The Informant
March 2, 2010
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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
The ABA’s Section of Antitrust Law has invited Prof. Maurice Stucke to speak at its Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. on April 22. Prof. Stucke will present his recent working paper, “Lessons from the Financial Crisis,” and will also discuss his behavioral economics research. He will be a part of the Association of American Law Schools Scholars’ Showcase that will discuss the impact of the economic crisis on antitrust policy.
Prof. Greg Stein recently participated as a member of the Member Selection Committee of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL). This nine-member committee is responsible for reviewing the backgrounds of ACREL nominees, contacting their references, and recommending candidates to the Board for membership approval. The committee meeting was held in Detroit in early February.
On February 19, Prof. Paula Schaefer was a speaker at the Tennessee Bar Association’s CLE Program, “Demystifying the Ethics Process.” The CLE was organized by the TBA’s Young Lawyers’ Division and TennBarU.
Prof. Karla McKanders was invited to participate on a panel and submit an article to University of Iowa’s Journal of Gender, Race and Justice’s 2010 Symposium on "Race, Gender, and Class at a Crossroads: A Survey of Their Intersection in Employment, Economics and the Law." The conference took place on Friday, February 26, at the University of Iowa’s Law School, where Prof. McKanders spoke on the Intersectionality theory and Indigenous Women from Guatemala arrested in immigration raids. Her paper, entitled "Intersectionality and Indigenous Women in Immigration Raids," will be published in the symposium issue for the journal.
On February 27th, Prof. George Kuney led and participated in a panel discussion on “Morality and Contract Law” at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law’s Spring Conference on Contracts.
Prof. Kuney’s article, “Vacating Chrysler,” is being published by the Journal of Bankruptcy Law & Practice. The article describes the Chrysler Chapter 11 case from its pre-filing negotiation stages through its reorganization, and then through an 11 U.S.C. section 363 sale and the appeals of the Bankruptcy Court’s sale order through the vacatur of the Second Circuit’s affirmance by the Supreme Court. The article concludes that, while the Second Circuit’s opinion has been vacated as a matter of law, as a practical matter, it remains persuasive, and the Bankruptcy Court’s opinion, which it affirmed, has a stare decisis effect in the Southern District of New York, one of the premier reorganization venues in the country.
Prof. Michael Higdon’s article, “When the Case Gives You Lemons: Using Negative Authority in Persuasive Legal Writing,” will be published in the upcoming issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal. The article, which will appear as the cover article, is currently available here.
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.
Summer Internship Position with Atlanta Refugee and Family Services
Refugee Family Services (RFS) is a metro-Atlanta non-profit that serves approximately 2,500 refugee/immigrant women and children each year. RFS provides critical human services, youth programs, health services, education programs and domestic violence prevention programs. RFS is seeking UT law students to fill a full-time summer clerkship positions that will focus on issue-specific legal analysis and fact gathering in support of policy development, as well as grant writing for the policy and direct service programs of the agency. To learn more about Refugee and Family Services please visit their website at http://www.refugeefamilyservices.org/ .
Students interested in applying for this position should submit a resume, writing sample and undergraduate and law school transcript to the Career Services Office through simplicity no later than 11:59 pm on Friday, March 12, 2010. RFS will review applications and select candidates for telephone interviews no later than Friday, March 19, 2010. Students will then be able to set up telephone interviews at selected times during the week of March 29th. Student will be selected for the position no later than April 5, 2010. More information will be given at the Public Interest Meeting on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 2:30 in Room 242. Should you have any immediate questions please feel free to contact Professor McKanders (mckanders@utk.edu).
Business Concentration information meeting March 15
Profs. George Kuney and Paula Schaffer will have an informational meeting for students regarding interest in the Concentration in Business Transactions, as well as careers in Business Law and Commercial Litigation. The meeting will be held Monday, March 15, at noon in Room 132. Flyer
Research Assistant needed
Prof. Judy Cornett is seeking a research assistant to work 15-20 hours per week, starting immediately and continuing through June 30. Areas of research include law and literature, legal ethics, and civil procedure. Please submit CV and statement of interest and availability to Prof. Cornett at jcornett@utk.edu.
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.
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.
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:
-- "Targeting Public Sector Employers" for 1Ls, Tuesday, March 2, 12-1 p.m., Room 135.
-- "Targeting Public Sector Employers" for 1Ls, Wednesday, March 3, 12-1 p.m., Room 136.
-- KBA Diversity Reception for 1, 2 and 3Ls, Thursday, March 4, 5-7 p.m., S&W Grand, Gay Street.