Tag: Shepard Broad College of Law

NSU Law Alumna Recognized By Legal Aid Service of Broward County

Sharon Bourassa

Legal Aid Service of Broward County has announced that Sharon Bourassa, Director of Special Projects at Legal Aid Service of Broward County has retired after 39 years of legal public service. For almost four decades, Bourassa has been committed to representing and helping the poor and disadvantaged in the Broward County community. She has represented low-income families in cases involving federal and state environmental laws, federal and state housing laws and local code enforcement laws.

Bourassa was employed by Legal Aid Service of Broward County since 1981. Her interest and compassion for the low-income community began long before she entered law school. Before entering law school, Sharon was a divorced mother with two young children receiving welfare assistance via Food Stamps and a Section 8 Housing Voucher. Sharon became determined to earn a college degree and go on to law school, not only to help her family but also to help those who faced the same struggles she experienced.

Her advocacy through countless winning cases has brought millions of dollars’ worth of renovations to housing complexes neglected by owners that placed tenants in dangerous and unhealthy situations. Bourassa has had immense impact improving the lives of thousands of Broward’s low income and minority communities who have sought help from Legal Aid Service of Broward County.

“Our organization and the community will be suffering a tremendous loss as Sharon Bourassa retires” said Tony Karrat, Executive Director of Legal Aid Service of Broward County. “It has been her life’s mission to help those in need and right the wrongs imposed on those unable to help themselves, and through her work she has been able to accomplish this mission.”

Sharon has focused her practice on major impact cases that result in significant relief to local, state, and national segments of the low-income population. She has litigated cases against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for operating federal housing projects that are in clear viola­­tion of applicable housing laws, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its failure to enforce laws concerning a Superfund waste site, and other governmental entities for failure to either comply with applicable code enforcement, housing, and relocation laws or for improper enforcement of said laws.

Most recently, Sharon has been instrumental in developing programs to represent welfare and low-income women and men whose legal issues are keeping them from continuing their education or job training. This includes representing them in child custody, domestic violence, evictions, foreclosure, and other consumer matters.

Karrat continued “Sharon has been a shining example of the fearless leadership and advocacy that has made Legal Aid Service of Broward County stand out both within our community and statewide.”

Bourassa has received countless prestigious legal accolades and awards throughout her career including the Jane Elizabeth Curran Distinguished Service Award from The Florida Bar Foundation in 2018, Thurgood Marshall Award from Urban League of Broward County in 2002 and Alumna of the Year presented by Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center on their 20th Anniversary in 1994, to name a few. It is clear Sharon Bourassa represents the highest moral, intellectual, and professional characteristics that a lawyer can have.

Article courtesy of the Legal Aid Service of Broward County.

NSU Florida to Host Online Symposium “Policing the Black Man”, Feb.12

Free Two-Day Virtual Event Open to All Members of the Community

Features Prominent Figures in Law Enforcement, the Judicial System and Education

WHO:       Officials from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law, the College of Psychology and the Lifelong Learning Institute, along with:

  • Gregory Tony, Broward County Sheriff;
  • Harold Pryor, Broward State Attorney;
  • Gordon Weekes, Broward County Public Defender;
  • Dale V.C. Holness, Broward County Commissioner, District 9; and
  • Angela J. Davis, Distinguished Professor, American University Washington College of Law, and one of the authors of “Policing The Black Man: Arrest, Prosecution And Imprisonment”

WHAT:      Two-day virtual symposium: “Policing the Black Man: Arrest, Prosecution And Imprisonment,” which examines how the judicial system interacts with the African-American Community.

WHERE:    Each day’s presentation will take place online via Zoom

  • Registration online HERE
  • Event program online HERE

WHEN:            

  • Friday, Feb. 12   10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Feb. 19,  1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

WHY:               The continuing plague of abuse by law enforcement of African Americans, and African American men in particular, led to last year’s widespread protests. As a new presidential administration takes office, there is an opportunity to advance changes that can help to address this fundamental challenge facing our nation.  Interested community members are encouraged to join in for an examination of the many challenges and how to address them.

The first day of the program will begin with a presentation by the leading lawyers and legal scholars who co-authored a book that addresses this precise issue: “Policing the Black Man: Arrest Prosecution and Enforcement.” Law enforcement officials and elected officials will examine the impact on the criminal legal system.

A week later, the conversation will continue with an analysis of the issue by community leaders and activists to examine the impact on society. The results of the discussion will be used to identify steps to undertake to address these challenges. This is an important conversation that must continue.

No, You Can’t Touch My Hair: The Importance, Necessity, and Controversy of the CROWN Act

The Black Law Students Association welcomes you to our Fall 2020 panel event, which focuses on the 2019 CROWN Act. The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” is a law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination, which is the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including braids, locs, twists or bantu knots.

Friday, November 6, 2020  |  6:00 – 8:30 PM

FL Bar CLE Credits Pending

NSU Shepard Broad College of Law  |  Zoom Webinar

This panel focuses on the legal perspective from different vantage points. Attendees will learn more about the Act, how it was handled, and the current political climate surrounding the Act.

RSVP HERE

NSU Black Law Student Association to Hold Justice Walkathon, June 12

 

On behalf of NSU BLSA, a BLSA Statement Release has been posted on the BLSA webpage that highlights the tragic deaths that have taken place, due to systemic racism and police brutality. We urge our community to stand with us in unity during these times, as we fight for equal justice, and end systemic oppression.

NSU BLSA will be holding a virtual justice walkathon (5k) on June 12, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $10 to join, and all proceeds will go towards funding the BLSA competitions team. We are equipping young black men and women with the necessary skills and knowledge they need to enter the legal workforce to battle injustice.

Participants will be able to join the event via Nike Run Club App.

Additionally, BLSA will be selling shirts that read “Black Skin Is NOT A Crime” throughout the school year and all proceeds will be given to a non-profit organization whose goal is to end police brutality.

We hope that our NSU Law family will stand with us and support our fundraiser.

Please see the attachments and link below to register for a shirt.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15b3deopMI7rPnNSqPtVd28Nxgr69PL1kCw4CHfVSwXk/edit

We would also like to add that we will be collecting the funds via CashApp ($nerdgirllin) or Paypal (lindalessie3@gmail.com).

 

NSU Law National Criminal Procedure Moot Court Tournament Champions

NSU Law students Scott Simmons (JD 2020) and Wesley Wallace (JD 2020) earned the National Championship trophy in the National Criminal Procedure Moot Court Tournament, hosted by the University of San Diego Law School. The team traveled to San Diego to compete against 40 other law schools from around the country. In addition to winning the entire competition, the team had the second best petitioner brief score.

Coaches Professor Mark Dobson, Professor Megan Chaney, and Moot Court Advisor Professor Heather Baxter helped prepare Scott and Wesley for the competition. The team extends their appreciation to all the faculty, students, and members of the local legal community who assisted them in their practice rounds.

Free NSU Berger Entrepreneur Bootcamp September 5-7, 2019

The Shepard Broad College of Law and the Sharon and Mitchell W. Berger Entrepreneur Law Clinic are hosting the second annual Sharon and Mitchell W. Berger Entrepreneur Bootcamp.

This free program is designed to immerse entrepreneurs in the skills and disciplines needed to successfully launch a start-up business, with particular focus on those companies built on research, design, or innovation.

The program will include both an online component and a two-day workshop open to all NSU students, faculty, staff, and to the general public. Tickets are also available for a VIP reception and VIP seating.

The program will explore many of the essential steps for developing new products and companies, such as:

  • Ideation and Research
  • Business Planning
  • Financial Planning and Market Analysis
  • Patents and Patentability
  • Non-patent based Intellectual Property, including Trademarks, Trade Secrets,        and Copyrights
  • Legal Issues for Start-Ups, including Business Legal Structures, Ownership            Models, and Employment Structures
  • Business Funding and Finance: Angels, VCs, and Lenders
  • Risk and Process Management
  • Many More

This intensive training is on the NSU Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus at the Shepard Broad College of Law.

More Information & RSVP

Diversity Matters Award Goes to NSU Law

Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, and Public Impact Elena Marty-Nelson works with students (R) Nikette A. Neal, M.D., FAAP speaking with high school students

NSU’s Shepard Broad College of Law was awarded the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) 2019 Diversity Matters Award for Innovation at the May 2019 LSAC Annual Meeting and Educational Conference. This award is presented to the law school that demonstrated the most creativity in their program agenda and in targeting its audience. Among NSU Law’s pipeline programs, LSAC highlighted the interdisciplinary program, “Make an Impact with Law and Medicine Day.” The diversity initiative was co-sponsored by the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine and the Shepard Broad College of Law under the direction of Elena Marty-Nelson J.D. LL.M., Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Public Impact and funded through an LSAC Diversity Matters grant.  Full Press Release

Dean Michele Struffolino, J.D.

Associate Dean of Students & Professor of Law Michele Struffolino J.D. is the inaugural recipient of the National Association of Law Student Affairs Professionals (NALSAP) CORE Four Award. The award is given to the NALSAP individual or institutional member who demonstrates the competencies, values and ethics of the very best law student affairs professionals. Dean Struffolino received her award at the NALSAP Conference in June 2019.

 

NSU Shepard Broad College of Law is Ranked Nationally in Heath Law and Legal Research and Writing by U.S. News & World Report

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Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Shepard Broad College of Law Health Law program has been ranked 56th nationally and the Legal Research and Writing program is ranked 20th nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Schools in the specialty rankings are ranked based solely on the number of nominations received from U.S. law school faculty who teach in that specialty.

These successes are due to the teaching, scholarship, and broad interdisciplinary engagement of the NSU Law faculty and staff and NSU leadership. “Our faculty have developed exemplary national programs in both these specialties,” said Jon M. Garon, Dean of the law school. “They bring their national expertise into the classroom and community on a daily basis.” As experts in their field, the faculty in these two programs continue to focus on student success through engaging research and national symposiums, conferences and publications.

The Health Law program at NSU emphasizes the main areas of the health law practice and offers a diverse and varied curriculum for students to become health law practitioners and policy makers. NSU Law continues its interprofessional collaboration with the NSU health professions colleges in providing engaging research between disciplines as well as commitment to community efforts to effect legislative issues.

NSU Law Legal Research and Writing offers a student-centered approach to legal writing instruction that integrates legal analysis with practical skills and professionalism. Our exceptional LRW faculty members have diverse practice expertise and are active leaders with the Legal Writing Institute and the Association of Legal Writing Directors. In addition to LRW, faculty members teach a wide array of courses, including experiential and doctrinal classes. Like all NSU Law faculty, they pride themselves on their commitment to student and community involvement.

For additional information, contact Kathleen Perez at Kperez1@nova.edu or 954 262-6295.

NSU Shepard Broad College of Law 1st in Florida for Health Law and 2nd in Florida in Legal Research and Writing

Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Shepard Broad College of Law Health Law program has been ranked 1st in Florida, 56th nationally and the Legal Research and Writing program is ranked 2nd in Florida and 20th nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Schools in the specialty rankings are ranked based solely on the number of nominations received from U.S. law school faculty who teach in that specialty.

These successes are due to the teaching, scholarship, and broad interdisciplinary engagement of the NSU Law faculty and staff and NSU leadership. “Our faculty have developed exemplary national programs in both these specialties,” said Jon M. Garon, Dean of the law school. “They bring their national expertise into the classroom and community on a daily basis.” As experts in their field, the faculty in these two programs continue to focus on student success through engaging research and national symposiums, conferences and publications.

The Health Law program at NSU emphasizes the main areas of the health law practice and offers a diverse and varied curriculum for students to become health law practitioners and policy makers. NSU Law continues its interprofessional collaboration with the NSU health professions colleges in providing engaging research between disciplines as well as commitment to community efforts to effect legislative issues.

NSU Law Legal Research and Writing offers a student-centered approach to legal writing instruction that integrates legal analysis with practical skills and professionalism. Our exceptional LRW faculty members have diverse practice expertise and are active leaders with the Legal Writing Institute and the Association of Legal Writing Directors. In addition to LRW, faculty members teach a wide array of courses, including experiential and doctrinal classes. Like all NSU Law faculty, they pride themselves on their commitment to student and community involvement.

For additional information, contact Kathleen Perez at Kperez1@nova.edu or 954 262-6295.

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