The University of Alabama School of Law and the ABA Journal have named the finalists for the 2014 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. The three books chosen to compete for the prize are: “Once We Were Brothers” by Ronald H. Balson, “Sycamore Row” by John Grisham, and “The Burgess Boys” by Elizabeth Strout. The prize, authorized by Harper Lee, is given annually to a book-length work of fiction that best illuminates the role of lawyers in society and their power to effect change.
The public is invited to cast its votes on the ABA Journal website [www.abajournal.com] to help determine who the winning finalist will be. The public will act as the sixth judge, contributing a vote equal in weight to the selection committee members. The 2014 prize will be awarded in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 28, in conjunction with the Library of Congress National Book Festival. The winner will be announced during the ceremony, which will take place in the Madison Building of the Library of Congress starting at 5 p.m. The winning author will receive a copy of “To Kill a Mockingbird” signed by Harper Lee. To vote, visit http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/2014_harper_lee_voting/.
Dean Mark Brandon discusses the legal job market, graduation trends and how he intends to keep tuition affordable at the School of Law. Read the full story at “Lawyer Limelight: Alabama Law Dean Mark Brandon.”
College athletics programs may be able to prevent academic misconduct by writing a clear policy, applying it consistently to all students and investigating every concern, says former Law School Professor Gene A. Marsh in a recent issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education. Check out “Friendly Faculty: the Quiet Danger to Athletics Programs” to read all of Marsh’s suggestions.
The Montgomery Advertiser recently published an article featuring UA School of Law alum Josh Segall. A 2006 graduate, he developed “Make It Rain: The Love of Money,” which recently ranked No. 1 on Apple’s app store. Click here to read Game Developers “Make It Rain.”
The National Law Journal published an article yesterday highlighting UA Law’s new dean, Mark Brandon. Click here to read “Alabama Law Deanship Represents a Homecoming for Brandon.”
Dr. Mark E. Brandon (’78), professor of law at Vanderbilt University since 2001, has been named the dean of The University of Alabama School of Law. Click here to read the full press release. 
Gordon Rosen Professor of Law Paul Horwitz recently authored a post on SCOTUSblog, “Symposium: Thoughts on Town of Greece — if the kilt fits”. In this post he discusses the US Supreme Court’s decision in Town of Greece v. Galloway, focusing on Justice Kennedy’s opinion for the Court.
AL.com also interviewed Professor Paul Horwitz regarding the recent court ruling allowing the town of Greece, NY to continue opening its meetings with prayer. Click here to read the full article: “If prayer is OK for town meetings, what about schools?”
Professor William Andreen’s post, “Waters of the United States”-Myths and Facts Surrounding the New Proposed Rule from EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers, was recently 
published on CPR’s Blog. In the post Professor Andreen explains the proposed rulemaking, by the EPA and the US Army Corps of Engineers, to clarify the jurisdictional reach of the protections afforded by the Clean Water Act. Click here to read the full post.
Commencement for the Class of 2014 was held May 3 at 5:00 p.m. in Coleman Coliseum (webcast archive available). The commencement address given by UA Law Dean Emeritus
Kenneth C. Randall.
Degree candidates were hooded by Director of Legal Writing Program and Legal Writing Lecturer, Kimberly Boone; Thomas E. Skinner Professor of Law, Bryan Fair; and Bainbridge-Mims Professor of Law, Pamela Pierson.
A reception honoring the 163 graduating students was held immediately following the ceremony on the Camille Wright Cook Plaza in front of the Law School.
Professor Andrew Morriss’ article, “Christian Environmentalism and the Temptation of Faux Asceticism,” was recently published in the Acton Commentary.
“It is important to clarify the Church’s teaching on asceticism because many voices in the environmental movement encourage a kind of ascetical lifestyle in the name of “ethical consumption.” Orthodox writers on the environment are not immune to the temptation of putting the ascetical tradition of the Church in the service of another agenda. For example, the conclusion of the Inter-Orthodox Conference on Environmental Protection, held in Crete in 1991, states: ‘Humanity needs a simpler way of life, a renewed asceticism, for the sake of creation’.”
