“When a young person, even a gifted one, grows up without proximate living examples of what she may aspire to become—whether lawyer, scientist, artist, or leader in any realm—her goal remains abstract. Such models as appear in books or on the news, however inspiring or revered, are ultimately too remote to be real, let alone influential. But a role model in the flesh provides more than an inspiration; his or her very existence is confirmation of possibilities one may have every reason to doubt, saying, “Yes, someone like me can do this.” – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Today is International Women's Day so I can think of no better day than to announce that the CSU Cleveland-Marshall BLSA Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Team of Alexis Bovell ’21, Vanessa Gomez ’21, and Anita Davenport ‘21, won 1st Place at the 2020-2021 National Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition! Congratulations to Alexis, Vanessa, and Anita!
Last February this same talented team won the Regional Competition, which was CSU Cleveland-Marshall’s third regional Thurgood Marshall championship in the past 4 years! See 2/18/20 MMM
The national competition was judged by a total of 187 federal, state, and local judges, as well as attorneys from around the country. A total of 54 teams competed in the regional competitions, but only the top 3-4 winning teams from all six regions of the National Black Law Students Association were invited to compete for a national title. This past week, at the national competition, the CSU Cleveland-Marshall team blazed through the preliminary, quarter, and semi-final rounds to earn a spot to compete in the first-place championship round. Justice Pat DeWine of the Ohio Supreme Court said that of the four national moot court competitions he's judged this year, the final round that our team won was the best he has judged!
Thanks to coaches Theo Hudson '12, and Emily Stolfer '17. I remember when Emily and DeAngelo LaVette ’17 (National Adviser to the 2020-21 National Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition) were on the Cleveland-Marshall team that won the national title in 2017. See 3/13/17 MMM
Professor Claire May, Chair of the Cleveland-Marshall Women's Committee and 3L Kelly Fayen, President of the Women Law Students Association invite you to the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association's International Women's Day Summit 2021. Events begin today with a free kick-off reception at 4 p.m. Programming continues Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week.
We will sponsor the attendance (non-CLE level) of any student and staff and faculty member who wants to attend. If you plan to attend any or all of the noon sessions, please send Professor Claire May an email today. In the body of the email, please include your name, email address, and whether you are a CMBA member. CMBA will register all of our attendees at once for the sessions, so you do not need to register individually, unless you are seeking CLE credit. Please see the links below for more information.
CMBA Invitation International Women's Day Summit 2021
CMBA International Women's Day Summit 2021 CLE Description
This Thursday, March 11 at 12 noon, we will host our first Faculty Spotlight CLE, featuring Professor Milena Sterio. The webinar is free and open to the public and is good for 1 hour of CLE credit. Professor Sterio will be discussing the U.S. Government Sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court. She will also focus on two different lawsuits pending against the U.S. government in federal court, whereby plaintiffs have sought to invalidate former President Trump’s Executive Order on constitutional grounds. Here is the link to register: https://csuohio.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7jbWrMIGQrCyVZWLDHm1LA
Finally, I also want to note that this week is CSU's Mental Health Awareness Week. We know this pandemic has been extremely challenging for all of us, especially our students. If you are feeling overwhelmed and need assistance, please do not hesitate to use IMPACT Solutions. This is a service open to all CSU employees (full-time and part-time) and their household members. One service they offer is unlimited 24/7 phone consultation with a licensed mental health professional. See here for more information. You can also call the Counseling Center at 216.687.2277
We also offer group therapy for our law students: https://www.csuohio.edu/counselingcenter/groups During the last week of March, the SBA Wellness Committee, chaired by 2L AnnaMaria Jadue, will sponsor a week-long event of mental health awareness including a student panel, a zoom happy hour with pets, and more.
Congratulations again to national champions Alexis Bovell, Vanessa Gomez, and Anita Davenport!
Have a great day. Have a great week.Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay Committed to Living Justice.
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My best,
Lee
Lee Fisher
Dean, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law | Cleveland State University
Joseph C. Hostetler-BakerHostetler Chair in Law