Tag: Shepard Broad College of Law

Symposium Explores Legal Reponses to COVID-related Trauma

On Friday, March 11, at 9 a.m., NSU will hold a symposium address the legal and systemic responses to psychological trauma associated with COVID-19.

Since January 2020, COVID-19 has ravaged the United States’ population physically, economically, and psychologically.  Caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (“COVID-19”), the pandemic simultaneously decimated the population, shuttered businesses, and traumatized those experiencing its effects.  In early 2021, just as the country believed that it had survived the worst of the pandemic, the Delta variant appeared, causing a surge of cases worse than the first.

Consequently, increased prevalence of mental, neurological, and substance use disorders already has and will continue to present the legal system with challenges of previously unknown proportions.  As mental health professionals substantiate and address the negative impacts of uncertainty, fear, isolation, and economic hardship, legal issues are multiplying. This symposium will explore a range of those legal issues and is intended to foster study and discussion of mental health and ways the legal system can improve it.

For more information on speakers and event program, click here.

Posted 03/03/22

Law Alumna is Candidate for Florida Bar President Elect

Lorna Brown-Burton, J.D.

Should Lorna Brown-Burton, J.D. ’87, be elected, she will become the first female graduate from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law to be President Elect and then President of The Florida Bar in its 70-plus year history.

Brown-Burton has 25-plus years of leadership experience as president, chair, and executive committee member at the local, regional, and state levels.  She brings to the table her vast and diverse leadership experience at the Florida Bar, and 30-plus years with voluntary bars, as well as more than 20 years of experience on community, non-profit and civic Boards.

Brown-Burton says [she] “is the right person at the right time, and that time is NOW.”

She says that her vision is to ensure the independence of all Florida Lawyers and to ensure that ALL Florida Lawyers have the resources necessary to be the success they desire. Her campaign is about ALL Florida Lawyers and what the Florida Bar can do for Florida Lawyers.

Brown-Burton was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1987, after receiving her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida and her law degree from the NSU Center for the Study of Law, where she also sits on the school’s Board of Governors. She is also admitted in the U.S. Southern District of Florida.

She primarily practices in workers’ compensation defense, but also represents clients in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy matters, labor and employment and real property.  Since joining the Bar, she has worked for several private firms before forming her own in 2004 and then merging that into Brown-Burton & DeMicco in 2014.  Brown-Burton is a partner at Lubell | Rosen, where she manages the Workers’ Compensation Defense Practice Group.

Since joining the Board of Governors in 2012, Brown-Burton has served on the Communications, Budget, Disciplinary Procedure, Disciplinary Review, Strategic Planning, and Program Evaluation committees and the Board Review Committee on Professional Ethics.

Posted 02/27/22

Law Grad is Florida’s First African American Federal Defender

Attorney Alec Fitzgerald Hall, graduate of NSU’s Shepard Broad College of Law (SBCOL) is Florida’s first African American Federal defender. Hall received his appointment letter in June 2021 from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Chief Judge William Pryor, formally installing him as the new Federal Defender for the Middle District of Florida.  This makes history for both the Middle District of Florida and for the State of Florida as there has never been an African-American to lead the Defender’s Office in these regions.  The Honorable Charles R. Wilson, Eleventh Circuit Judge, swore Hall in as the new Federal Defender on June 21st.  The Middle District of Florida’s jurisdiction extends from Jacksonville south covering all areas including Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, and Ft. Myers.  The Middle District is the second largest district in the country.  The motto for the Federal Defender’s Office is “Representing Those Who Cannot Represent Themselves.”

Alec Hall

Hall is a native of Tampa and was reared by his maternal grandmother, the late Maggie Cleggette, along with his two brothers and sister in the Riverview Terrace Housing Projects in Tampa, Florida. Hall is a graduate of Hillsborough Senior High School, and Project Upward Bound, and he later attended and graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American history (post-bellum America).   Hall formerly worked for the Florida Department of Corrections as a probation officer and later worked for the Florida Parole Commission as a parole examiner prior to attending law school. Hall received his Juris Doctor degree in 1997 from NSU.  He subsequently received his Master’s of Divinity degree (in ministry) from Luther Rice University and Seminary in Lathonia, Georgia.

Hall has practiced law for over 23 years beginning his career as a state assistant public defender for Seminole and Brevard Counties.  He has been an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Middle District of Florida for over 20 years.  Hall specializes in vertical criminal representation, which includes trial, appellate, and habeas corpus practice.  Hall has tried numerous cases and is known as a tough litigator.  He is a member of the Florida and District of Columbia Bars.  He is also a member of the United States Supreme Court, the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eleventh Circuit, and D.C. Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida.  Hall has appeared before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals for oral argument on several occasions and had his client’s conviction reverse/vacated in United States v. McCarrick, 294 F.3d 1286 (11th Cir. 2002) (published opinion) and obtained a certificate of appealability from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, reversing the district court, in Barrett v. Secretary Florida Department of Corrections, Case No. 13-15153-EE (first-degree murder – life case).

Hall is an over 31 year and life member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.  He was recognized with the Hometown Hero Award by the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau of Tampa, Florida for his efforts in helping to secure the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.’s 82 Grand Conclave now rescheduled for Summer 2024.

Hall is very grateful for the wonderful support of his wife, Yvette Renee Evans Hall, their daughter, Maiyah, and a host of others family, friends, and supporters which are too numerous to name.

Hall chose Nova Southeastern University’s SBCOL because he was a native Floridian and wanted to remain in Florida. NSU gave him the opportunity to pursue his dream of practicing law. He graduated in 1997. His advice to our current SBCOL students is to put the work in.

According to Hall, your work-ethic will say a lot about you and will develop your reputation in the legal field.  Do not be lazy and re-review before going to court or filing pleadings, i.e., “make sure you got it.”

He advises to know your area of the law well, and most importantly, do exactly what he always told himself, “chase your dreams of being a lawyer!” It will happen for you.

Fins up!

Posted 02/13/22

Law College Alumna Teaches Others to Become Empowered

Kara Vaval, Esq.

Kara Vaval, Esq., graduate of NSU’s Shepard Broad College of Law (SBCOL) is known as The Laptop Lifestyle Lawyer ®. She is an author, keynote speaker, business development coach, and the President of Vaval Law, a personal injury law firm.  She is also the CEO of the InPowerment Institute, LLC, an educational and empowerment platform geared toward delivering courses, training, and coaching services to students.

Vaval subscribes to the belief that “when you do what you love, you never work a day in your life.”

According to Vaval, the path to where she is today began when she was very young. She was always a “talker” but not just talking for the sake of making noise. Rather, she was witty and very logical, always making good, solid points, even when they were unpopular. She grew up hearing that she had what it took to be a good lawyer and feels that she internalized those projections. After Vaval’s father was brutally murdered in Haiti in 1996 (she was only 14 and he was only 42), with justice still not having been served 25 years later, being a voice for the voiceless and righting injustice forcefully pulled at her. Adding to the mix was her insatiable desire to make her father proud by making something significant of herself with the principles, foundation, and discipline he had imparted onto her during the years she had the honor of journeying with him around.

Vaval took a very different and exciting path to success that has allowed her to combine both her passions for law and helping others. Her days consist of a workload split between the practice of law and her Laptop Lifestyle Lawyer® students. She also has a very robust schedule including networking functions, Lunch and Learn events to provide lawyers with an opportunity to learn how to change their lifestyle, hosting virtual events, conducting discovery calls and guest speaking engagements.

In 2016, Vaval was the recipient of the Beacon of Hope and Achievement Award presented to her by The Consulate of the Republic of Haiti in Miami. Also, in 2016 she published her book “28,000 Days…Make Yours Count! An Inspiring Perspective for Living Your Best Life!” In 2019, Vaval won a $2.1 million jury verdict for her minor client while working from the comfort of her pool!

Vaval chose Nova Southeastern University’s SBCOL because it was the most reputable law school in the South Florida area when she moved down from New York in 2005. She graduated in 2008 and is licensed to practice law in Florida. Her advice to our current SBCOL students is to remember that law school will get your foot in the door of the world of law. But it’s hustle, grit, resourcefulness and outside the box thinking that will make you a fortune with a JD in hand. Also, remember that there will be no “right” way to do this thing. Just find YOUR way.

Posted 01/16/22

2022 Berger Entrepreneur Bootcamp on Feb. 18-19

The Shepard Broad College of Law and the Sharon and Mitchell W. Berger Entrepreneur Law Clinic proudly present the 2022 Berger Entrepreneur Bootcamp: Innovating Successfully – Making it Happen!

The bootcamp will be Friday, February 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. and Saturday, February 19, from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission to the program is free and includes course materials, breakfast, coffee, and water. Lunch can be purchased for $20 per day.

Building on the successes of the previous two Berger Entrepreneur Bootcamps, each with more than 200 in-person and online participants, the program will immerse entrepreneurs in the skills and disciplines needed to successfully launch and grow a start-up business.

The 2022 Bootcamp will feature a faculty of more than 20 diverse presenters from NSU’s Shepard Broad College of Law, NSU’s H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, start-up founders, and other experienced professionals and participants in South Florida’s start-up ecosystem.

This two-day workshop is open to ALL NSU students, faculty, staff, and the general public.  It also will be simulcast and recorded for those who want to attend the program online.

Posted 01/16/22

Law Professor’s Article Discusses Legal Education During COVID

Debra Vollweiller, J.D.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Debra Vollweiler, J.D. of the Shepard Broad College of Law, was featured in magazine Experience (ABA), where she discusses how Covid-19 crisis reshaped legal education.

Working in academia since 1995, Professor Vollweiler writes how effective remote legal education is and goes over challenges and how adaptations had to be done because of the conversion to online learning.

Vollweiler has published more than 30 works on professionalism, teaching, learning, and attorney discipline. She is the co-author of a book on reforming legal education. Her latest work, “If you Can’t Beat’Em, Join’Em (Virtually): Institutionally Managing Law Students as Consumers in COVID World,” is part of a series examining institutions responsibilities to students.

Read the full article.

Posted 11/28/21

Law Professor Honored as a 2021 Top Black Educator

Olympia Duhart

Olympia Duhart, a professor in the Shepard Broad College of Law, was recently recognized as one of South Florida’s Top Black Educators of 2021. Duhar is the college’s associate dean for Faculty & Student Development and a full-time faculty member.

Duhart was also recognized by the Association of Legal Writing Directors (ALWD) at its biennial conference. Duhart received the ALWD Outstanding Service Award. The award is given to ALWD members who contribute extraordinary national service to the organization. ALWD’s mission is to support the legal writing community as teachers, scholars, and leaders.

The full issue and list of honorees from South Florida and Miami can be found here.

Posted 11/14/21

Webinar Discusses Death Penalty in Florida, Oct. 15

In collaboration with Barry University and various other sponsors, the Shepard Broad College of Law, will be hosting a webinar themed: The Death Penalty in Florida: The Case Against Death. Join on Friday, October 15, at 9 a.m. on Zoom to listen to keynote speaker Sister Helen Prejean, founder of the Ministry Against the Death Penalty discuss the important topics on this matter, along with various other guest speakers.

This one-day, virtual event puts the practice of state executions on trial. Expert witnesses will make the case against this 4,000-year-old “ultimate retribution.” “The Case Against Death” will feature nationally recognized advocates and scholars as well as those who have lived through the experience of being innocent but on “death row.” This seminar will address the legal challenges, the equity issues, as well as the social, moral, and financial costs. If you think you know where you stand on the death penalty, you won’t want to miss this.
All welcome to attend. For more information on this event, visit the Shepard Broad College of Law Alumni page.

College of Law Alumna Tapped for Top Navy Position

Meredith Berger was sworn in as the assistant secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations & Environment (EI&E) by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, during a ceremony at the Pentagon Aug. 5.

Meredith Berger/U.S. Army photo by William Pratt

Berger holds a Juris Doctor degree from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law, a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and Spanish from Vanderbilt University, and a Master’s in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.

She has served in various positions in state and federal government including the Florida Department of Financial Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Defense. Berger served as the deputy chief of staff to the Secretary of the Navy from 2014 to 2017. Most recently, she was a senior manager for Microsoft’s Defending Democracy Program.

Having grown up in Florida, Berger is proud to be the sponsor of the USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28).

The assistant secretary of the Navy for EI&E serves the Department of the Navy and the nation by enhancing combat capabilities for the warfighter and greater energy security; enhancing climate change resiliency; acquiring and disposing of real property; construction and maintenance of installations; protecting the safety and occupational health of the military and civilian personnel; environmental protection, planning and restoration ashore and afloat; and conservation of natural and cultural resources.

NSU Faculty Members Named Top Black Educators of 2021

Désir

Duhart

Nova Southeastern University’s Charlene Desir and Olympia Duhart were recently named among Legacy South Florida magazine’s Top Black Educators of 2021.

Duhart, J.D., serves at the director of legal research and writing and professor of law at NSU’s Shepard Broad College of Law. Duhart, who earned her Juris Doctorate as a magna cum laude at NSU in 2003, was founding member of the Critical Skills Program at NSU before joining the faculty at the university.

Her scholarship focuses on government accountability for historically marginalized groups of people. She has published extensively on Hurricane Katrina survivors, and has most recently written about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among veterans and members of the military.

Charlene Désir, Ed.D., a full professor at NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, received her doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2006. Désir’s academic interest is in the social, psychological, and spiritual adjustment of immigrant students, schools’ social curriculum, and psycho-social trauma occurring in schools.

She was the 2012 president of the Haitian Studies Association. She has developed cultural literacy projects in Haiti, and for immigrant children in the United States.

Legacy South Florida magazine is a publication serving South Florida’s Black community with insightful articles and information on business, careers, politics, education, culture and social commentary. It is published by M•I•A Media Group LLC, one of the nation’s largest Black publishers of its kind, with more than one million readers bi-monthly.

Established in 2004, M•I•A’s publications are distributed through the Miami Herald and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspapers.

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