On-Demand Options

Ms. Cort focuses her practice on resolving Federal and New York State tax controversies. For over twenty years, she has assisted individuals and businesses with IRS and NYS tax matters including New York State and New York City residency audits, IRS and NYS audits and appeals, unfiled returns, income tax, sales tax, withholding tax, responsible person assessments, liens and levies, tax warrants, innocent spouse, voluntary disclosure, installment agreements and offers in compromise. Among other honors, Ms. Cort has been selected to New York Metro Super Lawyers, a designation given to only five percent of the lawyers in the state. She has served as Chair of the IRS Downstate New York Practitioner Liaison Group and Chair of the Business Law, Tax and Accounting Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association. Ms. Cort also served on the Executive Committee of the NYS Bar Association Tax Section, where she contributed to policy papers. She is admitted to practice in New York and Pennsylvania, and before the U. S. Tax Court.

Mr. Reed concentrates his practice on state tax controversies, planning and unclaimed property. A former litigator for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, he has represented clients in state tax controversy matters in over 30 states and has obtained favorable letter rulings for clients in several different jurisdictions. Mr. Reed regularly advises on the constitutionality of state tax positions, the availability of exemptions and incentives, and how to source revenue streams for state corporate income tax and sales tax purposes. He has handled New York qui tam (whistleblower) lawsuit litigation and received widespread acclaim for arguing and winning the closely-watched IT USA, Inc. case before the New York Tax Appeals Tribunal. Besides state tax, Mr. Reed also devotes a significant part of his practice to unclaimed property. In the federal tax area, he has favorably resolved IRS audits and has successfully represented taxpayers in appeals conferences before the IRS Office of Appeals. Mr. Reed is the author of “The Reed Report,” a State Tax Notes column. He also writes a “Shop Talk” column for the Journal of Multistate Taxation and Incentives. Mr. Reed is the former editor in chief of the State and Local Tax Lawyer and is on the State and Local Tax Executive Committees for both the American Bar Association and the New York City Bar Association.

Rothenberg Tax Law is a boutique law firm with a niche focus in federal and state tax controversy and multistate state and local tax consulting. Mr. Rothenberg is the former Practice Leader for Tax Controversy Services for a top 15 accounting firm. He represents clients before the Internal Revenue Service and various state revenue departments, with special expertise in matters before the New York Department of Taxation and Finance, the New York City Finance Department, and the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Among other areas, he specializes in residency taxation, sales and use taxation, responsible person assessment defense, remote worker taxation, and multistate nexus analyses, as well as tax audits and appeals for businesses and business owners. Mr. Rothenberg is a frequent lecturer and author on numerous tax topics, and he genuinely enjoys his work assisting clients from high-net-worth individuals to smaller mom/pop operations with their tax entanglements.

Ms. Zaffram is a member of the firm’s Real Estate & Finance Group, where she focuses her practice on federal and state tax law, with particular emphasis on tax-exempt financings and state and local finance law. In the area of public finance, Pietra has assisted with numerous tax-exempt bond financings and has experience conducting tax due diligence review and drafting tax documents required for tax-exempt bond closings. As tax counsel, she also provides tax advice relating to the structuring of financings to comply with state and federal tax law, addressing ongoing arbitrage and rebate issues, determining qualified versus unqualified costs, and reviewing reissuance questions. Ms. Zaffram assists companies in obtaining tax savings through transactions with Industrial Development Agencies and Local Development Corporations and provides counsel on the federal Opportunity Zones Program.

Mr. Fronapfel is the founder of multiple forensic firms that work nationwide, including PIE, SBSA, and CTETS. His expertise includes geo-hydrology, hydrology, development, civil engineering, structural engineering, building envelope, commissioning, and the interdisciplinary-required practices in the behavior of foundations, substructures, superstructures, and building envelopes in the as-built environment. Mr. Fronapfel provides consulting to designers, builders, developers, attorneys, and real estate professionals. For over 30 years, his work has included ground-up construction and post-construction evaluation of thousands of structures across the United States. Mr. Fronapfel is licensed in 39 states and Puerto Rico.   Mr. Fronapfel has been a Distinguished Lecturer for ASHRAE, is an Adjunct Professor for Colorado School of Mines Civil and Environmental Engineering was and Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver, Burns School for over 15 years, and a Lecturer for the College of Contract Management, U.K.  He also is a speaker for a number of organizations including NSPE, ASCE, NAFE, NABIE, EEBA, DOE, AIA, ICC-Colorado, and others. Mr. Fronapfel’s experience includes providing more than 800 depositions, hundreds of arbitrations, and more than 125 trial testimonies. 

Ms. Valachovic is passionate about finding solutions to challenging problems bringing her skills in forestry, natural resources and sociological research, design and mitigation of the built environment for wildfire resilience, as well as her years rooted in County government and community engagement. She is a member of the California Governor’s Wildfire Forest Resilience Task Force and other California state fire policy workgroups. Ms. Valachovic is the co-lead of the Northern California region of the California Fire Science Consortium and is a founding member of the Northern California Prescribed Fire Council. She has co-authored papers on fire behavior in California forests and the intersection of fire performance in home and landscape design. She is active in California policy development and has been a technical resource for bioenergy, forest management, home hardening, and improvements to defensible space legislation. She will share her experience from post-fire assessments that have helped craft her vision for adaptation.

Ms. Warner 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. Ms. Warner’s leadership in advancing accessibility initiatives is commendable. She collaborated with various city departments, including 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 Street Design Guidelines, 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. Gregory is a Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering Technology and former Department Head at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana. He is registered as a professional surveyor in Indiana and Illinois and consults as a Project Surveyor at Abonmarche through their Hobart, Indiana office. Mr. Gregory has presented numerous seminars on various land surveying topics to professional land surveyors, surveying technicians, attorneys, title company officials, and real estate professionals through various settings. He is a member of the Indiana Society of Professional Land Surveyors (ISPLS), the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association (IPLSA), and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). Mr. Gregory previously served on the ISPLS Board of Directors and is a past society president. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of NSPS and chairs the NSPS Education Committee.

Mr. Fischer has over 30 years of experience in the survey field, performing a variety of survey types for residential, municipal, commercial, industrial and government agency clients. He has experience in survey instrumentation and computer aided drafting (CAD) programs, as well as office and survey programs such as Trimble Office, Carlson and Civil 3D. Management experience includes overseeing drafting and field crews, as well as a branch office for an Oil and Gas services firm in southeast Texas. A former adjunct faculty member for the Engineering Department at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, he holds professional land surveyor licenses in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Mississippi and Texas.

Mr. Fischer has over 30 years of experience in the survey field, performing a variety of survey types for residential, municipal, commercial, industrial and government agency clients. He has experience in survey instrumentation and computer aided drafting (CAD) programs, as well as office and survey programs such as Trimble Office, Carlson and Civil 3D. Management experience includes overseeing drafting and field crews, as well as a branch office for an Oil and Gas services firm in southeast Texas. A former adjunct faculty member for the Engineering Department at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, he holds professional land surveyor licenses in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Mississippi and Texas.

Mr. Gregory is a Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering Technology and former Department Head at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana. He is registered as a professional surveyor in Indiana and Illinois and consults as a Project Surveyor at Abonmarche through their Hobart, Indiana office. Mr. Gregory has presented numerous seminars on various land surveying topics to professional land surveyors, surveying technicians, attorneys, title company officials, and real estate professionals through various settings. He is a member of the Indiana Society of Professional Land Surveyors (ISPLS), the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association (IPLSA), and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). Mr. Gregory previously served on the ISPLS Board of Directors and is a past society president. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of NSPS and chairs the NSPS Education Committee.

Mr. Horton served in the US Air Force and with the Illinois Department of Transportation in planning, design, construction, surveying and maintenance of civil engineering projects including commercial structures, airfields, utility systems and highways, earning his PE license in 1991. Joining the full-time faculty at Parkland College in Champaign, IL, in 1998, he taught land surveying and construction management courses. Mr. Horton founded the land surveying associate degree program at Parkland College in 2001. Working during summers for local engineering firms, he earned his PLS license in 2007. Beginning in 2009, he presented seminars frequently with HalfMoon Education Inc., ultimately speaking in 42 states. He continues to provide training with HalfMoon, with several professional associations and for various private clients. His top priority is providing practical skill training for survey technicians. Mr. Horton retired from full-time teaching in 2023 and has joined Farnsworth Group Inc. in Champaign, IL, as a senior project land surveyor. You can reach him at todd@meridiangeospatial.com.

Mr. Pakatar is the principal of The Pakatar Group, a firm focused on advancing best practices in the built environment. With over 20 years of industry experience, he specializes in home performance, energy efficiency, and construction-related training and consulting. He holds professional certifications from the International Code Council (ICC), the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), the Building Performance Institute (BPI), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), PHIUS and RESNET. Mr. Pakatar is a certified Code Enforcement Officer in New York State and holds ICC credentials as an Energy Code Inspector and Plans Examiner. Throughout his career, he has played an active role in the development and implementation of building codes, contributing to the creation of policies and protocols that support energy efficiency and code compliance. Over the past two decades, Mr. Pakatar has designed and delivered training programs for code officials, design professionals, and construction industry stakeholders across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and nationwide. Recognized as a subject matter expert, he continues to support the evolution of codes and standards through education, technical assistance, and policy engagement.

Mr. Ward was introduced to steel stud framing in 1968 by Bill Knorr, a visionary of his time, who was his mentor. He worked weekends and summers through high school and he quickly learned the trade. Mr. Ward worked full-time in the trades and followed Mr. Knorr into the manufacturing of steel studs in 1973. During the next 12 years, he managed five stud plants, and he started building steel-framed houses. Mr. Ward has a commercial framing background, and he has a clear understanding of the manufacturing process, and this gave him the ability to process user-friendly detailing components and connectors that framers use to this day. In 1991 the Steel industry (AISI) made a push to get involved in the single-family steel home market and they were looking for someone who was building steel homes and they found Mr. Ward. AISI hired him to travel the United States to educate on how to build with steel. He was also hired by numerous large companies to train and oversee the construction of large multi-story load bearing buildings. Mr. Ward recently finished his latest house that is a totally non-combustible structure. He has built 150 single family steel homes in the last 50 years, including 5 steel homes in the very subdivision in which he lives in Eastern Oregon in the past 4 years.

Mr. Apostol is a semi-retired environmental consultant, restoration ecologist, teacher, and writer. He graduated from Iowa State University in landscape architecture in 1977. Mr. Apostol credits Professor Robert Dyas, a noted lover of the Midwestern tallgrass prairie (and World War 2 vet), with sparking his interest in native ecosystems and how to use them in landscape design and planning. He has had a 40 year career based in the Pacific Northwest and California.

Mr. Apostol was a licensed landscape architect in Oregon from 1983-2015. His career has included private and public practice. Mr. Apostol practiced independently for 15 years, spent 11 years with the US Forest Service, 6 years with MIG’s Portland office, and has worked with AECOM recently as a Senior Visual Resource Specialist.  At the Forest Service he collaborated with ecologist Nancy Molina on development of a process for applying landscape ecology to forest management. This was published as  “Forest Landscape Analysis and Design,” and led to consultation and teaching on applying its ideas around the US, Canada, and in Europe.

A long interest in the restoration of natural ecosystems led Mr. Apostol to write and edit “Restoring the Pacific Northwest,” published by Island Press in 2006. This book provides a broad geographic overview of regional ecosystems and the state of the art for restoring them to health. He followed this with publication of “Designing Sustainable Forest Landscapes” (Taylor and Francis Press), Another area of interest is conservation of scenic landscapes, and in 2016 Mr. Apostol led a team to research and write “The Renewable Energy Landscape” (Routledge Press).

This book looks at the impacts on the visual landscape of large scale commercial energy project, particularly wind and solar. In semi retirement, he continues to consult, teach, and write. Mr. Apostol’s teaching has included  adjunct terms at Portland State, Oregon State, and University of Oregon, where he currently teaches Applied Ecology for Landscape Architects. 

Mr. Thomas focuses his practice on handling matters involving the construction process, including up-front contract reviews, commercial litigation, professional liability defense and trial work. He has represented owners, contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, land surveyors and landscape architects in all phases of construction claims. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Illinois, the Federal Court of Claims, and several Federal Courts. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Defense Research Institute and its Construction Law Committee, Product Liability Committee, Building Products – Substantive Litigation Group, and Professional Liability Committee, where he served on the Steering Committee, and Design Professional Subcommittee. Mr. Thomas is an associate member of the ASCE and the AIA, and is a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America. He is recognized by U.S. News – Best Lawyers as a Best Lawyer in Construction Law, and was honored as Lawyer of the Year in Construction-Litigation for 2022.

Mr. Armstrong has worked in building electrification for 28 years, the last 12 as a consultant. He has designed more than 300 commercial buildings and 25,000 residences for low-income households to be all-electric and solar powered. Starting in 2018, Sean and his staff co-authored seven practical guides to building and transportation electrification and helped develop California’s pro-electrification, solar and battery Energy Codes. He has received design awards from the United Nations, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Southern California Building Industry Association and been inducted into the 2022 Clean Energy Hall of Fame by the California Energy Commission.

Mr. Aronfeld was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Wichita, Kansas. He graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law in 1991. Upon graduation, he founded his own firm in Coral Gables, Florida. He has dedicated his life to representing individuals against corporate giants, such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Holland America Cruise Lines, the Bayer, Johnson & Johnson, Stryker, Target, Publix, Walmart, Mt. Sinai Hospital, State Farm Insurance Company, United Automobile Insurance Company, Baptist Health South Florida, South Miami Hospital, and International Airplane Leasing. Mr. Aronfeld earned international recognition after his first jury trial, when an Orlando jury awarded his Uruguayan clients a $100,000 verdict against Walt Disney World. Before trial, Disney had offered his clients only $1,200. That verdict remains one of the largest in a personal injury case against the Mouse and his legal battle was recounted in the book, Disney, the Mouse Betrayed. Mr. Aronfeld graduated from the Trial Lawyer College, a non-profit institution founded and directed by legendary trial lawyer, Gerry Spence in Dubois, Wyoming. Lawyers are admitted by invitation only and learn how to try cases on behalf of the people. Mr. Aronfeld has since returned as part of the faculty and has joined Spence on several of his nationwide book tours. Mr. Aronfeld lectures frequently across the country to both lawyers and law students. He has appeared on Dr. Phil, The Doctors, NBC’s Today Show, Court TV, Primer Impacto, Univision, Montel, Tyra, Dateline NBC, America’s Most Wanted, The Insider, Cristina, Sevsec al Fondo, CNN and HLN with Jane Velez-Mitchell. Mr. Aronfeld is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by both the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Board Certification was established in 1982 by the Supreme Court of Florida. It provides clients with the assurance in the selection of legal counsel. A lawyer who is Board Certified by The Florida Bar has demonstrated ability and experience in the field of practice and has earned a reputation for professionalism with the legal community. Furthermore, a lawyer who is Board Certified by The Florida Bar exhibits outstanding character and ethics. Mr. Aronfeld is an active and prominent member of The Florida Bar and has substantial experience in his areas of specialty cruise ship passenger accidents, car and truck accidents, slip and falls, personal injury cases, defective products, dangerous medical devices, and recalled prescription drugs. He has been recognized as one of Florida’s Super Lawyers and was named one of the “20 Most Intriguing Floridians” by Florida Magazine. In addition to the Florida Bar, he is admitted to practice in Federal Court, the Southern and Northern District of Florida, the District of Columbia and the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of American Justice Association, Miami-Dade Justice Association, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice and an Eagle Member of the Florida Justice Association. His firm is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell.

Mr. Eckard is Board Certified in Business Litigation by the Florida Bar (less than 300 lawyers in the State of Florida are Board Certified in Business Litigation), specializes in white-collar criminal investigations and defense, all areas of commercial/business litigation, professional licensing, and administrative proceedings for physicians, health-care professionals, attorneys, accountants, securities dealer/brokers, insurance agents etc. His background, training, and experience in both business litigation, government investigations, and criminal defense make him uniquely qualified to handle business crimes. Mr. Eckard is a 1998 graduate of Stetson University College of Law (honors). He also holds an LL.M. Degree in International Law and Business from Stetson University College of Law and has been a frequent guest lecturer on topics involving international law. He has taught courses for the National Business Institute, the Clearwater and St. Petersburg Bar Associations, and others, as well as given CLE’s on topics such as: Evidence, Covenants, Representations, Practicing International Law, Damages in Business Cases, The Intersection of Business Litigation and Probate, The Business Divorce, and Private Placement Offerings for Securities Investments. Mr. Eckard was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1999 and is admitted to practice in Washington, D.C., Texas and before the United States District Court for the Middle, Northern and Southern District of Florida, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Florida Supreme Court, the United States Court of International Trade, the United States Supreme Court, and the United States Tax Court. He has been admitted to practice law pro hac vice in over 15 other states and federal jurisdictions.

Mr. Feuer, a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, brings over a decade of litigation expertise, having completed more than 60 jury trials, including 35 as lead counsel, with a focus on personal injury and criminal law. Prior to founding Aaron Feuer Law, PLLC in 2023, he honed his skills at two leading personal injury firms in Miami, where he achieved record-breaking settlements and resolved nearly 1,000 cases in favor of his clients. His extensive trial experience spans state and federal courts, with numerous civil jury trials successfully completed. He began his career as an Assistant State Attorney, specializing in homicide and gang violence cases. During his tenure, he completed over 40 criminal jury trials with a flawless conviction rate in homicide cases, earning accolades such as the 2016 Trial Award for Outstanding Performance and the 2013 SAO Rookie of the Year Award. In April of 2014, Mr. Feuer became the first ever State Attorney to compete in the Guns N’ Hoses (16th) Annual Charity Boxing Tournament, fighting for the police on the ‘Guns’ side. A graduate of the University of Florida (B.S. in Finance), and Florida State University (J.D.), and former college football player at Dartmouth College, he also completed advanced advocacy training at Keble College, Oxford. Based in Miami, he serves clients across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. A passionate sports fan, Mr. Feuer enjoys cheering for the Miami Dolphins and Miami Heat in his free time.

Ms. Herzlich is an experienced civil litigator with more than a decade of experience. She recently joined Cohen & Blostein, P.A. as an associate in the plaintiff’s division where she focuses her practice on plaintiff’s personal injury and medical malpractice. Prior to joining Cohen & Blostein, P.A., she represented both plaintiffs and defendants in litigation. She was a partner at a large insurance defense firm where she represented corporations, hospitals, insurance companies, inter and intrastate motor carriers, government agencies and their subcontractors in automobile negligence, premises liability, products liability, medical malpractice, transportation litigation and wrongful death litigation. Thereafter, she shifted her focus to plaintiff’s personal injury and joined the nation’s largest personal injury law firm as a trial attorney where she represented individuals and their families in wrongful death, automobile negligence, premises liability, and negligent security matters. She also has extensive experience in consumer rights litigation and has successfully tried over 500 bench trials appearing in nearly half of the 67 counties in Florida. Ms. Herzlich is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell®. with special recognition from the judiciary. Born and raised outside of Boston, Massachusetts she began her legal career in the Northeast before moving to Florida in 2011. She received her Bachelor of Science in Real Estate and Urban Economics from the University of Connecticut School of Business in 2007 and her Juris Doctor from Western New England University School of Law where she graduated with a concentration in Real Estate in 2010.

Mr. Panter is the Managing Partner of Panter, Panter & Sampedro, a Miami-based personal injury law firm that has been serving the community for over 30 years. Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, he has achieved significant verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals in cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, and medical malpractice. Mr. Panter has argued in many jurisdictions throughout the state including multiple District Courts of Appeal and the Florida Supreme Court. Beyond the courtroom, he is deeply involved in community service—having led multiple legal and civic organizations, lectured for professional associations and schools, and supported causes ranging from scholarships and education to the arts and animal rescue.

Mr. Zappolo is a shareholder with Zappolo Law, P.A. in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where he focuses his practice in the areas of commercial, civil and complex business litigation. His corporate clients range from mom-and-pop businesses to much larger corporations, all of whom are treated with a distinctive hands-on approach, whether the forum is state, federal or international court. He is a regular speaker at legal education events, focusing on trial advocacy. Mr. Zappolo is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and an Emeritus Member of the Craig S. Bernard Inn of Court, LIV (Master of the Bench and former Pupilage Leader). He earned his B.S. degree from Florida State University; his M.S. degree, with honors, from Florida State University; and his J.D. degree, with honors, from St. Thomas University School of Law.

Professor Rahmeyer was on the faculty at USU for 31 years and spent 10 years as research faculty at Colorado State University. Professor Rahmeyer is the past Department Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering at USU as well as the senior professor of the Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics program of the Utah Water Research Laboratory. He also served at USU as the director of the Hydro Composite Modeling Program, the division head of Water Engineering, the interim division head of both the Structures Division and the Transportation Division, and as the Undergraduate Curriculum division head. Professor Rahmeyer is currently working part time as a senior associate for Ayres and associates in Fort Collins Colorado, where his primary role is to conduct national workshops in hydraulics, culvert flow, and urban drainage for the National Hydraulic Institute of FWHA. He is a fellow and lifetime member in the American Society of Civil Engineers. Professor Rahmeyer has been a member of several professional societies, and serve on committees for the American Society of Engineering Educators (ASEE), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the International Association of Hydraulic Research (IAHR), the Association of State Dam Safety Officers (ASDSO), the Instrument Society of America (ISA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the International Erosion Control Association (IECA), and the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Association (ASHRAE). He has regularly attended and presented at the annual conferences of ASDSO, ASEE, ASCE, IAHR, ASCE National Department Heads, and the Transportation Research Board (TRB). In the past, he has been a member of the United States Committee on Large Dams (USCOLD) and the International Committee on Large Dams (ICOLD). Over the last several years, Professor Rahmeyer has created and presented a workshop on open channel flow for HalfMoon Education and finished serving on the Bluestone Dam UASCE IEPA and on several 100% DDR review panels for the USACE. He has been on the board of directors for the Utah Floodplain and Storm Water Management Association since 1986. Professor Rahmeyer was a member the 2008 Bettelle “Final Independent Peer Review Report for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Vegetation Policy for Local Flood Damage Reduction Systems” which reviewed many of the guidelines and policies for management of levees, floodwalls, embankment dams, and appurtenant structures. Some of his recent awards include the AHRAE Technical/Symposium Paper Award, the ASHRAE Crosby Field Award for Research, and the South Pacific Division Regional Project Delivery Team Award from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He has received the Idaho Transportation Department 2012 Excellence in Transportation Award and the 2011 ACEC of Idaho Engineering Excellence Grand Award for the I-84 New York Canal Modeling and Modification. Professor Rahmeyer further received an honorable mention at the 2012 National AECE award ceremonies for his work with the I-84 New York Canal.

Mr. Miller has been a distinguished leader in the HVAC industry since 1995, bringing three decades of expertise spanning nearly all areas of focus in the HVAC industry. He holds an HVAC Master’s License in Maryland and Virginia, as well as a Stationary Engineer license. Mr. Miller is a proud member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), recently lecturing at the 2025 annual conference regarding Thermal Energy Networks. In 1998, he obtained a Security Clearance, enabling him to work on highly specialized and mission-critical classified mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) projects across the globe. His portfolio includes HVAC construction and system integrations in Egypt, India, the UK, Western Europe, the Caribbean, and throughout the United States, projects that extend far beyond the scope of traditional commercial MEP work. Since 2016, Mr. Miller has been based in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he continues to provide subject-matter expertise in all areas of HVAC. He also founded ProProfitBuild.com, a platform dedicated to empowering tradesmen and construction professionals. With real-world proven strategies, he addresses financial management practices, 1:1 construction and business management mentoring, and implementing proven practices and procedures to improve the continuity of business for trade-oriented businesses.

Mr. Fiebig holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Colorado, Denver. He is a licensed architect in several states, and he provides both consulting and design services to clients throughout the country. Mr. Fiebig is an active member of the American Institute of Architects, as well as an NCARB certificate holder. He is a LEED green associate, as well as a certified fire protection specialist, credentialed through the National Fire Protection Association. As a forensic architect, Mr. Fiebig provides analysis of architectural standard of care in design and construction projects, with special emphasis on multi-family residential projects. He performs cause and origin analyses of building system installations and failures, including roofing systems, window and door systems, exterior wall cladding systems, waterproofing, and foundation systems, with a specialization in passive fire-resistive assemblies and active fire-protection systems. Mr. Fiebig provides premises liability analysis regarding slip/trip and fall accidents and accessibility code compliance, and provides maintenance and inspection procedure analysis with an emphasis on NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-based Fire Protection Systems. As well, he performs damage assessments on existing facilities related to storms, accidents, fire, and natural disasters. As a design architect, he provides traditional design services for residential and light commercial buildings, and provides code consulting for clients, specializing in life/safety, egress, and fire protection code requirements to assist clients in properly designing and detailing these critical elements of design and construction. Mr. Fiebig also provides traditional services during construction including construction observations and special inspections when required by the jurisdiction of authority. His experience includes several trial and deposition testimonies regarding design, construction, and the built environment, as well as mediation and arbitration support for litigation purposes. Mr. Fiebig holds active memberships in many professional organizations including AIA, NCARB, NFPA, USGBC, NICET, and others. He is a published writer in Common Ground, the national magazine for the Community Associations Institute.

Ms. Bernhardt brings a wealth of knowledge and a diverse skill set. Much of her practice focuses on high-conflict, high-resolution family law and criminal law, but she also has extensive experience in civil litigation. She has had tremendous success in both jury and bench trials highlighted by her winning a judgment in excess of $10 million from Coca-Cola and also has significant experience with capital trial cases. Ms. Bernhardt comes from a long lineage of lawyers and judges in her family. Now entering her 30th year as a practicing attorney, she has garnered several accolades over the years including being named the Outstanding Young Lawyer by the Tulsa County Bar Association, the President’s Honor Award by the Tulsa County Bar Association and the Award for Distinguished Service to the Public from the Oklahoma Bar Association. Additionally, Ms. Bernhardt won not-guilty verdicts in an impressive six felony jury trials during her two-year stint with the Tulsa County Public Defender’s Office. A native Oklahoman, she attended the University of Oklahoma and received both her B.A. in English and Juris Doctor in 1983 and 1986.

Ms. Driskell is not only a dedicated attorney but also a fierce advocate for the people, children, and causes she cares about most. With a background as a former prosecutor and State’s Attorney for DHS, she brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to her practice. Her passion lies in defending parental rights, navigating complex family law cases, and standing up for clients in juvenile deprived cases. Ms. Driskell’s commitment to justice extends far beyond the courtroom, she’s actively involved in volunteering for Tulsa Lawyers for Children, ensuring that vulnerable children have a strong legal advocate during challenging times. She earned her J.D. Degree with highest honors from the University of Tulsa College of Law.

Mr. Fisher’s main areas of practice include mediation, collaborative law, family law and estate planning. Mr. Fisher is a leader and recognized authority in the area of dispute resolution, where he brings an extensive background of problem solving with more than 25 years of real life experience as an insurance adjuster, trainer, speaker and now lawyer. Mr. Fisher is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section and Estate Planning Section; Tulsa County Bar Association Family Law Section; American Bar Association Family Law Section and Real Property Estate Planning Section; Oklahoma Academy of Collaborative Professionals; as well as the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. He is also included on the Tulsa County District Courts list of mediators. Mr. Fisher earned his B.S. degree from Oklahoma State University and his J.D. degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law.

Mr. Hester is a trial lawyer who limits his engagements to family law. His lengthy career has included not only work as a lawyer in the courtroom, but also six years as a judge on the family law bench in Oklahoma County. Mr. Hester taught for several years as an adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma and Rose State College. He founded the firm after leaving the bench in 1982. Some of the highlights of his career include his work as the trial judge in the groundbreaking case of Carpenter v. Carpenter and trial counsel for the wife in Hamm v. Hamm, in which he was responsible for the examination of Mr. Hamm as well as many corporate officers and directors. He has 28 published cases to his credit. He was twice the chairman of the Oklahoma Bar Association Family Law Section. Mr. Hester has been a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) since 1985, serving as the Oklahoma chapter president for two terms as well as a stint on the national governing board. He appears frequently as a speaker on continuing education programs and heads the AAML Oklahoma chapter’s continuing education, providing advanced material for practitioners. His career began in 1973 and shows no signs of slowing down, as he still enjoys the daily challenges of a trial practice.

M.r Shadid is a trial attorney who focuses his practice in family law and many other areas of general litigation. Beginning his career at the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Shadid tried over 20 jury trials to verdict. He also presented oral arguments and submitted a brief to the Court of Criminal Appeals in two separate cases—both of which resulted in unanimous decisions for the State of Oklahoma. Since transitioning into private practice, Mr. Shadid has continued to bring his clients success in the courtroom, as well as in mediations and negotiated settlements. He has aided clients in varying and often high conflict litigation arising from divorce, child custody, business valuations, employment disputes, guardianships, estate litigation, probate, and more. Mr. Shadid earned his B.A. degree from the University of Oklahoma and his J.D. degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

Ms. Taylor has built a reputation for compassionate and results-driven representation in adoption, guardianship, estate planning, and probate matters. Drawing on nearly 20 years of legal experience and a lifetime of personal understanding, her practice emphasizes serving all families, with an emphasis on ensuring the legal rights of LGBTQ+ families. As a certified mediator and experienced litigator, Ms. Taylor approaches each case with empathy, tailoring solutions to her clients’ unique needs. Whether through mediation or litigation, she is committed to resolving legal challenges efficiently and effectively.

Mr. Ray Meyer brings an extensive background of over 50 years in the field of Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Materials Engineering and Testing, and Forensic Investigations. His work is centered on challenges related to expansive and soft soils, soil-structure interactions, and the testing of construction materials for large, complex projects in the public and private sectors.

In his role as an Adjunct Professor in the College of Engineering at the University of Houston, Mr. Meyer instructs courses on Construction Materials Testing, and Soils Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. This teaching role has refined his ability to demystify complex engineering concepts for individuals with little to no technical background, making him adept at conveying ideas to non-engineers and those with non-engineering backgrounds.

Mr. Meyer’s career spans a wide range of civil engineering projects, where he has applied his geotechnical expertise to design and analyze structures such as bridges, waterfront structures, deep foundations (e.g., piles, auger cast piers), slabs, pavements, runways, channels, levees, and drainage systems. His work includes critical aspects of industrial paving, airport runways, side slope stability, groundwater drainage, and complex construction scenarios like cofferdams and wet wells and earth retaining structures.

Additionally, Mr. Meyer is highly experienced in geotechnical forensic investigations, which involve analyzing structure issues such as foundation failures, pavement distress, slope stability, bulkhead and pier performance, and site moisture problems. His forensic expertise also addresses issues stemming from soil movement due to environmental factors like drought and rainfall, underground utility failures, and interactions between foundations and site vegetation.

Throughout his career, Mr. Meyer has served as a subject matter expert in disputes regarding foundation and pavement performance, making him a valuable resource for understanding and resolving complex geotechnical issues in civil engineering projects.

Mr. Kurdi has been serving the electrical industry for over 30 years as an engineer, electrician and trainer. Mr. Kurdi has engineered (designed, specified and analyzed) government buildings (police stations, sheriff’s offices, fire stations, city halls, court houses, libraries, and jails), housing buildings (affordable, senior, assistant, memory care, adaptable use and student), hospitals, data centers, sport arenas, commercial office buildings, water/wastewater treatment plants and electric utility distribution and substations. Mr. Kurdi’s experience as an electrician includes estimating, laying out, wiring, installing and maintaining electrical systems for residential and commercial buildings. He has served as an engineer on construction projects in numerous locations in Texas, including San Antonio, Arlington, Bryan and Manor. He has developed and taught thousands of seminar hours over the years at Dunwoody College of Technology, Minnesota Electrical Association, IEEE and others. The seminars include NEC Code, electrician’s exam, MV system, electrical wiring, apprenticeship, estimation, electrical design, Revit MEP, and project management. Mr. Kurdi holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering and a master’s degree in Adult Education. He is a registered electrical engineer (PE) in 37 states, including Minnesota and Texas. He holds a Class A master electrician license from the State of Minnesota. Currently, Mr. Kurdi is a senior electrical engineer and department head at BKV Group (A&E Firm with offices in Chicago, Dallas, DC & Minneapolis). Mr. Kurdi served as NCEL Board Member (Jan 2021 – present), IAEI MN Chapter president (Jan 2018 – Jan 2023), chair of IEEE Twin Cities PES/IAS (Aug 2019 – Jan 2023), Minnesota State Board of Electricity member (Jan 2018 – Jan 2020).

Ms. Chalker-Scott, has a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Oregon State University and is an ISA certified arborist and an ASCA consulting arborist. She is Washington State University’s Extension Urban Horticulturist and a Professor in the Department of Horticulture. Ms. Chalker-Scott conducts research in applied plant and soil sciences, publishing the results in scientific articles and university extension fact sheets. She is also actively involved in enhancing the scientific literacy of her audiences by teaching them how to assess the credibility of information from print and online sources. Ms. Chalker-Scott also is the award-winning author of five books and was featured in a video series – The Science of Gardening – produced by The Great Courses. She also is one of the Garden Professors – a group of academic colleagues who educate and entertain through their blog and Facebook pages. Ms. Chalker-Scott’s educational contributions to science-based information have been recognized by such groups as Garden Communicators International, the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, and the International Society for Arboriculture.

Dr. McCoshum has designed urban, suburban, and rural conservation projects across the United States. His research expertise includes monarch ecology, milkweeds, and native bee communities, and he has more than 15 years of experience working in the arid Southwest. Dr. McCoshum has extensive experience rearing monarchs in laboratory settings, growing milkweeds, and creating vegetation management plants, and urban conservation designs. In addition to his research and professional work, he is the author of Inviting Pollinators and Other Wildlife into Your Garden, which dives into the processes of creating robust, aesthetically pleasing, wildlife habitats.

Mr. Mohney is the Engineering Geology Program leader for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The Engineering Geology Program at ODOT encompasses site characterization, subsurface exploration, slopes and embankments, geologic hazards, groundwater, geotechnical instrumentation, and planning and research activities. In this role, he also oversees the Unstable Slopes (landslide/ rockfall) Program for ODOT. He is a registered geologist and a certified engineering geologist in Oregon with over 30 years of experience in Oregon and the western states. Mr. Mohney has been the Engineering Geology Program leader since 2004. Prior to this, he had been a staff and project-level geologist for consulting firms and the mining industry as well as for ODOT. He is a graduate of the Geology Program at Portland State University. During his professional career, Mr. Mohney has been involved in the investigation, design, and construction of a wide range of challenging earthwork projects including high fills on soft ground, side slope embankments, and cut slopes in mixed-face conditions. His other work includes landslide and rockfall mitigation, ground improvement, and dewatering.

Ms. Quinn-Davidson is a Fire Advisor and the Director of UCANR’s Fire Network. Ms. Quinn-Davidson’s primary focus is on the human connection with fire, and increasing the use of prescribed fire for habitat restoration, invasive species control, and ecosystem and community resiliency. Ms. Quinn-Davidson works on prescribed fire issues at various scales, including locally in Humboldt County, where she works with private landowners to bring fire back as a land management tool; at the state level, where she collaborates on policy and research related to prescribed fire, and helps inspire and support prescribed burn associations; and nationally, through her work and leadership on prescribed fire training exchanges (TREX). Ms. Quinn-Davidson is passionate about using prescribed fire to inspire and empower people, from rural ranchers to agency leaders to young women pursuing careers in fire management, and everyone in between.

Ms. Valachovic is passionate about finding solutions to challenging problems bringing her skills in forestry, natural resources and sociological research, design and mitigation of the built environment for wildfire resilience, as well as her years rooted in County government and community engagement. She is a member of the California Governor’s Wildfire Forest Resilience Task Force and other California state fire policy workgroups. Ms. Valachovic is the co-lead of the Northern California region of the California Fire Science Consortium and is a founding member of the Northern California Prescribed Fire Council. She has co-authored papers on fire behavior in California forests and the intersection of fire performance in home and landscape design. She is active in California policy development and has been a technical resource for bioenergy, forest management, home hardening, and improvements to defensible space legislation. She will share her experience from post-fire assessments that have helped craft her vision for adaptation.