The School of Law regrets to announce the passing of law student S. Davis Bergsagel on October 9, 2021. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in 2018 with honors and was pursuing his Juris Doctor at the law school. A memorial service will take place 3 p.m. October 15 at Roswell Presbyterian Church, 755 Mimosa Boulevard, Roswell. A Celebration of Life will follow the service at Roswell Historic Cottage, 972 Alpharetta Street, Roswell.
Congratulations to third-year student Jacob D. Swanstrom for winning the Best Direct Examination Award at the King of the Hill Mock Trial Competition recently. He competed in the tournament with his classmates Charles D. Calkins, Peyton J. Clark, Varad R. Dabke and Brandon D. Waller. Collectively they finished as national quarterfinalists out of 32 teams. The team was coached by 2014 alumnus Jeremy B. Dailey, with assistance from William D. "Will" Ortiz (J.D.'20), Amelia Welch Ortiz (J.D.'21) and Ian L. Kecskes (J.D.'21).
New Veterans Legal Clinic Staff Attorney Katie Becker successfully persuaded the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to award survivor’s benefits to the 15-year-old daughter of an Operation Iraqi Freedom combat veteran whose post-traumatic stress disorder caused his death by drug overdose. The VA had denied the dependent’s benefits because it found overdose to be unrelated to the veteran’s military experience. Becker argued that the drugs resulting in his death included some prescribed by the VA for his combat-related PTSD in addition to others he used to self-medicate to help with his severe symptoms. This decision has resulted in a substantial retroactive award and ongoing monthly payments to support the veteran’s surviving child.
To further our Culture of Shared Responsibility, the School of Law is pleased to extend our exciting monetary incentive program for School of Law faculty/staff and J.D., LL.M. and M.S.L. students to get vaccinated. You now have until 10/15/21 to register your completed COVID vaccination status. Since the law school is a small and cohesive community, your chance of winning $1,000 is 10%! This is in addition to the $250 gift cards awarded to those recently vaccinated. Please note that participation is strictly voluntary.
The dedication of the University of Georgia’s Jere W. Morehead Honors College was celebrated on Thursday, Sept. 30, with a ribbon-cutting on the steps of Moore Hall, facing Herty Field. The event was attended by current and emeriti trustees of the UGA Foundation, as well as the acting chancellor, former chancellor and several members of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. Morehead, who currently serves as president of UGA, is a 1980 graduate of the School of Law.