GRADUATING 3L BLSA MEMBERS!!!

HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR GRADUATING FLORIDA BLSA MEMBERS FROM OUR LAW SCHOOLS:

KIMBERLY A. ANDRE, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
MICHAEL A. BARNETT, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
ROBIN BENJAMIN, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
CHERRI-ANN BENTELY, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
JANE BOLIN, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
KIRA BRERETON, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
KAREN BROWN, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
SHARI CAMPBELL, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
KRYSTLE CANAII, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
WANDA CANNICK, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
ERICA CHAPLIN, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
LOURDES CLERGE, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
DANIELLA DANIEL, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
KESHARA DAVIS, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
AREY DESADIER, UNIVERSTIY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
MEREDITH ELDER, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
LISA-MARIE ELLIOT, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
HANGI EYSSALLENNE, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
YADANKUSH GETINET, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
JOSEPH GIANNELL, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
CLEVE GLENN, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
JAMILA GOODEN, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
JUILAN GRAY, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
EKECIA GRAYSON, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
MOHAMAD HAIDARA, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
LESLIE A. HAYES, FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL OF LAW
CAMIKA D. HAYNES, FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL OF LAW
OLGA VIANA HENRY, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
JANET HORNE, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
KARLYN HYLTON, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
JOHN JACKSON JR., FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
ALSON JACQUET, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
GERALDA JEAN, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
KENNETH A. JENKINS, FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL OF LAW
PATRICK JOHNS, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
THAD H. JOSEPH, FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL OF LAW
TRACEE JOSEPH, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
ALEMAYEHU KASSAHUN, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
LESLIE KING, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
JULIA LICORISH, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
DIONNE MCDONALD-JOSEPHS, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
MARLON MONROE, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
CONTI MOORE, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
JEFFERY MOUSSIGNAC, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
DEREK UCHECHUKWU OBIALO, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
CHRISTINA RILEY, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
ADITI SEHGAL, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
SHARAINE A. SIBBLIES, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
TASHIA M. SMALL, FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL OF LAW
JESSICA SMITH, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
STEPHEN A. SMITH, FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL OF LAW
GEORGE SPENCER, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
SHELLY-ANN A. SPRINGER, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
ELEAZAR “EL” STEWART, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
MARK STUART, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
RAFAEL TASSY, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
NNEKA UZODINMA, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
AYODELE VASSALL-GORE, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
EMILIA C. WALKER, FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL OF LAW
SASHA WATSON, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
MICHELLE WHITE, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
JACQUELIN WHITTINGHAM, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
MONIK WILLIAMS, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
ROBERT WILLIAMS, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
SAMUEL WILLIAMS, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
SHERNETTA RAY WILLIAMS, FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL OF LAW
STACEY D. WILSON, FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL OF LAW
DONALD G. WINE II, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
SERENA A. WITTER, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
ISSAC WRIGHT, ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
RICHARD WRIGHT V, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
DAMIAN ZIMMERMAN, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW

Congratulations to each and every one of you. Your accomplishment is awesome and we hope you will continue to be a part of BLSA.

Congrats for the New BLSA E-Boards in Florida!

Nova Southeastern School of Law

President: Edna Estime
Vice President: Jeff Wolfenbarger
Treasurer: Shanelle Browne
Secretary: Natashia Sinckler
Public Relations: Officer Kara Vaval

Florida A&M University College of Law

President: Alicia Peyton

Vice President - Jerika Mobley
Treasurer - Wyntress Patterson
Secretary - Lenis Archer

Parliamentarian - Patrice Featherstone

Florida Coastal School of Law

President: De'Anna M. Hines
V. President: Celena R. Bibbins
Secretary: Sharlene C. Stanford
Treasurer: Orlando Cruz
Parliamentarian: Janie Lowe Crittenden
Chaplin: Brandon R. Croom

St. Thomas University School of Law

President: Sheryl Montor (rising 3L)
Vice President: Karen Phillips (rising 2L)
Treasurer: Schuyler Smith (rising 2L)

Secretary: Peggy Buckine (rising 2L)

Florida State University College of Law

President: Alisia Adamson
Vice-president: Marquita Stephens
Treasurer: Shalisa Francis
Secretary: Marron Gebremeskel
Member at Large: Sherria Williams
Financial Secretary: Jo-Anna Nieves
Public Relations Director: Nichole Cadres
Florida International University College of Law

President: Mayowa Odusanya
Vice President: Valquisha Morris
Secretary: Mary Thwaites
Treasurer: Alexis Giles
Public Relations: Carshon White

University of Miami School of Law

President: David Coleman
Vice President: Shawnte Raines
Dir. of Communication: Leigh-Ann Buchanan
Treasurer: Yolanda Paschal
Historian: Rochelle Willis
Dir. of Community Service: Vincent Alexander
SRBLSA Liaison: Susan Walker
*HOPE Liaison: Hussainatu Blake
Sub-Regional Liason: TBA

University of Florida College of Law

Jonathan Blocker: President

Marie Triche :Vice President

Karen Derby:Treasurer

Nickisha Webb: Secretary

Barry University School of Law

Carolyn Cole:President

Valencia Poitier: Vice President

Jacqueline Brown: Treasurer

Tasha Simmonds- Secretary

Information Unavailable for:
University of Puerto Rico School of Law
Stetson University College of Law
Eugenio Maria De Hostos School of Law
Inter-American University School of Law
Pontifical Catholic University School of Law

From the NBLSA Attorney General

We are asking our members to contact Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker in efforts to consent to Genarlow Wilson’s habeas petition. Genarlow Wilson is a Georgia teen who was convicted of Aggravated Child Molestation for a voluntary act of oral sex with another teenager.

At the time of the alleged crime, Wilson was seventeen and the alleged victim was fifteen.
Along with the label “child molester” which will require him throughout his life to be on a sexual offender registry, Genarlow received a sentence of eleven years — a mandatory 10 years in prison and 1 year on probation.

On July 1, 2006, Georgia passed legislation ensuring that no teen prosecuted for consensual oral sex can receive more than a 12 month sentence or be required to register as a sex offender. While NBLSA applauds the Georgia legislature for rectifying the law that placed Genarlow Wilson in prison, we cannot remain idle until he is free.

Genarlow Wilson will be filing a habeas petition to seek his freedom from prison and to be removed from the sex offender registry. A habeas is a civil action which claims that a defendant is being unlawfully incarcerated. In Georgia, the Attorney General's office responds to this type of legal action. We are calling on the Attorney General of Georgia, Thurbert Baker to use his power to act justly, and review and consent to Wilson's habeas petition. As the guardian of justice in this State, we appeal to him to correct this grave injustice. Please contact Attorney

General Baker at:
Office of the Georgia Attorney General.
Hon. Thurbert Baker
40 Capitol Square, SW
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-3300

From the GSCBWLA....

Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association (GSCBWLA)
Events and Announcements 4-09-07

HLA has committed to assisting 10 migrants who recently came ashore and needs your help in meeting that commitment. Whether you are an immigration practitioner or not they need you help. HLA can provide training for anyone who is interested in helping. They need people who can get to the Broward Transitional Center (BTC) immediately and conduct interviews. As much as possible, HLA will be providing updates at http://www.haitianlawyers.org/. For more information, please contact Jeff Cazeau at jcazeau@wsh-law.com.

Dade County Bar Association's Federal Courts Committee Presents: Guest Speaker: Honorable Judge Marcia Cooke, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, Tuesday, April 11, 2007, 12:00 Noon, for additional information please access http://www.dadecountybar.org/calendar/event.nhtml?profile=calendar&UID=10837&date=20070411.

Friends of Florida Women of Acheivement Annual Luncheon on April 11, 2007 at the Biltmore Hotel. Registration: 11:30 am. Lunch and Awards: 12 noon. Cost: $75. To RSVP call, (305) 445-3721. A flyer is attached.


The Metro-Miami Action Plan (MMAP) presents South Dade Small Business Capitalization Initiative Business Seminar and Career Job Fair on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Miami-Dade College Kendall Campus, 11011 S.W. 104th Street, Registration is in Building G. For more information or to RSVP, please contact MMAP at (305) 372-7600.


Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce Business Empowerment Networking Series seminar entitled, "Money." to teach entrepreneurs how to gain access to business capital for investments, expansion and developments. This session is also intended to teach how to develop marketing tools that will increase the growth of your business. The seminar will be held at the Radisson Hotel Miami, 1601 Biscayne Blvd. at 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon on April 12, 2007. Cost: Free. For more information, please call (305) 751-8648 or register online at http://www.m-dcc.org/.

The Florida Bar Equal Opportunities Law Section invites you to attend the 2007 Annual Diversity Symposium to be held April 12-13, 2007, in Miami at the Florida International University College of Law, University Park, 11200 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199. This year's program will feature topics such as: Overcoming Obstacles: Lawyers with Disabilities, How to Become a Judge: War Stories from Federal, State and Appellate Judges, Loss of Future Diversity: Declining Minority Enrollment and Low Bar Passage Rate, Increasing Diversity in Corporate Law Offices and Law Firms: Techniques that Work. The symposium will conclude that evening with a reception honoring Minority and Women In-House Counsel. Attendees can earn CLE credit for the panel discussions.. Registration Information: There is no registration fee for this event and the receptions, but space is limited. You must register by April 6, 2007 to attend. If you have a Florida Bar number, you may register on-line at http://www.floridabar.org/ . The schedule is also attached.


The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) chapters of the University of Miami School of Law, St. Thomas University School of Law, and Florida International University College of Law have joined together to hold the First Annual South Florida Regional Black Law Students Association Gala on Saturday, April 14, 2007, at the new Radisson Miami Hotel. This Gala is an extraordinary event in that this is the first time the three chapters are collaborating to host a year-end awards banquet. It also marks the introduction of the South Florida Regional BLSA College Students Divisions. Cocktails: 7:30 p.m. Dinner: 8:30 p.m. Their hope is to bring together members of the legal community who have contributed immeasurably to the law students and the College Division members who are in serious need of guidance as evidenced by recent statistics. Please join us in the efforts to make this special event a meaningful opportunity for our schools to begin the process of reversing the trend of Black law student under-enrollment. Proceeds from the First Annual South Florida Regional Black Law Students Association Gala will be used to benefit the College Students Divisions at the University of Miami School of Law, St. Thomas University School of Law, and Florida International University College of Law. The value of sponsorship cannot be overstated. A sponsorship form has been attached for you convenience. The cost to attend is: $65 per person. Send payment to: University of Miami School of Law, 1311 Miller Drive, Room 112, Coral Gables, Florida 33146. For more information, please contact: um_blsa@yahoo.com. Those persons interested in being seated at a GSCBWLA table, please contact us at info@gsbwla.org after you have RSVPed.

Women's Chamber of Commerce Spring Luncheon on April 18, 2007, at Country Club of Coral Gables, 997 N Greenway Drive, Coral Gables, FL. Registration: 11:30 am Lunch: 12 noon. Cost: $30.00 Member with Advance RSVPs ; $40.00 Non-member with Advance RSVPs; $10 surcharge at the door for walk-ins. E-RSVP @ info@womenschamberofcommerce.org


Foster Care Review Inc. invites you to attend a FRIENDRAISER to celebrate its volunteers, friends, community partners and the best view in town. The event is hosted by Mellon and will be on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at the Mellon Financial Center, 30th Floor, 1111 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL 33131, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Parking will be validated at the reception. Price of Admission: Bring a friend who's interested in learning how Miami-Dade citizens are making a difference in the life of a child. For more information, please contact Ana Maria Pozo, Executive Director and RSVP by calling her at 305-573-6665, ext. 230.

The Junior League of Greater Miami has three scheduled "Open Houses" that will be open to women interested in coming out and learning about our many programs/projects that we partake. The scheduled "Open Houses" will be held on Saturday, March 24 at 1:30 pm, Wednesday, April 18 at 6:30 pm , and Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at 6 pm. All meetings will be held at Junior League of Miami Headquarters, 713 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, Florida 33134. We would like to invite you to one of our "Open Houses.

Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce invites you to a Women of Color event at Macy's Aventura Fshion Store on April 28, 2007. A flyer is attached with more information.

NBA Midyear meeting will be May 9-13, 2007. Gertrude Rush honorees include: Dr. Johnetta Cole, Louis Gossett, Henry Latimer (posthumously), Evett Simmons and Professor Charles Ogleetree. Registration is available on line at the following website. http://www.nationalbar.org/news/conferences/27h_midyear_reg_form.shtml.

The Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Broward County Hispanic Bar Association, Broward County Women Lawyers Association, Caribbean Bar Association, Cuban American Bar Association, Dade County Bar Association, Equal Opportunity Section of the Florida Bar, Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association, Haitian Lawyers Association, Miami-Dade Florida Association of Women Lawyers, Minority Corporate Counsel Association, Monroe County Bar Association, Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida, and Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association are hosting a seminar for the purpose of bringing together minority attorneys and national and local counsel to discuss the importance of increasing diversity in the legal profession. The conference will be held in Key West, Florida, from May 17-19, 2007. It has been approved for 7 General CLE Credits by The Florida Bar. Registration for the conference will be available soon on The Florida Bar website.


Erica N. Wright
Attorney at Law
Gunster Yoakley
One Biscayne Tower
Suite 3400
2 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, Florida 33131-1897
(305) 376-6032
(305) 376-6010 (fax)
Board Certified in City, County and Local Government Law
President of the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association

Message from the National Chair

Dear Membership:

I am writing in regards to the recent comments by Don Imus about the Rutgers Women Basketball Team. (See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036713/ ). Your national board is taking swift action on this matter. We have contacted the National Association of Black Journalist, MSNBC, and Westwood One concerning the issue. We have issued a press release concerning the issue. See attached document.

While Mr. Imus's comments did not violate any laws, we have the power to stand up when an assault is made on the black community. Taking a stance on this issue falls squarely in line with our theme for this year and our founding purpose: "40 Years of History: Ensuring Inseverability." In addition to taking a public stance, NBLSA chapters may individually take action.

On a local level, NBLSA chapters can send a message directly to MSNBC and Imus. The Young Black Professional Guide has a form directly linked to MSNBC and Imus. (See http://ybpguide.com/contact-msnbc-and-imus). If your chapter would like to make a comment on this issue, you may sign your chapter name under the "name" field, and send a message directly to MSNBC and Imus.While instances like this may be viewed as reactionary politics by some, we must keep in mind the broader implications of accepting a two-week suspension for behavior such as Mr. Imus. I would encourage the membership to stay intensified not only concerning issues such as this, but our key initiatives for the upcoming year.

Working for you,

Eddie L. Koen Jr.
National Black Law Students AssociationNational Chair - Elect 2007-2008

L. Jared Boyd
National Black Law Students AssociationAttorney General - Elect 2007-2008

South Florida Leading Trial Lawyer Speaks...

FREE BARBRI PREP COURSE- FUTURE 3Ls

Do you want someone to pay for you to take the BarBri prep course?
Are you taking the Florida Bar?
If you answered yes to both questions, please visit http://www.fefonline.org/.

Future 3Ls may apply for this program, even if you have already paid for BARBRI.
If selected for this program, BARBRI will reimburse you all amounts you previously paid to BARBRI. The Florida Education Fund (FEF)

The Florida Bar Foundation recently awarded the Florida Education Fund (FEF) an Administration of Justice Grant to help prepare minority law graduates to pass the Florida Bar Examination. The FEF will use the grant funds to pay BARBRI Bar review course tuition for selected law graduates who are first-time test takers and Florida residents, giving preference to graduates from Florida law schools.

The next application deadline is April 6, 2007.
All application materials must be received in their office by that date.

Florida Education Fund
813-272-2772
Fax: 813-272-2784
Web site: www.fefonline.org

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