The Informant
February 24, 2009
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Justice Lee lectures Wednesday
Sharon Gail Lee '78, the newest member of the Tennessee Supreme Court, will deliver the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Lecture Wednesday, Feb. 25, beginning at noon in Room 132. MORE
Conference on Religious Freedom Feb. 26-27
A conference and research workshop entitled "Lost in Translation? Comparing Local and Global Interpretations of Religious Freedom" will be held Feb. 26 and 27 at the Baker Center. MORE
Honors Banquet honorees
The following students, faculty and staff were honored at the recent Honors Banquet:
Melissa Carrasco, Knoxville Auxiliary to the Tennessee Bar Association Award and Harshfield Award for Excellence in Civil Procedure.
Nathan Kibler, Herbert L. Davis Memorial Trust Fund Award.
Patricia Graves, William J. Brennan Legal research Award.
Chris Kelly, Cunningham Excellence in Legal Writing Award.
Matt Cox, Merchant & Gould Excellence in Intellectual Property Award.
Jonathan May, Hardin Award for Excellence in Labor & Employment Law
Ann Passino, Charles H. Miller Excellence in Civil Advocacy Award.
Amy Michaelson, James L. Powers Excellence in Criminal Advocacy Award.
Charles Hunt, Tennessee Attorney General’s Trial Advocacy Award.
Latisha Stubblefield, International Academy of Trial Lawyers Trial Advocacy Award.
Kyle Hixson, Robert E. Pryor Award of Excellence in Advocacy.
Martha McRee, Class of 2004 Concentration in Business Transactions Award.
Sarah White, National Association of Women Lawyers Award.
XX, Susan B. Anthony Award.
Bryan Hathorn, Baker, Donelson Student Leadership Award.
Ryan Desmond, Frank Benson Creekmore memorial Award.
Daniel Ellis, William M. Leech, Jr. Public Service Award.
Sandy Klavon, Library Staff Award for Extraordinary Service.
Sophia Dardy, College Staff Award for Extraordinary Service.
Greg Stein, Marilyn V. Yarbrough Faculty Award for Writing Excellence.
Tom Davies, W. Allen Separk Faculty Scholarship Award.
Penny White, Carden Outstanding Faculty Award for Scholarship.
John Sobieski, Carden Outstanding Faculty Award for Service.
Don Leatherman, Bass, Berry & Sims Faculty Award.
Steve Oberman, Student Bar Association Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Teacher Award.
Mae Quinn, Harold Warner Outstanding Teacher Award.
BLSA presenting Black History Month event
The Black Law Students Association invites the College community to celebrate Black History Month with its program, “Usual Suspects: African-Americans and the Criminal Justice System,” Friday, Feb. 27 beginning at noon in Room 132. The program will feature a panel discussion with the following speakers: Eric Counts, Knox County District Attorney; Ardena Garth, Public Defender of Hamilton County; and Chief Judge Curtis Collier, Federal District Court Judge in the Eastern District of Tennessee. Lunch will be served.
Supreme Court Public Meeting on Access to Justice Feb. 26
The Tennessee Supreme Court will be conducting a public meeting on February 26, 2009 in Knoxville on legal needs and access to justice issues in Knoxville and surrounding parts of east Tennessee. MORE
Law Women events upcoming
Law Women has two events approaching. Law Women’s Annual Date Auction will be held at Half Barrel Thursday, Feb. 26, before Rump Court. This year is extraordinarily special because the group is auctioning off both sexes. So, Ladies and Gents, come prepared to bid! Please contact Marisa Mar-Jones or Malaka Watson if you are interested in being auctioned off.
The Law Women’s Annual Chili Cook-Off will be held at Toddy’s Back Door Tavern March 26. Please contact Jamey Ayers (jayers5@utk.edu) if you are interested in forming a team.
All funds raised by the Date Auction and Chili Cook-off will be donated to the YWCA Victim’s Advocacy Program, a nonprofit organization that works with the YWCA and the State of Tennessee to promote the safety and rehabilitation of domestic violence victims in Knoxville.
Law Women would also like to thank the College of Law Community for donating to the American Heart Association and supporting the Go Red Rump Court. Law Women raised over $200 to benefit Heart Disease research. Thank you for helping Law Women raise awareness and funds for the cause of women and heart disease.
Tenure recommendation for Profs. Long, Quinn
The tenured faculty has voted today to recommend the grant of tenure for Profs. Alex Long and Mae Quinn. “While the recommendations still require university - and ultimately Board of Trustees - approval, this is an important and incredibly positive decision for Alex, Mae, and the College,” said Dean Doug Blaze. “Please join me in congratulating both Alex and Mae.”
New Transactions leadership
Transactions: Tennessee Journal of Business Law congratulates the following individuals for their appointment to the 2009 Staff Editorial Board: Editor in Chief - Scott Simmons; Managing Editor - Melissa J. Hughes; Executive Editor - Katie Waldrop; News & Acquisitions Editor - Bryan Hathorn; Senior Commentary Editor - Jonathan Edwards; and Articles & Research Editors - James Cline, John McGehee, Jennifer McGinn, Christie Weaver & Allison Malone. The Transactions Journal is looking forward to a successful year to follow. The 2009 candidacy process will begin in March, so keep an eye and ear open for information!
Jessup team competes in Miami
Please join in congratulating the 2009 Jessup International Law Moot Court team, which recently returned from Miami after competing in the Southeast Super Regional round. Hannah Lowe, Alexander Reed-Krase, Lindsey Schenk, LeAnne Summer, and Crystal Young all did an outstanding job representing their fictional client states, the nations of Alicanto and Ravisia, in what was an extremely complex problem addressing multiple international law issues. In the real world, although the team did not advance to the semifinal round, the members represented the College of Law with professionalism and determination. More information on the Jessup moot is available at http://www.ilsa.org/jessup/index.php and tryouts for the 2010 team will be held next semester. Prof. Robert Blitt is the team's coach.
VITA program swinging into action
Tax season is here, and that means it's time for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. VITA is a program, sponsored by both the IRS and UT Pro Bono, whose mission is to provide free tax services for UT students, faculty, and staff, as well as low- to moderate- income individuals and families. This year, VITA will be taking place Monday-Wednesday, 4-7 p.m., in the Student Organization Office on the third floor (Room 302). VITA will also be hosting a special International Night on Tuesdays for international students and friends (U.S. citizens can come on any night). Please be sure to bring a valid photo ID, your Social Security card, and all relevant tax documents (W-2, 1099, etc.). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Roman Hankins (rhankins@utk.edu) or Rachel Levinson (rlevinso@utk.edu).
FACULTY
Prof. Fran Ansley (retired) was a presenter at a day-long conference for teachers and teaching interns organized by faculty members in the College of Education Feb. 16 on “Crossing Borders in Our Classrooms with English Language Learners.” She screened the documentary film “Morristown: In the Air and Sun” and then spoke about legal aspects of the new immigrant presence in Tennessee and in the state’s public schools. On Feb. 28, she will speak at a workshop on “Women, Incarceration, and Human Rights” organized by the Feminism and Legal Theory Workshop at Emory Law School in Atlanta (link.) She has also been invited to be a presenter at a conference at Yale Law School in April (link).
STUDENTS
'09 Cambridge Program interest meeting Friday
Prof. Don Leatherman will hold an interest meeting for the 2009 Cambridge Summer Session Friday, Feb. 27, during the free hour (12 - 12:50 p.m.) in the Faculty Lounge. A light lunch will be served.
Prof. Leatherman is also looking for a house sitter for this summer during the time that he is in England with the Cambridge Summer Program (from about June 15 through July 31). Any interested students should see Prof. Leatherman in his office, Room 271.
Prof. Kuney seeks teaching assistant for Fall '09
Prof. George Kuney seeks teaching assistant for Fall 2009 Contracts I. Successful applicants will have done well in Contracts I and Legal Process I and II. Job duties include pre-processing exams and writing assignments along designated guidelines. Compensation is at prevailing law school student assistant rates, currently $8/hr. To apply for the position, submit an e-mail expression of interest with attached resume evidencing qualifications.
National student writing competition
The Journal of Business & Securities Law is accepting submissions for the Elliot A. Spoon Business Law Writing Competition. The winning article will be published and a cash prize awarded. MORE
Student Bankruptcy Law Writing Competition
The Bankruptcy Litigation Committee of the American Bankruptcy Institute has announced its first annual ABI Bankruptcy Law Student Writing Competition. For details, click here. Prof. George Kuney is happy to meet with students wishing to discuss topics relating to section 363 sales and plans of reorganization.
FCBA Student writing competition
The Federal Circuit Bar Association announces the 2009 George Hutchinson Writing Competition on a topic directed to a subject within the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Deadline for submissions is June 26, 2009. MORE
LEWIS CAREER CENTER
-- "Succeeding in a Summer Clerkship" for 1 and 2Ls, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 12 - 12:50 p.m., Room 132.
-- " Targeting Government and Public Interest Employers" for 1, 2 and 3Ls, Thursday, Feb. 26, 12:10 - 12:50 p.m., Room 132.
-- "Targeting Out-of-State Employers" for 1Ls, Monday, March 2, 12 - 12:50 p.m., Room 135.