Dean Mark E. Brandon applauded the Class of 2020 for being “a distinguished group by any proper measure” during First-Year Orientation.
The class has 126 students and was drawn from a pool of more than 1,500 applicants. Forty-five percent of the class members are women, and 19 percent identify as members of a racial or ethnic minority. The members of the Class of 2020 have lived, worked or studied in 34 countries outside of the United States – in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Africa, South America and Central America.
“As dean of The University of Alabama School of Law, I’m pleased and honored to welcome you – the Class of 2020 – and to welcome, also, our transfer students, our visiting and exchange students, and our international LL.M. students. You – each and all of you – are valued members of our community,” Brandon said.
Brandon offered advice in four areas he wished he had known when he started law school more than 40 years ago.
First, he encouraged law students to educate themselves broadly and deeply and take on courses in all the basic fields of law, including challenging courses and those in fields they might not expect to like.
“You’ll gain a thicker sense of law as a complex, living institution,” he said. “And if you can develop a sense of the whole, you’ll also acquire a more sophisticated sense of the parts.”
Second, he noted that law consists of rules, but it doesn’t consist only of rules.
“What you’ll learn is that the rules are knit together with other stuff,” he said. “They’re knit together with principles, with considerations of policy and social advantage, and with values.”
Third, he urged them to take care of themselves.
“Eat well. Rest. Exercise. If you have an exercise routine, keep it. If you don’t have one, get one.”
Finally, Brandon advised the members of the Class of 2020 to leave a mark on law school, society and the law.
“In your studies here – and in your professional lives — leave a trace. And make it a trace you’ll be proud you left,” he said. “Make your mark: on the School of Law; on your community, nation, and world through law; on the law itself. Make them better than you found them.”
Professor Ronald Krotoszynski discusses with WWL host Tommy Tucker whether a government employee could refuse to carry out an order or command that may be unconstitutional.
For more, listen to “Could a Government Employee Refuse an Order that May Be Unconstitutional?”
Professor William Andreen’s research about the Clean Water Rule is cited in Field & Stream.
For more, read “13 Facts about the Clean Water Rule All Sportsmen Should Know.“
Professor Fred Vars is the co-author of a report for The Brookings Institution that shows how a “no guns” registry could help save lives.
For more, read “How a “No-guns” Registry Could Help Prevent Firearm-Related Suicides.”
Joyce Vance, UA Distinguished Visiting Lecturer in Law, is quoted in a CNN story about President Donald Trump’s rare meeting with a U.S. Attorney nominee.
For more, read “President Has Rare Meeting with U.S. Attorney Nominee.”
Professor Julie Hill is quoted in The Los Angeles Times about guidelines for financial institutions that want to work with marijuana companies.
For more, read “Why Some Pot Businesses Hide Their Cash — and Others Truck it Straight to a Federal Vault.”
Professor Dan Joyner discusses with The New York Times whether the U.S. is complying with the Iran nuclear deal. Joyner’s comments come after the 2 minute mark.
For more, watch “Iran Says U.S. Is Not Complying with the Nuclear Deal.”
Professor Pamela Bucy Pierson and Alabama Law alumni received awards from the Alabama State Bar during its annual meeting in Point Clear.
President Donald Trump has nominated Annemarie Carney Axon (’99) and Liles C. Burke (’94) for positions as District Judges on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.
Chip Campbell, Jr. (’01) was tapped to serve as District Judge in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.
All three nominees must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
For more, read:
“Donald Trump Nominates Two for Alabama Federal Court Positions”
“Trump Nominates Senate Leader Mark Norris, Three Others as Federal Judges in Tennessee”
The University of Alabama School of Law and the ABA Journal have announced that James Grippando, author of “Gone Again,” will receive the 2017 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction.
Grippando is the seventh winner of the Prize. The award, authorized by 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.
“I don’t know who’s happier, James Grippando the writer or James Grippando the lawyer,” Grippando said. “Winning the 2017 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction is easily the proudest moment of my dual career.”
Seven years ago, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the publication of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and to honor former Alabama law student and author Harper Lee, The University of Alabama School of Law and the ABA Journal partnered to create The Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction.
“Gone Again” was chosen by a distinguished panel of writers. They are: Deborah Johnson, winner of the 2015 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and author of “The Secret of Magic”; Cassandra King, author of “The Same Sweet Girls’ Guide to Life”; Don Noble, host of Alabama Public Radio’s book review series as well as host of “Bookmark,” which airs on Alabama Public Television; and Han Nolan, author of “Dancing on the Edge.”
The Selection Committee honored Lee’s charge to grant the award to a published work of fiction that best illuminates the role of lawyers in society and their power to effect change.
“Jack Swyteck is a lawyer’s lawyer,” Nolan said. “He works within the system, relentlessly searching for the truth as he races against time to defend a death row inmate.”
Noble agreed. “If I am ever in legal trouble, there is no lawyer I would rather have than Grippando’s Jack Swyteck,” he said. “The man is dedicated to social justice, resourceful and tireless.”
Grippando will be honored with a signed special edition of “To Kill a Mockingbird” and an article in the ABA Journal.
“Grippando’s book does a masterful, entertaining job exploring the important topic of the death penalty and actual innocence,” said Molly McDonough, editor and publisher of the ABA Journal. “In ‘Gone Again,’ attorney Jack Swyteck focuses on finding the truth while navigating the complexities of habeas petitions for a despicable client.”
The 2017 prize will be awarded at The University of Alabama School of Law on Sept. 14. After the award presentation, the Selection Committee will convene a panel discussion of Grippando’s “Gone Again” in relationship to Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
About James Grippando
James Grippando is a New York Times bestselling author of suspense. He was a trial lawyer for twelve years before the publication of his first novel in 1994 (The Pardon), and he now serves as Counsel at Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP. He lives in south Florida.
About the UA School of Law
One of America’s leading public law schools and a “#1 Best Value Law School” in the nation, according to the National Jurist in 2012 and 2013, The University of Alabama School of Law offers a challenging curriculum with over 150 electives, several dual enrollment opportunities, Master of Laws degrees, and a J.S.D. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8.7:1, the Law School offers students a rigorous, hands-on learning experience, with strong student engagement in clinical programs, law review, moot court and trial advocacy.
