While pro bono service is a cultural cornerstone at Stetson Law, sometimes a student, professor, or staff member will go well beyond what is expected of them.
The Association of American Law Schools (AALS) has chosen to honor two such individuals from the Stetson Law community by inducting them into the organization’s Pro Bono Honor Roll. The designation aims to recognize individuals whose work providing pro bono legal services enhances their law school community and their communities at large.
This year, the organization named Professor Andrew Appleby and December graduate La’Tonya Lynn to its Pro Bono Honor Roll for their outstanding contributions to their community through legal pro bono work.
In the case of this award, pro bono is defined as work that is primarily legal in nature, supervised by a licensed attorney (for law students), not for pay or academic credit, and of service to underserved individuals, groups, or those with barriers to access to justice.
Veteran supporting veterans
For her extraordinary work with providing legal pro bono assistance to disabled veterans with Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute, Lynn, a December 2024 graduate, completed approximately 1,000 hours of pro bono service. During her time with the VLI, she directly assisted in the institute’s representation of 27 veterans, drafted numerous briefs in support of their claims, and successfully represented a veteran at a hearing before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
She was nominated for the award by Professor Morgan MacIsaac-Bykowski, associate director at VLI, who worked closely with Lynn throughout her time at Stetson Law.
“Throughout her time working on these cases, La’Tonya demonstrated unwavering dedication, compassion, and a remarkable work ethic,” MacIsaac-Bykowski said. “Her commitment to advocating for those who served our country has had a profound impact, and her contributions have been invaluable to the VLI. While she has now graduated and will be moving on to new endeavors, her work will continue to resonate with those she helped. We are deeply grateful for all she has done.”
Lynn, who served in the Army as a military police brigade commander, said her service prepared her for the rigors and challenges of law school – and that pro bono work with the Veterans Law Institute was a great way to pay it forward in supporting other veterans.
“The pro bono system gives me a conduit to give back to the community and serve our veterans,” said. “I am deeply grateful to serve the members of our veteran community. I strive to create a strong connection between our veterans and the resources they deserve.” Lynn attended Stetson Law with support from the Judge Steinhardt Veterans Scholarship, an endowed scholarship aimed at helping law students who are veterans, and graduated in December 2024.
Expanding access to tax assistance
Professor Appleby was recognized for his work in overseeing the Stetson-United Way Partnership on Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and for collaborating with Gulfcoast Legal Services to develop the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Pro Bono Fellowship for students. Stetson Law students regularly volunteer over 1,000 hours of tax preparation services for low-income individuals each spring.
These programs are a win-win: they help taxpayers with limited resources keep more money in their pockets and avoid unnecessary audit burdens, while inviting students interested in tax law to sharpen their skills in that area of practice.
“It is truly a privilege to see how passionate Stetson Law students are about applying their skills in service of others,” Appleby said. “These programs help them grow not just as future tax lawyers, but as compassionate advocates for their clients.”
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