Class of 1985

View your classmates' news and accomplishments by selecting your graduation year! The most recent class notes entries appear first on each page. If you have anything that you would like to include as a class note, you may submit a class note online or contact Becky Shepherd.

David S. Oliver passed away on March 18, 2024. Oliver was a versatile and highly regarded litigator who was a partner in several major Florida law firms, including the last several years as a shareholder at Gray Robinson in Orlando. David is survived by his wife Terry and his two daughters, Chelsea and Alexis. Posted 4.3.24

middleton_jim_web.jpgJames W. Middleton has retired as lead trial counsel from his active civil trial practice effective December 31, 2022, after being an AV rated lawyer for more than 20 years. Since retirement, Middleton still offers consultation or is available as an expert trial witness, when he is not traveling the world. Posted 4.6.23

 

Steven J. Rothman was elected to serve on the board of directors of Jones Foster P.A. Rothman counsels clients in a wide variety of matters, often in cases with complex technical issues, with an emphasis on product liability, wrongful death, personal injury, defamation, real estate, and commercial litigation. He represents individuals, businesses, and governmental bodies. Posted 1.20.23

 

Steven J. Rothman, litigation shareholder at Jones Foster, was inducted as president of the American Board of Trial Advocates Palm Beach Chapter at the Annual Judicial Recognition and Awards Ceremony held at the Sailfish Club in Palm Beach. Posted 11.16.22

 

Robert D. Fingar was recently recognized in the 2022 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™ in the field of Environmental and Land Use Law. Fingar is a shareholder with Guilday Law, P.A. in Tallahassee. Posted 7.6.22
 

 

Mark Elliott Holcomb passed away in September 2021. In his 36 years of practicing law, he worked with several different Tallahassee law firms, most recently Dean Mead & Dunbar. He specialized in state and local tax law and was a very active member, speaker, and writer in professional tax organizations at both the state and federal level. Posted 9.29.21

Robert D. Fingar was recently recognized in the 2021 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™ in the field of Environmental and Land Use Law. Fingar is a shareholder with Guilday Law, P.A. in Tallahassee. Posted 7.19.21 

 

Ralph DeMeo has been ranked as a leading practitioner in the 2020 edition of Chambers USA in the area of Environment. DeMeo is a shareholder in the Tallahassee office of Baker Donelson. Posted 6.15.20

 

Suellen Fagin-Allen retired from law practice in 2013 but continues her work as a psychotherapist in Orlando and her avocation as a musical adventurer. This past summer, she spent a week in Spain studying and performing Renaissance choral music written on the Iberian Peninsula with Peter Phillips, director of the world-renowned Tallis Scholars. Posted 12.20.19

Ralph DeMeo was recognized by Who's Who Legal in the environment practice area. DeMeo is a shareholder at Baker Donelson in Tallahassee and focuses his practice on environmental and land use law, with emphasis in regulation and litigation. Posted 12.12.19

 

holcomb_mark_web.jpgMark E. Holcomb, a shareholder in Dean Mead's State and Local Taxation Practice Group in Tallahassee, has been elected a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel. He was one of 12 new fellows elected into the college’s ranks at the organization’s Annual Meeting in January 2019. Fellows are recognized for their extraordinary accomplishments and professional achievements, and for their dedication to improving the practice of tax law. Holcomb offers clients 34 years of experience practicing in state and local taxation. Posted 3.20.19

 

holcomb_mark_web.jpgMark E. Holcomb, of counsel at Dean Mead in Tallahassee, was recognized in Florida Trend's 2018 Legal Elite. He has over 32 years of experience practicing in state and local taxation. Posted 8.22.18

 

Kevin W. Wood, vice president and counsel for First American in Atlanta, provided escrow, title and closing services for both buyer and seller in a $1.39BB timber transaction involving 1.1MM acres of timberlands in twenty east Texas counties. The transaction closed on July 6, 2018. Posted 7.26.18

pathman_wayne_web.jpgWayne M. Pathman, managing partner of Pathman Lewis, LLP in Miami, is serving as chair of the City of Miami’s Sea Level Rise Committee and is serving as chair of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors. He focuses on land use, zoning, environmental law, water law and commercial litigation. Pathman has been practicing law for more than 30 years. Posted 3.13.18

 

obrien_james_web.jpgJames M. O'Brien was promoted to shareholder at Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. in the firm's Melbourne office. His practice focuses on business and contract issues, negotiation, transactional matters, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. Posted 2.21.18

 

middleton_jim_web.jpgJames W. Middleton opened James W. Middleton, PLLC in Jacksonville Beach in August 2016 after 31 years of practicing with major law firms. He serves clients throughout Florida in civil trials, appeals, arbitration, mediation and pre-suit negotiations. Middleton is a senior fellow with the Litigation Counsel of America and has been AV rated for more than 15 years. Posted 12.7.17

 

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Leonard K. Samuels, a partner at Berger Singerman LLP in Fort Lauderdale, was named to the 2018 edition of Best Lawyers in America for commercial and employment litigation. He practices employment related litigation and complex litigation. Posted 8.18.17

holcomb_mark_web.jpgMark E. Holcomb, of counsel at Dean Mead in Tallahassee, was recognized among Florida Trend's 2017 Legal Elite. He also was inducted into The Legal Elite Hall of Fame. Additionally, Holcomb was featured in the June 2017 edition of Florida Super Lawyers magazine. He has over 32 years of experience practicing in state and local taxation. Posted 8.16.17

 

oliver_david_web.jpgDavid S. Oliver is now a shareholder at GrayRobinson, P.A. in Orlando. He will oversee the launch of a new business contingency litigation practice. Posted 2.21.17