JOSÉ ROBERTO (BETO) JUÁREZ, JR.
Dean and Professor of Law
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Greetings!
As the Fall 2023 semester begins, the Shepard Broad College of Law is buzzing with activity. We welcomed our 1L students a few weeks ago. They are a vibrant, eager, and dedicated group. They are already making a difference at NSU Law, joining 2L, 3L, and 4L students who are committed to their studies and to carrying out the numerous activities undertaken by our many student organizations. This year’s 1L students were required to take online classes over the summer through the JDEdge program offered by AccessLex, a premier legal education non-profit. The JDEdge program is designed to provide entering law students with skills they need to succeed in their first year classes and, ultimately, on the bar exam. You'll find more information about JDEdge at >>Read more...
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August finds everyone in the College of Law finishing summer courses, research papers and concluding vacations. The buzz is starting on campus for the 2024 fiscal school year. Your Board of Governors has worked on special projects over the summer and is eager to continue its support for the mission of the school, with its upcoming September meeting and multiple projects for FY 2024. As has become custom with this message, I am happy to share here some of our progress and highlight some of our needs.
This summer the Dean and I met with 5 candidates nominated by our Membership Committee for open Board of Governor positions. A special meeting will be held this month to move that slate and hopefully add these talented, energetic, and committed individuals to our roster. At least two vacancies will remain to be filled, so if you or anyone you know might be interested in serving on our working Board of Governors, please contact me or Membership Chair Judge Catalina Avalos. >>Read more...
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DOUGLAS M. McINTOSH, JD 1981
Segal McCambridge Singer
& Mahoney
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Interview by Marla Neufeld | |
Meet Alexas Plotnick, a rising 3L student. | |
I am originally from Chicago, IL. I attended DePaul University (in Chicago) where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mathematics in 2017. I did not have a typical law school journey, as I did not attend law school directly after my undergraduate studies. Instead, I taught both Kindergarten and Second Grade in Chicago Public Schools for two years. After that, I worked as the Head Copywriter and Editor for a mental health coaching company, which focused solely on building self-connection and confidence for women. During my time there, I was involved on panels where I spoke to women about confidence and created a newsletter that was published monthly. During this time, I also took the LSAT and applied to law school. I have one attorney in my family, an uncle, but >>Read more... | |
INTRODUCING BOG MEMBER,
THE HONORABLE
MELANIE G. MAY
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Interview by Marla Neufeld | |
The Honorable Melanie G. May received her Juris Doctor degree in 1981 from Nova Law Center. She clerked for the Honorable Peter T. Fay of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit from 1981-82. She received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from NSU in 2009. She currently is a judge on the Fourth District Court of Appeal and served as Chief Judge from 2011 to 2013.
Following private practice, Judge May was appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles to serve as a circuit court judge in 1991 before moving to the DCA in 2002. Judge May is past-President of the Council of Chief Judges of State Courts of Appeal, and just completed her term as a board member of the National Center for State Courts. She served as chair of the Shepard Broad College of Law’s Board of Governors for nine years, was an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees of Nova Southeastern University during that time, and is active in the South Florida legal community. Judge May has received many awards, including the 1998 Distinguished Alumni Award from Nova Southeastern University, the 2022 Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency Distinguished Service Award for Judicial Service, and the 2018 Distinguished Service Award from the National Center for State Courts. She was inducted into the Stanley M. Goldstein Hall of Fame (National Association of Drug Court Professionals) in 2003.
Judge May along with the NSU Law Board of Governors created the Judge Melanie G. May Endowed Scholarship Fund for scholarships for current NSU Law students that excel in their first year to encourage them to remain at NSU Law. NSU Law loses many rising 2L students who did well in their first year of law school to other law schools. With the exception of the year 2020, most students who transfer are in the top 25% of their class, and all were in the top 50%. Most cite financial reasons for their transfer. Twenty five of thirty-nine students (64%) received scholarships in 2020 and five of fourteen (36%) received scholarships in 2021. Most transfer to other state schools with lower tuition and more scholarship monies.
What is the goal of the Judge Melanie G. May Endowed Scholarship Fund?
The goal of the Judge Melanie G. May Endowed Scholarship Fund is to offer scholarships to students completing their first year of law school, who have excelled academically, to insure they remain at NSU Law.
What is the best advice you have for a graduating NSU law student as they enter the legal profession?
Find a mentor who can help you hone your skills as a practicing lawyer.
Why do you choose to be involved with NSU and NSU School of Law?
NSU Law changed my life forever and offered me the opportunity for professional growth and an exciting new career. I will be forever grateful.
How would you describe yourself in 5 words?
I hope others see me the same way. Friendly, energetic, driven, compassionate, and happy.
What makes NSU College of Law special?
Well, I attended NSU many years ago, but I think the same is true today. The amazing, approachable faculty and the school’s openness to innovation makes it special and unique.
How can someone donate to the Judge Melanie G. May Endowed Scholarship Fund?
That’s simple. Just click here. When the site opens, enter an amount, then click the dropdown to select the Shepard Broad School of Law, and then select the Judge Melanie G. May Endowed Scholarship Fund.
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BOARD OF GOVERNORS
MOMENTS AND MEMORIES
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Many of our BOG members attended the 2023 BCBA Annual Installation Gala "An Evening at the Speakeasy". Pictured are Alison Smith and Judge Catalina Avalos. | |
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BOG Chair Doug McIntosh with his son-in-law, PJ Vilardo, and grandson, Roman Vilardo, at NSU Turtle Hatch and Release night at the Carpenter House. | |
Judge Robert F. Diaz's Bar Mentee Program
Pictured (in no particular order) are mentees : Gabriel Montiel, Mason Petrosky, Lexy Semino, David Butz, JeanCarlos Medina, Nicholas Napoli, Rory Sanabria, Ryleigh Walaconis, Michelle Fishman, Dakota Alvarez, and Rachel Trotogott; Mentors pictured are: Erin Schiller, Jennifer Bautista, Brooke Latta, Dara Jaggers, Karissa Rivera, Francesa Zavell, Michelle Karine Notte, and Ashley Montalvo.
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BOG member Howard Wander golfing in Cordillera Colorado. | |
5th Anniversary Behind the Gavel 2023: Honoring Hispanic Justices & Broward County Judges
Thurs., Sept. 21 | 5:30-7:30 pm
NSU Shepard Broad College of Law
www.bit.ly/behindthegavel
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The NSU Shepard Broad College of Law and the Goodwin Program for Society, Technology, and the Law will host an in-person CLE Program on September 22, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. – 1:15 pm at #NSULaw.
https://bit.ly/AI-Crypto_NFTs-Metaverse
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AND THERE'S MORE...
October 10 - Board of Governors Meet & Greet 2Ls and 3Ls
October 12 - Fourth Annual Ziskind Health Law Lecture Series (Virtual Zoom event)
October 13 & 14 - Berger Entrepreneur Boot Camp (Levan Innovation Center)
October 18 - INVITATION ONLY - Berger Circulation Desk Naming Dedication
October 26 - (Tentative Date) NSU LLC Trivia Event
Please watch your email for more updates on these upcoming events!
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MEET THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD | |
KENYETTA ALEXANDER, JD 2007
OSHEROW, PLLC
HARSH ARORA
NELSON MULLINS
THE HONORABLE CATALINA M. AVALOS,
JD 1996
SEVENTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
OF FLORIDA
MITCHELL W. BERGER
BERGER SINGERMAN LLP
SHARON KEGERREIS BERGER
BERGER SINGERMAN LLP
PAUL D. BIANCO, J.D., PH.D.
FLEIT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW
LORNA E. BROWN-BURTON, JD 1987
LUBELL | ROSEN
THE HONORABLE ROBERT F. DIAZ,
JD 1984
SEVENTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
OF FLORIDA
THE HONORABLE KAL EVANS, JD 2003
SEVENTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
OF FLORIDA
PHIL FELDMAN
FELDMAN LAW, P.A.
PAUL FINIZIO, JD 1983
THE FINIZIO LAW GROUP
JULIO E. GONZALEZ, JR.
BROWARD SHERRIF'S OFFICE
FATIMA HASSAN
FIDUCIA LAW
GORDON JAMES III
VERESA JONES ADAMS, JD 2003
ROIG LAWYERS
ROBERT W. KELLEY, JD 1981
KELLEY UUSTAL PLC
THE HONORABLE MELANIE G. MAY,
JD 1981
FOURTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL
DOUGLAS M. MCINTOSH, JD 1981 (CHAIR)
SEGAL MCCAMBRIDGE SINGER
& MAHONEY
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GERALD "JERRY" M. MORRIS, JD 1977
ROBIN SOBO MOSELLE, JD 1991
ROBIN S. MOSELLE, P.A.
MARILYN MOSKOWITZ
MARLA NEUFELD
GREENSPOON MARDER
KEITH POLIAKOFF
GOVERNMENT LAW GROUP
DAVID W. SINGER, JD 1980
DAVID W. SINGER & ASSOCIATES, P.A.
GARY M. SINGER, JD 2001
LAW FIRM OF GARY M. SINGER
ALISON F. SMITH, JD 2003
WEISS SEROTA HELFMAN
COLE + BIERMAN
MICHELLE SUAREZ, JD 2013
FLORIDA ENTREPRENEUR LAW, P.A.
CHARLES M. TATELBAUM (VICE CHAIR)
TRIPP SCOTT, P.A.
GEORGE J. TAYLOR, JD 2012
BRINKLEY MORGAN
SEAN F. THOMPSON, JD 2004
LIBERMAN CABRERA THOMPSON
REITMAN PLLC
HOWARD WANDER, JD 1987
KELLEY KRONENBERG
ERIC YESNER, JD 2016
GRAY ROBINSON
JAY A. ZISKIND, JD 1983
EMERITI MEMBERS
NATHAN BISK*
MITCHELL CEASAR, JD 1978
DR. NINA ELLENBOGEN RAIM, JD 1978
JAMIE FINIZIO-BASCOMBE, JD 1993
JAMES FOX MILLER
RON GLANTZ
RICK LATTA
GARY POLIAKOFF*
DR. JAMES QUICK, JD 2001
BARRY SOMERSTEIN
*Deceased
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ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF THE DEAN
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Dean and Professor of Law
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law
Executive Assistant to the Dean
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Assistant Dean for Student Services
Director of Legal Research and Writing
Dean of Admissions
Dean of Students
Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, & Public Impact
Assistant Dean of Finance and Administration
Clinic Director, Disability Inclusion and Advocacy Law Clinic
Associate Dean for Faculty Development
Associate Dean for Library Services
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Jessica Garcia-Brown
Director, Undergraduate Law Programs
Tiffany Garner
Consultant and Adjunct Professor of Law
Jennifer Gordon
Director of Public Interest Programs
linda harrison
Assistant Dean of Academic Success and Professionalism
Jennifer McIntyre
Director of Graduate and Online Programs
Jennifer Powers
Director of Development
Karen Rose
Director of Outreach and Engagement
Nancy Sanguigni
Assistant Dean for Clinical Programs
Laura Varela
Assistant Dean of Career and Professional Development
James Wilets
Associate Dean of International Programs
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