LATEST NEWS*

HOUSEHOLD FINANCE & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
The Memphis Law Visiting Herff Chair of Excellence, Professor Adam Feibelman, presented the "Household Finance & Community Development: Assessing Challenges, Inequities, and Opportunities," Conference on March 31st. Click here for more information.

3L DOMINIQUE DEFREECE RECEIVES MBA CHAMPION OF JUSTICE AWARD
Memphis Law 3L Dominique Defreece was recently honored as a 2022 Champion of Justice for her pro bono efforts by the Memphis Bar Association. Click here to read more.

DEMETRIA FRANK IN NEW ROLE AS VISITING HERFF CHAIR
Memphis Law professor Demetria Frank has recently transitioned to a new role as a visiting Herff Chair of Excellence. Please click here to read more about her new role and work.

SHOW CAUSE EPISODE 11 
Listen to episode 11 of Show Cause with Professor Ronnie Gipson as we examine the Overlap Between the FAA, Canceled Flights, International Airline Standards, and Abortion Rights. Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

MEMPHIS LAW ALUM ANDRE MATHIS CONFIRMED TO SIXTH CIRCUIT
Memphis Law alumni, adjunct professor, and Moot Court team coach Andre Mathis ('07) has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve on the U.S. Sixth Circuit of Appeals. He was nominated by President Biden in November, 2021. Click here for more information about his confirmation.

PROFESSOR RONNIE GIPSON SOARS INTO AVIATION-FOCUSED SCHOLARSHIP AND EVENTS
Professor Ronnie Gipson recently had his article, "Preserving Public Airports by Stopping Unconstitutional Airport Management," published in the Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association Journal in their Summer 2022 issue. Additionally, he also presented twice at the 2022 Experimental Aircraft Association's conference over the summer, with presentations titled "Liability Protection," and "The Legal Perspective on Airport Preservation & Land Use Management," respectively. A copy of his recent article from the Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association Journal can be read HERE.

MEMPHIS LAW STUDENT WINS ABA WRITING COMPETITION AWARD
Memphis Law student Wai-Lin Danieley recently won 1st place in the American Bar Association 2021-22 Mendes Hershman Writing Contest. Not only did she win the prestigious Mendes Hershman Award, she will also have her piece published in an upcoming version of the ABA's journal, The Business Lawyer.

US TREASURY DEPUTY SECRETARY ADEYEMO SPEAKS AT LAW SCHOOL
Memphis Law recently welcomed Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Wally Adeyemo on his visit to Memphis to highlight how Memphis and Shelby County were successful examples of utilizing Emergency Rental Assistance Programs. Click here to read more about his visit to the law school and time with our students.

TWO MEMPHIS LAW ADVOCACY TEAMS WIN REGIONAL COMPETITIONS
Two Memphis Law advocacy teams recently found a great deal of success at their respective regional competitions and are now each headed to Nationals. Our ABA National Appellate Advocacy team of Hailey Townsend and Win Duncan (with Kylie Ronnow on brief) won the (virtual) Chicago Regional Competition and the Memphis Law BLSA Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition team of Briana Butler Bridgeforth and Alexxas Johnson came in 1st place in the 2022 Southern Regional Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition. Both teams will now head to Nationals. Click here for more information.

MEMPHIS LAW TEAM WINS 1ST IN ABA LAW STUDENT TAX CHALLENGE
The Memphis Law team of Holden Branscum and William Gebo were awarded first place in the J.D. Division of the 21st American Bar Association Annual Law Student Tax Challenge, a contest designed to give students an opportunity to research, write about, and present their analyses of a real-life tax planning problem. The team was coached by Professor William Kratzke. For more information about the award, as well as more information about the ABA Law Student Tax Challenge, please click here.

MEMPHIS LAW 2022 ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK
This Spring, Memphis Law’s student organization, the Public Action Law Society (PALS), hosted the 13th Annual Alternative Spring Break Program. The program featured 63 law students taking part and working across eight specially-designed “tracks” of legal focus. Throughout the week, these ASB students contributed nearly 2,150 training and project hours and helped hundreds of individuals in need of legal services. Please click here to read more about the 2022 ASB program and the help it provided to the legal community.

PROFESSOR KATY RAMSEY MASON RECEIVES 2022 AALS AWARD
Memphis Law Professor Katy Ramsey Mason has been selected as the recipient of the 2022 Community Service Award given by the AALS Section on Law, Medicine, and Health Care! She was recognized at the 2022 AALS Annual Meeting in January. Click here for more information on the AALS Awards.

MEMPHIS LAW 3L LUPITA MARTINEZ RECEIVES MBA CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE AWARD
Memphis Law 3L Lupita Martinez was recently honored as a 2021 Champion of Justice for her pro bono efforts by the Memphis Bar Association (MBA). Click here to read more about the award and Lupita's achievements.

PROFESSOR DEMETRIA FRANK NAMED ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Memphis Law is proud to announce that Professor Demetria Frank has been appointed as Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion. Please click here to read more about this exciting announcement.

PROFESSOR STEVE MULROY ELECTED TO AMERICAN LAW INSTITUTE
Memphis Law Professor Steve Mulroy was recently elected to the American Law Institute. The American Law Institute is the leading independent organization in the United States producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize, and improve the law. For more information, please click here.

PROFESSOR RONNIE GIPSON ON INDEPENDENCE FOR TAIWAN
The Santa Barbara Lawyer Magazine recently published Professor Ronnie Gipson's article titled, "A Lasting Peace in Taiwan Requires Independence" in their February 2022 issue. Click here to read the article or here to view the full magazine issue.

PROFESSOR DONNA HARKNESS FEATURED ON WALLETHUB
Memphis Law Professor Donna Harkness was featured in WalletHub's recent piece about States with the Best Elder-Abuse Protections. You can find it by clicking here.

MEMPHIS LAW ALUMNA JUDGE BERNICE DONALD TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Memphis Law Alumna and U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Bernice Donald has been awarded the National Bar Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.

PROFESSOR RONNIE GIPSON NAMED CHAIR OF EAA LEGAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Memphis Law Professor Ronnie Gipson has been named Chair of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Legal Advisory Council, a group of EAA-member attorneys who assist the organization and its members in a variety of aviation legal matters. Click here to read more about Professor Gipson and his role as Chair.

MEMPHIS LAW ALUM JUSTICE ROGER PAGE ELECTED CHIEF JUSTICE OF TN SUPREME COURT
Memphis Law alumnus Justice Roger Page was recently elected Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. To read more about Chief Justice Page and this announcement, please click here.

PROFESSOR RONNIE GIPSON ON PRECARIOUS U.S.-TAIWAN RELATIONS
Memphis Law professor Ronnie Gipson recently wrote about the precarious situation the United States faces with Taiwan, it's sovereignty, and the ever increasing threats from China as a result in the "Attorney at Law" magazine. You can read the full article by clicking here.

PROFESSOR NICOLE TUCHINDA PENS OP-ED ON INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS VS COMMUNITY HEALTH
Memphis Law Visiting Assistant Professor, Dr. Nicole Tuchinda, recently had an op-ed published in the Commercial Appeal which focused on individual rights vs a government's right to protect the health of the greater community. She examined a U.S. Supreme Court case from 1905, Jacobsen v. Massachusetts, to illustrate the relevancy of these topics in today's pandemic crisis. Read the full piece at the Commercial Appeal by clicking here.

MEMPHIS LAW STUDENT WINS 2021 HASTINGS WRITING COMPETITION
Memphis Law student Kate Ernst was recently named the winner of the 2021 Jon E. Hastings Memorial Award Writing Competition, sponsored by the Tennessee Bar Association's Environmental Law Section. Her paper, "Point Source versus Non-Point Source: At What Point Does Groundwater Flow in?," addresses the Sixth Circuit’s decision after County of Maui, Hawaii v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund, 140 S. Ct. 1462 (2020). Click here to read her full essay.

PROFESSOR NICOLE TUCHINDA LEADING TRAINING AT NATIONAL ASSSOC. OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDICIARY CONFERENCE
Memphis Law Visiting Assistant Professor, Dr. Nicole Tuchinda recently led a training seminar at the National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary Annual Conference on "Trauma and Special Education" in October in Washington, D.C.

PROFESSOR KATY RAMSEY MASON TESTIFIES BEFORE U.S. HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Memphis Law Professor and Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic Director Katy Ramsey Mason recently testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee regarding evictions and housing instability. Click here to read a brief recap of the hearing and more from Professor Ramsey Mason.

MEMPHIS LAW STUDENT WINS LAW STUDENT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Memphis Law student Gerald Bradner has won the Tennessee Bar Association Law Student Volunteer of the Year Award for his work with the Eviction Settlement Program for Shelby County. Click here to read more.

MEMPHIS LAW HOSTS 5TH ANNUAL STRATEGIC CODE ENFORCEMENT MANAGEMENT ACADEMY
The law school recently hosted the fifth annual SCEMA Conference. The program focused on local teams of government managers, attorneys, and community partners on the core principles and practices of strategic code enforcement tailored to the priorities and challenges confronting each teams’ community. Teams from cities across the country were in attendance to share data and gain knowledge. Click here for more information.

2021 ADVOCACY AWARD WINNERS 
Memphis Law is pleased to announce the roundup of winners for all of our 2021 Advocacy Awards. Please click here to see a list of winners and description of awards.

PROFESSOR RONNIE GIPSON PENS SERIES OF OP-EDS ON QUALIFIED IMMUNITY

Memphis Law professor Ronnie Gipson recently authored several op-ed pieces focused on the issue of eliminating qualified immunity for police officers. Read his work in The Daily Memphian, The Commercial Appeal, and The Conversation.

MEMPHIS LAW GETS TOPS MARKS IN PRELAW MAGAZINE

PreLaw Magazine has recently recognized several programs at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. The law school was recognized for its programs in tax law, health law, and for its strong employment numbers. Read more here.

PROFESSOR RALPH BRASHIER RECEIVES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AWARD
Memphis Law Professor and Cecil C. Humphreys Chair Ralph Brashier has been named as a recipient of the University of Memphis Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Award for 2021.

MEMPHIS LAW - TOP 25 IN U.S. FOR LAW DEGREES AWARDED TO AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS
The University of Memphis School of Law was recently ranked in the Top 25 for Law Degrees Awarded to African Americans in Diverse Education Magazine's compiled rankings of the Top 100 Producers of Minority Graduate Degrees in the country. Click here to see the full list of schools ranked.

MEMPHIS LAW PROFESSORS RECEIVE 2021 FACULTY AWARDS
We are pleased to announce the winners of a number of awards presented to members of our faculty for the 2020-2021 academic year. Please click here to learn more about the winners of the 2021 Fariss Bobango PLC Faculty Scholarship Award, the MLK50 Faculty Service Award, and the Patricia and Dan Murrell Ethics and Professionalism Teaching Award.

CLEA OUTSTANDING CLINIC & EXTERNSHIP STUDENTS SELECTED 
The faculty of the UofM School of Law Legal Clinic and Externship courses have selected Alexia Butler ('21) as the CLEA Outstanding Clinic Student and Malik Luckett (’21) as the CLEA Outstanding Externship Student for the 2020-21 academic year. Click here to read more about these students and the achievements that led to their recent awards.

MEMPHIS LAW STUDENTS WIN COURTCALL AWARDS
This year's CourtCall Law School Awards Program winners from Memphis Law are Rose Logan and Malik Luckett. Click here to read more about the winners and program.

MEMPHIS LAW BLSA TEAMS EXCEL IN SRBLSA ADVOCACY COMPETITIONS
The University of Memphis School of Law's Black Law Students Association (BLSA) excelled in two major advocacy competitions and won the Chapter of the Year Award at the Southern Region Black Law Students Association (SRBLSA) Regional Convention. Click here to read more about their wins and the students and coaches involved.

BASS, BERRY & SIMS PLC DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Memphis Law is proud to launch a new program and partnership with the law firm of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC. The Diversity Scholarship Program is designed to encourage diverse students to consider careers as attorneys with scholarship, mentorship and leadership resources for high school and college students and help prepare them for success in the legal industry. Click here to read more about the partnership and program.

PROFESSOR DANNY SCHAFFZIN AND TRIO OF LAW STUDENTS AWARDED BY MBA 
The Memphis Bar Association recently honored Professor Danny Schaffzin as one of its 2020 Champions of Justice Award recipients in the Attorney category. Additionally, Memphis Law students Asia Moolenaar (3L), Danielle Husseini (2L), and Caleb Hand (2L) have been named Champion of Justice Award recipients in the Law Student category. Click here to view the award ceremony.

NATIONAL JURIST AND PRELAW MAGAZINE RECOGNIZE MEMPHIS LAW/BASS BERRY SIMS DIVERSITY INITIATIVE
The latest issue of National Jurist magazine examines the recent partnership between Bass, Berry, & Sims PLC and the University of Memphis School of Law. Click here to read more.

PROFESSOR DEMETRIA FRANK TAKES PART IN NCRM "JOURNEY TO JUSTICE" SYMPOSIUM
Professor Demetria Frank recently took part in a virtual Criminal Justice Reform Symposium co-hosted by Just City and the National Civil Rights Museum. The event provided a platform for thought leaders to present research, share stories and perspectives on today's pressing social issues, as well as the history that has led us to this point. Professor Frank took part in the "Journey Stop II: Pandemic, Policing, and Prosecution," segment of the symposium. You may view the virtual symposium in it's entirety by clicking HERE.

ASSOCIATE DEAN JODI WILSON IN MBA MEMPHIS LAWYER MAGAZINE
Associate Dean Jodi Wilson's article, "COVID-19 Brings Renewed Attention to Supervised Practice Pending Admission," was recently published in the Memphis Bar Association's magazine. Click here to read the full article.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR RONNIE GIPSON IN AIR & SPACE LAWYER PUBLICATION
Visiting assistant professor Ronnie Gipson was recently featured in The Air & Space Lawyer, a publication from the American Bar Association, with his article "The Rise of Drones and the Erosion of Privacy and Trespass Laws." Click here to read article.

MEMPHIS LAW STUDENTS AWARDED CLEA OUTSTANDING CLINICAL TEAM AWARD
University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law recent graduates Corey Davis, Rachael Ledbetter, and C.J. Parrish were recently awarded the Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA) Outstanding Clinical Team Award for their work in the Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic during the 2019-2020 academic year. Click here to read more about the team and the award.

COURT CASES NOW ON SCREENS, SO ARE MEMPHIS LAW SUMMER EXTERNS

The Daily Memphian recently profiled the Memphis Law Summer Externship Program and several of its student externs and externship supervisors. Click here to read more about how these students and attorneys are adapting to the changing legal landscape and furthering the boundaries of remote learning and education.

PROFESSOR LYNDA BLACK SELECTED AS 1A FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE

Memphis Law professor Lynda Black was recently selected as the 1A Faculty Athletics Representative from the American Athletic Conference. Professor Black has passionately served AAC student-athletes in various positions since her first appointment by President Rudd in 2015 to this role and others at the AAC level.

CLINIC STUDENTS PIVOT TO EVICTIONS AMIDST PANDEMIC

The Memphis Law Medical Legal Partnership Clinic recently changed its focus during the pandemic to instead work on eviction-related issues, partnering with the University of Tennessee College of Law in the process. Click here to read more about the work done by these students to keep tenants safe and healthy (and in their homes) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

INAUGURAL WES FOWLER BEST ORAL ADVOCATE AWARD RECIPIENT ANNOUNCED

Briana Butler is the first recipient of the Wes Fowler Best Oral Advocate Award. Ms Butler was named Best Oral Advocate of the First-Year Moot Court competition that was held at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. She will receive a partial scholarship, which was funded by friends and family of Wes Fowler, who won this same award at the law school in 1995.

MEMPHIS LAW & AUSTIN PEAY UNIVERSITY FORM 3+3 LAW DEGREE

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law has established an agreement with Austin Peay State University's (APSU) Department of Political Science and Public Management in the College of Human and Behavioral Sciences to provide a six-year path to obtain a law degree. Please click here to learn more about the program.

COURTCALL ANNOUNCES MEMPHIS LAW WINNERS

This year's CourtCall Law School Awards Program winners from Memphis Law are Steve Liening and Grace Gilliland. Click here to read more about the winners and program.

MEMPHIS LAW NAMES KATHARINE T. SCHAFFZIN AS DEAN

The University of Memphis has named Katharine Traylor Schaffzin as the new Dean of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Dean Schaffzin is the first woman in the history of the law school to serve as Dean. To read more about Dean Schaffzin, please click here.

PROFESSOR KATY RAMSEY FEATURED IN MOTHER JONES

Memphis Law professor Katy Ramsey, director of our Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic, is featured in a recent article in Mother Jones, which asks whether crime-free rental housing laws and programs in cities across the country are causing disproportionate harm to people of color. To read the full article, please click here.

PROFESSOR ANDREW MCCLURG AUTHORS NEW LAW JOBS BOOK

Professor Andrew McClurg, along with coauthors Christine Coughlin (Wake Forest) and Nancy Levit (Missouri-Kansas City), has published Law Jobs: The Complete Guide (West Academic Publishing 2019). Law Jobs is a comprehensive, reader-friendly guide to every type of legal career, packed with authoritative research and featuring comments from more than 150 lawyers who do the jobs. Please click here to learn more about Professor McClurg's new book.

MEMPHIS LAW 3L HANNAH FUSON ON TENNCARE BLOCKGRANT PROPOSAL

Memphis Law 3L Hannah Fuson penned an op-ed in the Daily Memphian regarding the proposed TennCare overhaul, Gov. Lee's blockgrant proposal, and how Shelby County's most vulnerable population, it's children, could be hurt the most by this proposal. Please click here to read the full article.

PROFESSOR STEVE MULROY NAMED BREDESEN PROFESSOR OF LAW

Memphis Law professor Steve Mulroy has been named as the inaugural Bredesen Professor of Law. This professorship recognizes a faculty member for their distinguished teaching and legal scholarship, as well as their dedicated public and professional service.

PROFESSOR DANIEL KIEL NAMED FEDEX PROFESSOR OF LAW

Memphis Law professor Daniel Kiel has been named as the new FedEx Professor of Law. This professorship recognizes a faculty member for their distinguished teaching and legal scholarship, as well as their dedicated public and professional service.

PROFESSOR DEMETRIA FRANK RECEIVES PILLARS OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

Professor Demetria Frank was awarded the Pillars of Excellence Outstanding Professorship Award by the University of Memphis Law School Alumni Chapter at their 2019 Pillars of Excellence Awards Dinner.

PROFESSOR DANNY SCHAFFZIN PRESENTS AT 2019 INTERNATIONAL MUNICIPAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

Associate Professor of Law and Neighborhood Preservation Clinic Co-Director Danny Schaffzin presented a panel entitled "Coalition Building for a Quality Environment" at the International Municipal Lawyers Association's 2019 Annual Conference on September 21, 2019, in Atlanta. Please click this link to read more about the presentation and associated panel.

MEMPHIS LAW NAMES PROFESSOR BOB BARSKY 2019 SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE

The University of Memphis School of Law has named Professor Bob Barsky, a leading expert on international refugee law, as our 2019 Scholar-in-Residence. Please click here to read more about Professor Barsky's work and what he will be doing during his time at Memphis Law.

BERNARD A. BURK JOINS MEMPHIS LAW AS VISITING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Professor Bernie Burk has joined the University of Memphis School of Law as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Law for the 2019-20 academic year. He will be teaching Professional Responsibility, Remedies, Pretrial Litigation, and Conflict of Laws. Please click here to read more about Professor Burk and his work.

ANNA VESCOVO JOINS MEMPHIS LAW AS VISITING CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

The University of Memphis School of Law welcomes Professor Anna Vescovo to our faculty as a Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor of Law, teaching Legal Methods during the 2019-20 academic year. Please click here to read more about Professor Vescovo and her work.

LAW STUDENTS EXCEL AT SUMMER EXTERNSHIPS

During the Summer 2019 semester, 52 University of Memphis School of Law students are enrolled in the Externship Course,the highest number of enrolled students the law school has had during this period. Click here to read more about the externships and more.

MEMPHIS LAW ADVOCACY TEAMS FIND NATIONAL SUCCESS

Memphis Law Advocacy Teams have found success this year on a variety of levels, both nationally and regionally. This continues our law school's long history of fielding strong teams in several national competitions and in a number of specialties. Please read on for more detailed summaries and team accomplishments.

KATHARINE T. SCHAFFZIN NAMED NEW DEAN OF MEMPHIS LAW

The University of Memphis has named Katharine Traylor Schaffzin as the new Dean of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Dean Schaffzin is the first woman in the history of the law school to serve as Dean. Please click here to read more about Dean Schaffzin's appointment as Dean.

PROFESSOR SCHAFFZIN PRESENTS AT TN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE

Professor Danny Schaffzin presented a workshop entitled "Memphis' Coordinated Fight Against Property Blight," at the Tennessee Municipal League's 2019 Annual Conference in June. Also taking part in the workshop were adjunct professor Steve Barlow, Memphis Code Enforcement Officer Brittany Williams, and Shelby County Environmental Court Judge Patrick Dandridge. To read more about the conference and presentation, please click here.

PROFESSOR ERNIE LIDGE RECEIVES PATRICIA & DAN S. MURRELL AWARD

Memphis Law Professor Ernie Lidge recently received the 2019 Patricia H. and Dan S. Murrell Ethics and Professionalism Teaching Award at our May commencement. This award recognizes a professor who effectively incorporates creative and innovative methods for including ethics and professionalism into his or her teaching.

PROFESSOR ALENA ALLEN RECEIVES FARRIS BOBANGO PLC AWARD

Memphis Law Professor Alena Allen recently received the 2019 Farris Bobango PLC Faculty Scholarship Award. This award recognizes outstanding faculty scholarship and honors Professor Allen for her article entitled Rape Messaging in the Fordham Law Review.

STREET LAW ADVOCACY CAMP AT MEMPHIS LAW

Street Law hosted its annual Advocacy Camp at the law school recently. The theme was Advocacy and the 4th Amendment and the law school proudly welcomed 25 students from Central High School, Soulsville Charter School, Cordova High School, and Memphis Rise Academy. Click here to read more about the program and our amazing student, alumni, and legal community members who helped make the event a success!

ABA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

The ABA National Appellate Advocacy team of Zane Heller, Alan Matthews, and Naira Umarov recently competed in the Philadelphia regional competition and were named regional champions.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION CLINIC STUDENTS FILE NEW LAWSUITS

Students enrolled in the law school's Neighborhood Preservation Clinic recently filed 29 Neighborhood Preservation Act cases on behalf of the City of Memphis. Click here to read more about the important work these students are doing in collaboration with the City of Memphis' Law Division.The University of Memphis Neighborhood Preservation Clinic presently represents the City in more than 700 public nuisance lawsuits seeking recourse against badly neglected, vacant and abandoned properties.

COURTCALL AWARDS

Memphis Law students Escarlet Escobar and Tanisha Johnson are the 2018-19 recipients of the CourtCall Law School Awards for the University of Memphis. The CourtCall Awards were presented to third-year students who demonstrate skill in Moot Court, Mock Trial, or Trial Advocacy Programs.

PROFESSOR NEWMAN IN USATODAY OP-ED ON HOTEL INDUSTRY COLLUSION

Memphis Law professor and antitrust specialist John Newman recently wrote an op-ed in USA TODAY focusing on the "supreme evil" of collusion among competitors in the hotel industry. To read more about this topic and Professor Newman's informative take on it, please click here.

PROFESSOR DAVID ROMANTZ AWARDED 2019 ATKINS PROFESSORSHIP

Memphis Law Professor David Romantz has been awarded the University of Memphis 2019 Atkins Professorship. This is a three-year professorship recognizing his outstanding educational, research, outreach, and service missions.

MEMPHIS LAW DUBERSTEIN TEAM WINS SHAPERO CUP

The University of Memphis Law School Duberstein Bankruptcy Team competed and won the Sixth Circuit's inaugural Shapero Cup Regional Duberstein Competition. The law school field two teams in the competition, with the team consisting of Kelsey Keef, Jimmy Hood, and Nicholas Glider winning FIRST place and the team of Paddy Treadwell, Michael Holmes, and Belle Harris winning THIRD place in the competition. Click here to read more about the competition and our teams.

MEMPHIS LAW TEAM TAKES 4TH IN BLSA MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION

Memphis Law students (Corrine Alexandria Jones, Tanisha Johnson, Irris Joyce Williams, and Joseph Buggs) placed fourth (out of 15 schools) in the Southern Regional BLSA Mock Trial Competition Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition, which Memphis Law also proudly hosted in January.

PROFESSOR DEMETRIA FRANK RECEIVES DIVERSITY AWARD

Assistant Professor of Law and Director of Diversity & Inclusion Demetria Frank received the Excellence in Diversity - Professional award at the 2019 Unity in Diversity Scholarship Banquet. This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates exemplary leadership and manifests the ideals of diversity, equality and inclusion into practical action. Professor Frank was selected for her efforts in recruitment and retention of diverse lawyers to the City of Memphis; programming initiatives that contribute to raising awareness and consciousness about diversity and inclusion; her community outreach activities; and her active involvement in issues affecting the progression of diversity.

PRELAW RANKS MEMPHIS LAW AS A TOP SCHOOL FOR HEALTH LAW

PreLaw magazine has ranked the University of Memphis School of Law as one of the top schools for health law in a recent issue. Click here to read the full article and for more information.

PRELAW MAGAZINE RANKS MEMPHIS LAW A BEST VALUE LAW SCHOOL

The University of Memphis School of Law has been consistently ranked as one of the best values in the nation for prospective law students. According to this year's preLaw Magazine rankings, Memphis Law has an A- ranking, putting it firmly in the Top 30 "best values" in the country. To read more, please click here to read the Best Value issue of preLaw Magazine.

MEMPHIS LAW LISTED AS #1: BEST LAW SCHOOL BUILDING

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law has been ranked #1 on PreLaw magazine's list of BEST Law School Buildings in the nation in their Spring 2018 issue. This is the second time that Memphis Law has taken the top spot, with a 2014 listing as having the "Best Law School Facilities" in the country in the same publication. Read more about this exciting news here.

ASSISTANT DEAN MEREDITH ADEN RECEIVES ALWD AWARD

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Meredith Aden was recognized at the recent Association of Legal Writing Directors (ALWD) conference with the ALWD Outstanding Service Award, which recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in their service on ALWD committees. Dean Aden was nominated for her work on the Revision Subcommittee of the Survey Committee, which oversaw a substantial revision and expansion of the national legal writing survey.

ABBY GARDNER RECEIVES SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR DEC. 2018

The University of Memphis School of Law is proud to share that Administrative Associate I Abby Gardner has been named as the December 2018 recipient of the Harriet R. Montgomery Service Excellence Award by the University of Memphis Department of Human Resources.

PROFESSOR JOHN NEWMAN SPEAKS AT U.S. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION HEARING

Professor John Newman was recently invited to speak at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission hearings on "Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century." Professor Newman spoke during the hearing regarding nascent competition in digital markets. To watch the full hearing online, please click here and you can proceed to Professor Newman's remarks at the 58:30 mark.

PROFESSOR JODI WILSON TO SERVE AS ALWD PRESIDENT

Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Law Jodi Wilson has been elected to serve as president of the Association of Legal Writing Directors (ALWD). She began her term as president in August of this year and will serve for one year. For more information about professor Wilson's role as ALWD president and her other achievements associated with ALWD and legal writing, please click here.

PROFESSOR STEVE MULROY NAMED A 2018 ATTORNEY FOR JUSTICE

Memphis Law professor Steve Mulroy has been honored as a 2018 Attorney For Justice by the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission for his dedication to the legal profession and pro bono service in 2017.

ML MAGAZINE RECEIVES TWO NATIONAL AWARDS

ML - Memphis Law Magazine has won 2 national awards at the American Advertising Assoc. Awards for our Fall 2017 issue focusing on Artificial Intelligence. It received two Silver awards for "Best Magazine Design" & "Best Illustration Series," selected from more than 34,000 entries.

JOHN NEWMAN TO SERVE ON AMERICAN ANTITRUST INSTITUTE ADVISORY BOARD

Professor John Newman has been selected to serve as a member of the American Antitrust Institute's Advisory Board. The AAIA is an independent, nonprofit organization devoted to promoting competition that protects consumers, businesses, and society. They serve the public through research, education, and advocacy on the benefits of competition and the use of antitrust enforcement as a vital component of national and international competition policy.

PROFESSOR HARKNESS FEATURED IN TBA JOURNAL

The September 2018 edition of the Tennessee Bar Journal features Professor Donna Harkness's excellent article, Supported Decision Making: The Missing Piece in the Puzzle of Planning for Clients with Diminished Capacity. To read a copy of the article in full, please click here.

FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER AT MEMPHIS LAW

Holder spoke to a crowd of Memphis Law students, faculty and staff in our Historic Courtroom while in town to serve as the Keynote Speaker at the law school's MLK50 Symposium, "Where Do We Go From Here?," a collaborative two-day symposium with the National Civil Rights Museum where the law school presented the first day of events at the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis. Click here to read more about his time with Memphis Law students >>>.

MEMPHIS LAW STUDENTS EXCEL IN SUMMER EXTERNSHIPS

During the Summer 2018 semester, forty-four University of Memphis School of Law students are enrolled in the Externship Course, simultaneously earning academic credit and gaining valuable hands-on legal experience through field placement work performed under the supervision of federal and state judges on the appellate and trial court levels; federal and state attorneys' and public defenders' offices; federal and state government and administrative agencies; healthcare entities; and non-profit legal services and community lawyering offices. 

JODI WILSON NAMED INTERIM ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Jodi Wilson has been named the Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Professor Wilson previously served as the Director of Legal Methods at the law school. Interim Dean Wilson replaces professor Kate Schaffzin, who was recently named interim Dean of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.

KATHARINE TRAYLOR SCHAFFZIN NAMED INTERIM DEAN OF MEMPHIS LAW

Katharine Traylor Schaffzin has been named the Interim Dean of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Professor Schaffzin has served as Associate Dean of the Law School for the past year and has been with the University of Memphis since 2009. Interim Dean Schaffzin replaces Peter Letsou, who is returning to a faculty position in the law school. Please click here to read a full announcement about Interim Dean Schaffzin's appointment.

PROFESSOR DEMETRIA FRANK LEADS PROJECT MI

Professor Demetria D. Frank was profiled in Memphis Magazine for her leadership of Project MI in Memphis. For the full article and to read more, please click here for in-depth coverage of her work.

PROFESSOR STEVE MULROY FEATURED ON FOX NEWS DISCUSSING COMEY MEMOS

Memphis Law professor Steve Mulroy was featured several times in the past week on Fox News for in-depth discussions about former FBI Director James Comey regarding his memos and whether he leaked classified information. Professor Mulroy appeared alongside other panelists on the Ingraham Angle with Laura Ingraham, as well as on the Fox News evening broadcast as an individual expert guest.

PROFESSOR JODI WILSON RECEIVES INAUGURAL ETHICS & TEACHING AWARD

Professor Wilson is the inaugural recipient of the Patricia and Dan Murrell Ethics and Professionalism Teaching Award. This award recognizes "the professor who most effectively incorporates creative and innovative methods for including ethics and professionalism into their teaching." Prof. Wilson's selection is based on the innovative and creative methods she has used not only in teaching Professional Responsibility, but also in teaching Legal Methods I and Legal Methods II. To read more about the award, please click here.

PROFESSOR DANNY SCHAFFZIN RECEIVES FARRIS-BOBANGO FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Memphis Law Professor Danny Schaffzin is this year's recipient of the Farris Bobango Faculty Scholarship Award for his article, "(B)light at the End of the Tunnel?, How a City's Need to Fight Vacant and Abandoned Properties Gave Rise to a Law School Clinic Like No Other," 52 Wash. U. J. of L.& Pol. 115.

MEMPHIS LAW STUDENTS PRESENT AT HUD SYMPOSIUM

Memphis Law students recently presented at the Memphis HUD symposium. Please click here to read more about their presentation.

MEMPHIS LAW DUBERSTEIN TEAM WINS 1ST PLACE & BEST ORAL ADVOCATE

The Memphis Law Duberstein Bankruptcy Law Moot Court Team recently won 1st Place in the The Lloyd D. George Bankruptcy, a regional competition for the Duberstein Bankruptcy competition hosted by St. John's School of Law and the American Bankruptcy Institute. This competition is hosted by the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Memphis law student Kelsey Keef also won the Best Oral Advocate Award. Congratulations to team members Patrick Treadwell, Tyler Tollison, Alex Anderson, Kelsey Keef and Luke Cymbal, as well as coaches Meagan Jones and Adam Langley.

PROFESSOR JOHN NEWMAN WEIGHS IN ON AT&T MERGER IN NEW YORK TIMES

Professor John Newman was recently quoted in a prominent New York Times article focusing on the pre-trial activity of the AT&T merger with Time Warner and their efforts to put the head of the Justice Department's Antitrust Division on its witness list in a trial over the government's decision to block the phone giant's $85 billion merger with Time Warner. To read the full New York Times article, please click here.

PROFESSOR DANNY SCHAFFZIN ELECTED VP OF CLEA

Memphis Law professor and director of experiential learning Danny Schaffzin has been elected to the position of vice-president (2018 term) and president-elect (2019 term) of the Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA). Click here to read more about Prof. Schaffzin's election as CLEA co-vice-president.

PROFESSORS FRANK AND NEWMAN AT TEDx MEMPHIS

Memphis Law professors Demetria Frank and John Newman participated in the TEDx Memphis earlier this semester at the Halloran Center in downtown Memphis. Prof. Newman was a part of the morning session and spoke on the intersection of law, technology, and democracy and Prof. Frank participated in the afternoon session, focusing on prisoner free speech. Click here to view Prof. Newman's talk, Free: The World's Most Dangerous Price. Click here to view Prof. Frank's talk, We Are The Freedom Fighters: Prisoners and Free Speech.

MEMPHIS LAW COLLABORATES ON GREEN & HEALTHY HOMES INITIATIVE COMPACT

The law school was proud to be a part of the recent Green and Healthy Homes Initiative compact signing with a number of important partners that are making an impact on the future of our children's health in Memphis. To read more about this collaborative effort, please see the recent articles from the Commercial Appeal  or the Daily News.

MEMPHIS DAILY NEWS DETAILS SBA WELLNESS EFFORTS AT MEMPHIS LAW

The Memphis Daily News recently profiled Memphis Law's "Wellness Wednesday" program, led by SBA and their desire to help law students find a healthy work-life balance. Click here to read more.

PROFESSOR JOHN NEWMAN SPEAKS AT THE CAPITOL FORUM EVENT IN NYC
Professor John Newman recently participated in an event hosted in New York City by The Capitol Forum. The panel focused on Merger Policy for Tech Giants and Broadband Providers and How Merger Enforcement Can Effectively Promote Competition. You can view Prof. Newman's panel discussion by clicking here and proceeding to the 11:00 minute mark in the video.

PROFESSOR BORIS MAMLYUK ELECTED TO ASCL EXECUTIVE BOARD

Professor Boris Mamlyuk was elected last semester to the executive board of the prestigious American Society of Comparative Law (ASCL); he now serves as the Society's Information Officer. The ASCL is the nation's premier learned society devoted to the comparative study of legal systems and traditions.

PROFESSORS FRANK AND NEWMAN AT TEDx MEMPHIS

Memphis Law professors Demetria Frank and John Newman participated in the TEDx Memphis on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018 at the Halloran Center in downtown Memphis. Prof. Newman was a part of the morning session and spoke on the intersection of law, technology, and democracy and Prof. Frank participated in the afternoon session, focusing on prisoner free speech. 

PROFESSOR DEMETRIA FRANK DISCUSSES A PROPOSED YOUTH ASSESSMENT CENTER

Professor Frank discusses the risks and various details regarding a newly proposed Youth Assessment Center in Shelby County in a recent guest column in the Commercial Appeal. Click here to read the full article.

PROFESSOR AMY CAMPBELL WEIGHS IN ON CVS-AETNA DEAL

Memphis Law professor Amy Campbell weighs in on the CVS-Aetna deal and what it means for consumers. You can read more in the article from the Memphis Daily News.

PROFESSOR KATE SCHAFFZIN SELECTED TO SERVE ON UOM BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Memphis Law professor Katharine Traylor Schaffzin has been selected by the University of Memphis Faculty Senate to serve as the faculty representative on the inaugural Board of Trustees for the University of Memphis. Professor Schaffzin will serve as a Trustee for a two-year term. Please click here to read more about Professor Schaffzin's appointment.

IN MEMORIAM: FOUNDING DEAN ROBERT DOYLE COX

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is saddened to learn of the passing of Robert Doyle Cox, founding dean of the University of Memphis School of Law. Please click here to read more about Dean Cox and for additional details about his life and memorial services.

FEDEX PROFESSOR OF LAW LEE HARRIS ON CONFEDERATE MONUMENT REMOVAL
Professor Lee Harris discusses the legal ramifications of the City of Memphis removing several Confederate statues from its public parks in a recent edition of the Commercial Appeal. Professor (and State of Tennessee Senator) Harris was the City Council member who wrote the council resolution two years ago calling for the removal of one of the statues as well. Click here to read the full article.

LEGAL METHODS PROGRAM EXPANDS

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law has made a substantial change in the way its Legal Methods Program is administered and taught. The law school has hired three full-time legal writing faculty members to expand the legal research, writing and analysis training it provides to its students and better prepare its students for the increasing complexity of practice in today's legal environment. To read more about this exciting change, please click here.

ASST. DEAN FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS, MEREDITH ADEN, RECEIVES AWARD
Assistant Dean Meredith Aden has been selected as the recipient of the The Susan TePaske Award for Leadership in Disability Support for the 2016-2017 academic year. This Susan TePaske Award is a University President's Leadership Recognition Award recognizing only one outstanding supporter of students with disabilities across the University of Memphis campus each year.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION CLINIC FEATURED ON NPR AFFILIATE

The work of the Law School's Neighborhood Preservation Clinic was recently featured on WKNO, Memphis's NPR affiliate. Click here to listen to the WKNO interview with Clinic alumnus and recent graduate Jordan Emily and Clinic Co-Director Professor Danny Schaffzin.

PROFESSOR JEREMY BOCK SELECTED FOR STANFORD/HARVARD/YALE FACULTY FORUM

Professor Jeremy Bock's paper, "Behavioral Claim Construction," has been selected for presentation at the 2017 Stanford/Harvard/Yale Junior Faculty Forum. The organizers of the forum select from 12 to 20 scholars (with one to seven years in teaching) on a blind basis from among those submitting papers to present. The goal of the Forum is discourse both on the merits of particular papers and on appropriate methodologies for doing work in that genre.

MEMPHIS LAW LAUNCHES STRATEGIC CODE ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY

Memphis Law launched the first Strategic Code Enforcement Academy in May 2017. It will examine ways to streamline the process of cleaning up vacant and blighted properties in Memphis. Click here to read more about the code enforcement academy.

ADVANCED MOOT COURT PROBLEM WINS NATIONAL AWARD

Last year's Memphis Law Advanced Moot Court problem won the inaugural Judith S. Kaye Writing Competition, a competition hosted by New York University School of Law to select the best student-written moot court problem in the country. Click here to read more about the problem itself, written by William Cranford, as well as the award.

MEMPHIS LAW PROF. ZAWISZA AWARDED WITH MULTIPLE HONORS

Professor Christina Zawisza was honored during the 2017 Alternative Spring Break by the PALS Executive Board with the 2017 Justice Janice Holder Pro Bono PAL Award in recognition of her many years of support to the mission of PALS. Additionally, Prof. Zawisza was honored by Memphis Area Legal Services at the kickoff to its Campaign for Equal Justice for a "lifelong commitment and dedication as a child advocate for justice for those in need."

ELDER LAW CLINIC HIGHLIGHTED IN PERSPECTIVE MAGAZINE

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Elder Law Clinic, led by Professor Donna Harkness, is highlighted in the new issue of Perspective magazine, a publication of the Young Lawyers Section of the NY State Bar Association. Memphis Law and Elder Law Clinic alum Adam Cooper co-authored the article, which details his experience in the Memphis Law Elder Law Clinic, alongside the experiences of other law students from various other law schools. To read the complete article, please click here.

UNCERTAIN CARE: THE FUTURE OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

The 2017 Institute for Health Law & Policy Symposium was held on March 31,2017. It gave a wide-ranging overview of the accomplishments and challenges of the Affordable Care Act, an update on its status and a brief summary of "repeal and replace" options. A number of local and national experts discussed what "repeal and replace" means locally and what leaders from various key perspectives consider critical elements to any efforts to amend or replace the current law. Click here to see the full agenda of speakers.

COLD CASE: JUSTICE FOR ELBERT WILLIAMS, PRESENTED BY JIM EMISON

On Tuesday, March 21, Memphis Law welcomed Jim Emison, a renowned and award winning courtroom lawyer of 43 years, to present, "Cold Case: Justice for Elbert Williams." The program was sponsored by the Memphis Law Office of Diversity and the Black Law Students Association.

BLSA UNITY IN DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET

The Black Law Students Association hosted the inaugural Unity in Diversity Scholarship Banquet on Thursday, Feb. 23 at The Guest House at Graceland, with keynote speaker, Robert Grey, the former ABA president and current president of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. The event raised more than $100,000, with a significant portion going to diversity initiatives.

ASST. DEAN MULROY'S RESEARCH CITED IN DOJ REPORT

Associate Dean Steve Mulroy's article "Hold" On: The Remarkably Resilient, Constitutionally Dubious 48-Hour Hold was recently cited in a Department of Justice Civil Rights Division report. His focus on the issue of "48 hour holds" was the main focus of the investigation and the main basis for finding a pattern and practice of discrimination. To read the full DOJ report, please click here.

PROFESSOR CHRISTINA ZAWISZA NAMED MEMPHIS ATTORNEY FOR JUSTICE

Professor Chris Zawisza was recognized as a Memphis Attorney for Justice by Tennessee Supreme Court Justices Jeffrey S. Bivins and Holly Kirby at the Memphis Bar Association Annual Meeting on Dec. 8, 2016. The recognition is awarded to all attorneys who have given 50 or more hours of pro bono service each year.

JACQUELINE O'BRYANT RECEIVES BEN F. JONES PRESIDENT'S AWARD

Jacqueline O'Bryant, law school diversity coordinator at the University of Memphis School of Law, has been named as the honored recipient of the National Bar Association, Ben F. Jones Chapter, President's Award. This award was presented at the Ben F. Jones Chapter 2016 Barrister's Ball, which also marked the 50th anniversary of the Ben F. Jones chapter.

PROFESSOR DANIEL SCHAFFZIN - AALS CLINICAL SECTION EXEC. COMMITTEE

Professor Daniel Schaffzin was recently nominated to the executive committee of the American Association of Law School's section for Clinical Legal Education for 2017. Schaffzin currently chairs the clinical section's Externship Committee through May 2017 and has previously served on the Planning Committee for the 2016 AALS Annual Conference on Clinical Legal Education, the Awards Committee and the Teaching Innovations Committee.

IHELP POLICY LAB: ACE INITIATIVE LAUNCHED
The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is proud to announce the launch of the Institute for Health Law and Policy ("iHeLP") Policy Lab: ACE Initiative, thanks to generous support from the ACE Awareness Foundation. Please click here for more information about the policy lab and it's work with the ACE Awareness Foundation and their collaboration.

MEMPHIS LAW HOSTS IMPLICIT BIAS CONFERENCE

Memphis Law recently hosted the conference, Implicit (Unconscious) Bias: A New Look at an Old Problem, on Friday, Nov. 18. For more information and a rundown of the full program, please click here.

JOHN NEWMAN ON CNBC CLOSING BELL

Professor John Newman appeared on the CNBC show "Closing Bell" to discuss the transparency issues surrounding Facebook and Google as it pertains to advertisers. Click here to watch the debate.

U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR SIXTH CIRCUIT VISITS MEMPHIS LAW

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and the City of Memphis have hired Brittnay Williams as the first "City of Memphis Neighborhood Preservation Fellow." Please click here to read more about Brittany, as well as the Neighborhood Preservation Fellowship.

PROFESSOR AMY CAMPBELL ON THE CHANGING HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY

The newest issue of our law school magazine is out now! Click here to read the full issue online and for past issues.

2015 CLEA AWARD

Recent Memphis Law graduate Bill Hardegree was awarded the 2015 Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA) Outstanding Student Award. Click here to read more.

Professor Alena Allen has been selected to participate in the 2015 Maxine Smith Fellows Program of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR).

Recent Memphis Law grad Jennifer Mayham was honored with this year's TBA Law Student Volunteer of the Year for her work with Memphis Area Legal Services. To read more, please click HERE.

Memphis Law alumna Amy Amundsen was recently elected into the American College of Family Trial Lawyers as a Diplomate.

The Annual Francis Gabor Memorial Lecture took place on Monday, February 2, 2015 in the Historic Court Room. Dr. Ralph Wilde (University College London), gave a lecture titled "Dilemmas in promoting global economic justice through law: A case study of the 'Maastricht Principles on the Extraterritorial Obligations of States in the area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights' and their associated Commentary."

Memphis Law is proud to have been named one of the top 25 most impressive law school buildings in the world and as the 15th most impressive in the U.S. To read more about this exciting designation, please click HERE.

Citing our own Professor Katherine Schaffzin prominently, the Supreme Court of New Jersey, in the case O'Boyle v. Borough of Longport, broadly adopted the common interest doctrine. Click here to read more about the case.

The Memphis Law Housing Adjudication Clinic has been named one of the Top 15 Most Innovative Clinics in the nation by The National Jurist and preLaw magazine. Read more about the clinic and its award HERE.

The law school is proud to announce the launch of our new Neighborhood Preservation Clinic. To read more about this unique legal clinic and how students will work to remove blighted properties throughout Memphis, click here to read more.

*Older faculty news is archived on our website. Please click here to view older archived news.