Fontugne’s writing addresses the intersection of law and medicine. She is a third-year student in Stetson law school’s part-time program.
The Mollie and Paul Hill Student Writing Competition recognizes outstanding original papers submitted by a law student and a medical student or medical resident in response to a question regarding the collaboration between the medical and legal professions.
Fontugne received second-place in the American College of Legal Medicine competition for her paper, “To Treat or Not to Treat: End of Life Care, Patient Autonomy, and the Responsible Practice of Medicine.”
Fontugne is a graduate of the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine, where she obtained a degree in nautical science. She also received a master’s in library science from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla.
First-year students in professors Royal Gardner and Lance Long’s Legal Research and Writing class had an opportunity to study environmental issues up close during a recent trip to the Florida Everglades.
Students Alex Nicodemi, Beach Brooks, Tommy Mingledorff, Andrew Long and Professor Royal Gardner visit the Everglades. Photo courtesy Kayli Keough.
Students camped and hiked through Big Cypress National Preserve in the Western Everglades.
Two teams of Stetson University College of Law students won first and second place at the Florida Bar Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition on Jan. 17 in Tampa, Fla.
Stetson students L-R: Stanton Fears, Robert Seay, Vicky San Pedro and Megan Fernandez.
Stetson has won the competition more than 20 times in its 31-year history.
Ten Florida law schools sent a total of 20 teams to the prestigious trial advocacy competition. The Stetson teams beat all of the other Florida law school teams to face each other in the final round of competition.
Stetson students Stanton Fears, Megan Fernandez, Vicky San Pedro and Robert Seay won the competition. San Pedro was also named best advocate.
The Stetson team of Shaun Cummings, J.P. Gilbert, Cayelan Loucks and Daniel Miles placed second.
“Stetson’s Trial Team members show themselves to be courtroom-ready as they are ‘judged’ by lawyers from all over Florida,” said law professor and alumnus Lee Coppock, who coached the teams along with fellow alumni Judge David Demers and Matt Easterwood. ”This is especially true when they excel at this particular competition, highly regarded by members of the Florida Bar.”
Learn more about Stetson’s top-ranked trial advocacy program and award-winning teams by visiting the Center for Excellence in Advocacy at www.stetson.edu/law/advocacy.
Children enslaved by the chocolate industry in Africa. Female immigrants forced into prostitution in the U.S. It may come as a surprise that human trafficking is as prevalent as it is in the U.S. According to this report by the Department of State, the majority of the victims are women and children. In fact, hundreds of thousands of victims are children, and Florida ranks as one of the most notorious states for human trafficking in the country. The crimes of human trafficking cross boundaries and impact people across the globe and here at home.
These troubling everyday scenarios became part of the lesson of international law professor Luz Nagle’s recent seminar class at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla., that brought students together from Australia, Colombia and the U.S. to collaborate on research into the far-reaching impact of human trafficking among women.
“Human trafficking was a new subject for all of them,” said Professor Nagle, who confronted drug lords firsthand as a judge in Medellín, Colombia, before her academic career. “One of the students in the group shared with me that the class transformed him as a person.”
The law students learned about the multi-billion dollar industry of human trafficking and legal instruments used to protect human trafficking victims.
“It is a business generating billions of dollars annually for sophisticated organized crime groups, corrupt individuals, disorganized, small-time, or one-off operators, and all those who transfer, harbor, receive, or exploit trafficked people,” Professor Nagle explained.
The students studied how international, regional and national laws are designed to protect people from organized crime. They examined United Nations conventions created to protect women and children from child labor, human trafficking and prostitution, and discrimination. They also studied the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and its subsequent reauthorization acts, and developments in Florida law to combat human trafficking.
“The highlight of the course was that the students learned from all the actors involved in a human trafficking crime, from investigating, to prosecuting, to assisting victims, to defending the accused,” said Professor Nagle.
Stetson Law ranks 20th among the top 25 law schools across the country conferring the most degrees on Hispanics. Hispanic Outlook compiled the ranking using the U.S. News and World Report diversity index.
Stetson law school’s Hispanic students have established a strong tradition of community and public service. Students in Stetson Law’s Hispanic Bar Association participate in a variety of volunteer activities and legal workshops for the Hispanic community. Spanish-speaking HBA members help break down language barriers, serving as translators to pro bono clients at local legal aid organizations.
The Florida Supreme Court honored Stetson’s HBA chapter in 2006 for its pro bono work with the Chief Justice’s Voluntary Bar Association Pro Bono Service Award.
Stetson’s Hispanic Bar Association has been honored by the American Bar Association for its work with the Hispanic National Bar Association’s minority youth outreach and mentoring programs. Stetson’s HBA, along with the Tampa Bay Hispanic Bar Association, helped launch the HNBF/HNBA Mentorship Program in the Tampa Bay, Fla., region. Stetson’s HBA also regularly attends the annual Minority Mentoring Picnic, which provides law students from across the state with an opportunity to learn about the practice of law from distinguished lawyers and judges.
Founded in 1900 as Florida’s first law school, Stetson University College of Law has educated outstanding lawyers, judges and other leaders for 114 years.
Stetson University College of Law has launched the inaugural issue of the Stetson Journal of Advocacy and the Law, a unique law review designed to be read entirely online to meet the needs of the modern reader.
The Stetson Journal of Advocacy and the Law includes a range of articles related to trial work and practical advocacy skills, with a foreword by Professor of Excellence in Trial Advocacy Charles Rose, director of Stetson’s nationally top-ranked trial advocacy program.
Stetson student Brian Johnson is serving as editor-in-chief, Jonathan O’Neil is serving as external vice president, and Alexandra Taylor is the internal vice president. Stetson Law professor Tim Kaye, Ph.D., serves as faculty adviser for the journal.
The University of West Florida and Stetson University College of Law announced that they are partnering to offer a 3+3 program, starting in August 2015, that will allow aspiring attorneys to reduce the time they spend working toward a law degree.
Stetson Law Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz signed an agreement on Dec. 11 with UWF President Judy Bense for a new 3+3 program.
The 3+3 program allows high-performing students to earn their bachelor’s and juris doctor (J.D.) degrees in six years, rather than the traditional seven years. Students will spend three years at UWF and three years at Stetson Law.
“I am delighted that UWF is partnering with Stetson University College of Law,” said UWF President Judy Bense, Ph.D. “This is a natural next step for UWF as we continue to develop seamless transitions for our students. The accelerated 3+3 model is especially advantageous and shows a real collaborative spirit between our institutions.”
“Stetson is proud to partner with the University of West Florida to offer a quality legal education to high-achieving students,” said Stetson University President Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D. “It is our mission and our privilege to create the next generation of leaders in the profession, through experiential learning opportunities, top-quality academics, access to well-respected faculty legal experts and a strong focus on personal and social responsibility. UWF values this approach as well, and we look forward to another solid partnership that prepares outstanding students for promising futures.”
“This new 3+3 program is a tremendous opportunity for UWF students to be part of Stetson University College of Law’s top-ranked advocacy and legal writing programs, which are essential tools for lawyers when they begin their law practice,” said Stetson Law Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz.
Students accepted into the program will be paired with a law student, faculty or alumni mentor and are eligible for scholarship consideration.
“This agreement with Stetson University College of Law is a clear example of the great opportunities talented UWF students receive as a result of their good work,” said UWF Provost Martha Saunders, Ph.D. “I look forward to a long and productive relationship.”
Charles Liberis, a Stetson graduate and prominent Pensacola attorney, was instrumental in facilitating the agreement between Stetson Law and UWF.
“This agreement makes it possible for students who attend UWF to achieve their dream of becoming attorneys in less time, for less tuition outlay, while receiving degrees from two outstanding schools,” said Liberis. “I am very proud to have played a part in bringing these two great schools together.”
The UWF Pre-Law Advisory Committee advises students who are interested in the 3+3 program and will work with applicants to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements.
UWF and Stetson Law also signed an agreement for a 4+3 Direct Admissions program, which allows UWF students to gain admission to Stetson Law by meeting eligibility requirements.
Stetson University College of Law is a long-time partner of the University of West Florida and is sponsoring the 3rd Annual UWF Argo Invitational Mock Trial Tournament, which will take place in January at the UWF Mock Trial Courtroom.
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About the University of West Florida: Founded in 1963, the University of West Florida is a vibrant, distinctive institute of higher learning with undergraduate, graduate and targeted research programs. With multiple locations in Northwest Florida, the University serves a student population of more than 12,000. Dedicated to helping students realize their full potential, UWF favors small class sizes with quality teacher-scholars who deliver personalized, innovative, hands-on learning and leadership opportunities.
About Stetson University College of Law: Stetson University College of Law, Florida’s first law school, has prepared lawyers and leaders since 1900. Today, Stetson leads the nation in blending legal doctrine with practical training, evidenced by its top-ranked programs in advocacy and legal writing. Through our academically rigorous curriculum and commitment to social responsibility, Stetson lawyers are ethical advocates ready to succeed in the legal profession.
Stetson University College of Law’s team won the National Veterans Moot Court Competition in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 17. The team also won the best petitioner’s brief award.
National Veterans Moot Court Competition team of Jeremy Bailie and Kevin Crews.
The winning team of Jeremy Bailie and Kevin Crews was coached by Associate Dean Michael Allen and alumnus Jason Stearns.
Stetson students also won best brief awards in two other law school competitions.
During the Mercer Legal Ethics and Professionalism Competition on Nov. 16 in Macon, Ga., the Stetson semifinalist team of Kayla Cash, Madison Kebler and Scott Tolliver B.A. ’08 won the best respondent’s brief award. Moot Court Adviser and Professor Brooke Bowman and Professor Roberta Flowers coached the team.
During the regional rounds of the New York City Bar Association’s National Moot Court Competition in Atlanta, Ga., on Nov. 16, Stetson students Andy Harris, Victoria San Pedro and David Wright won the best brief award. Associate Dean Michael Allen and Professor Louis Virelli coached the team, which advanced to the semifinals.
Mercer Legal Ethics and Professionalism Competition Best Respondent Brief Award winners Kayla Cash, Scott Tolliver, and Madison Kebler.
Stetson’s Moot Court Board is composed of a select group of students who compete in interscholastic competitions throughout the U.S. and around the world. Competitions cover a wide variety of legal fields, including bankruptcy, professionalism and ethics, veterans, public and private international law, information technology and privacy, and constitutional (state and federal) law.
NYC Bar Region V team of David Wright, Victoria San Pedro and Andy Harris.
Rich McKay JD ’84, president and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons, spent the afternoon meeting with Stetson Law students discussing professionalism and the value of a legal education.
Rich McKay visited with students and alumni on Stetson’s Gulfport campus. Photo by Kayla Minton.
McKay explained how his Stetson education and “toolkit” prepared him for the challenges of working in the NFL.
McKay has served on the NFL’s Competition Committee for the past 20 years. In 2011, McKay was named chair of the committee comprised of NFL head coaches and executives who study the game and recommend rule changes and modifications to ensure player safety while promoting competitiveness.
McKay was the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they won Super Bowl XXXVII.
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 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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Watch Video About Paul Barnard