AM L AW 200FIU LAW ALUMNI : SUCCESS AMONG AMERICAN LAWYER 200 2013

Established in 2002, the Florida International University College of Law prides itself on graduating professional, practice-ready attorneys.

FIU Law is a rapidly-ascending institution of academic excellence. Since 2009, FIU Law has ascended from unranked to #105 in the U.S. News & World Report ranking-an increase of more than 40 spots. Its incoming students’ median LSATs and GPAs match those of many higher-ranked law schools. Its graduates have ranked first among Florida state law schools on two of the last four Florida Bar exams.

FIU Law is proudly a majority-minority, majority-female institution. It ranks as the most diverse law school in Florida, 3rd most diverse nationally and graduates the highest percentage of Hispanic attorneys in the nation.

With only nine classes graduated and just over 1000 graduates, FIU Law has alumni at many of the nation’s top firms, including many elite firms on the American Lawyer 200 list. This publication tells the story of these successful alumni.

Elan Hersh ’11Attorney

Elan Hersh is an attorney in Akerman’s Litigation practice group, where he focuses his practice on private equity litigation, representing portfolio companies in various business disputes including breach of contract, trade secret and non-compete litigation.

Mr. Hersh also counsels other attorneys and clients on information governance and electronic discovery issues, including managing the preservation, collection, processing, review, production, and presentation of electronically stored information in state and federal courts. His areas of experience include electronic discovery and information management, and Mr. Hersh previously served as the firm’s E-Discovery Project Manager. He has also lectured on the topic at the University of Miami School of Law on a number of occasions. Mr. Hersh received his Bachelor’s Degree from Cornell University.

Areas of Practice: Litigation

AkErMAn SEnTErFITT LLP

ronald W. Warner ’10 Associate

Ronald W. Warner focuses his practice on consumer financial services matters and represents financial institutions in disputes affecting liens upon real property and claims under TILA, RESPA, FCRA, ECOA and FDCPA, as well as related claims at common law.

Prior to joining Blank Rome, Mr. Warner was an Associate at Fowler White Burnett, P.A. and worked for Kelley Kronenberg P.A. and Cooney, Trybus, Kwavnick, Peets PLC. Mr. Warner has experience with the drafting of pleadings and motions, complex discovery, depositions, motion practice, alternative dispute resolution, trial practice and post-trial motions. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio State University and is a member of the Broward County Bar Association and the Defense Research Institute.

Areas of Practice: Consumer Finance Litigation

BLAnk rOME LLP

Victoria Bechtold kush ’08 | Associate

Victoria Bechtold Kush is an Associate in Buchanan Ingersoll’s Pittsburgh office. She focuses her practice on corporate and business law litigation and has successfully litigated disputes for public and private corporations, energy companies, healthcare institutions and municipalities. Ms. Kush has also represented oil and gas companies in lease, right of way and eminent domain issues. Prior to joining Buchanan Ingersoll, Ms. Kush was an Associate at Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP.

At FIU Law, Ms. Kush was an Editor of the FIU Law Review and a member of the Moot Court Team. She received awards for Best Brief and Best Orator at the 2006 Appellate Advocacy Competition. Ms. Kush was the recipient of the FIU Law Excellence in Oral Advocacy Award, the FIU Law Trial Advocacy Award, and the Theodore Klein Memorial Award from the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Areas of Practice: Antitrust & Trade Regulation, Business Litigation & Trial

BUCHAnAn InGErSOLL & rOOnEY PC

Dick M. Ortega, J.D. Candidate, 2014

Dick M. Ortega worked as a Summer Associate for DLA Piper’s Washington, D.C. office and will join the firm as an Associate upon graduation. Prior to law school, Mr. Ortega worked in the financial services industry, focusing on investment portfolio management.

Mr. Ortega is a member of the Board of Advocates at FIU Law. He earned Book Awards for the highest grade in Legal Skills & Values III, the Investor Advocacy Clinic, Contracts and Criminal Law. Through his academic achievements, he was awarded a Dean’s Merit Scholarship and the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association Scholarship. Mr. Ortega has served as a Research Assistant to Professor Thomas E. Baker and a Teaching Assistant to Professor Christyno Hayes. He also interned at the Securities and Exchange Commission and worked as a Certified Legal Intern in the Investor Advocacy Clinic.

DLA PIPEr

Brian A. Shue ’10 Associate

Brian A. Shue is an Associate with Duane Morris in the firm’s New York office, where he focuses his practice on construction litigation. He represents construction managers, owners, developers and contractors through litigation, arbitration and mediation. Mr. Shue’s practice involves claims relating to construction defects, delay and disruption, change orders, mechanic’s liens, and insurance and bond issues. He also drafts and negotiates construction agreements and has experience with the investigation and resolution of construction defect matters, including alleged building code violations, and negligence and warranty claims.

Mr. Shue began his professional career with the Turner Construction Company, where he worked as a Project Engineer and Purchasing Manager. Prior to joining Duane Morris, Mr. Shue was an Associate with Peckar & Abramson, P.C. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Princeton University and was a Senior Staff Editor for the FIU Law Review.

Areas of Practice: Construction Litigation

DUAnE MOrrIS LLP

richard F. Danese ’08 Senior Associate

Richard F. Danese is a Senior Associate at GrayRobinson, where he focuses his practice on issues relating to complex commercial litigation, including banking and finance, securities, labor and employment, real estate, probate and bankruptcy. Prior to joining GrayRobinson, Mr. Danese interned for in-house counsel at Perry Ellis International in the company’s copyright and trademark division and was also a law clerk at Gary Carman, P.A.

Mr. Danese earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer and Information Sciences from the University of Florida. At FIU Law, Mr. Danese made Dean’s List for three consecutive years and earned the Book Award for the highest grade in Contracts, Bankruptcy and Tax Law.

Areas of Practice: Banking & Finance, Litigation, Real Estate

GrAYrOBInSOn, P.A.

Michael r. Santana ’07 | Senior Associate

Michael R. Santana is a Senior Associate in GrayRobinson’s Orlando office, where he focuses his practice on civil litigation, including construction and insurance matters. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Santana practiced law in West Palm Beach, where he participated in several complex insurance and personal injury trials.

At FIU Law, Mr. Santana served as a Certified Legal Intern with the Miami-Dade County Office of the Public Defender, where he tried cases before the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. Mr. Santana was also a member of the Moot Court Team and represented FIU Law at the Susan J. Ferrell Human Rights Moot Court Competition, winning the award for Best Brief. He made Dean’s List in 2005 and 2006. Mr. Santana earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and International Business from Florida State University.

Areas of Practice: Construction, Insurance, Litigation

GrAYrOBInSOn, P.A.

“The strength of FIU Law lies in its diversity and

reputation for producing hard-working, practice-

ready attorneys. FIU Law lawyers are making

their mark in the profession and the community.

Greenberg Traurig is proud to be among the first

firms to have hired FIU Law graduates.”

Cesar L. Alvarez

Co-Chairman, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Carlos Lago ’09 Associate

Carlos Lago is an Associate in the Real Estate/Land Use division at Greenberg Traurig’s Miami Office, where he focuses his practice on land use, zoning and governmental affairs. Much of his practice is community focused, requiring him to build working relationships with elected officials, city representatives, community activists and nonprofit organizations.

Prior to joining Greenberg Traurig, Mr. Lago was Chief of Staff for the Jackson Health System—the largest hospital system in Florida—where he managed the system’s legislative agenda at the local, state and federal levels. Previously, he served as Senior Policy Analyst for Miami City Commissioner Francis Suarez and worked on legislative and policy initiative related to land use, planning and zoning. Mr. Lago earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from FIU and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Miami School of Business.

Areas of Practice: Land Development, Real Estate

GrEEnBErG TrAUrIG, LLP

Daniel Cervantes ’07 Associate

Daniel Cervantes is an Associate in the Miami office of Hogan Lovells, where he is a member of the Litigation, Arbitration and Employment practice group. He focuses his practice on international commercial litigation and arbitration, with particular emphasis on construction, energy and performance contracts disputes. He also has experience with complex commercial litigation, hedge fund securities fraud, consumer fraud and class action litigation.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Cervantes served as a law clerk for Florida Supreme Court Justices Charles T. Canady and Harry Lee Anstead. At FIU Law, Mr. Cervantes served as an Articles Editor for the FIU Law Review and Vice President of the Board of Advocates. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, magna cum laude, from FIU, and earned his law degree, magna cum laude. He is the Editor of International Law Quarterly, published by the International Law Section of the Florida Bar.

Areas of Practice: International Arbitration & Litigation

HOGAn LOVELLS (US) LLP

nicholas Greene ’13 | Associate

Nicholas Greene began working at Holland & Knight as a Summer Associate. He will join the firm’s Miami office in the fall of 2013 as an Associate in the Labor, Employment and Benefits group.

At FIU Law, Mr. Greene received the Book Award for the highest grade in five courses and participated on the Moot Court Team, where in 2012, he argued before a panel of jurists led by Samuel A. Alito, Jr., Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, at the FIU Law Intermural Moot Court Competition. Mr. Greene earned the Best Orator Award for his performance. He gained additional experience at FIU Law through internships with the Miami-Dade County Attorney’s Office and the Honorable Alan S. Gold at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Mr. Greene earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Florida and graduated FIU Law, cum laude.

Areas of Practice: Labor & Employment

HOLLAnD & knIGHT LLP

rebecca L. Mendez ’07 | Associate

Rebecca L. Mendez is a member of Holland & Knight’s Real Estate division, where she focuses her practice on the representation of institutional lenders in connection with the financing, acquisition, and disposition of commercial real estate assets including retail shopping centers, office buildings, apartment buildings, hotels, warehouse/industrial complexes and mixed-use properties throughout the United States. Ms. Mendez also represents institutional lenders in connection with the disposition of distressed real estate assets and loans, as well as with complex commercial real estate transactions.

Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Ms. Mendez was an Associate with Broad and Cassel and Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Florida. Ms. Mendez works on pro bono projects dealing with immigration law, social security disability claims and human rights.

Areas of Practice: Financial Services, Real Estate, Real Estate Finance

HOLLAnD & knIGHT LLP

Mendy Halberstam ’09 Associate

Mendy Halberstam has extensive experience in both state and federal civil rights litigation. Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, Mr. Halberstam represented various municipalities and police officers in civil rights lawsuits. Mr. Halberstam also has experience representing parties before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and has handled cases involving claims of race, age, disability and sex discrimination, as well as sexual harassment, retaliatory discharge, wage and hour, and non-compete/restrictive covenant issues.

Mr. Halberstam earned his law degree, cum laude, ranked fourth in his class, and served as a Comments Editor of the FIU Law Review. He received Book Awards for the highest grade in three classes and was a Dean’s Scholar. Mr. Halberstam is admitted to practice in Florida and New York and was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine in 2013.

Areas of Practice: Civil Rights, Labor & Employment

JACkSOn LEWIS LLP

Chanel rowe J.D. Candidate, 2014

Chanel Rowe worked as a Summer Associate for Shook, Hardy & Bacon and will join the firm as an Associate upon graduation. At FIU Law, Ms. Rowe serves as the Executive Business Editor for the FIU Law Review and is a member of the Moot Court Board of Advocates. She also holds leadership positions on the local and regional boards of the National Black Law Students Association.

At FIU Law, Ms. Rowe and her teammate won the 10th Annual Intramural Moot Court Competition, where they argued before a panel of jurists led by Senior Circuit Judges Douglas H. Ginsburg and A. Raymond Randolph of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. Rowe earned the Best Orator Award for her performance. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University, summa cum laude. Ms. Rowe is a first-generation college graduate and will be the first in her family to practice law.

SHOOk, HArDY & BACOn LLP

kimberly J. Donovan ’05 | Senior Associate

Kimberly J. Donovan is a Senior Associate in the commercial litigation group at Squire Sanders, where she advises clients on commercial and complex business and contract disputes, including putative class actions. She has extensive experience in health care litigation and arbitration and has counseled clients on issues involving provider payment, provider contracts, managed care, Medicare, Medicaid, MMSEA, HIPAA, and federal and state anti-kick-back laws. She also has significant experience representing real estate developers and litigating probate and trust matters.

Ms. Donovan was Valedictorian of the inaugural class of FIU Law and graduated summa cum laude. During law school, Ms. Donovan interned for The Honorable William P. Dimitrouleas of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, clerked for Steel Hector & Davis LLP and served as a Comments Editor for the FIU Law Review.

Areas of Practice: Class Action & Multidistrict Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Healthcare, Life Sciences

SqUIrE SAnDErS (US) LLP

Allison Jaeger ’12 | Associate

Allison Jaeger focuses her practice on commercial and general liability defense. Prior to joining Wilson Elser, Ms. Jaeger clerked for the Honorable Migna Sanchez-Llorens in the Criminal Division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida.

At FIU Law, Ms. Jaeger served as an Articles and Comments Editor for the FIU Law Review, a Teaching Assistant in the Legal Skills & Values Program and worked as a law clerk for Schlesinger & Cotzen, P.L. She also worked as a student-advocate in the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic and was selected as a Florida Bar Foundation Public Service Fellow. Through her fellowship, Ms. Jaeger interned with the Consumer Unit and the HIV/AIDS Law Project at Legal Aid Services of Broward County. Ms. Jaeger holds Bachelor’s Degrees in English and Psychology from the University of Florida.

Areas of Practice: Commercial & Business Litigation, Employment & Labor, General Liability & Casualty

WILSOn ELSEr MOSkOWITz EDELMAn & DICkEr LLP

Fernando ramirez ’09 Associate

Fernando Ramirez is an Associate at Wilson Elser, where he focuses his practice on commercial litigation, Latin American business, general liability, premises liability and product liability matters.

A native of Lima, Peru, Mr. Ramirez has an intimate understanding of the culture and business environment in Latin America, which he uses to effectively handle myriad matters for the firm. Ramirez draws on his legal and business relationships in Lima to support and strengthen the firm-wide capabilities of the Latin America practice.

Mr. Ramirez earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Florida Atlantic University, magna cum laude.

Areas of Practice: Business & Commercial Litigation, Latin America

WILSOn ELSEr MOSkOWITz EDELMAn & DICkEr LLP

Florida International University College of Law Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall 11200 SW 8th Street Miami, Florida 33199

305-348-1118 | law.fiu.edu