The University of Miami family mourns the loss of loyal Miami Hurricane and longtime UM trustee, Nicholas A. "Nick" Crane. A two-time graduate (BBA '51 and JD '53), Mr. Crane was a devoted father and grandfather, a successful businessman, and a caring community leader.
Friends, family and colleagues of Judge Maxine Cohen Lando, JD '74 have established an endowed scholarship in her name. The scholarship will be awarded to a second or third year law student based on merit and financial need, who has demonstrated an interest in pursuing a career in public service with preference given to a female student. The recipient will be known as the "Judge Maxine Cohen Lando Scholar."
Patricia A. Redmond, the director of Miami Law's Eleanor R. Cristol and Judge A. Jay Cristol Bankruptcy Pro Bono Assistance Clinic, recently established a scholarship at Miami Law for students who have demonstrated leadership and service to the Bankruptcy Clinic.
Miami Law alumna Judy Hyman loved the law almost as much as she loved her family. She passed away in 2010 after a long battle with cancer at the age of 52. Her husband, Judge Paul Hyman, and children – Zachary and Kaylee, JD '12, and her parents, Theresa and Theodore Fried, recently created a scholarship in her memory at Miami Law to be awarded each year to a student who is interested in becoming a litigator.
The global law firm of Weil Gotshal & Manges recently established an endowed scholarship fund at Miami Law. The scholarship, which was generously matched by the Chaplin Challenge, will benefit students who have financial need, with preference given to minority students.
A "lawyer's lawyer" who was a highly skilled and passionate litigator, Mitchell Bloomberg passed away in May, after a long battle with cancer. His colleagues have established a scholarship in his memory at Miami Law, his alma mater.
In star-studded event of sorts, the Miami Law Alumni Association honored alumni and students for their respective Florida Bar positions at the Florida Bar Reception in Boca Raton. The Florida Bar welcomed eight Miami alumni to its 52-member Board of Governors and four new members to the Young Lawyers Division, which is specifically designated for lawyers younger than 35 years of age.
The Justice Harry Lee Anstead Award is presented annually by the chair of The Florida Bar's Board of Legal Specialization & Education to a Florida board certified lawyer or judge. The award recognizes exemplary professionalism, excellence, character and commitment to The Florida Bar's certification program and to the practice of law.
Rebekah Poston and Linda Dakis were roommates throughout their time at Miami Law in the early 70s. They both attended night school after working full-time during the day, and although they were tired at night, they were serious about law school and their career goals. But they still managed to have fun.
Congratulations to Miami Law alumna Edith Osman, JD '83, who was recently awarded the 2013 David W. Dyer Professionalism Award by the Dade County Bar Association. Osman is a shareholder at Carlton Fields where she practices in the areas of business litigation, matrimonial law, and mediation. She is a director of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Women of Achievement, and is a member of the Anti-Defamation League, Florida Association of Women Lawyers, and the Commonwealth Institute. She served as president of the Florida Bar, the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society, and the First Family Law Inns of Court. Osman received this award at the Dade County Bar Association's 97th Annual Installation Gala.
The late Martin J. Nash's family and friends have established a scholarship in his memory at Miami Law, his alma mater. Nash passed away in February after a long and distinguished career as a tax attorney.
For a "little Cuban girl from Hialeah" who dreamed of becoming a Hollywood film director, Marilyn Blanco-Reyes has not done badly for herself. She is the Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Affairs for FedEx Express Latin America and Caribbean Division, overseeing more than 30 employees and having recently negotiated the acquisitions of a pair of companies in Brazil and Mexico, both of them larger than the domestic business of FedEx in those markets.
Rising second- and third-year law students who have demonstrated a commitment to litigation stand to benefit from a generous scholarship established by the Miami law firm Lewis Tein PL.
Miami Law alumnus Federico Moreno, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, has been awarded the St. Thomas More Award by the Notre Dame Law Association. The award honors graduates of the University of Notre Dame "who have distinguished themselves as jurists or public servants, while exhibiting uncompromising integrity and loyalty to conscience."
The article "I Don't Feel Your Pain," which appeared in the Spring edition of Litigation, the American Bar Association's Section of Litigation journal, mentions the late Leonore Carrero Nebitt, JD '57, former U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida. Read more.
The inspirational evening, which has become a highlight of the season, raised a record number of scholarships thanks to the efforts of Ms. Bass. Since 1946, MCCJ has recognized leaders in the business, religious and corporate community by awarding them with the coveted Silver Medallion. This year's outstanding leaders were chosen, because they had demonstrated extraordinary humanitarian efforts, thereby mirroring MCCJ's mission of creating an inclusive community. Ms. Bass received a J.D., summa cum laude from University of Miami School of Law in '81 and was the Editor of the Law Review. She was recently named a president of Greenberg Traurig after serving as global operating shareholder and previously completing an eight-year term as the national chair of the firm's 600-member litigation department.
Noted attorney and generous supporter of Miami Law's Animal Law Program, Arnold Grevior, JD '55, was instrumental in enabling Miami Law students in an Animal Law course to visit the South Florida Wildlife Center.
Governor Rick Scott recently announced the appointment of Margaret "Meg" Kerr, JD '93, as Compensation Claims Judge.
Kerr, 52, of South Miami, has practiced with Arrick, Peacock & Kerr since 2007. Previously, Kerr practiced with Kubicki Draper from 1995-2007, and with Underwood, Karcher and Anderson from 1992 to 1995. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Kent, in the United Kingdom, and her law degree from the University of Miami. Kerr fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Henry Harnage.
Governor Rick Scott said, "Meg has demonstrated intelligence and a keen understanding of the law during her career. I am confident that she will make a great Compensation Claims Judge and will serve Floridians with honor and dignity."
The National Law Journal has selected 100 lawyers who shape the legal world through their work in the courtroom, at the negotiating table, in the classroom or in government. They have taken on major legal battles and orchestrated the biggest corporate deals. They've tackled unpopular causes and helped run giant corporations. Carolyn Lamm, JD '73, was named as one of the 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America.
Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz had been acquiring art for a quarter of a century and showing it to the public at their house, but they decided to move some of it to a more accessible place that would also serve as an educational center, an arts center that would never sit still.
Shari and Joel Ronkin are passionate about their alma mater. Two-time University of Miami alumni, they met on the Coral Gables campus as undergraduates and went on to earn degrees from Miami Law – Joel in 1992 and Shari two years later. Now, the two have established the Ronkin Family Scholarship to provide tuition assistance to Miami Law students who excel academically. The recipients will be known as Ronkin Scholars.
We are pleased to announce that Barbara Hecht Havenick,JD '75, AB '72, President and CEO, Flagler Greyhound Track and Magic City Casino, has been chosen as the recipient of the Henry King Stanford Alumnus of the Year Award for "continued exemplary service to the University of Miami". Ms. Havenick will be honored on Thursday, April 18, 2013, at the Newman Alumni Center at 6:00 PM. Please mark the date on your calendar.
When you come out of the coal camps of West Virginia, the last thing you expect is to go to law school, let alone become a justice of the Florida Supreme Court. And yet that's what happened to R. Fred Lewis, somewhat to his own astonishment.
Steve Berger and his wife, Dr. Laurie Loevner, a professor of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania, have established a scholarship fund at Miami Law. The Berger/Loevner Family Endowed Scholarship Fund will provide financial assistance to deserving law students, and the recipients will be known as Berger/Loevner Scholars.
Bertila Ana Soto, J.D.'89, an adjunct professor at Miami Law, has been elected Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, which serves Miami-Dade County. Her election is historic, as she is the first female chief judge of the circuit as well as the first Hispanic and the first Cuban-American.
William Simonitsch is a partner with K&L Gates LLP's Miami office. He represents businesses and their principals in commercial and insolvency-related disputes.
Miami Law mourns the passing of Martin Nash, J.D. '61. He was a partner in the firm Nash Axman Watkin PLC in Coral Gables, where he specialized in tax law. With more than 50 years of experience in the law, Nash was an expert in various aspects of income and estate tax planning.
Miami Law's Center for Ethics and Public Service has chosen Florida Supreme Court Justice R. Fred Lewis to receive the 11th annual William M. Hoeveler Award. The prestigious prize celebrates ethics, leadership and public service in the legal profession.

With funds made available through the generosity of UM Trustee Wayne Chaplin, JD '82, Chair of both the Momentum2 and Visiting Committees, Miami Law has launched the Chaplin Challenge. The Chaplin Challenge will be used as a match to double any new donation directed to scholarships.
Click here to read the Law Alumni Association Honor Roll of Donors and Year in Review (June 1, 2011 - May 31, 2012)
Click on the presentation above to see the latest innovations at Miami Law, from our new programs and clinics to student organization accolades.
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Click here to view alumni events photos
Stories of U is a University of Miami Alumni campaign celebrating the experiences of our alumni, their family, and their friends. Click here to hear law alumni stories.
Unveiling of Portraits of the Deans
Class of 1961 Alumni Reception
Homecoming Dinner: Alumnus of Distinction
63rd Annual Morning Spirits and Homecoming Breakfast
Class of 1952 Reunion: May 2012
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Congratulations to the following Miami Law Alumni named as 2012 Super Lawyers. See the list.
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Click here to read more about Miami Law alumni who have recently passed away.