St. Thomas Law and Lynn University Launch Accelerated Law Degree Program

New academic collaboration enables students to obtain bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor in six years

St. Thomas University School of Law and Lynn University have signed a new articulation agreement that will allow qualified students to earn their law degree in six years - as compared to seven years if completed in the traditional way. Students will complete three undergraduate years at Lynn University before matriculating into St. Thomas Law for a three-year juris doctor program.

The agreement was formalized at a signing ceremony held at Lynn University on Thursday, November 19, 2015. The ceremony was attended by officials from both institutions including President of St. Thomas University, Monsignor Franklyn Casale; President of Lynn University, Dr. Kevin Ross; Dean of St. Thomas University School of Law, Alfredo Garcia; Lynn University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Gregg Cox, as well as other administrators, students and alumni from each school.

 “We are happy to partner with our friends at Lynn in establishing this 3+3 program,” stated Monsignor Casale.  “We recognize and value the global experience that Lynn students receive as undergraduates and, through this partnership, give Lynn students the opportunity to continue that global experience at St. Thomas University School of Law, which is consistently recognized each year as one of the most diverse law schools in the country.  Upon graduation from St. Thomas Law, the 3+3 students will join our thousands of graduates around the world who are leaders in their respective communities.”

Standing L-R: Anthony Marino, St. Thomas Law 2nd year student; Peter Kelly; Jessica Fonseca Nader; Cecile Dykas;  Karline Lee '09; Bill Smith, Jr., former Mayor of Boca Raton; Mark Wolff, St. Thomas Law Professor; 

Seated L-R: Dr. Gregg Cox, Lynn University VP for Academic Affairs; Msgr. Franklyn Casale; Dr. Kevin Ross, President, Lynn University; St. Thomas Law's Dean Alfredo Garcia

The accelerated law degree will result in significant savings for students who are faced with ever-increasing education costs.

“Our partnership with St. Thomas Law provides access to a legal education at a more affordable price,” said President Ross. “Lynn students enrolled in the program can save up to one year of tuition—approximately $46,000—and will have access to scholarships.”

St. Thomas Law will automatically award a $5,000 scholarship annually to any Lynn student who is part of the program. Additionally, a student who completes his or her first year at St. Thomas Law and is ranked in the top 25 percent of the class is eligible to receive a merit scholarship ranging from $5,000 to $33,000.

“We are delighted to forge this partnership with Lynn University and look forward to its growth and development in the future,” stated St. Thomas Law’s Dean Garcia.

Thursday’s signing marks the second such agreement that St. Thomas Law has executed in 2016. Earlier this year, a 3+3 articulation agreement was signed between St. Thomas Law and Miami Dade College.  Through partnerships such as these, St. Thomas Law continues to expand opportunities for students to earn law degrees, advance economically, and be part of successful academic and legal communities.

The Honorable Judge Peter Palermo Dies at Age 97

South Florida legal pioneer and retired Senior Magistrate Judge, Peter Palermo, died on Friday, November 13. He was 97.

Judge Palermo was a generous supporter of St. Thomas Law's Peter Palermo Program; putting into action his belief that today's youth have to become engaged citizens through knowledge of civics and the law.

The Palermo Program at St. Thomas University has evolved into a community partnership with students in the Miami Carol City Senior High School Legal and Public Affairs Magnet Program, with the goal of inspiring and educating the future generation of civic-minded leaders.

Through his generosity, St. Thomas Law established the Palermo Scholarship, and the St. Thomas Law student chapter of the Federal Bar Association is also named in his honor.

Judge Palermo consistently gave his time and talents to St. Thomas Law," recalled Dean Alfredo Garcia. "He played an integral role and served as a role model for our community. We mourn his death and celebrate his immeasurable contribution to his country."

Judge Peter Palermo (front and center) pictured with students from Carol City High School's Legal and Public Affairs Magnet Program

Judge Palermo was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1918. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1941 and was drafted into and served in the United States Army during World War II. He rose through the military ranks and was awarded six battle stars and the Bronze Star for his valiant service.

Judge Palermo served as mayor of West Miami from 1947 to 1953 while attending law school. Upon graduation, he served as an Assistant State Attorney and eventually entered private practice. In 1971, he was one of two judges to be sworn in as the first United States Magistrates in the nation. Palermo was the longest-serving magistrate in the United States, serving for over 40 years.

St. Thomas Law's Mock Trial Team Dominates at FJA Mock Trial Competition - Recognized for Distinguished Advocacy

The 2015 Florida Justice Association (FJA) Honorable E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition took place from November 13-15, 2015, in Orlando, Florida.  The competition, which was held at the Orange County Courthouse, had teams representing each Florida law school. 

Students Roxana Gonzalez, Cassandra Ward, Tayron Lopez, and Emma Berrios competed against the University of Florida and University of Miami in the preliminary rounds and demonstrated superior advocacy and professionalism, earning the praise of all the judges and jurors.

The finalist team, consisting of Katie Joyce, Angelica Rice, Maria Catala and Nataly Gutierrez, competed against Nova Southeastern University and Florida State University in the preliminary rounds. Ms. Gutierrez received one of the distinguished awards for best advocate in the competition.

St. Thomas Law's  2015 Florida Justice Association Mock Trial Competition Team. From left to right 

Nataly Gutierrez, Katie Joyce, Angelica Rice, Maria Catala, Tayron Lopez, Emma Berrios, Roxana Gonzalez, Cassandra Ward.

After St. Thomas Law swept the preliminary rounds, Mrs. Catala and Ms. Gutierrez competed against Florida International University in the semifinal round. After sweeping all the ballots, Ms. Joyce and Ms. Rice advocated for St. Thomas Law against Stetson University in the final which was extremely competitive and required a tie-breaker to determine the overall winner. St. Thomas received second place.  Congratulations to our trial team students. 

"We are proud of our Mock Trial Team, whose dedication, skills, and work-ethic exemplify the spirit of our school," stated law school dean Al Garcia.

The St. Thomas Law team was coached by Assistant State Attorney, Julian Catala, St. Thomas alumnus, Daniel Garza, and Faculty Advisor, Michael Mayer.

These results are a testament to superior advocacy, hard work, dedication and commitment displayed by our students, coaches, and trial program.

St. Thomas Law Intellectual Property & Cyberlaw Society at Sixth Annual Patently Impossible Competition

Once again, the St. Thomas University School of Law Intellectual Property & Cyberlaw Society (IPCLS) had a strong presence at the Patently Impossible Project competition on November 5, 2015 at the Bakehouse Art Complex in Wynwood. 

Patently Impossible is an annual fundraising event run by Dade Legal Aid, in which teams race to complete assembly of a machine. Teams were supplied with a box of parts, tools, and a patent. This year, competitors rushed to assemble a wind-powered racecar or “Fan Powered Do Dangle Apparatus.” Over 250 judges, intellectual property attorneys, brand owners, corporate counsel, and engineers attended or participated in the popular fundraising and networking event.
As in previous years, St. Thomas had a strong and vocal presence. This year, over 30 students volunteered to participate in up to 10 teams. A change in the event’s venue to a smaller location, however, limited each organization to only one team. Participating for St. Thomas IPCLS were Eudinio Perez, 2L, Marc Rapaport, 2L, Patricia Pena, 1L, and Michal Amedia, 1L, who all worked together to build the car. Many of their classmates were present to cheer on their friends, including IPCLS President Alexandra Valdes and e-Board member Stephen Koch, along with faculty advisor Professor Nathenson. Also present were IPCLS members Andrea Arauz, Maria Fonseca Chavarro, Anastasiya Sack, and Vianca Canet.

Patently Impossible provides St. Thomas Law students with the opportunity to network with South Florida’s community of intellectual property and entertainment attorneys. Among those attorneys were numerous St. Thomas alums, including Ashley Juchawski and Diana Acevedo, both of Dade Legal Aid’s Venture Law project, as well as Steven Paulson of Dade Legal Aid. Many other alums were present, including former IPCLS member Kevin Cudlipp along with Paola Visbal. Notably, Kevin Cudlipp was not just an alumnus participant, but also a past victor of Patently Impossible, which he won along with several classmates when he was a student at St. Thomas Law. Further thanks are due to Dade Legal Aid Executor Director Karen Ladis and Jaime Vining of Friedland Vining, both of whom were instrumental in helping St. Thomas students to participate.

St. Thomas Law's 11th Annual Human Rights Symposium

On Friday, November 13th, the St. Thomas Law community welcomed a panel of esteemed, internationally-known law makers and human-rights advocates for a timely symposium, titled The Power of A Voice: Re-writing Policy and Implementing Changes Through Protest Movements.

Professor Siegfried Wiessner welcomes Panelists and Guests

The panel included Florida State Senator, Dwight Bullard, Missouri State Senator Jamilah Nasheed, St. Thomas Law LL.M. student and Venezuelan attorney Rafael Dominguez, Sarah Hager, who serves as the chair of the Southern Africa Co-Group Researchers Amnesty International USA, Lisa Maya Knauer, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts, and Brian Fonseca, Director, Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship Studies at FIU's School of International & Public Affairs.

Panelists: From left to right: State Senator, Dwight Bullard; Missouri State Senator Jamilah Nasheed; St. Thomas Law LL.M. student and Venezuelan attorney Rafael Dominguez; Sarah Hager, Chair of the Southern Africa Co-Group Researchers Amnesty International USA; Lisa Maya Knauer, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts; and Brian Fonseca, Director of the Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship Studies at FIU's School of International & Public Affairs.

The discussion centered around the history, causes and effectiveness of protest movements. Panelists recounted their personal experiences with protests, discussed the fundamental right of citizens to protest, gave international perspectives on the right to protest and resist, and explored the root causes of protests in the international community.

Attendees included community activists, law students, and attorneys. The symposium, organized by the St. Thomas Law Intercultural and Human Rights Law Review, is in its 11th year.

Members of the Intercultural Human Rights Law Review and panelists.

Symposium Committee Members
Laura Pereira
Amy Francis
William Johnson
Christine Soto
Jessica Smith
Amal Uthman
Belkys Yzquierdo
Carmela Cavo
Evelyn Rosen
Arisnelvys Gonzalez
Nichole Griffith
Danny Telcy-Louis
Regilucia Smith

2015-2016 Editorial Board Members

Co-Editors in Chief:
Erica Behm
Donald Morehead

Managing Editor:
Amy Francis

Executive Editors:
Evan Phoenix
Joanna Kallinosis
Maria Florencia Cornu Laport
Marina Rakopyan

Symposium Editor:
Astrid Lopez

Student Articles Editor:
Gwendolyn Richards

Faculty Advisors
Professor Roza Pati
Professor Siegfried Wiessner

Professor Keith Rizzardi's Scholarship Cited in Recent Judicial Opinion

St. Thomas Law professor, Keith Rizzardi's scholarship was recently used and cited in a legal opinion.

In a November 4, 2015 opinion related to Florida’s public records law, 15th Judicial Circuit Judge Richard L. Oftedal quoted and cited Professor Rizzardi’s recent article, Sunburned: How Misuse of the Public Records Laws Creates an Overburdened, More Expensive, and Less Transparent Government, 44 Stetson L. Rev. 425, 436 (2015).

Judge Oftedal called it “a thorough analysis of the problems facing local governments.”  

Professor Rizzardi has also been invited to discuss his scholarship with the Florida League of Cities at their Public Records Forum in Orlando on December 8, 2015. 

St. Thomas Law Alumnus Selected as Finalist for Most Effective Lawyer Recognition Award

St. Thomas University School of Law proudly salutes alumnus Armando Hernandez, Esq. for his selection as a finalist for the Daily Business Review's "Most Effective Lawyer" award. His nomination is in the practice area of Products Liability. 

Armando Hernandez '10 

Mr. Hernandez, who graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Thomas Law in 2010, is an associate at Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell. He practices not only in the areas of product liability, but also in casualty defense, commercial litigation, and admiralty/maritime law matters.

In his products liability practice, he defends manufacturers and distributors of personal watercrafts, boats, boat engines, automobiles, motocycles, golf carts, and other products.

Honorees will be recognized at a luncheon in Miami on December 4, 2015.

St. Thomas Law's Entertainment & Sports Law Society (ESLS) Hosts Symposium

Attorney-Student symposium and networking event a great success due to joint efforts of Entertainment & Sports Law Society (ESLS) and Intellectual Property & Cyberlaw Society (IPCLS)

Keynote Speaker: Herman Russomanno 

The St. Thomas Law Entertainment & Sports Law Society Symposium took place on October 24, 2015 in the university's Convocation Hall.  The well-attended symposium, which was sponsored by the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Section of The Florida Bar, featured three panels comprised of some of the most prominent entertainment, sports, and intellectual property attorneys in the country.  Long-time St. Thomas Law supporter, law professor and attorney Herman Russomanno gave the keynote address, and spoke about professionalism issues in sports and entertainment law.

• Speaking on the Entertainment Law panel was St. Thomas Law alum Pierre Hachar, along with Matt Buser, Leon Margules, and Richard Wolfe, with Marc Stollman as the moderator.  They discussed whether arbitration in entertainment industry disputes is preferable to going to court, and how to get out of a recording contract.  
• The Intellectual Property panel featured Richard Rappaport, Kimberly Kolback, and Jaime Vining.   They used the audience to craft a lively fact pattern involving a zombie movie and a book.  The panel discussed copyright, trademark, and other issues involved in the film industry.  During this discussion, students play the roles of director, producer, writer, and attorney; making for a highly interactive learning experience.
• The final panel focused on Sports Law and was moderated by St. Thomas Law students Tanner Lakey (2L) and Samuel Spina (2L).  Panel members Darren Heitner, Johnny Williams, Steve Werier, and Samuel Sortisio discussed  NFL agent issues and the effect of the FanDuel/DraftKings fantasy leagues on the sporting industry.

Pictured from left to right: Samuel Sortisio, Esq. (general counsel for the Florida Panthers), 

Steven Werier, Esq. (general counsel for the Florida Panthers), Darren Heitner (general counsel for the Florida Panthers), Johnny Williams, 

and St. Thomas Law's Sam Spina and Tanner Lakey

      

      The interaction and attendee participation was a very positive aspect of the event, with guests, panelists and students stating that the symposium was a great success.  

Special thanks to St. Thomas Law's society Presidents Travis Tillery (ESLS) and Alexandra Valdes (IPCLS), as well as Vice Presidents Samuel Spina (ESLS/Entertainment), Tanner Lakey (ESLS/Sports) and Vice President Stephen Koch (IPCLS).  

Faculty advisors Professor Marcia Narine (ESLS), Professor Ira Steven Nathenson (IPCLS), and Outreach Coordinator/Career Counselor Lourdes Fernandez played an integral role in the success of the event,  as did ESLS President Alejandro Fernandez-Lovo, who put the symposium into motion last Spring.  

The symposium was followed by a networking reception for attorneys and students.   

    Law student Sam Spaina, Richard Wolfe, Esq., Marc Stollman, Esq., Pierre Hachar, Esq., 

Matthew Buser, Esq., Leon Margules, Esq. and Tanner Lakey (2L)

Pictured form left to right:  Alexandra Valdes (2L and President of IP & Cyberlaw), Stephen Koch (2L and Vice President of IP & Cyberlaw), Tanner Lakey (2L and Vice President of Sports-Entertainment and Sports Law Society), Samuel Spina (2L and Vice President of Entertainment), Travis Tillery (3L and President of Entertainment and Sports Law Society).