Attorney David Rivkin addresses Professor Nagle’s human trafficking law course
Large law firms value critical practice skills when it comes to the significant pro bono legal assistance programs that aim to help find justice and restitution for victims of horrific crimes.
On Tuesday, February 15, Attorney David W. Rivkin spoke to students in Professor Luz Nagle‘s skills-based Human Trafficking class about the importance of what they’re learning. Such skills include interpreting and understanding domestic and international law, knowing the scope of the problem of human trafficking and the elements that constitute human trafficking crimes, assessing trafficking cases, and learning about the process of adjudication. Mr. Rivkin, a litigation partner in Debevoise and Plimpton’s New York and London offices, spoke on the need for law students to train to be advocates for those who cannot afford legal counsel and that such training is a highly desirable asset to carry into the job market following graduation.
Stetson Law Professor Luz Nagle
“The students enjoyed the chance to meet a distinguished practitioner with vast international legal experience,” Nagle said of the experience. “Mr. Rivkin’s remarks about the value law firms place on pro bono service gave us all a needed lift, and helped the students appreciate that the practical and analytical skills they are learning in this class will help them greatly in the future.”
Mr. Rivkin is widely recognized as one of the top international dispute resolution practitioners in the United States and globally. He is also a distinguished and passionate human rights advocate and was a principal author of the United Nations UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
In addition to a decades-long distinguished career with Debevoise, Mr. Rivkin is a Past President of the International Bar Association and has held several leadership roles in the IBA and other learned law societies. He has served in an advisory capacity on arbitration and economic policy in the United States and abroad. Mr. Rivkin received his B.A. magna cum laude and his J.D. from Yale University.
Professor Nagle has been teaching about human trafficking to Stetson law students since the early 2000s and has been recognized as one of the first law professors to teach a course on human trafficking in the United States. Her curriculum has been used by Johns Hopkins University as a model for undergraduate and law school courses nationwide.
The 11 law schools that make up the Florida Law Schools’ Consortium on Racial Justice will hold the consortium’s first event of the year on February 16 to discuss an often-misunderstood topic, critical race theory. This is the second statewide forum since its formation in 2020.
The consortium, which includes all of Florida’s law schools, aims to combat systemic racism through fostering anti-racism in legal education. In 2020, Stetson Law Dean Michèle Alexandre collaborated with the other Florida Law Deans to launch the Consortium’s foundation. Today, the consortium is institutionalized in each Florida law school and is led in collaboration with Professor Judy Scully and AttorneyJoann Grages Burnett.
Stetson Law Professor Judith Scully
“The work of the FLSCRJ is important because we are focused on the moral responsibility of the legal profession to breathe life into the phrase that is inscribed on the entrance to the United States Supreme Court building – ‘equal justice under law,’” Scully said.
The February 16 forum, titled “Critical Race Theory: Myths and Misrepresentations,” will explore critical race theory as well as correct misconceptions about this historic legal approach. Recently, the term has been usurped and misrepresented in a manner that stokes fear and division. The mischaracterization of CRT has even led to legislation at the state and local level, including in Florida, “banning” it from being taught in public schools – despite the fact that its use has not traditionally extended to K-12 education.
Emory University Law Professor Darren Hutchinson
Consortium leadership hopes to shed light on critical race theory and inspire everyone to learn more about the correct application of this transformative school of thought.
“As educators, we prioritize creating space for deep learning and critical evaluation of assumptions. Part of justice work is to correct misinformation, especially when such misinformation causes harm,” said Alexandre, who will be a panelist at the forum. “I am elated that the Florida Consortium can contribute to this important work and encourage everyone to engage with the esteemed panelists who will take part in the discussion.”
Panelists for the discussion include Dean Michèle Alexandre, Emory University Law Professor Darren Hutchinson, and Amy Donofrio, an educator and Executive Director of the EVAC Movement, a Jacksonville-based organization that aims to transform the lives of youth often considered “at-risk.” The talk will be moderated by Ray Benson and Cassidy Mauth, the FLSCRJ fellows at Florida A&M University College of Law, the institution that is serving as the event’s host.
“Our mission is to serve as a beacon of hope and catalyst for change by providing access to excellent educational training, and this panel offers such an opportunity,” said Deidré Keller, Dean and Professor of Law at Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law. “We’re proud to host this forum and elated to have two of our talented law students moderate the discussion.”
Participants say conversations like this are vital, given how a distorted version of CRT is now capitalized to influence voters ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.
“The recent attacks on Critical Race Theory are part of an organized countermovement to racial justice,” Hutchinson said. “Anti-CRT legislation and restrictions on political activism and voting are designed to impede the attainment of a more just society.”
Educating the public on what critical race theory is – and is not – can help foster more productive conversations about systemic racism and how it affects our legal system, including how we educate lawyers.
Dean Michèle Alexandre
“It is our duty as legal educators and sculptors of the legal profession to ensure that this next generation of lawyers takes this responsibility seriously,” Scully said. “We view this mission not just as a law school effort but as a community-wide effort. And, since the anti-CRT movement has been so vocal in Florida’s legislature, it is a timely topic for all 11 Florida law schools to examine thoroughly.”
The Florida Law Schools Consortium on Racial Justice first convened in the summer of 2020.
The 11 Florida law school deans are:
John Czarnetzky, Chief Executive Officer & Dean, Ave Maria School of Law
Leticia M. Diaz, Dean & Professor, Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
Deidre A. Keller, Dean, Florida A&M University College of Law
Antony Page, Dean & FIU Foundation Professor, Florida International University College of Law
Erin O’Hara O’Connor, Dean & McKenzie Professor, Florida State U. College of Law
Dean Jose Roberto Juarez, Jr. Dean & Professor, Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law
Tamara F. Lawson, Dean & Professor, St. Thomas University School of Law
Michèle Alexandre, Dean & Professor, Stetson University College of Law
Laura Ann Rosenbury, Dean & Levin, Mabie & Levin Professor, University of Florida Levin College of Law
Nell Jessup Newton, Interim Dean & Visiting Professor, University of Miami School of Law
James McGrath, President & Dean, WMU – Cooley Law School Tampa Bay Campus
The virtual panel that participated in SPHERE’s New Normal discussion
Just like the pandemic, the struggle for racial justice hasn’t ended – but it’s evolved in ways nobody expected. Information – and misinformation, much of it harmful and divisive – spreads rapidly as many communities are struggling.
A panel of Racial Justice Student Fellows from Pinellas County higher-learning institutions including Stetson Law examined how to promote racial healing and a greater sense of unity in a virtual talk called “Truth Talk: Creating a New Normal.” The event was part of an ongoing series of conversations organized by St. Pete/Pinellas Higher Education for Race Equity (SPHERE), a consortium formed in 2020.
Panelists sought to uncover new ways to foster a culture on campus that acknowledges the struggles and inequities that have challenged Black students well before Covid-19 and the 2020 uprisings.
“We think this conversation is important,” said DeWayne Anderson, assistant program director for the Office of Multicultural Affairs at University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus. “We think racial healing is important.”
The Ripple Effects of 2020
Stetson Law student and SPHERE fellow Blake Radford moderated the panel. He kicked it off by asking the panelists to reflect on the year 2020, and whether racial injustice intensified.
“I do think that it was kind of revealed and it grew to a fever pitch,” said Stetson Law student Megan Holmes, the other SPHERE fellow from Stetson Law. “Everyone had to pay attention because there was nothing else to do. Because they were at home and their attention was available.”
From that grew conversations about inequities in everyday life, and questions about whether society is truly inclusive. Panelist Na’Keidra Perez, a SPHERE fellow who left the corporate world to attend St. Petersburg College, said it can go as far as one’s identity in professional settings.
“I still can’t go by Na’Keidra at work,” she said, adding that she’s had to go by “Nikki” in corporate settings. “Let alone share my pronouns, I can’t even share my name.”
Healing Through Difficult Conversations
Part of racial healing, she said, is to have open conversations about why the dominant culture isn’t inclusive despite the diversity that constitutes it – and be open to putting in the hard work to change it, regardless of your racial identity.
“Learn how to become an imperfect ally. You may not look like me, but you have a problem that I can help with,” she said. “To me, racial healing is a painful process at which we are [to paraphrase Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.] continually moving toward the promised land.”
SPHERE is a collaborative undertaking comprising Eckerd College, the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg College, Stetson University College of Law, and USF St. Petersburg. The consortium originated in 2020 as a means of confronting inequalities that exist in Pinellas County. These higher-education institutions serve more than 40,000 students, collectively.
Each year, the consortium selects two fellows from each campus to participate in frequent conversations activities that give them an active role in shaping policies that support systemic change and racial healing. The 2021-2022 Racial Justice Student Fellows were the inaugural students to participate in the program.
From a lawyer who famously represents top rappers to a high-profile fraud case involving Silicon Valley, Stetson Law’s inaugural Business Law Review Symposium will be a day of compelling discussion. Taking place virtually Feb. 25, this year’s event is called “White Collar Crime: A Look into the Past, Present, and Future.”
Lawyer Drew Findling
The event will be a vibrant mix of academics and practitioners, providing a rare opportunity for practicing lawyers, scholars, and students to examine all aspects of law relating to white collar crime, from ethical questions to real-world examples.
“We are excited about the upcoming inaugural symposium of Stetson University College of Law’s Business Law Journal on an important topic in the news, white collar crime,” said Law Professor Ellen Podgor, Stetson’s Gary R. Trombley White Collar Crime Research Professor. “The Symposium provides a mix of presentations on topics for academics, students, and practitioners, in this key area of the law.”
Law Professor Ellen Podgor
Why White Collar Crime?
The term “white collar crime” is said to have been coined by sociologist Edwin Sutherland in 1939. The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines it as “characterized by deceit, concealment, or violation of trust” rather than violence or the threat of physical harm. It’s typically financially motivated – so while a victim might not suffer physical injury or death, they can experience financial ruin by no fault of their own.
“From insider trading to outright fraud, white collar crime costs investors and the markets billions of dollars, yet it is too seldom effectively prosecuted,” said Stetson Law Professor Joe Morrissey, the Business Law Review‘s faculty advisor.
He said one topic that’ll be up for discussion is a recent high-profile example of white collar crime: Elizabeth Holmes and the company she founded on false promises, Theranos. Although Theranos was dissolved in 2018, the Silicon Valley-based startup was once valued at $10 billion.
Law Professor Joe Morrissey
A Day of Fascinating Discussion
Morrissey will moderate a morning academic panel called “Investigation & Insider Trading.” A second academic panel, “Prosecution & Punishment for Corporate Officers,” will be moderated by visiting Professor Karen Woody.
The afternoon has two practitioner panels that will explore two key aspects of the white collar practice. The first will be a panel on discovery issues that considers recent congressional legislation, the Due Process Protection Act, and issues criminal defense lawyers face with white collar cases.
Unlike street crime, white collar crime investigations are typically document-driven and evidence is largely found in computers or corporate materials. Sifting through and organizing voluminous records can make discovery particularly challenging.
The second panel will examine ethical issues associated with white collar practice. The panel will offer their perspectives on some of the unique ethical landmines presented when representing a client in a corporate setting.
Lawyer Marissa Goldberg
High-Profile Defense Attorneys to Speak
The day ends with a spirited conversation with practitioners Drew Findling and Marissa Goldberg, who will discuss the pre-trial issues that arise in handling a white collar case.
Findling is a high-profile Atlanta-based lawyer known for representing the likes of rappers Gucci Mane and Cardi B. A past president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, his practice, Findling Law Firm, P.C. focuses on state and federal criminal defense.
A partner at Findling Law, Goldberg has successfully represented clients in a range of high-profile and political cases, including a recent case involving Atlanta City Hall.
Organizers say they hope the event will raise interest in the legal dynamics of white-collar crime among the Stetson Law community.
“We hope that the information presented by our distinguished authors and panelists will provide opportunities for growth and inspiration,” said student Omar M. Hussein, editor of Stetson’s Business Law Journal.
The 2022 Hunton Andrews Kurth National Championship | Courtesy of the University of Houston Law Center
Considered by Stetson Law Professor Brooke Bowman as the Super Bowl of moot court competitions, the Hunton Andrews Kurth National Championship invites only the best teams to compete in this annual event. Coming off a stellar 2020–2021 season, Stetson was, naturally, among them in January 2022.
Jessica Merker
The event took place virtually Jan. 27–29 and brought the nation’s 16 best teams together to argue on either side of a problem concerning general versus personal jurisdiction in the context of a class-action suit. The team consisted of students Elizabeth Kellar, Jessica Merker, and Peter Farrell, who had been preparing for this championship since October with coaching from Professor Brooke Bowman and Stetson Alumnus James Nealon and assistance from Professors Louis Virelli and Roberta Flowers and a number of alums who competed on previous teams in this competition.
Peter Farrell
The work paid off: the team won a semifinalist award—and Merker was awarded third-best oralist. The team contended with the likes of NYU, William & Mary, GW, and Seton Hall before besting Texas Tech in the quarterfinal round. In a nail-biter of a semifinal round, Stetson lost by just 0.18—less than a quarter of a point—to Chicago-Kent, the finalist in this year’s championship.
Elizabeth Kellar
The event marks the tenth time Stetson has taken part in this rigorous competition. Stetson has made it to the elimination rounds six times, including four times as semifinalists, one time as finalists, and one time as the national champions (in 2015). A Stetson advocate has also been recognized as one of the top oralists four times—two best oralist awards, one second-best oralist award, and one third-best oralist award. And Stetson teams have won two best brief awards.
Among the competition’s judges were U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Kim Wardlaw and U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jennifer Elrod. See the full rankings and scoring methodology.
Cyanobacteria may not be a household name like red tide, but its effects on Florida waterways can be similarly dire, environmentalists say. That’s why renowned environmentalist Maggy Hurchalla wants to raise awareness of these pollutants – and is calling for stronger laws to curb their proliferation.
As part of the Edward & Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture Series, Hurchalla spoke at a hybrid event on the Stetson University College of Law campus Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, on the eve of World Wetlands Day. Hurchalla’s lecture focused on waterways in and around Lake Okeechobee, including the Everglades, the threat cyanobacteria overgrowth poses public health, and what she sees as lagging public policy when it comes to water resources.
The lecture was titled “Old Laws and New Health Threats.” Cyanobacteria blooms are associated with wastewater runoff from mass-scale agricultural operations, water laden with nutrients that feed the blooms. Volumes of this polluted water are stored in Lake Okeechobee and are periodically released into the waters off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
“Our natural systems are hurting,” she said. “They are suffering because of over-allocation of our water resources. We have given away more water than we have.”
A longtime activist who was an early advocate for Everglades restoration, Hurchalla was a Martin County Commissioner from 1974 to 1994. Her sister was former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno. She said the consequences of cyanobacteria outbreaks can be dire for families living along affected waterways as well as businesses that rely on clean water, like boat charters.
Foreman Biodiversity Fellow Katherine Pratt; Environmental activist Maggy Hurchalla; and Law Professor and Director of the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy Royal Gardner in the Banyan Courtyard on the Stetson Law campus.
Cyanobacteria in and of itself is not the problem, she said.
“They are one of the oldest life forms on earth. They are approximately 3.5 billion years old. Without them, we wouldn’t exist.”
For example, spirulina, a popular dietary supplement, is a cyanobacteria, as are countless other microorganisms. Many occur naturally in Florida waterways – Hurchalla said the overgrowths seen in Lake Okeechobee would not occur in a pristine environment – but climate change, industrial agriculture and the destruction of mangrove ecosystems create a perfect storm for harmful overgrowths.
“Massive cyanobacteria blooms are not natural,” she said.
People living near the outbreak have seen an increase in rashes, nausea and respiratory problems, she said, adding that she worries about children living along Lake Okeechobee’s shores, and how the blooms might affect their long-term health.
“They swim in it, they eat the fish, and they breathe [near it],” she said
Despite the potentially detrimental impacts, Hurchalla says, policies at the local and state level surrounding cyanobacteria and water management are utterly lacking.
The event included a question and answer session in which students and other guests asked questions about Florida’s water policies.
The event gave students and others in attendance an opportunity to learn about a real-world example of the intersection between law and the environment.
“I hope that students better understand the threats to Florida’s water quality, and I am certain that they will be inspired by Maggy’s example,” said Professor Royal Gardner, Director for the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy at Stetson Law.
For Hurchalla, the event was an opportunity to inspire action through direct involvement and engaging local and state officials on the issue.
“There’s something more important you can do about water resources,” she said. “Vote, vote, vote.”
The Everglades are a body of water recognized as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty that aims to encourage responsible wetlands management and the entity behind World Wetlands Day. Hurchalla’s lecture was recognized as a World Wetlands Day event.
As part of a monthlong visit to the Stetson University College of Law campus, author, scholar of law, and Yale University Professor of Philosophy Jules Coleman will give the Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Distinguished Lecture at the College’s Annual Inns of Court event.
Dr. Jules Coleman is a prolific author who has written a dozen books and over 100 scholarly articles and peer-reviewed essays, including The Practice of Principle: In Defense of a Pragmatist Approach to Legal Theory, based on his Inaugural Clarendon Lectures in Law at Oxford (published in 2001 by Oxford University Press). A former Wesley Newcomb Hohfield Professor of Jurisprudence at Yale University and Senior Vice Provost and Professor of Philosophy at NYU, Dr. Coleman is a thought leader in Higher Education committed to projects designed to reduce the disparity between the distribution of talent on the one hand and opportunity on the other.
A Compelling Discussion
His Inns of Court address, which he will deliver at a hybrid event Feb. 17 from 5:00-6:00 p.m., is titled “What Can be Learned from Thoroughbred Horses & Trolley Carts.” It explores the intersection of the law and everyday ethical issues using examples taken from the Kentucky Derby and the storied “Trolley Problem” thought experiment.
“I strongly believe that many of the issues the law addresses occur in different forms in our ordinary experiences, and that the law stands to learn a good deal from the ways in which we have come to resolve these issues in non-legal contexts,” Coleman said.
Students, staff and faculty will be invited to attend the lecture in-person in the Great Hall (which is at limited capacity due to COVID-19 precautions), while others are invited to attend the event virtually.
Inspiring Faculty & Students
As part of his visit to campus, Coleman will offer one-on-one scholarship mentoring to faculty and aims to inspire students to look to jurisprudence as a fundamental aspect of their future work.
Professor Marco Jimenez
“I hope to spend significant amounts of time with the faculty to help them work through their current research projects, identify new projects and help them develop a strategy and a practice for completing research projects,” Coleman said. “I hope to meet with students and help them identify areas of the law they wish to study and in which they practice; and to help them learn the lesson that legal theory is a central element of first-rate legal practice.”
Given Coleman’s international reputation and his engaging speaking style, College of Law faculty members look forward to his visit, which will be the second time he has visited the campus.
“Dr. Jules Coleman’s visit should prove invigorating to faculty and students alike,” said Stetson Law Professor Marco Jimenez. “I, for one, am incredibly excited to welcome one of our nation’s premier legal scholars on our beautiful Stetson campus for the second time! “ During his visit, Coleman will also speak at the 43rd Annual National Conference on Law & Higher Education, which takes place March 2-7 at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach (see details and register).
Dean Alexandre is one of 22 to be selected for the program out of a field of over 100 candidates who were thoroughly vetted in a rigorous selection process. Applicants came from a range of backgrounds, from academia to finance.
With both virtual and in-person sessions, the program’s competency-based curriculum will equip fellows to serve in critical leadership roles at HBCUs in capacities ranging from fundraising and development to board governance and human resource management.
The fellowship is now in its second year, and organizers say this year’s program will build on last year’s success in meaningful ways.
“We’re just beginning. Our first cohort of fellows led the charge to help ensure the legacy of HBCUs remains intact,” said Dr. George T. French Jr., President of Clark Atlanta University, said in a written statement. “On the heels of our inaugural success, this new community of fellows has big shoes to fill. I’m confident that they will help us elevate ELI and take this innovative initiative to the next level as we continue to build the next generation of HBCU leaders.”
On average, HBCU presidents’ tenure is just 3.3 years – less than half of the seven-year average across all four-year higher education institutions, according to research that examined the role’s turnover from 2010 through 2014. This is likely due to the unique challenges many HBCUs face, from lagging technological infrastructure to the relative lack of endowment funding for scholarships.
This program aims to change that by working to grow the candidate pool for presidencies and other executive roles within the 100 HBCUs in the U.S. The program is akin to an incubator for senior leadership, one that aims for “knowledge delivery, hands-on skills, and intuition based on know-how.”
Program leadership believes the unique program will greatly benefit HBCUs in the future.
“The first community of fellows learned and connected in a manner that is unprecedented for executive programs, largely in part to the work of our amazing leadership team,” said Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, former President of Bennett College and Executive Director of the HBCU ELI at CAU. “This unique curriculum was designed specifically for HBCUs and we look forward to seeing the fruits of our labor. HBCUs matter today – now more than ever.”
The program is supported by entities including the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, ECMC Foundation, Microsoft, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Toyota, and The Rich Foundation, Inc.
Professor Teri McMurtry-Chubb, Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development and Professor of Law at University of Illinois
In working to foster just and equitable outcomes on law school campuses and society writ large, legal educators encounter structural racism, implicit bias, and other inequities that limit opportunities for many prospective students.
Stetson Law recognizes this and has been actively cultivating a more inclusive and diverse community on campus at all levels: students, faculty, and staff. To that end, in October 2020, the College approved an anti-racism resolution expressing its commitment to “dismantling all forms of oppressive power dynamics and challenging any assumptions that diminish human dignity, including those that rely on racist assumptions.”
Recently, Stetson celebrated another milestone in its multifaceted approach to eliminating racism, bias, and inequality on campus by hosting Dean Teri A. McMurtry-Chubb in December 2021 for a talk entitled “Assessing Antiracism or Antiracist Assessment?: Strategies & Critiques for Inclusive and Equitable Writing Communities.” Her presentation focused on ways in which law school assessment shapes diversity and inclusivity in the legal profession.
Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development and Professor of Law at University of Illinois, McMurtry-Chubb is a nationally renowned expert on antiracist and DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) interventions.
Stetson Law Professor Lance Long
“Bringing Dean McMurtry-Chubb in at this moment to join the conversation on equitable assessment in law schools was the natural next step” in carrying out the College’s commitment to antiracism, said Stetson Law Professor Elizabeth E. Berenguer, one of the hosts of the talk.
McMurtry-Chubb’s book, Strategies & Techniques for Integrating DEI into the Core Law Curriculum, examines equitable assessment in the context of legal education. It is available as a free download.
“It’s not just a scholarly work. It’s a wonderful guide,” said Stetson Law Professor Lance Long, who co-hosted the virtual event, as he introduced McMurtry-Chubb ahead of her remarks.
The Roots & Symptoms of Systemic Inequities
The conversation about anti-racism in legal education goes back to 1951, McMurtry-Chubb explained, when the American Association of Law Schools’ Special Committee on Racial Discrimination rejected a rule proposed by Yale Law School requiring all member schools to integrate in favor of a statement “encouraging” members to avoid “discrimination or segregation on the ground of race or color.”
“As you can imagine, this was a concession to Southern schools who did not wish to integrate,” she pointed out, adding that the committee’s policy surrounding Black students failed to consider their experience, instead regarding them as “ancillary to the needs of white law students.”
Stetson Law Professor Elizabeth Berenguer
“We in legal academia have a lot of reckoning to do with ourselves,” Berenguer said, in order to deconstruct systemic racism at all levels.
During her talk, McMurtry-Chubb elaborated on how long-held beliefs infused with racial bias are reflected in what law schools determine to be “acceptable behavior” in classrooms, which can lead to narrow standards that deny the existence of racial trauma. Consequently, traditional assessment tools like undergraduate and LSAT performance may unfairly exclude qualified prospective students. This phenomenon can reinforce existing hierarchies favoring white male ways of being and knowing, she emphasized, thereby reinforcing the status quo in the classroom and beyond.
Panelists proposed strategies for addressing the pervasive issues of bias and elitism that dominate legal education as well as the legal profession as a whole, including suggesting ways of recognizing the added stress minoritized students must endure in an environment that is already known for its rigorous demands. Panelists described specific strategies educators can adopt in the classroom to foster equity and inclusivity, such as equitable grading techniques to eliminate inherent biases.
“This is really allowing us to do some analysis and some deep thought around some of the existing structures that we have within the legal academy, and also for us to be more thoughtful in terms of how we are thinking of our students and including them in the legal education experience,” said Carmen Johnson, Stetson Law’s Executive Officer for Diversity, Collaboration and Inclusion at the event’s conclusion.
She added that she hopes events like this can offer “a more inclusive lens when it comes to not only education, but, ultimately down the road, practice as we continue to grow the next generation of lawyers and legal experts.”
Stetson University College of Law inducted Paul Marshall May and Thomas Bullitt McCoun III into its prestigious Hall of Fame on Dec. 8, 2021. For the past 17 years, Stetson Law has honored distinguished luminaries in the legal and academic arenas at its annual Hall of Fame event. Previous inductees include Charles A. Dana, William R. Eleazer, and Dolly Hand. Traditionally a black-tie affair held in Stetson’s Great Hall, this year’s event was virtual — shared live on YouTube because of the pandemic.
Paul Marshall May
Paul May
Paul Marshall May was a 1980 graduate of Stetson Law. His enduring love of his alma mater led him to spearhead efforts to take the Stetson Law Alumni Association from a practically non-functioning group to a robust organization. Dean Bruce Jacob called him the “father” of today’s Stetson Law Alumni Association and attributed its long-term success to May’s work and commitment. He was president of the Alumni Association from 1986 to 1988 and created the Half Century Club for members who hit the 50-year mark.
May practiced commercial litigation, including banking, real estate, and construction in South Florida with the firm of May, Meacham and Davell. He was an active member of the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar and was a driving force behind The Florida Bar’s Law Week in 1982. He was a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the American Bar Association, and Alpha Phi Sigma, a national criminal justice honor society.
May was a devoted father to his wife and four children and was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale. A gifted organist, he tirelessly contributed his musical talent to not only First Baptist Fort Lauderdale but other churches throughout the state. May also served his community as the Bethany Christian School attorney and as a member of its Board of Directors, as well as volunteering with the American Cancer Society, Community Service Council, and Family First.
May passed away on April 2, 1999, following a battle with cancer. Stetson Law created the Paul M. May Meritorious Service Award – designed to be bestowed on alumni who showed continuous support to Stetson Law through contributions of time and gifts – in his honor.
Thomas B. McCoun III
Thomas Bullitt McCoun III was a 1974 graduate of Stetson Law who began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in the Sixth Circuit of Florida.
Thomas McCoun
He spent years in private practice as a trial lawyer doing both criminal and civil matters, where his daredevil personality and “no challenge is too tough” attitude made him a perfect fit for the work. He developed a reputation for excellence in advocacy and as a result, was appointed to represent death row inmates awaiting execution. McCoun cared deeply about the underdog, believing that everyone had the right to proper representation and a fair trial.
McCoun would go on to accept a position as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in February 1994. He presided over high profile and ordinary cases alike and was known for his humility, humanity, and oftentimes humor.
His sense of duty and service extended beyond the courtroom. He strongly believed in the importance of giving back and did so through service as an adjunct professor and mentoring Stetson students in the Federal Judicial Externship. He also taught Sunday school for both youth and adults at First Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg. He was a dedicated member who participated in the building of homes for Habitat for Humanity, several mission trips with church youth, and preparing meatloaf dinners for hundreds of homeless individuals at the local nonprofit Pinellas Hope.
McCoun finished three full terms on the bench and was still on active recall status to serve as needed when he died on August 27, 2019, after living 13 years with cancer. A special resolution written by his judicial colleagues noted, “much too soon, a tightly knit family lost a loving husband, father, brother and grandfather, and the citizens of the Middle District of Florida lost an eminently fair and able magistrate judge who served his community for 25 years with unwavering dedication to the fair administration of justice.”
GULFPORT, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law is pleased to announce a leadership commitment from alumnus Richard O. “Dick” Jacobs and his wife, Joan, to establish a Clinic for Democracy and the Environment.
Dick and Joan recognized that the health of our nation and local communities is inextricably linked and entirely dependent on a functioning democracy. Thanks to their vision, the new Clinic for Democracy and the Environment at Stetson Law will facilitate collaboration between law students, faculty and practicing attorneys to pursue and defend important issues.
“Attorneys constitute a large percentage of legislators, government employees and lobbyists,” Jacobs noted. “They are the most significant group of influencers who put us on the road we travel as a country and state. We need them to be steeped in public service. We also need a nonpolitical forum to provide public information and public service. The Center will be a tool of a thriving democracy.”
The Jacobs previously established the Dick and Joan Jacobs Public Interest Environmental Law Clinic and Institute of Environmental Justice, but because of their growing concern about political chaos and state of American democracy, they chose to broaden the scope of their project to include additional areas of social justice advocacy.
The Public Interest Law Center for Justice and Democracy will build upon the expertise of Stetson Law’s Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy and the Social Justice Advocacy Concentration, as well as its leadership in the Florida Law Schools’ Consortium for Racial Justice, to tackle issues such as voting rights, gerrymandering, fair representation, and bolstering checks and balances in state and national governments.
“We are so fortunate to have such passionate and visionary collaborators as Dick Jacobs and his wife, Joan,” said Dean Michèle Alexandre. “They share our belief that lawyers really can change the world for the better. We are grateful for their generosity. Thanks to their partnership, we will be able to leverage our strengths to achieve even greater good in our community and beyond.”
“Dedicated alumni who seek to further civic and professional visions elevate not only Stetson and its students, but also society as a whole,” said Stetson University President Christopher F. Roellke. “We are so grateful to the Jacobs for choosing Stetson Law as the home for their new Clinic for Democracy and the Environment.”
Dick credits the late Justice Harold Sebring, a former Stetson Law Dean and Professor of Law, with being a part of his inspiration for the Clinic. Prior to his time at Stetson, Sebring served as Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court and as the United States Justice with the Nuremberg Court, the most globally significant court on human rights.
The Jacobs have contributed $1 million and committed to raise additional funds to establish the clinic and an associated Institute for Democracy in perpetuity. Those interested in contributing may do so online on the Stetson Law Giving page or contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at [email protected] or 727-562-7818.
About Dick and Joan Jacobs
Dick and Joan Jacobs graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1954 and moved to Florida in 1957 where Dick had a successful life insurance career before deciding to enroll at Stetson Law. He graduated in 1967 magna cum laude and first in his class. He has practiced law for more than five decades and currently serves as senior counsel for Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns, LLC in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Dick has authored and co-authored several books and legal publications, including Crash Landing–Surviving a Business Crisis, which outlines lessons learned from a bank crash; Wonderlust, a book of his photography and lessons learned trekking seven continents; and most recently, Democracy of Dollars, a book about our troubled system of constitutional government.
Throughout his career, Dick has been active with The Florida Bar and within his community, currently serving as Trustee of St. Petersburg College’s Institute for Strategic Policy Decisions. He speaks frequently on climate change and sea level rise. In 2020 he was inducted into the Stetson University College of Law Hall of Fame.
Lambda Legal Society members Jessica Merker and Jen Rex with Dean Michèle Alexandre, Lambda President Edson Abadia, and Stetson Law alumnus Nathan Bruemmer.
GULFPORT, Fla. – Stetson Law’s Lambda Legal Society has created a new endowed scholarship for dedicated members of Lambda who demonstrate a commitment to advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community in their studies, on campus, or in their work.
“We’re excited to have this new opportunity for LGBTQ+ and allied students on our campus,” said Edson Abadia, president of Lambda.
The organization hosted a special signing ceremony on Oct. 19, 2021, featuring the Lambda’s executive board, Stetson Law Dean Michèle Alexandre, and alumnus Nathan Bruemmer, J.D.’17., who serves as the LGBTQ Consumer Advocate for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
“This scholarship means a lot for the Stetson community because it is providing opportunities and recognition of students who support the LGBTQ community and who are doing really great advocacy work, which is such an important part Stetson’s mission,” said Jen Rex, a 3L and vice president of Lambda. “So, we’re really glad to be able to support students who are doing great things.”
The scholarship will benefit a rising second or third-year law students in the full-time or part-time J.D. program in good academic standing. To be considered, students must list their studies, on-campus extracurricular activities, or work experience related to how they have advocated for the LGBTQIA+ community and how they plan to work in this regard in the future.
“I’m thrilled to see an investment in diversity and inclusion, specifically for LGBTQ students. Recruiting that kind of talent here for Stetson says so much,” Bruemmer said. “The law has changed; advocacy has changed as we see cases pending and decided every year while we’re in law school and the ability to invest in our future and the profession is an amazing thing.”
Dean Michèle Alexandre and Edson Abadia sign the new scholarship.
The Lambda Legal Society Pride Scholarship will be funded with a minimum gift of $25,000. In order to reach the goal, members of the Lambda Legal Society will work with local non-profit advocacy groups to develop a list of potential donors, as well as alumni, law professors, staff, and the community, corporations and foundations, to fund the endowment in two years. The scholarship will exist in perpetuity at Stetson University College of Law once the minimum of $25,000 is reached. Any individual, corporation, foundation, or group may make gifts to the principal of the Lambda Legal Society Pride Scholarship.
“Stetson Law is thrilled about continuing the legacy that has begun to open the doors to LGBTQIA members of the community,” Alexandre said. “The legal profession is a profession of access. This scholarship, and building on it, will make sure that students of all backgrounds – including those from all neglected areas who might also be LGBTQIA identifying will have the same opportunity to make a difference. I just could not be more excited because that is the work that we are here to do.”
The Lambda Legal Society provides a forum for exploring the legal issues faced by people in the LGBTQIA+ community. The goal of Lambda is to educate young attorneys about the unique issues that the community faces. Lambda also promotes international social justice and recognizes that the issues faced by people who identify as LGBTQIA+ are influenced by other parts of their identity. Students need not identify with any particular label to belong.
In February 2021, the Stetson University College of Law Lambda Legal Society became a part of the National LGBT Bar Association Law School Affiliate. In June 2021, it celebrated the inaugural raising of the Progress Pride Flag on campus.
