Technology has intruded into every aspect of modern life, from how people die to how they conduct their public and private business. Although the benefits of technology are obvious, the risks can be huge.

That’s because every cell phone call, credit card transaction, discount card purchase, Internet site visited, or e-mail sent or received is fair game for information poachers to filch at will and without your knowledge. So states a new book released this month, Privacy: The Lost Right (Oxford University Press), authored by Jon Mills, a University of Florida Levin College of Law professor, dean emeritus, and founder of the university’s Center for Governmental Responsibility.

“Technology has moved too fast for the law, which is not totally surprising,” said Mills. “The combination of the Internet and a broad range of scientific advances, like genetic testing, have created information and societal changes with which the law has not been able to keep pace.”

Privacy: The Lost Right draws on Mills’ academic, courtroom and legislative experiences and explores examples of privacy intrusions enabled by technology ranging from disclosure of private online video rentals, Internet purchasing habits, spyware that tracks personal online viewing habits, governmental and corporate intrusions, and salacious or defamatory Web postings made by anonymous bloggers. He outlines the legal protections people have — or don’t have — to prevent these intrusions, and offers options to bolster legal protections of privacy.

Mills also relates his personal experiences as an attorney who has made successful arguments in several, high-profile court cases that have defined the First Amendment boundaries of the press’ right to know and an individual’s right to privacy. These included blocking the release of grisly autopsy photos of six young people murdered by serial killer Danny Rolling, preventing the posting of Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s autopsy photos to the Internet, and closing the homicide investigation file containing detailed personal information on murdered fashion mogul Gianni Versace.

These cases were sensationalized in the media and riveted public attention, but the privacy invasions of the information age that don’t garner any attention can do equal harm, said Mills.

“People are unaware of how many intrusions they face during everyday life because it is not in any intruders’ interest to put the public on notice, and when they do it’s usually only in the fine print,” said Mills. “We don’t know when somebody has gathered and sold our private information, we don’t know that somebody looked at our medical records and that it affected the way we were treated in a job search.”

Mills said it is not just government or the press or the anonymous bloggers or the data brokers that have the ability to violate our privacy rights, it’s all of the above together. Although Americans enjoy the conveniences of the Internet, camera phones and online commerce, Mills contends few of us surrendered all privacy for convenience — at least not knowingly.

“Americans cherish their privacy and the legal tools that protect it. At no time in our history have the challenges to personal privacy been so great,” said Janet Reno, former U.S. attorney general. “Jon Mills is uniquely qualified through legal, political and academic experience to address these challenges.”

Christina Hoff Sommers discussed her book Who Stole Feminism: How Women Have Betrayed Women on Oct. 8. (UF Law/Chen Wang)

One day, Christina Hoff Sommers’ father bought an issue of Playboy magazine just so he could read the articles. Really. Because one of the articles was written about her — professor, controversial writer, and self-proclaimed “equity feminist” — and her book Who Stole Feminism: How Women Have Betrayed Women.

Sommers’ Oct. 8 presentation to the Levin College of Law focused on her first, and perhaps most controversial book, Who Stole Feminism, which rejects the traditional man-bashing, “Women are from Venus, and Men are from Hell” school of thought. The sum of her presentation may be encapsulated by a single principle: The good cause of feminism has been hijacked by overzealous extremists. Instead, Sommers pushes for a lighter, friendlier form of feminism — equity feminism.

Equity feminists, Sommers explained, “insist that men and women are equal but not identical,” an idea she pits against those she refers to as gender feminists and victim feminists, who Sommers claims dominate today’s organized movement. She explained that prior to publishing her book, she had been a “feminist activist in good standing.” When her book was published in 1994, it rocked the feminist movement to its foundations, and Sommers found herself “excommunicated from a religion [she] didn’t know existed.”

Sommers’ book rejects the idea that American women are oppressed and asserts that it is no longer reasonable to classify women as a subordinate class, and repudiates what she refers to as the “language of victimology.”

Sommers calls Eve Ensler’s play the Vagina Monologues the most significant and influential injection of “victim feminism” into modern American society. The Vagina Monologues emphasizes the vagina as a tool for female empowerment. Sommers found the play to be venomously anti-male, and expressed her opinion via an op-ed which appeared in the Wall Street Journal on Feb.11, 2000. She received a response in the form of a letter Eve Ensler also submitted to the Wall Street Journal, firing back with “Ms. Sommers asserted that there was a definite, anti-male sub-text. In serving her vision and agenda, she listed specific examples to prove her point. What she conveniently left out was Bob, the man who has an entire monologue dedicated to him. Bob transformed one woman’s vagina and subsequently her feelings about herself.”

Sommers argues that the character Bob, discussed in the monologue Because He Liked to Look at It, is “boring” and “unintelligent” and is not even liked by the character who delivers the monologue, but is discussed only as the man who made her love her vagina because of his affinity toward staring at it for hours, thus leaving the Vagina Monologues bereft of a positive male character. Sommers maintains that “there are Neanderthals among us, but we can’t confuse them with the ethical majority.”

She credits much of the popularity of “victim feminism” to false, oft-reported “facts,” such as violence against women increasing 40 percent during the Super Bowl. Her findings, in conjunction with those of Washington Post reporter Ken Ringle, one of the first to debunk this “fact,” have even made their way to the popular myth-busting Web site, www.snopes.com, which dubbed the faux Super Bowl Sunday smackdown a demonstration of “how easily an idea congruous with what people want to believe can be implanted into the public consciousness and anointed as ‘fact’ even when it has been fabricated out of whole cloth.”

Sommers also discredited the much-repeated historical tidbit that the “rule of thumb” originated in English common law as a rule in which a man could not beat his wife with anything thicker than his thumb. Instead, she points to the wealth of research cited and performed by Henry Ansgar Kelly for his 1994 article, “Rule of Thumb and the Folklaw of the Husband’s Stick,” which blames the persistence of this rumor on people’s gullibility in matters of amusing word and phrase origins.

Rather than bemoaning women’s perceived plight within modern American society, Sommers insists on embracing biological gender differences. According to the National Science Foundation’s Web site, a 2004 survey of American college freshman conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles, only 26.3 percent of female freshmen intended to major in science and engineering fields, compared to 40.8 percent of their male counterparts Sommers makes clear that she cheers on women on who challenge the stereotypes, but also supports women who choose careers based on biological preferences and aptitudes. She credits the shortage of women in scientific and mathematical fields of study and the abundance of women in nursing and teaching to simple biology – women tend to be more nurturing and men tend to be more analytical, so the discrepancy is the result of gender preferences and not discrimination.

Sommers concluded her presentation by offering her suggestions for how to be an effective feminist, including researching shocking statistics before believing them and perpetuating them, setting aside the ever-popular male-bashing, and realizing that mother nature does not play by the rules of political correctness.

If feminism is in fact a “church,” then perhaps Sommers has been excommunicated, but at least she is still humming along with the choir.

John O. Colvin, the chief judge of the U.S. Tax Court, discussed the details of tax court with classroom of graduate tax students. (UF Law/Chen Wang)

John O. Colvin, the chief judge of the U.S. Tax Court, gave an overview of the tax court Friday to a group mostly composed of graduate tax students.

Colvin divided his speech into seven sections relevant to the tax court: a general overview, the Court’s calendar, pretrial, trials, appeals, opinions, and collegiality. Colvin spent a lot of time explaining how the tax court works differently than other courts.

For example, an individual does not have to be an attorney to practice law before the tax court unlike other courts.

“The statute establishes that the tax court… has required us to administer a periodic exam, I think the statute says at least every other year, where non-attorneys can be admitted to practice before the Court.”

The tax court is based in Washington, D.C. and consists of 19 judges who are appointed to 15-year terms by the president and confirmed by the Senate, Colvin said. Although the court is based in Washington, judges travel to hear cases in about 75 different cities, Colvin said.

“We have 32,000 cases that we expect to come in this year; we have about 75 places of trial,” Colvin said. “How do we get 32,000 cases onto the trial sessions and into the hands of judges? We go to each of those cities at least once a year and to the larger cities, we go several times a year.”

President Ronald Reagan originally appointed Colvin to the tax court on Sept. 1, 1988 for a 15-year term ending on Aug. 31, 2003. He was reappointed on Aug. 12, 2004 for a term ending Aug. 11, 2019. He was elected chief judge by the other tax court judges on June 1, 2006 and June 1, 2008 for two-year terms.

In regular tax cases, there will be about 75 cases per week assigned to a judge. In small tax cases, which have lower monetary limits, there will be 100 cases per week. The calendars are released about five months in advance, Colvin said.

Those involved in small tax cases waive their right to an appeal, and the proceedings are less formal. After the trial, opinions are written and all are released on the tax court’s Web site, www.ustaxcourt.gov.

In small tax cases, summary opinions and bench opinions may be written. These are not precedential, Colvin said.

In regular tax cases, there are bench opinions, memorandum opinions and division opinions, Colvin said. Most major cases become division opinions, which often decide new principles of law.

By statute, the Chief Judge reviews all of the opinions of the Court before they are released.

Colvin also has the statutory power as the chief judge to direct an opinion to be reviewed by the whole tax court.

And although Colvin has worked with tax law his whole life, he understands that it’s not the most exciting thing to most people.

“Sometimes people ask me to tell funny stories about tax court trials,” Colvin said. “You would maybe not be surprised to know how short that list of material is.”

It is important to know how to recognize stress
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed a list of signs to help recognize stress. These are unique based on individuals. If you experience any number of these symptoms to a degree that is distressing to you or causing an impairment of functioning, you should seek out a physician or a mental health professional.

• Behavioral signs
  • Increase or decrease in energy and activity levels
  • Increase in irritability with outbursts of anger and frequent arguing
  • Increase in alcohol or tobacco use
  • Trouble relaxing or sleeping
  • Wanting to be alone most of the time (isolating)
  • Blaming others for everything
  • Having difficulty communicating or listening
  • Having difficulty giving or accepting help
  • Inability to feel pleasure or have fun
• Somatic symptoms
  • Stomachaches or diarrhea
  • Headaches or other pain
  • Losing appetite or an increase in appetite
  • Sweating or having chills
  • Tremors or muscle twitches
  • Easily startled
• Emotions
  • Thoughts or thought patterns associated with stress
  • Anxiety or fearfulness
  • Trouble remembering things
  • Depression
  • Feeling confused
  • Guilt
  • Trouble thinking clearly
  • Apathy
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Overwhelmed
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Out of control
  • Worrying excessively

So now, what can I do to manage my stress levels?
Create a schedule for when you will do your homework for each class, based on when you have your classes.

• Finding a quiet study space can be very beneficial. It may be at home, at the law school library or at a local library. Be sure that you have a place where you can work undisturbed and be comfortable.
• Give yourself enough time to complete each homework assignment. Particularly in the beginning of law school, assignments almost always take longer than you think. Allocate as much time as you reasonably can to complete each assignment. Things always seem to take longer than you estimate, so include this in your planning.
• Schedule regular times when you will work on writing projects for any writing classes you have. That way you won’t be struggling to complete writing projects at the last minute which require intensive preparation and work.
• Set aside time to spend with those who are important in your life, i.e., your family, and friends. Take time for yourself to do some exercise. It’s very easy to neglect yourself and your loved ones while you’re in law school. Avoid this by setting a workable schedule for yourself from the outset of law school.
• Seek help when you need it. Join a study group, seek help from academic support or your professors or seek help with stress whenever you need it. Law school is a different learning experience than any other, and there is no shame in admitting you need help with the substantive material or with time management.
• Think Ahead. What do you need to do in the future? For example, shop for holiday gifts before the semester gets too busy or schedule your vacation time into your study schedule.

Here are a few helpful and EASY stress reduction and relaxation techniques.

• Deep Breathing – Practice breathing from your diaphragm. Place your hand over your abdomen and take a deep breath in. You should feel your diaphragm expand when you inhale. When you exhale, breath through your mouth as if you were blowing through a straw. Practice this technique to deepen your breaths – this will aid in relaxation.
• Exercise – incorporating any level of physical activity into your day is beneficial. If you have time and enjoy strenuous activity, make sure you are leaving time in your schedule to do it. If it is not “your thing,” try to incorporate smaller activities such as walking more or parking your car further away from things and walking or taking the stairs.
• Imagery – using images to take you to a place where you know you relax. Picturing the beach or a river or any calm spot can help trigger your body to remember what relaxation feels like. GatorWell has created some podcasts that provide you with imagery, relaxing music, and a technique called progressive muscle relaxation. These podcasts are free to download to your computer or iPod or mp3 player. There are a few options ranging from 6 to 10 minutes. This is a great way to take a short amount of time and relax!
• Sleep – It is truly important to get a good night’s sleep! Try getting 8 straight hours. If you must nap, take shorter naps (up to 45 minutes) because any longer and your body enters into a full sleep cycle so when you get up, you are more tired. Try going to bed around the same time every night and waking up around the same time in the morning. A regular cycle can be very beneficial! If you have trouble falling asleep, try removing your TV (if you have one in your bedroom) and any office furniture. Making your bedroom your sanctuary for sleep is truly important. You may try making the room darker or cooler or a sound machine or adding some aromatherapy (lavender aids sleep).
• Massage – Touch has been shown to be very therapeutic and can aid in relaxation. There are a few hidden places on campus that provide these services to students for reduced cost or free. There are massage chairs located in the GatorWell offices in both the Springs and Jennings Residential Complexes. The Springs complex is next door to the law school. Time in the chair is FREE. There is no sign up and you are welcome to go anytime that they are open. There is a massage therapist associated with the Student Health Care Center. It costs $50 for a 50-minute massage (standard). There are also 15 and 30-minute options. You must call the SHCC for an appointment, but you do not need a physician’s prescription or recommendation. You can also arrange to see the therapist in Corry Village, which is very close to the law school.

For further inquiries or concerns contact Keely Hope in the Office of Student Affairs at kjhope@law.ufl.edu or 352-273-0633. Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Ponce was appointed in January 8, 2008 by Governor Crist to the University of Florida Board of Trustees and is a member of the board of directors of the UF Foundation, serving on the Audit and Finance Committees and also currently serves on the University of Florida Athletic Association Board, having served on the Audit Committee, Finance Committee and the Athletic Director Search Committee. Ponce has served for many other organizations and has received many awards, and has been inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame.

A 20-year member of Florida Blue Key’s advisory board, Ponce is very hands on in his work with FBK. He continues to secure speakers for the annual banquet and has hosted active members at his home on several occasions.

He continued his commitment to service by completing a seven-month term in Washington, D.C., as special counsel to U.S. Sen. Bob Graham before Graham’s retirement in 2002. He also served as former Assistant General Counsel and Acting Executive Assistant to the State of Florida Comptroller and Cabinet Officer from 1974-75.

The “Double-Gator” received his bachelor’s degree in business (BSBA) with honors in 1970 and his law degree in 1973, both from the University of Florida.

Judge Karen Mills-Francis on the set of her new TV show. (Sony Pictures TV/ Joe Fornabaio)

After bumping into a friend in a parking garage in Miami, Judge Karen Mills-Francis (JD 87) had an idea for her next career step.

Mills-Francis was a county judge for Miami-Dade County when she ran into her colleague, Circuit Judge David Young in the spring of 2007. Young had just been hired for his own TV show, which is now in its second season.

“I saw him in the garage parking lot and I congratulated him, and I said, ‘I wonder why nobody has ever contacted me about a court show,’” Mills-Francis said. “About two weeks later, I got a call from someone from Sony Pictures Television asking if I would be willing to come to New York to audition for a show. And I did, and here I am today.”

After a recommendation to Sony from Young, Mills-Francis is now TV’s Judge Karen, which began airing on Sept. 8 in syndication. Mills-Francis made a few innovative additions to her show to differentiate it from the saturated court TV show market.

For example, Mills-Francis is the only TV judge that allows the litigants in her courtroom to direct and cross-examine their witnesses, which often turns contentious.

Further, her courtroom has a witness stand and the witnesses are sequestered during other testimony. This is more representative of a real courtroom, while the other court TV shows often have the witnesses standing with the litigants through the whole trial.

“When I agreed to do this show, it was important to me that it be court and then entertaining,” Mills-Francis said.

The show also includes an “Ask Judge Karen” segment at the end of each episode. Viewers send in videotaped legal questions, and Mills-Francis researches their questions and answers them on air.

Mills-Francis is satisfied with how the show has turned out, and it is doing well in the ratings, she said.

“It’s kind of hard to be objective, because it is me on TV,” she said. “Of course I’m going to say ‘oh it’s a wonderful show,’ because I did a great job. But then, others have to say that, and I guess they have spoken because we have very good ratings.”

According to Sony, the show is one of the highest rated daytime shows in Miami.

Mills-Francis was born and raised in Miami, which is essentially the TV judge capitol of the world. Five of the judges on TV came from Miami, Mills-Francis said.

“I came up with something the other day that made sense to me,” she joked. “We’re in the Bermuda Triangle. We’re on the tip of the Bermuda Triangle, so strange things happen here. I guess that’s why so many of these judges are from Miami. I heard yesterday there is another judge getting a TV show from Miami.”

Before stepping down from the bench in April to begin working on the TV show, Mills-Francis was a county judge in Miami. She won an election in 2000 against a 24-year incumbent judge. Campaigning gave her a new sense of her community, she said.

Mills-Francis handled domestic violence, criminal traffic and general misdemeanor cases as a judge.

Prior to becoming a judge, Mills-Francis served as a traffic magistrate for two years in Miami. She also worked as a public defender and as a private defense attorney after law school.

While working as a public defender in the juvenile division, she began to notice some big problems with the juvenile justice system.

“I was shocked when I went to juvenile court at the number of children that were sleeping on floors at the juvenile detention center because they had no parent that would come and get them,” Mills-Francis said. “People talk about the problems and the conditions in adult prisons, but nobody talks about what goes on with these juveniles. It’s worse than adult prisons because I’ve never gone into the Dade County Jail and seen people sleeping on the floor.”

At one point, Mills-Francis became a foster parent just so she could take a troubled child home with her. She continues to be very active in children’s issues. Mills-Francis knew she wanted to do criminal work after taking a trial advocacy course at the UF College of Law.

“I took trial advocacy, and in trial advocacy, you have to argue both sides in front of a jury,” she said. “They give you a mock case, you try the case as a prosecutor, and then you turn around and try the case as a defense attorney. I won on both sides, and I got such a thrill out of being in trial that I knew that it was what I needed to do.”

Although some guys driving by in a pickup truck hurled a racial slur at Mills-Francis on her first day of law school, she enjoyed her time at UF. She praised many of her professors, including some that are still on the faculty.

Even though TV judges did not even exist when Mills-Francis was in law school, Mills-Francis uses her experience from the real courtroom on her show.

“A friend of mine said to me yesterday that I’m real,” Mills-Francis said. “R.E.A.L. The person you see on TV is the same person you’d see when you walked into a courtroom in Miami. I am no different from that person. I haven’t changed anything. My clothes, I wore the same robe as a judge, the jewelry, the hair, things I say, my personality – it’s who I am; I’m not putting on a show.”