Dean Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge was featured in the Daily Report regarding things he misses from pre-pandemic times. The article titled "Six Months Into the New Normal, What Do Lawyers Miss, and What's Improved?" was written by Jonathan Ringel and published 9/3/20.
Brumby Distinguished Professor in First Amendment Law Sonja R. West presented "The Majoritarian Press Clause" as part of the Governance Workshop on Transparency and Privacy sponsored by the University of Denver Sturm College of Law's Information Transparency Project during August.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Marshall Chair of Constitutional Law Randy Beck's article "Qui Tam Litigation Against Government Officials" (93 Notre Dame Law Review 1235 (2018)) was cited by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in the case United States ex rel. Cimznhca, LLC v. U.C.B., Inc.
When private companies perform governmental functions and governments own companies, which acts should be attributed to the state? Which should be attributed to the corporation? And whose religious beliefs, speech rights, and moral standing can those entities claim? These are the questions that will be addressed in the Dean Rusk International Law Center conference titled "The Law and Logics of Attribution: Constructing the Identity and Responsibility of States and Firms" to be held on September 11 and 18. Registration is required.
Dean Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge and second-year student Emina Herzberger published "Circuit Split Deepened by Second Circuit's 'Functional' Test Application in Recent Section 1782 Ruling" in the Daily Report on 9/1/20.
Third-year student Jason N. Sigalos argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit representing the Appellate Litigation Clinic's client in the case Arellano Herrera v. Barr. The client is seeking deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture with the main issues being whether she can relocate and whether a government official would acquiesce to her torture. Sigalos co-wrote the briefs with third-year student Mollie M. Fiero and 2020 graduate John Lex Kenerly IV. Notably, this is the first virtual oral argument for the clinic and its students.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation recently announced a $25,000 investment to support a University of Georgia project studying the application of First Amendment and due process principles to nongovernmental digital platforms and services. The project will bring together the expertise of School of Law Brumby Distinguished Professor in First Amendment Law Sonja R. West, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication Associate Professor Jonathan Peters, and School of Public and International Affairs Assistant Professor Jason Anastasopoulos.
Assistant Clinical Professor & Wilbanks Child Endangerment and Sexual Exploitation Clinic Director Emma M. Hetherington presented on advocating for transgender youth who have been abused at the 43rd National Child Welfare Law Virtual Conference on August 28, 2020.
The School of Law proudly welcomes four new faculty members this fall: Associate Professor Laura Phillips Sawyer, Assistant Professor Thomas W. Kadri, Clinical Assistant Professor Elizabeth C. Taxel and Part-time Instructor & Appellate Litigation Clinic Counselor in Residence Anna White Howard. Phillips Sawyer will lead classes in antitrust, while Kadri will teach in the areas of torts, cybercrime and regulating digital abuse. Taxel will work with the Criminal Defense Practicum and Howard will lead a course in writing for judicial clerkships as well as continuing to assist with the Appellate Litigation Clinic.
Second-year student Emina Herzberger participated in a virtual Corporate Counsel Externship this past summer with Orange - one of the world's leading telecommunications companies - and coauthored the book Guide to Listing in Belgium. She worked remotely with alumnus Johan Van den Cruijce (LL.M.'94) in Orange/Atlas Services' office in Brussels.
Congratulations to first-year student Frances F. "Frankie" Brown for receiving Harris Lowry Manton's 2020 Civil Justice Scholarship. The aim of this scholarship is to ensure the civil justice system is "fair, just and open to all who need it." Her submitted essay was about the right to trial by jury.
Wilbanks Child Endangerment and Sexual Exploitation Clinic Staff Attorney Brian Atkinson and Adjunct Professor Diana Rugh Johnson co-presented on how attorneys for parents and children can collaborate to advocate for survivors of commercial and sexual exploitation at the 43rd National Child Welfare Law Virtual Conference.
The School of Law proudly shares recent changes to the Alexander Campbell King Law Library faculty. Research and Copyright Services Librarian Stephen M. Wolfson was promoted to Librarian II, and Instruction and Faculty Services Librarian Savanna Nolan and Student Services Librarian Geraldine Kalim are among the recent additions. The law library's collection includes more than 500,000 digital and print titles, and its team is dedicated to providing anytime/anywhere access to information.
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.