1. society
2. gay life

presents
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Nova Southeastern University
Shepard Broad Law Center
October 24, 2014
The Florida Bar
Continuing Legal Education
6.0 CLE plus 1.0 Ethics CLE
Course Number:
OUT OF THE CLOSET
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Representing LGBT Clients 2014
•
Summary
•
Hotel and Conference Location
•
Fees
•
Agenda at a Glance
•
Happy Hour, Breakfast, Lunch, and Reception
•
Agenda and Materials
•
Speakers
•
Staff
•
Nova Law School and Student Organizations
•
Sponsors and Sponsorship Opportunities
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Summary
About the Conference
Florida Association of LGBT Lawyers and Allies (“FALLA”) is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual
OUT of the Closet and IN Your Office conference on October 24, 2014, in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida.
In keeping with the ongoing theme of law related to LGBT issues, this year’s conference again
features recognized presenters on a variety of topics for LGBT lawyers and lawyers serving LGBT
clients.
Convention Recordings
Conference presentations may be audio or video recorded. If recorded, the material will be
available for purchase after the conference date. Registration for the conference signifies
acknowledgment and authorization that attendees’ voices and/or faces may be recorded.
Details
When
• Happy Hour: Thursday, October 23, 2014, at 6:00 pm
• Conference: Friday, October 24, 2014 at 8:30 am
See agenda for detailed schedule.
Where
• Nova Southeastern University
Shepard Broad Law Center
3305 College Avenue
Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Florida 33314-7796
(800) 986-6529
Disclaimer
Viewpoints presented by speakers/presenters/authors at the OUT of the Closet and IN Your
Office conference do not reflect any official policy or position of the Florida Association of LGBT
Lawyers and Allies. Materials are to be used in conjunction with the conference and are for
educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Conference attendees and users
of conference materials should always check cited legal and other authorities before relying on
them. Materials are deemed current only as of the date specified by the author(s) on the
materials themselves.
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Hotel & Conference Location
$119.00/night - Make Your Reservations Today! Click here to reserve online. To make
reservations using the toll free phone number, call: (800) 675-2116.
Hampton Inn – Ft. Lauderdale/Plantation
7801 S.W. 6th St., Plantation, FL 33324
Tel: (954) 382-4500
Fax: (954) 382-4510
Deluxe accommodations; heated outdoor pool and spa;
fitness center; complimentary breakfast bar; in-room
microwave, refrigerator and coffee-maker; free Internet in
guestrooms, public spaces, and business center.
Group Name:
Group Code:
Check-in:
Check-out:
Florida Association of LGBT Lawyers & Allies
FAB
22-OCT-2014
25-OCT-2014
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Fees +
CONFERENCE
Registration Fees
REGULAR
by September 30, 2014
LATE
on or after October 1, 2014
STUDENT
law school / paralegal courses
+
FALLA Member Discount
$75.00
$100.00
$35.00
($25.00)
Cancellation Policy
All cancellation requests must be made in writing via fax or e-mail. Cancellations must be
received by 5:00 pm on October 20, 2014, for a partial refund. (A cancellation fee of $35 will be
assessed to cover administrative costs.)
Substitutions
Registration substitutions are welcome without penalty at any time.
Refunds
Registration fees will not be refunded for cancellations received after October 20, 2014. We
regret that we cannot offer refunds for “no shows”.
Payments
Credit Card payments: your bill/statement will show a charge from FALLA. Please make checks
payable to Florida Association of LGBT Lawyers and Allies, and mail to:
Florida Association of LGBT Lawyers & Allies
c/o Carrington Madison Mead
P.O. Box 7431
Jacksonville, Florida 32238
E-mail: [email protected]
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Agenda at a Glance
THURSDAY, October 23, 2014
06:00 PM – 08:00 PM
Happy Hour at Progress Bar (Wilton Manors)
FRIDAY, October 24, 2014
08:30 AM – 09:00 AM
Breakfast
09:00 AM – 09:10 AM
Welcome
09:10 AM – 10:00 AM
Marriage Equality Update (1.0 CLE)
10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
Family Formation/Dissolution in Same-Sex Marriages (1.0 CLE)
10:50 AM – 11:05 AM
BREAK
11:05 AM – 11:55 AM
Discrimination (1.0 CLE)
12:00 PM – 01:00 PM
LUNCH
01:00 PM – 01:50 PM
Immigration(1.0 CLE)
01:50 PM – 02:40 PM
Affordable Care Act/HIV/AIDS (1.0 CLE)
02:40 PM – 02:55 PM
BREAK
02:55 PM – 03:45 PM
Transgender Issues (1.0 CLE)
03:45 PM – 04:45 PM
Judges Panel / Q & A (1.0 CLE, Ethics)
05:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Reception (atrium)
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Happy Hour, Breakfast, Lunch and Reception
•
Happy Hour at Progress Bar (2440 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305) on Thursday,
October 23, 2014, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm: 2-4-1 drinks, $4 Three Olive Vodka drinks
(ANY FLAVOR!!!!), finger foods to be provided, sponsored in part by Gay and Lesbian
Lawyers Network
Breakfast and Lunch on Friday, October 24, 2014, will be provided by NOVA’s Lambda
Law Society, Immigration Law Organization, Inter-American Center for Human Rights,
Public Interest Law Society, and Student Bar Association
•
Reception in the atrium following closing remarks on Friday, October 24, 2014; DJ
services provided by NOVA’s WLAW Radio
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Agenda and Materials
Thursday, October 23, 2014
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Happy Hour at Progress Bar (2440 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL
33305) – hosted by Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Network
Friday, October 24, 2014
08:30 AM – 09:00 AM
Registration / Check-In / Breakfast *
09:00 AM – 09:10 AM
Welcome
Introduction – Mary L. Wakeman
Speaker – Peter M. Weinstein, Chief Judge, 17th Judicial Circuit of
Florida
09:10 AM – 10:00 AM
Marriage Equality Update (1.0 CLE)
The panelists will discuss the status of the numerous marriageequality cases in Florida and around the country.
Speakers – Elizabeth F. Schwartz, Daniel Tilley
10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
Family Formation/Dissolution in Same-Sex Marriages (1.0 CLE)
As same-sex couples go elsewhere to marry, how do we handle the
preparation of prenuptial agreements and dissolutions? We will
also provide updates about adoption and surrogacy practice for
Florida's same-sex couples.
Speakers
–
Mary
Greenwood
Chorowski, Elizabeth F. Schwartz
10:50 AM – 11:05 AM
Break
11:05 AM – 11:55 AM
Discrimination (1.0 CLE)
(moderator),
Rae
Despite millions of dollars raised from Florida's LGBT community,
no state or federal law prohibits LGBT discrimination in
employment, housing and public accommodations. A review of the
work done over the past 26 years by a local LGBT advocacy group - the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council -- will demonstrate
what can be done on the county and municipal level.
Speakers – Jessica Blackman (moderator), Anthony Falzon, Rand
Hoch
12:00 PM – 01:00 PM
Lunch *
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01:00 PM – 01:50 PM
Immigration (1.0 CLE)
Immigration is one of the most politically-charged and emotional
buzzwords in contemporary political debate. This detailed and
intricate area of the law has significant ramifications in legal fields
as varied as family, criminal, employment, and education. This
panel will provide an overview of significant legislation, as well as
provide some practical pointers on ways that individuals may
obtain benefits through employment and family-based
immigration, and highlight problem areas for criminal practitioners
to avoid.
Speakers – Neil D. Kolner, Barry H. Gleen
01:50 PM – 02:40 PM
Affordable Care Act /HIV/AIDS (1.0 CLE)
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed
into law on March 23, 2010, with most provisions implemented in
January of 2014. ACA aims to expand health care coverage of the
uninsured, improve access to community based long term care,
increase medical providers for low income communities, and
strengthen consumer protections for the insured. This panel will
explore the ways in which ACA impacts people with HIV, as well as
LGBT Americans and will feature both and health and legal experts.
Speakers – Laura Pichardo-Cruz
Downie, Vicki Tucci, Erica Whittler
02:40 PM – 02:55 PM
Break
02:55 PM – 03:45 PM
Transgender Issues (1.0 CLE)
(moderator),
Geoffrey
We will cover the ever-changing legal issues for transgendered
clients at the federal and state levels, including name changes,
gender changes, the Homeland identification Act, and family law.
Speakers – Timothy C.
Kantaras, Michael E. Morris,
03:45 PM – 04:45 PM
Martin
moderator),
Michael
Judges Panel / Q & A (1.0 CLE ethics)
Speakers – Robert W. Lee (moderator), Scott Bernstein, Susan
Greenhawt, Katie McHugh, Judy Rubenstein,
05:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Reception (in the atrium) (DJ services by Nova’ WLAW Radio
* Breakfast and Lunch provided by NOVA’s Lambda Law Society, Immigration Law Organization, Inter-American
Center for Human Rights, Public Interest Law Society, and Student Bar Association
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Speakers
Hon. Scott M. Bernstein is a Circuit Court Judge, 11th Judicial
Circuit, and currently serves as the Associate Administrative
Judge, Family Division and Judge of the Unified Family Court
Division. He previously served in the Juvenile Delinquency,
Juvenile Dependency, Criminal (felony) and General Jurisdiction
(civil) Divisions. Judge Bernstein is the Chair, Supreme Court
Standing Committee on Fairness and Diversity; Chair-elect,
Florida Conference of Circuit Judges; and serves on the Supreme
Court Standing Committee on Families and Children in the
Courts. He is an adjunct professor, Family Law, Florida
International University College of Law. Judge Bernstein received a B.A. from Vanderbilt
University and a J.D. with honors from University of Florida.
Jessica M. Blackman, Esq. focuses her practice exclusively on defending
Employers, Insurance Carriers and Third Party Administrators in
workers' compensation matters. She is currently a member of the
Florida Bar, Young Lawyers and the Workers' Compensation Sections, as
well as the Palm Beach County Bar Association and the Treasure Coast
Chapter of the Friends of 440 Scholarship Fund. She is also on the Board
of Directors for the Palm Beach County Human Rights Counsel working
closely with Attorneys, Judges and Political Leaders at both the state
and local levels, to promote equality through education, advocacy,
direct action, impact litigation, and community outreach. Ms. Blackman
received her Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Psychology from the University of Southern
Maine and her Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law with a Certificate in Sports
Law.
Rae Chorowski, Esq. is the managing partner in the law firm of
Chorowski & Clary, P.A. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where she
concentrates her practice in the area of marital and family law. She is AV
rated by Martindale-Hubbell and for the past five years has been voted a
legal elite attorney by Florida Trend Magazine and a Super Lawyer in the
area of marital and family law. She is also a Supreme Court certified
family law mediator. Additionally, Ms. Chorowski has served as a
member of the 17th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee “D,” was on
the board of directors of Hispanic Unity of Florida and was on the board
of directors of Legal Aid Service of Broward County, Inc. and Coast to
Coast Legal Aid Service of Florida, Inc. She is the past president of the Broward County Hispanic
Bar Association, a member of the Florida Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the
Florida Bar. She has lectured for the Florida Bar in continuing legal education seminars and to
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diverse community groups on issues involving marital and family law. She previously taught
pre-trial and trial skills to law students as an Adjunct Professor of Law in the Civil Law Clinic at
Nova Southeastern University School of Law. She received her undergraduate degree from
George Washington University and her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University School of Law.
Geoffrey Downie, MPA is the Program Manager for the Ryan
White Part A program in Palm Beach County, Florida. Prior to
this position, he served as the Program Manager for the Mid
America Regional Public Health Leadership Institute (MARPHLI,
2005-12) at the University of Illinois Chicago, School of Public
Health (UIC-SPH). He started his public health career in
northwest Indiana in environmental health, and also served as
the Administrator for the LaPorte County (IN) Health
Department from 1998-2002. Between 2002 and 2005 he was a
Regional Manager for the Governors Commission for a Drug Free
Indiana, where he focused on community coalition development for substance abuse
prevention and treatment initiatives. He was a Fellow in the National Public Health Leadership
Institute, 2009-10, and is currently a Team Coach for the National Leadership Academy for the
Public’s Health. He is working to complete his doctoral thesis from UIC-SPH, Dr. PH program.
This project is a social network analysis/case study of the HIV/AIDS service delivery system in
Broward County, Florida.
Anthony V. Falzon, Esq. divides his practice between employment
issues and personal injury cases, providing legal advice and
representation to employees and small employers regarding minimum
wage and overtime pay laws; discrimination and retaliation claims
under Title VII, Florida state law and local ordinances; Florida’s
whistleblower protection laws; The federal Family and Medical Leave
Act; severance agreements; the Employee Polygraph Protection Act;
sexual harassment; pregnancy discrimination; and AIDS discrimination.
Falzon is a member of the Trial Lawyers and Labor and Employment
Sections of the Florida Bar. He currently serves as the Chancellor (Legal
Officer) of the Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach. A
native of the island of Malta, he earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and
graduated with a joint degree in English and French law from the University of Kent, England
and the Universite de Paris XI, France. He qualified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of
England and Wales after reading for an LL.M. degree at Trinity
Hall, Cambridge University, England.
Barry H. Gleen, Esq. has more than thirty years of experience in
practicing business immigration law, offering his clients in south
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Florida the finest assistance regarding immigration law and citizenship matters inluding
temporary visas, permanent residence, and green cards. Named "Best Lawyer 2009-2015" by
U.S. News and World Report, Gleen has lectured widely both in the United States and abroad,
and has served as Chair of the Corporate Practice Committee of the American Immigration
Lawyers Association. He is admitted to the New York State Bar as well as the Eastern and
Southern Districts of New York. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at
Binghamton and St. John’s University School of Law, and is the recipient of a diploma from the
University of Grenoble in France.
Chorowski & Greenhawt, P.A.
Hon. Susan Greenhawt was a Probate Division and Unified
Family Court judge of the Seventeenth Circuit of Florida. She
was appointed by former Governor Jeb Bush on May 9, 2003.
She replaced retired judge Patricia Cocalis. She ran unopposed
and was retained in the 2010 primary. Judge Greenhawt retired
from the court on June 29, 2012. She received her bachelor's
degree in nursing from Vanderbilt University, and her J.D.
degree from Nova Southeastern University. Prior to becoming a
lawyer, she spent 18 years as a nurse. At the time of her judicial
appointment in 2003, she was a partner in the law firm of
Mary Greenwood, Esq. is the owner and managing partner of
Brandon Family Law Center, LLC. Her practice includes personal client
services in the areas of adoption and surrogacy, elder law, estate
planning, probate and guardianship. She also has extensive experience
advising clients in family law matters, including pre-marital and postmarital planning. Greenwood is a member of the American Bar
Association, the Florida Bar Association, the Hillsborough County Bar
Association, and the National Gay and Lesbian Bar Association. She is
also proudly affiliated with the Florida Adoption Council, the Tampa
Bay Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Association of
LGBT Lawyers and Allies, Business Network International, and Riverview Chamber of
Commerce. Greenwood serves her local community through membership on the Board of
Directors for the Sylvia Thomas Center for Adoptive and Foster Families, and as President of the
Board of Directors for Apostles Village, an affordable housing community for seniors. She
earned her undergraduate degrees in History and English from Hillsdale College and her J.D.
from the University of Michigan Law School.
Rand Hoch, Esq. practices law and mediates employment disputes
throughout Florida. As a pro bono lawyer for lawyer for the Palm
Beach County Human Rights Council, Rand Hoch has been successful
in having Palm Beach County extend protected status to gay men,
lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender persons in employment, housing,
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and public accommodation. He has also been the prime mover for implementing domestic
partnership benefits (including tax equity reimbursement policies) for numerous public
employers. To date, Hoch has been responsible for implementing more than 70 ordinances and
policies providing equal opportunities, protection and benefits for the LGBT community. In
1992 Hoch became Florida's first openly gay judge when he was appointed Judge of
Compensation Claims by Governor Lawton Chiles. During his judicial tenure, he served as
President of Florida's Conference of Judges of Compensation Claims and as Vice President of
the International Association of Lesbian and Gay Judges. He received his undergraduate degree
from Georgetown University and his J.D. from Stetson University College of Law.
Michael Kantaras is a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a stepdad, and a grandfather. A seven-year custody fight, which
questioned the validity of those titles, ended in a televised battle
on Court TV. Both sides arguing “What is a Man?” as the very
essence of my being - my children - was at stake. An initial ruling
in my favor was quickly overturned on appeal. After struggling
through mediation, a settlement was reached; my children would
stay in my life. My children and I stand on the other side of that
pain, scarred but unified. I speak out for the rights of all parents,
not just those whose lives are outside the norm. No father or
mother should have to face the heart wrenching threat of having one's child ripped from their
lives.
Neil D. Kolner, Esq. has practiced law for more than 26 years,
representing plaintiffs and defendants, in civil, criminal, state, and
federal administrative proceedings, including before the Courts of
Appeals. His practice has focused on representing immigrants and
defending them from deportation. For the past 5 years, he has
been active in the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Network, serving as
Educational Coordinator, and Vice President for the past three
years. He has previously served as National Vice President of the
National Lawyers Guild when he guest lectured at law schools
throughout the country, was active in the Lesbian & Gay
Immigration Rights Task Force (now Immigration Equality), and is currently President Elect of
the Florida Association of LGBT Lawyers and Allies.
Hon. Robert W. Lee currently serves as an Acting Circuit Judge and the
Chair of the Civil Division of the Broward County Court. He speaks about
the court system to numerous organizations and schools throughout
the country. He was appointed to the County Court for Broward County
In 1997 by Governor Lawton Chiles. Judge Lee has served in the Criminal
and Civil Divisions, including several years as an Acting Circuit Judge. He
was chair of the Broward County Canvassing Board and presided over
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the historic 2000 Presidential (Bush v. Gore) Recount in Broward County. Judge Lee received his
undergraduate degree from Jacksonville University, a Master of Arts degree in History
Humanities from California State University at Dominguez Hills, and his law degree with honors
from the University of Florida He is an AV rated attorney, and was Board certified in Real Estate
law. His wide community involvement has included the Broward Education Foundation;
Broward United Against Discrimination; the Broward Human Rights Initiative; and the Broward
County Hispanic Bar Association.
Timothy C. Martin is the owner/operator of Martin Law Office, P.A., a solo
practitioner law firm focusing on animal law, business law, LGBT advocacy,
real property, and wills, trusts and estates. He is a member of The Florida
Bar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, St. Petersburg Bar Association,
and American Bar Association. He currently chairs the SPBA’s Diversity
Committee, and is a member of the diversity committees of the HCBA and
Florida Bar and a member of The Florida Bar’s Animal Law Committee.
Martin is also a member and director of LGBT Bar Association of Tampa
Bay, member and director of Florida Association of LGBT Lawyers and
Allies, member of National LGBT Bar Association, and member of the
Ferguson-White Inn of Court. He earned a B.A. from Ohio State University and a J.D. from Barry
University School of Law with an Honors Certificate in Environmental Law, Jurisprudence, and
Justice.
Hon. Katie McHugh currently presides over the Misdemeanor Domestic
Violence Unit in Broward County, a specially created courtroom
established in 1995 to handle criminal offenses that occur between
persons that are living together, related by blood or marriage, or have a
child in common. The division is currently handling approximately 600
misdemeanor cases including assault, battery, culpable negligence,
criminal mischief, violation of injunction, and stalking type offenses.
McHugh has been a private attorney handling business and commercial
litigation, juvenile dependency, and criminal defense, and a former
Broward County Assistant Public Defender handling over 100 jury trials
ranging from homicide to D.U.I. and domestic violence cases. Judge McHugh earned a B.S. in
criminology from Florida State University, and a J.D. from Nova Southeastern University. She is
a member of the Ft. Lauderdale Kiwanis Club, a member of the Board of Directors for "A Child Is
Missing", and a former member of the Ft. Lauderdale "Make a Wish" Foundation.
Michael E. Morris, Esq. provides clients throughout Central Florida with
skilled and experienced representation in the areas of adoption, LGBT
law, surrogacy, bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, immigration, criminal
defense, and DUI defense with fifty percent of his practice devoted to
litigation. He is a former attorney for the Florida Department of Children
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& Families. He is a member of the Florida Bar’s Family Law Section Legislation Committee, the
current secretary of the Central Florida Gay and Lesbian Law Association, and a director of
Florida Association of LGBT Lawyers & Allies, Inc. Morris is admitted to practice before all
Florida and New York state courts, the United States District Court, Middle and Northern
Districts of Florida, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He received a B.A. in Political
Science from Northwestern University and a J.D. from Loyola Law School.
Laura Pichardo-Cruz, Esq. is an attorney with Community Legal
Services of Mid Florida. She is the supervisor of the Public Benefits
Unit, which handles cases in the areas of SSI and social security
disability, Medicaid, unemployment, health care, and veterans
benefits. She received her BA and MA from Florida State University and
her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.
Hon. Judy Rubenstein is assigned full time to the Domestic Violence
Division, hearing both criminal and civil domestic violence cases. Judge
Rubenstein is also the presiding judge in the Domestic Violence
Division Mental Health Court, where defendants are given an
opportunity to receive treatment and rehabilitation for their mental
illnesses instead of incarceration. Active in judicial education, she
teaches each year at Florida’s Judicial College where new judges take
practical and substantive course work to assist them when they take
the bench, as well as Florida’s Advanced Judicial Studies Program
which enhances the judicial skills of those judges who are already
serving on the bench. Judge Rubenstein was first elected to the County Court of the 11th
Judicial Circuit in August 2004. She graduated from the University of Miami School of Law.
Elizabeth F. Schwartz, Esq. works with straight and gay clients in matters
of family law, estate planning and probate, with a focus on family
formation (adoption, insemination, and surrogacy). She lectures locally
and nationally about LGBT estate planning, second parent adoption, and
contract and has been on the forefront of providing crucial legal
protections for LGBT families. She is currently serving as pro bono counsel
on the pending case challenging Florida's marriage ban brought by the
National Center for Lesbian Rights on behalf of six same-sex couples
seeking the right to marry and the Equality Florida Institute (Pareto v.
Ruvin). She also served as pro bono counsel in several cases that helped
overturn Florida's 1977 ban forbidding gays and lesbians from adopting children. Schwartz is a
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member of the National Family Law Advisory Council of the National Center for Lesbian Rights,
a member of the Board of Trustees of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, co-chair of the
Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Association, and immediate Past President of the Miami
Beach Bar Association. She is a founding member of the Aqua Foundation for Women, a fellow
of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, a certified family mediator, and a member of
the Collaborative Family Law Institute. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of
Pennsylvania and her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami.
Daniel Tilley, Esq. is the staff attorney for LGBT rights with the
ACLU of Florida where he advocates for the rights of LGBT people
throughout the state both in and out of court. He is lead counsel in
the federal marriage recognition lawsuit in which the ACLU and the
Podhurst Orseck law firm represent eight couples, a widow from Ft.
Myers, and SAVE in challenging Florida’s refusal to recognize the
marriages of same-sex couples. Before joining the ACLU, Tilley
clerked at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of
Georgia and for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in
Washington, D.C. He also served on the D.C. Lawyer Chapter board
of the American Constitution Society. He is admitted to practice in Florida, New York, and D.C.
Vicki A. Tucci, Esq. is a Staff Attorney and Lead Navigator at
the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. She is admitted
to practice law in Florida and the U.S. District Court,
Southern District of Florida and is a Certified Federal
Navigator. Prior to taking on her current position at Legal
Aid, she served as the Circuit Director of the State of Florida
Guardian ad Litem Program in Palm Beach County and
Executive Director of the American College of Pediatricians.
She also provides countywide trainings in the areas of:
Affordable Care Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair
Labor Standards Act, FEMA guidelines and appeal process, dependency law, disaster
preparedness and recovery, courtroom decorum, HIV criminalization, general human resource
and risk management. She received her B.A.in Political Science, Cum Laude from Florida Atlantic
University and her J.D., Cum Laude from Nova Southeastern University.
Mary Wakeman, Esq. is a recovering insurance defense lawyer
who, thankfully, came to her senses and became actively engaged
in the practice of Elder Law with an emphasis on estate planning,
special needs trusts, estate and trust administration, and health
care cost planning. She is a board certified appellate lawyer who
concentrates in all aspects of civil and administrative appellate
practice, and a member in good standing of both the Florida and
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Georgia bars and has been certified as a circuit civil mediator by the Florida Supreme Court.
Wakeman handles matters involving the LGBT community and has made the protection of LGBT
families a hallmark of her legal practice. She has served on various boards throughout her
career including Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc.; Big Bend CARES, Inc.; Leon County Community
Human Service Partnership; and Florida Association of LGBT Attorneys and Allies, Inc.
Hon. Peter M. Weinstein was elected in 2013, unopposed, to his
second two-year term as Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit of
Florida. Judge Weinstein has served for more than 15 years on
the judicial bench of the second-largest circuit court in the state
of Florida. He received his Bachelor's Degree from New York
University and his Juris Doctorate Degree from Brooklyn Law
School. He served as a legal officer in the United States Army, as a
prosecutor for Broward County, and was in private practice for
many years before being appointed to the 17th Circuit bench in
1998. He also served as a Florida Senator for 14 years.
Erica Whittler, Esq. is a Senior Attorney with HELP, Inc., providing
free legal services to low-income and disenfranchised people
infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in Miami-Dade County with
representation on matters ranging from employment or housing
discrimination to parents deprived of their right to see their
children, to exploitation based upon HIV status. Whittler
originally joined HELP as a University of Miami School of Law
Legal Corp Fellow and was named Staff Attorney in July 2011. The
majority of her caseload relates to housing and other financial
matters as well as providing legal education and coaching to
clients, ensuring that they are able to make better and more
informed choices in the future. She received her J.D. from the University of Miami School of
Law.
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Staff
Name
Jessica Blackman
Neil Kolner
“Rusty” Mead
Tim Martin
Mary L. Wakeman
Role
Conference Co-Chair
Conference Co-Chair
Billing and Payment
FALLA Secretary
FALLA President
E-Mail
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Telephone
(561) 624-1051
(305) 377-9000
(904) 384-7200
(813) 260-1413
(850) 421-2400
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Nova Law School / Student Organizations
Lambda Law Society furthers awareness of legal and social rights of people who are gay,
lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgendered and promotes the highest standards of professional
ethics and equality in the law school community. We seek to create an environment that is
open and hospitable for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgendered students and welcome all
students committed to promoting equality and diversity within the legal profession. If you have
any additional questions, please feel free to e-mail any of the listed officers.
Immigration Law Organization furthers the common legal and social interests of students
seeking to practice and participate in the field of Immigration Law, and promote the highest
standards of professional ethics and culture in the law school community."
Inter-American Center for Human Rights is a response to the profound need in South Florida
for an organization that is committed to furthering the civil and human rights of our diverse
communities and people. Located at the crossroads of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the
United States, as well as the hub of unique Haitian, Cuban and other émigré communities,
South Florida provides a compelling location to integrate human rights with domestic civil rights
and community action.
Public Interest Law Society is a student-run organization founded in 1994 to promote public
interest legal employment opportunities and to overcome the economic barriers that confront
future public interest lawyers. The organization is also involved in a number of public service
and law school projects including Canned Immunity (providing food for the needy), community
service projects to help the needy, and the national public interest law conference held each
October in Washington, D.C.
Student Bar Association voices student concerns, oversees organization funding, strives to
provide school-wide social and networking events, continuously updates the student body on
ABA - Law Student Division initiatives, assists in charitable fundraisers, participates in many
University-wide endeavors, and organizes and plans many major events such as Family and
Friends Day and Barristers Ball for the Law Center community.
WLAW Radio is the voice of the Shepard Broad Law Center and the first radio station of its kind.
It is your source for coverage of international and national events, politics, entertainment and
fashion, sports, and all things newsworthy relating to our law school and the legal community
at large.
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Sponsors and Sponsorship Opportunities
SPONSORS
Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Network
Palm Beach County Human Rights Council
Brandon Family Law Center
Lambda United
Nova Student Bar Association
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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Corporate Partner -- $2000
• Corporate partner
acknowledgement on event signage
• Placement of materials on attendee
tables
• Full-page ad in program materials, if
received prior to September 30th
• Verbal acknowledgment at event
• Corporate partner recognition on
website
• 6 registrations to attend event
• Attendee mailing list
Partner in Diversity -- $1000
• Partner in diversity
acknowledgement on event signage
• Placement of materials on attendee
tables
• 2 registrations to attend the event
• Half-page ad in program materials, if
received prior to September 30th
• Verbal acknowledgment at event
• Company recognition on website
• Attendee mailing list
Partner in Community -- $500
• Placement of materials on attendee
tables
• Quarter-page ad in program
materials, if received prior to
September 30th
• Verbal acknowledgement at event
• 1 registration to attend the event
• Company recognition on website
Contributing Partner -- $250
• Company recognition on website
• Verbal acknowledgement at event
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