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Kristen M. Fries is an attorney with Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. A patent attorney licensed in the State of Ohio, registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and a registered Engineer-in-Training (EIT), Ms. Fries practices in the area of intellectual property and technology law, including prosecution of domestic and foreign patent applications, infringement studies, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and related intellectual property matters. She is experienced in a broad range of technologies. Prior to attending law school, she worked in the building materials industry as a project engineer for a manufacturing facility. While in law school at the University of Toledo College of Law, Ms. Fries served as note and comment editor for the Law Review.

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. 

Spencer Fane, DallasMr. Hare focuses on patent litigation, patent prosecution, IP licensing, and trademark matters. He has represented clients in a wide variety of matters including but not limited to district court actions involving patents and trade secrets, licensing disputes, International Trade Commission actions, portfolio vetting, inter parties review proceedings, and patent prosecution. Matters have involved a wide range of technologies, e.g., computer hardware and software, oil and gas exploration and production; semiconductor manufacturing and design; cellular telephony (IS-95, CDMA-2000, GSM, WCDMA, WiMax, and LTE); GPS; speech and video coding, encryption; Voice over internet protocol; wireless LANS; and oil and gas exploration and production. Mr. Hare is of counsel with Spencer Fane LLP, a full-service business law firm. He is based out of Spencer Fane’s Dallas offices.

Underwood Law Firm, Fort WorthMs. Kennemer’s practice focuses on construction law and business litigation, with an emphasis on design professional malpractice defense and commercial and residential construction litigation. She has given presentations to members of the Texas Bar Association and professional organizations on various construction matters and has authored papers on construction contract issues, mechanic’s liens and payment collection. Ms. Kennemer was selected as a 2016 “Top Attorney” in Construction Law by Texas Monthly Magazine and is actively involved in the Construction Law Sections of the Texas, Dallas and Tarrant County bar associations. She received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and a J. D. degree from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.

LeBoeuf Law, Dallas
Ms. LeBoeuf is a civil trial lawyer with active experience in both state and federal courts, as well as arbitration. She is also an arbitrator with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Ms. LeBoeuf regularly represents Dallas law firms and individual attorneys in a variety of matters. She has extensive experience in the representation of business owners and companies in complex and multi-party lawsuits concerning such matters as employment discrimination, deceptive trade practices, breach of contract, fraud, defamation, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy and other business-related claims. Ms. LeBoeuf especially enjoys trying cases to juries. She regularly speaks to attorneys, engineers and other professionals regarding their ethical obligations; teaches trial and deposition skills to young lawyers; and is a guest lecturer at the University of Texas Naveen Jindal School of Management.
 

Underwood Law Firm, Fort WorthMr. Schellhammer focuses his practice on construction law and business litigation, with an emphasis on design professional malpractice defense and commercial and residential construction litigation. He actively participates in the alternative dispute resolution process and has served as a mediator and arbitrator in disputes with varying levels of controversy. Mr. Schellhammer is also a frequent speaker on construction matters and has authored papers on construction contract issues, mechanic’s liens and risk allocation among design professionals and contractors. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas Construction Law Council and the Dallas Bar Association Construction Law Section. He received a B.A. degree in History form the Virginia Military Institute, a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from American Technological University and a J.D. degree from Loyola University New Orleans School of Law.

Scheef & Stone, DallasMr. Sheedy has more than 43 years of experience handling complex business litigation matters, including engineering contract cases and liability cases. He is also a registered patent attorney. Mr. Sheedy has a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Military Institute, an M.B.A. degree from Duquesne University and a J.D. degree from Seton Hall University School of Law. His representative experience includes serving as litigation counsel for Fortune 300 Company Joy Manufacturing Company, vice president and general counsel for Curtis Mathes Corporation, and vice president and general counsel for Del Taco Restaurant Corporation. Mr. Sheedy’s clients benefit from his extensive and unique background in engineering, business and law.

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.

Mr. Jezdimir focuses on construction law. He has counseled owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts and has counseled clients during all stages of a construction project relative to bids, adequacy of work, sufficiency of plans or specifications, extra work, delays, warranties, and other related issues. Mr. Jezdimir has also spent a great part of his practice representing construction clients in resolving disputes through litigation, arbitration, or other dispute resolution procedures. He has succeeded as lead counsel in numerous trials and arbitration hearings. Mr. Jezdimir vast litigation experience includes arguments before appellate courts as well as complex commercial litigation involving claims over theft of proprietary company information and claims for misrepresentations underlying a commercial transaction. Starting in 2018, after he was appointed to the American Arbitration Association Roster of Arbitrators for construction and commercial disputes, He expanded his practice to include service as an arbitrator in numerous disputes involving commercial and construction contracts. Mr. Jezdimir has been honored by inclusions in Michigan Super Lawyers magazine, a top construction litigator by the magazine, dbusiness, and a Fellow in the Construction Lawyers of America Society.

Attorney with Deneweth, Dugan and Parfitt, P.C. in TroyMr. Sassak concentrates his legal practice in construction, fidelity and surety, commercial contract disputes, insurance disputes, real estate matters and litigation of complex and technical disputes. He is also licensed architect. Mr. Sassak has counseled both public and private owners, developers, contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, material suppliers, sureties, architects, engineers and other design professionals on all aspects of construction issues from project planning through bidding and construction. His legal practice concentrates in all aspects of construction law including contract negotiation, drafting and review, architectural copyright, and construction liens. Mr. Sassak has worked on civil litigation and arbitration of disputes ranging from payment claims, change orders and claims for extra work, to defect claims, errors and omissions claims, delays, differing and unforeseen site conditions, and disruption and acceleration claims to assisting with and responding to surety bond claims.

Partner at Jaffe Raitt Heuer and Weiss in DetroitMr. Siegal chairs the firm’s Environmental Practice Group, specializing in environmental law, governmental affairs, energy law and administrative law. For over 25 years, he has successfully represented businesses and individuals dealing with environmental regulations and liabilities and brownfield redevelopment and incentives. Mr. Siegal was one of the drafters of the 2010 Michigan Part 201 “superfund” amendments and chaired the legislative subcommittee of the 2014 Collaborative Stakeholder Initiative which drafted 2016 Public Act 471 dealing with brownfield financial incentives. He recently served on an MDEQ stakeholders group working on rewriting Michigan’s solid waste law. Mr. Siegal also focuses on innovative “green” redevelopment and green energy issues. He earned his Bachelor’s degree with distinction from Wayne State University and is a cum laude graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Mr. Siegal maintains a blog titled wwwmichigangreenlaw.com.

FAIA, NCARB, President, Owner of Tiseo Architects, Inc. in LivoniaAfter having worked in the construction industry since a young child and after serving two years in the US Army, Mr. Tiseo earned his architectural degree from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield Michigan in 1978, after ten years in night school. He has maintained his own architectural practice since 1980. That same year Mr. Tiseo started his architectural teaching career as an adjunct professor at Lawrence Technological University where he continues teaching to this day. In 1990 he started AIA Michigan’s Government Affairs Committee (along with Fred Butters, FAIA, Esq.) and is still a driving force in that arena. Early on in his career he realized that good design can be appreciated best through the combination of both complexity and technology as related to the practice of architecture. Over the past 38 years Mr. Tiseo has served as an expert witness in over 140 cases in the professional as well as the construction arenas. As an expert witness he prides himself in being involved solely in cases he believes in, whether it be for the plaintiff or defendant.

Partner with Stinson Leonard Street LLPMr. Gill is a registered patent attorney who draws on his engineering background to counsel clients on intellectual property (IP) matters. He helps clients acquire patents and register trademarks and copyrights. Mr. Gill has experience seeking patents for manufacturing, construction industry, medical devices, consumer products, and durable goods. He has extensive experience in wind, solar, and oil/gas technologies such as control systems, monitoring systems, aerodynamics, blade configurations, generators, photovoltaic arrays, grid communication, fracturing, energy generation, and energy management. In addition to transactional IP experience, he also represents clients in IP enforcement matters. He prosecutes and defends patent and trademark infringement claims, and represents clients in trade secret matters. Prior to beginning his 15-year career as an attorney, Mr. Gill was an engineer and project manager with a St. Louis engineering company, working on projects that included energy generation, automotive manufacturing and steel mill processing.

Mr. Morrison is principal of The Morrison Law Firm, as well as general counsel of Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, both in St. Louis, Missouri. His clients range from large corporations to local governments, small businesses, individuals, and citizen organizations. His work includes matters involving regulatory enforcement, property damage, land use, property development, real estate transactions, water quality and Superfund issues, and he represents businesses in breach of contract matters, business-to-business disputes, and disputes with government entities.

Broker with Crane Agency
Chris is a long time member of the Crane Agency and has a vast array of risk management, loss control and insurance product knowledge. He also has a deep understanding of professional liability, general liability, property and management liability exposures. Through experience, education and training, Mr. Reedy has developed the skills and expertise required to find specialized risk management solutions to meet challenges specific his clients. He is a member of PLAN (Professional Liability Agents Network) and the exclusive representative of XL/Catlin’s Design Professional program, in addition to Berkley DP and CAMICO Mutual’s accountants program. Mr. Reedy has authored and delivered presentations to the American Institutes of Architects, American Council of Engineering Cos. and the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers in addition to numerous other organizations, individual design firms and higher learning institutions. He is always willing to assist existing and prospective clients – no issue is too large or small.

Ken Slavens is dedicated to helping solve construction and development clients’ most complicated problems with as little disruption as possible to their businesses. He represents architects, engineers, owners and contractors in construction disputes over alleged defective design and construction, delays, cost overruns, interference, obstruction, property damage and suspension of work. He litigates claims arising from injuries on project sites or from defective construction. His substantial experience also includes related civil litigation, arbitration and mediation. Mr. Slavens’ familiarity with the construction and design industry dates to his college days, when he worked for a residential and small commercial contractor. After law school, he was introduced to construction and design litigation by an attorney mentor. Having spent his entire career in construction law, Mr. Slavens has a unique understanding of the business that benefits clients. To help maintain his broad perspective and deep knowledge, Mr. Slavens is actively involved in organizations affiliated with the non-legal side of the construction industry. These interactions provide valuable insights into the issues that clients experience day to day, as well as their longer-term concerns.

Principal – Pitzer Snodgrass, P.C.
Gary E. Snodgrass received his B.A. degree in Psychology from Saint Louis University, graduating cum laude in 1973; his master of arts degree in Philosophy in 1975, magna cum laude, from Michigan State University; and his J.D. degree in 1978 from Saint Louis University. Gary was admitted to the Bar in Missouri in 1978 and the Bar in Illinois in 1979. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh and Eighth Circuits. He is also a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel and The Defense Research Institute. Mr. Snodgrass is the former chairman for the International Association of Defense Counsel Construction Litigation Committee. He is an advocate for American Board of Trial Advocates. Other affiliations: The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Lawyers Association of St. Louis, The Missouri Bar, Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, and the Illinois State Bar Association. He completed the American Academy of Attorney-Mediators’ training program in 1994 and serves as a mediator for USA&M on cases pending in various courts in the St. Louis area. Mr. Snodgrass co-authored “Architects and Engineers’ Liability” for the Missouri Tort Law CLE Desk Book series and “Waiver of Subrogation and Allocation of Risk in Construction Contracts” for The Defense Counsel Journal. He is also a frequent lecturer at continuing legal education seminars and trial practice seminars sponsored by the Bar and other professional organizations.

Partner at Thompson Becker & Brothwell, LLC in Cherry HillMr. Becker is a graduate of Glassboro State College (B.A. cum laude, 1987) and Rutgers University Law School (J.D., 1990). He is a member of the Camden County, New Jersey State, and American Bar Associations. Mr. Becker has 25 years of experience representing architects, engineers, land surveyors, contractors and related construction professionals. He is a frequent lecturer on AIA contracts and design professional liability. Mr. Becker is admitted to the bars of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Partner at Cimino & Filippone, LLC in HazletMr. Cimino’s practice includes the entire range of litigation, with specialization in the defense of professionals including architects, engineers, contractors, physicians, surveyors, and home inspectors. His practice also includes residential and commercial real estate transactions, trust and estate planning, and municipal court appearances. Prior to starting his own practice, Mr. Cimino was associated with the firm of Ruprecht, Hart & Weeks, LLP, where he was responsible for defending various railroads and architects/engineers. He has also worked as in-house counsel for a major professional liability insurance company. Prior to that, Mr. Cimino was an associate with Peterpaul, Clark & Corcoran LLP, where handled various aspects of litigation.

Partner at Connell Foley in RoselandMr. Demareski represents clients in a wide range of professional liability, construction and complex commercial litigation matters. In particular, he regularly defends engineers and other professionals in major professional malpractice litigation in both state and federal courts. His experience includes serving as trial counsel in professional malpractice and business litigation matters, as well as managing trial teams in large, complex professional liability, construction and commercial litigation matters. Mr. DeMareski has a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lafayette College and received his J.D. degree from Seton Hall Law School. His engineering background gives him a unique advantage in grasping complex technical issues in engineering malpractice cases, in communicating effectively with his engineering clients and in proposing and implementing effective legal strategies to resolve matters quickly and efficiently. When matters cannot be addressed through mediation or settlement, his trial experience makes him a strong advocate for his engineering clients in the courtroom.

Mr. Haftek prides himself on assisting a broad base of clients with a variety a business and legal needs. From years of handling development projects and contract drafting and negotiation to experience in complex commercial disputes, with a focus on construction law, he aims to be the attorney firm clients can rely on to efficiently and effectively address a wide range of concerns. Mr. Haftek handles all phases of commercial and construction law and litigation, including construction defects, construction/municipal mechanics’ liens, public bid protests, delays, extra work, collections, and contract negotiation and drafting. His work has been recognized with selection as a New Jersey Super Lawyers’ Rising Star and Super Lawyer in the area of Construction Litigation, and he is a frequent speaker for attorneys and business professionals on topics ranging from contract drafting to government procurement.

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 at Suarez & Suarez in Jersey CityMr. Suarez attended Rutgers University School of Law-Newark, and was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1982. Subsequent to serving a judicial clerkship with the Civil Assignment Judge in Hudson County, he practiced for a short while with a defense firm in Livingston, New Jersey, after which he became a member of Suarez & Suarez Attorneys at Law. He has been rated AV Preeminent, the highest peer review rating for legal ability and ethical standards, continually since 2002. Mr. Suarez has been representing architects and engineers for over 30 years.

Attorney at AECOM in Austin
Mr. Cohen is in-house counsel for AECOM’s Design and Consulting Services group. He is business counsel for the Gulf Coast and the lead intellectual property attorney for all of North and South America. As an engineer, Mr. Cohen worked on horizontal and vertical projects ranging from Boston’s “Big Dig” to San Francisco’s Millennium Tower. As an attorney, Mr. Cohen has litigated multi-million dollar construction and intellectual property matters across the country. He has undergraduate and graduate degrees in Civil and Structural Engineering from Tufts University, a law degree from Boston College Law School, and is a registered patent attorney with the USPTO.

Of Counsel at Dickenson Wright in Austin
Mr. Harder provides clients with strategic counsel for intellectual property assets. He routinely represents various Fortune 500 and startup companies in preparing and prosecuting domestic and international patent applications. He leverages his technical degrees in Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Mathematics, as well as his experience as a software developer at a multi-national computer technology company, to effectively prepare and prosecute patent applications for clients. Mr. Harder’s practice focuses on the full life cycle of patents, which includes identifying patentable subject matter for clients, preparing patent applications, and performing prosecution procedures. His experience extends to a wide range of computer technologies, including virtualization, content sharing/management platforms, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, optimization, smart home environments, autonomous vehicles, internet technologies, productivity applications, product design, and memory devices, among others.

Attorney at The Chapman Firm in Austin
Mr. Haspel is an attorney at The Chapman Firm in Austin, focusing on construction litigation, employment law, and business transactions. He has specific expertise in addressing complex disputes, including defects, contracts, and procurement. Mr. Haspel also represents clients regarding business torts, fraud, and governmental regulations. He graduated from The George Washington University Law School, where he was the president of the Mock Trial Board, executive chair of the Moot Court Board, a Dean’s Fellow, and a Thurgood Marshall Scholar.

Attorney at Allensworth & Porter in Austin
Ms. Houchin works primarily with engineers and architects on professional liability cases and on complex, multi-party disputes. She represents clients in front of professional licensing boards and defends design professionals against design and construction defect claims, construction delay cases, and traffic control plan disputes. Known for her dedication to legal scholarship, Ms. Houchin’s work has been published in the Texas Construction Law Journal and she is often called upon to analyze intensive case law and develop sophisticated legal strategy.

Attorney at Gunn, Lee & Cave in San Antonio
Mr. McKinnie is a registered patent attorney with Gunn, Lee & Cave, P.C. He focuses his practice on intellectual property, including patent drafting, trademark and copyright registration, trade secret protection, and related litigation. Mr. McKinnie’s practice covers a diverse array of industries, including oil and gas, pharmaceutical, software and cyber security, and mechanical and electrical devices. He drafts and negotiates contracts such as licenses, assignments, asset purchases, non-disclosures, and non-competes. Mr. McKinnie is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Supreme Court of the State of Texas, and United States District Courts for the Western, Eastern, and Southern Districts of Texas.

Attorney at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr in Austin
Mr. Richie is an attorney in the construction and construction litigation sections of Munsch Hardt. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Richie worked as a mechanical engineer and project manager at a prominent consulting engineering firm in Houston, Texas, and then after obtaining his law degree, as general counsel. He is also one of a handful of attorneys in Texas credentialed as a licensed professional engineer and a LEED-accredited professional (AP). He has experience in drafting and negotiating complex design and construction contracts for all types of commercial projects. Mr. Richie has also successfully represented owners (public and private), general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals in numerous lawsuits and disputes.

Partner at HEA Law PLLC, Washington D.C.
Mr. Auito, JD, MSE, MBA, is an intellectual property (IP) attorney with over 14 years of experience managing and monetizing IP portfolios, preparing and prosecuting patent and trademark applications, advising on freedom-to-operate matters, dispute resolution, litigation and branding. He represents clients of all sizes, ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to startups, on IP and business law matters. Mr. Auito serves on the Business Growth Council (BGC) and on the Advisory Board of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBEC) in Washington DC. He also holds advisor positions with several technology startup companies (mobile payments, UAV, blockchain). Mr. Auito also presents emerging legal and technical topics to trade organizations, professional associations, and universities throughout the United States and Asia. Prior to forming HEA Law, PLLC, he was equity partner for several years at a former top 25 IP law firm in Washington DC. Before law school, Mr. Auito was a project engineer at Applied Safety & Ergonomics, Inc., an engineering consulting firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he analyzed product designs and performed accident analysis and reconstruction, and he was an engineer at ACR Industries, a gear and component manufacturer servicing the aerospace industry.

Member at PCT Law Group, PLLC, Washington D.C.
Ms. Bell provides advice and counsel to business clients in contract disputes, and in regulatory and compliance matters, as well as in labor and employment issues. She also handles major complex litigation before local and federal courts and administrative boards. Her trial experience includes jury and bench trials with multiple parties, and class actions. Ms. Bell works with business clients to satisfy statutory obligations, establish policies and develop relationships that allow for strategic planning and efficient legal solutions. On labor and employment matters, Ms. Bell defends employment claims on behalf of employers before administrative boards and state and federal courts. She also handles government contract clients from the perspective of enforcing a contractor’s rights under the contract and defending against government claims. Before joining PCT Law Group, Ms. Bell was a member of the Business, Employment, and General Litigation & Trial Practice Groups at Jackson & Campbell, P.C. Ms. Bell joined Jackson & Campbell, P.C. after four years of private practice with a boutique litigation firm and a decade with the Attorney General’s Office for the District of Columbia where she served as a Senior Counsel in the Civil Litigation Division. Ms. Bell is a NITA certified litigator. She has taught courses on employment law, zoning and government contract-related issues.

Mr. Kelly joined Jackson & Campbell, P.C. from the Department of Justice in 1988. He became a Director in 1992 and a Shareholder in 1993, and is a member of the Firm’s General Litigation and Trial Practice Group. He has been appointed a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, is rated AV-Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell, and has received the coveted Super Lawyer designation for Washington, D.C. in the fields of professional liability, general litigation, and insurance coverage annually beginning in 2012. He is included on the Roster of Neutrals of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) for construction disputes, and serves as an arbitrator and mediator in disputes brought to the AAA for resolution.

He serves as a volunteer arbitrator with the D.C. Bar’s Attorney/Client Arbitration Board, is a Steering Committee member of the Litigation Community of the District of Columbia Bar, and is a member of the Steering Committee of the Construction Law Section of the Maryland State Bar Association. In 2015 he was elected a Fellow of the American College of Coverage and Extra-Contractual Counsel. Mr. Kelly’s practice has concentrated on the counseling and defense of clients in litigation arising out of construction defect and delay claims, professional liability claims (particularly those brought against architects, engineers and social services providers), environmental and toxic tort disputes (including asbestos, gasoline spills, and interior mold claims), pharmaceutical product liability claims and serious bodily injury and wrongful death claims. He also assists insurance companies in resolving coverage questions arising under general liability and professional liability policies in those and other areas of the law, and represents insurers in coverage litigation.

Like any litigator, he has had occasion to take on cases in other areas as far afield as those involving employment discrimination, public charity tax issues, and tort suits against adoption agencies. A member of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Florida bars, Mr. Kelly’s practice is centered in the regional D.C., Maryland, and Virginia state and federal courts, but he has been admitted pro hac vice to the courts of virtually all other east coast states, and in a good number of western states including Arizona, Montana, Texas, and Wyoming. In addition to his trial work, Bob has represented clients in appeals in several states, including briefing appeals to the Supreme Courts of Delaware, South Carolina, and Texas, and briefing and arguing appeals to the Supreme Courts of Virginia and West Virginia, the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland, and the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Eleventh Circuits. Before coming to Jackson & Campbell, Mr. Kelly was a Senior Trial Attorney with DOJ’s Civil Division (Torts Branch) defending environmental and toxic tort (asbestos) claims brought against the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

He also maintained a significant admiralty and maritime tort caseload. In 1987, he joined the Adjunct Faculty of the Washington College of Law at The American University, where he taught legal writing for seven years. He received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in civil engineering from Princeton University in 1974 and a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 1977. Mr. Kelly speaks and publishes frequently on litigation and insurance coverage topics, and currently is most active in the Construction Law Section of the Maryland State Bar Association, and the Litigation Section of the District of Columbia Bar. He is a past Vice Chair of the Insurance Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS).

He authors and provides annual updates to the chapters on District of Columbia law in two highly regarded treatises, the “Tort Law Desk Reference” and the “Product Liability Desk Reference.” He wrote the chapter on Post-Evidentiary Actions and Relief from Judgments and Orders for inclusion in the D.C. Bar Association’s most recent (2014) update to its “Civil Trial Practice Manual,” as well as the post-trial (appellate) chapter in the recent reissuance of “Appleman’s on Insurance,” a nationally recognized treatise on insurance coverage law. He also has been principally responsible for updating the DC Bar’s Litigation Section’s chapter on Superior Court Civil Practice in “The District of Columbia Practice Manual.”

Alison R. Mullins, Partner at Shannon, Mullins & Wright, LLP, in Alexandria, VA 

Ms. Mullins focuses her practice on all aspects of commercial dispute resolution. In particular, she often represents architects, engineers, and others involved in the construction industry. Ms. Mullins received her J.D. degree from Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, Rhode Island. Before entering the private practice of law, she started her legal career as a contracts manager and in-house counsel at a large architectural firm in Northern Virginia. Ms. Mullins is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. She is on the Board of Governors and Membership Chairperson of the Virginia State Bar Construction and Public Contracts Law Section, an Allied Professional member of the American Institute of Architects, Northern Virginia and District of Columbia Chapters. Ms. Mullins is an author/co-author of several industry periodicals, as well as a frequent presenter. 

Senior Broker, Ames & Gough, Washington, D.C.Ms. Sinks is a senior broker in Ames & Gough’s McLean, Virginia office. She joined the firm in 2016 and is responsible for evaluating clients’ risks, as well as all aspects of their insurance renewal process. She is directly involved in the placement of all commercial coverage lines, including property/casualty, professional liability, and management liability. Before joining Ames & Gough, Ms. Sinks was a director in Clark Construction Group, LLC’s Risk Management program from 2013 to 2016. Earlier, she was with Victor O. Schinnerer from 2004 to 2013, where she held positions of increasing responsibility during her tenure. She began as an associate account executive and ultimately became associate vice president and program manager. Ms. Sinks earned B.A. degrees in Economics and English from The University of Virginia, where she was a GEICO Jack & Dorothy Byrne Academic Scholarship winner. She also earned an M.S. degree in Insurance Management from Boston University.

Mr. Smith is co-chair of the Washington, D.C. Litigation Practice Group. His practice focuses on the representation of owners, design-builders, design professionals, construction managers, and general contractors in all phases of the construction process. Mr. Smith’s pre-construction experience includes drafting and negotiating construction, construction management, and design agreements. Mr. Smith assists clients with pursing their rights through litigation and alternative dispute resolution. His litigation experience includes all manner of construction and design disputes, including impact and delay claims, construction and design defects, differing site conditions, design negligence, terminations for default, change order and extra work disputes, requests for equitable adjustments, payment and performance bond claims, mechanics’ liens, prompt payment and conditional payment disputes, and bid protests. Mr. Smith has substantial experience arbitrating and litigating design and construction claims, with a proven track record of success. He is an advocate for early case assessment and mediation, and he has successfully resolved numerous claims through mediation. Mr. Smith has represented clients in state courts throughout the United States, federal courts, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the American Arbitration Association, and in several non-administered arbitrations.

Partner at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLPMr. Cronin has tried and mediated cases to favorable resolutions throughout Illinois. His practice focuses on construction law and construction defect, design professional law, commercial and residential real estate transactions and litigation, product liability, and personal injury. Mr. Cronin recently obtained summary judgment on behalf of his client, a demolition contractor, in a lawsuit brought by two plaintiffs when their scaffold collapsed, resulting in serious and permanent injuries. He has also assisted construction and design professional clients with the negotiation and drafting of their contracts.

Partner at Adler Murphy & McQuillen LLPMr. Flanigon concentrates his practice in the areas of civil litigation, professional liability defense, and general tort litigation. He routinely defends architects, engineers, and other design professionals against claims of professional negligence. He has extensive experience in a variety of construction law matters, including design defect-related actions, delay and disruption claims, and other matters involving claims of negligence, personal injury, and statutory violations. Mr. Flanigon has represented individuals and corporations in breach of contract, premises liability, and employment-related matters. He has tried jury and bench trials to verdict and has obtained favorable results in a variety of alternative dispute resolution forums. Mr. Flanigon is an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association, including the CBA’s Civil Litigation Practice Group.

Member at Karball, Cohen, Economou, Silk & Dunne, LLC
Mr. Marshall has a diverse litigation practice representing design professionals, condominium associations, real estate and insurance brokers, attorneys, and other licensed professionals in contract, tort, compliance, and fraud-based litigation. Mr. Marshall represents a variety of design professionals, including architects, professional and structural engineers, land surveyors, and design-builders. His representation of those professionals includes the areas of breach of contract, construction delay, professional negligence, pre-suit resolution, and arbitrations. Mr. Marshall has tried numerous bench and jury cases and arbitrations and has negotiated hundreds of settlements through formal mediation and informal negotiation. He also drafts and negotiates design and construction contracts for his clients.Mr. Marshall often lectures to real estate, construction, design, and condominium associations and their members on contract negotiation, litigation techniques, risk management, and professional liability.

Shareholder with Querrey & Harrow, Ltd.
Mr. Schoumacher is the group co-chair of Querry & Harrow’s Construction Practice Group, and he also practices in several other areas, including professional liability, product liability, commercial law, insurance, and antitrust. He works with a variety of professionals, including architects, engineers, contractors and manufacturers. Mr. Schoumacher is an author and contributor to a number of publications on construction law and an active speaker in the construction industry, having been featured at more than 140 seminars or meetings of the American College of Construction Lawyers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Power Engineering Society, the American Society of Military Engineers, the Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, and other groups. He is a fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers, past president of the Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys, and past chair of the Construction Law Section of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Scott W.  Smilie is a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group of the firm. Mr. Smilie’s experience includes the prosecution, licensing, and litigation of patents, trademarks and copyrights.  As a member of the Patent Bar, he has prepared and prosecuted patents before the Patent and Trademark Office concerning diverse technologies including GPS-related systems, business methods, electrical connectors, coupler members for heavy-duty machinery, mechanical tools, and medical devices.  Mr. Smilie was admitted to the Illinois State Bar and the Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in 1997, and he is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago.

Attorney with Watson & Associates, LLCMs. Ajour earned her degree at the age of 23 from the University of Denver College of Law at the top of her class with the highest honors of the Order of St. Ives. She has since become a licensed attorney in Colorado and California. Ms. Ajour began her legal career as a corporate apprentice in-house at Lockheed Martin, where she frequently advised engineers of their intellectual property rights and confidentiality obligations to the organization. She currently practices as a corporate attorney at the Washington D.C.- based law firm of Watson & Associates. Ms. Ajour’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, structuring management buyouts, assessing disputes between members/partners, federal agreements, and novation agreements with NASA and other federal entities. Much of her day-to-day work involves drafting, negotiating, and addressing contractual breach in relation to a variety of agreements and situations.

Shareholder with Montgomery Little & Soran, P.C.Mr. Eady practices in litigation with an emphasis on construction, engineering, and architect claims. He also assists clients in insurance coverage matters. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Eady was the contracts administrator for the Construction Practice Group at one of the largest insurance brokers in Colorado, where he advised general contractors, construction professionals, property owners, developers, and subcontractors regarding insurance coverage, risk transfer, and risk management issues. This prior experience makes Mr. Eady uniquely qualified to represent clients with insurance coverage and construction defect claims. He obtained his B.A. degree from Colorado State University and his law degree from the University of Denver.

Attorney with Harris, Karstaedt, Jamison & Powers, P.C.For over 20 years, Mr. Neider has represented developers, contractors, subcontractors and engineers in a broad array of construction and development disputes. He has defended design professionals on claims involving earth stabilization, structural foundations, and slope stability as well as stream design. From mountain resort towns to the City of Denver, Mr. Neider has tried cases to verdict all over the state of Colorado. He has been rated a Super Lawyer by his peers and maintains an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell based on his ongoing professional achievements and dedicated style of practice. Mr. Neider was inducted into the Order of St. Ives as an honored graduate from the University of Denver Law School, while he worked full time in mortgage banking until he served a law clerk internship in Colorado’s Federal District Court. Mr. Neider is an adept problem solver, keen on finding his clients the most practical and viable solutions available to reduce their exposure to protracted litigation.

John R. Riley is an equity shareholder at Montgomery Little & Soran, PC, and he has been the managing partner since 2010. He practices in general litigation matters with an emphasis on construction, engineer, architect, and auto accident claims. Mr. Riley’s work experience includes
personal injury claims, contract disputes and professional license matters before state licensing agencies. He is AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Riley’s trial and arbitration experience includes more than 30 cases presented to juries, judges, and arbitrators. During a nine-month time
period, Mr. Riley had five civil trials including back-to-back week long jury trials for two separate engineering clients. Mr. Riley’s writing and appellate experience includes appeal briefs and oral arguments to the Colorado Supreme Court, the Colorado Court of Appeals and to the Tenth Circuit
Court of Appeals. His appellate work has resulted in fifteen published opinions. In law school, Mr. Riley was on the Iowa Law Review and served as an associate editor. He served on the Judicial Performance Commission for the Denver District and County Court. Mr. Riley passed both the Iowa
Bar (now inactive) and the Colorado Bar during the same summer following law school.

Equity Shareholder with Montgomery Little & Soran, P.C.For the past 16 years, Mr. Searfoorce’s practice has emphasized construction litigation and professional liability defense. Mr. Searfoorce represents design professionals who provide services for the construction industry, including architects, engineers, land surveyors, and landscape architects. His cases involve a variety of construction projects, such as residential, commercial, public works, and mixed use. Mr. Searfoorce has also represented owners, developers, contractors, and subcontractors, and he understands their unique perspectives in the building process. He is active in the legal community as a member of the Colorado Bar Association, the Denver Bar Association, and the Colorado Defense Lawyers’ Association. Mr. Searfoorce enjoys regularly speaking to design professionals on a host of loss-prevention topics. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and in 2015, he worked closely with ACEC of Colorado to draft and procure passage of House Bill 1197, which limits a designer’s indemnity obligations on public construction projects. Mr. Searfoorce received a B.A. degree from Temple University and a J. D. degree, cum laude, from Seattle University School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Colorado, Pennsylvania, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and several U.S. District Courts.

Secrest, Hill, Butler & Secrest, P.C., TulsaMs. Black joined Secrest, Hill, Butler & Secrest in 2013. She has been an insurance defense lawyer for over 13 years. She brings an in-depth knowledge of insurance policy interpretation coupled with trial experience. Her work focuses on defending “bad faith”, coverage disputes, real estate, construction, products liability, professional liability and general liability. Ms. Black received her B.A. degree in 19994 from the University of Tulsa and graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1999.

Dunlap Codding P.C., Oklahoma CityMr. Brockhaus leads Dunlap Codding’s Electrical Engineering & Systems group.  He also practices in the areas of intellectual property, technology, computer and patent law and is involved in counseling, transactions, litigation and prosecution before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Mr. Brockhaus has prosecuted patent applications in the United States and abroad in the electrical, software and mechanical arts, including telephony equipment, semiconductor design and fabrication, computers, computer networking, digital cameras, electronic test equipment, web-guiding equipment, firearm safety equipment, protective vests, explosive detection equipment, optics and optical equipment, software programs and business methods.  He has also been involved extensively in patent-related litigation and licensing efforts involving the enforcement of intellectual property rights.  Mr. Brockhaus has been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Oklahoma College of Law and received his J.D. degree and his Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1997, where he was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma.  He received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1993.

Ms. Potts concentrates the majority of her practice on commercial litigation, corporate/business disputes, insurance, litigation defense (employment, transportation, professional liability, and products liability), and construction. In addition to her trial and litigation practice, Sara also counsels clients on a variety of corporate and commercial matters, including corporate formation and governance, director/officer liability, employer liability, employee terminations/severances, member disassociations and expulsions, shareholder disputes, and prelitigation dispute resolution. While she is based in Oklahoma City, Sara’s practice involves all areas and counties within Oklahoma, and she is admitted to all Oklahoma state and federal courts, as well admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

C. Peter Bolvig of Whitaker, Mudd, Luke & Wells, LLC in Birmingham, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended Vanderbilt University, where he earned a B.E. degree in Civil Engineering in 1981, and Tulane University School of Law, where he earned a J.D. degree in 1984. Mr. Bolvig was admitted to the Bar and licensed to practice in 1984. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Alabama, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States. He is a certified engineer in training by the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners. Mr. Bolvig is a member of the Birmingham and American Bar Associations, the Alabama State Bar, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association and DRI.

Fred R. DeLeon, Jr., is principal in engineering and environmental services with ATC Group Services LLC. He attended the University of Illinois where he earned a B.S. degree in Geology in 1984. He later earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in geotechnical and environmental engineering in 1989. After practicing as an environmental consultant for 10 years, Mr. DeLeon attended the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University where he earned his J.D. degree in 2001. While in law school, he was a Cordell Hull Teaching Fellow, a member of the National Moot Court Team, and was awarded the Hand Arendall Excellence in Appellate Advocacy Award. Mr. DeLeon is also a member of The Order of Barristers. He was admitted to the Bar and licensed to practice law in 2001. As an attorney, Mr. DeLeon has practiced law focusing on toxic torts, environmental regulations, land issues, and construction. For the past five years, he has been focusing on providing tailored environmental and occupational regulatory counseling to numerous commercial and industrial clients. He still holds registrations as professional engineer in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas, as well as professional geologist in Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

Christopher S. Hamer of Hamer Law Group, LLC is a Birmingham native. He regularly advises and represents clients on a broad range of legal issues, including: civil litigation, arbitration, business transactions, contract disputes, construction law, mergers and acquisitions, probate matters, estate planning/administration, and taxation. He received his B.S. degree in Commerce and Business Administration, with a concentration in Small Company Management, from the University of Alabama in 2005. After earning his undergraduate degree, he worked as general manager of Sports Transportation, LLC, and successfully negotiated the sale of the company to an industry peer in 2011. While running the business, Mr. Hamer attended the Birmingham School of Law as a full-time student and received his J.D. degree, graduating with honors in 2010. After completing his law degree, he attended the University of Alabama School of Law and received his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation degree, graduating cum laude in 2013, with a concentration in Business Tax. He is admitted to practice in Alabama state courts, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, and the U.S. Tax Court.

Mike Jackson serves as Vice-President and Senior Design Professional Insurance Specialist for Crow Friedman Group, a division of Risk Strategies Company. Mike specializes in professional liability and property & casualty insurance solutions for architectural and engineering firms, as well as owners and developers. He has over 20 years’ experience in the areas of architects and engineers professional liability. Mike has been instrumental in reviewing and negotiating state, municipal, university and other owner contracts. He is as an advocate for AIA, ACEC, ASCE, SEA and ASLA, and he serves not only as a board member for the Alabama Center for Architecture, but also serves on the ACFA Scholarship Committee.

W. Eric Pitts attended Auburn University where he received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Agricultural (Biosystems) Engineering. While at Auburn, Mr. Pitts was a member of Gamma Sigma Delta, the honor society of the College of Agriculture, and Alpha Epsilon, the national honorary for the Agricultural Engineering discipline. Mr. Pitts received his J.D. degree, cum laude, from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University where he was an associate editor and published member of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy and a member of Curia Honoris. Mr. Pitts has lectured at Auburn University, the international meeting of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and the annual meeting of the International Erosion Control Association. Mr. Pitts’ publications include: The Role of the Jury in Patent Infringement Actions: Reconciling Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc. and Warner-Jenkinson Co. v. Hilton Davis Chemical Co., 24 Am. J. Trial Advoc. 623 (2001). Mr. Pitts is licensed to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a patent attorney and has been in private practice since 2001.

Hissan Anis is a principal at Avant Law Group, LLC. He provides strategic patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret counseling to a wide range of public and private companies. This includes not only obtaining patents in the electrical, mechanical, and software arts, but also counseling clients on intellectual property litigation matters and counseling clients on avoiding litigation. He has substantial experience with AIA post grant proceedings, and he has represented clients in dozens of inter partes review cases. Before law school, Mr. Anis worked in the transmission and distribution group of a national engineering consulting firm and as a programmer for a microelectronic solutions company.

Brown and Ruprecht, P.C., Kansas City, MO
Mr. DeBauche is an attorney and shareholder with the law firm of Brown and Ruprecht, P.C., of Kansas City, Missouri. He has 35 years of experience in Kansas City as an attorney, representing parties in construction litigation in state and federal courts, before the Boards of Contract Appeals and in arbitrations. He regularly assists contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and designers with preparation of mechanic’s liens and bond claims, review and preparation of contracts, preparation of notice and claim documents, and general day-to-day advice. From 1994 to the present, Mr. DeBauche has taught Construction Law as an adjunct law professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. He has prepared several articles for Modern Builder on construction law topics. He has taught numerous seminars for the Builders’ Association and other groups on mechanics’ liens, federal contract claims, construction arbitrations, payment issues, extra work and changes, claims against bonds, construction contract documents, ethics issues and bidding issues.

Brown & Ruprecht PC, Kansas City
Mr. Hayob practices in insurance and coverage litigation and torts. He was selected for inclusion in Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers (2008-2013). Mr. Hayob regularly participates in seminars and presentations involving insurance-related issues before professional and industry groups. He is a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan and American (Tort and Insurance Practice Section) bar associations; The Missouri Bar; and the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers. Mr. Hayob is a past president of the Kansas City Claims Association. He received an A.B. degree from Rockhurst College and a J.D. degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Mr. Hayob also has a mediation certification from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law.

Scharnhorst Ast Kennard Griffin, PC, Kansas City, MO
Mr. Kennard is a shareholder of Scharnhorst Ast Kennard Griffin, PC, in Kansas City, Missouri. He chairs the firm’s Construction and Design Practice Group and serves as its chief information officer. For more than two decades, Mr. Kennard has represented owners, design-builders, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals of all types and sizes – from publicly-traded international companies to small local businesses and individuals – on a wide variety of construction-related matters. He has previously served as the president of the Construction Law Section of the Kansas Bar Association and the Construction Law Committee of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. In addition to being an advocate and counselor for his clients, Mr. Kennard also serves as a mediator and arbitrator and is a member of the American Arbitration Association’s National Panel of Construction Arbitrators.

Lathrop Gage LLP, Kansas City
Mr. Lambrechts has filed nearly 600 patent applications in the United States, and over 400 patent applications in foreign jurisdictions. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri at Kansas City’s schools of law and engineering for over 24 years, and in his practice brings knowledge gained through a rich and varied background to help clients develop strategies for maximizing their patent portfolios. Mr. Lambrechts also has a strong environmental law practice and enjoys working with environmental industry clients who seek seasoned guidance on their environmental and intellectual property issues.

Polsinelli PC, Kansas City
Mr. Troutwine represents corporations, organizations, and individuals confronting environmental issues in transactional, permitting, compliance, and litigation settings. His clients value his common sense and practical approach to identifying environmental issues and assessing environmental risk in the transactional setting. Whether in a corporate or real estate transaction, he evaluates risks and develops strategies to move a deal forward through comprehensive due diligence, drafting language in purchase agreements or negotiating remedies to environmental issues. Mr. Troutwine also regularly represents current owners of contaminated sites to develop and execute remediation strategies while negotiating with government authorities and potentially responsible parties. His experience includes removal and response actions before state agencies and the EPA in jurisdictions across the country. He has extensive experience in the mining and energy industry. He routinely serves as lead environmental and permitting counsel for the development and financing of utility-scale renewable energy projects throughout the United States.

Reginald W. Belcher is a shareholder with Turner Padget Graham and Laney P.A. in Columbia, South Carolina. He serves as the practice group manager for the firm’s Workplace Litigation team, which includes workers compensation, labor and employment law, and professional liability. Mr. Belcher is a certified specialist in labor and employment law, a certified arbitrator, and a certified mediator. He exclusively represents employers in all areas of labor and employment law, along with individuals on professional licensing matters.

Thomas E. Dudley, III, is a founding partner at Kenison, Dudley & Crawford, LLC. His practice focuses solely in the area of construction law. He is admitted to both the North Carolina and South Carolina bar associations. A cum laude graduate of the Citadel, he served six years in the SCARNG as an armor officer. He earned his J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina in 1992. Mr. Dudley is a member of the ABA Construction Law Forum, The South Carolina Bar (past chair), Trial and Appellate Advocacy Section and past chair of the Construction Law Section) and the the Greenville County Bar Association. Mr. Dudley also serves as a construction industry panel member for the American Arbitration Association and is a South Carolina Supreme Court certified mediator.

Jack Pringle, CIPP-US, is a partner at Adams and Reese LLP, where he counsels clients in matters relating to privacy, information security, information governance, administrative and regulatory law, public utilities, securities, and class action litigation. With an Information Privacy Professional (CIPP-US) designation from the International Association of Privacy Professionals, he helps businesses protect, manage and communicate information lawfully and effectively. Mr. Pringle guides clients through data breaches and related incidents in connection with federal and state breach notice and personal information and privacy laws, including notification, mitigation, regulatory response and resulting lawsuits.

Joshua D. Shaw is a partner at Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo, LLP. He devotes the majority of his practice to the construction industry representing contractors, developers, design professionals, and construction product manufacturers in complicated disputes and litigation. He has handled multiple class actions in state and federal courts and has successfully defeated class certification. Mr. Shaw also has extensive experience representing insurance carriers and insureds directly, both advising on coverage issues and bringing and defending coverage litigation. Outside the construction context, he has defended a wide variety of professional liability matters, including representing attorneys who served as class counsel in underlying class actions.

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

Robert J. Synnett, or “Safety Bob” as he’s known on jobsites throughout America, is the president of Safety Management Consultants, an occupational safety consulting firm he started over 20 years ago in Columbia. He has over 38 years of professional workplace safety experience, starting his career in professional safety just after his graduation from the University of South Carolina in 1981. Since that time, Mr. Synnett has created and managed numerous award-winning company safety programs. He is an OSHA safety training expert, and he has been an Authorized OSHA safety trainer for nearly 30 years. He has also created numerous safety videos and DVD programs that are used in plants and on jobsites and projects nationwide. His DVD training program “Safety Bob’s Construction Safety Orientation” has become a nationwide best-selling program. Mr. Synnett has also been published extensively, and his articles have been featured in several national safety publications.

Jeremy S. Baker is a Chicago-based construction attorney. From 2006-2019, he served clients at Schiff Hardin LLP, where he was a partner and a member of its national Construction Law practice. Previously, he was an attorney at Cozen O’Connor PC. Jeremy founded Baker Law Group LLC in 2019. An Adjunct Professor of Law at The John Marshall Law School, he taught an elective Construction Law course though the Center for Real Estate Law (Fall Semesters 2016, 2017, 2018). Jeremy helps his clients to complete challenging projects by emphasizing dispute avoidance and early, cost-efficient resolution of claims. He represents developers, lenders, design professionals, owners, and contractors in all aspects of design and construction. Jeremy’s practice involves project structuring across many project delivery methods, plus contract review and negotiation. Jeremy has prosecuted and defended lawsuits in well over 30 state and federal court venues – but he prefers to resolve disputes using cost-efficient alternative dispute resolution. Jeremy is a graduate of the Tulane University Law School and the University of California, Santa Barbara. He can be reached at https://buildchicagolaw.com or 312-621-7184.

Mr. Bryant focuses his practice on construction law. He writes and negotiates construction contracts for private and public projects, representing participants including owners, architects, engineers, general contractors, and subcontractors. Mr. Bryant resolves construction project performance and payment disputes, including surety bond claims and mechanics lien claims. He also represents owners and contractors in litigation matters including defense and prosecution of breach of contract, warranty, and construction defect claims. Mr. Bryant has defended design professionals against claims of professional negligence. He has written and spoken on many construction-related topics, including contract negotiation, public construction, and licensure of construction professionals. Among other organizations, he is a member of the Steering Committee of the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law Division 7 for Insurance, Surety, and Liens.

Shareholder with Querrey & Harrow, Ltd.Mr. Rabel concentrates his practice in commercial litigation, construction law, and corporate matters.  He has experience preparing and litigating mechanics liens and is a speaker at the firm’s regularly scheduled mechanics lien seminars.  He has experience in litigating contract claims, corporate dissolutions, and minority shareholder oppression actions, and in negotiating buy/sell agreements.

Shareholder with Querrey & Harrow, Ltd.
Mr. Schoumacher is the group co-chair of Querry & Harrow’s Construction Practice Group, and he also practices in several other areas, including professional liability, product liability, commercial law, insurance, and antitrust. He works with a variety of professionals, including architects, engineers, contractors and manufacturers. Mr. Schoumacher is an author and contributor to a number of publications on construction law and an active speaker in the construction industry, having been featured at more than 140 seminars or meetings of the American College of Construction Lawyers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Power Engineering Society, the American Society of Military Engineers, the Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, and other groups. He is a fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers, past president of the Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys, and past chair of the Construction Law Section of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Partner with Hinshaw & Culbertson LLPMr. Sheldon has been engaged in the private practice of law, concentrating in environmental law, for more than 40 years, primarily on behalf of business clients.  He is a graduate of Harvard Law Schooland Amherst College.  He is a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, based in Chicago, where he concentrates on environmental law issues.  He has been designated by peer vote as a “Leading Lawyer,” “Leading Attorney,” and “Super Lawyer,” and he has held an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell for over 30 years.  He was the regional counself or the United States EPA, Region 5, and the Chief of the Illinois Attorney General’s Environmental Bureau before that.  He has taught environmental law at both Loyola University and John Marshall law schools.  Mr. Sheldon is a frequent contributor to ABA and other legal periodicals.  He also serves as a mediator in environmental and land use disputes.  Respecting wetlands and water law, Mr. Sheldon has advised clients on regulatory program requirements, development options, and use of wetlands law in the pursuit and opposition of developments of real estate throughout Illinois and elsewhere in the USA.

Scott W.  Smilie is a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group of the firm. Mr. Smilie’s experience includes the prosecution, licensing, and litigation of patents, trademarks and copyrights.  As a member of the Patent Bar, he has prepared and prosecuted patents before the Patent and Trademark Office concerning diverse technologies including GPS-related systems, business methods, electrical connectors, coupler members for heavy-duty machinery, mechanical tools, and medical devices.  Mr. Smilie was admitted to the Illinois State Bar and the Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in 1997, and he is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago.

Associate at Donovan/Hatem LLP in Boston, MAMr. Coghlan focuses his practice on professional liability, business litigation, construction litigation, insurance defense and coverage. In addition, he assists in complex civil litigation, employment law issues and other forms of business litigation

Miyares and Harrington LLP in Wellesley, MAMs. Lacey represents public and private sector clients on a wide range of local, state and federal environmental and land use law issues, with a particular concentration in wetlands and water resources. She advises both regulated entities and regulators; represents clients in permit appeals, enforcement proceedings, and litigation; prepares comments on proposed permits and regulations; and assists municipalities in drafting bylaws and regulations. Ms. Lacey has litigated in Massachusetts trial and appeals courts and in federal court, as well as in administrative proceedings before the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Public Utilities.

Partner at Donovan Hatem LLP
Mr. Newberry has represented a range of clients, large and small, in state and federal courts as well as in various alternative dispute resolution mediums. He concentrates his practice in cases involving shareholder disputes, business and tax litigation, architect and engineer liability, accounting and legal malpractice, insurance defense and class action suits. Admitted to practice in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as on occasion pro hac vice in New Hampshire and Delaware, he has tried numerous cases in multiple states and a variety of forums. Mr. Newberry has argued multiple appeals before the Supreme Courts of Rhode Island and Delaware, the Appeals Court of Massachusetts and the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

Partner at Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak & Cohen, P.C. in Boston, MAMr. O’Neill is a partner in the firm who focuses his practice on business litigation, insurance coverage disputes and professional liability litigation. He represents individuals and businesses in a wide range of commercial disputes, including claims for breach of contract, commercial fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and violation of consumer protection statutes. He has also defended clients in connection with class action lawsuits. Mr. O’Neill has extensive experience representing insurers and policyholders in complex insurance coverage disputes. He advises and represents clients on a wide variety of coverage issues arising under professional liability, directors and officers liability, general liability, aviation, and property insurance policies. He also advises and represents clients in connection with claims for bad faith and extra-contractual liability.

Director at Preti Flaherty in Boston, MAMr. Rubinstein practices as a director in the firm’s Boston, Massachusetts, and Concord, New Hampshire, offices and is co-chair of the firm’s Construction Law group, and he is a member of the firm’s Litigation and Professional Liability groups. He regularly represents public and private clients, as well as insurance companies and their insureds, in complex commercial disputes, with an emphasis on matters involving construction issues and financial professionals.

Partner at Sunstein Kann Murphy & Timbers in Boston, MAMr. Saunders is a partner at Sunstein and is vice chair of the Patent Practice Group. He focuses his practice in patent preparation and prosecution, product clearance, portfolio development and evaluation, intellectual property litigation, interpartes review, reexamination, and licensing. He also conducts extensive intellectual property due diligence analyses prior to mergers, acquisitions, or venture capital or angel investments. He also is an angel investor and active participant in the angel investor community.

Attorney with Jordan Ramis, PCMr. Bowser’s construction and design professionals law practice covers all aspects of the design and construction process, from original procurement to claim prosecution and defense. Mr. Bowser has 18 years of experience as a construction and design professionals lawyer representing varied clients in all areas of public and private design and construction, including public bodies, private owners, architects, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers.

Partner with Cosgrave Vergeer Kester Mr. Burns is the chair of the firm’s construction practice group and a former managing partner of the firm. His practice focuses on providing advice and counsel to contractors, developers, architects, and engineers; litigating construction defect disputes; and handling construction-related professional negligence claims. He also has significant experience in defending personal injury, products liability, environmental, and premises liability litigation.

Partner at Parsons Farnell & Grein, LLP in Portland, OR
Mr. Farnell leads PFG’s insurance recovery group and its national policyholder practice. One of the most sought-after policyholder attorneys on the West Coast, he has represented businesses and individuals in disputes with insurance companies for more than 25 years, obtaining successful settlements, verdicts, and appellate decisions in a wide variety of insurance claims, including general liability, directors and officers, professional liability, property, employee dishonesty and fidelity bonds, and cyber. Mr. Farnell has been selected for inclusion in Oregon Super Lawyers® every year that designation has been available in Oregon and was named as one of the Top 50 lawyers in Oregon for 2018. He was also named to the Best Lawyers in America list for 2019. Raised and educated in Oregon and Washington, Mr. Farnell has deep roots in the Pacific Northwest. This translates into an extensive knowledge of the community and a deep commitment to the success of Northwest businesses. He is committed to maintaining relationships with his clients in order to provide each client with superior service.

Partner with Perkins Coie, LLP For over 20 years, Mr. Hunter has been counseling corporate and individual clients both in the United States and internationally on a wide variety of issues related to the environment including regulatory compliance, administrative enforcement and environmental litigation including white collar criminal matters, permitting and development and defending against permit challenges, cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated industrial and commercial properties and brownfields redevelopment projects, and environmental due diligence in real estate and corporate transactions. Mr. Hunter received his J.D. degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law; he is licensed to practice in Colorado and Oregon, and he is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA. Mr. Hunter has a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering.

Environmental Consultant with SLR International Corporation Ms. Kronholm is an environmental consultant with SLR International Corporation located in Portland, Oregon. She is a registered professional engineer with over 17 years of experience working with industrial and manufacturing clients across the US and Canada. She has specific expertise in air quality permitting and compliance, including regulatory applicability analyses, PSD permitting, Title V permitting, state-specific programs, and strategic planning. She also focuses on general regulatory compliance, including hazardous waste, stormwater, wastewater, environmental management systems, and auditing. Prior to joining SLR in 2013, Ms. Kronholm was the environmental program manager at a pulp and paper facility in Washington. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Montana State University.

Mr. Nicholas is a member of Stoel Rives’ Construction and Design group with experience litigating a range of construction disputes and drafting a variety of construction agreements. Mr. Nicholas has trial and arbitration experience and has assisted clients before federal and state courts, domestic and international arbitration panels, and administrative bodies. He is licensed in Oregon, Washington, and California. Before joining Stoel Rives, Mr. Nicholas worked as a summer associate for Oracle Corporation in Redwood Shores, California, and as a judicial extern for the Honorable William Q. Hayes of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California in San Diego, California.

Attorney with Perkins Coie, LLP Ms. Roberts is an environmental lawyer who counsels clients on complex regulatory compliance and permitting issues under state and federal environmental laws, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Prior to going to law school, she worked as an environmental engineer at Intel Corporation. She earned her Master of Public Health in environmental health science from the University of Michigan School of Public Health degree and received her J.D. degree from Vanderbilt University Law School.

Kristen E. Basham is an attorney with Costello Porter in Rapid City, South Dakota, where she was born and raised. In 2015, Ms. Basham graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Dakota. She then attended the University of South Dakota School of Law. During her time at law school, Ms. Basham was involved with Trial Team and Veterans Legal Education Group. Additionally, she took advanced business administration and management classes at USD’s Beacom School of Business and worked as a law clerk at Costello Porter in the summer of 2017. In May of 2018, Ms Basham received her juris doctorate degree from USD School of Law graduating with honors. She returned to Rapid City and joined Costello Porter as an associate attorney. Her practice emphasis is around litigation, business transactions, and property law.

Brian J. Donahoe founded Donahoe Law Firm, P.C. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His practice is focused on environmental and land use law, railroad and transportation law, construction, business and commercial litigation, intellectual property, agriculture law and civil litigation. Mr. Donahoe received his B.S. degree from South Dakota State University and his J.D. degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law as a Thomas Sterling Honor Graduate in 1993. He is admitted to practice law in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. He has been recognized by his peers as a Great Plains Super Lawyer© from 2011 to the present and included in The Best Lawyers in America© from 2007 to the present.

David R. Hansen is an associate attorney with Costello Porter Law Firm in Rapid City, South Dakota. He grew up in New Mexico and Colorado and earned a bachelor of science degree in Applied Physics from the University of Utah. Mr. Hansen earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Wyoming College of Law. During law school, he was elected president of the Wyoming Society for International Law. His team won first place in the Hirst-Applegate Trial Advocacy Competition. He was student director of the Estate Planning Practicum and worked with the Wyoming Small Business Development Center to create and present a series of webinars clarifying common legal issues for small business owners. Mr. Hansen’s practice focuses primarily on child protection planning, wealth protection, trust administration, and real estate. Mr. Hansen is licensed in South Dakota, and the Federal District of South Dakota.

Shane M. Pullman is an attorney with Costello Porter in Rapid City, South Dakota, who grew up on a small family farm. He earned a bachelor of science degree in Biology from the University of South Dakota. After working at the University of South Dakota Medical School’s research laboratory and at CIGNA Insurance, Mr. Pullman attended the University of South Dakota School of Law and received his juris doctor degree with high honors in 2012. During his enrollment at USD Law, he interned at two law firms, the Environmental Protection Agency and the City Planning Department of Huron, South Dakota. Mr. Pullman joined Costello Porter in 2012 and is admitted to practice law in South Dakota, North Dakota, and the Rosebud Sioux Reservation. He is also a patent attorney registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. His practice is primarily focused in intellectual property, estate planning and probate, real estate, and civil litigation.

Daniel B. Weinstein is an associate attorney at Donahoe Law Firm, P.C., in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He joined the firm in November of 2018 and focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, personal injury matters, will and trust disputes, worker compensation claims, and criminal defense work. He has experience in litigating issues arising from electronically stored information and computer systems access. Mr. Weinstein graduated from The George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He received his juris doctorate degree from St. Thomas University School of Law and was recognized for his outstanding scholastic performance at both institutions. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Second Circuit Bar Association and the Young Lawyers section of the South Dakota Bar.