The University of Georgia has earned national recognition for its commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence for the 10th consecutive year. The Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity is the only national recognition honoring colleges and universities that demonstrate outstanding efforts and success in promoting diversity and inclusion. UGA is one of 109 institutions nationwide to receive a 2023 HEED Award.
Congratulations to Practicum in Animal Welfare Skills Director Lisa Milot for being named the Annie and Zack Stanton Distinguished Professor in Canine Welfare Law. The professorship was recently created by the Stanton Foundation, which has previously supported Milot and her PAWS work including a $1.4 million grant to help reduce the neglect and abuse of dogs.
The Veterans Legal Clinic has helped approximately 800 veterans and their family members claim more than $3 million in additional benefits during its first five years of operation. The clinic – which primarily assists former Georgia military members with claims before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – was established with a lead gift from renowned trial attorney and 1977 law school alumnus James E. "Jim" Butler Jr., who also supports the school's Butler Commitment that guarantees financial aid to 100% of student veteran law school matriculants.
The University of Georgia School of Law was recently named the nation’s Best Value in legal education. Notably, this is the fourth time in the last six years that the school has occupied the top spot in the National Jurist ranking, including an historic three-peat at the number one position from 2018 to 2020.
Eight years after opening its doors in 2016, the Wilbanks Child Endangerment and Sexual Exploitation Clinic continues to demonstrate the value of quality and trauma-responsive legal representation for survivors. In recognition of its work, the clinic received a total of $147,000 from Georgia’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to strengthen the state’s response against child sexual abuse and trafficking. Survivor-clients also saw the benefits of quality legal representation, such as securing a $1.1 million verdict for a client who had been abused by their stepfather in addition to assisting dozens of survivors to find healing and empowerment through public validation of the abuse and harm they suffered.