Congratulations to third-year students M. Paige Finley and Peyton R. Stuart for receiving the State Bar of Georgia's 2020 Law School Excellence Award presented by the bar's Access to Justice Committee and Pro Bono Resource Center. The honor recognizes law students who have "excelled in participation in support of a civil pro bono or legal aid program" or have "been instrumental in the development of a civil pro bono program satisfying previously unmet civil needs or extended services to underserved segments of the population."
The Appellate Litigation Clinic recently won a case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit relating to a Fair Housing Act issue in the case Webb v. United States Veterans Initiative. The clinic was appointed as amicus curiae on behalf of Webb, a disabled military veteran who claimed that U.S. Vets had deprived him of preferred housing based on his sex. Judge David S. Tatel wrote the opinion and said: "We appointed counsel to appear as amicus curiae in support of Webb and appreciate the outstanding efforts by appointed counsel and the student counsel who argued the case." Third-year student Mollie M. Fiero presented oral argument, and third-year student Jason N. Sigalos helped write the brief. The victory was covered by Bloomberg Law in the article titled "Homeless Veteran Can Sue Nonprofit for Bias in Housing Placement." It was written by Bernie Pazanowski and published 4/16/21.
Congratulations to first-year students Katherine E. Hoffecker and Justin W. Tilghman and to all of the other participants who made the 2021 First-year Moot Court Competition such a great success. On Friday, the final round was judged by UGA President Jere W. Morehead, Dean Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge and University Professor & Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues. Hoffecker was named champion and Tilghman finished as finalist. Hoffecker also received the Morehead Moot Court Award.
Congratulations to all who were honored as part of the law school's 2021 Awards Day. This annual event provides an opportunity for the School of Law community to pause and recognize the many achievements of its students, faculty and recent graduates.
As part of Athens Startup Week, the School of Law's Business Law Clinic held two free pop-up legal clinics for small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs. Clinic participants received guidance on issues such as choosing and structuring a business entity, how to divide equity among co-founders, intellectual property protection, licensing and permits, and complying with regulations. Organized by the university's Innovation District in collaboration with Athensmade and the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, Athens Startup Week in April was designed to showcase the growing entrepreneurship community in Athens and at UGA, and to help turn innovative ideas into products, business ventures and nonprofits.