Student Features Archives - Page 15 of 26

Artists in Residence: Stetson Law students volunteer with local nursing home to create Maturity in the Masterpiece program

When a group of students in Professor Rebecca Morgan’s Elder Law Seminar class visited a local nursing home in Gulfport, student Ashley Heino noticed that the walls were lacking artwork.

Students volunteered for “Maturity in the Masterpiece." — Student Heather Woods volunteered for “Maturity in the Masterpiece.” Photo by Stan Arthur.

She and fellow student Christine O’Shea discussed how Stetson Law students and the nursing home might work together to create artwork to spruce up the walls while also providing the residents with a creative activity. The idea for “Maturity in the Masterpiece” was born.

O’Shea worked with the nursing home and recruited nine fellow students to volunteer to help nursing home residents create original paintings. On Oct. 4, the first group of volunteer Stetson Law students met with nursing home residents. They spent the afternoon creating works of art that will be previewed during an art show and then displayed at the nursing home.

“I was really proud of my fellow students,” said O’Shea. “They were extremely patient and caring, qualities you hope law students will have as they become role models for their community.”

O’Shea said that she hopes the entire Stetson community will participate in the “Maturity in the Masterpiece” program, tentatively scheduled for the first Friday of each month from 2- 4 p.m. at the Boca Ciega Center in Gulfport.

“Not only is it great for the residents, it is also a good way for Stetson Law students and faculty and staff to break away from the books and add some variety to their lives,” said O’Shea.

The next “Maturity in the Masterpiece” will take place between 2-4 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the Boca Ciega Center in Gulfport, 1414 59th St. S. All Stetson faculty, students, and staff are encouraged to volunteer.

Stetson students volunteered to help assisted living facility residents create original works of art.

“For many residents, Boca Ciega is their only home,” said Heino. “By giving residents the opportunity to display their artwork throughout Boca Ciega, I believe this program will bring the residents a new sense of happiness and pride and create many lasting memories.”

The Boca Ciega Center is a nonprofit nursing home and rehabilitative center. To learn more about volunteering to help, contact Christine O’Shea at [email protected].

St. Petersburg mayor, representatives visit Stetson Law students

(L-R): Representative James Grant (JD '09), Representative Kathleen Peters and St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster spoke at Stetson. — (L-R): Representative James Grant (JD ’09), Representative Kathleen Peters and St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster spoke at Stetson.

Stetson Law Republicans Vice President J. Tyler Payne moderated the organization’s annual State and Local Politicians Panel on Oct. 22 in the Great Hall at Stetson Law in Gulfport with St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster, Representative James Grant (JD ’09), and Representative Kathleen Peters.

The student organization brought a panel of experts to campus to talk about a variety of issues impacting the community.

“It is critical for us, as law students, to be involved in public service and the political process,” said Payne, who is pursuing a J.D./M.B.A. degree at Stetson. “We are very grateful to these distinguished public servants for sharing with the student body ways we can give back to our community.”

BLSA students gather books for international book project to improve literacy in Ghana

Students Rickena Perry and Ariana Brooks kicked off the Black Law Students Association book drive on Oct. 21 in the breezeway at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport.

Rickena Perry and Ariana Brooks are gathering books for the Black Law Students Association Book Drive through Oct. 28. — Students Rickena Perry and Ariana Brooks are gathering books in the breezeway for the Black Law Students Association book drive again on Oct. 28.

Stetson’s BLSA is collecting children’s, teen and college-level books to donate to the international book project, which this year promotes literacy in Ghana. Stetson’s BLSA book drive is part of a national BLSA event in which chapters around the country participate. The book drive continues on Oct. 28 between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the breezeway on Stetson’s Gulfport campus.

During the spring, Stetson’s BLSA chapter was honored with the National Most Improved Chapter Award during the 45th annual National Black Law Students Convention in Atlanta, Ga., March 6-10. Out of more than 200 chapters in BLSA, Stetson’s BLSA was the only chapter to receive the coveted award.

In February, Stetson’s BLSA was selected from a pool of 43 law school chapters as Chapter of the Year for the Southern Region for outstanding community activism.

Louisiana State University Wins Stetson’s National Pretrial Competition

A team of students from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center won Stetson University College of Law’s Sixth Annual National Pretrial Competition on Oct. 13 in Gulfport, Fla.

Teams from 16 law schools around the country competed at Stetson for a chance to win the competition, coordinated annually by Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Advocacy.

Awards

NCP-winners-LSU — Students from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center won this year’s National Pretrial Competition at Stetson University College of Law.

First place:
Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center
(Danielle Borel, Doran Drummond, Matthew Hamilton, and Sikandar Mehr)

Second place:
Texas Tech University School of Law
(Luke Calhoun, DaNae Couch, Jefferson Fisher, and Sierra Fisher)

Semifinalists:
Baylor Law School
(Stephen Dwyer, Jacqueline Hamer, Lindsey Lehrmann, and Doug Monkhouse)

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School
(Nickolas Kitchens, Jason McLendon, Michelle Sandler, and LoriBeth Westbrook)

Best Plaintiff’s Memorandum of Law Award:
Texas Tech University School of Law
(Luke Calhoun, DaNae Couch, Jefferson Fisher, and Sierra Fisher)

Best Defendant’s Memorandum of Law Award:
Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School
(Nickolas Kitchens, Jason McLendon, Michelle Sandler, and LoriBeth Westbrook)

Best Advocate Final Round:
Luke Calhoun, Texas Tech University School of Law

Best Advocate Semifinal Round:
Luke Calhoun, Texas Tech University School of Law

Best Advocate Preliminary Round 3:
Sikandar Mehr, Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center

Best Advocate Preliminary Round 2:
Judy Shammo, Chicago-Kent College of Law

Best Advocate Preliminary Round 1:
Danielle Borel, Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center

Stetson Law students head to DeLand for Hatter football

A busload of Stetson Law students headed to the DeLand campus on Saturday, Sept. 21, for Stetson University’s second football game of the season.

(L-R): Stuart Boone (3L), Joe Gear (3L), Danielle Creech '13, Hatters mascot "John B," and Nick Wise (2L) in DeLand for the Hatters football game on Sept. 21. Photo by Kayla Minton (2L). — (L-R): Stuart Boone (3L), Joe Gear (3L), Danielle Creech ’13, Hatters mascot “John B,” and Nick Wise (2L) in DeLand for the Hatters football game on Sept. 21. Photo by Kayla Minton (2L).

Stetson Law Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz joined the Stetson Law students and alumni at the Hatters game.

More than 6,000 fans filled the Spec Martin Memorial Stadium to watch the Hatters play Birmingham- Southern College.

Stetson played Warner University for their first game since 1956 on Aug. 31.

Stetson’s bar passage is number one in the state: 89.3 percent of Stetson grads pass exam

Stetson University College of Law’s bar passage is number one in the state, according to the Supreme Court of Florida’s exam scores and statistics, with 89.3 percent of Stetson graduates passing the Florida bar exam in July.

Among all first-time test-takers in Florida, 77.2 percent of candidates passed the July bar exam.

“Stetson graduates are prepared for the legal profession, and their performance on the July bar is further testimony to their ability to perform with professionalism under pressure,” said Stetson Law Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz.

Stetson’s bar passage rate has climbed over the past decade. Stetson’s bar preparation program includes bar preparation workshops, an essay-grading program and a study plan to help graduates track their progress while studying for the exam. In February, Stetson’s bar passage rate was 93.9 percent, second in the state.

Stetson Law, Pinellas Education Foundation open “Constitution Hall” for middle school students at Finance Park in Largo

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Stetson University College of Law and the Pinellas Education Foundation opened the doors to a “Constitution Hall” for Tampa Bay area middle school students at the Gus A. Stavros Institute’s Finance Park in Largo on Sept. 17.

Casey Reich, 8th grade, age 13, tests his knowledge of civics at the opening of the Constitution Hall exhibit. — Casey Reich, eighth grade, age 13, tests his knowledge of civics at the opening of the Constitution Hall exhibit.

Distinguished members of the judiciary, alumni and educational leaders gathered for the ribbon-cutting of Constitution Hall. A representative of Congressman C.W. Bill Young’s office presented a U.S. flag that flew over the nation’s capital.

The interactive Constitution Hall exhibit will teach eighth grade students about the importance of being civically active and responsible, the three branches of government, and their rights protected by the U.S. Constitution.

“We recognize that the resolve and participation of our citizens contributes to our democracy. We are delighted that Stetson is going to be part of that,” said Stetson Law Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz.

Constitution Hall was inspired by Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Pamela A.M. Campbell and made possible through the contributions of Stetson Hall of Fame inductee Bonnie Foreman, both Stetson University graduates.

Shown L-R cutting the ribbon at Constitution Hall: Bonnie Foreman, Judge Pamela Campbell and Stetson Law Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz.

The expansion of Finance Park and Enterprise Village is made possible by donations to the Pinellas Education Foundation from local businesses.

Thousands of eighth grade students participate in an annual economic education program at Finance Park that simulates a month in the financial life of an adult.

Contact: Brandi Palmer

Stetson Law Communications Office

727-562-7381

Contact: Tamra Eitel

Pinellas Education Foundation

727-483-0003

Stetson students win National Workers’ Compensation Moot Court Competition

Stetson University College of Law students Kayla Cash, Paul Crochet and Tyler Egbert won the 2013 E. Earle Zehmer National Workers’ Compensation Moot Court Competition on Aug. 19 in Orlando.

(L-R): Paul Crochet, Honorable T. Kent Wetherell II, Kayla Cash, Honorable Scott D. Makar, Tyler Egbert and the Honorable Timothy Osterhaus. — (L-R): Paul Crochet, Judge T. Kent Wetherell II, Kayla Cash, Judge Scott D. Makar, Tyler Egbert and Judge Timothy Osterhaus. Photo courtesy Michael Crochet.

Stetson’s moot court team, coached by Associate Dean and Professor of Law Michael Allen and alumnus Jason Stearns, argued in the final round of competition before sitting judges from Florida’s First District Court of Appeal.

The national competition takes place annually in conjunction with the Florida Workers’ Compensation conference. Teams from Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia competed this year, arguing in front of judges who are experts in workers’ compensation.

“It is incredible for our students to have an opportunity to present before the judges who hear workers’ compensation cases,” said Professor of Legal Skills and Moot Court Advisor Brooke J. Bowman. “We are very proud that our students have demonstrated their skills as top advocates in this national competition.”

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

Alumnus joins international arbitration team in Germany

Stetson University College of Law alumnus Alexander Zesch JD ’13 will join Shearman & Sterling’s International Arbitration team in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, in October.

Alexander Zesch.

Zesch was a member of Stetson’s Willem C. Vis International Moot Arbitration team that competed in Vienna, Austria, in 2012 and this year and won an Honorable Mention Best Oral Advocate Award. More than 1800 students from 290 universities in 67 countries competed in the Vis.

“This job is a dream come true,” said Zesch. “It’s exactly what I want to do, where I want to do it. This would not have happened without Vis. Being in the program introduced me to arbitration and to the right people. I met an associate at Shearman & Sterling during last year’s trip to Vienna and stayed in touch by email. Then she thought of me when they decided to expand their international arbitration team.”

“The Vis Moot prepares students to work in the international arena,” said Professor Stephanie Vaughan, one of the Vis team’s coaches. “The world-wide competition focuses on international contract disputes and allows the competitors to showcase their talents on a global stage.”

Zesch was born and raised in Germany but has lived in Florida for the past 14 years.

To learn more about Stetson’s world-class moot court board and advocacy teams, visit the Center for Excellence in Advocacy at http://www.law.stetson.edu/advocacy.

Students learn from history-makers of the Civil Rights Movement

For the past eight years, Stetson University College of Law students participating in Professor Robert Bickel’s Constitutional Law and the Civil Rights Movement course have had an opportunity to visit the historic sites and history-makers who shaped the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.

Professor Robert Bickel and class met this summer at the site of the new Civil Rights brick pathway on Stetson's Gulfport campus. — Professor Robert Bickel and class met this summer at the site of the new Civil Rights brick pathway on Stetson’s Gulfport campus.

Students journey to Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee to meet with still-living veterans of the Civil Rights Movement, which challenged racial segregation throughout the south and brought about the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and 1965 Voting Rights Act.

“Every Civil Rights Movement veteran we visited emphasized that our generation is responsible for the future meaning of their efforts during the civil rights struggle,” said Stetson University undergraduate student Alicja Duda, a member of Stetson’s Social Justice Lecture Series Committee. “Just as they fought for a more just world for our generation, so we are called to make our own contribution to a more just world, now, and for future generations.”

Days before heading out on this year’s travel course, students paused to place a brick on a new Civil Rights pathway on Stetson’s Gulfport campus. The brick path commemorates the Civil Rights Movement veterans whom students have met and learned from during the travel course.

“Throughout the travel course, we speak to the people who bore witness both to the great injustice and the great awakening of American society,” said alumna Maria Bogomaz JD ’12. “Experiencing this history helped me develop a personal relationship with social justice law that dictates every aspect of my career on a daily basis.”

“This experience has renewed in me a sense of direction and a confirmation of my ultimate purpose,” said alumna Traci Blake BA ’06, JD ’12.

For more information about Stetson’s Constitutional Law and the Civil Rights Movement course, visit the complete course description.

Alumna crosses the bridge to practice: returns home to Jacksonville as newest assistant public defender

Alumna Ashley Goggins JD/MBA ’12, a recipient of Stetson University College of Law’s Bridge to Practice Fellowship, was hired as an assistant public defender working in the Juvenile Court Unit in the Fourth Judicial Circuit in July.

Goggins shared that she has always had a passion for public service. “That passion was cultivated during my time in law school,” said Goggins, who served with Stetson’s Public Service Fellows while still a student. With a focus on juvenile justice issues, Goggins also volunteered with legal aid and as a Guardian ad Litem.

Goggins’ Bridge to Practice Fellowship supported her work in the public defender’s office handling felony cases. Launched this year, Stetson’s fellowship gives recent graduates an opportunity to gain valuable on-the-job experience working as lawyers in public interest environments. To date, nine fellows have worked in public service organizations with attorney mentors through Stetson’s program.

“After graduation, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to be a public defender, and I wanted to do it at home in Jacksonville,” Goggins said.

On July 1, she became the newest assistant public defender in the juvenile unit.

For students interested in pursuing careers in the area, professors Robert Bickel and Judith Scully have started a concentration in social justice advocacy and Stetson Law students have established a Juvenile Justice Initiative on campus.

Students honored for best event by Florida Bar

Stetson University College of Law students were honored during the Florida Bar’s recent annual meeting on June 28 in Boca Raton, Fla. Stetson members of the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division-Law Student Division received the “Best Event Award.”

(L-R): Angelika Zych, Anisha Patel, Jennifer Tindell and Frank Leung. — (L-R): Stetson students Angelika Zych, Anisha Patel, Jennifer Tindell and Frank Leung.

Stetson was selected from among all Florida law schools for their “Balancing Law and Life” professionalism event, featuring a panel discussion with several attorneys on how to balance life and the practice of law. The panelists explained their struggles to find a way to balance work and family and discussed success strategies.

Students Frank Leung, Anisha Patel, Jennifer Tindell and Angelika Zych accepted the award.