Brooke Bernal, JD
How to Avoid the 3 C’s of Accounting Malpractice: Conflicts, Claims, & Catastrophes

Brooke Barnett-Bernal is a partner with Long Law Firm in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and primary practice areas include professional liability defense, design and construction law, commercial litigation, insurance defense, condominium law, and business transactions.  Her clients include architects, accountants, engineers, surveyors, attorneys, small business owners, condominium associations, government agencies and insurance companies.  She frequently represents accountants in the accountant review panel process, which is unique to Louisiana.   Mrs. Bernal serves on the adjunct faculty of the LSU Law Center and teaches a course in trial advocacy and evidence.  She also participates in the Trial Advocacy and Persuasion Program at the LSU Law Center as faculty instructor and section leader.  Mrs. Bernal is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Louisiana, as well as the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.  She is featured on the 2022-2024 “Louisiana Super Lawyers” list, a distinction reserved for only 5% of attorneys in Louisiana and holds an AV Preeminent Rating with Martindale-Hubbell.  Mrs. Bernal has co-authored numerous papers, articles, seminars and presentations on evidentiary issues and accounting malpractice, among other topics, and speaks Spanish. 

Holly Sharp, CPA
What Does a Lawyer Look for When Selecting Consultants

Holly Sharp is the Director of Consulting Services and a shareholder of LaPorte CPAs & Business Consultants, where she has been employed since 1980.  She is also an adjunct professor at Tulane University, A. B. Freeman School of Business, where she has been employed since 1999.  She is the past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Center for Development and Learning, the Treasurer of the Cultural Landscape Foundation, and Secretary of the Parking Facilities Corporation.  She is the past president of the Preservation Resource Center, Women’s Professional Council, and New Orleans Estate Planning Council.  She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Tulane University in 1979, and a Master of Science in Tax Accounting from the University of New Orleans in 1981.  She is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Fraud Examiner, and Certified in Financial Forensics.

Holly is a frequent lecturer on damage calculations and has authored or co-authored several publications on damage calculations including the AICPA Practice Aid “Measuring Damages Involving Individuals.”

Mike Willis, CPA 
Trusted Analytical Insights

Mike is the Associate Director of the Office of Data Science and Innovation at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission where he is responsible for leading the design and implementation of technological processes,  tools and innovations to support the many data analytical needs of the Commission, including the creation, implementation, and maintenance of forms, tools and processes designed to capture, analyze and disseminate structured data submitted by SEC registrants through their filings with the Commission.  He is also the SEC’s representative on the Regulatory Oversight Committee and is currently serving as Vice-Chairman.