About

Who We Are

ICLE Staff

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, Live Events and Section Services

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 in 2024-2025 and frequently presenting at ACLEA conferences on technology, leadership, innovation, and business-related topics. He co-founded ACLEA’s Executive Leadership Flight School. 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

Claire Petzel

ICLE Staff Lawyer, Publications and Online Resources

Claire Petzel works with ICLE contributors to update and edit ICLE publications and online resources in the elder law and debtor/creditor law practice areas. Before joining ICLE in April 2025, she practiced as a family law attorney. Ms. Petzel is a 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 and the Ohio State Bar Association.

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 has been with ICLE since 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 and livestreamed conferences, institutes and partnership seminars. Before joining ICLE, Mr. Matthies was in private practice in California and Michigan, handling civil litigation, estate planning, property tax law, and business law. He is a member of the California Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan and its Negligence Law, Health Care Law, Taxation, and Elder Law and Disability Rights sections. Before becoming a lawyer, Mr. Matthies worked as a certified drug and alcohol counselor and sits on the Michigan 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 no-fault 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, create, and edit ICLE publications and online resources in a variety of areas, including civil litigation and appellate practice. 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 several of its sections, and sits on its Courts and Civil Procedure Committee. She is also the ICLE liaison to Michigan's Committee on Model Civil Jury Instructions.

Tala Dahbour

ICLE Staff Lawyer, Publications and Online Resources

Tala Dahbour works with ICLE contributors to update and edit ICLE publications and online resources in the employment law and business law practice areas. 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 — Business Office and Accounting Manager, Business and Customer Relations

Andrea Sciberras — Marketing and Sales Project Manager, 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 — IT Director, Communications and Development

Elizabeth Stanley — Editor, Editing and Production

Eric L. Jones — Network Administrator, Communications and Development

Eric Longhini — Marketing and Customer Experience Assistant, 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

Karen Andrews — Production Specialist, Editing and Production

Katelynn Monty — Customer Support Representative, Business and Customer Relations

Kerry Lefere — Marketing Copy Writer, Communications and Development

Lisa Rauguth — Accounting Clerk, Business and Customer Relations

Lucy Petee — Marketing and Customer Experience Assistant, Communications and Development

Marcus Ong — Programmer, Communications and Development

Marvin Washington — Audio-Visual Technician, Communications and Development

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

Richard Garthwaite — Audio-Visual Technician, Communications and Development

Ryan Coulter — Creative Director, Communications and Development

Sueriya Pasupathy — Programmer, Communications and Development

Suzanne English — Accounting Clerk, Business and Customer Relations

Ted Bell — Programmer, Communications and Development

News From ICLE

New Executive Director
Jeffrey E. Kirkey has been named executive director of ICLE, effective June 4, 2026. Jeff brings nearly three decades of experience with ICLE, most recently as the Institute's chief learning officer. As head of ICLE, he will oversee day-to-day operations and help implement strategic objectives in our mission to support Michigan lawyers. Read the full announcement: https://info.icle.org/jeff-kirkey-named-icle-executive-director

Meet Our Contributors

Peter A. Schmidt

Varnum LLP

Grand Rapids

Peter A. Schmidt focuses on real estate, finance, and municipal matters. His practice is transaction oriented, and he works with businesses, institutions, developers, and investors in real estate purchases, sales, leases, financing, and development projects,...

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