Sheri Dennis
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.A., Barnard College, 1986, cum laude
J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, 1989
While still in law school, Sheri Dennis completed a judicial internship with the Hon. Leonard B. Sand of the Southern District of New York. Upon graduation, Ms. Dennis worked as an Assistant Regional Counsel for the Department of Health and Human Services in New York City, where she was responsible for representing the Health Care Financing Administration and Social Security Administration in numerous federal and administrative appeals. After relocating to South Florida, Ms. Dennis worked as an associate for the law offices of Carlos Llorente P.A., where her practice included both civil and criminal litigation. Currently, Ms. Dennis works as an associate for the law firm of Ben-Ezra and Katz, P.A. and is practicing in the areas of real estate and foreclosure law.
Sally R. Doerner
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.A., Boston University, 1974
J.D., University of Miami School of Law, 1977
Sally R. Doerner is a staff attorney at the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, specializing in state and federal habeas corpus and civil rights. Ms. Doerner also worked as a research assistant to Chief Judge Alan R. Schwartz at the Third District Court of Appeal, then as an associate at Walton Lantaff Schroeder & Carson, and later at Floyd Pearson Richman Greer Weil Zack & Brumbaugh. With ten years of experience in teaching of legal research and writing at the University of Miami School of Law and at Miami-Dade Community College, she now instructs legal writing at St. Thomas University School of Law.
Mary Claire Eppenkotter
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.A., George Washington University, 1994
J.D., University of Miami School of Law, 1997, magna cum laude
As a law student Ms. Eppenkotter served on the Editorial Board of the University of Miami Law Review; clerked for Rubin Baum Levin Constant Friedman & Bilzin; and interned at the Florida Attorney General’s Office. After graduation, she clerked for Judge Martha C. Warner (Fourth District Court of Appeal). Later she worked as a litigation associate at Edwards and Angell, LLP. Returning to the courts in 2000 as Chambers Staff Attorney for Judge Stanley Marcus (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit) she acquired additional experience in analysis, memoranda, and opinion writing. In her current position as litigation associate at Akerman Senterfitt, she specializes in legal writing for proceedings in state and federal courts. Since 2002 she has been serving both St. Thomas University School of Law and the University of Miami School of Law as an adjunct instructor in legal writing.
Lilliana M. Farinas-Sabogal
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.A., Florida International University, 1995, cum laude
J.D., The University of Miami School of Law, 1998, cum laude
During law school, Lilliana Farinas-Sabogal was on Law Review and served as a Dean’s Fellow for two professors and as a research assistant for a third. She also worked as a summer associate for Quarles & Brady L.L.P., and as a Certified Legal Intern for the Dade County Public Defender’s office. Upon graduation, Ms. Farinas-Sabogal worked as an associate with Quarles & Brady, as well as Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., in Miami. She has practiced in all aspects of civil and complex commercial litigation, foreclosures, bankruptcy, homeowner association litigation, and intellectual property. Ms. Farinas-Sabogal also has experience in appellate proceedings, and both state and federal litigation.
David Stephen Hope
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.S., Princeton University, 1982
M.B.A., The Wharton School, 1986
J.D., University of Miami, 1996, cum laude
Before entering the legal profession, David Stephen Hope had a highly successful career as a business and financial analyst and software developer. In July 1993, he entered law school, did a summer internship at the Public Defender’s Office in 1994, worked for Kenny Nachwalter Seymour Arnold Critchlow & Spector, P.A. as a summer associate in 1995, and was graduated with honors in 1996. Since graduation, he has been working as an Assistant County Attorney at the Miami-Dade County Attorney’s Office, Miami. His practice areas include litigation, finance and municipal bonds, housing, code enforcement, zoning, and personnel. He is applying his broad-based writing experience at St. Thomas as an instructor in legal writing.
Cynji A. Lee
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.A., Spelman College, 1994, magna cum laude
J.D., Yale Law School, 1998
Cynji A. Lee is an Assistant County Attorney, providing legal counsel to various Miami-Dade County agencies and representing the county on labor, housing, unsafe-structure, and indigence issues. As a student, she was editor of the Yale Law and Policy Review, director of the Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Clinic, a summer intern with the Office of the District Attorney, Bronx, NY, and a summer associate at Baker & Hostetler and at Crowell & Mooring. In 1999 she took a position as a judicial law clerk for the Hon. Donald L. Graham of the Southern District of Florida. In 2001 she moved into her present position, Assistant County Attorney.
Bruce Libhaber
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.S., Northwestern University, 1994
J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1997
Since his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1997, Bruce Libhaber has been an Assistant County Attorney with the Miami-Dade County Attorney’s Office, Miami, Florida, where as a law student, he had clerked. During his law school years he had also clerked at the State Attorney’s Office in Miami, performing legal research and preparing witnesses for trial testimony; and had done volunteer work at the St. Thomas University Human Rights Institute, preparing documents for individuals seeking political asylum. In addition to his work for Miami-Dade County, Mr. Libhaber teaches Advanced Legal Writing at St. Thomas.
Wendell Terry Locke
Instructor in Legal Writing
Doctor of Pharmacy, Florida A&M University, 1994
J.D., University of Miami School of Law, 1997
During law school Wendell Locke clerked at Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A. and at the Department of Justice Office of the United States Trustee. After graduation, he joined Stearns Weaver as a litigation and bankruptcy attorney. In 1998 he moved to Thornton, Davis & Murray P.A., where he specialized in litigation. In 2000 he moved to Holland & Knight specializing in litigation and intellectual property law, and in 2002 he moved to Edwards & Angell, LLP. He now has his own firm, Locke Law, P.A., in Pembroke Pines, Florida, and is practicing in the areas of commercial litigation, employment law, and administrative health law. At St. Thomas University School of Law he instructs in legal writing.
Deborah Magid
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.A., University of Miami
J.D., University of Miami
Recently appointed as a part-time magistrate by Chief Judge Joseph P. Farina of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade County, Deborah Magid also serves as a senior attorney with Help Inc., where she provides free legal services to indigent clients with HIV and AIDS. As the immediate past president of Miami-Dade Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Ms. Magid was the recipient of the Miami-Dade Chapter’s President’s Award for Outstanding Service in 2000-2001 and the Miami Law Women’s Women Who Make a Difference Award in 2003. She has been a Guardian ad Litem, a project coordinator for Hands on Miami, and a Children’s Home Society volunteer. Ms. Magid is currently a member of the Florida Bar’s Family Law Rules Committee, and serves on the board of the Miami-Dade PACE Center for Girls, the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida Judicial Sensitivity Initiative Planning Committee, and the Southern Regional Leadership Council of Lawyers for Children America.
Rhonda Montoya Hasan
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.A., Duke University, History/Religion, 1986
J.D., University of Miami School of Law, 1990, cum laude
Mrs. Hasan began her legal career as a judicial clerk for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami, Florida. Currently, Mrs. Hasan is a First Assistant City Attorney for the City of Miami Beach, where she serves as legal advisor for the City’s Building and Fire Departments. Her practice concentrates primarily in the area of construction and commercial litigation, appellate, and administrative law. She is a past Chairman of a Florida Bar Grievance Committee. She lectures locally and nationally on fire and building code issues. Mrs. Hasan has been a Legal Writing Instructor for the past four years.
Jacquelyn P. Needelman
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.A., Florida International University, 1974
M.S.M., Florida International University, 1975
J.D., Nova University, 1978
Jacquelyn Needelman has been an attorney in Miami and Fort Lauderdale for over 25 years. She began her career in the Dade County Public Defender’s Office as a legal intern and assistant public defender. Currently, Ms. Needelman handles Florida Bar matters related to the unlicensed practice of law. She is a member of the Dade County Public Schools Superintendent’s Exceptional Student Education Advisory Council, and Board member of the Florida Developmental Disability Council and the Florida Alliance for Assistive Technology.
Jeff Norman
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.A., Wake Forest University, 1985
J.D., University of Miami School of Law, 1991
Jeff Norman, a shareholder in the law firm of Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A., practices in the Corporate Department in Miami. He represents major commercial banks in a variety of finance transactions. He has extensive experience in representing financial institutions and manufacturers in commercial finance and asset-based lending transactions. His representations have ranged from basic trade finance to sophisticated project finance transactions. Mr. Norman is also the founding Director of City Theatre, a Miami-based not-for-profit professional theater company that annually produces the critically acclaimed “Summer Shorts” and “Winter Shorts” festivals of short plays. He is also a member of the Young Leaders Society of the United Way of Miami-Dade County.
Martha Díaz Pérez
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.A., University of Miami, 1985
J.D., University of Miami School of Law, 1988
Born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Florida, Martha Pérez began her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in the Miami-Dade County Office of the State Attorney. As a prosecutor, she handled juvenile delinquency cases, various felony cases, and special domestic crimes. After six years as an Assistant State Attorney, Ms. Pérez accepted the position of Senior Assistant City Attorney for the City of Miami Beach, where her responsibilities included counseling the Police Department and other divisions as well as drafting legislation for the City. Ms. Pérez spent ten years working for the City of Miami Beach, and today she works as a sole practitioner and teaches legal writing courses at St. Thomas University School of Law.
Iris S. Rogatinsky
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.A., Yeshiva University - Stern College for Women, summa cum laude
J.D., University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law, with honors
Ms. Rogatinsky has been practicing law since April 1999. She currently is Of Counsel to the law firm Assouline & Berlowe, P.A. Prior to joining Assouline & Berlowe, P.A., Ms. Rogatinsky was a senior associate in the Business Finance and Restructuring department of the international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. She practices primarily in the area of debtor and creditors’ rights and bankruptcy law. She has represented debtors, creditors, trustees, and receivers in complex chapter 11 reorganization cases, out of court financial restructurings, and in an international federal equity receivership. In 1998, Ms. Rogatinsky earned her Juris Doctorate, with honors, from the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law, where she was a Senior Notes & Comments Editor of the Florida Law Review, earned three book awards in Property I, Property II, and Land Use Planning, and was inducted as a member of the Order of the Coif. Ms. Rogatinsky graduated summa cum laude from Yeshiva University - Stern College for Women in 1995, with a bachelor’s degree in English.
Arlene K. Sankel
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.A., New York University, 1975
J.D., Nova Law School, 1978
While serving as Assistant Staff Counsel for the Miami office of The Florida Bar, Arlene Sankel investigated and prosecuted violations of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. She presented disciplinary matters before grievance committees, referees, the Florida Supreme Court, and the Florida Board of Governors. Since 1998, Ms. Sankel has served as Branch Staff Counsel. As the managing attorney there, she supervises a staff of twenty who handle disciplinary matters for The Florida Bar.
Rosa E. Scavo
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.A., University of Miami, 1985
M.S., St. Thomas University, 1988
J.D., St. Thomas University School of Law, 1994
Before attending law school, Rosa Scavo served as the paralegal in-charge of 440-plus asbestos litigation cases at Haddad, Joseph & Jack, P.A. from 1981-1989. From 1989-1991, she was recruited by Douglas M. Halsey, P.A. to assist with a $3 million environmental law case. In 1991, she left to attend law school, but returned following law school to finalize the case. Rosa then joined Citrus Health Network where she served as in-house counsel. In 2003 she opened Rosa E. Scavo, P.A., a general practice law firm. Rosa teaches at Barry University as an adjunct faculty member in Environmental Law, and at St. Thomas as an instructor in Legal Writing.
Scott Storper
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.S., Northwestern University, 1990
J.D., University of Miami School of Law, 1994
Scott Storper began his extensive career in legal education while attending law school, where he was a legal writing teaching assistant. Upon graduation, he worked as an Educational Specialist for Lexis-Nexis, teaching legal research seminars at law schools and law firms throughout Florida. During that time, Mr. Storper also began his own business, Storpermethod, Inc., to teach effective study habits to law students. In addition to his work in legal education, Mr. Storper has also practiced criminal defense and civil litigation. Currently, Mr. Storper continues to handle civil cases for a Washington, D.C. based law firm, and he practices immigration and commercial law as a sole practitioner.
Roy D. Wasson
Instructor in Legal Writing
B.A., Eastern Kentucky University, 1975
J.D., University of Kentucky College of Law, 1981, cum laude
Mr. Wasson is board-certified in appellate practice and has handled approximately 350 state and federal appeals. He was a staff member and managing editor of the Kentucky Law Journal, the nation’s tenth oldest legal publication. He is a charter member and former chair of The Florida Bar’s Appellate Practice Section, former chair of The Florida Bar’s Appellate Court Rules Committee, and a current member of the Appellate Practice Board Certification Committee. Mr. Wasson was the founding chair of the Appellate Practice Section of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (A.F.T.L.), he is a member and former chair of the A.F.T.L.’s Amicus Curiae Committee, and is a member of the A.F.T.L.’s board of directors. He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, has been honored as one the “Best Lawyers in Florida” (2004), and is listed among Florida Trend’s “Legal Elite” (2005). His awards include the S. Victor Tipton Award for Legal Writing from the A.F.T.L. (1991). Mr. Wasson’s publications include Roy D. Wasson, The Appellate Process: The Riddling of the Diguilio Harmless Error Standard: Whether Error “Contributed” to the Verdict, 5 Barry Law Review 57 (Spring 2005).