59th Annual Institute Faculty Bios
Andrew Caple-Shaw
A professional actor for over 30 years, Andrew started out as a regional and touring theater performer before eventually transitioning into film and television. He has appeared on television shows such as NCIS and THE WEST WING, worked with Academy Award winning actors and directors, and was admitted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in his early 20s.
Andrew became a licensed attorney in the state of Tennessee after completing law school in less than two years, during which time he was a National Champion trial advocate, working actor, and elected leader of the television and film performers union, SAG-AFTRA. He is currently holds the Nashville seat on the board of directors and has held numerous national and local offices with the organization over the last two decades. Andrew is a member of the American Society of Trial Consultants, a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Occidental College, and former Rhodes Scholar Finalist.
In 2012 he began teaching at the law school level, where he experimented with an acting-based approach to trial skills teaching. The program he designed was built around Sanford Meisner’s principles of emotional listening.
As his advocacy teaching reputation grew, Andrew went into trial consulting and private sector teaching. He teamed up with Act of Communication founders Katherine James and Alan Blumenfeld and his been working with them for the past several years, training lawyers and preparing witnesses across the country. As ACT managing partner he frequently helps attorneys achieve state and national record verdicts and settlements across the United States and in international courts.
Andrew became a licensed attorney in the state of Tennessee after completing law school in less than two years, during which time he was a National Champion trial advocate, working actor, and elected leader of the television and film performers union, SAG-AFTRA. He is currently holds the Nashville seat on the board of directors and has held numerous national and local offices with the organization over the last two decades. Andrew is a member of the American Society of Trial Consultants, a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Occidental College, and former Rhodes Scholar Finalist.
In 2012 he began teaching at the law school level, where he experimented with an acting-based approach to trial skills teaching. The program he designed was built around Sanford Meisner’s principles of emotional listening.
As his advocacy teaching reputation grew, Andrew went into trial consulting and private sector teaching. He teamed up with Act of Communication founders Katherine James and Alan Blumenfeld and his been working with them for the past several years, training lawyers and preparing witnesses across the country. As ACT managing partner he frequently helps attorneys achieve state and national record verdicts and settlements across the United States and in international courts.
Gregory Cusimano
Gregory S. Cusimano is an owner of the law firm of Cusimano, Roberts, Mills & Knowlton, LLC in Gadsden, Alabama, and Winning Works LLC a national trial consulting firm. He was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the Leonard Ring Champion of Justice Award by AAJ. Cusimano concentrates his practice on serious personal injury and death cases. He is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education programs throughout the country and on two occasions, he was invited and spoke as the plenary speaker at Alabama Bar Association’s annual meeting. Mr. Cusimano was elected twice to serve on AAJ’s Executive Committee and Budget Committee, and chaired the ATLA Blue Ribbon Committee to study juror bias. He, along with David Wenner, developed the Jury Bias Model™, which many say revolutionized how cases are tried today. Currently, he and Wenner are conducting research on juror attitudes related to Covid 19 and the political environment for the American Association for Justice Endowment. .
Cusimano served as President of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association, (now known as the Alabama Association for Justice). The Association has honored him by naming an annual Symposium after him. He was appointed by the Alabama Supreme Court to committees to rewrite Alabama Rules of Evidence, the Alabama Pattern Jury Instructions, and to revise the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. He served on the President’s Council of ATLA, (American Association for Justice – AAJ), and was the first to be made a Lifetime Member of the Board of Governors.
Mr. Cusimano has published numerous articles in state and national magazines and contributed to articles in various treatises. He is contributing editor of the two volume Alabama Tort Law book, through the fourth edition and co-edited the six-volume national set Litigating Tort Cases. He is one of the authors of Winning Case Preparation, published by Trial Guides. He is listed in Best Lawyers of America and is a Life Member in the National Registry of Who’s Who in American Law. Cusimano was the second inductee into the Hall of Fame of the Small Office Practice Section of AAJ. He is a Diplomate of the International Academy of Litigators and The American Board of Trial Advocates. The designation of Diplomat, Champion and Master of Trial Advocacy was bestowed on him by AAJ’s National College of Advocacy. He was inducted as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Alabama Law Foundation. Cusimano served as Chairperson of the National College of Advocacy.
Cusimano served as President of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association, (now known as the Alabama Association for Justice). The Association has honored him by naming an annual Symposium after him. He was appointed by the Alabama Supreme Court to committees to rewrite Alabama Rules of Evidence, the Alabama Pattern Jury Instructions, and to revise the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. He served on the President’s Council of ATLA, (American Association for Justice – AAJ), and was the first to be made a Lifetime Member of the Board of Governors.
Mr. Cusimano has published numerous articles in state and national magazines and contributed to articles in various treatises. He is contributing editor of the two volume Alabama Tort Law book, through the fourth edition and co-edited the six-volume national set Litigating Tort Cases. He is one of the authors of Winning Case Preparation, published by Trial Guides. He is listed in Best Lawyers of America and is a Life Member in the National Registry of Who’s Who in American Law. Cusimano was the second inductee into the Hall of Fame of the Small Office Practice Section of AAJ. He is a Diplomate of the International Academy of Litigators and The American Board of Trial Advocates. The designation of Diplomat, Champion and Master of Trial Advocacy was bestowed on him by AAJ’s National College of Advocacy. He was inducted as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Alabama Law Foundation. Cusimano served as Chairperson of the National College of Advocacy.
Bob Daley
Bio coming soon!
Justice Christopher Goff
Christopher M. Goff was appointed as Indiana’s 110th Justice in 2017 by Governor Eric J. Holcomb. Prior to his appointment, Justice Goff served, for twelve years, as Judge of the Wabash Superior Court. While serving on the trial bench, he established the Wabash County Drug Court, Wabash County Family Recovery Court, and the Wabash County Reentry Court.
Justice Goff currently serves as Secretary of the Appellate Judges Conference of the ABA, as Chair of the Indiana Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council (JRAC), and as a member of the Lt. Governor’s Indiana Mental Health Roundtable Committee. He served on the National Judicial Task Force to Examine State Court Response to Mental Illness. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He is also an adjunct professor of law at Indiana University McKinney School of Law where he teaches a course on problem-solving courts.
Justice Goff and his wife, Raquel, have been married 30 years. They have four children and four grandchildren.
Justice Goff currently serves as Secretary of the Appellate Judges Conference of the ABA, as Chair of the Indiana Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council (JRAC), and as a member of the Lt. Governor’s Indiana Mental Health Roundtable Committee. He served on the National Judicial Task Force to Examine State Court Response to Mental Illness. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He is also an adjunct professor of law at Indiana University McKinney School of Law where he teaches a course on problem-solving courts.
Justice Goff and his wife, Raquel, have been married 30 years. They have four children and four grandchildren.
Erin Izzo
Erin C. S. Izzo is a partner with Landrum & Shouse, LLP, in its Lexington, Kentucky, office. Her areas of practice include mediation and arbitration, workers’ compensation, employment law, insurance defense and civil rights law. She has authored articles and presented continuing legal education seminars on the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act. She is a member of the Kentucky and Fayette County Bar Associations and the Dartmouth Lawyers Association. Ms. Izzo is admitted to practice in Kentucky, before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, the U.S. Court of Appeal for the 6th Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. She earned her A.B. from Dartmouth College, and her J.D. from the University of Kentucky, College of Law.
Steve Langer
Steven L. Langer: Partner in the Valparaiso, Indiana law firm of Langer & Langer, now in his 43rd year of practice concentrates on plaintiff’s medical malpractice law and complex litigation. Mr. Langer is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is a past President of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Langer is a past President of the College of Fellows of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Langer is the current state chair for the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Mr. Langer is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell and has been selected as a Super Lawyer from 2008 - 2024. Mr. Langer has been included in the Best Lawyers in America for the 2015 – 2024 editions in the areas of medical malpractice and personal injury. Recently, Mr. Langer was named Best Lawyers 2024 Lawyer of the Year in South Bend for personal injury. Mr. Langer has published numerous articles on medical negligence and civil evidence.
Mr. Langer is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell and has been selected as a Super Lawyer from 2008 - 2024. Mr. Langer has been included in the Best Lawyers in America for the 2015 – 2024 editions in the areas of medical malpractice and personal injury. Recently, Mr. Langer was named Best Lawyers 2024 Lawyer of the Year in South Bend for personal injury. Mr. Langer has published numerous articles on medical negligence and civil evidence.
Rene Lindsay
Job Title/Location: Paralegal Specialist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel, Revenue Law Group.
General Information: Rene was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, moving to Southern Indiana at the age of three (3) when her father took a job at the Army Corps of Engineers. At age 5 Rene moved to Monterrey, California where she resided until the age of 16, moving once again, this time to Louisville, Kentucky, where Rene currently resides and calls home with her husband Richard and their three children, Brent, Ryan and Ian.
OGC History/Duties/Expertise: Rene started her career at the VA and Office of General Counsel in May 2012. Rene’s current duties include acting as the primary point of contact and managing the VA’s Federal Medical Care Recovery Program for nine (9) different VA hospitals to include Indianapolis, IN VAMC, Marion, IN VAMC, and Ft Wayne, IN VAMC, as well as four (4) VA hospitals in the state of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, and Saginaw); one (1) VA hospital in the state of Illinois (Jesse Brown/Chicago VAMC) and one (1) hospital in the state of Tennessee (Memphis VAMC). Rene also serves the backup/secondary to an additional ten (10) VA hospitals across the nation.
As the primary case manager for the Federal Medical Care Recovery program at various VA facilities Rene works to ensure that when a Veteran is injured, the responsible party pays for the injured Veteran’s medical care instead of the American taxpayers. Money recovered by this program helps each VA medical facility provide the excellent medical care and services that each Veteran deserves by supplementing funds appropriated to VA by Congress.
Prior Training and Experience: Prior to joining the Department of Veterans Affairs, Rene served in and retired from the United States Air Force. During her Air Force career, Rene achieved the rank of Master Sargent (MSgt/ E-7) and served as both an Air Traffic Controller in the early years of her career, later cross-training to the Air Force paralegal career field where Rene spent most of her Air Force career with the Air Force Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. Rene worked in several different areas of law to include criminal (both prosecution and defense), civil, administrative, claims (torts, med mal, Federal Medical Care Recovery Act etc.), labor and employment, environmental, contracts, fiscal law, as well as international and operational areas of law in locations all over the world.
Rene received an associate degree in Paralegal Studies from the Community College of the Air Force in 2008, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Park University in 2009 and finally a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in Health Services Management and Leadership from Park University in 2016. Prior to Rene’s assignment as a Paralegal Specialist with the with the VA, she worked for two (2) years as a Paralegal Consultant at the Kentucky Board of Nursing. In that role Rene was assigned to the Investigation and Discipline section of the Nursing Board, responsible for assisting nurse investigators to investigate and discipline nurses who violated Kentucky Nursing Laws.
Outside Interests: Rene enjoys reading, particularly Stephen King and Dean Koontz novels and loves anything that involves the outdoors, such as running, hiking, camping, etc. Rene is an avid sports fan, particularly University of Kentucky College basketball and football (simmer down IU fans!!), Yankees baseball and for the NFL there is no one better than the New York Giants (well, not this year…)! Rene also likes playing volleyball, softball and bowling. Above all, Rene enjoys spending time with her family, husband Richard and three boys, Brent, Ryan and Ian and friends and caring for her four-legged fur children, Nina, Niyah and Neiko, her Blue and Red Nose Pitbull’s: Mr. Jack and Louie her Maine Coons.
General Information: Rene was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, moving to Southern Indiana at the age of three (3) when her father took a job at the Army Corps of Engineers. At age 5 Rene moved to Monterrey, California where she resided until the age of 16, moving once again, this time to Louisville, Kentucky, where Rene currently resides and calls home with her husband Richard and their three children, Brent, Ryan and Ian.
OGC History/Duties/Expertise: Rene started her career at the VA and Office of General Counsel in May 2012. Rene’s current duties include acting as the primary point of contact and managing the VA’s Federal Medical Care Recovery Program for nine (9) different VA hospitals to include Indianapolis, IN VAMC, Marion, IN VAMC, and Ft Wayne, IN VAMC, as well as four (4) VA hospitals in the state of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, and Saginaw); one (1) VA hospital in the state of Illinois (Jesse Brown/Chicago VAMC) and one (1) hospital in the state of Tennessee (Memphis VAMC). Rene also serves the backup/secondary to an additional ten (10) VA hospitals across the nation.
As the primary case manager for the Federal Medical Care Recovery program at various VA facilities Rene works to ensure that when a Veteran is injured, the responsible party pays for the injured Veteran’s medical care instead of the American taxpayers. Money recovered by this program helps each VA medical facility provide the excellent medical care and services that each Veteran deserves by supplementing funds appropriated to VA by Congress.
Prior Training and Experience: Prior to joining the Department of Veterans Affairs, Rene served in and retired from the United States Air Force. During her Air Force career, Rene achieved the rank of Master Sargent (MSgt/ E-7) and served as both an Air Traffic Controller in the early years of her career, later cross-training to the Air Force paralegal career field where Rene spent most of her Air Force career with the Air Force Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. Rene worked in several different areas of law to include criminal (both prosecution and defense), civil, administrative, claims (torts, med mal, Federal Medical Care Recovery Act etc.), labor and employment, environmental, contracts, fiscal law, as well as international and operational areas of law in locations all over the world.
Rene received an associate degree in Paralegal Studies from the Community College of the Air Force in 2008, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Park University in 2009 and finally a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in Health Services Management and Leadership from Park University in 2016. Prior to Rene’s assignment as a Paralegal Specialist with the with the VA, she worked for two (2) years as a Paralegal Consultant at the Kentucky Board of Nursing. In that role Rene was assigned to the Investigation and Discipline section of the Nursing Board, responsible for assisting nurse investigators to investigate and discipline nurses who violated Kentucky Nursing Laws.
Outside Interests: Rene enjoys reading, particularly Stephen King and Dean Koontz novels and loves anything that involves the outdoors, such as running, hiking, camping, etc. Rene is an avid sports fan, particularly University of Kentucky College basketball and football (simmer down IU fans!!), Yankees baseball and for the NFL there is no one better than the New York Giants (well, not this year…)! Rene also likes playing volleyball, softball and bowling. Above all, Rene enjoys spending time with her family, husband Richard and three boys, Brent, Ryan and Ian and friends and caring for her four-legged fur children, Nina, Niyah and Neiko, her Blue and Red Nose Pitbull’s: Mr. Jack and Louie her Maine Coons.
Saira Pasha
Saira Pasha is the owner of Audit Trail Pro. She works as a consultant, expert witness, and instructor for audit trail and other EMR issues in medical malpractice cases. Prior to becoming a consultant, Ms. Pasha worked as a claims professional for Ismie and Advocate Healthcare. She completed her undergraduate degree in operations and information Management (emphasis: information systems) at Northern Illinois University and her law degree at Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Roy Tabor
For more than 40 years, Roy Tabor has focused on life-changing events resulting from personal injuries or wrongful death.
Roy has helped hundreds of families navigate the legal system and has obtained substantial settlements and verdicts to help try to compensate them for their losses. Roy is a member of the Indianapolis Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice.
He has received numerous honors and distinctions, including his being selected to the list of the Nation's Top One Percent of attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the American Trial Lawyers Association. He is a member of the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, the Million Dollar Advocates, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, of which there are less than 1% of U.S. lawyers. For years, Roy has been listed as a Super Lawyer by Indianapolis Magazine. Roy has also been named to Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America.
He also serves with distinction as a Board Member Emeritus of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and is a Fellow in the Indiana College of Advocacy. Because of his success and leadership in representing families who suffer tragic losses from semi-tractor trailer collisions, he is one of few members of the National Advisory Board of the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers. He also is a member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. He speaks frequently across the nation on topics including how to successfully handle commercial motor vehicle cases.
Roy has helped hundreds of families navigate the legal system and has obtained substantial settlements and verdicts to help try to compensate them for their losses. Roy is a member of the Indianapolis Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice.
He has received numerous honors and distinctions, including his being selected to the list of the Nation's Top One Percent of attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the American Trial Lawyers Association. He is a member of the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, the Million Dollar Advocates, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, of which there are less than 1% of U.S. lawyers. For years, Roy has been listed as a Super Lawyer by Indianapolis Magazine. Roy has also been named to Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America.
He also serves with distinction as a Board Member Emeritus of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and is a Fellow in the Indiana College of Advocacy. Because of his success and leadership in representing families who suffer tragic losses from semi-tractor trailer collisions, he is one of few members of the National Advisory Board of the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers. He also is a member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. He speaks frequently across the nation on topics including how to successfully handle commercial motor vehicle cases.
John Trimble
John Trimble is a senior partner with the Indianapolis law firm of Lewis Wagner. Over his 42 year legal career he has handled insurance coverage matters in nearly forty states. His coverage practice includes all types of property and casualty matters, bad faith defense, life, health, and disability, reinsurance, agent E&O defense, and regulatory work. John is a member of the American College of Coverage Counsel and a frequent teacher, lecturer, and writer on insurance law matters. He also frequently serves as a mediator of complex coverage lawsuits, and enjoys serving as a settlement consultant for insurers involved in complex and high exposure coverage and bad faith cases.
Kimberly White
Kimberly White empowers attorneys through dynamic, cutting edge techniques she has translated from 25+ years in the professional theater. She has been a key note speaker and lead trainings nationally including at: the AAJ Ultimate Trial Advocacy Course, AAJ “Trail Blazers”, Mother Truckers Org, the Women’s Advocacy Project (SF), WSAJ, faculty on Seattle Public Defenders Litigation Academy, Trial Lawyers College (NW Association), Consumer Attorneys of SD and LA, the World Globe Forum Fellows. Ms. White consults with lawyers on story, witness preparation, voice & presentation. She is one of 200 world-wide teachers trained and certified by Master Teacher Kristin Linklater in her premiere voice method, Freeing the Natural Voice. Kimberly is adjunct faculty at Seattle University School of Law where she teaches Oral Advocacy.