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“I feel very strongly that casewas incorrectly decided for allsorts of reasons… . But, I wouldnever suggest that it should beoverruled,” Stevens said. “Ithink it was a firm decision, Ithink the country has acceptedit, and I think it is part of the lawand should remain the law.”Stevens went on to note thereare instances in which he feelsthe precedent should not rule.“I have rather consistentlydisagreed with some of the sovereignimmunity jurisprudencein the court,” Stevens said.“It just seems to me there is afundamental misunderstandingabout the correct relationshipbetween the states and the federalgovernment that is entitledto continuing examination.”Both Stevens and Gonzalezoffered wise words when askedto share general advice to thelaw students in the audience.“When you first get into thepractice, you’re going to find outthat you don’t know an awfullot,” he said. “Don’t be afraid toadmit that…. . Go ask somebodyolder than you or more experiencedthan you, and you’ll besurprised how happy they willbe to help.”Stevens advised that keepingone’s word is most important.“When you graduate, you becomepart of a profession,” Stevenssaid. “If your word is goodand you have the reputation forbeing trusted for what you say,both for facts and for your understandingof the law, that willpay more dividends than youcan possibly imagine.”“Just remember, your reputationas a person of honor is veryhard to achieve,” Stevens said,“but nothing is more valuable toa lawyer than his word.”—Ian FisherMarshall M. Criser distinguished lecturehonors former UF presidentLewis Schott (LLB 46) of Palm Beach, Fla., donated $600,000 to theuniversity in early 2007 to establish the Marshall M. Criser DistinguishedLecture Series. Schott’s gift for the permanent lecture series at the collegewas eligible for matching funds from the state of Florida’s Major Gifts TrustFund, which increased the speaker series endowment to more than $1 million.“The goal of the speaker series is to hostprestigious national and international speakersevery year on topics of particular interest to lawstudents,” said Robert Jerry, dean and Levin Mabieand Levin Professor of Law.“The outstanding leadership Marshall Criser hasshown throughout his career provides an examplefor the aspirations we want our students to hold,”said Jerry. “In honoring Marshall with the namedlecture series, Lewis Schott has again enhanced thelaw school in a way that will enrich the aca demicexperience of our students.”Schott is a longtime contributor to UF. Lawstudents, faculty, and staff are well familiar withthe Marcia Whitney Schott Courtyard at the LevinCollege of Law. As a result of an earlier gift from“Marshall Criserhas devoted amajor part ofhis life to theUniversity ofFlorida,” Schottsaid. “It is anhonor to be ableto continue hisinfluence at UF.”Schott, this courtyard is named in honor of his late wife, who also earned her lawdegree from UF in 1946.Former UF President Marshall M.Criser (LLB 51) (left) and LewisSchott (LLB 46) were special guestsof the College of Law during AssociateJustice Stevens’ visit to UF. Schottestablished the Marshall M. CriserDistinguished Lecture in honor of Criser.FALL 2008 9