STETSON LAWYER
STETSON LAWYER
STETSON LAW
THROUGH TIME
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DEAN
Dear Stetson Law alumni and friends:
As we celebrate 125 years of Stetson Law, it occurs to me that this milestone coincides with one of my own: October 2025 marks 125 weeks into my deanship here. Is it a mere fraction of Stetson’s vibrant story? Yes. But in that time, we accomplished great things and I have been part of countless memorable moments. Here are notable highlights from my time so far:
• Cutting the ribbon at our Advocacy Institute grand opening in October 2023
• Hosting the American Bar Association and the Association of American Law Schools for accreditation site visits
• The support this community has shown to one another following back-to-back hurricanes
• In collaboration with the American Arbitration Association, we now offer a three-week online certificate course, Fundamentals of Arbitration Advocacy
• Watching the Veterans Law Institute expand their capacity to support veterans thanks to a sizable state appropriation
• Taking pies and silly string to the face as part of the Giving Challenge
• Developing non-degree, professional certificate, and micro-credentialing programs that invite professionals to grow in their skill sets
• Transforming our part-time juris doctor program into the hybrid online Flex JD
These incredible moments – along with those in the making – are possible because of you and other members of our community. Let’s set Stetson Law up for another 125 years of success!
FALL ’25 1L CLASS SHATTERS RECORDS
As we proudly celebrate 125 years at the forefront of legal education, we are thrilled to share with you a record-setting achievement in Stetson Law’s storied legacy: the enrollment of what is likely the most highly credentialed entering class in our history.
Selected from more than 2,800 applicants, the incoming class of 2025 is truly exceptional. These outstanding students represent 29 states and bring with them degrees from 80 distinct undergraduate institutions, reflecting unprecedented academic excellence and remarkable geographic diversity.
Here is a snapshot of this incredible incoming class.
2025 ENTERING CLASS PROFILE
Represented in Fall 2025 JD entering class, plus 8
Advocacy Teams Shine in 2024-2025
DISPUTE RESOLUTION BOARD
MOOT COURT BOARD
New Name, Same Winning Spirit
As wins topped triple digits, the Center for Advocacy Education was all about momentum in 2025.
There could not have been a better venue for celebrating the 20th anniversary of Stetson’s triumphant Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot victory than the Jeff & Patricia Smith Trophy Room in Stetson’s new Advocacy Institute.
Teeming with glistening trophies Stetson Law has won over the years, it is a demonstration of a passion for advocacy that is interwoven in the campus culture.
The event brought multiple generations of passionate Stetson advocates to the room to share in the glory of that monumental win as well as the many other competitions in which team Stetson emerged victorious. Bolstering this enthusiasm is an incredible milestone: The number of national competition wins across all three disciplines –Dispute Resolution, Moot Court, and Trial Team – reached 100 in fall of 2024. Nearly 20 of those wins occurred within the last three years. Some highlights:
• In the 30 years that Stetson has participated in the Robert Orseck Moot Court Competition, Stetson Law has won seven times and had an advocate win the Best Oralist, Final Round, seven times.
• For the nearly 40 years in which the National Tax Moot competition has been running, Stetson has won eight times, captured three Best Advocate, Final Round titles, and won numerous Best Brief Awards.
• Out of the seven times Stetson Law competed in the Leroy R. Hassell, Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition, the team has won four times.
For those who teach advocacy at the College, the milestone reflects the tireless work of student competitors and the support of a broader advocacy community.
“One hundred national competition wins is a remarkable accomplishment and is especially meaningful to our students who work so hard to represent our program at advocacy team competitions across the country,” said Center for Advocacy Education Director Elizabeth Boals “My deepest thanks to our faculty, staff, coaches, and volunteer judges for their unwavering support of the students and our advocacy events. We are Stetson and it shows!”
Celebrating 25 years since it launched as the Center for Excellence in Advocacy, Stetson’s Center for Advocacy Education may have a new name, but the shared passion among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends both old and new remains.
VETERANS LAW INSTITUTE
On the heels of a generous grant from the State of Florida, Stetson Law’s Veterans Law Institute (VLI) is more inspired than ever to expand its reach. In the year that has ensued since the appropriation, the VLI has been tireless in its efforts to engage the community, forge key strategic partnerships, and leverage resources to support veterans on campus and beyond.
As of the summer of 2025, the clinic surpassed $100 million in new projected lifetime compensation for clients, gotten more than $15 million in back pay for clients, and worked on an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court. Students provided more than 4,000 hours of legal pro bono work.
“Thanks to the support of our community, we can continue to expand our reach,” said Associate Dean and Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox, director of the Veterans Law Institute.
New fellowship helps meet veteran needs
The State of Florida’s 2024 appropriation helped fund a fellowship position at the Veterans Law Institute. The fellow, Stetson Law alumna and U.S. Army veteran Mary Samarkos ’20, represents veterans in their disability benefits appeals.
The role is currently funded for a two-year period, but Dean Barros is seeking funding to support the position –and, thereby, veterans and their families – for many years to come.
Building on a Promise to Those Who Served
Community involvement creates impact
The Raymond James National Veteran Inclusion Network (Valor) has added Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute to its portfolio of organizations supporting those who have served.
A nationwide alliance of nonprofits, Valor offers a variety of services such as financial support and career development to members of all military branches as well as military spouses and first responders. The VLI is the only nonprofit in the network that can provide free legal services to veterans seeking to appeal denial of benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
A venue for a veteran’s appeal – and immersive learning
In February 2025, Stetson Law hosted an oral argument for the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Hundreds of law students were able to attend and watch the argument live.
Hosted in the Great Hall, the panel, consisting of Chief Judge Michael Allen (a former Stetson Law associate dean and professor as well as Stetson Veterans Law Institute director), Judge Margaret Bartley, and Judge Grant Jaquith, heard argument in the case of a veteran appealing a decision of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. The argument, and reception that preceded it, provided a chance for local leaders, Stetson Law students, alumni, and friends to network and observe together.
The day’s events were on the heels of a VLI-facilitated weekend course, Veterans Benefits: Law, Practice, and Policy, taught by Zach Stolz and Robert Chisholm of Chisholm, Chisholm, and Kilpatrick, Meg Krahl and Ken Walsh from the VA Office of General Counsel, and Chief Judge Allen.
We are deeply grateful that we can assist so many veterans and surviving spouses while training dozens of students.
Associate Dean Stacey-Rae Simcox
Well-deserved recognition
After numerous years of earning a Military Friendly® School designation, Stetson Law is now rated a Top 10 Military Friendly Graduate School for 2025–2026.
This elevated status parallels the College of Law’s growing efforts to support individuals who have served our nation, particularly those who choose to pursue legal education. Resources the college offers veteran students include the Veterans Law Institute (VLI), staff specially trained to navigate veterans’ educational benefits, and the Student Veteran Organization – all tailored to foster a supportive environment in which they can thrive.
“We are dedicated to ensuring a bright future for the veterans who choose Stetson and look forward to welcoming many more of these quality students to the Stetson family,” said Simcox.
The college ranked #8 in the Top 10 Military Friendly Graduate Schools and #9 on the list of Top 10 Military Spouse Friendly Graduate Schools. Upgrades to the institute’s offerings could boost those rankings in future years.
The institute plans to add a lounge area designed and outfitted specifically for students who are veterans. Like the rest of the VLI facility, the space will be designed with veterans who are disabled or have post-traumatic stress disorder in mind, with accessibility accommodations, sound reduction, and enhanced wayfinding.
With your support, we can continue the great work we are doing at the Veterans Law Institute to change the lives of disabled veterans. Please visit stetson.edu/law/veterans for more information.
Stetson Law’s move into the top ten Military Friendly Schools is the result of hard work by the entire Stetson Law community.
– Associate Dean
Stacey-Rae Simcox
Grace Paul ’23 and Victoria Tamayo ’19 spoke to students about pursuing careers in veterans law in March 2024.
Veterans Scholarship Created to Honor Mentor
In a moving tribute to a mentor and fellow Stetson Law alumnus, Jeffrey D. Harvey ’12 has donated a special edition copy of Python Tales, a memoir written by former Florida Supreme Court Justice Fred Karl ’49, to the Florida Supreme Court archives.
Harvey hopes the gesture will raise awareness of Karl, a man who embodied the spirit of service, ethical governance, and passion for helping others in a time when role models for lawyers are as important as ever. He also hopes that it might inspire others to contribute to a scholarship created in Karl’s honor for veterans attending Stetson Law.
The book chronicles Karl’s time serving overseas in World War II, after which he returned to the U.S. a decorated veteran bound for Stetson Law and, after that, incredible success in his field. Published just prior to Karl’s death in 2013, the book’s proceeds benefit Stetson’s Frederick B. Karl Veterans Scholarship, per Karl’s wishes.
Harvey said a key mission in his life is to help others benefit from the lessons he learned firsthand from Karl, whom he called a hero.
Inspiration for veterans returning home
Harvey, a veteran who is now chief executive officer of Community Legal Services in Orlando, learned of Karl as a student at Stetson Law during a seminar on professionalism for which Karl was the namesake.
Inspired by his story, he wrote a letter to Karl, asking if they could meet. Karl responded, and the two met for breakfast or lunch multiple times over the ensuing semesters.
“During our visits he would mentor me about life as an attorney and a public servant,” Harvey said. “He taught me that it is possible to be an attorney and a public servant and not only maintain honor, integrity and ethics, but that you can be known and sought after for those qualities.”
While the scholarship might help students get through law school, the legacy of Fred Karl may help lawyers get through difficult times in their practice.
– Jeffrey D. Harvey
Alumnus Fred Karl ’49 (right) sits next to 1923 alumnus E. Harris Drew at an alumni luncheon in 1969. Both were former Florida Supreme Court Justices.
Jeffrey D. Harvey ’12 with a portrait of Fred Karl ’49.
An early call to serve
Born in Daytona Beach in 1924, Karl spent most of his childhood on Florida’s east coast. A good student and popular among his peers, he was voted “Most Personable” by his senior class at Seabreeze High School.
Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Karl was moved to join the Army in 1942 at 18. Commissioned as an officer, he led a tank platoon in the European campaign during World War II. Despite being severely injured, Karl’s strong will saw him through. His bravery in the Battle of the Bulge earned him the Bronze Star, Silver Star, and Purple Heart.
Upon returning home, he pursued a bachelor’s at the University of Florida and a law degree from Stetson. He graduated from Stetson Law in 1949.
A commitment to community
After practicing for several years, Karl went into politics in 1956, when he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. Known for his devotion to fairness and high ethical standards, he earned the nickname “Conscience of the House.” He was then elected to the
State Senate and the Florida Supreme Court.
In 1988, Karl accepted an offer from the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners to become the county’s lead attorney and was appointed as the county’s chief executive officer within two years. As county administrator, Karl was known to get things done.
Despite numerous retirements, Karl’s dedication to public service never waned. In 2004, newly elected Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio appointed him as city attorney, a role he held for six months before stepping down at the age of 80. His influence and guidance were invaluable during this period.
“Fred Karl was born to be a public servant. He tackled issues with a sense of fairness, respect, and honesty, always reflecting his personal and professional high standards,” Iorio said of Karl in 2013.
Fred Karl passed away on March 7, 2013, at 88 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and transformative community service.
Stetson Lawyers Breakfast June 16, 1965 (Left to right) unknown, Fred Karl ’49, Justice E. Harris Drew ’23, Elise Sebring, Dean Harold L. Sebring, and Elliott Roosevelt.
Local Growth, Global Impact: Biodiversity Institute Grows its Reach
W ith an eye toward the future of environmental conservation, Stetson’s Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy is expanding its reach at home and abroad.
Fresh from authoring Waters of the United States: POTUS, SCOTUS, WOTUS, and the Politics of a National Resource, Law Professor and Institute Director Royal Gardner and his team have had their hands full with major efforts to expand Stetson’s footprint in the environmental law space both here and abroad.
“We are seeing so much enthusiasm and demand for the collaborative, hands-on educational experience we offer environmental law students,” Gardner said. “Stetson Law is a place where students, scholars, and practitioners can come together to make a difference in the areas about which they care the most.”
Signature event continues to thrive
Now on the verge of its 30th anniversary, the International Environmental Moot Court Competition has steadily grown over the years.
In 2025, Bangladesh and Tanzania joined 19 other countries when they held their inaugural national rounds. From those 21 countries, 147 teams participated. Consisting of 18 teams from 12 countries, IEMCC’s final rounds took place on Stetson Law’s Gulfport campus the same week as the International Wildlife Law Conference (IWC) brought conservation law scholars and advocates to campus from around the globe.
In February of 2026, the competition will hold its Middle East and North Africa Rounds in Dubai for the first time.
New Environmental LLM
In addition to the environmental law concentration that Stetson now offers JD students, campus leadership is excited to add a new LLM degree with two tracks for those looking to deepen their expertise in environmental law.
The International Environmental Law track prepares students, including qualified international applicants, for careers addressing global environmental challenges. Graduates are equipped to work with government agencies, NGOs, and private firms focused on international environmental law and policy.
Designed for JD holders, the Public Interest Practice track emphasizes experiential learning in environmental law. Students gain hands-on experience by providing legal services to nonprofit organizations and government agencies, while building practical skills, exploring career pathways, and developing professional networks in Florida and beyond.
With these two new offerings, we believe we are equipping the most passionate environmental advocates to fight for a more sustainable future at all levels.
– Professor Royal Gardner
Competitors, staff, faculty, and other participants in the final rounds of the 2025 International Environmental Moot Court Competition, which brought 18 teams from 12 countries to campus.
Nature Under Threat? The Jacobs Law Clinic Steps In
Delicate, elusive, and striking, the ghost orchid draws nature enthusiasts to dense Southwest Florida swampland. Yet development, poaching, and a changing climate threaten its existence in places like Big Cypress National Preserve.
With Stetson Law’s Jacobs Law Clinic for Democracy and the Environment as their advocate, environmental groups seeking stronger protections had a victory in June of 2025, when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it is considering giving Endangered Species Act protections to the ghost orchid.
The news followed years of efforts by the clinic, which worked on behalf of the Institute for Regional Conservation, Center for Biological Diversity, and the National Parks Conservation Association.
“We are so thrilled that we could advocate for meaningful change while inviting our students to get hands-on experience in such important environmental law cases,” said Professor Jaclyn Lopez, director of the Jacobs Law Clinic.
New clinic, big success
Now in its third year, the Law Clinic represents dozens of clients in a variety of matters. Under Lopez’s supervision, students work directly on cases like that of the ghost orchid.
Other recent initiatives students have supported include an amicus brief on behalf of gopher tortoise scientists, a successful petitioning for state action to protect Florida springs, and white papers highlighting industrial pollution in a disadvantaged neighborhood.
Meaningful leadership opportunities
Clinic students have also been invited to present at environmental policy events, including the Everglades Coalition Conference in Miami, New Directions in Environmental Law Conference, the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference (PIELC) in Eugene, Oregon, and the Florida Springs Council Summit at Stetson.
We are so thrilled that we could advocate for meaningful change while inviting our students to get hands-on experience in such important environmental law cases.
– Professor Jaclyn
Lopez
“The conference was an amazing experience, and I met so many great people in the environmental law field,” said Anna Long, who presented on international laws and protections applicable to environmental refugees at the PIELC. “I hope to attend again in 2026 and would highly recommend the event to anyone interested in environmental law or social justice.”
Students have also worked on important documents like that which supported greater protections for the ghost orchid.
With generous support from entities like the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, National Science Foundation, and National Park Conservation Association, clinic leadership hopes to continue this important work while offering realworld experience to students.
Albino frog? No, the endangered ghost orchid.
DEEP DIVE: Next-Level Immersive Learning at Stetson Law
Law courses don’t usually require a bottle of bug spray –let alone a tent. But for students who enroll in Cases and Places, a new course offered at Stetson Law, they are necessary.
One of the numerous outside-the-box courses the College offers, Cases and Places introduces students to Florida’s great outdoors, and the political, economic, and legal factors that influence how they function today and the people leading on-the-ground efforts to protect them. In its inaugural offering, the course featured a four-day trip through the Greater Everglades, a large, biodiverse region, including its most remote environs – hence the tents.
“Getting our students out of the classroom and into the ecosystem is a powerful way to illuminate the legal documents and processes that shape our state,” said Law Professor Jaclyn Lopez, who teaches the course.
Lifelong Floridian and Stetson Law student Warren Wood said the in-depth course was an enlightening experience even for someone who grew up in the Sunshine State.
“It is one thing to read about the cases that shaped our state,” he said. “But it brought things into a different
perspective to go out and see the places that have been affected by the cases we studied, and meet the people who were not only involved in the past cases, but continue to fight to keep our state beautiful and clean for generations to come.”
The experience reflects the College of Law’s culture of fostering preparedness among its students through encouraging meaningful experiences and connections within the legal profession well before graduation. Travel courses offer many opportunities to do so, but some classroom-based syllabi feature immersive sessions with successful practitioners who share insights and offer practical lessons.
A life-changing civil rights exploration
Every summer, Stetson’s Civil Rights Law Travel Course invites students to visit the historic sites and history-makers who shaped the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The course launched in 2005 by then-Professor Robert Bickel and has continued with support from Wil Florin ’82 and Tommy Roebig ’86
The 2,000-mile journey takes them to Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee to meet with still-living champions of the Civil Rights Movement and explore places like the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.
Law Professor Judith Scully, who now teaches the course, said participating students describe the experience as life-changing.
“As a professor who has been privileged to help lead this civil rights learning journey, I can say that my life has also been profoundly impacted and each year my commitment to teaching and learning in this program is exponentially multiplied,” Scully said.
La’Tonya Lynn ’25 said the course gave her a “renewed call to action to make an impact” when she experienced it in 2022.
“If I am resilient and persevere, I too can be victorious, even when faced with adversity,” she said.
Immersive learning in the classroom
While not all classes involve venturing out into the field, professors find unique ways to build real-world insights into their syllabi.
Through his compressed weekend course “Financial Advocacy,” Professor and Center for Elder Justice Director Mark Bauer covers legal financial literacy along with some cultural competence to help students understand the real-world questions they are going to face from clients and loved ones alike.
In his upper-level business course titled “Documents of the Deal,” Professor Joseph Morrissey brings accomplished practitioners, including alumni like Brittany Maxey-Fisher ’07 and Kevin and Jenay Iurato ’00, to the classroom for deep dives on a variety of corporate transaction types and the forms associated with them. From formation transactions to mergers and acquisitions and even bankruptcy, the course is meant to prepare students to launch a business law practice.
“This course is a tremendous opportunity for law students to meet, learn from, and network with business law experts across a range of business fields,” Morrissey said. “It’s been awesome and students love it.”
125 MOMENTS IN STETSON
Over the years, the Stetson Law community has had many incredible milestones on campus and beyond. In honor of the College’s 125th anniversary, here’s a look at some of the biggest moments in its history.
1. 1900
Stetson University College of Law is founded with Albert J. Farrah as its initial dean. It was one of very few schools to require students to enroll in “practice court.” To be admitted in the first year, students had to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Annual tuition was $66.
2. 1900
Dr. Annie MacLean is the first female faculty member to teach at Stetson Law. She was an instructor in Constitutional Law.
3. 1901
A.G. Hamlin, Stetson University trustee from 1888 to 1908 and attorney for the Florida East Coast Railway, raises $500 to start a new law library.
4. 1902
Stetson Law graduates its first class of students.
5. 1906
Mary Stewart Howarth-Hewitt becomes the first female law student to attend Stetson. After graduating in 1908, she would become the first woman admitted to practice in Florida.
6. 1913
Emmett Wilson (1904) is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
7. 1922
Stetson Law becomes a three-year law school.
8. 1926
The College adopts a two-year undergrad requirement.
9. 1926
Hotel Rolyat, Stetson Law’s future home, opens as an extravagant Spanish-themed hotel.
10. 1927
William Hull Ellis (1889) begins his first term as Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court.
11. 1930
Stetson Law gains American Bar Association approval.
12. 1931
Stetson Law joins the American Association of Law Schools.
13. 1932
Babe Ruth signs his 1932 contract with the Yankees at the Rolyat.
14. 1932
Florida Military Academy opens at the former Hotel Rolyat.
15. 1933
David Sholtz (1914) serves as 26th governor of Florida.
STETSON LAW HISTORY
16. 1935
Students begin to elect their own officers, planting the seeds for the Student Bar Association.
17. 1937
Roy Harrison Chapman (1908) serves as a justice for the Florida Supreme Court until 1952.
18. 1937
Joe Hendricks ’34 is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
19. 1938
Students Ralph Odum and Thomas Cobb initiate Stetson’s first legal aid clinic.
20. 1938
Elwyn Thomas (1915) becomes a justice of the Florida Supreme Court, serving until 1969.
21. 1942
Stetson Law closes until the end of World War II.
22. 1946
The College reopens with 83 students. Enrollment balloons to 315 in 1948 thanks to the G.I. Bill.
23. 1946
Miss Ray Jordan becomes the first law librarian.
24. 1947
Stetson Law moves to naval base at DeLand Airport.
25. 1948
Tolbert Frank Hobson (1923) serves as a justice on the Florida Supreme Court until 1962.
26. 1952
Edwin Harris Drew (1923) served on Florida Supreme Court until 1971, including as chief justice.
27. 1954
Stetson Law relocates to Gulfport, Florida, taking residence at the former Hotel Rolyat.
28. 1954
Celebrated trial attorney and personal injury law pioneer Perry Nichols ’37 helps found the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, later becoming president of the organization in 1965.
29. 1955
Harold Sebring, who was a judge at the Nuremburg War Trials, resigns from the Florida Supreme Court to become the first dean of the Gulfport campus.
30. 1955
Dean Harold Sebring implements President J. Ollie Edmunds’ vision and plan for the Gulfport law center to be modeled after the English Inns of Court.
31. 1955
A $250,000 pledge from Charles Dana enables the first law library to be built. It opens three years later.
125 MOMENTS IN STETSON
32. 1956
Hollywood at Stetson Law! The movie
The Strange One is filmed on campus.
of The Strange One © 1957, renewed 1985 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
of Columbia Pictures.
33. 1957
At the recommendation of Stetson University Trustee Walter Mann, the College of Law Board of Overseers forms. Mann, for whom Mann Lounge is named, was its first president.
34. 1962
A $250,000 bequest from Sarah E. Armstrong helps the law library grow its collection.
35. 1963
At just 27, Bruce Jacob ’59 argues before the U.S. Supreme Court in the landmark case Gideon v. Wainwright. He would go on to champion pro bono service and become dean in 1981.
36. 1963
Stetson becomes the first law school in Florida to establish a clinical program.
37. 1964
State Attorney Dan Warren ’52 works with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to crack down on the KKK and fight for civil rights in St. Augustine.
38. 1966
Stetson replaces its LLB degree with a JD offering.
39. 1968
Two new buildings open on campus: the H. Jackson Crummer Classroom building and Eleanor Naylor Dana Administrative Hall.
40. 1969
Vassar Benjamin Carlton ’37 begins his term on the Florida Supreme Court, serving as Chief Justice in 1973.
41. 1970
Thomas (Tom) James ’69 becomes Raymond James Financial CEO at 27 years old. James served as CEO until 2010 and chairman of the board until 2017.
42. 1970
The College of Law receives another gift from the Dana Foundation to expand the law library and grow the collection.
43. 1971
Hal Dekle ’40 is elected to the Florida Supreme Court.
44. 1971
Dean Richard Dillon establishes the Stetson Intramural Law Review. Professor Elizabeth Leeman is the student publication’s first faculty advisor.
Photo
Courtesy
STETSON LAW HISTORY
46. 1973
Thirteen years after the untimely death of his son Harvey Firestone III ’60, Harvey Firestone, Jr. helps fund the construction of recreation facilities including the pool, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a full gym.
47. 1974
Thomas Stringer becomes the first Black College of Law graduate.
48. 1974
Elizabeth Leeman becomes Stetson Law’s first female full-time professor.
49. 1975
Ruth Fleet Thurman ’63 becomes first female tenured professor.
50. 1976
The Harold L. Sebring Courtroom opens.
51. 1977
Fred Karl ’49 is elected to the Florida Supreme Court.
52. 1978
The Intramural Review gains full law review status and has been published continuously thereafter as the Stetson Law Review
53. 1979
The first Higher Education Law and Policy Conference takes place.
54. 1979
Dade County Circuit Court Judge Edward Cowart ’52 presides over the Ted Bundy trial.
55. 1979
James Cloudis Smith ’67 serves as the 32nd Florida attorney general. He also served as Secretary of State of Florida from 1987-1995 and from 2002-2003.
56. 1980
Double Hatter Jim Shore ’80 is the first Native American to graduate from the College of Law. Shore, the first Seminole to earn a law degree, served as General Counsel for the Seminole Tribe of Florida from 1982 until the time of his passing in September of 2025.
57. 1982
Beloved law librarian Sally Ginsberg Waters joins Stetson.
58. 1983
Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens speaks at the Inns of Court Banquet.
59. 1983
The College of Law receives a rare book collection from Professor Alessandra Luini del Russo that had been in her family’s collection for over two centuries.
60. 1986
Jane Geddes ’06 wins the LPGA Women’s Open.
61. 1986
Joseph Reiter ’68 becomes president of the Florida Bar.
62. 1986
Upon becoming president of the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association, Paul May ’80 leads an effort to revitalize the organization from a somewhat dormant group to the robust organization it is today.
125 MOMENTS IN STETSON
STETSON LAW HISTORY
96. 2006
Gus Bilirakis ’89 is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
97. 2007
The Florin Roebig Courtroom is upgraded and rededicated.
98. 2007
The Institute for Caribbean Law and Policy opens.
99. 2007
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaks on campus.
100. 2008
Stetson Law hosts the National Pretrial Competition, developed by then-Dean Darby Dickerson, for the first time.
101. 2010
The Dolly & Homer Hand Law Library is named in honor of the Hands’ philanthropic support of the library.
102. 2010
The Institute for the Advancement of Legal Communication forms.
103. 2010
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas speaks on campus as a Distinguished Jurist in Residence.
104. 2011
Bob Gualtieri ’02 is appointed sheriff of Pinellas County and is elected to serve in the role in 2012 and reelected in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
105. 2012
Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz is named dean of the College of Law.
106. 2012
The Veterans Law Institute opens.
107. 2014
After serving in the Florida House of Representatives, Rick Kriseman ’87 is sworn in as mayor of St. Petersburg and serves in that role until 2022.
108. 2014
Double Hatter, past Board of Overseers Chair, and University Trustee Gregory Coleman ’85 ’89 becomes president of the Florida Bar.
109. 2017
Fred Ridley ’77 is named chair of Augusta National Golf Club.
110. 2018
The Veterans Law Institute opens in new state-of-the-art Judge Raphael Steinhardt building.
111. 2018
James Byrne ’80 becomes United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs after serving as general counsel for the department.
STETSON LAW HISTORY
112. 2019
Leading civil rights scholar
Michele Alexandre is appointed dean of the College of Law; the first Black individual to assume the role.
113. 2020
The establishment of the Business Law Concentration creates an opportunity for students to sharpen their skills within corporate, tax, and other key areas of practice.
114. 2020
Chris Sprowls ’09 becomes Florida House Speaker.
115. 2020
Stetson Law nimbly pivots to a virtuallearning format amid a global pandemic.
116. 2021
Stetson Dispute Resolution and Moot Court Boards win the second ABA Competitions Champion Award after earning the most points throughout the American Bar Association Law Student Division’s four competitions.
117. 2022
Stetson Law’s Dispute Resolution Board wins South Texas University’s Energy Law Negotiation Competition despite the college having no energy law concentration.
118. 2022
Kathleen Passidomo ’78 becomes Florida Senate President.
119. 2023
Thanks to a generous gift from influential 1967 alumnus Dick Jacobs and his wife, Joan, the Jacobs Law Clinic for Democracy and the Environment launches under the leadership of Professor Jaclyn Lopez
120. 2023
Stetson Law welcomes D. Benjamin Barros as dean.
121. 2023
Stetson Law’s former law library transforms into 16,000-square-foot Advocacy Institute, offering the most courtrooms of any law school in the country.
122. 2024
Stetson Law wins its 100th national competition.
123. 2025
Ashley Moody LLM ’10 is appointed to a U.S. Senate seat representing Florida after serving as Florida’s 38th Attorney General.
124. 2025
Pam Bondi ’90 is confirmed as Attorney General of the U.S. Bondi also served as Florida’s 37th Attorney General.
125. 2025
Under the leadership of President and General Manager Christina Unkel ’12, the Tampa Bay Sun becomes the first team to win the United Soccer League (USL) Women’s Super League championship.
Bridge to DeLand: Advocacy Edition
Stetson is crushing it in moot court and mock trial competitions – and we’re not just talking about the College of Law.
Established in 2022 and 2013, respectively, the undergraduate Moot Court and Mock Trial teams are newer than many others, but the wins are stacking up. “I am so proud of their growth,” said coach Tejal Ram, a 2023 Stetson graduate who now attends the College of Law. “I think we’ve come miles ahead of where the program was when I started [in 2021].”
Recent triumphs
In 2025, the Moot Court team advanced to pre-nationals in Memphis in January, while the Mock Trial team made history by reaching nationals in Cleveland for the first time ever.
In October of 2024, four Stetson moot teams competed in the Sunshine State Regional at Nova Southeastern University against 28 other teams. One advanced to the pre-nationals, with a second barely missing out.
The same weekend, Stetson’s Mock Trial Team prevailed at the Golden Panther Invitational at Florida International University for the first time, winning 11 of 12 events. “Our teams are scrappy and tough,” said Joshua Rust, philosophy professor and director of Stetson’s Pre-Law program. “These students are incredibly self-motivated. They love this stuff.”
I believe Stetson DeLand is positioning itself to become a premier destination for undergraduates interested in pursuing legal careers.
– Pre-Law Director, Joshua Rust
Stetson Law Center for Advocacy Education Associate Director Carson Sadro has shown tremendous support, from coaching undergraduate Mock Trial teams to working with team members to coach a high school mock trial team.
“This kind of hands-on collaboration makes a powerful impression on our students and is likely to generate increased interest in the law school,” Rust said.
Ensuring continued success
While there is no pre-law major, students can minor in business law. Rust said there will likely be other options soon. As with the law school, students can expect plenty of hands-on experiences. By meeting with and working alongside real-world professionals, including attorneys and judges, the students exemplify a new university initiative, Hatter Ready.
Rust and Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros hope to build on the DeLand-Gulfport connection with help from the community. The moot and mock teams depend on sponsorships and donations like the generous contribution of title sponsors Butch and Mary Ann Paul
“Building on Stetson's recent Mock Trial and Moot Court successes, combined with an enhanced curriculum featuring law-related minors, I believe Stetson DeLand is positioning itself to become a premier destination for undergraduates interested in pursuing legal careers,” Rust said.
SUPPORTER
BERNIE IACOVANGELO
While his LSAT score left something to be desired, there was something about Bernie Iacovangelo ’73 that compelled longtime admissions head Kay Eddy to take a chance on him.
If he could earn a C grade in two summer courses, she told the Rochester, New York native, he was in. Iacovangelo, accounting degree in hand, took on the challenge with aplomb, earning a B-plus in one and a C-plus in the other.
“She says ‘you’re in. Now you’ve got to prove yourself the rest of the way,’” he recalls.
Prove himself, he did – at Stetson and beyond.
UNCOMMON PATH, RESOUNDING SUCCESS
Now the CEO of Rochester-based developer Faber Builders, Iacovangelo fills the walls of his office with family photos and pictures his grandkids drew alongside numerous accolades and degrees – but he’s most proud of the loved ones who surround him.
“This is my family room, my office. It’s where I express who I want to be and what it’s all about in life,” he said. “It’s not all about the money.”
After graduating law school in 1973, he went to work for his older brother Frank’s law firm. A few years later, Frank began to buy apartment buildings and told his younger brother to manage their growing inventory, telling him he could handle it: ‘you’re a lawyer, right?’
Just like Kay Eddy, his brother was right.
To this day, the younger Iacovangelo credits his success in part to the legal education he received at Stetson.
“What Stetson did for me, more than anything, was not only give me a legal education but a foundation for my future,” he said.
Those that are successful should be the first ones giving back.
– Bernie Iacovangelo
STAYING INVOLVED WITH HIS ALMA MATER
Iacovangelo credits Stetson not only with teaching him to think like a lawyer, but also sparking his passion for community involvement. This includes coaching youth soccer and organizing a gala for his church, St. Pius X, that raised triple the expected fundraising total.
While at Stetson, he was tasked with organizing community events, from a bocce tournament at the Gulfport Italian Community Center to a dance for his classmates at the Aquatarium, a former St. Pete Beach attraction (“one hell of a party,” he recalls).
Even from a distance, he remains involved with Stetson. A key supporter of the Class of 1973 Endowed Scholarship who encourages others to give back, he helped organize his class’s 50th Reunion in 2023. He also supported the endowment of a Stetson scholarship named for his early champion, Kay Eddy, and has given back generously to his alma mater.
“Why do I give back?” Iacovangelo said. “Because Kay Eddy gave me a chance.”
Bernie Iacovangelo at his Class of 1973 reunion.
Kay Eddy gave aspiring lawyers like Bernie Iacovangelo a chance at Stetson.
Spring Commencement Celebrates More Than 300 New Graduates
Standing before hundreds gathered in Plaza Mayor, Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros commended the graduates for succeeding amid the intense rigors of law school.
“Law school is challenging,” he said. “And you aren’t graduating from any law school; you’re graduating from Stetson Law. A place where the bar is set high and the results speak for themselves. A place that doesn’t just teach the law, it shapes leaders. You are now part of a legacy that stands above the rest.”
Inspiring words from community leaders
With his signature enthusiasm and booming voice, Stetson University President Christopher Roellke remarked on the commitment it took to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
“Not only have you survived the demands of an outstanding Stetson education, but you have succeeded in accomplishing something very significant during a time of great uncertainty and complexity in the world,” he said.
Alumnus and Stetson Law Board of Overseers Chair Jason Turner ’04 asked the graduating class to always remember that lawyering is a calling; one that must come with a deep sense of responsibility to their clients.
“People will come to you for help with their challenges and problems…and most of all, they are going to trust that you never forget our greatest calling: to represent the interest of the client with the utmost integrity, respect, and humility each step of the way,” he said.
Accomplished alumna urges global connection
The 2025 Spring Commencement Speaker was Ying White ’97, who called on the new alumni to persevere, be dependable, think ahead, go the extra mile, and be flexible as they move forward in their careers.
“As you step into this next chapter, remember to carry with you the values instilled in all of us by Stetson: be compassionate, ethical, courageous, and bold in your pursuit of justice,” she said. “Endeavor to make a positive impact on the world.”
See full profile of commencement speaker Ying White, a 2025 Hall of Fame inductee, on page 34.
You
aren’t graduating from any law school; you’re graduating from Stetson Law.
– Dean D. Benjamin Barros
Commencement
Speaker Ying White
DEAN DARBY DICKERSON
A legend in legal education
Beloved former Dean Darby Dickerson’s impact is visible across campus and reflected in the College’s renowned programs.
From helping solidify the College’s status as a national leader in legal writing to fostering a relationship with Dolly and Homer Hand, namesakes of the Dolly and Homer Hand Library, her work was transformative during her time as dean from 2005 through 2011. She also hired celebrated faculty members who still teach today.
To say Dickerson was beloved by students is an understatement. She is regularly remembered fondly by those who shared time with her at Stetson and is celebrated by the greater legal education community.
For her profound impact on the College of Law and the legal profession itself, she is now a member of the Stetson Law Hall of Fame.
“When I talk with alumni about Darby, their eyes light up,” said Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “Her national reputation is stellar. She was president of the Association of American Law Schools. She is one of the best-known legalwriting scholars in the United States. She’s a rock star in legal education.”
HALL OF
A PROLIFIC JURIST AND SCHOLAR
Dickerson joined the Stetson Law faculty in 1995 after practicing at Lock Liddell & Sapp, LLP and serving as a law clerk for the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
At Stetson, she held many administrative roles, including vice dean, director of legal research & writing, moot court board director, and others. She has taught Legal Research and Writing, Contract Drafting and Review, Torts, ADR, Arbitration, and Election Law. She has supervised various externships, advised law reviews, and coached moot court boards and teams.
Following her time at Stetson, she served as dean at Texas Tech University School of Law, dean/CEO of The John Marshall Law (which she helped to merge into the University of Illinois Chicago), and dean at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. She is now dean and president at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, California.
A LASTING LEGACY
In addition to her many contributions as dean, Dickerson has also personally supported the college. She has made gifts to Stetson Law Greatest Needs, the Edward D. Foreman Most Distinguished Student Award, and the Priscilla and Lawrence Adams Scholarship.
Upon her departure from Stetson, the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association established the Dean Darby Dickerson SLAAC Scholarship Endowment to honor her “devotion to leadership, writing, advocacy, love for higher education and pursuit of other scholarly endeavors.”
Dickerson led efforts to create the Stetson Law Hall of Fame, and there couldn’t be a more deserving recipient of this honor than the very person who advocated for it.
Darby Dickerson and former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer in 2019
OF FAME
To alumni as well as top leaders in higher ed, Professor Peter F. Lake has achieved legendary status. With more than 30 years in higher education, this professor of law, Charles A. Dana Chair, and director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy has shown an unparalleled commitment not just to the College, but to higher ed itself.
For these reasons and more, Professor Lake is now a member of the Stetson Law Hall of Fame.
“Peter Lake is an absolutely remarkable person,” said Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “When I’m out meeting with alumni, we often ask ‘Who is your most memorable professor?’ Peter Lake comes up so often. His impact on his students is really tangible.
AN ENDURING PASSION FOR HIGHER ED
Lake is an internationally recognized expert on higher education law and policy and has been quoted or referred to in hundreds of newspapers and court opinions. He is an award-winning academic and has authored numerous law review articles, books, and other publications.
With support from his team, the center hosts hundreds of college and university officials for the National Conference for Higher Education Law & Policy, held annually on Clearwater Beach. As the event’s tagline, “See you at the beach,” suggests, his rigorous work ethic is tempered by his easygoing demeanor.
PETER F. LAKE
A celebrated figure on campus and beyond
Since joining the College of Law faculty in 1990, the double-Harvard graduate has served in many administrative functions at Stetson, including honor code administrator, interim director of Title IX compliance, special assistant to the dean, and the faculty representative to the board of trustees. He also serves his profession through extensive consulting work.
A PROFOUND CAMPUS IMPACT
Lake has also been generous to the College of Law’s efforts to support students.
By supporting the Professor Peter F. Lake “Spirit of the Law” Award Endowment and the College of Law Food Pantry, he is also helping ensure students are equipped to succeed in their law school journey and beyond.
Alumnus Blaze Bowers ’21 and Professor Peter Lake
MICHAEL MARDER ’77
A legal titan with Stetson roots
When he guest lectured for Professor Joseph Morrissey’s Documents of the Deal course, Michael Marder ’77 was thrilled to demystify securitization transactions for the students.
Marder, who is the co-managing director and co-founder of prominent national firm Greenspoon Marder, sought to impart real-world financial scenarios while giving students a sense of the challenges a day can bring.
“My clients come from all industries and I handle myriad issues,” Marder said. “Big or small, all matters can be broken down to the people involved, and my pleasure is taking care of people.”
Whether it’s offering students insights from his own success story, contributing to student scholarships, or looking to his alma mater for the firm’s next great hire, Marder’s extensive support of the College has earned him a place in the Stetson Law Hall of Fame.
“He’s an important supporter of the College of Law,” said Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “His firm hires our graduates. He’s what any law school dean would want an alum to be in terms of his engagement and support of the institution.”
HALL OF
THE ROAD TO PROMINENCE
Since cofounding his firm with Gerald Greenspoon in 1981, Marder has focused on complex business litigation, transactional law, and real estate. He has sharp acumen in hospitality and vacation ownership law.
From a large timeshare and vacation ownership company to small hospitality businesses, his clients span the industry. Drawing on decades of experience, he works tirelessly to support them in their work, from project planning to administration of their properties. The firm has grown to more than 225 attorneys and more than 20 office locations across the country.
Yet he also remains committed to helping those in need. Marder chairs the Governing Board of Directors and the Advisory Board of the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, a nonprofit that supports initiatives to fight substance use disorder. He is also a member of the American Resort Development Association Chairman’s League.
STAYING CONNECTED TO STETSON
Despite a busy schedule, Marder remains a driving force at Stetson Law.
He generously supported construction of the Advocacy Institute, where the Michael Ellis Marder Courtroom was named in his honor. He and his firm have also contributed to the Center for Advocacy Education, Stetson Law Greatest Needs, Law General Scholarships, and the Honorable Thomas B. McCoun III Scholarship.
He has hosted numerous alumni receptions and admitted student events at his home and in Greenspoon Marder locations including Boca Raton, Los Angeles, New York, and Orlando.
A member of Stetson Law’s Board of Overseers, he also has assisted the college in formulating plans for the future of the Tampa Law Center, thereby ensuring the College’s status as a regional leader for generations to come.
The Marder family, left to right: Ellis, Madison, Crisa, and Michael Marder.
OF FAME
After a long career in the Citrus County justice system, 1973 Stetson Law alumnus Jeff Smith ’73 is enjoying the retiree life with his wife, Patricia “Trish” Smith in Inverness, Florida.
His legal career spans decades as a powerful advocate, and he credits Stetson Law with giving him the opportunity to have an impact within the justice system. As a Board of Overseers member and University Trustee who regularly sits in on classes, he is incredibly engaged with his alma mater.
“The Smiths’ impact on the campus is really tremendous,” said Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “Their support comes with personal involvement. Jeff really cares about the experience that we’re giving our students.”
In 2025, Smith was inducted into the Stetson University College of Law Hall of Fame, an honor reflecting his impassioned involvement with and generous support of his alma mater.
BECOMING A STETSON LAWYER
After serving in the Army and earning his undergraduate degree at the University of Florida, Smith set his sights on law school. Shortly after he took the LSAT, Stetson Law offered him a full scholarship.
He wore a suit to class and was always prepared for his professors to put him on the spot.
During a long-overdue campus tour, Smith said seeing the students convinced him it was time to support his alma mater.
“It is my moral obligation to give back,” he said.
Jeff and Trish’s gifts include establishing an endowed scholarship and supporting construction of Stetson’s new Advocacy Institute, where the stunning trophy room and the Banyan Courtyard fountain entrance were named in honor of their generosity.
JEFFERY A. SMITH ’73
A lasting legacy at Stetson Law
A MEANINGFUL CAREER
Though Smith initially focused on tax law and estate planning, he found his passion while serving on a criminal prosecution task force.
Working in the juvenile justice division of the prosecutor’s office in Citrus County at a time there was no juvenile court, Smith established its first drug, mental health, and juvenile court.
In private practice, Smith defended those accused of homicide and crimes involving narcotics, but questioned whether the cutthroat nature of criminal law was for him.
“If you can’t win ethically and righteously, it isn’t worth doing,” Smith has said.
This led him back to the state prosecutor’s office, a decision he knew was right because he went home every evening knowing he was doing something positive for the community.
Jeff and Trish Smith attend the grand opening of Stetson Law’s Advocacy Institute in 2023.
HALL OF FAME
YING WHITE ’97 Crossing the ocean for Stetson Law
When Ying White ’97 first became an attorney, her fatherin-law gave her a picture of a young Abraham Lincoln, which she kept in her office. It was a reminder of what hard work and perseverance can accomplish.
“Here was a man aspiring to be an attorney with no formal legal education,” she said during her spring 2025 commencement address at Stetson Law. “Only through his own efforts, did he not only succeed in that task but as we all know, went on to become one of the great presidents of this country.”
A magna cum laude Stetson Law alumna, White has achieved much through hard work and perseverance. With a career defined by supporting major financial institutions amid a shifting global economy, a passion for giving back to her alma mater, and efforts to help Stetson grow its international reach, she is among the latest to join the Stetson Law Hall of Fame.
“The word that I would use to encapsulate Ying is driven,” said Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “She’s achieved so much in her career because she was willing to work so hard at it. She’s incredibly smart and incredibly talented. You see the drive in her. She’s really at the top of the game.”
SUCCESS ON A GLOBAL SCALE
White’s adaptability equipped her to thrive in a changing world. As partner at the global law firm Clifford Chance LLP, she has advised global fund managers like Citadel, BlackRock, and Vanguard on how to be profitable as they entered the China market.
She has advised sovereign wealth funds and Chinese businesses on their investments with major global funds. As chair of the American Bar Association’s China Law Committee, she conducted many US-China legal exchange programs.
Throughout her career, she has sought to embody the values she says Stetson Law instilled in her and her classmates: compassion, ethics, courage, and boldness in the pursuit of justice.
SHOWING LOVE FOR HER ALMA MATER
For years, White has mentored international students and alumni. She served on the Stetson Law Alumni Association Advisory Board from 2005-2008 and has supported Stetson Law Greatest Needs, the W. Gary Vause International LLM Scholarship, and other scholarships.
After Barros expressed a desire to have Stetson Law increase its international student enrollment, White offered to serve as a host, liaison, and translator on an October 2024 trip to China to explore academic partnership opportunities. The trip included a visit to Southwest University of Political Science and Law in Chongqing, China, which then sent a delegation for a productive visit to Stetson Law in March 2025.
Palmer, Simcox Step into New Deanship Roles
Building on Stetson Law’s commitment to supporting student success in law school and beyond, College of Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros has appointed Professor Jason Palmer as vice dean and Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox as associate dean for academic affairs.
Their insight and guidance in these roles will ensure that the College of Law will retain its academic rigor, grow in its capacity to support students, and engage alumni as well as the greater legal community.
Professor Jason Palmer Becomes Vice Dean
Dean Barros chose Dean Palmer to be vice dean of the College of Law due to his exceptional work as associate dean for academic affairs, a role in which he served since summer of 2023.
In this new position, Dean Palmer leads strategic initiatives and oversees educational, administrative, and operational enhancements that advance the College’s priorities and institutional goals.
“Jason’s leadership and outstanding administrative abilities will be instrumental in helping us achieve our ambitious goals for the future,” said Barros.
Dean Palmer, who joined the Stetson Law faculty in 2008, teaches legal research and writing, civil procedure and other courses. He has written, published, and spoken extensively on domestic and international mass claims processes, and spent five years in Zurich, Switzerland adjudicating claims of Holocaust victims who were attempting to recover assets from Swiss banks.
From 2019 to 2021, he served as chair of the Association of American Law Schools’ Professional Development (Arc of Career) Committee. He also served on the board of directors of the nonprofit Legal Writing Institute from 2016-2020.
Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox Named Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Citing her leadership of Stetson Law’s Veterans Law Institute and Veterans Law Clinic, Dean Barros has also named Professor Simcox as associate dean for academic affairs.
Dean Simcox will continue her work as director of the Veterans Law Institute throughout the 20252026 academic year.
Teaching veterans law, administrative law, and trusts and estates, Simcox joined the Stetson Law faculty in 2014. Her leadership of the Veterans Law Clinic has helped numerous veterans recover millions of dollars’ worth of previously denied benefits.
“I have been impressed with Stacey-Rae’s leadership of the VLI and of some of our most important faculty committees,” said Dean Barros. “I am delighted that Stacey-Rae has agreed to take on this new role, and I look forward to working with her.”
As director of the VLI, she has also forged important community partnerships with institutions like the University of South Florida's Morsani College of Medicine.
Stetson Law Alumni Updates
Rebecca C. Morgan ’80 Morgan, a celebrated professor at Stetson Law, has been appointed the Leroy Highbaugh, Sr. Chair for the period of Fall 2025 through Spring 2027.
James Haliczer ’82 was recently named to the 2025 Florida Super Lawyers list, an honor only the top five percent of lawyers in Florida receive.
Jim Owens ’86 has joined Cottage Health board of directors. He also recently completed his terms serving on the management committee and the compensation committee of McDermott Will & Emery in March of this year.
Judge Gary Flower ’87 was elected vice chair of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, an independent state agency tasked with investigating allegations of judicial misconduct and disability against Florida State Judges. Judge Flower was also appointed to the Uniform Law Commission (ULC).
In photo above, left: Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Justice Carlos Muñiz; right: Judge Gary Flower
Richard B. Schwamm ’91 was recently among the five percent of Florida lawyers to be named to the 2025 Florida Super Lawyers list.
Michael J. Loparco ’96 was appointed to the board of directors of Sanmina.
Anthony Diaz ’98 was named to the board of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP).
Valerie N. Edgecombe ’03 has recently joined Aspire Legal Solutions as a managing attorney.
Amanda Levy-Reis ’05 was appointed to serve as a judge on Florida’s Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court in March of 2025.
Paul V. Suppicich ’05 was recently sworn in as the president of the Rotary Club of New Tampa for 2025-2026.
Rhiannon D. Funke ’10 is now of counsel as a financial services and real estate litigator at McGlinchey Stafford’s Seattle office.
Jacob Hanson ’11 was elevated to partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP.
Emily VanOosting Bollman ’12 recently received the “Tomorrow's Leader” award from the St. Petersburg Junior League, where she currently serves as member development chair-elect as well as the “Rising Star” award from the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, where she is currently serving her second term as website chair.
Julia Lomonico ’12 has joined Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A. as of counsel in its St. Petersburg office.
Christopher Bolduc ’13 has joined McGlinchey Stafford on their legal team, where he represents clients from the insurance, financial services, and real estate industries.
Kayla Richmond Miller ’13 was a featured speaker at the family law seminar hosted by the 20th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Subcommittee, held at the Lee County Justice Center in downtown Fort Myers in April of 2025.
Mark Robens ’13 was appointed judge on Florida’s Sixth Judicial Circuit Court.
Steven Cary ’14 started in the role of assistant supervisor of elections with the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office.
Alex Lewis ’14 joined Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A., where he specializes in injury law.
Gio Giarratana ’16 was elevated to partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP.
Diriki Geuka ’17 was selected to join the 2025 class of Georgia Forward, a statewide leadership action program aimed at offering actionable solutions for communities throughout Georgia.
Zayn Mohamed ’18 has joined Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A. as of counsel in its St. Petersburg office.
Kyle White ’20 joined the Jacksonville office of Rivkin Radler as an associate.
Vasilios “Billy” Zimarakos ’20 joined Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP, where he now serves as an associate in the firm’s litigation practice group in the Tampa office.
James L. Doyle ’21 was recently named a 2025 Florida Super Lawyer.
Anya L. Pardy ’22
Pardy has recently joined Williams Parker in their construction and design industry group.
Savannah Green ’23 was recently appointed by Judge Casey Rodgers of the Northern District of Florida to a leadership position in the DepoProvera multidistrict litigation and recognized as an InWeekly Rising Star for 2024.
Benjamin Laing ’23 was named the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement Prosecutor of the Year.
Board of Overseers
Jason L. Turner
Chair of the Board
Nashville, Tennessee JD, Stetson University ’04
Jenay E. Iurato
Vice Chair of the Board
Tampa, Florida
JD/MBA ’00
Roger W. Yoerges
Secretary of the Board
Alexandria, Virginia
JD, Stetson University ’85
Keith Appleby
Tampa, Florida
JD/MBA, Stetson University ’04
Lori Y. Baggett
Clearwater, Florida
JD, Stetson University ’02
Michael P. Connelly
Malvern, Pennsylvania
BA, Stetson University ’93 JD, Stetson University ’96
Grace E. Dunlap
Tampa, Florida
JD, Stetson University ’86
Thomas S. Harmon Tampa, Florida
JD, Stetson University ’95
Hon. Tangela Hopkins Barrie Decatur, Georgia JD, Stetson University ’97
George Hunter
Riverview, Florida
JD/MBA, Stetson University ’99
Mark Luttier
West Palm Beach, Florida JD, Stetson University ’79
Joshua Magidson
Clearwater, Florida
JD, Stetson University ’80
Michael E. Marder
Orlando, Florida
JD, Stetson University ’77
Timothy P. McFadden
St. Petersburg, Florida JD, Stetson University ’90
Jay Novick
Key Biscayne, Florida JD, Stetson University ’75
Tracy Raffles Gunn Tampa, Florida JD, Stetson University ’93
Robert G. Riegel, Jr. Jacksonville, Florida
BA, Stetson University ’78
JD, Stetson University ’81
Amy R. Rigdon
Washington, D.C.
BA, Stetson University ’05 JD, Stetson University ’08
Arturo R. Rios
St. Petersburg, Florida JD, Stetson University ’06
Lisa Carlton Robinson
Sidell, Florida BA, Stetson University ’86
Jeffery A. Smith
Inverness, Florida JD, Stetson University ’73
Aaron Watson Pensacola, Florida
JD, Stetson University ’09
Ex-Officio Members
Dr. Christopher F. Roellke President of Stetson University
D. Benjamin Barros
Dean & Professor of Law Stetson University College of Law
Howard J. Williams President, Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association JD, Stetson University ’12
Emeritus
William F. Blews
St. Petersburg, Florida JD, Stetson University ’66
Robert “Robin” E. Doyle Jr. Naples, Florida JD, Stetson University ’75
Thomas D. Graves
St. Petersburg, Florida LLB, Stetson University ’60
Mark E. Haranzo
New York, New York JD, Stetson University ’85
Benjamin H. Hill, IV Tampa, Florida JD, Stetson University ’97
Michael C. Maher Orlando, Florida JD, Stetson University ’65
Hon. Peggy A. Quince Tallahassee, Florida LLD, (Hon.) Stetson University ’99
Marsha G. Rydberg Tampa, Florida JD, Stetson University ’76
Christian D. Searcy, Sr. West Palm Beach, Florida JD, Stetson University ’73
Leslie Reicin Stein Tampa, Florida JD, Stetson University ’76
Matthew A. Towery Atlanta, Georgia JD, Stetson University ’87
Gary R. Trombley Tampa, Florida JD, Stetson University ’73
William H. Weller Tierra Verde, Florida JD, Stetson University ’04
Robert G. Wellon Atlanta, Georgia JD, Stetson University ’74
Honorary Members
Hon. Susan C. Bucklew Tampa, Florida JD, Stetson University ’77
Hon. Carol W. Hunstein Atlanta, Georgia JD, Stetson University ’76
Hon. Elizabeth A. Kovachevich Tampa, Florida JD, Stetson University ’61
Richard J. McKay Flowery Branch, Georgia JD, Stetson University ’84
James C. Smith
Tallahassee, Florida JD, Stetson University ’67
Law Alumni on Board of Trustees
Katherine Cobb BA ’81 JD ’83
Gregory Coleman BA ’85 JD ’89
Michael T. Davis BA ’05 JD ’08
Lila A. Jaber BA ’88 JD ’90
Joshua Magidson JD ’80
Luis Prats BA ’78 JD ’81
Amy Rigdon BA ’05 JD ’08
Jeffery A. Smith JD ’73
Jason Turner (Ex-Officio) Chair, Board of Overseers JD ’04
