Class Notes

CLASS NOTES Stetson Lawyer CLASS NOTES STETSON LAW ALUMNI UPDATES

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Robert H. Nutter, J.D. ’70, retired in January after practicing law for 51 years. He says it “has been a great ride” and thanks Stetson Law for giving him a start to an enjoyable career. He retired in January 2022 at age 81. Leslie Reicin Stein, J.D. ’76, received the Corporate Counsel Lifetime Achievement Award from Tampa Bay Business and the American Corporate Counsel Association. She was formerly VP GC at Verizon Information Technologies and Special Data Processing and Special Counsel at Publix Supermarkets and Costco Wholesale Corporation. Although now in private practice, she serves as counsel to the legal department of two corporations. Judge Susan G. Sexton, J.D. ’77, and executive producer Theresa McKeown collaborated on a new podcast named The Judge and the Journalist. The first season is devoted to the Trial of Joe Exotic. The podcast is available on Apple, Spotify, and Anchor.

Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, J.D. ’78

was named Senate President for the Florida Legislature’s 2022-2024 Legislative Term. She was elected to the Florida Senate in 2016.

Russell Schropp, J.D. ’78, who practices environmental, land use, and zoning law at Fort Myers firm, Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., was recognized as a “Top Lawyer” in the September 2021 issue of Naples Illustrated. Mike Boryla, J.D., ’81, announced the release of his second audiobook, Mark of the Beast. Mike is a former Pro Bowl quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He spent his first semester at his beloved Stetson Law walking to class on crutches and wearing a full-length leg cast after knee surgery stemming from his time with the Bucs.

Luis Prats, B.A. ’78, J.D. ’81, is a co-editor and chapter author of the Construction Trial Deskbook, which was recently released by the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law. Prats is a board-certified construction lawyer with more than 35 years of experience representing public and private owners, developers, contractors, and design professionals on all types of construction matters. He has tried, arbitrated, or mediated hundreds of construction disputes and regularly counsels owners and contractors during all phases of construction. Prats is a shareholder at Carlton Fields.

Marcia S. Cohen, J.D. ’84, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs, an annual three-plus-day event offering over 30 panel discussions on international topics held every February at USF St. Petersburg. G. Donald Thomson, J.D. ’84, who practices real estate law at Fort Myers firm Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., was recognized as a “Top Lawyer” in the September 2021 issue of Naples Illustrated.

Harold E. Patricoff Jr., B.A. ’82,

J.D. ’85, joined Duane Morris LLP, where he represents clients in disputes across multinational borders. He is widely known for his experience in domestic and international fuel sales, supply and distribution, and the power generation industry. Wendy S. Loquasto, J.D. ’88, of Fox & Loquasto, LLC, in Tallahassee was appointed as Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Rules Advisory Committee for 20212022. Her term as chair caps off her six years of service on the WCRAC.

Janice “Jan” McLean, J.D. ’90, has joined GrayRobinson’s Land Use Team as counsel in Tampa, where she will counsel clients on the planning, management, maintenance, and regulation of the state’s ground, surface, and coastal waters, including related environmental and land use issues.

Camille J. Iurillo, J.D. ’91, has merged her St. Petersburg-based firm, Iurillo Law Group, with the firm Englander Fischer. This partnership significantly expands Englander Fischer’s practice areas in commercial bankruptcy and creditor’s rights, providing more arrows in its business-litigation quiver. Andrew J. Mayts, Jr., J.D. ’91, was named Chair of the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee.

Richard Schwamm, J.D. ’91, was part of a team whose work led to the awarding of Volusia County’s largest-ever settlement in a wrongful death case, $6.46 million, to the family of a woman whose death was believed to be a result of medical malpractice. Robert P. Kelly, J.D. ’92, was named managing attorney for the Tampa legal office of Liberty Mutual. Bob has been with Liberty Mutual for 28 years and is married to Kasey Shimberg Kelly, J.D. 1995, and they have three children (Jordan, 22; Lauren, 20; and Ryan, 17). Robert J. Sniffen, J.D. ’93, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of North Florida (“CFNF”), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life in North Florida through the promotion and support of charitable giving. The CFNF serves an 11-county area, including Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla counties.

Amanda Ross, J.D. ’99, who practices admiralty and maritime law at Fort Myers firm Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., was recognized as a “Top Lawyer” in the September 2021 issue of Naples Illustrated.

David C. Murray, J.D./M.B.A.

’01, has formed a new law firm, Murray + Murray. David focuses his practice on insurance claims litigation, representing homeowners, businesses, condominiums and hotels in first-party insurance disputes, and bad faith claims. He was appointed to the Florida Justice Association’s property insurance board for the ’21-’22 term.

Thomas Oates, J.D. ’03, of Law Offices of Oates & Oates, P.A., Pompano Beach, was recently elected vice chair of Florida’s 17th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission.

Bronwyn Stanford, J.D. ’03, was hired as the new Director of the Miami-Dade Animal Services Department following a national search.

Johnlee Curtis, J.D. ’04, recently celebrated the two-year anniversary of founding Aviation Transaction Advisors, P.A. in Miami, Florida. The boutique firm represents small, medium

and large aviation industry businesses in a wide variety of commercial transactions.

T. Hardee Bass III, J.D. ’04, became a shareholder at the firm Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley. Since 2008, Mr. Bass has worked in the firm’s Tobacco Unit handling multi-plaintiff litigation cases against the tobacco industry, medical device manufacturers, and drug companies. He achieved numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for clients in venues across Florida. He is Florida Bar Board Certified in Civil Trial Law. Prior to joining Searcy Denney, Mr. Bass served as a felony prosecutor in the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office. Eric Page, J.D. ’04, a partner in Shutts & Bowen LLP’s Tampa office and a Stetson Law alumnus, was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, one of the country’s most prestigious fine arts and fine crafts shows. Eric, who is active in the Hillsborough County Bar Association and in the community at large, will join the completely volunteer-run board of directors and festival committee to organize the annual event. As part of his three-year term, he will work year-round with his fellow board members to support the organization, attend monthly meetings and participate in a board-level committee.

Erin Malone, J.D. ’06, of the law firm Phelps, made The Best Lawyers in America list for the first time in the publication’s 2022 edition. She was recognized for her work in managementrelated employment law. The Hon. Noelle Sharp, J.D. ’06, was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge and began supervisory immigration court duties and hearing cases in October 2021.

The Hon. Michael C. Baggé-

Hernández, J.D. ’07, was recognized as being an outstanding jurist by 12 voluntary bar associations at The Florida Jurist: Recognizing Hispanic Excellence event in September 2021. Phillip J. Harris, J.D. ’07, has joined national employment law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. as a principal in its Tampa office. Phillip focuses his practice on a wide variety of labor and employment matters. He has first-chair trial experience and has appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court. Ashley S. Hodson, J.D. ’07, a partner in Shutts & Bowen LLP’s Sarasota office, was appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to Florida’s 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), covering DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties. JNC members are responsible for evaluating candidates and drafting a list of nominees when vacancies open on the benches of Florida’s judicial system. Melody Lynch, J.D./M.B.A. ’07, commenced a two-year term as President of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Board of Directors.

Traci McKee, J.D. ’07, was promoted to partner at Faegre Drinker, effective Jan 1., 2022. Sandra Urban, J.D. ’08, is currently an Assistant U.S. Attorney serving the Northern District of Oklahoma assigned to violent crime in Indian Country in response to the Supreme Court decision announced in McGirt v. Oklahoma.

Anthony A. Velardi, J.D. ’09, established AV Law PLLC serving clients in real estate, business, estate planning, probate, and trust matters in Key Largo and Islamorada. Tyler J. Derr, J.D. ’10, has joined the firm Carlton Fields as senior counsel in Tampa, where he represents construction companies in complex commercial litigation. He counsels builders and developers in matters involving construction defect claims, liens, and contract disputes in residential and commercial properties, including single-family homes, condominiums and hotels.

Kennedy Legler, B.A. ’08, J.D. ’11, was promoted to Felony Division Chief of the Office of State Attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit. Marjorie E. Jaski, J.D. ’12, has been included in Marquis Who’s Who for her tireless work in public health advocacy, including developing funding and programs to improve the quality of pharmaceutical care for older adults and raising awareness of medication errors and their costs to life.

Margaret R. Knaust, J.D./M.B.A.

’12, joined Trenam Law as Senior Counsel in May of 2021. She is resident in the firm’s St. Petersburg office and is a member of the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business Transactions Groups. Knaust assists her clients in a wide variety of business, real estate, and health care disputes. Many of her clients are business owners, commercial landlords, and business shareholders.

Jessica A. Wilson, B.A. ’09, J.D.

’12, joined the firm Capehart Scatchard as an associate in its Mount Laurel, NJ office. She has also begun her second three-year term as a Trustee of the Mercer County Bar Association. Upon law school graduation, she worked as a law clerk to the Honorable Peter E. Warshaw, J.S.C., Superior Court of New Jersey, Mercer County. Kimberly A. Hamil, J.D./M.B.A. ’13, became board certified in Marital & Family Law. Erik Johanson, J.D. ’13, formed Erik Johanson PLLC in Tampa. Erik Johanson PLLC is dedicated to providing exceptional client service and high-quality legal representation in the areas of insolvency, restructuring, and litigation. Prior to opening his own practice, Erik served as a Judicial Law Clerk to United States District Judge and Stetson alumna Hon. Elizabeth Kovachevich. Erik serves on the Board of Directors of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, and is Vice Chair of the Florida Bar Federal Court Practice Committee.

Kayla Richmond, J.D. /M.B.A. ’13, who practices family law at Fort Myers firm Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., was recognized as a “Top Lawyer” in the September 2021 issue of Naples Illustrated. Erin Tilton, J.D. ’13, joined Stearns Weaver Miller’s Tallahassee office as an associate part of the firm’s statewide expansion of its land development, zoning & environmental practice. Anisha Patel, J.D. ’14, was elected to lead the Florida Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division. Tyler G. Puttick, J.D. ’14, joined Dean Mead in the firm’s Vero Beach office, where he handles multiple aspects of estate planning, from preparing revocable and irrevocable trusts and wills to advising and implementing wealth preservation tactics that minimize wealth transfer taxes for high-net-worth families. Eric M. Schorr, LL.M. ’14, was named as the Managing Partner of Sessions, Fishman & Nathan, LLC. Based in New Orleans,

Louisiana, the firm represents clients statewide with regard to trusts, estate planning, special needs planning, probate, and incapacity, and provides services throughout the Southeast U.S. in the areas of bankruptcy, real estate, and commercial litigation. Jeremy C. Smith, J.D. ’14, joined the Tampa office of Carlton Fields as an associate attorney in the firm’s substantial Health Care Practice, whose scope of services includes compliance, administrative, regulatory, transactions, and litigation. The firm recently earned a national ranking for health care law in U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” 2021.

Stanton A. Fears, J.D. ’15, joined law firm Freeborn & Peters as an associate in the firm’s Tampa office. Fears is a member of the firm’s litigation practice group, insurance/ reinsurance industry team, and emergency industries team. J. Tyler Payne, J.D./M.B.A. ’15, was elected Mayor of the City of Treasure Island in March 2021 and will serve a three-year term.

William “Bill” Mitchell, Sr., J.D.

’16, was named partner at the firm Conroy Simberg in October 2021. He leads the first party property division in Tampa and practices statewide. Julie Redcay, J.D. ’15/LL.M. ’16, joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of America as the Director of Federal Grants. In this role, Julie works with more than 100 BBBS agencies and oversees all federal audit, grant and compliance activities, including grant administration, budgeting, program management, reporting, and submission processes for the national nonprofit organization. Prior to joining Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, she led the Grants Department at Hillsborough Community College (HCC). While at HCC, she directed several successful federal agency audits, and was responsible for the oversight and management of a more than $20 million federal, state, and private grants portfolio. Greg DeMeuse, J.D. ’17, has joined Jones Foster’s Real Estate practice group. The firm is headquartered in West Palm Beach, and Greg will be based in its nearby Palm Beach office. Greg focuses his real estate practice on commercial and residential transactions, including purchase/ sale transactions, refinances, and construction loans, as well as commercial leasing. Felicia Kitzmiller, J.D. ’18, joined Stearns Weaver Miller’s Tallahassee office as an associate part of the firm’s statewide expansion of its land development, zoning, and environmental practice. Zoila Lahera, J.D. ’18, was featured on various local news networks for her advocacy on behalf of Cuban people related to the protests that were occurring in mid-2021. She recently sat down with U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) on behalf of a local advocacy group. She was also interviewed by Bay News 9. Ryan J. Loker, J.D. ’18, was recently appointed to serve on both the South Dakota Bar Association Administrative Law Committee, as well as the South Dakota Bar Association In-House Counsel Committee.

Alexis B. Campisi, J.D. ’19, joined Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP’s insurance litigation practice group in June 2021. Kai Su, J.D. ’19, has joined Carlton Fields as an associate in Tampa. She is a member of the firm’s Business Litigation Practice. Judith B. Thomas, J.D. ’19, joined The Law Office of Paulette Hamilton, in Orlando. Jade L. Turner, J.D. ’19, has joined the Tampa office of Freeborn & Peters as an associate in the Litigation Practice Group and the Insurance/Reinsurance Industry Team. Aizaz Chaudhary, J.D. ’20, joined Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman, P.A.’s litigation department. Jeff Klein, J.D. ’20, joined the Pinellas County Attorney’s Office as a litigation Assistant County Attorney. Colton McCorkle, J.D. ’20, has joined the Ragsdale Liggett litigation team as an associate in the firm’s Jacksonville office. He brings capabilities in the areas of trucking and transportation, construction, insurance defense, premises, and product liability. Jeremy Ong, J.D. ’20, joined Marcadis Singer’s creditor’ s rights practice group. Max Potter, J.D. ’20, joined Jacksonville’s Smith Hulsey & Busey as the firm’ s newest associate attorney. He will practice in the firm’s tax and trust & estates departments. James L. Doyle, J.D. ’21, joined the firm Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman as an associate in the real estate section.

Alina Evans, J.D. ’21, joined the firm Banker Lopez Gassler, where she will focus on first party property, PIP, insurance fraud, and personal injury cases. Steven Gendreau, J.D. ’21, has joined the firm Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., as an associate in the Tort & Insurance Litigation Department. He will handle insurance defense claims involving premises liability, automobile, and personal injury matters. He was a member of Henderson Franklin’s 2020 Summer Associate Program. He received his B.A. from the University of South Florida and his J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. While in law school, Gendreau served as class representative for the Student Bar Association.

WEDDINGS

In September 2021, Stetson University College of Law alumni finally were able to come together to celebrate the marriage of Nicole Sherwood and John Striano at Willow Creek Country Club in Sandy, Utah. Nicole and John met during law school and currently live in the Cayman Islands. Currently, Nicole is an attorney focusing on international trade and John is a tax attorney specializing in asset management.

Left to Right: Megan Jarrett - J.D. ’16, Nicole Striano (Sherwood) - J.D. ’16, John Striano - J.D. ’16, Kaitlyn Macomber - J.D. ’16, Tom Stanton - J.D. ’16

BIRTHS

Mitchell Schermer, J.D. ’15, and Mary Schermer, J.D. ’16, welcomed their first child, Madeline Anne “Maddie” Schermer, into the world.

IN MEMORIAM

Idmon Anderson, Jr., J.D. ’46, passed away April 19, 2021. Daniel J. J. LeFevre, J.D. ’53, passed away July 9, 2021. Oliver L. Green, J.D. ’58, passed away August 25, 2021. Mallory L. Johnson, J.D. ’60, passed away April 5, 2021. S. Strome Maxwell, J.D. ’60, passed away July 16, 2021. Robert Holman, J.D. ’61, passed away November 13, 2021. Michael B. Piper, J.D. ’61, passed away January 3, 2022. William R. Korp, J.D. ’62, passed away June 25, 2021. Marvin S. Littky ’63 passed away March 17, 2022. Jay M. Thorpe, J.D. ’64, passed away January 21, 2022. Frank Aloia, J.D. ’66, passed away August 10, 2021. Corrine A. McClure, J.D. ’66, passed away June 26, 2021. Christopher F. Sapp, J.D. ’66, passed away January 23, 2022.

James B. Chaplin, B.A. ’65,

J.D. ’68, passed away May 27, 2021.

R. Clark Robinson, J.D. ’68, passed away July 27, 2021.

Michael E. Watkins, B.A. ’65,

J.D. ’68, passed away October 26, 2021. Henry A. Davis, J.D. ’69, passed away September 15, 2021. Kenneth H. Vail, J.D. ’69, passed away June 9, 2021. Berrien H. Becks, Jr., J.D. ’70, passed away June 3, 2021. Wendell R. Tucker, J.D. ’70, passed away January 6, 2022.

The Honorable Theodore H. Brousseau, Jr., B.A. ’68, J.D.

’71, passed away July 16, 2021. Lee Muschott, J.D. ’74, passed away September 20, 2021. Nestor Castillo, Jr., J.D. ’75, passed away June 13, 2021. Wesley R. Harvin, J.D. ’76, passed away January 24, 2022. Peter R. Mayer, J.D. ’79, passed away November 16, 2021. Alice K. Nelson, J.D. ’76, passed away May 16, 2021.

Gerald S.”Scott” Anderson,

J.D. ’83, passed away January 6, 2022.

James M. Hussey, J.D. ’80, passed away August 23, 2021. Karen J. Mawhinney, J.D. ’82, passed away August 1, 2021.

Susan P. Filson, B.A. ’81, J.D.

’84, passed away September 12, 2021.

Pam C. Roberts, J.D. ’85, passed away March 19, 2022. Donald R. Jarrell, J.D. ’86, passed away February 16, 2022. Cimos A. Angelis, J.D. ’87, passed away October 16, 2021. Alonzo V. Smith, J.D. ’87, passed away September 20, 2021. Pamela A. Brodsky, J.D. ’88, passed away August 13, 2021. Eugene Waldron, J.D. ’88, passed away November 25, 2021. David F. Cannon, J.D. ’91, passed away September 25, 2021.

James R. Evans, B.A. ’91, J.D.

’94, passed away September 3, 2021.

Bonnie J. Glover, J.D. ’94, passed away September 11, 2021. Andrenee Anderson, J.D. ’96, passed away August 11, 2021. David Thorpe, J.D. ’96, passed away February 7, 2022. Angela Stathopoulos, J.D. ’97, passed away June 7, 2021. Neil D. Overholtz, J.D. ’99, passed away February 9, 2022. Susan H. Sharp, J.D. ’03, passed away July 4, 2021.

Theresa Jean-Pierre Coy, J.D.

’04, passed away April 11, 2022.

Satyen Dinesh Gandhi, J.D.

’05, passed away November 11, 2021.

Leigh M. Lambert, J.D. ’07, passed away April 17, 2021. Michael O. Robertson, J.D. ’14, passed away February 2, 2022.

Dr. Kevin E. Hansen, LL.M.,

’15, passed away March 6, 2022. Lindsey Johnson, J.D. ’19, (maiden name Askew) passed away December 14, 2021.

LET US KNOW WHAT’S NEW IN YOUR LIFE.

Email us at alumni@law.stetson.edu