Stetson University College of Law is again partnering with the Community Law Program and the St. Petersburg Bar Foundation to prepare free simple wills and advance directives for low income veterans and their spouses aged 60 or older through the sixth annual Wills for Warriors Program in February.
Walk-in appointments are not available. Veterans or their spouses must schedule individual appointments in advance by calling 727-562-7577. The deadline to schedule an appointment is Feb. 16.
The Wills for Warriors program is designed to assist veterans and their spouses aged 60 or older who have low incomes and limited assets. Individuals owning real estate outside the state of Florida are not eligible to participate.
Stetson students and volunteer attorneys from the Community Law Program will assist Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law with this program.
Three Stetson University College of law alumni, Dan B. Hendrickson J.D. ’87, Jo Ann Palchak J.D. ’05 and Erica K. Smith J.D. ’07, will receive the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Awards at a Supreme Court of Florida ceremony on Jan. 25.
“I have to acknowledge my professors who instilled the spirit of pro bono in me at Stetson University College of Law,” said Palchak. “Professor of Law Luz Nagle and Professor of Law Dorothea Beane regularly encouraged us to help the indigent and marginalized in society. Associate Dean Stephanie Vaughan summoned the advocate in me. Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law Bruce Jacob took a page out of his personal history and the history of the legal profession to underscore the right to counsel in legal proceedings. It is an honor to be given this award and there is much yet to do.”
Hendrickson, of the 2nd Judicial Circuit, spent his life in public service, first as an aide in a state hospital and then organizing community services in Appalachia. He began his long career as a public defender in 1989 mostly representing Baker Act and other mental health clients, before retiring in 2014. Hendrickson donates at least 1,000 hours a year in pro bono services, devoting his time to numerous veterans projects since retirement. In 2015, he created the Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative and helped create the legal services program for the North Florida Homeless Veterans Stand Down, coordinating the program for the past five years.
Palchak, of the 13th Judicial Circuit, has donated approximately 5,500 hours of pro bono service in almost 12 years of practice. While she was still a law student at Stetson, she donated pro bono service to the immigration office of Gulf Coast Legal Services. As an attorney in private practice, Palchak has contributed approximately 200 hours of pro bono service every year, sometimes exceeding 1,000 hours. Palchak worked on an Innocence Project case for more than eight years; served as Attorney ad Litem to children through Crossroads for Florida Kids and direct appointment; joined other lawyers in bringing a federal lawsuit to ensure the rights of migrant workers; and represented a federal inmate who was being denied AIDS medication. She regularly donates her time advocating for children, the victims of domestic violence and the homeless.
Smith, of the 6th Judicial Circuit, volunteers with the Community Law Program in St. Petersburg, and as a Guardian ad Litem. Diagnosed with a brain tumor in college, Smith was an honors program student at Stetson who was forced to drop out of law school for a year because of illness. After graduating from law school, Smith became a Guardian ad Litem to two teen mothers, and served as a visiting Guardian ad Litem, making monthly visits to 12 children and volunteering to take one case involving five children. Smith has been involved in approximately 20 cases involving children in the dependency court system who were abused, abandoned or neglected.
The awards were established in 1981 to encourage lawyers to volunteer free legal services to the poor by recognizing those who make public service commitments and to raise public awareness of the substantial volunteer services provided by Florida lawyers who cannot afford legal fees. Florida Bar President Michael J. Higer will present the 2018 awards, recognizing pro bono service in each of Florida’s 20 judicial circuits as well as service by one Florida Bar member practicing outside the state of Florida.
The Hallisky & Davis law firm, co-founded by alumna Deborah M. Hallisky B.A. ’75, M.B.A. ’78, J.D. ’97, will receive the 2018 Law Firm Commendation at the annual Pro Bono Awards ceremony. The commendation honors significant contributions in the delivery of legal services to individuals or groups on a pro bono basis. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga will present the commendation on Jan. 25 at the Supreme Court of Florida.
Read more about these awards from the Florida Bar.
Dan B. Hendrickson.Jo Ann Palchak.Erica K. Smith.Deborah Hallisky.
The late distinguished jurist Judge Alexander L. Paskay is the seminar’s namesake. Judge Paskay is a member of the Stetson University College of Law Hall of Fame who served on the Stetson Law Board of Overseers, and was an adjunct professor at Stetson for decades.
Stetson University College of Law and the American Bankruptcy Institute will co-host the 42nd annual Judge Alexander L. Paskay Seminar on Bankruptcy Law and Practice for attorneys on Jan. 18-19, 2018, at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC, 522 N. Howard Ave. in Tampa, Florida.
The seminar will provide an overview of E-Discovery, Cross Examination of Expert Witnesses, Ethics & Privilege Issues, and LLCs and Bankruptcy, presented by prominent regional and national speakers including 12 bankruptcy judges from across the region.
A total of 16.5 hours of CLE/CPE credits, including three hours of ethics, are available.
Accommodations for seminar attendees are available at the Epicurean Hotel in Tampa across the street from the conference venue. Reserve accomodations with a special rate by Dec. 20. Valet parking is available at the hotel and transportation will be provided to and from the hotel daily for conference attendees.
The program begins with registration and a continental breakfast at 8 a.m. on Jan. 18.
For more information, contact the American Bankruptcy Institute at 703-739-0800 or Stetson University College of Law’s Office of Professional Education at 727-562-7898 or [email protected].
Stetson University College of Law invites future law students to attend a part-time J.D. open house in either January at the Tampa Law Center or February on the Gulfport campus.
Sessions are offered on:
Jan. 18 at the Tampa Law Center, 1700 N. Tampa St.:
12:15-1 p.m., Afternoon General Information Session
1:30-5 p.m., One-on-One Sessions
6-7 p.m., Evening General Information Session
Feb. 8 in the Mann Lounge on the Gulfport campus: 1401 61st St. S.:
12:15-1 p.m., Afternoon General Information Session
1:30-5 p.m., One-on-One Sessions
6-7 p.m., Evening General Information Session
Future law students will learn about what it’s like to pursue a part-time law degree, get information about the law school application process and scholarship opportunities, and have an opportunity to meet admission and financial aid staff for one-on-one counseling.
Stetson is ranked no. 1 in advocacy and no. 4 in legal writing among law schools across the country by U.S. News & World Report. Stetson Law recently earned an “A” for curricular offerings in trial advocacy, according to the winter 2017 issue of preLaw magazine.
Have you ever wondered about forensic science certification or crime lab accreditation? Stetson University College of Law is offering a complimentary webinar for prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys on Certification and Accreditation Essentials on Dec. 14, from 12-2 p.m. Prosecutors and defense attorneys will learn how to use certification and accreditation information to assist in their litigation preparation.
The webinar, offered by Stetson’s National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law, provides an overview of the crime laboratory accreditation process, as well as the certification of individual forensic science practitioners trained in specific disciplines.
Webinar panelists include Kenneth Melson, recently senior advisor on forensic science in the Office of Legal Policy at the U.S. Department of Justice and Professorial Lecturer in Law at George Washington University; Laurel Farrell, senior accreditation manager for the ANAB forensics accreditation program; and Retired Detective Lieutenant Robert Garrett, a 30-year law enforcement veteran who serves as the director of the Forensic Certification Management Board for the International Association for Identification.
The webinar is supported by a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Entering law school with an undergraduate degree in psychology, Suazo wanted to utilize her education to affect change in the area of juvenile justice. Events such as the Andrea Yates trial and the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting were greatly impactful, motivating her to pursue law school.
“I wanted to share with the legal realm what psychology was about and bring my expertise into the legal field,” Suazo said.
Between graduating from the University of West Florida in 2012 and starting at Stetson University College of Law in 2014, Suazo worked as a paralegal and yoga teacher. While researching and applying to law schools, she learned about Stetson’s advocacy program. She liked what she saw.
“I wanted to be part of that legacy of professionalism that Stetson is known for,” she commented.
Suazo, who instructed weekly yoga classes while at Stetson, believes maintaining a balance between mind and body is crucial to succeeding in law school. Her leadership role as president of the Student Wellness Society allowed her to give back, and she is glad to have been able to hold a space for people to manage stress and take care of their mental health through yoga.
Likewise, Suazo believes her background in psychology has helped her communicate with all types of people.
“My acquired knowledge in the science of human behavior, relationships and cross-cultural communication have been key elements and skills needed to effectively relate to laypeople in a jury box,” she explained.
A self-described kinesthetic learner, Suazo said she learns by doing, watching and mirroring, which is another reason Stetson’s advocacy program appealed to her. Suazo was a member of the Dispute Resolution Board and Mock Trial Team.
Suazo received the Judge Raphael Steinhardt Family Public Interest Scholarship during her second year at Stetson and the Professor Lee Coppock Trial Team Scholarship during her third year. The scholarships, she said, provided the opportunity to invest in her education, including multiple clinical opportunities.
Suazo completed two externships and two Certified Legal Internship Clinics while at Stetson: the Children’s Legal Services Externship in the Attorney General’s Office; the Criminal Appellate Externship with the Honorable Judge Thane B. Covery; the Child Advocacy Clinic in the 6th Judicial Circuit, Public Defender’s Office; and the Tampa Prosecution Clinic at the 13th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
“The gracious scholarships I was blessed to receive gave me the boost I needed to enroll in the hands-on practical opportunities Stetson is so well known for,” said Suazo. “Without the help of donors and scholarship, my successes may not have been as stellar or even possible.”
Suazo was hesitant early in her law school career to attend a private university because she and her family did not have the funding for tuition, but through her diligent academic work and willingness to pursue scholarship support, she made it possible.
Following commencement in May, Suazo was intent on completing the remainder of her LL.M. in Advocacy part time while pursuing a full-time career as an assistant state attorney or assistant attorney general, performing prosecutorial or dependency work.
Suazo encourages students who are hesitant about seeking scholarships to not be afraid, to not feel vulnerable and to not give up trying – because someone will listen.
“To be humble, you have to put your pride aside and ask for help when you need it the most,” concluded Suazo, a first-generation American and the first in her family to graduate from law school. “Every student who has received a scholarship had the humility to share their story, and every donor listened.”
(L-R): First-year student Peter Lubas works with Professor Cerniglia on the Disaster Research Project.
Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida, launched a Disaster Research Project during the fall semester to assist with a disaster relief hotline providing Floridians with legal services. Stetson Law students working with the project conduct legal research for attorney volunteers helping the victims of weather disasters through the hotline.
(L-R): Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz, Associate Dean Stephanie Vaughan, Associate Director of the Law Library Ashley Chase, Professor Christine Cerniglia, Assistant Director for Clinical Education Ryan Hoyle, Assistant Dean John Keyser, Associate Director of Career Development Joann Grages Burnett, Professor Kristen Adams, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Tammy Briant, Assistant Director of Web Content Brian Vandervliet, and Director of the Law Library Professor Rebecca Trammell worked together to help launch the Disaster Research Project on Stetson’s Gulfport campus.
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria, lawyers across the country and the state of Florida mobilized to provide free legal services to people struggling to rebuild their lives. The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (YLD), The Florida Bar YLD, and FEMA launched the disaster relief hotline in September to respond to people in need of assistance with legal matters ranging from landlord-tenant and insurance disputes, to consumer fraud and employment disputes. More than 400 attorneys across the state have volunteered to date to help with more than 1400 requests for legal assistance from disaster victims.
Stetson students are helping with the relief effort while building relationships with legal practitioners. Stetson Law’s Disaster Research Project pairs law students with attorney research projects so that attorneys can maximize the number of people they can help. Stetson created a web portal that pro bono attorneys can use to request research assistance from its law students.
Stetson Law professor Christine Cerniglia, director of Clinical and Experiential Education at Stetson, began working on the concept for the Disaster Research Project with Holland & Knight attorney Anthony Palermo shortly after Hurricane Irma swept through Florida. Palermo is helping to coordinate the efforts of the Florida Bar YLD, ABA YLD and FEMA.
“Our goal is to make sure that help is available to Floridians who need legal assistance as a result of hurricanes and other disasters but cannot afford to hire an attorney,” Palermo said. “We want Florida attorneys to help ensure that the hard-working attorneys at Florida’s legal aid organizations do not get overburdened and that they have help from the rest of the bar. We are grateful for Stetson stepping up and offering to partner with volunteer attorneys.”
“Part of our profession is giving back to people in need,” said Professor Cerniglia. “With this project, our students can see how their work is having an immediate impact.”
Student Kai Su (at podium) presented on environmental rights in Tallahassee.(L-R): Naia Mayder, Kai Su, Aliki Moncrief and Evie Flaugh in Tallahassee.
Stetson Law student Kai Su, president of the International Law Society at Stetson, presented in Tallahassee on Nov. 28 on environmental rights during a Judicial Committee Meeting before the Constitution Revision Commission.
Su was joined by Naia Mayder and Evie Flaugh, co-founders of the River Kidz in Stuart, Florida, and Aliki Moncrief, executive director of the Florida Conservation Voters, in supporting the “right to a clean and healthy environment” proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution. The proposal was co-authored by Stetson Law professors Clay Henderson and Lance Long and Executive Director of Conservation Trust for Florida Traci Deen.
“The CRC only meets every 20 years to consider commissioner and public proposals to amend the Florida Constitution,” said Su. “We are hoping the proposal will continue moving through the legislative process and become a ballot initiative to be voted on by Florida voters.”
Su is a member of the Stetson Law Review and a member of the Moot Court Board at Stetson. High school students Flaugh and Mader co-founded River Kidz to speak out, get involved and raise awareness about the condition of Florida’s waterways.
Several presenters also spoke in opposition to the proposal at the hearing.
Commissioners will debate the substance and merits of the proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution at a future meeting. Commissioner Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch is sponsoring the proposal.
Stetson University’s National Conference on Law and Higher Education, now in its 39th year, returns to Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 1-5, 2018.
Stetson’s conference, this year at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, focuses on meeting challenges facing higher education during times of transition. The nation’s leading higher education scholars, thinkers, leaders and practitioners will gather to discuss the law and policy challenges and opportunities facing American higher education, today and in the future.
Session topics include Title IX; Disability Law; Greek Life; Constitutional Law and Free Expression; FERPA; the New Administration’s Impact on Higher Education Law and Policy; and a Litigation Update with three separate sessions.
This year’s conference again offers a Boot Camp: Higher Education Law and Policy Foundations, where attorneys new to higher education or administrators new to the legal landscape can get a full day of learning, and the Crystal Ball session where leading experts make bold predictions for the future of higher education. This year’s session will be hosted by Liz McMillen, editor of the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Stetson’s advocacy teams bring home multiple accolades.
Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida, earned an “A” for curricular offerings in trial advocacy, according to the winter 2017 issue of preLaw magazine.
“As the legal profession demands that lawyers are prepared to practice law earlier in their careers, there is no better preparation than a curriculum that is devoted to integrating advocacy skills across the entire curriculum,” said Stetson Law Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz. “Our advocacy program makes us distinctive among over 200 law schools and attracts the best and brightest students in the country with more than 200 national, regional and state advocacy competition titles since the 1990s.”
“Students looking for a superior trial advocacy program should consider the competition, the reputation of the school in question, its commitment, through tenured faculty, to teaching skills at an advanced level, and the quality of their physical and digital footprint,” Stetson University Professor of Excellence in Trial Advocacy Charles Rose told preLaw magazine for the article, “Trial advocacy curricular leaders.” Rose directs the Center for Excellence in Advocacy at Stetson.
Stetson Law students coordinated with the St. Petersburg Free Clinic to cheer on a participant in the St. Petersburg Run Fest. Photo courtesy Jennifer Hutchins.
The American Bar Association Law Student Division at Stetson Law coordinated with the St. Petersburg Free Clinic on Nov. 18-19 to create the most spirited cheer station along the half marathon course during the St. Petersburg Run Fest. Four Stetson student volunteers, Ashaley Boatwright, Jennifer L. Hutchins, Jessica Marichal and Cassidy Petersen, participated in the event.
“We were stationed outside the St. Petersburg Free Clinic’s Beacon House Men’s Residence cheering along their Hunger Heroes team including one of their own residents from Beacon House, Jonathan,” said Hutchins, who serves as the executive board chairperson of the ABA Law Student Division at Stetson Law.
The St. Petersburg Run Fest will donate $1 per mile of the Sunshine City 5K Race to the St. Petersburg Free Clinic.
The “right to a clean and healthy environment” proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution, drafted by Stetson University professors Clay Henderson and Lance Long, is one of only six out of 2,000 public proposed amendments advanced for further consideration by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. The proposed amendment will be considered by the Florida CRC Judiciary Committee in Tallahassee on Nov. 28.
Clay Henderson.
The “right to a clean and healthy environment” proposal or P23, sponsored by Commissioner Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, would amend the Florida Constitution to provide that “the natural resources of the state are the legacy of present and future generations” and “every person has a right to a clean and healthful environment, including clean air and water.”
Lance Long.
Henderson, executive director of Stetson University’s Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience, proposed the right to a clean environment at a public hearing in Jacksonville earlier this year.
“Floridians have demonstrated time and again that protection of the environment is a fundamental value that should rise to a constitutional level of protection,” Henderson said.
“The proposed amendment provides Florida citizens with a constitutionally enforceable right to a clean and healthful environment,” said Long. “It does not create an independent right to bring legal action, but it does set a standard applicable to any action by a private or public party.” Long teaches legal research and writing, and environmental law and environmental advocacy at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, where he also serves as faculty adviser to the Go Green Committee on campus.
Kai Su.
The proposal was drafted by a small group of environmental lawyers including Henderson and Long. Stetson law student Kai Su helped prepare the proposed amendment by researching similar provisions in other states. The proposed amendment was presented by Executive Director of Conservation Trust for Florida Traci Deen.
The Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience at Stetson University in DeLand focuses on water and environmental research in order to offer policy options to protect natural resources in Central Florida and beyond, combining student and faculty research across all university colleges – in partnership with other institutions and community stakeholders.
