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Download Magazine - Levin College of Law - University of Florida

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CLASS NOTESBedell 861986Frank M. Bedell <strong>of</strong> Orlando hasbecome chair <strong>of</strong> the Trial <strong>Law</strong>yersSection <strong>of</strong> The <strong>Florida</strong> Bar. Bedell haspreviously served the bar as president<strong>of</strong> the Young <strong>Law</strong>yers Division andas chair <strong>of</strong> the 2003 Annual MeetingCommittee.Lynne Borsuk <strong>of</strong> Atlanta, Ga. hasbeen elected president <strong>of</strong> the GeorgiaAssociation <strong>of</strong> Criminal Defense <strong>Law</strong>yers.the <strong>Florida</strong> Justice Association for hiscontributions on behalf <strong>of</strong> the FJA’slegislative efforts. Benrubi has beennamed as one <strong>of</strong> the 2008 <strong>Florida</strong>Legal Elite and has also been includedin <strong>Florida</strong> Super <strong>Law</strong>yers for the thirdconsecutive year.Scott E. Ray was recently appointedas a deputy chief in the Major CrimesSection for the United States Attorney’sOffice in the Southern District <strong>of</strong> <strong>Florida</strong>.1989Amy U. Hickman <strong>of</strong> DelrayBeach was awarded the <strong>Florida</strong>Adoption Council’s highest honor,the Adoption Star Award, for herwork in the area <strong>of</strong> adoption.David P. Milian was selectedas one <strong>of</strong> the Best <strong>Law</strong>yers inAmerica in the specialty <strong>of</strong>Commercial Litigation.Borsuk 86Ruffier 86Finney 87McMillan 87Nostro 87Hickman 89Elizabeth Green, <strong>of</strong> the Orlando firmLatham, Shuker, Eden, and Beaudinewas named to <strong>Florida</strong> Trend magazine’s<strong>Florida</strong> Legal Elite.William E. Ruffier, a partner with thelaw firm Dellecker, Wilson, King, McKenna& Ruffier, has been appointedgeneral counsel for the Boy Scouts<strong>of</strong> America, Central <strong>Florida</strong> Council.He also serves on the organization’sexecutive board and holds the rank <strong>of</strong>Eagle Scout.1987Madonna M. Finney <strong>of</strong> Tallahasseewas awarded the <strong>Florida</strong> AdoptionCouncil’s highest honor, the AdoptionStar Award, for her work in the area <strong>of</strong>adoption.Tuwana J. McMillan was named by<strong>Florida</strong> Super <strong>Law</strong>yers magazine as atop attorney in <strong>Florida</strong> for 2008. Shealso began a one-year term as chair <strong>of</strong>the Workers’ Compensation section <strong>of</strong>The <strong>Florida</strong> Bar on July 1.Louis Nostro was named to the Best<strong>Law</strong>yers in America Guide 2009 inthe areas <strong>of</strong> Tax <strong>Law</strong> and Trusts &Estates.1988Jaqueline Bozzuto was named by<strong>Florida</strong> Super <strong>Law</strong>yers magazine as atop attorney in <strong>Florida</strong> for 2008.Cathryn A. Mitchell has become partnerwith Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman.in New York, and will be spearheadingthe firm’s new <strong>of</strong>fice in Princeton.cam@cll.comRichard M. Benrubi, a partner atLiggio, Benrubi & Williams in WestPalm Beach, received the LegislativeLeadership “Shoe Leather” Award byDelray Beach City CommissionerMackenson ‘Mack’ Bernard (JD 02 / LLMT 03)Mackenson ‘Mack’ Bernardstepped into political <strong>of</strong>ficethis August fulfilling a call toserve he’s felt since high school andsetting a first, not just for himself, butfor many in Palm Beach County, Fla.When Bernard (JD 02 / LLMT 03)accepted appointment to the DelrayBeach City Commission this summer,he became the first person <strong>of</strong> Haitiandescent to hold political <strong>of</strong>fice in thecounty. Although about 10 percent <strong>of</strong>Delray Beach’s population is <strong>of</strong> Haitiandescent, he is among fewer thana dozen persons <strong>of</strong> Haitian descent tohold political <strong>of</strong>fice anywhere in thestate <strong>of</strong> <strong>Florida</strong>.“I love Delray Beach and I wanteda chance to make it a little bit better, togive something back,” Bernard said. “Iwas raised in Delray Beach and I spentmost <strong>of</strong> my life in Delray Beach.”Bernard emigrated to Delray Beachfrom Haiti in 1986 at the age <strong>of</strong> 10.After earning his undergraduatedegree in political science and criminologyfrom <strong>Florida</strong> State <strong>University</strong>in 1997, Bernard came to the <strong>University</strong><strong>of</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> to earn his JD and LLMin taxation.At UF, Bernard also met his wifeShawntoyia N. Bernard (JD 03) andpartner at Bernard & Auguste, ParnelD. Auguste (JD 05).“My pr<strong>of</strong>essors really pushed meto consider tax law and they nurturedme to follow my goal,” he said. “Theskills that they taught me are the skillsBernardthat I’m using at the city commission.”As the only attorney on the commission,Bernard’s education at UF andwork through his firm, which primarilyfocuses on tax, real estate and familylaw, have prepared him to deal with thecity’s home foreclosure woes.Bernard has several goals duringhis time on the commission. He plansto help bring more affordable housingto the city. He will work to help the citydeal with the budget crunch and workto make several streets in the city safer.Bernard took the place <strong>of</strong> a commissionerwho stepped down midterm.In his first political <strong>of</strong>fice, he saidhe still has a lot to learn but is happy tobe a public servant. His political ambitionsremain focused on being a commissionerfor now as he plans to runfor the commission seat in March.“I’m a public servant, the peoplewill decide,” Bernard said. ■50 UF LAW

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