2025-2026 CRIMINAL LAW SECTION COMMITTEE ROSTERS
Names in italics are members of the CLS, but not on the Executive Council
Criminal Law Section Standing Committees
Awards
The Awards Committee seeks nominees for the Section’s highest award, given annually to a Florida Bar member for displaying the talents and compassion possessed by Selig Goldin.
- Harvey Sepler, Chair
- Susan Hugentugler, Co-Chair
- David Barksdale
- Mark Dobson
- Richard Greenberg
- Jeff Harris
- Benedict Kuehne
- Sheryl Lowenthal
Budget
Oversees the allocation of financial resources for the Section, coordinates the annual budgeting process with the Section Treasurer and The Florida Bar Program Administrator, maintains rules and guidelines for the budgeting process.
Oversees the allocation of financial resources for the Section, coordinates the annual budgeting process with the Section Treasurer and The Florida Bar Program Administrator, maintains rules and guidelines for the budgeting process.
- Michael Ufferman/Treasurer, Chair
- Ryan Vescio/Chair-Elect, Co-Chair
- Jeff Harris
- Hon. Laura Lambert
- Abe Laeser
- Hon. Tatiana Salvador
- Joel Silvershein
- George Tragos
- Jeff Harris
Capital Cases
Keeps the Executive Council aware of any changes to the status of capital litigation in Florida. It is intentionally constituted with members who give it a philosophical balance on the issues relating to capital crimes; so that parochial or ideological views do not sway the full committee. Read the full committee description here.
Keeps the Executive Council aware of any changes to the status of capital litigation in Florida. It is intentionally constituted with members who give it a philosophical balance on the issues relating to capital crimes; so that parochial or ideological views do not sway the full committee. Read the full committee description here.
- Tonya Johnson, Chair
- Nick Cox
- Abe Laeser
- Hon. Thomas Palermo
- Hon. Julie Sercus
- Samantha Ward
- Karen Gottlieb
- Freddelle Menard (CLS Fellow)
- Hon. George Odom
Continuing Legal Education/Sponsorship
(Combined Committees)
Reflecting the unique and diverse nature of the Criminal Law Section’s membership, the CLE Committee is responsible for organizing and presenting quality continuing legal education programs of interest to all criminal law practitioners. For more information on the Committee or to suggest topics and speakers, please contact the Committee Chair. The Sponsorship Committee endeavors to recruit sponsors at various levels to assist the Section in providing membership scholarships to government lawyers, young lawyers, and others who would benefit from Section membership.
(Combined Committees)
Reflecting the unique and diverse nature of the Criminal Law Section’s membership, the CLE Committee is responsible for organizing and presenting quality continuing legal education programs of interest to all criminal law practitioners. For more information on the Committee or to suggest topics and speakers, please contact the Committee Chair. The Sponsorship Committee endeavors to recruit sponsors at various levels to assist the Section in providing membership scholarships to government lawyers, young lawyers, and others who would benefit from Section membership.
- H. Scott Fingerhut, Co-Chair
- Hon. Thomas Palermo, Co-Chair (no role in sponsorship solicitation)
- Joseph Spataro, Co-Chair
- Patricia Dawson
- Benedict Kuehne
- David Rothman
- Hon. Tatiana Salvador (no role in sponsorship solicitation)
- George Tragos
- Samantha Ward
- Aaron Wayt
- Hon. Jessica Yeary
- Jennifer Zedalis
- Lisa Tipton
Communications
The Communications Committee is charged with ensuring that section members and the community at large are aware of the goings-on with the Section, criminal justice law, and other issues that affect our practice. To that end, the Committee distributes regular newsletter communications to its members and publishes updates and informational articles to The Florida Bar News from time to time. For more information on the Committee, or to suggest a topic to be shared with our peers, contact the Committee Chair.
The Communications Committee is charged with ensuring that section members and the community at large are aware of the goings-on with the Section, criminal justice law, and other issues that affect our practice. To that end, the Committee distributes regular newsletter communications to its members and publishes updates and informational articles to The Florida Bar News from time to time. For more information on the Committee, or to suggest a topic to be shared with our peers, contact the Committee Chair.
- Michael Ufferman, Chair
- Jason B. Blank
- Alexa Cline
- Richard Polin
- Elisabeth Rodriquez
- Laura Chiu (CLS Fellow)
- Lisa Tipton
Legislative
The Legislative Committee is tasked with tracking all of the bills filed before the Florida Legislature each year that may impact issues important to our membership. On an ad hoc basis, the Committee meets by telephone, discusses pertinent legislation and recommends to the Executive Council any formal position that they believe the section should take with respect to particular legislation. Additionally, the Committee is assigned by the Executive Council Chair to address correspondence from other sections requesting that the Criminal Law Section take a particular position with regard to filed or proposed legislation. Finally, the Committee drafts a memorandum annually for distribution to all members of the Executive Council that summarizes any new laws passed during the term that impact issues relating to the Criminal Law Section. Any member of the Criminal Law Section may request an appointment to the Committee by contacting the current Chair of the Executive Council.
The Legislative Committee is tasked with tracking all of the bills filed before the Florida Legislature each year that may impact issues important to our membership. On an ad hoc basis, the Committee meets by telephone, discusses pertinent legislation and recommends to the Executive Council any formal position that they believe the section should take with respect to particular legislation. Additionally, the Committee is assigned by the Executive Council Chair to address correspondence from other sections requesting that the Criminal Law Section take a particular position with regard to filed or proposed legislation. Finally, the Committee drafts a memorandum annually for distribution to all members of the Executive Council that summarizes any new laws passed during the term that impact issues relating to the Criminal Law Section. Any member of the Criminal Law Section may request an appointment to the Committee by contacting the current Chair of the Executive Council.
- Richard Greenberg, Chair
- Patricia Dawson
- Jude Faccidomo
- Paul Figueroa
- Benedict Kuehne
- Warren Lindsey
- Martin McDonell
- Krissia E. Mendez
- Hon. David Oberliessen
- Stacey Salmons
- Joe Spataro
- Michael Ufferman
- Natalie Kato
Long-Range Planning
The Long-Range Planning Committee is led by the Section’s Chair-Elect and is comprised of experienced Executive Council members. The Committee’s purpose is to consider the Criminal Law Section’s future in all areas, including CLE, membership, legislative priorities, and interaction with the Bar as a whole.
The Long-Range Planning Committee is led by the Section’s Chair-Elect and is comprised of experienced Executive Council members. The Committee’s purpose is to consider the Criminal Law Section’s future in all areas, including CLE, membership, legislative priorities, and interaction with the Bar as a whole.
- Ryan Vescio, Chair
- Jude Faccidomo
- Hon. Hunter Davis
- Mark Dobson
- Hon. Laura Lambert
- Hon. Tatiana Salvador
- Joel Silvershein
Membership
The Membership Committee is responsible for attracting new members and retaining current members. We do that by educating prospective members and reminding current members of the benefits of membership. Learn more about the benefits of membership.
- Jason B. Blank, Chair
- Larry Basford
- Alexa Cline
- Hon. David Oberliessen
- Owen Schmidt
- Hon. Monique Worrell
- Hon. Jessica Yeary
Nominating (5 Members)
According to the Bylaws of the Criminal Law Section, “The chair will appoint 5 members to the nominating committee for the purpose of presenting to the membership in attendance at the annual section meeting the names of not less than 10 nominees for the vacancies to be filled by the membership.”
- Ryan Vescio, Chair
- David Barksdale
- Patricia Dawson
- Joe Spataro
- Angélica Zayas
P/PD Trial Advocacy Program
The P/PD Committee oversees the administration of the CLS/UF Law Gerald T. Bennett Public Defender Prosecutor Trial Training Program. This program is now over the 40-year mark and trains young prosecutors and public defenders to strengthen and develop more sophisticated trial skills.
The P/PD Committee oversees the administration of the CLS/UF Law Gerald T. Bennett Public Defender Prosecutor Trial Training Program. This program is now over the 40-year mark and trains young prosecutors and public defenders to strengthen and develop more sophisticated trial skills.
- Samantha Ward, Co-Chair
- Sarah Wolking, Co-Chair
- Mark Dobson
- Abe Laeser
- Hon. Jeffrey Levenson
- Donnie Murrell
- Joe Spataro
- Jennifer Zedalis
- Brooke Pemberton (CLS Fellow)
Criminal Law Section Special Committees
Diversity and Inclusion (Formerly Implicit Bias)
The Diversity and Inclusion Committee focuses on helping to establish a supportive and welcoming environment in which Criminal Law Section members of all backgrounds and demographic characteristics can work together.
- Hon. Lisa Campbell, Chair
- Nick Cox
- Tonya Johnson
- Elisabeth Rodriguez
- Owen Schmidt
- Hon. Julie Sercus
- Harry Wallace
- Kyra Lucas-Millbrook (CLS Fellow)
Young Lawyers Committee
The Young Lawyers Committee was established in 2024 as a Section liaison to Florida Bar members who have been in practice for 10 years or fewer. The goal is to recruit active new members and focus on practice resources to benefit them.
The Young Lawyers Committee was established in 2024 as a Section liaison to Florida Bar members who have been in practice for 10 years or fewer. The goal is to recruit active new members and focus on practice resources to benefit them.
- Alexa Cline, Chair
- Brian Zack, Co-Chair
- Katie Bonti
- Alissa Cheremont
- Linda Harris
- Diego Merino
- Kyra Lucas-Millbrook (CLS Fellow)
Ad Hoc Bylaws
Responsible for maintaining the Section’s bylaws, recommending edits and amendments based on substantive changes needed, overseeing proper notification for Section members and the public, and ensuring adherence to the amendments process for section bylaws in accordance with the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.
- Jason B. Blank, Chair
- Stacey Salmons
- Hon Julie Sercus
- Aaron Wayt
- Brian Zack
Ad Hoc Comments
The Ad Hoc Comments Committee addresses specific issues or proposes changes related to criminal law rules, policies, or procedures. Its purpose is to review and provide feedback on matters such as proposed legislation, amendments to the rules of criminal procedure, or other legal developments that impact criminal law practitioners. Its comments or recommendations may be considered by The Florida Bar, the courts, or legislative bodies when making decisions that affect the practice of criminal law in Florida.
The Ad Hoc Comments Committee addresses specific issues or proposes changes related to criminal law rules, policies, or procedures. Its purpose is to review and provide feedback on matters such as proposed legislation, amendments to the rules of criminal procedure, or other legal developments that impact criminal law practitioners. Its comments or recommendations may be considered by The Florida Bar, the courts, or legislative bodies when making decisions that affect the practice of criminal law in Florida.
- Jude Faccidomo, Chair
- Benedict Kuehne
- Warren Lindsey
- Richard Polin
- Stacey Salmons
- Harvey Sepler
- Laura Chiu (CLS Fellow)
Ad Hoc Federal Practice
The Federal Practice Committee focuses on unique aspects of federal criminal practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and Florida’s three federal district courts. The Committee works to provide members benefits such as federally focused CLE opportunities, updates and information essential to federal practice, and opportunities to engage with federal criminal practitioners, the judiciary and other federal stakeholders. The Committee also serves to address the needs of federal criminal practitioners and the courts related to the Florida Bar, and elsewhere as appropriate.
The Federal Practice Committee focuses on unique aspects of federal criminal practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and Florida’s three federal district courts. The Committee works to provide members benefits such as federally focused CLE opportunities, updates and information essential to federal practice, and opportunities to engage with federal criminal practitioners, the judiciary and other federal stakeholders. The Committee also serves to address the needs of federal criminal practitioners and the courts related to the Florida Bar, and elsewhere as appropriate.
- Michael Sinacore, Co-Chair
- Kenneth Swartz, Co-Chair
- Hon. Laura Lambert
- Sheryl Lowenthal
- Harry Wallace
- Brian Zack
- Freddelle Menard (CLS Fellow)
Section Liaisons
Appellate Court Rules Committee
- Michael Ufferman
Board of Governors
- Sabrina Vora-Puglisi
CLS Representative on BOG CLE Committee
- H. Scott Fingerhut
Code & Rules of Evidence Committee
- Jeffrey Harris / Mark Dobson
Criminal Procedure Rules Committee
- Jude Faccidomo
Juvenile Court Rules Committee
- Joel Silvershein
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Jason B. Blank
Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association
- Hon. Harold Pryor
Florida Public Defender Association
- Hon. Jessica Yeary / Owen Schmidt
Professional Ethics Committee
- H. Scott Fingerhut
Rules of Judicial Administration Committee
- Michael Ufferman
Young Lawyers Division
- Alexa Cline