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April 29- Stetson Law graduate to speak at bar induction ceremony

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Connie Davies recently learned that she earned one of the top scores on the recent Florida Bar Exam. The Stetson Law graduate also learned she will address her colleagues being sworn in as lawyers during the May 3 induction ceremony before the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland.

“We are excited to have her speak because she has been an intern at the 2nd DCA with Judge Darryl Casanueva,” said Chris W. Altenbernd, chief judge of the 2nd DCA. Judge Altenbernd said The Florida Supreme Court identifies the top scorers on the bar exam and notifies each district court of appeal, which selects the speaker.

Davies graduated second in her December class, received Stetson’s Stanley Milledge Award and interned at the 2nd DCA and at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, in Tampa.

Davies works at the Denis A. Cohrs P.A. law firm in Clearwater; the firm concentrates in the areas of real estate, corporations, estate planning, and commercial and construction litigation.

Prior to earning a law degree, Davies spent almost 20 years in the energy and telecom industries. Davies has a master’s in business administration from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, and a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

She will speak on behalf of the approximately 100 new inductees at the ceremony, set for 11 a.m. May 3 in the Florida Department of Citrus Auditorium in Lakeland, next to the Lawton M. Chiles Jr. Courthouse.

April 29- Stetson Law professor receives Fulbright Scholarship to teach in China

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson Law Professor Steve Everhart, who helped Stetson become one of the top law schools in America in the field of trial advocacy, has been selected for a Fulbright Scholarship to teach in China for the 2004-2005 academic year.

Professor Everhart, who holds a bachelor of arts in Asian studies, will teach civil and criminal law and procedure, evidence, trial advocacy and dispute resolution to Chinese judges, lawyers and law professors.

“Senator Fulbright was a great man and a hero to me growing up, and to go to China on a scholarship bearing his name to help the United States and China forge a dispute resolution system that will enhance the economic and political ties between our countries is a huge honor for me,” Professor Everhart said.

“But I have never achieved anything in my life except in conjunction with the help of others, and I couldn’t have gotten this honor without the help of my family, friends, colleagues, staff and students at Stetson, and of course my colleagues and students around the world. This honor is mine today, but it is theirs tomorrow and forever,” he said.

The Fulbright Program, America’s flagship international educational exchange activity, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the program’s purpose is to build mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries.

Fulbright Scholars are selected on a highly competitive basis for their academic or professional achievement and because they have demonstrated extraordinary leadership potential. Among Fulbright Scholar alumni are Nobel and Pulitzer prize winners, governors and senators, ambassadors and artists, prime ministers and heads of state, professors and scientists, Supreme Court justices, and CEOs. Two other members of the Stetson law faculty have served as Fulbright Scholars in recent years. The late Dean W. Gary Vause served in China, and Professor Peter L. Fitzgerald is currently a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

About Professor Steve Everhart

Professor Everhart has published articles dealing with civil and criminal trial advocacy and has won the Homer and Dolly Hand Award for Excellence in Faculty Scholarship at Stetson.

Professor Everhart is former chair of the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee of The Florida Bar (a committee that works directly with the Florida Supreme Court) and former chair of the Criminal Law Section of The Florida Bar

He is a former officer of many local civil and criminal trial bar associations. He has trained English barristers and Chinese judges, lawyers, law professors and students in this country. He also regularly trains law students and practicing lawyers around the nation in civil and criminal law, procedure and trial advocacy. Last summer he taught in Temple University James E. Beasely School of Law’s J.D. program and its China and graduate LL.M. advocacy programs.

April 27- Stetson Law student wins award for helping the poor

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law requires all students to complete 10 hours of legal pro bono service. Student Jerri Mitchell-Tharpe has put in more than 70 hours working with the Community Law Program. Inspired by the program’s work and the staff’s friendliness, Mitchell-Tharpe has spent two and a half hours each Tuesday and Thursday during the current semester in the program’s office.

For her efforts, Mitchell-Tharpe received a special award as the outstanding Stetson Law Student Volunteer from the program at its Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on April 15. The non-profit organization provides free legal services to thousands of low-income residents of Southern Pinellas County each year.

“Jerri has been a great asset to our program,” said Janet Herron, executive director of the Community Law Program. “We are so appreciative of Jerri’s outstanding contribution to our program.”

The program’s awards committee added the award this year to honor Mitchell-Tharpe’s contributions.

Mitchell-Tharpe, who graduates in December, worked with the program in the fall to complete her degree requirements and then offered to come back in the spring to help in any manner possible.

“I just wanted to help as much as I could,” she said.

April 16- Consumer fraud, identity theft, Medicaid and prescription drug issues to be reviewed at free Elder Consumer Forum at Stetson College of Law

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Elderly citizens will be able to get information on a variety of issues affecting their lives at a consumer forum at Stetson University College of Law at 1:30 p.m. May 4 in Stetson’s Great Hall.

Speakers from federal and state agencies and programs will speak on topics including Medicaid fraud, prescription drugs, identity theft, cyber-fraud and other consumer matters.

The program was created by Elder Law Faculty Chair and Director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law Rebecca Morgan and Consumer Protection Fellow Nick Cox.

“Consumer fraud is a growing problem, especially for our senior citizens. Learning more about these frauds and how to avoid being a victim is one important way seniors can protect themselves. This forum will give the members of the audience valuable information and tools to avoid becoming victims of a fraud,” Morgan said.

Other scheduled speakers include representatives from the Florida Office of Attorney General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and others.

The forum is one of a number of outreach efforts from Stetson. A national leader in the field of elder law, Morgan has spearheaded unique partnerships with the Attorney General’s Office, AARP and the legal community to increase public awareness of consumer fraud against senior citizens.

With a background of service in both the State Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General, Professor Cox has worked closely with state and federal agencies on educating the public and law enforcement personnel on consumer fraud issues.

Professors Morgan and Cox both have been named to Florida Trend magazine’s Legal Elite list to be published in July.

May has been declared “Elder Law Month” in Pinellas County by the Pinellas County Commissioners and nationally by the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, a professional association of attorneys concerned with improving the availability and delivery of legal services to older Americans.

RSVP by calling Stetson at (727) 562-7393.

April 14- Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist to speak at Stetson University College of Law’s spring commencement

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist will speak to graduates at Stetson University College of Law’s spring commencement at 9 a.m., May 15, in the College of Law’s outdoor courtyard.

Attorney General Crist has served the state of Florida in a number of positions. He spent six years as a Florida state senator, two as Florida’s education commissioner, two as deputy secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and he also served as state director for former U.S. Senator Connie Mack.

Stetson has worked closely with the Office of the Attorney General to fight consumer fraud and exploitation of the elderly through a number of programs. In December, Crist presented Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law with the final installment of $700,000 to support the College of Law’s statewide program to educate elderly residents to avoid fraud.

Stetson Law Dean Darby Dickerson said Crist’s efforts complement the goals of the College of Law and the values its faculty members try to instill in its graduates.

“General Crist has used his office to reach and protect those whom he serves, which should be the goal of all in the legal profession,” she said.

During the ceremony, 199 students are expected to receive their degrees, including eight who will receive the LL.M. (Master of Laws) degree in International Law and Business. Thirty-six students also will have earned both the juris doctor and master of business administration degrees from Stetson University College of Law and the Stetson University School of Business Administration.

Several students with interesting stories are among this graduating class:

Slade Dukes is one of three law students statewide selected to participate in the Attorney General’s Honors Program. Dukes will have the opportunity to work in the Attorney General’s Office for at least two years.

Garrett Pendleton spent nearly two years on Antarctica as an air traffic control technician for a defense contractor after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his time in Antarctica, Pendleton helped with several missions for emergency medical treatment for those on the continent.

Alvin Brown will receive his LL.M., Master of Law. He is the principal of Brown Security & Law Group P.A. Before opening his own firm, Brown was employed by the CIA as a security officer. His duties included providing executive protection to the Director of Central Intelligence. He also trained and served as an as an intelligence operations officer.

Alva Cross will receive the Vause Award, in honor of the late dean of the College of Law, Gary Vause. Ms. Cross will be moving to Jacksonville to practice labor and employment law.

Steve Morgan, a retired Marine Corps Colonel, won The Florida Bar’s Standing Committee on Professionalism Second Annual Essay Contest in August 2002. Morgan’s daughter graduated from Stetson University College of Law the year Morgan started law school.

April 12- Stetson University law students win prestigious national negotiation competition

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

Gulfport, Fla. – A Stetson University College of Law team won the Robert Merhige Jr. National Environmental Negotiation Competition at the University of Richmond School of Law in Virginia April 2-4.

The Stetson team of Misty Hale and Will Sunter took first place over finalists University of Richmond, Georgetown University and Regent University.

“I am so proud to have coached these teams and to have seen them represent Stetson with such professionalism and talent,” said Professor Kelly Feeley.

Twenty-two teams competed in the second annual competition. A second Stetson team of Lee Carr and Jason Turner also competed in the event.

April 6- Stetson University College of Law ranked second nationally for advocacy education

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

Gulfport, Fla. – U.S. News & World Report has ranked Stetson University College of Law the second-best school in the nation for trial advocacy training. Since the magazine started ranking law schools in 1995, Stetson has consistently ranked at or near the top for this specialty, placing first six of those years.

The rankings are based on nominations by legal educators at peer institutions.

“We at Stetson strive to provide the best faculty, facilities and learning environment possible,” said Dean Darby Dickerson. “Stetson is proud that this recognizes our role as a national leader for training trial lawyers.”

Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Advocacy emphasizes Stetson’s commitment to training in this specialty. “We have a long standing tradition of training students to be ethical, professional and successful advocates,” said Professor and Center Director, Roberta Flowers. “The Advocacy Center offers classes, internships and clinics that prepare students to negotiate all the intricacies of the advocate’s world.”

Stetson’s trial teams have won numerous awards at regional and national competitions this school year. Additionally, with the opening of the Tampa Law Center and Campus, students will have opportunities to observe and interact with the Tampa Branch of the Second District Court of Appeal, which shares the William Reece Smith Jr. Courtroom at the campus. This is one of only three locations nationwide where a working court and a law school share space.

April 5- Stetson University College of Law student elected to national ABA position

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law student Andrew Chiang was elected vice-chair of the American Bar Association Law Student Division, the second-highest position in the 50,000 member division.

Chiang was elected and sworn in as vice-chair elect at the national officers election in New Orleans March 27-28. He will officially take office at the ABA Annual Meeting in Atlanta Aug. 5-10.

As one of only four national officers in charge of the division, Chiang’s main duties will focus on membership.

“It is an incredible honor to be elected to such a position in a prestigious organization like the ABA, and I look forward to my term as vice-chair serving the law students of the country,” Chiang said.

Three Stetson students currently serve on the 22-member Board of Governors: 5th Circuit Governor Ashley Gay; outgoing Division Delegate Lauren Hosie and Chiang.

Stetson students hold myriad leadership positions with the ABA LSD including lieutenant governors of volunteer programs, membership and diversity, among others.

The American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership association in the world. With more than 400,000 members, the ABA provides law school accreditation, continuing legal education, information about the law, programs to assist lawyers and judges in their work, and initiatives to improve the legal system for the public.

April 5- Stetson Law student wins Best Oral Advocate in National Trial Competition

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law student Rena Upshaw-Frazier was named Best Oral Advocate and the team of Upshaw-Frazier and Julia Metts placed second in the National Trial Competition in Austin, Texas.Best Oral Advocate

With the award, Upshaw-Frazier will be invited to the national convention of the American College of Trial Lawyers, where she will speak to approximately 2,000 members in the fall.

The Stetson team of Upshaw-Frazier and Julia Metts went undefeated through three preliminary rounds and defeated Temple University and South Texas College of Law in the quarterfinals and the semifinals, respectively, to advance to the final round. There they were defeated by a team from the University of Houston in a close contest.

The top 28 teams from regional competitions around the nation participated in this event including two Stetson teams, which finished first and second in the southeast regional competition in February.

April 2- Best-selling author to speak at Stetson Law April 23

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Best-selling fiction author and Florida attorney Jilliane Hoffman will speak to the public and members of the Stetson community at noon, April 23, in Stetson’s Mann Lounge.

Hoffman’ s first novel, “Retribution,” involves a recent law graduate who endures a harrowing personal experience right before the bar exam and then faces a related ethical dilemma several years later.

The author served as an assistant state attorney and a regional legal advisor for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Her experiences inspired “Retribution.”

March 30- Stetson University College of Law students volunteer to help prepare taxes

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Most people try to avoid W-2s, 1040s or anything having to do with filing taxes. But for the last two months, 40 Stetson University College of Law students have volunteered their time to help low- to moderate-income individuals in Pinellas County find all the credits and deductions they deserve.

Stetson has partnered with a coalition of about 30 organizations including the Internal Revenue Service and the American Bar Association to educate tax filers about the earned income tax credit, to provide financial literacy training and for free tax preparation.

“This filing season, Stetson law students have prepared tax returns for hundreds of grateful people throughout St. Petersburg. The skills these students learned will last a long time, as will the memories of providing a needed service to so many,” said Michael DeWese, tax specialist with the IRS.

The College of Law’s efforts have been spearheaded by student Jeff Bauer, who directs the ABA Law Student Division’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for the 22 schools in the 5th Circuit. He recently received the division’s Certificate of Appreciation for his exceptional work with VITA programs.

“The VITA program is extraordinarily valuable,” Bauer said. “Low and moderate income taxpayers learn about significant tax credits which they would otherwise not likely understand or even know existed.”

The students will continue to volunteer a combined 60-70 hours a week until the April 15 filing deadline.

March 25- 13th Annual Stetson University College of Law 5K Law Run April 3 Run will benefit Community Law Program

Contact Aaron Reincheld
Communications Specialist
(727) 562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law’s 13th annual 5K Law Run, “The Esquire Flyer,” is set for Saturday, April 3, at the college’s Gulfport campus.

This year’s race, co-sponsored by the St. Petersburg Bar Association and the city of Gulfport, benefits the Community Law Program, which provides pro bono legal services to those in Pinellas County who are unable to afford representation. Last year the program helped nearly 1,500 low-income clients.

The race begins promptly at 9 a.m. at the start/finish location at Stetson University College of Law, 1401 61st St. S. Runners will travel the mile-long course around the local Gulfport neighborhood. The race will be followed by a pancake breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and the “fun run/walk” at 9:45 a.m. Pets are welcome to join the walk.

Entry fees for the run are $15 for pre-registration ($17 day of event) and $12 for the fun-run/walk ($15 day of event). Racers will receive a T-shirt, race packet and a free continental breakfast with pre-registration.

For more information call Stacy Elizondo or Jennifer Horton in Stetson’s Career Services office at (727) 562-7815.