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Bones producer to visit Stetson’s Gulfport campus Feb. 5

Contact Brandi Palmer
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – Kathy Reichs, a top forensic anthropologist, novelist and producer of the Bones television series, will discuss forensics and crime fiction Feb. 5 in a program sponsored by Stetson University College of Law’s National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law.

“Forensic Anthropology: From Crime Scene to Crime Fiction” will be presented in Stetson’s Great Hall at noon. Another presentation, “Forensic Dentistry,” featuring forensic dentistry specialist Robert Dorion, will be offered as part of the same program. The two presentations are free. A light lunch will be served.

Developed by 20th Century Fox Television, Bones is seen Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on the Fox Network. Its story lines are inspired by stories written by best-selling author Reichs. The episodes feature a character named Dr. Temperance Brennan, who, like Reichs, is a forensic anthropologist.

Reichs has worked to identify individuals in mass graves in Guatemala; victims of 911 at Ground Zero; and war dead from World War II. She will sign books from her best-selling Temperance Brennan series, which includes Déjà Dead, Death du Jour, Deadly Decisions, Fatal Voyage, Grave Secrets, Bare Bones, Monday Mourning, Cross Bones and Break No Bones.

Dorion has been the director of forensic dentistry at the Ministry of Public Security in Québec since 1973. He is a founding member and past president of the American Board of Forensic Odontology and has lectured at forensics conferences around the world.

The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law, a program of the National Institute of Justice, provides a comprehensive online database of legal and scientific research. It educates lawyers, judges and law enforcement personnel about new developments in forensic technology and forensic evidence handling in the courts.

To learn more, or to RSVP for the program, call 727-562-7316 or visit the web site at http://www.ncstl.org/.

Janet Reno to speak at Stetson University College of Law

Contact Brandi Palmer
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno will serve as the William Reece Smith Jr. Distinguished Lecturer at Stetson’s Annual Inns of Court Banquet on Jan. 25.

Reno was the 78th attorney general of the United States and the first woman to hold the post. She was the first woman appointed to be a state attorney for Florida. Reno helped win congressional approval of the 1994 crime bill, the biggest crime legislation in U.S. history.

“We are honored to have Ms. Reno join the Stetson community for this year’s Inns of Court event,” said Professor Roberta Flowers. “Her distinguished career as both an advocate and leader is an inspiration to both the legal community and to our students.”

The banquet and lecture, scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Mirror Lake Lyceum in St. Petersburg, brings together invited dignitaries, federal, circuit and county judges, area attorneys, Inn members and Stetson students.

Reno will be making a special presentation at the Ninth International Wildlife Law Conference on Stetson’s Gulfport campus Jan. 26 and she will address a Stetson student leadership luncheon.

The Inns of Court is a tradition originally used to train barristers in London. It focuses on maintaining close mentoring relationships between lawyers-to-be and eminent scholars, lawyers and judges.

William Reece Smith Jr. has been a distinguished professorial lecturer at Stetson Law since 1991 and has taught at the law school since 1954. He is the past president of the American, International and Florida bar associations. He has received numerous legal awards, including the ABA’s Gold Medal and the Florida Bar Foundation’s Medal of Honor. Smith is of counsel and is chair emeritus of Carlton Fields P.A.

The William Reece Smith Jr. Distinguished Lecture is made possible by a generous gift from Joy McCann Culverhouse.

New Inn of Court named for Stetson Professor and Dean Emeritus Bruce Jacob

Contact Brandi Palmer
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – The Bruce R. Jacob Criminal Appellate Inn of Court was officially named on Oct. 18 for Stetson University College of Law Professor and Dean Emeritus Bruce Jacob.

Professor Bruce Jacob teaches and researches primarily in the areas of criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional law and administrative law at Stetson. He was vice president of Stetson University and dean of Stetson College of Law from 1981 through 1994, and dean of Mercer University Law School from 1978 to 1981.

“This came as a complete surprise and it is an incredible honor. I am very grateful to the members of the Inn,” said Jacob.

Jacob began his career in 1960 as an assistant attorney general for the state of Florida and represented the respondent in the Supreme Court’s Gideon v. Wainwright decision in 1963, involving an indigent criminal defendant’s right to counsel. He later was appointed by the Supreme Court to represent the petitioner in Kaufman v. United States, decided in 1969. He was professor and director of clinical programs at the Ohio State University College of Law from 1971 to 1978, representing and training law students to represent indigent defendants in criminal trials and appeals. He established a program at the Emory University Law School in 1965-1969 and co-founded a program at Harvard Law School in 1969 and 1970 to provide legal assistance to indigent prison inmates.

The Inn announced that it is the first of its kind, being composed primarily of students from an evening law program and specializing in appellate law. Other members include judges, professors, attorneys and recent graduates.

The Inn’s first meeting was this year on Sept. 20 at the Tampa Law Center.
The American Inns of Court, composed of judges, lawyers, law professors and law students, meet regularly to discuss ethics, skills and professionalism. The American Inns of Court Foundation was formally organized in 1985.

Judge and former Hispanic Woman of the Year speaks at Stetson’s graduation Dec. 16

Contact Brandi Palmer
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – The Honorable Virginia M. Hernandez Covington, judge for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, speaks at Stetson’s commencement Saturday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. in the college’s courtyard in Gulfport.

Judge Covington was named Tampa’s Hispanic Woman of the Year in 2003. She has served on the federal bench since 2004 as a U.S. district judge. Judge Covington has taught throughout Latin America on trial advocacy practices and procedures and has lectured on asset forfeiture, money laundering and complex prosecutions to prosecutors and law enforcement personnel nationwide.

“Judge Covington is an outstanding role model and we are very privileged to have her join us as this year’s graduation speaker,” said Dean Darby Dickerson.

During the graduation ceremony, 111 students are expected to walk, including one student with a Master of Laws degree in international law. Eighteen students will graduate from the part-time law program. Nine students will receive a dual J.D. and MBA degree.

Among the graduating class:

  • Marina Braginskaya, a student intern for U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Washington, D.C.
  • Jane Geddes, a former Ladies Professional Golf Association golfer and 1987 LPGA champion.
  • Brian Redar, the only student member of the American Bar Association Board of Governors.
  • Jason Whittemore, son, and Erin Whittemore, niece of Judge James Whittemore, who presided over the controversial Terri Schiavo case.

Stetson student arbitration team becomes new national champion at ABA competition

Contact Brandi Palmer
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Tampa Bay, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law’s team of Megan Lattz, Shannon McMahon, Sarah Olsen and Stuart Weissman won the American Bar Association Law Student Division National Arbitration Competition in Austin, Texas Nov. 18.

The Stetson student team beat a team from Texas Tech University School of Law and last year’s national champs from the University of Texas School of Law.

A second team of Stetson students performed well during the preliminary rounds of competition.

“This win was such an incredible accomplishment for our teams,” said Professor Kelly Feeley, who helped prepare the teams with Professor Roberta Flowers, director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Advocacy. “Each team member performed with such grace, talent and professionalism that we could not have been any prouder. The new national champions represent this year’s top professional and ethical student advocates.”

During competition, the student arbitration teams prepare and present opening statements, witness examinations, exhibit introductions, evidentiary presentations and summations. Stetson’s arbitration teams include members of the Client Skills Board, Trial Team and Moot Court.

For more information about the competition, please visit the ABA web site at
http://www.abanet.org/lsd/competitions/arbitration/home.html.

Florida Supreme Court Justice Harry Lee Anstead receives Stetson’s J. Ben Watkins Award

Contact Brandi Palmer
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – The Stetson Law Review presented Florida Supreme Court Justice Harry Lee Anstead with the J. Ben Watkins Award for Excellence in the Legal Profession on Nov. 17.

Justice Anstead was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court by Governor Lawton Chiles on Aug. 29, 1994. During his tenure, Justice Anstead initiated a number of changes to internal court procedures to improve the quality and efficiency of the judicial process. He also spear-headed a comprehensive statewide program to improve professionalism among judges, lawyers and law schools in the state. This initiative led to the creation of the Supreme Court of Florida’s Commission on Professionalism and the permanent Center for Professionalism at the Florida Bar. Justice Anstead advanced to the highest judicial office in state government on July 1, 2002, when he became Florida’s 50th chief justice, serving in that capacity through June 2004.

The Stetson Law Review presents the J. Ben Watkins Award to someone who has contributed significantly to the legal community. Inducted into Stetson’s Hall of Fame in September 2006, Watkins has actively practiced law since graduating from Stetson University College of Law in 1949. He served on the law school’s board of overseers for more than two decades and was instrumental in forming the Stetson Law Review.

Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles wins International Environmental Moot Court Competition at Stetson Law

Contact Brandi Palmer
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – A team of students from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles are the winners of the 11th annual International Environmental Moot Court Competition at Stetson University College of Law. The final rounds of competition were held Nov. 8-11.

More than 60 teams competed worldwide in regional competitions for a chance to come to the international finals at Stetson. Teams gathered at Stetson Law from Australia, Brazil, India, the Philippines and the United States. This year’s winners from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, CA defeated a team from the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia.

“I was very impressed with the students’ advocacy skills and knowledge of international law,” said Professor Royal C. Gardner, who heads the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy at Stetson Law.

The final round of competition at Stetson was judged by Dr. Wil Burns, editor-in-chief of the Journal of International Wildlife and Policy, Birgit Van Hout, executive director of Community Tampa Bay, and William Thomas, chair of the ABA International Environmental Law Committee.

Stetson student Client Skills Board Negotiation team wins regionals in Ft. Lauderdale

Contact Brandi Palmer
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – A Stetson student Client Skills Board Negotiation team from Stetson University College of Law won first place at the Regional ABA Law Student Division’s Negotiation Competition in Ft. Lauderdale Nov. 5.

The winning team of Stetson students Kelly Van Wey and Jossy Dieguez will head to a national competition in February. Twenty-four teams competed.

Stetson Law Professor Catherine Cameron coached the Stetson student teams at the competition at Nova Southeastern University Law Center.

“This competition provides a great opportunity for students to hone their negotiation skills,” said Professor Cameron. “I am very proud that each of the teams we sent to the competition placed and that our winning team is on their way to the nationals.”

Stetson sent three teams to the competition. Additionally, the team of David Ganderton and Amy Kiser placed third and the team of Emily Morgan and Doug Goldin placed sixth in competition.

For more information about the competition, please visit the ABA web site at
http://www.abanet.org/lsd/competitions/negotiation/home.html.

Stetson Law invites prospective law students to the Gulfport campus Nov. 18

Contact Brandi Palmer
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law invites prospective law students to its annual Law School Information Day from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 1401 61st St. S. in Gulfport.

The program features a simulated law class, a faculty-moderated law student panel, campus tours, and information about law school admissions, financial aid for law school and legal careers. Prospective students can also learn more about Stetson’s international and part-time law programs and its award-winning trial and moot court teams.

“Law Day is an opportunity for prospective law school students to get an overview of both law school and the Stetson experience,” said Laura Zuppo-Headley, director of admissions. “They can experience a mock first-year class, learn what it is like to be a law student, meet faculty and take tours of campus with current students.”

Last year’s event drew more than 300 people from across the state and nation to Stetson’s Gulfport campus.

To learn more and to register for this free event, please visit Stetson online at http://justice.law.stetson.edu/admissions/lawschoolinformationday.asp.
The deadline to register is Nov. 13.

Local high school and law students debate international human rights in November

Contact Brandi Palmer
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – Students from Lakewood High School and Stetson University College of Law will debate international human rights policies Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall at the Stetson University College of Law Gulfport campus, 1401 61st St. S.

The debate entitled “Working Together for the World: What’s in it for the U.S.?” is open to the public and invites community discussion during an open microphone session.

Patricia Gomez, assistant director of international programs at Stetson Law, will host the debate and Darden Rice, who represents the League of Women Voters, will moderate. Birgit Van Hout, executive director of Community Tampa Bay, and Dr. Susan Zucker, director of technology and distance education for the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law at Stetson Law, will provide the program’s keynotes. Lakewood High School students MacKenzie Deck and Niraj Singh will discuss whether the U.S. should work towards international compliance with the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child. Stetson Law students Gyula Szilagyi and Ahmad Yakzan will discuss presidential power to overrule the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights during threats to national security.

The event, a local effort of the national “The People Speak” campaign to facilitate discussion of international issues, has traditionally attracted an average of 100 people annually to the law school campus.

Another The People Speak event at 6 p.m. on Nov. 8 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1200 Snell Isle Blvd. N.E. in St. Petersburg, features Stetson Law Professor Michael Allen presenting “(In)Security in America through the Lens of Immigration: The Importance of the Salad Bowl.”

The People Speak was created in 2003 by the United Nations Foundation and a nonpartisan group of concerned organizations to provide forums for Americans to participate in policy discussions. The People Speak sponsored thousands of such grassroots events and hosted dozens of signature events with ABC News since its inception in 2003.

For more information about The People Speak, please visit:
http://www.thepeoplespeak.org.

American and Caribbean Law Initiative visits Stetson

Contact Brandi Palmer
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – The American and Caribbean Law Initiative visited Stetson in November. Stetson Law, one of ACLI’s newest members, hosted the Caribbean Law Clinic from Nov. 1-4 on the Gulfport and Tampa campuses. This is the first time the clinic met in Florida.

“This clinic was not a competition,” said Professor Dorothea Beane, who spear-headed Stetson hosting the Caribbean Law Clinic’s inaugural visit to Florida. “It was a unique opportunity for American and Caribbean law students to work together to solve legal problems.”

Participating students discussed their research and prepared for presentations together.

The founding mission, according to the ACLI web site, is to create programs to encourage cultural diversity and increase communication among countries in the Caribbean and “to advance the common interest of its members in the growth and development of the Caribbean Basin by facilitating collaborative relationships and by strengthening its legal development and institutions.”

ACLI is the brainchild of Professor John Knechtle, Florida Coastal School of Law.

Several schools across the Caribbean Basin and in the United States have joined the initiative.
The member schools to date are as follows:

  • Eugene Dupuch Law School, Nassau, Bahamas.
  • Florida Coastal School of Law, Jacksonville, Fla.
  • Howard University School of Law, Washington, D.C. (unable to attend this year)
  • Hugh Wooding Law School, Tunapuna, Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Norman Manley Law School, Kingston, Jamaica.
  • Nova Southeastern University Shepherd Broad Law Center, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
  • Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport, Fla.
  • Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Houston, Texas.

The ACLI and Stetson College of Law thank the Office of the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division for its invaluable contribution to the Nov. 3, 2006 American Caribbean Law Initiative Clinic.

To learn more, please visit: http://www.fcsl.edu/acli/.