The Evidence Is Inarguable

The power of any city comes from its people. Here in Tampa Bay, we are fortunate to live and work within a population of so many intelligent, principled and socio-economically sophisticated men and women who continue to make this great community the location of their respective residences and professional careers. And these people, much like us, believe in supporting our up-and-coming generations to continue more than the status quo of our community, but to soar above it.

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 fourth 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 2024, we recognize Zoë DePecol.

Best of the Best

Zoë’s commitment and dedication earned her $2,500 towards her career in law. But it wasn’t until an experience in her college sorority that Zoë’s path towards law came into view.

“I was involved in [the] sorority with Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Florida,” said Zoe. “Alpha Chi Omega participated with the philanthropic organization Peaceful Paths: an organization dedicated to domestic violence awareness and rehabilitation. Through this experience, I knew that [I] wanted to continue serving the public in my career but was not sure how to obtain that. After taking the class ‘legal psychology’, I discovered that the legal field would be a great fit for me.”

She is currently a Scholarship and Symposium Editor with Stetson Law Review. Part of this role, she plans their annual Symposium–the largest event of the year. This year’s Symposium is on Prosecutorial Independence & White-Collar Crime, which will take place on Friday, March 28, 2025. Stetson Law Review is excited to host distinguished practitioners and academics from across the country, ranging from New York Law School to the University of Michigan Law School, for an in-depth discussion of an issue as critical as prosecutorial independence and white-collar crime. The Symposium also offers a unique opportunity for members of the local legal community to connect with current Stetson Law students.

“The overwhelming drive Zoë has is apparent in her work ethic and that’s always something to nurture,” says Jack Gordon, managing partner of MANEY | GORDON Trial Lawyers. “Excellence is rarely found in talent and is more seen in hard work. Zoë has both and that’s exactly what we look for when acquiring lawyers for our firm. Those are the attorneys that make a difference in more than the cases and the lives of the victims they fight for, but also because their efforts ripple into the actual fabrics of law by adjusting or even creating new laws making our world a safer place. We strive to be the best and we aim to inspire those to do the same. Zoë’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.”