Senior Legal Counsel, Independent Women's Forum
Beth Parlato is the Senior Legal Advisor of Independent Women’s Law Center. Prior to joining IWLC, Beth was a trial litigator in New York State for over 30 years. During her time in private practice, Beth handled an array of matters in the areas of civil, family and business law, including representing not-for-profit organizations and churches. In 2020, she was among the first attorneys in the nation to represent clients in medical freedom and individual liberty litigation across the United States fighting unconstitutional COVID-19 mandates. Beth also served as a judge in New York for 12 years, presiding over criminal and civil matters, and had the honor of being the first female elected judge in Genesee County, NY. She has been a guest contributor to Fox News since 2016, as well as a frequent guest on conservative and Christian radio programs. Beth received a B.A. in Political Science from the University at Buffalo and earned her J.D. from Albany Law School in 1993.
General Counsel, Mountain States Legal Foundation
William E. Trachman is General Counsel for Mountain States Legal Foundation, where he protects the rights of individuals to live freely and securely under the U.S. Constitution. Previously, he was appointed to serve in the Department of Education as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office for Civil Rights. Prior to his appointment, he served as General Counsel to the Douglas County School District, where he helped litigate the fight for school choice in the school district. Presently, Mr. Trachman serves as Chair of the Colorado Federalist Society and the Vice Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ Colorado Advisory Board. He previously taught as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. He attended U.C. Berkeley for both undergraduate and law school, and then clerked for the Honorable Harris Hartz on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Trachman is licensed in Colorado, California, and Washington, D.C.
Senior Legal Counsel, Independent Women's Forum
Beth Parlato is the Senior Legal Advisor of Independent Women’s Law Center. Prior to joining IWLC, Beth was a trial litigator in New York State for over 30 years. During her time in private practice, Beth handled an array of matters in the areas of civil, family and business law, including representing not-for-profit organizations and churches. In 2020, she was among the first attorneys in the nation to represent clients in medical freedom and individual liberty litigation across the United States fighting unconstitutional COVID-19 mandates. Beth also served as a judge in New York for 12 years, presiding over criminal and civil matters, and had the honor of being the first female elected judge in Genesee County, NY. She has been a guest contributor to Fox News since 2016, as well as a frequent guest on conservative and Christian radio programs. Beth received a B.A. in Political Science from the University at Buffalo and earned her J.D. from Albany Law School in 1993.
General Counsel, Mountain States Legal Foundation
William E. Trachman is General Counsel for Mountain States Legal Foundation, where he protects the rights of individuals to live freely and securely under the U.S. Constitution. Previously, he was appointed to serve in the Department of Education as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office for Civil Rights. Prior to his appointment, he served as General Counsel to the Douglas County School District, where he helped litigate the fight for school choice in the school district. Presently, Mr. Trachman serves as Chair of the Colorado Federalist Society and the Vice Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ Colorado Advisory Board. He previously taught as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. He attended U.C. Berkeley for both undergraduate and law school, and then clerked for the Honorable Harris Hartz on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Trachman is licensed in Colorado, California, and Washington, D.C.
Partner and Co-Chair, Public Policy Group, Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP
Mark Behrens co-chairs Shook's Washington, DC-based Public Policy Practice Group and is a leading national expert on civil justice issues with over thirty years of experience. A substantial part of his practice is working to improve the civil litigation environment through state and federal legislation; in the courts through amicus curiae briefs; through legal scholarship and judicial education; and in the court of public opinion.
Mark is actively involved in civil justice reform efforts at the federal and state levels. He has testified before the U.S. Congress and most state legislatures on behalf of business and civil justice organizations. Mark also has an active amicus brief practice specializing in tort liability and civil justice issues. He has authored or co-authored over 150 amicus briefs in cases before the United States Supreme Court and federal and state appellate courts on behalf of business, civil justice, and defense lawyer organizations. In addition, Mark routinely files comments on behalf of business, civil justice, and defense lawyer organizations regarding potential changes to federal and state court rules. He chairs the International Association of Defense Counsel’s (IADC) Civil Justice Response Committee and serves on the Board of Directors of Lawyers for Civil Justice (LCJ).
Mark is a member of the American Law Institute (ALI). He received his J.D. in 1990 from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he was a member of the Vanderbilt Law Review. He received his B.A. in economics from the University of Wisconsin in 1987.
Senior Legal Counsel, Independent Women's Forum
Beth Parlato is the Senior Legal Advisor of Independent Women’s Law Center. Prior to joining IWLC, Beth was a trial litigator in New York State for over 30 years. During her time in private practice, Beth handled an array of matters in the areas of civil, family and business law, including representing not-for-profit organizations and churches. In 2020, she was among the first attorneys in the nation to represent clients in medical freedom and individual liberty litigation across the United States fighting unconstitutional COVID-19 mandates. Beth also served as a judge in New York for 12 years, presiding over criminal and civil matters, and had the honor of being the first female elected judge in Genesee County, NY. She has been a guest contributor to Fox News since 2016, as well as a frequent guest on conservative and Christian radio programs. Beth received a B.A. in Political Science from the University at Buffalo and earned her J.D. from Albany Law School in 1993.
General Counsel, Mountain States Legal Foundation
William E. Trachman is General Counsel for Mountain States Legal Foundation, where he protects the rights of individuals to live freely and securely under the U.S. Constitution. Previously, he was appointed to serve in the Department of Education as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office for Civil Rights. Prior to his appointment, he served as General Counsel to the Douglas County School District, where he helped litigate the fight for school choice in the school district. Presently, Mr. Trachman serves as Chair of the Colorado Federalist Society and the Vice Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ Colorado Advisory Board. He previously taught as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. He attended U.C. Berkeley for both undergraduate and law school, and then clerked for the Honorable Harris Hartz on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Trachman is licensed in Colorado, California, and Washington, D.C.
Will Maine Lose Federal Funding Over Civil Rights Enforcement?
Beth Parlato, William E. Trachman
Maine Governor Janet Mills and President Trump famously sparred at a lunch earlier this year,...
Will Maine Lose Federal Funding Over Civil Rights Enforcement?
Beth Parlato, William E. Trachman
Maine Governor Janet Mills and President Trump famously sparred at a lunch earlier this year,...
Will Maine Lose Federal Funding Over Civil Rights Enforcement?
2021 Civil Justice Update
Mark A. Behrens
This paper reviews key civil justice issues and changes in 2021. Part I focuses on broad...