Judge Samuel W. Junkin (and Summer Scholars).
In June, the University of Alabama School of Law hosted its Summer Scholars program—a unique opportunity that introduces the study of law to currently enrolled college students. Made possible through the generous support of Derrick (‘03) and Tamesha Mills, Shane Sears (‘99), Mike Brock (‘84), Penny Davis (‘78), John Saxon (‘77), Richard (‘93) and Heather Brock (‘93), and the University of Alabama System’s McMahon-Pleiad Prize, the Summer Scholars program returned for its second year. The program was designed and is administered by Prof. Anil Mujumdar. This summer, Alabama Law welcomed students from across the country to Tuscaloosa. The students engaged in several activities formulated to help prepare them to apply successfully to law school and better understand the many career options connected with a law degree. The class visited the Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama, attended a hearing in federal court, conducted a mock trial, and heard lectures from 122 guest speakers, including numerous professors, alumni, lawyers, and judges.
Experiential Learning
Summer Scholars listening to a lecture.
While much of the Summer Scholars program was hosted at the Law School, students had several opportunities to visit historical sites and engage in experiential learning. Students spent a week in Mississippi where they were invited to the “Voices of Justice and Courage” 60th commemoration week honoring the lives and contributions of civil rights leaders Medgar & Myrlie Evers. They experienced a special film screening of the Promised Land: A Story of Mound Bayou and had a conversation with Director Roderick Red following the film. The students traveled to Vicksburg where they met current Mayor George Flaggs, Jr., heard a lecture from former Mayor Robert Walker, and visited Mrs. Myrlie Evers’s childhood home. While in Mississippi, the students toured several cultural heritage sites including the B.B King Museum in Indianola, the Mound Bayou Museum of African American Culture and History in Mound Bayou, the Catfish Row Museum in Vicksburg, and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson. The students had the opportunity for quiet reflection at Bryant’s Grocery & Meat Market—the historical location where Emmett Till was wrongly accused of misconduct and whose subsequent murder prompted a renewed level of engagement in the Civil Rights Movement.
The students also had a private audience with Mrs. Myrlie Evers, in which the Evers family was presented with some original artwork honoring Medgar Evers designed by visual artist Sabrina Howard, and heard Mrs. Evers’s enriching address at the Voices of Courage and Justice Gala in Jackson.
In Alabama, the students toured the Tuscaloosa Federal Building and Courthouse and benefitted from an inspirational conversation with Judge L. Scott Coogler (‘84). While visiting the courthouse, they engaged in a panel discussion regarding federal clerkships with several attorneys —including Alabama Law alumni Analeigh Barnes (‘22) and John Wilson Booth (‘22). On a trip to Montgomery, the Summer Scholars heard from Judge Samarria Dunson (‘03) and attorneys Justin Jones (‘13) and Othni Lathram (‘00) at the Alabama State Bar. Judge Chad W. Bryan (‘03), Judge Kelly Fitzgerald Pate, and Judge Jerusha T. Adams gave students an introduction to the Middle District of Alabama before the students had the unique opportunity to observe a hearing in Judge R. Austin Huffaker, Jr.’s (’99) courtroom.
Mock Trial
Summer Scholars participate in a mock trial.
Near the end of the program, the class participated in an all-day mock trial event. A highlight of last year’s Summer Scholars, the class was able to showcase what they learned over the course of the program and put their knowledge to the test in a courtroom setting.
Held in the Bedsole Moot Court Room at Alabama Law, students were split into three teams comprising the jury, defendant’s counsel, and plaintiff’s counsel. Students were allocated time to prepare witnesses and do the research necessary to get ready for a trial before presenting their case in front of Circuit Court Judge Samuel W. Junkin (‘00).
Civil Rights and Access to Justice
(L-R) Rep. Chris England, Justice John England, Jr., Judge John England, III, and Attorney April England-Albright.
Throughout the program, students had discussions with community leaders to explore the many ways in which the law affects civil rights and access to justice both in the office and in the courtroom. Attorney Gary Howard (‘93) and his colleagues with the Bradley LGBTQ+ resource group shared the experiences of diverse lawyers in BigLaw over a firm-sponsored lunch with the students. Mrs. JaTaune Bosby Gilchrist — Executive Director at ACLU of Alabama—discussed with the students the challenges with civil liberties and civil rights today. Professor Emerita of Law Martha Morgan taught a short class on women’s rights. Judge John England, Jr. (‘74), Judge John England III (‘96), Attorney April England Albright (‘97), and Rep. Chris England (‘02) met with students to share how their life experiences shaped their careers and stressed the importance of engaging in public service.
Attorney Lauren Faraino.
For students interested in prison reform, attorneys Ashley Light (‘17), Sofia McDonald, Chris Christie, and Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb (‘81) delivered a panel on prison conditions. Attorney Lauren Faraino—founder of The Woods Foundation— discussed her experience advocating for inmates on death row.
Guest Lectures and Workshops
Additionally, the students heard from guest speakers and alumni over the course of the program including Attorneys Courtney Garrett (‘22), Chris Wilson (‘22), Maya Hoyt (‘20), Jilisa Milton (‘19), Shruti Jaishankar (‘17), Andrew Nix (‘03), and Shane Sears (‘99) who offered advice and shared their experiences as lawyers. To begin the program, Judge Vanzetta McPherson—a retired federal magistrate judge who served in the Middle District of Alabama—motivated the students with a keynote address. University of Alabama System Trustee, Judge Ken Simon (‘79) lectured on the importance of leadership. Judge Reginald Jeter (‘04) and Judge Nikki Tinker (‘98) engaged in a panel discussion about the many pathways to serving on the bench. Attorney Michelle Clemon gave an introduction to Sports Law.
Dean Claude Arrington (‘99) and Dean Megan Walsh (‘12) hosted cover letter, personal statement, interview and résumé workshops for the class. To help prepare the students for law school, rising 2L students Pierrerasha Goodwin, Elizabeth Meeker, Calix Hill, and Evan Newsome presented strategies to study for the LSAT. LeAndra Ross and Teria Thornton from AccessLex explained the financial decisions associated with law school attendance, and Attorney Kelsi Long (‘21) discussed the advantages of the joint J.D./M.B.A. program.
(L-R) Judge Reginald Jeter and Judge Nikki Tinker.
On the final day of programming, the students benefitted from a lecture from former Attorney General and former Senator Luther Strange. The students had the opportunity to ask the former Senator questions about public service in state and federal government.
To conclude the program, attorneys Derrick Mills (‘03), Mary Turner (‘89) and Finis St. John— Chancellor of the UA System, gave closing remarks. Each student in the program was awarded a certificate of completion and an honor cord to commemorate their time as Summer Scholars.
Future Lawyers
At the conclusion of the month-long program, all participants expressed their desire to attend law school after college. By participating in the Summer Scholars program, these students have the tools to be successful in applying to law school and beyond.
To learn more about the Summer Scholars program, please email summerscholars@law.ua.edu. To contribute to the 2024 Summer Scholars program, please contact Caroline Strawbridge, cstrawbridge@law.ua.edu.
Judge Ken Simon.
Asst. Dean Megan Walsh.
Article written by: Callie Jackson
The National Jurist recently ranked Alabama Law for several of its programs* :
#7 in Federal Clerkship Placements
#20 for its Moot Court Program
#23 for Public Interest Law
* Among all ABA-accredited Law Schools.
In November, The National Jurist ranked Alabama Law #3 for the Best Value Law School. You can read more about that ranking here. View the latest list of rankings here.
On Saturday, September 23, Amabama Law hosted a tailgate on the Quad ahead of the Crimson Tide kickoff against Ole Miss. Photos from the event are available to view and download on the Law School’s photo album.
Reminder of Upcoming Tailgates:
October 14 (3 hours before kickoff): vs. Arkansas – RSVP for the Homecoming Tailgate on the Law Center Front Lawn
October 21 (3 hours before kickoff): vs. Tenessee – RSVP for the Alabama Law Tailgate on the Quad
The National Jurist’s PreLaw Magazine ranked the University of Alabama School of Law moot court program #20 among all U.S. law schools. The ranking is based on the excellent performance of our Moot Court teams in competitions across the nation last year. View the complete list here.
The National Jurist’s PreLaw Magazine ranked The University of Alabama School of Law #23 among all U.S. law schools for Public Interest Law.
To determine the rankings, The National Jurist compared employment in public interest law, curricula, and debt and loan repayment options afforded to graduates. View the complete list of rankings here.
3 hours prior to kickoff
Law Center Front Lawn
Kindly rsvp to 205.348.6775 or crice@law.ua.edu
To reconnect Alabama Law alums with each other and the School of Law, Dean Brewbaker is kicking off a new class chair program housed within the Alabama Law Alumni Society. The Society is seeking Class Co-chairs who will (1) facilitate communications between the Law School and their class (2) connect with class members to keep them updated and apprised of what each other is doing, and (3) help increase participation in the Alabama Law Alumni Society’s annual giving program.
Communicate
Each Alumni Society Class Co-chair will serve as a liaison in communicating important messages from the Law School to fellow classmates. In this position, the Class Co-chair helps fellow alums know about upcoming events and shares important updates relating to the Law School and the Alumni Society.
Connect
Many of our strongest and most meaningful relationships began in law school. However, as life and careers move forward, it is easy to lose touch with old friends, classmates, and mentors. Alumni Society Class Co-chairs help to reconnect former class members with each other and the School of Law to strengthen relationships and build networking opportunities among Alabama Law alums.
Contribute
Co-chairs will also assist the Alumni Society in increasing participation of their law school class in the Society’s annual giving campaign. Donations to the Alumni Society help to provide scholarships for students, strengthen faculty recruiting and retention efforts, support students who are engaging in public interest works, sponsor alumni events, and meet a wide variety of other needs of the Law School. Co-chairs will be expected to make an annual contribution, but no set amount is required.
To become an Alabama Law Alumni Society Class Co-chair, or to learn more about the program, please contact Candice Robbins, Assistant Dean for Advancement: crobbins@law.ua.edu.
This summer, Alabama Law alumna Meghan McLeroy (‘23) was awarded a 2023 Equal Justice Works Design-Your-Own Fellowship. Selected among 318 applicants, McLeroy is one of 76 postgraduate students chosen from across the country to participate in the program. Those awarded this public service fellowship will spend the next two years advocating for communities that are underrepresented and underserved across the United States.
Under the Equal Justice Works Design-Your-Own Fellowship model, fellows like McLeroy collaborate with legal service organizations of their choosing to serve the needs of the community. For her fellowship, McLeroy is partnering with Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice in Birmingham, who will be working alongside her on the project. During the fellowship, participants are paid a full-time salary and provided additional monetary assistance for student loans. McLeroy is sponsored through the generous support of Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Southern Company.
Introduction to Alabama Appleseed
McLeroy began her journey with Alabama Appleseed during a project with her Public Interest Lawyering class taught by Glory McLaughlin at Alabama Law.
“My final group project for the class was focused on issues related to food funding in Alabama jails,” said McLeroy. “There was once a law that contained a loophole that would allow sheriffs to take leftover money—from the funds set aside for food for incarcerated people at the jail—and put it in their pockets. My group decided to connect with local law enforcement, circuit clerk offices, and legal nonprofits, including Appleseed, to create a class presentation bringing attention to this issue and others like it. This experience was one of my first interactions with Appleseed.”
Following that experience, McLeroy’s relationship with Appleseed bloomed as she had the opportunity to work as one of their legal interns the summer after her 2L year.
“At Appleseed, I wrote the first draft of a state habeas petition for a client,” said McLeroy. “Appleseed represents older people who are incarcerated, who are currently serving life without the possibility of parole under the Habitual Felony Offender Act—which is Alabama’s ‘three strikes’ law. The ‘three strikes’ law was amended in the early 2000s after these folks were sentenced, so, they wouldn’t be serving these life sentences under today’s current law.”
McLeroy’s time advocating for incarcerated individuals at Appleseed inspired her to continue that work by applying for an Equal Justice Works Fellowship. While doing research for an Appleseed client, she noticed sentencing disparities affecting Black Alabamians incarcerated in Alabama prisons.
“I was working on this specific petition, and I started looking at publicly available data and noticed staggering age and racial disparities,” said McLeroy. “Black Alabamians make up 25% of the state’s population, but when you look at who’s serving life with or without parole sentences in Alabama, more than 65% of those folks are Black.”
She continued, “Nearly half of incarcerated Alabamians over the age of 50 are serving a life sentence. When you look at people in Alabama prisons who are younger than 50, only 12% of those folks are serving a life sentence.”
Looking Forward
Over the next two years with Alabama Appleseed, McLeroy will work as an attorney directly representing her clients in state habeas proceedings. She will advocate for the rights of older, incarcerated Black Alabamians whose life with or without parole sentences are based on laws that have since been reformed or abolished entirely. Without diligent advocacy funded through the fellowship, these clients and their claims would likely have been overlooked.
Her project will focus on four main steps: research, representation, reentry and reform. She will analyze data and work to find representation for eligible clients seeking release, assist in developing policies for reform and help facilitate connections between formerly incarcerated people and reentry services.
“For some incarcerated individuals, this will be their first opportunity to speak with a lawyer since the direct appeal of their conviction,” said McLeroy.
During her fellowship, McLeroy aims to help address these challenges by working with Appleseed and other Alabama organizations to provide formerly incarcerated individuals with resources and support to help them successfully re-enter into society. Aside from advocating for individuals, McLeroy’s fellowship will support similar Second Look legislation initiatives—where a prison sentence is reevaluated after a certain period of time has been served.
At the conclusion of her fellowship, McLeroy hopes to have helped improve the lives of individuals living in Alabama who may have been once forgotten.
“As someone who grew up in Alabama, I’ve always loved this State and the people who live here. During my time in law school, I looked for something that allowed me to help make this State better for all Alabamians— working to end policies that overburden particularly marginalized communities—and so this project originated from that desire to play a role in improving the things I saw around me in this place that I love,” said McLeroy.
She continued, “I’m incredibly grateful for the Alabama Law community—I would not have gotten the fellowship without the help of so many of the folks here. I am especially appreciative of Glory McLaughlin, Anil Mujumdar, and Courtney Cross, who each put in many hours of their own time meeting with me about the project, strategizing with me as I prepared my application, preparing me for my interview, and offering sage guidance and support whenever I needed it.”
To learn more about McLeroy’s fellowship, please go to: https://www.equaljusticeworks.org/fellows/meghan-mcleroy/.
To find out more about Alabama Appleseed’s mission to help incarcerated individuals, please go to: https://alabamaappleseed.org/mass-incarceration/.
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Written by: Callie Jackson
3 hours prior to kickoff
Tent 76B to the left of Gorgas Library
Kindly rsvp to 205.348.6775 or crice@law.ua.edu
