On Saturday, May 30th, rising 3Ls Jaylyn Jones, Emmanuela Petit, Britany Harris, and Genesis Johnson, along with rising 2L Soraya Jovin, attended the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association & Foundation’s 45th Annual Installation & Scholarship Gala at Jungle Island alongside Jennifer Ley-Soto, Senior Director for Career Development, Sabrina Salomon, Director of Public Sector, and Morenike Saula, Assistant Professor of Law.
Inspired by Langston Hughes’ words, “I, too, sing America,” the evening brought together attorneys, judges, alumni, students, and community leaders to celebrate 250 years of achievement, resilience, and impact. The gala honored legacy, recognized excellence, and reflected the strength of community within the legal profession and beyond.
The event provided students with valuable opportunities to engage with legal leaders, alumni, and members of the profession while celebrating the installation of Julian Jackson-Fannin as President of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association.
Congratulations to R. Donahue “Don” Peebles, recipient of the Corporate Citizen Award; Hans Ottinot Sr., Esq., recipient of the Trailblazer Award; Melba V. Pearson, Esq., recipient of the Community Service Award; Yaneth Baez, Esq., recipient of the Public Service Award; and Jeremy McLymont, recipient of the Rising Star Award.
Pictured are members of the STU Law community alongside legal and community leaders, including STU Law alumni Joshua Heath (’22) and Javier Ley-Soto (’05), Michael T. Davis, STU Law Adjunct Professor and Immediate Past President of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association, and newly installed President Julian Jackson-Fannin.
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On Friday, May 29th, STU Law students had the opportunity to attend and volunteer at the 110th Annual Miami-Dade Bar Installation Gala alongside Dean Tarlika Nuñez-Navarro and Jennifer Ley-Soto, Senior Director for Career Development, connecting with leaders from across the legal community and celebrating excellence in the profession.
Student volunteers included rising 3Ls Cassandra Concilio and Juan Otero, and rising 2L Rani Jivani. Rising 3Ls Jake DeChick, SBA President, and Lisandra Triana, SBA Vice President, also represented the College of Law among members of the bench and bar. The evening provided valuable networking opportunities for students while celebrating the accomplishments of legal leaders throughout South Florida.
Congratulations to John Kozyak, recipient of the Dyer Award; Melissa V. Jordon on her installation as President of the Miami-Dade Bar; and Maria Papasakelariou on her appointment as President of the Young Lawyers Section.
Pictured are members of the judiciary, alumni, and friends of STU Law, including Honorable Judge Marie Mato, Florida’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court; Honorable Judge Christina DiRaimondo, Miami-Dade Circuit Court; Honorable Judge Bronwyn C. Miller, Florida Third District Court of Appeal; Honorable Judge Linda Stein, Miami-Dade County Court and STU Law Adjunct Professor; STU Law alumna Honorable Judge Jose Rohaidy (‘17), Miami-Dade County Court; Honorable Judge Chiaka Ihekwaba (’01); Charise Morgan, Past President of the Miami-Dade Bar; STU Law alumna and Board of Advisors member Schuyler Smith (’09); Herman J. Russomanno, STU Law Adjunct Faculty Member, Chair Emeritus of the College of Law Board of Advisors, and former President of The Florida Bar; Thomas Santi (’25); Past President of CABA Javier Ley-Soto (’05); and alumni Herman Russomano III (’04) and Suzette Russomanno (’04), both past presidents of the Miami-Dade Bar.
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STU Law students had the opportunity to attend and volunteer at the Miami-Dade Trial Lawyers Association Judicial Reception alongside Dean Tarlika Nuñez-Navarro, connecting with members of the legal community while supporting the event through registration and guest check-in.
Student volunteers included rising 2L Joseph Faradji and rising 3Ls Valentina Benavides, Camila Godoy Heredia, Juan Otero, and Lisandra Triana. Also attending was rising 3L Gabriela Martinez, Dean Nuñez-Navarro’s research assistant, who joined the evening alongside members of the judiciary and legal profession.
The event recognized several distinguished members of the legal community, including Adjunct Professor Judge Abby Cynamon of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, recipient of the Judge Steve Levine Award; Judge Jason Dimitris of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, President of the Honorable Peter T. Fay Inn of Court, recipient of the Judge Manny Crespo Award; and Judge Monica Gordo of the Third District Court of Appeal, recipient of the Justice Harry Lee Anstead Award.
Also pictured are Adjunct Professor Judge Linda Singer Stein of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court and Amanda Demanda, Esq.
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More than 80 students from Miami Carol City Senior High School participated in this year’s Honorable Peter R. Palermo Mentorship Program at STU College of Law, culminating in the C.H.I.E.F. Challenge, a six-week legal research and advocacy project encouraging students to analyze important social, legal, and political issues impacting their communities.
Students presented thoughtful and impactful solutions while gaining valuable mentorship and advocacy experience alongside members of the legal community. The event also welcomed Rosalyn “Sia” Baker-Barnes, President of The Florida Bar, as keynote speaker.
The Palermo Mentorship Program continues STU College of Law’s longstanding commitment to mentorship, civic engagement, and developing future leaders both inside and outside the legal profession.
Special thank you to Kubicki Draper and The Leon Foundation for their continued generosity and support of the program’s mission.
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Professor Sandy Boisrond recently attended the 13th Annual Conference of the Association of Academic Support Educators in Las Vegas, hosted by UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law. Professor Boisrond served as a panelist for the presentation, “Playing Your Best Hand: Making Academic Probation Work For You and Your Students.”
The panel brought together eight Academic Intervenors to discuss effective approaches to managing academic probation programs, including setting a supportive tone during initial student meetings, addressing stigma, developing meaningful probationary-semester activities, expanding support services, tracking student progress, and providing continued guidance after students return to good academic standing.
Professor Boisrond shared insights on strategies for sustaining student success beyond probation, as well as approaches for supporting students amid increasing class sizes and evolving academic standards.
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St. Thomas University College of Law was proud to sponsor the Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers` 46th Annual Installation & Awards Reception, celebrating this year’s theme, “Rooted and Rising.” Senior Director Jennifer Ley-Soto, Samantha Alvarez (rising 2L), and Natalie Medina (rising 2L) attended the event.
The evening recognized the strength, leadership, and lasting impact of women in the legal profession while highlighting the importance of mentorship, community, and creating pathways for the next generation of lawyers.
STU Law is honored to support organizations that continue to elevate and empower women in law. Congratulations to MDFAWL’s newly installed President, Allison Leonard!
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