Seeking Nominations for AALS Pro Bono Honor Roll
We are seeking nominations for the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Pro Bono Honor Roll. The Pro Bono Honor Roll acknowledges and highlights the exceptional work of individuals engaging in, expanding, and/or supporting their law school community in providing pro bono legal services. Each year, our law school may select up to three individuals to be honored—one faculty member, one student, and one staff member.
Nomination Process: You may nominate yourself or another faculty member, staff member, or student. Each nomination submission should include:
(i) the name of the person being nominated;
(ii) their role (faculty, student, or staff); and
(iii) the reason for nomination, highlighting the significance of the nominee’s work engaging in, expanding, and/or supporting the Stetson law community in providing pro bono legal services (no more than 500 words).
For purposes of this award, pro bono is defined as work that is primarily legal in nature, supervised by a licensed attorney (for law students), not for pay or academic credit, and of service to underserved individuals, groups, or those with barriers to access to justice.
Please submit your nomination(s) in a PDF or Word format to Stephanie Storke, Associate Director of Public Interest Careers and Pro Bono, at [email protected]. You may nominate as many individuals as you would like.
Deadline for Nominations: Please note that all nominations must be submitted by Monday, October 13 at 5:00 p.m.
Stetson Law’s Pro Bono Committee will review all nominations and select three individuals to be added to the honor roll. Recipients’ names will be publicized through the AALS electronic newsletter, website, and at the annual conference.
We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating the incredible pro bono work being done within our community. Please nominate someone today!
Stetson Law Review and Phi Delta Phi BooBook Workshop
No need to be afraid of the Bluebook rules; join Stetson Law Review and Phi Delta Phi at the “Boo” Book Workshop, where participants will learn about Bluebook rules and major changes in the 22nd edition. This workshop will be very beneficial for those who plan on joining any journals or have upcoming writing assignments. This event will take place on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 12:00-1:00 PM in Classroom A. Food will be provided.
RSVP on Engage.
Seeking Nominations for AALS Pro Bono Honor Roll
We are seeking nominations for the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Pro Bono Honor Roll. The Pro Bono Honor Roll acknowledges and highlights the exceptional work of individuals engaging in, expanding, and/or supporting their law school community in providing pro bono legal services. Each year, our law school may select up to three individuals to be honored—one faculty member, one student, and one staff member.
Nomination Process: You may nominate yourself or another faculty member, staff member, or student. Each nomination submission should include:
(i) the name of the person being nominated;
(ii) their role (faculty, student, or staff); and
(iii) the reason for nomination, highlighting the significance of the nominee’s work engaging in, expanding, and/or supporting the Stetson law community in providing pro bono legal services (no more than 500 words).
For purposes of this award, pro bono is defined as work that is primarily legal in nature, supervised by a licensed attorney (for law students), not for pay or academic credit, and of service to underserved individuals, groups, or those with barriers to access to justice.
Please submit your nomination(s) in a PDF or Word format to Stephanie Storke, Associate Director of Public Interest Careers and Pro Bono, at [email protected]. You may nominate as many individuals as you would like.
Deadline for Nominations: Please note that all nominations must be submitted by Monday, October 13 at 5:00 p.m.
Stetson Law’s Pro Bono Committee will review all nominations and select three individuals to be added to the honor roll. Recipients’ names will be publicized through the AALS electronic newsletter, website, and at the annual conference.
We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating the incredible pro bono work being done within our community. Please nominate someone today!
Kim Kirtley Named the Stetson Law Review Fall Scholarship Luncheon Presenter
Kim Kirtley, class of 2026, has been selected to present her article, “From Ashcroft to Anderegg: AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material and the Limits of First Amendment Protection,” at Stetson Law Review’s Fall Scholarship Luncheon. Kim’s article comprehensively analyzes recent Supreme Court decisions on child sexual abuse material and discusses how generative AI is testing the boundaries of constitutional law. The event will take place on October 24 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in the Great Hall. For those interested in attending, please email Nick Colicci ([email protected]) and Jordan Spira ([email protected]) by October 20.
Introduction to MS PowerPoint Accessibility
Accessibility Resources is promoting a series of seminars this Fall with technical information that both staff and students might appreciate.
Introduction to MS PowerPoint Accessibility
Date: Tuesday, October 21st
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 AM Central
This is a great training for beginners or those who need a refresher in the basics of creating accessible MS PowerPoint Slides. We’ll focus on a few simple techniques to greatly improve the accessibility of your slide decks: choosing backgrounds with good contrast, choosing slide layouts, choosing font styles and sizes, adding alt text to images, and creating meaningful links.
Register for MS PowerPoint Accessibility
About the Presenter: Melanie Thornton is the Director of Initiatives on Access and Justice at University of Arkansas Partners. She provides professional development on topics related to leadership, disability, accessibility, and design. She is very interested in working with organizations to create more accessible environments.
These webinars are provided with support from iCAN (Increasing Capabilities Access Network) and the Southwest ADA Center.
Bookstore: All Champion Brand Clothing 25% Off!
October 8-16, ALL CHAMPION brand clothing take 25% off in-store and online! Even our new items are included in this sale!*
We still have a huge amount of clearance/last chance merchandise on sale up to 20%-50% off.
*Clearance/last chance Champion items are not included in the 25% off sale. Priced as marked.
Children’s Dream Fund Benefit – Volunteers Needed
Cornhole Classic on November 22nd to benefit the Children’s Dream Fund, volunteers are needed for the event. These hours would qualify for non-legal community service hours.
The tournament will take place from 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM at 8223 Verna Bethany Rd, Myakka City, FL 34251. We anticipate needing around 12–15 volunteers to help with the following:
- Parking
- Running and scoring cornhole games
- Assisting at the registration table
- Monitoring the raffle table
- Helping with lunch service
If you would like to volunteer, please reach out to Matt at [email protected] or 941.400.7965.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Celebrating our Culture – Join us for a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, networking, and food!!
Write-On Info Session for Stetson Law Review
Interested in joining Stetson Law Review? To be eligible for our Winter Write-On, please join us at either session offered:
- Virtual: October 30 at 8 pm
- Zoom Meeting ID: 949 9137 8981
- Passcode: 569557
- In-person: November 3 at 12 pm
- Classroom G
Please email [email protected] and [email protected] with any questions.
Quick Wins for Digital Access Ability — Brown Bag for Faculty and Staff
TEXT: Quick Wins for Digital Access: Is your message reaching everyone? Join Accessibility Resources to learn common accessibility features in Microsoft Office products, PDFS, and more.
Thursday, October 30th — 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM in Classroom E.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Hollis Institute Accepting Planning Grant Applications
The mission of the Nina B. Hollis Institute for Educational Reform (NBHIER) at Stetson University is to stimulate innovations for the advancement of all, particularly birth through grade 12 and non-traditional learners, relating to creating educational opportunities for all through research and applied partnerships.
The Hollis Institute has provided seed funding to support projects, such as Garden-Based Learning, Youth Advocacy Academy at the College of Law, and The Center on Deafness – Learning is for Everyone (LIFE) project. If you have a project that needs funding, please consider applying for a Hollis Institute Planning Grant.
Hollis Institute Planning Grants are awarded to provide a monetary incentive of $1,000 for applicants to develop a full grant application due in March 2026. The planning grant application only requires a brief outline of your project that will be further developed in the full application. Planning grant recipients will receive $250 when their planning grant is accepted. Applicants will receive the remaining $750 if their full impact grant is approved. See the timeline below.
Full projects may vary in scope, with larger-scale projects funded at a maximum level of $10,000 per fiscal year, renewable annually for up to three years of total funding.
The timeline for the Nina B. Hollis Institute Planning Grant is as follows:
• Nov. 14 – Deadline for Planning Grant Applications
• Dec. 1 – Planning Grant Selection Notification
Successful applicants (whose grant applications are accepted) will, at this time, be awarded $250. These individuals will be expected to develop a full proposal due on March 11, 2026.
• March 11, 2026 – Completed Proposals Due
• May 1, 2026 – Impact Award Selection Notification
All applicants will be notified as to whether their project was selected for funding. Planning Grant applicants will receive the remainder of their grant award ($750) if their completed full grant is approved for funding.
• Funding Cycle: July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027
Hollis Institute Planning Grant applications can be found on the NBHRIA website and are due Nov. 14. If you have any questions or would like to discuss a potential project, please feel free to reach out to Bette Heins at [email protected].
Stetson Law Review and Phi Delta Phi BooBook Workshop
No need to be afraid of the Bluebook rules; join Stetson Law Review and Phi Delta Phi at the “Boo” Book Workshop, where participants will learn about Bluebook rules and major changes in the 22nd edition. This workshop will be very beneficial for those who plan on joining any journals or have upcoming writing assignments. This event will take place on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 12:00-1:00 PM in Classroom A. Food will be provided.
RSVP on Engage.
Professor Peter Lake to Receive Prestigious Law Review Award
Stetson Law Review is proud to announce Professor Peter Lake as the 2025 recipient of the J. Ben Watkins Award for Excellence in the Legal Profession. The award is presented annually in honor of the late J. Ben Watkins LL.B. ’49, a member of the Stetson Law Board of Overseers who helped found the Stetson Law Review, to recognize an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and accomplishment in the legal community. Past recipients include Professor Ellen Podgor, Justice Charles Canady of the Florida Supreme Court, and Judge Charles Wilson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
As the Charles A. Dana Chair and Director for the Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy, Professor Lake is nationally recognized as an expert in higher education law and policy. His scholarship has been instrumental in advancing the landscape of higher education law and transforming discourse and policy decisions on Title IX, campus safety, and student mental health at universities across the country. Beyond his scholarly contributions, Professor Lake is celebrated for his captivating teaching style, sensitive and caring disposition, and focus on preparing students for the bar.
“Professor Lake is an institution within this institution,” commented Drew Valenti, Editor in Chief of the Stetson Law Review. “His thirty-five years of service to the school have directly impacted the careers of hundreds, if not thousands, of Stetson lawyers, and he embodies the excellence this award was created to recognize.”
Recently, by partnering with Stetson Law Review for its 2026 Symposium—Higher Education on Trial—Professor Lake has demonstrated his commitment to advancing Stetson’s reach and visibility. The Symposium will take place on March 6, 2026 in conjunction with the Center’s 47th Annual National Conference on Higher Education Law & Policy in Clearwater Beach. His generosity and willingness to support the journal have positioned Stetson Law Review to execute its largest symposium in recent history.
“Professor Lake is the worthiest recipient I can think of for this award,” said Professor Stephanie Vaughan, a long-time colleague (and former student) of Professor Lake. “He came to Stetson from Harvard and Wall Street and immediately put us on the map. Through his academic prowess and intellect, Professor Lake is a well-known scholar. But he is an even better person.”
The Stetson Law Review will present the award to Professor Lake at the journal’s Fall Awards Banquet on November 18th.
October Public Interest Newsletter
The latest edition of the Public Interest Newsletter is here, packed with valuable information on pro bono, internship, and post-graduate opportunities in the public interest and public service fields.
Highlights in this October issue:
- Funding Florida Legal Aid is now accepting applications for their Civil Legal Aid Summer Fellowship Program. Selected fellows receive a stipend in the amount of $9,000 to work with a participating non-profit legal service organization over the summer.
- Applications for Stetson Law’s Clinics & Externships, including the Jacobs Public Interest Law Clinic for Democracy and the Environment, are now open! Apply by Oct. 29 for Spring ’26 Clinic and Externship opportunities.
- OCPD is hosting a Public Interest Resume & Cover Letter Workshop on Oct. 6 from 12:05-12:55pm in Eleazer Courtroom.
- On October 23, from 4:30-6:30pm Stetson Law’s Pro Bono Fair will take place in the Great Hall. Attend to meet representatives from public interest and government organizations to learn about pro bono, internship, and post-graduate employment opportunities.
Download the Newsletter below to get all the details.
Professor Peter Lake to Receive Prestigious Law Review Award
Stetson Law Review is proud to announce Professor Peter Lake as the 2025 recipient of the J. Ben Watkins Award for Excellence in the Legal Profession. The award is presented annually in honor of the late J. Ben Watkins LL.B. ’49, a member of the Stetson Law Board of Overseers who helped found the Stetson Law Review, to recognize an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and accomplishment in the legal community. Past recipients include Professor Ellen Podgor, Justice Charles Canady of the Florida Supreme Court, and Judge Charles Wilson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
As the Charles A. Dana Chair and Director for the Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy, Professor Lake is nationally recognized as an expert in higher education law and policy. His scholarship has been instrumental in advancing the landscape of higher education law and transforming discourse and policy decisions on Title IX, campus safety, and student mental health at universities across the country. Beyond his scholarly contributions, Professor Lake is celebrated for his captivating teaching style, sensitive and caring disposition, and focus on preparing students for the bar.
“Professor Lake is an institution within this institution,” commented Drew Valenti, Editor in Chief of the Stetson Law Review. “His thirty-five years of service to the school have directly impacted the careers of hundreds, if not thousands, of Stetson lawyers, and he embodies the excellence this award was created to recognize.”
Recently, by partnering with Stetson Law Review for its 2026 Symposium—Higher Education on Trial—Professor Lake has demonstrated his commitment to advancing Stetson’s reach and visibility. The Symposium will take place on March 6, 2026 in conjunction with the Center’s 47th Annual National Conference on Higher Education Law & Policy in Clearwater Beach. His generosity and willingness to support the journal have positioned Stetson Law Review to execute its largest symposium in recent history.
“Professor Lake is the worthiest recipient I can think of for this award,” said Professor Stephanie Vaughan, a long-time colleague (and former student) of Professor Lake. “He came to Stetson from Harvard and Wall Street and immediately put us on the map. Through his academic prowess and intellect, Professor Lake is a well-known scholar. But he is an even better person.”
The Stetson Law Review will present the award to Professor Lake at the journal’s Fall Awards Banquet on November 18th.
Join the Stetson Elder Justice team for the Pinellas walk to end Alzheimer’s
The Center for Elder Justice is proud to have a team participating in the Pinellas Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, October 4 at 8 a.m. at Poynter Park, and we’d love for you to join us!
Whether you walk with us or simply cheer us on, your presence means a lot. Donations are totally optional, your support and participation are what matter most. Penny, the official Elder Justice dog, will be walking with us too!
The link to join the Stetson Elder Justice Team is here.
http://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=18510&pg=personal&px=7828924
Do Not Wait: Renew Your ADA Accommodations and/or ESL Modifications for the Fall 2025 Term.
Renew your ADA Accommodations and/or ESL Modifications for the Fall 2025 Term.
The deadline to renew ADA Accommodations and/or ESL Testing Modifications is October 10th. Any submissions after this date will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
All students who have previously received ADA Accommodations and/or ESL Testing Modifications at Stetson College of Law must renew their accommodation requests for every fall and spring semester, summer session and study abroad programs in which you are enrolled.
All semester renewal requests for accommodations or modifications must be requested through the Accommodate Student Portal .
Please follow all the steps found on Stetson Law’s Accessibility Resources web page. The accommodations listed in the BLUE BOX are what you are ELIGIBLE TO RENEW for the current term. If you need additional or different accommodations, please email [email protected]. You will receive an email confirming a successful submission for the Accessibility Resource team to review and process for approval in the current term.
All first-time requests need to register with our office via the Accommodate Public Registration Form found on Stetson Law’s Accessibility Resources web page. If you need assistance, please email [email protected].
Do Not Wait: Renew Your ADA Accommodations and/or ESL Modifications for the Fall 2025 Term.
Renew your ADA Accommodations and/or ESL Modifications for the Fall 2025 Term.
The deadline to renew ADA Accommodations and/or ESL Testing Modifications is October 10th. Any submissions after this date will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
All students who have previously received ADA Accommodations and/or ESL Testing Modifications at Stetson College of Law must renew their accommodation requests for every fall and spring semester, summer session and study abroad programs in which you are enrolled.
All semester renewal requests for accommodations or modifications must be requested through the Accommodate Student Portal .
Please follow all the steps found on Stetson Law’s Accessibility Resources web page. The accommodations listed in the BLUE BOX are what you are ELIGIBLE TO RENEW for the current term. If you need additional or different accommodations, please email [email protected]. You will receive an email confirming a successful submission for the Accessibility Resource team to review and process for approval in the current term.
All first-time requests need to register with our office via the Accommodate Public Registration Form found on Stetson Law’s Accessibility Resources web page. If you need assistance, please email [email protected].
Community Connections 9.24.2025
A one-stop shop for all the questions you didn’t know you needed to ask.
Meet law school departments, law firms, student organizations, and community groups ready to share insights, secrets, tips, and maybe even a few shortcuts.
Ask the questions you already have and discover other questions perhaps you should be asking.
When: Wednesday, Sep. 24 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Great Hall & Mann Lounge
Come for the answers, stay for the connections, Mazzaro’s lunch, and new ideas for the year ahead.
Community Connections 9.24.2025
A one-stop shop for all the questions you didn’t know you needed to ask.
Meet law school departments, law firms, student organizations, and community groups ready to share insights, secrets, tips, and maybe even a few shortcuts.
Ask the questions you already have and discover other questions perhaps you should be asking.
When: Wednesday, Sep. 24 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Great Hall & Mann Lounge
Come for the answers, stay for the connections, Mazzaro’s lunch, and new ideas for the year ahead.
Community Connections 9.24.2025
A one-stop shop for all the questions you didn’t know you needed to ask.
Meet law school departments, law firms, student organizations, and community groups ready to share insights, secrets, tips, and maybe even a few shortcuts.
Ask the questions you already have and discover other questions perhaps you should be asking.
When: Wednesday, Sep. 24 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Great Hall & Mann Lounge
Come for the answers, stay for the connections, Mazzaro’s lunch, and new ideas for the year ahead.
Webinar: Introduction to MS Word Accessibility
Introduction to MS Word Accessibility
Date: Tuesday, September 23rd
Time: 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
This is a great training for beginners or those who need a refresher in the basics of creating accessible MS Word Documents. We’ll focus on three simple techniques to greatly improve the accessibility of your documents: using styles for headings, adding alt text to images, and creating meaningful links. We’ll then discuss a few other tips.
Melanie Thornton is the Director of Initiatives on Access and Justice at University of Arkansas Partners. She provides professional development on topics related to leadership, disability, accessibility, and design. She is very interested in working with organizations to create more accessible environments.
This event is free, but registration is required. Once registered, you will receive a link to join the event.
Register Online Meeting Registration – Zoom
Questions? Contact Melanie Thornton at email: [email protected]
This presentation is provided with support from iCAN-Arkansas.
Do Not Wait: Renew Your ADA Accommodations and/or ESL Modifications for the Fall 2025 Term.
Renew your ADA Accommodations and/or ESL Modifications for the Fall 2025 Term.
The deadline to renew ADA Accommodations and/or ESL Testing Modifications is October 10th. Any submissions after this date will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
All students who have previously received ADA Accommodations and/or ESL Testing Modifications at Stetson College of Law must renew their accommodation requests for every fall and spring semester, summer session and study abroad programs in which you are enrolled.
All semester renewal requests for accommodations or modifications must be requested through the Accommodate Student Portal .
Please follow all the steps found on Stetson Law’s Accessibility Resources web page. The accommodations listed in the BLUE BOX are what you are ELIGIBLE TO RENEW for the current term. If you need additional or different accommodations, please email [email protected]. You will receive an email confirming a successful submission for the Accessibility Resource team to review and process for approval in the current term.
All first-time requests need to register with our office via the Accommodate Public Registration Form found on Stetson Law’s Accessibility Resources web page. If you need assistance, please email [email protected].
Community Connections 9.24.2025
RSVP for the September Foreman Biodiversity Lecture
Join us in the Great Hall from noon until 1 p.m. on September 30th to welcome Casey Darling Kniffin, Conservation Policy Director at the Florida Wildlife Federation. She will be discussing the role of grassroots advocacy in protecting Florida’s parks and wild spaces from development. More information about the lecture can be found here.
Lunch will be served.