The Evidence Is In

Giving back to the community is something that hits us especially deep. Providing support to our neighbors is key to how we function as more than lawyers, but individuals. And when we get the chance to give back to the future lawyers, especially in our community, sign us up. That’s why MANEY | GORDON Trial Lawyers continues to contribute to the Book Award in Evidence grant at Stetson University College of Law. For the third year in a row, this scholarship celebrates and fosters excellence by rewarding the student who earns the highest grade in Evidence Law at Stetson University College of Law. For 2023, we recognize Lillian Duncan.

Best of the Best

Lillian’s passion and perseverance earned her $2,500 towards her career in law. But it wasn’t until her work contract was renegotiated by her union that she became seriously interested in studying law. When large changes to her new contract surprised her, Lillian began a path to make changes to those changes. And since the contracts weren’t drafted by union members, but lawyers instead, Lillian set a course for law. “Coming into law school, I underestimated how difficult the courses and materials would be,” said Lillian. “I am lucky to have a supportive family. My parents and partner all encouraged me to keep trying even though I struggled to keep up during my first semester. The lessons didn’t come intuitively to me, and the exam structure was not something I was prepared for.” When she learned memorizing wasn’t the most effective for her to retain the material, she pivoted to applying rules to unique situations. That’s when she and her cohorts practiced these rules and applied them to different fact patterns until the materials became second nature. Just like in the real world, it’s when we can apply what we’ve learned to actual situations that it creates the strongest connections in our brains. With this knowledge and these newly learned skills, Lillian is passionate about creating the kind of working environments that are fair, just and easily understood by all. “It’s hard to find a negative when supporting such a drive for excellence,” says Jack Gordon, managing partner of MANEY | GORDON Trial Lawyers. “That’s what our entire practice revolves around. We strive to be the best and we aim to inspire those to do the same. Lillian’s motivation to fight for the rights and equal treatment of those around her makes me proud to stand beside her.”

Florida’s First Law School

It was October 2^nd, 1900 when Stetson University’s College of Law began. Five students started, but thousands have trained since to become legal experts and societal leaders. Now anchored in Gulfport, there are over 1,000 students and Stetson Law is one of the nation’s top-ranked advocacy programs and LL.M. degree programs in advocacy, elder law and international law. They also share space with a working court, Florida's Second District Court of Appeal. The overall employment rate is 93% which is one of the highest in the state and it’s rated as a Best Grad School by U.S. News & World Report in Trial Advocacy and #3 in Legal Writing. They’ve won state, regional, national and even global awards. Stetson is also one of the handfuls of law schools in the country guaranteeing every student can participate in a clinic or externship during law school. “Stetson is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of greatness,” says Mr. Gordon. “And we are honored to support an institution like that.”