Eight years after opening its doors in 2016, the Wilbanks Child Endangerment and Sexual Exploitation Clinic continues to demonstrate the value of quality and trauma-responsive legal representation for survivors. In recognition of its work, the clinic received a total of $147,000 from Georgia’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to strengthen the state’s response against child sexual abuse and trafficking. Survivor-clients also saw the benefits of quality legal representation, such as securing a $1.1 million verdict for a client who had been abused by their stepfather in addition to assisting dozens of survivors to find healing and empowerment through public validation of the abuse and harm they suffered.
The School of Law is pleased to share that once again 100% of the first-generation college graduates and military veterans enrolled in its Juris Doctor program are receiving aid. First-generation students are supported by more than 20 scholarship funds including the First-Start Scholars Program established by 1982 alumna Kathelen V. Amos and the Daniel P. Amos Family Foundation, while veterans benefit from the Butler Commitment, which was created in 2019 by renowned trial attorney and 1977 law school alumnus James E. "Jim" Butler Jr.
School of Law alumnus and UGA President Jere W. Morehead (J.D.'80) was featured in Georgia Magazine regarding his ten years of service as president, the highlights from the past decade and where the university is headed. The article titled "A conversation with President Jere W. Morehead" was published in the magazine's Fall 2023 issue.
Congratulations to 2023 graduate Taylor McClain, who was selected as a 2022-23 Merit Distinction Finalist for the National Association for Law Placement's PSJD Pro Bono Publico Award. The award is given to "a law student whose extraordinary commitment to law-related public service work contributes to the overall growth of pro bono culture within their law school and their broader community."
Summer public interest and judicial fellowships provide life-directing, hands-on and purpose-driven experiences for law students. As such, the School of Law has placed greater emphasis on growing financial support for students seeking unpaid legal work in nonprofits, federal and state government, judicial clerkships, legal services and policy/impact organizations over the summer months. Since 2019, the school has provided almost $1.3 million in summer fellowship funding to its rising second- and third-year students.