Alex Miller, JD, Associate Vice President of Research and Program Development, United Educators
At United Educators (UE), Alex Miller oversees the development of resources and learning programs to help schools, colleges, and universities prevent claims and manage risk. In 2017, he co-authored the report Rise Above Uncertainty, published by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), to help advance the state of risk management at independent schools. Miller recently oversaw the development of UE’s data security learning program. He began his career as a litigator defending employers in discrimination, harassment, and retaliation matters. Miller holds a B.A. in English from Wesleyan University and a J.D. cum laude from the University of San Francisco School of Law, with a certificate in Intellectual Property and Cyber Law.

Bob Saunders, Esq.

Bob is a partner at the Brooks Pierce firm based in Greensboro, North Carolina. He helps all types of exempt organizations, including charities, trade associations, social welfare organizations and social clubs, in matters ranging from formation and operation to merger and dissolution. He serves as general counsel for exempt organizations and advises on tax and governance issues including intermediate sanctions, unrelated business income, and the use of for-profit subsidiaries and single member limited liability companies. Bob also represents exempt organizations in federal and state tax audits, and has significant experience as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel, company counsel and authority counsel in tax-exempt financings.

 Karl Sherrill

Karl Sherrill is a Certified Risk Manager and Consultant who leads the Private Education and Protect My Tuition® programs with Marsh & McLennan Agency located in their High Point, NC office.  Karl has his Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Risk Manager designations.  His team partners with independent schools to develop risk management strategies addressing the wide range of unique risks educational institutions face. Karl draws on his years of direct experience with private education as a parent, school board member and chairperson, and adjunct university faculty member. 

Karl serves as a District Director on the Board of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC) and is a past Chairperson for the NC Young Agents Committee of the IIANC.  In 2011, Karl was selected as the North Carolina Young Agent of the Year.  He also serves on the Government Affairs Committee for the IIANC where he spends time in Washington, DC meeting with legislators discussing legislation that directly impacts our clients.

Elizabeth Troutman, Esq.

Elizabeth advises public school boards of education, private educational institutions, and colleges and universities on a wide range of education issues, and advocates for educational institutions in administrative proceedings, state and federal courts, and before local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. Her experience includes developing policies and procedures for schools, handling investigations by the Office of Civil Rights, student discipline and employment matters, advising on federal and state legislative strategies, addressing a myriad of compliance-related issues, and defending educational institutions in state and federal courts.

With prior experience working with the North Carolina School Boards Association, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce, the Council for Children’s Rights in Charlotte, and the Education Innovations Group, as well as conducting extensive research on rural education policy issues, Elizabeth brings a valuable perspective to Brooks Pierce and her education clients. Elizabeth serves on the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Council of School Attorneys and is a frequent speaker at education law conferences.