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.
During the 2023-24 academic year, 475 School of Law students enrolled or re-enrolled in one of the school's 18 clinic/externship programs and cumulatively engaged in over 84,000 service-learning hours. More than 25,000 of those hours occurred under the direct supervision of law school faculty members directing in-house clinical programs – all of which provide access to justice services for underrepresented communities and individuals.
Congratulations to second-year student Gordon Wayne for receiving the 2024 Anna Bissonnette Award from Hearth Inc. Wayne was recognized by the Boston area nonprofit for his work in raising awareness of and helping to end homelessness. He has raised more than $200,000 benefiting the National Alliance to End Homelessness, primarily through two 500+ mile walks - one to UGA to attend law school and the other to Boston College, where he earned an undergraduate degree.