FlaLaw » 2003 » August » 25

Scholarship and Activities: Nancy Dowd

wsmitty@ufl.edu — Mon, 25 Aug 2003 19:21:06 +0000

Chesterfield Smith Professor Nancy E. Dowd published “Law, Culture, and Family: The Transformative Power of Culture and the Limits of Law,” in a Chicago-Kent Law Review symposium issue on Law and Cultural Conflict. In addition, her article, “From Genes, Marriage and Money to Nurture: Redefining Fatherhood,” to be published in the Cardozo Women’s Law Journal, was based on research presented to the Hastings Institute on the impact of genetics on concepts of parenthood, and is an outgrowth of research presented in her book, Redefining Fatherhood. She will present a paper on “Race as a Feminist Issue” at a Feminism and Legal Theory Workshop at Cornell University School of Law Sept. 5-6 along with scholars from the UK, and another paper at the University of Illinois College of Law Sept. 25 on the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision on affirmative action.

Word From Iraq: Law Student Lohrer E-Mails Home

wsmitty@ufl.edu — Mon, 25 Aug 2003 19:18:23 +0000

Think it’s hot here? Army Reserve Sgt. Edward Lohrer (2L, right) — a UF law student still serving in Iraq — is withstanding temperatures of 130 to 140 degrees at mid-day. The 27-year-old has been in Iraq since February, and a few weeks ago the thermometer hit a record 151 degrees at his headquarters at Talil Airbase. “Some of the sand storms here would give Hurricane Andrew a run for his money, and the insects like to bite,” Lohrer e-mailed early this week to fellow law student Deb Cupples. “It seems much more violent and chaotic here now than when the war kicked off,” he wrote. “There are trucks loaded with explosives blowing up buildings and checkpoints. Ambushes and sniper attacks on supply convoys. Mortar attacks on U.S. encampments. All this happens on a daily basis.”Ed works at a supply route security checkpoint, where he stops suspicious vehicles, redirects civilian traffic and gathers information on military convoys. He also has escorted convoys from Talil to Baghdad, a 13-hour ride through desert heat in a Humvee — the bare-bones military issue and a far cry from the plush, street-ready model popularized by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Like many military people in Iraq, Lohrer often is a wide-open target. “They don’t know who the enemy is or where he’ll show up,” said his mother, Charlotte Lohrer of Lake Placid. “This scares me.” In April, news coverage of the U.S. invasion of Iraq was pervasive. After President Bush declared an end to major military activity, it began drifting out of the public’s mind. “People need to realize U.S. soldiers are still dying over here, as many as three a day,” Lohrer pointed out. “This war is far from over, but many soldiers feel forgotten. There are still 150,000 of us here, and many have no idea when we can come home.” Constant danger aside, he has found his service to be the experience of a lifetime. “I interact with locals, so I’m picking up Arabic and learning about the culture. I’ve seen the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and Saddam’s palaces. I’ve been all over Baghdad and seen ancient and biblical landmarks, including the City of Ur, which was built 6000 B.C.,” he explained. When Lohrer left Gainesville in February, he was three weeks into his fourth semester of law school. So far, he has missed two of the program’s six required semesters and may miss a third. Also left behind was his part time job at the Gainesville law firm of Fisher & Butts. “It looks like I’ll be here for the long haul,” Lohrer concluded. “I’m glad to serve my country, but I also look forward to coming home and resuming my life.”

Scholarship and Activities: Sherrie Lynne Russell-Brown

wsmitty@ufl.edu — Mon, 25 Aug 2003 19:15:37 +0000

Assistant Professor/Associate Director of the Center for Children and the Law Sherrie Lynne Russell-Brown published “Rape as an Act of Genocide,” 21 Berkeley J. Int’l L. 350 (2003), and “Out of the Crooked Timber of Humanity: The Conflict Between South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and International Human Rights Norms Regarding “Effective Remedies,” 26 Hastings Int’l & Comparative L. Rev. 227 (2003).

Scholarship and Activities: Martin J. McMahon

wsmitty@ufl.edu — Mon, 25 Aug 2003 19:14:48 +0000

Clarence J. TeSelle Professor Martin J. McMahon, Jr. published 2003-1 Cumulative Supplements to the following: Federal Income Taxation of Individuals, Third Edition (Warren, Gorham & Lamont, 2002) (with Boris I. Bittker & Lawrence A. Zelenak); Federal Income Taxation of Partnerships and S Corporations, Third Edition, and accompanying Study Problems (with P. McDaniel & D. Simmons) (Foundation Press, 1999); Federal Income Taxation of Corporations, Second Edition, and accompanying Study Problems (with P. McDaniel & D. Simmons) (Foundation Press, 1999); Federal Income Taxation of Business Organizations, Third Edition, and accompanying Study Problems and Teacher’s Manual (with P. McDaniel & D. Simmons) (Foundation Press, 1999); and Federal Income Taxation, Cases and Materials, Fourth Edition (with P. McDaniel, H. Ault & D. Simmons) (Foundation Press, 1998). He spoke in June at the State Bar of New Mexico Tax Symposium in Albuquerque, N.M., on “Recent Federal Income Tax Developments” (jointly with Prof. Ira Shepard); University of Virginia School of Law’s 55th Annual Virginia Conference on Federal Taxation in Charlottesville on “Recent Developments in Federal Income Taxation,” and in May at the American Bar Association, Tax Section, Real Estate Committee Meeting in Washington, D.C. on a panel on “Attorney- Client Privilege and Other Sensitive Ethical Issues in Transactions and Litigation.”

UF Law Students Return From Service in Iraq War

wsmitty@ufl.edu — Mon, 25 Aug 2003 19:01:13 +0000

Some Levin College of Law students not only came back to school this fall, they returned to the United States and life as civilians after service in the Iraq war. Taylor Pancake (1L, pictured at right), Matt Brannen (2L), Juan “J.C.” Tabio (2L), Edward Lohrer (2L) and Ryon Little were called to duty Spring 2003 Semester. “We are grateful to these students for their service to our country, and relieved and pleased they have returned safely,” said Dean Robert Jerry. U.S. Marine Reservist Lance Corporal Taylor Pancake (1L) was two days into his second semester of law school in January when he was called to active duty. Unsure if he would make it back for his wedding — scheduled for May 25 — he and his fiance, Misty, quickly organized a ceremony Jan. 13. Taylor left for the Middle East the next day, leaving behind his new bride. “Honestly,” said Taylor. “I think being deployed was harder on my friends and family than it was on me. I was focused and busy, while they were worrying.” Taylor and Misty plan to renew their vows Aug. 31 for friends and family who could not attend the January ceremony on such short notice, and will take a long-delayed honeymoon in the near future. Taylor’s unit was headquartered in northern Kuwait, and went to Iraq in convoys for weeks at a time. “I got to watch pieces of history unfold,” said Taylor. “It was a very interesting experience.” After six months overseas, Taylor returned to the U.S. in early July. He spent two weeks waiting for de-activation papers to go through, then went on terminal leave until Aug. 15. “I thought I would need a decompression period and had planned to return to school in the spring,” said Taylor. “It turned out those fewweeks were enough, so I signed up for fall classes. The law school faculty and staff were awesome at making my transition seamless. It’s good to be back.” U.S. Marine Captain Matt Brannen (2L) was called to action March 24 — just weeks before law school finals — leaving behind his wife, Heather, and daughter, Delaney, who turned two while Matt was away. “My daughter had trouble sleeping and understanding why I was gone,” Matt said. “My wife handled it well, and a lot of people called to check on her. I appreciate the people at school and my church for keeping us in their thoughts and prayers.” Brannen headed a 14-member expeditionary team attached to a special operations command headquartered in Qatar. “It was surreal,” said Brannen. “Being issued ammo and getting motivated to undertake our mission. I am proud to have had the honor of leading my team. They were prepared for any mission and worked together to prepare for the possible combat we were facing.” Through a twist of fate, his team did not go to Iraq. “We were loading a C-130 (military transport plane) when we were stopped and told that the Iraqi army we were going to face had surrendered,” Brannen recounted. “The thing I prayed about most was bringing the team back home, and here we are.” In May, Brannen’s team arrived in Delaware on a military cargo plane. “The pilot announced our descent, and everyone cheered,” said Matt. He spent his summer taking military courses, including Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico and Tactical Air Control Party School in California, before returning to Gainesville. “The best feeling in the world was being welcomed back by my daughter,” Matt said. “And Student Affairs was awesome. They did everything to make sure I got back into school.” Associate Dean for Students, Professionalism and Community Relations Gail Sasnett said, “My father was in the Navy during WWII, so I’m especially sensitive to our soldiers. I’m very grateful for their willingness to serve our country. They make such sacrifices for all of us — delaying their education and ability to practice law, taking time away from their families — a very selfless thing.” For two families, the worries aren’t over. Brannen’s brother is in the Army and stationed in Baghdad, with an uncertain return date. And Corporal Juan “J.C.” Tabio (2L), a member of Brannen’s reserve unit who was activated at the same time, has a younger brother who started boot camp the same week J.C. was called to action. The Tabios are a Marine family: his older brother also served in the 80s. (Return From Service, continued) Tabio left behind fiancé Cindy Garcia, an elementary guidance counselor in Weston, Florida, when he left for the Middle East. “The Marine Corp does an impressive job of staying ready,” J.C. said. “Many Florida reservists were activated for this.” During deployment, Tabio had to quickly adapt to two cultures: Qatar and the Marine Corp. “It was interesting seeing how other people live,” he said. “As a reservist, I deal with the Corp once a month, but overseas I was a Marine 24-7.” Tabio was overseas with Brannen, and commented, “At law school, we’re friends. But in the Marines, Captain Brannen is my team leader, and we have to stay within the bounds of professionalism and Marine Corp etiquette.” Like Brannen, Tabio was impressed with the team’s sense of brotherhood. “An Army Staff Sergeant stationed near us wrote a letter to our whole unit, praising our cohesiveness and esprit de corps.” “This was a once in a lifetime experience for most people,” said Tabio, who returned to the law school this fall. “I’m glad that when the call came, I was there to respond.” Not all UF law students serving in the effort have returned. Florida National Guard Sergeant Edward Lohrer (2L) — who was deployed to Iraq — and U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Ryon Little (2L) — who was called to duty to monitor the Port of Miami — have been gone since last spring. Neither Lohrer or Little were available for comment, and sources are unsure of their date of return. According to members of the Military Law Students Association (MLSA), Lohrer is part of the 560th Movement Control Team, which is tracking the movement of military vehicles moving through Iraq and Kuwait. Sadly, another friend of the College of Law will never come home. Gainesville resident and Florida National Guardsman Jeffrey Wershow, 22, was shot and killed July 6 while providing security for U.S. officials visiting Baghdad University in Iraq. Wershow planned to one day attend law school here, as did his father, Jon Wershow, and stepmother, Pam Schneider, of the Gainesville firm Wershow & Schneider. In honor of this and in recognition of his service to the nation, the UF College of Law gave his family a certificate granting him “honorary admission.” According to military sources, he will be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.