Former Dean Edward D. "Ned" Spurgeon passed away on January 2 at the age of 81, after battling cancer for several years. He served as dean of our law school from 1993 to 1998 and was a member of our faculty for another five years specializing in law, public policy and aging; taxation of gifts, estates and trusts; and estate planning. After leaving Georgia, his connection to the law school remained constant through his support of the Spurgeon Fellowship, which provides funding for law students working in summer public interest positions. Dean Spurgeon was a leader, scholar, teacher and mentor to many. He is survived by his wife, Carol; his sons, Michael and Stephen; his daughters-in-law, Elizabeth and Janie; his sister Joan Brennan and four grandchildren.
The Community Health Law Partnership clinic recently obtained release of a client from an immigration detention center in Georgia pursuant to the district court's order in Fraihat v. ICE, which requires new assessments and release determinations for individuals at heightened risk of contracting COVID-19 while in custody. Third-year student Raneem Ashrawi helped prepare the request along with clinic Staff Attorney Kristen E. Shepherd and clinic Director Jason A. Cade.
The First Amendment Clinic authored an amicus brief filed in the Georgia Court of Appeals that challenges a lower court's decision to weaken Georgia's sunshine laws. Writing in the case of Love v. Atlanta Falcons Stadium Company, LLC on behalf of fellow amici - the Georgia Press Association and the Georgia First Amendment Foundation - the clinic's brief addressed whether documents relating to a government-contracted, tax-funded construction project are publicly obtainable under Georgia's Open Records Act. Third-year student Nneka I. Ewulonu co-authored the brief with clinic Director Clare R. Norins.
Congratulations to Mandy Dixon, winner of the 2020 Emma Terrell Distinguished Employee Award. Presented annually by the Law School Staff Representative Group, the award recognizes staff members who have demonstrated "a strong work ethic, commitment to service, and exceptional job performance as well as the cooperation needed ... to ensure the School of Law meets and exceeds its goals."
"Congratulations to our 2020 graduates on their incredible success in Georgia and around the country, during a year that required them to show incredible grit and resilience," UGA School of Law Dean Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge said. "Their success on the bar exam represents a key test of our school's vision to be the nation's best return on investment in legal education. Thanks to the faculty and staff, especially Tony Waller and other members of the bar preparation working group for supporting our students during their preparations; thanks too to the School of Law's generous contributors who provided over $120,000 in support toward our bar prep stipend program over the past two years. That authentic support for our students distinguishes our community and will continue to be there for them."