The Informant
February 23, 2010
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2010 Honors Banquet
Honorees from the annual Honors Banquet held Feb. 19:
Ryan Barry, Knoxville Auxiliary to the Tennessee Bar Association Award
Melissa Carrasco, Herbert L. Davis Memorial Trust Fund Award
Ryan Barry, William J. Brennan Legal Research Award
Sam Evans, Cunningham Excellence in Legal Writing Award
James Cline, Merchant & Gould Excellence in Intellectual Property Award
Ryan McMillan, Hardin Award for Excellence in Labor & Employment Law
Ryan Connor and Anna Long, Harshfield Award for Excellence in Civil Procedure
Adrienne Gilliam and Barton Williams, Charles H. Miller Excellence in Civil Advocacy Award
Charles Jarboe, James L. Powers III Excellence in Criminal Advocacy Award
Stacy Eckard, Tennessee Attorney General's Trial Advocacy Award
Chad Jarboe, International Academy of Trial Lawyers Trial Advocacy Award
Sean McDermott, Robert E. Pryor Award of Excellence in Advocacy
Will Kittrell, Class of 2004 Concentration in Business Transactions Award
Tiffany Hagar, National Association of Women Lawyers Award
Alicia Teubert, Susan B. Anthony Award
Norene Napper, Baker, Donelson Student Leadership Award
Joe Bell, Frank Benson Creekmore Memorial Award
Bryan Hathorn, William M. Leech, Jr. Public Service Prize
Prof. Penny White, Marilyn V. Yarbrough Award for Writing Excellence
Prof. Maurice Stucke, W. Allen Separk Faculty Scholarship Award
Prof. Joan Heminway, Carden Outstanding Faculty Award for Scholarship
Prof. Alex Long and Assoc. Dean Carol Parker, Carden Outstanding Faculty Award for Service
Prof. Becky Jacobs, Bass, Berry & Sims Faculty Award
Don Paine, Outstanding Adjunct Teacher Award
Prof. Otis Stephens, Harold Warner Outstanding Teacher Award
Staff Awards for Extraordinary Service, Patti J. Anderson,
Carol J. Armstrong,
Ramona S. Armstrong,
Alexis D. Bell,
Sheryl M. Branson,
Phyllis W. Brewer,
LaVaun M. Browder, Sophia R. Dardy,
Mark E. Ensley, Cindy M. Farabow,
Elizabeth W. Ford,
Amy M. George,
Sean Cary von Gunter,
Carolyn V. Karstrom,
Elizabeth B. Krag,
Angela M. Miller,
Tammy R. Neff,
Bo Odom, CJ Ottinger,
Jill-Anne H. Owen, and
Amber R. Turner.
Law Library Staff Award for Extraordinary Service, Dawn M. Adkins, de Thomis Burns,
Sally Carter,
Patty S. DeArmond,
Daniel R. Freeman,
Jolyn M. Gray,
Jeff Groah,
Sandy Klavon,
Phyllis J. McWilliams,
Bethany E. Offshack,
Suzanne R. Smalley, and
Amy M. Tucker.
Rita Geier (second from right) with BLSA President Trent Poynter and
Black History Month committee chairs Monica Rice and Kirton Madison
BLSA program featuring Rita Geier
Last Thursday, February 18, BLSA was honored to have Rita Geier give a presentation to the student body, here at the University of Tennessee College of Law. For those of you that are not aware, in 1968, Ms. Geier sued the state of Tennessee to desegregate its higher education systems and she prevailed. Among her many accolades, titles, and accomplishments, Ms. Geier has recently been named associate to UT Knoxville Chancellor Loren Crabtree, and will help lead intercultural efforts and implement goals of the university's diversity plan and Ready for the World initiative. She also serves as senior fellow at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy.
Law Women Haiti Relief Week
In light of the recent earthquake in Haiti, the UT Law Women have decided to sponsor a Haiti Relief Week, in conjunction with BLSA, to help raise money for organizations providing relief in Haiti. Many people have asked what we can do as members of the Law School, so this Relief Fund is a way that we can make a difference through an organization that has both East Tennessee and UT Law School roots, The Children's Nutrition Program. Our goal for this week is to raise $500. That's less than $1 per person when we include the faculty and staff in the law school. After considering several options, we realized that we wanted to support an organization where we knew exactly where the money we raised was going and for what purpose. Professor Carol Mutter, whom many of you have had, connected us with The Children's Nutrition Program that her husband founded in 1997. This Program works to provide nutritional and medical services to children through an orphanage located in Leogane, Haiti. All money we raise this week will go directly to provide medical services and food to the children living in this orphanage. For more information, visit www.CNPHaiti.org.
The following is a schedule of events that we hope the entire law school will support and attend:
TUESDAY - Law Women is going to be hosting a bake sale in the commons from 10:00 - 2:00. By supporting the bake sale with generous donations for our delicious goodies, we hope that you will both enjoy the tasty treats while enjoying knowing that you're money will be helping provide food for children in Haiti as well.
WEDNESDAY - This is our big day. We will be hosting 2 speakers from The Children's Nutrition Program (CNP) during the free hour in Room 241. Chick-Fil-A will be served afterwards and we will also sell baked goods on a Donation Basis after the speakers. Our speakers are coming all the way from Chattanooga to share the vision that CNP has for the orphanage and the work that they are doing in Leogane. BLSA will also be selling tickets for their Haiti Mardi Gras Ball as well!
THURSDAY - This is our Brown-Bag Challenge Day! So many of us spend several dollars a day on our "must have" coffee and bagel or lunch at Quiznos or afternoon snack at Gloria's. For ONE day, we hope that everyone will consider either bringing their coffee/lunch/snack from home or foregoing their daily treat in order to donate what they would normally spend to the Relief Fund.
Thank you all in advance for your support this week!
The Members of UT Law Women
BLSA masquerade ball for Haiti
As you know, last month a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the island nation of Haiti. The Black Law Students Association is embarking on an unprecedented endeavor. This year, BLSA in association with other law school organizations is hosting a Masquerade Ball. One-half of all the proceeds raised will be donated to the “Doctors Without Borders Emergency Relief Fund.” DWB has been working in Haiti for 19 years. Currently, DWB is operating three emergency hospitals in Port-au- Prince, and is mobilizing a large emergency response to this disaster. BLSA's contribution will enable DWB to send additional doctors and medical equipment to Haiti.
Below are the organizations that have already agreed to help promote the event and to help sell tickets:
Law school:
Student Bar Association
Law Women
LAMBDA
Environmental Law Organization
Phi Alpha Delta
We also have the following generous sponsors:
Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis (law firm)
Kramer Rayson (law firm)
Lexis Nexis (research organization)
Date: Saturday, February 27, at Sobu Restaurant on Kingston Pike
Tickets: $15 (1/2 will go to DWB). This includes a free plain mask (while supplies last). More elaborate masks are on sale at the table in the Commons.
Attire: Cocktail wear
New Tennessee Law Review editor
Alan Jackson has been elected Editor-in-Chief of the Tennessee Law Review for 2010-11.
Authors of Asylum Denied to discuss their book here March 1
On Monday, March 1, 2010, David Ngaruri Kenney and Philip G. Shrag will be coming to the law school to speak during the free hour about their book Asylum Denied. Asylum Denied is the gripping story of political refugee David Ngaruri Kenney's harrowing odyssey through the world of immigration processing in the United States. The event will take place in Room 132, and the authors will be available to speak and sign the books afterwards. FLYER
TJLP Symposium March 26 on forensic evidence
The Tennessee Journal of Law and Policy is hosting a symposium on March 26 at the College of Law. The symposium focuses on issues related to forensic evidence. Dr. William Bass will present the morning keynote and Professor Margaret Berger, Brooklyn Law School, will deliver the luncheon keynote. In addition, other professors, scientists, and scholars will lead discussions related to the use of forensic evidence in civil and criminal litigation
FACULTY
From Greg Stein, Associate Dean for Faculty Development
On February 12, Prof. Alex Long spoke at the Oklahoma City University School of Law faculty colloquium. Professor Long’s talk was entitled, “Attorney Deceit Statutes: Promoting Professionalism Through Criminal Prosecution and Treble Damages.”
Prof. Karla McKanders participated in Washington University School of Law’s junior faculty regional workshop on Friday, February 12th. She presented her paper, “Lost Century Found: The Fugitive Slave Act and Federal Delegation of Immigration Authority.”
STUDENTS
Mandatory 1L registration meeting March 3
A mandatory meeting for all 1Ls regarding Fall 2010 registration will be held Wednesday, March 3, from 12:15 until 1:35 in Room 132. Bag lunches will be provided; bring your own beverage. The Registration Bidding System will be discussed.
Calling all students interested in engaging in Public Interest work over the summer
Thursday, March 4, from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m. in Room 242 an interest meeting will be held for all students seeking unpaid public interest jobs over the summer. There are two public interest fellowships available for students interested in unpaid internships the Tennessee Association of Public Interest Law (TAPIL) Fellowship and the Kolwyck Equal Access to Justice Fellowships. At the interest meeting, more information will be given regarding the application process as well as former recipients of the fellowships will speak about their summer experiences. Brief descriptions of the fellowships are below. If you have any immediate questions please feel free to contact Karla McKanders (mckanders@utk.edu) or Brittany Gardner (bgardne5@utk.edu) with questions.
The TAPIL Fellowships
Each year the Tennessee Association of Public Interest Law (TAPIL) at the College of Law seeks to encourage and foster students' interest in public interest and social justice work. It's aim is to cultivate a commitment to social justice and to help students provide legal representation to traditionally underrepresented groups. TAPIL provides fellowships to students who have committed to spending their summer working with a public interest organization. By providing stipends, TAPIL reduces the financial barriers for students who wish to accept public interest summer employment and assists under-funded public interest organizations reach greater numbers of low incomes individuals and families.
Kolwyck Equal Access to Justice Fellowships
In recognition of the legal profession’s special obligation to provide legal services to persons of limited means, the College of Law awards Kolwyck Equal Access to Justice Fellowships to deserving students who have completed their first or second year of studies and have secured summer or term-time employment with a governmental agency or non-profit organization which provides free legal services to or on behalf of persons of limited means, or with a law firm which will assign the student exclusively to matters in which the firm is providing pro bono publico legal services to or on behalf of persons of limited means. The criteria for an award include professional promise, financial need, prior public service activities, likelihood of long-term commitment to the provision of legal services to persons of limited means, and the extent to which the student’s proposed employment will further the goals for which this scholarship has been established.
Third Annual 1L Advocacy Idol Competition
It’s that time again! The Third Annual 1L Advocacy Idol competition will be held on Wednesday, March 17 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Room 132. First-year law students, coached by second- and third-year students, will compete by presenting five-minute opening statements to a panel of federal and state judges. After preliminary rounds, six finalists will be chosen, and from these finalists, the panel of judges will determine which first-year student will be named the Third Annual 1L Advocacy Idol. No advance preparation is required. Following the competition, first-year participants, their coaches, and the judges will have dinner together and discuss ways to improve advocacy skills. Cash prizes and certificates will be awarded at the dinner. The competition not only serves as an introduction to the Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Concentration, but is also a great way to prepare for Legal Process II oral arguments. Interested first-year students should sign up by emailing Norene Napper at nnapper@utk.edu. The competition is limited to the first twenty-four first-year students who sign up. Students with questions about the competition may contact either Norene Napper or Prof. Penny White at pwhite@utk.edu.
2010 Spring Hooding
Spring '10 Hooding information, including hotel accommodations.
Book research assistance needed
Professor Ben Barton is looking for a student research assistant to help with book research on the possible uses of technology and logistics to streamline current court procedures. Interest in and/or understanding of technology a plus. Please email a statement of interest and a resume to bbarton@utk.edu.
Research Assistant needed
A Research Assistant is needed to work approximately 10 to 15 hours per week. Research will be in the area of immigration and asylum law. Students interested in the position should send a resume, current transcript and writing sample to Professor Karla McKanders at mckanders@utk.edu. Any questions regarding the position can be sent by email or telephone at (865) 974-5710.
Employee benefits writing competition
The American College of Employee Benefits Counsel is accepting entries for its 2010 law student writing competition. Details.
Bankruptcy Law Writing Competition
The Bankruptcy Litigation Committee of the American Bankruptcy Institute ("ABI") invites students to participate in its Second Annual ABI Bankruptcy Law Student Writing Competition. First, Second and Third Place prizes, which include cash, an ABI membership, and publication in an ABI periodical, will be awarded. The Competition takes place from Jan. 1, 2010, through March 1, 2010. Submissions must be a minimum of 10 pages and a maximum of 12 pages long. To be eligible, each submission must be reviewed by a law professor prior to submission to ensure quality and must be accompanied by written confirmation from the reviewing professor that the paper has been so reviewed. Prof. Kuney is available to review and comment on proposed submissions. For more information, click here.
Environmental writing competition underway
The TBA Environmental Law Section has announced the 2010 Jon E. Hastings Memorial Award writing competition for law student members of the section. The competition is held each year in memory of one of the section's most outstanding founding members and has a cash prize pool of $1,200. It is a juried competition for the best legal writing on a topic related to Tennessee or federal environmental law. Entries are due March 27.
Learn more about the contest.
Education Law writing contest
Entries are being sought for the 2010 George Jay Joseph
Education Law Writing Award. Learn more about the contest.
Affordable Housing writing competition
An annual writing competition through the ABA for the Affordable Housing Forum is accepting papers from students through March 12. Click here and then the "Writing Competition" link on the left side.
CAREER SERVICES
Upcoming programs offered through the Bettye B. Lewis Career Center:
The Business of Practicing Law Workshop Series for Law Students
Recognition of the need to educate law students about the "business side" of legal practice led to a successful collaboration between the College of Law and the Knoxville Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators. The Business of Practicing Law workshops, taught by teams of KALA members and practicing attorneys, provide practical information and advice for law students who have accepted positions with law firms or are considering a career in a law firm setting.
All workshops are offered from noon – 1 p.m. in Room 132, College of Law. The topics, dates and speakers for the full series are:
Succeeding in the Summer Clerkship (Tuesday, February 23): Randy Miller, Woolf, McClane, Bright, Allen & Carpenter, with law student panelists
Participants can expect to learn the following:
-- to recognize the varied roles that lawyers play in a law firm environment and the skills needed to excel in these roles;
-- to identify work habits that will enable them to be both effective and efficient lawyers;
-- to understand expectations legal employers have of associates, past the knowledge and understanding of substantive law they learn in the classroom;
-- to grasp the role of technology in the legal workplace;
-- to be exposed to the basic concepts of law firm finance; and
-- to be given context for consideration of work/life balance issues, of helping others as an attorney, and of crafting a career that will lead to a satisfied life.
No pre-registration is required. Law students and candidates admitted to the law school for 2010 are invited to participate. The series is coordinated by KALA officer Kathy Scourby, Hunton & Williams, and the Bettye B. Lewis Career Center staff.
Other programs:
-- "Succeeding in a Summer Clerkship," for 1and 2Ls, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 12-1 p.m., Room 135.
-- NBA Damali Booker Job Fair for 1Ls, Saturday, Feb. 27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Bass, Berry & Sims, Nashville.