AUGUST 2019

A message from Law Alumni Association President, Jason P. Kairalla, JD/MBA ‘02

I dedicate my first message as president of the Law Alumni Association to our former dean, Patricia D. White. It is a special time to be a part of Miami Law, and she deserves special recognition for the institution’s exceptionally bright future. She led the school through a challenging decade. It was a privilege to watch her work as Miami Law added bright and innovative scholars to its already excellent faculty, launched amazing, next-generation programs and initiatives, and enhanced LLM and clinical offerings. Under Dean White’s leadership, Miami Law has become a top destination for high-caliber, forward-thinking law students and professors. In short, she left very big shoes to fill.

The person filling those considerable shoes is our new dean, Anthony E. Varona. I believe that he—especially with our help—is up to the challenge. I cannot wait for you to meet him. For me, playing even a small part in the selection of the new law dean was an honor. Scores of highly qualified applicants wanted the job, and I swelled with pride. Many described this as their dream opportunity. That is a testament to Miami Law’s outstanding reputation, its innovative academic programs, and the scholarship of its world-class faculty. It is gratifying to know that the outside world holds Miami Law in such high regard.

Please join us this year as we welcome Dean Varona and begin together a new chapter at Miami Law. It will be, I expect, a long and exciting chapter marked by unprecedented engagement among students, faculty, administration, alumni, and other stakeholders. If you have been away for a while, or are interested in playing a larger role in shaping the future of our school, please reach out to the Law Alumni Association or contact me directly.

ANTHONY EUDELIO VARONA NAMED DEAN OF UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW

We are excited to welcome Dean Varona to our school!

In making the announcement, Jeffrey Duerk, the University's executive vice president for academic affairs and provost said “Tony is a consummate and respected professional in the area of law, and is immersed in critical issues impacting our country and culture. His insightful and innovative approach to educating the next generation of lawyers will have a profound impact on the School of Law, and in courtrooms, industry, and firms across the country.”

Stay tuned for all the developments to come in this new era.

ALUMNI MOVERS

Robert ("Bob") E. Panoff, JD '76, LLMT '77, is following in his father’s footsteps: a tax litigator goes in search of ‘velocity therapy'.

Never one to stand still, Bob has pursued his need for speed through his collection of incredibly high-performance street machines, and is licensed in three National Hot Rod Association drag racing categories. He says, “I once did 207 mph in a quarter mile in 6.793 seconds. Not bad for a tax litigator.”

Curtis Osceola, BBA '14 JD '18, of the Moskowitz Law Firm in Coral Gables, implemented a "crazy plan" to become the first attorney from the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.

His life was at a crossroads, when he decided to use an arrest as a “learning experience.” Now Curtis is representing his tribe, and inspiring the next generation.

Horacio Gutierrez-Machado, JD ’98, Spotify’s General counsel and vice-president, legal and business affairs speaks to Financial Times for their “FT Global GC 20” roundup.

He heads Spotify’s global licensing function, which is critical for establishing commercial licensing arrangements with artists, labels and publishers.

Veteran Miami trial lawyer Stuart H. Sobel, JD ’78, managed to convince Soia Mentschikoff, former dean of the University of Miami School of Law, to let him in without applying, three days before school started.

Linda A. Lacewell, ’JD '88, Confirmed By Senate As New York Superintendent Of Financial Services.

Andrew J. Berman, JD '86, is leading the way in a growing industry, as CEO of Harborside, Inc.

Ana Romes, JD ’12, an associate in the Foley & Lardner LLP’s Miami office, has been elected to serve on the Board of Theatre for Young Audiences/USA, a nationwide organization that services and represents the field of theater for young audiences.

Jeffrey Foote, JD ’17, was inducted into the Spencer-Van Etten Hall of Fame. Following a successful high school football career, he went on to become a dominant Division 1 player at Cornell, then played professionally in Europe and even in a few NBA games.

Spencer D. Levine, JD ’82, was unanimously elected by his colleagues as chief judge of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, located in West Palm Beach, with his term beginning on July 1. Chief Judge Levine has been retained by voters twice since his initial appointment to the bench in 2009.

Alan R. Rosenberg, JD '11, has been selected to participate in the 2019 10th Annual National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges' (NCBJ) Next Generation Program.

Courtney Daniels, JD '12, was named a Top Lawyer in the Nonprofit Organizations category by Sacramento Magazine. Courtney is one of 49 attorneys at her firm, Downey Brand, who were nominated and voted on by licensed attorneys throughout the region based on their talent and expertise in one or more of over 50 legal disciplines.

YOUNG ALUMNI ON THE MOVE

Erika Pagano, JD ‘13
Erika was Eversheds Fellow, Associate Director and most recently Director of LawWithoutWalls and Lecturer in Law at Miami Law. We congratulate her as she joins Wavelength Law in London as its Head of Legal Innovation and Design. Erika will also serve as our young alumni representative for the UK and Europe!

Emily Horowitz, JD ‘12
Emily has joined the University of Colorado’s Law School as its Director of Experiential Learning and Public Service Programs. Emily was Assistant Director of Academic Affairs and Student Services at Miami Law. Emily will serve as our Young Alumni representative in Colorado and organized our first ever Denver area alumni networking social!

Candelario Saldana, JD ‘19
The immediate past president of OUTLaw, Candelario will be recognized as a 2019 Student Leadership Awardee by the LGBT Bar during its Annual Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair in August. Candelario will join Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft Capital Markets Group in Charlotte and will serve as our Young Alumni representative for the greater Charlotte area.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE: NOVEMBER 6-9

The Homecoming and Reunion schedule tentatively includes:

Wednesday, November 6
10th Annual Law Alumni Association Homecoming Golf Tournament
Proceeds will benefit the Paul & Terrance Dee Memorial Endowed Scholarship

11 a.m. Check-In | 12 p.m. Tee-Off | 5:30 p.m. Awards Dinner

Miami International Links, Melreese Country Club
1802 NW 37 Avenue, Miami, FL

*Discounted rate for Members of the Judiciary, Elected Officials, Dean’s Circle Members, class reunion members and young alumni (’09-’19)

Friday, November 8
● Law Alumni Association Class Reunions: Classes of 1979, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2009.
6:00 p.m.| Location: Newman Alumni Center
● Student Bar Association Past Presidents Reunion &Law Alumni Association Past Presidents Reunion
6:00 p.m.| Location: Newman Alumni Center, Bruce and Robbi Toll Alumni Library

Saturday, November 9
Law Alumni Association & Student Bar Association: 71st Annual “Morning Spirits” & Homecoming Breakfast
In Honor of the Judiciary, Elected Officials and the Reunion Classes.

8 a.m. “Morning Spirits” |Location TBA
9 to 10:30 a.m. Homecoming Breakfast and Award Ceremony
Location TBA

*Complimentary for Members of the Judiciary, Elected Officials, Dean’s Circle Members and those who purchase a reunion ticket.

Visit our website for the latest information.

PAST EVENTS

YAC Happy Hour at Fiola Miami

2019 Annual Florida Bar Law Alumni Reception

Table of Eight featuring Jorge Luis Lopez, JD '87

Denver-area Miami Law Alumni Happy Hour

IN MEMORIAM

Eric J. Herrmann, JD '02

David A. Ostrow, JD '02

Peter C. Pappas, JD ’89