Speaker Bios

Mr. Adelson is the firm’s General Counsel and co-Managing Partner. He has practiced in the field of Workers’ Compensation for almost 40 years. In addition, Mr. Adelson’s legal career includes experience in the areas of civil, family and criminal law.

Mr. Adelson obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton, and his law degree from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton. He has also completed numerous courses in Advanced Legal Education at the University of Southern California Law Center as well as multiple courses in human anatomy, orthopedic medicine and psychiatric medicine.

He has served as a Judge Pro Tem and also as a workers’ compensation instructor at several colleges in Southern California. Throughout his career, he’s mentored numerous first-year students and enjoys their enthusiasm and fresh approach to the law.

Mr. Adelson has been the recipient of several honors. He received the prestigious designation of Certified Litigation Management Professional (CLMP) from the CLM’s Litigation Management Institute. He was nominated and accepted as a member of The Society of Fellows of the Orange County Bar Foundation. In 2014, he was named as one of California’s Top Lawyers by The Legal Network for “exhibiting the highest in ethical standards and professional excellence.” Who’s Who named Mr. Adelson as a Top Attorney of North America in their 2017 publication.

 

After 10 years with two large firms, Matt founded Matt Anderson Law in order to focus exclusively on his existing business and individual clients, whose litigation needs include business disputes, professional liability, employment, personal injury, and product liability. The Firm’s clients range from large national corporations to individuals, in matters involving high exposure and high conflict. Matt was personally at the forefront of defending Arizona businesses in the recent wave of “tester lawsuits” in which nearly 2,000 Arizona business owners were sued under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Matt has been selected by Southwest Super Lawyers as a Rising Star. He also serves as a Board Member of the Litigation Section of the Maricopa County Bar Association. A graduate of the University of Iowa with a B.S. in physiology, Matt continued on to law school at Drake University where he earned Dean's List honors and the CALI Award for top grade in Trial Advocacy.

wayneapfeld.com

Stephen is an Partner at Rebar Kelly. He concentrates his legal practice defending insureds and insurers in the areas of premises liability, medical malpractice, professional liability, products liability, commercial transportation, employment, workers’ compensation and products liability. His practice includes representation of clients from inception through trial in state and federal courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Kristi Blackwell is a Partner in Tyson & Mendes’ San Diego office and leads a multi-attorney litigation team. Her practice focuses primarily on general liability , personal injury, premises liability, and complex litigation. Ms. Blackwell has wide-ranging litigation experience representing a diverse group of individuals and businesses in California state and federal district courts.

Ms. Blackwell is an experienced litigator in all pre-trial and trial phases. Her personal injury trial experience includes a defense verdict and jury verdicts substantially below plaintiffs’ settlement demands prior to trial. She has also successfully settled numerous cases and disposed of cases via motion in the early stages of litigation.

Ms. Blackwell assisted in preparing the petition and opening brief in the landmark California Supreme Court case Howell v. Hamilton Meats (2011) 52 Cal.4th 541, wherein the Court held personal injury plaintiffs can only recover the amount of medical expenses paid and accepted in full by the healthcare provider, not the higher billed amount.

Ms. Blackwell earned her J.D. cum laude in 2007 from California Western School of Law, where she served as Senior Editor for the International Law Journal. Ms. Blackwell is a member of the San Diego Defense Lawyers.

In her free time, Ms. Blackwell enjoys spending time with her family. She loves all things sports and enjoys both watching and participating in a variety of sporting activities.

Kevin M. Blake is the managing attorney of the firm’s Blue Bell, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania office. Kevin graduated from Drexel University in 1990, earning a B.S. in Commerce and Engineering, with concentrations in Operations and Human Resource Management.

Kevin worked in food packaging, warehousing, and transportation prior to attending the Temple University School of Law in September of 1993. While at Temple, he was the recipient of a William R. Spofford Scholarship for outstanding legal scholarship his second year. Kevin graduated with honors in May, 1996.

Kevin litigates and tries personal injury claims arising from automobile negligence, premises liability, and exposure to asbestos. He also defends cases involving commercial disputes, dram shop liability, and the enforcement of employment agreements and covenants not to compete, as well as prosecuting subrogation claims on behalf of the firm’s clients. Kevin is national counsel for an international specialty transportation and logistics company, defending the company in contract disputes and lawsuits arising from claims of lost and/or damaged shipments.

Kevin is licensed to practice law in the State Courts of New York, as well as the State and Federal Courts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania (Eastern and Middle Districts). Kevin has briefed and argued numerous cases before the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. Kevin has also arbitrated and tried jury trials in the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania. He has tried jury trials in Berks, Bucks, Centre, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and York counties in Pennsylvania.

Kevin was named a Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2005 and 2006 by Law & Politics and The Philadelphia Magazine. Kevin was also named a Super Lawyer in 2009 by the same publication for the practice area of Personal Injury Defense.

Kevin resides in West Chester, Pennsylvania with his wife and two sons. The family is active in scouting and youth sports. Kevin is also the Treasurer for the Chester County Wolfe Tone Division 1 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and a member of the Knights of Columbus, Monsignor Schuyler Council 1333.

EDUCATION
B.S. in Business Administration – Organizational Behavior Management,    Northeast Missouri State University
Certified Insurance Counselor Designation, National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research
Certified Risk Manager Designation, National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research
 
EXPERIENCE
25 Years in Risk Management and Employee Benefits for Hospitality and Real Estate Companies.
 Held leadership positions with FelCor Lodging Trust, Wyndham International and Trammel Crow Residential.
 
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
 Member and Committee Chair, Dallas –Ft. Worth Risk and Insurance Management Society
Co-Chair, American Hotel and Lodging Association Risk Management Committee
Member, Society of Human Resource Management
Member, Willis Group Client Advisory Board
Member, Chubb Insurance Companies Client Advisory Board
Member, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
 

Global Engineering Scientific Solutions (GESS) is a multidisciplinary consulting engineering firm with a strong proven track record for assisting in the scientific analysis of a plethora of accidents. GESS’ specialties include but are not limited to evaluations of contentions and counter-contentions in product liability, premises liability, and vehicular accidents with focus on accident reconstruction, collision dynamics, occupant kinematics, human factors engineering and biomechanics of injury causation. GESS is well recognized as one of the top leaders in the field of forensic engineering, accident reconstruction, and biomechanics. 

With highly experienced teams lead by Dr. Farhad Booeshaghi (Dr. B), who is nationally known and has more than 20 years of extensive experience in the field, GESS will ensure a thorough approach to the evaluation of the discovery facts and assist with the technical decision makings of your case. Dr. B obtained his Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama, his Doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering with concentration on solid mechanics and materials deformation from Florida State University, and a two year post PhD Biomedical Engineering program in the area of Biomechanics from the University of Florida. 

I am a partner in the New York Office of Wilson Elser and have been with the firm for over 18 years. My practice is litigation with an emphasis on construction site liability and general casualty claims. I am a trial attorney and have tried cases in all five New York City Boroughs, and the surrounding counties in both State and Federal court. My practice includes a fair amount of experience in products liability, insurance coverage, and premises security including the above referenced areas.

Bob Bowman is the Director of Risk Management for the Wendy's Company, based in Dublin, Ohio. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University and resides in Cincinnati, Ohio with his wife and two children.

Bob entered the insurance industry in 1990, in Cincinnati, with Safeco Insurance Companies, and spent seven years with them, in a variety of auto, property and casualty claims-related roles.

Bob joined Macy’s in 1997 and held a variety of roles in their Risk Management department over the past 14 years, including overseeing self-administered General Liability, Property and Workers’ Compensation claims groups, Risk Management Systems and IT Operations, Risk Management Reporting functions, Business Continuity Planning and Crisis Management groups and Insurance procurement and program placement.Bob joined the Wendy's organization in 2014, as the Director of Risk Management and holds responsibility for overseeing the placement and administration of insurance programs, claims administration and business continutity.

Away from the work, Bob has coached soccer, baseball, softball and basketball teams and has been a member of the Springdale Forest Park Lions Club. He previously served on the Vestry at St Anne Episcopal Church, acting as Stewardship Liaison, Jr. Warden and Sr. Warden. Bob participated in the Christ Renews His Parish program at St. Anne, serving in a variety of roles including Spiritual Director. He has also served at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy on the Friends of Fine Arts board, as Membership chair, Treasurer and President. Bob enjoys supporting Back2Back Ministries and partnering with them on missionary projects in Monterrey, Mexico, and he is a member and Steering Committee chair for JH Ranch, Outback America in Cincinnati.

Leldon Bulkley brings over a decade of experience in insurance and risk management for both public and private industries.  As an expert in the areas of risk, insurance and safety, Mr. Bulkley has a depth of knowledge that advances RATP Dev USA forward in areas that drive significant cost and risk transfer across the organization.  His experience is combined with an MBA in Risk Management and Insurance, and a degree in Finance. 

Mr. Bulkley provides support and leadership with a proactive approach for risk mitigation to enhance our programs, leading to reductions in risk and improvements in safety.  He works collaboratively with teams across the organization to continuously develop and improve comprehensive risk assessments, safety tools and policies, and more effective techniques to reduce the frequency of incidents and reduce the severity of the financial impact of incidents that do occur. Mr. Bulkley manages the RATP Dev USA insurance program with a focus on continuous improvement and cost reductions.

Dove A.E. Burns focuses her practice on employment law and professional liability. She has experience defending corporate clients and executives, professional service providers, multibillion-dollar international restaurant chains, hospitals, municipalities, housing authorities, nonprofits, and boards of directors in a variety of high-exposure matters.

She has tried numerous cases to verdict and has resolved disputes through arbitration, mediation, and conciliation.

Ms. Burns’ experience includes the following:

- Representing executives in matters involving allegations of wrongdoing, including claims of sexual misconduct, racial harassment, and corporate malfeasance
- Handling complex wage and hour matters
- Restrictive covenant disputes
- Securities and antitrust litigation
- Defending higher education Institutions
- Condominium/co-op law
- Defending lawyers, mental health professionals, architects, engineers, real estate professionals, property managers, and registered representatives regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
- General liability, municipal liability, and commercial matters

She provides proactive counsel to employers, handles employment and severance agreements, drafts policy manuals and other management documents and conducts training sessions to aide employers in minimizing and the risk of litigation. 

Tracie Coleman-Tucker is a Senior Specialty Claim Consultant with Hanover Insurance where she handles management liability claims including Directors and Officers and Employment Practices Liability.  Prior to joining Hanover, Tracie worked for another insurance carrier for nearly four years as a Senior Claims Attorney where she also handled management liability claims.  Before becoming a Claims Attorney, Tracie practiced law in Chicago for 6 years concentrating in insurance defense.  Tracie received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her J.D. from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL.

Claudia A. Costa is a partner of the New York City office of Gordon & Rees.  Claudia's practice focuses on the defense of private and publicly held corporations in all aspects of employment-related matters. In addition, Claudia represents and defends lawyers, accountants and insurance brokers/agents in professional malpractice suits brought against them. As well, Claudia defends municipalities and townships in civil rights and municipal liability claims. With a significant background in commercial litigation, Claudia has represented both publicly and privately held corporations in many aspects of their business litigation, including representing members of boards of directors in class action suits and shareholder derivative lawsuits, and she has represented clients in SEC investigations.
Fluent in Spanish, Claudia offers anti harrassment training in both languages.  Claudia also drafts handbooks for employers.
Claudia currently serves on the executive committee and as the out-of-state district representative for the Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. She holds a CLM premium membership and is an active member of the Defense Research Institute, where she has served as one of the marketing chairs of the Professional Liability Section since 2013. Claudia obtained her juris doctor from the Fordham University School of Law, and her Bachelor of Arts from St. Peter's University.

Will Daugherty is a member of the firm’s Chambers USA-ranked Privacy and Data Protection team. He works with clients to develop and implement information security compliance programs and incident response plans, and to respond to data breaches and other security incidents. Will also advises clients on a range of data privacy issues spanning the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography And Marketing Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and global data protection laws. His depth of experience is also global in scope and across many industries, including consumer electronics, energy, financial services, health care, oil and gas, retail, and technology. Drawing on his extensive experience representing companies in connection with government investigations and enforcement actions as well as his experience as in-house counsel, Will provides companies that have experienced security incidents with business-focused, practical solutions that minimize regulatory and litigation risk.

Will spent the first eight years of his career with an AmLaw 5 firm before joining a Fortune 500 company as senior counsel, where he developed a business-minded approach to clients’ needs. Will has also earned the designation of Certified Information Privacy Professional through the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Steve is currently a Technical Director in the Technical Services Group for Liberty Mutual Insurance Risk Control Services.  His role aligns Commercial Insurance expertise and supports safety initiatives for schools, municipalities, hospitality, retail and service industries. He has been involved in risk management since September 2007.  Prior to that time Steve was  in the Claims Department for Indiana Insurance Company (a member company of Liberty Mutual) for over 25 years in various roles including adjuster, supervisor, litigation specialist, assistant claims manager, claims trainer and claims analyst. Steve’s experience also included working in the corporate claims office for Indiana Insurance for 7 years over liability and workers compensation. 
 
Steve has taught the Associate in Claims Program (AIC) of the AICPCU for Liberty Mutual employees for over 5 years.  Since 2009 he has also been an instructor for the National Alliance’s Certified School Risk Manager (CSRM) program and has taught these courses in over 13 states. 
 

Mary Douglas is a Claim Leader for The Hartford. She is responsible for providing leadership and direction to their Western Claim Team that services large, complex organizations that share the financial risk with high loss retentions and large deductibles  Prior to joining The Hartford she was the Global General Liability Claim Manager for Starwood Hotel and Resorts with responsibility for their General Liability Claims and Owner Controlled Insurance Programs. Mary provided direction to Starwood Hotel and Resorts insurance providers and claim administrators and responsible for resolution of complex and sensitive claim issues. Mary also served as the Auto and Casualty Manager for Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. She was a member of the core leadership team that built and launched Chubb's Western Claim Service Center encompassing all lines and a Call Center. She later assumed responsibility for the Casualty Claim Department and the Auto Claim Department managing claims across 33 states.

Lance J. Ewing has extensive executive experience in the field of risk management and insurance including his current role EVP of Risk Management at Cotton Holdings, Inc.. Previously he was Industry Practice Group Leader for AIG. Prior to this position; he served in senior risk management capacities for Harrah’s Entertainment, Caesars Entertainment, GES Exposition Services/VIAD and for the City of Philadelphia School District. Mr. Ewing additionally worked for various insurance companies including Lumbermen's Underwriting Alliance, Pennsylvania Hospital Insurance Company (PHICO) and NY Lumberman's Insurance Trust in risk management and risk control capacities.

Mr. Ewing received his Master's degree in Law & Justice from the University of Pittsburgh and completed his second Master's degree in Occupational Safety Engineering. In addition to his Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation and his International Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designation, he is a matriculated Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) candidate and has completed his Enterprise Risk Management Professional designation (ERMP).

Lance was National President 2003-2004 for the Risk & Insurance Management Society (RIMS) and was also the Chief Risk Officer (CRO).  He teaches risk management as a faculty member for the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research.  In 2004, the Lance J. Ewing Educational Scholarship was established for the Certified Risk Management designation.  He serves on the University of Mississippi RMI Advisory Board.

Mr. Ewing was honored as the Real Estate Insurance Leader 2014-2015 for Globe Street and was the 2008 Risk Innovator of the Year.  In 2007, Lance was named Risk Manager of the Year.  He is a frequent speaker on enterprise risk management, claims, disaster recovery and risk financing.  He has spoken internationally to promote insurance and risk management in Asia, North America, South America Europe and Australia.   Mr. Ewing continues to be a strong and outspoken supporter of the insurance and risk management industry.

Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator and Qualified Arbitrator with two decades of litigation experience.
***
My experience comes from decades of having litigated for both plaintiffs and defendants in hundreds of high-profile personal injury and wrongful death matters. My areas of specialty are product liability and premises liability cases. Over the past two decades, I have settled hundreds of cases and I cannot wait to settle hundreds more! I believe in resolving disputes early and efficiently. I have been a trial lawyer since 2006. In February of 2023 I resigned from my equity partnership at an international civil litigation firm in order to focus exclusively on mediations and arbitrations. I reside in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and Islamorada, Florida with my husband, Tom, and our son, Bear.
***
Carly was selected as a finalist in the Outside Counsel category of the 2018 CLM Professionals of the Year awards.
The finalists represent the best of the best in the claims and litigation management industry.
 

Cynthia L. Flanagan represents corporations, government entities and individuals in various matters involving employment law.  She acts as outside counsel to her corporate and government clients and renders advice and legal opinions on issues involving sexual harassment, discrimination, civil rights violations and compliance with employment policies.

Ms. Flanagan also represents several major insurance companies with respect to claims under CGL, first-party, homeowners, professional liability, automobile and other types of insurance policies.  She provides coverage analysis and litigates, in court and through mediation and arbitration, claims and cases involving environmental, construction defect and products liability coverage issues.

In addition, Ms. Flanagan contributes her experience to writing articles for publications including New Jersey Lawyer Magazine and New Jersey Law Journal.  Topics have included insurance fraud and construction lien law revisions.

She is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s (NJSBA) Construction Law Section and also chairs NJSBA’s Diversity Committee.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Representation of management in all employment-related matters as well as insurance companies in coverage disputes and litigation, and environmental litigation.

 

Marshall Gilinsky is a shareholder in the New York office of Anderson Kill and practices in the firm’s Insurance Recovery and Commercial Litigation Departments.  Mr. Gilinsky is a member of the firm's Banking and Lending Group, Hospitality Industry Practice Group and Regulated Products Group.

During his 20-year career representing policyholders, Mr. Gilinsky has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients, successfully litigating disputed claims under a variety of insurance products, including property and business interruption insurance, commercial general liability (CGL) insurance, errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, directors' and officers' (D&O) insurance and life insurance.  Mr. Gilinsky has represented clients on numerous high-stakes, complex insurance claims arising out of prominent losses such as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Superstorm Sandy and the “Big Dig” in Boston.  He also focuses extensively on assisting clients that own and manage captive insurance companies, especially with respect to resolving coverage disputes between the captive and its reinsurers.

Niva M. Harney-Hiller is a partner in the firm’s Miami, Florida office. Ms. Harney was born and raised in Antigua, West Indies. She completed her undergraduate studies at Florida International University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a B.B.A. in Finance and Marketing. While completing her undergraduate studies, Ms. Harney was a member of American Marketing Association and the recipient of the 1999 Outstanding Business Student Award for Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. Ms. Harney-Hiller attended law school at the University of Miami, where she was a member of the Black Law Student Association. While in law school, Ms. Harney-Hiller completed an internship with the Florida Supreme Court. She graduated with her Juris Doctor in 2006 and her LL.M. in Maritime and Admiralty Law in 2008. Ms. Harney-Hiller represents hotels, physicians and medical providers, major cruise lines, product manufacturers and distributors, international businesses, transportation companies, underwriters, including major marine domestic and international underwriters in state and federal court. She handles matters stemming from wrongful death, personal injury claims, medical malpractice suits, product liability actions, mass tort and class actions, sexual assault claims, labor and employment, medical malpractice suits, product liability actions, excursion liabilities, negligent security claims, premises liability claims, and claims asserted under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ms. Harney-Hiller is admitted to practice in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

EDUCATION J.D., University of Miami School of Law LL.M., Maritime and Admiralty Law, University of Miami School of Law B.B.A., summa cum laude, Florida International University

ADMISSIONS Florida U.S. Virgin Islands

Francesca Ippolito-Craven is a shareholder in the Miami office of Kubicki Draper. She focuses her practice in the areas of construction, corporate, contractual, development, litigation, risk management and security legal matters for casinos, concierge companies, concert and sports venues, convention centers, cosmetic and medical spas, cruise lines, event sponsors, health clubs and gyms, lodging establishments and condominiums, nightclubs and bars, pool and beach management companies, restaurants, tour and excursion companies, theme parks, valet companies, vessel and watersports management and rental companies, and a wide variety of retailers.

Throughout Francesca's career, she has written articles and lectured to hoteliers, retailers and insurers, on a variety of hospitality and retail legal issues.  Since 2010, Francesca has co-authored the Florida section of the nationally published Tort Law Desk Reference: A Fifty-State Compendium (Aspen Publishers).Francesca earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and business from Florida State University, and a Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law. While in law school, she served as a legal intern for the United Nations and the International Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland.

Francesca is a member of the Florida Bar and is licensed to practice in all the Courts of Florida. She is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida.

Areas of Practice: - Hospitality (Hotels and other lodging establishments, food establishments, nightclub sponsored events, cruise lines and vendor and artist contracts) - Negligent Security - Liquor Liability - Premises Liability - Event Sponsorship- Civil Rights - False Arrest - False Imprisonment- Admiralty/Maritime- Aviation- Mass Torts - Products Liability- Architects/Engineers Litigation- Construction Accidents - Construction Defects - Condominium - Toxic and Hazardous Substances- Professional Liability

Bar Admissions:- 1998, State of Florida - U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida 

Certifications/Specialties:  - Certified Continuing Education Instructor, State of Florida

Education:  - Stetson University College of Law (J.D.)- Florida State University (B.A.)

Published Works:- Tort Law Desk Reference: A Fifty State Compendium (Aspen Publishers, 2010 through 2012 ed.) Florida Law Section 

Special Awards and Recognitions: - "AV Preeminent" Rating by Martindale-Hubbell

Professional Association and Memberships:  - Florida Bar- American Bar Association- Dade County Bar Association- City of Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, Member- Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys, Board of Directors - Global Alliance of Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Attorneys, Member

Daniel S. Jahnsen is a founding partner of the firm of Bolan Jahnsen Dacey, a firm serving New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania. Mr. Jahnsen concentrates his practice on civil litigation before the State and Federal benches and he has conducted better than 250 jury trials to verdict. Over the past twenty years his firm has handled wide ranging exposures primarily on behalf of domestic and international insurers and self-insureds. In addition to jury trials, he has handled insurance coverages litigation, mediation of complex litigation, and binding arbitration of reinsurance disputes and determination of disability benefits for professional athletes. He has participated in numerous appellate decisions involving issues of negligence, evidence, civil trial practice, and constitutional rights.  He attended Seton Hall University, University of London; is a graduate of Seton Hall School of Law and attended Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation and Dispute Mediation.

Jasmine James is a Senior Product Specialist at Zurich North America in the Financial Lines and Regulatory Review departments, drafting policies, endorsements and counseling underwriters on policy language. Previously, she handled complex claims in the financial lines for various insurers for thirteen years.  Jasmine received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy and Administration from the University at Albany, State University of New York. Jasmine earned her Juris Doctorate from New York Law School and is admitted to practice law in New York.  Jasmine is a Special Master drafting judicial opinions in New York State Court. Jasmine volunteers with the New York City Bar Chorus and was a former member of the board of directors. 

Regan joined Wortham Insurance & Risk Management in 2012 and was elected a Managing Director in 2014.  She currently chairs the firm’s National Law Practice Group.   Prior to that, she worked in public accounting and for a publicly traded insurance brokerage.  During her tenure in insurance, she has focused on professional service clients, providing advice on risk management for law firms, non-profit/social service organizations and retail/hospitality. She is actively involved in the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and currently serves on the Board of Directors.

Kerry has been with Allied World since 2013 and is responsible for handling a wide variety of employment practices liability and public governmental liability claims. Before joining Allied World, Kerry worked in private practice specializing in the defense of civil rights actions against state and municipal government employees and officials, education agencies and employees, public and private sector employment matters, and professional liability claims. She is a member of the Connecticut State Bar and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Dr. Khan is the Director of the Human Factors group at Rimkus Consulting Group. She has a Ph.D. in Industrial & Systems Engineering focusing on Human Factors and Occupational Safety & Health from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
 
Dr. Khan has assisted clients in evaluating retail and hospitality related incidents involving risk perception, human error, and risk-taking behavior in workplace accidents, premises liability and transportation accidents. Such accidents have dealt with issues related to product/equipment design as well as their use/misuse; human error and risk-taking behavior; visibility; attention & distraction; adequacy of warnings, instructions, and training; driver perception & response; warehouse and loading docks operations; as well as other occupational incidents involving OSHA. 

Mr. Kocher is a graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.  He also holds a Master’s degree in business administration received from Georgia State University. 
 
Mr. Kocher has extensive management and engineering experience in the area of design, quality control, and high volume production operations.  His background includes the development and testing of new products that verify reliability, quality, and product performance.  Mr. Kocher has been involved in the design, manufacturing inspection and testing of tractor and trailer systems to meet unique client specifications.  Mr. Kocher’s comprehensive skills also encompass the implementation of techniques which enable him to evaluate product integrity without subjecting the product to damaging tests. In addition, Mr. Kocher has experience in computer product modeling which allows him to predict product performance.
 
Mr. Kocher’s areas of expertise include vehicle failure analysis, accident reconstruction and product failure analysis.

Carrie Kurzon is the Head of EPL Product for AIG Financial Lines, General Insurance. Carrie was previously at The Hartford, where she was the National EPL Practice Leader responsible for that product’s strategy and portfolio management. Prior to The Hartford, Carrie was a Claims Consulting Director at CNA Insurance, handling complex and high severity EPL claims; and before CNA, Carrie litigated employment law cases. She received her BA from the University of Wisconsin and a JD from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Carrie is a member of the New York State Bar and has held the position of Corporate Secretary on the Board of the Advancement of Professional Insurance Women (APIW).
 

Jeannie is currently a member of the Global Healthcare Practices Group at Markel Corporation. She manages cases involving doctors, hospitals, home health services, nursing homes, correctional healthcare, and other medical providers. She also serves in underwriting support and marketing support functions at Markel.

Prior to her time at Markel, she served in roles handling large loss Commercial General Liability, Commercial Auto, and Commercial Field Property claims. She also spent a couple of years handling medical malpractice claims, and thus brings prior experience in medical claims to Markel.

She holds her BBA in Finance from Baylor University and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Texas A&M School of Law at Wesleyan. She is licensed to practice law in Texas and also holds her insurance license in 28 states. She also has her Charter Property and Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) and AIC (Associate in Claims) designations. 

Katrina S. Lindsey is the Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer for Office Depot, Inc.  In her role, Katrina is responsible for the daily management of the Office Depot North American Legal Department.  In addition, she leads the Company's litigation efforts and is responsible for ensuring that the appropriate standards and procedures are in place to maintain an effective compliance program.  Office Depot, Inc. is a leading global provider of products, services, and solutions for every workplace.  The company has annual sales of approximately $11 billion, employs approximately 38,000 associates, and serves consumers and businesses in North American and abroad with approximately 1,400 retail stores, award-winning e-commerce sites and a dedicated business-to-business sales organization with a global network of wholly owned operations, franchisees, licensees and alliance partners. Prior to joining Office Depot, she served as SVP, Division General Counsel, Employment & Litigation at Darden Restaurants, Inc. where she provided strategic direction and oversight in the investigation and response to employment and commercial legal disputes and litigation.  Prior to joining Darden Restaurants, Inc., Katrina served as Director, Senior Counsel - Employment and Litigation for the Walt Disney World Resort, where she managed disputes & litigation and provided counsel to Human Resources and other stakeholders on various employment and litigation issues.  Prior to joining Walt Disney World, Katrina served as an Associate at the law firms of Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A. and Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor and Reed, P.A.  Katrina received her Bachelor degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee and her law degree from Stetson University, College of Law in St. Petersburg.  Katrina is a member of the Florida Bar Association, Association of Corporate Counsel, and Corporate Counsel Women of Color.

Lauren McBride is the Liability Counsel for Publix Super Markets, Inc.   Based in Lakeland, Publix is the largest employee-owned company in the country and operates over 1100 grocery stores throughout the Southeastern United States.

A litigator over the course of her career prior to joining Publix, Lauren manages outside counsel and oversees the handling of general liability, pharmacy, products, and commercial fleet litigation for Publix in all states of operation which currently include Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.   Lauren also works closely with Publix’s in house team of claims consultants responsible for the management of claims and lawsuits against Publix. 

In addition to litigation and claims management, Lauren serves as a resource and advisor to numerous other departments within Publix regarding Risk Management issues. 
 
Education: 

University of Florida, Bachelor of Arts, Summa cum laude
University of Florida, Juris Doctor, Cum laude     
 

With her military career as a decorated US Army Black Hawk Pilot (who flew air assault, top-secret intelligence missions, and transported high-level government VIPs), her exemplary business background including being a global contract negotiator, and her nationally recognized network marketing success, Elizabeth shattered the glass ceiling and continues to rain glass as an in-demand international Keynote Speaker, Television Host of a new network program in development, and Leadership Specialist listed as one of the Top 5 Leadership Experts to Follow (just behind Tony Robbins).

Her authority on Leadership, Business, and Veterans Issues is highly sought after with the media. She is frequently seen on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW, in the Wall Street Journal and more. Her personal development book, The P.I.L.O.T. Method: The Five Elemental Truths to Leading Yourself in Life, is a “must read” along with her 17+ business tip books in the Soar 2 Success series.

Elizabeth’s many military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal. In 2011 Elizabeth received the US Congressional Veteran Commendation for her service to her country and community as a disabled veteran.

Elizabeth inspires audiences, sharing her pioneering and insightful aviation lessons learned in a dramatically memorable and action-oriented keynote presentation. As a premier leadership trainer and top performing founding member of the John Maxwell Team of speakers, she is a dynamic and energizing expert sought after for events around the world. 
 
Find out more at: www.PilotSpeaker.com

Joseph P. Menello is the managing partner of Wicker Smith’s Atlanta office.  Mr. Menello’s civil trial practice has focused primarily on the defense of professional and corporate institutions, as well as individuals. He has defended cases involving medical malpractice, premises liability, automobile liability, general civil litigation and professional negligence, covering a wide range of complex legal and medical issues. Mr. Menello is an active member of both the Georgia and Florida Bar Associations.

Mr. Menello earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in 1994 from Florida State University and continued on to receive his Juris Doctor with honors in 1998. He was admitted to practice in the State of Georgia in 2021 and the State of Florida in 1998. He is also admitted in the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida and Northern District of Florida. Mr. Menello has earned a Martindale Hubbell’s highest AV Preeminent rating from his peers.  He is also an active member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and Claims and Litigation Management (CLM).

Sean has more than twenty-nine years of trial practice and civil litigation experience. He represents businesses, insurance companies, insureds and self-insureds. Sean’s practice is concentrated in the areas of tort and contract litigation involving premises liability, products liability, transportation and construction accidents as well as commercial and business litigation. He has substantial experience in the representation of shopping center owners, managers, developers and retailers in lawsuits involving allegations of negligent premises maintenance, security and management, as well as claims involving breach of contract, contractual indemnification and commercial lease disputes.

Barry A. Moscowitz represents clients in catastrophic injury/wrongful death, employment litigation, non-subscriber litigation, Lanham Act claims, healthcare liability claims, complex commercial litigation claims against Directors and Officers, and lawsuits involving products and premises liability. As an experienced trial lawyer, Barry has tried over 100 jury cases to verdict in both state and federal courts. This experience, along with representing clients in hundreds of other lawsuits that were resolved before trial or arbitration, has created a wealth of knowledge and experience upon which he draws upon to advise and represent his clients. His philosophy on litigation is to always look for the possibility of a favorable settlement, but if no settlement is possible, vigorously advocate for the client in the courtroom.

Barry has litigated on behalf of companies from across the country from single-plaintiff cases to class actions. His clients include multi-national corporations, foreign-based corporations, national retailers, home and community based service providers, banking institutions, food service distributors, major insurance companies and business owners. He serves as Texas counsel for a multi-national corporation, a major national retailer, and a California-based property insurer. Litigation for these clients has involved damages ranging from a few thousand dollars to in excess of $175 million dollars.

In the area of employment law, Barry represents employers before juries and arbitrators throughout Texas in claims involving gender discrimination, racial discrimination, national origin discrimination, religious discrimination, sexual harassment, disability discrimination, and wrongful termination. Recognizing the unique nature of employment lawsuits, he strives to work with his clients to achieve creative and excellent outcomes for complicated problems.

Barry serves as national counsel for a major employment practices insurer. In this capacity, he works closely with local counsel throughout the country in developing litigation and trial strategy, evaluating the case, and advising the insurer as to their potential exposure.

 

Lindsay Nickle is a partner in the Dallas office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice. She helps clients by overseeing the process of investigating data security events and interpreting the myriad state and federal laws governing data breach response. Lindsay also guides clients through regulatory investigations arising from data security incidents. In her role as a breach coach, Lindsay assists her clients with navigating the complex process of responding to the loss, theft or compromise of protected information. Past clients include educational institutions, insurance companies, health care providers, accountants, retail merchants, hotels, restaurants, utilities, and governmental entities. Lindsay has acquired focused, specific, and relevant experience with the standards and issues unique to the payment card industry and routinely provides guidance and advice regarding regulatory compliance within the financial industry.

In addition, Lindsay assists clients with developing and implementing risk management processes and data security measures related to the receipt and use of confidential, private, and highly sensitive data. She helps clients develop data security programs and draft or refine incident response plans and information governance policies and procedures. She also assists clients by facilitating data security training and tabletop exercises. 

Lindsay is an experienced civil litigator with a background in general civil litigation and creditors’ rights. In her years of representing financial institutions, Lindsay has handled litigation and arbitrations involving fraud and identity theft issues related to financial accounts. She is familiar with the laws under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Truth-in-Lending Act (TILA), as well as the Texas state corollaries, and has handled matters involving the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Lindsay has extensive courtroom experience, including successfully handling more than 100 bench and jury trials. 

 

Kevin is certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey and has extensive experience as a trial attorney with a focus on EPLI/D&O defense, class action defense including FLSA collective action and false advertising claims, complex partnership and corporate litigation, business dissolution, restrictive covenant litigation, and securities and RICO defense.  He is a frequent lecturer on employment and class action topics and has published numerous articles in those practice areas.  He is admitted to practice law in the States of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania and practices before federal courts in both New Jersey and New York, including the District of New Jersey, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Eastern, Western and Southern Districts of New York, as well as the Second and Third Circuits.

Specialties: EPLI and D&O defense| partnership and corporate dissolutions| construction litigation| unfair competition| restrictive covenant and trade secret litigation| Computer Fraud & Abuse Act and Computer Related Offenses Act claims| class action defense (wage and hour, discrimination, and Fair Housing Act/ADA/Rehabilitation Act)| RICO defense; | securities defense.

Jessica started with Markel in July 2015 as a Senior Claims Examiner in the Environmental unit.  Thereafter, she was Counsel in the Professional Liability Complex Claims unit, which managed complex Architects & Engineers, Construction Defect, Environmental, Medical/Healthcare, and Miscellaneous Professional claims.  Presently, she serves as Coverage Counsel, supporting the Construction and Casualty claims units. Jessica holds adjusters’ licenses in Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas and law licenses in Illinois and Texas.  Before joining Markel, Jessica practiced law in both Illinois and Texas.  She began her law practice with a concentration in civil litigation, representing defendants in construction, medical malpractice, premise liability, and transportation matters.  Thereafter, she practiced as coverage counsel, advising various primary insurers, excess insurers, and reinsurers on coverage issues involving Commercial General Liability, Technology and Media Professional Liability, Data Breach, Errors and Omissions, Directors and Officers, Managed Care and other first and third-party liability policies.  She received her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Western Michigan University and her Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago.  She enjoys spending “free time” serving various non-profits in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and traveling with her family.

Stu Panensky is an experienced business attorney and commercial litigator. Stu handles all phases of routine and complex civil litigation up through and including trial. He advises professional and corporate clients across multiple business sectors on risk mitigation and the defense of third party claims. Stu’s practice is concentrated in the following practice areas.

Cyber-Risk & Data Breach:
Stu has significant experience acting as data breach counsel to companies in multiple verticals including professional services, retail, hospitality, financial institutions, technology and healthcare. Stu leads breach response investigations including working with his clients’ internal IT and digital forensics to provide legal advice on the nature of the occurrence, scope of data exfiltration, obligations to notify impacted consumers and/or state and federal government regulators as well as contractual obligations to report to the Payment Card Industry (PCI). As breach counsel, Stu is networked with quality breach response vendors (IT, forensics, e-discovery, public relations, breach notification and others) and coordinates them in data breach response efforts including print and email notification, call-center management, credit monitoring and restoration services, and other cyber-incident response activity.

Stu also provides legal counsel related to pre-breach cyber-risk preparedness including drafting incident response planning documents, hosting mock-breach “tabletop” presentations to clients, opining on privacy and data and information security company policies as well as reviewing technology vendor/provider contract agreements and scope documents.

Education:
Syracuse University College of Law, Juris Doctor, 2003
Ithaca College Roy H. Park School of Communications, Bachelor of Science in Cinema Studies, 2000

 

 

Juan Jose (“John”) Perez was born in Carrizo Springs, Texas. Because his parents were migrant workers, he and his family traveled through the northwestern states working in the fields. Like most children from migrant-worker families, he attended two or three different elementary schools each year. Before starting high school, John’s family settled in Toledo, Ohio. Upon graduation from high school, he attended Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, and received his BA in Psychology in May, 1978. In 1985, he received his Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law.

John began his legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Nicholas J. Walinski, District Judge for the US District Court in Toledo. He then joined a major law firm in Columbus, first as associate and then partner. Later, he branched out from the law office to serve as general counsel and vice president of administration for a publicly traded company. In 1997, he fulfilled a goal he set early in life and opened up his own law office. In 1999, the law firm of Perez & Morris LLC was formed. Perez & Morris LLC, a business law firm which specializes in all aspects of business litigation and transactions, and represents clients throughout the United States.

He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Toledo and is on the Board of Trustees for the Mount Carmel Health System Board (which is comprised of four hospitals and six clinics). John also is a founding member of and is on the Board of Directors for Columbus First Bank, a community bank. He is Past Chair of the Make-A-Wish Foundation for Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

In 2009, John was featured on the cover of the inaugural edition of “Who’s Who in Latino Columbus.” He previously served as a member of the Governance Committee of the National Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, board member of the National Kidney Foundation Serving Ohio, the Columbus Crew Foundation, the Advisory Board of the National Association of Women Business Owners, the Ohio Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, Advisory Board of The Gathering, Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Council, Franklin County Foster Parent Association and as commissioner for the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management.

John and his wife, Joan, have three sons. He is very active in church and community activities, and is fluent in Spanish. John and his wife, Joan, have three sons. He is very active in church and community activities, and is fluent in Spanish.In 2009, John was featured on the cover of the inaugural edition of “Who’s Who in Latino Columbus.” He previously served as a member of the Governance Committee of the National Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, board member of the National Kidney Foundation Serving Ohio, the Columbus Crew Foundation, the Advisory Board of the National Association of Women Business Owners, the Ohio Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, Advisory Board of The Gathering, Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Council, Franklin County Foster Parent Association and as commissioner for the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management.He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Toledo and is on the Board of Trustees for the Mount Carmel Health System Board (which is comprised of four hospitals and six clinics). John also is a founding member of and is on the Board of Directors for Columbus First Bank, a community bank. He is Past Chair of the Make-A-Wish Foundation for Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.John began his legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Nicholas J. Walinski, District Judge for the US District Court in Toledo. He then joined a major law firm in Columbus, first as associate and then partner. Later, he branched out from the law office to serve as general counsel and vice president of administration for a publicly traded company. In 1997, he fulfilled a goal he set early in life and opened up his own law office. In 1999, the law firm of Perez & Morris LLC was formed. Perez & Morris LLC, a business law firm which specializes in all aspects of business litigation and transactions, and represents clients throughout the United States.

Cathleen is a partner and shareholder at Rebar Kelly. She has been advising and counseling clients in complex litigation matters for over two decades. She represents leading insurance companies and their insureds in multi-faceted matters involving violations of professional standards of care. Cathleen’s representation extends to design professionals, architects, engineers, contractors, surveyors, appraisers, environmental consultants, agents, brokers, service providers, medical professionals, business professionals, food manufacturers and distributors and property owners.

Cathleen has represented clients in the following types of claims:

duty to represent dangerous conditions inadequate security failure to advise, failure to implement design specifications failure to supervise, failure to inspect design defects errors in professional judgment and failure to refer failure to meet/inform of deadlines failure to diagnose and misdiagnosis emergency medical care and nursing mistakes mental health issues corporate liability subcontractor responsibility/indemnification indemnity and obtaining coverage under additional insured status failure to warn

Cathleen has defended one of the nation’s largest healthcare providers in claims of medical malpractice. She has also represented design professionals in legal matters stemming from defective design of electrical equipment resulting in multiple claims and lawsuits. Cathleen has been defending one of the region’s largest real estate brokers in errors and omissions matters for over a decade. She has also represented physicians in connection with allegations of failing to properly diagnose, as well as long-term care facilities against allegations of inappropriate preventative measures for the avoidance of pressure sores. Cathleen also defended one of the country’s largest retail suppliers of electronics in claims of product defects and premise liability matters.

Education: Villanova University School of Law, J.D., 1998 & Long Island University, B.A., 1995, magna cum laude
 

 

Ed is a Manager of Financial and Professional Claims for Starr Companies in Boston.  Ed joined Starr Companies in 2017.  He was previously the Director of Claims for Lifespan Healthcare System in Providence, RI and Senior Client Counsel for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co in Boston, MA.  He currently oversees high exposure Employment Liability, Medical Malpractice and Long Term Care claims on a nationwide basis.  Ed has participated in more than 150 mediations and arbitrations.  He frequently speaks at industry events.  Ed previously practiced law with the law firm Donovan Hatem specializing in professional liability defense and insurance coverage.  He is a graduate of Saint Michael’s College and Saint Louis University School of Law. 

Shiraz Saeed joined Starr Companies in January 2017 as the national practice leader for Cyber Risk responsible for the strategic direction and expansion of the Cyber Risk products and services.
 
Prior to joining Starr, he served as a cyber specialist within the financial lines division for an international company. During his tenure there, he quickly assumed greater responsibilities for underwriting, product development and distribution. He eventually led the cyber risk team and instructed many training programs. Shiraz regularly presents on cyber risk topics at industry and trade events.
 
Through his experiences, Shiraz has worked to create, maintain and grow relationships with partners from all sides. Prior to joining the insurance industry, he worked in the retail and real estate sectors for ten years in various business development and management roles. He has earned a reputation as someone who understands complexity of the risks businesses face from a technical and organizational perspective. He combines his understanding with an ability to develop solutions to mitigate cyber risks for small, mid-size and large organizations.
  
Shiraz holds a B.B.A. in Finance from Hofstra University and a M.B.A. with a focus on Strategic Management from Pace University Lubin School of Business.

Dr. Santamaria is a board-certified toxicologist with over 30 years of multidisciplinary consulting experience critically evaluating a broad range of toxicological, epidemiological, and clinical studies, conducting exposure and human health risk assessments, and communicating results to clients and governmental agencies. Prior to that, she worked in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine for 6 years conducting in vitro research to identify chemoprotective substances. Dr. Santamaria has experience with assessing exposure to a variety of chemicals, nanomaterials, consumer products, (e.g., personal care products, cosmetics, paints, cleaning products, air fresheners), tobacco, marijuana, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. She has provided technical support and assisted in the preparation of a variety of reports for regulatory compliance and/or litigation purposes. Dr. Santamaria has provided consulting support in toxic tort cases and regulatory matters and has critically evaluated the health risks associated with occupational or environmental exposures to a variety of chemicals, including manganese, talc, arsenic, asbestos, trichloroethylene, PCBs, flame retardants, solvents, and phthalates. She has also prepared many exposure and safety assessments for consumer products to ensure compliance with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission or California’s Proposition 65 regulations.

Dr. Santamaria’s doctoral training was in molecular toxicology in which she studied the pharmacological mechanism of a treatment for psoriasis called PUVA, and her public health training focused on health policy and epidemiology. She has published several book chapters and publications in peer-reviewed journals and has presented seminars on a variety of topics.

Each day brings a new challenge and I provide solutions to companies in overall risk management and safety. Using my knowledge to anticipate risks and assess solutions up-front help to prevent loss, reduce the total cost of risk (TCOR), and improve processes. I am a recognized leader in my industry and was honored to receive the "Women to Watch" award from Business Insurance magazine. 

In my roles as an Enterprise Risk Management Director, I am always on a quest to delve deeper into ways to continuously provide a safe environment for both guests, other third parties and employees, improve safety measures and reduce workplace injuries. I have created programs that achieved millions in savings and created claim cost reduction strategies. 

I am always staying current with factors impacting risk, insurance and claims administration and cultivating relationships with various professionals, including brokers, vendors, and third-party administrators, to facilitate smooth transactions. Overseeing claims processes from inception to completion is something I take great pride in performing routinely. Taking ownership in crisis management situations, while maintaining the reputation and image of the company, is just one example of my core strengths. 

The need for risk analysis and management across every industry is continuously evolving and so is the need to consistently exceed expectations. Implementing strategies and programs that I know will result in success is what I am all about, and I can do that for your company as well.

Denise Shane is a Team Manager for Zurich NA.  She has over 30 years experience in the insurance industry, is a licensed claims adjuster in 22 states, a graduate of New York Law School,  and is a member of the New York and Connecticut Bars.  She has been awarded the CLMP designation and has completed the Claims College School of Mediation.   Denise has extensive experience having investigated, adjusted, supervised and managed claims and claims teams in a wide range of areas including personal and commercial premises liability, third party residential and commercial property claims, employer’s liability, NY Labor Law, dram shop,  construction defect, and construction surety claims. She has been a proud member of Toastmasters and has achieved advanced public speaking and leadership designations.  Denise has presented before the CLM, Harmonie Group, US Law and other industry conferences on a variety of topics.

Lori A. Shay has spent the last nine years, working as an in-house as a Litigation Counsel for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. Ms. Shay’s primary focus was overseeing hospitality-centric litigation including arbitration and mediation, dispute resolution and contract negotiation. She regularly partnered with senior management to lead corporate regulatory compliance, arbitration, due diligence, and legal contract administration. She also managed outside counsel to operationalize corporate eDiscovery management efforts, supervise high-risk litigation and resolve contractual disputes.  After Starwood’s acquisition by Marriott International Inc. in 2016, Lori was retained for a year to work as an in-house attorney on the Dispute Resolution team at Marriott. She was responsible for the handling of all of the Starwood hotel legacy claims and litigation.  Ms. Shay has over 25 years of litigation experience.  Prior to joining Starwood, Ms. Shay worked in private practice with an emphasis on personal injury litigation prosecution and defense. She also had her own firm for a number of years where she handled real estate, litigation and small commercial matters. She has a JD from Syracuse University College of Law and she has a BA from the University of New Hampshire.  She is an active member of the Woman in eDiscovery NYC chapter, The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, The Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys- AHIA and ACC/Westchester, Southern Connecticut  

Ty is a partner at McCathern, PLLC and is the go to “fixer” for McCathern’s most challenging and high-exposure litigation matters. Ty is a respected source of insight and information having presented on a variety of topics at national and regional conferences, authoring several published articles, as well as serving as a faculty member of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). In recognition for his accomplishments both in and out of the courtroom, Ty has been named to the esteemed list of “D Best Lawyers” in Dallas as well as being honored as a “Super Lawyer” by Texas Monthly and Texas Lawyers magazines.

In addition to leading McCathern’s Restaurant & Hospitality Section, he has extensive experience on a national level counseling business partners in a variety of civil and commercial litigation matters, including D&O liability claims, construction defect disputes, dram shop liability, premises liability claims, catastrophic personal injury claims, employment disputes, mass tort and products liability claims, medical malpractice claims, collections, and breach of contract actions. Ty also routinely advises his business partners in a wide range of transactional matters, business entity formation issues, and corporate governance.

Rich Sheridan joined Berkley Cyber Risk Solutions as SVP, Chief Claims Officer, in March of 2017.  Prior to Berkley, Rich worked at AXIS PRO, where he was a Vice President of Claims overseeing the company's claims stemming from its Miscellaneous E&O and Data Breach, Cyber Liability, and Technology product lines.  Prior to joining AXIS PRO, Rich served in a similar role at ACE North American Claims in New York and New Jersey for more 10 years, and before working at ACE, he was a Complex Claim Director for Miscellaneous Professional Liability Claims at AIG Technical Services in New York for more than five years.  Before entering the insurance industry, Rich worked as an associate at the law firms Heidell, Pittoni, Murphy & Bach, P.C., and Tellerman, Paticoff & Greenberg in New York City, and before that as an Assistant District Attorney in The Bronx, New York, for more than five years.
Rich has been a speaker on various insurance-related issues for PLUS, Net Diligence, MLRC, Eagle International, Execusummit, and for the ABA.  Rich earned his JD from Fordham University School of Law in 1989, and graduated a BA from the State University of New York at Albany in 1985.

Cameron Shirley is Sr. Director of Risk Management for P.F. Chang's Restaurants, where he leads the Risk Management function.  Mr. Shirley has over 27 years of Risk and Claim Management experience.  Prior to joining P.F. Chang's he was Director of Global Claims & Litigation Management for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.  Mr. Shirley has a BS degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Finance from Brigham Young University.  He is an active participant and member of various risk and claim management organizations.

Shane Singh is a partner in the Sacramento office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Employment & Labor Practice. Mr. Singh graduated from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in May 1999 with his law degree and a Certificate in Governmental Affairs. Prior to attending McGeorge, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in City and Regional Planning from the University of California at Berkeley. During law school, Mr. Singh served as a Certified Intern with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office Misdemeanor Unit, a Student Legal Assistant with the Cal-OSHA Appeals Board and as a Discussion Group Leader (tutor) for first year Real Property students at McGeorge. In college, Mr. Singh interned for California Governor Pete Wilson and served as a head team manager for the California Golden Bear’s Men’s Basketball team that featured the likes of NBA star and now coach Jason Kidd. In high school, he worked as a ballboy for the Sacramento Kings. He handles a variety of cases ranging from disability discrimination (ADA), employment law, business litigation, and real estate to bodily injury matters. His representative clients include national retailers such as Starbucks Coffee Company, as well as a number of local businesses and emerging companies. Mr. Singh was recognized by his peers for inclusion in the 2010 & 2013 Northern California Super Lawyers “Rising Star” list. This award recognizes the top 2.5% of attorneys under 40 in our state. Mr. Singh has a published appellate opinion related to the recovery of expert witness fees, Carwash of America – PO v. Windswept Ventures No. 1 (2002) 97 Cal. App. 4th 540. 

Mr. St. Denis has been Board Certified in Civil Trial Practice by The Florida Bar since June 1, 2001. He is AV peer review rated by Martindale Hubbell.
 
 Mr. St. Denis graduated with honors in 1984 from the University of Arkansas, where he was an Academic All American and Athletic All American. He attended law school at the University of Florida on an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, graduating from a joint program in law and linguistics in 1989. He was an Instructor in Foreign Trade Law, Cross Cultural Negotiations, and Managerial Accounting from 1989-1990 at the Foreign Trade Institute (now part of Manki University) in Tianjin, China. Mr. St. Denis is a member of the Trial Lawyers and International Law sections of The Florida Bar.
 
 Mr. St. Denis is a co-founder and senior shareholder of St. Denis & Davey, P.A., a law firm with offices in Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, and Panama City, Florida. His trial practice focuses on retailer defense, dealer defense, insurance defense, commercial litigation, personal injury defense, and legal and accounting malpractice. Mr. St. Denis has tried numerous cases, securing defense verdicts on behalf of businesses in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, and Ohio. 
 
 Mr. St. Denis devotes his personal time to several non-profit organizations, including Project Czech (President), Project Hungary (President), Friends of Hendricks (Board Member), and Eastside Community Church (Elder) in Jacksonville, Florida. He also enjoys boating and traveling with his wife and five children.

 

John S. Stiff started his firm 12 years ago, after spending 17 years in a large law firm practice. He has grown his firm with nationally recognized clients and is widely recognized as a specialist in automobile litigation, general liability and employment law.  His clients include Liberty Mutual, State Farm, Allstate, MetLife, Federal Express, FedEx Freight, the State of New Mexico, and the New Mexico Public School Insurance Authority.  He was recently elected to ABOTA, and has served on the Board of Editors of the New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association since 2000.  He is a frequent lecturer in the areas of litigation and insurance coverage

Stiff, Keith & Garcia, LLC is committed to providing excellent representation for its clients. We believe that our job is to serve our client's needs.

Dr. Allison Stock is an internationally known toxicologist and epidemiologist with 22 years of toxicological, epidemiological, regulatory, and environmental experience.  Dr. Stock is a graduated of Trinity University (B.A) and the University Of Texas School Of Public Health Houston (MPH and PhD).  Her background is supported by experience in the federal and state government and industry (small and Fortune 500 companies). Dr. Stock specializes in human health risk assessments combing both toxicological and epidemiological data. She has expertise in petrochemicals, oil and gas, environmental permitting, property transfer, environmental, social, and health impact assessments, inhalation toxicology, renal toxicology, toxicological and epidemiological risk assessment, foodborne outbreaks, rapid needs assessments, emergency response, lead, ambient and indoor air quality issues, occupational health and safety plans, and stakeholder communications. Dr. Stock has served on both federal and industry working groups on air pollution issues such as particulate matter (PM2.5), benzene, carbon monoxide, and low sulfur diesel exhaust. Dr. Stock has also served as an expert witness and as the corporate representative for litigation support. She also has extensive experience in the evaluation of human health impact studies following environmental, occupational, and pharmaceutical exposures.
 

I have over 40 years’ experience in the insurance industry as a claims adjuster, risk manager, third party administrator, claims manager, and branch manager. I am an insurance professional who possesses the ability to think critically, assess risk, uses sound judgment and decision making skills, and is able to influence others. Besides the usual claim investigations, I have provided consultative services including audits; direct client consultations; training and educational seminars; working with brokers and account managers in identifying claim trends, loss control and risk management issues; and minimizing risk exposures by working in a team effort towards risk avoidance, reduction, and transference. I have an extensive background handling product liability claims. I have also worked with captives, risk retention groups, and layered programs. I have worked on various corporate computer systems; established a program for clients to report environmental claims in a timely manner; wrote an environmental claims handling manual; set up spreadsheets to track Surplus Lines filings and outstanding Surplus Lines issues; handled special requests from clients; and worked on various other projects as needed. I am a frequent speaker at various insurance organizations. I am the Past President of the Chicago Northwest Suburban CPCU chapter. I’m also the past Editor of the Claims Interest Group newsletter.

Ms. Taylor is a successful trial attorney who has represented a diverse group of clients at trial. Some of her clients include restaurants, contractors, cable companies, apartment complex management companies, banks, trucking companies and grocery stores.

Ms. Taylor defends against personal injury and property damage claims involving premises liability and general negligence. Ms. Taylor also defends energy companies and trucking companies in cases involving automobile and truck accidents. Additionally, Ms. Taylor practices labor and employment law, assisting employers in their efforts to minimize the risk of litigation, and achieve the greatest chance of success in defending against legal action. She regularly assists clients with OSHA investigations as well as handles cases involving allegations of age, sex and racial discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Ms. Taylor assists employers from the start of an EEOC investigation, and if necessary, through the conclusion of litigation. In addition to her general defense work Ms. Taylor also prepares contracts and handles various contract disputes for her clients.

Patrick Thielen is Senior Vice President, Financial Lines, with Chubb and is product lead for the Cyber and Technology E&O lines of insurance for North America.
Mr. Thielen has spent most of his career in underwriting and leadership roles for business groups that provide all types of insurance to technology-industry companies and cyber insurance to companies across all industries. He was recently part of the leadership team that launched the newly-formed Small Commercial Insurance division at Chubb. Among other responsibilities, Mr. Thielen is currently leading Chubb’s efforts to expand the availability of cyber coverage and risk mitigation solutions for small businesses.
Mr. Thielen graduated with honors and distinction from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management in 2003. 

Mark Walls is currently the Vice President Communications & Strategic Analysis with Safety National, a leading provider of alternative risk funding products including excess workers’ compensation, deductible casualty, loss portfolio transfers and reinsurance. His focus is on industry education and monitoring workers’ compensation issues nationwide. The majority of Mark’s 27 year career was on the claim side, giving him perspective into the day-to-day challenges faced by employers, carriers, and TPAs. Mark is also the founder of the Work Comp Analysis Group on LinkedIn, which with over 29,000 members is the largest online discussion community dedicated exclusively to workers’ compensation issues. In addition, Mark is co-host of the Out Front Ideas educational series, a frequent speaker at industry conferences, writes columns for a variety of sources, and is quoted regularly in multiple media outlets.

Lori began her career in insurance in 1990.  She has spent the past 27 years specializing in Directors & Officers Liability (nonprofit, private and public), Employment Practices Liability, Fiduciary Liability, Crime Coverage, Kidnap & Ransom, Cyber Liability and Errors & Omissions Liability coverages.  She has worked as a senior level broker/technician for Johnson & Higgins and JLT USA’s Houston offices.  She has also held regional manager positions for the underwriting offices of AIG, Kemper, and Ace.  In October 2011, Lori joined John L. Wortham & Son’s Professional Indemnity practice.  Lori became a Wortham partner in 2013.

Tracy Graves Wolf is a partner in the Dallas office of Lewis Brisbois and a vice-chair of the Employment & Labor Practice. She has extensive experience in employment law, commercial litigation, general liability, and intellectual property. She is board certified in Labor & Employment by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
 
Ms. Wolf has significant experience with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), claims for discrimination under Title VII, and workers' compensation retaliation claims. She has also handled ERISA litigation ranging from COBRA litigation to fiduciary litigation and benefit discrimination litigation. Ms. Wolf has handled removals to Federal Court under ERISA and appeals in Federal Court of Appeals involving ERISA preemption. Additionally, she has extensive experience in dealing with the doctrine of qualified immunity. Ms. Wolf has handled appeals in front of the Federal Court of Appeals on issues ranging from qualified immunity to limitations and statutory construction with great success. In private practice, the clients she has represented have ranged from community college districts, school districts, and public utilities to private businesses.
 
She has represented a wide variety of clients including manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and premises owners. She has managed cases in federal and state courts, including appeals in both, and has been an active participant in many trials, as well as lead counsel in numerous cases.
 
Ms. Wolf also has significant experience dealing with complex commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation. She has represented clients in cases involving complex claims ranging from RICO to securities fraud. She has strong understanding of the federal and state court systems and understands how to prepare an effective case or defense in the most cost efficient manner possible.

Allen R. Wolff is a shareholder in Anderson Kill's New York office.  Mr. Wolff's practice concentrates in construction litigation, insurance recovery, and the nexus between the two, as well as in complex commercial litigation.  Mr. Wolff is also a member of Anderson Kill's Hospitality Industry, Banking and Lending and Regulated Products groups.

Mr. Wolff advises policyholders on issues relating to coverage, exclusions, subrogation, defense, indemnity and bad faith in property, casualty, fiduciary liability, and Directors & Officers liability insurance matters.  He represents property owners, developers, contractors and subcontractors, retailers, financial institutions, hospitality businesses, condominium associations and tenants' associations on a full range of property, construction and engineering defect, contract and insurance coverage disputes.  He has also litigated a wide array of commercial, employment and intellectual property matters.

Since 2011, Mr. Wolff has been one of a small number of New York attorneys selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. Fellowship selection is by invitation only and is based on proven effectiveness and accomplishment in trial and appellate practice and a superior ethical reputation.  Since 2012, he has been recognized by Super Lawyers for Insurance Coverage.  He is also rated "AV®Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated,” the top rating, by his peers as listed in Martindale Hubbell.  Mr. Wolff is a frequent lecturer on Federal practice and procedure, complex construction law issues, and insurance coverage.  Mr. Wolff has been a member of Hospitality Law360's editorial advisor board. Before becoming a lawyer, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army, including three years as a paratrooper.  He subsequently served in the Army Reserve, was promoted to full Colonel and graduated from the Army's senior leadership program at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA, where he earned a Master's degree in Strategic Studies.

Area of Focus:
Ray Zale is Managing Partner for U.S., Canada, Hong Kong and China.  NorAsia is the former non attest Consultancy & Advisory practice group of Anton & Chia, LLP.  He has been active across the private market since 1980, with experience in corporate finance, C-level operational improvements, investment banking, loan origination, capital equipment leasing and vendor financing. Transaction activity includes the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Mexico and Europe.
 
Business Experience:
Prior to NorAsia and Anton & Chia, LLP, Mr. Zale completed 10 years of turnaround management assignments comprising: strategic growth cases for Chairman of privately-held U.S. headquartered wall décor, picture frame and furniture importer/distributor to top 50 big box retailers product manufactured in China, Vietnam and India; financial cases as Director, Business Development for Apex Restaurant Group’ Management and Value Enhancement services; Private equity capital raise & realization as President at request of Chairman of Portashots distilled spirits; COO to Dallas, TX headquartered JDH Investments, retained by Managing Member to capitalize, operationally launch, grow sales channels and create successful equity exit for adipose tissue Biolife Cell Bank, Inc.; operational, manufacturing, strategic, financial and sales channel improvements at request of Chairman of Dickie’s Apparel’ Selecta licensee as President.  Prior to Cases, Mr. Zale was a senior managing director at FTI Capital Advisors, LLC, a NASD member firm and wholly- owned subsidiary of FTI Consulting, Inc. leading restaurant, food manufacturing, food distribution and consumer food products industry practice. Prior to joining FTI, for 14 years Mr. Zale was a Principal, Shareholder, and Director of J.H. Chapman Group L.L.C., based in Dallas.
 
Education:
Mr. Zale received his B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1977, M.B.A. from the University of Texas/TexasState University in 1979 and Certificate, Harvard University; Strategic Finance for Smaller Businesses in 2000.