(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 storythat 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.
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.
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.
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].
(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.
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.
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.
“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, 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.
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.
“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.
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 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.
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.
A team of students from Texas Tech won the National Pretrial Competition at Stetson.
Students from Texas Tech University School of Law won the Eighth Annual National Pretrial Competition at Stetson University College of Law this past weekend in Gulfport. Sixteen teams from around the U.S. competed at Stetson.
Mississippi College School of Law won second place in the competition, as well as the Best Plaintiff’s Memorandum of Law Award. Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School won the Best Defendants’ Memorandum of Law Award. Texas Tech student Kristen Vander-Plas was named Best Advocate in the final round.
The student teams were tasked with writing two memoranda of law, presenting motion arguments, and presenting evidence and making closing arguments.
“Stetson’s National Pretrial Competition provides law students with a unique opportunity to do what attorneys do every day,” said Stetson’s Associate Director of the Center for Excellence in Advocacy and Moot Court adviser Professor Brooke Bowman. “This competition gives students an opportunity to hone their written and oral advocacy skills before they enter the practice.”
Chief Judge of the Middle District of Florida Bankruptcy Court Michael Williamson was the presiding judge in the final round of the competition. Stetson associate dean and professor Michael Allen and alumnus Jason Stearns J.D. ’08 also served as judges for the competition.
On a sunny Friday afternoon Oct. 9, Stetson Law students volunteered alongside faculty and staff to help plant a campus community organic garden in the Crummer Courtyard at Stetson’s Gulfport campus.
Stetson Law students, staff and faculty planted a community garden on Oct. 9. (L-R): Student Rachel Curran and Biodiversity Fellow Erin Okuno plant tomatoes.
Thirsty bell peppers, tomatoes, basil, lettuces filled in the garden planters. The students worked quickly in teams with instructions from Food Law Society adviser Professor Lance Long.
The idea for the campus community garden sprouted a few years ago in Gulfport. Last year, the garden project bloomed into a large, edible patch of green in the middle of Stetson’s palm tree-lined Crummer Courtyard.
The garden bounty this year will again be free to the Stetson Law community.
“I chose crops that would thrive is a warm and humid climate. My goal was to choose plants with the best possible yield while requiring the least amount of maintenance,” said student SeanCarlo Lopez, a member of the Food Law Society at Stetson. “Most importantly, I wanted crops students would be inclined to take home with them.”
Chris Rudisill spoke at Stetson. Photo by Karun Rivero.
Chris Rudisill, Director of LGBT Services at Metro Wellness and Community Center in St. Petersburg, and members of the Stetson Lambda Legal Society spoke Oct. 7 on the Gulfport campus about the importance and challenges of coming out following the Obergefell decision earlier this year.
Students listened to the Lambda presentation, “Is Coming Out Still a Thing?” Photo by Karun RIvero.
The presentation was held in conjunction with National Coming Out Day –an event held every year to acknowledge coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) or as an ally. This Sunday, Oct. 11, will mark the 27th anniversary of National Coming Out Day.
“Added visibility helps break down barriers,” said Rudisill. “Who we are is the most important part of our lives and we must show it.”
Rudisill discussed why coming out is still extremely important to the LGBT community and pointed to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on marriage equality and the surge of media attention and education about the LGBT community from celebrities and activists such as Laverne Cox.
“No one can tell a young (LGBT) person anymore that they are the only ones,” Rudisill said.
He added that coming out itself can be easy or it can be difficult for some people, but for everyone there is the reality of living life after coming out.
This year’s Coming Out event is being held following a very difficult week for the LGBT community and allies. This week, the 20th murder of a transwoman of color was reported and two transgender youth reportedly committed suicide.
Support groups and events sponsored by Metro are aimed at helping individuals and their families. Metro provides wellness and community centers dedicated to providing information and services to members of the LGBT community as well as their families.
Stetson’s Lambda Legal Society provides a forum for exploring the legal issues faced by people identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and allies. One of the goals of Lambda Legal Society is to provide tools young attorneys need to work more effectively with the increasingly visible LGBT client. LGBT clients seek legal advice in all areas of legal practice, and young attorneys should become familiar with the resources available.
