St. Thomas Law Alumni Argue Cases Before the Florida Supreme Court

Shannon (Healy) Hemmendinger ‘12


Patrick Delany ‘09

St. Thomas Law’s tradition of excellence and achievement at the highest levels of continues, as two alumni recently argued cases before the Florida Supreme Court.

First, Shannon Hemmendinger argued on behalf of the Petitioner in Rodriguez v. State of Florida. Shannon, who graduated from St. Thomas  Law in 2012,  was in Moot Court, the Appellate Litigation Externship and the St. Thomas Law Review.  As a third year law student, she argued in front of the Third District Court of Appeal when that Court held arguments at St. Thomas Law in 2012.  

“Arguing a case in the Florida Supreme Court was an enriching experience that I am fortunate to have experienced very early on in my career, “ stated Shannon. “Using skills I acquired in the appellate litigation clinic and moot court program, I was able to answer several questions on several different issues while still being able to zealously advocate for my client.”

Since her graduation, Shannon has worked in the Appellate Division of the Miami-Dade County Public Defender's Office. She also has served as an alumni coach for a number of our Moot Court teams in state and national competitions.

Patrick Delaney also recently argued before the Supreme Court, though this wasn’t his first time doing so. In speaking about his accomplishments, Patrick stated that an Assistant Attorney General in the Capital Appeals Division, he frequently appears before the Florida Supreme Court for oral argument. Patrick graduated from St. Thomas Law in 2009. He was in a member of the Moot Court Team, completed the Appellate Litigation Externship and was also a member of the St. Thomas Law Review. As a third year law student he argued in front of the Third District Court of Appeal when that Court held arguments at St. Thomas Law in 2009.

“The experience and education I received at St. Thomas Law focused on the practical side of practicing law by developing my writing and litigation skills. Through the Appellate Litigation Clinic and Moot Court, I gained invaluable experience which gives me an advantage in the courtroom,” said Patrick.

Patrick is presently working as an Assistant Attorney General in Tallahassee.