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1990s Class Notes

1990 Reunion Year

Sharon Aizer and family moved to her hometown of Pensacola, FL, in 2003. She started a practice, and a dog sports club called Pensacola Active DogS (PADS). Aizer writes “Ron and I survived Hurricane Ivan with minimal damage, but I can’t say the same for mom’s home on the beach.”

Ed Burley returned from 14 months of duty with the Army Special Operations Command in Iraq and is currently working with classmate Gregg Nivala on Iraq Regime Crimes at the Department of Justice. Burley is engaged to Clare Waple of U.K. Customs, and the wedding is scheduled for October in England.

Noel H. Gordon reports that “life is good.” He has a three-year-old son named Duarte. Two years ago, Gordon started his own human resources & procurement consulting firm in Princeton, NJ.

The managing partner at Moss, Mason & Hill in Greensboro, NC, Matt Mason achieved his third consecutive top ten finish at the 2004 “Assault on Mt. Mitchell,” a 100-mile bike ride. The race is ranked as one of the five toughest century rides by Bicycling magazine.

Gerard St. Ours and his wife Barbara welcomed a new son, Henry David, on August 23. St. Ours reports that big sisters Molly (6) and Rachel (4) are thrilled to have a baby brother. St. Ours is associate general counsel at Johns Hopkins University.

Jane Paulson was elected President of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association for 2004–2005. On the family front, Paulson gave birth to son, Grady, February 5.

William E. Thro was appointed State Solicitor General of Virginia in the Office of the Attorney General. Thro resides in Yorktown, VA.

1991

Charles F. Beall, Jr., is a shareholder with Moore, Hill & Westmoreland, PA in Pensacola, FL. He handles a wide variety of civil litigation and is board certified in appellate practice by the Florida Bar. He is currently serving as president of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association and was named one of 50 up-and-coming community leaders by the Pensacola Business Journal. He and his wife Paige have two daughters, Lauren (6) and Grace (3).

Lisa Goodwin Michael gave birth to her second child, Peter Elias, in October 2003. She reports that “his 9-year-old sister Sabrina has thoroughly enjoyed having a sibling.”

1992

D. Forrest Brumbaugh of Fulbright & Jaworski LLP was named a “Texas Super Lawyer” by Texas Monthly. Brumbaugh’s practice area is mergers and acquisition, and he is a partner in the Dallas office.

KwassDavid L. Kwass, a litigator and victim’s advocate, was elected partner at the law firm of Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett, and Bendesky, PC, in Philadelphia, PA.

Tony Paikeday launched Silicon Counsel LLP in February of 2004, “an effort aimed at reinventing the traditional law firm business model by revolutionizing the market for corporate legal services,” according to Paikeday. The firm’s mission is to provide companies with the highest quality legal representation and service at affordable prices. Paikeday was inspired to start this innovative new firm while serving as general counsel of zBox Company, a VC-funded technology company that he co-founded in 2001. He thanks his wife, Tina Shah (McIntire ’94), for her unwavering support as he pursued this, a dream he has had since his days at the Law School.

Jonathan E. Perkel wed Lilibeth Amit Estilow in November. Details, photos, and contact information can be found at http://members.aol.com/jperkel/ announcement.html.

Christa Speight Rapoport, husband Michael, and big brother Joshua (5) welcomed Ethan Clarence Rapoport on April 20. Rapoport left Tokio Marine and can now be found at Selective Insurance Group, Inc., where she serves as corporate counsel.

Cynthia Shepherd Torg and husband Jay announce the birth of their first child, William Jay, born April 6. In late 2004, Torg was awarded the Department of Justice’s Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service, the highest award presented by the DOJ’s Criminal Division. Torg received the award in recognition for her work fighting organized crime and law enforcement corruption, which culminated in the high profile trial and conviction of a former Boston FBI agent.

1993

Bill Bailey has joined XM Satellite Radio as Senior Vice President. He previously served as senior counsel to the Senate Commerce Committee, where he was the senior Senate staffer for all communications issues. Bailey works in Washington, DC. The Chicago Bar Foundation and the Chicago Bar Association recognized

Catherine M. Burkhardt with the Maurice Weigle Exceptional Young Lawyer Award, for her professional achievements and vast contributions to pro bono work at Piper Rudnick LLP. The award is given annually to honor one young Chicago-area attorney. Burkhardt works largely through the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) Foundation, chairing the Asian American Legal Service Clinic and serving on the CVLS Board of Directors. At Piper Rudnick, she is active in the pro bono program in many capacities, including summer associate pro bono coordinator and member of the signature project committee.

W. Andrew H. Gantt III was named partner in the Washington, DC, office of Latham & Watkins LLP. Gantt practices corporate and regulatory law, with a focus on health care and life sciences.

Charlotte (Black) Grzebien and husband John welcomed baby Jack (John) Carlson on June 20. Grzebien and her family lives in Alexandria, VA.

Steven D. Hitchcock was named to membership at Bell, Boyd & Lloyd’s Washington, DC, office. Hitchcock is a member of the firm’s communications group and concentrates his practice in telecommunications matters and complex litigation.

1994

Jim Black has moved to the Frankfurt office of London-based Linklaters and is focusing on capital markets and crossborder mergers & acquisitions.

Heidi Brown authored a litigation manual for first-year lawyers, Fundamentals of Federal Litigation. The manual is a realistic, practical “how-to” guide that teaches young attorneys how to actually practice law in federal courts throughout the United States utilizing flowcharts, templates, and sample forms (see In Print).

John deGrandpre and his wife Jocelyn ’96 welcomed their third son, Aidan, into the world.

EdisonAndrew Edison of Bracewell & Patterson LLP was named as a “Texas Rising Star” for 2004 by Texas Monthly. Edison works in business litigation in the Houston office.

Meredith Shackelford Jeffries and her husband John announce the birth of their son, Jake Alexander, born on June 2. She and her family reside in Charlotte, NC, where Jake joins big sisters Sarah (9) and Emily (6). Jeffries practices labor and employment law with Alston & Bird LLP.

OzdoganM. Catherine Ozdogan of Bracewell & Patterson LLP was named as a “Texas Rising Star” for 2004 by Texas Monthly. Ozdogan practices in banking and financial services in the Houston office.

Mary Porter founded Curiosity Zone LLC, which is introducing a line of science and technology enrichment centers for children. The company launched the first Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, VA, in January, and plans to begin franchising this spring. Visit www.CuriosityZone.com for more information.

Ethan Gregory Shenkman joined the litigation practice of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP in Washington, DC. Shenkman joins the firm after nine years’ experience with the U.S. Department of Justice, where he was one of the Department’s leading experts on issues relating to international trade and investment.

Of Counsel at Steel Hector & Davis LLP, Richard L. Winston authored A Foreigner’s Legal Guide to Doing Business in the United States in collaboration with Lexis-Nexis Butterworths Tolley (U.K.), International Tax and Investment Service. The guide is intended to assist foreign corporations and foreign nationals with respect to their U.S. business decisions (see In Print).

1995 Reunion Year

Susan E. Edlein made partner at Holland & Knight LLP in Atlanta, GA. Edlein is a member of the litigation section and practices in the areas of general commercial litigation, products liability, and tort litigation, although she devotes a substantial part of her practice to real estate litigation.

William L. Horton, Jr., became a partner at Shaw Pittman LLP in Washington, DC, in November.

Eric Helms Monday wed Monica Taylor “a far better lawyer than I,” he reports, in 2002. In January 2004 the couple welcomed a son, Helms Taylor (“sounds like a firm merger,” says Eric), who came into the world “sporting considerably more hair than his father.” The family resides in Martinsville, VA, and is conducting a “glacially slow” renovation of an 1841 farm they use on weekends. Monday is City Attorney for Martinsville and also serves as County Attorney for Patrick County, where he maintains a “country lawyer’s” practice, taking his beagle Annabelle to the office to serve as client screener.”

After more than seven years as in-house counsel at Nextel Communications, Bob Ritter now works as an associate in the corporate practice group of Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, PA, in Rockville, MD. While focusing on telecommunications law, Ritter is also beginning a nascent sports management practice working around NASCAR. For the last two years, he has served as Vice President and Executive Director of Wireless E-911: The PSAP Readiness Fund, a private charitable organization initiated by Nextel. Ritter and his wife Kris live in Harpers Ferry, WV, with their daughters Helen (3), Emily (1), and another due in March.

Jennifer Short was one of five women at Holland & Knight LLP to participate in the firm’s Rising Star Program, a yearlong leadership intensive and economic development program for women attorneys. Participants must be in their seventh year of practice or beyond, and are selected based on their professional experience, community involvement, and desire to lead. Short practices litigation in Northern Virginia.

Joel and Gayle Trotter welcomed their fourth child and second son, John Segraves Trotter, on January 17, 2004. The couple reports that they are looking forward to their tenth year reunion.

Erik J. Velapoldi was promoted to counsel at Shaw Pittman’s Northern Virginia office in November.

1996

Christopher Bernard was elected to the partnership of Allen & Overy LLP in London, England in May 2004. Bernard is a partner in the U.S. law group and specializes in international capital market transactions. He lives in Surrey, England, with his wife and three children.

Jocelyn and John’94 deGrandpre welcomed their third son, Aidan, into the world.

In August, James DuBois joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Alabama as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Civil Division. DuBois had been working in the labor and employment section of Jones Day in Atlanta.

Garrett Gillespie is an associate in the litigation department of Donoghue Barrett & Singal, PC, in Boston, where he focuses on complex civil litigation, employment law, health care law, and white collar criminal defense. He writes that he now has a two-year old son, Jackson, and “I hope that all my friends in Section D are well.”

Meredith (Myers) Moss of Los Angeles based Alschuler Grossman Stein & Kahan LLP was recognized as a “Southern California Super Lawyers’ Rising Star” by Los Angeles Magazine in September.

Tally Parham, of Wyche, Burgess, Freeman & Parham, PA in Columbia, SC, was named Young Lawyer of the Year by the Young Lawyers Division of the South Carolina Bar. The award is given annually to recognize a young lawyer who most exemplifies excellence in practicing law and public service.

Erik A. Petersen was promoted to counsel at Shaw Pittman LLP in Washington, DC, in November.

StancilPaul J. Stancil was elected as a new shareholder of the law firm Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. Stancil is a member of the firm’s antitrust & trade regulation practice group in the Milwaukee office.

Mark H. Vacha and his wife Kristina announce the birth of their second son, Benjamin Anthony Schoof, born May 17. He joins older son, Luke (3). Lee Van Blerkom made partner at Shaw Pittman LLP in Washington, DC, in November.

Anthony F. Vittoria became a principal at Ober|Kaler. He has an international construction practice that includes the representation of owners, engineers, contractors and OEMs in litigation, International Chamber of Commerce, and American Arbitration Association proceedings in matters involving claims of delay, abandonment, wrongful termination, substandard workmanship, and defective design. Vittoria resides in the Locust Point-area of Baltimore, MD.

Yuchong Yi made partner at Shaw Pittman LLP in Washington, DC, in November.

William A. Yoder was named partner in the Kansas City, MO, office of Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP. Yoder focuses his practice on complex commercial and products liability litigation.

1997

Elisa D. (Stinchcum) Carlson formed Commander & Carlson in Norfolk, VA. The firm’s practice emphasizes family law, adoptions, and workers’ compensation. Carlson is also the coauthor of Adoption Procedures and Forms: A Guide for Virginia Lawyers, published by Virginia CLE Publications (see In Print).

Scott Garvey is helping the legislature of Pohnpei in the Federation of Micronesia to write new laws and administer the Compact. Garvey says “Classmates [are] welcome — room in my home over the lagoon. Fishing, diving, pig roasts (and lots of work!).”

Thomas P. Giblin, Jr., was elected partner at Thelen Reid & Priest in January. Giblin specializes in corporate, finance, and securities matters. Giblin served as executive editor of the Journal of Law & Politics while at the Law School.

Mark Horn was elected to membership of Moore & Van Allen in Charlotte, NC. Horn assists high net worth individuals and owners of closely held businesses in estate, tax, and charitable planning. He also earned his specialist certification in estate planning and probate law from the North Carolina State Bar, one of only 18 state accreditation programs in the United States.

Bob and Ellie Kennedy welcomed their second child and first daughter, Meghan Elizabeth, on July 13. The couple resides in Kensington, MD, with Meghan and son Michael. Bob is an associate with Hughes Hubbard & Reed, and Ellie is working part-time at Hogan & Hartson, both in Washington, DC.

Melissa Roberts Levin and husband Mark A. Levin announce the birth of their son, Austin Roberts, born June 9. The family resides in Richmond, where Melissa is an associate with Troutman Sanders LLP. Her practice is focused on products liability defense litigation.

R. Latane Montague IV announces the birth of his son, Robert Latane Montague V, born June 1.

Anissa (Crumley) and David Paddock announce the birth of their daughter, Harper Elizabeth. Harper was born on November 22 in Houston, TX.

The fall 2004 UVA Lawyer incorrectly stated Lori D. Thompson’s position at Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore. She is a partner at the firm.

TyrellPaul Tyrell was named one of San Diego’s “40 Under 40,” an award which honors the city’s young business and community leaders. The award recognized Tyrell’s accomplishment in developing and chairing San Diego’s Father of the Year Awards, an event which was one of the year’s top fundraisers for the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association. Tyrell was also acknowledged for his representation of the City of San Diego in its lawsuit against the San Diego Chargers football team. He practices on the business litigation team of Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch, LLP, in San Diego where he has been since 1999.

1998

Amy Davis Benavides wed Vanessa Benavides on June 14, 2003. The couple held a large ceremony and reception in their home-city Dallas and was officially married a few days later in Toronto, Canada. Davis Benavides continues to practice commercial litigation with Hermes Sargent Bates, LLP, in Dallas. In 2004 she was named co-chair of the Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition Subcommittee of the ABA Litigation Section’s Business & Commercial Litigation Subcommittee. Davis Benavides also was named a delegate to the ABA’s Young Lawyers Division, selected to participate in the 2004 Dallas Young Lawyers Association Leadership Program, and named co-chair of the Lambda Legal Defense Fund Leadership Committee. Her spouse Vanessa is corporate counsel for Caremark PCS, a large pharmaceutical benefits company. In addition to their jobs as lawyers, the couple is working hard to lobby state and national legislators to oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Donald L. Bowman left Mead-Westvaco Corporation in June to become the Intellectual Property Director of Wavecrest Laboratories, LLC, in Dulles, VA. Wavecrest develops electric motors, energy management systems, and computer control systems.

Marylou Brown wed fellow attorney Brent Houston on August 20 in Denver, CO. She reports that “ Bill Baroni, unofficial ‘Mayor’ of the Law School from 1995 to 1998 and currently a member of the New Jersey State Assembly, performed the ceremony at The Wellshire Inn in the presence of Law ’98 classmates Cliona Jennings Levy, Valerie Wagner Long, Ned Scharfenberg, and Craig (Tigger) May. Present in spirit but not in body were Ann Ayers, Coates Lear, Jennifer Curley and Stephen Propst.” Marylou left her estate planning and charitable giving practice in July to become director of major gifts at The Children’s Hospital Foundation in Denver, which is in the midst of a $250 million capital campaign.

Allison G. Cohen has jointly launched a solo legal practice and art consultancy in Washington, DC. At her law firm, she advises a range of legal clients, from website developers and publishing houses to visual artists and writers, on intellectual property, business and art matters. By way of Sightline, her art consulting service, Cohen guides individuals and companies through galleries and artists’ studios to find artwork that is right for them.

Tara Mehrbach Newmyer and husband Terry welcomed daughter Lucy to their family on October 15. Newmyer reports that she is no longer practicing with Dickstein Shapiro due to the birth of Lucy.

Katherine Ramsey joined the Tax/ ERISA practice group at Hunton & Williams LLP in Richmond, in January. She continues to specialize in estate planning for high net-worth individuals and representation of tax-exempt organizations.

1999

Kristen Cain married David Baldwin on October 18 in San Francisco.

Bart Epstein left Latham & Watkins LLP in Washington, DC, to become General Counsel and Vice President of Corporate Development for New York based www.Tutor.com, which provides live online one-on-one tutoring to more than 30,000 school-age kids each month. Additionally, the website provides “virtual reference” services to patrons of several thousand libraries throughout the United States and Australia. During his job transition, Epstein returned to flight school to become a certified commercial pilot.

Bruce Itchkawitz, Ph.D., was elected partner at Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear LLP. Itchkawitz works out of the Orange County, CA, office and specializes in intellectual property law. Itchkawitz represents clients in patent prosecution and licensing matters.

Payson LeMeilleur was elected partner at Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear LLP. LeMeilleur works out of the Orange County, CA, office and specializes in intellectual property law. Meilleur’s practice focuses on patent litigation.

Kevin Yingling and his wife Ashley welcomed their twins, Helen Elizabeth and Owen Tucker, on September 2.

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