Student Features Archives - Page 13 of 26

Stetson hosts Earth Day event on the Gulfport campus

Stetson University College of Law students celebrated Earth Day on April 21 on the Gulfport campus with an environmentally-focused art show, music, healthy snacks and informational booths on sustainable living. The Stetson student Environmental Law Society, Student Wellness Society and Food Law Society sponsored the event.

Students at Stetson Law in Gulfport celebrate Earth Day.

Student Katie Cleveland worked with student organizations to coordinate the event.

Stetson’s Earth Day event for students provided information on local organic farms and healthy eating, alternative transportation and sustainable food production.

The event featured a sports and recreational area to encourage exercise and bicycle checkups to promote alternative transportation.

A free public art show, Sustainable Farming: Art for Advocacy, featured work by local artists and students at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School. The theme of the show was the destructive environmental impact of industrial farming.

“We hope that the art show engages people in a fun way to learn more about the negative impacts of industrial farming,” said Stetson Law student Jessica Prats, who spearheaded the art show with Stetson’s Environmental Law Society.

Prats is a student in Stetson Law professor Lance Long’s Environmental Advocacy class. Students in the class were challenged to choose an environmental issue and develop a plan to raise public awareness about the issue.

Stetson Law wins awards for written and oral advocacy at international competition in Hong Kong

Stetson University College of Law students received awards for excellence in written and oral advocacy at the Willem C. Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Hong Kong on April 6.

(L-R): Professor Joseph Morrissey, Jeremy Bailie, Alisa French, Carmen Herrera Valverde, Yesica Liposky, Rachel Lopez Sanchez, Paul Crochet and Professor Stephanie Vaughan. Not pictured: Davis Watson III. Photo courtesy Michael and Mariane Crochet.

The team, including Stetson Law students Jeremy Bailie, Paul Crochet, Alisa French, Carmen Herrera Valverde, Yesica Liposky, Raquel Sanchez Lopez and Davis Watson III, received honorable mention awards for both the Claimant’s Memorandum and the Respondent’s Memorandum at the international advocacy competition. Crochet also earned an honorable mention award for individual best oralist.

Stetson and Harvard were the only teams out of 22 American teams to receive accolades for both written submissions.

“With over 700 students participating, this is an incredible feat,” said Stetson Law Professor Joseph Morrissey, who co-coached the team with Professor Stephanie Vaughan. Vaughan is also associate director of the Center for Excellence in Advocacy at Stetson.

This year, Stetson’s Vis East team also included two J.D./Grado exchange students.

“They were incredible ambassadors for Stetson and a wonderful example of the international nature of our team and our law school,” said Professor Morrissey.

The Vis Moot was started in 1994 by the United Nations Commission on Trade Law (UNCITRAL) to foster the study of international commercial law and arbitration for resolution of international business disputes.

This year, for the first time, a team from Kabul, Afghanistan, competed, having been sponsored by the U.S. government under an initiative to bring developing countries into this global dispute resolution training program.

Stetson’s Center for Excellence in International Law is home to the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, the Institute for Caribbean Law and Policy, and hosts international advocacy competitions and offers study abroad opportunities around the world.

To learn more about international programs at Stetson, visit http://www.law.stetson.edu/international.

University of California, Hastings College of Law wins Stetson’s International Environmental Moot Court Competition

The University of California, Hastings College of Law won the 18th Annual International Environmental Moot Court Competition on April 12 at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla.

The University of California, Hastings College of Law team won the IEMCC at Stetson. Pictured with team coaches.

The University of California defeated the National Law University, Jodhpur, India, in the final round for the international championship.

Ateneo de Manila Law School, Philippines, received the best memorial award, and Vinayak Panikkar, National Law University, Jodhpur, India, was named best final-round oralist. Paula Plaza, University of Philippines College of Law, was the best oralist in the preliminary rounds.

The team from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil, was honored by their peers with the Spirit of Stetson Award, recognizing civility, justice and fair play.

Fourteen teams from around the world won the chance to compete at Stetson Law in Gulfport, Fla. Students traveled this year from the Bahamas, Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Ireland, and The Philippines.

The University of California-Hastings team with Professor Royal Gardner, director of Stetson's Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy. — The University of California, Hastings team with Professor Royal Gardner, director of Stetson’s Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy.

To learn more about the International Environmental Moot Court Competition at Stetson, visit http://www.law.stetson.edu/international/iemcc/.

Stetson wins Robert Merhige Jr. National Environmental Negotiation Competition

The Stetson University College of Law Alternative Dispute Resolution team won the Robert Merhige Jr. National Environmental Negotiation Competition at the University of Richmond Law School in Virginia, March 21-23.

(L-R): Rachel Ellis and Charlyne Topiol.

Stetson sent two teams of students. The Stetson team of Rachel Ellis and Charlyne Topiol beat 19 teams from across the country.

The team of Amber Cain and Aimée Canty also competed successfully in the preliminary rounds.

Professor Lance Long, who teaches environmental advocacy and legal research and writing, coached the Stetson teams.

“I could not have been prouder of how our teams prepared, performed and showed professionalism throughout the competition,” said Professor Long.

U.S. District Court Judge Robert R. Merhige Jr., the namesake of the competition, showed a sincere commitment to the environment during his career on the bench, imposing a $13 million fine against Allied Chemical for polluting the James River and Chesapeake Bay. Judge Merhige presided over groundbreaking cases including the desegregation of Virginia schools in 1972 and the admittance of female students to the University of Virginia in 1970.

To learn more about the ADR Board at Stetson, visit the Center for Excellence in Advocacy.

Stetson students win National Voir Dire Tournament

Stetson University College of Law’s trial team of Ashley Goodman, Khalil Madani and Victoria San Pedro won the National Voir Dire Tournament on April 5 in Kansas City, Mo. The team also won the professionalism award in the competition.

(L-R): University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law professor and advocacy director S. Rafe Foreman, Khalil Madani, Ashley Goodman, and Victoria San Pedro. Photo by University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law visiting professor L. Michaelle Tobin.

Goodman was named Best Advocate and San Pedro was named Best Chair in the competition.

Joseph Murray ’08, Stetson’s advocacy center director Professor Charles Rose and Erika Wilson ’12 coached the winning team.

“Our students were chosen by their peers as the best in professionalism and excellence, two qualities that distinguish advocates as the very best,” said Professor of Excellence in Trial Advocacy Rose.

Sixteen teams from around the country competed.

Stetson’s trial advocacy program is regularly recognized as the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

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

Stetson students spearhead second annual bike rally on the Gulfport campus

Dozens of Stetson University College of Law students were joined by Gulfport Mayor Sam Henderson on April 4 for a free community bike rally starting in the horseshoe on Stetson’s Gulfport campus.

For the second year in a row, Stetson students organized a bike rally to raise awareness about alternative transportation.

“How many of you bike to work or school regularly?” Professor Lance Long asked the crowd. Several hands shot up, including the Gulfport mayor.

Mayor Henderson told the group that the City of Gulfport has approved plans to create a Gulfport loop for bicyclists connecting the Skyway Trail and Pinellas Trail. Bicyclists will have easier access to Clam Bayou, the waterfront, and the shops in downtown Gulfport.

Bike rally participants planned to bike approximately four miles from Stetson’s Gulfport campus to downtown Gulfport.

For more information about the bike rally, email [email protected].

Stetson wins American Association for Justice regional mock trial competition

Stetson University College of Law’s trial team of Will Casey, Jean-Pierre Gilbert, Daniel Miles and Lisa Ungerbuehler won the American Association for Justice southeast regional mock trial competition in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on March 23. The team will advance to compete in the AAJ national championship competition in Santa Monica, Calif., on April 10.

(L-R): Will Casey, Elizabeth Finizio, Daniel Miles, Judge Gary Farmer Sr., Lisa Ungerbuehler, Jean-Pierre Gilbert and Gabriel F. Zambrano.

Stetson sent two teams to the regional competition.

The Stetson student team of Shaun Cummings, Chad Florin, Cayelan Loucks and Christina Vicari won second place in the final round against the winning Stetson team.

“This victory reinforces Stetson’s commitment to being the best law school in advocacy in the country,” said Professor Lee Coppock, who coached the Stetson teams. “Both of our student teams were exceptionally prepared and swept the competition.”

More than 200 law schools from around the country are invited to compete in 14 regional mock trial competitions for the chance to advance to the national championship.

Stetson’s Maritime Law Society, volunteers clean up local reef, beach

Stetson Law’s student Maritime Law Society sponsored a semi-annual beach and dive cleanup at Anna Maria Island on Saturday, March 8. Maritime Law Society president Tom Adams and vice president Brandon Robinson, Stetson Law professor Lance Long, and approximately 30 volunteers dedicated their Saturday to cleaning up pollution from area beaches.

Stetson's volunteer team helps clean up the Anna Maria Island beaches. — Stetson’s volunteer team helps clean up the Anna Maria Island beaches. Photo courtesy Kayla Minton.

Half of the volunteers, certified scuba divers, dove to clean up known problem reef areas littered with large amounts of trash. Those who were not scuba certified combed the beach and the surrounding parks to collect debris including plastic bottles, straws and cups.

Stetson's team of volunteers takes to the sea to cleanup the waters off Ann Maria Island. — Stetson’s team of volunteers takes to the sea to cleanup the waters off Ann Maria Island. Photo courtesy Kayla Minton.

“Many residents in the area noticed the students and thanked them for helping to clean their beaches. Some onlookers even offered to help,” said student Kayla Minton, who volunteered for the cleanup.

“The Maritime Law Society plans to repeat this event in the fall for anyone interested,” said Minton.

In total, the volunteer team collected approximately 35 trash bags of beach litter.

Law student honored at military appreciation banquet

Second-year part-time Stetson Law student William Mitchell was honored on March 4 at the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Military Appreciation Banquet in Tampa with the Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year-Reserves award.

At the banquet: Associate Dean and Professor of Law Michael Allen, William Mitchell and Dean and Professor of Law Chris Pietruszkiewicz.

The award recognizes members of the military who show significant involvement in the community while excelling in the military.

Mitchell works full time with the Air Force Reserves and interns for 13th Judicial Circuit Judge Gregory P. Holder. He volunteers extensively as a patient advocate at Moffitt Cancer Center and is an outspoken proponent of Cancer Research.

Mitchell has also worked as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society (ACS) on several occasions, and has recently lead efforts to establish a South Tampa Young Professionals Board for ACS. Last year, Mitchell organized a four-person team to ride in the Cycle for Life-Cystic Fibrosis Annual Bike Ride, raising close to $1,000 for medical research. He attended and contributed to the annual fundraiser for Voices for Children Party in the Park, USO Tampa Bay’s G.I. Jive, and the Friends of Raymond James benefit. He also taught two classes at Bartles Middle School during the Great American Teach-In.

Mitchell is a member of several professional community organizations, including the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Tampa Bay Young Republicans, the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, South Tampa Fellowship, and the Free and Accepted Masons. Mitchell served on active duty with the U.S. Air Force for four years before becoming a member of the Reserves in 2007.

Stetson’s ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition team to compete in national finals

Stetson University College of Law’s moot court team was named co-champions of the Washington, D.C., regional on March 1 and will advance to the National Finals of the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition.

(L-R): Kayla Cash, David Wright, and Madison Kebler.

A total of 202 teams from 118 law schools are competing during a three-week period in six regional rounds of the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition. Only 24 of those teams will be invited to compete in the National Finals in Chicago, April 10-12.

The Stetson team of Kayla Cash, Yaffi Hilili, Madison Kebler and David Wright was selected to advance to the National Finals, along with a team from Charleston School of Law and two teams from the Georgetown University Law Center.

A second Stetson team of Adriana Corso, Michael Rothfeldt, and Scott Tolliver were finalists, but did not advance to the nationals.

“The ABA NAAC is one of the most prestigious and well-known moot court competitions in the nation,” said Moot Court Advisor and Professor of Legal Skills Brooke Bowman. “We are thrilled that our outstanding student advocates will have the opportunity to show their skills on the national stage. And we were proud that both Stetson teams advanced to the final rounds of the D.C. regional.”

Associate Dean Michael Allen and alumnus Jason Stearns J.D. ’08 coached the Stetson teams.

Stetson ABA Law Student Division chapter, student leader honored

Stetson University College of Law’s ABA Law Student Division chapter was awarded the Bronze Key for Highest Membership during the 5th Circuit’s meeting on March 1 in Miami.

The Stetson Chapter of the ABA Law Student Division: (L-R): Shadi Fackih, Roxy Gbetibouo, Phylicia Pearson, Dan Kavanaugh, Brandy Pikus, Robert Klement, and Tyler Payne.

Stetson student Brandy Pikus was named governor-elect of the ABA Law Student Division 5th Circuit, which includes all law schools in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico and Tennessee. Pikus is the Vice-Representative and Vice-President of Stetson’s ABA Law Student Division chapter.

“Stetson students are passionately engaged in service to the legal profession through the work of the American Bar Association,” said Stetson Director of Student Life Tammy Briant. “Accordingly, Stetson students enjoy a tradition of leadership with the ABA.”

Stetson Law students have served in national leadership positions as chair of the ABA Law Student Division and as ABA Law Student Division delegates. On the regional level, several Stetson Law students have served as 5th Circuit Governors of the ABA Law Student Division.

The Stetson chapter of the ABA Law Student Division is dedicated to diversity, public interest and professional programming on campus and in the community.

To learn more about the ABA Law Student Division, visit Stetson University College of Law.

Stetson announces Carmen R. Gillett PLLC Top Grade Award in Family Law

Stetson University College of Law will award the Carmen R. Gillett PLLC Top Grade Award in Family Law to several students in the spring.

The award, named for lifelong Sarasota resident Carmen R. Gillett J.D.’81, recognizes and provides financial support to Stetson Law students who have demonstrated academic excellence by receiving the highest grade in their section of the family law course.

“It is very appropriate that this prestigious award is named for Carmen R. Gillett, one of the College of Law’s most distinguished alumnae, and one of Florida’s top family law attorneys,” said Stetson Law Executive Director for Development and Alumni Relations John Knowles. “Carmen continues to support her alma mater and to represent Stetson’s values as a leader in the profession.”

In 2007, Gillett established her own law firm in Sarasota specializing in marital and family law. She is trained in the collaborative family law process and is certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a family law mediator. Gillett is a member of the Sarasota County Bar Association, serving as co-chair of the Family Law Section. She is a founding member of the Sarasota Collaborative Family Law Professionals Group, the first group of its kind in Sarasota, made up of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial experts.