USLAW LeadX

Overview and Purpose

The USLAW LeadX: Pathway to Success (USLAW LeadX) is a transformative leadership development program designed to prepare the next generation of leaders within USLAW NETWORK and its member firms. USLAW LeadX establishes a clearly defined, five-year pathway that combines leadership training, business development, client engagement and NETWORK-wide relationship-building to ensure strong leadership succession and long-term organizational vitality. This initiative delivers structured progression and intentional outcomes for leadership development.

Eligibility

Each participating firm may nominate up to four attorneys (with a minimum of 5 years of legal experience) who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to client service. The program is open to both associates and partners, with no annual participation fee.

Leadership path

USLAW LeadX builds on the foundation of the former Future USLAW Leaders program, introduced in 2017. By introducing formal cohorts, clear selection criteria and defined program lifecycles, USLAW LeadX sets a standard for professional growth and provides a roadmap for attorneys ready to take on greater leadership roles within their firms and the NETWORK.

Inaugural cohort: USLAW LeadX (2026–2030)

The following individuals have been selected for the first USLAW LeadX: Pathway to Success cohort
(listed in alphabetical order by firm name).

Jack Sanker, Amundsen Davis LLC (IL), Chicago, IL: Attorney bio
Joey K. Wright, Amundsen Davis LLC (IN), Indianapolis, IN: Attorney bio
Iliana I. Valtchanova, Arcadia Settlements Group, Pittsburgh, PA: Bio
Kerri Poe, Arcadia Settlements Group, Nashville, TN and Los Angeles, CA: Bio
Brian Barmettler, Baird Holm LLP, Omaha, NE: Attorney bio
Kristina J. Kamler, Baird Holm LLP, Omaha, NE: Attorney bio
Kira K. Strandquest, Baird Holm LLP, Omaha, NE: Attorney bio
Mark E. Jordan-Poinsette, Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP, Elmsford, NY: Attorney bio
Corinne M. Scotti, Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP, Elmsford, NY: Attorney bio
Zack Lewis, Bovis Kyle Burch & Medlin LLC. Atlanta, GA: Attorney bio
Kathy So, Bovis Kyle Burch & Medlin LLC, Atlanta, GA: Attorney bio
Michael D. Stacy, Bovis Kyle Burch & Medlin LLC, Atlanta, GA: Attorney bio
Christopher Stastny, Bovis Kyle Burch & Medlin LLC, Atlanta, GA: Attorney bio
Walker Moss, Carr Allison (AL), Birmingham, AL: Attorney bio
Austin C. Sherman, Carr Allison (FL), Jacksonville, FL: Attorney bio
Vanessa Coe, Coleman Chavez & Associates, Los Angeles, CA: Attorney bio
Rebecca M.H. Martinez, Coleman Chavez & Associates, Los Angeles, CA: Attorney bio
Peter D. Pham, Coleman Chavez & Associates, Los Angeles, CA: Attorney bio
Kenton Trigger, Coleman Chavez & Associates, Los Angeles, CA: Attorney bio
Grant Dick, IV, Cooch and Taylor, P.A., Wilmington, DE: Attorney bio
Landon Kidd, Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A., Ridgeland, MS: Attorney bio
Christina Mott Hesse, Duke Evett, PLLC, Boise, ID: Attorney bio
Molly E. Mitchell, Duke Evett, PLLC, Boise, ID: Attorney bio
Emma C. Nowacki, Duke Evett, PLLC, Boise, ID: Attorney bio
Elizabeth Judy, Dysart Taylor, Kansas City, MO: Attorney bio
Jeremy Burkett, Fee, Smith & Sharp L.L.P., Dallas, TX: Attorney bio
Justin B. Jones, Fee, Smith & Sharp L.L.P., Dallas, TX: Attorney bio
Patrick T. Wiggins, Fee, Smith & Sharp L.L.P., Dallas, TX: Attorney bio
Evan S. Aldridge, Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC, Charleston, WV: Attorney bio
James K. Hetzel, Franklin & Prokopik, P.C., Baltimore, MD: Attorney bio
Jessica B. Pupkin, Franklin & Prokopik, P.C., Baltimore, MD: Attorney bio
Arlow M. Linton, Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady LLP, Buffalo, NY: Attorney bio
Erin N. Mackin, Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady LLP, Buffalo, NY: Attorney bio
Kristin Moro, Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady LLP, Buffalo, NY: Attorney bio
Bridget M. Talerico, Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady LLP, Buffalo, NY: Attorney bio
Johnathan C. Bolton, Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel LLP, Honolulu, HI: Attorney bio
Stacy Y. Ma, Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel LLP, Honolulu, HI: Attorney bio
Josue Aparicio, Hanson Bridgett LLP, San Francisco, CA: Attorney bio
Kaylen Kadotani, Hanson Bridgett LLP, San Francisco, CA: Attorney bio
Grace P. Gower, Klinedinst PC, San Diego, CA: Attorney bio
Benjamin W. Kuhlmann, Laffey, Leitner & Goode LLC, Milwaukee, WI: Attorney bio
Allison E. Laffey, Laffey, Leitner & Goode LLC, Milwaukee, WI: Attorney bio
Zane P. Aubert, Larson • King, LLP (MN), Saint Paul, MN: Attorney bio
Brian R. Betner, Lashly & Baer, P.C., St. Louis, MO: Attorney bio
Emily A Gearhart, MehaffyWeber, San Antonio, TX: Attorney bio
Dilcia Z. Jones, MehaffyWeber, San Antonio, TX: Attorney bio
Austin B. Martin, MehaffyWeber, Houston. TX: Attorney bio
Jessica Windfont, MehaffyWeber, Houston, TX: Attorney bio
Sophia M. Brasseux, Moran Reeves & Conn PC, Richmond, VA: Attorney bio
Stewart R. Pollock, Moran Reeves & Conn PC, Richmond, VA: Attorney bio
Tarik J. Shoukeh, Murchison & Cumming, LLP, Los Angeles, CA: Attorney bio
Graham A. Simmons, Murchison & Cumming, LLP, Los Angeles, CA: Attorney bio
Jessica L Dark, Pierce Couch Hendrickson Baysinger & Green, L.L.P., Oklahoma City, OK: Attorney bio
Jeffrey Hendrickson, Pierce Couch Hendrickson Baysinger & Green, L.L.P., Oklahoma City, OK: Attorney bio
Julie A. Brennan, Pion, Nerone, Girman & Smith, PC, Pittsburgh, PA: Attorney bio
Jordan C. Hettrich. Pion, Nerone, Girman & Smith, PC, Pittsburgh, PA: Attorney bio
Meredith Durham, Plauché Maselli Parkerson LLP, New Orleans, LA: Attorney bio
Matthew T. Habig, Plauché Maselli Parkerson LLP, New Orleans, LA: Attorney bio
Eric Winder Sella, Plauché Maselli Parkerson LLP, New Orleans, LA: Attorney bio
Andrew S. Dixon, Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Springdale, AR: Attorney bio
Laura L. O’Hara, Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Little Rock, AR: Attorney bio
Benjamin J. Wisher, Rivkin Radler LLP (Capital Region). Albany, NY: Attorney bio
Lindsay M. Brocki, Rivkin Radler LLP (Long Island), Uniondale, NY: Attorney bio
Lidia B. Ebersole, Roetzel & Andress, Toledo, OH: Attorney bio
Tyler M. Jolley, Roetzel & Andress, Cincinnati, OH: Attorney bio
Myles Dubose, S-E-A, Rolling Meadows, IL: Bio
Troy Graham, S-E-A, Columbus, OH: Bio
Annie M. Hardin, Simmons Perrine PLC, Cedar Rapids, IA: Attorney bio
Evan McDonough, Snyder Burnett Egerer, LLP, Santa Barbara, CA: Attorney bio
Susan Toth, Sweeney & Sheehan, P.C., Philadelphia, PA: Attorney bio
Marshall C. Crane, Sweeny Wingate & Barrow, P.A., Columbia, SC: Attorney bio
Jessica Kansky, Verdict Insight Partners, Charleston, SC: Bio
Juliana Manrique, Verdict Insight Partners, New York, NY: Bio
Jacob J. Liro, Wicker Smith (South Florida), Coral Gables, FL: Attorney bio
Megan Ferris, Williams Kastner (OR), Portland, OR: Attorney bio
Ryan W. Vollans, Williams Kastner (WA), Seattle, WA: Attorney bio
Jeffrey M. Wells, Williams Kastner (WA), Seattle, WA: Attorney bio
Erica R. Day, Williams, Porter, Day and Neville PC, Casper, WY: Attorney bio
Keith J. Dodson, Williams, Porter, Day and Neville PC, Casper, WY: Attorney bio

Program highlights

USLAW LeadX will operate in five-year cycles, with participants progressing through a series of structured initiatives designed to develop their skills, increase visibility, and boost influence. Key elements include:

Leadership Development – Workshops, shadowing opportunities, speaking and writing roles, and observation of USLAW leadership to prepare participants for future governance.
Business Development & Client Engagement – Training bootcamps, client roundtables and opportunities to directly engage with clients and industry issues.
Networking & Relationship Building – Bi-annual USLAW LeadX Summits and tailored networking opportunities at USLAW events.
Mentorship & Alumni Engagement – Pairing USLAW LeadX participants with alumni of the Future USLAW Leaders group, as well as creating an advisory role for alumni to support ongoing program success.