Circuit Lt. Governors

Executive Lt. Governor

Bolanle Akinrimisi
Florida Coastal School of Law

The Executive Lt. Governor is the second ranking officer of the Circuit. Should the Circuit Governor not be able to fulfill his duties of the office, the Executive Lt. Governor assumes primary responsibility. This person:

Serves as a liaison between the Circuit Governor and Lt. Governors.
Works closely with the Lt. Governor of Communications to coordinate inter-circuit communications (including conference calls).
Provides project coordination support to the Governor including, coaching assistance and oversees the progress and completion of Lt. Governor projects and assignments.

Circuit Communications

Internal Communications
Victoria Myers
Stetson University College of Law

The Lt. Governors of Internal and External Communications works in cooperation with the Circuit Governor and the Lt. Governor of External Communications. This Lt. Governor is responsible for:

Publishing the Circuit newsletter in conjunction with the Lt. Governor of External Communications, including the development of articles, editing contributions from circuit members, and providing information on current opportunities, activities and benefits available from the ABA, the Law Student Division and/or the Circuit (see also the Division's monthly eNewsletter)
Coordinating information in for review and dissemination by the Circuit Governor to include development of promotional announcements about activities and events taking place in the 5th Circuit.
Submitting announcements and updates to the Circuit Governor for posting to the ABA Law Student Division Circuit list serve and/or Circuit webpage.
Maintaining an archive record of circuit meeting minutes including conference calls.
Ensuring that a copy of all circuit correspondence is provided to the Circuit Governor and maintained in an archive database for future records and reference.

External Communications
Kyle Bedran
Florida Coastal School of Law

The Lt. Governor of External Communications works in cooperation with the Circuit Governor and the Lt. Governor of Internal Communications. This Lt. Governor is responsible for:

Publishing the Circuit newsletter in conjunction with the Lt. Governor of Internal Communications, including the development of articles, editing contributions from circuit members, and providing information on current opportunities, activities and benefits available from the ABA, the Law Student Division and/or the Circuit (see also the Division's monthly eNewsletter).
Submitting monthly announcements to the Circuit Governor for submission to the editors of Student Lawyer magazine.
Coordinating information in cooperation with the Circuit Governor and other Lt. Governors to develop and disseminate promotional announcements regarding Circuit and Division activities and programs.
Submitting announcements and updates to the Circuit Governor for posting to the ABA Law Student Division circuit list serve and/or Circuit webpage.
Ensuring that a copy of all circuit correspondence is provided to the Circuit Governor and maintained in an archive database for future records and reference.

Membership

ABA Representatives
Samantha Kargbo
Stetson University College of Law

The Lt. Governor of ABA Representatives works in cooperation with the Circuit Governor and serves as a liaison between the ABA Representatives, the ABA Law Student Division and the 5th Circuit. This Lt. Governor is responsible for building a strong bridge of communication and support systems for ABA Representatives in the circuit. This Lt. Governor will concentration its efforts on:

Planning and coordinating resources and information for the ABA Representatives workshop at the Circuit’s Fall and Spring Meetings.
Maintaining and developing circuit membership programs, plans, and activities for promoting Division programs, activities and national competitions through regular communications with Circuit ABA Representatives.
Working in cooperation with the Lt. Governor of SBA Presidents and the Lt. Governor of Membership and Benefits to recommend and prepare Circuit membership initiatives and activities for membership campaigns for use by reps in an effort to encourage, motivate and support ABA Representatives in their activities.
Maintaining regular communication with each of the Circuit’s ABA Representatives, monitor their activities and programs, provide coaching and support systems to those in need, and report any concerns or difficulties to the Circuit Governor.
Assisting the Circuit Governor in ensuring that all ABA Representatives elected to serve during the 2009-2010 academic year have completed an ABA Law Student Division Reporting Form before July 1, 2009.
Securing and updating the election/appointment results and contact information for ABA Representatives at each of the Circuit’s ABA-approved law schools on a continuous basis.

Membership Development and Benefits
Nathaniel Flinchbaugh
Nova Southeastern University School of Law

The Lt. Governor of Membership Development and Benefits works in cooperation with the Circuit Governor and is responsible for increasing membership and promoting ABA Law Student Division member benefits within the Circuit as follows:

Reaching out to first year law student to cultivate a strong ABA and Law Student Division relationship from the start of law school.
Seeking out creative and innovative ways to encourage first year students to take advantage of the ABA's invaluable benefits (i.e. discounts, seminars, workshops, luncheons) and promotes attendance at the ABA Annual Meeting.
Maintaining and developing circuit membership programs, plans, and activities for promoting Division programs, activities and national competitions.
Recommend and prepare Circuit membership initiatives and activities for membership campaigns that can be presented by the Circuit Governor for review and initiation.
Working with the Circuit Governor and other Circuit Lt. Governors to plan and coordinate resources and information for the ABA Representative's workshop at the Circuit’s Fall and Spring Meetings.

Non-Traditional Law Student Relations
Richard Bruner
Florida Coastal School of Law

Non-traditional students are a very important part of the law school community, but all too often the unique needs and concerns of these students are overlooked. The Lt. Governor of Non-Traditional Students serves as an advocate for students returning to academic life after a long or short-term absence, evening students, those with dependent families, part-time students, etc. Working in cooperation with the Circuit Governor this Lt. Governor is responsible for serving as:

A voice of non-traditional students within the Circuit to establish recognition for the unique needs and concerns.
Recognizing that one approach does not fit all, this individual must be creative in developing strategies for bringing the circuit and ABA to the forefront of these students’ attention in an effort to build a more durable link between this group and the goals of the ABA Law Student Division.
It is the responsibility of this Lt. Governor to coordinates initiatives, programs and activities of interest to non-traditional students with other student leaders throughout the region who represent non-traditional students.

Regional Affairs and Relations

Alabama
Kenneth Cantrell
University of Alabama School of Law

Florida
Paul Min Chung
St. Thomas University School of Law
Miami, FL

Georgia
Tammy Holcomb
Atlanta's John Marshall Law School
Atlanta, GA

Mississippi
Ronald Morris
Mississippi College School of Law

Puerto Rico
Jessica Medina
Florida International University School of Law

Tennessee
Dan Kuninsky
Vanderbilt University Law School

The Lt. Governors for Regional Affairs and Relations assist in the coordination of the following ABA Law Student Division program and initiatives on law school campuses in their assigned region/state. These Lt. Governors are charged with developing mechanisms and activities for establishing an ABA and Circuit presence at each ABA-approved law school in their assigned region/state.

Each Lt. Governor position listed above is responsible for strengthening the relationship between the law schools and law students in their assigned state/region and the ABA, Law Student Division and the 5th Circuit. Working under the direction of the Circuit Governor, these individuals are charged with the task of developing creative methods of encouraging increased participation by law students at otherwise inactive law schools to take on greater role in bar activities. These Lt. Governors will concentration their efforts on:

Working closely with all other Circuit leaders to plan and coordinate resources and support systems specifically designed to address the needs of law students at their assigned law school(s).
Establishing an ABA and Circuit presence and building a sturdy relationship with law school leaders at their assigned school(s).
Developing creative methods and initiatives for the Circuit Governor to foster a stronger law student/law school community within their assigned region and ultimately create a sturdy foundation that will bridge students at all 5th Circuit law schools with the Circuit and the Division.
Coordinate all Circuit communication with law students at their assigned school(s).

Programs and Activities

Career Development
Abbigail Webb
University of Miami School of Law

In this socioeconomic climate, it is important to develop the relationships and skills that will help law students succeed. The Lt. Governor of Career Development is responsible for:

Working closely with the Circuit governor, professional Bar Association members, Career Development office of each Circuit school, and other Lt. Governors to coordinate networking activities for law students throughout the circuit.
Contribute articles regarding networking and career development for the Circuit Newsletter (see also the Division's monthly eNewsletter).
Become familiar with the ABA Career Development Resources
Provided information regarding opportunities available to law students for volunteering, internships, job opportunities, finding a mentor, and other general career information within the circuit.
Provide information regarding upcoming ABA CLE events that are available to law students to attend within the circuit.

Diversity
Casandra Spring
University of Miami School of Law
Miami, FL

This Lt. Governor will lead and promote diversity initiatives at the circuit's ABA-approved law school by:

Serving as a liaison to school organizations within the circuit, this person works closely with law schools to encourage the sponsorship of educational programs and events that teach and foster respect for different races, genders, religions, sexual orientations and individuals with disabilities.
Taking a leading role in developing and creating opportunities and plans for law schools to participate in the Division’s March 2 Diversity Day events.
Serving as a coach, mentor and consultant for other independently school-sponsored activities such as Diversity Weeks as called upon by student organizations at law schools within the Circuit.
Periodically, preparing reports outlining circuit activities addressing diversity to the Circuit Governor.
Establish a method to maintain archive records of activities within the circuit for future reference.
It may be possible that this committee will be called upon to coordinate a program on Diversity during the Circuit’s Fall and/or Spring Meeting.

Spring and Fall Meetings
Kamephis Perez
Florida International University College of Law
Miami, FL

Working closely with the Circuit Governor, this Lt. Governor is responsible for developing the Fall and Spring Circuit Meeting programs to include:

Confirming a law school host, securing sponsors, coordinating the logistics, soliciting guest speakers, and compiling a list of host city points of interest.
Soliciting topic and event suggestions from circuit members, SBA presidents and ABA representatives in an effort to ensure that the Circuit meetings are academically, professionally and personally rewarding for attendees.

Law Student Mental Health
Brittany Pribbenow
Stetson University College of Law
Gulfport, FL

This Lt. Governor is responsible for reaching out to the leaders at each law school in the circuit to discuss the implementation of a Law Student Mental Health Initiative on their campus.

If a law school has a similar program addressing Law Student Mental Health, this person should ask for a description of the program including how it is set up and managed, and should immediately transmit the summary to the Circuit Governor for submission to the Division’s Chair.
Familiarizing yourself with the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs for valuable resources available to law students in need to refer any interested students or groups to the ABA for more information on the law student mental health issues.
Serve as a law student mental health coach, mentor and consultant for independently school-sponsored activities as called upon by student organizations at ABA-approved law schools within the Circuit.
It may be possible that this person will be called upon to coordinate a program on Law Student Mental Health during the Fall and/or Spring Circuit Meeting.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Programs (VITA)
Michelle Reeves
Barry University School of Law
Orlando, FL

This Lt. Governor is responsible for assisting law schools within the circuit develop and maintain their own VITA program.

Serving as a coach and mentor to those law schools in the circuit who have not sponsored a previous VITA site.
Visit the Law Student Division VITA webpage for information on this program. Planning for the implementation of a school's VITA program should be done in the Summer and Fall for the following Spring 2009 Tax Filing Deadline. Any experience in accounting or tax would be helpful to successfully satisfy these job responsibilities, but such experience is not required.

Public Interest/Work-A-Day Community Service
Faisal Akhter
Emory University School of Law
Atlanta, GA

This Lt. Governor is responsible for organizing Circuit public interest projects and promoting campus public interest programs.

Promoting the Work-A-Day programs in the Circuit and assists schools in maintaining and developing their own Work-A-Day programs.
It may be possible that this person will be called upon to coordinate a program or activity during the Circuit’s Fall of Spring Meeting.
Communicating with the Circuit Governor, keeping the Circuit informed of what Public Interest and Work-A-Day events are taking place in the Circuit.
As the Circuit’s primary contact for Public Interest, this person should familiarize themselves with ABA’s Law Day, the Division’s Grant Program, VITA Program and the ABA Standing Committee on ProBono and Public Service.
Promotes ABA and Division funding assistance available to law schools, such as the Division’s Grant Program, for public interest events and programs.

Student Bar Associations

Brittany Pugh
University of Alabama School of Law
Tuscaloosa, AL

The Lt. Governor for Student Bar Associations is responsible for working with the Circuit Governor to plan and coordinate resources and information for the SBA President as follows: