Issue 27 - March 31, 2025

Students who have not requested accommodations for a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to apply, 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 at https://gateway.stmarytx.edu/rattlers/establishing-accommodations.

Please refer to the School of Law Student Handbook, §IV.D.5. on Gateway for more information.

The priority deadline to apply for Spring 2025 accommodations is Thursday, April 17, 2025. Requests received after this date are not guaranteed to have accommodations in place for Spring 2025 final exams.

For the second time in St. Mary’s history, our law school proudly participated in the Judge John R. Brown Admiralty Moot Court Competition in New Orleans, Louisiana! Our teams, Mussarrat Rehman (3L), London Delks (3L), and Richard “Tres” Lyons (2L) and Caitlyn Acosta (2L), Jenifer Velazquez (2L), and Sarah Peacock (2L), joined 30 other teams from across the country to argue a complex case at the intersection of maritime law and Louisiana law.

We are thrilled to announce that Caitlyn Acosta, Jenifer Velazquez, and Sarah Peacock advanced to the quarterfinals, where they faced the team that ultimately won the competition. Due to their outstanding advocacy, they were named the third best advocacy team in the competition! Caitlyn Acosta (2L) also earned individual honors, being recognized as the second-best advocate in the preliminary rounds.  Stephanie De Sola Acosta coached and traveled with the team.

Congratulations to all of our competitors for their dedication, hard work, and outstanding advocacy. You have set a strong foundation for future St. Mary’s teams in this prestigious competition!

Financial Coaching Session

by AccesLex

Tues., April 1

8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Raba 207

 

Student Loan Repayment Strategies by AccessLex

Tues., April 1

12:00 p.m.

LC 103

 

Financial Aid Onsite Office Hours

Tues., April 1

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

1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Law Library 108

 

Externship Tabling with Clinic

Wed., April 2

12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Law Library Commons

 

Financial Aid Onsite Office Hours

Wed., April 2

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

1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Law Library 108

 

Coffee in the Courtyard

Thus., April 3

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

 

Externship Tabling with Clinic

Thurs., April 3

12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Law Classrooms Building

 

1L Workshop Series: Short Essay Blitz Day: Processing 1L Courses

Thurs., April 3

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

LC 105

 

Celebrate Graduate Appreciation Week 

Mon. Mar 31 through Fri., April 4

 

St. Mary's Homecoming Week 2025

Mon., Mar. 31 to Fri. April 4

ATTENTION - Class of 2025.  Fiesta Farewell is April 14 at 4:45 p.m. This is a celebration for graduating students this spring. This event will involve a class photo with faculty and presentation of awards. Food and drinks will be served. Business attire is recommended for the photo.

There are only a few remaining sessions in the 1L Workshop Series, hosted by the Office of Academic Success. Don’t forget to spring forward toward academic success and gain the tools needed to finish the semester strong! Don’t let this opportunity run right by you. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Please note, the final session has changed to THURSDAY, April 3 instead of April 1.

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/.

The Fall 2025 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/

If you have any questions, please email Cyrilla-Lyn Thompson at cthompson17@stmarytx.edu

Are you taking the Bar Exam this July 2025? If so, we have a free program that will help you dominate the Bar Exam.  Enrolling in Raise the Bar is your first step towards success. Scan the QR code or visit this link to enroll: https://forms.gle/5kAr9o6jwEdcW2XG8. Hurry though - enrollment will close on May 11, 2025.   We look forward to working with you this summer!

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.

First 10 students to register will receive $10 off the registration fee!

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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:

April 18, 2025
Han C. Choi Scholarship

This scholarship honors a NAPABA Trailblazer, mentor, and leader, who embodies grit and courage in the face of great adversity. The Scholarship Fund will benefit a 1L or 2L law student who exhibits academic excellence, leadership, volunteerism, mentorship experience, and demonstrates an interest in AAPI civic issues.

April 19, 2025
Fred T. Korematsu Fellowship

This summer fellowship program will provide funding to a law student in a meaningful summer internship at a public interest organization.

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