The Florida Moot Court Team, governed by the Justice Campbell Thornal Executive Board
- Leigh Anne Siddle
- President
Leigh Anne Siddle, a native Floridian, graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Special Education. Following graduation, Siddle taught high school for several years prior to enrolling in law school. This past summer, Siddle worked as a summer associate for GrayRobinson in Lakeland, Florida. Prior to that, Siddle interned for the Honorable Edward C. LaRose at the Second District Court of Appeal. After receiving her law degree, Siddle hopes to pursue either litigation or appellate work and conduct pro bono work in Elder Law.
- Ryan Gilbert
- Executive Vice President
Ryan Gilbert graduated in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Florida. He stayed at UF to pursue a master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning before entering law school in 2010. While in graduate school, Ryan ran for State House of Representatives in District 1, where he grew up. As a member of the Board of Governors for the Florida Bar Law Student Division, Ryan is active in Florida Bar activities. Following his first year of law school, Ryan worked in the general counsel's office of a private equity firm. It was through that experience that Ryan discovered a passion for commercial and securities litigation. Following law school Ryan plans to practice in both Florida and Texas. When not studying, Ryan likes to spend time outdoors with his wife, Jhanna, playing sports, cycling, and shark fishing.
- Dylan Shea
- Internal Vice President
Dylan Shea attended Augusta State University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. After beginning his career at Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, he left the sciences to pursue a career in construction management. While working for Lennar Homes in Loveland, Colo., he won several production awards including third-place "Builder of the Year" for the Northern Colorado Division. Shea is president of the 8th Judicial Circuit Bar Student Association
- Robert O'Linn
Robert O'Linn was born in Jacksonville, Florida and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Florida with B.A. in Economics. He was awarded departmental honors for his international development thesis and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. During his 1L summer he clerked for Harrell and Harrell, P.A. In his leisure time, Robert enjoys running road races, visiting his younger siblings and keeping abreast of current events.
- Monica Haddad
- Intermural Chair
Monica Haddad is a third year law student at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Monica graduated from the University of Florida in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in political science. In 2007, she earned her master's degree in information studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Before attending law school, she worked as a reference librarian and project archivist. Monica won Best Oralist at the 25th Annual Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe Moot Court Final Four Competition in Fall 2010. In Spring 2011, she competed in the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition, where her team won a "Best Brief" award and placed number one at the Boston regional before advancing to the national championship round. In addition to serving in executive positions on the Justice Campbell Thornal Executive Board, Monica is also Senior Research Editor for the Journal of Technology Law & Policy.
- Amy Podolsky
- Intramural Vice Chair
Amy Podolsky is a second-year law student from Boca Raton. She graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in English. Following graduation, she spent two years teaching seventh- and eighth-grade language arts in Washington, D.C., through the Teach for America program. Also during this time, she earned a master's degree in teaching from American University. This past summer, she interned in West Palm Beach for the Honorable James M. Hopkins of the Southern District of Florida. In addition to being a 26th Annual Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe Moot Court Final Four Competition competitor, Podolsky is also a member of the Journal of Technology Law and Policy and a teaching assistant for the first-year Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy courses. After law school, she hopes to pursue a career in litigation.
- Danielle Grundt
- Special Events Chair
Danielle Grundt is a second year law student from Boca Raton, Florida. She graduated with honors from the University of Florida in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and minors in Business Administration and History. In the spring of 2010, Danielle received the Alexander Grass Essay Award from the University of Florida Center for Jewish Studies. During the summer of 2011, she had the privilege of interning with the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in West Palm Beach, Florida. Upon graduation, Danielle plans to pursue a career in litigation.
- Amy Limontes
- Special Events Vice Chair
Amy Limontes graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2007 with a B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing. After graduation, she worked as a marketing coordinator for the online division of an Orlando publishing company. In 2010, Amy began law school at Barry University School of Law in Orlando. While at Barry, Amy competed in the Final Two of the 1L Moot Court competition and was invited to join law review. Before transferring to the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Amy was a research assistant for a Legal Research and Writing professor and worked as a law clerk at a small law firm in Orlando. After graduation, Amy plans to focus on business and corporate law.
- Joseph Somake
- Intramural Co-Chair
Joseph Somake is a second year law student at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. In 2010 he graduated with Distinction and Honors in the Liberal Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Hebrew. After his first year of law school, Joseph interned for Circuit Court Judge Michele Towbin Singer of the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida. In addition to Moot Court, Joseph also serves as a teaching assistant for Professor Wihnyk's Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy courses. Upon graduation, Joseph intends to pursue a career in litigation and appellate work.
- Kelsey Veitengruber
- Intramural Co-Chair
Kelsey Veitengruber, a second-year law student, was raised in Port Charlotte, Florida. Kelsey attended the University of South Florida and graduated magna cum laude in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, Kelsey served as Office Manager for a commercial construction subcontractor for three years prior to enrolling in law school. During this past summer, Kelsey interned at the City Attorney's Office in Gainesville and worked as a research assistant for Professor Robert Emerson. Kelsey is also a member of the Journal of Law and Public Policy and serves as a teaching assistant for Legal Research & Writing and Appellate Advocacy. She is currently Vice President of Gators for Alternative Dispute Resolution and a member of the Student Recruitment Team and Student Ambassador Team.
- Ryan Hopper
- Education Chair
Ryan Hopper is a second-year law student from Jacksonville, Florida. In 2009, he graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in English. In 2010, Ryan entered into the Levin College of Law. In addition to Moot Court, he is a member of the Journal of Law and Public Policy and will serve as a Teaching Assistant for Professor Jackson's Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy classes. During the summer of 2011, Ryan had the honor of serving as an intern to the Honorable Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He intends to pursue a career in litigation and appellate advocacy.
- Alex Landback
- Public Relations Chair
Alex Landback is a third-year law student from Tampa, Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a minor in Arabic Language and Literature. Prior to law school, Alex taught at an elementary school in Egypt, then later worked as an advisor at UF's Career Resource Center. In the summer of 2010, he served as a law clerk with the US Attorney's Office in the Middle District of Florida. After his second year of law school, he had the privilege of interning for the State Attorney's Office for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. Alex was named Best Oral Advocate for the Preliminary Rounds of the 2011 Robert Orseck Memorial Moot Court Competition during the annual Florida Bar Convention. Upon graduation, he is interested in pursuing a career in criminal law.
- Kimberly Tolland
- Historical Committee Chair
Kimberly Tolland was raised in Ormond Beach, Florida. She graduated with honors from the University of Florida in 2008, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science and a minor in Spanish. Prior to starting law school, she was a research analyst in the UF Economics Department and at the Institution for Social and Policy Studies at Yale University. During the summer of 2010, Kimberly completed an externship at the State Attorney's Office for the 7th Judicial Circuit in Daytona Beach, assisting in the felony department. During the summer of 2011, she was a summer associate at Bedell, Dittmar, DeVault, Pillans & Coxe, a litigation firm in Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to Moot Court, she is also the Student Works Editor of the Journal of Law & Public Policy and a tax preparer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
- Amanda Brooks
- Historical Committee Vice Chair
Amanda Brooks graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Florida in 2009 with a B.B.A. in Finance. While at the University of North Florida, she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi. Amanda began law school at Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville. While at Coastal, she was a member of the moot court team and was invited to join law review prior to her transferring to the University of Florida. Following her 2L year, Amanda clerked at the law firm of Jimerson & Wilson, P.A., in Jacksonville, Florida. This fall, she is externing at Fidelity National Financial corporate headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida, with the claims and litigation departments. Upon graduation, Amanda would like to pursue a career in litigation.
