Baltimore Briefs – Page 4 – University of Baltimore School of Law Magazine

National Trial Team Places Second in Buffalo Niagara regional contest

Posted on November 11, 2022September 10, 2024 by Juan Soto in Baltimore Briefs, Baltimore Briefs 2022

Buffalo trial team competitors, from left: Audreina Blanding, Brice Litus, Amanda Sirleaf and Leah Dotter.

The National Trial Team placed second Oct. 16 in the Buffalo Niagara Trial Competition, earning them an invitation to the National Trial Competition, which takes place in Spring 2023. The law school’s team of four — Audreina Blanding, Leah Dotter, Brice Litus and Amanda Sirleaf —dominated the competition field, which started with 28 teams (including highly ranked Fordham, Pace and Hofstra), and out-performed competitors by earning perfect, and near-perfect, scores on their opening and closing statements, as well as their direct and cross-examinations.

Special recognition went to Sirleaf, who was named Best Overall Advocate. The team was coached by alumni Ashley Bond, J.D. ’16, and Annemarie Duerr, J.D. ’22, and supported by the Board of Advocates executive board.

Moot Court and Trial Team competitions provide students with the opportunity to get hands-on experience with oral arguments, appellate brief writing, cross-examination, witness examination, opening and closing arguments, and more. With the support of practicing attorneys, professors and former participants, Moot Court and Trial Team members commit approximately 200 hours to preparing and presenting their cases at regional and national competitions.

Although these competitions are academic in nature, their intensity and commitment mirror that of athletic competitions. Alexandria Hodge, UBalt Law Board of Advocates president, points out that due to the time, energy and effort that go into these competitions, “Many of our advocates feel like they’ve won a major championship game by the end of their competition!”

All UBalt Law students are encouraged to compete in competitions during their law school career, starting with annual Byron Warnken Moot Court Competition. That is the internal moot court competition that takes place over the summer. Exceptional competitors are invited to join one of the prestigious competition teams, and a devoted few will continue their commitment by becoming a member of the student-led Board of Advocates.

Alumni and faculty are always welcome to support competition teams as coaches and mentors. For more information on ways to support Moot Court and Trial Teams, or to follow their progress, follow the Board of Advocates page on Facebook.

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Faculty Celebrate Their New Books

Posted on November 11, 2022September 10, 2024 by Juan Soto in Baltimore Briefs, Baltimore Briefs 2022

Three law professors celebrated new books in 2022.

On Feb. 24, friends and colleagues gathered to hear about Prof. Jose Anderson’s book Genius for Justice: Charles Hamilton Houston and the Reform of American Law. Members of the Houston family attended the event.

The first general counsel of the NAACP, Houston exposed the hollowness of the “separate but equal” doctrine and paved the way for the Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, outlawing school segregation. The legal brilliance used to champion other civil rights cases earned Houston the nickname, “The Man Who Killed Jim Crow.”

After serving in the segregated U.S. Army in World War I, Houston returned to the United States in 1919 and enrolled at Harvard Law School, where he was the first Black student elected to the editorial board of the Harvard Law Review. Later, as dean of the Howard University Law School, Houston expanded the part-time program into a full-time curriculum. He also mentored a generation of young Black lawyers, including Thurgood Marshall, who would go on to become a U.S. Supreme Court justice.

In  March, the law school hosted a virtual celebration for the third book written by Prof. Kim Wehle, How to Think Like a Lawyer — and Why: A Common-Sense Guide to Everyday Dilemmas. In this book, Wehle teaches laypersons how to think like a lawyer to gain advantage in their lives — whether buying a house, choosing healthcare, or negotiating a salary. She walks readers through the process of breaking down complex issues into manageable pieces for better decision-making.

Prof. John Bessler published two new books this past year, both of which were discussed at events featuring colleagues in the legal academy. The first, Private Prosecution in America: Its Origins, History, and Unconstitutionality in the Twenty-First Century, is the first comprehensive examination of a practice that dates back to the colonial era. Tracking its origins to medieval times and English common law, the book shows how “private prosecutors” were once a mainstay of early American criminal procedure. Private prosecutors—acting on their own behalf, as next of kin, or though retained counsel—initiated prosecutions, presented evidence in court, and sought the punishment of offenders.

Bessler’s most recent book, The Death Penalty’s Denial of Fundamental Human Rights, continues his scholarly exploration of capital punishment as an act of torture and a violation of basic human rights. A previous book on the subject, The Death Penalty as Torture: From the Dark Ages to Abolition (Carolina Academic Press, 2017), was a Bronze Medalist in that year’s Independent Publisher Book Awards.

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Gaslevic, Billian Join Dean’s Suite, LCDO

Posted on November 11, 2022September 10, 2024 by Juan Soto in Baltimore Briefs, Baltimore Briefs 2022

Associate Dean Joy Gaslevic

Joy Gaslevic, J.D. ’99, joined the law school in August as associate dean for administration. Gaslevic brings a wealth of experience in higher education law and administration, with particular experience handling matters related to sexual misconduct and other types of discrimination and harassment, having led the Office of Institutional Equity at Johns Hopkins University.

As a lawyer in the Office of the Maryland Attorney General, Educational Affairs Division, she represented University System of Maryland clients, including the University of Baltimore.

Before joining UBalt Law, Gaslevic was senior counsel at the firm of Husch Blackwell, where she advised higher education clients on matters such as student and faculty affairs, compliance, policy development, training, and case management.

“I’m so excited to return to my Baltimore Law roots and help keep the law school strong and on track,” Gaslevic says.

Dina Billian came to the law school in July as assistant dean for career development. She joins the senior staff after serving as the deputy director of career development at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where she counseled students on job search strategies, interview preparation and networking, managed the recruitment initiatives, and crafted innovative professional development programming.

Throughout her 30 years of connection to the Maryland legal community, Dina has worked on recruitment, professional development, diversity and pro bono initiatives at Miles & Stockbridge, PC, and as a member of the recruitment team at Saul Ewing LLP (now Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, LLP.) In addition to work in the private and education sectors, Dina has experience as a placement director in a legal staffing agency and worked for a brief time on the admissions committee of Darden Business School at the University of Virginia.

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Commencement for 2020 and 2021 Grads Held at Towson University

Posted on September 13, 2021September 10, 2024 by Jason Keller in Baltimore Briefs

The 2020 and 2021 graduating classes received their degrees in a June 19 commencement ceremony at Towson University’s SECU Arena.

Recipients of the Juris Doctor degree, Master of Laws in Taxation, and Master of Laws in the Law of the United States had their degrees conferred upon them by University of Baltimore Provost Catherine Andersen.

Valedictorians from both graduating classes presented remarks, as did Baltimore Law alumnus the Hon. Mark Scurti, J.D. ’91. Guests were welcomed by School of Law Dean Ronald Weich, University System of Maryland Regent Nathaniel Sansom, and alumna Jasmine Pope, J.D. ’18, president of the University of Baltimore Law Alumni Board. Isabel Jorrin Garcia, of the Class of 2021, sang the national anthem.

13 Students Earn Summer Public Interest Fellowships

Posted on September 13, 2021September 10, 2024 by Jason Keller in Baltimore Briefs

Every year, the law school supports students in paid summer public-interest fellowships. These fellowships provide critical work experience at nonprofit and government organizations

Students learn of the fellowship positions through UB Students for Public Interest (UBSPI), a student group that promotes working in public interest law and connects students with opportunities. Typically, UBSPI holds a winter auction to raise funds for the fellowships, but the coronavirus pandemic made this impossible.

Congratulations to these 13 fellowship recipients.

Ouranitsa Abbas
rising 2L, Maryland Office of the Public Defender, Baltimore City

Amelia Bradshaw
rising 2L, St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center

Amanda Daly
rising 2L, State’s Attorney Office of Baltimore City

Alexandria Hodge
rising 2L, Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Department of Education

Marie Jensine Marcelino
rising 3L, CASA de Maryland

Kyle Kirwan
rising 2L, Maryland Office of the Public Defender, Baltimore City

Vidhi Kumar
rising 2L, Community Legal Services of Prince George’s County

Devita Mohandeo
rising 2L, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Services

Megan Nally
rising 2L, Senior Legal Services

Kaitlin O’Dowd
rising 2L, Maryland Office of the Public Defender, Baltimore Juvenile Division

Braden Stinar
rising 2L, Maryland Office of the Public Defender, Baltimore City

Ernesto Villaseñor Jr.
rising 2L, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

Faith Zellman
rising 2L, State’s Attorney’s Office of Baltimore City

Student Sabrina Marquez Receives One of Three Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship Awards

Posted on September 13, 2021September 10, 2024 by Jason Keller in Baltimore Briefs

Sabrina N. Marquez, a member of the Class of 2022, has won a Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship. Each year for the past 13 years, the firm has awarded $10,000 scholarships to three rising 2L students throughout the United States. Scholarship winners also receive a salaried 2L summer associate position in one of their offices.

Recipients are selected based on three criteria, according to the firm: demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession; personal and professional achievements; and established leadership qualities, work experience, community involvement and ability to overcome obstacles.

Marquez is past president of the law school’s Latin American Law Students Association and served as community service director for the Student Bar Association. She grew up in Ellicott City, MD, and graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice.

She says she is leaning toward a career in civil litigation. “This is one reason why I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work at Baker Donelson, to experience the many litigation groups the firm offers. As a summer associate, I will gain invaluable legal research and writing skills in a practical environment,” Marquez says.

“I would also like to give a shoutout to the [Law Career Development Office] — the resources their office provides were crucial in preparing me throughout the application and interview processes.”

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27th Annual Awards Ceremony

Posted on September 13, 2021September 10, 2024 by Jason Keller in Baltimore Briefs

Law school held its virtual awards ceremony April 27

For the Class of 2021, Cassandra Brumback was valedictorian, and Scott Jenkins was salutatorian. Cooper Gerus won the 2021 Pro Bono Challenge Award.

The Law Faculty Award winners were Naseam Jabberi, day student, and Eaujee Francisco, evening student.

Jessica Carrick received the J. Ronald Shiff Award for Academic Excellence in Tax. The Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA) Outstanding Student Awards went to Jameka Carter, for externship work; and to Xuan Mai and Sean Murphy, for their work in the Mediation Clinic for Families. Naseam Jabberi received the Center for International and Comparative Law Director’s Award.

Clinical Excellence Awards went to Stacey Loundsbury, Community Development Clinic; Rohina Azizian Zavala, Civil Advocacy Clinic; and Julia Zheng, Bronfein Family Law Clinic.

The award for Outstanding Teaching by a Full-Time Faculty Member went to Prof. Matthew Lindsay, and Itta Englander received the award for Outstanding Teaching by an Adjunct Faculty Member. The Saul Ewing Award for Outstanding Teaching in Transactional Law went to Prof. Robert Lande.

Prof. Gilda Daniels received the Faculty Scholarship Award for Traditional Research, and Prof. Colin Starger was given the Faculty Scholarship Award for Non-Traditional Research.

The Law Faculty Service Award went to Prof. Angela Vallario, and the Rose McMunn Distinguished Staff Award went to Katie Rolfes.

Prof. Dionne Koller Named Co-Chair of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics Commission

Posted on September 13, 2021September 10, 2024 by Jason Keller in Baltimore Briefs

Prof. Dionne L. Koller, director of the Center for Sport and the Law, has been named co-chair of the Commission on the State of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (also known as the USOPC Commission).

The USOPC Commission is a product of the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act that passed on Nov. 2, 2020. It directs the chairs and ranking members of the Senate Commerce Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee to each appoint four members to the USOPC Commission. The USOPC Commission must conduct a study reviewing recent USOPC reforms and must submit its findings and recommendations to Congress.

“The USOPC exists to protect athletes and uphold the integrity of sport,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-WA, commission chair, in announcing the commission on April 2, 2021. “There are many issues that plague sports, from unequal pay and treatment to sexual abuse. Having the right members on this Commission ensures that these issues can be properly addressed and remedied, so that Olympic and Paralympic athletes can feel safe in their sports environment.”

Koller’s scholarly focus is on Olympic and amateur sports law. She is a former chair and current member of the Executive Board of the Association of American Law Schools’ section on Sports and the Law. Koller also serves as a member of the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s Anti-Doping Review Board and provides pro bono support for Olympic Movement athletes.

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Privacy Was Focus of 12th Feminist Legal Theory Conference

Posted on September 13, 2021September 10, 2024 by Jason Keller in Baltimore Briefs

“Applied Feminism and Privacy” was the theme of this year’s 12th Feminist Legal Theory Conference on April 22 and 23, presented by the Center on Applied Feminism.

As always, current events provided an impetus for the conference theme. Our nation is at a critical time for a broad range of privacy issues. State-level abortion bans have put a spotlight on the importance of decisional privacy to women’s equality. Across America, advocates are fighting for reproductive justice and strategizing to preserve long-settled rights.

At the same time, our informational privacy is increasingly precarious. Data brokers, app designers and social media platforms are gathering and selling personal data in highly gendered ways. As a result, women have been targeted with predatory marketing, intentionally excluded from job opportunities, and subject to menstrual tracking by marketers and employers. In online spaces, women have been objectified, cyber-stalked, and subject to revenge porn.

With regard to physical privacy, the structural intersectionality of over-policing and mass incarceration impacts women of color and other women. And while a man’s home may be his castle, low-income women are expected to allow government agents into their homes — and to turn over reams of other personal information — as a condition of receiving state support. In addition, families of all forms are navigating the space of constitutionally protected family privacy in relation to legal parentage, marriage and cohabitation, and child welfare systems.

The first session examined menstrual justice and activism across employment, homelessness, education and data privacy, and in school and carceral settings. Panelists included Center co-directors Margaret E. Johnson, associate dean for experiential education and professor of law, and Michele E. Gilman, Venable Professor of Law.

This year’s keynote speaker was Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center.

13th Feminist Legal Theory Conference

Save the date for the 13th Feminist Legal Theory Conference scheduled for April 8, 2022. Themed “Applied Feminism and ‘The Big Idea,'” this year’s conference aims to capture, develop, and disseminate cutting edge theorizing around issues of gender equity and intersectionality.

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Noted British Historian Quentin Skinner to Present Stead Lecture Oct. 8 as Part of CICL Republicanism Conference

Posted on September 13, 2021September 10, 2024 by Jason Keller in Baltimore Briefs

The Wilson H. Elkins Conference on Republicanism will take place Thursday, Oct. 7 through Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at the School of Law.

Regents Professor and Wilson H. Elkins Professor M.N.S. Sellers, co-director of the school’s Center for International and Comparative Law, and other noted lawyers, philosophers and political scientists, will discuss Republican law, Republican justice and the Republican form of government. The results of the conference will be published by Oxford University Press as The Oxford Handbook of Republicanism.

Philip Pettit, the Laurance S. Rockefeller University Professor of Politics and Human Values at Princeton University, and Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy at the Australian National University, will deliver the Wilson H. Elkins Lecture on “Republican Democracy” at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 7.

Quentin Skinner, the Barber Beaumont Professor of the Humanities and co-director of The Centre for the Study of the History of Political Thought at Queen Mary University of London, will deliver the John Sumner Stead Lecture on “Liberty and Rights: A Neo-Roman Approach” on Oct. 8 at 9:45 a.m.

Pettit works in moral and political theory and on background issues in the philosophy of mind and metaphysics. He was elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2009, honorary member of the Royal Irish Academy in 2010, and Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy in 2013; he has long been a fellow of the Australian academies in Humanities and Social Sciences.

Pettit’s recent single-authored books include On the People’s Terms: A Republican Theory and Model of Democracy (2012); Just Freedom: A Moral Compass for a Complex World (2014) and The Robust Demands of the Good: Ethics with Attachment, Virtue and Respect (2015).

Skinner is a fellow of the British Academy and a foreign member of several other national academies, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.

His scholarship, which is available in 20 languages, has won him many awards, including the Wolfson History Prize and a Balzan Prize. His two-volume study, The Foundations of Modern Political Thought (1978), was listed by the (London) Times Literary Supplement in 1996 as one of the 100 most influential books published since World War II.

Skinner’s other books include Reason and Rhetoric in the Philosophy of Hobbes (1996), Liberty Before Liberalism (1998), Machiavelli (2000), Hobbes and Republican Liberty (2008), Forensic Shakespeare (2014), a three-volume collection of essays called Visions of Politics (2002), and From Humanism to Hobbes: Studies in Rhetoric and Politics (2018).

The Republicanism Conference is supported by grants from the Wilson H. Elkins Fund of the University System of Maryland and the John Sumner Stead Fund of The University of Baltimore Center for International and Comparative Law. To learn more, email cicl@ubalt.edu.