ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Feb. 23-25: Public Interest Environmental Conference (PIEC), featuring Carol Browner, former White House "energy czar" under President Barack Obama
• Feb. 28: Fifth Annual Wolf Family Lecture with Vicki Been, the Boxer Family Professor of Law and Director of the Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy at the NYU School of Law
• March 16: Spring 2012 Book Awards Ceremony
• March 21: CSRRR Spring Lecture featuring Al Brophy of North Carolina Law
• March 23: Dunwody Distinguished Lecture in Law featuring Martin Redish of Northwestern University Law
• March 30: Martin H. Levin Advocacy Center Dedication
• March 30: Bayard Wickliffe Heath Memorial Lecture Series

Former White House 'energy czar' Carol Browner to give keynote at UF Law's 18th annual PIEC

The University of Florida Levin College of Law will welcome alumna Carol Browner (JD 79), former director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy, as keynote speaker for the 18th annual Public Interest Environmental Conference. "Fishable? Swimmable? 40 Years of Water Law in Florida and the United States" will be held Thursday through Saturday at UF Law and will celebrate the 40th anniversary of two of the most significant laws guiding water policy in Florida — the federal Clean Water Act and the influential Florida Water Resources Act. Browner has administered both acts during her career. She was Florida's Secretary of Environmental Regulation from 1991 to 1993, before serving in President Bill Clinton's cabinet as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from 1993 to 2001.
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UF LAW HIGHLIGHTS

Getting their hands dirty: Nelson Symposium rethinks property laws

That tall glass of water, the place called "home," a morning jog at the local park; these are all affected by property laws. But while many people may not ponder the ground they walk on, a group of experts spent a day examining the impact of laws governing real property. The University of Florida Levin College of Law's 11th annual Richard E. Nelson Symposium hosted 11 experts in the field of property law to present "Digging up some Dirt (Law): How Recent Developments in Real Property Law Affect Landowners and Local Governments," covering topics of eminent domain, conservation easements, adverse possession and mortgages.
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UF Law professors remember Van Alstyne

Although Emeritus Professor of Law W. Scott Van Alstyne Jr. had not taught at the University of Florida Levin College of Law since his retirement in 1991, his passing in December was still felt at the college. A memorial service for Van Alstyne, who died at 89, was held Jan. 20 at Haven Hospice in Gainesville. And the occasion elicited kind words and fond memories from some of his former colleagues at UF Law. Emeritus Professor Joseph Little forged a bond with Van Alstyne during their time together at UF Law and delivered a eulogy during his memorial service.
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Scholars examine 'race talk' in age of Obama

When Barack Obama was elected the first African-American president of the United States in 2008, the question of whether America had finally moved into a post-racial society became a widely discussed topic. While the answer to the question is still being debated, it is clear that there are many valid questions about how to approach and discuss issues of race in the modern world. Scholars at "Race Talk in the Age of Obama," addressed some of these questions by participating in a panel discussion based on the December 2011 issue of the University of Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy to which each of the five panelists contributed an article.
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UF Law continues to lead The Florida Bar with alum Eugene Pettis

University of Florida Levin College of Law alum Eugene K. Pettis (JD 85) became The Florida Bar's president-elect designee in December. Pettis will be sworn in as president-elect in June 2012 when fellow UF Law alum Gwynne Young (JD 74) becomes The Florida Bar president. When Pettis takes over the office in 2013 he will make history as the first African-American president of the Florida Bar. Similarly, another UF Law grad — former ABA President Stephen N. Zack — made history by becoming the first Hispanic-American to lead The Florida Bar in 1989.
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UF Law grad joins global sports powerhouse ESPN as business reporter

"Hold on," she said. "This earring is killing me." For a newly minted ESPN reporter, a killer earring isn't an oft-cited hold up. But Kristi Dosh (JD 07), ESPN's newest sports business reporter and a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan, certainly knows how to throw a mean curveball at any preconceived mold. Dosh sets a high bar with her ability to simplify and explain the intricacies involved in the messy intersection of sports and business in topics ranging from the National Basketball Association's recent lockout, to the financial impacts of Missouri's migration to the Southeastern Conference, to the national economic love affair with former Gators quarterback Tim Tebow.
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UF Law conflict resolution wins national honors

Students, faculty and a graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law earned national accolades Feb. 4 for their cutting-edge approach to handling disciplinary concerns within higher education and its local community. UF Law's Conflict Resolution Initiative (CRI) earned the Innovation Award, UF Law alumnus Chris Loschiavo (JD 98) received the Donald D. Gehring Award for his exceptional contributions to student conduct administration, and the University of Florida's Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution won the top honor of Award of Excellence for an Institution. "The Institute for Dispute Resolution is very honored to have the Levin College of Law recognized by the Association for Student Conduct Administration's Innovation Award for its creative collaboration program with Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution," said IDR Director Robin Davis (JD 88).
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Professor quoted extensively, favorably in recent California Supreme Court case

The following language from a recent California Supreme Court case (People v. Johnson) looks extensively and favorably upon Professor Lea Johnston's work: "Two thoughtful law review articles have suggested more specific standards ... Drawing on 'social problem-solving theory,' [the second] article suggests a more technical standard: '[P]roblem-solving theory suggests that, to represent oneself at a criminal trial, one should possess foundational abilities to perceive problematic situations, generate alternative courses of action, maintain mental organization, and communicate decisions to a functionary of the court. Within the context of a prosecution, a defendant should also possess the ability to identify a plausible source of the prosecution, an ability to gather information to evaluate the state's case, a willingness to attend to the prosecution, and an ability to withstand the stress of trial. Finally, for certain key decisions, such as selecting the defense to pursue at trial, a defendant should be capable of justifying a decision with a plausible reason.' (Johnston, Representational Competence: Defining the Limits of the Right to Self-representation at Trial (2011) 86 Notre Dame L.Rev. 523, 595.) All of these suggested standards are plausible. But we are constrained by the circumstance that what is permissible is only what Edwards permits, not what pre-Faretta California law permitted ... At this point, at least, we also think it best not to adopt a more specific standard. The discussion in People v. Burnett, supra, 188 Cal.App.3d at page 1327, and the standards suggested in the two law review articles quoted above are helpful to the extent they suggest relevant factors to consider. Experts asked to examine defendants for this purpose, and trial courts called on to make these rulings, may consider these factors in their examinations and rulings. ..."

Student earns four degrees, travels world before enrolling at UF Law

If life were a chessboard, Caroline Picart (3L) would be the queen. Her ability to move swiftly and decisively has helped her earn four degrees of higher education in biology and philosophy, a postdoc in criticism, theory & jurisprudence, numerous book publications, art exhibitions and a radio show with an audience of nearly 2 million listeners. "Some people may call my life complicated," Picart said, "but I know that everything I've done is to be true to myself — to follow what I am curious about and passionate enough to work on." Born in Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines, Picart grew up under martial law.
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UF Law student snags second national title

Alex Landback knows how to talk the talk. The third-year UF Law student took the award for nation's best speaker on January 28 at the fourth annual Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship. While being named the best advocate at the national championship certainly puts Landback in a class of his own, it's not Landback's first best-oralist award. Landback also took the award for best oral advocate at the Robert Orseck Memorial Moot Court Competition at The Florida Bar Convention in June. "It's about preparation," Landback said. "It's all about having the confidence and going in and having a conversation with the judges."
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As the legal profession changes, so does UF Law

It's no secret that the legal profession is a rapidly changing field, with factors such as technology and globalization reshaping the landscape in ways previously unimagined. At the same time, expectations of the skills new graduates should possess before entering the legal world continue to evolve. The University of Florida Levin College of Law has always been a state leader in education, and in keeping with that tradition, Dean Robert Jerry, the UF Law strategic planning committee, faculty and staff are looking closely at how the college can best prepare students for this new legal world.
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Study-abroad program among UF Law's deepening China connections

In law, as in life, China's influence is on the rise. With its torrid rate of growth and a mega-population of 1.3 billion, China is on pace to eclipse the United States as the world's largest economy within the decade. UF Law has taken notice, branching out from programs in Europe, Latin America and Africa, the college of law will sponsor its first study-abroad program in China this summer. UF Law professors are making teaching sojourns to its shores and turning their intellectual firepower toward explaining China's legal and economic practices. At the same time, a Chinese judge, professors, and Ph.D. students are making their presence felt in Gainesville. "We have ongoing relationships in China. It's part of the broadening scope of what international means at the law school," explained Associate Professor D. Daniel Sokol, whose antitrust research is increasingly focused on Chinese business and regulatory practices.
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Florida's Children First, UF Law CCF announce report

Florida's Children First along with the UF Levin College of Law Center on Children and Families, is pleased to issue a report on the status of representation of dependent children in Florida, Legal Representation of Dependent Children: A 2012 Report on Florida's Patchwork System. For a snapshot look at the report view the map.

3L, JMBA raise more than $12K for Light the Night

Lauren Moore's been through two rounds of chemotherapy and is now undergoing her third round, a 52-day aggressive treatment span that brings her back to the hospital every other weekend. She needs a bone marrow transplant for which none of her immediate family can provide a match. And Lauren's immune system is so weak she can't be around her peers. Lauren is 2. "She knows more words about doctors and health," Lauren's aunt Sarah Moore (3L) said. "She knows a stethoscope listens to hearts. She knows so many words from being in the hospital. She doesn't know any different."
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Trial Team goes undefeated in recent competition

3L advocates Karen Middlekauff and Tara Tedrow, along with witnesses Josh Wertheim and Sarah Carpenter, went undefeated at The Florida Bar Competition in Orlando in late January. The requirement for advancing to the semifinal rounds was an undefeated record in the preliminary rounds. With 22 teams competing, more than four teams went undefeated, leaving a minor overall point differential as the deciding factor as to which undefeated teams advanced. Despite not advancing to the semifinals, the Florida Trial Team is proud of their undefeated performance. 2L advocates Matthew Baker, Lauren Lewis, Dana Somerstein and Ben Baird also competed in the competition.

Check out the UF Florida Tomorrow capital campaign, view the UF Law campaign video, and learn how you can help.

February 2012
VOLUME XII, ISSUE 3

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