2024 Southern Regional Meeting

Dr. Elizabeth L. Foreman, Ph.D., of Magna Legal Services, obtained a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University, where she studied psychology and criminal justice. She then earned master’s and doctorate degrees in experimental psychology from the University of Mississippi, where her research focused on personality and social memory. Her education involved extensive training in procedural design, research methodology, survey construction, and statistical analysis. Dr. Foreman has also extensively studied the psychology of persuasion and group processing; allowing her to provide empirical insight into trial research, perception issues and juror bias.

Prior to joining Magna Legal Services, Peyton M. Bowman, Esq. had an extensive law practice specializing in complex federal civil rights such as § 1983, Title VII, and constitutional law focusing on the 1st, 4th, 14th, and 8th Amendments on behalf of plaintiffs. No stranger to high exposure cases, her cases routinely garnered significant media attention and have been featured in outlets such as Forbes, CNN, Fox, NBC, and the Washington Post. In 2020, she was awarded Top 40 Under 40 by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers for outstanding courtroom abilities. Peyton brings this hands-on litigation experience to her consulting methodologies.

Armistead "Army" M. Long, of Gordon Arata, joined the Firm in March 2011, bringing the knowledge and experience he earned over the course of his successful entrepreneurial career. His practice focuses on bankruptcy, creditors’ rights and commercial transactional work for corporate, oil, gas and energy clients in Louisiana and Texas. Army is a skilled and diplomatic contract negotiator, facilitating his clients’ national and international service and supply agreements, leases, licensed manufacturing, distribution and labor agreements. His experience includes successfully leading his clients through corporate mergers, acquisitions and sales. It also includes successful “bet the farm” crisis management.

Gerald “Jess” Waltman III joined Gordon Arata in 2023 and represents clients in banking, construction, energy, and other litigation matters.

Prior to Gordon Arata, Jess worked at Davis & Crump, P.C., in Gulfport, Mississippi, and his practice focused on litigating complex pharmaceutical and medical device cases.

He graduated, magna cum laude, from the University of Mississippi School of Law and was awarded the Robert C. Khayat Award for Outstanding Service to the Mississippi Law Journal by his peers and the 2016 Outstanding Law Student Award by the faculty. While in law school, Jess served as president of the Student Bar Association, as the executive online editor and alumni coordinator of the Mississippi Law Journal, and as editor-in-chief of the UM Business Law Newsletter. He was also active with the School of Law’s Pro Bono Initiative, which allows practicing attorneys and law students to provide legal services to low-income individuals.

Adriana Linares, of LawTech Partners, is a legal technology consultant and trainer. She is a frequent speaker at national technology conferences and a regular contributor to legal blogs, publications, and podcasts. In 2013 she was selected as a Fastcase 50 honoree, recognizing “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries, and leaders.” She is a member of the 2015  class of the ABA’s LTRC Women in Legal Technology. She served as Chair of the American Bar Association TECHSHOW 2017 and was profiled as a Legal Rebel Trailblazer by the ABA Journal in 2018. She has hosted the New Solo podcast on the Legal Talk Network since 2014.

Gary Shockey, of Gary L. Shockey, PC, was born in Casper, Wyoming in 1950. He attended public schools there, graduating from Kelly Walsh High School in 1969. He was active in many school activities and received the Principal’s award as the outstanding graduating senior.

Gary attended Yale University, graduating in 1973 with honors, earning dual degrees in Political Science and Sociology. He was honored with the Mead Cup, for outstanding service to his college. He enjoyed his four years on the East Coast, but knew he wanted to return to Wyoming.