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USF Law Alumni Find Home at Gordon & Rees
 Mike Laurenson '97
"We love USF graduates," said Mike Laurenson, a 1997 USF School of Law graduate and partner in the firm's employment group. The firm's USF alumni include its outgoing and incoming office managing partners, Sara Thorpe and Reg Reilly.
"We know that USF prepares students to be skilled and ethical trial attorneys," Laurenson said. "The kinds of skills that USF students have are the skills we are looking for. I make an effort to look out for USF graduates and make sure they get considered for open spots."
Laurenson has participated in Inn of Court since his student days, and also serves on the school's Board of Governors, experiences which have kept him connected with the school. "I really like the people at USF School of Law and I have a tremendous amount of respect for Jeff Brand and the phenomenal things he's done to energize the school," Laurenson said.
 Gus Panagotacos '05
Gus Panagotacos '05 joined Gordon and Rees three years ago, and now serves on the firm's recruiting committee. "With any first-year associate there is a steep learning curve, but USF graduates are well-rounded, having gained valuable practical skills that allow them to contribute and succeed on a shorter time horizon. We know it's a challenging market and we want to help fellow USF alums when we can."
The firm currently is hiring several associates with three to five years experience in the areas of employment, insurance and environment/toxic tort law, positions which have been posted in USF's Office of Career Planning.
Paula Kutansky-Brown '06 first joined Gordon and Rees as a summer associate in 2005, and was hired after graduating. "I saw there were a ton of USF graduates, so I knew they respected the degree. All of us here definitely push to hire USF grads. Our group requires excellent writing skills, and USF offers the best legal research and writing program in the region."
 Paula Kutansky-Brown '06
Now, Gordon and Rees has extended its support for the USF School of Law by joining the "Law Firm Challenge," a fundraising program that tracks alumni giving by law firm. The program is intended to encourage friendly competition among firms that will help grow the annual fund both in terms of the size of the gifts and the number of donors.
"After I joined the Board of Governors and learned how many USF alums worked at my firm compared to other firms, and I felt strongly that the firm and the school should become more closely connected," Laurenson said. "The law school is working with our firm's diversity committee on a variety of initiatives to promote diversity for the mutual benefit of the school, the firm, and the community. The firm's participation in the Law Firm Challenge is another way we are strengthening our partnership."
For more information on the Law Firm Challenge, including how to have your firm join the program, go to http://www.usfca.edu/law/alumni/LawFirmChallenge.html.
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