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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.

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.