Spring 2014 Stetson Lawyer magazine

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VOLUME 53, NUMBER 1 | SPRING 2014

Why legal education matters How Stetson is poised to lead

Tales from the grave Graduate publishes mother’s memoirs as child of World War II

Controlling costs

Increasing student aid and reducing expenses

Leading the

Florida Bar — Meet incoming president Gregory W. Coleman BBA ’85, JD ’89 — Stetson leads law schools for July 2013 Florida bar passage rate

FROM THE DEAN The most common question alumni ask me at events is, “How is Stetson doing?”

I am proud to share that Stetson University College of Law is not only doing well, but has many reasons to make our alumni base exceptionally proud, as you will see on the pages of this issue of the Stetson Lawyer magazine.

During my 19 months as your dean, I frequently refer to “the three Rs” that make Stetson Law distinctive — our rigorous academic program to prepare our students for future success, the relationships with our students, alumni and communities, and our responsibilities as students and lawyers to serve as leaders who make a difference.

Our well-established strengths in the areas of Advocacy, Legal Research and Writing, Elder Law, and Veterans initiatives continue to receive national acclaim. And while our students continue to win trial competitions, perhaps equally important is the level of professionalism they exhibit during those competitions.

Many of you who serve as jurists frequently tell me that you can spot a Stetson lawyer based on the caliber of their practical education, courtroom preparedness and professionalism.

Our Legal Research and Writing Program recently launched the Institute for the Advancement of Legal Communication. The Institute serves as a nexus of research, teaching and service to improve the quality of legal communications, particularly legal writing, among law students, lawyers, members of the judiciary, and other professionals. The Institute, combined with the Center for Excellence in Advocacy, demonstrates the College of Law’s commitment to helping the next generation of law students build the two primary skills necessary for professional success: oral and written communication with the courts, the public and, of course, our clients.

Recently, 35 Stetson law students worked with our Center for Excellence in Elder Law, Veterans Law Institute, the St. Petersburg Bar Foundation and the Community Law Program to help low-income veterans and their spouses prepare wills and advance directives.

This is just one recent example of how our students volunteer 30,000 hours of pro bono service annually.

On the cover of this issue we feature alumnus and Board of Overseer member Greg Coleman BBA ’85, JD ’89. In June, Greg will become the third Stetson Law alumnus — and the first double Hatter — to serve as president of the Florida Bar. Greg’s firm, Critton, Luttier & Coleman, will co-sponsor a reception with the College of Law at the Florida Bar convention — where I hope you will join us for our annual gathering.

There are countless points of pride for Stetson Law, including our new 3+3 partnerships with USF and UWF, our stellar bar passage rates, our Constitution Hall project, a new leader of our Veterans Clinic, and much more. I invite you to regularly visit our website at stetson.edu/law to see daily updates of the accomplishments at your College of Law. So if you are asked, “How is Stetson doing?” please respond that we are a vibrant and dynamic scholarly community. Our alumni, students, faculty and staff have a meaningful and far-reaching impact on the law, the profession and society.

And you might also share that we are optimistic about our future because of who we are, who we want to be, and that WE ARE STETSON! Warmest regards,

Chris

TABLE OF

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Contents VOLUME 53, NUMBER 1 | SPRING 2014

Features Leading the Florida Bar

10

Why legal education matters

13

Changing lives through service

14

Controlling costs

18

Profile: Scott Sternberg ’98

20

2013 Hall of Fame Inductees

21

New alumni relations paradigm

32

Terror before dawn

33

Departments Year in Review

2

Alumni News

22

Faculty Forum

34

Donor Report

38

Stetson University College of Law

Wendy B. Libby, Stetson University President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz, Dean Kristen David Adams, Associate Dean for Academics Michael P. Allen, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Strategic Initiatives Theresa Pulley Radwan, Associate Dean for Administration and Business Affairs Laura Zuppo, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Financial Planning

Editorial Staff

Davina Y. Gould BA ’97, Director of Publications and Online Communications Brandi Palmer, Manager of Media Relations Frank Klim, Executive Director of Communications John M. Knowles, Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations Abigail Upshaw Helinger, Assistant Director of Development Patricia Toups BBA ’09, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Contributors/Photographers: Joseph Gamble, Lashanda Lightbourne, Kayla Minton, C.J. Sagorski, Suzanne Sousa, Brian Vandervliet The Stetson Lawyer magazine is published annually 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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BAR EXAM PERFORMANCE Stetson ranks first in July 2013 bar passage, new director hired Stetson’s bar passage rate for its law alumni was the highest in the state for July 2013, according to the Supreme Court of Florida’s exam scores and statistics, with 89.3 percent of Stetson graduates passing the Florida bar exam. Stetson law alumni outperformed the state average for all first-time testtakers in Florida in July by more than 12 points.

Stetson’s bar passage rate has steadily climbed over the past decade. In February, Stetson’s bar passage rate was 93.9 percent, second in the state.

Stetson’s bar preparation program is staffed by three full-time administrators who provide individual and group counseling and help students build personalized study plans to track their progress. The group also offers bar preparation workshops and essay-grading for Stetson students and graduates.

Michael Pierce ’11, who is a member of the Florida and Pennsylvania bar associations, was recently appointed as Stetson’s director of bar preparation services. Pierce previously served as Stetson’s Elder Consumer Protection Fellow. Kathryn Pelham ’06 and Quinn Ladd serve as assistant directors.

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93.9% 89.3%

of Stetson Law alumni passed the exam on first try in February 2013 of Stetson Law alumni passed the exam on first try in July 2013

July 2013 alumni pass rate by law school 1. Stetson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89.3%

2. Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88.2% 3. Florida State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86.7% 4. Florida International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82.8% 5. Nova Southeastern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81.8% 6. Miami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79.3% • All Florida law schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79.2% • All law schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77.2% 7. Barry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74.8% 8. St. Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73.7% • All non-Florida law schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72.2% 9. Florida A&M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71.7% 10. Florida Coastal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67.4% 11. Ave Maria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57.7%

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Review College of Law building undergraduate 3+3, 4+3 programs Stetson has recently streamlined its 3+3 program, allowing highperforming Stetson undergraduates to qualify for early admission to Stetson’s law school. The accelerated program provides students with an opportunity to save tuition costs by earning both their bachelor and law degrees in just six years, rather than the traditional seven years.

The 3+3 program allows qualified Stetson students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Business Administration

to apply the first year of coursework in the law program as elective credits towards the bachelor’s degree.

Students in Stetson’s School of Music are eligible for the 4+3 program.

“This program is yet another strong reason for top students to choose Stetson,” said Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz.

“A Stetson education seamlessly blends broad educational perspective with professional experience. Our students apply Stetson values to solve real-world problems by assisting

clients and our communities.”

In December, the University of West Florida and Stetson University College of Law announced that they are partnering to offer a similar 3+3 program starting in August 2015.

Charles Liberis ’67, a prominent Pensacola attorney, was instrumental in facilitating the agreement between Stetson Law and UWF. In April 2013, Stetson announced an accelerated 3+3 program with the University of South Florida Honors College.

Stetson launches new institute for legal communication Stetson recently launched its new Institute for the Advancement of Legal Communication.

The institute will serve as a nexus for research, teaching and service to improve the quality of legal communication, particularly legal writing, among law students, lawyers, members of the judiciary, and other professionals.

“The creation of the Institute for the Advancement of Legal Communication, combined with the Center for Excellence in Advocacy, demonstrates Stetson’s commitment to helping the next generation of law students build the two primary skills necessary for professional success — oral and written communication — with the courts, the public and clients,” said Dean Pietruszkiewicz.

“The message from every constituency law schools serve — lawyers,

bar associations, students, and the public as consumers of legal services and information — is that legal communication deserves more attention as a topic of investigation and instruction,” From left, Professors Catherine Cameron, Royal Gardner, Kirsten said Dr. Kirsten Davis, Noah Messing, Jason Palmer and Linda Anderson.

Davis, director legal communication instruction for of the institute and the legal research judges, lawyers, other professionals, and writing program. students and the public.

The institute will support an On Jan. 16, the institute hosted active community of legal comNoah Messing of Yale Law School munication scholars and work to as its first distinguished speaker. develop innovative and effective legal Messing addressed more than communication teaching methods, 150 first-year law students on studying contemporary legal comthe basics of written persuasion. munication issues and providing He encouraged moot court team

“This demonstrates Stetson’s commitment to helping the next generation of law students build the two primary skills necessary for professional success — oral and written communication.”

— Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz

members and alumni to challenge the “sacred cows” of persuasive legal writing as advanced legal writers.

Messing also met with members of the faculty.

This spring, the institute will also host Craig Waters, communications counsel at the Florida Supreme Court, and the Southeast Regional Legal Writing Conference at Stetson.

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Stetson recognized for service, diversity Stetson is one of 14 universities named as a finalist in the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

The Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. Stetson’s selection to the Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service learning and civic engagement.

“Stetson has a long history of service learning and educating students to be significant, as both leaders and participants in an everchanging world,” said President Wendy B. Libby. “We’re honored to receive this prestigious award, and owe much of it to the students themselves. They are the energy driving our commitment.”

Some of the projects Stetson students, faculty and staff participated in that were considered for the award include: • Bonner Scholars and Leaders Program: This program provides 60 undergraduate students with

scholarships in exchange for their commitment to at least eight hours of community-based work each week. This resulted in more than 20,000 hours of work for more than 30 different community partners last year.

• Law Pro Bono Requirement: Stetson requires all law students to complete at least 60 hours of legal and non-legal pro-bono work prior to graduation. This resulted in more than 33,000 hours of skilled assistance to legal aid societies, local nonprofits and government agencies last year.

• Stetson and the United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties: This program engages students in many ways, including as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance facilitators at no cost to local families, as fundraisers, as budget allocation committee members, and as volunteers for many other United Way initiatives. This resulted in $182,092 in tax refunds for local families and more than 6,000 hours of volunteer assistance last year.

The College of Law was honored in the nation’s capital by the Council

on Legal Education Opportunity for helping diversify the legal profession.

CLEO honored Stetson during the fall semester among 45 law schools and 90 other supporters who played a critical role in the financial viability of CLEO since 2000.

Stetson was included in the inaugural group of William A. Blakey Diversity Pipeline Architects named in honor of CLEO’s late Council Chairman Emeritus William A. “Buddy” Blakey, who dedicated much of his professional life to ensuring that the educational “pipeline” was readily accessible to all promising students.

Professor Darryl C. Wilson accepted the honor on Sept. 26 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. during CLEO’s 45th anniversary celebration.

CLEO is a nonprofit entity of the American Bar Association whose mission is to diversify the legal profession. Established in 1968, CLEO has been at the forefront of helping minority, low-income and disadvantaged students gain access to law school, successfully matriculate, and pass the bar exam.

BLSA honored with national, regional awards Stetson’s Black Law Students Association chapter was recognized as the 2013 Most Improved Chapter during the 45th annual National Black Law Students Convention in Atlanta, Ga. The group also received the 2013 Chapter of the Year for the Southern Region for outstanding community activism at the Southern Regional BLSA Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

In October, Stetson’s BLSA chapter collected youth and college-level 4

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books to donate to the international book project, which this year promotes literacy in Ghana. Stetson’s BLSA book drive is part of a national BLSA event in which chapters around the counBLSA members Rickena Perry and Ariana Brooks gather try participate. books in the breezeway for the Black Law Students Association book drive.

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Review Teams continue advocacy success Stetson’s advocacy teams kicked off Marshall Law School International the spring semester with a win. Once Moot Court Competition in again, Stetson teams won both first and Information Technology and Privacy second place at the Florida Bar Chester Law in Chicago. This is the second Bedell Mock Trial Competition in time that Stetson has won this Tampa this January. Stanton Fears, competition.

Megan Fernandez, Robert Seay and In August, Kayla Cash, Paul Vicky San Pedro (pictured below) won Crochet and Tyler Egbert won the the competition, and San Pedro was 2013 E. Earle Zehmer National also named best advocate. Stetson Workers’ Compensation Moot has won more than 20 times in the Court Competition in Orlando. The competition’s 31-year history. team argued in the final round of Last November, Stetson won competition before sitting judges from the National Veterans Moot Court Florida’s First District Court of Appeal.

Competition in Washington, D.C. The winning team of Jeremy Bailie and Kevin Crews also won the best petitioner’s brief award. Also in November, Stetson students Tai Lowry, Khalil Madani II, Daniel Miles and Lisa Ungerbuehler won the Florida Justice Association mock trial competition in Tampa.

Last October, Stetson’s team of Jonathan Hart, Brandon Pfluger and Melaina Tryon Stetson’s first-place team at the Chester Bedell won the 32nd annual John Mock Trial Competition in January.

2013

Meet the entering class In 2013, 269 new students started the Juris Doctor program.

Here are the statistics from Aug. 24, 2013, the first day of fall classes:

• 224 full-time students • 45 part-time students • 20% minority students • 53.5% female • 24 states represented, plus U.S. Virgin Islands

• 84 colleges/universities represented in three countries

• 28 advanced degrees • 50th percentile LSAT: 155 FT; 153 PT

• 50th percentile UGPA: 3.40 FT; 3.20 PT

« First-year students in Professors

WORLD WETLANDS DAY

Royal Gardner and Lance Long’s Legal Research and Writing class had an opportunity to study environmental issues up close during a trip to the Florida Everglades.

The trip coincided with World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2, which celebrates the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Professor Gardner, who directs Stetson’s Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, is chair of the Ramsar Scientific and Technical Review Panel.

In 2010, Stetson became the first law school in the world to sign a memorandum of cooperation with the Ramsar Secretariat, to assist the international group in protecting wetlands.

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NFL leader Rich McKay ’84 talks with students Rich McKay ’84, president and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons, spent a November afternoon meeting with Stetson Law students discussing professionalism and the value of a legal education.

McKay explained how his Stetson education and “toolkit” prepared him for the challenges of working in the NFL. McKay has served on the NFL’s Competition Committee for the past 20 years. In 2011, McKay was named chair of the committee comprised of NFL head coaches and executives who study the game and recommend rule changes and modifications to ensure player safety while promoting competitiveness.

McKay was the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they won Super Bowl XXXVII.

Attorney General Bondi ’90 speaks at commencement; grads honor late classmate Florida’s first female attorney general, Pam Bondi ’90, presented the commencement speech at Stetson University College of Law on May 18, 2013, at Stetson’s Gulfport campus courtyard.

“As Florida’s first female attorney general, I’m here to tell you that you can do anything you want to do, and don’t let anyone stand in your way,” said Bondi.

A Tampa native and fourth generation Floridian, Bondi worked as a prosecutor in the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office for 18 years before being elected in November 2010 to serve as Florida’s 37th attorney general.

Bondi is a member of the State Board of Administration and the Florida Cabinet, is vice chair of the southern region of the National Association of Attorneys General, and serves on Florida’s Special Olympics board of directors. She was recognized by the Tampa Bay Review as a “Lawyer of Distinction” and received the “Women of Excellence 6

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in Government” award.

A total of 353 law graduates walked at commencement, including 51 part-time J.D. students, 11 LL.M. in elder law students, 17 LL.M. in international law students, 25 J.D./M.B.A. students and one J.D./M.P.H. student.

Kimberly Clark, a part-time student who came to Stetson Law to pursue a second career, died shortly before her graduation, and the family was presented her degree. Students participated in a memorial tribute to Clark during commencement, remembering her with pebbles tossed into the courtyard fountain that rose in hundreds of ripples signifying the impact of her life.

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New faculty appointments for 2014: Veterans Advocacy Clinic and Trial Advocacy Two highly regarded law professors will join the Stetson law faculty this summer.

Stacey-Rae Simcox, a former Army major and JAG officer, has been selected to serve as Stetson’s new Veterans Advocacy Clinic director and associate professor of legal skills.

Simcox joins Stetson from the College of William and Mary, where she is professor of the practice of law, managing attorney, and founder of the Lewis B. Puller Jr. Veterans Benefits Clinic. Under Simcox’ leadership, the Puller Clinic was recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a best-practice program for serving veterans.

Professor Simcox has testified before the Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation and co-authored several articles on veterans’ benefits. She speaks across the country on veterans issues, and serves as co-editor of Servicemembers and Veterans Rights.

She is a founding board member of Helping Military Veterans through Higher Education, and a member of the Virginia Bar Association’s Veterans Task Force Initiative.

She has taught courses on veterans’ benefits, internet law, technologyaugmented trial advocacy, legal skills and electronic discovery. Before entering academia, Professor Simcox served as an attorney with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, holding a number of positions, including chief of administrative law, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and trial counsel. She also clerked for Chief Judge Susan Crawford of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

Decorated trial team coach Amelia Michele Joiner accepted the position of associate professor of legal skills and trial advocacy.

Joiner is an assistant professor of law and director of the trial advocacy program at Duquesne University School of Law. She has received numerous awards for outstanding achievement in the area of trial advocacy, and is a member of the Louis L. Manderino Honor Society for Distinguished Achievement in Moot Court Competition.

“I am overjoyed to join Stetson’s nationally renowned trial advocacy program,” said Professor Joiner.

“I hope to help continue to grow the

Simcox

Joiner

law school’s reputation for producing top-notch, ethical advocates who serve their communities.”

Professor Joiner has served as the national trial team coach at Duquesne, where she teaches in the areas of trial advocacy and contracts. She also researches and writes in the areas of employment discrimination and adversarial ethics. Joiner has coached champion advocacy teams to victory at the American Association for Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition and National Institute for Trial Advocacy Tournament of Champions Mock Trial Competition.

Professor Joiner was named one of the 2010 New Pittsburgh Courier’s 50 Women of Excellence, which recognizes successful African-American women who have contributed in important ways to the community.

Dean appointed to national, regional, state committees on legal education, professionalism and safety Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz has recently been appointed to five committees focused on legal education, professionalism and public safety at the national, state and regional levels.

Dean Pietruszkiewicz was appointed to the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar’s Data Policy and Collection Committee, the Florida Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, the legal education committee of the Florida Bar Vision 2016 Commission, the Sixth Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee, and the Hillsborough County Community

Violence Prevention Collaborative.

Dean Pietruszkiewicz joins a select group of nine deans, professors and administrators from law schools across the country serving on the Data Policy and Collection Committee, which makes recommendations regarding changes to all law school accreditationrelated questionnaires.

On the Florida Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, Dean Pietruszkiewicz serves as a member of a steering and long-range planning commission that creates and implements professionalism programs and seminars.

The dean was appointed by the Florida Bar president to serve on its Vision 2016 Commission, which is conducting a three-year, in-depth review of the future practice of law.

Pietruszkiewicz continues to serve on the Law School Admission Council board and as chair of the LSAC Investment Committee. He is past-president of the Southeastern Association of Law Schools and has served in leadership positions for the American Bar Association Section of Taxation.

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Stetson supports civics education with new Constitution Hall The Pinellas County School Board recognized Stetson Law Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz and Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Pamela Campbell ’89 for their commitment to civics education in Pinellas County through the Constitution Hall exhibit.

As a part of the Gus A. Stavros Institute’s Finance Park, Constitution Hall is an interactive exhibit that illustrates the role of the U.S. Constitution in forming the three branches of the U.S. government, protecting individual rights, and valuing civic participation. Judge Campbell discussed the project with fellow Stetson graduate James Martin BS ’71, JD ’74, who encouraged her to bring the project to Stetson.

Last summer, Stetson Hall of Fame inductee Bonnie Foreman BA ’68 graciously agreed to underwrite the Constitution Hall exhibit, propelling the project forward. Staff at the College of Law designed the exhibit to teach middle school students about their rights under the Constitution, the three branches of government, and how to become civically active. Around 10,000 eighth graders will visit the exhibit each year as a part of the Finance Park experience.

Justice Quince joins editorial board of new advocacy journal Stetson University College of Law has launched the inaugural issue of the Stetson Journal of Advocacy and the Law, a unique law review designed to be read entirely online to meet the needs of the modern reader.

Justice Peggy Quince of the Florida Supreme Court is featured in the first issue, and she is a member of the journal’s board of advisers.

The Stetson Journal of Advocacy and the Law includes a range of articles related to trial work and practical advocacy skills, with a foreword by Professor of Excellence in Trial Advocacy Charles Rose, director of Stetson’s nationally topranked trial advocacy program.

Stetson student Brian Johnson is serving as editor-in-chief,

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Jonathan O’Neil is serving as external vice president, and Alexandra Taylor is the internal vice president.

Professor Tim Kaye, Ph.D., serves as faculty adviser for the journal.

To learn more about the Stetson Journal of Advocacy and the Law, visit stetson. edu/advocacy-journal.

From left, Bonnie Foreman BA ’68, Zack Zuroweste MBA ’06, JD ’06, Judge Pam Campbell ’89, Jim Martin BS ’71, JD ’74, and Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz cut the ribbon at Stetson’s “Constitution Hall” exhibit opening at Finance Park on Constitution Day 2013.

RFK adviser speaks on social justice Stetson hosted a public Social Justice Lecture Series discussion in October with former Robert F. Kennedy adviser Peter Edelman about ending poverty in the United States.

An author and Georgetown University Law Center professor, Peter Edelman presented “So Rich, So Poor: Why It’s So Hard to End Poverty in America.”

Professor Edelman is an anti-poverty advocate who served as a top adviser to Senator Robert F. Kennedy from 1964-1968.

During the Clinton administration, Edelman resigned from his position with the Department of Health and Human Services in protest of welfare reform legislation.

Edelman challenged the law students in the audience to think about how they can make a difference.

“What do you do as a citizen?” Edelman asked. “What do you do as a person in our society with a responsibility to make this a better country in the sense of making sure that our promise of democracy is kept?”

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Students establish “Maturity in the Masterpiece” program at nursing home When Professor Rebecca Morgan’s Elder Law Seminar students visited a Gulfport nursing home, Ashley Heino noticed that the walls lacked artwork.

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

O’Shea worked with the nursing home and recruited nine fellow students to volunteer to help residents at the Boca Ciega Center in Gulfport create original paintings. On Oct. 4, the first group of Stetson volunteers met with nursing home residents, creating works of art that would be previewed during an art show and then displayed at the nursing home.

“I was really proud of my fellow students,” said O’Shea. “They were extremely patient and caring, qualities

you hope law students will have as they become role models for their community.”

O’Shea hopes the entire Stetson community will participate in the program, scheduled for the first Friday of each month from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Boca Ciega Center.

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

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

Pictured top of page: Nicole Sherwood and Carmen Herrera Valverde; above right: Lane Cryar; and right: Christine O’Shea at the March 2014 Maturity in the Masterpiece gathering.

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Leading the

Florida Bar

by John M. Knowles In the 63-year history of the Florida Bar, only two Stetson University College of Law alumni have served as the organization’s president. This June, Gregory W. Coleman BBA ’85, JD ’89, will become the third — and the first double Hatter, having earned two Stetson degrees.

Coleman, a member of the Stetson Law Board of Overseers, couldn’t be more excited.

“It is truly an honor to represent Stetson Law alumni through my service as president of the Florida Bar,” Coleman said. “I owe my legal career to Stetson — the positive, affirming culture of the College of Law was a perfect place for me to develop my leadership skills while earning a phenomenal education.

“At Stetson, I learned to aspire for high achievement while treating my peers with respect and courtesy.

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These skills propelled me to where I am today.”

Coleman, a partner since 2000 at Critton Luttier Coleman, LLP, a West Palm Beach law firm specializing in commercial litigation, personal injury and domestic law, assumes the presidency of the Florida Bar after a long record of service in the association. His service began in the local Palm Beach County Bar’s Young Lawyer’s Division. He served for seven years as an executive committee member, including a term as president.

Alongside his YLD leadership, Coleman was active in the general Palm Beach County Bar Association, serving in leadership roles for more than a decade, including serving as the county bar president from 2002 through 2003. Concurrent with his local roles, Coleman served as the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division president from 1999 through 2000 and his first stint on the Florida Bar

Board of Governors in the late 1990s.

Coleman has served on and chaired nearly every significant standing and special committee in the Florida Bar, and became presidentelect of the Florida Bar in June 2012.

Coleman is a three-time winner of the prestigious Florida Bar President’s Award of Merit — in 2009, 2011 and 2012 — an unprecedented accomplishment in the history of the Bar. “Other Florida Bar members, including the past presidents, saw me as someone who had ‘paid his dues,’” Coleman explained. “My service in numerous roles, over an extended period of time, allowed me to cultivate the relationships and experiences to be an effective president.

“I came forward as a candidate for the presidency because a large number of attorneys I respect encouraged me to do so. It was humbling, and I remain incredibly honored that so

many outstanding people would place this kind of trust in me.”

Looking forward to his presidency, Coleman approaches the office with great humility. “The 52 members of the Florida Bar Board of Governors really run the organization. I see my role somewhat as a ‘barge captain’ in that my predecessors have this organization moving in the right direction and doing all the right things. It is not about me — it is about executing upon our strategic plan and doing what is best for attorneys and the profession as a whole in this state.”

Coleman says that his goals include preserving judicial independence and funding, enhancing membership services, promoting diversity, and focusing on technology. Coleman says he is intrigued by the topic of “E-etiquette” and believes in promoting civility in legal practice despite changes brought about by technology. He intends to

“At Stetson, I learned to aspire for high achievement while treating my peers with respect and courtesy. These skills propelled me to where I am today.”

— Gregory W. Coleman BBA ’85, JD ’89 promote dialogue about the effect technological innovations such as mobile devices have on the practice of law, and what professional precautions an attorney must take in an age when entire file cabinets and the details of every client matter can be contained in the palm of your hand.

Coleman also intends to encourage more widespread participation and awareness of the practical value of membership for Florida attorneys.

“I’m not an ego-driven leader,”

Coleman said. “That goes back to my time at Stetson and the lessons I learned there. This is about the mission and the time-honored traditions of the Florida Bar. I will be sustaining the work of my outstanding predecessors, and soon I’ll pass it along to other Florida attorneys.

“I’m just grateful for the chance to serve and have a place in the incredible history of the practice of law in Florida.”

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and how Stetson is poised to lead

by Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz Dean and Professor of Law In my column on the inside cover of this issue of Stetson Lawyer, I wrote that many alumni have asked me about Stetson’s well-being and future.

With tremendous pride, I highlighted a few of the reasons why Stetson is doing so well while other law schools are facing challenges.

In the last five years, the number of students taking the Law School Admission Test has dropped by about 40%, and law school applications are down in almost every market. Several years ago, student enrollment at Stetson had us “bulging at the seams,” and we began aggressively trimming enrollment to match our physical and planned capacity. Currently, we have approximately 850 students, which is more in line with our student/teacher ratios and strategic plans.

At the same time, we are continu12 Stetson Lawyer

ing to take a principled admissions approach. We are recruiting and retaining the best and brightest students who reflect the values and priorities of Stetson University.

As a Stetson Law graduate, you recently received a postcard from our Admissions Office requesting your recommendations for potential students who possess the qualities you would expect of a fellow graduate. I am grateful for your participation as alumni in this process.

The downturn in the overall job market, including the legal profession, has led some to question the value of a law degree, resulting in high-profile media scrutiny of law schools.

An article by Rutgers Professor of Economics Frank McIntyre and Seton Hall Law School Associate Professor of Law Michael Simkovic summarized, “Legal academics and journalists have marshaled statistics purporting to show that enrolling in

law school is irrational. We investigate the economic value of a law degree and find the opposite: Given current tuition levels, the median — and even 25th percentile — annual earning premiums justify enrollment. For most law school graduates, the net present value of a law degree typically exceeds its cost by hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Stetson Law has no intrinsic immunity from national trends. But thanks to our solid foundation and some key strategic advantages, Stetson is uniquely positioned to confront these challenges and thrive as we move forward:

• Our nationally ranked skills pro-

grams in advocacy (#1) and legal writing (#6) build practice-ready graduates prepared to excel early in their careers.

• Thanks to our expanded bar prepa-

ration services, approximately 90% of our new graduates are passing the

bar exam on their first attempt.

• Our students gain practical experi-

ence through more than 35 clinical and externship programs and by completing more than 30,000 pro bono service hours annually. We actually have more experiential opportunities than we have students to fill those slots.

Historic advantage The legal profession demands smart, skilled law graduates, and this type of preparation has been Stetson’s strength for more than a century.

At one time, some law schools scoffed at the idea of providing real-world experience for their students. The assumption was that practical training was the responsibility of their first employer. This has never been Stetson’s strategy for our students.

The American Bar Association Task Force on the Future of Legal Education concluded, “The balance between doctrinal instruction and focused preparation for the delivery of legal services needs to shift still further toward developing the competencies required by people who will deliver services to clients.”

While other law schools are just now learning that employers expect new lawyers to understand the law and have the skills to apply it, Stetson enjoys a 114-year tradition of preparing its graduates for the real practice of law. Teaching our first trial course was innovative in 1902, as was opening the first legal clinic in Florida in 1938. Stetson continues to distinguish itself today as the leader in practical legal education. Our professors teach interactive courses that carefully balance legal theory, policy and worldclass skills training.

Just as the practice of law requires a blend of skill and doctrinal knowledge, so too do the classes at Stetson University College of Law. Innovative courses that combine these elements — such as the tethered evidence/trial advocacy course — have become increasingly popular with students over the past decade. Formalizing such collaboration throughout the curriculum makes each course more relevant as

students learn how to think like a lawyer and practice as one.

No law school is better prepared to meet the increasing demands of the legal profession than Stetson University College of Law. In response to the realities of the legal marketplace, Stetson is developing ambitious solutions that capitalize on historic strengths to meet the industry’s challenges, both now and in the future.

A significant vision The world needs great lawyers who are masters of doctrinal law and practical experience. Our profession demands a new class of ethical attorney, one who is truly elite in legal advocacy and communication. We have always embraced this foundation of blending skills, doctrine and professionalism, and we remain committed to a rigorous educational experience that produces graduates who pride themselves on the relationships they build and their responsibility as lawyers to better society.

To build a comprehensive strategy that will further distinguish Stetson as a global leader among law schools, our faculty, staff, students and alumni collaborated in a robust process to help elevate the College of Law from success to greater significance.

Evidence-based research included six months of extensive dialogue, culminating in an agenda for action. The first phase of our strategic plan is built upon our Stetson values of personal growth to increase self-knowledge, intellectual development to achieve academic excellence and foster exploration, and global citizenship to be informed and engaged in our communities and beyond. This plan provides overarching strategies to embrace personal and professional integrity, develop leaders in our communities, encourage social responsibility, and move Stetson forward as an institution.

The catch-phrase being used with the creation of this strategic plan is, “Every moment counts!” And it does.

We look forward to commencing the operational phase of this plan, which will guide us in setting measurable goals to hold ourselves accountable.

Professional development Stetson students can tailor their law school experience in any number of ways. We are developing new approaches to help students make informed decisions as they plan for their futures.

The culture of Stetson University College of Law places student satisfaction at the center of everything we do. Developing systematic mentoring programs with faculty and alumni enhance each student’s success during law school and beyond. Part of our mentoring process includes our Career Development, Academic Success and Bar Preparation Services.

The Career Development team empowers students and alumni to be competitive and market-ready candidates through our employer engagement activities and preparedness services. Our Office of Academic Success provides academic support and guidance necessary to empower students to achieve personal and professional success.

The Office of Bar Preparation Services is designed to assist students with every aspect of bar admission. Our vision is to bridge the gap between law school and bar exam preparation by maximizing students’ preparation for, and performance on, the bar exam and to assist students to pass the bar exam on their first attempt.

Commitment to professionalism and excellence Stetson lawyers are not just skilled, they are professional. Stetson remains committed to producing graduates who possess elite practical skills, a high degree of ethical and moral awareness, an understanding of the significant responsibility they are entrusted with as community leaders, and the ability to transform our communities and preserve the rule of law.

I can assure you that Stetson University College of Law will not rest on our laurels, but will look to our laurels instead. We will continue to challenge ourselves as an institution, and we will not settle for the status quo. We will serve justice by preparing talented lawyers, because legal education matters.

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Profiles in Pro photos by Brian Vandervliet

Each year, Stetson Law students donate more than 33,000 service hours to more than 60 community organizations. More than two-thirds of these hours are legal in nature.

While all Stetson Law students are required to complete at least 60 hours of service to graduate, many exceed this requirement. Students who perform at least 120 hours earn the Bill Blews Pro Bono Service Award at graduation. And some — including the second- and third-year students featured here — go far above and beyond.

14 Stetson Lawyer

« Sergio Fernandez

Agencies served: Gulfcoast Legal Services; U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review; Tradewinds Church; American Cancer Society-Relay for Life; Habitat for Humanity “Although each experience has been memorable in its own way and has taught me new things, working at Gulfcoast Legal Services made the biggest impact on me. Most of the people I helped were in the worst position they had ever been in their life. They took whatever strength and courage they had left to leave their desperate situation and get help. Their efforts paid off and, because of the wonderful people at Gulfcoast, they were able to get their life back, and I was a part of that. Words cannot describe what that feels like.”

Bono Service Jennifer Burns »

Agencies served: Public Defender’s Office, 13th Judicial Circuit; 5K HCBA Pro Bono Race to the Courthouse; Domestic Violence Assistance Program “My service has been meaningful because I have learned so much more than I would be able to in the classroom. The skills I have acquired have helped me through my courses, and I believe they will also benefit me when I start my career.

“I was inspired to go beyond the requirement by my first-year mentor, Sarah Kay. She helped set up volunteer opportunities, and the more I helped her, the more I wanted to volunteer my time and learn as much as possible about the practice of law.”

« Jesse Fulton

Agencies served: Gulfcoast Legal Services; Relay for Life “Participating in pro bono work has helped me realize the importance of giving back. Normally, our own time is very precious, but being able to take time out of your schedule to help those in need provides a sense of accomplishment and appreciation for how lucky I truly am to be in my position.”

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Amy Ray

Agencies served: Crisis Center of Tampa Bay; National Clearinghouse of Science Technology and the Law; and Tucker Ludin P.A.

“My non-legal pro bono service at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has been a great way to give back to the community. I realize that’s a cliché answer, but it is absolutely true. Being able to be a conduit or liaison between medical, law enforcement, and psychological / interventional services for the survivor of sexual assault is both touching and important. Even when I would be called out at 3 a.m. and had to drive 45 minutes to north Tampa, it was worth it, knowing I could help someone through a difficult time.”

16 Stetson Lawyer

Bradley Rooke

Agencies served: Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office; Relay for Life Gulfport; Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy; and Pinellas County Republican Committee “My service has been meaningful to me because it reflects my personal values and my motivations to go to law school. I was lucky enough to dedicate my pro bono service working on issues that affect people, and that’s been a driving factor in my decision to become a lawyer.

“I didn’t set out with a goal to go ‘above and beyond’ my pro bono requirement. I aligned myself with organizations that worked on issues I was passionate about. I was excited about everything I was doing, so it never felt like work, which helped me to accumulate so many hours.”

Thomas Burgess

Agency served: United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich “The Middle District of Florida has helped me gain a significant appreciation for the public’s need for legal service. While I didn’t work directly with clients, working in the chambers of Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich allowed me to witness the indigent’s strong need for representation.

Also, my time at the Middle District of Florida has really improved my writing ability. It has showed me the little things that judges really appreciate in an advocate’s writing. It has also allowed me to see what you should never do in writing a motion to the court.”

Paris Tsangaris Agencies served: Gulfcoast Legal Services and Habitat for Humanity “Pro bono service has helped me because the lessons learned made me a stronger, wiser and more compassionate advocate. I had the time available, so I put it to good use.

“My favorite experience was building homes with Habitat for Humanity. There is no gift greater than a home to a family that needs one.”

Spring 2014

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Controlling

costs 18 Stetson Lawyer

Stetson is combining creative and classic solutions to help reduce the cost of legal education for our students.

by John M. Knowles Stetson University College of Law is committed to providing a worldclass legal education that prepares graduates with the doctrinal and practical skills, as well as the ethical grounding, to answer the needs of tomorrow’s legal marketplace. We are also committed to controlling the significant expenses associated with obtaining a legal education, and making the promise of a Stetson degree available to as many prospective students as possible who meet our selective standards for admission.

The most impactful tactic to control the expense borne by a Stetson law student is through growing the College of Law’s endowment, which would increase our capacity to award scholarships to worthy law students. The College of Law competes with publicly funded law schools whose tuition is lower by virtue of their taxpayer funding, and these peer institutions often have more robust endowments. Stetson can close the gap by increasing its own endowment, which is about one third the size of other private law schools.

The College of Law offers dozens of specific-purpose and meritbased scholarships, along with the Stetson University College of Law General Scholarship Fund, which is strategically critical as it allows the dean to retain and reward top academic performers. Growing these existing scholarship offerings, while adding new scholarships as well, has a direct effect on the costs borne by Stetson law students each year.

Other initiatives that help to ensure affordable costs for Stetson law students include actions taken throughout our administration

Stetson Law by the Numbers $37,462 Full-time JD tuition, 2013-14 88% of 2013 law graduates borrowed at least

Student services

6.5% 35.3%

Institution support and auxiliary

11.8%

46.4%

Instruction, research and public service

Academic support

one federal student loan

$136,885 Average law debt among

borrowers graduating in 2013

to restrain expenses and develop efficiencies that manage costs, and exciting new programs such as our 3+3 agreements with undergraduate institutions.

In 2013, three of these agreements were finalized: one with our neighboring University of South Florida in Tampa, another with the University of West Florida in Pensacola, and a fresh, internal 3+3 arrangement with Stetson’s College of Arts and Sciences and School of Business Administration.

These agreements enable a student to complete both an undergraduate degree and a law degree within six years, rather than seven, saving tens of thousands of dollars in educational expenses, reducing debt, and opening the opportunity to launch a legal career sooner. Stetson Law also has designated scholarships for participants in these programs to reduce costs further. These types of cutting-edge initiatives position Stetson Law as a leader in the

7.08% law school budget decrease

from FY 2010-11 to FY 2013-14

national discussion regarding the future of legal education.

While legal education is expensive initially, it is a great investment over the long term and provides the opportunity to serve others in a meaningful way. Contrasted with earning a bachelor’s degree alone, the average law school graduate will earn $1 million more over a lifetime, according to a recent report in the ABA Journal.

Stetson is determined to continue developing strategies that make the dream of becoming a Stetson attorney as accessible as possible to those ready for the challenge.

Support student scholarships at www.law.stetson.edu/give or by accessing this QR code with your smartphone:

Spring 2014

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ALUMNI

News

Giving back Law school experience motivates first-generation lawyer to serve

by John M. Knowles Scott J. Sternberg’s enthusiasm for his alma mater, Stetson University College of Law, is deep-rooted and closely intertwined with his own life story.

“I come from a working-class, blue collar background. My family’s values are based upon hard work and the Golden Rule: treat others the way you would like to be treated,” Sternberg says.

Sternberg, a 1998 magna cum laude law graduate, credits Stetson with equipping him with the tools to achieve great success as a trial attorney. Scott J. Sternberg and Associates P.A., headquartered in West Palm Beach, is known for its expertise in workers’ compensation and overtime, Longshore Act claims, Social Security Disability, and immigration law.

“My education at Stetson was world-class. I cannot say enough about it. The intellectual strength of the faculty and my fellow students, along with the rigor of the curriculum, challenged me to grow as a law student and as a human being,” Sternberg shared. “I can honestly say that I would not be where I am as a lawyer and entrepreneur had I not chosen Stetson Law.” Sternberg graduated second in his class from Stetson. While in law school, he was active in the Stetson Law Review, where he served as local government digest editor and in 1997 was voted by his peers to receive the Editor of the Year Award. To this day, he considers this award as one of his proudest accomplishments because he 20 Stetson Lawyer

felt like he had something to prove on the law review, and that it was chosen by his fellow students. “The Editor of the Year Award is still displayed proudly in my office at the firm because it reminds me of the pride and confidence that Stetson gave me as a young man,” Sternberg explained.

Sternberg’s connection to Stetson did not end with graduation. Like many alumni, he saw his relationship with the College of Law as a lifelong one, not just for his three years as a student. He served on various

has increased his collaboration with Stetson’s Office of Career Development. Sternberg has always been a generous donor to the College of Law, but this year his giving has increased more than twentyfold. “I believe that I have a responsibility to give back to Stetson,” he said.

“My financial contributions support student scholarships because, first and foremost, I want to support the rising generation of Stetson attorneys.”

Sternberg also recognizes a strategic opportunity, “Bottom line, we

“My financial contributions support student scholarships because first and foremost I want to support the rising generation of Stetson attorneys.”

— Scott Sternberg ’98 committees and supported outreach efforts in south Florida. In 2008, he joined the Stetson Law Board of Overseers, the highest appointed board at the College of Law. In 2010, the Stetson Law Alumni Association honored Sternberg with the Paul M. May Meritorious Service Award — a prestigious annual distinction recognizing leadership and service to Stetson Law and the alumni association.

Even by Sternberg’s standards, he is particularly passionate and excited about Stetson Law right now. He has met with Dean Pietruszkiewicz several times in south Florida and

alumni have to build up Stetson’s endowment so that we can provide more scholarships for students. As an Overseer and a man who owes his career to Stetson, I want to show leadership and encourage others to do the same.”

Aside from his busy legal practice and community activities, Sternberg is a devoted family man. “I’m probably happiest at my 14-year-old daughter’s soccer games,” he says. “Who knows, maybe she will be a Stetson lawyer herself one day. And if not, I’m fairly certain she will be represented by one.”

Pictured L-R: Prof. Paul Barnard ’58, Judge Raphael Steinhardt ’63, and Prof. James Martin BS ’71, JD ’74

ALUMNI

News

2013 Hall of Fame

by Frank Klim

Professor Paul Barnard ’58 opened the doors to practical legal education in the state of Florida, establishing Stetson’s Public Defender Clinic to help law students develop the skills necessary to practice criminal law. This year marks its 50th anniversary. Barnard successfully petitioned the Florida Supreme Court in 1964 to allow law students in Stetson’s Public Defender Clinic to work on cases under the direction of public defenders and other counsel. The Paul Barnard Award for Clinic Excellence was established in his name and is presented to graduates who performed outstanding work in Stetson’s Public Defender Clinic. Professor Barnard taught criminal law, criminal procedure and other law courses for 18 years at Stetson.

Prof. James Martin BS ’71, JD ’74, a renowned civic leader in the Tampa Bay community, received Stetson’s Ben C. Willard Award for humanitarian achievements. He

Stetson University College of Law inducted three members into its Hall of Fame on Oct. 26 in Gulfport. helped launch Stetson’s Constitution Hall exhibit at the Stavros Institute’s Finance Park to teach middle school students about their constitutional rights and the U.S. government. As a young attorney 33 years ago, Martin was instrumental in creating the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg.

Today, Martin remains an executive committee member at the museum, and he co-chaired the opening of its new facility in 2011. Martin has volunteered with more than 25 community organizations, served on the St. Petersburg City Council, and represented St. Petersburg on the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and Pinellas County Arts Council. Martin has written eight books and published 36 articles on contracts, real estate, legal management, business organizations, legal forms and non-profit organizations. He received the Florida Bar’s Barbara Sanders Memorial Writing Competition Award and teaches law practice management as a Stetson adjunct professor.

Judge Raphael Steinhardt ’63, a senior judge for Florida’s 11th

Judicial Circuit in Miami, has served as a distinguished attorney and judge for 50 years. Steinhardt established a pro bono program in Miami Beach and created an educational program for schoolchildren to visit live sessions of court. He was a longtime member of the Dade County Pre-Trial Release Review Committee. He has endowed several Stetson scholarships for veterans and students serving the public interest. The Judge Raphael Steinhardt Building is home to Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute. Judge Steinhardt has received several honors and service awards from Dade County and Stetson University. He continues to volunteer for many community organizations. « Watch videos at bit.ly/2013SUHoF or by accessing this QR code with your smartphone

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ALUMNI

News

Super Lawyers, Florida Trend list Stetson alumni as top lawyers Hundreds of Stetson University College of Law alumni were recognized during the summer among Florida Super Lawyers and Florida Trend’s Legal Elite.

Stetson is listed third among the top 10 law schools across the country producing the most Florida Super Lawyers this year, with 278 Stetson law alumni selected for inclusion.

Stephen A. Barnes ’93, Troy J. Crotts ’86, Mark A. Hanley ’80, Steven H. Mezer ’77, Luis Prats ’81 and Caroline Black Sikorske ’84, are listed among the Top 50 Tampa Bay Florida Super Lawyers 2013. Super Lawyers is a rating service of lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and evaluations.

Stetson is listed fourth among 116 law schools producing the most lawyers in Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, a special report that recognizes the top attorneys in the state as chosen by their peers.

According to Florida Trend, 108 Stetson law alumni are listed in this year’s 10th anniversary edition. Two Stetson alumni, Mark A. Hanley and Rhea F. Law ’79, are listed among Florida Trend’s Legal Elite Hall of Fame.

22 Stetson Lawyer

Recent grads use crowdfunding to innovate music industry Building upon collegiate connections and long nights contemplating bold ventures, Jason Burmer ’12 and Christian Barker ’12 are launching an extraordinary vision.

A year after starting their legal careers — Burmer with EarlyShares, a Miami-based crowdfunding platform, and Barker with his artist management firm, Capri Nashville — the duo brainstormed and realized that their missions were similar and compatible, especially after the passing of the JOBS Act in 2013.

“The JOBS Act creates an opportunity to transform early-stage financing by increasing access to capital for businesses and enabling investors to allocate capital more efficiently,” said Burmer.

Through an EarlyShares Music venture already in development, Barker and Burmer envisioned using the EarlyShares platform to help fund the organization that Capri Nashville aimed to build around each artist.

“We want to build a successful organization around an artist from the start, maximizing exposure and thus revenue, to attract more lasting, meaningful attention from the ‘majors,’ who will desire to further what we have already built,” said Barker.

Burmer applies his knowledge of SEC regulations while Barker focuses on entertainment law and artist management. Drafting agreements and developing how they will work within the new legal framework has been an exhilarating challenge.

In February, the vision came to life with the launch of Erika Cole’s “Fan Financing” campaign as one of the first music equity-crowdsourcing campaigns under the JOBS Act, and it is already attracting investors.

Upshaw Helinger joins Stetson as assistant director of development Abigail Upshaw Helinger joined Stetson Law in summer 2013 as the new assistant director of development.

At Florida State University, Helinger was president of the Art History Association, serving as faculty and student liaison, developing and maintaining relationships with alumni, and managing fundraising events.

Helinger graduated first in her class when she earned her M.A. from Florida State University, and she earned her B.A. with high honors from the University of Georgia.

While a student at Florida State, Helinger was a member of the Coun-

cil for the College of Visual Arts, Theater and Dance, and published an article in the university’s international publication, Athanor.

“I am thrilled to join the Stetson team at this exciting moment in its history. I believe strongly in the College of Law’s mission statement to cultivate creative and enthusiastic leaders in the community,” said Upshaw. “We will work tirelessly to ensure that many more students can fulfill this honorable mission.”

Helinger and her husband Joe live in St. Petersburg.

ALUMNI

News

Vincent Citro BBA ’98, MBA ’00, JD ’00

Hon. William Raymond Holley BA ’91 JD ’97

Joseph J. Reiter ’68

Stetson presents 2013 honors for law alumni and friends

by Brandi Palmer Stetson Law Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz and Stetson Lawyers Association president Jenay Iurato MBA ’00, JD ’00, (pictured above with award recipients) presented five annual awards to alumni and friends on June 27 in Boca Raton, in conjunction with the Florida Bar’s annual meeting.

Clara and George Nenezian received the Distinguished Service Award for their significant, meritorious and continuing contributions to Stetson Law. The Nenezians started an endowed scholarship, the Nenezian-Jones Scholarship, in honor of their late son Richard Nenezian JD ’84.

For more than a decade, the Nenezians have supported a popular annual event, the Nenezian-Jones Scholarship Softball Classic, bringing together Stetson law alumni and students and encouraging mentorship and character development.

Vincent A. Citro BBA ’98, JD/MBA ’00 received the 2013 Distinguished Alumnus Award

for service to Stetson Law and the legal profession. An assistant U.S. attorney, Citro has successfully convicted many criminals in the state. Citro has served as deputy chief of the Orlando Division of the U.S. Attorney’s office as well as national security cyber specialist and anti-terrorism advisory council coordinator.

Stetson awarded Deborah C. Brown JD ’87 the Paul M. May Meritorious Service Award for continuously supporting Stetson Law and its alumni association. Brown served for six years as the law school’s associate vice president for legal affairs and human resources, and for seven years as an adjunct professor. She volunteered as lead facilitator of the Stetson Lawyers Association Tampa chapter working group and was recognized with Stetson’s Outstanding Alumni Representative Award in 2003.

Brown has served as chair of the Florida Bar’s Labor and Employment Law Section, Continuing Legal Education Committee, and Labor and Employment Law Certification Committee.

Judge William Raymond Holley BA ’91, JD ’97, received the Outstanding Alumni Representative Award for dedication and service to the Stetson Lawyers Association.

Judge Holley is a community leader in Jacksonville who previously served in private practice and as an assistant state attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Judge Holley also serves on the board of the Stetson University Alumni Association.

Joseph J. Reiter JD ’68 received the Ben C. Willard Award for humanitarian achievements bringing distinction to themselves and Stetson Law. Inducted into the Stetson Law Hall of Fame in 2007, Reiter rose from poverty to a stellar legal career as a trial attorney. He has served as president of the Florida Bar, chair of the Judicial Qualifications Committee, treasurer and board member of the Palm Beach County Legal Aid Society, a lecturer on ethics and personal injury law, a member of the College of Law Board of Overseers, and has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America. Reiter served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Spring 2014

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ALUMNI

News

1950s Hon. Roy A. Chapman ’59, former Florida Supreme Court Justice, recently was honored with the naming of “Chapman Pond,” a two-acre city park and pond in the Myers Park neighborhood of Tallahassee.

Bruce Jacob ’59, dean emeritus and professor of law at Stetson, received the Champion of Indigent Defense Award from the nation’s Criminal Defense Bar at its 56th Annual Meeting in San Francisco. He received the Wm. Reece Smith Jr. Award for Distinguished Service at Stetson’s annual Inns of Court banquet in January.

1960s W. Rogers Turner Sr. ’61, was honored with the naming of a courtroom at the Orange County Courthouse, followed by a ceremony on Oct. 25, 2013.

1970s Thomas E. Kingcade ’70 has joined the Law Offices of Scott Sweigart.

Alexander Sandy Myers ’70 has been named as a volunteer advocate for the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics and was appointed to the inaugural Senior Lawyers Committee for the Florida Bar. Michael D. Chiumento Jr. ’71 is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Chiumento Selis Dwyer, PL. Michael J. Daniels ’72, Ocean City, N.J., has retired from the practice of law.

William H. Bartlett ’73 has retired from the state attorney’s office.

Peter S. Miller ’74 has retired after a 36-year career as COO of Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, P.C. Robert E. Doyle Jr. ’75, Naples, has a high grade award at Stetson.

The Doyle Conflict Resolution Top Grade Award rewards students who earn the top grade in each section of Negotiation and Mediation.

24 Stetson Lawyer

IN MEMORIAM Hon. James T. Nelson ’41 January 19, 2014, Daytona Beach

William Walter “Bill” Byrd ’83 September 1, 2013, Tampa

Charles “Bud” H. Warwick LL.B. ’50 February 18, 2013, Palm Beach

William David Bush III ’87 October 22, 2013, Port Orange

Clifton L. Howell ’60 October 12, 2013, Treasure Island

Steven G. Burton ’88 April 21, 2013, Tampa

Robert R. Kalle ’62 January 29, 2013, St. Petersburg

Deborah A. Westmoreland ’90 April 7, 2013, Charleston, WV

John Phillip (“Jack”) Griffin ’65 January 16, 2014, Tampa

Michael E. Goodbread Jr. ’93 June 25, 2013, Jacksonville

Hon. E. Clay Shaw Jr. BS ’61, JD ’66 September 10, 2013, Fort Lauderdale

William James “Bill” Banks BA ’97, JD ’01 April 27, 2013, St. Petersburg

Robert M. Focht ’73 May 13, 2013, Land O’Lakes Michael J. Keane ’78 Feb. 19, 2014, St. Petersburg Mary Jean Leone McAllister ’81 June 22, 2013, Clearwater Linda L. Beach Castillo ’82 September 10, 2013, Seminole

Leonard S. Englander ’75 received the St. Petersburg Bar Professionalism Award.

Terry L. Hirsch ’75 has joined the firm of Fisher & Sauls, P.A. John J. Walls Jr. ’75, Lyndonville, Vt., retired after 35 years of practice.

Jane S. Hunston ’76 has recently formed her own practice in Jupiter.

W. Jay Hunston Jr. ’76 was recently selected to serve as a member of the American Arbitration Association’s Roster of Neutrals of Commercial and Construction Mediators and Arbitrators.

William D. Keith ’76 was recognized by the Florida Bar for maintaining his status as a boardcertified civil trial lawyer for 30 years.

He was also listed in Best Lawyers in America for 2013.

Rex E. Moule ’76 has joined the Melbourne office of GrayRobinson

Carol Ann Ransone ’07 August 31, 2013, Plant City Cynthia N. Chambers ’08 December 27, 2012, St. Petersburg Kimberly K. Clark ’13 May 14, 2013, Sarasota

P.A. as a shareholder.

J. Brent Walker ’76, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty in Washington, D.C., spoke on religious freedom and the separation of church and state as part of the Shurden Lectures at Stetson University.

Walker also received the Abner V. McCall Religious Liberty Award.

Stephen C. Page ’77 was recognized by Martindale Hubble this year for maintaining his AV rating for 20 consecutive years.

Michael B. Ganson ’78 has joined the American Israelite as a contributing columnist.

William M. Gross ’78 has announced his retirement in December 2013.

David B. Mitchell ’78 has received his advanced diploma in local English history with honors

ALUMNI

News from the University of Oxford, U.K., and co-authored Family Law Strategies in Florida, published by Aspatore/Thomson Reuters in 2012.

Lewis R. Cohen ’79 has been honored as a top lawyer by South Florida Legal Guide.

Rhea F. Law ’79 has received an honorary degree of medicine from the University of South Florida on May 10, 2013.

Dean J. Trantalis ’79 has been elected to the city commission of Fort Lauderdale, serving District II.

1980s Joseph W. Fleece III ’80, a partner at Baskin Fleece in Clearwater, has been named chair of the board of trustees for All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Stacey W. McConnell ’80 has been appointed to the board of trustees of the Episcopal Academy in Newton Square, Penn.

Michael J. Boryla ’81 launched his one-man play, The Disappearing Quarterback, at the Plays and Players Theatre in Philadelphia. His story from NFL starting quarterback to tax attorney and now-professional playwright was featured in the Denver Post.

Carmen R. Gillett ’81 is a founding member of the Sarasota Collaborative Family Law Professionals Group. The group, made up of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial experts, is the first of its kind in Sarasota, and favors a climate of honesty, cooperation, and transparency to achieve comprehensive settlement on all issues. Gillett also funded a top grade award in family law at Stetson this spring.

Hon. Gregory P. Holder ’81 spoke at the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance 2014 Florida event.

John Paul Parks BBA ’78, JD ’81, of Scottsdale, Ariz., has been elected vice president of the North Phoenix Bar Association. He is licensed to practice law in Arizona, California, Florida and the District of Columbia, and his primary areas of practice are trusts and estates and business law.

Shannon L. Wilson ’81 has been recognized in November as a 2013 Central Florida Humanitarian by Space Coast Daily magazine for her volunteer leadership with Crosswinds Youth Services and other community organizations.

Brian A. Bolves ’82 is a shareholder with MansonBolves Attorneys at Law,

which was named a best law firm by U.S. News & World Report for the third consecutive year.

Hon. Diane B. Beck ’83 was reappointed as a judge of compensation claims for the Sarasota district, which includes Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Katherine P. Cobb BA ’81, JD ’83, provost of Eastern Florida State College (formerly Brevard Community College), received an Excellence in Education Award.

Robert L. Lord Jr. ’83 has joined the board of directors of the Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida.

Hon. Frederick P. Mercurio ’83 was elected to the 12th Judicial Circuit bench. He participated in a panel discussion on courtroom skills and conduct for the Manasota Trial Lawyers Board in February 2013.

Hon. Donna S. Remsnyder ’83 has been appointed as a compensation claims judge.

Julie L. Ozburn ’84 has been named legal counsel for the Domestic Abuse Council in Daytona Beach.

Deborah J. Blue ’85 is a founding member of the Sarasota Collaborative Family Law Professionals Group.

The group, made up of attorneys, mental health professionals and

What’s new in your life? Tell us.

What’s going on in your life? A career change? Opened your own firm? Recently married? New additions to your family? Took a trip around the world? Keep your classmates posted! Just fill out this form and send us your information!

Name_______________________________________________________________________ Graduation Month/Year___________________________ Last Name in Law School________________________________________________________ Date of Birth________________________________ Spouse’s Name__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Children’s Names and Ages____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Home Address____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Home Phone_________________________________________________________ Email ________________________________________________ Employer Name and Address___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Work Phone_________________________________________________________ Email ________________________________________________ Your Title_________________________________________________________ Area of Practice or Specialty_________________________________ Preferred Mailing Address: q Home q Business Any other information you would like to share would be appreciated. Return this to Stetson Law College Relations, 1401 61st St. S., Gulfport, FL 33707 or fax to (727) 347-4183. You may also email this information to alumni@law.stetson.edu, or visit www.law.stetson.edu/alumni.

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financial experts, is the first of its kind in Sarasota. The Collaborative Process favors a climate of honesty, cooperation, and transparency to achieve comprehensive settlement on all issues.

Stephen K. Brooks BA ’79, JD ’85 has released his new book, Insider’s Guide to Winning Your Social Security Disability Claim.

Christopher E. Dougherty ’85 became chairman of the board of directors for Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, P.C., effective January 1, 2014.

John B. Grandoff III ’85 has been appointed to the Tampa Port Authority Board.

Hon. Bennett J. Braun ’86 has been appointed circuit court judge in Will County, Ill. Michael P. Brundage ’86 is a partner and practice group leader of the creditor’s rights and bankruptcy practice group of Phelps Dunbar LLP in Tampa. Brundage is chair of the Lawyers of Conscience program associated with the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, where he serves on the board of directors.

Richard D. Kriseman ’87 has been elected mayor of St. Petersburg, effective January 2, 2014. He formerly represented the 53rd district in the Florida House of Representatives.

Hon. Diana L. Moreland ’87 participated in a panel discussion on courtroom skills and conduct for the Manasota Trial Lawyers Board in February 2013.

Alberto F. Gomez Jr. ’88 joined the Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns LLP law firm.

Steve T. Parascandola ’88 was recognized by Chambers USA; Best Lawyers in America; Who’s Who in American Law; and Super Lawyers for environmental law. He also chairs the environmental, health and safety practice group of the Smith Anderson Law Firm in Raleigh, N.C. Brent A. Rose ’88 began teaching as an adjunct instructor at Cooley Law School in Tampa.

26 Stetson Lawyer

Theodore J. Wolfendale BA ’85, JD ’88, is owner of Dial-A-Nurse, which was recognized with the 2013 Best of Naples Award, Nursing Agency, for the second year.

Gregory W. Coleman BBA ’85, JD ’89, is president-elect of the Florida Bar. Karen M. Morinelli ’89 has joined the Tampa office of Jackson Lewis PC as shareholder.

1990s Paul D. Bain ’90 was recently promoted to shareholder at Trenam Kemker in Tampa.

Hon. Pamela J. Bondi ’90, Florida Attorney General, presented the commencement speech at Stetson’s 2013 Commencement Ceremony.

Brian M. Bursa ’90, a partner with Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in Tampa, presented in July at the 50th Annual Leading Age Florida’s Annual Conference in Orlando on the latest social media issues facing the health care industry.

J.S. Lucas Fleming ’90, who founded Lawyers for Literacy in 2003 to help at-risk third-graders pass the

Judge Dimitris reception: Above from left, Jason Dimitris ’98, Mark Jason Rose ’08, and Nick A. Marzuk ’12. Above right, Brian Tannebaum ’94, Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz and Jason Dimitris ’98. Right, Lindsay Frenkel ’11, Samantha Ketant, Mark Jason Rose ’08, Lissette Alvarez and Josh Kligler ’09.

FCAT, was featured as an “Everyday Hero” by Bay News 9.

John R. Herin Jr. ’91 has been appointed city attorney for Doral, Florida.

Robin L. Hoyle ’91 serves as executive director of the Forensic Imaging Society of the Americas, a medico-legal not-for-profit society serving physicians, attorneys and investigators with a professional interest in forensic imaging.

Tracey K. Jaensch ’91 has become a regional managing partner of FordHarrison LLP in Tampa.

Mia L. McKown ’91 became a partner with Holland & Knight LLP in Tallahassee, where she practices in the firm’s litigation group and is a member of its teams for health care, life sciences and government advocacy.

Christopher M. Shulman ’91 is an American Arbitration Association Mediator and Arbitrator, an FMCS Labor Arbitrator, a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, and has been selected as a fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators.

Hon. Frederick Rand Wallis ’92

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Marriages and New Additions Robert W. Pope ’71, and his partner, Lawrence Konrad, recently celebrated 50 years together. In 2004, they were married in Toronto, Ontario.

Hon. Lynn Tepper ’77 married Vernon Wilson in a small civil ceremony in Dade City on Aug. 25, 2013. This was followed by a Christian ceremony in Spain on Aug, 29, 2013, which was performed by her brother, Pastor Elliott Tepper, and her nephew, Minister Peter Tepper.

Marc L. Levine ’06 married Elizabeth Schultz on March 9, 2013.

Julia M. Smith ’09 married Gregory A. Kummerlen in West Palm Beach on Feb. 3, 2013.

has been appointed by Governor Scott to the Fifth District Court of Appeal.

William J. Boyce ’93 served on the acquisition team and currently serves as president of the Texas Legends, the minor league affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Development League, and was honored with the 2013 NBA D-League Team Executive of the Year Award.

David A. Holmes ’93, Farr Law Firm president and managing partner, was recently accepted to Leadership Florida’s Class XXXII. Jeffrey A. Luhrsen ’93 was a contributor to the best-selling book Protect and Defend: Proven Strategies from America’s Leading Attorneys to Help You Protect and Defend Your Business, Family and Wealth. Luhrsen was recently appointed to the diversity committee of the Sarasota Bar Association.

Robert J. Sniffen ’93 was recently named Tallahassee Employment Lawyer of the Year in Best Lawyers in America 2014. He also was listed in the U.S. News “Best Lawyers – Best Law Firms” for 2013.

Michael T. Dolce ’94 has formed

George D. Root III ’09 married Jacqueline Ambrose in Tampa on Nov. 16, 2013.

Aimee M. Nocero ’96 and her husband welcomed a son, Chase Joseph, in February 2013.

Hon. Reinaldo ’01 and Susan Ojeda ’01 welcomed a son, Daniel, in June 2013.

Amy A. Catledge ’02 and husband Mark welcomed a son, Joshua Phillip, in February 2013 Michele Leo Hinston ’02 and husband Raymond welcomed a son, Joshua Terence, in November 2013.

Arthur “Chris” ’05 and Katherine Miller ’06 welcomed a daughter, Elizabeth, in October 2012.

Dolce & Paruas PLLC, with offices in West Palm Beach and Hollywood.

William “Tripp” Gulliford III ’94 has accepted the position of managing director of CBRE real estate services in Jacksonville.

Hon. Carol Mirando ’94 was appointed as a new U.S. magistrate judge in downtown Ft. Myers.

Bonnie L. Polk ’94 was elected vice chair of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 12th Circuit.

Alain Rivas ’94 of the law firm Skubiak & Rivas P.A. has a new office located in Kissimmee.

Hon. Andrea Teves Smith ’94 has been appointed to the Tenth Judicial Circuit in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties.

Brian L. Tannebaum ’94 of Miami has a high grade award at Stetson.

The Brian L. Tannebaum High Grade Award Law rewards first-year students who earn the top grade in each section of their criminal law course.

Michael W. Andrew ’95 has been named vice president and general counsel for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group in Minnetonka, Minn.

Joseph C. Bodiford ’95 was

Phoenix A. Harris ’07 and husband Isaac welcomed a son, Leo, in June 2012.

Jenna C. Ruth ’07 and husband Eric D. Roslansky ’07 welcomed a daughter, Marley, in October 2013.

Rachael Wood ’07 and husband Jonathan Barnes welcomed Hawthorne Isaac Wood Barnes in March 2013.

Derrick Connell MBA, JD ’09 and wife Kelly welcomed the birth of a son, Carter Gray, in October 2013.

Korey L. Henson ’09 and wife Victoria welcomed a son, Edward Joseph, in December 2013.

Sara K. Peacock ’10 and husband Jason Bartos welcomed a daughter, Emma Kathleen, in October 2013.

interviewed by the Daytona Beach News-Journal and 970 WFLA, and he published opinion articles in the Orlando Sentinel and Tallahassee Democrat on criminal law issues in the news.

Thomas S. Harmon ’95, a partner at Harmon, Woods, Parker & Abrunzo, P.A., spoke in November at the Hillsborough County Bar Association 17th Annual Bench Bar Conference on traumatic brain injury litigation.

James L. O’Leary II ’95 of Bonita Springs received an AV preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Lauralee G. Westine JD ’95, MBA ’01 has been appointed to the board of trustees of St. Petersburg College by Governor Scott.

Russell H. Young ’95 is a partner with the law firm of Eraclides, Gelman, Hall, Indek, Goodman & Waters LLC in Sarasota.

Hon. Matthew J. Wilson ’96 has been appointed as a family law judge for the 1st District Court in Santa Fe, N.M. Stephanie B. Anthony ’97 has been chosen as incoming president of Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association.

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Vicki J. Bowers ’97 was featured in the “Lawyer Snapshot” edition of the Jacksonville Daily Record in March 2013.

Harvey V. Cohen ’97, a former prosecutor for the 9th Judicial Circuit of Florida, is on the board of directors of Punch Media Inc. Kristi Neher Davisson ’97 has been named partner at the law firm of Anthony & Partners in Tampa.

Benjamin H. Hill IV ’97 of Tampa has a high grade award at Stetson.

The Hill, Ward & Henderson Top Grade Award rewards students who earn the top grade in each section of Professional Responsibility.

Lisa Griffin Hodgdon ’97 of the Tampa office of Broad and Cassel, has earned her AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Hon. William “Ray” Holley BA ’91, JD ’97, has received the Stetson Law Outstanding Alumni Representative Award at the Stetson Lawyers Association Annual Alumni and Friends Reception last June in Boca Raton.

Karen M. Kelly ’97, general counsel for ProVest LLC, is now a Certified Information Privacy Professional (U.S.) through the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Vivien J. Monaco MBA ’97, JD ’97, of Orlando was elected treasurer of the Environmental and Land Use Law Section of the Florida Bar and was recognized in Florida Trend’s “Legal Elite” and Best Lawyers in America.

Eddie E. Stephens III ’97 of West Palm Beach has joined the law firm of Ward, Damon, Posner, Pheterson and Bleau PL. Hon. Jason E. Dimitris ’98 has been appointed to the Miami-Dade County Court bench by Governor Scott.

Tammy M. Denbo ’98 of Tampa has received the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.

Michael C. McGinn ’98 and his family law practice in Riverview was profiled in the Osprey Observer newspaper.

28 Stetson Lawyer

Michael Lee Smith ’98 of Altamont Springs was named 2012 Pro Bono Champion by the American Health Lawyers Association.

Daniel A. Garcia ’99 obtained his AV Peer Review Rating from MartindaleHubbell, and was named as one of the “Top 40 Litigation Lawyers Under 40 in Florida” by the American Society of Legal Advocates.

Jose A. Toledo ’99 of Tampa was honored by the Lima (Peru) Bar Association at Stetson’s Tampa Law Center.

2000s Amy G. Bellhorn ’00 has opened her own law practice in St. Petersburg.

Vincent A. Citro MBA ’00, JD ’00 of Daytona Beach has received the Stetson Law Distinguished Alumni Award at the annual Stetson Lawyers Association Annual Alumni and Friends Reception last June in Boca Raton.

Heather L. Quick ’00 of Jacksonville was profiled last October in Financial News & Daily.

Tyra N. Read ’00 of Fort Myers was appointed to the Cape Coral Community Foundation board of directors and has received an AV Rating by Martindale Hubbell.

Matthew B. Taylor ’00 has joined the Tampa office of Lewis Longman & Walker P.A. as an associate.

Blair Henry Chan III ’01, a principal with Givens Givens Sparks PLLC in Tampa, has been accepted into the Tampa Bay Collaborative Divorce Group.

Bill Edwards ’01 of Broad and Cassel in Tampa has been named to the Legal Advisory Council for the National Association of Professional

SBA/Alumni Mixer at Lowry Park Zoo: Above: Kathrine Lupo ’12, Whittni Hodges ’11, Ashley Radko ’11, and Dalton Swing ’13.

Left: George D. Root III ’09, Shawn Simon ’13, and Andrew Leggette ’13.

Employer Organizations. Edwards serves on his firm’s practice groups for commercial litigation, corporate and securities, and labor and employment.

Hon. Reinaldo J. Ojeda ’01 has been appointed by Governor Scott to the bench for the 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which covers Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties.

Susan L. Ojeda ’01 has joined the firm of Gibbs & Associates LLC as counsel for the Christian Law Association.

Lori Y. Baggett ’02 of Tampa has been named shareholder at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt and is joining the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellows Program.

Monica D. Barnes ’03 of Miami Gardens was recognized among the 2013 “Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers under 40” by the National Bar Association.

Ya’Sheaka S. Campbell ’03 was named a partner of the law firm Eraclides, Gelman, Hall, Indek, Goodman & Waters LLC in Tampa.

Grant A. Kuvin ’03 of Orlando was successful in a seven-figure jury trial case with Morgan and Morgan.

Michelle Johnson-Weider ’03

ALUMNI

News of Silver Spring, Md., published a children’s book, In the Garden of Our Minds and Other Buddhist Stories, through her company Blue Moon Aurora LLC. The book was recognized with a bronze medal in the 2013 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards in the Religion/Spirituality category.

Christopher R. Koehler, MBA ’03, JD ’03 received his board certification in Admiralty and Maritime Law, and was elected to the board of directors for the Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Tampa chapter.

Anne L. Weintraub ’03 of Sarasota has been appointed to the board for the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Campus.

Joshua W. Ballance ’04 spoke as part of a webinar last March for the American Institute of Architects in Washington, D.C. Brent R. Bigger ’04 recently launched his own firm, Bigger Law, based in Tampa.

Christopher D. Donovan BA ’01, JD ’04, of Naples became certified in Appellate Practice by the Florida Bar of Legal Specialization.

Justin R. Giles III ’04 of Memphis,

Florida Bar reception: Above, Keith Appleby ’04, Joann Grages ’08 and Frank Leung ’13. Above right, Chris Searcy ’73, Dean Pietruszkiewicz, Joseph Reiter ’68 and Greg Coleman BBA ’85, JD ’89. Right, Cory Strolla ’97, John Knowles, Marc Levine ’06 and Aleksandra Jagiella ’04.

Tenn., was profiled in the Memphis Daily News.

Dana J. Harris ’04 joined the Umansky Law Firm in Orlando.

Cheryl S. Lucente ’04 was named to the list of 2013 Florida Rising Stars.

Eric E. Page ’04 has joined law office Shutts and Bowen LLP in Tampa as a litigation partner.

Marisa J. Powers ’04 of Bradenton received an AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

Courtney N. Rettew ’04 joined the Marone Law Group in St. Petersburg and earned an LL.M. from the University of Alabama.

Liza Ricci ’04 of Wesley Chapel was promoted to supervising attorney for the Guardian Ad Litem program for the 13th Judicial Circuit.

Robert S. Stroud ’04 received an AV Preeminent Rating by MartindaleHubbell.

Rena J. Upshaw-Frazier ’04, an associate in the Tampa office of Quarles & Brady LLP, has been appointed editor of the Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Lawyer magazine for 2013-2014. She has also been named a 2013 Florida Rising Star.

Andrew Chiang MBA ’05, JD ’05, is now 12th Circuit Managing Attorney for Children’s Legal Services in the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Carey W. Meldon ’05 has become the 8th Judicial Circuit president-elect of the Florida Association Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Robert J. Metz Jr. MBA ’05, JD ’05, is the new city attorney for Indian Shores.

Jo Ann Palchak ’05 has been named 2013 class of “Leaders in the Law” by the Florida Association for Women Lawyers.

Paul V. Suppicich ’05 is on the board of directors of Grand Hampton Homeowners Association, Friends of the New Tampa Regional Library, Hillsborough Literacy Council and the Rotary Club of New Tampa. He is a council member for Friends of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraries.

Thomas Yaegers MBA ’05, JD ’05 is a partner at Akerman LLP. Suzanne M. Boy ’06 of Fort Myers was sworn in as the 2014 president-elect of the Human Resource Management Association of Southwest Florida by the Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., where she is a stockholder. She has also received an AV Preeminent Rating by MartindaleHubbell.

Alexandre Dammous LLM ’06 founded MobAdWin, a Tampa Baybased mobile app for subscribers and advertisers on iOS and Android.

Michelle Lajoie Hermey ’06, Bradenton, of Fergeson, Skipper, Shaw, Keyser, Baron & Tirabassi, P.A., became board-certified as a specialist in real estate law from the Florida Bar. Christopher Ryan Jones ’06 of St. Petersburg is now a partner at Traub Lieberman Straus & Shrewsberry LLP. Alicia Howell Koepke ’06 of Tampa was recently promoted to shareholder at Trenam Kemker.

Marc L. Levine ’06 of Orlando received his AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

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Josephine W. Thomas ’06 has been assigned to the General Crimes Section in the Criminal Division for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tampa.

Lavern J. Wilson ’06 has been named partner at Ford & Harrison LLP in Tampa.

Andrew Abramovich ’07 has been elected partner at the law firm of Boyd & Jenerette P.A. in Jacksonville.

Alyssa N. Benitez MBA ’07, JD ’07, of Orlando has co-authored the book, Against The Grain: The World’s Leading Experts Reveal How They Achieved Positive Results in a Down Economy.

Paula P. Bentley ’07 of Tampa has been licensed as a Health Care Risk Manager by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.

Justin B. Davis ’07 of Tampa has joined Blank Rome LLP. Ann E. Willard Fiddler ’07 was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in December 2012.

Leslie R. McMurtrey Goodman ’07 became the managing attorney for Infinity Insurance Company’s Fort Lauderdale Office.

Phoenix A. Harris ’07 joined Greenspun Shapiro PC in Fairfax, Va. Ashley S. Hodson ’07 has joined Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP in its Naples office.

Tino M. Lisella ’07 has been named Council to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil/Criminal Coordination for the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Melody B. Lynch MBA ’07, JD ’07, has been elected by the Orange County Bar Association to serve on the board of directors for the Legal Aid Society.

Traci M. McKee ’07 of Orlando has been named a stockholder with Henderson Franklin Starnes & Holt, P.A., and was elected to the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation board of directors.

Mary Leigh Pirtle ’07 of Nashville, Tenn., has joined the Bass Berry & Sims PLC. Tyler K. Pitchford ’07 of Tampa 30 Stetson Lawyer

was interviewed by TechRepublic on the legal implications of cloud computing.

Brian A. Watson ’07 of Orlando has been named in the Orlando Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list.

Ashley Allen ’08 of Riverview starred in Plant City Entertainment’s presentation of Les Miserables in the role of Cosette.

Adam Fernandez ’08 has joined the Tampa law firm Clark & Martino P.A. Joann K. Grages ’08 participated in the Women of Color Lawyers conference in Tampa.

Sara M. Klco BA ’04, MBA ’08, JD ’08 has joined Broad and Cassel’s Miami office as an associate.

James-Allen McPheeters MBA ’08, JD ’08 has joined William Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen in Sarasota.

John M. Miller ’08 of Fort Myers has received the highest AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

Christopher Y. Mills ’08 was named overseeing partner of the Florida offices of Busch, Slipakoff & Schuh LLP, and will manage the firm’s West Palm Beach and Jacksonville offices.

Kristy Guy Zinna ’08 joined the Luhrsen Law Group LLC in Sarasota.

Forrest J. Bass ’09 has been elected to the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra board of directors. Bass is also completing an LL.M. in taxation at Boston University School of Law, and was awarded his AV Distinguished Rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

Derrick Connell MBA ’09, JD ’09 is now a partner at Nancy Cacciatore, P.A. Antonius M. DeSisto ’09 of Tampa, co-founder and managing director of Citizinvestor, coordinated a June 2013 webinar on “Best Practices for Citizen Engagement Initiatives.”

Danielle Lassiter ’09 of Jupiter joined Cathleen Scott & Associates, P.A. Cindy McGirk ’09 of Tampa was promoted to Manager, Strategic Initiatives, for the Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation.

Lawrence E. Miccolis ’09 was a team co-coach for the 2014 Andrew Kurth Moot Court National Championship in Houston.

Jason A. Shrive ’09 was appointed city solicitor of Scranton, Penn.

Christopher J. Sprowls ’09 has been named one of the “30 under 30” rising stars in Florida politics.

Aaron L. Watson ’09 was recognized as a Rising Black Urban Professional by the Pensacola News Journal.

2010s Yova A. Borovska ’10 joined Fowler White Boggs, P.A. after graduating, and is featured in the Tampa Bay Business Journal 2013 Up & Comers.

Traci D. Blake BA ’06, JD ’12, joined Lamson & Cutner P.C. in New York City as an associate attorney. The firm specializes in elder law and estate planning.

Victoria A. Bowa ’10 has opened a women’s shoe, jewelry and handbag boutique in Tampa’s Hyde Park Village.

Philip E. DeBerard IV ’10 is following in his father’s footsteps and is the most recent addition to the law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney.

Brett M. Henson BA ’06, JD ’10, of Sarasota has joined Dickinson & Gibbons, P.A. Lindsey Wagner ’10 of Jupiter has been named Labor and Employment Committee Vice-Chair for the ABA Young Lawyers Division.

Hannah Choi ’11 has joined the Tampa Office of Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP. Brittany G. Gloersen BA ’08, JD ’11, has opened the elder law firm Gloersen Law, P.L. in DeLand.

Catherine T. Hollis ’11 has joined the Health Law Firm as an attorney in its Altamonte Springs office.

J. Christian Barker MBA ’09, JD ’12, practices entertainment, copyright and trademark law for Barker Nashville PLLC, and as president and artist manager for Capri Nashville, he signed singer/songwriter Erika Cole to

ALUMNI

News Barnes named to National Bar Association’s 40 under 40 Monica D. Barnes ’03 has been named one of the 2013 “40 Lawyers under 40” by the National Bar Association and IMPACT. Barnes was recognized among the Nation’s Best Advocates during the association’s annual convention last July in Miami.

Barnes is an assistant city attorney for the City of Miami Gardens, Fla. She was recognized in 2008 by the Miami Herald as one of the “10 Rising Voices in the South Florida Black Community.”

his artist management firm in March 2013.

Vincent D’Agostino ’12 was among 147 students across the country chosen for a three-month internship in the White House, and worked in the Office of National AIDS Policy.

Robert T. Fountain ’12 of South Pasadena is an associate counsel with Minor League Baseball, where he will oversee the areas of trademarks, corporate governance and intellectual property.

Ashley I. Goggins MBA ’12, JD ’12, has joined the Juvenile Court Unit in the Office of the Public Defender, 4th Judicial Circuit, serving Clay, Duval and Nassau counties.

Erik M. Hanson ’12 has joined the law firm of Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos, P.A. based in Sarasota.

Blake P. Hampton ’12 of Fort Myers has joined the law firm of Sheppard, Brett, Stewart, Hersch, Kinsey & Hill, P.A. John R. Henley ’12 of St. Petersburg is now an associate at Traub Lieberman Straus & Shrewsberry LLP. Patrick S. McArdle ’12 has been named an associate attorney at Grossman Roth and Partridge P.A. in Sarasota.

This honor recognizes young African-American lawyers age 40 and younger who have achieved professional and philanthropic prominence and distinction. Honorees include solo practitioners, government lawyers, judges, academicians, corporate counsels, elected officials and other lawyers chosen for their achievement, innovation, vision, leadership and community involvement.

The National Bar Association, founded in 1925, is the nation’s old-

David A. Mervine ’12 of St. Petersburg spent 10 weeks in Guatemala as a volunteer at an orphanage.

Stephanie L. Sawchuk ’12 joined Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A. in Ft. Lauderdale.

Mark St. Louis ’12 of St. Petersburg has been hired by New College of Florida as general counsel.

Scott Stevenson ’12 works at the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz in New York.

John M. Stratton ’12 of Tampa has joined the firm of Anthony & Partners, LLC as an associate.

Katherine M. Zerkel ’12 has joined the law firm of Fowler and McNair LLP in Medford, Ore. Michelle M. Bartels ’13 of Tampa joined P.J. Harris Law P.A. as a law clerk.

Brandon A. Blake ’13 joined the Tampa law firm Beytin, McLaughlin, McLaughlin, O’Hara, and Bolin, P.A. Jon Paul Brooker ’13 began work as a policy analyst in the Fish Conservation Program at the Ocean Conservancy, an environmental nongovernmental organization. His work focuses on federal fisheries regulation in the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic.

est and largest national network of predominantly African American attorneys and judges. It represents approximately 44,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students and has more than 80 affiliate chapters.

IMPACT works to engage and build a network of young professionals of color to foster civic engagement, increase knowledge of the political and legislative processes, and enhance economic empowerment opportunities.

B. Claudette Fornuto ’13 joined Trenam Kemker, and has been named to the board of trustees of American Stage, a professional regional equity theater in St. Petersburg.

Jennie E. Hayes ’13 was hired as an assistant state attorney in the 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida, working in the main office in Brevard County.

Christie M. Letarte ’13 has published an article “Keepers of the Night: The Dangerously Important Role of Resident Assistants on College and University Campuses,” in the Kentucky Journal of Higher Education Policy and Practice.

Kayla Elise Richmond ’13 of Fort Myers joined the law firm of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. Brett H. Sifrit ’13 of Punta Gorda joined the Farr Law Firm.

Sydney A. Smith ’13 has been selected as a resident at law at Laird A. Lile P.A., a Naples law firm.

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New Paradigm Law alumni relations reaching out further beyond campus borders

by Abigail Upshaw Helinger The past year has been one of incredible growth for the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

We established alumni chapters in Tampa and Orlando, hosted events in every major city across the state, and welcomed three graduating classes back to our Gulfport campus for 15 and 20-year reunions.

In every area of expansion, we ushered in a new alumni relations paradigm: Stetson is committed to helping volunteer leaders execute their unique visions for their individual communities.

Alumni Chapters In early 2013, law alumni from both Tampa and Orlando approached Stetson about establishing alumni chapters in their local communities.

From the beginning, establishing Stetson Law alumni chapters has been a collaborative and exciting process.

“Stetson Law alumni want to organize, and we are behind them 100 percent” says Executive Director John M. Knowles.

32 Stetson Lawyer

“Our charge is to come alongside motivated communities across the state to encourage and facilitate the establishment of chapters. Each chapter is unique — a response to the individual needs of the community.

You are going to see much more of this grassroots organization in the future of our institution.”

The inaugural gathering of the Tampa Alumni Chapter on October 3 brought nearly 100 alumni members to Stetson’s Tampa Law Center. The room was packed with alumni — friendships, memories sparked, and business cards passed from hand to hand as old classmates and new friends connected.

In Orlando, 2014 brought the first of many planned alumni gatherings at the University Club. The event was a smashing success. More importantly, the event was a direct expression of the new paradigm in alumni relations.

A small group of dedicated volunteer leaders took their vision for an active alumni association in Orlando, along with support from their alma mater, and executed a fantastic evening for their colleagues and friends.

The benefits associated with alumni chapters are manifold: networking opportunities, connection to the institution, and ultimately, the chance to have some fun along the way.

Chapters are organized and managed by volunteer leaders in each community.

Reunions Reunions have always been a highlight on the College of Law calendar. This year, Stetson hosted reunions for the classes of 1983, 1987 and 1988. Each reunion was as unique as its representative class, which brought their own memories back with them to our historic Gulfport campus.

Outreach Stetson Law wants you, wherever you are, to be an active member of our alumni community. We travel across the state and the country to provide opportunities for our alumni to connect with each other and promote their alma mater.

This past year, Stetson hosted law alumni events in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Pensacola, Tallahassee, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Jacksonville, Naples and West Palm Beach.

Everywhere we went, we were overwhelmed by the vibrant alumni communities in place. In Miami, seasoned attorneys, elected officials and newcomers to the profession celebrated Judge Jason Dimitris ’98 upon his investiture. In Tallahassee, we celebrated the holiday season with nearly 50 alumni at the home of overseer Wendy Loquasto ’88.

In the coming year, please be on the lookout for invitations to Stetson Law events in your area.

We are committed to serving you, our alumni community. Whether you are looking for a way to reconnect with classmates and colleagues, discover volunteer opportunities at your alma mater, or invest in the future of this institution, Stetson is here to help.

Terror Before Dawn: A Child at War Alumnus publishes chronicle of his late mother’s World War II memories

by Frank Klim During his time at Stetson Law, Bill Williams ‘87 had a favorite study spot on the second floor of the old law library. One day, while studying, Williams came across library shelves containing the extensive collection of After piloting a plane over records from the Nuremburg Trials. The Venezuelan jungles in 1998, Anne documents were donated by former returned home with a severe headache Stetson Dean Harold L. Sebring, who and died five days later from what was had served as a judge during the World eventually determined to be cancer.

War II war crimes military tribunal.

Following her death, Bill made an During a scheduled visit to campus, amazing discovery in her house.

Bill’s mother Anne arrived to find “There was a canvas bag full of her her son studying near the Sebring handwritten notes and stories about collection. He pointed out the archives her experiences as a child in occupied to his mother, knowing that she had Norway. Apparently, she quietly began grown up in German-occupied Norway, writing her amazing account of being and told her she should share her a war-ravaged child under Nazi rule story. Like many survivors of wartime after she visited me at Stetson, and atrocities, Anne was reluctant to relive had finished shortly before her death.” the past. Shaking her head, she said, Williams believes his mother ultimately “You have no idea what it was like.” wanted others to know the truth of Despite Bill’s urging, Anne only what happened to her family and briefly mentioned the brutality of the her country. “I knew that her piece German Gestapo, then told of history him she had closed that needed to be “Shrapnel broke through chapter of her life. preserved, but Years passed, and the windows...Mother was I had no idea Bill Williams went on to holding my little brother, the intensity of become a Florida Bar the situation Karl, on her lap, and Board-Certified Civil and the terror Trial Lawyer specializing shrapnel hit them both in that permeated in personal injury and her life during the legs and shoulders.” wrongful death plaintiffs’ those five work with Lytal, Reiter, years.”

Smith, Ivey & Fronrath in Palm Beach.

In one passage, Anne described He also served as a member of the the terror of the bombing of her home College of Law Board of Overseers. in Oslo. “Shrapnel broke through the Anne continued her athletic windows, shattering the glass. Mother lifestyle as a sailor, mountain climber, was holding my little brother, Karl, on skier, pilot and wife of William C. her lap, and shrapnel hit them both Williams III, Bill’s father, who had also in the legs and shoulders, spattering graduated from Stetson Law and was a their blood all over the walls. Father long-serving circuit court judge in Palm and I tried to help my mother stop the Beach. bleeding and remove the shrapnel as

the bombs continued to fall.”

Bill admits that reading the notes was an emotionally wrenching task, but he wanted to assemble them chronologically for a book. “Initially, I could not do it. I had put the project down several times over the years. I couldn’t deal with the emotions related to my mother’s death.”

Over time, and with the assistance of historical editors, he assembled the material into a memoir, Terror Before Dawn: A Child at War, which was published by Five Points Press in 2012.

The book covers Anne’s life from ages four to nine during Germany’s five-year occupation of Norway, from 1940-1945. She describes watching in horror as German soldiers brutally raped her older sister, which left her sister an emotional invalid. In an effort to get Anne’s father to reveal “resistance” information, SS officers put a gun in Anne’s mouth as they brutally interrogated him.

Bill Sterling says that his mother’s stories, “Demonstrated to me how lucky we are as Americans to have the freedoms that we have. It also demonstrated the absolute courage and perseverance that the Norwegians had in this most impossible situation.”

Bill was a member of Stetson’s trial team, and credits his Stetson training with providing him the tools to be a highly successful trial lawyer and storyteller.

Terror Before Dawn: A Child at War is available at major booksellers and online.

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Recent faculty activities and professional achievements Michael Allen Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives and Faculty Development and Professor of Law Dean Allen testified before the Veterans Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives concerning veterans benefits. He also spoke to groups in Washington, D.C., and Hawaii about veterans benefits issues. He was the featured speaker at the Brevard County Bar Association’s day-long CLE program concerning damages in civil actions. In addition, he served as the co-coach of three Stetson moot court teams, two of which won competitions (Veterans Law and Workers Compensation).

Robert D. Batey Professor Emeritus Professor Batey has short articles forthcoming in the Denver Criminal Law Review, Florida Historical Quarterly, and the Stetson Law Review.

Brooke J. Bowman Professor of Legal Skills Professor Bowman was invited to join the ABA Competition Committee this fall.

Besides her work with Stetson’s award-winning Moot Court Board and new Institute for the Advancement of Legal Communication, Professor Bowman is a member of the National Appellate Advocacy Competition subcommittee who hosts all the regional and national rounds of this prestigious competition during the spring semester. In addition, Professor Bowman is currently serving as Editor in Chief for the peer-edited journal Legal Writing: The Journal of the Legal Writing Institute.

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Kirsten K. Davis Professor of Law and Director of the Institute for the Advancement of Legal Communication Professor Davis was named director of Stetson’s new Institute for the Advancement of Legal Communication. The Institute’s mission is to improve the quality and achieve greater understanding of legal communication. Dr. Davis teaches and writes about legal communication, ethics and professionalism. Her article, “‘The Reports of My Death Are Greatly Exaggerated’: Reading and Writing Objective Legal Memoranda in a Mobile Computing Age,” is forthcoming in the spring issue of the spring issue of the Oregon Law Review. In October, she presented a session entitled “Readability and Comprehensibility Strategies for Legal Writing” to the Florida Trial Court Staff Attorneys Association Conference. In July, Dr. Davis taught Comparative Legal Ethics in Stetson’s summer abroad program in Lausanne, Switzerland.

She recently wrote about Florida’s new Code for Resolving Professionalism Complaints in the newsletter for the Association of American Law Schools’ Section on Professional Responsibility. Dr. Davis currently serves as chair of the Association of American Law Schools’ Section on Women in Legal Education and is on the board of directors for the Association of Legal Writing Directors.

Clark Furlow Professor of Law

Professor Furlow presented a three-day block of instruction on American corporation law for students in the LL.M. program at the Pontifica Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, in December 2013.

Royal Gardner Professor of Law

Professor Gardner continues to serve as chair of the Ramsar Convention’s scientific advisory body. In October, he visited Oman to provide advice on the development of its national wetland policies, and in December, he represented the Ramsar Scientific and Technical Review Panel at the meeting of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) in Turkey. His most recent publication, “The Legal Status of Environmental Credit Stacking,” is co-authored with Jessica Fox of the Electric Power Research Institute and appears in Ecology Law Quarterly.

Professor Carol Henderson Professor of Law and Director, National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law Professor Henderson was promoted to co-chair of the Life and Physical Sciences Division of the Science and Technology Law Section during the August 2013 ABA meeting, where she was recognized for her contribution to Scientific Evidence Review Monograph. In October, she presented at the Modern Technology and the Law Fall Leadership Summit for several ABA Law Student Division Circuits in Las Vegas, Nev. In January, she was a panelist at the ABA Section of Science and Technology Law’s Electronic Discovery and Digital Evidence National Institute at Stetson’s Tampa Law Center. Professor Henderson was appointed to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences International Affairs Committee and the international scientific committee for the 2014 International Association of

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Forum Forensic Sciences meeting to be held in Seoul, Korea. Under Professor Henderson’s direction, the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law is developing scientific evidence training programs funded by the National Institute of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Since April 2013, the NCSTL conducted 25 webinars and six in-person trainings. The NCSTL continues to develop its unique online database, currently used in 170 countries, and to publish quarterly issues of the NCSTL e-newsletter, It’s Evident.

Bruce Jacob Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law Dean Jacob received the “Champion of Indigent Defense Award,” presented by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers at its annual meeting in San Francisco on July 27, 2013. Dean Jacob’s article “The Gideon Trials” will be published in the University of Iowa Law Review in July 2014. Jacob served as a panelist on the subject of the Gideon case at the annual meeting of the Florida Bar in Boca Raton on June 27, 2013.

In September, he spoke at the Carrollwood Bar Association in Tampa; was the Constitution Day Speaker at St. Leo University; and served as the keynote speaker at the 2013 Gideon v. Wainwright 50th Anniversary Lecture at the University of Florida College of Law. He spoke on “The Gideon Trials,” at the Symposium on Gideon v.

Wainwright, sponsored by the Iowa Law Review, University of Iowa, on Oct. 18. In November, he spoke on “Lessons Learned During the 50 Years Since Gideon” at the Criminal Lawyers Association of Canada Fall Conference in Toronto; spoke to a criminal procedure class and criminal law workshop at Washington & Lee University School of Law; spoke at the Goldberg-Cacciatore

Criminal Law American Inn of Court in Tampa; and served as the keynote speaker in the program “Pursuing Justice: Nuremberg’s Legacy” at the Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg. In December he presented on “Memories Of and Reflections About Gideon v.

Wainwright” in a live webcast sponsored by the Federal Judicial Center, Washington, D.C. In January 2014, Jacob spoke at the National Board and the Orlando chapter of the Federal Bar Association CLE seminar. He received this year’s Wm. Reece Smith Jr. Public Service Award during the annual Inns of Court Banquet in St. Petersburg. In March, Jacob was selected to receive the Gardner Beckett Civil Liberties Award from the Pinellas Chapter of the ACLU at the annual Bill of Rights Banquet.

Rebecca C. Morgan Boston Asset Management Chair in Elder Law and Director of the Center for Excellence in Elder Law Professor Morgan joined the board of directors of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, began her term as chair of NAELA’s Council of Advanced Practitioners, gave the keynote address at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law 12th annual Program on Law and State Government Fellowship Symposium; spoke at the Alaska Bar Elder Law CLE in Anchorage; served on a panel for a case law update for the National Guardianship Association annual CLE; made two presentations at NAELA’s National Aging and Law conference; participated in the World Study Group, and presented on two panels at the University of Hawaii School of Law International Elder Law Conference with Veteran’s Emphasis; and presented on ethical issues for attorneys and

paralegals at the NAELA Missouri Chapter CLE. A version of her remarks for the Law and State Government Fellowship Symposium has been submitted for consideration to the law review for the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Professor Morgan joined the Elder Law Prof blog as a co-editor.

Luz Estella Nagle Professor of Law Professor Nagle served on panels including “Repealing Sodomy Laws” at the International Bar Association Annual Conference in Boston; “Violence against Women and Human Trafficking” at the USF 8th annual Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Symposium; “The Legal Profession’s Contribution to the Global Fight against Corruption” at the 5th Conference of States on the U.N. Convention against Corruption in Panama; and “Impact of Organized Crime on National Security” at the 23rd annual Review of the Field for the ABA Standing Committee on National Security Law, Washington, D.C. Professor Nagle published “How Conflict and Displacement Fuel Human Trafficking and Abuse of Vulnerable Groups: The Case of Colombia and Opportunities for Real Action and Innovative Solutions,” as the lead article in the Groningen Journal of International Law, and co-authored a chapter on “The Presidential Priority Sessions, Chapter 14, Poverty, Justice and the Rule of Law” in the International Bar Association’s Global Financial Crisis Project Dublin Conference publication.

Professor Nagle serves on the IBA’s Legal Practice Division Council and on the IBA President’s Task Force on Human Trafficking. She serves on the advisory board of the International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators and is an El Centro Fellow at the Small Wars Foundation.

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Marleen A. O’Connor Professor of Law Professor O’Connor has been appointed to the executive committee of the Globalization Section of the AALS. She is teaching a new course in Food Law and Policy. Professor O’Connor is the advisor for a Stetson student organization for food law, which is coordinating with student groups at Harvard, UCLA, Berkeley, Arkansas and Yale to form a national food law organization for law students.

The students will have an activism project where they need to go out into the real world to begin experiencing the lawyer as an agent of change. Professor O’Connor encourages interested alumni and friends of Stetson to contact her if they have valuable information and contacts to help future Stetson food lawyers.

Jason Palmer Associate Professor of Legal Skills Professor Palmer presented at the Sunshine Center in St. Petersburg on health care and advanced directive issues faced by LGBT elders. Professor Palmer also co-presented “Building Awareness of the Needs of the Geriatric LGBT Patient/Resident/ Client” with Professor Morgan at the LGBT conference at St. Petersburg College. He presented at the Hillsborough County Bar and Bench annual meeting and was a panelist for a National Academy of Elder Law Attorney webinar on Marriage Equality Post-DOMA. Professor Palmer was elected secretary of the Section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues of AALS at the 2014 annual meeting.

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Ellen S. Podgor Gary R. Trombley Family WhiteCollar Crime Research Professor Professor Podgor co-authored the first Hornbook on White Collar Crime. She co-authored a new edition of the casebook Criminal Law: Concepts and Practice and also a new edition of Understanding International Criminal Law. Her co-authored article, “Unregulated Internal Investigations Achieving Fairness for Corporate Constituents,” was published in the Boston College Law Review. She also served as the guest editor of the Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law’s Symposium on Criminal Law Pedagogy.

Podgor was a panelist at the U.S. 5th Circuit Judicial Conference, where she provided an update on Supreme Court criminal cases.

She moderated a panel on insider trading and was a discussion participant on Technology in Legal Education at the Southeast Association of American Law Schools. She also moderated a panel on corporate sentencing and plea negotiations at the annual national seminar on the federal sentencing guidelines. She moderated panels at law school symposia held at Texas Tech University and Georgetown University. She also spoke at Stetson’s Higher Education Conference. She is the chair of the AALS Section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues and president-elect of the Southeastern Association of Law Schools.

Charles H. Rose III Professor of Excellence in Trial Advocacy and Director, Center for Excellence in Advocacy Professor Rose recently published Mastering Trial Advocacy and Mastering Trial Advocacy: Cases, Problems & Exercises

with WEST Academic publishing.

He has focused his presentations this spring on the impact of social media evidence in litigation, with appearances at the Florida statewide prosecutor’s office, the 12th Circuit prosecutor’s office, and CLE programs for attorneys in both New York City and Washington, D.C. His advocacy outreach this summer and fall focused on teaching deposition skills to the Federal Trade Commission in partnership with West Legal Ed. He also coached the Tournament of Champions Trial Team to a top-four finish.

Rebecca S. Trammell Dolly & Homer Hand Law Library Director, Professor of Law, and Director of Electronic Education Professor Trammell presented a program to the Canarkaris Inn of Court detailing changes to Florida Bar Advertising Rules.

She has been asked to serve on the executive board of the national Society of Academic Law Library Directors (SALLD). As part of the American Association of Law Libraries publications series, she is surveying ABA accredited law schools to identify the resources included as part of research and/or writing instruction.

Stephanie A. Vaughan Professor of Legal Skills, Associate Director of the Center for Excellence in Advocacy, and Faculty Liaison of International Programs After serving as interim director of the Center for Excellence in International Programs for a year, then faculty liaison of International Programs, Professor Vaughan finished her tenure in International Programs as the resident director for Stetson’s intersession program in the Cayman Islands.

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Stetson Law faculty receive awards for excellence in teaching, scholarship Stetson honored Professors Mark Bauer, Timothy S. Kaye and Ellen S. Podgor last spring with awards for outstanding teaching and scholarship.

Professor Bauer was presented the Branton Excellence in Teaching Award, given annually to a full-time professor who has made outstanding teaching contributions inside and outside the classroom, and by example. Bauer has recently been selected to chair the AALS Aging and the Law section.

Professor Kaye received the Dickerson-Brown Award for Excellence in Faculty Scholarship, presented to a faculty member who has produced outstanding works of scholarship and

has contributed significantly to the enhancement of the academic reputation of the College of Law. Bauer Professor Podgor received the Homer and Dolly Hand Award for Excellence in Faculty Scholarship, established by Stetson Law alumna Dolly Hand and her husband, Homer, to applaud faculty members who are not only dedicated teachers, but who also have notable achievements in scholarship or creative work in their areas of expertise and

Kaye

Podgor

who have made a difference in their local or larger communities. Podgor is the Gary R. Trombley Family WhiteCollar Crime Research Professor at Stetson.

Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz presented the professors with their awards during Stetson’s Honors and Awards Ceremony in May 2013.

Flowers, elder law alumni serve in NAELA leadership Professor Roberta Flowers, a member of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law, has been elected to the board of directors of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Professor Flowers is nationally recognized as an expert in the field of ethics in elder law and elder abuse. She teaches courses on ethics in an elder law practice in Stetson’s online LL.M. in Elder Law.

NAELA president-elect Bradley Frigon and NAELA vice-president Shirley Whitenack also teach courses in Stetson’s prestigious LL.M. in Elder Law program.

Several Stetson Law alumni have distinguished themselves while serving on the NAELA board. Stetson’s Borchard Distinguished Professorial Lecturer Ed Boyer JD ’78 just finished his term as NAELA’s immediate past-

president.

Catherine Seal LL.M. ’08 was elected to the position of treasurer, and Julie Flowers Fiedler LL.M. ’12 and Amos Goodall LL.M. ’09 serve terms on the board.

Part-time student Elisabeth Fontugne wins writing awards Stetson parttime law student Elisabeth Fontugne was recently honored with two awards for excellence in Fontugne writing. Fontugne won the Mollie and Paul Hill Student Writing Competition in Medical-Legal Interprofessional Collaboration, hosted

by Florida State University. She took second place in the American College of Legal Medicine Student Writing Competition in Law, Medicine and Bioethics.

Fontugne’s writing addresses the intersection of law and medicine. She is a third-year student in Stetson’s parttime law program.

The Mollie and Paul Hill Student Writing Competition recognizes outstanding original papers submitted by a law student and a medical student or medical resident in response to a question regarding the collaboration between the medical and legal professions.

Fontugne received second-place in the American College of Legal Medicine competition for her paper, “To Treat or Not to Treat: End of Life Care,

Patient Autonomy, and the Responsible Practice of Medicine.”

Fontugne is a graduate of the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine, where she obtained a degree in nautical science. She also received a master’s in library science from the University of South Florida.

Stetson’s legal writing program has consistently ranked among the top programs nationwide in U.S. News & World Report. Stetson is home to the Institute for Advancement of Legal Communication, launched in the fall of 2013.

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W

e would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their continued support of Stetson Law during the 2012–2013 academic year. Below, we recognize gifts received from July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013.

Your gifts make the critical difference in the life of our students and law school programs by helping us to maintain Stetson’s well-deserved reputation for superior teaching, scholarship and service to the profession.

THE JUSTICE SOCIETY $50,000 OR MORE Charles A. Dana Law Center Foundation Dr. Dolly ’49 T and Homer Hand Gary R. Trombley ’73 O FOUNDER SOCIETY $25,000 – $49,999 Anonymous Albert and Elaine Borchard Foundation Inc. Wilfried H. Florin ’80 Florin & Roebig P.A. Bonnie Brown Foreman BA ’68 T O Ralph E. “Gene” Odom ’00 Martinez & Odom Law Group Pinellas County Community Foundation Joseph J. Reiter ’68 O Hon. Raphael Steinhardt ’63 O Thomas D. Roebig Jr. ’86 COUNSELOR SOCIETY $15,000 – $24,999 Anonymous BARRISTER SOCIETY $10,000 – $14,999 Prof. Brooke Bowman ’02 F Prof. James J. Brown F eMason, Inc. Anne S. Mason ’84 Mason Law P. A. ADVOCATE SOCIETY $5,000 – $9,999 Associate Dean Kristen Adams F Anthony P. Bressi Alexander M. Clem ’90 O Gregory W. Coleman BBA ’85, JD ’89 O Robert E. Doyle Jr. ’75 O Doyle Conflict Resolution Inc. Thomas D. Graves ’60 O Richard A. Harrison BA ’83, JD ’86 O Benjamin H. Hill, IV ’97 O Hill, Ward & Henderson Lawrence P. Ingram ’90 O Joshua Magidson ’80 T O Prof. Rebecca C. Morgan ’80 F Carl R. Nelson ’79 Phelps Dunbar LLP Robert M. Thomas 38 Stetson Lawyer

William H. Weller ’04 O Anthony P. Zinge ’91 O PRESIDENT’S SOCIETY $2,500 – $4,999 Prof. Robert Bickel F Thomas W. Carey Carey & Leisure Carmen R. Gillett ’81 Monte S. Klein ’64 The Janet & Monte Klein Family Foundation Marlyss R. Kuenzel Gregory D. MBA ’96, JD ’99 O and Lara Thompson Lee MBA ’98 Wendy S. Loquasto ’88 O Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz F Prof. Ellen S. Podgor F Arturo R. Rios Jr. ’06 O St. Petersburg Bar Foundation, Inc. Brian L. ’94 and Elizabeth D. Tannebaum ’94 Jason L. Turner ’04 Keith W. Upson DEAN’S CIRCLE $1,000 – 2,499 Lawrence C. Adams Karla C. Allen ’08 A DuBose Ausley Prof. Mark D. Bauer F Skip Berg ’71 A. C. Bergman Vincent A. Branton ’99 Pamela D. Burdett Carlton Fields P.A. C. Graham Carothers Jr. Mary F. Chapman ’98 Hon. Angela J. Cowden ’93 A Hon. Clinton A. Curtis Hon. Joseph G. Donahey Jr. Prof. Michael S. Finch F and Lora Smeltzly Finch ’87 Prof. Peter L. Fitzgerald F Joseph W. Fleece III ’80 J.S. Lucas Fleming ’90 A Florida Defense Lawyers Association Prof. Roberta Kemp Flowers F Frank A. Ford, Sr. BS ’60, LLB ’62 Prof. Clark Furlow F Prof. Royal C. Gardner F

Seymour A. Gordon ’60 Gerard W. Harlan Pfilip G. Hunt ’96 Kevin M. ’00 and Jenay Iurato MBA ’00, JD ’00 O A Patricia R. Johnson S Gina Jung ’92 Prakash I. Khatri BA ’81, JD ’83 O Hon. Elizabeth A. Kovachevich ’63 O Diane and Armando Leighton Jr. Marc L. Levine ’06 A Dr. Wendy B. Libby S T O and Dr. Richard Libby Marvin S. Littky ’63 Caranell B. Lott Prof. Janice K. McClendon F Michael C. Maher ’65 O Stuart C. Markman Catherine B. Martin, MBA ’08 S James W. Martin, BS ’71, JD ’74 Lawrence E. Miccolis ’09 Prof. Jeffrey Minneti F S. William Moore David Morrison Clara and George Nenezian NSI Insurance Group Jennifer Galloway Pike MBA ’03, JD ’03 Luis BA ’78, JD ’81 T and Catherine C. Prats ’83 Raquel R. Ramirez ’12 Prof. Charles H. Rose III F Hon. Dale Ross ’73 Christian D. Searcy, Sr. O Gregory K. Showers ’92 O Gina M. Sinadinos ’01 A John S. Slye ’64 Jason P. Stearns ’08 A G.J. Rod Sullivan ’82 The Florida Bar Foundation Thomas A. & Mary S. James Foundation Matthew A. Towery ’87 O Anne Weintraub ’03 O and Salvador Diaz-Verson PARTNER $500 – $999 Robert E. Biasotti ’96 Gentry B. Byrnes BA ’90, JD ’93 Prof. Lee A. Coppock ’96 F Robert J. Deak ’08 A Tishia A. Dunham

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Report Kenneth E. Easley ’68 Prof. Cynthia Hawkins F Pfilip G. Hunt ’66 Tami S. Karl Frank P. Klim S Les Girls Bridge Club Bernard J. BA ’69, JD 72 O and Denise P. McCabe BA ’68 Matthew R. O’Kane ’91 and Hon. Julie H. O’Kane ’91 Brandice E. Palmer S Associate Dean Theresa Pulley-Radwan F Ezequiel L. Quinones ’07 Robert G. Riegel Jr. BA ’78, JD ’81 O Donald A. Smith Jr. ’78 Scott J. Sternberg ’98 O Tamara L. Trimble ’77 Prof. Stephanie A. Vaughan ’91 F Robert G. Wellon, Sr. ’74 O Robert H. Willis Jr. AMBASSADOR $250 – $499 Anonymous Prof. Cynthia B. Batt F Deborah C. Brown ’87 JoAnne B. Butt ’72 Nancyann B. Carothers James B. Chaplin BS ’65, JD ’68 Debra J. Davis Hon. Sylvan J. Davis Jr. BA ’52, JD ’54 Hon. Jason E. Dimitris ’98 Theodore A. Doremus Jr. ’69 Prof. Carol Henderson F Jerry Herrington Kent L. ’90 and Michele M. Hipp ’93 Richard O. Jacobs ’67 Vera L. June ’04 Earlene G. Kuester S Roxane M. Latoza S Brian-David D. Lit ’04 Carey W. Meldon ’05 Hon. A. Thomas Mihok ’75 Peter S. Miller ’74 Phil D. O’Connell Jr. ’68 Hon. Peggy A. Quince O Kimberly L. Rodgers ’98 A Stephen B. Russell ’75 Allen R. Samuels ’56 William Reece Smith III ’09 Alison M. Steele BA ’84, JD’87 Leslie Reicin Stein ’76 O Patricia S. Toups S Kim Yeager-Holdren John R. Yoak MBA ’03, JD ’03 DIPLOMAT $100 – $249 A2Z Imprints, Inc. Lalitha Alladi ’05 Associate Dean Michael P. Allen F Michael C. Bagge ’07 Kimberly L. Bald ’84 David W. Barrow III BS ’61, JD ’66 Barrow Medical Foundation

John S. Beal III Martin Bedrock ’83 Gerald S. Berkell ’52 Dorothy J. Bishop D Hon. Janet C. Booth BA ’88, JD ’93 Prof. Paul J. Boudreaux Jr. F Tammy L. Briant ’06 S Hon. Theodore Brousseau Jr. BA ’68, JD ’71 Yardley D. ’97 and Amiee Buckman ’97 Deborah A. Bushnell ’80 Elaine L. Carlisle Kelly H. Chanfrau ’01 Joseph E. Claxton Betty Reedy Cole BA ’55 Dennis E. Dabroski ’76 Hon. Paul W. Danahy Jr. Denis M. de Vlaming ’72 Hugo H. deBeaubien ’73 David L. Dees ’77 Dennis R. DeLoach Jr. ’63 Kevin A. Denti ’89 and G. Helen Athan ’88 Josephine T. Dieguez ’07 Jason H. Dodds Scott J. Donaldson ’09 Sheryl A. Edwards ’95 Katie Franklin Everson S Falcon Oil Company William C. Falkner ’84 Prof. Kelly M. Feeley ’95 F Chrissie Fernandez ’13 John C. Fernandez T. Michael Foster ’65 Leslie D. Franklin ’60 Martin S. Friedman ’75 Davina Y. Gould BA ’97 S Tamara L. Graysay ’02 Latanya P. Hammonds-Odie Kathy Hann Nina L. Hayden ’03 Hon. Raymond Holley BA ’91, JD ’97 Hon. Donald E. Horrox ’82 Donald W. Howard S Gerald S. James ’63 Theodore D. Jordan Meni Kanner ’70 Channie and Fredro Knight Kevin S. ’91 and Mary Beth Kuenzel ’93 Margaret E. Lee DHL ’08 William R. Leonard ’77 Ryan J. Leuthauser ’12 Lashanda Lightbourne S Ignatius C. Lott, Sr. Robert A. Love ’79 Eunice A. Luke ’66 Edward G. Lunz Ernest S. Marshall ’66 Stacey W. McConnell ’80 Cynthia A. McGirk ’09 A Harold L. BA ’56, JD ’60 and Dr. Sheila MacNeill ’90 Harlow C. Middleton ’67 Kenneth A. Mirkin ’08 Juliette A. Mistral ’09 Erik C. MBA ’03, JD ’03 and Meredith Nutter ’04 A

Prof. Marleen O’Connor F Eric E. Page ’04 A Prof. Jason S. Palmer F Eric C. Parker John Paul Parks BBA ’78, JD ’81 Monica K. Pearson Prof. Ann M. Piccard ’85 Suzanne M. Pileggi BS ’82, JD ’01 William G. Pomeranke Robert W. Pope ’71 Katherine C. Neal ’04 Hon. Rom W. Powell ’63 Lisa A. Purtz ’07 Amy R. Rigdon BA ’05, JD ’08 A Maritza Rodriguez Philip J. Rogers ’61 Kristi Bergemann Rothell ’02 Kristine Ciganek Rusch ’97 Linda E. Samuels ’05 Dr. Gail E. Sasnett-Stauffer ’89 Gregory L. Scott ’73 Hon. E. Clay BS ’61, JD 66 O D and Emilie C. Shaw Bion L. Shoemaker Jr. ’61 Scott E. BBA ’88, JD ’91 and Janice M. Simpson BA ’89, JD ’91 Adelaide A. Sink Sisters In Progress Smith, Tozian & Hinkle P.A. Michael A. Stewart ’09 Michael Stewart Jennifer L. Terrana ’09 Prof. Ciara C. Torres-Spelliscy F Prof. Louis J. Virelli III F Charles M. Waygood ’60 Carleton L. Weidemeyer ’61 Brianna Wetherwax Clyde H. Wilson Jr. ’65 O J. Mason Wines ’61 Prof. Ramsi A. Woodcock F Zanita A. Zacks-Gabriel Prof. Candace M. Zierdt F Assistant Dean Laura M. Zuppo S DONOR $99 and under Andrew Abramovich ’07 J. Richard McMillin BA ’69 and Hon. Gail A. Adams ’80 Pamela Almond Jody A. Armstrong MBA ’03, JD ’03 Lyda L. Astrove ’84 Daphne Axon Elza Axon Jr. Thomas L. Battle Doris E. Bebee Prof. Jason R. Bent F Nancy J. Besore ’05 Deborah C. Blews ’96 Claudette E. Boddie Joan C. Bohl Adam R. Bugg ’12 Bertha L. Burreuzo ’02 Martha L. Burton ’83 Jon W. Calloway

DONOR CODES A: SLA Advisory Council D: Deceased T: Trustee O: Overseer S: Staff St: Student F: Faculty

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Brett M. Cameron ’08 and Prof. Catherine Cameron F John S. Campbell ’76 Malissa A. Carr Neil C. Chamelin ’68 Col. William J. Cleckner ’09 Hon. John N. Conrad BA ’78, JD 80 Marcia Cornwell The Cottages at Cascade Bridge Club Leah J. Creque-Harris Dora L. Cueto Yate K. Cutliff ’89 Juanita G. Davis Dr.. Kirsten K. Davis F Jesse J. Davis Jarett A. de Paula ’07 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Victor A. Diaz ’89 Dr. G. Robertson ’82 and Patti Niswonger Dilg BA ’64 Henry P. Duffett ’50 Shannon L. Edgar S Joseph Ellis Jr. Carlos A. Enriquez ’83 Craig M. Epps Prof. Stephen M. Everhart F Jeanette LaRussa Fenton Lynne Hankins Fielder ’84 Robert Templeton Fitch ’80 Prof. James W. Fox, Jr. F Jerry M. Gewirtz Jonathan T. Gilbert ’08 Alison R. Glencamp Henrietta J. Grier Harriett G. Darnell Scrabble Club

Elizabeth Strawn Harris ’95 Philip J. Healy ’09 Alicia M. Hill S The Holidays Inc-Charlotte Chapter Valerie P. Howard Kyleen A. Hudson ’08 Derrick J. Hutek ’12 Antonio G. Jimenez ’05 Mallory L. Johnson ’60 Mary F. Johnson Ronald B. Kennedy Kevin M. Kenny ’98 Rachel A. Kestenbaum ’11 Elena A. Kohn ’11 Prof. Peter F. Lake F Derek E. Larsen-Chaney ’12 Janna Peters Lhota ’92 Alexander P. Liggett Prof. Lance N. Long F Dayanna Lopez BA ’04, JD ’09 Hon. Frank Marriott Jr. ’75 Rubye D. McClendon Zachary D. Messa ’01 Katherine Hurst Miller ’06 A Brian S. ’05 and Brittan L. Mitchell ’03 Prof. Joseph F. Morrissey F Francis R. Morse ’82 Joseph T. Murray III ’08 Prof. Luz Nagle F Colleen E. O’Brien ’09 Kelly A. Overfield ’94 Emily S. Petronis ’09 Brett B. Pettigrew ’09 Arthur G. Pettygrove Maria L. Pleasant

Erica G. Pless ’08 David U. Quinones S Ronnell D. Robinzine Alphonso Royals Bonnie E. Russell Prof. Judith A. Scully F Alexandra J. Sevillano ’07 Patrick J. Shanahan ’11 L. David Shear Kathryn Grant Shores BA ’04, JD ’07 J. Ron Smith ’67 Portia Lott Smith C. Christine Smith ’06 Michelle A. Stellaci ’06 Scott Stevenson ’12 Daniel R. Strader ’12 Janice A. Strawn S Jennifer C. Suarez ’03 Wanda G. Thomas Raequel L. Tomsich ’94 Christina E. Unkel ’12 Brian K. Vandervliet S Amy E. Warenyk ’04 Philip S. Wartenberg ’94 Rosemary L. Watson Leslie J. Weaver V. Carroll Webb ’62 Alexandra O. White ’08 Raymond Williams Jacquelyn Williams Prof. Darryl C. Wilson F Nadine J. Woodrick Katherine H. Yanes ’97 James Zoes

Morgan Elder Law Scholarship Fund announced Attorneys, trustees, estate planners, financial advisers, CPAs and other elder care professionals attended the 15th Annual 2013 Special Needs Trusts – The National Conference held Oct. 16-18 in St. Pete Beach. The first session opened with a presentation

by Associate Dean Kristen D. Adams, announcing the newly named Professor Rebecca C. Morgan Elder Law Scholarship Fund.

The newly established scholarship will support students enrolled in Stetson’s Elder Law Certificate of Concentration Program, which enables students to learn about the legal issues facing a growing elder population.

Last year, Professor Morgan and her husband Jay also were presented with the keys to the City of St. Petersburg 40 Stetson Lawyer

for their three decades of service to the Sunshine Center.

Professor Morgan directs Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law and the LL.M. in Elder Law program. She holds the Stetson University Boston Asset Management Faculty Chair in Elder Law and developed the nation’s first elder-friendly courtroom on Stetson’s Gulfport campus in 2005. Jay Morgan retired from 35 years of service with the City of St. Petersburg-Office on Aging last year. He developed a therapeutic recreation program while serving with the City of St. Petersburg.

First game ball Hal Spence BBA ’76 JD ’84 skydived into Stetson’s first football game in 57 years on August 31, 2013, at the newly renovated Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand.

This historic game took two days to complete after it was postponed in the second quarter due to lightning. The next day, Stetson finished what they started with a 31-3 victory over Warner University, which was playing its inaugural football game.

It was Stetson’s first win since defeating the University of Havana 64-0 at the end of its 1956 season.

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PAID College of Law Development and Alumni Relations 1401 61st St. S. Gulfport, FL 33707

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THE DOCKET Scholarship Banquet, Gulfport Campus Fundamentals of Special Needs Trusts Administration Webinar, online 4/25–26 Southeastern Regional Legal Writing Conference, Gulfport Campus 5/23 Tampa Bay Mad Hatter Golf Classic, 8 a.m., Pasadena Yacht and Country Club 5/16 Honors and Awards Ceremony, 4:30 p.m.,Gulfport Campus 5/16 Graduation Family Celebration, 6 p.m.,Gulfport Campus 5/17 Commencement Ceremony, 8:30 a.m., Gulfport Campus 5/20–22 Educating Advocates: Teaching Advocacy Skills, Gulfport Campus 5/24 Class of 1984 Reunion, Gulfport Campus 5/30 Class of 1964 Reunion, Gulfport Campus 6/14 Dean’s Circle Reception, Home of Dean Pietruszkiewicz 6/26 Stetson Lawyers Association Awards Reception at Florida Bar Annual Convention, Gaylord Palms, Orlando 4/11 4/25

Independence Day Barbecue and Firework Viewing, Tower, Gulfport Campus 7/29–30 Florida Bar Examination 10/8 Second District Court of Appeal Bar Induction Ceremony, Tampa Law Center 10/16–19 National Pretrial Competition, Gulfport Campus 10/15–17 Special Needs Trusts: The National Conference, The Vinoy Renaissance, St. Petersburg 10/23 Part-Time Family and Friends Event, Tampa Law Center 10/24 Family and Friends Day, Gulfport Campus 11/1 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, 7 p.m., Great Hall, Gulfport Campus 11/10 Marine Corps Honorary Presentation and Celebration, Gulfport Campus 11/8 Stetson Law Information Day, Gulfport Campus 12/18 Fall Graduate Celebration, 6 p.m., Gulfport Campus 7/4

Watch bit.ly/stetsonlawevents online for additional events and class reunions or email alumni@law.stetson.edu for more information.