Ever wanted to explore another continent or be immersed in another culture? Students enrolled in the UF Law South Africa study abroad program can do that and more this summer.

From June 10 to July 12, students will be enrolled in the University of Cape Town (UCT), studying comparative and international law. UCT is the No. 1 ranked university in Africa, according to The Times Higher Education world university rankings.

The program also covers South Africa’s history with apartheid, or racial segregation, and how the new South African constitution is helping to reform the country by focusing on civil rights. These lessons are supplemented by excursions to historic sites around the country.

“Students get to see one of the most beautiful places in the world while learning about their struggles and progress as a nation,” said Michelle Ocepek, director of student programs at UF Law.

Ocepek has also heard rave reviews from students who have previously studied abroad in South Africa.

“I know that it is a great experience based on student feedback. Students have stated that the faculty interaction that takes place and the friendships that are made with the other students make it worthwhile,” Ocepek said.

The courses offered are comparative constitutional law with Professor Sharon Rush; “The South African Legal System: From Apartheid to Transition to Nation-building” with UCT Professor Mohamed Paleker; “Crime, Human Rights and the International Criminal Court” with Professor Kenneth Nunn; and comparative alternative dispute resolution with Dean Rachel Inman.

Students can apply for the program until March 15. The application requires a $150 non-refundable deposit that can be submitted to the Office of Student Affairs.

Enrollment is usually capped at 28 students, and seats are filled in the order applications are received.

Students are encouraged to attend an interest meeting on Tuesday at noon in HOL 270 for more information about the South Africa study abroad experience. A former student will be available to answer questions about the program, and pizza and drinks will be provided.

State and national legal experts at the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s 12th annual Richard E. Nelson Symposium in Law will attempt to pull apart some of these preemption puzzles brought about by cases in which federal, state or local laws may conflict.

The symposium, “Preemption Puzzles: Firearms, Fracking, Foreigners, Fuels and Farming,” is Feb. 8 at the Hilton UF Conference Center in Gainesville from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The symposium is co-sponsored by The Florida Bar City, County and Local Government Law Section and Environmental and Land Use Law Section.

Preemption is a matter of concern to lawyers in the public and private sectors and to government officials at all levels. And clear guidance from state and federal courts is rare in the area of preemption, which means that lawyers struggle with locating the legally defensible “comfort zone” for state and local statutes, ordinances, permitting, and regulation.

“The rules courts use to decide under what conditions federal law overrides state law and state law overrides local law appear to be straightforward,” said UF Law Professor Michael Allan Wolf, the Richard E. Nelson Chair in Local Government Law, “but in this instance, as in so many others in American law, appearances are very deceiving. This is a crucial field of law that is fraught with ambiguity.”

Each of the five areas to be explored have been frequent topics in the national media recently. Fracking – the controversial practice of using pressurized fluid to release valuable resources like natural gas from layers of rock – is the topic of the recent Matt Damon movie, “Promised Land.” Gun control has been on the lips of many cable news commentators in the wake of mass shootings across the nation, and the political battles over immigration reform are at high pitch.

Speakers at this year’s symposium include Professor John R. Nolon, Pace University School of Law; Professor Michael O’Shea, Oklahoma City University School of Law; Associate Professor Rick Su, SUNY Buffalo Law School; Assistant Professor Hannah Wiseman, Florida State University College of Law; Amy T. Petrick, senior assistant county attorney, Palm Beach County; environmental and land use law attorney Robert N. Hartsell, Fort Lauderdale; Dave Mica, executive director, Florida Petroleum Council; Samantha Culp and Eric Fisher, J.D. candidates, UF Law; and Wolf.

The symposium is named in honor of Richard E. Nelson, who served with distinction as Sarasota County attorney for 30 years, and his wife, Jane Nelson, two UF alumni who gave more than $1 million to establish the Richard E. Nelson Chair in Local Government Law, which is responsible for the annual event. Their support of the Levin College of Law’s Environmental and Land Use Program has been key to the program’s success and national recognition for excellence.

Conference registration is $100 (there is no charge for UF law students and faculty) and includes all program activities (including reception, continental breakfast, breaks, lunch). The registration deadline is Feb. 5. For online registration and payment, please go to http://conferences.dce.ufl.edu/SSP/section.aspx?s=1400037630. To download the symposium brochure with registration form to send via mail, visit http://www.law.ufl.edu/_pdf/communications/2012/NelsonSymposium2013.pdf.

DeeDee Scheller (2L), Ryan Gilbert (3L) and Jessica Clements (2L) will represent the petitioner in the upcoming competition. (Photo by Elise Giordano)

By Robert “Bob” O’Linn (3L)

The entire Florida Supreme Court will once again sit en banc in the Martin H. Levin Advocacy Center courtroom to hear oral arguments at the 29th annual Raymer F. Maguire, Jr. Moot Court Competition, sponsored by Holland & Knight LLP.

The competition is Thursday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m. and features skilled advocates from the Florida Moot Court Team, who will later compete in the prestigious American Bar Association competition.  Jessica Clements (2L), Ryan Gilbert (3L), and DeeDee Scheller (2L) will represent the petitioner. Ian Dankelman (2L), Danielle Grundt (3L), and Brandon White (3L) will represent the respondent.

The competitors will present legal arguments based on questions about a police detective’s qualified immunity from a civil liability arising out of the arrest of an innocent man for a sex offense. The competitors will argue this case in the regional round on Feb.14 in Las Vegas. If they win the regional round they will advance to the national round.

Ian Dankelman (2L), Danielle Grundt (3L) and Brandon White (3L) will represent the respondent in the upcoming competition. (Photo by Elise Giordano)

At the event the Florida Supreme Court will remember the life of Justice Ben Overton (JD 52) who passed away in Gainesville on Dec. 29, 2012. Justice Overton was a double Gator and served UF Law as an adjunct professor until his passing. Read more about his legacy here.

First-year students are encouraged to attend this event or watch the event via a live stream from the college’s homepage. This is an opportunity for 1Ls to learn more about appellate advocacy and give them an example of the type of arguments they will be presenting in their spring appellate advocacy classes.

The Florida Moot Court Team will also hold an information session on Wednesday, Jan. 30, for 1Ls interested in learning more about the team and the summer tryout process. Students are encouraged to check the daily calendar of events for more information and to visit ufmootcourt.org to learn more about the team.

“Single Moms are Better” (Jan. 8, 2012, Huffpost Live)

This video segment aims to prove that single mothers are just as capable of raising children as two parents. Dowd uses a combination of personal and professional experiences to explain the benefits of a single-parent family.

Paul Gugliuzza
Visiting Assistant Professor

Gugliuzza’s review essay, “IP Injury and the Institutions of Patent Law,” was published in 98 Iowa Law Review 747 (2013).

The Communications Office at UF Law seeks a talented writer to assist with covering news, events and feature stories for its weekly publication, FlaLaw Online. Stories may also be considered for publication in UF Law eNews and UF LAW magazine for alumni. Students are welcome to apply for this fun and flexible position. Organization and ability to meet deadlines are a must. Knowledge of AP Style is preferred. Approximately 10-15 hours per week. Send writing samples and resume to FlaLaw Editor Whitney Smith at smithw@law.ufl.edu.

2013 Evan Yegelwel Summer Fellowship application deadline Thursday

The Evan Yegelwel Summer Fellowship award permits one UF Law student to participate in a paid Summer Fellowship Program at the Anti-Defamation League, Florida Regional Office in Boca Raton. The Yegelwel Summer Fellowship award is $4,000. The deadline has been extended to Thursday. The ADL is a premier national civil rights organization that fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry in the U.S. and abroad, combats international terrorism, probes the roots of hatred, comes to the aid of victims of bigotry, develops educational programs, and serves as a public resource for government, media, law enforcement, all toward the goal of countering and reducing hatred. A generous gift from Evan Yegelwel (JD 80) has made this fellowship possible. Yegelwel is a partner in the Jacksonville law firm of Terrell Hogan Ellis Yegelwel, P.A. Click here for more fellowship and application information.

Spring Semester Foreign Enrichment Course and Spring Break Field Course will feature international development law and policy

The UF Levin College of Law Environmental and Land Use Law Program will offer conservation and development practice related courses for the spring semester. Students are eligible to enroll in either or both:

• Contemporary International Development: Law, Policy and Practice (1 credit) (spring semester on campus)
• Sustainable Development Field Course: Law Policy and Practice (2 credits) (spring break in Belize)

Contemporary International Development: Law, Policy and Practice (1 credit) addresses the international and comparative law framework within which international development is carried out. The course will explore models of international development and development assistance as these have evolved since the Post-WWII Breton Woods accords that created the World Bank Group and regional progeny. Topics that will be addressed include, but are not limited to, free and fair trade, environmental security, human rights and global health. The course will be coordinated by UF Law faculty and taught by law and policy practitioners from Costa Rica, Argentina and Jamaica. Course instructors include Otton Solis, a Costa Rican development economist, former minister of the economy and presidential candidate; Oscar Avalles, an Argentine attorney and World Bank country director for Guatemala; and Danielle Andrade, a Jamaican environmental and human rights attorney with the Jamaica Environment Trust. The one-credit course will meet for one hour on Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 a.m. and conclude on Feb. 27 before spring break.

SPRING BREAK FIELD COURSE IN BELIZE

Sustainable Development Field Course: Law Policy and Practice (2 credits) will provide students with an on-site, interdisciplinary understanding of the law and policy challenges associated with “sustainable development” in a developing country. Students will travel to and within Belize over spring break and delve into international and domestic law issues concerning protected areas, indigenous land rights, intellectual property in biological diversity, water, mining and energy development, fisheries and coral reef conservation – all within the context of national pressures for human development. In addition to domestic Belizean law and international development policy, students will be exposed to the unique legal framework of the commonwealth Caribbean. The course will include skills exercises based around ongoing projects of the UF Law Conservation Clinic. The course includes a program fee that will cover in-country expenses and students must make their own international travel arrangements. Enrollment is capped at 12 students. Preference in given to students enrolled in the college of law’s Environmental and Land Use Law Program, but others may apply on a space-available basis.

Students interested in either course can contact Professors Tom Ankersen (ankersen@law.ufl.edu) Mary Jane Angelo (angelo@law.ufl.edu) or Research Assistant and Joint J.D./M.D.P candidate Gentry Mander (Gentry.Mander@gmail.com )

GreenLaw invites you to start the new year right by participating in the Eco-Run 5K Fun Run benefiting the 2013 Public Interest Environmental Conference (PIEC). Feel free to walk, run, or even ride your bike. The Eco-Run will take place this Saturday at 7:45 a.m. Register early for a discounted price at the Eco-Run Table in the courtyard Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by visiting the website. Advanced registration is $15 for JMBA and Running Club members, $20 for all others. Race day registration is $25.

Two students take home grand prize in CJC video advocacy competition

This past fall, the Criminal Justice Center and Criminal Law Association announced its first video advocacy competition and solicited creative video submissions from students that portrayed Fourth Amendment issues.

Marc Hernandez and Alex Gelep won the competition and the grand prize of $1,000, which they will split. Their video will be available as a link on CJC’s website soon. The prize money for this competition was donated by the Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Neiman, a Ft. Lauderdale White Collar and Tax Litigation attorney.

UF Law forging ahead

A new video highlights the ways UF Law is growing and improving despite economic challenges. New facilities, elite speakers, improved student services, conferences and endowed chairs and professorships mean a stronger Levin College of Law.

LIC Notes: CRS Summary of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012

RE: New CRS Report: The “Fiscal Cliff” and the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.  Jan. 4, 2013

The Congressional Research Service has written a new report that summarizes the federal budget deficit and the American Taxpayer Relief Act, which became law Jan. 2, 2013. The report provides an overview of the fiscal policy issues that are covered by the new act as well as highlighting the major issues that Congress has yet to deal with. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42884.pdf

The official text of the American Taxpayer Relief Act may be found on Congress.Gov (PDF).

Learn about the UF Law summer program in France today

Interested in learning about the UF Law summer program in France? Attend an information session Monday at 1 p.m. in HOL 360. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Students studying in the UF Law France program benefit from a dual focus on comparative and international law. American and French professors examine various aspects of United States and French legal systems and European Union law in classes with U.S. and French students. Students also meet with members of the judiciary and the legal profession. In addition, the program allows you to live in and enjoy the rich French culture.

The first week of the five-week program will be spent in Paris, while the last four weeks will be at the University of Montpellier in Montpellier. Courses offered include European Business Law (Professors Claire M. Germain & Pierre Mousseron), International Sales Law (Professor George Dawson) and a third course yet to be announced. Enrollment is limited to 30 U.S. students. In addition, a number of students from the University of Montpellier enroll in one or more of the classes.

France Program dates: Monday, June 24, 2013, to Friday, July 26, 2013

Application deadline: March 15

Interested students may also visit the study abroad website or contact the program’s director, Professor Dawson, or Michelle Ocepek in the Office of Student Affairs.

South Africa 2013 study abroad program interest meeting Tuesday

On Tuesday learn about the South Africa study abroad program at noon in HOL 270. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Students in the South Africa study abroad program at the University of Cape Town benefit from a dual focus on comparative and international law. American and South African professors will draw upon their experiences in their respective systems to highlight the similarities and differences in the administration of justice in the United States and South Africa. Students will gain a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each system. This program, from June 10 – through approximately July 12, 2013, allows you to live in and enjoy a rich culture, while studying law amidst the historic legal, political and social changes occurring in South Africa.

This six-credit program includes Comparative Constitutional Law (2 credits, Professor Sharon Rush), The South African Legal System: From Apartheid to Transition to Nation-building (2 credits, UCT Professor Paleker), Crime, Human Rights and the International Criminal Court (1 credit, Professor Kenneth Nunn) and Comparative Alternative Dispute Resolution (1 credit, Associate Dean Rachel Inman). A number of students from the University of Cape Town enroll in Comparative Constitutional Law.

Questions may be directed to the program’s director Dean Inman and the director of student programs Michelle Ocepek at 273-0620.

Costa Rica 2013 summer abroad informational meeting Jan. 22

Students with an interest in participating in UF Law’s 2013 Costa Rica program are encouraged to attend an informational meeting at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 22, in HOL 382. Faculty and students from the 2011 and 2012 program will be on hand to answer questions and provide their perspective on the program. Pizza will be provided. Students who attended the fall informational meeting are also encouraged to attend.

The UF Law Costa Rica Program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning that includes skills training in a cross-cultural, practice-oriented environment. The program offers an exposure to international and comparative law through the substantive lens of environmental law, water law and development policy, all from the unique perspective of Latin America and Costa Rica. Issue-oriented field trips and visits to legal institutions are a key component of the program. Students can receive up to 6 credits, and may be able to receive additional credits through summer externships.

Additional information including course descriptions, syllabi, field trips, photos and budgets, etc. can be found on the program website.

Learn about summer externships Jan. 23

Students interested in applying for 2013 summer externship opportunities are encouraged to attend an informational meeting Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 5 p.m. in the Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom (HOL 180).

The UF Law externship program offers students the opportunity to earn academic credit while working in a variety of legal settings. Externships are offered in Florida and throughout the United States and include positions in government agencies, state and federal courts, non profit organizations and corporations. Externships are offered in areas such as family law, criminal law, health care, local government and higher education law, just to name a few. In this meeting, directors will discuss the program requirements, the application process, application deadlines, required documentation and much more.

For general information about the program and to view the Summer Externship Guide – Part 1, visit  http://www.law.ufl.edu/academics/academic-programs/externships

Nelson Symposium examines conflicts between state and federal laws Feb. 8

Preemption — the subject of the 12th Annual Richard E. Nelson Symposium taking place Feb. 8 at the Hilton Conference Center in Gainesville — is a matter of concern to lawyers in the public and private sectors and to government officials at all levels. UF Law has assembled an outstanding group of national and state experts to examine the serious puzzles posed by federal and state preemption of local regulatory activity in five provocative areas: firearms, hydrofracking, immigration, renewable energy and agriculture. Clear guidance from state and federal courts is rare in this area, which means that lawyers struggle with locating the legally defensible “comfort zone” for state and local statutes, ordinances, permitting, and regulation.

Speakers are:

John R. Nolon, professor of law, Pace University School of Law
Michael O’Shea, professor of law, Oklahoma City University School of Law
Rick Su, Associate professor, SUNY Buffalo Law School
Hannah Wiseman, assistant professor, Florida State University College of Law
Michael Allan Wolf, Richard E. Nelson Chair in Local Government Law, University of Florida Levin College of Law

Respondents are:

Dave Mica, executive director, Florida Petroleum Institute
Amy T. Petrick, senior assistant county attorney, Palm Beach County
Robert N. Hartsell, Fort Lauderdale

Law student presenters are:

Samantha Culp and Eric Fisher

Click here to register for the conference. Click here to download the symposium brochure.