Congratulations to Emma Rose Bagwell and Haley M. Hughes for winning the Second-Year Student Intramural Moot Court Competition. Many thanks to finalists Charlotte L. Umanoff and Kerolls Gadelrab as well as the other second-year law students who contributed to a wonderful tournament. Casey E. Smith was selected Best Oralist of the preliminary rounds of competition.
Since its inception, the University of Georgia Veterans Legal Clinic has had dual goals. One is aiding former members of the military in accessing all of the benefits they are entitled to through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, while the other is giving current law students a hands-on and purpose-driven learning experience so they can become skilled legal leaders. On Veterans Day, the School of Law is pleased to share that since opening six years ago the clinic has amassed an estimated financial impact for veterans of almost $11.5 million and more than 140 law students have logged more than 33,000 hours of service.
With more than 75 first-generation college graduates currently earning their Juris Doctor at the School of Law, we are pleased to share that 100% of them are receiving aid. This cohort is currently supported by approximately 25 scholarship funds, including the First-Start Scholars Program established by 1982 alumna Kathelen V. Amos and the Daniel P. Amos Family Foundation. This initiative has grown from first-generation students in the 2019 J.D. entering class receiving a scholarship to every first-gen J.D. student getting aid for the fourth year in a row.
Congratulations to third-year law students Paige M. Batten and Natalya D. Moody for capturing the trophy in the 2024 Florida/Georgia-Hulsey/Gambrell Moot Court Competition. Their win adds to UGA's outstanding performances in this annual University of Georgia/University of Florida courtroom battle and brings our school’s overall tournament record to 28-12-2! The team was coached by Director of Advocacy Kellie Casey and 2022 alumnus Cole Harper.
Usha R. Rodrigues, associate dean for faculty development, M.E. Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law and University Professor, has been named the next dean of the University of Georgia School of Law. She will begin her new role on Jan. 1, 2025, when Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge steps down as dean after 10 years of service.