Advocate AVE MARIA SCHOOL of LAW
MAGAZINE | 2019
Advocate | 2019
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AVE MARIA SCHOOL of LAW
Advocate | 2019
AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW MISSION Ave Maria School of Law is a Catholic law school dedicated to educating lawyers with the finest professional skills. Inspired by Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Fides et Ratio, Ave Maria Law offers a distinctive legal education — an education characterized by the harmony of faith and reason. Formed by outstanding professional training and a distinctive educational philosophy, Ave Maria Law’s graduates are equipped for leading positions in law firms, corporate legal offices, the judiciary, and national, state and local government. Ave Maria Law offers an outstanding legal education in fidelity to the Catholic faith. We affirm Catholic legal education’s traditional emphasis on the only secure foundation for human freedom — the natural law written on the heart of every human being. We uphold the need for society to rediscover those human and moral truths that flow from the nature of the human person and that safeguard human freedom.
On the Cover: Ave Maria Law community. Photo by Tabitha Mariana Photography.
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The Blessed Virgin Mary has many titles, though from a lawyer’s perspective, none more important than “Most Gracious Advocate.” Ave Maria School of Law’s Advocate takes its inspiration from this title and from the recognition that lawyers are, at their core, advocates.
Dean’s Letter 2 Sidebars 4 Student Spotlight: Marina Moussa 8 Dean’s Delegates 9 Court Competitions 10 Pre-Law Academy Insights by Dean O’Keefe 12 Staff Spotlight: Juanita Martinez 13 Health & Wellness Program: Ave Maria Moves 14 Staff Spotlight: Anthony Cole 17 Events 18 Interview with Associate Dean of Academic Affairs 30 Faculty Highlights and Feature Spotlights 32 Faculty Coordinators Shine Behind-the-Scenes 38 Thank You to our Board of Governors 40 and Board of Regents Introducing Michel Saadeh, 41 Ave Maria Law Board Member
Your Legacy and Impact at Ave Maria Law Ave Maria Law Quick Facts Planned Giving Reflecting with Monsignor McGrath Alumni Feature Stories Student Interview: Externship with the Culture of Life Institute at Ave Maria Law Office of Professional Development and Alumni Affairs
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EDITORIAL DIRECTOR/WRITER: Kristy Kryszczak DESIGN: Gwen Frederickson PHOTOGRAPHY: Tabitha Mariana Photography, Tony Zollo, Reagan Rule, Naples Drone Solutions, Jim Szabo, C&I Studios, student photography, general submissions PRINTER: Presstige Printing Thank you to our proofreaders. Thank you to each and every individual who participated in an interview and wrote stories.
AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW ADVOCATE 2019 Advocate | 2017 1025 Commons Circle • Naples, Florida 34119 • Phone: (239) 687-5300 • www.avemarialaw.edu
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A WORD FROM
OUR DEAN Tom Monaghan, Dean Cieply, Driver, Monsignor McGrath
Dear Ave Maria School of Law Community, Each year when the Advocate comes together, it reaffirms my feelings of how proud I am of our Ave Maria Law community. Our professors are superb, and our staff is dedicated, passionate, and completely committed to our students. Our students strive to be their best and stay engaged, our alumni stay connected, and we are ever grateful to our benefactors and friends of the law school. One special aspect of my job is that I have the opportunity to spend quality time with our founder, Tom Monaghan. I have learned much from him. I used to think that I was exceptionally disciplined, but then I met Mr. Tom Monaghan. Let’s just say that he has expanded my concept of what it means to be disciplined. I have also collected a number of sayings from Tom. My favorite from him is the following: “Calm seas never made a good sailor.” Mr. Monaghan is a former Marine, so it is no surprise he uses a maritime saying to make a point. I have come to learn that the quote is originally credited to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Easy does not build skill, quite the opposite. You’ve heard the saying: “no pain, no gain.” To grow and strengthen, you must tax yourself, you necessarily need to push yourself beyond what is comfortable. The harder the task and the more difficult circumstances you place yourself under in relation to your profession, the more opportunity you have to improve. I hope every one of us can relate to this message. We continue to grow and strengthen Ave Maria Law, most recently with the addition of our Fitness Complex and the roll-out of our Mind + Body + Spirit initiative on campus which you’ll read more about in this issue. This is just the beginning. Each year we highlight different departments and individuals, providing you with insight behind the scenes of what makes Ave Maria Law unique. In this issue, you’ll learn about staff members Anthony Cole, Registrar, and Juanita Martinez, our Admissions Counselor-Enrollment. You’ll be introduced to the new Student Bar Association President Marina Moussa ‘20 and Claire Guggemos ’20 who completed an externship in Washington, D.C. which was lifechanging for her. Staff members Iris Zamora and Nohemi Athanas share their passion for working together supporting the faculty and assisting students. You will read about all of the successes from our student organizations, faculty, alumni, Admissions, Professional Development & Alumni Affairs, and Development & External Affairs departments. And, lastly, the cover. It’s symbolic of who we are collectively. We’re connected. We work to succeed in guiding our students to shine, we stand by our alumni as they excel in their chosen career paths, we maintain a positive workplace for our faculty and staff, and we host events throughout the year to connect with our longtime supporters and new friends. I hope you enjoy this issue. Sit and relax with a cup of coffee and dig in. Fides et Ratio,
Kevin Cieply President and Dean
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FOREVER AVE MARIA LAW Ave Maria Law is sacred Standing for what is right Standing as a beacon of light. Ave Maria Law has no room for hatred She is filled, rather, with peace, love . . . she is sainted. Ave Maria Law yields to no evil, She seeks the truth and teaches those who will be legal. Ave Maria Law forever Nourishes Uplifts Makes a Difference and Flourishes. Our morals and beliefs bind our separate souls together . . . forever. Forever her love . . . what a blessing it is to have her . . . given by Him above. Finding in each other, discovering each of ourselves in one another Forever we can count on her love, even when push comes to shove. There will inevitably be stormy days and turbulent seas Words may blow, emotions may overflow. If only she could be this or he could be that. Well, just forgive and forget All that said was just that. It is patience and kindness It is that support that will bind us. The sun will rise A new day, a new surprise. Love for each other will continue to flourish Expanding, growing, strengthening before us. Ave Maria Law is together, together for each other, forever. By Dean Cieply
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Sidebars THE ROARING 20’S This year’s annual Barrister’s Ball theme brought us back to The Great Gatsby era, the roaring twenties. Everyone came dressed era-appropriate and fun was had by all. Congratulations to the Student Bar Association for putting on such a top notch event. Congratulations are also in order for the award recipients of the evening: Student Organization of the Year: BLSA – Black Law Students Association Sterling Earhart Award: Helcio Sumbe, part of Class of 2021. Professor of the Year (1L’S and Upperclassmen): Professor Kirkland Miller
INAUGURAL PATRIOTS WEEK Ave Maria Law, along with the Veteran Law Student Association on campus, hosted its inaugural Patriots Week in honor of our country’s veterans and in remembrance of 9/11. The events that took place throughout the week were impactful and important: PTSD/Suicide Awareness Day, 9/11 Flag Tribute Day, JAG Panel featuring Air Force and Marines panelists, and a Veteran Student Pinning Ceremony in honor of our student veterans.
Flags in honor of 9/11 Twin Towers.
Red Mass
We hosted our second annual Red Mass on campus celebrated by the Most Reverend Bishop Dewane. The St. Thomas More Society students sponsored this event. Chaplain Monsignor McGrath was our Concelebrant.
2nd Annual Red Mass with Bishop Dewane, Monsignor McGrath, Dean Cieply, St. Thomas More Society and The Ave Maria Supreme Chorus
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LAW DOG We are grateful for Driver, our chaplain’s Golden Retriever. He’s our school mascot, our “Ave Law” dog. Seeing Driver on campus brings a smile to most, and given the intensity of law school, he instantly lightens the mood.
Ave participates in local MLK parade
MARCHING FOR EQUALITY AND FREEDOM Ave Maria Law’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA) marched in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade in downtown Naples in coordination with The Kelleher Firm, big supporters and dear friends of the law school. The Kelleher’s also have family members who are alumni and currently attending Ave Maria Law who have bright futures in the law ahead of them.
Professor Kirk Miller, Dean Maureen Milliron, Dean Claire O’Keefe, Professor Scott Daniels, Dean Jennifer Lucas-Ross, Director of Bar Preparation Chris Buscaglia, Dean Cieply, Associate Director of Bar Preparation Cameron Colledge
A group of Ave Maria Law supporters travels to Tampa for each bar exam to support our bar takers.
Kristina Borjas ’20 and Pete Fernandes ’20 representing Ave Law in Tennessee
AVE VETS IN THE COMMUNITY The Veteran Law Student Association, with Faculty Advisor Professor Kevin Govern, accompanied Naples High School JROTC to the Naples Museum of Military History.
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1
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in the state!
Congratulations to Christopher Fiore, Esq., Class of 2019, for ranking #1 in the state of Florida for the February 2019 Bar Exam. You will always find Chris at the top of his game and he gave 100% since stepping foot on Ave Maria Law’s campus. He graduated Summa Cum Laude and received two Commencement Awards; one for excelling in written oral advocacy and the other for excelling in oral advocacy, especially in moot court competitions and the trial advocacy program. We are extremely proud of Chris.
Chris Fiore ‘19
DEAN’S EXCELLENCE AWARDS The Dean’s Excellence Award is presented to two staff members each year for their outstanding service and dedication to Ave Maria School of Law. Congratulations to our latest recipients, Kristy Kryszczak, Director of Marketing and Communications/Editorial Director and Juanita Martinez, Admissions Counselor – Enrollment.
Kristy Kryszczak with Dean Cieply
Juanita Martinez with Dean Cieply
PRO-BONO AWARDS The Pro Bono Recognition Program honors those Ave Maria Law students who have dedicated more than 50 hours to underserved populations and individuals or families. The charitable work undertaken by these students puts the Catholic teaching on faith and morals into action, and inspires us to work towards the greater good of all. The following Class of 2019 students were recognized for their selfless service to others in the legal field:
Dean Cieply, Alexis Touras ’19, Diego Gil ’19, Alexis Forte ’19, Cara Covato ’19, Anita Abraham ’19
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Anita Abraham Cara Covato Alexis Forte
Diego Gil Alexis Touras
Lorena Maturino Dustin Sedor
HEALTHY MINDS, HEALTHY HEARTS
Elizabeth Dimopoulos ’20, Thomas De Maio ’20
Ian Johanni ’20 rock climbing
For a third year in a row and bigger than ever, our law school hosted a Mental Health & Wellness Week on campus. This is a school-wide initiative that brings awareness to mental health issues in the legal profession. We take mental health seriously, which is why we’ve implemented an entire mind, body, and spirit approach on campus. The Florida Bar visited our campus earlier in the year discussing the importance of this very issue and stressed how it is
Christina Roldan ’21, Kurstin Phelps ‘21, David Bussey ‘21
imperative for those in the field of law to take care of oneself, given a career in law can be very demanding. This year’s events on campus included featured speakers, a mental health counselor visit, a night of painting with friends, a jam session with our musically inclined Professor Miller and Dean Milliron, bingo night, trivia night, a carnival, a visit from our local Humane Society friends, and our second annual Sports Tournament in our neighboring park.
“Here at Ave Law, we value mental health. The legal profession suffers from high rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, addiction problems, and the list goes on. Every year we dedicate a week to raising awareness and teaching students healthy habits.” – Meredith Lunde ‘19 Gulf Coast Runners 4th of July 5K
Our second annual Sports Tournament was a day of friendly competition among students, staff, and faculty in our community. We had eight teams participate, along with an enthusiastic cheering section. Congratulations to the undefeated winning team champions!
Friends, Colleagues, Competitors for the Day
Colleen Leahy ’20, Daniel Korycki ’20, Marina Moussa ’20, Madeleine Bischel ‘20, Pete Fernandes ’20, Havan Kinder ‘21, Alan Celej ‘20
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Student Spotlight:
MARINA MOUSSA New SBA President
LEADING WITH INTEGRITY Marina Moussa
is a third year student at Ave Maria School of Law. She is serving as the school’s Student Bar Association President for the 2019-2020 school year. Why did you choose to attend Ave Maria School of Law? I chose Ave Maria Law because of the small class size and the opportunity to have meaningful relationships with each individual here. At Ave Maria, I am not just another student, I am Marina Moussa; everyone has taken the time to get to know me and I have enjoyed getting to know everyone! We are not just classmates; we are family! Congratulations on your appointment as the Student Bar Association President. What do you hope to accomplish during your time in this position? Thank you! During my time as the Student Bar Association President, my plan is to foster unity while maintaining transparency, integrity, and accountability. It is important to me that each student feels as though they are seen, heard, and cared for. I hope that the Student Bar Association can serve as a means of representation for each student.
Why do you feel it’s important to get involved in student groups while in law school? Law school can be very tough and can weigh heavy on us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Having the opportunity to be a member of a group, with like-minded students, can help ease a lot of pressure. What do you like to do in your free time outside of studying and being fully immersed in the Ave Law culture on campus? Is there room for balance? I enjoy spending my free time with those I love! Anyone who knows me, knows I love to laugh; I can be doing anything as long as it consists of laughing with family and friends. Also, I have a newfound appreciation for exercise. I find that, when I have a regular exercise routine, I am focused, relaxed, and happier! There is certainly room for balance as long as you prioritize your time and manage it effectively. During law school, I have realized how precious my time is. I refuse to spend it with anyone or doing anything that does not edify me; suddenly, I have a lot of time! “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.”- 1 Corinthians 10:23.
What is your favorite quote?
”Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” 8
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– Mother Teresa
Role Models of the Future The Ave Maria School of Law Dean’s Delegates Program is an opportunity for Ave Maria Law students to serve as official student representatives on behalf of the law school and the President and Dean at a variety of campus and community functions. The Dean’s Delegates showcase the excellence of Ave Maria Law to the community and are role models of professionalism, hospitality and character.
Eric Leeman ’20, Carolyn De Salvo ’20, Marina Moussa ’20, Daniel Pardo ’19, Meredith Lunde ’19, Dean Cieply, Joseph Bare ’19, Giselle Guzman ’20, Jimmie Bailey ’19, Eve Kosciuszko ’19, Alicia Henry ’20, Monsignor McGrath
The mission of the Dean’s Delegates is to promote the mission of Ave Maria Law through a leadership and service organization that engages the unique talents of Ave Maria students in support of institutional advancement.
Thank you to the 2018-2019 Dean’s Delegates for your outstanding contributions: Olivia Bach Class of 2019
Diane Haimes Class of 2020
Colleen McInerney Class of 2020
Jimmie Bailey Class of 2019
Alicia Henry Class of 2020
Marina Moussa Class of 2020
Joseph Bare Class of 2019
Therese Holt Class of 2020
Daniel Pardo Class of 2019
Madeleine Bischel Class of 2020
Ian Johanni Class of 2020
Mellissa Stubbs Class of 2019
Carolyn De Salvo Class of 2020
Eve Kosciusko Class of 2019
Daisy Gonzalez Class of 2019
Meredith Lunde Class of 2019
Giselle Guzman Class of 2020
Congratulations to the 2019-2020 Dean’s Delegates. The Ave Maria Law community looks forward to watching you shine. Madeleine Bischel Class of 2020
Andrew Hocott Class of 2021
Marina Moussa Class of 2020
Kathleen Bryan Class of 2021
Theresa Holt Class of 2020
Kurstin Phelps Class of 2021
Carolyn De Salvo Class of 2020
Paula Hughes Class of 2021
Christina Roldan Class of 2021
Richard Varadan Class of 2020
Jonathan Fitzmaurice Class of 2021
Ian Johanni Class of 2020
Cassidy Thomson Class of 2021
Gretchen Wade Class of 2020
Giselle Guzman Class of 2020
Eric Leeman Class of 2020
Richard Varadan Class of 2020
Diane Haimes Class of 2020
Colleen McInerney Class of 2020
Gretchen Wade Class of 2020
Alicia Henry Class of 2020
Frantz Michel Class of 2021
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Taking it to the Court COURT COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS
UCLA LAW CYBER CRIMES COMPETITION WINNERS! For a second year in a row, Ave Maria Law came out a winner at the UCLA School of Law Cyber Crimes Moot Court Competition. We’re extremely proud of our student competitors: Eric Leeman ‘20 and Alicia Henry ‘20 won the overall competition and Ian and Philumina Johanni ‘20 were awarded best brief. Ave Maria Law won over some highly-ranked law schools, including American University and George Washington University. Listed below are the schools that competed: • • • • • • • •
University of Cincinnati College of Law University of San Diego School of Law University of West Los Angeles The George Washington University Law School UC Davis School of Law UC Hastings College of the Law American University Washington College of Law University of Wisconsin Law School
• • • • • • •
Benjamin Cardozo School of Law Roger Williams University School of Law University of South Dakota School of Law Florida State University College of Law O.P. Jindal Global Law School San Joaquin College of Law Whittier Law School
Winners Alica Henry ‘20 and Eric Leeman ‘20
FIRST-YEAR COMPETITION SUCCESS The Nineteenth Annual St. Thomas More 1L (first-year) Oral Advocacy Competition was a great success. Finals consisted of the following Class of 2021 competitors: Austin Carroll, Jonathan Fitzmaurice, Paula Hughes, and Kurstin Phelps. The three-judge panel selected Ms. Phelps as the best oralist. Additionally, Evelyn Hildebrand ’20 received the best brief award for the best brief from 2018. Other Class of 2021 award recipients:
Professors Jaime Generazzo, Julie Simpson, Eric Fleetham, Wendy Tenzer, Scott Daniels, Paula Hughes ’21, Jonathan Fitzmaurice ’21, Kurstin Phelps ’21, Austin Carroll ’21
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Semi Finalists: Madeleine Gantzer James Hockel James Kelleher Joseph Sobecki Quarter Finalists: Christine Francoeur Kiara Ibanez Matthew Stauffer Michael Zivik
Honorable Mention: Brittany Blocker Kathleen Bryan Danielle Crowley Colleen Damrath Katherine Holbrook Brandon Karas Mettlyn McCaskill Sofia McDaniel
Christina Miller Danielle Parliament Christina Roldan Scott Sergeant
WOMEN IN THE LEAD The 2019 St. Thomas More Internal Trial Competition kept the competitors on their toes. Congratulations to the winning team: Marina Moussa ‘20 and Colleen McInerney ‘20. Marina Moussa won for Best Oralist. In the final round, Ms. Moussa and Ms. McInerney competed against Thomas De Maio ‘20 and Micharon Byrd ‘19. The final round of the competition was presided over by the Honorable Judge Michael J. Brown, Collier County Judge, and was scored by judges: Abdool Khaleel from the 20th Judicial Circuit’s Public Defender’s Office, Sarah Sulsona ‘18 from the 20th Judicial Circuit’s State Attorney’s Office, and Jerry Berry, Esq.
Winners Colleen McInerney ’20 and Marina Moussa ‘20
Congratulations to all of our competitors for a job well done: Marina Moussa ‘20, Colleen McInerney ‘20, Thomas De Maio ‘20, Micharon Byrd ‘19, Maxine Desir ‘20, Dennis Hughes ‘19, David Idler ‘20, Melissa Alvarez ‘20, William Gates ‘19, Stefan Groening ‘19, Anita Abraham ‘19, and Laura Booth ‘19.
Final Competitiors Thomas De Maio ’20, Micharon Byrd ’19, Colleen McInerney ’20, Marina Moussa ‘20
BORK COMPETITION Competitors in the Robert H. Bork Moot Court Internal Appellate Competition spent several weeks researching and writing their briefs, participated in the preliminary round, and gave their arguments for both parties in front of local attorneys, alumni and faculty. The case involved review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ decision sustaining the removal of a petitioner who was removed from the United States as a result of his Dorado state criminal conviction for unlawful distribution of a look-alike substance.
Diego Gil ‘19, David Merrill ‘20, Hon. Michael J. Brown, Hon. John E. Steele, Hon. Robert L. Crown, Carolyn De Salvo ‘20, Richard Varadan ‘20
We would like to recognize all of the competitors: Champions: David Merrill ’20 and Diego Gil ‘19
Finalists: Carolyn De Salvo ‘20 and Richard Varadan ‘20
Best Oralist: Richard Varadan ‘20
Semi-Finalists: Samantha Encalada ‘20 and Frank Greiser ‘20 Micharon Byrd ‘19 and Daisy Gonzalez ‘19
SOFIA McDANIEL ’21 STANDS OUT Congratulations to our student competitors from the St. Thomas More Oratorical Competition on campus: Sofia McDaniel ‘21, Andrew Hocott ‘21, Evelyn Hildebrand ‘20, and Daniel Korycki ‘20. Sofia McDaniel won the event. Dean Emeritus Eugene Milhizer, Professor Daniella Palmiotto, and Dean Kevin Cieply judged the competition. Dean Cieply, Evelyn Hildebrand ‘20, Daniel Korycki ‘20, Mary Parent ‘12, Sofia McDaniel ‘21, Andrew Hocott ‘21, Professor Daniella Palmiotto, Dean Emeritus Eugene Milhizer
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Dean O’Keefe
Claire O’Keefe,
Cardinal Newman Students Richard Varadan ‘20, Katarina Chavez ‘21, Dean O’Keefe, Chaplain Monsignor McGrath, Carolyn De Salvo ‘20
PRE-LAW ACADEMY HIGHLIGHTS
born and raised a New Yorker, is the Associate Dean of Admissions and Student Engagement. She oversees a team of five who work together collaboratively to bring together the magic that makes up our student body at Ave Maria Law. One of the main events that the Admissions team hosts every year is the Cardinal Newman Pre-Law Academy Weekend. The weekend is for those upperclassmen and recent graduates seeking a legal education inspired by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the natural law. These students grew up with a Catholic education and want to continue along that path and they have an opportunity to be eligible for a Cardinal Newman Full Scholarship. It’s an intensive program that engages participants in active learning through classroom, experiential offerings, and enriching spiritual activities. Can you share when and how the Pre-Law Academy began at the law school? How did this concept come to life? The first Cardinal Newman Academy was held in January 2015. Since we were offering the Cardinal Newman Scholarship, it made sense to bring eligible students to our campus as part of a formal program. The Academy serves as an introduction to law school and focuses on our Catholic legal education. Students are immersed in legal classes and are provided with the opportunity to meet and learn from our outstanding faculty. There are also social events with our administration and current students, as well as Mass with our Board of Governors. It is also a way for us to showcase our beautiful campus and location in Southwest Florida and provide these students with a glimpse into our wonderful close knit community. What have you learned from each Academy and how does it continue to grow? We ask for feedback after the completion of the Academy so we can check for areas of improvement. We have added classes and altered some of the programming and we may increase the entire program by a full day next year. I think what has been most interesting to see is that information about the academy
is spreading by word of mouth and by pre-law advisors in the Cardinal Newman schools. It is very exciting when students contact us directly asking how and when to apply. As more and more folks hear about our program, it will continue to grow. What does a typical schedule look like for the Pre-Law Academy weekend? Who do you involve from the various departments at the law school? The schedule is pretty busy over the few days the students are with us. We have dinner on campus Friday night with our Dean, our Chaplain, Monsignor McGrath, Admissions team, and faculty. Saturday is a full day of classes, usually one or two of our mission classes (Moral Foundations or Bioethics) and a 1L (first year) doctrinal class. We also have presentations by our Professional Development and Academic Support departments. The students have lunch with some of our current students. Saturday evening is usually a dinner and tour of downtown Naples. Sunday morning, we have Mass with our faculty and Board of Governors and the Bishop, if he is available, followed by breakfast and more programming. By mid-afternoon, we bid our visitors well and they return to their home states. In talking with the students who’ve come to the Academy and afterwards enrolled at the law school, what did they enjoy most about the Academy and what made them decide to attend Ave Maria Law? The students tell us that it was important for them to see us in person and connect with our community. After the weekend, I think most will tell you that they feel vested in us and in their future. Most students who ultimately decide to apply and attend Ave Maria Law do so in the next application cycle. However, we have seen that some students aren’t quite ready to commit immediately after the academy but do so a few years later. We’ve also had siblings of earlier attendees participate when they become eligible. It is exciting to hear that the participants themselves are recommending it to family and fellow classmates, so the interest is following a very natural and organic path. Word travels!
“The students tell us that it was important for them to see us in person and connect with our community.” 12 avemarialaw.edu
– Claire O’Keefe, Associate Dean of Admissions and Student Engagement
Staff Spotlight:
JUANITA MARTINEZ Admissions CounselorEnrollment
Juanita Martinez
is the Admissions CounselorEnrollment for Ave Maria Law. She graduated Cum Laude from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Management. She is married with two beautiful children. You joined the Admissions team in 2015 as Administrative Assistant. You were promoted to Admissions Coordinator which eventually led to your current role as Admissions Counselor. You are invested in the Admissions department. What has your experience been like being a part of this department? My experience in the Admissions department has been invaluable. I’ve learned so much throughout the years, such as improving my teamwork and communication skills and stepping outside of my comfort zone. I’ve also enjoyed the advantage of working with such a caring and outstanding department. I am extremely proud to be working with everyone at Ave Maria Law! Can you share with our readers an example of what a work day looks like for you? What are some of the key responsibilities in your role? My day consists of completing applications we receive each day or calling and emailing students. During the Fall I may be traveling to law fairs, meeting and informing prospective students. If I’m not traveling, I’m at the office planning or hosting
our many events, such as Open Houses, the Cardinal Newman Pre-Law Academy or our multiple LSAT Prep Programs. My day is never a typical day, it’s always changing, which is why I love doing what I do. Some of my key responsibilities consist of generating, scheduling, and managing our email campaigns and communicating the law school’s mission, values, and vision through email marketing. I’m responsible for overseeing the back-end of the application process, such as generating weekly reports, transferring data from one program to another, and analyzing data integrity. What do you enjoy most about your current position? I enjoy bringing in each new class and meeting new faces every year. Seeing their excited faces at Orientation gives me a sense of accomplishment. I enjoy helping and supporting them throughout the Admissions process. Being a part of an important step in their life is very rewarding! Having been at the law school for years now, how would you describe the Ave Maria Law community? I would describe Ave Maria Law as a loving and welcoming community. I noticed the atmosphere the moment I came in for my interview. Students, staff, and faculty are friendly, encouraging, and very supportive, always making you feel right at home.
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EMBRACING
Health & Wellness
Be your best self…for you. Make the best choices…for you. Live your best life…for you. Ave Maria Moves…you.
Ave Maria Law has added its very own Fitness Complex on the school’s twelve and a half acre campus. More than a facility, an entire Mind + Body + Spirit initiative has been launched with the school community: Ave Maria Moves. A health trend has started on campus and it’s catching on. The Director of Health & Wellness, Heidi Roderick, is leading the charge on engagement and involvement. Group classes including Zumba, HIIT (High-intensity interval training) and yoga, as well as running and walking groups, are active on campus. There’s a direct correlation with exercise and the brain. Exercise will increase the ability to succeed at the highest levels during our students’ law school experience. Just as it took months to build our complex, it takes time to incorporate new habits. Every small step adds up to something great.
For More Details on Ave Maria Moves Initiative Ave Maria Moves Program Website: http://wellness.avemarialaw.edu/ Ave Maria Moves Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/avemariamoves/
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FITNESS COMPLEX QUICK STATS
Total Square Footage
21,740 including the basketball courts and soccer field
Equipment Pulse Fitness for strength and cardio, Schwinn spin bikes
Architect Victor Latavish Construction Company Compass Construction, Inc. On-Site Elements Covered Basketball courts, 3v3 Soccer field (with lights), Spin bikes, Pickleball, Personal Trainers, Group Classes, Tournaments, Showers
FITNESS COMPLEX COMES TO LIFE
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WHY THIS MATTERS Talking with Dean Cieply
How was it decided that the law school would build a fitness complex? Because of the generosity of a benefactor of the law school who wishes to remain anonymous, the law school was gifted $2 million dollars specifically to build a fitness facility. It aligns with our school’s holistic mission bringing not only reason, but faith and wellness into the legal education of our students. How is this benefitting the law school community? First and foremost, law school is high stress and the students do not have a lot of time for work-life balance. The law school is providing an opportunity to build healthy habits that will stay with them for a lifetime, well past law school and into their careers as attorneys. A well-rounded program has been launched that targets the mind, body, and spirit. Whether someone wants to take a spin class every day, or a thirty minute walk on the treadmill while reading torts, everyone is accommodated. We’re all individuals with different goals in mind. There are so many studies linking exercise and the brain. The more you move, the more productive you will be in the classroom, and in life. What is the big picture? When the law school community invests in students’ wellness, productivity rises. There’s a trickle-down effect and it begins to spread in positive ways. Recruiting goes up, study habits strengthen, grade averages improve, bar passage increases, and sick days lessen. The list goes on. It can only make the community better and stronger as a whole. Health and wellness is a hot topic in all industries. It continues to grow and the movement is not stopping anytime soon.
CHIP PROGRAM
The Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP), founded by the Lifestyle Medicine Institute, was launched and implemented at a law school for the first time in the world at Ave Maria Law. The CHIP program is a research tested, intensive lifestyle medicine intervention solution designed to prevent, arrest, and facilitate the reversal of many common chronic diseases. Talking with Heidi Roderick, Director of Health & Wellness Why do you believe in CHIP? The science behind it proves the program’s success. Also, the results. There are hundreds of testimonials from people like you and me. Why would you recommend people sign up for CHIP? If you would like to change your lifestyle for the better, lower your risk for disease, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, or even if your numbers are great, there’s always room to find new healthy habits to incorporate into your lifestyle. We can always learn something new. We all want to feel our best and live a long, healthy life. Is CHIP a strict vegan diet? No, it is not. It promotes eating mostly a plant-based whole foods diet. The more your lifestyle reflects this, the better results you will see for yourself. The program also recommends incorporating exercise into your daily routine. This could be ten minutes a day to start, ideally moving up to thirty minutes a day. Your fitness routine could be as simple as a daily walk. Can one benefit from CHIP by taking small steps to changing their health and wellness rather than a big overhaul? Small steps lead to big successes. I always like to tell people to look at this as an opportunity to add healthy plant-based whole foods to your diet, rather than looking at it as eliminating foods from your diet and lifestyle. The more of the healthy nutrients you add, eventually the less of the bad stuff you’ll crave. Add in some fruits and vegetables. Drink more water. Walk for ten minutes. Eat less meat and dairy. Eat less processed food.
BUILDING A HEALTHIER FUTURE IN MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT...
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Staff Spotlight:
ANTHONY COLE
Anthony Cole is the Registrar at Ave Maria School of
Law. Anthony graduated from St. John’s College in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and relocated from Bowie, Maryland to Naples to embark on his career path at the law school. Anthony is married with two children. Can you tell us about your work experience background and how you came to be where you are now? I worked for several different offices at St. Johns College while I was still a student, which led to a full-time position in the Registrar’s office after I graduated. I spent over three years in that position and concluded that the role was a good fit for me and something I wanted to pursue as a career. I began applying to other schools in the area and joined Maryland University of Integrative Health as the Associate Registrar in September 2016. After a couple of very rewarding years there I was considering relocating, so I responded to a HigherEd Jobs posting at Ave Maria School of Law. The rest is history! Can you share with us what your position entails as the Registrar at Ave Maria Law? The registrar is first and foremost the custodian of permanent student records. In addition to facilitating course registration for the student body as a whole, I also work with students who are on student visas or receiving VA education benefits to make sure that their enrollment is certified with the appropriate government agencies. Because I am responsible for enrollment tracking I often serve as a point of contact to outside organizations, providing annual reports to the Department of Education, submitting regular enrollment updates to The National Student
Clearinghouse, and responding to background investigations. Due to the anonymous grading practices in law school, I am also more involved in exam and final grading procedures than is typical at other types of educational institutions. What do you enjoy most about your position? The variety! The registrar wears a lot of hats, and my day-to-day focus can change dramatically depending on where we are in the year. I’m introverted enough that I can feel drained over time in customer service environments, but I find the registrar’s office to involve a great mix of human interaction and more solitary problem solving. If I ever start to feel stagnant, I know there’s a graduation or a fresh crop of 1L students just around the corner to keep things interesting. If you had to use three words to describe the Ave Maria Law community, what would they be? Dedicated, humble, and kind. What is your favorite quote and why?
“…for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.” – George Eliot, Middlemarch
A helpful reminder that work does not need to be noticed to be beneficial. Middlemarch is also a great read; I highly recommend it.
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EVENTS
Marching for Life in Naples
Jim and Moira Fennessey
Paul Hills, Donna Heiser, Monsignor McGrath, Tom Garlick
Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Tom Monaghan, Dr. John Ratey
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Dr. William Hurlbut presenting on campus
Ladies for Liberty Singing Troupe
Marching for life in D.C.
Jimmie Bailey ‘19, Courtney Brevard ‘18, Steve Forbes, Joseph Bare ‘19, Eric Leeman ‘20, Sean Lux ‘18
Two Groundbreaking Moments in Time “Military service has been in my family for
On Friday, November 9, 2018 we honored our nation’s veterans at our Third Annual Veterans Celebration on campus. This is one of our favorite yearly traditions at the law school and a great day to honor our veterans and celebrate our recognition as a national Military Friendly school.
a long time. My father and grandfather served and all the way back to my
Our event included the Presentation of Colors by the Collier County Sheriff’s Honor Guard, the Ladies for Liberty Andrews Sisters-style Singing Troupe back by popular demand, and the presentation of the St. Martin of Tours Heroes Awards given posthumously to Earl Hodges and presented to Dr. Kenneth Cooper, founder of the Cooper Institute and “Father of Aerobics,” and William Schoen, retired chairman of Health Management Associates Inc.
great-great-grandfather, who died in the Civil War. Growing up I don’t think I really considered doing anything else. The military may not be right for everybody, but it was definitely right for me.” – Joseph Bare, U.S. Army Veteran, Class of 2019 ST. MARTIN OF TOURS HEROES AWARD
Professors Frank Fodale and John Raudabaugh
Rhonda Skeete
Connie and Vincent Von Zwehl
Tom Monaghan, Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Dean Cieply
Thelma Hodges accepting the award on behalf of her late husband Earl Hodges
Ladies for Liberty Singing Troupe with members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart
Joseph Bare ‘19
Tom Monaghan, William Schoen, Dean Cieply
Victor Latavish, architect of the Fitness Complex, Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Dr. John Ratey, Jim Kelleher, Monsignor Frank McGrath, President & Dean Kevin Cieply, Founder Tom Monaghan, Ave Maria Law’s Director of Health & Wellness Heidi Roderick, Daniel Pardo ‘19, Marina Moussa ‘20, and Bruce Downs with Compass Construction.
Friday, November 9, 2018 was a historical day for Ave Maria School of Law. The law school received the largest single donation in its 19-year history — a $2 million-dollar anonymous gift toward the $4.5 million capital campaign that has enabled the law school to build a new state-of-the-art Fitness Complex. We celebrated the Groundbreaking for the Fitness Complex during the Third Annual Veterans Celebration along with over 200 guests that included our founder Tom Monaghan, the Fitness Complex architect, Victor Latavish, Bruce Downs with Compass Construction and Jim Kelleher of The Kelleher Firm who has graciously named the basketball court in the new facility. Our community is excited about this campus-wide initiative that’s designed to enhance the brain-fitness connection. It’s remarkable the connection between exercise and the brain’s performance. A program such as this — working to reduce stress and bringing forth better achievement — will be hugely important for the health and well-being of our students.
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Marching for Life
Walking in Naples
On Friday, January 11, Ave Maria Law celebrated the Second Annual Monsignor Higgins Respect for Life Celebration, named after the late Monsignor Higgins who was a dear friend of the law school. Our community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the law school came together for a walk from campus and through the Vineyards neighborhood. During a lunch discussion, Erin Mersino, Class of 2007, was our special guest speaker. Erin is currently the Chief of Supreme Court and Appellate Practice, Great Lakes Justice Center. She spoke on a powerful topic, “Children: Known, Consecrated, and Appointed.”
Erin Mersino ’07 presenting to the group
Ave Maria Law has attended the March for Life in Washington, D.C. for 19 years. This year, we had thirty students and three staff members on the trip. In addition to the March, the travel group attended the Law of Life Summit and manned a school booth at the Expo. Dean Cieply and Lex Vitae members Colleen Leahy ’20 and Edgar Vidales ’20 were interviewed by EWTN in Washington, D.C. at the March for Life. It profiled our school in a positive light, exemplifying what we stand for, being pro-life and protecting all of the unborn babies in this world.
Ave Maria Law March for Life 2019 D.C. Travel Crew
“In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.” – Saint Teresa of Calcutta Dean Cieply, Christina McLaughlin ‘20, Taylor Mathews ‘20
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Ave takes on Washington D.C.
SPEAKER SERIES Ave Maria Law launched a new program, “Profiles in Ethical Leadership,” a series of roundtable presentations on the importance of leadership, morality, and ethics in business and the law. The law school hosted presentations on campus by distinguished CEO’s and leaders.
Thank you to our 2018-2019 academic year guest hosts.
THEO ETZEL Former CEO and President, current Chairman of Conditioned Air, Author & Philanthropist
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2018
MYRA JANCO DANIELS
Successful Business Woman, Professor, Founder of the Naples Philharmonic (Artis–Naples) & Philanthropist THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018
RICHARD FRECKER
Executive VP General Counsel & Secretary of Hertz Global JANUARY 15, 2019
DAN T. CATHY Chairman & CEO of Chick-fil-A, Inc. FEBRUARY 22, 2019
LAWRENCE J. BLANFORD
Retired CEO, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. MARCH 27, 2019
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Welcoming
STEVE FORBES
in Naples
Steve Forbes
Profound. Humble.
These are two words that come to mind when in the presence of Steve Forbes. Mr. Forbes traveled to Naples to be Ave Maria Law’s Profiles in Ethical Leadership Signature Event Speaker. Hosted by Tom Monaghan and the law school’s dear friends John and Billie Resnick, the event was held over two evenings. The Chairman’s Reception was hosted by Tom and Sandi Moran in their beautiful home on March 1, followed by the Signature Event on March 2 at the Royal Poinciana Golf Club. All proceeds from this event benefited the Ave Maria Law Student Scholarship Fund. Mr. Forbes spoke on the subject of Ethics, Capitalism, and Business Leadership. Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, Mr. Forbes is also an author, most recently of “Reviving America: How Repealing Obamacare, Replacing the Tax Code and Reforming The Fed will Restore Hope and Prosperity.” Mr. Forbes is also a former Republican Presidential candidate.
Tom Monaghan, Pat Adams, Kevin Cieply
Tom Monaghan, Tom Golisano, Kevin Cieply
For the first time, the law school presented the St. Luke Award for Distinguished Philanthropy to Tom Golisano, an entrepreneur and civic leader, and to Patrick Adams, attorney, public servant, and philanthropist. Each year Ave Maria School of Law will present this award to one or more individuals who, through their philanthropic endeavors, enrich the lives of others and represent the virtues demonstrated by St. Luke for stewardship and love of those in need.
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Hosts Tom Monaghan, Billie Resnick, and John Resnick
Tom Monaghan, William Schoen, Kevin Cieply, Joseph Bare
We announced the outstanding establishment of a $1 Million Schoen Foundation Veterans Scholarship Endowed Fund. This fund is the first of its kind for Ave Maria Law, generously gifted by Naples residents William and Sharon Schoen to provide scholarship support to deserving United States Military veterans.
Maura and Frank Corvino
Steve Forbes, Myra Daniels, and Michael Wynn
Sandi Moran, Dean Cieply, Tom Moran
On the Friday evening before, March 1, noted Southwest Florida philanthropists Tom and Sandi Moran graciously hosted us for a Chairman’s Reception in their home as part of the festivities of the Signature Event.
Tom Golisano, Steve Forbes, Monica Seles
Five of our students, Carolyn De Salvo ’20, Joseph Bare ’19, Marina Moussa ’20, Daniel Pardo ’19, and Meredith Lunde ’19, took the stage to share a personal message about why Ave Maria Law is important to them and the community.
Joseph Bare ‘19
Meredith Lunde ‘19
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Let Them Fly Commencement 2019
On May 11 returning to the Artis—Naples, the Class of 2019 walked across the stage to receive their hard-earned Juris Doctor degrees. The graduating Class of 2019 consisted of approximately 75 students. Students that spanned the National landscape, hailing from our home state of Florida, to the Lonestar state of Texas, and the Empire state of New York.
“We look forward to watching the Class of 2019 make their mark in this world. Armed with their faith and solid education, they are certain to be leaders in our society.” – Kevin Cieply, President & Dean
Matt Birk, a devoted Catholic, husband and father, a fifteen year veteran of the National Football League, and an advocate for education was our Commencement Speaker. He had profound and lasting advice for our graduates:
“The fundamentals never change. It’s all about the fundamentals. There is no secret to success. Go back to the fundamentals every day.” “We are lucky. We are Catholic. We have a framework to live a great life. A great life isn’t about living for yourself. It’s about giving to others. Don’t wait. Give as you go.” “Graduates, you are lights in the world. You have a big task to go out there and change the world. But you are just the men and women for the job.”
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Class of 2019’s Eve Kosciuszko, originally from Brooklyn, NY, was our Student Commencement Speaker.
“We would not have gotten through law school without each other.” “Three simple rules: Put God First. Work Hard. Fail BIG (before it’s great).” “Just before our greatest successes, we will meet our greatest resistance. Fail BIG (before it’s great).”
Congratulations
TO ALL OF THE STUDENTS SELECTED FOR THE STUDENT COMMENCEMENT AWARDS: MARY, QUEEN OF LAWYERS AWARD: Meredith Lunde ‘19 Presented to the student whose life and learning show that the student, like Mary, is the person we would choose to defend us in the most important judgement of all. ST. THOMAS MORE AWARD: Katherine Cook ‘19 Presented to the student who most embodies the virtues of this great saint as well as achieving academic excellence.
ST. RAYMOND OF PENYAFORT AWARD: Christopher Fiore ’19 and Kimberly Swanson ‘19 Presented to the student excelling in written advocacy. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CABRINI AWARD: Eve Kosciuszko ‘19 Presented to the student with outstanding performance in clinical programs.
ST. IVES AWARD: Marcus Wobschall ‘19 Presented to the student who has acted most vigorously in defense of a Catholic moral and social order.
ST. MICHAEL AWARD: Joseph Bare ‘19 Presented to the student veteran who has been an effective advocate of the United States Armed Forces on campus or in the community.
ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA AWARD: Christopher Fiore ‘19 Presented to the student excelling in oral advocacy, especially in moot court competitions and the trial advocacy program.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS AWARD: Daniel Pardo ’19 and Mellissa Stubbs ‘19 Presented by the Dean to the student who best exemplifies the ideals of Ave Maria School of Law.
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Dean Cieply, Matt Birk, Tom Monaghan
Samuel LaVergne, Board member Jim Fennessey, Board member Michel Saadeh, Founder Tom Monaghan, Board Member Mitzi Magin, Matt Birk, Dean Cieply, Board member Tom Garlick
Receiving Honorary Degrees during this engagement were Matt Birk (pictured above), along with Samuel LaVergne (pictured below), Louisiana State doctorate of jurisprudence recipient, Founder and President of Hunter Buildings, and man of his faith, family and community.
On behalf of the entire Ave Maria Law Community, we are incredibly grateful for our Board of Governors and for our Founder, the force behind all that we do, Tom Monaghan.
Commencement Eve
Dean Cieply, Samuel LaVergne, Tom Monaghan
On Friday, May 10 leading up to Commencement, we hosted our Baccalaureate Mass at St. Agnes Catholic Church celebrated by Ave Maria Law’s Chaplain Monsignor Frank McGrath, The Very Reverend Robert Kantor, and local and out-of-town priests.
Veteran Sean Lux ‘18 pinning Veteran Diego Gil ‘19
Following Mass, we held our annual Pinning Ceremony for our newest members, including our veteran graduates, who now join our Ave Alumni family, a dedicated group growing by the numbers each year.
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A E LAW
First Annual Day of Giving Community Support
GIVE S
Ave Maria Law hosted its first Annual Day of Giving and exceeded expectations in every way. It was a friendly competition between four teams: students, friends and family, faculty and staff, and alumni. Our stellar student team was the winning team. The students really stepped forward to make a difference in their school.
Everyone truly came together to make this a success. It was a bonding experience for our staff, faculty, students, alumni, benefactors and friends of the law school. We more than doubled our monetary goal.
10/16/18
The winning students asked for the generous contributions to be awarded to the specific area of Classroom Technology. Ave Maria Law’s Information Technology team helps boost productivity at the law school every day by bringing people and technology together. One of the main goals is to continue to streamline workflows and to upgrade needs for improvement of current systems.
One of the day’s highlights was a ping pong contest on campus with Founder Tom Monaghan. Mr. Monaghan had three competitors: Dan Pardo ’19, Carolyn Stewart ’20, and Dean Cieply. Since we more than doubled our goal this year, we certainly set the bar high for ourselves next year. But that’s who we are. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
On Tuesday, January 28, 2020, Ave Maria Law will host its second DAY OF GIVING. Visit: day-of-giving.avemarialaw.edu
Dean Cieply competing in a game of ping-pong with Tom Monaghan
Tom Monaghan and Daniel Pardo ‘19 having a friendly ping-pong competition
Cheering Section
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Save PLEASE JOIN US FOR THESE GREAT EVENTS!
NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | ON CAMPUS | 11:30 AM avemarialaw.edu/veterans/
4TH ANNUAL VETERANS MEMORIAL CELEBRATION
Catherine Bequette Event Specialist
OCTOBER 11, 2019 | edwin-black.avemarialaw.edu/
A PRESENTATION WITH NY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
EDWIN BLACK
&
FITNESS COMPLEX GRAND OPENING Official Naming of The Kelleher Firm Basketball Court Announcing the Annual Vincent Von Zwehl Veterans Scholarship
American Eugenics
from Long Island to Auschwitz FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019 • 12:15 P.M. AVE LAW CAMPUS, 1025 Commons Circle, St. Thomas More Commons, Naples, FL 34119 Edwin Black, the New York Times, international bestselling and award-winning author of the eugenics investigation War Against the Weak offers a riveting presentation that details state-sponsored genocide within our midst and exposes pseudo-scientific race policy at the highest level. The Washington Post called his work “compelling with the zeal of an avenger,” the Library Journal called it “a bombshell,” and the New York Times termed it “chilling.”
MAY 16, 2020
We are thrilled to announce
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE HOLY SEE
URN A RET NT! GEME A G N E 28 avemarialaw.edu
CALLISTA GINGRICH WILL BE OUR 2020 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER on Saturday, May 16.
the Date NOVEMBER 16, 2019 | bretbaier.avemarialaw.edu/
Ave Maria School of Law, Tom Monaghan, Founder and Chairman of the Board and Kevin Cieply, President & Dean cordially invite you to an exclusive evening with
BRET BAIER FOX News Channel’s Chief Political Anchor and Anchor of “Special Report with Bret Baier” And special guest
DANIEL KRAUTHAMMER
Economic consultant, analyst, son of the late Dr. Charles Krauthammer and editor of, The Point of It All, a powerful collection of the influential columnist’s most important works
Bret Baier
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019 • 5:30 p.m. SIGNATURE EVENT at the Royal Poinciana Golf Club 1600 Solana Road, Naples, Florida Daniel and Dr. Charles Krauthammer
For questions and to purchase tickets, contact Donna Anthus at 239-687-5403, danthus@avemarialaw.edu.
JANUARY 17, 2020 | ON CAMPUS | 12:00 PM
AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW’S THIRD ANNUAL MONSIGNOR LAURENCE HIGGINS RESPECT FOR LIFE CELEBRATION
Join Us
Watch for more details on our events coming soon. If you have any questions, please contact Catherine Bequette, Event Specialist, Advancement & Special Events Department at 239-687-5341 or cbequette@avemarialaw.edu.
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Faculty
Interview with:
MAUREEN MILLIRON Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Maureen Milliron is the Associate Dean of Academic
Affairs at Ave Maria Law. She began teaching in the Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research department (formerly the Research, Writing, and Advocacy department) and later became the Director of the Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research department until taking on her current role of Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. She and her husband, Professor Kirk Miller, have been with Ave Maria Law since 2004 when the law school was based in Michigan. It is evident that you are extremely good with students and you always demonstrate the fortitude to do what is right. What would you share with readers as being the top highlights of your current position? This position has been a completely new challenge for me. I truly care about the students and the success of each and every one of them. I like making that connection and continually challenging students do their very best. The idea of being, at times, the bearer of bad news has been the biggest transition for me, but I always try to help the individual find the positive side or something to work on to improve their situation the student is in. I also really like looking at the whole picture and being part of making the law school the best it can be. What are some examples of positive advice you share with students throughout their law school journey? Work hard—it is truly worth the effort. Also, take care of yourself mentally and physically because you need the stamina. Finally, respect the process because you truly begin your career the minute you walk through the door on the first day of law school.
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You and your husband, Professor Kirk Miller, have been with Ave from the earlier years in Michigan. How would you describe the Ave Maria Law community to someone hearing about the law school for the first time? It truly is the best place to work. The atmosphere is positive and upbeat even when things get challenging. I am grateful to be a part of the Ave family and having my sons know the students, staff, and faculty. It is a place where we work to produce excellent lawyers that hold themselves to a higher standard. We also truly care about the students and build life-long relationships with them. Dean Cieply has made a great effort to improve the culture with staff and faculty, bringing the community together in a stronger way. He makes our community an enriching environment. You taught full-time for many years before becoming an Associate Dean. What do you enjoy most about teaching? What do you want the students to take away from your class? I really enjoy teaching 1L (first-year) students. I love seeing them grow from the very beginning to a place where they get up before a mock court and present an appellate argument. I want my students to see that hard work pays off. Each building block they gain in law school will make them the finest lawyers they can be in practice. I often tell them my expectations for their work are much greater than what might pass in law practice because I want each student to hold themselves to the highest standard.
Dean Milliron and Dean Cieply
“I was excited about an atmosphere where I could talk about a more holistic approach to being a lawyer.”
Dean Milliron and Professor Miller
Working with your husband, especially for so many years, is a unique experience. Can you share with readers how you feel about this experience? How has working with your husband shaped your career and experience? Professor Miller and I met in our first year of law school. We were seat mates in class. I attribute all of my success from my time in law school throughout my career to my husband. We make each other better at what we do. We share ideas and collaborate well. It’s a gift that has been given to us, having a strong working relationship and ability to do that. We believe success in a relationship is due to mutual respect. We’re so dedicated to the law school because it’s a part of our lives, it’s not simply our jobs. Our jobs have become our lifestyle in a positive way — the school community, the school’s faith, and the focus on health, wellness, and fitness. We enjoy attending events at the law school, too, and embracing our community. This working environment is unique in that there are several married couples working together at the law school. There have also been married students walking the path of law school together. It’s a very family-friendly environment. Family is a priority here at the school. Any last thoughts? I started working at Ave because a very good friend of mine who was teaching told me about an open position. I felt it was a good fit for me. I was excited about an atmosphere where I could talk about a more holistic approach to being a lawyer. The school made an offer for both myself and Professor Miller to come down when the school was in the process of moving to Naples. The rest is history.
In 2020, we will celebrate 20 years that Ave Maria School of Law has had its doors open.
Thank you to our Founder and Chairman of the Board, Tom Monaghan.
“
They say that history is one big battle between good and evil. There’s no real end until the end of the world. We know we’re never going to solve all the problems, but we have to do whatever we can.
”
Twenty years ago, I knew we needed to create a law school like no other…one that would emphasize the critical importance of faith, reason, morals and ethics. The impact we have made is astounding and evident in extraordinary accomplishments of our graduates, including the appointment of several federal judges. I want to express my heartfelt and profound thanks to all who have so generously supported Ave Maria School of Law and thereby contributed to its successes. I could never have done this without the faithful and consistent support of those who shared this vision and for this I will be eternally grateful. With blessings and gratitude, Thomas S. Monaghan
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FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS Professor Jane Adolphe (LL.B./B.C.L., J.C.L., J.C.D.), expert with the Holy See, Secretariat of State, Section for Relations with States, organized under the auspices of International Center of Law, Life, Faith and Family, a high profile meeting which gathered experts from various disciplines, theology, sociology, journalism, political science, psychology, pastoral care, and law (including civil, international and canon law), to Ave Maria Law’s campus.
Professor Jane Adolphe, along with Michael Vacca ‘10, Ave Law alumnus who has worked for the Holy See, were editors for a book published titled, “Equality and Non-discrimination – Catholic Roots, Current Challenges.” Professor Brian Scarnecchia and alumnus Geoffrey Strickland ‘09 were contributing authors. This volume explores ways of understanding equality and non-discrimination.
Professor Mark Bonner (J.D.) is one of three authors of the published book, Complex Criminal Litigation: Prosecuting Drug Enterprises and Organized Crime, Fourth Edition. Professor Bonner began his legal career at the U.S. Department of Justice and served in a variety of capacities there for more than 25 years. For 10 years, he directed the investigation and prosecution of high-profile federal cases involving international and domestic terrorism. He worked at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow for two years managing a rule of law program for the U.S. Government. Prior to coming to Ave Maria, Professor Bonner served as a Senior Advisor in the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Office of International Affairs, and he was the Chief of Staff for the Treasury’s Office of Enforcement. He then served for five years in the policy directorate of Homeland Security managing the department’s work with the G8. Jimmy Gurulé, a law professor at Notre Dame Law School, is a widely respected expert in criminal law, anti-money laundering, forfeiture, and counter-terrorist financing. Laurie Levenson is a professor of Law, David W. Burcham chair in Ethical Advocacy, Loyola School of Law. Prior to joining Loyola, she was appointed assistant United States Attorney, Criminal Section, in Los Angeles in 1981, where she was a trial and appellate lawyer for eight years and attained the position of senior trial attorney and assistant division chief. This book provides practitioners and others interested in the federal criminal justice system with a comprehensive analysis of the arsenal of federal laws that provide federal prosecutors the means to combat criminal organizations, their leadership and their infrastructure.
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Professor Ligia Castaldi (LL.M.) published the following Op-Eds: Ligia De Jesús Castaldi, Infanticidio por aborto: El caso Manuela c. El Salvador ante la CIDH [Infanticide for abortion: the Manuela v. El Salvador case], CENTRO DE BIOETICA PERSONA Y FAMILIA (July 1, 2019) Ligia De Jesús Castaldi, Partial U.S. sanctions on Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, OXFORD HUM. RTS. HUB (Aug. 2, 2019)
U.S. Veteran and Professor Kevin Govern (J.D., LL.M.), along with UPenn doctoral student and veteran Jesse Hamilton have written this thoughtful essay for the Penn Law Rule of Law Post on the potential rule of law downside of presidential clemency in military cases. Here’s an excerpt: “The purpose of executive clemency is to correct for injustices that sometimes occur within the legal system. Its purpose is not to arbitrarily forgive those who have been dealt with justly under the UCMJ and especially not to curry political favor or to attempt to divert the public’s attention from other controversial matters. This is all the more true when the pardon at issue may serve as a detriment to military morale and discipline. Future pretrial and post-trial comments, clemency actions, and pardons should be measured to reinforce military members’ and the public’s confidence in the military justice system, support the rule of law, and discourage future war crimes by members of the U.S. military.” A look at key presentations given by Professor Govern:
• Panelist Mentor – Prospective Teacher’s Workshop, and Featured Panel Discussion Leader, Global Outreach Workshop – Seminar on Global Outreach, Southeastern Association of Law Schools (SEALS) Annual Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (August 2018) • Featured Presenter on America’s Constitutional Heritage, 5th Annual Constitution Project Celebration, Keiser University, Ft. Myers, FL (March 2019) • Featured Presenter on The Soul of America, Grey Oaks Country Club, Naples, FL (March 2019) • Featured Roundtable Presenter on The Just War Tradition of Augustine and Aquinas, Barnes Symposium, University of South Carolina School of Law, Columbia, SC (April 2019) • Featured Presenter on National Security and the Challenge of New Weaponry, Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Philadelphia, PA (June 2019)
Dean Emeritus Eugene Milhizer (J.D., LL.M.), U.S. Veteran, participated in three presentations during the past year: (1) Appeared as a panelist for a Federalist Society Sponsored Presentation, “Don’t Make a Federal Case Out of It! Subsidiarity, Federalism and Federal Prosecution of Street Crime”; (2) Appeared as a panelist on a JAG and Veterans Panel; and (3) appeared as a panelist on the topic “Legalization of Marijuana.”
Spotlight on::
PROFESSOR
ELIZABETH M. DONOVAN (J.D.) Professor Elizabeth M. Donovan (J.D.) published her article Catholic
Social Teaching and Neo-Abolitionism: Tearing Down the House of the Rising Sun in Volume 67: Number 3 of the Cleveland State Law Review. In the fall, Professor Donovan was a guest of Father Mitch Pacwa on EWTN Live, and in the summer, a guest of Janet Morano on Radio Maria’s The Gospel of Life. Invited to speak at several academic conferences, Professor Donovan delivered the following presentations: • Internet Platforms & Sex Trafficking: The Case for FOSTA-SESTA, “Women and the Law,” University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, • Catholic Social Teaching Applied to a Current International Problem, specifically, Human Trafficking, Society of Catholic Social Scientists National MeetingConference, Belmont Abbey, • Serving Human Trafficking Survivors: Collaboration & Immigration, International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference, University of Toledo, and • Strengthening Human Rights Protections under U.S. and U.N. Trafficking Law and Policy, SAFE2018: Annual Global Conference on Human Trafficking: Innovative Response to Migration, Conflict, and War, Palmer House, Chicago. Locally, Professor Donovan delivered a training on Child Trafficking in the United States for members of the Collier County Guardian ad Litem Program, and she gave a presentation in the fall, Legal Aspects of Human Trafficking, and in the spring, Immigration and Human Trafficking, to the Florida Coalition of Human Trafficking. In connection with her Mediation Law Clinic, Professor Donovan gave two trainings at the Lee County Courthouse in Ft. Myers, Justice & Small Claims Court: Why Cultural Competence Matters, and Mediator Ethics: Beyond Confidentiality & Conflict of Interest.
STUDENTS BECOME CERTIFIED MEDIATORS Mediation is an increasingly popular method for resolving disputes. The Lee County Court Small Claims Division and Collier County Court Small Claims Division handle monetary civil disputes for damages not exceeding $5,000. Small claims cases involve a myriad of claims, including, failure to repay a loan, fix a car or appliance, return a security deposit, or meet the terms of a service contract. Parties, representing themselves or with the assistance of an attorney, argue legal theories such as breach of contract and personal injury. In the Mediation Law Clinic, taught by Professor Donovan, students learn and practice dispute resolution skills and techniques for advocates and mediators. In fall 2018, students Anita Abraham ‘19, Rebecca Alvarez ‘19, Cara Covato ‘19, Dee-Ann Enniss ‘19, Diane Haimes ‘20, Ian Johanni ‘20, Philumnia Johanni ‘20, Daniel Korycki ‘20, and Mikala Makar ’20 observed and mediated disputes in Lee County Court and Collier County Court. Professor Donovan with Diane Haimes ‘20
At the conclusion of the semester, all of the Mediation Law Clinic students had completed the requirements to be eligible to apply to the Florida Supreme Court to become certified Florida County Court mediators.
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Spotlight on:
PROFESSOR
BRIAN SCARNECCHIA (M.DIV., J.D.)
My key message to students that I teach and mentor: Every person has a dream, even if it is only half known consciously. God’s will for a person’s life is generally found in following what He has placed on one’s heart, or, put another way, doing what one feels passionate about. I think that almost all students who apply to law school are idealistic in the sense that they hope to make the world a better place. I encourage my students, through what I teach (Jurisprudence and Bioethics and Law) and through my research, writing and public advocacy to work as though all depends on you and to pray like all depends on God, and, especially if my students are Catholic, to have true devotion to Jesus through Mary so that, as St. Thomas More said, we may be our country’s good servants, but God’s first.
My teaching style: St. Francis told his first followers when he sent them out to evangelize — “Proclaim the Truth always; use words when necessary.” The practice of law is caught as much as taught. I have found that the more you allow students to personally engage the material, the more they get it and learn. One time I had my Jurisprudence class perform Sophocles’ play Antigone in light of natural law theory and Fourteen Amendment principles. Several students said it was their best experience in law school. In Bioethics and Law I first lay out perennial moral principles known from faith and reason and contrast these with utilitarian or consequentialist moral systems. Then we consider court cases that have adjudicated the contentious issues of our day, including contraception, abortion, artificial reproductive technology, euthanasia, marriage and family. Finally, we consider these decisions and public policies debates from the perspective of Catholic social thought. In short, I try to inspire my students in order to open their hearts and minds so that they are eager to learn the law.
My advice to students beginning law school and what bit of advice sticks with me from my law school experience: My advice is to put God first, family second and work, including law school, third. A few years ago, Justice Clarence Thomas spoke to our students. One law school student asked him the best way to advance one’s law career. Justice Thomas replied, one shouldn’t be too concerned about advancing one’s law career, just work hard and it will come in due time. Then Justice Thomas said that he wished that he had spent more time with his grandmother while she was still alive when he was first starting out as a young attorney. Of course, there are days when one must burn the midnight oil, but we need to always remember that work must serve us, and not become a slave to work. A few days before I entered law school, I bumped into someone who had just graduated. I asked him how it was and how best to get through. I will never forget what he said. He told me that he and his study partner were both married (like I was). He said, he studied hard and got A’s and B’s, but that his buddy studied all the time and got straight A’s. Then, as a postscript, he added that he was still married to his wife, but his buddy’s first lawsuit was his own divorce. Virtue is not found in defect or excess, but in a balanced life.
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This is the most unique law school in the United States because it was begun to capture a dream — to reinvigorate natural law jurisprudence and bridge the gap between law and morality that, unfortunately, defines legal education today.
What separates Ave Maria Law from other law schools? This is the most unique law school in the United States because it was begun to capture a dream — to reinvigorate natural law jurisprudence and bridge the gap between law and morality that, unfortunately, defines legal education today. Despite our shortcomings, we continue to pursue that dream. Every law professor at Ave Maria Law is committed to integrating faith and reason in the study of law. We require all our students to take not only courses that will help them to pass their state bar exam but, also, to have a working knowledge of natural law jurisprudence and its application to contemporary issues. We are the only law school in the country that requires three natural law grounded mission courses, besides a course in legal ethics and professional responsibility. When I read in certain law school journals that Ave Law is rated the “most devout” law school in the country, I do not take it to mean that our students are the most self-righteous or pietistic — our student body is a rather friendly and down to earth bunch. Rather, I understand it to mean that our students have the most “fire in their bellies” for advancing the culture of life of any law school student body in the United States. We support that devotion with daily Mass said two times a day in our law school chapel by our full-time chaplain, Monsignor Frank McGrath. In addition, our students not only have opportunities to intern with state and federal judges but also with the Holy See Mission to the United Nations and to work with those in close association with the Holy See in Rome for a semester abroad. Finally, unlike many law schools where students treat each other primarily as competitors, the members of our small student body know each other personally, many live in the same on-campus apartment buildings and tend to form supportive friendships readily. Maybe it’s grace, maybe it’s sunny Florida, but the quality of life here is very good.
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My passion and message for advancing the culture of life as I travel with Ave Maria Law students to D.C. for the March for Life: When people ask me why I went to law school I tell them that I didn’t do it to make a lot of money and, so far, I’ve been successful! I studied law so that I could “raise hell” and be an advocate for the most vulnerable and marginalized people in our society, those who have no voice of their own – babies in the womb and the terminally ill and elderly. Shortly after I opened my law practice I was RICOed (sued under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act) simply because I was the statutory agent (the person who received legal correspondence) for a small Pro-Life organization. I was eventually dismissed from the lawsuit but it taught me a lesson. It took some time for me to find a prolife attorney willing to defend me. There just weren’t that many around. That experience influenced my decision to create a legal studies program at a solidly Catholic university back in 1994 that would serve as a spring board for a new law school dedicated to defending human life and dignity. Each year we who have dedicated our lives to advancing the sanctity of human life, from the first moment of conception to natural death, gather in our nation’s capital to give witness to the fact that Roe v. Wade, decided in the mid-20th century, has no more settled a nation divided over abortion than did the Supreme Court’s decision, Dread Scott, settle the crisis of slavery in the mid-19th century. As our nation becomes more polarized over human life issues, we need more well-formed lawyers who can stay the course and speak truth, with a capital “T”, to power. Our student organization, Lex Vitae, subsidizes the cost for our students to take part in the March for Life. An alumnus, Royce Hood, hosts the “Summit on Law and Life” in D.C. that features our nation’s premier Pro-Life advocates at which our President and Dean, Kevin Cieply, gives a keynote address. Our students come away with a greater sense of urgency and a vision of how the study of law is meant to fulfill a larger purpose in restoring our country to its founding faith as one nation under God.
Professor Scarnecchia is a founding member of the Rome Forum of Catholic Inspired NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and is currently the co-chair, together with Congressman Chris Smith’s wife, Marie, of its human rights sub-committee. On June 19, the Rome Forum was the first group to be recognized by Pope Francis after he concluded his Wednesday address. On the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica, in front of thousands of pilgrims gathered below for the Pope’s Wednesday public audience, Pope Francis walked over to the group to commend them for their good work. With Professor Scarnecchia on this trip was Ave Maria Law summer intern with the Rome Forum, Carmen Tate ’21 and Geoffrey Strickland ’09, who is the Secretary of the Rome Forum. The Forum chair persons have met three times in Rome this past year, October, January and June, after listening to NGO’s from around the world in virtual meetings in order to compile the best practices of Catholic Inspired NGOs from around the world concerning seven themes — human rights, development, health, education, migration, family, and youth. A book of best practices will be presented to Pope Francis in December 2019 for his blessing and then the book will be distributed world-wide. Ave Maria Law intern, Jennifer Sosa ‘20, worked on this project during the past spring semester, and Ave Maria Law intern with the Rome Forum, Joseph Krawczyk ‘21, will carry on the work of Jennifer and Carmen assisting Geoffrey Strickland to see the project through to completion.
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INSIDER’S LOOK The Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research department (LAWR), formerly the Research, Writing, and Advocacy department (RWA), was selected to host a one-day workshop which took place on December 14, 2018. We sat with Director of LAWR, Professor Eric Fleetham (J.D., M.A.), to gain an insider’s look into this event. How did it come to fruition that Ave Maria Law was committed to hosting a Legal Writing Institute Workshop on our campus? This started as an idea that Dean Maureen Milliron had a couple of years ago when she was leading the LAWR department. The Legal Writing Institute (LWI) organizes these workshops every year in the late fall season and identifies schools to host them. This was a new experience for us. We applied to be a host and LWI accepted our school. Did LAWR collaborate closely with the Legal Writing Institute (LWI) in planning the logistics and speakers for this event? Yes, it was a collaboration. We selected the topics for the agenda and LWI approved them. Their team handled the required research to confirm we had adequate space on campus to host the event. Individuals in the legal writing community can apply to speak at the different conferences. LWI publishes information about the various one-day workshops that are scheduled on their website showcasing the topics for each event. Interested parties submit proposals to become speakers at the various workshops. Ave Maria Law was able to approve or reject the proposed speakers, curating our own line-up. What do you feel was the biggest positive takeaway from this workshop for attendees? The hands-on teaching and many ideas that attendees were able to implement right away. We all received valuable takeaways. The Legal Writing community is a small, close-knit community. Everyone is very open and willing to help each other go the extra
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I feel blessed to be part of Ave Maria School of Law. Working in the LAWR department demands a team effort, and we have a great team! Eric, our director, is always open to new ideas and is very supportive of our entire department. One of the best parts of my job is being able to interact with the students daily. Our department always looks forward to welcoming new students to Ave each year!
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– Jane Lipnic, LAWR Coordinator
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Prof. Scott Daniels, Prof. Wendy Tenzer, Prof. Eric Fleetham, Prof. Julie Simpson, Prof. Jaime Generazzo
mile. I’ve personally met great colleagues from being a part of this community. How did hosting this event on campus help benefit Ave Maria Law? What great exposure for our law school to bring such an established group of individuals and speakers to our campus. This was the first time each of the speakers had visited and we were pleased to hear such positive feedback. Being on campus naturally generated more interest in Ave Maria Law and our offerings. Many of the attendees were impressed that Dean Cieply came to greet everyone and went above and beyond by having lunch with the group. There was a consensus that Dean Cieply’s down-to-earth demeanor made the day more personable. Professor Fleetham and the other members of the LAWR department have attended and spoken at previous workshops throughout the years, as well as Dean Milliron. It never fails to be an excellent networking opportunity with other legal writing professors. The LAWR team welcomed Professor Bruce Connolly to their team. A lifelong New Yorker and recent Florida transplant, Bruce attended Catholic schools for his entire education, and is happy to return to a place where faith plays such an important role. Upon graduating Notre Dame Law School, he practiced as a corporate associate and then eventually as a partner at the boutique law firm of Raiser & Kenniff, P.C. He was named a Rising Star in criminal defense for the past five years by New York Metro Super Lawyers.
Bruce with his wife Megan and daughters Claire and Corinne.
Catching up with:
CAMERON COLLEDGE Assistant Director of Bar Preparation
Cameron Colledge (J.D.)
is the Assistant Director of Bar Preparation at Ave Maria School of Law. Cameron graduated from Ave Maria Law in 2016 and he is married with three beautiful children. A fun fact about Cameron is that he was a professional jockey for sixteen years before pursuing his childhood dream of going to law school. Cameron has a history with Ave. After earning his J.D., passing the Florida bar, and working as an attorney, Cameron’s career brought him full circle and he was hired at Ave Maria Law first as the Assistant Director of Experiential Learning & Professional Development and currently as Assistant Director of Bar Preparation. He works with Christopher Buscaglia, the Director of Bar Preparation. Bar preparation for our students is a top priority at the law school. Can you share with us what your position entails as the Assistant Director of Bar Prep? What do you enjoy most about your current position? I teach 3L bar preparation classes that students are required to complete in their last year at law school. These classes are great tools to help set you up for bar preparation after you graduate. I also work closely with Professor Buscaglia to help alumni who are sitting for the bar exam. We offer workshops on the highly tested subjects on the bar exam along with individual tutoring. I love helping people pass the bar exam. I remember the help I received as I was preparing for the exam and this position gives me a great opportunity to give back to Ave and our students. Looking back at your law school journey, what would you say was the best advice you’ve learned? The harder you work during law school the easier bar preparation will seem. Bar preparation is not easy for anyone, but it is much easier to review subject matter that you worked hard to learn during law school than it is to learn everything from scratch for the bar exam.
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... this position gives me a great opportunity to give back to Ave and our students.
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You have a very interesting background. You became a professional jockey right out of high school. If you had to choose one memory to share, what would be your fondest from that time in your life? With so many great horses I was able to ride and so many trainers and owners I was blessed to work for, it’s very hard to narrow it down to one. If I had to pick one it would probably be my first win in California. I rode a two-year-old filly named Tomencino in her first race in California. I was in the number 10 starting gate in a field of ten horses. This little filly was so gutsy and responded to everything I asked of her and she got up at the wire to win by a nose at odds of 50-1. The payout was $104.40 for a $2.00 wager. We found ourselves in the winners circle for the first time in California and we were highlighted in the Los Angeles Times newspaper. Having prepped, taken, and passed the bar exam yourself, what advice would you share with law students and recent graduates as they prepare for the bar exam? Work hard! I cannot stress this enough. You need to be very honest with yourself every day. Ask yourself, did I put in my full effort today? If the answer is no, then you need to figure out what you can do differently tomorrow. If the answer is yes, then you get up the next morning and do it all over. One day at a time until the morning of the exam. If you do this, then even if you walk out of the exam feeling like you failed, at least you can honestly say that you did everything you could do!
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SHINING Behind-the-Scenes Iris Zamora and Nohemi Athanas have a lot in common. They work as Faculty Coordinators, they’re both from Honduras, and outside of the office they are both pursuing a Master’s Degree. Not only are they great coworkers, but also great friends. They rely on each other and work as a team. Iris Zamora is the Faculty and Clinic Coordinator at Ave Maria Law. Iris is a proud mother of three boys. Iris is working toward her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Ashford University. She’s lived in the Fort Myers/Estero area for over twenty years. Nohemi Athanas is the Faculty, Program for Academic Success, and Bar Preparation Coordinator at Ave Maria Law. Nohemi and her husband were U.S. diplomats living and traveling abroad until 2014. Along the way they moved to Naples in 2004. Nohemi is currently pursuing an MBA with a concentration in Project Management. Iris Zamora
What is your educational/career background? Iris: I attended a Christian school and graduated from a bilingual administrative assistant three-year program in 1988. At nineteen years old, I was awarded an internship at the US Agency for International Development and was hired immediately after. I worked at the US Department of Commerce at the US Embassy in Honduras from 1993 – 1998. In 2013, I decided to go back to school and completed an Associate degree in legal studies. Then, almost immediately, I pursued and completed a Bachelor’s in Homeland Security Emergency Management. Nohemi: I have an Associate degree in Business and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in finance. Additionally, I have graduate certificates in Human Resource Management, International Management and Management. I have an interest in how an organization functions as a whole, thus I have dedicated time to learn the functions of different departments. What does your day-to-day look like? Iris: No two days are the same. Work varies according to the needs of each professor on any given day. I’ve made it a practice to begin my day by reading my emails, prioritizing, and getting my day organized. I devote specific hours each week to my clinic duties. Organization is key. We perform better when all of these aspects align.
Nohemi Athanas
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Nohemi: I provide support to the Program for Academic Success (PAS) faculty, which includes tracking submissions and communicating frequently with students. I also provide logistical support to the Bar Preparation department. During a full semester, I can support up to fifteen professors.
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What feels special is being able to observe the transformation of the students from their first year in law school through to graduation. – Iris Zamora
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What do you enjoy most about your current job position? Iris: There are many things I love about my job. I truly appreciate the day-to-day interaction with the students and being able to assist them. What feels special is being able to observe the change and transformation of the students from their first year in law school through to graduation. I also enjoy working alongside the wonderful faculty. They are very compassionate and understanding as any good teachers should be. This is a meaningful job and there’s a purpose for it to exist. I feel useful that I can make a difference. Nohemi: I enjoy the opportunity to help the students. I enjoy working with colleagues that never hesitate to go above and beyond to help you succeed. I can see there is cooperation among the departments and that is very productive. I get to work with a great group of professors. I strive to perform to the best of my abilities because I derive my work ethics from a higher power, and He is always guiding and teaching me to walk the right path. Iris, you work full time, you’re working toward a Master’s degree and you’re a mom to three boys. What is your key to balance and success? There’s always time to do everything you enjoy when you get organized. Organization is key. My boys know I’m there for them whenever they need me. That’s non-negotiable. They can
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I strive to perform to the best of my abilities because I derive my work ethic from a higher power, and He is always guiding and teaching me to walk the right path.
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– Nohemi Athanas
count on me. I’m fortunate to work in a place where family is so important. I work hard and push to strive for excellence in my daily office duties, also complying with my set schedule for my school time after work. I spend time with friends and family, go to Church, or take time to just relax. Nohemi, what is something unique about yourself you can share with our readers? I’m an amateur wildlife and landscape photographer. I love to take pictures for the simple pleasures it brings me. Is there anything else you would like to share? Iris: Being a devout practicing Christian, I’ve grown to appreciate everything this school entails. I recall during my interview for this job, I was told that family is important to the law school. I knew this was a special place of work, being they cared about family and they were a Catholic institution. It’s a luxury we have here.
Nohemi: I would like to share my favorite bible verse, Colossian 3:23-24, which says “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” I have derived my work and life ethics from these verses.
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Thank You
AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Mr. Lawrence J. Blanford
Mr. James J. Kelleher
Retired CEO, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.
Managing Partner, The Kelleher Firm, PA
Mr. Richard Klaas
Mr. Kevin Cieply
President and Dean, Ave Maria School of Law
Dr. C. William Colburn
Emeritus Professor, University of Michigan
Most Reverand Frank J. Dewane The Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida
Mr. James William Fennessey
President and CEO, Fennessey Buick, Inc. (Retired)
Mrs. Mary Ann Gadziala
Former Senior Executive/Attorney – Securities Exchange Commission, US Treasury, and Federal Reserve Board
Partner, Klaas Capital Group
Mrs. Mitzi S. Magin
Catholic Education Advocate and Philanthropic Community Leader
His Eminence Adam Cardinal Maida
Mrs. Cathy Ruse
Senior Fellow for Legal Studies at the Family Research Council
Mr. Ronald J. Rychlak
President of SEALS, Professor of Law and Jamie L. Whitten Chair of Law & Government, University of Mississippi, School of Law
Mr. Michel Saadeh
Archbishop Emeritus of Detroit
President and CEO, Vineyards Development Corporation
Mr. Thomas S. Monaghan
Admiral Henry F. White, Jr.
Lieutenant General Richard F. Natonski
Mr. James P. White
Chairman of the Board and Founder, Ave Maria Foundation
USMC (Ret.)
Mr. Thomas B. Garlick
USN (Retired), and Former Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the American Bar Association Professor Emeritus of Indiana University and Consultant Emeritus, American Bar Association
Managing Partner, Thomas B. Garlick, P.A.
HONORARY BOARD OF REGENTS JoAnn and Joseph Andronaco* His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze Shera and Casey Askar* Kevin Baine Nancy and Bruce Barone Sr.* Matt Birk Constance Blum* Karen and Michael Brown Sr.* The Honorable James Buckley Tatiana Voevodina Cancro and Peter Cancro* Liz and Jim Capazzi Most Reverend Charles Chaput O.F.M. Cap President and Dean Kevin Cieply and Kelli Cieply* Maura and Frank Corvino*
Pat and Louis DiCerbo* Umberto Fedeli* Patricia and William LaMothe Foundation* Jacque Barrett and Raymond Gellein* Lori and Daniel Hall* Lou Holtz Teruko and Karl Keating Richard Klaas Sally and Samuel LaVergne Leslie (Mitzi) Magin* His Eminence Adam Cardinal Maida Dian Jennings Mayo* Susan and William McIntyre* Dean Emeritus Eugene Milhizer Vincent Mona*
Founder and Chairman of the Board Tom Monaghan* Suzanne and Tony Rea* Joseph Ricketts Sharon and William Schoen* Judi and George Schwartz* Caroline and Peter Striano* Sally and Mark Tanner* Tom Garlick, Esq.* Marilyn and John Thyen* Pat and Vincent Trosino* Emmy and Henry White Jr.* Tony Zollo *Honorary Board of Regents member and Veteran Memorial Law Library Founders
For more information on joining the Board of Regents, please contact Donna Heiser at 239-687-5405, dheiser@avemarialaw.edu.
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Mission and Values
ALIGNED Michel Saadeh,
in his role as President & CEO of Vineyards Development Corporation, has been an integral component to the success of the Vineyards neighborhood where Ave Maria Law is located. Michel was highly instrumental in the process of helping Ave Maria Law purchase its campus here in the Vineyards, an important milestone for the law school. Michel is ending his 33 year tenure at the end of 2019. Michel lends his time serving on the law school’s Board of Governors, where his senior management expertise is a valued asset. Michel, thank you for taking the time to share a little bit about yourself with our readers. What do you enjoy most about serving on the law school’s Board of Governors? I was originally solicited by Mr. Dick Klaas, a current member, to join the board at Ave Maria Law. We’re both members of St. William Parish, and he approached me there. He thought I could make a difference. As I thought about it, it made sense to me as my entire family are devout Catholics and my brother is a priest. I was impressed with Founder, Tom Monaghan, and grateful that such a law school existed to train future lawyers with morals and values.
ethical lawyers, whether they be democratic or republican. I have admiration for the school’s mission statement which aligns with my values. My Lord, my Church, and my Pope guide me on what is a good way to live my life. To reciprocate, I’ve always enjoyed taking on pro bono work for the diocese and will continue to assist them when I retire. What sound business advice would you share with our law students as they look to the future and plan out their career paths? First and foremost, be true to your faith. Life goes by very quickly. Second, be true to yourself. Do the right thing even when the right thing is troublesome or keeps you up at night. Third, don’t let monetary value drive your career. Don’t engage in anything you don’t enjoy doing every day. If you stop liking what you do, go do something else.
Ave Maria Law is making a kinder society here in Naples.
How is our law school’s Catholic mission important to you in that you dedicate much of your time and talent to the school?
You have one shot at your life. Applying this advice will help you have no regrets. Who have been some of your mentors in life?
The Bible has been a great guide for me. My family — my wife and beautiful children, my mother, and my brothers. The most influential person in my life was my father. He had more wisdom, kindness, and compassion than anyone I ever met. He is always my hero.
Ave Maria Law is making a kinder society here in Naples.
What is the future of the law school?
The goal and end result the school is trying to accomplish is admirable. Ave Maria Law is working to produce Conservative lawyers grounded by faith. The country needs more ethics and morals in the decision-making processes. We need fair and
I love this school and the mission. There is such a commitment from the Dean, staff and all the faculty. The Board feels very positive about Dean Cieply and his involvement and passion to help the law school thrive. There is a special tenacity with the students deeply rooted in faith.
Michel Saadeh, Monsignor McGrath, Jim Fennessey
Steve Forbes, Gisele Saadeh, Michel Saadeh
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WHAT WILL
Your
LEGACY BE?
–Donna C. Heiser, APR, CFRE, Chief Advancement and External Affairs Officer Have you ever thought about how you will be remembered? It’s a question that we should pause and take time to reflect upon. What type of legacy do you want to leave when considering what is important to you and the charities you support? What impact do you want to make in thanks for the many blessings that God has given to you? In the next few pages of the Advocate, we hope to show how several friends of the law school have made a lasting impact on Ave Maria Law. You’ll also read about a few of our students and alumni whose belief in our law school and gratitude to our donors is truly inspiring. A few of those friends, Connie Von Zwehl and Bill and Sharon Schoen, have recently established generous annual scholarships that will ensure that veteran heroes who wish to attend Ave Maria Law will be able to do so without the burden of tuition. What a wonderful way to leave a legacy in thanks to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country! If money was no object, what impact would you like to have? In other words, what changes would you make in our country and in our world? If you had the opportunity to move the mission of Ave Maria Law forward, what would it look like and how might you do it? Jim and Sue Kelleher were inspired by our founder Tom Monaghan’s belief that “Lawyers run our Country and the mission of Ave Maria Law is to produce ethical, moral Catholic lawyers to bring God back into the courtroom.” In fact, four Kelleher family members are either attending or alumni of Ave Maria Law. The Kelleher’s generously pledged a gift to name the Basketball Court in our new Fitness Complex, the proceeds of which will benefit scholarships at the law school. What would you like your children and grandchildren to remember you for, philanthropically? Will your children be proud of the choices you have made to fund missions that are important to you? Many of us wonder if we really can make a difference. Some of us feel that we don’t have enough funds to leave a lasting legacy. The truth is that regardless of how much money we have, we all have a legacy to leave. A gift of your IRA, real estate, a multi-year pledge of support, a provision in your will, or even a small monthly gift to our Annual Fund can make a substantial difference. It was important for George and Judi Schwartz of Michigan to financially support Ave Maria Law in order to help the school to produce many more pro-life judges. “This was one of Tom’s goals in founding this magnificent truly Catholic institution,” noted George. Duane and Be Enochs of California included Ave Maria Law in their estate plan because they feel it is very important to train ethical and moral lawyers to insure the future direction of our great country. And to Naples and Connecticut resident Connie Von Zwehl, establishing a veterans scholarship in memory of her beloved husband Vinny was the result of their deep belief in the power of reverence for God, respect for Life and our Country, and remembrance of our veteran heroes. “There is no greater privilege than to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with likeminded folks who understand the importance of Reverence, Respect, and Remembrance,” explained Connie. “There is no better use of one’s time and treasures than to practice, promote and preserve these tenets as lessons from the past and inspiration for future generations.” Connie and Vinny’s legacy will live on in the veterans who will receive a tuition free law school education in the years to come. So, what will your legacy be? How will you be remembered? We are here to help you to discover what your legacy will be.
CONTACT DONNA HEISER: dheiser@avemarialaw.edu • 239-687-5405
“It’s important for me to financially support Ave Maria School of Law to help the school produce many more pro-life judges. That was one of Tom’s goals in founding this magnificent truly Catholic institution.” – George P. Schwartz, CFA Chairman and CEO, Ave Maria Mutual Funds
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Your Impact in Action
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My education from Ave Maria Law has helped me defend the law, set precedent in courts across the nation, all while making a difference in my clients’ lives. And all for the greater glory.
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“My education that I received from Ave Maria Law has helped me immensely in my practice of law. I practice constitutional law, defending religious liberty. Daily I find myself relying on my education from Ave Maria Law. Ave Maria Law not only taught me the law, but it also taught the moral foundations for those laws and why we should uphold and fight for both our constitutional rights as well as our God given natural rights. I also received the practical skills necessary for writing and arguing for my clients and their needs, leading to victories across the country. My education from Ave Maria Law has helped me defend the law, set precedent in courts across the nation, all while making a difference in my clients’ lives. And all for the greater glory.”
Ave Maria Law supports my prolife research in many ways and gives me academic freedom to incorporate a Christian perspective in teaching about morally controversial legal matters.
”
“Many of us on the faculty choose to teach at Ave Maria Law because of its distinct Catholic identity and its unique mission to promote natural truths in a time of moral relativism in the legal profession.” – Ligia Castaldi, Professor of Law
“
Over the past two years, Ave has helped me evolve as a person because of its focus on mind, body, and spirit.
”
“My education at Ave Maria School of Law has been so impactful to my life and way of thinking. Over the past two years, Ave has helped me evolve as a person because of its focus on mind, body, and spirit. I think and act more like a future lawyer, I have noticed that I have become more conscious of healthy eating and exercise, and ultimately, I have grown closer to God. Law school has not been easy, but I owe my success to the help of faculty and staff. The faculty and staff at Ave have become the most influential mentors in my life. They encourage me consistently and believe in me when I don’t believe in myself. That is not only evident in my relationships with each of them, but also in the scholarship the school has provided me. That scholarship reminds me that Ave believes that I can succeed and is here to support me as I do.” – Marina Moussa, President of the Student Bar Association, Ave Maria Law ReviewSenior Editor, Dean’s Delegate
– Erin Mersino, Class of 2007, Chief of Supreme Court and Appellate Practice, Great Lakes Justice Center
Advocate | 2019
43
Thank You FOR HELPING US TO BECOME THE
BEST LAW SCHOOL FOR VETERANS
“
I sincerely maintain the feeling that Ave is a place which nourishes veterans’ success.
”
Faith and Reason! My prime desire to attend law school was centered on the notion that these words, which are etched into the moral fabric of Ave Maria, are as valuable to the pursuit of scholarship, as they are to one’s pursuit of logic. When my wife was looking for the ideal location in South Florida to complete her Medical Residency Program, I was looking for the ideal community to transition from a cancer researcher and Marine, to a tenacious law student. Through my undergraduate studies in molecular biology to a matriculation into the legal arena, I sincerely maintain the feeling that Ave is a place which nourishes veterans’ success. My feeling of veterans’ success is affirmed at Ave Maria Law, due to the various resources shared with people like me by the faculty and staff of the Veterans Memorial Law Library. The scholarship exemplified in the legal research abilities of Professor Ulysses Jaen, or the valued class I took in Veterans Law under the robust instruction of Army JAG Officer Professor Kevin Govern are prime examples of the type of mentorship, and career focused development provided at Ave Maria Law. The gift of faithful cognizance in the Natural Law has pushed me to advocate in an impactful manner for noble causes, like the Wounded Warriors Project’s Homeless Veterans Initiative. I have been made to understand as a veteran of Iraq, the precept that the human body is only as strong as the nourished soul. I hope to further impress through my legal education at Ave Maria Law a reasonable and enduring positive impact within our community for years to come. – Dayo Félix-Doyle, Class of 2020
SCHOEN FOUNDATION ENDOWED VETERANS SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED AT AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW Through the generosity of Bill and Sharon Schoen and the Schoen Foundation, we are proud to announce that a $1 million Endowed Veterans Scholarship has recently been created at Ave Maria School of Law to award scholarships to support deserving United States Military Veterans. We are grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Schoen for this very generous and transformational scholarship that will be awarded to veterans who were honorably discharged from one of the five uniformed armed service branches and who served a minimum of three years of continuous, full-time active duty during 2003 to the present. Qualifying students who have already exhausted their Yellow Ribbon program benefits or can no longer take advantage of the program shall be given preference. “We are humbled and grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Schoen for this very generous endowed scholarship that will serve as a testament to Mr. Schoen’s business leadership, commitment to veteran education, and to the impact that his service in the United States Marine Corps had on his life,” said Donna Heiser, Chief Advancement and External Affairs Officer. The recipient of numerous awards and distinctions, Ave Maria Law bestowed the St. Martin of Tours Heroes Award to Mr. Schoen in 2018 for his service to our country, generosity, and commitment to the education of our nation’s veterans. Hodges University named Bill its Humanitarian of the Year in 2003. In 2006 Ernst & Young awarded its Lifetime Achievement Award to Bill in recognition of his entrepreneurial endeavors. Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida inducted Bill into the Business Hall of Fame in 2009. USC Alumni chose Bill to receive the Asa V. Call Achievement Award for 2016 which is the highest award bestowed by the alumni.
44 avemarialaw.edu
Bill Schoen, Schoen Foundation
“
The faith and service-based approach to legal studies has inspired me to strive to give more to others. I am also grateful to Ave Maria Law for providing me with scholarships for my legal education.
VINCENT J. VON ZWEHL VETERANS SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED AT AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW
“I am very grateful to be in this country which provides so many opportunities to achieve any goal you set for yourself. I also believe that I should demonstrate my appreciation through service to my community. I had the opportunity to serve my community as a police officer and an army officer. Ave Maria Law is providing another opportunity to serve my community in the legal profession. I am very excited to be a part of the Ave Maria family. The faith and service-based approach to legal studies has inspired me to strive to give more to others. I am also grateful to Ave Maria Law for providing me with scholarships for my legal education. The scholarships greatly reduced my financial burden and allowed me to concentrate on my legal education. I am honored to be a member of the Ave Maria Law family.”
The Von Zwehl’s have always supported their faith and Catholic education in their communities and received Honorary Juris Doctorate degrees from Ave Maria School of Law in 2016. “In our active and unwavering support of our Catholic Faith and America it always comes down to 3 things: Reverence, Respect, and Remembrance,” noted Mrs. Von Zwehl. “The Reverence is for Our Lord. The Respect is for Life, our Country and the US Constitution as our Founders wrote it. The Remembrance is for the men and women, both in uniform and as civilians who have bravely defended these principals throughout the history of this extraordinary nation. Some of them at the expense of their lives.”
”
– Frantz Michel, Class of 2021
It is with a deep sense of gratitude that we announce the establishment of the Vincent J. Von Zwehl Veterans Scholarship at Ave Maria School of Law. Named in honor of Vinny Von Zwehl, a steadfast friend and benefactor of the law school, the scholarship was recently founded by Mrs. Connie Von Zwehl in memory of her late husband.
“When you look at the history of America it is embodied and emboldened with the excellence of these individuals,” she explained. “It may seem like we have lost our way, but if there is a single person out there willing to fight the good fight, we will always prevail. There is no greater honor than to be called upon to actively support any and all defenders. There is no greater privilege than to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with likeminded folks who understand the importance of Reverence, Respect, and Remembrance. There is no better use of one’s time and treasures than to practice, promote, and preserve these tenets as lessons from the past and inspiration for future generations.”
“We are truly grateful to Connie for this wonderful tribute in Vinny’s memory,” said Donna Heiser, Chief Advancement and External Affairs Officer. “His legacy as a proud veteran of the United States Navy, successful multi-national businessman, and philanthropist will live on in this annual scholarship.” The first recipient of the scholarship is Ms. Taryn Vaughn, Class of 2020 and a U.S. Navy veteran.
From the moment I graduated undergrad, I knew I wanted to come to Ave Maria School of Law. The school’s mission and small class size assured me that I was not going to be a number.
“
As a US Navy Veteran and nontraditional student, I wanted to be a part of a community that embraced their faith in God and created a veteran-friendly atmosphere that is conducive for understanding the law.
”
“To hear a special calling to defend the idea of Reverence, Respect, and Remembrance and to be unable to answer that call in the form of providing scholarships to worthy veterans is a privilege,” noted Mrs. Von Zwehl. “Those of us who can help because we’ve enjoyed good fortune have an obligation to pay it forward as a debt to the past. It’s just that simple.”
– Diego Gil, Class of 2019
Advocate | 2019
45
From Ave Maria School of Law to a call from the White House and the halls of Federal Court,
Judge Joseph Toth, Class of 2007, leads with distinction. After graduating from Ave Maria Law in 2007, Judge Joseph Toth embarked on a career path that has landed him in the very prestigious and influential appointment by President Trump of a United States Court of Appeals Judge for Veterans Claims. In this article, you will hear from Judge Toth as to why his experiences at Ave Maria School of Law helped form him not only to become a skilled lawyer, but also into a good and caring human being. Those virtues are evident in his personal life and also carry over into the decisions he makes as a Federal Judge. The legal skills, critical thinking, and virtues he learned at Ave Maria Law have enabled Judge Toth to be recognized as an outstanding lawyer and individual, rapidly advancing in his career path to a very high level achieved by few other lawyers. Judge Toth is a veteran of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps of the United States Navy, where he served as Senior Defense Counsel in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In 2011, Judge Toth was deployed to the Zhari District of Afghanistan where he served as a Field Officer for the Rule of Law Field Force Afghanistan. He received the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his service in Afghanistan. After leaving active duty, Judge Toth served as Associate Federal Defender in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and clerked for Judge Daniel A. Manion of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and Judge Robert J. Conrad of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. Judge Toth sincerely appreciates the commitment of Ave Maria Law to our veterans and to its efforts to provide scholarships to all veterans who enter the law school. As a Navy officer in the JAG Corps, Judge Toth experienced first-hand the personal characteristics that were necessary to succeed in military service.
“During my years in the military, I was consistently impressed with the work-ethic and dedication among those who serve in the armed forces. The Navy has any number of catchy sayings and my favorite is: “Grab a broom.” It reflects a mentality that’s drilled into you that, instead of complaining about a situation, do something small and immediate to make things better for everyone around you. I love this approach. St. Thomas might have called this “the habit of virtue.” St. Therese might call this the “little way”, and one sees it daily among our service members and veterans. It’s a big sacrifice to put one’s career and educational opportunities on hold to serve one’s country. Veterans bring a lot to the table in terms of leadership and experience and understand the level of sacrifice required to pursue excellence and serve something 46 avemarialaw.edu
“I applaud the efforts of Ave Maria School of Law to bring more veterans into legal education and to allow them to build their skills and serve their communities in various ways. I know these efforts will bear great fruit.” – United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Judge Joseph Toth- Class of 2007
greater than oneself. I applaud the efforts of Ave Maria School of Law to bring more veterans into legal education and to allow them to build their skills and serve their communities in various ways. I know these efforts will bear great fruit.” From his first days at Ave Maria Law, Judge Toth recognized that Ave Maria was uniquely different.
“I credit Ave Maria Law with cultivating an environment that encouraged students to explore deeper questions relating to faith and reason and the good of the human person. Sadly, too many law schools take a purely instrumental view of legal education—get a degree, then a job, then a Mercedes if you bill enough hours. (Or worse, they reduce all of the law to questions of power). By contrast, Ave Maria Law balanced the practical realities of legal education such as learning contracts and torts with deeper questions about the relation of the law to the dignity of the human person and the good of the community. This approach encourages students to see law from a higher level, which is totally unique from other law schools. This is a more human approach, and it creates an environment that’s conducive to friendship and general flourishing. It’s not a coincidence that our group of students were able to form enduring friendships at Ave Maria Law. I cherish above all the lifelong friendships I made at Ave Maria. As a judge, the long and the short of it is that the school prepared me very well for my career in the law. I hold the professors who taught me in very high regard including Professors Myers, Murphy, and Milliron.” We are especially grateful to all our supporters whose gifts, both large and small, have combined to enable Ave Maria Law to continue its unique mission to educate lawyers like Judge Toth, who carry the values, virtues, and ethics learned at Ave Maria Law into their legal practices and the country’s courtrooms.
Giving to Ave Law is
“
Transforming
Ave Maria School of Law has a consistent track record and a proven ability to build and develop students of law due to its reputation, year after year, of being ranked by The Princeton Review as a top rated law school with a “faculty most accessible to students.” We are proud to support the mission of Ave Maria School of Law.
”
– Joe and JoAnn Andronaco
DANIEL WHITEHEAD JUDICIAL CLERK TO JUDGE TOTH
When Judge Toth was nominated by President Trump for the position of United States Court of Appeals Judge for Veterans Claims, and was confirmed by the United States Senate, he knew he would have to select other attorneys to act in the critically important role of his Judicial Clerks. After graduating from Ave Maria Law in 2017, Daniel Whitehead applied for a clerkship position with Judge Toth. He was subsequently selected, in significant part based on Judge Toth’s confidence in the outstanding legal and ethical education Daniel had received at Ave Maria Law. Since becoming Judge Toth’s Judicial Clerk, their respect for each other has grown. According to Daniel, a difficult job is made a little easier by Judge Toth’s mentoring. Daniel shared that the law is very dense and complicated, and writing about it is a challenge. He shared his admiration for Judge Toth’s professionalism and how he has helped Daniel become a better writer/attorney by being encouraging and taking quality time to edit his drafts and recommend books and tools to better himself.
“So the Veterans Court is pretty tough. It’s high-volume and the cases deal almost entirely with administrative law questions. It’s sociable and I visit the other judge’s chambers with some frequency. The Court also seems like a good jumping stone into whatever you want to do. Many clerks go on to federal and private practice. I’ve recently started applying to jobs and I’ve already been referred to two Department of Justice positions and a positive with the Environmental Protection Agency.”
Now that Daniel is required to utilize his legal skills on a daily basis, he is even more grateful not only for the quality and faithfulness of the education he received at Ave Maria Law, but also for the campus faith environment.
“I think Professor Tenzer and my internship with Judge Steele prepared me well for my current clerkship in terms of writing. My 1L professors at Ave Maria School of Law were demanding and ultra-competent, so taking courses with them was excellent preparation for critical legal thinking. Most importantly, though, Monsignor McGrath offering daily Mass and being my spiritual director for my duration at Ave was critical to my success. The friends I made at Ave was another excellent part of my experience, especially the St. Thomas More Society. I still interact with friends from there at least twice a week.” Daniel has truly enjoyed his time in Washington, D.C. He has had the opportunity to meet several other Ave Maria graduates in his two years there.
“There are a lot of other Ave Maria School of Law grads here who graduated before me, so I’ve gotten to meet a lot of them. They are in really prestigious positions. DC is fun and there are lots of resources here for Catholics, e.g., religious orders, adoration, plenty of Mass and confession times, processions. I’ve seen four Supreme Court justices. I try to experience things that I can’t really do anywhere else, e.g., Smithsonian museums, the national zoo, volunteer work, academic lectures and conferences with interesting figures.” We are blessed to have such competent and faithful graduates as Judge Joseph Toth and Judicial Clerk, Daniel Whitehead, among many others. The goal of Ave Maria Law is to emphasize the critical importance of faith, reason, morals, and ethics in the practice of law. It is as important today as it was 20 years ago when Tom Monaghan founded the law school. Our society’s need for such lawyers and judges has never been greater. Thank you for being our partner in making that happen.
Advocate | 2019
47
Giving to Ave Law is Transforming
“
Lawyers run our Country and the mission of Ave Maria is to produce ethical, moral Catholic lawyers to bring God back into the courtroom.
”
“The mission of the Ave Maria School of Law is very near and dear to my wife Sue and me. As our Founder Tom Monaghan has said many times, “Lawyers run our Country and the mission of Ave Maria is to produce ethical, moral Catholic lawyers to bring God back into the courtroom.” We couldn’t agree more. I was beyond humbled when Tom asked me to join the law school’s Board of Governors. The Kelleher Family connection to Ave Maria Law runs deep: Our son Patrick graduated in 2018, our daughter Kathleen’s husband Eric Leeman will graduate this December, and Mary Clare and Jim, Jr are members of the Class of 2021 (God willing). We are very happy to be able to give back to this fine institution by naming the Basketball Court in the new fitness complex! – James J Kelleher, Esq The Kelleher Firm, PA
“
…In a career, as in life as a whole, devotion to Christ is the most essential thing to maintain, since it is the sole foundation of integrity and goodness. To that end, the thing for which I am most deeply thankful to Ave Maria Law is keeping Christ in my life during such formative years.
”
“As a part of the ‘Profiles in Ethical Leadership’ speaker series, I am honored to have had the opportunity to highlight, for Ave Maria Law’s students, key insights from leadership positions held and experiences encountered during my career. I touched on organizational purpose and mission, the development of strategy driven by powerful business models, product branding and advertising, program execution, sustainability, and creating empowered organizational cultures. I concluded my talk by challenging these developing lawyers to dedicate their career to the pursuit of truth, guided by justice and balanced with mercy; I believe this represents a distinctively different path than winning at all costs. In this regard, I greatly appreciate that
Ave Maria Law uniquely prepares future lawyers, by both educating them in the understanding and practice of U.S. law, while also forming their moral character with an understanding of God’s Natural Law and Catholic Social Teaching. Enthusiastically
supportive of this approach, I look forward to serving on Ave Maria School of Law’s Board of Governors beginning September of 2019.” – Larry Blanford
Lawrence J. Blanford, as CEO, led Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR) from May 2007 until he retired in December 2012, where he guided the development and roll out of the Keurig Coffee Brewing System. Today, Mr. Blanford holds a number of board positions, including both for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
“I am very thankful for the education I received at Ave Maria Law, particularly considering the financial support I received to earn my law degree, and I believe it is important to support Ave Maria for two reasons: to repay this debt of gratitude and to help to form lawyers with strong hearts and minds to engage a culture that grows ever more hostile to human happiness and flourishing. Such lawyers require a strong legal education that is grounded in truth, which is exactly what Ave Maria provided to me. The legal skills that Ave Maria Law helped to form are a foundation of what I do every day in my career, but I have also found that in a career, as in life as a whole, devotion to Christ is the most essential thing to maintain, since it is the sole foundation of integrity and goodness. To that end, the thing for which I am most deeply thankful to Ave Maria is keeping Christ in my life during such formative years.” – Guy Amisano, Class of 2005 General Counsel, Salient Corporation
48 avemarialaw.edu
QUICK FACTS FAMILY-FRIENDLY CAMPUS
20 YEARS AGO
FOUNDED AS A CATHOLIC LAW SCHOOL
#1
3 FACULTY MEMBERS
SERVED AND RETIRED AS U.S. ARMY JAG OFFICERS $0 AMOUNT OF TUITION PAID BY VETERANS QUALIFIED FOR THE YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM
56 VETERAN ALUMNI AND/OR CURRENTLY ENROLLED VETERANS
LAW SCHOOL
2017
BEST
LAW SCHOOLS FOR THE DEVOUT 2019
The Princeton Review
BEST 165 LAW SCHOOLS 2019
CAMPUS IS CONTIGUOUS TO A LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SERVING ON FACULTY
PARKING SPACES
MOST DIVERSE
ON-CAMPUS CHAPLAIN, MONSIGNOR MCGRATH AND HIS GOLDEN RETRIEVER, DRIVER
3 MARRIED COUPLES
5 VETERANS
preLaw
BUILT-IN FAMILY:
17
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND CO-CURRICULARS ON CAMPUS
19 YEARS
AVE MARIA LAW COMMUNITY HAS ATTENDED MARCH FOR LIFE
RANKED #1 MOST DEVOUT
LAW SCHOOL IN THE U.S. IN 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 AND 2019
SINCE 2008:
RANKED A PRINCETON REVIEW BEST LAW SCHOOL
NAPLES RANKED HAPPIEST AND HEALTHIEST CITY
ALUMNI ARE EMPLOYED IN
47 STATES
AND INTERNATIONALLY TOTAL FITNESS COMPLEX SQUARE FOOTAGE:
21,740
75 DEGREES AVERAGE TEMPERATURE IN NAPLES
NAPLES RANKS ON TOP U.S. SPORTS & ADVENTURE VACATION LIST
12
ACRES ON OUR VINEYARDS, NAPLES CAMPUS
27
60 UNDERGRAD INSTITUTIONS CLASS OF 2022
7
MEMBERS OF THE FEDERAL OR STATE JUDICIARY
OVER
$5 MILLION AWARDED IN FINANCIAL AID EVERY YEAR
2X
CHAMPIONS OF THE UCLA LAW CYBER CRIMES MOOT COURT COMPETITION
AVERAGE AGE OF OUR STUDENTS
Advocate | 2019
49
Securing OUR FUTURE
YOUR ESTATE GIFT WILL CREATE A DYNAMIC BUILDING BLOCK FOR OUR FUTURE
“
If we did not have Ave Maria School of Law, we would not have an entire range of people {who will lead to a renewal of America} and it is going to get better every year from here on out. You’re going to get more students. Your reputation is going to continue to grow in a very significant way and so you become, literally, one of the dynamic building blocks of how we once again become a conservative country, how we once again become a country based on faith, how we once again remind ourselves that our Declaration of Independence says we’re endowed by our Creator.
”
– Newt Gingrich, Ave Maria School of Law’s 2018 Signature Event Speaker
If you too believe that Ave Maria School of Law is “one of the dynamic building blocks” that will bring America back to a country of faith, conservatism and rights endowed by our Creator, then please consider making an estate gift to Ave Maria Law. You can easily and inexpensively make an estate gift to Ave Maria Law no matter what the size of your estate. Here are four simple ways to help you continue your support for the critical mission of Ave Maria Law through an estate gift that will cost you nothing now!
Jeff McManus, Planned and Leadership Gifts Officer, Ave Maria School of Law
1
Add Ave Maria School of Law as a Payable on Death beneficiary of your bank or money market account.
2
Make Ave Maria School of Law the beneficiary of all or a portion of your Individual Retirement Account.
3
Name Ave Maria School of Law as a full or partial beneficiary of your life insurance policy.
4
Make Ave Maria School of Law a Transfer on Death Beneficiary of your investment account.
With a single, simple estate gift through your Will or Beneficiary Designation, you can help secure the future of America as our founders and Creator intended it.
For more information about making an estate gift to Ave Maria School of Law, contact Jeff McManus, JD at: jmcmanus@avemarialaw.edu or 239-250-3536 or visit our website at: www.avemarialaw.edu/giving/planed-giving-questions 50 avemarialaw.edu
CONSIDER PLANNING A GIFT TO LEAVE A LEGACY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
“
We have included Ave Maria Law in our estate plan because, early on, we believed in Tom Monaghan’s vision of a Catholic law school with a difference.
”
“We support Ave Maria School of Law because we feel it is very important to train ethical and moral lawyers to ensure the future direction of our great country. We have included Ave Maria Law in our estate plan because, early on, we believed in Tom Monaghan’s vision of a Catholic law school with a difference. We are honored to share the many blessings God has given us with the next generation of Ave Maria Law trained lawyers who will make a difference.” – Duane and Be Enochs, Manhattan Beach, California
The Heritage Society
I am honored to serve as a new member of Ave Maria Law’s Board of Governors and to contribute my financial support to sustain and enhance the law school because I share Ave Maria’s dedication to educating young minds with a focus on conservative Christian principles and the intersection of law and morals. In the current environment of political correctness and anti-Christian rhetoric, Ave Maria stands out as a unique beacon, an institution of higher learning offering an education combining faith, morals, and high ethical standards with a quality legal education that produces a noble profession constituting lawyers who will have a meaningful positive impact on the future of this great country. Ave Maria’s dedication to honor and support our country’s veterans is also, in my view, an admirable pursuit. I am proud to have a plaque honoring my father, a WWII hero who fought in the foxholes of Japan as a Master Sergeant in the USMC, on the Veterans Wall of Honor. All veterans who served our country honorably deserve recognition and thanks and I strongly support Ave Maria’s initiatives to achieve that end. Ave Maria is a relatively young institution with boundless potential and many challenges. I believe that with my work on the Board and my financial support I can contribute to the further development of this outstanding law school to make a difference that is ultimately a meaningful investment in our country’s future. – Mary Ann Gadziala has had a distinguished 32 year career as an attorney with expertise in financial services regulation, legislation and markets, including her role as the Assistant General Counsel for Banking and Finance – U.S. Department of Treasury.
The Heritage Society honors donors who make planned gifts and bequests to Ave Maria School of Law, which are critical sources of income for its ongoing legal programs. Ave Maria Law is unique in its emphasis on faith, reason and Natural Law as the basis for all morals and law. With morals and natural law under siege today, and with many challenging our right to voice moral convictions and our faith, we must be prepared to defend the truth. Either we accept that God is the foundation of morals and the law or we and future generations will become the victims of today’s relativism. Membership in The Ave Maria School of Law Heritage Society involves no dues, obligations or solicitations. Your complimentary membership is our way of thanking you for the plans you have made to include a planned gift or bequest to Ave Maria Law — and to inspire generosity, resolve and conviction in others.
HOW TO JOIN
BECOME A MEMBER
Ave Maria School of Law welcomes you to The Heritage Society if you have: • Included Ave Maria Law in your estate plan through a will or living trust • Created a charitable remainder trust which names Ave Maria Law as a remainder beneficiary • Entered into a charitable gift annuity agreement with Ave Maria Law • Named Ave Maria Law as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, an IRA or retirement account, or as a payable on death beneficiary on a bank account or securities account • Made a gift of real estate reserving a life estate We are confident that you will continue to be pleased with the mission and successes of Ave Maria Law. However, should you desire, most planned gifts allow the donor to change the beneficiary at any time.
To become a member, visit www.avemarialaw.edu/ heritagesociety to complete your member profile form or contact us at 239-687-5403 to let us know you have made estate plans for Ave Maria Law. We will send you a membership acknowledgment and welcome letter. Your arrangements with the law school will remain confidential. Please contact Jeff McManus, JD, Planned and Leadership Gifts Officer, at 239-250-3536 with any questions. You may also check the appropriate box on the enclosed return envelope that is included in this issue of the Advocate.
Advocate | 2019
51
REFLECTING ON AVE STUDENTS WITH MONSIGNOR McGRATH
Everyone who is a part of the Ave Maria Law community has the pleasure of knowing and cherishing Monsignor Frank McGrath, our school’s blessed Chaplain. He lives on campus with his Golden Retriever, Driver, our “Law Dog.” He celebrates Mass on campus and is available for the Sacrament of Confession. He is a guiding light and mentor for our students. A native of New Britain and raised in Stratford, Connecticut, Monsignor McGrath attended Notre Dame High School, St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland, where he received the Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained for the Diocese of Bridgeport in 1970. My hope for all of our law students as they move on after law school is that they are a positive influence in society in terms of being men and women with faith conviction, love for God, and stand for His principles. We need men and women of reason and faith. Ave Maria Law’s motto is “Fides et Ratio.” I hope our students make their faith a very central part of their lives. By faith, I mean loyalty and love for Jesus Christ and a willingness to submit themselves to His will. Only in this way is a person truly happy and fulfilled. Every great Christian philosopher who exhibits happiness and fulfillment in their personal life agrees that surrender to God is imperative to a life well lived. Ave Maria Law is extremely grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Klaas for their generosity in renovating our school’s chapel, St. Thérèse of the Little Flower. Work completed included new flooring, an updated sound-proof entrance door, refurbished pews with a new center aisle, gold draping, and a painting of St. Thomas, the Apostle, encountering the risen Christ.
52 avemarialaw.edu
“
Ave Law students are deeply rooted in goodness and kindness. I’m lucky they are the kind of people I would enjoy knowing for the rest of my life.
Dean Cieply, Nancy Klaas, Richard Klaas, Monsignor McGrath
”
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
THE KIL
LING FIE
Applying to Ave Maria was, in reality, at the age of 69, my last chance. Although the application process, LSAT testing and first year doubts were tough, it was well worth it. What advice would you share with others who are thinking about law school later in life as a second career? I have three major advices. First, I would suggest one try and focus law school work and eventual law career in an area that individual has prior and extensive experience in. In that way, that person would have a deep understanding of the subject matter and, more importantly, be able to contribute to a law firm almost immediately without much training — a cost most firms are trying to avoid spending money on. For example, in my case as an expert on electric utility design and operations, my goal was to practice in the area of electric utility accidents. I knew the subject matter and tried to take as many courses and directed research projects as possible that would enhance my legal understanding of the law associated with these kind of accidents. The best course was Professor Ulysses Jaen’s research course which allowed me to do extensive research on the law associated with electric utility accidents and was the main source of my first published book, “A Lawyer’s Guide to Electric Utility Accidents in Florida”. Second, I would understand that older people have a significant advantage in attending law school at an advanced age. Yes, we lack energy, our memories are not as good, and we lack the stenographer type skills the younger students have — a
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ERI, ESQ
When I retired in 1997 and moved to southwest Florida I searched out possible law schools. There were none in my Marco Island area and I would have had to travel to Miami, Tampa or Fort Lauderdale. In 2009 a miracle happened. Ave Maria School of Law moved to Naples from Michigan and presented me with a great opportunity to fulfill my dreams. My wife of 50 years, tired of hearing my desires of going to law school, hung a large sign on our front door—“Last Call”
to work.
THE KIL
JOHN A. ARC
As a young person my favorite movies and television programs were law related (Perry Mason, 12 Angry Men, etc). Later in life, while working as an engineer for the electric utility that supplies the 9 million people of the New York City area, I was asked to serve as an expert witness defending electric utilities on serious electric utility accidents. It was there that I saw how poorly lawyers handled the complicated and highly technical electric accidents. It was then that I decided to put law school in my sights.
Let’s get
FLORIDA
What made you decide to go back to law school when you did?
FL
THE KILL ING FIEL DS OF
John Arceri is a 2013 graduate of Ave Maria School of
Law. Mr. Arceri enjoyed a long career in electrical engineering before he decided to go to law school, a dream he had envisioned since childhood. He graduated Cum Laude, ranked 20 out of his class of 159 students, from Ave Maria Law when he was 71 years young. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2013. Mr. Arceri provides technical advisory service to attorneys from his law office on Marco Island.
LDS OF
ORIDA My first book in Florida,” , “A Lawyer’s Guid e to attempted achieve the to help plainElectric Utility Accid ents tiffs and owners, and goals of identifyin defendan g ts trical accid private contracto actions utilities, homers ents whil e reducing can take to redu ce elecfrivolous It did not lawsuits. work. Utili acceptab ty accidents le, in Florida little evid with human suffe rema ence that in ring tions. Ove utilities have continuing, and unr the past with take n preventiv burned, 11 year shocked utility accid or maim s, 469 persons have e acFloridian ents than ed, 124 of by non-prev s are injured them fatal been or kille entable natu ly. This book ral disasters. d by preventable More explains electric ities, priva how te contracto electric utility accidents governm ent can help rs and property happen, defines wha owners mus to reduce t electric t serio do and show us accidents utilMy expe s where rience inclu . and whe I served des 55 year n as a s torney and senior officer of in the electric utilit the coun try’s large y distribution busi accidents expert witness, I have st ness througho ut the Sout consulted or testi electric utility. Rece , in which the pain and heast, mos ntly, fied in almo those who suffering I have tly in Flor st 100 elect as an atwitnesse successfu ric utility d from victi ida. My inspiratio corporat lly and passiona e safety n comes ms and their tely urge cultu from Cullum in families electric utilitre – including Ralp d serious indu and from stry h Nader ies. in automob changes to impr I have iden ove iles and tified 36 David Mac must take clear actio to reduce ns that all traumas, and elim costs and inate serio parties involved in electric lost labo us electric r hours. utility accid accidents ents and the resu ltant pain s,
An Opinion
JOHN A.
JOHN ARCERI
Piece By:
ARCERI , ES
FEBRUA
RY, 2019
Q
real disadvantage when exams are closed book and mostly on computer. I would understand that what typically makes us good students are three vital advantages; namely, 1) a strong work ethic, 2) a lack of desire for a social life of any kind and 3) typically, a lack of responsibility for smaller children. Yes, it was tough. Yes, you will have to take B-12 shots and have loads of caffeine but, believe me, the voyage is well worth the travel. All of this got me through law school graduation Cum Laude and near the top tier of my graduating class and passing the difficult Florida Bar exam on the first try. In my 1L year we formed a “Senior Study Group” which consisted of five students over the age of 50. All finished in the top of the graduating class and all passed the Florida Bar first time out. What more proof does one need that age is a benefit and not a disadvantage. Third, I would make sure one knows the probable barriers and road blocks in the area of law one is pursuing. For example, in my case I was hoping to immediately go after electric utility accident cases. After all, I had relations with government agencies and would know of serious electric accidents within a few days. The plan was to then immediately contact the victim or the family to try and represent them in a personal injury or wrongful death suit. I wasn’t aware until late in the 2L year that Florida law had changed and required that I could not contact any victim or their family for 30 days and, after that, could only communicate with them by mail stamped with “Advertisement” on the envelope and every page of my solicitation. Since the victim or the family could contact their lawyer immediately after the accident that made it almost impossible for me to get many cases since, most victims immediately seek out a local attorney they know or go to the large firms with huge advertising budgets. What is the typical work day like for you as an attorney? My practice has been limited to electric utility accidents and, for the most part, on the side of the victim plaintiff and against the defendant electric utility. There are some 40 of these cases every year in Florida. In fact, over the past 10 years in Florida there have been 469 persons who have been burned, shocked or maimed by contact with electricity outside in public locations — 124 of them have died. I typically will review preliminary
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
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The voyage is worth the travel.
evidence like first responder reports and get as much as I can from Google Earth photographs. Next I will try and form the most effective Complaint and then put together a discovery strategy that includes very specific and targeted re-quests for Admissions, Interrogatories and Production that will give us the most meaningful responses from the electric utility defendant. This is the only way that lawyers can try and get fair and quick settlements and avoid the long and expensive costs associated with a full court trial. There are times when I will also be retained as an expert witness or consultant. In that role, I would prepare affidavits to try and defeat Motions for Summary Judgment or to try and get a successful Motion for Punitive Damages. I would also attend numerous depositions and also testify at trial. I did testify at the trial of a young boy fatally electrocuted in Fort Myers and the jury awarded the family $24 million — the largest award for a single electric accident in Florida’s history. It was my involvement with some 100 electric utility cases that led me to publish my second book in 2019, “The Killing Fields of Florida”. The book’s goal was to try and get government, electric utility and the public interested in prevention of such accidents. With 469 hurting families, mostly all being minority families, I felt that a mission to try and prevent these accidents was my second and final dream. After all, I felt that more people are injured and killed in these preventable accidents than in non-preventable major storms in Florida. This mission of mine was important even, if the end, effect is reduced accidents and driving my law career out of business. What did you enjoy most about your experiences at Ave Maria Law? When you are 69, and according to the Florida Bar records, the oldest person ever to start law school in Florida, the main challenge was trying to keep up with the much younger student body. In my 1L class I was sort of looked at as an “old man trying to fulfill an impossible dream”. The fact that I “represented” some 50 million older people it was critical that I properly represented them by not looking stupid when called on in class. This put tremendous pressure to study harder and work many more hours than the normal student. What I enjoyed most was the great support and encouragement I received from all my professors and seeing the growing level of respect I was getting from my fellow students. In a way, I went from a guy on an impossible mission to the campus “godfather”. This was only possible in the small school environment of Ave Maria Law. Obviously, the awards and recognition I received for getting good grades and passing the excruciating Florida Bar exam the first time was also something my family greatly appreciated. The constant pressure and challenges given to me by my fellow students and professors was critical to my success. Do you have a favorite quote? “Always improve. Always get better since performance improvement is the only definition of “perfection” we, as humans, have on this earth.”
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KRISTIN DIAZ-GARCIA
Kristin Diaz-Garcia is a 2010 graduate of Ave Maria School of Law. She currently works as Associate General Counsel at Arthrex, Inc.
Kristin, thank you very much for agreeing to this interview. You work for Arthrex, an orthopedic medical device company, a leader in product development and medical education, and a pioneer in arthroscopy. What brought you to your current position and what is a typical day like for you? When I learned that Ave Maria Law was moving to Naples, Florida, I decided to search for internships in Southwest Florida for the summer of 2009 prior to starting my 3L year. I applied for several law clerk positions in the area. I was most interested in the summer intern position with Arthrex’s legal department. I was offered that opportunity after initial interviews and began in the summer of 2009. I was able to continue my internship during my last year of law school until graduating in May 2010. After passing the Florida bar that summer, I was then offered a full-time associate position with Arthrex. I was not expecting a full-time position to come from my internship, however I was thrilled when asked to join an exciting, growing company such as Arthrex. In terms of a typical day, I would say that no two days are quite the same, which is the best part of my position. Some days I am dedicated to investigating claims and potential cases and other days are geared more towards advising the business on an array of general liability issues. In addition to collaborating with counsel both in-house and outside the company, I collaborate with various departments including marketing, regulatory, and quality assurance on a variety of product related issues. I view my role as more of a service function to the business, and am willing to assist wherever it is needed. It is also a necessary function to stay updated on everything new at Arthrex, which includes new product developments and emerging technologies.
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Advocating for your client with high ethical standards is critical. I subscribe to several legal publications in order to stay informed on relevant court orders, trending topics in medical device litigation, and any pertinent updates from regulatory bodies, such as the Food and Drug Administration. What do you enjoy most about the career path you chose as an attorney? I am grateful to work for a company such as Arthrex and to be part of an outstanding legal team that is dedicated to a larger mission of Helping Surgeons Treat Their Patients Better™ while also providing legal support to every facet of the business. It has been a tremendous opportunity to be a part of Arthrex as the company continues to experience unprecedented growth and demand for its products globally. Through my position, I have been able to learn so much about the field of orthopedics, and the hard work and dedication it takes to design and manufacture products with the highest quality and innovation. While my career path is unique, learning to practice law through an inhouse position has allowed me to focus on and preemptively understand the needs of one client. At the end of the day, I am afforded the opportunity to support a company that is making a difference in patients’ lives across the world. What are some of the most valuable lessons you learned while attending Ave Maria Law? Hard work and dedication can go a long way. When I was in law school, the financial downturn hit and many employers were not hiring interns for paid positions. I worked for free after my first year (and throughout my second year) trying to gain as much experience as possible. But most importantly, I developed a greater appreciation for the ethics of our profession and how readily that foundation can be compromised. This does not really become evident until you have been practicing for some time, but advocating for your client as well as others with high ethical standards is critical and helps build trust and loyalty with your client(s) and coworkers alike. Did you know you always wanted to go to law school? What brought you on that path? I don’t think that I always knew that law school was calling me. However, I knew that I was pulled towards furthering my education in some respect and I’ve always had a desire to help others in one capacity or another. If you were to provide advice to recent law school graduates, what would it be as they look forward on their careers ahead? When an opportunity presents itself, even if it is out of your comfort zone, take a chance and do your best. Always approach your work product with diligence and put forth your best effort, no matter what. Especially when starting your career, say “yes” to every task, large or small. This is something I practice, even today. Never stop trying to improve or learn something new. Who have been your key mentors in your life? I would say there have been several. However, my father has played a key role in shaping my mindset at a young age
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to persevere and to always exhibit a good work ethic. He encouraged me to take risks, never give up, and pushed me to keep going even when things do not come easy. I feel those qualities certainly apply as an adult and a working professional. Additionally, I have had the privilege of working for an amazing mentor and supervisor at Arthrex. Integrity has always been his north star and learning how to practice law and serve as inhouse counsel under him has taught me how to balance providing sound advice to the business while serving that client efficiently and effectively. Lastly, I am also grateful to all of the attorneys that I have been able to collaborate with over the years. When I first started out I had limited experience and there were several outside counsel, very experienced in our profession, who took the time to guide me, providing me the opportunity to learn new issues and expand my skillset. It has been many small moments, from numerous attorneys, that allowed me the autonomy to demonstrate my abilities, which I sincerely appreciate to this day.
Adjunct professor Charles “Chuck” Grimes
has been practicing law since 1974. Chuck is a registered patent attorney and is admitted to practice law in the States of Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, and New York and before a number of courts including the U.S. Supreme Court. Chuck is the founder and managing partner of GRIMES LLC — a renowned, boutique intellectual property law firm which helps clients secure, license, monetize and litigate patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. Chuck served as the editor of the Licensing Journal and the IP Litigator and has authored more than twenty books on intellectual property and licensing matters. Chuck has collaborated on some of the most successful commercial exploitations of intellectual properties in the last forty years, as reflected by the firm’s website at www.gandb.com. In addition to his legal practice and academic interests, Chuck is also a patented inventor (several times over), a former Hollywood producer, and a successful entrepreneur. Chuck has founded or cofounded a number of successful businesses; ranging from starting a baseball pitching machine company (which sells a machine Chuck invented that is currently in use by several Major League Baseball teams) to operating a harness horse racing stable. Most recently, Chuck and his wife, Brenda (a former CFO of publicly traded companies and the current CFO of GRIMES LLC), co-invented a one-of-a-kind pastry bag and co-founded a home goods company to market and license this product. Chuck and Brenda divide their time between Naples and New York and are the proud parents of 7 children and 4 grandchildren.
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Luca Hickman and Charles Grimes
Alumnus Luca Hickman received his juris doctorate
from Ave Maria Law in 2014, graduating first in his class. Luca is a registered patent attorney and is admitted to practice law in the States of Florida and Illinois and before a number of courts including the U.S. Supreme Court. Luca is also a registered foreign patent and trademark agent in Canada. Luca is an associate attorney at GRIMES LLC where he navigates complex (and often high profile) matters for international corporations and famous celebrities, artists, inventors and musicians. For example, this includes overseeing the trademark portfolios of several companies with $1 billion + in annual revenue and various brands which have become “household names.” Luca also has extensive litigation experience — having argued a number of dispositive motions and first-chaired an administrative law trial at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in Washington, D.C. against a multi-billion dollar company. In addition to his legal practice, Luca is also an entrepreneur and active community volunteer. Luca currently owns a small publishing company and is scheduled to launch a new men’s wristwatch by the end of this year. Luca also serves as a board member for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. and as the president of a small 501(c)(3) nonprofit called the Fresh Coast Foundation, Inc. which carries out humanitarian work in the developing world. Luca and his fiancée, Erica, live near Naples and are engaged to be married later this year. Chuck and Luca, what paths brought you into the Ave Maria Community? Chuck: In my early years as a lawyer, I worked in Denver, Laguna Beach, and Chicago. Eventually, I started working as in-house
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counsel for Gulf and Western in New York City. About a year later, I left to start my own firm which was headquartered in Connecticut. For the next thirty or so years, I worked mostly out of New York and Connecticut. All that being said, I always spent a great deal of time in Florida. One of my biggest clients (which I have represented for more than 40 years!) is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, and I would routinely travel to South Florida on business. As but one example, in the late 2000s, I coordinated what was, at that time, one of the largest anticounterfeiting raid in South Florida history involving officers and agents from seven different governmental agencies. Over the years, I fell in love with Florida, especially during winter! After meeting my wife, a longtime Naples resident, I relocated to Naples. At age 60, I took the Florida Bar, and moved my firm’s headquarters to Bonita Springs just outside of Naples — maintaining by appointment only locations in New York and Connecticut. I have always enjoyed teaching — whether in a classroom with students or in my firm with young lawyers. I see teaching as a responsibility — a way for me to “give back” to the community and the legal profession. Once I relocated to Naples, I began teaching intellectual property law courses part-time at Ave Maria. Luca: I spent many years as a non-Catholic, but came back to the faith while in college. After finishing my undergraduate studies, I knew that I wanted to study the law in the context of the Catholic intellectual tradition. While I applied to several programs, the first time I read Ave Maria’s program description, I knew that it was the right “fit.” I remember packing my car and heading South for my 1L year without having ever visited the law school (and, believe it or not, without having ever visited Florida) and I never looked back!
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I often tell other alumni that I have used things I learned in every class I took at Ave Maria in my practice — even classes I never expected would have “real world” applications.
Chuck and Luca, your office represents inventors, artists, illustrators, musicians, photographers, toy and game designers, and entertainment and sports personalities, among others. You’ve participated in major patent and trademark litigation. Can you share with our readers what this may look like during a day’s work in your office? One of the best and most exciting parts of our practice is how varied each day can be. Intellectual property law concerns “intangibles” such as ideas, creative expressions, brands and secret information. But by definition, many of these “intangibles” are unique: raising one-of-a-kind issues. This gives us an exciting and little seen “window on the world” allowing us to see / interact with secret new inventions, new products and new brands long before they enter the marketplace. While the mechanics of helping clients is often similar, the unique nature of each “intangible” directs how and why we act. Our mission is to help clients protect, exploit, and defend such “intangibles.” We help clients protect their “intangibles” by creating layers of intellectual property protection, including securing patents, trademark registrations and copyright registrations. We also guide clients in distinguishing between what is worth protecting and what is not. Finally, we also teach clients how to better recognize the various intellectual property rights which they unknowingly own. A great example is an artist who sells an original painting. The artist may not realize that, absent a workfor-hire or copyright assignment agreement, he or she still own the underlying copyright rights in that painting allowing him or her to reproduce and sell prints of that painting. We help clients exploit their “intangibles” by licensing and finding new markets for their intellectual property rights. Exploiting creativity sometimes involves helping inventors “pitch” their inventions to prospective investors, manufacturers, licensees or retailers. Other times, exploiting creativity involves helping clients evaluate a “pitch” from someone else. One area where our firm excels is in licensing and merchandising — helping clients “unlock” hidden value by creating ancillary product lines. Finally, we help clients defend their “intangibles”, either by pursuing third parties who have infringed upon our clients’ rights or by defending our clients when they are alleged to have infringed upon the rights of another. Traditionally, this part of our practice was litigation-centric, involving things like patent, trademark and copyright infringement as well as misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition. Increasingly, however, our practice has been shifting to non-litigation and digital forms of defense. For example, our clients routinely find counterfeit products being sold online through websites such as Amazon and eBay. These sites have internal takedown procedures which
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merchants can use to “delist” products without ever having to file suit. As another example, clients find that third parties have either registered “squatter” domain names/social media handles or, in extreme cases, have even hijacked social media accounts used by our clients. Again, this often involves navigating internal procedures instituted by companies such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter. Luca, how did your education at Ave Maria Law prepare you for your career? What path brought you to being an associate at GRIMES LLC? Ave Maria provided a solid, Catholic moral grounding which has informed my legal practice. For example, having such a grounding has helped me “navigate” the various moral/ethical challenges I have faced in my practice. Ave Maria equipped me with the skills / knowledge needed to excel in my field. I often tell other alumni that I have used things I learned in every class I took at Ave Maria in my practice — even classes I never expected would have “real world” applications. My education at Ave Maria was also directly responsible for my career at GRIMES LLC. Chuck was my Copyright professor at Ave Maria. After graduation, Chuck and I kept in touch, and he eventually hired me after he relocated his firm’s headquarters to Florida. Grimes LLC also handles pro bono work. Can you tell us a little bit about that and what types of cases are handled in this regard? It is not enough to be a “great” attorney — we must also strive to be “good” attorneys. This requires both a commitment to understanding the nuances of the law and the moral foundations underpinning the law. While striving to be a “good” attorney takes many forms, one of the most important of these is service to the community through pro bono work. At GRIMES LLC, we have done this by providing pro bono or reduced fee (what we like to call “low bono”) services to select nonprofit clients. Many Ave Maria alumni work or volunteer with religious/ conservative organizations — especially in the pro-life field. Because of our ties to the Ave Maria community, we have been privileged to work with such Ave Maria alumni on behalf of various non-profit / public interest clients — including several of the largest and best known pro-life organizations in the world. Chuck and Luca may be reached by telephone at 239-330-9000 or by e-mail at grimes@gandb.com and hickman@gandb.com.
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KNOW YOUR OWN HAPPINESS Interview with:
CLAIRE GUGGEMOS (Class of 2020) CLAIRE GUGGEMOS IS A THIRD YEAR STUDENT AT AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW. SHE COMPLETED AN EXTERNSHIP WITH THE CULTURE OF LIFE INSTITUTE AT AVE MARIA LAW IN THE SPRING 2019 AT A CONGRESSMAN’S OFFICE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
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“Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience—or give it a more fascinating name: call it hope.” – Jane Austen
Congratulations on your successful externship in Washington, D.C. Can you share with our readers what some of your job duties entailed? Since I was the first student to participate in this externship and my boss’s office was so welcoming, I was able to take on a wide range of responsibilities during my semester. I was able to attend House Committee hearings to aid my boss while he interviewed witnesses about current political issues and take notes of discussion points that were relevant to any of the particular topics I was researching at the time. I also read through proposed legislation and researched the possible consequences of its enactment. When a newly proposed piece of legislation reached my desk, I would research all of the positive and negative aspects of the bill—what my boss would likely support and what he would likely want to amend or take out of the bill. I would then provide the legislative staff with my analysis of the bill and discuss what we should tell our boss before he casts a vote or releases a statement on it. I also provided background research to prepare for meetings between the congressman or his staff and visiting dignitaries or industry leaders. I was able to attend most of the meetings and take notes or ask my own questions of the visitors. When the congressman had a special event, speech, or roundtable discussion, I was invited to attend and participate in the discussion if appropriate. What were your key learnings and takeaways from this externship? I learned so much during my semester in D.C. I gained a great respect for the work that congressional members and staff do. Learning about all of the background work that goes into writing and passing legislation was really interesting and provided me with a new outlook on the legislative process. What personal thoughts, based on experience, would you share with other students on the importance of completing externships in law school? Externships, especially when you aren’t quite sure what area of law you want to practice, are invaluable experiences for many reasons. The exposure to different areas of law is incredibly helpful while trying to figure out what kind of lawyer you want to be. There are so many lawyers and mentors that would be happy to provide guidance and assistance throughout your career, and the externship programs are great ways to build those relationships. The people I worked with while in D.C., as well as the issues I researched, have had a great impact on my own legal career and opened my eyes to an area of law I never really considered before this. Furthermore, having to submit your work product to a superior in a professional setting is different from handing in an assignment to a professor, and there is a lot of
trial-and-error in the learning process. I think it is better to learn how to work faster and smarter in pressured situations during an externship than wait until you’re an associate and your job is on the line. Who are your key mentors? With so many outstanding professors and legal mentors, it is difficult to narrow down the list. All of the faculty at Ave Maria Law have been incredibly helpful and supportive throughout law school. Professor Fleetham has been a wonderful resource and constant support throughout law school. He has taught me how to approach a legal problem and analyze it critically, and his insights into the trial process have been invaluable. Professor Murphy has also been an incredible source of knowledge pertaining to the legal field. She inspires her students to hold themselves to higher standards and become more perceptive lawyers. Jennifer Kimball Watson, Director of the Culture of Life Foundation, went out of her way during my time in D.C. to make sure I had the greatest and most enriching experience possible. Jennifer opened my eyes to the field of Bioethics and was always willing to answer my questions and tell me of her own experiences in the field. She has had a great impact on my life and continues to encourage and support my growing interest in the Bioethics field. I am so very grateful to have her in my life. Cathy Ruse, Senior Fellow—Legal Studies at the Family Research Council, also played a large role in making my externship experience as positive as it was. Cathy’s knowledge from working on the Hill and within the field of Bioethics was incredibly helpful throughout my externship. Whenever I had a question about the history of some controversial issue, Cathy knew everything about it and would teach me how the progression of a law over the years is so important to understanding the impact it has had on our society. She was a great asset throughout the semester in D.C. and has been so kind and supportive of me throughout it all. What is your favorite quote and why? My favorite quote is from Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen: “Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience—or give it a more fascinating name: call it hope.” I love this quote because it is something I need to be reminded of more often. I tend to wish everything in my life was settled and figured out right now, but as my mom likes to remind me, I have to trust that everything will fall into place in its own time. I should let go of the little things and just enjoy what I have in front of me right now. Worrying about the future will only make the present more stressful and— as all law students know—we don’t have the spare time for that.
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LAWYERS COMMITTED TO PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Keeping in Touch
Jennifer Lucas-Ross, Esq., Associate Dean of Professional Development
and Alumni Affairs, is responsible for all administrative functions of the Professional Development and Alumni Affairs Offices, as well as the administration of the Externship and Legal Internship programs. Ms. Lucas-Ross brings over twenty years of experience in management and administration. Ms. Lucas-Ross offers individualized counseling services to students and alumni. She is also responsible for outreach to alumni and employers, coordinating the law school’s recruitment programs, providing professional development training and tools to students and alumni, and producing public interest opportunities for students. You oversee the Alumni Affairs and Professional Development Offices for the law school. What do you love most about your role? I love seeing the students develop and move from law student to practicing professional. My favorite experience in my role is watching a student graduate, begin their career, and then ask them back to mentor our current students. Every time they allow me to share in their success is a delight. Since taking over Alumni Affairs, I have also been able to see the further progress of our alumni. They are so talented and a deeply caring and receptive alumni community.
Jennifer Lucas-Ross, Esq. Associate Dean of Professional Development and Alumni Affairs jlross@avemarialaw.edu (239) 687-5351
Having gone through law school earning your J.D. and practicing as an attorney at one point in your life must be helpful in mentoring students and alumni, since you were once in their shoes. What is the best advice you would give to current students pursuing internships, and to new alumni starting out on their legal career path?
Ave Alumni, we would love to hear about your news and accomplishments. Please contact Dean Lucas-Ross to keep us updated.
Having a plan is essential, but keep your heart open. I believe that our profession is a calling. And as such, sometimes we are called down a path we didn’t see when we first began this journey. Your department recently changed its names from Career Services to the Office of Professional Development. Can you share why you sought this change?
AVE MARIA LAW
The Office of Professional Development encourages students to consider themselves professionals on Day One. Professionalism and professional development have always been closely aligned with career and employment outcomes. Our office offers resources, programming, opportunities, and advice for students as they take responsibility for their professional development so they will be well-positioned for entry into the legal market upon graduation. Renaming the department the Office of Professional Development informs students that this office exists to support each and every student’s transition from a law student to a legal professional, ongoing and throughout their three years of law school. Career Services as a title was always a bit of a misnomer as the department has consistently provided more than “services” to our students. We provide students the knowledge of what it means to be a professional, the tools to develop professionally, and the ability to obtain skills and professional competencies through legal internship and externship opportunities.
Office of Professional Development Preparing Students for the Legal Profession
“The sense of spirit and camaraderie at Ave Maria Law sets it apart from anyplace else. I could not ask for a better environment in which to work! Being in the Alumni Affairs Department, I have witnessed firsthand how supportive and proud our alumni are of their alma mater, and the mission that it supports. Our graduates are pillars in many different communities across the country, and it is always such a pleasure to connect with them.” – Amy Howarth, Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs and Outreach
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ROOTED IN CATHOLIC INTELLECTUAL TRADITION
Aspiring attorneys who choose Ave Maria School of Law for their legal education typically do so with multiple goals in mind—to develop skills that will serve them well throughout their professional careers, to participate in practical training in preparation for challenging meaningful and rewarding employment, and to receive thorough educational instruction in preparation for the bar exam. Our graduates are poised to enter the practice of law with a commitment to the highest ethical and moral standards in an environment that recognize the compatibility between faith and reason.
“Working with the Professional Development department has been wonderful. The staff has always been available to meet with me and has taken the time to get to know me and understand my career goals. Therefore, when an employer contacted them with an opportunity which fit my goals perfectly, they thought of me and immediately put me in contact with the employer. They have been invaluable to me in my job search. The Professional Development department is an excellent resource for the entire student body.” – Colleen Leahy, Class of 2020
“Ave Law has changed my life. The JD I earned from Ave has opened many doors for me and given my family a lifestyle that I could not have provided otherwise. I speak with Dean Cieply monthly and I know he gives his all for our alma mater. As I have grown in the legal community both in Lee County and Collier County, Florida, I see the impact the school is making. We are beginning to “take over” the area and as more and more quality attorneys are produced and those who are already out here begin to gain partnerships in their respective firms, the schools notoriety will only continue to grow. It is an exciting time to be an Ave Law graduate.” – Joshua Molandes, Class of 2014 and Alumni Association Board President
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preLaw
MOST DIVERSE LAW SCHOOL
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AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW
1025 Commons Circle Naples, Florida 34119 avemarialaw.edu
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Licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education, license number 4007. Fully accredited by the American Bar Association. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Consumer-Services, 1-800-435-7352. Ave Maria School of Law recognizes the inherent value and dignity of all members of the human family. It values equal opportunity and seeks racial, cultural, and ethnic diversity. The Law School does not preclude admission or retention of students or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or status as a veteran or disabled veteran. The Law School maintains its Catholic character but is open to persons of all religious faiths who respect the goals of Ave Maria School of Law and whose conduct does not undermine the Law School’s religious goals or compromise its Catholic identity.