Anthony Pacione
Deputy Director
Illinois Lawyers' Assistance Program
Tony Pacione joined the LAP staff in 2013 and becameLAP’s clinical director in January 2014. Tony has worked as a clinician and program director in the addiction and behavioral health field — at Humana-Michael Reese HMO, Rush University Medical Center, the Advocate Addiction Treatment Program, and Harborview Recovery Center.
Tony is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois and a Certified Supervisor Addiction Counselor. He holds a Master of Social Work and a Master of Arts in Education degrees from Washington University in St. Louis.
Kelli M. Hinson
Partner & General Counsel
Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, LLP
Kelli Hinson knows how to craft legal arguments that win cases for her clients.
When she presents an argument, the other lawyers see aspects of the case they hadn’t considered, and often have to rethink their position. That is the kind of advocacy it takes to overturn $88 million verdicts and win major summary judgments and dismissals for your clients.
As head of Carrington Coleman’s Professional Liability group, Kelli helps navigate cases for major law firms, healthcare institutions, and corporations, and the professionals who run them.
Her ability to clarify a professional’s or corporation’s legal duties—to opposing counsel, judges, and juries—often brings these cases to quick and successful conclusions. She applies the same informed expertise to shareholder disputes, derivative claims, and officer and director suits, making her a “go-to” attorney for business litigation. And when cases or issues get taken up on appeal, she is armed and ready. Her talents in brief writing and in distilling complex legal arguments are a natural fit with her appellate practice.
Being an amazingly quick study, she has yet to meet a legal problem she couldn’t eventually master. Her meticulous dissection of cases against her clients can leave the other side wondering what hit them.
The high school teacher who told her during a debate project that she’d make a good lawyer had no idea how right she was.
LaKeisha R. Randall
Associate
Bendin Sumrall & Ladner, LLC
LaKeisha R. Randall specializes in civil litigation defense and her practice focuses on medical malpractice, trucking litigation, and general liability. A litigator and trial attorney, LaKeisha has bench and jury trial experience, including several defense verdicts. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the District of Columbia.
An Atlanta native, LaKeisha graduated cum laude from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and earned her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law.
While attending law school, LaKeisha won Best Oral Argument & Best Overall Performance as a member of the Moot Court Board. She was also a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society, Parliamentarian of the Student Bar Association, and founded the Pro Bono Council. Rounding out her legal studies, Attorney Randall studied Pharmaceutical law, Comparative Bioethics, Biotechnology and Biodiversity abroad at Universidad de Costa Rica.
Since law school, LaKeisha has served as the sole legal advisor to the 10 trial judges of the City of Atlanta and a Corporate in house Trial Attorney for a Fortune 50 insurance company. LaKeisha takes pride in doing everything well and knows that cases are won in the nuances–whether deposing experts, reviewing medical records, or arguing a case at trial, LaKeisha fervently defends her clients.
An acclaimed lawyer and leader, LaKeisha routinely teaches continued learning education seminars for lawyers on litigation advocacy, trial strategy, attorney wellness, professionalism, and professional development. And, in 2017, she was the youngest author and editor selected to contribute to Her Story: Lessons in Success from Lawyers Who Live It–a book published by the ABA Section of Litigation written by prominent women litigators from across the country.
Outside of the profession, LaKeisha is deeply involved in civic work—she mentors law students, does pro bono with Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Lisa F. Smith
Author and Lawyer
Lisa F. Smith is a writer and lawyer in New York City. She is the author of, "Girl Walks Out of a Bar," her memoir of high-functioning addiction and recovery in the world of New York City corporate law. Lisa’s writing has been published in The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, AfterPartyMagazine.com, and Addiction.com. She is passionate about breaking the stigma of addiction and mental health issues. Prior to beginning her more than 15-year legal marketing career, Lisa practiced law in the Corporate Finance group of a leading international firm. She is a graduate of Northwestern University and Rutgers School of Law, where she served on the Editorial Board of the Rutgers Law Review. Lisa serves on the Board of Directors of the NY Writers Coalition and The Writers Room in New York City. She lives in New York City with her husband, Craig.
Jeena Cho
Partner
JC Law Group PC
Jeena Cho is the author of The Anxious Lawyer , An 8-Week Guide to a Joyful and Satisfying Law Practice Through Mindfulness and Meditation (ABA). She is a regular contributor to Forbes and Above the Law where she covers resilience, work/life integration, and wellness in the workplace. She regularly speaks and offers law firm training on women’s issues, diversity, wellness, productivity, mindfulness and meditation.