Toys for Tots
Please help us in supporting Toys for Tots! Students can earn one non-legal pro bono hour for donating three toys. Bring new, unwrapped toys to the Library, the VLI, or Student Affairs and place them in the donation box located there by November 30.
Did You Know?? One in Five Law Students Has a Disability — (LSSSE 2025)
The 2025 report released last week by Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE) is its first comprehensive look at disability among law students. LSSSE has determined that one in five law students has a disability. The CDC reports that one in four adults in the United States has a disability and that number will only increase as the population ages.
At Stetson Law, Accessibility Resources (AR) supports students with disabilities, students who require temporary accommodations (emergency or disability-related needs that are expected to resolve within six months), and students where English is their Second Language (ESL).
During the 2024-2025 academic year, 1,091 students were enrolled at Stetson Law, and 254 students were registered with Accessibility Resources: 23.3% of the student body.
Of the 254 students registered with AR, 217 were students with disabilities defined under the ADA; 19.9% of the student body, 15 students received temporary accommodation; 1.4% student body, and 14 students received ESL testing modifications; 1.3% of the student body.
| Registration Categories with AR | No. of Students Registered with AR (Total: 254) | Percentage of Student Body 2024-25 (Total Enrollment: 1,091) |
| Students with Disabilities (ADA) | 217 | 19.9% |
| Temporary Accommodations | 15 | 1.4% |
| English as Second Language | 14 | 1.3% |
The types of disabilities represented in the Stetson Law student body vary. While students may have the same diagnosis, the barriers they experience often differ, resulting in different types of accommodations to address those barriers. All accommodations are made on a student-specific, case-by-case basis.
| Disability Category | Percentage of Students** Registered with AR¾Reported Disability |
| Autism Spectrum Disorder | 1.5% |
| Chronic | 12.9% |
| Cognitive & Learning Disability | 15.1% |
| Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing | 1.5% |
| ESL* | 5.4% |
| Mobility | 4.3% |
| Psychological (includes ADD/ADHD) | 70.1% |
| Temporary* | 10.8% |
| Visual | 3.6% |
*Not considered a disability under the ADA.
**Many students report having more than one disability and are counted in more than one disability category.
How can you support our disability community?
- Learn more about disability culture at Stetson Law: Reach out to Accessibility Resources to understand the requirements and process for requesting and receiving accommodations. Attend programming events offered by Accessibility Resources and the Disability Allied Law Students Association (DALSA).
- Promote awareness and inclusion of this underrepresented community: Ensure your events, materials, and messaging are accessible to all members of our community. Your message is important; make sure it reaches everyone.
- Minimize stigma surrounding disability status and accommodations: Lead with an open mind, not assumptions. Every student receiving accommodations has a medical condition that has been verified by a qualified medical provider and the accommodations process at Stetson Law. However, not all disabilities are visible. It’s far more common for people to mask their challenges than to feign a disability ¾often as a response to societal stigma.
- Respect the privacy of our disability community: Refrain from discussing unverified, personal, and private information with others. If you learn a student is receiving accommodations, practice the legal ethical requirement of keeping that information confidential. Appropriate handling of confidential and private information is a critical part of everyone’s professional identity formation.
Read the full LSSSE Disability in Law School report.
The Basics of PDF Accessibility
Date: Thursday, December 4th, 2025
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 AM Central Time
This webinar will introduce participants to the basic concepts of PDF accessibility. We’ll cover the advantages and disadvantages of using PDF, common accessibility errors with PDF, creating an accessible PDF from a source document, and working with existing PDFs.
Registration
This event is free but registration is required. Once registered, you will receive a link to join the event.
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.
Accessibility
We are committed to creating accessible events. We will provide human-generated captioning services. Other disability-related accommodations can be requested in the registration form.
Questions?
Feel free to contact Melanie Thornton at [email protected].
This presentation is provided with support from iCAN-Arkansas.
Melanie Thornton
Digital Accessibility Consultant
Director, Initiatives for Advancing Disability Access
University of Arkansas Partners
University of Arkansas Partners – College of Education and Health Professions
Mobile: 501-291-3217 (V/Text)
Toys for Tots
Please help us in supporting Toys for Tots! Students can earn one non-legal pro bono hour for donating three toys. Bring new, unwrapped toys to the Library, the VLI, or Student Affairs and place them in the donation box located there by November 30.
Holland & Knight’s 1L Florida Mentoring Program
We would like to invite Class of 2028 JD students (current 1Ls) to participate in Holland & Knight’s 1L Florida mentoring program. Details below. Deadline to apply is Friday, December 5, 2025.
Please note:
This program is only available to first-year/J.D. law students graduating in May 2028.
Spots are limited.
This is solely a mentoring program and NOT linked to employment.
If you have any updates regarding who we should direct the invitation to in your office, please reach out to Lauren Grand, [email protected].
SLR Student Article Publication Solicitation
Stetson Law Review is looking for student articles to publish in its forthcoming issues! This is an opportunity to submit your completed student articles to Stetson Law Review’s Student Article Publication Committee, which reviews and selects student article submissions for publication. Student articles or manuscripts written for a seminar class, an independent research project, or a law review writing credit are all eligible for submission. Though works of any length are eligible, please keep in mind that submissions less than thirty pages or lacking compliance with relevant citation manuals will typically not be selected for publication. If you are interested, please send your completed student articles to [email protected] with the subject line “Student Article Publication Submission.” The deadline for submission is November 19th at 11:59pm. We encourage you to capitalize on this amazing opportunity to seek publication!
Toys for Tots
Please help us in supporting Toys for Tots! Students can earn one non-legal pro bono hour for donating three toys. Bring new, unwrapped toys to the Library, the VLI, or Student Affairs and place them in the donation box located there by November 30.
Toys for Tots
Please help us in supporting Toys for Tots! Students can earn one non-legal pro bono hour for donating three toys. Bring new, unwrapped toys to the Library, the VLI, or Student Affairs and place them in the donation box located there by November 30.
Stetson Dispute Resolution Board made waves at CINEMA Competition!
Big news from New York! Our Dispute Resolution Board made waves at the Cardozo Invitational Negotiation on Entertainment, Media, and Art (CINEMA) Competition, bringing home SILVER and BRONZE!
This is only our second time competing at CINEMA, and the field was fierce with 40 teams battling for the top two spots in finals after two preliminary rounds.
Please join us in congratulating Ashley N. Taylor & Adriana Pereira and Grayson Ferber & Kayla Somoano, along with our amazing coaches, DR alumnus Jerry Funt, Esq. and Alina Evans, Esq.
We are so proud of this incredible achievement!
RSVP by November 14th for the Foreman Biodiversity Lecture!
Join us for the November 2025 Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture with acclaimed author Michael Grunwald. Grunwald will explore the themes of his latest book, We Are Eating the Earth, examining how our global food choices shape the planet and influence the climate.
November 18, 2025, 12:00-1:00 p.m. in the Mann Lounge. Lunch will be served!
RSVP HERE by November 14 for a chance to win a copy of We Are Eating the Earth or Grunwald’s award-winning bestseller The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise, to be distributed at the event.
The Basics of PDF Accessibility
Date: Thursday, December 4th, 2025
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 AM Central Time
This webinar will introduce participants to the basic concepts of PDF accessibility. We’ll cover the advantages and disadvantages of using PDF, common accessibility errors with PDF, creating an accessible PDF from a source document, and working with existing PDFs.
Registration
This event is free but registration is required. Once registered, you will receive a link to join the event.
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.
Accessibility
We are committed to creating accessible events. We will provide human-generated captioning services. Other disability-related accommodations can be requested in the registration form.
Questions?
Feel free to contact Melanie Thornton at [email protected].
This presentation is provided with support from iCAN-Arkansas.
Melanie Thornton
Digital Accessibility Consultant
Director, Initiatives for Advancing Disability Access
University of Arkansas Partners
University of Arkansas Partners – College of Education and Health Professions
Mobile: 501-291-3217 (V/Text)
Congratulations to Stetson’s Moot Court Teams!
What a weekend! Three moot court teams were in action this weekend—two in Washington, D.C. and one in Chicago—and there is much to report.
In Washington, D.C., the team of Valeriya Gilmutdinova and Clayton Smith brought home—for the seventh time—a championship win at the National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition. Since the competition began in 2009 (which Stetson won), only Baylor (at five wins), comes close to Stetson’s record. (And yes, the Chief Justice in the final round was none other than Stetson’s own, Chief Judge Mike Allen.) And to top it off, our very own Clayton Smith became the seventh Stetson advocate to win the Best Oral Advocate award. (Clayton was the top advocate out of the 56 advocates who participated.) Congratulations to Valeriya and Clayton! Many thanks to our friends in the VLI who helped the team work through some challenging constitutional and veterans benefits issues. A special thanks to the team’s co-coach, Christopher Gieger. And to Logan West—this was for you!
Also in D.C., Patricia Bishop Hamlin, Brendan Fink, and Emma Vis participated in the 2025 Wechsler First Amendment Moot Court Competition. The unique rules for this competition require advocates to learn multiple issues for both parties, which the team did beautifully under the guidance of Professor Okuno. (Thank you, Professor Okuno!) The team battled it out, eventually losing a very close round in the octofinals to a team that has won the competition a number of times in the previous years. But Stetson earned two additional recognitions—the team had the fourth best brief and Emma was the fourth best oralist. Congratulations to Patricia, Brendan, and Emma!
And finally in Chicago, the team of Logan Wallen, Tara Basile, and Beliz Esen argued at the 2025 Appellate Lawyers Association Moot Court Competition (ALA). Logan and Tara were part of last year’s ALA team that lost in the semifinal round by less than a quarter of a point. Needless to say, the team’s focus was on arguing every round that they could. And the team did just that—through preliminary rounds, elimination rounds, all the way to the finals. Logan, Tara, and Beliz earned the Second Place Overall Team award. And the recognition did not stop there—Logan was recognized as the Second Place Advocate out of a field of over 50 advocates. Congratulations, Logan, Tara, and Beliz! And a special thanks to the team’s coach, Jeremy Bailie!
What a weekend; congratulations! And this cannot be said enough—thank you to all the professors, administrators, alums, and Moot Court Board members who helped these teams prepare. Go Stetson!
Professor Bowman
SLR Student Article Publication Solicitation
Stetson Law Review is looking for student articles to publish in its forthcoming issues! This is an opportunity to submit your completed student articles to Stetson Law Review’s Student Article Publication Committee, which reviews and selects student article submissions for publication. Student articles or manuscripts written for a seminar class, an independent research project, or a law review writing credit are all eligible for submission. Though works of any length are eligible, please keep in mind that submissions less than thirty pages or lacking compliance with relevant citation manuals will typically not be selected for publication. If you are interested, please send your completed student articles to [email protected] with the subject line “Student Article Publication Submission.” The deadline for submission is November 19th at 11:59pm. We encourage you to capitalize on this amazing opportunity to seek publication!
November Public Interest Newsletter
Download the Public Interest Newsletter (below) for information about some of the latest pro bono, internship, and post-graduate opportunities in the public interest and public service fields.
Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture Featuring Michael Grunwald
Join us for the November 2025 Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture with acclaimed author Michael Grunwald. Grunwald will explore the themes of his latest book, We Are Eating the Earth, examining how our global food choices shape the planet and influence the climate.
November 18, 2025, 12:00-1:00 p.m. in the Mann Lounge. Lunch will be served!
RSVP HERE by November 14 for a chance to win a copy of We Are Eating the Earth or Grunwald’s award-winning bestseller The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise, to be distributed at the event.
Criminal Law Society Presentation November 4 at 5pm
The Criminal Law Society presents Felony Murder in an Overdose Death: The Case of Robert Gullo on Tuesday, November 4, 5pm-6pm, in Classroom F.
Speakers will include: Corporal Jerry Creaser – Case agent, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office; Juan Saldivar – Prosecutor, Felony Division A, State Attorneys Office 6th Judicial Circuit; Gino Megna – Defense attorney – trial lawyer.
Join the International Learning Committee’s Discussion of Immigration
The International Learning Committee invites all members of the Stetson community to an open discussion on immigration events and their impact on our international students, faculty, and staff. The session will feature Art Rios, immigration lawyer graduate and adjunct professor at Stetson’s College of Law, who will share insights on current issues related to student and employee visas and answer participants’ questions.
If you would prefer to ask your questions anonymously, you can send your questions in advance to Paula Hentz, Senior International Officer & Director of Global Initiatives and member of the ILC Subcommittee on Current Events, at [email protected].
· 
When: Wednesday, Nov. 5
· 
Time: beginning at 4:30 p.m.
· 
Where: Zoom
Please share this information with other members of our community!
We hope to see many of you there!
Professor Vaughan
SLR Student Article Publication Solicitation
Stetson Law Review is looking for student articles to publish in its forthcoming issues! This is an opportunity to submit your completed student articles to Stetson Law Review’s Student Article Publication Committee, which reviews and selects student article submissions for publication. Student articles or manuscripts written for a seminar class, an independent research project, or a law review writing credit are all eligible for submission. Though works of any length are eligible, please keep in mind that submissions less than thirty pages or lacking compliance with relevant citation manuals will typically not be selected for publication. If you are interested, please send your completed student articles to [email protected] with the subject line “Student Article Publication Submission.” The deadline for submission is November 19th at 11:59pm. We encourage you to capitalize on this amazing opportunity to seek publication!
Hollis Institute Planning Grant Applications Due Friday, Nov. 14
This is a reminder that Hollis Institute Impact Planning Grant applications are due Friday, November 14. Applications can be found on the Nina B. Hollis Institute for Educational Reform website. For further information, please feel free to contact Colleen Cooper, project manager.
Apply for the Jacobs Public Interest Law Clinic for Democracy and the Environment by Today’s Deadline!
The Jacobs Public Interest Law Clinic for Democracy and the Environment is accepting applications for Spring 2026 enrollment now through October 29th. The JLC is an on-campus law clinic representing real clients solving real-world problems. Earn all your required legal pro bono hours, and 3-5 credits hours toward Advocacy, Social Justice Advocacy, and Environmental Law concentrations. Build your skills by writing legal briefs, complaints, and other court filings, as well as policy positions and model legislation. Interview and present to clients, and assist in providing client counseling. Work with lawyers, organizers, advocates, and scientists. Help represent diverse clients, and network with purpose! Access to travel opportunities. No Florida Bar CLI required!
Apply here: https://www.stetson.edu/law/clinical-education/jacobslawclinic.php
Quick Wins for Digital Access Ability — Brown Bag for Faculty & 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.
Cases and Places: Florida Springs – Application Deadline Extended to Friday, 10/24 for Spring 2026 enrollment
Explore Florida’s springs, live the cases, and meet the lawyers, scientists, and advocates who shaped Florida’s landscape!
What you need to know:
– Three-credit course involves camping trip with driving, hiking, and swimming.
– Taught by Professors Lopez and Gardner.
– Satisfies upper-level writing requirement.
– Costs $250 per student (meals not included).
Meeting dates as follows:
January 24th: Classroom instruction
March 5-8th: Camping field trip
April 11th: Classroom instruction
Send your resume and letter of interest to Professor Lopez, [email protected], by October 24th.
Cases and Places: Florida Springs – Application Deadline Extended to Friday, 10/24 for Spring 2026 enrollment
Explore Florida’s springs, live the cases, and meet the lawyers, scientists, and advocates who shaped Florida’s landscape!
What you need to know:
– Three-credit course involves camping trip with driving, hiking, and swimming.
– Taught by Professors Lopez and Gardner.
– Satisfies upper-level writing requirement.
– Costs $250 per student (meals not included).
Meeting dates as follows:
January 24th: Classroom instruction
March 5-8th: Camping field trip
April 11th: Classroom instruction
Send your resume and letter of interest to Professor Lopez, [email protected], by October 24th.
Cases and Places: Florida Springs – Application Deadline Extended to Friday, 10/24 for Spring 2026 enrollment
Explore Florida’s springs, live the cases, and meet the lawyers, scientists, and advocates who shaped Florida’s landscape!
What you need to know:
– Three-credit course involves camping trip with driving, hiking, and swimming.
– Taught by Professors Lopez and Gardner.
– Satisfies upper-level writing requirement.
– Costs $250 per student (meals not included).
Meeting dates as follows:
January 24th: Classroom instruction
March 5-8th: Camping field trip
April 11th: Classroom instruction
Send your resume and letter of interest to Professor Lopez, [email protected], by October 24th.
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.