BARRY LAW MAGAZINE

SPRING 2012 | Volume 6 Number 1

A SUPREME EXPERIENCE:

Alumni Sworn In to Highest Court in the Land

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: C. Douglas Elliott

MANAGING EDITOR: Alan Hancock

DESIGNER: Audrey Phillips, Design Studio Orlando, Inc.

COPY EDITOR: Russ Stacey

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Jonathan Aponte, Phelan Ebenhack,Jill Gable, Alan Hancock, Laurence L. Levin, Larry Taylor

EDITORIAL BOARD: Leticia M. Diaz, Phill Johnson,Amy Lefkowitz, Kaci Line, Ruth Witherspoon

COVER PHOTO: Dean Leticia M. Diaz and Professor Lee Schinasi with Barry Law School alumni who were sworn in to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

Supreme Court Cover Photo by ©Gary Blakeley/Shutterstock

Established in 1999, the Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in Orlando, Florida,offers a quality legal education in a caring, diverse environment. A Catholic-oriented institution,Barry Law School challenges students to accept intellectual, personal, ethical, spiritual, and socialresponsibilities, and commits itself to assuring an atmosphere of religious freedom.

BARRY UNIVERSITY Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law

BOARD OF ADVISORSThe Honorable Thomas Freeman, ChairThe Honorable Carmine M. BravoKevin ColeSister Rosemary FinneganCharles R. FrederickPaul A. Hechenberger, Esq.Keith J. Hesse, Esq.John P. Horan, Esq.Warren W. Lindsey, Esq.The Honorable Donna L. McIntoshThe Honorable Jon B. MorganThe Honorable Jose R. RodriguezJoel H. Sharp, Jr., Esq.David A. Shontz, Esq.Joseph B. Stanton, Esq. Dora Casanova de ToroVirginia B. Townes, Esq.

DEAN’S CIRCLE Thomas Delattre, Esq.Eric Hires, Esq.Sherri McVay, Esq.James M. Russ, Esq.Mrs. Frederick W. Trabold, Jr. Helen Von-Dolteren Fournier, Esq.Ms. Shirley Wiseman

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PAGE4 A Family Affair

National Trial Competition Regional Comes to Barry, Page 12

C O N T E N T S

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SPRING 2012 | Vol. 6 No. 1

Faculty FocusDean Diaz Named InfluentialHispanic in Central FloridaProfessor Serves as Expert onStand Your Ground Law

Serving Our Community

A Family Affair

A Supreme Experience: Alumni Sworn in to Highest Courtin the Land

Finding Felix Grundy: A Conversa-tion with Author Rod Heller

National Trial Competition RegionalComes to Barry

Alumni TodayMark Malek: Putting Others AheadTom Leeder: Finding a Perfect PracticeShamir Patel and Dohyun Kim:Down to Business

Campus NewsThree Presented With Founding Leaders AwardCourtroom Named in Honor of Sherri McVay (’02)Trial Team Beats Harvard, WinsABA National Trial CompetitionLaw Review Symposium Examines Guantánamo’s Legacy

Board of Advisors ProfileVirginia Townes: An Accidental Attorney

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One of the great joys of being part of a growing institution is reaching newmilestones and creating new traditions – something we know a lot about atthe Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law.

One of our latest milestones occurred this past fall when the first group ofBarry Law alumni was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.The swearing-in ceremony was a proud moment for the 12 alumni and forthe entire law school family. The cover story of this issue of Barry LawMagazine shares the story of the induction and the milestone it representsfor the school and our alumni. The admission to the Supreme Court is anew Barry Law tradition, with another 12 alumni already signed up for thenext ceremony in November.

Another milestone reached and celebrated in this issue is the first extramuralskills competition held at the law school. Our new Legal Advocacy Center gave us the ability to host the National Trial Competition Southeast Regional, and we look to continue this tradition with more competitionscoming to campus.

This issue also looks at families who learn together at Barry Law, alumniwho are making their mark in the legal and business arenas, and how ourschool continues to serve the community.

As Barry Law School continues to grow, we will achieve new milestonesand continue to celebrate traditions new and old. I invite you join us on thisjourney, as the school reaches new heights and becomes a great source ofpride for all who are part of the Barry Law family.

Leticia M. Diaz, PhD, JDDean and Professor of Law

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A Supreme Experience: Alumni Sworn in to Highest Court in the Land

2 | BARRY LAW

F A C U L T Y F O C U S

When Florida’s “Stand Your Ground”law came under scrutiny following theTrayvon Martin shooting, Elizabeth Megale,assistant professor of law, provided legalanalysis on the law for local, national andinternational media.

Megale, who previously worked incriminal defense, was interviewed by severalmedia outlets, including National Public

Radio, ABC News, Central Florida News 13and the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation.

Megale wrote an article on the StandYour Ground law titled “Deadly Combi-nations: How Self-Defense Laws PairingImmunity with a Presumption of Fear AllowCriminals to ‘Get Away with Murder’” thatwas published in the American Journal ofTrial Advocacy in 2010.

Professor Serves as Expert on Stand Your Ground Law

Leticia M. Diaz’s work on issues impacting Hispanics and the broader Cen-tral Florida community recently earned theBarry Law School dean inclusion on Visiónmagazine’s list of 25 influential Hispanicsin Central Florida. The editorial board forthe magazine, which is published quarterlyby Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ofMetro Orlando, reviewed more than 100names submitted for consideration andselected 25 individuals that “demonstratedleadership or contributed to the enrichmentand growth of the Hispanic community inCentral Florida.”

Diaz was the first Cuban-Americanfemale to hold the position of dean at anABA-accredited law school when she wasappointed to the position in 2007. She hastaken a leadership role on Hispanic issuesand serves on the advisory committee forthe ABA Commission on Hispanic LegalRights and Responsibilities. A WhiteHouse Hispanic Action Summit was heldat the law school in September 2011, andDiaz and alumni met with U.S. SupremeCourt Justice Sonia Sotomayor in December2011 when the inaugural group of BarryLaw alumni was sworn-in to practice before the Supreme Court. Diaz is amember of the Board of Directors of theHispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando.

“It is a great honor to be includedamong such a distinguished group ofHispanic leaders,” said Diaz. “The His-panic population in Central Florida hasgrown significantly in size and influence,and we all are committed to serving andcontributing to the entire community.”

In a letter congratulating Diaz onthe award, Orange County Mayor TeresaJacobs wrote, “This recognition speaks

volumes on the hard work and dedicationyou have invested in our community overthe years. It is the vision and commitmentof leaders like you that continue to moveour region toward new opportunities and successes.”

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerceof Metro Orlando honored the 25 indi-viduals recognized in Visión magazine at areception on Feb. 7.

Dean Diaz Named Influential Hispanic in Central Florida

Dean Leticia M. Diaz (in blue) is presented with a trophy honoring her inclusion on a list of the 25 influential Hispanics.Presenting the award is Ramon Ojeda, president of the Hispanic Chamber (far left), Diana Bolivar, VP of the HispanicChamber, and Keith Raymond, senior VP of Popular Bank.

WWW.BARRY.EDU/LAW | 3

w Barry Law students (from left)

Monica Adkins, Rinaldo Cartaya,

Christopher Bailey, Christen Keller and

and Harlenys Perez with the Big Red

Bus brought to campus to support

Florida’s Blood Centers.

Service to the community is one of Barry Law School’s corecommitments. Below are just afew examples of ways students,faculty, staff and administrationhave volunteered their time andexpertise to help others.

rDean Leticia M. Diaz (right) and Sue

Ventura, president & CEO of Easter Seals

Florida, (left) spend time with 110-year-

old Ruth Leiber during a Valentine’s Day

event at the Easter Seals Day Break at

the Miller Center, an adult day health

care program.

rRuth Witherspoon, associate dean for aca-

demic affairs, was recognized in The Orlando

Times for her participation in a Professional

Opportunities Program for Students (POPS)

program in February.

FEBRUARY 9 - 15, 2012B

SECTION

F o r W e e k l y H o m e D e l i v e r y , C a l l 4 0 7 - 8 4 1 - 3 0 5 2 x 1 3 o r V i s i t w w w . o r l a n d o - t i m e s . c o m

The Orlando Times

OCOEE CELEBRATES DIVERSITY DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

ORLANDO - The neigh-

borhood of Murchison Ter-

race celebrated its inaugural

“Family Reunion” with the

honoring of one of its neigh-

borhood heroes in Hankins

Park on Saturday, Febru-

ary 4, 2012. The closeknit

Orlando neighborhood is

located west of John Young

Parkway and south of Co-

lumbia Ave. honored How-

ard “Flute” Gentry for his

work with Young Blacks in

Actions, Inc. – Community

Band and Dancettes (YBA).

Flute founded and started

YBA in 1979. He started

YBA to give the kids in the

area a positive activity to

develop strong work ethics,

leadership skills and com-

munity service.

The festivities were

headed by Samuel B. Ings,

POPS STUDENTS ATTEND LAW ENFORCEMENT

CAREER WORKSHOP

OCOEE – The City of Ocoee will pay tribute to Black History Month throughout the month of February.

The City of Ocoee’s Human Relations Diversity Board is holding its 8th Annual Black History Month Essay Contest.

The essay contest is open to Ocoee elementary, middle and high schools. The theme for this year’s competition is “Dare

to Dream.” The deadline for students to submit their essays is Friday, February 10. The essays should be delivered to City

Hall, 150 North Lakeshore Drive.

An essay awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m, City Hall. The ceremony will be taped

LIVE on Ocoee TV, Channel 200, Bright House Cable. Students will recite their winning essays at the ceremony and be

presented with their awards.

Throughout the month of February, residents can tune in to Ocoee TV on Channel 200 and at www.ocoee.org to watch

times and dates the shows will air or visit www.ocoee.org.

trailblazers include Langston Hughes, Harriet Tubman and Jesse Owens. Motorists traveling on Clarke Road will see

several banners that read “Ocoee Celebrates Diversity.”

For more information, contact Joy P. Wright, Community Relations Manager at 407-905-3100 ext.9-1530.

RLANDO - More than 100 professionally dressed

teens from the Professional Opportunities Pro-

gram for Students (POPS) program attended a

Law Enforcement Career workshop on Saturday,

January 28, 2012 at the FAMU College of Law in Orlando.

Students heard dynamic presentations from The Honorable

Judge Faye Allen, Orange County Sheriff Curtis Barnes,

FBI Agent Alexis Brignoni, Associate Dean Professor Ruth

Witherspoon, Orange County forensics representative Le-

roy Parker, and Orange County homicide detectives M. Ver-

District 6 Commissioner and

organized by the “Motown

Boyz” whose president is

Freddie Benjamin. “Flute”

as he is affectionately is

known was honored with a

plaque from Commissioner

Samuel B. Ings and a plague

from the Motown Boyz for

his “service to Youth in the

Washington Shores Area

and beyond.” Flute started

the YBA program in the

parking lot of the Washing-

ton Shores Shopping Center

before moving to the tennis

courts of Hankins Parks lo-

cated across from the Mur-

chison Terrace Area.

Flute stated that, “He had

around 80 to 90 kids from

the Murchison Terrace Area

alone.” Several of the at-

tendees fondly recalled being

a part of YBA in the 1980’s.

Many of the attendees re-

called how Flute disciplined

them by making them run

around the trees when he felt

that they did not follow his

rules or where just getting

out of line. Several of them

mentioned that he treated

ORANGE COUNTY

CHILDREN GET

A CHANCE AT

COLLEGE

O

HOWARD “FLUTE” GENTRY

IS HONORED BY MURCHISON

TERRACE NEIGHBORHOOD

AS A “HERO”

ORANGE COUNTY - On Thursday, Feb. 9, Take

Stock in Children of Orange County will hold a cer-

emony to recognize and celebrate its new and re-

turning student participants, as well as their par-

ents, mentors, community leaders and corporate

sponsors.

The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. in the

Special Events Center (Bldg. 8) on Valencia Col-

lege’s West Campus, located at 1800 S. Kirkman

Road in Orlando.

This year, 22 seventh-grade students from local

middle schools will be inducted into the program,

bringing the total number of participating students

to 130.

Take Stock in Children is a statewide initiative

that helps underserved children succeed, starting at

age 12, by providing college scholarships, volunteer

mentors, early intervention and long-term support.

High standards, parental involvement and commu-

nity support are crucial to the program’s success.

“The generous support of Take Stock in Children

by founding partner Florida Citrus Sports Founda-

tion and Mears Transportation has enabled us to

scale the program up at a time when others are cut-

ting back,” said Valencia President Sandy Shugart.

“This is making a substantial impact on our com-

munity.”

Last year, the Orlando Magic Youth Fund, a

McCormick Foundation Fund, awarded a grant of

$100,000 to the Valencia Foundation in support of

Orange County’s Take Stock in Children.

Attending Thursday’s ceremony will be: Com-

missioner Daisy Lynum, City of Orlando; Bill Sub-

lette and Nancy Robbinson, Orange County School

Board; Ron Blocker, superintendent, Orange

County Public Schools; Steve Hogan, CEO, Florida

Citrus Sports; Linda Landman Gonzalez, vice presi-

dent, Orlando Magic, and president of the Valencia

Foundation Board of Directors; Betsey Bell, execu-

tive director, Orlando Magic Youth Foundation;

and T. Picton Warlow IV, Martin Andersen-Gracia

Andersen Foundation.

Guest speakers at the ceremony will be: Yvonne

Chang of Disney Vacation Development, Inc., Nick

Anderson, former Magic player and community am-

bassador for the Orlando Magic, and Ramon Ojeda,

president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

of Metro Orlando, Lucas Boyce, director, Orlando

Magic, Maritza Martinez, assistant vice president,

University of Central Florida, Ed Bustos, director,

Rollins College, Shanna Bender, mentor, Design

Studio 15 and Russ Fritz, mentor, Highwinds.

This year’s inductees include students from

Howard Middle School (Natalie Menendez, Tonya

Harris-Torres, Joann Mauricette, Dashicka Street-

er, Briana Lawrence, Keith Blanding, Sarashly

Fonseca-Gonzalez and Cassidy Harding); Lee

Middle School (Samantha Perez, Destiny Camp-

bell and Isaiah Hill); and Lockhart Middle School

(Alice Brown, Ashley Demosthene, Lorenzo King,

Benjamin Roldan, Tony Livert, Dionna Blackman,

Coby Cook, Shelby Putnal, Eileen Urbieta, James

Churchill and Raphael Powell).

Valencia College introduced Take Stock in Chil-

student participants is now in the eleventh grade

and will graduate from high school in 2013.

Since 1995, Take Stock in Children has impacted

the lives of more than 17,600 deserving students

in the state of Florida, providing more than 9,000

high school graduates with full college scholarships.

To volunteer as a mentor, provide a tax-deduct-

ible contribution or to obtain more information

about Take Stock in Children of Orange County,

please contact 407-582-3336, takestockinchil-

dren@valenciacollege.edu or visit our website at

http://valenciacollege.edu/tsic.

To read more Valencia news, please go to http://

valenciacollege.edu/news.

(Left to right) POPS, Orlando District Mgr.- Dwight Mitchell; Orange County Sheriff-Curtis Barnes; POPS, Senior Counselor - Azi Nel-

son, FBI - Alexis Brignoni, FDLE-Leroy Parker; Orlando Police Dept. - Det. Sprague; Orlando Police Dept. - Det. Verret; Associate Dean,

Barry University; POPS, Student Counselor - Shawn Welcome and POPS, CEO- Barbara Newton

ret & Teresa Sprague. The students were very interested in

learning about exciting career opportunities in law enforce-

ment, and the opportunity to ask questions and learn about

the person behind the title.

that provides personal and professional development for

15-18 year old high school teens who face barriers that place

them at-risk, with a focus on completion of high school,

pursuit of advanced education, and attainment of gainful

employment.

them as his favorite. Flute

recalls it somewhat differ-

ently, I often had more boys

than drums so that many of

the boys had to wait their

turn to play on the drums,

so some of them I made my

assistants just to give them

something to do and let

them be a part of YBA.

Flute remembers in the

beginning that he held prac-

tices everyday with between

120 to 150 kids. He cited

that many of the parents of

several of the attendees were

very instrumental in his

starting and continuing YBA

during that time. He re-

members many parents who

helped him with organizing

the young ladies and young

men. And true to form,

Flute before the ceremonies

in the park had just returned

from Tavares, Florida where

YBA had performed earlier

that same day. When asked,

“Why does he continue after

so many years?, Mr. Flute

without hesitation states,

“It was the kids then and it

is the kids now – when you

help a kid – you are really

doing something special.”

Flute further stated that,

“Today is special when your

(own) honors you. I really

appreciate this honor from

the Motown Boyz and recog-

nition from Commissioner

Samuel B. Ings.” If interest-

ed in supporting or joining

YBA, you may contact Flute

at YBA practices at the Dr.

James. R. Smith Center on

Tuesday, Thursday, and Fri-

day from 5:30 to 7 p.m. or

by visiting their website at

www.ybacommunityband.

com.

“It was the

kids then and

it is the kids

now – when

you help a

kid – you are

really doing

something special.”

-Howard “Flute” Gentry

Howard “Flute” Gentry

w Barry Law students, faculty,

staff, and friends participated

in the Salvation Army’s largest

Thanksgiving meal in the state

of Florida, serving almost

25,000 turkey dinners to the

needy in Orlando.

ServiNG OUr cOmmUNity

The Barry University School of Law has always emphasized a caring environment, a close-knit

student body, and professors and administrators that are easily accessible. So it should be no surprise

that at a school that feels like a family, several actual families have made their way to campus. They

study together with their siblings or spouse, discuss the law with each other, and sometimes even

walk the stage at graduation together.

Following are just a few examples of families that are learning and growing together at Barry Law.

Together they have learned in classhow to argue cases in the courtroom. But once they leave campus, brothersGreg, Andrew and Sal Imperiale insistthe arguing stays there.

The three Imperiale brothers areall seeking their law degree from Barry,with Greg and Andrew scheduled tograduate this May and Sal in his firstyear. They come from a close-knit family(a fourth brother, Steve, is currently incollege) and live and study together,making their bond tighter and their relationship stronger.

“We’ve all been close, all fourbrothers,” says Greg, the oldest at 29years old. “We don’t fight. Our familydoesn’t allow for bickering and fighting.”

The Imperiales grew up in Margate,N.J., and when Greg and Andrew werelooking for law schools, they decided

they wanted to sticktogether. Theyfound Barry, weredrawn to the idea oflaw school inFlorida, and haveenjoyed their experi-ence ever since.

“Coming out ofcollege, I wasn’t sure about law school,but now I know I really want to be anattorney,” says Andrew. “The professorshave been great and really prepare us.I’ve loved it at Barry and will trulymiss it.”

It was then a natural choice for Sal,the youngest at age 22, to follow hisbrothers to Barry. The trio has madestrong connections to the area, even tak-ing in three rescue dogs – including onethey found on campus and named Barry –

but Greg and Andrew plan to return toNew Jersey after graduation and work incriminal law. They previously worked for abail bonds business owned by their motherand their father was a criminal attorney inNew Jersey.

As for Sal, he will be going overseasthis summer in Barry’s Summer inSpain program before returning to cam-pus without his brothers.

“I’m not happy to see them go,” hesays, “but I’m excited to stay and finishup at Barry.”

4 | BARRY LAW

A Family Affair

Imperiale Brothers:

Bonding at Barry

Dean Leticia M. Diaz with the Imperiale brothers Greg (far left), Andrewand Sal (far right).

WWW.BARRY.EDU/LAW | 5

A Match Made in Law School

It’s a competition that tests yourability to produce Bluebook citations earlyin law school. For David Rosaler andColleen Brown, the competition led tolove, marriage and a family.

In 2010 in the fall semester of theirfirst year at Barry, David and Colleencompeted against each other in the annual1L Bluebook Competition. After thecompetition, a friendship that started in ashared Contracts course blossomed into aromantic relationship.

The next spring, they attended theannual Barristers’ Ball as a couple. In thesummer, they travelled and studied togetherin Barry’s Summer in Spain program. Bythe fall, they were married. And this pastJanuary, they welcomed the birth of theirbaby girl, Marilyn. The couple also has afour-year-old son, Fred, who Colleen hadbeen raising on her own.

“We are now a four-person familyunit, and it’s all new and a lot of fun,” saysColleen. “My son has gained a father, soit’s been really cool for him.”

Even with a newborn, who was deliv-ered on the first day of the spring semester,the couple continues to attend Barry fulltime and both are on track to graduate in2013. Colleen’s mother assists with childcarewhen they have classes, and they makefamily time a priority when they can.

“We have a lot of work this semester,between papers and reading, and it canbe tough, but the whole time flies by,”says David.

Once they graduate, Colleen wantsto go into family law and child advocacy,an area that drew her to law school after aBarry alumna, Andrea Rosser ( JD ’08),helped with her divorce. David is inter-ested in real estate law, a practice area hehas experience in working summers in his

brother’s law firm in Deerfield Beach, Fla.As for the Bluebook Competition that

launched their relationship, David’s teamemerged the victor, but Colleen says with asmile, “I forgive him for beating me.”

“We are now a four-person family unit, and it’s all new and a lot of fun.” —Colleen Brown

David Rosaler and Colleen Brown:

David Rosaler and Colleen Brownwith son Fred and daughter Marilyn.

6 | BARRY LAW

Brothers Jeff and Jim Ippoliti haveloved cars since before they could walk.But if there is one passion they havemore than cars, it’s helping kids. That’swhat led Jeff, a recent Barry Law Schoolgraduate, and Jim, in his third year atBarry, to create a charity event combin-ing their two passions: the CelebrationExotic Car Festival.

Having just completed it ninth year,the Celebration Exotic Car Festival is afour-day event held in Celebration, Fla.,that benefits children’s charities. Despitebeing in existence for less than a decade,the festival has found success with bothits charitable and entertainment efforts:more than $1 million has been donatedto children’s charities, and the festivalmade the list of Five Best Exotic CarShows in the World by Made Manmagazine. The 2012 festival was heldApril 12–15.

The idea for the festival came afterthe brothers moved to Celebration andenvisioned the town as an ideal locationfor a car show. The brothers grew uparound cars – their grandfather was aFord dealer in New York – and wantedto showcase exotic cars and racecarswhile helping children in need.

“My brother and I have always hadan interest in exotic cars and had been toa lot of events across the country,” saysJeff, who traces his love of exotic cars towhen he watched The Cannonball Runas a kid and now owns the blackLamborghini used in the film. “We alsoboth really love helping children andthought it would be great to put on aworld-class event and have all themoney go to children’s charities.”

In its first year in 2004, the eventwas a one-day show with 50 cars, but itstill raised $20,000 for the Make-A-

Wish Foundation, where Jeff was amember of the Board of Directors. Thefestival has grown each year since, withmore money going to more charities.The 2012 event drew approximately40,000 guests and featured Ferrariraces at the famed Daytona InternationalRaceway, a concourse of 250 exotic andHollywood movie cars, an exotic car roadrally, and a food and wine party at theLoews Portofino Bay Hotel at UniversalOrlando. Benefitting charities includeMake-A-Wish, Special Olympics andArnold Palmer Children’s Hospital.The money raised this year brought thefestival over the $1 million mark in donations since being formed.

The Ippoliti brothers are thedriving force behind the festival, butthey rely on a board to help organizethe event. The entire board is made upof volunteers, ensuring that all money

Driven to Help KidsJeff and Jim Ippoliti:

Brothers Jim (driver’s seat) and Jeff Ippoliti have helped raise $1 millionfor children’s charities through their exotic car festival.

WWW.BARRY.EDU/LAW | 7

raised goes directly to the charities.“There are a lot of moving parts during

those four days, so it takes a lot of coordi-nation,” says Jim. “We probably spend1,000 hours a year putting it together.We have a small but very good board that helps us out. Since everybody is a volunteer, it’s a job of passion and everyoneis doing it for the right reason.”

Other Barry Law students have alsobecome involved with the festival, volunteering their time at the event andearning pro bono hours.

“The festival shows that pro bono workcan be fun and exciting and have a greatbenefit on the local community,” says Jim.

The Ippoliti brothers have been able

to grow the festivalwhile going to lawschool full time.The foray into lawwill be a secondcareer for both aftersuccessful business stints. Jeff, who completed his degree in December, servedas CEO of CellVentures Group, a distributor for AT&T that he grewinto 100 retail locations along the EastCoast before selling the companyto AT&T in 2007. Jim, who is scheduledto graduate in December of this year,worked in the hospitality business, owning and operating restaurants in Syracuse, N.Y.

“We have always been entrepreneursand were looking for the next project toget involved with,” says Jim. “Both of usalways had an interest in the law, and bothobviously have an interest in business. Lawschool seemed like a good opportunity.”

Once Jim earns his degree, he plansto join Jeff in launching a commercial litigation firm, combining their businessexpertise and legal studies. And even oncethey begin legal practice, they vow to continue the car festival so that they canmake a difference in the lives of children.

“These charities help kids who are ina situation in their life through no fault oftheir own,” says Jeff. “It only takes a fewminutes talking to one of these kids to seehow much difference you can make in achild’s life. It makes all the work and effortput into the festival worthwhile. For us, it’svery important and gratifying.

For more information on the Celebration ExoticCar Festival, visit www.celebrationexoticcars.com.

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They came from as far away asMiami and from as close as just a fewblocks. They featured representativesfrom Barry Law School’s first graduatingclass 12 years prior and ones much largergraduating classes just a few years ago.And they all came together for theunique honor of being admitted topractice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Twelve alumni from Barry LawSchool comprised the first group ofBarry graduates to be sworn in to theU.S. Supreme Court at an inductionceremony in Washington, D.C., on Nov.28, 2011. The induction ceremony was

conducted by Chief Justice John G.Roberts. Lee Schinasi, professor of law atBarry, served as movant for the group.The alumni also listened to argumentsmade in a case before the court.

Following the ceremony, JusticeSonia Sotomayor greeted the alumni andDean Leticia M. Diaz.

The swearing-in held special signif-icance to Rodd Santomauro (’00). A

member of the school’s first graduatingclass and the first-ever recipient of thelaw school’s Dean’s Achievement Award,Santomauro now lives just blocks fromthe U.S. Supreme Court in Washington,D.C., where he is executive director/CEO of HALT: An Organization ofAmericans for Legal Reform, a non-profit organization focusing on account-ability and transparency in America’scivil justice system.

“The circle is now complete,” saidSantomauro. “As one of the first gradu-ates from Barry Law School 12 yearsago to now be one of the first graduates

sworn in to practice law before thehighest court in the land, I was hon-ored and humbled to be part of such aceremony. I hope to be able to use thisexperience to serve others and will al-ways treasure that day when 20 years ofwork culminated into a day that all ofus will always cherish. This is the per-sonification, and the epitome, of Barry’s mission.”

Alumni Sworn in to Highest Court in the Land

“As one of the first graduates from Barry Law School 12 yearsago to now be one of the first graduates sworn in to practice lawbefore the highest court in the land, I was honored and humbledto be part of such a ceremony.”

—Rodd Santomauro

A SUPREME EXPERIENCE:

8 | BARRY LAW

WWW.BARRY.EDU/LAW | 9

Rob Witt (’09) coordinated theswearing-in ceremony. Also joining thegroup was Kevin Cole, who representedthe school’s Board of Advisors.

“The opportunity to appear beforethe U.S. Supreme Court and be duly ad-mitted and qualified as an attorney andcounselor of the Supreme Court by ChiefJustice Roberts was truly a once-in-a-life-time event,” said David Shontz (’02).“Additionally, to be part of the first BarryLaw School alumni to be sworn in beforethe U.S. Supreme Court was very specialand a testament to the continued growthof the law school.”

On the evening prior to the induc-tion, the alumni and their guests enjoyeda dinner at The Metropolitan Club inWashington, D.C.  They were joined byRod Heller, who spoke about the biogra-phy he authored on Felix Grundy titledDemocracy’s Lawyer: Felix Grundy of theOld Southwest. (Read more on Heller’sbook on pages 10-11.)

Another group of 12 alumni will besworn in to the U.S. Supreme Court onNov. 6, 2012.

Ada Aviles-Yaeger (’02)

Eric DuBois (’00)

Lenora Easter (’07)

Betty Freeland (’02)

Sultana Haque-Bolet (’08)

Oneill Martinez (’02)

Octavio Padron (’04)

Monica Reyes (’08)

Rodd Santomauro (’00)

Laura Shields (’07)

David Shontz (’02)

Joy Zubkin (’04)

BARRY ALUMNI SWORN IN:

B

From left: Rodd Santomauro (’00), Dean Leticia M.Diaz, Laura Shields (’07) and Professor Lee Schinasi.

From left: Rob Witt (’09) with Monica Reyes (’08)and her husband, Ian Welsch.

From left: David Shontz (’02), Octavio Padron (’04),Oneill Martinez (’02).

10 | BARRY LAW

rom renowned criminallawyer to senator to U.S.Attorney General, Felix

Grundy played many roles in early19th-century America as thecountry was in its formative years.He was influential as a politicalreformer and championed theideals of the American West duringthe post-Revolutionary period whenAmerica’s institutions were forged.

Grundy is the subject of a newbook, Democracy’s Lawyer: FelixGrundy of the Old Southwest, writtenby J. Roderick Heller III. BarryLaw School alumni who were inWashington, D.C., in November tobe sworn in to practice before theU.S. Supreme Court heard Hellerspeak about Grundy during a dinnerat The Metropolitan Club.

Heller earned a law degree anda master’s degree in history fromHarvard University and was a partner in the law firm of Wilmer,Cutler & Pickering in Washington,D.C. He spoke to Barry Law Magazine about Felix Grundy andhis impact on America.

What drew you to Felix Grundy to writea biography on him?

I have always been deeply interestedin history as an intellectual or academicpursuit. The specific interest in FelixGrundy was for two reasons. First, he is anancestor of mine and I inherited some ofhis letters. Second, I have always beeninterested in American history, andspecifically Southern history, prior to1865. I thought Grundy’s career wouldopen a window into a period of history –from the American Revolution to the1850s – that is imperfectly studied.

What did you learn in your research forthe book?

The book has been well-received because it focuses on the first post-Revo-lutionary War generation. I had not fullyappreciated the extent that our FoundingFathers believed in government by elitesand the extent in which they envisionedthe perpetuation of the same kind of system they had fought against.

What Grundy and others like himbrought was a new type of political leaderthat was not people born to elites. Theywere people who made the most of their

FindingFelix Grundy:A Conversation with Author Rod Heller

F

WWW.BARRY.EDU/LAW | 11

own brain power – often lawyers and peoplefrom the west. This new type of politicalleader brought about a significant changein how government was conducted. It wasa far more egalitarian country and far morecapitalistic. Basically, what America is likenow was largely shaped during this periodof Grundy’s life. A more simple way tothink about it is that Grundy and his fellows took an idea that the Founding Fathers had come up with and they put itinto practice, but in different ways than theFounding Fathers had envisioned.

You write that Grundy’s dominating belief was “equality in access to power.”How did this belief show itself in his political career?

He was a great political leader in earlyKentucky fighting for the yeoman farmeragainst the capitalist designs. It shows upin access to banks and access to the courts.At that time, the merchants of Lexington,Kentucky, wanted to keep the banks tothemselves. Courts were centered in themain cities, hundreds of miles away fromsettlers. So in his early days in Kentucky,Grundy fought hard for the egalitarian ac-cess to courts and access to banks. In Ten-nessee, he was involved in the same battles.

Politically, in the great panic of 1819,he fought against entrenched privilegesand fought for the debtor. When AndrewJackson fought against the Second Bank of the United States, Grundy was one ofhis principal allies. Basically, Grundy, in everything he did, fought against privilegedaccess to power – whether it was access by the government or by people who con-trolled the government to ensure their ownprivate power. Almost everything he didreflected this egalitarian perspective. Hewas every bit a capitalist, but he wanted tomake sure everybody had equal access tothe rights to fail or the rights to succeed.He didn’t want elites in government orelsewhere to have a privileged opportunity.

What impact did Felix Grundy have onthe legal system?

Grundy was probably the first greatcriminal defense lawyer of the south. Helived in Kentucky and was the third chiefjustice there and then moved to Tennessee.No one knows how many first-degreemurder defendants he represented – thehighest estimate is 185 – but what isknown is that only one of his defendantswas hanged.

He was renowned across the countrypolitically, but in the south and southwesthe was mainly known for his great legaldefense capacities. He achieved that notonly by his unique oratory, but he intro-duced a lot of changes in the law. He wasthe first lawyer in that part of the world topad the jury – to try to get jurors whoknew the defendants. He was the first touse reputational witnesses to a significantdegree. He would tailor his tactics to thesituation. He made a lot of innovations ata time when the American criminal systemwas just coming into play.

What can lawyers today learn from Felix Grundy?

The principal virtue of the book is the extent to which this one man represented this full range of activitiesthat we think of as American. He was a political leader, a lawyer, a real estate developer, a land speculator, a leader in education. He did an enormous number ofthings. As a lawyer, Grundy demonstratedthe importance of innovation and deductive trial. He was constantly a step ortwo ahead of the other side.

What do you want readers to get out of the book?

The realization that what America isnow is due not only to the Founding Fathers’ ideals, but how Grundy and hisfellows laid the groundwork from 1800 to1840. To me, that is the period Americawas shaped. I don’t think people can fullyunderstand America without understandingthat period, so I want them to appreciatethat time. B

Author and attorney Rod Heller was a featured guest when BarryLaw alumni had dinner at The Metropolitan Club in Washington,D.C., on the evening prior to being sworn in to the U.S. SupremeCourt. Heller discussed his book on Felix Grundy.

Democracy’s Lawyer: Felix Grundy of the Old Southwest is available on Amazon.com.

PHOTOS BY JILL GABLE

t was a weekend of firsts. On Feb. 3-5, the Barry UniversitySchool of Law served as host of

an extramural skills competition for thefirst time, welcoming 24 teams of studentsfrom 12 law schools to compete in theNational Trial Competition SoutheastRegional. And for the first time, a teamfrom Barry Law School emerged victoriousat the prestigious annual competition toadvance and represent the Southeast region at the National Trial Competition.

National Trial Competition RegionalComes to Barry

12 | BARRY LAW

I

Members of Barry Law School’s trial team after emerging as co-champions.

The Honorable Kenneth L. Williams

PHOTOS BY JILL GABLE

The Barry team, featuring advocatesJordan Ostroff and Andrew Doyle andwitnesses Michael Tricoli and TamarGelin, defeated a team from the StetsonUniversity College of Law to be crownedco-champions. In the other finals of thecompetition, a team from CumberlandSchool of Law at Samford Universitydefeated a team from the University ofFlorida College of Law.

“It was a true honor to advance tothe national championship round againstsuch an incredibly talented regionallineup,” said Mitch Frank, associateprofessor of law and faculty advisor forthe Barry Law trial team.

Both Barry and Cumberland Schoolof Law qualified to compete in the 37th annual National Trial Competitionheld on March 21-24, 2012, in Austin,Texas. The National Trial Competitionis sponsored by the Texas Young LawyersAssociation and is one of the twolargest trial team competitions in theUnited States.

The National Trial CompetitionSoutheast Regional held at Barry featuredthe presentation of several complete

mock trials by teams of law studentsfrom schools in Florida, Alabama andMississippi. In addition to the final fourteams, other schools that competed wereAlabama, Ave Maria, Faulkner, FloridaCoastal, Florida State, Miami, Missis-sippi College and Nova Southeastern.

The trial chosen for the competitionwas the fictional motor vehicle negligenceand wrongful death case of DustyStockard, individually and as adminis-trator of the Estate of Channing Stockardv. Mitch Murphy. Local judges and attorneys, including several Barry Lawalumni, served as evaluators and assessed the teams on the basis of their

trial skills as demonstrated throughwitness examinations, use of the evidence and arguments.

“This was Barry’s first time hostingan extramural competition, and adminis-tration, students, and local judges andlawyers made it a memorable event,”said Frank. “A great debt is owed toMike Damaso, a former trial teammember and a local attorney who servedas coordinator of the competition;Brigitte Debbarh from the Institutional Advancement office, who coordinated allof the logistics and catering; and NickPrimrose, a 2L who arranged for all theexcellent student help.”

Many of the trials were held in theschool’s Legal Advocacy Center, whichopened last August and features fivemoot courtrooms.

“The competition was an excellentshowcase for our campus, our new Legal Advocacy Center, and our superbtrial team,” said Leticia M. Diaz, dean of Barry Law School. “We received very positive feedback from the othercompetitors and look forward to hostingmore competitions.” B

More information on the National Trial Competition is available at www.tyla.org/ntc.

Dean Leticia Diaz with Judge Jennifer Davis

“It was a true honor to advance to the national championship roundagainst such an incredibly talented regional lineup.”

—Mitch Frank, associate professor of law and faculty advisor

WWW.BARRY.EDU/LAW | 13

14 | BARRY LAW

National TrialCompetition Regional

Andrew Doyle, a member of Barry’s trial team, presents in the final round.

Dean Leticia M. Diaz (center) with alumni Angela Agostino (’11) and Michael Kraynick (’07),who served as evaluators.

�

Local attorneys serve as jurors and evaluators.

�

Jordan Ostroff, a member of Barry’s trial team, presents in the final round.

�

A member of the University of Florida’s trial team presents. �

WWW.BARRY.EDU/LAW | 15

PHOTOS BY JILL GABLE

Teams prepare for trial.�

A participant makesopening arguments.

�

AYZEK/Shutterstock.com

16 | BARRY LAW

A L U M N I T O D A Y

An engineering background has certainly helped Mark Malek (JD ’02)excel as a patent and intellectual propertyattorney, but his sense of family and community fuels the success of his lawfirm, Zies Widerman & Malek.

For Malek, the philanthropy holds asmuch weight as the sweat equity they putinto their business. Some of the organiza-tions that he and his partners volunteerfor include Junior Achievement of the SpaceCoast, Scott Center for Autism Treatment,the Space Coast Early Intervention Center, March of Dimes and Brevard Symphony Orchestra.

It’s easy to see where that spirit ofgiving comes from. Malek’s parents cameto the United States from Egypt “with 200bucks in their pocket.” He calls his father,a manager at a specialty chemical company,and his mother, a retired accountant forthe City of New York, “an American suc-cess story, providing us with everythingwe ever needed. They believe that thecommunity and America gave a lot tothem, and if you make it you have to give back.”

It’s also personal. His six-year-oldson Andrew was diagnosed with Aspergersyndrome, an autism spectrum disorder.“If you meet him, he’s doing just fine.That’s because of the abundant resourcesthe Brevard County community offeredus. And we didn’t have to go broke doingit. I’m duty bound to pay that back.” Heand his wife Aileen have another son,four-year-old Jacob.

Malek sort of stumbled into a law career. Working as a civil engineer, hecaught a TV commercial for the Universityof Orlando School of Law (the predeces-sor to Barry Law School) and decided togive it a shot. There was one problem,though. “I had no idea what manylawyers did,” he laughs.

A lunch with the chief internationalproperty counsel at Siemens Westing-house set his course. Malek learned theins and outs of patent law that day andwhat a great niche it would be for himwith his civil engineering pedigree.

Graduating from Barry has paid off innumerous ways. “The network of alumniand dear friends that I have there is justamazing. We’ve hired several alumni asattorneys here,” he says.

He even met one of his future partners, Scott Widerman (JD ’02), atBarry. They shared just one class, but hit it off. Later, when Malek was workingat an Orlando law firm and considering relocating to Philadelphia, Widermanrecruited him to join as an associate at the firm he was working. The two bought the firm in 2005 with Philip Zies.

Headquartered in Melbourne, Fla., ZiesWiderman & Malek boasts two dozenemployees in three offices.

“Last year we played in a charitydodge ball tournament, and it was a blast.We were the Lethal Litigators,” Maleksays. “We’re a very tight group. We workhard, but we also do a lot of volunteeringtogether. My focus in life is mainly on myfamily and volunteering. And to tell youthe truth, I believe that’s what makes ourfirm so successful.” —by Russ J. Stacey

For more information on the organizations

supported by Zies Widerman & Malek, visit

http://legalteamusa.net/index.php/about-the-

law-firm/community.

“We’re a very tight group. We work hard, but we also do a lot of volunteering together. I believe that’s what makes our firm so successful.” — Mark Malek

A L U M N I T O D A Y

MARKMALEK:Putting Others Ahead

WWW.BARRY.EDU/LAW | 17

Thomas Leeder (JD ’03) learned tolove the law as a child while watchingepisodes of Law & Order with his father.He dreamed of becoming a criminal defense attorney and protecting the constitutional rights of the accused. But Leeder’s focus changed when he wasa teenager: His father was diagnosedwith cancer and eventually succumbed tothe disease.

Battles with insurance companiesduring his father’s illness promptedLeeder to want to help others in similarsituations. Now he’s doing just that withhis own personal injury practice in Plantation, Fla.

“After the bad experiences with insurance companies, I knew that Iwanted to do personal injury and helppeople who had been hurt,” says Leeder.“It just seemed like the perfect storm forwhat I wanted to do — both to help peoplewho had been injured and also fightagainst insurance companies I dislike.”

Leeder chose Barry to pursue his lawdegree because of an intimate knowledgeof the school and university. As a child,he was a frequent visitor on Barry University’s campus in Miami Shoreswhere his mother, Dr. Ellen Leeder, was amember of the faculty who taughtSpanish for 46 years. He also began hisundergraduate studies at Barry beforecompleting bachelor’s degrees in historyand interdisciplinary social sciences atFlorida State University.

Once in law school, Leeder was active in several organizations. He servedas president of both the Student Bar Association and Hispanic American Law

Students Association (HALSA). He was amember and officer of the Trial Team,won leadership awards from both HALSAand the Black Law Students Association,and was presented the Dean’s Achieve-ment Award in 2003.

Leeder was admitted to the FloridaBar in 2004 and immediately began taking on personal injury cases, workingfor Scott E. Rovenger, P.A., in Plantation.He became partner in the firm in just threeyears before opening his own practice, adecision he made with trepidation butalso a confidence that it was the bestpath forward.

“It was very scary,” he says. “I hada very small nest egg and used it to start the business and get things up andrunning. Fortunately, I already had acaseload that was mine and I was able tosettle a couple of cases and keep thedoors open. Slowly the practice continuedto grow and grow, and I’ve been blessedand fortunate to be able to do what I’m doing.”

And what he is doing is helpingpeople who may be in a situation similarto his father’s — injured or sick and seekingcompensation or insurance claims. It’s apractice he relates to well and finds extremely gratifying.

“I had blue-collar jobs and a blue-collar background, so I know what it’s liketo work in the trenches and work hard fora living. I’m very personable with myclients and see them as my equal. It’salways great to see a conclusion of a caseto the satisfaction of your client, and theyare extremely grateful for all the workthat you did.”

TOM LEEDER:Finding a Perfect Practice

“After the bad experiences withinsurance companies, I knewthat I wanted to do personal injury and help people who hadbeen hurt.”

—Thomas Leeder

18 | BARRY LAW

The value of a law degree can oftenextend well beyond the courtroom andinto boardrooms, hospitals and classrooms.For Barry Law School alumni Shamir Patel(JD ’09) and Dohyun Kim (JD ’09), theirlaw degrees have given them creditabilityand insight into business dealings that drivetheir companies.

Patel owns and operates three hotelson North International Drive in Orlando,and only famed hotelier Harris Rosen ownsmore beds in the area. Soon after complet-ing his degree at Barry, Patel formed Capi-tal Hospitality Management LLC, whichoperates a 275-room Days Inn, 180-roomHoward Johnson, and 120-room Trav-

elodge. He has his hands on all aspects ofoperating the hotels and finds his legalbackground invaluable.

“Being an attorney gives me credibilitywith lenders,” says Patel. “And every hotelhas about 30 different leases, from the giftshop to buses. I can go in and review allthe documents and contracts.”

Patel first entered the hotel business in2009 when he began operating theHoward Johnson. Even though tourismdropped in the recession, Patel set hissights on more hotels and soon added theDays Inn and Travelodge to his portfolio.The gamble paid off, and a record numberof tourists visiting the Central Florida arealed to his hotels reaching 90 percent occu-pancy last year. He plans to continue ex-panding his holdings, which means morenegotiating, deals and contracts.

“The fact that I have my law degreeon my wall and am able to put JD next tomy name, people in the business world Ideal with see I am an attorney and a hotelowner,” says Patel “They see you in a dif-ferent light and give you a respect you oth-erwise would not receive.”

The same type of business dealingsthat Patel is involved with daily is whatdrove Kim to earn a law degree. Born andraised in Tampa, he assisted running hisfamily’s nursery, a 130-acre farm in ApolloBeach that grows and sells palm trees tocustomers as far away as Arizona.

“Growing up in the business worldand seeing transactions from my fathersince I was five, I learned that many busi-ness issues are legal issues,” says Kim.“Determining what is or is not legal is aconstant question, and sometimes it’s notclear. If we could address the legal issuesquickly, we could continue with business tomeet our goals.”

SHAMIR PATEL AND DOHYUN KIM: Down to Business

A L U M N I T O D A Y

Shamir Patel owns and operates three hotels onInternational Drive.

WWW.BARRY.EDU/LAW | 19

Kim’s business background isn’t lim-ited to the nursery. After earning a bache-lor’s degree from Vanderbilt University in2000, he worked in finance, first forMetLife and then for an independent fi-nancial planning and estate firm. In 2006,he helped launch GulfShore Bank inTampa, working for the bank as one of itsfounding members while going to lawschool part time.

“Because of my background in finance,I saw law school from a different perspec-tive,” says Kim. “Business is about collabo-rating and analyzing what the risks are, andthen assuming certain risks to achieve certainrewards. On the other hand, law examinesthose same risks and contemplates a worst-case scenario before creating a strategy.Sometimes the two approaches are polar op-posites, but business people need legalanalysis to make better business decisions.”

Kim resigned from the bank when he

graduated from Barry, and now he is in-volved with multiple business ventures. Heworks as a court-appointed receiver, wherehe focuses on receiverships for condo andhomeowner associations and liquidation ofbusinesses. He also is working with re-spected immigration attorney Philip M.Zyne and his website,immigrationlinks.com, which sells iKits, all-in-one guides on immigration for individu-als and businesses. Kim has helpedincreased sales of the iKit by 257 percentfrom the previous year. And he remains in-volved with the business transactions forthe family nursery. In all these dealings,Kim puts his legal knowledge to work.

“With a law degree, I can understandthe terms and fully comprehend differentlegal memos and contracts,” he says. “I cantalk with attorneys and discuss the issues.Before, they were giving me the envelope.Now, I’m pushing the envelope back.”

CONNECT WITH BARRY LAWON THE SCHOOL’S OFFICIAL PAGES ONFACEBOOK AND TWITTER:

facebook.com/BarryLawSchool

twitter.com/Barry_Law

STAY CONNECTED!

LAW ALUMNI CHAPTERPresident:Michael Damaso (’05) Vice President: Sultana Haque-Bolet (’08) Secretary: Suzanne Meehle (’06)

Make sure you receive Barry Law alumninews, information and event invitationsby keeping your contact informationcurrent. Updates can be made:

ONLINE: http://lawalumni.barry.edu

E-MAIL: lawalumni@mail.barry.edu

MAIL:

Barry UniversityDwayne O. Andreas School of LawOffice of Institutional Advancement6441 East Colonial DriveOrlando, FL 32807

SHARE YOURNEWS!

Let your classmatesknow what you’redoing.

SUBMIT YOURCLASS NOTES tolawalumni@mail.barry.edu or online at http://lawalumni.barry.edu.

Dohyun Kim uses his law degree in a number of business ventures, including with his family’s nursery.

20 | BARRY LAW

DAVID B. ALEXANDER (’07)Bradford Cederberg, P.A.5210 S. Orange Ave.Orlando, FL 32809(407) 926-8710david@bradfordlaw.com

Practice Areas: PIP and Personal Injury, Plaintiff Litigation

BRIDGETTE M. BENNETT (’10)Bennett Law Center302 W. Orange St.Groveland, FL 34736(352) 557-8989bridgette@bennettlawcenter.com

Practice Areas: Immigration

MARK A. CEDERBERG (’02)Bradford Cederberg, P.A.5210 S. Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32809(407) 926-8710mark@bradfordlaw.com

Practice Areas: PIP and Personal Injury,Plaintiff Litigation

STEPHANIE COOK (’07)Shuffield, Lowman & Wilson, P.A.Gateway Center100 Legion Place, Suite 1700Orlando, FL 32801(407) 581-9800scook@shuffieldlowman.com

Practice Areas: Civil Litigation, PersonalInjury, Wrongful Death, Commercial Litigation, Guardianship Proceedings

TERRY COVERT (’02)Copeland & Covert631 Palm Springs Dr, Ste 115Altamonte Springs, FL 32701(407) 830-7220terry@copelandcovert.com

Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Wills,Trusts, Probate

PAUL F. DALEY (’06)Daley Law7331 Office Park Place, Suite 3Viera, FL 32940(321) 504-9935staff@daleylaw.com

Practice Areas: Bankruptcy, Foreclosure,Mortgage Modification, Debt Relief

AMBER N. DAVIS (’06)Beusse Wolter Sanks Mora & Maire, P.A.390 N. Orange Ave., Suite 2500Orlando, FL 32801(407) 926-7716adavis@iplawfl.com

Practice Areas: Intellectual Property Litiga-tion, Copyright and Trademark Prosecution,TTAB Proceedings, UDRP Proceedings

NICHOLAS J. FEDA (’10)McNamee & Mahoney, LTD.17N208 Rt. 31Dundee, IL 60118(847) 428-7500nfeda@mcnameeandmahoney.com

Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Civil Litigation, Family

SUSAN FELDER (’00)Florida Supreme Court CertifiedCounty and Circuit Civil MediatorP.O. Box 1448 Winter Park, FL 32790-1448(407) 647-3904slfelder@embarqmail.com

Practice Areas: Mediation

A L U M N I T O D A Y

ALUMNI SUPPORTERS OF BARRY LAW SCHOOLThe Barry University School of

Law thanks the following alumni

who made a donation to the

school in 2012:

Barry Law alumni Dalia Abdelbany (seated) and (standing from left) Denise Kim, Nancy Schofield, Amy Mai andMegan Watson in the new Legal Advocacy Center during Barry Law School’s annual holiday party in December.

WWW.BARRY.EDU/LAW | 21

MATTHEW P. FERRY (’06)Law Office of Warren W. Lindsey, P.A.1150 Louisiana Ave., Suite 2P.O. Box 505Winter Park, FL 32790(407) 644-4044matt@warrenlindseylaw.com

Practice Areas: Criminal Defense

SULTANA HAQUE-BOLET (’08)Sultana Law, P.A.115 Maitland Ave.Altamonte Springs, FL 32701(407) 545-2099sultana@SultanaLaw.com

Practice Areas: Small Business, Bankruptcy

MONICA M. HOWARD (’02)Law Office of Monica M. HowardP.O. Box 9339St. Thomas, USVI 00801 (340) 777-7070 mandjhoward@yahoo.com

Practice Areas: Civil, Family, Probate, RealEstate, Corporate

JONATHAN D. KNOTT (’11)Holden & Darby, P.A.201 W. Main St.Tavares, FL 32778(352) 742-1876info@holdendarby.com

Practice Areas: Family

SUSAN S. MORRIS (’08)The Law Offices of Catherine Henin-Clark, P.A.1151 N. Orange Ave., #200Winter Park, FL 32789(407) 920-0333Fax: 407 622-7454morrisimmiglaw@gmail.com

Practice Areas: Immigration and Nationality Law

NAYEF A. MUBARAK (‘10)NeJame, LaFay, Jancha, Ahmed,Barker, Joshi & Moreno, P.A.189 S. Orange Ave., Suite 1800Orlando, FL 32801(407) 245-1232nayef@nejamelaw.com

Practice Areas: Immigration, Civil, CriminalDefense, Personal Injury

CHRISTOPHER P. NIEMIEC (’06)Service Provider Group, LLC201 West Marion Ave., Suite 1209Punta Gorda, FL 33950(941) 833-5202chris.niemiec@ServiceProviderGroup.com

Practice Areas: Corporate Counsel: Labor& Employment, Workers Compensation

ALEXANDRA STEELE (‘06)deBeaubien, Knight, Simmons,Mantzaris & Neal LLP332 N. Magnolia Ave.Orlando, FL 32801(407) 422-2454acs22@dbksmn.com

Practice Areas: Civil and Commercial Litigation

STEPHEN TALMADGE (’06)Law Offices of Stage & Associates7635 Ashley Park Ct., Suite 503-TOrlando, FL 32835(321) 293-4215

Practice Areas: Baker Acts, Homeowners Association

CHARLES A. THURSTON (’05)The Law Office of Charles A. Thurston3270 Suntree Blvd., Suite 207Melbourne, FL 32940(321) 574-8268

Practice Areas: Immigration, Family Law,Personal Bankruptcy, Social Security Dis-ability, Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning,Appellate Advocacy, Landlord/Tenant Law,DUI/DWI Defense

KEVIN W. WIMBERLY (’08)Walters Law Group195 W. Pine Ave.Longwood, FL 32750 (407) 975-9150 kevin@firstamendment.com

Practice Areas: Intellectual Property, FirstAmendment, Internet, Gaming

ROBERT A. WITT (‘09)The Law Office of Robert A. Witt, P.A.707 Mendham Blvd., Suite 100Orlando, FL 32825(407) 285-7609rob@robwittlaw.com

Practice Areas: Criminal and Civil Litigation

To be listed in the fall issueof Barry Law Magazine,alumni can make a donationonline at www.barry.edu/law/giving or by mailing a check made payable to“Barry University School ofLaw” to:

Institutional AdvancementBarry University School of Law 6441 East Colonial DriveOrlando, FL 32807

22 | BARRY LAW

C A M P U S N E W S

Three longtime supporters of the BarryLaw School were presented with the FoundingLeaders Award at a ceremony during the an-nual Barry Law holiday party in December.The award recognizes exceptional communityleaders who have volunteered their time toshape and build Barry Law School from its be-ginnings to the dynamic institution of legal ed-ucation and services it has become.

Recipients of the award were Kevin Cole,past-chair of the school’s Board of Advisorsand a member of the board since the school’sfounding; The Honorable Tom Freeman, cur-rent chair of the Board of Advisors, longtimemember of the board and a former adjunct pro-fessor; and The Honorable Jose R. Rodriguez, amember of the Board of Advisors and thekeynote speaker for the 2012 commencement.

In presenting the awards, Dean Leticia M.Diaz thanked the trio for “lending their time,wisdom and expertise and putting in consider-able effort to give Barry Law School the solidfoundation we enjoy today.”

Three Presented With Founding Leaders Award

Courtroom Named in Honor of Sherri McVay (’02)

A courtroom in the recently opened Legal Advocacy Center has been named inhonor of Sherri McVay, a 2002 graduate ofBarry Law School.

While at Barry, McVay served as StudentBar Association president and founded theBarry Law chapter of the Women LawyersAssociation. She was also an active member of Delta Theta Phi and the Moot Court Board.She was recognized with the OutstandingStudent Award from the Black Law Student Association and received the Dean’sLeadership Award.

Following graduation, McVay was appointed by Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to serve as executive director of the Statewide AdvocacyCouncil. She continued to serve in that

position under Gov. Charlie Crist until2007 when she became political director forFlorida of the Mitt Romney for Presidentcampaign.

In March 2008, McVay opened The McVay Law Firm in Melbourne, Fla.,focusing on business and corporate law.

McVay’s mother, Shirley Wiseman,was on hand for the unveiling of thenaming during Barry Law’s annual holiday party in December.

For information on

NAMING OPPORTUNITIES,

contact the Office of Institutional

Advancement at (321) 206-5604. Dean Leticia M. Diaz (left) and Shirley Wiseman at the unveiling of the Sherri McVay Courtroom.

Dean Leticia M. Diaz presents the Founding Leaders Award to The Honorable Tom Freeman (left) and Kevin Cole.(Not pictured: The Honorable Jose R. Rodriguez)

WWW.BARRY.EDU/LAW | 23

The U.S. detention policies in Guantá-

namo Bay, Cuba, were examined during

the 2012 Barry Law Review symposium,

which featured a diverse group of nationally

prominent legal scholars in a series of

panel discussions. The symposium, titled

“Guantánamo’s Legacy: Reflections on a

Decade of Detention” and held on Feb. 24,

explored the law of war, military commis-

sions, interactions between Guantánamo

and the U.S. Constitution, effects on the

legal profession, and repercussions for U.S.

national security.

Among the symposium’s distinguished

speakers were Peter Jan Honigsberg, a

professor at the University of San Francisco

School of Law and director of the Witness

to Guantánamo project, and Jordan Paust,

a professor of international law at the Law

Center of the University of Houston and

one of the most widely cited law profes-

sors in the U.S.

Law Review SymposiumExamines Guantánamo’sLegacy

Peter Jan Honigsberg, director of the Witness toGuantánamo project, presents during the 2012 Barry Law Review symposium.

Barry Law School’s trial team prides itself on competing against the best advocacyteams in the country. The team did just thatwhen it defeated Harvard University in thefinal round to win the ABA National CriminalJustice Trial Advocacy Competition heldMarch 29-31 at The John Marshall LawSchool in Chicago. 

The win was Barry’s seventh championshipat a national competition since 2008. It wasalso the second championship in the 2011-12academic year, marking the second year in arow Barry’s trial team won two championships.

Barry’s advocates were AboubakrMaaroufi (prosecution and defense), RyanSainz (defense, and prosecution witness) andCiara Harris (prosecution and defense witness).The swing witness was Victor Zamora.Maaroufi, a second-year student, was named

Best Advocate at the competition, which included 19 teams. Both Harris and Zamorareceived perfect witness scores in two separatepreliminary rounds.

Barry went undefeated in the preliminaryrounds, beating the University of Alabama,Widener and the University of Puerto RicoSchool of Law. Only four teams advanced, withBarry facing and defeating Creighton in thesemifinals to reach the finals against Harvard.

The team was coached by Barry Law pro-fessors Mark Summers and Elizabeth Megale.

“The trial team has again proudly represented Barry against some of the top lawschools in the country,” said Dean Leticia M.Diaz. “Under the pressure of competition,these students were able to withstand andrespond flawlessly to unexpected rulings andarguments from other teams.” 

Trial Team Beats Harvard, Wins ABA National Trial Competition

Hon. Stanley Sacks, presiding judge of the final round, (far left) presents the championship certificate to Barry’s winning trial team (from left): Aboubakr Maaroufi,Ryan Sainz, Ciara Harris, Victor Zamora and Professor Elizabeth Megale.

24 | BARRY LAW

Virginia Townes didn’t plan to be an attorney. It took aseries of unplanned events to launch a law career that is now inits 30th year with Townes established as a shareholder at thelargest law firm in Florida.

The first surprise came as Townes was settling into her careeras a teacher in Sarasota. Recently married, she and her husbandPhil decided they didn’t want children. Those plans quickly changed.

“God figured out what was best for me, and I discovered Iwas pregnant,” Townes says.

While on maternity leave after the birth of her son,Townes took a continuing education course on school law. Shebecame intrigued by the law, but as a mother of a young sonand already established as a teacher, she didn’t foresee a careerchange. Her husband convinced her otherwise.

“I told my husband that if the world had turned out differently,I might have liked to have gone to law school,” she says. “He figuredout how I was going to go to do it. He backed me 100 percent.”

They put their house up for sale and prepared to move toTallahassee so she could attend the Florida State UniversityCollege of Law. The day their house was sold, the next surprisecame: Townes was pregnant again.

She contemplated giving up the dream of law school, buther husband persuaded her to at least begin her studies. Twoweeks after giving birth in early February, she was starting hersecond trimester of school with her second son in tow.Through support from her family and cooperation from theschool – including a professor who babysat while Townes tookan exam – she completed her degree in two and a half years.

Townes was set to begin her law career at Akerman Senterfitt, until Phil decided he wanted his shot at law school.So they stayed in Tallahassee and Phil enrolled at FSU whileVirginia became a clerk for the Honorable Raymond Ehrlichon the Florida Supreme Court – another unplanned move thatprovided lifelong dividends.

“If things worked out according to my plan, I never wouldhave taken that position. And it turned out to be the most amazingexperience,” she says. “Ray Ehrlich turned me into a real lawyer.”

Following the clerkship, Townes started as an associate atAkerman Senterfitt’s Orlando office on July 1, 1985. She hasbeen there ever since, specializing in banking and finance law,and has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America andSuper Lawyers for business litigation and banking.

When Barry Law School offered the opportunity for areturn to academia, Townes jumped at the chance. She taughtSecured Transactions as an adjunct and also advised studentsand faculty on preparing for The Florida Bar Exam – lendingher expertise from serving as chair of the Florida Board of BarExaminers from 1991 to 1992.

“I fell in love with the class and the students and theschool,” she says. “It was a group I resonated with; these wereolder students and law is a second career for me.”

Townes then joined the law school’s Board of Advisors,where she serves as a vocal advocate in the legal community fora school she holds in great esteem.

“I really admire what Barry has been through and whatit’s become,” she says. “It’s more than just a law school, it’s acongregation of people and purpose that is a model of whatpeople of goodwill can do. There is always the sense of a commitment to a higher purpose.”

With retirement nearing, Townes is planning ahead, withhopes to teach and volunteer with literacy programs at local schools.But, as life has shown her, she is keeping her options open.

“That’s how my life has worked out. Whatever I haveplanned is not what happened. And what has happened is morewonderful than anything I could have planned.”

Virginia Townes: An Accidental Attorney

B O A R D O F A D V I S O R S P R O F I L E

“Barry is more than just a law school, it’s a congregation of peopleand purpose that is a model of what people of goodwill can do.”

—Virginia Townes

WWW.BARRY.EDU/LAW | 25

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