The University of Alabama School of Law and the ABA Journal have announced the finalists for the 2019 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction.
The three books chosen to compete for the prize are: “The Boat People” by Sharon Bala, “Class Action” by Steven B. Frank and “The Widows of Malabar Hill” by Sujata Massey.
“This year’s Harper Lee Prize was particularly difficult to judge,” said Molly McDonough, editor and publisher of the ABA Journal.
Finalists for the 2019 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction
“We were evaluating so many gripping and compelling reads. The finalists represent the diversity of this year’s submissions, from a novel about Sri Lankan refugees seeking a new start, to the story of a trailblazing woman lawyer fighting for her clients in 1920s India, and, finally, a charming middle school book featuring a spunky student who goes to court after he’s suspended for protesting homework. The characters are as inspiring as they are engaging.”
The prize, previously authorized by the late Lee, is given annually to a book-length work of fiction that best illuminates the role of lawyers in society and their power to effect change.
Nine years ago, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the publication of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and to honor former University of Alabama law student and author Harper Lee, UA’s Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. School of Law and the ABA Journal partnered to create The Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction.
There were 25 entries for the Prize this year, and a team of reviewers chose three books for the Selection Committee’s consideration. The public is invited to cast votes on the ABA Journal website to help determine who the winning author will be. The public will act as the sixth judge, contributing a vote equal in weight to the selection committee members. To vote, visit: http://www.abajournal.com/polls/2019HarperLeePrize
Voting is open until June 30 at 11:59 p.m. Central.
The 2019 prize will be awarded Aug. 29 at the Library of Congress in conjunction with National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. The winner will be announced prior to the ceremony and will receive a copy of “To Kill a Mockingbird” signed by Harper Lee.
A distinguished panel of writers and scholars will select the 2019 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction.
They are: Robert Barnes, Reporter, U.S. Supreme Court, The Washington Post; Steven Hobbs, Tom Bevill Chairholder of Law, The Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. School of Law; Claire Matturro, Alumna, The Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. School of Law; Utz McKnight, Chair of the Department of Gender and Race Studies and Professor of Political Science, UA; and Gin Phillips, Author, “Fierce Kingdom.”
Professor Ronald Krotoszynski writes an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times about states currently considering legislation that would require presidential candidates to release their tax returns to be listed on election ballots.
For more, read “States Could Succeed in Getting Trump’s Tax Returns Where Congress Has Failed.”
Professor Fred Vars is quoted in a Nola.com story about the deferment of a Louisiana bill that would allow residents to place themselves on a no-gun purchase registry.
For more, read “Bill to Create Louisiana’s ‘Do-Not-Sell’ Gun Self-Registry Deferred until 2020.”
Paula Weems Hinton (’79) reflected on her own legal career and encouraged the members of the Class of 2019 to find “the next you.”
Graduates will surely meet resistance, obstacles, and setbacks. Hinton, though, urged graduates to press forward.
“The defining moments of our lives often don’t come with an advance warning – they present themselves in ways we would have never expected, so be prepared,” she said.
Paula Weems Hinton (’79) delivers the commencement address.
Life as a lawyer will not be easy, Hinton said. Graduates will win and lose, be frustrated, and heartbroken, but each of them has the purpose, principle, and education to meet every challenge.
“Greatness has always come from people who expect nothing and take nothing for granted, who work hard for what they have and then reach back and help others behind them,” she said. “That is who you are, that is who you will become. That is the past, the present, and the next you.”
Alabama Law conferred 134 Juris Doctor degrees at Coleman Coliseum on May 5.
In his welcoming remarks, Dean Mark E. Brandon honored the academic success of the Class of 2019.
Four J.D. students received joint Master’s Degrees in Business Administration, and one J.D. student received a joint Master’s Degree in Social Work. Thirteen J.D. students received the LL.M. degree – Master of Laws Degree –in Taxation or Business Transactions, while one student — from Japan — received the Law School’s first Doctor of Juridical Science Degree.
More than half of the class worked on one of the Law School’s four legal journals, while 43 percent enrolled in at least one of six clinics, training and serving as student lawyers.
Twenty-one graduates participated in regional or national trial advocacy competitions. Seven of those won individual, team awards, or were members of teams that advanced to elimination rounds. Thirty-five graduating students competed in regional or national moot court competitions, and 21 students won individual or team awards for performance in regional or national competitions or were members of teams that advanced to elimination rounds. The members of the Hispanic National Bar Association’s Moot Court Team won a national championship.
“This is a remarkable class – distinguished, talented, and well prepared to face the future,” Brandon said.
Miriam Biffle, delivering the valedictory address, said commencement raises a mix of feelings and emotions: excitement, joy, anxiety, a twinge of sadness and a huge helping of relief.
Most of all, Biffle said she was grateful for family and friends, faculty and staff, and her fellow graduates. The graduates would not have completed their degrees without the love and efforts of family and friends. On behalf of the class, Biffle thanked professors for their encouragement, patience, practical lessons, stories, friendship, and mentorship. She said she was honored to be a member of the Class of 2019 because its members are kind.
Students sent get-well cards, shared notes and outlines, and checked on others when they were ill or absent from class.
“I hope that in using this degree we are receiving today that you continue to show that kindness because the world needs it,” she said. “I am proud to be your classmate and proud to be your friend.”
Degree candidates were hooded by Kimberly Boone, Professor of Legal Writing and Director of Legal Writing Program; John Shahar Dillbary, James M. Kidd, Sr. Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Cross Disciplinary Legal Studies Program; Bryan Fair, Thomas E. Skinner Professor of law; and Gary Sullivan, Associate Professor of Law in Residence.
The six recipients of the Dean M. Leigh Harrison Academic Achievement Award were hooded first. Seventeen students received the Public Interest Certificate for completing the program’s academic, clinical, and externship requirements, while 26 students received the Order of the Samaritan honor for performing 50 hours of pro bono legal service and 40 hours of community service during law school.
The Law School honored graduates with a reception immediately following the ceremony on the Camille Wright Cook Plaza in front of the Law School.
Courtney Cross, Director of the Domestic Violence Law Clinic, and Terrika Shaw, a Staff Attorney in the Elder Law Clinic, are quoted in a WBRC story about a grandmother sentenced to life without parole for drug trafficking.
Cross, Shaw, Tuscaloosa Criminal Defense Attorney Joel Sogol, and six law students strategized on legal options for Geneva Cooley.
In March, Jefferson County Circuit Judge Stephen Wallace granted a Rule 32 petition which reduced Cooley’s sentence to life with the possibility of parole, according to the WBRC story. After 17 years in prison, Cooley may be considered for parole this year.
For more, read “Grandmother Sentenced to Life without Parole in AL for Drugs Gets Chance at Freedom.
Professor Fred Vars is quoted in an American Military News article about an Alabama bill that would allow residents to place themselves on a no-gun purchase registry.
For more, read “AL Bill Would Take Guns away from People Deemed Dangerous.”
Professor Joyce White Vance writes an op-ed for Time magazine about special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 election.
For more, read “Why the Mueller Report Shouldn’t Be the Final Word on Trump, Russia, and Obstruction of Justice.”
Paula Hinton (’79), Trial Partner and Member of the Executive Committee of the international law firm of Winston & Strawn, will deliver School of Law commencement address at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5 at Coleman Coliseum.
Paula Hinton
Ms. Hinton serves as Global Chair of the Winston Women’s Leadership Initiative, which won the Chambers Award for “Outstanding Firm in Advancing Gender Diversity and Inclusion.” She received her BA, magna cum laude, from The University of Alabama in political science in 1976, and her Master’s in Public Administration and Juris Doctorate degree from The University in 1979.
In 1979, Ms. Hinton was named “Outstanding Graduate Student” at the University. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Governors of The University of Alabama Law School Foundation and its Strategic Planning committee.
Ms. Hinton is a go-to trial lawyer in high stakes litigation. She is recognized by Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America for her skills in commercial litigation and mass tort litigation/class actions. She has won some of the largest defense verdicts in Texas history. Ms. Hinton received the Texas Lawyer Professional Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 and the Corporate Counsel Association’s “National Women in Law Award in 2018. Benchmark Litigation has named her as one of the Top 250 Women in litigation for several years and as a Litigation Star in 2018.
The Dorbin Association donated $14,500 to Turning Point Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services on April 9.
The contribution is the largest donation in the Association’s history. The money was raised through the Dorbin Auction, the Association’s annual live and silent auction that takes place every February.
Leaders said they enjoy putting on the Auction every year and that raising money for Turning Point was the least that they could do for the non-profit that gives so much to their community.
Turning Point serves nine counties throughout West Alabama, providing services to more than 2,000 primary and secondary victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Turning Point also conducts community training and other events throughout the year.
A bankruptcy journal will soon publish a brief written by Mallory Woodford and Clayton Stansell, both 3Ls.
The brief was written as part of the 27th Annual Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition in New York City in March. Each year, the competition considers one or more questions. Teams then address those concerns in oral arguments and briefs. Woodford and Stansell earned the Best Brief Award at the competition.
Richard Lieb, Editor-in-Chief of the Norton Journal of Bankruptcy Law and Practice, was so impressed by the brief that he decided to share it with other lawyers who practice bankruptcy law. He said the brief was presented in such a clear manner that he found it “thrilling” that students could be so talented at this stage in their careers. Many briefs written by practitioners don’t come anywhere near the quality of this brief, he said.
“This particular brief was beautifully thought out by the authors,” Lieb said. “They really understood issues, and they understood the argument on both sides.”
The team was coached by Mark Williams (’84) and Professor Gary Sullivan.
“I am delighted that Mallory and Clayton are receiving well-deserved recognition for their exceptional work,” Sullivan said. “In fact, this appears to be the first time a student Duberstein brief has ever been selected for publication in the Norton journal. This is quite an honor.”
