Brumby Distinguished Professor in First Amendment Law Sonja R. West has been invited to join the advisory board of the First Amendment Salon. This group of noted First Amendment lawyers, professors and journalists hosts a series of non-partisan programs about the freedom of expression in America.
Hosch Associate Professor Kent Barnett presented on "Procedures of Federal Agency Adjudication" as part of the Administrative Conference of the United States' Symposium on Federal Agency Adjudication during August.
Congratulations to third-year student Victoria T. Hicks for receiving the 2020 National Black Prosecutors Association scholarship. This professional membership organization - dedicated to the advancement of Blacks as prosecutors - awards this scholarship to African American law students who meet academic criteria and have a demonstrated desired to serve the community.
The Appellate Litigation Clinic was successful in getting a client released from detention after 19 months of being held without a bond hearing. The 26-year-old Cuban client has asthma and a history of cancer and faced a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 while detained. Efforts to have him released included a bond motion and hearing at the Immigration Court, multiple parole requests to ICE, a habeas petition to the District Court and an opening brief and motion to expedite before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Recent graduates Addison Smith (J.D.'20) and Spencer D. Woody (J.D.'20) together with third-year student Steven L. Miller and second-year students Christopher O. Brock, Destiny J. Burch and Maria C. "Mia" Hughes each played a role in this clinic success.
The New Approaches to Diversity and Inclusion grant program is one of many ways the University of Georgia is demonstrating its commitment to recruiting and retaining underserved, underrepresented and first-generation students, according to President Jere W. Morehead. "These important efforts help to prepare participants for success well beyond their time here at UGA," he said. The School of Law's Robinson Scholars Program is counted among the initiatives supported by this grant program.
Associate Professor Jonathan Peters was featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution regarding the Georgia Open Records Act relating to COVID-19 case reporting for public schools. The article titled "Back to School: Disparity in reporting COVID cases and lack of universal reporting" was written by Marlon A. Walker and published 8/20/20.
The University of Georgia School of Law is pleased to welcome the newest members joining its alumni/alumnae boards, as well as officers for 2020-21. Together, these alumni/alumnae leadership boards work in conjunction with the dean, faculty, staff and students to advance the law school's mission, which is represented in three words - Prepare. Connect. Lead. They also support efforts to achieve the law school's vision of being the best return on investment for a legal education in the country, while serving to strengthen connections between the school and its approximately 11,000 living graduates.
UGA Associate Provost & Kirbo Chair Elizabeth Weeks published "Private Insurance Limits and Responses" in Assessing Legal Responses to COVID-19 (Public Health Law Watch, 2020).
This week, the School of Law proudly welcomes 195 students who will become future leaders for state and society. These Juris Doctor, Master of Laws and Master in the Study of Law students will earn their first-rate legal education from an institution that is counted among the best returns on investment in legal education. There are 175 students in the J.D. Class of 2023, and they comprise the most academically talented class in the law school's history - boasting a median LSAT score of 165 and median undergraduate GPA of 3.78. These J.D. candidates are joined by an accomplished group of 11 LL.M. and nine M.S.L. students.
Brock Associate Professor in Professional Responsibility Nathan S. Chapman published "The Practice of Law as Christian Discipleship" in 47 Pepperdine Law Review 331 (2020).
The First Amendment Clinic was a principal author of an amicus brief filed in Puerto Rico's federal district court during August arguing that a recently enacted "false information" law gives journalists pause when reporting on public emergencies and burdens the public's First Amendment interest in receiving information from the press. PEN American Center, Inc., collaborated on the brief and Clinic Legal Fellow Samantha Hamilton and Clinic Legal Intern Jeffrey Murphy contributed.
First Amendment Clinic Director and Clinical Assistant Professor Clare R. Norins was featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution regarding the Stone Mountain Memorial Authority's recent decision restricting assembly. The article titled "Stone Mountain to close gates rather than host Saturday militia rally" was written by Chris Joyner and published 8/14/20.
Associate Professor Logan E. Sawyer III was named the law school's director of undergraduate studies and was selected as 2020-21 UGA Center for Teaching and Learning Senior Teaching Fellow. Only eight professors are chosen from within the university each year for this honor. This program provides faculty with the opportunity to collaborate with other "dedicated, highly motivated and innovative teachers" from other disciplines across campus.
The University of Georgia received the 2020 Laspau University Award, which recognizes exceptional contributions made in working with Laspau grantees. An affiliate of Harvard University, Laspau is committed to the advancement of education in Latin America and the Caribbean, believing that education is the foundation of positive change. Associate Director for International Professional Education Laura Kagel received the award on behalf of the Dean Rusk International Law Center.
The Oregon Tax Court noted that both parties cite Distinguished Research Professor & Shackelford Distinguished Professor in Taxation Law Emeritus Walter Hellerstein's State Taxation, "a leading treatise on state taxation" and quotes the treatise "[f]or a discussion of the line-drawing problems in the imposition of sales and use taxes within the chain of consumption," in Ean Holdings, LLC v. Department of Revenue (August 12, 2020).
Associate Professor Jonathan Peters was featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution regarding Georgia's Open Records Act. The article titled "With few details, DeKalb Schools approves contract to ease crowding" was written by Marlon A. Walker and published 8/12/20.
Legal Writing Instructor Catherine Nemetz Clutter was selected as a 2020-21 UGA Center for Teaching and Learning Writing Fellow. Only 12 faculty are selected each year for this program, which includes a stipend to subsidize projects aimed at constructing courses, resources or initiatives that will support student writing at UGA.
The Community Health Law Partnership presented "The Future of DACA," a webinar in Spanish about recent legal developments concerning the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and the benefits and risks of applying. The event featured immigration attorneys Jessica M. Daman (J.D.'10) and Hannah MacNorlin, and was moderated by Community HeLP Clinic Staff Attorney Kristen Shepherd. Rising second-year law students Paige Medley and Izaan M. Rizwan helped organize the webinar and prepare the materials under the supervision of Associate Dean & Clinic Director Jason A. Cade. The webinar was viewed over 1,000 times in less than 48 hours.
The deans at six law schools across the nation have forged a unique partnership to launch an innovative digital discussion series which uses a virtual platform to engage prospective students and encourage a robust conversation about legal education. The six-session project - "Open Access: Inside Legal Education with Law School Deans" - begins in August and will feature up to 75-minute informative panels of deans and admissions leaders from the University of Georgia School of Law, Columbia Law School, the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, the University of Colorado Law School, the University of Oregon Law School and Albany Law School.
Associate Dean and Martin Chair of Law Andrea L. Dennis' book titled Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics, and Guilt in America was named a finalist in the nonfiction category in the Library of Virginia's 23rd Annual Literary Awards. The winners will be announced in a virtual ceremony during October.