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Veteran Moot Win Dedicated to Memory of Classmate

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

This one’s for Logan.

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

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

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

Embracing the challenge

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Building on years of success

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

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

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

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

Alumna Rebecca Palmer On Chatbot Romances & Family Law

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

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

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

She recently answered key questions about this rapidly evolving area.

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

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

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

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

Could an AI relationship be considered marital misconduct?

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

Are “private” chatbot conversations admissible in court?

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

Could an AI relationship affect custody cases?

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

How should family law attorneys prepare for this emerging issue?

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

First Elder Law LLM Alum Given Prestigious Award

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

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

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

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

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

Empowered by Stetson Law

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

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

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

Making an impact west of the Mississippi

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

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

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

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

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

Stetson Law Inducts 5 New Hall of Fame Members in 2025

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

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

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

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

Dean Darby Dickerson

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

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

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

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

Professor Peter Lake

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

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

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

Michael Marder ’77

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

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

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

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

Jeffery Smith ’73

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

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

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

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

Ying White ’97

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

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

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

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

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

See all Stetson Law Hall of Fame inductees.

Hall of Fame 2025: Ying White ’97

When Ying White ’97 first became an attorney, her father-in-law gave her a picture of a young Abraham Lincoln, which she kept in her office. It was a reminder of what hard work and perseverance can accomplish.

“Here was a man aspiring to be an attorney with no formal legal education,” she said during her spring 2025 commencement address at Stetson Law. “Only through his own efforts, did he not only succeed in that task but as we all know, went on to become one of the great presidents of this country.”

A magna cum laude Stetson Law alumna, White has achieved much through her own hard work and perseverance. With a career defined by supporting major financial institutions amid a shifting global economy, a passion for giving back to her alma mater, and efforts to help Stetson grow its international reach, she is among the latest to join the Stetson Law Hall of Fame.

White was inducted at a November 1 ceremony at the Don CeSar on Florida’s St. Pete Beach.

A woman with dark hair and a grey-striped suit and a man in a button-up shirt and jeans stand in front of a while featuring comemmorative plaques. — Ying White ’97 and former Dean Bruce Jacob ’59.

“The word that I would use to encapsulate Ying is driven,” said Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “She’s achieved so much in her career because she was willing to work so hard at it. She’s incredibly smart and incredibly talented. You see the drive in her. She’s really at the top of the game.”

Success on a global scale

White’s adaptability equipped her to thrive in a changing world. As partner at the global law firm Clifford Chance LLP, she has advised global fund managers like Citadel, BlackRock, and Vanguard on how to be profitable as they entered the China market.

She has advised sovereign wealth funds and Chinese businesses on their investments with major global funds. As chair of the American Bar Association’s China Law Committee, she conducted many US-China legal exchange programs. Throughout her career, she has sought to embody the values she says Stetson Law instilled in her and her classmates: compassion, ethics, courage, and boldness in the pursuit of justice.

Showing love for her alma mater

For years, White has mentored international students and alumni. She served on the Stetson Law Alumni Association Advisory Board Member from 2005-2008 and has personally supported Stetson Law Greatest Needs, the W. Gary Vause International LLM Scholarship, and Stetson Law Scholarships.

A woman wears a salmon-colored suit and a man wears a dark suit. Together, they hold an orange bag that says "aurora." There are Chinese characters on the wall behind them.

After Barros expressed a desire to have Stetson Law increase its international student enrollment, White offered to serve as a host, liaison, and translator on an October 2024 trip to China to explore academic partnership opportunities. The trip included a visit to Southwest University of Political Science and Law in Chongqing, China, which then sent a delegation for a productive visit to Stetson Law in March 2025.

Hall of Fame 2025: Michael Marder ’77

When he guest lectured for Professor Joseph Morrissey’s Documents of the Deal course, Michael Marder ’77 was thrilled to demystify securitization transactions for the students.

Marder, who is co-managing director and co-founder partner at prominent national firm GreenspoonMarder, sought to impart real-world financial scenarios while giving students a sense of the challenges a day can bring.

“My clients come from all industries and I handle myriad issues,” Marder said. “Big or small, all matters can be broken down to the people involved, and my pleasure is taking care of people.”

Whether it’s offering students insights from his own success story, contributing to student scholarships, or looking to his alma mater for firm’s next great hire, Marder’s extensive support of the College has earned him a place in the Stetson Law Hall of Fame. Marder was formally inducted into the Hall of Fame during a ceremony that took place November 1, 2025 at the Don CeSar on Florida’s St. Pete Beach.

“He’s an important supporter of the College of Law,” said Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “His firm hires our graduates. He’s what any law school dean would want an alum to be in terms of his engagement and support of the institution.”

The road to prominence

Since cofounding his firm with Gerald Greenspoon in 1981, Marder has focused on complex business litigation, transactional law, and real estate. He has sharp acumen in hospitality and vacation ownership law.

From a large timeshare and vacation ownership company to small hospitality businesses, his clients span the industry. Drawing on decades of experience, he works tirelessly to support them in their work, from project planning to administration of their properties. The firm now has grown to more than 225 attorneys and more than 20 office locations across the country. Yet he also remains committed to helping those in need. Marder chairs the Governing Board of Directors and the Advisory Board of the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, a nonprofit that supports initiatives to fight substance use disorder. He is also a member of the American Resort Development Association Chairman’s League.

Staying connected with Stetson

Despite a busy schedule, Marder remains a driving force at Stetson Law.

He generously supported construction of the Advocacy Institute, where the Michael Ellis Marder Courtroom was named in his honor. He and his firm have also contributed to the Center for Advocacy Education, Stetson Law Greatest Needs, Law General Scholarships, and the Honorable Thomas B. McCoun II Scholarship. He has hosted numerous alumni receptions and admitted student events at his home and in Greenspoon Marder locations including Boca Raton, Los Angeles, New York, and Orlando.

A member of Stetson Law’s Board of Overseers, he also has assisted the college in formulating plans for the future of the Tampa Law Center, thereby ensuring the College’s status as a regional leader for generations to come.

Hall of Fame 2025: Professor Peter Lake

To alumni who took his torts class and top leaders in higher ed, Professor Peter F. Lake has achieved rockstar status. With more than 30 years in higher education, this professor of law, Charles A. Dana Chair, and director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy has shown an unparalleled commitment not just to the College, but to higher ed itself.

For these reasons and more, Professor Lake is now a member of the Stetson Law Hall of Fame. “Peter Lake is an absolutely remarkable person,” said Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “When I’m out meeting with alumni, we often ask ‘Who is your most memorable professor?’ Peter Lake comes up so often. His impact on his students is really tangible.”

Professor Lake was inducted into the Hall of Fame during November 1 ceremony at the Don CeSar on St. Pete Beach, Florida.

An enduring passion for higher ed

Lake is an internationally recognized expert on higher education law and policy and has been quoted or referred to in hundreds of newspapers and court opinions. He is an award-winning academic and has authored numerous law review articles, books, and other publications.

A young man in black and a man with white hair, a blue suit, and a red tie hold a plaque. — Law Professor Peter Lake and former Stetson Law Dean Gary Vause

With support from his team, the center hosts hundreds of college and university officials for the National Conference for Higher Education Law & Policy, held annually on Clearwater Beach. As the event’s tagline, “See you at the beach,” suggests, his rigorous work ethic is tempered by his easygoing demeanor. Since joining the College of Law faculty in 1990, the double-Harvard graduate has served in many administrative functions at Stetson, including honor code administrator, interim director of Title IX compliance, special assistant to the dean, and the faculty representative to the board of trustees. He also serves his profession through extensive consulting work.

Decades of impactful work

In the classroom, Professor Lake also stands out. When alumni are asked about their favorite professors, he is one of the most common responses. His torts class is a favorite among students and alumni. Professor Lake’s engaging style and ability to make complex topics easily digestible have endeared him to generations of alumni. By supporting the Professor Peter F. Lake “Spirit of the Law” Award Endowment and the College of Law Food Pantry, he is also helping ensure students are equipped to succeed in their law school journey and beyond.

Hall of Fame 2025: Dean Darby Dickerson

A man in a pale suit and a woman wearing a green velvet suit jacket hold a plaque. — Law Professor Robert Bickel and former Stetson Law Dean Darby Dickerson

Beloved former Dean Darby Dickerson’s impact is visible across campus and reflected in the College’s nation-leading programs.

From helping solidify the College’s status as a national leader in legal writing to fostering a relationship with Dolly and Homer Hand, namesakes of the Dolly and Homer Hand Library, her work was transformative during her time as dean from 2005 through 2011. She also hired celebrated faculty members who still teach today.

To say Dickerson was beloved by students is an understatement. She is regularly remembered fondly by those who shared time with her at Stetson and is celebrated by the greater legal education community.

For her profound impact on the College of Law and the legal profession itself, she is now a member of the Stetson Law Hall of Fame. She was officially inducted during a ceremony that took place November 1, 2025 at the Don CeSar on St. Pete Beach, Florida.

“When I talk with alumni about Darby, their eyes light up,” said Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “Her national reputation is stellar. She was president of the Association of American Law Schools. She is one of the best-known legal-writing scholars in the United States. She’s a rockstar in legal education.”

Dickerson is now a member of the Stetson Law Hall of Fame.

A prolific jurist and scholar

Dickerson joined the Stetson Law faculty in 1995 after practicing at Lock Liddell & Sapp, LLP and serving as a law clerk for the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

At Stetson, she held many administrative roles, including vice dean, director of legal research & writing, moot court board director, and others. She has taught Legal Research and Writing, Contract Drafting and Review, Torts, ADR, Arbitration, and Election Law. She has supervised various externships, advised law reviews, and coached moot court boards and teams.

Following her time at Stetson, she served as dean at Texas Tech University School of Law, dean/CEO of The John Marshall Law (which she helped to merge into the University of Illinois Chicago), and dean at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. She is now dean and president at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, California.

A woman in a beige jacket sits next to a man in a black suit on a stage. — Former Stetson Law Dean Darby Dickerson talks with then-US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer in 2019.

A lasting legacy

In addition to her many contributions as dean, Dickerson has also personally supported the college. She has made gifts to Stetson Law Greatest Needs, the Edward D. Foreman Most Distinguished Student Award, and the Priscilla and Lawrence Adams Scholarship.

Upon her departure from Stetson, the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association established the Dean Darby Dickerson SLAAC Scholarship Endowment to honor her “devotion to leadership, writing, advocacy, love for higher education and pursuit of other scholarly endeavors.”

Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffery Smith ’73

After a long career in the Citrus County justice system, 1973 Stetson Law alumnus Jeff Smith is enjoying the retiree life with his wife, Patricia (“Trish”) in Inverness, Florida.

His legal career spans decades as a powerful advocate, and he credits Stetson Law with giving him the opportunity to have an impact within the justice system. As a Board of Overseers member and University Trustee who regularly sits in on classes, he is incredibly engaged with his alma mater.

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

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

Becoming a Stetson Lawyer

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

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

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

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

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

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

A meaningful career

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

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

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

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

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

FL Supreme Court Chief Justice Speaks at Stetson

Two men wearing suits and ties sit and talk on a stage in front of a screen displaying the logos for the Stetson Federalist Society and the Florida Supreme Court. — Student Frank Giallourakis chats with Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos G. Muniz.

Members of the Stetson Law community packed the Mann Lounge on Thursday, October 23 to hear Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos G. Muniz’s thoughts on everything from judicial philosophy to how to succeed in the legal profession.

The fireside chat-style event was organized by the Stetson Law chapter of the Federalist Society and moderated by Frank Giallourakis, the organization’s president. “This afternoon was not just a tremendous honor for our Federalist Society chapter to host Chief Justice Muniz, but a historic day for our beloved Stetson law,” Giallourakis said following the event. “Chief Justice Muniz graciously took the time to speak to a crowd of over 100 students, faculty members, and administrators about judicial philosophy, the judiciary’s role under the Constitution, trends in Florida precedent concerning statutory interpretation, and how my Stetson law colleagues and I can best prepare ourselves to achieve great success.”

On building a meaningful career

A photo of a room full of people from the back of the Mann Lounge — Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos G. Muniz spoke to a room full of students, faculty, and staff.

Chief Justice Muniz kicked off the conversation with his thoughts on how law students can realize their full professional potential.

One’s path is a combination of luck, merit, and relationships, he told the audience. Many opportunities happen because of positive impressions one gives his or her mentors and peers, and most people who find success want to pay it forward.

“Don’t be shy about asking people for help,” he said. “All of us have benefited from other people taking interest in us and helping us and my experience is that people want to be able to give back and help others who are coming along after them.”

Service & judicial philosophies

Muniz offered his thoughts on varying judicial philosophies such as originalism and textualism – and how judges’ relationship to the law differs from that of legal scholars.

He stressed that it is not the role of the judge to determine the outcome of a case based on their personal morals and opinions, but instead to subordinate one’s own views and will try to get the case right based on existing laws.

“There are lots of things judges don’t have control over. We don’t have control over what the law is. We don’t have control over the cases that come before us,” he said. “We do have control over how we treat people; whether we make sure that people have due process; whether they feel like judges came to the cases prepared and thoughtful. We really do try to promote that culture of service… The law is not just for judges. It’s for everybody.”

Organizers praised Chief Justice Muniz for his emphasis on shared values over the divisive rhetoric that can often dominate in conversations about law and policy.

“Chief Justice Muniz emphasized the importance of civility, careful study of the law, and a commitment to excellence in everything that we do not only as law students but practicing attorneys,” Giallourakis said. “We extend our sincerest gratitude to the administration for their steadfast support and look forward to carrying this momentum into our upcoming events.”

Learn more about Chief Justice Muniz.

Dr. Kirsten Davis Wins AALS Legal Writing Award

A closeup shot of Law Professor Kirsten K. Davis, who smiles at the camera. — Law Professor Kirsten K. Davis

The Association of American Law Schools’ Section on Legal Writing, Reasoning, and Research is honoring Stetson Law Professor Kirsten K. Davis with its 2026 section award.

Recognizing an individual whose tireless work supports the advancement of the field, the award cites her extensive contributions to the legal writing community through scholarship, leadership, and transformative work, including her recent work on generative AI and legal communication.

When Davis was notified of the news during a surprise presentation arranged by Vice Dean Jason Palmer, three other luminaries from the discipline took part in the moment over Zoom and shared the reasons that Davis was the recipient of the award. She will receive the award during the AALS Annual Meeting Section Award Ceremony on Tuesday, January 8, 2026 in New Orleans.

An inspiration to colleagues

Over her 25-year teaching career, Davis has engaged her colleagues to help shape the way law schools – and, by extension, legal professionals – think about and approach legal writing. She founded the Stetson Institute for the Advancement of Legal Communication to further that mission, has produced sharp, insightful scholarship, and engaged her colleagues in forward-thinking conversations.

She has played a major role in Stetson Law’s status as a national leader in legal writing. The college is third in the nation in legal writing per US News & World Report’s 2025 rankings.

A significant aspect of Davis’s work has been shifting the discipline’s perspective on legal writing to a rhetorical one that recognizes law is appropriate for rigorous rhetorical critique, something that Stetson Law Associate Dean for Assessment and Professional Engagement Anne Mullins has found particularly influential in her own work.

“She is the person who taught me that legal writing was an inherently rhetorical exercise, and she showed me what rigorous rhetorical critique of legal texts looks like,” Mullins said. “The shift she got me to make was like going from seeing the world in black and white to technicolor.”

Davis has helped shape the future of legal education by serving in AALS leadership roles as well as on the boards of both the Association of Legal Writing Directors and Legal Writing Institute. Her body of scholarship explores the intersection of legal writing, rhetoric, and ethics, offering a rich interdisciplinary contribution. She also frequently presents at national conferences on these topics.

Leading the conversation on AI & legal communication

As generative AI began to emerge in late 2022, Davis saw the likely impact it was going to have on legal writing and higher education writ large. She founded a national conversation group on generative AI, has led workshops across the country for faculty, students, lawyers, and judges, and continues to generously share her expertise and time.

Her trailblazing work in educating the legal writing and higher education communities about the implications of generative AI is part of what led the AALS Section on Technology, Law, & Legal Education to give Davis its Technology Mentorship Award in January of 2024.

“I could not be happier to see Dr. Davis honored for her extraordinary contributions,” said University of North Dakota Assistant Professor of Law Carolyn Williams of Davis’s latest honor. “Her foresight to begin studying AI and bringing her knowledge into law schools via presentations all over the country and forming the Legal Writing and Generative AI Convo Group showcases that her work not only enriches our field—it defines it.”

Legal Research and Writing Clinical Professor Rebekah Hanley of University of Oregon School of Law said Davis has been critical to the legal writing discipline during the transition to the generative AI era.

“Her expertise, enthusiasm, and generosity are unmatched,” Hanley said. “She has led countless conversations about pedagogy, sharing key resources and facilitating productive collaboration. She has also published – and inspired – scholarship that supports both law faculty and practicing lawyers.”

See Dr. Davis’s full bio.

At Stetson Law, Immersive Courses Dive Deep

A group of students rides on an airboat in South Florida — Cases & Places brought students face-to-face with wild Florida and those who fight to preserve it.

Law courses don’t usually require a bottle of bug spray – let alone a tent. But for students who enroll in Cases and Places, a new course offered at Stetson Law, they are necessary.

One of the numerous outside-the-box courses the College offers, Cases and Places introduces students to Florida’s great outdoors, and the political, economic, and legal factors that influence how it functions today and the people leading on-the-ground efforts to protect it. In its inaugural offering, the course featured a four-day trip through the Greater Everglades, a large, biodiverse region, including its most remote environs – hence the tents.

“Getting our students out of the classroom and into the ecosystem is a powerful way to illuminate the legal documents and processes that shape our state,” said Law Professor Jaclyn Lopez, who teaches the course.

A new perspective on environmental law

Lifelong Floridian and Stetson Law student Warren Wood said the in-depth course was an enlightening experience even for someone who grew up in the Sunshine State.

Several students and a boat captain sit on a boat in open water. — Cases & Places 2025.

“It is one thing to read about the cases that shaped our state,” he said. “But it brought things into a different perspective to go out and see the places that have been affected by the cases we studied, and meet the people who were not only involved in the past cases, but continue to fight to keep our state beautiful and clean for generations to come.”

The experience reflects the College of Law’s culture of fostering preparedness among its students through encouraging meaningful experiences and connections within the legal profession well before graduation. Travel courses offer many opportunities to do so, but some classroom-based syllabi feature immersive sessions with successful practitioners who share insights and offer practical lessons.

Cases & Places 2026 details

The second edition of the course invites students to explore Florida’s springs, live the cases, and meet the lawyers, scientists, and advocates who help shaped policy around Florida’s abundant springs.

The three-credit course involves camping trip with driving, hiking, and swimming and will be taught by Professors Lopez and Royal Gardner. It satisfies the upper-level writing requirement.

Students interested in applying can send a resume and letter of interest to Professor Lopez, [email protected], by October 24th.

A “life-changing” civil rights exploration

Every summer, Stetson’s Civil Rights Law Travel Course invites students to visit the historic sites and history-makers who shaped the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The course launched in 2005 by then-Professor Robert Bickel and has continued with support from Wil Florin ’82 and Tommy Roebig ’86.

A group of students stands in front of a historic bridge on a sunny day. — A Civil Rights and the Constitution travel course is an immersive experience at Stetson Law.

The 2,000-mile journey takes them to Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee to meet with still-living veterans of the Civil Rights Movement and explore places like the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.

Law Professor Judith Scully, who now teaches the course, said participating students describe the experience as life changing.

“As a professor who has been privileged to help lead this civil rights learning journey, I can say that my life has also been profoundly impacted and each year my commitment to teaching and learning in this program is exponentially multiplied,” Scully said.

La’Tonya Lynn ’25 said the course gave her a “renewed call to action to make an impact” when she experienced it in 2022.

“If I am resilient and persevere, I too can be victorious, even when faced with adversity,” she said.

Immersive learning in the classroom

While not all classes involve venturing out into the field, professors find unique ways to build real-world insights into their syllabi.

Law Professor Joseph Morrissey wears a salmon-colored shirt and sits at a seminar table. — Law Professor Joseph Morrissey leads a class discussion.

Through his compressed weekend course “Financial Advocacy,” Professor and Center for Elder Justice Director Mark Bauer covers legal financial literacy along with some cultural competence to help students understand the real-world questions they are going to face from clients and loved ones alike.

In his upper-level business course titled “Documents of the Deal,” Professor Joseph Morrissey brings accomplished practitioners, including alumni like Brittany Maxey-Fisher and Keven and Jenay Iurato, to the classroom for deep dives on a variety of corporate transaction types and the forms associated with them. From formation transactions to mergers and acquisitions and even bankruptcy, the course is meant to prepare students to launch a business law practice.

“This course is a tremendous opportunity for law students to meet, learn from, and network with business law experts across a range of business fields,” Morrissey said. “It’s been awesome and students love it.”