1990s Class Notes
1990
Mark C. Allen and his wife Kristen announce the birth of their fourth son, Matthew Mason, on November 10, 2002.
Jonathan R. Barr has become an Assistant U. S. Attorney in the Fraud and Public Corruption Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. He continues to live in McLean, VA, with his wife Annette and daughters Catherine and Anne.
Marlon G. Housman and his wife Kathy added twins Samuel and Isabel to their household in October of 2001. The twins joined older brothers Adam, 9, and Lucas, 5.Marlon hopes “all is well with my classmates and fellow section H-ers.”
This summer, Laurie Robinson Jones and husband Thomas Jones moved their family from Texas to Connecticut after Tom received a promotion within IBM’s legal department. Tom will be located in White Plains, NY, while Laurie will continue to act as President & CEO of Employment Practices Solutions, a nationwide human resources consulting company headquartered in Texas. Their daughters Rachael, 7, and Catie, 2, are looking forward to lots of snow in the “Great White North.” Tom and Laurie look forward to visiting their Wahoo friends in the northeast. Email Laurie at ljones@epexperts.com.
On February 9, 2002, Ronald V.Minionis and his wife Felicita welcomed a beautiful 9 pound, 1 ounce baby girl, Gabriella Rose. Minionis reports that she is “walking, has lots of teeth, and really wants to talk.”
Haynes and Boone LLP, a full-service
corporate law firm, announced that Stan Perry has joined its
Houston office as of counsel.
Perry is the latest addition to the Firm’s Environmental
Practice Group. Perry’s practice specializes in toxic tort
and chemical exposure litigation. This practice includes premise
liability, product liability, and contaminated property claims.
He has developed an expertise in medical causation issues under
the Daubert and Robinson standards for admissibility of expert
testimony; the sophisticated user defense; and the bulk supplier
defense. A frequent author on environmental law and litigation
topics, Perry has recently written for For The Defense, Toxic
Torts & Environmental Law Newsletter and The Houston Lawyer.
1991
Kellie Appel is Senior Vice President and General Manager of Turner Trade Group, a specialized division of Turner Broadcasting which enables advertisers to purchase media with their goods and services. Appel lives in Atlanta with her husband, Evan, and their 19-month old daughter Allie. They are expecting a sister for Allie in September.
In March, Cozen O’Connor announced the promotion of Sarah E. Davies and 15 other attorneys to senior members of the firm. “We are extremely proud of these new appointments,” said Patrick J. O’Connor, president and CEO of Cozen O’Connor. “These talented individuals will be an outstanding group of senior members who will continue to develop and promote the firm’s organic growth.” Davies resides in Philadelphia, PA.
Lisa Goodwin Michael writes that she has a beautiful 8-year-old named Sabrina. Her husband Gregory Michael is a feature film 2nd unit director who has directed action scenes for The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, and is currently working on the upcoming movie, Van Helsing, with Hugh Jackman. The family is expecting a baby boy in October.
Jeffrey L. Stredler, a principal in Hofheimer Nusbaum, P.C., received the Walter E. Hoffman Community Service Award at the Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in May. The award recognizes outstanding hands-on service to the community by a member of the Bar Association under 40 years old. Jeffrey volunteered for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Girl Scout Council of the Colonial Coast. In 2002-2003 he chaired the NPBA Program Committee. He is also past chair of the Young Lawyers Section of the Bar Association.
1992
Randi Rimerman Serota and her husband Howard welcomed a baby boy, Adam, on December 23. Adam joined 3-year-old big brother Max. Randi reports all are doing well, and she started a new job in May as corporate counsel for Systems and Computer Technology Corporation in Malvern, PA.
1993
Ann Spletzer Braun moved from Connecticut to Richmond in 2001 and is now an independent contractor for both her Connecticut law firm Day, Berry & Howard LLP and other local clients. Braun writes her “niche” is commercial real estate leases. She was married in August 2001.
In February, intellectual property and corporate attorney, John C. Carey, joined the Miami office of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP as partner. Carey represents technology-oriented companies in litigation involving patents, trade secrets, trademarks and copyrights, and in a variety of transactional matters, including company formation, venture capital financings, technology licensing, and related commercial agreements. His achievements in the courtroom include obtaining one of the largest damages awards in the history of the U.S. trademark law.
Anne R. Dettmer writes that she is enjoying being a “stay-at-home mom” with Michael, 4, and Katie, 2.
Bret R. Salzer, Associate at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP in New York, has received a Burton Award for Legal Achievement. The national awards program is run by the Burton Foundation, a not-for-profit cultural and academic organization devoted to promoting the legal profession. It is believed to be the first national awards program dedicated to refining and enriching legal writing by lawyers and law school students. The award, given annually, rewards authors who use plain, clear, and effective writing, and avoid using archaic and stilted legalese. This year’s program was scheduled for the Great Hall of the Library of Congress in June.
Tracy Synan moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, with her husband, Eric Nottmeier, in July 2002 when he took a neurosurgery position at the Mayo Clinic. Synan is doing contract/project work in civil litigation from home, as the firm she was with in Arizona asked her to continue post-move. Synan reports she has “no kids; two cats” and would love for classmates to visit.
Todd Zywicki was promoted to full professor at George Mason University School of Law, but is taking a leave of absence to serve as Director of the Office of Policy Planning at the Federal Trade Commission.
1994 
In January, Jennifer Davidson became a partner with Kleinfeld, Kaplan & Becker LLP in Washington, D.C., where her practice focuses on counseling and litigation relating to the regulation of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and medical devices.
Raya Najjar and her husband Talal Baki welcomed their first child, Mira Yasmine, on November 26, 2002. The family now lives in Winston-Salem, NC.
Andrew M. Edison was recently elected
as partner in Bracewell & Patterson
L.L.P.’s Houston, TX, office. A trial lawyer who has extensive
first-chair jury and non-jury trial experience, Edison represents
plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts. He has
worked on cases involving securities fraud, breach of contract,
professional malpractice, theft of trade secrets, condemnation,
and construction law.
M. Catherine Ozdogan was recently elected
as partner in Bracewell & Patterson
L.L.P.’s Houston, TX, office. Ozdogan concentrates her
practice on financing transactions, with significant experience
in business transactions related to energy. She represents financial
institutions and other lenders in secured and unsecured credit
transactions. Her experience in lending and business transactions
includes debt financing, financing of purchases and sales of
oil and gas properties, and “non-traditional” forms
of financing.
John C. “Chap” Petersen was recently elected as
partner in Bracewell & Patterson L.L.P.’s Reston, VA,
office. Petersen has tried numerous cases, including multiple
jury actions. His practice focuses on all types of commercial
litigation, including landlord and tenant, employment law, and
multi-count business torts, and some forms of non-litigation
representation, including advice on local government issues.
He has extensive experience representing clients in commercial,
employment, and personal injury claims. Petersen also serves
as a state delegate in the Virginia General Assembly.
Meredith Shackelford Jeffries married John T. Jeffries on April 26. Meredith, John and their daughters Sarah, 7, and Emily, 4, live in Charlotte, NC, where Meredith practices labor and employment law with Alston & Bird LLP.
1995
Jeffrey W. Cottle moved to the Washington, D.C., Coudert Brothers LLP office, to practice international corporate and commercial transactions.
Goulston & Storrs has elected William Dillon as a new director. Dillon’s practice includes real estate development, commercial financing and leasing. He is admitted to the Bar in Hawaii and Massachusetts, and is a resident of Lynnfield, MA.
Jim Morse is now working as a law clerk to the Honorable James Teilborg, U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. Julia (Rasnake Morse) and Jim celebrated the birth of their second daughter, Rebecca, in April 2002.
Christopher D. Ray has accepted a position as Principal and General Counsel of Natural Gas Partners, which is a Dallas-based private equity firm that invests in the energy industry. Previously, Chris had been a Partner in the Dallas-based law firm Thompson & Knight, where his practice concentrated on venture capital, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, and securities law. Chris lives in Dallas, TX, with his wife Kathy.
Jennifer Short has been elected to partner at Holland & Knight LLP. Jennifer, a member of the litigation department in the Northern Virginia office, joined the firm in 1998 and practices in the area of complex civil and white collar criminal matters.
1996
Emily Holsinger Butler and her husband David celebrated the birth of their first child, William John Butler, on March 21.
Eric D. Chason has become a member of the law firm of Ivins, Phillips & Barker. Chason is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and the American Bar Association. He has authored several articles, including “Settlements and Waivers Affecting Pension Benefits Under ERISA,” which recently appeared in the Benefits Law Journal. He joined the firm in 1998 and practices in the areas of employee benefits and executive compensation.
Matt Cooper is now Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel at GE Financial in Richmond, VA, where he handles litigation. Kate and Matt recently had a baby girl, Virginia, who is 3- months-old. Three-year-old big brother Ned has enjoyed the company.
Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. announced William J. Curtin III is now a partner and a member of the firm’s International Business Transactions and Corporate, Securities, and Finance Groups out of the Washington, D.C., and Paris offices. His practice involves a variety of corporate and securities matters, focusing primarily on international business transactions, private equity, and international securities laws. In his international business transactions practice, Curtin advises clients on inbound, outbound, and cross-border business transactions in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, with a particular emphasis on strategic investments, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions for major international investors and European, American, and multinational companies.
Marcia McGratty Douglas and her husband Matt welcomed their second child, Lauren Elizabeth, on Friday, April 4. Lauren joins big brother Matthew, who is 15 months older. The family lives in Summit, NJ.
Paul Garrahan and Kristin Watkins announce the birth of their first child, William Delwin Watkins Garrahan, on January 10.
Eva May Haddock-Barbudo was born to Don Haddock and Cristina Barbudo on March 15. Eva weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces, and was 18 inches long. Don writes that so far Eva is a happy baby who sleeps well. “Let’s hope it lasts!”
Benjamin T. King was named editor of the Superior Court Digest for the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association’s Trial Bar News. Benjamin practices with the Concord, NH, firm of Douglas, Leonard & Garvey, concentrating in employment law and commercial litigation.
Jeff Lehrer joined Gray Cary as a partner and the head of their Washington, D.C., Emerging Growth and Venture Capital Practice. Jeff and his wife Tasha are the proud parents of Eli Cooper Lehrer.
Issa Matta left Andersen Worldwide in December and joined the biotech firm, Serono, as corporate counsel in January. He and wife Helene Rauby-Matta welcomed their daughter, Valentine, in November 2002. The family lives in Divonne les Bains, France.
Ian Rosenthal and Tallulah Rosenthal (McIntire ’95) announce the birth of their daughter Alex on May 10, 2002. In January 2003, Ian became a partner with Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O'Neal in Mobile, AL, where his practice focuses on litigation throughout Alabama and the Florida panhandle. He has also been selected as one of the The Best Lawyers in America in the current edition of that publication.
Regan S. Safier and her husband Duane Smith welcomed their daughter Devin Safier Smith on October 9, 2002. Devin joined 2-year-old big sister Jolie. Regan is practicing medical malpractice defense in Philadelphia at Weber Gallagher where she was recently promoted to Senior Associate.
Kathryn Sheehan moved back to Seattle to work at Amazon.com as Corporate Counsel, Litigation and Regulatory Compliance. After spending two years in California, Kathryn writes she’s “thrilled to be back in Seattle.”
1997
J. Taggart “Tag” Birge has been elected to serve on the Indiana Sports Corporation board of directors. ISC is a private, not-for-profit organization that represents Indianapolis in the national and international sports marketplace. Birge is a real estate attorney who concentrates his practice in a variety of related areas, including zoning, leasing, and secured lending. Vanessa Chandler has joined Kilpatrick Stockton LLP as a senior associate in the firm’s Antitrust Practice. Chandler will be based in Washington, D.C., and will concentrate on antitrust and trade regulation. Chandler has counseled assorted clients on the antitrust implications of various arrangements, such as joint ventures, mergers, dual distribution, and information exchanges, as well as issues relating to the McCarran-Ferguson Act. She has also done extensive antitrust work in the healthcare industry. Chandler is also a litigator with extensive civil and criminal experience, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in antitrust, government contracts, and environmental suits, as well as representing corporations and individuals in grand jury investigations.
Kevin W. Holt and his wife Susan are the proud parents of their first child and daughter, Lillian Elizabeth, born February 8. Kevin practices law with Gentry, Locke, Rakes & Moore in Roanoke, VA.
Deborah Owen Pell and husband Nick welcomed a baby girl, Cecelia Elizabeth, on January 5. “Big brother Nicholas, Mom and Dad are very proud.”
Andrew Rudge and Shelley Jones Rudge ’99 were married in Charlottesville on April 26. The couple lives in Washington, D.C.
1998
James Jones and his wife, Kimberly, welcomed their first child, Kyle Matthew Jones, on April 4.
Edmund Polubinski III was featured in the New York Law Journal for a victory of one of Davis Polk & Wardwell’s pro bono clients that resulted in the release of a man in prison. Polubinski was the lead lawyer on the team, and with assistance from the Legal Aid Society and another junior associate, he headed up the 18-month investigation, briefed the motion, and conducted a lengthy hearing, which included an effective cross examination of a hostile trial lawyer and a multi-day closing argument. “To have the successes we’ve had in this case, and being able to change lives as we have,” said Polubinski, “Well—this is the reason we go to law school.” Polubinski is a fifth-year associate in Davis Polk’s litigation department.
1999
Maj. Shane Bartee, Maj. Dion Lyons, and Maj. Charles Poche received Master of Laws degrees in Military Law from the Judge Advocate General’s School of the Army, based in Charlottesville. “As three members of the Class of 1999 we were happy to be back in Charlottesville,” writes Poche. On the same day, May 22, he and his wife celebrated the birth of their son, Zachary Thomas Poche.
Shelley Jones Rudge and Andrew Rudge ’97 were married in Charlottesville on April 26. Shelley and Andrew live in Washington, D.C.
J. Bryan Wood recently joined Chicago’s Stowell & Friedman, Ltd., as an associate representing individuals and classes in civil rights and employment discrimination actions throughout the country.
