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Ms. Dahl’s practice focuses on regulatory and energy law matters, as well as condemnation and eminent domain. Ms. Dahl is part of a team advising utilities and independent power producers on siting, routing, permitting and other regulatory matters. Ms. Dahl also assists condemning authorities and private owners in acquisition negotiations, eminent domain actions and the various land rights matters and disputes that go along with the construction of infrastructure. Prior to joining Fredrikson, Ms. Dahl worked for the University of St. Thomas Legal Services Clinic as an appellate clinic certified student attorney on a case in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Knaak has been practicing law for nearly 45 years in Minnesota and 30 in Wisconsin and Colorado. He is the head of Municipal and Real Estate Development Law with Northstar Law Group. Mr. Knaak has tried cases and argued appeals throughout the country in both State and Federal Courts. For nearly that whole period he has been a city attorney. Past clients include the Minnesota cities of Fridley, Maplewood, Lake Elmo, Newport and Afton. He is currently city attorney for Ramsey and Taylors Falls, Minnesota, and continues to represent private clients on a variety of matters. Mr. Knaak also has considerable experience in litigation involving title insurance claims and title insurance. He served ten years in the Minnesota Senate, representing a district in the northeastern suburbs of the Twin Cities. Mr. Knaak was Special Counsel to the Minnesota Secretary of State in redistricting litigation and was lead counsel on the Senator Norm Coleman election recount. He is a frequent commentator on Twin City news programs on political matters and is a frequent guest political panelist of the Twin Cities Public Television Almanac program. Mr. Knaak also regularly teaches in national seminars on municipal law and has published a number of essays and articles on various topics. His article “Using Development Agreements to Further Environmental Ends: A Case Study” will be published this summer in the ABA’s Probate and Real Property Section magazine. Mr. Knaak earned his B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from John’s University, and his J.D. degree from the University of Minnesota Law School.

Mr. Morphew is 1998 graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law. He has been practicing primarily in the areas of real estate law, eminent domain law and relocation benefits law for the past 23 years. Mr. Morphew has done numerous bench trials, jury trials and appellate litigation cases on in these areas of law and has been a featured presenter at numerous seminars on these topics. He currently serves as the Vice-President of the Monticello Economic Development Authority and is the past President of the Minnesota Eminent Domain Institute, as well as a past board member of FiberNet Monticello, a community-owned fiber optics telecommunications company.

After graduating from the University of Minnesota Law School, Ms. Pivec began her legal career in the corporate world, first at a Minneapolis-based real estate management company and then in the legal division of a large Minnesota corporation. In 2013, Ms. Pivec joined Siegel Brill as an associate attorney with an emphasis on business and real estate transactions. Leveraging her corporate experience, Ms. Pivec works primarily in the areas of closely-held businesses and real estate development. She also works with clients in estate planning and probate matters.

Mr. Roston’s practice includes a broad real estate litigation and transactional focus. His clients include both international and local individuals and companies involved in real estate. He has successfully tried scores of condemnation cases, before both court appointed commissioners and juries, and he has obtained excellent results for his clients. Mr. Roston has handled real estate transactions and disputes involving commercial and industrial sales, acquisitions, leasing and land use. As a real estate investor in addition to being a lawyer, Mr. Roston’s advice is both legally astute and pragmatic. He recognizes that most clients have a business concern, not just a legal issue to resolve. Mr. Roston has substantial condemnation law experience, representing both landowners and taking authorities. In addition to his condemnation practice, Mr. Roston represents clients in matters involving real estate including foreclosures and receiverships, zoning and land use, landlord/tenant, leasing, lien law, real estate tax protests, real estate transactional law and construction dispute resolution.

Ms. Smerud is an associate in Dorsey’s Regulatory Affairs Group, where she partners with clients to navigate the complexities of environmental and energy litigation. Ms. Smerud leverages her strong communication skills to distill intricate technical and scientific matters, empowering clients to overcome regulatory challenges and implement successful projects. Ms. Smerud represents clients in proceedings before FERC, state public utilities commissions, administrative agencies, and in state and federal court. Prior to joining Dorsey, Ms. Smerud clerked for the Honorable Chief Judge Susan Segal at the Minnesota Court of Appeals, where she honed her legal research and analytical skills. Before entering the legal field, Ms. Smerud also worked as a natural resource manager. Her experience implementing and managing conservation projects equips her with a unique perspective that enhances her ability to provide guidance on environmental and energy regulatory compliance.

Mr. Squires received his B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and his J.D. degree from William Mitchell College of Law. Prior to founding RASW, he was an associate and shareholder at Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, P.A.  Mr. Squires represents school districts, counties and cities throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. His primary areas of practice and experience include general municipal and school law, real estate, land use and zoning, condemnation, construction disputes, and municipal litigation, including appellate work.  Mr. Squires has argued over 50 cases to Minnesota’s Appellate Courts. He has been a frequent presenter to professional groups and organizations in the areas of his practice.  Mr. Squires is a Real Property Specialist certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association and is licensed to practice in both federal and state courts in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Ms. Barker brings over three decades of dedicated paralegal experience to her clients. Starting her career in 1989, Ms. Barker has a rich background in litigation across civil, family, and criminal law. She has attended numerous criminal trials at counsel table and has managed family law cases through both court processes and mediation. Her experience includes thorough document preparation, individual client meetings, and maintaining client relationships without direct attorney supervision. Later in her career, Ms. Barker transitioned into estate planning, assisting with trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and deed transfers into trusts. Her extensive experience spans working with one firm from 1989 to 2012, two firms from 2012 to 2018, and providing contract services to attorneys from 2018 to 2023. In 2024, she retooled her business model to extend her services directly to individuals, making her valuable legal support more accessible. Ms. Barker holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Her educational background enhances her ability to support clients, especially those facing stressful legal situations.

Ms. DeBernardis has worked all over the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New Hampshire, and she has a vast amount of experience in many areas of law. Ms. DeBernardis has worked with clients from all walks of life ranging from representing indigent clients through appointment by the Court to private clients in all areas of law in lower and higher Courts throughout each state. Over the years, she has been a member of the Essex County Bar Advocates, Inc., and a panel attorney for the Appellate Division of the Committee for Public Counsel, providing counsel to indigent defendants. Ms. DeBernardis’ practice focuses on family law, criminal law, and appellate law in Massachusetts and family law in New Hampshire. Ms. DeBernardis earned her B.S. degree in Psychology and Law at the College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College) in 1996. She continued her education at the New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts, where she earned a juris doctor degree in 1999. Attorney DeBernardis was admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1999, the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts in 2003 and the State of New Hampshire in 2007.

Ms. Lacey maintains a general practice, but she primarily focuses on family law with a collaborative approach, as well as general litigation and criminal matters. She attended the June 2014 Collaborative Law-New Hampshire training. Ms. Lacey’s goal is to preserve her clients’ best interests during challenging personal times, cultivating the integrity of the process while navigating clients through the application of the law as it pertains to their legal matters. First joining Wescott Law as a legal intern in 2013, she has since built a community foundation upon which she developed a successful law practice. In January of 2019 she became a director and the co-managing partner of the firm. A 2014 graduate of University of New Hampshire School of Law (now University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law) and a 2011 graduate of Bay Path College, Ms. Lacey worked as a paralegal for law firm Marien & Hodge, PC, of Springfield, Massachusetts, and completed internships in the Laconia and Franklin City Prosecutor’s Offices. She is an active member of the Lakes Region community. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Central New Hampshire as well as Collaborative Divorce New Hampshire.

Ms. Law-Hill currently serves as a Guardian ad Litem at Law-Hill Legal, LLC, representing children’s interests in various cases, including divorce, parenting, guardianship, termination of parental rights, abuse/neglect and CHINS matters. Ms. Law-Hill’s career spans multiple roles in legal support and advocacy, including positions as a paralegal and district coordinator for the Londonderry School District’s Destination Imagination Program. Known for her excellent communication skills, critical thinking, and empathy, she is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children through every step of the legal process.

Ms. Cohen is an attorney at Tesser & Cohen in Hackensack, New Jersey. Ms. Cohen focuses her practice on construction litigation and condominium association law. She has represented a diverse range of construction clients, including owners, general contractors, subcontractors and material suppliers. Ms. Cohen has been involved in both prosecuting and defending claims on private and public projects in New Jersey and New York, including delay claims, construction lien and mechanic’s lien foreclosure actions, defective work claims, bond claims, prompt payment act claims and trust fund issues. She has also represented condominium associations in the prosecution of construction defect claims, as well as assisted condominium associations with general condominium matters. Ms. Cohen earned her B.A. degree from Rutgers University and her J.D. degree, cum laude, from New York Law School.

Mr. Landsman has over 10 years of executive leadership experience operating one of the DC metropolitan area’s oldest and most respected property management firms, as well as hands-on experience managing a large and diverse portfolio of multifamily properties. He has served a broad range of clients and industries with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Booz Allen Hamilton, and a boutique patent litigation firm. Mr. Landsman attended Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies where he graduated summa cum laude, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Management and Technology. He also earned a Master of Science degree from the University College London’s School of Public Policy. Mr. Landsman is deeply interested in fostering more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable communities. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and volunteering as a member of the Maryland Clean Energy Center’s Advisory Council, the Board of Trustees and Building and Grounds Committee of Temple Emanuel, and the Takoma Park Police Chief’s Advisory Board.

Mr. Cherf’s areas of expertise are in program management/project management, workface planning, organizational alignment and field execution. Mr. Cherf has more than 48 years of experience in the design, construction, maintenance, and commissioning phases of major facilities throughout World. From pipe-layer to carpenter; heavy equipment operator to project manager; and program manager to executive vice-president of a publicly held service company, he has spent the last fifteen years teaching Construction Management at Washington State University and consulting to the industry.

Mr. Halsted is responsible for increasing the market share for ready mixed concrete products through education, promotion, design, technical services, and construction activities at the local, regional, and state level. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the use of cement and concrete in the pavements and geotechnical industry. Mr. Halsted has knowledge of planning, design, materials testing, construction, and sustainability; has participated in numerous training and construction workshops involving state and provincial transportation agencies, public works departments, universities, material suppliers, and consulting firms; and has authored several publications related to cement and concrete construction. He currently serves as a voting member of several Transportation Research Board (TRB), American Concrete Institute (ACI), and ASTM International (ASTM) standing technical committees. Mr. Halsted holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering Technology from Southern Polytechnic State University and is a licensed engineer in the state of Georgia. Prior to joining NRMCA, he held civil and geotechnical engineering positions with the Portland Cement Association, the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, and the Georgia Department of Transportation. 

Mr. Gilbert brings over 28 years of experience in the renewable energy industry and holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is president of Azimuth Solar where he provides solar energy consulting, training and inspection services within the solar energy and real estate industries. From 2013 to 2016 he served as director of operations and maintenance (O&M) for Vigilant Energy Management, overseeing a portfolio of over 100 commercial PV systems. In 2000 Mr. Gilbert co-founded Chesapeake Solar, a leading mid-Atlantic solar energy company. In 2008 his company was listed on Inc. Magazine’s 500 fastest-growing small companies, and later that same year the company was acquired by groSolar, one of the nation’s leading solar energy companies at the time. He served on the board of directors for the local chapter of the Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA) and was chair of the Potomac Region Solar Energy Association (PRSEA) for four years starting in 1998. Mr. Gilbert has been certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) for both thermal and photovoltaic systems. 

Dr. Martina is an assistant professor at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX (started fall 2019). Dr. Martina’s primary research interests involve better understanding global change phenomena in wetland and grassland ecosystems. Before coming to Texas State, Dr. Martina was the program coordinator of the EEB and ABS programs at Texas A&M University and an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. He received his Ph.D. degree at Michigan State University with Drs. Steve Hamilton and Merritt Turetsky and completed a postdoc at the University of Michigan with Drs. Deborah Goldberg and Bill Currie.

Dr. Bishop specializes in the holistic evaluation of building and bridge structures. While at Exponent, he has led investigations of concrete, steel, wood, and masonry structures and their interior finishes and building envelope components that were damaged as a result of design/construction defects, construction procedures, and natural hazards, such as wind, floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes. These investigations typically include on-site testing and documentation, analysis of structural and non-structural component response, interpretation and application of building codes and standards, and identification of the most appropriate repair. He often employs sophisticated engineering analysis and state-of-the-art research in support of these investigations. Dr. Bishop sound engineering advice provides the basis necessary for building owners, insurers, and other stakeholders to make informed decisions.

Mr. Palmer is a Board Certified Master Arborist® and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified by the International Society of Arboriculture, and a Consulting Arborist. He was the owner of a premium services landscaping company for 20 years. Mr. Palmer’s focus is on trees in urban and construction environments, soil deficiencies and the importance of soils for sustainable mature trees, increasing urban tree canopies by ensuring trees live to maturity, and unsustainable landscape designs. He does tree assessments for individuals, commercial clients, law firms, insurance companies, municipalities, landscape architecture firms, parks and woodland management agencies, and he has assessed and evaluated thousands of individual trees in the past decade.

Here’s what past attendees had to say about the program and presenter John Palmer:

“Very good. Very useful. I will change some of what I have been doing based on what I have learned from this webinar.” – Civil Engineer

“John is one of two presenters in the last 30 years who has held my interest throughout an entire all day program.” – Architect

“Excellent presentation and content. I especially appreciated all of the references in the material.” – Civil Engineer

Ms. DeSana is a partner with Merel Family Law. She is a skilled and compassionate attorney who is dedicated to helping her clients navigate difficult situations. Ms. DeSana received a B.A. degree in Political Science from Wayne State University. She continued her education at UIC Law School where she received her J.D. degree and a certificate in Trial Advocacy. While studying at UIC Law School, she spent her time working with the school’s Pro Bono Clinic helping underserved communities by representing individuals in bankruptcy and foreclosure proceedings as well as victims of excessive force in Federal Court. While in law school, Ms.DeSana also clerked at the Cook County Public Defender’s Office Juvenile Justice Division. During law school, she tried two jury trials in Federal Court with the school’s Pro Bono Clinic and numerous bench trials at the Public Defender’s office. Following law school, she spent a year of service with Americorps VISTA where she worked at First Defense Law Aid and personally assisted the organization in greatly expanding its volunteer network and formed partnerships with law schools, large law firms and the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. After her year of service, she began her career in family law at another boutique family law firm where she worked on hundreds of family law matters.

Ms. Fitzpatrick is a partner with Merel Family Law. She believes that a large part of her job is being a problem solver. Ms. Fitzpatrick also understands that people are often misunderstood. She has a unique ability to collaborate with family law clients by listening to her client’s concerns, evaluating multiple courses of action, and ensuring that they have the tools they need to be successful and comfortable after litigation ends. Ms. Fitzpatrick is also frequently appointed by the Court to serve as a child representative or guardian-ad-litem, representing children in high-conflict domestic relations matters. In addition, she is approved to serve as a parenting coordinator in Cook County, Illinois—a role that allows her to assist parents in implementing and complying with parenting plans, resolving disputes, and focusing on the best interests of the children. Ms. Fitzpatrick has written and published articles on numerous issues, including financial support, grandparents’ rights, and immigration issues for unaccompanied minors. She has also given presentations on a variety of family law topics. Ms. Fitzpatrick practices in Cook, DuPage, Will, McHenry, and Lake Counties. She is licensed to practice in the State of Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the United States Supreme Court. She is an active member of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), the Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.

Mr. Lapidus is a partner with the Law Office of Russell D. Knight. He graduated from University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana majoring in Integrative Biology and matriculated to the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana’s College of Law earning his J.D. degree. Mr. Lapidus is licensed in both Illinois and Florida, and he practices family law in both states. He specializes in complex litigation and has completed the eight-day National Family Law Trial Institute’s Kolodny Trial Skills Course. Prior to specializing in family law, Mr. Lapidus defended prison medical providers from Constitutional claims brought under Section 1983 in Federal Court.

Mr. Markey is Principal with the Law Offices of Patrick Markey P.C. He helps clients minimize the destruction of divorce whether it be through the collaborative law model, the court process or mediation. His focus is on complex family law cases and representing professionals and their spouses who value a proactive solution orientated approach to their divorce. Mr. Markey is a strong advocate of the collaborative law and mediation dispute resolution methods for their ability to custom-craft solutions, minimize conflict and usually reduce the time of a case. Not only is the firm experts on family law, but they understand the impact of divorce on children and help the client’s develop co-parenting relationships. Mr. Markey was selected as an Illinois Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine for 2024. This distinction is limited to the top five percent of lawyers in each practice area.

Ms. Onorato is a partner with Beattie|Onorato Family Law, LLC. She grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a dual degree in Psychology and Gender Studies. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Onorato worked in the non-profit sector as the director of a group home for abused and neglected adolescents. She graduated from DePaul University College of Law in 2004 with a certificate in family law and has since concentrated her practice exclusively on family law matters, including: negotiating and litigating complex divorce and custody matters; drafting prenuptial and postnuptial agreements; and appellate work involving complicated child and spousal support issues, civil unions, child custody and removal (relocation) and distribution of marital assets. Ms. Onorato received a certificate in divorce mediation from Northwestern University, and she is a frequent author and lecturer on family law subjects. Nicole serves on the DePaul University Family Law Advisory Board, and volunteers with the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic (Ascend Justice).

Mr. Rakowski is principal attorney at LSR Family Law Group. For more than 30 years, Mr. Rakowski has been providing compassionate, yet aggressive, family law representation to his clients. Mr. Rakowski has earned his reputation as a skilled trial attorney and a talented negotiator, offering proficiency in both litigation and alternative methods of dispute resolution, including collaborative law, to solve clients’ legal challenges. Mr. Rakowski began his legal career in 1990 after earning his law degree from John Marshall Law School and being admitted to the Illinois State Bar. In addition to his ability to practice law in all Illinois state courts, he has admittance to practice in the courtrooms of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. As an author and lecturer, he is a valued member of numerous organizations, including the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Cook County Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, the Decalogue Society, and the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois. Mr. Rakowski is a member of the Family Law Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association. In that capacity he reviews and provides critical analysis on legislation impacting the practice of family law.

Mr. Winstead is a land use lawyer, focusing on quasi-judicial proceedings before the various planning and development boards, commissions, and councils of local governments across North Carolina. With a robust background in real estate litigation, Mr. Winstead possesses the experience and skills necessary to navigate the complex zoning and land use issues that developers encounter. Mr. Winstead approaches his work with a creative and deeply analytical spirit, equipping him to handle the red tape so his clients can focus on building beautiful projects.

A Raleigh native and Managing Partner of Cranfill Sumner, Mr. Wall represents clients in a wide range of matters including eminent domain and real estate-related disputes, employment law, and business litigation. Mr. Wall has a particular interest in privacy and data security and holds the Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) designation. He is also board certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a specialist in Privacy and Information Security. Mr. Wall maintains an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell, the peer review rating that recognizes attorneys who have reached high levels of skill and integrity. He is also a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel.

Mr. MacDonald is a Fellow of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and a member of ASTM, ASCE, the Concrete Society and Professional Engineers Ontario. His commitment to ACI includes a role as the past chair of the 132-Responsibility in Concrete Construction and chair of subcommittee 130-0B Production/Transport/Construction and 302 Construction of Concrete Floors. Further, Mr. MacDonald is a member of ACI committees 211-Proportioning Concrete Mixtures, 212-Chemical Admixtures, 223-Shrinkage-Compensating Concrete, and 232-Fly Ash in Concrete and 318 sub-A. In addition to his concrete consulting work, he is an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in the construction management program where he teaches courses in concrete, reinforced concrete design and heavy construction. Mr. MacDonald brings considerable experience in field and lab concrete, quality control and problem-solving to his students and clients. He earned a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering as well as master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Engineering Materials from the University of Windsor in Ontario. Quality of concrete remains one of his interests. Mr. MacDonald is heavily involved in ACI certification with the Aggregate and Ready Mixed Concrete Association of Minnesota.

Ms. Warner holds a Master of Science in Architectural Engineering and is a Certified Access Specialist Professional by the state of California, as well as a National Accessibility Professional Certification for the Built Environment. She recently retired after over 30 years of service with the City of San Diego, including 25 years dedicated to accessible design. She brings extensive knowledge and understanding of accessibility laws, codes, and regulations. She collaborated with various city departments, including Park and Recreation Engineering and Capital projects, Transportation, and Mobility, overseeing the Citywide ADA compliance program, and managing transition plans.  

Ms. Warner played a key role in the development of accessibility requirements for Park Design, Street Design, Complete Streets, and Curb Ramp Design Guidelines. Additionally, she integrated code changes and provided training to ensure compliance with accessibility regulations. Ms. Warner’s qualifications and experience highlight her expertise in accessible design. Beyond her previous role, she serves on the board of the California Certified Access Specialists Institute (CASI), where she helps coordinate the education program. She is also actively involved with the Regional Transportation Board and has presented at national conferences, sharing her insights on accessibility.

Mr. Aker, known to many as CJ Aker, is a dedicated architect with deep roots in New Jersey. Born in Belmar and raised on a 12-acre horse farm in Howell, he developed a strong work ethic from an early age. After graduating from Howell High School, he began his architectural journey working for local architect Rich Grasso in Manasquan. His early freelance work, particularly on house raises and lifts after Hurricane Sandy, solidified his passion for architecture. CJ pursued formal education at Brookdale Community College’s architecture associate program, which he still considers his most valuable educational experience. He later attended NJIT and Drexel University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 2014. While balancing work and studies, he gained invaluable experience at OSK Design Partners, contributing to high-end residential projects along the coast in Southern New Jersey.

In 2018, CJ became a licensed architect and returned to Howell Township to establish his own residential architecture practice in Point Pleasant. As demand grew, articularly during the COVID-19 housing boom, he leveraged his expertise in floodplain regulations, municipal codes, and modern design technologies to create sought-after homes in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Today, CJ leads a small but talented team, Akertect Design LLC, specializing in custom highend residences along the Jersey Shore. He remains dedicated to his craft, continuously learning, and collaborating with top builders to shape the future of luxury home design. When he’s not designing, CJ enjoys time with his wife and two sons, Jack and Logan, born in 2019 and 2021.

Mr. Giordanengo is the founder and principal restoration ecologist of AloTerra Restoration Services. He has 33 years of professional and academic experience in ecology, ecological restoration, business, and economics; 23 years of natural resource project management experience; 10 years of natural resource research experience; over 200 publications, oral presentations, articles and technical papers. He has founded and managed several non-profit organizations, and facilitated several complex stakeholder engagement processes with federal, state, local, non-profit, and private entities. Mr. Giordanengo earned his M.S. degree in Rangeland Ecosystem Science from Colorado State University and his B.S. degree from San Diego State University.

Ms. Jolman is a 3rd year Ecological Sciences PhD Candidate at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Her research focuses on understanding the ecological consequences of natural plant hybridization (crossing of two species) by studying wild hybrid blueberries across Virginia. Ms. Jolman research relies on the classification of plants to identify hybrids and their parent species; she uses genetics, plant traits, and pollinator interactions to explore the impact of hybrid plants. With the presence of hybrid plants increasing due to climate change, this work is increasingly relevant for conservation, management, and restoration purposes. In 2018, Ms. Jolman received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Calvin University in Michigan; her undergraduate research worked to inventory the flora of West Michigan, relying heavily on plant identification in the field. During this time, Ms. Jolman also worked at a local Michigan Nature Center to develop educational programs for the county park. After graduation, She spent three years in Vermont as a Park Interpreter and Park Manager for Vermont State Parks, planning and facilitating ecological park programs for a diverse array of park patrons while managing park operations. Along with pursuing her PhD in Virginia, Ms. Jolman currently works with numerous organizations (Norfolk Botanical Gardens, schools, retirement groups, Master Naturalists, local non-profits, Botanical Society of America’s Planting Science, etc.) to provide plant-focused educational programs to the public. She believes strongly in the equitable communication of science and strives to continually bridge the gap between academic research and the public through education.

Mr. Seidler was trained in plant ecology at the University of California Santa Cruz, and obtained his PhD at Harvard University, where he studied the spatial distribution of tropical trees in the ultra-diverse rainforest of Malaysia. He continued with a post-doc at Imperial College of London’s Centre for Population Biology, where he studied invasive plants in the herbaceous community of Argentina’s flooding pampas. After returning to the US, he took a job with Native Plant Trust, a not-for-profit organization that monitors rare plants in New England, among other activities. While there, he ran the Royal Kew Garden’s Millennium Seed Bank’s Northeast US seed banking program, and built a seed bank for the seeds of rare and endangered plants for Native Plant Trust. In 2013 he took a faculty position at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he is Curator of the University of Massachusetts Herbarium, a medium-sized herbarium of 250,000 specimens, and teaches courses in botany and ecology.

“Excellence Comes Standard” is the phrase that comes to mind when thinking about Edward L. Littlejohn, Jr. He is constantly working to improve his clients’ experiences with his law firm and raising the bar on the quality of services that his office provides.

Mr. Littlejohn believes that hard-working people deserve unparalleled legal services—especially in difficult times. He learned early on in the practice of law that the more information his clients have, the better decisions they can make. And people who are in the difficult situations need access to information so that they can make a well-informed decision. Focusing on Real Estate, Business, Estate Planning, and Personal Injury has allowed him to become well-versed in each area.

Most people who meet Attorney Edward Littlejohn, ask if he’s related to the “karate guy,” or they wonder why he keeps calling them “sir or ma’am.” Well, it’s his martial arts teaching of Discipline and Respect, which is also something that sets him apart from other attorneys.

Mr. Ockner’s practice focuses primarily on zoning, land use, and real estate litigation, and business litigation. Along with Sheldon Berns, Mr. Ockner has been instrumental in obtaining successful outcomes in several major zoning and land use cases in the Ohio Supreme Court, including Goldberg Companies, Inc. v. Council of the City of Richmond Heights, 81 Ohio St.3d 207, 690 N.E.2d 510 (1998), which reestablished that the United States Supreme Court’s standard for determining the constitutional validity of zoning ordinances set forth in Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. applied in Ohio; State ex rel. Shemo v. Mayfield Heights, 95 Ohio St.3d 59 (2002), which established that property owners in Ohio may recover compensation from a municipality for the diminution in value of property during the time a municipality has enforced an unconstitutional zoning regulation against the property; State ex rel. Commt. for the Referendum of Ord. No. 3844-02 v. Norris, 99 Ohio St.3d 336 (2003), which overruled the Ohio Supreme Court’s earlier decision in State ex rel. Crossman Communities of Ohio, Inc. v. Greene Cty. Bd. of Elections, 87 Ohio St.3d 132 (1999), with respect to the proper treatment of planned unit developments; State ex rel. Webb v. Bliss, 99 Ohio St.3d 166 (2003); State, ex rel. Shemo v. Mayfield Heights, 93 Ohio St.3d 1 (2001); Shemo v. Mayfield Heights, 88 Ohio St.3d 7 (2000); and Jones v. Chagrin Falls, 77 Ohio St. 456 (1997).

Mr. Ockner has represented numerous local and national property owners and developers regarding zoning and land use issues throughout Ohio. Since the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Mr. Ockner has represented numerous national telecommunications companies in the deployment of their wireless telecommunications networks in Ohio, including administrative proceedings and litigation in the Federal and State Courts of Ohio, and in a variety of other disputes pertaining to those companies’ wireless telecommunications sites. Mr. Ockner has also represented several non-profit organizations in their efforts to develop facilities for assisted living, supportive housing, and services for unhoused youth and young adults.

Mr. Pempus has been a risk manager for more than 18 years, with experience in architecture, engineering, land use, law and professional liability insurance, and a unique and well-rounded background in the construction industry. Prior to risk management, he has 25 years of experience in the practice of architecture and engineering, and as an adjunct professor teaching professional practice courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels for the last 37 years. As a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and AIA National Ethics Council 2021 chair, he has demonstrated his impact on the architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent. 

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. Young is a shareholder with Roetzel. His litigation practice is based in Roetzel’s Columbus office and serves a state- and nationwide clientele. Mr. Young’s practice focuses primarily on infrastructure and real estate-related issues and disputes, particularly eminent domain and easements. Two things set him apart from his peers in the infrastructure space. First, he focuses almost exclusively on representing businesses and commercial properties. This gives him a superior understanding of the unique concerns and challenges businesses face in this specialized area of the law. And second, he has long experience representing both property owners and condemning authorities. This gives him unparalleled insight into the many different issues that can arise and how both sides approach those issues. Mr. Young works hard to obtain just compensation for his clients. Throughout the eminent domain process, he educates and counsels his clients, presenting them with all available options and ensuring that they are equipped to make the right decisions for their businesses. He has represented some of the nation’s largest retail pharmacies, auto parts stores, grocery stores, discount retailers, gas stations, and pipeline companies, yet also enjoys helping smaller, local businesses. In addition to his eminent domain practice, he has considerable experience in zoning and land use, property tax appeals, and commercial foreclosures. Mr. Young also advises and represents clients with their business, contract, commercial, corporate, shareholder, securities, and trust/fiduciary issues and disputes. He earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, from The Ohio State University, and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law.

Ms. Barker, CPA State and Local Tax (SALT) Director with Perkins & Co.
She has more than 20 years of experience in state and local taxes, including several years as a lead excise tax auditor with the Washington State Department of Revenue, and a B&O tax program auditor at the City of Kent. Prior to joining Perkins, Ms. Barker worked for BDO USA LLP for nine years, rising to the position of SALT Managing Director. There she spearheaded numerous projects related to multistate income/franchise and sales/use tax including research, state tax audit defense, nexus analysis, taxability determinations, mitigation and remediation, due diligence analysis, system implementation support, and ASC 450 analysis. Ms. Barker is regarded as an expert in Washington taxes, as well as other gross receipts and sales/use taxes. Her passion lies in working closely with clients and other service lines to ensure cohesive engagements and high-quality advice for clients. Ms. Barker is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Institute for Professionals in Taxation and the Association of Washington Business Tax & Fiscal Policy Council.

Ms. Canahai currently serves as the Interim Audit Manager for the City of Portland. Since joining the City, she has held several essential roles, including Large Business Auditor, Large Business Audit Supervisor, and Personal Income Tax Supervisor. With a strong foundation in tax administration, Ms. Canahai brings both technical and leadership expertise to her work.

Ms. Holt currently serves as the Interim Audit and Accounting Manager for the City of Portland. She brings over 20 years in governmental tax compliance and accounting experience having worked for the City of Portland Revenue Division, Oregon Department of Revenue, and University of Oregon.

Mr. McGovern, JD is a member of the faculty at South Texas College of Law Houston, where he also serves as Director of the school’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. Previously, he served for many years as the school’s Vice President and Associate Dean for Academic Administration. He received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and his law degree from Fordham University School of Law. After law school, he served as a judicial clerk for Judge Thomas Meskill on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York. He then practiced law with the law firm of Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C. He subsequently earned an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he taught as a visiting faculty member before joining the faculty at South Texas College of Law Houston. Professor McGovern teaches and writes in the areas of business organizations and taxation. His courses include Federal Income Taxation, U.S. Taxation of International Transactions, Partnership and Subchapter S Taxation, and Federal Tax Procedure. He frequently speaks on recent developments in federal income taxation. Professor McGovern is a member of the Council of the State Bar of Texas Tax Section, a former Chair of the Houston Bar Association Section of Taxation, and a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel.

Ms. Sasaki is a seasoned attorney specializing in tax, business, and estate planning at Samuels Yoelin Kantor, LLP, where she is Partner and Chair of the Taxation Practice. She is admitted to practice in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona. Ms. Sasaki’s expertise extends to multi-jurisdictional tax compliance, audit, and appeal, as well as private business transactional work and high net worth estate planning. In her practice, she represents a diverse clientele, including private companies, individuals, foundations, and government agencies, including the Oregon State Bar Professional Liability Fund. Ms. Sasaki serves as a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel and the American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel. She is a member and has served as chair of the Portland Tax Forum, and the Oregon State Bar Taxation and Business Law Sections. In 2022, the Oregon State Bar appointed her to serve as a commissioner of the Oregon Law Commission. Her fellow Commissioners elected her to serve as chair of the Oregon Law Commission. In 2023 She received the Oregon State Bar’s Membership Service Award. She regularly speaks to attorney and accountant professional groups on estate planning, nonprofit, and tax topics.

Ms. Sasaki is deeply committed to legal education, serving as an Adjunct Professor at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Oregon, Portland State University and Northwestern School of Law, and Lewis & Clark College. Her teaching portfolio encompasses a range of topics, including business law, taxation, estate planning, and state and local taxation. She co-authored Oregon Estate Planning with Forms, published by LexisNexis in 2023. She and her co-author are working on the second edition, which should be released in late 2024. Having grown up in Lake Oswego, Ms. Sasaki is also passionate about giving back to her local community. She has been involved with several great charities in the area, including Junior Achievement and Portland Taiko. She currently serves as a Vice Chair of the Japanese Garden Foundation Board and as a volunteer board member with Portland Center Stage. Prior to her current role, Ms. Sasaki honed her skills at Miller Nash LLP and KPMG LLP, where she gained valuable professional experience. She holds an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Washington School of Law, a J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law, and a B.A. magna cum laude from Newcomb College of Tulane University.

Ms. Sweeting is a State and Local Taxation (SALT) Senior Manager with Withum. She started her career holding various tax positions at large, local companies in the forest products and high-tech industries. After a brief hiatus from the profession to stay home with her kids, Ms. Sweeting returned to public accounting and joined a Big 4 firm, where she first developed her SALT expertise. She enjoys working directly with clients to understand their businesses and help coach them through various SALT issues, as well as develop solutions that are best for each unique client. With a penchant for problem-solving, Ms. Sweeting enjoys analyzing each client’s particular business operations and solving the puzzle of how their activities intersect (and sometimes collide) with the continually transforming landscape of state taxation. Ms. Sweeting earned her Post Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate from Portland State University and her Graduate Certificate in SALT from Villanova University, Pennsylvania.

A proud lifelong Oregonian, Ms. Trudell has more than 22 years of public civil service working for Polk and Benton Counties and the State of Oregon. In 2021, Ms. Trudell was appointed Oregon’s first Taxpayer Advocate in the Oregon Department of Revenue, where she works to be a voice and resource for Oregon’s taxpayers. A graduate of Oregon State University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Ms. Trudell provides fair and equitable access to Oregonian’s economic opportunities, programs and services. Before joining the Department of Revenue, she served as the manager of the Disadvantaged and Small Business program for the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Dr. Atalah teaches construction management at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). He has taught and mentored hundreds of construction management students since 2000. Dr. Atalah has written many peer-reviewed-journal and conference papers. He has made hundreds of construction management presentations in many national and international conferences and educational seminars. Dr. Atalah has been involved in the construction of water and wastewater projects since 1984. He earned a Doctor of Engineering degree, an MS degree in Civil Engineering, and MBA degrees from Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA. After his graduation with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1982, he worked on the construction of wastewater projects in very challenging conditions such as high ground water table, stratified soils, unknown utilities, congested streets, and nearby high-rise buildings. Dr. Atalah also worked on the construction of water and wastewater projects in very challenging conditions such as tunneling in very sensitive tourism and commercial areas where construction disturbance must be minimized on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

Mr. Metzger is currently a partner in the Lancaster firm of Metzger and Spencer, LLP, where he practices in the areas of taxation, probate, trusts, estate planning, business entities, real estate, orphans court practice, orphans court litigation and zoning law. Mr. Metzger previously served as the tax partner of the law firm May, Metzger and Zimmerman, LLP where he had practiced for a number of years. He received his B.A. degree, cum laude, from the University of Richmond and his J.D. degree from Temple University School of Law. Since 1990, he has been chairman of the Lancaster Township Zoning Hearing Board. Mr. Metzger is a member of the Elderly Referral Committee, the Fee Dispute Committee, the Awards Committee (chairman), the Diversity Committee, and the Corporate and Business Law Committee of the Lancaster Bar Association. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Corporate, Banking and Business Law Section and Real Property, Probate and Trust Section.

Ms. Spencer has been practicing law for 35 years and continues to focus her practice on estate planning, probate, trusts, taxation, and closely-held business issues. She often works as a consultant to other attorneys and financial professionals in estate planning, trust and taxation matters as well as serving as an expert witness in fiduciary litigation. Before founding Spencer Law Firm in 1996, Ms. Spencer was the head of the Personal Trust Department at a regional bank in Pennsylvania before returning to private practice in 1996. She is currently a partner in the Lancaster firm of Metzger and Spencer LLP. Ms. Spencer graduated summa cum laude from Dickinson College and received her J.D. and LL.M. degrees in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. She is a member of the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts bars. She taught Estate and Gift Tax Law in the Boston University School of Law Graduate Tax Program for eight years. Her column, Taxing Matters, appeared weekly in the “Business Monday” section of the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal for 14 years. She is a frequent lecturer and is the author of numerous articles on estate planning topics. Ms. Spencer was named one of Pennsylvania’s Top 50 Business Women for 2000 and has been elected as a fellow to the American College of Probate and Trust Counsel. A new edition of Your Estate Matters, a book which is a compilation of Ms. Spencer’s columns, was published in January 2015. Your Estate Matters is currently available online and can be purchased at the offices of Spencer Law Firm LLC. Ms. Spencer is also the author of a reference book for lawyers, Pennsylvania Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts Library Forms and Practice Manual, originally published 2007, 2 volumes, 1,500 pages, 280 forms, updated annually. It is available from Data Trace Publishing Company.