Our Staff

Ryan M. Kelley

Ryan Kelley serves as Acting General Counsel for Florida International University, overseeing legal affairs of the University and its affiliated entities. In this capacity, he represents and advises the University and its entities on legal matters spanning governance, employment, academic and student affairs, research, constitutional issues, athletics, licensing agreements, litigation, and governmental investigations.

Ryan has practiced law in Florida since 2010 and joined FIU in 2021 as Senior Director of the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator. Ryan joined the Office of General Counsel in 2024, serving as Associate General Counsel for student and academic affairs. He was appointed University Counsel in 2025, focusing on labor and employment law and advising units across the University on a broad range of significant matters spanning all areas of university operations.

Before joining the University, Ryan oversaw university and civil rights compliance at Florida Atlantic University and served the people of the State of Florida as a prosecuting attorney with the State Attorney’s Office in and for Broward County. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and his Juris Doctor from Michigan State University.

Wendy Vargas joined the Office of General Counsel in 2017. Wendy provides primary legal support for all real estate and construction matters for FIU, which includes assisting FIU in structuring, negotiating and closing high priority real estate and construction transactions, drafting and negotiating agreements and leases, and collaborating in the development of policies in areas of expertise. Wendy also advises FIU officials in policy-making functions, interprets policy for FIU officials up to and including the presidential level, and handles real estate and construction disputes and oversees outside counsel in related litigation when applicable.

Prior to joining FIU, Wendy practiced real estate law at the national law firm Akerman LLP where she handled a wide array of matters including complex financing transactions, disposition of distressed assets, acquisitions, structuring of mixed-use property transactions, drafting and negotiation of commercial leases and property management agreements, and sale/leaseback transactions and related financings for local, national and Latin American clients. Prior to working at Akerman, Wendy engaged in a broad-based corporate practice at the national firm Hughes Hubbard & Reed, and prior to her law career, Wendy served as Assistant Consumer Marketing Manager for People en Español magazine.

Wendy received her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2002 and a Bachelor of Science in Economics (Finance, Marketing and Multinational Management) from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1998 (cum laude). Wendy is a member of the Florida Bar, and is fully fluent in Spanish.

Vilma Mesa joined FIU’s Office of the General Counsel in 2016, at first as a Law Fellow, and in August of 2017 – as an Assistant General Counsel. Vilma’s areas of responsibility include: procurement contracts, Business Services, Parking and Transportation, South Beach Wine and Food Festival. Vilma also provides legal support in the development of university regulations, policies, and procedures related to her practice areas, and oversees associated public records requests.

Vilma’s prior legal experience includes her work as a transactional lawyer at the civil notary office in Lithuania, where she worked on a wide range of legal matters, including: drafting residential and commercial property deeds and other contracts, preparing pledge or mortgage bonds, preparing and reviewing documents for incorporation of legal persons, and handling probate and estate planning matters.

Vilma received her J.D. from the Florida International University College of Law, her L.L.M in International and European Business Law from Leiden University, the Netherlands, and her Professional Qualification Master’s Degree in Law (one-stage legal university education) from Vilnius University, Lithuania. Vilma is a member of the Florida Bar.