2024 CLS NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Washington, D.C.
OCTOBER 31 – NOVEMBER 3, 2024
Jade Mathis
Jade Ellis Mathis is an attorney, TEDx speaker, mental health advocate, and television personality, who co-starred on NBC’s Mathis Family Matters – a docu series featuring her family. While following in the footsteps of her father, host of the nationally syndicated, Emmy Award-winning Judge Mathis Show, Jade experienced several obstacles and setbacks on her road to becoming an attorney.
After receiving a life-changing diagnosis of clinical depression, ADHD, and a learning disorder while a junior in college, she was determined to change the way the world views mental health. In 2016, she captured the attention of millions across the world by sharing her story of resilience and perseverance in her viral testimony video, changing countless lives. A former, non-traditional prosecutor specializing in reform, Jade observed firsthand the disparities and deficits in the criminal justice system and created a diversion program as an alternative to incarceration. Jade has been recognized for her expertise and work in reform as an expungement guru.
In 2022, following her passion and calling to touch the masses, Jade resigned from prosecution to embark on a full-time journey of mental health advocacy and inspirational speaking. Jade has served as a panelist, host, and keynote speaker for dozens of events and has been featured in numerous publications, podcasts, and media outlets for her advocacy and journey of resilience. Jade currently works with the National Institute of Health and the Black Greek Consortium as a mental health influencer and keynote speaker for their “Rooted in Resilience” tour. She also serves as of counsel to the A. Clarke Law Group, advising the firm on high-profile criminal and civil rights matters and is a recurring guest contributor on MSNBC’s show with host Symone Saunders.
Ed Stetzer
Ed Stetzer is a professor and dean at Wheaton College where he also serves as the executive director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center. Ed has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches; trained pastors and church planters on six continents; earned two master’s degrees and two doctorates; and has written hundreds of articles and a dozen books.
He is the regional director for Lausanne North America, is the editor-in-chief of Outreach Magazine, and regularly writes for news outlets such as USA Today and CNN. His national radio show, Ed Stetzer Live, airs Saturdays on Moody Radio and affiliates. He serves at his local church, Highpoint Church, as a teaching pastor.
The Honorable Jamie Grosshans
Justice Jamie R. Grosshans was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court on September 14, 2020, by Governor Ron DeSantis. Previously, she was appointed to the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Florida in 2018 by Governor Rick Scott. Prior to her appointment to the appellate court, she served as an Orange County Court Judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida where she presided over criminal and civil matters.
Justice Grosshans was raised in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law. During law school, she clerked for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi. Following admittance to the Florida Bar, she served as an assistant state attorney for the Ninth Circuit of Florida in both the misdemeanor and felony divisions where she tried numerous criminal jury trials. Justice Grosshans later entered private practice and founded her own law firm where she focused on family law and criminal defense matters for nearly 10 years. During this time, she also served as an adjunct professor at Valencia College where she taught hospitality law for the hospitality and tourism management program. She also frequently volunteered as a guardian ad litem with the Orange County Legal Aid Society.
Justice Grosshans has served on state court system advisory committees and has been involved in numerous activities with the Florida Bar and other legal organizations. Justice Grosshans regularly speaks to lawyers and law students on topics such as challenges in the practice of law, the role of judges, professionalism and respect in the legal profession, criminal law, and family law.
Charles Galda
Charles Galda leads Vision New England, founded by A.J. Gordon in 1887 as the Evangelistic Association of New England. Vision New England is a network of 1000+ ministries that want to see New England transformed by the love of Jesus and supports that by helping churches make disciples, do justice, and foster unity to share Jesus.
In 2018, Charles answered a call to vocational ministry that included rebirthing Vision New England with a revived vision and mission. Prior to that he was a senior executive at GE and GE Capital, where he held a number of leadership roles in M&A, finance, and technology. His most recent role was the CIO of GE Capital’s Global Technology Centers where he was also responsible for technology strategy and the sale and separation of $500B in assets as part of GE’s exit from financial services.
Charles has a BA in economics from Pace University and is married to Kristyn. He grew up in Connecticut, where they raised their family and attended Walnut Hill Community Church where he was a Bible study teacher, elder, and elder vice-chair. He has also served on the board of Gordon College’s Career Connections Institute, Jericho Partnership in Danbury, and Center of Hope for Haiti, as well as on Danbury Hospital’s technology advisory board. He also worked with The Underground to help bring housing for survivors of human trafficking to Connecticut.
Charles and Kristyn have resided in Newmarket, NH, since 2018, where they attend First Baptist Church Hampton Falls.
EVENT INFORMATION
