Author: cfdev

On April 14, 2010, volunteers from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School helped the Atlanta Community Food Bank to distribute 3,448 pounds of food to 2,298 families. Volunteers included faculty, staff and students of the school, with Professor Renata Turner, Shannon Keef, Randi Moore, Anne Bowerman, Carlos Nauedo, Alpa Amin, Barbara Herzberg, Lauren Wallace, Cliff Turner and Gregory Gelpi all lending a hand to this great cause. The Atlanta Community Food Bank works with more than 800 nonprofit partner agencies including food pantries, community kitchens, childcare centers, night shelters, senior centers and other service programs to distribute almost two million pounds of food each month to low-income Georgians. To learn more about The Atlanta Community Food Bank, please visit their website at www.ACFB.org Volunteers pictured (from left to right): Barbara Herzberg, Shannon Keef, Alpa Amin, Randi Moore and Greg Gelpi

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School will kick off its 77th academic year with former Mayor Shirley Franklin addressing members of Atlanta’s legal community and the largest incoming class in the school’s history. On Monday, August 23rd at noon, Franklin will discuss the role of public service in Atlanta, and the need for ethical professionals to provide structure and security for our communities. The Leadership Lecture Series is presented by Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, whose mission is to prepare highly competent professionals who possess a strong social conscience, demonstrate high ethical standards, and are committed to the improvement of the legal system and society. “This program was developed by our students to explore the fundamental values of the legal profession and engage civic leaders at the highest levels and to inspire ethical public service upon graduation,” according to Dean of Students Sheryl Harrison. “What we do, as lawyers, is greater than ourselves; we serve our fellow man. John Marshall Law School strives to instill a high level of responsibility in our students to uphold the values of our profession, beginning the first day of their legal education.” Known for her commitment to improving diversity, infrastructure, and security, Franklin will share her experiences as a public servant and professional leader in Atlanta. She will discuss the changes she initiated while Mayor, her interactions with Atlanta’s legal community and her vision of how attorneys can help the public at large. “Atlanta has a rich and diverse civic and human rights history of people working together across lines and aisles to make this community better and brighter,” noted Franklin. “I commend John Marshall for encouraging a student body who is also working for the betterment of our communities through leadership with a social conscience.” Within the last academic year, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School obtained full accreditation from the American Bar Association, welcomed Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as Commencement speaker, and launched Atlanta’s first online LLM degree program for Employment Law. The Leadership Lecture Series will continue on Thursday, September 16th, featuring Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle. Since 1933, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School has been committed to developing lawyers with a strong social conscience. The school continues on its historic path, remaining faithful to its mission, while looking to the future with innovation, new programs, and unmatched faculty from across the country. For more information on the Leadership Lecture Series or to attend Shirley Franklin’s Lecture on August 23 at noon, please contact Dean of Students Sheryl Harrison at sharrison@johnmarshall.edu or Carlos Vilela at crvilela@johnmarshall.edu.

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School will kick off its 77th academic year with former Mayor Shirley Franklin addressing members of Atlanta’s legal community and the largest incoming class in the school’s history. On Monday, August 23rd at noon, Franklin will discuss the role of public service in Atlanta, and the need for ethical professionals to provide structure and security for our communities.

The Leadership Lecture Series is presented by Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, whose mission is to prepare highly competent professionals who possess a strong social conscience, demonstrate high ethical standards, and are committed to the improvement of the legal system and society.

“This program was developed by our students to explore the fundamental values of the legal profession and engage civic leaders at the highest levels and to inspire ethical public service upon graduation,” according to Dean of Students Sheryl Harrison. “What we do, as lawyers, is greater than ourselves; we serve our fellow man. John Marshall Law School strives to instill a high level of responsibility in our students to uphold the values of our profession, beginning the first day of their legal education.”

Known for her commitment to improving diversity, infrastructure, and security, Franklin will share her experiences as a public servant and professional leader in Atlanta. She will discuss the changes she initiated while Mayor, her interactions with Atlanta’s legal community and her vision of how attorneys can help the public at large.

“Atlanta has a rich and diverse civic and human rights history of people working together across lines and aisles to make this community better and brighter,” noted Franklin. “I commend John Marshall for encouraging a student body who is also working for the betterment of our communities through leadership with a social conscience.”

Within the last academic year, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School obtained full accreditation from the American Bar Association, welcomed Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as Commencement speaker, and launched Atlanta’s first online LLM degree program for Employment Law.

The Leadership Lecture Series will continue on Thursday, September 16th, featuring Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle.

Since 1933, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School has been committed to developing lawyers with a strong social conscience. The school continues on its historic path, remaining faithful to its mission, while looking to the future with innovation, new programs, and unmatched faculty from across the country.

For more information on the Leadership Lecture Series or to attend Shirley Franklin’s Lecture on August 23 at noon, please contact Dean of Students Sheryl Harrison at sharrison@johnmarshall.edu or Carlos Vilela at crvilela@johnmarshall.edu.

On Saturday, August 14, 2010, first year evening students of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School participated in a community service project with Hosea Feed the Hungry & Homeless (HFTH). The law school is dedicated to pro bono work that furthers its mission of “promoting the development of a student body and faculty with a strong social consciousness and dedication to improving the legal system and society” and is thankful to our students for volunteering their time and assistance towards this worthy cause.  HFTH was also thankful for our students who worked through the rain to pass out food and sort clothing. Last year, Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless’ Prevention division’s on-going programming provided over 160,000 individuals with food, clothing, toiletries, transportation and other supplies and prevented homelessness through rent and utility assistance for nearly 300 families. For more information on Hosea Feed the Hungry, please visit www.HoseaFeedTheHungry.com

On Saturday, August 14, 2010, first year evening students of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School participated in a community service project with Hosea Feed the Hungry & Homeless (HFTH). The law school is dedicated to pro bono work that furthers its mission of “promoting the development of a student body and faculty with a strong social consciousness and dedication to improving the legal system and society” and is thankful to our students for volunteering their time and assistance towards this worthy cause.  HFTH was also thankful for our students who worked through the rain to pass out food and sort clothing.

Last year, Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless’ Prevention division’s on-going programming provided over 160,000 individuals with food, clothing, toiletries, transportation and other supplies and prevented homelessness through rent and utility assistance for nearly 300 families. For more information on Hosea Feed the Hungry, please visit www.HoseaFeedTheHungry.com

John Marshall is proud to have once again hosted the two-week State Bar of Georgia Diversity Program’s Pipeline Program, which brings young high school students together for classes and real life experiences. This year’s class of 18 included 8 students who participated in the first and second years of the program, some of whom have been accepted to college for the fall. After morning classes of training in grammar, writing, speech, and library usage, the students visit law firms and corporate legal departments for lunch and mentoring. Congratulations to all the participants!

Now enrolling for Fall 2010, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School announces an innovative, graduate-level program for attorneys seeking to develop or strengthen an employment law practice. In recent years, employment law claims of all types have increased in number and scope, requiring attorneys to develop new strategies to serve their clients on both the employer and employee side. Experts predict that the number of claims will continue to climb due to many factors, including new legislation, increased knowledge of rights by employees and changes in the economy. The LL.M. in Employment Law is specifically designed for busy practitioners who want to develop or expand their expertise in the field. Small class sizes, in-depth curriculum and innovative distance learning technology combine to set the program apart. The unique structure of the LL.M. program allows students to earn their degree without taking time away from work. Classes will be offered consecutively, one class at a time, and exclusively online. To learn more about the program, please visit theLL.M. Program section of our site.

James G. Bodiford, Judge, Cobb County Superior Court, was honored by Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School as a 2010 Distinguished Alumni. Judge Bodiford was elected Superior Court Judge in 1994 and has since been re-elected three times to this position, most recently with an 83% majority. He was Chief Judge of the Cobb County Superior Court during 2005-2006. Judge Bodiford has presided successfully over a number of high-profile, media-intensive cases, including State of Georgia v. Brian G. Nichols in Fulton County. He is a 1976 graduate of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas was the keynote speaker at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School’s Commencement, held Saturday, May 15, 2010, at the Georgia World Congress Center. During the ceremonies, the law school conferred more than 160 Juris Doctor degrees. Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, on Justice Clarence Thomas for his unparalled career in public service and dedication to the rule of law.

Neera Bahl founded Neera Bahl & Associates in 2009. She received her J.D. from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School in 2000 after a career of more than twenty years in medical and scientific research. Neera is active in professional and community organizations, including the State Bar of Georgia, Atlanta Bar Association, Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Raksha, Georgia Indo American Chamber of Commerce, and India Cultural and Religious Center.

Neera Bahl founded Neera Bahl & Associates in 2009. She received her J.D. from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School in 2000 after a career of more than twenty years in medical and scientific research. Neera is active in professional and community organizations, including the State Bar of Georgia, Atlanta Bar Association, Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Raksha, Georgia Indo American Chamber of Commerce, and India Cultural and Religious Center.

United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas was the keynote speaker at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School’s Commencement, held Saturday, May 15, 2010, at the Georgia World Congress Center. During the ceremonies, the law school conferred more than 160 Juris Doctor degrees. Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, on Justice Clarence Thomas for his unparalled career in public service and dedication to the rule of law.

James G. Bodiford, Judge, Cobb County Superior Court, was honored by Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School as a 2010 Distinguished Alumni. Judge Bodiford was elected Superior Court Judge in 1994 and has since been re-elected three times to this position, most recently with an 83% majority. He was Chief Judge of the Cobb County Superior Court during 2005-2006. Judge Bodiford has presided successfully over a number of high-profile, media-intensive cases, including State of Georgia v. Brian G. Nichols in Fulton County. He is a 1976 graduate of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School acknowledges the unparalleled generosity of Bobby Lee Cook for his $100,000 donation to establish the Bobby Lee Cook Endowed Scholarship Fund. Bobby Lee Cook is widely recognized for his career as a prominent trial attorney and his representation in some of the most controversial criminal trials in the state. His long-term commitment to the school includes past service as a member of the Board of Directors and sponsorship of the annual Bobby Lee Cook Practical Legal Symposium, held at the law school each Spring for the past 8 years. The Bobby Lee Cook Endowed Scholarship Fund will support a number of scholarships each year. We hope to sustain the fund through the continued generosity of friends and alumni of the law school.

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School held its annual Youth and the Law Summit on Saturday, April 17, 2010. More than thirty middle-school students attended this year’s Summit. The students came from various schools from the Atlanta and Clayton County school districts. Their day started with a continental breakfast and ice-breaker conducted by Darrick McDuffie, an attorney from King and Spalding. The students were then broken up into four groups. Each group, led by a John Marshall law student, participated in two separate lessons/activities designed to teach them how to analyze the impact of laws, think critically, and write persuasively. After a pizza lunch, the students listened to a panel of three attorneys, Willie Lovett, Jr., Candiss Collins, and Prof. Kamina Pinder, discuss their paths to becoming a lawyer. Students were able to ask of questions about the panelists’ educational and career choices. In the afternoon, the students broke into two teams for a very spirited debate on the First Amendment rights of students using MySpace. Closing remarks were made by Shukura Ingram, President of the Gate City Bar Association. In addition to DiscoverLaw.org back packs, students also received a portfolio, a U.S. Constitution and a certificate to mark the occasion.

Equal Justice Works hosted a reception at Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. on April 15, 2010 to honor Equal Justice Works Fellows Atlanta area law schools. One of the keynote speakers was Steve Reba, a 2008 graduate of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. Steve, a member of the Equal Justice Works Fellows Class of 2009, works at the Barton Juvenile Defender Clinic of the Emory University School of Law. He gave a moving speech about his work to free and rehabilitate incarcerated juveniles. Class of 2010 Fellows were also in attendance, including Alpa Amin, a 2010 graduate from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. Alpa was awarded a fellowship to work with GAIN, the Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network. We are very proud of both Steve and Alpa and the positive impact they are making in our community. The Equal Justice Works Fellowship Program creates partnerships among public interest lawyers, nonprofit organizations, law firm/corporate sponsors and other donors in order to afford underrepresented populations effective access to the justice system. Equal Justice Works is currently supporting 108 Fellows in the field: 54 Fellows who began in September 2007 and 54 new Fellows who began last fall. Equal Justice Works is committed to recruiting attorneys who represent a variety of experiences and backgrounds and to providing them with a strong foundation on which to build a public interest career. For more information about the program, please visit: http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/programs/fellowships/general.

Equal Justice Works hosted a reception at Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. on April 15, 2010 to honor Equal Justice Works Fellows Atlanta area law schools. One of the keynote speakers was Steve Reba, a 2008 graduate of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. Steve, a member of the Equal Justice Works Fellows Class of 2009, works at the Barton Juvenile Defender Clinic of the Emory University School of Law. He gave a moving speech about his work to free and rehabilitate incarcerated juveniles. Class of 2010 Fellows were also in attendance, including Alpa Amin, a 2010 graduate from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. Alpa was awarded a fellowship to work with GAIN, the Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network. We are very proud of both Steve and Alpa and the positive impact they are making in our community.

The Equal Justice Works Fellowship Program creates partnerships among public interest lawyers, nonprofit organizations, law firm/corporate sponsors and other donors in order to afford underrepresented populations effective access to the justice system. Equal Justice Works is currently supporting 108 Fellows in the field: 54 Fellows who began in September 2007 and 54 new Fellows who began last fall. Equal Justice Works is committed to recruiting attorneys who represent a variety of experiences and backgrounds and to providing them with a strong foundation on which to build a public interest career. For more information about the program, please visit: http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/programs/fellowships/general.

On April 14, 2010, volunteers from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School helped the Atlanta Community Food Bank to distribute 3,448 pounds of food to 2,298 families. Volunteers included faculty, staff and students of the school, with Professor Renata Turner, Shannon Keef, Randi Moore, Anne Bowerman, Carlos Nauedo, Alpa Amin, Barbara Herzberg, Lauren Wallace, Cliff Turner and Gregory Gelpi all lending a hand to this great cause.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank works with more than 800 nonprofit partner agencies including food pantries, community kitchens, childcare centers, night shelters, senior centers and other service programs to distribute almost two million pounds of food each month to low-income Georgians. To learn more about The Atlanta Community Food Bank, please visit their website at www.ACFB.org

Volunteers pictured (from left to right): Barbara Herzberg, Shannon Keef, Alpa Amin, Randi Moore and Greg Gelpi

The Honorable G. Alan Blackburn (’67 Alumnus) was honored by Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School’s Public Interest Law Society with the First Annual Public Interest Law Award at the Public Interest Law Society’s Silent Auction and Networking Mixer on Friday, April 9, 2010. The award recognizes Judge Blackburn’s more than thirty years of public service.

Great fun and entertainment was had at the Public Interest Law Society’s 1st Annual Silent Auction and Networking Mixer on Friday, April 9, 2010. The silent auction was followed by a live auction and included items such as dinner and snooker with Dean Lynn, mentoring lunches donated by various faculty members and alumni, “stay-cation” packages, cultural events and sporting tickets, jewelry and art work. Thank you to the Zweifel Law Firm for their generosity in sponsoring the event and to the many contributors. JMLS Alumnus The Honorable G. Alan Blackburn was presented with the first annual Public Interest Law Award for his more than thirty years of public service. Proceeds of the auction will be used to sponsor a JMLS student engaged in pro bono work during this summer.

The City of Atlanta’s Law Department is accepting resumes for its summer internship program. The nine week program runs from June 1 through July 31. Students will work in two of four practice areas: litigation, commercial transactions, government council and aviation. For more details, please visit their website. Please note that the website shows an April deadline, however, the actual DEADLINE IS MARCH 15. For more information contact Prof. Turner at rturner@johnmarshall.edu or Jerry Deloach at JDeloach@AtlantaGa.Gov.

The City of Atlanta’s Law Department is accepting resumes for its summer internship program. The nine week program runs from June 1 through July 31. Students will work in two of four practice areas: litigation, commercial transactions, government council and aviation. For more details, please visit their website. Please note that the website shows an April deadline, however, the actual DEADLINE IS MARCH 15. For more information contact Prof. Turner at rturner@johnmarshall.edu or Jerry Deloach at JDeloach@AtlantaGa.Gov.

The Domestic Violence Legal Assistance Project provides free legal representation to low- and low-middle income victims of violence each week in TPOs. 3L’s will work with Legal Aid attorneys to represent victims of violence under the Third Year Practice Act. For more information, please contact Prof. Turner at rturner@johnmarshall.edu.

On February 24, 2010, the John Marshall Law Journal hosted its Annual Symposium entitled, “Adequate Public Education: Georgia’s Report Card.” In honor of its out-going faculty advisor, the John Marshall Law Journal opened the event by designating the Annual Symposium to be The Dean Robert J. D`Agostino Law Journal Symposium in perpetuity. The Symposium featured four panel discussions on timely issues in education law including religion in schools, charter schools, the use of restraint and seclusion techniques in schools, and tuition scholarship programs. Guests included several Atlanta-area school law attorneys, educators, law professors, and students. The event was a great success and will continue to be an annual spring tradition dedicated to Dean D`Agostino.

On February 24, 2010, the John Marshall Law Journal hosted its Annual Symposium entitled, “Adequate Public Education: Georgia’s Report Card.”

In honor of its out-going faculty advisor, the John Marshall Law Journal opened the event by designating the Annual Symposium to be The Dean Robert J. D`Agostino Law Journal Symposium in perpetuity. The Symposium featured four panel discussions on timely issues in education law including religion in schools, charter schools, the use of restraint and seclusion techniques in schools, and tuition scholarship programs. Guests included several Atlanta-area school law attorneys, educators, law professors, and students. The event was a great success and will continue to be an annual spring tradition dedicated to Dean D`Agostino.

On January 11, 2010, eleven John Marshall alumni were personally admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. Dean Richard Lynn proudly moved the admissions and Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. administered the oath. Following the ceremony, the group remained to hear oral arguments.

Gain real world experience and enhance your resume, while working in the Micronesian Islands. Placement sites include judicial clerkships, legislative counsel, attorneys general offices, public defender offices, and legal services. Placements available for both first and second year students. For an application please contact Sylvia Fernandez, Faculty Secretary (8th Floor Faculty Suite) – sfernandez@johnmarshall.edu / Ext: 285 or Professor Kathleen Burch (8th Floor Faculty Suite) –kburch@johnmarshall.edu / Ext: 105 or click here.

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School is pleased to announce that on Saturday, December 5, 2009, the Council of the ABA Section on Legal Education granted full approval to the Law School. As we move forward with a renewed purpose, there is much more to be done as we consolidate our strengths as a law school and establish new programs to benefit students, the legal community, Atlanta, and the nation. Dean Lynn

On November 19, 2009, 48 JMLS graduates who passed the July 2009 Georgia bar exam were sworn in to the Georgia Supreme Court by Chief Justice Carol W. Hunstein and to the Fulton County Superior Court by Judge Melvin K. Westmoreland. Congratulations to the Class of 2009!

The law school is proud to host the third annual Fred Gray Social Justice Seminar, honoring The Georgia Innocence Project, with the topic “Guilty Until Proven Innocent: The Journey to Justice for the Wrongfully Accused.” Panelists include Attorney Aimee Maxwell, Executive Director of GIP, Professor Heather Kleider, Ph.D., an expert in the field of eyewitness accuracy, and three gentlemen freed from wrongful imprisonment, Mr. Clarence Harrison, freed from prison in 2004 after serving approximately 18 years, Mr. Ronald Taylor, freed from prison in 2007 after serving 14 years, and Mr. Mario Rocha, freed from prison in 2006 after serving 10 years. The Seminar is open to the public. Please join us on November 13, 2009, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. in Room 301 for this program.

On February 27, 2009 from 3 to 5, John Marshall Law Journal and John Marshall Property Law Society will co-host a Symposium focusing on Georgia’s treatment of Privacy and Private Property Rights. The free event will include presentations of articles featured in the Law Journal’s forthcoming volume including a presentation by Larry Frankel, ACLU, State Legislative Counsel, in Washington D.C. A question and answer session will follow each presentation. A reception will immediately follow with free food and drinks. For more information click here.

On February 27, 2009 from 3 to 5, John Marshall Law Journal and John Marshall Property Law Society will co-host a Symposium focusing on Georgia’s treatment of Privacy and Private Property Rights. The free event will include presentations of articles featured in the Law Journal’s forthcoming volume including a presentation by Larry Frankel, ACLU, State Legislative Counsel, in Washington D.C. A question and answer session will follow each presentation. A reception will immediately follow with free food and drinks.
For more information click here.

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School’s inaugural team performance in the 2008 RUN FOR JUSTICE impressed race organizers and the Atlanta legal community. Proceeds from the storied annual 5K benefit Atlanta Legal Aid. The JMLS team took 2nd in overall participation, and pictured left, Justin Cawthorn (JMLS 1L) won the race overall with a finishing time of 18 minutes; 20 seconds.

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School held its Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2008. The class of 102 graduates, along with hundreds of family and friends gathered at the World Congress Center in Downtown Atlanta. Dean Richardson Lynn delivered the opening remarks.

The Honorable Griffin B. Bell delivered the commencement address. Judge Bell, appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit by President Kennedy, later served as U.S. Attorney General in the Carter administration. As a Fifth Circuit Judge during the struggle for civil rights, Griffin Bell’s opinion aided in the peaceful integration of public places and services. In his speech, Judge Bell told the graduates, “To the public you owe the duty of seeing to it that counsel is made available for those who cannot afford counsel either on a pro bono basis or for such fees as can be afforded.” Dr. Michael Markovitz, Chair of the law school’s Board of Directors, conferred upon Judge Bell an Honorary Degree from the law school.

Beginning a new tradition, Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented to the Honorable G. Alan Blackburn (Class of 1968) who was introduced by Georgia Supreme Court Justice Carol W. Hunstein, and to Adam Malone (Class of 1999), introduced by Professor Robert D’Agostino.

The Valedictorians Jessica Rachel Scott (Part-Time Division) and Diona M. Potter (Full-time Division) also spoke to their classmates. As Ms. Scott said, “As this institution, this faculty, and our family and friends have invested themselves in our legal education, let us now invest ourselves in the improvement of our communities and our system of justice.”

2007-2008 Student Honors & Awards

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School held its Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2008. The class of 102 graduates, along with hundreds of family and friends gathered at the World Congress Center in Downtown Atlanta. Dean Richardson Lynn delivered the opening remarks. The Honorable Griffin B. Bell delivered the commencement address. Judge Bell, appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit by President Kennedy, later served as U.S. Attorney General in the Carter administration. As a Fifth Circuit Judge during the struggle for civil rights, Griffin Bell’s opinion aided in the peaceful integration of public places and services. In his speech, Judge Bell told the graduates, “To the public you owe the duty of seeing to it that counsel is made available for those who cannot afford counsel either on a pro bono basis or for such fees as can be afforded.” Dr. Michael Markovitz, Chair of the law school’s Board of Directors, conferred upon Judge Bell an Honorary Degree from the law school. Beginning a new tradition, Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented to the Honorable G. Alan Blackburn (Class of 1968) who was introduced by Georgia Supreme Court Justice Carol W. Hunstein, and to Adam Malone (Class of 1999), introduced by Professor Robert D’Agostino. The Valedictorians Jessica Rachel Scott (Part-Time Division) and Diona M. Potter (Full-time Division) also spoke to their classmates. As Ms. Scott said, “As this institution, this faculty, and our family and friends have invested themselves in our legal education, let us now invest ourselves in the improvement of our communities and our system of justice.” 2007-2008 Student Honors & Awards

The Georgia House of Representatives proclaimed John Marshall Day on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. This proclamation was sponsored by Representatives Doug Collins (2008) and Billy Maddox (2006), and was attended by Dean Richardson Lynn, Associate Dean Kathleen Burch, and John Marshall students and faculty. The event recognized the growth and achievements of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, including a record increase in faculty, growth of student body, and success in achieving provisional ABA approval. The Law School will celebrate its 75th Anniversary in this Fall.

First-time takers on the February, 2008 bar exam passed at a 100% rate, equaled only by graduates of the University of Georgia. The overall passing rate for all John Marshall graduates (after ABA approval) was 64.2%, surpassing even Mercer University. The average score by John Marshall graduates on the multi-state portion of the exam was seven points higher than on the February 2007 bar exam. Congratulations to everyone who succeeded on their first try!

The Avarita Hanson Chapter of the Black Law Students Association hosts its annual Black History Month Celebration with a series of programs that will feature minority members of the Bench and Bar, and which will cover a range of issues, from African-American children in foster care to minority perspectives in the practice of law and on the judiciary. All events are free and open to the public: “What About Our Babies?” February 13, 2008, 5:00 – 6:15 p.m. Room 301 A panel discussion focusing on the overrepresentation of African-American children in the foster care system and the role of Child Advocate Attorneys and Special Assistants to the Attorney General (SAAG) in remedying the problem. Featuring: Judge Nikki Marr, Dekalb County Juvenile Court Karlise Grier, Esq. Antavius Weems, Esq. Lytia Brown, Esq. Minorities in the Profession Present: The Practice of Law: Getting in the Game, Playing the Game, and Changing the Game February 20, 2008, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. 9th Floor Conference Room Featuring a managing partner whose clients include fortune 100 companies; a former recruiter for a local top-tier firm; an attorney from the Fulton County Prosecutor’s Office; a large law firm association who transitioned to a midsized firm; in-house counsel for a fortune 100 company; a large firm associate; a public interest attorney; and a former attorney who has left the practice. Refreshments will be served. Judicial Panel Discussion: Taking Judicial Notice . . . A Judge’s Perspective from a Minority View February 27, 2008, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Room 301 Featuring: Judge Herbert Phipps, Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Mark Anthony Scott, Dekalb County Superior Court Judge Barbara Mobley, Dekalb County State Court

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School recently teamed with The State Bar of Georgia’s Diversity Program, and The Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys to launch the Pipeline Project. The project goal is to increase interest in the study and practice of law among minority high school students.

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School donated over 750 law books to APPEAL (Academics Promoting the Pedagogy of Effective Advocacy in Law.) Professor Michele Butts is pictured preparing the books for their journey to the School of Law, Moi University, Kenya Africa. Click here for more information on APPEAL.

JMLS launches its Micronesian Externship Program. Three rising third year students have traveled to remote Pacific Islands to work with local courts and an attorney general. Daniel Stafford is an extern with the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas. Cara Rockhill is an extern in the chambers of Judge Michael Bordallo of the Superior Court of the Territory of Guam. Jared Craig is an extern with the Office of the Attorney General for the State of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia. Click on “Micronesian Externship Program” to read their blogs and learn more about their experiences.

Go to Micronesian Externship Program

In honor of one of the leading lawyers in the Civil Rights movement, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School is pleased to present the inaugural Fred Gray Social Justice Seminar Honoring the Past, Looking to the Future: the Struggle for Civil and Human Rights Friday, November 9, 2007 12:00 – 1:00 Luncheon – Invitation Only In honor of Attorney Fred Gray and the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights for their outstanding resilience and service. 1:00 – 3:30 Panel Discussion – The Public is Invited (Click here to register) Confronting issues of Civil and Human Rights in 2007

• The Struggle for Human Rights: Working for Justice, Opportunity, and Peace Jakada Imani, Executive Director Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
• America’s Legal System: The Last Frontier for the Civil Rights Movement Attorney Gary Parker
• Human Rights and the CIA’s “Extraordinary Rendition” Program Attorney Azadeh Shahshahani, Interim Legal Director ACLU of Georgia
• Civil & Human Rights Issues Regarding Juveniles Susan Teaster, Senior Appellate Attorney Georgia Public Defender Standards Counsel

A veteran civil rights attorney from Alabama, Fred Gray represented Rosa Parks when she refused to give up her seat to a white man on a city bus and was chief counsel during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Gray was also Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s first civil rights lawyer. Gray has been at the forefront of changing the social fabric of America regarding desegregation, integration, constitutional law, racial discrimination in voting, housing, education, jury service, farm subsidies, medicine and ethics. For more information about the work of Attorney Fred Gray, visit www.fredgray.net.

In the few brief years since its inception, the School’s Annual Bobby Lee Cook Practical Legal Symposium has become a respected tradition in the legal community, drawing some of Georgia’s top attorneys as featured presenters. Consistent with the School’s mission, the Symposium was created to help all Georgia law students learn the issues involved in practicing law.

The Legal Skills and Professionalism Program at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School takes a holistic approach to preparing students for success during and after law school. John Marshall developed its Program with two goals in mind: higher bar passage rates and developing client-ready graduates who can practice law independently after obtaining a law license. The Program offers a cohesive approach to legal problem solving: students utilize tools they learn in their first year to solve increasingly complex and varied legal problems in the courses that follow. The Program begins with Legal Research, Writing & Analysis I and II in the first year. Building upon what is learned in the first year, students further develop their analytical and writing skills in two upper-level writing courses – Pretrial Practice and Procedure and Legal Drafting. Upper level elective courses such as Negotiation, Mediation, Trial Advocacy, Client Interviewing and Counseling, and Advanced Appellate Advocacy offer further opportunities for students to hone their legal problem solving skills. A professionalism component is built into every course in the Program, preparing students to confront and resolve real-world professionalism and ethics issues as they learn to solve legal problems and meet client goals. The Program relies heavily on a hands-on approach – each Program course provides opportunities to participate in simulated oral arguments, client conferences, negotiations or other exercises. The Program also provides support for several national and intra-state mock-trial, moot-court and other skills-based competitions, in which John Marshall students compete against other law schools. In addition, students can gain valuable experience in the field through the school’s Externship Program. John Marshall Legal Skills Faculty come to the School with diverse but expansive practice experience, including medical malpractice litigation, commercial litigation, administrative law, domestic relations practice, and corporate/transactional work. The Legal Skills Faculty are active in the Georgia legal community, involving practitioners in judging student oral arguments, guest speaking, and sponsoring workshops.

Receive five CLE hours including one hour of Professionalism presented by full-time and adjunct John Marshall Law School faculty. This program is offered to alumni at cost: $5.00 for each general hour and $15.00 for the hour of Professionalism. Non-alumni fees are $10.00 for each general hour and $30.00 for the hour of Professionalism. Register for one hour or for the entire program! A box-lunch is included in the cost of the program. Please call (404) 872-3593 or email vrichardson @ johnmarshall.edu. Payment must be made at the time of the program. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, personal checks (made payable to JMLS) and cash.