Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court General Member Bios
George Eppsteiner
George Eppsteiner grew up outside of Boston, MA and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he double-majored in Sport Management and Spanish. At his undergraduate institution, he was able to participate in many abroad opportunities where he traveled to Ghana to teach public business seminars to local entrepreneurs. He also traveled to China and Spain for additional study opportunities. In the summer of 2008, he was an extern for the Department of Justice within the United States Attorney's Office in Ft. Myers, Fla. George worked in the summer of 2009 as a summer associate at a Tampa law firm and as a law clerk for the UNC School of Government in Chapel Hill. He is interested in many areas of the law, but primarily wants to use the law as a tool to help others.
Tara Nelson
Tara Nelson is from Orlando, Florida. She graduated from Rollins College in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. She is the Executive Notes & Comments Editor of the Florida Law Review, a research assistant, and also served as a teaching assistant for the first year Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy courses. As a member of UF's Moot Court Team, Tara was selected for the Final Four in the 2008 Intramural Competition, and argued before United States Chief Justice John Roberts. After graduation, Tara will work as an associate at White & Case in Miami.
Amelia Williams
Amelia Williams is from Orlando, Fla. She graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Bachelor of Arts in Art History. In college she interned at the Justice Council of the Florida House of Representatives and for the Anheuser Busch Lobbyist in Tallahassee, Fla. During the summer of 2008 she completed an externship for the Honorable Anne C. Conway, Chief Judge of the Middle District of Florida. In 2009 she will be a summer associate at Carlton Fields.
Olga Butkevich
Olga Butkevich was born in Kiev, Ukraine and moved to the United States at a young age where she was raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. She completed her undergraduate degree in 2006 with a major in Telecommunications and a minor in Business Administration at the University of Florida. During the summer of 2009, Butkevich completed an internship with the Staff Attorney’s Legal Department office and a judicial internship at the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court in Tampa, Fla. Now in her second year at the Levin College of Law, Butkevich is interested in pursuing a career in corporate and international law.
Samantha Crawford
Samantha Crawford grew up in Gainesville, Florida. and received her B.A. in Art History from Florida State University with a minor in Studio Art. Prior to law school, she worked as a claims representative at Esurance Insurance Company. She spent her IL summer working at the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Christa Diaz
Christa Diaz was born and raised in Stuart, Florida. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in International Studies and a minor in Spanish. During her undergraduate career, Diaz was selected as part of the University’s Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship to travel to Ecuador to research and interview national politicians and political candidates regarding the country’s economic relations with the United States. At the Levin College of Law, she is an Ambassador for the Introduction to Law School and the Profession and an extern with the criminal division of the Eighth Judicial Circuit in Gainesville. Upon graduation, she would like to go into civil litigation and eventually appellate practice. Diaz would like to thank her family and friends for all of their help and support.
Benjamin Dowers
Benjamin Dowers received nominations from Congressman Michael Bilirakis and Senator Bill Nelson to attend the United State Merchant Marine Academy where he traveled to over fifteen counties on merchant ships. He received his B.S. in Logistics and a commission as a Naval Officer in 2006. Following graduation, he sailed as a Third Mate aboard offshore supply vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. Later, he sailed as a Third Mate aboard an exploration drillship that operated off the coast of Angola, Africa -- thankfully his interaction with pirates was severely limited. Currently, he is still a member of the American Maritime Officers union. He began law school at Stetson University College of Law, and looks forward to participating with UF’s Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Team and, eventually, graduating from the University of Florida Law School. He is a long-time Tampa resident and looks forward to practice in either Florida or California in the fields of property, tax, or insurance law.
Leah Edelman
Leah Edelman is from Miami, Florida. She graduated from Northwestern University in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering and a minor in Art History. Prior to law school, she was pursuing a Ph.D. from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Florida. This past summer she had the privilege of interning for the Honorable Paul C. Huck, Federal District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, in Miami.
David Evans
Brandon K. Hueber
Brandon K. Hueber, a native Texan, graduated from University of Texas at Austin in 2002. He then served as a Press Advance Lead on President Bush’s re-election campaign in 2004, coordinating media coverage of the President’s speeches and events. After the election, Brandon moved to Washington, D.C. and was appointed to a position at the U.S. Department of Defense, Pentagon. In 2006 he became an advance officer for the Secretary of Defense, traveling the world ahead of the Secretary and briefing him on protocol and media details upon his arrival. In his year and a half on the job, Brandon traveled to 29 countries, including multiple trips to Iraq and Afghanistan. Immediately prior to law school, he served as the Associate Director in the Office of Legislative Counsel at the Pentagon, assisting in the Department’s response to congressional investigations, including inquiries into detainee treatment and interrogation. Brandon is a recipient of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. He spent last summer working at McEwan, Martinez & Dukes, P.A. in Orlando, where he participated in the litigation of two Wrongful Death trials to verdict. He is interested in a career in litigation.
David Hughes
David Hughes was born in Dade City, Florida. While at Haverford College, David was selected to present his honors thesis to the Faculty of History. After graduation, David joined Teach for America. During the summer of 2009, David completed an externship with the Hon. Mark Moseley and worked with Superlawyer A.R. “Chip” Mander, a board certified criminal and civil trial attorney. At the Levin College of Law, David is a member of the Journal of Law & Public Policy. At the 24th Annual Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe Moot Court Final Four Competition, David won Best Overall Competitor. Upon graduation, David would like to pursue a career in litigation and appellate work.
Neda Lajevardi
Neda Lajevardi graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Emory University in 2008 with a B.A. in Philosophy and a minor in Persian Language and Literature. While at Emory University, she was president of the Philosophy Honor Society and the Persian Cultural Club. Prior to attending law school, Neda spent a summer working for an international law firm in Madrid, Spain. This past summer she completed courses in International Law with the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s France study abroad program. With interests in various fields of the law, Neda hopes to continue her exploration during her remaining years at the Levin College of Law.
Jennifer LeVine
Jennifer LeVine is a second year law student from Baltimore, MD and St. Petersburg, FL. In 2008, she graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, GA with a joint major in Sociology and Religion. LeVine was the recipient of the 2009 Evan J. Yegelwel Fellowship and worked for the Southern Area Legal Counsel at the Anti-Defamation League in the summer of 2009, where she drafted a memo for publication. In addition to her involvement with Moot Court, she is a member of the Journal of Technology Law and Policy, and is involved with many social activist volunteer groups, such as the Volunteer Income Tax Association. Upon graduation, LeVine would like to pursue a career in litigation.
Patrick Mize
Before law school, Patrick Mize attended Palm Beach Atlantic University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications and graduated from the Supper Honors Program. Growing up in West Palm Beach, Patrick spent a lot of time deep sea fishing and scuba diving. He credits these experiences for his interest in Environmental Law and the coastal environment. This past summer he interned in the General Counsel’s Office at the Lakeland Police Department in Lakeland, FL.
Tara Richardson
Tara Richardson is a second year law student at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Originally from Kentucky, Tara attended the University of Kentucky where she graduated with honors receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Minor in Business. She is also a member of the Florida Law Review, a teaching assistant for the first year Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy courses, and the Vice-President of the Association for Law and Business. Outside of school, Tara enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, and traveling.
C. Andrew Roy
C. Andrew Roy was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. In 2007, Andrew received bachelor’s degrees in Music (French Horn) and Biochemistry from the University of Florida. In 2008, he received a Master of Science in Business Administration also from the University of Florida. From 2006 to 2008, Andrew worked for the UF Alumni Association in membership and marketing. In 2009, he worked as a summer associate at the Winter Park/Orlando firm Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman, PA. Andrew is the President of the Corporate & Securities Litigation Group and is a Teaching Assistant for Professor Wihnyk’s Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy class.
Wilbert Vancol
Wilbert Vancol was born in Chicago, but shortly after moved to Haiti where he was raised until he returned to the United States at the age of six. Vancol is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Political Science. As an undergraduate, Vancol was an active member, and president, of the University of Florida Speech and Debate Team. Vancol began law school in 2008 at Florida A&M College of Law in Orlando. During his year at FAMU, he was a member of the moot court team and was awarded Best Oral Advocate at the E. Earle Zehmer Workers’ Compensation Competition. Upon graduation, Vancol would like to pursue a career in litigation.
Mary Katherine Watt
Mary Katherine Watt was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction at Georgia Tech in 2008. While at Tech, Mary Katherine was president of the Student Construction Association and a member of the Executive Round Table. She joined Levin College of Law in 2008 and became a member of the Florida Moot Court Team in 2009. One of Mary Katherine's most challenging and rewarding experiences in law school came when she was an alternate for the Moot Court Final Four. When Mary Katherine is not in the library or attending a UF football game, she is either playing with her black lab, Grace, at the lake relaxing and skiing, or planning a dinner party for her friends.
Joshua Winegar
Katherine Woods
Katherine Woods was born and raised in Stuart, Florida. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in Economics in 2008. During her undergraduate studies, Katherine served as a Presidential Intern for the National Headquarters of the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. This past summer she served as an intern for the Honorable Elizabeth Metzger, Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. Katherine is a second year law student at the University of Florida, Levin College of Law and joined the Moot Court Team in Fall 2009. She received the award for Best Brief at the 2009 Moot Court Final Four Competition.
George Eppsteiner grew up outside of Boston, MA and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he double-majored in Sport Management and Spanish. At his undergraduate institution, he was able to participate in many abroad opportunities where he traveled to Ghana to teach public business seminars to local entrepreneurs. He also traveled to China and Spain for additional study opportunities. In the summer of 2008, he was an extern for the Department of Justice within the United States Attorney's Office in Ft. Myers, Fla. George worked in the summer of 2009 as a summer associate at a Tampa law firm and as a law clerk for the UNC School of Government in Chapel Hill. He is interested in many areas of the law, but primarily wants to use the law as a tool to help others.
Tara Nelson is from Orlando, Florida. She graduated from Rollins College in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. She is the Executive Notes & Comments Editor of the Florida Law Review, a research assistant, and also served as a teaching assistant for the first year Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy courses. As a member of UF's Moot Court Team, Tara was selected for the Final Four in the 2008 Intramural Competition, and argued before United States Chief Justice John Roberts. After graduation, Tara will work as an associate at White & Case in Miami.
Amelia Williams is from Orlando, Fla. She graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Bachelor of Arts in Art History. In college she interned at the Justice Council of the Florida House of Representatives and for the Anheuser Busch Lobbyist in Tallahassee, Fla. During the summer of 2008 she completed an externship for the Honorable Anne C. Conway, Chief Judge of the Middle District of Florida. In 2009 she will be a summer associate at Carlton Fields.
Olga Butkevich was born in Kiev, Ukraine and moved to the United States at a young age where she was raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. She completed her undergraduate degree in 2006 with a major in Telecommunications and a minor in Business Administration at the University of Florida. During the summer of 2009, Butkevich completed an internship with the Staff Attorney’s Legal Department office and a judicial internship at the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court in Tampa, Fla. Now in her second year at the Levin College of Law, Butkevich is interested in pursuing a career in corporate and international law.
Samantha Crawford grew up in Gainesville, Florida. and received her B.A. in Art History from Florida State University with a minor in Studio Art. Prior to law school, she worked as a claims representative at Esurance Insurance Company. She spent her IL summer working at the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Christa Diaz was born and raised in Stuart, Florida. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in International Studies and a minor in Spanish. During her undergraduate career, Diaz was selected as part of the University’s Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship to travel to Ecuador to research and interview national politicians and political candidates regarding the country’s economic relations with the United States. At the Levin College of Law, she is an Ambassador for the Introduction to Law School and the Profession and an extern with the criminal division of the Eighth Judicial Circuit in Gainesville. Upon graduation, she would like to go into civil litigation and eventually appellate practice. Diaz would like to thank her family and friends for all of their help and support.
Benjamin Dowers received nominations from Congressman Michael Bilirakis and Senator Bill Nelson to attend the United State Merchant Marine Academy where he traveled to over fifteen counties on merchant ships. He received his B.S. in Logistics and a commission as a Naval Officer in 2006. Following graduation, he sailed as a Third Mate aboard offshore supply vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. Later, he sailed as a Third Mate aboard an exploration drillship that operated off the coast of Angola, Africa -- thankfully his interaction with pirates was severely limited. Currently, he is still a member of the American Maritime Officers union. He began law school at Stetson University College of Law, and looks forward to participating with UF’s Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Team and, eventually, graduating from the University of Florida Law School. He is a long-time Tampa resident and looks forward to practice in either Florida or California in the fields of property, tax, or insurance law.
Leah Edelman is from Miami, Florida. She graduated from Northwestern University in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering and a minor in Art History. Prior to law school, she was pursuing a Ph.D. from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Florida. This past summer she had the privilege of interning for the Honorable Paul C. Huck, Federal District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, in Miami.
Brandon K. Hueber, a native Texan, graduated from University of Texas at Austin in 2002. He then served as a Press Advance Lead on President Bush’s re-election campaign in 2004, coordinating media coverage of the President’s speeches and events. After the election, Brandon moved to Washington, D.C. and was appointed to a position at the U.S. Department of Defense, Pentagon. In 2006 he became an advance officer for the Secretary of Defense, traveling the world ahead of the Secretary and briefing him on protocol and media details upon his arrival. In his year and a half on the job, Brandon traveled to 29 countries, including multiple trips to Iraq and Afghanistan. Immediately prior to law school, he served as the Associate Director in the Office of Legislative Counsel at the Pentagon, assisting in the Department’s response to congressional investigations, including inquiries into detainee treatment and interrogation. Brandon is a recipient of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. He spent last summer working at McEwan, Martinez & Dukes, P.A. in Orlando, where he participated in the litigation of two Wrongful Death trials to verdict. He is interested in a career in litigation.
David Hughes was born in Dade City, Florida. While at Haverford College, David was selected to present his honors thesis to the Faculty of History. After graduation, David joined Teach for America. During the summer of 2009, David completed an externship with the Hon. Mark Moseley and worked with Superlawyer A.R. “Chip” Mander, a board certified criminal and civil trial attorney. At the Levin College of Law, David is a member of the Journal of Law & Public Policy. At the 24th Annual Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe Moot Court Final Four Competition, David won Best Overall Competitor. Upon graduation, David would like to pursue a career in litigation and appellate work.
Neda Lajevardi graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Emory University in 2008 with a B.A. in Philosophy and a minor in Persian Language and Literature. While at Emory University, she was president of the Philosophy Honor Society and the Persian Cultural Club. Prior to attending law school, Neda spent a summer working for an international law firm in Madrid, Spain. This past summer she completed courses in International Law with the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s France study abroad program. With interests in various fields of the law, Neda hopes to continue her exploration during her remaining years at the Levin College of Law.
Jennifer LeVine is a second year law student from Baltimore, MD and St. Petersburg, FL. In 2008, she graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, GA with a joint major in Sociology and Religion. LeVine was the recipient of the 2009 Evan J. Yegelwel Fellowship and worked for the Southern Area Legal Counsel at the Anti-Defamation League in the summer of 2009, where she drafted a memo for publication. In addition to her involvement with Moot Court, she is a member of the Journal of Technology Law and Policy, and is involved with many social activist volunteer groups, such as the Volunteer Income Tax Association. Upon graduation, LeVine would like to pursue a career in litigation.
Before law school, Patrick Mize attended Palm Beach Atlantic University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications and graduated from the Supper Honors Program. Growing up in West Palm Beach, Patrick spent a lot of time deep sea fishing and scuba diving. He credits these experiences for his interest in Environmental Law and the coastal environment. This past summer he interned in the General Counsel’s Office at the Lakeland Police Department in Lakeland, FL.
Tara Richardson is a second year law student at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Originally from Kentucky, Tara attended the University of Kentucky where she graduated with honors receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Minor in Business. She is also a member of the Florida Law Review, a teaching assistant for the first year Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy courses, and the Vice-President of the Association for Law and Business. Outside of school, Tara enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, and traveling.
C. Andrew Roy was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. In 2007, Andrew received bachelor’s degrees in Music (French Horn) and Biochemistry from the University of Florida. In 2008, he received a Master of Science in Business Administration also from the University of Florida. From 2006 to 2008, Andrew worked for the UF Alumni Association in membership and marketing. In 2009, he worked as a summer associate at the Winter Park/Orlando firm Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman, PA. Andrew is the President of the Corporate & Securities Litigation Group and is a Teaching Assistant for Professor Wihnyk’s Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy class.
Wilbert Vancol was born in Chicago, but shortly after moved to Haiti where he was raised until he returned to the United States at the age of six. Vancol is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Political Science. As an undergraduate, Vancol was an active member, and president, of the University of Florida Speech and Debate Team. Vancol began law school in 2008 at Florida A&M College of Law in Orlando. During his year at FAMU, he was a member of the moot court team and was awarded Best Oral Advocate at the E. Earle Zehmer Workers’ Compensation Competition. Upon graduation, Vancol would like to pursue a career in litigation.
Mary Katherine Watt was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction at Georgia Tech in 2008. While at Tech, Mary Katherine was president of the Student Construction Association and a member of the Executive Round Table. She joined Levin College of Law in 2008 and became a member of the Florida Moot Court Team in 2009. One of Mary Katherine's most challenging and rewarding experiences in law school came when she was an alternate for the Moot Court Final Four. When Mary Katherine is not in the library or attending a UF football game, she is either playing with her black lab, Grace, at the lake relaxing and skiing, or planning a dinner party for her friends.
Katherine Woods was born and raised in Stuart, Florida. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in Economics in 2008. During her undergraduate studies, Katherine served as a Presidential Intern for the National Headquarters of the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. This past summer she served as an intern for the Honorable Elizabeth Metzger, Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. Katherine is a second year law student at the University of Florida, Levin College of Law and joined the Moot Court Team in Fall 2009. She received the award for Best Brief at the 2009 Moot Court Final Four Competition.