Congratulations to 2022 graduate Haley K. Kairab for winning the Top Gun XIII National Mock Trial Competition. Kairab tried the case as a solo advocate, and 2022 graduate Cole M. Harper was her co-counsel/trial technician. Top Gun is an invitation-only event for law schools that have excelled at mock trial competitions during the past year or otherwise distinguished themselves in their dedication to trial advocacy training. The grueling matchup is limited to just one competitor from each of the 16 participating law schools. Kairab did not receive any details about the case she argued until 24 hours before the competition began.
Clinical Assistant Professor & Jane W. Wilson Family Justice Clinic Director Christine M. Scartz was featured in an Associated Press article regarding the outcome of the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard trial and its implications for domestic abuse victims. The article titled "Depp-Heard trial: Advocates fear chilling effect on accusers" was written by Maryclaire Dale and Jocelyn Noveck and was published 6/3/22. The article was published by media outlets across the country including The Washington Post, PBS' "Newshour" and the Daily Report.
Distinguished Research Professor & Shackelford Distinguished Professor in Taxation Law Emeritus Walter Hellerstein published “A US State Retail Sales Tax Perspective” in CJEU: Recent Developments in Value Added Tax: 2020 (G. Kofler, et al. eds.) (Linde Verlag, 2022).
The Wilbanks Child Endangerment and Sexual Exploitation Clinic – the first of its kind in the nation – is dedicated to legal representation and advocacy for survivors of child sexual abuse in civil litigation and juvenile court dependency proceedings. Under the direction of Emma M. Hetherington (J.D.’11), the clinic has served more than 200 survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation since opening in 2016.
Clinical Assistant Professor & Prosecutorial Justice Program Director Melissa D. Redmon was featured on CBS News regarding a Georgia special grand jury investigating President Trump and his efforts relating to the 2020 election results. The article titled "Georgia secretary of state to testify to grand jury investigating Trump effort to overturn election" was written by Graham Kates and published 6/1/22.
Interim UGA Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, University Professor & Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues was featured in The New York Times regarding special purpose acquisition companies and their future. The article titled "SPACs Were All the Rage. Now, Not So Much." was written by Matthew Goldstein and published 6/2/22.
Clinical Assistant Professor & Jane W. Wilson Family Justice Clinic Director Christine M. Scartz was featured on Yahoo! Entertainment regarding the outcome of the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard trial and implications for domestic abuse victims. The article titled "Johnny Depp's Defamation Verdict Stuns Legal Experts: 'Complete and Total Vindication'" was written by Jenyne Donaldson and published 6/1/22.
The University of Georgia School of Law proudly announces the creation of the Georgia Criminal Law Review, the school’s first new student-edited journal in nearly 30 years. The Georgia Criminal Law Review will become the school’s fourth journal, joining the Georgia Law Review, the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law and the Journal of Intellectual Property Law.
Assistant Professor Adam D. Orford and second-year students Hanna C. Dunnavant and Frank G. Lumpkin were featured on WGAU-FM's "Energy Matters" regarding their participation in the South Texas College of Law Houston Energy Law Negotiation Competition. Episode 174 was hosted by Tim Echols and aired 5/28/22.
Associate Dean and Martin Chair of Law Andrea L. Dennis was featured in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution regarding the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials. The article titled "Rap lyrics shouldn't be used as crime evidence" was written by Devin Rafus and published 5/26/22.
The School of Law regretfully shares the news of the passing of Katelyn M. Brooks in March 2022. While she was a member of the Class of 2023, Katelyn was not currently enrolled during the Spring 2022 term. The school has been in contact with her family, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks. If you’d like to write a sympathy card, please feel free to drop it by the Dean’s Office, and we will be sure to share them with the family.
Clinical Assistant Professor & Jane W. Wilson Family Justice Clinic Director Christine M. Scartz was featured in an Australia Broadcasting Corporation article regarding domestic violence and the stereotypes of victimhood. The article titled "Johnny Depp v Amber Heard is a defamation case. But it could have a chilling effect on domestic violence survivors" was written by Peter Jones and Joanna Robin and was published 5/28/22.
Congratulations to the University of Georgia School of Law graduates who took the Georgia bar exam for the first time at the February 2022 sitting. Collectively, they posted the highest passage rate (88.9%), exceeding the rates of grads from other Peach State law schools and more than seven points of the average.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & Hosch Professor Kent Barnett was featured on Law360 regarding the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruling in Jarkesy v. SEC. The article titled "5th Circ. SEC Decision Could Affect NLRB Judges" was written by Tim Ryan and published 5/25/22.
Third-year student Alexandria H. “Alex” Clark received the School of Law’s Clinical Legal Education Association Award for Outstanding Externship Student, while third-year student Paige Medley and second-year students Jack K. Mahon and Brianna Yates teamed up to win the Outstanding Clinic Team Award for their work in the school’s First Amendment Clinic.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & Hosch Professor Kent Barnett was featured in a Reuters article regarding the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruling in Jarkesy v. SEC. The article titled "Ruling on SEC judges could have broad impact" was written by Jody Godoy and published 5/20/22.
Interim UGA Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, University Professor & Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues was featured in a Bloomberg article regarding special purpose acquisition companies. The article titled "Mega-SPAC Mints a $21 Billion Fortune That Collapses in Minutes" was written by Tom Maloney and published 5/24/22.
Brock Associate Professor in Professional Responsibility Nathan S. Chapman was featured on Bloomberg Law regarding religious accommodations. The article titled "Workplace Vaccine Mandate Exemption Lawsuits Falter in Court" was written by Robert Iafolla and published 5/19/22.
Associate Dean and Martin Chair of Law Andrea L. Dennis and her work were featured on Courthouse News regarding the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials. The article titled "First Amendment advocates slam use of rap lyrics as evidence" was written by Megan Butler and published 5/23/22.
Assistant Professor Thomas E. Kadri testified before a U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce at the subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on "Strengthening Our Communications Networks: Legislation to Connect and Protect" on 5/24/22.