Board of Directors
Abby Melling
President
Abby Melling is a Senior Director of Business Development in Epiq’s Class Action Division. With over 20 years in the legal service provider space, she has had the opportunity to support many of the largest corporations and law firms globally through some of their most complex situations. Prior to joining Epiq’s Class Action and Mass Tort group, she consulted clients in corporate and information governance, transactional, compliance, litigation, eDiscovery and contract management to name a few.
Abby is the President of the Detroit Chapter of the Association of eDiscovery Specialists, as well as, an active member of many other legal educational organizations. Sitting in the motor city capital, Abby has become an expert in the automotive, aerospace and defence industry through years of partnering with her clients as they navigate their transformational journey.
Phillip Shane
Immediate Past President
Phillip Shane, Esq. is a Principal at Miller Canfield and a member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group. Phil's practice focuses primarily on automotive product liability matters, as well as regulatory investigations and compliance procedures. He represents vehicle manufacturers and major automotive suppliers and coordinates nationwide discovery efforts in cases involving design and manufacturing defect allegations, as well as other tort claims. Phil is also a respected authority in the area of eDiscovery and a leader of the firm's eDiscovery and Legal Tech Services team. He provides clients with legal and practical advice and support on wide range of issues associated with the identification, preservation, collection, review and analysis, and production of electronically-stored information (ESI). In this capacity, Phil has a wealth of diverse experience on a variety of matters including complex commercial litigation, antitrust litigation and pre-merger investigations, white collar criminal defense, intellectual property disputes, labor and employment actions, and internal investigations. Phil was named a Michigan Super Lawyers "Rising Star" in 2018.
Cindy MacBean
Vice President
Cindy MacBean is Senior Manager, Information Governance and Litigation Support at Honigman LLP. Cindy is a highly experienced professional who has recommended technology solutions to support workflows that provide innovative, appropriate and cost-effective solutions in law firms, to their clients and corporate legal staff. Cindy has utilized her business education and diverse experience to demonstrate excellence in solving problems, mitigating risk, providing tactical direction, overseeing operations, planning strategic initiatives, implementing solutions and supporting legal teams with utmost commitment to customer service. Her experience spans law firms, corporate legal departments and the Department of Justice, Civil Division. In addition to her MBA in Technology Management, she maintains certifications in eDiscovery (CEDS) and Privacy (CIPP/US, CIPP/E).
Rich Ford, CEDS
Secretary
Rich Ford, CEDS, is a Senior Director with FTI Consulting’s Technology practice and is based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rich advises clients involved in litigations or investigations on data related challenges that arise from the collection, processing, review, and production of data. Drawing on fifteen years of consulting and law firm experience, he is focuses on leveraging technology, including machine learning, to achieve favorable client outcomes. Rich attended Michigan State University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is currently admitted to practice in Michigan. In his free time, he enjoys golf, skiing, spending time with his wife and three children, and supporting the Detroit sports teams.
Thomas Issacs
Treasurer
Tom Isaacs, Esq. has extensive experience representing a diverse lineup of businesses in litigation, including in product liability, personal injury, contractual, antitrust, regulatory, corporate governance and business tort matters. Tom has been responsible for all phases of such cases, including pre-litigation claim assessment, development and execution of case strategy, written discovery, depositions, motion practice, expert witness retention and preparation, settlement negotiations and overall case management. Tom currently serves as National Discovery Counsel for a major automotive manufacturer in state and federal courts throughout the United States. His eDiscovery experience is very well-rounded, covering everything from document production, collection and review, as well as litigation holds and clawback agreements.
Suzanne Alfastsen
Membership Director
One day I accepted a position that changed the trajectory of my professional career. My, Business Development, IT background/computer science & adjunct faculty professor at Macomb Community College provided the aptitude that Lexis-Nexis was seeking. My role with Lexis Nexis supporting law firms was my intro to the Legal Industry. My position with Lexis-Nexis lasted 7 years as a Regional Director of 5 state territory. Kelly Services hired me as Managing Director in Michigan to develop the Michigan/Ohio markets with the flexible/staffing of attorneys and paralegals business model for law firms and corporate legal departments. I moved into an Operations Manager role for the eDiscovery project center that provided our clients nationwide with reduced cost for document review & due diligence projects. My last role with Kelly was working with the Outsourcing Consulting Group providing Legal Solutions to Global Clients. After 17 years with Kelly Law Registry, Kelly Services, Inc. divested our Legal Talent business unit and we were acquired by Trustpoint.One. Today, I represent Trustpoint.One an integrator of various legal solutions i.e. eDiscovery, AI & analytics, Managed Review, Managed Services, Post Breach Response, Translation, Court Reporting, Information Governance Solutions and Legal Talent. In addition, I also represent Entrusted Advisors, a WBENC/WOSB that specializes in the provision of specialized Flexible Legal Talent to corporate clients and assist corporations in meeting their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals.
Megan McKnight
Public Relations & Marketing Director
Megan P. McKnight, JD, CEDS, is the founder of Tealstone Law, PLC in Royal Oak, Michigan where she concentrates her practice in the areas of eDiscovery, information governance, and commercial litigation. She started her own firm after spending 15 years in private practice working at large law firms. Ms. McKnight advises businesses and other lawyers on e-discovery issues, from developing early discovery plans and advising on implementing defensible litigation holds to triaging unexpected e-discovery issues mid-litigation. She works collaboratively with other lawyers, business agents, and technologists to develop strategies for the efficient and effective management of electronically stored information – for litigation and beyond.
Denise Bach
Director of Education
Denise B. Bach, CEDS is a Director of Sales with Exterro. She has over 25 years of experience in the Digital Forensics, eDiscovery and Cybersecurity industries. Denise consults with law firms and corporations to bridge the gap between the legal process and technology. She also consults with Information Security professionals in all aspects of Data Privacy and Security and holds a certification in Risk Management. Denise’s experience spans many industries including manufacturing, automotive, finance, retail, marketing, government, energy, healthcare and insurance. Denise has been on the ACEDS Detroit Chapter as a board member since its inception and is currently the Education Chair of the Detroit Chapter.
Jay Yelton
Director at Large
Jay practices civil litigation and mediates litigation and eDiscovery disputes. As a mediator, he assists parties to design proportional discovery plans and assists parties and courts to resolve discovery disputes. For 30+ years, Jay has been helping Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and other organizations to develop eDiscovery strategies, manage electronically stored information (ESI) and prepare for litigation. He regularly conducts training seminars, and he speaks to several classes each year at Michigan State University College of Law on eDiscovery topics. Jay is recognized by Best Lawyers in America for both eDiscovery and Litigation, serves as President for the Detroit Chapter of ACEDS, and is a member of Sedona Conference Working Group 6 and the Global Advisory Council for E.D.R.M.
Scott Petz
Director at Large
Scott A. Petz, Esq. is a Member in Dickinson Wright’s Troy office. Mr. Petz focuses his practice in the areas of commercial and business litigation, class and collective actions, labor litigation, consumer protection, and condemnation and land use. Mr. Petz has received a number of acknowledgements: (1) Selected for America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® for Michigan, 2018; (2) Selected for Benchmark Litigation “40 & Under Hotlist,” 2018; (3) Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America©, Commercial Litigation, 2018 and 2019; (4) Selected to the Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018; and (5) Received the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association Barristers Section’s 2013 “One to Watch” award. Mr. Petz has presented and published in the eDiscovery area. Mr. Petz received his B.A. from Kalamazoo College, cum laude, and his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School, magna cum laude.
Graeme Turner
Director at Large
Sunny Rehsi
Director at Large