Miami Law News Headlines: April 2011

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Dean White Discusses Ways to Effectively Use Technology in Legal Education with Other Law School Deans

(Posted: 04-27-11) Miami Law's Dean Patricia D. White, as well as the deans from the Australian National University College of Law, IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, New York Law School, the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, and Southwestern Law School, recently agreed to begin a joint conversation on how law schools can collaborate to use technology more effectively in legal education. The law school deans met in New York on April 15 and 16 for a conference titled "Future Ed." Spearheaded by New York Law School and Harvard Law School, the conference was designed to swap ideas on how to update legal education, increase practice skills training, rein in costs and come up with ways to translate ideas into action.

Miami Law Clinics Rally to Stop Deportations to Haiti

(Posted: 04-27-11) Miami Law's Human Rights and Immigration Clinics, along with Haitian leaders, faith groups, and family members, participated in a rally last Friday to protest the United States government's decision to deport Haitian detainees. Despite the cholera outbreak and deteriorating post-earthquake conditions, the United States deported 27 Haitian men in January 2011, resulting in the tragic death of Wildrick Guerrier after he was exposed to unsafe and inhumane conditions in a Haitian jail. Under a longstanding practice, Haiti indefinitely detains all deportees with criminal records who arrive from the United States.

Ethics, iMedia & Facebook: Miami Law Students Train Caribbean Bar Association

(Posted: 04-25-11) Three Miami law students from the Professional Responsibility and Ethics Program (PREP) recently presented a CLE Ethics training for the Caribbean Bar Association. Topics included the ethical issues involved in website advertising, solicitation of clients in chatrooms, confidentiality issues arising from cloud computing, and legal ethical issues arising from the use of Facebook.

Historic Black Church Program to Premiere Documentary Film on the Histories of the West Grove Churches

(Posted: 04-22-11) Miami Law's Historic Black Church Program, the only historic black church program in legal education, will premiere its annual oral history documentary film project at the University of Miami Newman Alumni Center and the Greater St. Paul A.M.E. Church on April 26 and May 2, respectively. The film will highlight the histories of approximately ten out of the sixteen Historic Black churches of the West Grove. The project is a campus and community partnership with Miami Law's Center for Ethics and Public Service, the Ministerial Alliance, Ransom Everglades School, and the University of Miami School of Communication. It is a cutting-edge opportunity for students to learn more about and help assist the West Grove, a once thriving African-American community that is now a distressed neighborhood.

Scholarships Awarded to Top Students in Litigation Skills Program

(Posted: 04-21-11) Nykeah Cohen tried to hold back tears as she accepted two of the most coveted awards given to students enrolled in the semester-long Litigation Skills I course. On Monday, the second-year student was recognized for accruing the most points throughout the course. The points are heavily weighted on the students' final exam, which took place at the criminal courthouse in Downtown Miami on Saturday. 146 second- and third-year students litigated one of two cases (one civil, the other criminal) for a total of 34 trials, with very different outcomes.

Black Law Students Association Honored by Mayor of City of North Miami

(Posted: 04-21-11) The mayor of the City of North Miami and Miami Law graduate Andre D. Pierre dedicated Saturday, April 9, 2011 as the official day of recognition for the chapter achievements of Miami Law's Black Law Students Association (BLSA). This day of recognition was placed in the City of North Miami's legislative records.

Wrongful Convictions Project Accepted as New Member of the Innocence Network

(Posted: 04-21-11) The University of Miami School of Law is the first law school in Florida to be accepted into the Innocence Network, an international umbrella group of organizations dedicated to exploring the global human rights issue of the wrongful conviction of innocent people.

Professors contribute to Southeast/Southwest People of Color Conference

(Posted: 04-20-11) Several Miami Law Professors participated at this year's Southeast/Southwest People of Color Conference held in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The conference focused on faculty development issues and provided an opportunity for legal scholars and community leaders to discuss legal, cultural, and social issues that affect communities of color. Participating Miami Law faculty included Professors Francisco Valdes, Charlton Copeland, D. Marvin Jones, Osamudia James, Jan Jacobowitz and Scott Rogers.

Professor Kele Stewart Named a Fulbright Scholar for 2011-2012

(Posted: 04-20-11) Miami Law Professor Kele Stewart has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright award – an international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. State Department. It provides college and university professors – chosen for their strong academic backgrounds, innovative proposals and leadership potential – with the opportunity to teach and conduct research abroad, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

Miami Law Students Present Training on Social Media and E-Discovery

(Posted: 04-18-11) The students in Miami Law's Professional Responsibility and Ethics Program (PREP) recently presented a CLE ethics training for the attorneys at White & Case. Under the supervision of Director Jan L. Jacobowitz, Fellow, Ben Carter and Interns, Sarah Laputz, and Courtney Daniels, addressed the impact of social media and e-discovery on the attorney-client relationship and litigation.

STREET Law Brings Area High School Students to Campus for Legal Field Trip

(Posted: 04-15-11) Miami STREET Lawyers held a legal-focused field trip for Coral Gables High students at Miami Law on April 8. During the event high school students were able to interact with University of Miami students and local attorneys.

Graduates Achieve High Bar Pass Rate – Miami Law Celebrates in Ceremony

(Posted: 04-13-11) Judge Juan Ramirez Jr., Chief Judge of the Third District Court of Appeal and adjunct professor at Miami Law, led the Oath of Admission to The Florida Bar at the Swearing in Ceremony held inside the Law Library Reading Room on Tuesday, April 12.

Public Interest Recognition Reception Unites Attorneys and Law Students in Celebration of Miami Law's Pro Bono Ethic

(Posted: 04-13-11) A who's who of the Miami Law public interest world gathered in the Alma Jennings Foundation Student Lounge on April 7th to honor those who have excelled in public service throughout the South Florida community and beyond. Hosted by Miami Law's HOPE Public Interest Resource Center, the annual reception gives students the opportunity to mingle with attorneys, faculty, and alumni.

Students Launch Muslim Law Students Association

(Posted: 04-13-11) The Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA) became official in the spring of 2011, making it the sixth religious organization at Miami Law.

Faculty Lecture Series – Professor Tamara Rice Lave

(Posted: 04-12-11) The Faculty Lecture Series continues on Wednesday, April 27 with Professor Tamara Rice Lave. She will present "Throwing away the Key: Should States Follow U.S. v. Comstock by Lowering the Threshold for Sexually Violent Predator Commitments?" in the Law School's 4th floor faculty meeting room. The lecture begins at 12:35 p.m., following a lunch at noon in the same room. A question and answer session will follow after the lecture.

Miami Law Clinics Argue Against Deportations to Haiti Before Human Rights Tribunal

(Posted: 04-11-11) The Human Rights and Immigration Clinics at Miami Law recently appeared before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Washington, D.C. to make their case against resuming U.S. deportations to Haiti. Despite the cholera outbreak and deteriorating post-earthquake conditions, the United States deported 27 Haitian men in January, resulting in the tragic death of Wildrick Guerrier after he was exposed to unsafe and inhumane conditions in Haitian jail. Under a longstanding practice, Haiti indefinitely detains all deportees with criminal records who arrive from the United States.

Miami Law Receives $1.5 Million Gift to Establish Triple Degree Program

(Posted: 04-11-11) Miami Law announced today a $1.5 million pledge to name the triple degree J.D., M.B.A., LL.M. program at the School of Law by Steven M. Mariano, CEO and Chairman of Patriot National Insurance Group, Inc. A scholarship offer from the University of Miami's School of Law some 25 years ago almost sent Steven Mariano down a path of studying torts, judicial rulings, and peremptory challenges. But the southern New Jersey-born and bred Mariano turned it down, electing instead to become an entrepreneur-a decision he's never regretted.

Miami Law Students Win International Investment Arbitration Moot Court Championship

(Posted: 04-11-11) Competing in what has been described as "the Rolls Royce" of moot court contests, a team of three University of Miami School of Law students has captured the prestigious Frankfurt Investment Arbitration Moot Court Competition, defeating 26 teams from 16 countries and in the process securing scholarships for a summer study abroad program.

Faculty Lecture Series: Visiting Professor Alejandro Portes

(Posted: 04-08-11) The Faculty Lecture Series continues on Wednesday, April 20 with Visiting Professor Alejandro Portes. He will present "The Eagle and The Dragon: Immigrant Organizations in the Development of Mexico and China" in the Law School's 4th floor faculty meeting room. The lecture begins at 12:35 p.m., following a lunch at noon in the same room. A question and answer session will follow after the lecture.

Miami Law Students Take National and International Spotlight with String of Moot Court Victories

(Posted: 04-07-11) From Georgia to Germany, the moot court teams of the University of Miami School of Law are experiencing an unprecedented winning streak in competitions all over the world.

Health and Elder Law Students Secure More Than $150,000 for Disabled Clients

(Posted: 04-07-11) Students from the Health and Elder Law Clinic have won over $150,000 in Social Security back payments as well as ongoing monthly income on behalf of their disabled clients this semester. The awards came only after clients were repeatedly denied necessary and life sustaining benefits; many clients waited several years before appearing in front of an administrative law judge with a student representative from the Health and Elder Law Clinic.

Miami Law's Moot Court Ranked 13th in the Nation

(Posted: 04-06-11) The Charles C. Papy Moot Court Board is currently ranked No. 13 in the country among ABA-accredited school boards. This win is a three-rank improvement over last year, in which Miami Law ranked No. 16 in the nation.

Faculty Lecture Series: Professor David Abraham

(Posted: 04-06-11) The Faculty Lecture Series continues on Wednesday, April 13 with Professor David Abraham. He will present "Immigration and Social Solidarity in a Time of Crisis: Europe and the U.S. in the New Century" in the Law School's 4th floor faculty meeting room. The lecture begins at 12:35 p.m., following a lunch at noon in the same room. A question and answer session will follow after the lecture.

"The Truth About Haiti" – Professor Irwin Stotzky Publishes Article

(Posted: 04-06-11) As a guest of the University of Connecticut School of Law, Miami Law Professor Irwin P. Stotzky delivered the inaugural Richard D. Tulisano '69 Human Rights Lecture and presented the keynote address at the twenty-fifth anniversary of the school's Connecticut Journal of International Law. Professor Stotzky spoke primarily about Haiti's history and culture, the international effort to help Haiti following last year's devastating earthquake, and a variety of different theories – economic, social, political, and legal – on transitioning Haiti to democracy. The article – "The Truth About Haiti" – is the result of that lecture.

JD/MBA Student Puts Interdisciplinary Studies to the Test and Wins ACG Cup

(Posted: 04-05-11) After a successful win at last week's ACG Cup competition, sponsored by the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), Jarred Leibner knows his decision to pursue a JD/MBA was well played.

Miami Law Celebrates the Appointment of Professor A. Michael Froomkin to the Silvers/Rubenstein Professorship

(Posted: 04-05-11) Faculty, friends and colleagues gathered at the Lowe Art Museum on Monday evening to recognize Miami Law Professor A. Michael Froomkin who was awarded the Laurie Silvers and Mitchell Rubenstein Endowed Distinguished Professorship for the 2010-2011 academic year. At the ceremony, Professor Froomkin lectured about "Lessons Learned Too Well: The Evolution of Internet Regulation," which provided an overview of his distinguished scholarship that spans more than 20 years.

2011 UM Alumni Association Honors Outstanding Accomplishments of Miami Law Alumni

(Posted: 04-04-11) In recognition of their outstanding accomplishments, the UM Alumni Association will be hosting their Alumni Awards Ceremony for 2011 on April 14th at the Newman Alumni Center in Coral Gables to honor some of Miami Law's exemplary graduates. The awards honor alumni who have been successful in their field or have made a significant impact through community service. The annual alumni awards also recognize individuals and groups who have been actively involved with the University or Alumni Association during the year.

Spencer Aronfeld, JD '91

(Posted: 04-01-11) Spencer Aronfeld, JD '91 has enjoyed powerful courtroom victories over Walt Disney World, Wild Oats, P.A.C. Construction, Fedan Tire, and Todel Apartments and has gained international recognition as a lawyer for the people. Aronfeld is a Board Certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by both the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Board Certification was established in 1982 by the Supreme Court of Florida. It provides Clients with the assurance in the selection of legal counsel.

Miami Law Students Provide Training on Cutting-Edge Legal and Ethical Issues

(Posted: 04-01-11) In an effort to expand the reach of Miami Law's Professional Responsibility and Ethics Program (PREP), the students of PREP have taken on new and interesting areas of law that are fundamentally intertwined with the Model Rules of Professional Conduct in their multi-faceted presentations that provide CLE credits to South Florida's Bench and Bar.