february 2016 volume 12, issue 1 president’s message · may 6-7, 2016—38th annual institute....

Inside This Issue

President’s Message Front Cover

Upcoming Webinars Page 2

Kudos and Tidbits Page 2

Upcoming Events Page 2

2016 Midyear Meeting Page 3 38th Annual Institute Page 4 2016 AICPA/AAML National Conference Page 5

Photos—Chapter Lunch Page 6

Photos—Annual Meeting Page 7

Photos—Cocktail Party 6

Miriam E. Mason Page 24 by Joseph Hunt

Academy Foundation – Lifetime Members Page 25

2015-2016 Committees Page 27

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President’s Message

Dear Fellows, it was a

pleasure to see in Chicago this

year at the annual meeting.

Florida AAML Fellows played

a leading role at the

meeting. Tom Sasser was

sworn in as National

Secretary. Past AAML

President Jim McLaren recognized Mitch Karpf’s work running the

CLE Program. Jorge Cestero and Elisha Roy shared their knowledge

in the “Starting a Foreign Affair” panel. Jorge, who serves on the

AAML Foundation Board, also spearheaded the Florida Chapter’s

auction contribution of a “Universal Orlando Experience,” which

raised $5,000 for the Foundation. Florida’s twenty-six fellows also

got the chance to network with our peers from across the nation,

learn about everything from child support trends to technology

issues, and wine and dine at some of Chicago’s best restaurants.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who helped to organize

this year’s Marital and Family Law Review Course in Orlando

January 28-29. It was our best attended Review Course yet, with a

record 1,600 registrants.

I hope to see all of you at the mid-year meeting in the Bahamas on

March 14!

Charles Fox Miller

President, Florida Chapter-American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

February 2016 Volume 12, Issue 1

President Charles Fox Miller

President-Elect

Natalie Lemos

Vice President Peter Gladstone

Treasurer Jonathan Root

Secretary John Schutz

Immediate Past President Jorge Cestero

Managers Rueben Doupe Jack Long N. Diane Holmes Mitch Karpf Thomas Duggar Jackie Valdespino Dori Foster-Morales Kristin Adamson Mark Sessums

The Lighthouse

AAML, Florida Chapter 3046 Hawks Glen Tallahassee, FL 32312 www.aamlflorida.org 850-668-0614 Executive Director Susan D. Stafford [email protected] The Lighthouse N. Diane Holmes, Editor

Please consider the environment before printing this newsletter

Upcoming Events

March 14 - 18, 2016—AAML Midyear Meeting The Atlantis at Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas

May 6-7, 2016—38th Annual Institute Vinoy Renaissance, St. Petersburg, FL

May 19 - 20. 2016—AICPA/AAML National Conference on Divorce Sheraton, New Orleans, LA

September 8 - 11, 2016—Florida Chapter Retreat Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle, WA

November 2 - 5, 2016—AAML Annual Meeting Renaissance Chicago Downtown, Chicago, IL

UPCOMING WEBINARS

The 2016 Webinars have not yet been announced. Log onto www.AAMLFlorida.org for more

details as dates for upcoming AAML Florida Chapter Webinars become available.

KUDOS AND TIDBITS

Congratulations to Caryn Green who is a new International Academy member! Jerome Novey has been granted Emeritus Status by the Board of Managers. Fellows please keep us informed about happenings in your lives. Contact N. Diane Holmes at (407) 843-1744 or by email at [email protected].

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38th Annual Institute

May 6—7, 2016 Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg, FL

A full day Friday and half a day Saturday - topics include Same Sex Marriage,

Divorce Tax, and Hidden Double Dipping. To register, log onto www.AAMLFlorida.org.

Call 1-888-789-3090 to secure your room reservation now at the low special seminar rate

of $199.00 per night.

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The Lighthouse

Our Fearless Leader.

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AAML Florida Chapter Lunch Chicago, IL November 6, 2015


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AAML Annual Meeting Chicago, IL November 4-7, 2015


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Cocktail Party Richard & Pam West’s Home January 28, 2016


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MIRIAM E. MASON

By: Joseph Hunt

What an honor to be asked to write about Miriam Mason. Also,

what a daunting task considering all that Miriam has accomplished.

Miriam grew up in the southern Alabama town of Evergreen in the

poorest county in Alabama. Miriam was the youngest of three children

and enjoyed an active childhood in which she was “lucky” to have never

been bitten by a snake. The fact that she was so active as a child should

come as no surprise to anyone who knows Miriam. Miriam’s parents

instilled in her the philosophy of preparing so that nothing is left to

chance.

For the last several years, Miriam and her husband of almost 30

years, Greg, have spent several weeks per year at the home they own in

Park City, Utah. While both Miriam and Greg (who is in-house counsel

for Honeywell) spend time working while in Park City, they also enjoy

outdoor pursuits such as hiking, mountain biking, fishing and skiing.

In other words, Miriam is adventurous. Some of her and Greg’s

past excursions include spending a week rafting through the Grand Canyon and spending three days and nights in a

tent navigating the challenging White Rim Trail in Utah. In April of this year, Miriam and Greg will travel to the

Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu.

As far as her legal career is concerned, Miriam hit the ground running and has not slowed down. Miriam

graduated cum laude from Cumberland in Birmingham in 1975 and immediately began working as an Assistant Public

Defender in Pensacola. Not surprisingly, Miriam rose quickly in the six years she spent in Pensacola as an Assistant

Public Defender and in private practice, even trying a first degree murder and death penalty case.

In a fortuitous occurrence, Miriam met Steve Sessums when, in her role as CLE Chair with the Florida Bar Family

Law Section, she asked Steve to speak at a CLE. Steve offered Miriam a job at his firm in Tampa and Miriam moved

to Tampa where she did not know anyone other than Steve. In the early 80’s, Miriam and Steve formed their own law

firm in Tampa; a firm that is now known as Mason Black & Caballero and is considered one of the top family law

firms in the state.

There is no way to fit into this limited space all of the accomplishments Miriam has obtained and all of the

activities she has been involved in during her legal career. A few of the highlights include being President of the

Florida Chapter of the AAML, as well as national President of the AAML, and Chair of the Florida Bar Family Law

Section.

In addition, Miriam has been listed as one of the Best Lawyers in America, a publication by Woodward/

White, for several years and was named 2009 Tampa Family Lawyer of the year. Miriam is also AV rated by

Martindale Hubbell. Miriam has also authored numerous articles on family law issues and has been the speaker

dozens of times at seminars put on by organizations throughout the country. Needless to say, Miriam’s efforts have

made the practice better for all of us.

Anyone who has ever litigated a case against Miriam knows that you will have to work very hard in representing your

client. This is because there is no more diligent lawyer than Miriam. Miriam never takes preparation for granted and

she will walk into court knowing the facts of that case and the law inside and out, but approaches everything in a fair

and professional manner. I have had the experience of litigating against Miriam which made me a much better

lawyer in both my level of preparation and in showing care for what is best for the client, and I know there are a

large number of lawyers throughout the state and country who share this sentiment.

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ACADEMY FOUNDATION—LIFETIME MEMBERS

Caroline Black Sikorske Tampa, FL

Gordon C. Brydger Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Jorge Cestero Palm Beach, FL

Lawrence C. Datz Jacksonville, FL

Reuben A. Doupe Naples, FL

Edna Y. Elliott (Deceased) Tampa, FL

Marsha B. Elser Miami, FL

Dori Foster-Morales Miami, FL

James T. Friedman Islamorada, FL

Melvyn B. Frumkes (Deceased) Miami, FL

Melinda P. Gamot Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Carmen R. Gillett Sarasota, FL

Peter L. Gladstone Boca Raton, FL

Cynthia L. Greene Miami, FL

Martin L. Haines, III North Palm Beach, FL

Judith Hodor Miami, FL

N. Diane Holmes Orlando, FL

Lewis Kapner West Palm Beach, FL

Mitchell K. Karpf Weston, FL

Ann Loughridge Kerr Clearwater, FL

Natalie S. Lemos South Miami, FL

John E. Long, Jr. Naples, FL

Ashely McCorvey Myers Tampa, FL

Miriam E. Mason Tampa, FL

Shannon L. Novey Tallahassee, FL

Donald J. Sasser West Palm Beach, FL

John F. Schutz West Palm Beach, FL

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(Con’t from Previous Page)

ACADEMY FOUNDATION—LIFETIME MEMBERS

Mark A. Sessums Lakelane, FL

Stephen W. Sessums Tampa, FL

Roberta G. Stanley Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Richard D. West Orlando, FL

Highlighted names are new Lifetime Members since the last publication. If you are a Lifetime Member that has not been listed here, please contact the editor, N. Diane Holmes, at: [email protected].

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2015 — 2016 Committees

AMICUS: Cynthia Greene (Chair). CHARITABLE GIVING: Elaine Duggar (Chair); Stann Givens; Richard West. CERTIFICATION REVIEW LIAISON: Jorge Cestero. INSTITUTE: John Schutz (Chair); Mark Sessums; Elisha Roy; Caryn Green; Thomas Duggar; Reuben Doupe. JURIST OF THE YEAR: Caroline Black Sikorske (Chair); Gordon Brydger; Lawrence Datz; Bob Sidwebber. LEGISLATION: Thomas Duggar (Chair); Jack Long; David Manz; Ashley Myers; Shannon Novey; Mark Sessums; Elisha Roy. FUTURE OF THE INSTITUTE: Tom Sasser (Chair); Natalie Lemos; Peter Gladstone.

NEW MEMBER RECRUITING: Roberta Stanley (Co-Chair); Caryn Green (Co-Chair); Natalie Lemos; Stann Givens; Richard West; Mark Sessums; Lawrence Datz; Elliott Zisser; Shannon Novey; Laura Davis Smith. NEWSLETTER: N. Diane Holmes (Chair); Ken Gordon; Kim Nutter; Joe Hunt. NOMINATING: Natalie Lemos (Chair); Peter Gladstone; Elaine Duggar; Richard West. BOARD OF EXAMINERS: Natalie Lemos (Chair); David Manz; Elaine Duggar; Mitch Karpf; Jesse Bennett; Peter Gladstone; Bob Sidwebber; John Schutz (Alternate 1); Jonathan Root (Alternate 2); Melinda Gamot (Alternate 3). WEBINAR: Reuben Doupe (Co-Chair); Carmen Gillett (Co-Chair); Shannon Novey; Karen Weintraub; RT White.

february 2016 volume 12, issue 1 president’s message · may 6-7, 2016—38th annual institute....

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