BLSA Member Travis Sumter Becomes the First Law Student to Receive the Florida Attorney General's 2010 Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes exemplary performance in the areas of employee innovation, public service, significant accomplishment, customer service, teamwork or through an external awards program. Travis was recognized for his outstanding performance as an intern in the Employment Litigation where he demonstrated outstanding knowledge, skills and abilities and "exceeded everyone's expectations in every category of professional and personal conduct by a large margin."

Congratulations Travis!!!

BLSA Takes Strides to Benefit AIDS Outreach

On October 23, 2010, BLSA teamed up with the Lambda Legal Society to participate in the 2010 First Coast AIDS Walk. Event organizers reported that more than 500 walkers participated and that more than $7,000 was raised by sponsors.

Photograph and Write Up by James Burton

BLSA Week 2010: Attorney Panel

BLSA kicked off day 4 of BLSA Week 2010 by hosting an attorney panel consisting of attorneys Diana Johnson, Tiny Cox, Ranaldo Allen, Alexis Sykes and FCSL Associate Professor Roger Groves. The members of the panel inspired students by addressing the struggles that they faced in their academic and professional careers and how they overcame those struggles to become successful in their respective practices.

Photograph & Write Up by James Burton

BLSA Week 2010: James Weldon Johnson Middle School

For day five of BLSA Week, BLSA members Jaimee McDowell, Chantal Kai-Lewis, George Odom, Oya Gbemi and James Burton spoke with students during their lunch periods at James Weldon Johnson Middle School in Jacksonville about law school and the legal profession. No questions were off limits as the students learned what each BLSA member did to prepare for law school and what the law school experience is like.

Photograph and Write-Up by James Burton

BLSA Week 2010: Coastal Cabaret

BLSA's Coastal Cabaret proved to be a hit among students as the kickoff event for BLSA Week 2010 at Florida Coastal School of Law. Students from all backgrounds came out to demonstrate their talents on the open stage with musical performances, comedy, creative dances and poetry. BLSA members also told the audience about historic leaders in the black legal community including James Weldon Johnson and D.W. Perkins.

Photograph & Write Up By: James K. Burton