Event Presenters

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  Brent Kidwell

  Partner, Jenner and Block

  Brent E. Kidwell is a partner in the Firm's Litigation Department. He is a member of the Technology Litigation Practice and serves as the Firm's Chief Knowledge Counsel. Mr. Kidwell also serves as Chair of the Firm's Technology Planning, Applied Technology and E-Discovery Committees.
  
  As the Firm’s Chief Knowledge Counsel, Mr. Kidwell focuses on several aspects of the Firm’s technology management and leadership. On a day-to-day basis, Mr. Kidwell manages the Firm’s Applied Technology Group, which is responsible for providing automated litigation support and electronic discovery services to the Firm and its clients. Mr. Kidwell advises clients on both proactive electronic discovery preparedness as well as the development of reactive strategies for collecting, processing, analyzing and producing data in litigation. Mr. Kidwell is a co-author of the treatise Electronic Discovery published by Law Journal Press. In addition to his work managing electronic discovery, Mr. Kidwell focuses on implementing various applied technology programs in the Firm, including deployment of client extranets and litigation support software.
  
  In addition to his management of the ATG, Mr. Kidwell is responsible for the Firm’s knowledge management program. These responsibilities include management of the Firm’s intranet and extranet, work-product retrieval, and other value-added knowledge management initiatives designed to allow the Firm to serve clients more efficiently and effectively. Mr. Kidwell has given presentations on various knowledge management topics. For his work in the applied technology area, Mr. Kidwell was named the 2004 “Champion of Technology” by Law Technology News.
  
  Prior to assuming his position as Chief Knowledge Counsel, Mr. Kidwell served clients in a broad array of civil litigation matters at both the trial and appellate level.
  
  Mr. Kidwell graduated summa cum laude from Indiana University School of Law in 1993 and joined the Firm following a clerkship with the Honorable John D. Tinder, Judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. He received his Master of Science degree in Computer Science at DePaul University in 2006 and his bachelor's degree at Indiana University in 1990.
  
  Mr. Kidwell is admitted to practice in Illinois.
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  Joan Koenig

  Counsel, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

  Joan Koenig is counsel in the Corporate and Securities Practice Group on the Customs and Trade and International teams. Joan possesses substantial experience in international trade regulations, particularly those relating to U.S. export controls (ITAR, EAR, FACR, FTSR) and customs regulations.
  
  Joan has considerable experience applying U.S. export controls, customs and international trade laws and regulations to various situations and business transactions for both U.S. and non-U.S. companies. She has extensive experience representing clients before administrative agencies involved in international trade, including the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce and Treasury, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Food and Drug Administration, and U.S. Trade Representative.
  
  Her experience includes assisting clients in obtaining export licenses, manufacturing license and technical assistance agreements, authorizations from the Office of Foreign Assets Control, as well as other types of export approvals from applicable agencies and working to structure transactions to comply with the export control regulations. She also assesses potential violations, and has assisted clients in filing voluntary disclosures to regulating agencies and works to cancel or minimize any potential fines and penalties.
  
  Prior to joining the firm, Joan acted as manager for the Office of Export Compliance at General Motors Corporation and was a member of GM’s Customs Administration Group where she provided expert advice and counsel to GM’s global business units regarding compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations. Before joining GM, she practiced international trade law in Chicago.
  
  In General. Joan is a member of the Trade Support Network Export Committee, and the Society for International Affairs. She received her J.D. degree from Northwestern University School of Law in 1994 and her bachelor's degree, magna cum laude, from Ripon College in 1986.
  
  Joan is admitted to practice law in Illinois, Michigan, and before the Court of International Trade, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
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  Michael Lowman

  Partner, Jenner and Block

  Michael K. Lowman is a partner in the Firm's Litigation Department. He is a member of its Securities Litigation, Class Action and Securities Practices.
  
  Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Lowman served as Assistant Chief Litigation Counsel for the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement. During his five years at the SEC, Mr. Lowman served as primary trial counsel in a wide variety of civil and administrative enforcement actions brought in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and elsewhere. Mr. Lowman investigated, and where necessary tried complex financial fraud cases, matters involving insider trading, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations, market manipulation schemes and potential U.S. securities law violations by an off-shore brokerage firm and transfer agents. Mr. Lowman also worked closely with federal, state and foreign criminal law enforcement agencies in parallel criminal proceedings arising out of SEC investigations. Mr. Lowman received two Division Director Awards for his contributions to the Commission as a trial attorney.
  
  Mr. Lowman also practiced for nearly eight years at large New York and Washington, DC law firms. During this period, he handled numerous high stakes corporate and commercial cases, ranging from representing corporations and individuals in SEC investigations, shareholder class and derivative actions, NASD arbitrations, as well as complex multi-party construction matters, commercial contract litigation, insurance coverage disputes, trademark and copyright litigation and consumer class action defense. He also advised corporations, as well as their officers and directors, on the requirements of the federal securities laws, Delaware corporate law and potential fiduciary obligations.
  
  Mr. Lowman received his J.D. summa cum laude from The American University’s Washington College of Law in 1992. Mr. Lowman served as the Senior Articles Editor of The American University Law Review. He received his B.A. degree summa cum laude and with Phi Beta Kappa honors from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1989. After law school, Mr. Lowman clerked for the Honorable Howard S. Chasanow, Associate Judge, Court of Appeals of Maryland.
  
  Mr. Lowman is a member of the bar of the District of Columbia, New York, Maryland and Virginia, as well as the bars of numerous United States District Courts.
  
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  Kathleen Murphy

  Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

  Kathleen M. Murphy counsels clients on maximizing trade benefits, making informed global procurement decisions and developing domestic and international trade compliance programs. She represents clients in audits, validations and investigations conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. She also guides clients through the Importer Self-Assessment Program and designs periodic internal reviews intended to foster self-governance.
  
  Kathleen also represents both domestic and foreign -based companies in developing or enhancing comprehensive solutions for supply chain and cargo security management. She assists clients in meeting the security criteria of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C -TPAT) and prepares C-TPAT approved companies for program validations performed by CBP.
  
  In addition, Kathleen, along with her colleagues and consultants, handles a full array of Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) services, including feasibility studies, FTZ applications, Request for Manufacturing, FTZ activation procedures and other FTZ operational support. She also conducts training and compliance reviews and represents clients in enforcement proceedings.
  
  Kathleen is a frequent speaker on trade security and trade regulatory compliance and has addressed numerous organizations, including the American Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the American Association of Exporters and Importers, the International Compliance Professionals Association, the Midwest Global Trade Association, the Council of Logistics Management, Society of International Affairs, Women in International Trade and various local and regional trade associations. She serves on the board of governors of the American Association of Exporters and Importers, co -chairs its membership committee, and is team leader for the Importer Self -Assessment Program for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. In addition, she is past vice - chair of the Customs and U.S. Trade Law Committee of the American Bar Association, past board member and chair of the Publications Committee of the Customs and International Trade Bar Association and past chair of the International and Foreign Law Committee of the Chicago Bar. She is also the past president and director of the Chicago Chapter of Women in International Trade.
  
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  Larry Parres

  Member, Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C

  Larry E. Parres, a Member in the corporate department at Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C., represents national, regional and local financial institutions with an expertise in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and business restructuring. Parres has represented several of the largest banking associations in the United States in bankruptcy cases filed in Missouri, Illinois, Delaware and New York. In addition to counseling financial institutions, Parres has spent significant time advising the firm’s corporate clients in purchasing assets and businesses from Chapter 11 bankruptcy estates throughout the country, including the purchase of several heavy industrial operations, various real estate transactions, and intellectual property sales. Representing the firm’s business clients in Chapter 11 as debtors-in-possession is also something with which Parres has extensive knowledge. His experience allows him to provide the highest quality client service while focusing on the client’s specific goals and needs during turbulent economic times. He strives to meet these goals in a timely and cost-effective manner.
  
  Parres’ practice also includes banking litigation by effectively enforcing his clients’ rights under various loan and other legal documents/contracts. As both lenders and borrowers, Parres’ clients rely on him to help capably draft and review their loan documentation.
  
  Parres was the President, Director and Co-Founder of the St. Louis Tri-State Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association, where he served on the National Board of Directors. He is also a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and the American Bar Association. He is a frequent lecturer for continuing legal education seminars regarding bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, as well as attorney fee issues for organizations, including the Missouri Bar, The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Turnaround Management Association.
  
  Parres is actively involved in his community and shows his commitment by playing many civic and charitable roles; he has held various positions with several St Louis not-for-profit corporations, including St. Patrick Center, Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club, The Boy Scouts of America and St. Simon the Apostle Church.
  
  Parres was credited with putting creativity into bankruptcy law by the St. Louis Business Journal when he was selected to be part of the “40 Under 40” Class of 2003. He is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2010 and serves on the Firm’s Associate Development Committee.
  
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  Winthrop Reed, III

  Member, Lewis Rice & Fingersh, L.C.

  Winthrop B. (“Win”) Reed, III is a Member in the litigation department of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C. Reed spends considerable time representing and advising Graybar Electric Company, Inc., and other manufacturers and distributors on a variety of legal matters including up stream and down stream distribution agreements, pricing, antitrust issues and other state and federal issues relating to competition.
  
  Reed also provides a significant amount of pro bono legal work to the Saint Louis Zoo and to Coat-A-Kid, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that provides coats, hats and mittens to the underprivileged in the St. Louis area. Reed is very active within the St. Louis community, sitting on the Boards for Junior Achievement of Mississippi Valley, Inc., HavenHouse St. Louis, the Dean’s Council for Saint Louis University’s Law School, and the Saint Louis Zoo. Reed was recently appointed as a Commissioner for the Zoological Subdistrict of the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District Comprising the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County after serving as President of the Saint Louis Zoo Friends Association. Reed also serves in an advisory group for the Opera Theater St. Louis.
  
  As a respected attorney in the Firm, Reed serves not only on the Management Committee, but is also a long-time member of the Firm’s Recruiting Committee and the Firm’s Marketing Committee.
  
  Reed is a member of the Missouri and Illinois Bars, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Lawyers Association of St. Louis, the American Bar Association, and the National Association for College and University Attorneys. Reed also served as an Infantry officer in the Illinois Army National Guard and Reserves for eight years.
  
  Earlier this year, Reed was named an “Up and Coming” attorney in St. Louis by MO Lawyers Weekly, was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2010 and was selected as part of the St. Louis Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” Class of 2005.
  
  
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  Joseph Trad

  Member, Lewis Rice & Fingersh, L.C.

  Having represented mostly creditors for over 25 years, Joe is a lender’s “go-to” choice for an attorney to handle its most troublesome restructurings and collections. Joe’s practice includes representation of both financial institutions and private and publicly held businesses in the area of loan work-outs, restructurings, foreclosures and the prosecution of recovery from borrowers and guarantors. His engagements have included a variety of complex matters, including Section 363 asset sales on behalf of both debtors and purchasers, negotiation, documentation and obtaining approval of debtor-in-possession financing, cash collateral orders and strategic counseling and negotiation of restructurings, including Chapter 11 plans. Joe has pursued his clients’ claims before state and federal courts and administrative agencies and has successfully tried cases for clients in a number of jurisdictions.
  
  As a committed member of his community, Joe is a 1997 graduate of Leadership St. Louis and has held various positions with several St. Louis not-for-profit organizations, including the American Heart Association and Ronald McDonald House.
  
  Joe is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth, Seventh, and Eighth Circuits; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri; the Missouri and Illinois State Bars; and is a member of the American Bar Association, Litigation Section; American Bankruptcy Institute; and the Bar Association of St. Louis.
  
  Joe was selected for inclusion in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® 2005 and is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
  
  
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  Jade West

  Senior Vice President-Government Relations, NAW

  Jade West is Senior Vice President-Government Relations for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. She also serves as Executive Director of the Wholesaler-Distributor Political Action Committee. Jade is the senior lobbyist for NAW, advocating the interests of the wholesale distribution industry in Washington both on Capitol Hill and with executive branch departments and agencies. In addition, she is Executive Secretariat for the 1,000-member Tax Relief Coalition, the Coalition for Affordable American Energy, and the LIFO Coalition. Jade is a Steering Committee member of the Alliance for Tax Fairness and Growth, and she is on the Management Committee of the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, which leads the opposition to organized labor’s effort to remove secret ballot elections from union certification elections and force employers into binding “interest arbitration” in negotiating contracts.
  
  Jade is also a Director of the Business Industry Political Action Committee and a Founder and Director of the trade association Get Out the Vote Best Practices Group, both working to maximize the turnout of pro-business voters in federal elections.
  
  Before joining NAW in 2002, Jade was a senior aide on Capitol Hill for more than 20 years. She served first as Executive Director of the U.S. Senate Steering Committee, directing the activities of a small staff that provided legislative and policy assistance to approximately 25 senators and their staffs.
  
  She was then named Staff Director for the U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee, the fourth ranking Republican Leadership position in the Senate. In that capacity, she served as an adviser to the Republican Leadership on legislative and technical procedural matters and managed a staff of 20, including 10 policy experts who provided policy analysis, research papers and talking points, and detailed legislative summaries to Republican senators and their staffs.