News Archives - Page 73 of 138

Stetson Law wins Florida Justice Association Mock Trial competition in Tampa

The Stetson University College of Law team of Tai Lowry, Khalil Madani II, Daniel Miles and Lisa Ungerbuehler won the Florida Justice Association Mock Trial competition on Nov. 10 at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse in Tampa.

(L-R): Lisa Ungerbuehler, Tai Lowry, Khalil Madani, Shaun Cummings, Ashley Goodman, Catherine Sams, Daniel Miles, and Chad Florin. — (L-R): Lisa Ungerbuehler, Tai Lowry, Khalil Madani II, Shaun Cummings, Ashley Goodman, Catherine Sams, Daniel Miles, and Chad Florin.

Twelve teams from around the state of Florida competed. Stetson sent two teams. The second Stetson team of Shaun Cummings, Chad Florin, Ashley Goodman and Catherine Sams advanced to the semi-final round of the competition.

Stetson Law Trial Advocacy Fellow Lee Coppock ’96 coached the teams along with alumnus Grant Gillenwater ’12.

“Our advocates show again why Stetson is ranked first in trial advocacy,” said Coppock. “We are proud that they represented Stetson with the unequaled preparation and professionalism that is typical.”

Three inducted into Stetson Law’s Hall of Fame

Stetson University College of Law inducted three outstanding alumni into its Hall of Fame on Oct. 26 in Gulfport. Hall of Fame inductees are selected for having a profound and positive impact on Stetson Law and the legal profession.
» View photos on Flickr (or see slideshow below)

(L-R): Hall of Fame inductees Paul Barnard, Judge Raphael Steinhardt and James Martin.

This year’s inductees included:

Professor Paul Barnard JD ’58 opened the doors to practical legal education in the state of Florida, establishing Stetson’s Public Defender Clinic to help law students develop the skills necessary to practice criminal law. It was Florida’s first clinical program, and this year marks the clinic’s 50th anniversary. Barnard successfully petitioned the Florida Supreme Court in 1964 to allow law students in Stetson’s Public Defender Clinic to work on cases under the direction of public defenders and other counsel. The Paul Barnard Award for Clinic Excellence was established in his name and presented to graduates who did outstanding work in Stetson’s Public Defender Clinic. Professor Barnard taught criminal law, criminal procedure and other law courses for 18 years at Stetson.

Watch Video About Paul Barnard

Judge Raphael Steinhardt JD ’63, a senior judge for Florida’s 11th Judicial Circuit in Miami, has served as a distinguished attorney and judge for 50 years. Steinhardt established a pro bono program in Miami Beach and created an educational program for school children to visit live sessions of court. He has endowed several Stetson scholarships for veterans and students serving the public interest. The Judge Raphael Steinhardt Building is home to Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute, and Steinhardt has received several honors and service awards from Dade County and Stetson University. He continues to volunteer for many community organizations and was a longtime member of the Dade County Pre-Trial Release Review Committee.

Watch Video About Judge Raphael Steinhardt

James Martin BS ’71, JD ’74 earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Stetson University, where he received the Ben C. Willard Award for humanitarian achievements. Martin helped launch Stetson’s new Constitution Hall exhibit at the Stavros Institute’s Finance Park in Pinellas County to teach middle school students about their constitutional rights and the U.S. government. As a young attorney 33 years ago, Martin was instrumental in creating the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. Today, Martin remains an executive committee member at the museum, and he co-chaired the opening of its new facility in 2011. Martin has volunteered with more than 25 community organizations, served on the St. Petersburg City Council, and represented St. Petersburg on the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and Pinellas County Arts Council. Martin has written eight books and published 36 articles on contracts, real estate, legal management, business organizations, legal forms and non-profit organizations. He received the Florida Bar’s Barbara Sanders Memorial Writing Competition Award and teaches law practice management as a Stetson adjunct professor.

Watch Video About James Martin

Slideshow

Stetson wins John Marshall Law School International Moot Court Competition in Information Technology and Privacy Law

Stetson University College of Law’s moot court team of students Jonathan Hart, Brandon Pfluger and Melaina Tryon won the 32nd Annual John Marshall Law School International Moot Court Competition in Information Technology and Privacy Law on Oct. 26 in Chicago. This is the second time that Stetson has won this competition. The first time was in 2009.

Moot Court winners coach Larry Miccolis, Brandon Pfluger, Jonathan Hart, Melaina Tryon and Professor Brooke Bowman.

Stetson Law alumnus Larry Miccolis co-coached the winning team with Professor of Legal Skills and Moot Court Adviser Brooke Bowman.

“We are thrilled that our students excelled in this prestigious international competition,” said Professor Bowman. “Stetson prides itself in preparing students with the practical skills that they need to practice law, and these competitions allow them to hone and showcase their skills.”

The Moot Court Competition in Information Technology and Privacy Law was established in 1981. Students from law schools across the country and outside the U.S. compete each year to brief and argue unresolved issues of technology law. State appellate judges and supreme court justices, federal district judges, law professors and legal practitioners critique and score the competition, hosted by the Center for Information Technology & Privacy Law at John Marshall Law School.

To learn more about advocacy at Stetson, visit the Center for Excellence in Advocacy at www.law.stetson.edu/advocacy.

Stetson, Community Law Program, St. Pete Bar partner to offer free wills for qualified veterans and their spouses

Stetson University College of Law is partnering with the Community Law Program and the St. Petersburg Bar Foundation on Nov. 5 to prepare free simple wills and advance directives for WWII, Korean and Vietnam War veterans and their spouses who have limited assets and low incomes.

WHAT: Simple wills will be provided for low-income veterans and their spouses. Individuals owning real estate outside the state of Florida will not be eligible to participate.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Individuals must make an appointment to verify information for wills prior to Nov. 5. To schedule an appointment, call 727-562-7800 x 7315 or 727-562-7393 by the new priority deadline of Oct. 29.

Walk-in appointments are not permitted.

WHEN: The daylong event takes place between 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Nov. 5.

WHERE: Great Hall, Stetson University College of Law, 1401 61st St. S., Gulfport.

WHO: Volunteer attorneys from the Community Law Program will assist Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law and the Veterans Law Institute.

Artists in Residence: Stetson Law students volunteer with local nursing home to create Maturity in the Masterpiece program

When a group of students in Professor Rebecca Morgan’s Elder Law Seminar class visited a local nursing home in Gulfport, student Ashley Heino noticed that the walls were lacking artwork.

Students volunteered for “Maturity in the Masterpiece." — Student Heather Woods volunteered for “Maturity in the Masterpiece.” Photo by Stan Arthur.

She and fellow student Christine O’Shea discussed how Stetson Law students and the nursing home might work together to create artwork to spruce up the walls while also providing the residents with a creative activity. The idea for “Maturity in the Masterpiece” was born.

O’Shea worked with the nursing home and recruited nine fellow students to volunteer to help nursing home residents create original paintings. On Oct. 4, the first group of volunteer Stetson Law students met with nursing home residents. They spent the afternoon creating works of art that will be previewed during an art show and then displayed at the nursing home.

“I was really proud of my fellow students,” said O’Shea. “They were extremely patient and caring, qualities you hope law students will have as they become role models for their community.”

O’Shea said that she hopes the entire Stetson community will participate in the “Maturity in the Masterpiece” program, tentatively scheduled for the first Friday of each month from 2- 4 p.m. at the Boca Ciega Center in Gulfport.

“Not only is it great for the residents, it is also a good way for Stetson Law students and faculty and staff to break away from the books and add some variety to their lives,” said O’Shea.

The next “Maturity in the Masterpiece” will take place between 2-4 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the Boca Ciega Center in Gulfport, 1414 59th St. S. All Stetson faculty, students, and staff are encouraged to volunteer.

Stetson students volunteered to help assisted living facility residents create original works of art.

“For many residents, Boca Ciega is their only home,” said Heino. “By giving residents the opportunity to display their artwork throughout Boca Ciega, I believe this program will bring the residents a new sense of happiness and pride and create many lasting memories.”

The Boca Ciega Center is a nonprofit nursing home and rehabilitative center. To learn more about volunteering to help, contact Christine O’Shea at [email protected].

Stetson Law Information Day for prospective students scheduled for Nov. 9 on the Gulfport campus

Stetson Law Information Day for prospective students is scheduled for Nov. 9 on Stetson University College of Law’s Gulfport campus, 1401 61st St. S.

WHAT: Prospective students will have an opportunity to meet Stetson Law students and faculty, attend a simulated law class and faculty-led seminars, tour the campus, and learn more about admissions and financial aid. Complimentary lunch will be provided.

WHEN: Registration begins at 9 a.m. The program takes place between 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

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

For more information, please email [email protected] or call 727-562-7802. RSVP preferred by Nov. 4.

St. Petersburg mayor, representatives visit Stetson Law students

(L-R): Representative James Grant (JD '09), Representative Kathleen Peters and St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster spoke at Stetson. — (L-R): Representative James Grant (JD ’09), Representative Kathleen Peters and St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster spoke at Stetson.

Stetson Law Republicans Vice President J. Tyler Payne moderated the organization’s annual State and Local Politicians Panel on Oct. 22 in the Great Hall at Stetson Law in Gulfport with St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster, Representative James Grant (JD ’09), and Representative Kathleen Peters.

The student organization brought a panel of experts to campus to talk about a variety of issues impacting the community.

“It is critical for us, as law students, to be involved in public service and the political process,” said Payne, who is pursuing a J.D./M.B.A. degree at Stetson. “We are very grateful to these distinguished public servants for sharing with the student body ways we can give back to our community.”

BLSA students gather books for international book project to improve literacy in Ghana

Students Rickena Perry and Ariana Brooks kicked off the Black Law Students Association book drive on Oct. 21 in the breezeway at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport.

Rickena Perry and Ariana Brooks are gathering books for the Black Law Students Association Book Drive through Oct. 28. — Students Rickena Perry and Ariana Brooks are gathering books in the breezeway for the Black Law Students Association book drive again on Oct. 28.

Stetson’s BLSA is collecting children’s, teen and college-level books to donate to the international book project, which this year promotes literacy in Ghana. Stetson’s BLSA book drive is part of a national BLSA event in which chapters around the country participate. The book drive continues on Oct. 28 between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the breezeway on Stetson’s Gulfport campus.

During the spring, Stetson’s BLSA chapter was honored with the National Most Improved Chapter Award during the 45th annual National Black Law Students Convention in Atlanta, Ga., March 6-10. Out of more than 200 chapters in BLSA, Stetson’s BLSA was the only chapter to receive the coveted award.

In February, Stetson’s BLSA was selected from a pool of 43 law school chapters as Chapter of the Year for the Southern Region for outstanding community activism.

Professor Rebecca C. Morgan Elder Law Scholarship Fund announced at SNT conference

Attorneys, trustees, estate planners, financial advisers, CPAs and other elder care professionals attended the 15th Annual 2013 Special Needs Trusts – The National Conference held Oct. 16-18 in St. Pete Beach, Fla. The advanced day session opened with a presentation by Associate Dean Kristen D. Adams, announcing the Professor Rebecca C. Morgan Elder Law Scholarship Fund.

The newly named scholarship for students enrolled in Stetson’s Elder Law Certificate of Concentration Program will enable students to learn about the legal issues facing a growing elder population.

Ret. Maj. Gen. Michael Astrue (L) speaks on Social Security Disability at Special Needs Trusts-The National Conference. — Ret. Maj. Gen. Joseph Lynch (L) speaks on veterans benefits at Special Needs Trusts-The National Conference. Photo by Laura Cheek.

This year’s conference covered critical topics about special needs trusts and included sessions led by Michael Astrue, former commissioner of Social Security; Chung-yiu “Andrew” Lee, attorney with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of General Counsel; and Ret. Maj. Gen. Joseph Lynch, general counsel and corporate secretary of the Military Officers Association of America.

“Every year, this conference provides the most up-to-date and relevant education about special needs trusts and related disability law in the country, as well as an opportunity for professionals to network with the top practitioners and advisors in the country,” said Professor Rebecca C. Morgan, director of the LL.M. in Elder Law. “The speakers are so gracious in giving their time and expertise to our educational efforts in this important area.”

Professor Rebecca C. Morgan.

The next 16th Annual Special Needs Trusts – The National Conference is scheduled for Oct. 15-17, 2014, at the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club.

Louisiana State University Wins Stetson’s National Pretrial Competition

A team of students from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center won Stetson University College of Law’s Sixth Annual National Pretrial Competition on Oct. 13 in Gulfport, Fla.

Teams from 16 law schools around the country competed at Stetson for a chance to win the competition, coordinated annually by Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Advocacy.

Awards

NCP-winners-LSU — Students from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center won this year’s National Pretrial Competition at Stetson University College of Law.

First place:
Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center
(Danielle Borel, Doran Drummond, Matthew Hamilton, and Sikandar Mehr)

Second place:
Texas Tech University School of Law
(Luke Calhoun, DaNae Couch, Jefferson Fisher, and Sierra Fisher)

Semifinalists:
Baylor Law School
(Stephen Dwyer, Jacqueline Hamer, Lindsey Lehrmann, and Doug Monkhouse)

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School
(Nickolas Kitchens, Jason McLendon, Michelle Sandler, and LoriBeth Westbrook)

Best Plaintiff’s Memorandum of Law Award:
Texas Tech University School of Law
(Luke Calhoun, DaNae Couch, Jefferson Fisher, and Sierra Fisher)

Best Defendant’s Memorandum of Law Award:
Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School
(Nickolas Kitchens, Jason McLendon, Michelle Sandler, and LoriBeth Westbrook)

Best Advocate Final Round:
Luke Calhoun, Texas Tech University School of Law

Best Advocate Semifinal Round:
Luke Calhoun, Texas Tech University School of Law

Best Advocate Preliminary Round 3:
Sikandar Mehr, Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center

Best Advocate Preliminary Round 2:
Judy Shammo, Chicago-Kent College of Law

Best Advocate Preliminary Round 1:
Danielle Borel, Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center

Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz and Judge Pamela Campbell Honored by Pinellas County School Board

Dean-and-Judge-Campbell-hr — Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Pamela Campbell (left) and Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz.

The Pinellas County School Board honored Stetson University College of Law Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz and Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Pamela Campbell for their commitment to civics education in Pinellas County through the Constitution Hall exhibit.

As a part of the Gus A. Stavros Institute’s Finance Park, the Constitution Hall is an interactive exhibit that illustrates the role of the U.S. Constitution in forming the three branches of the U.S. government, protecting individual rights, and valuing civic participation. Judge Campbell discussed the project with fellow Stetson Law alumnus James Martin, who encouraged her to bring the project to Stetson.

This summer, Stetson Hall of Fame inductee Bonnie Foreman graciously agreed to underwrite the Constitution Hall exhibit, propelling the project forward. Staff at the College of Law designed the exhibit to teach eighth grade students about their rights under the Constitution, the three branches of government, and the importance of being civically active. Around 10,000 eighth graders will visit the exhibit each year as a part of the Finance Park experience.

Dean-with-Superintendent-hr — Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Michael A. Grego (left) shakes hands with Stetson Law Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz.

Dean-and-Judge-Campbell-with-group-hr — Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Pamela Campbell and Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz pictured with members of the Pinellas County School Board.

Stetson rolls out Tobacco/Smoke-Free plan

Stetson University joins a growing list of U.S. colleges and universities to enact a policy to prohibit smoking and tobacco-related products beginning Aug. 1, 2014. The policy will affect Stetson’s residential campuses in DeLand and at the College of Law in Gulfport.

The policy prohibits all forms of tobacco use including e-cigarettes and a variety of smokeless products on Stetson buildings, structures, grounds, parking lots and in university and personal vehicles while on Stetson grounds.

“I am proud that Stetson University residential campuses will be completely smoke- and tobacco-free next August,” said President Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D. “Stetson is committed to providing a safe and healthy living, learning and working environment for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors.”

Stetson began implementing smoking restrictions in 2007 by banning smoking near buildings and air vents. The new policy is the result of several years of research, focus groups and a university task force that determined that smoking was inconsistent with the values of the university.

Stetson will offer a variety of resources to help members of the Stetson University community quit smoking, including a series of free education programs about smoking and free resources for those who want to quit, including cessation products and classes.

The university task force determined, “Our university commitment to health and wellness, one of our shared values, requires us to protect non-smokers but also to support smokers in reconsidering a behavior that has been scientifically proven to have serious long-term health consequences.”

Compliance with this new policy rests with all members of the Stetson community. Community members are empowered to respectfully inform others about the policy and the ongoing effort to enhance awareness of and encourage compliance with this policy. Violation of this regulation may result in corrective action under the Student Code of Conduct, Human Resources Policies and Procedures, or other applicable University Regulations or Policies. Visitors refusing to comply may be asked to leave campus.

Stetson will use the next 10 months to continue to educate the Stetson community and visitors about the new policy with a series of informational sessions, health fairs, human resource training sessions, student tours of campus, in marketing materials and on its website at stetson.edu/breathe-free.

Contact: Mary Anne Rogers, University Marketing

Phone: (386) 822-7215; main line (386) 822-8920; cell (386) 717-5836

E-Mail: [email protected]