1973 alumnus Jeff Smith and his wife, Patricia Smith, at the grand opening of Stetson Law’s Advocacy Institute. After a long career in the Citrus County justice system, 1973 Stetson Law alumnus Jeff Smith is enjoying the retiree life with his wife, Patricia (“Trish”) in Inverness, Florida. His legal career spans decades as a powerful advocate, and he credits Stetson Law with giving him the… » Read more

Ying White ’97 was the commencement speaker at the spring 2025 commencement. She was inducted into Stetson Law’s Hall of Fame in 2025. When Ying White ’97 first became an attorney, her father-in-law gave her a picture of a young Abraham Lincoln, which she kept in her office. It was a reminder of what hard work and perseverance can accomplish. “Here was a man aspiring… » Read more

Michael Marder ’77 and his wife, Crisa Marder. When he guest lectured for Professor Joseph Morrissey’s Documents of the Deal course, Michael Marder ’77 was thrilled to demystify securitization transactions for the students. Marder, who is co-managing director and co-founder partner at prominent national firm GreenspoonMarder, sought to impart real-world financial scenarios while giving students a sense of the challenges a day can bring. “My… » Read more

Law Professor Peter Lake, Charles A. Dana Chair and Director, Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy To alumni who took his torts class and top leaders in higher ed, Professor Peter F. Lake has achieved rockstar status. With more than 30 years in higher education, this professor of law, Charles A. Dana Chair, and director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Higher… » Read more

Student Frank Giallourakis chats with Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos G. Muniz. Members of the Stetson Law community packed the Mann Lounge on Thursday, October 23 to hear Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos G. Muniz’s thoughts on everything from judicial philosophy to how to succeed in the legal profession. The fireside chat-style event was organized by the Stetson Law chapter of the Federalist… » Read more

Law Professor Kirsten K. Davis The Association of American Law Schools’ Section on Legal Writing, Reasoning, and Research is honoring Stetson Law Professor Kirsten K. Davis with its 2026 section award. Recognizing an individual whose tireless work supports the advancement of the field, the award cites her extensive contributions to the legal writing community through scholarship, leadership, and transformative work, including her recent work on… » Read more

Cases & Places brought students face-to-face with wild Florida and those who fight to preserve it. Law courses don’t usually require a bottle of bug spray – let alone a tent. But for students who enroll in Cases and Places, a new course offered at Stetson Law, they are necessary. One of the numerous outside-the-box courses the College offers, Cases and Places introduces students to… » Read more

Branding expert Bailey Martindale spoke at Stetson Law in October of 2025. What does branding have to do with fulfillment? For legal professionals, more than one might expect. Earlier this month, Law Professor Tim Kaye hosted a speaker who shared sharp insights about the important connection between personal values and professional identity. The dinner event was part of the Stetson Inns program, the College’s fresh… » Read more

Stetson Law’s 2025 valedictorian is Shelby Ponton. Upon starting law school, 2025 alumna Shelby Ponton realized she had something not all 1Ls possess: a curiosity about law that made studying a labor of love. “I genuinely find it interesting,” she said. The sense of fulfillment, combined with her desire to create a better future for her family, motivated the mother of two to work hard… » Read more

Left to right: Mary Samarkos ’20 and Morgan Zimarakos ’20 of Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute; Vasilios “Billy” Zimarakos ’20 Members of the Stetson Law community are using their expertise to help make it easier for veterans to apply for benefits. In an amicus brief filed on behalf of the National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium, they are asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the… » Read more

Casey Darling Kniffin As she began the first Foreman Biodiversity Lecture of the semester, speaker Casey Darling Kniffin asked the audience to picture their favorite Florida State Park. Most Floridians, she said, have a favorite, where they go to experience open space and natural wonders. Kniffin’s is Jonathan Dickinson State Park just north of Jupiter on Florida’s Atlantic coast. Florida’s 175 state parks are award-winning,… » Read more

Blair Carlyle and Erika Leeper served as Stetson Law’s delegation to COP15 in July of 2025. For two Stetson Law students, attending the Ramsar Convention’s 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) in summer of 2025 was more than an immersive learning experience; it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Representing the next generation of environmental leaders, Blair Carlyle and Erika Leeper, who are now 3Ls, traveled… » Read more