Left to right: Mary Samarkos ’20 and Morgan Zimarakos ’20 of Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute; Vasilios “Billy” Zimarakos ’20 Staff and students with Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute (VLI) and Veterans Advocacy Clinic (VAC) recently ventured to the nearby St. Petersburg College (SPC) Gibbs Campus to help student veterans file disability claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The event was coordinated by SPC’s Institute… » Read more

Bestselling author Michael Grunwald spoke at Stetson Law in November 2025. What does the food on your plate have to do with rising sea levels? As it turns out, says best-selling author Michael Grunwald, quite a bit. Grunwald, who spoke on the Stetson Law campus November 18 as part of the Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture Series, covers environmental policy and politics for The… » Read more

Teammates Valeriya Gilmutdinova and Clayton Smith following their championship win at the National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition in Washington, DC. in 2025. This one’s for Logan. For the seventh time in the competition’s 16-year history, a Stetson Law team secured a championship win at the National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition in Washington, DC. Going into the November event, teammates Valeriya Gilmutdinova and Clayton Smith decided to… » Read more

1994 alumna Rebecca Palmer An accomplished Orlando family law attorney, 1994 Stetson Law alumna Rebecca L. Palmer has become a leading voice in the conversation surrounding artificial intelligence – primarily, chatbot romances – and how family law practitioners should approach cases involving them.  Her innovative work explores how the romantic use of chatbots reshapes marriage, infidelity, and parenthood. Since chatbots are not recognized as “legal”… » Read more

Catherine Seal was the first person to receive an LLM in Elder Law from Stetson in 2008. The Colorado Bar Association’s Elder Law Section has recognized Catherine Anne Seal, JD, LLM, CELA, with its 2025 John Campbell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Elder Law. In 2008, Seal became the first person to ever graduate from Stetson Law’s LLM in Elder Law program. The CBA Elder… » Read more

Left to right: Jeffery Smith ’73, Dean Darby Dickerson, Dean D. Benjamin Barros, Michael Marder ’77, Professor Peter Lake At a midday event that took place November 1 at the Don CeSar in a chic event space overlooking the Gulf, five pivotal figures were inducted into Stetson University College of Law’s prestigious Hall of Fame. Representing a large breadth of backgrounds and experience, this year’s… » Read more

1973 alumnus Jeff Smith and his wife, Patricia Smith, at the grand opening of Stetson Law’s Advocacy Institute. After a long career in the Citrus County justice system, 1973 Stetson Law alumnus Jeff Smith is enjoying the retiree life with his wife, Patricia (“Trish”) in Inverness, Florida. His legal career spans decades as a powerful advocate, and he credits Stetson Law with giving him the… » Read more

Ying White ’97 was the commencement speaker at the spring 2025 commencement. She was inducted into Stetson Law’s Hall of Fame in 2025. When Ying White ’97 first became an attorney, her father-in-law gave her a picture of a young Abraham Lincoln, which she kept in her office. It was a reminder of what hard work and perseverance can accomplish. “Here was a man aspiring… » Read more

Michael Marder ’77 and his wife, Crisa Marder. When he guest lectured for Professor Joseph Morrissey’s Documents of the Deal course, Michael Marder ’77 was thrilled to demystify securitization transactions for the students. Marder, who is co-managing director and co-founder partner at prominent national firm GreenspoonMarder, sought to impart real-world financial scenarios while giving students a sense of the challenges a day can bring. “My… » Read more

Law Professor Peter Lake, Charles A. Dana Chair and Director, Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy To alumni who took his torts class and top leaders in higher ed, Professor Peter F. Lake has achieved rockstar status. With more than 30 years in higher education, this professor of law, Charles A. Dana Chair, and director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Higher… » Read more

Law Professor Robert Bickel and former Stetson Law Dean Darby Dickerson Beloved former Dean Darby Dickerson’s impact is visible across campus and reflected in the College’s nation-leading programs. From helping solidify the College’s status as a national leader in legal writing to fostering a relationship with Dolly and Homer Hand, namesakes of the Dolly and Homer Hand Library, her work was transformative during her time… » Read more

Student Frank Giallourakis chats with Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos G. Muniz. Members of the Stetson Law community packed the Mann Lounge on Thursday, October 23 to hear Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos G. Muniz’s thoughts on everything from judicial philosophy to how to succeed in the legal profession. The fireside chat-style event was organized by the Stetson Law chapter of the Federalist… » Read more