James William Fennessey and Michel Saadeh Join Law School Board of Governors

Dean Emeritus Bernard Dobranski and Mr. Leonard Leo conclude their service on the board

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Apr 28, 2010, 05:14 ET

NAPLES, Fla., April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Ave Maria School of Law (AMSL) announced today that retired businessman James William Fennessey of Naples, and real estate executive Michel Saadeh, also of Naples, have been elected to the Law School's Board of Governors. AMSL also announced that board member and Dean Emeritus Bernard Dobranski has left the board due to term limits, and that Leonard Leo has stepped down from the Board after distinguished service. These changes took effect at the April 28 meeting of the Law School's board of governors in Naples.

"The Law School community welcomes Mr. Fennessey and Mr. Saadeh to the board of governors," AMSL President and Dean, Eugene R. Milhizer, said today. "These two men have demonstrated a strong appreciation for the Mission of Ave Maria School of Law, a passion for advancing values-based legal education of the kind offered at our Law School, and visionary leadership capabilities. Their talents and ideas will be great assets to the board of governors, and strengthen the entire Law School as a result."

Mr. Fennessey retired from a successful career as a businessman in 2005. He is very active in the Naples community and is a member of Legatus, an organization founded in 1987 for Catholic CEOs and executives, whose mission statement is: "To study, live and spread the Faith in our business, professional and personal lives." Mr. Fennessey and his wife, Moira, are active volunteers and supporters of the Law School. In February, the Law School honored the Fennessey family with the naming of the Marian Garden at the Vineyards Law School Campus for Mr. Fennessey's niece, Lisa. He says, "It is a privilege to be asked to serve on the board of governors at Ave Maria School of Law as I am extremely proud and supportive of its Mission and traditional Catholic teachings."

Mr. Saadeh has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Vineyards Development Corporation since January 1994. Ave Maria School of Law resides within the Vineyards community in North Naples, and the Vineyards frequently hosts AMSL meetings and events. Asked about his reaction to being chosen for the board of governors, Mr. Saadeh said, "It is a great honor to join the Board of Governors. I feel a strong connection to Ave Maria School of Law because I am a supporter of Catholic charities and educational projects, and also because AMSL is a key feature of the Vineyards Community. I look forward to service on the board."

Concluding their service on the board are Dean Emeritus Bernard Dobranski, the founding dean of Ave Maria School of Law, and Leonard Leo, who joined the Board in 2007 and is Executive Vice President of the Federalist Society based in Washington, D.C. Thomas S. Monaghan, chairman of the board of governors said, "On behalf of the entire board, we are extremely grateful to both Dean Dobranski and Mr. Leo for their distinguished service to the board. Each of them has left their mark on the Law School and we are stronger because of their leadership." Dean Emeritus Dobranski will continue to serve AMSL as a member of the Law School's faculty. He was also unanimously appointed to the AMSL Advisory Board, a prestigious group of former AMSL board of governor members who continue to provide counsel and advice to the board after their service.

ABOUT AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW

Ave Maria School of Law offers a rigorous legal education characterized by a commitment to professional excellence, the highest ethical and moral standards, and the integration of the Catholic intellectual tradition. Since its opening, Ave Maria has enrolled students from 49 states and abroad and from more than 200 colleges and universities. Alumni of the Law School are now practicing law in more than 40 states and several other countries. Ave Maria School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.

Ave Maria School of Law was founded in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2000, and in 2009 relocated to Naples, Florida. The law school welcomed its largest first-year law class ever - more than 200 students - when the academic year began at the new Florida campus on August 24, 2009.

SOURCE Ave Maria School of Law