Issue 31 - April 28, 2025

 FEDERAL BENEFIT APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

The SA Food Bank will be here Thursday, May 1, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.in the Center For Life Directions building, to help you apply for federal benefits created to assist students. Some benefits they can assist with include: SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, WIC, Healthy Texas Woman, CHIP, TANF and Medicare Savings Program. More information may be found at Federal Benefit  Application Assistance. For questions, contact Lauren Hyle at lhyle@stmarytx.edu  

Financial Aid Onsite Office Hours

Tues., April 29

8 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Law Library 108

 

Praying with the Marianists

Wed., April 30

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Reinbolt Hall Assumption Chapel

 

Financial Aid Onsite Office Hours

Wed., April 30

8 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Law Library 108

 

SA Food Bank:

Federal Benefit

Application Assistance

Thur., May 1

9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Center For Life Directions Bldg.

 

Last Day of Classes

Friday, May 2

 

Final Exams

May 7-21

 

This year, the St. Mary’s School of Law Board of Advocates partnered with the Federal Bar Association to host The Jimi Derrick and the Federal Bar Association San Antonio Chapter Memorial Moot Court Competition at the Federal Courthouse downtown.  This competition is held in honor of Jimi Derrick, a St. Mary’s University School of Law student who passed away during his time here.  His family sponsors this competition every year in honor of him and his favorite law school course, Constitutional Law.  Jimi Derrick’s mother, Dr. Rebecca Millikin, attended the advanced rounds of the competition.  In the Final round, Champion Danielle Shedd Reed and Finalist Karagan Carson argued before United States District Judge of the Western District of Texas Fred Biery.  

Thank you to the student competitors, Board of Advocates, the Derrick family, and the Federal Bar Association for the combined efforts and dedication to this competition.  A special  thank you to the Federal Courthouse staff for their assistance, attention, and accommodations, and are especially grateful for the support of court clerk Kim Nguyen.  Finally, we are thankful for the leadership and support of Dean Alvaro Bellido de Luna, Federal Bar Association Representative Billy Calve, and the many others that support this competition year after year.

Congratulations are in order as follows:

Champion

Danielle Shedd Reed

 

Finalist

Karagan Carson

 

Best Rookie

Summer Bentinck

 

Semifinalists

Summer Bentinck

Jenifer Velazquez

 

Quarterfinalists

Rory De Los Santos

Eric Heyland

Cassidy McLaughlin

Alexander Quintanilla

 

Octofinalists

Samantha Perez

Julian Ramirez

Lisette Ramirez

Allan Rivera

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/.

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? The Sunbelt Recruitment Program 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 Hour

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!

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

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. Her last day of onsite office hours in Law Library, Rm. 108 will be Wed., April 30.

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