Ian (JD 07) and Lauren Alperstein (JD 08) are full-time attorneys with Laufer & Laufer, PA and Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, respectively. Ian represents insurance carriers, while Lauren works in family and matrimonial law.

They have also picked up another job as parents to a son born in January.

Lauren is currently on maternity leave, but will return to work this month. Her work includes counseling and defending clients, as well as volunteering with the family law section of The Florida Bar and the Broward County Bar Association, and the young lawyers section of the Broward County Bar Association.

While balancing her busy schedule and family life has not been easy, Lauren said the balance is made possible with the support of her firm.

“I love the people I work with. I am really fortunate to be part of a great firm and a great office. We are one big family working to better our clients’ lives,” she said.

Ian is busy as a litigator for insurance carriers in first-party insurance disputes. His daily practice involves representing clients through the court process — work that continually keeps him interested in the nuances of insurance law.

“Each day presents a new opportunity and new tasks that challenge me and broaden my area of expertise in my area of practice,” said Ian.

But prior to law school, neither Ian nor Lauren expected to be working in their present fields.

Lauren earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and international affairs from George Washington University in 2005. But at UF Law, she was drawn to family law.

“Given my personal background — my parents got divorced when I was in elementary school — I always was interested in family law. In law school, however, I was torn between international business law and family law,” she said. She credits Professor Nancy Dowd’s family law class, her externship with the family law judges at the Alachua County courthouse, and her involvement with Gator TeamChild for solidifying her decision to pursue a professional career in family law.

Meanwhile, Ian received his bachelor’s in economics from UF in 2000. And when he came to UF to study law, he did not plan to become a litigator.

“I went to law school thinking I would become a transactional attorney. However, the classes I enjoyed the most in law school involved litigation,” he said.  Ian listed trial practice, evidence, civil procedure, and insurance law class as the inspirations for his current career path.

Despite their differing career interests, Ian and Lauren met at UF Law through their involvement with the Jewish Law Students Association.

“We both attended a Jewish Law Students Association function and then kept on bumping into each other in the reading room of the library,” said Ian. “One thing led to another, and we started dating.”

After dating throughout law school and into their first few years as new attorneys, the couple married in 2010. Since then, the Alpersteins have balanced their busy schedules with their expanding family.

“Given the demands and stressors of our jobs, it can be hard and challenging at times,” she said. “However, we both understand the demands expected of us and really value the time we have together at home. We make it a point to try our best not to talk about work when we come home, but understand when we each have to work late at night or on the weekends to complete our tasks.”

While both admit that finding time to work as an attorney and have a family is a challenge, Lauren maintains that a balance can be struck with a goal in mind.

“Take it one step at a time,” said Lauren. “Do not worry about what everyone else is doing.”

Larry Singleton (JD 12), left, and Daniel Weiss (JD 12) formed Singleton Weiss Financial Services, Inc., in October 2012.

By Felicia Holloman (3L)

Ask Larry Singleton (JD 12) and Daniel Weiss (JD 12) what they have in common, and they will list their accounting degrees from Florida State University, interest in all things business-law related and love of racquetball.

Perhaps the last thing anyone would guess is their 36-year age difference.

They met during first year orientation at UF Law, when Singleton was 59 years old and Weiss was 23. They quickly realized their commonalities, leading to a friendship that saw them to the end of law school, through numerous games of racquetball and to the beginnings of a company.

In October they formed Singleton Weiss Financial Services, Inc., a company offering corporate restructuring and financial advisory services nationwide. Although their company does not offer legal services, Singleton and Weiss expect their legal knowledge will be useful in their pursuit of customers and ultimately providing invaluable financial services.

“Our law degrees have already provided us with valuable credibility in marketing ourselves to attorneys and other business people in the restructuring industry. Attorneys especially realize the benefit of working with financial specialists who also have an understanding of bankruptcy law,” said Singleton.

Singleton’s years of experience as a financial restructuring adviser give leverage to this statement. Singleton began his career as a Certified Public Accountant for KPMG in 1972. In 1979, he was recruited to serve as tax planning director for The Charter Company, a $3 billion diversified holding company.

While working at Charter, Singleton applied in 1983 and was accepted to UF Law. However, Charter was experiencing financial stress, and Singleton was asked to delay law school to help restructure the company. This undertaking landed him as Charter’s CFO in an especially complex and successful Chapter 11 reorganization.

The Charter experience launched Singleton into a successful career as a corporate restructuring and turnaround specialist to over 18 different businesses. In the past 25 years, Singleton worked as CEO for Raytech, a $225 million manufacturer of specially engineered transmission components; CFO for Safety-Kleen, a $1.6 billion hazardous waste disposal company; and an adviser to the Central Bank of the Czech Republic, to assist the government in restructuring industrial companies in anticipation of entering the European Union.

But Singleton never lost the desire to attend law school. In 2009, Singleton enrolled in UF Law, which he believed to be “the best law school in Florida.”

While enrolled full-time at UF Law, Singleton maintained his position as CEO for Raytech. Despite the challenge, Singleton found coming back to school rewarding.

“In most classes, I was able to draw on my prior work experiences to better understand the objectives of the law course and to appreciate what the law was really trying to accomplish,” Singleton said.

After graduating from FSU, Weiss spent a year working for an accounting firm.

“My experience made me realize that I wanted to pursue something entrepreneurial and pave my own way, rather than follow a traditional path,” said Weiss.

It was clear to both Singleton and Weiss that they had a shared “entrepreneurial spirit.” After discussing their aspirations, they began to focus on business law-related classes in anticipation of starting their own company. Both men discussed their career goals with faculty members.

“I was influenced by Professor Jeff Davis from whom I took five classes. I met with Professor Davis often and discussed past restructuring experiences and new avenues of pursuit,” said Singleton. Singleton also noted that Professor Robin Davis taught him the importance of mediation in business matters.

Weiss was influenced by Professor Leslie Knight, whom he turned to for advice about his career path. “Professor Knight encouraged me to go after what made me happy, and if that meant pursuing a non-legal career, I should go for it,” said Weiss.

With the future now in sight, the two seek to expand Singleton Weiss Financial Services, Inc. both in scope and employees.

“We hope to grow Singleton Weiss into a boutique restructuring firm of approximately six to eight professionals who service multiple clients throughout the country, employing individuals with both a legal and financial background,” said Singleton.

In advising law students looking to branch away from the norm and become an entrepreneur, Weiss spoke from his own experience.

“Take the time to connect with as many people as possible and fully pursue any opportunity, no matter how small. Identify someone who has experience in the field you are interested in and don’t be afraid to target them as a partner or mentor,” said Weiss.

You may also find a life-long friend and racquetball partner.

Eugene Pettis (JD 85), the president-elect who will become the first African-American to lead The Florida Bar, speaks to area youth at the second annual Youth Law and Justice Conference on Feb. 26. (Photo by Maggie Powers)

By Felicia Holloman (3L)

UF Law hosted the second annual Youth Law and Justice Conference on Feb. 26. The daylong event brought more than 70 local middle and high school students to campus for discussions raising awareness of legal issues affecting today’s youth.

Students, legal practitioners, and faculty filled the Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom for a welcome by Eugene Pettis (JD 85), the president-elect who will become the first African-American to lead The Florida Bar.

Pettis encouraged students to seek success, whatever their circumstances and hurdles.

“You cannot be afraid to succeed,” Pettis said. “Even if your family is not there to bridge your success, you must not let that define you.”

Pettis also offered a few of his early life experiences as proof, such as overcoming a speech impediment to become a successful trial attorney.

“I was able to reach deep within and grab something that is within each of us. I believed in myself,” Pettis said.

After a motivational opening, students were split into groups and dispersed to classroom workshops. In one workshop, students re-enacted a criminal proceeding. Three students played attorneys defending a student who was arrested for gang activities in a park. Three other students played prosecutors, while the rest of the class was split into witnesses and jury members.

Canaan Goldman, an assistant public defender, presided as judge over the mock trial and offered guidance to the groups.

“You are going to have to figure out what is a ‘gang’ and what is an ‘activity,’” Goldman said.

The proceeding sparked lively debate among the groups and ended with the acquittal of the defendant.

The students also attended a workshop focusing on handgun laws and provided students a chance to discuss their views on how to limit gun violence.

Kristofer Eisenmenger (JD 09), an assistant public defender, reviewed gun laws, particularly weapons that may be frequently used by teenagers. The topic triggered a flurry of questions about potato guns, air soft guns, and even slingshots.

Meanwhile, Caroline Zapiec (2L) educated students with facts about handguns, including that the U.S. has the highest rate of gun ownership in the world.

“Every day, about 32 people die due to a gun-related act,” said Zapiec.

Dane Ullian (2L) then presented the students with a hypothetical situation to change the gun laws in a fictional town. Student opinions ranged from allowing open carry of weapons to installing strict gun licensing laws.

The conference was presented by the Josiah T. Walls Foundation, in partnership with UF Law’s Black Law Student Association, Caribbean Law Student Association, Criminal Law Association, Association of Public Interest Law, and The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Law Student Division.

UF Law Black Law Students Association (BLSA) has been declared the chapter of the year for medium-sized chapters in the southern region of the National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA). (Photo by Haley Stracher)

By Felicia Holloman
Law student writer

The UF Law Black Law Students Association (BLSA) has been declared the chapter of the year for medium-sized chapters in the southern region of the National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA).

Chapter of the year is the NBLSA’s highest recognition. The distinction is given to the most outstanding chapter in terms of programming, community service, and leadership within the community.

“It really is the biggest honor and award,” said Laselve Harrison (2L), director of communications for BLSA.

The group, led by president Brandon Campbell (2L) and vice president Tabitha Taylor (2L), earned the honor through their tireless activities throughout the year, including canvassing about Florida amendments during election season, restoring civil rights of felons, and mentoring undergraduates.

“During the semester, you are doing these programs and activities, but you are not getting any credit. When it is all put down on paper though, it is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Harrison.

UF Law BLSA competed against 44 other chapters in the southern region of NBLSA. All regional chapters who receive the award go on to compete for the national chapter of the year title at the national convention in March. During the past three years, the national chapter of the year recipient has come from the southern region.

The regional award follows on the heels of BLSA’s participation in the trial advocacy and moot court competitions. The BLSA trial team advanced to the quarterfinals of the regional trial competition. Melanie Rolle (2L) was awarded Best Oral Advocate and received a perfect score during all three rounds of the competition.

For the rest of the semester, BLSA will work to uphold its regional chapter of the year title by competing in negotiations at the national convention, tabling during admitted students day, and hosting a panel on a recent U.S. Supreme Court case involving affirmative action.