THE  CLLA NATIONAL CONVENTION

Robert Ash

Radius Global Solutions, AMS Commercial Business Division, Ramsey, NJ

Robert Ash is a seasoned veteran of the collection industry; with nearly 30 years’ experience in Accounts Receivable Management, Consumer and Commercial Debt Collections. His longstanding career with Allen, Maxwell & Silver, (AMS), now the Commercial Business Division of Radius Global Solutions, began in 1997, when Robert joined the collection team. After six years of delivering exceptional recovery results and service to AMS’ clients, Robert was promoted to Legal Department Manager. Robert’s financial expertise and strong communication skills provide a seamless transition from collections to litigation.

Robert has developed and cultivated close associations with a network of collection attorneys throughout the country, as well as clients, ensuring AMS’ clients have the best representation to meet their legal needs and protect their rights as creditors.

Robert is Creditor’s Rights representative on the Board of Governor’s for the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) and actively participates within the CLLA’s Eastern Region.

Ralph Brubaker

James H.M. Sprayregen Professor of Law, University of Illinois

Ralph Brubaker is the James H.M. Sprayregen Professor of Law at the University of Illinois, where he teaches courses in bankruptcy, bankruptcy procedure, corporate reorganizations, federal courts, conflict of laws (private international law), contracts, and restitution. Professor Brubaker has three degrees from the University of Illinois, including his J.D. summa cum laude and an M.B.A., and he received Bronze Tablet distinction (highest honors) and C.P.A. certification as an undergraduate.

He clerked for Judge James K. Logan of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and he practiced in the bankruptcy and corporate reorganization group with the law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey (now Squire Patton Boggs) in Cleveland, Ohio. Professor Brubaker was a member of the faculty at the Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia from 1995 until 2004, when he returned to his alma mater. Professor Brubaker is the Editor-in-Chief and a contributing author for West’s Bankruptcy Law Letter, he is co-author of a bankruptcy casebook, and he has written dozens of journal articles and essays. He is particularly expert in the complex jurisdictional and procedural facets of federal bankruptcy proceedings.

Professor Brubaker has been an editorial advisor for the American Bankruptcy Law Journal, the American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review, and the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal. He is a member of the American Law Institute, a Conferee of the National Bankruptcy Conference, and a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, for which he has been the Scholar-in-Residence. Professor Brubaker has served on the executive committee of the board of directors of the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), and he was a member of the advisory committee on business enterprise sales for the ABI’s 2014 Commission to Study the Reform of Chapter 11. Professor Brubaker is the 2024 recipient of the Lawrence P. King Award from the Commercial Law League of America for career excellence in bankruptcy scholarship.

Kirk B. Burkley

Bernstein-Burkley, PC, Pittsburgh, PA

Kirk B. Burkley is the Managing Partner of Bernstein-Burkley, P.C. Kirk’s practice emphasizes all aspects of bankruptcy and restructuring, creditors’ rights, business and corporate transactions, litigation, real estate and oil and gas. He’s a well-respected lawyer in his field, as evidenced by his numerous awards by many of the creditable lawyer lists that he has been presented. Kirk conducts seminars, live webinars and workshops on bankruptcy, creditors’ rights and oil and gas. He has lectured for the National Association of Credit Management (NACM), the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, and is a regular panelist for NBI and Lorman Educational Services on various legal topics. Kirk has written several publications related to the bankruptcy field, with work appearing in ABI Journal, Equipment Leasing Newsletter, Pennsylvania Association of Credit Managers Newsletter the Creditor and more. He is an emeritus board member of the American Board of Certification as well as the past President and the past President of the Turnaround Management Association. He is a member of Allegheny County Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the Western District of Pennsylvania Local Rules Committee. Kirk earned his J.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and his B.S. degree from Ohio University.

June D. Coleman

Messer Strickler Burnette, Sacramento, CA

June D. Coleman, Managing Attorney for the California Office of Messer Strickler Burnette, Ltd., is a defense litigator with about 25 years of experience. Her areas of emphasis include defense of consumer rights actions involving the FDCPA, TCPA, and FCRA. She has a deep understanding of permissible debt collection conduct and how best to defend claims and minimize liability in the collection industry. She is also familiar with governmental investigations and prosecutions, including those conducted by AGs and the CFPB, as well as defending collection attorneys before the California State Bar.

Since 2008, Ms. Coleman has been voted by her peers as one of the top lawyers practicing in Northern California and Sacramento, earning her a spot on the Northern California Super Lawyers list; the “Best of the Bar” list by the Sacramento Business Journal, and the “Top of the Bar” list by the Sacramento Magazine. Ms. Coleman has also been recognized by Accounts Recovery as one of the leading attorneys in the collections field for her defense work. Ms. Coleman is a Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent rated attorney.

Aryeh D. Derman

Clark Hill PLC, Chicago, IL

Aryeh D. Derman supports and assists in the development and expansion of the regulatory and compliance group’s growing consulting and advisory services, targeting financial institutions and technology companies (fin-techs) looking to enter into the financial services sector.

Aryeh leads and coordinates current and prospective examinations from state and federal financial regulators. He has extensive experience and knowledge of numerous consumer protection laws including but not limited to the FDCPA, FCRA, TCPA, GLBA, and HIPAA. He is a subject matter expert in compliance, risk management, and corporate governance.

Recognitions
• Named to Legal Advisory Board of Consumer Relations Consortium in April 2023
• Named KG Prime “Subject Matter Expert” of Industry Compliance in July 2017
• Named ACA International Scholar in July 2014

Ben H. Farrow

Anderson, Williams & Farrow, LLC, Montgomery, AL

Ben Farrow was born in west Texas and raised in Colorado, Idaho and Louisiana attending Tulane University and the Louisiana State University for Law School. He worked as deckhand on the Mississippi River and in the Gulf of Mexico to pay for college and law school. After graduation and passing the Louisiana State Bar in 1992 he began his legal career as an Admiralty lawyer in New Orleans. He subsequently moved to Alabama and passed the Alabama Bar exam in 2000. He practiced as an insurance defense attorney for a few years and then found work at his current firm in 2002, becoming a partner in 2006. In 2015 he obtained his license to practice in Mississippi and the firm opened its Jackson office that same year.

Ben’s involvement with the Commercial Law League of America started with his current firm when he was introduced to the League by some colleagues. He was astonished at how well it fit his practice. He subsequently became interested in leadership in CLLA and was appointed the Education Chair. He has held that role for the last two years.

Hon. Judith Fitzgerald (Ret.)

Tucker Arensberg, PC, Pittsburgh, PA

Hon. Judith K. Fitzgerald (Ret.) A long-time member of CLLA, and Retired U.S. Bankruptcy has been blessed with an exciting, challenging and intellectually stimulating career. As a Judicial Law Clerk, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chief Bankruptcy Judge, Professor of Law, Practitioner at Tucker Arensberg, Arbitrator, Mediator, Author and Expert Witness, she has experienced a wide variety of legal disciplines and administrative responsibilities. Judi is a Professor in the Practice of Law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she teaches Bankruptcy and Advanced Bankruptcy. She is active in national and local professional organizations including the Commercial Law League of America, the American Law Institute, the American College of Bankruptcy. The American Bankruptcy institute and the American Inns of Court. Among other offices, she has served as President of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and as Chair of the Bankruptcy Judges Advisory Committee to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Judi has received numerous awards and recognitions including the Commercial Law League’s Lawrence P. King Award for Excellence in Bankruptcy and the American Inns of Court Bankruptcy Alliance Distinguished Service Award. Judi consults and lectures in matters involving trial strategy, evidence, procedure, contracts, bankruptcy and professional responsibility, and participates on several committees and boards dedicated to fostering legal education and improving access to justice.

Peter M. Gannott

Gannott Law Group, PLCC, Louisville, KY

Peter M. Gannott, Gannott Law Group, focuses on three main areas: (1) business and consumer bankruptcy; (2) creditors’ rights and commercial collect litigation; and (3) complex commercial, business, and real estate litigation.

Mr. Gannott’s bankruptcy experience includes involvement in Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. He has represented debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, unsecured creditors’ committees and has acted as lead counsel for Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 Trustees. His experience includes representing banks, trade creditors, equipment lessors and landlords. He has litigated disclosure statements, reorganization plans, preferences, fraudulent conveyances, priorities, breaches of fiduciary duties, guarantees, mortgage and lien enforcement and perfection, Uniform Commercial Code questions, stay relief motions and adequate protection issues. Mr. Gannott has handled bankruptcies pending in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Texas and Colorado. He has litigated these proceedings before the bankruptcy and district courts and argued bankruptcy issues before the Sixth Circuit and Seventh Circuit courts of appeals.

During Mr. Gannott’s thirty-five (35) years of legal experience, he has been lead-counsel for numerous jury trials, bench trials and appeals before both state and federal courts. He is currently licensed to practice law in the state courts of Kentucky and Indiana, and is admitted before ten district courts, three circuit courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

As a frequent lecturer, Mr. Gannott speaks in the areas of bankruptcy, creditors’ rights and real estate. He graduated with Honors from the University of Illinois with degrees in History and Political Science and obtained his law degree from the Washington College of Law, American University, in Washington, D.C.

Timothy Grimes

BARR Credit Services, Tucson, AZ

Timothy Grimes is responsible for quality control and compliance for BARR Credit Services.
He ensures that BARR complies with laws and regulations applicable to the commercial collection industry. Additionally, he provides expertise in the handling of legal claims and serves as a liaison between BARR Credit Services’ clients and partnered legal counsel.

Prior to his time at BARR Credit, Tim worked in the retail grocery industry. Since joining BARR he has twice served as the Chair of the Executive Council of the Western Region of the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) and presently is on the CLLA Board of Governors. As part of the BARR Legal Department for the past eighteen years, he has successfully expanded the department and excelled in his career, becoming a respected expert in the industry. He enjoys sharing his knowledge through various speaking engagements and conferences.

Theodore J. Hamilton

Wetherington Hamilton, P.A., Tampa, FL

Theodore J. Hamilton is a founding partner in the law firm of Wetherington Hamilton, P.A. He has practiced for over 30 years in the Tampa Bay Area and grew up in Tampa. His practice concentrates in the areas of estate planning and probate, corporate transactions and business sales and acquisitions, commercial and residential Real Estate transactions and litigation, commercial litigation including fraudulent transfer litigation and collections law. Mr. Hamilton is presently the President of the Commercial Law League of America. Mr. Hamilton has also been a keynote speaker at various events including the National Association of Credit Managers and the Commercial Law League of America and many others. Mr. Hamilton has handled some interesting cases during his legal career. His litigated matter cases have included matters involving fraudulent transfer litigation, breaches of fiduciary duty, corporate fraud, bankruptcy preference actions, and automatic stay litigation among others. He regularly files and prepares construction liens for filing for various types of contractors and subcontractors.

Mr. Hamilton has represented numerous financial institutions over his career. He has handled loan workouts, residential and commercial foreclosures, leasing matters, commercial and retail replevins, prejudgment replevins and executions and garnishments.

Mr. Hamilton’s transactional experience includes workouts involving contested shareholder disputes, commercial lease preparation and review, corporate formation and documentation, shareholder agreements and non-compete agreements. He has also represented lenders and owners in the drafting of commercial and residential mortgage agreements.

In the real estate arena, Mr. Hamilton has completed commercial closings including golf courses, warehouses, retail centers, office buildings, vacant commercial land, daycare buildings and land development. Mr. Hamilton is a member of the Tampa Chapter of the Real Estate Investment Council. He has numerous real estate contacts including contractors, brokers and appraisers.

Mr. Hamilton’s clients include property owners, banks, contractors, suppliers, materialmen, shopping center companies, industrial warehouse owners, small businesses of all types and others.

He is always available for you to call. He prides himself on promptness, reliability, honesty and integrity. He is also proud of the excellent team at Wetherington Hamilton.

In his free time, Mr. Hamilton enjoys spending time with his wife and family, boating, playing piano, acting in community theater (once in a while) and reading history.

Michael Hynum

Hynum Law, Harrisburg, PA

Michael A. Hynum is an Attorney licensed to practice law in all courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as US Federal Courts in the Middle and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania, the US 3rd Circuit court of appeals and the United States Supreme Court. He is a resident of Dauphin County and is a member of the Dauphin County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations.

Born in Lebanon County, Attorney Hynum attended Annville-Cleona High School. He went on to attend Penn State University and obtained his Law Degree from the Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Attorney Hynum spent approximately eleven years working in the long-term health care industry, acting as Chief Executive Officer of a company providing care and services to elderly residents of Central Pennsylvania. He is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator, has served as administrator of a Personal Care Home and has experience in Adult Day Care Administration as well.

Hynum began his legal career with a Harrisburg-based Firm specializing in the representation of Long-Term Care facilities and in June 2004 founded his own Firm, Law Offices of Michael A. Hynum. In September 2006, upon hiring an additional attorney, the Firm name was changed to Hynum Law. Mike has considerable experience in both running and representing small businesses. Hynum currently focuses his practice on the representation of health care providers, as well as debt collection, administrative and governmental law, labor law, general business law, and litigation.

Stefanie H. Jackman

Troutman Pepper Locke, Atlanta, GA

Stefanie Jackman is a partner in Troutman Pepper’s Consumer Financial Services and Regulatory, Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) practice groups, based in the firm’s Atlanta office.
As a recognized thought leader in the realm of consumer financial products servicing and collection, Stefanie leverages her extensive experience and knowledge to guide financial services clients through the complexities of state and federal investigations and compliance issues.

A significant area of focus for Stefanie is advising clients on regulatory and compliance matters. She excels in helping clients develop and implement effective compliance management systems and risk mitigation strategies. Her expertise encompasses navigating intricate compliance issues under both federal and state laws, ensuring clients remain compliant with a broad spectrum of consumer financial laws, including UDAP/UDAAP statutes, the FDCPA, FCRA, TCPA, EFTA, SCRA, and TILA.

In addition to her compliance work, Stefanie provides robust defense to her clients in connection with CFPB enforcement matters, as well as individual and class action consumer lawsuits. Her clientele spans nearly all sectors of the financial services industry, including but not limited to banks, nonbank lenders and servicers, student loan providers, debt collectors and buyers, third-party service providers, healthcare and medical revenue cycle service providers, credit and prepaid card companies, direct and indirect auto lenders, and fintech companies.

Stefanie’s insightful analysis and thought leadership are regularly featured on the firm’s practice blog, the Consumer Financial Services Law Monitor, where she provides valuable commentary on pertinent legal issues.

Dan Kerrick

Hogan McDaniel, Wilmington, DE

Daniel C. Kerrick is an experienced litigator representing creditors of all size, type and geographic origin in Delaware state and federal courts. Dan represents a wide variety of clients in complex commercial disputes, judgment enforcement, corporate fiduciary litigation, business divorce and control disputes. Dan is a published author and speaks regularly about issues affecting creditors’ rights and remedies. Dan is a past chair of the CLLA Eastern Region and Young Members Section and served 2 terms on the CLLA Board of Governors. Dan is the current chair of the CLLA Government Affairs Committee.

Robert Kirk

Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, Washington, DC

Robert Kirk has been advising clients on all aspects of the uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drone) industry for more than a decade. With the explosive growth in the UAS industry, he has assisted clients in obtaining authority from the FAA to utilize UAS in ways not contemplated by the rules; advocating for business- and consumer-friendly UAS and AAM regulations at the federal, state, and local levels; opposing state and local proposals to criminalize certain UAS activities; evaluating potential UAS business cases; and formulating compliance plans for UAS operations. He is regularly involved in FAA and local proceedings dealing with UAS regulation and has been at the forefront on federal preemption issues, successfully working with clients in cases challenging state and local laws attempting to regulate drone operations.

Candice Kline

Saul Ewing, LLP, Chicago, IL

Candice Kline is a partner at Saul Ewing LLP focused on bankruptcy and restructuring situations. Her practice includes loan and deal work, including M&A, workouts, and loan administration. She represents debtors, creditors, fiduciaries, and public interest stakeholders. Candice serves in leadership at various bar and trade associations and on boards and advisory boards for nonprofit organizations, including the CLLA. She is also a part-time lecturer in law at the University of Toledo College of Law. Candice has an MBA (Chicago Booth) and began her legal career after many years in global commercial banking and business. She practices in Illinois and Ohio with a nationwide docket in complex commercial matters.

Prof. Bruce A. Markell

Northwestern University, Pritzker School of Law, Chicago, IL

Bruce A. Markell is the Professor of Bankruptcy Law and Practice and the Edward Avery Harriman Lecturer in Law at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law. From 2004 to 2013, he was a United States bankruptcy judge, sitting in Nevada. From 2006 to 2013, he was also a member of the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit.

He attended the King Hall School of Law at the University of California, Davis, where he was editor-in-chief of the law review and recipient of the School of Law Medal. After law school, he clerked for then-judge Anthony M. Kennedy on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Before taking the bench, Professor Markell practiced bankruptcy and business law in Los Angeles for ten years (where he was a partner at Sidley & Austin) and was a law professor for fourteen.

He is the author of numerous articles on bankruptcy and commercial law, and a co-author of four law school casebooks. He contributes to Collier on Bankruptcy and is a member of Collier’s editorial advisory board. He has been a visiting professor at, among other schools, Peking University School of Law in Beijing, and Harvard Law School.

In addition to being a conferee of the National Bankruptcy Conference, he is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, a founding member of the International Insolvency Institute, and a life member of the American Law Institute. He also served as a Commissioner for the American Bankruptcy Institutes Commission on Consumer Bankruptcy, where he served as the Chair of Case Administration and the Estate Committee.

He was the 2022 recipient of the Commercial Law League of America’s Lawrence King Award.

In 2016, he completed a project redrafting Kosovo’s bankruptcy law. He has consulted with the International Monetary Fund on insolvency-related issues (having been part of the IMF’s missions to Ireland, Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia, Belarus, Georgia, and Greece), and worked with UNCITRAL on various model laws. From 2019 to 2021, he was the court-appointed fee examiner in the Pacific Gas & Electric Company Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Ronald Peterson

Of Counsel at Jenner & Block, LLP, Chicago, IL

Ronald R. Peterson, Partner, Jenner & Block LLP in Chicago, Illinois. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial, insolvency and bankruptcy law. Mr. Peterson has presided over numerous complex commercial cases, including Stotler & Co., the country’s 10th largest commodities house, and Lancelot Investors Fund, L.P., a $1.7 billion Ponzi scheme. He is the Chairman of the Creditors’ Committee in Thomas J. Petters, a $3.5 billion Ponzi scheme. Mr. Peterson served as the examiner in the chapter 11 case of Robert Lund, a large real estate developer.

Mr. Peterson has been a member of the panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, since 1987. He is the past President of the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees.

Mr. Peterson is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute. He is a member of the Business Bankruptcy Committee of the Business Law Section and the Bankruptcy Litigation Committee of the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association. He is a member of the International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals, and the Commercial Law League of America. In 2014, the Commercial Law League of America awarded Mr. Peterson the Lawrence P. King Award.

Jeffrey N. Schatzman

Schatzman & Schatzman, PA, Miami, FL

Jeffrey N. Schatzman is the principal shareholder in the Miami, Florida law firm of Schatzman & Schatzman, P.A. He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Florida in 1986 and his J.D. degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School (Western Michigan University) in Lansing, Michigan in 1989.

Mr. Schatzman is a member of The Florida Bar and is admitted to practice in all Florida State Courts as well as the Federal District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Schatzman concentrates his law practice in the areas of Bankruptcy, representing creditors, debtors, and trustees; Commercial Collections; Commercial Litigation; Business Transactions; and Residential and Commercial Real Estate Transactions and frequently lectures on the topics of bankruptcy and creditors’ rights.

He has been a member of the Commercial Law League of America since 1991 and has held numerous positions within the League including a three-year term as an attorney member of the CLLA Board of Governors and President of the CLLA from 2013 to 2014.

Mr. Schatzman has achieved high ratings and recognition by his peers, clients and various organizations including Super Lawyers, an AV rating by Martindale-Hubble, a 10.0 rating by AVVO, one of Florida Trend Magazine’s “Legal Elite” Top Attorneys in the State of Florida and ALM’s Top Attorneys in South Florida.

Don B. Scott

Wright Holmes Law List, Katonah, NY

Don Scott is the president of Wright Holmes Inc. Since 1913, Wright Holmes has published a directory of commercial law firms in service to the creditor’s rights community. Don joined the industry after graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University in Economics and Business Administration. He has held numerous leadership positions in the industry including The Board of Governors of the Commercial Law League, Chairman of the Eastern District of the CLLA, President of the Association of Law List Publishers.

He has participated in three strategic planning conferences over the last 30 years for the CLLA. He has been a featured speaker at the American Bar Association, the NACM Collectors Association Conference, as well as numerous CLLA Education Programs. He was instrumental in creating the bonding insurance program in use by members of the Association of Law List Publishers.

During summers while a student at Vanderbilt Don was a salesman for CST company, a national commercial collection agency. In his community of Bedford in New York’s Westchester County he served two terms as a Town Councilman. Previously he served three terms as the president of his local school board. He is an avid golfer and an instrument rated pilot.

Gilbert M. Singer

Marcadis Singer P.A., Tampa, FL

Gil Singer is a collection attorney and is a Senior Partner in the law firm of Marcadis Singer, P. A. The firm provides legal counsel for clients across the State of Florida and has experienced attorneys who exclusively handle Florida collection law cases in each of the 67 Florida counties.

He was born in New York, graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 1979 with a JD degree, and was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1979 and is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association. He currently is Chair of the Commercial Law League of America Southern Region and a member of the International Association of Commercial Collectors. Mr. Singer has maintained an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell for over 20 years.

Gil was appointed to the 13th Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission in 2012 and was elected as its Chair in 2018. Florida’s Judicial Nominating Commissions are constitutionally created non-partisan bodies designed to interview and nominate diverse, highly qualified candidates for judgeships to the Governor for appointment when a judicial vacancy arises.

He serves as a Board Member at A Kid’s Place which is a children’s shelter focused on keeping abused, abandoned, and neglected children together as sibling groups. He also serves as a Board Member and volunteer attorney for Crossroads Kids Florida which serves children aging out of the foster care system.

Mr. Singer has been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Tampa for over 44 years. He is married and has two adult sons.

Regina Slowey

Barron & Newburger, PC, Troy, MI

Regina Slowey is the President and CEO of Barron & Newburger, P.C., a nationally recognized law firm specializing in compliance and financial services defense in lawsuits and regulatory actions. With over 20 years of legal experience, Regina has litigated complex cases from state court through the Supreme Court and built successful, process-driven practices across multiple jurisdictions.

An advocate for innovation, Regina leads BNPC with a focus on AI integration, data privacy, and operational excellence. A Michigan native, she is a proud University of Michigan supporter who enjoys traveling, trying global cuisine, and connecting with others over a great cocktail.

Lorna Walker

Sweet & Walker, PC, San Francisco, CA

Lorna Walker is an attorney with the Law Offices of Sweet & Walker, P.C.. She has practiced law in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years, focusing on commercial litigation and collection matters. During her career, Ms. Walker has represented clients in the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern, Central, and Eastern Districts of California. She also has handled international arbitration cases and appellate matters in both State and Federal Courts.

Ms. Walker is a Past President and past Recording Secretary of the CLLA Board of Governors and has chaired several committees for this league. She is a frequent speaker on creditor’s rights topics and has presented programs for various trade groups, including programs directed to the oil and gas industry, the agricultural industry, the wine industry, the food and beverage industry, the marijuana industry, and various finance, credit management, and legal associations.

Randall Woolley

Darcy & Devassy PC, Chicago, IL

Randall Woolley concentrates his practice in creditor-side bankruptcy litigation and commercial litigation. Mr. Woolley represents his clients nationwide, in matters ranging from claims against lessees and borrowers for breach of contract, replevin and fraud, and representing creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, including filing claims, lift stay motions, objections to discharge, objections to plans, preparing cash collateral orders and defending preference and lien avoidance actions. Mr. Woolley received his bachelor’s degree from DePaul University in 1999 and his Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2003. Mr. Woolley is a member of the Commercial Law League of America where he currently serves as a member of the Bankruptcy Section Executive Council and Chair of the Education Committee. Mr. Woolley is also a member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. Mr. Woolley is licensed to practice law in Illinois, as well as the federal courts for Illinois and Indiana, the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Robert Ash

Radius Global Solutions, AMS Commercial Business Division, Ramsey, NJ

Robert Ash is a seasoned veteran of the collection industry; with nearly 30 years’ experience in Accounts Receivable Management, Consumer and Commercial Debt Collections. His longstanding career with Allen, Maxwell & Silver, (AMS), now the Commercial Business Division of Radius Global Solutions, began in 1997, when Robert joined the collection team. After six years of delivering exceptional recovery results and service to AMS’ clients, Robert was promoted to Legal Department Manager. Robert’s financial expertise and strong communication skills provide a seamless transition from collections to litigation.

Robert has developed and cultivated close associations with a network of collection attorneys throughout the country, as well as clients, ensuring AMS’ clients have the best representation to meet their legal needs and protect their rights as creditors.

Robert is Creditor’s Rights representative on the Board of Governor’s for the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) and actively participates within the CLLA’s Eastern Region.

Ralph Brubaker

James H.M. Sprayregen Professor of Law, University of Illinois

Ralph Brubaker is the James H.M. Sprayregen Professor of Law at the University of Illinois, where he teaches courses in bankruptcy, bankruptcy procedure, corporate reorganizations, federal courts, conflict of laws (private international law), contracts, and restitution. Professor Brubaker has three degrees from the University of Illinois, including his J.D. summa cum laude and an M.B.A., and he received Bronze Tablet distinction (highest honors) and C.P.A. certification as an undergraduate.

He clerked for Judge James K. Logan of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and he practiced in the bankruptcy and corporate reorganization group with the law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey (now Squire Patton Boggs) in Cleveland, Ohio. Professor Brubaker was a member of the faculty at the Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia from 1995 until 2004, when he returned to his alma mater. Professor Brubaker is the Editor-in-Chief and a contributing author for West’s Bankruptcy Law Letter, he is co-author of a bankruptcy casebook, and he has written dozens of journal articles and essays. He is particularly expert in the complex jurisdictional and procedural facets of federal bankruptcy proceedings.

Professor Brubaker has been an editorial advisor for the American Bankruptcy Law Journal, the American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review, and the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal. He is a member of the American Law Institute, a Conferee of the National Bankruptcy Conference, and a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, for which he has been the Scholar-in-Residence. Professor Brubaker has served on the executive committee of the board of directors of the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), and he was a member of the advisory committee on business enterprise sales for the ABI’s 2014 Commission to Study the Reform of Chapter 11. Professor Brubaker is the 2024 recipient of the Lawrence P. King Award from the Commercial Law League of America for career excellence in bankruptcy scholarship.

Kirk B. Burkley

Bernstein-Burkley, PC, Pittsburgh, PA

Kirk B. Burkley is the Managing Partner of Bernstein-Burkley, P.C. Kirk’s practice emphasizes all aspects of bankruptcy and restructuring, creditors’ rights, business and corporate transactions, litigation, real estate and oil and gas. He’s a well-respected lawyer in his field, as evidenced by his numerous awards by many of the creditable lawyer lists that he has been presented. Kirk conducts seminars, live webinars and workshops on bankruptcy, creditors’ rights and oil and gas. He has lectured for the National Association of Credit Management (NACM), the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, and is a regular panelist for NBI and Lorman Educational Services on various legal topics. Kirk has written several publications related to the bankruptcy field, with work appearing in ABI Journal, Equipment Leasing Newsletter, Pennsylvania Association of Credit Managers Newsletter the Creditor and more. He is an emeritus board member of the American Board of Certification as well as the past President and the past President of the Turnaround Management Association. He is a member of Allegheny County Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the Western District of Pennsylvania Local Rules Committee. Kirk earned his J.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and his B.S. degree from Ohio University.

June D. Coleman

Messer Strickler Burnette, Sacramento, CA

June D. Coleman, Managing Attorney for the California Office of Messer Strickler Burnette, Ltd., is a defense litigator with about 25 years of experience. Her areas of emphasis include defense of consumer rights actions involving the FDCPA, TCPA, and FCRA. She has a deep understanding of permissible debt collection conduct and how best to defend claims and minimize liability in the collection industry. She is also familiar with governmental investigations and prosecutions, including those conducted by AGs and the CFPB, as well as defending collection attorneys before the California State Bar.

Since 2008, Ms. Coleman has been voted by her peers as one of the top lawyers practicing in Northern California and Sacramento, earning her a spot on the Northern California Super Lawyers list; the “Best of the Bar” list by the Sacramento Business Journal, and the “Top of the Bar” list by the Sacramento Magazine. Ms. Coleman has also been recognized by Accounts Recovery as one of the leading attorneys in the collections field for her defense work. Ms. Coleman is a Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent rated attorney.

Aryeh D. Derman

Clark Hill PLC, Chicago, IL

Aryeh D. Derman supports and assists in the development and expansion of the regulatory and compliance group’s growing consulting and advisory services, targeting financial institutions and technology companies (fin-techs) looking to enter into the financial services sector.

Aryeh leads and coordinates current and prospective examinations from state and federal financial regulators. He has extensive experience and knowledge of numerous consumer protection laws including but not limited to the FDCPA, FCRA, TCPA, GLBA, and HIPAA. He is a subject matter expert in compliance, risk management, and corporate governance.

Recognitions
• Named to Legal Advisory Board of Consumer Relations Consortium in April 2023
• Named KG Prime “Subject Matter Expert” of Industry Compliance in July 2017
• Named ACA International Scholar in July 2014

Ben H. Farrow

Anderson, Williams & Farrow, LLC, Montgomery, AL

Ben Farrow was born in west Texas and raised in Colorado, Idaho and Louisiana attending Tulane University and the Louisiana State University for Law School. He worked as deckhand on the Mississippi River and in the Gulf of Mexico to pay for college and law school. After graduation and passing the Louisiana State Bar in 1992 he began his legal career as an Admiralty lawyer in New Orleans. He subsequently moved to Alabama and passed the Alabama Bar exam in 2000. He practiced as an insurance defense attorney for a few years and then found work at his current firm in 2002, becoming a partner in 2006. In 2015 he obtained his license to practice in Mississippi and the firm opened its Jackson office that same year.

Ben’s involvement with the Commercial Law League of America started with his current firm when he was introduced to the League by some colleagues. He was astonished at how well it fit his practice. He subsequently became interested in leadership in CLLA and was appointed the Education Chair. He has held that role for the last two years.

Hon. Judith Fitzgerald (Ret.)

Tucker Arensberg, PC, Pittsburgh, PA

Hon. Judith K. Fitzgerald (Ret.) A long-time member of CLLA, and Retired U.S. Bankruptcy has been blessed with an exciting, challenging and intellectually stimulating career. As a Judicial Law Clerk, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chief Bankruptcy Judge, Professor of Law, Practitioner at Tucker Arensberg, Arbitrator, Mediator, Author and Expert Witness, she has experienced a wide variety of legal disciplines and administrative responsibilities. Judi is a Professor in the Practice of Law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she teaches Bankruptcy and Advanced Bankruptcy. She is active in national and local professional organizations including the Commercial Law League of America, the American Law Institute, the American College of Bankruptcy. The American Bankruptcy institute and the American Inns of Court. Among other offices, she has served as President of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and as Chair of the Bankruptcy Judges Advisory Committee to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Judi has received numerous awards and recognitions including the Commercial Law League’s Lawrence P. King Award for Excellence in Bankruptcy and the American Inns of Court Bankruptcy Alliance Distinguished Service Award. Judi consults and lectures in matters involving trial strategy, evidence, procedure, contracts, bankruptcy and professional responsibility, and participates on several committees and boards dedicated to fostering legal education and improving access to justice.

Peter M. Gannott

Gannott Law Group, PLCC, Louisville, KY

Peter M. Gannott, Gannott Law Group, focuses on three main areas: (1) business and consumer bankruptcy; (2) creditors’ rights and commercial collect litigation; and (3) complex commercial, business, and real estate litigation.

Mr. Gannott’s bankruptcy experience includes involvement in Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. He has represented debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, unsecured creditors’ committees and has acted as lead counsel for Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 Trustees. His experience includes representing banks, trade creditors, equipment lessors and landlords. He has litigated disclosure statements, reorganization plans, preferences, fraudulent conveyances, priorities, breaches of fiduciary duties, guarantees, mortgage and lien enforcement and perfection, Uniform Commercial Code questions, stay relief motions and adequate protection issues. Mr. Gannott has handled bankruptcies pending in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Texas and Colorado. He has litigated these proceedings before the bankruptcy and district courts and argued bankruptcy issues before the Sixth Circuit and Seventh Circuit courts of appeals.

During Mr. Gannott’s thirty-five (35) years of legal experience, he has been lead-counsel for numerous jury trials, bench trials and appeals before both state and federal courts. He is currently licensed to practice law in the state courts of Kentucky and Indiana, and is admitted before ten district courts, three circuit courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

As a frequent lecturer, Mr. Gannott speaks in the areas of bankruptcy, creditors’ rights and real estate. He graduated with Honors from the University of Illinois with degrees in History and Political Science and obtained his law degree from the Washington College of Law, American University, in Washington, D.C.

Timothy Grimes

BARR Credit Services, Tucson, AZ

Timothy Grimes is responsible for quality control and compliance for BARR Credit Services.
He ensures that BARR complies with laws and regulations applicable to the commercial collection industry. Additionally, he provides expertise in the handling of legal claims and serves as a liaison between BARR Credit Services’ clients and partnered legal counsel.

Prior to his time at BARR Credit, Tim worked in the retail grocery industry. Since joining BARR he has twice served as the Chair of the Executive Council of the Western Region of the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) and presently is on the CLLA Board of Governors. As part of the BARR Legal Department for the past eighteen years, he has successfully expanded the department and excelled in his career, becoming a respected expert in the industry. He enjoys sharing his knowledge through various speaking engagements and conferences.

Theodore J. Hamilton

Wetherington Hamilton, P.A., Tampa, FL

Theodore J. Hamilton is a founding partner in the law firm of Wetherington Hamilton, P.A. He has practiced for over 30 years in the Tampa Bay Area and grew up in Tampa. His practice concentrates in the areas of estate planning and probate, corporate transactions and business sales and acquisitions, commercial and residential Real Estate transactions and litigation, commercial litigation including fraudulent transfer litigation and collections law. Mr. Hamilton is presently the President of the Commercial Law League of America. Mr. Hamilton has also been a keynote speaker at various events including the National Association of Credit Managers and the Commercial Law League of America and many others. Mr. Hamilton has handled some interesting cases during his legal career. His litigated matter cases have included matters involving fraudulent transfer litigation, breaches of fiduciary duty, corporate fraud, bankruptcy preference actions, and automatic stay litigation among others. He regularly files and prepares construction liens for filing for various types of contractors and subcontractors.

Mr. Hamilton has represented numerous financial institutions over his career. He has handled loan workouts, residential and commercial foreclosures, leasing matters, commercial and retail replevins, prejudgment replevins and executions and garnishments.

Mr. Hamilton’s transactional experience includes workouts involving contested shareholder disputes, commercial lease preparation and review, corporate formation and documentation, shareholder agreements and non-compete agreements. He has also represented lenders and owners in the drafting of commercial and residential mortgage agreements.

In the real estate arena, Mr. Hamilton has completed commercial closings including golf courses, warehouses, retail centers, office buildings, vacant commercial land, daycare buildings and land development. Mr. Hamilton is a member of the Tampa Chapter of the Real Estate Investment Council. He has numerous real estate contacts including contractors, brokers and appraisers.

Mr. Hamilton’s clients include property owners, banks, contractors, suppliers, materialmen, shopping center companies, industrial warehouse owners, small businesses of all types and others.

He is always available for you to call. He prides himself on promptness, reliability, honesty and integrity. He is also proud of the excellent team at Wetherington Hamilton.

In his free time, Mr. Hamilton enjoys spending time with his wife and family, boating, playing piano, acting in community theater (once in a while) and reading history.

Michael Hynum

Hynum Law, Harrisburg, PA

Michael A. Hynum is an Attorney licensed to practice law in all courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as US Federal Courts in the Middle and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania, the US 3rd Circuit court of appeals and the United States Supreme Court. He is a resident of Dauphin County and is a member of the Dauphin County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations.

Born in Lebanon County, Attorney Hynum attended Annville-Cleona High School. He went on to attend Penn State University and obtained his Law Degree from the Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Attorney Hynum spent approximately eleven years working in the long-term health care industry, acting as Chief Executive Officer of a company providing care and services to elderly residents of Central Pennsylvania. He is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator, has served as administrator of a Personal Care Home and has experience in Adult Day Care Administration as well.

Hynum began his legal career with a Harrisburg-based Firm specializing in the representation of Long-Term Care facilities and in June 2004 founded his own Firm, Law Offices of Michael A. Hynum. In September 2006, upon hiring an additional attorney, the Firm name was changed to Hynum Law. Mike has considerable experience in both running and representing small businesses. Hynum currently focuses his practice on the representation of health care providers, as well as debt collection, administrative and governmental law, labor law, general business law, and litigation.

Stefanie H. Jackman

Troutman Pepper Locke, Atlanta, GA

Stefanie Jackman is a partner in Troutman Pepper’s Consumer Financial Services and Regulatory, Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) practice groups, based in the firm’s Atlanta office.
As a recognized thought leader in the realm of consumer financial products servicing and collection, Stefanie leverages her extensive experience and knowledge to guide financial services clients through the complexities of state and federal investigations and compliance issues.

A significant area of focus for Stefanie is advising clients on regulatory and compliance matters. She excels in helping clients develop and implement effective compliance management systems and risk mitigation strategies. Her expertise encompasses navigating intricate compliance issues under both federal and state laws, ensuring clients remain compliant with a broad spectrum of consumer financial laws, including UDAP/UDAAP statutes, the FDCPA, FCRA, TCPA, EFTA, SCRA, and TILA.

In addition to her compliance work, Stefanie provides robust defense to her clients in connection with CFPB enforcement matters, as well as individual and class action consumer lawsuits. Her clientele spans nearly all sectors of the financial services industry, including but not limited to banks, nonbank lenders and servicers, student loan providers, debt collectors and buyers, third-party service providers, healthcare and medical revenue cycle service providers, credit and prepaid card companies, direct and indirect auto lenders, and fintech companies.

Stefanie’s insightful analysis and thought leadership are regularly featured on the firm’s practice blog, the Consumer Financial Services Law Monitor, where she provides valuable commentary on pertinent legal issues.

Dan Kerrick

Hogan McDaniel, Wilmington, DE

Daniel C. Kerrick is an experienced litigator representing creditors of all size, type and geographic origin in Delaware state and federal courts. Dan represents a wide variety of clients in complex commercial disputes, judgment enforcement, corporate fiduciary litigation, business divorce and control disputes. Dan is a published author and speaks regularly about issues affecting creditors’ rights and remedies. Dan is a past chair of the CLLA Eastern Region and Young Members Section and served 2 terms on the CLLA Board of Governors. Dan is the current chair of the CLLA Government Affairs Committee.

Robert Kirk

Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, Washington, DC

Robert Kirk has been advising clients on all aspects of the uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drone) industry for more than a decade. With the explosive growth in the UAS industry, he has assisted clients in obtaining authority from the FAA to utilize UAS in ways not contemplated by the rules; advocating for business- and consumer-friendly UAS and AAM regulations at the federal, state, and local levels; opposing state and local proposals to criminalize certain UAS activities; evaluating potential UAS business cases; and formulating compliance plans for UAS operations. He is regularly involved in FAA and local proceedings dealing with UAS regulation and has been at the forefront on federal preemption issues, successfully working with clients in cases challenging state and local laws attempting to regulate drone operations.

Candice Kline

Saul Ewing, LLP, Chicago, IL

Candice Kline is a partner at Saul Ewing LLP focused on bankruptcy and restructuring situations. Her practice includes loan and deal work, including M&A, workouts, and loan administration. She represents debtors, creditors, fiduciaries, and public interest stakeholders. Candice serves in leadership at various bar and trade associations and on boards and advisory boards for nonprofit organizations, including the CLLA. She is also a part-time lecturer in law at the University of Toledo College of Law. Candice has an MBA (Chicago Booth) and began her legal career after many years in global commercial banking and business. She practices in Illinois and Ohio with a nationwide docket in complex commercial matters.

Prof. Bruce A. Markell

Northwestern University, Pritzker School of Law, Chicago, IL

Bruce A. Markell is the Professor of Bankruptcy Law and Practice and the Edward Avery Harriman Lecturer in Law at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law. From 2004 to 2013, he was a United States bankruptcy judge, sitting in Nevada. From 2006 to 2013, he was also a member of the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit.

He attended the King Hall School of Law at the University of California, Davis, where he was editor-in-chief of the law review and recipient of the School of Law Medal. After law school, he clerked for then-judge Anthony M. Kennedy on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Before taking the bench, Professor Markell practiced bankruptcy and business law in Los Angeles for ten years (where he was a partner at Sidley & Austin) and was a law professor for fourteen.

He is the author of numerous articles on bankruptcy and commercial law, and a co-author of four law school casebooks. He contributes to Collier on Bankruptcy and is a member of Collier’s editorial advisory board. He has been a visiting professor at, among other schools, Peking University School of Law in Beijing, and Harvard Law School.

In addition to being a conferee of the National Bankruptcy Conference, he is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, a founding member of the International Insolvency Institute, and a life member of the American Law Institute. He also served as a Commissioner for the American Bankruptcy Institutes Commission on Consumer Bankruptcy, where he served as the Chair of Case Administration and the Estate Committee.

He was the 2022 recipient of the Commercial Law League of America’s Lawrence King Award.

In 2016, he completed a project redrafting Kosovo’s bankruptcy law. He has consulted with the International Monetary Fund on insolvency-related issues (having been part of the IMF’s missions to Ireland, Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia, Belarus, Georgia, and Greece), and worked with UNCITRAL on various model laws. From 2019 to 2021, he was the court-appointed fee examiner in the Pacific Gas & Electric Company Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Ronald Peterson

Of Counsel at Jenner & Block, LLP, Chicago, IL

Ronald R. Peterson, Partner, Jenner & Block LLP in Chicago, Illinois. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial, insolvency and bankruptcy law. Mr. Peterson has presided over numerous complex commercial cases, including Stotler & Co., the country’s 10th largest commodities house, and Lancelot Investors Fund, L.P., a $1.7 billion Ponzi scheme. He is the Chairman of the Creditors’ Committee in Thomas J. Petters, a $3.5 billion Ponzi scheme. Mr. Peterson served as the examiner in the chapter 11 case of Robert Lund, a large real estate developer.

Mr. Peterson has been a member of the panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, since 1987. He is the past President of the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees.

Mr. Peterson is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute. He is a member of the Business Bankruptcy Committee of the Business Law Section and the Bankruptcy Litigation Committee of the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association. He is a member of the International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals, and the Commercial Law League of America. In 2014, the Commercial Law League of America awarded Mr. Peterson the Lawrence P. King Award.

Jeffrey N. Schatzman

Schatzman & Schatzman, PA, Miami, FL

Jeffrey N. Schatzman is the principal shareholder in the Miami, Florida law firm of Schatzman & Schatzman, P.A. He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Florida in 1986 and his J.D. degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School (Western Michigan University) in Lansing, Michigan in 1989.

Mr. Schatzman is a member of The Florida Bar and is admitted to practice in all Florida State Courts as well as the Federal District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Schatzman concentrates his law practice in the areas of Bankruptcy, representing creditors, debtors, and trustees; Commercial Collections; Commercial Litigation; Business Transactions; and Residential and Commercial Real Estate Transactions and frequently lectures on the topics of bankruptcy and creditors’ rights.

He has been a member of the Commercial Law League of America since 1991 and has held numerous positions within the League including a three-year term as an attorney member of the CLLA Board of Governors and President of the CLLA from 2013 to 2014.

Mr. Schatzman has achieved high ratings and recognition by his peers, clients and various organizations including Super Lawyers, an AV rating by Martindale-Hubble, a 10.0 rating by AVVO, one of Florida Trend Magazine’s “Legal Elite” Top Attorneys in the State of Florida and ALM’s Top Attorneys in South Florida.

Don B. Scott

Wright Holmes Law List, Katonah, NY

Don Scott is the president of Wright Holmes Inc. Since 1913, Wright Holmes has published a directory of commercial law firms in service to the creditor’s rights community. Don joined the industry after graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University in Economics and Business Administration. He has held numerous leadership positions in the industry including The Board of Governors of the Commercial Law League, Chairman of the Eastern District of the CLLA, President of the Association of Law List Publishers.

He has participated in three strategic planning conferences over the last 30 years for the CLLA. He has been a featured speaker at the American Bar Association, the NACM Collectors Association Conference, as well as numerous CLLA Education Programs. He was instrumental in creating the bonding insurance program in use by members of the Association of Law List Publishers.

During summers while a student at Vanderbilt Don was a salesman for CST company, a national commercial collection agency. In his community of Bedford in New York’s Westchester County he served two terms as a Town Councilman. Previously he served three terms as the president of his local school board. He is an avid golfer and an instrument rated pilot.

Gilbert M. Singer

Marcadis Singer P.A., Tampa, FL

Gil Singer is a collection attorney and is a Senior Partner in the law firm of Marcadis Singer, P. A. The firm provides legal counsel for clients across the State of Florida and has experienced attorneys who exclusively handle Florida collection law cases in each of the 67 Florida counties.

He was born in New York, graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 1979 with a JD degree, and was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1979 and is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association. He currently is Chair of the Commercial Law League of America Southern Region and a member of the International Association of Commercial Collectors. Mr. Singer has maintained an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell for over 20 years.

Gil was appointed to the 13th Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission in 2012 and was elected as its Chair in 2018. Florida’s Judicial Nominating Commissions are constitutionally created non-partisan bodies designed to interview and nominate diverse, highly qualified candidates for judgeships to the Governor for appointment when a judicial vacancy arises.

He serves as a Board Member at A Kid’s Place which is a children’s shelter focused on keeping abused, abandoned, and neglected children together as sibling groups. He also serves as a Board Member and volunteer attorney for Crossroads Kids Florida which serves children aging out of the foster care system.

Mr. Singer has been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Tampa for over 44 years. He is married and has two adult sons.

Regina Slowey

Barron & Newburger, PC, Troy, MI

Regina Slowey is the President and CEO of Barron & Newburger, P.C., a nationally recognized law firm specializing in compliance and financial services defense in lawsuits and regulatory actions. With over 20 years of legal experience, Regina has litigated complex cases from state court through the Supreme Court and built successful, process-driven practices across multiple jurisdictions.

An advocate for innovation, Regina leads BNPC with a focus on AI integration, data privacy, and operational excellence. A Michigan native, she is a proud University of Michigan supporter who enjoys traveling, trying global cuisine, and connecting with others over a great cocktail.

Lorna Walker

Sweet & Walker, PC, San Francisco, CA

Lorna Walker is an attorney with the Law Offices of Sweet & Walker, P.C.. She has practiced law in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years, focusing on commercial litigation and collection matters. During her career, Ms. Walker has represented clients in the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern, Central, and Eastern Districts of California. She also has handled international arbitration cases and appellate matters in both State and Federal Courts.

Ms. Walker is a Past President and past Recording Secretary of the CLLA Board of Governors and has chaired several committees for this league. She is a frequent speaker on creditor’s rights topics and has presented programs for various trade groups, including programs directed to the oil and gas industry, the agricultural industry, the wine industry, the food and beverage industry, the marijuana industry, and various finance, credit management, and legal associations.

Randall Woolley

Darcy & Devassy PC, Chicago, IL

Randall Woolley concentrates his practice in creditor-side bankruptcy litigation and commercial litigation. Mr. Woolley represents his clients nationwide, in matters ranging from claims against lessees and borrowers for breach of contract, replevin and fraud, and representing creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, including filing claims, lift stay motions, objections to discharge, objections to plans, preparing cash collateral orders and defending preference and lien avoidance actions. Mr. Woolley received his bachelor’s degree from DePaul University in 1999 and his Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2003. Mr. Woolley is a member of the Commercial Law League of America where he currently serves as a member of the Bankruptcy Section Executive Council and Chair of the Education Committee. Mr. Woolley is also a member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. Mr. Woolley is licensed to practice law in Illinois, as well as the federal courts for Illinois and Indiana, the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.