ICLE Directors
David R. Watson
Executive Director
David R. Watson joined ICLE in January 2017 as ICLE's executive director. He oversees ICLE's day-to-day operations, including implementing short- and long-range strategic objectives, managing finances and administrative policies, and representing the Institute. Before joining ICLE, Mr. Watson was the executive director of the 74,000 member New York State Bar Association, helping implement policies approved by its House of Delegates and executive committee. He also was the executive director for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, was the deputy executive director for the Defense Research Institute, and spent 10 years at Lexis-Nexis in various senior management roles. Mr. Watson is a member of both the Ohio and New York State Bar Associations.
H. Lalla Shishkevish
Associate Director
As ICLE's associate director, H. Lalla Shishkevish is responsible for content planning and strategy, customer and marketing research, and strategic planning oversight. Before joining ICLE in 2015, Ms. Shishkevish served as director of continuing legal education at the District of Columbia Bar from 1996 to 2015. She also practiced administrative law with several law firms in Washington, DC. Ms. Shishkevish is an active member and past president of the Association for Continuing Legal Education, frequently serving as a committee member and speaking on topics such as leadership and interactive education. Ms. Shishkevish is a member of the DC Bar, the State Bar of Georgia, and the State Bar of Michigan.
Jeffrey E. Kirkey
Education Director, Live Events and Section Services
Jeffrey E. Kirkey joined ICLE in 1998 and now directs the development and implementation of ICLE's education services, including major events, hands-on training, on-demand seminars, contract services, and online initiatives. He also teaches technology-related programs. Before joining ICLE, Mr. Kirkey worked at a small law firm in Ann Arbor and headed a computer consulting firm specializing in helping law offices. He is active in the Association for Continuing Legal Education (ACLEA), serving in a variety of leadership roles and frequently presenting at ACLEA conferences on technology, innovation, and business-related topics. A member of the State Bar of Michigan, Mr. Kirkey is a past chair of its Young Lawyers Section and also served on the State Bar's Board of Commissioners.
Stephanie D. Fowler
Director of Operations
Joining ICLE in 2003 as the marketing and sales manager, Stephanie D. Fowler is now the director of operations where she oversees the Institute's budget and business operations as well as IT overall (strategic alignment of the ICLE platform, security, and online product development). She also oversees and plans technology, design, and user experience aspects of the website and web-based products. With more than 16 years of experience in the fields of marketing, brand management, graphic design, public relations, product development, and customer experience, Ms. Fowler's unique combination of work experience gives her a broad perspective to draw on at ICLE. She is a member of and presenter for the Association for Continuing Legal Education.
Staff Lawyers
Jeff Burtka
ICLE Staff Lawyer, Publications and Online Resources
Jeff Burtka works with ICLE contributors to update and edit ICLE publications and online resources in the areas of criminal law, elder law, health care law, and juvenile law. Before joining ICLE in June 2021, Mr. Burtka practiced in health care law and estate planning in metro Detroit. Before practicing in Michigan, he practiced in Virginia as a prosecutor for the City of Alexandria's Commonwealth's Attorney's office and as a judicial law clerk for the Arlington County Circuit Court. Mr. Burtka is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.
Katy P. Sanchez
ICLE Staff Lawyer, Publications and Online Resources
Katy P. Sanchez works with ICLE contributors to update and edit ICLE publications and online resources. Before joining ICLE in February 2023, Ms. Sanchez practiced medical malpractice defense law as an associate in Southfield, MI, and before that as part of the University of Michigan Health System. She is a certified mediator and member of the State Bar of Michigan.
Lindsey A. DiCesare
ICLE Staff Lawyer, Publications and Online Resources
Lindsey A. DiCesare works with ICLE contributors to update and edit ICLE publications and online resources in the areas of family law and probate and estate planning. Before joining ICLE in September 2021, Ms. DiCesare practiced education law and juvenile law as an attorney and guardian ad litem with the Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio. Ms. DiCesare is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.
Lisa F. Geherin
Assistant Director of Business Development, Live Events and Section Services
Lisa F. Geherin manages the sales department, overseeing business development efforts related to the ICLE Partnership, live events, and publications. Ms. Geherin previously coordinated and planned ICLE live seminars and institutes. Before joining ICLE in 2010, she was the business development counsel for First American Title's National Commercial Services Division in Michigan, responsible for marketing and sales efforts in Metro Detroit. Ms. Geherin practiced law for 10 years in Michigan and California litigating construction defect, personal injury, automobile negligence, and medical malpractice cases. She is a member of the California Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan and its Criminal Law and Family Law Sections. A former social worker, Ms. Geherin worked for the Clark County Public Guardian's Office in Las Vegas before attending law school.
Matthew J. Franson
ICLE Staff Lawyer, Publications and Online Resources
Matthew J. Franson joined ICLE in September 2021. He works with a diverse group of contributors to update and publish print and online resources in the areas of real property, insurance, tax, and no-fault law. Before joining ICLE, Mr. Franson clerked for a civil division judge and then went on to practice civil litigation in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Most recently, he was a prosecutor in Wayne County handling felony matters in circuit court. Mr. Franson is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.
Max H. Matthies
ICLE Staff Lawyer, Live Events and Section Services
Max H. Matthies joined ICLE in 2017 and worked with ICLE contributors to produce on-demand seminars, How-To Kits, Top Tips in Ten Minutes, and online training programs. He currently coordinates and plans ICLE live seminars and institutes. Before joining ICLE, Mr. Matthies practiced law in California and Michigan in private practice, handling civil litigation, estate planning, transactional law, property tax law, and business law. He is a member of the Business Law, Negligence Law, Health Care Law, and Elder Law and Disability Rights Sections of the State Bar of Michigan. Before law school, Mr. Matthies worked as a certified drug and alcohol counselor and currently sits on the Lawyers and Judges Assistance Committee.
Rachael M. Sedlacek
Manager, Publications and Online Resources
Rachael M. Sedlacek joined ICLE as a staff attorney in 2012. Ms. Sedlacek is now the manager of ICLE's publications and online resources. She also works with ICLE's associate director on content planning, resource innovation, customer research, and strategic initiatives. Before coming to ICLE, Ms. Sedlacek practiced at a New Hampshire firm where she handled a variety of family law, negligence, real property, and appellate matters. She is a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association and the Negligence, Insurance, and Criminal Law Sections of the State Bar of Michigan.
Rebekah Page-Gourley
ICLE Staff Lawyer, Publications and Online Resources
Rebekah Page-Gourley works with ICLE contributors to update and edit ICLE publications and online resources in the litigation, negligence, and appellate practice areas. She plans and develops new products and leads initiatives geared toward building and maintaining a diverse contributor base and improving outreach to law students and new lawyers. Ms. Page-Gourley also works with Michigan law school librarians and staff to help law students use ICLE's resources in their clinics and practical classes. Before joining ICLE in 2008, she practiced municipal and employment defense in Farmington Hills, MI. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and its ADR, Appellate Practice, and Litigation Sections.
Tala Dahbour
ICLE Staff Lawyer, Publications and Online Resources
Tala Dahbour works with ICLE contributors to update and edit ICLE publications and online resources. Before joining ICLE in June 2022, Ms. Dahbour worked with a nonprofit civil rights organization, providing legal assistance to marginalized communities to combat racial, religious, and gender-based discrimination in the areas of employment and immigration law. She also worked to bolster civil rights through congressional and state policy advocacy. Ms. Dahbour is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.
Support Staff
Amy C. Gamble — Accountant, Business and Customer Relations
Andrea Sciberras — Communications Specialist, Communications and Development
Anthony Costa — Graphic Designer, Communications and Development
Arlene Nixon — Human Resources Officer
Barbara Concannon — Event Support Specialist, Live Events
Brenda Hoelzer — Administrative Assistant
Christine Mathews — Editor, Editing and Production
David Salamie — Editor, Editing and Production
Denise H. Garthwaite — Programmer, Communications and Development
Eric L. Jones — Network Administrator, Communications and Development
Gus Slack — Marketing Assistant, Communications and Development
Irene McCabe — Marketing Manager, Communications and Development
Jennifer Brewster — Production Specialist, Editing and Production
Jill McClain — Graphic Designer, Communications and Development
Kamaria Shutes — Customer Support Representative, Business and Customer Relations
Karen Andrews — Production Specialist, Editing and Production
Katelynn Monty — Customer Support Representative, Business and Customer Relations
Kerry Lefere — Marketing Copy Writer, Communications and Development
Marcus Ong — Programmer, Communications and Development
Marvin Washington — Audio-Visual Technician, Communications and Development
Matthew Alaburda — Customer Support Representative, Customer Support Representative
Maxim Weisskopf — Event Support Specialist, Live Events
Pam Gillespie — Project Manager, Editing and Production
Pamela Fisher — Audio-Visual Supervisor, Communications and Development
Rachel Burrell — Editor, Editing and Production
Richard Garthwaite — Audio-Visual Technician, Communications and Development
Robyn Perry — Editor, Editing and Production
Ryan Coulter — Web Operations Manager, Communications and Development
Sueriya Pasupathy — Programmer, Communications and Development
Suzanne English — Accounting Clerk, Business and Customer Relations
Tiffany Rodgers — Customer Support Representative, Business and Customer Relations