Category: Top News

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.