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Mr. Robbins is a residential designer and energy consultant since the mid-1980s whose projects have been mostly in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan. His projects aim for lower energy usage and less negative environmental impact. He has designed and consulted on passive solar homes which sometime include solar water heating and solar electricity. He has also consulted on stand-alone renewable energy projects like the battery-backed PV electric system which has powered his office since November 2001.

Mr. Robbins has two certifications from Association of Energy Engineers (AEE): CEM for energy management and CSDP for sustainable development. He has received six awards from AEE since 1990 for energy and environmental achievements, including 1994 SW Ohio Energy Engineer of the Year and 2004 SW Ohio Environmental Engineer of the Year. In 2012 AEE honored Mr. Robbins as its Region III Renewable Energy Innovator of the Year. He was also co-recipient in 1998 of the Ohio Governor’s Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency in the Education Category.

A renewable energy advocate and user who once led the SW Ohio Alternate Energy Association (AEA) 1995-2005, Mr. Robbins nonetheless encourages, assists and teaches energy users to become much more aggressive in minimizing their heating, cooling and non-HVAC energy use. He has developed and taught energy-focused continuing education courses for Great Oaks Institute in Ohio, Appalachia – Science in the Public Interest in Kentucky, Columbus (OH) Green Building Forum, Impact Management Services in Cincinnati and HalfMoon Education.

Mr. Robbins sells no products, receives no commissions for referrals and has had no commercial affiliation with manufacturers and retailers of products or services he uses, recommends or specifies.

LEED AP Homes, BD+C, LEED for Homes Green Rater, NGBS Green Verifier, HERS Rater, Certified Passive House Consultant and PHIUS+ Rater, andFounder of Eco AchieversMr. La Fleur founded Eco Achievers in 2007 to help owners, builders, architects and developers realize that incorporating green building practices is not only achievable but also rewarding. He oversees client services, helping project teams develop design and construction strategies to build better-performing buildings. As president of Eco Achievers, he helps project teams throughout the upper Midwest build third-party verified green homes that meet LEED and ENERGY STAR standards. Mr. La Fleur is active in the community, helping found and direct the US Green Building Council (USGBC) Illinois chapter’s annual GreenBuilt Home Tour. He is a national speaker on topics related to residential green building, building science, and healthy construction practices, receiving USGBC Illinois chapter’s “Green Speak” and Chapter Leader Awards. He is also an active member of the Passive House Alliance of Chicago. As an experienced speaker and educator, Mr. LaFleur instructs on the Appraisal Institute’s green building courses, and on LEED, GreenStar, and building science topics. As a practitioner he works with multifamily clients that want durable Class-A buildings with minimal operating expenses, and single family clients pursuing zero energy. He is credentialed a LEED for Homes Green Rater, anNGBS Green Verifier, RESNET rater, a PHIUS+ rater, and a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC).

Mr. Tyson has been in the construction business for over 45 years. He has hands on experience in the individual trades as a tradesman, subcontractor and general contractor. He has been a Michigan-licensed builder since 1967. Mr. Tyson has functioned as a general contractor and provided supervisory services through Tyson Enterprises, Incorporated, and other contractors on all types of industrial, public, commercial and residential construction projects since 1963. His administrative and work experience includes new structures as well as the remodeling of existing structures and site improvements. Mr. Tyson specializes in OSHA and MIOSHA requirements and enforcement.

Mr. Aaron is a member in the Energy Industry Group with a focus on traditional utilities; nuclear, coal and natural gas-fired power production; bio-mass plant operations; independent power production; renewable energy; cogeneration; natural gas pipelines, transportation, storage and distribution; and oil and gas development, production and end user issues. Mr. Aaron has appeared before federal and state regulatory agencies. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for administrative/regulatory law and energy law since 2007. He is the recipient of an AV® Preeminent™ rating by Martindale-Hubbell. He has also been recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers® in 2008-2009 and 2011-2015.

Wolverine Power Supply CooperativeMr. Anderson is the vice president – power supply at Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative. His background includes power supply portfolio management, fuel and power contract negotiations, long-term pricing and cost analysis, and oversight of Wolverine’s generation fleet and market operations in MISO and PJM. Mr. Anderson is an honors graduate of Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in History. He is currently pursuing his MBA from Western Michigan University. Mr. Anderson has worked for Wolverine Power Cooperative since 2011.

Dykema Gossett
Mr. Hanselman is a member in Dykema’s Energy Industry Group with a focus on generation, transmission, and distribution by traditional utilities and electric cooperatives. He represents clients before administrative tribunals, trial courts, and appellate courts, regularly appearing before state regulatory agencies, including the Michigan Public Service Commission. Mr. Hanselman works on complex matterssuch as general rate cases, power supply and gas recovery cases, and certificates of public convenience and necessity applications for various facilities. He has been recognized as a Michigan leading lawyer in the areas of governmental, municipal, lobbying and administrative law by the Leading Lawyers Network, 2014-2016. He is the recipient of an AV® Preeminent™ rating by Martindale-Hubbell. He has also been recognized as a Rising Star in Michigan Super Lawyers® in 2012-2015. Mr. Hanselman also is an elected public school board member and serves as a Michigan boxing commissioner, after being appointed by Michigan’s governor.

Dykema GossettMs. Kissel is an associate in Dykema Gossett’s Government Policy & Practice group with a focus in the energy industry. She has represented a variety of utility clients before the Michigan Public Service Commission as well as the Michigan appellate courts. Ms. Kissel works on complex matters such as general rate cases, power supply and gas recovery cases, and certificates of public convenience and necessity applications for a variety of clients as well as appellate issues related to such cases.

Lansing Board of Power and LightMr. Matus is the director of technical services for the Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL). He currently oversees the BWL’s energy efficiency, renewable energy, customer service and environmental compliance programs. Prior to his current position Mr. Matus was the BWL’s manager of environmental services, and before joining the BWL he served for 25 years as an assistant attorney general for the State of Michigan.

Partner at Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss
Mr. Cooper is an attorney in our Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Construction & Development, and Insurance practice groups. He is also a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and serves as the firm’s Risk Management Counsel. Mr. Cooper specializes in commercial and general liability matters that include construction defect, development and contract issues, real estate litigation, business torts, contract disputes, professional liability, and all aspects of insurance coverage, for both insurer and policyholders, including comprehensive opinion recommendations. He also focuses on overall client risk management consultation and has extensive experience defending general liability matters. A trained mediator, Mr. Cooper regularly litigates, tries and arbitrates complex disputes nationwide. He has considerable first-chair experience in all facets of litigation, including numerous trials, arbitrations and other methods of alternative dispute resolution. He provides overall risk management and insurance-related consulting services to businesses in varied industries throughout the country.

Associate at Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC
Mr. Gast helps businesses and organizations of all sizes and at all stages of development grow and solve problems. He provides practical and thoughtful advice on issues including technology law, data privacy and cybersecurity, startups, mergers and acquisitions, taxation, and contracting. Mr. Gast’s breadth of legal expertise complements his focus on providing practical guidance to help businesses grow and address challenges. Mr. Gast is based in Lansing and counsels clients in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and throughout Michigan.

Attorney with Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC, Southfield
Mr. Hamor provides value-added representation for clients in the areas of for-profit and non-profit corporate transactions and governance, commercial real estate, and related litigation matters. Known for his responsiveness and no-nonsense advice, he zealously represents his clients relating to the formation, governance and development of businesses entities; contract negotiation, drafting, implementation and enforcement; real estate matters such as leases, purchase agreements, environmental compliance and enforcement of property-related contracts; construction contracts and disputes; government compliance in regulated industries; employment issues; and buying and selling businesses.

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.

James E. Spurr, a principal at Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C, specializes in resolving disputes, from trials in state and federal court, to arbitrations, mediations, and facilitations.  He has concentrated on claims arising from complex construction projects for more than 30 years.  Mr. Spurr has advocated for, defended against, and resolved claims involving corporate headquarters, manufacturing facilities, college and university buildings, public works projects, municipal parks, local schools and athletic arenas.  The claims range from interference and delay, lost productivity, and defective buildings to design negligence and serious accidents.  He has served on the faculties of major nationwide construction law seminars and industry symposia.

Attorney at Cole Family Law
Ms. Cole has been a trial lawyer for 24 years. She is admitted to practice in the State of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She specializes in family law matters such as divorce, custody, parenting time, support and adoptions. Ms. Cole is a certified mediator and is a member of the Wayne County Family Law Bar Association, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, the American Bar Association and the Livonia Bar Association. She is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a past president of the Livonia Bar Association. Ms. Cole has also received numerous awards and recognitions, including being recognized by Super Lawyers as a Top Attorney and in Top Women Attorneys as published in Hour Detroit magazine and has been designated as a Top Lawyer by DBusiness magazine.

Partner at Elkouri Heath, PLC
Ms. Heath has been a trial lawyer and a partner in the law firm of Elkouri Heath, PLC for over 24 years, with an office located in southern Oakland County. Ms. Heath is certified in mediations and in collaborative law. She was awarded the Super Lawyer designation in 2019 (awarded to less than 5% of attorney’s in Michigan). She was named by American Institute of Family Law Attorneys as one of the 10 best female attorneys in Michigan for 2018 and 2019, and she was named by Crain’s Detroit Business as a top Michigan attorney. Ms. Heath is the past president of the Wayne County Family Bar Association and are executive board member. She is also a member of the Michigan State Bar Association and the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. In addition, Ms. Heath is a Northville Township trustee and a member of the Northville Township Zoning Board of Appeals. She earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Detroit Law School in 1993 and is licensed to practice in Michigan and U.S. Federal Court. Ms. Heath is a member of the Michigan State Bar Association, the Oakland County Bar Association, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, and the Wayne County Family Law Bar Association.

Attorney at Hertz Schram PC
Ms. Nieusma is a 2015 graduate of Michigan State University College of Law and has practiced exclusively family law for her entire career. She has completed the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s family law certificate and is a member of the Michigan Interdisciplinary Professionals Association. Ms. Nieusma regularly appears throughout metro-Detroit, focusing her practice in Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties.

Paralegal at The Smith Law Offices, P.C.
Ms. Roark, paralegal at The Smith Law Offices, graduated from Washtenaw Community College in 2019 with her associate in arts degree in Paralegal Studies. She began her career in June 2019 as a paralegal and has worked with Samantha Smith Dickinson closely on her family law and bankruptcy cases. Ms. Roark is currently working towards completing her certification through the NALA Paralegal Association.

Owner/Attorney at The Smith Law Offices, P.C.
Ms. Smith Dickinson, owner of The Smith Law Offices, graduated with honors from Michigan State University with a bachelor of arts degree in Psychology in 2005 and with a juris doctorate degree from Wayne State University Law in 2008. She opened The Smith Law Offices, PC in early 2010. She focuses primarily in family law, including divorce and child custody. Ms. Smith Dickinson has tried a substantial number of cases in Wayne, Oakland and Washtenaw Counties with excellent results. She has earned the esteemed ranking of Super Lawyer Rising Star for five years in a row, along with a number of other awards and certifications.

Ayar Law
Mr. Ayar is the principal attorney and founder of the firm, which is strictly a tax law firm. It focuses only on IRS and Michigan tax resolution for both businesses and individuals. Mr. Ayar has handed a multitude of cases, including tax audit defense; negotiating favorable settlements for back taxes (offers in compromise); setting up tax payment plans (installment agreements); arranging release of both tax liens and levies; defending criminal tax fraud cases; and advising those with foreign bank accounts who have not complied with reporting requirements.

Shareholder with Butzel Long (Bloomfield Hills)
As a member of the Corporate and Real Estate Department, Ms. Donovan represents clients both locally and nationally in all areas of real estate, including mortgage and deed fraud, construction liens, eminent domain, property tax appeals, title insurance, and municipal issues.  She has extensive experience with Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (“MMFLA”) and has successfully assisted clients with the process for applying for pre-qualification and license qualification status.  She obtained the first licensed provisioning center in Oakland County.  She is chair of the firm’s Cannabis Law Specialty Team and is frequently in the media for her expertise and knowledge.

Team Leader – Cannabis Law Division, Grewal Law PLLC
Mr. Fraser is an associate at the firm. His practice focuses on marijuana law, sexual abuse litigation, criminal defense, and appellate law. Mr. Fraser serves as secretary/treasurer of the Marijuana Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and as an adjunct professor at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, where he teaches marijuana law. Mr. Fraser graduated from Michigan State University College of Law, summa cum laude, and was ranked first in his class.

Scott Roberts Law
Mr. Roberts is the managing partner of Scott Roberts Law, a full-service cannabis business and real estate law firm representing cannabis companies throughout the State of Michigan. Scott Roberts Law has been practicing cannabis business law since the passage of the MMFLA and has helped its clients take their projects from the conceptual stage to fully licensed and operating facilities. Specifically, the firm specializes in state and municipal licensing, complex corporate and real estate transactions, and MMFLA / MRTMA compliance issues.

Manager of the Washington Conservation District (WCD)
Washington County has a diverse landscape with urban, suburban, agricultural, and natural land uses – all located along the St. Croix River at the east side of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area in Minnesota. Mr. Riggs is responsible for managing overall District operations and coordinating WCD activities with the elected WCD board, watersheds and local units of government. Prior to joining the WCD, he worked as an urban conservationist, environmental consultant, and regional planner. Mr. Riggs provides technical support and teaches on a variety of subjects, including stormwater best management practices, natural resource inventories, construction site erosion control, low impact development, and total maximum daily load (TMDL) development and implementation. He has an M.S. degree in Water Resource Management from Michigan State University and B.S. degrees in Biology and Psychology from University of WI-Eau Claire. Mr. Riggs is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sedimentation Control (CPESC #2059), Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ 0062), a CPESC instructor, a member of the Minnesota State Stormwater Steering Committee, and co-chair of the Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) Workgroup.

John Trant, Jr. has over twenty years of strategic planning, land use, economic development, government administration and municipal management experience working in both the public and private sectors. He often works closely with local governments throughout Pennsylvania to strategically address management, planning, land development and zoning matters. Mr. Trant pulls from his experiences as a consulting expert and as a local government administrator to efficiently and effectively assist local governments. His experience with municipalities of all shapes and sizes adds the value of a broad perspective and his knowledge as a municipal administrator brings practical insight and understanding of how to successfully address challenges and implement change at the local government level. 

Ms. Howe earned her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton. She completed an ABA approved Paralegal Program at the Minnesota Paralegal Institute. Ms. Howe is a member of the Minnesota Paralegal Association and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.

Ms. Johnsen is a family law attorney and her practice includes areas of marriage dissolution, custody and parenting time matters, child support, paternity, spousal maintenance, international family law, child in need of protection and services, termination of parental rights proceedings, and appeals. Her background in child protection and juvenile justice gives her a distinctive perspective in working with families going through a variety of family transitions such as dissolution, custody disputes and child protection proceedings. Ms. Johnsen graduated from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law where she was a recipient of the Student Award of Merit. She is admitted to practice in the state of Minnesota and Federal District Court, District of Minnesota.

Ms. Krueger is an attorney practicing exclusively in the area of family law. As a Rule 114 qualified neutral, she provides mediation services for parties going through marriage dissolution and custody proceedings. She is committed to helping parents find good child-focused solutions to the disputes they face in their divorce and custody matters. Ms. Krueger strives to provide practical options and solutions for her clients and uses her knowledge of the law to develop plans that will help families long-term. She received her J.D. degree, cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law and received a B.S. degree in Paralegal Studies, magna cum laude, from Winona State University.

Founding Shareholder with Mack & Santana Law Offices, P.C. in MinneapolisMs. Wagner has been practicing since 1994, primarily in family law and related causes of action. She was named as a Minnesota Super Lawyer (2011-17), named on the Top 50 Women Super Lawyers List for Minnesota (2013-15, 2017), and named on the Top 100 Attorneys List for Minnesota (2017). Ms. Wagner focuses on developing creative and practical solutions for clients seeking assistance in family law matters and divorce cases. She frequently teaches at legal education seminars. Ms. Wagner is the co-author of the child support chapter in the Family Law Financial Deskbook, first edition, 2008, plus all the subsequent updates, from Minnesota CLE, and is the author of the Enforcement and Contempt chapter in the Minnesota Divorce Practice Deskbook, also from Minnesota CLE. She is the author of, “A Cup of Coffee with 10 Leading Attorneys in the United States.” Ms. Wagner is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Hennepin County Bar Association, the First District Bar Association (past president) , and the Eighth District Bar Association.

Attorney with Capistrant Meyer, P.A., in MinneapolisMs. Meyer practices primarily family law and has extensive experience representing clients dealing with divorce, custody disputes, division of marital and non-marital assets, modifications of parenting time, domestic abuse, step-parent adoption, and grandparent rights. Ms. Meyer is an active member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Cooperative Practice Network, AFCC, and the Minnesota Women Lawyers. She regularly volunteers at the Volunteer Lawyers Network’s Hennepin County Family Law Clinic and was on the steering committee for Early Case Management in Mille Lacs County. Ms. Meyer has served as chair of the MSBA Family Law Section and Chair of the Minnesota Family Law Institute. She continues to serve on the Executive Council for the MSBA Family Law Section. Ms. Meyer holds a 10 out of 10 rating status through AVVO. She has presented previously on family law topics.

Ms. O’Keefe has been named a Minnesota Rising Star by Super Lawyers for several years. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, where she teaches Advanced Family Law. Ms. O’Keefe has been invited to speak on a number of topics, including International Service of Process, Interstate and International Child Custody, and Establishing Child Support, among others. She also serves as co-editor of Minnesota CLE’s Divorce Practice Deskbook, a resource for family law practitioners across the state. In addition, Ms. O’Keefe serves as a board member for the Family Law League, a local non-profit organization focused on professional development and promoting collegiality among family law professionals. Her interest in and passion for helping families developed during law school when she began volunteering for Tubman, a family violence prevention organization. Ms. O’Keefe has continued her involvement with Tubman and regularly volunteers her time to Tubman’s legal clinics for self-represented litigants.

Shareholder with Mack & Santana Law Offices, P.C. in MinneapolisMs. Santana has been practicing law since 1994, focusing exclusively on family law litigation since 2000. She co-founded Mack & Santana Law Offices, P.C. in 2004. Before moving to Minnesota in 2000, Ms. Santana served on active duty in the U.S. Army as an attorney. She has successfully represented clients in complex high asset and high net-worth divorce cases. Ms. Santana is also experienced in effectively representing clients facing challenging and complicated custody, parenting time and financial issues. She is also a qualified mediator under Rule 114. Ms. Santana has been listed in Minnesota Super Lawyers since 2007, and speaks frequently on family law topics for continuing legal education courses. She has also co-authored and authored chapters for Minnesota CLE desk books on family law topics. Ms. Santana received a bilingual education and she speaks, reads and writes Spanish fluently.