On April 15, the University of Alabama School of Law – Office of Diversity & Inclusion hosted a free, virtual allyship training led by Amber Hikes (they/she), Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer of the ACLU. The training was offered to all students, faculty and staff and was focused on identifying how to best support historically underrepresented and marginalized people and groups who face the intersectional challenges created by overlapping and interconnected systems of discrimination and disadvantage.
“Allyship is a process of listening, learning, and empathizing,” shared Anil Mujumdar, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Alabama Law. “By investing in the development of these skills we can foster better relationships and strengthen the organizations we are a part of. We are privileged to have the opportunity to hear from Amber—to learn how to make a seat at the table for everyone.”
About Amber Hikes (they/she)
Amber Hikes (they/she) is a social justice advocate, community organizer, TED Talk Speaker, and unapologetically queer and Black. As the ACLU’s first Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, they provide vision, leadership, and direction for the ACLU’s nationwide strategy to support equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all aspects of the organization’s work and efforts. Amber serves as both the internal and external ambassador on the importance of EDI as a crucial cornerstone of the ACLU’s culture of belonging. Learn more by visiting her bio on the ACLU website.
“It was such an honor to speak and connect with the students and faculty of The University of Alabama School of Law. I was deeply inspired by the commitments the group made and the shared drive to build a culture of belonging and inclusion in their communities at school, work, home, and wherever they find the beauty of difference.” – Amber Hikes, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at ACLU
On March 25, Alabama Law Healthcare Transactional team members Taylor Steen (2L), Brenna Johnson (2L), and Courtney Zotaj (2L)—coached by Professor Benjamin McMichael—took second place at the 11th Annual L. Edward Bryant, Jr. National Health Law Transactional Competition hosted virtually by Loyola University Chicago School of Law. The team was supported by Professor Bill Brewbaker, Halle Diaz (3L), and Steffie Rosene (3L) who helped judge a number of practice rounds in preparation for the competition.
Professor Shalini Ray’s essay D.C. Circuit Rules That Public Health Law Empowers Government to Expel Asylum-Seekers—But Not to Countries Where They Face Persecution or Torture was recently published in Lawfare.
Professor Julie Hill was quoted in a CoinDesk article titled Kraken Hits Key Milestone in Quest to Gain Fed Account, Equal Treatment with Traditional Banks and With Routing Number, Crypto Exchange Kraken’s Bank Closing in On Global Payments Rails on PYMNTS.com.
Both articles feature Professor Hill’s insights surrounding crypto custody banks receiving routing numbers from the American Bankers Association.
Professor Susan Pace Hamill was featured as an expert in WalletHub’s recent study titled Tax Burden by State and contributed to a Point2 article titled Tax Deductions Every Homeowner Should Know About.
In her interview with WalletHub, she discussed state and local tax instruments and the relationship between state tax burden and economic growth. Similarly, with Tax Day around the corner, Professor Hamill talked to Point2 about deductions homeowners should know about.
Discover Professor Hamill’s insight on homeowner tax deductions here.
Professor Yonathan Arbel co-authored an article titled, Contracts in the Age of Smart Readers, in the George Washington Law Review.
The review provides a framework for evaluating the legal and policy implications of employing language models as ‘Smart Readers’—tools that read, analyze, and assess contracts, disclosures, and privacy policies.
#1 for Lowest Average Graduate Debt-Load Among Top 25 Public Institutions
March 29, 2022 — The University of Alabama School of Law ranked 25th among the nation’s top law schools—ninth among publicly supported institutions—according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Law School Rankings” for 2023. The rankings, which measured 192 law schools fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), evaluated each institution on successful placement of graduates, faculty resources, academic achievement of entering students, and the opinions of academic peers, lawyers and judges on overall program quality.
According to the report, Alabama Law J.D. grads, who incurred law school debt, graduated with the lowest average debt-load among 2021 graduates from any public institution in the Top 25. Overall, Alabama Law’s average student debt-load ranked second-best among all Law Schools in the Top 50.
“The combination of academic prestige and affordability makes Alabama Law a premier school for students interested in studying law,” said Dean Mark E. Brandon. “We offer a top-tier education while limiting the financial burden our graduates carry. This ensures that, as our students enter the profession, they can pursue the types of employment they desire to engage in without being limited by heavy financial obligations.”
Additionally, the Alabama Law Class of 2020 ranked fifth—among the Top 25—based on the percentage of recent graduates meaningfully employed 10 months after graduation. This datum pulled from the report represents the percentage of all graduates, at any given institution, who had a full-time job* lasting at least a year for which bar passage was required or a J.D. degree was an advantage.
“Each year, I’m amazed by the students who come through our office,” said Megan Walsh, Assistant Dean for Career Services & Director of the D.C. Externship Program. “They are ambitious and doing the hard work necessary to ensure they are prepared to excel in the workforce. We collaborate with each student on a one-on-one basis to make sure they have the skills, resources, and connections needed to work in whatever field they desire to enter post-graduation.”
To learn more about the data and see the full U.S. News “Best Law School Rankings” visit: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/the-university-of-alabama-03001
About The University of Alabama School of Law
For 150 years, the University of Alabama School of Law has produced attorneys who become leaders locally, nationally and globally. Alabama Law provides a top-rate education that produces enviable bar passage and employment rates, all within a supportive and diverse environment. Our low student-to-faculty ratio, paired with robust curricular offerings, draws students to study under faculty who are skilled teachers as well as leading scholars.
* Excluding jobs funded by the associated school or university
Last week, Tax Moot Court team members Tanner Ary, Emily Ellis, and Curtis Graves—coached by Clay Staggs (’96)—were named the overall champions at the Florida State Bar’s National Tax Moot Court competition in Miami. In addition to winning the competition, the team was awarded runner-up for best brief, and Curtis Graves finished as the runner-up for the best individual oralist.
Professor Tara Leigh Grove was interviewed on Bloomberg Television’s Balance of Power, where she previewed the judiciary confirmation hearings for Kentanji Brown Jackson. The segment can be watched online at Bloomberg.com (starting at 36:05).
Professor Grove also talked about statutory and constitutional interpretation, the legitimacy dilemma facing the Supreme Court, and her work on the Supreme Court Reform Commission during an episode of George State University’s podcast titled Supreme Myths. The entire episode can be listened to on Apple Podcasts.
Professor William (Bill) Andreen was featured as a clean water expert in a Bham Now article titled Key to Clean Water in Alabama? Involve the public. Here is how you can make a difference.
Learn more about Professor Andreen’s expertise and read the full article on BhamNow.com.
