Tom Best is Associate General Counsel at Home Depot. where he leads a team that manages the Company’s casualty, products liability, first property and torts claims and litigation. Tom is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt and has been trained as a Six Sigma Black Belt. During Tom’s time at the Company, Tom’s group has pioneered several successful new programs including: National Discovery Counsel, Early Case Assessment and Evaluation, Regionalization of Products Liability Counsel, Regionalization of Torts Counsel, and Alternative Fee Approaches to Torts and Products Liability Litigation. Tom has presented on general liability matters, the relationship between outside and in house counsel, cost containment, and alternative fee strategies on numerous occasions.

Tom is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University where he served on the Editorial Board as Student Writing Editor. Tom is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Defense Research Institute, National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association, the Association of Corporate Counsel. Tom is also a Fellow of the Counsel on Litigation Management and serves as a Co-Chairperson of the Litigation Management Committee. Tom maintains an “AV” rating with Martindale-Hubbell.
 

389 Sutherland Place 

Chad Callaghan is the Principal for Premises Liability Experts, LLC, a litigation support and security consulting company. He previously served as Vice-President of Global Safety & Security - Americas for Marriott International, having responsibility for the safety and security for all Marriott businesses and brands in the U.S., Latin America and the Carribean.  He has been in the loss prevention profession for 37 years, and with Marriott International for 35 years.

Mr. Callaghan is a member of the CSO Roundtable and a past co-chair of the Commission on Guidelines for ASIS International.

He currently serves as the Security Consultant to the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Mr. Callaghan also serves on the Board of Directors for ASIS International and is a past chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Association Loss Prevention Committee.  Additionally, he served on the Security Planning Councils for the Atlanta and Salt Lake  Olympic Games. 

Mr. Callaghan has been a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) since 1984, a Certified Lodging Security Director (CLSD) since 1999, and attained the Certified Security Consultant (CSC) designation in 2006.  In 2001, Mr. Callaghan received the Raymond C. Ellis Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Hospitality Industry and, in 2002, received the Presidential Award of Merit, both from ASIS International.  In 2007, he was recognized as one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People in the Security Industry” bySecurity Magazine.  In 2008, Mr. Callaghan was awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Hospitality Lawyer.com.

Mr. Callaghan has authored several articles on safety and security in the lodging industry and contributed to the reference book Security Business Practices.  Additionally, he currently serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for Corporate Security and Hospitality Law publications.  He has been a guest lecturer at the University of Houston, Cornell University, Georgia State University and Delaware State University.

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Callaghan received a BA degree in Communications from the University of South Florida in 1974 and did graduate work at Georgia State University.  He has a wife and two sons and resides in Gaithersburg, Maryland 

Jason J. Campbell is the founder/owner of Jason Campbell Firm PLLC in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mr. Campbell’s practice involves construction defect, premises, products and professional liability defense. Mr. Campbell is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. He has been regularly listed among the “Best Lawyers in America” and “Mid-South Super Lawyers.” He is a proud graduate of CLM’s inaugural Litigation Management Institute (LMI). In his 22 years of practice, Mr. Campbell has tried over 50 cases to verdict and received several favorable arbitration awards.  He is a board member and officer in several professional and community organizations.

Jackie is a Vice President, Claims Consultant in Brown & Brown’s National Casualty Practice based in Atlanta, GA. She has a focused approach as a client advocate to identify and develop effective solutions to maximize cost containment and manage the Casualty related programs of her clients.

Ms. Chapman has more than twenty-six years of insurance industry experience working for third party administrators and international corporations where she has largely focused on developing innovative and efficient solutions to claims challenges impacting the Retail, Restaurant, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and Transportation sectors. Prior to joining Brown & Brown, Jackie was the Senior Global Claims Manager for Primo Water Corporation, providing strategic and technical claims management and leadership across nearly two dozen countries covering all lines of commercial insurance, including: property, casualty, marine/cargo, products liability, and FINPRO. Jackie’s unique perspective focuses on collaboration, communication, and problem-solving techniques designed to yield measurable results and positive outcomes for her clients.

Ms. Chapman graduated from Georgia State University in 2002, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology with concentrations in pre-medicine and the human sciences. Since that time, she has earned several designations in the field of insurance and risk management including an Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Associate in Claims (AIC), Associate in Insurance Services (AIS), and an Associate in Management (AIM). Jackie is also in the process of completing the CPCU designation.

Ms. Chapman presently sits as the President of the Western Florida Chapter of CLM, having previously served as Vice President (2016-2022). She has also held the offices of President (2014-2015) and Vice President (2013-2014) of CLM's Atlanta Chapter and served as Assistant Secretary for the Atlanta Claims Association (ACA) (2014-2016).

Mr. Crowley has been with Marriott’s Risk Management Department for 23 years, starting in the Boston regional claims office as a multi-lines adjuster and supervisor and progressing to Marriott Corporate Headquarters as a National Claims Examiner, before assuming his current role as Senior Manager, Claims Operations for Marriott’s Southeast Regional Claims office. His current responsibilities involve the oversight of 15 adjusters and 4 supervisors who manage guest and employee claims arising out of the multiple-brand hotel operations in the Southeast.

Ms. Gridley received her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of South Florida. She maintains Professional Engineering licenses in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. She is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), a Certified Mold Remediator (CMR), and a licensed mold assessor in the state of Florida.

Ms. Gridley performs egress evaluations, surface slip resistance assessments, workplace accident investigations, industrial hygiene/air quality evaluations, water intrusion evaluations, and civil engineering investigations such as structural damage assessments, foundation and roof investigations and vibration damage analysis.

Alyson is a lifelong resident of Georgia and attended Rockdale County High School in Conyers. Alyson has been in insurance since 1989 starting in Underwriting and moving to claims in 1993. She is in her twelfth year with Columbia Insurance Group handling large complex losses in the entire Southeast. Columbia Insurance Group is a Regional Mutual Carrier based out of the mid-west in Columbia, Missouri. Alyson holds adjusters licenses in GA, FL, KY, TX, NC and SC.

Jennie has over 25 years of civil litigation experience. As managing attorney for AIG in its Atlanta staff counsel office, Jennie specializes in complex premises liability, trucking liability and products liability claims. Previously, Jennie worked for AIG in the role of claims counsel, drafting coverage opinions, handling bad faith litigation, promoting litigation management and training adjusters in civil litigation in 49 U.S. states and internationally.

In her premise practice, Jennie has defended major restaurant franchises, grocery store chains and other retail companies in slip and fall cases, negligent security claims, false arrest and prosecution claims. She has defended restaurants in claims involving contaminated food products, foreign objects found in food and food borne illnesses.

Jennie received her BA in History and her law degree from The College of William and Mary, in Virginia. She began her career as a criminal prosecutor in Virginia and Georgia. In her civil practice, she has worked in the staff counsel offices of Travelers Insurance Company, St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company.

Joshua Stein is a partner in the Atlanta office of Goodman McGuffey Lindsey and Johnson, LLP representing individuals and corporations in a wide range of general litigation matters in federal and state Courts across Georgia. Josh has experience defending cases involving premises liability, products liability, nursing home litigation, professional liability, and construction litigation. Josh also works on subrogation matters for insurance carriers. In addition, he serves as general counsel to small businesses and educational organizations around Atlanta.
 
Josh is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Atlanta Bar Association, the Litigation Section of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia; is Co-Chairman of the Appellate Admissions Committee of the YLD; and is an active participant with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. Josh is a member/presenter at Claims & Litigation Management, is a member/presenter of NRRDA (National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association) where he Chairs the Education Committee and a participant in the Retail and Hospitality Committee of Defense Research Institute.  Josh has been recognized multiple times as a Georgia Super Lawyers "Rising Star."  He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Risk Management/Insurance (2001) and Juris Doctor (2004) from the University of Georgia.

Tim Dunn has 29 years of experience in the insurance industry. He has spent 15 of those years with Royal Insurance and the last 9 years with ACE doing subro only since 1993-all lines experience, heavy emphasis on large loss property as well as catastrophic work comp-handle both large losses countrywide as well as international exposure-have mediated and settled hundreds of cases-courtroom exposure as well-have testified numerous times. Panelist for Arb Forums for many years-CSRP designation

BA University of Dayton 1983

Karen D. Fultz is Of Counsel at Sheehe & Associates, P.A. practicing with the Insurance Department. She focuses her practice on subrogation and recovery. Prior to joining the firm, Karen was an A.P. & Dean with WMU Cooley Law School. She also served as a judicial intern for the Hon. Denise Page Hood of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

As a member of the subrogation and recovery department she handles product liability cases ranging from $100,000 to over $1,000,000.00 involving product failures which result in fire and/or water losses.  She is the coordinator for the Atlanta office’s pro bono program and provides legal assistance for the underprivileged and unrepresented community in the state of Georgia in partnership with Georgia Legal Services and the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyer Foundation.

 She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia’s Insurance Law Section, and its Young Lawyers Division. She served as the President of the Gate City Bar Association (2005), and continues to serve as a member. She is also a member of the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, the Atlanta Bar Association and a member of the American and National bar associations. Karen was selected for inclusion in the eighth edition of Who's Who In Black Atlanta.

 She is the author of the article “Workers' Compensation Recovery Issues - Conflicts of Law in Georgia: Can You Intervene to Protect a Foreign State's Lien?” which was published in the Subrogator (1/11/2006). She has made presentations on topics such as Motor Carrier/Cargo Claims, Taking Your First Deposition, and Workers’ Compensation Subrogation claims.

 Karen received her bachelor of arts degree from Michigan State University in 1993 and her law degree in 1998 from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, cum laude, where she served on Moot Court.

Aaron is currently the safety manager for Cosentino's Food Service based in Prairie Village, KS. Beginning his career in Aviation Safety he has gravitated over time to the retail risk management sector holding both production side and internal risk positions. In his current role he oversees the company's safety program, claims management and litigation as it pertains to workers compensation, general liability, and product liability.

He holds Life, Health, Property, Casualty and Series 6 & 63 securities licenses.

He is also an FAA certified commercial pilot with CFI, CFII, and MEII ratings as well as an FAA designated Aviation Safety Counselor.

Mark is experienced in Forensic Analysis of Electrical-Electronic Equipment Failures as an Advanced Origin & Cause Expert. He specializes in Damaged Mechanisms affecting Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Fire, Smoke, Lightning, Water, and Power Surge).  Additional specialties include: Semiconductor Device Physics/Digital Telephony and Data Communications, Computer Systems, Manufacturing, Assembly Line, HVAC Failures, Medical Equipment Diagnostics/Industrial-Mechanical Equipment and Handling, Shipping, Transport Damage to Industrial Equipment.

effrey M. Lenkov chairs both the firm's Sports Law Practice and the Retail, Restaurant & Hospitality practice.

He received his Juris Doctorate in May 1991 from the Northern Illinois University College of Law and a Bachelor's degree from McGill University in May 1987. Mr. Lenkov has extensive experience in civil litigation specializing in defending employment lawsuits, labor matters and significant injury tort claims involving wrongful death, brain injury, paralysis and food borne illness. He has served as lead trial counsel in several class action lawsuits. Mr. Lenkov handles complex cases in both State and Federal courts for prominent national and international clients. He has represented professional sports franchises and athletes on litigated and transactional matters. He is counsel to an international sports agency, which represents many well-known world class athletes.

Mr. Lenkov provides seminars for clients on various issues including risk management and strategies for avoiding workplace harassment.

Mr. Lenkov has formerly served as a Judge Pro Tem in the Los Angeles Superior Court and is a past recipient of the Wiley M. Manuel Award for Pro Bono legal services. He has litigated high profile cases and is sought out by prominent clients who request that he personally handle their case. Mr. Lenkov regularly serves as supervising counsel to outside counsel.

Mr. Lenkov has negotiated and drafted numerous contracts including production, distribution and employment service agreements for entertainment clients. He has litigated copyright, trademark and contract cases. Mr. Lenkov has licensed, assigned and obtained rights to computer software and interactive media. Additionally, Mr. Lenkov has negotiated directly with guilds and unions on clients' behalf. He has also drafted comprehensive collective bargaining agreements.

He is a member of the California State Bar, the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, the Sports Lawyer Association, the Los Angeles Bar Association, DRI, NRRDA and CLM.

Mr. Lenkov serves as an adjunct professor at a prominent Los Angeles law school and is on the advisory board to the prestigious Los Angeles Film School. He also frequently appears as a legal analyst on television news shows.

Mr. Lenkov is a volunteer arbitrator/mediator in the Los Angeles Superior Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Program.

Mr. Lenkov founded a landmark program with the Southern California Big Brothers and Big Sisters, called "Littles in Law" which introduces minority disadvantaged teenagers to the practice of law. The goal is to inspire "at risk" youth to pursue a career in law or some other highly regarded profession. This popular program received recognition from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California Attorney General.

Mr. Lenkov has received the distinction of being named a "Rising Legal Star" and repeatedly, as a "Superlawyer". He also was previously honored as the Lawyer of the Year by his law school. Recent notable cases defended by Jeffrey Lenkov include: 1. Latasha Byears v. The L.A. Lakers and The L.A. Sparks. 2. Lee v. The St. Louis Cardinals. 3. Van Halen v. The Baltimore Orioles. 4. Moats v. The Staples Center. 5. 20th Century Fox v. ODM. 6. Tina Pisnik v. AEG, Home Depot Center. 7. Pilot v. California Interscholastic Federation. 8. Bolia v. Knott's Berry Farm [Court of Appeal]. 9. Carr v. Advanced Education Services [Court of Appeal]. 10. FACTA class action lawsuits. 11. Wage & Hour class action lawsuits. 12. Stefon Johnson v. USC. On October 3rd, 2012, Mr. Lenkov argued for the defendant, at the California Supreme Court, in Nalwa v. Cedar Fair. The case deals with the Assumption of Risk issue and the Common Carrier rule. Mr. Lenkov is regularly published in various media like Verdict Magazine, Los Angeles Lawyer, internet magazines & web sites as well as many newspapers.

Mr. Lenkov is a much sought after speaker on many subjects including Developments in Class Action Lawsuits; Sexual Harassment; Social Media; California Tort Law, and How To Successfully Use ADR.

Cindy has been in the Commercial claims in arenas of General and Auto Liability and various speciality or niche markets such as Aviation, Employment Practices and Professional Liability, Trucking, Apartment Homes for over twenty years.  Her time in the industry has been spilt between carriers and third party administrators as well as an in-house claims manager for ABM. Prior to her career in Commercial Insurance Claims, she was a teacher.  She also possesses another degree in Fashion Merchandising and worked several years in Retail Management.  She enjoys Claims handling as a career, as the new Claim may appear ordinary, but there are always new twists to the same scenario.

In her spare time she volunteers for animal organizations and various other charities, she considers herself a bit of "foodie" and loves meeting new people.

Karina Shreefer is the senior staff attorney at Legal Language Services (LLS), an international litigation support firm located in Kansas City with headquarters in New York City.  LLS assists its clients, from solo practitioners to multi-national law firms, with international service of process, evidence-taking, skip-tracing and enforcement of judgments.  LLS networks world-wide with an array of attorneys, investigators, translators, and interpreters and is a fantastic resource for firms involved in international litigation, including those pursuing subrogation claims against foreign defendants.

Karina is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law, with an emphasis in international litigation.   She also received her undergraduate degree from KU where she majored in French.

Mr. Thomas Baker is a Mechanical Engineering expert. Mr. Baker holds a Bachelor of Science degree in both Physics and Mechanical Engineering from Jacksonville University and Georgia Institute of Technology.  He also obtained a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of North Florida. He is a certified trainer for Aerial Work Platforms and forklift operator in addition to an OSHA authorized safety trainer. Mr. Baker has held such titles as Manufacturing Engineer, Contract Field Engineer, Project Engineer, Engineering Manager and Product Development Engineer. Mr. Baker is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the National Association of Fire Investigators and the Society of Automotive Engineers. He is also a registered professional engineer in the states of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. His professional education includes:  Aerial Work Platform Operator Trainer,  Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator Trainer,  Automotive Crash Data Retrieval (CDR), Variable Incident Tribometer Certification (Slip meter), American Boating and Yacht Council Standards Accreditation, SolidWorks and AutoDesk Inventor Certification, fenestration expert, Quality Control Auditor, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, and OSHA compliance.  With his professional work history and years of firsthand work experience, Mr. Baker is a seasoned and experienced expert in Mechanical Engineering.

Brian Cafritz is an equity partner in the law firm of Kalbaugh, Pfund & Messersmith, PC in Richmond, Virginia. He entered private practice in 1993.  Mr. Cafritz holds licenses to practice in Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC and West Virginia, where he regularly defends matters in the state and federal courts for each of those jurisdictions.  For 23 years, his practice has been dedicated exclusively to civil defense litigation. He has first chaired over 50 jury trials and represents over 25 national retail and restaurant clients on a regional basis.  His cases regularly involve contract disputes and various torts, including products liability, premises liability, food borne illness claims, dram shop liability, loss prevention claims, civil rights actions, and construction litigation.  Mr. Cafritz has tried multiple wrongful death cases, and has had extensive experience defending traumatic brain injury lawsuits.  Mr. Cafritz is a founder, a board member, and a past president of the National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association.  He is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell and has been named to SuperLawyers in Virginia.

TRACY HURST has been with Ruby Tuesday, Inc. for 12 years where they self administer their general liability program and portions of the workers compensation. She is the Litigation Manager and therefore responsible for all general liability litigation through the continental United States, holding adjustor licenses in multiple states, as well as wearing the Custodian of Records hat. Tracy is on the Board of Directors for the National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association (NRRDA) and co-chaired NRRDA’s 2012 Annual Conference. She is also working with a committee to expand the workers compensation presence in NRRDA. She is a Tennessee State Chair for CLM, and most recently, was named Vice-President and Treasurer of the Smoky Mountain Country Music Association.

Robert Luskin is an accomplished litigation defense attorney representing clients in both federal and state courts throughout Georgia and Tennessee. Robert maintains a vast practice defending corporations and individuals in various complex litigation matters. He has extensive experience in the areas of product liability, premises liability, professional negligence, questionable insurance claims and other insurance coverage matters. Robert also represents various companies with regard to employment related matters including discrimination and harassment issues.

Robert is a recognized thought leader often presenting at national risk management and claims litigation conferences throughout the country.

Douglas R. Morr, M.S., P.E.Mr. Morr received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (specializing in Biomechanics) degrees in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University. After gaining automotive engineering experience at an international manufacturer and over five years of research, design, and testing experience as a biomechanical engineer at a measurement device company, Mr. Morr brought his education and experience to SEA in 2000. Since arriving at SEA, he has performed hundreds of accident investigations and reconstruction analyses, biomechanical analyses relative to injury mechanisms and injury causation, and mechanical engineering analyses of failure events. Mr. Morr also has experience and training in the use of MADYMO, both in research and real-world human kinematic and kinetic analysis, HVE for vehicle accident and kinematic simulation analysis, and engineering support for animation. Capitalizing on his design and testing background, Mr. Morr leads research and case-specific testing programs at SEA, utilizing instrumented Anthropometric Test Devices (ATDs), vehicle-to-vehicle crash tests, and human volunteer testing. In his career, Mr. Morr has continuously worked with colleagues on other biomechanical, mechanical, and investigative research projects culminating in over 20 peer-reviewed publications and two book chapters. A registered professional engineer in 18 states, he is an active member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), including the Accident Investigation and Reconstruction Practices Committee (AIRP); the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM); the International Traffic Medicine Association (ITMA); the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME); and the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA). This combination of experience, education, and training has maintained Mr. Morr’s status as an expert in his respective fields, with over eight years of testimony experience in criminal and civil courts nationwide.

Renée Ramirez is an experienced Claims Professional with more than 22 years in the insurance industry in the Casualty and Premises areas. She has handled claims and litigation involving catastrophic accidents, personal injury, construction defect, trucking, explosive, and propane matters. Currently Renée is a Liability Claims Manager with Darling Ingredients, Inc. Previously she was a Sr. Claims Analyst with American Airlines, a Sr. Claims Specialist with J.C. Penney Corporation, and a Claims Representative with Nobel Insurance Company.
Renée was born and raised in Texas and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Texas at Dallas. She is has served as President on the Board of Directors of the NRRDA organization, and is an active Fellow of CLM. Ms. Ramirez is pursuing her passion of the law and is currently working towards her law degree. She also volunteers as an advocate with her local CASA organization and attends many football games of her beloved Dallas Cowboy team.

Richard E. Ramsey joined Wicker Smith in 1990 and is a partner in the firm’s Jacksonville office, responsible for overseeing office operations.  Mr. Ramsey has over 23 years experience focusing on a broad array of complex litigation involving medical malpractice, professional malpractice, legal malpractice, product liability, nursing home, insurance defense and construction, as well as retail and restaurant defense. An "AV" rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, he has tried numerous cases throughout the state of Florida representing such clients as Ruby Tuesday, Office Depot, Winn Dixie, SwissRe, and FPIC among many others. For a complete bio, please click here.

David serves as the Client Executive to numerous Marsh clients and leads the Retail/Wholesale, Food & Beverage Industry Practice for Marsh in the East Zone of the United States. His duties include setting and executing business development strategy as well as implementing Best Practices and coordinating MMC resources for the benefit of clients.

David’s experience includes client executive responsibilities for numerous industry practice clients, including a large supermarket chain, a global video game retailer, an auto parts retailer, several food products manufacturers, a building supplies distributor, and a global paper products distributor.
 

David led the Atlanta Casualty Practice after relocating back to Atlanta from Tampa, Florida in February 2005. While in Florida, he spent 4 1/2 years leading the Industry and Business Development Practices for Marsh. In this role, David was a member of the Florida Executive Committee responsible for developing and executing business development and growth strategies throughout the state.
 

He joined Sedgwick in Atlanta, Georgia in 1994 with responsibility for advising and transacting on global risk management programs. In 1996, David became involved with the Georgia Environmental Practice and was a frequent speaker to business, legal and financial audiences on environmental risk finance issues.

David started his career in 1984 with Crum and Forster Corporation in Orlando, Florida. In 1987, he joined Travelers Group where he was one of the leading national accounts production underwriters. While in college, he interned at The Insurance Exchange of the Americas in Miami.