Lacey is one of a handful of Certified Elder Law Attorneys in Georgia and has been a member of the Special Needs Alliance for over two decades.

Mr. Ouzts is an Associate in the firm’s Jacksonville office. His Practice concentrates on estate planning, trust and estate administration, gift and estate taxation, probate, and representation of tax-exempt organizations. Mr. Ouzts brings a well-rounded background to these areas, drawing from his legal education and practical experience.

Passionate about taxation, Mr. Ouzts obtained his LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He earned his Juris Doctor degree at Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law, graduating cum laude. During law school, Forbes was an active member of the Phi Delta Phi Honor Society, the Business, Bankruptcy & Tax Law Society, and the Mercer Low Income Tax Clinic. Mr. Ouzts earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of North Florida. He is licensed to practice law in Georgia and is in the process of becoming licensed in Florida.

Mr. Saunders is licensed in Alabama and Georgia to practice law, and focuses his practice in estate and trust planning and administration, probate matters, and nonprofit/tax exempt organizations.

He assists individuals and families preserve and transfer wealth to their loved ones and charitable organizations by crafting and implementing a variety of estate planning techniques, including the routine preparation of wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and revocable and irrevocable trusts. Mr. Saunders also assists individual and corporate administrators, executors, and trustees with estate, probate, and trust administrations. Such strategies focus on advising individuals and families with regards to estate planning, income, estate, gift, and generation-skipping tax issues, and tax savings and minimizing strategies. He has helped blended families, non-married couples, and others configure optimum estate planning options. Mr. Saunders advises family businesses about succession planning and other entrepreneurs in entity formation matters.

His practice also involves representing beneficiaries of estates and trusts. Mr. Saunders frequently supports a family’s team of accountants, financial planners, insurance agents, and other financial advisors in the preparation of estate plans, and filing of gift tax returns, estate tax returns, and fiduciary income tax returns. He also routinely receives guardian ad litem appointments from local courts.

Mr. Saunders often works closely with nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, from counseling donors in achieving charitable planning and giving goals to helping numerous entities and organizations of all sizes and budgets obtain and maintain federal tax exemption as well as routinely guiding these nonprofit and other tax-exempt organizations with incorporating or designing effective policies.

Mr. Turner has practiced as an estate planning attorney for over a decade with a particular focus on complex estate and wealth transfer planning, wealth preservation planning, and estate and trust administration. His diverse experience includes advising clients on a range of issues, including business succession planning, charitable planning, educating next generation family members, and family office planning.

As a fifth-generation family owner of a Georgia company with diverse asset composition, Mr. Turner understands the complexities and nuances of the intra-family issues that arise in the family business context from both a personal and professional standpoint. This unique perspective on multi-generational estate and family business planning enables him to provide practical and customized solutions that address his clients unique needs and goals.

Ms. Palmer earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama then attended law school at Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida. She previously worked as in-house counsel for a real estate investment company and was the managing attorney of a law firm in Midtown Atlanta. Ms. Palmer is a partner at Oxendine Law, LLC, practicing in all areas of domestic litigation, divorce, child custody, paternity and legitimation, and modification actions. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia Family Law Section and the Gwinnett County Bar Association Family Law Section.

Mr. Shemkus exclusively practices family law. As a Florida Supreme Court Board Certified Specialist in Marital & Family Law, he is committed to helping clients navigate family law proceedings with confidence and dignity, applying his knowledge in this field to seek the best possible result based on each client’s individual goals, needs, and concerns. Mr. Shemkus received his B.A. degree from Lewis & Clark College and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. He joined Long, Murphy & Shemkus, P.A. in 2016 after working as an associate at a firm in Illinois. Mr. Shemkus’s practice includes all areas of family law and divorce, such as custody, support, domestic violence, and complex property allocation.

Mr. Banks is the principal attorney at Banks & Associates, PLLC, a Houston-based law firm focused on meeting the needs of government and construction contractors throughout Texas. He is a trusted advisor for licensed professionals, CEOs and managers in construction firms, and government contractors. Mr. Banks was licensed as a CPA in 2003 and has more than 20 years of experience as a lead accountant and CFO for successful government contractors. He earned his B.B.A. degree with a double major in Accounting and Finance from the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston and secured his J.D. degree from South Texas College of Law. Mr. Banks is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Association of Corporate Counsel and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He is a member of the Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

Ms. Crowson is originally from Columbia and Camden, South Carolina. She graduated magna cum laude from the College of Charleston in 1997 and from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 2000. After law school, Ms. Crowson served as a law clerk to the Honorable Kaye G. Hearn, former Chief Judge of the S.C. Court of Appeals and former Justice of the S.C. Supreme Court. She is licensed to practice law in South Carolina and Florida, and her prior work experiences also include Howser, Newman & Besley Law Firm, Pennington Law Firm, and Rogers, Lewis, Jackson & Mann Law Firm, all in Columbia, SC and as Assistant State Attorney, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Florida. Ms. Crowson is a founding partner of Crowson Walker, LLC, which launched in August 2024. She maintains both a litigation and transactional practice, focusing on condemnation / eminent domain, telecommunications, easement and right-of-way disputes and acquisition (including fiber, utilities, access), lease negotiations, and commercial contract negotiations. In condemnations, easement, and right-of-way disputes, Ms. Crowson primarily represents utility companies seeking to acquire and/or enforce utility easements. In telecommunications matters, she represents wireless carriers, fiber providers, tower companies, utility companies, and business entities, related to telecom towers, colocations, antenna leasing, DAS/IBRD systems, pole attachments, 5G, service agreements, and small cell node networks. Ms. Crowson actively assists clients in negotiating master lease agreements (MLAs) and individual site leases (SLAs) for the deployment of wireless infrastructure and technology across the U.S., as well as the continued evolution of that infrastructure and technology.

Prior to his service at TVA, Mr. Savage was in private survey practice for 10 years specializing in dispute resolution and expert witness services. He has surveyed several disputed state boundaries to resolve jurisdictional conflicts. Mr. Savage is an adjunct professor at Cleveland State Community College where he teaches courses in boundary law, geodesy, GIS, and surveying fundamentals. He has researched and retraced the historical surveys of Henry David Thoreau and has published several articles on the subject. Mr. Savage teaches exam review and continuing education seminars at various state and local conferences across the country.

Mr. Shissias established the Shissias Law Firm, LLC, where he practices environmental and regulatory law. After graduating from the University Of South Carolina School Of Law and being admitted to practice in 1996, he went to work as a staff attorney at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Over the next six years he represented DHEC’s Solid Waste Section, Bureau of Air Quality, Bureau of Water, Laboratory Certification, and DHEC’s Environmental Health Division. He regularly litigated contested cases involving permitting and enforcement matters involving air quality, solid waste, hazardous waste, stormwater, laboratory certifications, and 401 Water Quality Certifications. Mr. Shissias also advised DHEC’s Office of Criminal Investigations and was appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General to prosecute environmental crimes. He was awarded the 2014 Robert D. Spencer Award for outstanding volunteer advocacy by Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. Mr. Shissias has been named as one of the 2020 Legal Elite by Columbia Business Monthly in the Environmental Law category.

Ms. Berthelot is an Assistant Professor in Residence and Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies for Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) at the University of Connecticut. She is also the Editor and Chief for NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys) News. Her research and advocacy is primarily about access to healthcare for people who are over sixty-five and for people with disabilities. She earned her Master’s degree in social work from Syracuse University, after which she designed, implemented, and then coordinated a Joint Commission Accredited hospice program in the Mississippi delta. Finding herself fascinated by the legal and ethical questions surrounding death and dying, Ms. Berthelot pursued her law degree at the University of Mississippi. After graduating, cum laude. She joined the Center for Medicare Advocacy, a national not-for-profit law firm. As a senior attorney, Ms. Berthelot oversaw the Center’s advocacy efforts. She also provided legal advice and representation to Medicare beneficiaries unfairly denied Medicare coverage or access to healthcare, wrote articles for national publications, produced educational materials, engaged in educational outreach activities with a particular focus on the Medicare hospice benefit, was a contributing author to the Medicare Handbook, and served as co-counsel for federal class action lawsuits challenging improper Medicare policies. Also while with the Center, Ms. Berthelot was the lead Medicare trainer for Connecticut’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program and for Connecticut’s Medicare Senior Patrol. She is a former chair of the steering committee for the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys’ Health Care Section and she is the former Connecticut liaison for National Healthcare Decisions Day. Ms. Berthelot is currently a member of the Mansfield Town Council.

Mr. Bickford is a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Connecticut School of Law. From 1974 through 1981 he was employed by Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. During his last three years there he was director of the Senior Citizens Law Project covering North Central Connecticut. From January 1982 through October 1992 Mr. Bickford was a partner in the firm of Weed & Bickford (formerly Weed, Kerrigan & Bickford), engaged in the general practice of law. On November 1, 1992 he opened the Law Offices of George B. Bickford as a sole practitioner in East Granby, Connecticut and, as of July 1, 2009, the firm is known as the Law Offices of George B. Bickford, LLC. The office consists of two attorneys and a highly trained paralegal staff concentrating in elder law issues. For many years he has been a guest speaker before bar, medical, social service and public groups on the topics of Social Security, Medicaid and estate planning for the elderly with long-term medical needs, the area in which he currently limits his practice. Mr. Bickford was a member of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimers Association Connecticut Chapter for many years, and he continues to provide them counsel and assistance. He is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Executive Committee of the Elder Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association.