Featured Speakers

Diba Alemi

Ashly Valenzuela, Esq

Emilyrose Furman

Jodi Elliott

Jayden Doyé

Christi L. Fried

Kristen Pitts

Jenn Gore

Gordi Mikalacki

Bhumi Patel

Amber Esposito

Latasha Barnes

Meredith Stratigopoulos

Albert W. Simpson

Karen Noble

Kristina Ducos

Megan Kiefer

Andrew Pickett

Giselle Delgado

Sonja Hillman Suchy

Arletta Saafir

Gina Zapanta

Valerie Bennington

Leah N. Miller

Chloe Danielle

Whitney Betts

Megan Hargroder

Kathy Lerner

Andrew Adams

Theresa Regis

Jon David

Colleen Joyce

Rhonda Polhill

Mary Ellen Murrah

Marisa McKain

Farnaz Ghaffari

L. Michael Flanagan

Heather Carroll

Nalini Prasad

Kathleen Shollenberger

Melanie Carpenter

Nick Schnyder

Edward Susolik

Michael Madadi

Clark Karell Jr.

Bianca Paggi

Christina Gotsis

Zaira Solano

Keren Barrios-Virguez

Arraé Culmir

Leisa Wintz

Cameron Roberts

Lita Abella

Asia Scarlett Jones

Jamie Seeker

Julie Robinson

Taxie Lambert

Taniesha Whorton

Marjorie Mesidor

Melaney LaGrone

Cherise Challenger

David P. Ellis

Olga Fofanova

Deborah Alicea

Jeff Malone

Lonita Baker

Stacy McCall

Rose Harper

Daedrea Fenwick

Brana J Williams

Daryl A. Gray

Amanda Hankins

Jodi Weber

Laura Ramos James

Amelia M. Ravelo

Mikaela Dixon

Stephanie Cowan

Amber Hall

Jasmine Hassan

Twanda Turner Westbrook

Hannah J. Molitoris

Darleene Peters

Faviola Ramirez

Beverly Alers

Terri Houchin

Bailey Shattuck

Rebekah Stevens

Bill Wilson

Lindsay Coulter

Michael Alder

Dawn Marullo

Krystal Champlin-Gerage

Cynthia Thomas

Jeremy L. Tissot

Joshua Lockamy

Conway Martindale

Rafael Muniz

Samantha M. Teal

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Sandra Diggs Miller

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Gina Zapanta

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Jennifer Gore-Cuthbert

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Lynn Luker

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Shaena Flanagan

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Dr. Braley Bourque

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Julie Gossett

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Jayden Doyé

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Taniesha Whorton

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Lisandra Matos

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Laura Ramos James

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Danielle McCray

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Pamela Peynado

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Bhumi Patel

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Olga Fofanova

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Tayrin Wittenstein

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Marisa McKain

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Dawn Danna Marullo

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Giselle Urbina

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Kristin Koptyra

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Darleene D. Peters

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Heather Reese

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Erica Caviness

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Michael Madadi

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Katherine Mayer

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Laura Moore

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Tracy Laskos

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Margarita Eberline

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Jamie Seeker

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Mary Ellen Murrah

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Lisa Knierim

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Mel LaGrone

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Brittany Elmore

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Markisha Bosley

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Renee Trotman

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Ryan Jensen

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Justice Evelyn J. Laporte

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Michelle Simpson Tuegel

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Sarah Flack

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Megan Whiteside

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Tresha Cowell

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Kristina Ducos

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Charlene Reyes

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Mary Lou Potter

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Jeremy Tissot

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Latrice Smith

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Michele Mirman

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Kelly Chase

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Chris Rose

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Michael Alder

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Veronica Dalzon

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Janelle Sanchez Johnson

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Lasonjia Jack

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Massiel Rhoden

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Meliha Pérez Halpern

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Shanna Diamond

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Cherise Challenger

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Karen E. Evans

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Gordi Mikalacki

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Daryl A. Gray

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Dr. Raven Dunlap

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Wendy S. Meadows

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Kristen Pitts

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Lauren Pilié

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Hannah J. Molitoris

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Cristina Zaher

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Marlie Willer

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Mindi Kaploe

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Mindy Hofman

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Lindsay Coulter

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Amanda Hankins

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Rashida Forbes

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Raynique Keelen

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Natalie Gladden

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Taly Goody

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Ledia Regis

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Rhonda Polhill

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Bree Jenkins

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S. Shakira Ali Kelley

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Brana J. Williams

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Elizabeth Magazine

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Arnice Foster

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Crystal Jones Taylor

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Beverly Alers

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Nerre Shuriah

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April Zee

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Juliana Chaidez

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Daedrea Fenwick

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Nalini Prasad

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Conway Martindale

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Margarita Valderrama

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Joshua Lockamy

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Paul Hansen

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L. Michael Flanagan

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Chad Kidwell

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Rosa Florentino

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Edward Susolik

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Emilyrose Furman

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Ashly Valenzuela

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Heather D. Froy

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Ryan Jensen

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Vaneat Bellizzi

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Michael J. Garner

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Loretta Hoskins

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Neldra Zeiglar

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Brooke Bove

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Elia Diaz-Yaeger

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Christi L. Fried

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Christine Han

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Neldra Ziegler

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Clive Markland

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Nicole Stanton

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Ebony Morris

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Andrea Rivera

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Olivia Nuss

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Rian Ervin Banks

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Angie Hollanda

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Nicole Broussard

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Colleen Young

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Jessica Tehlirian

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Amanda Fox Perry

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Brittany Bachus

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Micha Star Liberty

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Yesenia Gonzalez

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Lisa Reid

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Angie Hollanda

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Geya Prudhomme

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Emerald Smith

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Briseida Robles

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Christine Han

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Regina E. Faul

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Michael Flanagan

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Dea Denae

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Sandra Diggs Miller

Sandra Diggs-Miller was named vice president of external affairs for Entergy’s federal policy, governmental and regulatory affairs organization in 2023. In this role, she is responsible for collaborating across the enterprise to develop, manage and monitor the integrated stakeholder engagement strategic business plan. Prior to joining the external affairs group, she served as vice president of customer service for Entergy New Orleans from 2019 to 2023 where she was responsible for designing strategies for effective customer outreach; improving customer satisfaction and perception; promoting innovation in the delivery of service and products; and supporting the overall enterprise utility business plan. She joined Entergy in 2000 as part of the company’s legal department where she held the position of assistant general counsel and litigated cases on behalf of Entergy’s operating companies. Prior to joining the company, she was an associate at Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann law firm where she handled complex commercial litigation, personal injury and premise liability, and products liability cases. Diggs Miller earned her Juris Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law, an MBA from Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and sociology from Radford University. Sandra currently serves on the Board of Directors of the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity and Operation Restoration, and previously served on the board of First Tee of Greater New Orleans, KID smart, Pro Bono Project, Louisiana Civil Justice Center, and the R.C. Blakes Scholarship Foundation. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees.

Jennifer Gore-Cuthbert

Jennifer Gore-Cuthbert is an accomplished attorney and the founder of Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group, a reputable personal injury firm with multiple locations throughout the Atlanta Metro. Jennifer and her team specialize in representing clients injured in auto accidents, trucking crashes, slip-and-fall incidents, wrongful death cases, and more. With a strong focus on maximizing case values and streamlining the legal process using technology and efficient communication, Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group has become known for its exceptional client service and results-driven approach.

Under Jennifer’s leadership, Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group has experienced exponential growth in cases, revenue, and employee size since its establishment in 2013. Jennifer’s dedication and expertise have also earned her numerous accolades, including Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2018-2024, Daily Report’s Award for Best Social Media, National Trial Lawyers Award for Best Social Media 2024, Avvo Clients’ Choice Award, the Avvo Top Personal Attorney Award, and The National Trial Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Lawyers Award, among others. Most recently, her firm was recognized on the Inc 5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies in the US in 2022 and 2023. Jennifer also was one of the co-author’s of the book “Tiger Tactics CEO Edition” published in 2023. She has appeared on many new articles include USA Today, Forbes as well as podcasts and stages speaking about her entrepreneurial legal journey.

In addition to her legal work, Jennifer is committed to giving back to her community by supporting local events, sponsoring scholarships for college students, and donating to the Backpack Project, which provides backpacks and school supplies to students in need. Jennifer also coaches personal injury attorneys and business owners on topics such as personal injury law, practice management, and business marketing. She currently serves as the Past President of the Alumni Association at Atlanta’s John Marshall, where she works to reinvigorate the alumni community and support the school’s mission. She is also the President of Georgia Association for Women Lawyer’s Foundation, which focuses on philanthropy by women lawyers in Georgia for the benefit of the community as well as, scholarships for women law students in Georgia.

Lynn Luker

Lynn Luker has been affiliated with Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions, providing mediation and arbitration services since 2014. In 2022, she was appointed and served as Judge Pro Tempore for the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit for a six-month term. Previously, in 2014, Ms. Luker was appointed Judge Pro Tempore in Division “H” of Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans for a six- month term. She currently serves on the Hurricane Ida Neutral Panel for Orleans Parish, Jefferson Parish, and the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Ms. Luker’s practice has included complicated and complex litigation involving businesses, including toxic tort, maritime, unfair trade practices, environmental, employment discrimination, personal injury, premise liability and product liability law. Ms. Luker served as national, regional, and local trial counsel for companies for over 40 years.

Ms. Luker is the former chair of the Louisiana Judiciary Commission and served on the Louisiana Judicial Campaign Oversight Committee.

Ms. Luker received her undergraduate degree in psychology from UNO, and in 2005 was named President of its Alumni Association. She earned a J.D. (Order of Barristers), LL.M. in Admiralty (with distinction), and an LL.M. in Energy and Environment from Tulane Law School. She has served as Professor and Co-Director of the Trial Advocacy Program for over 35 years, as Co-Director of Tulane’s Civil Litigation Pre-Trial Boot Camp from its inception and co-taught the first eDiscovery and Evidence class at Tulane Law School with Magistrate Judge Karen Roby of the Eastern District of Louisiana for over 10 years. In 2014, she received the Distinguished Teaching Award at the Tulane Law School commencement. In 2015, she received the Distinguished Alumna Award at the annual Tulane Environmental Summit.

Ms. Luker has served as the Chair of the Louisiana State Bar Association Section Council as well as Chair of the Civil Law & Litigation Section for over 10 years. She was the recipient of the LSBA 2014 Human Rights Award for her work in the area of diversity and inclusion. At its 2018 annual meeting, Ms. Luker was presented the LSBA President’s Award.

In 2018, Ms. Luker was awarded the Michaelle Pitard Wynne Professionalism Award by the Association for Women Attorneys.

Ms. Luker is or has served as a member of the LSBA Board of Governors, co-chair of the LSBA Commission on the Profession, the L SBA Continuing Legal Education Committee, the LSBA Diversity Committee, and the LSBA Legislative Committee. She is the former President of the Tulane American Inn of Court. She is or has also been a member of the International Society of Barristers and the A.P. Tureaud Inn of Court. Ms. Luker is the former chair of the ABA TIPS Toxic Tort Section and the ABA TIPS Admiralty Law Section, and former chair of the IADC Maritime and Energy Law Section, and served on the faculty of the IADC National Trial Academy.

Ms. Luker also served as Co-Director for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) for many years for both its trial and deposition programs and is a frequent presenter at continuing legal education programs on a variety of subjects, including trial practice, professionalism, ethics, unconscious bias, and the importance of mentoring, as well as substantive areas of law, most lately, in 2024, the new skill set necessary due to the importance of Depositions as fewer cases actually go to trial. She served as co-chair of the New Orleans Bar Association Masters of the Courtroom program for many years and as Chair of its Women in the Profession Committee. She is a past Chair of the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF). She is also a member of the Louis A. Martinet Society and has presented on Complex Litigation and eDiscovery at its CLE programs.

In 2004, Lynn was named as a “Role Model” by the Young Leadership Council. Ms. Luker has been named as a “SuperLawyer” each year since 2007, a “Leader in Law” (and in 2018 was inducted into its Hall of Fame) by New Orleans CityBusiness, a “Top Lawyer”, and as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” since 2009. Ms. Luker has also been listed as one of the top 50 lawyers in Louisiana by Super Lawyers. She has held an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell since 1994. Ms. Luker is admitted to practice in all Louisiana courts, both state and federal, the United States Fifth and Eleventh Circuits, and the United States Supreme Court. She has tried many cases, most recently a complicated engineering dispute in the Western District of Louisiana in 2023.

Laura Ramos James

Winner of the 2023 Austin Woman’s Magazine “Woman’s Way” Award and the “Advocacy and Activism” Award by the Latina Foundation, Laura Ramos James is one of the most recognized Lawyers in Texas and a businesswoman who has supported disadvantaged communities in Austin and South Texas for several years.

A personal injury victim herself, Laura hoped that one day she’d be the loud and fierce voice of those who could not speak on their own behalf in court and amplify the voice of those who could. After graduating law school at Baylor Law with honors, Laura began the arduous professional path that culminated in the founding of Ramos James Law, PLLC in 2018.

With well over a decade of legal experience, Laura has successfully handled hundreds of personal injury cases involving auto and trucking accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driver accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, work injury, product liability, Texas Health Care Liability claims, sexual assault cases, complex construction accident and construction defects, catastrophic injury, wrongful death cases and more.

For Laura, the most significant and transforming influence in her life has been becoming the mother of two little girls with her husband Jon: Victoria & Alexandra.

Laura has received some of the highest recognitions in her industry, being named a “Rising Star” by the Super Lawyers™ organization for five consecutive years, being honored as part of even more exclusive recognition within Super Lawyers™ for the years 2023 & 2024 (Up-and-Coming 100: Texas Rising Stars: 2023 & 2024; Up-and- Coming 50: Women Texas Rising Stars: 2023 &2024) and with lifetime membership in the coveted Million and Multi-Million Advocates Forums. Laura is also a member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40. By 2020, Laura had been distinguished as one of America’s Top 100 Attorneys ® High Stakes Litigator.

Laura is a member of several trial lawyer associations such as Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association where she serves as part of the Executive Committee; Texas Trial Lawyers Association, where she serves as part of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity committee; the Travis County Women Lawyers Association, Hispanic Bar Association, and Mexican-American Association of Texas, to name a few. She is admitted to practice in all Texas state courts and in federal court in the U.S. District Courts of the Southern and Western Districts.

In January of 2024, Laura was celebrated by Austin Woman magazine again, being named a Change Maker in their inaugural Change Maker List amongst other incredible women implementing positive change in our city. Austin Monthly Magazine has commemorated Laura as one of Austin’s #1 Personal Injury Attorneys for 2022 and 2023. Additionally, in 2022, she was named 2022 “Woman Leader of the Year” by local Non-Profit Organization AMHIGA.

Laura is a sought-after speaker at legal seminars and non-profit organization workshops. She is a two-time Amazon best seller author, contributing chapters to the books “Law Moms: Juggling Motherhood, Ambition, and Personal Fulfillment” and “Point Taken: Brilliant Business Advice from Women at the Top”. Finally, Laura has been a guest at the following podcasts: Women of Austin, Lawyer Stories, The Incubator by Economic Growth Business Incubator, and The Empowered Latina Podcast.

Pamela Peynado

Pamela Peynado is a nationally recognized award winning attorney and owner of Peynado Law Firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Pamela migrated to New York City and later moved to Georgia. Her life experience as an immigrant and her passion to help others made working in the field of immigration law the perfect fit. In 2006, while a student at Georgia State University, Pamela began working as a receptionist at an immigration law firm. Due to her hard work and dedication, Pamela climbed the ladder from a receptionist to a paralegal to a lawyer and then became partner at that same law firm.

Pamela understands the pain that family members go through when dealing with their immigration cases. She is the only naturalized citizen in her family, her stepfather was deported, and she assisted in the complicated deportation defense of her uncle, who was detained at the Stewart Detention Center for almost a year. Pamela has successfully represented fortune 500 companies, hospitals, cities, banks, churches and aggressively defended countless numbers of adults and children in deportation and removal proceedings all over the United States. She has dedicated countless pro bono hours to assist individuals who could not afford to hire an attorney.

Pamela has been recognized for her leadership, community service and achievement in the field. She is regularly invited to speak at conferences on immigration related topics. She has served as a legal expert on CNN, ABC, NBC, Telemundo, Univision and several other media outlets. Due to her passion and exemplary representation amongst the immigrant community, she has received numerous awards and recognitions. Most recently, she was selected as a Rising Star for the State of Georgia by the Super Lawyers. She was also named one of the Best Lawyers in America. She was awarded the One to Watch Award, the Award of Achievement for Service to the Profession, and the Annual Ethics & Professionalism Award by the State Bar Georgia. She was named one of the Most Powerful Women in Law by the Latino Leaders Magazine and named the Daily Report’s Attorney on the Rise. Pamela was also named Georgia State University’s 40 Under 40 Alumni Class of 2022, Georgia Trend’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2023 and one of the 12 Most Influential Women in the Southeast by Expo Latino Business. She was featured and celebrated for her work with the Immigrant Community on the CNN’s Great Big Story documentary “The Defenders.”

As a true humanitarian, Pamela has dedicated countless pro bono hours to assist her community. She is also the founder of 501(c)(3) nonprofit, The Love Project (TLP) 404. Under her leadership, TLP has posted over $300,000 in bail for those who could not afford it, gave over $50,000 in scholarships, paid local families rents and bills, and mentored countless High School, College and Law School students. When she is not at the office, Pamela finds great joy mentoring young students and serving as an assistant High School mock trial coach.

Pamela has held leadership positions in various organizations, such as the Georgia Hispanic Bar Association, the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She served on Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ immigrant detention advisory council and was recently appointed to Senators Warnock & Ossoff Federal Judicial Nominations Advisory Commission. Pamela also serves as a part-time Judge in Atlanta, Georgia.

Tayrin Wittenstein

Soon after graduating from UT Law School in 2009, Ty began her legal work by taking an oath of office as an Assistant District Attorney in her hometown on the southern end of Texas/Mexico border. In Laredo, the population was by far Hispanic and she felt right at home as a bilingual prosecutor representing the State of Texas in criminal cases. In 2013, after working over 3 years as a prosecutor in Webb County she continued her prosecutorial career representing the State of Texas in the heart of Texas, her beloved Austin. Working at the Travis County Attorney’s Office, her place of employment until 2022, where she stayed for almost 10 years.

Ty has served as lead attorney for the State of Texas on over 50 criminal jury trials. In 2017, she was promoted to Chief Prosecutor in one of the Travis County misdemeanor courts where she supervised a team of 2-3 other prosecuting attorneys while also managing a very heavy caseload of her own. Juggling the busy and fast-paced day to day life of a Chief Prosecutor of a County Court at Law was quite the challenge, with over a hundreds and hundreds of cases reviewed, filed and negotiated to a final disposition on a weekly basis.

After 12 years of practicing criminal law on the State’s behalf, Ty has founded her dream criminal defense law firm—one that is committed and dedicated tell YOUR side of the story and guide and counsel you through one of the most intimidating situations of your life. At Cardenas Witt Law we are committed to making sure that all clients have a deep understanding of the legal matter before them and the obstacles and optional paths to come.

At Cardenas Witt Law, we defend those that are accused of all types of felony and misdemeanor offenses in central Texas, including Murder, Sex Assault of a Child, Assault Family Violence, Robbery, Intoxication Manslaughter, DWI and everything in between. We are committed to treating our clients and their family with respect and to provide fluid communication about any updates on their criminal case. We want our clients to keep their dignity as a human being during their encounters with the judicial system. No matter what they are accused of, whether they committed the offense, whether they are in jail or out on bond or whether they are in the US legally, Cardenas Witt Law is committed to protecting everyone’s 6 th Amendment right to counsel. We will be there fighting with you until the end. And we will do it with kindness and compassion.

Michael Madadi

Michael Madadi is the Attorney Director of Pre-Litigation at BD&J. He has spent his career fighting for the rights of everyday people. Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Mr. Madadi has spent his lifetime around the same people that he knows entrusts him and his team with their cases. From his humble beginnings as the son of immigrant parents he fully understands the plight that many people must deal with while they are injured and battling insurance companies. Starting from high school in Calabasas, graduating from UCLA and finally attending law school at Whittier Law School in Newport Beach, Mr. Madadi knows California and its people because that is his home, and these are his neighbors.

Over $100 Million Recovered
As an advocate for the people, Mr. Madadi has worked in the Consumer Protection Unit of the San Diego District Attorney’s office, followed by a position at a prestigious antitrust firm with large-scale verdicts against corporate defendants. After leaving antitrust Mr. Madadi has worked with many of the most well-known litigators and large-scale personal injury firms in the state of California. Once settled at BD&J, Mr. Madadi has managed the pre-litigation department with his skilled team of case managers and assistants. Michael’s straight-shooting, empathetic, and organized style helps give his clients clarity about the direction of their case while understanding the pain they endure. His team fully recognizes the difficult and complex nature of both accidents and injuries, and his skill set is tailored to maximize the benefit while minimizing the costs associated to a client’s case.

Michael has represented thousands of clients and recovered millions on their behalf. He continues to successfully represent clients in auto accidents, slip and falls, premise liability cases as well as cases that involve traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and wrongful deaths. Mr. Madadi is highly skilled in victoriously litigating large verdicts and his commitment to obtaining the best outcome for his clients remains his top priority. Making every attempt to secure a proper case outcome prior to incurring litigation costs, Michael fights to ensure his clients receive the maximum recovery for their injuries.
Mr. Madadi is admitted to the California Bar as well as the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Michael is an avid basketball player who believes that basketball is the quintessential game for building chemistry, leadership, and teamwork, which are all elements that can be used within our daily work lives. His love of basketball and the city of Los Angeles makes him quite the fan of the Los Angeles Lakers. Mr. Madadi spends his free time doing physical activities that keep him fit, spending time with his wonderful family, and hanging out with his dog (aptly named “Buss” for the namesake of the Lakers organization).

Education

Calabasas High School
UCLA (Business Economics with a concentration in Finance)
Whittier Law School (Intellectual Property and Business Law Certifications)

Representative Case Outcomes

8.25 million
6.5 million
4.25 million
2.5 million
1.5 million
1.5 million
1.3 million
1.25 million
1.25 million
1.25 million
1.25 million
1 million
1 million
1 million
1 million

Languages

Farsi
Spanish (Conversational)

Margarita Eberline

Margarita Eberline is a pioneer in legal marketing and the visionary founder of Marketing Boss, a Chief Marketing Officer firm exclusively for law firms. Marketing Boss fills a critical gap in the legal industry by providing innovative marketing leadership tailored to the unique needs of attorneys. With her trailblazing approach, Margarita has redefined how law firms attract, engage, and retain clients.

She is also the author of Connect Convert, the groundbreaking law firm sales book that introduces her game-changing Connect Convert methodology. This innovative framework equips law firms with actionable tools to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Through the Connect Convert program, powered by Marketing Boss, Margarita offers a comprehensive suite of resources—including dynamic video training, customized Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development, and personalized 1-1 mindset coaching. Her programs are designed to help legal teams enhance their client intake, sales, and service strategies to maximize success.

Driven by her passion for helping law firms succeed, Margarita specializes in bridging the gap between lead generation and long-term client relationships. She teaches law firm teams how to build trust, foster emotional connections, and overcome the silent challenges—such as ghosting—that can sabotage their marketing investments. Her practical, results-oriented techniques are transforming how attorneys approach client acquisition and retention.

Margarita believes every phone call is a chance to create meaningful connections and transform lives. Her insights are revolutionizing the way law firms adapt to the evolving legal marketing space. A sought-after thought leader on client acquisition and conversion, she has inspired countless attorneys to step up, refine their processes, and bring their best energy to every conversation. Margarita enjoys inspiring attorneys to shift their mindsets, align their energy, and create a client experience that drives loyalty—from the very first ring to a signed case.

When she’s not guiding firms to greater success, you can find Margarita savoring a strong cup of coffee in her signature Marketing Boss Yeti, making lit memes, hitting the weights at the gym, or planning her next travel adventure. Most of all, she enjoys being a mother to her 5 boys who have inspired her to be a master negotator, as every day with them has been the ultimate test in creativity, persuasion, and resilience.

Jamie Seeker

Jamie Seeker is the Founder and Principal of Seeker Solution, a firm that offers fractional services designed to equip small and mid-sized businesses to scale with clarity, structure, and alignment. With a strong presence across professional services, including legal, healthcare, and digital marketing, Jamie leads her team in providing fractional support in HR, business strategic planning, financial strategy, learning and development, social media content, and operational process—with the C-level perspective needed to lead through growth and complexity. With over two decades of experience across nonprofit, medical, and business sectors, Jamie’s leadership brings a deeply practical, strategic approach to sustainable growth.

Jamie’s journey in business—as a woman in leadership—has been shaped by resilience and intentional integration. A mother of seven, she has built her career while navigating the realities many professional women face: breastfeeding and pumping in the workplace, managing the cost and logistics of childcare, and balancing career ambition with the invisible disadvantages that came with the appearance of being less available in a pre-remote work culture. Though she often worked as many (or more) hours than her peers, those behind-the-scenes efforts went unseen and uncounted—an experience that later shaped how she built her own business.

From the start, Jamie prioritized outcomes over office hours, efficiency over visibility, and gave her team the flexibility she never had early in her career. She made the tough but intentional decision to prioritize sleep over exercise—choosing rest during a season when neither option felt ideal, with the full intention to return to it once her children were sleeping through the night and life allowed for more margin.

She earned her seat in rooms not designed with her in mind—often one of the only women at the table, and certainly the youngest, the least connected, and one of the few without generational wealth behind her. She learned to lead with clarity before being granted permission. For Jamie, success hasn’t meant choosing between personal and professional dreams—it has meant designing a life where both can thrive.

Seeker Solution’s expansion into the legal industry began organically: supporting one woman-owned law firm led to a wave of referrals and, over time, a strong reputation in the field. Today, Jamie leads her company in serving attorneys and law firm leaders across the U.S. and internationally—delivering scalable solutions in hiring, compliance, finance, and operations. Clients value her team’s ability to meet them where they are and bring calm to the chaos of growth.

Jamie holds a B.B.A. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and a minor in Philosophy from the University of San Diego, where she played collegiate soccer and met her best friend, college sweetheart, and now husband. Together, they have lived and worked in multiple states, including New York during her husband’s time at Syracuse University, and they now reside in Phoenix with their family. Jamie’s most important role to date—mother to her seven children—has been shaped both by giving birth and by navigating the foster care and adoption system. That lived experience as a working parent deeply informs her passion for supporting mental health professionals, therapists, and the systems that strengthen families. She is the proud mom of two college students at Arizona State University, one at Northern Arizona University, one serving in the U.S. Army, two in high school, and one in middle school.

Jamie leads with the belief that we don’t have to choose between personal and professional success—we can build businesses that honor both. “It’s not about work-life balance,” she says. “It’s work-life integration—because you don’t have to settle. You get to create the life you want.” And she truly believes the best is yet to come for her—in business and in life.

Lisa Knierim

My name is Lisa Knierim. Throughout my career I have worked diligently to become the rare combination of a Long-View Strategist coupled with a Short-View Tactician. I have a powerful understanding and commitment to spearhead company growth through leadership in restoring or developing a culture for success as well as getting new businesses up and running successfully and turning-around companies. I’m an operationally oriented senior leader and business partner who optimizes both revenues and profits with a business style always focused on driving business performance to achieve ROI objectives. I have achieved leadership roles in companies including Villeroy & Boch Americas, Panasonic North America, Wilton, Jarden Consumer Solutions, and Black & Decker. Industry exposure includes Consumer Products, Housewares, Textiles, Food Service/Hospitality and Consumer Electronics with revenues from $5MM to over $2B.

After earning my bachelor’s degree in business and marketing from SUNY, I entered the Textile Industry to explore my passion for product development, sales, and begin my journey towards executive management. Currently, I am the Chief Development Officer for Creative Tops Inc. where I’m focused on expanding our U.S. retail and food service businesses, as well as forming new relationships with foreign companies and brands to commercialize in the United States.

I’ve spent the last 30 years learning everything there is to know about the Housewares, Hospitality/Food Service industries as well as the U.S. Retail landscape. I’m currently applying this knowledge in my role as CDO for Creative Tops Inc. where I’m responsible for the U.S. business. I’ve held several leadership roles, CEO of Villeroy & Boch to GM of Wilton, but my latest challenge has been helping Creative Tops Inc. improve their B2B and B2C businesses in the tabletop and drinkware segments. You can follow my work via here.

I am an elected Councilwoman for Cranbury Township in New Jersey. I was sworn in as Mayor on January 2, 2025. I am the Vice-President of the Tabletop Association. I have just concluded my second, three-year terms as a Board Member for the International Housewares Association. I have attended and exhibited at the Internation Housewares Show, NRA Show, Ambiente, Maison Object Show, Gourmet Show, CES and many regional shows throughout my career. I have received my green and black belt certification in Six Sigma strategies.

I am married to my wonderful husband Adam, whom I affectionately refer to as our CHO, Chief Home Officer. He is incredibly supportive of my career and aspirations. Together we are raising our 15-year-old daughter Greta. Our home is made complete with our golden-doodle Monty and our crazy cat named Crouton. We don’t watch a lot of TV in our home, but we also say “sports don’t count”, so there is inevitably a court, field, course, rink of some sort on our television as we cheer on our favorite collegiate and professional teams. I was born and raised in New Jersey. I grew up in Manalapan Township and spent all my summers in Lavallette. I tell everyone with a preconceived notion of NJ, that we are “The Garden State” for many reasons. I have lived in Nutley, Wayne, Manalapan, Woodbridge, and currently reside in Cranbury New Jersey. That’s Exit 8 or 8A off the NJ Turnpike for those that don’t know how we give directions here.

Renee Trotman

Renee is a distinguished Senior Executive HR Professional with a passion for people and Human Resources (HR), which has driven her impressive career for over 20 years. Renee is well-versed in all HR disciplines, with a wealth of experience that spans a variety of industries to include – financial institutions, education marketing, for-profit education, and healthcare. Renee’s career includes notable roles at prestigious financial institutions such as Bank of America, Citizens Bank, and Carver Federal Savings Bank. She has also served in significant positions including Regional Director of HR for the US & Canada, Vice President of HR, and Chief People Officer.

Currently, Renee is the Founder and Chief HR Consultant of The HR Boutique, an HR consultancy that provides expert guidance and support to small and mid-sized organizations. Her expertise lies in employee relations and leading comprehensive HR and people processes and strategies with a legal lens. Renee is recognized as a trusted business partner; and advisor and counsel, to CEOs, C-suite executives, and senior leaders on all matters related to people and HR. This elite group of leaders often refers to Renee as the “HR Whisperer” and the “Transition Expert.”

Renee’s academic credentials are equally impressive. She is a certified senior professional in HR by the HRCI, holds a Bachelor of Science in Management, a Master of Jurisprudence in Labor and Employment Law from Tulane University Law School. She is also a Certified Executive Coach and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Management with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. Renee also holds several specialized certificates in HR Management, Compensation & Benefits, Mediation and DEI.

In addition to her professional and educational accomplishments, Renee imparts her knowledge as an Adjunct Professor at Southern New Hampshire University, where she teaches courses in employment and labor law, human resources, business, and leadership.

Originally from the Northeast, with roots in Boston and New York, Renee now resides in the sunny state of Florida. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys traveling, shopping, exploring new culinary experiences as an avid foodie, and watching k-dramas, c-drams and novellas.

Justice Evelyn J. Laporte

Justice Evelyn J. Laporte has traveled a long and winding road in her journey to the bench. Born and raised in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, she arrived in New York City in 1973 without speaking English. Despite struggling with the language while attending CUNY colleges, she eventually found her way to John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Like many students, Justice Laporte had to work to support herself and help her family. During her college years, she took on various jobs, including babysitting, working as a telephone operator, and even working in a meat factory.

Her diligence eventually paid off after many years of attending college at night while working during the day. She earned a Bachelor’s degree and then a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College. In 1986, Justice Laporte received a Juris Doctor degree from the Antioch School of Law in Washington, D.C. Upon graduating from law school, she returned to New York City and began her many years of public service.

Justice Laporte’s legal career includes significant experience within the New York City and State court systems. In Civil Court, she initiated civil lawsuits under the Nuisance Abatement Law of the New York City Administrative Code, striving to obtain permanent injunctions and civil penalties against owners and operators of premises used as store fronts for drug operations. In Housing Court, she handled residential non-payment, holdover, and licensee trials. In Family Court, she conducted hearings on cases involving neglected and abused children. Additionally, she has worked on administrative hearings for Social Security and Medicare benefits.

As a former Assistant District Attorney for nearly twelve years, assigned to the Domestic Violence Bureau, Justice Laporte conducted countless suppression hearings, grand jury presentations, and both jury and non-jury trials. She handled several high-profile cases and built a reputation for prosecuting numerous felonies and misdemeanor cases involving sexual abuse and domestic abuse. These cases often presented a special challenge due to the relationship between the victim and perpetrator, with victims frequently unwilling to press charges. Justice Laporte successfully prosecuted cases where the victim cooperated with the prosecution and where the victim did not cooperate.

In 2005, Justice Laporte was elected to the Civil Court in Kings County and began presiding over criminal cases, hearing both misdemeanor and felony cases. During her years as a Civil Court Judge assigned to Criminal Court, Justice Laporte published sixteen of her numerous decisions in the New York Law Reporter.

In 2014, she was elected to serve as Justice in the New York State Supreme Court, Kings County, assigned to the Criminal Term. She presided over cases involving murder, attempted murder, assault, driving while intoxicated, burglary, robbery, drug offenses, and others.

In 2016, Justice Laporte received the “La Flor de Maga” award from the Puerto Rican Bar Association. She was also a recipient of the “Most Outstanding Women Award” recognition from El Diario Newspaper in 2025. Due to her broad range of experience, she has become a highly sought-after public speaker on the subjects of domestic violence and the criminal justice system. Additionally, she is a motivational speaker, sharing her personal and remarkable journey to the bench.

Recently, Justice Laporte retired after eighteen years of service on the bench. She is the former Region I President of the National Prosecutors Association. In 2001, she was selected by the U.S. Department of Justice to participate in training prosecutors and law enforcement personnel in Chile and Honduras on the U.S. Criminal Justice System. The same year, she was also selected by the Vera Institute of New York City to participate in training judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, and service providers in Chile on issues of domestic violence and child abuse.

Charlene Reyes

Charlene Reyes is a fierce advocate, activist, and healer committed to uplifting underrepresented women impacted by trauma and unjust systems. As a Women’s Project Coordinator, she empowers survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking by providing safety, restoring hope, and connecting them to life-changing services. Her work ensures that women not only find immediate refuge but also access stable housing, financial literacy programs, mental health and substance use treatment, and opportunities for long-term independence.

Charlene is a powerful voice in both criminal and family court, advocating directly for survivors and system-impacted individuals navigating deeply entrenched barriers. Her passion for justice extends beyond individual cases—she is an active member of the Beyond Rosies Campaign, Close Rikers Island, and the New York State Clean Slate Act, which was signed into law in 2023 and took effect in 2024. The Clean Slate Act automatically seals certain misdemeanor and felony convictions after a specified period for individuals who have completed their sentences and remained arrest-free—excluding sex offenses and non-drug-related Class A felonies. Charlene’s advocacy played a role in shaping a more just future for thousands of New Yorkers.

Her prior experience includes working with the New York Task Force in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, where she helped returning citizens reintegrate into their communities—with a 90% success rate. She has also served as a youth mentor, supporting young people in completing their education and gaining meaningful employment.

Charlene holds certifications in Substance Use Counseling (CASAC-T), Domestic Violence Advocacy, and Mental Health Support. She also serves as a Credible Messenger, using her lived experience and professional expertise to create lasting impact. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Human Services—starting at Bard College and completing at BMCC—and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Policy and Administration at John Jay College.

In 2020, Charlene was named a David Rockefeller Fund Fellow, a recognition of her commitment to justice and community transformation. Reflecting on the experience, she shared: “The David Rockefeller Fund Fellowship has impacted my life by allowing me to cast my fears aside while conquering the challenges of the world. My ultimate goal is assisting the underrepresented community in reaching their own potential.”

Charlene’s mission is to support underrepresented women and girls who are survivors of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, and other traumatic experiences. She is committed to helping them heal by building safe, supportive communities that restore hope for a brighter future. Through her work, Charlene connects survivors to life-restoring services—including stable housing, credit building, educational opportunities, substance use recovery, and mental health treatment—so they can rebuild their lives and thrive as empowered, productive members of society.

Her long-term vision is to open safe, healing-centered housing for survivors—creating sanctuaries where women can rebuild their lives with dignity, support, and hope.

Michele Mirman

Michele S. Mirman, Esq., a trial attorney since 1977, represents seriously injured victims of medical malpractice, personal injury, and construction accidents and is the founding partner of Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C., a Manhattan law firm dedicated to representing the victims of these accidents throughout the five boroughs, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester County.

Ms. Mirman has been named a Super Lawyer, is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, has been recognized as one of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, and has received America’s Top 100 Attorneys Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to her work, Ms. Mirman has lectured on trial practice, technology in a law office, finance for women lawyers, and women trial attorneys in the courts. She has also been appointed to sit on New York State and City judicial screening committees by various citizen groups.

Ms. Mirman was President of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (2019-2020) and during the pandemic spearheaded the Trial Lawyers report on virtual courts throughout the United States which the New York State Committee on the Court utilized for their work. She has been the President of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Foundation since its founding, which established the Sylvia Hinds Radix Scholarship at Brooklyn Law School. In addition, Ms. Mirman was the President of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association in 2018-2019, its centennial year and is a Master of the Nathan Sobel Inns of Court.

Ms. Mirman started her career as a trial lawyer as an associate with Spatt & Bauman, P.C., in 1977, trying commercial and personal injury cases, when women trial attorneys were a rarity. In 1980, she joined her future husband, Paul S. Mirman, Esq., in his Brooklyn law firm, where she continued to try numerous successful personal injury and medical malpractice cases, including McCormick vs. Cambria (1985), which resulted in a four-million-dollar verdict on behalf of a rape victim, the first multimillion dollar verdict by a woman attorney and the first verdict on behalf of a woman claiming post-traumatic stress disorder for rape. In addition to her successful trial practice, Ms. Mirman wrote and argued appellate briefs from both trials and motions.

In 1991, Ms. Mirman opened her own firm, Michele S. Mirman, P.C., relocated it to Manhattan in 1992, and renamed it Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. She remains the senior partner of a 30-person firm, which continues to represent the victims of accidents and medical malpractice in the New York State and Federal Courts.

Ms. Mirman is admitted to the bars of California, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C, as well as the Federal bars of the New Jersey and the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York and the United States Supreme Court. She is also a member of numerous bar associations.

Most importantly, Ms. Mirman is a devoted contributor to her New York City community. She is the President of the non-profit Bear Givers, Org., which supports disabled children and creates inclusion and anti-bullying and anti-discrimination programs. She is a Trustee of the Lower East Side Tenement Museum of New York City, which celebrates the contributions immigrants have made to the United States. She is a member of Allinbklyn, a women’s giving circle dedicated to supporting Brooklyn charities, and a long-time supporter of the Brooklyn Kindergarten Society, the oldest continuously working charity in Brooklyn, which had provided preschool education to children in low-income families for 125 years. Ms. Mirman was a participant on the 2018 Hampton Synagogue Benefactors’ Mission to Bahrain, the first congregational mission to an Arab Gulf State, is a 2018 recipient of the Simon Wiesenthal Center Third Annual Hero for Tolerance Award and has received many other awards and recognition.

A true daughter of Brooklyn, Ms. Mirman, nee Turchin, was born in East Flatbush, graduated from James Madison High School in Brooklyn (‘70), and still makes her home in Brooklyn, New York. She attended Sarah Lawrence College (‘73) in a special three-year program, and graduated Antioch School of Law, Class of ‘76.

Ms. Mirman is married to Joseph B. Sprung of JBS Financial, founder of both Bear Givers, Org., and It’s Never Too Late To Start, a non-profit directed at empowering women entrepreneurs. Her first husband Paul Mirman, Esq., passed away in 2014; she has two children, Dr. Matthew Mirman, a PhD in AI, and Phoebe Mirman, a computer science engineer in Silicon Valley

Lasonjia Jack

In October 2023, LaSonjia and her son, Myles Jack—a veteran NFL linebacker—were announced as the new majority owners of the Allen Americans Professional Hockey Team, located in Allen, Texas. Upon completion of their acquisition, the Jacks became the first African American majority owners in ECHL history. Under their leadership, the team has been chosen to host the 2026 ECHL All-Star Hockey game in January.

LaSonjia recently retired as the AVP of Retail and Field Operations for Cox Communications Retail and Third-Party Distribution, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. She previously operated over 120 retail store locations across the United States. She also sat on the Cox National Diversity Council and was the Community Liaison Lead for Cox’s African American Employee Resource Group. Before that, she was the Senior Director of Business Strategy for the Microsoft Stores team in Redmond, Washington. LaSonjia has over 20 years of telecommunications experience, having previously held senior leadership positions with AT&T and T-Mobile. She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in business, along with a certification from the University of Darden's Executive Leadership Program. LaSonjia has received numerous awards for her leadership and mentoring of others. Awarded at the Pink awards, COSIGN Her- Women in Sports, Women of Worth, Star Media Award- Women of Inspiration.

LaSonjia sits as the Chairman of the Board for ECKA Holdings. Ecka Holdings is revolutionizing music intellectual property by amplifying the value of legacy and new music catalogs. We specialize in fostering deep artist partnerships and leveraging innovative technologies to enhance music’s impact across global markets.

LaSonjia is currently serving on the board for Habitat for Humanity in Jacksonville, Florida, and the Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce. Her family’s foundation, called “Mylestone,” focuses on providing scholarships, partnerships with the military and veterans, aligning with faith organizations, feeding the hungry, and partnering with youth programs.

LaSonjia is also the parent of two athletes: Myles Jack, a high-profile NFL linebacker entering his 9 th year and currently free agent , and Jahlen Jack, a 6'5" point guard/shooting guard basketball player at Fort Valley State University in Georgia.

Her family is also a partner and investor in various professional sports teams and organizations, including the Charlotte Checkers, Jacksonville Icemen, The Community First Igloo, Tahoe Knight Monsters, and the Savannah Ghost Pirates. Her son also holds ownership stakes in Top Tier Sports and the Leeds United soccer team in London, England.
LaSonjia is an aspiring author, having released her debut book this year, titled "The Roadmap to Your Journey from Poverty to Plenty."

Meliha Pérez Halpern

Meliha loves being there to both guide and support her clients after they have been injured and take action on their behalf. She loves getting to know her clients so she can share how client’s life was changed when it comes time to hold the wrongdoer accountable. Sometimes Meliha and the CHASENBOSCOLO team can negotiate a settlement that meets her client’s expectation. Most of the time, she is required to sue to get justice and closure. Meliha is a trial lawyer at heart, yet understands that trial is not always the best option for every client. Either way, Meliha is there to listen to and advise her clients on the pros and cons of each option. Together, Meliha and her client reach the best outcome for the client. She understands that each client is different and that the “best outcome” looks different for each client.

Meliha is proud to be born and raised in Puerto Rico. She came to the Washington, DC area for college and never left. She is fluent in Spanish, which provides her the opportunity to get to communicate directly with her Spanish speaking clients so that they fully understand all aspects of their case. She also understands French and is able to speak it enough to communicate with French speaking clients.

Meliha is also very involved in the legal community and is especially passionate about helping other female lawyers. She is on the Board of Governors for the Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ) and is Co-Chair of its Women’s Caucus. As Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus Meliha is working to give back as she has had and continues to have amazing mentors that have helped her grow. In June of 2023, Meliha was received the Maryland Association for Justice – Women’s Caucus Award in recognition of her leadership to other women trial attorneys and commitment to giving back to other women inside and outside of the legal profession. Meliha is also a member of Society of Women Trial Lawyers.

When Meliha is not working on getting to know her clients and working on their cases, she loves spending time with her husband, son, and dog (all boys). You can find her sitting outside playing with her boys, playing tennis, hanging out by the pool in the summer or at the fire pit during the cold of winter, spending time with friends or reading a book.

Cherise Challenger

Founder & Managing Attorney, Challenger Law Group, LLC Licensed in Georgia, Texas, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Supreme Court

Cherise Challenger is an experienced personal injury attorney and trial lawyer who has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients across Georgia. As the founder and managing attorney of Challenger Law Group, LLC, Cherise leads a full-service boutique firm focused on personal injury and criminal defense, proudly located in DeKalb County.

With a sharp litigation background and deep understanding of insurance negotiations, Cherise has built a strong reputation for delivering results—whether through strategic settlements or aggressive courtroom advocacy. Her firm has resolved hundreds of personal injury cases involving car accidents, trucking collisions, dog bites, wrongful death, and premises liability. From intake through resolution, she ensures that every client receives the personalized attention and advocacy they deserve.’

Cherise earned her law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2008, where she distinguished herself in Trial Advocacy, Negotiations, and Criminal Clinics. She also clerked for a U.S. District Court Judge and a criminal defense firm—experiences that ignited her passion for justice. After graduating, Cherise worked in legal research and civil litigation while moving across the country as a military spouse. She ultimately planted roots in Atlanta after her husband's retirement from the U.S. Army.

Before launching her firm, Cherise served both as a criminal defense attorney in Clayton and Henry Counties and later as a Senior Prosecutor in Fulton County. Her experience trying cases from both sides of the courtroom gives her a unique edge in litigation strategy and settlement negotiations.

Cherise is licensed to practice in Georgia, Texas, Washington, D.C., and before the U.S. Supreme Court. She is a former president of the DeKalb Lawyers Association and a proud member of multiple legal organizations including Gate City Bar, GAWL, Lawyers Club of Atlanta, GACDL, Inns of Court, and the Junior League. Her professional dedication is matched by her commitment to mentoring aspiring attorneys, coaching mock trial teams, and serving in her community.

Outside the office, Cherise is a wife and mother of three, a health enthusiast, and a dedicated advocate for work-life balance. She credits the E2M fitness program for helping her lose over 40 pounds and stay energized while managing a thriving law practice.

Whether you’ve been injured or accused, Attorney Cherise Challenger brings legal firepower, integrity, and compassion to every case. Your Case. Our Challenge.

Karen E. Evans

Karen E. Evans is a shareholder with The Cochran Firm’s Washington, D.C. office. She serves as its Director of Medical Malpractice and serves as co-chair of The National Cochran Firm Medical Malpractice Section. Ms. Evans is also a member of the National Cochran Firm nine-member Board of Directors. She has represented clients in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia throughout her career of over 30 years as a trial attorney and has successfully prosecuted a wide variety of high- stakes litigation matters. From 1995 to 2000, she successfully defended and won over 92% of all serious medical malpractice cases tried to jury verdict. Since 2000, she has used the combination of her experience as a registered nurse, inside defense attorney know-how, knowledge of medicine, and zealous trial advocacy skills to pursue claims on behalf of her clients. Ms. Evans has successfully and consistently tried or settled the claims and lawsuits she prosecuted in the seven and eight-figure ranges.

Ms. Evans has been awarded AV Preeminent rating, the highest level of professional excellence and ethics by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review. She has been consistently selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, The Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Lawyers, Lawdragon, and the Washington Post, Baltimore and Washington D.C.’s Top Lawyers, among other honors. Most recently, in 2025, she was selected for inclusion in the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.

Ms. Evans is also a leader and stalwart in the legal community. In 2016, she was elected to the D.C. Bar Board of Governors and appointed by the D.C. Bar President to serve on the D.C. Bar Executive Committee. With approximately 100,000 members, the D.C. Bar is the second largest unified bar in the United States and provides oversight structure necessary to maintain the profession’s ethical standards and Rules of Professional Conduct. Ms. Evans is one of a select few Personal Injury (PI) attorneys to be elected to the D.C. Bar Board of Governors.

Ms. Evans is a Past President of the Washington Bar Association, one of the oldest and most prestigious African American bar associations in the country. She is a Past President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. and continues to serve on its Board of Governors. She is a Past President of the Washington Bar Association Educational Foundation. Ms. Evans is also a past President of The Black Lawyers Top 100. Additionally, she serves on the Executive Committee of the National Trial Lawyers Association. Ms. Evans is an active member of the Council for Court Excellence (CCE), serves as a member of its Executive Committee, and is Chair of the Nomination Committee. She is a member of The Melvin M. Belli Society, an invited national group of lawyers who have distinguished themselves as trial lawyers and who are committed to promoting the international exchange of ideas among lawyers through meetings and education.

Ms. Evans is also a member of the American Association of Nurse Attorneys and has been featured in its members’ recognition section. She has been an invited speaker and guest lecturer at the request of various legal associations and groups, including The George Washington University Law Center, the Virginia Nurses Association, the D.C. Superior Court Judicial Training session committee, the D.C. Trial Lawyers Association, the Ohio Association for Justice, the Maryland Association for Justice, East Carolina University College of Nursing, American University School of Law. National Trial Lawyers, National Bar Association, Maryland Association for Justice, and The Society of Women Trial Lawyers. Ms. Evans has been a keynote speaker for Bowie State School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony and the Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington, D.C.

Ms. Evans is a member of the state and federal Bars in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, as well as the United States Supreme Court. She was an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law from 2005-2012 and has served as a mediator for the D.C. Superior Court.

Before attending law school, Ms. Evans was a Captain in the United States Air Force Nurse Corps and practiced medical/surgical and intensive care nursing for ten years. She earned her B.S. in Nursing from East Carolina University in 1980. She began her legal education at Texas Tech University School of Law, where she was selected for Law Review. After her first year of study, she transferred to The University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill and earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1990.

Honors and Awards

Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings (highest level of professional and ethical excellence)
Best Lawyers in America, Washington, DC (2009-present)
Super Lawyers (2012-present)
The Sandra H. Robinson Women’s Caucus Award (2013)
GWAC Trailblazer Award (2015)
East Carolina University Incredible Woman Award (2016)
Trial Lawyer of the Year, DC Trial Lawyers (2018)
Washington Bar Association Hall of Fame (2019)
GWAC Charlotte E Ray Award (2019)
National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers (2015-present)
Captain, United States Air Force Nurse Corps (1981-87)
Commendation Medal, United States Air Force
Achievement Medal, United States Air Force

Professional and Community Leadership

Council for Court Excellence, Executive Committee, 2020-present
Council for Court Excellence, Chair, Nomination Committee, 2020-present
National Trial Lawyers, Executive Committee
D.C. Bar Board of Governors, 2016-2019
NBA Presidential Award, 2017-2018
President, National Black Lawyers Top 100, 2017-2019
Washington Bar Association, Positions held: President, (2014-2016); 1st Vice President (2013), 2nd Vice President (2012), Judicial Selection Committee Chair (2011-12).
Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington D.C. Positions held: President (2012), President Elect (2011), Vice President (2010), Treasurer (2009), Secretary (2008), Board of Governors (2003-present).
Member, American Association of Nurse Attorneys
Member, National Bar Association
Member, American Association for Justice
Member, Maryland Association for Justice
Member, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Volunteer Mediator, Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs of the D.C. Superior Court

Education

East Carolina University, B.S.N., 1980
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., 1990

Bar Admissions

United States Supreme Court
District of Columbia, 1990
Maryland, 1997
Virginia, 1997

Daryl A. Gray

Daryl A. Gray has built his career on a deep passion for justice and a commitment to championing the rights of innocent victims. Daryl has not only established himself as one of the premier trial attorneys in the state of Louisiana, but he has also spearheaded the growth of Wright Gray Harris into a large and formidable law firm.

A core belief in community service is one of the driving forces behind what makes Wright Gray Harris a special firm. Daryl is dedicated to not only advocating for his clients but also giving back to the community he serves, ensuring that his impact extends beyond the courtroom.

Navigating the legal system can often be intimidating and overwhelming. Daryl strives to provide comfort and closure during these challenging times. As he puts it, “There is no better feeling than having a person trust you enough to be their problem solver; it gives our firm purpose.”

Outside of the courtroom, Daryl loves spending time with his wife and children and working within the community for several civic and trial attorney organizations, including the Urban League of Greater New Orleans, New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, New Orleans Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, The Greater New Orleans Martinet Society, The Louisiana Association of Justice, and The Tennessee Association of Justice.

Daryl is also committed to giving back to his alma mater, Loyola of New Orleans College of Law, where he has been honored as an “Outstanding Alumnus” by the College’s Black Law Student Association chapter.

Throughout his distinguished career, Daryl, a proud graduate of the prestigious Trial Lawyer College, has successfully challenged some of the world’s largest corporations, securing millions of dollars for his clients. His impressive track record includes multiple million-dollar results for clients and the largest dog bite verdict in Tennessee’s history with a $2.5 million verdict.

Not simply a warrior for justice, Daryl possesses a keen understanding of what it takes to obtain the compensation you deserve. He empathizes with the physical and emotional pain, frustration, and confusion you might be experiencing. He understands your fears and is committed to guiding you through the process with steadfast support.

“At the end of the day,” says Daryl, “Your life should be your legacy, so I strive to do the right thing by the people I know and have yet to meet.”

Hannah J Molitoris

Hannah J. Molitoris is a partner and trial attorney at the Philadelphia office of Morgan & Morgan. Ms. Molitoris proudly represents people across Pennsylvania and New Jersey who have been injured by tractor trailer drivers and their employers. Representation is personal to Ms. Molitoris. She understands that her clients are navigating a complex and frustrating system that is completely new to them.

Ms. Molitoris’ dedication and commitment to her clients speaks through her results. In the past two years, she has secured three eight figure verdicts for her clients. In December 2024, she obtained a $29 million verdict for her catastrophically injured client which is believed to be the highest motor vehicle verdict in Chester County history. In April 2024, Ms. Molitoris obtained an $11.9 million trucking verdict in Philadelphia County. In September 2023, she obtained at $26.2 million trucking verdict in Philadelphia County which was one of the top 5 Pennsylvania Verdicts of 2023. In 2025, Ms. Molitoris obtained a $1.5 million verdict in the Middle District of Pennsylvania – Harrisburg for a client that was struck by an underinsured motorist.

Ms. Molitoris’ work was recognized in 2024 by the Legal Intelligencer when she won “Lawyers on the Fast Track.” In 2025, she was again recognized by the Legal Intelligencer as a “Distinguished Leader Honoree.” In 2025, Ms. Molitoris was honored as a Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyer. She has also been consistently recognized as a Rising Star by Pennsylvania SuperLawyers and One To Watch by Best Lawyers.

In 2016, she received her Juris Doctor from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Drexel University. During law school, Ms. Molitoris was a member of the Student Bar Association, mock trial team, moot court team, and participated in the criminal law clinic. She volunteered with the Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity and M.E.N.T.O.R. program.

While at Kline Law, Ms. Molitoris won several academic awards including Dean’s List and three CALI Excellence for the Future Awards for best student performances in Appellate Advocacy, Improvisation for Lawyers, and Advanced Trial Advocacy: Criminal Law. She also received the Kline and Specter Award for Trial Advocacy. Ms. Molitoris competed nationally in both mock trial and moot court competitions.

When Ms. Molitoris is not prepping for trial, she enjoys spending time with her husband Larry, who serves our country in the United States Army National Guard, and her dog Lincoln.

S. Shakira Ali Kelley

S. Shakira Ali Kelley is the founding and managing partner at Ali Kelley Law, P.C. With over fourteen years of legal experience in complex civil litigation and criminal defense, Shakira is licensed to practice in both Texas and Florida.

Upon graduating from The University of Florida Levin College of Law, Shakira joined the Public Defender’s Office in West Palm Beach, Florida where she represented and advocated for the indigent accused. She tried over 35 jury trials to verdict and represented individuals charged with serious felonies carrying mandatory life sentences.

After working six years as an Assistant Public Defender, Shakira utilized her litigation skills and pivoted to the practice of insurance defense. She defended carriers throughout the state of Florida in first-party property, premise liability, and commercial litigation, as well as consulted on pre-suit matters. Shakira also provided analysis and coverage opinions on any potential bad faith exposure. Her diverse litigation experience gives her a unique ability to visualize a case from inception through trial, including analyzing liability and exposure prior to ligation.

Shakira went on to serve as senior corporate counsel with a Florida based insurance company, where she defended the company in hundreds of lawsuits and obtained favorable dispositive summary judgment rulings. Shakira and her family moved to Texas where she joined one of the largest title insurance companies in the country. She defended high dollar title claims and handled a broad array of title and real estate disputes through trial. Shakira joined a private firm where she represented corporations and managed their national docket. She grew her insurance defense practice with a particular focus on first-party property (homeowner’s claims) and personal injury defense.

After wearing all the hats an attorney can, Shakira founded Ali Kelley Law, P.C. to provide clients with streamlined, effective, and efficient legal services. Most legal disputes are resolved without the need for trial, and should be handled in the most cost productive, and effective manner possible. However, Shakira’s trial experience in both Texas and Florida provides her with the foundation to take a case to trial for matters that simply must be tried.

Her fierce advocacy for her clients has allowed for countless wins in the courtroom and successful resolutions pre-trial. She strongly adheres to the mantra that the best interest of the client should be the only roadmap when navigating through litigation.

BAR ADMISSIONS

State Bar of Texas
State Bar of Florida
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

Collin County Bar Association
Collin County Women Lawyers Association.
Palm Beach County Bar Association
Texas Defense Lawyers Association
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Collin County Women Lawyers Association
Florida Defense Lawyers Association
Florida Association of Women Lawyers
Dallas Asian American Bar Association
Graduate of the National Criminal Defense Collage, Trial Practice Institute – Macon, Georgia.

Crystal Jones Taylor

Crystal Jones-Taylor: Champion of Housing, Mentorship, and Women's Leadership Transforming lives and Communities Through Service and Leadership

Crystal Jones-Taylor, a proud native of New Orleans, Louisiana, has dedicated her life to ensuring housing serves as a cornerstone for individual and community well-being. A graduate of Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and the University of New Orleans with a Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Crystal’s educational journey reflects her commitment to public service. Her expertise was further developed with specialized training from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Universidad De Las Américas in Mexico.

From the earliest days of her career, Crystal was deeply invested in mentoring and coaching hundreds of youths and adults living in public housing, pioneering job readiness programs, and advancing the tenant housing management movement. She was shaped by the guidance of renowned leaders such as Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, C. Delores Tucker, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Chief Justice Bernette Johnson of the Louisiana Supreme Court, Judge Israel Augustine, and Reverend C.T. Vivian—civil rights luminaries who inspired her commitment to mentorship, equity, upward mobility, an advocate for justice, social change and women’s empowerment.

Crystal’s 24-year tenure at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was marked by innovative leadership and a passion for uplifting marginalized communities. Her efforts included orchestrating more than 50 statewide homeownership and housing opportunity events, founding the Louisiana Statewide Homeownership Think Tank, and championing disaster recovery models that promoted resilience and equity. She was instrumental in eradicating veteran homelessness in New Orleans. She consistently collaborated with federal, state, local and public/private partners to expand access to housing and wealth-building opportunities, especially for women and marginalized groups.

A three-time disaster survivor herself, Crystal transformed adversity into national leadership in disaster recovery, incorporating grant writing and community engagement to empower affected communities. Her achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Woman of Excellence Award, the President's Service Award, and HUD’s Secretary’s Employee of the Year Award just to name a few.

Now as President and CEO of the National Center for Public and Private Alternatives, Inc., Crystal Jones-Taylor continues her legacy of mentorship, women’s empowerment, collaboration and transformative leadership, leaving an indelible mark on the field of affordable housing and community advancement.

Paul Hansen

As a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley, Paul has over 40 years experience. He received his MBA from Rutgers University prior to earning certificates including: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM, (CFP®), Charter Financial Consultant®, (ChFC®), Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, (CAP®), Chartered Life Underwriter®, (CLU®), and Qualified Plan Financial Consultant, (QPFC).

Paul has a diverse background in financial and estate planning. Starting his career as an advisor at Lutheran Brotherhood, now Thrivent Financial, he moved onto Shearson Lehman, and then to Fidelity Investments. During his time at Fidelity Investments, he held sales positions in the wealth management, life insurance and trust companies. Subsequently, at Merrill Lynch Trust Company he was a Senior Philanthropic Consultant assisting Financial Advisors designing charitable strategies for their clients. Coming to Smith Barney in 2000, prior to the merger with Morgan Stanley, Paul was a Regional Life Insurance Specialist before transitioning to a Financial Advisor in 2004. Additionally, he spent 12 years as host and co-producer, for a cable show he created, You and Your Money, which was broadcast throughout New Jersey on CTN, Cable Television of New Jersey.

Paul is the past President of the New York City Society of Financial Service Professionals. He has been an Associate Trustee of the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation, a board member of the Gift Planning Council of New Jersey, a member of the Estate Planning Council of New York City, the New Jersey Association of Fundraising Professionals, the New York State Society of CPAs, the American Cancer Society’s National Gift Planning Advisory Council, and the International Steering Committee of the Philanthropy Advisors Group of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Paul has his BS, Civil Engineering, from Valparaiso University, and MBA from Rutgers University.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for mattes involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

Edward Susolik

OVERVIEW

Edward Susolik is the President and CEO of Callahan & Blaine, a powerhouse litigation firm in Orange County with 32 highly experienced litigation trial attorneys. Among its many accomplishments, Callahan & Blaine, which is celebrating its 42nd anniversary this year, has a $934 Million verdict in a complex business litigation case, the highest jury verdict in Orange County history.

During the last 36 years, Edward Susolik has come to be known and respected as one of the top litigation and trial attorneys in Southern California. Mr. Susolik is known for his powerful and aggressive interdisciplinary litigation practice, combining expert trial and courtroom advocacy skills with bold and decisive litigation strategies. The foundation of Mr. Susolik’s success is his diverse litigation practice. Unlike most lawyers who specialize in narrow areas of practice, Mr. Susolik specializes in the one thing that matters most to clients: winning.

To that end, Mr. Susolik has extensive expertise in multiple areas of complex litigation, including complex business litigation, real estate litigation, insurance bad faith and coverage, and catastrophic personal injury. Mr. Susolik’s practice is divided evenly between plaintiff and defense perspectives: he was trained as a defense lawyer at an international law firm but is equally adept at prosecuting eight-figure plaintiff cases.

Mr. Susolik’s many awards and accolades speak to his reputation in the legal community. For example, Mr. Susolik has been recognized by his peers as one of the “Top 100 Attorneys in Southern California” annually from 2010 to 2026 — one of only a handful of Orange County attorneys given that distinguished honor by Super Lawyer Magazine.

On the personal side, Mr. Susolik was born in Trnava, Czechoslovakia and has also lived in Switzerland and Spain. He graduated from the University of Southern California in 1986 with degrees in Philosophy, English, and History. He received his law degree from the USC Gould School of Law in 1990, where he graduated second in his class and was an Articles Editor on the law review. Mr. Susolik was also a professional golfer for a number of years and continues to play competitive amateur golf throughout the United States. Mr. Susolik has six children and has lived in Newport Beach since 1990.

CATASTROPHIC PERSONAL INJURY

Mr. Susolik has extensive experience in complex personal injury litigation, both on the plaintiff and defense sides. Mr. Susolik has handled catastrophic accidents involving automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, buses, boats, industrial accidents, product liability, and many other complex scenarios. Mr. Susolik has obtained many seven and eight-figure personal injury settlements. For example, Mr. Susolik was part of a litigation team involving a truck accident that resulted in a $28 Million settlement for the firm’s client. Mr. Susolik also mediated and settled the $50 Million settlement that was certified by West Trial Digest as the largest personal injury settlement in US history at the time.In addition, Mr. Susolik is frequently called upon to handle the defense of complex personal injury cases for defendants, especially when plaintiffs’ damages exceed available insurance proceeds and clients have personal financial exposure. Mr. Susolik has successfully used his defense and insurance expertise to resolve cases within insurance policy limits on many occasions.

In addition, Mr. Susolik is frequently called upon to handle the defense of complex personal injury cases for defendants, especially when plaintiffs’ damages exceed available insurance proceeds and clients have personal financial exposure. Mr. Susolik has successfully used his defense and insurance expertise to resolve cases within insurance policy limits on many occasions.

COMPLEX BUSINESS LITIGATION

Mr. Susolik has extensive expertise in a broad spectrum of commercial and business litigation, including trade secret litigation, professional liability, intellectual property, employment law, real estate, class action, securities law, shareholder derivative litigation, corporate disputes, directors and officers liability, governmental liability, construction law and many other areas of commercial disputes. The majority of Mr. Susolik’s business litigation matters are on the defense, and he has successfully obtained many significant judgments, dismissals, de minimis settlements and even affirmative recoveries for defendants.

INSURANCE LITIGATION

Mr. Susolik is known and respected as one of the top insurance lawyers representing corporate and individual policyholders in the Western United States. He has developed a reputation among his adversaries — insurance companies and defense counsel who represent them — as a leading expert, combining insurance law expertise and knowledge with the powerful skills of a master litigator and trial lawyer.

Mr. Susolik has been chair of the Insurance Department at Callahan & Blaine for the last 32 years. During that time, he has successfully resolved over 2000 insurance disputes.

Among his many accomplishments in the insurance area, Mr. Susolik has been an adjunct professor at USC Law School on numerous occasions, where he teaches Insurance Law. Mr. Susolik was also a contributing editor for over 15 years to the leading insurance book in California, the Rutter Guide treatise on Insurance Litigation, where he has edited the chapters on bad faith, duty to defend and insurance litigation. Mr. Susolik was also chair of the Orange County Bar Association Insurance Law Section for over 12 years.

Mr. Susolik is a frequent speaker on insurance and litigation issues to lawyers, business groups and others, giving numerous speeches and seminars on insurance law and litigation every year, including a presentation to the California State Bar Convention entitled “Insurance Law for Litigators” that he has given on many occasions.

Mr. Susolik has been retained on many occasions as an expert witness on insurance law issues by both insurance companies and policyholders. He is also frequently retained by attorneys to provide expert insurance advice. Mr. Susolik is the author of many articles on litigation and insurance issues and is a frequent contributor to periodicals, treatises, and other legal publications.

Mr. Susolik has wide expertise in the full spectrum of insurance bad faith and coverage litigation. His core practice is maximizing insurance benefits for business and corporate policyholders, from Fortune 500 companies to small business entities. He has represented hundreds of corporations, partnerships, associations and other business organizations in complex insurance disputes in his career. For example, Mr. Susolik has represented over 100 homeowners associations in both insurance and litigation contexts.

In addition to his corporate insurance practice, Mr. Susolik also represents a broad spectrum of professionals and individuals in complex insurance disputes, including doctors, lawyers, accountants, and directors. Mr. Susolik also has broad experience in the representation of insurance industry professionals, including agents, brokers and insurance companies in disputes within the insurance industry, including litigation between excess and primary insurers and litigation against the Department of Insurance.

In addition, Mr. Susolik is a nationally recognized expert in both first party and third party insurance disputes. In the third-party context, Mr. Susolik has successfully handled hundreds of complex liability insurance disputes, including advertising injury claims, Cumis counsel, duty to defend and recovery of attorneys’ fees, wrongful failure to settle, reimbursement, rescission, and many other third-party insurance controversies.

In the first-party context, Mr. Susolik has successfully resolved a broad variety of first-party insurance disputes, including major property claims, landslides, fire claims, water damage, toxic mold, pollution, life insurance, disability insurance, health insurance, and many other first-party issues. For example, Mr. Susolik has successfully resolved numerous complex landslide disputes on behalf of homeowners associations, including settlements of $8.5 Million and $6.0 Million.

MEDIATION AND SETTLEMENT

In addition to his extensive expertise in the trial and litigation of complex lawsuits, Mr. Susolik is generally recognized as one of the leading experts in the United States in the mediation and settlement of complex litigation.

Mr. Susolik is able to use his extensive insurance expertise and complex litigation experience to maximize the availability of insurance proceeds at mediation and settle cases successfully. He frequently engages what is essentially a tripartite mediation: the complex business litigation dispute is mediated simultaneously with the insurance coverage issues.

Mr. Susolik has successfully settled and resolved over 2000 complex litigation matters in mediation. In a typical year, Mr. Susolik will conduct approximately 60 to 70 mediations and other settlement conferences on behalf of his clients. For example, Mr. Susolik settled a complex bicycle accident case for $17 Million. The settlement process involved 6 insurers and a public entity defendant and comprised 6 days of complex mediation. Mr. Susolik also mediated and settled the $50 Million settlement that was certified by West Trial Digest as the largest personal injury settlement in US history at the time.

CUMIS COUNSEL

The interdisciplinary nature of Mr. Susolik’s practice is never more self-evident than in the area of Cumis counsel. Given the moniker of the “King of Cumis,” Mr. Susolik has acted as Cumis counsel in over 500 cases in the last 32 years alone.

In addition to aggressively handling the defense in a broad spectrum of complex litigation scenarios, Mr. Susolik has extensive expertise in the area of Cumis law, having written numerous articles in the area of Cumis and spoken extensively to lawyer and industry groups on the subject of independent counsel. Mr. Susolik is generally recognized as one of the top Cumis experts in the Western United States.

Combining his sophisticated litigation skills as defense counsel with his insurance law expertise, Mr. Susolik is the paradigm Cumis counsel. Mr. Susolik is able to provide an aggressive and comprehensive defense of the third party claims while at the same time maximizing the insurance benefits available to the client. Equally importantly, Mr. Susolik understands how important it is to communicate, cooperate and work with the insurance company in the defense of the claim, even though the Cumis doctrine is ostensibly predicated on the concept of conflict of interest.

Emilyrose Furman

Bio
Emilyrose Furman is a Marketing and Sales Director, revenue strategist, and systems architect known for scaling companies through unconventional leadership and measurable, results driven strategy.

As the Marketing and Sales Director of Solano Law Firm, she has helped grow the company from under $1 million in annual revenue to nearly $8 million, expanding the team fourfold while building high performing marketing and sales systems designed for sustainable and scalable growth.

Emilyrose’s entrepreneurial journey began at 14 years old when she launched her first business training horses and teaching riding lessons. After financing both her undergraduate and master’s degrees through real estate sales, navigating personal loss, and rebuilding after a life altering accident, she developed the resilience and solution oriented mindset that now define her leadership style.

With a foundation in computer science, business, and marketing, Emilyrose blends creative vision with technical execution. She designs scalable revenue systems, optimizes conversion strategy, and builds high performance teams that consistently produce measurable results without relying on traditional marketing tactics or outdated leadership models.

Her approach challenges convention. Rather than following corporate playbooks, she develops customized growth frameworks, aligns teams around clear performance metrics, and cultivates cultures where people are motivated not by pressure, but by purpose.

Emilyrose speaks on resilient leadership, scalable revenue architecture, modern sales strategy, and how ambitious, analytical women can build powerful careers and companies without conforming to traditional molds.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her golden retriever, exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, and traveling.

Speaking Subjects

1. Vision and Execution: How Founder and Operator Built an 8 Million Dollar Company Together
This session explores the powerful dynamic between visionary leadership and operational execution. We will share how aligning mission, marketing, sales, and structure helped scale Solano Law Firm from under 1 million to nearly 8 million in annual revenue. Attendees will gain insight into building trust between founder and director, avoiding common scaling mistakes, and turning vision into measurable growth.

2. Scaling with Purpose: Building Profit Without Losing Mission
Women often feel forced to choose between impact and income. In this session, we will discuss how to scale a mission driven company without compromising culture or values. We will share how revenue can fuel impact, how to protect company culture during rapid growth, and how to build a team that believes in the mission as deeply as the founder does.

3. Resilient Women Build Differently
Our journeys have included personal setbacks, reinvention, and navigating uncertainty. This conversation focuses on how resilience becomes a competitive advantage in business. We will discuss leading through change, making unconventional decisions, and why emotional intelligence and adaptability are powerful assets for women in leadership.

4. Modern Marketing and Sales for Women Led Companies
Traditional marketing and sales strategies are outdated. In this session, we will share how aligning brand, mission, psychology, and conversion strategy creates scalable growth. Attendees will walk away with practical insight on building empowered sales teams, improving conversion without increasing leads, and structuring marketing systems that drive measurable results.

Elia Diaz-Yaeger

Elia Diaz-Yaeger serves as the Chief Legal Officer for OnPath Federal Credit Union, where she oversees all legal matters, contributes to the company’s strategic direction, and ensures legal compliance while driving business objectives. As part of the executive team, she acts as a trusted advisor, engaging with management and the board of directors on strategic business issues.

Previously, Diaz-Yaeger was a member of OnPath’s Board of Directors, serving on the Executive Committee and as Board Secretary. In her role as Director, she developed, reviewed, and approved an annual budget of nearly $40 million, and was a key figure in drafting and revising credit union policies. She provided guidance on corporate governance, legal, and risk issues, and played a pivotal role in diversifying the Board and C-Suite. Her efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) led to the implementation of a comprehensive DE&I training and metric-driven plan at OnPath.

With over 20 years of management and legal experience, Diaz-Yaeger brings a wealth of expertise in litigation, defense, and board governance to her role. Prior to joining OnPath, she was a Shareholder at Lugenbuhl, specializing in commercial litigation, insurance defense, and coverage. Diaz-Yaeger is known for building inclusive teams that achieve outstanding results and has received numerous awards for her legal skills and leadership in DE&I and advocacy programs. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2018 and in multiple Best Lawyers ‘Women in Law’ editions, was a 2019 Lawyers of Color ‘Nation’s Best’ honoree and won the 2017 Chambers USA Women in Law Future Leader – Gender Diversity award.

Diaz-Yaeger also served on the Board of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) in various roles, including National President, where she developed governance policies, strategies, financial growth, and diversification for the organization. She enhanced the HNBA’s impact on issues important to the Hispanic community and forged partnerships that significantly benefited the community and the legal profession.

In addition to her professional achievements, Diaz-Yaeger serves on the Board of Directors for BLOOM Dance, Inc., contributing to its long-term strategic growth. She co-founded The A.D. Crossman Esperanza Library Project and is a member of the New Orleans Ballet Association and The Krewe of Muses.

Diaz-Yaeger holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (formerly USL) and a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, New Orleans.

Clive Markland

“When something catastrophic occurs, we have the opportunity to stand up for those people. We look forward to balancing out justice.”

Clive Markland, an eminent figure as a personal injury attorney, has constructed a highly commendable career that extends from his tenure at the Harris County District Attorney’s office to the establishment of his own prosperous law firm. His reputation as one of Texas’s premier trial lawyers is not just a testament to his extensive experience but also a reflection of the unparalleled expertise he brings to the courtroom. With more than 80 cases tried for verdict, Clive’s prosecutorial approach and comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape have earned him widespread recognition and respect among his peers.Specializing in fields such as construction disputes, personal injury, and serious crimes, Clive’s proficiency is marked by a depth of knowledge that only years of practice can foster. His passion for civil rights, particularly in cases involving excessive force by law enforcement, has driven him to challenge some of the most infamous law enforcement agencies across the nation. This commitment to justice showcases his unwavering dedication to upholding the principles of fairness and equality.As a founding partner at Roberts Markland LLP, Clive maintains a strong focus on catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. His exceptional abilities have not gone unnoticed by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, which has honored him as a Top 1% trial lawyer – a tribute to his relentless pursuit of legal excellence.Clive’s contributions extend beyond the courtroom; he remains an active participant in charitable organizations and political initiatives within the Houston community. His dedication is not limited to his professional life but permeates his personal life as well. As a devoted father to his 10-year-old daughter Elizabeth “Lizzy” Markland, he cherishes the time they spend together traveling, experimenting with fine cuisine (including their fondness for In-N-Out Burger), and watching movies.Engaging with Clive means not only benefiting from his vast experience but also partnering with someone who possesses an unwavering commitment to justice. For legal representation that is knowledgeable, dedicated, and above all, effective, contact Clive Markland today. His expertise could be the decisive factor in your legal matters.

Nicole Stanton

Nicole R. Stanton is one of two founding partners of Stanton and Worthy, LLC, a boutique law firm located in the heart of Atlanta, GA. Her firm specializes in consumer law (personal and business bankruptcy, debt resolution), contracts, and business transactions. If you ask her how long has she been practicing law, she will say “all my life,” because her father is a practicing attorney in Detroit, MI as well. Ms. Stanton graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and with a Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University’s College of Law. During her years at both colleges, she wrote for the school papers, participated in multiple organizations, focused on wellness, did community service, and became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. During her years in law school, she maintained an emphasis on contracts, sports law, and civil law. With a background as a writer, contract analyst, and attorney, Ms. Stanton brings versatility and passion to her firm. She also has a love for maintaining her mental, emotional and mental wellbeing, and is always encouraging others to do the same. She is driven by a strong love for working with and helping others in the community, and she enjoys working closely with clients.

It was not until later in life that Ms. Stanton discovered her calling in the areas of consumer law, debt collection defense, small business, and bankruptcy. After working a few years as an associate attorney and analyst, she did not believe her purpose in life had reached its full potential until she began assisting people as a bankruptcy attorney. Being a bankruptcy attorney has led her to several other areas of law that she loves and continues to enjoy working in. Ms. Stanton is one who gives her clients the dedication and close attention that is often needed to help them fulfill their goals. She is direct, honest, and believes a client’s integrity is top priority. She understands that the attorney-client relationship is truly a relationship, and that it must be nourished as such.

Although Ms. Stanton takes delight in working as an attorney, she has other areas of her life that bring her great joy. She has traveled all over the world and has been able to continue this tradition. She immerses herself in other cultures through reading, music, and travel. Further, during her spare time, she spends time with family and other loved ones, writes, enjoys athletics and Pilates, and participates in volunteer work.

Ms. Stanton has a firm belief in the saying “many are called upon, yet few are chosen.” She was chosen to be an attorney and be of service to her community, and when you work with her, you will know this to be true.

Colleen Young

Colleen Young is a creative thinker who understands and analyzes the numbers behind the promotions. She’s had a seasoned career holding each seat in each position of a Marketing Team giving her an understanding and appreciation of the energy and time it takes to produce stellar results. She is a driving force for positive, consistent communication and messaging across internal and external channels.

Handling B2B and B2C marketing for non-profit and profit corporations afforded me experience to learn what works across multiple channels. Colleen has a reputation for developing many “firsts” within departments. Bringing on CRM systems that combine automated marketing processes and sales processes

I harness a passion for re-energizing legacy brands taking companies to polished, professional market dominance.

FUTURE CHALLENGES THAT I ANTICIPATE IN THE MARKETING REALM:
With deeper consumer insights available at our fingertips, we walk a fine line of being eerily intrusive vs. knowing our customer personas to target our marketing. In addition, AI is permeating all aspects of our lives. Although AI can write fundamental content, it lacks the human touch, the human flair. That is why less emphasis must be placed on the vast database that AI can tap into, instead focusing on meaningful, dynamic content.

Colleen joined Get Staffed Up in 2023 after years of overseeing marketing operations for a Medical Services Organization (MSO) that held orthopedic and cardiovascular practices, physical therapy, MRI, and orthopedic urgent cares. Prior to, she found and worked her career niche in industrial marketing with companies / brands such as Aristeo Construction, Quikete®, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and Jack Doheny Company.

Colleen is a graduate of Youngstown State University earning a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration (Major: Advertising and Public Relations).

Bringing a rich mix of knowledge from my father (a sales champion), my mother (an old-school accountant who calculated everything by hand) and growing up in a rural, blue-collar, small town, my parents instilled in me a fierce work ethic. They firmly believed that if you want something badly enough, you must formulate plans of attack in order to attain your goals. This mindset has been prevalent throughout my entire life.

Passions include animal welfare, Supporting non-kill shelters with special attention to the Michigan Animal Rescue League (M.A.R.L), mentoring, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jessica Tehlirian

Attorney Jessica Tehlirian is the founder of Tehlirian Law Group. After a decade of practice, she started the firm to provide a firm that focuses on respect and open communication.

She began her career as a prosecutor in Tallahassee, Florida, where she advocated for thousands of victims in the community. She had more than twenty jury and non-jury trials ranging from misdemeanors to rape and murder. Thereafter, she was the Head of the Litigation Department for The Cochran Firm Jacksonville. There, she supervised other litigation attorneys while maintaining her caseload of personal injury cases involving serious injuries and death. She has personally recovered millions of dollars for her injured clients.

Additionally, she served as The National Social Media Manager for The Cochran Firm. Next, she became a managing partner for a law firm based out of Florida. She helped the firm grow from one office in Florida to offices in Atlanta and nationwide.

Attorney Tehlirian is admitted to practice law in the states of Florida and Georgia. She has practiced all aspects of personal injury litigation, including premise liability, car accidents, and truck accidents. She takes pride in treating all her clients as if they are family members. She works closely with clients to develop case strategies and obtain successful results. She has a sincere passion for helping others, not just as part of her job but also outside of work.

After graduating from The University of Michigan in 2011, she obtained her Juris Doctorate from Florida State University along with a Business Law Certificate with Honors in 2014. Thereafter, she obtained her Master of Business Administration from Florida State in 2019. She is licensed to practice in Florida and Georgia. She has been awarded The Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers and The National Black Lawyers for multiple years. She was also awarded the Nation’s Best Advocate “40 Lawyers Under 40” by The National Bar Association in 2022.

She also enjoys volunteering with various organizations in Georgia. Attorney Tehlirian is also the founder of The Tehlirian Foundation, a charity that helps underrepresented students navigate their academic careers.

Amanda Fox Perry

Amanda's practice is devoted to representing victims of terrorist attacks in lawsuits against foreign governments and organizations that provide material support to terrorist organizations including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Taliban. She also brings claims against financial institutions that aid and abet terrorism in violation of sanctions and trade practices. Amanda's clients include U.S. citizens and foreign nationals who were injured or killed in the U.S. Embassy bombings in Lebanon, Kenya, and Tanzania, as well as victims of the September 11th attacks and the 1983 Marines Barracks bombing in Beirut, Lebanon. She has secured judgments exceeding $200 million and has recovered significant proceeds of those judgments from the governments of Iran and Sudan, as well as from the U.S. Victims of State Sponsors of Terrorism Fund.

Amanda oversees Fox McKenna's representation of servicemembers and their families' claims arising from harms perpetrated by the U.S. government, including illnesses caused by the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune and hearing loss caused by 3M's defective Combat Arms Earplugs, the standard-issue ear protection used by the U.S. military from 2000 to 2015.

Prior to founding Fox McKenna, Amanda spent nine years practicing anti-terrorism, personal injury, and mass tort law in a boutique law practice. She spent the first eight years of her professional career working for the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where she focused on border security, trans-national crime, intelligence, and disaster response and recovery.

Amanda's legislative and political experience gives her a unique understanding of the legislative process and the wide range of geopolitical and diplomatic variables that often impact her terrorism cases. Her broad network in Washington, D.C. and access to relevant policymakers allows her to stay informed of key events and legislative developments that influence her cases and shape the landscape of future litigation.

Amanda is the Secretary of the New Lawyers Division of the American Association for Justice and serves as a board member of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. She is a former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C., and frequently represents local civic groups in land use, real estate, and landlord-tenant disputes.

Yesenia Gonzalez

Yesenia Gonzalez's journey toward discovering her true purpose took an unexpected turn just months before her 43rd birthday. She demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication by masterfully balancing dual careers as an office manager and a professional photographer for over two decades. Her lens captured unforgettable moments at weddings, celebrity events featuring icons like LL Cool J and Vivica A. Fox, and significant gatherings at institutions like The CUNY School of Law.

In September 2024, Yesenia celebrated her sixth anniversary at GFG Alliance, a global leader in steel and mining with over 30,000 employees and 200 locations in 4 continents and has been thriving as an Office Manager. Along with this achievement. In May 2022, she embarked on a transformative path by opening Yesenia's Place, a hospitality venture on Airbnb. From the outset, Yesenia's dedication to her guests shone through, offering them not just accommodations, but personalized guidance and an unforgettable New York experience. It was during intimate morning coffee chats with her guests, Yesenia discovered her passion for helping others succeed. She listened like a therapist, providing encouragement and motivation to help them find their passions and purpose. This newfound role resonated deeply, sparking a journey of self-discovery and purpose.

In 2023, Yesenia spoke at New York's Women in Leadership Conference hosted by Betty Aquino, sharing her insights on how everything we do in life is like planting seeds. Her powerful words, likening life's journey to the growth of a plant and the importance of planting seeds, not only resonated with the attendees but also empowered them. Her words were not just motivational, they were inspiring, and she was honored to be invited back to encourage even more women. Yesenia is pursuing a life dedicated to helping others discover and fulfill their purpose.

Yesenia draws inspiration from figures like Oprah Winfrey, believing true passion should feel as natural as breathing. As a woman of strong faith and Christian values, her story is a testament to the transformative power of discovering one's purpose later in life, a message she passionately champions through her work and speaking engagements. She eagerly anticipates returning to the Women in Leadership Conference in 2024, a testament to her unwavering commitment to her mission. Yesenia Gonzalez embodies the belief that our greatest fulfillment lies in sharing our unique gifts with the world.

Connect with Yesenia on Instagram: @Yeseniasplace

Briseida Robles

Briseida Robles is a distinguished professional in the field of litigation finance, with over six years of dedicated experience. Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Briseida’s journey began when her family migrated to Houston, Texas, when she was just four years old. This move laid the foundation for her deep-rooted connections with the Latin community in the legal field, as well as with other immigrant communities.

Briseida’s career is marked by impressive achievements, including facilitating roughly $40 million in pre-settlement funding advances and $10 million in commercial lending sales. Her expertise spans the Texas markets and extends across the United States. She has worked exclusively with the oldest plaintiff law firm in Texas and earned the business of top lawyers in major cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, as well as nationwide.

Fluent in Spanish, Briseida’s native language, she leverages her linguistic skills to build strong relationships within diverse communities. Her family’s story of resilience and determination— migrating to America with three daughters, a hundred dollars, and a car—shapes her approach to her work and life.

Briseida’s professional journey began after high school when she pursued a business degree in college. In 2014 she started her career as a paralegal for a personal injury law firm and a general practice law firm. This experience paved the way for her role as a Texas sales representative for LawCash. Demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit, Briseida eventually opened her own company and partnered with Key Legal Funding, based in New Jersey.

Beyond her professional life, Briseida is deeply family-oriented, cherishing her time with her 12- year-old daughter and her beloved golden doodle Teddy. She loves spending time outdoors, especially by the beach, where she finds the peace and rejuvenation needed to excel in her career. These habits help her restart and reset, enabling her to make the best decisions for her clients and herself when it comes to finances for their businesses.

Briseida is actively involved in her community, attending numerous fundraisers for judges and upcoming candidates for various offices, as well as sponsoring many law firm events across Texas. She is a proud member and fellowship business partner of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association, where she networks with the best trial lawyers in Houston. To stay current with the evolving legal landscape, she regularly attends Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars, particularly those focused on personal injury law and legislative changes.

Her dedication, sales acumen, and ability to foster meaningful connections have made Briseida Robles a trusted name in litigation finance, providing invaluable financial solutions to legal professionals across the country.