product

Partner/Attorney at Diamond McCarthy LLP
After practicing complex commercial and environmental litigation for ten years, Ms. Valastro recently become a Business Law Professor at Louisiana State University – Shreveport and a consultant for a prominent litigation funder.  Her research agenda includes greenwashing and legal ethics issues.  Ms. Valastro graduated first in her college class from Texas Tech University, summa cum laude with honors, with a B.A. degree in Spanish and Political Science and received her J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Texas Tech University School of Law.

Dr. Prasad is a licensed professional engineer, land surveyor, and professional planner with more than three decades of professional experience in civil engineering, surveying, and management field since his graduation. He has recently earned Ph.D. degree from New York University in Civil Engineering. Dr. Prasad has double M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering and Engineering Management from New Jersey institute of technology and an B.S. degree in Civil Engineering. He has more than 2000 hours of continuous professional education as instructor/participating professional (1990-2022) excluding formal education. Dr. Prasad is a New Jersey state certified emergency medical technician (EMT), emergency medical responder (EMR), fire fighter (FF). He is a fellow of American Society of Civil Engineers and also an active member of several professional organizations such as: AREMA, PMI, AISC, NYSAPLS etc. His technical papers were accepted in multiple ASCE journals and various other organizations like ASCE, AREMA & NYSAPLS conference proceedings for presentation and or publication multiple times.

Dr. Atalah teaches construction management at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). He has taught and mentored hundreds of construction management students since 2000. Dr. Atalah has written many peer-reviewed-journal and conference papers. He has made hundreds of construction management presentations in many national and international conferences and educational seminars. Dr. Atalah has been involved in the construction of water and wastewater projects since 1984. He earned a Doctor of Engineering degree, an MS degree in Civil Engineering, and MBA degrees from Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA. After his graduation with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1982, he worked on the construction of wastewater projects in very challenging conditions such as high ground water table, stratified soils, unknown utilities, congested streets, and nearby high-rise buildings. Dr. Atalah also worked on the construction of water and wastewater projects in very challenging conditions such as tunneling in very sensitive tourism and commercial areas where construction disturbance must be minimized on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

Dr. Hayes holds BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State University and a PhD in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University with an emphasis in Environmental Engineering and Water Resources Planning and Management. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Nevada, a Diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, Fellow Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, on the Board of Directors of the Western Dredging Association, and editor of the Journal of Dredging. Dr. Hayes’ research interests are environmental impacts associated with dredging and sediment placement, particularly contaminated sediment management, wetland restoration, systems applications in water resources management, and water quality issues. He has over 200 journal, conference, and project publications and holds multiple patents. Dr. Hayes has extensive consulting experience, especially on large, contaminated sediment sites. He has testified as an expert witness for many and worked as an expert consultant to the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Department of Justice, US Army Corps of Engineers, multiple state agencies, and numerous private industries. Dr. Hayes has served on numerous national-level committees and panels for the National Science Foundation, US Environmental Protection Agency, US Army Corps of Engineers, US National Resources Conservation Service, and the National Academy of Engineering. He has also organized numerous national and international conferences and workshops. Dr. Hayes has extensive undergraduate and graduate level teaching experience. He has also taught many short courses on dredging, sediment management, and contaminated sediment site remediation.

Ms. Lord has lived on the Northshore for most of her life and currently lives in Kingston, New Hampshire. She started as the office manager in 2011, running everything from the office to marketing and sales. However, she was promoted to Vice President in 2018 and now focuses mainly on sales. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Languages from Northeastern University. Ms. Lord is an SPFA and BPI certified professional.

When not at the office, Ms. Lord enjoys being outdoors and will partake in just about any physical activity. She also enjoys spending time with her two children and her dogs. Her energy and positive attitude bring out the best in people. Her life motto? “Life is what you make of it, so make something great!”

Mr. Stevens received his Master’s degree in Architecture from Texas Tech University and has over 25 years in the building industry. His experience includes architectural design, construction, consulting, as well as training and development roles. As a Building Envelope & Architectural Consultant at Sika he works directly with Architects, Contractors, Consultants and Specifiers to select the optimal insulation and envelope components for their projects while meeting applicable building codes. Mr. Stevens is an active member that serves on the boards of several CSI and BEC chapters in Texas. In addition to serving as chair of BEC Dallas, he also serves on the AIA Dallas COTE (Committee On The Environment). He is also a committee member on several RAiNA committees.

Mr. Moormann, PE, RA, earned a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture degree and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He is dually a licensed as a registered architect and a licensed Professional Engineer in the States of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states and holds multiple professional affiliations and certifications. Mr. Moormann has spent a large portion of his 18+ year career involved in heavy construction and new building development in the New York City market under various capacities of geotechnical, excavations, demolition, remediation, and structural design works. Notable projects include MoMa Tower Verre; 432 Park Avenue; World Trade Center Towers 2, 3 & 4; 220 Central Park; Nordstrom Tower; and currently under construction 740 8th Avenue. Mr. Moormann has been directly involved with over 750 construction projects in the tri-state region. Additionally, he has held a technical director position in multiple engineering companies overseeing all special inspection operations. He is co-owner and principal of Ancora Engineering based out of mid-town Manhattan. Mr. Moormann also has his own private architecture and engineering practice focused on the local market around his New Jersey home.

Mr. Grew is licensed as an architect in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. He is also licensed as a building official in Connecticut. For ten years, Mr. Grew was the chief building official for the Town of East Hartford. Since 1989 he has been owner of his own architectural design practice working extensively in the residential, commercial, and institutional building sectors. With his expertise in codes, he has also maintained a practice as codes consultant to other architects, engineers, contractors, building owners, and municipalities. Mr. Grew has served on the AIA national Codes & Standards Committee and various committees of the International Code Council and ASTM International.

Mr. Moore is a dedicated professional with a passion for sustainability and preserving our natural waterways. As the Founder and Chief Brand Ambassador of Erosion & Construction Solutions, Joe brings over two decades of expertise in erosion and sediment control. His work integrates his love for the outdoors with his commitment to the Clean Water Clean World initiative, promoting environmental responsibility through his business ventures.

Mr. Burlew joined Walker Consultants’ New York office in 2025 as a Building Envelope Consultant, bringing over 19 years of experience in the architectural and project management sectors. Throughout this time, Mr. Burlew has gained invaluable expertise in both field and office settings. Mr. Burlew is well-versed in architectural design, exterior envelope construction, fenestration systems, and fabrication processes. He has extensive experience in all phases of construction from initial design through construction administration.

Mr. Miller is passionate about teaching UAS and geospatial education and leverages his experience in his current role as a professor in the Bay Area. Outside of academia, he is a technical trainer and entrepreneur. He started his business, Aerial Education, in 2018 to provide the highest-level training and consulting in the drone mapping industry. Mr. Miller’s interest in UAS began in 2013 when he started doing research for his master’s thesis. His blog, iphonedroneimagery.com, chronicles that research. He is pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Geomatics Engineering at the University of Colorado, Denver.

Ms. Anderson primarily practices in the areas of domestic and family law, criminal law, and bankruptcy. Ms. Anderson’s over 12 years of experience in these areas of law has given her a unique ability to not only achieve results but to assist clients though difficult, complicated and sometimes incredibly emotional events. She received her bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Central Florida and a J.D. degree from Barry University School of Law, where she received a certificate for completing a concentration in the areas of children and family law. Ms. Anderson has worked in the legal field since 1997 and since then has worked at all levels within private law firms. Ms. Anderson has been involved in the following organizations and affiliations: American Bar Association, The Florida Bar (Family, Criminal and Young Lawyers Division), and Orange County Bar Association. Additionally, Ms. Anderson is an adjunct professor for Seminole State College as well as Bryant & Stratton. Ms. Anderson was a former adjunct professor for Barry University, Kaplan University and Everest University.

Ms. Hernandez represents high-net-worth individuals in complex marital and family law matters. She assists individuals in the dissolution of marriage, equitable distribution, alimony, child support, parenting and time-share issues, paternity, and prenuptial agreements. Ms. Hernandez has obtained the AV Preeminent peer review rating through Martindale-Hubbell. In addition, she has been selected for inclusion in the Super Lawyers list since 2014, including Top 100: Miami Super Lawyers in 2018, 2020- 2022 and Top 50: Women Florida Super Lawyers in 2015 and 2018, The Best Lawyers in America list since 2019, Florida Trend’s Legal Elite list, and South Florida Legal Guide’s Top Lawyers list. In addition, Ms. Hernandez is a Fellow of The American Bar Foundation and is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Law.

Marck K. Joseph, Esq. – The Joseph Firm, P.A.
Mr. Joseph, Esq., is the founder and owner of The Joseph Firm, a South Florida-based practice focusing exclusively on Marital and Family Law. His strong passion for justice has resolved hundreds of cases for clients, involving divorce, alimony, equitable distribution, paternity (establishment and disestablishment), time-sharing (custody/visitation rights), child support, and domestic violence. He is also a Florida Supreme Court-certified family mediator and collaborative law practitioner. Mr. Joseph also serves on various committees, including the 11th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee, the Family Law Rules Committee, and the Florida Bar Family Law Sections Legislative Committee. 

Jennifer Kane Waterway, P.A.
Ms. Waterway is a family lawyer, mediator, and guardian ad litem. She handles divorce, child custody, timesharing, and relocation, paternity, domestic violence, and dependency matters involving the Department of Children and Families (DCF), as well as pre- and post-nuptial agreements and post-judgment modification and enforcement actions. She has practiced law since 2000, focusing almost exclusively on family law since 2006, and started her own firm in 2011. Before that she worked for a well-known Boca Raton law firm for many years, handling high-conflict family, probate, and guardianship matters, and top-tier South Florida law firms representing sophisticated corporate clients in product liability, mass tort, and commercial matters in state and federal courts across the country. Before that she served as a judicial law clerk at the Fourth District Court of Appeal in West Palm Beach, handling civil, criminal, and family law appeals. She received her law degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale and bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.

Ms. Akers is an Environmental Scientist Advisor with the Kentucky Division of Water, Commonwealth of Kentucky – Energy and Environment Cabinet. As a career employee of the Energy and Environment Cabinet, Paulette Akers has worked in the Department of Natural Resources and the Department for Environmental Protection for more than twenty years. Currently, Paulette serves as the Gulf Hypoxia Program Engagement Coordinator in the Division of Water and works to support activities occurring in nutrient-priority watersheds and develop new tools and partnerships to support nutrient reduction in those areas and across the Commonwealth. She works specifically in areas such as wastewater treatment plant nutrient optimization, agriculture, and with partners in Tennessee. Previously, she served 5 years as the Director of the Division of Conservation and 2 years as the Director of the Division of Compliance Assistance. Her early career was with the Division of Water in the Water Quality and Watershed Management Branches. Paulette is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University where she earned a BS degree in Biology and an MS degree in Applied Ecology.

Mr. Bonnell has been involved in watershed and natural resource management for thirty years. In September of 2023, Joe became the first Nutrient Reduction Strategy Coordinator with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the Office of Agriculture and Water Quality. Previously, Joe had a long career in university extension, first with Ohio State University and more recently with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Joe has spent his career working on addressing primarily agricultural non-point source issues, focusing on promoting holistic and collaborative approaches to watershed planning and implementation. 

Mr. Dunn is an environmental attorney with PoynerSpruill, LLP in Raleigh, North Carolina. After receiving his law degree and a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from UNC-Chapel Hill, he worked with the N. C. Department of Environmental Quality for over eight years, with his last position being general counsel. In 1985 he joined PoynerSpruill to expand the firm’s areas of practice to environmental law. In his 39 years with PoynerSpruill, he has represented both private and public clients in practically all areas of environmental law and particularly has advised cities and counties regarding wastewater compliance issues and consolidation of water and wastewater treatment facilities and services. Most relevant to this seminar, Mr. Dunn was the legal advisor for the formation of the Neuse River Compliance Association (NRCA), an association of point source wastewater dischargers in the lower Neuse River Basin formed over 20 years ago to comply with a then-pending total maximum daily load for nitrogen in the lower Neuse River estuary.  Subsequent to the formation of the NRCA, Mr. Dunn served for many years as legal counsel for the NRCA and the Lower Neuse Basin Association, a previously- existing monitoring association, in establishing by-laws and rules for their membership and operations and for jointly carrying out their complementary functions.  

Ms. Harrold is the Program Manager for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and Water Quality Initiatives for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), Division of Soil Conservation (DSC). As the Program Manager, Julie provides leadership and management for the Indiana CREP, the Indiana State Nutrient Reduction Strategy and Indiana Science Assessment, and other water quality initiatives undertaken by the ISDA. She provides Indiana representation on the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force Coordinating Committee. Julie is a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Landscape Horticulture and Design and has over 26 years of experience as a conservation professional. She has held a number of different positions within the Division of Soil Conservation over the years and has been in her current position as Program Manager since July 2015. Her experience includes working with partners around the state of Indiana as well as other states to advance water quality improvement goals and implement conservation programs; engineering surveys, design and implementation of conservation Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as Grassed Waterways and Wetland Restorations; assisting landowners with developing conservation plans; working with Soil and Water Conservation Districts in northeast Indiana on carrying out conservation programs and events and providing technical assistance; working with DSC staff in quantifying the water quality benefits of various conservation BMPs; and working with Purdue University on quantifying the effectiveness of conservation practices on water quality.

Dr. Marshall is a Staff Scientist in the Water Planning and Assessment Division at the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), where she has worked for the past five years. She serves as the project manager for the Hypoxia Task Force Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Gulf Hypoxia Program Grant for Louisiana, which is comprised of two projects focused on helping Louisiana address nonpoint source water quality management. Amanda also serves on the Water Resources Team for the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, and was the lead author on the update to the LDEQ report Nitrogen and Phosphorus Trends of Long-Term Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Sites in Louisiana, completed in 2021 in support of the Louisiana Nutrient Reduction and Management Strategy. Amanda holds a Ph.D. degree in Environmental Resources and Policy from Southern Illinois University, and both an M.S. degree in Public Policy and a B.S. degree in Biology with an ecology focus from the Georgia Institute of Technology. During her Ph.D. she was the recipient of a National Science Foundation IGERT Fellowship in the field of Watershed Science and Policy, where her dissertation work focused on comparative stakeholder assessments in the Mississippi and Tisza River Basins.

Mr. McAleese is president and CEO of the Sand County Foundation. Kevin assumed overall leadership of Sand County Foundation in July 2015. In his over 20 years with the Foundation, he has overseen all aspects of planning, program implementation, and personnel and financial management. Kevin founded the Cooperative Sagebrush Initiative in 2007, an award-winning 11-western state public-private partnership to balance energy production, ranching, and habitat protection. He served as President of its Board of Directors until 2013. He led a 10-year program in the Great Lakes states and northeastern U.S. to enhance the regeneration of important hardwood forests that support rural economies and abundant wildlife. He has organized and facilitated regional, national, and international conferences among landholders, resource managers, and scientists. He holds a BS degree in engineering from the University of Wisconsin and an MA degree in history from Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Peterson leads Sand County Foundation’s agricultural conservation team and sets its strategic direction in research, and farmer and rancher engagement. She brings significant leadership, teaching, and research experience surrounding agricultural conservation and water quality issues. Heidi previously served as the Phosphorus Program Director with the International Plant Nutrition Institute, and prior to that at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. She serves the scientific community on the Agronomic Science Foundation’s Board of Trustees, as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota, and as an associate editor with the Journal of Environmental Quality. Heidi completed her Ph.D. in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Minnesota. At Purdue University she received a M.S. degree in Agronomy, and a B.S. degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science.

Mr. Phthisic is the Executive Director of the Lower Neuse Basin Association (LNBA) and Neuse River Compliance Association (NRCA). He has served in this role with the associations since 2009. Prior to accepting this position, he served as the Chair of the Associations (2004 to 2009). He was a founding delegate to the LNBA when formed in 1994. The LNBA was formed as a sampling coalition in concert with the N. C. Division of Water Quality. The NRCA was formed to implement the Neuse Nutrient Management Strategy (also known as the Neuse Rules) to comply with a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) being implemented for the Neuse River estuary. He also served on the committee to form the NRCA in 2002. He was the Assistant Director of Utilities for Johnston County which included the management of the water, wastewater, and solid waste landfill for the County prior to becoming the Executive Director for the LNBA/NRCA.

Ms. Salvato has worked for the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association as a Policy and Programs Director since 2017. Her focus at the Association is on water quality, water quantity, and ecosystem restoration initiatives. Lauren previously worked for the North American Lake Management Society (Secchi Dip-In program), the National Park Service at the Grand Canyon (North Rim), and US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Eastern Tallgrass Prairie and Big Rivers Landscape Conservation Cooperative. Her background is in environmental science, with graduate degrees in Water Resources and Public Policy from the University of New Mexico and Indiana University. Lauren lives two blocks from the Minnesota River and volunteers as a Board member for the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District.  

Mr. Sample has worked for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for 22 years, serving as the Agency Coordinator for the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy for the past six years. He represents Illinois EPA on the federal Hypoxia Task Force, the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council, and the Illinois Certified Crop Adviser Board.  Mr. Sample earned a B.S. in Agronomy from Illinois State University.

Mr. Siegel is a member of Barley Snyder’s Real Estate and Environment & Energy practice group. He has spent more than two decades as a litigator at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. In his time at the DEP, he litigated more than 250 appeals in state and federal courts and in front of the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board in cases involving litigation of solid waste, clean water, environmental remediation, and sewage planning. His cases resulted in tens of millions of dollars of environmental remediation and civil penalties throughout Pennsylvania. In the private sector, Mr. Siegel has worked with businesses on both environmental and energy issues. He’s helped companies in real estate transactions navigate environmental issues, worked with municipalities on stormwater and sewage issues, and has assisted companies and other entities in addressing DEP and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforcement actions. He’s also worked with out-of-state gas pipeline owners and contractors to help them comply with Pennsylvania environmental requirements and defended them in DEP enforcement actions. Mr. Siegel is also a trained mediator. In addition to his time at the DEP, he has worked in federal government positions at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in Atlanta and with the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest Laboratory in Washington state. Mr. Siegel is a prolific speaker at professional gatherings throughout Pennsylvania on environmental topics including Pennsylvania’s Environmental Rights Amendment, Pennsylvania’s voluntary cleanup program, Chesapeake Bay and clean water issues, and municipal stormwater requirements. He also co-authored the chapter on Pennsylvania’s Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act (Act 2) in Pennsylvania Environmental Law & Practice, 10th Edition. His professional environmental experience has led him to leadership positions with a multitude of nonprofit organizations both in central Pennsylvania and throughout the Mid-Atlantic. He’s also a former member of the Board of School Directors for the Lower Dauphin School District. Mr. Siegel earned his J.D. degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law.  

Ms. Verville joined Sand County Foundation in 2021 to lead a regenerative agriculture initiative in Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan Basin. She works with farmer-led groups to achieve water quality and climate resiliency goals. She previously served as a research project manager and safety lead for the Soil Health Partnership, a project of the National Corn Growers Association. Prior to that, she worked as a crop specialist, and as a deputy conservation warden for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Based in Wautoma, Wis. she plays an active role in Sand County Foundation projects across the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins.

Mr. Banks is the principal attorney at Banks & Associates, PLLC, a Houston-based law firm focused on meeting the needs of government and construction contractors throughout Texas. He is a trusted advisor for licensed professionals, CEOs and managers in construction firms, and government contractors. Mr. Banks was licensed as a CPA in 2003 and has more than 20 years of experience as a lead accountant and CFO for successful government contractors. He earned his B.B.A. degree with a double major in Accounting and Finance from the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, and secured his J.D. degree from South Texas College of Law. Mr. Banks is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Association of Corporate Counsel and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Mr. Banks is a member of the Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

Dr. Dawson recently retired as the Associate Vice President for Administrative Operations at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi where he oversaw facility operations, maintenance, grounds, custodial, and planning and construction as well as Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) for the “Island” campus. His experience spans federal, state, county and local municipality projects including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), General Services Administration (GSA), Department of Justice (DOJ), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Department of Defense (DoD) including the Naval Construction Battalion’s at Gulfport and Port Hueneme, Seabees, Navy Civil Engineer Corp, Army Corps of Engineers, Air Force Civil Engineers and RED HORSE units, in addition to higher education with the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) University of North Texas System (UNTS) and Tarrant County College District (TCCD). Dr. Dawson has more than 38 years’ experience in urban planning, developmental programming, building and infrastructure design, construction and program management for a wide variety of capital investment programs and unique environments. He is a retired Air Force Civil Engineering officer with experience in the design and construction of numerous facilities supporting major weapon systems and the U.S. electronic security and space programs world-wide. Dr. Dawson is a registered architect in the State of Texas and a certified city planner. He is also a U.S. Green Building Institute Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional (AP) with experience in numerous sustainable projects. He has specialized mediation and disputes resolution training and experience directly related to the design and construction industry, successfully resolving construction claims based on errors and omissions, defective product or workmanships, scheduling deviations or Acts-of-God. Additional skills include preparation of specifications, bidding and construction plans, cost estimates, and bidding services related to federal and state contract requirements and processes.

Mr. Lindborg leads the firm’s construction practice. Lindborg and Mazor acts as general counsel to private entities and as outside counsel to private and public entities. The firm specializes in all facets of real estate and construction, from the negotiating and the documentation stage, through project completion and beyond, including the counseling of clients in claims avoidance and mitigation techniques and the mediation, arbitration and litigation of claims. He has been lead counsel in numerous trials and arbitrations involving the prosecution and defense of multi-million dollar construction and real estate claims. Mr. Lindborg has also represented clients before various state and federal administrative agencies and has appeared in a number of state and federal courts throughout the United States. He is a member of the American, California, New Mexico and Los Angeles County Bar Associations.

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. 

Emily Freeborn, Pro Bono Program Staff Attorney at Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services
Ms. Freeborn is an Ohio native and earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the Ohio State University in 2008. She studied law at New York Law School where she graduated cum laude in 2013. She began her legal career as a civil prosecutor for the Texas Attorney General’s office in East Texas. She went on to serve in several nonprofit and government positions as an attorney and advocate for victims of exploitation. In 2019 Ms. Freeborn joined the Harris County Attorney’s office, in Houston, Texas where she served as a civil prosecutor in the Children’s Protection Division and the Environmental Division. As an environmental prosecutor she pursued air, waste, and water violations through administrative regulation and civil litigation. After returning to her home state of Ohio, Ms. Freeborn joined Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services in May 2022 as a Pro Bono Staff Attorney where she focuses on regulation of the petrochemical industry in the Ohio River Valley.

Kelly Rondinelli Associate at Vinson & Elkins LLP in Washington, D.C.
Ms. Rondinelli’s practice focuses on navigating the energy transition. She supports clients in a broad range of environmental transactional matters, including low-carbon ventures, and counsels private equity, financial institutions, and public and private company clients on environmental liabilities and risk-management across a range of industries. Kelly advises energy companies, financial institutions and funds on climate-related disclosures and various ESG-related matters, including climate reporting, and represents clients in the notice and comment process on related regulations.

Adam G. Sowatzka Partner at King & Spalding in Atlanta, GA
 Mr. Sowatzka is well known for his thorough grasp of environmental issues, gleaned from his experience as an EPA enforcement attorney, general counsel with an international manufacturing company, and lawyer with King & Spalding. With more than 22 years of experience as an environmental lawyer, he has litigated numerous cases in federal and state courts; represented companies in complex, high-stakes enforcement actions, and advocated before EPA and other regulatory agencies on dozens of rules, permits, and other administrative proceedings. Mr. Sowatzka has handled matters in all environmental media — from water, to air, to waste issues.  He has particular expertise in handling matters involving emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”).  He was the lead attorney in one of the first major regulatory matters involving PFAS contamination of a municipal wastewater treatment plant, including the investigation and characterization of a three-county area in Northern Alabama impacted by biosolids from the plant.  Mr. Sowatzka has been recognized as a leading environmental lawyer by Chambers USA. He has also been named a Georgia Super Lawyer by Georgia Super Lawyers magazine. 

Mr. Klaas is a partner at Friedman + Huey Associates, LLP. He specializes in fiduciary, estate and individual income taxation and working with large family groups. Mr. Klaas taught as an undergraduate/graduate tax instructor at Purdue University Northwest. He received his B.S. degree with concentrations in Accounting and Finance from Purdue University Northwest and received his M.S. degree in Taxation from DePaul University. He has spoken on various occasions presenting on taxation of decedents, estates and trusts. Mr. Klaas serves as a 1041 subject matter expert for a national tax software development firm, has edited various professional publications and is an active member of the Chicago Estate Planning Council, Illinois CPA Society, and AICPA.

Mr. Wirtz is a partner at Friedman + Huey Associates, LLP. He specializes in fiduciary, charitable and individual income taxation and working with large family groups. Mr. Wirtz received his B.S. degree in Accounting from Purdue University Northwest and received his M.S. degree in Taxation from DePaul University. He also is member of the Illinois CPA Society.

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

Ms. Taylor resides in Colorado and is an attorney whose practice is
focused in the areas of gift, estate, and fiduciary taxation and planning.
After working many years with top New York law firms, she has
brought a deep understanding of estate planning and estate and trust
administration to Citrin Cooperman, where she is now a key member
of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Practice and a member of the group’s
Advisory Board. Ms. Taylor serves as an advisor to members of the
Private Clients Practice, working closely with them, their clients, and
their clients’ attorneys and financial planners to develop strategies
for intergenerational wealth preservation, business succession, tax
mitigation, and planning for the domestic and multinational individual
and their families. She and her team provide fiduciary income tax and
estate and trust administration services, including fiduciary accounting, to
individual and corporate fiduciaries, as well as preparing estate and gift
tax returns.

Mr. Willis is a tax lawyer, freelance writer, and consultant and advisor to lawyers, on issues related to wealth transfers. He has written numerous articles for publications serving tax and charitable gift planning professionals, and he is a frequent conference and seminar speaker throughout the country.

Three years ago, he launched a newsletter, the Jack Straw Fortnightly, analyzing current developments in the law – both tax and nontax – concerning the transfer of private wealth in this country.

Mr. Willis chaired the Steering Committee of the Probate and Trust Law Section of his local bar association and served on a legislative drafting subcommittee for the Probate and Trust Law Committee of the State Bar. He has also written numerous articles for law journals and publications.

Mr. Willis has a law degree from St. Louis University and a master’s degree in Taxation Law from Washington University in St. Louis. His undergraduate degree in English Literature is from Indiana University, Bloomington, and he has a master’s degree in English from the University of Chicago.

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

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

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

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

Mr. Morrow is a legal professional with a distinguished background in tax law, having transitioned his focus to specialize in estate planning and trust law. Holding the prestigious designation of Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor®, he also serves as a non-public FINRA arbitrator and holds the esteemed position of Fellow at The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Renowned nationally, Mr. Morrow is among the most sought-after experts in the field, known for his depth of knowledge and expertise. He co-authored the acclaimed publication, “The Tools & Techniques of Estate Planning,” a foundational resource utilized for the Certified Trust Financial Advisor designation.

Mr. Schretter is an experienced financial advisor, compliance manager, and income tax preparer. In his 25-year career, he has helped many clients with both their estate planning and their estate settlement process. He is the Founder of The Legacy Message TM, where people record messages of love, appreciation, and advice to leave behind for future generations. Mr. Schretter really enjoys helping people to achieve their life and legacy goals. You can see a more detailed curriculum vitae on his website, www.BillSchretter.com.