Harold D. Melton, who previously served as the chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, has been named the holder of the Carl E. Sanders Scholar in Political Leadership at the University of Georgia School of Law. In this role, he will teach a seminar during the spring 2022 semester titled “Representing the State.”
The University of Georgia School of Law remains one of the best returns on investment in legal education in the country, according to a recent ranking by National Jurist. The School of Law has been ranked as the #1 or #2 best value law school for the last five years. This ranking examines outcome-driven metrics such as bar passage and employment rates in addition to average indebtedness, tuition and cost of living.
Assistant Dean Tony Waller was featured in the Daily Report regarding summer 2021 legal work opportunities for law students. The article titled "For Atlanta Firms' Summer Associate Programs, Being In Person Made All the Difference" was written by Jacob Polacheck and published 10/15/21.
Congratulations to third-year student Benjamin S. "Ben" Causey and second-year student N. Molly Laughlin for winning the Intramural Mock Trial Competition. Many thanks to finalists Abigail C. "Abi" Hartlein and Emily P. Johnson, both second-year students, and the other competitors for contributing to a wonderful tournament.
Callaway Chair of Law Emeritus Ronald L. Carlson's book Carlson on Evidence (with M. Carlson) was recently cited by the Georgia Court of Appeals in the case Marshall v. State regarding jury deliberation privacy. This citation brings the total to 60 times that this text has been used by Georgia appellate courts to resolve evidentiary issues.
Metadata Services and Special Collections Librarian Rachel Evans, Access Services Manager Marie Mize and Access Services Associate Szilvia Somodi co-presented "Process Before Technology: UGA Law Library's Item Request Webform" as part of the Georgia Library Association's annual conference during October. Additionally, Somodi and Mize presented "Taking Care of Business and Student Employees During the Pandemic."
Brumby Distinguished Professor in First Amendment Law Sonja R. West's article "The U.S. Supreme Court's Characterizations of the Press: An Empirical Study" (with R.A. Jones) was reviewed by Helen Norton in JOTWELL (Oct. 8, 2021). In the review titled "How the Supreme Court talks about the press (and why we should care)," Norton calls West's and Jones' study an "impressive empirical work" that details "the dramatic deterioration in both the frequency and the positivity of the Court's description of the press."
University Professor & Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues was featured on Bloomberg Law regarding special purpose acquisition companies. The article titled "SEC Leans on SPACs for Detailed Disclosures of Risk, Controls" was written by Nicola M. White and published 10/13/21.
UGA Associate Provost & Kirbo Chair Elizabeth Weeks published "One Child Town: The Health Care Exceptionalism Case Against Agglomeration Economies" in 2021 Utah Law Review 319.
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.
University Professor & Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues presented "Insider IPOs" as part of Cornell Law School's faculty colloquium series.
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).
UGA Associate Provost & Kirbo Chair Elizabeth Weeks published "Introduction: The Future of Global Health Governance" in 49 Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law 483 (2021) (with Anish Patel (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.
Assistant Professor Thomas E. Kadri was featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution regarding TikTok challenges taking place in schools. The article titled "TikTok trouble: Schools wary of teacher assaults encouraged by social media campaigns" was written by Ty Tagami and published 10/7/21.
Clinical Assistant Professor & First Amendment Clinic Director Clare R. Norins was featured on Fox 5 Atlanta regarding the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission's exemption from the state's Open Records Act. The article titled "Critics question why Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission is exempt from Opens Records" was reported by Dale Russell and aireded 10/6/21.
Associate Professor Jonathan Peters was featured in USA Today regarding the U.S. Senate hearing related to Facebook content practices and policies. The article titled "Facebook whistleblower fires up Congress: Is this Mark Zuckerberg's moment of reckoning?" was written by Matthew Brown and Jessica Guynn and was published 10/6/21. Versions of this article also appeared on MSN and other media outlets across the country.
Callaway Chair Elizabeth Chamblee Burch was featured on Bloomberg Law regarding a Bayer AG Roundup trial verdict. The article titled "Bayer Gains as Jury Rejects Roundup Cancer Link in U.S. Trial" was written by Jef Feeley and Joe Schneider and was published 10/6/21.
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.
Assistant Professor Lindsey Simon was featured in The Economist regarding the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy settlement. The article titled "How asbestos saved the Sackler family from bankruptcy" was published 9/11/21.