Touro Law Center Alumni Reunion

Touro Law Center held its annual Alumni Reunion on Saturday, November 19th, 2011 at the Crest Hollow Country Club. Members of the classes of 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006 gathered together for an evening of reminiscing and visiting with fellow classmates and Touro Law professors and administrators. Thank you to the Reunion committee, listed below, who helped to put together this terrific event and thank you to our Reunion alumni donors for your continued support. Please visit our photo gallery at www.tourolaw.edu/photos to view photos from Reunion 2011.

Ouzy Azoulay ’06
Michael Beer ’91
Bradley Blakeman ’86
Beth Ann Byrnes ’06
Tim Byrnes ’06
Brian Caufield ’01
Byron Divins ’96
Barbara Dunleavy ’96
Neil Friedman ’96
David Gabor ’86
Lorraine Ganjian ’01
Harold Gannon ’86
Rhonda Gelfman Szabo ’86
Jameelah Hayes ’06
Diane Kasselman ’96
Meredith Kaufer ’96
Henry Kennedy ’86
Amy Koreen ’91
Lynn Kotler ’91
Dianne LeVerrier ’01
Christine Malafi D’Amaro ’91
Thomas Martin ’86
Jennifer A. Mendelsohn ’91
Roberta Michael ’96
Jessica Mishali ’06
Edward Nitkewicz ’91
Wendy Pelle Beer ’96
Diane Phillips ’91
Kelly Anne Poole ’91
James Rose ’96
Edward Taylor ’91
Leslie Tayne ’96

Annual Winter Alumni Reception

The Annual Winter Alumni Reception will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Le Marais (150 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Through our prestigious Alumni Awards Program, we are pleased to present the Exceptional Law School Service Award to Bruce K. Gould ’84; the Public Service Award to Andrea Callan ’07; the Keith Romaine Elected Official of the Year Award to Senator Joseph Addabbo ’92; the Emerging Leader Award to Alison Leigh Epilone ’08 and the newly created Alumni Council Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award to Violet E. Samuels ’99. We hope you will be able to join us for the memorable occasion and visit with your fellow classmates, Touro Law professors and administrators. For additional information or to register, please visit www.tourolaw.edu/winteralumnireception.

If you are not a current member, please consider joining the Alumni Association – dues are $25 a year and benefits of membership include:
• $10 ticket discount to the Annual Winter Alumni Reception
• Alumni ID card for Gould Law Library Membership
• Touro Law Center’s Alumni e-Newsletter
• Discounts to Touro Law Center’s CLE programs
• Free Transcripts
• Membership in the Working Advantage Program offering shopping and travel discounts
• Touro Law’s Barnes & Noble bookstore discounts
• Free audited classes (subject to availability)

To learn more about the Alumni Association or to download an application, please visit www.tourolaw.edu/alumniassociation

Mark Bonilla ’93 named December Alum of the Month

Touro Law Center's Office of Development, Alumni Relations and Communications is proud to announce that Mark Bonilla, Town Clerk for the Town of Hempstead, class of 1993, has been selected as the alum of the month for December 2011. Mr. Bonilla is a leader in his profession, was an active member of the Touro Law community while attending law school, and remains engaged attending a number of law school programs and events. On behalf of the entire law school community, we extend our congratulations to Mark Bonilla. Please visit www.tourolaw.edu/alumniofthemonth to view Mr. Bonilla’s accomplished bio.

2012 Steven C. Krane Student Loan for the Public Interest Grants are NOW Available

STEVEN C. KRANE
STUDENT LOAN ASSISTANCE
FOR THE PUBLIC INTEREST COMMITTEE
ANNOUNCES 2012 GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE

The Association is pleased to announce that thanks to donations from several New York law firms, individuals, and support from the New York Bar Foundation, we are able to provide financial assistance to selected public service attorneys to encourage them to remain in public service careers. The application deadline is November 30, 2011. Recipients will be announced in January, during the NYSBA Annual Meeting. Complete application packets are available on line or you may telephone the Department of Pro Bono Affairs at (518) 487-5641 or e-mail us at probono@nysba.org to receive an application packet by mail.

Click here to download the application packet.

Anthea des Etages named November Alum of the Month

Touro Law Center's Office of Development, Alumni Relations and Communications is proud to announce that Anthea des Etages has been selected as the alum of the month for November 2011. Ms. des Etages is a leader in her profession, was an active member of the Touro Law community while attending law school, and speaks to current and prospective law students. She is the Assistant Dean for Academics at Charlotte School of Law. She joined Charlotte School of Law in January 2007 as its first Academic Success Counselor and served both as an adjunct professor teaching Negotiations for two years and as the first Director of the Charlotte Law Program for Academic Success before becoming the Assistant Dean for Academics, a position she has held since December 2010. Please visit www.tourolaw.edu/alumniofthemonth to view her complete bio.

Joseph Rosenberg, ’87 named October Alum of the Month

Touro Law Center's Office of Development, Alumni Relations and Communications is proud to announce that Joseph Rosenberg ’87 has been selected as the alum of the month for October 2011. Mr. Rosenberg is a leader in his profession, was an active member of the Touro Law community while attending law school, and remains engaged with the law school as a member of the Alumni Association Executive Board, Alumni Council, special event committees, and attends a number of law school events and programs. His accomplished career is highlighted in the profile below. On behalf of the entire law school community, we extend our congratulations to Joseph Rosenberg.

Joseph B. Rosenberg concentrates his practice in estate planning, wills, trusts, probate and related areas, advising individuals and families with privately-owned businesses and significant assets on the transfer of wealth from one generation to the next. Mr. Rosenberg maintains offices in Uniondale and midtown Manhattan.

To view Mr. Rosenberg’s full bio, please visit www.tourolaw.edu/alumniofthemonth.

Rachel Freeman, ’07 named September Alum of the Month

Touro Law Center's Office of Development, Alumni Relations and Communications is proud to announce that Rachel Freeman ’07 has been selected as the alum of the month for September 2011. Ms. Freeman, an Administrative Law Judge for the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board is a leader in her profession, an active member of the Touro Law community while attending law school, and remains engaged with the law school, is a member of the Law School’s volunteer Alumni Council and participates in the Alumni-Student Mentor Program. To view her bio, please visit www.tourolaw.edu/alumniofthemonth.

Morris-Weinstein-Feinberg Conversation

Please join us on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 6:00 p.m., as Professor Jeffery Morris, attorney Kenneth Feinberg, special master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and BP Oil Spill Claims, and the Hon. Jack Weinstein, United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, have a conversation with Dean Lawrence Raful, about Judge Weinstein’s career over the past five decades, including some of his most memorable decisions.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness in Five Easy Steps

On September 21, 2011, at 12:30 p.m. (room tba), Heather Jarvis will give Touro students and alums a presentation on:

Public Service Loan Forgiveness in Five Easy Steps

Session Description:
Many government and nonprofit lawyers stand to gain tens of thousands of dollars of student debt relief from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program established by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. But the program requirements can be confusing. Heather knows how to break it down step-by-step so it makes sense once and for all.

From this presentation, you will learn: how the income-based repayment plan works and how to qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Heather will also answer your toughest questions about eligible loans, qualifying employment, tax consequences, and more.

To see Heather's biography please visit http://bit.ly/9xcpAs

Alumni Reunion

Reunion 2011, celebrating the classes of 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006 will be held on Saturday, November 19th at the Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury, NY. Don’t miss this great opportunity to visit with your fellow classmates, Touro Law faculty and administrators. The event will include music, dancing, a photo slideshow, reunion gift and reunion yearbook. For additional information, please call (631) 761-7063 or e-mail alumni@tourolaw.edu. You may also visit our web site at www.tourolaw.edu/alumni reunion

JERUSALEM IN JANUARY 2012

Earn your annual CLE credits against the backdrop of Jerusalem in January 2012. For more information visit http://bit.ly/q8lyMD

“With Liberty & Justice For All” Dinner Celebration

Touro Law Center will hold its 2011 “With Liberty & Justice For All” Dinner on Wednesday, November 9th, 2011, 6:30 p.m. at the Garden City Hotel. This year’s celebration with honor the inaugural class of Touro Law Center’s Builders Society. The Builders Society was created to recognize and celebrate those individuals who have been and continue to be an integral part of the Touro Law Center Community. The Law Center was founded in 1980 in Manhattan, and moved to Huntington in 1982. In January of 2007, Touro Law Center moved into its new building located on a campus working with and adjacent to both the federal and state court houses in Central Islip. This new location has enabled Touro Law to expand the classroom into the courtroom and broaden the spectrum of legal education today. Our innovative Court Collaborative program is thriving, our in-house clinics continue to help members of the surrounding communities and our William Randolph Hearst Public Advocacy Center is helping legal advocacy groups and those they serve. The Builders Society honors those individuals who have helped us to both develop and realize the dream of becoming a truly integrated law campus.
For additional information about this year’s Dinner, please call (631) 761-7064 or e-mail libertydinner@tourolaw.edu.

Family Day

Alumni, students, faculty and staff are invited with their families to Touro Law Center’s Family Day on Sunday, September 25, 2011. The event will begin at 10 a.m. with registration and tours, followed by a simulated law class with Professor Peter Zablotsky at 11 a.m., welcome ceremony at noon with Dean Lawrence Raful and Student Bar Association President Jamie-Lynn Burns. The BBQ will begin at 12:30 p.m. with pony rides, cotton candy, face painting, games and more. There is no fee to attend this event. For additional information, please call (631) 761-7064 or e-mail events@tourolaw.edu

Animal Law For the Pet Lover

Date - July 28, 2011

Time - 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Location - Commack branch of the Smithtown Library: 3 Indian Head Road, Commack NY 11725

Touro Alumni (Class of '08) Fort Salonga attorney (general practice and animal law), and animal rescuer Carol Ryder conducts regular seminars "Animal Law for the Pet Lover", with the next one Thurs July 28, and can schedule one in your town-just call. Subjects include animal ownership laws, rules and regulations, licensing, what to do when involved in a dog bite case, what to do if you purchase a sick pet, veterinary malpractice, ways to economize on pet care and still get the very best, animal abuse laws pending in Congress (NYS, federal and on Long Island), how you can adopt any breed and/or age you want, Q&A and so much more. Reservations suggested but walk-ins welcome. The seminar is complimentary BUT donations of blankets, towels and other linens (used but clean), as well as pet toys, for shelter animals, are VERY MUCH appreciated since shelter dogs lie on concrete, often suffering sores, unless volunteers bring (and clean) blankets to lie on and toys to occupy the lonely hours.

Note: Although library conference room closes 8:30, Q&As welcome past that time (we have often been outside on a nice summer evenings (and even cold nights) discussing with attendees)

• Features: Open to All
• Website: www.carolryderlaw.com
• Phone: Reservations (631) 265-2072; Carol: (631) 848-1204
•
• Email: Carol.Ryder@ymail.com
• Price: free, but blankets (new or used) & toys for shelter animals much appreciated

Orientation Alumni Welcome Lunch - Alumni Volunteers Needed

Remember your first day of law school? Share your experiences as a student and alum with Touro Law Center’s incoming class. Volunteer alumni are needed to meet and greet students during this year’s Orientation Program. The event is designed to introduce incoming students to members of our alumni community. To ensure the event’s success, we ask you to consider joining us at an Alumni Welcome Luncheon on Sunday, August 14th from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. to welcome first year students. The reception will be held at Touro Law Center in the Faculty Conference Room.

If you are interested in participating, kindly e-mail your name, class year, business name, phone and e-mail address to kmatthews@tourolaw.edu or call (631) 761-7063.

9th Annual Susan M. Dietrich Clyne ’88 Memorial Golf Outing

The Ninth Annual Susan M. Dietrich Clyne ’88 Memorial Golf Outing will be held on Monday, September 19th at the Hamlet Golf and Country Club. This year, we are pleased to honor Touro Law Board of Governors member and Adjunct Professor Ilene S. Cooper, Esq. of Farrell Fritz and Adjunct Professor Mitchell J. Cooper of Spizz and Cooper.
Touro Law Center tragically lost an esteemed graduate Susan M. Dietrich Clyne, class of 1988, on September 11, 2001. This golf tournament honors her memory. All proceeds benefit the Susan M. Dietrich Clyne Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Registration and brunch will begin at 10 a.m., shotgun tee off at noon, cocktail hour at 5 p.m. followed by dinner and awards at 6 p.m. The event will feature a special “Beat Buddy” contest with Bud Harrelson of the 1969 Mets, now Bench Coach with the Long Island Ducks, special raffle and additional prizes for closest to the pin. Hole-in-One car courtesy of Audi of Huntington.
For additional information, please contact Courtney Klein at (631) 761-7064 or e-mail golf@tourolaw.edu or visit our web site at www.tourolaw.edu/golfouting

Donna Stefans, '99 named July Alum of the Month

Touro Law Center's Office of Development, Alumni Relations and Communications is proud to announce that Donna Stefans ’99 has been selected as the alum of the month for July 2011. Mrs. Stefans is a leader in her profession, an active member of the Touro Law community while attending law school, and remains engaged with the law school, is a member of the Law School’s volunteer Alumni Council and participates in the Alumni-Student Mentor Program. She also has participated as a guest speaker at student events and attends a number of the Law Center’s programs. Her accomplished career is highlighted in the bio below. On behalf of the entire law school community, we extend our congratulations to Donna Stefans.

Donna Stefans has her own elder law and estate planning practice located in Woodbury. In addition, she is a partner in Stefans Associates, an accounting and income tax practice, as well as a financial advisor. She focuses her practice on providing services for financial and estate planning. Her experience as an attorney, with an extensive knowledge in taxation, gives her the tools necessary to help individuals accomplish their estate planning goals and financial needs. Ms. Stefans is a Registered Representative with Walnut Street Securities, Inc. (Member FINRA and SIPC). To read her full bio, please visit www.tourolaw.edu/alumniofthemonth

New York City Bar Association’s 2011 Summer Series and Third Annual Boot Camp

The New York City Bar Association is holding its annual Summer Series – Hot Practice areas and the Third Annual Boot Camp this summer. The Summer Series focuses on Careers in Compliance on June 29th, Green Careers on July 13th and Careers in Bankruptcy on August 3rd. All programs will be held at the New York City Bar (42 West 44th Street) at 6:30 p.m. The topics that will be covered in the Annual Boot Camp include:
• How to Run an Effective Job Search
• Drafting and Communications Skills
• Managing Law School Debt
• Practice Ready Skills, etc.
Touro Law Center is pleased to be a part the New York City Bar Association’s 2011 Summer Series – and as a co-sponsor, our students and alumni can attend the 2011 Summer Series and Boot Camp for free. For additional information or to register, please visit http://www.abcny.org/EventsCalendar/show_event_new.php?eventid=1699 or call (212) 382-6760

Kenneth P. LaValle , '87 named June Alum of the Month

Kenneth P. LaValle, (R-C-I, Port Jefferson) was first elected to the New York State Senate in 1976 and was appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education in 1979. Senator LaValle has helped shape higher education policy in New York State for more than 30 years where his work with education leaders at the State University of New York, City University of New York and independent colleges has earned him the respect of the academic community.

In 2007, the Governor appointed Senator LaValle to the New York State Commission on Higher Education which was charged with identifying ways of improving the quality of higher education in the State. Senator LaValle also served on the National Council of State Legislatures’ Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education whose goal was to create awareness among State Legislatures of their role in providing accessible and affordable public higher education.

Senator LaValle's achievements in education and higher education are matched by a distinguished record in health care and he is most proud of his work in establishing a Burn Unit at Stony Brook University Medical Center. His legislation to protect and advance the rights of patients earned him special recognition from the Suffolk County Breast Health Partnership. St. Charles Hospice also paid tribute to his efforts in developing a program for terminally ill patients in nursing homes. His commitment to quality health care is continued in his efforts to create an east end hospital alliance, ensuring continued access to vital health services on eastern Long Island. To read Kenneth's full bio please visit our website at http://bit.ly/mt7psG

Be a Part of History on May 26th

The 140 Characters Conference will be the first ever Global Social Networking Conference on Long Island – held at Touro Law Center in Central Islip.

The 140conf is a truly unique experience. Meet people at the top of their game in the social media industry, learn from business owners who are using the real-time web to succeed and grow and hear stories from real people whose lives have been changed in this incredible time we live in.

Student/educator discount rate - only $40!

Sign up today at http://bit.ly/k3KwpK

More information and confirmed speakers here: http://bit.ly/eacpVm

Hope to see you there!

The Honorable Lynn Kotler, '91 named May Alum of the Month

Touro Law Center's Office of Development, Alumni Relations and Communications is proud to announce that The Honorable Lynn Kotler, ’91 has been selected as the alum of the month for May 2011.

Lynn Kotler has been a judge in the Manhattan Criminal Court since 2010. Judge Kotler was elected to the Civil Court bench in November 2009 and has been assigned to Criminal Court in both the Bronx and Manhattan. Judge Kotler is currently a member of the New York City Bar Association, New York County Lawyers Association, the Lesbian and Gay Law Association for Greater New York (“LeGaL”) and is on the Board of Directors for the Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert ("JALBCA").

Prior to serving on the bench, Judge Kotler practiced law for seventeen years in both small firms and as a solo practitioner, maintaining a general civil litigation practice that focused on matrimonial and family law, real estate, wills and estates and personal injury. Her legal experience has been extremely varied. She represented clients from different walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds. Her practice always included a pro bono component, to help those who would otherwise be unable to afford legal services. In addition, Judge Kotler spent over a decade volunteering as an arbitrator for both the New York City Small Claims Court and the Better Business Bureau, where she heard and settled cases. She was also a Special Master in the Supreme Court, New York County where she worked closely with lawyers and litigants in preparing discovery orders, conducting conferences and facilitating settlement conferences. To read Lynn's bio please visit our website at http://bit.ly/mt7psG.

The Office of Alumni Relations hosts Open House on Monday, May 9th

The Office of Alumni Relations is pleased to announce it will be holding an Open House for all 2011 graduates on Monday May 9th from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. in the Atrium – Multi Meeting Room. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet members of the Office of Alumni Relations, learn about our alumni online directory, alumni association and ways the Alumni Office can assist you after graduation.

Richard Weber '90 named April Alum of the Month

Touro Law Center's Office of Development, Alumni Relations and Communications is proud to announce that Richard Weber ’90 has been selected as the alum of the month for April 2011. Mr. Weber is a leader in his profession, was an active member of the Touro Law community while attending law school, and speaks to a number of current Touro Law students. His accomplished career is highlighted in the profile below. On behalf of the entire law school community, we extend our congratulations to Richard Weber.

Richard Weber was appointed as Deputy Chief of the Investigation Division and Chief of the Major Economic Crimes Bureau on April 5, 2010. From March 2005 through March 2010, Mr. Weber served as Chief, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, Criminal Division, United States Department of Justice. Mr. Weber is a veteran white collar-crime prosecutor with national and international involvement in some of the nation's most complex financial crime prosecutions. At the Justice Department, Mr. Weber oversaw prosecutions against major domestic and international financial institutions and corporations, including the federal portion of the Credit Suisse and Lloyds investigations, Union Bank of California, American Express Bank International, BankAtlantic, E Gold Ltd. (an internet-based digital currency business), and Sigue Corporation (a global money service business). Under Mr. Weber’s leadership, AFMLS was responsible for more than $2 billion in asset forfeiture.
To read Mr. Weber's full bio, please visit our web site at www.tourolaw.edu/alumniofthemonth.

Fashion Law Society of Touro Law Center and the Tender Loving Care Community Fund Fashion Show

The Fashion Law Society of Touro Law Center and the Tender Loving Care (TLC) Community Fund cordially invite you to a Fashion Show "What to Wear as an Attorney in the Legal Field" featuring designer clothing modeled by professors and students on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 6 p.m. at Touro Law Center in the Faculty Conference Room. Gift certificates, designer clothing and other items to be raffled off during the show. Participants include Professors Rodger Citron, Suzanne Darrow Kleinhaus, Beverly McQueary Smith, Heather Melniker, Gary Shaw, Thomas Schweitzer, Dan Subotnik, Touro Law administrators and students. Tickets are $30 per person. All proceeds to benefit the TLC Community Fund to help students' financial needs. For additional information or to rsvp, please contact Diana Castrellon at (631) 761-7094 or dcastrellon@tourolaw.edu.

2011 Howard A. Glickstein Civil Rights and Public Policy Lecture

In 2009, Touro Law Center created the Howard A. Glickstein Civil Rights and Public Policy Lecture in honor of Dean Emeritus Howard A. Glickstein. The inaugural lecture was held in November 2009. This year's lecture will be delivered by former Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, Marsha Ternus.

The event will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 starting at 6 p.m. at the Law Center. The evening will begin with a Wine & Cheese reception with the lecture by Marsha Ternus, former Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, to follow. For additional information or to respond for the event, please call (631) 761-7066 or e-mail events@tourolaw.edu. Additional information about this year's lecturer can also be found on our web site at www.tourolaw.edu/civilrightslecture.

Annual Black Law Students Association Dinner Dance

The National Black Law Students Association of Touro Law Center will be holding their Annual Dinner Dance on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 7 p.m. The event will be held at the Terrace on the Park, located at 52-11 111th Street in Queens, New York. This year's keynote speaker will be former Governor David A. Paterson. Mr. Paterson served as New York's 55th governor from 2008-2010, the first African American to hold that position. Mr. Paterson worked in the Queens DA's Office and on the staff of the Manhattan Borough President, then was elected to the New York State Senate, rising to the position of Minority Leader. Then-New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer selected him as his Lieutenant Governor running mate in the 2006 gubernatorial election. They were elected in November 2006, and Paterson took office as Governor following Spitzer's resignation in 2008. Mr. Paterson is currently teaching at NYU.

Tickets are $65 per person. For additional information, please call (631) 761-7063 or e-mail events@tourolaw.edu

Touro Law Review and Touro Moot Court present "A Night of Texas Hold 'em"

The Touro Law Review and Touro Moot Court present A Night of Texas Hold‘em to benefit RIF, Reading is Fundamental. Come join us on Thursday, April 7, 2011 from 7-10 p.m. at Touro Law Center, Faculty Conference Room. RIF is a wonderful organization that seeks to end illiteracy by providing books to undeserved children. Help us help RIF by coming out for a night of food, fun and fabulous prizes. There is a $35 minimum donation at the door. For more information or to reserve a seat at a table, please contact Christina Pinnola, Christina-Pinnola@tourolaw.edu.

Alumni Volunteers Needed

Accepted Student Reception: On Wednesday, March 23, 2011, Touro Law Center will be hosting an Accepted Students Reception starting at 6:30 p.m. Alumni volunteers are needed to meet with accepted students during this reception. Alumni are seated at tables with accepted students based upon the alum's area of practice and student interest. The reception will conclude at 8 p.m.

Intra-School Negotiation Competition: The Alternate Dispute Resolution Society will be holding the preliminary rounds of their intra-school Negotiation Competition on Thursday, March 24, 2011 starting at 5:30 p.m. Alumni volunteers are needed to help judge the competition. In the competition, two–person student teams, each representing a different party, will attempt to negotiate a resolution of a hypothetical dispute. The students’ performances will be judged on criteria used in the American Bar Association (ABA) student negotiation competitions.

If you are interested in participating in either or both programs, plese contact Kristin Matthews at (631) 761-7063 or kmatthews@tourolaw.edu.

Courtney (Liotti) Topic named March 2011 Alum of the Month

Touro Law Center's Office of Development, Alumni Relations and Communications is proud to announce that Courtney (Liotti) Topic ’07 has been selected as the alum of the month for March 2011. Mrs. Topic is a leader in her profession, an active member of the Touro Law community while attending law school, and remains engaged with the law school, speaks to a number of students and attends a number of the Law Center’s programs and events. Her accomplished career is highlighted in the bio below. On behalf of the entire law school community, we extend our congratulations to Courtney Topic.

Courtney (Liotti) Topic joined Dickstein Shapiro LLP in 2008 as an associate in the Business Litigation Group. Mrs. Topic's practice focuses on a wide array of complex civil litigation matters, including sophisticated financial transactions and distressed debt-related disputes, breach of loan agreements, business valuation cases and other business disputes. Her related practices include financial institution dispute resolution and litigation.

To view Courtney's full profile, please visit www.tourolaw.edu/alumniofthemonth

17th Annual Goods & Services Auction

Touro Law Center’s 17th Annual Goods and Services auction will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at the law school from 6-8:00 p.m. The auction is held annually to benefit Touro Law’s Public Interest Law Fellowship Program, awarding stipends to students who are dedicated to helping others through public service work during the summer. In addition, attorneys from local law firms will be honored for their dedication to public interest and pro bono work through the Public Interest Attorney of the Year Recognition Program, led by auction co-chair Lois Schlissel, Esq., managing partner of Meyer, Suozzi, English, Klein, P.C.

Fabulous Auction items include restaurant gift certificates, theater tickets, sports tickets, travel packages, wine, electronics, jewelry, Pieper Bar Review certificates and much more.

To donate an item, nominate a Public Interest Attorney of the Year or if you are interested in attending the auction, please contact Kristin Matthews at (631) 761-7063 or e-mail auction@tourolaw.edu. Donations and onilne registration is available on our web site at www.tourolaw.edu/auction.

Not able to attend the auction, but interested in bidding on an item? Inquire about our Proxy Bidding.

A Terrible Melancholy: A Conversation About Quality of Life Among Law Students and Lawyers

The Student Bar Association, Quality of Student Life Committee and Office of Student Services present "A TERRIBLE MELANCHOLY: A CONVERSATION ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG LAW STUDENTS AND LAWYERS"

A Program for the Entire Law School Community!

All Students and Alumni are invited to attend one of the following discussion sessions:

Wednesday, February 23, 5:30-6:20 p.m., Room 209 – Dinner will be served - Discussion with speakers

Thursday, February 24, 12:30-1:20 p.m., FCR and BDR – Lunch will be served - Discussion with speakers

Speakers at both panels include:

Daniel T. Lukasik is an attorney from Buffalo, New York and listed in the publication The Best Lawyers in America. Dan suffers from depression and is the creator of the national website and blog Lawyers with Depression (http://lawyerswithdepression.com/). He will speak about his struggles with depression as a practicing attorney, why those in the legal profession suffer from depression at twice the national rate and what we can do about it.

Marjorie A. Silver is a Professor of Law at Touro Law Center and member of the Board of Trustees of the New York State Lawyer Assistance Trust. Professor Silver will speak about her personal experience with major clinical depression and the support available to lawyers, law students and their families through state and local Lawyer Assistance Programs.

Andrew Sparkler is the President of the Dave Nee Foundation (http://www.daveneefoundation.com/). He is speaking on behalf of the Dave Nee Foundation's "Uncommon Counsel" program. Uncommon Counsel seeks to educate law students about both the prevalence of depression in law school as well as available treatment options. It also encourages the development of symbiotic, nurturing relationships among law students in an effort to reduce the stigma of depression.

Also present:
Students Helping Students assistants will also be present at the sessions on Wednesday and Thursday to introduce themselves and speak with students.

Adam Bialow '92 Named February 2011 Alum of the Month

Touro Law Center's Office of Development, Alumni Relations and Communications is proud to announce that Adam Bialow ’92 has been selected as the alum of the month for February 2011. Mr. Bialow is a leader in his profession, was an active member of the Touro Law community while attending law school, and remains engaged with the law school as a member of the Alumni Council, attends a number of law school forums and participates in the Law Center’s Mentor Program for current students. His accomplished career is highlighted in the profile below. On behalf of the entire law school community, we extend our congratulations to Adam Bialow.

          Adam Bialow is currently Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs for Shine International, which is the international sales and distribution division of Shine Group. The company distributes over 3,000 hours of high quality programming to over 150 countries worldwide. In this capacity, he oversees the division’s business and legal affairs team which is based in Los Angeles, California and London, England. He is responsible for handling the day to day business & legal affairs of the division relating to the acquisition, licensing and distribution of television formats and television programming in all forms of media worldwide including such programs as The Biggest Loser (NBC), Minute to Win It (NBC), MasterChef (Fox), Live To Dance (CBS) and One Born Every Minute (Lifetime). 

To read Mr. Bialow’s full bio, please visit www.tourolaw.edu/alumniofthemonth

 

Carol Ryder ’08 Named January 2011 Alum of the Month

Touro Law Center's Office of Development, Alumni Relations and Communications is proud to announce that Carol Ryder’08 has been selected as the alum of the month for January. Ms. Ryder is a leader in her profession, an active member of the Touro Law community while attending law school, and remains engaged with the law school through the Alumni Council and Alumni Mentor Programs. Her accomplished career is highlighted in the bio below. On behalf of the entire law school community, we extend our congratulations to Carol Ryder.

Carol Ryder is a busy solo practitioner but finds time to work with projects and/or issues close to her heart. She is an active member of the Suffolk County Bar Association, volunteering with several pro bono projects, including the Pro Bono Foreclosure Settlement Project, and remains engaged with Touro Law Center in a number of ways, including judging student competitions, conducting seminars on animal law, mentoring students, and sponsoring students interested in satisfying their Public Interest Law Perspective by working on cases involving underdogs. This includes working in areas such as disability law, elder law, foreclosure defense, animal law, and aiding battered spouses.

To read Ms. Ryder’s full bio, please visit www.tourolaw.edu/alumniofthemonth

Annual Winter Alumni Reception- Thursday, January 27, 2011

The Annual Winter Alumni Reception will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2011, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Abigael’s on Broadway (1407 Broadway at 39th Street). Through our prestigious Alumni Awards Program, the Exceptional Law School Service Award will be presented to Thomas Santucci ’83; the Public Service Award will be presented to Lois Schwaeber ’92; the Emerging Leader Award will be presented to Patrick McGlashan ’06; and the Keith Romaine Elected Official of the Year Award will be presented to Daniel Panico ’03. We hope you will be able to join us to see you fellow classmates, Dean Raful and Touro Law faculty and administrators.

Tickets are $50 per person. All current members of the Alumni Association and Alumni Council will receive a $10 ticket discount. To register, please visit our web site at www.tourolaw.edu/winteralumnireception, call (631) 761-7064 or e-mail alumni@tourolaw.edu.