News Archives - Page 10 of 138

Stetson Law Wins National Award for LGBTQ+ Initiatives

Four LGBTQ Pride flags fly in front of the tower at Stetson Law. — Pride flags fly on Stetson Law’s Gulfport campus every June.

Reflecting Stetson Law’s deep commitment to diversity and inclusion, the Association of American Law Schools Section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues (SOGII) has chosen the college for its 2024 LGBTQ+ Inclusive Excellence Award.

The recognition follows years of considerable effort recruiting and enrolling LGBTQ+ students, supporting them in their law school journey and beyond, and creating opportunities for them to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community both on and off campus.

“This award is the result of a long, multifaceted campaign to invite the nation’s brightest aspiring legal professionals to build upon the successes of Florida’s First Law School,” said Admissions and Student Financial Planning Director Darren Kettles. “To call this accomplishment an honor is an understatement – we are absolutely thrilled and inspired to continue this important work.”

Building on years of success

The award follows years of measures aimed at ensuring LGBTQ+ students are not only welcome on campus, but supported and celebrated – and that they have opportunities to network and gain experience advocating on the causes that matter most to them.

Stetson Law Professor Joseph Morrissey

“This is huge,” longtime Stetson Law Professor Joe Morrissey said of the award. “We’ve made incredible progress in the last 20 or so years, culminating in Stetson being able to claim well-deserved, award-winning leadership in the LGBTQ+ inclusivity space.”

Morrissey said much of the credit goes to Kettles, whom he said “has not only communicated to future generations of Stetson lawyers about our inclusive culture, but has also shaped that culture by cultivating more and more diverse cadres of admits.”

Inviting all to study law

Under the leadership of Kettles, the College of Law has for years actively invited members of the LGBTQ+ community from around the nation to consider Stetson Law for their legal education, telling them, “You Belong Here.”

The result? A diverse, thriving community of students eager to explore the law through an LGBTQ+ lens.

Currently, LGBTQ+ students made up five percent of the fall 2023 entering class. The campus community strives to foster an inclusive, supportive environment to help them succeed in their coursework and in their career pursuits.

“We believe that creating a law school community where LGBTQ+ students feel welcome and have opportunities to thrive will have impacts beyond our campus,” Kettles said. “These students go on to cultivate meaningful careers advocating for the people and causes most important to them.”

Thoughtful community engagement

Recognizing the needs and contributions of the growing LGBTQ+ community in the greater Tampa Bay region, the college has for years engaged in community outreach efforts such as marching in and tabling at St. Pete Pride, Florida’s largest Pride parade and street fair. In fall of 2023, in partnership with Lambda Legal Society, Stetson Law’s LGBTQ+ student organization, the college hosted a fundraising event culminating in a drag show.

Stetson Law alumnus Nathan Bruemmer

In partnership with alumnus Nathan Bruemmer, the college developed a Name Change Clinic for students, employees, and local community members. Students also embarked on a collaboration with the City of Gulfport’s LGBT Resource Center, which included establishing a liaison position for a Lambda member on the LGBT Resource Center’s Executive Board.

Bruemmer, a Tampa native, recently served as Florida’s LGBTQIA+ consumer advocate with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, thereby making history as the first transgender statewide appointee in the U.S. He said the AALS SOGII award has been years in the making – and that it comes at a critical time.

“To protect the rule of law and ensure justice for all, it is imperative for law schools to graduate attorneys from a diverse array of backgrounds who are ready to use their skills to tackle the mounting challenges we face,” Bruemmer said. “Stetson Law didn’t just make me feel welcome – this community ensured that real-world opportunities to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community were woven into my legal education. This is a major reason that I remain connected to this community, and why I am proud to call myself a Stetson lawyer.”

Creating a home for diversity

In 2021, Stetson University created the role of Executive Officer for Diversity, Collaboration, and Inclusion to develop measurable ways of advancing leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion while building a community where members of the LGBTQ+ community feel safe and capable of thriving. Stetson Law alumna Carmen Johnson, who was hired for that role, works tirelessly to identify opportunities for fostering a diverse campus community.

“Whether it’s flying the Pride flag over the campus for the duration of Pride Month or offering courses examining LGBTQ+ issues and the law, Stetson Law is home to concrete actions that not only show students from underrepresented communities that they belong, but that they can use what they learn here to make a difference,” Johnson said. “I am proud yet humbled that we are now recognized as a national leader in this space.”

Relevant, impactful programs & course offerings

Home to leading scholars in areas pertaining to the relationship between the law and gender and sexuality, Stetson offers extensive coursework in this area, including Law and Sexual Orientation, Feminist Jurisprudence, Reproductive Technology and the Law, Employment Discrimination, Human Rights in International Family Law, and Civil Rights and the Constitution: DOMA/Marriage.

Stetson Law’s Lambda Legal Society actively provides a forum to explore legal issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity. The organization welcomes students of any sexual orientation interested in raising awareness of the issues attorneys face with the increasing number of LGBTQ+ clients who seek legal protection.

In 2021, Lambda became a National Affiliate of the LGBTQ Bar, and in 2023, the organization established an endowed Pride Scholarship. Lambda hosts regular events, including displaying a National Transgender Remembrance Day Memorial, hosting important community discussions such as Intersectionality: Black and LGBTQ+ Communities with nationally renowned LGBTQ+ activist and Executive Director and Founder of Equality Florida Nadine Smith, and offering pronoun pins at tabling events like Diversity Week. In June of 2021, the organization spearheaded the raising of the Pride Flag over campus. It flew for the entire month and has done so every June since.

To help students connect their growing legal acumen in this area, Lambda also launched a Student Mentorship Program, drafted a Chosen Pronoun and Chosen Name policy for Stetson students and employees and created an “Inclusive Classroom Training” during Annual Law Faculty Orientation, a comprehensive overview of chosen pronouns and names as well as the college’s expectations towards inclusion.

Two people sit at a table featuring memorabilia in Stetson Law's Banyan Courtyard — Lei-Lani Rogers, president of Stetson Law’s Lambda Legal Society (left), and Hunter Wolf, the group’s vice president, in 2022.

“There is no community like the LGBTQ+ community and it is a testament to our resilience that we are one of the largest and most active student organizations on campus,” said Hunter Wolf, vice president of Lambda. “It is incredibly special to be recognized for the work that we have put in to show that Stetson Law is not only an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, but a fierce advocate.”

Supportive faculty & campus leadership

From day one of law school, students will find professors who are members of the LGBTQ+ community or passionate allies eager to help students develop their legal skills.

Former Chair of AALS SOGII Subcommittee and longtime Law Professor Ellen Podgor launched an independent student research project highlighting and creating the Past Chairs of AALS SOGII Leadership and Initiatives Project, with plans to publish it soon.

Two professors and one administrator show off an award from the Association of American Law Schools — Left to right: Law Professor Ellen Podgor, Admissions & Student Financial Planning Director Darren Kettles, and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs & Professor of Law Jason Palmer celebrate Stetson Law winning an Association of American Law Schools’ LGBTQ+ Inclusive Excellence Award in January 2024.

Recently, Kettles served as a member of the Law School Admission Council Annual Meeting and Educational Conference Planning Committee, where he developed sessions aimed at assisting law school admission teams in advancing work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.

In fall of 2023, Professor Morrissey was a guest on an episode of the Real Cases podcast discussing attracting LGBTQ+ students to law school in states that appear hostile towards them.

With vision, collaboration, and support from executive leadership, Stetson Law will continue to thrive as a place where members of the LGBTQ+ and allies are invited to celebrate their shared passion for the law and for justice for all.

“When it comes to initiatives promoting inclusion and justice for all, we are just getting started,” said College of Law Dean Benjamin Barros. “We look forward to celebrating our diverse campus community in 2024 and beyond, starting with this award.”

Stetson Law Celebrates December ’23 Graduates

A collage of images from a graduate celebration in Stetson Law's Great Hall. — Scenes from the December 2023 Graduate Celebration

Marking the end to the fall 2023 semester, members of the Stetson Law community gathered in the Great Hall to celebrate students who successfully completed their law school journey in December. (See full event video below.)

The group of 20 graduates primarily consisted of part-time students, who have spent the last four years juggling careers, volunteer work, family, and other obligations with the rigors of their legal education.

A man in faculty regalia addresses an audience from behind a podium. — Stetson Law Dean Benjamin Barros addresses the December 2023 graduates.

“Tonight, we celebrate the skills you have honed and the ways in which we know you will give back to the world as Stetson lawyers,” said College of Law Dean Benjamin Barros. “Tonight, we celebrate our graduates who are part of our Stetson family – today, and for a lifetime.”

Alumna Brittany Maxey-Fisher ’07, who is president of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association, urged the new alumni that they have earned the ability to face the new chapter of their careers with confidence.

“Today, you turn the page from being law students to law graduates,” she said. “You are joining an elite group of attorneys. You and I have been trained by the top professors in first-class facilities to sharply hone our advocacy skills.”

IN PHOTOS: December ’23 Graduate Celebration

DecGrad2023RoellkeBarros

Unprecedented times, resilient class

Faculty and university leadership remarked on the unique circumstances that shaped their law school journey: the onset of a global pandemic took hold, civil unrest, and political polarization.

A man speaking at a podium with poinsettia plants in the foreground. — Stetson University President Christopher Roellke

“Class of 2023, you are part of a unique and unshakeable cohort and have experienced more in your time in law school than most have had in their lifetime,” Barros said. “You persevered through a global pandemic, all while caring for your friends, family, and colleagues. You’ve weathered many shifts in the last few years, and remain resilient and excellent. We are so proud of you.”

Dr. Christopher Roellke, President of Stetson University, said these students faced “a once-in-a-century set of challenges for higher education and for the globe.”

“Not only have you survived the demands of an outstanding Stetson education, but you have succeeded in accomplishing something very difficult during a time of great adversity,” he said. “In my view, these challenging experiences have undoubtedly developed in you a repertoire of skills that will serve you exceptionally well as you move on to your legal careers.”

Reflecting on Stetson’s university-wide embrace of a culture of kindness, Roellke asked the graduates to “bring kindness and empathy in everything that you do.”

A celebrated professor’s keynote

After Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Jason Palmer read the names of the graduates, Professor Joseph Morrissey spoke on what it means to aspire to do great things.

A professor speaks at a podium. Poinsettia plants are in the foreground. — Law Professor Joseph Morrissey addresses December 2023 graduates.

“Aspire to use your advocacy powers to do more than observe and complain,” he said. “Instead, try to bring people back together. We taught you about advocacy skills. You never persuade by alienating. You persuade by finding common ground, identifying our commonalities as human beings, and building from there.”

Morrissey, to whom many students were introduced through his Contracts course, has been on faculty for nearly 20 years. He is the faculty advisor for the Stetson chapter of Lambda Legal Society, the LGBTQ+ student organization, and for years has helped coach championship-winning student advocates. The ability to advocate effectively, he said, is a power they can and should use to fight not just for their clients, but for a better world.

“One thing we know for sure is that you are going to be a Stetson lawyer, and it’s my aspiration for you that you will be a compassionate counselor for your clients, and a zealous advocate for your causes,” Morrissey said. “I’m so delighted to be able to celebrate you and all your accomplishments today. I want to once again extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of you on a job well done. You did it. You made it. And now, the future is yours.”

WATCH VIDEO: Stetson Law December ’23 Graduate Celebration

Year in Review: 10 Ways Stetson Law Shined in 2023

Over the past year, the Stetson Law community has had so many incredible moments, from national recognition to amazing pro bono work. Students, faculty, alumni, staff, and friends have won championships, been thought leaders in emerging areas of law, and taken pivotal steps in their career journeys – but not without a little self-care.

In no particular order, here are ten highlights from Stetson Law in 2023.

1. Serving Others Through Pro Bono Work.

A collage of headshots featuring Law Professor Judith Scully, VLI staff attorney Morgan MacIsaac-Bykowski, and student Phillip J. Faires — Stetson Law’s inaugural members of the AALS Pro Bono Honor Roll

For years, Stetson Law has been committed to helping overlooked and underserved populations through a robust, pioneering program requiring students and faculty to perform pro bono work. This results in thousands of hours of legal and non-legal pro bono work performed throughout the community each year through initiatives such as Wills for Warriors, an event in which students and volunteer attorneys prepare free simple wills and advance directives for elderly veterans.
In January of 2023, the AALS inducted three individuals – a faculty member, a staff member, and a student – into its inaugural Pro Bono Honor Roll: Law Professor Judith Scully, alumna and Veterans Law Institute Staff Attorney Morgan MacIsaac-Bykowski, and then-student Phillip J. Faires, who graduated in 2023.

2. The Advocacy Institute Opened.

A collage of images, including an external shot of a two-story building and four individuals cutting a ribbon in front of a set of modern doors. — Officials celebrated the opening of the Advocacy Institute with a ribbon cutting on October 28, 2023.

After years of planning and hard work, Stetson Law’s Advocacy Institute began welcoming the community in the fall 2023 semester. The breathtaking new facility features 16,000 square feet of space, including new conference and office space, six new courtrooms, two new jury deliberation rooms, a stunning trophy area, and more. The addition of so many new courtrooms brings the total number to 12, which means Stetson Law has the highest number of practice courtrooms of any U.S. law school.

3. Student Wellness Took Center Stage.

Features from a meditation room, including a salt lamp, yoga mats, cushions, and a mandala on the wall. — Students will find adjustable lighting, aromatherapy, yoga mats, and other features to help them destress in Stetson Law’s meditation rooms.

Recognizing the toll that the rigors of law school can have on one’s mental and physical health, Stetson’s Student Bar Association, with support from the Student Affairs Department and others, launched several initiatives around student health and wellness in 2023. In April, two student meditation rooms opened on campus. Student Health & Wellness Week created a sense of community around cultivating healthy habits and mindful practices to combat stress. Campus even hosted a pair of miniature therapy horses to help students take a break from their studies and make adorable new friends.

4. New Heights in Student Achievement.

Despite the rigors of law school life, Stetson Law’s students were driven to excel in their scholarly pursuits and experiential endeavors in 2023. From recent grads being two of the top bar exam scorers in the state (one of whom was Stetson Law’s spring 2023 valedictorian, Sam Ciulla) to winning a prestigious public service award from a national nonprofit, Stetson Law students shined in 2023.

5. Reclaiming the Top Spot in Advocacy.

A shot of a wall of trophies in Stetson Law's new Advocacy Institute.

In May, Stetson Law regained its status as U.S. News & World Report’s number-one law school for trial advocacy – and maintained its number-three rank in legal writing. These triumphs are the result of deep commitment among students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Through forward-thinking scholarship, championship-sweeping competition performance, innovative teaching methods, and more, the College of Law remains a national leader in these critical areas of legal education and practice. The advocacy and legal writing communities look forward to more success in 2024.

6. Leading Conversations About AI.

In 2023, artificial intelligence took workplaces by storm. As A.I. stood poised to transform many industries, including the legal profession, Stetson Law faculty and others seized on opportunities to share insights on how this evolving tech will transform what lawyers do. In October, Law Professor Mason Clark spoke to legal professionals at Stetson Law’s annual National Conference on Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts about why they shouldn’t be afraid of A.I. and should instead harness it.
A month later, Law Professor Luz Nagle hosted LexisNexis Executive Vice President and General Counsel Ian McDougall for a lecture and discussion about how closed A.I. databases will impact legal work – and why lawyers will still be needed in the future.
And in December, Law Professor Kirsten Davis, PhD was recognized by the American Association of Law Schools for her “significant strides integrating technology into legal education particularly with respect to use of Generative AI,” according to a statement from the AALS Section on Technology, Law, and Legal Education.

7. Remaining a Champion of Diversity.

At a challenging time for diversity initiatives at many universities, Stetson bolstered its commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive campus community. Students collaborated and conversed during Diversity Week, held important discussions around culture and heritage, and marched in St. Pete Pride. In November, Lambda, Stetson Law’s LGBTQ+ student organization, hosted a fundraising event exploring Florida Law and Drag, which culminated in a series of dazzling drag performances.
These initiatives aren’t going unrecognized. The college won its fourth Insight Into Diversity HEED Award in a row, and was the only School awarded the national AALS Section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues (SOGII) LGBTQ+ Inclusive Excellence Award.

8. Major Milestones for Signature Programs.

A collage of images from a conference featuring people networking and speaking. — Stetson Law’s 2023 National Conference on Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts.

In 2023, two key Stetson Law programs celebrated major anniversaries.
December marked a decade of success within Social Justice Advocacy Concentration, which began graduating students in 2013. The concentration empowers students to advocate for vulnerable and underrepresented communities through experiential learning and mentorship. Program graduates have gone on to achieve things like serving on a White House board promoting accessibility and developing an app to help children in the foster care system understand their rights.
The year also marked the 25^th edition of Stetson Law’s National Conference on Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts, a major event organized by the college’s Center for Elder Justice. Taking place each year at the Vinoy, the conference attracts professionals from around the country to participate in conversations about everything from regulatory changes to the role of self-care for those working people suffering from loss and trauma.

9. Welcoming Dean Ben Barros.

A head shot of Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros in front of pillars in the Great Hall. — Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros

In July, Dean D. Benjamin Barros embarked on his new role at the helm of the College of Law. He quickly became a warm, visible presence on campus whose enthusiasm for Stetson Law’s mission is contagious. Barros came to Stetson from University of Toledo School of Law, where he also served as dean. He looks forward to spending his first full year fostering growth and student success – and even doing some teaching. Learn more about Dean Barros.

10. Alumni Achievement: From SCOTUS to SLAA.

A woman smiles and raises her left hand in the air while being sworn into office on a book. Her family stands next to her smiling. — Anisha Patel ’15 was sworn into office as ’23-’24 president of the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division in June of 2023.

It was also a huge year for Stetson Law alumni.
Double Hatter Viviana Vasiu, who received her J.D. in 2018, was selected for a prestigious fellowship with the U.S. Supreme Court, a yearlong term she began in September. Over the summer, 2015 alumna Anisha Patel was sworn in as president of the Florida Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. And as mentioned above, 2018 alumna Taylor Sartor launched an app to help youth in foster care navigate the system’s legal landscape and advocate for themselves. The concept stems from her time in Stetson Law’s Social Justice Advocacy Concentration; Professor Judith Scully, who mentored Sartor at the time, won a national award for her role in the project.

BONUS: Restoring Our Historic Fountains.

The view of a bare wishing well-style fountain looking south from Stetson Law's Plaza Mayor. — Stetson Law’s beloved “wishing well” fountain was also restored in Fall of 2023.

Everyone enjoys strolling past the ornate fountains that can be found throughout campus. Thanks to a federal grant, workers are now in the middle of lovingly restoring three century-old fountains to their full glory so they can be enjoyed in perpetuity.
These include the large circular South Fountain, the iconic Wishing Well, and the Granary Tower Fountain.

AI & the Law: A Nexis Exec’s Perspective

A digital graphic mimicking the human brain as a means of illustrating the concept of artificial intelligence. — Artificial intelligence is poised to transform the way lawyers work. Photo courtesy of Deepak Pal/Wikimedia Commons.

Just over one year after Open AI’s ChatGPT launched, artificial intelligence is transforming workplaces everywhere – including law firms.

Ian McDougall

To London-based expert Ian McDougall, executive vice president and general counsel for LexisNexis’ Legal & Professional Division and president of its Rule of Law Foundation, artificial intelligence (A.I.) is poised to have a transformative impact on how lawyers work – but it will not likely replace them.

Law Professor Luz Nagle recently hosted McDougall for an afternoon lecture in the Florin-Roebig courtroom at Stetson Law to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal profession.

“I’m not someone usually given to hyperbole, so when I say this is an industrial revolution, on that kind of scale, it really does mean something,” he said.

Necessary, if uncomfortable

Referring to himself as a “dinosaur,” McDougall joked about how he comes from a generation for whom the term “folder” once referred to a physical item used to store paper documents. Meanwhile, generations of lawyers will join the profession never knowing a world without wifi, BlueTooth, or mobile phones. A.I. will likely join that list – even if there will be resistance at first.

“We’re talking about a profession that’s notoriously conservative and reluctant to change,” he said. “That’s been its tradition. But that’s understandable, because the legal profession is on a constant quest for certainty in an increasingly uncertain world.”

It is important, McDougall stressed, to distinguish between different types of AI: generative vs. predictive, for example, and closed systems vs. open systems.

Whereas an open system would scan the entire internet – fiction, satire, and all – to inform a legal brief it was prompted to create, a closed system would be limited to source materials contained within it. The latter could help lawyers create complex, well-sourced legal documents within seconds.

“When it comes to production efficiency, we cannot compete with computers and robots,” McDougall said. “For the legal profession, doing it the same old way is no longer an option.”

Legal strategies could become much more reliant on data and analytics – and less on a lawyer’s own subjective experience.

“I will predict that in the future, the expression ‘professional judgment’ will become a euphemism for a decision that is taken without sufficient data,” McDougall said.

Changing – not replacing – legal expertise

Citing concerns over the possibility of AI posing an existential threat, McDougall pointed to employment rates that were relatively unchanged after previous industrial upheavals.

When the internal combustion engine became ubiquitous, taxis powered by horses went away – but the job of a taxi driver never did.

“It did not replace the taxi driver, but it fundamentally altered the skills a taxi driver needs,” Mc Dougall said.

Likewise, he said, the legal profession has existed for centuries and will still play a critical role in society, but those who are a part of it may have to shift their thinking about how they work – and, importantly, how they are compensated.

“In a world where billing for time is gone because the artificial intelligence can do the same thing in a millisecond, and this is going to shock some people, billing for value will be required,” McDougall said. “Lawyers will actually have to assess how much value they contributed to people rather than just charging for time.”

Stetson Law Celebrates Opening of its Advocacy Institute

Stetson alumni, leadership, and friends recently gathered to celebrate the opening of a stunning new facility on the College of Law campus in Gulfport.

With support from alumni and other community leaders, the Advocacy Institute invites students, faculty, and other members of the advocacy community to learn and collaborate in its well-appointed courtrooms, study areas, and other spaces.

Officials and alumni celebrated the new facility at an event in late October.

“It has been such a joy to share our new Advocacy Institute with the community,” said Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “We can’t wait to see the many ways in which this dynamic new space will grow and shape our legacy as a global advocacy leader.”

In photos: Advocacy Institute opening reception

AvocacyInstituteOpening9

The facility will build on Stetson Law’s stellar reputation as a national leader in advocacy education while giving students opportunities to grow as advocates and as members of the community. Stetson Law is U.S. News & World Report’s No. 1 destination for advocacy and has been for years. The Institute will greatly enhance this incredible legacy.

More space to collaborate, practice, and celebrate

Situated on Stetson Law’s historic Gulfport campus, the 16,000-square-foot facility is emblematic and functional. It offers students a modern setting to learn without leaving the campus’s majestic grounds.

With the addition of six new courtrooms, the new facility brings the number of formal courtrooms on campus to 12. The facility also adds two new jury deliberation rooms, one new lecture classroom, two new technology-equipped conference rooms, and 16 new offices.

In photos: Stetson Law’s new Advocacy Institute

AdvocacyInstitueShots4

Extensive collaboration space invites students to study and share insights gleaned from their educational journeys. The Institute also features a history and awards hall, a renovated lobby entrance, and the campus bookstore. The new spaces will be the ideal training ground for Stetson Law’s award-winning moot court, mock trial, and dispute resolution teams – as well as the perfect backdrop for major annual events like the Educating Advocacy Teachers conference, the National Pretrial Competition, and the International Environmental Moot Court Competition.

Exploring advocacy across disciplines

Several of the College of Law’s celebrated centers and institutes have also moved here, including the Center for Excellence in Advocacy, Center for Excellence in Elder Law, and Jacobs Law Clinic for Democracy and the Environment. This invites students and mentors involved with these programs to work together, share ideas, and hone their skills across disciplines.

“An advocacy-rich education, which extends across concentrations and courses, gives students multiple opportunities to advocate for themselves as well as for positions, principles, and issues,” said Law Professor Elizabeth Boals, director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Advocacy. “These experiential learning spaces in our new Advocacy Institute allow for more intensive, advanced, specialized advocacy courses.”

Stetson Law believes in developing the complete advocate, and this facility represents our commitment to mastering a superior understanding of the law, the ability to persuasively present evidence, and the humanity to know when to do the right thing.

Lambda Event Explores Florida Law & Drag

A drag performer in a voluminous, star-studded fuschia robe throws their arms in the air as they perform. — Stetson Law alumnus Edson Abadia, Jr. ’22 performs as Mr. Gripp during a Lambda Legal Society fundraiser.

Over a lively Friday evening in the Great Hall, Stetson Law students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends celebrated the LGBTQ+ community and reflected on current challenges its members face in Florida.

The evening’s main event was a drag show featuring multiple performers, including 2022 alumnus Edson Abadia, Jr., who, in character as Mr. Gripp, opened the show with a dazzling routine set to a mashup of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” The B-52s’ “Love Shack,” and Britney Spears’ “Toxic.”

Performances followed from Greta Gripp (Abadia’s partner, Michael Knapp), Hazel E. Genevieve, and Mr. Vun Suazion.

Organized by Stetson’s chapter of Lambda Legal Society, the event aimed to raise scholarship funds for LGBTQ students as well as awareness of current policies critics say are targeting the LGBTQ+ community on multiple fronts. Lambda played a pioneering role in bringing the first drag show to Stetson Law earlier in 2023 during Diversity Week with their annual Spelling Bee, ABCs with the LGBT.

An update & call to action

Before the performers took the stage, alumni Nathan Bruemmer offered insightful remarks on the current state of Florida law and its influence on matters related to sexual orientation as well as gender identity and expression.

Alumnus Nathan Bruemmer ’17 offers updates on laws affecting the LGBTQ+ community during a Lambda Legal Society fundraiser.

A 2017 graduate of Stetson Law, Bruemmer has held leadership roles in Equality Florida, St. Pete Pride, and other organizations. In 2021, he made history when former Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried appointed him to the role of LGBTQ Consumer Advocate for the Florida Department of Agriculture, which made him the first openly LGBTQ individual appointed to a statewide role in Florida – and the first openly transgender person appointed to such a role in the nation.

As he updated the audience on the latest legal efforts to fight restrictions on healthcare for transgender individuals and drag performances as well as other maneuvers targeting the LGBTQ+ community, he reflected on how his time at Stetson Law was marked by momentous events both in his life and within society at large.

He met the person who ultimately became his partner in the Dolly & Homer Hand Law Library – and was studying law at Stetson when the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision on Obergefell, the landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage, which he called “a really exciting and nerdy time” to be law student.

Despite it being in his hometown, he said, Stetson Law wasn’t initially on his radar as he began looking into studying law – until he got a letter from the college’s director of admissions talking about Stetson’s commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ students.

“It ended up being exactly where I needed to be, and so Stetson is home for me,” Bruemmer said.

As for facing recent setbacks for the community in Florida, he urged the audience to remain informed, engaged, and active – and to never give up.

“Never has it been clearer that the importance of developing diverse attorneys to be ready to respond to the moment we’re in, because it will take years of policy development and advocacy and litigation to get us out of this current moment,” he said. “I think Stetson’s finest will lead a lot of those efforts both here in Florida and across the country.”

Celebrating a commitment to diversity

The occasion marked a historic milestone for Lambda, serving as one of the organization’s largest networking events in its history. It also aimed to raise funds for Lambda’s PRIDE Scholarship, which Abadia initiated during his time at Stetson Law.

Drag performers and campus officials pose in front of the marble fireplace in Stetson's Great Hall. — Left to right: Edson Abadia ’22 as Mr. Gripp, Michael Knapp as Greta Gripp, Dean Benjamin Barros, alumnus Nathan Bruemmer ’17, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Latoya Edwards, Mr. Vun Suazion, and Hazel E. Genevieve.

Designed to provide financial support to LGBTQ+ community members actively engaged on campus, it thus far remains un-endowed, something Lambda’s current leadership aims to change.

In partnership with Lambda, the Student Affairs Department, Office of Diversity, Collaboration, and Inclusion (DCI), and the Department of Development and Alumni Engagement, organizers believe they are on the path to securing funding for the scholarship.

“Being able to host drag performers, hear from passionate alumni, and finally endow our PRIDE scholarship were important steps in furthering Lambda’s mission to support powerful advocates that bring diverse representation to our community,” said Hunter Wolf, president of Lambda at Stetson. “We are so lucky and honored to attend Stetson Law which both recognizes our LGBTQIA+ community and celebrates it.”

Several LGBTQ+ allied law firms, community organizations, and faculty members have already pledged their support to the scholarship – generous measures acknowledged during the event.

“Lambda Legal Society has always been my favorite part of Stetson,” Wolf said. “Law school is a difficult and demanding process, but it is the people and connections within this amazing student organization that I’m going to remember and cherish for life.”

More photos from the Florida Law & Drag fundraiser

DragPerformersandHunterLambda

Veterans Consortium Honors VLI Pro Bono Work

A one-story, Mediterranean revival-inspired building, in front of which is a large sign that says "Veterans Law Institute, Stetson University College of Law." — The Veterans Law Institute is on the Stetson University College of Law campus in Gulfport, Florida.

In recognition of its extensive work on behalf of veterans, The Veterans Consortium (TVC) has named Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute among seven recipients of its 2023 TVC Pro Bono Mission Partner Awards.

The awards honor active members of TVC’s National Volunteer Corps for committing their time and expertise to help further TVC’s mission of providing quality legal services to veterans in need at no charge. Award recipients will be honored Wednesday, November 15at the TVC Pro Bono Mission Partner Awards Reception, in Washington, DC.

The VLI won the consortium’s inaugural Legal Scholars Award for its extensive work on behalf of veterans. Law Professor and Veterans Law Institute Director Stacey-Rae Simcox and Adjunct Professor and VLI Associate Director Morgan MacIsaac-Bykowski will travel to Washington to accept the award.

“It is an honor to be recognized by The Veterans Consortium for the work we do on behalf of veterans,” Simcox said. “And it only inspires us to build on our successful record of advocating for veterans while giving our students a chance to do meaningful work on behalf of those who have served our nation.”

Tireless work on behalf of veterans

A founding member of the National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium (NLSVCC), the VLI has been involved with numerous efforts to secure benefits for veterans whose claims for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs had been denied or inadequately compensated. These cases can take years.

In one case, a Navy veteran was hit by a car during service and suffered numerous injuries. They worsened over time; eventually requiring him to use a wheelchair. VLI students and staff took his case to court four times. After eight years, their work led to the client’s payment going from 30 percent to 100 percent due to unemployability and allowed him to receive over $70,000 in back benefits owed to him.

In another, a Navy corpsman experienced neurological damage after being tasked with spraying a pesticide to kill the fruit flies that invaded the Naval facility where he worked. He was eventually diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Receiving no benefits, he sought help from the VLI.

Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox meets with students working with the Veterans Advocacy Clinic.

Over four years, they were able to prove the connection between the pesticides he used and his MS – and the veteran received 100 percent of his claim along with Dependent and Indemnity compensation, which means his spouse would be paid monthly after he passed away. In addition, the VLI helped secure over $1 million in back pay for the client since his wife had been paying out of pocket for nursing home care, prescriptions, and medical appointments that should have been covered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Gaining experience, changing lives

In addition to helping veterans, the VLI gives students the opportunity to gain critical hands-on experience on U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) cases with potentially transformative outcomes.

For alumnus Christopher Gieger ’21, the first case he worked on was an introduction to appellate advocacy in administrative law, which became a critical first step toward his current career.

“I loved the challenges of the case and figuring out the best way to present our arguments in a brief,” he said. “The case also gave me the honor of representing a United States Veteran. We wanted to provide the best advocacy possible, and that pressure was a privilege.”

Alumnus Max Yarus ’19 said he wanted to gain experience serving vulnerable populations through public interest litigation – adding that working on veterans’ behalf was a chance to feel close to his grandfather, a World War II veteran.

“I remember writing my first memos and briefs and conducting negotiations with opposing counsel at the VLI; they were truly the foundations of my legal career and gave me the confidence to continue representing veterans in appeals to the CAVC after graduation,” he said. “I am currently clerking for Judge [Michael] Allen on the CAVC, and I’m eternally grateful for the VLI starting me down this career path.”

A former U.S. Army Airborne Infantryman who deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Vasilios Zimarakos ‘20 said many of his friends, family members, peers, and leaders who have experienced disabilities caused by and obtained during their time in service.

He said his most memorable appellate case while working in the VLI involved the widow of a veteran who had died from a disability obtained during his service in the Vietnam War. Zimarakos and his colleagues were able to secure benefits for the widow as well as back pay.

“The feeling of being able to tell ‘my’ first client about the outcome is something I’ll never forget, and my experiences at the VLI shaped my professional career in ways I still attribute to my time spent working on cases for our nation’s veterans,” Zimarakos said.

Learn more about Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute.

From Ageism to AI: A SNT 2023 Recap

Over 400 professionals whose work involves assisting clients with special needs trusts gathered for Stetson Law’s 25^th Annual National Conference on Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts October 19 & 20.

As always, the event took place at the Vinoy Result & Golf Club in downtown St. Petersburg. The programming was as enlightening and informative as ever, thanks to presenters who brought a blend of topical subject matter and expert understanding of the intricacies of public policy affecting the special needs planning and trusts space. Outside the meeting rooms, attendees mingled with a diverse array of sponsors and exhibitors.

Subject matter ranged from detailed legislative updates to ageism and its effects.

Overcoming ageism

A Thursday morning keynote by Dr. Tracey Gendron, chair and professor if gerontology at Virginia Commonwealth University and executive director of the Virgina Center on Aging, invited attendees to think differently about what it means to age.

“When we talk about aging just as a process of decline, we are missing a lot of nuance; we are missing a lot of important parts of the story that really encapsulate the whole that is aging,” Gendron said. “Aging includes decline, but aging is also about how we change and grow: psychologically, emotionally, socially, spiritually. Aging is the holistic process of change, development, growth, over time – and that is the story less told.”

Regardless of how old one is, Gendron said, they are aging. And anytime one assumes something about someone based on their age, regardless of whether someone is young or old – think generational stereotypes – it is ageism. It can also be internally directed. Ageism can have detrimental effects.

“The truth is, we are all aging. Aging is the one universal thing that connects us all,” she said. “So when we talk about the aging as others, what do you think that means? Well, any kind of othering leads to stigma, leads to discrimination, leads to marginalization, and oppression. So, aging we need to reframe as this universal experience we all share that is contextualized as growth, development, change, and adaptation over time.”

An AI primer

Stetson’s Bruce R. Jacob Visiting Professor of Law Mason Clark said he may not be a trusts expert, but he is an expert in privacy and cybersecurity law. He came to SNT to share information on a subject he knows well: artificial intelligence (AI), and how lawyers can use it.

Think of AI as an old-fashioned fold-out toolbox, he said, with implements created for different purposes. Most fall into two main categories: generative and predictive, which use machine learning and deep learning to assist users. Generative AI, he said, is currently having the biggest impact, with programs like ChatGPT and DALL-E helping firms in unprecedented ways.

“We’re seeing more productivity measurements for associates in firms, we’re seeing an increase in client-facing deliverables requiring generative AI, whether that be visualization that we’ve never had the capability to do before, sophisticated predictive analytics on how likely it is a client will succeed, how much we think you’re going to spend in fees to achieve that result,” Clark said.

Firms can use AI to model years’ worth of future revenue, thereby helping smaller firms target resources in ways that help close the gap with large firms – if done appropriately.

“I think there are a lot of wasteful ways to use AI, both generative and predictive. I think there are a lot of companies that are charging astronomical amounts to use a certain platform, a certain product, a certain application, that might not actually help your practice all that much,” Clark said, adding that resources like Consumer Reports, International Association of Privacy Professionals, podcasts and blogs like Law360 can help firms choose the right platform.

As for whether jobs in the legal profession will be replaced by AI tools en masse – a common concern for workplaces across sectors – Clark said he sees minimal impacts – as long as you’re willing to adapt.

“I don’t think AI will replace as many attorneys as you think it will… unless you’re unwilling or unable to adapt and learn how AI can help,” he said.

In photos: SNT 2023

A man with a gray ponytail and a Hawaiian shirt speaks at a microphone in front of a screen that says "The Community Mental Health Centers Act of 1963."

SNT 2023 1

Frequently asked questions, answered

In an interactive, broad-reaching conversation with his audience, Los Angeles-based elder law attorney and past National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) president Stuart Zimring fielded questions from his audience on a range of topics during a “Top 10 Tips” session.

Among his key takeaways:

Take the time to develop the SNT to fit the beneficiary.
Have your “spidey senses” ready.
Never hesitate to say “no.”
The biggest takeaway? Make sure the beneficiary is always at the center of any conversation about a special needs trust.

“We are here to help ensure quality of life,” Zimring said, not just to grow the amount of money in a trust.

Other SNT 2023 highlights included a Veterans Benefits Intensive led by Judge Michael Allen and Law Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox, Director of Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute; “The Update,” a perennially popular SNT fixture that featured Elizabeth N.R. Friman and Robert Fechtman; and a session titled “Foxes and Henhouses – A Deep Dive Into Potential (and real) Conflicts of Interest and Other Ethical Issues for Trustees of SNTS” featuring Stetson Law alumnus Slade Dukes, Will Lucius, Briget Swartz, and Stuart Zimring.

Learn more about SNT 2023.

Spring ’23 Alums Among top FL Bar Exam Scorers

Headshots of two young men who graduated from Stetson Law in 2023. Left: Sean Caulfield; Right: Samuel Ciulla — Spring ’23 alumni Sean Caulfield (left) and Samuel Ciulla (right) had two of the highest July 2023 Florida Bar Exam scores.

Like many of his classmates, Spring 2023 Stetson Law graduate Sean Caulfield was in the library nearly seven days a week following commencement.

Though grueling, studying for the July Florida Bar exam got a little easier as the summer went on – especially with support from Stetson Law’s extensive bar prep resources, Professor Ellen Podgor (his bar coach), and Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox (his mentor).

“It was a long and hard process, but as the summer goes on you get into a routine and it becomes a bit more bearable,” Caulfield said.

All that work paid off – and then some. Not only did he pass, but he and classmate Samuel Ciulla were among the top bar exam scorers in the state.

“We are incredibly proud of Samuel and Sean,” said Law Professor Alicia Jackson, Director of Academic Success and Bar Preparation at Stetson Law. “They are a testament to hard work and dedication to their law studies and preparing for the bar exam. Great things are destined for them as we welcome them to the legal profession.”

A rare honor for a job well done

That designation comes with the opportunity to speak at a Florida Bar Association swearing-in ceremony for new members. Caulfield spoke in front of the Florida Supreme Court on behalf of the newly admitted attorneys while Ciulla spoke at Florida’s 2^nd District Court of Appeals induction ceremony in Tampa.

“It was truly an honor to address my peers at the induction ceremony, as these new attorneys are all incredibly bright individuals who passed one of the hardest exams in the country, so being able to celebrate this momentous occasion with them was certainly rewarding,” Ciulla said.

Caulfield said it was an honor to celebrate the milestone with his peers and his family, who made the trip to Tallahassee for the occasion.

“Everyone who was sworn in that day put in an enormous amount of work over their law school careers to get to that point, and it was an honor to represent Stetson, speak before the justices, and celebrate the accomplishments of his new class of attorneys,” Caulfield said.

Exam day nerves

The day they walked into the exam room in July, both were already accomplished Stetson Law alumni.

Caulfield participated in the Honors Program and Stetson Law Review, graduated with honors, and received Stetson Law’s 2023 Elizabeth M. Leeman Award. Ciulla participated in the Stetson Law Review, graduated with honors, and was Stetson Law’s Spring 2023 valedictorian.

Even so, neither saw passing the bar as a sure thing – let alone being a top scorer.

Caulfield said when he got a phone call regarding his score, he immediately thought there had been a mistake and that his passing score had been rescinded.

“I wanted to hang the phone up right then and there,” he said. “But thankfully I didn’t.”

For Ciulla, who began studying full-time three weeks early so he could take weekends off (thus avoiding burnout), it took a few moments to sink in.

“Getting the call from Chief Judge Daniel Sleet that I achieved one of the higher bar exam scores was unfathomable at the time, but after processing the news, I reflected on all the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice I put in over the summer – it was all worth it,” he said.

Investing in success

College of Law leadership places particular emphasis on equipping students with everything they need to pass the Florida Bar Exam on the first attempt.

Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros, who started in his role in July of 2023, views improving first-time bar exam passage rates as a key priority.

“As an institution, we are committed to doing everything we can to help prepare our graduates for the bar,” Barros said. “At the end of the day, though, passing the bar takes a great deal of diligence from each graduate. We are incredibly proud of Mr. Caulfield, Mr. Ciulla, and all of their peers for doing the hard work necessary to pass the bar.”

Stetson Law had one of the top first-time bar passage rates for the July 2023 exam. This is also not the first time a recent College of Law graduate has achieved one of the highest scores on the exam.

In February 2022, alumnus Craig Zyburo received the highest Florida Bar exam score out of nearly 450 test-takers.

Jacobs Law Clinic Asks Court to Stop Puerto Rico Coral Reef Dredge

A vibrant underwater landscape featuring elkhorn coral, blue fish, and other reef-dwelling organisms. — A vibrant reef ecosystem off the coast of Puerto Rico. Photo courtesy of NOAA.

Last week, Stetson’s Jacobs Public Interest Law Clinic for Democracy and the Environment submitted an amicus brief to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals calling on federal officials to halt a project that could be detrimental to a coral reef system off Puerto Rico’s coast.

Filed on behalf of two Ph.D. scientists criticizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ approval of a dredge project that the scientists fear will harm coral in San Juan Bay, the brief and declaration from Dr. Rachel Silverstein of Miami Waterkeeper documents the federal government’s failure to learn lessons from dredge projects in South Florida that damaged coral.

“The Corps’ failure to learn lessons from the PortMiami dredge is egregious,” said Dr. Rachel Silverstein of Miami Waterkeeper. “In the PortMiami project, dredging likely killed millions of corals and destroyed over 278 acres of reef. Now, the Corps is once again failing to protect corals in Puerto Rico. With devastating coral losses incurred in recent years, it’s an absolute imperative to prevent more damage to corals in San Juan.”

An ecosystem in peril

The proposed project coincides with catastrophic events like coral bleaching, brought on by pollution and a warming climate. The importance of protecting vibrant coral reef ecosystems like that which lies off San Juan Bay goes beyond the intrinsic value of good environmental stewardship. This complex, enchanting seascape is critical to the island’s economy through sustaining countless aquatic species.

“We are hopeful that the information we’re submitting to the court will help it understand just how wrong the federal government is on this one,” said Professor Jaclyn Lopez, the director of Stetson’s Jacobs Law Clinic. “These coral are already under so much strain from climate change, we should be doing all we can to protect them from easily preventable harm.”

The scientists brought the amicus brief with community-based environmental groups in Puerto Rico who oppose the project. Those groups are represented by the Vermont Law’s Environmental Justice Clinic.

Stetson Law Wins 4th National HEED Award for Diversity and Inclusion in a Row

For the fourth consecutive year, Stetson University College of Law has won INSIGHT Into Diversity‘s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The 2023 HEED Award recognizes Stetson University as a whole for its diversity initiatives as well as those specific to Stetson Law. This is the first time Stetson University, which is headquartered in DeLand, Florida, has won this award.

A group of students stands in front of a historic bridge on a sunny day. — A Civil Rights and the Constitution travel course is an immersive experience at Stetson Law.

The winners, announced Oct. 11, underwent a rigorous application process that examined recruitment and retention of students and employees at their institution, as well as supportive leadership for diversity in campus culture.

“Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

Years of fostering diversity & inclusion

Stetson Law was recognized for co-founding and co-leading the St. Petersburg Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Center in partnership with Eckerd College, the only entity of its kind in Florida. Stetson Law continues to reinvest in the effort by sharing expertise and resources beyond its Gulfport campus, exploring ways to bring communities together, and training lawyers and future leaders to be part of the work.

A woman speaks from a podium in the Great Hall. — Law Professor Judith Scully speaks to students who completed the 2023 Youth Civic Engagement Program.

“The TRHT Center’s ultimate goal is to build the bridges necessary to connect our college campuses to community activists, government officials, and other individuals who are working on making our communities stronger, healthier, and more equitable,” said Law Professor Judith Scully, who led efforts to establish the program. “To be involved in organizing around racial healing and transformation at this moment in time in Florida is a challenging opportunity that the St. Pete TRHT Center is perfectly poised to meet.”

Stetson Law Professor Jaclyn Lopez, Director of the Jacobs Law Clinic

Stetson Law has received the HEED Award every year since 2020 for a range of diversity-related initiatives, including an enlightening Civil Rights & the Law travel course and integrating the role of race in the legal system into course materials for required Criminal Law and Legal Writing & Research courses. This year, it received an honorable mention for creating the Dick & Joan Jacobs Public Interest Law Clinic for Democracy and the Environment.

“The Jacobs Law Clinic prioritizes ensuring our next generation of lawyers has practical opportunities to develop leadership skills like empathy and cultural humility,” said Law Professor Jaclyn Lopez, director of the Jacobs Clinic. “Our law students represent diverse clients with challenging legal issues and leave the clinic prepared to bring change to their communities.”

A unique & welcoming environment

Stetson was one of 108 colleges and universities across America selected for the award, joining Columbia University, Cornell, Johns Hopkins and UC Berkeley. Each school will be featured in the November / December issue of the magazine.

Dean Benjamin Barros speaks at a podium in the Great Hall. — Dean Benjamin Barros commends students who took part in the 2023 Youth Civic Engagement Program.

“Cultivating a law school environment that is welcoming to all is a critical part of our efforts to equip our students to advocate for a more just future,” said College of Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “It is an honor to be recognized for the investment – of time, energy, and dollars – in meaningful diversity initiatives. Winning our fourth HEED Award in a row speaks to the wonderfully vibrant community of faculty members, staff, students, and alumni we have at Stetson Law.”

“We are elated to receive the HEED Award, which is a wonderful affirmation of our efforts throughout the university to provide an academic and professional experience that is personable and authentic for community members of all backgrounds and identities,” said Carmen Johnson, JD, Stetson’s Executive Officer for Diversity, Collaboration, and Inclusion and a Stetson Law alumna.

Carmen Johnson speaks at a podium. — Carmen Johnson, Stetson University’s Executive Officer for Diversity, Collaboration, and Inclusion.

“Stetson provides such a unique and welcoming environment, and this is the result of dedicated administrative, academic, and student leadership throughout our campuses. We celebrate our community and this ongoing work and consider the HEED Award as welcomed motivation to keep going and to keep innovating,” Johnson added.

Progress on the main campus

The publication praised Stetson University for its notable investment in a new Cross-Cultural Center on the DeLand campus for underrepresented students and multicultural student groups. At a time when some colleges are facing challenges in investing in diversity and inclusion programs, Stetson renovated a historic home to create this unique, welcoming space.

“This is an incredible honor for Stetson to receive the national HEED Award and for our College of Law to receive it for the fourth consecutive year,” said Stetson President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD. “It is a reflection of the deep commitment and dedicated work of our students, faculty and staff to create inclusive and vibrant campuses that promote a sense of belonging for all our students.”

The DeLand campus also was recognized for its “Be Seen” marketing campaign that amplifies concepts of student belonging and students’ need to be their authentic selves as well as efforts on the DeLand campus to support first-generation college students, who made up a quarter of the student body in the Spring 2023 semester.

Preserving Stetson Law’s Historic Fountains

A collage of two images. The top image, in color, shows a fall 2023 fountain restoration and construction project. The bottom is a black-and-white picture of the fountain in the 1960s spraying water. — Stetson Law’s Fall 2023 fountain restoration project.

With help from a Historic Preservation Grant, Stetson Law is in the process of restoring three ornate fountains crafted over a century ago and installed in the Plaza Mayor and the Granary Tower.

Guided by National Park Service Preservation Briefs and the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, the process involves, cleaning, documenting, removing, restoring, and re-installing the ornate tiles that constitute the fountains. In the event a tile cannot be preserved, contractor Mizner Industries will replicate it with utmost precision.

The project will also include replacing aging hardware beneath the fountains.

Fountains of Historic Significance

Designed in the Mediterranean Revival style by architect Richard Kiehnel, the Stetson Law campus was constructed by the George A. Fuller Company of New York City, which also built Manhattan’s Flatiron Building and the Lincoln Memorial.

Prior to serving as the main Stetson Law campus, it was the site of the Florida Military Academy from 1932 to 1951 and the grand Rolyat Hotel prior to that.

Significant people associated with property include sports legends Walter Hagen and “Babe” Ruth; producer Sam Spiegel and actor George Peppard; Florida State Supreme Court Justice and Stetson Law Dean Harold Sebring; William Reece Smith, Jr.; and presidents of three Florida collegiate institutions: Doak Campbell (Florida State University), J. Ollie Edmunds (Stetson), and Hamilton Holt (Rollins).

A beneficial endeavor

The project will initially create about 20 jobs and spur economic development through heritage tourism.

A black-and-white image of a large fountain in a circular room lined by a wide spiral staircase. — The fountain in Granary Tower, which was restored in 2023, in a photo taken in 1927.

Restoring them to a fully functioning state will enhance the sense of place on campus, which is often cited among the reasons prospective students choose Stetson Law – and is the reason so many choose Stetson Law as a venue for weddings and other milestone events.

The value extends to our classrooms. In Land Use Law courses, faculty discuss the growing importance of historic preservation laws. Like Stetson Law – which was the site of events such as a famous contract signing between Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees during its days as a luxury hotel, many of Florida’s historic structures were built in the 1920s.

The campus, fountains and all, is a striking example of adaptive re-use of old buildings.

When the project is complete, they will add to the beautiful, relaxing atmosphere on the Stetson Law Gulfport campus.

The latest of multiple restorations

The current projects aren’t the first fountain restorations to take place. In 2020, it all began with the fountain in center of the Plaza Mayor courtyard. This seven-month endeavor, an official historic restoration, was no small task.

A worker stands under a shade tent in the fountain in the center of Plaza Mayor as it was being restored. — After months of work, the fountain in the heart of Plaza Mayor was restored to its full glory in 2021.

The images in each quadrant of the fountain were cut out, tiles removed from slab, cleaned, and restored. Other tiles could not to salvaged, so, bisque was imported from Italy and hand painted to match the original tile, baked, and then waterproofed. All the painting was done by the same woman, meaning no two tiles are exactly alike, just as was true of the originals. RLA Conservation of Art & Architecture in Miami, Fla., a state certified tile restoration company, oversaw the work.

The result?

A fully functioning, delightfully ornate centerpiece for all to enjoy.