Nova Student Writing Lights up Pages of Probate and Property
Recent Shepard Broad Law Center graduate Cara L. Thomas is the author of a lively article which appears in the peer-reviewed journal Probate and Property for May/June 2008. The article was written while Ms Thomas, now corporate counsel at Halvorsen Holdings in Boca Raton, was a third-year law student. Titled Butt Out! Controlling Environmental Tobacco Smoke in Condominiums, the article examines, in pungent prose at times redolent of tobacco smoke, whether condominium associations can successfully ban smoking within their members’ individual condo units. As Ms Thomas concludes, a man’s home may be his castle, but if his castle is a condo, he may have to abdicate his right to smoke there.
Law Center to Award Deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan with Honorary Degree – May 10
Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who was removed as the chief justice of Pakistan after refusing to ratify a presidential order to suspend Pakistan's constitution, will be awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from NSU at the graduation commencement for the Shepard Broad Law Center on May 10.
Chaudhry may be reinstated as Pakistan's chief justice on May 12 through an agreement made by Pakistan's coalition government on May 2. Chaudhry had been dismissed from office last November when he refused to ratify Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's order for a state of emergency and suspension of the nation's constitution and parliament. He and several other judges were placed on house arrest and later removed from office.
Despite the confinement, Chaudhry continued to speak out against the violation to Pakistan's constitution and his stand led to demonstrations against Musharraf and a call for justice for the deposed judges. After being released again in the wake of recent elections, Chaudhry resumed traveling and meeting with lawyers and others to build support for the reinstatement of all the superior court judges. The 60 other judges that were removed from office in November may also be reinstated on May 12.
When I use a word...it means just what I choose it to mean
Nova Southeastern School of Law Professor Joel Mintz organized the registering of a highly critical response by professors from law schools across the country to the EPA's plan for how it will re-open agency libraries. The professors decried the lack of specificity in EPA's definition of "core materials" to be restored, the absence of any plans to digitize the EPA's collection and the necessity to make appointments to visit parts of the collection.
Legal Aid Event
The Children and Families Law Clinic received the Legal Aid Service (LAS) of Broward County’s Community Advocacy Award for 2008. This award was presented to Professor Brion Blackwelder, Clinic Faculty Director of the Children and Families Law Clinic, at the 7th Annual LAS “For The Public Good” event on April 25.
NSU’s Law Center Names Charles B. (Chuck) Morton, Jr., and
Gary A. Poliakoff as Adjunct Professors of the Year
Five Questions: Turning around injustice
Catherine Arcabascio is a professor of law at Nova Southeastern University and cofounder of the Florida Innocence Project, which seeks exoneration for wrongly convicted prisoners. For more information please visit MiamiHerald.com.
Congratulations to Professor Blackwelder and his clinical interns!
We are very proud to announce that the Children and Families Law Clinic has been chosen to receive the Legal Aid Service (LAS) of Broward County 's COMMUNITY ADVOCACY AWARD for 2008. This award will be presented to Professor Brion Blackwelder , Clinic Faculty Director of the Children and Families Law Clinic, at the 7th Annual LAS “For The Public Good” event on April 25th . Congratulations to Professor Blackwelder and his clinical interns!
Recent Graduate receives top marks on the February Florida Bar Exam
Nova Southeastern University's Law School Rises to No. 22 in Rankings for Legal Writing from U.S. News and World Report
Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad Law Center rose to No. 22 in the U.S. News and World Report's specialty rankings for legal writing, up from a No. 30 ranking last year. For the second year in a row, NSU and Stetson are the only Florida law schools ranked in the top 40 in legal writing. There are approximately 190 accredited law schools with legal writing programs.
“I attribute our rise in the rankings to being a leader in the field of legal writing,” said Anthony Niedwiecki, associate professor of law and director of the Lawyering Skills and Values program at the Shepard Broad Law Center . “One of the most important features of our program is that we have one of the lowest student-teacher ratios in the country, so each student gets a great deal of individual attention from our professors. Our professors publish regularly in the field, and several professors serve in leadership roles in the main legal writing organizations.”
Last September, the Shepard Broad Law Center hosted the Southeast Legal Writing Conference on NSU's main campus. More than 60 Lawyering Skills and Values professors from around the southeast attended the conference, which was geared towards legal research and writing faculty with “Teaching the Basics: Practical Ideas for the Legal Writing Classroom” as its theme. Professors in NSU's Lawyering Skills and Values program have attended and presented at numerous legal writing conference throughout the country over the past few years.
The U.S. News and World Report rankings for legal writing were compiled from nominations made by directors or members of the clinical and legal writing programs. Programs that received the most nominations appeared in the rankings.
Congratulations Gail Richmond
Gail Levin Richmond, Associate Dean-Academic Affairs & Professor of Law, was reappointed for the 2008-2009 term as Vice Chair of the ABA Tax Section Committee on Publications.
February bar results are in!
NSU achieved an overall pass rate of 80% for its first time test takers. This is 3.6 percentage points above the overall state average and is NSU’s highest pass rate on the February exam in 10 years. We are tied for 4th place overall in the state.
CSP is also pleased to announce that the Florida Bar Auxiliary Program (FBAP) had a pass rate of 96.4% for the February bar. Of the 14 first time bar takers who enrolled in and completed the Florida Bar Auxiliary Program, 13 passed completely, and 1 student passed the MBE but did not pass Florida. FBAP is a voluntary post-grad coaching program offered at no cost to NSU students. It provides support, structure, and scheduling help to students that are going through the bar preparation study period.
We are very excited for our students!
Law Center Hosts U.S. Supreme Court Bankruptcy Moot Court Event
On March 26, the United States Supreme Court was presented with arguments on an important bankruptcy law case known as Florida Department of Revenue v. Piccadilly Cafeteria . At stake is a potentially significant sum of money in the form of stamp tax revenues that the State of Florida will not be entitled to collect if the United States Supreme Court upholds earlier decisions in this case by the bankruptcy court, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
The central question in the case is: Does 11 U.S.C. § 1146(c) of the Bankruptcy Code, which exempts from stamp or similar taxes any asset transfer “under a plan confirmed under section 1129 of the Code,” apply to transfers of assets occurring before the actual confirmation of such a plan? Several other states have joined Florida in asking the court to announce that the state may tax the sale of bankrupt property if the debtors have not confirmed their Chapter 11 plans prior to the transfer.
Prominent bankruptcy attorney Eric Brunstad, Jr., of the Hartford, Conn., law firm Bingham, McCutchen, LLP, presented Piccadilly's arguments against the State of Florida Department of Revenue in the March 26 Supreme Court hearings. Mr. Brunstad, a bankruptcy law expert, specializes in appearances before the United States Supreme Court. He also serves as an adjunct law professor in bankruptcy at Yale University. To help Mr. Brunstad prepare for his Supreme Court appearance, Nova Southeastern University adjunct law professor Ross Hartog and University of Miami adjunct professor Patricia Redmond served as judges in a bankruptcy moot court practice round in the week preceding the actual argument. The practice rounds were held in the NSU Shepard Broad Law Center's large courtroom. In addition to students from Prof. Hartog's and Prof. Redmond's bankruptcy workshops, all NSU law students, faculty and staff were invited to attend.
Those in attendance had a rare opportunity to observe history in the making and to witness firsthand the argument preparations of a U.S. Supreme Court practitioner. The NSU Law community will be looking forward with great interest to an announcement in the coming months of the court's decision in Florida Department of Revenue v. Piccadilly Cafeteria .
U.S. Forest Service Using Law Professor's Article to Support Legislation
The Stewardship Contracting Authority, a temporary legislative authority that changed the manner in which the Forest Service can contract for goods and services with the public, has shown significant potential to improve the Forest Service's ecological administration of the forests and repair its tattered relationship with local forest communities. Hausbeck's article argues that the Stewardship Contracting Authority has been so successful in fulfilling its legislative purpose that Congress should make the authority permanent and encourage the Forest Service to increase the use of stewardship contracts.
The U.S. Forest Service is sending Hausbeck's article to key congressional offices and the Government Accountability Office auditors who support the Stewardship Contracting Authority and the work completed under its auspices.
Women the Law, and HIV/AIDS in Africa : A Conundrum for the Legislature, a book by Professor Shu-Acquaye
Professor Shu-Acquaye's Women the Law, and HIV/AIDS in Africa : A Conundrum for the Legislature ( ISBN 978-1-60042-037-5) was recently published. Co-authors, Dr. Dora Mbanya (a hematologist) and Dr. Stella Chungong (an epidemiologist), wrote the first chapter. This book was inspired by the time she spent in the Republic of Cameroon in Africa on sabbatical working with the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA). Professor Shu-Acquaye teaches Business Entities, Contracts, UCC: Sales, Negotiable Instruments, and Comparative Corporate Governance at Nova Southeastern University 's Shepard Broad Law Center (since 2000). She also teaches and/or supervises students' theses in the Masters in Health and Education Law Programs. Professor Shu-Acquaye has several publications, but is particularly passionate about women in Africa , especially those affected by HIV/AIDS. She was a 2007 recipient of the Quiet Storm Award in recognition of the work she did with SWAA. She sits on a number of boards but is most honoured to serve on the Community Hope Center board, an outreach ministry to the Broward County community.
Sports and Entertainment Law Society Hosts CEO of Slip-N-Slide Records
The Sports and Entertainment Law Society (SELS) of the Shepard Broad Law Center hosted keynote speaker Ted "Touche" Lucas, CEO of Slip-N-Slide Records. Lucas presented "The Legalities of the Recording Industry from a Record Label Perspective."
Lucas founded Slip-N-Slide Records in 1994. It is a Miami-based record label that specializes primarily in Miami-hip hop music. A majority of the label's releases are distributed through Atlantic Records and Def Jam South. Current and former artists on the label have included Trick Daddy, Trina, Rick Ross, Plies, and Deuce Poppi.
For more information on upcoming SELS events, please email Charlotte Towne at townec@nsu.law.nova.edu.
Nova Southeastern University’s Law School Rises to No. 22 in Rankings for Legal Writing from U.S. News and World Report
Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad Law Center rose to No. 22 in the U.S. News and World Report's specialty rankings for legal writing, up from a No. 30 ranking last year. For the second year in a row, NSU and Stetson are the only Florida law schools ranked in the top 40 in legal writing. There are approximately 190 accredited law schools with legal writing programs.
“I attribute our rise in the rankings to our reputation of being a leader in the field of legal writing,” said Anthony Niedwiecki, associate professor of law and director of the Lawyering Skills and Values program at the Shepard Broad Law Center . “We recently sponsored a legal writing conference, and we have attended and presented at almost every legal writing conference throughout the country over the past few years. Our professors publish regularly in the field, and some of our professors serve in leadership roles in the main legal writing organizations. One of the most important features of our program is that we have one of the lowest student-teacher ratios in the country, so each student gets a great deal of individual attention from our professors.”
The U.S. News and World Report rankings for legal writing were compiled from nominations made by directors or members of the clinical and legal writing programs. Programs that received the most nominations appeared in the rankings.
Law Student Group Walks for the Animals
The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) at the Shepard Broad Law Center enjoyed the 18th Annual Walk for the Animals on Saturday, March 1, at Esplanade Park (across from Museum of Discovery and Science) in Ft. Lauderdale. At 10 a.m., participants and their four legged companions walked the 1.25 mile fun walk, with tails happily wagging and owners proudly smiling.
Professor Phyllis Coleman, faculty sponsor of SALDF, and Professor Tim Arcaro brought Penny and Rupee. Event coordinator Ashley Zuckerman, a first-year law student, brought (the award-winning) Pepper, and Joanne Galipault, a third-year law student, brought Allie Capone.
If you would like more information about future SALDF events, please email Sahily Picon at picons@nsu.law.nova.edu . More information on Walk for the Animals ia available at http://walk4theanimals.com .
Environmental Moot Court accomplishments in N.Y
The team of Christopher Byrd and Tiffany Brown competed at the Twentieth Annual National Environmental Law Annual Moot Court Competition at Pace University in White Plains, N.Y. on Feb. 21-22. The team argued against two other teams in each of three preliminary rounds. After two of the rounds, the judges announced Tiffany Brown as their preliminary’s Best Oralist. The judges praised the team for its arguments in the complex problem of Clean Water Act exemptions for pesticide sprayings. The team was required to argue from conflicting viewpoints in each round, for the U.S. EPA, the pesticide applicators, and fishing organizations. Professor Brion Blackwelder served as Coach.
NSU LAW STUDENTS' GROUND-BREAKING PERFORMANCE AT THE 16th Annual NNALSA MOOT COURT COMPETITION DID NOT GO UNNOTICED
Congratulations to Joseph Hardgrave, 3L, and Mariana Anderson, 2L, on their ground=breaking performance at the 16th Annual National Native American Law Students Association (NNALSA) Moot Court Competition in Tempe, Arizona. The NNALSA competition boasted almost 60 teams, including four teams from Columbia Law School . Hardgrave and Anderson represented the State of Florida admirably as they argued tirelessly during the first two days of the competition, February 21 and 22, 2008.
The NNALSA Moot Court Competition is the only national competition dedicated exclusively to the area of federal Indian law. This year's competition provided an opportunity for competitors to write an appellate level brief on a current topic in federal Indian law and to argue the case before a panel of judges. The competition was designed to promote and recognize the finest oral and written advocacy.
African Art Exhibit at Alvin Sherman Library
Local collectors of African art and artifacts have joined with Nova Southeastern University to
celebrate the rich heritage of Africa with an engaging art exhibit themed “A Continent of
Cultural Treasures.”
On display Feb. 8 through Mar. 7 are more than 100 items including African masks, baskets, musical instruments, prints, paintings, stools, dolls, jewelry, kente looms and cloths, which are showcased in the second floor gallery of the Alvin Sherman Library, Research and Information Technology Center.
“A Continent of Cultural Treasures” is part of the university’s Fifth Annual African Presence 2008 Art Exhibition and Black History Month celebrations which include a month-long calendar of compelling discussions, engaging dance performances, educational workshops, award winning film screenings and dynamic speakers.
For more information about “A Continent of Cultural Treasures” art exhibition, please call (954) 262-5309.
Law Center Hosts Humane Society CEO as Guest Speaker
The Shepard Broad Law Center's Animal Legal Defense Fund hosted national guest speaker
Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the 
Humane Society of the United States, on Feb. 7.
Pacelle's presentation was entitled Ethics and Animal Protection in the 21st Century. He discussed the origins of the humane movement, the major ethical components in the public debate over animals, the relevance of these issues to our daily lives, and the emergence of animal law as a recognized substantive area.
Pacelle, a life-long advocate, has been associated with 26 successful statewide ballot initiatives to ban inhumane treatment of animals such as cockfighting, cruel hunting practices, and inhumane factory farming methods. He has also been instrumental in spreading the word about Michael Vick and his dog-fighting activities.
NSU Second Place Finish in Regional ABA Client Counseling Competition
Congratulations to Meghan Kessler and Joseph Reichert. They recently placed second in the American Bar Association Regional Client Counseling Competition at the University of Miami. Their second place finish was tops among all Florida law schools and was commended by the judges for their excellent work.
Congratulations Professor Steve Wisotsky
For the third year in a row, Professor Steve Wisotsky was selected for inclusion in the Florida SuperLawyers 2008, a peer-reviewed process limited to 5% of attorneys in Florida.
Leisa Morrill-Wintz, 3L, awarded fellowship by Equal Justice Works
Leisa Morrill-Wintz was recently awarded a two-year postgraduate fellowship by Equal Justice Works (EJW), formerly the National Association for Public Interest Law. Housed at Coast to Coast Legal Aid, the purpose of this staff attorney position is to implement the Broward Teen Advocacy Project (TAP) and to provide free legal representation, advice, and education to local teens. In Broward County, there are many programs for teen pregnancy and crime prevention, but no programs to educate, advise, or represent teenagers in the areas of family law and teenage domestic, dating, repeat and sexual violence (DDRSV). Teens in this situation have little understanding of their rights, responsibilities, and options. By reaching out to teens in this way, TAP will provide them with choices for protecting themselves and their children. Also by involving the adults in their lives in this education and outreach, TAP increases the chances of effecting positive changes for these teens.