Our staff is a dedicated group of lawyers and professionals working together to help our customers succeed.
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.
Jeffrey E. Kirkey
Chief Learning Officer
Jeffrey E. Kirkey joined ICLE in 1998 and now directs the development and implementation of ICLE's educational content, including online resources, major events, hands-on training, on-demand seminars, contract services, and print publications. 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 as president-elect in 2023-2024 and frequently presenting at ACLEA conferences on technology, leadership, 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
Chief Operating Officer
Joining ICLE in 2003, Stephanie D. Fowler brings more than 20 years of experience to her newest position as ICLE's chief operating officer (COO), where she is responsible for ensuring the organization's day-to-day administrative and operational functions. Ms. Fowler brings a wealth of expertise to the role of COO, having previously served as director of operations, where she oversaw the Institute's marketing, design, technology, and business operations. These responsibilities included the direction of content marketing, brand management, long-term IT strategy, annual budgeting, and more. Before that, she served in varied roles such as assistant director of communications, design, and new development; assistant director of brand, promotions, web design, and customer experience; and manager of marketing, sales, and customer experience. Ms. Fowler is a member of and presenter for the Association for Continuing Legal Education, where her teams have garnered a host of awards under her leadership.
Staff Lawyers
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
Education Director, Live Events and Section Services
As education director, Lisa F. Geherin directs the development and implementation of ICLE's education services, including programs and events, hands-on training, webcasts, contract services, and online initiatives. Before that, Ms. Geherin managed the sales department, overseeing business development efforts related to the ICLE Partnership, live events, and publications. 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.
Matthew J. Franson
ICLE Staff Lawyer, Publications and Online Resources
Matthew J. Franson joined ICLE in September 2021. Mr. Franson works with a diverse group of contributors to update and publish print and online resources in the areas of no-fault, insurance, criminal law, and cannabis law. He also plans and moderates studio seminars on these topics. Before joining ICLE, Mr. Franson was a law clerk and practiced with multiple firms in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He has experience litigating matters involving premise liability, automobile accidents, construction defects claims, and criminal law issues. 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.
Nicole S. McNair
ICLE Staff Lawyer, Publications and Online Resources
Nicole "Nicki" S. McNair works with ICLE contributors to update and edit ICLE publications and online resources in the real property and elder law practice areas. Before joining ICLE in June 2023, Ms. McNair practiced law in Chicago where she was a litigator focused on tort defense matters, particularly worker's compensation defense. She also has experience defending medical malpractice claims. Ms. McNair is a member of the Illinois State Bar and the State Bar of Michigan.
Rachael M. Sedlacek
Online Resources and Publications Director, Publications and Online Resources
Rachael M. Sedlacek joined ICLE as a staff attorney in 2012 and is now the director of ICLE's vast publications and online resources. She works on content planning, resource innovation, customer research, strategic initiatives, and supervises ICLE's staff lawyers. Before coming to ICLE, Ms. Sedlacek practiced in New Hampshire and handled a variety of family law, negligence, real property, and appellate matters. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the New Hampshire Bar Association.
Rebekah Page-Gourley
ICLE Staff Lawyer, Publications and Online Resources
Rebekah Page-Gourley works with ICLE contributors to draft, update, and edit ICLE publications and online resources in the civil litigation and appellate practice areas. She leads contributor recruitment, communication, and recognition efforts geared toward maintaining a robust and diverse contributor base. Ms. Page-Gourley also develops new products and directs initiatives surrounding content and process improvement, customer research and satisfaction, and outreach to law students and new lawyers. Before joining ICLE in 2008, she practiced municipal and employment defense in Farmington Hills, MI. Ms. Page-Gourley is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and its Administrative and Regulatory Law, 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
Bethany Malmgren — Event Support Specialist, Live Events
Brenda Hoelzer — Administrative Assistant
Chris Boddy — Editor, Editing and Production
Christine Mathews — Editor, Editing and Production
David Salamie — Editor, Editing and Production
Denise H. Garthwaite — Programmer, Communications and Development
Elizabeth Stanley — Editor, Editing and Production
Eric L. Jones — Network Administrator, Communications and Development
Gus Slack — Marketing Assistant, Communications and Development
Irene McCabe — Marketing and Sales Director, 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 — Manager, Editing and Production
Pamela Fisher — Audio-Visual Supervisor, Communications and Development
Rachel Burrell — 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