Speaker Bios
Sort By:
Fellows
| Lars Daniel | Envista Forensics |
| Dr. Nancy Grugle | Exigent Group |
| Hal Ralston | SEA, Ltd. |
Members
| Ryan Dixon | Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell, LLP |
| Jim Foster | Cassiday Schade LLP |
| Holly Howanitz | Tyson & Mendes LLP |
| Jessica Hubbartt | Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell, LLP |
| Justin Kaszuba | Cassiday Schade LLP |
| Edward Leonard | Tyson & Mendes LLP |
| Clark Monroe | DunbarMonroe, PLLC. |
Lars Daniel
Practice Leader - Digital Forensics
Envista Forensics
Lars Daniel is speaking in the following session(s) :
Session 6 - After the Crash: Spoliation Proofing Digital Evidence Jun 22 2023 3:40PM
Lars Daniel, Practice Leader of Digital Forensics, joined Envista in 2016. He guides the growth and development of the practice, keeping Envista’s digital forensic capabilities on the cutting-edge through a combination of technological solutions and the growth and development of world-class experts.
Before becoming a part of the Envista Family, Lars worked at Guardian Digital Forensics for seven years, which was acquired by Envista in 2016. While at Guardian, Lars was instrumental in the success and operation of the business, both in his roles as testifying expert and as an educator, teaching CLE (Continuing Legal Education) classes to attorneys across the United States, and through his books and articles.
He is the co-author of the book Digital Forensics for Legal Professionals: Understanding Digital Evidence from the Warrant to the Courtroom, published by Syngress. He is also co-author of the book Digital Forensics Trial Graphics: Educating the Jury Through Effective Use of Visuals, Published by Academic Press.
Lars holds numerous certifications in Digital Forensics, including the EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE), Cellebrite Certified Operator (CCO), Cellebrite Certified Physical Analyst (CCPA), Certified Telecommunications Network Specialist (CTNS), Certified Wireless Analyst (CWA), Certified Internet Protocol Telecommunications Specialist (CIPTS), and the Certified Telecommunications Analyst (CTA) certifications.
He has qualified as an expert witness and testified in both state and federal courts, qualifying as a digital forensics expert, computer forensics expert, cell phone forensics expert, video forensics expert, and photo forensics expert. He has testified for both the defense and prosecution in criminal cases, and the plaintiff and defense in civil cases.
Every year, Lars teaches dozens of CLE and CE classes. In his career, Lars has provided training to many thousands of attorneys and claims professionals with over 300 classes taught, providing CLE (Continuing Legal Education) and CE (Continuing Education) classes.
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Before becoming a part of the Envista Family, Lars worked at Guardian Digital Forensics for seven years, which was acquired by Envista in 2016. While at Guardian, Lars was instrumental in the success and operation of the business, both in his roles as testifying expert and as an educator, teaching CLE (Continuing Legal Education) classes to attorneys across the United States, and through his books and articles.
He is the co-author of the book Digital Forensics for Legal Professionals: Understanding Digital Evidence from the Warrant to the Courtroom, published by Syngress. He is also co-author of the book Digital Forensics Trial Graphics: Educating the Jury Through Effective Use of Visuals, Published by Academic Press.
Lars holds numerous certifications in Digital Forensics, including the EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE), Cellebrite Certified Operator (CCO), Cellebrite Certified Physical Analyst (CCPA), Certified Telecommunications Network Specialist (CTNS), Certified Wireless Analyst (CWA), Certified Internet Protocol Telecommunications Specialist (CIPTS), and the Certified Telecommunications Analyst (CTA) certifications.
He has qualified as an expert witness and testified in both state and federal courts, qualifying as a digital forensics expert, computer forensics expert, cell phone forensics expert, video forensics expert, and photo forensics expert. He has testified for both the defense and prosecution in criminal cases, and the plaintiff and defense in civil cases.
Every year, Lars teaches dozens of CLE and CE classes. In his career, Lars has provided training to many thousands of attorneys and claims professionals with over 300 classes taught, providing CLE (Continuing Legal Education) and CE (Continuing Education) classes.
Ryan Dixon
Partner
Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell, LLP
Ryan Dixon is speaking in the following session(s) :
Ryan Dixon is a Partner in the firm’s Atlanta office and is a member of the general liability and the trucking and transportation litigation practice groups. Primarily focusing on transportation litigation, Ryan represents rideshare companies, motor carriers of persons and property, drivers, owner-operators and insurers and handles all aspects of claims and losses in the transportation field. He assists clients efficiently with issues involving initial accident investigation, personal injury, cargo loss, and indemnification claims in a cost-effective manner.
Prior to joining CSVL, Ryan was a trial attorney for a prominent insurance company where he defended personal injury cases involving motor vehicle accidents, trucking accidents, slips and falls, and dog bites. Ryan has extensive trial experience as lead counsel, and has tried numerous jury trials and bench trials to verdict in State and Federal Court. Ryan earned his Juris Doctor from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University and was an active Moot Court Board Member. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, graduating cum laude and was on the National Dean’s List.
When he’s not practicing law, Ryan is an active leader in his church where he oversees the ministering and welfare of several church members. He is an accomplished pianist, and enjoys spending time outdoors and attending his children’s numerous sporting events.
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Prior to joining CSVL, Ryan was a trial attorney for a prominent insurance company where he defended personal injury cases involving motor vehicle accidents, trucking accidents, slips and falls, and dog bites. Ryan has extensive trial experience as lead counsel, and has tried numerous jury trials and bench trials to verdict in State and Federal Court. Ryan earned his Juris Doctor from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University and was an active Moot Court Board Member. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, graduating cum laude and was on the National Dean’s List.
When he’s not practicing law, Ryan is an active leader in his church where he oversees the ministering and welfare of several church members. He is an accomplished pianist, and enjoys spending time outdoors and attending his children’s numerous sporting events.
Jim Foster
Partner
Cassiday Schade LLP
Jim Foster is speaking in the following session(s) :
Session 4 - Legal and Practical Conflicts of Interest in Transportation Cases Jun 22 2023 1:15PM
James A. Foster is a partner in the firm’s Chicago office and chair of the Transportation practice group. Jim focuses his practice on civil litigation, with an emphasis on transportation and product liability litigation. He leads immediate response teams for trucking companies on catastrophic losses and has published articles on punitive damages and spoliation of evidence. Jim also frequently presents at industry conferences on topics relating to the Reptile Theory, early case analysis, mediation and electronic discovery. Jim represents trucking companies in complex personal injury and in breach of contract matters. He has successfully defended product liability cases at trial involving the design of an automatic door and a milling machine.
Jim is actively involved and has held leadership roles with several industry organizations including, former chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Tort and Insurance Practice Section's Commercial Transportation Litigation Committee; former member of Board of Directors of the Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA) and editor of the State Law Summary of Illinois; former dean of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC) Graduate Program of Litigation Management College; former Chair of the Defense Research Institute (DRI) Hand and Power Tools Section; Chair of the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Transportation Community; and Co-Dean of CLM Claims College's School of Transportation.
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Jim is actively involved and has held leadership roles with several industry organizations including, former chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Tort and Insurance Practice Section's Commercial Transportation Litigation Committee; former member of Board of Directors of the Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA) and editor of the State Law Summary of Illinois; former dean of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC) Graduate Program of Litigation Management College; former Chair of the Defense Research Institute (DRI) Hand and Power Tools Section; Chair of the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Transportation Community; and Co-Dean of CLM Claims College's School of Transportation.
Nancy Grugle
Human Factors Expert
Exigent Group
Nancy Grugle is speaking in the following session(s) :
Session 6 - After the Crash: Spoliation Proofing Digital Evidence Jun 22 2023 3:40PM
Dr. Grugle is a human factors expert with Exigent Group. She has experience investigating cases involving motor vehicle crashes, product design, and premises safety. Her areas of specialization include fatigue, sleep deprivation and drowsy driving as well as distracted driving, looming, visibility/conspicuity and driver behavior. Dr. Grugle has conducted hundreds of investigations on cases involving these issues as well as cases involving transportation safety (expectancy and positive guidance), autonomous vehicles, and work zone safety.
Dr. Grugle is a Board Certified Human Factors Professional (CHFP) with over 20 years of academic, research and industry experience in human factors engineering. She was awarded competitive human factors research grants from the National Science Foundation, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and the Cleveland State University Transportation Center and her research has been published in national and international peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Grugle conducts investigations for both plaintiff and defense counsel and has testified in both state and federal courts.
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Dr. Grugle is a Board Certified Human Factors Professional (CHFP) with over 20 years of academic, research and industry experience in human factors engineering. She was awarded competitive human factors research grants from the National Science Foundation, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and the Cleveland State University Transportation Center and her research has been published in national and international peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Grugle conducts investigations for both plaintiff and defense counsel and has testified in both state and federal courts.
Holly Howanitz
Partner
Tyson & Mendes LLP
Holly Howanitz is speaking in the following session(s) :
Session 5 - Prepping the Witness in Transportation Cases Jun 22 2023 2:40PM
E. Holland “Holly” Howanitz is the Managing Partner in Tyson & Mendes’ Jacksonville office and a Partner in the Nashville office. Her practice focuses on premises liability, transportation, construction defect, professional malpractice, general and automobile negligence, and products liability.
In her 18 years of practice, Ms. Howanitz has represented corporations, insurance carriers, and others in numerous cases. Her experience includes admitted liability cases as well as disputed liability cases. She has conducted construction litigation in many types of cases and has experience representing many parties in construction cases, including architects, engineers, developers, contractors, and others. She has handled arbitrations for construction cases as well. Ms. Howanitz also has experience with errors and omissions cases regarding insurance. In addition to her impressive litigation history, Ms. Howanitz is a member of ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates). She is also on the executive board for ABOTA. In addition, she received an AV Preeminent® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Ms. Howanitz was named one of Jacksonville’s top 25 influential women in 2016. In 2018 and 2019, she was selected as one of Attorney at Law magazine’s Top 10 Attorneys Under 40. Ms. Howanitz is a frequent presenter at conferences and for clients and has been presenting regularly since 2011. Ms. Howanitz is admitted to the bar in Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia.
Ms. Howanitz obtained her J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law, where she graduated cum laude. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Howanitz received her B.A. from Oglethorpe University.
In her free time, Ms. Howanitz enjoys running, hiking, and traveling with her husband and son. She also enjoys interior design and home renovation.
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In her 18 years of practice, Ms. Howanitz has represented corporations, insurance carriers, and others in numerous cases. Her experience includes admitted liability cases as well as disputed liability cases. She has conducted construction litigation in many types of cases and has experience representing many parties in construction cases, including architects, engineers, developers, contractors, and others. She has handled arbitrations for construction cases as well. Ms. Howanitz also has experience with errors and omissions cases regarding insurance. In addition to her impressive litigation history, Ms. Howanitz is a member of ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates). She is also on the executive board for ABOTA. In addition, she received an AV Preeminent® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Ms. Howanitz was named one of Jacksonville’s top 25 influential women in 2016. In 2018 and 2019, she was selected as one of Attorney at Law magazine’s Top 10 Attorneys Under 40. Ms. Howanitz is a frequent presenter at conferences and for clients and has been presenting regularly since 2011. Ms. Howanitz is admitted to the bar in Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia.
Ms. Howanitz obtained her J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law, where she graduated cum laude. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Howanitz received her B.A. from Oglethorpe University.
In her free time, Ms. Howanitz enjoys running, hiking, and traveling with her husband and son. She also enjoys interior design and home renovation.
Jessica Hubbartt
Of Counsel
Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell, LLP
Jessica Hubbartt is speaking in the following session(s) :
Session 2 - After the Accident: Emergency Response Jun 22 2023 10:15AM
Jessica Hubbartt is of counsel in our Atlanta offices, her practice is concentrated in general liability and insurance coverage and bad faith defense. Jessica has represented businesses, individuals, and insurance carriers against tort and breach of contract claims at various exposure levels, with tort claims including wrongful death, premises liability, and automobile litigation. Jessica has experience defending such claims in the State Courts of Georgia, as well as in mediation and arbitration forums.
Prior to joining CSVL, Jessica worked for another highly-respected metro Atlanta civil defense firm. Jessica earned her undergraduate degree from Wesleyan College and her M.A. in Public Administration from Bowie State University. Jessica then attended John Marshall Law School where she earned her J.D.
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Prior to joining CSVL, Jessica worked for another highly-respected metro Atlanta civil defense firm. Jessica earned her undergraduate degree from Wesleyan College and her M.A. in Public Administration from Bowie State University. Jessica then attended John Marshall Law School where she earned her J.D.
Justin Kaszuba
Partner
Cassiday Schade LLP
Justin Kaszuba is speaking in the following session(s) :
Session 4 - Legal and Practical Conflicts of Interest in Transportation Cases Jun 22 2023 1:15PM
Justin Kaszuba is a Partner at Cassiday Schade firm's Chicago office. He focuses his practice in civil litigation with an emphasis on commercial transportation and commercial litigation matters. He also has experience handling employment law matters. Prior to joining Cassiday Schade, Justin was an associate for a boutique civil litigation defense firm where he focused his practice on transportation, premises liability, and general liability tort defense. He has also served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Daniel J. Pierce of the Illinois Appellate Court, the Honorable James P. Flannery, Presiding Judge of the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and the Honorable Franklin U. Valderrama of the Circuit Court of Cook County. While in law school, Justin served as an Associate Barrister of the Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Honors Board, the Vice-Justice of Phi Alpha Delta (Lincoln Chapter), and was a member of the Moot Court Honors Council. In 2016, he was the Regional Champion of the American Bar Associations Client Counsel Competition. Justin was also named to the Dean's List and received the Call Award for the Highest Grade in Employment Law. Justin is actively involved in several professional organizations including the Chicago Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, and the DuPage County Bar Association.
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Edward Leonard
Partner
Tyson & Mendes LLP
Edward Leonard is speaking in the following session(s) :
Session 5 - Prepping the Witness in Transportation Cases Jun 22 2023 2:40PM
Edward Leonard is a Partner in Tyson & Mendes’ Orange County office with 42 years of litigation and trial experience. His practice focuses on general liability matters with a long-term emphasis on transportation cases involving the trucking industry and logistics.
Mr. Leonard has tried over 95 civil cases to verdict throughout the State of California and has served as a trial lawyer his entire career. His career began at Harrington, Foxx, Dubrow & Canter where he served as a trial attorney and Managing Partner for the mid-sized litigation firm. More recently, Mr. Leonard practiced law for Poliquin & DeGrave, LLP. Mr. Leonard has successfully defended numerous cases and is well known for being involved in a trial involving a repressed memory medical malpractice case. This case was the subject of numerous publications and is frequently referenced in medical/psychological/neurologic texts to this day.
Mr. Leonard has been a member of the Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA) from its inception in 1993 and has served on the Board as Secretary from 2002-2011. He remains a frequent lecturer for TIDA and for the Orange County Bar Association. He is an American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) attorney and served as the President of the Orange County Chapter in 2011. Mr. Leonard remains on the Board of the Orange County ABOTA Chapter and serves on various committees within the Orange County Chapter. He is also on the Board of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel and has served as a civilian responder for the Orange County Sheriff Department’s Reserve Bureau.
Mr. Leonard received his B.A. in History from San Diego State University and received his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law.
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Mr. Leonard has tried over 95 civil cases to verdict throughout the State of California and has served as a trial lawyer his entire career. His career began at Harrington, Foxx, Dubrow & Canter where he served as a trial attorney and Managing Partner for the mid-sized litigation firm. More recently, Mr. Leonard practiced law for Poliquin & DeGrave, LLP. Mr. Leonard has successfully defended numerous cases and is well known for being involved in a trial involving a repressed memory medical malpractice case. This case was the subject of numerous publications and is frequently referenced in medical/psychological/neurologic texts to this day.
Mr. Leonard has been a member of the Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA) from its inception in 1993 and has served on the Board as Secretary from 2002-2011. He remains a frequent lecturer for TIDA and for the Orange County Bar Association. He is an American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) attorney and served as the President of the Orange County Chapter in 2011. Mr. Leonard remains on the Board of the Orange County ABOTA Chapter and serves on various committees within the Orange County Chapter. He is also on the Board of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel and has served as a civilian responder for the Orange County Sheriff Department’s Reserve Bureau.
Mr. Leonard received his B.A. in History from San Diego State University and received his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law.
Clark Monroe
Partner
DunbarMonroe, PLLC.
Clark Monroe is speaking in the following session(s) :
Session 2 - After the Accident: Emergency Response Jun 22 2023 10:15AM
Clark Monroe is an experienced trial lawyer with a practice spanning truck accident casualty defense, transportation insurance coverage, employment status, cargo and freight claims, and transportation regulatory matters. In addition to the defense of bodily injuries specific to trucking, Clark routinely handles a wide variety of commercial litigation, construction liability, construction defect, premises liability and medical transport claims. His practice areas also include FLSA collective actions and employment law.
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Hal Ralston
Mechanical Engineer
SEA, Ltd.
Hal Ralston is speaking in the following session(s) :
Hal joined S-E-A in 2015 after spending 14 years in various engineering roles with NASCAR race teams, progressing from a race engineer for a NASCAR Cup team to building and directing an engineering department for a multi-car NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series team. While leading engineering departments, he oversaw the design, build, testing, and trackside engineering support of the team’s race and championship-winning cars and trucks. Prior to going into racing, Hal led the development of a commercial racecar simulation tool. He also worked as a project engineer for a small custom industrial and medical razor blade manufacturer. Hal received his Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University.
In his current role at S-E-A, Hal works as a senior mechanical engineer, focusing on vehicle accident reconstruction involving passenger vehicles, light and heavy commercial vehicles, motorcycles, heavy equipment, off-road equipment, bicycles, and pedestrians, including Event Data Recorder (“black box”) imaging and analysis. Further, Hal performs powered industrial lift and aerial work platform incident analysis, vehicle dynamics testing and modeling, vehicle component failure analysis, and mechanical system performance analysis and testing. In these roles, Hal capitalizes on his extensive experience in vehicle dynamics and testing. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the National Association of Professional Accident Reconstructionists (NAPARS), and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
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In his current role at S-E-A, Hal works as a senior mechanical engineer, focusing on vehicle accident reconstruction involving passenger vehicles, light and heavy commercial vehicles, motorcycles, heavy equipment, off-road equipment, bicycles, and pedestrians, including Event Data Recorder (“black box”) imaging and analysis. Further, Hal performs powered industrial lift and aerial work platform incident analysis, vehicle dynamics testing and modeling, vehicle component failure analysis, and mechanical system performance analysis and testing. In these roles, Hal capitalizes on his extensive experience in vehicle dynamics and testing. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the National Association of Professional Accident Reconstructionists (NAPARS), and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
