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#1 in Advocacy, #5 in Legal Writing

Contact Brandi Palmer
Manager of Media Relations
727-562-7381
[email protected]

The 2010 U.S. News & World Report has again ranked Stetson University College of Law first in trial advocacy among law schools across the country. U.S. News also ranked Stetson Law fifth for legal writing and 16th for part-time law programs.

Stetson has consistently ranked at the top in the nation for trial advocacy since the rankings began in 1995. Stetson has ranked within the top six programs in legal writing since that specialty was added. In the first-ever ranking of part-time programs, Stetson, which started a part-time program in 2002, placed 16 out of 68 among ranked accredited law schools.

“Stetson is very proud to continue to be recognized as the best law school in the country for trial advocacy and legal writing,” said Vice President and Dean Darby Dickerson. “Effective advocacy and writing are critical skills for all lawyers, and we’re committed to providing students the best possible training and experiences in these areas.”

“We look forward to expanding our advocacy programs to share the Stetson Method of ethical advocacy with more students, professors and attorneys around the nation,” said Professor Charles H. Rose III, director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Advocacy.

Stetson currently provides an online Advocacy Resource Center, a free resource for public service attorneys, including government attorneys, legal aid personnel, district attorneys, public defenders, military attorneys, and other attorneys who work on behalf of the public good.

Stetson offers full and part-time programs leading to J.D., J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.D., J.D./M.P.H. degrees; it also offers LL.M. degrees in elder law and international law and an M.J. in Law and Aging for non-lawyers.

Elder Consumer Expo April 22

Contact Brandi Palmer
Manager of Media Relations
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[email protected]

Stetson University College of Law invites area seniors to its Gulfport campus for a free Bay Area Elder Consumer Protection Expo on April 22 between 8 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Great Hall at 1401 61st St. S.

Expo attendees will learn more about how to protect themselves from becoming the victims of fraud, exploitation, identity theft and abuse. A free continental breakfast will be provided.

AARP State President Doug Heinlen will speak at 9:50 a.m. Representatives will speak from the office of Senator Bill Nelson at 8:40 a.m., the office of Representative C.W. Bill Young at 9:20 a.m. and the office of Senator Mel Martinez at 10:20 a.m.

A shredding service for proper disposal of personal documents will be on campus during the Expo. Participants will have an opportunity to learn more about “Do-Not-Call” and “Opt-Out” registries, win door prizes, listen to presentations, and collect information from exhibits by local, state and federal agencies.

Parking is available at Stetson at the corner of 61st St. S. and 15th Ave. S. Expo attendees may also be dropped off at the entrance to the school before parking their vehicles.

Stetson Accepting Hall of Fame Nominations

Contact Brandi Palmer
Manager of Media Relations
727-562-7381
[email protected]

Stetson University College of Law is currently accepting nominations for its prestigious Hall of Fame. The deadline for submissions is June 15.

The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have reached the pinnacle of their professions and who have affected a profound, positive influence on the law school. New members will be inducted into Stetson Law’s Hall of Fame during a special program on Oct. 24.

Nomination forms may downloaded from the Stetson Law Web site here and should be sent to the Office of College Relations, Stetson University College of Law, 1401 61st St. S., Gulfport, Fla. 33707. E-mail nominations are also accepted at [email protected].

Learn more about Stetson’s past Hall of Fame honorees by  viewing biographical videos of each.

Stetson Wins National Championship

Contact Frank Klim

727-562-7889
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Stetson Law's team won the AAJ National Student Trial Advocacy Competition. (L-R): Nelson Baez, Aaron Watson, Derrick Connell, and Sara Mieczkowski.
Stetson Law's team won the AAJ National Student Trial Advocacy Competition. (L-R): Nelson Baez, Aaron Watson, Derrick Connell, and Sara Mieczkowski. Click for high-resolution image.

A team of four students from Stetson University College of Law won the prestigious American Association for Justice (AAJ) Student Trial Advocacy Competition during the finals in West Palm Beach, Fla., April 2-5.

Stetson’s team of Nelson Baez, Derrick Connell, Sara Mieczkowski and Aaron Watson scored consecutive victories in mock trials against teams from Loyola of Los Angeles, University of Maryland, Loyola of Chicago, and Samford University.

“This is the most prestigious competition in the nation because of its scope and the participation of distinguished members of the bench and the attorneys who judge the competition,” said Nathalie Etori, manager of the AAJ event.

The competition began with a staggering 248 squads from 147 law schools. Stetson advanced to the national final after winning a regional tournament in Providence, R.I., five weeks ago.

“This competition is not an invitational,” said Professor Lee Coppock, who directs Stetson’s trial team and travelled with the team. “Our students had to earn their way to the nationals and there we met, and defeated, the best from every other region in the country. It was a great win for Stetson.”

Stetson Law’s fourth championship in the national competition, which has occurred annually for more than 25 years, has created a sense of accomplishment among trial team participants.

“This is the reason I came to Stetson,” said Derrick Connell, a third-year Stetson Law student. “My goal was to bring home a national championship, and we’ve done that. It’s just an amazing thing.”

Connell said that since receiving the tournament case file in January, the trial team has been practicing nearly every day. He attributes their success to strong coaching and to how well the students worked with each other.

“We had such great chemistry,” said Connell. “You have to be able to look over at your teammate and know that they’re there for you and you’re on the same page.”

Judge David A. Demers, Adjunct Professor Susan Demers and Professor Roberta Flowers coached the winning team.

Trial advocacy competitions allow law students to practice their trial skills before distinguished members of the bar and bench. Teams are judged on their skills in case preparation, opening statements, use of facts, the examination of lay and expert witnesses, and closing arguments.

For more information about Stetson’s advocacy programs, see www.law.stetson.edu/excellence/advocacy.

Students Win Silver in Hong Kong

Contact Frank Klim
Manager of Media Relations
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(L-R): Erik Detlefsen, Stephanie Kwan, Hazel Turner, Matt Ransdell and Kristen Chittenden compete in Hong Kong.
(L-R): Erik Detlefsen, Stephanie Kwan, Hazel Turner, Matt Ransdell and Kristen Chittenden compete in Hong Kong. Click for high-resolution image.

A team of students from Stetson University College of Law won second place in the Willem C. Vis East International Commercial Arbitration Moot competition in Hong Kong.

Stetson students Kristen Chittenden, Erik Detlefsen, Matt Ransdell and Hazel Turner competed at the Vis East Moot on March 19. Teammate Stephanie Kwan aided them in writing two Honorable Mention Memoranda.

Sixty-four teams from 17 countries around the globe competed in Hong Kong. This year’s winners were from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.

“These students were our ambassadors to the world,” said Moot Court Advisor Professor Stephanie Vaughan of the team that travelled from Florida to Hong Kong for competitions. “They helped bring Stetson to the forefront as a leader in advocacy on a global scale.”

Stetson Law professors Marco Jimenez, Joseph Morrissey, and Jason Palmer co-coached the team along with Vaughan.

Another team of Stetson students has headed to Vienna to compete in the second Vis Moot beginning April 4.

Irish Team Wins International Environmental Moot Court Competition at Stetson

Contact Brandi Palmer
Manager of Media Relations
727-562-7381
[email protected]

A team of students from the Law Society of Ireland won the 13th Annual International Environmental Moot Court Competition at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla., on March 28.

(L-R): Law Society of Ireland team Michelle Cunningham, Best Oralist Carol Eager, Ellie Dunne and Stetson Law Professor Royal Gardner.
(L-R): Law Society of Ireland team Michelle Cunningham, Best Oralist Carol Eager, Ellie Dunne and Stetson Law Professor Royal Gardner. Click for high-resolution image.

Teams from eight countries competed in the international finals at Stetson, traveling to the Tampa Bay campus from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Nepal, Ukraine and the United States. This year’s winners from the Law Society of Ireland defeated a team from the University of California-Hastings College of Law. Carol Eager of the Law Society of Ireland was named Best Oralist in the international competition.

A team from the Universitas Pelita Harapan in Indonesia won the inaugural Spirit of Stetson Award for outstanding advocacy, and a team from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago received the award for Best Memorial.

“This competition is an incredible opportunity for students from all over the world to gather on Stetson’s campus to hone their skills as international law advocates,” said Professor Royal C. Gardner, who also heads the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy at Stetson and created the competition with Vice President and Dean Darby Dickerson.

This year’s competition coincided with the two-day 11th International Wildlife Law Conference. Distinguished international scholars from eight countries around the world presented topics ranging from biofuel production to ecotourism.

The final round of competition at Stetson was judged by Wil Burns, editor-in-chief of the Journal of International Wildlife and Policy; Johannes Huber, the executive secretary of the Antarctic Treaty, from Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Andi Pearl, the manager of the Antarctic Krill Conservation Project for The Pew Charitable Trusts in Washington, D.C.

Colbert Elected ABA-LSD Circuit Governor

Contact Brandi Palmer
Manager of Media Relations
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Tiffany Colbert, 5th Circuit Governor of the American Bar Association Law Student Division.
Tiffany Colbert, 5th Circuit Governor of the American Bar Association Law Student Division. Click for high-resolution image.

For the second year in a row, a Stetson University College of Law student was elected 5th Circuit Governor of the American Bar Association Law Student Division. Tiffany Colbert was sworn in as the 2009-2010 circuit governor at the ABA Law Student Division at a ceremony on March 21 at the 2009 Spring Board of Governors Meeting held at the Sirata Beach Resort and Conference Center in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Colbert replaces Stetson law student Louis Brown, who completed his term of office this year. Brown graduates from Stetson Law on May 16. A Stetson Law student has held the governor position three times in the past five years.

Chris Sprowls, the first Stetson law student to chair the ABA Law Student Division and a former division delegate to the ABA House of Delegates, also graduates this May and presided over the board meeting on March 21.

“Stetson Law has a long tradition of leadership in the ABA Law Student Division, and we are excited that Tiffany will continue to represent Stetson both regionally and nationally,” said Michael Farley, Stetson’s assistant dean.

The Stetson ABA Law Student Division chapter was also recognized with the Bronze Key award for membership.

The 5th Circuit includes all law schools in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico and Tennessee. Colbert will represent the region at national ABA Law Student Division meetings.

Environmental Awareness

Contact Brandi Palmer
Manager of Media Relations
727-562-7381
[email protected]

Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla., landscapes with native plants.
Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla., landscapes with native plants. Click for high-resolution image.

Stetson University students and faculty take environmental responsibility seriously, and it shows. From engaging in environmental education to dining green and encouraging smart commuting, Stetson students and faculty have declared their commitment to helping out the planet.

Two Florida universities, Stetson University and the University of Florida, are featured in the current issue of Southern Living’s photo spread on “Saving the Planet.” The spread highlights Stetson University’s Vera Lea Rinker Native Plant Garden in DeLand, its student-staffed native plant education program in Volusia County K-5 schools, and students working to protect native species in Blue Spring.

On March 26-27, the law school’s Gulfport campus will host the two-day 11th International Wildlife Law Conference, bringing together a distinguished panel of international scholars and experts to discuss topical environmental issues such as biofuel production and biodiversity, sustainable ecotourism, regional fisheries and the fragile Antarctic ecosystem. Speakers from eight countries include Wil Burns, editor-in-chief of the Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy; Johannes Huber, executive secretary of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Julia Jabour of the University of Tasmania’s Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies; and Andi Pearl, manager of the Antarctic Krill Conservation Project for The Pew Charitable Trusts in Washington, D.C.

go green“At its best, environmental education is an impetus to both discuss and act wisely to make responsible and sustainable choices for ourselves and for the environment in which we live,” said Professor Royal Gardner, the director of Stetson’s Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy who recently co-authored a chapter with 2007 Stetson Law graduate Ezequiel Lugo in Agenda for a Sustainable America.

The Wildlife Law Conference is being held in conjunction with the International Finals of the Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition. Students from ten different countries, including Brazil, China, India, Nepal and Ukraine, will travel to Stetson to participate in this advocacy event and attend the conference.

Gardner also advises Stetson Law’s Go Green Committee, which recently brought waste and recycling experts from the City of Clearwater to the Gulfport campus to encourage students, staff and faculty to recycle at home as well as at school.

Stetson Law Presents Lifetime Achievement Awards for Excellence in Advocacy

Contact Brandi Palmer
Manager of Media Relations
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Professor Thomas A. Mauet and Judge Warren D. Wolfson accept their awards for a lifetime of achievement in advocacy March 5 at Stetson Law.
Professor Thomas A. Mauet and Judge Warren D. Wolfson accept their awards for a lifetime of achievement in advocacy March 5 at Stetson Law. Click for high-resolution image.

Professor Thomas A. Mauet and Judge Warren D. Wolfson were presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Advocacy by Stetson University College of Law during its Educating Advocates Conference on March 5.

Mauet is the Milton O. Riepe Professor and Director of Trial Advocacy at the James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona. Wolfson has been an appellate judge in the 1st District of Illinois since 1994 and has directed the Trial Advocacy Program at the Chicago-Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology since 1971.

Stetson’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes excellence in all facets of advocacy, from teaching others to representing clients. The inaugural recipient of the award was Terence MacCarthy, director of Chicago’s Federal Defender Program and an outstanding advocate and teacher.

Stetson Law offers a number of programs on advocacy education. On May 20-22, Stetson Law will host its second annual teaching advocacy skills program on the Gulfport campus. Attendees will learn from nationally renowned advocates how to increase their effectiveness in the classroom and develop course materials using the Stetson method. The intensive program graduated its first group of advocacy instructors in May 2008.

“I am proud that Stetson continues to find new ways to continue to grow as a leader in advocacy,” said Professor Charles Rose, director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Advocacy, which includes a free online Advocacy Resource Center for public service attorneys. “We have developed new programs to teach Stetson’s award-winning method to both the advocate and the advocacy instructor.”

Stetson has ranked at or near the top for advocacy among law schools nationwide in the U.S. News & World Report since they began the rankings.

To learn more about the advocacy program at Stetson, please visit the Center for Excellence in Advocacy.

Student Named Best Advocate at Regional NAAC

Contact Brandi Palmer
Manager of Media Relations
727-562-7381
[email protected]

(L-R): Stetson students Kristin Shusko, Chris Sprowls and Jennifer Morris McPheeters.
(L-R): Stetson students Kristin Shusko, Chris Sprowls and Jennifer Morris McPheeters. Click for high-resolution image.

Stetson University College of Law student Jennifer Morris McPheeters was named Best Advocate in the St. Louis regional of the American Bar Association Law Student Division National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) on March 14. Stetson sent two teams to the regional NAAC, a traditional moot court competition focusing on written and oral advocacy skills.

“The ABA competition is one of the most prestigious competitions in the nation,” said Moot Court Advisor Professor Stephanie Vaughan. Thirty-one teams competed in the St. Louis regional – one of six regional competitions in the NAAC.

Student Chris Sprowls was named Fourth Best Advocate and the team of Jennifer Morris McPheeters, Kristin Shusko and Chris Sprowls won the Second Best Brief Award in the regional competition.

Professors Michael Allen and Louis Virelli coached the students. “It makes me proud to be a teacher,” Professor Allen said of working with the students.

Best Advocate Jennifer Morris McPheeters.
Best Advocate Jennifer Morris McPheeters. Click for high-resolution image.

Stetson Advances to National Competition

Contact Brandi Palmer
Manager of Media Relations
727-562-7381
[email protected]

Stetson Law's team won the right to advance to the AAJ National Student Trial Advocacy Competition in April.
Stetson Law's team won the right to advance to the AAJ National Student Trial Advocacy Competition in April. (L-R): Nelson Baez, Sara Mieczkowski, Aaron Watson and Derrick Connell. Click for high-resolution image.

Stetson University College of Law will send a team of students to compete in the American Association  for Justice’s National Student Trial Advocacy Competition April 2-5 in West Palm Beach, Fla. At a regional competition held in Providence, R.I., Feb. 27-March 1, Stetson’s student team of Nelson Baez, Derrick Connell, Sara Mieczkowski and Aaron Watson won the right to advance along with 13 other law schools from across the country to the national AAJ competition in April.

“This is one of the biggest competitions of the year,” said Professor Lee Coppock, who directs Stetson’s trial team and travelled with the team to Rhode Island. “This competition is not an invitational. Our students had to earn their way to the nationals and we could not be more proud.”

Judge David A. Demers, Adjunct Professor Susan Demers and Professor Roberta Flowers  coached the winning Stetson Law team to victory at the regional competition.

Trial advocacy competitions allow law students to develop and practice their trial skills before distinguished members of the bar and bench.

Students to Compete in Vienna and Hong Kong

Contact Brandi Palmer
Manager of Media Relations
727-562-7381
[email protected]

Students Win in Orlando
Front row (L-R): Stephanie Kwan, Joe Etter and Matt Ransdell. Back row (L-R): Erik Detlefsen, Professor Stephanie Vaughan, Hazel Turner, Pat Causey, Professor Jason Palmer, Kristen Chittenden, Aisha Sanchez and J'Aimee Crockett. Click for high-resolution image.

A team of Stetson University College of Law students won the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot pre-competition on Feb. 28 in Orlando, Fla., for the fourth year in a row. The Stetson Law students will next compete in the two international moot competitions in Vienna and Hong Kong against students from 200 law schools from around the world.

Stetson students Kristen Chittenden, Erik Detlefsen, Stephanie Kwan, Matt Ransdell and Hazel Turner will head to the Vis East Moot competition in Hong Kong. Students J’Aimee Crockett, Pat Causey, Joe Etter and Aisha Sanchez will compete in Vienna where Stetson won the Vis International Moot in 2005. Sanchez was selected as Best Oralist in the Vis Moot pre-competition in Orlando.

“We are incredibly proud that our students have won this contest four years in a row,” said Moot Court advisor and professor Stephanie Vaughan. She added that Stetson Law hopes to capture international titles in both Hong Kong and Vienna. Organizers of the Vis Moot opened the Hong Kong competition to encourage students who could not travel to Europe to participate.

Along with Vaughan, Stetson Law professors Joseph Morrissey, Marco Jimenez and Jason Palmer coached the winning teams. The Florida Bar International Law Section organized the event, hosted at Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando.

The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot competitions are held annually in Vienna, Austria and in Hong Kong, China. The object of the Vis Moot is to foster study in the areas of international commercial and arbitration laws and to encourage the resolution of business disputes by arbitration.