Mary Jane Angelo

• Published “Stumbling Toward Success: A Story of Adaptive Law and Ecological Resilience” in the Nebraska Law Review

George “Bob” Dekle
Legal Skills Professor

• August 23, 2009, Ft. Myers News Press
  Dekle provides insight into how some cases are perused and others are not in the case of child negligence. “Ft Myers parents’ substance abuse can be deadly to infants; Simple negligence is not enough to support a criminal charge,” said Bob Dekle, a University of Florida legal skills professor who worked as an assistant state attorney for three decades.
• August 22, 2009, Daytona News Journal
  Dekle provided insight into prosecuting an officer for any crime. “Prosecuting police officers is not an activity which tends to endear you to other police officers,” Dekle wrote. “You have to be very diplomatic so as not to erode the good will of uncharged officers.”
• August 18, 2009, Daily Business Review
  Dekle shed light on a judge’s decision to keep illegally recorded tapes sealed. “The public good has very little to do with the exclusionary rules,” said Bob Dekle. “Everybody in the entire country could know the circumstance of the conversation, and it still isn’t admissible in court against the aggrieved party.”

Mark Fenster
Associate Dean for Faculty Development

• July 14, 2009,New York Times
  Fenster commented on conspiracy theories, the people that believe those in power can’t be trusted and how internet communications has enable those who think alike to come together.
• July 29, 2009,WBUR Boston
  Fenster was interviewed as an expert in conspiracy theories. “The story that these folks tell is based on the idea that Obama is an illegitimate president,” says Mark Fenster, author of Conspiracy Theories: Secrecy and Power in the American Culture. “Any evidence of legitimacy would spoil the narrative, and that would end the pleasure of spinning out the narrative,” says Fenster, an associate dean at the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law.

Alyson Flournoy
Professor; Director of Environmental and Land Use Law Program; UF Research Foundation Professor

• Published “Protecting a Natural Resource Legacy While Promoting Resilience: Can It Be Done?” in the Nebraska Law Review.

Diane Mazur
Professor

• July 6, 2009, 40 Business Journals, Forbes, Sun Herald, Examiner, and Breitbart News etc.
  The Palm Center released a memo in response to an announcement by Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, last week saying he had directed his general cousel to study the flexibility contained in the law and to find “a more humane way to apply the law” while awaiting legislative appeal. The legal memo also makes clear that any steps which “fall short of ceasing all discharges under ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ will have a negligible operational effect on gay and lesbian troops, and therefore on our national security.”

Jon Mills
Director of Center for Governmental Responsibility; Dean Emeritus; Professor

• August 11, 2009,Sun Sentinel
  Mills weighed in on the appropriateness of Brogan’s pitch for a private development. Jon Mills said he sees no problem if Brogan is not being paid, and if there’s a public interest aspect to the project, such as environmentally friendly development. “Presidents don’t lose their free speech rights,” he said.
• Delivered the paper “The New Global Press and Privacy Intrusions: The Two Edged Sword” at the Privacy Law Scholars Conference, hosted by the Berkeley Law School.

Katheryn Russell-Brown
Chesterfield Smith Professor; Director of Center for Study of Race and Race Relations

• July 24, 2009, USA Today and Miami Herald
  The Gates story has captured the nation because it has a “perfect storm” of ingredients, said Katheryn Russell-Brown. The ongoing question of whether the U.S. has moved past racism combined with the fact that Gates actually studies African-American issues — all taking place on the hallowed confines of Harvard — provided for this explosion of interest, Russell-Brown said. “Many people want to believe that now that we have an African American in the White House, that now we can get past all this race stuff,” said Russell-Brown, who wrote The Color of Crime, a book about race, crime and justice.

Michael Siebecker
Associate Professor

• Recently completed his Ph.D in Political Science at Columbia University. His article “Building a ‘New Institutional’ Approach to Corporate Speech,” which was published last year in the Alabama Law Review, was reprinted in the 2009 edition of the First Amendment Handbook, which Dean Rodney Smolla edited.

Barbara Bennett Woodhouse
David H. Levin Chair in Family Law; Professor; Director, Center on Children and Families and Family Law Certificate Program;

• “Hidden in Plain Sight: the Tragedy of Children’s Rights from Ben Franklin to Lionel Tate” was selected for the annual prize of the Human Rights section of the American Political Science Association.

Danaya Wright
UF Research Foundation and Clarence J. TeSelle Professor

• July 8, 2009, Wright gave testimony regarding the railbanking statute before the Surface Transportation Board (the successor to the Interstate Commerce Commission) in Washington, D.C.

Sponsored by the UF Law Center on Children and Families and Institute for Dispute Resolution, this intensive two-day training provided interdisciplinary professionals with cooperative methods of practice and skills to assist their clients in resolving conflict and reaching a fair and equitable settlement.

“Collaborative law is an entirely different way of thinking, acting and talking as compared to the traditional litigation model,” said Robert J. Merlin, a workshop participant and a Coral Gables attorney experienced in collaborative law. “This training benefited those who are new to collaborative law litigation as well those of us who are experienced collaborative professionals.”

Breakout sessions provided participants the opportunity to focus on skills unique to their specialty as well as joint sessions where trainees learned how the interdisciplinary, collaborative team-model works. The curriculum covered each stage of the collaborative process and offered an interactive experience using real life case examples, demonstrations, role plays and team exercises. These interactive sessions provided non-adversarial strategies and techniques to help clients achieve agreement in a dignified and respectful manner.

“Participants learned how to handle collaborative matters from various stages of the case,” said Robin Davis, UF legal skills professor and director of the Institute for Dispute Resolution. “While this training focused on family law problems and practice, collaborative law may be applied to any area of the law.”

“I expect all of the participants left the training with a better knowledge of the collaborative process,” said Davis. “This training provided attendees with a better understanding of why handling divorces through the collaborative process is not only better for the clients and their children, but why it is better for all of the professionals involved in the process. While this training focused on family law problems and practice, collaborative law may be applied to any area of the law.”

The UF College of Law Center on Children and Families and Institute for Dispute Resolution are committed to educating and training a new generation of practitioners across disciplines in methods of innovative and collaborative conflict resolution in furtherance of advocating for children and families, and for a more peaceable society. For more information on the CCF, visit http://www.law.ufl.edu/centers/childlaw/ to learn more about IDR, visit http://www.law.ufl.edu/idr/.

Ashley K. Feasley (JD 07) had been interested in international issues since undergrad, where she earned a degree from the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown.

After graduating from UF Law, Feasley had a couple of offers from law firms, but she was unsure if that was the right path for her.

Browsing online, Feasley found a clerkship with Judge Evan J. Wallach at the Court of International Trade in New York. The court is an Article III court that has jurisdiction over all international trade issues in the United States.

Although Feasley did not expect to even be considered for the position, she applied knowing it would be a better opportunity for her.

“I thought honestly, I’d be lucky if I got an interview,” she said.

After the interview process, Feasley learned she got the clerkship and started in March 2008.

As a clerk, Feasley works on cases given to her by Wallach from start to finish.

“You oversee that case as it comes to the court as a complaint, any orders or motions that are put in, you help work on looking at the law about how the judge should rule on a particular order or motion,” she said. “There is some trial time, but a lot of the work is dispositive briefs.”

Another area that the court has jurisdiction over is claims related to Trade Adjustment Assistance (T.A.A.), which is a U.S. Departments of Labor and Agriculture program that helps workers whose jobs have been moved overseas.

“Sometimes the government denies it and they bring their cases to the court,” Feasley said. “A lot of them are pro se litigants, so someone from the [Court of International Trade Bar Association] will normally represent them. They’re a little bit rarer but the court has jurisdiction to oversee them.”

Feasley got the idea to attend law school working as a consultant at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. focusing on international issues.

“I worked on international border agreements with Mexico and Canada, particularly related to oil resources and security,” Feasley said. “I thought it was interesting. Then I worked with a group of consultants and they seemed to really like the fact that they had gone to law school.”

So Feasley enrolled at UF Law with an interest in international issues but not sure if she ever wanted to work in a law firm. She still is not sure if she’d like to work for a firm after her clerkship.

Feasley began a one-year L.L.M. program in International Law in August at Fordham Law School. She will graduate next August at about the same time her clerkship ends.

“Law school was something that I thought would open the door to more opportunities, but not necessarily for being a lawyer in a firm,” Feasley said. “I’ve really enjoyed clerking; it’s been a great experience in terms of learning about the process and how judges come to some of the decisions they do.”

Michelle Adorno

Michelle Adorno loves a challenge. When she began working at the Office of Admissions at New York University School of Law, she was charged with overseeing the selection and recruitment for a new scholarship program designed to help economically disadvantaged students. She was handed a budget that allowed only one scholarship per year and told to grow the program. Seven years later Adorno had developed a comprehensive selection and recruitment plan that helped bring in more students resulting in an increase in funding to accommodate 10 scholarships.

“It was a pleasure to have played a role in the development and expansion of a program that gives deserving first-generation graduate students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to receive a legal education in a supportive environment,” said Adorno, UF Law’s new assistant dean of Admissions. “It was with the help of the faculty, alumni and the legal community that we were able to bring the AnBryce Scholarship Program to life.”

Adorno said she wants to use her experience as director of admissions and recruitment at NYU Law to continue UF Law’s tradition of attracting high-caliber students and hopes to gain the interest of applicants and admitted students who may not have considered UF Law as an option.

“I want to explore unconventional ways to reach these students,” Adorno said. “I believe we can accomplish this by tapping into the talent of our law school community and exploring new ways of looking at recruitment and enrollment management.”

Adorno, who earned both her B.A. in Spanish Linguistics and law degree at Cornell, said she has been impressed by the genuine feeling of community and cohesiveness at UF College of Law.

“Students, faculty and staff seem to really care about each other and are very committed to working together to contribute to a thriving and happy environment,” Adorno said. “I am excited about the future of UF Law and look forward to making my contribution toward its continued success.”

Craig Anthony “Tony” Arnold
Huber Hurst Visiting Eminent Scholar, Fall 2009

C. Anthony “Tony” Arnold has joined the UF Law faculty as the Huber Hurst Visiting Eminent Scholar. During the fall 2009 semester, Arnold will teach water law and natural resources law. Arnold comes to UF from the University of Louisville School of Law where he is a professor of law and the Boehl Chair in Property and Land Use. He is also an affiliate professor for the Children, Youth and Environments Center for Research and Design at the University of Colorado.

After graduating with the highest distinction in political science and history at the University of Kansas, Arnold went on to earn his law degree from Stanford Law School. He then clerked for the Tenth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, was an associate in private practice and has served as a an adjunct, visiting professor, teaching fellow, and professor at Trinity University, University of Puerto Rico School of Law, Stanford Law School, University of Wyoming College of Law, Chapman University School of Law and the University of Cincinnati.

Judd F. Sneirson
Visiting Professor, Fall 2009-Spring 2010

Judd F. Sneirson has joined the UF Law faculty as a visiting professor teaching corporations and business organizations during the fall 2009 semester and corporations, sustainability and corporate governance in spring 2010. Sneirson comes to UF from the University of Oregon School of Law where he is an assistant professor teaching courses on business associations, corporate governance, contracts, and employment law.

After graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, Sneirson went on to earn his Juris Doctor and graduated cum laude at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He then taught English in Japan, clerked for a U.S. District judge, was an associate in private practice, and a visiting professor at Willamette University College of Law.

Debra K. Staats
Assistant Dean for Administrative Affairs

Deb Staats, a certified public accountant, comes to UF by way of the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM) where she was vice president for administration and finance. In that position she served as chief financial officer of the institution and provided leadership and oversight for functional areas of accounting and purchasing, budget and business services, campus operations, human resources and information technology. Before her departure from NEOUCOM, Staats led a comprehensive strategic planning effort for the institution where everything from the fiscal to the physical was evaluated.

“We worked with the students, faculty and staff to develop a 10-year facilities master plan,” Staats said. “The year-long effort allowed us to look at every aspect of the institution. It was challenging, and very rewarding.”

Staats said her first priority in her new role at UF law is to get a handle on how the college does business. “It will take some time, but I want to make sure that we are making efficient decisions and are not bound to a process,” Staats said. “We have to be vigilant and ask, ‘is there a better way?’”

Staats said she is looking forward to becoming a part of the Gator Nation.

“There is so much activity on campus, you can really feel the energy,” Staats said. “It’s exciting. We don’t have tickets, yet, but I’m looking forward to my first Gator game.”

John F. Stinneford
Assistant Professor

John F. Stinneford has joined the UF Law faculty as an assistant professor of law teaching criminal procedure and federal criminal law. Prior to joining UF, he was a an associate and assistant professor at the Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Fla., a visiting professor of law at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, Minn., an assistant professor of lawyering skills at the University of Dayton School of Law, Dayton, Ohio and an assistant director of the I.J. Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School.

After graduating with highest distinction in English literature from the University of Virginia, Stinneford went on to earn a Master of Arts in English and American literature and language from Harvard University. After earning his law degree from Harvard Law School, Stinneford clerked with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois then practiced criminal law for several years, first in private practice, and then as assistant United States attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

“I am excited to join the University of Florida Levin College of Law. This is not simply an excellent law school at a world-class university; it is also a real community of scholars, where I will constantly be challenged and encouraged. I couldn’t be happier.”

While at UF, Stinneford’s scholarship will focus on the historical underpinnings of the Eighth Amendment’s Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause. He will also examine the Due Process Clause of the Fifth and Fourth Amendments.

Seth Haimovitch and Andrew Carrabis present a copy of their book, The Art of the Law School Transfer

As first-year law students at Florida A&M Law School, Seth Haimovitch and friend Andrew Carrabis were looking to transfer to a higher-ranked school. As Haimovitch did before applying to law school, he looked for a book for guidance on transferring.

“I wanted to read a book, so I typed into Yahoo ‘law school transfer books,’ and nothing came up. I said, ‘Wow.’”

So Haimovitch, now a 3L at UF Law, decided to write the first one. He teamed up with Carrabis, also a UF 3L, to write The Art of the Law School Transfer, which is set to publish Oct. 15.

Haimovitch and Carrabis found very little information anywhere about transferring law schools for many reasons.

“Schools don’t want to lose their best students so they’re not going to give advice on how you can leave their school,” Haimovitch said. “Especially if you’re transferring from a tier four school, no one is really transferring into a tier four school, so you have no one at the school to talk to about how to do this. There was no medium to act as a big brother.”

Both Haimovitch and Carrabis went to Florida A&M with the intent to graduate from another school. Carrabis had done a lot of online research about transferring and knew plenty about the process. After Haimovitch received high marks in his first semester, Carrabis started to talk to Haimovitch more about their transfer plans.

“I went into law school at Florida A&M knowing that I wanted to transfer out and I think Seth had the same idea,” Carrabis said. “The only difference between me and him was I was more into the online searches and knowing which schools did the early transfers.”

Haimovitch also planned to end up at UF Law even after being rejected twice. At UF, Haimovitch was a student senator and graduated with honors with a master’s degree. His LSAT score was the only thing holding him back, he said.

Both Haimovitch and Carrabis played NCAA sports in college. Haimovitch was a member of the UF basketball team from 2001-2004 while Carrabis played NCAA baseball.

Although Haimovitch was planning on transferring to UF Law because of his Gator background, he didn’t know much about the process.

“When I went to FAMU, trying to get back to UF was the plan. I didn’t know how competitive everything was, though,” Haimovitch said.

For the book, Haimovitch and Carrabis spoke to admissions deans of many law schools and got transfer statistics for many schools. The book also contains advice about writing a transfer statement and the overall process of transferring.

“It’s answering a lot of those questions, plus our own experiences,” Haimovitch said. “We didn’t want to make something philosophical and act like we’re academics writing a text book. We kind of just wanted to guide people through the process.”