S T E T S O N
LAWYER
SUMMER 2016
A M A G A Z I N E F O R S T E T S O N U N I V E R S I T Y C O L L E G E O F L AW A LU M N I & F R I E N D S
INSIDE:
Staying in touch with you SOCIAL MEDIA at Stetson Law
Continuing Legal Education Meet the Development & Alumni Staff RAISING THE BAR ON RESEARCH
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A LETTER FROM THE DEAN
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erhaps the first thing that you will notice about this issue of the Stetson Lawyer magazine is a redesigned look that we hope reflects the College of Law’s warm, friendly and welcoming environment for students, alumni and visitors alike. We want our alumni magazine to reflect the same values and traditions. Our cover story is about new and traditional ways that Stetson Law is using to connect with alumni and friends. We’ve stepped up our game in the world of social media. You might be surprised to learn that social media is relatively easy to use, educational, interactive and fun. It is also a rapid form of communications and exchange of information and ideas. At the same time, we are continuing our traditional means of communicating with alumni, including direct mail brochures and this magazine. To that end, we hope to return to a twice-a-year printing of the Stetson Lawyer magazine. In this issue, we also want to introduce you to some new faces on our Development and Alumni Relations team. We have a great group of dedicated individuals who are working to create regional and national alumni events designed to help our alumni connect both professionally and socially with one another. We also want to introduce you to our Office of Professional Education (OPE) that we created to produce continuing legal education programs specifically designed for our alumni. The programs include onsite events and online webinars to help you maintain your professional credentials. Many of you have shared your appreciation for these programs and we welcome your recommendations for future programs. In this issue, we are also highlighting the research of a number of dedicated Stetson Law professors, distinguished scholars and students. We believe that you will find this research not only impressive, but a look into the future of legal education. I hope this issue of the Stetson Lawyer magazine helps connect you with your law school.
Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz Dean and Professor of Law Stetson University College of Law
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES Can You Leap to Another Career With a Law Degree?
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#StetsonLaw 12 Helping You Stay Connected
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Raising the Bar on Research
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Stetson Alums Lead Florida Bar YLD
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DEPARTMENTS Letter from the Dean 2 Briefs 4 Faculty Forum 22 Events 26 Philanthropy 28 Fiscal Year 2015 Donor Report 32 Leadership 36 Class Notes 38 STETSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW Wendy B. Libby, President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz, Dean Kevin Hughes, Assistant Dean, Development & Alumni Relations Frank Klim, Executive Director of Communications Frank Klim and Laura Cheek, Editors Brandi Palmer, News Editor Jack Roth, Joann Grages Burnett, Bill Noblitt, Contributing Writers Tomeka Jackson, Class Notes Editor Laura Cheek and Rebecca Hagen, Cover Design Stetson Lawyer design and layout by Sky Lake Design Studio
The Stetson Lawyer magazine is published for alumni and friends of 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.
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S T E T S O N L AW Y E R
BRIEFS BY BRANDI PALMER
A Legal Legacy The Stetson Law community gathered in the Dolly & Homer Hand Law Library in August to celebrate the legacy of Dean Emeritus and Distinguished University Professor Lizabeth A. Moody. On Aug. 28, Stetson Law dedicated the Dean Lizabeth A. Moody Seminar Room in the library that Moody helped build. The seminar room was frequently used by Dean Moody for her nonprofit corporations class at Stetson. Moody was one of the first to pioneer teaching law students in small seminar groups, a popular method used in law schools today. “This dynamic legal educator, with her driving determination, made this very library possible,” said Dean and Professor of Law Christopher Pietruszkiewicz. Seventeen years ago, during her five-year tenure as dean at Stetson Law, Moody raised the money to build Stetson a new law library, on par with the quality of a legal education from Stetson. She ensured that the blueprint for the new library would include at least 20 private and group study rooms for students. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a personal friend of Moody, delivered the dedication address at Stetson Law’s library in 1998. “I think our library is one of the five best law school libraries in the country,” Dean Moody remarked. 4
Left to Right: Biodiversity Fellow Erin Okuno JD ’13, Professor Lance Long, Dr. Anne Meylan and Professor Royal Gardner.
PROTECTING OUR WILDLIFE
The Spring 2016 Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture series kicked off with a presentation by Randall Arauz, president of PRETOMA (Programa Restauración de Tortugas Marinas), a marine conservation and research organization working to protect ocean resources and promote sustainable fisheries policies in Costa Rica and Central America. “We’re here to change the situation for the sharks,” Arauz told the audience. Dean Emeritus Lizabeth A. Moody
On March 1, Dr. Anne Meylan, senior research scientist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, presented on “Florida’s Global Importance as a Nesting Site for Sea Turtles.”
Moody, inducted into Stetson’s Hall of Fame in 2009, also helped create Stetson’s part-time law program and international programs.
April 13, Elizabeth Gitari, an elephant conservationist from Kenya, delivered the final lecture in the spring Biodiversity Lecture series during the International Wildlife Law Conference and the 20th annual International Environmental Moot Court Competition at the law school, which was held April 13-16.
In January of 2013, the National Jurist Magazine named Dean Moody one of the top 25 most influential people in legal education. The American Bar Association Women Trailblazers in the Law Project selected Moody in 2012 to be included among women who made history in the legal profession. Moody’s oral history of her extraordinary legal career is housed at the Library of Congress, the Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America at Harvard University, and on the ABA website.
U.S. News Ranks Trial Advocacy #1 U.S. News & World Report has ranked Stetson University College of Law No. 1 in Trial Advocacy for the 18th time. Stetson ranked third in the nation for Legal Writing in the U.S. News 2017 “Best Grad Schools” issue. Stetson has been recognized as the top law school in the nation for Trial Advocacy 18
times since 1995, and has ranked among the top six legal writing programs since the inception of the Legal Writing rankings. Trial Team Champions, left to right: Nathan Bruemmer, Dan Kavanaugh, Silvia Amador and Kishantevia Carson.
Stetson Law Named Military-Friendly School
Elder Law Honored at Supreme Court Celebration The Thomas E. Penick, Jr. Elder Law American Inn of Court at Stetson University College of Law was honored at the U.S. Supreme Court during the American Inns of Court celebration of excellence. Professors Roberta Flowers and Boston Asset Management Chair in Professor Rebecca Morgan Elder Law Rebecca Morgan, co-directors of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law, accepted the platinum designation for the Penick Inn at the Supreme Court. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hosted the celebration.
At right, Professors Roberta Flowers and Boston Asset Management Chair in Elder Law Rebecca Morgan, co-directors of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law, accepted the platinum designation for the Penick Inn of Court.
STETSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW has again been designated a Military Friendly School by Victory Media. “At Stetson, we are dedicated to making sure that those who served receive the benefits and respect they deserve,” said Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox, director of the Veterans Advocacy Clinic at Stetson. “We also take pride in the large number of military veterans who make up our student body,” she added. “The insight and experience these students bring to the law school experience make them valuable and dynamic members of the Stetson family.”
Stetson Veterans Advocacy Clinic Wins Major Appeals Case During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military sprayed more than 19 million gallons of a toxic herbicide called Agent Orange. The residual effect of this includes tumors, birth defects, rashes, psychological symptoms and cancer. After years of advocacy by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Congress enacted the Agent Orange Act of 1991, which empowered the VA to provide medical treatment for military personnel who served in Vietnam Lindsey Brigham, 3L and Korea. “Jim” was in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Little did he know that his exposure to Agent Orange would eventually cause terminal cancer. In 2009, Jim filed his claim with the VA for disability benefits, and was denied. Several years later, Jim turned to Stetson’s Veterans Advocacy Clinic. 3L Lindsey Brigham was assigned Jim’s case. Soon after, she filed a motion to expedite Jim’s VA appeal because of his terminal cancer. In April, Lindsey argued before a VA judge who granted her motion to expedite Jim’s case. In July, the VA awarded Jim $200,000 in retroactive disability benefits and monthly payments for his disability. Lindsey Brigham said her clinic experience has been profound, “Representing someone who has sacrificed so much for our country and helping them receive compensation for essential medical treatments as well as other expenses has been incredibly rewarding.” She adds, “Working at Stetson’s Veterans Advocacy Clinic has been a life changing experience.” 5
BRIEFS
ADVOCACY WINNERS
The team heads to Vienna: (L to R) Taylor Ryan, Brien Squires, Leon Innerkofler, alumnus Alex Zesch, Associate Dean Stephanie Vaughan, Jonathan Diamond, Kaelyn Steinkraus and Sadiya Hashem.
Advocacy Wins Summary
Since 1980, Stetson’s advocacy teams have won five international competitions, 66 national championships, 74 regional championships, 43 state championships, and almost 200 awards for best briefs (52 awards), best advocate (138 awards), and most professional (five awards).
Advocacy cont. page 21
Stetson Law Celebrates Pride Scholarships The Stetson Law community gathered on the Gulfport campus to celebrate the Pride Scholarship at a reception in the Mann Lounge. Faculty at Stetson joined the Pride Scholarship committee to support law students who participate in extracurricular activities and services related to LGBTQIA issues. In conjunction with the Pride Scholarship reception, the Florida Association of LGBT Lawyers & Allies and LGBT Bar Association of Tampa Bay, Inc. presented the OUT of the Closet and IN Your Office conference on Oct. 23-24 on Stetson’s Gulfport campus.
Michele Hintson ’02 with Professor Jason Palmer at the Pride Scholarship celebration.
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The conference, now in its fourth year, focused on laws related to LGBTQIA issues, including presentations on marriage equality; HIV/AIDS, disability and social security, transgender considerations, domestic violence, exploitation and sex trafficking; and family formation and dissolution in same-sex marriages. It featured renowned presenters on a variety of topics for LGBTQIA lawyers serving LGBTQIA clients.
BRIEFS
Remembering Justice Scalia U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s recent death leaves a void on the High Court, but his memorable wit and wisdom live on.
Exonerated Former Prisoner Tells His Story
Students, faculty and staff at Stetson had a rare opportunity to meet the justice in person in 1990 and in 2007. In 1990, Scalia spoke at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg at the invitation of the Stetson Law Review as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series. In 2007, Justice Scalia also spoke for more than 90 minutes to a crowd gathered on Stetson’s Gulfport campus. More than 800 Stetson law school students attended Justice Scalia’s talk that day, and had an opportunity to ask him questions in an intimate courtyard setting. “The Constitution is not a living organism, for Pete’s sake,” Scalia told the audience in Gulfport. “It’s a legal document.” This year on Feb. 25, the student Federalist Society at Stetson honored the late Supreme Court justice with an open campus discussion reflecting on his legacy with the Court.
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orris Henderson spent 27 years behind bars at one of the country’s most violent prisons, the notorious Louisiana State Prison at Angola, which sits on the site of a former slave plantation.
In 1977, Henderson was wrongly accused and convicted of second-degree murder. After his case was appealed, Henderson was released in 2003. He has since dedicated his life to helping others. On Oct. 28, Henderson shared his incredible story with students in Stetson University College of Law’s Innocence Initiative. Henderson was introduced by Professor Judith Scully, the Wm. Reece Smith Jr. Distinguished Professor of Law and co-director of Stetson’s Social Justice Advocacy program. “There are good people in this world and then there are extraordinary people. Our speaker today is extraordinary.”
While incarcerated, [Henderson] was the prison librarian for two decades, learning the law while helping fellow inmates with similar legal challenges.
In one breath, Henderson summed up his experience in Angola, “Bad experience, good results.” While incarcerated, he was the prison librarian for two decades, learning the law while helping fellow inmates with similar legal challenges. He also earned a degree in computer technology while behind bars. Henderson shared his first-hand experience of racism and brutality in the criminal justice system. He urged the law students to never give up and never lose hope. He encouraged them to work within their communities and to fight against any type of injustice. Today, Henderson continues his role as an advocate for criminal justice reform. He has created a number of non-profit organizations to provide a variety of services, including programs to help families of incarcerated individuals.
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Can a Law Degree Help You
MAKE TH
BY BILL NOBLITT
TIM MCFADDEN,’90 was happy practicing law. He felt he had carefully plotted his career path with a well-regarded firm that valued his skills. But then something happened. One day, after doing a deposition with a State Farm agent, he chitchatted with his client about what it was like to be in insurance. The agent told McFadden that the more he helped people with their needs, the more rewarding it was to his career. He also talked to McFadden about the benefits of being a small business owner, that it gave him flexibility in his life. “I began to think about a career as an insurance agent,” McFadden says now. But first came the hard questions. “Did I just waste three years of my life going to law school?” he asked himself. “Would I truly be happy in a new career field?” It was a big leap. He asked himself if he had the guts to do it. Shortly thereafter, he drove to his family’s house and sat with his father at their kitchen table to list pros and cons for and against the big switch. He agonized for days over the decision, but in the end decided to take the leap. “I wrestled with the idea and then felt ‘no guts, no glory,’” he said. Today, McFadden is a senior vice president for State Farm and is happy he made the switch. “If things changed for me at State Farm, I knew I could easily go back to my first love of practicing law,” he reasoned. Like McFadden, more and more graduates from Stetson University College of Law are
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finding that there is more to law than practice. With a Stetson law degree in hand, many are making the leap to other fields — though for different motivations. And with good reason.An article in Bloomberg BusinessWeek touts: “A Compelling Case for Lawyer-CEOs.” The article stresses, “This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Law schools, after all, are a rich source of intelligent and driven people.”
The JD Advantage In fact, NALP, the organization for legal career professionals, calls this the JD Advantage. According to the organization, “It is a phrase that NALP and the ABA use to describe a category of jobs for which
HE LEAP
to Another Career?
bar passage is not required, but for which a JD degree provides a distinct advantage.” An article on Slate titled “Now Is a Great Time to Apply for Law School,” extols JD Advantage jobs. “Most long-term, full-time JD-advantage jobs aren’t paralegal spots and the like,” wrote Jordan Weissmann. “The majority are professional opportunities in business, government and the nonprofit world with pay that’s on par with much of the legal sector.” According to Catherine B. Martin, director of career development at Stetson College of Law, Stetson Law graduates are particularly skilled in jobs outside the law career field. Why? “Stetson JD graduates,” she said, “have become skilled in negotiating, persuading, writing clearly and researching thoroughly, speaking concisely and confidently, and getting to the point very effectively.” Money is important, of course, but so is fit and calling. Martin pointed out that everyone has his or her own path to explore.
“A career path is an individual choice, and everyone has a different story to tell about how they found the right place at the right time,” she explained. “There is no single prescription or rule.” Sometimes there’s a nagging wondering about “What if.” After graduating from Stetson Law, for example, Sozon Vatikiotis ’05, became a successful attorney who practiced law for six years. But an entrepreneurial voice called to him unexpectedly. He wondered what else was out there. “I was given an amazing opportunity with a premier organization that specialized in providing healthcare and human capital solutions to large employers,” he remembered. “These industries are in an incredible state of volatility, disruption and evolution that require organizations to be fluid and nimble. The need to constantly analyze the landscape, recognize opportunities and execute relevant solutions at a rapid pace is an absolute must.” Today, with his degree from Stetson Law, Vatikiotis is CEO of Alltrust Insurance. And sometimes it’s just happenstance. After graduation, Bernard Iacovangelo ’73, returned
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F E AT U R E
My law degree helped me to think in different ways about a problem. I learned to walk in someone else’s shoes when I studied law. I learned to look from different angles at a complex problem. ~Tim McFadden ,90 to his home in Rochester, N.Y., to work for his brother Frank and his partner Gallo. “I began to learn how to practice law from these two very special attorneys,” he recalled. But things change. His brother had purchased a 98-unit project called Gateway Apartments. “At the closing, he told me I’d run the business,” he said. “It was terrifying since I was still a novice practicing law.” Iacovangelo had to learn the real estate development and homebuilding industries — and quick. “We operate more like a law firm than a developer and homebuilder,” he added.
Kelly Ritrievi ’03 was hired as a planned giving officer at the University of Tampa. “They preferred a JD,” she said. She went on to work for the University of South Florida Foundation. Today she is the development director for the Dalí Museum.
Experience in another field can lead to a new career as well. For instance, Kelly Ritrievi ’03, worked at a hospital in Tampa and was involved in healthcare administration before law school. That experience made her want to learn more about healthcare law. At the time, she had responsibility for negotiating contracts with physicians, among other things related to medical staff credentialing, marketing, governance and management. When Ritrievi’s hospital merged into a large system, the strategy part of her job was absorbed at the corporate level, and the merger gave her the opportunity to pursue her interest in healthcare law. Her decision to attend law school, however, was an especially tough one. “Keep in mind that I was already a midcareer person, so when I was admitted
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to Stetson, I was a lot older than most of my classmates,” she recalled. “Over the three-year period, I clerked at a few law offices, and I actually worked at the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office throughout my third year of school.” Although Ritrievi specialized in healthcare law, she found that most people thought of it as medical malpractice. “That was definitely not what I wanted to do,” she said. “I had also taken quite a few electives in trusts and estates and gift and estate tax, and I liked them.” After graduation, however, a number of realities presented themselves. “The job market wasn’t great,” she remembered. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to start at the bottom and work my way up to a point where my law partners thought I was worthy of a partnership in a firm.” At that time, Ritrievi searched the want ads and found a job for a planned giving officer at the University of Tampa. “They preferred a JD,” she said. After working there for a few years, she went to the University of South Florida Foundation, where she led the planned giving department. In planned giving, she interacted and worked with donors’ attorneys to help craft language for wills and trusts that would meet the goals of the donor and the requirements of the Foundation. Today, Ritrievi is development director for the Dali Museum.
F E AT U R E
still a fairly young professional who wants the world at my fingertips—like now,” he said. Law school helped Vatikiotis overcome the urge for the quick fix. “Like many driven individuals, I always demanded immediate results and success,” he continued. “I tolerated nothing short of perfection. I can point to my Law Review experience as the catalyst that taught me humility, patience and resiliency.”
Skills learned at Stetson University College of Law help graduates create their own good fortune. The Benefits of a Law Degree
intent of the law,” he said.
It’s easy to see how Ritrievi benefited from her Stetson Law education in her new career. But can a law degree help other alumni who decide to pursue a different career outside the law profession?
Similarly, McFadden found that what he learned in law school was invaluable in his new career. “My law degree was enormously beneficial,” he recalled.
For example, Iacovangelo believes that a legal education “is an awesome foundation for learning all the issues in any field.” “Stetson was a powerhouse at preparing me for the clarity in determining the issues, preparing for trial and protecting against the downside of every legal matter,” he explained. “This preparation gave me a keen analytical ability that lay individuals do not possess.” This helped Iacovangelo diagnose the industry relating to the apartment rental business, how to operate it, how to make money at it, how to deliver the best tenant services, and how to avoid disputes. “I was able to learn the law relating to this industry in New York and the spirit and
“First of all, insurance involves contracts, a subject I excelled in,” he said. “Then my law degree helped me to think in different ways about a problem. I learned to walk in someone else’s shoes when I studied law. I learned to look from different angles at a complex problem. “I honed my critical thinking skills while studying law at Stetson,” he added. Studying the law benefited Vatikiotis as well but perhaps in a slightly different way. “The critical thinking and analytical skills I learned at Stetson undoubtedly contributed to my survival in this mine field,” he explained. He learned other things, too, that helped him in his new career as CEO of Alltrust Insurance. “Humility, patience, resiliency and the ability to see the big picture. I’m
Failure is sometimes the best teacher. “When I submitted my first Law Review entry, I thought I was a shoe in; I couldn’t lose. Until that point, I hadn’t experienced true, unadulterated failure in any form. Well, I did when it came to Law Review. It was one of the healthiest experiences of my life, one that taught me that a person should always have a strong dose of confidence in their abilities, so long as the person doesn’t become blinded by it.” That experience in law school taught Vatikiotis other things, too. “My education and training at Stetson instilled in me an uncanny and invaluable ability to see the big picture and recognize corresponding opportunities and pitfalls,” he explained. “The key to success typically boils down to being able to see things before others do. That and luck. Lots and lots of luck. “My experience at Stetson taught me to not only see the big picture, but also to look for and understand the underlying minutia that factored into creating the big picture,” Vatikiotis continued. “When you can see the big picture and understand the moving parts that are creating it, you can pivot as needed, and in many cases create your own ‘luck.’” Of course, it takes more than luck to make it in any field. But the skills learned at Stetson University College of Law help graduates create their own good fortune.
BILL NOBLITT IS A FREELANCE WRITER AND DESIGNER LIVING IN DELAND.
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F E AT U R E
SOCIAL MEDIA HELP LAW ALUMNI STAY CONNECTED
BY L AURA CHEEK
#ST
IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T NOTICED, we’ve stepped up our game in the
world of social media--but why? Above: Stetson from above – Student Patrick Iyampillai shared this photo (on Twitter) from 2,000 feet.
Social media allows us to keep you, the alumni, connected.
Below: From Facebook: Our campus is full of history…this postcard, found at a local antique market, is dated 1949, when we were still a military academy. The postcard was originally sold at a department store in downtown St. Petersburg.
The platforms are tremendous—and free—tools for getting and sharing breaking news, perspectives and photos, and for keeping in touch with each other. Social media is also a great way to help ease the transition from student to alumni and connecting the two groups for networking and future collaborations.
Social media can be fun. • In December 2015 we posted a poll, “Is a hot dog a sandwich?” It has 23,000 views, 200 likes, 100 shares and 50+ comments, and it’s still going strong. • Thursday is a popular day on Stetson Law social media. Throwback Thursday, or #TBT, has been a great way to share law school photos from the past. • Our students and alumni often share amazing photos. In February, 3L Patrick Iyampillai shared a photo he took of campus from an airplane. • The Florida Bar’s #LawSchoolSelfie became a sensation in October 2015, when Professor Ellen Podgor took a selfie with her Criminal Law class and posted it to Twitter. The more you participate in social media, the more knowledge we gain to build a better experience for you and the entire Stetson Law family. Share your Stetson pride, news, photos and memories with us (and each other)! Use #StetsonLaw when you post on any social platform. You also can email us at communications@law.stetson.edu.
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ETSON LAW
Below: Professor Ellen S. Podgor and her Criminal Law class participate in The Florida Bar’s #LawSchoolSelfie Bottom left: A photo from Instagram of our Trial Team winning the FJA Honorable E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition.
Stay Connected (Facebook) facebook.com/stetsonlaw (Twitter) twitter.com/stetsonlaw (Instagram) instagram.com/stetsonlawschool (YouTube) youtube.com/stetsonlaw 13
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HELPING YOU
STAY C
BY JACK ROTH
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t Stetson University College of Law, alumni represent an important and respected part of the Stetson community. As attorneys, alumni have to meet continuing legal education (CLE) requirements in order to keep their professional licenses.
Excellence in Elder Law; the Center of Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy; the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law; and the Institute for the Advancement of Legal Communication — to come up with the required continuing education programs.
The Office of Professional Education was created in 2014 to identify gaps in the continuing education marketplace and work with Stetson College of Law faculty Mercy Roberg ’13, members Director of the Office of to produce Professional Education programming and assist alumni in this process. It also was created to maintain a strong connection to the alumni base.
Her office works in partnership with national legal experts and bar associations to offer a variety of programs, including Title IX education and compliance, the Annual Special Needs Trust Conference and the Annual National Conference on Law and Higher Education. Seminars and webinars are offered on a variety of legal topics such as sexual misconduct and discrimination, case law updates and practical ethics.
“Our goal is to create cutting-edge programs on a multitude of topics and provide our alumni with the opportunities they need to meet CLE requirements,” explains Mercy Roberg, director of the Office of Professional Education and Stetson Law graduate. “Continuing education for attorneys is ongoing, so we provide the year-round programming to make it more convenient for them.” Roberg works with various Stetson Law departments — including the Center for Excellence in Advocacy; the Center for
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Roberg, who also holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Florida, understands that for practicing attorneys, it is important to constantly look at the changing face of the legal industry. The programs, which are offered online, on campus, statewide, nationally and internationally provide a premiere continuing education experience. “At Stetson, we have access to some of the most gifted legal scholars and experts in the country, and we have the ability to offer programs that maintain the high standard of education we provide to our students,” says Roberg. “It’s also a great way to come back and learn from former professors, brush up in certain areas of the law, and learn new skill sets,” explains Roberg.
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ONNECTED
STETSON LAW ALUMNI ARE MEETING THEIR CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS THANKS TO THE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION.
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1. The Annual Special Needs Trust (SNT) Conference in St. Petersburg 2. Law Review Symposium. 3. Mercy Roberg and team at the SNT Conference 4. Stetson Law presents advocacy training at University College Dublin.
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Raising the Bar on
INNOVATIVE LEGAL RESEARCH IS RAISING EYEBROWS AND BROADENING PERSPECTIVES.
RESEARCH BY JACK ROTH
W
hen people think of university research projects, they tend to envision physics or biology professors in lab coats working with test tubes, Petri dishes and Bunsen burners. The reality, however, suggests a broader scope of research of which most casual observers are not aware. At Stetson University College of Law, dedicated professors, distinguished scholars and willing collaborators are conducting groundbreaking and insightful legal research.
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Eyes Reveal Keys to Persuasive Writing
Catherine Cameron, professor of legal skills, co-wrote the book The Science Behind the Art of Legal Writing, and is currently heading up a research project in which she is using state-of-the-art eye tracking software to detect if there are any differences in how law students read legal opinions over the course of their education. Her goal is to collect enough data to determine whether becoming more legal savvy leads to a better understanding of what parts of legal documents are more critical than others. The eye tracking software identifies where a student’s eyes move as he or she reads through a legal opinion. “By gathering this information, we hope to better understand how successful readers of law actually do it,” explains Cameron. “If we can discover trends in reading law documents, we can learn what to present and how to present it in order to become more persuasive legal writers.”
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“Being able to frame thoughts successfully in legal documents represents an important skill set for an attorney,” says third-year Stetson law student and research assistant Giovanni Giarratana. “I believe Professor Cameron’s research will establish this area of study as worthwhile of further inquiry. She’s combining empirical research and the law, which makes this both unique and exciting.” “By engaging in these research projects, it benefits both students and professors,” says Cameron. “Anytime you increase your understanding of how something works, whether it’s the legal process as a whole or how the mind processes legal documents and language, you automatically become better at your craft.”
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1. Professor Catherine Cameron uses eye-tracking software to understand how law students interpret legal opinions. 2. Fulbright Scholar in Residence Phillip Kasaija, Ph.D., and Ann Piccard, Professor of Legal Skills at Stetson. 3. Professor Lance Long.
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Human Rights Expertise From Afar
Students like Giarratana are not only benefiting from this research, but in the case of Fulbright Scholar in Residence Phillip Kasaija, Ph.D., they also are being exposed to a world-renowned expert on conflicts in Africa and international human rights law who brings with him years of experience. Kasaiga is an associate professor of political science at Makerere University in Uganda, and came to Stetson as part of a collaboration with the University of South Florida and the Florida Holocaust Museum. His expertise on genocide and post-genocide reconstruction and reparations has proved invaluable to the Stetson law community. “Experts on conflicts in Africa and international human rights law are hard
to find,” says Ann Piccard, professor of legal skills at Stetson, who has been working with Kasaija since he arrived in January. “Having an expert of his stature here, teaching and lecturing our students, represents both a great honor and a coup for us.” During his residence at Stetson, Kasaija is researching and writing about the international law implications of the use of drones by U.N. peacekeeping forces. He also is sharing his experiences and expertise through his teaching and guest lectures. “Dr. Kasaija was personally involved in overseeing due process in the postgenocide reconstruction in Rwanda,” says Piccard. “This provides a priceless opportunity for our students to hear firsthand accounts from an African academic
whose research is personal as well as professional.” “We’re creating more knowledgeable graduates by raising the bar when it comes to research,” says Piccard. “It makes all of us better, and that’s why we’re here.”
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Writing to Win
One empirical study that continues to advance the legal profession focuses on how defensive language shapes U.S. Supreme Court opinions. Professors Lance Long (Stetson) and William Christensen (Brigham Young) have shown that Supreme Court justices write in a more argumentative and defensive language when they are writing dissenting opinions. Their unique theory of
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Carol Henderson (Above right, and inset right) is the founding director of the awardwinning National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law (NCSTL) at Stetson University College of Law.
“It’s imperative that prosecutors and defense counsel meet their forensic science information needs when developing their strategy.” ~Professor Carol Henderson
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“argumentative threat” was validated by their statistical analysis and further validated by a follow-up study described in a forthcoming Washington University Law Review article. “The impetus for this research was a previous study I had done, showing that attorneys writing ‘losing’ briefs (briefs in an appeal where they ultimately lost the appeal) wrote them in a different style than ‘winning’ briefs,” says Long, professor of legal skills at Stetson. “I wanted to see if this pattern held in an opinion where judges or justices knew they would lose, which is when they are writing a dissenting opinion.” Students were invaluable in this process, as research assistants gathered and analyzed hundreds of Supreme Court opinions to provide the raw data for the study. They also researched every other similar study that had been previously performed and researched a significant amount of background information for the article. “This type of research is important for students because it involves the painstaking detail that’s required in most complex litigation and in all scholarly writing,” adds Long. “It’s a great accomplishment to list on a resume. We listed and thanked the student research
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This research offers an introduction into complicated questions about the structure of government and the separation of powers in a context (ethics and recusal) that is relatively straightforward and intuitive for them. ~ Professor Louis Virelli
assistants by name in the article, which also gives them great exposure.”
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Meeting the Need for Forensic Science
Professor Carol Henderson recently returned from the European Academy of Forensic Sciences meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, where she presented on the topic of legal and judicial education in forensic science. Partly as a result of her research efforts, the College of Law recently was awarded a $400,000 grant to improve the quality and effectiveness of representation in death penalty cases through training both prosecutors and defense counsel in forensic science. “Today, forensic science plays a critical role in the courtroom, and especially in death penalty cases where lives are on the line,” said Henderson. “It’s imperative that prosecutors and defense counsel meet their forensic science information needs when preparing strategy for their cases and looking for experts to support their positions.” Henderson directs the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and Law (NCSTL) as the only online resource in the world that concentrates on the nexus of those topics. The database provides citation information and full text links to documents, literature and websites of more than 32 subjects related to forensic sciences and expert testimony.
Since 2005, more than 1.2 million users have reaped the benefits of information contained in the articles, books, cases, legislation and other relevant documents and multimedia assembled by NCSTL researchers.
Professor Louis Virelli
The type of information that can be garnered through a resource like NCSTL is invaluable to students as well, according to Henderson. “This is about education and training at all levels,” she said. “If students understand the need to be educated in forensic science, they will be prepared when scientific evidence plays a role in their cases. “Hopefully, this research will enlighten law professionals and give them the impetus to learn more about forensic science, which plays a crucial role in litigation today,” she stresses.
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Interpreting the Constitution
Professor Louis Virelli’s research argues that the legislative recusal standards for U.S. Supreme Court justices are unconstitutional because they improperly interfere with the justices’ constitutional power to decide cases. Virelli also plans to use his research to ask how the Court uses the concept of tradition to interpret
various provisions of the Constitution. His research is designed to help better understand how the Court engages in constitutional interpretation, its most fundamental function. “I became interested in the issue at a conference and started researching the history and rationale of these standards for the justices,” explains Virelli. “It’s basically a legal argument relying on principles of constitutional law to cast new light on how we view the recusal practices of the Supreme Court.” Virelli credits three research assistants with providing invaluable assistance with editing his articles and subsequent book manuscript. “This research offers an introduction into complicated questions about the structure of government and the separation of powers in a context (ethics and recusal) that is relatively straightforward and intuitive for them,” says Virelli, who believes crafting legal arguments such as these enhance the learning experience for Stetson law students.
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This type of research helps students understand the importance of explaining to policy makers the issues that face veterans of these current conflicts who are suffering from traumatic brain injury. ~Associate Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox
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Benefitting Veterans
Stacey-Rae Simcox, associate professor of legal skills and director of the Veterans Advocacy Clinic at Stetson, is collaborating with Isis Marrero, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences at University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine, in a unique partnership to train law and medical students in an interdisciplinary environment while helping disabled military veterans receive earned benefits. The study has allowed several veterans to be seen by different medical professionals in departments across USF to receive evaluation and diagnosis of disabling conditions. Law students then piece together the medical evidence and legal arguments necessary to establish a veteran’s eligibility for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. “The psychiatrist and neurologist at USF surveyed the research available from the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and private institutions on brain
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trauma, both in general and in military members, including a manifestation of symptomatology and its potential co-morbidity with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” explains Simcox. “I surveyed the Department of Defense’s response to traumatic brain injury on the battlefield and its evolution since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan, and the legal issues and concerns that face military members suffering from mild traumatic brain injury that is left undiagnosed and untreated.” As a result of the study, Simcox, Marrero and USF Assistant Professor Michelle Mattingly have published an article in the University of Missouri-Kansas City Law Review concerning the causes and symptoms of traumatic brain injury in veterans on the battlefield and the potential legal and medical effects of this condition if left undiagnosed and untreated. “This type of research helps students understand the importance of explaining to policy makers the issues that face
veterans of these current conflicts who are suffering from traumatic brain injury,” says Simcox, who recognized the valuable contributions students made with engaging and researching veterans legal issues for this study. “It also helps them understand how physical injury can impact a client’s judgment and understanding, and it helps both law and medical students learn that treating their clients’ legal issues and their patients’ medical issues cannot happen in a silo.” As a leader in legal research, the goal for students and faculty at the College of Law is to put the data gathered to good use. In the end, the use of empirical research to further the understanding of legal issues and practices benefits everyone, from students to professors to practicing law professionals.
JACK ROTH IS A FREELANCE WRITER LIVING IN ORLANDO.
ADVOCACY from page 6 Trial Team • Champions; Best Advocate, preliminary round 1; Best Advocate, preliminary round 2; Best Advocate, preliminary round 3; Best Advocate, preliminary round 4; and Best Advocate Overall, 2015 Florida Justice Association Honorable E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition • Champions, Most Professional Team Award, and Best Advocate, Final Round, National Ethics Trial Competition • Best Opening Statement Award, Best Direct Examination Award and Best Closing Argument Award, American Bar Association National Criminal Justice Trial Competition • Best Advocate, South Texas Mock Trial Challenge
Moot Court Board • Best Brief Award and Professionalism Award, 2015 E. Earle Zehmer Workers’ Compensation Moot Court Competition • Best Brief Award, New York City Bar’s 65th Annual Moot Court Competition • Best Team, Best Oral Advocate, and Best Respondent Brief, 2015 National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition • Best Oralist (tied), Mercer Moot Court Competition on Legal Ethics and Professionalism
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• Best Oralist (tied), Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship • Regional Co-Champions and Sixth Best Oralist, American Bar Association Law Student Division National Appellate Advocacy Competition, Boston Regional • Best Oralist, Seventh Best Oralist, Fifth Best Memorial Award, South Regional 2016 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition
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• First Place; Best Oralist, Final Round; and Best Brief Award, 31st Annual Dean Jerome Prince Memorial Evidence Competition
Dispute Resolution • First place, The Florida Bar’s International Section Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Pre-Moot
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• Top 32 of 311 teams and Honorable Mention for Respondent’s Memorandum and Honorable Mention for Best Oralist, 23rd Annual Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot 2016 1. Front row (L-R): Natalie Yello, Marissa Cioffi, Anna Kirkpatrick, and Brittany Cover. Second row (L-R): Ryan Hedstrom and Greg Pierson. Back row (L-R): Professor Louis Virelli and Associate Dean Michael Allen (the teams’ coaches). 2. (L-R): Taylor Ryan and Correy Karbiener won the National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition. 3. (L-R) Stetson students Colby Connell, Tamara Williams, coaches Colby Hearn and Trina Hearn, students Brandon Breslow and Kaitlyn Dugas won the FJA Honorable E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition 4. (L-R): Students Kasey Feltner, Sterling Lovelady and Adriana Foreman.
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S T E T S O N L AW Y E R FAC U LT Y
FORUM KRISTEN DAVID ADAMS, professor of law, has joined the Board of Directors of Gulfcoast Legal Services and starting in July 2015 became the faculty advisor for the College of Law’s Dispute Resolution Board. Professor Adams recently was elected to the Board of Regents for the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers. She and Professor Candace Zierdt have taken the lead of the International Sales portion of the ABA’s annual survey contained in its scholarly publication, The Business Lawyer. Professor Adams spoke on two panels addressing the Convention on International Sale of Goods at the ABA Business Law Section Annual meeting in Chicago in September 2015, one of the two with Professor Zierdt. This meeting was also the beginning of her three-year term as Chair of the UCC Committee and Professor Zierdt’s three-year term as Vice Chair. The manuscript for their book on the CISG is now complete and submitted to the ABA. In December, Professor Adams spoke at the Virgin Islands Bar Association Annual meeting in St. Croix in preparation for the symposium on Virgin Islands and Territorial Law that was held on the Gulfport campus in March 2016.
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KIRSTEN K. DAVIS,
professor of law, director of Legal Research and Writing, and director of the Institute for the Advancement of Legal Communication, spent the fall semester as academic director for Stetson’s Semester in London Program. While in London, she taught Professional Responsibility and Comparative Freedom of Expression, participated in the Workshop on Hate Speech Law and Political Philosophy held at the University of London, and began a comparative exploration of legal writing training for barristers and solicitors in the UK. Dr. Davis continued her work as director of the Institute for the Advancement of Legal Communication by furthering the Institute’s mission of bringing legal communication training to diverse audiences. For Stetson students, Dr. Davis created and leads a voluntary extracurricular enrichment program, the Advanced Legal Writing and Communication Skills Development Workshop, which is designed to prepare students to meet the demand for excellent legal communicators in practice. Students completing the year-long program learn what communication skills are expected in the legal practice environment, what
communication issues are common to legal practice, and how to be a professional and effective communicator in different situations and for different audiences. Specific topics covered include listening and non-verbal communication, cross-cultural communication, agenda drafting, email writing, contract drafting, complaint drafting, good letter writing, influential communication skills, writing process approaches and professional litigation communication. For lawyers, Dr. Davis presented on effective letter writing at the 2016 Summit of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, and she recently trained Florida state adult and child protective investigators on writing narrative reports and affidavits. The training for adult protective investigators was done as part of an initiative by Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law.
ROYAL C. GARDNER,
professor of law and director of the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, continues his work on global wetland policies. As part of Professor Gardner’s work as chair of the Ramsar Convention’s scientific advisory body for 2013-2015, he was the lead author of a Ramsar Briefing Note with 10 scientists on the “State of the World’s Wetlands and Their Services to People,”
which was produced in three languages. He discussed the state of the world’s wetlands during his chair’s report at a plenary session of the 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention in June 2015. More than 800 representatives from 140 countries attended this meeting, held in Punta del Este, Uruguay. After a nomination by the governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States, Professor Gardner was reappointed chair of the Ramsar Convention’s scientific advisory body for 2016-2018. In November, he spoke at the
Professor Judith Scully talks to law students about Professor Judith A.M. Scully, Wm. Reece Smith Distinguished the importance of Jr. probono Professor of Law leads a discussion with students. work.
United Nations in New York at the closing ceremony of the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Body on Water and Sanitation, which included King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands and Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan.
CAROL HENDERSON,
professor of law and founding director of the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law (NCSTL) attended the American Academy of Forensic Sciences meeting in February, led the Crime Scene Essentials webinar in March as part of a U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance’s
Capital Case Litigation Initiative grant project, and met in March with Dean Katsunori Kai at Waseda University in Japan. Professor Henderson continues to serve as the co-chair of the Life & Physical Sciences Division of the Science & Technology Law Section of the ABA and as a member of the ABA Judicial Division’s Forensic Committee. The Judicial Division and the Science & Technology Law Section sponsored a symposium, “Can the Gatekeeping Function of the Court Improve the Quality of Forensic Science?” at
Northwestern University in April. At the symposium, she delivered a presentation, “Improving the Gate—The Future of the Courts and Forensic Science.” In September, Henderson gave a presentation, “Judicial and Legal Education in the Forensic Sciences: How Far Have We Progressed on the Path Forward?” in Prague at the European Academy of Forensic Science Conference. In September, NCSTL received a $400,000 grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to produce eight webinars and two
in-person training sessions focusing on “Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics for Capital Litigators. The first webinar aired in early March. In October, Professor Henderson made a presentation to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Forensic Science Committee regarding the grant project and the Stetson/LEIC online training program “Locating, Evaluating and Selecting Expert Witnesses,” for which she was the faculty presenter. In November 2015, Professor Henderson gave three
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FORUM
presentations in Australia. At the Australia New Zealand Forensic Society (ANZFS) for the Northern Territory, she presented “NCSTL as a Resource.” At the Australian Society of Forensic Odontology Symposium in Darwin, she presented “Overview of NCSTL and NCSTL’s Recent Projects.” Finally, at the University of Technology in Sydney, she presented “A View of U.S. Forensic Science: The Path Forward Since the NAS Report.” Most recently, Professor Henderson has been appointed as a member of the National Judicial College’s Scientific Evidence Course faculty. The course will be held Sept. 2629, 2016, in Clearwater.
BRUCE R. JACOB,
dean emeritus and professor of law, has been an active member of the Bruce R. Jacob Criminal Appellate American Inn of Court. The Inn will soon add to its name and become the Bruce R. Jacob – Chris W. Altenbernd Criminal Appellate American Inn of Court to honor Judge Altenbernd of the Florida Second District Court of Appeals. Judge Altenbernd is retiring from the Court. In February, Dean Jacob spoke to an audience of 300 secondary social studies teachers in Clearwater, about the Gideon v. Wainwright case. In March he gave a speech on the Gideon case to members of the Mobile Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies, in Mobile, Ala. Later that month,
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he spoke at “An Evening with Bruce Jacob,” an event sponsored by the Polk County History Center, in Bartow, Fla.
TIMOTHY S. KAYE,
professor of law, has reinvented the law book in the form of an interactive website. Recently Professor Kaye publicly launched his Law of Torts book on the Webby Books website which he himself designed to bridge the gap between traditional law books and modern legal research. Kaye’s Webby Books is a responsive website where law students and professors may interact with law books published online. Dissatisfied with restrictions from publishers, Kaye created the Webby Books website to encourage class discussion directly within the text, as well as to provide free online scholarly research. “I want people to think that online books are more than just an electronic version of a hard copy text,” said Kaye. Kaye’s Law of Torts features live forums for interactive class discussion, a method on each page for students to add notes and highlight text, hypotheticals and multiple choice quizzes for every book chapter, hyperlinks to Google Scholar and free legal research, a searchable glossary with pronunciations and definitions of terms, and diagrams that expand almost infinitely without loss of definition.
LANCE N. LONG, professor of legal skills, presented a paper entitled: “Is There Any Science Behind the Art
Jason Palmer, professor of legal skills and coordinator of Legal Research and Writing advises a student.
of Legal Writing?” at the Psychology of Persuasion Conference in Laramie, Wyo. The paper will be published in the University of Wyoming Law Review. He was a debater and a presenter at a two-day conference at St. Petersburg College entitled “Sea Level Rise: What’s Our Next Move?” sponsored by The Institute on Science for Global Policy in partnership with the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions at St. Petersburg College and was interviewed live about his thoughts on sea level rise on WMNF radio. Professor Long presented “Writing to Save the World: How to Improve Your Environmental Advocacy Through Clear and Effective Writing” at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference at the University of Oregon. He also presented “The Top Ten Takeaways
from the Science Behind the Art of Legal Writing” at the Southeast Legal Writing Conference in Miami with his co-author Stetson Professor of Legal Skills Catherine Cameron.
ELLEN S. PODGOR,
Gary R. Trombley Family White-Collar Crime Research Professor and professor of law, hosted the 2016 Corporate Criminal Liability 2.0 Symposium in February. This academic year, Professor Podgor produced five co-authored books, including new editions to White Collar Crime: Law and Practice (4th edition), Nutshell on White Collar Crime (5th edition) and Mastering Criminal Law (2d edition). There was also a first edition book, co-authored with Professor Lucian Dervan,
FORUM
each semester in developing their expertise in public service endeavors. She serves as the advisor to several student organizations including the Pillars, the Innocence Initiative, the Street Law Program and the Dream Defenders. Professor Scully’s commitment to student leadership development has led her to host several events at the law school, including two law school discussions on the role that race plays on our campus, a panel discussion on the Biking While Black crisis in Tampa, and a series of speakers related to criminal justice reform.
that published a white collar trial advocacy problem.
JUDITH A.M. SCULLY
continues to serve as the William Reece Smith, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Law. In this capacity, she has focused primarily on issues related to diversity, inclusivity, public service and professionalism. Professor Scully is a member of the Faculty and Staff Diversity Committee at the law school and is an active member of the University’s Task Force on Inclusivity and Excellence which has been focused on implementing a campus-wide climate survey. Professor Scully is also the co-coordinator of the Social Justice Advocacy Concentration Program that mentors and guides approximately 15–20 students
Professor Scully worked with our Communications Office to revamp the law school’s pro bono website so that students will be well informed of their responsibilities and opportunities pertaining to pro bono. Her most recent scholarly article entitled, “Examining and Dismantling the Schoolto-Prison Pipeline: Strategies for a Better Future,” was published in the Spring 2016 Arkansas Law Review.
CIARA TORRES-SPELLISCY,
associate professor of law, hosted Chair of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Ann Ravel on campus in November 2015. Chair Ravel addressed Stetson Law students in a lunch sponsored by the Stetson Chapter of the American Constitution Society. Professor TorresSpelliscy also spoke to the Mexican Electoral Tribunal in Mexico City in October at the invitation of the University of Texas at Austin and the
Mexican government. In February, she spoke at Stetson Law’s Corporate Criminal Liability 2.0 Symposium about human rights abuses by multinational corporations. In June, Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy’s first book Corporate Citizen? An Argument for the Separation of Corporation and State was published by Carolina Academic Press. This book explores the intersection of corporate law and election law. The thesis of the book is that through judicial decisions, corporations are gaining more First Amendment rights that are decoupled from responsibilities. Corporations are experiencing push back from many quarters, though, including investors, customers, fellow entrepreneurs and legislators.
STEPHANIE A. VAUGHAN
was appointed Associate Dean for Student Engagement and Professor of Legal Skills in July 2015. In this position, she is responsible for coordinating student activities, including pro bono service, clinics, externships, bar preparation, career services, and study abroad opportunities. Dean Vaughan was the Resident Director for Stetson’s inaugural Comparative Trial Advocacy Study Abroad Program in Oxford, England. Most recently, she was a featured speaker at the Tampa Bay
Chapter of the Federal Bar Association’s “Staying in the Game: A Call to Action” CLE.
LOUIS J. VIRELLI, III,
professor of law, authored a book, Disqualifying the High Court: Supreme Court Recusal and The Constitution published by the University Press of Kansas. He also coauthored an administrative law casebook, Administrative Law: Cases and Materials, Seventh Edition (William Jordan, Richard Murphy & Louis J. Virelli III, eds., Lexis/ Nexis) (2015). Professor Virelli recently published an article titled “Deconstructing Arbitrary and Capricious Review in the North Carolina Law Review,” and has two more articles forthcoming: “Administrative Abstention” in the Alabama Law Review, and “Transparency and Policymaking at the Supreme Court,” is a forthcoming symposium submission in the Georgia State Law Review. He was a commenter at the AALS New Voices in Administrative Law Program in New York in January, is Chair of the SEALS Works-in-Progress Committee (inaugural committee), and an Executive Committee Member of both the AALS Administrative Law Section and the AALS Constitutional Law Section.
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S T E T S O N
L AW Y E R
EVENTS
The Orlando Alumni Chapter at Orlando Brewing, November 2015
Charles Samarkos ’89, Associate Dean Stephanie Vaughan ’91 & Joan Vecchioli ’86
Board of Overseers Bill Weller ’04 and Richard Harrison BA ’83, JD ’86 Top right, this page: Simone Marstiller BBA ’88 & JD ’96, Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz & Cynthia Henderson BBA ’82 & JD ’85 at Tallahasse Alumni Chapter 26
New York City Alumni Chapter socialize at The University Club, November 2015
Second-year Stetson Law student Diriki Geuka and Jacqueline Prats ’15 at the Dali Museum student mixer
Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz and Emeritus Dean Lizabeth Moody
Alumni gather at the Tallahassee Holiday Party in December 2015
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S T E T S O N L AW Y E R
PHILANTHROPY BY FRANK KLIM
H
is groomsman’s responsibilities behind him, Stanton Fears ’15 could finally relax and enjoy his friend’s wedding reception. The nuptials assembled a myriad of friends and family from around the country. One group of guests Stanton met that Ohio wedding day would inspire him to evaluate his career and life’s work. Stanton had been out of Morehouse College for a couple of years. His degree in economics with a concentration in math served him well as a purchasing agent with a highly regarded company. Although this Buffalo native valued his employment and respected his co-workers, his career seemed more suited for someone else. He yearned for a job that also would allow him to make positive contributions to society. As his eyes scanned the wedding reception hall, he noticed a group of people talking and laughing. Intrigued by their mix of professional yet cheerful demeanor, Stanton introduced himself. “I met a bunch of people who looked like me. They were young, black attorneys and law students. As I got to know them a little bit better, I thought to myself, I can do this, too!” His legal career was underway.
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SCHOLARSHIP LEADS TO STUDENT’S SUCCESS
Law’s Associate Director of Admissions, Darren Kettles. “Darren thoroughly explained law school and what would be required of me. Then he told me about this great place called Stetson that has a welcoming community and strong academics.” Stanton shared his LSAT results with the Stetson administrator. “He said my academic scores might make me eligible for a scholarship. I thought he was joking.” Emotionally buoyed by his encounter with Darren, Stanton applied to Stetson and waited. A few weeks later, during a break at work, Stanton picked up his phone and read through his emails. Staring into the illuminated little screen, Stanton’s breath quickened and his heart pounded. An email from Stetson’s Darren Kettles had just arrived. Stanton clicked the email and Darren’s message appeared.
Stanton Fears ’15, and Crystle Carrion ’15. There were no lawyers in Stanton’s family. There would be no footprints to follow. He would be the first.
studied, he worried how he would pay for law school, let alone the $90,000 he still owed in undergraduate loans.
Once Stanton decided to attend law school, every free moment was spent preparing for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). While he
The then 25-year old’s high LSAT score gave him the confidence he needed to attend a law school recruiting fair. There, he met Stetson
Dear Stanton, I am very excited to tell you that Stetson Law selected you for a full tuition scholarship for your three years of study in the JD program. The message continued with details of the scholarship offer from Stetson.
I would not be an attorney today if it were not for this huge blessing. I am a changed man because of Stetson’s scholarship, and I hope to pay it forward one day and do the same for another aspiring lawyer.” ~Stanton Fears '15
Stanton Fears ’15, (third from left with fellow Law students) knows how his Stetson Law scholarship helped him reach his dreams.
Stanton graduated from Stetson in May 2015, earning not only his law degree, but also receiving the Edward D. Foreman Most Distinguished Student Award. As a student, Stanton was a member of the Honors Program, Stetson’s awardwinning Trial Team, the ADR Board, Student Ambassadors Organization, Black Law Students Association (BLSA) and numerous other student organizations. He also worked with several professors as a teaching assistant.
A Stetson internship with a Knoxville, Tenn., law firm evolved into a full-time position. Stanton and his girlfriend Crystle, another Stetson graduate and Tennessee attorney as well, are settling in as valued members of the local legal community. Stanton’s success is of his own doing, a direct result of his hard work and belief in himself. He adds that his legal career would not have happened without a Stetson scholarship.
“This scholarship made my entire life better. It opened so many doors and opportunities that I could only imagine. I would not be an attorney today if it were not for this huge blessing. I am a changed
man because of Stetson’s scholarship, and I hope to pay it forward one day and do the same for another aspiring lawyer.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION about how you can change the lives of outstanding students and help future generations of lawyers, please contact alumni@law.stetson.edu.
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PHILANTHROPY
MEET THE STAFF OF DEVELOPM
Patricia Toups Assistant Director of Development
Kevin Hughes, Assistant Dean for Development & Alumni Relations
BY KEVIN HUGHES
AS THE COLLEGE OF LAW continues its efforts to engage with our alumni, you may have noticed some new faces and names in the Development & Alumni Relations Office over the course of the past year and a half.
Kevin Hughes Assistant Dean I arrived at Stetson in September 2014 and have been active ever since in building a dynamic team of professionals to engage with our alumni. Our entire staff works every day to establish and strengthen relationships with Stetson University College of Law alumni and friends, while securing resources for the school and sharing the great things that are happening on campus. Before coming to Stetson, I worked for nearly a decade in the political world before making a career transition and working with the OhioHealth Foundation and Denison University. It was at OhioHealth and Denison that I began to work one-on-one with individuals to help them realize their philanthropic goals, while also fulfilling the priorities and mission of each respective institution. Originally from Pittsburgh, I received my BA in Biology (Pre-Med) and Political Science at Allegheny College in Meadville, Penn. 30
Patricia Toups earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Stetson University. She has worked in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations since 2001 in various roles. As Assistant Director of Development, Toups brings a broad breadth and knowledge to the development team that includes historical timelines, practices and procedures, fiscal management and, most importantly, a loyalty and devotion to Stetson Law and its alumni. Toups previously worked in the Admissions Office at Stetson Law from 1980 to 1984. In 2004, she was one of three employees named Employee of the Year. Toups received the Dean’s Award for service to the law school in 2007 and 2012. She has two sons and one daughter. Her son Bishop is a graduate of Stetson Law.
PHILANTHROPY
ENT & ALUMNI RELATIONS
Mike Casey
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Mike Casey specializes in engaging the Stetson Law community of alumni. He helps to establish and grow local alumni chapters around the state of Florida and the country. He is also responsible for planning many of the College of Law’s signature events, including the Scholarship Dinner, the Hall of Fame Banquet, and the annual Alumni Holiday Open House. Prior to joining Stetson, Casey received his bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of South Florida. He then worked for over a decade in the Marketing Department at the Tampa Bay Times (formerly the St. Petersburg Times) where, among his other duties, he helped establish the Events Department.
Debbie Swink
Tomeka Jackson
Nancy Bolton
Debbie Swink has worked for not-for-profit organizations since 1997. Before joining the Stetson team, she worked for Lowry Park Zoo, LifePath Hospice and the American Heart Association. Her development background includes special events, planned giving, foundations and individual donor relations. Swink has raised over $25 million dollars and believes the $50 gift is equally as important as the six-figure gift. Her role is matching the donors philanthropic vision and passion with the organization’s mission. Swink grew up on the Space Coast and graduated from the University of South Florida in Wellness Education.
Tomeka Jackson joined Stetson in the summer of 2014 after previously working with Raymond James Financial in St. Petersburg. In her role, Jackson oversees the day-today operation of the office, as well as the processing and acknowledgement of all gifts to the college. She received her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Metropolitan University and her master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Nova Southeastern University.
Nancy Bolton joined Stetson in January 2016 after a 24-year career working with the U.S. Army and the U.S. Department of State. A native of Chatsworth, Ga., Bolton and her family moved to Gulfport in February 2015. She primarily oversees the ongoing maintenance of our alumni database and provides administrative support to other team members.
Major Gifts Officer
Administrative Support
Administrative Support
We encourage all of our alumni to stay connected with the College of Law. With an ever-expanding list of opportunities to connect with fellow alumni through our alumni chapter events, to staying in touch electronically via our website and Facebook page, we hope you will remain an active part of the Stetson family. If our office can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at alumni@law.stetson.edu or 727.562.7818.
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S T E T S O N L AW Y E R F I S C A L Y E A R 2 015
DONOR REPORT Donor Codes
A: Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association D: Deceased F: Faculty O: Overseer P: President S: Staff St: Student T: Trustee
The Justice Society $50,000 or More
S. Sammy ’66 T O and Carolyn Michels Cacciatore BA ’63 Charles A. Dana Law Center Foundation Bonnie Foreman BA ’68 T O Dr. Dolly ’49 T and Homer Hand
Founder Society $25,000–$49,999
Wilfried Florin ’80 O Florin, Roebig, P.A. Joseph Landers, Jr. BA 64 and JD ’70 T Dean Emeritus Lizabeth Moody
President’s Society:
Dean’s Circle
Prof. Kristen David Adams F
Prof. Robert D. and Marilyn Bickel MS ’82 F
Lawrence Adams
John Bussey, III ’68
William Baker, Jr. ’83
$10,000–$14,999
American College of Bankruptcy Foundation Prof. Brooke J. Bowman ’02 F Millie Brown Greenspoon Marder Law Daniel Hightower BA ’70 and JD ’73 Kevin ’00 A and Jenay E. Iurato ’00 O
Advocate Society $5,000–$9,999
$2,500–$4,999
Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A. Alexander Clem ’90 Thomas Graves ’60 O Richard Harrison BA ’83, JD ’86 O Benjamin Hill, IV ’97 Hill Ward Henderson Lawrence Ingram ’90 O
Appleby Foundation
J. Ben Watkins Private Foundation, Inc.
Baker and Hostetler
Thomas James ’69
Javier Centonzio JD ’12, LLM ’14
Marlyss Kuenzel
Gregory Coleman ’85
Carl Nelson ’79
Prof. Clark Furlow
Phelps Dunbar, LLP
Richard Jacobs ’67 Linda Kahn
Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz F O
Charles Liberis ’67
Prof. Ellen S. Podgor F
Joshua Magidson ’80 T O
Luis BA ’78, JD ’81 T and Catherine Prats ’83
Matthew Alexander Hauser Trust
Caranell Lott
Jackie Preis
$1,000–$2,499
Assoc. Dean Michael P. Allen F Prof. Mark D. Bauer F Skip Berg ’71 Robert Biasotti ’96 Scott Bruin BA ’75 T CapTrust Advisors LLC Karla Carolan ’08 James Clark ’72 Hon. Angela Cowden ’93 Robert Deak ’08 Col. Christopher Dougherty ’85 Robert Downs ’65 Grace Dunlap ’86 Eldercounsel, LLC Prof. Emeritus William Eleazer F Adelaide Few ’85 O Joseph Fleece, III ’80 Prof. Roberta K. Flowers F Seymour Gordon ’60 Hon. Karl Grube ’70
Richard McKay ’84
Prof. Charles Rose F
Gerard Harlan
Pinellas County Community Foundation
Prof. Rebecca C. Morgan ’80 F
St. Petersburg Bar Foundation, Inc.
Robin Lynn Hoyle ’91 Edward Hutchison, Jr. ’86
Thomas Roebig, Jr. ’86
Mary Scheb
Matthew Towery ’87 O
Scott Stevenson ’12 O
Thomas A. and Mary S. James Foundation
Dean Emeritus Bruce R. Jacob ’59 F
Counselor Society
The Sgt. Jessie Davila Memorial Classic
Brandon ’94 and Shirin Vesely BA ’91, JD ’94
Erik Johanson ’13
William Weller ’04 O
Patricia Johnson S
$15,000–24,999 Anonymous
The Joy McCann Foundation
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Barrister Society
Arturo Rios, Jr. O
Donald Workman ’91
Roger Yoerges ’85 O
Hon. Anthony Johnson ’80 Stacy Kemp ’07 Rhea Law ’79 O
Marc Levine ’06 A Harley Look, Jr. ’78 Wendy Loquasto ’88 Stewart Marshall, III ’73 Hon. Catherine McEwen ’82 Prof. Jeffrey Minneti Hon. Andrew Given Tobias Moore, II George and Clara Nenezian NSI Insurance Group Raymond Rafool, II ’91
Partner
$500 - $999 American Legion Post 125 Brent Bigger ’04 James Bowdish ’69 Deborah Brown ’87 Craig Cameron ’73 Richard Canina ’10 J. Frazier ’88 and Claire Carraway ’85
John Rains, III ’79
Kathryn Harrigan Christian BA ’02, JD ’06
Raquel Ramirez ’12
Derrick Connell ’09
James Reid LLM ’15
Connell Law Group
Amy Rigdon BA ’05, JD ’08 A Marcus Rosin ’97
Hugo de Beaubien ’73
Hon. Dale Ross ’73
Hon. David BA ’68, JD ’72 and Susan Demers BA ’71
Thomas ’76 and Marsha Rydberg ’76 O
Edward and Cynthia Eliopoulos
Rydberg Law Firm, P.A.
Meagan Foley ’13
Hon. Susan F. Schaeffer ’71 D
James and Sharon France
John Slye ’64
Prof. Royal Gardner, III F
Jason Stearns ’08
William Robert Gower, III ’13
Rexford Stephens ’98
Frank and Teresa Hearne
Robert Stokes ’61
W. Langston Holland ’60
John Cameron Story ’77
David Hooks
John Strickland ’71
Maurelle Hooks
Hon. Irene Sullivan ’77
Kevin Hughes S
Brian Sutter ’82
Kapila Family Foundation, Inc.
James Thaler ’00 The Sustany Foundation, Inc. Ruth Thurman ’63 Prof. Rebecca S. Trammell F Melvyn Trute ’66 Jason Turner ’04 Robert Wellon ’74 O Clyde Wilson, Jr. ’65
Lesa Kennedy Hon. Lawrence Keough ’60 Jerry Kern ’64 Darlene Krizen S Howard Krooks Dr. Wendy Libby P T O and Dr. Richard M. Libby
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D O N O R R E P O RT
James BS ’71, JD ’74 and Catherine Martin MBA ’08 S
Robert Eckard ’98
Matz, Blancato and Associates, Inc.
Mark Haranzo ’85
Bernard BA ’69, JD ’72 O and Denise McCabe BA ’68 Prof. Janice K. McClendon F Hon. Robert Michael, Jr. ’64 NASCAR Maureen Proctor ’88 Amy Quezon ’92 Hon. Peggy Quince O Assoc. Dean Susan Rozelle F Frederick Schaub ’84 Robert Sniffen ’93 Scott Sternberg ’98 G. J. Rod Sullivan, Jr. ’82 The Bailey Law Firm Bill Tong ’90 United Way of Summit County Assoc. Dean Stephanie A. Vaughan F Anne Weintraub ’03 Ann Wild ’83 William Wildhack ’05 Thomas Williams, Jr. ’79 Joseph Woodard Stuart Zimring
Ambassador $250–$499
Bruce Albright ’77 Frank Aloia, Sr. ’66 Jerry Aron ’77 Jeptha BBA ’79, JD ’82 and Carol Barbour BA ’81 Prof. Cynthia Batt F A.C. Bergman Edwin Boyer ’77 Jacqueline Brown ’92 Nancyanne Carothers Hon. Jason Dimitris ’98 Sacha Dyson ’01 David Eaton ’87
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Ralph Evans ’75 Nathaniel Hatcher ’08 A Clifford Hoffman ’69 Information Specialists Group, Inc. Mary Alice Jackson ’91 Caitlein Jammo ’13
Diplomat $100–$249
Louie Adcock, Jr. Anonymous Keith Appleby ’04 A Prof. Dorothea A. Beane F Andrew Bennett ’13 Prof. Jason R. Bent F
Gary Jodat ’93
Gerald Berkell ’52
Jorgensen Romanello and Gibbons, P.A.
F.L. Blankenhorn ’64 Robin Blanton BA ’73, JD ’77
Frank Klim S
Hon. Arthur Bleecher ’57
Roxane Latoza S
Hon. Maryann Boehm
Eunice Luke ’66
Andrew Bolin ’02
Karen McManus ’97
Hon. Janet Booth BA ’88, JD ’93
Hon. A. Thomas Mihok ’75 Peter Miller ’74 David Miller ’98 John Moran ’87 Patricia Morrissey ’77 James O’Leary, II ’95 Samuel Perry, Jr. BBA ’70
Prof. Paul Boudreaux, Jr. F Heather Bush ’10 Hon. Pamela Campbell ’89 Hon. Charles Carrere ’61 Richard and Lauren Carroll Andrew Chiang ’05
Jerome Quinn ’68
Marcia Cohen ’84
Prof. Theresa J. Pulley Radwan F
Lou Ellen Combs ’86 Douglas Connor ’82
Stephen Russell ’75
Prof. John Cooper
Allen Samuels ’56
Joseph Covelli ’98
Robert Scheb ’83
Michael Terrell Davis BA ’05, JD ’08
Gregory Showers ’92 O Sons of the American Legion Special Needs Alliance, Inc.
Lana Dean ’99 Dr. J. Allison DeFoor, II ’79
T. Grey Squires Binford ’87
Katelyn Mae Desrosiers ’12
George ’53 and Barbara Stedronsky BS ’54
E. Paul Dietrich ’69 Theodore Doremus, Jr. ’69
Leslie Stein ’76 O
Sheryl Edwards ’95
Deborah Swink S
Emerald Green Villas Management Company, Inc.
The Bank of America Foundation
William Falkner ’84
The Florida Bar
Nancy Farage ’81
The Florida Bar Foundation
Prof. Kelly M. Feeley F
Verizon Foundation
Michael Fisher ’67
Ahmad Yakzan BA ’03, MBA ’05, JD ’08, LLM ’09
Prof. Peter L. Fitzgerald F Chelsea Flaherty ’10
Hon. Marion Fleming ’83 Hon. Phyllis Galen ’89 Davina Gould BA ’97 Gray Robinson Tamara Graysay ’02 Hon. Oliver Green ’58 Linda Griffin ’91 Kate Halvorsen ’92 Elizabeth Strawn Harris ’95 Frank Hayden Prof. Carol E. Henderson F Bridget Knox Heptner ’85 Peter Hofstra ’77 Patice LaDell Holland ’07 Hon. William Raymond Holley BA ’91, JD ’97 Hon. Donald Horrox ’82 Donald Howard S Aleksandra Irene Jagiella ’04 Prof. Marco J. Jimenez F Andrea Johnson ’04 Rita Jones Douglas Kemp ’02
D O N O R R E P O RT
Hon. Richard Page ’85 Prof. Jason Palmer F Ruth Parent ’80 Clinton Paris ’00 Dr. David Persky ’88 Sidney Peterson, Jr. BBA ’77, JD ’80 Justin Piercy Genellen Pike ’02 Woodrow Pollack ’06 Cassandra Ponder ’03 Matthew ’09 and Sandra Ransdell ’10 Gayle Ray-Watson Kristi Rothell ’02 Kristine Rusch ’97 Pamela Rush ’96 Sarasota Inn of Court Judge John M. Scheb Richard Sebek ’87 and Joan Corces ’87 Hon. Daniel Kilbride, Jr. BA ’65, JD ’74
Prof. James A. Sheehan ’77 F Gary Simon ’74
Daniel Kirkwood ’79
Hon. Ralph Steinberg ’59
Kevin ’91 and Mary Beth Kuenzel ’93
Malcolm Stephens, Jr. ’52 D Nina Sumilang ’10
Herbert Kurras ’59
Brett Swigert ’90
Michael Lenehan ’75
Temple Beth-El Art Show
Ryan Leuthauser ’12
Jennifer Terrana ’09
Prof. Lance N. Long F Kristina Macys S
Anthony ’13 and Erin Tilton ’13
Maglio, Christopher and Toale, P.A.
Prof. Ciara Torres-Spelliscy F Patricia Toups S
Damian Mallard ’90
Gary and Laura Turner
Richard McAlpin ’84
Adron Walker BBA ’77, JD ’80
Cynthia McGirk ’09 Nicola Melby ’92 Larry Meyer ’66 William Morrison, Jr. ’50 Prof. Joseph F. Morrissey F Daniel Noble Alicia Norton S Erin Okuno ’13 S
Philip Wartenberg ’94 Kevin BBA ’86 and Page Wasilewski BBA ’85 Carleton Weidemeyer ’61 Thomas Williams, Jr. ’96 Prof. Candace Zierdt F
Donor
Hill Law Firm P.A.
Prof. Linda Anderson F
Craig BBA ’81 and Carol Howell BA ’81
$99 and Under Lyda Astrove ’84 Nancy Besore ’05 Jane Brown ’77 Joann Grages Burnett ’08 S A Deborah Bushnell ’80 Prof. Catherine I. Cameron F Beth ’09 S and Michael Casey S P. Lynn Cash ’83 Keith Casto BA ’69, JD ’73 Douglas Cherry James Choate, III ’09 Hon. John Conrad BA ’78, JD ’80 Dora Cueto Prof. Kirsten K. Davis F James Deakyne, Jr. ’73 Prof. Cynthia Hawkins DeBose F David Doney ’91 Nicholas Dorsch ’13 William Drumm Eaton Electrical, Inc. Shannon Edgar S Katie Everson S ES Foxx Solutions LLC Prof. Michael S. Finch F and Lora Smeltzly ’87 Prof. James W. Fox, Jr. F Larry ’80 and Judith Foyle ’81 Carole Gabrio S James BBA ’79 and Nancy Gianacakes
Todd Robert Howard ’07
Sally Israel Prof. Amelia Michele Joiner F Darren Kettles S Edward Knauer ’84 Prof. Peter F. Lake F Larocca Chiropractic Centers LLC Derek Larsen-Chaney ’12 Karen Lloyd ’85 Ann Lyon ’78 Frank Morreale BBA ’93 James-Allen ’08 and Jennifer McPheeters ’09 James Moss ’88 Bradley Muhs ’14 Carol Murphy ’78 Joseph Murray, III ’08 Prof. Luz Estella Nagle F Pamela Newman Prof. Marleen O’Connor Dorothy Pessillo ’83 Brett Pettigrew ’09 Prof. Ann M. Piccard ’85 F Daniel Policastro Arthur Pringle, IV BBA ’91 Christopher Putnam ’14 Hon. Erika Quartermaine David Quinlan Brian Redar ’06 John Rhodes, Jr. ’60 D John Rivera ’81 Bonnie Russell ’84
Suzanne Goodknight
Prof. Stacey Rae Simcox F
Worth Graham
Todd Sims
Dr. Karen Annette Griffin
Claudos Spears ’72
William Grigsby Jennie Elizabeth Hayes ’13
Janice Ann Strawn S Prof. Louis J. Virelli, III F
John Hayes
Prof. Darryl C. Wilson F
Susan Helms ’92
Rachael Wood ’07
Korey Henson ’09 S
Katherine Yanes ’97
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S T E T S O N
L AW Y E R
LEADERSHIP Our Board of Overseers
T
he purpose of the Stetson University College of Law Board of Overseers is to counsel, advise and assist the Dean of the College of Law in developing the program of legal education. The board also advises on financial matters and assists in securing resources for the college. Members of the board serve three-year terms and may serve more than one term by recommendation of the board’s Executive Committee. The board gathers for meetings three times a year, though members also work closely with the Dean and other members of the college’s staff on an ongoing basis. There are currently 26 active members of the board, which are profiled here:
EXECUTIVE BOARD BENJAMIN HILL, IV ’97 CHAIR OF THE BOARD Ben, the Chair-Elect of the Board of Overseers, is a shareholder with Hill Ward Henderson in Tampa. He is also the Immediate Past President of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, where he has served on the Board of Directors for many years. He is a past recipient of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association’s Outstanding Alumni Representative Award.
RHEA LAW ’79 VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD Rhea serves as chair of Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney’s Florida offices. In addition to her service on the Board of Overseers, Rhea is involved with numerous civic and charitable organizations. She is the current chair of the Florida Council of 100 and is the former chair of the Board of Trustees for the University of South Florida.
GREGORY COLEMAN BBA ’85, JD ’89 SECRETARY OF THE BOARD Greg is a partner with Critton Luttier Coleman in West Palm Beach. He is the Immediate Past President of The Florida Bar and recently was awarded the President’s Award of Merit by The Florida Bar for the third time. Greg is also a past recipient 36
of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association’s Ben Willard Award.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BONNIE FOREMAN BA ’68 In addition to serving on the Board of Overseers, Bonnie is an active member of the Stetson University Board of Trustees. A retired teacher, Bonnie has been an active volunteer for and supporter of the College of Law for many years.
RICHARD HARRISON BA ’83, JD ’86 Richard is a local government attorney with Richard Harrison, P.A. in Tampa. He is a past President of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association and a past recipient of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association Outstanding Alumni Representative Award.
the Stetson Law Review and the winner of the Attorney’s Title Insurance Fund Law Review Competition. In addition to his service on the Board of Overseers, Zander has served in leadership roles with the Florida Justice Association, including the role of President in 2004-2005.
ROBERT “ROBIN” DOYLE ’75 Robin is a full-time mediator and arbitrator with Doyle Conflict Resolution in Naples. Robin is an active member of his local community who has served in a variety of roles, from the Economic Development Council of Collier County to the Collier County Airport Authority. He is also a past recipient of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association’s Outstanding Alumni Representative Award.
S. SAMMY CACCIATORE BA/JD ’66
GRACE DUNLAP ’86
Sammy is a partner with Nance, Cacciatore, Hamilton, Barger, Nance & Cacciatore in Melbourne. A member of the Stetson University College of Hall of Fame, Sammy is also a current member of the Stetson University Board of Trustees.
Grace is the Managing Shareholder of Bryant Miller Olive in Tampa and is a member of the firm’s Public Finance practice group. She frequently teaches the public finance section of the City, County and Local Government Law Certification course for The Florida Bar and is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers.
OVERSEER ALEXANDER “ZANDER” CLEM ’90 Zander is a partner with Morgan & Morgan in Orlando. While at Stetson he was a member of
WIL FLORIN ’80 Wil is a partner with Florin Roebig in Palm Harbor. He is
a past recipient of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association’s Outstanding Alumni Award (along with his partner Thomas Roebig ’86) and has served as an adjunct faculty member at the College of Law.
LEO GOVONI Leo is President of the Boston Finance Group, LLC in Clearwater. He is also one of the founders of The Centers, which is a Florida-based organization of related businesses, providing a wide range of professional services designed to meet the needs of attorneys and their clients. Leo is also a past member of The Florida Bar Foundation’s Board of Directors.
LAWRENCE INGRAM ’90 Larry is a partner with Phelps Dunbar in Tampa. A past recipient of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association’s Outstanding Alumni Representative Award, Larry has been actively involved with the Moot Court program at the College of Law.
JENAY IURATO JD/MBA ’00 Jenay practices with her husband Kevin ’00 in the Iurato Law Firm in Tampa. The Immediate Past President of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association, Jenay is a recipient of the association’s Outstanding Alumni Representative Award. She is also a past recipient of the Stetson University’s President’s Award.
CHARLES LIBERIS ’67 Charles founded the Liberis Law Firm in Pensacola to focus on all areas of business and real estate law. A member of the Board of Overseers since 2014, Charles
Board of Overseers at January meeting, Tampa Law Center
with the College of Law and has remained engaged ever since. Bill is also a community volunteer and currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Gulfcoast Legal Services.
ROBERT WELLON ’74 played an instrumental role in helping the College of Law form its 3+3 program with the University of West Florida, which allows highperforming students to matriculate to Stetson after three years of undergraduate study.
JOSHUA MAGIDSON ’80 A Stetson University College of Law Hall of Fame inductee, Josh is a shareholder with Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen in Clearwater. In addition to his service on the Board of Overseers, Josh is also a past president of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association and a current adjunct faculty member.
BERNARD MCCABE BA ’69, JD ’72 Bernie currently serves as the State Attorney for Florida’s Sixth Judicial Circuit, a position to which he was first elected in November 1992. A member of Stetson Law’s Hall of Fame, Bernie is also a past recipient of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association’s Ben Willard Award and has served as an adjunct faculty member for the college.
THE HON. PEGGY QUINCE Justice Quince is a member of the Florida Supreme Court, a position to which she was appointed in 1998 by the late Governor Lawton Chiles and Governor-elect Jeb Bush. She had previously, in 1993, been the first African-American female to be appointed to one of the district courts of appeal.
ROBERT RIEGEL, JR. BA ’78, JD ’81 Bob is a shareholder with Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney in Jacksonville. A member of the Board of Overseers since 2009, Bob is also a past president of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association. He is active in numerous local, charitable and civic organizations such as the Jacksonville Urban League and Life Care Ponte Vedra, Inc.
ARTURO RIOS JR. ’06 Art is a partner with the Rios Law Firm in St. Petersburg in which he practices Immigration Law and Deportation Defense. Art is an adjunct professor at the College of Law and has been a Trial Team coach for a number of years.
GREGORY SHOWERS ’92 Greg is a partner with Kwall Showers Barack & Chilson in Clearwater. Greg’s dedication to community service has been recognized with The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award, as well as Stetson’s William Reece Smith, Jr. Award for Public Service. He is the Past President of the Clearwater Bar Association.
SCOTT STEVENSON ’12 Scott is an associate with Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz in New York City, NY. He previously served as a law clerk
to the Honorable Charles Wilson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, as well as to the Honorable Elizabeth Kovachevich of the United States Court for the Middle District of Florida. Scott was an active member of the Moot Court Board while at Stetson and was named the Law Review’s Most Outstanding Associate.
MATTHEW TOWERY ’87 Matt is the Chairman of the Government Affairs and Public Policy Practice at Hall Booth Smith in Atlanta, Ga. A former member of the Georgia House of Representatives, Matt is the Chairman of Insider Advantage, as well as a pollster, author and nationally syndicated columnist.
Rob practices family law with Wellon Family Law in Atlanta, Ga. He has served as an adjunct professor at Emory Law School since 1995 and is a past President of the Atlanta Bar Association. Rob is the founder and initial president of the Charles Longstreet Weltner Family Law Inn of Court.
ROGER YOERGES ’85 Roger is a partner with Steptoe & Johnson in Washington, D.C. He is a member of Steptoe’s Litigation Department and the firm’s Products Liability, Pharmaceutical & Mass Tort Litigation practice. Roger is also the CEO of Capital Talent Agency, which represents theater professionals based in Virginia, Maryland & Washington, D.C.
GARY TROMBLEY ’73 Gary is the principal of Trombley & Hanes in Tampa. A member of Stetson Law’s Hall of Fame and past president of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association, Gary is also a past recipient of the Paul M. May Meritorious Award.
WILLIAM WELLER ’04 Following a long and distinguished career in the world of corporate broadcasting and communications, Bill graduated from the College of Law in 2004. Immediately upon graduation, Bill became actively involved
Before press time, two new members joined the Board of Overseers. Stetson University College of Law welcomes Mark Haranzo ’85 and Judge Simone Marstiller BBA ’88, JD ’96. Profiles for Mark Haranzo and Judge Simone Marstiller will appear in the next issue of Stetson Lawyer.
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S T E T S O N L AW Y E R
CLASS NOTES What’s New in Your Life? Tell us. Email us at alumni@law.stetson.edu or visit www.law.stetson.edu/ alumni. Please send us your high resolution photo, too. 1950s Judge Robert E. Beach ’58, St. Petersburg, was featured in the Florida Bar News article “The old men and the sea.”
1970s Gary Simon ’74, Miami, won the coveted Allan Stolman Ultimate Networker Award for 2015, according to the Kendall Gazette.
state laws impacting public educational institutions. He is a member of The Florida Bar’s Education Law Committee, the Florida School Board Attorneys Association, and the Education Law Association. He also practices in the areas of Labor and Employment law and Administrative law.
1980s Terry J. Harmon ’80, Tallahassee, was named a shareholder with Sniffen & Spellman, P.A. Harmon has worked with and now leads the firm’s education law practice. He has represented educational institutions before the Florida Department of Education, the United States Office for Civil Rights, the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida State circuit courts and federal courts. In addition, he has served as litigation and transactional counsel to educational institutions, including K-12 and higher education, in a variety of education law matters and has lectured on federal and
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Sherrille Bailey Akin ’85, DeLand, has joined ShuffieldLowman, of counsel. Akin will be working in ShuffieldLowman’s two Volusia County offices in Daytona Beach and DeLand and in the Orlando office, practicing in complex estate planning and tax law. Marcos R. Marchena ’85, Orlando, was appointed to the Board of Trustees for the University of Central Florida. Marchena is a senior partner of Marchena and Graham Law Firm.
Judge Rand Hoch ’85, West Palm Beach, was presented with Palm Beach State College’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award. The honor was bestowed in recognition of Judge Hoch’s efforts, which resulted in the enactment of more than 100 local civil rights laws and policies throughout Florida. Benjamin P. Butterfield ’86, Orlando, joined the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, Orlando Office, as an of counsel in the corporate & securities practice group. Butterfield focuses his practice on the areas of mergers and acquisitions, compliance matters, governance, general corporate law and complex commercial agreements. Stephen Parascandola ’88, Cary, N.C., was named a 2016 North Carolina Super Lawyer.
His current practice involves many substantive areas of environmental, OSHA and land use law, including the State and Federal CERCLA, RCRA, UST, Dry Cleaner Solvent and Brownfields Programs. His practice also includes water quality, landfill, storm water and wetlands issues. He regularly counsels clients on risk management, particularly with respect to mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, insurance matters, investigations and audits, and public company environmental disclosures. Rachel W. Sokoloski ’88, Brentwood, Tenn., was appointed as an administrative judge with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.
Michael E. Boutzoukas ’89, Clearwater, a shareholder with Becker & Poliakoff Law Firm, Tampa, was selected as president of the Bay Area Real Estate Council by the Board of Directors.
JUDGE HONORED FOR HER SERVICE
U
.S. Bankruptcy Judge Catherine Peek McEwen ’82 was honored at the Florida Supreme Court as the first recipient of the Chief Justice’s Distinguished Federal Judicial Service Award. The award honors an active or retired federal judge for outstanding and sustained service to the public, especially through pro bono legal services.
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.
“I am incredibly proud that Judge McEwen created a video Judge McEwen is being honored for the Bankruptcy Pro Bono Pro with this inaugural award for Se Assistance Project with a grant outstanding public service,” from the Florida Bar Foundation said Stetson Law Dean and and assistance from the bankruptcy Professor of Law Christopher court, Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Pietruszkiewicz. “Judge Bar Association and Bay Area McEwen is a role model for our Catherine Peek McEwen ’82 Legal Services to assist people in students, and we are delighted bankruptcy matters. that so many members of the Stetson community share her In 2009, Judge McEwen commitment to serving the community.” received the J. Ben Watkins Award from Stetson University College of Law. 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
Before serving with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Judge McEwen was an attorney and shareholder at Moffitt, Hart & Herron and served in private practice. Judge McEwen worked as a sportswriter in Tampa in the 1970s before attending law school at Stetson.
LAW GRADUATE APPOINTED TO TENNESSEE BENCH
R
achel Waterhouse ’88 holds the position of administrative judge for the State of Tennessee. She earned her JD, cum laude, at Stetson University College of Law, where she was an editor of the Stetson Law Review and member of the Honor Court. She’s lived in Nashville since graduation. Judge Waterhouse completed a two-year Federal Court clerkship in Nashville, and has both law firm and government legal experience. Before becoming an administrative judge, she had broad experience as a civil litigator in various Tennessee and Federal courts and agencies. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney/Civil Chief,
she prosecuted and defended a wide range of Federal cases, including healthcare fraud, torts, employment discrimination and medical malpractice. Judge Waterhouse previously served as deputy chief disciplinary counsel for the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court, where she dealt with attorney ethical issues, and Deputy General Counsel with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, where she supervised issues ranging from consumer affairs to insurance and securities. As a trained Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 general civil mediator, Judge Waterhouse has experience mediating cases. She has an active Tennessee law license and is admitted to practice law before several Federal courts. As a practicing attorney, Judge Waterhouse retained an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. She has been a board or committee member of numerous bar association, civic and community organizations.
Rachel Waterhouse ’88 39
CLASS NOTES
1990s
growth over the past two years led to the relocation to larger space. The Quick Law Group handles divorce and family law for women. Michele Leo Hintson ’02, Land O’Lakes, was appointed vice-chair of Pasco EDC’s Growth Task Force. Hinston is a litigation partner with Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP.
Melanie A. Marsh ’97, Sanford, was appointed county attorney for Lake County.
2000s
Heather Quick ’00, of Jacksonville has moved the Quick Law Group to Jacksonville Beach. Significant
Victoria Cruz-Garcia ’03, Riverview, received the 2015 Luis Cabassa Award by the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association (THBA) at their 9th annual gala dinner and ceremony held in November at The Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club. Cruz-Garcia is a principal attorney at Givens, Givens, Sparks. CruzGarcia was chosen to receive the THBA’s highest award because of her commitment to law, professionalism and the community through the organization. Cruz-Garcia was the THBA’s president for two years after sitting on the organization’s board. During her years of service, she has spearheaded numerous projects at THBA, including the annual gala. Under
Cruz-Garcia’s leadership, the annual gala grew from 30-50 attendees to more than 175 guests.
state legislator, while also adding the titles of husband and father within the past two years.
Matthew Dolman ’03, St. Petersburg, has been selected as a 2016 Super Lawyer.
Bert Reeves ’05, Marietta, Ga., was honored last October as a member of the Georgia Trend 40 under 40. A state legislator in the Georgia House of Representatives, Reeves also works as a general practice attorney after five years as an Assistant District Attorney in Cobb County. While at Stetson, Reeves was active in numerous organizations, from the Student Bar Association to being a Stetson Ambassador. He continues to maintain a busy schedule between his law practice and work as a
Erin L. Malone ’06, Tampa, an attorney at Phelps Dunbar LLP, was named a 2015 Florida Super Lawyer – Rising Star. She practices in the area of labor and employment.
Jennifer R. Cowan ’06, Gulfport, was appointed City Attorney of the City of
Graduate Wins Pro Bono Award
A
lumna Jennifer Anderson ’02 was among 21 lawyers who received Florida Bar Pro Bono Awards during an awards ceremony on Jan. 28 at the Florida Supreme Court. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Catherine Peek McEwen ’82 was also honored at the Florida Supreme Court as the first recipient of the Chief Justice’s Distinguished Federal Judicial Service Award. Anderson, who was recognized in the Seventh Judicial Circuit for working on behalf of poor and indigent clients, is an attorney with AndersonGlenn LLP in Ponte Vedra Beach, representing children who have been abused or neglected. Anderson dedicated hundreds of hours to the case of a child who was abused by her father. Today, with Anderson’s help, that child has
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grown into a talented musician at a school for the arts in Jacksonville. The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Awards were established in 1981 to encourage lawyers to volunteer free legal services to the poor by recognizing lawyers who make public service commitments.
Jennifer Anderson ’02
The awards recognize pro bono service in each of Florida’s 20 judicial circuits as well as service by a Florida Bar member practicing outside the state.
CLASS NOTES
Treasure Island. Cowan is an attorney in the Tampa Bay office of Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A. Kristopher J. Verra ’06, Tampa, joined Shook, Hardy & Bacon in the Tampa office. Verra is a member of the firm’s Global Product Liability group; he represents companies involved in individual and complex tort and product liability matters in industries including chemical manufacturing, construction, pharmaceutical and medical device, alarm services and life safety and tobacco. Melody B. Lynch ’07, Orlando, has been named shareholder with Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A.
J. Derek Kantaskas ’07, Tampa, has been elected one of nine shareholders with Carlton Fields. Kastankas is a member of the firm’s construction litigation practice group and construction industry group. He advises and represents clients during contract negotiation and formation throughout a project and in all aspects of litigation proceedings. Kantaskas has experience resolving complex contract disputes, project delay claims, construction defects, lien and bond disputes, regulatory
investigations, and copyright and trademark infringements. Alison Parker ’07, Tallahassee, was promoted to prosecutor in the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations Division of Real Estate.
Brian A. Watson ’07, Orlando, was one of 10 attorneys elected to partnership with Burr & Foreman LLP in the Orlando office. Watson has experience representing issuers, financial institutions, underwriters and investors in connection with the public and private offering of municipal and corporate securities. He serves in the firm’s corporate & tax, lending, and real estate practice groups with a focus on public finance and assisting clients in matters such as formation of corporations, limited liability and partnerships, day-today operations and contract negotiation. Jennifer L. Terrana ’07, St. Petersburg, opened Jennifer L. Terrana, P.A. The firm specializes in Elder Law.
Alvarez Named Hispanic Man of the Year
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anny Alvarez ’07 smiles at his office cleaning lady with the same enthusiasm he does when he greets the president of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He treats all people with the same amount of respect and cordiality, according to Javier Torres, a Venezuelan lawyer who works with him. “Danny housed the foundation in this place,” said Torres, executive director of Migrants Foundation, a nonprofit organization. “Everyone comes to Danny for advice: police officers, judges, business owners, all kinds of people.” Alvarez, of Seffner, received the 2015 Hispanic Man of the Year Award by the Board of Directors of Tampa Hispanic Heritage. “I took a left in life, and then a right, and I ended up in the school of law,” Alvarez said. Before attending Stetson University College of Law in 2004, Alvarez studied journalism at the University of Florida, then worked as a reporter at The Miami Herald from 1990 until 1996. His work ethic and exposure to different scenarios defines who he is today. “Danny is a great guy and professional, but I think that what makes Danny Danny is how down to earth and sincere he is,” said Luis Viera, a Tampa attorney. “He is a humble man. That is, he works hard to honor his heritage as a Cuban American and as a son of Cuban exiles. He carries that in his heart and aspires to give that to his children.” 41
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join the inaugural class of the Florida Fellows Institute according to the HeraldTribune. Anthony Velardi ’09, St. Petersburg, wrote the news article “Handling the sale of investment property” in the Lakeland Ledger.
Graduate Appointed Federal Judge
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ac R. McCoy, BA ‘98, JD ‘01, was appointed a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Fort Myers Division of the Middle District of Florida last summer.
The longtime shareholder with Carlton Fields Jorden Burt celebrated his investiture on Nov. 13. Born in Fort Myers, Judge McCoy has donated hundreds of hours of pro bono service as an attorney. He has received numerous accolades for service, including the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Award and the Wm. Reece Smith Pro Bono Award. He was recognized by the Supreme Court of Florida, the Young Lawyers Division of the Florida Bar, the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit’s Pro Bono Committee, and the Florida Pro Bono Coordinators Association in collaboration with Bay Area Legal Services’ Volunteer Lawyer Referral Program for exceptional pro bono service. Judge McCoy also has served in a number of leadership roles in the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section and is a member of the ABA’s Standing Committee on Technology and Information Systems. He is also a member of the Technology Committee of the Florida Bar’s Vision 2016 Commission and an ad hoc member of the Technology Subcommittee of the Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice. As an attorney, Judge McCoy focused his practice on class action defense, business litigation, consumer financial services litigation and real property litigation in federal and state courts.
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Miguel R. Roura ’09, St. Petersburg, was elected CoChair of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association (FDLA) Young Lawyers Committee for a two-year term. As an FDLA Committee Chair Member, Roura will be an integral participant of the Board meetings where he will provide committee activity updates to FDLA’s Executive Board. He will also be responsible for fostering various leadership roles within the organization. Jason P. Stearns ’08, Riverview, was elected a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. The Foundation is an honorary organization of attorneys, judges, law faculty and legal scholars who have been elected by their peers to become a member. Membership is limited to 1 percent of lawyers admitted to practice in each jurisdiction of the United States and to a small percentage of international lawyers. Members are nominated by fellows in their jurisdiction and elected by the Board of the American Bar Foundation. Forrest J. Bass ’09, Port Charlotte, an associate at the Farr Law Firm, has been selected by the Florida Fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel to
Ashley M. Elmore Drew ’09, Tampa, has joined Burr & Forman’s Financial Services Litigation Practice in Tampa.
2010s David A. Fernandez ’10, Sarasota, recently opened Fernandez Benjamin Firm. The firm’s area of practice is real estate and commercial litigation.
Matthew S. Kramer ’10, St. Petersburg, joined the full-service South Florida law firm Brinkley Morgan as an associate in the real estate practice. Kramer’s
CLASS NOTES
Two Inducted Into Hall of Fame
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tetson University College of Law inducted two extraordinary alumni into its Hall of Fame on Oct. 24, 2015. Hall of Fame inductees are selected for having a profound and positive impact on Stetson Law and the legal profession. This year’s inductees include:
Fred Dudley ’68 is a board certified construction lawyer with almost five decades of experience in construction and real estate law. This acclaimed lawyer served 16 years in the Florida Legislature, retiring from the Florida Senate in 1998, where he served as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, and vice-chair of the Appropriations Committee. Dudley has received numerous awards for his countless contributions to his community, to his profession and to Stetson University College of Law. He served on the Stetson Board of Overseers for six years and is the recipient of Stetson’s Ben C. Willard Award for humanitarian achievements of distinction.
Fred Dudley ’68
Fred Schaub ’84 is the felony division director at the State Attorney’s Office in Florida’s 6th Judicial Circuit. He has prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases from misdemeanors to murder cases, complex racketeering cases and corrupt public officials. The governor of Florida appointed him as a special assistant state attorney to handle a grand jury case addressing claims of mistreatment of Florida prisoners. Schaub played a key role in establishing Stetson Law’s national ranking in trial advocacy when he took over the law school’s prosecution clinic and trial advocacy program. Under his leadership, Stetson became the first law school to win all five national trial competitions. He continues to serve Stetson as an adjunct professor and with the Pinellas County Prosecution Clinic. Fred Schaub ’84
legal experience includes civil litigation, consumer bankruptcy, residential and commercial foreclosure defense, loan modifications, and debt management. He is a member of the Young Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar and is licensed in all Florida state courts, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. Jamie Moore Marcario ’10, St. Petersburg, was among the five Board Directors recently appointed to the Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts Board of Directors. Over the past 26 years, TBBCA has united businesses to champion arts and culture, and the five new board members have business acumen and a
background in the arts. Jamie is an Associate with Greenberg Traurig, and often performs with The Impromptu Players, a theatre group made up of business professionals in the Tampa Bay area, at Stageworks Theatre.
general corporate advice, as well as mergers and acquisitions. His experience includes advising privately held companies and their owners with respect to mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, entity formation and various other ongoing corporate matters.
Starnes & Holt, P.A. She focuses her practice exclusively in the areas of divorce, marital and family law. She handles dissolution of marriage (divorce), custody, paternity, child support and domestic violence injunctions.
Nathan West ’12, Charlotte, N.C., has been promoted to Senior Tax Associate with FPMG, LLP. He is part of the International Tax group at KPMG in Charlotte, N.C.
Ryan Angel ’12, Tampa, joined Hill Ward Henderson as an Associate in the firm’s Corporate & Tax Group. Ryan’s practice focuses on
Kayla E. Richmond ’13, Fort Myers, has been named President-Elect of the Lee County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division. Richmond is with the law firm of Henderson, Franklin,
Nicole J. Poot ’15, South Pasadena, joined Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A. as an associate in the Tampa office. “We are honored to welcome
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Nicole to LLW,” said Kevin Hennessy, shareholder at the Tampa Bay office of Lewis, Longman & Walker. “Her experience and passion for environmental law aligns with the core industries we serve — she will be an added benefit to our clients as we continue to grow.”
Remembering Judge Susan Schaeffer ’71 Retired Judge Susan Schaeffer, who graduated in 1971 at the top of her class at Stetson University College of Law, died in April, leaving a legacy that continues to impact justice in Florida. She sat on the Pinellas-Pasco Court for 23 years and was chief judge for six years. As chief judge, Judge Schaeffer was known as an expert in the death penalty who presided over several death penalty cases and wrote a textbook on death cases for Florida judges. Judge Schaeffer helped establish equitable funding for Florida trial courts. She was a finalist for the Florida Supreme Court. Judge Schaeffer was inducted into the Stetson University College of Law Hall of Fame in 2005.
Yesica S. Liposky ’15, Clearwater, joined the law firm of Broad and Cassel in the Tampa office. Her practice will be in commercial litigation. David M. Kalteux ’15, Tampa, has joined FordHarrison, LLP in their Tampa office. Prior to joining Ford Harrison, David was a summer associate with the firm, and before that served as a law clerk at two other Tampa Bay area law firms, gaining extensive experience performing legal research, drafting memoranda and preparing and editing motions. Daniel K. Miles ’15, Tampa, has joined FordHarrison, LLP in their Tampa office. Before joining FordHarrison, Miles served as a summer associate with the firm. Miles also previously served as a legal intern in the Office of the Attorney General in the Criminal Appeals division in Tampa. In this role, he researched criminal appellate issues ranging from suppression of evidence to 44
withdrawal of pleas and drafted appellate response briefs to be filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second District.
Weddings
Melaina Tryon ’15, Tampa, joins the global product liability group at Shook, Hardy & Bacon’s Tampa office. During her time at Stetson, she was an assistant executive editor for the Stetson Law Review, a member of the Stetson Moot Court Board and a judicial intern to the Hon. James D. Whittemore. She was also a member of the national champion team and was named Best Oralist at the 2015 Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship.
Births
Stanton A. Fears ’15, Knoxville, Tenn., joined Kramer Rayson, LLP in the Knoxville office. Fears’ area of practice is litigation and employment an labor.
Judge Susan Schaeffer
Ashley N. Donnell ’12, New Port Richey, married Derek Hackl on May 2, 2015.
Erica Woods ’03, Cape Coral, and husband, Matthew Woods, are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Connor James Woods, born Oct. 30, 2015.
Obituaries Henry P. Duffett ’50, Daytona Beach, passed away on Feb. 5, 2016. He was 92. Michael R.N. McDonnell, JD ’70, LLM ’01, Naples, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 5, 2016. David C. Clark Jr. ’55, Delray Beach, passed away on Dec. 24, 2015.
CLASS NOTES
Alumna Advocates for Orphans
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ulayat Hajiyeva, LLM ’15, grew up in Azerbaijan in the midst of political upheaval. She was just 5 years old during the overthrow of Soviet Azerbaijan and the Black Saturday Massacre that left hundreds dead in Baku. Growing up with her siblings in an orphanage that was run more like a prison than a sanctuary for the children living there, Hajiyeva experienced firsthand what it is like to live in a conflict zone.
At the age of 15, the soft-spoken Hajiyeva became determined to become a lawyer to change the situation of other children in orphanages. She became an advocate for children’s rights, practicing in Azerbaijan and Turkey before coming to Stetson to study for her advanced degree in law.
While at Stetson, Hajiyeva lectured and conducted seminars at universities in Azerbaijan about children’s rights and Gulayat Hajiyeva, LLM ’15 orphans’ issues. She created educational videos on how to identify abuse in “I began living in the orphanage when orphanages and conducted interviews with the Azerbaijan press I was eight years old,” said Hajiyeva, who after graduating from to raise awareness about the issues that persist in orphanages in Stetson law school last May with her LL.M. in international Azerbaijan today. law, moved to New York to work as an advocate and to pursue a doctorate. While at Stetson, Hajiyeva took courses on children’s behavior online through the University of Chicago and Yale University. She Growing up in the orphanage, Hajiyeva survived mental abuse, also developed the international children’s art exhibit, “Peace and hunger, beatings and hard labor. She watched her friends grow up to War,” on Stetson’s Gulfport campus. be victimized by criminals and human traffickers. “Society needs to know what is going on in order to help and I “Orphan children with nowhere to go are easily trafficked, preyed need to do more work to get the word out,” said Hajiyeva. “When on by gang members, or taken by terrorists,” Hajiyeva explained. I speak, people listen and want to help, but they are just not “One of the recent reports I have read in the news says there are educated about what is going on or how to help.” 9,350 orphans right now, but that number keeps increasing.”
Graduate Helps Special Needs Children
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or Tammy Schweinsberg ’15, law school blinked by in an instant. The busy single mom of six children ranging in ages from seven to 20 was born and raised in St. Petersburg.
A graduate of Stetson’s part-time JD program, Schweinsberg 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. Schweinsberg started out as a teacher, but had always reserved a special respect for the work lawyers do. Navigating the school system as a mother of a child with Down Syndrome, Schweinsberg learned firsthand the challenges of helping someone with a disability obtain the right resources. She also struggled to assist her mother in a nursing home. She said she was motivated to find a way to help people with special needs. “Life experiences help me be a better counselor,” said Schweinsberg. Schweinsberg 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 Schweinsberg.
Schweinsberg credits Professor Rebecca Morgan, the co-director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law, with always inspiring her to maintain a Tammy Schweinsberg ’15 positive outlook. “I feel that when I am around her, whatever it is I am having a problem with, I can do it,” said Schweinsberg. “It’s never easy to go to school with school-age children, much less law school.” In December 2015, Schweinsberg joined her classmates celebrating graduation from Stetson Law and received the Dean’s Award, a special award for extraordinary service to the law school. Schweinsberg works at the Law Office of Christopher Young, P.A. “No matter what you want to do—use whatever reason you have to go and do it,” said Schweinsberg.
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Stetson Alums Lead Florida Bar YLD BY JOANN GRAGES BURNETT ’08 Associate Director, Career Development Katherine Hurst Miller ’06 became president of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division (YLD) in June. Her classmate, Zack Zuroweste JD/MBA ’06, will serve as YLD president next year. The classmates and Florida Bar leaders reflect on their friendship that began at Stetson Law more than a decade ago. During orientation, Zack, a University of Tennessee graduate, was familiar with the custom of placing people in alphabetical order. His “ZZ” initials almost always assured he would be last in line, delaying him from immediately meeting Vanderbilt University graduate and study partner Katherine, whose “alpha” position had her near the front orientation line. Eventually, their paths would cross in Professor Kelly Feeley’s Research and Writing I class. By the end of their first year, they were on Stetson’s Moot Court Board, library study partners and fellow parishioners at church. Zack and Katherine became great friends and discovered they shared similar legal interests. Both Stetson Law alumni agree that the College of Law’s size and welcoming philosophy provide a learning environment that encourages students to get to know fellow students and interact with professors. “Looking back on the advantages of a smaller school,” Katherine said,
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Katherine Hurst Miller ’06
Zack Zuroweste ’06
“professors and other students knew who I was.” During Katherine’s second year, she began dating Arthur Christian “Chris” Miller ’05, who would later become her husband and a prosecutor in Florida’s 7th Judicial Circuit. Shortly after graduation, Zack met and later married Stetson alumna Elizabeth (Liz) Hempling Zuroweste ’05, a prosecutor for Florida’s 6th Judicial Circuit. Referring to his commitment to the YLD, Zack proudly proclaims, “Liz was 100 percent behind this from the
beginning,” Katherine agrees that husband Chris shares the same philosophy.
lawyers are extremely fortunate to have Katherine and Zack at the helm.”
Both couples are now proud parents. Katherine and Chris have 3-year-old Elizabeth and Zack and Liz have 20-monthold son Rhett.
Katherine and Zack will be the second and third Stetson alumni to lead the YLD in the past 20 years. Florida Bar PastPresident Gregory Coleman BBA ’85, JD ’89 led the YLD in the 1999-2000 term.
Although they practice law on opposite coasts in Florida, Katherine and Zack remain friends and share a commitment to advancing the legal professions and serving on the Florida Bar. Today, both are partners at their law firms. Katherine at Cobb Cole in Daytona Beach and Zack at Clearwater’s Persante Law Group, P.A. During their service at local bar associations, and then at the YLD, both Katherine and Zack were recognized locally and regionally — earning numerous professional distinction awards. Both are AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell. These young Bar leaders credit their Stetson training for their accomplishments. “Stetson has always been very good about ensuring that graduates are practice ready,” Katherine explains, “by being good thinkers, persuasive advocates and creative problem solvers.” Zack fondly crediting a specific law professor for teaching him critical skills, says, “Associate Dean Stephanie Vaughan taught us to say it directly and to say it correctly.” YLD Immediate Past President Gordon J. Glover is proud of his successors. “Florida’s young
Katherine’s goals as president are to ensure access to justice, promote pro bono, and provide practical training for young lawyers through CLEs as they launch their legal careers. She also will strive to promote health and wellness for young lawyers and their families. She and Zack were instrumental in last year’s inaugural YLD Health and Wellness month. Zack’s priorities as 2017 president of the YLD include using smart technology and ensuring that new lawyers know about the division’s many resources. He said that he also will focus on networking and continue the progress the YLD has made on issues of diversity and inclusion, especially through the work of the Commission on Women. Today, as the two friends who met in law school work together to lead The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, Katherine says, “The key is to trust each other to shine.”
Why I Give Jason Turner ’04
Despite a busy and thriving career in Nashville, Tenn., alumnus Jason Turner ’04 has continued to stay actively engaged with Stetson University College of Law. Shortly after graduation, he joined the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association board. As an adjunct faculty member for the past six years, Turner has taught a course in Entertainment Law. He also has become a philanthropic supporter of Stetson. Along with members of his family in 2012, Turner established the Leroy Y. Hooks Elder Law Scholarship in honor of his grandfather. This scholarship not only honors his grandfather, but it also assists in preparing future Stetson lawyers to assist the elderly in end-oflife issues. Turner says that he gives to Stetson, “because I believe that education changes lives, and I also believe in helping others in need while simultaneously investing in our future.”
To make a gift in support of Stetson Law, please visit www.stetson.edu/law/give or call the Office of Development & Alumni Relations at 727.562.7818.
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COLLEGE OF LAW Development & Alumni Relations 1401 61st Street South Gulfport, FL 33707
Join Us Stetson University College of Law Reunion Classes of: ’76, ’86, ’91, ’96, ’06, ’11 Friday, October 7, 2016 Gulfport, Florida