SLU LAW Brief Volume 22 Issue 2

THE NEXT BIG IDEA

ON THE COVER

The Next Big Idea

perspectives diversity brings.

Cover art by Charlie Hoppe

DEAN

WILLIAM P. JOHNSON

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

JESSICA CICCONE

EDITOR

ELLIOT LAURENCE

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

NIKOLE FRIETSCH

ILLUSTRATION

CHARLIE HOPPE

PHOTOGRAPHY

STEVE DOLAN

ELLIOT LAURENCE

ADAM WESTRICH

SPECIAL THANKS

ERIKA COHN

BELINDA DANTLEY (‘13)

MARIA DAUGHTERY (‘10)

HAILEY HEARTY (‘22)

MICHAEL KOLNIK (‘94)

ALLISON KREPEL (‘13)

YVETTE LIEBESMAN

JEFFREY LIN

KEARNEY LIUZZA

ELIZABETH LENVIVY

HELGA OESTREICHER

JOHN SIMON (‘86)

VICTOR SMITH (‘19)

DANIELLE STRONG

ROHINI ROY (‘14)

CORY WASHINGTON

ZACHARY WEGMANN (‘13)

RJ WHITEHILL

ASHLYNN ZAPOLSKI

VOLUME 22 ISSUE 2

COPYRIGHT ©2022

SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

SCOTT HALL SUITE 872

100 N. TUCKER BLVD.

ST. LOUIS, MO 63101-1930

EMAIL: BRIEF@LAW.SLU.EDU

The paper used in this magazine was produced from timber sourced from responsibly managed forests.

Message from the Dean

As I have engaged over the years with SLU LAW alumni both near and far, I have been consistently impressed by the breadth and variety of exciting and meaningful careers you have pursued. This is no more apparent than with alumni who completed the intellectual property concentration. In this issue, you will encounter examples of alumni working in the entertainment industry, at their own self-made law firm, and around the world in support of their clients. I am deeply grateful to our dedicated faculty, profiled here, for providing a robust intellectual property program and setting up our students to thrive.

In this issue, you will also learn of a new program that is part of our ongoing commitment to diversity here at SLU LAW and in the profession—a program that has been launched through the collaborative efforts of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, and the Office of the Dean. The Diversity Advocacy Program works directly with law firms both to help improve access to the legal profession and to engage and support students at the School of Law.

The Diversity Advocacy Program is one example of the justice-driven work that we have prioritized and undertaken as a law school. Among other things, we have recently developed a valuable relationship

with SLU’s Department of African American Studies, and we have collaborated with the Mound City Bar Foundation and the Mound City Bar Association to establish as we seek to become a true leader in this area. a new and compelling Equity Scholars Program, All of this is the shared responsibility of the entire institution, but its success is the result of the outstanding leadership of SLU LAW’s assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, Belinda Dantley (‘13), and the assistant director for diversity and inclusion, JP Bonnet Laboy (‘18). I am proud of what they do for this law school and our profession. While there is a great deal of work to do, I am as hopeful as I have ever been.

Sincerely,

William P. Johnson Dean and Professor

Featuring the Intellectual Property Concentration and SLU LAW’s mission to celebrate the new

FEATURES

Alumni Feature Alumni Reflections

Four Intellectual Property alumni reflect on their time at Saint Louis University School of Law and how their education has impacted their current careers.

The Next Big Idea

Professor Yvette Joy Liebesman discusses her history as the Intellectual Property concentration faculty advisor while other notable faculty and students speak on the increasing popularity of the intellectual property field.

Advocacy View

Collaboration and Community

Learn how Saint Louis University School of Law has joined forces with local law firms to create the Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Program, assisting law students both during their studies and after they graduate.

“When we look at data regarding the rate of infections and deaths from COVID-19, the data shows that people of color have experienced higher rates of both COVID-19 infections and deaths compared of white people in the United States. That requires a little bit of unpacking. This is due to working arrangements, transportation, living arrangements, everything to the fact that people of color are more likely to be employed in jobs that are frontline workplaces. When we start to look at higher rates of deaths, we have to look at the barriers to care.”

Record ’ ‘

FOR THE

“I think that there has always been a discrepancy between the number of people who have said they approved of unions and workers who actually vote for unions in the workplace. Part of the reason for that is a fierce employer resistance in the workplace to unions, some of which are legal and some of which are illegal under our laws.”

PROFESSOR MICHAEL DUFF co-director of the William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law, featured in the SLU LAW Summations podcast episode “The Resurgence of Labor Unions”

“Decriminalization keeps people out of the criminal justice system, which is a very good thing, but legalization promotes greed. Many of the current efforts to decriminalize and legalize are supported by Big Pharma, Big Tobacco and Big Alcohol … People need to consider who is benefitting from this rush to legalize everything without a more thoughtful (discussion) involving health professionals.”

DR. FRED ROTTNEK professor and director of community medicine at Saint Louis University and affiliated faculty member with the Center for Health Law Studies at Saint Louis University School of Law, quoted for West News Magazine’s article: “Missouri voters to decide whether adult-use recreational marijuana should be legal”

VISITING PROFESSOR MARY CROSSLEY speaking on “Health Equity and Long Covid” during the second episode of the Health Law Live Series with SLU LAW Summations

“To put the matter simply, if we take a more holistic look at the Court as an institution, we see an even greater legitimacy crisis than the Justices have been publicly debating all summer …We need a Court. We need an anti-majoritarian, a counter majoritarian body that can stand up to the tyrannies of the majority, perhaps now more than ever. Indeed, in the near future, we may need a legitimate court.”

PROFESSOR STEPHEN VLADECK

Charles Alan Wright Chair in Federal Courts at the University of Texas School of Law, as the keynote speaker for the 2022 Childress Lecture, entitled: “The Business of the Supreme Court: The Evolution and Devolution of the Supreme Court's Docket”

“Should we protect the court as is? If we are to make changes, what would they be? We need more data, and we need more transparency about the Court.”

DR. MORGAN HAZELTON

associate professor of Political Science at Saint Louis University College of Arts and Sciences, featured on the panel “Intricacies of the Court” at the 2022 Childress Lecture at Saint Louis University School of Law

“It’s very clear that the argument suggested by the Russian Federation has no grounds in international law. We have not the situation of severe violations of human rights by the Ukrainian government regarding the ‘poor Russian population’ as President Putin likes to call it...I think it’s a tremendous argument when President Putin threatens the world with nuclear weapons, because I think that’s exactly what the rest of the world is trying to prevent: a nuclear conflict.”

PROFESSOR AFONSO SEIXAS-NUNES

speaking with the CERES (Centre of European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies) at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy on the topic of Pursuing Justice for Russia’s War Crimes in Ukraine: Recent Developments on the Legal Front

“Despite forming a significant share of the electorate, the report also found that people with disabilities have been less likely than the general population to vote in past elections. One reason for the lower turnout is barriers to voting … Imagine using a wheelchair or walker and not being able to enter your polling place because there was no ramp, the doors were too narrow, hard to open, and lacked automatic openers, or the pathway to the voting area was obstructed and lacked proper signage.”

PROFESSOR ELIZABETH PENDO

Joseph J. Simeone Professor of Law at Saint Louis University School of Law and an expert in disability law, health care law and policy, guest blogging for U.S. Vote Foundation during National Disability Voting Rights Week

IN BRIEF

NEWS & NOTES

IN PROFESSOR SEIXAS-NUNES’S PUBLICATION:

Professor Afonso Seixas-Nunes, S.J., a faculty member in the Center for International and Comparative Law, published the book The Legality and Accountability of Autonomous Weapon Systems: A Humanitarian Law Perspective in May of 2022. This book provides “a comprehensive analysis of the legality of the use of autonomous weapons systems under international law.” Seixas-Nunes uses his expertise to examine legal frameworks and State responsibility for law of war violations due to autonomous weapon software errors. Professor Seixas-Nunes teaches Public International Law, International Criminal Law, and International Humanitarian Law.

UNIVERSITY ADDS LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER TO THE LAW SCHOOL COMMUNITY

The University Counseling Center has added therapist Rob Donnelly, MSW, LCSW, to address the mental and emotional health of legal and medical students. As the call for mental health services continues to increase for students, this role is a welcome addition to the law school community. Donnelly joins a host of services provided by the law school to address these needs, including a regular mindfulness program taught by Professor David Lander and the continuing partnership with Missouri Lawyers Assistance Program (MOLAP), which offers professional and confidential counseling programs for law students free of charge on a monthly basis. With health and wellness in mind, students with specific needs are urged to contact the law school’s wellness coordinator, Heather Stout, who can be found in the Office of Student Services at Scott Hall.

SLU LAW WELCOMES DR. KELLY DINEEN GILLESPIE

Dr. Kelly Dineen Gillespie joins the Center for Health Law Studies from Creighton University School of Law, where she was a professor and director of the health law program. A long-time member of the community, Dr. Dineen Gillespie earned her Ph.D. in health care ethics at Saint Louis University and graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law with a concentration from the Center for Health Law Studies. Dr. Dineen Gillespie has experience as a nurse in neurosurgery and transplant ICUs and has practiced health law at Husch Blackwell. She is a known drug-policy expert and was the co-editor and contributor of Oxford University Press’s Prescription Drug Diversion and Pain: History, Policy, and Treatment.

SUMMATIONS PODCAST PUBLISHES AN EXCITING SERIES OF EPISODES

The SLU LAW Summations podcast, hosted by Jessica Ciccone, director of communications, is a 15-to-30-minute dive into a diverse mix of legal topics. Each episode explores a fresh legal matter with a member of the Saint Louis University School of Law faculty. This year’s faculty guests included Professor Chad Flanders (“Dissecting the Impact of the Supreme Court’s Decisions”), Professor Michael Sinha (“Data Privacy in a Post-

Dobbs World: Health Law Live”), Professor Yvette Liebesman (“Property Rights, Fan Fiction, and Lady Whistledown”), Professor Lauren Bartlett (“Juvenile Life Without Parole and the Case of Adnan Syed”), Professor Rob Gatter (“A Model State Law for Public Health Emergency Powers: Health Law Live”), Professor Mary Crossley (“Health Equity and Long Covid: Health Law Live”) and Professor Michael Duff (“The Resurgence of the Labor Union”). You can find these episodes by searching for SLU LAW Summations on Apple podcasts or by visiting slu.edu/law/podcast.

WELCOMING NEW ADMISSIONS STAFF

Saint Louis University School of Law welcomes a new assistant director in the Admissions Office. Hailey Hearty (’22) began working alongside fellow assistant director, Cory Washington, who was hired in March of 2022, dean of admissions, Michael Kolnik (’94), and admissions

EVENTS

AUTHOR AND PRISON REFORM ACTIVIST KERI BLAKINGER VISITS FOR THE MILLSTONE LECTURE

On November 21, 2022, Saint Louis University School of Law invited Keri Blakinger for a Q&A session regarding her memoir. Blakinger is the author of Corrections in Ink, a memoir tracing her path from figure skating to heroin addiction to prison and, finally, to life as an investigative reporter covering mass incarceration. The Millstone Lecture honors the late James C. Millstone and his career with the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Likewise, Blakinger is a Texas-based journalist for The Marshall Project. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post magazine and The New York Times. The session was moderated by Professor Christopher Tinson, chair of the Department of African American Studies at Saint Louis University.

SLU LAW WELCOMES STEPHEN VLADECK FOR THE 2022 CHILDRESS LECTURE

On October 28, 2022, Saint Louis University Law Journal’s annual Richard J. Childress Memorial Lecture was held at Saint Louis University School of Law. This year’s lecture was organized by

coordinator, Carmen Summers. During law school, Hearty focused on a combination of family law, immigration, and civil rights. During her 2L year, she was a faculty fellow in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office, which ultimately led to her election as vice president of Diversity and Inclusion for the Student Bar Association. Before law school, Hearty attended her undergraduate studies at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and earned a Bachelor’s in Agriculture and Consumer Economics with a specialization in Public Policy and Law in 2019.

MJ VOSS JOINS AS LIBRARIAN AND ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF LEGAL RESEARCH

Dean William Johnson is happy to announce that MichaelJohn Voss (‘09) will join the Vincent C. Immel Law Library in December of 2022 as a librarian and professor of legal research. A well-known social justice advocate, Voss is the co-founder of ArchCity Defenders, Inc., a non-profit civil rights law firm based in the city of St. Louis, having most recently served as their special projects director. Voss previously served as a board member for Art St. Louis and has prior experience as a reference librarian at the Chicago Public Library.

Professor Samuel Jordan and 3L Mikayla Lewison, the Childress Managing Editor for the Saint Louis University Law Journal

This year’s topic, “The Business of the Supreme Court: The Evolution and Devolution of the Supreme Court's Docket,” came after a groundbreaking summer in the wake of multiple U.S. Supreme Court decisions. The annual Childress Lecture was delivered by Professor Stephen Vladeck, the Charles Alan Wright Chair in Federal Courts at The University of Texas School of Law and provided both a historical introduction to and a modern reassessment of the shape and size of the Supreme Court’s docket. Following the keynote speech, three panels were held. Panel one was titled “Intricacies of the Court” and featured Morgan Hazelton, Ben Johnson and Tejas Narechania. The second panel was led by Josh Chafetz, Daniel Epps and Jennifer Mascott about the Interrelationships of the Court. Finally, “Covering the Court” was held by Supreme Court Reporter Ariana De Vogue, Reporter of the ScotusBlog, Amy Howe, and Professor Kate Shaw of Yeshiva University, who also serves as an ABC New Legal Analyst.

BRIETTA CLARK KICKS OFF THIS YEAR’S HEALTH LAW DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS SERIES

The Center for Health Law Studies hosted the first session of the Distinguished Speaker Series on August 29, 2022. The lecture was entitled Dobbs v. Jackson: Implications for Reproduction, Health, & Liberty. Brietta Clark, Professor of Law, and J. Rex Dibble Fellow, was this year’s first speaker. Professor Clark is an expert on health care law and inequality. Her lecture regarded the summer’s Supreme Court decision regarding the federal right to abortion. Additional speakers in the series were Ana Santos Rutschman and Mary Crossley. Professor Santos Rutschman, who currently teaches at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, spoke on Vaccines as Technology: Innovation, Barriers and the Public Health. Mary Crossley was the Fall 2022 visiting professor at Saint Louis University School of Law and serves as the John E. Murray Faculty Scholar and Director of the Health Law Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Professor Crossley spoke on Embodied Injustice: Race, Disability, and Health on October 17, 2022.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

ELONS BILLINGS, EXUM, AND FRYE MOOT COURT COMPETITION

Students Katie Hoffecker, Avery Lubbes, Andrew Stiener and Maximillian Mueller participated at the Elon Billings, Exum, and Frye Moot Court Competition on October 14 and 15, 2022. This competition has been held since 2011. Each year, 30 to 50 teams from across the nation attend to compete. Saint Louis University School of Law’s students showcased their skills in this year’s event; Hoeffecker took home the Best Oralist award while Lubbes won Best Brief. Professor Paige Canfield is SLU LAW’s long-term coach and teacher of the Moot Court Board.

SOCIAL SCENE: INSTAGRAM & TWITTER

slulaw Happy Thursday from our favorite service dog @oso_necessities and his human friend 1L Gabriella Cepeda. #lawschoollife #dogsofinsta #firstyear #slulaw #lawschool #futurelawyers #stl #downtownstl #dogsofinstgram #servicedogs #slu

160 likes

266 likes

203 likes

slulaw No question that this Supreme Court session was significant. Never fear, Professor Chad Flanders breaks down some of the impactful rulings of the year for the podcast.

1,087 likes

slulaw Congrats to Ashlynn Zapolski (rising 2L and communications assistant in the comms office)! She has been named the liaison for the ABA Law Student Division of Armed Forces Law. We know she will make us proud. #lawstudent #armedforces #aba #liaison #lawschool #futurelawyer #stlouis #slu

slulaw “Each of us should have a sense of pride to be a part of this profession — even though we know there is work to be done.”

Dean Johnson welcomes the new class of law students at SLU Law Orientation. We

are already proud of what you’ll do!

#slulaw #backtoschool

TIMOTHY O’LEARY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND RECIPIENT

Local St. Louis firm, Sandberg Phoenix, awarded 3L student, Mackenzie Miller, with the Timothy O’Leary Memorial Scholarship Fund. This award recognizes a law student who actively works towards diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives with up to $10,000 in assistance. Additionally, recipients receive a paid position with Sandberg Phoenix. Created in 2021, this scholarship aims to assist such law students while honoring Sandberg Phoenix’s late partner, Tim O’Leary. Mackenzie Miller accepted this scholarship during a visit from chairman of Sandberg Phoenix, Bhavik Patel, on August 26, 2022. SL B

@Dean_WashULaw (Nov. 25)

In the spirit of gathering over a meal (in this case, St. Louis’ former @SugarFireSmoke), here’s a photo from dinner earlier this month co-hosted by our Student Veterans Association, @SLULAW, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3500. Students, enjoy your break!

@LewisRice (Nov 17)

Thank you @SLULAW for inviting us to participate in your inaugural Diversity Initiative Showcase! We appreciated the opportunity to meet so many impressive law students. #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #DEI #Legal

@RightsBehind (Mar. 15)

Today @RightsBehind, @ ArchCityDefense, @MacArthrJustice and @SLULAW filed to certify a class action in our ongoing case against STL’s “City Justice Center” for their practices of deriving people of water, making people, and failing to accommodate people with disabilities.

@CPRBlog (Nov. 18)

The results of this year’s much-dicussed midterm elections are finally (almost fully) in. So what’s next? Scholars

@ProfMikeDuff of @SLULAW, @nsaschs1 of @URLAWSchool, and Dave Owen of @UCHastingsLaw weigh in.

@SLUWorkLaw (Jul 26)

Black lung is on the rise, but help for sick miners has declined. Read this very personal op-ed by Center Co-Director @ProfMikeDuff, urging action: https://account. kentucky.com/paywall/subscriberonly?resume=263810713&intcid=ab_ archive

@DrSinhaEsq (Aug. 31)

A tremendously engaging conversation with attendees at the @Bander_Center conference this morning! A terrific beginning to the academic year at @SLU_Official @SLULAW @SLU_ HealthLaw!

Photos by Steve Dolan

COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN

BIRTH COUNTRIES OF 2022

STUDENTS

THEE WELL F are CLASS OF 2022 GRADUATES

79% 80.7%

SLU LAW Bar Passage Rate for first-time Missouri takers (summer 2022) (compared to average MO firsttime rate of 73%)

SLU LAW Bar Passage Rate for first-time Missouri takers who also took the Summer Workshop Series led by Professors Antonia Miceli and Petina Benigno

eflections Alumni

Intellectual Property

Zachary Wegmann (’13) was a chemical engineer before he arrived at Saint Louis University School of Law. Shortly after starting his career as an IP attorney, he responded to an opportunity in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Wegmann took on the challenge and spent several years in Riyadh building IP awareness and establishing IP departments for technology companies in the Middle East. Now back in America, Wegmann works on this mission as a Senior Associate at Norton Rose Fulbright. His practice focuses on the acquisition, licensing, commercialization, and enforcement of IP rights for international businesses.

Whatwasyourexperiencelikeat SLULAW?

WEGMANN: I got a comprehensive background in SLU’s IP classes. The professors were experienced practitioners and they taught us the practical aspects. You can lecture about a lot of theory, but they taught us things we were going to use on our first day out of law school.

Whatchallengesdidyouseein yourday-to-dayinSaudiArabia?

WEGMANN: The knowledge of IP in the region is still developing. Every conversation starts with a general explanation of IP rights and how IP can help established and emerging businesses. You must explain in very simplistic terms the risks and why it’s important to establish IP rights early in the technology development lifecycle.

Whatadvicedoyouhavefor students?

WEGMANN: Be bold. Don’t be afraid to take risks early in your career. You get great professional and personal experiences going off the beaten path. Then, you can always come back and have a niche.

“ Be bold. Don’t be afraid to take risks early in your career.”

– WEGMANN

Each year, the Intellectual Property law concentration welcomes a new class of students from different walks of life. Like many aspects of Saint Louis University School of Law, the IP concentration benefits from the diverse backgrounds and rich ideas the students bring to their law school experience. Although there are many alumni who have specialized in IP over the years, 151 graduates of the concentration, the first earner graduated in 2011, the SLU LAW Brief was able to capture four interviews with SLU LAW alumni. These professionals showcase their expertise in the field and reflect on their time in law school as well as their additional skillsets from past careers and education.

Rohini Roy (’14) is an Entertainment Law attorney for Lewis Brisbois in Illinois. Before law school, she graduated with a Sociology degree and minored in English. Her interest in the entertainment sphere translated to pursuing her J.D. within the world of Intellectual Property. Roy’s practice allows her to work with various artists and creatives both in the Midwest and coastal cities like Los Angeles, New York and Miami.

Whatisitlikeworkingwithinthe entertainmentsideoflaw?

ROY: We had a case that dealt with a licensing agreement

gone wrong about a video game featuring in a film. The issue with IP and copyright is that it’s not as black-and-white as other fields. The law is still catching up when it comes to technology. This gives room for the ability to make creative arguments.

Whatgoalsdoyouhave foryourcareer?

ROY: I am now a partner at Lewis Brisbois, which is very exciting. I think it’s the idea of bringing IP opportunities to a region like St. Louis. We have IP work, but it is still not to the extent of the coast. People who are artists and creators here should have the same legal access as others.

Whatadvicedoyouhavefor students?

ROY: For first years, attend writing seminars! The IP faculty has a great deal of knowledge that you can take with you. For recent graduates, don’t be discouraged about the region you are looking for work in. IP Law does not only reside in law firms. Look for opportunities where you are, and if you can’t find them, don’t be afraid to create them!

“ The issue with IP and copyright is that it’s not as black-and-white as other fields. The law is still catching up when it comes to technology.” – ROY

Allison Krepel (’13) was formally educated in biomedical engineering. She is now a shareholder at Polsinelli and has taken on becoming a mentor herself. Some of the associates she trains are a part of the SLU LAW community as well. As an attorney, Krepel works on the prosecution of U.S. and foreign patent applications over an interesting variety of areas, such a medical devices, biomaterials and nuclear medicine.

Whatdidyouenjoyaboutyour timeatSLULAW?

Krepel: When I got to law school, I knew I wanted to work in a highly specified area. I took pretty much every IP class available taught by both SLU faculty and adjunct faculty, which was a huge benefit. In classes taught by a practicing attorney, they were able to give insight based on a problem they may have seen earlier that day. The IP concentration and advice of Professor Liebesman were also very valuable.

Whatisadayinyour positionlike?

Krepel: My range covers medical devices that might be implanted in your body, laser treatments and some

Victor Smith is a 2019 graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Previously, Smith was an engineer and earned a Bachelor of Science in Electric and Electronics Engineering from Southern Illinois University in 1991. In May of 2021, Smith established his own law firm, Victor Smith, Attorney at Law,

LLC, in St. Louis, Missouri. As an experienced business owner himself, Smith assists upcoming businesses establish themselves. His firm focuses on several areas of the law, including Intellectual Property.

Whatdidyoudobeforeyou pursuedlaw?

SMITH: I was an engineer for

many, many years. After both of my children graduated from high school, I decided to pursue a new career in law.

Yourunyourownfirmnow,what isyourrolethere?

SMITH: I have a general practice where I get to include IP, but I also have a variety of other different assignments.

“ SLU did a great job compartmentalizing what you need to know, but you learn how to be a lawyer by being a lawyer. ...you have to get yourself a mentor. ”

– SMITH

“ I have a broad range of clients, so I’m always applying what I learned in engineering school and law school .”

– KREPEL

pharmaceuticals, so my day-to-day is very different. I have a broad range of clients, so I’m always applying what I learned in engineering school and law school.

Whatadvicedoyouhave forstudents?

Krepel: Reach out to current attorneys to learn about what the actual practice of law looks like in their particular area. Get hands-on experience when you can. The classroom is important, but it’s so different than my work day.

Intellectual Property Concentration

NOT AN ENGINEER? NOT A PROBLEM

A degree in STEM is not necessary to practice Intellectual Property law. There are various paths one can take when pursuing the IP concentration. If the student does have a science or engineering degree, they can go into patent drafting, as the degree is needed to become a member of the Patent Bar. However, those from all backgrounds can find a home within IP. Some courses that IP students can take include Art Law, Global Entrepreneurship, and Social Media and Data Privacy.

PART-TIME STUDENTS ARE WELCOME

Students who take on this concentration can make their course schedule work for them. As many people who pursue IP emerge from other careers, Saint Louis University School of Law ensures that classes are offered in the evening as well as the daytime, so every student has the chance to succeed.

START YOUR CAREER QUICKLY

It’s a great time to find yourself in the IP field. Intellectual Property professionals have the opportunity to work in both large and small law firms, as well as several other high-level companies. SLU LAW alumni have found careers at local St. Louis companies such as Purina Farms, AnheuserBusch, or in positions outside of the city and across the nation. As seen, some alumni go on to start their own firms and be their own boss.

I help people set up their businesses and create trademarks. I appreciate being able to take charge of my own day-to-day activities.

Whatadvicedoyouhavefor students?

SMITH: When you’re in law school, you get all the information in digestible little chunks. SLU did a great job compartmentalizing what you need to know, but you learn how to be a lawyer by being a lawyer. So, you have to get yourself a mentor. You have to have someone to bounce ideas off. Mentorship is so important. SL B

SIPLA team during the 2022 Student Organization Event (left.) Dean William Johnson and Professor Yvette Joy Liebesman with an attendee of the 2021 Works in Progress for Intellectual Property Scholars Colloquium.

THE NEXT BIG IDEA

The Expanding Intellectual Property Concentration at SLU LAW

PROFESSOR YVETTE JOY

LIEBESMAN is SLU LAW’s enthusiastic and devoted Intellectual Property concentration faculty advisor. Although her expertise is apparent in her classroom, Liebesman wasn’t always the IP expert that she is now. In fact, it wasn’t until later in her life that she decided to pursue a life in the law.

“I didn’t go to law school until I was 38,” said Liebesman. “I had various careers. I had been a professional photographer; I’ve worked in pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Eventually, I decided I needed something more challenging. So, I went to law school, and I had some exposure to IP from there and it was just what I was most interested in.”

Professor Liebesman earned her J.D. at Georgetown University Law Center in 2006. Not long after, Liebesman joined the faculty at SLU LAW to help establish the Intellectual Property concentration.

“We started in Fall 2010. [The concentration has] grown quite a number in the last few years. There’s wonderful faculty that have come and gone along the way.”

Since she took on the role of Faculty Advisor, she’s guided over a decade of IP students. Outside of her role as a mentor and professor, Liebesman is known for her expertise. She lends her knowledge to the press regarding copyright and trademark news in the media. She once was interviewed by CBS News and the ABA Law Journal regarding tattoo artist Victor Whitmill’s lawsuit against Warner Bros. over a recreation of Mike Tyson’s distinctive facial tattoo in the movie ‘Hangover II’. She has provided expert testimony on several IP-related lawsuits.

A leader in the field, earlier this year Liebesman planned and co-sponsored the annual Works-In-Progress Intellectual Property colloquium alongside the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. The colloquium brought dozens of IP scholars to Scott Hall to review works in progress covering trending topics in the field of intellectual property.

Liebesman, a prolific scholar herself, has recently published Offensive Mark Owners Have an Enforcement Problem where she reviews Supreme Court trademark cases and First Amendment rights. Liebesman’s writing talents were recognized in 2013 with the International Trademark Association’s Ladas Award for writing excellence on the subject of trademarks and related matters.

Along with her intellect, expertise, and skills, Liebesman is mentioned to be the heart of the Intellectual Property

concentration. Although she has done the bulk of the work, she shares the achievements with her students. Each class brings in new ideas for both the concentration and the correlated student organization.

“Our attitude is if a student wants to do something...we want them to run with it. We do our best not to take ownership of everything. And the person who is going to do it best is the person whose idea it is and who is excited about it,” Liebesman said. “It’s also about teaching them the skills of leadership. Every year we are lucky to have people who are really interested in [SIPLA] and come up with great ideas. We just say: ‘what do you need from us and what can we do to help you?’”

Liebesman is proud of her students’ success at SLU LAW and beyond; their accomplishments include three SLU LAW IP concentration students who took first place in the 2017 International Patent Drafting Competition. Professor Liebesman’s dedication, intellect, and remarkable ability to elevate student potential is one of the major highlights of attending the Intellectual Property concentration.

“We started in Fall 2010. [The concentration has] grown quite a number in the last few years. There’s wonderful faculty that have come and gone along the way.” – LIEBESMAN

Professor Yvette Joy Liebesman visits Saint Louis University’s north campus to share information about Intellectual Property.

FACULTY

The foundation of the Intellectual Property field is working with clients, individuals, and businesses, with creative minds and great ideas. Those on the other side of the desk often have the same character. It doesn’t take long to realize that growth of the concentration is due to the ingenuity of those involved.

Professor Erika Cohn has been a member of SLU LAW’s IP team since 2013, when she proposed a course called Intellectual Property Law research. Cohn is the former director of the Vincent C. Immel Law Library. Having recently taken on the role of Associate General Counsel for IP at Anheuser-Busch, she remains a member of the SLU LAW team as an adjunct professor teaching Trademark and Unfair Competition Law. Cohn’s dedication to helping the IP Concentration prevail has shown through her teachings. “IP as an area of the law is, and has been, growing. There is an incentive for students to join a growing field and an area where there are more and more opportunities,” she said.

It is common for students who take the concentration to come from various backgrounds and move forward to unique opportunities that fit their personal aptitudes. Students of all ages come into the classroom from former careers in STEM, the arts, or general studies, proving that there is no pre-requisite besides the desire to learn. Countless paths have created Intellectual Property attorneys.

“Something that’s exciting about teaching in this area is that we have students who come from prior careers – that law isn’t their first path. And when you have people who come from unique backgrounds, you have students who can see the issues from different perspectives, and that’s always great for the classroom,” Professor Cohn says.

The newest addition to the teaching of Intellectual Property at Saint Louis University School of Law is Professor Michael Sinha. Professor Sinha has a background in medicine and research and completed a combined M.D./J.D. program at Southern Illinois University. He’s taught at both Harvard Medical School and Northeastern University School of Law. As an Assistant Professor in Center for Health Law, Sinha uses his dual background to teach the Patent Law course at SLU LAW.

“Patent law is a natural home for law students who have a background or training in a STEM field and want to integrate their legal training into continued work in those areas. It is a fast-moving field, with cases frequently coming before the US Supreme Court and Congress continuing to show significant interest in patent reform. After all, patent law is constitutional law: patents are explicitly mentioned in the U.S. Constitution (see Article I, Section 8, Clause 8)!” Professor Sinha said.

“Something that’s exciting about teaching in this area is that we have students who come from prior careers –that law isn’t their first path. And when you have people who come from unique backgrounds, you have students who can see the issues from different perspectives, and that’s always great for the classroom” – COHN

SIPLA AND STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

When COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, students came back to Scott Hall – and they’ve proved themselves to be eager to get back to work. The Student Intellectual Property Association (SIPLA) has years of student involvement. RJ Whitehill, Co-President of SIPLA and 3L, began his time at SLU LAW during the pandemic.

“In my 1L year, we had a lot of COVID limits, so it was hard to get involved. Once we were all back on campus, I got on board,” Whitehill said. “In general, SIPLA has been helpful in getting involved in the field. One thing we try to do in SIPLA is to introduce the field to students and try to make it a bit more personable. A lot of the times we hear: ‘I don’t have a STEM background, so I can’t get into patents,’ but the field is so vast and there are plenty of other opportunities.”

throughout the year to educate classmates about the rapidly expanding concentration. Students can sign up to have lunch with an active attorney. They form connections, receive advice, and get a look at what it’s like to be out in the field.

2L Jeffrey Lin came from a background in Biology that led him to seek the Intellectual Property concentration. He noted how SIPLA uplifts him when navigating struggles at school. “SIPLA helped me reaffirm my belief and passion that I want to do IP,” Lin said. “SIPLA brings in a lot of attorneys from different backgrounds...because of that, I got to listen to a lot of patent attorneys talk about what they do, what they like about their responsibilities and the nuances that come with their job.”

SIPLA members benefit from the introduction to current attorneys as well as advice from other classmates. Lin continues: “One thing that I love about being here, is knowing that everyone is willing to give a helping hand. When I was a 1L and trying to get the hang of things, I really relied on older students for advice. They were able to give me a lot of guidance about what classes to take and what internships to go for. So, being able to talk to upperclassmen and know that there are people I can rely on is amazing –especially Professor Liebesman. She’s one of the best Professors that I’ve ever had. She’s super helpful. And I think it’s partly because she’s been through what I’m trying to go through.”

The student leadership of SIPLA organizes activities and hosts guest speakers

2L Jeffrey Lin attends an event at Scott Hall and chats with other students and assistant dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Belinda Dantley (‘13).

The IP team, both faculty and students, at SLU LAW has spearheaded the expansion of the need for Intellectual Property education. The growing department has seen spikes in student attendance on courses such as IP Survey, and involvement in SIPLA. As the need for Intellectual Property expertise grows, keep an eye on SLU LAW affiliates as they bring forth their new ideas into the world of law. SL B

“SIPLA helped me reaffirm my belief and passion that I want to do IP,” Lin said. “SIPLA brings in a lot of attorneys from different backgrounds... because of that, I got to listen to a lot of patent attorneys talk about what they do, what they like about their responsibilities and the nuances that come with their job.”– LIN

Collaboration and Community: Introducing

the Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Program

attendance knew, the referred to ‘it’ was the dedication to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in legal careers and education. At the dinner, Saint Louis University School of Law kicked off its Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy community program.

The event included SLU LAW faculty, staff, and students as well as attorneys from Evans & Dixon, LLC, one of the first firms to join the program.

We all know we need it. We all know it’s possible, and we all know it’s worth it. I, for one, pledge my commitment.”

On October 6, 2022, Dean William Johnson made a speech and a promise in front of a crowd of students, staff, and local attorneys at Scott Hall’s Louis W. Riethmann, Jr. Pavilion. As everyone in

Speaking on behalf of the Evans & Dixon team, Danielle Strong and Maria Daugherty (‘10) were eager to share why the firm made joining the program a priority.

“I think that wanting to be a part of this advocacy program is that we understand, respect and acknowledge the caliber of the lawyers that

“I THINK THAT WANTING TO BE A PART OF THIS ADVOCACY PROGRAM IS THAT WE UNDERSTAND, RESPECT AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE CALIBER OF LAWYERS THAT COME OUT OF SLU LAW.”

come out of SLU LAW,” Daugherty said. “I may be a little biased, I’m a SLU LAW alum myself. If you’re going to partner with anyone in the community, you have to partner with someone who has the values you share and the values you’re hoping to gain more of. SLU LAW was kind of an easy decision. But hopefully, they were just the beginning.”

“Evans & Dixon also donates to a charity that matches the event of the month. For example, they donated to the Trevor Project, a nationwide 24/7 crisis support service for LGBQT+ individuals, during June’s PRIDE celebrations.

They’ve made great strides to support those around them; their initiatives are relatively new, although their imagination and ambition would make it hard to believe. “Our own Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee was formed in 2020 and we’ve been working to get involved with the community,” Strong said. “We have, so far, decided to give $100,000 to [SLU LAW’s Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Program] and we are really excited about that.”

The scholarships will assist students through law school by eliminating some of the costs of tuition. SLU LAW hopes to

ensure the law is an expanding field, where all people can thrive.

Another firm that was an early addition to the Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Program is the Simon Law Firm, P.C. Founded by John Simon, the firm has been serving clients in the Greater St. Louis area since 2000. The Simon Law Firm has been a consistent sponsor of SLU LAW activities, including providing a free pancake breakfast from Chris’s at the Docket for all SLU LAW students, faculty and staff during final exam week.

Elizabeth Lenvivy, an attorney with the Simon Law firm since 2014, spoke to the Saint Louis Brief on behalf of the firm about the decision to join the Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Program. “Diversity is something that we lack in the legal field, especially in plaintiffs. Diversity only benefits the law firm. We represent clients of all different backgrounds. It makes for a stronger law firm and a stronger team,” Lenvivy said.

The Simon Law Firm encourages its members to partake and spread diversity awareness of all kinds. “I am a member of the Asian American Bar Association, and

everyone was very supportive in me taking on that extra responsibility,” Lenvivy said.

Both the Simon Law Firm and Evans & Dixon are examples of firms that actively engage with the mission of SLU LAW regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

On November 16, 2022, the School of Law invited more firms to display how they promote diversity advocacy in their workplaces. The DEI Firm Showcase allowed local firms to present their mission to support their community and spread diversity awareness in the field of law. Other employers also came by, including the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney group. This two-hour showcase allowed students to mingle with attorneys and representatives and learn about what it is like to be a lawyer in the current field of law.

The showcase was made possible by a collaboration between the School of Law’s development and DEI office, including development director Michael Ruiz, development officer Kearney Liuzza, assistant dean Belinda Dantley, and JP BonnetLaboy, assistant director in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. SL B

MONICA EPPINGER

Associate Professor; Co-Director, Center for International and Comparative Law

Herding History: Law and the Transformation of Collective Subjectivities in the Dairyspheres of Ukraine, 16(2) J. F ood L. & P o L icy (2021).

MICHAEL DUFF

Professor; Co-Director, William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law

Fifty More Years of Ineffable Quo? Workers’ Compensation and the Right to Personal Security, 111 KENTUCKY L. J. (2022)

EMPLOYMENT LAW. 5th ed. (New York: Wolters Kluwer, forthcoming) (with Richard Carlson, Richard Bales, and Dallan Flake) (forthcoming 2023)

CHAD FLANDERS

Professor

Alaskan Exceptionalism in Campaign Finance, 37 Alaska L. Rev. 191 (2021).

ROBERT GATTER

Professor; Director, Center for Health Law Studies

Health Law: Cases, Materials and Problems, 9th edition, American Casebook Series, West (2022) (with Brietta R. Clark, Erin C. Fuse Brown, Elizabeth Y. McCuskey and Elizabeth Pendo)

WILLIAM JOHNSON

Professor; Dean

Disclaiming Warranties That Were Never Implied: The Irrelevance of UCC Section 2-316 for Article 35 of the CISG, 28 Southwestern Journal of International Law 685 (2022) (invited symposium article) (forthcoming)

YVETTE LIEBESMAN

Professor; Faculty Advisor for Intellectual Property Concentration

Offensive Mark Owners Have an Enforcement Problem, 59 HOUSTON L. REV 57 (2021).

DANA MALKUS

Professor; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs; Director, Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinics Legal Clinic

Author, Acknowledging the Racist Roots of Disinvestment and Abandonment: How Local Government Can set the Stage for Change, forthcoming, Univ. of Fl. J. of Law & Public Pol’y (Fall 2022)

MARCIA MCCORMICK

Professor; Co-Director, William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law

"QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION (forthcoming 2023)

SLU LAW faculty continue to produce excellent scholarship, read and recognized at national and international levels. The following is a sampling of our faculty’s scholarship successes in 2022.

ANTONIA MICELI

Professor; Academic Support and Bar Exam Success

Melissa Hale, Antonia Miceli, Tania Shah, The Ultimate Guide to the Uniform Bar Examination (Wolters Kluwer 2021).

HENRY ORDOWER Professor

Uniform International Tax Collection and Distribution for Global Development, a Utopian BEPS Alternative, 12 Columbia J of Tax L 126 (2021).

ELIZABETH PENDO

Joseph J. Simeone Professor of Law

Health Law: Cases, Materials and Problems, 9th edition, American Casebook Series, West (2022) (with Brietta R. Clark, Erin C. Fuse Brown, Robert Gatter and Elizabeth Y. McCuskey)

KAREN PETROSKI Professor

Fictionality, handbook in The New Critical Idiom series (Routledge, forthcoming 2022-23).

MICHAEL SINHA

Assistant Professor

EACH Person’s Right: The Importance of Federal Abortion Care Funding to Health Care Reform (with law student Cassandra LaRose), 48 AM. J. L. & MED. (forthcoming).

AM Last Page: How Male Allies Can Support the Advancement of Women in Academic Medicine (with Kristina Dzara and Stephanie K. Mueller) 97 ACADEMIC MED. (forthcoming).

CONSTANCE WAGNER

Professor; Co-Director, Center for International and Comparative Law

Constance Z. Wagner and Nancy Kaymar Stafford, Developing Standards for Gender-Responsive Human Rights Due Diligence, in A GUIDE TO HUMAN RIGHTS DUE DILIGENCE FOR LAWYERS (American Bar Association, Section of International Law, 2022)

SIDNEY WATSON

Jane and Bruce Robert Professor of Law

Primer, Missouri abortion law after the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs, National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys State-by-State Law Summaries Building Defenses in PregnancyRelated Prosecutions: Understanding the Issues & the Science, July 2022 (with Mary Quandt)

MOLLY WILSON

Professor; Associate Dean for Research and Engagement

Effective Public Health Communication in a PostCovid-19 American: Lessons from Behavioral Science, 27 Lewis & Clark L. Rev. ___ (forthcoming 2023).

CLASS NOTES

THROUGH DEC. 20, 2022

Due to space constraints, The Brief can no longer publish St. Louis Magazine’s Best Lawyers listings.

1975

The Honorable Michael McCuskey became Legislative Inspector General in the State of Illinois in February of 2022. He previously served as a state circuit and appellate judge for Illinois. In 1997, he was appointed to the United States District Court of the Central District of Illinois.

1976

David Johnson was recently honored with the Colorado Bar Association's Award of Merit. Johnson’s background primarily includes family law, and he has handled cases regarding business valuations, complex trust issues and high value prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements.

Robert West became Senior Counsel at Capes Sokol as of 2022. West devotes a substantial portion of his practice to counseling real estate developers and owners of industrial and multi-family estates.

1981

Maria Vitale Perron was the 2022 recipient of the Robert Walston Chubb Award at the annual Common Good Awards presented by Legal Services of Eastern Missouri. Perron served as the board president from 2018 to 2022 and is a partner at the Perron Law Firm, P.C., in St. Louis.

1982

The Honorable Donna J. Henderson received the 20th Annual Cafritz Award for public service to District of Columbia workers’ compensation stakeholders. Henderson is an Administrative Law Judge, Administrative Hearings Division Labor Standards Bureau with the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services.

1984

Elizabeth Connelly became Partner for Visionary Wealth Advisors. She has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. As a Senior Wealth Management Advisor, Connelly is responsible for managing generational wealth, including developing retirement plans.

1986

The Honorable Gloria Clark Reno was appointed to the Public Defenders Commission of the Missouri State Government. She has served as the Presiding Judge, Circuit Judge, and Associate Circuit Judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit in St. Louis County. Judge Reno was previously an Assistant Public Defender and Trail Team Leader for the Missouri State Public Defenders System’s City of St. Louis Office.

John Simon was recognized as a Power List Lawyer regarding Personal Injury law in Missouri Lawyer’s Media and on the Best Lawyers list in Commercial Litigation. Simon is notably the Managing Partner at the Simon Law Firm.

Joseph Walsh Jr. was named on the St. Louis TITAN 100 list and recognized in Best Lawyers in the subject of copyright and patent law. Walsh is a Principal at Harness IP where he develops and executes large and small-scale intellectual property strategies to deliver legal and business solutions to his clients.

1987

James Luzecky retired from his position as Partner of Ernst & Young, an IT services and consulting network. He focused on the taxation of business entities and gained experience with cross-border acquisitions and transactions.

1988

John Nations became a Member at Doster Ullom & Boyle, LLC, a firm focusing on business law, real estate and estate planning. Nations previously

served as the Mayor of Chesterfield, Missouri and spent eight years as President and CEO of Bi-State Development.

James Onder was recognized on the Power List for Personal Injury Law in Missouri Lawyers Media. Onder is the founder of OnderLaw LLC, where he works within personal injury as well as construction litigation and class actions.

1992

David Fedder became Principal at Carmody MacDonald P.C., St. Louis. Fedder practices real estate litigation and commercial litigation. Along with his legal practice, Fedder is a part-time police officer with the Creve Coeur police department.

1994

William Remis became Shareholder at Capes Sokol, PC. At this firm, Remis represents and advises developers, business owners, landlords, tenants, creditors and the like. He works within real estate acquisition and development, leasing and finance.

1995

James O’Leary was recognized on the Power List for Personal Injury Law at Missouri Lawyers Media and on the Best Lawyers list for Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Plaintiffs for STL Magazine. O’Leary is a founding partner at O’Leary, Shelton, Corrigan, Peterson, Dalton & Quillin, LLC. At this firm, he concentrates his practice on injury litigation and torts.

1996

James Corrigan was recognized on the Power List for Personal Injury Law in Missouri Lawyer's Media. Corrigan is widely recognized as a national advocate and authority on window blind strangulation and safety and is a founding member of O’Leary, Shelton, Corrigan, Peterson, Dalton, & Quillin, LLC.

Michael S. Hargis was honored as an IP Start for ‘Managing Intellectual Property’ for the year 2022. Hargis is an attorney at Stites & Harbison, PLLC. His practice areas include intellectual property, patent prosecution and protection, trademarks, licensing and litigation.

Amy Gunn was recognized on the Power List for Personal Injury Law for Missouri Lawyers Media. Gunn is an attorney with the Simon Law Firm, P.C., and represents clients nationwide regarding injury & medical malpractice cases.

1997

Pamela Glaser became a member of the Board of Directors for the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery. Glaser is a trusts and estates lawyer serving in the St. Louis area. She works within the Glaser, Palan & Soshnik Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors.

1998

Francis Miller became a Shareholder at Capes Sokol in St. Louis. Miller represents developers, purchasers, landlords, tenants and works with real estate investments. He works as a legal and financial advisor for his clients.

Diane Mispagel became a Shareholder at Rosenblum Goldenhersh P.C., as a member of the Real Estate and Corporate practice group. Mispagel assists clients in the drafting, negotiating and closing acquisitions and sales of numerous commercial properties.

Matthew Reh became a Managing Attorney at Armstrong, Teasdale in Edwardsville, Illinois. Reh heads the firm’s Litigation practice group and focuses his practice on real estate litigation, tort litigation and municipal law.

1999

Stacy Wipfler became a Shareholder at Capes Sokol in May 2022. Wipfler practices real estate law, as well as land use development and financing.

The Honorable Rochelle Woodiest was appointed an Associate Circuit Judge to the 22nd Judicial Circuit in St. Louis. Woodiest spent more than 10 years serving as a trial attorney and prosecutor in the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office, including more than four years as the Director of Drug Court Prosecution in the adult drug court program.

2000

Rachelle Crowe became a United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Crowe has served as the State Senator for Illinois’s 56th District since 2019.

2001

Kristopher Cruzada was elected to the Winter Park City Commission in March of 2022. He has been practicing law in central Florida at Cruzada Law for nearly 10 years.

Sarah Holdener earned a Corporate Counsel Award for 2022, according to the St. Louis Business Journal. Holdener became the Director of Operations at Movahed OMS in September 2022. Holdener also is the Vice Chairmen of the Compensation Committee at Scott Credit Union.

The Honorable William Chris McDonough was appointed as an Associate Circuit Judge for Division 5 of the 11th Judicial Circuit for the State of Missouri. Before earning his law degree, McDonough graduated with his master’s degree in Business Administration from Maryville University.

Tara Nealey was recognized as one of the Most Influential Businesswomen of 2022 in the St. Louis Business Journal. She is the Biotechnology & Life Sciences Patent Prosecution Chair for Polsinelli.

Scott Shanker has joined the Memphis office of Bass, Berry & Sims. Shanker advises clients regarding fraud and abuse laws. Clients include healthcare providers such as hospitals, physician practices and private healthcare companies.

2002

Cardina Johnson has joined the Mediator Panel of United States Arbitration & Mediation. USA&M is a Reader Rankings Top Winner as both an Alternative Dispute Resolution Provider and Independent Arbitrator in Missouri Lawyers. Johnson has served as Associate General Counsel for Illinois Education Association since 2012.

Tabitha Atwell became Of Counsel at Danna McKitrick, P.C. Atwell focuses her practice on elder law, estate and tax planning, probate, and trust administration. Tabitha L. Atwell was also elected to a three-year term on the board of directors for the Society of Financial Service Professionals.

2003

Mariquita Barbieri has joined Thompson Coburn as a Partner. Barbieri is a tax attorney who works within mergers and acquisitions, manages corporate and litigation matters, and works closely with her clients regarding complex transactions.

2004

Seth Hawkins was recognized by the Association of Corporate Counsel, St. Louis Chapter, and the St. Louis Business Journal with the 2022 Corporate Counsel Award. Since 2021, Hawkins has worked as the Vice President and General Counsel at Anheuser-Busch.

2005

Lauren L. Wood was elected to the position of principal at Danna McKitrick, P.C. Wood’s primary focus is civil litigation. This includes business litigation, insurance matters, and trial practice and appellate work.

2006

Erika Labelle became Partner at Akerman LLP, Denver, Colorado. Labelle represents public and private businesses in transactional tax, REIT, and controversy matters. Her areas of experience include tax, corporate tax, and data centers and digital infrastructure.

Andrea McNairy was recognized on Power ListPersonal Injury Law for Missouri Lawyers Media. McNairy is a trial attorney with Brown & Crouppen Law Firm with an emphasis on wrongful death, product and premises liability and complex auto accident litigation.

2007

Katherine Moore was named as one of nine 2022 Corporate Counsel Award winners by the St. Louis Business Journal. Moore works with McBride & Son Homes as a Commercial Real Estate lawyer and has been with the business since 2016.

2008

Andrew Balcer became an attorney at Halpern Law Firm, LLC, where he exclusively represents mesothelioma victims. Prior to this, Balcer worked with Legal Services representing those who could not otherwise afford access to the courthouse.

David Gutwein became an Associate Attorney at McMahon Berger PC, a firm based in St. Louis, Missouri with a dedicated focus on labor and employment law. Gutwein’s primary focus is on bankruptcy cases.

Natalie Kean is now the Director of Federal Health Advocacy at Justice in Aging. Kean has led a social justice career, including serving as a Catholic missionary lawyer in the Philippines advocating on behalf of homeless.

Jonathan Waclawski became the Vice President of Political Advocacy at National Association of Realtors, Washington, D.C. He is a political law attorney experience in advising trade association.

2009

Christine Carney was recognized by the Association of Corporate Counsel, St. Louis Chapter, and the St. Louis Business Journal with the 2022 Corporate Counsel Award for her work. Carney is a Senior Associate general counsel at Emerson Commercial & Residential Solutions, where she has been working for six years. She counsels business teams through complex projects and initiatives.

Celia Carroll  has joined Tucker Ellis LLP’s Health & Life Sciences practice. Carroll manages and coordinates defense strategies for claims involving medical and pharmaceutical liability, toxic tort, and product liability. She is actively involved in every aspect of client defense, from pre-trial strategy and investigation through discovery, substantive motion practice, alternative dispute resolution, trial, and post-trial work.

2010

Emily Cantwell began serving as Partner in Charge at the St. Louis area office of Lathrop GPM. She is a litigation attorney with a focus on business litigation. She works with financial institutions, handles receiverships, and assists entities in navigating employment law.

2011

Thomas Wiese was named MTM’s Chief Legal Officer. MTM, Inc. specializes in non-emergency medical transportation. Wiese is the first chief legal officer for the company.

2012

Stacy Osmond was elevated to Partner at DLA Piper LLP (US). She focuses her practice in real estate law and practices out of the firm’s Chicago, Illinois office.

Angela Odlum was named Income Partner at Armstrong Teasdale, LLP. Odlum works within the financial and real estate services group, representing developers, finance and banking firms, nonprofit organizations, and more.

Scott Yackey was named Principal at Harness, Dickey & Pierce, PLLC. Yackey joined Harness IP as an intellectual property attorney in 2018. As Principal at the firm’s Texas office, Yackey will continue to focus on serving clients in all areas of obtaining and enforcing patents and trademarks.

2013

Victoria Alvarez became a Business Litigation Associate in Troutman Pepper’s Charlotte, NC office. She represents real estate developers, manufacturers, public utilities, and companies of all sizes in complex commercial disputes.

Nicholas Burkhart became a Shareholder at Polsinelli in July of 2022. Burkhart focuses on tax credit finance and real estate. He works closely with developers, investors and community development enterprises in his practice.

Nicolas Cejas was named Income Partner at Armstrong Teasdale LLP. Cejas is a member of the mass tort and catastrophic loss practice area where he represents major hospitals, doctors, and other professionals in the Greater St. Louis region.

The Honorable Matthew Houston was appointed an Associate Circuit Judge in Franklin County, Missouri on February 18, 2022. Houston first practiced family law before becoming a prosecuting attorney.

Chalana Scales-Ferguson was named Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging for Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University. Scales-Ferguson was recognized in 2020 by the University of Missouri Women’s Law Association with the Carey Mae Carrol Award for her position as Director of Academic Success.

2014

John Bowen was named Shareholder at Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman in their Indianapolis, Indiana office as of August 2022. Bowen focuses his practice within corporate transactions and antitrust.

Gregory Deschler was promoted to Income Partner at Armstrong Teasdale LLP. Deschler’s services include finance, real estate, health care and life services, development and construction.

Kyle McKenna was named the Executive Vice President of the St. Louis Chapter of NECA. McKenna serves as a labor and employment attorney assisting in the representation of over 150 electrical and communications contractors.

2015

Samantha Hendrix became the Director of Legal Services and General Counsel at Saint Francis Healthcare System. Saint Francis provides a wide variety of specialty services across a five-state region.

2017

Bradley Sliment has been welcomed as an Associate at Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice. Sliment’s practice focuses on personal injury, premises liability and product liability defense.

2019

Samuel Beffa became an Associate Attorney at Carmody MacDonald P.C. Beffa is a part of the firm's transactional group and is focused on real estate, corporate and business law.

Miranda Bukowski was elected as a Senior Associate at Brown & James Law Firm. She practices in the areas of health care liability, insurance law, premises and retail liability, and veterinary health care liability.

Jessica Gottsacker was named an Associate Attorney and member of the Intellectual Property practice group at Armstrong Teasdale as of July 2022. She assists clients with copyright, trademark applications and renewals, mergers and acquisitions, and has extensive experience in legal research.

Edward Radetic III was elected as a Senior Associate at Brown & James Law Firm. He practices in the areas of premises liability, professional liability, transportation law, and insurance defense. During his time earning his law degree, Radetic was a Notes and Comment Editor for the Saint Louis University Law Journal

Louis Spinner II was elected as a Senior Associate at Brown & James Law Firm. He practices in the area of health care liability. Before obtaining his law degree, Spinner served in the Marine Corps and obtained his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Lindenwood University.

2021

Kerri Mitchell became an Associate at Carmody MacDonald P.C. Mitchell counsels clients regarding Homeowner and Condo Association Law. She is an active member of the Community Associations Institute – Heartland Chapter.

2022

Patrick Ganninger became practicing in the Estate Planning and Probate Department of Lewis Rice. He develops and implements tax and estate plans for individuals and families. Ganninger also advises clients on wills, trusts, preparation of gift and estate tax returns, antenuptial agreements, and asset protection.

Sarah Rodgers was welcomed as an Associate Attorney at Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice. Rodgers joins the healthcare practice group focused on defending medical malpractice and personal injury matters.

Jacquelyn Sicilia began practicing in the Corporate Department of Lewis Rice. She assists clients on all aspects of transactional matters, including corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, and general corporate matters.

IN MEMORIAM

MR. HAROLD UTHOFF | | Class of 1951

Harold Uthoff passed away on January 17, 2022, at 94 years old. Before entering the law practice, he served with the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1951. He practiced corporate law briefly with a firm in Clayton before accepting a position with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, where he served as Senior Vice President of Supervision and Regulation until his retirement at age of 62 in 1989.

MR. JOHN DONNELLY JR. | | Class of 1951

John Donnelly Jr. attended Saint Louis University High School, Saint Louis University School of Arts and Sciences, and earned his L.LB. from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1951 and his J.D. in 1965. He spent his years in the St. Louis area with his wife, Martha. He retired as a Colonel from the Air Force Reserves and enjoyed 70 years of gratifying work as an attorney.

THE HONORABLE THOMAS O’SHEA | | Class of 1953

The Honorable Thomas O’Shea earned his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law and served honorably in the US Army during the Korean conflict. He was a 15th Ward Alderman, was named Probate Judge for St. Louis City and later became a Circuit Court Judge. After he retired, he remained active as a mediator in the Court of Appeals. O’Shea was a member of the St. Louis Missouri and American Bar Associations. He was admitted to practice in Missouri before the U.S. Court of Appeals, the 8th Circuit Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

MR. CHARLES OHMER | | Class of 1953

Charles F. “Chuck” Ohmer practiced law in St. Louis for over 50 years and was a member of the Southside St. Louis Lions Club. He practiced at his firm, Ohmer & Ohmer, P.C. Ohmer was Distinguished Sustaining Fellow with the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. He was a loving and loved father and grandfather and beloved husband of the late Marcella.

MR. KERNEL ARMBRUSTER | | Class of 1954

Kernel Armbruster was born in Sanford, Florida on September 24, 1925. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific Theater in WWII. Upon his return, he met his dear wife of 70 years, LaVerne. Kernel had a long and successful career at the St. Paul Companies, where he began in claims before advancing to lead the Insurance Law Department as General Counsel and Secretary until his retirement in 1984.

MR. RICHARD FISTER SR. | | Class of 1955

Richard Fister passed the Missouri bar in 1955, then started a career in banking, eventually becoming president of Continental Bank and Trust and later Tower Grove Bank (now Commerce). In 1977, he left banking to become Assistant to the President at Saint Louis University and to teach finance in the business school. He was active in the community, serving as the President of the Board of Governors at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and President of the Board of Logos School. He met his wife, Virginia, at Saint Louis University, where she was studying to be a teacher. Richard Fister passed away in September of 2022 at the age of 90.

MR. ROBERT WELLING | | Class of 1955

After earning his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law, Robert Welling spent two years in the U.S. Army. Upon his return, he began a sixty-year career in private law. A member of the county, state, and national bar associations, he was awarded the Senior Counselor title by the Missouri Bar and the President’s Award. In addition, Welling was a gubernatorial appointee to the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission and charter member of the Whiteman Area Leadership Council Board of Directors. Robert Welling passed surrounded by family on March 27, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Rosalee, his son and daughter, Kathleen and John, and his grandchildren.

MR. DAVID PENTLAND SR. | | Class of 1964

David Pentland Sr. earned a B.S. degree and a J.D. degree from Saint Louis University. He practiced law in St. Louis for over 56 years. He served 26 years as Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Warson Woods and, in 2008, ran for the Democratic nomination for the 2nd Congressional District. He contributed to his community in many roles in addition to politics, among them as Governor of the Missouri Athletic Club, member of the Apollos, board member of the Prader Willi Syndrome Association and the Mary Ryder Home and a longtime lector and Eucharistic Minister.

THE HONORABLE JAMES HARTENBACH | | Class of 1966

Hon. James R. Hartenbach, Retired Judge of the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, and highly respected mentor, passed away peacefully at the age of 80 on April 1, 2022. He was a Vietnam veteran who proudly served his country. The Honorable Hartenbach graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law and pursued a lifelong career of service as a prosecutor and judge. He worked in private practice as well as mediation. Jim enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and beloved dog, Monty.

MR. GARY EBERHARDT | | Class of 1972

Gary Eberhardt was a U.S. Army veteran and was an attorney with Greensfelder Hemker & Gale PC Law Firm for over 50 years. He was a graduate of the class of 1972 from Saint Louis University School of Law. He took great pride in his family, wife Joan and daughter Melinda, and his career. He and wife loved spending time in Estes Park, Colorado, and in Rocky Mountain National Park.

MR. LARRY GLENN | | Class of 1974

Larry Glen was born on July 9, 1947. He graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1974, cum laude, after receiving his BA in business from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1969. His many accomplishments included: President of the Lawyer’s Association of Saint Louis, chair of the trial section of the Metropolitan Bar Association, chair of the legal committee at Shaare Emeth and Camp Rainbow, and syndicated columnist in a business/legal newspaper serving several states. Larry married his wife, Gail, in 1970. His passions included his family and friends, the law, and his photography.

MR. LARRY BATTERSHELL | | Class of 1975

Larry Battershell received a B.S. Degree from the University of Illinois in Education in 1972. He later received his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1975. He became a Business Broker with Indiana Business Advisors from 1988, until he retired in 2018. Battershell enjoyed traveling with his sons, Isaac and Carson.

MRS. CHRISTINE WEST | | Class of 1978

Christine West was raised in Clarksburg, graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in N. Adams, and from UMASS-Amherst. She attended the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church where she was married to her best friend, Thomas Jackson Potts

III. West received her J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law and worked in the legal department for Kemper Insurance Co., specializing in workers compensation litigation for over 20 years.

MR. JOHN CULLINANE | | Class of 1979

John Cullinane was a professional musician in his early years, as well as a music reviewer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper. After receiving two degrees from Washington University in St. Louis, he graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law and simultaneously obtained a master’s degree in Hospital Administration. During his law school education, John was a managing editor of the Saint Louis University Law Journal and a Special Editor of the Law and Healthcare division. John practiced law as a healthcare attorney for 38 years.

MR. LLOYD VASQUEZ JR. | | Class of 1983

Lloyd Vasquez graduated from Saint Louis University in 1983 with his J.D. He became an employee of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where he advanced to the role of St. Louis District Director. He will be remembered by his loving family; his wife, Patricia of 49 plus years; his son John; daughter-in-law Elizabeth; and granddaughters Piper and Teagan.

MR. HOWARD SMOTKIN | | Class of 1986

Howard Smotkin worked for more than 30 years as a practicing attorney. He spent 25 of those years at the St. Louis firm Stone, Leyton and Gershman. His clients would describe him as focused, diligent, and, most importantly, kind. Howard served as co-founder and general counsel of Meds & Food for Kids, an organization that helps bring nutrition to some of the most vulnerable children in Haiti, for more than 18 years.

MR. ROBERT THOMAS BUDENHOLZER | | Class of 1993

Robert Budenholzer graduated from University of MissouriRolla with a B.S. in Engineering and earned a J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law. He spent much of his professional career as a corporate attorney. He also worked tirelessly in his community contributing as a board member for Easter Seals. An avid family man, one of Bob’s greatest joys was attending his extended Budenholzer family reunions, where he treasured the close bonds kept between everyone. He is remembered as an adoring husband by his wife, Theresa (Teri) E. Budenholzer and a loving father of Matthew, Michael, and Mary Kate Budenholzer.

MS. REBECCA MAGRUDER, ESQ. | | Class of 1996

Rebecca Magruder was an outstanding mediator and attorney practicing in St. Louis, Missouri, with a national reputation as a mediator trainer. In 2011, she was presented with an Award of Appreciation by the Association of Missouri Mediators for her work as a mediator and a trainer, and in 2018 was nominated by her peers to win an ICON Award for her long-standing commitment to the Missouri legal community. She filled her world with patience, compassion, understanding and art. Rebecca Magruder passed away at the age of 70 on July 30, 2022. She is survived by her husband, Donald, and her siblings, Jeanne Tunks, Renee Spencer, Suzanne Sherard, and Michael Trahan.

TO SUBMIT AN OBITUARY FOR THE IN MEMORIAM, PLEASE EMAIL BRIEF@LAW.SLU.EDU

FOCUS ON GIVING BACK

The Office of Development and Alumni Relations highlights why alumni give to the School of Law and the different avenues available to support future legal education at Saint Louis University. In this edition, we hear from a year-round supporter of the students and activities at Saint Louis University School of Law.

JOHN SIMON (’86)

MANAGING PARTNER, THE SIMON LAW FIRM, P.C., ST. LOUIS

AS A SUPPORTER BOTH FINANCIALLY AND IN THE CLASSROOM, WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO CONTINUE TO BE AN ACTIVE PART OF THE SLU LAW COMMUNITY?

I was fortunate enough to attend Saint Louis University for both undergrad and law school. During my time there, I was able to observe firsthand SLU’s commitment to social justice including its commitment to the poor and marginalized in our community. Being an active part of the SLU LAW community allows me to participate in a small way in advancing that mission.

WHAT VALUES DO YOU AIM TO EMULATE IN YOUR FIRM THAT MAY HAVE BEEN FOUNDED IN YOUR TIME AT SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY?

My law professors continually emphasized the need to be prepared, professional and to always do your best. I recall one of my professors repeatedly telling us that the practice of law was not “a sponge bath” but you must fully immerse yourself in the task at hand. These are some of the values I try to instill at The Simon Law Firm.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS AS THEY ENTER THE FIELD OF LAW?

The practice of law is an honor and a privilege. It is a tool that allows us to do a tremendous amount of good. You have an incredible opportunity to make the lives of those around you better. Find ways to give back to the legal profession as well as the non-legal community.

DURING YOUR TIME EARNING YOUR JD AND IN YOUR EARLY CAREER, DID YOU HAVE SOMEONE YOU LOOKED UP TO? HOW DID THAT IMPACT YOUR LIFE AND/OR CAREER?

I have been blessed since day one to be able to work with good lawyers who took the time to mentor me. I have worked with and learned from some of the best lawyers in the St. Louis area. The positive impact that has had on my career cannot be overstated.

AS AN EARLY SUPPORTER OF THE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ADVOCACY PROGRAM, WHAT DO YOU HOPE WILL BE THE OUTCOME FOR THIS PROGRAM?

Education is the great equalizer. I am hoping that the diversity program will provide opportunities to those marginalized members of our community who have been denied access to a quality legal education. SL B

To learn more about how you can continue the legacy and support the School of Law, please contact:

MICHAEL RUIZ Director of Development

(314) 977-2818

michael.ruiz@slu.edu