News Archives - Page 54 of 138

Dudley, Schaub newest members of Stetson Hall of Fame

Stetson University College of Law inducted two extraordinary alumni into its Hall of Fame on Oct. 24. Hall of Fame inductees are selected for having a profound and positive impact on Stetson Law and the legal profession. This year’s inductees include:

Fred Dudley JD ’68 is a board certified construction lawyer with almost five decades of experience in construction and real estate law. This acclaimed lawyer served 16 years in the Florida Legislature, retiring from the Florida Senate in 1998, where he served as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, and vice-chair of the Appropriations Committee. Dudley has received numerous awards for his countless contributions to his community, to his profession and to Stetson University College of Law. He served on the Stetson Board of Overseers for six years and is the recipient of Stetson’s Ben C. Willard Award for humanitarian achievements of distinction.

View a video about Dudley.

Fred Schaub ’84 is the felony division director at the State Attorney’s Office in Florida’s 6th Judicial Circuit. He has prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases from misdemeanors to murder cases, complex racketeering cases and corrupt public officials. The governor of Florida appointed him as a special assistant state attorney to handle a grand jury case addressing claims of mistreatment of Florida prisoners.

Schaub played a key role in establishing Stetson Law’s national ranking in trial advocacy when he took over the law school’s prosecution clinic and trial advocacy program. Under his leadership, Stetson became the first law school to win all five national trial competitions. He continues to serve Stetson as an adjunct professor and with the Pinellas County prosecution clinic.

View a video about Schaub.

Stetson University, University of Tennessee launch new online course: Locating, Evaluating and Selecting Expert Witnesses

A new online continuing legal education course offered by Stetson University and the University of Tennessee trains lawyers, law enforcement professionals, and forensic science specialists on locating, evaluating and selecting expert witnesses.

Stetson University College of Law’s National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law has partnered with the Law Enforcement Innovation Center at the University of Tennessee’s Institute for Public Service to launch the new online CLE course: Locating, Evaluating and Selecting Expert Witnesses.

“This training is crucial to anyone working with expert witnesses,” said Professor Carol Henderson, course leader and founding director of the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law.

Professor Henderson is an international authority on forensic science and the law and is past president of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and present co-chair of the Life & Physical Sciences Division of the American Bar Association’s Science & Technology Law Section.

The course, designed to include video and multimedia elements, will focus on factors that influence the selection of an expert, the importance of investigating an expert’s credentials, making informed decisions on expert credibility, legal standards of scientific evidence admissibility, and attorneys’ ethics in dealing with experts.

The course also includes training on the use of the Clearinghouse database at NCSTL.org, visited by more than one million visitors from 170 countries for scientific evidence research. The course has been approved for 3.5 general CLE credits and .5 CLE ethics credits, 3.5 Peace Officer Standards and Training credits (P.O.S.T.) and one American Board of Criminalistics reaccreditation credit.

For more information, contact Stetson’s Office of Professional Education at 727-562-7898.

Student drive collects more than a thousand books for area youth

The first Stetson Law Review book drive, the week of Oct. 19 in Gulfport, collected more than one thousand books to donate to local children and teens.

Leda Franklin considers the best books to take home for herself and friends. Photo by Marissa Marchena.

“Law Review decided to participate in a book drive this year because we wanted to encourage the love of reading in our local community,” said second-year student Nicole Zaworska. “As future lawyers, reading is central to our profession. So we thought, what better way to encourage reading than a book giveaway?”

Daughter Kyla and mother Yalonda Tensett collect books at the Gulfport Public Library. Photo by Marissa Marchena.

Zaworska added that the book drive exceeded all expectations.

“Throughout the week, we received hundreds of donations from students on campus,” said Zaworska. “A final count of all the books revealed that we collected over a thousand books.”

Stetson students presented the books during a special event at the Gulfport Public Library on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The Stetson Law Review students collected hundreds of books for children and teens. Photo by Marissa Marchena. — The Stetson Law Review students collected more than one thousand books for children and teens. Photo by Marissa Marchena.

The Stetson Law Review members collected books. Photo by Marissa Marchena. — The Stetson Law Review members distributed books at the Gulfport Public Library on Saturday. Photo by Marissa Marchena.

Racial disparity? Panel presents on race and the law

(L-R): Wm. Reece Smith Jr. Distinguished Professor of Law Judith Scully, Jamie Klapholz, Laila Abdelaziz and Thania Clevenger. Photo by SeanCarlo Lopez.

On Oct. 14, a panel at Stetson Law presented on racial disparity and the law.

In April, a Tampa Bay Times story that received public outrage and national attention revealed that Tampa, Florida, police were disproportionately issuing tickets to people riding bicycles in poor, black neighborhoods.

On Thursday evening on Stetson’s Gulfport campus, members of the CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) organization, Legislative and Government Affairs Director Laila Abdelaziz, Civil Rights Director Thania Clevenger and attorney Jamie Klapholz discussed how laws are applied to people of differing races in the U.S.

Wm. Reece Smith Jr. Distinguished Professor of Law Judith Scully moderated the discussion.

The panel at Stetson was sponsored by the Stetson Law Dream Defenders, The Pillars, the Black Law Students Association, the Social Justice Advocacy program and the Wm. Reece Smith Jr. chair.

Stetson celebrates Pride scholarships

On the evening of Oct. 23, the Stetson Law community gathered on the Gulfport campus to celebrate the Pride scholarship recipients at a reception in the Mann Lounge.

(L-R): Michele Hintson JD '02 with Professor Jason Palmer at the Pride Scholarship celebration. — (L-R): Michele Hintson JD ’02 with Professor Jason Palmer at the Pride Scholarship celebration.

Faculty at Stetson joined the Pride Scholarship committee to support law students who participate in extracurricular activities and services related to LGBTQIA issues.

In conjunction with the Pride scholarship reception, the Florida Association of LGBT Lawyers & Allies and LGBT Bar Association of Tampa Bay, Inc. presented the OUT of the Closet and IN Your Office conference on Oct. 23-24 on Stetson’s Gulfport campus.

The conference, now in its fourth year, focused on the law related to LGBT issues including presentations on marriage equality; HIV/AIDS, disability and social security; transgender considerations, domestic violence, exploitation and sex trafficking; family formation and dissolution in same-sex marriages. It featured renowned presenters on a variety of topics for LGBT lawyers and lawyers serving LGBT clients.

Professor Ellen Podgor with Thomas Adams JD '14 at the Pride Scholarship reception. — Professor Ellen Podgor with Thomas Adams JD ’14 at the Pride Scholarship reception.

To learn more about scholarship programs at Stetson Law, visit Admissions.

To learn more about giving to Stetson, call 727-562-7818 or e-mail [email protected].

Aspiring advocates: Stetson’s PAD Opening Statement Competition names new champions

(L-R): Third place winner Ethan Dunn, first place winner Ayodale Tan, and second place winner Eric Ross. Photo by Alexis Petrosino.

Stetson University College of Law’s Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity Opening Statement Competition named new winners on Oct. 23 in Gulfport.

The winners were announced Friday evening in the Eleazer Courtroom. First place was awarded to Ayodale Tan, second place to Eric Ross, and third place to Ethan Dunn.

The competition is open to first-year law students at Stetson who have not yet taken evidence or advocacy courses.

Why should biological diversity matter? The Bat Man of Mexico has some ideas

Dr. Rodrigo A. Medellín, a senior professor of ecology at the National University of Mexico known as the “Bat Man of Mexico,” spoke Thursday afternoon, Oct. 22, on Stetson’s Gulfport campus. His presentation on “How to Do Conservation Science, Implement It, and Not Die Trying” was part of Stetson’s public Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture series. Dr. Medellín is the past president of the Society for the Conservation of Biology.

Dr. Rodrigo Medellín spoke at Stetson Law on Oct. 22.

“There are a few messages that I hope that students are going to get,” Dr. Medellín said. “Number one is that biological diversity is an absolute need for everyone’s lives right now. Number two: they have a stake in it and they have something to do about it. They can easily get engaged in improving the situation where biodiversity loss is happening. And three: use the messages of the lecture for everyday life: thinking outside of the box, getting out of your comfort zone, getting engaged with politicians. I think with those messages, the lecture is going to be well rounded so that people know what to do and that they can actually have fun in the process.”

Stetson’s Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture series brings distinguished speakers to campus to discuss a wide range of environmental issues. The Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy at Stetson regularly hosts international speakers and conferences and coordinates courses, seminars and internships on topics including wetland law and policy, environmental law, natural resources and international environmental law.

For more information, visit www.stetson.edu/law/international/biodiversity.

Stetson’s Special Needs Trust Conference draws hundreds of practitioners

Stetson University College of Law’s 17th Special Needs Trusts-The National Conference drew hundreds of attendees to the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club on Oct. 14-16.

Stetson's Special Needs Trusts Conference brought hundreds to the Vinoy. — Stetson’s Special Needs Trusts Conference brought hundreds to the Vinoy.

“The information from speakers, colleagues, and materials that I get at this conference are an absolute necessity for me to learn and stay up to date for my special needs counseling and trust practice,” said Neal A. Winston of the Winston Law Group, LLC, in Massachusetts. “Just one day back from the conference, an out-of-state personal injury attorney called me about a trust necessary for internet crowdfunding involving a tragic injury. I pulled up the outline from this year’s materials and confidently started the work.”

The conference provided current information and practice tips for attorneys and other professionals engaged in special needs planning.

“This area of law is quite complex and this conference provides an intensive educational experience for those working with individuals who have special needs,” said Stetson Professor of Law Rebecca C. Morgan.

Professor Rebecca Morgan, director of the Center for Excellence in Elder Law, spoke at the national conference. — Professor Rebecca Morgan, co-director of the Center for Excellence in Elder Law, spoke at the national conference.

Nationally recognized speakers presented on basic and advanced topics for professionals working in the field of special needs planning. Conference presenters spoke on topical issues including the Affordable Health Care Act, estate and gift taxes, IRAs and qualified pension plans.

Stetson is a national leader in elder law, offering both a certificate of concentration in elder law and an online LL.M. in elder law.

For more information, visit Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law.

Does good management matter? Leadership luncheon explores the role of management in leadership

Bryan Rotella of the Rotella Legal Group spoke at Stetson's Leadership Development Luncheon. — Bryan Rotella of the Rotella Legal Group spoke at Stetson’s Leadership Development Luncheon.

Stetson’s Student Leadership Development Committee sponsored an Oct. 14 luncheon for students featuring Bryan Rotella speaking on management as a pillar of leadership.

Rotella is the founder and managing shareholder of the Rotella Legal Group where he serves as general counsel to several companies in the healthcare industry and leads a team of two attorneys, two law clerks, and a legal assistant. The firm provides an alternative to traditional in house corporate counsel.

Rotella started his career clerking for the Masry & Vititoe law firm best known from the film “Erin Brokovich.” He spent close to a decade in litigation.

Students received a Leadership Certificate for participating in the program. The Leadership Luncheon series brings distinguished speakers to Stetson’s Gulfport campus.

Don’t be passive: Bucs general counsel talks with students about working in the sports industry

By Karun Rivero, 2L

“If you want to do what I do, call people,” David Cohen, general counsel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, told students gathered in the Great Hall to hear him speak on Monday, Oct. 12.

Cohen’s talk was sponsored by the Entertainment and Sports Law Society at Stetson.

Bucs general counsel David Cohen spoke at Stetson. Photo by Karun Rivero.

“You have to take an active role in your career… be assertive, don’t be passive,” Cohen said of the process and work required to become part of the sports industry.

Cohen became general counsel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013. He previously served as counsel for nine years for the Los Angeles Angels working in risk management. Cohen also worked as an athletic trainer for the Boston Red Sox, Montreal Expos, and Baltimore Orioles.

Cohen provided students with tips on how to network and become recognized in the sports law world.

He advised students not to become discouraged.

“Don’t lose the dream,” Cohen said.

Earn your law degree from the best program in the U.S. for trial advocacy: Visit Stetson’s open house Nov. 7

Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida, home to the best trial advocacy program in the U.S., is hosting its annual Law Information Day open house from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Nov. 7 in Gulfport.

Law Information Day 2014. — Law Information Day at Stetson Law, 2014.

The day-long program is designed to provide future students with a glimpse into the life of a law school student. Attendees will participate in a simulated law class, meet professors, speak with current students, and learn about the admissions and financial aid processes.

“Law Day was an incredible opportunity to gain insight into the quality and strength of academics here by attending the mock class and getting a feel for the culture here and sense of community,” said Viviana Vasiu, a first-year Stetson law student.

“Everyone here is like a family, from staff to professors to students, and they will all help you in any way possible. It’s the people here that will encourage you all the way and make it all worth it in the end, and I think that is what makes Stetson Law so special,” said Vasiu.

Stetson’s open house also features campus tours, including a look at Stetson’s seven courtrooms and a complimentary lunch.

“Future students can learn everything they need to know to apply to Stetson at the open house,” said Stetson Law Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Financial Planning Laura Zuppo.

Doors open at 9 a.m. for registration for the Law Information Day on Stetson’s Gulfport campus, 1401 61st St. S.

RSVP to https://www.stetson.edu/lawday by Nov. 4. For more information, please email [email protected].

Stetson among top schools for Small Law, National Jurist reports

Stetson is among the top 40 law schools placing graduates in small law firm jobs, according to the National Jurist 2015 Back to School issue. Stetson’s ranking is based upon 2014 data available from the American Bar Association.

The article, “Best schools for Big Law and Small Law,” reports that small law “has seen growth since the recession” and that Stetson is ranked highly among law schools with graduates who secure jobs in small law firms.

According to the article, employment numbers are increasing in small firms. The article reports that employment at firms with two to 10 lawyers has increased to more than 25 percent in 2014.

Stetson’s career development office offers an On Campus Recruiting program that has doubled in size in recent years. The program invites potential employers with varying sized firms to consider Stetson law students.

Stetson Law Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz explains the appeal of working at a small law firm.

“Many of our graduates are attracted to smaller firms,” said Dean Pietruszkiewicz. “They allow our graduates to quickly transition from our experiential learning environment to an effective and efficient legal practice.”

Dean Pietruszkiewicz adds that a small firm can be a great place to launch a legal career. “The special spirit and culture of a small firm can be a compelling and rewarding match for our alumni,” said Pietruszkiewicz.