The University of Georgia School of Law has hired Amanda J. Shaw as its inaugural first-start coordinator, a position designed to assist students who are the first in their families to attend college as they navigate law school. In this role, Shaw will serve as the designated point of contact for this group through all stages of their law school experience, supporting them from their recruitment to post-graduation. She will also develop programming tailored for these students.
The School of Law regrets to announce Adjunct Professor Rupert M. Barkoff passed away June 5, 2019, at the age of 71. A recognized as a leading franchise attorney, Barkoff taught Franchise Law at the law school for a number of years. He will be missed by law school faculty, staff and students.
The School of Law regrets to announce Professor Emeritus Donald E. Wilkes, Jr., one of the world's leading experts on the writ of habeas corpus, passed away on June 7, 2019, at the age of 74. Wilkes, who taught at the law school for more than 40 years before retiring in 2012, was recognized for his scholarship in the fields of criminal procedure, capital punishment and postconviction remedies. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 17, from 3:30-4:45 p.m. at the UGA Chapel on North Campus with a reception to follow at the School of Law.
Law students in the Veterans Legal Clinic recently won a significant victory for a 71-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who served in Vietnam. The veteran had several medical conditions that resulted from exposure to Agent Orange. Clinic students successfully persuaded the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to grant him total disability, a finding that increased his monthly income, expanded health insurance for his family and resulted in tuition assistance for his adopted son. Second-year student Tyler C. Mathis took the lead in drafting the brief to the VA, while third-year student Megan McDonough and second-year students W. Chad Kimbrough and A. Chase Keith contributed to the development of the case.
Congratulations to rising third-year student Hanna C. Karimipour for being elected to be one of three student directors of the International Law Students Association for the 2019-20 academic year. She will attend ILSA's Board of Directors meetings and communicate with schools to help improve and increase participation in ILSA programming, including the Jessup Competition.