Concord Faculty: Distinguished Credentials. Responsive Support.

Howard Anderson is of counsel at Truluck Thomason, LLC, in South Carolina, where he practices primarily in federal criminal defense and in appellate litigation for state and federal courts. Previously, Anderson worked at large law firms in Chicago and Indianapolis, as well serving as a federal law clerk with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. He speaks several foreign languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, German, and some Chinese, and he enjoys international travel to practice his language skills. Anderson joined the faculty of the Concord School of Law as an adjunct professor in 2023.

Education: JD, Indiana University (Bloomington) Maurer School of Law; MPA, Indiana University (Indianapolis) School of Public and Environmental Affairs; BA, East Asian Studies and French Language & Literature, University of Virginia

Publications:
Anderson, H.W. (2013). Toward a diverse public workforce. publicINreview, 1(2), 62-65.

Anderson, H.W. (2012). An examination of Indiana’s trial courts. publicINreview, 1(1), 8-15.

Anderson, H.W (June 2010). Litigating like a professional in federal court. Illinois State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Newsletter, 1.

Sullivan T.P., Vail, A.W., & Anderson, H.W. (2008). The case for recording police interrogations. Litigation, 34(3), 30-38.

Anderson, H.W. (2007). Davis v Washington narrows the scope of “testimonial” hearsay. Illinois Bar Journal, 95(10), 546-552.

Anderson, H.W. (December 2007). Six rules of Illinois civil practice that you should know to impress your supervising partner. Illinois State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Newsletter, 4.

Anderson, H.W. (October 2007). Doing well by doing good (or, just in case you needed more reasons to do pro bono). Illinois State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Newsletter, 1.

Anderson, H.W. (2005). Determining when two offenses are the same under Indiana’s Criminal Rule 4, Indiana Law Journal, 80(3), 825-848.

Certifications and Bar Membership (State):  South Carolina Supreme Court Certified Arbitrator and Circuit Court Mediator; Alaska, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia

Honors and Achievements: Law Review - Indiana Law Journal     

Memberships: South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers           

Legal Focus: Criminal law and procedure; constitutional law; appellate procedure; federal criminal defense

CLS Courses: Criminal Procedure

Beau Baez is an emeritus professor of law (Charlotte School of Law) and has taught at several law schools over a 20-year teaching career. Prior to becoming a law professor, he was an attorney with the Multistate Tax Commission in Washington, D.C., where he managed a nationally recognized voluntary tax compliance program. In addition to teaching at Concord, Baez hosts a popular academic success YouTube channel called Learn Law Better. His videos have been translated from English into six languages, and the channel boasts thousands of subscribers in over 150 countries. He is also a sought-after coach who helps students around the globe succeed in law school and on the bar exam.

Education: JD and LLM, Georgetown University; BS and BA, Liberty University

Publications: “Law’s Failure to Keep Pace with Empirical Science: An Examination of Personality and Emotional Intelligence Testing in the Workplace,” Ohio Northern University Law Review (2014); “Personality Tests in Employment Selection: Use With Caution,” Cornell HR Review (2013)

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Supreme Court of the United States, District of Columbia, Virginia, United States Court of Federal Claims, and United States Tax Court

Honors and Achievements: Named Professor of the Year 2007 (Liberty University); recipient of the Dean's Award for Excellence (Concord Law School)

Legal Focus: Torts, tax, and business associations

CLS Courses: Income Tax, Business Planning

Antonette Barilla obtained her Juris Doctor degree with honors from Western State College of Law, where she also received the Academy of Appellate Lawyers Award for brief writing. Barilla is an alumnus of the University of London, where she obtained her Postgraduate Certificate in Law with a specialization in law and development, her Postgraduate Diploma in Laws with a specialization in international business law, and her LLM. Barilla worked in a private firm specializing in estate planning, contract law, trust/corporate administration, immigration, juvenile, and education law. She is certified as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the California Superior Court, where she was appointed by judges on a case-by-case basis to conduct independent investigations and present recommendations at court hearings regarding the best placement for children within the system.

Barilla's legal teaching career includes a variety of topics and she has spoken at a number of law schools across the country on best teaching practices and academic and bar support programming. She is dedicated to the principles of expert learning and the implementation of best teaching practices in legal education.      

Education: JD, Western State University, College of Law; LLM, University of London; MEd, Liberty University; BA, California Polytechnic University

Certifications and Bar Membership (States): California Bar Association; United States Court of International Trade; Association des Auditeurs et Ancien Auditeurs de L'Academie de Droit international de la Haye; International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Professionalism and Intercultural Engagement Program LGBTQUIA Certification, January 2016; Post Juris Doctor Certificate in Private International Law, August 2011 Hague Academy of International Law, The Hague, Netherlands; Bar Membership, California

Publications:  Segmented Studying – From Aimless to Purposeful, The Learning Curve, 2017. The Icing on the Cake: Inspiring Great Writing in Law Students – University of San Francisco, School of Law, Law Review Forum April 2015. Experiential Education, Lessons from Abroad – Elon Law Review April 2015. Gypsies and Nomads Are No-No’s in Italian - Elon Law Now, April 2015. The European Union, Greek Debt and Cultural Sovereignty, Elon Law Now, September 2015. The Importance of Cultural Diplomacy in Curbing Border Disputes, American Bar Association International Law News Journal 2015, Vol. 44.

Honors: President and member of Pi Sigma Alpha National Honor Society Golden Key & Political Science National Honor Society Member. Recipient of the California Polytechnic University President’s Scholar Award Outstanding Service to Students. Award Recipient, Elon Law School, May 2014. Student-Elected Faculty Marshal, 2016 Elon Law School

Legal Focus: International Business Transactions, Small Business Entrepreneurship, Education Law

CLS Courses: Civil Procedure; Wills Trusts and Decedent's Estates

Jamy Barreau is an adjunct professor of law for Concord Law School; additionally, he is an adjunct professor teaching probate law for Inver Hills Community College as well as business law for Southern New Hampshire University. Licensed in Florida, the District of Columbia, and the United States Tax Court, Barreau has dedicated his legal career to helping families transfer generational wealth while owning and operating his virtual law practice based in Florida through effective trusts and estates work. Namely, Barreau has had the honor of assisting his clients with specialized issues including business formation; contract drafting and negotiation; business litigation; landlord/tenant disputes; residential mortgage foreclosure; estate planning; estate administration; trust administration; tax planning; and Medicaid planning.              

Education: LLM, Boston University School of Law; JD, Barry University School of Law; BS, University of Central Florida       

Publications:
"Florida’s Contradiction and the Tipped Employees’ Plight: Why the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 Mandates that Florida Raise the Tipped Minimum Wage and the Necessary Standard of Review, 22
BARRY L. REV. 295 (2d ed. 2017).

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Florida, District of Columbia, and United States Tax Court

Honors and Achievements: The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 (2020, 2021, & 2022) 3rd Edition, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™   

Memberships: Member, Association of Black Estate Planning Professionals; Member, Haitian Lawyers Association; Member, Caribbean Bar Association; Member, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International

Legal Focus: Trusts and Estates; Tax        

CLS Courses: Trusts and Estates; Virtual Law Practice

Tina Botts is a well-published legal scholar and philosophy professor with eighteen years of teaching experience and is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Prior to joining Concord Law School in 2022, she was a Visiting Professor of Law at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, a Professor of Law at the San Joaquin College of Law, and a Visiting Scholar at Dartmouth College (courtesy appointment). Botts has also held positions as Assistant Professor of Philosophy at California State University, Fresno and the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Oberlin College, and Fellow in Law and Philosophy/ Lecturer in Philosophy and Legal Theory at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Botts specializes in teaching Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedural Law, First Amendment Law, Critical Race Theory, and Academic Legal Writing, in addition to a wide variety of philosophy courses. She has presented her legal scholarship at annual meetings of the Law and Society Association and at the University of Michigan Law School.

Education: J.D., Rutgers Law School; Ph.D., University of Memphis; B.A., University of Maryland            

Publications: Botts, Tina F. For Equals Only: Race, Equality, and the Equal Protection Clause. Lexington Books/Rowman & Littlefield, September, 2018.

Botts, Tina F. "Boylan’s Agency Justification for Natural Human Rights and Group Rights." The Journal of Applied Ethics and Philosophy. Vol. 8, September 2016, pp. 16-22.

Botts, Tina F. “Legal Hermeneutics,” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ISSN 2161-0002, November 2015.

Fernandes (Botts), Tina. "Antidiscrimination Law and the Multiracial Experience: A Reply to Nancy Leong," 10 Hastings Race and Poverty Law Journal, 191-218, Summer 2013.

Botts, Tina F. "The Concept of Race and Equal Protection Law." The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy and Race, Naomi Zack, editor, Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, December 2016, pp. 526-536.

Botts, Tina F. "Multiracial Americans and Racial Discrimination." Race Policy and Multiracial Americans, Kathleen Korgen, ed. Bristol, UK: Policy Press, January 2016, pp. 81-100.

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Maryland State Bar, District of Columbia Bar

Honors and Achievements: Fellow in Law and Philosophy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 2014-2015; Provost’s Doctoral Fellowship, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, Department of Philosophy, 2009-2011; Dissertation Teaching Fellowship in Law & Philosophy, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas, 2009-2010; Legal Fellowship, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Washington, D.C., 1992-1993; C. Clyde Ferguson Full-Tuition Scholarship, Rutgers University School of Law, Camden, New Jersey, 1991-1992

Memberships: American Constitution Society for Law and Policy; American Philosophical Association; American Society for Political and Legal Philosophy; Association for Feminist Ethics and Social Theory; Association for the Study of Law, Culture, and the Humanities; Association for Professional and Practical Ethics; Law and Society Association; National Women’s Political Caucus; North American Society for Philosophical Hermeneutics; Society for Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy; Society of Women in Philosophy

Legal Focus: Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Law and Society    

CLS Courses: Legal Research

Jason Burk has been at Concord since 2001, with a focus on teaching first-year curriculum. Burk is a partner practicing primarily in the area of workers' compensation defense with a nationwide labor and employment firm and represents employers, insurers, and the self-insured in matters around the state of Georgia. He was previously a shareholder in a civil litigation firm.

Education: JD, Drake University Law School; BA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Nevada, Georgia

CLS Courses: Contracts, Torts, Criminal Law, Introduction to Legal Analysis

Scott Burnham taught at the law schools at the University of Montana and Gonzaga University, where he retired as professor emeritus. He also visited at a number of other law schools around the country and around the world. Burnham developed the Contract Drafting course at Concord and has taught it for over 20 years.

Education: JD and LLM, New York University; BA, Williams College

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Arizona; past member of the bar in New York, Montana, and Washington

Publications: Drafting and Analyzing Contracts; The Glannon Guide to Sales and Leases; The Glannon Guide to Secured Transactions; Q&A Contracts; Examples & Explanations: Sales and Leases; The ABC’s of Article 1; and numerous law review articles

Memberships: Member, Contracts Drafting Committee for the National Conference of Bar Examiners

Legal Focus: Contracts, contract drafting, copyright, and gaming law

CLS Courses: Contract Drafting

Mandy Carter is a registered attorney in North Carolina and has been involved in legal education since 2010, teaching a variety of subjects. At Concord, Carter is an adjunct faculty member who primarily teaches Advanced Legal Analysis and Writing. In addition to teaching at Concord, she is also an adjunct at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

State Bar Memberships: North Carolina

Education: JD, BA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Publications: Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, faculty lecturer; National District Attorneys Association, faculty lecturer

Legal Focus: Legal research and writing, first amendment law

CLS Courses: Advanced Legal Analysis and Writing

Hannah Catt is an Adjunct Professor of Law for Concord Law School teaching Rural Legal Services. Catt also works full-time as an attorney licensed in Arkansas, Maryland, and Missouri, assisting individuals and businesses in the food and agricultural industries to understand all aspects of business regulation and function.       

Education: JD, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law with certificates in Health and Environmental Law; LL.M., University of Arkansas School of Law in Agricultural & Food Law           

Publications: Article published in the Journal of Food Law & Policy at the University of Arkansas

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri                           

CLS Courses: Rural Legal Services

David Cook is a former prosecutor serving as deputy attorney general with the California Attorney General's Officer in the Criminal Division. During the course of his career, he filed appellate briefs and argued numerous times in front of the California Court of Appeal, the California Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Cook has provided academic support for students of Concord Law School for over 20 years and strives to help students with their legal writing skills in preparation for the California First Year Law Students Examination and the California Bar Examination.

Education: JD, Southwestern University School of Law

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): California State Bar (inactive)

Legal Focus: Academic Support

Judge Josephine Davis began teaching with Purdue Global’s Concord Law School in 2020. Davis has served as an adjunct professor teaching Civil Procedure and Torts and has over 15 years of civil and criminal law experience. As a defense attorney, she had the privilege of defending the rights of individuals charged with felonies and misdemeanors. As a former prosecutor, Davis worked to safeguard the rights of the accused while ensuring that North Carolina is a safe place to work and live. While working as a civil attorney, Davis assisted attorneys who represented African Americans and female farmers who were discriminated against by the Department of Agriculture. She also worked as an assistant attorney general representing the State when there were violations of labor and environmental laws. In November of 2018, Davis was elected by the voters of Durham County to serve a term of eight years as a Superior Court Judge where she hears both civil and criminal cases throughout the state of North Carolina.

Education: JD, North Carolina Central University School of Law; BA, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Memberships: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.; Jack and Jill of America Inc.; Junior League of Durham and Orange County; George H. White Bar Association; Durham Expunction and Restoration Program      

Bar Membership (State): North Carolina             

Legal Focus: Criminal/Civil

Sheri Dennis joined the faculty at Concord in December 2018 as part of the Department of Legal Writing. She has worked as an adjunct professor at St. Thomas University School of Law in Florida where she has taught classes in legal research, legal writing, and appellate advocacy. Dennis has extensive experience teaching numerous online courses for the legal studies program at Keiser University. She began practicing law as an assistant regional counsel for the United States Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) in New York. Dennis represented HHS in administrative hearings and successfully argued an appeal before the Second Circuit.

Education: JD, Cardozo School of Law; BA, Barnard College

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): New York; Florida

Honors and Achievements: Recipient of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Exemplary Performance Award

Legal Focus: Appeals

CLS Courses: Introduction to Legal Analysis

Heather DeVincent-Cook acts as a consultant offering legal advice to health care professionals regarding potential liability and compliance issues. She was a corporate attorney for National Health Services, a medical conglomerate which specialized in addictive medicine. DeVincent-Cook headed the risk analysis team for evaluating various office procedures to ensure proper procedure according to federal and state laws. She also has 17 years of teaching experience at several colleges and universities.

Education: JD, New England Law Boston; BS, Mount Ida College

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Massachusetts

Legal Focus: Health law

CLS Courses: Contract Drafting, Medical Malpractice, Corporations I and II, Employment Law, Medical Products Liability

Angela L. Dixon handles civil matters including employment, education law, landlord/tenant, and property tax and personal injury law. She has practiced in small claims and district courts and began her legal career handling toxic tort and products liability litigation. Dixon became a solo practitioner and has handled a variety of legal matters. She served as an adjudication hearing officer for the City of Houston, adjudicating parking citations. Currently, Dixon serves as an administrative law judge for the Texas Education Agency, where she handles termination and suspension trials and hearings for school districts regarding employment laws issues. She also serves as arbitrator for the Texas Comptroller, where she handles property valuation disputes.

Dixon has been a higher education instructor for 13 years, with experience across disciplines including social and criminal justice, political science, American government, ethics and the legal environment, business, and paralegal programs.

Education: JD, University of Iowa College of Law; MBA, St. Ambrose University; BA, Alabama A&M University

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Texas; Certified Mediator; Certified Arbitrator

Honors and Achievements: President's Award, Houston Bar Association 2016; Texas Big Sister of the Year 2011; Aloysius Wickliff Sr. Community Service Award 2011; Halliburton Hometown Hero Award 2011

Memberships: State Bar of Texas; Houston Bar Association         

Legal Focus: Employment, Education and Property Tax law

CLS Courses: Employment Law, Employment Discrimination, Education Law

James Dodge taught undergraduates for 7 years before joining the faculty of Concord in 2000. He is heavily involved in curriculum revision and content creation for courses at Concord. Dodge previously served as executive director of the Illinois Legislative Reference Bureau, a nonpartisan agency that drafts legislation for the Illinois state legislature. A former prosecutor and a former assistant attorney general of Illinois, he previously served as deputy chief counsel to the senate president, where he helped write the rules for the impeachment trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and was part of a multi-year project to rewrite and modernize the Illinois Criminal Code and Unified Code of Corrections. Dodge is also a commissioner of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (the Uniform Laws Commission), serving on drafting and study committees for proposed uniform laws, including the Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act (UFIPA). His research has been published in a number of law journals and professional publications.

Education: JD, Southern Illinois University School of Law; BS, University of Illinois

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Illinois

Legal Focus: Contracts, estates, wills, trusts, real property, corporations and business organizations, limited liability partnerships, and the growth of entity treatment for partnership-based forms of business organization

CLS Courses: First Year Curriculum – Contracts, Criminal Law, Torts, Real Property, Wills and Trusts

Gregory Duhl has been a full-time law professor and administrator since 2002 and has taught at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota since 2008. Duhl was one of the principal architects of Mitchell Hamline’s hybrid JD program, the first hybrid program at an ABA-accredited law school, and he has significant experience in online course design and teaching as well as program and curricular development. Duhl is currently the senior academic technology officer at Mitchell Hamline and oversees a team of six instructional designers and five academic technologists. He teaches Bankruptcy, Contracts, Education Law, Evidence, U.C.C.–Sales, and U.C.C.–Secured Transactions. Duhl serves as the co-editor-in-chief of The Business Lawyer since 2006.       

Education: LLM, Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law; JD, Harvard Law School; BA, Yale University

Publications: Problems and Materials on Bankruptcy Law and Practice, 3rd ed. St. Paul, MN: West Academic Publishing, 2017. (With S. Sepinuck)

Problems and Materials on Bankruptcy Law and Practice & Teacher’s Manual, 2d ed. St. Paul, MN: West, 2013. (With S. Sepinuck and L. Rusch)

Selected Commercial Statutes Series. Eagan, Minn.: Thomson West, 2013. (With C. Kunz and C. Chomsky)

William Mitchell College of Law’s Hybrid Program for J.D. Study: Answering the Call for Innovation, The Bar Examiner, Sept. 2014, at 28. (With E. Janus and S. Canick)

Transactions and Settlements: Creating a Balance in Legal Education, 14 Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law 517 (2013). (With J. Millner)

Over the Borderline – A Review of Margaret Price’s “Mad at School: Rhetorics of Mental Disability and Academic Life,” 44 Loyola University Chicago Law Journal 771 (2013)

International Sale of Goods 2011, 67 Business Lawyer 1337 (2012)

Equipping Our Lawyers: Mitchell’s Outcomes-Based Approach to Legal Education, 38 William Mitchell Law Review 906 (2012)

Deception in Social Media Investigations of WC Claims, Workers’ Compensation Bulletin, Dec. 2011, at 1. (With J. Millner)

Social Media Sites: Useful Investigative Tool, but Beware the Legal Traps of “Friending,” White-Collar Crime Fighter, Oct. 2011, at 5. With J. Millner

Legal Issues: Using Social Networking to Uncover Fraud, Journal of Insurance Fraud in America, Summer 2011, at 3. (With J. Millner)

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Illinois (inactive)

Honors and Achievements: Abraham L. Freedman Teaching Fellow; Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law; Co-Editor-in-Chief, The Business Lawyer- ABA Section of Business Law (2006–present)

Legal Focus: Disability law and neurodiversity in higher education, ethics in transactional practice, legal education, online teaching and program design, bankruptcy, commercial law, contracts, education law, evidence          

CLS Courses: Contracts, Evidence

Alex Figares is a partner in a prominent Florida law firm where he practices in the area of complex commercial litigation. He has litigated multi-million dollar disputes throughout the country and enjoys being in the courtroom. Figares has been teaching law, finance, and tax classes since 2006. At Concord Law School, he has taught remedies, estates and trusts, and real property.   

Education: LLM in Taxation, University of Alabama; JD, University of Florida; MS in Finance, University of Florida; BS in Finance, Florida Gulf Coast University.

Publications: Preparing Syllabi: The Art of Self Defense (Summer 2022) University of Baltimore Law Review; Monetary Consequences of Environmental Regulations: Costs of Doing Business or Non-Deductible Penalties or Fines (2020) American University Business Law Review; Can you Hear Me Now? Reduction in Fair Market Value Due to Highway Noise Under Florida's Bert-Harris Act (Winter/Spring 2017) Real Estate Finance Journal; Copyright Infringement and the Fair Use Defense: Navigating the Legal Maze. (2016) 27 University of Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy 135.    

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Florida

Honors and Achievements: Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell; Selected as a Florida Super Lawyer from 2010 through 2015.  

Memberships: President of the Trial Lawyers section, Collier County Bar Association; Admitted to practice before the Federal District Courts of the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida, the Bankruptcy courts of the middle and southern districts of Florida, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.         

Legal Focus: Taxation, constitutional law, real property law, and law and economics, litigation, real property law, contracts, estates and trusts  

CLS Courses: Remedies, Real Property, Estates and Trusts

Dawnielle Grace is the Founder and Owner of en•lign counsel+compliance where her primary areas of practice are business law and formation, contract and employment law, as well as regulatory healthcare compliance. Grace advises clients on FMLA, ADA, HR and corporate governance related issues, conducts workplace investigation trainings, and has a focus on nonprofit/church/religious organization legal and compliance related issues. In addition, she operates as the Student Discipline Hearing Officer for the Winston/Salem Forsyth County Schools and is an Adjunct Professor at Purdue Global’s Concord Law School.        

Education: JD, Wake Forest; MBA, Benedictine University

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): North Carolina Bar; Curi's Executive Education Telehealth Certification 

Honors and Achievements: Rising Star Award from Benedictine University 2021;

Memberships: Advisory Board member for the Benedictine University L.E.A.D. Program; Board of Directors for the Winston-Salem Symphony; Vice-Chair for the Board of Directors for the Children’s Law Center of Central North Carolina; Chairman-Elect for the Jerry Long Family YMCA of NWNC’s Board of Advisors; Wake Forest University’s affiliate Face to Face Speakers Forum; Chair of the Governance committee for J.Ross Investment Group.             

Legal Focus: Pro bono services through Legal Aid of North Carolina; Legal advisor for the Forsyth County Teen Court Program; Guardian Ad Litem for the Children’s Law Center of Central North Carolina

CLS Courses: Future of Law

John Haarala is an attorney for First National Bank of Omaha. For approximately 15 years, he has served as in-house counsel to financial institutions, including a Fortune 500 company and the largest privately owned bank in the United States. Haarala concentrates his practice on commercial lending, credit card lending, bank regulatory compliance, and the resolution of problem loans. Haarala is an approved Parenting Act mediator with the Nebraska Supreme Court Office of Dispute Resolution, and he is trained in Specialized Alternative Dispute Resolution for the mediation of high-conflict family law disputes. In addition to teaching at Concord, he teaches business law at Nebraska Methodist College, and he was previously an adjunct professor at Western Michigan University-Cooley Law School. Haarala is a speaker on commercial lending and has authored articles on banking compliance. 

Education: JD, Western Michigan University-Cooley Law School

Publications: Friedenbach, C., and Haarala, J. (2018 January/February) The customer due diligence rule: FinCEN’s new regulation requires financial institutions to gather ownership information from its legal entity customers.  The Nebraska Lawyer, 21(1), 15-21.

Certifications and Bar Membership (States): Michigan, Nebraska

Honors: 2017–2018 Fellow, Nebraska State Bar Association Leadership Academy

Legal Focus: Financial institution law, with a focus on commercial lending, credit card lending, regulatory compliance, and problem loan resolution. 

CLS Courses: Introduction to Legal Analysis

Alexander Hernandez is a sole practitioner licensed in the state of Florida since 1999. Hernandez concentrates his practice on family law and consumer bankruptcy. In addition, he is also a legal contributor and writer for Upsolve.org, an online nonprofit organization that helps low-income families file for bankruptcy. At Concord, Hernandez will be teaching Community Property and Family Law practicum. Prior to joining Concord, Hernandez was an adjunct professor at Millennia Atlantic University.

State Bar Membership: Florida

Education: JD, Nova Southeastern School of Law; MS, BS, Florida International University; AA Miami-Dade Community College

Honors and Achievements: Goodwin Fellow and Florida Education Fund Scholarship recipient at Nova Southeastern School of Law; named first-ranked among professors by students at Millennia Atlantic University (2016)

Legal Focus: Family law: divorce, alimony, child support, custody, time-sharing agreements, marital settlement agreements, domestic violence, and the division of marital assets and liabilities; bankruptcy: chapters 7 and 13, mortgage modifications, foreclosure defense

CLS Courses: Community Property and Family Law Practicum

Keith Howard is an adjunct professor of law at Concord Law School and the managing partner at The Law Offices of Keith L. Howard, PLLC. Prior to full-time teaching, he practiced education and civil rights law with the legal nonprofit Advocates for Children’s Services, a specialized unit of Legal Aid of N.C., Inc., where he served as a staff attorney for 6 years. Howard has taught several continuing legal education (CLE) courses and served in key leadership roles in his community. Dedicated to advocating for the underserved, he has provided hundreds of pro bono hours.

Education: JD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law; BA, Winston-Salem State University

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): North Carolina

Honors and Achievements: MLK Living the Dream Award (2013–2014), Access to Justice Faculty Award (2011–2012)

Memberships: Black Law Students Association (2014)

Legal Focus: Professional responsibility, legal writing, and education law

CLS Courses: Professional Responsibility, Cross Profession Ethics, Advanced Legal Analysis and Writing/Regulatory and Transactional

Since 2004, Quentin Huff has worked in law school academic support and bar preparation with a focus on curriculum development and design thinking. Huff’s courses and seminars range from study skills and legal ethics to Negotiation and Constitutional Law, often incorporating alternative learning methods such as games, visuals, spreadsheets, music, and kinesthetics. Having worked as an artist and athletic coach, he enjoys bringing these skills to the forefront in bar exam preparation.

Education: JD, Wake Forest University School of Law; BA, Wake Forest University

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Attorney-at-law, North Carolina State Bar   

Legal Focus: Intellectual property, empathy mapping, classroom innovation, contract law, entertainment law         

CLS Courses: CL780 Capstone I, CL781 Capstone II

Scott Johnson focuses on using his legal skills to help others through advocacy, dispute resolution, teaching, and scholarship. Johnson has represented clients before administrative agencies, trial courts, and appellate courts in a variety of different areas of law. Johnson's work includes a number of precedent setting cases, including the Claremont v. Governor decisions, which established education as a fundamental right under the New Hampshire Constitution. He has participated in the administrative, legislative, and political processes by working with legislators on drafting laws, testifying before legislative committees, helping to develop administrative agency rules and guidance, and debating various issues in different forums.

Johnson provides pro bono representation to veterans before the United States Court of Veteran’s Appeals regarding disability benefit claims. He serves as a hearing officer for a state Department of Education, which includes the roles of mediator and administrative law judge for disputes that come before the department. Johnson develops and teaches a number of courses for Concord. His experiences allow him to bring practical insights to help students understand and apply the law, and develop legal skills. Johnson is the author of a number of books and articles in different areas of law, including books in the education law area that are used in law schools, and in other advanced degree programs. He also develops interactive online lessons for the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI).

Education: JD, Franklin Pierce Law Center; BA, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Publications: What Public School Students Can Say on Social Media May Be About to Change, The Conversation (2/25/21)

Freedom of Speech for Public School Employees, The Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (2020); Special Education Law, 6th Edition, with Laura Rothstein, Sage Publications (2020)

Education Law: A Problem Based Approach, 4th Edition, with Sarah E. Redfield Carolina Academic Press (2019)

Student Speech, The Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (2019)

50 Years of Student Speech and the First Amendment, Concord Connector (4/23/2019)

The 14th Amendment Protects the Right to a Public Education, Concord Connector (4/20/17)

The United States Court Grapples with the Meaning of FAPE, Concord Connector (2/2/17)

Education Law: A Problem Based Approach, 3rd Edition, with Sarah E. Redfield, LexisNexis (2015)

Rowley Forever More? A Call for Clarity and Change, Vol 41, Journal of Law & Education 25 (2012)

Special Education Law, 5th Edition, with Laura Rothstein, Sage Publications (2014)

New Hampshire Special Education Law Manual: A Guide for Parents, Educators, Advocates & Attorneys, 4th Edition, NHEdLaw, LLC (2008)

Administrative Agencies: A Comparison of New Hampshire and Federal Agencies History, Structure and Rulemaking Requirements, 4 Pierce L. Rev. 435 (2006)

Preventing Physical Restraints in Schools: A Guide for Parents, Educators & Professionals, Education Law Resource Center (2005)

Focus on Equality Shifts to Adequacy as Brown v. Board Turns 50, Vol. 34 Your School and the Law Issue 34 (2004) 

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): New Hampshire Bar member. Admitted to practice before the New Hampshire Supreme Court, Federal District Court in New Hampshire, First Circuit Court of Appeals, Court of Appeals for Veteran’s Claims, and the United States Supreme Court.

CLS Courses: Administrative Advocacy, Administrative Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution & Technology, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Education Law, Health Law, and Special Education Law.

Marc Jones has been an adjunct professor with Concord Law School since 2001 and is an administrative law judge with the Social Security Administration. Previously, he practiced immigration law as a trial attorney with the Department of Homeland Security and as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. He also served in the Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG) of the Air Force, where he practiced criminal law.

Education: LLM, George Washington University Law School; JD, Howard University Law School; BS, Northeastern Illinois University

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Illinois, Indiana

CLS Courses: Contracts, criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, immigration, introduction to legal analysis, torts

Mark Juhas is a judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court and has sat in a family law division for 20 years. Before his appointment to the bench, he was a partner in a civil litigation firm in Los Angeles. Juhas sits on several committees for the California Judicial branch that focus on judicial education and access to justice. He is the current chair of the California Access to Justice Commission. Juhas frequently teaches for the Los Angeles Bar Association and the California Lawyers Association, among others. He is an adjunct at Southwestern Law School teaching family law.

Education: JD, Seattle University;  BA, Colorado College

Publications: Contributing editor on the California Bench Guide for Self Represented Litigants

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): California State Bar

Honors and Achievements: Named Judge of the Year from the California State Bar Family Law section; named Judge of the Year from Los Angeles Bar Association Family Law section; awarded for distinguished service from the Judicial Council of California.

Memberships: Member, ABA, and on the Standing Committee for Legal Aid and Indigent Defense; Member, AFCC, immediate past president of the California chapter. Chair of the California Access to Justice Commission.

Legal Focus: Access to Justice, Self Represented Litigants

CLS Courses: Community Property, Family Law

Charles Katz joined the adjunct faculty at Concord in 2017 teaching property law. He is employed assingle-family servicing and consumer affairs in-house counsel for HomeStreet Bank in Seattle, Washington. Katz is also licensed to practice law in California and provides legal counsel to the bank for its banking business in that state. Previously, he was senior counsel in the litigation department at RCO Legal, PC, a law firm specializing in creditor rights on the West Coast.

Education: JD, Concord Law School; BS, University of Houston

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): California and Washington

Honors and Achievements: Concord Law School, graduation with honors

Legal Focus: Real estate, secured transactions, consumer and business banking

CLS Courses: Real Estate

Robert Landry has taught at Concord for over 10 years and previously taught Torts, Contracts, Criminal Law, Real Property, and Administrative Law. He has practiced bankruptcy law for over 20 years, after first serving as a law clerk to a federal bankruptcy judge. Landry frequently lectures at continuing legal education (CLE) seminars and academic conferences on bankruptcy law and policy issues. He has published over forty articles dealing with bankruptcy law, commercial law, ethics, and public policy in established law journals.

Education: JD, University of Alabama School of Law; PhD, Auburn University; MA, Jacksonville State University; BS, University of North Alabama

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama

Publications: Published in Rutgers Business Law Journal, Michigan State Journal of International Law, Mississippi Law Journal, American Bankruptcy Law Journal, and Policy Studies Journal

Memberships: Alabama State Bar, International Association of Consumer Law, Academy of Legal Studies in Business

Legal Focus: Bankruptcy law, policy issues

CLS Courses: Civil Procedure I and II, Administrative Law

Kerii Landry-Thomas is the director of career services and Title IX coordinator at Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She is a licensed attorney in the Louisiana Bar and previously worked as an assistant public defender, assistant general counsel, and as an adjunct legal writing professor. Landry-Thomas also enjoys giving presentations on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.

State Bar Membership: Louisiana

Education: JD, Southern University Law Center; EdS, Louisiana State University; BGS, Louisiana State University

CLS Courses: Introduction to Legal Analysis

Adam Lippe is an attorney and career prosecutor who serves as the chief of the economic and cybercrime unit, as well as the animal abuse unit, for the Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office. In this role, Lippe works on complex employee theft, identity theft, internet scams, large material thefts, organized retail crime, financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, various forms of entitlement fraud, and animal cruelty, in addition to handling murders. Prior to joining Concord, he was a district and juvenile court prosecutor before heading to violent crime and narcotics for many.

State Bar Memberships: Maryland and New Jersey

Education: JD, University of Maryland School of Law; BA, Johns Hopkins University

Publications: Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, faculty lecturer; National District Attorneys Association, faculty lecturer

Honors and Achievements: Special Assistant United States’ Attorney, Maryland; Special Assistant Attorney General, Maryland; Special Assistant States Attorney for Baltimore City, Wicomico County and Caroline County; Maryland State’s Attorney’s Association, Economic Crime Committee, Chair;
“2018 Bar Banquet Keynote Speaker,” Baltimore County Bar Association

Memberships: Maryland State Board of Victim Services, Governor-appointed Commission, Alumni Council and Maryland Alumni Executive Committee (John Hopkins University)

Legal Focus: Promoting ethical decision-making, morality, professionalism in representation and advocacy

CLS Courses: Cross Professional Ethics

Katherine Macek is a partner in the Perrysburg, Ohio, law firm of Wasserman, Bryan, Landry, & Honold, LLP, and has managed the firm for the last 5 years. Her practice mostly focuses on employment law, corporate law, and civil litigation in both state and federal courts. In addition, Macek she serves as a student advisor for a national bar review company and prepares students to sit for the Ohio Bar Examination. She teaches at Concord Law School and is also an adjunct professor at Rasmussen University and American Public University.

Education: JD, University of Toledo College of Law; BA, Michigan State University                            

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Ohio Bar License; Michigan Bar License                       

Memberships: Ohio State Bar Association; Michigan Bar Association; Toledo Bar Association; Toledo Women's Bar Association                           

Legal Focus: Employment law; corporate law; estate planning    

CLS Courses:  Evidence; Corporations and Business Associations

Niya McCray began her career with Purdue Global’s Concord Law School in 2022. McCray is a multi-faceted privacy professional, attorney, and an enthusiastic educator. She has been published in several national publications, and she is a sought after speaker at privacy conferences throughout the nation. In her legal career, McCray has successfully provided counsel to clients across a variety of practice areas, including labor and employment, data privacy and cybersecurity, and complex business litigation. Her commitment to remaining abreast of the latest data privacy laws ensures her clients will always be at the forefront of compliance. McCray has represented tech companies, government contractors, and a variety of other employers and businesses throughout the United States. She has extensive experience advising businesses on best practices and compliance standards for international, federal and state data privacy issues such as GDPR, NIST/DFARS, biometric privacy, and state data breach notification statutes. Her well-rounded and thorough approach to the law has allowed her to provide holistic legal advice across multiple practice areas.

Beyond her legal practice, McCray has been teaching and mentoring law students since she began her career. Whether facilitating short courses or providing one-on-one bar prep tutoring, she is committed to ushering in the next generation of legal minds.

Education: JD, Vanderbilt University Law School; BA, Vanderbilt University

Publications: Emerging Requirements for Data Protection Impact Assessments (May 2022); Sensitive to the Touch: The Evolution of U.S. Biometric Privacy Law (May 2018 “For the Defense”); Biometric Privacy: It’s Time to Face the Litigation (May 2018); Better Late than Never? Alabama, the 50th State to Pass a Data Breach Law (March 26, 2018); To Protect and Serve: Privacy Concerns for Public Employers (March 6, 2018); How to Make it Rain...Eventually (February 2018 “For the Defense” Magazine); The Face of the Future: Developments in Biometric Privacy Law and Litigation (December 8, 2017); Putting a Finger on a Problem? Employees Challenge Biometric Scanners as Violating Privacy (October 24, 2017)

Certifications: ANSI Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US License No. 11029060); ANSI Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM License No. 000267883I)               

Honors and Achievements: National Black Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40, 2019 & 2020; Best Lawyers: One’s to Watch, 2021; International Association of Privacy Professionals, Fellow of Information Privacy, 2022

Bar Memberships: Alabama; Georgia; Texas (pending)    

Legal Focus: Data Privacy, Cybersecurity, Compliance, Contract Drafting & Negotiations  

CLS Courses: Ethics & Compliance

Christopher J. Mercado is a an adjunct professor of law for Concord Law School and is a senior attorney in the firm of Gravis Law, PLLC, in the bankruptcy group. In addition, he is a pro-tem judge for Snohomish County Superior Court. Previously, Christopher was in-house counsel for a professional receivership company, counsel in the office of the Chapter 13 Trustee, special assistant attorney general, and special deputy prosecuting attorney. Christopher has been an adjunct law professor at Seattle University School of Law and a frequent lecturer for bankruptcy, debtor-creditor, business, and real estate continuing legal education seminars. 

Education: JD, Seattle University School of Law; BA, University of Washington

Publications: "Stop Blowing It! Commercial Leasing Pointers" Real Property, Probate & Trust Spring 2013

Certifications and Bar Membership (States): Washington; United States Supreme Court

Honors and Achievements: Washington Super Lawyers - Rising Stars for 2014, 2015 & 2016; Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award 2015; Who’s Who in Academia 2015; and Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation 2009 - 2020

Memberships: Filipino Lawyers of Washington; National Asian Pacific American Bar Association; Asian Bar Association of Washington; King County Bar Association; Snohomish County Bar Association; and Pierce County Bar Association  

Legal Focus: Bankruptcy, debtor-creditor, business, and real estate 

CLS Courses: Introduction to Legal Analysis I

Jennifer Mertus is a professor of law at Concord Law School since 2016 where she has taught Introduction to Legal Analysis I and II, Legal Analysis and Writing, and Electronic Legal Research. Mertus’ experience as a teacher and professor of law spans over 20 years. For more than 10 years, she also served as Director of a law school study abroad in China and the Center for Children and Families (formerly the Center for Children’s Rights) at Whittier Law School. Most recently, she served as a legal access and child welfare policy advisor and consultant for the Department of Homeland Security.

Education: JD, Whittier Law School; BS in Marine Biology and BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina - Wilmington

Publications: Foreign Backlash to Same-Sex Marriage, The Los Angeles Daily Journal, June 24, 2013.

Russia’s U.S. Adoption Ban An Act of Retaliation, The Los Angeles Daily Journal, January 10, 2013.

Barriers. Hurdles, and Discrimination: LGBT Intercountry Adoption and Why Changes Must Be Made to Effectuate the Best Interests of the Child, 39 Cap. U. L. Rev. 271 (2011).

Adoption Procedure Flaws Exposed, The Los Angeles Daily Journal, September 17, 2009.

In re Adoption of R.B.F.: A Step Toward the Recognition and Acceptance of Non-Traditional Families, 3 Whittier Journal of Child and Family Advocacy 171 (2003).

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): California State; Central District of California; Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Honors and Achievements: ‘Professor of the Year’ Whittier Law School, 2018

Memberships: Associate Fellow, International Academy of Family Lawyers; Member, International Society of Family Law; Member, National Association of Counsel for Children; Child Welfare Adoption Law

Legal Focus: Child Welfare, Adoption Law, Children's Rights, Family Law, Immigration Law

CLS Courses: Introduction to Legal Analysis I and II; Legal Writing and Analysis; Electronic Legal Research

Lateefah A. Muhammad joined Concord Law School in 2020 and now serves as a full-time faculty member. During her tenure at Concord Law, she has been involved in student development activities, curriculum and course design, and faculty committees. Muhammad has an extensive, diverse background in various legal subject matters, including advising executive leadership; analyzing, developing, and implementing, policies and procedures; litigation; contracts; negotiation and informal mediation. Her teaching background includes a range of subject matters from Corporate Governance, Business Law, Federal Acquisition, and Philosophy.

Education: LLM, Florida State University College of Law; JD, Florida A&M University College of Law; BS, Florida State University

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Florida and Georgia Bar, Florida Certified Contract Manager, Grow with Google Information Technology Professional Certification       

Memberships: American Bar Association, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated Sorority    

Vanessa Pierce specializes in corporate and intellectual property law. Prior to moving to Washington State, Rollins served as senior counsel for international and legal affairs for the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining IPO, Pierce was a full-time law school professor at Wayne State University Law School and Ave Maria School of Law, teaching patent, copyright, trademark, and contracts courses. Pierce has written several intellectual property-related articles and lectured frequently for various organizations. Before becoming a professor, Pierce practiced intellectual property and corporate law for 8 years in private practice. She is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Education: JD, Notre Dame Law School; BS, The University of Utah

Publications: ”Trademark Fair Use: Braun® Versus the Bunny,” Marquette International Property Law Review (2009); “If It Walks Like Duck, and Quacks Like a Duck, Shouldn’t It Be a Duck? How a ‘Functional’ Approach Ameliorates the Discontinuity Between the ‘Primary Significance’ Tests for Genericness and Secondary Meaning,” New Mexico Law Review (2007)

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): California and Washington

Legal Focus: Intellectual property and corporate law

CLS Courses: Intellectual Property

Michael Power is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Concord Law School where he teaches as part of the Capstone and Bar Prep teams and also specializes in Contracts and Property Law. Power remains focused on work involving property law, public housing requirements, tenant rights law, and zoning regulations.

Education: JD, Boston College Law School; BA, Boston College

Publications: "Shopping for Better Health Care" in Journal of Heath & Biomedical Law, 2006

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Massachusetts Bar Association; Notary Public; Superintendent of Schools, MA Department of Education; History & Social Studies Teacher (MA)     

Honors and Achievements: Kaplan Way Award, ‘Employee of the Quarter’, ‘Employee of the Month’, and 3-time Golden Gavel winner at Kaplan, Inc.

Memberships: The Association of the Academic Support Educators

Legal Focus: Property law, public housing requirements, tenant rights law and zoning regulations.

CLS Courses: CLS610/611 Contracts I & II; CLS660 Property I

Jeremy Rovinsky is dean and general counsel of National Paralegal College. He has been admitted to practice law in a number of jurisdictions and has been published in multiple law journals and academic publications. Jeremy has taught Advanced Legal Writing and Advanced Property at an ABA-accredited law school, helped update the rules of professional conduct for an American Indian community court, and serves as a judge pro tem for the Maricopa County Justice Courts.

Education: JD with honors, George Washington University; BA with honors, American University

Publications: "Don't Have a Cow, Flanders: Guidance for the European Court of Justice as It Considers the Flemish Parliament’s Ban on Ritual Slaughter,” University of Detroit Mercy Law Review, Vol. 90, No. 180 (2019).

(Co-authored with Stephen Haas), Basic Trust Drafting, 2nd ed., Carolina Academic Press (2019).

“Troubleshooting Legal Malfunction: Lexmark and Consumer Standing Under the Lanham Act,” The John Marshall Law Review, 453 (2015).

“The DC Human Rights Act: A Model for the Nation?” Charlotte Law Review, 1 (2015).

“The Cutting Edge: The Debate Over Regulation of Ritual Slaughter in the Western World,” California Western International Law Journal, 79 (2014).

“Monopoly—University Edition: The Case for Student Housing Independence,” BYU Education and Law Journal, 45 (2013).

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Arizona

Honors and Achievements: Rovinsky’s book, Basic Trust Drafting, 2nd ed. (co-authored with a colleague), was listed by BookAuthority.org as one of the “18 Best New Estate Planning Books to Read in 2019.” 

CLS Courses: Electronic Legal Research

Melissa Racki has been with Concord for over 10 years, first as an assistant dean of students and now teaching Legal Writing and Analysis. She has practiced as a plaintiff’s attorney, representing clients with Social Security Disability, ERISA, personal injury, and workers’ compensation claims. She specialized in Social Security and ERISA administrative hearings and appeals, and assisted in the preparation of the ERISA course outline and materials taught at Stetson University College of Law. She also worked as a Social Security law clerk for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, drafting orders, reports, and recommendations for eight U.S. magistrates. Racki owns and operates a small online business selling hand knits and hand-spun yarns.

Education: JD, Stetson University College of Law; BA, University of Maryland University College Europe

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Florida

CLS Courses: Introduction to Legal Analysis I and II

Terri Simmons is licensed attorney in both Georgia and Tennessee with 12 years teaching experience. Since 2020, Simmons has served as an adjunct professor of Law at Concord Law School. She has been an adjunct professor at Southern New Hampshire University for its Criminal Justice and Business departments since 2013. Simmons previously served on the faculties of Clayton State University and Herzing University, where she sat on the Legal Studies and Paralegal Department Advisory Board and played an active part in the planning and development of the program’s curriculum, course development and design, and retention and student success missions.

Education: JD, University of Tennessee College of Law; BS in Mathematics, Spelman College              

Publications: Simmons, T. (2015 February 10). Types of Abuse: Response to the Super Bowl Anti-Domestic Violence Commercial. Retrieved from https://stearns-law.com/blog/domestic-violence. 

Know Your Rights Legal Series – Stand Your Ground and Georgia’s New Gun Law (NewRock Legal Society and GABWA)

Immigration Forum, Deferred Action, Dream Act and ICE Holds and Traffic Laws (NewRock Legal Society)

Fathers’ Rights (NewRock Legal Society); Representing Victims of Domestic Violence (Stearns, Montgomery & Proctor)

Bankruptcy and Divorce Informational Training (Wood & Wood, LLP); Creating an Inclusive Learning Atmosphere, sponsored by Southern New Hampshire University

Judicial Writing Course, sponsored by the National Judicial College

The Dekalb County Juvenile Court and the Parent Attorney Advocacy Committee’s Dekalb County Juvenile Court Deprivation Practice Seminar and Child Welfare Attorney Training, sponsored by the Supreme Court’s Committee on Justice for Children

Honors and Achievements: Frank B. Ennix Award for Excellence; Domestic Violence Clinic Award -Highest Average; Ward Welchel Scholar; Moot Court Board Secretary; Black Law Student Association Secretary; Frederick Douglass Moot Court Team; Mediation Clinic, NASA Women in Science and Engineering Scholar; Spelman College Dean’s List; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Parliamentarian and Membership Co-Chairman; Math Club             

Memberships: Licensed to practice law in Georgia since 2009 and in Tennessee (inactive) since 2010; State Bar of Georgia; State Bar of Georgia’s Workers Compensation Section and Family Law Section; trained as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 civil and family mediator; New Rock Legal Society (Legal and Public Education committee chair and executive board member); Herzing University Legal Studies Program Advisory Board; YPL – Atlanta board member; Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA); DeKalb Lawyer’s Association; Judicial Reception committee chair – Gate City Bar Association; volunteer attorney for the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation.  

Research Interests: Civil rights, accountability courts, anti-recidivism            

Bar Membership (State): Georgia                         

CLS Courses: PD123: Introduction to Purdue Global Students

Steven Specht is an adjunct law professor teaching Constitutional Law I and II. Licensed in Florida, his legal work has been predominantly with Legal Services of North Florida, focusing on eviction defense, domestic violence injunctions, and wills. Prior to working at Concord Law school, Specht taught Law of Mass Communication at the University of Florida College of Journalism. In addition to teaching, he works for Ad Fontes Media, which produces the Media Bias Chart, a tool that provides a rating of news organizations on metrics of bias and reliability. Before his time as an attorney, Specht was an airborne cryptologic linguist in the United States Air Force.

Education: JD, Florida State University College of Law; MA, American Military University; BS, University of Florida; AA, Defense Language Institute

Publications: “How Pro-Defendant Defamation Law Empowered the #MeToo Movement in the U.S.,” Concord Law School, August 19, 2020

Dispute Resolution in the TPP: Pillar or Pitfall, 26 J. of Transnational L. and Pol’y (2017).

Public Choice Theory and Gerrymandering: Political Tolerance for the Economically Intolerable, 19.1 W. Mich. Univ. Cooley J. of Practical & Clinical L., (2017).

Michael Picolo and Steven Specht, Non-Resident Second Amendment Rights After Dearth v. Lynch, 3 Revista de Investigações Constitucionais (2016).

Developing an International Carbon Tax Regime, 16 Sustainable Dev. L. & Pol'y 28 (2016)

The Continuing Relevance of the Full Faith and Credit Clause: The Life of the Same-Sex Marriage After Windsor and Beshear, 2 Indon. J. Int'l & Comp. L. 383 (2015)

Honors and Achievements: Certificate in International Law

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Florida Bar 

Legal Focus: Constitutional law, international law, environmental law

CLS Courses: Constitutional Law I, Constitutional Law II

Deena R. Sturm is an attorney registered to practice in New York and Florida and has been involved in legal education since 2008, teaching a variety of subjects. At Concord Law School, Sturm is an adjunct law professor teaching patent law. She is also a registered patent attorney whose previous law practice has encompassed all aspects of intellectual property prosecution and litigation, including patent, trademark, and copyright. In addition to teaching at Concord, Sturm is an adjunct professor at St. Francis School of Law at Baker College, where she teaches intellectual property, legal research, and legal writing classes.    

Education: JD, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law; BS, York University    

Publications:
Deena R. Sturm. Foreign Use of a Mark May Establish Trademark Priority in the U.S., 13:5 The Intellectual Property Strategist 3-6 (2007).

Howard J. Shire & Deena R. Sturm. Fair Use: Lawful Use of Another’s Trademark, World Trademark Yearbook 457-463 (2006)      

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Florida, New York, Registered Patent AttorneySymposia Honors and Achievements: Editor, Arts and Entertainment Law Journal, Top 20% of class             

Legal Focus: Intellectual property protection of fashion designs, USPTO, Intellectual Property Law

CLS Courses: Patent Law

Nazanin Tondravi has an extensive, diverse background in various legal and health policy subject matters, including advising executive leadership; developing, analyzing, and implementing policies and procedures; regulatory compliance; licensure and accreditation; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Conditions of Participation and health insurance. Tondravi is licensed to practice in Illinois and Florida state courts as well as the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She has experience in corporate healthcare compliance and regulation, HIPAA and state privacy laws, and Medicaid and Medicare billing.

Education: JD, Chicago-Kent College of Law; MBA, Johns Hopkins University, MPH - Health Policy and Administration, University of Illinois   

Publications: “Changes to the Bayh-Dole Act,” Email Alert, AHLA Academic Medical Centers and Teaching Hospitals Practice Group.

“Topics of Health Care Reform in the OIG Work Plan,” Reviewer, Email Alert.

 “Overhaul of Massachusetts Medicaid Program Approved,” Reviewer, Email Alert.

“CMS Will Let Physicians Ease into MACRA Reporting Requirements,” Email Alert, AHLA Physician Organizations Practice Group, Health Care Reform Educational Task Force.

Certifications: Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS), Certified Joint Commission Professional (CJCP), Healthcare Accreditation Professional (HACP-CMS), Licensed Healthcare Risk Manager (LHRM)               

Honors and Achievements: Rising Star Under 40, Becker’s Healthcare Review

Memberships: Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership Bar and Gavel Society Inductee

Bar Membership (State): Licensed attorney State of Florida and Illinois

Lori Tripoli is a professor of law at Concord Law School where she teaches legal writing and analysis, legal research, virtual law practice, and compliance and risk management. Tripoli writes frequently about legal developments, compliance, and the business of law. Her experience includes developing compliance policies, procedures, training, and assessments. Before joining the law school, Tripoli served as a department chair at the predecessor to Purdue Global overseeing the Master of Science in Legal Studies, the graduate and undergraduate environmental policy and management programs, and the undergraduate political science program.

Education: JD, Georgetown University Law Center; BA, The George Washington University

Publications: California AG’s Proposed CCPA Regs Leave More Questions Than Answers, Compliance Week; The Ginormous Reason BigLaw, and All Law, Should Get on Board With Working Remotely, Of Counsel; Transaction Monitoring Tips From the Experts at Google, Anti-Corruption Report; Increased Post-Breach Discovery Turns Spotlight on Privilege, Cybersecurity Law Report; How Worried Do We Need to Be About GDPR and Brexit?, InfoGoTo; White Hat Report on the Software Lifecycle and Visa Bug Bounty Program Demonstrate the Need for Greater App Security, Cybersecurity Law Report; Managing M&A Anti-Corruption Risk: Deal Terms and Integration, Anti-Corruption Report

Memberships: American Bar Association (ABA), American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE)

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Maryland

Legal Focus: Compliance and risk management, legal writing and analysis, data privacy, law practice management, environmental law and sustainability

Brian A. Victor is an adjunct professor of law for Concord Law School. Victor owns his own law firm and focuses his practice on family law, specifically on divorce law, child custody, and mediation. He has litigated complex family law matters and brings more than eleven years of experience from Family Court Services at the Superior Court in San Diego where he mediated challenging child custody and visitation matters and crafted more than 3,000 child custody recommendations for Family Court judges. In addition to being a licensed attorney in California, he is also a licensed marriage family therapist. Victor has previously been an adjunct professor at University of the Rockies. He also serves as Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee on the board of directors of the UC Davis Cal Aggie Alumni Association. 

Education: JD, Concord Law School; MS, Clinical/Community Psychology, California State University,  Long Beach; BA, Psychology (with minor in education), University of California, Davis

Publications: “The Dangers and Consequences of Drinking And Driving,” Video. © Brian Victor.

“Don’t Drink and Drive,” Video. © Brian Victor.  

Certifications and Bar Membership (State):  California; U.S. District Court, Southern District of California. California State Certified Mediator.

Honors and Achievements: Best 30 Divorce Lawyers In San Diego 2016-2022 by Expertise.com.     

Super Lawyers 2015-2020 California Rising Stars list.

Top 10 Family Law Attorney by Custody Exchange.          

Kaplan Award for Legal Service in the Community, July 2009

Moot Court Award for Distinguished Plaintiff Brief, July 2008

Memberships: California State Bar Association (Family Law Section); San Diego Family Law Bar Association; San Diego County Bar Association (Family Law Section, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, and Entertainment and Sports Law Section).

Legal Focus: Divorce law; child custody; mediation.          

CLS Courses: Family law

Victoria Vidt is an assistant public defender in the Allegheny County Public Defender's Office in Pittsburgh, specializing in appellate advocacy. She has practiced in the appellate courts of Pennsylvania and the United States Supreme Court. Vidt has presented numerous continuing education seminars in Pennsylvania, covering all stages of a criminal defense practice.

Education: JD, Duquesne University School of Law; BA, BA, University of Pittsburgh

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Pennsylvania

Honors and Achievements: Law Review member, Duquesne University School of Law; active in Allegheny County Bar Association (currently vice-chair); publications Committee and Council member, Criminal Litigation Section; section editor, Criminal Division, Pittsburgh Legal Journal

Legal Focus: Criminal defense litigation, appellate advocacy

CLS Courses: Criminal Procedure

Terry Watt is a director in the Tulsa firm of Crowe & Dunlevy, P.C., in the IP group. He is a registered patent attorney and concentrates his practice in the field of intellectual property law as it relates to high-technology subject matters and computer and software law. In addition to teaching at Concord, Watt has been an adjunct professor at the University of Tulsa College of Law. He is a frequent speaker on patent law issues and has authored numerous articles on the topic.

Education: JD, University of Tulsa; PhD, University of Tulsa, Geophysics; MA, Princeton University, Statistics; MBA, University of Tulsa, Finance; BA, University of Tulsa, Mathematics

Publications: “How to Handle Gripe Sites Effectively,” Tulsa World, October 7, 2018

“Bird in the Hand — Are Tweets Considered Intellectual Property?” The Oklahoman, August 19, 2018

“Contractor Owns Software, Not Business,” Tulsa World, September 17, 2017

“Dealing with a Software Copyright Audit,” The Journal Record, July 20, 2016

“Common Mistakes Made by Inventors,” The Journal Record, June 8, 2016

“Protecting Your Company’s Trade Secrets,” The Journal Record, March 16, 2016

“Trademark Tips,” The Journal Record, July 1, 2015

“Offer Invalidates Patent,” The Journal Record, September 25, 2013

“Court Puts Brakes on Cars Claim,” The Journal Record, February 23, 2011

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Oklahoma; admitted to practice before the federal courts of the Northern and Western Districts of Oklahoma and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Honors and Achievements: Best Lawyers in America^®: Copyright, Patent, Litigation (Intellectual Property), Trademark (2010–2019)

Best Lawyer of the Year: Patent (2014–2016)

Lawyer of the Year (Tulsa): Copyright (2019)

Oklahoma Super Lawyers^® (2012–2016)

Chambers^® ranked lawyer in Intellectual Property (2014–2018)

Memberships: American Intellectual Property Law Association, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, American Bar Association (ABA)

Legal Focus: Intellectual property, including patent prosecution, litigation, and client counseling on all aspects of intellectual property law

CLS Courses: Patent Law Fundamentals, Patent Claim Drafting, Patent Litigation, Patent Application Drafting, Intellectual Property Survey

Melissa Williams focuses her practice on business law, tax law, and contract law and is an adjunct professor of law for Concord Law School. Additionally, Williams is an adjunct undergraduate instructor where she teaches Business Law I & II, and Entrepreneurship at a large university. Previously with Deloitte Tax, LLP, she worked with a team of lawyers and tax accountants that provided transaction cost recovery services to businesses following a merger, acquisition, joint venture, or divestiture. The team focused on resolving complex tax issues sounding the recovery of costs, tax strategies, and tax risks following a transaction.          

Education: JD, Florida A&M University College of Law; MS Public Administration, Florida A&M University; BS Business Administration, Florida A&M University  

Honors and Achievements: Instructional Excellence Award Nominee 2020; Instructional Excellence Award Nominee 2019; Applause Award (Deloitte) 2008; Outstanding Performance Award (Deloitte) 2007; Applause Award (Deloitte) 2007; Outstanding Participant Recognition (Deloitte Tax LLP 1st Year’s Training and Conference) 2006; Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Award for Outstanding Public Service as Co-Chair of Volunteer Income Tax Clinic (VITA) 2006; Certificate of Appreciation (U.S. EPA) 2005; Tribute of Appreciation (U.S. EPA) 2005; Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund Leadership Program 2005; Orlando University Club Scholarship Recipient for First Year Law Students 2003

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Georgia; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia

CLS Courses: Wills, Estates, and Trusts II

Shandrea P. Williams is a full-time law professor teaching first-year and advanced courses at Concord and serves as a Faculty Senate member. She holds state and federal bar licenses and concentrates her practice in the field of criminal defense. In addition to teaching at Concord, Williams has been a law professor, administrator, and adjunct professor at the University of Mississippi, University of Florida, University of La Verne, and Wilberforce University. She is a frequent speaker on criminal law and procedure issues and volunteers and presents in the areas of domestic violence, sexual harassment, and human rights.

Education: JD, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law; BA, Southern University and A&M College

Publications: “National Consensus, Retributive Theory, and Foundations of Justice and Morality in Eighth Amendment Jurisprudence: A Response to Advocates of the Child Rape Death Penalty Statute in Kennedy v. Louisiana,” The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice (2011); “Overrepresented in Lockup — Underrepresented on the Home Front: Creating a Blueprint for Quality Reintegration into Home and Family After Incarceration,” Ninth Annual National Fatherhood & Families Conference, Phoenix, Arizona, Program Booklet (2008)

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Louisiana

Honors and Achievements: Recipient of Co-Teacher of the Year, Arizona Summit Law School

Recipient of Dean Jon Mills Excellent Service Award, University of Florida Levin College of Law

Recipient of Rahim Reed Outstanding Service Award, University of Florida Levin College of Law, Black Law Student Association

Recipient of Outstanding Service Award, Dean’s Recognition, Admissions Office Prospectus, University of Florida Levin College of Law

Recipient of Faculty/Student Appreciation Award, Edward Waters College

Recipient of Outstanding Achievements in Education award, Ebony magazine

Recipient of Dean Louis Westerfield Leadership Award, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law (awarded to the outstanding leader of each graduating class)

Recipient of Street Law Outstanding Service Award, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law

Member, moot court team, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law

Legal Focus: Criminal defense; contracts, mergers, and acquisitions; sports and entertainment

CLS Courses: Contracts, Criminal Law, Torts, Evidence, Real Property, Trial Advocacy

Marcia Ziegler chairs an undergraduate program in Legal Studies at Ivy Tech Community College in Sellersburg, Indiana, and is visiting professor of Lawyering Skills, Torts, and Upper Level Writing at the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville. Before her teaching career, Ziegler was a trial court prosecutor in Norfolk, VA, and Hamilton County, IN. She currently teaches Property II at Concord Law School and has previously taught Introduction to Legal Analysis.  

Education: JD, Pennsylvania State University; BA, Biology and Political Science, Hope College; AA, Biology and Music, Northwestern Michigan College 

Publications: Numerous presentations on law and legal issues.

Utilizing Legal Staff, Bench & Bar Magazine, Kentucky Bar Association. June 2022.

Legal Writing and Professional Identity: Finding Your Unique Voice. Bench & Bar Magazine, Kentucky Bar Association. January 2022.

With Liberty and Justice for Some: The American Civil Court System. I Taught The Law, Medium.com, August 3, 2021.

A Tale of Two Systems. I Taught The Law, Medium.com, June 5, 2020.

Certifications and Bar Membership (State): Virginia and Indiana (inactive in good standing); Certified Online Educator from the Delphi Center at the University of Louisville and at Ivy Tech Community College.

Honors and Achievements: Kalodner Memorial Award in Criminal Law and Procedure, the Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University; Corpus Juris Secundum awards in Property and Civil Procedure.

Legal Focus: Criminal law, police accountability, and local government law.          

CLS Courses: Property II, ILA I