Stetson Law Love Stories

Did you know that nearly 400 alumni found their forever person and fell in love while attending Stetson Law? If you have a Stetson Law love story, we would love to hear it. Simply send your 150 words or less story and a high-resolution photo to [email protected] and we may share it on this site.

Michael Labbee, JD ’13 and Laura Labbee, JD ’14

Was it Law Review or the 80s Shorts?

Michael Labbee, JD ’13, and Laura Labbee, JD ’14 fell in love after meeting at an 80s-themed party thrown by a fellow law student.  While Laura maintains they actually first met in the Law Review office, Mike knows it was his 80s short shorts that were the spark. They are now married and have a one-year-old son, Jack. 

Erin Hayden, JD ‘11 and Tyler Haden, JD ’11

From Study Abroad to Forever After

Erin Hayden, JD ‘11, and Tyler Haden, JD ’11 fell in love after studying abroad together in Stetson’s program in Granada, Spain. That summer abroad inspired Tyler to propose to Erin at the Spanish Steps in Rome.  Thirteen years later, they are married with two beautiful daughters, Wellesley and McClaire.

Brittany Dix, JD/MBA ’17 and Evan Dix, JD ’17

From the First Month at Stetson Law to Forever

Brittany Dix, JD/MBA ’17, and Evan Dix, JD ’17 met in August 2014 at Stetson Law where they were in the same 1L section. They ended up on the same intramural softball team (Brittany liked watching Evan's swing) and played in the same pick-up sand volleyball games in Gulfport (Evan always served the volleyball at Brittany).

They spent their three years at Stetson together, working hard through school while always finding the time to enjoy the ride. In 2017 they graduated from law school, passed the Florida Bar, and began their careers in Tampa.

In July 2019, Evan brought Brittany back to Stetson where their relationship began, and, in front of the fountain at the entrance to campus, asked her to spend the rest of their lives together. They married in a small wedding on June 20, 2020, and look forward to having a larger celebration on March 5, 2022, with their family and friends.

Victoria Madani, J.D. ’14 and Khalil Madani, J.D. ’14

It all Started with Trial Team

Victoria Madani, J.D. ’14, and Khalil Madani, J.D. ’14 met during Trial Team tryouts. They became great friends and went on to win a National Championship for Stetson as teammates.  At the suggestion of their Trial Team Coach, they went on a date and never looked back. The have been married for six years and have two beautiful daughters.

PJ Lubas, B.A. ’16, J.D. ‘20 and Taylor Kennedy, B.A. ’15, J.D. ’19

From DeLand to Gulfport

PJ Lubas, B.A. ’16, J.D. ‘20 and Taylor Kennedy, B.A. ’15, J.D. ’19 “knew of” each when they both were undergraduate students at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.  PJ was in a fraternity and Taylor played for the Stetson Beach Volleyball team.  While Taylor took a year off to work upon graduating, PJ finished his last year of undergrad. Taylor started at Stetson Law in the Fall of 2017, and PJ took a year off to work.  In Fall 2018, shortly after beginning her 2L year, Taylor found out that PJ was starting his 1L year at Stetson Law, and as a fellow alum, reached out to see if he needed any help adjusting to law school.  The couple immediately hit it off! Taylor and PJ now practice law in Vero Beach, Florida and they officially tied the knot in November 2021.

Lamark McGreen, J.D. ‘20 and Kayla McGreen, J.D. ‘

Kissing Under the Banyan

Lamark McGreen, J.D. ‘20, and Kayla McGreen, J.D. ‘20 met during their 2L year at Stetson. A mutual passion for social justice advocacy brought them together and they quickly fell in love. The relationship began when they shared a kiss under the banyan trees at Stetson. Today they are married with two pups and even more in love.

Chele Hipp, J.D. ‘93 Kent Hipp, J.D. ’90

Two Lawyers Together - Not for the Faint of Heart

Chele Hipp, J.D. ‘93 Kent Hipp, J.D. ’90 met in 1990 in the Great Hall and bonded over a mutual love of crossword puzzles and dreams of traveling.  While at Stetson, they studied together, spent what little money they had to go to dinner as a couple, kept their eyes on Pork Chop the campus cat, and shared their first kiss. Kent moved back to his hometown, Orlando, and went to work at GrayRobinson, where he has worked ever since. Chele moved back to her adjacent hometown, Winter Park, three years later and went to work as well. They got married in 1997. Twenty-five years, two grown sons, thousands of crossword puzzles, and all the travel they ever dreamed of later, they live in their home of twenty years with three dogs, a cat, and two frequently visiting sons. They remember fondly their time at Stetson, and both have a great appreciation for their Stetson education and professors. They also will tell anyone who cares to listen that two lawyers married to one another is not a situation for the faint of heart - the debates are intense!

Kelly Robinson, J.D. ’08 and Anthony Robinson, J.D./MBA ’08

Working and Playing Hard in New Smyrna Beach

Kelly Robinson, J.D. ’08 and Anthony Robinson, J.D./MBA ’08 were neighbors but did not meet until a Stetson Law Review welcome event. They quickly became friends, started dating, and following countless hours singing late-night karaoke, studying for exams, and narrowly surviving their first year as large firm associates, were married on July 11, 2009. They now have four kids ages 3, 4, 6, and 8 and are working and playing hard on the east coast of Florida in New Smyrna Beach.  Anthony is Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary at Brown & Brown Insurance, Inc.  Kelly is with Losey, PLLC, and has growing photography and consulting businesses. 

Jennifer Fernandez, J.D. ‘93 and Frank Fernandez, III, J.D. ’92

Love and a Thriving Civil Practice

Jennifer Fernandez, J.D. ‘93 and Frank Fernandez, III, J.D. ’92 met at Stetson in 1991.  Following graduation, they married in September 1994, an epic celebration attended by many Stetson classmates. They now have two daughters, Ella (23) and Olivia (20), and a thriving civil litigation practice, The Fernandez Firm, located in Tampa.

Jodi Vorbeck, J.D. ’93 and Chris Vorbeck, J.D. ‘93

Post-Exam Beers at Beach Nuts

Jodi Vorbeck, J.D. ’93, and Chris Vorbeck, J.D. ‘93 met as Stetson Law School first-year law students in the fall of 1990.  Despite the rigors of law school and limited free time, they were able to find opportunities to get to know each other over post-exam beers at Beach Nuts.  After graduation, a post-law school LL.M. degree at Emory University for Chris, a new associate's busy work schedule, and the opening of The Law Office of Chris M. Vorbeck, P.A., we were married in 1997.  The couple welcomed their son, Joseph, in 2000, their daughter, Jessica, in 2002, and their daughter, Julia, in 2005.  After 10 years of litigation work, Jodi joined Chris’ estate planning firm in 2003. In December 2021, they celebrated 24 years of marriage.