For Justice Robert Benham, being a judge isn't about punishing people. It's about salvaging people. "We need to give people a chance the do the right thing at the right time for the right reason," he said. Benham, the longest serving and first African American member of the Supreme Court of Georgia, talked about his journey in the justice system at the 2020 Holmes-Hunter Lecture, held Feb. 3. Named in honor of Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmes, the first African American students to attend the University of Georgia, the lecture is sponsored by the Office of the President and focuses on race relations, civil rights and education.
The Community Health Law Partnership Clinic recently helped two clients with their preliminary approval for U Visas, which provide a path to lawful status for noncitizens who are the victims of serious crime and are helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution. According to Jason A. Cade, the clinic's director and holder of a Hosch Associate Professorship, when the statutory backlog is cleared the clients will have full U status. Current Community HeLP Clinic students James C. Berrigan and Lisa C. Garcia marshaled the evidence needed to achieve this successful outcome for both clients.
Congratulations to third-year students Adeline Kenerly Lambert, Justin C. Van Orsdol and Spencer D. Woody who finished as national finalists in the prestigious Hunton Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship. The trio also won a best brief award. This invitation-only tournament is for the top 16 moot court programs from law schools across the country based on performances from the previous academic year.
The School of Law is pleased to announce recent gifts benefitting first-generation college grads and veterans. The First-Start Scholars Program, created by a lead gift of $3 million from 1982 alumna Kathelen V. Amos and the Daniel P. Amos Family Foundation, will support first-generation students with a partial-tuition scholarship as well as a professional development stipend. Additionally renowned trial attorney and 1977 law school alumnus James E. "Jim" Butler Jr. made a charitable pledge to create a newly endowed fund guaranteeing that every veteran attending the law school will receive financial support.
The University of Georgia School of Law will host the 32nd Annual Red Clay Conference Feb. 21. "Overcoming Toxic Relationships" is the title of the daylong event, which will address coal ash disposal, brownfield redevelopment in Georgia and PFAS in drinking water. The Peter Appel Lecture will be delivered by environmental activist Lois Gibbs, who is known for her work with New York's Love Canal. Registration for the conference is required, and lunch will be provided. The event is free for members of the UGA community. For attorneys seeking four continuing legal education credits, the cost is $60. The fee for all other entrants is $12.