Inaugural Gassman Tax LL.M. Award Supports Student Advancement in Tax Law
Thanks to the generosity of prominent Clearwater attorney Alan Gassman and his wife, Marcia, Spring 2023 graduate Peter Farrell will continue his studies as a candidate for an LL.M. in tax law at the University of Florida with help from a new financial award.
The endowed award, which will be given out every year to a graduating Stetson Law student admitted to the tax law LL.M. program at UF, is an opportunity for a student who is passionate about tax law to have a deepened understanding of this critical area with a significantly reduced financial burden. Gassman earned his LL.M. in Taxation from UF in 1983 thanks to its relative affordability, the availability of subsidized housing, and Marcia, who supported him in his final year of advanced legal study. He said a J.D. from Stetson Law combined with an LL.M. from UF will provide unique value for someone who earns them – and, by extension, the financial health of their future clients.
“Stetson has an amazing J.D. tax program and professors, which is a beautiful match for Florida’s well-respected and excellent LL.M. in tax program,” Gassman said. “The opportunity to help and encourage Stetson students to reach forward to get an LL.M degree is very much appreciated.”
It will also be of great benefit to future students, should a recipient of this award pursue a career in education.
A unique combination
While Stetson Law does not currently have an LL.M. program in taxation, many of its law graduates, go on to attend the University of Florida and pursue an LL.M. in Tax Law.
This opportunity can help bolster Stetson Law’s presence within the program – and elevate the greater tax law community (and their clientele) in doing so.
As the first-ever Alan and Marcia Gassman LL.M. Award recipient, Farrell was recognized at Stetson Law’s annual Honors and Awards ceremony.
He was selected due to his demonstrated passion and effort in preparing for a career in tax law, among other factors that Stetson Law’s tax law professors believe make him uniquely equipped to fulfil the promise this award represents.
“UF Law’s highly regarded Graduate Tax Program is an ideal place for Peter and other exceptional students to build on the solid tax law foundation they developed while at Stetson Law,” said Law Professor Andrew Appleby, Stetson Law’s foremost faculty expert in taxation. “I look forward to seeing how this generous award will help these Stetson Law grads grow their careers in this critical, dynamic, and rewarding area of law.” As a student at Stetson Law, Farrell was active on campus as president of the college’s chapter of the Christian Legal Society. As a member of Stetson Law’s Moot Court Board, Ferrell was part of a team that was a top contender in the 2022 edition of the prestigious Hunton Andrews Kurth National Championship.
A legacy of advanced tax law scholarship
A board-certified estate planning and trust lawyer, Alan S. Gassman, J.D., LL.M. practices in Clearwater with the law firm of Gassman, Crotty and Denicolo, P.A., where he is a senior partner. He specializes in the areas of trust and estate planning, taxation, wealth preservation, and the representation of physicians and medical practices.
He has a strong desire to see Stetson Law students flourish as members of the legal profession. Recently, he helped facilitate a groundbreaking new fellowship that aims to foster greater diversity in estate planning.
“One measure of success is to what extent you help others and your profession,” Gassman said. “Our law firm has been greatly enhanced by Stetson graduates who have gone to LL.M. programs, so we are pleased to support all of those who wish to do so, and are very thankful for the opportunity.”
Gassman is also currently an adjunct professor at Stetson Law. He has authored many books and was inducted into the National Association of Estate Planning Counsel’s Hall of Fame in 2021.
Post date: June 8, 2023
Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
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