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Stetson Graduate Balances Careers as Attorney and FIFA Soccer Referee

By Brian K. Vandervliet

When Christina Unkel ’12 began refereeing soccer games as a 10-year-old, she couldn’t have known her skills would someday allow her to be paid to make crucial, split-second calls in premiere soccer games around the world. Her motivation, at that time, was simpler.

“I could ref two games and make $40 and have all the concession stand food you could want,” said Unkel. “For me, it was kind of a no brainer. It was something where I could play and practice soccer and then on my off-days referee. I ended up falling in love with it.”

Today, that love for “the beautiful game” and talent for officiating has earned her a spot as a FIFA referee and as one of only seven women officials in the U.S. who represent the U.S. Soccer Federation at the highest international levels. Since being named to FIFA’s panel in January 2013, she has officiated women’s soccer tournaments in Jamaica, British Virgin Islands, China and Mexico.

One of her most significant international games so far, Unkel said, was the opening game in the CONCACAF Women’s U-17 tournament in Jamaica. Unkel, now 27, described feeling goosebumps when leading players from Mexico and Haiti onto the field and hearing the FIFA International Soccer anthem.

“For me, it’s always the introductions that get me and kind of put me back into place and make me realize where I am and what’s going on,” she said.

For Unkel, there has almost always been a lot going on. During her 1L year at Stetson University College of Law, she was sidelined from having torn her ACL as a senior collegiate player at Palm Beach Atlantic University. By her second year of law school, Unkel recovered and began traveling nearly every weekend to officiate NCAA Division I and women’s professional soccer games.

“I would go to school, then on Friday afternoons I would fly out to some place and do a game and then fly back on Sunday evening to go back to school on Monday,” said Unkel, who officiated more than 80 games while at Stetson, in addition to serving on the moot court and alternative dispute resolution boards.

Today, Unkel is an attorney in Sarasota at the law firm Maglio, Christopher & Toale, and her workload and travel schedule remain as hectic as her law school days. She speaks of finding balance between officiating and the law, and how she has found many similarities between them both.

“It’s important to think in that perspective where you can take a step back and look at entire situations — and not just the trees but also the forest,” said Unkel. “I really feel like law school has significantly helped me with doing that — and not just with my law career and refereeing, but also in life.”

At Stetson, Unkel earned a certificate of concentration in advocacy, and she fondly remembers the practical lessons learned. Professors such as Stephanie Vaughan and Joseph Morrissey stressed the importance of professionalism, presentation, attention to details, and other skills applicable both in the court and on the field.

“So we speak of advocacy skills as not just being the best advocate for your client, but also understanding what role and which mask you put on,” said Unkel. “At certain times, you have to be passive, sometimes you have to be aggressive, sometimes you have to be neutral, and that’s kind of the same thing with refereeing.”

As a second-year FIFA referee, Unkel said that she is grateful for the opportunities that she’s had and looks forward to future appointments. Last fall, she was selected for the final of the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico, in what was her first role as head referee in an international final. She hopes to one day represent the United States at a future FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympics.

“You just have to continue to perform, go to tournaments, and make sure you do well both on and off the field,” said Unkel.

This article was originally published in the Spring 2015 Stetson Lawyer magazine.

Lambda shows its pride at St. Petersburg events

The Lambda Legal Society at Stetson participated in the annual St. Petersburg LGBT Pride Parade, on June 27 in St. Petersburg. The weekend parade followed the Supreme Court’s historic decision regarding gay marriage on June 26.

Stetson Law students built a float, participated in the Pride parade in St. Petersburg. Photo by SeanCarlo Lopez. — Stetson Law students built a float, participated in the St. Petersburg LGBT Pride Parade. Photo by SeanCarlo Lopez.

Stetson students participating in the parade event shared their perspectives.

“It’s Fantastic,” said 2L Nathan Perry. “Everyone is smiling, everyone is colorful and the weather is perfect for a celebration. It’s like God wanted this to happen.”

“This is pretty phenomenal,” said 2L Christina Hartman. “Stetson has been a big part of this parade for many years and so the fact that we can be here after such a historic decision has come down is not only great for Stetson but for the community as well.”

Stetson's Lambda Legal Society celebrated Pride Night at Tropicana Field on June 12. Photo by Brittany Brochard. — Stetson’s Lambda Legal Society celebrated Pride Night at Tropicana Field on June 12. (L-R: Francisco Lopez, Steve Cozzi, and Nathan Bruemmer). Photo by Brittany Brochard.

The LGBT Pride Parade, spanning the Historic Kenwood Neighborhood and Grand Central District in St. Petersburg, featured more than 150 organizations and businesses supporting and celebrating the Tampa Bay LGBT community.

The parade is one of the largest of its kind in Florida, drawing more than 200,000 people.

Stetson’s Lambda also offered tickets to Pride Night during the Rays v. White Sox baseball game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on June 12 to all members of the Stetson community.

Slideshow:

Photos by SeanCarlo Lopez.

Who’s again rising to the top? Stetson grads among Super Lawyers, Legal Elite

Hundreds of Stetson Law graduates were ranked among the best lawyers in the state of Florida again this year.

This year, more than 400 Stetson Law graduates are named in the 2015 Florida Super Lawyers.

Stetson placed third among the list of law schools with the most honorees this year in Florida Trend’s Legal Elite.

Florida Super Lawyers includes 307 Stetson Law graduates and Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars includes 178 Stetson Law graduates. Stetson Law alumnus Christian D. Searcy is listed among the Top 10 2015 Florida Super Lawyers. Stetson Law graduates Tae Kelley Bronner, Tracy Raffles Gunn, Lynn Welter Sherman and Caroline Black Sikorske are listed among the Top 50 Women Florida Super Lawyers. The Top 100 Florida Super Lawyers list includes Stetson Law graduates Stephen D. Busey, Shane J. Kelley, Christian D. Searcy, Lynn Welter Sherman, Caroline Black Sikorske and Troy K. Smith.

A total of 117 Stetson Law graduates were selected for Florida’s Legal Elite in the July 2015 Florida Trend magazine. Stephen D. Busey, Mark A. Hanley and Rhea F. Law are included in the Legal Elite Hall of Fame. This year, 18 Stetson Law graduates were selected by their peers as “up and coming” attorneys and six Stetson Law graduates were voted outstanding attorneys working in the government and non-profit sectors among Florida Trend’s Legal Elite.

Super Lawyers magazine rates lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement through independent research, peer nominations and evaluations.

Florida’s Legal Elite, now in its 12th edition, showcases attorneys chosen by their peers who exemplify a standard of excellence in their profession.

Read the Super Lawyers list of Stetson Law alumni here: Florida Super Lawyers 2015 Stetson University

Read the Florida Trend list of Stetson Law alumni here: Florida Trend Legal Elite 2015 Stetson University

Think law school is for you? Two sessions at Stetson help you decide

Have you always wondered if law school is for you? Stetson University College of Law is hosting an open house in July and repeating in August about the admissions process for part-time law school applicants. Students interested in the full-time law program at Stetson are also invited to attend.

Prospective law students interested in attending should RSVP for one of the open house sessions:

Thursday, July 30, 12:15 p.m.-1 p.m. at the Tampa Law Center, 1700 N. Tampa St.
Thursday, Aug. 27, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Gulfport campus, 1401 61st St. S.

To RSVP and for more information and directions to Stetson’s Tampa Law Center or Gulfport campuses, visit http://www.law.stetson.edu/parttime or e-mail [email protected].

“I have commitments to work and to my family, so it was either part-time or not at all,” said third year part-time law student Drew McDannold. “If you want something badly enough, you’re going to make it happen and the part-time program at Stetson is a wonderful means to that end.”

Dire need for human rights advocates: Professor Nagle says after trip to Colombia

“There is a dire need for attorneys to be trained to be human rights advocates and to represent the human rights of indigenous groups, workers, displaced people, and individuals who are vulnerable to human trafficking, forced servitude, slavery, and other violations of fundamental human rights,” said Professor Luz Nagle, who faced the Medellin drug cartel during her tenure as a judge in Colombia.

Professor Nagle has recently been appointed to the Council of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, the world’s leading organization of international practitioners, bar associations and law societies that works to promote and protect human rights and the independence of the legal profession worldwide.

Professor Nagle, who teaches courses including international and transborder criminal law at Stetson University, returned to her native Colombia April 26-May 1 to teach a course on international law and advanced international law at the Universidad del Norte. She also conducted two symposiums and participated in a university-wide conference and informal meetings with students and professors at the Universidad del Magdalena.

Professor Nagle’s spring course at the Universidad del Norte covered the use of force, drone warfare, and transitional justice. She also met with Professor Shirlley Llain Arenilla LL.M.’09 to discuss effectively teaching international law topics.

Professor Luz Nagle presented at a symposium in Colombia.

“Colombia is awash in human rights issues,” said Professor Nagle. “There are more illegal landmines deployed in Colombia than in any other country. Human trafficking for both sex tourism and labor servitude is out of control, particularly in Medellin, Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta. Multinational corporations fund private security forces to terrorize workers that try to unionize or protest labor law violations, child labor is epidemic especially in illegal mining operations, and children are forcibly conscripted into being child soldiers by the FARC guerrillas and paramilitary forces. Colombia has one of the highest displaced populations in the world, and paramilitary groups and the FARC guerrillas continue to commit blatant human rights atrocities against the civil population, even as the FARC conducts peace negotiations with the Colombian government in Havana, Cuba.”

At the Universidad del Magdalena, Nagle served as a panelist in a symposium addressing human rights and the administration of justice that was attended by professors, university functionaries, and students in the master’s program in human rights. She also participated in a second symposium on the topic of corporate and social responsibility for students. Professor Nagle wrapped up the day participating as a panelist in a conference on transitional justice, the Colombian peace process with the FARC, and human trafficking cases.

Graduate profile: keeping up with Monica Sharma

monica-graduation-hr — Sharma lined up with classmates prior to the procession into the courtyard during Stetson Law’s commencement on May 16.

She arrived excited the afternoon before Stetson Law’s commencement to practice her processional across the stage. She assessed the stage quickly, and sped towards the ramp. It was hot, May in Florida, and the sun was in her eyes.

Monica Sharma had graduated with her J.D. early in December 2014. She had received the Walter Mann Award. She had already passed the bar. Her favorite photograph showed her signing in as a new member of the bar during her recent swearing in ceremony. On Saturday morning, May 16, she would join 243 other students in the graduate tent in Stetson Law’s crowded Gulfport courtyard.

She was a blur crossing the stage the Friday before commencement. She eyed the rows of seats facing the stage, and pointed to where her family would be watching on Saturday. She said she told them to arrive early for the best seat. Then she smiled broadly and cruised across the stage again, practicing the procession one more time.

IMG-20150429-WA0012_resized — Sharma was recently sworn in as a new member of the bar.

“Stetson has simply spoiled me,” Sharma said before taking one more practice spin for commencement. “The professors and faculty are very kind and helpful. So many things were taken care of without my even asking. It’s been an amazing experience, and I’ll miss being a student.”

Vaughan promoted to associate dean, student engagement

Stetson University College of Law professor Stephanie Vaughan has been promoted to associate dean for student engagement.

Stephanie Vaughan is Stetson's new associate dean for student engagement. — Stephanie Vaughan is Stetson Law’s new associate dean for student engagement.

In her new position at the College of Law, Professor Vaughan will help guide students through their development into significant advocates, practitioners and individuals, blending their academic experience with co-curricular and extracurricular experiences to prepare the whole graduate.

“The next innovation in legal education is linking together elements of a legal education experience that have long been thought to be unconnected and distinct,” said Dean and Professor of Law Christopher Pietruszkiewicz.

Professor Vaughan has served for nearly two decades with the legal research and writing faculty at Stetson. She previously served as associate director for the Center for Excellence in Advocacy and as associate director, interim director and faculty liaison of international programs at Stetson Law. She will continue to teach courses in legal research and writing and advocacy.

Vaughan has mentored numerous students on Stetson’s award-winning moot court teams, including the world championship team that won the 2005 Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court Competition. She co-coached the Willem C. Vis International Arbitration Moot Team that won an award in every category in Hong Kong in 2014.

Professor Vaughan was appointed to the Global Skills Committee of the Legal Writing Institute and she co-chaired the Women in International Law Committee of the Florida Bar International Law section.

Before joining the Stetson Law faculty, Vaughan practiced law for a half-decade. Vaughan graduated with a J.D. with honors from Stetson University in 1991, receiving the Outstanding Woman Law Graduate and Cecil and Augusta Bailey Scholarship awards. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and graduated from Seminole High School.

Stetson wins Hermes Creative Awards for video features

Stetson University College of Law’s communications team in Gulfport, Florida, has been honored with multiple Hermes Creative Awards for its video features spotlighting students and alumni. Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition for creative professionals who work on concept, writing and design using traditional materials and emerging technologies.

Stetson won a platinum Hermes Creative Award for its video series. — Stetson won a platinum and a gold Hermes Creative Award for its video series.

Stetson’s video production manager Stan Arthur and manager of media relations Brandi Palmer interviewed multiple students, alumni and faculty to produce the award-winning features.

Stetson Law has won a platinum award in the nonprofit category for its eight-video series, “Serving the Public Interest,” featuring law alumni living and working in public service fields in the Tampa Bay region; a gold award in the marketing service category for the video, “What Kind of Advocate Are You?” featuring interviews with students, faculty, and Stetson Law Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz; and an honorable mention in the marketing service category for the student feature, “The Glamorous Side of Stetson Law: Karin Paparelli,” showcasing the unique talents of the Nashville country music singer/composer turned law student.

This year’s competition included 6,000 entries from the U.S. and 22 other countries. Entrants ranged from top advertising agencies and PR firms, to corporate marketing and communication departments, production companies, and freelancers. Only 15 percent of entries received the platinum award, the highest honor, and 22 percent received the gold recognition.

Professor teaches course on elder law in Israel

Professor Roberta Flowers, co-director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law, is teaching elder law practice and education in the U.S. at the invitation of Israel Doran, chair of the geriatric department at Haifa University in Israel.

Professor Roberta Flowers is teaching elder law in Israel.

“Because elder law is not a specialty in the legal profession in Israel, elder advocates such as Professor Doran see robust elder law clinics at law schools as essential to moving the legal profession toward elder law,” said Professor Flowers. “He invited me to speak at the two public law schools who have newly developed elder law clinics about elder law in U.S.”

While visiting and teaching in Israel in May, Professor Flowers also spoke with the staff at Tel Aviv University about their plans to develop an elder law clinic as a natural extension to their Holocaust survivors clinic.

Stetson’s FAWL named outstanding student chapter

Stetson University College of Law’s student chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers has been named the 2015 Outstanding Student Chapter.

Stetson's chapter of FAWL was named best chapter. — Stetson’s FAWL executive board 2014-2015 L-R: Katie Salemi, Jessica Ford, Brittany Jones, Courtney Cox, Ellen Fichtelman and Joann Grages Burnett.

FAWL adviser and associate director of career development Joann Grages Burnett was named Student Organization Advisor of the Year and the outgoing Stetson FAWL student president Ellen Fichtelman was named Stetson Student Organization Leader of the Year.

Burnett, who serves as the law school liaison for FAWL, has also been selected for inclusion in the FAWL 2015 Class of Leaders in the Law.

“FAWL always works hard to provide excellent and relevant programming to its members and represents Stetson very well on and off-campus,” said Burnett.

Stetson’s chapter will receive its award during this year’s FAWL Annual Gala during the Florida Bar’s annual convention on June 24 in Boca Raton.

Part-time J.D. student takes on credit card giant in patent trial

Part-time J.D. student Stephen Lewellyn is not a typical law student in Stetson’s law program. Lewellyn balances law school at Stetson with working at the Maxey Law Offices, PLLC in St. Petersburg, Florida. He has been practicing administrative patent law since 2002, when he was admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Part-time Stetson Law J.D. student Stephen Lewellyn.

“Administrative patent law is a bit of a strange animal in that a law degree is not required to practice. Rather, you must have an engineering or science degree to sit for the Patent Bar Exam,” said Lewellyn. “I took and passed the exam shortly after getting my mechanical engineering degree. And similar to passing a state bar exam, to pass the Patent Bar Exam, you must demonstrate legal skill and knowledge in administrative patent law.”

On May 12, just four days before walking in the College of Law commencement, Lewellyn will be traveling to Alexandria, Virginia, to present as lead counsel before three judges on the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Lewellyn will be going toe-to-toe with credit giant MasterCard for his client, an individual fighting to protect his patents.

“I think one of the biggest challenges during the hearing will be presenting a lot of technical information in a short period of time and in a manner that is straight forward and persuasive,” said Lewellyn.

Lewellyn explained that his client is seeking holds patents on a secure credit card transactions system and method. The patents cover the use of a substitute credit card number used to secure credit card transactions and prevent identity theft. In 2013, Lewellyn’s client filed a patent infringement lawsuit against MasterCard, Discover and Citigroup in Delaware federal court. MasterCard responded by filing challenges to the patents, alleging they are invalid. Lewellyn will be presenting oral arguments to defend his client’s patents during the May 12 hearing.

“I picked Stetson for a few reasons, including its national recognition as a leader in legal advocacy and writing and because of its part-time program,” Lewellyn said. “I think the best advice I could give someone considering the part-time program is to be prepared for the commitment and to discuss this with family and work.”

Student Starcee Brown receives Single-Parent Scholarship Award

Student Starcee Brown, a single parent in Stetson University College of Law’s part-time J.D. program, received a scholarship from the law firm of Katz & Phillips, P.A. on March 3.

The essay-based scholarship benefits high-achieving single parents who plan to attend or are currently attending law school.

Scholarship applicants were asked to write about how single parenthood has affected their education, an obstacle encountered in pursuing legal education, or how a scholarship assists them and their family as they pursue an education.

Brown plans to graduate with her J.D. from Stetson Law in 2016. She completed her master’s in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida in only 16 months after finishing a bachelor’s in criminology at Florida State University.

“One piece of advice that I would give another single parent getting ready to start law school is to manage your time so that you can give as much attention to your child as you do to your studies.”

Brown plans to practice as a criminal defense attorney and a family law attorney after graduating from Stetson.