Red Mass

Invoking the Holy Spirit, Bishop Frank J. Dewane recently placed in prayer under the care of God’s grace and providence the legal professionals within the Diocese of Venice. Bishop Dewane made these remarks during a Red Mass celebrated on Oct. 16, 2024, at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples. The Mass was attended by many students and faculty of Ave Maria School of Law.

Already halfway through the fall semester of the new academic year, the Coach Rod Smith Business Law Institute has been very busy with activities and events both on and off campus.

This year, the BLI has launched its first-ever Fall Semester Speaker Series. This initiative gives second-year Fellows the chance to hear from third-year Fellows and local industry leaders on important current business law issues. Thus far, the 3Ls have shared valuable insights on their summer externship experiences and their individual research topics. In tandem with those presentations, the BLI was pleased to host Professors Louis Amato and Charles Cohen, who spoke on bankruptcy law and securities regulation, respectively.

In early September, Professor Connolly and 2L Fellow Megan Howard represented the BLI at the Southwest Florida Federal Courts Bar Association, where they connected with judges and practitioners from the Middle District of Florida. 

Ms. Howard also participated in and volunteered at the South Florida Association of Corporate Counsel’s Annual CLE Conference in Miami, where she networked with in-house counsel from across the state. 

In mid-September, 3L Fellows Sabrina Martinez and Tara Powers represented the BLI at the fall meeting of the ABA’s Business Law Section in San Diego, California.

In honor of Constitution Day, Professor Connolly and BLI Fellows gave a presentation to Cape Coral high school students on the Constitution and the American justice system. This was a great opportunity to promote civic education and inspire the next generation of potential Ave Maria Law students.

Finally, our Ave Business Law Herald blog is continuing to produce some fantastic work, so please check out our recent articles at https://www.avemarialaw.edu/bli-herald/. If you would like to be featured as a guest blogger, please reach out to associate editor Cecilia Berutti at cberutti@avemarialaw.edu

The 2024-2025 academic year has been off to an exciting start, and we look forward to more events and opportunities throughout the year. The BLI will continue to work to enrich our community and empower our students to achieve successful careers in law and business. Stay tuned for more updates as we progress through the semester!

Ave Maria School of Law Ranks 2nd Nationally for Employment Improvement

Ave Maria School of Law is proud to announce a major achievement—ranking second in the nation for improved employment outcomes, earning preLaw Magazine’s "Most Improved in Employment" award for 2024-2025! This accomplishment highlights the tireless efforts of our Office of Professional Development, led by Associate Dean Jill Backer, who has now received this recognition twice in her distinguished career.

Our unwavering commitment to delivering a rigorous legal education, deeply rooted in our Catholic mission, continues to produce graduates who excel in their careers and make meaningful contributions to their communities. The class of 2024 is already making impressive strides, with over 60% of graduates employed even before bar results are released, and more than 20% having taken the UBE in another state.

Over the past two years, our employment rates have averaged an impressive 85%. Not only are we surpassing expectations in Florida, but we’ve also consistently outperformed national employment averages.

The hard work of our Office of Professional Development is featured in the latest issue of preLaw Magazine. Read it here.

 Legal Student Intern Core Estate Planning 

We extend our congratulations to Doug Thomas (3L) and Nicolas Ruggeri (3L) for their outstanding presentation on Core Estate Planning at the Baker Senior Center this past Tuesday. As part of the Estate Planning and General Practice Clinic, our student legal interns have the opportunity to engage with the community by giving presentations, volunteering at Legal Aid of Collier County’s Wills for Heroes event, and working directly with clients to assist with their estate planning needs.

Students consistently share that this hands-on experience is one of the highlights of their law school journey, allowing them to apply what they’ve learned while making a real impact in the community. We are deeply grateful to our valued community partners, including Legal Aid of Collier County and the Baker Senior Center, for offering these invaluable opportunities.

New Director of Health and Wellness overseeing the Cancro Family Wellness Center. 

Karen Stone has been a committed professional instructor/trainer in the fitness industry for over 20 years, primarily as a Lead Instructor, and Group Fitness Coordinator at Around the Clock Fitness/New York Sports Clubs. Her expertise is in developing, promoting, and implementing change by offering a variety of group fitness classes, safely and effectively, and by providing inviting, fun, and challenging workouts, that foster a passion for health and wellness.

Karen’s office is in the Cancro Family Wellness Center. 

New Student Affairs and Testing Accommodations Specialist

Mendy Martinez has a background in college and career counseling, Mendy most recently worked with Grace Place for Children and Families, where she developed comprehensive programs that included workshops, seminars, and managed a mentor program connecting students with industry professionals.

Previously, as a Program Specialist for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Mendy collaborated with K-12 and higher education institutions to advocate for tribal students, ensuring access to essential resources. She built relationships within the tribal communities to enhance support systems for students at all educational levels.

Mendy holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Service Administration from Hodges University and a Master of Science in Human Service Administration from Saint Leo University. She grew up in Immokalee, Florida.

Friendsgiving

Our First Annual Alumni Friendsgiving, held on Friday, November 1, 2024, made history as our most-attended and highest-fundraising alumni event to date. Sponsored by NEST, a pioneer in the Integrated Facilities Management industry, the evening featured Robert J. Almond, Sr., Founder and Chairman of NEST, as our distinguished Guest of Honor. The event was filled with joyful reunions, as alumni came together to reconnect, reminisce, and forge new friendships. Attendees had the opportunity to meet some of our current students who are serving as Alumni Ambassadors—part of a new program that empowers students to take the lead in networking and building lasting connections rooted in faith and reason. The night’s highlight was an inspiring conversation with Mr. Almond, who shared his journey and insights on purpose-driven leadership, leaving everyone with a renewed sense of community and commitment to one another. This milestone event not only celebrated our alumni network but also set the stage for future gatherings, strengthening the bonds that unite us all.