Recently Professor José Gabilondo appeared on CNN Dinero to discuss two political controversies in Washington, D.C. that have turned on questions of tax policy and enforcement.
On May 14th, he analyzed the growing debate about selection criteria used by the Internal Revenue Service to search for impermissible political activity in applications for tax-exempt status by social welfare groups.
The Florida International University College of Law is proud to announce a $10,000 gift to name the jury box in the large courtroom in Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall.
The contribution was made by Abraham S. Ovadia ’09 through the Seats of Justice Campaign. The large courtroom is the venue where future FIU legal professionals learn and train. Mr. Ovadia’s gift will help support students and is an example of the success and generosity of our graduates.
Since graduating FIU law, Mr. Ovadia founded Florida PIP Law Firm, P.A., which represents clients statewide in the areas of PIP claims, personal injury, and traffic citations.
FIU Law alumna Diana Arteaga ’09, has been appointed to the Florida Bar Consumer Protection Law Committee, beginning July 1.
The Committee’s mission is to educate consumers and Bar members about consumer protection laws and current issues through such means as public outreach events, public service messages, CLE programs, consumer publications, non-partisan technical assistance memoranda on proposed legislation, and providing expert resources to The Florida Bar, the Judiciary, and the Legislature.
Even before Katherine Cohen graduated from FIU Law in 2011, she knew she wanted to help others. It was during her first internship in law school, that she realized that Legal Aid was what she wanted to do. Now a Medical Legal Partnership attorney, Cohen was recently named Director of St. Luke’s Hospital Medical Legal Partnership, in Western Missouri.
We recently caught up with Cohen to discuss her career path and what motivated her to become a Legal Aid attorney.
How did you become interested in the field of legal aid?
When I entered law school, I knew that I wanted to work in something that would help the most vulnerable people in our society. My first summer internship after starting law school was at the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. I quickly realized that Legal Aid was the place that I wanted to be. During that summer, I saw that there was an incredible need for talented attorneys who cared about the low income population and their legal needs. I continued to pursue internships with Legal Aid organizations throughout law school and became more determined to be a Legal Aid attorney.
FIU Law alumnus Daniel Sibirsky ’06, who just formed his own law firm, Sibirsky Law Firm, P.A., passed the Florida Bar board certification exam for Immigration & Nationality Law.
To be Florida Bar board certified, and to call yourself an expert, you must earn this through testing, area-specific continuing legal education and confidential peer review.
We recently sat down with Sibirsky to reflect on his time at FIU Law.
How did you become interested in immigration law?
I was born in Ecuador and immigrated to the United States as a child. That experience was as a key motivator to focus on Immigration Law. In addition, while I was at FIU Law, I was fortunate enough to participate in the Carlos A. Costa Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, which gave me an excellent introduction to Immigration Law.
Photo Courtesy of Pensacola News Journal
J. Alistair McKenzie, a 2011 alumnus of FIU Law, practices law at a small firm in Pensacola, Florida, and was recently appointed Regional Vice President for the National Lawyers Guild. McKenzie, recently discussed his career path with us and his duties with the National Lawyers Guild.
Where are you working and what kind of law do you practice?
I am practicing law at a small firm in Pensacola, Florida. I mostly practice civil rights law on behalf of people whose rights have been violated. I have worked on First Amendment speech cases, police misconduct cases, prisoner rights cases, and am currently in the process of challenging some ordinances which criminalize homelessness. Additionally, I work on personal injury, medical malpractice, and consumer rights cases. As well, I handle all of my own appeals and have already been involved in appeals in the 1st DCA and the 11th Circuit. I have been blessed with the freedom to practice law on behalf of the poor and disadvantaged, the people who don’t normally have a voice in our country or legal system. As a result of this blessing, every day I am thankful that I have the opportunity to practice law that is meaningful and which gives my life and career a purpose.
Danilo Castillo, director of finance and administration at the Florida International University College of Law, is the recipient of the 2013 Rising Star Award from the National Association of College and University Business Officers.
NACUBO, a membership organization representing chief business and financial officers of more than 2,500 colleges, universities and higher education service providers across the globe, acknowledges up-and-coming professionals in higher education with their Rising Star award. Recipients are identified as future leaders who have not yet reached the chief business or financial level, and have made meaningful contributions to the efficiency of their institution.
During the College of Law’s 9th commencement ceremony, 168 degrees were conferred to a new class of lawyers.
Addressing the graduates was keynote speaker U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz – who represents Florida’s 23rd Congressional district.
During the ceremony, several graduates were honored for their academic excellence. Some of them spoke with the FIU News team to reflect on their time in law school.
Join the FIU News team in congratulating these exemplary graduates and the rest of the Class of 2013 on their remarkable achievement.
In the following op-ed that appeared in the May 30, 2013, edition of the Huffington Post, Florida International University College of Law Professor Ediberto Román makes the case that FIU is a state leader on issues affecting the lives of thousands, if not millions, of local immigrant families.
by Ediberto Román
As a legal academic, immigration scholar and an old-fashion curmudgeon, I tend to be cynical and not typically a fan of catchy marketing efforts. However, in this instance, I have to applaud my home institution, Florida International University, for perhaps being “Worlds Ahead,” but unquestionably for being the leader in the state on issues affecting the lives of thousands, if not millions, of local immigrant families.
Recently, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. honored Professor H.T. Smith with its 2013 Equal Justice Leadership Award, recognizing Professor Smith for 40 years of service to the cause of providing effective legal representation to the poor.
The event, part of LSGMI’s 4th Annual Heart of Giving Celebration to the “Together, We Must” Campaign for Justice was held at the magnificent Gary Nader Art Gallery and co-sponsored by Florida Supreme Court Justices R. Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente, and Peggy Quince.
Professor Smith began his legal career as an intern at LSGMI and later served on LSGMI’s Board of Directors. His law practice has been in the areas of civil rights, criminal defense, and personal injury.