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Stetson Law Launches Student-Led Civil Discourse Initiative

A male and a female student smile as they converse in front of the Stetson Law tower building.

As they prepare to join a competitive profession that places profound value on relationships, law students must cultivate the ability to hold meaningful conversations despite differences.

To support students in developing this skill, Stetson University College of Law has launched a bold new initiative designed to prepare future lawyers to lead difficult conversations with clarity, empathy, and professionalism.

Championed by Dean D. Benjamin Barros, the Dean’s Fellows for Civil Discourse program empowers students to build a concrete, sustainable culture of respectful dialogue on campus and beyond.

The student-led program is part of a comprehensive effort to ensure that civil discourse remains a defining feature of the Stetson Law experience. For Barros, this initiative is a critical step toward a major goal he has had since he joined Stetson: creating an actionable policy that supports Stetson Law’s already robust culture of civility.

“One of my biggest priorities as dean of the College of Law has always been civil discourse,” he said. “We need to remain a place where people from very different backgrounds can come together and learn from each other.”

A three-part model

The initiative involves three key players: College leadership, student fellows, and an external expert partner.

Leadership sets the tone before classes begin. During orientation, students hear directly from Barros or Associate Dean for Assessment and Professional Engagement Anne Mullins about the centrality of civil discourse in their professional development.

“That early signal matters,” Mullins said. “It establishes that this work is not extracurricular or optional; it is part of professional formation.”

Dean D. Benjamin Barros smiles for a selfie in front of a class of students at orientation in the Great Hall. — Students begin to learn about civil discourse as an aspect of professional development as part of their 1L orientation.

The nine inaugural fellows, all 2Ls, represent a wide cross-section of student organizations, ideological perspectives, and lived experiences. They volunteer their time to advise the College on how to best support students when challenging conversations arise. Their work will continue into their 3L year, providing continuity and building a peer-led infrastructure that can grow over time.

The third pillar of the program is the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI), a national leader in helping students engage productively across differences. Founded by Jonathan Haidt and Caroline Mehl, CDI works with institutions across higher education. Stetson is the first law school to partner with the organization directly, which allows CDI to tailor its approach to the unique demands of professional education and development.

Key questions guide the process

The program kicked off in the fall 2025 semester with a full-day training led by CDI for the fellows and selected student organization leaders. The trainer, who herself is a JD, brought immediate credibility and grounded the work in the realities of legal education.

The fellows are now tasked with developing core principles based on key questions:

How should we treat one another when we disagree?
How should we handle controversial outside speakers?
How do we create a community that is engaged and civil rather than avoidant or conflict-free?

Stetson also supported CDI in the development of a skills-based training program tailored to issues of professional identity, power, and responsibility. The program will roll out to the Fellows and three of the Stetson Inns, supplemented by interpersonal dialogues the Fellows will facilitate.

Planning for real-life situations

When the guiding principles are in place, the fellows will turn to one of the biggest challenges campuses nationwide face: how to handle controversial speakers who come to campus.

Their task is to translate the principles they developed into universally applicable guidelines that reflect Stetson’s values, educational mission, and responsibility to students. The goal is neither censorship nor uncritical openness, but a thoughtful framework that supports learning and engagement.

“This is not about avoiding disagreement,” Mullins said. “It’s about ensuring our students graduate ready to lead difficult, high-stakes conversations in courtrooms, boardrooms, communities, and civic life.”

Leading the way on civil discourse

The fellowship reflects Stetson Law’s shared values and commitment to preparing students not just to think critically, but to lead responsibly in challenging moments.

“Our approach to this program is student-driven, skill-based, nonpartisan, and consistent with academic freedom,” Barros said. “We are training leaders, so we want our students to themselves set our community’s expectation for civil discourse.”

As the fellows continue their work, Stetson Law is positioning itself as a national leader in cultivating the next generation of lawyers who can navigate and elevate the conversations that shape communities and democracy itself.

Meet the inaugural fellows

The 2025-2026 fellows bring a remarkable range of experiences to the table.

Mark Boyle is an active member of the Federalist Society. Last summer, he served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Geoffrey H. Gentile, where he gained exposure to federal court practice and judicial decision-making, experience that informs his commitment to principled, respectful dialogue in the legal profession.

Caitlyn Green is a member of the Student Leadership Development Committee and a 2L Representative for Stetson Law Republicans, in addition to her membership in the Federalist Society. She externed last summer at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, gaining experience with federal litigation and judicial process that reinforces the importance of civility and professionalism in legal advocacy.

Spencer Greenwood is a member of Stetson’s Trial Team with a strong interest in litigation and advocacy. Last summer, he worked at Banker Lopez Gassler in St. Petersburg, where he deepened his appreciation for clarity and respectful engagement in adversarial settings.

Sassy Hill is a member of the Dispute Resolution Board and serves as Lambda Legal Society’s 2L representative and the Anti-Trafficking Coalition’s vice president. A Stetson Law Ambassador, Hill is also an entrepreneur and two-time business founder who brings a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to civil discourse informed by leadership, advocacy, and real-world problem solving.

Sean Patterson is an active member of the Black Law Students Association, the Student Bar Association, and the Student Veterans Association at Stetson Law. He works full time as the Senior Signals Intelligence Chief for Special Operations at U.S. Central Command on MacDill Air Force Base and mentors local youth through the RISE Program. His experiences underscore the value of trust, perspective, and disciplined communication in civil dialogue.

Patterson said he chose to participate in the Civil Discourse Fellowship because he believes meaningful dialogue begins with perspective.

“As a Black and disabled combat veteran (of a certain age), my lived experience has shaped how I see justice, disagreement, and community,” Patterson said. “Too often, I think we intend to engage in discourse to change minds (we are aspiring to be attorneys); I hope to instead help open hearts so we can foster a campus culture where students feel safe sharing their thoughts without judgment or fear.”

Sierra Shellabarger currently serves as secretary of both the American Constitution Society and the Legal Advocates for Reproductive Autonomy at Stetson. She also volunteers as a Guardian ad Litem for the Sixth Circuit, where she advocates children within the state welfare system. Last summer, as a law clerk at Coats Schmidt, P.A. in St. Petersburg, Florida, she gained experience in civil litigation and real estate law. This summer, she will join Moyer Law Group as summer associate, where she will focus on defense-side construction litigation.

Tika Singh is a member of the Stetson Law Review and is active in the Entertainment and Sports Law Society, Stetson Law Republicans, and the Federalist Society. She is currently externing with the Honorable Amy Williams of Florida’s Sixth Judicial Circuit and previously worked as a corporate paralegal at Rio Tinto in Washington, D.C. Her experiences shape her commitment to thoughtful dialogue and fairness across institutional and ideological differences.

“I chose to participate in the Civil Discourse Fellowship because I believe the legal profession demands not just strong advocacy, but the ability to engage thoughtfully with perspectives different from our own,” Singh said. “I hope to help foster a campus culture where disagreement is productive, respectful, and grounded in a shared commitment to understanding and growth.”

Joey Taylor serves as Secretary of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society and is pursuing a concentration in Social Justice Advocacy. His work with the NHL, IRONMAN, USF Men’s Hockey, and his community service reflect a commitment to teamwork, empathy, and constructive communication.

Taylor said he has been pleasantly surprised with how his fellow students come from such diverse backgrounds, from younger students fresh from undergraduate life to those who have already chosen to re-enter the classroom after years of professional experience.

“There’s no other environment where you’re surrounded by bright students learning from an expert on a subject, so I’m hoping we can lead the student body towards taking advantage of the opportunity to learn from each other by promoting constructive discourse both inside and outside of the classroom,” Taylor said.

Janet Worthman serves as vice president of the Stetson Law Democrats and is active in the Criminal Law Society and the Florida Association for Women Lawyers. Last summer, she worked at the State Attorney’s Office in Sarasota, where she gained practical experience in criminal prosecution and public service that informed her dedication to respectful engagement on complex and contested issues.

“I chose to participate in the Civil Discourse Fellowship because I want to become more intentional and effective in how I engage across differing perspectives,” Worthman said. “My hope is to build on that growth by continuing to develop spaces at Stetson Law where civil discourse thrives among peers and across the broader campus community.”

Stetson Brings Legal Lens to Everglades Conference

Law Professor Royal Gardner gave a keynote address at the 2026 Everglades Coalition conference.

Members of the Stetson Law faculty shared key legal insights – and a message of hope – on protecting the vast, beloved landscapes that constitute the Florida Everglades at the 41^st Annual 2026 Everglades Coalition Conference in Naples, Florida.

The event is the largest gathering of environmental advocates, government officials, students, educators, and others that focuses on the future of Everglades restoration efforts. This year’s theme was “Everglades Strong: All in for Restoration.” At the heart of many conversations were state and federal cuts to regulations and funding, a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision redefining protected waterways, and other emerging factors that threaten biodiversity in the Everglades, including the construction and operation of “Alligator Alcatraz,” a migrant detention facility.

In his keynote address to attendees, Stetson Law Professor and Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy Director Royal Gardner offered a perspective on a key moment for environmental advocates – and how it can illuminate a way forward in uncertain times.

“One of the lessons of history that gives us hope is that coalitions working together using a science-based approach communicated in language the public understands can be successful,” Gardner said.

In his recent book, Waters of the United States: POTUS, SCOTUS, WOTUS, and the Politics of a National Resource, Gardner chronicles the history of wetlands policy in the U.S.

Blocking the world’s largest jetport

When the proposed “Everglades Jetport” – which supposedly would have been the world’s largest – threatened to destroy a portion of the Everglades in the 1960s, public outcry led to the nation’s first Environmental Impact Statement, Congress passing the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, and ultimately the project’s halting.

“The coalition was successful,” Gardner said. “It stopped the jetport and it led to the establishment of Big Cypress National Preserve.”

That landmark legislation went on to influence dozens of other nations’ environmental policies, he added.

Left to right: Student Noah Peretz, Student Kylee Schaefer, Law Professor Royal Gardner, and Alumna Elise Bennett

“It’s appropriate that the Everglades serve as a model for the international community because the Everglades is internationally important in its own right,” Gardner said.

Not only is the vast, iconic wetland an international destination, but it is also designated under the Ramsar Convention and other international environmental regimes.

Facing the challenges ahead

Recent political shifts have led to uncertainty among environmental advocates on the future of wetlands protections. Among the most concerning to many is the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Sacket v. Environmental Protection Agency, the landmark case that recently led to a much narrower definition of wetlands subject to protection.

That same jetport parcel is in the spotlight again as the site of Alligator Alcatraz.

“Once more our nation’s commitment to conservation is being tested and at the exact same site, no less,” said Stetson Law Professor and Jacobs Public Interest Law Clinic for Democracy and the Environment Jaclyn Lopez, who spoke on the migrant detention center and represents amici-conservation groups in a lawsuit over Alligator Alcatraz.

Lopez moderated a panel of representatives from numerous groups who oppose the facility on environmental and cultural grounds, including indigenous tribes and environmental organizations.

“It is our hope with this panel we can learn from history and benefit from the struggles of those who came before us to do better, sooner,” Lopez said.

In his keynote address, Gardner encouraged his audience not to lose hope as policymakers threaten detrimental rollbacks of environmental protections, but to use the existing political system to challenge them.

“They’re people,” he said. “They’re people who run for office or put themselves up to be appointed to public office. So, what I want you to consider is running for office or encouraging good people to run for office. We need good people running the government.”

Highlights from Justice Stephen Breyer’s Visit to Campus

Two men sit on a stage. One is in the foreground, one is in the background. — Dean D. Benjamin Barros (left) looks on as Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer speaks at Stetson Law on February 1, 2026.

On February 1, the Stetson Law community gave a warm welcome to Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, who visited campus to share insights about the legal profession with College of Law students.

The Sunday evening event, which filled the Great Hall with hundreds of students, faculty and staff members, was one of several events commemorating Stetson Law’s 125^th anniversary. It comprised an hour of insight, reflection, advice, and, often, humor as the retired justice conversed with Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. The two also discussed Breyer’s recent book, Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism.

Offering students an inside look at how the U.S. Supreme Court works day to day, the types of cases the Court hears, and how justices conduct conversations on divisive issues, Breyer stressed civility, respect, and listening to those with whom one disagrees.

“The thing that I found works the best: Listen to what the people say and where they’re coming from,” Breyer said. “Listen. And then you build on what they say.”

The Stetson Connections

Breyer was introduced by 1986 Stetson Law Alumnus David Bronstein, who met Breyer due to his friendship with Breyer’s son Michael.

Bronstein joked that he met the elder Breyer because he “was a C student.” He had meant to ask his friend how people get to the Supreme Court but worded his question in a way that made it seem like he was asking to visit – so the younger Breyer called his father and arranged one.

“Because I didn’t know how to properly ask a question, I got invited to the Supreme Court,” joked Bronstein, who is a founding partner with Bronstein & Carmon, a prominent insurance defense firm in South Florida.

A man in a dark suit and a green tie stands next to a man in a light suit and a dark tie with a green vest in front of a backdrop that says "Stetson Law." — Left: Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. Right: Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.

Bronstein also pointed out that former Dean Bruce Jacob, a 1959 alumnus and a transformative figure in Stetson Law history, was a special guest that evening. Jacob is known for arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court in the landmark 1963 case Gideon v. Wainwright.

“It’s such a delight for me to see him here today,” he said of Jacob, who was dean when Bronstein attended Stetson Law.

Thoughts on the Legal Profession & Civic Engagement

Breyer, who retired from the Court in 2022, is a graduate of Stanford, Oxford, and Harvard Law School. He has taught law at Harvard Law School and at the Kennedy School of Government for years. He worked as a Supreme Court law clerk for Justice Arthur Goldberg, served as a Justice Department lawyer in the Antitrust Division, was an Assistant Special Prosecutor during Watergate, and served as Chief Counsel of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

He was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit by President Carter in 1980 and became Chief Judge a decade later. President Bill Clinton appointed him to the Supreme Court in 1994. He has authored books and articles on a broad range of legal topics.

As the conversation drew to a close, Breyer urged the students in attendance to remain active participants in democracy – and reflected on the unique and fundamental role the law and legal professionals play in promoting a just society in the U.S.

“Law is an institution that in general should help people live together peacefully,” Breyer said. “A rule of law is what we depend upon to keep those 340 million people together.”

WATCH: Full full video of Justice Breyer’s visit to Stetson Law

Campus Bioswales to Raise Awareness, Cut Pollution

A split-screen image of students placing native plants into the soil at Stetson Law. — The first phase of the bioswale installation project began in fall of 2025.

Student Noah Peretz has always been passionate about preserving wild spaces – and rewilding tamed ones.

While a student law clerk with Stetson’s Jacobs Public Interest Law Clinic for Democracy and the Environment, the spring 2026 grad discovered that passion for protecting natural environments can translate to meaningful community impact.

When the chance arose to make their law school campus greener, Peretz jumped at the opportunity.

With encouragement from Jacobs Clinic Director Jaclyn Lopez and with the enthusiastic support of campus officials and landscaping contractors, Peretz spearheaded a successful Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund grant application to fund a multi-year effort to install native plants in four areas on campus. Peretz had never done anything like it before.

“It became clear that transforming our grass-lined stormwater retention swales into native, plant-based bioswales was a natural fit,” Peretz said. “From there, I began drafting the grant proposal. This was the first grant proposal I had ever written, and it would not have been possible without the support of my mentors.”

From green to greener

For natural environments and the wildlife that dwells within them, the grass isn’t always as green as it seems. St. Augustine and other lawn grasses require fertilizers, the excess of which get carried off by rainwaters into nearby waterways, where they feed harmful algae blooms. When it floods, they tend to retain less flood water than natural landscaping.

The bioswale project, which began fall of 2025, is replacing expansive patches of St. Augustine grass that line campus stormwater retention areas with vibrant and less water-intensive native plants. The Florida-friendly plants absorb more stormwater while reducing the amount of fertilizer that drains into our local waterways Bear Creek, Boca Ciega Bay, and Tampa Bay.

A person wearing a green polo shit and jeans is partially kneeling as they place a plant into soil — Replacing turf grass with water-loving native plants will help reduce flooding and pollution on campus.

They will enhance filtration, improve groundwater recharge and water quality, and help filter pollutants originating from vehicles, roofing materials, landscaping, pet waste, and other sources. Since they require significantly less care, they’ll also be cheaper to maintain.

The first phase of the project is located on the south side of campus, across the street from the basketball courts and directly to the east of the walkway leading to the campus pool. Here, tufts of blue iris, muhly grass, cocoplum, and beautyberry dot the soil.

The second phase will overhaul the stormwater retention area south of the Hand Law Library. The third and fourth phases will replace turf grass on the edge of campus east of Plaza Mayor.

When the project is complete, educational signs explaining the benefits of bioswales will be placed near them and continuous monitoring of area water quality will ensue.

The project reflects the College of Law’s commitment to sustainability as well as engaging the community in meaningful dialogue on important issues.

“The campus bioswale project is just one example of how education and community advocacy can work together for a better future,” Lopez said. “In bringing this project about, Noah demonstrated an awe-inspiring amount of attention to detail, work ethic, follow-through and, perhaps most importantly, passion. We’re thrilled to have Noah as part of our team.”

A public education opportunity

Environmental advocates see the project as a way to expose students, faculty, staff, friends, and neighbors to environmentally beneficial ways of maintaining urban green spaces and inspire them to think beyond the way we’ve always done things.

A campus map highlighting four areas throughout Stetson Law's grounds where eco-friendly swales are being installed. — The swales are being installed in four key areas on campus (highlighted above in red).

“We’re excited to support Stetson’s vision to excel beyond the status quo of turf grass on their College of Law campus,” said Jessica Lewis, community projects manager with the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. “Once established, these bioswales will not only prevent nutrient pollution and water waste, they’ll also create a positive impact by restoring native urban habitat and showing students, faculty, and campus neighbors what’s possible in their own backyards.”

Peretz is now planting the seeds to ensure continued student involvement in administering the project after they graduate in May.

“My hope is that, as an alum, I will be able to return to campus and see the long-term fruits of this work, and that over time more of Stetson’s landscape design reflects a little more of that wild Florida beauty,” they said.

25 Big Stetson Law Stories in 2025

A collection of images, including a woman cutting a cake, a couple posing at a food pantry dedication, two students holding plaques after winning a competition, a woman at a podium, and three women in graduation regalia. — Highlights from 2025 include the dedication of the Turner Food Pantry, student championship wins, amazing speakers, an incredible graduating class, and celebration of the latest inductees to Stetson Law’s prestigious Hall of Fame.

In 2025, the Stetson Law community worked hard, supported one another, earned national recognition, and achieved great milestones. From celebrating the College’s 125 years of exceptional legal scholarship to continuing our forward-thinking approach to the role of artificial intelligence in education and the law, here are 25 major Stetson Law highlights of 2025.

A female graduate wearing a large lei smiles for the camera as she walks out of a large doorway.

Student grad 2025 4

Stetson Law celebrated its 125^th anniversary. Hundreds came to campus to mark the occasion for the opulent Eras Gala. Festivities will continue throughout the remainder of the 2025-2026 academic year.
Stetson Law was yet again U.S. News & World Report’s top advocacy destination and remained in the No. 3 spot for legal writing.
Reflecting our decades-long commitment to supporting veterans on campus and beyond, Stetson Law was named a Top 10 Military Friendly® School for veterans and their spouses.
Stetson Law welcomed five exceptional individuals into its prestigious Hall of Fame: Dean Darby Dickerson, Professor Peter Lake, Michael Marder ’77, Jeffery Smith ’73, and Ying White ’97.
Drawing from the vast expertise of faculty members like Stetson Law Gary R. Trombley Family White Collar Crime Research Professor Ellen Podgor, the College launched an innovative White Collar Criminal Defense Training Program, which brought practitioners to campus.
Alumnus Jeffrey Harvey ’12 helped reinforce the tremendous sense of community Stetson Law enjoys. Harvey honored his mentor, Alumnus and Former Florida Supreme Court Justice Fred Karl ’49 by donating a copy of Karl’s book Python Tales to the Florida Supreme Court Archives and contributing to a scholarship fund designated for veterans attending Stetson Law.
Stetson Law’s signature professional development event, Campus to Career, featured insightful panel discussions, incredible keynotes, and impactful networking sessions. Bonus: during the event, Jonah Perlin recorded a live episode of the How I Lawyer podcast that featured Howard Williams ’12, who talked about his career path. Williams is now president of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association. Listen here.
Civil rights activist Janice Wesley Kelsey spoke about her experience at the annual Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Lecture.
Alumna and longtime Stetson Law Professor Rebecca Morgan ’80 was honored with the Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Public Service Award.
The International Wildlife Conference brought together top animal advocates from around the globe in April. The 29^th edition of the International Environmental Moot Court Competition followed immediately on its heels. See full recap.
Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute became the only nonprofit of its kind to join the Raymond James Valor Network.
Faculty, staff and leadership continued to lead the charge on generative artificial intelligence in higher education and within the legal profession and in higher education. The Association of American Law Schools’ Section on Legal Writing, Reasoning, and Research honored Law Professor Kirsten Davis with its 2026 section award for her leadership in this and other areas.
Visiting Director of Clinical and Experiential Learning Michael Vastine led a daylong conference exploring the landmark immigration case Padilla vs. Kentucky 15 years after the decision was handed down.
We sent more than 300 new Stetson Lawyers out into the world to advocate for their clients, themselves, and a better tomorrow.
We welcomed new and visiting faculty members from a broad range of backgrounds and geographical locales. This included two new full-time faculty, two Bruce R. Jacob Visiting Assistant Professors, and visiting professors from a broad range of backgrounds.
The Stetson Law community served veterans in myriad ways, from its annual Wills for Warriors event to hosting a veteran claim oral argument. Veterans Law Institute Interim Director Morgan Zimarakos ’20 was also named president of the National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium.
The Foreman Biodiversity Lecture Series brought bestselling authors to campus. Among these were We Are Eating the Earth author Michael Grunwald, University of South Florida springs expert Chris Meindl, and Cynthia Barnett, author of The Sound of the Sea: Seashells and the Fate of Oceans.
Two celebrated professors, Jason Palmer and Stacey-Rae Simcox, helped the College expand its support of students through new deanship roles.
From deep dives into Florida environmental law to sharp practitioner insights on major business transactions, immersive learning took center stage.
For the first time, Stetson’s 1L orientation included a session that delved into using AI ethically and effectively while in law school.
Stetson’s Child Advocacy Clinic was awarded Funding Florida Legal Aid’s Paul Doyle Child Advocacy Award during the 2025 Florida Bar Convention.
During an event organized by Stetson’s chapter of the Federalist Society, Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos G. Muniz spoke at Stetson Law.
Stetson’s criminal law team stepped up its offerings with a new criminal law concentration, which invites students to sharpen their understanding of the area of practice while still in law school.
Recognizing the widespread nature of food insecurity, including among law students, Stetson Law Board of Overseers Chair Jason Turner and his parents, Gary and Laura Turner, supported the renovation, expansion, and replenishment of the College’s campus food pantry, an important resource for students.
Two students dedicated their win at the National Veterans Law Moot to the memory of a dear friend and colleague, Logan T. West, who passed away unexpectedly in 2024 shortly before he was expected to compete in that year’s edition of the competition.

VLI Supports Student Veterans at St. Pete College

Three young alumni stand with purple shirts promoting Stetson's Veterans Law Institute. — Left to right: Mary Samarkos ’20 and Morgan Zimarakos ’20 of Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute; Vasilios “Billy” Zimarakos ’20

Staff and students with Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute (VLI) and Veterans Advocacy Clinic (VAC) recently ventured to the nearby St. Petersburg College (SPC) Gibbs Campus to help student veterans file disability claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The event was coordinated by SPC’s Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions (ISPS).

The day started with two VAC teaching assistants, Valeriya Gilmutdinova and Dietta Hahn, presenting on the basics of a VA disability claim and how to support a claim for service connection.

Stetson VAC students and volunteer attorneys (all VAC alumni) then met with student veterans from SPC and provided direct legal advice on how to secure VA disability benefits for physical and mental-health injuries or conditions incurred in or otherwise caused by their time in service.

Stetson Law has conducted similar events at the primary Stetson University in DeLand, but this event was the first to take place at SPC. ISPS Executive Director Kimberly Jackson, a 2002 Stetson Law alumna, had asked VLI leadership to partner with the nonprofit on a campus event that supports students who are veterans. VLI staff and leadership were happy to oblige.

“Outreach events are exciting because our students have the opportunity to give back to their community by working one on one with local veterans,” said Veterans Advocacy Clinic Interim Director Morgan Zimarakos. “Many veterans do not require full legal representation but still need to be pointed in the right direction. Outreach events allow us to explain how to file claims, what types of evidence to submit, and how to prepare an appeal so that the veterans we work with are empowered to continue the process on their own. Thanks to Kimberly and ISPS for hosting this important event.”

The Stetson team told each of the veterans with whom they met that they could apply for further Veterans Advocacy Clinic services if they wanted continued assistance with their benefits claims.

Learn more about Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute.

Learn more about Stetson’s Veterans Advocacy Clinic.

Bestselling Author Michael Grunwald Connects Climate & the Food System

A man wearing a black shirt and glasses speaks at a podium. — Bestselling author Michael Grunwald spoke at Stetson Law in November 2025.

What does the food on your plate have to do with rising sea levels?

As it turns out, says best-selling author Michael Grunwald, quite a bit.

Grunwald, who spoke on the Stetson Law campus November 18 as part of the Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture Series, covers environmental policy and politics for The New York Times and other outlets. His most recent book, We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate, delves into the massive yet untold impacts industrial agriculture is having on the planet – and what we can do about it as individuals and societies.

“It’s a great read – a thought-provoking book about the connections between our food system and climate change,” said Law Professor Royal Gardner, director of Stetson’s Institute for Biodiversity Law & Policy, in his introductory remarks.

Grunwald said that while urban and suburban development cover just one percent of the planet, farmland covers a staggering 40 percent – and consumes more land every day.

“We’re losing a soccer field of forest to agriculture every six seconds,” he said. “Our natural planet is becoming an agricultural planet.”

A compounding problem

When it comes to offsetting the excess carbon emissions that are associated with rising global temperatures, trees are a critical resource for pulling carbon from the atmosphere. The loss of forests, prairies, and other natural landscapes means less carbon dioxide is being pulled from the atmosphere.

Grunwald said trying to decarbonize the planet through renewable energy and other solutions while cutting down trees is like trying to clean your house while smashing the vacuum cleaner to bits.

Much of the land now being used for agriculture grows food for the animals many humans eat. Those animals are also emitting large amounts of greenhouse gases like methane into the air.

Yet a growing human population requires a reliable, productive food system. To achieve sustainable food production for generations to come, Grunwald said, we need to take a hard but honest look at what’s on our plates.

“We’re going to need to make more food with less land and less mess,” he said.

Hard choices, sustainable solutions

The problem appears daunting, but Grunwald sees two obvious starting points: eating less meat and wasting less food.

Meat from mass-scale agricultural operations requires extensive land – including land for growing the animals’ food – and directly produces greenhouse gases like methane. Meat from cows and lambs is particularly taxing on the environment, he said.

A man speaks at a podium in a room with marble columns. — Professor Royal Gardner introduced speaker Michael Grunwald.

Meanwhile, we are wasting more than 25 percent of the food we buy, which forces the food system to produce much more than is needed. The average U.S. household wastes more than $2,000 a year on food that will end up in a landfill, where it will emit methane – another powerful greenhouse gas.

“It is insane that we waste at least a quarter of our food,” Grunwald said. “That means we waste a quarter of the land and water and fertilizer that we use to grow it. We use a landmass the size of China to grow garbage.”

At the industrial level, he said, innovators are exploring ways to produce more food with less land. Food companies like Beyond and Impossible have developed meat alternatives from plants that will allow individuals to eat burgers and other foods they love without sacrificing palatability. Composting has become easier and more widespread, which helps reduce the amount of wasted food being shipped off to landfills.

As for individuals, their impact comes from the choices they make at each meal. While everyone going vegan would have a transformative impact on the planet, Grunwald – who said he is not vegan – recognizes the widespread resistance to this lifestyle, given the emotional and cultural associations made with certain foods.

“We all find a level of hypocrisy that we’re comfortable with,” he said. “Perfect isn’t usually on the menu. But better is better than worse.”

Learn more about We are Eating the Earth.

Veteran Moot Win Dedicated to Memory of Classmate

A man and a woman wearing business attire hold three plaques to celebrat a championship win. — Teammates Valeriya Gilmutdinova and Clayton Smith following their championship win at the National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition in Washington, DC. in 2025.

This one’s for Logan.

For the seventh time in the competition’s 16-year history, a Stetson Law team secured a championship win at the National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition in Washington, DC.

Going into the November event, teammates Valeriya Gilmutdinova and Clayton Smith decided to give it their all in honor of Logan T. West, a classmate who passed away unexpectedly just days before he was set to compete in 2024.

West and Smith, who were teammates, had spent months preparing for the event and had worked together at Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute. As a Veterans Advocacy Clinic fellow, West inspired hope, collaboration, and camaraderie among those with whom he worked. “Logan was the kind of partner who made you better,” said Smith, who also won the Best Oral Advocate Award at this year’s competition. “Dedicating this win to him isn’t symbolic for us; it’s a reflection of the impact he had on me and the entire class of 2026. This wasn’t just for him; it was because of him.”

Embracing the challenge

Veterans law can be emotionally and intellectually demanding work. Coupled with the pressure of preparing for a national championship, it can become daunting.

Hearing that Smith wanted to honor West by competing this year but didn’t have a teammate, Gilmutdinova stepped up to the challenge. She said she was inspired by the example West, whom she knew from her 1L Section, set through the “care, kindness, hard work, and dedication,” he showed every day.

A group of students wearing purple polo shirts stand in front of an outdoor sign that says "VETRANS LAW INSTITUTE" — Logan T. West (second from right) passed away unexpectedly in 2024.

“We chose to dedicate this win in his honor because so much of what we achieved was inspired by his example,” she said. “This dedication is a promise to remember and uphold the values Logan embodied, guaranteeing that his spirit remains a part of every milestone the team celebrated.

Although the preparation schedule was grueling, Gilmutdinova said Smith’s dedication and tirelessness strengthened her resolve to work harder.

During his most challenging moments, Smith said he would reflect on the positive attitude that West exuded when things got tough.

“Whenever the preparation felt overwhelming, he’d remind us with his infamous line, ‘One pity party a day.’ He joked that he always used his up too early. That was his spirit: honest, hopeful, and always pushing forward,” Smith said.

Building on years of success

Stetson Law won the inaugural Veterans Law Moot in 2009 and went on to win six more times. At five wins, only Baylor comes close to Stetson’s record. Smith was also the seventh Stetson student to win Best Oral Advocate Award.

Faculty and staff with Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute helped the teamwork through some challenging constitutional and veterans benefits issues. A special thanks to the team’s co-coach, Christopher Gieger.

The Chief Justice in the competition’s final round was former Stetson Law Professor and Veterans Law Institute Director Mike Allen, who is now chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

“Their achievement is remarkable alone, but the heart behind it is what really struck me,” said Morgan Zimarakos, interim director of the Veterans Advocacy Clinic. “Clayton and Valeriya carried the memory of their classmate with them throughout the competition as a beautiful tribute to his spirit and their shared dedication. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Alumna Rebecca Palmer On Chatbot Romances & Family Law

Smiling woman in a blazer sits at a desk in a modern office with orchids and abstract art behind her. — 1994 alumna Rebecca Palmer

An accomplished Orlando family law attorney, 1994 Stetson Law alumna Rebecca L. Palmer has become a leading voice in the conversation surrounding artificial intelligence – primarily, chatbot romances – and how family law practitioners should approach cases involving them.

Her innovative work explores how the romantic use of chatbots reshapes marriage, infidelity, and parenthood. Since chatbots are not recognized as “legal” people, family law attorneys are forced to rethink how best to guide individuals and couples, including how “private” conversations with romantic AI companions can be used in court and how chatbot romances can change relationships for the long term.

She recently answered key questions about this rapidly evolving area.

What is an “AI romantic companion,” and how widespread has this become?

As a Stetson graduate with a 30-year family law career, I have seen the legal profession evolve, from recognizing same-sex marriages to the rise in mediation practices. Now, another change is upon us: artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving beyond simple chat tools for customer service or GPS navigation. Now, people are forming emotional bonds with chatbots that simulate empathy, conversation, and even romantic affection. According to a recent Brigham Young University Wheatly Institute report, nearly one in five adults in the U.S. have already conversed with an AI romantic partner, with apps like Nomi or Relika helping design the perfect companion. These are not science fiction stories; they’re part of how people in 2025 experience connection in the digital age.

How does this new form of emotional attachment intersect with marriage and divorce?

By definition, family law deals with human relationships and domestic issues between two spouses, and, sometimes, a “third party” in cases of infidelity. When that third party is an AI, the emotional betrayal can feel real and even heightened, yet there is no specific legislation defining or regulating it. Courts may treat excessive spending on AI companions as “marital waste,” which can affect financial settlements and custody arrangements. We’re also beginning to see clients cite emotional bonds with AI companions as reasons for marital strain or dissolution. It challenges the legal definition of fidelity and forces us to ask: can an algorithm truly be the cause of a divorce?

Could an AI relationship be considered marital misconduct?

These are uncharted waters, and where things get complex. Legally, marital misconduct such as adultery requires involvement with a person. Because chatbots aren’t “legal persons,” they don’t meet the statutory definition. However, from a practical standpoint, an AI affair might still have emotional consequences that impact alimony, property division, or parenting decisions. Judges may not label it “adultery,” but they could consider the emotional distance or deception involved when evaluating fault or credibility, and that decision could affect custody or financial outcomes.

Are “private” chatbot conversations admissible in court?

Potentially, yes. If an AI chat relationship reveals neglect, coercion, or instability patterns, those digital records can become part of discovery. However, admissibility depends on authentication, proving the messages are genuine and unaltered. With AI systems generating text dynamically, this poses real evidentiary challenges. Attorneys must now understand the metadata and the underlying AI architecture that produced the communication.

Could an AI relationship affect custody cases?

It could. If a parent becomes emotionally dependent on an AI partner, similar to other online addictions like gambling, to the extent that it interferes with their parenting duties, opposing counsel might raise questions about judgment, isolation, or mental health. On the other hand, AI can also provide therapeutic companionship for people coping with loneliness or trauma. Courts must distinguish between healthy coping mechanisms and situations where virtual attachment compromises a parent’s ability to engage in real-world caregiving.

How should family law attorneys prepare for this emerging issue?

The time is now for attorneys to broaden their understanding of human-AI interaction. We can’t dismiss these relationships as fantasy anymore; they have tangible emotional and legal consequences. Legal professionals should stay informed about evolving technology, privacy laws, and evidentiary rules, and guide clients through the emotional and ethical implications of AI use. As with every technological shift, family law must adapt to protect human dignity as human and digital affection evolves.

First Elder Law LLM Alum Given Prestigious Award

A woman with chin-length brown hair wears a grey suit jacket and white shirt as she smiles for the camera. — Catherine Seal was the first person to receive an LLM in Elder Law from Stetson in 2008.

The Colorado Bar Association’s Elder Law Section has recognized Catherine Anne Seal, JD, LLM, CELA, with its 2025 John Campbell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Elder Law. In 2008, Seal became the first person to ever graduate from Stetson Law’s LLM in Elder Law program.

The CBA Elder Law Section’s highest possible honor, the award was presented to Seal at the 2025 Annual Rocky Mountain Elder Law Retreat.

Seal’s contributions to the growing area of elder law are numerous and ongoing.

She has chaired the CBA Elder Law Section and served as president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) as well as that organization’s Colorado Chapter. She is the author of Elder Law in Colorado, published as a part of the West Practice Series, advised on Uniform Law Commission drafting committees, and published and spoken extensively both in Colorado and nationally.

Empowered by Stetson Law

Named for a longtime member of the CBA Elder Law Section who died tragically in a scuba diving accident, the John Campbell Award is presented to an individual who has made and continues to make significant contributions to the practice of elder law.

Seal said the experience, knowledge, and professional relationships she developed while pursuing her LLM at Stetson Law helped her distinguish herself as a leader in this area of practice.

“Obtaining the LLM in Elder Law allowed me to practice at a higher level,” said Seal. “The classroom instruction and high-level interaction with the faculty enhanced my legal skills and writing abilities. It led to leadership positions in NAELA and the ABA, as well as being sought out by both legal journals and book publications.”

Making an impact west of the Mississippi

While open to any practicing elder law attorney, the Rocky Mountain Elder Law Retreat is sponsored by the Colorado Bar Association and focuses on the Rocky Mountain States of Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah and Arizona.

Seal is currently of counsel with the Gasper Law Group in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She concentrates her practice in elder law, especially contested and uncontested guardianships and conservatorships, as well as probate and trust litigation.

Her spouse, Michael A. Kirtland, JD, LLM, and CELA Emeritus, isan adjunct faculty member at Stetson Law.

Seal’s other experience includes two decades of serving as senior partner in Kirtland & Seal LLC in Colorado Springs and 21 years as the public administrator for the Fourth Judicial District of Colorado.

Learn more about Stetson’s LLM in Elder Law program.

Stetson Law Inducts 5 New Hall of Fame Members in 2025

Left to right: Jeffery Smith ’73, Dean Darby Dickerson, Dean D. Benjamin Barros, Michael Marder ’77, Professor Peter Lake

At a midday event that took place November 1 at the Don CeSar in a chic event space overlooking the Gulf, five pivotal figures were inducted into Stetson University College of Law’s prestigious Hall of Fame.

Representing a large breadth of backgrounds and experience, this year’s inductees have some major things in common: All have demonstrated a deep passion for the College of Law’s mission and for the legal profession itself, and all have had a transformative impact on the College of Law.

“Today’s inductees represent what is truly great and special about Stetson Law,” said Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “They are a very fitting addition to a very lengthy and distinguished list of previous inductees.

Dean Darby Dickerson

Four women in professional dress smile at the camera in front of a fireplace. — Left to right: Law Professor Emerita Ann Piccard, Law Professor Stephanie Vaughan, Dean Darby Dickerson, Law Professor Kelly Feeley.

Given how transformative she was as dean of the College of Law from 2005 through 2011, Dean Darby Dickerson’s impact on Stetson Law can still be felt in so many ways. She was instrumental in what is now the college’s nationally renowned Legal Writing Program. She secured the gift from Dolly and Homer Hand to name the Dolly and Homer Hand Library, created several programs, established student-focused initiatives aimed at meeting student and community needs, and hired several iconic faculty members.

She has also personally supported various College of Law funds and is regularly remembered fondly by those who shared time at Stetson with her.

Learn more about Dean Dickerson’s legacy at Stetson Law.

Professor Peter Lake

Remembered fondly by countless alumni, Professor Peter F. Lake has spent more than 30 years in higher education as a teacher and administrator. He is currently professor of law, Charles A. Dana Chair, and the director of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy at Stetson Law. He has served in many administrative functions at Stetson, including honor code administrator, interim director of Title IX compliance, special assistant to the dean, and the faculty representative to the board of trustees.

Lake is an internationally recognized expert on higher education law and policy and has been quoted or referred to in hundreds of newspapers and court opinions throughout the United States. He is chair of Stetson University College of Law’s Annual National Conference on Law and Higher Education, which is held in Clearwater, Florida, each spring.

Learn more about Professor Lake’s legacy at Stetson Law.

Michael Marder ’77

A man in a black suit and a woman in black formal dress — Michael Marder ’77 and his wife, Crisa Marder.

A 1977 Stetson Law alumnus, Michael E. Marder is the co-managing director and co-founder of Greenspoon Marder. Since founding the firm in 1981 with partner Gerald Greenspoon, Marder has focused his practice on complex business litigation, transactional law, and real estate banking & finance. He has extensive experience in hospitality and vacation ownership law and has helped shape the industry over the last four decades.

A member of Stetson’s Board of Overseers, he generously supported the Advocacy Institute Building Fund with a gift to name the Michael Marder Courtroom as well as the Center for Advocacy, the Stetson Law Fund, and theHonorable Thomas B. McCoun II Scholarship. He has graciously hosted numerous alumni events at his home and offices throughout the country.

Learn more about Michael Marder’s legacy at Stetson Law.

Jeffery Smith ’73

A man wearing a light-colored suit and a woman in a black dress and jacket stand in front of a green wall that is lined with trophies — 1973 alumnus Jeff Smith and his wife, Patricia Smith, at the grand opening of Stetson Law’s Advocacy Institute.

Retired Citrus County Prosecutor Jeff Smith, a 1973 alumnus, and his wife Trish have made transformative philanthropic investments in Stetson Law’s students and programs at a level rivaled by few. Their gifts have established the Jeffery A. and Patricia F. Smith Scholarship Endowment, supported the Advocacy Institute Building Fund with a gift to name the Jeffrey A. and Patricia F. Smith Trophy Room, the Entrance Hall, and helped fund other important projects and initiatives.

They have also supported the Student Emergency Fund and Stetson Law Fund. Jeff Smith is also a highly engaged member of Stetson University Trustees and Stetson Law Board of Overseers.

Learn more about Jeffery Smith’s legacy at Stetson Law.

Ying White ’97

A woman with a dark bob and glasses smiles; she wears full ceremonial regalia. A man in red graduation regalia is in the background. — Ying White ’97 was the commencement speaker at the spring 2025 commencement. She was inducted into Stetson Law’s Hall of Fame in 2025.

A 1997 alumna who has reached the pinnacle of the legal profession, Ying White is a current partner at the global law firm Clifford Chance LLP and head of its China Investment Funds and Investment Management Practice. Her extensive career success reflects, incredible drive, the ability to build relationships, and a strong focus on the dynamics of a changing global economy.

She has long served as a mentor to Stetson Law’s international students, freely giving of her time to discuss career pathways. She has also served as an alumni mentor and was a Stetson Law Alumni Association Advisory Board Member from 2005 through 2008.

Ying served as Stetson Law’s commencement speaker in May 2025.

Learn more about Ying White’s legacy at Stetson Law.

See all Stetson Law Hall of Fame inductees.

Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffery Smith ’73

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 opportunity to have an impact within the justice system. As a Board of Overseers member and University Trustee who regularly sits in on classes, he is incredibly engaged with his alma mater.

“He and Trish’s impact on the campus is really tremendous,” said Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “Their support comes with personal involvement. Jeff really cares about the experience that we’re giving our students.”

At a November 1, 2025 ceremony at the Don CeSar on St. Pete Beach, Florida, Smith was inducted into the Stetson University College of Law Hall of Fame, an honor that follows years of impassioned involvement with and generous support of his alma mater.

Becoming a Stetson Lawyer

After serving in the Army and earning his undergraduate degree at the University of Florida, Smith set his sights on law school. Shortly after he took the LSAT, Stetson Law offered him a full scholarship.

He wore a suit to class and was always prepared for his professors to put him on the spot.

A picture of dozens of graduating law students in ceremonial regalia. This is the Stetson Law 1973 graduating class. — Stetson Law Class of 1973

During a recent and long-overdue campus tour, Smith said seeing the students convinced him it was time to support his alma mater.

“It is my moral obligation to give back,” he said.

He and Trish’s gifts include establishing an endowed scholarship and supporting construction of Stetson’s new Advocacy Institute, where the stunning trophy room and the Banyan Courtyard fountain entrance were named in honor of their generosity.

A meaningful career

Though Smith initially focused on tax law and estate planning, he found his passion while serving on a criminal prosecution task force.

Four people in casual Stetson attire smile for the camer. — Left to right: Stetson University President Christopher Roellke, 1973 alumnus Jeffery Smith, Trish Smith, and Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros.

Working in the juvenile justice division of the prosecutor’s office in Citrus County at a time there was no juvenile court, Smith established its first drug, mental health, and juvenile court.

In private practice, Smith defended those accused of homicide and crimes involving narcotics, but questioned whether the cutthroat nature of criminal law was for him.

“If you can’t win ethically and righteously, it isn’t worth doing,” Smith has said. This led him back to the state prosecutor’s office, a decision he knew was right because he went home every evening knowing he was doing something positive for the community.