News Archives - Page 26 of 138

Stetson Law takes unique sign language interpreter training virtual

Members of Stetson Law’s faculty and trial team, along with sign language interpreters, work through a mock hearing.

GULFPORT, Fla. – For the fourth year in a row, Stetson Law hosted an innovative workshop to train both sign language interpreters and future lawyers in navigating a courtroom and legal proceedings when sign language interpretation is required.

The 4^th Annual Sign Language Interpreter Legal Training Workshop is unlike any other in the country because it provides specialized, hands-on sign language interpreter legal training in a live mock hearing courtroom setting. The workshop tackles some of the challenges distinctive to courtroom sign language interpreting, such as navigating the courtroom environment, and conveying abstract concepts and technical legal terms.

“Stetson is the only place that is providing training for sign language interpreters in true-to-life hearings and trials with real lawyers and law students,” said Professor Jason Palmer, one of the organizers. “It is a unique opportunity for our students to get that experience before they go out and practice, and for sign language interpreters to have a real courtroom experience instead of training in a meeting room or a convention center.”

The two-day workshop featured Stetson Law faculty and staff from its Center for Excellence in Advocacy and the Center for Excellence in Elder Law, students from Stetson Law’s Trial Team, Dispute Resolution Board, and Moot Court Board, along with professionals from two American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter services: Tampa-based Absolute Quality Interpreting Services, and Columbus, Ohio-based Hallenross and Associates. More than 50 novice and advanced level interpreters from all over the United States attended the event.

“This has absolutely matured into something amazing,” said David Scott, chief operational officer with Absolute Quality Interpreting Services, which has partnered with Stetson all four years. “The staff at Stetson has turned it into an absolute magical training.”

The first day of the workshop provided lectures and training on standard practices and vocabulary for courtroom interpreting. On the second day, all the participants had the chance to test out their skills in a courtroom environment with the help of Stetson Law’s Advocacy Board Students. Interpreters worked through every step of a hearing, including interpreting open and closing statements, direct and cross-examinations, and interpreting for a witness who is deaf.

American Sign Language is its own unique language, rather than a direct interpretation of English, and that is an important distinction for lawyers to understand. Lawyers are taught to be deliberate in their word choices in questions and opening and closing statements, so understanding how part of a court proceeding will be interpreted in ASL could require them to adjust their approach. For example, using sarcasm in a closing statement could backfire if it cannot be adequately conveyed to a deaf juror. Likewise, interpreters must be highly cautious about their facial expressions and word choice in the legal world. Something as small as interpreting the word “gun” when an attorney actually said “weapon,” could alter what the attorney meant to convey. And questions of accuracy of the record could lead to serious repercussions, such an appeal of a decision or even a malpractice lawsuit.

Linda Ross and a fellow interpreter in 2020.

Traditionally held on Stetson Law’s Gulfport campus, which offers fully equipped and accessible courtrooms, this year the workshop went virtual via Zoom. The online platform presented new challenges for all involved. For example, some students found their rhythm during questioning disrupted as they had to allow for the delay in questions and answers to be interpreted. Everyone, including interpreters and deaf witnesses, agreed it was not always clear which interpreter they should be watching when more than one was on screen signing. However, the prevailing sentiment in the legal community is that much of the industry’s work – be it court hearings or client meetings – will continue to be done remotely even after the pandemic ends. So, it behooves lawyers and interpreters alike to be comfortable with navigating this new normal.

“I’m thankful this crucial work is happening to make our courtrooms more inclusive,” said Dean Michèle Alexandre. “It’s a great opportunity for our students to learn skills to advocate for clients of different backgrounds who need interpretation.”

New summer program gives a taste of study abroad without the travel

Stetson Law campus tower with flags in the foreground

GULFPORT, Fla. – Stetson Law is pleased to announce our Office of International Programs is now offering a series of 1 credit hour courses for law students who had hopes of studying abroad this summer but are unable to because of the pandemic.

This reimagined version of a study abroad program will feature multiple courses taught by faculty from Stetson and other law schools focused on topics of international, foreign, and/or comparative law importance. Students may choose to take one, or many, of the classes.

“This is a great opportunity to learn about these topics of law without the need to travel or to incur additional travel-related expenses,” said Jessica Dworkin, director of international and graduate programs.

Stetson Study Abroad Comes to You will be offered between July 6 and July 30, 2021. Each course will last one week, and students may choose to take between one and four courses during the duration of the 2021 offerings. Courses will generally be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT, taught synchronously Monday through Thursday with Friday and the weekend being reserved for a take home final examination.

The curriculum will include such courses as:

International Space Law, taught by Professor Roy Balleste, Stetson University College of Law, will examine the role of international law in the regulation of outer space activities, including those related to the moon and other celestial bodies. Specifically, the course examines the current and potential future uses of outer space with a focus on recent developments such as mining, commercialization, space tourism, and claims of sovereignty over outer space and celestial bodies.
Health Law Issues and Human Rights in Africa, taught by Professor Florence Shu-Acquaye, Nova Southeastern University, will explore Health Law and Human Rights issues that make the African continent unique. It will highlight, the predicament of African Women and the current strategies and interventions to address these. The course will increase the understanding of the role of International and regional Treaties dealing with Human Rights in Africa, and their application within that context.
War Crimes & Courts-Martial, taught by Professor Jennifer North, Charleston School of Law, is a study of the Laws of War, the Geneva Conventions, the Uniform Code of Military Justice and Manual for Courts-Martial, as well as other relevant statutes and cases. It examines the laws governing the battlefield – jus in bello – as it applies to U.S. military service members and insurgent groups charged with war crimes. Current events are discussed in conjunction with international governing doctrines of the Laws of Armed Conflict.

Visit our website to find out more and register, or email [email protected] with any questions.

Ireland takes top spot at 25th Annual International Environmental Moot Court Competition

Law Society of Ireland won this year’s competition. Pictured here, clockwise from top left: Stetson’s Professor Royal Gardner, Ireland’s Mairead Hughes, Ruth Cormican, Alysha Hoare, and coach T P Kennedy, and Stetson’s Visiting Professor Erin Okuno (aka the bat mascot).

The 25th Annual Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition (IEMCC) brought together 18 teams from around the world for three days of competition that culminated with Law Society of Ireland as this year’s winner.

Symbiosis Law School, Pune, India, was runner-up in the competition. Ireland also took Best Memorial, and team member Alysha Hoare was named Best Oralist in the Championship Round. Teams from 11 jurisdictions – Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Ireland, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Slovenia, Taiwan, and United States of America – competed. The full results are below.

The IEMCC Final Rounds are traditionally held on Stetson Law’s campus in Gulfport, Fla., but were moved online in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 25thcompetition also was held virtually March 25-27, 2021.

Students prepared and presented arguments on an issue dealing with the protection of bats and international trade measures. Dr. Rodrigo Medellín, known as the “Bat Man of Mexico,” helped develop the problem and served as one of the final round judges along with Amy Fraenkel, executive secretary of Convention on Migratory Species, Dr. Wil Burns, co-director of the Institute for Carbon Removal Law & Policy at American University, and David Wirth, professor at Boston College Law School.

All the judges agreed they were impressed with how the students focused on not only the law, but also the deeply technical aspects of the science involved. Fraenkel noted part of the key to a persuasive argument is to rely on the facts, not just the law itself.

Professor Royal Gardner, director of Stetson’s Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, said he hoped students would take those skills, along with everything else they learned this year about trade law and international environmental law as they prepared for the competitions, and use it throughout their careers.

Teams from 11 jurisdictions – Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Ireland, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Slovenia, Taiwan, and United States of America – competed.

25th Annual Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition

International Finals – Virtual Rounds

March 25-27, 2021

Final Round:

International Finals Champion: Law Society of Ireland – 2186
Runner-up: Symbiosis Law School, Pune, India – 2100
Best Oralist in the Final Round: Alysha Hoare, Law Society of Ireland – 2186

Semifinalists:

National Law University, Delhi, India – 2156
O. P. Jindal Global University, India – 2177

Oralist Awards for the Preliminary Rounds:

Best Oralist in the Preliminary Rounds: Ruth Cormican, Law Society of Ireland – 2186
Second Place Oralist: Ayan Gupta, National Law University, Delhi, India – 2156
Third Place Oralist: Karthika Ellangovan, O. P. Jindal Global University, India – 2177
Fourth Place Oralist: Aaron Tan Kai Ran, Singapore Management University – 2109
Fifth Place Oralist: Elizabeta Korenčan, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Law, Slovenia – 2171

Memorial Awards:

Best Memorial: Law Society of Ireland – 2186
Runner-up Best Memorial: O. P. Jindal Global University, India – 2177
Third Place Memorial: University of the Philippines College of Law – 2149

Spirit of Stetson Award:

Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Brazil – 2133
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Law, Slovenia – 2171

View photos from the competition

A gallery of photos from the virtual rounds of the competition is available on Zenfolio.

‘Bat Man of Mexico’ says we have much to thank, little to blame, bats for

Dr. Rodrigo A. Medellín’s Foreman Biodiversity Lecture on bats and infectious diseases.

Stetson Law’s final Foreman Biodiversity Lecture for the 2020-2021 academic year featured Dr. Rodrigo A. Medellín, an ecologist, academic, and internationally renowned bat expert.

His lecture, “Bats and Emerging Infectious Diseases: Myths, Realities, and Hope in Pandemic Times” was an impassioned plea for the much-maligned mammals. For starters, he insists they are not ugly. And more importantly, they are not responsible for the most recent novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.

Medellín knows bats get a bad rap, and “expert scientists” propagating fake ideas and blaming bats for spreading infectious diseases such as COVID-19 to humans does not help. One point Medellín drives home as often as he can to whomever will listen is that scientists and the media need to stop using the word “new.” Diseases or even species may be new to science but likely are not new to humanity or even Earth. In the case of emerging infectious diseases, it is more accurate to say these are “previously undescribed pathogens.”

Yes, humanity is seeing an increase in outbreaks of previously unknown diseases, including SARS, Ebola, Zika, Chikungunya and more. The headlines can be, understandably, frightening. Scientists still know very little about these viruses, where they come from, and how humans became infected with them. But scientists do know a few key things:

Viruses are as old as life itself and are incredibly ubiquitous, abundant and diverse.
Coronavirus are a family of about 300 species, and of those, only three can cause serious harm to humans.
SARS-CoV-2 is a human virus that no animal, including bats, can transmit to humans.
The bat SL-CoV coronavirus has a 96 percent similarity to SARS-CoV-2, but even if it entered human bodies, it would be unable to enter human cells and cause infection.
There is no demonstrated evidence that SARS-CoV-2 jumped from bats to humans.

It’s important to bear in mind a new virus itself is just one piece of the puzzle. Without the ecological context, we cannot fully understand zoonotic (meaning those that spread between animals and humans) diseases. Killing animals believed to be the source of a “new disease” merely treats the symptoms, not the source of the problem, Medellín said. Another fact to consider: bats do not have more zoonotic diseases than other animals. In terms of proportion, song birds and rodents carry a higher number.

Humans are encroaching further into remote, pristine, previously unexplored areas of the world. The resulting loss of habitat and biodiversity, along with exotic invasive species spreading around the globe, has exposed us to new potential pathogens. There will undoubtedly be more diseases, Medellín said, but the first line of defense against the next pandemic is ecosystem and biodiversity conservation.

In addition to conservation, Medellín also points to a need to regulate and reduce the illegal, unsustainable consumption of bushmeat, as well as reducing global meat consumption and changing the forms of production of the animals we do eat. Crowded, unsanitary conditions in both wet markets and mass production farms create the perfect breeding ground for disease.

Many of our daily choices – from the food we consume to the products we buy – can have a ripple effect on biodiversity and, ultimately, human health.

“We all have something to do to prevent the next pandemic.”

New scholarship created to honor long-time state attorney and dedicated alumnus

To honor the legacy of Bernie McCabe, JD ’72, his classmates have established the Bernie McCabe Prosecution Clinic Scholarship, which will provide tuition assistance to a student participating in the Prosecution Clinic.

Over the years, McCabe helped mold hundreds, if not thousands, of young attorneys, said Denis M. de Vlaming, one of McCabe’s classmates. He guided and pushed them to achieve excellence and to serve their communities honorably.

“Not only was Bernie a classmate and friend, but he was also a committed advocate for justice and a brilliant legal mind,” de Vlaming said. “His passing leaves a void that will not easily be filled.”

McCabe was a “Double Hatter,” earning his bachelor’s in 1969 from Stetson University and Juris Doctor from Stetson Law in 1972. He began his career as the Assistant State Attorney in the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Florida and was eventually elected as State Attorney for Pinellas and Pasco counties in 1992, a role he held until his passing in 2020.

He dedicated his life and career to many professional and nonprofit organizations aimed at protecting the rights of victims of crimes. He also was a steadfast presence at Stetson Law, being appointed to the Board of Overseers in 1994, supervising the Stetson Prosecution Clinic for 28 years, teaching young law students as an Adjunct Professor, serving as judge for various mock trial competitions at the law school, and hiring and mentoring many Stetson Law alumni.

Organizers hope to raise the funds to endow the scholarship in perpetuity. Those who would like to honor McCabe’s memory by making a gift to endow the scholarship that bears his name should contact Patricia Toups, Assistant Director of Development, at [email protected] or 727-562-7985.

International Environmental Moot Court Competition marks 25th year

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition (IEMCC). The global, multi-part contest gives students around the world an opportunity to learn more about and advocate for environmental issues impacting the planet.

Planet earth with translucent water of the oceans, atmosphere, volumetric clouds, and detailed topography in outer space

Teams compete in national and regional rounds throughout the world, and the top teams are invited to participate in the International Finals. This year initial rounds were hosted in Brazil, Colombia, India, Ireland, Mexico, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and the United States. The Finals are traditionally held on Stetson Law’s campus in Gulfport, Fla., but were moved online in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 25thcompetition also is being held virtually March 25-27, 2021.

Eighteen teams from 11 jurisdictions (Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Ireland, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Slovenia, Taiwan, United States of America) are expected to compete. Students will prepare and present arguments on this year’s theme: Protection of Bats and International Trade Measures.

“While we had hoped to celebrate our 25th anniversary in person, we are thrilled that we can still bring together law students from all over the world to participate in our signature event,” said Professor Royal Gardner, director of Stetson’s Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy. “We are inspired by their dedication and resiliency during these challenging times.”

Another traditional feature during the finals is a Foreman Biodiversity Lecture, part of a series of talks on environmental topics given by experts from around the world throughout the academic year. The lecture, which precedes the competition kickoff on March 25, features Dr. Rodrigo A. Medellín, “The Bat Man of Mexico.” His topic is “Bats and Emerging Infection Diseases: Myths, Realities, and Hope in Pandemic Times.” The lecture is at noon Eastern Daylight Time and is free and open to the public; register in advance here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5116322686497095947.

Below find the schedule for this week’s rounds. The final round and awards ceremony will be live and open to the public. Be sure to follow the IEMCC Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/StetsonIEMCC) page for updates, links and details!

2021 Final Round Competition Schedule

(All times are Eastern Daylight Time)

Thursday, March 25

Check-in/orientation 11:00–11:45 a.m.
Foreman Biodiversity Lecture 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Preliminary Round 1 – Heat A 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Preliminary Round 1 – Heat B 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Preliminary Round 2 – Heat A 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Preliminary Round 2 – Heat B 7:30–9:00 p.m.

Friday, March 26

Preliminary Round 3 – Heat A 9:00–10:30 a.m.
Preliminary Round 3 – Heat B 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Preliminary Round 4 – Heat A 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Preliminary Round 4 – Heat B 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Virtual Networking Session for Teams 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Announcement of Teams Advancing to Quarterfinals 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 27

Quarterfinals 9:00–10:30 a.m.
Announcement of Teams Advancing to Semifinals 11:00 a.m.
Semifinals 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Announcement of Teams Advancing to Championship 1:30 p.m.
Championship Round 2:00–3:30 p.m. (open to the public and all teams)
Awards Ceremony 3:30 p.m. (open to the public and all teams; should be done by 4:30 or 5:00 at the latest)

Previous IEMCC Winners

Chart showing previous 24 IEMCC winners.

South African human rights lawyer to deliver May commencement address

GULFPORT, Fla. (March 23, 2021) – Prominent South African judge and human rights lawyer, Edwin Cameron, will deliver Stetson Law’s commencement address on Saturday, May 1, 2021.

In addition to speaking, Cameron will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Though the commencement ceremonies will be held in person on the campus, Cameron will appear via prerecorded video from Johannesburg, South Africa. Other featured speakers will include Stetson University President Dr. Christopher F. Roellke and Stetson University College of Law Dean Michèle Alexandre.

Stetson Law will celebrate four separate commencement ceremonies that day in the Plaza Mayor Courtyard on the Gulfport campus, 1401 61st St. S. They will be held at 8 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4:15 p.m. The graduates have been divided among four outdoor ceremonies throughout the day to allow for physical distancing and other safety protocols. Students are limited to two guests. The ceremonies will be webcast live so additional family and friends can participate. Other precautions include a face mask requirement for all attendees and wellness screenings prior to entering campus.

Other honored speakers have pre-recorded messages that will be available to view on the Graduation website that day.

About Edwin Cameron

Edwin Cameron is a prominent South African judge and human rights lawyer who has fought for social justice issues, particularly for LGBTI equality and to destroy the stigma and unjust discrimination for those living with HIV/AIDs. His recent work addresses the “moral catastrophe” of mass incarceration that disproportionately affects Blacks and other minorities.

Cameron was first appointed to the bench by President Nelson Mandela in 1994. He was a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal for eight years and of the High Court for six, before serving as a Justice of the Constitutional Court, South Africa’s highest court, from 2009 to 2019. He currently is Chancellor of Stellenbosch University and Inspecting Judge of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services.

Before serving on the bench, during his decades as a human rights lawyer he co-drafted the Charter of Rights on AIDS and HIV, co-founded the AIDS Consortium, founded the AIDS Law Project, and fought for the historic inclusion of sexual orientation in the South African Constitution. He wrote a prize-winning memoir, Witness to AIDS, about his own experience of surviving AIDS. His second book, Justice: A Personal Account, was published in 2014. Cameron was the first, and remains the only, senior official in Africa to state publicly that he is living with HIV/AIDS, for which Mandela once referred to him as “one of South Africa’s new heroes.”

He has received numerous honors for his legal and human rights work, including a special award by the Bar of England and Wales in 2002 for his “contribution to international jurisprudence and the protection of human rights.” He is an honorary fellow of the Society for Advanced Legal Studies, London, and of Keble College, Oxford, as well as an honorary bencher of the Middle Temple, London. He holds honorary doctorates in law from King’s College London, the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Oxford University, the University of St. Andrews, Stellenbosch University, and Sussex.

Amendment 4 Fellows tackle voting rights, other issues through new program

Four Stetson Law students have spent the last year dedicating their time and talent to an essential new program in Pinellas County aimed at helping returning citizens rebuild their lives.

Stetson University College of Law and Community Law Program (CLP) received a $33,500 grant from the American Bar Endowment (ABE) in summer 2020 to create clinics to help returning citizens previously convicted of felonies get their voting rights restored.

In 2018, 65 percent of Floridians voted in favor of Amendment 4 to revise the Florida Constitution to restore voting rights to 1.4 million citizens previously convicted of felonies (commonly referred to as “returning citizens”). Months later, the Florida Legislature passed a subsequent bill requiring all financial obligations of returning citizens’ sentences be paid before they could vote. This meant only those returning citizens with enough money to pay financial obligations such as court fees, fines, and restitution in full would be eligible to vote. The requirement eliminated access to justice and civic engagement for hundreds of thousands of low-income and indigent citizens.

To combat the inequality, CLP, through the grant and with the help of students and faculty at Stetson University College of Law, started a series of Restoration of Voting Rights Remote Clinics serving Pinellas County, Fla. CLP staff recruited, trained and supported volunteer attorneys who hosted virtual clinics twice a month to review legal options with returning citizens interested in restoring their voting rights.

Stetson Law selected four student fellows to support CLP’s efforts through assisting with intake, research, and outreach. The law students also helped in recruiting, organizing and training other law student volunteers and community partners. This year’s fellows were Jasmine Mattear, Gabi D’Esposito, Steven Nicholas, and Alessandra M. Jensen.

Their efforts have now become known as the Amendment 4 Program and include ongoing legal services for issues including voting rights, driver’s license restoration, and sealing and/or expunction of criminal records. Stetson students have filmed a series of videos to education the public about the various services (see below). As part of the project, Stetson fellows worked with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to assist 485 returning citizens, 148 of whom were then registered to vote before October 2020.

Each of the students brings his or her unique perspective to the Fellow role. D’Esposito, a 2L from Long Island, saw firsthand how those who cannot afford legal representation can receive harsh and unfair sentences for crimes when a relative was imprisoned for five years. She aims to be a public defender after graduation but said the Amendment 4 Program has given her a chance to help people now.

“It’s been great having in individual impact,” she said.

For Nicholas, a 3L from Bradenton, the Amendment 4 Program is an “anger project.” Trained lawyers volunteering on cases spend full days just trying to determine exactly what people were charged with, and what they owe in fines and fees. If educated and experienced attorneys struggle to track down the information and navigate governmental red tape, how could the average returning citizen be expected to do so without qualified help? That’s why the program is so important.

“I’ve learned how difficult the system makes it to work within its own rules,” he said.

Mattear, a 3L from Tallahassee, agreed that her biggest lesson from her year as a Fellow was the sheer amount of time and work involved in helping clients navigate the legal system. Not all court processes are straightforward, and they vary by jurisdiction. But something as seemingly simple as having a criminal record sealed or expunged can have a huge impact on a person – it could be the key to passing a background check and securing a job.

That keeps Mattear motivated, as does the hope of restoring voting rights for returning citizens.

“Voting is so important as an American citizen,” she said. “Everyone should have a say.”

The Amendment 4 clinic is open to qualifying Pinellas County residents; sessions are held online the first and third Thursday of every month from 5-7 p.m. For additional information, or to receive assistance through this project, contact call Community Law Program at (727)-582-7480 or email [email protected].

Fellow Talk Friday Series

Stetson Law to offer new civic education program for local underrepresented teens

GULFPORT, Fla. (March 5, 2021) – Stetson University College of Law, in partnership with Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, is excited to announce a new summer program aimed at training underrepresented teenagers to advocate for themselves and others.

The weeklong summer course is designed for Pinellas County teenagers, between the ages of 15-17, considered underrepresented because of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, or school performance.

Dean Michèle Alexandre — Michèle Alexandre

“Youth civic engagement training is crucial at this time. Offering a program like this is one of the most valuable contributions philanthropic organizations and educational institutions such as Healthy St. Pete and Stetson Law can provide to the community,” said Stetson Law Dean Michèle Alexandre. “Stetson Law has longstanding expertise in teaching students to think critically and advocate for vulnerable groups. We believe that these types of programs can create a positive ripple effect for the participants, their families, schools and communities.”

Stetson Law officials recognized that, during the last 20 years, civics education and social action programming have decreased nationally. Students have little, if any, opportunity at the high school level to access the knowledge and tools they need to be advocates.

“There is a latent power in youth that is often overlooked. Racism takes a tremendous toll on our society and youth now see that in pronounced ways,” said Randy Russell, Chief Executive Officer at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg. “By pursuing deeper understanding of their personal identities and their role in a society, it becomes easier to envision how to become change makers striving for race equity in the community and beyond.”

The summer session will be five full days during Summer 2021 and will serve as a pilot program for what officials plan to be a four-year effort. The curriculum will include two civics classes, two civil rights classes, and various engagement opportunities with community leaders and advocates.

Interested students must complete a short application, and all applicants will be reviewed and selected by a committee. In addition to Dean Alexandre, Professors Judith Scully and Christine Cerniglia will lead the program. For more information about the program or how to apply, please email Carmen Johnson at [email protected].

About Stetson University College of Law

Stetson University College of Law, Florida’s first law school, has prepared lawyers and leaders since 1900. Today, Stetson leads the nation in blending legal doctrine with practical training, evidenced by its top-ranked programs in advocacy and legal writing. Through its academically rigorous curriculum and commitment to social responsibility, Stetson produces lawyers who are ethical advocates ready to succeed in the legal profession.

About Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg

The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg is a private foundation serving the residents of South Pinellas County. Its goal is to improve population health by advancing racial and health equity by working at the county level with countywide systems, such as the school district, health department, and transportation system. The Foundation also works with more than 100 nonprofits and has invested over $21 million in the community over the last three years.

Diversity Week 2021 packed with informative, thought-provoking programming

Stetson Law’s Student Bar Association will host Diversity Week 2021 from March 1-5 featuring daily programming aimed at driving contemplation and conversations about diversity at the college and beyond.

SBA Diversity Week is also supported by the campus-wide Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, Social Justice Advocacy concentration, and Stetson Law’s representatives of the Florida Law Schools’ Consortium on Racial Justice. All events are open to students, faculty and staff.

This year’s theme is “Representation & Racial Justice.” In addition to the virtual programs and inspired by the ABA’s 21-day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge, SBA invites the Stetson Law Community to join in a “Representation and Racial Justice Challenge.” Each event has corresponding selected readings, podcasts, and TED Talks to further participants’ understanding and knowledge on issues related to representation and racial justice. The readings are also intended to provide a framework for the discussion in the related virtual programs.

How do I participate in the Challenge?
Complete the curated materials listed by event, by Friday, March 5. There is no “test” or turning in of an assignment, but rather this is a personal challenge intended to expose you to new ideas and perspectives. The below selections were made by the student organizations representatives for Diversity Week and support the organization’s associated event or program.

Schedule at a Glance

(Please see Campus Docket or Engage for participation links.)

Monday March 1

12 p.m.: Color of the Law: Conversation on the History of Residential Segregation Hosted by the Black Law Student Association and the Social Justice Advocacy Concentration Challenge Video: The Segregation Myth: Richard Rothstein Debunks an American Lie | NowThis

6:00 p.m: How to be a Better Ally
Hosted by the Jewish Law Student Association and Stetson Law Democrats
Challenge Article: 9 phrases that allies can use instead of getting defensive

Tuesday, March 2

11:45 a.m.: Discussion with Nathan Bruemmer
Hosted by Lambda Legal Society

5:30 p.m.: Behind the Mask: An Inside Look at Health Inequity
Hosted by the Health Law Advocates and Black Law Student Association
Challenge Article: Racial Health Care Disparities already existed in America— the coronavirus just exacerbated them

Wednesday, March 3

12:30 p.m.: Poetry in the Law: A Disability Perspective Hosted by the Stetson Law School Disability Allied Law Students Association
Challenge: Read: Poetry in the Law – A Disability Perspctive.docx

6:00 p.m.: The Intersection of Systemic Racism & Black Women’s Health
Hosted by Florida Association of Women Lawyers at Stetson and American Civil Liberties Union
Challenge TED Talk: The trauma of systematic racism is killing Black women,” T. Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison, TED2017

Thursday, March 4

6:00 p.m.: HBA’s First Gen Survival Guide
Hosted by the Hispanic Bar Association
Challenge Article: “Addressing Barriers Confronting First-Generation College Students From Hispanic Families,” UCLA Department of Psychology

Stetson Law honors Desmond Meade with public service award

Desmond Meade, bottom row, received the Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Public Service Award during the annual Inns of Court ceremony held virtually on Feb. 22, 2021. Pictured, top row from left, keynote speaker Justice Edwin Cameron and Dean Michèle Alexandre.

Desmond Meade received the Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Public Service Award during the annual Inns of Court event held virtually on Feb. 22, 2021.

The prestigious Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Public Service Award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding contributions to public service, the justice system, and the community.

During his acceptance speech, Meade shared how in 2005 he was a convicted felon, homeless, and addicted to drugs. He was tired of struggling and contemplated taking his own life. Instead, he found the strength to seek help and began rebuilding his life. By 2014, he had earned a law degree from Florida International University College of Law.

Meade became the president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) and chair of Floridians for a Fair Democracy. He led the FRRC to a historic victory in 2018 with the successful passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots citizen’s initiative that restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. Amendment 4 represented the single largest expansion of voting rights in the United States in half a century.

The overarching philosophy that drives Meade’s work and life is to always strive to find something within himself to give back for the betterment of others. People who appear to have nothing in life but who are joyful are so because they share what they have with others, he said.

“If we empower the weakest in our community, we empower the community as a whole,” Meade said during his acceptance speech.

And in that, Meade truly embodies the spirit of his award’s namesake – William Reece Smith, Jr., a legendary Florida lawyer who dedicated more than 60 years working to increase the legal services available to people who could not afford them.

“I honor you for your work in every way,” Justice Edwin Cameron told Meade during the event, adding that he found every part of Meade’s presence at the ceremony – from his survival, return to citizenship, and work accomplished – deeply moving.

Cameron was the keynote speaker who delivered The William Reece Smith Jr. Distinguished lecture in Ethics. A South African judge and human rights lawyer, his speech addressed the “moral catastrophe” of mass incarceration, calling it a “deadly epidemic” that leads to reduced life expectancy, higher infant mortality, and higher rates of severe illness in the affected population, which is disproportionately composed of Blacks and other minorities.

He examined the issue from both South Africa’s history with apartheid and America’s history with slavery. Both democracies face threats to the rule of law, and the deep scars of racial injustice still reverberate. While the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, South Africa is not far behind at the 12^th highest rate. Both countries have responded to rising crime rates with misguided efforts for law and order, including the “war on drugs” rallying cry, to impose long and harsh sentences.

Using the blunt instrument of law and punishment to address what, in many cases, are public health issues, is what Cameron meant by “misguided efforts.” He said that prison reform is a hopeless concept without also making a profound commitment to social reform.

“Why do we turn our gaze from the horrors of prisons?”

Cameron gave four reasons:

Hannibal Lecter syndrome – The notion that some people are truly dangerous and should be imprisoned.
Genuine fear of crime and damage to what is precious to us – For example, South Africa has one of the highest violent crime rates, and citizens are truly afraid.
Genuinely perplexed about crime – There is no consensus on the main motivators behind it, therefor making the root causes difficult to definitively identify and address.
If society’s institutions of governance fail to address crime in some fashion, citizens will resort to retribution themselves – In South Africa, he said, vigilante/mob justice murders are an issue.

We must be careful of social conundrums we don’t fully understand, Cameron said, but mass incarceration is not the answer. Prison abolition demands better, more practical answers to bigger issues such as livable wages, clean water, affordable housing, mental illness, and health care, he said.

About Inns of Court

The Inns of Court is a tradition used to train barristers in London that focuses on maintaining close mentoring relationships between lawyers-to-be and eminent scholars, lawyers, and judges. Local dignitaries, federal, circuit and county judges, Tampa Bay lawyers, area Inns of Court members and Stetson students, faculty and staff are invited to attend the virtual event.

Stetson Law proud to maintain Military Friendly® School designation

GULFPORT, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law has earned the 2021-2022 Military Friendly® School designation with an additional Bronze ranking.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly ® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. The 2021-2022 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey response set and government/agency public data sources, within a logic-based scoring assessment. Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans, are measured.

“Stetson Law honors all of those who have served in our nation’s military and is proud to have more than 30 U.S. military veteran alumni from all branches of the service,” said Dean Michèle Alexandre. “Our school aims to be a place where veterans feel welcome and comfortable pursing their educational goals, while also employing our skills and knowledge to help the veterans in our community with their legal needs.”

Stetson Law participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program to help offset the cost of attending law school to an unlimited number of veterans or eligible dependents. Each veteran or eligible dependent receives up to $5,000 per academic year from Stetson Law, over and above any Post-9/11 GI Bill® for Private Schools benefits.

Since its dedication in 2012, Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute, under the leadership of military veteran and attorney Stacey-Rae Simcox, has helped to increase legal services to military members, veterans and their families through its Veterans Advocacy Clinic and pro bono service initiatives. The clinic provides assistance to Tampa Bay area veterans who need legal help appealing decisions denying Veterans Administration disability benefits.

The College has also partnered, since 2017, with the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center, Bay Area Legal Services, and Gulfcoast Legal Services to form a medical-legal partnership (MLP). The MLP provides pro bono legal representation and consultation to veterans who receive care at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System and may not otherwise be able to afford legal representation on civil law issues.

Stetson is located near MacDill Air Force Base, the headquarters of U.S. Central Command and one of the U.S. Coast Guard’s largest command stations, and the Tampa Bay region of Florida has one of the largest concentrations of veterans in the U.S. To learn more about resources for student veterans and members of the military at Stetson University College of Law, visit https://www.stetson.edu/law/admissions/veterans/index.php.