Issue 14 - November 17, 2025
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ST. MARY'S MOOT COURT TEAMS BOTH FINISH TOP-8 AT CHICAGO BAR ASSOCIATION NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION |
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The St. Mary's National Moot Court Team traveled to the Windy City this past weekend to participate in the Chicago Bar Association's National Moot Court Competition. The competition has been in existence for more than 40 years, and addresses timely issues with constitutional implications. St. Mary’s fielded two teams for this tournament: The 3L team of Caitlyn Acosta, Danielle Shedd Reed and Jenifer Velazquez, and the 2L team of Arianna Martinez, Avia Guerra and Taylor Duran. Julia Ruiz served as bailiff for the 2L team at the competition. The tournament brought 30 teams together from law schools all over the country. The 3L team of Acosta / Shedd Reed / Velazquez broke into the elimination rounds as the Top Seed at the tournament, reaching the Quarter-Finals round and finishing as one of the Top-8 teams. The 2L team of Martinez / Guerra / Duran also reached the Quarter-Finals. St. Mary's was the only school that had two teams reach that high in the elimination rounds. Caitlin Acosta's brief was also recognized as the Third Place brief at the tournament. Congratulations to all of these amazing advocates!
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PANEL DISCUSSION: THE CHANGING FEDERAL LANDSCAPE ON HOMELESSNESS |
Law faculty, staff, School of Law and Pre-Law students are invited to a lunchtime panel discussion by local civic and service leaders on homelessness.
Monday, Nov. 17
12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Law Classrooms Building, Room 105
The panel participants are:
Chief William P. McManus, San Antonio Police Department
Katie Wilson, President and CEO, Close to Home San Antonio
Trish DeBerry, President and CEO, Centro San Antonio
Moderator: Clinical Assistant Professor of Law Gregory Zlotnick, J.D., St. Mary's Law
Lunch will be provided by the School of Law Dean's Office. For more information, contact Ramona Lampley, J.D., at rlampley@stmarytx.edu.
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CHILI COOK-OFF 1ST PLACE WINNER |
We are excited to announce the 1st Place Winner of the 2025 Law School Chili Cook-Off:
John Shelton
Chili Champion – 2025
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Please join us in congratulating John. Thank you to all participants, judges, and attendees who helped make this year’s cook-off a fun and memorable event.
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WRITING COMPETITIONS, FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
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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.
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ABA FORUM ON COMMUNICATIONS - LAW SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY |
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
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JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP WRITING CONFERENCE - APPLY NOW
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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
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COOLEY LLP - 1L, 2L Fellowships and Summer Associate Programs |
Cooley LLP is offering a Diversity Fellowship for 1L law students, which includes a paid summer associate position plus up to $50,000 in tuition-assistance payments. Deadline for the 2025-26 cycle: January 9, 2026. Interviews and offers will be made on a rolling basis. Link: Apply & learn more → Cooley 1L Diversity Fellowship
As part of Cooley’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, Cooley is proud to offer diversity fellowships to outstanding 2L law students. Award recipients will receive a paid 2L summer associate position and an award of up to $40,000 to assist with law school tuition. Link: Cooley 2L Diversity Fellowship
Apply to Cooley's Summer Associate Program
Cooley Direct is a way for law students to apply directly to our summer associate program on an earlier timeline. The application period for the 2027 summer associate program runs from November 15, 2025, to February 16, 2026, with candidates considered on a rolling basis.
How to apply:
If you are interested in our general corporate or business litigation practice groups, apply here.
If you would like to apply to one of our focus area groups, such as intellectual property litigation, cyber/data/privacy, life sciences partnering or technology transactions, find the corresponding job posting here.
Please note:
Our 2027 summer associate program is open to law students with an anticipated graduation date of May/June 2028 (or December 2027).
Please only apply to one position/one office. If you are interested in additional office locations or specific practice areas, please include that in your cover letter.
If you have any questions, please email Cooley Direct.
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Follow us on Instagram and enter opportunity drawing for cool prizes!
Opportunity Drawing will take place on November 20th, and you’ll also be entered to win cooler prizes in the spring.
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1L Mock Interviews Open Application Period
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The 1L Mock Interview Program is designed to help you develop the confidence and skills necessary for successful legal interviews. You will have the opportunity to practice interviewing with an experienced legal professional, such as a practicing lawyer, sitting judge, or legal recruiter, and receive detailed, constructive feedback in real time. All 1Ls are required to participate. Applications for a mock job posting on CORE are open to 1Ls from Monday, November 17 until Friday, November 21, 2025.
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1L Mentor Circles Sign Up |
Registration for the Spring 2026 1L Mentor Circles Program opens at noon on Monday, November 17, 2025. 1Ls should be on the lookout for an email from Dean Patricia Roberts with sign-up instructions. If you are interested in participating, register as soon as possible, as slots typically fill up within hours, and availability is limited.
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Save the Date: OCS Events |
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Walk-In Wednesday and Popcorn, Wednesday, November 19, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Office of Career Strategy
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For more information about these events or to RSVP, please check the Events section in CORE.
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ACADEMIC SUPPORT & OPPORTUNITIES |
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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.
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PRO BONO & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES |
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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.
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FOR GOODNESS SAKE FOOD PANTRY |
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.
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OFFICE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
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Need help with financial aid-related matters? You can meet with anyone on the Financial Aid 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.
Website: Financial Aid Office
Financial Assistance Links
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RELIGIOUS EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES |
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SUPPORT FOR JEWISH STUDENTS LOOKING TO CONNECT |
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.
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WEEKDAY AND WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE
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| 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.
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Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 12:15 p.m., Reinbolt Hall, Assumption Chapel
Tuesday and Thursday - 12:30 p.m., Reinbolt Hall, Assumption Chapel
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| 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
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| 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.
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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
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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
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St. Mary's University, 1 Camino Santa Maria | San Antonio, TX 78228 US
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