Students, faculty and other members of the UF Law community gather March 29 to enjoy pieces at the Art Law Society's annual Art Show in the Legal Information Center. (Photo by Nicole Safker)

The University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Art Law Society hosted its 10th annual art show, which featured more than 40 pieces of artwork created by students and faculty members.

On opening night March 29 in the Lawton Chiles Information Center, more than 30 students and faculty members enjoyed the gallery and hors d’oeuvres with wine pairings. For those who could not attend the reception, the gallery was featured in the library from April 2 through April 6.

The submitted pieces came in various forms, including photographs, collages, paintings, drawings and jewelry. Some of the artwork even reflected law school woes, such as a piece entitled, “Keep Calm and Lawyer On,” submitted by Jennilyn Thiboult (3L).

James Ayres (3L), president of the Art Law Society, helped to collect artwork and organize the reception. Ayres provided two digital illustrations for the event that were originally created for a Canadian band’s upcoming album.

“(The art show) is a tradition,” he said. “Some people say it is their favorite event of the year.”

The show is presented by the Art Law Society as a creative outlet for the legal community. Additionally, the show provides an opportunity for students to better understand their classmates and faculty, who can showcase their often-hidden talents through artwork.

Founded in 2001, the UF Law Art Law Society generally seeks to promote interest in art law and related topics. Art law covers numerous legal issues within the art world, including ownership disputes, forgery and cultural reparation.

According to Ayres, the Art Law Society also brings together like-minded individuals in a “niche-topic,” helping members network with potential clients.

This year the society was busy raising awareness of art law by creating a website to showcase art around the UF Law campus. Before the end of the spring semester, the society will hold an art law movie-watching party. For more information about the Art Law Society and its events, visit https://www.facebook.com/UFArtLawSociety.

Martin H. Levin Advocacy Center courtroom opening celebration with ABC News past president on Feb. 24
Please join the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law as we celebrate the grand opening of the Martin H. Levin Advocacy Center courtroom Thursday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. David Westin, a lawyer and the immediate past president of ABC News, will give keynote remarks on a topic involving courts and the media. A limited number of tickets will be available for the event in the Office of Student Affairs. Details will be available via the Allaw listerv. Following the courtroom opening celebration and lecture, the UF Law Trial Team will present its exhibition at 2 p.m. in the center. This event is free and open to the public.

Refine your conflict resolution skills today
Brush up on your conflict resolution knowledge and skills this Valentine’s Day at the practical presentation, “Why can’t we all just get along? Everything you wanted to know about dispute resolution but were afraid to ask,” by Levin College of Law Professor Robin Davis, Esq., director of the Institute for Dispute Resolution. Her presentation will focus on common dispute resolution processes and help faculty and administrators make more informed decisions, personally and professionally, in choosing an appropriate process for their disputes. She will highlight the application of these processes to academia, with special emphasis on mediation. The presentation will be held 3:30-4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, in the Faculty Dining Room at the Levin College of Law, and is free and open to all. For more information on the program, contact Debra Amirin, amirin@law.ufl.edu or 352-273-0651.

Need a Valentine’s Day gift to charm your sweetheart or friends?
The Journal of Law and Public Policy is selling carnations of assorted colors in the courtyard today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each carnation costs $2, and if you would like them to deliver the carnation to your recipient with a note, the carnation will cost $3. For more information, stop by the table in the courtyard today or contact JLPP Fundraising Chair Justin Berlin at justinberlin@gmail.com.

Spend an evening with pioneers in U.S. Civil Rights Movement
The University of Florida Center for the Study of Race and Race Relations (CSRRR) and the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program (SPOHP)* present “An Evening with the Dues: Pioneers in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement” Wednesday, Feb. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. with a reception and book signing followed by lecture in the Buddy and Anne McKay Auditorium of Pugh Hall. The event honors the work and legacy of Patricia Stephens Due and John Due. The Dues will discuss their lives, work, and the future work that needs to be done for social justice. In 1960 Patricia Stephens Due and four other students from Florida A&M University made history when they served 49 days in jail after being arrested for sitting-in at a lunch counter. Ms. Due and her fellow protestors refused to pay a fine and instead chose to go to jail in order to highlight the injustice of legal segregation. This was the first jail-in of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and the beginning of Mrs. Due’s work fighting for human and civil rights in America. Mrs. Due and her husband, civil rights attorney John Due, have fought for human rights since their days on the campus of Florida A&M University. Mrs. Due is the recipient of many awards, including the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Outstanding Leadership, the Ghandi Award for Outstanding Work in Human Relations and the NAACP Florida Freedom Award. John Due is a 1963 graduate of the FAMU College of Law. *UF event co-sponsors: African American Studies Program; Bob Graham Center; Center for African Studies; Center for Women’s Studies & Gender Research; Department of Anthropology; George A. Smathers Libraries; History Department; and the Office of the Provost.

UF Law Trial Team to compete in Texas and Alabama
The UF Law Trial Team sends two teams this week to compete in competitions in Texas and Alabama. On Wednesday, Feb. 16, advocates Rhett Parker, Anita McNulty, Michael Quintero and Dan Hogan, supported by their coaches Nick Zissimopulos and Tania Alavi, travel to San Antonio, Texas, to compete in the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Trial Advocacy Competition. This competition is a criminal trial where the advocates represent both the prosecution and defense. The NACDL competition selects only 12 schools to compete in this three-day competition. The NACDL team is supported by its Round-Robin Team of Georgia Buckhalter, Daniella Chacoa, Tiana Beaudouin, and Gillian Sykes and their Researcher/Team Mascot, James Baley. On Friday, Feb. 18, advocates Jennifer White, Dillon Roberts, Erik Gruber and Jared Thoma, supported by coaches Whitney Untiedt and Darby Hertz, travel to Birmingham, Ala., to compete in the National Trial Competition (NTC). Our advocates are prepared to represent both the prosecution and defense in this criminal trial where the defendant is charged with both first-degree murder and robbery. This regional competition features 26 teams from law schools across Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. The top two teams advance to the national competition held in Houston, Texas, from April 6-10. The NTC team is supported by researcher, Andrew Bauta.

JMBA hosts student-faculty-alumni softball game and picnic Saturday, Feb. 19
Join local alumni, students and faculty Saturday, Feb. 19, at 3:30 p.m. at Westside Park, as the John Marshall Bar Association hosts a picnic and friendly game of softball between students, alumni and faculty. Many local alumni are expected to attend, which will provide a valuable networking opportunity for students, and include local alumni in the UF Law community. Please check back for more details as they become available.

Save the date for the Public Interest Environmental Conference Feb. 24-26
The theme of this year’s conference is “It’s Not Easy Being Green: Our Energy Future.” The discussion will focus on contemporary issues associated with our need for energy. Different forms of energy generation and their legal and social ramifications will be examined in a series of nine panels and two hands-on workshops. For details and registration information, visit http://www.law.ufl.edu/piec/.

All seven Florida Supreme Court justices to judge Maguire Appellate Advocacy Competition Feb. 25
The law school community is invited to watch as members of the Florida Moot Court Team showcase their oral advocacy skills to all seven members of the Florida Supreme Court Feb. 25. The 27th annual Maguire Appellate Advocacy Competition, formerly known as the Raymer F. Maguire Moot Court Final Four Competition, will be held at 10 a.m. in UF Law’s Martin H. Levin Advocacy Center. The event is free and open to the public — the law school community is encouraged to attend. The exhibition allows moot court team members to receive useful critiques regarding their oral arguments as they prepare for the American Bar Association’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition. This year’s team consists of Wilbert Vancol (3L), Leah Edelman (3L), Katie Tinsley (3L), David Hughes (3L), David Evans (3L) and Monica Haddad (2L). During the exhibition, Vancol and Edelman will present arguments for Petitioner, and Haddad and Evans will argue for Respondent. The Maguire exhibition provides UF Law students a unique opportunity to observe these outstanding law students exhibit their distinguished oral advocacy skills. Providing critiques for the oral arguments will be members of the current Florida Supreme Court, including Chief Justice Charles T. Canady, Justice Barbara J. Pariente, Justice R. Fred Lewis, Justice Peggy A. Quince, Justice Ricky Polston, Justice Jorge Labarga and Justice James E.C. Perry.

Submit art for the Sixth Annual UF Law Student/Faculty Art Show by March 14
Mark your calendars for the upcoming UF Law Student/Faculty Art Show, which will take place Wednesday, March 16, in the Legal Information Center at 7 p.m. The Art Law Society will be having a silent auction for selected works and all proceeds will benefit Shands Arts in Medicine program. There also will be wine, food and live music. If you are interested in submitting your artwork, send the following information to f.c.tripp@gmail.com by March 14 at 5 p.m.: title, artist’s name, date created, dimensions of the work/length of video, medium (i.e., oil on canvas, photography, etc) and whether you would like to donate the work for the silent auction.

Princeton Review seeks input from law students
The Princeton Review has once again named the University of Florida Levin College of Law one of the best law schools in the nation. Distinguished schools will be profiled in the 2012 edition of Best Law Schools. In order to help them represent UF Law accurately, please fill out the following survey to author a new “Students Say” profile and update our ratings.

Virgil Hawkins, the alter-ego of the popular African-American comic character Static in the regular DC Universe is making his first appearance in the new “Terror Titans” miniseries. Named after Virgil Hawkins, who lead the fight to desegregate the University of Florida College of Law, the character is returning 16 years after he starred in his first solo book, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

Research assistant needed for spring & summer 2009

Research assistant needed for spring and summer 2009, with possibility of continued employment in 2009-2010, to assist Dr. Cliff Jones with preparation of book manuscript concerning private antitrust litigation in the European Union. Approximately 10 to 20 hours per week; prior experience with antitrust law, European Community law, national law of EU member states, and international research materials a plus but not required; Lexis skills required; familiarity with Excel and CaseMap software a plus; facility with one or more EU languages in addition to English also a plus but not required. This position is open until filled, but review of applications will begin Feb. 26, 2009.

Submit hard copy of resume with GPA and application letter describing applicable research or other experience, or electronic versions, to Lenny Kennedy at Center for Governmental Responsibility, 230 Bruton-Geer, or via email to lkennedy@law.ufl.edu. Questions may be addressed to Dr. Jones at jonesca@law.ufl.edu or 352-273-0835.

Space for prayer or privacy

Everyone knows that there are study rooms available for checkout in the library. But did you know that there is one room dedicated to special purposes? The meditation/ lactation room is meant for individuals who need a private space for prayer or meditation, or for lactating mothers who want privacy. The room is available for law student checkout 30 minutes at a time. Inquire at the Circulation Desk to check out the room key or for more information.

Spring Break Library Hours

Friday, March 6: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday- Sunday, March 7-8: CLOSED
Monday- Friday, March 9-13: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 14: CLOSED
Sunday, March 15: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. (regular hours resume)

Remember to protect your belongings on campus

Please remember that when you leave your belongings unattended in the library (or anywhere on campus) you run a real risk of theft. Even if you trust your colleagues, consider that savvy thieves from the surrounding area know that students in the library often leave their things for a few minutes, and it takes less than a minute to pick up a bag or a computer and walk away, often completely unnoticed. The library staff encourages you to protect your stuff and don’t leave it unattended.

Levin College of Law Faculty and Student Art Show

Calling all student and faculty artists. We are now accepting artwork in any medium (ie. sculpture, painting, photography) for the fourth annual Levin College of Law Faculty and Student Art Show. Artwork will be displayed in the Lawton Chiles Legal Information Center. Please email digital image submissions with a brief description to Eric Berger at ecburger@gmail.com by Monday, March 16. Students and faculty will be notified if they are selected by late March. If you have any questions please e-mail Eric Berger or Alexis Cooper at lex314@gmail.com.

Calling all student and faculty artists. We are now accepting artwork in any medium (ie. sculpture, painting, photography) for the fourth annual Levin College of Law Faculty and Student Art Show. Artwork will be displayed in the Lawton Chiles Legal Information Center. Please email digital image submissions with a brief description to Eric Berger at ecburger@gmail.com by Monday, March 16. Students and faculty will be notified if they are selected by late March. If you have any questions please e-mail Eric Berger or Alexis Cooper at lex314@gmail.com.

BLSA Trial Team earns spot in Final Four

The UF BLSA trial team recently competed in the annual mock trial competition for the Southern Region Black Law Students Association (SRBLSA) from Feb. 4-8. Held in Nashville, TN, this year’s competition pitted 25 teams from law schools throughout the southern states. UF’s team successfully argued four trials to earn a spot in the Final Four. The case involved a fraternity hazing session gone awry for one unlucky pledge. Arguing for the state were Jonathan Blocker (3L) and Guichard St. Surin (1L). Nickisha “Nicki” Webb (3L) and Alfredo Zamora (2L) advocated for the defendant fraternity president. Special thanks go to students Kailey Evans (3L), Ranaldo Allen (3L), Nicole Mouakar (3L) and Elvis Santiago (3L) for assisting the team. The team also appreciates Levin alumna and local attorney Majeedah Murad for critiquing the team’s legal arguments and trial techniques. A warm thanks also extends to researchers Brandon Sapp (1L) and Daphne Duplessis (1L) for finding invaluable case law. In 2007, UF finished first runner up at the SRBLSA competition. That same team subsequently won the national title at the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) mock trial competition a few months later. (Photo from left: Jonathan Blocker, Guichard St. Surin, Nickisha “Nicki” Webb and Alfredo Zamora)

UF National Tax Moot Court Team wins second place

The UF College of Law Tax Moot Court Team was first runner up in the The Florida Bar Tax Section 2009 National Tax Moot Court Competition. They received the award on Feb. 7, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The participants were Chris Pavilonis (3L), Nicholas Grimaudo (3L) and Joshua Landsman (2L). The team advanced through the early rounds, including victories over Widener and Suffolk. The team defeated the University of Wisconsin in the quarter finals and the University of Baltimore in the semi-finals. LSU, now three-time national champions, edged out the team on Saturday in the finals. This was the University of Florida’s first time entering the competition, which hosts 16 teams of JD students from around the country. The topic involved an attempted, but flawed, section 1031 exchange of real property and a section 721 contribution to an LLC. In competition, the team argued both sides of the issue. Each participant received an individual plaque and the college received a team plaque. The team received invaluable support and coaching from its faculty adviser Professor Steven Willis and Moot Court member Stacey Schwimmer. (Photo from left: Joshua Landsman, Nicholas Grimaudo, Judge Peter Panuthos and Christopher Pavilonis)

Introduction to Law School and the Profession 2009 Ambassador Program

Student Affairs is looking for ambassadors. Ambassadors are current students who are selected for their interest in helping new students prior to, during, and even after the ILSP. If you are interested in being a part of the ambassador team, now is the time to apply. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, Feb. 17, at noon. An information sheet and application is available on the orientation Web site www.law.ufl.edu/students/orientation/. When you turn in your application and resume to the Office of Student Affairs, you will sign up for an interview. If you wish to be considered for a coordinator position, an additional application is required. Contact Michelle Ocepek at ocepek@law.ufl.edu or 352-273-0620 for more information.