National Arab American Heritage Month
Stetson University College of Law values the cultural observances celebrated by our community members and the many efforts to promote cross-cultural awareness and engagement on our campus. In honor of Arab American Heritage Month, we celebrate the diverse communities of Arab Americans who have helped shape life and culture at Stetson Law, in the legal profession, and beyond. Learn how to join the celebration by exploring the Arab American Heritage Month page.
Seminar presented by The Skadden Fellowship Foundation – April 11, 2024
The Skadden Fellowship Foundation and NDLSA Present:
Public Interest Fellowship from a Disability Lens: Launching Your
Public Interest Career Through a Project-Based Fellowship
Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 11am PT/2pm ET
On Thursday, April 11, we will engage in a dialogue with several former Skadden Fellows with disabilities about their perspectives on finding a host organization that is a good fit. Kathleen Rubenstein, Executive Director of the Skadden Fellowship Foundation, will go over the basics of the application process, explain the process for requesting accommodations during the selection process, and will be available to answer any questions!
Everyone is welcome! Although it is never too early to start thinking about the fellowship process, we hope our discussion will be helpful for finding the right fit in an internship or another job opportunity.
You can register for the event here: The Skadden Fellowship Survey Registration.
Please e-mail [email protected] if you have any questions for the panelists. ASL and Live Captioning will be provided. If you would like to request additional accommodations, please contact [email protected].
Legal Writing Scholarship Opportunity
Mercer University School of Law and the American Bar Association Commission on Disability Right co-host an annual brief writing competition in honor of Mercer’s former legal writing professor, Adam Milani.
The purposes of the competition are to promote greater interest in and understanding of the field of disability law and to encourage excellent legal writing skills in law students. The deadline is June 14, 2024 (the website will be updated soon with the correct date).
Prizes range between $100 and $500, depending on whether multiple awards are given.
Briefs can be on any of the following topics:
• Disability law;
• The Civil Rights Act of 1964;
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972;
• Age Discrimination in Employment Act;
• Family and Medical Leave Act;
• A state statute or municipal ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Further information is posted on the Mercer website (the date in this email is correct, it has not yet been changed on the website) at Milani Writing Competition – School of Law (mercer.edu)
Suzianne D. Painter-Thorne (she/her)
Professor of Law
Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives
Mercer University School of Law
1021 Georgia Avenue
Macon, GA 31207
478-301-2647
[email protected]
Diversity Week: March 25-28
Let’s come together to celebrate our unique identities and illuminate the beauty of diversity.
All staff and faculty are welcome to join the SBA Diversity Committee for a thrilling week of daily programming to drive contemplation and conversations about diversity at the college and beyond.
Explore the full list of Diversity Week events. Together, we shine brighter than ever before!
Women’s Week
Kick off Women’s History Month with a week’s worth of thoughtful programming curated by the Stetson chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers. Events aim to celebrate the contributions of women in the legal profession while strengthening ties among women who are part of the Stetson Law community. Learn how to get involved on the Women’s History Month webpage: https://www.stetson.edu/law/about/home/inclusive-excellence/womenshistorymonth.php
Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation Summer Fellowship Program
Who May Apply?
First or second year law students who are enrolled in a Florida law school or are verified Florida residents attending an out-of-state law school. Additional information is available on the form page.How Do I Apply?
Completely fill out the application form and submit the required documents. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTgbhJbNksYpCjs2ne3FR9jKV1x6lQMY8hKzUnBiLnsI7WFQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=02024 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
John W. Kozyak grew up in a totally segregated community near St. Louis and was in high school when the 1964 Civil Rights Legislation was implemented. John moved to Miami in 1974 for a summer clerkship without knowing a person and was fortunate enough to be hired by two well known, respected lawyers, who were wonderful mentors. John credits his success in the legal profession to the strong mentoring relationships he developed. Throughout his career, John noticed the lack of diversity in the legal profession. John believed that mentoring was a powerful tool in addressing the need to improve diversity in the legal profession for all minority groups and particularly African-American lawyers.
John became an active mentor years ago and in 2002, he created his own mentoring program to match minority law students with experienced lawyers and judges in the legal community. Later, John, along with his law partner, Detra Shaw-Wilder, formed the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation to strengthen and grow his efforts to use mentoring as a platform to increase diversity in the legal profession. Although much of John’s early efforts were dedicated to providing mentors for black law students, the Foundation provides opportunities for all minority law students. The Foundation has close ties to the Cuban-American Bar Association (“CABA”), the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (“FAWL”), Haitian Lawyers, Caribbean Lawyers Association, the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association, Florida Muslim Lawyers, the National Hispanic Bar Association and many other voluntary bar associations.
For 13 years the Foundation hosted an annual picnic, which grew and grew to approximately 5000 people in 2016. The KMMF now concentrates on smaller receptions and meetings to provide more direct input.
Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation Summer Fellowship Program
Who May Apply?
First or second year law students who are enrolled in a Florida law school or are verified Florida residents attending an out-of-state law school. Additional information is available on the form page.How Do I Apply?
Completely fill out the application form and submit the required documents. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTgbhJbNksYpCjs2ne3FR9jKV1x6lQMY8hKzUnBiLnsI7WFQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=02024 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
John W. Kozyak grew up in a totally segregated community near St. Louis and was in high school when the 1964 Civil Rights Legislation was implemented. John moved to Miami in 1974 for a summer clerkship without knowing a person and was fortunate enough to be hired by two well known, respected lawyers, who were wonderful mentors. John credits his success in the legal profession to the strong mentoring relationships he developed. Throughout his career, John noticed the lack of diversity in the legal profession. John believed that mentoring was a powerful tool in addressing the need to improve diversity in the legal profession for all minority groups and particularly African-American lawyers.
John became an active mentor years ago and in 2002, he created his own mentoring program to match minority law students with experienced lawyers and judges in the legal community. Later, John, along with his law partner, Detra Shaw-Wilder, formed the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation to strengthen and grow his efforts to use mentoring as a platform to increase diversity in the legal profession. Although much of John’s early efforts were dedicated to providing mentors for black law students, the Foundation provides opportunities for all minority law students. The Foundation has close ties to the Cuban-American Bar Association (“CABA”), the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (“FAWL”), Haitian Lawyers, Caribbean Lawyers Association, the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association, Florida Muslim Lawyers, the National Hispanic Bar Association and many other voluntary bar associations.
For 13 years the Foundation hosted an annual picnic, which grew and grew to approximately 5000 people in 2016. The KMMF now concentrates on smaller receptions and meetings to provide more direct input.
Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation Summer Fellowship Program
Who May Apply?
First or second year law students who are enrolled in a Florida law school or are verified Florida residents attending an out-of-state law school. Additional information is available on the form page.How Do I Apply?
Completely fill out the application form and submit the required documents. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTgbhJbNksYpCjs2ne3FR9jKV1x6lQMY8hKzUnBiLnsI7WFQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=02024 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
John W. Kozyak grew up in a totally segregated community near St. Louis and was in high school when the 1964 Civil Rights Legislation was implemented. John moved to Miami in 1974 for a summer clerkship without knowing a person and was fortunate enough to be hired by two well known, respected lawyers, who were wonderful mentors. John credits his success in the legal profession to the strong mentoring relationships he developed. Throughout his career, John noticed the lack of diversity in the legal profession. John believed that mentoring was a powerful tool in addressing the need to improve diversity in the legal profession for all minority groups and particularly African-American lawyers.
John became an active mentor years ago and in 2002, he created his own mentoring program to match minority law students with experienced lawyers and judges in the legal community. Later, John, along with his law partner, Detra Shaw-Wilder, formed the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation to strengthen and grow his efforts to use mentoring as a platform to increase diversity in the legal profession. Although much of John’s early efforts were dedicated to providing mentors for black law students, the Foundation provides opportunities for all minority law students. The Foundation has close ties to the Cuban-American Bar Association (“CABA”), the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (“FAWL”), Haitian Lawyers, Caribbean Lawyers Association, the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association, Florida Muslim Lawyers, the National Hispanic Bar Association and many other voluntary bar associations.
For 13 years the Foundation hosted an annual picnic, which grew and grew to approximately 5000 people in 2016. The KMMF now concentrates on smaller receptions and meetings to provide more direct input.
Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation Summer Fellowship Program
Who May Apply?
First or second year law students who are enrolled in a Florida law school or are verified Florida residents attending an out-of-state law school. Additional information is available on the form page.How Do I Apply?
Completely fill out the application form and submit the required documents. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTgbhJbNksYpCjs2ne3FR9jKV1x6lQMY8hKzUnBiLnsI7WFQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=02024 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
John W. Kozyak grew up in a totally segregated community near St. Louis and was in high school when the 1964 Civil Rights Legislation was implemented. John moved to Miami in 1974 for a summer clerkship without knowing a person and was fortunate enough to be hired by two well known, respected lawyers, who were wonderful mentors. John credits his success in the legal profession to the strong mentoring relationships he developed. Throughout his career, John noticed the lack of diversity in the legal profession. John believed that mentoring was a powerful tool in addressing the need to improve diversity in the legal profession for all minority groups and particularly African-American lawyers.
John became an active mentor years ago and in 2002, he created his own mentoring program to match minority law students with experienced lawyers and judges in the legal community. Later, John, along with his law partner, Detra Shaw-Wilder, formed the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation to strengthen and grow his efforts to use mentoring as a platform to increase diversity in the legal profession. Although much of John’s early efforts were dedicated to providing mentors for black law students, the Foundation provides opportunities for all minority law students. The Foundation has close ties to the Cuban-American Bar Association (“CABA”), the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (“FAWL”), Haitian Lawyers, Caribbean Lawyers Association, the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association, Florida Muslim Lawyers, the National Hispanic Bar Association and many other voluntary bar associations.
For 13 years the Foundation hosted an annual picnic, which grew and grew to approximately 5000 people in 2016. The KMMF now concentrates on smaller receptions and meetings to provide more direct input.
Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation Summer Fellowship Program
Who May Apply?
First or second year law students who are enrolled in a Florida law school or are verified Florida residents attending an out-of-state law school. Additional information is available on the form page.How Do I Apply?
Completely fill out the application form and submit the required documents. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTgbhJbNksYpCjs2ne3FR9jKV1x6lQMY8hKzUnBiLnsI7WFQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=02024 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
John W. Kozyak grew up in a totally segregated community near St. Louis and was in high school when the 1964 Civil Rights Legislation was implemented. John moved to Miami in 1974 for a summer clerkship without knowing a person and was fortunate enough to be hired by two well known, respected lawyers, who were wonderful mentors. John credits his success in the legal profession to the strong mentoring relationships he developed. Throughout his career, John noticed the lack of diversity in the legal profession. John believed that mentoring was a powerful tool in addressing the need to improve diversity in the legal profession for all minority groups and particularly African-American lawyers.
John became an active mentor years ago and in 2002, he created his own mentoring program to match minority law students with experienced lawyers and judges in the legal community. Later, John, along with his law partner, Detra Shaw-Wilder, formed the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation to strengthen and grow his efforts to use mentoring as a platform to increase diversity in the legal profession. Although much of John’s early efforts were dedicated to providing mentors for black law students, the Foundation provides opportunities for all minority law students. The Foundation has close ties to the Cuban-American Bar Association (“CABA”), the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (“FAWL”), Haitian Lawyers, Caribbean Lawyers Association, the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association, Florida Muslim Lawyers, the National Hispanic Bar Association and many other voluntary bar associations.
For 13 years the Foundation hosted an annual picnic, which grew and grew to approximately 5000 people in 2016. The KMMF now concentrates on smaller receptions and meetings to provide more direct input.
Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation Summer Fellowship Program
Who May Apply?
First or second year law students who are enrolled in a Florida law school or are verified Florida residents attending an out-of-state law school. Additional information is available on the form page.How Do I Apply?
Completely fill out the application form and submit the required documents. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTgbhJbNksYpCjs2ne3FR9jKV1x6lQMY8hKzUnBiLnsI7WFQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=02024 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
John W. Kozyak grew up in a totally segregated community near St. Louis and was in high school when the 1964 Civil Rights Legislation was implemented. John moved to Miami in 1974 for a summer clerkship without knowing a person and was fortunate enough to be hired by two well known, respected lawyers, who were wonderful mentors. John credits his success in the legal profession to the strong mentoring relationships he developed. Throughout his career, John noticed the lack of diversity in the legal profession. John believed that mentoring was a powerful tool in addressing the need to improve diversity in the legal profession for all minority groups and particularly African-American lawyers.
John became an active mentor years ago and in 2002, he created his own mentoring program to match minority law students with experienced lawyers and judges in the legal community. Later, John, along with his law partner, Detra Shaw-Wilder, formed the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation to strengthen and grow his efforts to use mentoring as a platform to increase diversity in the legal profession. Although much of John’s early efforts were dedicated to providing mentors for black law students, the Foundation provides opportunities for all minority law students. The Foundation has close ties to the Cuban-American Bar Association (“CABA”), the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (“FAWL”), Haitian Lawyers, Caribbean Lawyers Association, the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association, Florida Muslim Lawyers, the National Hispanic Bar Association and many other voluntary bar associations.
For 13 years the Foundation hosted an annual picnic, which grew and grew to approximately 5000 people in 2016. The KMMF now concentrates on smaller receptions and meetings to provide more direct input.
Unpacking Environmental Racism and Advancing Ecojustice
Black History Month is an opportunity to reflect on the history and present reality of the intersections between systems, structures, and policies that maintain racism.
Join the Insitute for Biodiversity Law and Policy as they invite renowned professor, Dr. Rajni Shankar-Brown to provide an engaging lecture, “Unpacking Environmental Racism and Advancing Ecojustice”.
You can RSVP Here
Visit Stetson Law’s Black History Month page to learn more ways to celebrate.
Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation Summer Fellowship Program
Who May Apply?
First or second year law students who are enrolled in a Florida law school or are verified Florida residents attending an out-of-state law school. Additional information is available on the form page.How Do I Apply?
Completely fill out the application form and submit the required documents. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTgbhJbNksYpCjs2ne3FR9jKV1x6lQMY8hKzUnBiLnsI7WFQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=02024 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
John W. Kozyak grew up in a totally segregated community near St. Louis and was in high school when the 1964 Civil Rights Legislation was implemented. John moved to Miami in 1974 for a summer clerkship without knowing a person and was fortunate enough to be hired by two well known, respected lawyers, who were wonderful mentors. John credits his success in the legal profession to the strong mentoring relationships he developed. Throughout his career, John noticed the lack of diversity in the legal profession. John believed that mentoring was a powerful tool in addressing the need to improve diversity in the legal profession for all minority groups and particularly African-American lawyers.
John became an active mentor years ago and in 2002, he created his own mentoring program to match minority law students with experienced lawyers and judges in the legal community. Later, John, along with his law partner, Detra Shaw-Wilder, formed the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation to strengthen and grow his efforts to use mentoring as a platform to increase diversity in the legal profession. Although much of John’s early efforts were dedicated to providing mentors for black law students, the Foundation provides opportunities for all minority law students. The Foundation has close ties to the Cuban-American Bar Association (“CABA”), the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (“FAWL”), Haitian Lawyers, Caribbean Lawyers Association, the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association, Florida Muslim Lawyers, the National Hispanic Bar Association and many other voluntary bar associations.
For 13 years the Foundation hosted an annual picnic, which grew and grew to approximately 5000 people in 2016. The KMMF now concentrates on smaller receptions and meetings to provide more direct input.
Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation Summer Fellowship Program
Who May Apply?
First or second year law students who are enrolled in a Florida law school or are verified Florida residents attending an out-of-state law school. Additional information is available on the form page.How Do I Apply?
Completely fill out the application form and submit the required documents. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTgbhJbNksYpCjs2ne3FR9jKV1x6lQMY8hKzUnBiLnsI7WFQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=02024 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
John W. Kozyak grew up in a totally segregated community near St. Louis and was in high school when the 1964 Civil Rights Legislation was implemented. John moved to Miami in 1974 for a summer clerkship without knowing a person and was fortunate enough to be hired by two well known, respected lawyers, who were wonderful mentors. John credits his success in the legal profession to the strong mentoring relationships he developed. Throughout his career, John noticed the lack of diversity in the legal profession. John believed that mentoring was a powerful tool in addressing the need to improve diversity in the legal profession for all minority groups and particularly African-American lawyers.
John became an active mentor years ago and in 2002, he created his own mentoring program to match minority law students with experienced lawyers and judges in the legal community. Later, John, along with his law partner, Detra Shaw-Wilder, formed the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation to strengthen and grow his efforts to use mentoring as a platform to increase diversity in the legal profession. Although much of John’s early efforts were dedicated to providing mentors for black law students, the Foundation provides opportunities for all minority law students. The Foundation has close ties to the Cuban-American Bar Association (“CABA”), the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (“FAWL”), Haitian Lawyers, Caribbean Lawyers Association, the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association, Florida Muslim Lawyers, the National Hispanic Bar Association and many other voluntary bar associations.
For 13 years the Foundation hosted an annual picnic, which grew and grew to approximately 5000 people in 2016. The KMMF now concentrates on smaller receptions and meetings to provide more direct input.
St. Petersburg’s Black History
Tropicana Field used to be home to many African-American businesses and homes. Learn more about St. Petersburg’s black history by visiting Stetson Law’s Black History Month page.
Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation Summer Fellowship Program
Who May Apply?
First or second year law students who are enrolled in a Florida law school or are verified Florida residents attending an out-of-state law school. Additional information is available on the form page.How Do I Apply?
Completely fill out the application form and submit the required documents. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTgbhJbNksYpCjs2ne3FR9jKV1x6lQMY8hKzUnBiLnsI7WFQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=02024 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
John W. Kozyak grew up in a totally segregated community near St. Louis and was in high school when the 1964 Civil Rights Legislation was implemented. John moved to Miami in 1974 for a summer clerkship without knowing a person and was fortunate enough to be hired by two well known, respected lawyers, who were wonderful mentors. John credits his success in the legal profession to the strong mentoring relationships he developed. Throughout his career, John noticed the lack of diversity in the legal profession. John believed that mentoring was a powerful tool in addressing the need to improve diversity in the legal profession for all minority groups and particularly African-American lawyers.
John became an active mentor years ago and in 2002, he created his own mentoring program to match minority law students with experienced lawyers and judges in the legal community. Later, John, along with his law partner, Detra Shaw-Wilder, formed the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation to strengthen and grow his efforts to use mentoring as a platform to increase diversity in the legal profession. Although much of John’s early efforts were dedicated to providing mentors for black law students, the Foundation provides opportunities for all minority law students. The Foundation has close ties to the Cuban-American Bar Association (“CABA”), the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (“FAWL”), Haitian Lawyers, Caribbean Lawyers Association, the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association, Florida Muslim Lawyers, the National Hispanic Bar Association and many other voluntary bar associations.
For 13 years the Foundation hosted an annual picnic, which grew and grew to approximately 5000 people in 2016. The KMMF now concentrates on smaller receptions and meetings to provide more direct input.
Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation Summer Fellowship Program
Who May Apply?
First or second year law students who are enrolled in a Florida law school or are verified Florida residents attending an out-of-state law school. Additional information is available on the form page.How Do I Apply?
Completely fill out the application form and submit the required documents. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTgbhJbNksYpCjs2ne3FR9jKV1x6lQMY8hKzUnBiLnsI7WFQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=02024 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
John W. Kozyak grew up in a totally segregated community near St. Louis and was in high school when the 1964 Civil Rights Legislation was implemented. John moved to Miami in 1974 for a summer clerkship without knowing a person and was fortunate enough to be hired by two well known, respected lawyers, who were wonderful mentors. John credits his success in the legal profession to the strong mentoring relationships he developed. Throughout his career, John noticed the lack of diversity in the legal profession. John believed that mentoring was a powerful tool in addressing the need to improve diversity in the legal profession for all minority groups and particularly African-American lawyers.
John became an active mentor years ago and in 2002, he created his own mentoring program to match minority law students with experienced lawyers and judges in the legal community. Later, John, along with his law partner, Detra Shaw-Wilder, formed the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation to strengthen and grow his efforts to use mentoring as a platform to increase diversity in the legal profession. Although much of John’s early efforts were dedicated to providing mentors for black law students, the Foundation provides opportunities for all minority law students. The Foundation has close ties to the Cuban-American Bar Association (“CABA”), the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (“FAWL”), Haitian Lawyers, Caribbean Lawyers Association, the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association, Florida Muslim Lawyers, the National Hispanic Bar Association and many other voluntary bar associations.
For 13 years the Foundation hosted an annual picnic, which grew and grew to approximately 5000 people in 2016. The KMMF now concentrates on smaller receptions and meetings to provide more direct input.
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.
Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation Summer Fellowship Program
Who May Apply?
First or second year law students who are enrolled in a Florida law school or are verified Florida residents attending an out-of-state law school. Additional information is available on the form page.How Do I Apply?
Completely fill out the application form and submit the required documents. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTgbhJbNksYpCjs2ne3FR9jKV1x6lQMY8hKzUnBiLnsI7WFQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=02024 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
John W. Kozyak grew up in a totally segregated community near St. Louis and was in high school when the 1964 Civil Rights Legislation was implemented. John moved to Miami in 1974 for a summer clerkship without knowing a person and was fortunate enough to be hired by two well known, respected lawyers, who were wonderful mentors. John credits his success in the legal profession to the strong mentoring relationships he developed. Throughout his career, John noticed the lack of diversity in the legal profession. John believed that mentoring was a powerful tool in addressing the need to improve diversity in the legal profession for all minority groups and particularly African-American lawyers.
John became an active mentor years ago and in 2002, he created his own mentoring program to match minority law students with experienced lawyers and judges in the legal community. Later, John, along with his law partner, Detra Shaw-Wilder, formed the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation to strengthen and grow his efforts to use mentoring as a platform to increase diversity in the legal profession. Although much of John’s early efforts were dedicated to providing mentors for black law students, the Foundation provides opportunities for all minority law students. The Foundation has close ties to the Cuban-American Bar Association (“CABA”), the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (“FAWL”), Haitian Lawyers, Caribbean Lawyers Association, the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association, Florida Muslim Lawyers, the National Hispanic Bar Association and many other voluntary bar associations.
For 13 years the Foundation hosted an annual picnic, which grew and grew to approximately 5000 people in 2016. The KMMF now concentrates on smaller receptions and meetings to provide more direct input.
Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation Summer Fellowship Program
Who May Apply?
First or second year law students who are enrolled in a Florida law school or are verified Florida residents attending an out-of-state law school. Additional information is available on the form page.How Do I Apply?
Completely fill out the application form and submit the required documents. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTgbhJbNksYpCjs2ne3FR9jKV1x6lQMY8hKzUnBiLnsI7WFQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=02024 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
John W. Kozyak grew up in a totally segregated community near St. Louis and was in high school when the 1964 Civil Rights Legislation was implemented. John moved to Miami in 1974 for a summer clerkship without knowing a person and was fortunate enough to be hired by two well known, respected lawyers, who were wonderful mentors. John credits his success in the legal profession to the strong mentoring relationships he developed. Throughout his career, John noticed the lack of diversity in the legal profession. John believed that mentoring was a powerful tool in addressing the need to improve diversity in the legal profession for all minority groups and particularly African-American lawyers.
John became an active mentor years ago and in 2002, he created his own mentoring program to match minority law students with experienced lawyers and judges in the legal community. Later, John, along with his law partner, Detra Shaw-Wilder, formed the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation to strengthen and grow his efforts to use mentoring as a platform to increase diversity in the legal profession. Although much of John’s early efforts were dedicated to providing mentors for black law students, the Foundation provides opportunities for all minority law students. The Foundation has close ties to the Cuban-American Bar Association (“CABA”), the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (“FAWL”), Haitian Lawyers, Caribbean Lawyers Association, the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association, Florida Muslim Lawyers, the National Hispanic Bar Association and many other voluntary bar associations.
For 13 years the Foundation hosted an annual picnic, which grew and grew to approximately 5000 people in 2016. The KMMF now concentrates on smaller receptions and meetings to provide more direct input.
Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation Summer Fellowship Program
Who May Apply?
First or second year law students who are enrolled in a Florida law school or are verified Florida residents attending an out-of-state law school. Additional information is available on the form page.
How Do I Apply?
Completely fill out the application form and submit the required documents.
2024 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
John W. Kozyak grew up in a totally segregated community near St. Louis and was in high school when the 1964 Civil Rights Legislation was implemented. John moved to Miami in 1974 for a summer clerkship without knowing a person and was fortunate enough to be hired by two well known, respected lawyers, who were wonderful mentors. John credits his success in the legal profession to the strong mentoring relationships he developed. Throughout his career, John noticed the lack of diversity in the legal profession. John believed that mentoring was a powerful tool in addressing the need to improve diversity in the legal profession for all minority groups and particularly African-American lawyers.
John became an active mentor years ago and in 2002, he created his own mentoring program to match minority law students with experienced lawyers and judges in the legal community. Later, John, along with his law partner, Detra Shaw-Wilder, formed the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation to strengthen and grow his efforts to use mentoring as a platform to increase diversity in the legal profession. Although much of John’s early efforts were dedicated to providing mentors for black law students, the Foundation provides opportunities for all minority law students. The Foundation has close ties to the Cuban-American Bar Association (“CABA”), the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (“FAWL”), Haitian Lawyers, Caribbean Lawyers Association, the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Association, Florida Muslim Lawyers, the National Hispanic Bar Association and many other voluntary bar associations.
For 13 years the Foundation hosted an annual picnic, which grew and grew to approximately 5000 people in 2016. The KMMF now concentrates on smaller receptions and meetings to provide more direct input.
Black History Month Gala
February 1, 2024 | 5 PM-9 PM | The Great Hall
The Stetson Law community is invited to join BLSA as we celebrate Black History Month over dinner with esteemed guest, Mr. Alec Hall who is the first African-American federal defender for the Middle District of Florida. We will be commemorating our past as we look ahead to our future.
Learn more ways to get involved during Black History Month
Please RSVP on Engage or via email: [email protected]
National Day of Racial Healing- Save the Date!
January 16, 2024 | 5:00 PM-7:00 PM| The Great Hall
Stetson Law is excited to host our local area’s National Day of Racial Healing event on our Gulfport campus. The event will feature an immersive experience utilizing artistic expression and engaging dialogues as a compassionate approach to addressing racial disparities while celebrating local artists.
Students, faculty, staff, friends, and family are welcome to attend.
Learn more ways to join the celebration on MLK Day.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade – Join Stetson Law Next Monday!
January 15, 2024| 11:00 AM-2:00 PM| Mahaffey Theater
Are you interested in joining the Black Law Students Association and Stetson Law in St. Petersburg’s MLK Day parade? Please register here.
The MLK Day Parade Details:
Parade Date: Monday, January 15, 2024
Participant Check-In Time: 9:30 A.M.
Participant Check-In Location: Mahaffey Theater (400 1st St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701)
Parking Details: Tropicana Field Lot two
Parade Start: 11:00 A.M.
The parade route is East to West on 1st Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL.
Learn more ways to join the celebration on MLK Day.
The National Day of Racial Healing- Save the Date!
January 16, 2024 |5:00 PM-7:00 PM|The Great Hall
Stetson Law is excited to host our local area’s National Day of Racial Healing event on our Gulfport campus. The event will feature an immersive experience utilizing artistic expression and engaging dialogues as a compassionate approach to addressing racial disparities while celebrating local artists.
Learn more ways to join the celebration on MLK Day.