2026 - 2027 ADTA Officers, Executive Council and Awards Announced

The ADTA held its 85th Annual Meeting in Costa Rica. Attendees participated in outstanding CLE programming featuring timely legal topics and engaging speakers while also enjoying numerous opportunities to strengthen professional relationships. From the President's Reception to the Zodiac-themed evening at Villa Caletas and the Closing Reception and Dinner, the social events showcased both the beauty and culture of Costa Rica.

The ADTA Annual Meeting for 2027 will be held in St. Petersburg, Florida on April 21-25. It was also announced that the ADTA will be headed to Sedona in 2028.

Immediate Past President, Amanda Cialkowski conducted the general meeting along with the Saturday Business Meeting. Past President Dyan Ebert, Chair of the Nomination Committee, led the Business Meeting at which time the new slate of 2026 -2027 Officers and Executive Council were presented and voted upon.

President: 
Johnston Cox
Gallivan White & Boyd
Columbia, SC

President Elect: 
R. Bruce Barze, Jr., Barze Taylor Noles Lowther LLC, Birmingham, AL

Vice President: 
Ronald Austin, Jr., Grant Law, LLC, Chicago, IL

Treasurer:
David Lauritzen, Cotton, Beldsoe, Tighe & Dawson, P.C., Midland, TX

Secretary:
Jeanne Loftis, Baker Sterchi Cowden Rice, Portland, OR

Immediate Past President:
Amanda Cialkowski, Nilan Johnson, Minneapolis, MN

Class of 2027

Laura K. Beasley, Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC, Belleview, IL
Steven A. Dix, Dix and Associates, PLLC, Murfreesboro, TN
Natalie M. Leon, Forbes Chochla LLP, Toronto, ON

Class of 2028

Eileen Buholtz, Connors Corcoran & Buholtz PLLC, Rochester, NY
Rose Marie Joly, Sulloway & Hollis, PLLC, Concord, NH
Christopher Morris, Lewis Reed and Allen PC, Kalamazoo, MI

Class of 2029

Jessica Burgasser, Hawkins Parnell & Young, Buffalo, NY
Karen Herzog, Downs Ward Bender Herzog & Kintigh, Hunt Valley, MD
James Nieset, POrteous, Hainkel & Johnson, New Orleans, LA

AWARDS

2026 "Strubinger" Award Recipient

Thomas Hurney, Jr.

Congratulations Tom!

There were four additional finalists receiving recognition:

Megan Coluccio
Stephanie HOlcombe
John T. Lay
Wayne Maire

We are thankful for each of their efforts in making very worthy referrals. This is what ADTA is all about.

Thanks to each of you.