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As an environmental lawyer with over 20 years of experience working on water, sanitation, energy, and environmental governance issues both nationally and internationally, Ms. Kirkwood serves as the organization’s lead on numerous Great Lakes advocacy work and education initiatives. Often testifying or speaking before public bodies, she has made frequent presentations to community organizations and professional and academic audiences on Great Lakes issues from Line 5 to water justice and infrastructure financing to water privatization to climate change. Ms. Kirkwood develops and oversees FLOW’s work on key Great Lakes environmental policies designed to promote healthy ecosystems, thriving communities, and access to safe, clean, affordable water for all. Prior to joining FLOW in 2012, she worked for USAID in Thailand as an environmental attorney to implement a regional environmental governance, water, and sanitation program in Southeast Asia. Ms. Kirkwood also worked as an environmental litigator at Farella, Braun & Martel in San Francisco where she represented clients on natural resource and energy-related matters. Ms. Kirkwood graduated from Williams College with a degree in Environmental Studies and History, and received her J.D. and Environmental Certificate from Lewis & Clark Law School. She currently serves as a member of the International Joint Commission’s Water Quality Board and a board trustee of the Americana Foundation.

Professor Lusch retired in 2017, after a 38-year career in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University. Beginning in 1992 with the publication of the Aquifer Vulnerability Map of Michigan, He helped pioneer the use of geographic information systems for groundwater mapping and management in Michigan. Professor Lusch served as the Principle Investigator or co-PI on numerous applied grants and contracts, many funded by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The Groundwater Inventory and Mapping Project, which he co-directed, won the MDEQ’s Excellence Award in 2005. In 2008, MSU awarded him the prestigious Distinguished Academic Staff Award and IMAGIN, Michigan’s professional geospatial organization, presented him with the Jim Living Geospatial Achievement Award. As a member of the team that developed the Michigan Groundwater Management Tool (MGMT), Professor Lusch received the annual Director’s Recognition Award from MDEQ in 2009. MGMT allowed MDEQ staff to rapidly produce 2,451 provisional wellhead protection areas for Type 1 and 2 water supplies at no cost to these public drinking water systems. He authored the Groundwater and Karst chapter in the 2009 Michigan Geography and Geology book. Professor Lusch was a co-PI of the 2013 – 2018 Ottawa County Water Resources Study which used process-based flow modeling, coupled with field sampling, historical data mining, geostatistical analyses, and geospatial visualizations to better understand the underlying mechanisms controlling the patterns of shallow groundwater salinization in the county. He co-authored the two papers describing the results of this study (Curtis, et al. 2018. Groundwater. 56 (3): 377–398) and (Curtis, et al. 2019. Groundwater. 57 (5): 784–806). In 2022, Professor Lusch co-authored a review paper entitled “Groundwater in Crisis? Addressing Groundwater Challenges in Michigan (USA) as a Template for the Great Lakes” (Steinman, et al. 2022. Sustainability. 14, 3008). He serves as a Technical Advisor to the Michigan Water Use Advisory Council which advises EGLE on the implementation of the Michigan Water Use Program.

Mr. Breen’s main areas of practice include personal injury, accidents, workers’ compensation, wrongful death and nursing home abuse. He has been named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list since 2020, has been named to the Best Lawyers Ones to Watch list for Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury, and is a Platinum Client Champion from Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Breen graduated from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. While at The Citadel, he was on the Dean’s List, a member of the Beta Beta Beta Biology Honors Society, a Bond Volunteer, a Member of the Honor Committee, and an officer on the 4th Battalion Staff. Mr. Breen is also a Life Member of The Citadel’s Theta Commission of Kappa Alpha Order and a member of The Loyal Order. After The Citadel, he attended the Charleston School of Law. While in Law School, he was President of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society, a Senator in the Student Bar Association, an Editor for the Maritime Law Review, Faculty Research Assistant for Professor William G. Merkel, a Pupil of the James L. Petigru Inn of Court, and the Associate Justice for External Competitions for the Charleston School of Law’s Moot Court Board. After Mr. Breen graduated from Law School, he passed the South Carolina Bar with a score that ranked in the top 1% of scores nationally and enabled him to practice in over 37 States and Territories. In addition to South Carolina, he is also admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Mr. Dodds joined Yarborough Applegate in 2021 to focus his practice on representing plaintiffs who have been injured by the negligence of others. His prior experience as a defense attorney has provided him with valuable insight in dealing with insurance companies who are actively fighting against his injured clients, and his clients can depend on him to solve problems and manage their cases throughout the complexities of the legal system. Since joining Yarborough, he has helped his clients recover millions of dollars to compensate them for their injuries and damages. Mr. Dodds has been recognized and selected by his peers in South Carlina as a “Rising Star” in the Super Lawyers publication for Plaintiff’s civil litigation. He also reently co-authored Dealing with Objections to Written Discovery: The Modern Approach to Discovery Objections in South Carolina and Federal Courts. Mr. Dodds received his undergraduate degree from Tufts University, where he was a member of the varsity football team. After college, he attended the Charleston School of Law, where he graduated summa cum laude, was an active member of the Charleston Law Review and Trial Advocacy Board, and served as a Teaching Fellow in the Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing Department. Following law school, he  clerked for the Honorable Edgar W. Dickson of the First Judicial Circuit. During his clerkship, he gained invaluable legal research and writing skills and was able to provide a hands-on contribution to the judicial decision-making process.

Brian Mickelsen is a dynamic trial lawyer whose practice includes high-stakes catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and bad faith litigation. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America as “Ones to Watch” and has been featured in national and local media outlets across the country, including the New York Times, Reuters, ABC, Seattle Times, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the Post and Courier. Prior to forming Mickelsen Dalton LLC, he practiced in Atlanta, GA at a personal injury firm during which time he obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients. Brian Mickelsen is experienced in handling all types of South Carolina personal injury cases including premises liability, negligent security, product liability, sexual assault, government liability, traumatic brain injury, car and trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, and wrongful death cases. He has litigated in 12 different states, from coast to coast, and has published and presented at numerous CLE seminars on topics ranging from voir dire, spoliation of evidence, admissibility of social media, and negligent security litigation. Since founding Mickelsen Dalton LLC, Mr. Mickelsen has obtained over $20 million in verdicts and settlements, taken on the largest privately-owned nursing company in the country, and exposed the hospitality industry for knowingly participating in the sex trafficking of women. He is licensed in South Carolina, Georgia, and Washington State. Mr. Mickelsen earned his B.A. degree from Bringham Young University and his J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Mr. Nichols’s practice focuses on serious injuries suffered due to motor vehicle wrecks, unsafe premises, and hospital bedsores in both Georgia and South Carolina. Prior to opening his firm, he was a Violent Crimes and Appellate Attorney in Augusta, Georgia. Additionally, he is a Major in the United States Army Reserves where he serves as a Judge Advocate General. Mr. Nichols currently serves as an Adjunct Professor for his alma mater, the University of Georgia School of Law. His courses focus on Trial Advocacy and Plaintiff’s Practice. After graduating from law school, Mr. Nichols served as a law clerk for the Honorable Robert N. Jenkins and Alex Kinlaw, III in Greenville, South Carolina. It was there that he also served as a Trial Advocacy Instructor for Furman University.

Mr. Slavin is a litigator and trial attorney in Charleston, South Carolina. He has recovered millions of dollars for the children he’s represented and is passionate about helping his clients and other lawyers save and grow their money. Mr. Slavin earned his J.D. degree from Penn State Dickinson School of Law. He is admitted to practice in South Carolina and Pennsylvania and practices across the state of South Carolina, including federal court.

Mr. Threet’s main areas of practice include auto & car accidents, premise liability, and wrongful death. He previously served as Managing Partner with Hobbs Threet, Attorneys at Law. He also served as an Assistant Municipal Judge for the Town of Fort Mill. Mr. Threet earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and his J.D. degree from Charleston School of Law.

Mr. Blankenau’s main area of expertise is Interstate Water Conflict. He has represented clients in a wide-range of water disputes including interstate cases involving the Platte River, Republican River, Missouri River and Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint Rivers. Mr. Blankenau has also been involved in a variety of water disputes involving groundwater conflicts, served as administrative law judge in over 100 hearings concerning water use, and presently assists various individuals with conflicts concerning competing users. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Blankenau served as legal counsel, assistant director, and interim director of the Nebraska Department of Water Resources. Before attending law school, Mr. Blankenau received a B.S. degree in Natural Resources Management. He received his J.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In addition to all Nebraska state courts, he is admitted to the United States Supreme Court and multiple federal district and circuit courts.

 Mr. Mostek having formed Mostek Law LLC in 2015, his practice is concentrated on environmental, real estate and corporate law. He earned his Juris Doctor degree at Creighton University School of Law (1985) and his Bachelor of Arts degree at University of Nebraska at Kearney (Political Science, Business Administration, Speech Communication, 1982). Mr. Mostek holds a Diploma in trial advocacy skills from the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (1989) and is certificated as a lead auditor for ISO 14000 environmental management systems by the British Standards Institute (1996). For nearly 20 years, he has been listed as one of the Best Lawyers in America (© Woodward/White Inc.) in the specialty of Environmental Law (2006 – 2024), having been named the Nebraska environmental Lawyer of the Year in the 2016 and 2021 editions. Mr. Mostek is also honored to be listed for years among the Great Plains Super Lawyers in Environmental Law. He is Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated, holding an AV® Rating highest legal ability and ethics for more than 25 years. Mr. Mostek is active in his community and the state, having served on the Douglas County Local Emergency Planning Committee, the Governor’s Omaha Council on Lead-Safe Neighborhoods and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality’s Business Advisory Group. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Governor’s Council to Keep Nebraska Beautiful for nine years and served as Chairman of the Board for three of those years (2010 – 2012). Mr. Mostek continued to support KNB as the Title Sponsor of the annual Keep Nebraska Beautiful golf tournament fundraiser, “Golf for the Environment” for the nine years (2015 – 2023). He is past Chairman of the Natural Resources and Environmental Law Section of the Nebraska State Bar Association and a longtime member of the Nebraska Industrial Council on the Environment, having served as Chairman of that organization for four years (2004 – 2006). Mr. Mostek is an entertaining and experienced lecturer on environmental, real estate and corporate matters.

 Ms. Rehan is a corporate attorney specializing in employment law, contract negotiation, real estate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, and commercial litigation. As an attorney, she values being a confidant for her clients, using her training and expertise to counsel them through some of life’s biggest decisions. Ms. Rehan clients often have multiple business ventures and need assistance in a variety of areas. With a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial mindset, she works collaboratively with business owners, large and small, to help them succeed. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Iowa and her J.D. degree from Valparaiso University School of Law.

Mr. Seidler’s practice includes, but is not limited to, real estate law, land use and zoning, condemnation, eminent domain, business law, estate planning and administration, and state and municipal law. He is a member of the American, Nebraska and Omaha bar associations. Mr. Seidler received his B.A. degree from Drake University and his J.D. degree from Creighton University School of Law.

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

Mr. Nieman as a Nebraska-based State & Local Tax & Incentives Attorney, he has been working for over 38 years with company executive, tax, legal and site development personnel from around the country. He is called on by them to address Nebraska state and local tax and incentive planning strategies, site selection and development and Nebraska tax disputes (audits, claims, appeals and settlement). Mr. Nieman has led McGrath|North teams responsible for all aspects of site development and economic incentives in Nebraska, including site selection, site acquisition, site negotiation, regulatory and building approvals, project incentives and project entitlements. He has designed and drafted much of Nebraska’s tax, tax incentive and site development legislation. Mr. Nieman was the principal designer and drafter of the numerous Nebraska programs. He was also a co-designer and co-drafter of various other tax and incentive legislation, such as the Imagine Nebraska Act, LB 1107 (2020), LB 895 (2008) which added Tier 6 to the Nebraska Advantage Act, LB 872 (2012) which adopted the market state apportionment rule for business services income, LB 343 (2007) which extended the capital gain exclusion to extraordinary dividends and LB 161 (2017) which extended the tax incentive benefit carry forward period for Tier 6 projects. He has also worked with Nebraska’s business community and lobbyists to defend legislative attempts to repeal or reduce these programs. The above incentive and development programs have created over 100,000 new jobs and $35 billion of capital investment in over 900 business expansions throughout Nebraska. Nebraska’s Governors and State Directors of Economic Development have consulted with Mr. Nieman on economic development policy for over 3 decades. He has also authored a number of studies for the business community outlining strategies to improve Nebraska’s business climate. Mr. Nieman earned his B.S.B.A degree, summa cum laude, from Creighton University College of Business, and his J.D. degree from Creighton University School of Law.

Mr. Otteman is an attorney with McGrath|North and is Chair of the firm’s Tax, Trusts and Estates Group. He specializes in taxation, including state and local taxation, state tax disputes and appeals, state business tax incentives, and site selection and planning. Mr. Otteman has represented clients of all sizes in both income, withholding, and sales tax assessments and claims before the Nebraska Department of Revenue. In addition, he has an extensive background in state tax incentives, including the Nebraska Advantage Act and Iowa’s and Missouri’s incentive programs. He has advised clients of all sizes with their tax incentive applications and claims, and assisted them in key aspects of the expansion planning process. Mr. Otteman is also an experienced Estate Planner and works closely with other members of the firm’s highly recognized and top rated estate planning team. His analytical approach keeps his clients informed on how the law will, or could, affect their business decisions. By looking at situations with a business model analysis, Mr. Otteman spots potential pitfalls and keeps the focus on accomplishing the client’s big picture goals. And, If a dispute should arise, he stands by his team’s ability to provide superior representation before the tax authorities. Mr. Otteman graduated summa cum laude from Creighton University College of Business, and thereafter received his Certified Public accountant registration. Wanting to further expand his capabilities to work with businesses, he received his law degree from Creighton University School of Law, graduating summa cum laude and then his L.L.M. in Taxation from the University of Alabama School of Law where he was valedictorian graduating magna cum laude. Because of his well recognized expertise, Mr. Otteman has been selected as an adjunct faculty member to teach business students at Creighton University College of Business for several years. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member to law students at the Creighton University School of Law. In addition, Mr. Otteman is a frequent speaker to CPA’s on a broad range of issues.

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.

Ms. Ostlie has been a real estate attorney for over twenty years with a career spanning both litigation and transactional practices. She is a board-certified real property specialist through the Minnesota State Bar Association. Ms. Ostlie began her legal career with title examination and facilitating residential, commercial and new construction closings. Thereafter, she moved to a real estate boutique law firm where she became a recommended attorney for title curative work and insurance claims. She subsequently managed the litigation department at a major Minnesota foreclosure and creditors’ rights law firm, handling hundreds of cases concerning foreclosure, eviction, and creditor’s rights. Ms. Ostlie has argued and won real estate cases before the Minnesota Supreme Court and the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. In 2018, she began working as senior underwriting counsel at a national title insurance company, where she collaborated with fortune 500 companies and national law firms to close commercial real estate transactions across the country. Most recently, Ms. Ostlie returned to private practice to handle real estate litigation with a former colleague and top real estate attorney. Effective April, 2024, she took the leap to begin her solo practice law firm to continue helping clients with real property law matters. She has significant experience with easement and land disputes, purchase and sale transactions, commercial leasing, contracts for deed, quiet title actions and Torrens proceedings, partition actions, lien priority disputes, foreclosures, evictions, and complex title problems. Ms. Ostlie earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota-Morris, and her J.D. degree, cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law.

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.

 Mr. Steinhoff focuses his practice on civil litigation, real estate and land use. He represents parties in civil litigation in both state and federal court relating to many different types of real estate and debtor-creditor issues, including, but not limited to, landlord-tenant disputes, debt collection, mortgage foreclosures, lien foreclosures, title registrations, title defects, boundary disputes, insurance coverage, breaches of contract, construction defects, property damage, condemnation, inverse condemnation, property taxes, special assessments, and all manner of land use issues. In addition to his litigation practice, he assists clients in the preparation and submission of many types of land use applications, including, but not limited to, re-zoning applications, re-guiding applications, conditional use permit applications, interim use permit applications, variance applications, preliminary and final plat applications, appeals from administrative decisions, and wetlands applications. As noted, he represents parties in trial and appellate court litigation relating to land use and zoning approvals, denials and enforcement actions. Mr. Steinhoff is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and was formerly an infantry officer in the United States Army. He is also a graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School.

Ms. Bruce has over 19 years of sales and marketing experience serving Florida’s mitigation banking credit industry. Her vast background in the wetland mitigation and habitat conservation banks industry has designated her as one of Florida’s most sought-after mitigation bank sales brokers. Mrs. Bruce is passionate about partnering with mitigation bankers, environmental consultants and developers to aid in the mitigation process. She is responsible for developing and implementing strategies and forecasts that support existing relationships with industry partners and promote future growth for the industry.

Ms. Church, is an environmental scientist with Snyder & Associates. She has over 14 years of professional environmental experience. Before she started her career as an environmental scientist at Snyder & Associates, she worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers in Rock Island, Jacksonville, and Omaha Districts after graduating from Iowa State University in 2009. Her area of expertise focuses on wetland delineations, stream assessments, Section 404 permitting, and wetland and stream mitigation banking documentation

Ms. Daly is the Director of Environmental Services. She is a Shareholder, Principal Scientist and Director of Environmental Services for CPH Consulting, LLC, a full-service A&E firm. Ms. Daly assists clients with navigating the regulatory world to obtain approvals for residential, commercial, institutional, recreational, water & wastewater treatment plant projects with state, federal and local governments. She develops and implements permitting strategies to address wetlands, threatened and endangered species, water quality and industrial discharges. Additional areas of expertise include design, permitting, implementation and monitoring of mitigation banks and traditional mitigation projects. Ms. Daly has 31 years of experience working on projects in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, New England and Puerto Rico. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and a Master of Business Administration.

Ms. Keefer, MS has been a restoration biologist for the Stream + Wetlands Foundation (S+W) since June 2020, and she has eight years of experience working in the natural resources field. She is responsible for preparing and overseeing coordination of S+W’s mitigation project submittals to the Interagency Review Team. During her time at S+W, she has been instrumental in the submission and approval of over 20 in-lieu fee (ILF), mitigation bank, and permitee responsible projects. To date, the S+W ILF program is fully in compliance with all its advance credit sales obligations. Prior to joining the S+W team, Ms. Keefer worked for a northeast Ohio environmental consulting firm where she primarily worked on mitigation projects. She also worked at two different environmental test laboratories performing soil and water analyses using sophisticated equipment. During her formal education, she conducted a rigorous research study in native species revegetation and seed ecology. Ms. Keefer published her findings as the primary author of a peer reviewed research paper that appeared in the Journal of Rangeland Ecology and Management.

Mr. Macalus is an Environmental Technician that performs multiple services for Environmental Permitting and Wetland and Watercourse Delineations. Throughout his career he has performed habitat, vegetation, and wildlife surveys throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Maine. He specializes in aquatic ecology and has a passion for the conservation and preservation of the aquatic resources that affect us every day.

Mr. Scarborough joined Young/Sommer in 2023 and focuses his area of practice on energy, environmental, and land use law. Prior to joining, Austin worked at other law firms in the Capital Region, where he assisted clients on various energy, environmental, land use, and cybersecurity matters. He provides counsel on matters such as environmental compliance, due diligence, and obtaining permits and approvals at local and state levels. He also regularly presents on wetlands issues and updates at the state and federal level.

Ms. Blake Salami’s heartfelt mission revolves around supporting families in crafting comprehensive estate plans that not only safeguard their assets but also honor their inherent dignity. With over a decade of dedicated experience in elder law, estate planning, disability rights, and social justice, her passion lies in serving the unique needs of older adults, strategizing with families, and advocating for individuals with psychiatric, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds immeasurable joy in being a devoted wife and mother of two precious children. Family is the bedrock of her values, and this understanding deeply influences her approach to legal practice. Through her journey, she has had the privilege of successfully representing clients in federal and state courts, administrative hearings, and special proceedings. She champions their rights and interests in critical matters, including Medicaid eligibility, guardianship, probate, and civil rights. Ms. Blake Salami is licensed to practice law in both Georgia and New York. She is also a licensed social worker. This multidimensional background allows her to provide a holistic and empathetic perspective to her clients. Together, she wants to build strong families and resilient communities, where every individual’s rights and dignity are cherished.

Mr. Davidson is proud to have a staff that matches his ideals and beliefs in doing whatever it takes to help their clients. Together, they are happy to tackle any concerns you may have for you or your loved ones. He is a devoted father of three grown boys and husband to his lovely wife, Rhonda. Mr. Davidson Christian faith and family are most important to him. He has more than 25 years of experience in the areas of estate planning, elder law, guardianships, probate and administration, trusts and wills, veteran pensions, and special needs planning. Mr. Davidson is dedicated to helping individuals and families plan for the future. He also understands the stress and legal issues involved in dealing with families in the midst of a crisis such as a loved one going into a nursing home or passing away. Mr. Davidson received his J.D. at Cumberland School of Law, Samford University and his Master of Laws in Taxation from The University of Florida Levin.

Ms. Geerdes has established herself as one of the premier trial and asset protection attorneys in the United States. Due to her experience and expertise, She also has extensive management and leadership experience in coordinating state-wide projects for professional legal development related to improving the caliber of attorneys, having trained everyone from novice attorneys to veteran judges on legal practice and the law. Ms. Geerdes highly successful legal career in the state governments also enabled her to develop and maintain close ties with both the local State Legislatures and the State Bars to oversee and litigate the most important legal issues pending in the United States and the local States. She is now one of the most sought-after attorneys to train lawyers across the United States in the area of estate planning, elder law, and asset protection, supervising over 50 attorneys in the United States who specialize in the complex area of asset protection.

Mr. Mullis primarily practices in Elder Law and Estate Planning with Anderson, Walker & Reichert, LLP in Macon, GA, with an additional practice focus on Investigations and Compliance. He received his law degree from Mercer University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa. Mr. Mullis served as a Judge Advocate General’s Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring in 2016. His JAG career included estate planning for Soldiers and their family members as well as advice on tax and benefits. Mr. Mullis has unique experience with government benefit programs from his prior concurrent work as a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Special Agent. During his 20+ year career as a DoD Agent, his work often examined Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and Veterans Affairs disability and healthcare services and billing, as well as other benefit programs such as Social Security and SSI. Mr. Mullis’s seasoned experience with program coverages, cost share, exclusions, and alternatives to insurance delivers an insider perspective to learning government benefits. His practice with Anderson, Walker & Reichert provides clients with advice and planning support for decisions on future funding of medical cost share, long-term care costs, available options, and qualifying for Medicaid and Veteran benefits, as well as tax-advantaged trusts to implement asset protection goals. Mr. Mullis assists clients with understanding Medicare limitations for long-term care and hospice as well as educating clients on its several coverage parts. He also gives clients information to help them choose whether to enroll with Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Mr. Mullis is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mr. Swain is an Associate Professor of Business Law and Ethics at the Indiana University Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics in South Bend, Indiana. He also teaches business law in Rice University’s online MBA program at the Jones Graduate School of Business. His area of expertise in business law is state and local tax (SALT). Before entering academia, Professor Swain served for 12 years as Chief Counsel of the Revenue Division for the Indiana Attorney General, overseeing all state tax litigation. He previously worked as a tax manager in the SALT practices at KPMG and Arthur Andersen in Denver, Colorado, focusing on state tax audit defense and corporate transactions. He has authored over 200 tax-related articles and frequently lectures on tax law topics.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mr. DeFilippis is a director with over 10 years of tax experience. He specializes in gift, estate, and fiduciary taxation and planning. He brings a unique skill set to all areas of wealth transfer planning and compliance including estate, gift, generation-skipping transfer tax planning, fiduciary income tax, fiduciary accounting, charitable planning, and business succession planning. Prior to joining Citrin Cooperman, Mr. DeFilippis practiced law for some of New Jersey’s top law firms in the areas of estate planning, including drafting and implementing of complex estate planning documents; estate administration; estate and gift tax compliance; probate litigation’ and guardianships. His legal experience provides him with a unique and well-rounded perspective in areas of the trust and estate planning and compliance that serves his clients well at Citrin Cooperman. Mr. DeFilippis is admitted to the New Jersey, New York, and Florida bars.

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

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

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

Mr. Abrahams specializes in Tax Planning, Tax Litigation, Estate Planning and Probate matters. He helps clients meet their legal and tax planning goals and objectives in the areas of business tax planning, entity formation, business transactions, wealth preservation, protection of assets, estate planning and probate estates. Mr. Abrahams also advises clients who have been contacted by the IRS regarding an audit or dispute of a tax return or a tax assessment. He represents individuals and businesses in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Ohio. He has over 25 years of substantive legal experience. In addition to a law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Mr. Abrahams has an Advanced Degree in Taxation from the Georgetown University Law Center. He is licensed in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Ohio. Additionally, Mr. Abrahams is admitted to practice in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the Federal 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Tax Court, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Abrahams has published in numerous tax-related publications.

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

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

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

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

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

As a water resources practitioner and manager for 33 years, Mr. Der provides regulatory and scientific expertise for public and private sector clients, with a commitment to equitable and sustainable solutions to complex projects while specializing in creative linkages between ecology and engineering. He has been in private consulting practice since 2001, first as an associate and director of environmental services for two civil engineering firms in the greater Washington, DC, and Baltimore metropolitan areas, then since 2013, the principal of his own consulting firm, Andrew T. Der & Associates, LLC, and now since 2024, promoting the national firm HDR Inc. Mid-Atlantic practice. Prior to 2001, Mr. Der previously completed 17 years of service with the Maryland Department of the Environment as a manager leading major new initiatives to regulate and restore Chesapeake Bay water resources. He is also an appointed industry representative of the U.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council Stakeholder’s Advisory Committee, as well as provides expert testimony and media interviews.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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