Top Stories 

• Kandy Queen-Sutherland, PhD, the Sam R. Marks professor of Religion, was quoted in the Jan. 17 article, “Bill Could Mandate Bible Electives In Florida’s Public High Schools.” The story was featured on WJCT, a Jacksonville affiliate of PBS. Queen-Sutherland commented, “There is this kind of idea that somehow we’ve lost our way as a country. We’re no longer a quote Christian nation as if that was, in fact, what we were in the beginning.”

• Professor emeritus of political science, T. Wayne Bailey, PhD, was quoted in the Daytona Beach News-Journal on Jan. 14. The article, titled “Volusia voters may get shot at deciding whether council members get pay raise,” discusses the debate regarding several proposed changes to the Volusia County Council. 

• Law Professor Louis J. Virelli III wrote a Jan. 14 opinion piece for the Tampa Bay Times called, “Impartiality is more important in an impeachment trial than in a criminal one. Not less.”

• Law Professor Ellen Podgor was quoted in a Jan. 13 USA Today article called, “Supreme Court’s war on prosecutors meets ‘Bridgegate.’” The article was picked up by other news outlets in the USA Today network, including the Jackson Sun, Chillicothe Gazette, Lafayette Daily Advertiser, Coloradoan, Des Moines Register and MSN.

• Assistant Director of University Events Samantha Crouch recently was named Holly Hill Chamber of Commerce’s new executive director, as reported in the Jan. 11 Daytona Beach News-Journal article, “Holly Hill Chamber’s new exec is a homegrown product.”

• Law Professor Ellen Podgor was quoted in a Jan. 9 ABA Journal article called, “Crosstown traffic: SCOTUS considers ‘Bridgegate’ prosecutions.” The article was picked up by several other digital news sites.

• Law Professor Peter F. Lake was quoted in a Jan. 12 article in the Lawrence Journal-World called, “Fraternity follow-up: Here’s why KU won’t release full details on fraternity investigation.” He was quoted again by that publication in a Jan. 13 article titled, “KU Greek life task force submits recommendations to the chancellor.”

Other News 

• Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy’s October 2019 article for The Brennan Center called, “The Supreme Court considers political likes in the Bridgegate case” was mentioned in a Jan. 13 post on the Sentencing Law and Policy blog. 

• Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy wrote a Jan. 14 piece for the American Constitution Society website called, “Citizens United Made My Career: I Wish It Had Never Happened.” The article was referenced on the Election Law Blog.

Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy wrote a Jan. 16 op-ed for the Brennan Center for Justice website called, “What Rod Blagojevich’s Double Impeachment Could Mean for Trump.” 

• Law Professor Timothy Kaye was quoted in a Jan. 16 article in the Tampa Bay Times called, “Who’s liable in the Bayshore crash? Could Pinch A Penny be on the hook?

• Law Professor Ellen Podgor was quoted in a Jan. 9 ABA Journal article called, “Crosstown traffic: SCOTUS considers ‘Bridgegate’ prosecutions.” The article was picked up by several other digital news sites.

 • Law Professor Mark Bauer was mentioned in a Jan. 8 Elder Law Prof Blog post called, “Report from 2020 AALS Annual Meeting Section on Aging and the Law.” Bauer was a speaker at the event about recent enforcement efforts to combat elder exploitation. 

• Law Professor Rebecca C. Morgan wrote or posted the following blogs for Elder Law Prof Blog: Jan. 3, New Personal Safety Toolkit for APS Staff; Jan. 6, Guest Blog on The Greying of HIV of America; Jan. 7, Catching Up on Some News; Jan. 7, Reframing Elder Abuse on Social Media-New Webinar; Jan. 8, Elder Justice Mapping Webinar; Jan. 10, PACE Program and Adult Day Care; Jan. 13, DOJ Elder Justice Initiative Resources for Law Enforcement; Jan. 14, Recent Interesting Cases; Jan. 15, International Federation on Aging Webinar on 11th Session of the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Aging; and Jan. 16, Forgetfulness is Not Just for the Old.

• Law Professor Anne E. Mullins was mentioned and photographed in a Jan. 8 blog post on the Legal Writing Prof Blog called, “Professor Brad Clary of Minnesota receives the 2020 Blackwell Award.” Professor Mullins serves as the president of the Association of Legal Writing Directors, which confers the award in partnership with the Legal Writing Institute.

• Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy was mentioned on the Jan. 3 Election Law Blog as a panel speaker on the 15^th and 19^th Amendments at the Association for American Law Schools annual meeting. 

• Law Professor Peter F. Lake was quoted in a Jan. 8 article in the Novedades News called, “New law against inappropriate sexual behavior applies.” 

• Stetson Law’s upcoming Wills for Warriors event was featured in The Gabber and on TBNWeekly.com. 

Alumni News

• Steve Burley retired after a 45-year career and six years as an economic-development manager for the City of DeLand, according to a Jan. 15 West Volusia Beacon article.

• Alumnus Brian Caskey is running for the Democratic nomination in the race for North Carolina’s District 48 Senate spot, according to The Cycle NC.

• Alumnus Robert Chambers was named executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Americold, according to a Jan. 9 Refrigerated Transport article.

• Alumnus Dallas J. Zulli was appointed Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer of Smith Land & Improvement Corporation, as reported by a Jan. 10 PR Newswire press release.

• PRLog reported on Jan. 10 that alumna Amanda Sharkey Ross was elected stockholder of Henderson Franklin, a Florida-based law firm.

• Alumna Jeannette Simmons joined Fort Behavioral Health as Program Director for the Mission Recovery Program, according to a Jan. 16 press release.

• The law firm of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., announced that Law alumna Kayla Richmond has been elected stockholder, according to announcement from the firm. This appeared on a number of online public relations and business news wires, including Gulfshore Business.

• Law Alumni Brett H. Sifrit and Sara Castro are shareholders at Farr Law Firm in Punta Gorda, effective Jan. 1. Sifrit focuses his practice on trusts and estates as well as real estate law. Castro is part of the firm’s litigation team with a focus on business transactions and civil litigation.

• Law firm Neal & Harwell has elevated Law alumna Mariam Stockton to partner, according to a Jan. 7 announcement in the Nashville Post. Stockton earned the LL.M. in advocacy from Stetson Law. An article also appeared in The Nashville Ledger. 

• Law firm Holland & Knight announced 29 new partners, according to a Jan. 7 article in the Florida Record. Two Stetson alumni were included in the promotions. Jessica Hoch, a Double Hatter, is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Section, and Brian Hanafin is a member of the firm’s Business Section. 

• Law alumna Patricia Sigman, a Longwood labor attorney, is jumping into the Senate District 9 race based in Seminole County, according to an article in the Orlando Sentinel.

• Law alumna Lori Baggett was promoted to managing shareholder in the Tampa office of Carlton Fields, according to articles in the Tampa Bay Business Journal and the Tampa Bay Times. 

• Law alumna and Trenam Law shareholder Catherine M. DiPaolo was elected to Glazer Children’s Museum Board of Trustees, according to an announcement on the firm’s website.

• Law alumna Shannon Wilson received a Space Coast Public Service Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award, according to a Jan. 12 article in the Space Coast Daily News. The award recognizes public service professionals who have dedicated years of service during a distinguished career where they significantly advanced the public safety profession, and by substantial service, have furthered the cause of justice and the mission of public service.

• Law alumnus Christopher Cavaliere, a Double Hatter, was promoted to partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, according to a Jan. 13 announcement from the firm.

• Law alumnus Ryan Lee Hedstrom joined Gunster, according to a Jan. 14 post from the firm.