Elon School of Law Speed Networking Event

Kim Crouch is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ). She graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2005 and has spent her legal career serving the public and legal profession, first as Director of Public Affairs for the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, then as Director of Governmental Affairs for the North Carolina Bar Association, and now as Executive Director of NCAJ since 2017. 

Valerie Johnson has been a trial lawyer since she graduated from the University of North Carolina School Of Law, with honors, in 1994. Valerie litigates cases with.Johnson & Groninger PLLC. The firm has offices in Durham and Charlotte and practices in the areas of workers’ compensation law, personal injury, and bicycle crash law. Valerie is currently the President-Elect of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. Since 2015 Valerie has served as a director on the Board of Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company. 

Trudi Brown is Development and Membership Engagement Director of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ). Brown has over 20 years’ experience in development, fundraising, external relations, event management, board development, marketing and communications. She most recently served as the director of external relations for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at N.C. State University.  

Elizabeth Ray is a litigation attorney with Crumley Roberts, LLP. Her specialties are in the areas of civil; long-term disability; Employment Retirement Income Security Act; and contested wills, estate disputes, and trust litigations.She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies – Crime and Criminology and a minor in Communication Studies from James Madison University and continued her education to earn her Juris Doctor at Elon University School of Law where she was an Advocacy Fellow, a Student Admissions Ambassador, a member of the Student Bar Association, a member of the Moot Court Board, a member of the Criminal Law Society, and was an officer of the Elder Law Society. While studying at Elon University School of Law, Elizabeth also served as an intern at both the Guilford County and Rockingham County District Attorney’s offices and at Crumley Roberts. 

Ashley Sappenfield is the Social Security Disability Practice Group Lead Attorney and Manager at Lanier Law Group. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in English Literary Studies. She received her law degree from Elon University School of Law where she participated in Moot Court and the Pro Bono Board. Prior to joining the firm, Ashley worked with Pinnacle Law Firm (formerly Smith Horton Law) as a law clerk assisting in capital defense cases and at Womble Bond Dickinson on their eDiscovery team.  

Catherine Charlene Byerley is a partner attorney with Ralston, Benton, Byerley & Moore. Her practice focus is on personal injury, workers’ compensation and civil litigation. Byerley represented insurance companies and employers before becoming a plaintiffs’ attorney in 2016. She is a graduate of Appalachian State University and earned her law degree at Elon School of Law.    

Susanne Todd is a partner with Johnston Allison & Hord, PA. An experienced North Carolina condemnation, rezoning and land use lawyer, she represents developers and other commercial property owners against condemning authorities. She graduated from WFU School of Law in 1989.