UF LAW - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Career and Professional Development Team
- Career and Professional Development Advisor, Associate Director
Before joining UF Law, Alisha spent 28 years at UF Student Legal Services as an attorney, Assistant Director and Associate Director. She practiced in the areas of consumer, contract, landlord-tenant, traffic and criminal law. She was named the Assistant Director of UF Student Legal Services in 2001 and the Associate Director in 2017. In addition to providing legal services to UF students, Alisha helped implement and supervise the professional development opportunities in the office for law and prelaw students. Alisha has spent her career working with UF Students to educate them regarding their legal rights and responsibilities and to promote their professional development in the area of law. She is a proud double Gator, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. She may be reached at alishat@law.ufl.edu.
Job Titles:
- Member of the UF Law Leadership Team
- Associate Dean for Curriculum
- Professor of Law at the University
Amy L. Stein is a Professor of Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, nationally recognized for her research on energy policy, particularly with respect to federalism, the regulatory process, and administrative law. Professor Stein focuses her scholarship on the intersection of energy and environmental law within administrative and federalism frameworks, but also explores implications of legal doctrines as applied to artificial intelligence. Her recent work demonstrates how antitrust laws can serve as a useful lever against public utilities resistant to sharing their energy data, 112 California Law Review (forthcoming 2024), challenges unilateral presidential delegations to address energy emergencies, "Energy Emergencies," 115 Northwestern University Law Review 799 (2020); demonstrates how new artificial intelligence techniques can assist in decarbonization strategies across the electric grid, "Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change," Yale Law Journal on Regulation (2020); and provides legal strategies for decarbonizing the light-duty vehicle fleet, Chapter 14 (with Joshua Fershée) in LEGAL PATHWAYS TO DEEP DECARBONIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES (ELI Press, Michael B. Gerrard and John C. Dernbach eds) (2019). Prior scholarship focuses on electric grid governance, distributed energy resources, energy storage, reliability, federalism, and climate change, all of which can be accessed at http://ssrn.com/author=1216973. She teaches in the areas of energy law, environmental law, climate change, artificial intelligence, and torts, and she has presented her energy work across the country and internationally, in both academic and policy forums.
Professor Stein began her academic career at George Washington University Law School and Tulane Law School. Prior to her academic appointments, she practiced as an environmental and litigation associate for Latham & Watkins LLP in the firm's Washington, D.C., and Silicon Valley offices. She is a member of the District of Columbia, Illinois, and California state bars and a graduate of the University of Chicago (AB) and the University of Chicago Law School (JD).
Education
J.D., University of Chicago
B.A., University of Chicago
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Recruiting
Job Titles:
- Administrative Support Specialist
Job Titles:
- Legal Research Professor / Student Services Specialist
- Professor of Legal Research & Student Services Specialist
- Student
Avery Vinson is the Student Services Specialist and a Legal Research Professor at the Legal Information Center at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Prior to joining UF Law, Vinson was awarded an Equal Justice Works Elder Justice Fellowship. She completed this two-year fellowship at Three Rivers Legal Services, a Gainesville legal aid non-profit. Before her fellowship, Vinson served as an Assistant Public Defender in the First Judicial Circuit of Florida. She is an active member of The Florida Bar. Additionally, Vinson serves as Secretary on the Executive Board for the Central Florida Community Action Agency. She is also a member of the American Association of Law Libraries.
Vinson received her Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Florida State University, her J.D. from the University of Florida, and her Master of Science in Information from Florida State University.
Education
M.S.I., Florida State University
J.D., University of Florida
B.A., Florida State University
Job Titles:
- Admissions Staff Member
- Associate Director for Admissions - Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Job Titles:
- Circulation Assistant
- Evening Circulation Assistant
Job Titles:
- Member of the UF Law Leadership Team
- Associate Dean for Institutional Affairs
- Eminent Scholar Chair in
- Professor
Professor Charlene D. Luke is the Hubert C. Hurst Eminent Scholar Chair in Law. Professor Luke served as the Associate Dean for Tax Programs from 2018-2023. She teaches about individual, corporate, and partnership taxation at the University of Florida's Levin College of Law. Professor Luke joined the University of Florida in 2008 and teaches in both its J.D. and LL.M. programs. Her research primarily focuses on the problem of tax avoidance and evasion. Her work on the economic substance doctrine is highly regarded and has been selected for inclusion by the Practicing Law Institute in its influential series on the taxation of corporations and partnerships. Professor Luke also writes about tax issues relating to various forms of insurance. Professor Luke's published work has appeared in multiple publications, including the Virginia Tax Review, Tax Lawyer, Seattle University Law Review, Buffalo Law Review and Connecticut Insurance Law Journal.
Professor Luke earned her B.A. and J.D. degree from Brigham Young University. She graduated first in her J.D. class and clerked for Judge J. Clifford Wallace of the U.S. Ninth Circuit. Following her judicial clerkship, Professor Luke was a tax associate at Dechert LLP in its Philadelphia office. She began her academic career at Florida State University.
Education
J.D., Brigham Young University (first in class)
B.A., Brigham Young University
Job Titles:
- Admissions Staff Member
- Member of the UF Law Leadership Team
- Assistant Dean for Admissions
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Affairs
Job Titles:
- Clinic Staff Member
- Clinical Social Worker
Job Titles:
- Conference and Event Planner
Dean O'Connell practiced intellectual property law for six years, specializing in trademark law and domain name disputes. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She received her undergraduate degree in biochemistry and film history (Phi Beta Kappa) and J.D. from the University of Kansas, and her master's degree in information studies from the University of Texas.
Education
B.A., University of Kansas
J.D., University of Kansas
M.S.I.S., University of Texas
Job Titles:
- Development Data Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director for Public Services
- Legal Research Professor / Assistant Director for Public Services
- Professor of Legal Research & Assistant Director for Public Services
Elizabeth Hilkin is the Assistant Director for Public Services and a Legal Research Professor at the Legal Information Center at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Prior to joining UF, she was the Head of Special Collections at the University of Texas School of Law. She received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University, her J.D. from Mercer University School of Law, and her master's degree in information studies from the University of Texas at Austin.
Education
M.S.I.S., University of Texas at Austin
J.D., Mercer University
B.A., Iowa State University
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
Job Titles:
- Access Services Specialist
- Legal Research Professor
- Professor of Legal Research & Access Services Specialist
Emily Mayers-Twist is the Access Services Specialist and a Legal Research Professor at the Legal Information Center at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Prior to joining UF, Mayers-Twist was a law librarian at the Nova Southeastern School of Law. She received her undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Central Florida, her J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law, and her master's in library and Information Studies from the University of Alabama.
Education
B.A., University of Central Florida
J.D., The University of Alabama
M.L.I.S., The University of Alabama
Job Titles:
- Career Services Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Career and Professional Development Team
- Career and Professional Development Advisor, Assistant Director
Esteban Alvarez III spent 11 years at the State Attorney's Office prosecuting crimes ranging from misdemeanors to 2 nd degree murder. During his time as an Assistant State Attorney, he acted as first-chair counsel in over 40 jury trials. He enjoyed working as a docket manager and mentoring new attorneys and law school interns. Before leaving the SAO, he was in the Special Victims Unit handling sex crimes and crimes against children. Prior to joining UF Law, Esteban had a brief stint in personal injury law working for Morgan & Morgan, PA. As a Double Gator, he graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English in 2007 and a Juris Doctor from UF Law in 2011. You may contact Esteban at ealvarez@law.ufl.edu.
Job Titles:
- Legal Research Professor
- Professor of Legal Research & Tax Legal Research Specialist
- Tax Legal Research Specialist
Gia Arney is the Tax Legal Research Specialist and a Legal Research Professor at the Legal Information Center at the University of Florida's Levin College of Law. Prior to joining UF, she was a law librarian at George Washington University Law School and at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Ms. Arney practiced in the areas of estate planning, federal estate and gift tax, and probate law in South Florida for 10 years. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, her J.D. (magna cum laude) from St. Thomas University School of Law, her LL.M. in Estate Planning from the University of Miami and her master's degree in library science from The Catholic University of America.
Education
M.S.L.I.S., The Catholic University of America
LL.M., University of Miami
J.D., St. Thomas University (magna cum laude)
M.Ed., Florida Atlantic University
B.S., University of Florida
Job Titles:
- Eminent Scholar Chair in
- Professor
Job Titles:
- Member of the UF Law Leadership Team
- Associate Dean for Legal Information, Senior Lecturer
Jane O'Connell is Associate Dean for Legal Information, Senior Lecturer, and Legal Skills Professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Prior to joining UF Law, she was the Deputy Director of the Tarlton Law Library at the University of Texas. At UT Law, she taught courses on intellectual property legal research and Texas legal research. She also served as the editor of the Tarlton Law Library's Oral History series.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Career and Professional Development Team
- Member of the UF Law Leadership Team
- Assistant Dean of Career and Professional Development
Janice Shaw received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and her undergraduate degree from Florida State University. Janice began her legal career as an associate for the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where her practice included representing large, multinational corporations in shareholder litigation that challenged complex mergers and acquisitions. Janice also worked as a litigator at the law firm of Loeb & Loeb LLP. After practicing law for a number of years, Janice transitioned to law school administration and worked in career development at Fordham Law School and Columbia Law School. Janice joined Columbia as an Assistant Director of Career Advising and was ultimately promoted to Senior Director of J.D. Career Advising. During Janice's tenure at Columbia, the school was repeatedly recognized as the leader in private sector placement of graduates entering large law firms. Prior to joining the University of Florida, Janice served as the Assistant Dean of Career and Professional Development and an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. Dean Shaw may be reached at shaw@law.ufl.edu.
Job Titles:
- Acquisitions & Accounting Manager
- Scholarly Communications Assistant
Job Titles:
- Member of the Career and Professional Development Team
- Career and Professional Development Advisor, Associate Director
Joanna Auchettl joins UF Law from Clerkin, Sinclair & Mahfouz, LLP, in San Diego, California, where she specialized in insurance subrogation litigation. As a member of both the California and Florida bars, Joanna litigated cases in both states while overseeing the firm's law clerk recruitment and development program. During her tenure at the firm, Joanna presented several webinars and podcasts sponsored by national organizations. She also presented for several years at conferences around the country where her focus was the intersection between technology-based transportation services and the insurance subrogation industry. Joanna graduated from California Western School of Law in 2013. Prior to attending law school, Joanna graduated from Florida State University, cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. She may be reached at jauchettl@law.ufl.edu.
Job Titles:
- Admissions Staff Member
- Assistant Director for Admissions
Job Titles:
- Admissions Staff Member
- Director for Admissions
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Generalist II
Job Titles:
- Clinic Staff Member
- Staff Attorney
Job Titles:
- Administrative Support Assistant Florida Law Review
- Publications Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the UF Law Leadership Team
- Assistant Dean for Experiential Learning and Engagement
Job Titles:
- Admissions Staff Member
- Assistant Director for Admissions
Job Titles:
- Member of the UF Law Leadership Team
- Interim Dean
- Interim Dean and Associate Professor
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Development & Alumni Affairs
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Academic Success
Job Titles:
- Head of Metadata and Publications
- Legal Research Professor / Head of Metadata and Publications
- Professor of Legal Research & Head of Metadata and Publications
Expertise
Court Rules and Procedures • Legal Research • Library Outreach •
Patricia Morgan is the Head of Metadata and Publications and a Legal Research Professor at the Legal Information Center at the University of Florida's Levin College of Law. Patricia has been with UF Law since 2008. In addition to her library functions, she teaches First Year Legal Research. Patricia worked in private practice and as a judicial staff attorney before coming to UF. She earned her B.S. and J.D. degrees at the University of Florida and her M.S.L.I.S. at University of South Florida.
Job Titles:
- Member of the UF Law Leadership Team
- Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development
Job Titles:
- Member of the UF Law Leadership Team
- Associate Dean for Administrative and Student Affairs
- Student Life and Academic Support
Job Titles:
- Admissions Coordinator
- Admissions Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Strategic Academic Programs Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the UF Law Leadership Team
- Associate Dean for Academic Programs
- Professor at the University of Florida Levin College
- Senior Lecturer and Senior Legal Skills Professor / Associate Dean for Academic Programs Director of Legal Writing and Drafting
Sabrina Lopez is a Legal Skills Professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and teaches Legal Writing, Persuasive Writing, Legal Drafting and various real estate courses. Prior to joining the law school faculty, Professor Lopez previously taught courses covering education governance, teacher education and instructional practices.
Prior to returning to academia, she practiced law for ten years with Greenberg Traurig, P.A. where her practice focused on real estate and condominium law and included complex transactional work associated with high-end commercial and residential developments. Professor Lopez also acted as a legal consultant for Checkers Drive-In Restaurant, Inc. and advised the corporation regarding its real estate and business affairs.
Professor Lopez was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has received three degrees from the University of Florida.
Education
J.D., University of Florida (cum laude)
M.S.Ed., University of Florida (with honors)
B.A., University of Florida (with honors)
Job Titles:
- Faculty Services Specialist
- Legal Research Professor
- Professor of Legal Research & Faculty Services Specialist
Sara Bensley is the Faculty Services Specialist and a Legal Research Professor at the Legal Information Center at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Sara earned her BA from Georgetown University, her JD from Cornell Law School, and her MLIS from the University of Washington. After earning her JD, Sara clerked for the Honorable Richard J. Cardamone on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Before joining UF, Sara worked as an antitrust attorney in private practice. In addition to her library duties, Sara teaches First Year Legal Research.
Education
MLIS (Law Librarianship), University of Washington
J.D., Cornell Law School
B.A., Georgetown University
Job Titles:
- Interim Senior Director of Development and Alumni Affairs
Job Titles:
- Academic Assistant & Editor
Job Titles:
- Member of the UF Law Leadership Team
- Assistant Dean for Messaging and Outreach