The family of alumnus Ryan Scates has established a new scholarship at the University of Georgia School of Law. The scholarship will benefit those intending to become Double Dawgs (i.e., those who have earned at least one degree from UGA before entering UGA Law). The scholarship will also support those who are married and/or have children or dependents and those with an exceptional commitment to and passion for UGA as demonstrated by leadership, volunteerism, mentorship and service.
Clinical Assistant Professor & Prosecutorial Justice Program Director Melissa D. Redmon was featured on Salon.com regarding the 2020 election interference case. The article titled "'Not quite': Trump's First Amendment argument in Ga. case 'unlikely' to work, experts say" was written by Tatyana Tandanpolie and published 3/30/24.
University Professor & Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues was featured on Bloomberg Law regarding Trump Media & Technology Group's stock price. The article titled "Trump's Meme Stock Is Skyrocketing But for How Long?" was written by Bailey Lipschultz and published 3/28/24.
Each year the School of Law community looks forward to Awards Day, when we celebrate the many accomplishments of our students and faculty. Dean Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge said the hard work of those selected certainly deserves recognition, credit and acknowledgment of a job well done. "Thank you for joining me to recognize the accomplishments of our 2024 Awards Day recipients. Congratulations to all on a job well done!"
Associate Dean & Hosch Professor Jason A. Cade was featured in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution regarding the Community Health Law Partnership Clinic. The article titled "'People are scared': Latinos in Athens brace for immigration bills" was written by Lautaro Grinspan and published 3/28/24.
The School of Law regrets to share news of the passing of Sibley Professor Emeritus Julian B. McDonnell. He passed away on March 27, 2024. He retired from the law school in June 2003 after more than 30 years of service. Specializing in contracts, commercial paper and secured transactions, his scholarship includes five books and numerous articles. In addition, McDonnell was the principal drafter of the Georgia Financial Institutions Code, which was enacted in 1974 as the code for Georgia state banks, and the Georgia Article Nine Revision, enacted in 1978. Well-respected by his students, McDonnell was selected by members of the graduating class to receive the Faculty Book Award for Teaching Excellence on five occasions and was the recipient of the Professional Responsibility Award. McDonnell received the law school’s highest honor – the Distinguished Service Scroll Award – in 2003. He is survived by his sons, Patrick McDonnell and Christopher McDonnell, and his siblings, Maury McDonnell, Elizabeth Shivers and Tom McDonnell.
University Professor & Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues was featured on Yahoo Finance regarding regarding the Trump Media & Technology Group Corporation. The article titled "Trump has billions in new paper wealth. But accessing it quickly could get messy." was written by Ben Werschkul and published 3/27/24.
Callaway Chair of Law Emeritus Ronald L. Carlson's book Carlson on Evidence (with M. Carlson) was recently cited by the Georgia Court of Appeals in the case Anderson v. State to clarify the concept of prejudicial evidence in a rape case. This citation brings the total to 71 times that this text has been used by Georgia appellate courts to resolve evidentiary issues.
University Professor & Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues was featured in The New York Times regarding Trump Media & Technology Group's public company status. The article titled "Trump's Media Company Worth Nearly $8 Billion on First Trading Day" was written by Matthew Goldstein and Joe Rennison and was published 3/26/24.
University Professor & Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues was featured in USA Today regarding stock prices and company performance. The article titled "Truth Social's stock price is soaring. It's not just Trump supporters buying in." was written by Bailey Schulz and published 3/27/24.
University Professor & Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues was featured on Bloomberg Law regarding Trump Media & Technology Group's stock price. The article titled "Trump Media Is Now The Most Expensive US Stock to Bet Against" was written by Bailey Lipschultz and published 3/26/24. The article was reprinted in other media outlets including Yahoo Finance and Financial Advisor.
University Professor & Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues was featured in The New York Times regarding corporate board chairmanship and membership requirements. The article titled "Trump's Multibillion-Dollar Social Media Company Will Start Trading on Tuesday" was written by Matthew Goldstein and published 3/25/24.
Sarah Quinn was featured in Global Atlanta regarding her new position as director of the Dean Rusk International Law Center. The article titled "New Dean Rusk Center Director: How UGA Prepares Georgia's Future International Lawyers" was written by Leigh Villegas and published 3/23/24.
University Professor & Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues was featured in The Washington Post regarding special purpose acquisition companies. The article titled "Trump Media merger wins investor approval, netting Trump a potential windfall" was written by Drew Harwell and published 3/22/24. The article was reprinted by other media outlets including Bloomberg Law.
Callaway Chair Elizabeth Chamblee Burch published "Against Bankruptcy: Public Litigation Values Versus the Endless Quest for Global Peace in Mass Litigation" in 133 Yale Law Journal Forum 525 (2024) (with A.R. Gluck and A.S. Zimmerman).
University Professor & Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues was featured in The Washington Post regarding special purpose acquisition companies. The article titled "Trump Media, Launched After an Insurrection, Faces Rebellion of Its Own" was written by Drew Harwell and published 3/21/24.
Congratulations to third-year student Zoe K. Taylor and second-year student Charlsey A. Kelly for finishing as semifinalists at the Tulane International Fútbol Negotiation Competition. Faculty member Daniel S. Serviansky serves as the negotiations team coach.
Almost 26 years ago, Georgia Athletic Association Professor David E. Shipley became a member of the University of Georgia School of Law community, initially serving as dean for five years before renewing his commitment to full-time teaching in 2003. In recognition of his service, several School of Law graduates have established a scholarship in his honor.
In a new test announced by the U.S. Supreme Court, public officials who censor their critics on social media only violate the First Amendment if the public official: (1) possessed actual authority to speak on the state’s behalf on a particular matter, and (2) purported to exercise that authority when speaking in the relevant social media posts. “Much of the litigation will now focus on the first part of the test,” according to Clinical Assistant Professor & First Amendment Clinic Director Clare R. Norins. “There will likely not be a clear-cut answer in many cases given that an official’s authority to speak on behalf of the state can be established not only by a ‘statute, ordinance, [or] regulation’ but also by ‘custom or usage.’ It will be left to the trial courts to decide how ‘custom or usage’ will be interpreted and applied in this context.”
Callaway Chair Elizabeth Chamblee Burch was featured on Bloomberg Law regarding the lottery system that will determine which U.S. Court of Appeals circuit will hear a consolidated case relating to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The article titled "SEC Climate Suits Head Toward Lottery to Pick Single Court" was written by Andrew Ramonas and published 3/18/24.