Inside This Issue
President’s Message Front Cover
Upcoming Webinars Page 2
Kudos and Tidbits Page 2
Upcoming Events Page 2
2016 Midyear Meeting Page 3 38th Annual Institute Page 4 2016 AICPA/AAML National Conference Page 5
Photos—Chapter Lunch Page 6
Photos—Annual Meeting Page 7
Photos—Cocktail Party Page 16
Miriam E. Mason Page 24 by Joseph Hunt
Academy Foundation – Lifetime Members Page 25
2015-2016 Committees Page 27
The Lighthouse
President’s Message
Dear Fellows, it was a
pleasure to see in Chicago this
year at the annual meeting.
Florida AAML Fellows played
a leading role at the
meeting. Tom Sasser was
sworn in as National
Secretary. Past AAML
President Jim McLaren recognized Mitch Karpf’s work running the
CLE Program. Jorge Cestero and Elisha Roy shared their knowledge
in the “Starting a Foreign Affair” panel. Jorge, who serves on the
AAML Foundation Board, also spearheaded the Florida Chapter’s
auction contribution of a “Universal Orlando Experience,” which
raised $5,000 for the Foundation. Florida’s twenty-six fellows also
got the chance to network with our peers from across the nation,
learn about everything from child support trends to technology
issues, and wine and dine at some of Chicago’s best restaurants.
Congratulations and thank you to everyone who helped to organize
this year’s Marital and Family Law Review Course in Orlando
January 28-29. It was our best attended Review Course yet, with a
record 1,600 registrants.
I hope to see all of you at the mid-year meeting in the Bahamas on
March 14!
Charles Fox Miller
President, Florida Chapter-American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
February 2016 Volume 12, Issue 1
President Charles Fox Miller
President-Elect
Natalie Lemos
Vice President Peter Gladstone
Treasurer Jonathan Root
Secretary John Schutz
Immediate Past President Jorge Cestero
Managers Rueben Doupe Jack Long N. Diane Holmes Mitch Karpf Thomas Duggar Jackie Valdespino Dori Foster-Morales Kristin Adamson Mark Sessums
The Lighthouse Page 2
AAML, Florida Chapter 3046 Hawks Glen Tallahassee, FL 32312 www.aamlflorida.org 850-668-0614 Executive Director Susan D. Stafford [email protected] The Lighthouse N. Diane Holmes, Editor
Please consider the environment before printing this newsletter
Upcoming Events
March 14 - 18, 2016—AAML Midyear Meeting The Atlantis at Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas
May 6-7, 2016—38th Annual Institute Vinoy Renaissance, St. Petersburg, FL
May 19 - 20. 2016—AICPA/AAML National Conference on Divorce Sheraton, New Orleans, LA
September 8 - 11, 2016—Florida Chapter Retreat Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle, WA
November 2 - 5, 2016—AAML Annual Meeting Renaissance Chicago Downtown, Chicago, IL
UPCOMING WEBINARS
The 2016 Webinars have not yet been announced. Log onto www.AAMLFlorida.org for more
details as dates for upcoming AAML Florida Chapter Webinars become available.
KUDOS AND TIDBITS
Congratulations to Caryn Green who is a new International Academy member! Jerome Novey has been granted Emeritus Status by the Board of Managers. Fellows please keep us informed about happenings in your lives. Contact N. Diane Holmes at (407) 843-1744 or by email at [email protected].
The Lighthouse Page 3
38th Annual Institute
May 6—7, 2016 Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg, FL
A full day Friday and half a day Saturday - topics include Same Sex Marriage,
Divorce Tax, and Hidden Double Dipping. To register, log onto www.AAMLFlorida.org.
Call 1-888-789-3090 to secure your room reservation now at the low special seminar rate
of $199.00 per night.
The Lighthouse Page 4
The Lighthouse Page 5
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 6
AAML Florida Chapter Lunch Chicago, IL November 6, 2015
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 7
AAML Annual Meeting Chicago, IL November 4-7, 2015
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 8
AAML Annual Meeting Chicago, IL November 4-7, 2015
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 9
AAML Annual Meeting Chicago, IL November 4-7, 2015
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 10
AAML Annual Meeting Chicago, IL November 4-7, 2015
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 11
AAML Annual Meeting Chicago, IL November 4-7, 2015
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 12
AAML Annual Meeting Chicago, IL November 4-7, 2015
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 13
AAML Annual Meeting Chicago, IL November 4-7, 2015
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 14
AAML Annual Meeting Chicago, IL November 4-7, 2015
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 15
AAML Annual Meeting Chicago, IL November 4-7, 2015
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 16
Cocktail Party Richard & Pam West’s Home January 28, 2016
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 17
Cocktail Party Richard & Pam West’s Home January 28, 2016
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 18
Cocktail Party Richard & Pam West’s Home January 28, 2016
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 19
Cocktail Party Richard & Pam West’s Home January 28, 2016
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 20
Cocktail Party Richard & Pam West’s Home January 28, 2016
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 21
Cocktail Party Richard & Pam West’s Home January 28, 2016
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 22
Cocktail Party Richard & Pam West’s Home January 28, 2016
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 23
Cocktail Party Richard & Pam West’s Home January 28, 2016
Our Fearless Leader.
The Lighthouse Page 24
MIRIAM E. MASON
By: Joseph Hunt
What an honor to be asked to write about Miriam Mason. Also,
what a daunting task considering all that Miriam has accomplished.
Miriam grew up in the southern Alabama town of Evergreen in the
poorest county in Alabama. Miriam was the youngest of three children
and enjoyed an active childhood in which she was “lucky” to have never
been bitten by a snake. The fact that she was so active as a child should
come as no surprise to anyone who knows Miriam. Miriam’s parents
instilled in her the philosophy of preparing so that nothing is left to
chance.
For the last several years, Miriam and her husband of almost 30
years, Greg, have spent several weeks per year at the home they own in
Park City, Utah. While both Miriam and Greg (who is in-house counsel
for Honeywell) spend time working while in Park City, they also enjoy
outdoor pursuits such as hiking, mountain biking, fishing and skiing.
In other words, Miriam is adventurous. Some of her and Greg’s
past excursions include spending a week rafting through the Grand Canyon and spending three days and nights in a
tent navigating the challenging White Rim Trail in Utah. In April of this year, Miriam and Greg will travel to the
Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu.
As far as her legal career is concerned, Miriam hit the ground running and has not slowed down. Miriam
graduated cum laude from Cumberland in Birmingham in 1975 and immediately began working as an Assistant Public
Defender in Pensacola. Not surprisingly, Miriam rose quickly in the six years she spent in Pensacola as an Assistant
Public Defender and in private practice, even trying a first degree murder and death penalty case.
In a fortuitous occurrence, Miriam met Steve Sessums when, in her role as CLE Chair with the Florida Bar Family
Law Section, she asked Steve to speak at a CLE. Steve offered Miriam a job at his firm in Tampa and Miriam moved
to Tampa where she did not know anyone other than Steve. In the early 80’s, Miriam and Steve formed their own law
firm in Tampa; a firm that is now known as Mason Black & Caballero and is considered one of the top family law
firms in the state.
There is no way to fit into this limited space all of the accomplishments Miriam has obtained and all of the
activities she has been involved in during her legal career. A few of the highlights include being President of the
Florida Chapter of the AAML, as well as national President of the AAML, and Chair of the Florida Bar Family Law
Section.
In addition, Miriam has been listed as one of the Best Lawyers in America, a publication by Woodward/
White, for several years and was named 2009 Tampa Family Lawyer of the year. Miriam is also AV rated by
Martindale Hubbell. Miriam has also authored numerous articles on family law issues and has been the speaker
dozens of times at seminars put on by organizations throughout the country. Needless to say, Miriam’s efforts have
made the practice better for all of us.
Anyone who has ever litigated a case against Miriam knows that you will have to work very hard in representing your
client. This is because there is no more diligent lawyer than Miriam. Miriam never takes preparation for granted and
she will walk into court knowing the facts of that case and the law inside and out, but approaches everything in a fair
and professional manner. I have had the experience of litigating against Miriam which made me a much better
lawyer in both my level of preparation and in showing care for what is best for the client, and I know there are a
large number of lawyers throughout the state and country who share this sentiment.
The Lighthouse Page 25
ACADEMY FOUNDATION—LIFETIME MEMBERS
Caroline Black Sikorske Tampa, FL
Gordon C. Brydger Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Jorge Cestero Palm Beach, FL
Lawrence C. Datz Jacksonville, FL
Reuben A. Doupe Naples, FL
Edna Y. Elliott (Deceased) Tampa, FL
Marsha B. Elser Miami, FL
Dori Foster-Morales Miami, FL
James T. Friedman Islamorada, FL
Melvyn B. Frumkes (Deceased) Miami, FL
Melinda P. Gamot Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Carmen R. Gillett Sarasota, FL
Peter L. Gladstone Boca Raton, FL
Cynthia L. Greene Miami, FL
Martin L. Haines, III North Palm Beach, FL
Judith Hodor Miami, FL
N. Diane Holmes Orlando, FL
Lewis Kapner West Palm Beach, FL
Mitchell K. Karpf Weston, FL
Ann Loughridge Kerr Clearwater, FL
Natalie S. Lemos South Miami, FL
John E. Long, Jr. Naples, FL
Ashely McCorvey Myers Tampa, FL
Miriam E. Mason Tampa, FL
Shannon L. Novey Tallahassee, FL
Donald J. Sasser West Palm Beach, FL
John F. Schutz West Palm Beach, FL
(Con’t on Next Page)
The Lighthouse Page 26
(Con’t from Previous Page)
ACADEMY FOUNDATION—LIFETIME MEMBERS
Mark A. Sessums Lakelane, FL
Stephen W. Sessums Tampa, FL
Roberta G. Stanley Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Richard D. West Orlando, FL
Highlighted names are new Lifetime Members since the last publication. If you are a Lifetime Member that has not been listed here, please contact the editor, N. Diane Holmes, at: [email protected].
The Lighthouse Page 27
2015 — 2016 Committees
AMICUS: Cynthia Greene (Chair). CHARITABLE GIVING: Elaine Duggar (Chair); Stann Givens; Richard West. CERTIFICATION REVIEW LIAISON: Jorge Cestero. INSTITUTE: John Schutz (Chair); Mark Sessums; Elisha Roy; Caryn Green; Thomas Duggar; Reuben Doupe. JURIST OF THE YEAR: Caroline Black Sikorske (Chair); Gordon Brydger; Lawrence Datz; Bob Sidwebber. LEGISLATION: Thomas Duggar (Chair); Jack Long; David Manz; Ashley Myers; Shannon Novey; Mark Sessums; Elisha Roy. FUTURE OF THE INSTITUTE: Tom Sasser (Chair); Natalie Lemos; Peter Gladstone.
NEW MEMBER RECRUITING: Roberta Stanley (Co-Chair); Caryn Green (Co-Chair); Natalie Lemos; Stann Givens; Richard West; Mark Sessums; Lawrence Datz; Elliott Zisser; Shannon Novey; Laura Davis Smith. NEWSLETTER: N. Diane Holmes (Chair); Ken Gordon; Kim Nutter; Joe Hunt. NOMINATING: Natalie Lemos (Chair); Peter Gladstone; Elaine Duggar; Richard West. BOARD OF EXAMINERS: Natalie Lemos (Chair); David Manz; Elaine Duggar; Mitch Karpf; Jesse Bennett; Peter Gladstone; Bob Sidwebber; John Schutz (Alternate 1); Jonathan Root (Alternate 2); Melinda Gamot (Alternate 3). WEBINAR: Reuben Doupe (Co-Chair); Carmen Gillett (Co-Chair); Shannon Novey; Karen Weintraub; RT White.
Top Related