Student Features Archives - Page 11 of 26

Panel addresses careers of state attorney, public defender

A panel of six lawyers discussed their varied careers as state attorneys and public defenders during a noontime lecture for students at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla.

Panelists (L-R): Ashley Roura, Irene Maslanik, Howardene Garrett, Douglas Covington, Fred Schaub and Craig Schaeffer.

Douglas Covington ’83 of the Office of the State Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit, Howardene Garrett of the Office of the Public Defender for the 10th Judicial Circuit, Irene Maslanik ’10 of the Office of the Public Defender for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Ashley Roura ’08 of the Forensic Behavioral Health Intervention Unit of the Office of the Public Defender for the 13th Judicial Circuit, Craig Schaeffer of the Office of the State Attorney for 12th Judicial Circuit, and Fred Schaub ’84 of the Office of the State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit presented on the panel about working in public service.

Panel participants explained that the rewards of the profession range from helping clients, homeless veterans and victims every day to the thrill of being in a courtroom.

Garrett said that knowing someone’s life has changed because of her work gives her a sense of accomplishment in a 40-year career as a public defender. She received the Craig Barnard Award from the Florida Public Defender’s Association for outstanding lifetime service to indigent defense.

Maslanik, who is Garrett’s daughter, followed in her footsteps working as a public defender in the juvenile crossover division, representing foster children in dependency and delinquency matters. In a job with few public accolades, Maslanik said that she celebrates the tiny victories, like clients who trust you enough to call you when they are in trouble.

Stetson’s Office of Career Development hosted the event, moderated by Joann Grages Burnett ’08.

Christie Letarte: Serving the public interest through education and the law

by Alexandria Nicodemi, 2L

Spring 2013 alumna Christie Letarte is a staff attorney for the Florida Senate Committee on Education. Her career combines her passion for education and the law.

https://soundcloud.com/stetsonlaw/christie-letarte-education-and-the-law

“I knew in some capacity that I wanted to be in public interest,” said Christie. “My undergraduate school [College of the Holy Cross] had a mission statement that was about being men and women for others and that stuck with me. I took it to heart. I wanted to do something that would allow me to give back.”

Christie’s interest in attending law school began when Stetson Law professor Peter Lake spoke at the University of Connecticut where Christie was completing a graduate degree in higher education and student affairs. She said Professor Lake inspired her to focus on an educational law career with a public interest concentration.

While at Stetson Law, Christie was involved with the Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy. She took professor Robert Bickel’s Civil Rights Movement course and interned with the General Counsel at the University of South Florida. After taking the bar, Christie said Stetson’s Career Development office informed her of an opening with the Florida Senate Committee on Education.

Christie explained that her job is dynamic, characterized by the legislative session calendar. During the 60-day session, bills are drafted, reviewed and eventually passed into law.

“The office is never static,” said Christie.

The committee encourages public involvement in the state education system, providing information and facts on current issues in order for senators to make informed decisions. The education bills Christie works with range from administering classroom supply assistance programs to the renaming of collegiate institutions. The beginning of the year is marked by monthly committee meetings in anticipation of the upcoming legislative session, when bills are created and Christie’s focus shifts to the technical issues behind each bill.

“When bills first come through our office, we analyze them for some technical, and possibly constitutional issues and what the financial impact may be,” Christie said.

In the summer, Christie said that her office follows up on the implementation of the bills that became law.

“There is always something new to learn, something new to look up and no matter what, I am always doing meaningful work with great people,” said Christie. “If I’m able to do that, that’s the jackpot right there.”

Students learn about the legacy of the 1964 Civil Rights Act

A group of approximately 150 law students learned about the legacy of the 1964 Civil Rights Act during a presentation on Oct. 1 at Stetson University College of Law’s Gulfport campus.

Students listen to Professor Emanuel's presentation on civil rights on Oct. 1 in Gulfport. — Students listen to Professor Emanuel’s presentation on civil rights on Oct. 1 in Gulfport. Photo by Jenna Kelly.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Anne Emanuel, Professor Emerita of Georgia State University College of Law and author of Elbert Parr Tuttle: Chief Jurist of the Civil Rights Revolution, presented on “Judicial Leadership & The Struggle To Enforce Civil Rights.”

Professor Emanuel discussed her experiences clerking for 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Elbert Parr Tuttle when he implemented cutting-edge civil rights legislation during the 1970s.

“The 5th Circuit heard virtually every case that made the Brown v. Board mandate for equality a reality in the Deep South,” said student Scott Tolliver. Tolliver is the president of the American Constitution Society at Stetson Law. He helped coordinate the presentation with Professor Robert Bickel, who teaches courses on constitutional law and the civil rights movement at Stetson.

Professor Emanuel challenged the Stetson Law students in the audience to recognize their roles as leaders who have the power to improve peoples’ lives by ensuring individual rights and liberties, genuine equality, access to justice, democracy and the rule of law.

Stetson’s Jewish Law Student Association, Education Law Association, Black Law Students Association, Student Wellness Society, Equal Justice Works, and the Social Justice Advocacy Concentration sponsored the presentation along with the American Constitution Society.

Panel features Florida Bar president Greg Coleman

A panel of five distinguished lawyers and leaders talked with Stetson Law students about “Balancing Life and the Law” on Oct. 6 in Gulfport.

Stetson Law students gathered to hear a panel discuss balancing life and the law.

Approximately 90 students attended the presentation on balancing a successful career with a personal life featuring Florida Bar President Greg Coleman B.B.A.’85, J.D ’89 .; Carlton Fields Jorden Burt shareholder Fentrice Driskoll; appellate Judge Edward C. LaRose; Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division immediate past-president Melanie Griffin; and Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors member Zack Zuroweste J.D./M.B.A.’06.

The panelists explored what a typical day in the life of a lawyer looks like, described ways to maximize efficiency on the job to carve out more time with friends and family, and urged the students to stay focused on achieving and maintaining balance throughout their professional careers.

Happy to Help: Student Elder Law Advocate Erica Munz

Second-year law student Erica Munz (née Murburg) came to Stetson University with a specific goal in mind: to prepare people for the inevitable by creating and finalizing their estate plans.

“People can either have a say in the matter, or they can roll over and just let chaos and confusion happen to them and their loved ones when they become ill or pass on,” said Erica.

Six years ago, tragedy struck when Erica’s brother Norman Michael Murburg (Ehren) died suddenly during a Green Beret land-navigation training exercise. A young man and candidate for Special Forces, Ehren had not prepared for an untimely death. Consequently, the still-grieving Murburg family became entangled in the loose ends of a difficult, un-planned, and unnecessary intestate probate estate.

“I would like to save other people from going through or putting their family through what my family and I experienced,” said Erica, who said she came to Stetson Law to learn everything she could about estate planning.

Erica’s background includes working as a trial clerk for the 6th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, and as a legal assistant at her father’s disability law firm. During her studies at Stetson, Erica became fascinated with the field of elder law, which encompasses estate and family law issues. She began volunteering with a student-run art program called Maturity in the Masterpiece, providing monthly art therapy to the residents of a local retirement and rehabilitation facility.

“I learn best by doing,” said Erica, who volunteers by painting and spending time with residents at the Boca Ciega Center in Gulfport. “I learned that I love helping and working with the elderly,” said Erica, who plans to work in the areas of elder law, estate planning and probate when she graduates from Stetson in 2016.

Erica is an Elder Law Concentration Certificate candidate at Stetson. She joined Stetson’s Journal of International Aging, Law & Policy as a student editor, is a student member of the Thomas E. Penick, Jr. Elder Law American Inn of Court, and this summer she served as a judicial intern with the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in a Stetson elder law internship focusing on guardianships. Most recently, Erica was elected president of the Stetson Law student organization, the Elder Law Society.

The Dade City, Florida, native credits much of her desire to help others to her family. Her brother’s tragedy inspired her to be an advocate for people preparing for the inevitable.

Describing her passion for advocacy work, Erica explained, “I am passionate about practicing law because I am passionate about helping people. Helping other people makes me happy.”

Erica said she believes that, “It doesn’t matter what your age is, if you have someone or something important you would be leaving behind, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to plan for a world without you in it. No one likes to confront his or her mortality, but it is such an important and natural part of life. Death is a reality we all face. When you appreciate how precious life is, it really gives you perspective.”

Greenlight Pinellas debate includes community, Stetson students

Stetson University College of Law hosted a noontime debate on the Greenlight Pinellas Plan on Sept. 29 on the Gulfport campus. Dozens of students and community members attended the event in Stetson’s Great Hall.

The debate on Greenlight Pinellas drew a crowd to Stetson's Gulfport campus Sept. 29. — The debate on the Greenlight Pinellas Plan drew a crowd to Stetson’s Gulfport campus Sept. 29.

Representatives of No Tax for Tracks and Vote Yes on Greenlight debated the future of public transportation in Pinellas County.

No Tax for Tracks campaign manager Barbara Hazelden debated with Vote Yes on Greenlight campaign leader Kyle Parks of B2 Communications.

The Greenlight Pinellas Plan includes bus improvements and future passenger rail in Pinellas County. If a proposed 1% sales tax referendum passes in November, the PSTA will implement the plan.

Hazelden argued that the Greenlight Pinellas Plan could result in more traffic congestion, pointing to wait time created at intersections countywide with light rail crossing. Parks said that the Greenlight Pinellas Plan was the result of lengthy research and planning, with endorsements on both sides of the political aisle.

Stetson University College of Law professors Mark Bauer and Paul Boudreaux moderated the debate, co-sponsored by the Stetson Republicans and Environmental Law Society.

“A Stetson Law education prepares students to be advocates for their clients, and for their communities,” said Professor Bauer. “We were delighted to host a discussion on this important issue so our students can become better educated voters and citizens.”

Dean Pietruszkiewicz speaks on leadership

Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz addressed the Student Leadership Development Program luncheon on Sept. 24. A capacity crowd packed the Great Hall on Stetson’s Gulfport campus to hear the dean speak on the importance of effective management in leadership.

Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz spoke with Stetson Law students on Sept. 24.

Dean Pietruszkiewicz spoke on the “Management Pillar” of leadership. He talked with students about his first job and first jury trial and the importance of developing the confidence to be a leader. Dean Pietruszkiewicz encouraged the Stetson Law students to become not just lawyers, but also leaders.

Dean Pietruszkiewicz holds several national leadership positions in legal education. He is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Law School Admission Council and chair of its Investment Committee and is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Southeastern Association of Law Schools, where he served as president in 2005-2006. Dean Pietruszkiewicz serves as the chair of the Data Policy & Collection Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. He serves on the Florida Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism and the Legal Education Committee of the Florida Bar Vision 2016 Commission.

Students participating in Stetson’s Leadership Development Program have an opportunity to receive credits towards a certificate of recognition at graduation. The program curriculum includes leadership luncheons, evening workshops, a weekend retreat and an essay contest. The goal of the program is to promote the development of diverse leaders in the campus community while preparing students with tools for effective citizenship, personal growth and professional success. The program is rooted in six pillars of leadership including management, communication, service, community, team building and problem solving.

The next leadership luncheons will address the “Communication Pillar” on Oct. 22 and the “Service Pillar” on Nov. 19.

Adlin Tuya: advocating for immigrant justice

by Alexandria Nicodemi, 2L

“My passions in life aren’t put on hold when I go into the office,” says spring 2013 Stetson University College of Law alumna Adlin Tuya. “Every day I am working toward something that is important to me. And when you are working in an environment that you are passionate about, productivity skyrockets.”

https://soundcloud.com/stetsonlaw/stetson-law-alumna-adlin-tuya-advocating-for-immigrant-children?in=stetsonlaw/sets/serving-the-public-interest

Tuya says she has found that when balanced with her passions in life and personal goals, her career becomes a reflection of her true self. Tuya is an attorney for the Children’s Legal Program of Americans for Immigrant Justice in Miami, Florida. Her day is spent in and out of immigration court and meeting with children in shelters who have been in the United States for a short period of time. Many of these children are young and are facing abuse, neglect and gang violence. They are at risk of being deported, Tuya says, and for children so young in age, it’s difficult to explain to them why.

Her responsibilities are dynamic and involve a lot of communication on different levels of the justice system. Although she has been with Americans for Immigrant Justice for only a matter of months, she says she finds comfort in knowing that there is a benefit being derived from this experience. She says her ultimate goal is to grant eligible children legal representation and the opportunity to stay and obtain an education in the United States.

“I have received so many benefits from being a child of immigrant parents living in America that I want to present the same opportunities to others,” says Tuya.

Tuya’s family immigrated to America from Cuba in 1980. She was raised with hard-working parents in Miami, Florida, and given the opportunity to attend Dartmouth College which eventually led her to Stetson Law.

Tuya’s law school curriculum focused on public interest. She was inspired by the idea of working to protect children. While at Stetson Law, she worked as an intern for Gulf Coast Legal Services, took immigration advocacy, followed by a Bridge to Practice Fellowship with Guardian Ad Litem at the Sixth Judicial Circuit. The experience she gained with Guardian Ad Litem played an integral role in developing her interest in being a voice for the children.

Tuya advises students interested in this area of law to listen to that inner voice, the voice that aligns with their passions, and to explore that fully.

“It’s a great advantage to be a student in the United States,” says Tuya. She is passionate about giving such an advantage to future generations. “At the end of the day, these children just want the chance to learn.”

Stetson celebrates Values Day

Stetson University College of Law students celebrated Values Day on Sept. 16 by volunteering to clean up Clam Bayou Nature Park in Gulfport and attending a presentation on “The Moral Premise of the Law,” presented by Stetson University Professor of Religious Studies Gregory Sapp.

(L-R): Students Mitchell Levine, Lydia Greiner, Student Life director Tammy Briant, Lauren Eliopoulos and Patrick Iyampillai participated in Values Day.

The Clam Bayou Estuary of Boca Ciega Bay includes several native environments that provide habitat and food to a variety of species including fiddler crabs, clams, wading birds, dolphins and manatees.

Many students also attended Dr. Sapp’s lunchtime presentation at the Great Hall. Dr. Sapp holds the Hal S. Marchman Chair of Civic and Social Responsibility in Stetson’s College of Arts and Sciences in DeLand.

The Rev. Vincent Pizzuto, Ph.D., visited Stetson University’s DeLand campus to deliver the Values Day keynote address.
» Watch Dr. Pizzuto’s Values Day Keynote Address on Contemplative Practice

Values Day is an annual tradition dedicated to the university’s commitment to its core values–personal growth, intellectual development and global citizenship.

Stetson students honored 9/11

Stetson University College of Law students honored lives lost on Sept. 11 with an annual display of flags. The Stetson Law Republicans placed 2,996 flags on the Gulfport campus. Each flag represented a life lost on Sept. 11.

Students honor 9/11 with a flag display. Photo by Tyler Payne, Stetson Law Republicans president.

Stetson University named best student chapter by Florida Bar

The Florida Bar recently honored Stetson University College of Law student leaders for their outstanding chapter. Stetson’s chapter of the Young Lawyers Division Law Student Division was named the best in the state during the Florida Bar’s Annual Meeting June 25-26 in Orlando.

Student Anisha Patel accepted Stetson's best chapter award. — Student Anisha Patel (left) accepted Stetson’s best chapter award from the Law Student Division president.

“Our fantastic student leaders Jennifer Tindell, Anisha Patel, Ciara Willis, and Jeffrey Berglund, do an incredible job of representing Stetson within the Florida Bar and on campus,” said Stetson University College of Law Assistant Director of Career Development Joann Grages Burnett. “It is wonderful that they were once again recognized for these contributions.”

Stetson’s chapter won an award last year for best event.

The Florida Bar YLD Law Student Division is governed by a president and board of governors. The Law Student Division’s board is comprised of six elected and/or appointed representatives from each of Florida’s 12 law schools who serve as the liaisons between the Florida Bar and Florida law students.

Stetson Law wins best brief at Florida Bar moot court competition

Stetson University College of Law students Jeremy Bailie, Anisha Patel and Nick Sellars won the best brief award at the Robert Orseck Memorial Moot Court Competition at the Florida Bar conference on June 25-26 in Orlando.

Stetson's Moot Court team won best brief. (L-R): Gordon Glover (Moot Court Committee member), Katherine Hurst Miller (Stetson alumna and co-chair of the Moot Court Committee), Nick Sellars, Anisha Patel, Jeremy Bailie, Melaine Griffin (President of the Young Lawyers Division), and Andrew Pickett (Chair of the Moot Court Committee). — Stetson’s Moot Court team won best brief. (L-R): Gordon Glover (Moot Court Committee member), Katherine Hurst Miller (Stetson alumna and co-chair of the Moot Court Committee), Nick Sellars, Anisha Patel, Jeremy Bailie, Melaine Griffin (President of the Young Lawyers Division), and Andrew Pickett (Chair of the Moot Court Committee).

Stetson’s Moot Court team advanced to the final round of the annual competition, arguing in front of the justices of the Florida Supreme Court.

“Throughout the competition, our team had the opportunity to argue in front of state trial and appellate judges,” said Stetson Law professor Brooke Bowman, who co-coached the team with alumnus Larry Miccolis.

“Participating in this competition is a remarkable experience in real-life oral advocacy. The appellate judges said that our students were professional, poised, and extremely prepared,” said Bowman.

The competition was hosted by the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division and the Appellate Practice Section.