FSU Law Focus newsletter
August 9, 2019

From the Dean

We are delighted to announce that Deborah “Debby” Kearney (’81) is our 2019 Exemplary Public Service Career Award winner. This annual award recognizes a Florida State University College of Law graduate who has dedicated his or her career to public service and who has demonstrated exceptional character, integrity, humility and professionalism, as well as the highest regard for ethics. Kearney has served all three branches of state government since graduating from FSU Law. She began her legal career working in the Florida House of Representatives when it was controlled by Democrats, served as its general counsel when it was controlled by Republicans, was tapped as deputy general counsel to Governor Lawton Chiles, and served as general counsel for the Florida Supreme Court, Department of Education, Department of Community Affairs and Department of Economic Opportunity. As general counsel for the Department of State, she oversaw 45 emergency cases in 36 days during Bush v. Gore litigation and was the general counsel to the 1998 Constitution Revision Commission. Kearney’s nominators praised her nonpartisanship, generosity and mentorship of younger attorneys. As our Exemplary Public Service Career Award winner, an oil portrait of Kearney will be displayed prominently at the law school and she will be formally honored at our 2019 Homecoming Alumni Reunion Reception in October.

- Dean Erin O'Connor 

Faculty Profile: Adria E. Quintela

Adria E. Quintela
This summer, Clinical Professor Adria E. Quintela joined the FSU Law faculty as co-director of Clinical Externship Programs. She supervises judicial, government, in-house corporate, public interest and international externships. She also teaches Civil Externship Perspectives. Before joining FSU Law, Quintela worked at The Florida Bar for more than 23 years, most recently serving as staff counsel and director of lawyer regulation, where she was responsible for supervising the operations of the lawyer regulation department. Quintela previously held positions as chief branch discipline counsel and senior attorney/assistant staff counsel. She has argued in front of the Supreme Court of Florida. Her experience also includes practicing law in Fort Lauderdale and Miami in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability, employment litigation and commercial litigation. Quintela holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Miami and a juris doctor from Northwestern University School of Law, where she was elected to the National Moot Court Team.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the FSU College of Law and the Externship Program. I am particularly excited to be working with the students. I hope to utilize the skills I acquired during my years as a practicing attorney in helping students achieve their career goals. I am honored to be part of an incredible legal community and a law school with such a tradition of excellence.”

Alum Profile: Christine R. Davis (’02)

Christine R. Davis, managing shareholder of the Tallahassee office of Carlton Fields, was recently reappointed to Florida’s First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission. Davis has been serving on the commission since 2016 and her current term will end in July 2023. Davis is an experienced appellate advocate, regularly handling all aspects of appellate litigation in state and federal courts. She concentrates her practice on complex commercial litigation, medical malpractice, personal injury, health care, product liability, constitutional litigation and insurance coverage issues, including bad faith actions. She has represented large hospitals and other health care providers, corporations, insurance companies, manufacturers and governmental entities, among others, in all of these areas. She is also board certified by The Florida Bar in appellate practice and is a member of the Bar’s Appellate Court Rules Committee, having served as vice chair from 2016-2017.
“The First DCA holds a special place in my heart because of the judges who spent decades of their lives serving on the court in the past, as well as those who preside over our cases today. Particularly since a large part of my practice is in this court, I am excited and honored to be a part of the selection process and hope to do my part to ensure that qualified judges are appointed and that there is fairness and diversity in the selection process.”

Student Profile: 3L Elisabeth Avilla

Elisabeth Avilla
Desired Practice Location: Jacksonville
Expected Graduation: May 2020
Field of Law Sought: Civil litigation, particularly medical malpractice

Originally from Melbourne, Florida, Elisabeth Avilla earned her bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of North Florida. She will graduate from FSU Law in May 2020. Beginning later this month, Avilla will be externing with the Honorable Mark Walker of the United States District Court, Northern District of Florida. Currently, Avilla is a summer associate at Hall Booth Smith, P.C., where she researches and analyzes case law and statutes, writes memoranda of law for various medical malpractice and civil litigation issues, and drafts client letters. She also attends and assists in preparation for meetings, depositions and hearings. During the spring of her 2L year, Avilla was a teaching assistant for Legal Research and Writing II. Last fall, she participated in the FSU Public Interest Law Center’s Children’s Advocacy Clinic. During the summer after her 1L year, Avilla interned for the Honorable Lisa Davidson of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. Avilla conducted legal research, drafted memoranda of law, and observed trials and court proceedings in guardianship, foreclosure and criminal law. Avilla is an executive editor of the Florida State University Law Review. She received the Polston Award for Dedication and Service to the Law Review for volume 46 and a Staff Editor Award for volume 46. Also, she authored an article selected for publication in volume 47 of the Florida State University Law Review. Avilla is a member of the Moot Court Team and serves as a final four co-chair. She was also a finalist in the Final Four Moot Court Competition last year and argued before justices of the Florida Supreme Court. She participated in the August A. Rendigs, Jr. National Products Liability Moot Court Competition at the University of Cincinnati, where her team was awarded Best Petitioner’s Brief and Second Place Overall Winner. Avilla was secretary of the Women’s Law Symposium during her 2L year and volunteered at Leon County Teen Court. If you are interested in hiring Avilla after graduation, you can contact her by email.
“FSU Law created pathways and opportunities that I did not think were possible. I’m grateful for the community and friends that support me and help shape me into the lawyer I aspire to be.”
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