Stephen Zack congratulates students on their achievements. (Photo by Joey Springer)

Many students enter law school having routinely aced their classes since they were children. It is, unsurprisingly, a jarring moment when law students realize that As are few and far between in the new environs. But even the vaunted A is not the ultimate mark of law school achievement. Those who receive the highest score in the class are given something extra: a book award.

On Friday, Oct. 8, those students received their book awards, commemorated with a plaque. The ceremony took place immediately after the Criser lecture, meaning that students had the pleasure of receiving their awards from ABA President Stephen Zack.

“We’re so proud of our students who have led our classes as the top student,” Dean Robert Jerry said, “and it’s a great honor to have your award presented to you by Stephen Zack.”

Many of the book awards are sponsored by firms, individuals, or groups honoring a friend. For example, the award for Florida Constitutional Law is given in honor of Bill McBride, and endowed by McBride’s law partner and fellow UF Law grad Bob Bolt, as well as McBride’s wife and gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink.

Other book awards are given in memory of those who have passed, including the award for Advanced Labor Law. The award is given in memory of Rebecca Jakubcin, a 1999 UF Law grad who died after being struck by a drunk driver. The award is sponsored by the law firm of Fisher & Phillips, where Jakubcin was a partner before her tragic death.

Zack ended the ceremony by congratulating the students, family members and award sponsors who filled the Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom. In his last remarks, Zack invoked the motto of the classroom’s namesake, ‘Do good.’ “Students,” Zack said, “you done good.”

• See full list of winners

Music Night 2010 hosted by Dean Jerry
Got a hidden musical talent? Show it off at the upcoming Music Night 2010, to be held Sunday, April 18, at 7 p.m. at the home of Dean Bob Jerry and his wife Lisa. All students and faculty are invited — but the “ticket” to attend is that you must bring a dessert and agree to perform a musical piece (play an instrument or sing a song). A piano will be available. Each participant can bring one guest. Space is limited, so sign up is on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register, stop by the Dean’s Office and see Doris Perron.

Clinic application deadline March 31
The deadline for clinic applications is March 31. The Florida Bar clearance letters must be attached to the application (except for Mediation Clinic). Conservation Clinic applications are available online and should be submitted directly to Director Tom Ankersen at ankersen@law.ufl.edu. All other clinic applications are submitted to Student Affairs. Offers are based on total credit hours, pre-reqs for some of the clinics, and application submission date/time may also be considered. Also, for the first time this fall, Interviewing, Counseling and Negotiation (LAW 6388) will be offered and will be mandatory for civil clinics (except Mediation) beginning with spring 2011 enrollment. The clinics consider the application period a time of “open house” and interested students who are planning ahead or who are applying for summer/fall are encouraged to stop by.

Application deadline for UF’s Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic is March 31
The Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic is the first of its kind in the nation! IPVAC is a partnership between the College of Law, College of Medicine, Shands and Peaceful Paths Domestic Abuse Network. Under the supervision of Director Teresa Drake, students will represent indigent victims of domestic violence in court with a variety of issues. Students will also have the opportunity to work with IPVAC’s interdisciplinary team consisting of social workers, outreach counselors and various medical personnel at Shands and negotiate such legal and ethical issues as HIPPA, confidentiality and client/patient privilege. Applications for IPVAC can be picked up at Student Services. Students should attach their initial clearance letter from the Florida Bar to their application. Students must also speak briefly with Director Teresa Drake (drake@law.ufl.edu) prior to applying.

Environmental & Land Use Law Certificate Program deadline April 2
Students interested in enrolling in the Environmental & Land Use Law Certificate Program this semester are encouraged to do so before Friday, April 2. Through the Environmental and Land Use Law Certificate Program, students can graduate from law school with a valuable credential that indicates both concentration and accomplishment in these two fields. If you have recently enrolled, or plan to do so, please contact Lena Hinson at hinson@law.ufl.edu to set up an appointment with Professor Alyson Flournoy, director of the Environmental & Land Use Law Program, to discuss your course of study for fall 2010. For more information on the ELUL Certificate Program please visit the ELULP Web site. Enrollment forms are available online or in 319 Holland Hall. Students enrolled in the certificate program will receive e-mail notification regarding priority pre-registration for core courses.

Become a Public Interest Law Fellow: Deadline April 5
Make a difference in your community and the world — and get paid for it. The Levin College of Law is currently seeking students for the Public Interest Law Fellows Program for 2010-11, funded by The Florida Bar Foundation. Public Interest Law Fellows are engaged in a number of public service projects in the community, and receive a stipend for their work. Applications are available in the Center for Governmental Responsibility, 230 Bruton-Geer Hall. The application deadline is April 5, at 5 p.m. For more information, e-mail Tim McLendon, mclendon@law.ufl.edu.

APIL fellowship applications due April 5
Need funding for your unpaid summer job? Applications for the APIL summer fellowship 2010 are here. Please download the application form that is available on APIL’s Twen page and submit your application to the Career Development Office by noon on April 5. Download the application »

Got a hidden musical talent? Show it off at the upcoming Music Night 2009, to be held Sunday, March 29, at 7 p.m. at the home of Dean Bob Jerry and his wife Lisa. All students and faculty are invited — but the “ticket” to attend is that you must bring a dessert and agree to perform a musical piece (play an instrument or sing a song). A piano will be available. Each participant can bring one guest. Space is limited, so sign up is on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register, stop by the Dean’s Office and see Doris Perron.

Jessup Moot Court Team placed ninth in Southeast Super Regionals

UF’s Jessup Moot Court Team placed ninth overall out of twenty two teams competing in the Southeast Super Regionals. The participants were Rachel Malkowski (2L), Wayne Atkinson (2L), Michael Stewart (2L), Jason Zimmerman (2L) and Jeff Dambly (2L). Participants are evaluated by their oral skills as well as their written memorials. Rachel Malkowski was awarded first place oralist out of approximately 88 participants. Michael Stewart placed 19th out of all individual oralists. The case involved a dispute between two countries argued before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The main issues concerning the dispute included state sovereignty, extradition, sexual exploitation, and the jurisdiction of the ICJ. The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is the world’s largest moot court competition, with participants from over 500 law schools in more than 80 countries. The team received support and coaching from its faculty advisor Professor Jon Mills, team President Patricia Camino (3L), and team Vice-President Han Huang (3L). Special thanks to the coaches Eric Burger (3L), Morgan Weinstein (3L), Dmitri Goubarkov (3L) and Kate Haddock (3L). In addition, we thank professors Tim McClendon, Henry Wihnyk, Mary Adkins, Michelle Jacobs, and Joseph Little for their time and support. For more information e-mail Patricia Camino at pcamino@ufl.edu.

Students receive book awards for academic excellence

Students, faculty and friends of the law school gathered in the Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom Feb. 27 to honor book award recipients for the spring semester. Presented every semester, book awards recognize the top performers in each class, and give alumni a chance to support academic excellence at the UF Levin College of Law. More than 100 students were honored for their performance in classes in the spring. Multiple award winners included Joshua S. Altshuler, Crystal Espinosa, Kevin Hall, Jennifer Hartzler, Heather J. Howdeshell, Kathryn Ward Hurd, David Karp, Allison Riggs, Brandon Sherlinski, Emily A. Snider and Nickisha Webb. If you have received a book award, but weren’t able to attend the ceremony, you can pick up your plaque in the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs at 267 Holland Hall. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
• See full list of winners

L.A.W. hosts meet and mingle with faculty and staff

The Law Association for Women hosted a Faculty Meet-and-Mingle on Thursday, Feb. 26, at the law school, to kick-off its Women’s History Month events. Students mingled with female law school faculty and staff, while partaking in bagels, pastries and juice. Participants discussed law school courses, possible career paths, and current events.

Help survivors of domestic violence in our community

Help survivors of domestic violence in our community by donating to the Family Law Society’s food and supply drive. All donations benefit Peaceful Paths, a domestic abuse network that serves survivors of domestic violence in Alachua, Bradford and Union counties. Each year, Peaceful Paths provides safety, support, and the empowerment necessary for hundreds of families to move to self-sufficiency in our community. Peaceful Paths is in great need of necessary tangible items, especially food items, in order to continue the help they provide to these families. Donation boxes are available in the library and student affairs office lobbies from Monday, Feb. 23 through Friday, March 6.

Time is running out to apply for financial aid

For those of you who have not already done so, now is the time to apply for aid for the 2009-2010 academic year. I encourage you to apply by April 1 using FAFSA on the Web. Just go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov and follow the instructions on the site. After applying via FAFSA/Renewal FAFSA on the Web, you can check the status of your application and/or make corrections online. You will need to use your Federal Access Code (PIN) to complete the 2009-2010 FAFSA.

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.

Financial aid for Florida Bar prep and exam

Are you making plans to take the Bar and wondering where you will come up with the financing necessary for these out-of-pocket expenses? There are private loan companies who will make Bar exam loans to students who are in their final year of law school. These loans can be used for a student’s living expenses while studying for the Bar, Bar prep classes and other Bar related expenses.

Sallie Mae
1-800-984-0190
www.salliemae.com

Wells Fargo
(To apply, student would need to have some type of account/loan with Wells Fargo)
1-800-378-5526
www.wellsfargo.com/student/

For more information contact Financial Aid Coordinator Carol Huber at 352-273-0620.

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)