Over the past 25 years, Appleseed has had the honor to host an array of incredibly successful individuals on our board of directors. These individuals' careers have ranged from heads of fortune 500 companies to partners in prestigious law firms.
Robert Bachner, Philips Nizer (Founder)
Robert L. Bachner, Founding Member, is Senior Counsel at Phillips Nizer LLP in New York City, concentrating in real estate and trust and estate matters. Mr. Bachner is also a member of the National Council of the Environmental Defense Fund.
Robert L. Bachner, Founding Member, is Senior Counsel at Phillips Nizer LLP in New York City, concentrating in real estate and trust and estate matters. Mr. Bachner is also a member of the National Council of the Environmental Defense Fund.
Mary Benton, Alston & Bird
Mary Benton has more than 20 years of experience advocating for taxpayers, negotiating with revenue departments and litigating in court to obtain the best resolution for her clients. She is a frequent speaker at national SALT conferences and symposia. Mary also serves as Alston & Bird's pro bono partner, leading all pro bono and community service efforts firmwide.
Mary Benton has more than 20 years of experience advocating for taxpayers, negotiating with revenue departments and litigating in court to obtain the best resolution for her clients. She is a frequent speaker at national SALT conferences and symposia. Mary also serves as Alston & Bird's pro bono partner, leading all pro bono and community service efforts firmwide.
Brian Boyle, O’Melveny and Myers
Brian Boyle, a partner in O’Melveny’s Washington, DC office, represents financial services companies in class action and other litigation seeking to aggregate consumer and other economic injuries. Mr. Boyle is Chair of the Firm’s Financial Services Practice and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Health Care and Life Sciences Practice.
Brian Boyle, a partner in O’Melveny’s Washington, DC office, represents financial services companies in class action and other litigation seeking to aggregate consumer and other economic injuries. Mr. Boyle is Chair of the Firm’s Financial Services Practice and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Health Care and Life Sciences Practice.
George Butts, George Butts Law
George Butts is Texas Appleseed’s representative to the National Board. In his extensive trial practice, Mr.Butts has tried cases involving allegations of negligent and intentional torts, breach of contract, violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, the Insurance Code, breach of warranty, fraud, legal and medical malpractice, among others.
George Butts is Texas Appleseed’s representative to the National Board. In his extensive trial practice, Mr.Butts has tried cases involving allegations of negligent and intentional torts, breach of contract, violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, the Insurance Code, breach of warranty, fraud, legal and medical malpractice, among others.
Gail Erickson, W.R. Grace & Co., Retired
Gail Erickson previously served as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of W.R. Grace & Co., a multinational chemical company. Ms. Erickson is currently engaged in civic and philanthropic activities. She retired as a vice chairman of Citizens Union, a good government organization in New York City, a director of Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy, a musical training institution in Brooklyn, and treasurer of Lemur Conservation Foundation, a reserve and research facility in Florida.
Gail Erickson previously served as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of W.R. Grace & Co., a multinational chemical company. Ms. Erickson is currently engaged in civic and philanthropic activities. She retired as a vice chairman of Citizens Union, a good government organization in New York City, a director of Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy, a musical training institution in Brooklyn, and treasurer of Lemur Conservation Foundation, a reserve and research facility in Florida.
Rowena Frazer, BBVA Compass
Rowena Frazer is Alabama Appleseed’s representative to the National Board and a Senior Instructional Designer and Training Specialist at BBVA Compass. Ms. Frazer works with various lines of business and international project teams to design and produce instructional and reference materials.
Rowena Frazer is Alabama Appleseed’s representative to the National Board and a Senior Instructional Designer and Training Specialist at BBVA Compass. Ms. Frazer works with various lines of business and international project teams to design and produce instructional and reference materials.
Joseph Hoang
Joseph Hoang, a Senior Managing Director in Ankura Consulting’s Washington, DC office, works with a diversified set of clients across the legal, healthcare and private equity industry, providing data and analytics-driven consulting services on matters involving operations, performance, compliance, and investigations. Mr. Hoang is part of the Firm’s Data & Technology Practice and specializes in analytics and data strategy services.
Joseph Hoang, a Senior Managing Director in Ankura Consulting’s Washington, DC office, works with a diversified set of clients across the legal, healthcare and private equity industry, providing data and analytics-driven consulting services on matters involving operations, performance, compliance, and investigations. Mr. Hoang is part of the Firm’s Data & Technology Practice and specializes in analytics and data strategy services.
Eileen Hershenov, Anti-Defamation League
Eileen Hershenov is Senior Vice President of Policy at the Anti-Defamation League. She oversees ADL’s civil rights team, its government relations and community engagement team, the Silicon Valley-based Center for Technology and Society and the library and archives work.
Eileen Hershenov is Senior Vice President of Policy at the Anti-Defamation League. She oversees ADL’s civil rights team, its government relations and community engagement team, the Silicon Valley-based Center for Technology and Society and the library and archives work.
David Hurtaldo Badiola, Juaregui y Del Valle, S.C.
David Hurtado Badiola is Mexico Appleseed’s representative to the National Board and Partner at the law firm of Jauregui y Del Valle, S.C. Mr. Hurtado specializes in international trade (including antidumping and countervailing duties regulations), customs law, antitrust, corporate law, commercial law and foreign investment regulations. He has also been a Professor of Administrative Law at the Escuela Libre de Derecho since 1985.
David Hurtado Badiola is Mexico Appleseed’s representative to the National Board and Partner at the law firm of Jauregui y Del Valle, S.C. Mr. Hurtado specializes in international trade (including antidumping and countervailing duties regulations), customs law, antitrust, corporate law, commercial law and foreign investment regulations. He has also been a Professor of Administrative Law at the Escuela Libre de Derecho since 1985.
Rob Katz, Latham & Watkins
Robert Katz is a partner in the Corporate Department and member of the Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Practices. Katz has significant experience advising clients on both negotiated and unsolicited public and private M&A transactions, including tender and exchange offers, leveraged buyouts, takeover defense strategies, joint ventures, divestitures, and cross-border transactions.
Robert Katz is a partner in the Corporate Department and member of the Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Practices. Katz has significant experience advising clients on both negotiated and unsolicited public and private M&A transactions, including tender and exchange offers, leveraged buyouts, takeover defense strategies, joint ventures, divestitures, and cross-border transactions.
Eric Koenig, Microsoft, Retired
Eric Koenig retired as a lawyer in Washington, DC with expertise in litigation, intellectual property law, and nonprofit management. Mr. Koenig worked for Microsoft from 1991-2001 as a senior attorney in the company’s European office in Paris, France. His responsibilities included intellectual property, antitrust, litigation, trade, and management of legal and corporate affairs in Central, Northern and Eastern Europe.
Eric Koenig retired as a lawyer in Washington, DC with expertise in litigation, intellectual property law, and nonprofit management. Mr. Koenig worked for Microsoft from 1991-2001 as a senior attorney in the company’s European office in Paris, France. His responsibilities included intellectual property, antitrust, litigation, trade, and management of legal and corporate affairs in Central, Northern and Eastern Europe.
Rory Leraris, Cravath, Swaine & Moore
Rory Leraris is a partner in Cravath’s Litigation Department. Her practice focuses on antitrust, M&A, securities and derivative litigation, and other complex commercial disputes. She has been recognized by Benchmark Litigation for her work. She joined Cravath in 2008 and became a partner in 2017. Ms. Leraris holds a JD from Chicago Law School.
Rory Leraris is a partner in Cravath’s Litigation Department. Her practice focuses on antitrust, M&A, securities and derivative litigation, and other complex commercial disputes. She has been recognized by Benchmark Litigation for her work. She joined Cravath in 2008 and became a partner in 2017. Ms. Leraris holds a JD from Chicago Law School.
Ray Lin, Raymond Y. Lin Advisors
Raymond Lin is Principal of Raymond Y. Lin Advisors. Mr. Lin’s practice focuses on the representation of private equity firms in mergers and acquisitions and capital market transactions. In addition to Appleseed, he serves on the Board of Visitors of Columbia Law School.
Raymond Lin is Principal of Raymond Y. Lin Advisors. Mr. Lin’s practice focuses on the representation of private equity firms in mergers and acquisitions and capital market transactions. In addition to Appleseed, he serves on the Board of Visitors of Columbia Law School.
Curtis Lu, FTI Consulting
Curtis Lu serves as FTI Consulting’s General Counsel and is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Mr. Lu is responsible for all FTI Consulting legal affairs and has 20 years’ experience in senior in-house positions in the internet, financial services, media, and wireless industries. He began his career at Latham & Watkins as a litigation partner.
Curtis Lu serves as FTI Consulting’s General Counsel and is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Mr. Lu is responsible for all FTI Consulting legal affairs and has 20 years’ experience in senior in-house positions in the internet, financial services, media, and wireless industries. He began his career at Latham & Watkins as a litigation partner.
Tom McCoy, Strategic Advisor
Tom McCoy specializes in counseling senior executives and boards of directors at the intersection of high-profile business, legal, regulatory and political challenges and opportunities. With 40 years of experience as a trial lawyer, public company executive and board member, he most recently served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of CH2M Hill Companies, Ltd.
Tom McCoy specializes in counseling senior executives and boards of directors at the intersection of high-profile business, legal, regulatory and political challenges and opportunities. With 40 years of experience as a trial lawyer, public company executive and board member, he most recently served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of CH2M Hill Companies, Ltd.
Dr. Shireen Meer, Berkeley Research Group
Dr. Shireen Meer is an economist and a Director at the Washington DC office of Berkeley Research Group. She applies rigorous economic analysis to litigation and consulting matters.
Dr. Meer has more than 19 years of research, teaching and consulting experience. She is a testifying expert and has submitted multiple expert reports in state and federal courts. Her work has earned her recognition by Who’s Who Legal for four years running. She also has served on arbitration panels for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Dr. Shireen Meer is an economist and a Director at the Washington DC office of Berkeley Research Group. She applies rigorous economic analysis to litigation and consulting matters.
Dr. Meer has more than 19 years of research, teaching and consulting experience. She is a testifying expert and has submitted multiple expert reports in state and federal courts. Her work has earned her recognition by Who’s Who Legal for four years running. She also has served on arbitration panels for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Mary Morningstar, Lockheed Martin
Mary Morningstar is Associate General Counsel for environmental law with Lockheed Martin Corporation for 24 years. Ms. Morningstar manages much of Lockheed Martin’s existing or potential toxic tort litigation and provides legal counseling and support to the energy, environment, safety, and health department in Bethesda, Maryland.
Mary Morningstar is Associate General Counsel for environmental law with Lockheed Martin Corporation for 24 years. Ms. Morningstar manages much of Lockheed Martin’s existing or potential toxic tort litigation and provides legal counseling and support to the energy, environment, safety, and health department in Bethesda, Maryland.
Ralph Nader, Consumer Advocate, Lawyer (Founder)
Ralph Nader, Founding Member, first made headlines in 1965 with his book, Unsafe at Any Speed, which documented the production of unsafe vehicles by the auto industry. He is responsible for at least eight major federal consumer protection laws, the recall of millions of defective motor vehicles, and a number of other advances in areas of safety, health, pollution control, access to government, and freedom of information. The largest of the organizations which Mr. Nader founded is Public Citizen.
Ralph Nader, Founding Member, first made headlines in 1965 with his book, Unsafe at Any Speed, which documented the production of unsafe vehicles by the auto industry. He is responsible for at least eight major federal consumer protection laws, the recall of millions of defective motor vehicles, and a number of other advances in areas of safety, health, pollution control, access to government, and freedom of information. The largest of the organizations which Mr. Nader founded is Public Citizen.
Ralph Petersberger, McDermott, Will & Emery, Retired (Founder)
Ralph Petersberger, Founding Member, is retired from McDermott, Will & Emery’s Washington, DC office, where he specialized in corporate federal tax matters. He now performs legal services for a number of charitable organizations on a pro bono basis. He has served on the board of trustees of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda.
Ralph Petersberger, Founding Member, is retired from McDermott, Will & Emery’s Washington, DC office, where he specialized in corporate federal tax matters. He now performs legal services for a number of charitable organizations on a pro bono basis. He has served on the board of trustees of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda.
Bert Pogrebin, Littler Mendelson (Founder)
Bertrand B. Pogrebin, Founding Member, is a shareholder of Littler Mendelson in New York, where he advises and represents many public and fortune 500 private sector employers throughout the country on labor relations and employment law issues. Mr. Pogrebin focuses his practice on corporate compliance related to anti-discrimination laws, the National Labor Relations Act, Title VII, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Bertrand B. Pogrebin, Founding Member, is a shareholder of Littler Mendelson in New York, where he advises and represents many public and fortune 500 private sector employers throughout the country on labor relations and employment law issues. Mr. Pogrebin focuses his practice on corporate compliance related to anti-discrimination laws, the National Labor Relations Act, Title VII, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Mark Raffman, Goodwin
Mr. Raffman concentrates his practice on complex product liability and consumer products litigation and advice. He has 30 years’ experience defending complex litigation matters in state and federal courts nationwide, is a member of the Defense Research Institute and has lectured and published on tort liability litigation developments, most recently on product liability risks.
Mr. Raffman concentrates his practice on complex product liability and consumer products litigation and advice. He has 30 years’ experience defending complex litigation matters in state and federal courts nationwide, is a member of the Defense Research Institute and has lectured and published on tort liability litigation developments, most recently on product liability risks.
Jim Rogers, Cars.com
Jim Rogers is the Chief Legal Officer at Cars.com. Prior to joining Cars.com, Jim had General Counsel posts at Orbitz Worldwide and TLC Vision, following a 28-year career as a corporate partner at Latham & Watkins. He holds degrees from Yale, Princeton and Columbia Law School, where he served on the Law Review.
Jim Rogers is the Chief Legal Officer at Cars.com. Prior to joining Cars.com, Jim had General Counsel posts at Orbitz Worldwide and TLC Vision, following a 28-year career as a corporate partner at Latham & Watkins. He holds degrees from Yale, Princeton and Columbia Law School, where he served on the Law Review.
Jonathon Walcoff, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Retired
Jonathan Walcoff is New York Appleseed’s representative to the National Board. Until his retirement, he was Managing Director & Associate General Counsel of JPMorgan Chase & Co., where he practiced securities, banking and finance law and spent nearly a decade in the Hong Kong and Tokyo offices. He is a member of the Board of Visitors of Columbia Law School.
Jonathan Walcoff is New York Appleseed’s representative to the National Board. Until his retirement, he was Managing Director & Associate General Counsel of JPMorgan Chase & Co., where he practiced securities, banking and finance law and spent nearly a decade in the Hong Kong and Tokyo offices. He is a member of the Board of Visitors of Columbia Law School.
Megan Wright, Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather
Megan Wright is Nebraska Appleseed’s representative to the National Board and Attorney at Cline Williams. Ms. Wright’s litigation practice focuses on complex commercial cases, securities, energy, trademark and intellectual property disputes. Ms. Wright has also represented clients in real estate disputes, including eminent domain and partition proceedings and cases involving internet defamation.
Megan Wright is Nebraska Appleseed’s representative to the National Board and Attorney at Cline Williams. Ms. Wright’s litigation practice focuses on complex commercial cases, securities, energy, trademark and intellectual property disputes. Ms. Wright has also represented clients in real estate disputes, including eminent domain and partition proceedings and cases involving internet defamation.
Philip Zeidman, DLA Piper (Founder)
Philip F. Zeidman, Founding Member, is a partner with DLA Piper US LLP Washington, DC, where he specializes in franchise law. He was a lawyer at the Federal Trade Commission, general counsel of the Small Business Administration and special assistant to Vice President Hubert Humphrey. Mr. Zeidman also serves Appleseed as its General Counsel.
Philip F. Zeidman, Founding Member, is a partner with DLA Piper US LLP Washington, DC, where he specializes in franchise law. He was a lawyer at the Federal Trade Commission, general counsel of the Small Business Administration and special assistant to Vice President Hubert Humphrey. Mr. Zeidman also serves Appleseed as its General Counsel.
