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Stetson University College of Law Receives Major Gift from Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund, Inc.

Contact Aaron Reincheld
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law has received a gift of $250,000 from Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund, Inc. (The Fund). The gift establishes the Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund Professorship, which will support the research and teaching of a full-time Stetson Law professor in the area of real estate law. Professor James J. Brown is the first recipient of this honor. The endowment is one of five – totaling $1 million – that The Fund, the nation’s first Bar-related title insurance underwriter, is establishing at Florida-based law schools.

“Stetson is proud to partner with The Fund to further a legal topic so important to Florida attorneys and to honor Professor Brown and his work,” said Stetson Dean Darby Dickerson.

“As Florida’s first law school, Stetson has a long history of educating real estate attorneys. With this gift, we are carrying out The Fund’s mission to preserve and facilitate the practice of real estate law,” said Charles J. Kovaleski, president of The Fund. “Real estate drives Florida’s economy. This endowment represents reinvestment in the legal foundation on which that critical piece of Florida’s economy stands.”

Professor Brown, a law professor of 35 years, is a 26-year member of the Florida Bar and its Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section. He has been an active legal scholar, author, lecturer, teacher and consultant on property, real estate, land use planning, environment, local government and alternative dispute resolution. He was the editor of the original two-volume treatise, Florida Environmental and Land Use Law for more than 10 years. He has served in many legal organizations, including the Florida Governor’s Advisory Committee on Secret Land Trusts.

This gift is the latest in The Fund’s commitment to enhancing the practice of real estate law. For four decades, The Fund has provided preeminent law schools with annual funds to promote real property education. Beyond the more than $16,000 in curriculum grants that The Fund has provided to Stetson over the past 19 years, The Fund conducts an annual law student awards competition that is open to law students across the state.

In addition to The Fund’s expansive continuing education program for real estate attorneys, the company conducts a title examination workshop for students at law schools across Florida. The workshop provides students with the methods to help them accurately examine titles in an orderly and effective manner. It also helps them easily identify problems to look for when issuing title insurance as a real estate attorney.

About Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund, Inc. (The Fund)
Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund, Inc., Florida’s leading title insurance underwriter and title information provider, is in business to preserve and facilitate the real estate practices of its members and their protection of the public. As the nation’s first Bar-related ® title insurance underwriter, The Fund has been providing extensive support for the real estate practices of Florida attorneys since 1948.

The Fund is an industry leader in service, being the first to offer a title information Quality & Service Guarantee. The Fund offers quality, competitive and innovative products, services and education, including Florida’s most comprehensive, on-line title information system and DoubleTime ®, a revolutionary real estate closing software package. For more information, visit http://www.thefund.com.

About Stetson University College of Law
Stetson University College of Law is Florida’s first law school. It has educated lawyers for more than a century and offers continuing legal education programs for regional, national and international audiences. Stetson is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top law schools in the United States for advocacy training and is the headquarters for the National Conference of Law Reviews. For more information visit
http://www.law.stetson.edu.

Forensic medical expert to speak at Stetson Law

Contact Aaron Reincheld
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law at Stetson University College of Law is sponsoring a lecture and presentation by forensic expert Dr. Cyril H. Wecht at noon Feb. 11, in the Great Hall of Stetson’s Gulfport campus. The presentation, “Forensic medicine odyssey: From the Kennedy assassination to the Scott Peterson case,” is free and open to the public.

Dr. Wecht’s books include “Cause of Death,” “Grave Secrets,” “Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?” and “Mortal Evidence.” He has also authored more than 475 professional publications. He has appeared as a guest on numerous national television and radio shows discussing various medicolegal and forensic scientific subjects, including medical malpractice; alcohol and drug abuse; and prominent legal cases assassinations.

Certified by the American Board of Pathology in anatomic, clinical and forensic pathology, Dr. Wecht is a fellow of the College of American Pathologists, American Society of Clinical Pathologists and National Association of Medical Examiners. He is a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh Schools of Medicine, Dental Medicine and Public Health; an adjunct professor at Duquesne University Schools of Law, Pharmacy and Health Sciences; a distinguished professor at Carlow College; and chairman of the advisory board of the Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law at Duquesne University School of Law.

He has served as president of the American College of Legal Medicine and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and as chairman of the boards of trustees of the American Board of Legal Medicine and the American College of Legal Medicine Foundation.

For more information, contact the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law at (727) 562-7316.

International business expert on panel to resolve trade dispute

Contact Aaron Reincheld
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law Professor Peter Fitzgerald has been appointed to a North American Free Trade Agreement bi-national panel that will help solve a trade dispute between the United States and Mexico.

Fitzgerald is one of two Americans on a five-judge panel considering a Mexican challenge to the U.S. Commerce Department’s continued anti-dumping duties on Mexican goods for the oil industry. Anti-dumping duties are special taxes on imports sold below cost.

“Pricing imports below cost – dumping – is regarded as an unfair trade practice because it potentially harms the ability of domestic producers in the U.S. to compete with the importers in the marketplace,” Fitzgerald said. “The government therefore imposes these special import duties to bring the cost of the foreign goods to a U.S. purchaser up to a normal market price.”

Stetson students Stanley K. Kinnett and Casey G. Reeder will serve as Professor Fitzgerald’s assistants with the case.

Panels of this type provide a substitute for review by national courts of trade disputes involving anti-dumping or countervailing duties. The United States has been involved in more than 60 such cases since NAFTA was created in 1994.

Fitzgerald was appointed to the position by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Secretariado del TLCAN Sección Mexicana. This is his second appointment to a NAFTA Chapter 19 bi-national panel. In 2002, he was part of a panel that dealt with a Canadian challenge to anti-dumping duties imposed on American household appliances imported into Canada.

Among his other honors and recognitions, Fitzgerald served as a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar and visiting research fellow at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland last year.

More information on Professor Fitzgerald can be found  here.

Judge Stringer Youth Pre-Law Conference scheduled at Stetson University College of Law

Contact Frank Klim
Executive Director of Communications
727-562-7889

Gulfport, Fla. – The Judge Thomas Stringer Youth Pre-Law Conference will honor the achievements of the first black graduate of Stetson University College of Law and encourage minority students to pursue higher education and the legal profession. The program is set to begin at 10 a.m. Feb. 4 in the Carey and Florin Courtroom of Stetson’s Gulfport campus.

Stetson has teamed with local high schools for the conference to mark National Minority Law Student Recruitment Month.

“Stetson University College of Law is committed to increasing opportunity for students of all backgrounds to pursue the dream of a legal education. We are working hard to increase the number of people from underrepresented minority groups in its student body,” said Assistant Dean of Admissions Pamela Coleman. “We want to send a strong message that they are encouraged to attend law school.”

During the conference, Stetson deans, professors and students will tell visitors about the experience of entering law school. There will be a mock trial led by Stetson’s nationally ranked trial team.

Judge Thomas E. Stringer Sr. will speak to the students. Stringer graduated from Stetson in 1974. After graduation, Stringer served in private practice, the Hillsborough County Court and the 13th Judicial Circuit Court. Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Judge Stringer to Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal in 1999.

The day is sponsored by the Admissions Office, the Stetson chapters of the Black Law Students Association, Hispanic Bar Association and American Bar Association. National Minority Law Recruitment Month is funded with a grant from the Law School Admission Council to raise awareness of minority recruiting issues facing law schools.

Free seminars to help protect Miami-area elder consumers from scams and fraud

Contact Aaron Reincheld
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law’s Elder Consumer Protection Program will warn Miami-area elderly citizens about the dangers of identity theft and home services fraud at two free consumer protection presentations in January.

Stetson Elder Consumer Protection Fellow Bronwyn Stanford will speak Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. at Boynton Beach Senior Center and on Jan. 19 at noon at Ruth Rales Senior Center in Miami.

The seminars are part of Stetson’s statewide Elder Consumer Protection Program, which is headed by Stetson’s Elder Law Chair Rebecca Morgan. The program began with a successful seminar series around the Tampa Bay area and will continue around the state in the coming months with sessions on different types of fraud.

“Over and over we hear stories about unscrupulous individuals posing as legitimate service repair providers who then take a large amount of money for no work or shoddy work,” Morgan said. “It is important for seniors to know how to find a legitimate service repair company and how to protect themselves from these service scams.”

Stanford, a former prosecutor, will present warnings on services fraud, which includes lawn care, air conditioning repairs, appliance repairs or any home service that a person may need.

Funding for these programs was provided in part by the Administration on Aging, and the presentations are part of Stetson’s work under a federal grant to educate the elderly on consumer fraud prevention. Stetson, a national leader in the field of elder law, has partnered with the Florida Attorney General’s Office, AARP and the legal community to increase public awareness of consumer fraud against senior citizens.

To suggest a location or for information on scheduling additional consumer protection seminars, please call 727-562-7800 ext. 7235.

Stetson Law program to warn about dangers of home services fraud

Contact Aaron Reincheld
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law’s Elder Consumer Protection Program will warn area elderly citizens about the dangers home services fraud and other scams at a free consumer protection forum Jan. 20 at Stetson’s Gulfport campus.

The session is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. in the Great Hall and will include representatives of the U.S. Postal Service, the St. Petersburg Times and Stetson Law. The forum is part of Stetson’s statewide Elder Consumer Protection Program, which is headed by Stetson’s Elder Law Chair Rebecca Morgan. The program will travel around the state in the coming months with sessions on different types of fraud.

“Everyone has needed a repair person at one time or another,” Morgan said. “There are some unscrupulous individuals who will pass themselves off as legitimate when in fact they will take your money without doing the work or do substandard work. It is important to know a few simple steps to take to protect yourself from such scams.”

Stetson’s Elder Consumer Protection Fellow Bronwyn Stanford, a former prosecutor, will lead the event with warnings on services fraud, which includes lawn care, air conditioning repairs, appliance repairs or any home service that a person may need. Representatives of the Florida Department of Financial Services and Seniors vs. Crime will also speak. The presenters also will speak on mail fraud and what to do to if a person falls victim to these types of scams.

Funding for the program was provided in part by the Administration on Aging, and the presentations are part of Stetson’s work under a federal grant to educate the elderly on consumer fraud prevention. Stetson, a national leader in the field of elder law, has partnered with the Florida Attorney General’s Office, AARP and the legal community to increase public awareness of consumer fraud against senior citizens.

For more information call Stetson’s Consumer Protection Program at 727-562-7800 ext. 7235.

Chief Defense Department treaty negotiator to speak at Stetson Law

Contact Aaron Reincheld
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – Col. Guy Roberts, U.S. Marines (Ret.), acting deputy assistant secretary of defense and principal director of negotiations policy for the Department of Defense, will speak at Stetson University College of Law at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 18. Col. Roberts will address the Proliferation Security Initiative, a top priority of the current Bush administration.

As deputy head of the U.S. Delegation to the Biological Weapons Convention, Col. Roberts is involved with formulating national policies for nuclear, biological, chemical and conventional arms control negotiations and halting the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. He also oversees defense department participation in obtaining agreements to ensure U.S. nationals are not subject to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

Col. Roberts served as associate counsel for arms control in the Department of the Navy and is a former Joint Staff representative to both biological warfare and nuclear arms and disarmament issues at the United Nations, the Conference on Disarmament and the International Atomic Energy Agency. He has negotiated a number of arms agreements, and one of his current projects is the International Bio Warfare Convention.

Col. Roberts had a distinguished 25-year career with the Marine Corps serving in a variety of military and legal positions before retiring with the rank of Colonel. These included service as a platoon and company commander, prosecutor and defense attorney, claims officer and legal adviser on diverse international law issues.

The speech is free and open to the public. For more information contact Stetson’s Office for Graduate and International Programs at 727-562-7849.

Free seminars in Jacksonville area to help protect elder consumers from scams and fraud

Contact Aaron Reincheld
Communications Specialist
727-562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law’s Elder Consumer Protection Program will warn Jacksonville-area elderly citizens about the dangers of identity theft and home services fraud at several free consumer protection presentations in January.

The seminars are part of Stetson’s statewide Elder Consumer Protection Program, which is headed by Stetson’s Elder Law Chair Rebecca Morgan. The program began with a successful seminar series around the Tampa Bay area and will continue around the state in the coming months with sessions on different types of fraud.

“Over and over we hear stories about unscrupulous individuals posing as legitimate service repair providers who then take a large amount of money for no work or shoddy work,” Morgan said. “It is important for seniors to know how to find a legitimate service repair company and how to protect themselves from these service scams.”

Stetson’s Elder Consumer Protection Fellow Nick Cox will present warnings on services fraud, which includes lawn care, air conditioning repairs, appliance repairs or any home service that a person may need.

With experience in both the Office of the Florida Attorney General and the State Attorney’s Office, Cox has worked closely with state and federal agencies to educate citizens and law enforcement personnel on consumer fraud issues.

Cox will speak at the following senior centers:

  • Jan. 17, 10:30 a.m., Coastal Community Center, St. John’s County Center on Aging, St. Augustine
  • Jan. 20, 10:30 a.m., Mary Singleton Senior Center, Jacksonville (The city of Jacksonville will transport seniors from several surrounding centers for this presentation.)
  • Jan. 24, 11 a.m., Oceanway Senior Center, Jacksonville
  • Jan. 25, 11 a.m., Hammond Community Center, Jacksonville
  • Jan. 27, 11 a.m., Jacksonville Beaches Senior Center, South Jacksonville Beach

Funding for these programs was provided in part by the Administration on Aging, and the presentations are part of Stetson’s work under a federal grant to educate the elderly on consumer fraud prevention. Stetson, a national leader in the field of elder law, has partnered with the Florida Attorney General’s Office, AARP and the legal community to increase public awareness of consumer fraud against senior citizens.

To suggest a location or for information on scheduling additional consumer protection seminars, please call 727-562-7800 ext. 7235.

Stetson Law postpones “Stolen Childhoods” film screening

Contact Davina Gould
Associate Director of Communications
727-562-7346

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law’s screening of the documentary “Stolen Childhoods,” originally scheduled for Jan. 14, has been postponed to a later date. New details on the screening will be announced when they become available.

Stetson Law professor confirmed as federal judge

Contact Frank Klim
Executive Director of Communications
727-562-7889

Gulfport, Fla. – The U.S. Senate and President George W. Bush confirmed the appointment of Stetson University College of Law Professor Robert N. Davis to a 15-year term as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Davis will be one of seven judges. The nomination was formally confirmed Nov. 20. President Bush nominated Davis March 25, 2003. The nomination went through the Senate Committee Hearing process and the Veterans Affairs Committee April 1, 2004.

“This judicial appointment is without a doubt an honor for me,” Davis said. “I am excited about the opportunity to decide cases that have a major impact on a significant population of veterans who have proudly served our nation. I am also pleased that this confirmation occurred during my tenure as a faculty member at Stetson. While I am looking forward to the challenges of the judiciary, I am disappointed that I will be leaving my full-time teaching duties at this very fine law school.”

A local swearing in ceremony is planned for early February.

Professor Davis joined Stetson Law in 2001. He teaches and frequently provides legal analysis to news media on national security, terrorism and constitutional issues. He also served in the U.S. Navy Reserves Joint Intelligence Directorate at MacDill Airforce Base in Tampa. With extensive experience as an arbitrator and mediator with the American Arbitration Association, he is a mediator with the U.S. Postal Service and has been an arbitration panel member with the U.S. Olympic Committee.

He practiced as a government attorney for 10 years with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the U.S. Department of Education. Professor Davis also briefly served as a special assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia.

Professor Davis previously taught at many law schools and summer programs and spent 13 years on the law faculty at the University of Mississippi. He is the founder of the Journal of National Security Law. Professor Davis graduated from the University of Hartford and the Georgetown University Law Center.

December 20- Stetson Law promotes admissions administrator

Contact Aaron Reincheld
Communications Specialist
(727) 562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law is proud to announce the promotion of Laura Zuppo from assistant director of admissions to associate director of admissions. In this role, Zuppo travels extensively for Stetson, coordinates many on-campus recruiting events and is a member of the Law School Admission Council Admit-M Advisory Board.