The Florida Moot Court General Member Bios
- Will Anderson
Will Anderson grew up in the small town of Plant City, Florida. He received his B.A. in English at the University of Florida in May of 2009. Prior to attending law school Will spent his summers working in Cimarron, New Mexico as a member of the backcountry staff of Philmont Scout Ranch. In 2010 he became more familiar with Florida politics as a full-time volunteer with Alex Sink for Governor. This past summer Will returned to the Tampa Bay area to serve as a summer intern in the Thirteenth Circuit's Felony Division with Judge Ashley B. Moody. In addition to Moot Court Will is involved with the revival of UF's Phi Alpha Delta chapter. After graduation, Will hopes to be a litigator in the great state of Florida.
- Nicholas Andrews
Nicholas Andrews was raised in Palm Harbor, Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2009 with a Bachelor's of Science in Microbiology, and was a member of University of Florida Honors Program. During his 1L summer, he had the privilege of participating in the Levin College of Law's Environmental and Land Use Externship program, where he worked with the Pasco County Attorney's Office on wetlands development, eminent domain, and other emerging environmental issues. In addition to his membership on the UF Moot Court team, Nicholas has also participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which assists lower-income tax payers from the community complete their personal income tax forms. He is also a member of the Association for Law and Business, and the American Bar Association student division at UF.
- Robbie Boone
Robbie Boone, a second year law student born and raised in Florida, graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelors of science in Finance in 2004. Following graduation, he taught English in Japan for almost two years and subsequently worked for Jim Moran & Associates, a subsidiary of Southeast Toyota. Robbie spent the summer after his first year of law school working for Ausley & McMullen PA. in Tallahassee working on Tax, Bankruptcy, and Commercial Litigation issues. Eligible to sit for the CPA exam, Robbie is very interested in all facets of business transactions, particularly commercial litigation. He is also a Research Editor for the Florida Journal of International Law and a member of the Journal of Technology Law & Policy.
- Michael Bruno
Michael Bruno grew up in Coral Springs, Florida. In 2009, he graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.S.B.A in Finance and Accounting. Prior to attending law school, Michael worked as a corporate accountant at Siemens Energy, Inc. in Orlando. This past spring, Michael and his team placed first in the 2011 National Tax Moot Court Competition in St. Petersburg, Florida. The competition involved issues dealing with the claim or right doctrine, IRC section 1341, and the IRC section 7525 accountant client privilege. Over the summer he interned for the Honorable Jay P. Cohen at the Fifth District Court of Appeal. Upon graduation, Michael plans to pursue an LL.M. in Taxation.
- Elizabeth Bryan
Elizabeth Bryan is a third year law student. A native of Sayville, New York, Elizabeth graduated with honors from the University of Florida in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Here at the Levin College of Law, Elizabeth is a Research Editor of the Journal of Law & Public Policy and served as a Teaching Assistant for Professor Thomson's Legal Research & Writing and Appellate Advocacy classes in the 2010/2011 school year. Elizabeth spent the summer of 2010 interning at the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida in Fort Myers. During the summer of 2011, Elizabeth had internships with the State Attorney's Office for the 8th Judicial Circuit, and the Ossi Law Firm, where Elizabeth continues to work during the school year. Outside of school, Elizabeth enjoys traveling, singing, and performing at the Gainesville Community Playhouse, one of the oldest community theaters in Florida.
- Amanda Finley
Amanda Finley was born in Texas, but has lived in Florida since high school. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida with minors in Environmental Studies and Mass Communications. During her time at Levin College of Law, in addition to being an active member of The Florida Moot Court Team and competing in the Duberstein Bankruptcy Competition, Amanda is the Articles Editor for the Journal of Law and Public Policy and the President of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers. Amanda clerked for Jimerson & Wilson, P.A. after her first year of law school. After her second year, she was a Summer Associate at GrayRobinson, P.A. in Jacksonville. She is currently doing a federal judicial externship with U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Glenn of the Middle District of Florida. After receiving her law degree, Amanda intends to start a career in commercial litigation and specializing in bankruptcy law. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, watching Gator football, and spending time with her friends and Yorkie.
- Gonzalo Funes
Gonzalo Funes was born in Buenos Aires Argentina and moved to Miami at age 8. In 2009 Gonzalo graduated from Florida International University with a B.A. in Political Science. Prior to beginning law school he worked for a title insurance company processing title files and assisting in closing real estate transactions. During his 1st year of law school at Florida International, Gonzalo also worked as an office manager and real estate broker of Grand Realty of America. An avid soccer fan, he also enjoys other sports, and is an outdoor enthusiast. Upon graduation he is interested in pursuing a career in the field of intellectual property.
- Rob Graham
Rob Graham, a native of Orlando, Florida, graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor's degree in International Studies and a minor in Islamic Cultural Studies. After graduation, he served as Defense Intern in United States Senator Bill Nelson's office in Washington D.C., and also interned with Attorney General Bill McCollum's Campaign for Governor. This past summer, Rob interned in the Criminal Appeals Division of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi's Office in Tallahassee. Rob has a strong interest in foreign policy and is interested in pursuing a legal career in criminal litigation.
- Monica Hernandez
Monica Hernandez is a second year law student at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. She is from Homestead, Florida, and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in Advertising and minor in Business Administration. After her first year of law school, Monica interned at Three Rivers Legal Services in Gainesville and worked as a summer law clerk at Squire Sanders & Dempsey in West Palm Beach. She is a teaching assistant for the first year Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy courses, is involved with the John Marshall Bar Association, and serves as Vice President of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Law Student Association at UF. After law school, Monica is interested in pursuing a career in civil litigation.
- Tyler J. Hudson
Tyler J. Hudson is a second-year law student from Tampa, Florida. He received his B.A. in Philosophy from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. After college, Tyler spent three years working as a consultant at Hilltop Public Solutions in Washington. After his first year of law school, Tyler interned for Judge Chris W. Altenbernd of the Second District Court of Appeal in Tampa. In addition to his work with Moot Court, Tyler serves as a research assistant to Dean Emeritus Jon Mills and is a member of the Florida Journal of Law and & Public Policy.
- Jesse W. Isom
- Intramural Co-Chair
Jesse W. Isom is a third-year law student from Tampa, Florida. Jesse came to law school with professional experience as a community development worker, teacher, and, most recently, a journalist in Washington, DC. He earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Columbia University in New York, where he became interested in human rights activism and Asia. At the Johns Hopkins center at Nanjing University, he researched China's development policies in Tibet. After five years in Asia, Jesse moved to the UK to complete an MPhil in Development Studies at Oxford. His thesis fieldwork in Nigeria focused on violent conflict in oil-producing communities. In the summer of 2010, Jesse had the privilege of interning with Hon. Chris W. Altenbernd at Florida's Second District Court of Appeal. Since fall 2010, he has contributed to criminal appeals in state and federal courts on behalf of attorney Sonya Rudenstine. In 2010, his team defeated NYU and the University of Pennsylvania to reach the finals of the Navy JAG Corps National Moot Court Competition. Jesse spent the summer of 2010 in felony court as a Certified Legal Intern with the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office. Jesse has an undefeated trial record (1-0). He plans to pursue a career in indigent criminal defense.
- Andrew Labbe
Andrew Labbe was born and raised in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He graduated from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in History and Sociology. Andrew was a competitor in last year's Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliff Moot Court Final Four Competition. During his 2L year Andrew was an extern for the Honorable Frances S. King in Ocala. This summer Andrew worked as a Summer Associate for the Orlando branch of Walton, Lantaff, Schroeder, & Carson, focusing primarily on Worker's Compensation defense. Upon graduation Andrew hopes to pursue a career in corporate law.
- Dan Lazaro
Dan Lazaro was born and raised in New Jersey. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami, where he was inducted into Iron Arrow, the University's highest honor. In addition to being an active member of The Florida Moot Court Team, Dan serves as a teaching assistant for Professor Betsy Ruff and is involved with the John Marshall Bar Association (JMBA), OutLaw, and the Class Gift Committee. Dan has also worked as a judicial intern for U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck of the Southern District of Florida and as a summer law clerk for the South Florida law firm, Gaebe, Mullen, Antonelli, and DiMatteo. In his spare time, Dan enjoys reading, attending sporting events, and spending time with friends.
- Dominique McPherson
Dominique McPherson graduated from the University of Florida in 2009 with bachelor's degrees in Journalism and Political Science and a certificate in International Relations. Dominique clerked for the Dept. of Justice Immigration Court in Miami her 1L summer, where she worked on asylum and criminal cases. She interned her 2L summer with Southern Legal Counsel, an impact litigation firm, and traveled to the 1st DCA for arguments on whether citizens can challenge the adequacy of Florida's education system in the courts. Dominique is a teaching assistant for Professor Tomlinson's Appellate Advocacy and Legal Research and Writing classes and is a Florida Bar Foundation Public Interest Fellow for the 2011-2012 school year. Dominique is interested in litigation and public interest law, but is open to wherever life takes her.
- Brittany N. O’Neil
Brittany N. O'Neil was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in Psychology, a minor in African American Studies, and a certificate in Behavioral Forensics. Since beginning law school, Brittany has externed at the State Attorney's Office for the Eighth Judicial Circuit and is currently externing for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, Criminal Law Division. Brittany remains strongly interested in criminal law and, upon graduation, desires to pursue a career in criminal litigation. In addition to being a member of the Florida Moot Court Team, Brittany is also Vice President of the Corporate & Securities Moot Court Team and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- Jordan C. Peterson
Jordan C. Peterson is a third-year law student at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California where he wrote a departmental honors thesis in German Literature in 2008 under the tutelage of Dr. Dagmar Barnouw. After graduation, Jordan worked in the natural language division of USC's Institute for Creative Technologies in Los Angeles, helping to develop the language function in various forms of artificial intelligence and interactive media. Last summer, Jordan worked at the Office of the Public Defender for the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Jacksonville. He is also a Teaching Assistant for Professor Ray's Legal Research & Writing and Appellate Advocacy courses. Outside of school, Jordan enjoys cycling, watching college football, and reading Wikipedia. He is interested in pursuing a career in litigation and appellate work.
- Zachary Ritz
Zachary Ritz grew up in Lake Mary, Florida, a city just north of Orlando. Despite his efforts to prolong his stay, he graduated from the University of Florida in 2006 with a Bachelor's of Science in Journalism. Not wanting (or finding) a job, he traveled back home to complete his Master's of Business Administration from the University of Central Florida. Before law school, Zach's life imitated art as a stockbroker like those in the cult classic, Boiler Room; ultimately he became a corporate trainer at Fidelity Investments, teaching unsuspecting souls how to pass the Series 7 exam. This past summer, Zach worked in the Law Department of CSX Corporation helping draft bylaws and file annual reports for the company's subsidiaries. As a 2L transfer student, Zach is excited to be back home in the Gator Nation and is interested in pursuing a career in trademark and copyright law.
- Jennifer Sharp
- Intramural Co-Chair
Jennifer Sharp was born in Brigantine, New Jersey and moved to Florida when she was fourteen. She graduated from Florida State University with her Bachelor of Science in Criminology and History, with a minor in psychology. In addition to being involved with the Florida Moot Court, Jennifer spends her time mentoring a local fifth grader at the Caring and Sharing School and volunteering at Three Rivers Legal Services, and is also a member of the Student Recruitment Team and the ILSP Ambassadors. Jennifer is also a teacher's assistant for first-year legal research and writing and appellate advocacy. This summer, she did an externship with the United States Attorney's Office in Pensacola, FL. Upon graduation, she is interested in pursuing a career in criminal law or public interest work.
- Celia Thacker
- Intermural Vice-Chair
Celia Thacker is a third year law student at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, following in the footsteps of her mom, grandfather, and great-grandfather. She was born and raised in Kissimmee, Florida. She attended Wake Forest University where she graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science and English. Celia spent her summer after 1L year externing for the Honorable Margaret Waller, Florida 9th Circuit Court Judge, and spent her summer after 2L year as a summer associate at Holland and Knight, LLP in Orlando, Florida. This fall she is volunteering at the Alachua County Attorney's office. Celia enjoys spending time with her family and friends, Gator football, reading 19th century British fiction, and cooking.
- Aaron Wasserstrom
- Education Chair
Aaron Wasserstrom is a third-year law student from Miami, Florida. In 2009, he received a dual degree in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of Florida. This past summer, he completed a clerkship at Falk, Waas, Hernandez, Cortina, Solomon, & Bonner in Miami. Aaron is currently a teaching assistant for Professor Ruff's first-year Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy courses. He enjoys attending Gator football and basketball games, honing his ability to read others' non-verbal signals and googling random questions. Upon graduation, Aaron would like to pursue a career in civil litigation
- Brandon White
Brandon White received his bachelor's degree in management from the University of Florida, where he was inducted into the UF Hall of Fame. Prior to law school, he worked as a summer fellow for the Washington Legal Foundation and a congressional intern with Congresswoman Corrine Brown. In addition to competing the 26th Annual Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe Moot Court Final Four Competition, he is also a member of the Law College Council and a teaching assistant for the Legal Research & Writing and Appellate Advocacy courses. This past summer, he interned with Judge Paul C. Huck of the Southern District of Florida. Upon graduation, White is interested in pursuing a career in litigation.- Jennie Zilner
Jennie Zilner is a third year law student at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. A native of Pennsylvania, Jennie graduated with honors from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor's degree in political science and a minor in mass communications. During her undergraduate career, Jennie published her honors thesis in political science and worked as a research assistant for professors Dr. Houman Sadri and Dr. Martin Dupuis on diverse book projects. She was also a Student Senator and the President of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars at UCF. In addition to being a member of the Florida Moot Court Team, Jennie is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Technology Law and Policy. After graduation, Jennie intends to pursue a career in criminal and civil litigation.
