News Archives - Page 61 of 138

Law librarians publish Free Internet Legal Research

Stetson Law News recently asked law librarians and adjunct professors Sally Waters and Wanita Scroggs to participate in a Q & A about their new book, Free Internet Legal Research, a guide attorneys can use to find and effectively use the best free legal sites.

(L-R): Adjunct professors and law librarians Sally Waters and Wanita Scroggs. — (L-R): Adjunct professors and law librarians Sally Waters and Wanita Scroggs were given Stetson hats to celebrate the publication of their new book.

Scroggs is Stetson’s Foreign and International Law Librarian. Waters is Stetson Law’s self-proclaimed “Queen of Reference.” Both Scroggs and Waters teach courses in Advanced Legal Research and have presented to professional groups, librarians and others about research methods and sources.

Stetson Law News: Tell us what inspired you to write Free Internet Legal Research?

Waters & Scroggs: We know from our experience here that attorneys don’t have time to learn the new resources like we do. But we also know that there are so many useful resources, we just can’t keep them to ourselves.

Stetson Law News: Who are the audiences for this book?

Waters & Scroggs: We originally wrote this with practicing attorneys in mind. However, we have heard from law students, professors and other librarians that they are enjoying it too. And we know of at least one Australian library that has the book.

Stetson Law News: How much of today’s legal research is done on the internet? How many legal research resources are out there and available and free?

Waters & Scroggs: Like everything else, it seems that legal research has gone digital. There is a myriad of legal resources out there freely available on the internet from city or county ordinances all the way through international laws. Because practice doesn’t involve only law, we also talk about how to find other types of information.

Stetson Law News: How does this book help guide people to free legal sites on the internet?

Waters & Scroggs: We not only introduce specific legal resources and websites, we also talk a lot about search strategy. Because websites change so frequently, that is both the advantage and disadvantage of electronic research. It helps to know how to find online resources for yourself.

Stetson Law News: Do most people know about all the free legal sites out there?

Waters & Scroggs: We constantly hear from attorneys how surprising it is to them that legal resources are available online for free. So, no, people don’t realize what’s out there.

Stetson Law News: You both work in a law library with many legal research tools available—how does the internet add to research methods and sources?

Waters & Scroggs: The internet is an essential part of legal research. It has wonderfully transformed the practice of law. Having said that, the content available is limited to the “digital age” or post 1980s, which means older materials can still best be found in print. Also, practical materials such as forms, practice manuals and other analytical material can be difficult to find for free online.

Stetson Law News: You teach a course on Advanced Legal Research—is internet research part of the curriculum?

Waters & Scroggs: Sally’s class meets in person and while the majority of the class deals with online sources, she still familiarizes students with print and why print resources still matter. Wanita’s class is held 100 percent online so she mentions print, but concentrates on electronic sources. For both of us, since our goal is to prepare students for law practice, we show them the most efficient and cost effective methods of research, whether print or electronic.

Stetson Law News: What is the most important takeaway you want people to remember from this book?

Waters & Scroggs: Don’t pay for stuff that you don’t have to, if you don’t have to.

Stetson Law News: Finally, tell us why you are wearing Stetson hats in your photo outside the Dolly & Homer Hand Law Library?

Waters & Scroggs: We received the hats as a congratulations from our colleagues on having published our book. We are wearing them because (tongue in cheek) as the song suggests, we have always dreamed of being cowgirls, but we’re afraid of cows.

Patrick Davis ’88 presents on entrepreneurship and social justice

Stetson University graduate Patrick Davis ’88, CEO of Davis Brand Capital and co-founder of the anti-bullying foundation StandUp, presented the Social Justice Lecture on “Entrepreneurism for Social Change: Inside Stories of Making the World Better, One Company at a Time” on Stetson’s Gulfport campus.

Davis’ presentation on Feb. 19 outlined his business model for StandUp, and discussed how entrepreneurship is an aspect of the battle for social justice.

“Put social good ahead of personal greed,” Davis urged the audience of law students attending his lecture.

In just three years, and with the support of Coca-Cola, Kiehl’s and Nike, the StandUp brand shipped to 53 countries – and released enough profits to fund global anti-bullying education programs and award more than 50 grants in the U.S. and the U.K. to assist anti-bullying efforts. Davis described how animal and human welfare practices, safe-ingredient standards, or inclusion and anti-bullying policies in businesses can drive social change.

Davis also presented a lecture and discussion on Feb. 18 at Stetson University in DeLand as part of the Social Justice Lecture series.

During the fall semester of 2013, Stetson University launched the lecture series focused on social justice to explore issues central to its mission and values — values that speak to human freedom, personal and social responsibility, the connections we have with each other, and the obligations that flow from our shared humanity.

Stetson Law hosts Raising the Bar on Feb. 28

On Feb. 28, Stetson University College of Law is hosting Raising the Bar: Florida’s Legal Community Service Day, on the Gulfport campus. The initiative collects donations from the local legal community for American Red Cross care packages and holiday cards for active military service members and veterans.

WHO: The initiative is part of an annual statewide service day led by the legal community and co-sponsored by Stetson, the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, and the American Red Cross.

WHAT: Members of the legal community, including lawyers, law students, law firms, judges and friends, are encouraged to donate unused holiday cards as well as toiletries: including shampoo, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Volunteers are invited to assemble comfort kits and write out holiday cards for active service members and veterans. The American Red Cross will deliver the comfort kits to disaster victims and send cards to active duty service members and military veterans during the holiday season.

WHERE: Classroom D, Stetson University College of Law, 1401 61st St. S., Gulfport.

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 28, between 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

For more information about this event or to schedule a time to make a donation at an alternative time, please contact Natalie Yello at 321-278-7313 or [email protected].

Stetson awarded bronze keys at ABA Law Student Division meeting

Stetson University College of Law was presented with a bronze key for the greatest raw membership and a bronze key for the most improved membership during the American Bar Association Law Student Division meeting on Feb. 7 on the Gulfport campus. Law students from Florida, Georgia and Puerto Rico were invited to attend the meeting hosted by Stetson Law school.

Chris Sprowls provided the keynote. — Chris Sprowls J.D. ’09 provided the keynote. Photo by Brittany Brochard.

Stetson Law student Brandy Pikus, the ABA Law Student Division 5th Circuit Governor, introduced the meeting program. Stetson’s Director for Student Life Tammy Briant J.D. ’06 presented the welcome address.

“Receiving two bronze keys was very rewarding for the Stetson ABA. They are a symbol of our leadership team’s passion and dedication, who spent countless hours informing students and creating excitement about the many benefits of the ABA. I’m proud that we were able to carry on Stetson’s superior legacy in the ABA,” said Pikus.

Florida State Representative Chris Sprowls J.D. ’09 provided the keynote. The program included a panel of hiring partners and associates, lunch with local law professionals, as well as the election of the new circuit governor.

“The greatest reward of being the 5th Circuit Governor was being able to work with the Board of Governors to create positive change for law students across the country for many years to come while also being able to work closely with the students of 5th Circuit to help promote their programs, activities and effect change at individual campuses,” said Pikus.

The 5th Circuit encompasses the 19 law schools in Florida, Georgia and Puerto Rico. The new 5th Circuit Governor, Marcus Sandifer, is a student at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. He will be sworn in during the Spring Board of Governors Meeting in Las Vegas on March 14.

Stetson’s J.D./M.B.A. students place in Global Top 25

Students in Stetson University’s J.D./M.B.A. program recently placed among the Global Top 25 in the GLO-BUS global simulation competition. Stetson J.D./M.B.A. students participated in GLO-BUS as part of their capstone management course.

“Through the use of tools like the GLO-BUS simulation in our capstone course, students are able not only to integrate the functional expertise in business and law they have acquired during their tenure at Stetson University but also to experience the dynamic effect of their recommendations,” said Stetson Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in the Stetson School of Business Administration Yiorgos Bakamitsos, Ph.D.

Two teams of Stetson students made the GLO-BUS Global Top 25 list for the week of Jan. 19-25. Each week, the best-performing GLO-BUS companies are recognized in the Global Top 25. A total of 309 teams from 30 colleges and universities participated in the GLO-BUS simulation world-wide.

Stetson students Daniele Amico, Alex Simser and Jocelyn Skipper made the Global Top 25 list by achieving a 35.6 Return of Equity. Stetson students Christine Krohn and Andrew Pardun made the Global Top 25 list by achieving an overall score of 107.

“The J.D./M.B.A. program demonstrates that students are becoming prepared for both the practice of law and the business of the practice of law,” said Stetson Law Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz.

Students who complete the J.D./M.B.A. program at Stetson receive both an M.B.A. degree from the Stetson University School of Business Administration and a J.D. degree from the College of Law. Both degrees can be completed within three years, including one summer.

For more information about dual and joint degrees offered at Stetson, visit https://www.stetson.edu/law/offices/registrar/dual-degree-programs.php.

Faculty papers top the charts for clinical law education

Three faculty papers by Stetson Law professors were recently listed among the Social Science Research Network’s Top Ten download list for: Clinical Law Teaching & Practice eJournal.

Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox, director of Stetson’s Veterans Advocacy Clinic, wrote the fifth-ranked paper, “Lightening the VA’s Rucksack: A Proposal for Higher Education Medical-Legal Partnerships to Assist the VA in Efficiently and Accurately Granting Veterans Disability Compensation.” Professor Simcox teaches in the areas of veterans benefits law, administrative law, and legal skills. She joined Stetson in July 2014 from William & Mary Law School, where she founded the nationally recognized Lewis B. Puller Jr. Veterans Benefits Clinic.

Professor Cynthia Batt, director of clinical education and associate director or Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute, co-authored and authored both the sixth and eighth most downloaded papers, “Incorporating Experiential Education Throughout the Curriculum” and “A Practice Continuum: Integrating Experiential Education into the Curriculum.” Professor Batt’s paper, “Delivering Effective Education in Externship Programs (From Building on Best Practices),” is also listed on the SSRN Top Ten download list. In addition to directing clinical education at Stetson, Professor Batt teaches Professional Responsibility; Business Ethics; Law, Ethics and Film; and Interviewing, Counseling and Negotiation. Her scholarship explores experiential education and legal education reform.

The Social Science Research Network (SSRN) provides access to specialized research networks in each of the social sciences.

Students published in Bloomberg BNA

Stetson Law school students clerking in the Gassman Law Associates firm in Clearwater were recently published in Bloomberg BNA. Travis Arango and Dena Daniels co-authored an article with attorney Alan S. Gassman.

“We were recently given the opportunity to write an article about the Bifani case. This case was chosen because our office focuses primarily on estate law and this set of facts was somewhat new and exciting in this area,” said Arango.

“Mr. Gassman has provided opportunities for us to publish several articles for his firm’s publications as well as other journals,” Daniels explained. The students have also been published in Leimberg Information Services.

The article explores Florida rulings regarding the fraudulent transfer of homestead to avoid repaying debt.

“It is exciting to be considered published and I look forward to having other opportunities to collaborate with Dena and Mr. Gassman,” said Arango, who wants to start a career in federal law enforcement. “The clerkship has helped with my communication skills, the ability to work with a team to accomplish a goal, and my ability to handle multiple tasks at once.”

Read the complete article in BNA: http://www.bna.com/down-upon-bifani-n17179922576/

Read more articles co-authored by Arango and Daniels: http://gassmanlawassociates.com/thursday-report-3-6-2014-bp-5th-circuit-dec-much/ and http://gassmanlawassociates.com/thursday-report-10-9-14/.

Learn more about career opportunities for students by visiting Stetson’s Career Development Office.

Stetson hosts Inclusion Summit

On Feb. 6, Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida, hosted a daylong event, “ Inclusion Summit: Developing Cultural Competence.” The summit was designed to help foster an energized workplace, retain top talent and develop best practices for making inclusion a reality.

Verna Myers was the keynote speaker at Stetson's Inclusion Summit. — Verna Myers was the keynote speaker at Stetson’s Inclusion Summit.

Vernā Myers, a nationally recognized expert on diversity and inclusion, provided the keynote.

The one-day summit featured Myers and opening speaker President and Publisher of Florida Trend Andrew Corty, PNC Bank’s Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Marsha Jones and PNC Bank Relationship Banker Ashley Brundage, FordHarrison Regional Managing Partner Tracey Jaensch J.D. ’91 as well as other national and regional thought leaders.

Stetson Law Dean and Professor of Law Christopher Pietruszkiewicz introduced the program, spearheaded by Director for Career Development Cathy Martin.

Summit sessions invited participants to develop key cultural competency skills.

Watch a video with Inclusion Summit speakers:

Stetson hosts Study Abroad Fair

Stetson University College of Law hosted a Study Abroad Fair on the Gulfport campus on Feb. 4.

Students learned more about options to study abroad on Feb. 4 in Gulfport. Photo by Amadu Wiltshire.

Stetson offers summer study abroad programs in Argentina, China, England, Spain and The Netherlands. Stetson also offers an Autumn in London, fall intersession in the Cayman Islands, and spring break in Cuba.

Aaron Pitts, an LL.M. student at Stetson who is from Australia, said, “International education has truly broadened my horizons.”

The deadline for students to apply for summer programs in March 1. The applications deadline for the Autumn in London program is June 1.

Visit Stetson’s Study Abroad page to learn more.

Social Justice Luncheon: What is Equal Justice?

Stetson University College of Law’s Social Justice Luncheon Feb. 4 on the Gulfport campus asked “What is Equal Justice?”

Judge Michelle T. Morley J.D. ’86, circuit judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida, led a discussion for Stetson Law students about the meaning of equal justice within the modern judiciary.

(L-R): Professor Judith Scully, Judge Michelle T. Morley and Professor Robert Bickel. Photo by Brittany Brochard.

The William Reece Smith Jr. Fund and the Social Justice Advocacy Program co-sponsor Stetson Law’s Social Justice Luncheon Series. Lectures in the series are designed to encourage participants to think critically about the historical context of social justice issues while focusing on current social and economic justice challenges and the interdisciplinary thought and leadership skills necessary for meeting such challenges.

Professors Judith Scully and Robert Bickel co-direct Stetson’s Social Justice Advocacy Certificate of Concentration program.

Students volunteer, plant tree at Boyd Hill

Stetson University College of Law’s Jewish Law Student Association took time to plant a tree and help clean up Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Petersburg on Feb. 4. The students spent four hours volunteering at the park. The event honored the Jewish holiday of Tu B’shevat, or the “New Year of the Trees.” Traditionally, the holiday celebrates ecological awareness and trees are planted in celebration.

Stetson's Jewish Law Society volunteered at Boyd Hill. — Stetson’s Jewish Law Society students Patrick Iyampillai, Danielle Breiter, Evan Sidman, Scott Hayden, Diana Lott, Mitchell Levine and Sarah Gottlieb volunteered at Boyd Hill. Photo by Scott Hayden.

“Student Evan Sidman did most of the planning for the event with the park rangers,” said Jewish Law Student Association president Scott Hayden. “We would like to go out and do it again.”

Professors’ new book unveils the anatomy of legal writing

A groundbreaking new book by Stetson professors Catherine J. Cameron and Lance N. Long explores The Science Behind the Art of Legal Writing.

The newly released book uses empirical research to show what good legal writing is and why it works. Carolina Academic Press published the book as a resource for law students and legal professionals. A review of the book was published in the Law Library Journal.

“Neither of us knew of a book that explained why our legal writing students should write the way we teach them to write,” said Professor Cameron. “This is the first legal writing text that takes a scientific approach to that question. We hope this book will give law students and practitioners a better understanding of the reasons behind legal writing conventions so that they can make better informed decisions about their writing.”

Professor Cameron teaches and researches in the areas of legal writing and media law. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism, a master’s degree in mass communications, and a law degree from the University of Florida. Professor Cameron worked for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a non-profit organization that specializes in media law issues in Washington, D.C., where she filed amicus briefs in high-profile cases affecting the media, including two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. News media frequently quote her expertise on First Amendment issues.

Professor Long ‘s scholarship focuses on empirical analyses of language patterns in appellate briefs and opinions. He recently received national media attention for his most recent co-authored article, “When Justices (Subconsciously) Attack: The Theory of Argumentative Threat and the Supreme Court,” which analyzes differences between the language used by Supreme Court justices in majority and dissenting opinions. Professor Long earned his law degree from Brigham Young University.

Stetson consistently ranks among the top legal writing programs in the country and is home to the Institute for the Advancement of Legal Communication. The institute’s training programs provide instruction to lawyers, judges, and other professionals to improve their legal communication skills.

Stetson hosted a Legal Writing Academy on Jan. 30 at the Tampa Law Center on Persuasive Legal Writing: What Every Lawyer Should Know.