This fall, Ave Maria School of Law welcomed the Class of 2029, a new generation of students beginning a demanding and deeply meaningful journey. They come from different communities, educational backgrounds and walks of life, but they share a desire to pursue the law with purpose. As they begin their studies, they join a community committed to academic and professional excellence and to forming lawyers who understand that the law is ultimately a vocation of service.

Our students are guided in their formation by an extraordinary faculty. This year, I am especially proud to welcome Ambassador Randy Evans to Ave Maria Law as a visiting professor of law. A former U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg, distinguished litigator and respected leader in public service, Ambassador Evans brings an exceptional depth of legal, governmental and international experience to our community. His decision to devote this chapter of his career to teaching Contracts and mentoring future lawyers is a tremendous gift to our students and to the law school.

We are also proud to welcome Professor Kathy Diener, director of the Veterans and Servicemembers Law Clinic; Professor Laura Seidl, director of the Immigration Law Clinic; Professor Marcia Nawrocki; and Professor Kristie A. Scott. Together, they bring significant experience in veterans advocacy, military service, immigration law, clinical legal education, legal writing, corporate counsel, business law and litigation. They join a faculty whose accessibility, professional experience and personal investment in our students remain among the defining strengths of an Ave Maria Law education.

We also have exceptional reason to celebrate the achievements of our graduates. Ave Maria Law earned an outstanding 89.8% first-time passage rate on the July 2026 Florida Bar Examination, ranking No. 1 among Florida’s private law schools and third among all law schools with Florida locations. Fifty-three of our 59 first-time examinees passed, nearly 15 percentage points above the statewide first-time passage rate of 75.2%. This remarkable achievement reflects the discipline and perseverance of our graduates, as well as the extraordinary commitment of our faculty and Academic Success and Bar Preparation team, who accompany our students from their first day of law school through the bar examination. We are immensely proud of them all.

This success is complemented by national recognition of Ave Maria Law’s improving employment outcomes. Together, these accomplishments affirm the strength of an education that combines rigorous legal preparation, individualized guidance and a clear sense of mission. Our graduates are leaving Ave Maria Law prepared not only to enter the legal profession, but also to serve their clients and communities with excellence, integrity and purpose.

The beginning of the academic year has already demonstrated the vitality of our community. Our students have engaged with leaders from the legal profession, government and public life; participated in conversations about faith, law and culture; and gathered in fellowship through the many organizations that enrich campus life. Beyond Naples, our faculty, students and alumni continue to extend Ave Maria Law’s influence nationally and internationally.

As we begin this new year together, I am grateful for our students, faculty, alumni, benefactors and friends who make the work of Ave Maria School of Law possible. The promise we see in the Class of 2029 is also a reminder of our responsibility: to prepare men and women who will enter the legal profession equipped with knowledge, integrity, courage and a commitment to the dignity of every human person.

Finally, never hesitate to contact me directly with any questions, concerns, observations or even just a simple greeting. My email address is jczar@avemarialaw.edu.

Fides et Ratio,

Seven Ave Maria Law Graduates Sworn In as Assistant State Attorneys

Seven Ave Maria School of Law graduates were sworn in together as assistant state attorneys for Florida’s 20th Judicial Circuit on Sept. 22, just days after learning they had passed the Florida Bar Examination.

The seven graduates represented all but one of the eight new prosecutors welcomed into the Office of the State Attorney. Victoria E. Micklavzina, Lili A. Rodriguez, Mary E. Purcell, Alejandro G. Ulbrich, Elena G. Stephenson, John P. Spencer and Cassidy J. Champlin took their oaths during a ceremony led by State Attorney Amira D. Fox.

The classmates reflected on the years of study, prayer and perseverance that brought them to the ceremony, as well as the responsibility they now carry as prosecutors serving the people of Southwest Florida.

Read their reflections and watch highlights from the swearing-in ceremony.

Professor Kathy Diener

Director, Veterans & Servicemembers Law Clinic

Professor Kathy Diener joined Ave Maria Law as Director of the Veterans & Servicemembers Law Clinic, where she teaches and supervises students representing veterans and servicemembers in disability claims, appeals, discharge upgrades, and related matters. A former U.S. Air Force Arabic linguist, she previously served as an attorney with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, practiced veterans law privately, and taught in the Veterans Advocacy Clinic at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Ambassador Randy Evans

Visiting Professor of Law

Former United States Ambassador Randy Evans brings decades of experience in private practice, public service, and international diplomacy to the Ave Maria Law classroom. He served as U.S. Ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg from 2018 to 2021 and has held leadership roles with the Georgia Judicial Nominating Commission, the Republican National Lawyers Association, and the Georgia State Election Board. A distinguished litigator and trusted legal advisor, Ambassador Evans now teaches Contracts and mentors the next generation of attorneys.

Professor Marcia Nawrocki

Assistant Professor of Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research

Professor Marcia Nawrocki brings extensive experience in private practice, corporate counsel, and legal education to Ave Maria Law. She practiced corporate litigation and real estate law in Chicago before serving as Senior Corporate Counsel for Nicor Gas Company. Professor Nawrocki later spent 20 years teaching in the upper-level legal writing program at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. She has also taught business law at Dominican University and Ave Maria University, where she advised business and pre-law students.

Professor Kristie A. Scott

Assistant Professor of Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research

Professor Kristie A. Scott brings more than 13 years of experience in church law, business law, labor and employment law, and civil and business litigation. Before joining Ave Maria Law, she founded and managed Light Path Law, P.A., and practiced business litigation with boutique and national law firms. She also taught Business Law for six years at Florida Gulf Coast University. Professor Scott has received numerous professional honors, including an AV Preeminent® rating and recognition as a Florida Super Lawyer.

Laura Seidl

Director, Immigration Law Clinic



Laura Seidl joins Ave Maria School of Law as director of the Immigration Law Clinic, bringing nearly two decades of litigation experience and a deep commitment to serving those in need. Her practice has included complex business, employment, housing and public-interest matters, including advocacy on behalf of low-income families living in unsafe housing conditions. She also co-founded the Pope Francis Legal Clinic, an initiative sponsored by the Diocese of Oakland that assists people facing immigration, debt and housing concerns. Admitted to practice in Florida, New York and California, Seidl will help students develop practical legal skills while serving individuals and families in need.

Amanda Newkirk

Assistant Professor of Bar Preparation and Academic Success

Professor Amanda Newkirk joined Ave Maria Law as the newest Assistant Professor of Bar Preparation and Academic Success. As a proud graduate of Ave Maria Law, prior to her return, Amanda was a Prosecutor with the Office of the State Attorney, 20th Judicial Circuit. Amanda managed hundreds of cases of all levels from misdemeanors to life felonies, from intake to trial. Amanda further handled adversarial hearings such as Baker Acts, Pre-Trial Detentions, occasional Juvenile Delinquency matters, and certain Post-Conviction issues.

Polish Member of European Parliament Visits Ave Maria Law

Ave Maria School of Law welcomed Dominik Tarczyński, a Polish member of the European Parliament, to campus Sept. 14. Drawing on his legal background and experience in public service, Tarczyński discussed his personal journey, Poland’s political landscape, conservative movements across Europe and current issues facing the European Union, including the Save Europe Act.

The presentation was sponsored by the Republican National Lawyers Association at Ave Maria School of Law.

And The Answer Is...

What a wonderful turnout for the Women’s Law Association’s first-ever Trivia Night! Students gathered for an evening of pizza, prizes, and plenty of friendly competition—even the gentlemen joined in the fun!

Pictured from left are WLA Vice President Magdalen Kleinrichert and winning team members Meredith Gross and Kristen Andree, both 1Ls. Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to WLA for organizing such a fun evening!



Be sure to join WLA in October for another chance to claim the trivia title!