News Archives - Page 15 of 138

ALI Names Prof. Virelli Among Its Newest Members

Known for his engaging teaching style and influential scholarship on judicial ethics, Law Professor Louis Virelli III is generous with his time when it comes to bettering his profession.

The legal profession’s thought leaders have taken notice. The American Law Institute has named Virelli among its latest inductees. Consisting of law professors, practicing attorneys, judges, government officials, and others, the ALI’s mission is critical to civil law in the U.S. The group’s members work to shape, clarify, and modernize laws to reflect society and culture.

To join ALI, prospective members must first be nominated by their peers, then elected to the group.

“I am thrilled to have been elected to the ALI,” Virelli said. “I am exceedingly grateful that my peers were willing to support my candidacy and honored to be part of such a venerable institution. I am looking forward to contributing in any way I can to the ALI’s mission, especially in its work on government ethics.”

A robust Stetson Law presence

Virelli joins several Stetson Law faculty members who are part of ALI, including Professor Ellen Podgor, who was awarded a prestigious Life Membership in 2022, as well as Interim Dean Theresa Pulley Radwan, Professors Kristen Adams, Rebecca Morgan, Luz Nagle, and Candace Zierdt, and Professor Emerita Liz Moody, who is also an ALI Life Member.

Law Professor Ellen Podgor smiles in front of the library. — Law Professor Ellen Podgor, an expert in white collar crime

“Professor Virelli will be a welcome addition to the American Law Institute, as he offers expertise in administrative law, constitutional law, and judicial recusal, all important areas for law reform work,” Podgor said of her colleague.

Interim Dean Radwan said Virelli’s rigorous scholarship and ability to convey complex legal concepts with clarity and conciseness make him an ideal fit for ALI.

“At Stetson Law, we place profound importance on demonstrating how the scholarly and philosophical underpinnings of American jurisprudence inform public policy and the legal profession itself – and this is something at which Professor Virelli truly excels,” she said. “I look forward to seeing what he brings to ALI’s vital work in his new role.”

Critical work, important milestone

The news comes at an exciting time for the institute – both in terms of major milestones and the current state of political discourse.

“In 2023, ALI will celebrate its 100th anniversary,” said ALI President David F. Levi. “We are moving into our second century at a time when the United States is divided on many issues and many Americans are skeptical of all institutions, including our courts and legal system.”

The current climate makes ALI’s work even more critical, Levi added, and new members will be essential to that work.

“It is only through the efforts of our talented, diverse, and dedicated membership body that we may continue our work protecting and preserving the rule of law,” he said. “I look forward to our new members joining us in our mission as we look ahead to our second century.”

Learn more about ALI’s most recently elected members.

Year in Review: 10 Ways Stetson Law Triumphed in 2022

With 2023 on the horizon, it is safe to say 2022 was an incredible year for Stetson Law. It wasn’t just ranking near the top in key U.S. News & World Report areas, having one of Florida’s highest bar passage rates, or earning the college’s third INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine HEED Award in a row.

1. Prolific Writing & Publishing

Stetson Law Student Michael Harrington holds a plaque recognizing his winning essay at a GRAMMY week event. — Law Student Michael Harrigan

With such an incredible legal writing program at Stetson Law, it’s no wonder students wrote and published award-winning pieces, including:

2L Michael Harrigan’s winning paper on the impact of NFTs on copyright law, which he submitted to the American Bar Association’s Entertainment Law Initiative Writing Contest, a competition held in April in association with the GRAMMYs.
2L Brooke Cleary’s essay on the legal implications of sea-level rise, which won a Florida Bar Environmental Land Use Law Section competition in September.
3L Kyle Ridgeway’s paper on federal funding inequities for Black farmers, which was chosen for publication by the UC Davis Social Justice Law Review.
3L Logan Jackson’s paper on reproductive care inequities, which won first place in contest organized by If/When/How, the Center for Reproductive Rights and Justice at UC Berkeley School of Law, and the Center for Reproductive Rights.

2. Compelling Conversations on Campus

Professor Catherin Smith gives a spirited discussion — Scholar Catherine Smith

Throughout the year, the Stetson Law community enjoyed enlightening conversations with nationally known scholars, community leaders, and accomplished alumni. Among the most notable speakers in 2022:

Renowned legal scholar Jules Coleman.
Judge Timothy Walmsley.
A panel of judges that included Florida Supreme Court Justice John D. Couriel.
Alumna and Center for Biological Diversity Florida Director Elise Bennett.
Poet and literary critic Stephanie Burt.
Legal Scholar Catherine Smith.

3. Popular In-Person Conferences & Events Returned

Law Professor Peter Lake speaks at a conference — Law Professor Peter Lake, Charles A. Dana Chair and Director, Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy

As in-person events returned in 2022, Stetson Law was thrilled to invite colleagues back to industry-leading events like the 43^rd Annual National Conference on Law & Higher Ed, the International Environmental Moot Court Competition, the Educating Advocacy Teacher Conference (EATS), and the National Conference on Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts.

4. Winning Performances at National Competitions

Once again, Stetson Law students dominated the national moot court scene. From yet another sweep of the Florida Bar Association International Law Section’s Richard DeWitt Memorial Vis Pre-Moot in Miami to a “double-double” at the Robert Orseck Memorial Moot Court Competition at the Florida Bar’s Annual conference in Orlando, Stetson Law’s amazing competitors helped bring the college’s national championship tally to a whopping 86. See more competition stats.

5. Faculty Recognition & Leadership

Law Professor Rebecca Morgan

Throughout the year, pioneering Stetson Law faculty members saw national recognition:

The American Law Institute named Law Professor Ellen Podgor a Life Member.
Law Professor Rebecca Morgan Received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Law Schools’ Elder Section.
Law Professor Roberta Flowers was inducted as president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

6. Students Used Their Skills to Serve Others

As the college’s pro bono program turned 30, students carried on the tradition of putting their knowledge to good use. This includes everything from helping veterans confront bankruptcy to helping research and write an amici brief for an important U.S. Supreme Court clean water case.

7. Spring ’22 Graduation Was a Day to Remember

Graduates in sunglasses smile as they leave an outdoor commencement ceremony — Graduates at the Spring 2022 enjoyed sunshine and camaraderie.

On a sunny day in May, Stetson Law’s Class of ’22 officially became alumni – but not before hearing a compelling, touching, and often funny commencement address from Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Donald Remy. The valedictorian was Jessica Zellitt, a passionate advocate for improving healthcare policy.

8. Advocacy Institute Construction Began

In late May, Stetson University officials heralded the start of a construction project that will bolster Stetson Law’s legacy as a destination for advocacy. When it opens, Stetson Law’s Advocacy Institute will be a destination for accomplished and aspiring advocates alike.

9. Stetson Law Reached out to the Greater Community

Stetson Law’s Summer Youth Civic Engagement Program, Class of 2022

By inviting youth from the surrounding community to learn about the role local, state, and national governments play in their lives, the creators of Stetson Law’s summer Youth Civic Engagement Program aimed to show them how to advocate for themselves and their communities.
Over the spring semester, Law Professor Kirsten Davis taught a course at University of South Florida St. Petersburg that introduced undergraduates to studying law.

10. Eye-Opening Travel Experiences Ensued

Law Professor Luz Nagle visits a neighborhood in Cartagena, Colombia. — Law Professor Luz Nagle advocates for human rights in Colombia

With Covid-era travel restrictions lifted, Stetson Law’s beloved study abroad programs took flight, including beloved summer programs in Oxford, England and The Hague, The Netherlands. Critical partnerships with international agencies and NGOs brought Professor Luz Nagle to Colombia to help fight exploitation of migrants and Professor Royal Gardner to add Stetson Law as a signatory to an international sea turtle protection agreement.
Stateside, Stetson Law re-launched its popular Civil Rights law travel course, which took students to important sites throughout the South for an exploration of the Civil Rights Era through a legal lens.

See all Stetson Law News.

Highlights from Stetson Law’s December Graduate Celebration

A shot of Stetson Law's iconic tower from the horseshoe driveway.

To celebrate Stetson Law students who successfully completed their law school journey over the Fall 2022 semester, officials held an intimate on-campus gathering in their honor (see the full video below).

The event was held December 15 in the Great Hall and featured remarks from campus and university leadership. Kicking off the celebration, Stetson Law Interim Dean Theresa J. Pulley Radwan commended the students for persevering through an unprecedented era.

“You are part of an unshakable cohort who have experienced more in your time in law school than most have in their lifetime,” Pulley Radwan said. “You have shined through a global pandemic – all while caring for your friends, family, and colleagues. You have weathered many shifts in the last few years and have remained resilient and excellent. We are so proud of you.”

The culmination of an unconventional journey

Acknowledging how those who complete their studies in the fall semester tend to be part of Stetson Law’s innovative part-time program, Stetson University Executive Vice President and Provost Noel Painter congratulated them for growing their careers through legal education.

“Congratulations on all that you have accomplished,” Painter said. “Your journey to this point is uniquely your own. Celebrate the successes and embrace the challenges that made you a better person and a better lawyer along the way.”

Welcoming the soon-to-be Stetson lawyers

Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association Vice President Brittany Maxey-Fisher, J.D. ’07, told the audience that through exemplary work, Stetson Law alumni help tell Stetson Law’s story to the world while helping shape a better society.

“Together we will shine an even brighter spotlight on Stetson’s reputation for advocacy, legal writing, and our nationally recognized Centers and Institutes,” she said. “As you continue to design your footprint, strive for excellence, leadership and purpose. Create environments that celebrate differences and inspire growth in others by empowering them as they travel along their journey.”

Following Maxey-Fisher’s speech, Radwan called out the names of the students and noted the loved ones who helped them through their law school journey.

A moving speech

Law Professor Judith Scully, a champion of Stetson Law’s social justice initiatives, encouraged students to remain committed to bettering society. Noting that many law school applicants say their desire to study law comes from wanting to change the world, Scully offered five key pieces of advice:

Be courageous.
Be filled with gratitude.
Remain hopeful no matter what.
Stay focused on your work.
Learn how to value, embrace, and nourish rest.

“I believe that in this December 2022 graduating class there are many small groups of you who will indeed help to change the world for the better,” she said. “I have great hopes and dreams for you. My prayer is that your time as lawyers be well spent. May you help to balance the scales of justice. May you be abundantly blessed with good fortune and may you use your good fortune to benefit those around you and continue to be a source of inspiration for others.”

Watch the celebration

Visiting Professor, Student Publish Paper on Dobbs Decision

A side-by-side photo of a former student and a professor — Left: Flore Foulon. Right: Visiting Law Professor James Hart.

A visiting professor and a recent alumna spent much of the summer developing a sharp piece of analysis on one of the biggest U.S. Supreme Court decisions in recent memory.

The article’s title is A Comparative Law Guide to a post-Dobbs America and it is set to be published in the Cardozo Journal of Social Justice and Equal Rights. Looking at how civil law and common law can create differing outcomes when it comes to abortion rights, it is currently in the editing process.

Even prior to the leaked draft Supreme Court opinion that preceded the decision itself, then-student Flore Foulon spoke with Visiting Law Professor James Hart during his office hours near the end of the Spring 2022 semester. She had expressed an interest in writing a paper about abortion and bodily autonomy through a comparative law lens.

Foulon, who has studied law in three countries, said what inspired her to pursue the article was “the fascinating legal framework in different jurisdictions.”

“Writing an article using comparative law to delineate possible outcomes seemed the most logical approach following my education,” she said. “I am passionate about comparative law and this article is a good illustration of inspirations one can derive from it.”

Hart said he co-authored his first post-law-school article with his Constitutional Law professor at University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Jan Laitos, which made collaborating with a student even more meaningful for him.

Collaborating from afar

Working over the summer – Hart from his home in Denver, where he is finishing his career as a violinist with the Colorado Symphony, and Foulon from Paris (“utterly unfair!” Hart jokes), the two split their analysis down the middle. Foulon, who has a deep understanding of civil law, took on that portion while Hart covered the common law side.

As the Dobbs decision came down, a side-by-side look at how civil and common law determine the extent of abortion rights and access to reproductive care made the most sense to the pair. Hart explains that the main difference between the two systems is that in common law systems, it is the judiciary that makes law through legal outcomes that create precedents, which guide future case outcomes. Civil law systems, meanwhile, involve a legislative body that creates policy through statutes and other measures.

Comparing the two systems as they relate to the current abortion-rights landscape made sense.

“I felt that the comparative law angle was especially relevant, as once the Dobbs decision came out, the field of battle had shifted from the Court(s) to the Congress and state legislatures,” Hart said. “This made civil law legal systems instantly more relevant to a post-Dobbs America.”

Meaningful mentorship

Foulon said it feels surreal to be published for the first time, and that she greatly appreciates the opportunity.

“Being an international student, I often suffered a little from the imposter syndrome. However, it feels extremely gratifying to see my work being published,” she said. “I have a genuine passion for law and research and being published for the first time feels like the consecration of this passion. I am extremely grateful for Professor Hart to have written this article with me as it exceeded all the expectations for the article I had in mind when I first walked into his office.”

Of his former student, Hart said Foulon’s research and writing were extraordinary and that it reminded him of his collaboration with Professor Laitos. It was interesting to be on the other side of the mentor-mentee dynamic, he said – and that he couldn’t have picked a better mentee.

“One of the most meaningful aspects of being a law professor is watching your students become your colleagues as the years pass. I was so pleased that this collaboration worked out,” he said. “There is a wonderful Latin phrase, Docendo Discimus; to teach is to learn. That sums up my collaboration with Flore better than anything I could say.”

Hart will be returning to Stetson Law in January to teach Constitutional Law and a related seminar over the Spring 2023 semester.

4 Inducted into Stetson Law Hall of Fame in 2022

Left to right: Gregory Coleman, Judge Pamela Campbell, Professor Emerita Dorothea Beane, Professor Emeritus John Cooper

At a banquet event on the evening of December 3, 2022, Stetson Law welcomed four distinguished individuals to the college’s Hall of Fame.

Since 2004 Hall of Fame has been Stetson University College of Law’s premier event celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of alumni, faculty, and other members of the Stetson Law community.

This year, four such individuals were honored:

Professor Emerita Dorothea A. Beane
The Honorable Pamela Campbell ’89
Board of Overseers Chair Gregory Coleman ’89
Professor Emerita John F. Cooper

In attendance were judges, faculty, university officials, alumni, and other community members.

“Our entire institution is proud of our legacy for excellence in legal education, a legacy that extends over years of national rankings, national and international competition victories, best oralist and best advocate awards for our students, and very concretely, the outstanding places that our graduates get jobs, which then lead them to meaningful careers that positively affect our world,” Stetson University Provost Noel Painter said. “Indeed the sphere of influence of the College of Law is exceedingly large, but never so much so that we lose sight of the heart of Stetson, our community. This community.”

Stetson University Provost Noel Painter at Stetson Law’s 2022 Hall of Fame celebration

Each honoree was given a warm introduction by Stetson Law Interim Dean Theresa J. Pulley Radwan, who thanked them for their role in elevating Stetson Law, the legal profession, and the surrounding community.

“Tonight, you’re going to hear about four people who’ve achieved significant milestones in their careers and have been such an important part of the college of law,” Radwan said at the start of the event. “We are exceptionally proud of each of them and of all of the contributions that they’ve made to the legacy of Stetson.”

Biographical videos featuring images, anecdotes, and lists of their accomplishments followed. (See the full event – including biographical videos and acceptance speeches – via the video embedded at the bottom of this post.)

Stetson Law Interim Dean Theresa J. Pulley Radwan speaks at Stetson Law’s 2022 Hall of Fame celebration

Professor Emerita Dorothea A. Beane

Stetson Law Professor Emerita Dorothea Beane addresses the audience at Hall of Fame 2022 — Stetson Law Professor Emerita Dorothea Beane

Over her three decades on Stetson Law faculty, Professor Emerita Dorothea A. Beane had a transformative effect on those around her as well as the College of Law writ large. Her being the college’s first minority professor is the tip of the iceberg.

She launched the study abroad program in The Netherlands and co-directed the Institute for Caribbean Law & Policy.

Known for her tough love and her ability to help others find within themselves what it takes to succeed, she took particular interest in Black student success.

Beane said being inducted is truly the honor of a lifetime.

Learn more about Professor Beane.

The Honorable Pamela Campbell ’89

Well before she graduated from Stetson Law, Judge Pamela Campbell was passionate about giving back to her community through volunteering and mentorship.

Judge Pamela Campbell delivers remarks from a podium with the words "Hall of Fame" behind her — Judge Pamela Campbell ’89

Her involvement has been extensive and unceasing, even as the demands of her exceptional career grew greater.

After earning her J.D. at Stetson Law, Campbell launched a private practice that quickly grew before she was appointed to the bench by then-Governor Jeb Bush in 2006. In that time, she has hosted over 100 interns – many of them from Stetson Law. Serving as a mentor, she said, has been the honor of her life.

Learn more about Judge Pamela Campbell.

Board of Overseers Chair Gregory Coleman ’89

Gregory Coleman delivers remarks from a podium. The words "Hall of Fame" are projected behind him — Gregory Coleman ’89

As soon as he set foot on Stetson University’s main campus, Greg Coleman felt at home. Years later and despite his incredible success, the Double Hatter remains heavily involved with the school – particularly with the College of Law, for which he serves as the Chair of the Board of Overseers.

Armed with a collaborative spirit, steadfast work ethic, and no-nonsense attitude, Coleman dedicated himself to the legal profession from the outset of his career. He was heavily involved with bar associations at the local and state levels and eventually rose in the ranks to Florida Bar Association president in 2014.

“I’m extremely humbled, honored, and grateful for this very, very kind gesture,” Coleman said. “I love this law school and I love Stetson. I literally would not have been able to accomplish the things that I have gone through in my career if I had not attended Stetson undergrad and Stetson Law. That’s how much this institution meant to me. This is a very, very special place.”

Learn more about Gregory Coleman.

Professor Emeritus John F. Cooper

The child of a military family, Professor Emeritus John Cooper was born in Japan and spent much of his childhood abroad. Later in life, it was an overseas trip that made Cooper, who at the time was an Oklahoma lawyer, want to teach law. He and some colleagues were visiting the Soviet Union, where they had deep discussions with their Soviet counterparts about the law’s philosophical underpinnings.

Professor Emerita John Cooper gives remarks from a podium. The words "Hall of Fame" are behind him. — Professor Emeritus John Cooper

When he became a professor at Stetson Law, he was a beloved figure who helped grow the college’s international footprint through expanded study abroad opportunities other initiatives.

Learn more about Professor Cooper.

See all of Stetson University College of Law’s Hall of Fame inductees.

Watch the full Hall of Fame ceremony

Professor Emeritus John Cooper Inducted into Stetson Law Hall of Fame

Stetson Law Professor Emeritus John Cooper gives remarks at Stetson Law’s 2022 Hall of Fame celebration

A beloved faculty member who radiates passion for learning and travel, Professor Emeritus John Cooper joined the Stetson University College of Law Hall of Fame on December 3, 2022.

Through his enterprising spirit and deep love of legal scholarship inspired countless others to expand their horizons through study and travel. His legacy includes establishing lasting connections here and around the globe. His journey began in Yokohama, Japan, where he was born on October 3, 1950. Cooper’s father was a career Army officer stationed in Japan after World War II. The family, consisting of Cooper, his father, his mother, and his older sister Charlotte, went on to live in places like Orleans, France; Heidelberg, Germany and Hawaii.

A lifelong love of travel

After graduating from the University of Oklahoma School of Law as a member of the academic Order of the Coif, he entered private practice and also served as an Assistant Attorney General for Oklahoma. Around this time, he visited the Soviet Union with a group of American legal professionals. The experience brought back memories of living abroad and made Cooper ask himself what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.

Teaching law became his goal. He interviewed with several law schools and ultimately accepted an offer to teach at Stetson. Cooper started in the fall of 1985.

Close friend and fellow Stetson tax law Professor Richard Gershon entertained during their daily noontime run. Their route started as a 5k, then they worked up to a 10k, talking and joking the whole time. It wasn’t long before Cooper was running marathons.

“When John started something, he was going to work at it – pretty intensely sometimes,” Gershon said of his friend.

Establishing global ties

He administered the Stetson LL.M program in international law and negotiated dual degree programs with law schools in Toulouse, France and Granada, Spain. He also administered a semester abroad program in London that offered practical internships in the British legal community. He established and administered study abroad programs in Estonia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Argentina, China, and the Cayman Islands.

Law Professor Emeritus John Cooper

Cooper hoped that students would see studying abroad not as an opportunity for foreign travel, but as a potentially life-changing opportunity to gain new perspective on the law and life itself.

Retired, but not slowing down

Cooper earned the title of professor emeritus upon retiring. He and his wife, who retired in March of 2022, bought a cabin in the North Carolina mountains, and they split their time between there and St. Petersburg. Of course, Cooper has kept busy in retirement.

He studied gardening; qualified as a Master Gardener; raised compost worms, and grew shiitake mushrooms.

Cooper’s love for learning abroad endures. He is completing a manuscript on Vietnam POWs that he has researched and written over several years. He spent a year in Buenos Aires, Argentina to improve his Spanish language skills. While there, he traveled the country – from the tropical Iguazu waterfalls in the north to Patagonia in the south, where he, his wife, and his daughter explored the dramatic glaciers near El Calafate.

To learn more about Professor Emeritus John Cooper, see the video above.

Learn more about the other 2022 Stetson Law Hall of Fame inductees: Professor Emerita Dorothea Beane, Judge Pamela Campbell, and Board of Overseers Chair Greg Coleman.

See all Stetson Law Hall of Fame inductees.

Judge Pamela Campbell Inducted into Stetson Law Hall of Fame

Judge Pamela Campbell, ’89, gives remarks at Stetson Law’s 2022 Hall of Fame celebration

For a career spent serving her community and lifting others through mentorship, Stetson Law alumna and Judge Pamela Campbell is a 2022 inductee into the Stetson University College of Law Hall of Fame.

A 1989 graduate of Stetson Law, Campbell embodied the spirit of service early on through volunteer work with her school, her church, and organizations like the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.

A graduate of Lakewood High School, St. Petersburg College, and University of South Florida, she came to Stetson Law after serving as a legal secretary, a legislative aide, and a political consultant. She found the encouragement and friendship of her mentors invaluable. Years later, she would serve as a mentor in her own right.

Before the bench

Judge Campbell was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1989 and launched a private practice. Over sixteen years, the firm grew from one employee to eight. Her diverse clientele taught her to be open-minded about cultural differences and creative in developing solutions to their problems.

Working with the disabled, vulnerable, and elderly taught Campbell compassion and patience, while representing the incapacitated and the interests of the deceased required a unique ability to aid clients unable to advocate for themselves. She was involved in high-profile matters, including the Terri Schiavo case.

Professionalism & mentorship

In 2006 she was appointed by then-Governor Jeb Bush to Florida’s Sixth Judicial Circuit, which hears cases in Pinellas and Pasco Counties. She was reelected in 2008, 2014, and 2020 – running unopposed each time. Her assignments have included felony criminal division, family, civil, and probate.

The judge’s experience as a practitioner gave her understanding of the cost of litigation and value of efficiency, which would ultimately prove invaluable to her service on the bench. So, too, would her emphasis on professionalism and civility in her courtroom. She commanded such behavior in heavily sensationalized cases like the Hulk Hogan-Gawker trial.

Judge Pamela Campbell holds up her right hand to swear in a jury — Alumna and Judge Pamela Campbell

A major point of pride for Judge Campbell has been giving back to her profession through mentorship. Since becoming a judge, she welcomed 100 students-interns to her office. Many were Stetson Law students.

Alumnus Michael J. Labbee interned with the judge in 2011. He said of her, “Intelligence, grace, humor, and passion are effortlessly woven into any encounter with Her Honor.” Alumna Annabella Rojas, who interned with her in 2014, said Judge Campbell is “an excellent teacher, mentor, and a great inspiration” in her professional and personal life.

To learn more about Judge Campbell, see the video above.

Learn more about the other 2022 Stetson Law Hall of Fame inductees: Professor Emerita Dorothea Beane, Board of Overseers Chair Greg Coleman, and Professor Emeritus John Cooper.

See all Stetson Law Hall of Fame inductees.

Professor Emerita Dorothea A. Beane Inducted into Stetson Law Hall of Fame

Stetson Law Professor Emerita Dorothea Beane gives her acceptance speech at Stetson Law’s 2022 Hall of Fame celebration

For her decades of trailblazing work and inspiring others to challenge their perceived limitations, Stetson Law Professor Emerita Dorothea A. Beane has been inducted into the Stetson University College of Law Hall of Fame in 2022.

When she joined the faculty in 1990, she brought with her a wealth of experience in a range of practice areas. She was also Stetson Law’s first minority faculty member who had a transformative impact on the college.

Her colleagues remember her for her warmth, high standards, and ability to reach students where they are to help them succeed.

A storied career

Beane began her legal career as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. In 1983, she was appointed assistant U.S. attorney from the Middle District of Florida; she was the first Black female to serve in that role. There, she was senior civil litigating attorney from 1985 through 1990.

She practiced in a broad range of areas, including personal injury, medical malpractice, bankruptcy law, regulatory enforcement, and environmental law. In 1986, she received the Attorney General’s Special Achievement Award for Sustained Superior Performance of Duty.

Fostering growth and diversity

While at Stetson Law, Beane took particular interest in Black law student retention and success. She would engage them even if they didn’t take any classes with her, and would encourage them to push themselves.

“You didn’t want to let her down,” said alumni Clinton Paris.

Professor Emerita Dorothea A. Beane

Beane was founder and director of Stetson Law’s Summer Abroad Program in The Hague, Netherlands, where her work ethic proved a critical guiding force for the fledgling program.

She has written and lectured widely on the role of international tribunals – and served on the executive committee of the International Human Rights Law Section of the Association of American Law Schools.

She also co-directed Stetson Law’s Institute for Caribbean Law and Policy with Associate Dean Darryl Wilson.

She was just as busy off campus; her civic engagement ranged from attending meetings related to the International Criminal Court at the United Nations headquarters in New York to serving as a hearing officer for the City of St. Petersburg, Florida.

A stellar legacy

Over her career, Beane received extensive recognition. She was given the College of Law Teaching Excellence award in 2005. In 2018, the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida honored her as a “First” in Tampa Bay for her distinguished career. Two years later, a distinguished committee of Stetson College of Law Black Law Students Association alumni created a scholarship to honor the work and career of Professor Beane.

Having gained the distinguished title of Professor Emerita, after 30 years of dedicated service to the Stetson Law community, Professor Beane retired in 2020.

To learn more about Professor Beane, see the video above.

Learn more about the other Stetson Law Hall of Fame inductees: Judge Pamela Campbell, Board of Overseers Chair Greg Coleman, and Professor Emeritus John Cooper.

See all Stetson Law Hall of Fame inductees.

Gregory Coleman Inducted into Stetson Law Hall of Fame

Gregory Coleman, ’89, gives his acceptance speech at Stetson law’s 2022 Hall of Fame event

A well-respected professional in the legal field, Gregory Coleman is known for his tireless work ethic, his non-nonsense approach to conflict resolution, and his passion for bettering his profession.

He is also now a member of the Stetson College of Law Hall of Fame. The 1989 Stetson Law alumnus – who is also a Double Hatter – was honored during the college’s December 3, 2022 induction ceremony.

The South Florida native has spent the vast majority of his career at Palm Beach County-based firm Critton, Luttier, & Coleman, LLP. His areas of practice include complex commercial litigation, complex trust and estate litigation, personal injury, and wrongful death.

Key to his success as a lawyer is his no-nonsense approach to dealing with conflict – as he calls it, “getting to the meat of the coconut.”

This quality also helps him in his current role of Chair of the Stetson University College of Law Board of Overseers – as does his collaborative spirit and loyal nature.

“Greg is one of those people that you can count on to answer your call and help you out, even if you haven’t spoken in years and even when there is nothing for him to gain,” said Chris Killer, Coleman’s roommate while the two studied at Stetson Law. “There just aren’t many people like that.”

From Bar chief to Board chair

Though a passionate outdoorsman – especially fishing in the waters off the Atlantic – Coleman’s professional activity goes well beyond the bounds of business hours, especially when it comes to bar association activity.

Alumnus Gregory Coleman

He began as an executive board member of the Palm Beach County Bar’s Young Lawyers Division and held various leadership roles in local and state bar associations. In 2014, he ran unopposed for President of the Florida Bar.

He is now vice-chair of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission – and the only lawyer to have served in that role in Florida. Along with his good friend, Florida Supreme Court Justice Jorge Labarga, Coleman formed a Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice.

Though busy, Coleman still made time for his alma mater. He joined the Stetson Law Board of Overseers in 2010, which he now chairs for a second term. He joined the Stetson University Board of Trustees in 2020.

Awards & accolades

He has won the Florida Bar President’s Award of Merit three times – the only lawyer to do so in bar history. He won the Legal Aid Society’s and Justice for All Award in 2016. Coleman is profiled in The Best Lawyers in America, is listed as one of Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, and has been named a Florida Super Lawyer for more than 15 years in a row.

To learn more about Gregory Coleman, including his favorite fishing spot, watch the video above.

Learn more about the other 2022 Stetson Law Hall of Fame inductees: Professor Emerita Dorothea Beane, Judge Pamela Campbell, and Professor Emeritus John Cooper.

See all Stetson Law Hall of Fame inductees.

Student Francesca Little Aims to Give Back, Elevate Latinx Community

Law student Francesca Little

Fresh from winning a prestigious award at the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association’s Scholarship Gala, Francesca Little isn’t resting on her laurels.

The Stetson Law 3L is busy with events like a Thanksgiving GIVEBACK initiative to collect donations for refugees, a project on which she is collaborating with Gulf Coast Jewish & Family Community Services (GCJFCS). It is underway November 28 through December 2.

It’s easy to see why she stood out to THBA officials seeking to honor a law student whose efforts to provide legal services for the Hispanic/Latinx community have proven exemplary. Through her extensive volunteer work as well as her work as social media manager for immigration law firm Dubrule & Nowel, PLLC, she has sought to advocate for the region’s Hispanic/Latinx and refugee communities. It’s a community with which she deeply identifies; Little is the daughter of Venezuelan migrants who brought her to the U.S. when she was a child.

“Francesca is a zealous advocate on behalf of her clients and remains optimistic in even the most complex cases,” said Chelsea Nowel, owner and co-founder of Dubrule & Nowel. “She always has a positive attitude and is fully engaged with them, even through long sessions of writing declarations and gathering evidence.

Representing dedication to service

The scholarship with which TBHA honored Little is called the Victoria Cruz-Garcia award. Its namesake is a 2003 Stetson Law alum who practices with Solomon Law Group, a Tampa-based business and family law firm.

“To me, it represents someone passionate who is dedicated to promoting positive changes for our Hispanic/Latinx community,” Little said of the award. “As such, receiving this particular award before I graduate next year, I felt lucky that all my hard work throughout my time at Stetson Law was recognized as helping to benefit my community.”

Making a real difference

As president of both Stetson Law’s Hispanic Bar Association (HBA) and Immigration Law Student Association (ILSA), she has sought to grow both organizations and get them more deeply involved with important community causes. Collaboration – both within these groups and with other organizations – has been her focus.

She recently coordinated the school’s first Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Celebration at Stetson Law’s Tampa Campus, an event that fostered networking between current Stetson Law students, alumni, THBA members, and local judges.

Little also helped coordinate the start of “Spanish-speaking Client Help Days” with Bay Area Legal services, which she hopes will allow more of her Hispanic/Latinx community members to have access to legal aid resources. She recently facilitated a “TPS Talk” event on campus with an immigration attorney who spoke to students about the process of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the immigration arena and how they can help others apply.

Whenever HBA or ILSA holds an event involving food, Little said, she seeks out Hispanic/Latinx-owned businesses to provide food and drink.

Interested in contributing to the Thanksgiving GIVEBACK? Stetson law students can earn up to three non-legal pro bono hours by bringing non-perishable food items and hygiene products to the Gulfport campus library November 28 through December 2. Three donated items constitute one pro bono hour.

Stetson Law Joins Innovative Effort to Fight Nitrogen Pollution in Key Waterways

Thanks to a recent grant, environmental law experts from Stetson College of Law have joined a multidisciplinary effort to shed light on an urgent but little-known environmental challenge: nitrogen pollution.

The project, BlueGAP, brings Stetson Law’s Jacobs Law Clinic for Democracy and the Environment and the Institute for Biodiversity together with experts from four other institutions. Harnessing a variety of disciplines, their collaboration will present a holistic, visually engaging look at nitrogen pollution, how it affects communities, and how changes to public policy can lessen its impacts.

Confronting a rampant challenge

Stetson Law Professor Jaclyn Lopez

This work has been made possible with help from a National Science Foundation grant, and Stetson Law Professor Jaclyn Lopez said the team is eager to get started.

Nitrogen pollution, which is caused by such factors as runoff from mass-scale meat-production facilities and other agricultural operations, can lead to negative consequences like fish kills, dead zones, and unsafe conditions for water-based recreation. All of these can be detrimental to local communities whose economies are directly tied to clean waterways.

“Nitrogen pollution may not be well-known by that name, but we see its devastating effects right here in Tampa Bay and in watersheds throughout the world,” Lopez said. “Rampant industrial pollution and unchecked runoff from agriculture and sprawl lead to significant nitrogen pollution of our rivers and coastlines, which fuel out-of-control algae blooms and fish kills. Helping people see – and care about – these relationships is the only way to combat nitrogen pollution.”

Lopez will work with Law Professor and co-director of Stetson Law’s Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy Royal Gardner as well as Foreman Biodiversity Fellow Katherine Pratt. Stetson Law’s work will inform policy solutions and help communities advocate for environmental justice.

“Through BlueGAP, Stetson Law’s Jacobs Law Clinic and Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy will develop and disseminate policy solutions that will empower communities to fight nitrogen pollution and secure a brighter future,” Lopez said.

An intersectional approach

While Stetson Law’s contribution to the project will offer concrete, real-world answers to questions of how to adequately manage nitrogen pollution and its effects, partner organizations are lending expertise in ecological data, mapping, civil engineering, graphic design, and other areas to help present an easy-to-understand picture of nitrogen pollution and how it affects them.

Waterways all over the world are affected by nitrogen pollution.

The University of South Florida is the project’s lead institution; other partners include the University of Iowa, Black in Marine Science, and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. Geographically, their work will focus on three watersheds in Iowa, Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands with the intent of showcasing the project’s ability to work at varying scales.

“Our blue-green research efforts combine storytelling and data to make it easier for people to see how nitrogen pollution affects their health and livelihoods, and how to take actions that improve how nitrogen is managed whether at local, regional, national, or international scales,” said Maya Trotz, a professor of civil and environmental engineering from University of South Florida who is BlueGAP’s principal investigator.

Trotz added that the team’s highly interdisciplinary nature will help “bring an out-of-the-box, people-centered solution” to frontline communities who bear the brunt of negative impacts of nitrogen pollution.

Learn more about BlueGAP and Stetson Law’s Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy.

AALS Elder Law Section Honors Professor Morgan for Stellar Career

Law Professor Rebecca Morgan

From being an early advocate for giving aging populations distinct legal considerations to sewing masks for nursing home residents at the dawn of the pandemic (when face coverings were rare), Law Professor Rebecca Morgan is an elder law pioneer and a tireless champion for aging populations.

That’s why the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) Section on Aging and the Law is giving its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award to Morgan. AALS will honor her during its 2023 annual meeting in January.

To those tasked with reviewing nominations for the award, she was an obvious choice.

“Professor Morgan was selected for the AALS Aging and The Law Section’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award because she embodies everything that this award stands for,” said Katie Liss, Chair of AALS’ Aging & the Law Section and Executive Director of the Schiller DuCanto & Fleck Family Law Center at DePaul College of Law. “Professor Morgan has selflessly given and continues to give so much of herself and time to help law students, colleagues, and the community through her mentoring of others, writing, speaking, activism, and care for the aging community.”

A clear choice

To Law Professor Mark Bauer, it was obvious that Morgan should be the award’s inaugural recipient. That’s why he wrote a three-page nomination letter detailing her accomplishments and her transformative impact on elder law, including how critical she was in raising the profile of elder law as an essential doctrine.

“While laws concerning elders exist from the dawn of civilization, Becky is one of the few leading scholars who worked to give Elder Law recognition as a discrete doctrine,” Bauer said. “Plenty of people have studied and practice law that includes elder law, such as Trusts & Estates and Wills, as well as guardianship, custodial care, congregate housing, social benefit programs, and nursing home care. But dividing the subject meant that no one was looking at elders as a separate group with distinct needs.”

Through founding the Center for Excellence in Elder Law, which hosts a J.D. concentration program, launching a distance LL.M. program, leading elder-focused consumer-protection projects, countless legal and non-legal pro bono projects benefitting elders locally and nationally, and many more efforts, she changed that.

“It is challenging to imagine elder law today, academically, in the law, and in regular practice, without Professor Morgan’s enormous and enormously positive contributions,” Bauer said.

Selfless Work, Countless Achievements

Morgan’s list of accomplishments in the elder-law space is seemingly endless. In addition to founding the Center for Excellence in Elder Law and launching the J.D. and LL.M. programs. Chief among them are:

Co-designing and raising funds for the nation’s first courtroom designed to accommodate elders.
Offering a special one-credit short course on Elder Law to increase student interest and awareness that she teaches as an overload most semesters.
Providing advice, support, and partnership on elder-focused programs for the City of St. Petersburg (FL), senators and governors of Florida, and officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as well as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Serving in many leadership roles with organizations such as the National Academy for Elder Law Attorneys, the American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Law and Aging, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, the American Society on Aging, and others.
Ensuring nearly all students with an elder law concentration are placed in suitable jobs when they graduate.
Recently, she joined the Special Needs Alliance’s Board of Directors.

She’s also a warm, kind person who makes time for the community she has fostered, colleagues say.

“Professor Morgan is a joy to be around, always upbeat, energetic, and frankly, quite inspiring,” Bauer said. “I can say without exaggeration that she inspires people to enter elder law or generally engage in public service to elders every single day. She is always the first to pitch in and she leads by example.”

Morgan said working as a law professor has been the honor of her life. It’s not something many people get to do, she said, adding that she’s honored to be recognized for doing work she loves.

“I am so grateful to the section for selecting me for this award,” Morgan said. “Educating law students on the legal issues facing older persons is so much fun. It is an area of law that is always interesting and very much cutting edge.”

Learn more about Professor Morgan and the Center for Excellence in Elder Law.