Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Law School Diversity Scholarship – Deadline: October 1, 2024

The Buckfire Law Scholarship Committee is currently accepting applications for the 2024 Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Law School Diversity Scholarship.

To be considered for the scholarship, the student must be a member of an ethnic, racial, or other minority, or demonstrate a commitment to issues of diversity within their community

The scholarship will award $2,000 to one student selected by our scholarship selection committee.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Applicant is a member of an ethnic or racial minority or any individual who demonstrates a defined commitment to issues of diversity within their academic career.
Applicant is a U.S. citizen currently attending an accredited law school within the United States.
Academic achievement as reflected by a minimum 3.0 GPA and have completed at least one semester of classes at an accredited law school.

To apply for the Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. 2024 Law School Diversity Scholarship Program an applicant must submit the following items on or before October 1, 2024:

A completed scholarship application form. (Located on our website)
A one-page typed essay describing how you have utilized your time promoting ethnic diversity within your community. Alternatively, you may write about how you will use your law degree to promote ethnic diversity in the future.
An official or unofficial transcript from an accredited college or university that includes your most recent semester

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is October 1, 2024. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at [email protected]

Student Leadership Development Committee

The Student Leadership Development Committee (SLDC) is hosting its final Leadership Luncheon of the year on Wednesday, April 17, at 12:00 pm in the Mann Lounge. Kristina Merritt, the Practice Development Manager at Holland & Knight, is our speaker. CD Roma and dessert will be served for those who stay for the presentation. Students who attend the luncheon will earn 1 leadership credit toward their leadership certificate.

If you have any questions, please contact SLDC at [email protected].

RSVP ~ Annual Inns of Court Banquet

You are Invited Annual Inns of Court Banquet and the Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Distinguished Lecture featuring Myrna McCallum

Please RSVP by Friday, April 12 https://www.stetson.edu/law/students/inns-of-court.php

Sunday, April 21, 2024 5:00 p.m. Stetson University College of Law Great Hall

Myrna McCallum is a true change-maker, award-winning podcaster, and leading champion of trauma-informed lawyering. She is the host of “The Trauma-Informed Lawyer” podcast and acts as a subject matter expert on trauma-informed policy, procedure, and process. Myrna also offers training courses on trauma-informed engagement and leadership. Due to her work in recent years, Myrna has become a highly sought after public speaker.

Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture and IEMCC Welcome Reception

Please join Stetson in welcoming student advocacy teams from all over the world participating in the 28th Annual Stetson IEMCC at a Welcome Reception and Biodiversity Lecture.

James Wingard, Partner and Legal Director of Legal Atlas, will present Gorillas in the (Legal) Mist: Wildlife Trafficking & the Geography of Law.

Wednesday, April 10, at 5 p.m. in the Great Hall.

RSVP at https://forms.office.com/r/q8yG4RpZ7p

Legal Mentor Network’s First Tampa Meet-Up

Legal Mentor Network is having its first Tampa meet-up on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 5-7 PM, at Chuck Lager America’s Tavern, and students, you are invited!

Legal Mentor Network aims to reduce mentorship and information barriers in the legal field. As part of that, they have started hosting informal happy hours in cities around the country. They’ve had great turnout and served as a great networking opportunity for both junior and senior attorneys.

The event will likely be attended by a diverse set of attendees on the “mentor” side—folks in government, in-house, nonprofit, and, of course, firm roles. On the mentee side, the event is open to junior lawyers and law students.

Anyone interested in attending can register here. The event is being sponsored by Latitude Legal, and food and drinks will be available as well.

Bay Area Legal Services Advance Directives Clinic – Pro Bono Volunteers Needed Friday, April 12

Volunteer attorneys and law students will assist in completing advance directives (living will, designation of health care surrogate, pre-need guardian designation) documents. No experience in estate planning or any area of law is necessary. The clinic will take place at 800 Drew Street in Clearwater on Friday, April 12 from 11am-1pm. To sign up for this legal pro bono opportunity, please email Stephanie Storke at [email protected].

ABA John J. Curtin, Jr. Fellowship – 2024 Summer Stipends

The Curtin Justice Fund Legal Internship Program is managed by the ABA Commission on Homelessness and Poverty. The Program will pay a $3,500 stipend to three law students who spend the summer months working for a bar association or legal services program designed to prevent homelessness or assist homeless or indigent clients or their advocates. The Legal Internship Program will provide much-needed legal assistance to organizations serving the under-represented, and give students direct experience in a public interest forum. In this way it aims to help homeless clients and to encourage careers in the law that further the goals of social justice.

Deadline: Friday, March 29, 2024

Learn more HERE

Civil Rights Careers Live Webinar – March 25

Are you interested in exploring career opportunities in the field of civil rights or public interest? Join the Florida Bar’s Public Interest Law Section for a 90-minute webinar that will provide insights from attorneys working in government, public interest organizations, and academic institutions.

When: Monday, March 25, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Register Here

Don’t forget to RSVP for the March 28th Biodiversity Lecture!

Martin Catala will share insights into the economic, public health, and environmental benefits of effective transportation policy.

Find out more here.

He will be speaking in the Mann Lounge from 12-1 p.m. A catered lunch will be served.

RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/r/yCxQgyhRu5?origin=lprLink by March 25th.

Civil Rights Careers Live Webinar – March 25

When: Monday, March 25, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Register Here

2024 Equal Justice Works Regional Public Interest Awards

Each year, the Equal Justice Works National Advisory Committee presents eight law students throughout the country with a Regional Public Interest Award. Chosen for their innovation, impact, and commitment to public interest law, each of the students selected is recognized for providing extraordinary service through clinics, volunteer work, internships, and more. Recipients of the Regional Public Interest Awards will receive a $250 cash prize and commemorative plaque.

To apply for this award, please complete and submit the application form. As part of your application, you’ll be asked to provide a personal statement describing your commitment to public interest law. In your statement, you can describe your contributions as a law student to helping disadvantaged communities; the impact your work has on your community; innovative ways you have improved upon the traditional delivery of legal services; any law school projects you started; and your long-term interest in pursuing a public interest law career.

The application will close on April 8, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET, and winners will be notified of their selection by May 1,2024. If you have any questions about the Regional Public Interest Awards, or if you would like to nominate an extraordinary public interest law student for the award in your region, please e-mail the EJW team at [email protected].

Scholarship Opportunity from the Public Interest Law Section of The Florida Bar

The Public Interest Law Section (PILS) of the Florida Bar is offering two eligible law students a $1,000 scholarship and an affiliate membership to the PILS Section for the 24′-25′ term.

Eligibility

Any law student who has secured a summer unpaid internship within the public interest field may apply. Securing a placement with a clinic for credit is not a substitute for an unpaid internship. Examples of applicable internships include: legal internships with public interest groups, nonprofit organizations, and government organizations. Public interest law encompasses, but is not limited to: children’s rights, civil rights, constitutional law, consumer rights, prisoner’s rights, education, elder law, employment, environmental law, family law, immigration, and disability rights.

Applications

Law students may apply at the following link by Monday, April 1, 2024.

PILS Scholarship Application: SCHOLARSHIPS | PILS (flpublicinterestlaw.org)

Questions?

Contact Stephanie Storke, Assistant Director of Public Interest Careers and Pro Bono, at [email protected].

HCBA Pro Bono 5K/Food Festival – March 23

The Hillsborough County Bar Association is hosting a Pro Bono 5K/Food Festival this Saturday, March 23. As a sponsor of the event, Stetson receives 4 complementary runner registrations. The race will begin at 10am, and registrations are open to faculty, staff, and students. If you are interested in signing up for the race, please email Stephanie Storke at [email protected] by Wednesday, March 20 to receive the promo code and instructions on how to register. To learn more about the race, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2024/84667/hcba-pro-bono-5k-river-run.

There is also a need for race day volunteers for three-hour shifts on Saturday morning, from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. All volunteers are welcome to attend the Judicial Food Festival immediately following the race. This is a great way to earn non-legal pro bono hours, while networking with legal professionals and judges. Anyone interested in volunteering can register here: https://raceroster.com/events/2024/84667/hcba-pro-bono-5k-river-run/volunteer. When registering to volunteer, you can request to be partnered with a friend.

If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Stephanie Storke at [email protected].

Volunteers needed for Pro Bono River Run – March 23

The 2024 Hillsborough County Bar Association 5K Pro Bono River Run is a family friendly event on Saturday, March 23 that supports pro bono legal services in Hillsborough County. The HCBA is in need of race day volunteers for three-hour shifts on Saturday morning, from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. All volunteers are welcome to attend the Judicial Food Festival immediately following the race. This is a great way to earn non-legal pro bono hours, while networking with legal professionals and judges.

Watch Parole Hearings Live on our Campus: Upcoming Visit by the Florida Commission on Offender Review

Law Students,

The Florida Commission on Offender Review is going to be visiting our campus from March 19, 2024, through March 21, 2024. The Commission conducts parole hearings for the State of Florida, and they are statutorily required to conduct hearings throughout the state. They typically do so by traveling to different law schools in the state and allowing students to observe the proceedings. The hearings are public, and they are often attended by law enforcement officials, state attorneys, victims, and inmate supporters who offer testimony prior to the Commissioners voting on each case. Importantly, this is the first time the Commission will be conducting hearings on our campus.

There are four opportunities for you to engage with the Commission during their visit:

On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, in F&R Courtroom, the Commission will put on a presentation to talk with you about their work. If you would plan to attend that session, please RSVP HERE. Please note that space is limited. You will receive a follow-up email if you have a confirmed spot at the session. Also, this is a brown-bag lunch, so you will need to bring your own food.
On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, in F&R Courtroom, the Commission will conduct live parole hearings. Please note that space is limited and will be available on a first come-first served basis on the day of the event. However, to give us an idea of numbers, if you would like to attend that session, please fill out the form HERE.
On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, in F&R Courtroom, the Commission will conduct live parole hearings. Please note that space is limited and will be available on a first come-first served basis on the day of the event. However, to give us an idea of numbers, if you would like to attend that session, please RSVP HERE.
On Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM, in F&R Courtroom, the Commission will conduct live parole hearings. Please note that space is limited and will be available on a first come-first served basis on the day of the event. However, to give us an idea of numbers, if you would like to attend that session, please RSVP HERE.

If you would like to attend one of the sessions but cannot stay for the entire session, that is fine. We just ask that you leave quietly and respectfully when it is time for you to depart.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kelley Thompson, Director of Professional Engagement, at [email protected].

Watch Parole Hearings Live on our Campus: Upcoming Visit by the Florida Commission on Offender Review

Law Students,

There are four opportunities for you to engage with the Commission during their visit:

On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, in F&R Courtroom, the Commission will put on a presentation to talk with you about their work. If you would plan to attend that session, please RSVP HERE. Please note that space is limited. You will receive a follow-up email if you have a confirmed spot at the session. Also, this is a brown-bag lunch, so you will need to bring your own food.
On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, in F&R Courtroom, the Commission will conduct live parole hearings. Please note that space is limited and will be available on a first come-first served basis on the day of the event. However, to give us an idea of numbers, if you would like to attend that session, please fill out the form HERE.
On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, in F&R Courtroom, the Commission will conduct live parole hearings. Please note that space is limited and will be available on a first come-first served basis on the day of the event. However, to give us an idea of numbers, if you would like to attend that session, please RSVP HERE.
On Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM, in F&R Courtroom, the Commission will conduct live parole hearings. Please note that space is limited and will be available on a first come-first served basis on the day of the event. However, to give us an idea of numbers, if you would like to attend that session, please RSVP HERE.

If you would like to attend one of the sessions but cannot stay for the entire session, that is fine. We just ask that you leave quietly and respectfully when it is time for you to depart.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kelley Thompson, Director of Professional Engagement, at [email protected].

Watch Parole Hearings LIVE On Gulfport Campus: Next Week!!

Law Students,

There are four opportunities for you to engage with the Commission during their visit:

On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, in F&R Courtroom, the Commission will put on a presentation to talk with you about their work. If you would plan to attend that session, please RSVP HERE. Please note that space is limited. You will receive a follow-up email if you have a confirmed spot at the session. Also, this is a brown-bag lunch, so you will need to bring your own food.
On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, in F&R Courtroom, the Commission will conduct live parole hearings. Please note that space is limited and will be available on a first come-first served basis on the day of the event. However, to give us an idea of numbers, if you would like to attend that session, please fill out the form HERE.
On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, in F&R Courtroom, the Commission will conduct live parole hearings. Please note that space is limited and will be available on a first come-first served basis on the day of the event. However, to give us an idea of numbers, if you would like to attend that session, please RSVP HERE.
On Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM, in F&R Courtroom, the Commission will conduct live parole hearings. Please note that space is limited and will be available on a first come-first served basis on the day of the event. However, to give us an idea of numbers, if you would like to attend that session, please RSVP HERE.

If you would like to attend one of the sessions but cannot stay for the entire session, that is fine. We just ask that you leave quietly and respectfully when it is time for you to depart.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kelley Thompson, Director of Professional Engagement, at [email protected].

RSVP TO THE CAREER FAIR

The first 250 students to RSVP AND attend the event will receive a Stetson Law Padfolio. RSVP your Attendance now!

STETSON LAW CAREER FAIR

MARCH 26, 2024

11:00AM – 2:00PM

GREAT HALL and MANN LOUNGE

RSVP your Attendance

No matter what stage of your career search (even if you are employed), you won’t want to miss the opportunity to attend, network, meet employers, and be prepared to distribute your resume.

We will have a range of over 50 employers (learn more about them HERE) on campus who want to meet YOU. They will be set up in a traditional Career Fair style, at tables, in the Great Hall and Mann Lounge.

To that end, NOW is the time to have your resume reviewed by the Office of Career and Professional Development. Please contact any one of us HERE to put the final touches on your resume.

Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture

Urban Benefits of Good Transportation: Policy Choices, Investments and Supporting Transit-Oriented Development

We welcome Martin Catala from the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research for a lunchtime lecture on the environmental benefits of effective transportation policy.

March 2024 Biodiversity Lecture Flyer

March 28, 2024, at noon in the Mann Lounge. A catered lunch will be served.

RSVP at https://forms.office.com/r/yCxQgyhRu5?origin=lprLink or email [email protected] by March 25th.

Bookstore: Return Policy Reminders

Just a reminder of our return policies as posted on our door and throughout the store.

Textbook Return Policy for

SPRING 2024

The last day for textbook refunds with original receipt is Jan. 25, 2024. Books must be in the condition you purchased/rented them in for a full refund. New books must still be shrink wrapped (if they were sold that way) and free from any markings to be eligible for a refund! ******If you are mailing your returns back, you must make sure they are shipped to arrive at the Bookstore on or before Jan. 25, 2024 to be eligible for a refund.******

Textbooks purchased on or after Jan. 25, 2024 are final sale. Books for condensed/weekend or shortened courses may have their own refund date TBD.

Shrink-wrapped texts must be unopened, all enclosures (CDs etc) must be included. Software included with textbooks must be unopened.

“eBook” textbooks are returnable if code/password has not been accessed online and within the stated refund date for that platform. Some e-book/digital delivery fees are not refundable.

Non-Textbook Return Policy

Non-textbook items may be refunded or exchanged within 30 days of the sale with the original receipt if the merchandise is in salable condition.

Items such as Electronics, CDs, DVDs and Computer Software must be unopened if returned.

Law Study Guides and BarCharts are not returnable/exchangeable.

Gift Cards are not returnable.

Intramural Pickleball

We are super excited to officially start IM Pickleball! We will be playing on Sunday afternoons from 3-6pm on the newly resurfaced Stetson tennis court. The 3 hours will be broken into 1 hour blocks, and up to 8 players can sign up per hour time slot. A spreadsheet will be sent out in the GroupMe to sign up. The link to the GroupMe is https://groupme.com/join_group/96491163/3urjJmWi. Information and updates will be sent regularly in the GroupMe. If you have any questions, feel free to contact one of the chairs, Sydney Polanin or Austin Saltmarsh!

Foreman Biodiversity Lecture – Unpacking Environmental Racism and Advancing Ecojustice

Dr. Rajni Shankar-Brown will discuss the links between environmental racism, climate change, and sustainability.

February 20, 2024, at noon in the Great Hall

A catered lunch will be served.

RSVP at this link by February 16 to attend or request the Zoom link. Or email [email protected].

Equal Justice Works Law Student Fellowships: RSLC and CVAP Applications Close TODAY at 11:50PM

Applications for the Rural Summer Legal Corps and Crime Victims Advocacy Program Student Fellowship will be accepted until today Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 11:59 PM EST. Applications for the Disaster Resilience Program Student Fellowship will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. EST on February 20, 2024.

/ 2024 Rural Summer Legal Corps

RSLC is a collaboration between Equal Justice Works and Legal Services Corporation (LSC) that connects public interest law students with LSC-funded civil legal aid organizations nationwide to address critical legal issues facing rural communities.

Fellows spend 8-10 weeks working on a uniquely designed community project at their host organization, earning $7,000 for working 300 hours during Summer 2024.

To apply for the Rural Summer Legal Corps before the deadline today, do the following:

/ Review the Host Organizations. View the legal aid organizations hosting Student Fellows this summer, and the corresponding project descriptions. You’ll be asked to identify your top three host organization choices when you apply for the program.

/ Read “Law Student Frequently Asked Questions.” Find out more about the program by reading through the FAQ’s. If you have additional questions, you can visit our website or e-mail us at [email protected]. / Apply for the Program! Applications will be accepted until February 13, 2024. After the application closes, you will be contacted by the host organizations if selected for an interview. All Student Fellows will be selected by no later than March 25, 2024.

/ 2024 Crime Victims Advocacy Program

EJW’s Crime Victims Advocacy Program is mobilizing a cohort of law students to increase access to legal aid for survivors of crime, especially in underserved, black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. Fellows spend 10 weeks working alongside Equal Justice Works post-graduate CVAP Fellows, while developing valuable skills and gaining hands-on experience in crime victims advocacy. Students earn $7,000 for working 300 hours during the summer of 2024.

To apply for the CVAP before the deadline today, do the following:

/ Review the Host Organizations. View the organizations hosting Student Fellows this summer, and the corresponding project descriptions on our website.

/ Apply for the Program! Applications will be accepted until February 13, 2024. After the application closes, you will be contacted by the host organizations if selected for an interview. All Student Fellows will be selected by no later than March 25, 2024.

If you have any questions about the CVAP or the application process, email the EJW team at [email protected].

Unpacking Environmental Racism and Advancing Ecojustice

The Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture Series begins the Spring 2024 semester with Dr. Rajni Shankar-Brown. She will use history, research, poetry, and art to address the impacts of and deep links between environmental racism, climate change, and sustainability.

Great Hall – February 20, 2024 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Lunch will be served.

RSVP by February 16 using the link:

Foreman Biodiversity Lecture February 20, 2024, 12-1 in the Great Hall (office.com)

Celebrate Black History Month

We invite you to join the celebration from student-led events on campus to local commemorations. Explore the many ways you can get involved during Black History Month.