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Partner at Husch Blackwell
Mr. Anzelmo specializes in product liability, construction law, insurance issues, and tax disputes. He works closely with product manufacturers and construction companies in assessing and managing claims, contracts, tax issues, liability insurance programs and lawsuits. Mr. Anzelmo represents owners, municipalities and general contractors in various liability and construction disputes, and in insurance coverage risk management. He uses his background of practical and results-oriented insight in risk management to provide a unique way to handle insurance ligation with his clients.

Attorney at Axley Brynelson
Mr. Frye specializes in construction, environmental, and water law. While in law school, he worked as a legal research assistant with the Water Law and Policy Initiative at Marquette University Law School. There, he researched emerging legal and policy issues in water resource technology. Mr. Frye, also a licensed professional engineer, has several years of experience as a civil engineer in transportation, construction, and water resources engineering. His experience includes several completed projects as a construction project leader on a variety of transportation projects in the southeast Wisconsin region for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. This hands-on field experience provides him an in-depth understanding of the clients he represents and challenges that they face in the environmental and construction industries. His academic background includes B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering. He also served in the US Army as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (Haz-Mat) Operations Specialist in the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, TX, which included two long-term deployments to Iraq and Kuwait.

Partner at Husch Blackwell
As the Co-Leader of Husch Blackwell’s Construction and Design Group, Mr. Levy specializes in all aspects of construction law. He regularly assists businesses from the onset of planning to the ribbon cutting ceremony. Mr. Levy has represented clients in more than 50 American Arbitration Association hearings, as well as numerous state and federal court and jury trials. He also has served as an arbitrator on the AAA construction industry panel of neutrals for over 10 years. Mr. Levy provides training to design and construction firms and helps his clients navigate the complexities of all types of projects.

Wayne Siesennop Partner at Siesennop & Sullivan
Mr. Siesennop’s practice focuses on construction, products liability, professional malpractice and other related areas. Prior to beginning the full-time practice in law, he received his B.S.M.E. degree, with honors, from the University of Missouri-Rolla; and an MSME degree and a PhD degree in Engineering from the University of Illinois – Urbana. Mr. Siesennop received his J.D. degree from Marquette in 1978. He is a registered professional engineer in the State of Wisconsin. The majority of Mr. Siesennop’s work is representing design professionals and contractors in construction related litigation, and as an arbitrator or mediator. He also represents design professionals in matters with the Wisconsin DSPS. Mr. Siesennop has tried or arbitrated over 100 cases, most involving construction matters. He has 16 appellate court decisions.

Brian R. Zimmerman Shareholder at Hurtado Zimmerman
Mr. Zimmerman’s practice focuses in the areas of construction and real estate litigation, alternative dispute resolution, commercial and residential real property, including title and survey analysis, and construction contract preparation and negotiation. He often represents contractors, architects, engineers and project owners in disputes regarding construction defects, delay, warranty claims, theft by contractor claims, right to cure and home improvement practices claims, and construction lien foreclosure. A significant portion of Mr. Zimmerman’s practice involves drafting and negotiating construction contracts through custom and model form contracts (AIA, Consensus Docs, DBIA, and EJCDC). He has worked as an engineering technician for both private and public entities performing design and survey work on various large transportation, municipal and building construction projects throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

Mr. Draper is a Knoxville native and the senior shareholder in Lewis Thomason’s Knoxville construction law practice group. He is an AV-rated trial lawyer with broad experience in civil litigation, arbitration, and mediation. Prior to obtaining his law degree, he operated a paint contracting business and worked in commercial construction. His law practice is concentrated in construction defect litigation, professional liability defense, commercial disputes and insurance coverage disputes. His construction clients include owners, designers, industrial, commercial, utility, and residential general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. He has successfully defended a broad range of licensed professionals, including architects and engineers, lawyers, health care providers, surveyors, and realtors. He also has extensive experience in insurance coverage disputes, much of it related to the construction industry. Mr. Draper has extensive arbitration experience and he serves as both an arbitrator and mediator. He is a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 listed Civil Mediator. He is a founding member and past president (2015) of the Tennessee Association of Construction Counsel, and long-time member of the Steering Committee of the Construction Practice Group of ALFA International – a global legal network of premier law firms in which the firm is a member. In his law practice, he aspires to the example of his now retired father lawyer, Jack Draper, who counseled that a lawyer should always seek to leave no stone unturned, but to resolve, rather than perpetuate conflict wherever possible.

Attorney at Lewis Thomason
Mr. Garceau is an associate in the firm’s Knoxville office practicing in the areas of business and commercial law, construction and general civil litigation. As a law student, he was a two-year member of the National Professional Responsibility Moot Court Team. Mr. Garceau also received the 2014 Chancellor’s Citation for Extraordinary Professional Promise as well as Certificates of Academic Excellence for receiving the top grade in Legal Process I, Civil Procedure II, Torts II, Legal Profession, Fundamental Concepts of Income Taxation, Constitutional Law, American Jurisprudence, Investigatory Criminal Procedure, Jurisprudence, Secured Transactions, Trial Practice, and Workers Compensation. He worked as a law clerk for the firm during the summers of 2012 and 2013.

Shareholder at Lewis Thomason
Mr. Irvin, shareholder, is in Lewis Thomason’s Nashville office, where he focuses his practice on construction law with an emphasis on the representation of architects and engineers against professional liability allegations. He also represents contractors in a wide variety of business matters, including contract negotiations, project administration, closeout, construction defect defense and payment disputes, including the assertion and enforcement of mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens and performance and payment bond claims. Additionally, Mr. Irvin advises contractors in administrative matters before the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, the Tennessee Occupational Health and Safety Administration (TOSHA) and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). He is a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 listed civil mediator.

Justin Joy leads Lewis Thomason’s cybersecurity practice group and is the firm’s privacy officer.  He provides counsel to clients in a variety of industries in the area of information privacy and cybersecurity including incident investigation and breach response management, regulatory compliance, privacy and security policy review and drafting, and cyber risk management. He speaks frequently to various groups and organizations on the topic of information privacy and cybersecurity. 

Special Counsel at Lewis Thomason
Mr. Rust serves as special counsel in the firm’s Knoxville office and focuses his practice primarily on civil litigation. He handles cases involving a wide range of individual and corporate clients, including the areas of employment law, transportation, construction and general tort litigation. Mr. Rust also spends a significant amount of his time representing businesses in commercial disputes. Additionally, he provides counsel to both private and public employers regarding a variety of employment matters. Mr. Rust has served as first chair counsel in jury trials before Tennessee state and federal courts, in addition to regular motion practice in both state and federal court.

W. Paul Whitt Esq., a shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville office, practices in the areas of construction law and litigation, including professional liability defense of design professionals, such as engineers, architects and surveyors, as well as professional liability representation of accountants and lawyers. He also has significant experience in general civil litigation and in the representation of insurance carriers in first party actions brought by insureds related to coverage matters, claims of bad faith, insurance fraud and other extra-contractual matters.

Attorney with Stites & Harbison’s Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy Service Group
Ms. Cave works closely with businesses to ensure compliance with state and federal environmental laws and regulations. Her experience includes assisting and advising clients on the Clean Air Act and state air pollution laws as well as applying for, negotiating the terms of, and complying with air permits, including Title V and Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits, NPDES wastewater permits, and solid waste landfill permits. She has significant experience defending clients in administrative and civil enforcement actions and citizen suit litigation. Ms. Cave also counsels domestic and international manufacturers on the importation and sale of mobile sources, including non-road engines, vehicles and equipment under the Clean Air Act. Ms. Cave is admitted to practice in Kentucky and Washington.

Michael Coblenz Attorney at LawMr. Coblenz has a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois. He worked as an engineer in the Air Force for a few years before becoming an aircraft navigator. Mr. Coblenz went to law school at Gonzaga University after leaving the military. He has worked as a patent attorney for the past 18 years, first in Houston, Texas, and now in Lexington, Kentucky.

Managing Partner, Miller Edwards Rambicure PLLC, Attorneys at Law
Mr. Miller focuses his practice on business law, both transactional and litigation, and has extensive experience in construction, minerals, banking, and other commercial matters. His clients include construction companies, developers, municipalities, private equity funds, energy companies, regional and national banks, professional athletes and other large institutions. Mr. Miller has personally represented over a dozen publicly-traded companies in a wide variety of engagements.

Stephen E. Smith’s primary areas of practice are construction, public acquisition, and corporate law. Before joining Goldberg Simpson, LLP in 1989, Mr. Smith served the public sector with the United States Army Corps of Engineers for 15 years, serving as a district counsel and as senior legal advisor to the commander. Mr. Smith represents all participants in construction projects, including public and private owners, large general contractors and construction managers, and specialty subcontractors. He is a member of both the American Arbitration Association Panel of Construction Arbitrators and the Panel of Construction Mediators. Mr. Smith is approved as a mediator and arbitrator for all disputes arising under the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors. He has been selected by members of the Louisville Bar as a Louisville Magazine “Top Lawyer” in the areas of “Construction,” “Arbitration and Mediation-Non-Family” for the last four years. He has been selected as a Kentucky “Super Lawyer” annually since 2007. Mr. Smith was selected to The Best Lawyers in America in 2015 and 2016. He earned both his Bachelor of Arts and his law degree from the University of Louisville. He is a frequent lecturer and instructor in the areas of federal acquisition and construction claims administration. Mr. Smith is a member of the Federal, Kentucky, and Louisville Bar Associations and the ABA Forum on The Construction Industry. He is a founding member of the Kentucky Bar Association Construction Practice Section.

Attorney with Kinkead & Stilz, PLLCMr. Trevey graduated, cum laude, from the University ofKentucky College of Business with a BBA degree in Finance andManagement in 2000, and he then received his J.D. degree from the University of Kentucky in 2004, the same year that he was admitted to practice in Kentucky. He is also admitted to practicein the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, the Sixth CircuitCourt of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. While attending the University of Kentucky, Mr. Trevey was a member of the Journal of Natural Resources and Environmental Law, and the Trial Advocacy Board, where he was named best advocateduring the 2003 Kentucky Mock Trial Tournament. He is amember of the Fayette County Bar Association, the Kentucky Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, and the Kentucky Defense Counsel. Since graduation, Mr. Trevey has focused his practice almost entirely on the defense of professionals.He has defended physicians, nurses, dentists, architects, engineers, lawyers, accountants, land surveyors and real estate professionals. He also has experience in large-scale cases such as class actions, increasingly popular multi-district litigation (MDL) cases such as Vioxx, Celebrex and Phen-Fen, as well as large-scale disaster consolidation cases such as the Comair Flight 5191litigation.

R. Eric Gaum is a partner with Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. He focuses his practice on complex intellectual property litigation involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and related business torts and unfair competition. Mr. Gaum has practiced exclusively in the area of intellectual property for more than 20 years and has extensive experience litigating and trying cases across the country. A licensed patent attorney with a background in electrical engineering and software development, he has experience in litigation, prosecution matters and licensing related to technologies as varied as smart phones, building column protection devices and cheese slice processing equipment. Mr. Gaum has litigated copyright infringement matters related to product labels, books, photographs, websites, software, databases, blue prints and architectural works. He has litigated trademark and trade dress infringement matters in state and federal courts across the country, and has handled opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).

Steven K. Kelley is a partner with Mazanec, Raskin & Ryder Co., L.P.A. Mr. Kelley’s primary career focus has evolved over the years beginning with an extensive general liability and insurance defense practice. He has considerable experience handling several specialty claim areas including professional liability, product liability, construction negligence, construction defect, commercial trucking, employer intentional tort and community association claims.
Mr. Kelley defends architects, engineers, surveyors, accountants, realtors, insurance agents, appraisers, home inspectors and other professionals against malpractice claims. Prior to joining the firm, he served as assistant vice president in CNA Insurance Company’s litigation department, in addition to his role as managing trial attorney for over 12 years. He is an active member of professional associations including: the Ohio State Bar Association, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), the Cleveland Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (former president), and theDefense Research Institute (DRI).

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

Easter & Cavosie, Indianapolis
Ms. Huffman’s practice focuses on construction law, commercial real estate law and employment law. She represents many of the Midwest’s largest commercial and residential developers, owner’s representatives, construction managers, contractors, design-builders, subcontractors, material and equipment suppliers, design professionals, consultants and other companies with interests related to construction and real estate. Ms. Huffman graduated cum laude, earning her J.D. degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis.
 

 Eric S. Mroz Partner with Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP
Mr. Mroz practices in the areas of environmental law, regulatory matters, insurance coverage and bad faith and litigation. He represents individuals, businesses and government entities in multi-party environmental, toxic tort and environmental insurance litigation in state and federal courts, before administrative agencies and through alternative dispute resolution. Mr. Mroz has significant experience in cases involving PCBs, chlorinated solvents, hazardous metals, petroleum constituents and emerging contaminants, including perchlorate. His experience in environmental law spans the full spectrum of state and federal statutes and regulations.  

Partner with Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP
Mr. Schafer is a registered civil mediator and practitioner in the areas of litigation, risk management and technology. He represents clients in all aspects of the litigation process from the initial filing to settlement or trial. In addition to the normal aspects of litigation and risk management, Mr. Schafer assists clients with developing electronically-stored information policies and the process of producing and gathering large amounts of electronic information. In addition to presenting on various topics including e-discovery and risk management, Mr. Schafer is a member of local, state and national bar associations. From 2010 through 2016, he has been recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyers® Rising Star in the practice area of Civil Litigation: Defense.

 Thad Schurter Partner with Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP
Mr. Schurter focuses his practice on construction litigation. Having worked in construction for 10 years before becoming an attorney, he brings exceptional insight and technical experience to bear for his clients. He represents clients from across the full spectrum of the construction industry and provides counsel on design and construction defect claims, job site safety, personal injury and wrongful death claims, contract review, lien claims and payment security issues.

CIC, Director of Professional Liability, Senior Sales Executive, Walker & Associates Insurance
Ms. Walker’s insurance expertise is focused on the design professional industry offering both professional liability and property and casualty solutions for firms throughout the midwest. She is a member of A/E Pronet, an international network of insurance agents specializing in both education and insurance solutions for the design professional industry. Ms. Walker is a member and facilitator of continuing education seminars for professional associations specific to design professionals such as ACEC, ASCE and AIA, and she offers the same service for her clients. She is an advocate for ACEC and AIA and has served on various committees within those associations and assists the associations in legislative reform. She began her insurance career 15 years ago working with international clients and settling high exposure workers compensation claims. Ms. Walker continues to use her negotiation skills by working with her clients to settle on insurable contract clauses.

Owner at Domenici Law Firm
Mr. Domenici has long-standing experience with all aspects of environmental law including compliance, damages, litigation, administrative proceedings, complex environmental projects and transactions and environmental insurance coverage. He also has years of experience on natural resource matters including water rights and water quality, mineral rights and mining, oil and gas law and other activities which impact land and water. He works on real property issues including quiet title, partition, probate and condemnation. Mr. Domenici also practices professional liability law involving negligence and licensing for lawyers, medical providers, realtors, appraisers and other professionals. He currently represents numerous cities, counties, acequias, ditches and individuals on water rights. Mr. Domenici was born in Albuquerque, NM where he and lived until moving to the Washington D.C. area for high school. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1981 and returned to New Mexico where he graduated from the University of New Mexico Law School in 1985. Mr. Domenici started Dolan and Domenici Law Firm in 1990 which became the Domenici Law Firm in 2005.

Professor Emeritus at New Mexico State University  
Dr. Gerstle received undergraduate education from Harvey Mudd College and from the University of Colorado, and MS and PhD degrees from Cornell University. He has been a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of New Mexico for 33 years, and is now Professor Emeritus there. He is past president of the New Mexico Chapter of ASCE, NMSPE, and the UNM Chapter of Sigma Xi. Dr. Gerstle is currently the Secretary of the New Mexico Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors.
 

Consulting Engineer at A Different Race
Mr. Leonard is a consulting engineer at A Different Race in Santa Fe. Previously, he has been an adjunct professor in the Civil Engineering Department at the University of New Mexico, where he taught classes on Engineering Ethics and Project Controls. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers.

President/CEO at Construction Dispute Resolution Services
Mr. Merrill is the president and CEO of Construction Dispute Resolution Services, LLC. which widely recognized as the largest exclusive provider of construction ADR (alternative dispute resolution) in the USA, as they have construction ADR specialists located in all 50 states, Washington DC and in several foreign countries. Mr. Merrill serves on the Steering Committee of the New Mexico State Bar Association Dispute Resolution Committee and chairs the Arbitration Subcommittee. He is currently serving as the chairman of the American Bar Association Arbitration Committee’s Arbitration Rules Subcommittee. Mr. Merrill also serves on the Executive Board of the National Association of Home Builders representing the State of New Mexico. He is a past president of the Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association and in 2000 served as president of New Mexico Home Builders Association.

Attorney at Peacock Law
Mr. Muehlmeyer is an attorney at Peacock Law, P.C., practicing all aspects of intellectual property, including patent, trademark and copyright prosecution, licensing, and litigation. He earned dual undergraduate degrees in Physics/Astrophysics and Philosophy of Economics, and now makes it his career to assist all creative types and inventors in generating value from their great ideas. Mr. Muehlmeyer came to Peacock Law in 2015 from the New Mexico Supreme Court, where he served as an attorney judicial law clerk to one of the most respected justices in the State’s history, assisting the court in resolving the State’s most complex legal questions. He is known for his classical guitar skills and plays at events around Albuquerque. Mr. Muehlmeyer serves on the Board of the Intellectual Property Section of the New Mexico State Bar and directs its annual Pro Bono Intellectual Property Legal Clinic.

Phillip H. Burrus, IV is the founder of The Burrus Intellectual Property Law Group, LLC. Mr. Burrus worked with Motorola, Inc. from 1997 through 2005. Serving as senior patent counsel, he was solely responsible for the intellectual property prosecution and portfolio management of the Energy Systems Group, a $700 million business. In 2005, to answer the needs of in-house counsel across Atlanta, he founded the Burrus Intellectual Property Law Group. He has extensive experience with intellectual property prosecution, as well as portfolio development and management, for businesses both small and large. With degrees in engineering, business, agriculture, and law, as well as experience as an entrepreneur, Mr. Burrus assists clients with a wide range of intellectual property issues, including patent, trademark, and copyright prosecution, portfolio management, licensing, and opinion work. He is licensed to practice in Georgia; North Carolina; Washington, D.C. and before the US Patent and Trademark Office. Mr. Burrus was named a “Rising Star” in 2010, 2011, and 2012 and a “Super Lawyer” in 2019, 2020, and 2021 by Georgia Super Lawyers magazine, and he previously served as the chair of the Intellectual Property Section of the State Bar of Georgia.

S. Jake Carroll, Attorney, Nelson Mullins
Jake represents and advises clients in the construction, manufacturing, and real estate industries in business disputes, commercial transactions, and related corporate matters. Jake’s construction practice encompasses representation of contractors, subcontractors, public and private owners, architectural and engineering firms, and sureties in a variety of disputes involving contracts, business torts, multi-party construction defects, and in negotiating construction contracts and related agreements. Jake pursues and defends lien, payment bond, and performance bond claims on behalf of owners, contractors, and sureties. Jake co-authored the most recent edition of the Georgia Construction Law Handbook, a leading treatise, and is an active member of the Construction Section of the Atlanta Bar Association. Jake also advises businesses in commercial and financial disputes involving breach of contract, breach of warranty, business torts, and equipment dealer statutes. Jake applies his industry knowledge to also represent construction and manufacturing clients as creditors in insolvency litigation and bankruptcy matters. Recognizing that traditional litigation is not always in the client’s best interest, Jake negotiates pre-dispute settlements and represents clients in mediations, early neutral evaluations, and arbitrations. 

Matthew N. Foree is Of Counsel in the Commercial Litigation and Construction Litigation National Practice Sections of Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP and is also a member of the firm’s Data Security, Privacy, and Cyber Liability practice team. His construction law practice includes the representation of design professionals, contractors, owners, and other clients in all types of construction disputes, including breach of contract and design defects. In his data security, privacy, and cyber liability practice, Mr. Foree advises and represents businesses in a variety of matters relating to data security and privacy laws. He has experience helping businesses respond to data breaches and comply with notification laws involving inadvertent disclosure of information. He also represents businesses in litigation matters related to data security and privacy.

Cooper Smith is a CRIS Broker and vice president of Greyling Insurance Brokerage where he negotiates and places coverage for large design firms, contractors, and law firms. He works with mid-sized to large clients, many with global exposure and complex insurance programs. In addition to being well versed in professional liability, property/casualty, and executive risk practice programs, Mr. Smith has negotiated a wide range of large and complex project-specific policies for professional liability, pollution liability, and builders risk programs. He performs risk management consulting for clients including preparation and presentation of educational seminars, compilation and analysis of risk surveys, recommendation of and coordination with legal counsel, and answering various client questions concerning insurance and risk issues impacting the construction and engineering industry. He holds the construction risk and insurance specialist (CRIS) professional designation from the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI). Mr. Smith is a 2005 graduate of the University of Georgia, where he majored in risk management and insurance. He was a member of the Insurance Society and the Gamma Iota Sigma Honors Fraternity.

Richard J. Storrs Attorney, The Storrs Law Firm
Richard J. Storrs practices law and serves as an ADR professional in Atlanta, Georgia, at The Storrs Law Firm. He has practiced construction law and commercial litigation in Atlanta since 1984. Mr. Storrs is known for being a creative and experienced mediator, focusing on resolving construction and commercial disputes. He also serves as a respected arbitrator in construction and commercial matters. Mr. Storrs also continues to represent clients in construction law matters, commercial litigation, and real estate issues. He also assists with forming and structuring organizations, drafting agreements, and avoiding disputes before they arise. Mr. Storrs has taught design and construction law since 2006 at Georgia Tech, and at the law schools at the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. He has appeared at numerous seminars and has written extensively about construction law issues. His publications include authoring chapters since 2012 on no damage for delay clauses and surety law in the annual Construction Law Update. Mr. Storrs received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Georgia, where he graduated with honors and served as a notes editor of the Georgia Law Review.

Andrew M. Thompson is a partner in Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP’s the Environmental/Land Use Practice and is a member of the Sustainability Practice Group. His practice includes environmental and commercial litigation in state and federal court, as well as in state administrative court. He has represented and advised clients in connection with a range of environmental and commercial issues, including defending enforcement actions by the U.S. EPA and state environmental agencies, toxic tort litigation, Clean Water Act permitting and compliance, insurance coverage litigation, hazardous waste, groundwater contamination, environmental cleanup and emergency response and other environmental matters. Mr. Thompson serves as an adjunct professor at Emory University School of Law teaching a course in water law and environmental litigation. He is a board member for the Turner Environmental Law Clinic at the Emory School of Law, a member of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Environmental and Sustainability Committee and a member of the Defense Research Institute Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Section. He is on the advisory board of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Inc. and is a Class of 2012 graduate of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership. Mr. Thompson received his J.D. degree, with distinction, from Emory University School of Law, where he was a notes and comments editor of the Emory Law Journal.

Mr. Case’s practice focuses on commercial, contract, construction, and surety law. In his construction practice, he has provided ongoing representation for numerous design professionals, general contractors, subcontractors, owners, and suppliers in a wide range of business matters, including defense and prosecution of claims relating to damages for delay, differing site conditions, construction change directives, owner interference, design errors/omissions, and contract interpretation in connection with public and private construction projects (commercial, institutional, and industrial). In his surety practice, Mr. Case represents sureties in large and small matters including defaults, litigation, and claims against performance and payment bonds. He serves on the American Arbitration Association’s National Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators, and the American Arbitration Association’s Large, Complex Case Panel. Mr. Case was ranked among The Best Lawyers in America®, by Woodward/ White, Inc.; was named a “Michigan Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters; and was rated a “Top Lawyer” by Dbusiness magazine.

Corporate Counsel with Harley Ellis DevereauxHarley Ellis Devereaux is a leading architectural and engineering firm, with offices located in Southfield, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Mr. Lynch is a member of the State Bar of Michigan. He has extensive experience in both litigation and transactional matters involving construction law and professional liability issues. He has served as both a mediator and arbitrator in numerous construction disputes and has lectured extensively on construction law-related topics. Mr. Lynch is a co-author of several books regarding construction litigation and the legal liability of design professionals. He is on the roster of neutral arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association for construction industry disputes. Mr. Lynch was in trial practice with Plunkett Cooney, P.C., of Detroit for 25 years before joining Harley Ellis Devereaux in 2001. He is a graduate of the University of Detroit School of Law and has been in practice since 1974.

Partner at Sullivan, Ward, Asher & Patton, P.C. in SouthfieldMs. Meldrum focuses her practice in the areas of engineering and construction law and related transactional matters. Having worked as an engineer for over 10 years, she brings her knowledge and experience in civil design and project management to the practice of law. She has litigated and arbitrated contract, building construction, engineering design (structural, environmental, coastal, civil, mechanical, geotechnical), asbestos and building material, and project management claims related to industrial and commercial facilities. She has also assisted in litigation related to legal malpractice claims. Ms. Meldrum is a member of the American Arbitration Association Construction Panel and serves as an arbitrator on both small and complex matters. She is admitted to the bars in Michigan, California, and Arizona. She maintains her engineering licenses in California, Arizona, and Michigan.

Associate with Clark Hill, PLC in DetroitMr. Nasr is an attorney who concentrates his practice in the area of construction law. He represents architectural and engineering design firms, construction managers, general contractors, subcontractors, owners and developers in all construction matters both directly and through insurance carriers. He also represents product manufacturers and suppliers in product liability litigation. Mr. Nasr received both bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Wayne State University and his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Oakland County Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers and the Engineering Society of Detroit.

Founding Member of Dawda, Mann, Mulcahy & Sadler, PLC, in Bloomfield HillsMs. Sadler is the head of the Environmental, Energy and Sustainability practice group. She concentrates her legal practice on a broad spectrum of environmental issues. Since the early 1980s, she has provided counsel on compliance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, wetland regulations, the Endangered Species Act, and state environmental statutes and permitting requirements. An experienced counselor, Ms. Sadler frequently defends corporations in administrative proceedings and environmental litigation brought by citizens groups, attorney general offices and the Federal Justice Department. Her legal expertise includes representing corporations in toxic tort litigation brought by individuals claiming damage and physical injury from exposure to chemicals, and representing individuals, corporations, municipalities and business entities in all aspects of environmental regulations. She also has experience in negotiating settlements with insurance carriers regarding pollution claims. Ms. Sadler is LEED-AP accredited and is one of the few attorneys with this distinction.

VP Risk Management at BancorpSouth Insurance Services, Inc.Mr. Fey currently serves as vice president of risk management for BancorpSouth Insurance Services, is chairman of the State of Louisiana’s Property Casualty Commission, is president of the Professional Insurance Agents of Louisiana (PIA), and advises Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon as a member of his Agency Advisory Council. Mr. Fey provides insurance services to engineers. In event of a claim he can also assist by identifying defenses and strategies during litigation. Mr. Fey regularly assists clients by clarifying coverage and by assisting as a liaison during the claim process. He has more than 36 years of multi-line property casualty insurance experience, and has been deemed an expert at both the Federal and State level as to claim handling standards, claim practices, claim procedures, underwriting standards and practice, coverage interpretation, policy drafting, and agency errors and omissions.

Law Offices of R Gray Sexton, Sexton LawMr. Sexton was general counsel to The Louisiana Board of Ethics and The Supervising Committee for Campaign Finance Disclosure for 40 years. He represented the Government’s interest in all administrative and judicial proceedings before all State and Federal Courts. He participated in all aspects of the program from its inception. Mr. Sexton brings unparalleled experience and institutional knowledge to the representation of public officials, public employees, lobbyists, candidates, governmental contractors and others who have encountered regulatory issues with the Board of Ethics, the Committee of Campaign Finance, and the Office of the Disciplinary Council. Mr. Sexton was also the attorney for the Consulting Engineers Council of Louisiana for more than four decades. His practice includes the representation of numerous engineering firms. He has had extensive experience representing the interests of engineering firms and has filed numerous amicus curiae briefs on behalf of the engineering profession in Louisiana.

Mr. Vicknair worked as a software engineer for a major medical manufacturer and as an electrical engineer for a major chemical manufacturer prior to entering law school. He graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a BS degree in both Electrical and Biomedical Engineering and obtained his law degree from Loyola Law School in New Orleans. Mr. Vicknair has taught Louisiana Construction Law at Loyola law school as an assistant adjunct professor. He is licensed to practice law in the states of Louisiana, Texas and New York and is a licensed patent attorney. Mr. Vicknair regularly uses his prior work experience as a part of his legal practice. He is one of the founding partners at D’Arcy | Vicknair, L.L.C. His primary practice areas include construction law, construction litigation, surety law, and all phases of intellectual property, including litigation, prosecution, and transactional matters. Mr. Vicknair also practices in commercial litigation and claims related to construction defects, payment disputes, subcontractor claims, owner claims, and claims by general contractors. He lectures on construction law topics such as Louisiana lien law and general Louisiana construction law as well as intellectual property law topics, including trademarks, patents and copyrights.

Keogh, Cox & Wilson, Ltd.Ms. Wolf received her juris doctorate degree from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in 1999. While in law school, she served as managing editor of the Louisiana Law Review. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University in 1983, graduating cum laude. She obtained her professional engineering license from the State of Louisiana in 1988, and is a member of the Louisiana Engineering Society. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Wolf was a project design engineer in the construction industry for ten years. Ms. Wolf is a partner with the law firm of Keogh, Cox & Wilson in Baton Rouge. Her areas of practice include construction law and professional liability defense of architects, engineers and other design professionals.

Nathan Fox of Offit Kurman Attorneys at Law is a real estate, construction, and business lawyer. He represents developers, homebuilders, property owners, business owners, and construction clients in transactions and zoning and land development proceedings. He brings uniquely practical experience from his time as a project manager for two luxury homebuilders to zoning, land development, and construction matters. He has successfully represented and appeared on behalf of clients in the state and federal courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as before various municipalities in southeastern Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley, and New Jersey. Mr. Fox also represents financial institutions in commercial loan documentation. He works to bring a practical business-minded approach to all transactions on behalf of his clients. In addition to his private clients, Mr. Fox has served as the solicitor for Perkasie Borough, Chalfont Borough, and the Quakertown Borough Zoning Hearing Board, and has represented several other public entities. He has spoken to business groups and taught continuing education sessions in the construction industry.

Gregory Grissett helps businesses navigate complex intellectual property issues related to product development, marketing and capital investment, with experience spanning the apparel, textile, sporting goods, medical device, oil and gas, automotive, furniture, and consumer products industries. He has a rare combination of experience in the international and business aspects of intellectual property (IP). Mr. Grissett’s international perspective and practical experience help companies proactively manage IP development and enforcement issues unique to complex business operations.

Mr. Hann focuses his practice on environmental law and municipal law, and chairs the firm’s Environmental Law Department. He represents a diverse client base, which includes municipal authorities, municipalities, business entities, builders and developers. Steve personally handles all facets of a sophisticated environmental law practice, such as environmental litigation with federal and state government agencies and private parties, advising/representing clients on regulatory, permitting and compliance matters, and guiding clients on environmental issues arising in business and real estate transactions. He provides clients with experienced counseling on federal and state legislative and regulatory developments.  Mr. Hann has developed an extensive practice in the area of municipal law, with a specific emphasis on municipal authorities. Steve is the East Region Solicitor (responsible for the eastern half of Pennsylvania) for the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (“PMAA”), an organization representing the interests of over 700 municipal authorities in Pennsylvania.  He provides guidance to PMAA member authorities and firm clients on a variety of municipal authority-related matters, including general water, wastewater and environmental issues; stormwater management; permitting; regulatory compliance; sewage facilities planning; waste load management; board member issues; tapping fees and rates; water and sewer regulations; and, compliance with state law bidding and procurement requirements. Steve provides experienced counseling on various statutes, such as the Municipality Authorities Act, Sunshine Act, Right-to-Know Law and Ethics Act. He has been appointed as both solicitor and special counsel for municipal entities, and has been retained as both an expert and mediator in matters involving municipal authorities. He is a frequent author and speaker on both environmental law and municipal law-related issues.  

Franklin Miller, Jr., of Offit Kurman Attorneys at Law focuses his practice on the defense and representation of professionals in the design and construction industry. Mr. Miller has been involved in a wide variety of cases, including the defense of architects against serious personal injury/wrongful death claims arising from construction projects, the defense of design professionals from suits brought by property owners alleging design and construction defects and the defense of engineers related to their designs and calculations for integrated building systems such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire suppression. Mr. Miller graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2005 with a B.A. degree in Philosophy and a minor in Biology. Mr. Miller attended the Villanova University School of Law, where he received his J.D. degree in 2008. After law school, Mr. Miller was the law clerk to the Honorable Bernard A. Moore, of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. Over that time he assisted in both civil and criminal trials and appeals. Mr. Miller practiced for over four years in a Philadelphia-based defense litigation firm. In that time he represented clients in a broad assortment of tort and contract disputes, both in court and in arbitration hearings. Mr. Miller is licensed to practice in the state courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Anthony Potter focuses his practice on representation of design professionals in all phases of the construction process including contracting, risk allocation, pre-claim resolution, mediation, arbitration, and construction litigation. He provides counsel and representation to architects, engineers, and others on administrative law questions including professional licensing matters. He is a member of the Advisory Board for the Civil Engineering and Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology Programs at Penn State Harrisburg. Mr. Potter is frequently called upon to provide seminars for design professionals and architectural and engineering students on loss prevention, standard form construction contract documents, construction litigation, professional licensing and professional ethics. He has represented clients before administrative agencies, the Commonwealth Court, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Previously, Mr. Potter was assistant general counsel to Governor Tom Ridge.

Over a 25-year career, Mr. Becker has represented international engineering firms, architects, design-builders, owners, construction managers, and specialty subcontractors on major horizontal infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, tunnels, and pipelines, and vertical infrastructure projects such as stadiums, convention centers, hospitals, and dams. He has also worked on industrial projects including process plants, power plants, grain elevators, and commercial and residential projects. He is a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers, a former chair of the Construction Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association, a director of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, and a frequent speaker on construction law topics. Mr. Becker is nationally recognized as a leading advocate in the field of early resolution of complex construction disputes through mediation, many times without the need for a lawsuit for formal legal proceedings. He earned his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Northwestern University, cum laude, Tau Beta Pi, and his law degree from the University of Iowa with high distinction.

Founder at Fantastic IP ConsultingMr. Drake is founder and chief intellectual property (IP) strategist at Fantastic IP Consulting.  He has been a registered patent attorney for nearly 20 years.  Mr. Drake adds value to businesses not only by expanding the thinking of executive leadership and top innovators, but also by building proactive IP protection systems and providing sound IP risk management and counseling.  He serves clients in all aspects of intellectual property law, including licensing and due diligence.  His focus is patenting disruptive technologies of all kinds, including social-networking, business-method, computer-software, internet, green, medical and consumer-product innovations.  He is admitted to practice in Minnesota. Mr. Drake received a J.D. degree from the University of Virginia after working on radar systems for GE.  He has been a “Super Lawyer” from 2005-2012.

Principal of the Kubes Law Office, PLLCKubes serves the legal needs of design and construction professionals.  She concentrates her work on professional liability defense/ litigation, contracts, and proactive construction counseling, which involves addressing and cooperatively resolving project management, risk management, payment and surety issues.  Integrated with her legal practice, Ms. Kubes is a qualified neutral who mediates construction and design disputes.  A graduate of the College of St. Catherine and the University of Minnesota Law School, she is the Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law.  Ms. Kubes is a frequent lecturer on legal issues on professional liability and ethics for the design professional.  She is an affiliate member of ACEC, AIA, and ASID.  Governor Pawlenty appointed Ms. Kubes to serve as a public member on the MN State Board of AELSLAGID in 2005; she served as the Board’s Chair from 2009 to 2011 and completed eight years of service on the Board in 2013.

Member with DeWitt Mackall Crounse & MooreMs. Roeder focuses her practice in general civil litigation, with an emphasis in construction law.  She regularly represents general contractors and design professionals on cases related to residential and commercial buildings, associations, and data centers.  In her general litigation practice, Ms. Roeder has represented individual and corporate clients in a variety of matters ranging from wrongful death to products liability/warranty to debt collection in courts across Minnesota and the country.  She earned a J.D., cum laude, from the University of St. Thomas School of Law and a B.A., summa cum laude, from Drake University.  She is a member of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, the Minnesota Builders Exchange, and the Association of Women Contractors.  Ms. Roeder has been recognized as a Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star in Construction Litigation (2016-2017).  She has also been certified as a North Star Pro Bono Lawyer since 2015, focusing her volunteer efforts on helping veterans.

Partner with Best & FlanaganMr. Short is a partner in the firm’s Construction, Real Estate and Litigation practice groups where he represents prime contractors, subcontractors and commercial landowners.  Mr. Short specializes in construction claims relating to highway and bridge projects, Department of Transportation claims, federal MATOC agreements, mechanic’s liens, surety and bond claims, bid protests, indemnity obligations, construction contract disputes and commercial and multi-family residential construction defects.  He has represented contractors on these construction matters throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Arizona, Texas and Colorado.  Mr. Short is recognized as a Rising Star by Minnesota Law & Politics and is a national lecturer on construction and real estate industry topics.

Member with DeWitt Mackall Crounse & MooreMr. Thomas concentrates his practice in the area of general civil litigation with an emphasis in construction law and product liability litigation.  He also has experience with professional liability litigation, secured transactions, creditors’ remedies and bankruptcy.  He represents clients in a variety of industries, including large corporations, general contractors, design professionals and insurance companies.  Mr. Thomas has also successfully litigated and tried to verdict a creditor’s nondischargeability fraud action against former investment advisor in Bankruptcy Court adversary proceeding. Mr. Thomas received a J.D. degree from William Mitchell College of Law and a B.A. degree from Xavier University.  He is a member of the Board of Directors Citizens Bancshares of Hutchinson Inc., the Defense Research Institute (DRI), the Hennepin County Bar Association, the Minnesota Bar Association and the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association.

Karin Corbett is a business attorney and litigator who effectively prevents, resolves and litigates legal disputes for businesses and individuals alike in a variety of industries; but her focus is primarily in the construction and real estate and equine industries. As a construction and real estate attorney, Ms. Corbett negotiates contracts, analyzes and advises clients on all types of business matters and litigates contract claims. She also handles regulatory matters involving licensing issues, OSHA inspections and violations, fair housing claims and more. Ms. Corbett is also actively involved in various trade associations including the Metal Building Contractor and Erectors Association and the Associated Builders and Contractors Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter.

Edward DeLisle concentrates his practice in the areas of federal contracting, construction law, construction litigation and small business procurement and litigation. He has drafted and negotiated construction contracts, teaming agreements and joint venture agreements for subcontractors, contractors, developers and owners. He has litigated, arbitrated and mediated complex construction and procurement cases in various jurisdictions and forums throughout the area. Mr. DeLisle has assisted clients in obtaining certification as small and small disadvantaged businesses at the municipal, state and federal level. He has participated in bid protests involving service-disabled, veteran-owned, HUBZone and 8(a) set-aside contracts and regularly assists with responding to best-value procurements at the state and federal level. He also assists companies, both foreign and domestic, in international disputes involving the United States Government.

Gregory Grissett helps businesses navigate complex intellectual property issues related to product development, marketing and capital investment, with experience spanning the apparel, textile, sporting goods, medical device, oil and gas, automotive, furniture, and consumer products industries. He has a rare combination of experience in the international and business aspects of intellectual property (IP). Mr. Grissett’s international perspective and practical experience help companies proactively manage IP development and enforcement issues unique to complex business operations.

Franklin Miller, Jr., of Offit Kurman Attorneys at Law focuses his practice on the defense and representation of professionals in the design and construction industry. Mr. Miller has been involved in a wide variety of cases, including the defense of architects against serious personal injury/wrongful death claims arising from construction projects, the defense of design professionals from suits brought by property owners alleging design and construction defects and the defense of engineers related to their designs and calculations for integrated building systems such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire suppression. Mr. Miller graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2005 with a B.A. degree in Philosophy and a minor in Biology. Mr. Miller attended the Villanova University School of Law, where he received his J.D. degree in 2008. After law school, Mr. Miller was the law clerk to the Honorable Bernard A. Moore, of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. Over that time he assisted in both civil and criminal trials and appeals. Mr. Miller practiced for over four years in a Philadelphia-based defense litigation firm. In that time he represented clients in a broad assortment of tort and contract disputes, both in court and in arbitration hearings. Mr. Miller is licensed to practice in the state courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Kathryn E. Pettit is an associate who focuses her practice on construction law. Before becoming an attorney, she received a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering, and she brings her technical background and perspective to the representation of her clients. Ms. Pettit has counseled and represented owners, construction managers, contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals in all phases of construction projects. She has litigated numerous construction claims, from the owner, contractor, and design professional’s perspectives, in state and federal court, as well as arbitrations. Ms. Pettit also has extensive experience representing homeowners in suits against the builders of their properties due to building envelope defects, including stucco defects.

Anthony Potter focuses his practice on representation of design professionals in all phases of the construction process including contracting, risk allocation, pre-claim resolution, mediation, arbitration, and construction litigation. He provides counsel and representation to architects, engineers, and others on administrative law questions including professional licensing matters. He is a member of the Advisory Board for the Civil Engineering and Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology Programs at Penn State Harrisburg. Mr. Potter is frequently called upon to provide seminars for design professionals and architectural and engineering students on loss prevention, standard form construction contract documents, construction litigation, professional licensing and professional ethics. He has represented clients before administrative agencies, the Commonwealth Court, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Previously, Mr. Potter was assistant general counsel to Governor Tom Ridge.

Amen Business Law, L.L.C.Ms. Amen is an attorney who focuses on business law, franchising, and estate planning. Her work includes contract negotiation and review, business entity selection and formation, corporate governance and regulatory compliance, intellectual property issues, business succession, and general business counseling. Ms. Amen earned her J.D. degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1987 and is a member of the American, Nebraska State, and Lincoln bar associations.

Endacott Peetz & Timmer, PC LLOMr. Koerwitz focuses his practice on construction law and contracting. He has represented owners, contractors, subcontractors, engineers, and architects in all areas of construction law, including construction defects, differing site conditions, bond and lien claims, project delays, change orders, professional negligence, and contract negotiation.He has authored numerous construction e-briefs and has been a contributing author to several construction law reference books, including the State-By-State Guide to Design and Construction Contracts and Claims, 2015 Supplement. Mr. Koerwitz is licensed to practice law in Nebraska, Iowa, and Wyoming and is a member of the American General Contractors of America – Nebraska Building Chapter.

Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O.Mr. Linder has 30 years of experience in environmental law. His experience covers all aspects of environmental regulation, permitting, compliance, and policy. Before joining Koley Jessen, he served as the governor-appointed director of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) from 1999 through 2013. The NDEQ administers and enforces all environmental laws in Nebraska. Prior to becoming director, he served as the NDEQ’s legal counsel for ten years. His experience includes state, local, and federal environmental laws dealing with water quality, air quality, groundwater, and waste management. Mr. Linder has worked closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the regional and national levels. Mr. Linder has been a leader locally and nationally on environmental issues and policy.

Partner at Husch Blackwell LLP in Omaha, NE 

Mr. Meyer is a member of the firm’s Real Estate, Development & Construction team. He has extensive experience in construction contract drafting and litigation. Mr. Meyer has represented government entities, business owners, general contractors, suppliers and subcontractors in civil disputes and lien claims. He also represents political subdivisions by assisting in a variety of issues including regulatory compliance, contract negotiations, property acquisitions and condemnation. Prior to joining Husch Blackwell, Mr. Meyer practiced in Atlanta, Georgia for eight years. He represented various entities and individuals in pre-litigation negotiations, mediation, throughout the litigation process and arbitration. In addition, he assisted with multiple cases before the Georgia Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Georgia that have resulted in the enforcement of certain limitation of liability clauses for design professionals performing services in the State of Georgia. Mr. Meyer was named a Georgia Rising Star from 2014-2016 and a Great Plains Rising Star from 2017-2021 by Super Lawyers. He earned his J.D. degree, with distinction, from the University of Nebraska College of Law. 

Todd A. Baxter is a member in the Phoenix office of Dickinson Wright PLLC. He has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in business litigation and construction litigation from 2012 to 2016. Mr. Baxter’s practice focuses on construction law and commercial and business litigation. He negotiates and prepares construction contracts for general contractors and private and public owners, as well as preparing other commercial contract documents. In litigation, Mr. Baxter frequently represents general contractors and property owners and developers in a wide array of commercial construction disputes. He also represents homebuilders in residential construction disputes, in state and federal courts, mediation, arbitration tribunals and before administrative agencies. In addition to construction litigation, he represents businesses and business owners in commercial litigation and owner/shareholder disputes. Mr. Baxter received his B.A. degree from the University of South Dakota in 1992 and his J.D. degree from Tulane University Law School in 2006.

Jonathan G. Brinson is a shareholder at Polsinelli As a leading member of the firm’s Insurance Recovery practice group, Mr. Brinson has represented Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies throughout the country on a wide range of complex disputes from a variety of industries. Mr. Brinson assists his clients in obtaining a defense and coverage under a variety of insurance policies, including general liability, property, professional liability, builders risk, D&O, crop insurance, E&O, employment practices, workers compensation, and reinsurance, in addition to several others. He also routinely represents clients in all types of complex commercial litigation matters, including product liability disputes and CERCLA, RCRA, and other environmental matters. Mr. Brinson is fluent in Spanish. Prior to joining Polsinelli in 2010, Mr. Brinson worked for five years as an associate in the insurance recovery, commercial litigation, and environmental practice groups of a national law firm.

Carla A. Consoli is a partner with Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP and is the leader of the firm’s Regulatory and Government Practice. She loves her work because she helps clients reach their goals while respecting the environment. Ms. Consoli helps clients understand and navigate the environmental, water, cultural and natural resource laws affecting their businesses. Her work includes permitting new and existing facilities, environmental due diligence, securing water rights, natural resource evaluation, remedial activities, endangered species and habitat compliance, and agency negotiation. She negotiates all manner of related agreements including liability transfer/reduction, royalty payment, utility service, development, and consulting agreements. Ms. Consoli believes in strategic planning first. For all of her clients, she begins with a discussion about client goals, opportunities and concerns. In collaborating with her clients on a strategic way forward, Ms. Consoli often assists them in applying for special permits, amending their plans if necessary, and performing remediation activities. She has strong relationships with regulators at local, state and federal levels including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Nevada Division of Conservation and Natural Resources (NDCNR), the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), and Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR).

Melissa Cornelius is the executive director of the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration (BTR). BTR licenses and regulates architects, engineers, geologists, home inspectors, landscape architects, land surveyors, alarm agents, alarm businesses and their controlling persons. She previously served as the Board’s Deputy Director. Before becoming deputy director at BTR, Ms. Cornelius served as an assistant Arizona attorney general for approximately 15 years, representing numerous state agencies in litigation and as regulatory counsel. She has also served as deputy director of the Arizona Medical Board, and as in-house legal counsel for the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Early in her career, Ms. Cornelius served as a deputy maricopa county attorney and as an assistant Scottsdale city prosecutor. She has lectured nationally for the Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards (FARB), the Arizona State Bar, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the National Council of Engineers and Surveyors, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, and Arizona Government University.

Jason Ebe is a partner with Snell & Wilmer. He serves as co-chair of the firm’s nationally-ranked construction industry practice. Mr. Ebe is a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America, an invitation-only construction lawyer honorary society with membership limited to 1,200 practicing Fellows from the United States and internationally. He is a frequent counselor, negotiator, litigator, author and speaker on a wide range of construction issues and topics, and has served in senior leadership positions in local and national construction industry organizations. His relevant and recent project experience includes public and private infrastructure, including military installations, federal government facilities, football stadiums (professional and collegiate), airport, marina, transportation, water/wastewater, and public-private partnerships (P3s); natural resources, including solar and mining; healthcare, including acute care, medical office and senior living; commercial office, retail, mixed-use, data centers, and hi-tech manufacturing; education (universities and K-12); entertainment, hospitality, resorts, convention centers and casino; sports and recreational; and high-rise, multifamily and single family residential. Mr. Ebe is well versed in advanced project delivery methods, including integrated design build and design assist, construction management at risk, and job order contracting.

Anthony W. Merrill is a shareholder with Polsinelli. His wide range of experience in complex disputes brings unique problem-solving approaches to clients. Mr. Merrill is a leading member of the firm’s Insurance Recovery practice and assists clients across the country in obtaining coverage for catastrophic commercial claims. While he specializes in latent or long-tail property damage and bodily injury claims, he also represents clients in connection with disputes involving cyber coverage, D&O claims, large loss property claims, insolvent insurance carriers, reinsurance, specialty risk lines, retrospective premiums, and data security. Mr. Merrill also uses his legal skill to assist clients in developing and implementing environmental remediation projects and resolving compliance issues arising under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Clean Air Act. In addition, he regularly consults and defends clients on matters regarding infectious disease outbreaks, including water-borne and airborne pathogens, and pandemic preparation. Mr. Merrill is bilingual, proficient in both writing and speaking Spanish. Prior to joining the firm, he worked for seven years as an associate in environmental and commercial litigation practice groups in the Arizona office of a national law firm.

Patrice Pritzl is the Deputy Director of the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration. Ms. Pritzl has served in regulatory administration for 22 years, with 31 years, in total, in public administration. She started her public administration career by serving in the Peace Corps in 1985-1986. She earned a B.A. degree from the Evergreen State College and a Masters in Public Administration from Arizona State University.

Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas, LLP – New Brunswick, NJ
Mr. Carlowicz serves as co-chair of his firm’s Construction Law Department, and he is a member of the firm’s management committee. He received a B.S. degree from the University of Scranton and a J.D. degree from the Catholic University of America. He is corporate counsel for numerous design professional firms and construction contractors throughout New Jersey, and he frequently provides both litigation representation, as well as contract review and non-litigation counsel to his clients. Mr. Carlowicz is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Construction Industry Section, and he has lectured at NJIT, Princeton’s School of Architecture, and the New Jersey Superior Court “Judicial College”. He is on the panel of both arbitrators and mediators for construction industry disputes brought before the American Arbitration Association, and the New Jersey Superior Court panel of construction claim mediators.

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

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP- Parsipanny, NJMichael J. Gardella Kelley Drye & Warren LLP- Parsipanny , NJMr. Gardella is an associate in the firm’s Real Estate practice group. He previously was a law clerk to the Honorable Thomas M. Moore, J.S.C. in the New Jersey Superior Court, Chancery Division, where he worked on commercial litigation matters, including breach of contract actions, mortgage and tax sale certificate foreclosures, and shareholder disputes.While in law school, Mr. Gardella interned at the Notre Dame Clinical Law Center’s Community Development Clinic, where he advised and drafted legal documents for small businesses and a nonprofit organization.

Mr. Humphreys is an attorney with the law firm of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, where he concentrates his practice on all aspects of environmental law and related counseling of businesses. He advises businesses on regulatory compliance and management of environmental risk in matters arising under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); the Clean Air Act; the Clean Water Act; and various other federal, state and local environmental laws. He also works on the environmental aspects of business transactions.

Partner, Seiger Gfeller Laurie, LLP
Mr. Strong focuses his practice in the areas of construction litigation and professional malpractice defense including representation of design professionals, insurance brokers, real estate agents, lawyers, and accountants in the state and federal courts of New Jersey and New York. He has represented a variety of clients in the construction arena, including project owners, developers, design professionals, general and prime contractors, and specialty trade contractors, in all phases of construction and commercial litigation. Mr. Strong regularly counsels clients during pre-construction and construction phases on issues including contract negotiations, risk management, and disputes. His representation extends to both public and private projects, and addresses payment claims, delay, acceleration, design issues, lien law, bond claims, surety issues, defective work, and wrongful termination.

Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker – Florham Park, NJ
Mr. Vespole is a partner based in the New Jersey office of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, an international, full service law firm with 38 offices in the United States. Mr. Vespole focuses his practice on the counseling and representation of financial institutions and corporations and their employees on insurance, corporate raiding, construction accident, products liability and construction defect litigation. He also practices in professional liability of architects, engineers, lawyers, accountants and miscellaneous professionals. Mr. Vespole has been certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a civil trial attorney for the past 30 years and has also been a certified mediator. In addition, he has authored the LEXIS-NEXIS Practice Guide New Jersey Civil Discovery (2007-2018 Editions), co-authored the LEXIS-NEXIS Practice Guide New Jersey Pretrial Practice (2007-2018 Editions), co-authored LEXIS-NEXIS Practice Guide New Jersey Insurance Litigation (2008-2018 Editions), co-authored LEXIS-NEXIS Practice Guide New Jersey Construction Litigation (2016-2018 Editions) and wrote a chapter on expert witnesses for the LEXIS-NEXIS Practice Guide New Jersey Trial, Post-Trial and Appellate Proceedings (2007 Edition). Additionally, Mr. Vespole has been selected for inclusion in the 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 New Jersey Super Lawyers® lists. He regularly writes and speaks on issues relating to securities, insurance, construction, professional liability and trial practice and significant cases pending in Courts around the country, including the United States Supreme Court.

Brian C. Baumgardner is a Client Manager with Oswald Companies and is located in the Cincinnati, Ohio branch office. He works in the area of Business Development and Client Management in the Property & Casualty Department focusing on Commercial Contractors, Developers, Real Estate Firms and Architects and Engineers. His current responsibilities include new business development and the service and retention of existing clients. He consults on and promotes innovative risk management and insurance solutions to local, national and international companies. Mr. Baumgardner has been in the business since 2007 with extensive experience in Commercial Property & Casualty insurance. At Oswald, his strategic focus lies on identifying, analyzing and managing business risk through integrate solutions for his clients. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Science in Sports & Business Administration. He received his designation of Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and is currently completing his Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) designation, the insurance industry’s premier education program.

Mann Dulaney, LLC, Powell
Mr. Dulaney has maintained a private construction law and real estate practice for over 25 years in the greater Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton area. During this time he has represented design professionals, owners and contractors in the areas of construction, safety, labor, employment and government/agency regulation. He has represented clients before the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors and has spoken before American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Sections statewide regarding legal issues for design professionals. Mr. Dulaney received his B.S. degree in Construction Management from the University of Cincinnati, his M.B.A. degree from Xavier University and his J.D. degree from the University of Dayton. He is admitted to practice law before all state and federal courts in Ohio. He represents other professionals including physicians, pharmacists and nurses regarding licensure issues before their respective state regulating authorities.

Mr. Lipcius practices in construction, construction litigation, litigation, real estate, business, complex business litigation, consumer and commercial litigation, employment and labor law and green business practice. Mr. Lipcius received his undergraduate degree from George Mason University and a J.D. degree from the University of Dayton School of Law.

David A. Meyer is counsel with Ulmer & Berne LLP in Cincinnati. With a background in physics and mathematics, his environmental law practice is rooted in a deep understanding of and appreciation for science. Mr. Meyer’s practice encompasses a broad range of environmental and energy-related matters for clients operating in a number of major industries. He also represents property owners, contractors, and developers on real estate, construction, and commercial contracts. Mr. Meyer has significant experience counseling clients on a transactional level by assisting with the environmental, construction, insurance, finance, and related commercial aspects of real estate and corporate transactions, and he has experience litigating environmental, construction and other commercial disputes and regulatory compliance matters. His broad experience allows him to engineer practical solutions that are efficient, effective, and neatly aligned with the needs of the businesses he serves.

Peter A. Schmid is an attorney with the law firm of Smith, Rolfes & Skavdahl in Cincinnati. With a focus on insurance-related litigation, Mr. Schmid’s practice includes matters involving insurance coverage, as well as construction and liability defense. He served as an adjunct professor of legal writing at his alma mater, Salmon P. Chase College of Law, and he previously served as law clerk to the Hon. Dennis S. Helmick, of the Court of Common Pleas in Hamilton County, Ohio. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife and five children.

Eric A. Teske is vice president of the Oswald Companies with responsibility for architect/engineer client service and sales for southern Ohio and West Virginia. Prior to joining Oswald Companies, he was a founding partner of Selvaggio, Teske & Associates. As a dedicated professional liability specialist with over 25 years of experience, Mr. Teske provides insurance, in-house education programs, contract review services and loss prevention consultation to architects, engineers and other firms within the construction industry. His past professional experience also includes serving as the financial officer of a medium-sized engineering and architecture firm. Mr. Teske has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA degree in Finance from Indiana University. He is a licensed property and casualty insurance agent in Ohio.

Ms. Bowman is a sole proprietor, practicing in dispute resolution, estate planning, civil engineering, real estate, legal services, strategic development, and training. She is experienced in dispute resolution, estate planning and administration, engineering design and forensic analysis, construction/project management, real estate, small business start-up, employment law, and nonprofit support. She is a registered professional engineer and a certified arbitrator and mediator. Mrs. Bowman writes a column for the PE Reporter, “Risky Business,” and she lectures for the Community College of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania State University, the Washington County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, and others. She earned her B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of North Dakota, her M.B.A. degree from Oklahoma University, and her J.D. degree from Duquesne University. She recently joined the National Society of Professional Engineers as their Senior Director of Ethics and Professional Practice.

Blumling & Gusky LLP in Pittsburgh
As a member of the firm’s Construction & Surety Industry Practice Group, Mr. Brahan concentrates his practice in the areas of construction and commercial litigation. Prior to joining Blumling & Gusky, Mr. Brahan was a partner at a mid-size Pittsburgh law firm where he practiced in the areas of commercial and construction litigation, as well as litigation involving labor and environmental issues. He has successfully litigated and tried cases in both State and Federal Court. He also has extensive experience in complex and multi-party litigation. Mr. Brahan is a member of the Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Mr. Brahan received his B.A. degree in 1987 from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. In 1990, he graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Partner with Leech Tishman Fuscaldo & Lampl in Pittsburgh
Mr. Lazzara is a member of the Intellectual Property practice group. He focuses his law practice on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and has practiced for 20 years as an intellectual property lawyer. Mr. Lazzara regularly handles matters including preparing and prosecuting patent, trademark and copyright applications; portfolio development; patentability opinions; patent infringement and validity studies; patent freedom-to-operate analyses; trademark clearance opinions; and general intellectual property counseling. He is a graduate of General Electric’s Technical Leadership Program and served, at various times, as a quality control engineer, manufacturing engineer, transportation logistics project manager, and Six Sigma Blackbelt for the locomotive manufacturing industry.

Mr. Lippl is both a licensed attorney and a registered professional engineer. He received a bachelor of science degree in Civil Engineering from the Penn State University College of Engineering and a juris doctor degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law. Mr. Lippl has worked as a project manager for major general contractors, as an attorney with several law firms and as general counsel for a contractor, before beginning his current practice focusing on the legal aspects of the construction process. He is a trained and experienced arbitrator and mediator and frequently lectures at both legal and construction related conferences. In his spare time, Mr. Lippl served as an officer with the United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps. His work as a civil engineer with the Navy took him to multiple countries, several continents and two tours of duty in Iraq – as a structural engineer on an anti-terror team and as executive officer of a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion.