We are excited to have a number of new faculty joining our ranks, both full-time and as adjuncts. Below is some brief background information on some of the new faces you will be seeing around the law school.
Daiquiri Steele
JD – University of Georgia School of Law
PhD- Hampton University
MPAA- Northwestern University
BA – Spelman College
We are pleased to announce that Daiquiri Steele, who previously taught at our Law School as the Director for Student Diversity & Inclusion and Assistant Professor in Residence, will be returning as an Assistant Professor. Professor Steele was previously the Forrester Fellow at Tulane University. She will be teaching Employment Discrimination and Labor Law in Spring 2022.
Jonathon Kolodziej is a partner at Bradley. He will be teaching Real Property Security in Spring 2022.
Judge Ana Manasco serves as a District Court Judge in the Northern District of Alabama. She will be teaching Judicial Opinion Drafting this fall.
We will be offering a number of new courses this year. Please note that this list includes some courses that have been offered in previous years but were not offered in the 2020-2021 academic year, as well as some courses that are being offered for the first time.
Comparative Privacy Law Seminar (LAW 731): Professor Krotoszynski (2 credits)
This course will consider the constitutional protection afforded the right of privacy in the United States and in the domestic constitutional jurisprudence of three other democratic countries: Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. In addition, we will study the right of privacy in the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, a transnational juridical entity that hears claims arising under the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (commonly called the “European Convention on Human Rights”), and also consider the emerging privacy jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which follows the decisions of the European Court and enforces the European Charter of Rights (commonly called “the European Charter”)
Criminal Justice Reform Seminar (LAW 631): Professor Vance (2 credits)
This course explores criminal justice systems in the United States, both federal and state, and whether they are in need of reform. We will discuss the use of data-driven means of assessing the performance of the system as well as what the goals of a criminal justice system should be. We will consider current efforts to reform the system, who the participants in those efforts are, and whether change must be driven legislatively or in other ways. We will touch on key issues that have elevated the call for change, including George Floyd’s death and the trial of the police officer who killed him.
Employee Benefits (LAW 732): Professor Das Acevedo (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to the fields of employee benefits and executive compensation law. It addresses the federal income tax treatment of Deferred Compensation, Qualified Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit Retirement Plan Funding, Individual Retirement Accounts, Simplified Employee Pensions, American Retirement Plan Policy, Welfare Benefit Plans, The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), Labor Law, Employment Law and Employee Benefits , Governmental and Nonprofit Plans, Deferred and Incentive Compensation, Employment Agreements and Policy, and Employee Benefits in Mergers and Acquisitions.
Employment Law (LAW 731): Professor Das Acevedo (3 credits)
This course provides an introduction to federal, state and common law rules that govern employment other than anti-discrimination rules. Topics covered may include employment contracts, the at-will doctrine, employee privacy, worker safety rules, wage and hour regulations, worker’s compensation, arbitration of disputes and collective bargaining.
Equal Protection Seminar (LAW 731): Professor Fair (2 credits)
This course provides the student an advanced understanding of the method of judicial interpretation known as textualism.
Human Trafficking (LAW 731): Professor Mujumdar (2 credits)
This course is designed for law students who seek to prosecute human trafficking cases, represent survivors of human trafficking through pro bono practice, public interest lawyering, or plaintiff’s litigation, or expand their knowledge of human rights law. During the semester we will study domestic and international law related to labor trafficking and sex trafficking. We also will examine federal and state statutes that protect people who have survived human trafficking in both civil and criminal contexts. The class will also explore the body of case law that is rapidly developing nationally. Finally, we will work to understand how to best provide representation to clients that is trauma informed.
Judicial Opinion Drafting (LAW 715): Judge Manasco (2 credits)
This course is designed to introduce students to the duties and responsibilities of judicial clerkships. This course involves writing bench memoranda and draft opinions at both the trial and appellate levels.
Jurisprudence (LAW 717): Professor Brewbaker (3 credits)
This course addresses foundational questions about the sources, content, and structure of law; the relationships between law and morality; and the ultimate values of legal systems, including justice and equality. Readings vary from year to year, but typically include cases as well as selections from prominent political and moral philosophers.
Remedies, Equitable & Extraordinary (LAW 701): Professor Davis (2 credits)
Equitable remedies, such as injunctive relief and other basic principles of equity, are surveyed. This course demonstrates how the law of equity may be applied to other areas of substantive law, such as torts, contracts, and property.
School to Prison Pipeline Seminar (LAW 731): Professor Porter (2 credits)
The School-to-Prison Pipeline Seminar course is designed to give students an opportunity to explore the intersection of the K-12 educational system and juvenile justice, and how these systems serve (or fail to serve) at-risk youth. The course will examine the role that judges, policymakers, academics, and the media have played in the criminalization of school misconduct, and its many consequences. Students will have an opportunity to research, write, and present topics related to education law, civil rights, and juvenile justice.
Alabama Legal History Seminar (LAW 731): Professor Pruitt (2 credits)
This seminar covers the various periods of Alabama history, examining key concepts and documents along the way. The course will proceed primarily by discussion of assigned readings and secondarily by lectures. These, plus the research projects chosen by individual students will provide context to the rich (if often tragic) legal history of Alabama and the South.
Employment Law Drafting (LAW 740): Professor Gamble (2 credits)
This course will focus on many of the documents that employment lawyers draft, including non-litigation or pre-litigation policies and agreements, responses to enforcement agencies, and litigation documents such as pleadings, motions, and discovery. It will also require collaboration, skills used in practice, and professional conduct in all dealings with co-counsel, opposing counsel, clients, and the court.
Law, Economics & Society (LAW 731): Professor Arbel (2 credits)
This course will bring external and internal speakers to present works in progress on research involving law & economics or socio-legal methodology. Each week, a different speaker will come and present their latest work. Attending students will be given an opportunity to engage with the speakers, learn about the latest work, and present their ideas. Participants will submit reflection papers on the paper being presented. Students who wish to take the course as a two-credit graded seminar may do so by submitting a research paper on a topic of their choosing.
NOTE: This course may be taken as either a graded seminar or as a pass/ D/ Fail non-seminar course. Additional information will be provided prior to registration for the spring semester.
Litigating Criminal Procedure (LAW 731): Professor Russell Gold (2 credits)
Students will spend the semester working on a constitutional criminal procedure simulation. The primary focus of the course will be brief writing, but students will also build the factual record to support their brief. Students can expect to receive substantial feedback on their work, both from the professor and from their peers.
Space Law (LAW 731): Professor Brazeal (2 credits)
Space Law is comprised of two primary areas: (1) international law (treaties); and (2) U.S. Federal law (legislation and regulations – – mostly by the FAA). The international aspect governs how countries have agreed to utilize space – – from scientific exploration to commercial uses such as satellites. The international law developed rapidly after the launch of Sputnik in 1957, and the federal law has developed to allow commercial companies to enter space. We’ll look at the history of space law, its current state, and attempt to forecast how it may change in the future. As societies and technologies change, so do the laws designed to govern them. Will Elon Musk someday own land on Mars?
Trademarks & Unfair Competition (LAW 752): Professor Durham (3 credits)
A survey of the law of trademarks, trade secrets, the right of publicity, and unfair competition. This course, Patents (LAW 835), and Copyrights (LAW 722) together provide an overview of intellectual property.
U.S. Races & the Justice system (LAW 731): Professors Delgado & Stefancic (3 credits)
This 3-unit course (not a seminar) addresses the racial and legal history of the major racial groups in the U.S., including African Americans, American Indians, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Whites. As well, the course includes competing definitions and understandings of race and racism; the legal system’s contribution to the construction of race; race, sexuality, and the family; race and popular culture; crime; racist and antiracist speech and expression; and responses to racism, including resistance, coalitions, and healing.
The following is a list of courses that were offered in 2020-2021 but will not be offered in 2021-2022. Some of these courses may be offered in 2022-2023.
Advanced Contracts
Advanced Family Law
Choice of Law
Conflicts of Law
Conservative Legal Thought
Copyright Law
Construction Law
Critical Perspectives on Race & Civil Rights
Estate & Gift Tax
Insurance Law
International Environmental Law
Juvenile Justice
Patent Prosecution
Products Liability
Rethinking Criminal Law
Water Law
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Please note that the following courses have new course numbers and, in some cases, slightly different course titles. The substance of these courses remains unchanged.
Tax Policy Seminar (LAW 720) has been renamed Tax & Innovation Policy (LAW 731). NOTE: that this course may be taken either as a seminar or as a non-seminar. Please contact the Registrar’s Office for more information.
Workplace Law (LAW 631) has been renamed Employment Law (LAW 731).
Administrative Law (LAW 683) will be taught in the Spring semester only by Professor Krotoszynski.
Evidence (LAW 642) will be taught in the Fall semester by Professor Emens and in the Spring semester by Professor Carodine.
Federal Jurisdiction (LAW 670) will be taught in the Fall semester by Judge Coogler and in the Spring semester by Professor Grove.
First Amendment Survey (LAW 731) will be taught in the Fall semester only by Professor Fair.
Healthcare Law (LAW 696) will be taught in the Spring semester only by Professor McMichael.
Legal Profession (LAW 660) will be taught in the Fall semester by Professor Horwitz and in the Spring semester by Professor Donovan.
Civil Rights Actions: Enforcing the Constitution (LAW 606) with Professor Render will be offered in the Fall semester only.
Health Care Liability (LAW 815) with Professor Horton will be offered in the Fall semester only.
Immigration Law (LAW 655) with Professor Ray will be offered in the Spring semester only.
Law & Popular Culture (LAW 680) with Professor Carodine will be offered in the Fall semester only.
Perspectives on Citizenship Seminar (LAW 731) with Professor Ray will be offered in the Spring semester only.
Public International Law (LAW 710) with Professor Joyner will be offered in the Spring semester only.
Law & Economics (LAW 723) with Professor Dillbary will be taught as a seminar.
Tax & Innovation Policy (LAW 731) with Professor Eyal-Cohen may be taken either as a seminar or as a non-seminar. Please contact the Registrar’s Office for more information.
New Faculty
Clark Hammond will be joining our adjunct faculty. Professor Hammond is a member of the law firm Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, LLC. Professor Hammond will be teaching Mediation (LAW 779), replacing Professor William Ratliff.
New Courses
We are pleased to announce the following additions to our spring schedule. Please note that all three of these new courses are 2-credit seminars.
Special Topics in Family Law (Law 731): Professor Penny Davis
This class will focus on advanced family law topics with practical application and will be taught primarily in person, although, if necessary, some sessions may be conducted remotely. The course will cover cradle-to-grave issues that a family law attorney will typically face in his or her practice. For example, we will walk through developing an open contract in an adoption, the development of custody plans for shared custody and financial plans for special needs children before we will tackle elder law issues. Some of the topics will emphasis case law while others, such as guardianship and conservatorship, will provide a step-by-step approach for developing forms for use in probate court.
The course will be taught in a manner that includes professor-led instruction and discussion combined with the student-led seminar presentation format. On the days that students will be presenting their papers, we will also cover a mini topic on a variety of common family problems, such as what to do when the Big Bad Wolf will not let Little Red Riding Hood Visit Grandma.
This seminar class will be limited to 12 students who have completed their first year of law school. Although not required, it is preferable that a student will have already taken a basic family law course or a basic children’s law course. In addition to reading assignment for each class, each student will be required to draft a seminar paper of 20-25 pages and make a 30-minute presentation of that paper in class.
Conservative Legal Thought (LAW 731): Professor Paul Horwitz
This class will examine the varieties of conservative legal thought: its virtues and vices, its most interesting ideas and the best critiques of those ideas, the similarities and differences between legal conservatism and political conservatism, its applications, and its possible futures. The goal of the course is to explore some of the different approaches that fall under the general heading of conservative legal thought, not to either champion or vanquish them; all views will be given a respectful hearing. Any student with an interest in constitutional or administrative law, legal and constitutional theory, and broader contemporary legal and political debates should find something of interest. Students will read exemplary scholarship and consider each topic through illustrative cases. Topics will include originalism, natural law, economic vs. social legal conservatism, “restraint” vs. “activism,” tradition, and the convergence of “left” and “right” critiques of liberalism.
Rethinking Criminal Law (LAW 731): Professor Carroll
The crises of 2020 have amplified calls for reformation and/or abolition of criminal systems across the nation. Formerly academic or “localized” movements have grown in size and breadth, garnering not only majority support, but addressing broader issues – including the argument that much of what is “wrong” with criminal systems is that these systems often seek to address either acts or harms that are not or should not be criminal or they fail to contemplate solutions that address underlying issues within marginalized communities and people. Even as the call for change has garnered wide spread support, the precise details of that change remain a contested proposition. This seminar asks students to reconsider criminal law and imagine what changes, if any, are necessary to promote the underlying goals of criminal systems (assuming that these goals remain desirable) while protecting those to whom criminal law is applied. We will consider a variety of “texts” from academic works to grassroot campaigns’ literature to first-hand accounts from stakeholders – including law enforcement, prosecutors, defense counsel, incarcerated people, and members of various communities. We will also consider texts outside of criminal law as we attempt to reconstruct criminal law and procedure. There is no textbook for this class, nor are there any pre-requisites, though a basic understanding of criminal procedure is helpful. In addition to written text, we will also hear directly from various stakeholders in the form of in class virtual speakers, spoken word presentations and visual or graphic presentations. Finally, this class will inevitably engage in difficult discussions that may be challenging both intellectually and emotionally for students. This will include but not be limited to conversations about jail and prison conditions, the effect of COVID-19 on incarcerated populations and systematic violence against marginalized populations – including those defined by race, gender identity, sexual orientation, poverty, and disability. If you have specific concerns about this, please feel free to contact me prior to registration.
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In addition to these new courses, the following courses that were previously not included in our list of Anticipated Spring Courses have been added to our spring schedule:
Advanced Contracts Seminar (LAW 818) (2 credits): Professor Arbel
Complex Litigation (LAW 668) (3 credits): Professor Steinman
Conflict of Laws (LAW 667) (3 credits): Professor Andrews (Note: Students who took Choice of Law (LAW 731) in Fall 2020 will not be able to register for this course due to overlapping subject matter)
Employment Discrimination (LAW 721) (3 credits): Professor Leonard
Courses that will not be offered in the 2020-2021 Academic Year
We are unfortunately unable to offer all classes every year. This year, we have had to remove the following courses, which had previously been announced, from the Spring 2020 schedule:
Comparative Australian & American Law (LAW 773)
Political & Legislative Writing (LAW 638)
Note on Order of the Coif
Eligibility for Order of the Coif is generally limited to students who have taken no more than 22 credit hours on a pass/D/fail basis. However, graded courses that were converted to pass/D/fail for Spring 2020 due to the pandemic will not be counted toward this limit. Courses normally graded on a pass/ D/ fail basis (e.g., externships, Pretrial Advocacy and Trial Advocacy courses and teams, Moot Court, Jury Selection, Spanish for Lawyers) will count toward the Coif limit regardless of the semester in which they were taken.
We are excited to have a number of new faculty joining our ranks, both full-time and as adjuncts. Below is some brief information on some of the new faces you will be seeing around the Law School.
Russell Gold
JD- George Washington University
BA- Arizona State University
Russell Gold will be joining us as an Assistant Professor of Law. He was previously an Associate Professor of Legal Analysis, Writing & Research at Wake Forest Law. Professor Gold will be teaching Criminal Law this fall and Criminal Procedure: Pre-Trial this spring.
Tara Leigh Grove
JD – Harvard University
BA – Duke University
Tara Leigh Grove will be joining us as the John E. Tweedy Chairholder in Law. She was previously the Mills E. Godwin, Jr., Professor of Law and Cabell Research Professor at William & Mary Law School. Professor Grove will be teaching Federal Jurisdiction this fall and Constitutional Law this spring.
Josh Porter
JD- University of Georgia
BA- Morehouse College
Josh Porter will be joining us as Director of Diversity and Inclusion and Assistant Professor of Law in Residence. He was previously an attorney at the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. Professor Porter will be teaching Education Law this spring.
Robert McCurley previously served as Director of the Alabama Law Institute. He will be teaching Law Office Practice this fall.
Stephen Pudner is a partner at Baker Donelson. He will be teaching Construction Law this fall.
Marbury Rainer is a partner at Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs. He will be teaching Corporate Finance this fall.
Maurice Shevin is a partner at Sirote. He will be teaching Consumer Protection this fall.
We will be offering a number of new courses this year. Please note that this list includes some courses that have been offered in previous years but were not offered in the 2019-2020 academic year, as well as some courses that are being offered for the first time. Additional information on these courses may be found on the Law School website.
Construction Law (LAW 691): Professor Pudner
2 credits
Consumer Protection (LAW 628): Professor Shevin
2 credits
Corporate Finance (LAW 765): Professor Rainer
2 credits
Higher Education & the Law (Seminar) (LAW 711): Professor Murphy
2 credits
Juvenile Justice (LAW 791): Professor Carroll
3 credits
Law Office Practice (LAW 688): Professor McCurley
2 credits
Perspectives on Citizenship (Seminar) (LAW 731): Professor Ray
2 credits
Weapons of Mass Destruction (LAW 773): Professor Joyner
2 credits
Comparative Australian & American Law: Comparative Civil Procedure (LAW 773): Professor Steinman
3 credits
NOTE: Rising 3L’s (’21) are welcome to take the course. Rising 2L’s (’22) should not register for the course if they plan to participate in the Australia Study Abroad Program in Summer 2021.
Copyright Law (LAW 722): Professor Durham
3 credits
Critical Race Feminism (Seminar) (LAW 731): Professor Carodine
2 credits
Education Law (LAW 725): Professor Josh Porter
2 credits
Latinos & the Law (LAW 698): Professors Delgado and Stefancic
3 credits
Patent Prosecution (LAW 731): Professor Peterson
2 credits
Regulation of Alcoholic Beverages (LAW 731): Professor Acevedo
3 credits
The following is a list of courses that were offered in 2019-2020 but will not be offered in 2020-2021
Adoption Law (LAW 838)
Advanced Civil Procedure (LAW 653)
Advanced Contracts Seminar (LAW 818)
Children’s Rights (LAW 635)
Comparative Australian & American Law: Comparative Approaches to Public Interest Law (LAW 773)
Complex Litigation (LAW 668)
Criminal Evidence Seminar (LAW 731)
Critical Perspectives on Race and Civil Rights (LAW 731)
Entrepreneurship
Environmental Law II (LAW 771)
Family Law I (LAW 674)
Federal Government Contracts (LAW 741)
First Amendment Survey (LAW 731)
Gender & the Law Seminar (LAW 633)
Gun Law Seminar (LAW 731)
International Human Rights Law (LAW 819)
Judicial Opinion Drafting (LAW 715)
Law & Religion (LAW 719)
Law, Economics & Society (LAW 731)
Legal Anthropology (LAW 754)
Legislative Drafting (LAW 744)
Major Race Trials (LAW 731)
Reproductive Rights Seminar (LAW 804)
Space Law (LAW 731)
Spanish for Lawyers (LAW 822)
Tax Policy Seminar (LAW 720)
Trademarks & Unfair Competition (LAW 752)
White Collar Seminar (LAW 706)
Administrative Law (LAW 683) will be taught in the Spring semester by Professor Andreen.
Criminal Procedure: Pre-trial (LAW 735) will be taught in the Fall semester by Professor John Acevedo and in the Spring semester by Professor Russell Gold.
Evidence (LAW 642) will be taught in the Fall semester by Professor Carodine and in the Spring semester by Professor Emens.
Federal Jurisdiction (LAW 670) will be taught in the Fall semester by Professor Grove and in the Spring semester by Judge Coogler.
Legal Profession (LAW 660) will be taught in the Fall Semester by Professor Horwitz and in the Spring Semester by Professor Donovan.
Products Liability (LAW 692) will be taught in the Spring Semester by Professor McMichael.
Secured Transactions (LAW 662) will be taught in the Fall Semester by Professor Hill and in the Spring Semester by Professor Lee.
Christian Legal Thought (Seminar) (LAW 800) will be taught in the Fall semester by Professor Brewbaker.
Civil Rights Actions: Enforcing the Constitution (LAW 731) (previously called Civil Rights Legislation (LAW 726) will be taught in the Spring semester by Professor Render.
Criminal Procedure: Pre-trial (LAW 735) will be taught in the Fall semester by Professor John Acevedo and in the Spring Semester by Professor Russell Gold.
Discovery (LAW 731) will be taught in the Fall semester by Professor Andrews.
Federal Jurisdiction (LAW 670) will be taught in the Fall semester by Professor Grove and in the Spring semester by Judge Coogler.
Immunity Doctrine (Seminar) (LAW 731) will be taught in the Spring semester by Professor Murphy.
Land Use Planning (LAW 694) will be taught in the Spring semester by Professor Elliott.
Lawyers & Social Change Practicum (LAW 843) will be taught in the Fall semester by Professors Delgado and Stefancic.
Products Liability (LAW 692) will be taught in the Spring Semester by Professor McMichael.
Sales Law (LAW 776) will be taught in the Fall semester by Professor Lee.
Civil Rights Legislation (LAW 726) has been renamed Civil Rights Actions: Enforcing the Constitution. The substance of this course, which will still be taught by Professor Render in the Spring semester, remains largely unchanged.
Law & Economics (LAW 723) with Professor Dillbary will not be taught as a seminar.
