Daniel M. Shemer,
President and Founder
Since 1981, Dan Shemer has prepared thousands of students for success on the Maryland Bar Exam. He began as an essay critiquer with SMH Bar Review, Inc., a national bar review course, and quickly became a lecturer for SMH in their Maryland and Washington, D.C. programs on subjects including UCC Article 9, Contracts and Sales Question Analysis, UCC Article 3, 4, 6 and 9 Question Analysis and Techniques for the Maryland Essay Test. In 1982, he developed Shemer’s Essay Techniques™, a course dedicated to teaching bar applicants to pass the Maryland Essay Test. In 1998, he created Shemer Maryland & Multistate Bar Review, a comprehensive bar review course for the Maryland Bar Exam.

Nationally Recognized Speaker
Mr. Shemer is a dynamic speaker and lectures nationally on Criminal Law, Evidence and criminal defense advocacy topics, presenting to attorneys in New York, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Kentucky, the District of Columbia and Maryland. He delivered the keynote addresses at the National Legal Aid and Defenders Association, Train the Trainers conference and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, The Best Defense conference. He is a two-time recipient of the President’s Award from the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association and a recipient of the Alan H. Murrell Award from the Maryland Office of the Public Defender.

Adjunct Law Professor
Mr. Shemer has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Baltimore School of Law since 1992 where he has taught Trial Advocacy, Litigation Process and the Criminal Practice Clinic. He was a Visiting Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland School of Law Summer Clinic in 1993.

Practicing Attorney/Trainer
Appointed as the first Director of Training and Continuing Education for the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) for the State of Maryland, Mr. Shemer developed educational programs for all OPD staff and continues to train lawyers in Maryland and across the country. In addition, he has practiced in Maryland’s Courts for over 20 years. 

To reach Daniel Shemer, email inquiry to dshemer@shemerbar.com

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Professor Charles A. Borek

“The joy of teaching for Shemer Bar Review comes from the fact that the program is student focused. Rather than giving take-it-or-leave-it, canned presentations, the Shemer faculty is dedicated to meeting the needs of the students in a flexible and responsive manner.”
—Professor Borek

• J.D., Summa Cum Laude, 1993, M.B.A., 1993, University of Baltimore School of Law, C.P.A, 1989;
• Adjunct Professor, Business Organizations, Business Planning, Community Development Clinic, Legal Accounting and Tax Clinic courses, University of Baltimore School of Law, 1994-2002;
• Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Baltimore School of Law, Business Organizations, Tax Clinic, 2002-2004;
• Associate Professor of Business Law, Prince George's Community College, 1999-2002;
• Of Counsel, O'Connor & Borek, LLC, 1999-2002;

• Executive Vice President, Tax Services, Cohen, Rutherford + Knight, PC, 2005-Present;

• Author, Contract Drafting and Review for the Maryland Lawyer (MICPEL 2003); Hospital Accounting (BNA 2006).

To reach Professor Borek, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Professor Angela J. Davis

• J.D., Harvard Law School, 1981;
• Professor of Law, American University The Washington College of Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Criminal Defense: Theory and Practice;
• Visiting Professor of Law, George Washington University Law School, 1995-96;
• Executive Director, National Rainbow Coalition, 1994-95;
• Director of Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, 1991-94; Deputy Director, 1988-91; Staff Attorney, 1982-88;
• Harvard Law School Morris Wasserstein Public Interest Fellow, 1993-94;Guest faculty, Harvard Law School Trial Advocacy Workshop, 1989-Present;Adjunct faculty, Georgetown University Law Center, 1986-87;
• Recipient, National Council on Crime and Delinquency New American Community Award, 1997;
• Author: "Benign Neglect of Racism in the Criminal Justice System," Michigan Law Review (1996); "Race, Cops, and Traffic Stops," Miami Law Review (1997); "Prosecution and Race: The Power and Privilege of Discretion," 67 Fordham Law Review 13 (1998), "The American Prosecutor: Independence, Power, and the Threat of Tyranny," 86 Iowa Law Review 393 (2001); co-author, Basic Criminal Procedure, 4th ed. (2005); Arbitrary Justice: The Power of the American Prosecutor (forthcoming Oxford University Press 2007).

To reach Professor Davis, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Brian Green, Esquire

• J.D., University of Maryland School of Law, with honor, 1987;
• Instructor, Shemer's Essay Techniques; 1990-present;
• Co-Director, Griffith & Green Bar Exam Services, 1998-1999;
• Maryland Essay Critiquer, Maryland Bar/Bri, 1997-1998;
• West Bar Review in Baltimore and Washington D.C., 1995-1997;
• SMH Bar Review in Maryland and Washington DC, 1988-1995;
• Faculty, The Maryland Essay Advantage, Maryland Bar/Bri, 1997-1998;
• Faculty, The Maryland Writing Workshop, West Bar Review; 1995-1997;
• Visiting Adjunct Professor, University of Maryland School of Law, Summer Clinic, 1997;
• Outstanding Assistant Public Defender for District 10, 1997;
• Instructor, New Lawyer Training Program, Maryland Office of the Public Defender, 1994-Present;
• Assistant Public Defender, Carroll County, 1990 - present;
• Assistant State’s Attorney, Baltimore City, 1987-1990.

To reach Brian Green, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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J. Jeffrey Griffith, Esquire 

• J.D., University of Baltimore School of Law, Magna Cum Laude, 1990;
• Ph.D., English, University of Maryland, College Park, 1977;
• M.L.A., Education, Johns Hopkins, 1970, with honors;
• M.A.T., English and Education, Johns Hopkins University, 1967;

• B.A., Johns Hopkins University, 1966;

• Law Office of Jeff Griffith, Chartered, Westminster, Maryland;

• Adjunct Professor, University of Baltimore School of Law, Legal Analysis, Research & Writing;
• Co-Director, Griffith & Green Bar Exam Services, 1998-1999;
• Faculty, The Maryland Essay Advantage, Maryland Bar/Bri, 1997-1998;
• Faculty, The Maryland Writing Workshop, West Bar Review; 1995-1997;
• Maryland Essay Critiquer, Maryland Bar/Bri, 1997-1998;
• West Bar Review in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., 1995-1997;
• SMH Bar Review in Maryland and Washington, D.C., 1991-1995;
• Lecturer, SMH Bar Review & West Bar Review, 1991-1997.

To reach Jeff Griffith, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Nancy B. Grimm, R.N., Esquire

• J.D., University of Baltimore, Cum Laude, 2002;
• Adjunct Faculty Member, University of Baltimore School of Law Summer Institute Program;
• Private Practice, 2002–present;
• Law Clerk, 2001;
• Chairperson, University of Baltimore School of Law Student Mentor Program, 2002–2006;
• University of Baltimore School of Law Thomas G. Pullen Award for Outstanding Young Alumna of the Year, 2005;
• Daily Record’s Top 100 Women, 2004

To reach Nancy Grimm, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Magistrate Judge Paul W. Grimm

• J. D., University of New Mexico School of Law, Magna Cum Laude, Order of the Coif, 1976;

• Chief United States Magistrate Judge for the District Court for the District of Maryland, 2006-Present;
• United States Magistrate Judge for the District Court for the District of Maryland, 1997-2006;
• Adjunct Faculty Member, University of Maryland and University of Baltimore Schools of Law;
• Private Practice, 1984-1997;
• Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland, 1981-1984;
• Assistant State’s Attorney, State’s Attorney’s Office for Baltimore County, 1980;
• Maryland Bar Foundation Professional Legal Excellence Award for the Advancement of Professional Competence, 2001;
• Maryland Institute for the Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers Distinguished Service Award, 1998;
• Author, Numerous Books and Articles on Evidence, Procedure and Trial Practice.

To reach Judge Grimm, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Professor Steven P. Grossman

• L.L.M., Criminal Justice, New York University School of Law, 1977;
• J.D., Brooklyn Law School, 1973;
• Dean Julius Isaacson Professor of Law, University of Baltimore School of Law: Constitutional Criminal Procedure, Trial Advocacy, Criminal Justice, Interviewing, Counseling and Negotiating;
• Outstanding Teacher Award, 1982, 1983;
• Lecturer in Law and Supervising Attorney in Civil and Criminal Law Clinic, Syracuse University College of Law, 1977-1979;
• Assistant District Attorney, Office of the District Attorney for Bronx County, NY, 1973-1977, Homicide Bureau, 1975-1977;
• Lecturer and Board of Governors, Judicial Institute, 1988-Present;
• Lecturer and Board of Directors, MICPEL, 1992-Present;
• Co-Coordinator, Criminal Trial Institute, 1990-1991;
• Author, Numerous Books and Articles on Evidence, Constitutional Criminal Procedure, and Trial Advocacy.

To reach Professor Grossman, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Professor Ruth Kelly

• J.D., University of Maryland School of Law, 1996;
• M.A., Science, Technology & Public Policy; George Washington University; 1988;
• Adjunct Faculty, University of Baltimore School of Law, Legal Analysis Research & Writing, 2005 - present; Cyberspace Law, 2006.
• Associate, Swidler Berlin LLP (now Bingham McCutchen LLP), 1996 - 2002.

To reach Professor Kelly, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Professor Michael I. Meyerson

• J.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1979;
• Professor of Law and Piper & Marbury Faculty Fellow, University of Baltimore School of Law, Constitutional Law, Contracts, 1985-Present;
• Professor of the Year, 1998, University of Baltimore School of Law Women's Bar Association;
• Professor of the Year, 1995, University of Baltimore School of Law;
• Lecturer, West Bar Review, 1996-1997;
• Lecturer, SMH Bar Review, 1988-1995.

To reach Professor Meyerson, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Renée Nacrelli, Esquire

• J.D., University of Baltimore School of Law, Summa Cum Laude, 1993
• Assistant Attorney General, Comptroller of the Treasury, 1997–present
• Adjunct Faculty Member, University of Baltimore School of Law, 1994–present
• Adjunct Faculty Member, University of Baltimore School of Law Summer Institute Program, 1994–present
• Law Clerk, United States District Court, 1996–1997
• Private Practice, 1994–1996

To reach Renée Nacrelli, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Professor Odeana R. Neal

• J.D., Harvard University, 1986;
• Associate Professor of Law, University of Baltimore School of Law, Property, Juvenile Justice, 1989 - Present;
• Visiting Assistant Professor, Syracuse University College of Law, 1993-1994,
• Supervising Attorney, DC Law Students in Court Program, 1987-1989.

To reach Professor Neal, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Frederick W. Runge, Jr., Esquire

• J. D., University of Maryland, with Honors, Order of the Coif, 1974;
• Principal, Group Leader, Transactional Finance Practice Group, Miles & Stockbridge, Baltimore office. Concentration: Representation of Asset-based Lenders, Financial Institutions, and Other Lenders Principally in the Areas of Commercial Finance;
• Lecturer, Maryland Institute for the Continuing Education of Lawyers, Fundamentals of Corporate Law Programs and Revised Uniform Commercial Code Article 9 Programs;
• Lecturer, Banking Law Institute, Accounts Receivable and Inventory Financing;
• Lecturer, National Banking Institute, Issues on Commercial Lending in Maryland;
• The Best Lawyers in America, 2003-2006.

To reach Frederick Runge, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Marcus Z. Shar, Esquire

• J.D., University of Maryland School of Law, 1976;
• Partner, Shar Rosen & Warshaw, LLC (Baltimore, Maryland), 1997-Present;
• Adjunct Professor of Law: University of Maryland School of Law, 2000-Present;
• Adjunct Professor of Law: University of Baltimore School of Law, 1990-2000;
• Adjunct Clinical Professor Department of Psychiatry: University of Maryland School of Medicine, 1995-Present;
• Annual Lecturer, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program, 1990-Present;
• Adjunct Professor of Law: Villa Julie College (Stevenson, Maryland), 1986-1990;
• National Colleges of Trial Advocacy, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1983-Present;
• Professional Liability Committee, Litigation Section, Maryland State Bar Association, 1984-1985, 1994 - 1995;
• Faculty Advisor, University of Baltimore Law Students Trial Lawyers Association, 1994–2000;
• Coach, University of Baltimore School of Law, Student Trial Competition Team, 1995-2000;
• Co-Chair, Curriculum Development Committee, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1998–1999;
• Distinguished Service Award, Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association, 1999;
• Certificate of Appreciation, University of Baltimore, Center for Student Involvement, 2000;
• The Best Lawyers in America;
• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers;
• Contributing Author, Numerous Books and Articles on Medical Malpractice.

To reach Marcus Shar, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Frederic N. Smalkin, Esquire

Judge Frederic N. Smalkin was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended the McDonogh School for 12 years, and he received his B.A. degree from the Johns Hopkins University, Phi Beta Kappa and Distinguished Military Graduate. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Ordnance Corps, Regular Army. He attended law school at the University of Maryland, where he obtained his law degree (J.D.). On graduation, ranking first in his class, Judge Smalkin was made a member of the Order of the Coif.

Judge Smalkin began his legal career as law clerk to the late Honorable Edward S. Northrop, then Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. After leaving the military, Judge Smalkin entered private practice for a time, before being appointed as a United States Magistrate (now Magistrate Judge) for the District of Maryland, concentrating on expanding the role of Magistrates in civil litigation. He served as Magistrate from 1976 to 1986, when he was nominated by President Reagan, on August 15, 1986, to serve as United States District Judge for the District of Maryland. Confirmed by the Senate on September 25, 1986, Judge Smalkin was commissioned on September 26, 1986, taking office on December 1, 1986. He became Chief Judge on October 19, 2001, serving as such until January 6, 2003, and becoming a Senior Judge on January 8, 2003.

Admitted to the bar of the Court of Appeals of Maryland, Judge Smalkin is also a member of the bars of the U. S. District Court for Maryland, U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, U. S. Supreme Court, and U. S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. In December, 2003, Judge Smalkin was elected to membership in the American Law Institute.

Judge Smalkin has taught for many institutions and organizations, including the FBI Academy, the Trial Advocacy Institute of the University of Virginia Law School (which presented him with the William J. Brennan, Jr., faculty award), and Wilmington College, where he created and taught a course in aviation law. He was Senior Judicial Fellow and Lecturer at the University of Maryland School of Law, where he was voted Teacher of the Year and, twice, Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year. Judge Smalkin is also a member of the practitioner faculties of the Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he has been selected “Best of Hopkins” instructor in the MBA in Medical Services Management Program. He is now Jurist-in-Residence at the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he teaches courses in sales, commercial law, business organizations, estates and trusts, and evidence. He was awarded the 2006–07 James A. May Award, by vote of the Student Bar Association, for excellence in teaching and mentoring. He is the author of over 350 published opinions and recently co-authored a law review article with his son, The Market For Justice, The "Litigation Explosion," and The "Verdict Bubble": A Closer Look At Vanishing Trials, 2005 Fed. Cts. L. Rev. 8 (August 2005).

To reach Frederic Smalkin, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Claire Smearman, Esquire

• J.D., University of Maryland School of Law, 1982;
• Practitioner-in-Residence to Civil Practice Clinic, American University, Washington College of Law, 2004-Present;
• Clinical Law Fellow to Family Law Clinic, University of Baltimore School of Law, 2002-2004;
• Adjunct Faculty, Goucher College, 1995-2000;
• Associate, Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander, 1992-1997
• Recipient, Fulbright Scholars Award - University of Iceland, Fulbright professor, Feminist Legal Theory, 1994;
• Recipient, 1991 American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division Award of Achievement, First Place, Service to the Public for work as chair of Family Law Hotline Committee, 1990-1991;
• President, Women’s Law Center, 1989-1990;
• Member, Select Committee on Gender Equality, Joint Committee of Court of Appeals of Maryland and Maryland State Bar Association, 1997-2001.

To reach Claire Smearman, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Professor Michael P. Van Alstine

• Doctor of Laws, University of Bonn, Germany, 1994;
• Masters of Comparative Law, University of Bonn, Germany, 1993;
• J.D., George Washington University, 1986;
• Professor of Law, University of Maryland School of Law, 2002-Present, Contracts, Sales and Sales
• Financing, Secured Transactions, Introduction to International Law, and International Business Transactions;
• Visiting Professor of Law, University of Maryland School of Law, 2001-2002;
• Visiting Professor of Law, George Washington University, 1998-1999;
• Professor of Law, University of Cincinnati College of Law, 1994-2001;
• Four Time Recipient, Goldman Prize for Excellence in Teaching, University of Cincinnati College of Law;
• Author, Numerous Publications in the Areas of Contracts, Commercial Law, and International Commercial Transactions.

To reach Professor Van Alstine, e-mail inquiry to faculty@shemerbar.com.

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Neal Kempler
Vice President, Program Development

• B.A., Philosophy and Psychology, Cum Laude, Boston University, 1990;
• Vice President, Program Development, Shemer Bar Review, LLC, 2002-Present;
• Founder and Owner, The Preferred Nerd, Phoenix, AZ, 2001-2002;
• Vice President, Operations/Corporate Secretary, Avesis Incorporated, Phoenix, AZ, 1996-2000;
• Assistant to the President, 1993-1996;
• Associate, National Health Enterprises, Baltimore, MD, 1990-1992;
• Microsoft Certified Professional.

To reach Neal Kempler, e-mail inquiry to nkempler@shemerbar.com.

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Kathleen F. Shemer, Esquire
Chief Operating Officer

• J.D., University of Maryland School of Law, 1984.
• Member, Shemer Bar Review, LLC, 1998-Present;
• Executive Director, Maryland Defense Counsel, 1990-Present;
• Consultant, Maryland Consumers Rights Coalition, Inc., 2002;
• Consultant, Alternative Directions, Inc., 1999-2002;
• Executive Director, The Women's Law Center of Maryland, Inc., 1985-1999;
• Consultant, Study of Family and Domestic Legal Needs of Low Income Persons, University of Baltimore School of Law Family Law Clinic, 1991;
• Editor, Passager, University of Baltimore, 1997-2003;
• Editor, Family Law Hotline Desk Manual, 1993;
• Co-Editor, The Legal Rights of Women in Marriage and Divorce in Maryland, Legal Handbook, 1986, 1990;
• Co-Editor, You Deserve Credit: A Practical Guide to Consumer Credit, Legal Handbook, 1988;
• Recipient, Benjamin L. Cardin Distinguished Service Award, Maryland Legal Services Corporation, December, 1999;
• Recipient, The Dorothy Beatty Memorial Award for Significant Contribution to the Legal Rights of Women in Maryland; 1999;
• Recipient, Service Award, Alternative Directions, 1999.

To reach Kathleen Shemer, e-mail inquiry to kshemer@shemerbar.com.

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Professor Jerome E. Deise, Jr.

• J.D., University of Baltimore School of Law, 1975;
• Associate Professor, University of Maryland School of Law, 1990 - present;
• Outstanding Teacher of the Year, 1998, University of Maryland School of Law;
• Visiting Professor, King's College, Aberdeen, Scotland, Summer 1997, Comparative Ethics;
• Coach, University of Maryland School of Law, National Trial Team;
• Council Secretary, Maryland State Bar Association, Section on Legal Education and Admission to the Bar;
Chief Attorney, Capital Crimes Division, Office of the Public Defender for the State of Maryland, 1987­1990.

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Marla J. Hollandsworth, Esquire

• J.D., University of Maryland School of Law, with honor, 1983;
• Visiting Law School Associate Professor, University of Maryland School of Law, Family Law, Civil Procedure, 1998-1999;
• Clinical Associate Professor, University of Baltimore School of Law, Civil Litigation Clinic, 1994-1998;
• Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Baltimore School of Law, Civil Litigation Clinic, 1989-1994.

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Professor Sherrilyn A. Ifill

• J.D., New York University, 1987;
• Assistant Professor of Law, University of Maryland School of Law, Civil Procedure, 1993 ­ Present;
• Fellow, Rockefeller Foundation Next Generation of Leadership, 1997 - Present;
• Legal Excellence Award, 1990, National Bar Association, Women Lawyers' Division;
• Former Staff Counsel Fellow, ACLU, Reproductive Freedom Project;
• Former Assistant Counsel, NAACP, Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.

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Professor William L. Reynolds

• J.D., Harvard University, 1970;
• Professor of Law and Jacob A. France Professor of Judicial Process, University of Maryland School of Law, Business Associations;
• Former Lecturer, Bar/Bri, Maryland;
• Author, Judicial Decision-Making and Conflicts of Laws.

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Larry M. Waranch, Esquire

• J.D., Rutgers University School of Law, with honors, 1978;
• Lecturer, MICPEL, "The Anatomy of a Jury Trial" and numerous adoption programs;
• Recipient: Baltimore's Best Award based upon pro bono work with children;
• Former Adjunct Professor, Villa Julie College, Torts & Insurance, Civil Litigation and Pleadings;
• Guest Lecturer, University of Baltimore School of Law, University of Maryland School of Law and Rutgers University School of Law, Torts, Litigation Process, Alternative Dispute Resolution;
• Guest Lecturer, National Podiatric Medical Association, Negligence and Medical Malpractice; Medical Mutual Insurance Co., USF&G, St. Paul Insurance Co., Crum and Forster, Ohio Casualty and other insurance companies over the past 20 years;
• Partner, Waranch & Brown.

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