BRADFORD E. BLOCK is the principal of the Law Offices of Bradford E. Block in Northbrook. He has been an attorney for more than 35 years and practices in the areas of business formation, mergers and acquisitions, not-for-profit organizations, private foundations, equity financing, tax law, and the preparation and negotiation of corporate and technology contracts. Mr. Block has lectured to various professional groups on matters related to limited liability companies, partnerships, business transactions, S-corporations, and tax exempt organizations. He is a former adjunct professor of business planning and partnership law at DePaul University. Mr. Block is also a commercial mediator and a member of the Association of Attorney Mediators. He earned his B.S. degree from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. degree from DePaul University College of Law.

VALERIE SASAKI is a partner with Samuels Yoelin Kantor LLP, in Portland, Oregon. Ms. Sasaki is a tax and business attorney. She is passionate about adding value to her clients’ businesses and having an immediate, positive influence. When working with individual clients, she strives to improve their lives by taking complex tax situations and breaking them into manageable pieces with achievable outcomes. Ms. Sasaki specializes in jurisdictional tax consulting, working closely with Fortune 50 companies involved in audits before the Oregon or Washington Departments of Revenue. She also works with business owners on tax, business, and estate planning issues in Oregon or Southwest Washington. Ms. Sasaki has represented clients in federal and state tax settlement negotiations, voluntary disclosure agreements, tax due diligence, and tax controversy. She has also reviewed private equity funds for legal sufficiency as part of due diligence for foundation investments. She has been recognized as an Oregon Super Lawyers Rising Star for the last five years. Ms. Sasaki received her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Tulane University; her J.D. degree from University of Oregon; and her L.L.M. degree in taxation from the University of Washington School of Law.