Recent Graduates Make Their Mark at the Tennessee Court of Appeals Summer 2017

SUMMER 2017 The Torch NASHVILLE SCHOOL of LAW MAGAZINE FEATURE STORY: RECENT GRADUATES MAKE THEIR MARK AT THE TENNESSEE COURT OF APPEALS SUMMER 2017 WHAT’S INSIDE: MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN 3 Recent Graduates Make Their Mark at the Tennessee Court of Appeals 6 NSL 24th Annual Recognition Dinner 10 Rochford Donates Funds for New Student Scholarships 10 Students Benefit from $60,000 in Scholarships 19 2017 Patron’s Reception 20 School Hosts HELP4TN Seminar on Pro Bono STUDENTS 5 Introducing 2017 Curriculum Changes 5 Class of 2017 Presents Gift to School 12 Student Profile: Alysee Gregory 13 Student Profile: Allee-Sutton Hethcoat 14 2016 Henry Term Graduation 16 2017 Cooper Term Graduation FACULTY 11 Faculty Profile: Jeffrey Mobley 27 Board & Faculty Updates 27 Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton Each of Us Lines the Path to join NSL ALUMNI to Continuous Improvement 8 Alumni Profile: Joanna McCracken 13 Nashville School of Law Offering Practical, Affordable CLE 20 Alum Brings Ugandan Judiciary Change is a constant in today’s fast-paced just as their clients and professional colleagues to Tennessee world. Those who are content to stand still will when they enter the profession. 21 Alumnus Sam Coleman Named Judge will fall behind. Thus, to progress, all of us 21 Alum presented with new diploma must accept change and commit ourselves Our increased success on the February 2017 21 Honorable Jerry Scott (1941-2017) to a path of continuous improvement as we bar exam confirms that we are pointed in 22 NSL Alumni Events move forward. the right direction. The students, faculty, 23 Alumni Profile: Juvenile Judge and staff are committed to overcoming the Michael Meise Students at the Nashville School of Law are challenges that lie ahead. Graduates also will 24 Class Notes not standing still. They know that success have opportunities to lend a hand, either 25 In Memoriam comes only with commitment and hard by helping aspiring lawyers find their path work, and they are steadily moving forward. to a legal education, by agreeing to mentor Our School is also not standing still. Building a law student, or by participating in our PUBLISHER on last year’s progress, we are continuing CLE programs. William C. Koch, Jr. to strengthen the curriculum by increasing our emphasis on professionalism, effective All of us here at the School are excited about legal writing, experiential learning, and what the future holds and look forward to MANAGING EDITOR bar preparation. the journey along with our community of Michele Wojciechowski students, faculty, alumni, and supporters. [email protected] These improvements will be evident throughout the curriculum – from the expanded orientation Sincerely, WRITER for first-year students, to the new rigorous David L. Hudson, Jr. writing requirement for second- and third- [email protected] year students, and to the bar exam workshops for fourth-year students. Each year, we will GENERAL INQUIRIES continually challenge our students to be the 615.256.3684 best they can be. We will have high expectations, William C. Koch, Jr. [email protected] President and Dean 2 RECENT GRADUATES MAKE THEIR MARK AT THE TENNESSEE COURT OF APPEALS our attorneys and graduates of cases. Faye, Harvey, and Bradley all clerk Nashville School of Law are helping for the Honorable Frank G. Clement, Jr. F to craft Tennessee law while paving (1979), who also serves on the School’s Board the way for future students with their work as of Trust. Marlow clerks for the Honorable law clerks for the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Andy D. Bennett. Faye is the veteran of the bunch, having worked for Judge Clement The four alumnae with the plum positions since her second year of law school in 2012. are Amanda Bradley (Henry 2016), Kimberly Faye (Cooper 2015), Emily Harvey (Henry “In 2012, [Judge Clement’s] assistant of many 2016), and Jennifer Marlow (Cooper 2016). years was retiring, and he wanted to fill the position with an NSL student,” Faye said. Judicial appellate clerkships are one of the “While Judge Clement was a student at NSL, most sought-after jobs for students at most he worked in an administrative position for law schools. The job requires keen legal the Supreme Court, and upon his assistant’s research and writing skills, attention to detail, retirement, he wanted to ‘pay it forward,’ knowledge of legal citation, and the ability so to speak, and give another NSL student to accept criticism. Many famous lawyers that opportunity.” On the cover: Emily Harvey, Amanda and judges began their legal careers with a Bradley, Kimberly Faye, and Jennifer Marlow judicial clerkship after graduation. The job can be demanding, but even more all clerk for judges on the Tennessee Court of Appeals in Nashville. rewarding. It requires superior analytical Pictured Above: Jennifer Marlow, who clerks The Tennessee Court of Appeals is the skills, according to Judge Clement. for Judge Andy Bennett (second from left) intermediate appellate court for Tennessee with Emily Harvey (center) and Kimberly created in 1925 that hears appeals in civil “The clerk must have excellent analytical Faye (right), who clerk for Judge Frank Clement (second from right). CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 3 RECENT GRADUATES MAKE THEIR MARK, CONTINUED skills, meaning the ability to distinguish the practice or retirement, you can rest assured courthouse,” Harvey said. “We’ve all had forest from the trees. The clerk must also that you will receive an invite to the Supreme an unconventional law school experience, have a thorough knowledge of the law and Court Building’s annual chili cook-off and and we’ve learned the law from a lot of the excellent research and writing skills,” he said. the annual holiday luncheon.” same instructors.” “These skills and knowledge are essential because a clerk must immerse themself in Although not clerking nearly as long, Marlow Marlow shares similar sentiments. the record: the transcript of the evidence, is having a similar experience learning under the pleadings, motions, orders, and final the mentorship of Judge Bennett. “It’s nice having other NSL graduates as judgment. Finally, the clerk must identify clerks in the courthouse because it feels like and apply the applicable standards of review “Working for Judge Bennett has been a great a small NSL community,” she said. “If I have to the facts and law that is relevant to the experience,” Marlow said. “He is approachable a question about how something is done, I issue to help me produce an opinion that is and very knowledgeable about the law. I’ve can always ask one of them and they will respectful of the parties and which comports already learned a lot in the short time I’ve point me in the right direction. It’s nice to with the facts of the case.” worked for him.” know that all I have to do is walk next door and I will find an NSL graduate.” Faye was Clement’s first hire of an NSL student. Her superior qualifications landed For her part, Faye enjoys serving as a mentor her the job. Then, he hired Emily Harvey, of sorts to the less-experienced NSL law who finished first in her class at NSL, in clerks. “I am very proud and appreciative December 2016. “IT’S NICE HAVING of my alma mater, and it is an absolute joy to introduce fellow NSL graduates as my “I could not be more pleased with their work,” OTHER NSL co-clerks,” Faye said. “The fact that NSL Clement said. GRADUATES AS students are procuring coveted appellate law clerk positions confirms the quality of Bradley started work in Judge Clement’s CLERKS IN THE the education a student can receive at NSL.” office on May 15. COURTHOUSE The high-achieving grads also have some “I am excited to join Judge Clement’s staff BECAUSE IT FEELS advice for current students who wish to one and look forward to the opportunity to work day clerk on an appellate court. and learn alongside him,” she said. LIKE A SMALL NSL “Although there are many ways a student can Judge Bennett offers similar praise for the COMMUNITY.” make themselves a better candidate for a first clerk he has hired from NSL. clerkship opportunity, my best advice would be to practice – as often as you can – your “Jennifer Marlow has worked for me for four — Jennifer Marlow (2016), research, writing, and analytical skills,” Faye months and done an exceptional job. She clerk for Court of Appeals said. Also, always welcome constructive approaches her work in a very professional Judge Andy Bennett criticism, because it will improve your writing manner. In addition to her research and skills and foster a more collaborative writing writing duties, which she has performed experience with your judge and co-clerks.” well, Jennifer also handles many of the administrative functions that keep my office “I would encourage other NSL students to running.” consider clerking opportunities,” Harvey The NSL grads also enjoy having each other said. “It is an excellent way to learn the nearby for advice and feedback. The clerks uniformly praise the experience as law and how to apply it. I never would have not only challenging, but also life changing. “I really like working with other law clerks,” thought as a 1L, reading those opinions and Harvey said. “Law clerks value the quality of struggling to understand them, that I’d be a “I have most enjoyed the mentors and part of the process of writing them one day.” friendships that I have developed during the work they produce over self-glorification. In other words, clerking is a true behind- my clerkship,” Faye said. “Having clerked “I would definitely encourage other NSL the-scenes job with very little ego-driven at the Court of Appeals for almost five years, students to pursue clerking opportunities,” drama.

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