B R I E F S
7
STETSON LAW ALUMNI HONORED FOR THEIR ONGOING
DEDICATION TO THE SCHOOL
Outstanding Alumni Representative Award
Stetson Law alumnus Hugo de
Beaubien, J.D. ’73, received the
Outstanding Alumni Representative
Award for his dedication and service to the
SLAA, commitment to the Central Florida
alumni chapter and encouraging other
alumni to participate in the group’s
activities. His efforts have been an integral
part of the alumni group’s continuous
growth. Beaubien, the founding partner of
DSK Law in Orlando, also established the DSK Law Book
Award, which is presented annually to the Stetson Law student
who has the highest grade in contracts.
“I’m honored to receive the 2019 Outstanding Alumni
Representative Award,” said Beaubien. “Stetson Law has
produced a number of outstanding lawyers. I have always felt that
alumni should support and give back to Stetson Law as they are
able to do so for the great education that we all received.”
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Pinellas County Sheriff and Stetson
Law alumnus Bob Gualtieri, J.D.
’02, received the Distinguished
Alumnus Award. The accolade recognizes
alumni who have been outstanding in
their chosen profession and brought honor
to the individual and Stetson Law. The
award also acknowledges the recipient’s
dedication and service to humanity, which
fosters Stetson Law’s ideals. Gualtieri is the
14th sheriff of Pinellas County in its
104-year history.
“I have been the Pinellas County sheriff for the past eight years,
and during that time, I have worked to uphold the rule of law
and protect individual rights while reducing crime in the county
and ensuring effective public safety,” said Gualtieri. “Receiving
the Distinguished Alumnus Award is a humbling honor,
especially because of the many other Stetson Law graduates who
have achieved so much during their law careers.”
Paul M. May Meritorious Service Award
Stetson Law Prineet Sharma, J.D. ’98,
was recognized for his utmost
dedication and support of Stetson Law
and the SLAA with the Paul M. May
Meritorious Service Award.
Sharma is the founding partner of Sharma
Eminent Domain Lawyers in Winter
Garden, Fla. He is a member of the Veterans
Law Institute’s advisory board, and along
with his wife, Shamila Sharma, J.D. ’96, has
established the Sharma Family Veterans Endowed Scholarship.
“I’m very honored and humbled to receive the Paul M. May
Meritorious Service Award,” said Sharma. “Supporting veteran
scholarships allows me to give back to those who have given so
much for us to enjoy our country’s freedoms. If anyone deserves
recognition, then it’s the brave men and women and their
families who serve so honorably to protect us.”
Ben Willard Award
As a fourth-generation Floridian,
Pam Bondi, J.D. ’90, was elected
twice to serve as Florida’s attorney
general. She chairs Ballard Partners’
corporate regulatory practice, but at press
time was serving as an adviser to the White
House on proactive impeachment
messaging and other special projects. The
SLAA acknowledged her accomplishments
with the Ben Willard Award. The
recognition honors alumni who have
expended extra efforts to prevail for the benefit of Florida’s
citizens, and whose humanitarian achievements have brought
distinction to themselves and Stetson Law. “I’m beyond humbled
and do not feel deserving of this great honor because so many
Stetson Law graduates do so much for Florida and our country,”
said Bondi. “I was a career prosecutor and became attorney
general to help people. My Stetson Law professors had a
tremendous impact on my career goals, and I learned the value of
giving back and have tried to make a small impact on the world.”
B Y S A N D R A C A R R
During the 2019 Annual Florida Bar Convention in June, the Stetson Law Alumni Association presented awards to four
alumni who have made a positive impact in the community and supported Stetson University College of Law.
Hugo de Beaubien Prineet Sharma
Bob Gualtieri
Pam Bondi