News Archives - Page 79 of 138

International sea turtle expert Verónica Cáceres Chamorro discussed global collaboration, conservation at Stetson Law

Verónica Cáceres Chamorro, secretary pro tempore for the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles, talked to Stetson University College of Law students on Feb. 20 about the need for global collaboration and conservation.

Verónica Cáceres and Professor Royal Gardner, director of Stetson's Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy. — (L-R): Verónica Cáceres Chamorro and Professor Royal Gardner, director of Stetson’s Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy. Photo by Charlyne Topiol.

Cáceres Chamorro discussed threats to sea turtles including incidental capture from trawling gillnets and longline fishery, habitat loss like beach erosion on nesting beaches, and global climate change and pollution impacting turtle populations. She emphasized the need for international collaboration to protect the sea turtles that maintain healthy coral reefs and oceans and support the economies of nearby human communities in areas like the Caribbean.

“At the end of the day, sea turtles connect us. They visit a lot of countries and it’s our responsibility to protect them,” said Cáceres Chamorro.

The Inter-American Convention, which emphasizes a cooperative, non confrontational approach to resolving the problems that sea turtles face, includes 15 countries representing North, Central and South America.

“We believe that working with the younger generation will really make a difference,” Cáceres Chamorro told the law students attending her talk.

Cáceres Chamorro’s talk, “Making Connections to Protect Sea Turtles and Their Habitats: The Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles,” was part of Stetson’s Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture Series.

The ongoing public lecture series, co-sponsored by Stetson’s Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, brings leading experts to campus to speak on a range of environmental topics.

Stetson introduces Social Justice Advocacy Series to the Gulfport campus

Robin Rosenberg addressed students as the inaugural Social Justice Advocacy series speaker on Feb. 6 in Gulfport.

On Feb. 6, Stetson University introduced the Social Justice Advocacy Series to students on the Gulfport campus, featuring Robin Rosenberg, deputy director of Florida’s Children First.

Rosenberg, who fights for the rights of at-risk children and youth in Florida, talked with Stetson Law students about the importance of advocating for justice in the community. Her talk was simply entitled “Do Good.”

“You are here today because either something inside of you or perhaps someone tugged at you to say, you should give some attention to the concept of social justice as you forge your career.”

Stetson Law professors Robert Bickel and Judith Scully, co-directors of Stetson’s new Social Justice Advocacy Certificate Concentration program, introduced the series.

Students enrolled in the Social Justice Advocacy Certificate Concentration at Stetson work closely with faculty mentors to meet their goals to serve the public interest and advance social justice in the public and private sector.

Stetson’s Black Law Students Association honored for community activism as Chapter of the Year for the Southern Region

Stetson University College of Law’s Black Law Students Association was recently named Chapter of the Year for the Southern Region for outstanding community activism. The Stetson student group was selected from a pool of 43 law school chapters in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Stetson's BLSA Executive Board L-R: Angelica Jones, Keyara Franklin, Brannon Gary, Lakeisha Simms, Valeria Obi, Cindy Cumberbatch and Charis Campbell. — Stetson’s BLSA Executive Board L-R: Angelica Jones, Keyara Franklin, Brannon Gary, Lakeisha Simms, Valeria Obi, Cindy Cumberbatch and Charis Campbell.

The students were honored during the Southern Regional BLSA Convention in Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 30-Feb. 3.

BLSA students at Stetson regularly participate in community events to advance social justice, including mentoring Boca Ciega High School students through the BLSA Drive to Strive Program and volunteering to assist people seeking petitions to restore their voting rights. The students participate in St. Petersburg’s Community Law Fest and play an integral role in educating community members about accessible legal resources.

“BLSA pays it forward through ongoing neighborhood assistance programs,” said Stetson Law Professor Darryl C. Wilson, BLSA faculty adviser. “The group provides a comfortable atmosphere and leadership opportunities for students. This victory acknowledges the Stetson chapter of BLSA as a model for other institutions seeking the optimal blend of legal and social interaction between their students and the citizens where those schools are located.”

In March of this year, Stetson’s BLSA chapter will represent the southern region in the Chapter of the Year Large Division Competition during the National Black Law Students Association Convention in Atlanta, Ga.

“The National Black Law Students Association, as a whole, strives to instill in the Black attorney and law student a greater awareness and commitment to the needs of the Black community,” said Stetson’s student BLSA president, Lakeisha Simms. “Being recognized for our efforts in reaching the NBLSA’s goals is an honor that I hope will motivate our future Stetson BLSA chapters to achieve more.”

In addition to Simms, the Stetson BLSA student executive board includes students Charis Campbell, Cindy Cumberbatch, Keyara Franklin, Brannon R. Gary, Angelica Jones and Valeria Obi.

The National Black Law Students Association is the nation’s largest student-run organization, representing nearly 6,000 minority law students from more than 200 chapters and affiliates throughout the U.S. and six other countries.

Stetson wins New York City Bar’s National Moot Court Competition

Stetson University College of Law students Andrew Harris, Julia McGrath and Victoria San Pedro won the New York City Bar’s 63rd Annual National Moot Court Competition on Jan. 31. McGrath was also honored with the runner-up best individual speaker award.

Stetson students won the New York City Bar’s 63rd Annual National Moot Court Competition. (L-R: Julia McGrath, Andrew Harris and Victoria San Pedro).

This competition is one of the most prestigious in the nation. Teams from more than 150 law schools competed in 15 regional rounds across the country in November, and the top two teams from each regional advanced to the national finals in New York City. This was the second year in a row that a team from Stetson advanced to the national finals.

The Stetson students argued in the final round before federal, state and county judges, and leaders of the American College of Trial Lawyers and New York City Bar Association.

“This was a great opportunity for our students to showcase their skills as advocates before professionals in the national legal community,” said Professor Brooke Bowman, moot court advisor. “Winning this prestigious competition means Stetson students are recognized among the best advocates in the nation.”

Stetson Associate Dean Michael Allen and Professor Louis Virelli coached the team.

Stetson student advocates have earned four world/international titles and won 60 national championships, 59 regional championships and received 40 state titles and 38 best brief awards.

Stetson hosts free consumer protection expo in April

The public is invited to learn about consumer protection and the latest scams and fraud targeting older Americans at Stetson’s Elder Consumer Protection Expo on Wednesday, April 24, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at Stetson’s Gulfport campus, 1401 61st St. S.

Stetson’s Elder Consumer Protection Expos will provide services including an on-site document shredding drop-off, Do-Not-Call/Opt-Out registration, and free credit reporting services to help guard against identity theft.

Presenters from local and state organizations and agencies will provide information and answer questions during the event.

Attendees will be treated to a free continental breakfast, boxed lunch and door prizes.

Doors open and continental breakfast begins at 9:30 a.m. Registration is required and limited. To register or request more information, contact Elder Consumer Protection Program administrator Michael Pierce at 727-562-7888 or [email protected].

Listen to an interview with Michael Pierce:

Stetson wins Best Brief Award at Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship

Stetson University College of Law students Chad Burgess, Erin Okuno and Morgan Vasigh won the Best Brief Award at the prestigious Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship on Jan. 26 in Houston, Texas.

(L-R): Erin Okuno, Chad Burgess and Morgan Vasigh won the Best Brief Award at the prestigious Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship.

The invitation-only law school competition, hosted by the University of Houston Law Center Blakely Advocacy Institute, drew students from 16 law schools around the country. The invitation is based on the schools’ Blakely Advocacy Institute ranking for the previous school year.

“Stetson students acquire a strong research and writing foundation that is recognized in national advocacy competitions,” said professor and moot court advisor Brooke Bowman. “Courts today are hearing fewer oral arguments and judges are making more determinations based solely on attorneys’ written product. Learning to clearly convey the law and the facts of a case in writing is imperative in the practice of law.”

Burgess and Okuno advanced to the final round of the competition and presented before judges from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court.

Professor Bowman co-coached the Stetson team along with alumnus Larry Miccolis.

Stetson students sweep Florida Bar Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition

Stetson Law Trial Teams — Two squads on Stetson Law’s Trial Team, coached by Professor Lee Coppock, met in the finals of the Florida Bar Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition. Photos by Michael Cairns.

Stetson's Trial Team won first place in the Florida Bar Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition. — Stetson’s Trial Team won first place at the Florida Bar Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition. (L-R): Claudette Goyanes, Adriane Ovcharenko, Diego Novaes and Brandon Blake.

Stetson University College of Law students won the Florida Bar Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition on Jan. 18 in Orlando, Fla. Stetson has won the competition 20 out of 30 times, including last year. A total of 22 teams from 11 Florida law schools competed.

Two teams of four Stetson Law students advanced to compete against each other in the final round of the competition.

The Stetson team of Brandon Blake, Claudette Goyanes, Diego Novaes and Adriane Ovcharenko won the competition, and Stetson student William Gower III was named Best Advocate.

The Stetson team of Gower, Erica Emas, Erica Farawell and Austin Miniard placed second in the competition.

Florida Supreme Court Justice R. Fred Lewis presided over the final round.

William Gower III was named Best Advocate at the Florida Bar Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition. — William Gower III (L) was named Best Advocate. Shown here with Sarasota attorney Charles J. Bartlett.

Professor Lee Coppock coached the Stetson teams along with alumnus Matt Easterwood and Judge David A. Demers.

John Knowles selected to lead development and alumni relations at Stetson Law

John Knowles is the new executive director for development and alumni relations at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport and Tampa, Fla.

John Knowles, the executive director for development and alumni relations

“I am honored to serve the Stetson community in this important capacity,” Knowles said. “Stetson University College of Law is a great American institution with a deep, rich heritage and a very exciting future. We will create and deploy a strategy in the coming months that will secure the resources needed to ensure Stetson Law’s second century is even greater than its first.”

Knowles worked previously as director of development and external affairs at Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Fla. Before that, he worked in senior level positions in state government in Michigan, including service as chief-of-staff to a member of the Michigan House of Representatives and director of external affairs for the Michigan attorney general.

Knowles earned a B.A. at Western Michigan University and a J.D. at Michigan State University College of Law. He also holds a fellowship certificate from Michigan State University for completing a specialized, highly selective curriculum teaching fundraising and strategic communications practices.

Knowles is an authority on alumni affairs for higher educational institutions and has served on the board of the Western Michigan University Alumni Association for seven years. He contributed to the national alumni relations strategy for a major research university ranked highly among four-year institutions by the U.S. News & World Report.

In early 2011, Gulfshore Life magazine recognized Knowles in their prestigious annual “40 Under 40” issue, recognizing the top up-and-coming business leaders in southwest Florida.

Knowles and his wife, Jennifer, live in Gulfport, Fla.

Federal wetlands law expert talked with students about protecting biodiversity through the law

Venable partner Peggy Strand, an expert in federal wetlands and environmental law, talked with Stetson Law students about challenges to protecting biodiversity through the law at the Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture on Jan. 17.

Peggy Strand spoke at Stetson Law on Jan. 17.

Strand explained that one challenge to protecting biodiversity through the law is the lack of consensus among lawmakers on environmental issues.

“If you can’t get consensus on climate change with a polar bear as a poster child, you are not going to get consensus on biodiversity with plankton as the poster child,” Strand explained.

Strand said that there have been several success stories for endangered species through legal protections. However, endangered species are not healthy species, and protecting biodiversity requires maintaining healthy organisms. She said that a better legal system for biodiversity would include a more balanced legal approach.

“I am very hopeful for the future,” Strand said to the crowd of law students listening to her talk. “These are the kinds of issues that you are going to deal with in your practice.”

Stetson’s Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture Series brings leading experts to campus for public lectures on a range of environmental topics directly impacting the state. Stetson’s Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy co-sponsored the lecture.

Notable defense attorney Abbe David Lowell receives White Collar Criminal Defense Award from NACDL, Stetson Law

The winner of the 2013 White Collar Criminal Defense Award was presented at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla., on Jan. 12.

(L-R): Gary R. Trombley Family White-Collar Crime Research Professor Ellen Podgor, Abbe David Lowell, Norman Reimer, and executive director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. — (L-R): Gary R. Trombley Family White-Collar Crime Research Professor Ellen Podgor, Abbe David Lowell and Norman Reimer, executive director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Notable litigator Abbe David Lowell, whose high-profile clients include former U.S. presidential candidate Senator John Edwards, intelligence analyst Stephen Jin-Woo Kim and Tampa socialite Jill Kelley, received the award during the NACDL White Collar Criminal Defense College at Stetson.

The award is presented annually to individuals who have made a profound impact on the field of white collar criminal defense advocacy.

“Abbe David Lowell represents the finest example of what it means to be a criminal defense lawyer. His commitment to his clients and his dedication to his colleagues, the profession and the important work of this association over many, many years is an inspiration to us all,” said NACDL president Steven D. Benjamin. “It is with tremendous pride and gratitude that this year we recognize Abbe’s many achievements and contributions with the 2013 White Collar Criminal Defense Award.”

Defense attorney Abbe David Lowell was chief minority counsel during impeachment proceedings against former President Bill Clinton. He has won cases in 17 states, argued before the Supreme Court, and successfully defended Senator John Edwards in a four-week trial in June that ended in acquittal with the Justice Department dropping the case. Lowell directs the Chadbourne & Parke LLP White Collar Defense, Regulatory Investigations and Litigation Group.

The NACDL White Collar Criminal Defense College at Stetson is a legal education “boot-camp” program for practitioners from across the country wishing to gain key advocacy skills and learn substantive white collar law from masters in the field.

Wm. Reece Smith Jr., legendary Florida lawyer and law professor at Stetson University College of Law, has died

Legendary Florida lawyer William Reece Smith Jr., who served for decades as a distinguished professorial lecturer at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla., died on Jan. 11. Smith was 87.

Wm. Reece Smith at Stetson University College of Law

Smith joined the Carlton Fields law firm in Tampa, Fla., in 1953, most recently serving as chairman emeritus. In 1954, he joined Stetson’s teaching faculty and in 1991 was named a distinguished professorial lecturer.

“This is a huge loss not only for Stetson University, but for the state of Florida,” said Stetson president Wendy B. Libby. “Reece Smith was a giant in the legal world and will be sorely missed by the Stetson community. In short order, he became a good friend to my husband, Richard, and me. He welcomed us with open arms into the St. Petersburg community, and I appreciated his wise counsel through the years.”

“The Stetson community mourns his passing but is honored that Reece chose to be a part of our family,” said Stetson Law Dean and Professor of Law Christopher Pietruszkiewicz. “Smith was a colleague, mentor and friend to so many in the Stetson community.”

Smith dedicated more than 60 years of service to the legal profession, working tirelessly to increase the legal services available to people who cannot afford them. Smith founded Florida Legal Services and served as its first president. He served as city attorney of Tampa, chair and trustee of numerous colleges and universities, interim president of the University of South Florida, and as board member of countless religious, charitable, civic and professional organizations.

Smith was president of the Hillsborough Bar, Florida Bar, American Bar and International Bar Associations. Throughout his notable career, Smith has engaged in both trial and appellate practice, arguing cases at every level of the state and federal systems, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

Smith was inducted into Stetson University College of Law’s Hall of Fame and he is the subject of the 2010 biographical book, A Consummate Lawyer, written by Stetson University College of Law Professor Emeritus Michael Swygert.

Smith served the Stetson community in a number of ways. He was a member of the Stetson University College of Law Board of Overseers and Stetson University Board of Trustees. The courtroom at Stetson’s Tampa Law Center is named in Smith’s honor. Stetson established the William Reece Smith Jr. Award in 1990 to honor outstanding contributions to public service, the justice system and the community.

Stetson Law students and their professor write amicus brief with NWF for U.S. Supreme Court case

Two Stetson University College of Law students and their environmental law professor worked with the National Wildlife Federation to prepare an amicus brief in a wetlands case being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in January. » Read the amicus brief

(L-R): Professor Royal Gardner, Bill Mitch, Jan Goldman-Carter and Marc Shumaker traveled to the Supreme Court on Jan. 15 to hear oral arguments in an important wetlands case. — (L-R): Professor Royal Gardner, Bill Mitch, Jan Goldman-Carter and student Marc Shumaker traveled to the Supreme Court on Jan. 15 to hear oral arguments in an important wetlands case.

Stetson second-year student Marc Shumaker and third-year law student Erin Okuno helped prepare the brief with Stetson law professor Royal Gardner and NWF attorney Jan Goldman-Carter. Shumaker and Gardner observed oral arguments at the high court on Jan. 15.

The case could impact wetlands across the country.

“Assisting with the amicus brief was an exciting and unique experience,” said Okuno. “It was incredible to work on a brief that was actually sent to the U.S. Supreme Court.”

The case of Koontz v. St Johns River Water Management District has been in litigation for a number of years and is now before the U.S Supreme Court.

The St. Johns River Water Management District is responsible for preserving and managing Florida’s vital water resources in all or part of 18 counties throughout the northeast and east–central part of the state.

The amicus brief, filed by Gardner and Goldman-Carter on behalf of 12 distinguished wetland scientists, academics and professionals, is a science-based brief. It describes the critical ecosystem services that wetlands provide to people, businesses and communities; the importance of “no net loss” of wetland functions; and the need for accountability in the loss and gain of wetland functions.

“There is no excuse to continue to allow wetland losses, now that we know how effective wetlands are in providing clean water and other essential services,” said Joy B. Zedler, past chair of the National Research Council Committee on Mitigating Wetland Losses Committee, and one of the amicus parties.

Gardner, the director of the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy at Stetson, won the National Wetlands Award for Education and Outreach in 2006 and is the past chair of the U.S. National Ramsar Committee, promoting the conservation and sustainable use of domestic and international wetlands.