Who We Are
Charged with advancing and facilitating cooperation, communication, and collaboration of new members and future leaders in the Business Law Section (the “Section”), IMF consists of an array of members-—including judges, academics and private practitioners—who are charged with the task of fostering a welcoming environment within the Section encouraging involvement and contributions to the goals of the Section through our mentoring, fellowship, and scholars programs.
Fostering Involvement:
In fulfilling the charge of fostering a welcoming environment to the Section, IMF serves as a key strategist for increasing the number of new and traditionally underrepresented members of The Florida Bar involved in the Section’s activities and plumbing the educational pipelines into the profession for greater representation. Through its work and programs, IMF provides a forum for members to becoming active and building networks in our Section and the legal profession.
The goal of IMF is to advance involvement within the Section and help pave the road to leadership within the Section. IMF provides valuable opportunities to Florida Bar members who are traditionally underrepresented in the areas of business law, including those who experience physical, social, economic or cultural impediments to becoming a member of the Section.
Fellowship
The Section has implemented a Fellowship Program to provide a two-year subsidy to eight qualified applicants who express an interest in becoming active in the substantive work and leadership of the Section. During their participation in the Fellowship Program, selected “Fellows” will receive leadership training and work closely with leading attorneys in the Business Law field. At the end of their Fellowship term, we are confident all Fellows will find the program enhanced their personal and professional development.
Fellowship Program Description
Applications will be accepted for 2024-2026 in early 2024. Learn more here.
Current Fellowship Class
Subcommittees 2025-2026
Communication & Marketing
Chairs: Alfredo Dally and Zohar Peleg
Vice Chair(s): Ian Johnson
Members: Matthew Akiba and Valerie David
Oversees updates to the BLS IMF webpage and social media, shares timely information
with Fellows, and distributes event announcements and reminders.
Networking
Chairs: Samantha Medina and Christian Haman
Vice Chair(s): Jennifer Hernandez; Emmanuelle Litvinov
Members: Zachary Needell; Elizabeth Brusa, and Joseph Coleman
Plans social events and networking opportunities (virtual and in-person), including
Sunday Dine-Around dinners and Fellow meetups at Section meetings. Also liaises with
other bar organizations and sections for regional events.
CLE
Chairs: Marshall Kobrin
Vice Chair(s): Garrison Cohen, Benjamin Taylor
Members: Alejandra M. Iglesia; Kameron Fleming; and Reinaldo Gomez de la Vega
Supports development of CLE programming in collaboration with other Section leaders.
Maintains a database of speakers and topics aligned with IMF’s goals.
Mentoring
Chairs: Layla Nguyen and Rasheed Nader
Vice Chair(s): Luigi E. Orengo Jr.
Members: Tara Trevorrow; Nader Amer; Kayla Heckman; Ian Corp; and Jacinda D.
Béraud
Supports and monitors the mentor/mentee experience, helps plan the mentoring event
at the Retreat, and works closely with the Membership Committee on the Scholars
Program.
Collaboration and Involvement Committee:
Chair: April Stone
Incoming Chair: Jessey Krehl
Current Members:
a. Marisol Cruz
b. April Martindale
c. Jake Isenberg
d. Lauren Stricker
e. Tyler Brand Stall
f. all current Fellows are heavily encouraged to attend meetings and contribute.
Responsible for periodic updates to the BLS Strategic Plan updates. Monitor the BLS’s
CLE programming to ensure that BLS Entities conduct CLE programs that foster
collaboration and involvement of all members. The
Subcommittee has the authority to engage and assist any BLS Entities to further
participation and connections with new and underrepresented members.
For more information or to get involved with IMF, please contact the Co-Chairs of the Subcommittee you are interested in.
