Category Archives: Featured Speakers

Jeremy Leathe is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Posted on by Faith Pincus
jeremy leathe
29 Mar

Our latest Featured Speaker is Jeremy Leathe from Dunwody White & Landon, P.A.!

We are excited to have Jeremy speak for us at our upcoming Probate Litigation 101: The Nuts and Bolts seminar in Fort Lauderdale on April 13, 2018! Jeremy has been heavily involved in planning the program and is terrific to work with.

Jeremy P. Leathe is an attorney in the Coral Gables, Florida, office of Dunwody White & Landon, P.A. Mr. Leathe specializes exclusively in the areas of Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Guardianships. His practice is divided equally among estate planning, probate and trust administration, and probate and trust litigation matters.

Mr. Leathe was born and raised in Miami. He graduated from DartmouthCollegewith an A.B. in History (cum laude), and received his J.D. (magna cum laude) and LL.M. in Estate Planning from the University of Miami School of Law. While in law school, Mr. Leathe served as Articles and Comments Editor for the University of Miami Law Review, received the American Jurisprudence Book Award (highest grade in the class) in Property I, was elected to the Order of the Coif (top 10% of the graduating class), and was inducted into the Phi Delta Phi legal honor society. Upon graduation, Mr. Leathe served for two years as Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Lenore C. Nesbitt, U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

Mr. Leathe has significant experience in drafting wills and trusts, including revocable, irrevocable, and charitable trusts. He also appears regularly in probate court with regard to probate administration, trust administration, and guardianship proceedings.

In addition to his experience as an estate planning lawyer, Mr. Leathe has extensive litigation experience. After his federal clerkship, he was an associate in the litigation department at Greenberg Traurig PA, and a shareholder in the litigation department at Akerman Senterfitt, P.A. Mr. Leathe also spent six years litigating complex civil matters in state and federal courts as an Assistant County Attorney forMiami-DadeCounty. He has tried numerous jury and non-jury cases in both the state and federal courts, and has argued appellate cases before the Third District Court of Appeals (state) and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals (federal). As a trusts and estates lawyer, he has had considerable experience with will contests, trusts contests, and breach of fiduciary duty cases.

Mr. Leathe is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Greater Miami, the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, and the Probate and Guardianship Committee of the Dade County Bar Association. He speaks frequently on topics related to Wills, Trusts, and Estates, such as homestead law, will and trust contests, and estate and trust administration.

Mr. Leathe is also active in his community, serving on the Board of Directors for Temple Beth Am, one of the largest Reform congregations in the southeast United States. In addition, he serves as a member of the Professional Advisors Council of the Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. A continued supporter of his alma mater, Mr. Leathe works as an interviewer for candidates applying to Dartmouth College.

Mr. Leathe lives in Pinecrest with his wife and three children.

Michael Delrahim is our latest Featured Speaker!

Posted on by Faith Pincus
michael delrahim
22 Mar

Our newest Featured Speaker is Michael Delrahim from Brown, Udell, Pomerantz & Delrahim, Ltd!

Michael will be speaking at our Introduction to Commercial Real Estate Seminar in Chicago on September 14, 2018. He previously spoke for us at our Marijuana Law seminar held in Chicago in 2017. Seminar attendees appreciated Michael’s practical and well-informed presentation.

Michael J. Delrahim is the Managing Partner of the law firm of Brown, Udell, Pomerantz & Delrahim Ltd. He has an expansive practice counseling institutions, opportunity funds, sponsors and investment managers with respect to partnerships, debt and equity placement, and real estate and leasing transactions. He also serves in-house as counsel to nationally operating real estate companies.

Complementing his transactional practice, as a member of the federal trial bar, he brings a unique perspective to representing clients in real estate acquisition, development and management, debt and equity source documentation, troubled asset workouts, and partnerships. Michael’s representation of managers, sponsors, partners and lenders is comprehensive.

Michael is a member of the Chicago Advisory Board of BBVA Compass. In recognition of his accomplishments, Michael was inducted as a Fellow into the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA) and is a member of their Diversity Committee.

He is the founder of the Chicago Real Estate Professionals, a monthly networking group that brings together nearly 1000 of the most seasoned real estate professionals to attend a facilitated panel discussion on thought-provoking topics of interest to real estate professionals. An adjunct professor of law at Chicago-Kent College of Law – IIT, he teaches Real Estate Fundamentals and Syndication and lectures extensively before business and legal forums on real estate and related topics.  He is a frequent lecturer, writer and commentator on real estate topics for the local and National media.

He is licensed to practice in Illinois and the District of Columbia. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law – IIT and a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

James Robinson is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Posted on by Faith Pincus
james robinson
21 Mar

Our latest Featured Speaker is James Robinson of White & Case LLP!

Jim will be speaking at our 7th Annual Circuit Court Boot Camp in Fort Lauderdale on June 1, 2018.

In past years, Jim was on the faculty panels for our Expert Witnesses, Mastering the Deposition, and Persuasive Brief Writing seminars in Florida. Attendees raved about his clear, articulate delivery, and engaging demeanor.

Drawing on his significant experience in state and federal courts handling virtually every type of civil case, Jim’s practice is primarily focused on commercial trial work. He works to limit his clients’ exposure and to protect their interests.

Jim has particular experience of representing regional and national law firms in legal malpractice lawsuits. In such cases he takes a thorough, hands-on approach, managing all aspects of the lawsuits.

Many of Jim’s recent commercial cases include representation of clients connected to the banking industry. Such cases include representation of financial technology (fintech) companies involved with merchant services and credit card processing in both domestic and international disputes. In addition, Jim has represented a series of banks against multimillion-dollar lender liability lawsuits, most of which were resolved with summary judgment in Jim’s clients’ favor. For banking clients, Jim also brings his experience of prosecuting dozens of commercial foreclosure lawsuits on loans totaling over US $ 1.5 billion. Jim represents foreign and domestic corporations in contract disputes, regulatory and compliance matters, and consumer class actions at various stages, including appeals. He has successfully defended numerous director and officer liability actions, and has successfully represented real estate developers and contractors in real estate disputes throughout the United States.

Jim is an active member of a number of professional associations, including the Federal Bar Association, the Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar, the International Law Section of The Florida Bar, the Miami-Dade County Bar Association and the J. Reuben Clark Law Society.

He has taken lead roles in a significant number of professional committees, including as the Chair of the International Litigation and Arbitration Committee (2008), the Chair of the International Litigation and Arbitration Committee Conference (2007), a Steering Committee Member on the International Litigation Update (2005–2006), and as a Chair of the FGCU Alumni Association Board of Directors (2009–2011). He has also served on the Law Alumni Council, University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Jee Young You is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Posted on by Faith Pincus
jee young you
19 Mar

Our latest Featured Speaker is Jee Young You from Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP!

We are pleased to have Jee Young You speak again at our upcoming 14th Annual Federal Court Boot Camp in San Francisco on May 18, 2018. Jee Young has spoken at several of our past Federal Court Boot Camps and seminar love her insight and handouts!

Jee Young You is a litigator who represents institutional and individual clients in class actions and other high-stakes commercial lawsuits. For more than ten years, Ms. You has represented a wide range of clients, including large financial institutions, corporate officers, high technology companies, and food and beverage companies. Ms. You has broad experience in a variety of areas, including securities fraud, consumer protection and banking regulations (Fair Lending, TILA/Regulation Z, FCRA, FDCPA, BSA/AML, and GLBA), class actions, and civil rights. Additionally, she has experience with regulatory, compliance, and investigative matters involving the OCC, the CFPB, the DOJ, and state attorneys general.

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. You was counsel at an international law firm, and was seconded to the in-house legal department of JPMorgan Chase Consumer & Community Banking, where she was a member of the Chase Initiatives investigations and regulatory enforcement group.

At the firm, Ms. You has helped cultivate the WomenConnect program, which provides a forum for San Francisco Bay Area women lawyers and senior-level clients to network and learn from each other. She is also a member of the board of the Justice & Diversity Center of The Bar Association of San Francisco.

Ms. You also maintains an active pro bono practice representing indigent individuals and public interest groups in civil rights matters, with a focus on LGBTQ, immigration, and benefits rights. She filed several amicus briefs in high-profile cases such as In re Marriage Cases and Perry v. Schwarzenegger before the California Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and the US District Court for the District of California. Recently, she filed an action to enjoin the disruption of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamp) benefits in the event of a government shutdown.

Ms. You is proficient in spoken and written Korean.

Alaina Fotiu-Wojtowicz is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Posted on by Faith Pincus
alaina
16 Mar

Our latest featured speaker is Alaina Fotiu-Wojtowicz, Esq. of Brodsky Fotiu-Wojtowicz!

Alaina Fotiu-Wojtowicz will speak at our Circuit Court Boot Camp in Fort Lauderdale on June 1, 2018.

Ms. Fotiu-Wojtowicz is a founding shareholder of BFW, is an experienced trial lawyer, and has tried cases in federal and state court. She has won numerous multi-million dollar jury verdicts for her clients in both commercial and personal injury cases. She represents corporations, business entities, and individuals in a variety of complex commercial business disputes, and routinely represents individuals who have suffered life altering personal injuries.

Prior to founding the firm, she was a partner at the litigation boutique, Michael S. Olin, P.A., where she focused her practice on personal injury and complex commercial litigation. Ms. Fotiu-Wojtowicz began her career by serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge William P. Dimitrouleas in District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Ms. Fotiu-Wojtowicz serves on the Adjunct Faculty at the University of Miami School of Law where she teaches an upper level course on Florida Civil Procedure and a seminar on Voting Rights and Election Law.

Ms. Fotiu-Wojtowicz is active in the South Florida community. She currently serves on the board of directors of the South Florida Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, sits on the Leadership Counsel for POSSE Miami, chairs the board of directors for Seraphic Fire, and captains numerous tennis teams in leagues sanctioned by the USTA and WTT.

John Killacky is Our Latest Featured Speaker!

Posted on by Faith Pincus
featured speaker
14 Mar

Our latest featured speaker is John Killacky, Esq. of Momkus McCluskey LLC!

John is experienced in litigation and transactions, and will speak at our Federal Court Boot Camp in Chicago on April 6, 2018.

We are happy to have John speak for us again. He was on the Chicago panels for our Advanced Litigation Techniques seminar, and our 7th and 8th Annual Federal Court Boot Camps. Attendees appreciated his effective use of personal experiences in the cases presented.

John has served in senior positions as both in-house and outside counsel. This potent combination has instilled in John a broad appreciation for how to best partner with clients to achieve their objectives.

Before joining Momkus McCluskey, John spent over eight years as General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel of a publicly-traded property and casualty insurance holding company. While in-house, John oversaw a number of high-stakes litigation matters and guided the company through several large M&A and financing transactions. John also served as the company’s Privacy and Chief Compliance Officer, charged with ensuring compliance with SEC and NASDAQ regulations, state insurance laws, Gramm-Leach-Bliley and other requirements. John has substantial experience providing practical legal and business advice to clients on a variety of substantive issues.

Prior to working in-house, John was a litigation partner with a large international law firm where he gained first and second chair trial experience in commercial, securities, employment, products liability and other complex litigation matters. John has considerable experience conducting internal investigations and has also represented clients responding to subpoenas and investigations by government agencies. John was also a partner with an entrepreneurial litigation boutique in Chicago.

In addition to his litigation practice, John provides insurance regulatory and corporate transactional services. Before pursuing a career in law, John attended the United States Naval Academy and served for five years as a surface warfare officer.

Lauriann Wright is our latest Featured Speaker

Posted on by Faith Pincus
lauriann wright
28 Feb

Our latest featured speaker is Lauriann Wright of Wright Kim Douglas ALC!

Lauriann is an experienced probate litigator and estate planner who will speak at our Professional Fiduciaries: The Nuts and Bolts seminar in Los Angeles on March 9, 2018.

Lauriann first spoke for us last year at the Probate Litigation seminar. Attendees praised her excellent insight, humor, and engaging presentation.

Lauriann has been practicing all phases of probate law and litigation for the past 20 years. Her experience includes conservatorships, guardianships, trusts, and probate estates in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside Counties. She was named a Southern California Super Lawyer in Trust and Estate Litigation for six consecutive years, from 2012 through 2018. In 2016, Best Lawyers listed Lauriann as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” in Litigation. National Advocates recently named Lauriann as a member of the Top 100 of Wills, Trust, and Estates Lawyers.

Ian Samson and Paul Traina are our latest Featured Speakers!

Posted on by Faith Pincus
07 Feb

Our latest Featured Speakers are Ian Samson and Paul Traina of Stalwart Law Group!

Ian Samson is an experienced litigator and trial lawyer who will speak at our upcoming Mastering the Deposition seminar in Los Angeles, on February 23rd, 2018.

Ian first spoke for us back in 2016 for Federal Court Boot Camp and has been a repeat speaker for both federal and superior court boot camps since. Seminar attendees rave about his insight, clear examples, and knowledgeability.

Ian represents clients in catastrophic injury matters, whistleblower litigation, class actions, professional liability cases, and commercial litigation. Innovative, tireless, and always willing to go the extra mile for his clients, he has gone toe-to-toe with some of the most highly-regarded law firms in the nation.

Equally comfortable arguing a specific point of law to a federal court judge as he is explaining the big picture to a state court jury, he uses every aspect of his experience to get the best possible result for his clients. Ian is a member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Consumer Attorneys of California, and Public Justice.

And Paul Traina, an experienced, fiercely competitive litigator and trial lawyer, will also speak at our upcoming Mastering the Deposition seminar.

Paul first spoke for us a while back at our Wage & Hour Class Action seminar, and has returned to speak at many of our litigation related seminars year after year, due to his great evaluations.

Paul has practiced law for the past 25 years. He spent his first five years representing automobile manufacturers and insurance companies, and the last twenty years representing consumers on a pure contingency basis. Paul has obtained verdicts and recoveries for his clients totaling over 3 billion dollars. He has, and continues to represent clients in matters involving catastrophic injuries, defective products, whistleblower litigation, class actions, professional liability cases, and business/commercial litigation.

Paul is a frequent guest lecturer at Loyola Law School’s Trial Advocacy Class. He has lectured around the country about class actions, conflicts of interest, opening and closing arguments, and direct and cross examinations of both lay and expert witnesses. Paul is a member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles and Consumer Attorneys of California.

Jim Allen is our latest Featured Speaker

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Jim Allen is our latest Featured Speaker!

Jim is a retired Assistant County Attorney for Miami Dade County and has been sharing his experience with our attendees since 2014, when he first spoke at our Circuit Court Boot Camp in Ft. Lauderdale. Since then, Jim has been a frequent speakers at many of our litigation programs. Most recently, he spoke at Mastering the Deposition and Brief Writing in Ft. Lauderdale. Next year, Jim will join us again for our 5th Annual Circuit Court Boot Camp in Ft. Lauderdale.

In addition to providing excellent tips and litigation strategies, Jim always provides thorough handouts and additional materials that attendees rave about.

Jim Allen
Former Assistant County Attorney, Miami-Dade County

Jim was Chief of Training and Development, while continuing to maintain a full caseload in state personal injury and federal civil rights actions.

As a litigator, Jim has practiced extensively in federal and state court at both trial and appellate levels. He has litigated and tried numerous cases involving serious wrongful death and civil rights allegations, including a taking action claiming in excess of 100 million dollars in damages. Jim has also handled numerous state and federal appeals, including a case filed in the U.S. Supreme Court.

After law school, Jim clerked for the Honorable James R. Jorgenson, Florida Third District Court of Appeals.  Jim is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, J.D., Cum Laude, 1980.

Harry Chamberlain is our Newest Featured Speaker

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Harry Chamberlain of Buchalter Nemer P.C. is our latest Featured Speaker!

Harry is another Appellate Specialist who will be speaking at the upcoming Advanced Appellate Conference in January.

Harry first spoke for us back in 2012. Harry was a joy to work with and attendees loved his presentation. He has been back to speak at multiple appellate seminars, including our 2016 and 2017 Advanced Appellate Conferences and our 2017 Exam Prep course in Appellate law.

Harry Chamberlain II
Buchalter Nemer P.C.

Harry Chamberlain co-chairs the Appellate and Complex Litigation Practice Group at Buchalter Nemer, P.C. with regional offices across California. Harry is an experienced litigator who has represented Fortune 500 companies, public and private sector clients in complex litigation for 35 years. His trial and arbitration practice focuses on the representation of business, professional and public entity clients with special concentration in post-trial remedies, writs and appeals.

He is certified as an Appellate Specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, having argued hundreds of appeals in state and federal courts around the country, including numerous cases before the California Supreme Court and the highest courts of other jurisdictions.

Before joining Buchalter Nemer, Harry’s experience included in-house corporate practice as general counsel, and managing the law department of major market U.S. liability insurers and financial service companies.

Harry serves on the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and is past president of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel and California Defense Counsel, preeminent regional associations of civil defense trial attorneys.