Greetings!
I am pleased to present the second issue of the Ave Maria School of Law Alumni
newsletter. A recent survey of alumni indicated a desire to remain informed and
engaged with fellow alumni and the law school. Through this newsletter, the Alumni
Board aspires to achieve those goals. This newsletter will provide you with existing and
new communication avenues. We invite you to participate in our social media,
Networking and Referral Center, and 1L mentorship programs. We also welcome you
to remain engaged with the law school through events, mentorship, or contribution.
God bless,
Andrew T. Bodoh
President, Ave Maria School of Law
Alumni Association
In Gratitude for the Life andService of Dean
Emeritus Bernard Dobranski
At thepassing of Dean Emeritus Bernard
Dobranski, we deeply mourn the loss of the
manwho was instrumental in building our law
school from the ground up as ourfounding dean.
To him we owe an incredible debt of gratitude for
his untiringdevotion to Ave Maria. Through his
efforts, he firmly established our lawschool as an
institution dedicated to genuine Catholic legal
education, whichhas equipped each one of us to
serve our communities with honor and
competence.
To Mrs.Dobranski and all of Dean Dobranski’s
family and friends, we express ourdeepest
condolences and pray that he may rest in eternal
peace. By unanimous consent, theBoard of
Directors of the Ave Maria Alumni Association
passed a resolution onApril 5, 2016 in recognition
and thanksgiving of Dean Emeritus Dobranski,
foundHERE.
Ave Maria School of Law Happenings
Commencement Weekend
Stay Connected!
Ave Maria School of Law has a new
At the Ave Maria School of Law Annual
Commencement Exercises, prospective
graduates cross a threshold, shifting from
efforts dedicated to preparing to become
a member of the legal profession to the
opportunity to apply that knowledge. The
events not only recognize the completion
of the educational program, they provide
an opportunity for our graduates to reflect
upon their accomplishment and
acknowledge the support of their family
and friends.
The Alumni Association participates in
Commencement Activities through the
sponsorship of the Alumni Recognition
website designed to make it easier
for alumni to stay connected. We invite
you to share your personal and
professional milestones, join our
Networking and Referral Center, and
participate in initiatives to grow and guide
the next generation of Ave Maria School
of Law practitioners.
Join the Network
Participate in AMSL Events
Visit our Website
Pinning Ceremony to be held on Friday,
May 13, 2016 at St. Thomas More
Commons.
Symplicityis an online tool that offers a
great deal of resources. Symplicity
Ave Maria School of Law Alumni are
welcome to attend in support of the Class
supportsgraduate interaction with the
Career Services and Alumni Affairs Office.
Theonline system will allow alumni to
of 2016. To RSVP, please email
conduct the following:
[email protected]
• Learn about Career Services and
Alumni Affairs Office and external events
andconferences.
•Make counseling appointments via the
Learn More
calendar.
• Connect with other alumni through our
Professional Network and ReferralCenter.
• Search job postings, fellowships, and
other opportunities.
• Access videos and documents providing
job search advice.
• RSVP to events sponsored by the
Career Services and Alumni Affairs Office.
Log in to Symplicity
Alumni Day of Prayer
Pleasejoin alumni in the annual Alumni Day of
Prayer on June 22. On this day, we celebratethe
feast of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, two
English martyrs who wereexecuted within two
weeks of each other by King Henry VIII because
they refusedto compromise their faith and bend to the king’s demands. Let us pray that
aseach one of us would have the courage to stand strong in the truth, even whenthe
truth is unpopular or leads to our own persecution or suffering. From theprayers for
today’s Mass:
O God, whoin martyrdom have brought true faith to its highest expression,
graciouslygrant that, strengthened through the intercession of Saints John Fisher
andThomas More, we may confirm by the witness of our life the faith we professwith
our lips. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reignswith you in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Sign up as a Mentor
Rememberthose times in law school
when we were lost or confused about
our studies andabout our future?
Don’t let the next generation of Ave
students be left in thesame
confusion! Sign up to be a mentor.
The time commitment is low, but
your effortswill make a difference to
an Ave student. Thank you to all the
Mentor
Reception
Ave Maria
School of Law
held the 1st Annual Mentor Reception on
January 14, 2016. Over 40 students, alumni
and mentors networked and learned the
importance of mentorship specific to the legal
profession. Special thanks to Will Sullivan,
class of 2012, for providing an excellent
alumni who havealready signed up!
presentation on the value of learning from a
mentor.
Sign Up as a Mentor HERE
Florida Bar Induction Ceremony
Ave Maria School of Law alumni were sworn into the
Florida Bar on Friday, April 15th. Hon. Judge John E.
Steele delivered the Oath of Attorney. The Ave Maria
School of Law Alumni Board welcomes our new attorneys into this most distinguished
profession.
Ave Maria Law's On Demand
Live Streaming CLE Course
Courses
Coming Soon!
Now you can earn your CLE's with Ave
Maria Law's on demand courses. They
The Alumni Affairs office of Ave Maria
are Florida State Board Association
School of Law will be offering live
approved and the courses are taught by
nationally recognized legal experts.
streaming CLE courses, taught by AMSL
professors and local practitioners,
beginning this fall.
Get more info or order CLEs here
Watch your email for more information.
Alumni Milestones
Class of 2003
Michael D. Vizard is getting married to Morgan Jean Boyer on November 6, 2016 in
Hartland, MI.
Class of 2004
William Bloomfield is an Assistant Attorney General, where he serves as thecharitable
trust attorney. He and his wife Anna live in Lansing. In January,they welcomed their
fifth child, Catherine Zoe. In 2014, Will began the SacredArt Series, which publishes
Catholic devotional books and aids to help familiesgrow in holiness. Visit
www.SacredArtSeries.com.
Class of 2010
Brian Mortenson and Elizabeth (Kosel) Mortenson welcomed twin boys on
February 11, 2016.
Class of 2012
Ernest A. Ricci, Esq. is an Associate Attorney at the Boatman Law Firm, P.A. in
Naples, FL focusing on civil litigation.
Class of 2013
Michael Acquilano and his wife, Hope, welcomed a baby boy, Giorgio Francis, on
April 15, 2016.
Class of 2014
Joshua D. Molandes and Vito M. Roppo formed a new law firm, Roppo l Molandes,
PLLC, with offices in Naples, Fort Myers and Pensacola, FL.
Click Here to Share Your Milestone
Upcoming Events
Friday,May 6, 2016
Estate Planning Conference
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples
For more information, please contact Kristy Kryszczak at239-687-5404
[email protected]
Friday,May 13, 2016
Baccalaureate Mass
St. Agnes Catholic Church
New Alumni Reception and Pinning Ceremony
St. Thomas More Commons
RSVP @ [email protected]
Saturday,May 14, 2016
Commencement featuring Commencement speaker Lou Holtz
Artis-Naples(tickets required)
EveryTuesday
Weekly Bible Study
7:00 p.m. | Michigan Room
Complimentary coffee and desserts
EveryWednesday
Legion of Mary
8:00 AM | Cardinal O'ConnorConference Room
EveryFriday
St. Thomas More Society: Rosary and Fellowship
6:00 PM | Chapel
Jennifer Lucas-Ross
Assistant Dean of Career Services & Alumni Affairs
(239) 687 5351
[email protected]
www.avemarialaw.edu
Ave Maria School of Law, Alumni Affairs
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AveMaria School of Law was founded in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1999, and in 2009relocated to Naples, Florida. It is licensed by the Florida Commission
forIndependent Education, License Number 4007, and is fully accredited by theAmerican Bar Association. A copy of the official registration and financialinformation
may be obtained from the division of consumer services by callingtoll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval,or recommendation
by the state. http://www.freshfromflorida.com/divisions-offices/consumer-services1-800-435-7352.