You may have noticed some new faces around campus in recent weeks, as our new team of security officers has gotten to work protecting the law school community and property. Be sure to give them a warm welcome. Here’s a brief introduction:

Officer Tony is a former Arabic linguist with experience in federal emergency management and private, commercial, and airline security.

Officer Leonard is a former Marine with more than 13 years of experience in personal security overseas, where he was responsible for the safety and security of U.S. citizens and officials.

Officer Adam (not pictured) is a former Marine with several years’ experience in private security, including business development. He is a certified EMT and is trained in Tactical Combat Casualty Care.

In the arena of law school advocacy championships, South Texas College of Law Houston stands alone in the United States, as evidenced by its 126^th national advocacy title recently earned at the 41^st Annual Robert F. Wagner National Labor and Employment Law Moot Court Competition in New York.

No other law school in the country can claim half as many wins.

STCL Houston students Michael Bender, Zachary Caballero, and Ryan Cunningham earned the top spot at the competition, administered by the New York Law School Moot Court Association. Rob Galloway ‘91, associate director of the South Texas Advocacy Program, and STCL Houston alumni Andrew Bender ‘12 and Kelsey Hope ‘14 coached the winning team.

STCL Houston students win 124^th and 125^th national advocacy championship – in a single weekend

South Texas College of Law Houston students also recently claimed their 124^th and 125^th national advocacy championships – in both mock trial and moot court – in a single weekend.

Mock trial competitions simulate actual trial proceedings, in which law students form teams, portray both attorneys and witnesses, perform direct and cross examinations, and present opening and closing arguments. In moot court competitions, which simulate appellate court proceedings, students working in teams answer questions directly from a panel of judges only.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our exceptional advocacy teams and the staff, faculty, and alumni coaches who help prepare them,” said Donald J. Guter, South Texas College of Law Houston president and dean. “There are many schools that go years without a single win, and just look at the number and variety of advocacy competition wins – both team and individual – South Texas earned in a single weekend. Congratulations to all for a job well done.”

South Texas students took the top spot at the National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition at the William & Mary Law School in Williamsburg, Va. STCL Houston students Stephanie Bryant, Niloufar Hafizi, and Randall Towns earned the law school’s 125^th national advocacy win in addition to the Best Brief Award. Former champion South Texas advocates Courtney Carlson ’08 and Jessica Sykora ‘08 coached this winning team.

In their second tournament of the weekend, South Texas students earned the school’s 124^th national advocacy championship at the Law & Science National Mock Trial Competition, hosted by the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in Phoenix, Ariz.

The STCL Houston team – composed of Morgan Bird, Sarah Cutropia, Delaram Falsafi, Daniel Mears, and Shawn Williamson – defeated students from the University of Colorado School of Law in the final round. The team also received several individual speaking awards. Falsafi took home the Overall Best Advocate Award, Cutropia won the Best Opening Statement Award, and Bird earned the Best Direct Examination Award. Former national champion South Texas advocates Craig Priesmeyer ’15 and Chris Rothfelder ’13 coached this winning team.

In a third separate tournament that weekend, South Texas students Nathalie Kalombo, Helen Le, and Kody Lyons earned third place at the William E. McGee National Civil Rights Moot Court Competition, hosted by the Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minn. These students argued a problem regarding trademarks, the Lanham Act, and the First Amendment, based on a case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. Lyons received the Best Overall Oralist Award at the tournament. Former winning STCL Houston advocates Katrisha Shirley ‘15 and Erren Chen ’13 coached these successful students.

South Texas students also receive invaluable hands-on coaching and critiquing by Galloway and their law professors prior to key national championships. Professors T. Gerald Treece, Phillip Page, Randall Kelso, and others played key roles in equipping the students for these recent advocacy tournaments.

“I’m very proud of our student advocates whenever and wherever they compete,” said Treece, STCL Houston Advocacy Program director and associate dean. “Our dedicated advocates put their blood, sweat, and tears into preparing for these championships and they deserve all the recognition they receive. Most importantly, by putting in the time and energy to prepare for tournaments, these students develop an outstanding set of persuasive legal skills that will set them apart in a courtroom following graduation.”

STCL Houston students Michael Bender, Zachary Caballero, and Ryan Cunningham stand in front of South Texas alumni coaches Andrew Bender ‘12, Kelsey Hope ‘14, and Rob Galloway ‘91 after winning the law school’s 126th national advocacy title at the 41st Annual Robert F. Wagner National Labor and Employment Law Moot Court Competition in New York.

STCL Houston students Stephanie Bryant, Randall Towns, and Niloufar Hafizi stand with their trophies after winning the school’s 125th national advocacy title at the National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition at the William & Mary Law School in Williamsburg, Va. over the weekend. No other law school in the country can claim half as many wins.

Sarah Cutropia, Morgan Bird, Craig Priesmeyer, Daniel Mears, Delaram Falsafi, and Shawn Williamson celebrate the school’s 124th national advocacy win at the Law & Science National Mock Trial Competition, hosted by the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, in Phoenix, Ariz. over the weekend.

HOUSTON (June 9, 2017) – The Texas Bar Foundation recently awarded South Texas College of Law Houston a nearly $6,000 grant to enhance the delivery of legal services to low-income Houstonians.

The grant will fund the purchase of seven iPads for use by staff attorneys, law professors, and students in the school’s Randall O. Sorrels Legal Clinics. The new technology will support clients in the school’s Civil Practice Clinics, which address various legal specialties involving child welfare, basic and advanced family law, guardianship, probate, veterans and estate planning.

The new iPads also will aid students and attorneys working in the school’s Immigration Initiative in their delivery of pro bono service to clients facing a variety of immigration matters, including adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence and pathways to citizenship.

As offsite client intake is a regular part of clinical operations, the new tablets will directly increase the clinical programs’ effectiveness in outreach activities throughout the Houston region. With the iPads, students and attorneys at external events can explain electronic intake forms to clients, make notes, save relevant information into the case database, collect necessary signatures, and even email forms and other pertinent documents to clients.

The iPads will streamline the client intake process by eliminating paper applications and enabling students and staff to remotely access the Clinics’ new case management software. Additionally, service providers can use the tablets to access relevant case documents or information while in the courthouse, thereby enhancing real-time service delivery to clients.

Finally, the new iPads will greatly improve the Clinics’ ability to quickly serve clients during disaster response efforts, such as those following the recent tax day flood of 2016 and the Memorial Day flood of 2015.

“We are grateful to the Texas Bar Foundation for this grant that will significantly boost our ability to quickly, efficiently, and effectively serve Clinic clients,” said Catherine Greene Burnett, vice president, associate dean, and professor of law at South Texas College of Law Houston. “With the new iPads, our students will be able to hurdle common obstacles faced in client intake and community education and outreach. This added technology is a win-win for our clients and the Clinic representatives who come to their aid.”

Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $17 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation’s largest charitably-funded bar foundation.

2017 Energy Law Institute Binder Documents

Energy Law Institute- Table of Contents & Speaker Bios

2017 Energy Law Institute – Tab A&B

2017 Energy Law Institute – Tab C

2017 Energy Law Institute – Tab D Part I

2017 Energy Law Institute Tab D Part II

2017 Energy Law Institute – Tabs E-I

2017 Energy Law Institute – Tabs J-K

2017 Energy Law Institute – Tabs L-N

Students from South Texas College of Law Houston recently experienced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: learning from a justice of the nation’s High Court in an intimate, one-on-one setting.

The Honorable U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg taught during the third session of STCL Houston’s study abroad program at the University of Malta’s Valletta campus the week of July 4.

Justice Ginsburg provided the future lawyers with a retrospective of prominent Supreme Court cases over the past year, conducted a Q&A session, and attended a reception for participating students and faculty in her honor.

“Justice Ginsburg is one of the reasons I went to law school: to change the world for women and minorities through law,” said Jessica Revils, a third-year student at South Texas College of Law Houston. “So to meet the woman who is both a large reason I chose to go to law school, and that I’m even able to go to law school, was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

Revils is such an admirer of the justice, she named her dog, “Ginsburg,” well before she knew she’d have the opportunity to meet her idol. When the two had the chance to interact one-on-one during the Malta program, Revils showed the justice a photo of her dog and they shared a laugh together.

Revils also showed Justice Ginsburg a photo of her dog dressed in a “Stand with Texas Women” T-shirt from her participation in the Women’s March in Austin in January. “She had a chuckle of it!” said Revils. “I didn’t expect her to open the photos in front of me, so that was a treat.”

Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), the Malta program is one of several international legal study abroad options available to South Texas College of Law Houston students through the Consortium for Innovative Legal Education (CILE), which includes California Western School of Law, New England Law |Boston, and Mitchell Hamline School of Law, in addition to STCL Houston.

Justice Ginsburg followed in the stead of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the late Justice Antonin G. Scalia, who previously taught in international study abroad programs offered through CILE-affiliated schools in Malta, England, Ireland, Chile, and the Czech Republic.

“Justice Ginsburg’s participation with STCL Houston’s Malta program this summer is an experience our students will forever treasure,” said Donald J. Guter, president and dean of South Texas College of Law Houston. “In addition to hearing her unique perspective on groundbreaking cases of the past year, the students were treated to her great sense of humor and grace in an interactive setting, which most students and attorneys never have the opportunity to experience.

”In addition to teaching law students, Justice Ginsburg made the most of her time in Malta, touring the St. John’s Co-Cathedral; the 5,000-year-old Hypogeum underground burial site; and the Hagar Qim Neolithic temple complex, dating from approximately 3400 B.C.

Justice Ginsburg, appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton in 1993, is the second female justice to sit on the High Court. She attended Harvard Law School and received her LL.B. from Columbia Law School. Prior to taking her seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, she served as judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and professor of law at Rutgers University School of Law and Columbia Law School.

“Having the opportunity to share a one-on-one moment with Justice Ginsburg and tell her just how much I admire and respect her will forever be one of the highlights of my life,” said Morgan Walls, a second-year student at South Texas College of Law Houston.

South Texas College of Law Houston again defended its title as the best advocacy law school in the United States with its unprecedented 127^th national advocacy championship win at the 10^th annual National Latina/o Law Student Association (NLLSA) Moot Court Competition in Atlanta over the weekend.

No other law school in the country can claim half as many wins.

STCL Houston swept every major award at the competition.

STCL Houston students Cesar Escalante and Jonathan Peña remained undefeated in all rounds, surpassing the University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill for the championship win. South Texas was named the Best Team, and the school also earned the Best Brief award. Additionally, Escalante received the Best Individual Advocate award.

Moot court competitions simulate appellate court proceedings with students working in teams to answer questions directly from a panel of judges.

Vice President and Associate Dean T. Gerald Treece worked closely with Rob Galloway ‘91, assistant director of Advocacy, in coaching the team, along with STCL Houston alumni Ryan Cantu ‘13 and Alex Gonzalez ‘12, both of whom were top advocates while students at the law school.

“Taking the top prize at the NLLSA Moot Court Competition last weekend was a highlight of my law school experience,” said Escalante. “Our coaches Alex and Ryan were the biggest help, offering words of encouragement when we were stressed or overwhelmed. And Rob Galloway, South Texas’ assistant director of Advocacy, also was a major help to us, both in his coaching and his knowledge of the law. I had the best partner in Jonathan. It was an all-around, successful team effort.”

The NLLSA is a national organization focusing on advancing academic success and commitment to community service by Hispanic law students. The competition is held annually as part of the organization’s fall national convention.

“Having the opportunity to argue before Judges Yvette Miller, Stephen Dillard, and Christopher McFadden at the Georgia Court of Appeals is one that I will never forget,” said Peña. “But at the end of the day, this tournament was not about Cesar or myself – it was about advocating for our clients. By utilizing the strongest case law, and bringing passion and confidence to the courtroom every day, that is exactly what we did.”

Treece, who has directed South Texas College of Law Houston’s Advocacy Program for approximately 40 years, also recognized the strength of the law school’s Legal Research and Writing Program as helping the students with a strong foundation in legal writing skills, which results in winning competition briefs.

“From the brief-writing stage until the clock concluded the final round, Cesar and Jonathan exhibited a level of professionalism and dedication that would be expected of licensed attorneys already in practice,” said Cantu. “It was an honor to witness their trajectory from day one of practice to the big win, and I know they will bring great contributions to the legal profession.”

True to the South Texas College of Law Houston mission, one accomplished alumna is “serving the community and the profession with distinction” – in addition to serving her country and leading her fellow soldiers from halfway across the globe.

U.S. Army JAG Captain Barkley Bryant ’15 recently enjoyed the privilege of administering the reenlistment oath to one of her soldiers at the Żagań military base in Poland, where she currently is deployed.

Two years ago, Bryant herself asked STCL Houston Professor Geoffrey S. Corn to administer the military oath to her to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic… and to faithfully discharge the duties of the office,” thereby earning her commission as a first lieutenant in the Army. Corn also swore Bryant into the State Bar of Texas at that time, a ceremony witnessed by STCL Houston President and Dean Donald J. Guter – former Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Navy and a retired Rear Admiral.

Following Bryant’s swearing-in, Corn – whose 22-year military career included serving as the U.S. Army’s Senior Law of War Expert Advisor – said, “Barkley epitomizes the intelligence and tenacity characteristic of a judge advocate. She brings honor to South Texas College of Law Houston, her family, and her country.”

Bryant also remarked, “To have a career based on the selfless service of others is more fulfilling than I could have imagined when I first began law school. Professor Corn encouraged me to apply for the Army JAG Corps, an idea that had been formulating in my mind for some time. I now know it was what I was meant to do. Today, nothing excites me more than using my legal skills to help people in the numerous ways members of the U.S. Army JAG Corps do every day.”

Calling all Small Firms! Would you be interested in joining us next spring for a Small Firm Reception to introduce yourselves to South Texas students?  If so, please fill out this form to register your interest and to receive more information moving forward.

Students from the Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolution at South Texas College of Law Houston (STCL Houston) recently won first and second place at the Jeffry S. Abrams National Mediator Competition at the University of Houston.

Third-year student Mildred Scott won first place, and third-year student Ashley Thomas won second place at the competition.

This is the third first-place win for STCL Houston students in the four years the law school has competed in this tournament.

“Representing the law school at the Abrams National Mediator Competition was an incredible experience,” said Scott. “I have always been drawn to dispute resolution and being able to work with clients to find common ground and resolve an issue where previously they did not see a clear path. The ADR program at South Texas and the coaching and preparation for this competition have helped me develop my skills in this area tremendously. My mediation training with Dean Alfini and the coaching and guidance given by Kristyn Koch and Debra Berman gave me the confidence to believe that a win was possible. This experience helped me solidify the path I want to pursue as an attorney and advocate.”

This event drew competitors from law schools around the country for five rounds of mediation problems. In each round, judges evaluated students on their effectiveness in facilitating negotiation, active listening, and other communication skills.

As in past alternative dispute resolution (ADR) competitions, South Texas College of Law Houston alumni played key roles in coaching current students for this mediation challenge. In particular, alumna Kristyn Koch ’14 coached both of these winning students. Currently a contract coordinator at Shell, this is the third time that Koch has coached students to a first place win at this national competition.

“Competing as a mediator is a fantastic experience for law school students,” said Koch. “It takes a great advocate to be a good mediator. You have to know how to frame offers, questions, and perspectives in a way that is palatable to each individual party. Our competitors spent weeks fine-tuning their skills so that they were prepared for every scenario. It was my privilege to work with students who are so talented and disciplined.”

STCL Houston’s ADR teams regularly compete in up to nine events each year – more than any other law school in Texas. The law school’s rigorous selection process, dedicated alumni coaches, and the leadership of Debra Berman, director of the school’s Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolution, have garnered 13 national and international first-place championships in recent years – three in the last year alone.

“We are grateful that our students had the opportunity at the competition to practice the skill set they studied in their mediation classes,” said Berman. “The communication skills they developed are vital to any legal career path.”

The Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolution serves as the focal point for dispute resolution education at STCL Houston. The Center’s primary mission is to train law students in both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of dispute resolution policies and procedures. Currently, STCL Houston offers eight ADR-related courses, including a Mediation Clinic, and a 40-hour basic mediation training, open to both students and professionals. Approximately 125 students obtain the law school’s 40-hour mediation certificate each year.

South Texas College of Law Houston (STCL Houston) recently launched Texas’ first and only Animal Law Clinic (ALC) – the 19^th specialized clinic of the school’s onsite Randall O. Sorrels Legal Clinics.

STCL Houston’s Animal Law Clinic serves as a resource for students, professors, attorneys, organizations, media, and individual clients on animal rights law and advocacy. The ALC assists organizations and attorneys involved in animal protection litigation, legislation, and policy work.

Under the guidance of South Texas faculty members and ALC staff attorneys, second- and third-year law students research and analyze developments in animal protection law. Although the ALC focuses on animal protection issues of the Texas and Gulf Coast region, clinic attorneys and students maintain close connections with national and international animal welfare organizations.

As the initial outreach of the ALC, the law students and faculty directors are creating a comprehensive disaster readiness manual in response to the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey on area animals. The manual will set out specific protocols and best practices for animal protection before, during, and after catastrophic events.

“Students in the ALC are developing lifelong skills in legal research, legislative and transactional drafting, persuasive advocacy, and effective client collaboration in the context of their passion for animal welfare in our local community and beyond,” said Elizabeth Dennis, co-director of the ALC and STCL Houston faculty member. “As they begin their law practices, they will draw on these skills daily, and also work to ensure the protection of vulnerable animals through pro bono or other representation.

“Our aim is to create a resource for Houston, for Texas, and perhaps the nation,” said Dennis.

Student members of STCL Houston’s Animal Law Society will provide hands-on support to the school’s newest clinic.

“I became involved with the Animal Law Clinic at STCL Houston because it is a very unique opportunity our school has to offer, in addition to my interest in animal law advocacy,” said Nikki Lapine, third-year STCL Houston student and Animal Law Clinic intern. “There are a multitude of legal issues that surround animals, but unlike humans, they do not have a voice or the ability to advocate for themselves. I have a particular interest in finding a solution to the jurisdictional and property rights conflicts regarding animal law in Texas, and I am focusing my research in that area to help create a comprehensive disaster readiness manual for animals during crises such as Hurricane Harvey.”

Catherine Greene Burnett, vice president, associate dean, and professor of law at STCL Houston, noted, “Animal law intersects with many other legal fields, as pets are considered key family members for many in our community. Interns in our Animal Law Clinic likely will interact with clients in the school’s Family Law Clinics, Estate Planning Clinic, Domestic Violence Clinic, and Immigration Clinic, among others, as they seek justice for clients and their families.”

Attorneys interested in animal law have numerous opportunities to incorporate the field into their own practices. State, federal, local, and international laws all contain provisions regulating or impacting animals of all kinds.

Similarly, animal law overlaps with many traditional areas of the law such as family law, torts, criminal, wills and trusts, constitutional, and property law. Animal law is rooted in the practical application of statutes, regulations, and case law. Animal law also explores legal theory, philosophy, and jurisprudence. Fundamental questions about the nature of a legal right or interest, how laws create or establish power imbalances, and how those imbalances impact animals are explored.

Salise Shuttlesworth, co-director of the ALC, STCL Houston adjunct professor, and executive director of Friends for Life Animal Shelter & Sanctuary in the Heights added, “We are delighted and honored to work with South Texas College of Law Houston on its new Animal Law Clinic. To be able to have the time, resources, and remarkable young legal minds to take a fresh and in-depth look at issues related to animals will be a game changer in achieving lasting progress for animals in Houston and in Texas.”

The ribbon cutting for STCL Houston’s new Animal Law Clinic featured a silent auction, with proceeds benefitting the ALC; rescue dogs from Houston-area shelters; and Friends for Life Animal Shelter & Sanctuary’s Mobile Adoption Vehicle filled with rescue animals looking for good homes. Guests also had the opportunity to purchase a “Catherine and Little Jake” reading gift set – including a children’s book authored by Pat Guter, a local animal rights attorney and wife of STCL Houston President and Dean Donald J. Guter. The gift set included plush “Catherine” and “Little Jake” stuffed toy kittens in a decorative crate, offered for a tax-deductible donation of $50 to benefit the Animal Law Clinic.

View more photos from the event on our Facebook page

Take home a set of the plush kittens and the children’s book “Catherine and Little Jake,” written by animal rights attorney Pat Guter. For a $50 donation to our Animal Law Clinic, you will receive the hardcover book and kittens in a decorative crate. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the children’s book set will go to our Animal Law Clinic.

1. Go to www.stcl.edu/give, enter your gift amount and click on “Specific Opportunities….”
2. Scroll down the list of options and select “Other.”  Click “continue” and enter “Catherine and Little Jake” to have your gift designated for this special Clinic, and receive the gift set. It will be mailed to the address you provide on your giving form.

Also available is a soft-cover copy of the book, without the plush kittens, for a $10 donation to the Animal Law Clinic.  Follow the same steps above and simply note “Catherine and Little Jake” in the “other” designation category. All proceeds support our ALC.

World-renowned experts on the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy convened at South Texas College of Law Houston (STCL Houston) recently for the two-day mock trial: State of Texas v. Lee Harvey Oswald – the criminal trial that never occurred.

History buffs and fans of courtroom drama witnessed an insightful and entertaining presentation, in which a Harris County judge, prosecutors, and defense attorneys argued this landmark case using 21^st century techniques in front of Harris County jurors.

Cosponsored by STCL Houston and Citizens Against Political Assassinations (CAPA), the event included the delivery of opening and rebuttal statements, the testimony of world-renowned medical, ballistic, and legal experts, the analysis of actual evidence from the assassination – including information presented publicly for the first time – and an evaluation of constitutional rights in 1963 and today,

“At South Texas College of Law Houston, we are pleased to host some of the nation’s preeminent medical and legal JFK assassination experts for this two-day presentation,” said Donald J. Guter, president and dean of the law school. “It is fascinating for our students and the legal community in Houston to hear the insights of these leaders – from an actual surgeon who fought to save former President John F. Kennedy’s life, to members of the House Select Committee on Assassinations. This presentation is a unique educational event that law students and practicing attorneys would otherwise never have the opportunity to witness.”

The Honorable Jay T. Karahan ’83, judge of the Harris County Criminal Court at Law, No. 8, and STCL Houston alumnus, presided over the presentation; and Gus E. Pappas ‘88, partner at Dabney & Pappas, and STCL Houston alumnus acted as prosecuting attorney.

Defense counsel included: Robert K. Tanenbaum, trial attorney, novelist, and former mayor of Beverly Hills, Calif., and former deputy chief counsel for the House Select Committee on Assassinations; Lawrence P. Schnapf, CAPA board member, and adjunct professor, New York Law School; and Bill Simpich, San Francisco-based civil rights attorney, and author of “State Secret: Wiretapping in Mexico City, Double Agents, and the Framing of Lee Oswald.”

Expert witnesses for the event included:

• Robert N. McClelland, M.D., member of the team of surgeons who worked to save former President John F. Kennedy’s life at Parkland Hospital in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963; professor emeritus, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
• Gary Aguilar, M.D., member, CAPA board of advisors; member, Forensic Pathology Panel of the House Select Committee on Assassinations
• David W. Mantik, M.D., Ph.D., leading expert on the medical evidence in the JFK assassination; Palm Desert, Calif.-based radiation oncologist
• Michael Chesser, M.D., was granted permission by Sen. Paul Kirk, the Kennedy family representative for the Deed of Gift, to view the JFK autopsy cranial X-rays and autopsy photographs; board certified in neurology and clinical neurophysiology, with= over 25 years of experience in clinical practice; former associate professor of neurology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
• Clifford Spiegelman, Ph.D., distinguished professor of statistics at Texas A&M University and author of over 100 scientific publications; author of the award-winning paper recognized by the American Statistical Association, “Chemical and Forensic Analysis of JFK Assassination Bullet Lots: Is a Second Shooter Possible?”
• Lucian C. Haag, former criminalist and technical director of the Phoenix Crime Laboratory, with nearly 50 years of experience in the field of criminalistics and forensic firearm examinations; president, Forensic Science Services Inc.
• Donald B. Thomas, Ph.D., prolific author, including, “The Acoustical Evidence in the Kennedy Assassination Revisited,” and more than 100 scientific journal articles, book chapters, and books.

 “I was honored to be a part of the program,” said Pappas. “For all in attendance, students and lawyers alike, the events highlighted the value of trial counsel, preparation, trial tactics, and the passion that still surrounds JFK’s assassination. A special thanks to our prosecution team, Amanda Webb, STCL Houston grad; Nicole Hilburn, STCL Houston grad; Lucian C. Haag, criminalist, wound ballistician, and true gentleman; and Robert A. Wagner, author of “The Assassination of JFK Perspectives Half a Century Later.”

When the jury was dismissed to deliberate, John Orr – former director of Criminal Enforcement in the United States Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division – provided compelling testimony as part of an ethics panel, in which he used animations to explain the trajectory of bullets fired at the presidential limousine in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.

The in-depth, technical presentation eventually resulted in a hung jury Friday evening.

“The mock trial was a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience experts of this caliber,” said third-year STCL Houston student Cara Woolet who witnessed the presentation. “I thought the time elapsed from the events would diminish the emotion of the mock murder trial, but I was wrong! The evidence and experts were shocking and enlightening and deepened my curiosity of this American tragedy.”

South Texas College of Law Houston recently earned the title of “Best Moot Court of this Decade” in a ranking published in the fall 2016 issue of preLaw Magazine.

The school also received top recognition in the magazine’s fall 2017 issue, once again ranking #1 in the nation.

In its feature, “Best Schools for Moot Court,” the publication highlighted schools that have excelled in moot court – an extracurricular activity in which law students argue mock cases in simulated court proceedings – since the Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship began tracking them in 2009.

Also known as advocacy training, moot court activities enable students to apply classroom knowledge in a courtroom setting, hone their research and writing skills, and learn how to argue both sides of a case before a judge. Advocacy competitions help students learn to think like practicing attorneys and gain valuable, real-world skills that give graduates an advantage in competitive job markets.

This month, South Texas College of Law Houston students Brad Eric Franklin, Hayley Hervieux, and Chase Newsom won the school’s 123^rd national advocacy championship. No other law school in the United States has won half as many. South Texas is one of only three national law schools consistently ranked in the top 10 for trial advocacy by U.S. News & World Report.

“Advocacy is addictive,” said T. Gerald Treece, vice president, associate dean, and director of the Advocacy Program at South Texas College of Law Houston for nearly 40 years. “I never tire of seeing talented students realize their potential in moot court activities. It’s like turning on voltage to a neon light. When a student has the magic, suddenly everything comes alive in a courtroom. The people who are meant for the courtroom are not meant for anything else. They’re never going to be happy unless they’re in the battle.”

That said, advocacy training also benefits future transactional lawyers, as – by fully researching and preparing moot court cases – all students develop their confidence in the law, fine-tune their organizational skills, and learn to become better advocates for their clients.

Data for preLaw Magazine’s annual ranking is entered into an elaborate scoring method that assesses the quality of the competitions a school participated in, the size of the competitions, and the school’s performance in those competitions. The top 16 national teams are invited to participate in the Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship, dubbed, “the best of the best” in moot court competitions.

Using the compiled results, preLaw added the law schools’ accumulated points from 2011 to 2016 to identify South Texas College of Law Houston as the top advocacy school in the U.S. over the past decade.

Former South Texas advocate (’98) Tony Taft of The Taft Law Firm said, “To me the genius of the Advocacy Program is how Coach Treece has trained his advocates so well, and then, he has encouraged those advocates to coach subsequent teams. The beauty of the program is it’s going to be self-sustaining even after Coach retires, because he’s always encouraged those who have gone through the program to come back and help.”

Many former advocates of the law school heavily invest their time in coaching students on a one-on-one basis and serving as practice judges prior to competitions. “Advocacy is a team sport at South Texas College of Law Houston,” said Treece. “Many universities take great pride in their sports teams. We take that kind of pride in going out and doing so well in advocacy tournaments across the country.”

In addition to Treece, other administrators of South Texas’ Advocacy Program include Associate Director Rob Galloway, Manager Shaun Devine, and Coordinator Hayley Stenhouse.

“Serving as a member of the school’s 123^rd national advocacy championship team is an unforgettable honor,” said Franklin. “I became a South Texas advocate to really hone my skills so that, as an attorney, I can represent my client’s best interests by holding my own against any opposing counsel and in front of any judge. Ultimately, advocacy is about learning how to argue law, think on your feet, and ask for help when you need it. This program has taught me how to answer the hard, unpredictable questions, drawing from my knowledge of case law, the many hours of practice, and the invaluable feedback from my teammates and coaches.”

Seventy-one newly-minted attorneys accepted their South Texas College of Law Houston (STCL Houston) diplomas at the law school’s December 2017 commencement ceremony on Saturday.

In front of approximately 1,500 friends and family members, the new alumni celebrated their shared accomplishment at the Hilton, Americas-Houston hotel in downtown just blocks from their alma mater.

Donald J. Guter, retired rear admiral, JAGC, USN – president and dean of STCL Houston and 37^th judge advocate general of the U.S. Navy – presided over the ceremony and provided the law school’s welcome, applauding the honorees’ hard work and integrity, and noting that the faculty are “confident that… as South Texas graduates, [they] will enter the world’s noblest profession well-prepared to make a positive difference in people’s lives.”

Student speaker Ryan Swink, a Spring Branch resident, addressed his fellow graduates at the ceremony and commended their tenacity in earning a law degree. He said, “I would also like to thank the wonderful members of the STCL Houston faculty. They truly are amazing. If you ever want proof of that fact, walk around the sixth and seventh floors about a week before 1L memos are due. You’ll see about 10 students lined up in front of each legal writing professor’s office wanting to ask their professors questions about their memos.

“It’s truly an amazing sight for two reasons. First, because it shows the dedication and commitment of the professors to answer the same questions over and over again, and second, because it reminds me that just three short years ago, I was that guy standing in line, waiting to ask Professor Peters a question, thinking I was never going to survive law school.”

The students and guests then were treated to a commencement address by STCL Houston alumna and Memorial-area resident Imogen “Immy” Papadopoulos ‘84, member of the law school’s board of directors since 1999 and the board’s executive committee since 2002. She is a practicing board-certified family law attorney and a champion for children in the legal system. Among her many honors, she was STCL Houston’s Distinguished Alumna in 2003; recipient of the David Gibson Award for Professionalism and Excellence in Family Law, presented by the Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists; recipient of the 2007 Trailblazer for Youth Award, presented by Texas Network of Youth Services; recipient of the Warner Cable Company “Hometown Hero Award” for community work done for children; and she earned special recognition by former President Ronald Reagan.

Papadopoulos, who earned her law degree from STCL Houston at age 54, encouraged the graduates to use their degree to make the world a better place. Referring to herself as an “activist,” she said, “I’ve been passionate about the rights and welfare of children and families my entire life. Advocating for children and families is in the fiber of my being. It’s my North Star.

“My lessons along the way? You have chosen a courageous path… Your degree carries a very special responsibility, too. As a country we operate by the Rule of Law. You are keepers of the flame. Practice to respect and honor our institution of democracy and our Constitution. Honesty. Ethics. Integrity… The threads of trust and respect matter outside of the court, too. In business or public service or politics, it matters. Maybe doubly so. In those callings, you are the voice of the law. Not just its letters, but its great meanings and values.”

John J. Worley, associate dean, vice president, and professor of law, provided the official “presentation of graduates.” Professors Josh Blackman, Geoffrey Corn, Matthew Festa, Joseph Leahy, Bruce McGovern, and Shelby Moore served as faculty hood-masters.

Several members of the South Texas College of Law Houston board of directors participated in the event, in addition to Papadopoulos, including Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman ‘89, Chairman of the Board J. Ken Johnson ‘86, Larry Baillargeon ‘74, Genora Boykins ‘85, Elizabeth Campbell, Judge Robert Eckels ‘93, Michael Hays ‘74, Nick Lanza ’89, Gordon Quan ‘77, and Randy Sorrels ‘87.

At the ceremony’s conclusion, the graduates and their guests enjoyed a celebratory lunch provided by the Hilton, Americas-Houston.

December 2017 graduates of South Texas College of Law Houston listen as their commencement speaker and fellow alumna – family law attorney Imogen “Immy” Papadopoulos ‘84 – encouraged the newly-minted attorneys to develop reputations of trust and respect, both inside and outside of the courtroom. The law school held its commencement ceremony for more than 70 graduates last weekend.

South Texas College of Law Houston board members and alumni Randy Sorrels ‘87, Imogen “Immy” Papadopoulos ’84, and Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman ‘89 prepare to participate in the law school’s December 2017 commencement ceremony. Papadopoulos, an award-winning family law attorney, delivered the commencement address to more than 70 new South Texas graduates last weekend.

Ryan Swink, student speaker at STCL Houston’s 2017 commencement ceremony, addresses 70 of his fellow graduates and their family and friends gathered to celebrate the occasion.

Mark E. Steiner, professor of law at South Texas College of Law Houston (STCL Houston), is recognized in the classroom as a teacher who goes the extra mile to help students. Now, two prominent Houston institutions – Shell Oil Company and BakerRipley – have extended that recognition outside the classroom by honoring Steiner with two notable awards for his extensive volunteerism in the Houston community.

Recently, Shell named Steiner as one of six “Heroes of Houston” in its campaign to honor the resiliency, bravery, and generosity that everyday Houstonians demonstrated in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. BakerRipley (formerly Neighborhood Centers) nominated its nine-year volunteer for his significant efforts to assist families with babies in the midst of record-breaking flooding. Specifically, Steiner worked 11-hour shifts for the first five days following the storm, and for several days afterwards, manning what volunteers called “Baby Island” – the baby supplies distribution station within NRG Center.

“It was so hard seeing the city I love in such distress, but watching our community rally and become stronger than the hurricane that caused so much damage is something I’ll never forget,” said Steiner.

He joins Joy McCormack, Enrique and Julia Uriete, Tom Ashworth, and Michael Barton on Shell’s exclusive list of “Heroes of Houston” honorees. These volunteers currently are featured in a special campaign with advertisements that will run through December 2018. For more information about Shell’s “Heroes of Houston” campaign and to watch the Heroes of Houston stories, please visit: shell.us/heroes.

“We are humbled by the selflessness and courage these heroes showed during Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, and it is our pleasure to recognize them for their acts of service,” said Bruce Culpepper, Shell Oil Company president, in a recent press release announcing the campaign. “The collaboration we’ve seen among individuals, charities, and the businesses that call Houston home has been greatly inspiring.”

In addition to this honor, BakerRipley’s Immigration program recently honored Steiner as its Volunteer of the Year, and named the inaugural recognition, to be awarded annually, the “Mark Steiner Award for Immigration Altruism.” The organization and its community partners – NALEO, Univision, and the City of Houston Office for New Americans and Immigrant Communities – presented Steiner with this award at its volunteer appreciation event last month.

“Professor Steiner has supported our community members for years by providing free legal assistance in our Immigration & Citizenship program,” said Jill Campbell, immigration attorney and director of BakerRipley’s Immigration program. “After Harvey hit, he stepped up to work almost daily shifts in the shelter, in addition to coming into our offices to complete immigration applications for DACA applicants. In order to honor his amazing service to our community for years to come, we created the “Mark Steiner Award for Immigration Altruism,” which we plan on awarding to a standout Immigration program volunteer each year. In our opinion, Professor Steiner represents the epitome of compassion and altruism in light of the tough year we faced in Houston.”

As a part of Citizenship Month in Houston, Steiner also recently received special recognition from the City of Houston’s Office for New Americans and Immigrant Communities for his volunteer work as an immigration attorney assisting lawful permanent residents in becoming citizens.

Steiner is a member of the Notario Fraud Prevention Working Group, spearheaded by the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative. He regularly participates in citizenship and immigration forums and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival workshops organized by BakerRipley and the NALEO Education Fund. He is a member of the council for the Consumer and Commercial Law Section and the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas, and is the former chair of the Consumer Law Task Force of the Houston Bar Association.

Steiner joined STCL Houston as an assistant professor of legal writing in 1996 and was named professor of law in 2007. In addition to immigration law, his areas of legal expertise include American legal history, consumer transactions, internet legal research, and torts. He was twice selected as a Fulbright Scholar and taught law at the University of Latvia and the College of Law at National Taiwan University.

South Texas College of Law Houston recently extended its dominance in the field of advocacy with its unprecedented 128^th national advocacy championship in Chicago at The Chicago Bar Association National Moot Court Competition.

No other law school in the country can claim half as many national championships.

Winning students Will Grubb and Ryan Wallace defeated a team from Loyola Chicago in the semifinals before besting McGeorge in the final round.

Former South Texas top advocates Ryan Cunningham ’17, Avi Moshenberg ‘12, and Ximena Kuri ‘17 assisted Rob Galloway, associate director of Advocacy, and T. Gerald Treece, associate dean and director of Advocacy, in coaching the winning team.

“Our No. 1 ranking in advocacy is due in part to the great foundation laid by our legal research and writing faculty, as well as the individual judging done by many of our professors and alumni in numerous practice rounds leading up to tournaments,” said Treece.

STCL Houston students Will Grubb and Ryan Wallace earned the school’s unprecedented 128th national advocacy championship recently at The Chicago Bar Association National Moot Court Competition.

Alumnus, former top STCL Houston advocate, and coach Ryan Cunningham ’17 celebrates with students Will Grubb and Ryan Wallace, who recently earned the school’s unprecedented 128th national advocacy championship. No other law school in the country can claim half as many wins.

Chioma Ogechi Kalu has been described by clinical faculty as “one of those students who gets the big picture, resoundingly.” Other phrases that faculty offer up include: “compassionate,” “extremely caring,” “dedicated,” and “genuine.” The professors and staff who work with her stress that even such endearing terms do not do justice to her level of commitment.

Chioma was a student in three direct representation clinics:  Family Law Advanced, Guardianship and Immigration.  Each clinic required more than one hundred hours of direct client service.  She volunteered pro bono service in one clinic over the summer, assisting on immigration matters, while enrolled in another clinic for academic credit.  During the summer session and between school terms, she often was one of the first to arrive in the morning and the last to leave at night.  Her volunteer clinic work has continued into the fall term.

Chioma immigrated to the United States from Nigeria. During grand rounds in the Immigration Clinic, she shared the story of her embassy interview with classmates, describing her anxiety and the process in detail and developing trends among the difficulties she encountered in cross-cultural communications.  Her openness and candor made the process of “coming to America” come alive for her classmates in a way that textbooks could not.  Her explicit recognition of the nuance in communication helped every student in the clinic to check their assumptions about non-verbal communication with clients, as well.

As a clinic student, Chioma was interested in learning the “why” behind specific processes, in a quest to determine how discrete pieces make up the whole of access to justice.  According to her professors, she never merely “went through the motions” or waited passively for her instructors to give marching orders.  Rather, she approached her clinic work and her pro bono clinic client work proactively.  She engaged in each project with true passion. Since she was juggling many time demands, she needed to excel at committing her time appropriately and effectively.  She was successful in doing so.  Clinical professor Carlos Calderon reports that Chioma repeatedly showed a firm realization that, if not for volunteer service providers, there would be no service available for many of her clients.  It was this knowledge that seemed to fuel her drive and inform her balance.

Her willingness to volunteer and spread the word about the worth of pro bono service recently was evident in a roundtable discussion during the daylong clinic boot camp attended by more than 70 of her fellow students.  Chioma was direct and eloquent in describing why she is passionate about the clinics’ work, while remaining candid about the demands and responsibilities of participating in a clinic.  Her willingness to share both frustrations and joys, as well as to offer practice tips, was a highlight for new students just entering that realm.

Clinical professor Aimee Maldonado reports that Chioma’s pro bono efforts extend beyond the walls of the law school.  She is currently working with the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative on the Notario Fraud Committee.  Chioma brings critical insight to the project based on her knowledge of the local Nigerian community in Houston, which has often been the target of scammers claiming to be able to provide immigration relief.

Staff attorneys and students in South Texas College of Law Houston’s Veterans Clinic visit the DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center every Friday afternoon to provide expertise on veteran-specific legal issues in the hospital’s legal clinic, organized by Houston Volunteer Lawyers.

The following stories represent the many issues addressed in a single afternoon at DeBakey’s legal clinic.

Edgar* – Edgar is an 87-year-old WWII combat veteran living by himself in a dilapidated property on the outskirts of Houston. He has little contact with family. Two of his brothers died in WWII, others died of old age in recent years, and Edgar’s children have minimal contact with him.

Edgar, whose failing health makes property maintenance difficult, has received several fines and ultimatums from city entities. However, he hopes to preserve the property so he can leave it to his children in his estate plan. When he came into the clinic, he expressed concern about an old IRS lien on the property and whether he had legitimate property rights, since he purchased the home decades ago with his ex-spouse.

STCLH staff provided advice and counsel on all these issues – separating the issues into those that could affect Edgar’s ability to continue living in the property and those that would impair his ability to leave the property to his children. The case was marked for further action on a records search for Edgar’s divorce decree and the IRS lien on the property, as well as a referral for social services to help Edgar manage his affairs. Edgar was also told that he would be a good candidate for Aid and Attendance benefits to help pay for assistance with his property.

STCLH staff asked that the case be referred to the clinical programs, since  our organizational expertise in family law, estate planning, tax, and veterans benefits can cover all of Edgar’s needs.

Matthew* – Matthew is an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran who drove trucks in the military. After an honorable discharge, he lived in Belize with his wife and children for a few years while planning the family’s future. They returned to the U.S. when a trucking company that promised to pay for his certification recruited Matthew and offered a generous compensation rate. Unfortunately, from day one of the certification program, the trucking company broke every promise they made to Matthew and eventually said he owed them thousands of dollars.

STCLH staff advised Matthew on his options for fighting the alleged debt and reporting fraud on the G.I. Bill. They also educated Matthew on the importance of being vigilant when signing contracts – he succumbed to pressures to sign contracts that negated the company’s earlier promises. Clinic staff gathered the essential facts about the alleged debt, including the remaining balance, the collecting agency, and the specific violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Matthew’s case was marked for continued representation. Houston Volunteer Lawyers will assign the case to a volunteer attorney in the Houston area.

Steven* – Steven is a Houston native and Navy veteran. His brother recently passed away, and Steven is concerned about how to get his brother’s children onto the deed of the house where they still live.

We interviewed Steven about the history of the house and discovered that a much larger title issue exists. Steven’s parents originally purchased the house, but they died intestate and no one had executed the probate on the estate. Thus, Steven’s nieces and nephews are actually the second generation with a title problem.

We provided advice and counsel on how the house would have passed through intestate succession. Steven was alarmed to hear that all 13 of his siblings and or their surviving children could have a partial ownership interest in the house, but he was optimistic that the family could work together to resolve the title issue.

The case was marked for continued representation in probate court.

*We have changed client names to protect confidentiality.

Debra Berman has joined the clinical faculty as an assistant professor. Berman also serves as the Director of the Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolution at South Texas College of Law Houston. Her course load includes Alternative Dispute Resolution, Mediation Theory & Practice, Representation in Mediation, and the 40-Hour Mediation Training. She has instructed more than 450 students and local attorneys through the Evans Center Mediation certification program. In 2012, she established a partnership between the Mediation Clinic and the EEOC regional office. As part of this program, she co-mediates EEOC cases with students in the Mediation Clinic.

In addition, she coordinates all of the ADR competition teams that South Texas College of Law Houston sends to tournaments and has personally coached a number of teams to national and international first place wins. She has presented on various dispute resolution topics for the State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association, Texas Association of Mediators, and the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution. She received her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and her J.D. from the American University Washington College of Law where she was elected to the Order of the Coif.