NATLE Committees and Working Groups

Current Committee Memberships

2026 Nominating Committee (for FY27 slate)
Joan Maloney, Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, Chair (as Imm Past President)
Alison Dodge, Executive Director, Maryland Association for Justice
Carolyn Donofrio, Executive Director, Delaware Trial Lawyers Association
Carla Ferrucci, Executive Director, Minnesota Association for Justice
Griffin Gillis, Deputy Director, Kentucky Justice Association
Barbara Jorden, Executive Director, Idaho Trial Lawyers Association
Andrew Mertens, Executive Director, Iowa Association for Justice

2026 Annual Meeting (Chicago) Planning Committee

Bill Cotterall, Co-Chair, General Counsel, Florida Justice Association
Laura Hornshaw, Co-Chair, Development Director, Michigan Association for Justice
Christina Busso, Executive Director, Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington DC
Mary Etta Carner, Executive Director, Mississippi Association for Justice
Denise Davis, Director of Member Services, Maryland Association for Justice
Alison Dodge, Executive Director, Maryland Association for Justice
Paul Dullea, Executive Director, Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys
Libby Kinghorne, CEO/Executive Director, Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association
Tiffany McGee, Executive Director, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Steve Pontoni, Executive Director, Michigan Association for Justice
Marcia Shanor, Executive Director, Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association
Karen St. Aubin, Chief Operating Officer, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia

Scholarship Committee (Annual Mtg)
Eric Mann, Utah Association for Justice
Julie Whitacre, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
Karen St. Aubin, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia

Finance Committee
Treasurer Steve Pontoni, Michigan Association for Justice, Chair
Sarah Crumb, Washington State Association for Justice
Alison Dodge, Maryland Association for Justice
Cornelius J. Larkin CAE CMP, New Jersey Association for Justice
Valerie O'Brien, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Sara Schuett, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
Julie Whitacre, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association

2026 Winter Meeting (San Diego) Planning Committee
Bonnie Benitez, Co-Chair, CEO, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
Juliette Bleecker, Co-Chair, Executive Director, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
Mary Etta Carner, Executive Director, Mississippi Association for Justice
Alison Dodge, Executive Director, Maryland Association for Justice
Barbara Jorden, Executive Director, Idaho Trial Lawyers Association
Joan Maloney, Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association
Kwedi Moore, Executive Director, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles
Sara Schuett, Executive Director, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
Bill Smith, Director of Finance & Operations, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles

2025 GAC (Kansas City, MO) Planning Committee
Victoria Coolbaugh, Executive Director, Nevada Justice Association
Bill Cotterall, General Counsel, Florida Justice Association
Lisa Davis-Cook, Director of Government Affairs, Iowa Association for Justice
Mark Dix, Legislative Counsel, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Mary Graffam, Director of State Affairs & Research, American Association for Justice
Daniel Hinkle, Senior Counsel for Policy & State Affairs, American Association for Justice
Julianna Koob, Executive Director, New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association
Shannon Leskin, Executive Director, North Carolina Advocates for Justice
Nancy Peverini, Legislative Director, Consumer Attorneys of California
Misha Ray, Director of Government Affairs, Nevada Justice Association
Jim Rogers, Government Affairs Director, Wisconsin Association for Justice
Sara Schuett, Executive Director, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys

Scholarship Committee (GAC)
Bonnie Benitez, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
Barbara Jorden, Idaho Trial Lawyers Association
Julie Whitacre, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
Karen St. Aubin, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia

2025 Nominating Committee (for FY26 slate)
Valerie O’Brien, Executive Director, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Chair (as Imm Past President)
Sara Schuett, Executive Director, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
Carla Ferrucci, Executive Director, Minnesota Association for Justice
Griffin Gillis, Deputy Director, Kentucky Justice Association
Barbara Jorden, Executive Director, Idaho Trial Lawyers Association
Andrew Mertens, Executive Director, Iowa Association for Justice
Tiffany McGee, Chief Executive Officer, Texas Trial Lawyers Association

2024-2025 Committees (FY25)

Scholarship Committee (Annual Mtg)
Bonnie Benitez, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
Barbara Jorden, Idaho Trial Lawyers Association
Julie Whitacre, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
2025 Annual Meeting (San Francisco) Planning Committee
Juliette Bleecker, Co-Chair, Executive Director, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
Laurie Klimchock, Co-Chair, Chief Operating Officer, Consumer Attorneys of California
Bonnie Benitez, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
Ben Goldstein, Legislative Analyst, Arizona Association for Justice
Jaci Hall, Executive Director, North Dakota Association for Justice
Joan Maloney, Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association
Julie Ostrovsky, Deputy Executive Director, Nevada Justice Association
Elyssa Tosh, Director of Events & Partnerships, Maryland Association for Justice
Sara Schuett, Executive Director, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
Karen St. Aubin, Acting CEO and Director of Membership & Education, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia
Julie Whitacre, Executive Officer, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association

2025 Winter Meeting (Miami) Planning Committee
Jeff Porter, Executive Director, Florida Justice Association, Co-Chair
Christina Busso, Executive Director, Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington DC, Co-Chair
John Brazell, Chief of Staff, Florida Justice Association
Bill Cotterall, General Counsel, Florida Justice Association
Lynn McCartney, Deputy Director, Florida Justice Association
Lee Phillips, CLE Director, Florida Justice Association
Joan Maloney, Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association

2024 GAC (Newport, RI) Planning Committee
Joel Carlson, Government Affairs, Minnesota Association for Justice, Chair
Daniel Hinkle, Senior Counsel for Policy and State Affairs, American Association for Justice
Joan Maloney, Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association
Chris Nichols, Government Affairs Consultant, North Carolina Advocates for Justice
Valerie O’Brien, Executive Director, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Lisa St. Pierre, Executive Director, Rhode Island Association for Justice
Sara Schuett, Executive Director, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
Larry Shannon, Government Affairs Director, Washington State Association for Justice

Scholarship Committee
Bonnie Benitez, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
Barbara Jorden, Idaho Trial Lawyers Association
Stephanie Malone, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association

2024 Nominating Committee (for FY25 slate)
Barbara Jorden, Idaho Trial Lawyers Association, Chair (as Immediate Past President)
Bonnie Benitez, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
Callie Denton JD, Kansas Trial Lawyers Association
Carla Ferrucci, Minnesota Association for Justice
Griffin Gillis, Kentucky Justice Association
Brad Ingraham, Ohio Association for Justice
Joan Daly Maloney, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association

2023-2024 Committees (FY24)

2024 Annual Meeting (Nashville) Planning Committee
Alison Dodge, Executive Director, Maryland Association for Justice, Chair
Joan Maloney, NATLE President-Elect, Executive Director, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association
Theresa Grisham, Deputy Director, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
Kenny Hastie, Chief Operating Officer, South Carolina Association for Justice
Connie Koury, Executive Director, Louisiana Association for Justice
Suzanne Keith, Executive Director, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
Shannon Leskin, Executive Director, North Carolina Advocates for Justice
Julie Ostrovsky, Deputy Executive Director, Nevada Justice Association
Steve Pontoni, Executive Director, Michigan Association for Justice
Marcia Shanor, Executive Director, Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association
Elyssa Tosh, Director of Programs & Events, Maryland Association for Justice
Julie Whitacre, Executive Director, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association

Justice Partner Working Group
Carolyn Donofrio, Executive Director, Delaware Trial Lawyers Association
Paul Dullea, Executive Director, Massachusetts Academy of Trial Lawyers
Katie Marino, CLE Director, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association

2024 Winter Meeting (Austin) Planning Committee
Tiffany McGee, CEO, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Chair
Liz Epely-Sanders, Executive Assistant, Oklahoma Association for Justice
Steve Pontoni, Executive Director, Michigan Association for Justice
Bill Smith, Director of Finance & Operations, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles
Kanice Spears, Membership & Fund Development Director, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Alex Winslow, Director of Communications, Texas Trial Lawyers Association

2023 GAC (Lansdowne, VA) Planning Committee
Jim Rogers, Government Affairs Director, Wisconsin Association for Justice, Chair
Christina Busso, Executive Director, Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington DC
Mark Dix, Legislative Counsel, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Daniel Hinkle, Senior State Affairs Counsel, American Association for Justice
Andrew Mertens, Executive Director, Iowa Association for Justice
Valerie O’Brien, Executive Director, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Steve Pontoni, Executive Director, Michigan Association for Justice
Beth White, Executive Director, West Virginia Association for Justice

2023 Nominating Committee (for FY24 slate)
Valerie O'Brien, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Chair (as NATLE President-Elect)
Barbara Jorden, Idaho Trial Lawyers Association (as NATLE President)
Bonnie Benitez, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
Callie Denton JD, Kansas Trial Lawyers Association
Cornelius J. Larkin CAE CMP, New Jersey Association for Justice
Tiffany McGee CAE, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Julie Whitacre, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association

2022-2023 Committees (FY23)

2023 Annual Meeting (Philadelphia) Planning Committee
Paul Dullea, Massachusetts Academy of Trial Lawyers, Co-Chair
Griffin Gillis, Kentucky Justice Association, Co-Chair
Lisa Benzie, Pennsylvania Association for Justice
Bill Cotterall, Florida Justice Association
DeAnna Burrell, Mississippi Association for Justice
Alison Dodge, Maryland Association for Justice
Joy Jeong, Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association
Valerie O'Brien, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Patricia Patterson, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association
Marcia Shanor, Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association

2023 Winter Meeting (Phoenix) Planning Committee
Ben Goldstein, Arizona Association for Justice, Co-Chair
Steve Pontoni, Michigan Association for Justice, Co-Chair

2022 GAC (New Orleans) Planning Committee
Chris Figueras, Trial Lawyers Assoc of Metropolitan Washington DC, Co-Chair
Daniel Hinkle, American Association for Justice
Brad Ingraham, Ohio Association for Justice
Barbara Jorden, Idaho Trial Lawyers Association
Connie Koury, Louisiana Association for Justice, Co-Chair
Andrew Mertens, Iowa Association for Justice
Lisa St. Pierre, Rhode Island Association for Justice

Finance Committee
Treasurer Sara Schuett, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, Chair
Valerie O'Brien, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Joan Daly Maloney, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association
Carla M. Ferrucci, Minnesota Association for Justice
Barbara J. Jorden, Idaho Trial Lawyers Association
Nancy Drabble, Consumer Attorneys of California
Cornelius J. Larkin CAE CMP, New Jersey Association for Justice
Steve Pontoni, Michigan Association for Justice

2021-2022 Committees (FY22)

2022 Annual Meeting (Seattle) Planning Committee
Sara Crumb, Washington State Association for Justice, Co-Chair
Sara Schuett, Association of Trial Attorneys of Missouri, Co-Chair
Barbara Jorden, Idaho Trial Lawyers Association
Beth White, West Virginia Association for Justice

2022 Strategic Planning Coordination Committee
Alison Dodge, Maryland Association for Justice, Co-Chair
Valerie O'Brien, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Co-Chair

2022 Nominating Committee (for FY23 slate)
Barbara Jorden, Idaho Trial Lawyers Association, Chair (as NATLE President-Elect)
Maresa Fawns, Kentucky Justice Association
Carla M. Ferrucci, Minnesota Association for Justice
Suzanne Keith, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
Cornelius J. Larkin CAE CMP, New Jersey Association for Justice
Tiffany McGee, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Al Smith, Montana Trial Lawyers Association

2022 Finance Committee
Treasurer Joan Daly Maloney, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association
Valerie O'Brien, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Carla M. Ferrucci, Minnesota Association for Justice
Barbara J. Jorden, Idaho Trial Lawyers Association
Nancy Drabble, Consumer Attorneys of California
Cornelius J. Larkin CAE CMP, New Jersey Association for Justice
Steve Pontoni, Michigan Association for Justice

2022 Scholarship Committee
Nancy Drabble, Consumer Attorneys of California, Chair
DeAnna Burrell, Mississippi Association for Justice
Jaclyn Hall, North Dakota Association for Justice

2020-2021 Committees

Scholarship Committee
Nancy Drabble, Consumer Attorneys of California, Chair
DeAnna Burrell, Mississippi Association for Justice
Jaclyn Hall, North Dakota Association for Justice

Awards Committee
Liz Berry, Washington State Association for Justice
Mike Limone, New Jersey Association for Justice
Tiffany Wehner McGee, CAE, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Sandy Leske, Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association

Awards Committee
Liz Berry, Washington State Association for Justice
Mike Limone, New Jersey Association for Justice
Tiffany Wehner McGee, CAE, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Sandy Leske, Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association

Scholarship Committee
Christine Sterkel, Oklahoma Association for Justice, Chair
Alison Dodge, Maryland Association for Justice
Valerie O'Brien, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association

Awards Committee
Jennifer Lauren Comer, Chair, Workers Injury Law & Advocacy Group, Chair
Victoria Coolbaugh, Nevada Justice Association
Amanda Gazlay, New Hampshire Association for Justice
Emily F. Hurt, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
Tiffany Wehner McGee, CAE, Texas Trial Lawyers Association

(Webinar) Education—Mastering the Art of Meetings
Pat Edelen, Publications Director, Kentucky Justice Association
Maresa T. Fawns, Chief Executive Officer, Kentucky Justice Association
Laurie Klimchock, Chief Operating Officer, Consumer Attorneys of California

Mentoring Program
Carla M. Ferrucci, Minnesota Association for Justice, Chair

Scholarship Committee
Laurie Klimchock, Consumer Attorneys of California, Chair
Valerie O'Brien, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Christine Sterkel, Oklahoma Association for Justice 

Sponsorships Committee
Matthew Hass, Arkansas Trial Lawyer Association, Chair

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2017 Committees

Associate Membership Project
Laurie Klimchock, Consumer Attorneys of California, Chair

Awards Committee
Jennifer Lauren Comer, Chair, Workers Injury Law & Advocacy Group, Chair
Elizabeth Berry, Washington State Association for Justice
Victoria Coolbaugh, Nevada Justice Association
Emily F. Hurt, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
Cornelius J. Larkin CAE CMP, New Jersey Association for Justice
Tiffany Wehner McGee, CAE, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
John Sadwith, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association

JRC Webinars
Sara J. Schuett, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, Chair

Listserv Policy
Ginger H. Avery, Alabama Association for Justice, Chair
Beth White, West Virginia Association for Justice
Linda Langston, Ontario Trial Lawyers Association 

Mentoring Program
Carla M. Ferrucci, Minnesota Association for Justice, Chair

National Speaker Database Project
Tiffany W. McGee, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Chair

NATLE Meeting Value & Leaders Project
Stephen Pontoni, Michigan Association for Justice, Chair

Scholarship Committee
Sara J. Schuett, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, Chair
Laurie Klimchock, Consumer Attorneys of California
Christine Sterkel, Oklahoma Association for Justice

Sponsorships Committee
Matthew Hass, Arkansas Trial Lawyer Association, Chair

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2016 Committees

Awards Committee
Emily Hurt, Executive Director, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Chair
Jennifer Lauren Comer, Executive Director, Workers Injury Law & Advocacy Group
Megan Ejack, Development Director, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia
Mike Limone, Manager of Member Services, New Jersey Association for Justice, Inc.
Christine Martin Sterkel, Executive Director, Oklahoma Association for Justice

Nominating Committee
Lawrence Park, Chair, New York State Trial Lawyers Association
Ginger H. Avery, Executive Director, Alabama Association for Justice
Carolyn Donofrio, CAE, Executive Director, Delaware Trial Lawyers Association
Maresa Taylor Fawns, Chief Executive Officer, Kentucky Justice Association
Jason T. Porter, Chief Operations Officer, Ohio Association for Justice
John Sadwith, Executive Director, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
Al Smith, Montana Trial Lawyers Association 

Finance Committee
Tiffany W. McGee, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Chair
Beth Bernard, Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
Carolyn Donofrio, Delaware Trial Lawyers Association
Matthew Hass, Arkansas Trial Lawyer Association
Larry Park, New York State Trial Lawyers Association 
Jason Porter, Ohio Association for Justice
John Sadwith, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
Marcia Shanor, Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association
Al Smith, Montana Trial Lawyers Association

Scholarship Committee
Jason Porter, Ohio Association for Justice, Chair
Laurie Klimchock, Consumer Attorneys of California
Sara J. Schuett, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys

Sponsorships Committee
Chair: Matthew Hass, Arkansas Trial Lawyer Association

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2015 Committees

2015 Bylaws Committee

Larry Park, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Chair
K. Holly Bennett, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
Beth Bernard, Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
Juliette Bleeker, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
Carolyn Donofrio, Delaware Trial Lawyers Association
Maresa Taylor Fawns, Kentucky Justice Association
Jack Harris, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Kent Hughes, TrialSmith
Linda Langston, Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
Tiffany McGee, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Ashley Hodak Sullivan, New York State Trial Lawyers Association
Dick Taylor, North Carolina Advocates for Justice
Beth White, WV Assoc for Justice

2015 JRC/AAJ Committee

Maresa Taylor Fawns, Kentucky Justice Association, Chair
Beth Bernard, Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
Bill Clark, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
Carolyn Donofrio, Delaware Trial Lawyers Association
Matthew Hass, Arkansas Trial Lawyer Association
Debra Henley, Florida Justice Association
Suzanne Keith, Tennessee Association for Justice
Laurie Klimchock, Consumer Attorneys of California
Tiffany McGee, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
John Sadwith, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
Larry Shannon, Washington State Association for Justice
Marcia Shanor, Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association
Al Smith, Montana Trial Lawyers Association

2015 Membership Committee

Victoria Coolbaugh, Nevada Justice Association, Chair
Beth Bernard, Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
Chris Kelleher, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
Amy Anderson, Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
Sheila Thomsen, Washington State Association for Justice
Patri Thompson, Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
Paul Dullea, Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys
Stacy Steen, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
Stephen Pontoni, Michigan Association for Justice
Jeannie Brandstetter, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys