Gassman Tax LL.M. Award Given to Samuel Craig
Recognizing his hard work and commitment to growing his expertise in tax law, Stetson Law has named Samuel Craig the 2024 recipient of the Gassman Tax LL.M. Award.
Given annually to a graduating Stetson Law student who plans on continuing their legal education via the University of Florida’s Tax Law LL.M. program, the award allows students who have shown a clear passion for tax law while at Stetson to gain an advanced law degree in this important area while taking on a smaller financial burden in doing so.
The award is named for Alan Gassman of the Clearwater firm Gassman, Crotty & Denicolo, P.A., who earned his LL.M. in Taxation from UF in 1983 with help from subsidized housing, and his wife, Marcia Gassman, who supported him during this experience. It links a J.D. from Stetson Law, coupled with an LL.M. from UF, which is a common combination that Gassman wanted to support. Gassman hopes the award will help recipients have a positive, affordable experience similar to that which he had at UF.
Fostering exceptional tax law acumen
Craig, who worked for Gassman during law school, thanked Gassman for his mentorship – and the Gassman family for creating the opportunity for him and others to take such an important step in their legal education.
“I’m very grateful for the generosity of the Gassman family,” he said. “I was fortunate to learn and work under Mr. Gassman during my 1L year and the summer entering 2L. There, I saw his enthusiasm for the law; however, I was particularly impressed by Mr. Gassman’s philanthropy, involvement in the community, and of course his ongoing mentorship of law students and young lawyers through his practice.”
An award with a lasting impact
Craig added that this award’s value goes well beyond its monetary amount or even his own professional success; that inviting students who show promise in the field of tax law to deepen their expertise will result in transformative financial outcomes for their future clients.
“To Alan and Marcia Gassman, please know your generosity will always be remembered and deeply cherished,” Craig said, adding that he would “be remiss” is he didn’t also thank Stetson Law Professor and nationally recognized tax law expert Andrew Appleby for his mentorship.
“Professor Appleby’s expertise and guidance has been invaluable in shaping my understanding and appreciation for the law,” he said.
Learn more about the Alan & Marcia Gassman Tax LL.M. Endowed Scholarship.
Learn more about Gassman, Crotty & Denicolo, P.A.
Post date: July 30
Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
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