March 27, 2025 – Miami, FL – Becker & Poliakoff, in partnership with the University of Miami School of Law, is honored to host Judge Adalberto Jordan, J.D. ’87, in conversation with Judge Kevin Newsom—both serving on the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit—at the Alan S. Becker and Gary A. Poliakoff Preeminent Leaders in Law Speaker Series. The two jurists will discuss “Finding Common Ground on a Multi-Member Appellate Court.”
The Alan S. Becker and Gary A. Poliakoff Preeminent Leaders in Law Speaker Series, established to honor Becker & Poliakoff’s founding partners, Alan S. Becker (J.D. ’69) and Gary A. Poliakoff (J.D. ’69), serves as a platform for legal professionals to share their insights and experiences with the broader community. Held twice a year, the Series aims to bridge the gap between theoretical legal education and practical application, providing valuable perspectives on the evolving legal landscape.
Judge Adalberto Jordan, born in Havana, Cuba, immigrated to the U.S. as a child. After earning his law degree, he clerked for Judge Thomas Clark of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor of the U.S. Supreme Court. He later served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida (1994-1999), leading its appellate division in his final year. He is also currently a lecturer at the University of Miami School of Law, where he teaches “The Fundamentals of Appellate Advocacy.”
Judge Kevin Newsom serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Birmingham, Alabama. Prior to his appointment, he led the appellate practice group at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP and was the Solicitor General of Alabama. Over his distinguished career, he has argued four cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and nearly 40 cases before federal and state appellate courts.
Becker shareholder Jon Polenberg will lead the Q & A session of the event and said, “”It’s always inspiring to see two accomplished jurists engage in a respectful and insightful discussion, demonstrating how differing viewpoints can lead to constructive dialogue and consensus-building.”
Gary C. Rosen, Managing Shareholder and CEO at Becker, added, “We are thrilled to welcome Judges Jordan and Newsom for what promises to be an engaging and timely discussion on judicial decision-making and collaboration.”
Previous Series speakers include Horacio Gutierrez, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at The Walt Disney Company, Julissa Reynoso, Former U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Florida Supreme Court Justice John D. Couriel, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke.
The event will take place on Thursday, April 3, at 6 P.M., at the Gail D. Serota Reading Room in the Law Library on the Coral Gables campus, with a reception to follow. It is free and open to the public with advanced registration.
About Becker
Becker, with headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals at offices throughout the East Coast. More information is available at www.beckerlawyers.com.