Student Affairs
Trial Team Member Bios
Ben Baird is a second year law student from Palatka, FL. Ben holds a BS in Telecommunication-News from UF. After his first year of law school, Ben spent the summer studying Chinese law and trade law, in China, at Tsinghua University in Beijing and Fudan University in Shanghai. Ben is a member of the Florida Journal of International Law and the Journal of Technology Law and Policy. Prior to attending law school, Ben worked as a television journalist. As a reporter, Ben covered everything from space shuttle launches and presidential visits to some of the biggest crime cases in the country. Ben's most recent position was at WTEV/WAWS in Jacksonville, FL. Ben has also worked as a reporter at Central Florida News 13 in Orlando, FL, WWAY in Wilmington, NC, and behind the scenes at WCJB in Gainesville, FL. While an undergraduate student at UF, Ben worked at campus radio station WRUF-AM and television station WUFT-TV. Ben has received broadcasting awards from both the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Matthew Baker is from a small town in Southwest Florida, LaBelle and graduated from the University of Central Florida in May of 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. While at UCF, Matt played trombone in the Marching Knights, UCF's marching band, as well as the Basketball band. He was in the Burnett Honors College and was also involved in the Central Florida Wesley Foundation. After graduating from UCF he worked at the Walt Disney World Resort for a year, helping make magic for guests and train new Cast Members while preparing for law school. At UF Law, Matt is Treasurer of the Family Law Society, a Gators for Alternative Dispute Resolution CRI Mediator and a General Board Representative for the John Marshall Bar Association. In August he had the pleasure of welcoming the Class of 2014 to the Levin College of Law as an ILSP Ambassador. Professionally Matt has externed for Circuit Judge William E. Davis and is currently externing at the State Attorney's Office for the Eighth Circuit in Gainesville. Additionally he is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator for County Court cases. After law school he hopes to pursue a career in criminal or family practice or mediation. When he's not being a law student Matt likes to peruse Gainesville cuisine and make horrible jokes.
Andrew Bauta is a third year law student. He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, and graduated with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, with honors. He intends on pursuing a career with the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps.
Tiana Beaudouin was born in California, but raised in Miami. She graduated cum laude from Barry University with a degree in Criminology. She is interested in becoming a litigator and she is very interested in juvenile justice. Tiana has interned with the Office of the Public Guardian in Chicago and a small civil ligation and criminal defense firm in New York. Tiana speaks French and Creole and enjoys traveling.
Georgia Buckhalter, although she is a Tallahassee native, is a proud double Gator. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida in May 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations. In recognition of her outstanding leadership and service to the University of Florida, Georgia was awarded undergraduate membership in Florida Blue Key, the state's oldest and most prestigious leadership honorary. During her law school career Georgia has served as Chair of the Student Government Elections Commission, Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the Student Body, and Co-Chair of Membership Recruitment for the UF Trial Team. In recognition of her excellent academic performance, Georgia has received book awards in Trial Practice and Interviewing, Counseling & Negotiation. Georgia's professional experience includes her positions as a law clerk with Wicker, Smith, O'Hara, McCoy & Ford, P.A. in Orlando, an intern with general counsel for General Dynamics Corp. in St. Petersburg, and an extern with the Eighth Judicial Circuit Civil Division in Gainesville. Georgia is currently in her third year of law school and will graduate in May 2012.
Sarah Carpenter is a 3L from Destin, Florida. In 2009, she graduated with a B.A. in Pre-law/Political Science from the University of West Florida. Sarah has always been passionate about serving her community. Currently, she serves a mentor at a local charter school. Additionally, she served as a student ambassador for UF's Introduction to Law School and the Legal Profession Program (ILSP). During her 1L summer, she interned at local firm and externed for the Honorable Judge John Brown for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida. Upon receiving her Juris Doctorate in May 2013, Sarah hopes to practice civil litigation in Tampa, Florida.
Daniella Chacoa was born in Caracas, Venezuela. She attended Florida State University and received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology with a Minor in Classics. She received a Certificate in New Venture Creation and Entrepreneurship from the Hough Graduate School of Business at UF in December 2009. In addition to being a member of the UF Trial Team, she is currently President of the International Law Society. She will receive her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida December 2011.
Ebony Cobb hails from the beautiful city of Orlando, Florida. She attended Florida State University and majored in Business Management with a special concentration in Hospitality Administration. After earning her business degree, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada to work at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. Her most memorable experience in Las Vegas was winning her first poker tournament against top Bellagio Hotel executives! Before coming to law school, she worked as a Guest Services coordinator at Universal Studios and helped open the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Islands of Adventure. In her spare time, she likes reading African American literature, trying new food, traveling across the country, and spending time with family and friends. Most importantly, Ebony is dedicated to giving back to her community. She is guided by civil right's activist, Charles Hamilton Houston's famous quote: "a lawyer is either a social engineer or a parasite on society." Ebony plans to stay in the Southeast after law school and although she hasn't decided on what area of law she will practice, she will definitely go on to be an engineer for social change.
Marissa Faerber is a 3L from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. As an undergraduate student at Brown University, Marissa was an Urban Studies and Architectural Studies Concentrator. Last spring, Marissa competed in the AAJ Student Advocacy Trial Advocacy Competition with an excellent team of fellow advocates. She and her fellow teammates advanced to the semi-finals, with the guidance of zealous coach, Tom Farkash. This past summer, Marissa worked as a Summer Associate for Greenspoon Marder in Ft. Lauderdale. Marissa has a passion for litigation that she brings to the State Attorney's Office this semester, where she is a Certified Legal Intern.
Frank Fischer is a third year law student at UF law. Frank is a double Gator and graduated with a degree in English in 2009. At UF Law, Frank made the Trial Team in the fall of 2011 and based on his outstanding performance in the intramural competition, Frank was selected as an advocate in the Final Four Competition. Frank also competed at the Florida Bar Competition in February 2011. Frank is originally from Tampa, Florida and hopes to practice in Florida after graduation.
Seth Green grew up in South Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Accounting. While at UCF, he served as Student Government Director of Campus Life and led the initiative to begin a late-night bus service to provide students with safe means of transportation. This past summer, Seth interned with the Office of the Attorney General of Florida where he assisted in civil litigation involving unfair and deceptive trade practices. Seth is currently a second year student at UF law. In addition to UF Trial Team, Seth serves as a Jr. Research Editor to the Florida Journal of Technology Law & Policy and is a teaching assistant for Legal Writing and Research.
Bryan Griffith graduated the University of Florida in May of 2010 with a B.A. in Political Science and Classical history. As a freshman on the UF campus, Bryan helped found a student-run campus political newspaper, the Florida Frontier. From 2009 to 2010, Bryan served as the Chairman of the UF College Republicans. He worked on Gator Growl, the world's largest student run pep rally, as Director of Public Relations in 2009 and later Spokesman in 2010. In 2009 Bryan was elected President of his fraternity, Delta Upsilon, which received recognition as the Chapter of the Year among the 26 fraternities on the UF campus and Most Improved Chapter among the 80+ Delta Upsilon chapters across the nation. After his tenure as President, Bryan was then elected to sit on the Delta Upsilon International Board of Directors. Bryan was tapped into UF's Florida Blue Key leadership honorary society in his junior year. In 2010, Bryan launched a campaign to run the county wide elected position of Soil and Water Commissioner (Seat 4). In the November general election, Bryan won his election with 63% of the vote. Following his election, Gainesville's InSite Magazine named him as one of the city's 28 Most Interesting People. He was accepted to UF's J.D. and M.S.M. programs in 2010. In Spring 2011, Bryan was appointed by the Mayor of Gainesville to serve on the City of Gainesville Beautification Board, worked at Banker, Lopez, Gassler of Tampa in the Summer, and in Fall 2011 was accepted as a member of the UF Trial Team. Bryan holds a visual flight rating private pilot's license, SCUBA certification, and is a state approved Class III wildlife rehabilitator.
Zachary Jellson is from Weston, FL. He went to the George Washington University where he graduated magna cum laude in three years with a Bachelors in International Affairs concentrating in Contemporary Cultures & Societies and the Middle East, a second major in Religion and a minor in Socio-Cultural Anthropology. Throughout college he worked for Kimpton Hotels. Zachary came straight to UF Law and made the Trial Team in the Fall of 2011. He was also selected for the Final Four based on his performance during try outs. Outside of school, Zachary works for a local Gainesville law firm. Zachary also speaks Spanish and French.
Stephanie Koffler is a second-year student from Miami, Florida. She graduated cum laude from the University of Central Florida in May 2010 with degrees in Economics and Political Science, specializing in International Relations & Comparative Politics. In recognition of her academic achievement, outstanding leadership, and community service at the University of Central Florida, Stephanie was awarded the Order of Pegasus and UCF's Most Distinguished Student awards. At UF Law, Stephanie made the Trial Team and was selected as an advocate in the Final Four Competition, where she won the verdict and the Best Team Award. Stephanie is also the recipient of an American Public Interest Law Fellowship. In addition to being an active member of the John Marshall Bar Association, she serves as the student representative on the Curriculum Committee. Stephanie's professional legal experience includes working in Hanoi, Vietnam, for Bridges Across Borders Southeast Asia Community Legal Education Initiative, an international non-governmental organization, and the United Nations Development Programme. Stephanie enjoys traveling and modern and ballet dance.
Andrick Lewis was born in Titusville, FL and is a graduate of the University of Central Florida. While at UCF he acquired a BSBA in Marketing and served the university as Student Body Vice President. Andrick is also a proud member of College Leadership Florida. Since he came to the University of Florida Andrick has been a member of a number of campus organizations. This past summer he worked at a lobbying firm in Washington D.C. representing a multitude of health organizations and businesses as well as institutions of higher education, including the State University System of Florida. After graduating in 2013 Andrick hopes to do litigation or legislative work either in his home state, Florida, or in D.C.
Lauren Lewis is a second year law student from Pensacola, Florida. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of West Florida in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. During her undergraduate studies, Lauren worked for two solo practioners specializing in estate planning and criminal defense. For the first half of her 1L summer, she worked as a summer clerk for Chief Judge M. Casey Rodgers in the Northern District of Florida. She spent the second half of the summer as a clerk at Moore, Hill & Westmoreland, P.A., a law firm specializing in civil litigation, business law and real estate law. In addition to Trial Team, Lauren is a member of the Law Association for Women. She is the first member of her family to pursue a law degree.
Alyssa Lunin was born in South Florida but spent her high school years in New Port Richey, Florida. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida with majors in Economics and Political Science, and served as a Student Senator, the Chair of the Recreational Sports Board of Directors, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Alyssa is fluent in American Sign Language and has signed the National Anthem at UF sporting events and at home games for both the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees."
Anita McNulty is a 3L member of trial team who has an interest in litigation. Anita is a double gator and has loved Gainesville throughout her undergrad and law school career. Trial team has been Anita's best experience in law school!
Brandon Meadows is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in Biology. He currently serves as the law student division liaison to the ABA's forum committee on Affordable Housing and Community Development. Brandon is an active member of the Federalist Society and Christian Legal Society. He is also a member of the University of Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy.
Karen Middlekauff is from Hollidaysburg, PA, and graduated cum laude from the University of Delaware in 2009 with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. She was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honors society in May of 2009. Karen was a member of her high school and college mock trial teams and has always known she wanted to spend her career in a courtroom. Karen spent her 1L summer as a law clerk in Washington, D.C., with the Servicemembers' Legal Defense Network and clerked her 2L summer for the Zavos Juncker Law Group in Silver Spring, Maryland. Karen became a member of the Trial Team in the fall of 2010, and received a book award for trial practice in the spring of 2011. Additionally, Karen is a board member and previous president of OutLaw, served on the board of the Family Law Society in 2010, was a member of the Dean's 2010 diversity panel, and currently serves on the University of Florida's LGBT Concerns Committee. Karen intends to focus her legal career in criminal defense law and/or family litigation, and is currently participating in the Public Defender's Clinic in Gainesville.
Andrea Nieto is originally from Tampa, Florida. As an undergraduate at the University of Florida, she served in Student Government as a Cabinet Director of Transportation Improvements and as a Cabinet Coordinator, she was President and Treasurer of her sorority, and was tapped into Florida Blue Key where she served as Tapping Chairwoman and Exec-At-Large. As an undergrad, she received a Presidential Recognition for Outstanding Achievement and Contribution to University of Florida. Andrea transferred to UF Law from Stetson University where she was a member of the Moot Court Board and received awards for Best Brief and Runner-Up Best Oral Advocate in her Research and Writing course. At UF Law, Andrea is the Alumni Affairs Chair for UF Law Trial Team and Senior Research Editor for the Journal of Law and Public Policy. Andrea has received Book Awards in Business Organizations and Trial Practice. Most recently, she was awarded a scholarship by the Hispanic National Bar Association to attend their national conference in Dallas.
Brandon Rose, a graduate of Yale University and previous member of the Yale Men's Varsity Basketball Team, is currently in his third year at UF Law. At the University of Florida, Brandon is a member of the Trial Team and the Black Law Student Association. In his first year at the University of Florida, he served as a mentor in the Street Law Program. As a mentor, Brandon taught and counseled a group of middle school students about various areas of criminal law. Following his first year, Brandon worked for a firm in Miami, Bilzin Sumberg, as a researcher for the firm's Litigation Group on a high profile case for the renowned NBA Player Dwyane Wade. After working at Bilzin that summer, Brandon studied-abroad in France. During this program, he took courses in international business law, which were taught by UF professors and French professors and attorneys. As a member of the Trial Team, Brandon competed in the Florida Bar Competition in February of 2011 and will compete in the National Trial Advocacy Competition in September of 2011. After graduation, Brandon will return to Bilzin Sumberg. Brandon is tentatively scheduled to begin working full-time in the firm's Litigation Group in September of 2012.
Liz Schoenthal, a native of Weston, Fl, completed her under graduate studies at University of Florida, making her a proud double gator. During her time at the University of Florida, she received a Bachelor of Science in Advertising and completed a minor in Business Administration. This past summer, Liz clerked for Judge Alan Marks of the 17th Judicial Circuit, where she watched civil and criminal trials, inspiring her to pursue a career in litigation and try out for Trial Team
Dana Somerstein is a second year law student from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Prior to entering law school, she received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, earning a B.A. in Business with a minor in Education. Dana is currently serving on the Florida Blue Key Executive Board, Law College Council Executive Board and is thrilled to be selected to join the UF Law Trial Team. In her undergraduate years, Dana served as the External Affairs Agency Head, as a Florida Cicerone, on the Reitz Union Board of Managers, and as a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi. Dana hopes to take the education and skills she acquires to Washington, D.C. after law school in pursuit of a career in political law.
Kimmy Stewart is a third year student at UF Law. A lifelong public orator, Kimmy got her start doing county speaking competitions and policy debate in high school. While working on her Economics bachelor's at the Florida State University, she kept busy as the captain of the Policy Debate team and captain of the Public Speaking Society. Not quite ready to become a Gator, Kimmy spent one more year at Florida State obtaining her Master's in Applied Economics. After a little cost-benefit analysis in 2009, she decided it was time to retire the Garnet and Gold and try on some Orange and Blue. With an eye towards Corporate law and Litigation, Kimmy has enjoyed her studies at UF. Last year, she represented the University of Florida in the International VIS moot competition in Vienna, Austria. The team placed 17th in the world. When not preparing for law school competitions, she volunteers at a local charter school as a mentor.
Gillian Sykes is a third year student from South Florida and family is from Jamaica. Gillian graduated from Georgetown University, cum laude, with a degree in Philosophy. One of Gillian's philosophy essays was selected for publication in Eudaimonia: The Georgetown Philosophical Review. She has clerked for the civil litigation firms Roberts, Reynolds, Bedard & Tuzzio in Coral Springs, Florida and Clyne & Associates in Miami, Florida. She has also clerked for in-house counsel at Amadeus North America, an international technology service provider for the travel industry. Gillian is passionate about doing community service in Haiti, where she has traveled on numerous occasions to aid in the construction of schools and orphanages.
Ashlie Tarpley is a third-year law student from Ocoee, Florida. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2009, with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and minors in History and Spanish. At UF law, Ashlie is working toward certificates in International and Comparative Law and Intellectual Property Law. As part of the International and Comparative Law Certificate Program, Ashlie studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, in the summer of 2010. Additionally, Ashlie has made it her personal mission to encourage others through mentorship. She has served as a mentor in the Street Law Program and UF's annual Youth Summit program, as well as a student ambassador for UF's Introduction to Law School and the Legal Profession Program (ILSP). Currently, Ashlie serves as a Certified Legal Intern (CLI) for UF's Gator TeamChild Civil Law Clinic and is employed part-time at a local law firm in Gainesville. She is also helping others to develop their litigation skills as a teaching assistant for UF Law's Trial Practice course.
Tara Tedrow is a 3L from Winter Park, FL. In high school, Tara was a three time Lincoln-Douglas debate national champion and was ranked one of the nation's top speakers. Tara earned the Presidential Scholarship for Debate to Wake Forest University; where she graduated magna cum lade with a degree in Communications. Tara was an executive board member of multiple honor societies, received the Senior Award for Excellence in the Study of Communication and was the captain of the undergraduate Mock Trial Team. In Mock Trial, Tara received over a dozen Top Attorney and Best Advocate Awards on both Defense and Prosecution and in 2008 she became nationally ranked as an All American Attorney. At UF Law, Tara is the President of the Trial Team, the Communications Department Editor of the Florida Law Review, a law school Ambassador, works as a private high school debate coach and also as a private speech consultant. Tara has earned Book Awards in Torts, Evidence, Trial Practice and Interviewing, Counseling and Negotiation. Tara has also earned the Pro Bono Outstanding Achievement Certificate, the Irving Cypen Freshman Scholastic Achievement Award, the Best Team and Best Advocate Award in the UF Final Four Trial Team Competition, was a Semi-Finalist at the American Association for Justice Regional Competition and has been a Dean's List Recipient each semester. Tara has worked at the Orlando Juvenile Public Defenders Office, at the University of Florida Office of the Vice President and General Counsel and at Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor and Reed. Tara will begin work as an associate at Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor after graduation.
Jared Thoma grew up in Omaha, Nebraska before moving to Atlanta to go to Emory University. After graduating he was accepted to the University of Florida – Levin College of Law. He plans to pursue a career in criminal law, and to that end, worked in the Alachua County Public Defender's Office. He plans to take the Florida Bar and join a Public Defender's Office upon graduation.
Katie Thomason is from Knoxville, Tennessee, and is proud to call herself a Double Gator! Katie graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida in December 2009 with a BA in economics and a minor in mathematics. After graduation, Katie worked for several months for the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida as a research associate and also taught Kaplan LSAT classes. During her first year in law school, Katie received the book award in Appellate Advocacy. At UF Law, Katie is a general board member on the Journal of Law and Public Policy, a member candidate for the Jessup International Law Moot Court Team, and a teaching assistant for Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy. Her legal experience includes serving as a volunteer legal intern at Student Legal Services at the University of Florida during spring 2011 and working as a volunteer legal intern at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Jacksonville, Florida, during the summer between her first and second years of law school.
Christina Vilaseca graduated from Dartmouth College with an English major with Honors and a Studio Art minor in 2007. While at Dartmouth, she had attended an abroad term in Dublin, Ireland and received a fellowship to complete a community service project in Ghana in the summer of 2006. Christina worked as a paralegal in New York City for a white collar criminal defense firm until she was admitted to law school. Christina made the Trial Team in the fall of 2010 and was chosen as a Final Four competitor. Last year she also served as a Research Assistant for Professor Michael Seigel and was elected onto the boards of the Association for Public Interest Law and Trial Team. She spent this past summer in Washington DC working at the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts doing policy work for the Office of Probation and Pretrial Services.
Trae Weingardt was born and raised on a cattle ranch in northeastern Colorado. When he was sixteen, he relocated with his family to Tampa, Florida. While in high school, Trae competed on the mock trial team and during his senior year led his team to a top-15 national finish. After high school, Trae coached his former high school team for a number of years. While attending the University of South Florida, Trae worked with Judge Raymond Gross in reviewing the procedure employed by the Florida juvenile courts while conducting first appearance hearings. He wrote an honors thesis on the subject which was later presented to the Florida Supreme Court as part of a brief submitted by Judge Gross in support of amending the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure. After graduating with his degree in finance, Trae spent a year prior to law school working at The Salem Law Group. While there, Trae worked with the Senior Partner in advocating for clients in the US House and Senate. His areas of focus were disability rights, renewable energy and defense. Trae is married to his high school sweetheart, Jennifer, and they have one daughter, Juliana.
Josh Wertheim is a second year law student originally from Miami, Florida. He knew that the legal profession would eventually be his destiny, and prepared early, participating in Teen Court in high school and college Mock Trials. After getting a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Florida in 2009, he took a year off to evaluate his life and figure out where he belonged. During that year "off" a job opportunity landed in his lap, and Josh became a Certified Mediator for Miami Dade County and worked for the Court System up until Fall 2010 when he enrolled at the University Levin College of Law. Josh has developed his passion for both advocating and mediating, and is currently the President of GADR (Gators for Alternative Dispute Resolution – which through Josh's leadership sponsored a training session to get 27 law students certified in Mediation in the Spring of 2011.) as well as one of the newest members of Trial Team. He is also currently externing at the Gainesville State Attorney's office, and will be interning this summer at the Miami State Attorney's office. His future plans are to work at the State Attorney's office, become a US Attorney, and then ultimately be appointed as a Federal Criminal Judge. Josh spends his days being a good humorist, a great advocate, and an excellent friend. He is the duly yet self-proclaimed law school "Words With Friends" Champion, and is known to Freestyle rap, on occasion.