Student Features Archives - Page 4 of 26

Student Darnesha Carter: star academic and advocate

Darnesha Carter knew that she wanted to be an advocate while she was still a high school student in Riverview, Florida. Once she had decided that law school was her goal, Darnesha took all of the law school prep courses available at Riverview High School.

When it came time to choose a law school, Darnesha said that Stetson stood apart. The friendly campus, a full merit scholarship, and proximity to family made the choice easier.

“To someone thinking about law school, I’d say enjoy the experience,” said Darnesha, who is now wrapping up her third year of law school at Stetson. “I wish someone had told me to enjoy the moment.”

At Stetson law school, Darnesha quickly became a star academic and advocate. Participating in and winning second place in Stetson’s Closing Argument Competition for first-year law students, and later becoming a moot court board member, helped Darnesha hone her oral communication skills. She joined the Stetson Law Review during her first year and later became an editor. She rose to the top of her class academically. She is a member of the Honors Program and has landed on the Dean’s List every eligible semester of law school. The first in her family to attend law school, Darnesha received the highest grade in Research and Writing and was invited to join Stetson’s moot court team.

“Moot court helped with building my confidence,” said Darnesha, who admitted she was nervous during her first presentations before the moot court competition judges.

“Brief writing on moot court gives you a sense of what good legal writing looks like,” Darnesha added.

By the time she participated in her fourth moot court competition, Darnesha said she felt more confident, even tying for best oral advocate in her latest competition.

She explained that working on the Stetson Law Review helped her to become a more meticulous writer with a keen eye for detail.

The former psychology and English major said that her performance in law school is directly related to her mental state.

She described how becoming confused about a tough law school exam question completely shattered her concentration early in her academic career. Darnesha said she learned then that the approach decided the outcome.

“Don’t let a bad grade be the ultimate deciding factor,” Darnesha advised future law students. “Don’t let a grade define you.”

At the root of Darnesha’s determination to succeed is a desire to help people.

Working with Special Olympics for two years while studying for her undergraduate degree at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Darnesha said that she realized how much we take for granted. Watching individuals with challenges competing to be the best in the Special Olympics was inspiring, Darnesha said.

In law school at Stetson, Darnesha participated with fellow law students in Law Fest to help people convicted of crimes apply to have their rights restored. She joined the Healthcare Law Association in her first year of law school and later the Black Law Students Association, where she was named member of the year 2013-2014. After law school, Darnesha said that she plans to use her expertise in civil litigation and business to help start-up businesses and to give back to the community.

“Joining student organizations opens up a lot of learning and networking opportunities and being a member of the executive boards allows you to develop leadership skills,” said Darnesha. “These are the people you will work with post-graduation. They are more than friends—they will ultimately be your partners and colleagues in the legal workforce.”

Darnesha worked as a summer associate with Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, where she was recommended to Judge Mary S. Scriven in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Her internship with Judge Scriven has led to a job offer when she graduates.

“Watching Judge Scriven, I was impressed by her intellect, quick thinking, and strong ability to impartially administer justice,” said Darnesha, whose dream is to one day work in the judiciary.

Darnesha said, “I try to live by the saying: shoot for the moon, you might just land among the stars.”

Effect change: Student advocate Taylor Parker on Title IX

Second-year Stetson University College of Law student Taylor S. Parker wants her fellow students to know that they can effect change.

“With the small campus, I have found a tight-knit community where I can effectively generate professional contacts, as well as a close relationship with faculty and staff which has allowed me to work with Stetson to make change on this campus,” said Parker, who explained that Stetson’s Social Justice Advocacy Concentration program inspired her to come to law school at Stetson.

Barely an adult at the age of 18, Parker became an advocate. When Parker’s college friend experienced the challenges of filing a Title IX complaint, she wanted to help.

As an undergraduate developmental psychology and gender studies major at New College of Florida, Parker worked on an independent study project to help the college update its Title IX policy.

She wrote the college’s Title IX retaliation clause, and helped to develop a “curtain option” to safeguard accusers from intimidation and create a safe place for accusers to seek justice.

It was at New College that Parker became passionate about effecting policy change. She said that she learned that she needed to decide between a career in law or in counseling.

The Rape Crisis Center presented at the Gulfport campus on Feb. 2. Photo by Marissa Marchena.

“I had to decide between doing cleanup or preventive work,” Parker explained.

Counselors often work to triage the damage left behind when people are victimized. In law and policy, Parker said that she sees the possibility of creating change to help her fellow students before they are victimized.

As a 19-year-old college student in Sarasota, Parker became a Florida-trained Sexual and Domestic Violence Advocate. During all four years of college, she worked at a shelter for the victims of domestic violence, the Sarasota Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center. At SPARCC, Parker worked with children and teenagers on the Window Between Worlds project, she covered the hotline at the shelter, worked as a courtroom advocate for adults, and gathered resources to help victims of abuse receive compensation, substance abuse treatment safety planning and suicide prevention. She collected law enforcement statistics on mortality risks among victims.

Through her work as a researcher, Parker helped identify patterns and trends to help create better policies. She said that her experience working with children in the foster system at the shelter opened her eyes to the related issues of violence against women and domestic violence.

“Violence against women impacts everyone,” said Parker. “Harmful gender roles contribute to self-sustaining silence.”

Taylor is a Guardian Ad Litem, working with children in the dependency system as a voice and an advocate for their best interests in court. She is a research assistant in Stetson University’s Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy collecting research on Title IX. After law school, Taylor said she is inspired to work as a Title IX coordinator in higher education.

“Title IX allows students to have their voices heard and enact change,” said Parker.

After her first year of law school, Parker helped start a committee of student, faculty and staff members that acts as an arm of Student Life to create a Title IX policy tailored to the needs of the Stetson community. The unique needs of law students can include often misguided concerns over reporting abuse that might impact a bar application, Taylor explained.

Last semester, Taylor launched the Law Students for Reproductive Justice with a presentation on Reproductive Justice 101.

This spring, Taylor is orchestrating a large-scale training session for Stetson students on the law school campus to become certified in order to volunteer with a local domestic violence center in St. Petersburg. She has been working with a local Rape Crisis Center to organize a consent workshop on campus.

Taylor is also planning a presentation on the mistreatment of HIV positive people.

She is working with the Office of Student Life to develop a Sexual Health and Resource Center on Stetson’s Gulfport campus to provide individualized outreach to students in need. She compiled resources for students available through Student Life at the College of Law and helped co-sponsor a Rape Crisis Center presentation to the Gulfport campus on Feb. 2.

“It’s about fighting fear with outreach and education,” Taylor said.

For the love of the game: Scholarship celebrates classmates who balanced life with law school

Students Marissa Marchena and Joey Nemeh celebrate with family and friends at the scholarship banquet. — Students Marissa Marchena and Joey Nemeh celebrate with Nenezian and Jones family and friends at the scholarship banquet. Photo courtesy Marissa Marchena.

For the love of the game: students and alumni enjoy a beautiful afternoon of softball to celebrate the Rich Nenezian and Jim Jones Memorial Scholarship. — Students and alumni enjoy a beautiful, windy afternoon of softball to celebrate the Rich Nenezian and Jim Jones Memorial Scholarship. Photo by Marissa Marchena.

Students Marissa Marchena and Joey Nemeh were recently selected for the Rich Nenezian and Jim Jones Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship’s namesakes Nenezian and Jones are both alumni from the Stetson University College of Law class of 1984.

Both alumni died young in their 40s, but their classmates, friends and family memorialized Nenezian and Jones with a scholarship celebrating their love of life, laughter, and sports. Stetson law students selected for the scholarship demonstrate a passion for balancing the rigors of academic work with extracurricular activities and intramural sports.

Students and alumni played softball on the Gulfport campus. — Students and alumni played softball at Bear Creek Park in St. Petersburg to celebrate the scholarship.

Scholarship recipients Marchena and Nemeh celebrated with a banquet and softball game with alumni, the Nenezian and Jones family and friends on Jan. 23.

“We played 12 innings because everyone was having such a great time,” Marchena said.

Marchena said that she loves watching college football and baseball, plays softball and volleyball, and enjoys horseback riding.

“I love spending time with family and friends outdoors,” said Marchena. “I graduate in 2017 and my dream would be to work in college athletics.”

Nemeh said that he is an avid Chicago sports fan whose favorite sports to watch are basketball, football, baseball and hockey. He said that he enjoys participating in basketball and softball.

Nemeh, who graduates in May, said he would like to work with the State Attorney’s Office.

1984 Stetson law school graduate Pete Cooley organized the event. The inaugural banquet was held in January of 2008.

Rising star for community service and equality: Student Nathan Bruemmer

It is no surprise that Stetson University College of Law honored student Nathan Bruemmer with its Rising Star award in his first year of law school. For Nathan, law school started as a dream decades ago, before he spent a career as a teacher and started a family. He said he considers it a privilege to work on community service initiatives.

Since starting as a first-year student at Stetson law school in 2014, Nathan has led the Stetson Democrats, the Lambda Legal Society at Stetson, worked as a third-grade reading tutor with Lawyers for Literacy, and organized numerous activities on campus including the recent Transgender Day of Remembrance event.

In his spare time, Nathan participates in local, state and national initiatives. He is invited to speak regularly about LGBT equality issues on behalf of Equality Florida and several other organizations. In November of 2015, Nathan helped train more than 120 law enforcement officers in Orlando on transgender inclusion and diversity.

Currently, Nathan is serving as the ABA Law Student Division Liaison to the National LGBT Bar Association. He is also a member of the ABA SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) Commission’s Advocacy Committee. At the same time, Nathan maintains a strong academic standing, competes for Stetson’s Trial Team and Alternative Dispute Resolution Board, serves as Stetson Law’s ABA representative, and is a Stetson Law Ambassador.

Stetson's program for Transgender Remembrance Day included a candlelight vigil. Photo courtesy Nathan Bruemmer. — Stetson’s program for Transgender Remembrance Day included a candlelight vigil. Photo courtesy Nathan Bruemmer.

Nathan’s commitment to community is also reflected in his academic pursuits. He joined the Clemency Project 2014 through a course offered at Stetson law school, did a Homeless Advocacy Internship, and signed up for Stetson’s Veterans Advocacy Clinic during the spring semester. Working with a team of Stetson law students, Nathan is helping Equality Florida revise its outdated legal handbook for LGBT Floridians following the Obergefell decision.

Nathan said that he thinks that law students and legal practitioners are in a position to raise the bar for community service and equality initiatives.

“I think we can do better as student leaders and future lawyers,” said Nathan.

Graduate Judge Catherine McEwen receives first federal judicial service award at the Florida Supreme Court

1982 Stetson Law graduate and U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Catherine Peek McEwen will be honored at the Florida Supreme Court on Jan. 28 as the first recipient of the Chief Justice’s Distinguished Federal Judicial Service Award. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga will present Judge McEwen with the award recognizing an active or retired federal judge for outstanding and sustained service to the public, especially through pro bono legal services.

“I am incredibly proud that Judge McEwen is being honored with this inaugural award for outstanding public service,” said Stetson Law Dean and Professor of Law Christopher Pietruszkiewicz. “Judge McEwen is a role model for our students and we are delighted that so many members of the Stetson community share her commitment to serving the community.”

Judge Catherine Peek McEwen received Stetson's J. Ben Watkins Award. — Judge Catherine Peek McEwen received Stetson’s J. Ben Watkins Award in 2009.

The first female judge to serve in the U.S. bankruptcy court in Tampa, Judge McEwen’s longtime commitment to public service includes working with the Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program and serving on the 13th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee for nine years, where she is the immediate past chair. Last year, Judge McEwen helped organize a judicial pro bono summit to educate state and federal judges on how to encourage and contribute to public service.

As president of the Ferguson-White Inn of Court in 2013-2014, Judge McEwen helped found the Wm. Reece Smith Jr. Litigation American Inn of Court which adopted the Homeless Experience Legal Protection pro bono project.

Judge McEwen created a video for the Bankruptcy Pro Bono Pro Se Assistance Project with a grant from the Florida Bar Foundation and assistance from the bankruptcy court, Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association and Bay Area Legal Services to assist people in bankruptcy matters.

In 2009, Judge McEwen received the J. Ben Watkins award from Stetson University College of Law.

Before serving with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Judge McEwen was an attorney and shareholder at Moffitt, Hart & Herron, today Akerman LLP, and served in private practice. Judge McEwen worked as a sportswriter in Tampa in the 1970s before attending law school at Stetson.

This year’s awards ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 28, at 3:30 p.m. at the Florida Supreme Court. The ceremony will be streamed live at http://wfsu.org/gavel2gavel.

From law enforcement to law school: Student Dan Kavanaugh

Ask former police officer Dan Kavanaugh what inspired him to make the leap from law enforcement to law school, and he explains that it was always part of the long-term plan.

Dan Kavanaugh is a third-year student at Stetson.

“Law school was just the next step along my path,” says Dan.

Dan says he wanted to go to law school as a kid, but decided to put college on hold for a while to join the military. He spent three years on active duty and another 13 in the reserve component. Dan deployed overseas twice while assigned to the Florida Army National Guard.

“Most of that time was in the desert,” he says.

Dan describes how serving as a platoon sergeant in Iraq strengthened his skills as a moderator: “Working with American soldiers, coalition force members, and foreign nationals allows you to work with people from different walks of life, backgrounds and cultures,” Dan explains. “You learn to tailor communication and leadership style to the individual.”

In his first year at Stetson University College of Law, Dan started off as a class representative to the Student Bar Association. During that time, he was also working 20 hours per month on reserve status with a local sheriff’s office. In his second year, Dan served as Stetson Law’s American Bar Association Representative.

Today, the third-year student at Stetson Law is president of the Student Bar Association and a member of the Trial Team. He recently completed a Civil Legal Services Clinic at Gulf Coast Legal Services. “I had the opportunity to make my first argument in front of a sitting judge,” says Dan.

In his role with the SBA, Dan says he often finds himself in the role of moderator and referee, helping students find common ground and solutions.

Dan also balances the role of husband to his wife, Courtney. The couple maintains a home in the Orlando area, as well as one in Tampa Bay.

“Courtney knows the work I do in law school will benefit both of us,” Dan says.

“I like the saying: ‘it’s never too late to be what you might have been’,” says Dan. “If you’ve made the decision to go to law school, instead of taking tentative steps, I’d advise you to just jump right in with both feet.”

Go and do it: Former teacher, parent, law student wants to help people with special needs

By Brandi Palmer

Ask Tammy Schweinsberg how she feels about graduating from Stetson University with her J.D. and she will tell you that law school has blinked by in an instant.

Tamara Schweinsberg. — Tammy Schweinsberg.

The busy single mom of six children ranging in ages from six to 19 was born and raised in St. Petersburg. A student in Stetson’s part-time J.D. program, she is the first person in her family to attend law school. Neither of her parents finished college. Her father studied mechanics, and her mother nursing. Tammy started out as a teacher, but had always reserved a special respect for the work lawyers do. Decades prior, her father’s lawyer had helped the family face difficult times during a divorce. Tammy suddenly found herself facing legal issues. She decided she wanted to pursue law.

Navigating the school system as a mother of a child with Down Syndrome, Tammy learned firsthand the challenges of helping someone with a disability obtain the right resources. Tammy also struggled to assist her mother in a nursing home. She was motivated to find a way to help people with special needs.

“Life experiences help me be a better counselor,” said Tammy. “No matter what you want to do, use whatever reason you have to go and do it,” said Tammy.

Tammy found that the elder law concentration at Stetson, and its close relationship to disability law, was a perfect inroad to helping people with special needs.

“Being in the elder law program opened my eyes to the issues,” said Tammy, who works at the Law Office of Christopher Young, P.A., part time. She spent her summer interning for two months at the Pinellas Justice Center working on a complicated financial exploitation case. “If I can help someone with special needs not be a victim, I can help people,” said Tammy.

She credits Professor Rebecca Morgan, the co-director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law, with always inspiring her to maintain a positive outlook. “I feel that when I am around her, whatever it is I am having a problem with, I can do it,” said Tammy.

Originally scheduled to wrap up law school in May, Tammy pushed back her graduation one semester to help her young child recently diagnosed with ADD transition into Kindergarten.

“You have to pare down and decide what your priorities are,” Tammy said. She explained that when she started law school, she leaned on her children to help prioritize their time commitments. Private piano lessons and dance classes were dropped off the list and Tammy encouraged her children to take advantage of extracurricular programs at school. “I used to cut into the margins,” Tammy explained. “Now if it’s not important, we’re not doing it.”

“It’s never easy to go to school with school-age children, much less law school, “ Tammy said. “So when things get tough, as they usually do, I remember the reasons why I made my decision to attend Stetson Law. I lean on my support systems, and regroup. I persevere.”

On Thursday, Tammy joined her classmates celebrating graduation in December from Stetson Law. She received the Dean’s Award, a special award for extraordinary service to the law school.

In order to change the world, you have to start with you: Student, parent, describes the path from Jamaica to Stetson law school

Alexander Howell and baby Nathan Howell.

Alexander Howell always knew he wanted to go to law school. As a rising track star who is originally from Jamaica, the second-year Stetson Law student said he chose the college that would best finance his education and put him on the path to law school. That path took him to Cincinnati, Ohio, and then Lake Wales, Florida, where he finished his undergraduate work in finance, and also met his wife. Soon after graduating from Warner University in Lake Wales, Alexander and his wife Teiharhah got married and moved to Miami. The plan was law school for Alexander and medical school for Teiharhah. When the couple found out they were pregnant, there were suddenly three people on the path.

Alexander says he balances three roles, as husband, dad and student, by having someone to talk to and relax with, a support system. With an 18-month-old at home, Alexander and Teiharhah share shifts caring for the baby. Alexander also takes breaks, spending time at home with his wife and son.

“My son Nathan is a constant reminder of why I’m doing this,” said Alexander. A finance whiz who is inspired by economic injustice, Alexander said that he aspires to be a voice for people who don’t have a voice.

“I want to be a corporate attorney dealing with commercial litigation. We need people in the boardroom to give balanced representation and a voice to all people: black, brown, all people,” said Alexander.

Before starting law school, Alexander worked in the law firm James M. Weaver, P.A. in Lake Wales, to make sure this was the kind of work he wanted. He researched law schools, and read about the challenges, competitiveness, and expense. He was determined to find his niche in the legal world.

After a visit to Stetson Law school in Gulfport, Florida, and a personal phone call from a professor, Alexander knew he’d found the law school that was the best fit. His wife also found a niche at the University of South Florida, where she is finishing her undergraduate degree with plans to start medical school in 2017.

Alexander is busy studying and clerking for Florida Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge James Pierce when he isn’t spending time with his family. In the summer, he will intern with Henderson Franklin. He said he plans to be board certified to distinguish himself in the practice. He also has an interest in shaping change in politics. “The right wing and left wing division in politics makes no sense,” said Alexander. “They are both wings of the same bird.”

“In order to change the world, you have to start with you,” said Alexander. “If you’re thinking about law school, make sure this is what you want to do and have a plan.”

Asked if he can offer any advice to parents with young children who are thinking about law school, Alexander laughs. “My mentor advised me to start reading my law books out loud–they put kids right to sleep.”

Need help prepping for exams? Professor Beane encourages breezeway discussions

Professor Dorothea Beane met with students to help them prepare for their civil procedure exam in an unusual setting this week.

On a warm Wednesday afternoon, Professor Beane met with more than a dozen students in the breezeway outside the Sebring Courtroom. The students peppered her with questions to prepare for her exam.

Professor Beane explained that the breezeway setting provides a relaxed, approachable atmosphere where students can freely ask questions. Beane, who has taught at Stetson for more than two decades, said that crossing the threshold of a professor’s office can be intimidating to some students, and the outdoor setting offers a neutral alternative where discussions can take place.

She offered “office hours” to students daily during exam week in her outdoor office, which has become a popular spot for dynamic legal discussions.

Lead by example: Judge Pamela Campbell advises students

“Lead by example, with professionalism, civility and integrity,” Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Pamela A.M. Campbell J.D. ’89 told a crowd of law students gathered at Stetson’s Leadership Luncheon on the Gulfport campus on Nov. 18. She spoke with students about the leadership pillar of communication.

Judge Pamela Campbell addresses students at Stetson's Leadership Luncheon Nov. 18. — Judge Pamela Campbell addresses students at Stetson’s Leadership Luncheon on Nov. 18. Photo by 2L Kevin James.

Judge Campbell was appointed as a circuit judge in 2006, and has been re-elected without opposition.

She advised the students, “Good work gets you more work.”

Prior to joining the circuit court, Judge Campbell practiced law in Pinellas County for 17 years focusing primarily on health law, probate, and guardianship. She served as president of the St. Petersburg Bar Association from 1998-99 and as president of the Stetson Alumni Association from 2001-02. She has served as co-president of the Barney Masterson American Inn of Court twice.

Stetson’s Student Leadership Development Committee helps bring distinguished speakers to Stetson’s Gulfport campus through the Leadership Luncheon series.

Students received credit towards a Leadership Certificate for participating in the program.

Q&A: Meet Student Veterans at Stetson Law

Stetson University College of Law has more than 50 student veterans enrolled. We are honored that they have made our campus home. Read below to learn about a few of them and use the links to learn more.

Andrew J. Schillace

Service Branch: Marine Corps
Military Rank: Captain
Stationed In: Parris Island, South Carolina; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Quantico, Virginia; Monrovia, Liberia; Tel Aviv, Israel; New Port, Rhode Island; Twenty Nine Palms, California; Camp Pendleton, California; Fort Benning, Georgia; Crystal City, Virginia; Tampa, Florida; Afghanistan and Iraq.

What do you think civilians should know about those in the service?
First, everyone in the service was a civilian before they were in the service. Furthermore, service members are also serving not only for those citizens that cannot serve, but also because they have a deep love for their country. Our country has been at war for close to 15 years and is still at war today. I think too many civilians have forgotten about our war on terror.

Were there particular military service experiences that heightened your interest in the law?
My military career was one in the combat arms field, so my military experiences were the complete opposite of what I expected from the legal field and law school. However, as I learn more about the nature of law I’m finding more and more similarities between the military and the legal world. In both the military and in the court of law, one must be prepared because someone’s life might be on the line.

» READ COMPLETE PROFILE

Javier Ojeda Chenard

Service Branch: Army
Military Rank: E4/Specialist
Stationed In: Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri; Osan AB, South Korea; Ft. Lewis, Washington

How did military service prepare you for the study of law or for life in general?
Military service enhanced my leadership skills and team work. It taught me to work in adverse and stressful environments, how to keep focus on my objectives, and how to adapt to new circumstances. It exposed me to people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Were there particular military service experiences that heightened your interest in the law?
As a foreign attorney, I practiced law in Cuba before coming to the United States. As an immigrant, I was not sure if I wanted to go back to practice law. After becoming a citizen, I joined the U.S. Army, and it was then that I experienced first-hand the sacrifice that the men and women of the armed forces make, and how difficult life is for them after going back to the civilian life. That’s when I decided that I wanted to go back to law school, not only because it’s what I know, but also because I want to help other veterans and make a difference.

» READ COMPLETE PROFILE

Linda Kay Brown

Service Branch: Navy
Military Rank: E4
Stationed In: Charleston, S.C.

How did military service prepare you for the study of law or for life in general?
The military gave me the dedication and work ethic to put in a long day’s work. Everything that you do in the military is all about communication and team work, and I know these same traits are what make a lawyer great.

What do you think civilians should know about those in the service?
That everyone goes into the military for different reasons. There are always those who go into the service to improve themselves and then, sometimes, there are others who go in to help the lives of their loved ones. Whatever the reason is that you find yourself in the armed forces, you come out a completely different person. You transform into a soldier, a marine, a sailor, or a coastie. That training never leaves you. You become dependable, more responsible, and overall a completely different person. The most important thing that you can give a member of the armed forces as a civilian is support even though they are different than you remember them being before they enlisted.

» READ COMPLETE PROFILE

Z. Caleb Lopez

Service Branch: Navy
Military Rank: Petty Officer 2nd Class (E5)
Stationed In: Naval Medical Center, Bethesda; EMF 20 Horn of Africa, Djibouti

What do you think civilians should know about those in the service?
It’s a hard job. It isn’t always glamorous like in the movies or television. People sacrifice everything for the uniform. But it’s also an amazing experience. The bond you make with the people you work with is unrivaled.

Why did you select Stetson Law? Is the atmosphere supportive of military veterans?
The military support was definitely one of the main factors in selecting Stetson Law. Knowing that there were former JAG officers as faculty really appealed to me. The location played a large part as well.

» READ COMPLETE PROFILE

Are you ready for your career? Stetson’s BLSA hosts Survival of the Fittest

Stetson’s Black Law Students Association hosted its popular annual Survival of the Fittest program on Nov. 7 to help law students prepare for their legal careers.

Stetson's BLSA presented Survival of the Fittest on Nov. 7. — Stetson’s BLSA presented Survival of the Fittest on Nov. 7.

The program featured a panel on Balancing Life and the Law and Maintaining Your Personal Style, as well as breakout sessions on Building Your E-Brand, Making the Most of Your Internship, and Financial Management Post-Graduation. Students also learned from demonstrations on interviewing, networking tips, and presentations by attorneys and judges from local bar associations.

“When I attended the Survival of the Fittest program over 10 years ago, several attorneys reviewed my resume and destroyed it with a red pen. I made the suggested revisions and submitted my resume to a number of law firms. I am now a shareholder at one of those law firms, ” said Stetson Law alumna Meredith Freeman J.D. ’04, shareholder at Bush Ross. “Through the Survival of the Fittest program, I also made valuable connections to mentors to whom I turn today when I need guidance or support.”