Issue 9 - October 13, 2025

The St. Mary's University School of Law and the Catholic Lawyers' Guild of San Antonio invite you to join in the celebration of the 73rd Annual Red Mass, A Legacy of Faith and Law, marking the beginning of the judicial and academic year. 

Red Mass will take place on Thursday, October 16, 6:00 p.m., at San Fernando Cathedral, 115 Main Plaza, San Antonio, Texas 78205. 

The Most Rev. Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S., Archbishop of San Antonio, will be the principal celebrant and homilist.  School of Law Dean Patricia Roberts, J.D. will provide welcome remarks.

For additional information, please contact Sister Grace Walle, F.M.I., D.Min., St. Mary's University School of Law Chaplain, at 210.436.3063 or gwalle@stmarytx.edu.

Monday classes meet Tue., Oct. 14

Tuesday classes cancelled.

 

Rachel Daley,

Law Clerk for Justice Neil Gorsuch

Wed., Oct. 15

12:00 p.m.

Law Alumni Room

 

Red Mass

Thu., October 16

6:00 p.m.

San Fernando Cathedral, Downtown San Antonio

 

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2025

Mark your calendars for the final events of Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 through October 15, 2025.  

Students who need accommodations for a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services located in the Center for Life Directions Building, Room 139 (behind the Raba building).

Their telephone number is 210.431.5080, email accessibility@stmarytx.edu or visit the webpage on Gateway at https://gateway.stmarytx.edu/group/mycampus/services/disability-services.

Please refer to the School of Law Student Handbook, §IV.D.5. on Gateway for more information. The priority deadline to request Fall 2025 accommodations is Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

There are many opportunities for private law scholarships, writing competitions, and awards for which law students may apply.

Students may also check the AccessLex Law School Scholarship Database to help law students find the right scholarships and writing competitions totaling almost $300 million in aid. AccessLex is a non-profit dedicated to increasing access to legal education,

Be sure to return weekly for new updates.

The San Antonio Bar Auxiliary Foundation is offering a $2000 scholarship to a St. Mary’s law student to be used for tuition and fees. The requirements to apply are as follows:

If you are interested in applying, send a resume and a cover letter that explains the following: (1) your commitment to practicing law in Texas after graduation, (2) how your experiences, goals, and financial circumstances shape your path to becoming a lawyer, and (3) how this scholarship would help you achieve that (500 word limit).

Send all submissions to Professor Amanda Rivas, chair of the Faculty Awards Committee, at arivas@stmarytx.edu. Please title the subject line of your email “SABA Application.” All applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 20, 2025. If chosen for the scholarship, the recipient should attend the scholarship presentation on November 18, 2025. 

This paid summer program is designed to attract law students with a hands-on fellowship opportunity that prepares them to become dynamic and skilled public defenders. Fellows gain real-world experience, individualized mentorship, and professional development designed to build skills that matter.

Who Can Apply:
Students committed to public interest/public defense 

Benefits:
Paid fellowship, mentorship, skill-building workshops, professional networking

Deadline:
October 31st

Trial Institute:
Students receive an intensive trial advocacy training that prepares them for their hands-on fellowship held May 18-22 (virtual)

Additional Support:
Students may receive up to $1500 to help with relocation expenses

Links to register to attend our 2026 BPDA Recruitment Series, where law students can attend to learn more about the summer fellowship, meet former fellows, and meet their potential summer fellowship host site. For more information about our 2026 Law School Summer Fellowship, please visit our website.

2026 BPDA Summer Fellowship Application 

2026 LS Summer LS Fellowship Host Sites Brochure: 2026 BPDA Host Site Brochure

Register to Attend our Recruitment Series 

Meet Your Host Site, Wednesday, October 22nd

The American Bar Association’s Forum on Communications Law is pleased to invite law students to apply for financial support to attend its Annual Conference and Media Advocacy Workshop on February 5-7, 2026, at The Wigwam resort in Phoenix, Arizona.

ABA Forum on Communications Law Conference Scholarships

The Forum awards full scholarships to two law students that include conference registration, travel and lodging. The two winning applicants will have a demonstrated interest in media law and/or First Amendment law, as reflected in their transcript and resume. Other relevant considerations include strength of academic record, experience in the media field, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession and the justice system.

ABA Forum on Communications Law Media Advocacy Workshop Scholarships

Prior to the conference, the Forum presents the Media Advocacy Workshop, which provides law students and early career attorneys an opportunity to practice their oral advocacy skills, engage in a pre-publication review exercise and participate in professional development activities tailored to them.

The Forum will award the selected students scholarships between $1,000-$1,500 to help defray travel and lodging costs in addition to offering complimentary registration for the Media Advocacy Workshop (valued at $245 for law students) and the Annual Conference (valued at $445 for students).

More information and applications are available online:

Full Conference Scholarship Application– Application deadline November 25, 2025

The Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America welcomes applications to its Sixth Annual Judicial Clerkship Opinion Writing Conference, to be held February 19-21, 2026. The conference is open to individuals who have accepted a 2026-2027 federal clerkship (Article III District Court or Court of Appeals only) or a 2026-2027 state appellate court clerkship. The conference will take place in person on our campus.  CSL will provide funding towards travel and accommodations.

Applications must be received no later than November 30, 2025. 

Details, including application information, can be found at the conference website:  ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­http://law.edu/JCOW 

The Spring 2026 Clinic applications are now open. Applications are considered on a rolling basis and space is limited, so apply early. For more information, visit the Clinic website at https://law.stmarytx.edu/academics/special-programs/clinics/

For questions, email Cyrilla-Lyn Thompson at cthompson17@stmarytx.edu.

The Business Week Experience is an annual event that offers students the opportunity to connect with and learn from top business and civic leaders. Stay tuned for more information about sessions and events.

Register for all Business Week Events at the following link: https://gsb.swoogo.com/bwe25/register

Join us Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM at the Bill Greehey Arena Indoor Track for Walk and Talk Wednesday — a one-mile walk with fellow law students, faculty, and staff. It’s a great way to de-stress, stay active, and build community.
RSVP here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/rQmkkPdMSF  

The Externship course is a pass/fail course where students can earn up to six (6) experiential learning credits a semester. The course allows law students to gain practical work experience at a nonprofit, government agency, or in-house counsel offices while completing a curriculum that builds key professional development skills. If you are interested, reach out to Director Rivas (arivas@stmarytx.edu) to begin the vetting process. 

Don’t wait until spring to start your summer job search. Join SABA and a diverse panel of legal professionals as they share practical strategies to maximize your first summer in the legal field and provide a clear roadmap to launch your legal career. A box lunch will be provided; see CORE for details and to register.

For more information about these events or to RSVP, please check the Events section in CORE.

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.

All School of Law students are invited to visit and utilize the Goodness Sake Food Pantry! The food pantry is 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.

Need help with financial aid-related matters? Leandra Garcia is your Financial Aid Law School Liaison. You can meet with Leandra or anyone on the Financial Aid team one of the following ways:

Zoom Appointments with Leandra: 

Tuesday and Wednesday morning, by appointment using her Calendly Link:  https://calendly.com/stmufinaid/stmarys-university-law-appointments

Law Library Room 108 with Leandra:  Visit as a walk-in Tuesday and Wednesdays from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Anyone on the Financial Aid Team

You can also communicate with anyone from the Financial Assistance office by phone, in person, or via email.

Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed 12-1 for lunch) and Fridays 12:00 – 5:00 p.m..

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

Please visit the Graduate Degree Programs for more information.

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 Tuesday and Thursday 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.

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

 

NEED ASSISTANCE? 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 a staff member.

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

Alyssa Leffall, Assistant Dean for Law Student Affairs

Schedule a meeting: https://calendly.com/aleffall

Email: aleffall@stmarytx.edu

Dr. Monesca Smith, Director of Law Student Affairs

Schedule a meeting: https://calendly.com/msmith71-stmarytx

Email: msmith71@stmarytx.edu  

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