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March 19- Stetson Law to present international bankruptcy symposium June 15-18 in Canada

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law will present its fourth International Bankruptcy Symposium June 15-18 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The event is chaired by Chief Judge Emeritus Alexander L. Paskay of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Tampa, Fla., who also serves as a Stetson adjunct professor.

The conference is designed for U.S. judges and attorneys to meet with their Canadian counterparts to discuss a variety of topics of international interest, including an overview of the Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency as adopted by Uncitral, current Chapter 11 issues with international implications and current developments in international insolvencies and reorganizations.

In previous years, the symposium has taken place in Varenna, Italy, and Budapest, Hungary. These programs have provided an opportunity for combining education, collegiality and entertainment with peers, friends and family in an international setting.

A number of Canadian and American bankruptcy judges and attorneys from Montreal, Toronto, Washington, D.C., and Florida will speak during the symposium. All are regarded as experts in their various insolvency/bankruptcy practices and have contributed to numerous publications and seminars.

In addition to the International Bankruptcy Symposium, Stetson has presented an annual U.S. bankruptcy seminar in Tampa Bay for the past 28 years. Past attendees and national leaders in bankruptcy law have characterized the Stetson conference as the premier conference on bankruptcy in the nation.

To register for the conference please call the Office for Continuing Legal Education at

(727) 562-7830 or visit the CLE Web site at: http://www.law.stetson.edu/cle.

March 18- Stetson Law announces new assistant director of career services

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law students have a fresh resource to help in the tough task of finding a job – new Assistant Director of Career Services Mercedes Pino.

Pino, a 2002 Stetson Law graduate, worked in the Career Services Office while a Stetson student. Before returning to the College of Law, Pino worked as an assistant state attorney in the 11th Circuit’s domestic violence unit. She remains a member of the Florida Bar.

“I am thrilled that Mercedes has joined the Career Services Office staff,” said Catherine Fitch, director of career services. “Her knowledge of the South Florida legal market will be invaluable to our placement efforts.”

Pino will assist students with resume and cover letter preparation and discuss general matters relating to their job searches while in school and following graduation.

While attending the College of Law, Pino served Stetson as Chief Ambassador, and as a member and officer in several student organizations. She received the prestigious Dean’s Award at graduation.

March 17- Stetson Law moot court team wins award at national competition

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law moot court teams continued their outstanding run in competitions at the recent Robert F. Wagner National Labor and Employment Law Moot Court Competition in New York City.

Stetson’s labor and employment law moot court team won the best brief award and advanced to the semifinals. More than 40 schools from across the country competed in this event, one of the largest of its kind.

The team consisted of students Mary Clapp, Chrysi Pejot and Ashley Gay. Stetson professor Jennifer Anglim coached the team.

“I would like to express my overwhelming pride in our moot court board this year,” said Stetson professor and moot court adviser Stephanie Vaughan. “We have won several best brief awards, several best oralist awards and placed in the top three overall teams in virtually every competition we’ve entered since June.”

After defeating Florida Coastal, Stetson defeated Loyola Chicago in the quarterfinal round and advanced to the semifinals before losing to Pepperdine.

In recent weeks, Stetson moot court teams placed near the top and won awards in the Judge Conrad B. Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition, the American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition and the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.

March 17- Stetson University College of Law promotes three to dean positions

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law is proud to announce the promotions of three faculty members to dean positions.

Royal C. Gardner is the new Vice Dean, and Professor John F. Cooper is Associate Dean for International and Cooperative Programs. Professor Theresa Pulley Radwan will serve as Associate Dean of Academics, effective in July.

“I have thought a lot about these decisions, and I am excited to have assembled such a talented and dynamic group,” said Stetson Dean Darby Dickerson.

The three new deans join Tampa Campus Associate Dean Jan Majewski, Associate Dean of Students Phebe Kerr and Assistant Dean of Admissions Pamela Coleman, whose duties will remain the same.

Vice Dean Gardner joined the Stetson Law faculty in 1994 after working for the Army General Counsel’s office and the Department of Defense. He was appointed Associate Dean in August 2001. His title change to Vice Dean took place March 1, and his change in responsibilities will occur in July.

Associate Dean Cooper joined the Stetson Law faculty in 1985. He has served as Interim Director of International and Graduate Programs since August. Dean Cooper is the author of several books on taxation and Florida Constitutional law.

Professor Radwan joined the Stetson faculty in 2001. Before joining Stetson, Professor Radwan practiced with the firm of Thompson, Hine & Flory LLP in Cleveland, Ohio, and taught at Case Western Reserve University School of Law and at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

March 11- Stetson Law moot court teams place near top in two competitions Bankruptcy Moot Court wins award for best brief

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law moot court teams had two strong finishes and won top awards in recent competitions.

The Bankruptcy Moot Court team placed third and received awards for the best brief and best oral advocate runner-up at the 12th Annual Judge Conrad B. Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition at St. John’s University College of Law in Queens New York, the only competition of its kind in the country.

Stetson’s team consisted of Leslie Case, Sabine Neumann and Eric Page, who received the oral advocate honor.

“They represented Stetson well, and we should be very proud of their success,” said Stetson Professor Theresa Radwan, who coached the team.

Stetson’s Civil Rights Moot Court team placed second in the National Civil Rights Moot Court Competition in Minneapolis, sponsored by the University of Minnesota Law School.

Stetson’s team of Christine Jalbert and Koinonia Martin Givens went undefeated for six rounds of arguments to advance to the final round, where they were defeated by a team from Brigham Young University. The competition drew teams from 39 schools from across the country.

“We now have the reputation as being the team to beat,” said Stetson Professor Ann Piccard.

March 11- Stetson Law student elected 5th Circuit Governor of ABA Law Student Division

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law student Ashley Gay was elected governor of the 5th Circuit of the American Bar Association Law Student Division at the group’s spring meeting. With Gay’s election, the last four 5th Circuit governors have been Stetson students.

“I am truly very honored to have been elected by the 5th Circuit to represent the schools in Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Puerto Rico,” Gay said. “As governor, I want to work with the student leaders of the circuit to continue maintaining and developing the strength and unity that we currently have.”

Ashley replaces outgoing 5th Circuit Governor Edwin Valen, also a Stetson student.

“Ashley’s election to this position reflects Stetson’s exceptional involvement and presence in the American Bar Association, as well as the confidence southeastern law students have in her ability to represent them to the National Board of Governors,” Valen said.

Also at the spring meeting, Stetson swept membership awards given by the ABA Law Student Division. The awards were for overall membership, most improved membership and overall highest percentage membership.

Stetson students received some individual honors as well. Marisa Davies was awarded the Silver Key by the ABA/LSD for her work as executive lt. governor for the 2003-2004 year and Jeff Bauer was awarded the division’s Certificate of Appreciation for his exceptional work as lt. governor of Voluntary Income Tax Assistance for the 2003-2004 year.

March 10- ABA national competition at Stetson Law March 12-13

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

Gulfport, Fla. – For the second consecutive year, the American Bar Association Law Student Division’s client counseling national champion will be crowned at Stetson University College of Law during the National Client Counseling Competition, March 12-13.

The top 15 teams from schools as far away as Hawaii, Washington and British Columbia will face-off in four rounds of competition Saturday. The national champion will go on to compete at the International Client Counseling Competition in Glasgow, Scotland, later this spring.

“It is an honor that Stetson has hosted three international or national client counseling competitions within the past three years,” said Professor Kelly Feeley.

Students from approximately 100 law schools from around the country and Canada participated in 12 regional competitions last month. The regional winners advanced to compete at Stetson.

The events will kick off Friday night with a reception and an awards banquet in Stetson’s Great Hall.

Since its inception in 1969, the National Client Counseling Competition has prepared law students for situations they will encounter when they begin to practice their profession. It focuses on teaching students to ask the right questions, build a rapport with the client and advise the client on legal options and the likelihood of success.

The competition simulates a law office consultation in which law students, acting as attorneys, are faced with a client situation. The students conduct an interview with a person acting as the client and then explain how they would move forward with the hypothetical situation.

March 4- Stetson Law dedicates new Tampa Law Center and Campus

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law recently dedicated its new Tampa Law Center and Campus. Dignitaries, members of the judiciary and local public officials were on hand for the event.

“This is a significant milestone in the history of our law school and the city of Tampa,” said Dean Darby Dickerson. “The Tampa campus will create invaluable opportunities for our students and will be a great resource to the Tampa Bay legal community.”

Stetson University President H. Douglas Lee thanked the city of Tampa for its assistance with the project and for what it means to potential law students.

“The College of Law is committing its financial and professional resources to enhance legal education and services for the people of Tampa, our state and the nation.” Lee said. “Stetson University will now be sharing in selected ways the resources of each of our colleges at four geographic locations – DeLand, Celebration, Gulfport/St. Petersburg and now our crowning jewel – Tampa.”

The Tampa Law Center and Campus opened for classes Jan. 15. Located at 1700 N. Tampa St., just off Interstate 275, it is the first law school in Tampa. Approximately 130 students have classes in Tampa during the spring semester.

The Stetson Law Center and Campus will be a major hub for legal activity in downtown Tampa and will house evening law classes, the Tampa branch of the Florida Second District Court of Appeal and continuing legal education programs. This unique combination makes the William Reece Smith Jr. Courtroom only the third location in the country and the first in Florida where a law school and sitting court will share space.

“Stetson continues to be a pioneer in the legal community by opening this beautiful campus. It’s been educating lawyers for more than a century and has now honored Tampa with its first law and Florida with its first teaching courtroom,” said Miles A. McGrane III, president of The Florida Bar. “I look forward to seeing this campus and its students grow and prosper.”

Included in the festivities was a special dedication of the W. Gary Vause Atrium, commemorating the work of late Stetson Dean W. Gary Vause who spearheaded the design and construction of the Tampa campus.

The three-story, 73,500-square-foot building reflects the same Spanish-Mediterranean architecture of Stetson’s Gulfport campus, including a tower that overlooks downtown Tampa.

“The Tampa Law Center and Campus is more than just a law classroom,” said Jan Majewski, Tampa campus associate dean. “This will become the epicenter for the Tampa Bay legal community to meet, learn and work.”

The first and second floors house classrooms, a state-of-the-art courtroom, a law library and other law school space. The third floor contains chambers and offices for the Florida Second District Court of Appeal. The general contractor is Angle & Schmid and the architectural firm is FleischmanGarcia.

For information on attending classes at the Stetson University College of Law’s Tampa Law Center and Campus, contact the Admissions Office at (727) 562-7802 or [email protected].

For high-resolution photos of the event visit: http://www.law.stetson.edu/Communications/dedication.asp

March 4- Celebrated forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee to speak March 15 at Stetson Law

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Forensic science expert Dr. Henry Lee, internationally known for his work in the O.J. Simpson trial, will speak at noon Monday, Mar. 15, in Stetson University College of Law’s Great Hall. His speech, “New Advances in Forensic Science,” is free and open to the public.

Dr. Lee’s appearance is a presentation of Stetson’s National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law.

“Having such a leader in the world of forensic science come to campus is a privilege,” said Carol Henderson, clearinghouse director and Stetson professor. “This is an incredible opportunity for our students to learn from one of the top minds in the field.”

Dr. Lee has assisted law enforcement agencies worldwide with thousands of investigations, including high-profile cases such as the murder of Jon Benet Ramsey and the 1993 suicide of White House Counsel Vincent Foster. He also has testified as an expert witness in many investigations and court cases.

An editor for several academic journals, Dr. Lee is widely published as an author of books and professional journal articles. He has instructed at more than 800 workshops and seminars.

Dr. Lee is Chief Emeritus for the Connecticut State Police and is a professor and the founder of the forensic science program at the University of New Haven.

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

March 3- Hundreds to compete national mock trial tournament at Stetson Law March 5-7

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

Gulfport, Fla. – Mock trial teams from colleges and universities nationwide have fought to earn a chance to compete in the American Mock Trial Association’s National Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament March 5-7 at Stetson University College of Law.

More than 450 undergraduate college students comprising 46 teams from 40 different institutions are expected to participate. Competitions will take place at the Gulfport campus of Stetson Law and the Circuit Civil Courtroom in downtown St. Petersburg. Local judges and attorneys will judge the trials.

“Stetson, as the top advocacy law school in the country, is thrilled to be hosting this superb collegiate advocacy competition,” said Dean Darby Dickerson. “We are glad to see so many students interested in this area and working hard to hone their skills.”

There are four rounds of competition, with one taking place Friday night, two Saturday and the final round is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Stetson. Concurrent with the finals, there will be an All-American Honors round. The top four teams from this tournament advance to the national championships in April in Des Moines, Iowa.

March 2- Stetson Law seeks nominations for the 2004 Wm. Reece Smith Jr. Public Service Award

Contact Aaron Reincheld
Communications Specialist
(727) 562-7381

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law is seeking nominations for the 2004 William Reece Smith Jr. Public Service Award. The award will be presented at the law school’s spring graduation events. The deadline for nominations is Monday, March 29.

“Wm. Reece Smith has dedicated his professional career to public service and access to justice, and this award in his honor recognizes individuals who have given their time and talents to help others and to improve their communities and the justice system,” said Dean Darby Dickerson.

William Reece Smith Jr., the award’s namesake and its first recipient, is the past president of the American, International and Florida bar associations. His relationship with Stetson Law began in the 1950s, and he has taught as a distinguished professorial lecturer since 1991.

Stetson University College of Law recently dedicated the William Reece Smith Jr. Courtroom at the new Tampa Law Center and Campus. The state-of-the-art courtroom serves as a classroom and training area for Stetson students and also houses oral arguments for the Florida Second District Court of Appeal Tampa Branch.
Nominations should be sent to Dean Darby Dickerson, Stetson University College of Law, 1401 61st St. S., Gulfport, FL 33707.

February 23- Stetson Law trial team wins regional ATLA trial competition Team advances to national competition in March

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

Gulfport, Fla. – The Stetson University College of Law trial team won the Association of Trial Lawyers of America’s Regional Student Trial Advocacy Competition in Jacksonville, Fla., Feb. 19-22. With the victory, the team advances to the national competition Mar. 11-13 in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The Stetson team of Nicole Deese, Joel Elsea, Chris Hersem and Shawn McMillen defeated a team from the University of Georgia in the finals. The team went undefeated in the competition through three preliminary rounds and won against a University of Florida team in the semifinals. Sixteen teams from Florida, Georgia and Texas participated in the competition.

A second Stetson team consisting of students Meredith McCall, Slade Dukes, Steven Kay and Sheetal Brahmbhatt also went undefeated in preliminary rounds before facing off against the University of Georgia team in the semifinals.

Trial team graduate Creighton Shafer ’98 coached Stetson’s teams, who were also accompanied by advisor and Stetson Law Professor Pamela Bell.

“I am extremely proud of all the students who competed in the ATLA Regional competition,” Bell said. “They were all extremely professional and represented Stetson well. The final round was tough, but in the end, their skill and conduct made it evident they were the best team. We look forward to the challenges presented in the national competition.”

This victory continued a string of recent success. Stetson trial teams finished first and second in the southeast regionals of the National Trial Competition earlier this month, won The Florida Bar Chester Bedell Memorial Mock Trial Competition last month and finished first and second in the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers’ Honorable E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition in November.