Born Chicago, Illinois, August 26, 1961. Admitted to bar, 1987, Texas, U.S. District Courts for Texas; Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts. “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Education: University of Texas El Paso (B.B.A. [dual majors], cum laude 1984); St. Mary’s University School of Law (J.D., with distinction 1987). Articles Editor, St Mary’s University Law Journal, 1986-1987; John Harlan Society; Briefing Attorney, Justice Ted Z. Robertson, Texas Supreme Court, 1987-1988. Certified Mediator and Neutral. Member: American Bar Association (Member of Litigation Section), Dallas Bar Association, Defense Research Institute (DRI), DRI Transportation Committee (Trucking Sub-Committee), American Trucking Association, and American Transportation Lawyers Association. Areas of Practice: Transportation Litigation, Products Liability, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Professional Liability, and Employment Litigation.

Edward J. Batis, Jr., is an experienced civil litigator with over 25 years of experience in Texas. Mr. Batis was initially engaged in the private practice of law from 1983 to 1986, in Illinois then from 1986 to 2005, in San Antonio, TX, concentrating in defense of construction, professional liability and employment claims, including discrimination, unfair labor practices and worker-related risk. From 2005 until joining Jones, Andrews & Ortiz in 2012, Mr. Batis served as General Counsel of a 65 year old, over 1000+ employee, family-owned business, with 14 multi-state corporate entities/operations in the roofing, construction and home improvement industry. Mr. Batis’s current area of practice with the Firm includes complex commercial litigation, construction defect claims, completed operations and professional errors/omissions defense. Mr. Batis also practices in the employment related area, including FLSA, EEOC and general HR-related claims. In 2018, Mr. Batis earned the CLMP designation for Certified Litigation Management Professional. He is licensed to practice in State courts for Texas, Illinois and Oklahoma. He is also licensed in Federal court in both Texas and Oklahoma.

Education:
The John Marshall School of Law 
Chicago, IL  (1980-1983)

Shelby Beshara is the General Counsel of Employee Solutions, a Texas-based staffing firm which employs over 2,000 employees throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. At Employee Solutions, Shelby manages litigation and investigations. She also oversees the company’s HR functions and the risk management department. Prior to joining Employee Solutions in 2013, she practiced at a large firm in Monterrey and Mexico City before opening a solo practice in Dallas specializing in bankruptcy, contracts, and other business-related matters. Shelby is a Certified Staffing Professional through the American Staffing Association (ASA) and serves on the ASA Legal and Legislative Committee.
Shelby earned her B.A. and J.D. from the University of Oklahoma. She also studied international law at Oxford University and obtained a Certificate of International Legal Studies from El Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico.

Joseph Bias is the Department Managing Attorney for the Liability Department of Vernis & Bowling’s Columbia office.

Joseph was born in Columbia, South Carolina and is a lifelong South Carolina resident. He graduated from Wofford College where he obtained a B.A. in Humanities. After graduation, Joseph spent a year working as a college administrator before attending law school at University of South Carolina School of Law, in Columbia. While at law school, Joseph was selected as the Chief Justice of the Mock Trial Bar, where he originated and developed the law school’s first trial advocacy competition.

After graduating law school and becoming a member of the South Carolina Bar, Joseph clerked for the Honorable Alison R. Lee in Columbia, the Chief Administrative Judge of Richland County’s common pleas (civil) court at the time. Following his clerkship, Joseph became an Assistant Public Defender for the Richland County Public Defender’s Office, gaining valuable trial and daily courtroom presentation experience while regularly handling a high volume caseload.

Joseph has experience representing South Carolina insured’s including businesses, school districts, and individuals in South Carolina and Federal Courts. He has worked for well-renowned state and national law firms as a litigation attorney, with practice areas including premises liability, construction, director and officer liability, governmental liability, slander/defamation, products liability, education law, and employment law.

Joseph’s experience in various courts with a diverse clientele gives him a unique perspective on how to best advocate for his clients. Should a matter reach the trial stage, Joseph has experience and comfort in South Carolina’s courts to help reach the best resolution possible for both the carrier and the client. He has defended and obtained favorable outcomes in both trials and settlements throughout all of South Carolina. He has presented on employment law and education law topics across the state.

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.

Brad Bonnell possess 25 years of experience with progressive responsibilities in the field of hospitality safety and security. He also possess 15 years of law enforcement experience having served as a criminal investigator at the local, state and federal levels. As the Vice President of Loss Prevention for Extended Stay America (ESA) hotels Brad served for a period of 6 years as an executive director responsible for the strategic development of a comprehensive security function for 620 company owned and managed economy sector, limited service hotels. As the Global Director of Security for the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Brad was for 19 years, responsible for protecting the Group’s business strategy, brand reputation and assets from security and associated threats through the development and implementation of operational security, safety and counter fraud programs. IHG was at that time the parent company and licensor of 4,700 branded hotels to include Holiday Inn Hotels, Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, Crowne Plaza, Indigo Hotels and InterContinental Hotels operating in
100 countries.
 
Brad is currently a member of:
 
The International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC)
The American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS)
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
Atlanta Metropolitan Police (MetroPol) Security Association 

His 15 years of law enforcement experience included service as:

Chief of Staff/Internal Affairs, Georgia State Patrol
Special Agent, Office of the Inspector General, Tennessee Valley Authority
Special Agent/Narcotics Agent, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)

Andrew Bray joined Vernis & Bowling in Miami in May 2010. He had opened his law office in March 2006, with the commitment to provide dynamic, cost-effective defense services to insurance carriers and self-insured entities, and enhanced that ability to provide outstanding representation and counsel by joining Vernis & Bowling.
 
Andrew graduated magna cum laude from the University of Connecticut in: 1988 and went on to obtain his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1991. Originally admitted in Connecticut, he was later admitted to the Florida Bar in 2004. He is also admitted to the U.S. District Courts for Connecticut and the Southern District of Florida. While in Connecticut he was associated with the firm of Regnier, Taylor, Curran & Eddy. He joined the firm of Cooney, Mattson, Lance, Blackburn, Richards & O’Connor in Fort Lauderdale, Florida when he relocated to Florida.
 

Corporate businesswoman by day and fitness instructor by night, Lindsey Brooks has a passion for developing others. Whether it’s finding a sense of purpose, changing a daily habit or just getting that one last rep in, Lindsey strives to help each of her clients and acquaintances alike, identify opportunity and overcome obstacles to live healthier, happier lives.

Lindsey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Drexel University. She is a Strategic Marketer within a leading Fortune 50 healthcare company, a Certified Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine and a fitness coach at Orangetheory® Fitness.

Lindsey’s passion for developing others is evident in her commitment to coaching individuals to make life changes and live to their fullest potential. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, performing random acts of kindness, and being present with her family and friends.

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. 

One of the firm's premier trial lawyers who has extensive experience in complex tort, personal injury and large loss cases involving claims of products liability, premises liability, government and public entity defense, construction site accidents and trucking/motor carrier accidents Specializes in the defense of claims of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Routinely represents retail corporations of all sizes in a wide variety of cases including wrongful death, serious personal injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), loss prevention and retail theft cases, and injuries caused by the criminal acts of third parties, in addition to prosecuting and defending contractual indemnity claims and breach of retail lease contract claims. Practiced law in his native Australia for four and one half years as a criminal defense attorney with one of the country's leading trial lawyers, Frank Galbally, and had the opportunity to defend clients charged with offenses ranging from murder and other serious felonies to misdemeanor battery and miscellaneous drug charges. Substantial trial experience including approximately 40 jury trials overall, and 14 jury trials and two binding arbitrations over the past nine years involving cases ranging from a wrongful death product liability suit; multiple retail store negligence cases; a retail theft battery and false imprisonment case; design defect and failure to warn; and six cases involving traumatic brain injuries, PTSD and related cognitive deficits.  His jury trial experience includes defending a tortious business interference case, as well as defending injury claims at trial involving a permanent vegetative state, fibromyalgia and TMJ syndrome.  In the bifurcated phase of the wrongful death product liability trial, he successfully defensed the claim against his client of successor liability.

Melanie R. Cheairs is a partner at Lorance & Thompson P.C, Houston, Texas. She is an experienced trial lawyer, representing clients in the Hospitality, Retail and Transportation industries in matters resulting from Dram Shop, Premises and Product Liability claims and includes defending employment and commercial business disputes. Ms. Cheairs currently serves on the Board of Directors of ALFA International, and as the Chair of the ALFA International Hospitality Practice Group. She also serves on the Steering Committee of the Transportation and Women’s Initiative Practice Groups. She is a Member of the National Restaurant and Retail Defense Association, and the Claims Litigation Management Alliance, and the National Association of Professional Women. Ms. Cheairs is a frequent author and speaker on matters pertaining to the defense of the Hospitality and Trucking industry. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Cheairs received her B.A. from Texas A&M University, where she was an NCAA All-American Swimmer, and was chosen to the SWC All-Decade Team. She is the Immediate Past President of the Texas A&M Women Former Students’ Network. Ms. Cheairs received her J.D. from South Texas College of Law, and she is a Fellow with the Texas Bar Foundation.

Dr. Cohen is a Senior Biomechanist at ARCCA, where she applies the principles of human factors and biomechanics to the anatomy and physiology of the human body to explore the cause, nature, and severity of injuries.
 
She is experienced in evaluating slip, trip and fall mishaps, including slip resistance testing of walkway surfaces, analyzing ingress and egress issues, and performing analyses of building codes associated with personal injuries and premises liability.
 
She has participated in biomechanical investigations involving human volunteers, as well as anthropometric test devices that explore human response to injury mechanisms, tolerance thresholds, and injury prevention.
 
Dr. Cohen received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Bioengineering from The Pennsylvania State University. She went on to obtain her Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI.

Pam Colpoys is Director Risk Management for Ashford, Inc., a leading provider of asset management and other services to companies within the hospitality industry. Currently Ashford serves as the advisor to two NYSE listed real estate investment trusts, Namely Ashford Hospitality Trust ad Ashford Hospitality Prime. Combined, Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime have 126 hotels with more than 26,000 rooms and over $5 billion in assets. In her current role, Pam manages the casualty and property risk program with an emphasis on mitigating exposures through successful litigation and claim management with partners in the Ashford Global Casualty program. Prior to joining Ashford, Inc., Pam was Corporate Risk Manager for Omni Hotels and came to Omni from Harold’s Stores where she also served as Risk Manager. A risk manager with over 15 years’ experience in the risk management field, Pam has held board positions with the local Dallas Ft Worth Chapter of RIMS and is a graduate of the University of Texas with a BBA in concentration in labor management and holds the Associate in Risk Management designation.

Claudia A. Costa is a partner of the New York City office of Goldberg Segalla.  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.

We imagine his folks had to keep a constant eye on him as a kid, because even now, Clay Dalheim’s favorite place to be (or not to be?) is lost in the woods exploring or free-floating on a river fishing. This love for the great outdoors was also one of the things that attracted him to Boyd, Shackelford, Barnett & Dixon – where we believe getting out from behind the desk and on site with clients is critical to understanding their business and providing them with the personal service they deserve.

An OU grad and former risk manager at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, Clay specializes in construction and manufacturing insurance and bonding.

Elisaveta "Leiza" Dolghih is a partner in the Dallas office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Employment & Labor Practice. Selected to the 2017 list of D Magazine's Best Lawyers in Dallas, 2018 lsit of D Magazine's Best Lawyers under 40, and Texas Diversity Council's Top 50 Female Lawyers in Dallas, she focuses on prosecuting and defending misappropriation of trade secrets and breaches of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements. 

After graduating from law school at 23 years old, Leiza began honing her litigation skills in courtrooms across Texas. She now routinely assists companies with obtaining temporary restraining orders, and temporary/preliminary injunctions to prevent the departing employees or competitors from violating non-disclosure, non-compete, or non-solicitation agreements or using the clients' trade secrets. She also defends companies unfairly accused of trade secrets misappropriation and related claims.

Leiza also helps clients audit their trade secrets protection measures and advises on how such measures can be improved to meet the federal and state law requirements. 

With over a decade of experience, Leiza's practice also includes business litigation in state and federal courts and general employment advice to companies regarding compliance with federal and state employment laws, investigations, and litigation of employment law claims.

Carly R. Eastwood is a Litigation & Claims Professional with 30 + years of experience in Multi-line Claims Handling. Currently, the AVP, Claims/Sr. Director of Risk Management for MODE Global, LLC, she enjoys training and mentoring.   Carly is a TMCA Credentialed Mediator in Texas with a background in personal and Commercial Liability (Auto & GL), trucking and transportation, Non-Subscriber as well as many other lines including excess and specialty.  Carly was born in Dallas, TX and raised in Malakoff, TX where she attended MISD all 13 years and Graduated with a 4.0 GPA as Salutatorian.  Carly went on to attend TVCC, Eastfield College, El Centro College and Texas Christian University where she pursued Certification in Mediation & degrees in Business and Criminology while being a single Mom. Carly has completed her CCP through The Institutes in Casualty. Carly is a long-standing member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and is a Full Member of the Texas Association of Mediators as well as a CLM Fellow. Carly holds Professional Designations through the Management & Strategy Institute. (PMC, BMC, LSSBB, CTS). Carly has 1 biological daughter, 4 Bonus children, and 10 Grandchildren (6 boys and 4 girls).

James O. Eiler is a Partner in Murchison & Cumming, LLP’s Los Angeles office and serves as a Co-Chair of the Hospitality Law practice group. Through the span of nearly 30 years, Mr. Eiler has become one of California’s most recognized hospitality law attorneys. Having represented a variety of claims including general negligence, premises liability, food borne illness and foreign objects, Legionella and other toxic torts, civil rights, ADA, franchise litigation and many more, Mr. Eiler understands the full spectrum of the hospitality space.

A sought after author and speaker, Mr. Eiler brings his years of experience as a thought leader and industry expert to the Hospitality Law community. As an active participant in several key trade industry associations, he also helps shape regulations and legislation affecting the hospitality industries on an ongoing basis.

Mr. Eiler is an adjunct professor on Hospitality Law at California State University Long Beach and is a former Adjunct Professor of Hospitality Law for the William F. Harrah School of Hotel Management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, dedicating much of his career to mentoring young lawyers as his way of giving back to the legal profession.

A graduate of University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a B.S. in Hotel & Restaurant Administration, Mr. Eiler continued onto law school at Western State University College of Law where he was awarded the American Jurisprudence Award for Contracts, profiled in Who's Who in American Law, and was on the National Dean's List.

Management liability underwriter specializing in Publicly traded companies and Privately held companiesseeking D&O, Fiduciary, EPL and Crime coverage. Specialties Directors & Officers Liability, EmploymentPractices Liability, Commercial Fidelity, Kidnap & Ransom, Fiduciary Liability

Garrick Gallagher is a Senior Owner at Sanders & Parks, P.C. in Phoenix, Arizona. His national practice emphasizes complex civil litigation, primarily in the areas of insurance coverage, personal injury, wrongful death, products liability, mass tort, and intellectual property litigation. Mr. Gallagher is frequently retained in high exposure cases and coverage disputes to manage risk and resolve difficult cases.

Mr. Gallagher earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1984, and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1981.

Mr. Gallagher was selected to Best Lawyers in America for 2013-2019, including 2019 Lawyer of the Year - Litigation-Insurance, was recognized in the 2010-2019 editions of Southwest Super Lawyers, was named for five years by Super Lawyers as one of Arizona’s Top 50 Lawyers and has also been recognized as one of Arizona’s Top 100 Lawyers by Arizona Business magazine for 2016-2018.  He has been interviewed by Dateline NBC, local news networks, the Los Angeles Times, London Times, and Gentlemen’s Quarterly in connection with cases he has handled, and those matters have also been featured in The Wall Street Journal and The American Lawyer.
 

Experienced, senior level, practical ERISA, employee benefits, and data privacy compliance expert providing multinational companies with creative solutions to a variety of complicated benefit and human resource management matters. 

Vice Chair of national Association of Corporate Counsel Employment & Labor Law Network (2018-2019); Internal Revenue Service Advisory Committee member (2019-2021); Chair Fiduciary Responsibility, Administration & Litigation (2018-2019), Vice-Chair Plan Transactions and Terminations (2017-2018), eReport Editor (2018-2019), American Bar Association Real Property Trusts and Estates Division. Dallas/Ft. Worth Association of Corporate Counsel Chapter Board of Directors and Women's Initiative Chair (2018-2019)

Dynamic public speaker and author on a variety of Labor & Employment, ERISA, and Cybersecurity and Data Privacy topics.

John Greenslade is the Co-Founder and Managing Shareholder of Biggs & Greenslade, P.C. Mr. Greenslade is an East Texas native, born and raised in Kaufman, Texas. Mr. Greenslade graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. He then graduated from law school in 2010. After law school, Mr. Greenslade returned to East Texas and joined a large Insurance Defense Firm representing insurance companies and corporations for eight years. During this time, Mr. Greenslade gained invaluable experience in all aspects of litigation.

Mr. Greenslade oversees all aspects of personal injury and insurance defense litigation for Biggs & Greenslade, P.C. Mr. Greenslade has extensive background in large and complex cases both in state and federal courts. During his legal career, he has tried cases to verdict in Harrison, Gregg, Cherokee, Rusk, Smith, Van Zandt, Dallas, Kaufman, Wood, Bowie, Limestone, Anderson, and Nueces Counties. Mr. Greenslade is licensed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas and State Bar of Texas.

Mr. Greenslade resides in Tyler, Texas with his wife, Summer, and their three boys. They are members of South Spring Baptist Church. In his spare time, Mr. Greenslade enjoys spending time with his wife and coaching his sons’ little league teams.

Experienced Multiline Claim Consultant with expertise in identifying program and service gaps andpurusing mitigation strategies that drive down Direct Claim Costs.

Lé Andra brings over 17 years of experience in the risk management industry and is currently the Director of Risk Management at Staples, Inc., where she oversees the strategy, development and implementation of the organization’s Global Risk Management Programs.  She began her career as a multi-line claim adjuster at Federated Mutual Insurance before moving into claims consulting with McGriff Seibels & Williams.  Prior to Staples she managed the insurance and claims programs for Kenco Group, Inc., a privately-held third party logistics corporation.  Lé Andra has spearheaded several key risk management projects over the years, including the development of a Culture of Excellence, introduction of innovative cost-saving claims and insurance strategies; and the implementation of risk management information systems to turn big data into actionable data.
Lé Andra graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.  She holds her Associate in Risk Management and her Casualty Claims Law Specialist designations.

Kelly Hopper Moore is an experienced claims leader who had managed claims departments for carriers, a state and a healthcare provider. She has served in positions as a Claims Executive Director, Litigation Manager, and Home Office analyst. She has handled and managed multi-line claims in all 50 venues, both commercial and personal lines, including excess and surplus, first and third-party. She has led claims departments and teams both in the field and within corporate offices.    She has participated in CLM via conference presentations, claims college faculty and school executive council, ADR committee co-chair, and article authorship. She is past president of the PNW Chapter of CPCU. 

With dual degrees in architecture and civil engineering from Lehigh University, and over 25 years of diverse professional experience, Mr. Irwin provides a wide array of engineering, design, construction, and safety consulting and expert witness litigation support services. He is a registered Professional Engineer in 24 U.S. jurisdictions, as well as one Canadian province, and is recognized as a Model Law Engineer by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. He is also a Board-certified Senior Member of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, holding the designation of Diplomate Forensic Engineer.
Mr. Irwin’s experience has included architecture, engineering, surveying, design, and construction of buildings, bridges, civil infrastructure projects, and complex, specialty, and hybrid structural systems. He routinely consults on large-scale, complex, and/or multi-party assignments, many of which require a multi-disciplinary scientific investigation methodology. Mr. Irwin has also managed exploratory demolition programs and laboratory and onsite structural and building science pathology testing, including on structures, buildings, bridges, and components with unknown, historic, or legacy construction components and techniques.
Mr. Irwin also serves on the ASTM committee for forensic engineering, is a member of numerous related professional societies, and is a frequent guest lecturer on related technical subject matter.

Sherri Johnson is the Vice President of Corporate Claims for Aimbridge Hospitality. Aimbridge is the largest private hotel management company in the US.  In her role, Sherri is responsible for oversight of the company’s casualty claims programs for over 1400 hotels. Sherri has over 35 years of experience in workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. She has worked in various business environments but has focused most of her career in the hospitality industry.  Sherri works in Interstate’s corporate office in Dallas, Texas.

She has a BA from University of Virginia and MS from Amberton University. 

Richard J. Keating, Jr. is a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP. Rich represents national and international corporations in various types of tort liability litigation matters throughout the United States. His practice focuses on tort litigation, premises liability defense, general liability matters, criminal defense, incident investigations, security issues, and wage garnishment claims.

Rich represents restaurants, concert venues, amusement venues, health clubs and retail businesses. In addition, Rich represents several hospitals and healthcare entities. Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, Rich was a criminal prosecutor for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for nine years. As an Assistant State’s Attorney, Rich tried 30 felony jury trials and hundreds of bench trials and dispositive motions. Rich also worked in an investigations unit where he supervised a team of attorneys investigating crimes in conjunction with police authorities. Prior to becoming an attorney, Rich spent four years in the corporate sector working at AT&T selling phone service to small businesses.

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
 

 

Kristin is a part of the Dallas office and brings 30 years of experience as a Senior Claims Consultant. Kristin works closely with the Real Estate Practice handling all lines for the hospitality and lifestyle industry including amusement parks; resort hotels; marinas and golf courses. She has an extensive property and casualty claims background involving complex coverage issues; construction and defect claims; catastrophe claims; electric cooperative claim for liability, property, workers compensation and equipment; inland marine including cargo and builder’s risk; and liability claims for premise, products and auto.

Prior to joining Willis in January 2011, Kristin served as the Customer Service Manager for Zurich’s Residential Home Builders Program from 2007 – 2011. She also handled Zurich’s construction and defect claims from 2003 - 2007. Kristin was a senior property adjuster at Atlantic Mutual Insurance from 2001 – 2003; senior property adjuster at ACE USA from 1999 to 2001; a senior adjuster at the former Maxson Young Associates from 1997 – 1999; a senior property adjuster at C N A Insurance from 1991 to 1997 and an adjuster with the former American International Adjusting Company from 1988 – 1991.
 

Wendy Lanphere has spent more than 20 years in the Insurance/ Third Party Administrator field. Holding various roles as a Claims Service Manager, Field Operations Automation Consultant, National Field Operations Assistant Director and a Director of Account Management. Wendy also has extensive knowledge/experience in managed care, multi-jurisdictional Worker’s Compensation defense firm and a large transportation and translation company. In all roles she promoted meaningful solutions for current clients while identifying new markets and expanding their customer base.

Her vast experience has allowed her the opportunity to impact claims’ programs from all fronts including, but not limited to process enhancement, technology integration, new program implementation, budgeting, program strategy through analysis and customer service.

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.

Mr. Margiotti??????? is an experienced Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practitioner and a private, federal and state court qualified arbitrator and mediator. Mr. Margiotti has achieved Fellowship status with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), and is an Accredited Mediator by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). 

He consults internationally regarding: International Commercial Arbitration Laws, Court-Connected and Private Dispute Resolution Programs and Online Dispute Resolution.  He has published several articles on Dispute Resolution. Mr. Margiotti is an Adjunct Professor at Philadelphia/Jefferson University and has taught ADR and Commercial Law at Comenius University in Slovakia and Larzarski Law School in Poland. 

?Mr. Margiotti is admitted to practice law in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey and has also been admitted into U.S. Federal Court for both the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  He received his Juris Doctorate from The Delaware Law School of Widener University and bachelor's  degree from Villanova University. 

Wayne Maynard is a Product Director-Workers Compensation specializing in ergonomics and prevention of slips, trips and falls (Tribology) including stairway design and walkway safety. He is a member of the Risk Control Technical Services organization. Wayne has over 40 years’ experience with Liberty Mutual and for the last 23 years worked closely with the former Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety on development of evidence based products and tools that support the Risk Control Services organization and their customer service needs.  He also collaborates internally with Liberty Mutual business units on target industry strategies, new innovations such as wearable technology and safety, and Claims on ergonomics and return-to-work interventions. Wayne is a member of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Center for Promotion of Health - New England Workplace (CPH-NEW) Research to Practice subcommittee.
Wayne received a BA degree in Zoology from the University of Maine, Orono, ME and holds the Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) and Associate in Loss Control Management (ALCM) designations. He has authored and co-authored numerous articles and presented many times at industry and safety conferences on slip, trip and fall prevention and ergonomics. He holds leadership responsibilities on several ANSI and ASTM technical committees on ergonomics, pedestrian walkway safety and footwear including Vice Chair of ASTM’s F13.50 subcommittee on Walkway Surfaces. He was most recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the newly formed Applied Ergonomics Society sponsored by the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers. 
 

George S. McCall focuses his practice in insurance coverage and commercial litigation. He routinely counsels insurer clients and litigates aviation, commercial property, liability, environmental, extra-contractual, and reinsurance claims before state and federal courts, and in arbitration, throughout the United States. An experienced trial attorney, George also represents commercial clients in lawsuits including catastrophic personal injury, product liability, transportation, construction defect, oil and gas, and labor and employment issues. He also has an extensive resort and hospitality practice, representing major hotel owners and properties throughout the United States.

George is board certified in civil trial law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a Chambers USA“Recognised Practitioner” Texas – Insurance (2018).

Kristy McPherson has over 30 years diverse experience in complex multi-jurisdictional claims handling, litigation, and risk management. She is technically proficient in; Workers Compensation, General Liability, Product Liability, Liquor Liability, Property Liability, Construction Defect, Energy, and Trucking.  In her current role at Invitation Homes, she is the Director of Claims.

Bill Mitchell is an insurance coverage and commercial litigation attorney and is a member of Bongiorno, Montiglio, Mitchell & Palmieri, PLLC in Mineola, New York.  Bill handles complex insurance coverage issues and risk transfer practice with significant exposure and oversees general liability, professional liability, premises liability, life insurance, construction defect, commercial and environmental claims, from file inception to resolution.  Bill has briefed and argued appellate matters before the New York State appeals courts as well as the District Courts and the Second Circuit.  Bill is an honors graduate of St. John's University School of Law, where he was Articles & Notes Editor of the St. John's Law Review.  He has authored numerous articles on insurance coverage issues, and has been a CLM Member since 2012.
 

Mackenzie C. Monaco is a Director and Shareholder at Carter Conboy. She maintains an active litigation practice representing a wide range of clients, from individuals and local businesses to national corporations, in state and federal courts throughout New York. She delivers counseling, risk management, and tort defense services to the hospitality and retail, construction, insurance, and health care industries. She also has an active trusts and estates practice.
 
Mackenzie is a graduate of St. Lawrence University and earned her law degree, summa cum laude, from Albany Law School.  She is a frequent speaker, locally and nationally, on topics supporting her practice, as well as women’s issues, communication, client advocacy, and ethics.
 
 

Throughout his career, Ruben has successfully litigated and defended serious personal injury cases in the areas of premises liability, motor vehicle accidents, trucking accidents, dram shop liability, and products liability.  Ruben is also experienced in a broad range of litigation matters including health care liability, construction litigation, and commercial litigation.  While Ruben’s practice is statewide, he routinely handles matters in Central and South Texas including venues along the Texas-Mexico border.  In 2018, Ruben was selected by his peers in San Antonio Scene magazine as among the Best Lawyers in San Antonio for personal injury defense.  Ruben has also been an invited speaker on various personal injury topics for claim representatives.

Ruben was born and raised in Laredo, Texas but also spent time growing up in the Corpus Christi area. He attended Texas A&M University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science in 2001. Ruben went on to attend South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas where he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2005. While in law school, Ruben was a South Texas Academic Merit Scholarship recipient, was on the Dean’s Honor List, and a member of the Phi Delta Phi International Law Fraternity. He also interned for Justice Nelda V. Rodriguez at the 13th Court of Appeals in Corpus Christi, Texas in 2003 and 2004.  Ruben was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 2005, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas in 2006, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas in 2009. 

Kristen O'Neill is a Senior Specialty Claims Consultant with The Hanover Insurance Group specializing in nanagement liability claims for private company and non-profit insureds with a focus on directors' and officers' and employment practices liability. Kristen received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin and Juris Doctor from the DePaul University College of Law. Prior to joining The Hanover Insurance Group Kristen practiced law in Chicago, Illinois, concentrating on commercial litigation and dispute resolution.

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.

Chris Page graduated summa cum laude from Duke University in 1989, and attended Yale Law School, where he served as senior editor for the Yale Law Journal before graduating in 1992. Chris is a shareholder at Young Moore and Henderson in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he leads its Retail/ Hospitality Industry team.  Chris is an experienced trial lawyer, serving as lead trial counsel in numerous state and federal trials, including recently obtaining a successful defense result for his client in a complex commercial case with a claim in excess of $900 million. Chris represents a broad array of commercial and insurer clients, but his practice has special emphasis on the representation of clients in the Hospitality and Retail industries, where he represents a number of national companies with all of their legal needs, including claims relating to employment, business litigation, premises accidents, food-borne illnesses, Dram Shop, product liability, construction litigation and false advertising. Chris’ practice also includes litigation over non-compete agreements, insurance coverage analysis and bad faith litigation.

Chris is actively involved in ALFA International, where he is the Chairman of its Hospitality and Retail Law Practice Group, and the Chairman of its marketing committee.  Chris is also active in the Claims and Litigation Alliance and has been a past speaker at the annual conference for the Retail, Restaurant and Hospitality group.  Chris is a frequent speaker on litigation topics, including employment litigation, non-compete litigation, and using social media as a tool to win lawsuits. His article on that subject was published by the Westlaw Journal of the Computer and the Internet. In the last three years, he has also presented on Reptile Theory, Work-Life Balance, and a practical guide to managing employees from the millennial generation.

            Bob obtained his undergraduate degree from Davidson College in 1977 and his law degree in 1980 from Florida State University 1980. In addition to being a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator, he is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. Bob is a longtime member of the   American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)serving as President of the  Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates in 2014-2015 . He is an active member of theInternational Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) and the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel. He is a member of  Defense Research Institute (DRI) and served on the  Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section Executive Council 1996-2007, serving as Chair 2006-2007.
           Bob specializes in civil trial litigation. He has tried cases in both state and federal courts throughout Northwest Florida. For nearly thirty years he has represented a wide range of clients in claims and lawsuits involving products liability, construction defect, trucking, negligent security, premises liability, and chemical exposure. He has lectured at both local and state bar seminars and for several years has chaired the Florida Bar Advanced Trial Advocacy program, a five-day interactive seminar.
        Bob is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator and a member of the National Academy of Distinguished neutrals. He mediates across North Florida multiparty cases from construction defect and employment cases,estate disputes,  to medical malpractice cases and auto and truck accident claims. 

 

Thomas Parco is a licensed professional architect with a bachelor’s in architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California.  His design and construction experience includes architectural design, project management, preliminary building design, construction specifications preparation, building consultants coordination, construction administration and support, and construction documentation.  His forensics experience includes property condition assessments, construction defect analysis representing subcontractors and developers, premises liability assessments (including trip/slip/falls at pedestrian walkways and bathtub slip/falls), swimming pool accident analysis, ADA analysis, building code analysis, and expert testimonies.
He has been an active member of the American Institute of Architects since 2000, has been registered with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards since 1991, is an accredited professional with The U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), an ASTM voting member of the F13 committee on Pedestrian/Walkway Safety and Footwear, an ASTM F2948 Walkway Auditor,  a certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) with the California Parks & Recreation Society, a certified XL Tribometrist (CXLT), and a member of the National Swimming Pool Foundation.  He is has been a past lecturer/presenter for topics including roofing, construction defects, ADA, Sustainable Design & Construction, and trip/slip/falls.

Julie Price, ARM · Senior Risk Manager at CAVA + Zoe's Kitchen Restaurants

In her Risk Management  role at CAVA, Julie oversees and manages the full Risk Management program including Insurance, Safety, Security,  Insured Litigation, Claims Management ( all lines of insurance) for all company owned restaurants. Cava is a privately held Mediterranean fast casual restaurant chain with muliple  locations across the United States. Cava is owned by Cava Group, which also owns Zoës Kitchen. The combined company is the largest restaurant operator in the Mediterranean category in the U.S. restaurant industry

Julie Price was formerly Vice President of Risk Management for Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, a multi-state, national restaurant group based in Dallas, Texas.  Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group (DFRG) owned and operated four contemporary, high-end complementary restaurant concepts:  Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, and Del Frisco’s Grille, bartaco, and Barcelona Wine Bar.     
 
 Julie was Director of Risk Management for Cheddars Scratch Kitchen, a “made from scratch” restaurant concept with over 150 locations in 26 states.  Julie’s past restaurant Risk Management leadership roles include Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Fuddruckers/Koo Koo Roos Restaurants, Triple Tap Inc. (Alamo Draft House), and Fired Up Inc, operating as Carino’s Italian Grill restaurants. Julie’s hospitality Risk Management experience also includes hotels, and she was formerly with Accor North America, parent company of Motel 6, Red Roof Inns, Novotel & Sofitel hotels, as well as working for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.     Julie is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a BA, double majoring in History & Journalism, and has completed the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) program.
 

Lisa Rolle is a partner in Traub Lieberman Straus & Shrewsberry's New York and Connecticut offices. An accomplished litigator, Lisa has amassed a lengthy track record of successful results at the trial and appellate levels. She has spent her entire career passionately fighting to protect and advance the interests of her clients. She consistently obtains positive outcomes through her meticulous preparation, commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards, and providing loyal, steadfast client service. These personal characteristics and her professional achievements have earned Lisa an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
 
Lisa defends matters involving New York labor law, premises liability, products liability, transportation, legal malpractice, and construction. She has obtained favorable verdicts in numerous jurisdictions in New York and Connecticut and has briefed and argued appeals before the First and Second Departments of the Appellate Division of the State of New York.
 

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.

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.

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.

 

Ms. Strommen joined ProHost USA, a national program administrator specializing in restaurant insurance, in 1990 as Vice President of Operations. In 2008, Ms. Strommen was named company president. She is a charter member of the Target Markets Program Administrators Association. In 2013, the Association recognized her as a Certified Programs Leader. Ms. Strommen was elected to the Target Markets Advisory Board in 2011 and served a two-year term as the Association president from 2015 through 2016.
 
Ms. Strommen has authored articles about insuring restaurant exposures for various industry magazines including Risk & Insurance, Insurance Journal, Agent and Broker and Rough Notes. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Cornell University and an MBA from Metropolitan State University.

Oversee business litigation involving the company and provide support and legal counsel toStarbucks management and partners concerning potential and actual litigation, primarily in mattersrelating to general business law, real estate, discrimination, and consumer protection.

Dirk Weisiger is a travel trekker, trick roper and storyteller. He grew up on a ranch in south Texas and at an early age he was always searching for more out of life. Dirk kept his parents on their toes and they never knew what he would try next! At eighteen, Dirk took his first travel adventure and headed out to Wyoming with two of his friends to work on a ranch. During this time, he sharpened his skills as a rider and roper and this first adventure left him yearning for more! Upon Dirk’s return from Wyoming, he decided to go to college at his father’s suggestion and he attended Texas Tech University. This is when the next chapter with his life began in long-term care insurance. As a teenager and through the years of building a successful business in long term insurance sales, Dirk has always enjoyed speaking to groups, spinning tales, ropes and offering lessons he has learned in adventures of life and business. 

Holly focuses her practice on litigation that encompasses a range of interconnected legal disciplines. She strives to find solutions for the individuals and businesses she serves that are practical and impactful. Holly leverages her years of experience and a willingness to understand her clients’ strategic goals in employing sensible and successful approaches to the defense of each dispute, including professional liability, retail and hospitality, employment practices, and public entity liability.

Holly also maintains an active appellate practice and has been instrumental in the prosecution of appeals in state and federal appellate courts across the country. She uses her analytical and advocacy skills to resolve legal problems for her clients, from counseling to conflict resolution to litigation and beyond. As the Chair of Reminger’s Educational Law Liability Practice Group, Holly defends educators, institutions and boards of education against a host of federal and state law claims including § 1983, Title IX, Section 504, IDEA and First Amendment causes of action. 

Holly is a member of various professional bar and trial lawyer associations. She regularly publishes articles and gives presentations throughout the country regarding issues that are important to her clients. Holly has achieved the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards, AV Preeminent®, from Martindale-Hubbell®.

Mr. Wood has over forty years of experience in policing, crime prevention, and loss prevention management in the hospitality industry. With wide experience in both management and tactical/ strategic functions, his expertise includes physical security, procurement of systems, pre-planning of new construction, and related safety and security assessments. Due to his extensive background, he provides expert testimony on security and safety related issues for law firms.

Prior to joining the Marriott Vacation Club, Mr. Wood served as the Master Deputy Sheriff for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando, Florida, providing experience in modern policing and evaluation of security and police personnel. As a member of the Sheriff’s team, he was one of the originators of the Tourist Oriented Policing Systems (TOPS). The TOPS team controlled tourist crime in more than 150,000 hotel rooms and 4 theme parks affecting more than 40 million tourists each year. In that capacity, Mr. Wood worked directly with county planners, hotel owners, and other police agencies to reduce crime and increase profitability within the hospitality community.
 
One of Mr. Wood’s strengths is in the area of crime prevention. He is a skilled investigator having worked in Burglary, Auto Theft, Robbery, Homicide, and Special Operations, including Intelligence, Narcotics, and vice related crimes. He has numerous honors as a Crime Prevention Practitioner and Planner and possesses excellent communication skills. Mr. Wood has been a member of the American Society for Industrial Security since 1995 serving as Vice-Chairman of the Hospitality Committee, member of the Claims and Litigations Management Alliance, and has made numerous training presentations in more than five countries to police agencies, tourism groups, and hotel companies.
 

Develop loss control initiatives through analysis of prior losses and awareness of emergingexposures. Coordinate effective claims management with members, TPA, claim adjusters, andcarriers, with an emphasis on member satisfaction. Create and present loss control training contentvia webinars and at annual member conference.

Experienced Vice President of Risk with a demonstrated history in retail, manufacturing, commercial transportation, and oil and gas industries. Skilled in Enterprise Risk Management, Property & Casualty Insurance, Litigation Management, Deferred Compensation, as well as Mergers and Aquisitions. Strong human resources professional with a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) focused in Personnel Human Resource Management from Texas Tech University.