Issue 30 - April 21, 2025

Fiesta Oyster Bake is taking place on campus, Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26. University offices will be closed and no classes will be held on Friday, April 25.

FACULTY ADVOCACY AWARDS AND ORDER OF BARRISTERS APPLICATIONS

The Order of Barristers is a national honorary organization whose purpose is the encouragement of oral advocacy and brief writing skills. The Order — which is open only to third-year law students — provides national recognition for individuals who have excelled in advocacy and service at their respective schools. St. Mary’s University School of Law is permitted to select up to ten new members each year. If you are interested in being considered for The Order of Barristers and other faculty advocacy awards, please download the application form HERE. Please note that the application should be typed or scanned, but it must be submitted in PDF form by email to dpepi@stmarytx.edu

The Faculty Awards Committee will review and select the new members of the Order of the Barristers. These applications will also be used, in part, to determine the recipients of the various faculty awards for outstanding advocacy. New members of the Order and any 3L award recipients will be announced at the Awards Ceremony which will take place on May 15, 2025. If selected to receive an award, you will receive a separate email inviting you to the awards ceremony.

Please note that seeking or obtaining advice or assistance from any faculty member (full-time, visiting, or adjunct) other than the Chair of the Faculty Awards Committee, Professor Dayla S. Pepi, concerning your application or its contents, is strictly prohibited. All applications must be submitted to Professor Pepi by April 25, 2025, by 12:00 p.m. (CT) – no exceptions.

Dean's Research Fellow Open House

Mon., April 21

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Law Atrium

 

Cyber Security with Mike Lewis

Wed., April 23

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Law Alumni Room

 

Lawtina Network Loteria Study Break

Thur., April 24

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Law Alumni Room

 

Oyster Bake

University Closed

Friday, 4/25 and

Saturday, 4/26.

 

The Student Veterans Association and Office of Graduate Law Programs invite you to join them for a discussion on contemporary topics in cyber law with area expert, Mike Lewis. A light lunch will be provided. 

Is your RSO planning for new leadership elections? Not sure where to start? No worries, we can help!

As a reminder, the minimum GPA requirement for RSO leaders is a 2.5 and all RSO elections this spring must conclude by May 2 (RSO elections may be conducted during the Fall 2025 semester).

For questions and assistance, please contact:

Dr. Monesca Smith, Director for Law Student Affairs

msmith71@stmarytx.edu;

Law Admin. Bldg., Rm. 106

Moody Foundation Veterans Law Fellowships available for students who commit to work on legal matters for veterans. Applicants do not need to have secured a placement position. Fellows work in established placements with the San Antonio Legal Services Association (SALSA) or Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA). Application is open for Fellowship positions for the Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026 semesters (stipend of at least $2,500 per semester for at least 120 hours worked). Additional information about these Fellowships available at: https://law.stmarytx.edu/academics/special-programs/law-fellowships/.

Check out our new hours for Spring 2025! We have expanded our hours to include additional evening, weekend, and virtual availability this semester. Please be sure to utilize this very helpful resource early on in the semester rather than waiting until a deadline. Our Writing Fellows are eager to serve you. Appointments are highly recommended but walk ins are welcome based on availability and staffing. You may set up an appointment here: https://calendly.com/legal-writing-center.

Externship is expanding. Check out the above new Externship credit options for this summer and next year. Set an appointment with Director Rivas to start exploring Externship for an upcoming semester. 

To provide a natural replication of real-world consequences of failing to comply with professional responsibilities, if a student fails to meet the 10- or 20-hour pro bono requirement benchmarks, a notice of non-compliance will be placed in the student’s character and fitness portfolio. If a student fails to meet the 30-hour requirement by graduation, the student’s graduation will not be certified.

More information can be found on the Pro Bono Program’s Canvas page and pages 9-10 of the Student Handbook. Events are posted on CORE. Below is a fillable PDF of the Tracking Form, which includes instructions for submission.

Looking for more legal job opportunities? This job fair will take place in Dallas at Southern Methodist University on June 27, and we expect it will feature about 30 employers from all over the state, as well as LA, OK, and other locations. You can register by emailing OCS at lawcareerstrategy@stmarytx.edu. The application period opens on May 2 and closes on May 16. You will receive an email from the program with details on accessing the system. Note: If you cannot interview in-person in Dallas on June 27, do not apply through this program.

Donate Professional Attire and Earn One Service Hours

OCS is now accepting donations from students for the Suit Up Station. Students that donate will receive 1 service hour. Please donate only new or gently used professional clothing. Items must be appropriate for legal interviews or jobs. Service hour will not be awarded for donations that do not meet these guidelines!

All School of Law students are invited to visit and utilize our NEW For Goodness Sake Food Pantry! The food pantry is currently located near the Office of Graduate Law Programs in the Law Library and is open during Law Library hours. Come visit and see what we have to offer! 

School of Law students may continue to access the Rattler Den food and hygiene pantry located in the Center for Life Directions.

Please visit the Graduate Degree Programs for more information.

Leandra Garcia is the new Financial Aid liaison to the Law School. Although, her regular School of Law onsite office hours are temporarily on hold, you can communicate with anyone from the Financial Assistance office by phone, in person, or via email.

If you would like to schedule a Zoom appointment with Leandra Garcia, the Financial Aid Law School Liaison, please use Financial Aid Law School Liaison Calendly.

To visit with the Financial Assistance team, please visit them in St. Louis Hall, Suite 301 or call us at (210) 436-3141. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday 8am – 5pm (closed 12-1pm for lunch). Friday they are open 12-5pm. 

Call them at (210) 436-3141 or via email at FinAid@stmarytx.edu.

Get your 2025-2026 FAFSA submitted now open at StudentAid.gov. You will use 2023 tax information to complete it.

If you are a Jewish law student at St. Mary's and are looking for an opportunity to engage with the San Antonio Jewish community, simply looking to connect on campus, or are just missing a home cooked Shabbat dinner, please feel free to reach out to  Robert Eichelbaum, Faculty in Residence, via email to reichelbaum@stmarytx.edu. 

The St. Mary’s University community is invited to attend weekday and weekend Masses on campus and at Holy Rosary Catholic Church throughout the semester.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 12:15 p.m., Reinbolt Hall, Assumption Chapel

Tuesday and Thursday - 12:30 p.m., Reinbolt Hall, Assumption Chapel

Saturday (English) - 5 p.m. - Holy Rosary Catholic Church

Sunday (English) - Noon - Holy Rosary Catholic Church

Sunday (Spanish) - 9 a.m. - Holy Rosary Catholic Church

Sunday (Bilingual) - 7 p.m. - Treadaway Hall, Guadalupe Chapel (Note:the evening Mass time has changed from 8 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

Sunday (English) - 11 a.m. - Reinbolt Hall, Assumption Chapel

Interested in a straightforward teaching of the Bible from the original languages?

If so, you are invited to attend Professor Jeffrey Addicott's "Bible Class." Classes are non-denominational and are held in the conference room at the Warrior Defense Project (LF102B) in Raba.

Class times are 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. each Sunday. Also, on Wednesday and Friday at 12:30 p.m.  Each class is 30 minutes long and covers individual books of the Bible under categorical, isagogical, and exegetical teaching methodology. Bring your Bible.

NOTE: Effective April 28, class times will move to Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. Sunday will remain the same.

For more information, contact Alexandra Fagerberg afagerberg@mail.stmarytx.edu.

There are many opportunities for private law scholarships, writing competitions, and awards for which law students may apply.  Students may also check AccessLex, a non-profit dedicated to increasing access to legal education, to help law students find the right scholarships and writing competitions totaling almost $300 million in aid.  Be sure to return weekly for new updates.

The NAPABA Law Foundation promotes the interests of the AANHPI community primarily through scholarships and fellowships. Whether you’re interested in applying for yourself or know someone who might benefit from the information, below are the upcoming application deadlines:

June 30, 2025
SAIL Scholarship Program

This scholarship provides mentorship, networking opportunities, and financial support to a 2L student who has outstanding professional promise and leadership potential.

 

NEED ASSISTANCE? THE OFFICE OF LAW STUDENT AFFAIRS CAN HELP

Do you have an issue or concern, but aren't sure where to go? The Office for Law Student Affairs can help. Students may schedule an appointment with Assistant Dean Alyssa Leffall by using her Calendly link at https://calendly.com/aleffall. She may also be reached via email at aleffall@stmarytx.edu.

Common topics include, but are not limited to, adjustment to law school, financial challenges, illnesses, and notification of emergencies.

Please click this link  to access the following important School of Law notices:

Disclosure of Character and Fitness Issues (Law School Application Amendments)

- Includes link to form for submitting law school application amendments

Title IX Academic Adjustments for Pregnancy

Law Students with Disabilities

Inviting Dignitaries to Campus

COVID-19 Policy

St. Mary's University School of Law
The Catholic and Marianist University
www.law.stmarytx.edu