FlaLaw » 2003 » April » 07

Longtime LIC Director Betty Taylor Honored at Dunwody Banquet

wsmitty@ufl.edu — Mon, 07 Apr 2003 17:24:04 +0000

Sir Walter Scott wrote, “A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; [but] if she possesses some knowledge of these, she may venture to call herself an architect.” Professor Betty Taylor has dedicated her legal career to the study of history and literature – and for the last 40 years her architecture has included libraries, scholarly thought, and the minds of generations of students. Taylor built the Legal Information Center – twice. In 1962, only one month after becoming director, the old library in Bryan Hall and its vast collection were destroyed by fire. She single-handedly marshaled student volunteers, donations, state agencies and the university’s Physical Plant Division to rebuild the damaged collection – no small feat when one knows how difficult it is to deal with varying university bureaucracies. But, as anyone who has worked with Taylor knows, it is that dangerous combination of a strong will and sparkling personality that has always seen her through, no matter how difficult the task. In 1969, not seven years later, Taylor oversaw the expansion of the library to its new home in Holland Hall. Under her stewardship, the library has grown by leaps and bounds. It doubled its holdings in the first five years and has since tripled the collection. Today, Florida’s law library is recognized as having one of the largest collections in the country – more than 600,000 volumes. Like all good architects – those remembered beyond the life of their buildings and who leave an imprint on all works that come thereafter – Taylor is a visionary. She was the first to realize the potential of computers to influence, expand and forever change the scope of legal research. As early as 1971 – before the public envisioned such a thing as personal computers – Taylor was writing in scholarly journals about the impact computers could have on the future of libraries. When computers were still filling large rooms, Taylor was creating indexes and databases to streamline and make readily available the library’s increasing capabilities. These early efforts are the precursor to today’s indispensable Internet-based library indexing and cataloguing and Web-based information resources like Westlaw and Lexis. For these innovative achievements and her outstanding contribution to the profession, Taylor’s colleagues at the American Association of Law Libraries awarded her the prestigious Marian Gould Gallagher Award. And these efforts continue at the law school under her direction – plans for the new Lawton Chiles Legal Information Center call for one of the most technologically sophisticated libraries in the country, and incorporate many of the same visions Taylor had 30 years before. But Taylor’s most influential and beautiful project, her “Montecello,” is made up of the students who have benefited from her years of service. Among her former library workers are Florida governors, legislators, judges and numerous other state and national dignitaries – not to mention, a few former Florida Law Review members. For the last four decades, she has taught thousands of students through a variety of course offerings – most notably, for the last 20 years, her “Computers and the Law” Seminar. And, as busy as she is, Taylor still found time to serve as faculty advisor for the Internet and Computer Law Association. Her influence on students can especially be felt on the Review. Countless research editors and candidates doing Work Quarter Edits have – time and time again – silently thanked Taylor for the completeness of LIC’s paper collection, the ease with which information can be searched, and the knowledge and friendliness she instills in her staff. I know I have. But maybe she has taken such care to do these things because Taylor was a Review research editor herself. Or maybe it’s because she also has written and researched extensively – including four articles with the Review. Her July 2002 Review article, “A History of Race and Gender at the University of Florida Levin College of Law,” is a comprehensive document tracking the history of our institution through the eyes of its students, faculty and administration. And, as the law school begins to build its new exterior, Taylor – serving as her own architect and using history as her brick and literature as her mortar – is building her own monument to the institution she loves; a book detailing the long and storied “History of the University of Florida College of Law.” No doubt, a chapter could be written on her career alone. In the July 2002 issue of the Review, four colleagues wrote a tribute to Taylor to accompany her essay. In concluding, they wrote, “[we] remember Betty as a constant source of help and an equally constant, friendly, and stabilizing presence in the law school. Upon her well-earned retirement, her job will be filled, but the vacuum created by the absence of her personality among us will remain until long after the last of her career-mates has also retired.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

In the Spotlight: Alyson Flournoy

wsmitty@ufl.edu — Mon, 07 Apr 2003 17:18:17 +0000

Environmenal and Land Use Law Program Director/Professor Alyson Flournoy’s article, “In Search of an Environmental Ethic,” was published in the Columbia Journal of Environmental Law. She will present her article, “The Future of Environmental Ethics and Environmental Law: Building From the Ground Up,” at the University of California-Davis this week, which also will publish it in their environmental law journal, Environs.

Collective Needs, Individual Rights

wsmitty@ufl.edu — Mon, 07 Apr 2003 17:07:02 +0000

Balancing collective needs and individual rights was the underlying topic of this year’s Dunwody Distinguished Lecture in Law, “When Terrorism Threatens Health: How Far are Limitations on Personal and Economic Liberties Justified,” by Lawrence Gostin (above), professor of law at Georgetown and co-director of the Public Health Program at Johns Hopkins University. Since 9-11, civil liberty is a hot issue, and one uniting unlikely political bedfellows. “The U.S. always has been rights-oriented,” Gostin said. “The political left focuses on individual rights, autonomy and privacy; while the right focuses on freedom of contract and enterprise. Both emphasize freedoms, just a different set.” Gostin finds both sides tend to view bureaucracy similarly: inefficient and with a tendency toward oppressive regulations. Partly due to this, Homeland Security-related policies in areas such as public health policy and bio-terrorism have drawn fire from both sides of the political aisle. “Public health laws are deficient,” Gostin said. “Most critical agents of bio-terrorism are unreported because of privacy legislation.” Gostin was named prior to 9-11 to the committee writing the Model Emergency Health Powers Act — now adopted by 22 states — involving vaccination, medical treatment, quarantine and hospital supplies. “The Homeland Security Act is controversial, and the Model Act has been viciously attacked by people across the political spectrum,” Gostin said. “Government has always made health policy decisions covertly, people just didn’t realize that.” “In these times, we can’t have it all in terms of personal rights and national security; both sides must give up something. Each citizen must ask themselves, ‘What obligation do I have to make the U.S. safer, and what personal interests will I forgo?’ This is a tough question, but one we all ultimately have to answer,” Gostin concluded.

Florida Law Review Honors Six at Dunwody Banquet

wsmitty@ufl.edu — Mon, 07 Apr 2003 17:03:43 +0000

Florida’s finest future legal scholars, faculty and administrators gathered in the O’Connell Center March 27 to honor this year’s speaker for the Dunwody Distinguished Lecture in Law, Professor Lawrence O. Gostin (behind podium below) of Georgetown and Johns Hopkins universities. Also recognized were incoming dean Robert Jerry (left) and Dean Jon Mills, who steps down as dean in July to return fulltime to his responsibilities as professor and director of the Center for Governmental Responsibility. (Complete story on Mills to be featured in a future FlaLaw.) Special presentations were made to Professors Francis McCoy, David “D.T.” Smith, Grace W. “Betty” Taylor (see story page 7) and Winton Williams, and long-time Review Staff Editor Vivien Payne, all of whom retire this summer after many years of dedicated service. Each honoree was brought to the podium after a speech — accompanied by projected photographs from their long law school careers — by a Review member summarizing their accomplishments. Pictures and excerpts follow: ❒ Professor Francis McCoy has been making an impact at this law school for more than 45 years. He brought a wealth of knowledge — not only in admiralty law, legal history and family law — but in people and perspectives. He served in the U.S. Army infantry and military intelligence and as judge advocate. He was on active duty in China during WWII with the Office of Strategic Services, forerunner of today’s CIA. He was in the U.S. Foreign Service in Shanghai, Tokyo and Madagascar, then returned home to complete his legal education at UF and serve as its law librarian and professor of admiralty law. Every faculty member I spoke with described him as an exceptionally intelligent man with an astonishing thirst for language and history, and one of the most modest and enjoyable people with whom you could hope to spend time. Faculty and students recognize him as a person who diligently, thoroughly and patiently benefits all of us with his tremendous knowledge and ability to communicate that knowledge, for that is the mark of a great scholar and educator. — By Cheryl Priest ❒ Professor David “D.T.” Smith graduated from Yale before attending law school at Boston University, where he was Law Review articles editor. He joined UF in 1968, and in the years that followed his unique combination of humor, scholarship and community involvement have made him an absolute legend in Florida’s legal community. His scholarship is unparalleled, and he is the foremost probate scholar in the state. He has chaired the UF Senate’s Steering and Nominating Committees as well as many committees at the law school, and served as faculty advisor to the Florida Journal of International Law; Moot Court; Estates, Trusts and Elder Law Society; Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity; Omicron Delta Kappa; John Marshall Bar Association; Law College Council; and, most importantly, to Florida Law Review from 1969-1982. In truth, we owe much of our success today to his leadership and guidance. — By Bradley Rothman ❒ Professor Winton E. “Skip” Williams has proven to be a dedicated teacher, colleague and friend to all during his 34-year teaching career. He received his undergraduate degree from Tulane University in Louisiana, then graduated with distinction — first in his class — from the University of Mississippi College of Law, where he not only served as a Law Review member, but also prepared, implemented and chaired the Moot Court Program. He later received an LL.M. from Yale Law School. He joined UF’s law faculty in1969, and since has been honored as “Teacher of the Year” by his students, chosen by the dean as an outstanding teacher in 1990, and selected by UF’s president and provost for the Increased Productivity Award for publications having a significant impact on consumer credit practices. He is a distinguished teacher and accomplished author whose many publications have had a national impact on consumer credit law. As his student, I can attest that he is most well-known and respected for his approachability and generosity to students. He genuinely takes an interest in his students, welcoming them to his office and encouraging their thoughts and ideas in the classroom. He is a true “Southern gentleman,” who — in addition to his extensive teaching career — has served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, practiced law and, last but not least, works in the restaurant business. To thank him for his many years of dedication and service to the law school and its students, Florida Law Review has dedicated its April edition to Professor Williams. — By Lori Moore ❒ Law Review Staff Editor Vivien Payne (left, with Review Advisor/Professor Dennis Calfee) has guided students in Florida Law Review for 26 years. She received the only standing ovation of the evening during the presentation in her honor, after which more than 20 past and current editors joined her on stage (below). “Vivien is more than a Blue Book expert,” said Review Editor-in-Chief Juan Diaz (3L). “She puts a lot of herself into the Review. She’s the reason we publish five times a year — and on time. She has high standards and expectations, and we improve just by trying to live up to them. During her 26-year tenure, she has positively impacted the lives of roughly 1,000 Review students, which is why so many of them showed up at the banquet to honor her.” “She has always been available to students,” Diaz continued. “When they were hungry, she fed them. When they got married, she was there. When they needed help or guidance about anything, personal or law school-related, she was there.” Founded in 1947, Florida Law Review is a legal journal and a student organization, with about 55 students and 22 candidates —including ten senior and ten junior editors — and more than 2,000 alumni. Its five annual issues include one devoted to the Dunwody Lecture. “Due to tremendous efforts by our members, Florida Law Review is one of the few national law reviews to consistently publish on time,” said Diaz. “As a result of this diligence, the Review has attracted interest from myriad legal scholars and practitioners, domestic and abroad. We received more than 400 articles for consideration this semester alone, including many from prominent institutions such as Yale, Stanford, Harvard, Penn, NYU, Northwestern and Texas.”

JMBA Names Professor, Student of the Year

wsmitty@ufl.edu — Mon, 07 Apr 2003 17:01:22 +0000

The John Marshall Bar Association (JMBA) gave its top awards — Professor and Student of the Year — to Lyrissa Lidsky and Nicole Kibert at its annual Barrister’s Ball March 28. JMBA asked students in mid-March to nominate professors and students for the 2002-03 awards. “We received multiple nominations for Professor of the Year, and put the seven faculty who received the most — Doug Miller, Alyson Flournoy, Lyrissa Lidsky, Sherrie Russell- Brown, Frank McCoy, Steve Powell and Amy Mashburn — on our spring election ballot,” said JMBA President Chris Hand. “Students voted March 25 and chose Professor Lidsky.” Students use a similar process to nominate their peers for Student of the Year. “Again, we received lots of nominations,” said Hand. “A committee of three students and two faculty members then evaluated nominees using five criteria: academics, community service, campus involvement, co-curricular participation and leadership.” Student of the Year finalists Jason Gordon (2L), Canaan Himmelbaum (2L), Steve Klein (3L), Paul Lutz (3L) and Nicole Kibert (3L) — who won the honor — were announced at the Barrister’s Ball. “In addition to being an outstanding student, Nicole has been a leader both on and off campus,” said Hand. “At the Levin College of Law, she serves as president of the Environmental Law Society, Spring 2003 class chair of the Alumni Council and member of both the Florida Journal of International Law and Environmental Moot Court team. She also has been very active in community service off campus and is presently coordinating a Community Law Series to help local residents better understand their rights and obligations under the law.”