Student Features Archives - Page 10 of 26

Stetson among nation’s best law schools for pro bono

Stetson University College of Law has been ranked seventh in the nation among the 2014 Super Lawyers Top 10 Law Schools for Pro Bono Graduation Requirements.

Stetson Law students donated 31,719 pro bono service hours to more than 400 organizations in the 2013-2014 academic year. Stetson is one of the first law schools in the U.S. to require pro bono service of its students.

“Stetson Law led the way in promoting the pro bono requirement in law schools,” said Dean and Professor of Law Christopher Pietruszkiewicz. “Today, we remain dedicated to instilling a passion for public service in our students and graduates.”

All J.D. students at Stetson are required to complete a minimum of 60 hours of pro bono service and the law school offers a public service scholarship.

Stetson students serve the community in a variety of pro-bono roles, as court-appointed advocates for children in the dependency system, as Spanish-speaking translators assisting with immigration cases, as researchers investigating consumer finance abuse and workplace/school religious discrimination or harassment, and as advocates working in a variety of community law programs. Stetson also offers a Pro Bono Service Initiative to help veterans find free legal representation through its Veterans Law Institute.

To learn more about Stetson Law alumni serving in public interest roles, watch a series of video features on “Alumni serving the public interest.”

Fall degree candidates recognized

Students celebrated December graduation in the Great Hall on Stetson's Gulfport campus. — Students celebrated December graduation in the Great Hall on Stetson’s Gulfport campus.

Stetson University College of Law students celebrated their completion of law school on Dec. 18 on the Gulfport campus. A total of 77 degree candidates, including 35 full-time and 30 part-time J.D. students, attended the celebration. The full-time J.D. class included a J.D./M.B.A. and a J.D./Grado student.

Two LL.M. in Advocacy, eight LL.M. in Elder Law and two LL.M. in International Law students also were recognized.

Stetson offers certificates of concentration in advocacy, environmental law, international law, and social justice advocacy. Stetson students can also work on the Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy, Stetson Journal of Advocacy and the Law, and the Stetson Law Review.

Stetson’s advocacy program has been ranked the best in the nation 16 times by U.S. News & World Report. Stetson’s legal writing program consistently places among the top six in the U.S.

» View Photo Gallery – Fall Graduate Celebration

Photos from the Fall Graduate Celebration on Dec. 18 can be viewed in the photo gallery linked above. To download image(s), click “Select Photos” and then click “Download”.

Stetson’s student life director honored

Stetson University College of Law Director for Student Life Tammy Briant has been selected as an Outstanding Professional in Graduate and Professional Student Services by the National Association of Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, NASPA.

Tammy Briant directs student life at Stetson Law.

Briant, JD ’06, will be honored with her award on March 24 during the annual NASPA conference in New Orleans. The honor is presented by the Administrators in Graduate and Professional Student Services Knowledge Community in NASPA, the premier organization for student affairs professionals.

Briant is a member of the Student Support and Emergency Team, strategic planning and master planning committees at Stetson University. She recently coordinated Stetson’s “It’s On Us” campaign in November to raise awareness about guarding against sexual assault on college campuses. Briant is also an adjunct professor at Stetson, teaching an experiential learning course on constitutional law and the civil rights movement. She speaks on transformative learning, leadership, and the connection of civil rights movement history with social justice issues.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award, which to me, recognizes the diligent work of my entire team to create an innovative, dynamic, and supportive living/learning community focused on developing our students to be future leaders of the legal profession,” said Briant.

Active in the Tampa Bay area community, Briant serves on the board of the Hillsborough County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and volunteers with Bay Area Legal Service’s Family Forms Clinic, Wills for Heroes, and Crossroads for Kids, where she has served as an attorney ad litem for a teenager in foster care.

Alumni serving the public interest

According to a September/October 2014 National Jurist article, a recent job satisfaction survey of 6,200 lawyers in four states has revealed that factors like personal satisfaction, autonomy and making a difference in people’s lives rank highly in lawyers’ happiness.

Editor Mike Stetz wrote in the article “What makes a lawyer happy?” that “Lawyers working in public service–such as those in legal aid, public defenders, prosecutors, government lawyers and in-house counsel for nonprofits–fared better than most.”

The referenced study, What Makes Lawyers Happy? Transcending the Anecdotes with Data from 6200 Lawyers, was conducted by Florida State University College of Law professor Lawrence S. Krieger and University of Missouri psychology professor Kennon Sheldon.

This semester, we sat down with several Stetson Law alumni working in public interest fields to ask each their definition of success. While the responses varied, one theme was consistent among each: making a difference in people’s lives. As varied as their day-to-day jobs may be, each of the graduates we spoke with serves the public interest in their professional careers.

We invite you to visit our Stetson Law YouTube channel to watch some of the short interviews conducted in our new series, Serving the Public Interest, launched this fall.

You will hear from recent alumni new to the profession as well as graduates who have dedicated decades of their lives to public service.

We hope you enjoy hearing from our passionate alumni as much as we enjoyed talking with each of them, and learning a bit about what inspires them to do what they do.

You are invited to continue watching as the series continues to grow with more interviews.

To submit an idea for an interview, please send a note to [email protected].

Thank you for watching.

Student dives into Blue Ocean

The Blue Ocean Film Festival brought presenters from around the world to St. Petersburg. Photo by Alexandria Nicodemi. — The Blue Ocean Film Festival brought presenters including Fabien Cousteau from around the world to St. Petersburg. Photo by Allison Dhand.

When second-year Stetson University College of Law student Alexandria Nicodemi arrived at the inaugural Blue Ocean Film Festival & Conservation Summit in St. Petersburg, she was not sure what to expect. She and other members of the Environmental Law Society had an opportunity to represent Stetson Law during the festival, which brought filmmakers, film-goers, scientists, scholars, and students from around the world to the Tampa Bay region in Florida.

Thanks to the festival coordinators, Nicodemi had an opportunity to attend the films and presentations Nov. 3-9 as a student reporter.

Stetson students were able to meet Sir Robert Charles Swan, the first man to walk to both Poles, whose outreach work and expeditions focused on global climate change include students from around the world. Swan founded 2041, an Antarctic preservation company, and authored (with Gil Reavill) Antarctica 2041: My Quest to Save the Earth’s Last Wilderness.

“For those of you who do not believe in climate change, I think our next climate summit should be held on a piece of ice with a polar bear,” Swan said.

Nicodemi also heard from marine conservation biologist, oceanographer, author, University of York, England, research scholar and professor Callum Roberts, author of The Ocean of Life: The Fate of Man and the Sea. Professor Roberts’ research explores how marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs, are being altered through a combination of stresses from climate change, pollution, overfishing and globalization.

“It’s incredible that such an event is held in our city,” said Nicodemi. “The Blue Ocean Film Festival & Conservation Summit is a platform that drives the discussion and inspires change in the way we treat the waters that surround us. It’s great that Stetson can be a part of this change.”

The Blue Ocean Film Festival will return to St. Petersburg after a stop in Monaco, its other global headquarters.

Stetson advocates best at National Civil Trial Competition

Stetson University College of Law students were named best advocates at the 13th Annual National Civil Trial Competition in Los Angeles on Nov. 16. Loyola Law School won the competition.

(L-R): Daniel Miles, Lisa Ungerbuehler, Candice Roja, and Chad Florin. — (L-R): Daniel Miles, Lisa Ungerbuehler, Candice Rojas, and Chad Florin.

Stetson’s team of Chad Florin, Daniel Miles, Candice Rojas and Lisa Ungerbuehler placed second in the competition. Rojas was named Best Advocate in the Final Round and Miles was named Best Advocate in the Preliminary Round.

More than 50 law schools from around the country competed for a chance to win the national competition, and only 16 schools advanced to the finals.

Stetson University Trial Advocacy Coordinator and Associate Professor of Legal Skills Michele Joiner and Lee Coppock ’96 coached the Stetson team.

Stetson’s trial advocacy ranking has been best in the nation 16 times according to U.S. News & World Report.

To learn more about advocacy at Stetson, visit www.stetson.edu/law/advocacy.

Stetson volunteers improve veterans’ residence

Stetson University College of Law’s Veterans Advocacy Clinic volunteered to help improve a group residence for veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on Nov. 11 in St. Petersburg.

Veterans Advocacy Clinic paralegal Shirley Wells volunteered Nov. 11 to help with landscaping a veterans' home. — Veterans Advocacy Clinic paralegal Shirley Wells volunteered Nov. 11 to help with landscaping a veterans’ home.

U.S. Representative David Jolly led the effort to improve the Martin Lott Residence with assistance from volunteers from Stetson University, the U.S. Coast Guard, MacDill Air Force Base, the University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s Veteran Service Organization, and the Boy Scouts. The Abilities Foundation, Associated Builders and Contractors Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, Home Depot, L.R.E. Ground Services, Merit Professional Coatings and Smith Fence all volunteered to make improvements to the property as well.

Stetson's volunteers show of their landscaping work. — Stetson’s volunteers show off their landscaping work.

Stetson’s volunteer team of Veterans Advocacy Clinic director and professor Stacey-Rae Simcox and husband Mark Matthews, Veterans Law Institute paralegal Shirley Wells, and Stetson Law student Barbara Wood spent a half-day at the veterans residence landscaping the backyard recreational area. Other volunteers tackled painting, fencing, and adding a basketball hoop and outdoor furniture.

“Too often, veterans are welcomed back with open arms when they get off the plane and are shuffled back into society without another thought,” said Professor Simcox, who joined Stetson’s Veterans Advocacy Clinic this summer as its new director. “For those veterans who are struggling to reintegrate into society or to heal from wounds that are not always visible, a handshake and a pat on the back are not enough. We cannot all be doctors or counselors who can help these veterans through the healing process, but we can all be part of a support system that encourages that recovery, even in small ways that just say thank you.”

(L-R): Shirley Wells, Barbara Wood and Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox.

The veterans returned home to a much improved property thanks to the help of the volunteers.

To learn more about Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute and Veterans Advocacy Center, please visit www.stetson.edu/law/veterans.

Stetson sweeps Region V of NYC Bar National Moot Court Competition

Stetson University College of Law students Alyssa Cory, Ryan Hedstrom and Ashley Panaggio swept the regional round of the New York City Bar’s 65th Annual National Moot Court Competition on Nov. 8 in Gainesville, Fla. Stetson’s team not only won the regional, but the team also won the best brief award and Panaggio won the best oralist award.

Moot Court winners from left to right: Ryan Hedstrom, Ashley Panaggio and Alyssa Cory.

The winning Stetson team will also advance to the National Finals of the New York City Bar National Moot Court Competition.

A second Stetson team of Madison Kebler, Paige Lacy and Jeremy Rill advanced to the quarterfinals of the competition.

“Our students have once again shown their extraordinary skills in oral and written advocacy,” said moot court adviser and professor Brooke Bowman. “We look forward to the opportunity to compete in the National Finals in New York City in February.”

More than 150 law schools from around the country compete annually in 15 regional rounds of the competition for a chance to advance to the National Finals. The New York City Bar Association and American College of Trial Lawyers have sponsored the competition, one of the most prestigious in the nation, for 65 years. Stetson won the National Finals of the competition last year.

Associate Dean and Professor of Law Michael Allen coached the Stetson teams.

Visit www.stetson.edu/law/advocacy for more information about Stetson University’s Center for Excellence in Trial Advocacy.

Stetson launches campaign to raise awareness about sexual assault

Stetson University College of Law launched an “It’s On Us” program on Nov. 5 in Gulfport to raise awareness about guarding against sexual assault on college campuses. Tammy Briant, director of Student Life at Stetson Law, coordinated program activities. The “It’s On Us” campaign empowers college communities across the country to be aware and vigilant in stopping sexual predators and abuse on campus. College and university communities are urged to take the “It’s On Us” pledge to be vigilant and accountable for reporting sexual assault.

Students gather with Student Life director Tammy Briant to take the "It's On Us" pledge. — Students gather with Student Life director Tammy Briant to take the “It’s On Us” pledge.

Stetson Law’s program launch included an information and photo booth, pledge signing, and a lunchtime lecture by Professor of Law Peter Lake, director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law & Policy. The lecture, “What is Going on with Title IX,” was sponsored by the Education Law Society and Sports Law Society student organizations. Professor Lake is one of the nation’s top legal experts in Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in education.

Professor Peter Lake spoke with students about Title IX and sexual assault.

Professor Lake told students to be better bystanders and aware of sexual predators and to know who to contact to get help.

“We need to think about what we can do if we see something,” said Professor Lake.

Rich McKay talks with students

Rich McKay ’84 visited Stetson University College of Law’s Gulfport campus on Oct. 31 for a luncheon program for students. McKay, president and CEO of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, talked with law students about how his Stetson education prepared him for a stellar career as a leader in the NFL.

McKay described how his foundation in property law and employment law at Stetson helped him manage complex issues in his day-to-day job, from stadium agreements to injured players.

After he graduated from Stetson, McKay practiced law locally for several years before becoming vice president of the Football Administration at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and later general manager.

McKay’s remarkable career includes leading the Buccaneers to win the Superbowl by defeating the Oakland Raiders in 2003. His first two draft picks were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He became president and general manager of the Atlanta Falcons after leaving the Bucs, where he became the only person to have negotiated two stadium agreements–one in Tampa and one in Atlanta. McKay has served as a member of the NFL Competition Committee since 1994 and has been chairman since 1998.

McKay was inducted into Stetson Law’s Hall of Fame in 2014.

Robert Levy talks on recent Supreme Court opinions

Robert Levy Ph.D., chair of the Cato Institute’s board of directors, spoke to Stetson Law students on Oct. 28 about recent Supreme Court opinions and his new book, co-authored with William Mellor, The Dirty Dozen: How Twelve Supreme Court Cases Radically Expanded Government and Eroded Freedom.

A constitutional scholar and former CEO, Levy has written several articles on investments, law, and public policy for publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post and National Review. He speaks on public policy for media outlets including ABC’s Nightline, CNN’s Crossfire, Fox’s The O’Reilly Factor, MSNBC’s Hardball, and NBC’s Today Show.

Robert Levy spoke with students. Photo by Alex Nicodemi, 2L.

Levy’s visit was sponsored by the Stetson Law student chapter of the Federalist Society.

Students visit once hidden spring in Tampa

Law students at Stetson University recently had the unique opportunity to visit one of Tampa’s natural springs steps away from the Tampa Law Center. On Oct. 21, students in Professor Royal Gardner’s wetland seminar met with Thomas Ries of the Ecosphere Restoration Institute for a tour of the flowing natural spring only blocks from downtown Tampa’s urban skyline. Stetson alumnus Andrew Zodrow ’95 of the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission spoke about permitting issues.

Thomas Ries talks with Stetson Law students at the Ulele Spring in Tampa. Photo by 3L Robert Laur.

Over the past year, the city has worked to restore the Ulele Spring, once hidden underground, and the Water Works Park behind Stetson University’s Tampa Law Center.

Professor Gardner’s law students learned how the exposed Ulele Spring can provide a refuge for manatee and fish along the Hillsborough River. Gardner directs the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy at Stetson and received the 2006 National Wetlands Award for Education and Outreach from the Environmental Law Institute.

Ries is the 2013 recipient of E.L.I.’s National Wetlands Award for Conservation and Restoration.

To learn more about the Institute and Stetson’s J.D. Certificate of Concentration in Environmental Law, visit https://www.stetson.edu/law/international/biodiversity/.

Students in Professor Royal Gardner’s wetland seminar met with Thomas Ries, alumnus Andrew Zodrow, and staff and judges of the Second District Court of Appeal for a tour of Ulele Spring. Photo by Matt Procopio.

Ulele Spring in Tampa. Photo by Robert Laur. — Ulele Spring in Tampa. Photo by 3L Robert Laur.