Download Magazine - Levin College of Law - University of Florida

COURTROOM SKETCH COURTESY OF DANA VERKOUTERENBefore the bench Scott Makar (JD 87)BY ADRIANNA C. RODRIGUEZScott Makar received a barrageof tough questions whilearguing his first case beforethe U.S. Supreme Court in March,but the toughest one came from his7-year-old son Aaron, who watchedin the courtroom with his mom,Nancy Hogshead-Makar.“Did you answer them right?”was the first thing Aaron wanted toknow as he greeted Makar (JD 87)on the steps of the U.S. SupremeCourt after oral arguments.While Makar wasn’t able toanswer Aaron’s question at that moment,he can now.In June, the court ruled 7-2 infavor of Makar, who represented theFlorida Department of Revenue inFla. Dep’t of Revenue v. PiccadillyCafeterias, Inc.“It really is awe inspiring,” saidMakar of the historic courtroom andits architecture. “It’s very intimate,but also has this grandeur about it.It’s a very comfortable environmentin which to argue a case.”Makar argued the case as Florida’ssolicitor general, a post he was appointedto by Attorney General BillMcCollum (JD 68) in February 2007.Makar is the third to hold the position,which was established in 1999 andwhose term coincides with the attorneygeneral’s four-year term.As solicitor general, Makar overseescivil appeals in all state and federalcourts involving Florida interests, servesas legal policy adviser to the attorneygeneral, and teaches at Florida StateUniversity College of Law as the RichardW. Ervin (JD 28) Eminent Scholar.The eminent scholar chair was namedafter a former Florida attorney general.Makar’s interest in teachingbegan during his time at the Universityof Florida, when he taughtthe undergraduate business lawcourse at the College of Businesswhile juggling earning two master’sdegrees in business, a law degree,and a Ph.D. in economics.As a law student he founded theJournal of Law and Public Policy,a multidisciplinary journal that allowsstudents both in the LevinCollege of Law and other collegesaround campus to tackle currentlaw and policy issues. The journal,which celebrated its 20 th anniversaryin the spring, gives studentsanother opportunity to participatein a law journal at UF.“The Supreme Court chamber is very intimate,but also has this grandeur about it. It’s a verycomfortable environment in which to argue a case.”“Law review had just cut theirinvited membership in half, fromtop 10 percent to top 5 percent,leaving many law students withouta similar educational opportunity. Iwanted them, as well as other motivatedstudents, to have an option,”said Makar, who served on the lawreview and was the Journal of Lawand Public Policy’s first editor–inchief.Makar views the solicitor generalposition as combining the bestaspects of academic teaching andpracticing appellate law.“I consider this a capstone job,”Makar said. “This job is one of thebest I could imagine ever having asa lawyer or legal educator.” ■Makar with son Aaron (7),and wife Nancy in thenation’s capitol.FALL 2008 49