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.
UGA Associate Provost & Kirbo Chair Elizabeth Weeks published "Private Insurance Limits and Responses" in Assessing Legal Responses to COVID-19 (Public Health Law Watch, 2020).
This week, the School of Law proudly welcomes 195 students who will become future leaders for state and society. These Juris Doctor, Master of Laws and Master in the Study of Law students will earn their first-rate legal education from an institution that is counted among the best returns on investment in legal education. There are 175 students in the J.D. Class of 2023, and they comprise the most academically talented class in the law school's history - boasting a median LSAT score of 165 and median undergraduate GPA of 3.78. These J.D. candidates are joined by an accomplished group of 11 LL.M. and nine M.S.L. students.
Brock Associate Professor in Professional Responsibility Nathan S. Chapman published "The Practice of Law as Christian Discipleship" in 47 Pepperdine Law Review 331 (2020).
The First Amendment Clinic was a principal author of an amicus brief filed in Puerto Rico's federal district court during August arguing that a recently enacted "false information" law gives journalists pause when reporting on public emergencies and burdens the public's First Amendment interest in receiving information from the press. PEN American Center, Inc., collaborated on the brief and Clinic Legal Fellow Samantha Hamilton and Clinic Legal Intern Jeffrey Murphy contributed.
First Amendment Clinic Director and Clinical Assistant Professor Clare R. Norins was featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution regarding the Stone Mountain Memorial Authority's recent decision restricting assembly. The article titled "Stone Mountain to close gates rather than host Saturday militia rally" was written by Chris Joyner and published 8/14/20.
Associate Professor Logan E. Sawyer III was named the law school's director of undergraduate studies and was selected as 2020-21 UGA Center for Teaching and Learning Senior Teaching Fellow. Only eight professors are chosen from within the university each year for this honor. This program provides faculty with the opportunity to collaborate with other "dedicated, highly motivated and innovative teachers" from other disciplines across campus.