Florida’s first female attorney general, Pam Bondi, presented Stetson Law commencement on May 18

Florida’s first female attorney general, Pam Bondi, presented the commencement speech at Stetson University College of Law at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 18. Commencement took place in the courtyard on Stetson’s Gulfport campus. See more of the commencement experience.

Bondi received her law degree from Stetson University in 1990 and a bachelor’s in criminal justice from the University of Florida in 1987. Watch the commencement video.

“As Florida’s first female attorney general, I’m here to tell you that you can do anything you want to do, and don’t let anyone stand in your way,” said Bondi.

A Tampa native and fourth generation Floridian, Bondi worked as a prosecutor in the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office for 18 years before being elected in November 2010 to serve as Florida’s 37th attorney general.

Bondi is a member of the State Board of Administration and the Florida Cabinet, is vice chair of the southern region of the National Association of Attorneys General, and serves on Florida’s Special Olympics board of directors. She was recognized by the Tampa Bay Review as a “Lawyer of Distinction” and received the “Women of Excellence in Government” award. Download a high-resolution image here.

A total of 353 students walked at Stetson Law’s commencement, including 51 part-time JD students, 11 LL.M. in elder law students, 17 LL.M. in international law students, 25 JD/MBA students and one JD/MPH student. Student Kimberly Clark, a part-time student who came to Stetson Law to pursue a second career, died shortly before graduation but was presented her degree on Saturday. Students participated in a memorial tribute to Clark during commencement, remembering her with pebbles tossed into the courtyard fountain that rose in hundreds of ripples signifying the impact of her life.

“You never know what’s around the corner,” Bondi told the graduates. “It’s only important that you take it.”

This year’s graduating class included:

• Jamie Combee and Erik Johanson, both co-editors of Stetson’s new Journal of Advocacy and the Law and members of the Moot Court Board. Combee is also a member of Stetson’s Trial Team.
• Caitlein Jammo, president of the American Constitution Society, editor-in-chief of the Journal of International Aging, Law & Policy, Stetson Law Review editor and Moot Court Board member.
• Frank Leung, representative to the Florida Bar YLD–Law Student Division board of governors, deputy chief student ambassador, national law student liaison to the ABA Section of Real Property, Trust & Estate Law, editor of the Journal of International Aging Law & Policy, and Alternative Dispute Resolution board member.
• Nicole Martingano, a member of Stetson’s Alternative Dispute Resolution board and future prosecutor who turned a near-fatal car accident into determination to help victims.
• Erin Okuno, a Biodiversity Fellow, president of the Environmental Law Society, Stetson Law Review editor-in-chief, Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy editor, and member of Stetson’s Moot Court Board.

Photos on Flickr:

» Spring Commencement

» Family Celebration

» Honors and Awards Ceremony

» Tower Photos

PLEASE NOTE: Additional photos will be added to our Flickr page as they become available from photographers. These images will not include those taken by Bob Knight Photography.

Commencement Slideshow

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Post date: April 8, 2013

Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
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