Chapter Exchange

Broward County Chapter of the FBA Judicial Reception (left to right): Judge Darrin P. Gayles, Judge Laurel M. Isicoff, Magistrate Judge Jared M. Strauss, Magistrate Judge Patrick M. Hunt, Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow (Ret.), Judge William P. Dimitrouleas, Judge Raj Singhal, Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres, Judge Rodney Smith, and Circuit Court Judge Keathan B. Frink.

ELEVENTH CIRCUIT

Broward County and Palm Beach Chapters

On April 28, the Broward, South Florida, and Palm Beach Chapters of the FBA hosted the annual Federal Judicial Clerk Recruiting Reception. The reception provides a great opportunity for public and private legal organizations located in the Southern District of Florida to connect with job-seeking federal law clerks. The reception was a success, with current and former judicial clerks, employers, and members of FBA leadership in attendance.

On May 11, the Broward County Chapter hosted its annual Judicial Reception at the Tower Club in Fort Lauderdale. This event was attended by over 100 attorneys, an Eleventh Circuit judge, district court judges, magistrate judges, bankruptcy judges, and Florida State Court judges.

Federal Judicial Law Clerk Recruiting Reception (left to right): Tamara Malvin, Vanessa Tussey, Law Clerk Committee Co-chair Constantine Economides, Alaina Fotiu Wojtowicz, and Law Clerk Committee Member Phil Rothschild.

The Broward County Chapter hosted a successful Summer Associates Day at the Fort Lauderdale federal courthouse. There were about 45 participants, including two speakers from the USAO and two speakers from the FPD office. They spoke to the participants and answered questions about their jobs and career paths. The participants then observed a hearing on cross motions for summary judgment before Judge William P. Dimitrouleas in a copyright infringement case. The participants also observed criminal duty court before Magistrate Judge Patrick M. Hunt, with one of the cases regarding a Hobbs Act robbery. An FBI agent told participants about how he investigated the case and eventually located the defendant using sophisticated cell site technology. Finally, everyone had lunch while board members Brian Lerner and Jonathan Osbourne talked about their career paths and answered more questions. The participants were very engaged and all the speakers gave great advice. 

Broward County Chapter: Top right: The Broward County Chapter of the FBA hosted a successful Summer Associates Day with about 45 participants. Above: Two speakers from the USAO and two speakers from the FPD discussed their career paths with participants. Right: FBA Broward Board Members Brian Lerner and Jonathan Osbourne answered questions and spoke with with Summer Associates Day attendees about their career paths.

Above left: Senior District Judge Timothy S. Black and Magistrate Judge Stephanie K. Bowman pose with the 2022 PLEDGE honorees. Pictured from left to right: Judge Black, Ryan Ragland, Meagan W. Myers, Melissa S. Mathews, Stephanie Franxman Kessler, Cristina Frankian, Sandra Eismann-Harpen, Amanda Stubblefield Burton, Katherine C. Baron, Judge Bowman. Above right: 2021 PLEDGE honorees Tessa L. Castner, Ana Perez Crawford, Sarah Vonderbrink Geiger, and Alison M. Huenefeld. Not pictured: Kellie Ann Kulka.

SIXTH CIRCUIT

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky–John W. Peck Chapter

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky–John W. Peck Chapter’s Gender Equity Committee held its third annual PLEDGE event on May 19 on the rooftop of the A/C Hotel in downtown Cincinnati. The Gender Equity Committee, which was created in 2017 by then-president Dan Donnellon, recognized the national problem of women lawyers leaving law firms, and often the practice of law, in high numbers. In an effort to encourage women lawyers to continue in litigation, the Gender Equity Committee created an event, “Promoting Lawyer Excellence & Driving Gender Equity” also known as PLEDGE, to honor women four to seven years out of law school who are succeeding in their practice. Honorees are nominated by other lawyers and then selected by a committee. This year’s PLEDGE event honored eight women, in addition to five women who were recognized in a virtual event in 2021. The 2022 honorees are Ryan Ragland, Hamilton County Public Defenders’ Office; Meagan W. Myers, special assistant U.S. attorney; Melissa S. Mathews, Keating, Muething & Klekamp PLL; Stephanie Franxman Kessler, Pinales, Stachler, Young & Burrell Co., LPA; Cristina Frankian, career law clerk to Hon. Timothy S. Black; Sandra Eismann-Harpen, Frost Brown Todd LLC; Amanda Stubblefield Burton, Keating, Muething & Klekamp PLL; and Katherine C. Baron, City of Cincinnati Solicitor’s Office. Those honored in 2021 are Tessa L. Castner, Frost Brown Todd LLC; Ana Perez Crawford, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP; Sarah Vonderbrink Geiger, Keating, Muething & Klekamp PLL; Alison M. Huenefeld, Cors & Bassett; and Kellie Ann Kulka, Graydon. 

The family of Dan Donnellon, who passed away on Feb. 17, 2022, receives a Resolution from FBA National and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky–John W. Peck Chapter honoring Dan and his service to the FBA.

FIFTH CIRCUIT

Southern District of Texas Chapter

In March 2021, the Southern District of Texas Chapter initiated a new series of CLEs focusing on practical litigation skills. Programs in the “Federal Practice Series” have ranged from “Depositions” to “Mediation” to “Using the Rules of Evidence for Effective Advocacy.” The latest program in the series, “What Trial Lawyers Need to Know About Appellate Litigation,” was held on April 26, 2022, at Baker Botts, LLP, and featured Hon. Lee H. Rosenthal (chief judge of the Southern District of Texas), Hon. April L. Farris (justice of the Texas First Court of Appeals), and Philip G. Gallagher (supervisory assistant federal public defender). Andrew R. Gould of Arnold & Itkin LLP was the moderator. The panelists addressed a variety of appellate topics relevant to trial practice. 

Southern District of Texas Chapter Federal Practice Series (left to right): Andrew Gould (moderator), Hon. Lee Rosenthal, Hon. April Farris, and Philip Gallagher.