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New competition generates tax solutions to address climate change

Environmental and tax law professors at Stetson Law hosted a virtual awards ceremony for the winners of the inaugural Stetson Environmental Tax Policy Writing Competition. Top row from left: second place winner Daniel Raymer, Professor Andrew Appleby, and Assistant Director of the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy Erin Okuno. Second row from left: Director of the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy Royal Gardner, Professor Lance Long, and attorney and writer Richard O. "Dick" Jacobs. Bottom row: winner Daniel Town.
Environmental and tax law professors at Stetson Law hosted a virtual awards ceremony for the winners of the inaugural Stetson Environmental Tax Policy Writing Competition. Top row from left: second place winner Daniel Raymer, Professor Andrew Appleby, and Assistant Director of the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy Erin Okuno. Second row from left: Director of the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy Royal Gardner, Professor Lance Long, and attorney and writer Richard O. “Dick” Jacobs. Bottom row: winner Daniel Town.

GULFPORT, Fla. (July 28, 2020) – Stetson University College of Law launched a new competition to galvanize students to develop innovative tax law policies that could fund solutions for sea level rise.

Though tax policy might not be the first discipline to come to mind in which to seek tools to combat climate change, attorney and author Richard O. “Dick” Jacobs felt confident Stetson students, if given the challenge, could mine it to great effect. Rising sea levels are a pressing issue for Florida’s future, and Jacobs thought funding a competition would jump start a conversation by focusing on tax policy solutions to help address the problem.

And so The Stetson Environmental Tax Policy Writing Competition: Tax Policy Solutions to Address Sea Level Rise was born. Students submitted their ideas in late spring, and a committee of tax and environmental lawyers judged the competition using the following criteria: (1) breadth and depth of analysis and sources, (2) creativity and originality, (3) objectivity and legal accuracy, (4) effectiveness of writing style, (5) practicality for addressing the issue, and (6) compliance with the contest rules.

Submissions could include proposed changes to the Florida Constitution and to Florida tax and regulatory law. The first and second place winners split a $1,000 cash prize. The winners of the inaugural competition were Daniel F. Town (first place) and Daniel Raymer (second place).

First Place: Daniel F. Town

Daniel F. Town
Daniel F. Town

Town, a May 2020 graduate, was born in Bogota, Colombia, and moved to Tampa Bay with his parents and brother at the age of six. He attended the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, where he received his B.A. in Psychology. He is a first-generation college graduate and plans to work in the realm of tax and business law after taking the Bar Exam this summer.

Town said he has always considered himself an environmentalist, and the competition allowed him to merge that passion with his newfound interest in tax law. He focused on carbon taxes, utility regulation reform, and how take advantage of existing policies or modify others to increase revenue for use in environmental mitigation.

Paper title and synopsis: From Futile to Utile: Addressing the key role of Florida’s Electric Utility Companies in mitigating Sea-Level Rise

Florida’s unique tax structure, revenue sources, and diverse environment provide an opportunity to address sea-level rise through the lens of the highest carbon emitters: electric utility companies. The proposed solutions include [1] a gradual increase in taxes and fees on some aspects of Florida electric utility companies, [2] offering tax credits and subsidies for transitioning to more environmentally-friendly power-generation, and [3] reforming electric utility regulations as an incentive to adopt a more climate-conscious, public welfare approach—all while maintaining a profit-making structure that can both maintain revenue and reduce the impact of sea level rise in Florida. An analysis of three potential solutions indicates that the case for carbon dioxide mitigation initiatives is strong and able to yield significant revenue over time, while simultaneously contributing to the overall reduction in emissions to help reduce the impact of sea level rise in Florida and beyond.

Read the entire paper online: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3634383

Second Place: Daniel Raymer

Daniel Raymer
Daniel Raymer

Raymer is a recent graduate of Stetson Law and will begin the LL.M. in Taxation program at the University of Florida Levin College of Law in Fall 2020. Following the LL.M. program, he plans to practice tax law and commercial litigation.

For his submission, Raymer was inspired by how the paper straw he received at a St. Petersburg restaurant disintegrated while he tried to drink a milkshake; in that moment, he would have been willing to pay for a plastic straw.

He hypothesized that giving consumers a “pay-to-play” option for a more convenient – though less environmentally friendly – choice could put a lot of money in the state coffers to subsidize climate change mitigation projects. His research showed how much plastic we use as a society, further convincing him that adding a tax to everyday items that is both small enough not to be an inconvenience, but substantial enough to make a difference, would be a practical answer.

Paper title and synopsis: Plastic Tax: An Alternative to Plastic Alternatives

The consequences of rising sea levels, specifically shoreline regression, pose a unique and substantial threat to Florida’s economy. With nearly $100 billion dollars—or 10 percent of Florida’s gross domestic product—coming from beach tourism and coastal real estate taxes annually, the need to subsidize these inevitable economic losses cannot be overstated. This article proposes a hybrid of upstream and downstream taxes on targeted single-use plastics. While the proposed taxes are modest, the resulting revenue would be around $3.52 billion annually. 

Read the entire paper online: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3642739

Dick Jacobs
Dick Jacobs

Jacobs praised both students for crafting solutions that were practical and would not require amendments to the state constitution – something he initially thought would be necessary for any successful plan.

A 1967 graduate of Stetson Law, Jacobs has a history donating to environmental programs at the college, such as The Dick and Joan Jacobs’ Environmental Externship Fund. He has written several books, including Wonderlust, a book of his photography and lessons learned trekking seven continents. His travels also led him to the realization that both Florida and the United States as a whole are ill prepared – from a revenue standpoint – to tackle the problems climate change will present. Jacobs thought tapping the creativity of younger generations could be fruitful.

Faculty will work to get the students’ papers published in law review journals and in the hands of state lawmakers where they could perhaps one day influence policy. And that would meet another of Jacobs’ goals for the competition: By giving students a medium to develop an expertise in an area that has been ignored by state and national leaders, it might launch them into careers as “solution makers,” he said. “I would really love to see that.”

Rebecca Morgan wins national elder law award

The Powley Elder Law Award, given to someone who has demonstrated commitment to promote greater understanding of rights and needs of older adults and people with disabilities.

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) announced that Stetson Law’s own Professor Rebecca C. Morgan is the winner of the 2020 Powley Elder Law Award.

The award is presented annually to a NAELA member who is recognized in his or her community as a leader in promoting a greater understanding of the rights and needs of the elderly and people with special needs, and of how elder law attorneys advocate for those rights.

Professor Rebecca Morgan.
Professor Rebecca Morgan

“I’m not usually at a loss for words, but when I got the call that I had been picked as the recipient, I have to say, I was at a loss for words,” Morgan said.

NAELA organizers pointed to a number of reasons Morgan was selected for this year’s distinction.

She was an elder law attorney before it was a specialty and founded the Center for Excellence in Elder Law at Stetson University College of Law. She created an elder law curriculum for JD students, many of whom have gone into the field.

Morgan has held many leadership roles during her career, has been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court for founding the Penick Inns of Court for Elder Law, and is a valued speaker domestically and internationally.

Her many accomplishments are of less importance, they said, than the fact that she walks-the-walk, giving not only of her knowledge, but her time and resources to seniors in St. Petersburg, Fla., where she lives. She and her husband, Jay, were given the keys to the City of St. Petersburg for service and contributions to elders. They recently constructed a model apartment adjacent to their home, which is a prototype for home living for compromised seniors who want to remain home but lack the assistive features that would allow them to do so.

Morgan was also the impetus behind the country’s first age-friendly courtroom at Stetson Law. It was designed specifically with the needs of elderly people in mind, including thoughtful features such as color schemes designed to enhance the vision of elders and rounded corners on all tables and desks. In 2007, Morgan began an online LL.M. program in elder law that enables professionals to enhance their legal education. 

“She is not a board member for accolades, she is an active participant whose special talent is to connect people to people, people to organizations, and organizations to organizations – all for the purpose of improving the lives of seniors in an amazing variety of ways. Becky Morgan is the most innovative, proactive, responsible, and caring individual I’ve ever known, and there is no more deserving Powley Award recipient.”

Mary Alice Jackson, the person who nominated Rebecca Morgan for the award

For Morgan, it is all part of her lifelong effort to provide specialized legal services to the elderly —- a calling that she says is still critical.

“Now, more than ever, it is so important for attorneys to do the good work in elder law.”

The Powley Elder Law Award was established in the memory of Wes and Helen Powley, grandparents of NAELA member Timothy L. Takacs, of Hendersonville, Tenn. Both Wes and Helen were active in civic affairs for all of their lives, and Wes practiced dentistry well into his 80s. The award is funded by a grant from the Takacs Family Foundation.

Watch Professor Morgan’s Powley Award acceptance video.

About NAELA

Members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and individuals of all ages with disabilities. Upon joining, NAELA member attorneys agree to adhere to the NAELA Aspirational Standards. Established in 1987, NAELA is a non-profit association that assists lawyers, bar organizations, and others. The mission of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys is to educate, inspire, serve, and provide community to attorneys with practices in elder and special needs law. NAELA currently has members across the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit NAELA.org, or to locate a NAELA member in your area, visit NAELA.org/findlawyer.

Florida’s 12 law schools form new Consortium for Racial Justice

Image of entrance gates and fountain near the Banyan Courtyard at Stetson University College of Law.

GULFPORT, Fla. (June 24 2020) – In light of longstanding and recent acts of racist violence, the Deans of the 12 law schools in Florida have formed the Florida Law Schools’ Consortium for Racial Justice (FLSCRJ).  This collective will leverage the strengths and educational roles of every law school in the state to assist community organizations fighting for racial justice and policy reform throughout Florida.

FLSCRJ manifests each of the law schools’ commitment to racial justice. The law schools stand against bigotry and racism and seek to act in concrete ways to make the state of Florida more just for all.

Dean Michèle Alexandre
Dean Michèle Alexandre

Michèle Alexandre, Dean and Professor at Stetson University College of Law, announced the consortium by stating, “Supreme Court Justice and civil rights legend Thurgood Marshall once said, ‘Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on. You are ready. Go to it.’  This advice is timeless.  For law schools, lawyers, and law students, it is a moral imperative.”

How the Consortium will work

Each law school will designate at least one student fellow to work with FLSCRJ every year.  The fellows will collaborate with groups in Florida that have long pursued anti-racism initiatives.  Examples of possible initiatives include changes to the process by which juveniles are charged as adults; attempts to end disparate criminal sentences on the basis of race; better regulation of public school resource officers; attempts to equalize funding across public school districts; disruption of the school-to-prison pipeline; ensuring Black-owned businesses have access to loans and state contracts; and the passage of local and state ordinances designed to achieve equal pay for equal work, among many other possibilities. 

The law schools’ current partners, including community foundations, non-profit groups, law firms, businesses, policy centers, art collectives, advocacy groups, educational entities, and bar associations, are already well placed to be part of this collaboration. The consortium also welcomes other interested organizations.

Law student fellows will assist FLSCRJ’s partners with legal research, policy reform, strategic advocacy, and ways to use language to resolve conflicts and improve society at large. Fellows will also undergo tailored training to model effective dialogue about race within each law school and across the state as a whole.

Anthony E. Varona, Dean and M. Minnette Massey Professor at the University of Miami School of Law, emphasized that FLSCRJ also “will spearhead or partner in the planning of educational gatherings, conferences, and scholarly symposia, convening scholars, students, and leading practitioners to discuss, devise, and propose legal reforms.”  

Why law schools must act

The 12 law schools in Florida understand that law schools’ highest duty is to train intellectually strong and culturally competent lawyers who seek justice.  Inherent in legal training is the expressed expectation that lawyers hold a special responsibility to denounce injustice, particularly in the state of Florida.  The Preamble to chapter 4 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar states:

“A lawyer, as a member of the legal profession, is a representative of clients, an officer of the legal system, and a public citizen having special responsibility for the quality of justice . . . As a public citizen, a lawyer should seek improvement of the law, access to the legal system, the administration of justice, and the quality of service rendered by the legal profession.  As a member of a learned profession, a lawyer should cultivate knowledge of the law beyond its use for clients, employ that knowledge in reform of the law, and work to strengthen legal education.” 

Law schools in Florida therefore have an obligation to teach students how to speak up when they see wrongs.  FLSCRJ will emphasize lawyers’ roles in advancing social justice and help law students develop the consciousness they need to speak out against inequalities.

“The consortium will be an alliance in support of existing organizations, signaling that law schools are committed to joining the cause,” said Laura A. Rosenbury, Dean and Levin, Mabie & Levin Professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.  “The initiatives will also make our students stronger, and less myopic, lawyers.”  

What’s next

FLSCRJ will begin by hosting a joint forum on the role of lawyers in crafting policies, advancing racial justice, and correcting social wrongs.  With the help of community partners, the consortium will then identify three or four specific projects on which the student fellows will focus over the next year. Finally, FLSCRJ will partner with scholars interested in researching the legacies of Slavery and Jim Crow in Florida and their lingering vestiges today. 

12 Florida law school deans

  1. Kevin Cieply, President & Dean, Ave Maria School of Law
  2. Leticia M. Diaz, Dean & Professor, Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
  3. Nicky Boothe Perry, Interim Dean & Professor, Florida A&M University College of Law
  4. C. Peter Goplerud III, President & Dean, Florida Coastal School of Law
  5. Antony Page, Dean & FIU Foundation Professor, Florida International University College of Law
  6. Erin O’Hara O’Connor, Dean & McKenzie Professor, Florida State U. College of Law
  7. Debra Moss Vollweiler, Interim Dean & Professor, Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law
  8. Tamara F. Lawson, Dean & Professor, St. Thomas University School of Law
  9. Michèle Alexandre, Dean & Professor, Stetson University College of Law
  10. Laura Ann Rosenbury, Dean & Levin, Mabie & Levin Professor, University of Florida Levin College of Law
  11. Anthony E. Varona, Dean & M. Minnette Massey Professor, University of Miami School of Law
  12. James McGrath, President & Dean, WMU – Cooley Law School Tampa Bay Campus

Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association recognizes award recipients for service and dedication

Lori Baggett, bottom right, received the Outstanding Alumni Representative Award during the 2020 Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association Awards presentation on June 18.
Lori Baggett, bottom right, received the Outstanding Alumni Representative Award during the 2020 Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association Awards presentation on June 18.

The Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association (SLAA) presented awards on June 18, 2020, to six individuals who have made a positive impact in the community and supported Stetson University College of Law.

SLAA has honored alumni accomplishments with awards for more than 25 years. The ceremony typically takes place in conjunction with the annual Florida Bar Convention, but this year was held virtually. The award recipients are Lori Baggett, June Level, Amy Rigdon, Seymour Gordon, Chris Sprowls, and Joseph “Jay” Landers Jr.

Outstanding Alumni Representative Award

Stetson Law alumna Lori Baggett is the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Alumni Representative Award, an honor designed to recognize dedication and service to the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association through involvement in local alumni activities.  

A 2002 graduate, Baggett is a member of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association Board. She hosted a number of alumni events at Carlton Fields, including a chapter reception and a welcome reception for Dean Michèle Alexandre.  She also served on the Black Law Student Association (BLSA) Reunion planning committee and recently established the Baggett Family Scholarship Endowment to provide need-based scholarship assistance to an African American student. 

“Shirley Chisholm has one of my favorite quotes,” Baggett said when accepting her award. “She says, ‘Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of being here on earth,’ and I certainly view being a member of the Alumni Association and giving back as the embodiment of that statement, so I’m very honored by the award. Thank you very much. And I look forward to continuing to serve.”

Baggett is managing shareholder of the Tampa office of Carlton Fields, the third-largest law firm in the Tampa Bay area with 99 local attorneys and more than 300 nationwide. She represents companies in labor and employment law issues, with an expertise on workplace safety and health matters, and is one of a handful of Florida lawyers with OSHA 30 certification.

Distinguished Service Award

June Level provided a pre-recorded acceptance speech from her home.
June Level

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a non-alumnus of the College of Law in recognition of their significant, meritorious and continuing contributions to support the College of Law. This year’s recipient is June Level. 

“It was a surprise, a joy, and a delight to learn that I had received it,” June Level said in previously-recorded remarks. “Thank you, Stetson Law School. I am privileged to be associated with you, but even more than that to receive this award.”

Her late daughter, Meredith E. Level, was a 1994 graduate of the College of Law, and June Level since remained involved with the College of Law.

June Level spent most of her career in education, including teaching in multiple states, working as the Media Consultant for the Kansas State Department of Education, teaching children’s literature at Emporia State College, and serving as the Children’s Youth Services Director for the Martin County Library System. She is an active member of the American Library Association. 

President’s Award

Outgoing SLAA President Amy Rigdon
Amy Rigdon

The President’s Award is presented to the outgoing president of the SLAA in recognition of their term of service. This year’s recipient is Amy Rigdon. 

Rigdon is a “Double Hatter,” earning her bachelor’s degree from Stetson University in 2005, and her J.D. in 2008. During her term as president, she led the board through a time of unprecedented change, including welcoming a new dean and the College of Law’s transition from classroom instruction to online learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  She also led the board in developing new fundraising initiatives and created a series of events to encourage student leaders to remain involved following graduation.      

“I am humbled and honored by this award,” said Rigdon. “It has been my absolute pleasure to serve as president of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association for the past two years.”

Rigdon is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Latham & Watkins, where she represents fund sponsors in fundraising and operating traditional private equity funds as well as non-traditional investment funds, including special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) and collective investment trusts.

Paul M. May Meritorious Service Award

Seymour Gordon received the Paul M. May Meritorious Service Award.
Seymour Gordon

The Paul M. May Meritorious Service Award recognizes an alumnus for showing continued support for the College of Law through the contribution of both time and gifts.  This year’s recipient is Seymour Gordon. 

Gordon is a 1960 graduate of the College of Law and has been active in the local alumni community ever since. He taught classes at Stetson Law as an adjunct Professor and served as an alumni mentor for 1L students. He and Dean Bruce Jacob worked to organize a joint 50-year reunion for the Classes of 1959 and 1960.  Gordon and his wife, Susan, have also given back to the College of Law by establishing the Seymour and Susan Gordan Endowed Scholarship. 

“Stetson has enabled me to have sixty wonderful years of practicing law,” Gordon said in previously-recorded comments. “It has enabled me to be a professional. It has enabled me to support my family and also to be of service to my community. For all of this, I do thank Stetson.”

Gordon practices in the area of real estate, commercial law and estate planning and was a managing partner of Gay & Gordon for most of his career. The St. Petersburg Bar Foundation honored him with the Hero Among Us Award for his extensive service to the community.

Distinguished Alumnus Award

State Rep. Chris Sprowls received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
State Rep. Chris Sprowls

The Distinguished Alumnus Award is given to an alumnus that is recognized as being outstanding in his chosen profession and for his service to humanity, which has brought honor to himself and the College of Law. This year’s recipient is State Rep. Chris Sprowls, a 2009 graduate of the College of Law. 

“You know, I learned so much as a student at Stetson,” Sprowls said in a recorded statement. “I learned not just about what it means to be a great advocate, but I learned that one of the most important things is to learn how to ask the right question. I learned from Bernie McCabe, a mentor of mine, one of our alumni, and a former recipient of this award, that when you ask the right question, never to be afraid of the answer. That is part of the legacy of what we learned here a Stetson. I’m grateful for that education, for this award, and for all of the mentors we’ve had along the way.”

Prior to being elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2014, Sprowls served as an Assistant State Attorney, where he handled dozens of jury trials, many involving serious felonies such as murder, kidnapping, and child molestation. In his first session in the House, Sprowls passed legislation to assist craft breweries, legislation geared at reforming the Public Service Commission, and a bill to protect property owners from losing their homes at the hands of out-of-state corporations. Sprowls was re-elected to the Florida house in 2016 and this fall will become the first College of Law alumnus to serve as the Speaker of the House. 

Ben Willard Award

The Ben Willard Award recognizes an alumnus who expends that extra effort to prevail for the benefit of the citizens of Florida. The award also recognizes an individual whose humanitarian achievements have brought distinction to themselves and the College of Law. This year’s recipient is Joseph “Jay” Landers Jr.

Landers is a “Double Hatter,” earning his bachelor’s degree from Stetson University in 1964, and his J.D. in 1970. He served 20 years as a Stetson University Trustee, including four as Chair. 

“Thank you for this honor,” he said. “The main thing I wanted to do is use this as an opportunity to say thank you to Stetson. As was mentioned, I went to Stetson undergraduate and law school, and it truly made a difference, both of them in different ways, in my future career and life. I was quite an idealist in undergraduate school, and Stetson nurtured that.”

Landers spent an early part of his legal career in state government, serving as aide to Florida Secretary of State Tom Adams and then chief cabinet aide and principal environmental advisor for Gov. Reuben Askew. In 1974 he was appointed executive director of the Internal Improvement Fund (the state land management agency), and then first secretary of the newly-established Florida Department of Regulation. Later, Landers agreed to serve as interim executive director of the Florida Department of Natural Resources. 

He left government in 1979 to join a Tallahassee law firm before co-founding his own firm, Landers and Parsons. His clients included Walt Disney World, the City of Orlando, and the artist Christo. In 1995, he resigned from his law practice to create a niche patient finance company, USMed.  Ten years later JPMorganChase purchased the company and named Landers CEO of ChaseHealthAdvance. He retired in 2007.

Exploring Juneteenth: Local Events, Resources & More

Officially a federal holiday in the United States since 2021, Juneteenth is synonymous with freedom. The day commemorates the date enslaved Black people in Texas were informed of the Emancipation Proclamation – albeit nearly two years after its enactment.

Marking the official end to legal enslavement – and celebrating those who fought hard for freedom – has taken many forms throughout the United States. Juneteenth, June 19th of every year, represents a uniform recognition and celebration of that pivotal moment in our history.

Below is a brief summary of the historical facts, but you can learn even more by consulting the links listed below or exploring the numerous resources catalogued in libraries across the United States.

History of Juneteenth

With this formal announcement of the end of slavery in Texas, June 19th quickly became the symbolic commemoration and celebration day for African Americans. Emancipation Day celebrations already had a history—African Americans in New York had been celebrating July 5th since the end of slavery there in 1827, and Black residents of Washington, D.C., gathered on April 15, 1866, to honor freedom. But in the decades following the war, Juneteenth became the focal date for African American communities to memorialize liberation across the country. 

General Order No. 3 announcing the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation.

On June 19, 1865, Gen. Gordon Granger arrived with the Union Army in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3 announcing the enforcement of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation (which had been issued more than two years earlier on Jan. 1, 1863) and ending slavery in Texas. Even though the Confederate army had surrendered at Appomattox in April, the war persisted in more remote places across the south and southwest, and it took the arrival of the Union troops and northern control of land and government to enforce liberation in many of those areas.

A Juneteenth parade in Richmond, Va., in 1905.
A Juneteenth parade in Richmond, Va., in 1905.

African American churches helped raise money to buy land and create Emancipation Park in Houston in 1872 for a location to hold these celebrations. Juneteenth became a traditional African American holiday in Texas and also nationally, celebrated with speeches, music, and parades. These celebrations remained community-led, however, because prior to 1979, neither states nor the federal government officially recognized a day celebrating the dramatic achievement of emancipation.

Eventually, in 1979, Texas passed a bill introduced by State Rep. Al Edwards recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday – the first state to do so.  Since then, 45 states have recognized Juneteenth as a holiday or day of observance (Florida did so in 1991).

Juneteenth was made a federal holiday in 2021 and was added to the Stetson University holiday calendar in 2022.

Stetson Law takes part in racial justice initiatives

As a legal education institution that takes its role of advocating for justice seriously, Stetson Law has partnered with community organizations that do important work for underrepresented populations.

One such initiative is the St. Petersburg Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Center (TRHT), a partnership with Eckerd College that aims to leverage local resources in a manner that will ultimately enrich the communities that need it most with economic opportunities, greater health outcomes, and more.

Learn more about St. Petersburg TRHT.

Local events celebrating Juneteenth in 2024

Stetson’s Black Law Students Association will be holding an event on Wednesday, June 19 from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. at War Veterans’ Memorial Park at 9600 Bay Pines Boulevard in St. Pete. More details here.

Numerous other organizations are holding events to celebrate Juneteenth throughout the Tampa Bay region. Here are a few:

A Juneteenth Kickoff Mixer at St. Pete Youth Farm on Friday from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M.

Gulfport’s Celebrate Juneteenth Event from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 15 at Gulfport Casino.

R.O.C. the Block Juneteenth Festival, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa (June 15)

The Phyllis Wheatley Rise to Read Campaign Juneteenth Gospel Fest at 2901 54th Avenue South on Sunday, June 16 from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. St. Petersburg College’s Juneteenth Celebration from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. June 18 in the Health Education Center Lobby on their campus at 7200 66th St. N. in Pinellas Park.

See more Juneteenth events via WUSF.

For further reading

Special thanks to Professor James W. Fox Jr. for compiling this brief history on Juneteenth, the resources list, and photographs.

Stetson Law’s Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy files amici curiae brief to halt new rule that would limit Clean Water Act protections

Hearing scheduled today on motion for temporary injunction to proposed Navigable Waters Protection Rule

Image of meandering grassy wetlands depicts just some of the types of waters that may no longer be protected if the Navigable Waters Protection Rule takes effect.

A new amici curiae (friend of the court) brief written on behalf of aquatic scientific organizations by the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy at Stetson University College of Law lends support to 17 states and the District of Columbia seeking a preliminary injunction to halt the Trump administration’s attempt to limit Clean Water Act (CWA) protections.

Read the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy’s complete brief here.

A hearing on the motion for preliminary injunction in the case, State of California et al. v Wheeler et al., will be held in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Thursday, June 18, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. (PDT) and is available for public viewing via Zoom (see the link and meeting information below).

Background

Under federal law, the CWA prohibits discharges of pollutants from point sources to “navigable waters,” unless permitted by either the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (or a state with an approved program). In April, the federal agencies published the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which more narrowly defines which waters constitute navigable waters—and thereby considerably restrict the wetlands and other waters that are federally protected under the CWA.

States from across the country, including California, New York, and Wisconsin, filed a lawsuit and have since petitioned to temporarily block the new rule from taking effect. Stetson’s Royal Gardner, professor and director of the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, and Erin Okuno, assistant director of the institute, co-authored with a team of attorneys an amici brief in support of the injunction. They pointed out that utilizing science is critical to achieving goals of the CWA, but the EPA and Army Corps disregarded the available science when crafting the new rule.

Issues

“Although the Agencies concede the importance of science, they largely ignored the scientific understanding of how streams and wetlands contribute to the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of downstream waters,” they wrote in the brief.

“The Agencies acted arbitrarily and capriciously by failing to inform themselves—and the public—about the 2020 Rule’s significant negative effects. The 2020 Rule’s reduction of Clean Water Act protection threatens irreparable harm to every American who benefits from and relies on the integrity of the Nation’s waters.”

The only other amicus brief in the case is from New York University’s Institute for Policy Integrity. It focuses on the agencies’ disregard of the economic consequences of their actions and notes they used an economic analysis “to obscure the rule’s anticipated harms” and “misrepresent environmental costs and compliance cost-savings.”

View court proceedings

Members of the public and press can click the link or use the information below to view or listen to the court proceedings via Zoom or telephone. Gardner said the judge may issue a ruling on the motion before June 22, the day when the new rule is scheduled to go into effect.

Zoom information

https://cand-uscourts.zoomgov.com/j/1611890679?pwd=bWZON2ZPSU1tQWw4L3AzYlZmOUN0dz09

Meeting ID: 161 189 0679
Password: 537023

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Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ac4JkPfcjo

Per the Court order, PLEASE NOTE: Persons granted access to court proceedings held by telephone or videoconference are reminded that photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings, including screenshots or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited. See General Order 58 at Paragraph III.

Anonymous donors establish Distinguished Scholarship Program with $10 million planned gift

June 17, 2020 — Stetson University College of Law is thrilled to announce a $10 million planned gift to establish a Distinguished Scholarship Program.  

The donors prefer to remain anonymous at this time. However, they expressed how important it is to them to recognize the role Stetson Law played in their professional achievement. They desire to do what they can to help future generations achieve their goals and dreams, as well as inspire others to remember Stetson in similar ways.   

Dean Michèle Alexandre
Dean Alexandre

“This generous planned gift means that we can offer even greater opportunities to talented and driven individuals, thereby furthering the College of Law’s mission to mold outstanding lawyers and leaders who serve the profession and society,” said Dean Michèle Alexandre, who today celebrates her one-year anniversary with Stetson Law. “This unprecedented investment in our students elevates the College of Law’s stature nationally and demonstrates an unwavering faith in our current direction and future vision. We are so grateful to them!”

Scholarship Details

This competitive scholarship program will provide 10 annual full-tuition scholarships with the goal of attracting student scholars with financial need whose intelligence, attitude, character, communication skills, and drive give them the potential for leadership at Stetson and beyond.

Dr. Wendy Libby, President of Stetson University
Dr. Wendy Libby, President of Stetson University

In addition to demonstrating financial need, scholars must have achieved scores in the 90th percentile on national admissions qualification tests; demonstrated a record of performance showing that they are truly ambitious, talented, and enthusiastic in their academic and extracurricular activities; exhibited leadership traits that are predictive of their capacity to emerge as tomorrow’s innovative and leading attorneys, entrepreneurs, and leaders in their communities, businesses, and profession; and demonstrate extraordinary skills, talents, curiosity to learn and grow, good moral character and unique characteristics that distinguish them from their peers. 

“This donation will enable us to continue our strong tradition of educating well-rounded legal professionals who are more than prepared to tackle all aspects of business law,” said Stetson University President Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D. “We are so appreciative that the donors chose to commit to Stetson University College of Law in this extraordinary way. They honor us with their philanthropy and light the way for others to do the same.”

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 Law leads the nation in blending legal doctrine with practical training, evidenced by its top-ranked programs – including being No. 1 in Trial Advocacy for 22 times in 26 years and No. 3 in legal writing with U.S. News & World Report 2021. Through our academically rigorous curriculum and commitment to social justice advocacy, Stetson lawyers are ethical, practice-ready advocates prepared to succeed in the legal profession.  

New Intro to Practical Legal Skills workshop offered

Intro to Practical Legal Skills is a new Stetson Law workshop for admitted students.
Intro to Practical Legal Skills is a new Stetson Law workshop for admitted students.

Stetson Law has created an innovative new workshop, Intro to Practical Legal Skills, to help soon-to-be first year law students start law school strong, confident and capable.

The 10-day online workshop is designed to give students a head start and make the most of their higher education investment. The workshop will focus on exposing admitted students to the fundamentals of legal education, the study of the law, critical reading, and more. In so doing, students will be familiarized with universal legal doctrines and will have opportunities to discuss important issues impacting law and society. 

Students will also have the chance to learn from and interact with members of Stetson’s faculty and alumni. The goal is to ensure students discover what it means to be a Stetson Lawyer, have the opportunity to reflect on their own learning style, set personal goals for their legal education, and get a preview of what it’s like to interact in the classroom, online.  

The faculty will include: 

As well as more than a dozen other professors with a variety of different areas of expertise.

A sampling of courses includes:

  • Finding Your Lens: Studying Law in Context
  • Listening, Critical Reading, and Thinking on Your Feet;
  • Law in the World Beyond Us: Cultural Competency and Global Citizenship.

Intro to Practical Legal Skills will run online from June 19–July 2.  It is free of charge, not for credit, and is also open to rising seniors from Stetson University who may be interested in pursuing law school after graduation.

Stetson Law dean addresses COVID-19, national tensions, in message to community

A message from Stetson Law Dean Michèle Alexandre.

Dear Stetson Law Community,

Nationally, this has been a difficult past week. Many are mourning the loss of loved ones to COVID-19, living in constant worry about the danger it poses to them, or suffering daily heartbreaks at the toll this virus has caused. No one is left untouched by the pandemic, and vulnerable communities are still reeling from its disproportionate impact.

As if these challenges were not difficult enough, national tensions are at their highest and race relations are strained. Black and brown communities are specifically vulnerable in all aspects. Times like these can challenge hope even in the most optimistic person. If you feel despondent and are seeking comfort or support, you are not alone. My source of hope is deeply tied to our collective mission to train global citizens and our specific calling to implement social justice in all we do.

In law school, we teach that our system guarantees due process, as well as freedom of speech and assembly. Lawyers on all sides work to protect these rights. And, our own College of Law’s mission of social justice and inclusion makes these legal guarantees priority. We are a learning institution, thinking and engaging in work that will benefit society. As we examine what is happening in our nation, I call on our students, faculty and staff to re-commit to strengthening our beloved community, to engaging with one another in loving and edifying ways, and to manifesting our mission of social justice through all our actions, internally and externally.

Beyond mere observers, we are all called to a measure of service. Our students are an integral part of the justice work, and they along with our faculty and staff, are called to uphold our core values. Those specifically state that we are committed to, among other things, ethics, civility, mutual respect, and integrity. I am proud of Stetson’s values and of the fact that we train leaders and change agents. What students do here and learn here will make a difference.

As Dr. King noted, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Despite our unsettled times, opportunities to effect positive change abound. This requires awareness, commitment, and deliberate work from all of us. I am confident that we are up to the task. And, above all, we at the College of Law are in this together.

Warmly,
Dean Alexandre

Stetson Law hosts virtual graduation celebration

2020 Graduation Celebration graphic with balloons.

Website honors 2020 spring grads until in-person ceremony takes place in December

Stetson University College of Law’s May 2020 commencement ceremony was rescheduled to Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, due to COVID-19, but college officials did not want to let original date go unrecognized.

A Graduation Celebration website was created to commemorate the day and applaud graduates for their accomplishments. It features video messages from Dean Michèle Alexandre, Stetson University President Dr. Wendy B. Libby, and President-elect Dr. Christopher F. Roellke, as well as inspirational notes from alumni, student photos and more.

Various faculty and staff members also took to social media that day for well wishes and encouragement.

Tweet from the Office of Career and Professional Development saying Congrats Stetson Law Graduates You Rock!

The traditional face-to-face graduation ceremony will take place in December, provided health guidelines at that time permit. The schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday, Dec. 17 – Graduation Brunch
  • Friday, Dec. 18 – Honors and Awards Celebration
  • Saturday, Dec. 19 – Graduation Ceremony

The graduating classes included in the events will be December 2019, May/August 2020, and December 2020. Given the special circumstances, the December 2020 finishers will have the unique opportunity to walk in and participate in this graduation ceremony. 

The December 2020 Honors and Awards and Graduation ceremonies will replicate exactly the same tradition typically delivered each spring, including recognitions, speeches, photography, etc. As a special note, both President Libby and President Roellke will attend the graduation ceremony on Dec. 19, 2020.

Information about regalia and cords will be provided to students closer to the December graduation date.

Spring 2020 graduation ceremony rescheduled

Stetson University College of Law’s May 2020 commencement ceremony has been rescheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, due to COVID-19.  

“None of us could have foreseen how drastically the world would be changed come spring 2020. Graduation is incredibly important to all of us, and we do not take it lightly. We have agonized over the right remedy,” said Dean Michèle Alexandre. 

College of Law officials considered all constituents and consulted multiple times with graduating students, including circulating two surveys to gather as much feedback as possible about their wishes. 

Over 270 surveys were emailed to students, with 173 total votes received. The results were:

  • Virtual Graduation on May 16: 19.7% (34 votes)
  • Live Graduation at Future Date: 80.3% (139 votes)

Based on that, officials determined that the traditional face-to-face graduation ceremony will take place in December, provided health guidelines at that time permit. The schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday, Dec. 17 – Graduation Brunch
  • Friday, Dec. 18 – Honors and Awards Celebration
  • Saturday, Dec. 19 – Graduation Ceremony

The graduating classes included in the events will be December 2019, May/August 2020, and December 2020. Given the special circumstances, the December 2020 finishers will have the unique opportunity to walk in and participate in this graduation ceremony. 

The December 2020 Honors and Awards and Graduation ceremonies will replicate exactly the same tradition typically delivered each spring, including recognitions, speeches, photography, etc. As a special note, both President Wendy Libby and President Chris Roellke will attend the graduation ceremony on Dec. 19, 2020.

Information about regalia and cords will be provided to students closer to the December graduation date.

As for the original May 16 date, even though students and their families cannot gather at the Gulfport campus as planned, the day will not go unrecognized. A virtual Graduation Celebration, featuring a special website honoring students and their accomplishments, will launch on May 16 (watch stetson.edu/law that day for details). It will feature video messages, photographs of the students, and a few other personalized surprises for them.

Hard copies of the formal Graduation and Honors and Awards brochures, as well as Honors and Awards plaques, will be mailed to students in June.

Considering the ongoing uncertainty regarding the current COVID-19 situation, college officials caution that any plans are dependent on guidance from state and local government and recommendations and standards from the CDC and the Florida Department of Health and could be subject to change.

Stetson Professor contributes to report on conducting fair elections during a crisis

Stetson Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy was part of a group of bipartisan and diverse scholars and thinkers in the areas of law, technology, politics, and media that created a new report to offer guidance on how to conduct fair elections during a nationwide crisis.

The 45-page report is called Fair Elections During a Crisis: Urgent Recommendations in Law, Media, Politics, and Tech to Advance the Legitimacy of, and the Public’s Confidence in, the November 2020 U.S. Elections and is available online.

It contains 14 recommendations for specific actions that key players – meaning members of the media, civic leaders, social media platforms, and government officials – should take now to minimize the chances of an election meltdown in November.

What’s the reason for concern?

Even before the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the United States, observers of American democracy questioned the public’s faith and confidence in the results of the upcoming November 2020 U.S. elections. Concerns about peaceful transitions of power were less common a decade ago, but Americans can no longer take for granted that election losers will concede a closely-fought contest after authorities (or courts) have declared a winner. Hyperpolarization, misinformation on social media, election administration errors, foreign interference, and increasingly incendiary rhetoric around the fairness of American elections have caused public confidence in the fairness and accuracy of American elections to plummet. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these concerns.

Recognizing the need for multifaceted solutions to the issue of the legitimacy and acceptance of fair election results in the United States, Richard L. Hasen, Chancellor’s Professor of Law and Political Science at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), convened a committee to tackle this issue from an interdisciplinary perspective.

“The American election system is under tremendous stress, and if nothing is done, we face a potential political crisis on top of the health and economic crises brought on by COVID-19,” Hasen said in a press release. “I am confident that the report’s specific, actionable recommendations — carefully crafted by scholars and leaders from across disciplines and the political spectrum — can advance both the actual fairness of the 2020 U.S. elections and the public’s confidence in them.”

What are the proposed solutions?

A key recommendation is that the media educate the public about how election counts may take longer than past years and vote margins may change during the count as election officials process large numbers of mail ballots, especially in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan. The committee also offers a number of recommendations to ensure both election integrity and voter access during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those include:

  • States should adopt reforms to improve the absentee ballot and provisional ballot processes—both in terms of access and security.
  • States should modify election procedures as necessary to deal with the rise of COVID-19, such as having a diversity of avenues for voting—in-person, absentee, curbside, on-site at hospitals and other such facilities.
  • Media organizations should engage in a public information effort to provide voters with accurate information about the process by which election officials count votes and determine election winners.
  • To the extent possible, states should use paper ballots or electronic machinery that produces a voter-verifiable record of the voter’s choices, in the November 2020 elections to ensure the integrity of the outcome.

Q&A with Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy on her role

Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy.
Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy.

Q. How and why did you get involved?

A. I was invited to join the group by Professor Rick Hasen of UCI Law. The conference had an intriguing premise, e.g.,  “Can American Democracy Survive the 2020 Elections?” I was inspired to participate because one of the goals was to draft a working paper that would be of use to policy makers who want to improve the resiliency of American elections for 2020. This reminded me of the work that I did as a lawyer at the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program.

Q. Did you learn anything new or unexpected from the process? 

A. Most of my academic work is about campaign finance—how candidate elections are funded by private parties. This project focused on how elections are run by state and local governments. So this project allowed me to consider a whole new range of problems with how American elections are administered including the new challenges such as the need for widespread vote by mail that may arise if there is big spike in COVID-19 cases around the November election.

Q. Is there anything Stetson, as a law school, can or should be doing to help ensure a fair election in our community?

A. I encourage all Stetson students who are American citizens to register to vote and to vote in the election. Voter registration drives are going to have to be modified for safety because of the on-going coronavirus pandemic. I would encourage those who want to do voter registration drives to use their voices on social media to encourage their fellow Floridians to register to vote: https://registertovoteflorida.gov/home. 

Students can also volunteer to be poll voters who work election day in a certain precinct and poll workers who work at early voting locations. For those in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg and Gulfport) you can find more information here: https://www.votepinellas.com/Election-Worker. Stetson Law will typically grant non-legal pro bono credit for being a poll worker.

Q. What about claims that voting by mail invites fraud?

A. This is a false narrative that has been investigated and written about extensively. At least five states already use mail balloting as the primary method of voting, and all voters have had the right to vote by mail ballot if they choose in at least 28 other states. In 2018, more than 31 million Americans cast their ballots by mail (about 25.8 percent of election participants). Despite this, fraud rates remain incredibly low. And states implement security measures including identity verification, ballot tracking through the U.S. Postal Service, secure drop-off locations and drop boxes, harsh penalties and more to help prevent fraud.

Q. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A. In Florida, any voter can request to vote by mail. Just contact your local Supervisor of Elections, and they will send you a ballot for the November election. For example, if you live in Tampa, then you contact the Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections to vote by mail: https://www.votehillsborough.org/VOTERS/Vote-By-Mail. This is likely the most convenient and safest way to vote during a pandemic.