Speakers

Travis Armstrong, CLM, CPA, has been a member of ALA since 2005, when he first accepted a position in the legal management profession and is currently in his second year as a member of the ALA International Board of Directors. He served as Treasurer, Vice President and President of the Middle Tennessee Chapter, two years as a Regional Representative, as a member (and most recently chair) of the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Annual Conference Planning Committees and two years on the Certification Committee.

Roberta A. Bauer has been a member of ALA and the Pittsburgh Legal Administrators Association (PLAA) for almost 25 years. She also holds memberships in the Society for HR Management and the local Pittsburgh Human Resources Association Chapter. Bauer has been active in both ALA and the Pittsburgh Legal Administrators Association (PLAA), presently serving as Chair for the ALA Professional Development Advisory Committee and, prior to that, serving on the ALA Business Partner Relations Team, as the PLAA Education Chair, Education Conference Chair and the Chair of the Business Partner Relations Committee.

Rachel Borchers, MBA, is responsible for steering the organization and managing its day-to-day operations in her current role. In partnership with the firm’s management team and owners, she ensures they are creating and following effective business practices in order to meet the organization’s goals and maintain sound financial practices. Borchers is the Immediate Past President for the Jacksonville Chapter. During her time as President-Elect and President, she revamped their Business Partner Program and broadened their reach to improve chapter memberships in a post-COVID world.

Kara M. Brostron, CLM, has been a member of ALA since 2009 and has served in numerous leadership positions on the local and international levels, including on the inaugural Chapter Resource Team, Chair of ALA’s 2021 Annual Conference & Expo Planning Committee and as current Chair of the Products and Services Review Committee. She is currently the Chair of Communications and Co-Chair of the Compensation and Benefits Committee for the ALA Gateway Chapter. Brostron earned her CLM designation in 2018.

Erin Callinan, MSW, is a nationally recognized author, trainer and speaker with 14 years of executive leadership experience in the field of mental health, domestic violence and sexual assault. She is the Founder of Beneath The Brave, whose mission is to amplify workplaces, careers and lives by strengthening mental health. In 2013, she authored and published her book, Beautifully Bipolar: An Inspiring Look Into Mental Illness and began her career in mental health advocacy and motivational speaking. Callinan holds a Master of Social Work from Arizona State University and is a Nationally Certified Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructor. She is President of the Board at MIKID, a youth serving organization in Arizona for children and teens living with mental health conditions.

Krystal Champlin-Gerage is a Consultant and Business Adviser with RJH Consulting and Maverick Coaching Solutions. When working with law firms, her core focus is the strategic planning process, increasing operational efficiency and profitability through systems and reporting, and building solid teams through leadership and organizational development. Champlin holds several certifications that she applies to her client work; she is a Certified Executive Coach, Certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner, Certified DiSC Trainer, and holds a Six Sigma Lean certification.

Michelle D. Cohen manages the daily operations including account reconciliations, human resources, recruiting, payroll, employee benefits, office services and legal writing of stipulations of settlement. She is a past chairperson on the Business Partner Committee. She was a recipient of the New Jersey Association of Legal Administrators’ (NJALA) President’s Award in recognition of outstanding service in 2017. She is currently the Immediate Past President of the Foundation of ALA. Additionally she served as a Trustee with the Foundation for three years, two years as its Secretary, one as Vice President and one as President.

Julie Couret, a New Orleans native, is the “executive coach for real people”. Business owners call Julie because they know she can deliver results.  She works 1-1 with CEOs getting to the core of the issues that cause executives to lose sleep. Julie specializes in getting results. She trains leaders on the behaviors necessary to lead others, such as coaching and feedback, leadership credibility, business communications and conflict resolution.  While Julie has been profiled and recognized for her accomplishments, her greatest value is ensuring every person she works with walks away equipped with the real workplace skills for a better tomorrow.

Debra L. Elsbury, CLM, is the Firm Administrator for Threlkeld Stevenson in Indianapolis, Indiana. She joined ALA in 2003 and has served the Association in many capacities locally and internationally. At the international level, Elsbury was ALA’s 2020-2021 President.

Brian P. Gilman, CLM, began his career as a Certified Public Accountant, and his experience includes more than 20 years in legal management. Gilman’s legal industry leadership includes service on the ALA International Board of Directors, Board of Trustees of the Foundation of ALA and President of the ALA Raleigh Durham Chapter; he has also served the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA) on the Law Practice Management Council and the NCBA’s groundbreaking work on the Transitioning Lawyers Commission.

Dima Ghawi is a Leadership Speaker and Coach. Through keynote speeches, workshops and executive coaching, she shares her unique leadership transformation journey with one goal in mind — motivate and activate those around her to reimagine their potential and grow into leaders. She draws from two decades of corporate experience leading global teams and developing future leaders worldwide. Her memoir, Breaking Vases, has received many awards, including Writer’s Digest 2018 Grand Prize Award, Best Indie Book Award, Readers’ Favorite Award, National Indie Excellence Award and Nautilus Book Award.

Elyssa A. Goldstein, CLM, PHR, SHRM-CP, is the Firm Administrator of Rebenack, Aronow & Mascolo, LLP, with three offices located in Central New Jersey. She served on the Board of Trustees of the ALA New Jersey Chapter for eight years, including one year as President. At the Association level, Goldstein has served as Chair of the Membership Development Committee, as well as a member on the Certification Committee and 2021 Annual Conference & Expo Planning Committee. She is currently serving on the ALA Board of Directors.

Brandi Hann has almost 20 years of experience in global law firm operations, including human resources, recruiting, facilities and general operations. She is currently the Office Administrator in the Columbus office of Squire Patton Boggs. She has been a member of ALA since 2013 and is the current Past President of the Columbus Chapter of ALA.

Melissa Hirst, MSLA, is her firm’s Chief Operating Officer, and she directly supervises accounting and billing, IT, liability and risk, facilities and equipment, and is responsible for implementing the firm’s strategic planning initiatives. A long-standing member of ALA, Hirst is a former President of the Mile High Chapter, still serves on the Board of Directors today, and also serves ALA at the international level. She served on ALA’s Nominating Committee for two years and on the Membership Development Committee for four years, including as the 2022–2023 Chair.

Judith A. Hissong, CLM, PCC, is the President of Nesso Strategies. A former law firm Chief Operating Officer, she helps firms become more profitable by advising leaders in strategic and leadership challenges. Her mission is “World Domination for Good.” She aims to create lightbulb moments that leaders want to share and spread. She intends to improve the world one person at a time. Additionally, Hissong teaches quarterly online workshops and facilitates Leaders’ Lab, a monthly videoconference that enables leaders to brainstorm strategies and solutions to work through common issues that keep firms stuck.

Rose A. Jaworecki is the Legal Office Administrator at Thompson Hine LLP’s New York office. She is also the Co-Manager of the Firm’s National Resource Group. Jaworecki has more than 30 years of managerial and leadership experience at small to large firms in New York. She served on the ALA New York City Chapter Board for five years, including one year as President. At the Association level, she served on the 2018 Annual Conference & Expo Planning Committee. Jaworecki is currently a member of the Chapter Resource Team and in May, she will begin another two-year term on the team.

Erin A. Juzapavicus, JD, received her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida with honors in legal studies and a minor in criminal justice and obtained her law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law. Joining Milam Howard Nicandri & Gillam, P.A. in 2010, Juzapavicus is a member of both ALA and the Jacksonville Chapter of ALA (JaxALA) where she has severed in all the board roles, including Past President, and is currently Website and Survey Chair.

Michael Keatts is a Regional Office Administrator for Bowman and Brooke LLP, where he manages branch offices in Richmond, New Brunswick and Orlando. Keatts has been a member of ALA for 19 years. He served as the President of the Richmond Chapter for two years and has been a committee member of the Virginia ALA Statewide Retreat for 11 consecutive years. Currently, he serves as a member of the Chapter Resource Team.

Amanda Koplos, CLM, CPA, is the Executive Director for Central Florida-based Shuffield, Lowman and Wilson, PA. She has 18 years of experience in law firm management at firms of multiple sizes. Legal management isn’t just a career for her; it’s a passion. In support of that passion, Koplos has been active in ALA since 2005. She has held numerous positions at the local and international levels. In May 2023, she became President-Elect of the Association.

Julie S. Logan, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the Director of Strategic Workforce Planning & Development at Thompson Coburn LLP in St. Louis, Missouri. With more than 30 years of experience in the legal industry, Logan is a strategic and influential human resource professional with proven achievements in leading organizational initiatives, process improvement and comprehensive human resource programs. She has been a member of ALA since 1998 and has served in numerous leadership positions on the local and international levels. She currently serves as the immediate Past President and Co-Chair of Strategic Alliance in the Gateway Chapter.

Nicholas Manty is the Marketing Services Manager at Barnes & Thornburg LLP. He started his career working as a Firm Administrator for a boutique law firm specializing in bankruptcy and creditors' rights. At Barnes & Thornburg, he oversees all marketing initiatives for the Minneapolis and Nashville markets, runs the firm’s alumni program and is Co-Chair of the LGBTQ talent resource group. In addition to his marketing work, he is passionate about professional development and is active in ALA.Currently, he serves as a member of the Chapter Resource Team.

JaNae D. Martin has worked in the legal field for more than 20 years. She is a graduate of the University of Louisville, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in Pan African Studies. Martin has been an active member of ALA since 2015, having proudly served as Kentucky Chapter President, Chair of the Membership Committee, Co-Chair of the Business Partner Committee, and Vice President. She currently serves as a member of the Retreat and Business Partner Committees and was appointed Vice Chair of ALA’s DEIA Committee for 2023–2024.

Maria S. Mason, CLM, is the Business Director for Greenberg Traurig’s Austin, Texas, office. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from The Catholic University of America. Mason has been a member of four ALA chapters — Downeast, Cyber, Hawaii and Austin. She has served in many leadership roles for the Association and is the Immediate Past President of the Austin chapter.

Dan J. McCormack, CLM, MBA, ACC, joined ALA’s Boston Chapter in 2003 and has served as their Vice President, Co-Chair for the educational conference, Treasurer and President. As the Chapter’s first member to become a Certified Legal Manager, McCormack established the Chapter’s first CLM Study Group. He has been an active participant on regional and national ALA initiatives — the CLM Certification Committee, four regional and specialty conference planning committees, two annual conference planning committees, ALA’s Nominating Committee, Co-Lead Author for the CLM Online Study Guide and currently serves on ALA’s Professional Development Advisory Committee.

C. Dominica McGinnis is BridgeField Group’s Chief Executive Officer, and her team of coaches work with professionals, owners, leaders and their teams who want to drive performance, culture transformation, business development growth and leadership success. Her client roster includes individual clients as well as firms, companies and organizations such as the City of Austin, Baker McKenzie, Pfizer, the Center for Women in Law and USAA. She works with professionals in organizations of every size and at every stage of their career. She is the President-Elect of the Austin Chapter.

Jerry G. McPeake, MSLA, is the Chief Operating Officer at Minor & Brown, PC in Denver, CO. He has worked in the legal field his entire adult life first as a data entry clerk; then as a paralegal for 17 years; and in legal administration for the last 19 years. He served on the Board of Directors at the Mile High Chapter for 11 years, including Chapter President. He was an ALA Regional Representative in 2014-2016; and was on the 2017 Annual Conference Committee. He currently serves on the ALA Board of Directors.

Eden Sara Minucci, CLM, SHRM-CP, has worked in the legal industry for more than 20 years serving small, medium and large law firms. Minucci also holds a Master of Science in Management. She writes and speaks about law firm management and helps law firms drive and maximize productivity through improved operations and efficiency. She is the President of the Austin Chapter.

Terri Moore-Natal, SPHR, is the Director of Administration at Holzer Patel Drennan, a boutique intellectual property and business law firm in Denver, Colorado. She has served on the Mile High Chapter Board of Directors in many roles, including President. On the international level, Moore-Natal has served ALA as a Membership Ambassador and Chapter Resource Team member. Currently, she is a member of ALA’s International Board of Directors.

Jaime Morris is a 30-year veteran of the legal industry and serves as the Business Operations & Marketing Manager for Meyer Capel, PC, in Champaign, Illinois. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of ALA’s Professional Development Advisory Committee, is a member of the Professional Development Consortium of Chicago, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Legal Marketing Association and ALA’s Chicago Chapter. She is a member of and leads the professional development content for the Executive Club of Champaign County and has been a guest on ALA’s “Peek Around the Corner with PDAC” Roundtable.

Lori Muetzel is the current Office Administrator of the Columbus and Cincinnati offices of Roetzel & Andress, LPA. She is the current Treasurer and a Past President of the Columbus Chapter of ALA and has been a member for more than 25 years. Muetzel is an experienced operations manager of professional services firms including start-up, solo and high-growth environments. She has law firm management expertise, including financial management and controls, human resources and benefit administration, risk management and facilities.

Christopher J. O'Sullivan, CLM, has been a member of ALA and the Boston Chapter since 1997 and served as President of the chapter twice in the past and is the President-Elect for 2023–2024. O’Sullivan helped create Boston’s exceptional business partner program that allows the chapter to provide valuable educational and networking events. He participated in the development of educational programs for the chapter, including winning the ALA IDEA Award for his Cash Cab program in 2015.

Holly K. Pulido is Chief Operations Officer of Slack Davis Sanger, LLP, with offices across Texas. Pulido brings more than 20 years of creative vision and insight to all areas of legal administration and finance. She currently serves on the International Board of Directors of ALA and is a Past President of the ALA Austin Chapter. She is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Stacey J. Ransleben, CLM, is the Director of Office Operations at Thompson & Horton LLP, and manages all three of the firm’s offices. She has been a member of ALA since 2000 and is affiliated with the Houston, Dallas, Austin and Cyber Chapters. She has held various positions on the Houston board and is a Past President of the Houston Chapter. Ransleben has also held various committee positions including on the Association Nominating Committee and the Chapter Resource Team (CRT). She is currently serving on the Cyber Chapter Board and as the Chair of the Membership Development Committee (MDC).

Karie D. Rivkin, CLM, is the Chief Financial Officer for Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Munoz, PC. Rivkin has been a member of ALA and the Austin Chapter for more than 20 years, serving in various volunteer positions. Most recently, she was a Director on the ALA Board from 2020–2023 and now volunteers on the Certification Committee. Devoting her career to the legal industry, Rivkin is always looking for solutions to implement in all areas of the business of law.

Karen B. Scher is a lifelong learner and long-time marketer. Her nearly 30 years of experience, combined with a mix of events management, relationship building and marketing background, has enabled her to develop a love of working with legal professionals and ALA volunteers alike. Scher’s role at Affinity includes coordinating all events, webinars and newsletters on behalf of Affinity Consulting Group. She also manages Affinity’s extensive relationship with several trade organizations, including the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA).

Sharon L. Stewart is a retired Office Administrator and a 24-year member of ALA. Stewart began her career in law in the late 1970s and has seen the profession evolve over time with the evolution of computers and how technology has changed and expanded the role.

Carrie Valenzuela, MBA, is the Branch Office Manager for the Scottsdale office of Meagher & Geer, PLLP. She began her career as a legal professional in Tucson, Arizona, and has been in the Phoenix area since 2012. She has been a member of ALA for more than 10 years.

Jessica L. VanTroost is McGlinchey Stafford’s Strategic Operations Administrator. With more than 15 years of experience in various legal roles, she has worked in both small and large firms across multiple states. VanTroost has been an active member of ALA since 2008 and is affiliated with the Jacksonville, South Florida and Middle Tennessee Chapters. She has held various board positions over the years and is a Past President of the Jacksonville Chapter. Recently, she was selected to join the ALA Board of Directors and began her term in 2023.

DeAnna Vaughan, CLM, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the Manager, Office Operations for the Houston office of White & Case LLP.  DeAnna was the Chair of the 2016 Annual Conference Committee, is a Past President of the Houston Chapter, was an ALA Region 4 Rep from 2017-2019, was a member of the Chapter Resource Team from 2019/2020 and the Business Partner Relations Project Team and is currently on the DEI&A Committee.  DeAnna’s passion is to find a cure for pediatric cancer.

Kathryn Vidal, CLM, SHRM-CP, is a Consultant with We’re Boss, LLC, a resource for small and midsize law firms. Vidal has worked in legal management since 1992 as an Administrator and Office Manager. She has served ALA in several capacities, including Vice President and President of the Houston Chapter and member and Chair of the Regional Legal Management Conference Planning Committee. She is currently a member of the Certification Committee and served on the Chapter Resource Team from 2021–2023.

Tina White, CLM, is the Firm Services Manager for Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. She has been a member of ALA and the Greater Kansas City Chapter for over seven years, is currently the President of the Greater Kansas City Chapter, part of the chapter’s Business Partner Relations Committee, and Scholarship Committee. White serves as a member of ALA’s Chapter Resource Team and the 2023 Intellectual Property Conference for Legal Management Professionals Planning Committee. Additionally, she served as a member of the ALA Annual Conference Planning Committee, Regional Legal Management Conference Planning Committee, and the Compensation and Benefits Working Team.

Geoffrey M. Williams, CLM, MBA, MDiv, is Chief Operating Officer and CFO at Cunningham Bounds, LLC, on the Alabama Gulf Coast and serves as ALA’s current President. He earned the Graduate Certificate in Law Firm Management from George Washington University, and an MBA from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. An ALA member since 2004, he has served in several capacities at the national level and the chapter level including President of the Mobile, AL Chapter. Additionally, he has led ALA chapter board retreats, taught sessions at various chapters, and at national and regional conferences for ALA, SHRM, LMA and others. He has delivered keynote speeches as well.

Alan Wilson started working with GLJ Benefit Consultants in 2004 as an Employee Benefits Specialist. Since 2006, Wilson has spearheaded the effort within GLJ to reach out to law firms nationally regarding their benefits and how to use those benefits to help attract and retain quality personnel. He has written articles for Legal Management magazine, speaks frequently on benefits at ALA conferences and chapters, and consults with individual law firms nationally.

Laurence Winters, MBA (he/him/his), is the Chief Community Officer at SurePoint Technologies, where part of his role is overseeing the sponsorship of more than 30 ALA chapters. Winters also serves as the Chair of ALA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA) Committee. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Tennessee and his MBA in finance from Fort Hays State University.

Allison E. Worley, CLM, MBA, is the Senior Manager – Legal Support Services for Husch Blackwell in St. Louis, Missouri. She started her career as a file clerk more than 20 years ago. In her leadership role, she has led firms through construction projects, technology infrastructure redesigns and the pandemic. In 2021, she was selected for the Susan L. French Emerging Leader Fellowship through the Foundation of ALA.