Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Jackson, MS Permit #967 A CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

Mississippi College School of Law Mississippi College School of Law / summer 2009 151 East Griffith Street amıcus Jackson, Ms 39201

The Home of the Brave MCSOL Salutes Our Students and Alumni in the Military

Mark Your Calendar

First Friday Alumni and is now First Reunion Weekend Wednesday April 30 – May 1, 2010 Join us for lunch with Location TBA Dean Jim Rosenblatt 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Area Alumni in the MCSOL Gatherings Student Center To find out when Dean Rosenblatt will be in your area, August 5 visit http://law.mc.edu/alumni/ September 2 upcoming_events.htm October 7 To RSVP or for November 4 more information December 2 about these events, contact: Family Day Whitney Whittington, February 19, 2010 Director of Annual Giving and MCSOL Alumni Relations at 601.925.7175 Campus or [email protected] The Heritage Society

The MCSOL Heritage Society honors those who make planned gifts to the law school, including provisions for MCSOL in wills, life insurance policies, and other types of gifts that become effective at the end of a donor’s lifetime. • Mark Sledge ’80, a partner in the Jackson- based firm of Grenfell, Sledge and Stevens, is one of the Heritage Society’s newest members. • On the Cover: Sledge made a gift of $100,000 to MCSOL through life insurance. “By using the money that MCSOL honors the men I was gifting to MCSOL on an annual basis and purchasing a life insurance policy benefitting and women who serve the law school, I was able to substantially increase the overall value of my gift,” Sledge in the courtroom and explains. “I’m happy to make a planned gift today that will benefit the law school tomorrow. on the battlefield. • “I would recommend that every alumnus who has not visited the law school in several years make a visit to see the great transformation that has occurred there,” Sledge continues. credits “A short visit will make them proud of their school and want to become actively involved.” MCSOL Heritage Society Members: D. Carl Black, Jr. ’63 • Thorne G. Butler • Lee Cline ’79 Mississippi College Herman Hines • The Honorable Rex Gabbert ’85 • Robert L. Lyle ’88 • David McCarty ’04 • J. Michael School of Law Maloney ’80 • Dean Jim Rosenblatt • Mark Sledge ’80 • Professor J. Allen Smith (deceased) • Lowell Stephens ’56 Amicus Mississippi College School of Law offers its students a broad based legal education in Summer 2009 a supportive, collegial environment. Theoretical teaching is complemented by experiential Dean learning and skills training. Our new downtown campus in the state capital allows our students Jim Rosenblatt to interact with attorneys and judges. Applicants are automatically considered for generous Editor/Director The Charitable Gift Annuity academic merit scholarships and your tuition is guaranteed not to increase during law school. of Public Relations A Gift to MCSOL that Returns the Favor to You Come for a visit, attend a class, meet our students, and see the opportunities awaiting you. Call Dana Terry our admissions office at 601.925.7152, email [email protected], or visit www.law.mc.edu. Director of You’ve heard the old adage that it’s steady stream of income. With a gift of Perhaps best of all, John is celebrated Annual Giving and better to give than to receive. But with a $10,000 to Mississippi College School as a major donor to MCSOL. Alumni Relations charitable gift annuity, you do yourself of Law, John sets up an annuity that pays Whitney Whittington * This figure is calculated using quarterly a favor when you contribute to Missis- him $630 annually in quarterly install- payments and a 2.4 percent charitable mid- www.law.mc.edu Director of Alumni sippi College School of Law. ments (6.3 percent of his $10,000 gift). Accredited by the American Bar Association and a member of the Association term federal rate, a figure used by the IRS in and Development A charitable gift annuity provides As a result of his generosity, John of American Law Schools and the International Association of Law Schools determining the future value of a gift. Thorne Butler annuity payments to you for your entire will also be able to claim a charitable life in exchange for a gift to MCSOL. deduction of $4,170 on his income tax Contributing Editor After your lifetime, the balance is avail- return in the year he makes the gift.* At One Life Two Life Marlo Kirkpatrick able to help support the law school. We John’s 28 percent annual income tax rate, your rate of your rate of Designer use the annuity rates recommended by this saves him $1,168, making his out- age return ages return Alecia Porch the American Council on Gift Annui- of-pocket cost for the gift only $8,832. 50 4.4% 50/55 3.9% ties. These rates are the same for men Taking into account his tax savings, with Photography and women and are slightly lower for each annual annuity payment of $630, 55 4.8% 55/60 4.4% Robby Followell 60 5.0% 60/65 4.8% Greg Jenson two annuitants of the same age. he is actually receiving 7.1 percent of his Jay Thomas Here’s an example of how a charita- out-of-pocket cost. 65 5.3% 65/70 5.0% Hubert Worley ble gift annuity works. John, age 75, has Assuming John lives to his life expec- 70 5.7% 70/75 5.3% long wanted to make a significant gift to tancy of age 87, nearly three-fourths of 75 6.3% 75/80 5.8% Copy Editor Mississippi College School of Law, but the annuity installments he receives will Sissy Yerger 80 7.1% 80/85 6.5% he doesn’t want to give up the security of be non-taxable. To realize the same 85 8.1% 85 7.5% Contact Amicus receiving income payments from his assets. after-tax amount to spend or reinvest, 151 East Griffith Street With a charitable gift annuity, John can an all-taxable return would have to be 90+ 9.5% 90/95+ 9.0% Jackson, MS 39201 make a charitable gift and still receive a 9.2 percent on net cost for these years. 601.925.7148 [email protected] amıcustable of contents Features Departments

16 Following the Opening Statement 2 by Dean Jim Rosenblatt paper Trail Dean Phillip McIntosh Briefs focuses on the people behind the paperwork. He’ll See You in Court 4 mcsol Welcomes Dana Terry 4 blessed is the MCSOL Campus 5 behind Every Great Judge, There’s a Great Clerk 5 putting Ethics on the Stand 6 18 Scholar, Teacher, a Busy Semester for BLSA 7 professor for the Public Good 7 of the Year something Fishy at LSBA 7 Mark Modak-Truran making a Moot Point in Mississippi 8 order of Barristers 8 2008-09 MCSOL Moot Court Competitions 8

Graduation 2009 10 Faculty Focus 12 26 The Best Practicing What They Teach 20 legal Good as Gold 22 leaders, A Family Tradition 24 bar None Annual Report (insert) Honoring Those Who Opened Doors 41 And the Award Goes to… 42 Establishing Precedent 44 You Learn Something New Every Day 45 Let the Good Times Roll 46 30 The Home Alumni Gatherings 47 of the Brave Hot off the MLi Press 48 A Salute to MCSOL Class Action 49 Students and Alumni Closing Statement 56 in the Military by Lt. Col. Thomas M. Ray The Heritage Society (inside back cover)

amıcus | 1 opening | statement

Suffice it to say that my ROTC unit “When I was a child, was not a popular student organization on rainy days when on campus during my law school years. It was quite an experience to have cat- we couldn’t play calls and taunts hurled at me as I walked to my ROTC drill. Yet, I was exposed to outside, my mother a resilient cohort of fellow students and would take out a bright and talented military officers with advanced degrees who were remarkably box that contained professional through it all. By the time of my graduation from some of my father’s law school in 1972, the Vietnam conflict memorabilia. I can was drawing to a close. I was given the option of serving on active duty for just Graduates and Friends, still remember six months, followed by a period of Reserve In this issue of Amicus we spotlight service. I chose instead to go on active duty some of our graduates and students who holding his Army Air for four years and the rest is history. have served in the military. We have Corps tech sergeant During my Army career, I had the also included a list of our graduates with good fortune to be associated with great military service who responded to our insignia and his people and engage in work that had a request for information. MCSOL is positive impact on the organization and proud to recognize those who have served lieutenant’s bars.” mission. Assignments and personal travel our country. took my wife, Lauren, and our four This recognition is special to me focused on my plans to farm and be- boys to many countries and communi- because of my 30-plus years in the Army come a politician. ties. It was historic to be in Germany as a judge advocate officer. Like many But life can deal you cards that change when The Wall came down, rewarding of you, I ended up on this career path your plans. I graduated from Vanderbilt to watch Korea emerge on the world that I did not anticipate when I was University in 1969, when the Vietnam economy, and exciting to see Kilauea growing up. conflict was raging. The draft board told erupt in Hawaii. I also saw tragedy, When I was a child, on rainy days me that without some form of military witnessed sadness and disappointment, when we couldn’t play outside, my commitment, my plans to attend law and made too many trips to Arlington mother would take out a box that con- school would have to be placed on hold. National Cemetery. tained some of my father’s memorabilia. For that reason, I choose to enroll in After experiencing life as Army I can still remember holding his Army Army ROTC while attending Cornell “brats” with many moves, different Air Corps tech sergeant insignia and his Law School. I headed off to Fort Benning, schools, and new communities, two of lieutenant’s bars. My father described Georgia, that summer for my initial our sons still chose military service. One his days in Africa during World War II training, then headed north to a school enlisted in the Army and served in and the grueling regime he went through which had just been featured on the cover Uzbekistan following 9/11 and the other at OCS (Officer Candidate School) to of Life magazine when its students had served in Iraq as part of the initial con- receive his commission. All of that taken over the Student Union building flict and is now an Army JAGC officer was just far-off talk for me, as I was as part of an anti-war protest. who was recently promoted to Major.

amıcus | 2 “As I watch our law school increase in prominence and recognition, I recall the development of the Army and its rise in public confidence during the span of my service from 1973 to 2003.”

My time in the military has served the Army and its rise in public confi- and talents to the military services. While me well in life and here at the law school. dence during the span of my service we have featured only a few, they are On a daily basis, I draw on my experi- from 1973 to 2003. emblematic of all who have made per- ences and lessons learned during my I hope to see our law school’s con- sonal and professional sacrifices to serve service. While we don’t wear uniforms tribution to the legal community assist our country. I join you in expressing our at the law school, I do see the same type our profession in attaining the same gratitude to these men and women. of dedication, selfless service, mentoring, degree of public trust and confidence as and commitment to the mission that I recent polls show that our military ser- witnessed in the military. As I watch our vices enjoy. law school increase in prominence and We salute all of our graduates and Jim Rosenblatt, Dean recognition, I recall the development of students who have offered their energy “Let Justice Roll”

amıcus | 3 amıcus | briefs

He’ll See You in Court MCSOL’s Supreme Court Lecture Series features Professor Alan B. Morrison

On March 11, the MCSOL Moot The government trusts its representation standards regarding lawmaking and Court Board presented Alan B. Morrison to the Office of the Soliciter General. congressional authority. as the latest speaker in its acclaimed Often on the other side of these cases are Given Morrison’s impressive resume, Supreme Court Lecture Series. small firm practitioners or legal services he understandably drew a crowd at Morrison spoke on his involvement attorneys with limited resources and Mississippi College School of Law. Those in the Washington, D.C.-based Public little or no Supreme Court experience. in attendance included local attorneys, Citizen Litigation Group, which he co- SCAP’s mission is to lend its experience law professors, and MCSOL students. founded with attorney and activist Ralph to these “underdogs” without “stealing” “Mr. Morrison was an engaging Nader. Morrison and his colleagues their cases. speaker,” said MCSOL second-year stu- engage in a wide range of law reform Morrison’s involvement with the dent Gene Taylor. “His discussion about litigation before federal and state courts Public Citizen Litigation Group has how to attack the delicate issue of the and agencies, including a special project provided him the opportunity to argue recusal of a Supreme Court Justice, in- that assists other lawyers with cases before more than 20 times before the high cluding his interactions with Justice the United States Supreme Court. court. A specific case of note was the Scalia, was intriguing and at times The Alan Morrison Supreme Court landmark INS v. Chadha. In that case, downright hilarious.” Assistance Project (SCAP) was formed to Morrison prevailed on the issue of The Supreme Court Lecture Series address an imbalance in Supreme Court whether the Immigration and Nationality features lawyers who have orally argued practice. Typically, business clients are Act, which allowed a one-House veto of cases before the United States Supreme represented before the Court by experi- executive actions, violated the separa- Court. These distinguished attorneys enced Supreme Court practitioners backed tion of powers doctrine when the Court discuss their techniques for preparing by the resources of large corporations. found the Act to violate constitutional and arguing before the high court.

Above: Professor Alan Morrison with Dean Jim Rosenblatt and members of the MCSOL Moot Court Board

MCSOL Welcomes Dana Terry Mississippi College School of Law welcomes Dana Terry, the law school’s new director of communications and public relations. Terry holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications with a public relations concentration from Dillard University in New Orleans and a master’s degree in communications from Mississippi College. “I’m excited about working with all MCSOL constituents – alumni, students, faculty, staff and the legal com- munity – to communicate the law school’s positive message. It’s been said that MCSOL is one of the South’s best-kept secrets. I’m hoping to share that secret on a national and international level.”

amıcus | 4 amıcus | briefs

The sculpture is the largest of Samuel Gore’s distinguished career, which spans more than a half-century. The 81-year-old artist, a graduate of Mississippi College and former chairman of the MC art department, worked on “Christ” for more than eight months and was on hand to supervise the installation. The humble artist graciously refused to accept praise for his work, saying, “I am accountable as an artist to my Creator for stewardship of life, gift, career, and concept of art.” “Christ: the Fulfillment of the Law” is a companion piece to another Gore sculpture, “Moses the Law Giver,” which was installed on the MCSOL campus in October 2008. The title of the piece comes from Matthew 5:17-19, in which Jesus says, “Do not think that I came to Blessed is the MCSOL Campus abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did MCSOL Unveils “Christ: the Fulfillment of the Law” not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I say unto you, until heaven and “Christ: the Fulfillment of the along East Griffith Street are sure to be earth pass away, not the smallest letter or Law,” the latest work by renowned sculp- moved by the magnificent work. stroke shall pass away from the Law until tor Samuel Gore, was installed on the “It’s a great addition to the campus all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls MCSOL campus in June. The 12-foot, and it’s appropriately placed,” said Andrew one of the least of these commandments, 3,000-pound, bronze sculpture depicts Stubbs ’09, moments after a construction and so teaches others, shall be called least Jesus delivering the Sermon on the crew completed the installation. “It should in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever Mount. Members of the MCSOL com- make a great focal point for anyone who keeps and teaches them, he shall be called munity and visitors passing the campus needs inspiration or reassurance.” great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Behind Every Great Judge, There’s a Great Clerk

The following list of judicial clerks supplements the original listing published in the fall issue of Amicus and is based on input received after that issue went to press. We are pleased to add this listing to the very impressive original listing and are proud of all our graduates who served as judicial clerks.

1971 1988 1996 Pierce, Jeffrey 2004 Webb, Thomas Myers, Joan Spader, Lisa US District Court, Ward, Anna MS Supreme Court MS Supreme Court Circuit Court, FL ED of AR MS Chancery Court Justice Robert Lee Jones Presiding Justice Dan Lee Judge Don Pellecchia Judge James Moody (16th District) & Justice Joseph Zuccaro 2000 Judges Jaye Bradley, Neil Harris Sr., Randy Pierce 1972 1998 Mims, Michelle Barlow Bennett, Charles Gibson, Hugh Dyal , Jonathan MS Court of Appeals US District Court, MS Supreme Court US District Court, Judge Billy Bridges 2008 MD of FL Justices Tom Brady and SD of MS McKay, Holly Judge Harvey Schlesinger Judge Walter Gex Vernon Broom 2001 4th Judicial District (LA) Judges Alvin Sharp & Gilbert, Christopher Mims, Jon 1993 Stephens Winters Barbee, Mills 21st Judicial District (LA) MS Supreme Court Mercier, Douglas MS Supreme Court Judges Bruce Bennett & Justice Oliver Diaz MS Supreme Court Alexander, Jason Justice Stokes Robertson Doug Hughes Justice Dan Lee MS Supreme Court 2003 Justice Mike Randolph 1974 1999 Romano, Creed Lyell , Garland Diaz, Martha Ann 14th Judicial District (LA) MS Supreme Court MS Supreme Court Judges Michael Canaday Justice Neville Patterson Justice Kay Cobb & David Ritchie

amıcus | 5 Putting Ethics on the Stand Law Review hosts “Corporations, Courtrooms, and the Constitution: Shades of Gray in the World of Legal Ethics”

Hundreds of attorneys, judges, and The highlight of the day was the After lunch, attendees broke into law students gathered at the new Jackson keynote luncheon speech delivered three separate sessions. One session fea- Convention Complex last February for tured Professor Hans Sinha, who gave a by Cynthia Cooper. The former a hard-hitting symposium titled “Cor- presentation on the ethical duties of the porations, Courtrooms, and the Consti- vice-president of internal audit prosecutor. Professor Sinha explored the tution: Shades of Gray in the World of at WorldCom, Cooper was the underlying conflict when a prosecutor is Legal Ethics.” “whistleblower” who discovered supposed to be both a zealous advocate Hosted by the MCSOL Law Review, and exposed the largest fraud in and a minister of justice. the symposium featured noted guests American corporate history. The other two breakout sessions and panelists who asked, answered, and focused on issues of judicial ethics. The debated tough questions regarding legal the manner in which an attorney’s per- first panel, moderated by Professor ethics. Given recent judicial bribery scan- sonal convictions merge—or diverge— Donald Campbell, a visiting professor dals and the current perception of the with the rules of ethics. Professors Terri at Mississippi College School of Law, legal community in Mississippi, the stu- Day, Timothy Floyd, Stephen Pepper, involved issues facing the state and local dents of the Law Review determined that and Margaret Tarkington tackled some judiciary. Panelists included Judge Vir- reopening the dialogue on professional of the practical questions of legal ethics, ginia Carlton, Bill Goodman, Justice responsibility was long overdue. including understanding a lawyer’s role Ann Lamar, Justice James Robertson, The symposium featured 23 speakers when the rules of ethics seem to foster and Judge Michael Taylor. from around the nation. The first panel of unjust results. Professor Jeffrey Jackson moderated the day, moderated by Professor Felicia The highlight of the day was the a second panel discussion featuring five Smith, a visiting professor at MCSOL, keynote luncheon speech delivered by federal judges. Judges Linda Anderson, discussed ethical concerns created by the Cynthia Cooper. The former vice-presi- Sharion Aycock, Louis Guirola, Dan Jor- always-amorphous laws and regulations dent of internal audit at WorldCom, dan and Sul Ozerden described the tran- associated with corporate and securities Cooper was the “whistleblower” who sition from attorney to federal judge. The practice. Richard Humes, a panelist who discovered and exposed the largest fraud federal judges fielded questions, giving serves as associate general counsel to the in American corporate history. During students tutorials on the practices that Securities and Exchange Commission, her speech, Cooper touched on the per- most irritate judges and allowing them shed some light on the difficult ethics sonal cost of uncovering her company’s insight into the world of federal practice. inherent in representing an inanimate misdeeds and decried the theory that By the program’s end, hundreds of corporation. Dr. Saby Ghoshray, Scott silence is anything less than complicity. attorneys, judges, and students had come Newton, and Bob Whitwell contribut- Cooper’s presentation encapsulated per- through the doors to be part of the eth- ed valuable insights on the duties of haps the most important theme of the ics discourse. The Law Review will pro- corporate lawyers. day: one person’s ethical failures often duce a journal late next fall focusing on Later in the morning, Professor Jef- trigger duties in another, and consequen- ethics and continuing the effort to keep frey Jackson moderated a lively discus- ces only compound when those persons professional responsibility at the fore- sion among four professors regarding ignore their convictions. front of daily legal affairs.

amıcus | 6 amıcus | briefs

Student Organizations

featured law school students showing at its monthly meetings. Between 35 A Busy off their vocal skills – or lack thereof – and 50 students now participate in the in a karaoke competition. PILG, which promotes public interest law Semester for In February, the chapter celebrated as a volunteer and career opportunity. Black History Month with a number Professor Meta Copeland serves as BLSA of activities, including reading Afri- PILG’s faculty advisor. Copeland pro- The R. Jess Brown Chapter of the Black can American literature to students at vides information about public interest Law Students Association (BLSA) kicked Operation Shoestring, providing break- externships, federal work-study programs, off the academic year with several time- fast for the law faculty and staff, and and volunteer opportunities at the monthly honored BLSA traditions. First-year law co-hosting a unity mixer with the Law PILG lunch meetings. Professor Copeland students received helpful tips on how to Student Bar Association at Hal and Mal’s. also works with Brad Kerwin ’09, director succeed in law school at the annual aca- BLSA also hosted a panel discussion of the PILG Loan Repayment Assistance demic retreat, while Mix and Mingle, the featuring guest speakers Rims Barber, Program, and a committee of students who first year social, gave BLSA participants civil rights activist; Gus McCory, presi- are searching for and promoting student an opportunity to network with mem- dent of the Jackson chapter of the loan forgiveness programs that waive loan bers of the Magnolia Bar Association. NAACP; and Dr. Byron Orey, chair of payments for new graduates in exchange The chapter also sponsored several the political science department at Jack- for a commitment to perform public inter- informative events. On September 25, son State University. est law work. the diversity committee hosted an infor- During the 2008-09 academic year, mal panel, “Minority Report: Bridging PILG sponsored and hosted several infor- Cultural Gaps.” The panel included attor- mative lunch meetings with guest speak- neys Chris Wansley, Jamie Travis, Tracy ers ranging from the renowned Constance Walker, Beau Cole, Kabah McCullough, Slaughter-Harvey, a civil rights attorney and Corina Salazar, who spoke on build- and activist, to a panel of public interest ing awareness of diversity in the legal attorneys who described the broad range profession. On October 27, the chapter of public interest careers available to teamed up with the Public Interest Law students. Attorney Glenn Schwartzfager, Group and the student chapter of the Mississippi director of capital post-con- American Civil Liberties Union to wel- viction counsel, captivated students with come local civil rights attorney Constance his passion for providing representation Slaughter-Harvey to MCSOL. Slaughter- for indigent death row inmates in post- Harvey encouraged law students to explore conviction proceedings. many aspects of the law while also mak- “PILG provides students with a ing the time and using their legal exper- perspective on how they can truly serve tise to help the underserved. those most in need of representation,” BLSA also hosted numerous com- says C. Mark Ratay ’10, PILG president. munity service activities, including visit- “With national growth in the areas of ing residents at Community Place nurs- For the civil rights, women’s rights, consumer ing home, tutoring students at Operation rights, and environmental concerns, the Shoestring, and volunteering with a voter Public Good demand for public interest attorneys is registration drive at the Jackson Medical The Public Interest Law picking up. With the continuing support Mall. The chapter’s fundraising efforts Group Grows of Dean Jim Rosenblatt and the law included a car wash; Legal Cents, a spir- In the two and a half years since its school faculty, the Public Interest Law ited coin-collecting competition between formation, the Public Interest Law Group Group is inspiring students to bring about the classes; and “Law School Idol,” which (PILG) has doubled student attendance justice through selfless service.”

Something Fishy at lsba The Law Student Bar Association (LSBA) hosted its much-anticipated annual catfish fry for students, faculty, and staff on April 2. Derrick Milner, MCSOL building superintendent, fried up some 200 pounds of his famous catfish for the eager catfish lovers gathered at the MCSOL Student Center – many who confessed to coming back for seconds and thirds. But as Dellwyn Smith ’09 pointed out, the annual LSBA event is as much about fellowship as it is about fish. “It’s not that often that the entire student body is together,” Smith says. “The fish fry is a great opportu- nity to break away from studies and just enjoy being with our law school family.”

amıcus | 7 amıcus | briefs

ments the Mississippi Trial Competition Making a Moot Point that the University of Mississippi hosts Order of Barristers In recognition of its exceptional oral in the fall, giving our students exposure in Mississippi advocacy program, MCSOL was award- to both trial and appellate proceedings. MCSOL Out-Argues Ole Miss in ed a chapter of the Order of Barristers Our success in this competition has cer- the Sixth Annual Mississippi Moot in 2008. Chapters are awarded to law tainly helped with recruiting. Applicants Court Championship schools nationally recognized for out- who have an interest in trial or appellate standing moot court programs. Each spring, Mississippi College School litigation have noted the broad-based advo- of Law and the University of Mississippi cacy program we offer and want to be a On April 23, 2009, eight students face off in the Mississippi Moot Court part of our success.” were inducted into the Order of Barristers Championship, a good-natured appellate For the second consecutive year, the during the first annual MCSOL Advocacy rivalry that’s become a premier event in Mississippi Moot Court Championship Awards Dinner. Inductees included Jere- the Mississippi law school community. In was sponsored by Ogletree, Deakins, my Clay, Kelly Hollingsworth, Andrew 2009, MCSOL argued its way to victory Nash, Smoak, & Stewart, P.C., one of Holmes, Mason Montgomery, Ashley in the sixth annual intrastate match-up. the nation’s top labor and employment Nader, Lindsey Oswalt, Kaytie Pickett, Following their excellent final oral law firms. In a nod to the firm’s gener- and Justin Starling. Also inducted as an argument in the chambers of the Mis- ous support, the competition problem honorary member was Jody Owens of But- sissippi Supreme Court, Lindsey Oswalt focused on labor law. ler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & Cannada. and Jeremy Clay were proclaimed the Judges for the competition’s final competition winners and accepted the argument included Tim Lindsay and Bert 2008-09 MCSOL trophy on behalf of MCSOL. Ehrhardt, both partners from Ogletree “The competition was created to Deakins; Judge Melba Dixon of the Mis- Moot Court foster a healthy intrastate rivalry and it sissippi Workers’ Compensation Com- Competitions has certainly succeeded in doing so,” mission; Judge Ed Bryant, U.S. Mag- Several MCSOL moot court teams had Oswalt said. “Teams from both schools istrate Judge for the Western District of their days in court as they participated were well prepared, well spoken, and Tennessee; and Judge Keith Starrett, in competitions at home and nationwide. gracious, which speaks volumes about Senior District Judge for the Southern the caliber of law students in this state. District of Mississippi. The Copeland, Cook, I’m confident that Ole Miss will con- “The devotion of our attorney- Taylor & Bush Appellate tinue to challenge us for the title for coaches and the professors who tirelessly Advocacy Competition years to come and we wouldn’t have it judge our practice rounds contributes The Mississippi College School of Law any other way – although I can’t deny meaningfully to our success,” Oswalt Moot Court Board hosts the annual that having bragging rights for the next said. “A number of prominent judges, Copeland, Cook, Taylor, and Bush Appel- year is icing on the cake.” attorneys, and legal professionals state- late Advocacy Tournament, which gives “I’m grateful to Professor Lowery and wide serve as judges for this competi- second-year MCSOL students seeking our Moot Court Board for organizing tion. MCSOL always benefits when membership on the board a chance to and hosting the Mississippi Moot Court given the opportunity to showcase its make their cases. In the fall of 2008, a Championship,” said MCSOL Dean Jim top-notch training and education to the record 103 students competed in the Rosenblatt. “This competition comple- greater legal community.” 16th annual internal competition.

Above Left: Lindsey Oswalt and Jeremy Clay argued their way to victory in the Mississippi Moot Court Championship Above Right: Order of the Barristers inductees Ashley Nader, Andrew Holmes, Mason Montgomery, Kelly Hollingsworth, Kaytie Pickett, Lindsey Oswalt and Justin Starling. Not pictured: Jeremy Clay, Jody Owens of Butler Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & Cannada

amıcus | 8 amıcus | briefs

Judges for the final round included Best Appellee Brief: Taylor Polk the Mississippi College School of Law Judge Sharion Aycock, U.S. District Court Outstanding Faculty Support; campus in Jackson. MCSOL capitalized for the Northern District of Mississippi; Most Rounds Judged: Professor on the home field advantage, placing first, Justice Bill Waller, Mississippi Supreme J. Gordon Christy third, and fourth in the region. Court; Justice Jess Dickinson, Mississippi Outstanding Faculty Support: Supreme Court; Ray McNamara, of Cope- Professor N. Shelton Hand Jr. Philip C. Jessup International Law land, Cook, Taylor & Bush; and Bill Leech, Outstanding Faculty Support: Moot Court Competition also of Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush. Professor Meta S. Copeland In 2009, MCSOL competed for the first “I’m grateful to Copeland, Cook, time in the Philip C. Jessup Interna- Taylor & Bush for sponsoring an event Peter James Johnson National tional Law Moot Court Competition. that helps us develop essential skills,” Civil Rights Trial Competition The world’s largest moot court compe- said competition winner Lee Hill. “The The Peter James Johnson National Civil tition, Jessup attracts participants from feedback we get from some of the most Rights Trial Competition was held Octo- over 500 law schools in more than 80 respected members of the bench and ber 23-25, 2008 at St. John’s University countries. The competition simulates a bar is invaluable as we prepare to repre- School of Law in New York, New York. fictional dispute between countries before sent our clients in actual court.” Mississippi College School of Law was the International Court of Justice, the one of only 16 schools invited to partici- judicial organ of the United Nations. Copeland, Cook, Taylor pate in this by-invitation-only competi- In February, MCSOL sent its inau- & Bush Award Winners tion, which is the only national civil gural team to Miami to compete in the Overall Winner: Lee Hill rights trial competition in the country. U.S. Southeastern Super Regional of the Finalist: Sarah Beth Wilson Jessup Competition. While the MCSOL Best Oralist: Lee Hill ABA Law Student Division’s team did not advance, it made an impres- Best On-Brief Oralist: Morgan Smith Arbitration Competition sive first showing, competing against two Best Off-Brief Oralist: Ryan Revere The American Bar Association (ABA) Law teams who would ultimately be ranked Best Brief: Sarah Beth Wilson Student Division’s Arbitration Compe- in the top three and narrowly losing to Best Appellant Brief: Matt Jackson tition was held November 7-8, 2008 on the University of Virginia by a 5-4 vote.

MCSOL Also Sent Competition Teams To The American Bar Association Law Student Division’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition, Brooklyn, New York; MCSOL was a regional finalist • American Bar Association Representation in Mediation Competition, New Orleans, Louisiana; MCSOL teams placed fourth and fifth • August A. Rendigs, Jr. National Products Liability Moot Court Competition, Cincinnati, Ohio; two MCSOL teams advanced to the quarterfinals • Chief Judge Conrad B. Duberstein National Bankruptcy Memorial Moot Court Competition, Queens, New York; MCSOL advanced to the octo-finals and an MCSOL student was named the competition’s best oral advocate • National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition, White Plains, New York; MCSOL advanced to the quarterfinals and two MCSOL students won best oralist awards • National Pretrial Advocacy Competition, Gulfport, Florida; MCSOL had the second best brief score • Ruby R. Vale Interschool Corporate Moot Court Competition, Wilmington, Delaware; MCSOL advanced to the semifinals • Texas Young Lawyers Association National Trial Competition, Tallahassee, Florida; MCSOL advanced to the semifinals • American Association for Justice National Student Trial Advocacy Competition, Albuquerque, New Mexico • National Moot Court Regional Competition, New Orleans, Louisiana • 19th Annual American Bar Association National Criminal Justice Trial Advocacy Competition, Chicago, Illinois • Ole Miss vs. Mississippi College Trial Competition, Oxford, Mississippi • 23rd Annual Robert F. Wagner Labor and Employment Law Competition, New York, New York

Above Left: Texas Young Lawyers Association National Trial Competition participants included Jody Owens, Coach, Andrew Stubbs, Mason Montgomery, Justin Starling, Jessica Bates, Morgan Smith, Alan Gressett, Matt Jackson and Andrew Holmes / Above Right: Ruby R. Vale Interschool Corporate Moot Court Competition participants Clay Baldwin and Ryan Revere

amıcus | 9 commencement “Welcome to the laws were also presented to Judge Charles2009 Those milestones included everything Clark, retired Chief Judge of the U.S. from winning academic awards to vol- Legal Profession.” Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, unteering in the Legal Aid Office, los- May 15, 2009 was a day for laughter, and to Judge Clark’s former clerk, Judge ing a loved one to celebrating the birth tears, and celebration as 163 law students Leslie Southwick of the U.S. Court of of a child. The quiz continued until all marked their graduation from Mississippi Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, who deliv- 163 graduates were on their feet and College School of Law. ered a memorable commencement speech. many in the audience were simultane- Friends and family members of the The graduation ceremony included ously laughing and wiping away tears. graduates filled First Baptist Church in a final “test,” during which Dean Jim Congratulations to the Mississippi downtown Jackson, each waiting for the Rosenblatt asked each graduate to stand College School of Law Class of 2009, moment when his or her son, daughter, if he or she had experienced certain life 163 men and women who had much to husband, wife, or friend would accept an changes or reached specific milestones celebrate on May 15, and will have even MCSOL diploma. Honorary doctor of during the three years of law school. more to celebrate in the years to come.

A Menu for Lawyering “I will give you a menu for lawyering. • “The salad is the foundation for what follows. In the life that is ahead for you, that foundation will be ethics, honesty, and civility. Say what you mean and mean what you say. • “Vegetables. Maybe not the most enjoyable part of a meal, but a part that provides special nourishment. [Your vegetable is] education. Not required CLE, but all that you can read and study and in other ways learn about what you are doing. • “What is the main course, the core of good lawyering? I believe the core of good lawyering is to work hard, be diligent, and not take half-measures. • “Think of this as a dessert you cannot skip. Find and participate in a church. Dessert may actually be a bad metaphor for what I mean. Dessert is saved for last, but one’s faith needs to come first. By using the dessert symbol, I want to emphasize that your faith, seeking something larger than yourself, should be the best part, the most flavorful, the most meaningful part of your life. • “Finally, wine. When I say wine, I feel a need to explain myself at this Baptist venue…The wine I am talking about is the aspect of life that magnifies joy and happiness and puts into perspective life’s heartaches and sorrows. That intoxicating completion to the meal I have been describing is your family. And if you still have doubts about my image of wine, then call it sweet tea. • “Welcome to the legal profession. And enjoy the bar exam. It too will pass, and I fully expect, so will you.” — Excerpted from a commencement speech delivered by Judge Leslie Southwick, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Above: Denita and Dellwyn Smith / Judge Leslie Southwick / Dr. Lee G. Royce and Jo Claire Yeter

amıcus | 10 From Law School to Law Practice MCSOL graduates have accepted employment with a number of firms and organizations. The MCSOL Career Services Office was active in supporting the students’ job searches, and many of these positions were obtained through the help of our alumni. If you are aware of employment opportunities for students, recent graduates, or experienced attorneys, please contact Debbie Foley in the MCSOL Career Services Office at [email protected] or 601.925.7106. MCSOL’s 2009 graduates are pursuing careers with law firms, private companies, the government, and other organizations nationwide. A sampling of the jobs taken by our graduates follows.

Will Ballard Brad Ennis Matt McDade Kristy Shelton Burns & Associates Balch & Bingham, LLP Balch & Bingham, LLP Madison County Circuit PLLC Judge James P Smith Erik Haas Jeff McDonald Crystal Bender Matthew Rhea American University Grace Skertich FBI -Washington, DC & Armour, PLLC Tax LLM McGlinchey Stafford, PLLC Matt Biggers Tray Hairston Keely McNulty Copeland Cook US District Court Self-employed Ryan Skertich Judge Henry T. Wingate Forman Perry Watkins Taylor & Bush, PA Mason Montgomery Krutz & Tardy, LLP Jordan Bird Buddy Handey Copeland Cook Taylor Kenny’s Key West FBI, Washington, DC & Bush, PA Chris Smith Florida State Rees Hodges Shirley Moore Jonathon Bissette Attorney Office Wells Marble & Hodges Law Office Mississippi Court Hurst, PLLC of Appeals, Judge Dellwyn Smith Kelly Hollingsworth Larry E. Roberts Hinds County Circuit Court Brian Bledsoe Maxey Wann, PLLC Nick Morisani Judge Windston Kidd Secretary of State Andrew Holmes Adams and Reese, LLP Denita Smith Marc Bryant Washington University Seth Moyers Daniel Coker Horton Brunini Tax LLM Wiener, Weiss & & Bell, PA Laura Howell Bart Cannon Madison, PC Matt Sones Howell & O’Neal Huie Fernambucq Ashley Nader Tom Payne & Associates & Stewart, LLP Nancy-Jane Karam Butler Snow Justin Starling Caddo Parish Avery Carlisle Stacy Nobles Heilman Law Group, PA District Court, Judges Mississippi Court Swartz & Associates of Appeals Waddell and Brun Tim Sterling Lindsey Oswalt Copeland Cook Taylor Woody Ketcham Charlie Carr US Court of Appeals for & Bush, PA Judge Patrick, Jauregui Law Firm the 5th Circuit Judge Christopher Stump Warren County Leslie H. Southwick Jeff Lee US Army Jeremy Clay Boackle Law Firm, Tara Smith Pattie Andy Thomas Bradley Arant Rose PLLC Mississippi Supreme Court US District Court Judge & White, LLP Judge Randy Pierce Sarah Liles David C. Bramlett, III Lauren Cliatt District 5 Chancery Kaytie Pickett Lorin Washington Thomas US Air Force Court Judges Patricia US Court of Appeals for Department of Wise & Denise Owens the 5th Circuit Judge Joey Comley Environmental Quality Jessica Long Rhesa H. Barksdale US Army JAG Carson Thurman Louis H. Watson, Jr., P.A. Jessica Pitts Jeffery P Reynolds, PA Wes Cooper Rushton, Stakely, Clint Martin Thomas Prewitt Johnston & Garrett, PA Brad Touchstone The Allred Law Firm Jeffrey Cronin Matt Quinlivan Bryan Nelson, PA Erik Mayo Self-employed Wilkins Stephens Cherie Rivera Wade US Army JAG Ashley Daniel & Tipton, PA Office of the Mississippi Court Dustin McCown District Attorney, Mary Reeves of Appeals Jeffrey B. Austin, 19th District Attorney at Law District Judge Matt Duckworth Patricia Minoldi Brandi Wade Judges 10th Chancery Memrie McCubbin Fulton County District Trey Rick Court District Butler Snow Attorney’s Office Entertainment Law Taylor Dunlop Juan McCullum Office of Barry Dustin Whetsel Dunlop & McCarter City of Jackson Neil Shrum US Marine Corps

amıcus | 11 faculty | focus

tee and as advisor to the competition Law Society. Professor Bowman is the trial team of the R. Jess Brown Chapter Southeastern Association of Law Schools of the Black Law Student Association. (SEALS) Mentor Committee chairper- son and is also a member of the SEALS International Committee. During the 2009 SEALS annual meeting in August, Professor Bowman will participate in a panel on globalization and American legal education. Professor Bowman is a member of the Association of American Meredith Aden Law Schools (Section on New Law Pro- Professor Aden served as faculty advisor fessors), the American Bar Association’s for the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of International Law, and the Arbitration Competition team. Of the Charles Clark American Inn of Court in 14 teams competing, the MCSOL team Jackson, Mississippi (Barrister). placed fourth and fifth overall in the Gregory Bowman Regional ABA Mediation Competition Professor Bowman serves as the found- in New Orleans, Louisiana. ing director of the law school’s Interna- tional Law Center. As part of the center’s activities, Professor Bowman coordinates the law school’s Korean Summer Legal Studies Program. In June of 2009, Pro- fessor Bowman and other MCSOL law faculty traveled with MCSOL students to Seoul, Korea, to study U.S. and com- parative business law. While in Seoul, students took advantage of a multitude Deborah Challener of exciting cultural opportunities, includ- Professor Challener published an article ing a weekend excursion to Beijing, Chi- titled Remand and Appellate Review Patricia Bennett ’79 na. Professor Bowman is exploring other Issues Facing the Supreme Court in Carls- Last October, the Mississippi Supreme study abroad and foreign exchange pro- bad Technology, Inc. v. HIF Bio, Inc. The Court appointed Professor Bennett as a gram opportunities for the law school. paper was written with John Howell Special Circuit Judge to hear civil cases Professor Bowman is continuing his and can be accessed at http://www.law. related to Hurricane Katrina in Jackson work on a co-authored book entitled northwestern.edu/lawreview/colloquy/ County, Mississippi. Trade Remedies in North America: Laws, 2009/. Professor Challener also published In September, Professor Bennett Economic Analyses and Practice (Klu- Remand and Appellate Review Under the spoke at the Balch and Bingham Labor wer Law International), which provides Supplemental Jurisdiction Statute (also and Employment Law Seminar on the with John Howell), and is working on empirical analyses of the trade remedy topic “Cutting Costs through Media- an article titled Interactive Judicial Fed- laws of Canada, Mexico, and the United tion.” She also spoke at the Mississippi eralism and the Certification of State Law States. He is also working on several law Bankruptcy Annual Conference on “Trial Questions in Diversity cases. She presented review articles. Skills-Effective Use of Experts, Expert the latter article at the Junior Federal Reports, and Documents,” and at the Last fall and spring, Professor Bow- Courts faculty workshop at American 16th Annual Evelyn Gandy Lecture Series man served as the faculty adviser for the University Washington College of Law. on the topic “Empowering Women for law school’s inaugural Phillip C. Jessup Professor Challener assisted in coach- the Profession.” International Moot Court Competition ing the Stetson Pre-Trial Moot Court Professor Bennett serves as chairper- Team. He continues to serve as faculty Competition and the ABA National son of the faculty appointments commit- adviser for the law school’s International Appellate Advocacy Competition team.

amıcus | 12 faculty | focus

of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit; Judge Ethical Evolution of the Federal Judges as Andrew J. Wistrich, United States Mag- a part of the MC Law Review legal sym- istrate Judge for the Central District of posium, “Corporations, Courtrooms, and California; Justice Daniel Rives Kistler, the Constitution: Shades of Gray in the Oregon Supreme Court; and Chancel- World of Legal Ethics.” The panel includ- lor Mike Malski of the First Judicial ed federal district judges Sharion Aycock, District of Mississippi. Sul Ozerden, Louis Guirola, Jr., Daniel P. Jordan III, and federal Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson. Also during the Law Meta Copeland ’98 Review symposium, Professor Jackson The legal extern program continues to moderated the panel discussion The grow under Professor Copeland’s direc- Intersection Between Attorney, Speech, tion. This program provides opportunities Personal Morality, Religion and the Rules for law students to participate in gov- of Ethics. The panel featured Professors ernment and pro bono service and gain Terri R. Day (Barry Law School), Timothy valuable experience working with gov- Floyd (Mercer), Stephen Pepper (Den- ernment agencies and non-profit organ- ver), and Margaret Tarkington (BYU). izations. During the spring ’09 semester, Professor Jackson served as a panelist 67 externs were placed in and around the Lee Hetherington on the topic Flotsam & Jetsam: Legal and Jackson area and 14 students externed in Judicial Administrative Challenges follow- Professor Hetherington completed a north Mississippi, on the Mississippi Gulf ing Natural Disaster, at the Fifth Circuit revised third edition of his book, The Coast, and in Alabama, Arkansas, Geor- Lawyer’s Guide to Negotiation (with Mike Judicial Conference in May 2009. His gia, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas. Frascogna Jr. ’72). ABA Books will pub- fellow panelists included District Judge In addition to leading the extern pro- lish the title in late 2009. Stanwood Duval, Brett Harvey, Esq., gram, Professor Copeland served as fac- and Mark Dodart, Esq. ulty coach for the Stetson Pre-Trial In November 2008, Professor Jack- National Moot Court Competition in son offered testimony before the House Tampa, Florida. Professor Copeland was Select Committee of the Mississippi also recognized by the MCSOL Moot Supreme Court on the inherent powers Court Board for outstanding faculty of courts and on the impact of recent contribution to the fall 2008 Copeland, state Supreme Court opinions on the Cook, Taylor & Bush Appellate Advo- powers of legislative and executive cacy Competition. branches of government. As associate director of the MCSOL Professor Jackson published Missis- Public Service Law Center, Professor sippi Insurance Law and Practice (5th ed. Copeland arranged for Heather Jarvis of Thomson West 2009) and Mississippi Equal Justice Works to present training Jeffrey Jackson on federal loan assistance repayment Civil Procedure (ThomsonWest Group, Owen Cooper Professor of Law options for law students, alumni, and Editor and Lead Author, 13th. ed. 2009). members of the local legal community Professor Jackson moderated a panel Professor Jackson was honored to who work as prosecutors, public defend- discussion titled Workload of the Missis- receive the Outstanding Professor Award, ers, and in pro-bono legal organizations. sippi Supreme Court, which featured law- which is voted on by MCSOL students. The training was held in April. yers representing the plaintiffs’ bar (Alex In January, Professor Copeland served Alston, Lance Stevens, and John Hawkins) as the moderator for a panel discus- and the defense bar (Scott Welch, Luther sion among former law clerks to Judge Munford, and David Clark). Charles Clark. Panelists included Judge He also moderated the panel discus- Leslie Southwick, United States Court sion From Attorney to Appointment: The

amıcus | 13 faculty | focus

the Journal of Law & Public Policy, Uni- tures across the country on the Obama versity of Florida, Levin College of Law, Presidency. She presented Blacker Amer- where she was also an invited speaker ica: Lawfully Creating Tension for Change, last year. also titled Another Chance for Change (a Building on her years of experience reflection on the Obama Presidency and in teaching in controversial subject areas, what it means for America), as an invited Kupenda was invited to make a plenary speaker at Southwest Minnesota State presentation at the 2008 American Asso- University in Marshall, Minnesota, in ciation of Law Schools (AALS) Work- February; as an invited speaker at Min- shop for New Law Teachers held in nesota West Community and Technical Shirley Kennedy ’91 Washington, D.C. Her presentation was College in Worthington, Minnesota, also Professor Kennedy sat on the Commis- entitled Converting Challenging Conver- in February; and as a roundtable par- sion for Domestic Abuse appointed by sations in the Classroom into Learning ticipant at the African American His- the Mississippi Supreme Court. Senate Opportunities. At the AALS workshop, torical Research & Preservation 2009 Bill 2967 came out of that commission and she also led the small group discussion Black History Conference at Seattle Uni- passed the Senate and an amended version “Teaching Specialty Courses.” In addi- versity in March. passed House Judiciary A on March 3. tion, Professor Kupenda, who teaches In addition to these many presenta- Civil Rights, was invited to teach a ses- tions and publications and teaching first sion of the “Turbulent Sixties” course at amendment law and race and the law, Minnesota West Community and Tech- Kupenda published “Loss of Innocence,” nical College in Worthington, Minne- an essay, in the book Law Touched our sota, in February 2008. She led the class Hearts: A Generation Remembers Brown in discussing “The Civil Rights Move- v. Board of Education, M. Robinson and ment and the Law, Then and Now.” R. Bonnie, eds. (Vanderbilt Press 2009); Professor Kupenda also served as a co-authored Reversing White Flight and reader and discussant of the research of Reversing Black Flight, forthcoming in a other academics. In April, she was a dis- symposium issue of the Thurgood Mar- cussant of papers on the panel Law and shall Law Review; several encyclopedia Jurisprudence: The Haves and the Have entries in the Encyclopedia of the Supreme Angela Mae Kupenda ’91 Nots in the Legal System at the Midwest Court of the United States (2008); a book Professor Angela Mae Kupenda was on Political Science Association in Chica- review on using literature to teach poli- sabbatical during the spring semester, go, Illinois, and a discussant on the panel tics based on the book Your Blues Ain’t writing several articles and working on a Institutionalizing Access to Justice at the Like Mine by Bebe Moore Campbell in book. Since her last update in Amicus, 2009 Law and Society Association in Law and Politics Book Review (2008); and Professor Kupenda has represented the Denver, Colorado, in May. another essay, “It’s Simple: How Diver- law school lecturing across the United Kupenda is working on a paper on sity Benefits Whites and How Whites States and in Canada and has had several the black middle class and presented her Can Simply Benefit Diversity,” in 6 Seat- works published. work, The Struggling Class: Replacing the tle Journal of Social Justice 649 (2008). Kupenda presented her forthcom- White Female Middle Class Dream with Professor Kupenda is also of great ing article, The State as Batterer: Learning a Struggling Black Female Reality, as a service in many ways to MCSOL. She from Family Law to Address America’s panelist at the Southeast/Southwest Law mentors many potential students, stu- Family-Like Race Dysfunction, at the 2008 Faculty of Color Scholarship Confer- dents, academics, potential academics, Law and Society Association in Mon- ence at the Phoenix School of Law in and alumni, especially those who are first- treal, Canada, and at the 2008 Northeast March 2009. generation lawyers like herself and those People of Color Legal Scholarship Con- Professor Kupenda plans to teach the from underrepresented groups. In con- ference at the Boston University School required constitutional law course and a junction with this worthwhile service and of Law. This fall, her provocative article constitutional law seminar: Presidential her scholarship interests, she made a was accepted for publication in a forth- Powers and the Historic Obama Presidency presentation, Strategies for Success as Fac- coming special issue on family law of in the fall. She has delivered several lec- ulty Women of Color, at the Association

amıcus | 14 faculty | focus

of Black Women in Higher Education Property Rights and Access to Information 2008 Conference at Princeton Univer- at the Drake Law School Intellectual sity. In addition, she moderated a panel, Property Roundtable in February, and Women are in the House: Interdisciplin- presented a paper on the copyright sys- ary Explorations of Social Justice Move- tem and the idea of authorship at the ments, at the Jackson State University 2008 Midwestern Political Science Associa- Annual Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial tion in April. Lecture Series Workshop in Jackson, Mis- sissippi. Kupenda spoke on “Survival Strategies” at the Magnolia Bar Judicial Symposium for Black Law Student Asso- J. Larry Lee ciations in Mississippi in January, and Professor Lee attended the Tulane Tax was invited to deliver similar remarks at Institute held in New Orleans, Louisiana. the University of Mississippi Black Law Students’ Association banquet in Oxford, Mississippi, in May 2009. Professor Kupenda led and narrated “A Children’s March for the Past and Future, Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.” at Pilgrim Branch Missionary Bap- Matt Steffey tist Church in Brandon, Mississippi, in Professor Steffey followed the trial of January. She also spoke about the prog- ress of underrepresented groups in her Jackson Mayor Frank Melton extensive- presentation, From 1808: A 200+years ly, and was called upon by local media journey from contract chattel to meta- to assist in covering the trial. Professor phorical contract negotiator, at the Uni- Alina Ng Steffey attended the Association of Amer- versity of Toledo College of Law, Ohio Professor Alina Ng’s publication on the ican Law Schools annual meeting in San conference commemorating the 1808 role of authors as creators of literary and Diego, California, and spoke at the pub- federal prohibition on importing slaves. artistic works within society was pub- lic defender’s CLE training at the Old Professor Kupenda based her presentation lished in the Fordham Intellectual Prop- Capitol Inn in Jackson. on an earlier article she published in the erty, Media and Entertainment Law Jour- University of Memphis Law Review. nal. Professor Ng presented a paper titled

adjuncts

Richard A. Courtney Richard A. “Rick” Courtney was elected in 2008 to the board of directors of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). He will serve a four-year term. • Court- ney was selected for the third consecutive year as a Mid South Super Lawyer in the field of elder law. This designation is based on peer recommendation and professional review by Law & Politics, Inc, and is generally limited to the top five percent of attorneys in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The New York-based Theresa Foundation, which funds projects nationwide that provide recre- ation and the arts to young people with special needs, selected Courtney as its 15th Annual Theresa Award honoree. This award is presented to a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attor- neys who has shown particular contribution to the area of special needs planning. The award will be presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting of NAELA in Washington, D.C., and carries a $2,500 gift to a charitable organization of the honoree’s selection. Courtney chose the Mustard Seed, a Christian residential and arts program in Flowood, Missis- sippi, that seeks to meet the spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual needs of adults with developmental disabilities.

amıcus | 15 “I’ve seen the caring way in which Dean McIntosh counsels students and works with our professors, and on a personal note, I’m especially grateful for the role he played in helping me make the transition to the deanship after I arrived. Whenever I go on alumni visits, our graduates always ask about Dean McIntosh. I’m happy to tell them he’s doing well and is still rooting for the LSU Tigers.” — Dean Jim Rosenblatt

amıcus | 16 Following Paper Trail Dean Phillip McIntosh Focuses on the People Behind tethe Paperwork. The first thing a visitor to Phillip academic policies, but also for organizing heart for those people that makes Phil- McIntosh’s office will notice is the art- class schedules, assigning faculty mem- lip McIntosh the ideal man for the job. work. Bright, framed posters celebrat- bers to teach each class, and assisting in “We never compromise the standards ing Louisiana food, music, and festivals recruiting fulltime faculty and adjunct of the law school, but sometimes acting are splashed across an entire wall. The professors. The job requires not only atten- in the best interest of the student requires second thing to catch the eye is the paper- tion to detail, but also a knack for con- flexibility,” McIntosh says. “It’s a great work. Stacks of paper cover every corner sensus building, and of course, a high privilege to be able to help a student who’s of McIntosh’s desk, the surface of his gotten off track salvage his or her aca- credenza, and virtually every square inch All the World’s a Stage demic career, to help someone who might of carpet on the floor. McIntosh and his wife, Dianne, have had to leave school instead become While the colorful mementoes of began dating when they appeared a successful attorney. When our students carefree gatherings and the mountains in a community theatre production and faculty succeed, I know I’ve done of 8.5 x 11 sheets hardly seem related, together. They have a 12-year-old my job.” both are indicative of McIntosh’s roles daughter, JoBeth. Today, McIntosh One of those students who succeeded at Mississippi College School of Law. limits his on-stage appearances was Chris Brown ’09, an older, non- In 1991, McIntosh – who holds a to singing in the Ridgecrest traditional student who describes him- B.S. and J.D. from Louisiana State Uni- Baptist Church choir. self as “a person who never asked others versity and an LL.M. from New York for help.” University – left a highly successful law tolerance for all of that paperwork. When “I ran into some personal issues and practice in Monroe, Louisiana, to accept asked how he was chosen for this demand- was trying to handle them on my own,” a teaching position at MCSOL. McIn- ing job, McIntosh laughs and says, “My Brown says. “When Dean McIntosh found tosh teaches Louisiana civil law courses, most unique qualification was that I was out what I was going through, he did offered for the benefit of MCSOL stu- willing to do it.” everything he could to help me. He not dents who plan to practice in that state. But McIntosh is downplaying his most only assisted me in that particular situa- In 2002, McIntosh assumed the important skill. Where others see paper- tion, he also taught me that it’s okay to ask additional title of associate dean of the work, McIntosh sees people – the stu- for help when you need it. Dean McIn- law school. This role brought responsi- dents and faculty he serves. While his tosh gave me the opportunity to be where bility not only for developing MCSOL’s organizational skills are critical, it’s his I am today – an MCSOL graduate.”

Faith & the Law Dean Phillip McIntosh sees his profession and his faith as intertwined. • “The strong Christian influence at MCSOL is apparent in the way we treat our faculty, staff, and students. Everyone here, no matter what their faith, is treated with care and concern and recognized as having been created in the image of God.” • McIntosh arranged the initial meeting between Dean Jim Rosenblatt and representatives of First Baptist Church that eventually led to the establishment of the Mission First Legal Aid Office. He serves as the chapter advisor for the Christian Legal Society at MCSOL, and incorporated a class on Christian faith and the practice of law into the law school curriculum (the class is taught by the aptly-named Clint Pentecost). • “The ultimate source of the law is God,” McIntosh says. “Most of our laws and our rights have their origins in faith. As attorneys, we have to integrate our faith with our profession. Without faith, there is no law as we know it.”

Law & Disorder As a high school student, Phillip McIntosh worked for a summer in his uncle’s small law office in Louisiana. The clients he met included the granddaughter of an outlaw who had ridden with Jesse James, an eccentric gentleman who claimed to own Oklahoma City, and a woman who believed the local TV station had stolen her invention of the satellite dish.

amıcus | 17 In recognition of his outstanding work as a scholar and a teacher, Mark Modak-Truran’s colleagues at Mississippi College named him Mississippi College’s 2008 Distinguished Professor of the Year.

“Professor Modak-Truran is an effective teacher, a respected scholar, and a wonderful colleague. He has earned national prominence with his work with law and religion, and students tell me they take his courses in order to be challenged. We are so very fortunate to have Professor Mark Modak-Truran on our faculty.” — Dean Jim Rosenblatt

amıcus | 18 Scholar, Teacher, Professor of Year Mark Modak-Truran “There’s an apocryphal story about awareness of religious pluralism in Amer- “Mark leadste the way for MCSOL an an old law professor who tells a wide- ica now. Much of research and some of with his scholarship, which is at the high- eyed law student, ‘We’re here to teach my teaching focuses on how different est levels of sophistication,” says Chris- the law. If you care about justice, go to cultural and religious views will influ- topher Lund, a former associate profes- divinity school,’” Professor Mark Modak- ence the outcome of specific cases and the sor of law at MCSOL now teaching at Truran says. “To me, the law, justice, and future development of our legal system.” Wayne State University Law School in religion are all interrelated and can’t be Detroit, Michigan. “So much of law and neatly separated. The law always incor- Lights, Camera, Slopes religion work is written without any deep porates some notion of justice, and our Professor Modak-Truran’s wife, Anita understanding of religion. Mark has that notions of justice are tied to our world- Modak-Truran, is not only an attorney understanding, and his work reflects that. views or our religions.” with Butler Snow, but is also a film He is a model scholar and has been a That belief led Professor Modak-Tru- critic. The Modak-Trurans and their great example and help to younger schol- ran to attend both divinity school and law son, Michael, make an annual trek to ars like myself.” school and to devote his teaching, research, the Sundance Film Festival, but while Despite his passion and reputation for and writing career to religion and the Anita screens the hits, Mark and scholarship, Professor Modak-Truran law. Modak-Truran holds a B.A. in busi- Michael prefer to hit the slopes. remains a dedicated teacher. ness administration and religious studies “Professor Modak-Truran has a tre- from Gustavus Adolphus College, a J.D. “I think of Professor Modak-Truran’s mendous amount of respect for his stu- from Northwestern University School of teachings in terms of unearthing the real dents. No matter how divergent a student’s Law, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the explanation for the stated explanation,” views, so long as the student has thought University of Chicago Divinity School. says former student Jennifer Scott ’04, things through and honestly holds them, Modak-Truran practiced law for sev- now an associate with Wise Carter Child he or she can discuss them freely with eral years in Chicago, but his desire was & Carraway. “In other words, under- Professor Modak-Truran,” says Dade always to teach. In 1998, he and his fam- standing the religious, moral, or world Dowdle ’07. “The guy is brilliant – J.D., ily relocated to Mississippi where Modak- view of the court can explain why that Ph.D, respected scholar – but he is remark- Truran accepted a position at MCSOL court applies a seemingly neutral legal ably unpretentious and respectful in class.” where he teaches courses on constitutional principle in a certain way. In essence, “His teaching on how to approach law, first amendment, legal theory, and Professor Modak-Truran taught me that legal issues against the larger background his favorite topic, the law and religion. the law is not just about the law.” of social, economic, political, legal, and “For many years religion in America Modak-Truran has built a national religious influences was invaluable,” says was considered a private concern, but that’s reputation for his outstanding scholar- Bill Cruse ’09. “On the personal side, no longer the case,” Modak-Truran says. ship on the subject. He has published Professor Modak-Truran truly cares about “High-profile issues like same-sex marriage and spoken on law and religion nation- all of his students, not just the ‘elite’ law and abortion are obvious examples in ally and internationally, including well- students. Professor Modak-Truran obvi- which religion and the law intersect, but received presentations in China, Austria, ously was my professor, but he also became it goes beyond that. There’s a much greater and Canada. my friend. I hope I am his.”

Thinking Outside the Box “Professor Modak-Truran was willing to oversee an independent study project on Rwanda’s gacaca tribunals, which are a traditional justice system used to try genocide perpetrators in that country. This was a project of great interest to me, but not much interest to anybody else. He didn’t have trouble helping me think outside the box because he’s a pretty outside-the-box sort of guy. Professor Modak-Truran understands the challenges and rewards of pursuing a different course.” — Dade Dowdle ’07

The Swill is Gone Professor Modak-Truran’s worst job was emptying garbage cans as a crewmember of the Minnesota State Fair Sanitation Department. His primary objective was to avoid splashing himself with the aromatic substance at the bottom of the cans, which the crew euphemistically referred to as “swill.”

amıcus | 19 Practicing What They Teach Mississippi College School of Law is privileged to have a number of practicing attorneys serving as adjunct professors. These talented experts bring real world experience to the classroom, serving as an invaluable source of information and advice for law students. And as Brant Brantley, Jamie McBride, and Ray McNamara can testify, sometimes the adjuncts themselves gain some inspiration along the way.

Brant Brantley profile judicial bribery cases in Mississippi Only seven to eight percent of the com- Former Executive Director brought an increased focus on profes- plaints become formal, but each and every of the Mississippi Commission sionalism into Brantley’s classroom. one must be investigated. on Judicial Performance “When a judge or an attorney is “You can’t make up the kind of Students in Brant Brantley’s pre-trial charged with wrongdoing, it damages things people put in these complaints,” practice course learn how to investigate the public’s perception of our profes- Brantley says. “We’ve received complaints a potential lawsuit and prepare it for sion and reflects upon the entire system,” that were serious, complaints that were Brantley says. “I’ve always tried to empha- trial. In addition to those practical skills, sad, and more than a few complaints that students who study under Brantley also size to our students the need to safe- were just ludicrous. One of the most gain an enhanced awareness of the impor- guard that reputation.” common situations happens in divorce tance of professionalism to a law career. During his 29 years with the com- cases, when both parties file a complaint Brantley retired last June as executive mission, Brantley reviewed more than director of the Mississippi Commission on 7,000 complaints of judicial misconduct. saying the judge treated them unfairly. Judicial Performance, a watchdog organ- When an investigation reveals miscon- When the only thing the ex-wife and ex- ization that investigates claims of judi- duct has been involved, the commission husband can agree on is that they didn’t cial wrongdoing. Brantley had served as can recommend private or public repri- like the judge, I can usually assume that the executive director of the committee mands, suspension, or in the most egre- judge did an excellent and completely since its creation in 1980. Recent, high- gious cases, removal from the bench. fair job.”

amıcus | 20 Brant Brantley Jamie McBride Ray McNamara

Jamie McBride ’90 them and am reminded of myself. A imparted by these experts to skills prac- Hinds County Assistant part of me still misses those days when I tice in depositions, discovery, pretrial District Attorney was student at MSCOL, idealistic and motions, jury instruction, and jury trials. enthusiastic, the possibilities of the future The course’s final exam is a mock trial His job prosecuting felonies committed endless. What I like so much about serv- executed and argued by the students and against children brings Jamie McBride ing as an adjunct is feeling that in a small face-to-face with horrific crimes and un- judged by the guest speakers. way, I’m giving back to an institution imaginable heartbreak. McBride fights “It’s rewarding to see the students’ that helped and inspired me so much. back not only as a prosecutor in the court- confidence grow, to watch them go from And selfishly, the enthusiasm and eager- room, but as an adjunct in the classroom. appearing to be frightened to death and ness of the students reinvigorates me. McBride has been teaching child ad- reading straight from their notes to leav- “What inspires me is that fact that I vocacy courses at MCSOL since 1998, ing the course with the confidence to go can help make the abuse stop,” McBride training the next generation of law stu- out and argue a real case,” McNamara continues. “It’s well worth spending my dents who will protect and speak for the says. “The class also emphasizes that there days in the sewer dealing with the per- smallest victims. His second- and third- is no one, ‘right’ style in the courtroom. petrators if during my whole legal and year child advocacy classes are small – usu- Being a successful lawyer doesn’t neces- teaching career I’m able to stop the abuse ally no more than six students. Students sarily mean you have to be aggressive or of just one child.” meet for regular classroom instruction outgoing. Instead, it means you develop your own style and learn how to make that at MCSOL, but on Thursday mornings Ray McNamara the class is held at the Rankin County style work for you in the courtroom.” Youth Court, where law students sworn Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush McNamara has definitely developed in under the Law Student Limited Prac- “The law is not all long hours and bore- his own style in the courtroom, trying tice Act represent children coming before dom,” Ray McNamara says. “I enjoy what more than 100 cases throughout Missis- the court under the authority of the youth I do and I want my students to know sippi, most of them medical negligence court public defender. Under McBride’s that yes, you have to have the academic cases in which he has defended physi- supervision, MCSOL students provide knowledge and hone the skills, but cians, hospitals, and other health care legal representation for children in hear- practicing law is genuinely exciting.” providers. He has also argued before ings and trials before the Rankin County McNamara brings that excitement to numerous appellate courts, including the Youth Court judge. a trial practice class sponsored by the United States Supreme Court. “These students’ motivation for be- American Board of Trial Advocates. His “I had great mentors who taught me,” coming lawyers is to help others,” McBride class differs from other pre-trial courses McNamara says. “That’s one reason I says. “My most memorable experiences in that McNamara is not the only teach- enjoy serving as an adjunct today. Some- as an adjunct have been interacting with er; instead, he shares the podium with one helped me develop the skills I need- students as they prepare for and con- guest speakers and legal experts. Students ed, and if I can help someone else do the duct trials in the youth court. I look at in McNamara’s course apply the wisdom same, I’m paying back to the profession.”

amıcus | 21 “Hal Miller shares with our students the wisdom he acquired during his long and distinguished law practice and has also been a gracious supporter in other ways, including work with our building campaign and planned giving programs. When I turn to Hal for advice or assistance, he is always available. We treasure our relationship with this respected stalwart of the Mississippi legal community and are proud to have him as our Attorney in Residence.” — Dean Jim Rosenblatt

amıcus | 22 good as gold

“The most rewarding experiences I works. Many complaints against attorneys Law, Public Utilities, and Alternative have had in practice have been helping relate to poor office practices – something Dispute Resolution sections of Best Law- people find a solution that ends their dis- as simple as a failure to return calls – yers in America. agreement,” Hal Miller says. “I reached a rather than ethical violations.” Miller was instrumental in helping point in my career at which I found it Miller’s legal career has been marked mediation and arbitration in Mississippi more important to have the issue resolved by the same dedication he has shown grow from a movement to a reality. He to the best interest of everyone involved to MCSOL. He has enjoyed a storied, chaired the committee that created and than to see who would win.” 50-year career with Butler Snow O’Mara ran the state’s court annexed mediation When it comes to his position as Stevens & Cannada; Miller was the first program and was the founding chairman MCSOL’s Attorney in Residence, Hal attorney to mark a half-century of ser- of the ADR section of the Mississippi Bar. Miller’s genuine concern for people is as The Bar presented Miller with a Distin- important as his considerable legal exper- Golden Anniversaries guished Service Award in recognition of tise. The Attorney in Residence is charged his work in ADR. with seeking new ways to introduce Hal Miller’s 50-year relationship “We have a tendency to treat law as students to the “real world” of law practice, with Butler Snow is topped by if it is an abstract, totally logical study a job for which Miller is uniquely suited. his 52-year marriage to his wife, of rules, but I believe it is also a study of One of MCSOL’s longest-tenured Dot. The Millers have three interaction among people. This is what adjunct professors, Miller has been teach- children, eight grandchildren, I practiced and this is what I try to teach,” ing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and three great-grandchildren. Miller says. “In dispute resolution, peo- at MCSOL since 1996. A pioneer in the ple are trying to resolve differences. In field, Miller is often referred to in legal vice with the firm. During those years he law office management, people are try- circles as “the daddy of ADR in Missis- participated in every management posi- ing to serve one another. Again, it comes sippi.” Miller also teaches law office man- tion with Butler Snow, including chair- down to people, not to rules.” agement – also known as “the business ing the firm. “Professor Miller brings the black let- of practicing law.” Miller has served as a mediator and ter of the law to life,” says former stu- “These two classes dovetail with two arbitrator in a wide variety of matters, dent Chris Corkern ’08, now an associ- of my personal beliefs,” Miller says. “One including personal and property injury, ate with Purdie & Metz, PLLC. “He not is that too much emphasis is put on tra- oil and gas, construction, commercial util- only teaches students what the law says, ditional litigation as the preferred meth- ity, transportation, and contract disputes. but also gives them a perspective on how od of dispute resolution. The other is Amounts involved have varied from less legal decisions can affect the lives of cli- that too many law students are given no than $100,000 to multimillions of dol- ents. Professor Miller is a great teacher, instruction in how a law office actually lars. He has been recognized in the Energy but he’s an even better person.”

Hal Miller is pictured in front of the wall commemorating Butler Snow’s $100,000 gift to MCSOL.

Service to the Profession and the Community Hal Miller has served as president of the Jackson Young Lawyers, Hinds County Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Foundation, and Transportation Lawyers Association. His numerous awards include a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Mississippi School of Law and the first Professionalism Award presented by the Hinds County Bar Association. • In addition to his work with MCSOL, Miller chairs the Family Business Institute at Millsaps College, volunteers with Mission First Legal Aid and Stewpot Ministries, and is an active member of St. James Episcopal Church.

amıcus | 23 “I grew up hearing strangers tell me stories about seeing my grandfather try cases.” — Glenn Swartzfager

a family Tradition The Swartzfager family story is writ- “My father was an incredible orator,” least one occasion when the electric chair ten in the letter of the law and in its own Polly’s son, Jon Swartzfager, recalls. “As was driven from Jackson to Laurel and the chapter in MCSOL history. a boy, as soon I’d get out of school I’d prisoner was executed in the courtroom. The Swartzfager tradition of attend- run to the courthouse to watch him.” “Personally, Daddy didn’t support ing what’s now Mississippi College School “This was back in the days when they the death penalty, but he was doing the of Law began with Paul “Polly” Swartz- still smoked cigars in the courtroom and job he was sworn to do as a prosecutor,” fager, who studied at the Jackson School had spittoons on the floor,” says Polly’s Jon says. “After he was elected district of Law in the 1930s. In those days, attor- older son, Paul Junior, who has always attorney, he and William Faulkner had neys were not required to graduate from been referred to as “Fella.” “There was no a falling out. Years later, I found a file of law school in order to practice; Polly air conditioning, so all the courthouse old letters Faulkner had written to the attended law school for two years before doors were thrown open in the summer. editor of the newspaper in which he called passing the bar and going into practice People who didn’t get there early enough my father a Nazi. My father wrote back in his hometown of Laurel, Mississippi. to get a seat in the courtroom would stand suggesting that perhaps Faulkner had To describe Polly Swartzfager’s per- outside and listen to Polly raise Cain.” begun to believe his own fiction.” sonality as larger-than-life would be an “I grew up hearing strangers tell me Jon Swartzfager followed in his father’s understatement. Swartzfager was a buddy stories about seeing my grandfather try footsteps, graduating from the Jackson of William Faulkner and the proud owner cases,” Jon’s son, Glenn Swartzfager says. School of Law in 1966 and joining Polly of both a motorcycle and a pet monkey “He could quote the Bible and make in private practice as a trial lawyer. named Duke. Polly’s flamboyant style the jurors cry,” adds Fella’s daughter, “I never wanted to be a policeman or translated to the courtroom. In the days Helen Swartzfager. a fireman,” Jon recalls. “I always wanted before television, the people of Laurel In 1952, Polly Swartzfager was elect- to be a lawyer. Nothing else ever crossed defined “entertainment” as gathering at ed district attorney of Jones County. my mind.” the courthouse to hear their town’s ver- During his time as a prosecutor he tried Fella owned and operated a Lincoln- sion of Atticus Finch argue cases. several death penalty cases; Jon recalls at Mercury dealership for several years before

Above: Paul “Polly” Swartzfager

amıcus | 24 “He could quote the Bible and make the jurors cry.” — Helen Swartzfager

he succumbed to the family “lawyer gene” Mississippi,” Helen recalls. “No matter Polly Swartzfager practiced law for and enrolled in the Jackson School of what little town I found myself in, more than 50 years. Even after he retired, Law, graduating in the early 1970s. Glenn someone there would say, ‘Are you he continued to report to his office and Helen also made futile attempts to related to Polly/Fella/Jon/Glenn? Every- almost every day until his death in 2000, escape the family calling. Glenn earned where I went, someone there knew a reading the newspaper, greeting former an undergraduate degree in microbio- story about my family.” clients who stopped by to visit with cakes logy and worked for a pharmaceuticals For the Swartzfagers, the law was and pies in hand, and offering sage advice firm in California and Helen worked in never a 9-to-5 pursuit. Whenever the to his family of lawyers. marketing in Ohio, but both found them- family got together – whether it was a “I remember going into his office one selves back in Mississippi, enrolling in wedding, a funeral, or a barbecue – the day and asking him a legal question,” Mississippi College School of Law and topic always worked its way around to Glenn recalls. “He said, ‘I’m retired. I graduating in the same class in 1992. the law. can’t remember all that anymore.’ We “Being a trial lawyer was in my blood,” “I can still remember my mother say- chatted about something else for a few Glenn says. “In the end, I just couldn’t ing, ‘I can’t stand it. If I hear one more minutes and when I turned to leave, he fight it.” legal discussion, I’ll scream.’” Glenn says. uttered a reference to a piece of the Mis- “My dad had been asking me all “She never went to law school, but she sissippi Code by number. It was exactly along, ‘What are you doing? You know probably could have passed the bar just the information I needed.” you’re a lawyer,’” Helen says. “I’ve heard from all that legal talk she was forced to Today, Fella Swartzfager has retired. you know you’re a trial lawyer when you listen to.” Jon Swartzfager is still practicing with love the sound of your own voice, and “I was married to Glenn’s mother Swartzfager Law Offices in Laurel. Helen our whole family loves to talk.” for 33 years,” Jon says. “One day she told Swartzfager has recently relocated to Okla- At one time, Polly, Jon, Paul, Glenn, me, ‘if you fall asleep one more night with homa and is taking a short break from the and Helen were all simultaneously in a law book in your arms I will divorce courtroom, but plans to return to practice practice as trial lawyers in Laurel. Polly, you.’ Unfortunately, I did. Fortunately, soon. Glenn Swartzfager is the director of Fella, and Helen practiced together as our divorce was amicable.” the Office of Capital Post-Conviction Swartzfager & Swartzfager, while Jon “Polly once told me, ‘the law is a Counsel; while his grandfather once and Glenn practiced together as Swartz- jealous mistress,’ and the longer I prac- prosecuted death penalty cases, Glenn fager Law Firm right next door. ticed, the more I understood what he handles appeals for death row inmates. “We had Swartzfager & Swartzfager meant,” Helen says. “I loved being a trial Both Glenn Swartzfager and Helen next door to Swartzfager Law Firm,” lawyer. I can count on one hand the Swartzfager have young children. Given Glenn says. “You can only imagine how number of days I missed work. My hus- their “lawyer genes” and their family many times we got each other’s calls band told me once that I sat up in bed in history with Mississippi College School and mail.” the middle of the night and said, ‘Let’s of Law, perhaps there’s a fourth genera- “Our office was in Laurel, but I go to chambers and talk about that.’ I tion of Swartzfager alumni and attorneys think I tried cases in every courtroom in was literally practicing law in my sleep.” in the making.

Above: Fella, Helen, and Polly Swartzfager / Glenn Swartzfager serves as an MCSOL adjunct professor and often assists the law school’s moot court program. / Polly and Jon Swartzfager

amıcus | 25 Nina Tollison and Gale Walker

amıcus | 26 The Best Legal Leaders, Bar None

Mississippi College School of Law’s reputation for developing legal leaders is exemplified by Nina Tollison, Joey Diaz, Gale Walker, and Bill Whitfield, distinguished alumni who have assumed leadership roles in four respected, statewide legal organizations.

Nina Stubblefield Her previous leadership experience Gale Walker ’03 Tollison ’82 includes service as the 2006-07 president 2009-10 President of the of the Mississippi Bar Foundation and as 2010-11 President of the Magnolia Bar Association Mississippi Bar Association president, vice-president, and secretary- treasurer of the Mississippi Bankruptcy Gale Walker is president of the Mag- In 2010, Nina Tollison will become Conference. She is listed in the bank- nolia Bar Association, a statewide orga- the first MCSOL graduate and the sec- ruptcy sections of The Best Lawyers in nization composed primarily of African ond woman to assume leadership of the America and Mid-South Super Lawyers. American attorneys. Mississippi Bar Association. Tollison was Tollison has served MCSOL as the 1998- “The Magnolia Bar Association was officially named president-elect of the 99 president of the Alumni Association founded in 1955, at a time when it was and a member of the Building Campaign organization on July 1, 2009 and will be very important for someone to shoulder steering committee. She was MCSOL’s inducted as president in July of 2010. As the heavy burden of furthering justice 1993 Lawyer of the Year. president, Tollison will lead the Associa- for minority citizens in Mississippi,” tion’s 8,500 active members. As Tollison looks ahead to the chal- lenges and opportunities that will come Walker says. “The founders also fought “I am extremely humbled and thrilled desperately for equal treatment of Afri- by this opportunity to serve the Missis- with this high-profile position, her pri- orities include enhancing the percep- can American attorneys in the state. The sippi Bar,” Tollison says. “It was a joy to tion of the legal profession and increas- advances made by that small group have share this news with my family and ing member participation in the Bar. paved the way for hundreds of African friends. I’ve received several congratula- “I feel strongly that the legal profes- American attorneys to continue to be tory messages from past presidents who sion is an honorable one, and often that committed to the same goals. I feel so shared their reactions when they learned is a lost concept,” Tollison says. “It’s the passionately about the mission of the of their own elections and who have role of the Bar not only to improve our Magnolia Bar Association because even already given me some invaluable advice public image as attorneys, but also to today, it is imperative for an organization based on their experiences. I’ve also enhance the relationships among our received terrific e-mails of congratula- like ours to continue to ensure that jus- members. What I’m looking forward to tice prevails in the state of Mississippi.” tions from MCSOL alums all over the the most is interacting with the members In addition to developing policy and United States. Pretty heady stuff!” of the association and reaching out to setting goals for the organization, Walker Tollison has been active in the Mis- as many of those members as possible, sissippi Bar Association since 1982, when including those who are becoming active is responsible for continuing the Mag- she graduated from MCSOL and joined in the Bar for the first time. I’d like to nolia Bar’s traditional programs, which the Tollison Law Firm in Oxford, Mis- see a great many more attorneys actively include sponsoring political summits, sissippi. She has been in private practice participate in the association, and help us food drives, mock trial competitions for in Oxford since 2005. She has had her make sure that the voice of the Bar accu- high school students, and continuing legal own firm in Oxford since 2005. rately reflects and serves its members.” education programs.

amıcus | 27 Joey Diaz and Bill Whitfield

amıcus | 28 “One of my goals is to get more that cared about consumers’ rights. MAJ of defense trial lawyers and corporate young lawyers involved in the Magnolia offered that opportunity,” Diaz says. counsel. DRI is the largest organization Bar and to bridge the gap between old “Corporations and other entities continue for defense lawyers in the country. and new,” Walker says. “I firmly believe to try to strip individuals of their rights. “DRI offers a very important service that the generations have a symbiotic MAJ is the only organization with the to the defense lawyer community and pro- relationship. We need each other.” political ties and energy to persevere. If fession,” Whitfield says. “This the only An associate with the Jackson-based we don’t stand up for the citizens of organization that really gets involved with Walker Group law firm, Walker prac- Mississippi, they are left unrepresented.” the practice of its members. DRI is not tices in the areas of medical malpractice, Diaz has been in practice as a trial professional negligence, and nursing home lawyer with the Jackson-area Diaz Law a social group. Instead, the organization abuse and neglect. Walker coaches the Firm for some 30 years; he was previ- offers practical tools that help its mem- Frederick Douglass Moot Court teams ously with the City of Jackson Public bers enhance their careers.” at MCSOL. Her daughter, Beverly, grad- Defender’s Office. He is also active in DRI is on the forefront of the pro- uated from MCSOL in 2007. the American Association for Justice fession, offering publications and semi- Prior to enrolling in MCSOL, Walk- (AAJ) and has served as the state dele- nars focusing on timely topics and the er enjoyed a successful, 30-year career as gate chairman for AAJ. a registered nurse. But while she put her latest trends in litigation. As the state rep- childhood dream of becoming an attor- As MAJ president, Diaz’s many duties resentative, Whitfield coordinates DRI ney on hold for more than three decades, included running the annual convention, programs and serves as a clearinghouse Gale Walker’s passion for justice simply fundraising, and the preservation of jus- for DRI information in Mississippi. This would not be extinguished. tice through lobbying the legislature. As includes recruiting new members and past president, Diaz not only partici- “When I was a young child, one of encouraging all DRI members in Mis- pated as a member of the executive com- my neighbors was murdered by a mob of sissippi to take advantage of the many men at night,” Walker recalls. “The FBI mittee, but also took on the role of leg- conferences, web sites, networking oppor- sent in investigators from Washington, islative chair. tunities, and other services offered by the D.C., to investigate the murder. They “The greatest reward of serving in a spent a lot of time at our house. The FBI leadership position with MAJ has been organization. Whitfield has served as the agents were attorneys and were some of the opportunity to serve the people of this state representative since 2006; his term the most remarkable people I had ever state,” Diaz says. “As an association and as will end in the fall of this year. met. I was impressed that people like a profession, we are committed to preserv- “It’s a very good feeling to have been that could care about people like us. I ing the integrity and strength of today’s associated with an organization that does decided, then and there, that I wanted court system for the people of Mississippi. so much good for our profession and to become an attorney.” “I was privileged to serve as president for the justice system as a whole,” Whit- of a great organization encompassing field says. Joey Diaz ’72 many talented people,” Diaz continues. Whitfield is a shareholder with the Past President, Mississippi “While standing at the podium at the Biloxi office of Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Association for Justice year-end banquet, I listed the many accom- Bush, PA. His areas of practice include plishments MAJ had made throughout Joey Diaz served as the 2007 president medical negligence and personal injury the year. It made me proud to be a trial of the Mississippi Association for Justice lawyer. Our membership continuously defense. Whitfield’s previous leadership (MAJ), formerly the Mississippi Trial strives to better itself, and as a result, our experience includes service as the 2006- Lawyers Association, and completed his clients, consumers, and the citizens of 07 president of the Mississippi Defense service as immediate past-president of Mississippi receive great benefit.” Lawyers Association. As an MCSOL alum- MAJ in June of 2009. Diaz began his nus, Whitfield takes pride in the fact that service with MAJ as a member of the Bill Whitfield ’81 his law school was the first in the nation board of governors and rose through the State Representative for the to organize a student chapter of DRI. ranks of the organization’s leadership, Defense Research Institute holding most of the executive committee “As an alumnus and a member of offices on his way to the presidency. Bill Whitfield is the state represen- DRI, I was very proud and in some ways “I understood the importance of being tative for the Defense Research Insti- humbled that DRI went into Missis- involved in a worthwhile organization tute (DRI), the national organization sippi College School of Law first.”

amıcus | 29 Attorneys are charged with defending their clients’ rights and freedoms and with protecting the public from injustice. But ultimately, the rights, freedoms, and guarantee of justice for all Americans are protected by the men and women of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. The MCSOL alumni and students on the following pages have served or are currently serving our country, often at great cost to themselves and their families. From the courtroom to the battlefield, these brave men and women exemplify the words of General Douglas MacArthur, who said, “The soldier, above all other men, is required to perform the highest act of religious teaching – sacrifice.”

amıcus | 30 the home of the Brave A Salute to MCSOL Students and Alumni in the Military

“Duty, honor, and to be sent home when a records check Cook earned two Purple Hearts and revealed he was underage. A disappoint- spent four months in the hospital as the integrity. Everything else ed Cook finished high school and joined result of injuries received in the line of pales by comparison.” the National Guard. Then came the Viet- duty in Vietnam. For years after his return nam War. Explaining that he “hated that to the United States, he had trouble sleep- Col. Henry Cook ’78 my country would give a war and not ing, always on the lookout for stealthy Col. Henry Cook took his eyes off invite me,” Cook volunteered for active movements in the darkness. He slept with the thick jungle before him just long duty, then for Special Forces training. a pistol under his pillow, a habit he de- enough to look down at a map. He looked The acceptance rate for Special Forces – scribes with a wry smile as, “making it back up in time to see a Vietcong soldier also known as the Green Berets – was a difficult to form relationships.” rising in front of him with a rifle grenade mere three percent, but Cook was des- And yet, Cook never lost his passion in hand and one of his own men, a 19- tined for membership in that elite group for the military. After Vietnam, he set- year-old Cambodian radio operator named of soldiers. tled in Mississippi largely because the Nguyen “Van” Nguyen, throwing him- In 1967, he was deployed to Viet- state had such a strong National Guard self in front of the grenade. Van was killed nam, where he spent the next three years program. In 1974, Cook enrolled in law instantly, the explosion nearly tearing him recruiting and training South Vietnam- school upon the advice of a fellow veteran in half. ese and Cambodian soldiers. It was a and attorney, who told him, “It’s true that “That made the Bible verse very real brutal assignment, fighting an unpopu- in a courtroom you can’t kill anyone, but to me,” Col. Cook says 42 years later. lar war in an inhospitable terrain. Van you can destroy them, and I think you’d “Greater love has no one than this, that laid down his life for Cook on a steamy appreciate that.” Cook took his advice he lay down his life for his friends.’ Of day in May of 1967. The mission that and became a trial lawyer, building a suc- all the lessons I learned in the Army, that day was to clear caves near a Vietcong cessful practice in Bay St. Louis, Missis- was the most profound.” base. A little more than 200 people left sippi. He was content practicing law until Cook enlisted in the Army the first on the mission that morning; less than 1990, when the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait time when he was just 16 years old, only 50 came back that night. touched off Operation Desert Storm.

amıcus | 31 the home of the Brave

“People were always asking me if I’d ever gone back to Vietnam. My answer was that I’d never really left. In Vietnam, I learned the real meaning of words like duty, honor, and integrity. I saw people who lived and died by those words. Everything else I know pales by comparison.”— Col. Henry Cook

Col. henry cook

“A former Army buddy of mine called meaning of words like duty, honor, and “Yes, her name is Co Hai,” Col. Cook my law office and said, ‘We’re going back integrity. I saw people who lived and said. “You know her?” to war. Do you want to go?’” Cook recalls. died by those words. Everything else I The taxi driver nodded, then drove “I handed my office manager the keys and know pales by comparison.” Col. Cook to a nearby house, where he left. I was 56 years old, and I never dreamed In 2009, Col. Cook returned to was greeted by his former secretary. I’d get to do anything like that again.” Vietnam for the first time since 1970. After 40 years, Co Hai recognized Cook For the next 18 months, Cook planned “Vietnam had changed me forever at first sight. classified missions in conjunction with and it had cost people like Van their Another memorable moment came Operations Desert Storm and Desert lives,” Col. Cook says. “Had it all been when Col. Cook and his fellow veteran Shield. Col. Cook retired from the Army worth it? I went back to find out.” were invited to dinner at the home of an in 1995, finally acknowledging that “the Col. Cook and a fellow veteran spent elderly woman they met in a village. The next time my country gave a war, I prob- 26 days in Vietnam, exploring the cities, woman gathered her children and grand- ably wouldn’t be invited.” villages, and remote jungles where they children around the table. Today Col. Cook is a judge pro tem once served. Col. Cook is quick to point “She explained to her family that we in Bay St Louis and a lobbyist for Soldiers’ out that it was not a sightseeing trip. were American soldiers who had come Angels, a support organization for U.S. “It was 114 degrees. I kept thinking, to their country years ago, and that they service personnel. In 2008, he completed ‘how did I do this crawling around in all a year of service as the national com- that gear with someone trying to kill me?’” had us to thank for their freedom,” Col. mander of the Military Order of the Pur- Cook’s return trip brought a few expe- Cook says. “This was the most reward- ple Heart. Henry Cook experienced many riences nearly as memorable as his first. ing part of going back to Vietnam – see- triumphs and tragedies during his long He was sitting in a diner near the location ing that what I had done there had made military career, but he still describes Viet- of one of his former camps, showing the a difference. These Vietnamese people, nam as the defining period in his life. old photos on his laptop to a taxi diver. including some who had spent many “People were always asking me if I’d When the image of a young Vietnamese long, hard years in prison for helping ever gone back to Vietnam. My answer woman who had served as the camp American soldiers, put their arms around was that I’d never really left,” Col. Cook secretary filled the screen, the taxi driver me and thanked me. They told me it as says. “In Vietnam, I learned the real exclaimed, “Co Hai!” worth it. My service was validated.”

Above: Col. Cook and Van, days before Van’s death / Col. Cook and members of the People’s Army of the Republic of Vietnam, 2009

amıcus | 32 the home of the Brave

major chris thomas Thomas and his unit were sent to a post 45 miles southwest of Baghdad, where they conducted combat operations in an area filled with insurgents and Saddam sympathizers. Thomas’ company ran patrols and conducted weapons cache searches in this area, which was known as a smuggling route for arms from Syria to Baghdad and a hotbed for improvised explosive devices (IED). “This was deep in Saddam territory and we were the only forces there. It was like the Wild West and we were the only law,” Thomas says. “My company was very fortunate in that we had no casual- ties, but we did lose five guys out of the battalion. I realized very quickly that real war is not a 30-second news clip. You knew these guys, and they were there one day and gone the next.” Thanks to modern communication systems, Thomas was able to communi- cate with his wife, Kristi, by telephone or e-mail every other day. He learned of the birth of his son, Christopher Thom- as Jr., over the telephone. “It was a little surreal, thinking that I was a father now,” Thomas says. “I didn’t have a picture of him, and I didn’t get very emotional, I guess because I ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ In 2004, Thomas, then a captain in the didn’t know what I was missing.” Growing Up in a Hurry Mississippi Army National Guard, was Thomas saw just what he was missing three months later, when he received an Major Chris Thomas ’06 mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving as commander for early leave, arranged a surprise visit to the Chris Thomas was a newlywed and States, and met his son for the first time. Company C, 150th Combat Engineer second-year law school student looking “I swore everyone to secrecy and had Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team. forward to a summer clerkship and the my brother-in-law pick me up at the “Iraq was a hornet’s nest. I knew this birth of his first child when the call came. airport. When Kristi walked into the “The voice on the other end said wasn’t going to be a nice little mobili- kitchen and saw me standing there, she something like, ’the eagle is out of the zation,” Thomas says. “The deployment almost dropped the baby. It was a real- nest,’” Thomas recalls. “It was a coded was very hard on my wife. She under- life Hallmark movie moment.” message telling me I was being deployed stood the Reserves, but that was one The Hallmark moment ended 10 to Iraq. You always know it’s a possibil- weekend a month and this was real. We days later, when Thomas headed back ity, but when the call comes, it’s hard at were newlyweds, she was pregnant, and to Iraq for six more months of dodging first to believe it’s really happening.” I was going to war.” roadside bombs.

“My company was very fortunate in that we had no casualties, but we did lose five guys out of the battalion. I realized very quickly that real war is not a 30-second news clip. You knew these guys, and they were there one day and gone the next.”— Major Chris Thomas

Chris and Kristi Thomas and sons Cullen (left) and Christopher Jr.

amıcus | 33 the home of the Brave

A Few Good Men...and Women While they were still students at MCSOL, Cpt. Jennifer Bowersox and Cpt. Alex Schneider argued a case before the United States Court of Military Appeals for the Armed Forces. The attorneys and judges involved came to MCSOL in conjunction with the case of United States v. Harrow, in which Airman Harrow was convicted of the unpremeditated murder of her infant daughter. Jennifer Bowersox recalls the experience of writing a brief and arguing it before the judges of the highest military appeals court as “both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.” ✯ “I was so nervous because I was the last person to argue,” Bowersox recalls. “But I distinctly remember the thrill when I heard the U.S. Air Force JAG use my research from my brief in his argument. It was quite an honor and a rare opportunity.”

“My greatest fear was that I wouldn’t “I had tremendous support from the Cpt. jennifer bowersox come home and my son would grow up faculty and staff at MCSOL from the day without a father,” Thomas recalls. “My I found out I was being deployed until other fear was having to write a letter to I came back,” Thomas says. “They went someone else’s wife or parents explaining out their way to help with all the logistics why they wouldn’t be coming home. of leaving law school and re-enrolling, Those last few days in Iraq, I was hyper- but they also gave me a lot of moral sup- vigilant. I just kept telling myself and my port. Professor Shelton Hand sent me men not to do anything stupid that would e-mails of encouragement while I was in get us killed so close to going home.” Iraq, and when I was home on leave, Thomas returned to Mississippi in Dean Rosenblatt called to check on me. January of 2006, one week after MCSOL On Law Day Professor Jeffrey Jackson classes had begun for the semester. asked the crowd to give a hand for Chris “A part of me hoped they would tell Thomas and my classmates and the me it was too late to enroll so I could take ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ faculty gave me a standing ovation. It a semester off and chill,” Thomas says with was overwhelming.” a smile, “but they welcomed me back The Bottom Line Up Front Thomas is now a global business and worked me right in. Nine days after Cpt. Jennifer Bowersox ’07 recruiter with the Mississippi Develop- I left the desert and dodging roadside Jennifer Bowersox grew up dream- ment Authority. His position requires bombs, I was sitting in an air-conditioned ing of becoming an Army lawyer, but it law school classroom taking notes.” him to travel, but when he boards a took a field training exercise to con- Thomas found the hyper-vigilance plane today, Thomas knows he’ll be com- vince her to apply to law school. he’d cultivated in Iraq difficult to shake. ing home to his family, including young- “I thought I could be a better Army He was sitting in class one day when a er son Cullen, within a few days instead lawyer if I understood the Army, so I garbage truck dropped a dumpster with of several months. went in as an air defense officer for four a loud crash outside the window. “More than anything, my time in Iraq years,” Bowersox explains. “I decided to “I nearly came out of my seat. Sweat was a growth experience,” says Thomas, follow through on my goal of becoming broke out on my forehead. Fortunately, I who has since been promoted to Major a Judge Advocate General (JAG) during was on the back row and no one noticed.” and has logged more than 22 years in the a field exercise. I was lying in a hasty Thomas credits the MCSOL faculty National Guard. “When you’re responsi- fighting position at 0600 in all of my with helping ease his transition from the ble for 100 people and the enemy is try- chemical protective gear waiting for the battlefield to the classroom. ing to kill you, you grow up in a hurry.” ’enemy’ to attack our perimeter, and I

On the Battlefield or in the Courtroom Cpt. Alex Schneider ’07 West Point graduate Cpt. Alex Schneider served in Germany prior to enrolling in law school. Shortly after graduating from MCSOL magna cum laude, Cpt. Schneider was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, as a military prosecutor. Today, Schneider is the chief of federal litigation with the JAG Corps stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. ✯ “Mississippi College School of Law equipped me to be a better Army officer,” Schneider says. “Senior military commanders expect Judge Advocates to be more than just legal counsel. We are trained as attorneys to think through problems analytically, absorb large amounts of information and distill it, and come up with creative solutions to problems. This is as valuable to the commander on the battlefield as it is to the attorney in the courtroom.”

amıcus | 34 the home of the Brave

“The Army has so many fantastic career opportunities, but you have to be able to give up on the idea of completely controlling your own life. I’ve realized, however, that some of the best jobs I’ve had have been the ones I didn’t plan on or ask for. As my mother told me, life isn’t about choices. It’s about living with the choices you’ve made.” — Cpt. Jennifer Bowersox thought to myself, this is not why I joined Interior court,” Bowersox explains. “I also me stand up in class and make my point. the army. There is something more out work with the Iraqi Army’s version of JAG A basic principle of Army communica- there for me than lying in the cold, wet officers regarding building cases against tion teaches officers to always state the sand pretending the enemy is attacking. Iraqi soldiers who break their code.” bottom line up front. That bottom line Once that exercise was done, I started In 2010, Bowersox will return to the up front is what law school professors putting my application packet together. Judge Advocate General’s School in Vir- seemed to want when it came to their God has a funny way of showing you ginia for an additional year of schooling brutal Socratic questions – especially those which direction to take.” in military law. She describes her future asked by Professor Jeffrey Jackson.” Today Cpt. Bowersox is a Judge Ad- career plans as “still coming into focus,” On a more serious note, the choice vocate General working in the 3rd Heavy but emphasizes that her goal is to make a she made to attend law school ultimately Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Divi- difference in whatever job she is assigned led Bowersox to her current position in sion in Ninewa Province, Iraq. As the to perform. Iraq, where the sand is hot and dry prosecutor for the brigade, one of Bow- “The Army has so many fantastic instead of wet and cold and the enemy ersox’s responsibilities is bringing cases career opportunities, but you have to isn’t just “pretending” to attack. against terrorists through the Iraqi crimi- be able to give up on the idea of com- “The toughest part of my deployment nal system. She spends four days a week pletely controlling your own life,” Cpt. has been standing at a memorial cere- in an Iraqi court discussing case status Bowersox says. “I’ve realized, however, mony listening to soldiers tell stories with the judges or facilitating U.S. sol- that some of the best jobs I’ve had have about their fallen comrades,” she says. diers’ testimony against insurgents cap- been the ones I didn’t plan on or ask tured during searches or attacks. Bower- for. As my mother told me, life isn’t “The 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team sox is also assisting in the development about choices. It’s about living with the has lost numerous soldiers to attacks by of the Rule of Law in Ninewa Province, choices you’ve made.” terrorists in these months of deploy- and working with Iraqi officials to improve Bowersox believes the choice she made ment. Those are the heroes, the ones the legal system in their country. It’s a big to join the Army before attending law who return to the States in a flag-draped departure from a field exercise; Bower- school paid off in the long run. coffin because they donned the uniform sox is actually helping to shape the laws, “I relied on the values and the disci- and deployed when they were told to by and the future, of a nation. pline I learned in the Army to get me the U.S. Army. They deserve the ultimate “I’m working with the Provincial through the long days of law school,” respect of the entire nation, regardless of Police Department and their legal depart- Bowersox says. “My ability to communi- personal politics, because of their sacri- ment to assist in the development of the cate, which I learned as a platoon leader in fice. They are the ones who gave their all law governing their court, the Ministry of charge of more than 30 soldiers, helped and must not be forgotten.”

An Issue of Confidence Joey Comley ’09 Prior to attending MCSOL on the Army Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP), field artillery officer Joey Comley was on active duty in Germany and in Iraq. He will next report to the 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, New York. Comley, who participated on the MCSOL Moot Court Board and on the MCSOL Law Review, found his military background to be both an advantage and a disadvantage to his performance in law school. ✯ “Law school and Army service are similar in a few respects,” Comley says. “Both require a great deal of hard work, endurance, patience, tolerance, and confidence. My time in the Army both helped and hindered my success in law school. I had plenty of experience in refining many of those five characteristics; however, an overabundance of confidence certainly had a part in my subpar first-year grades.”

amıcus | 35 the home of the Brave

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ Col. michael turello Just Another Day at the Office Col. Michael Turello ’96 As the commander of the 19th Spe- cial Forces Group, a National Guard unit based in Utah with elements in nine states, Col. Michael Turello commands the nearly 1,900 personnel who make up a headquarters, three battalions, a support company, and a chemical recon unit. His responsibilities include preparing units to conduct Special Forces missions, includ- ing combat operations, and coordinating efforts between the 19th Special Forces Group, the United States Army Special Forces Command, and the Utah Army National Guard. “It’s a distinct challenge working with units in nine states and managing a multi-million dollar budget and equip- ment when the 19th Group is literally spread coast to coast,” Col. Turello says. “But one of the things I enjoy about this job is the variety. One minute you’re in a meeting, and the next you’re jumping out of an airplane. It’s definitely not your normal office job.” But then, Col. Turello has never really had a “normal office job.” Michael Col. Turello enrolled in MCSOL in officer for the 2nd Battalion, 20th Spe- Turello joined the United States Marine 1992, but his commitment to the military cial Forces Group. Corps in 1982 and upon graduating often took precedence over law school. In October 2000, Turello returned from Millsaps College in 1983, received He took a semester off to complete mili- to active duty as a full time National his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. Tur- tary training, including a winter moun- Guard Officer subject to worldwide ello served in a variety of positions, includ- tain warfare course and ranger school. service. He has since worked at the ing company commander, prior to retir- He was mobilized for Operation Uphold Pentagon, Army Guard HQ, Special ing from the Marine Corps in 1990 and Democracy in Haiti, where he spent the Operations Command Central, and joining the Mississippi Army National equivalent of two semesters. Upon his the United States Special Operations Guard’s Special Forces unit, also known return to Mississippi, he completed law Command, and has been deployed to as the Green Berets. school while also serving as executive both Afghanistan and Iraq. Col. Turello’s

The Next Generation of Soldiers Christopher Stump ’09 and Erik Mayo ’09 Erik Mayo and Christopher Stump survived both law school and ROTC training together, dividing their time between 6:00 a.m. physical training three days a week, law school classes, weekend training, studying for law school classes, and month-long schools in the summer. Mayo and Stump graduated from MCSOL on May 15, 2009, and commissioned with the Army later that same day. Mayo is headed for the 181st Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course in February, while Stump will begin service as an infantry officer. ✯ The most immediate chal- lenge for Mayo and Stump? Passing the bar exam.

amıcus | 36 the home of the Brave

“As a commander, I am obligated to do everything I can to help these people who are sacrificing themselves and their families for the benefit of their country. Whether I agree or disagree with a policy, a cause, or a war, I respect the soldier who puts it all on the line to do what’s right – serve others.”— Col. Michael Turello many awards and decorations include want to get things done, you have to ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, clearly articulate why and be willing to The Cloak-and-Dagger two Meritorious Service Medals, the make a deal to get there. Getting sup- Joint Service Commendation Medal, the port from higher headquarters can be as World of Military Navy Commendation Medal, and the hard or harder than getting a tribal elder Intelligence Joint Service Achievement Medal. to do something.” Cpt. Clay Baldwin ’10 Col. Turello assumed his current Col. Turello sees his greatest mission Clay Baldwin was commissioned as position as Commander of the 19th Spe- as supporting the soldiers of the 19th cial Forces Group in June of 2008. While a Navy officer in 1995. Two years later, Special Forces Group. driven by a desire to be involved in intel- he’s not practicing law, Turello says his “Taking care of the soldiers and their degree from MCSOL benefits him vir- ligence, he requested and received a families is the greatest challenge and most tually everyday on the job. transfer to the Army Military Intelli- rewarding part of the job,” Col. Turello “Issue spotting, problem solving, and gence branch. says. “As a Guard commander, you are negotiating are skills common to both Military Intelligence (MI) is respon- responsible for more than a civilian the legal profession and the military,” sible for all intelligence gathered or Col. Turello says. “Issue spotting and employer. Right now, we have a battal- learned during Army missions. MI offi- problem solving are related events. From ion deployed to Afghanistan. As a com- cers are always out front, providing essen- a large set of facts or circumstances, you mander, I am obligated to do everything tial data and in many cases, saving sol- need to be able to pick out the key con- I can to help these people who are sac- diers who are fighting on the front lines. cerns and solve them. What is relevant and rificing themselves and their families for Military Intelligence officers assess risks what do I have to do? the benefit of their country. Whether I associated with friendly and enemy cours- “You also spend a significant amount agree or disagree with a policy, a cause, es of action, act to counter intelligence of time negotiating or advocating a point or a war, I respect the soldier who puts threats, and use intelligence gathered to of view. There are limited resources to it all on the line to do what’s right – reduce uncertainty of enemy, terrain, and apply to a vast array of problems. If you serve others.” weather conditions for a commander.

A Soldier Serving Soldiers Bruce Mayeaux ’10 Bruce Mayeaux’s deployment to Afghanistan ended just in time for him to begin law school at MCSOL in 2007. As a participant in the Army Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP), Mayeaux is still on active duty. After spending the summer of 2009 at Ft. Polk, Louisiana, Mayeaux will return to MCSOL as a third-year law school student this fall. ✯ When Mayeaux arrived at MCSOL, he noticed that despite the large number of students with connections to the military, there was no organization in place at the law school that focused on issues related to military law. Mayeaux filled that gap by forming the Military Justice Society. The student organization began by hosting symposiums geared toward attorneys inter- ested in military legal issues, but Mayeaux, who brought 10 years of Army service to the table, found himself asking, “What do the soldiers want?” ✯ Mayeaux’s determination to make a real difference in the lives of soldiers and veterans led the Military Justice Society to partner with the Mission First Legal Aid Office to create a Veterans Advocacy Program. Military Justice and Mission First recruited volunteer lawyers and law students and hosted a free, one-day legal clinic for veterans, helping about a dozen former servicemen with everything from writing wills to creating a power of attorney. When Mayeaux returns to Jackson in the fall, one of his first projects will be creating a mobile clinic that will bring legal aid directly to veterans and their families. ✯ Mayeaux knows it won’t be easy juggling active Army duty, law school, a wife and two daughters, and the Veterans Advocacy Program, but he’s determined to help the veterans who have sacrificed so much for their country. ✯ “Sometimes you have a calling,” Mayeaux explains. “I feel this is something the Man Upstairs wants done, and if no one else is available to do it, it’s going to be me.”

amıcus | 37 the home of the Brave

“Military Intelligence is a branch Cpt. Clay Baldwin within the Army just like infantry, armor, military police, or others, but it does require a security clearance and the ability to maintain that clearance, and for specific assignments, there are all types of tests and psych evaluations,” Baldwin says. “I felt a little like a lab rat at times, but the military is also very good at finding the right person to per- form a specific task.” The details of Baldwin’s assignments with Military Intelligence remain classi- fied, but he is able to share the following highlights from his intelligence career. Baldwin attended the Military Intel- ligence Officer Basic Course at Ft. Hua- chuca, Arizona, then headed for Ft. Gor- don, Georgia, where his first assignment was as the leader of a signals intelligence collection platoon. Signals intelligence involves analyzing and reporting on for- eign communications. A year later, Baldwin was selected early for Command. He remained in Command for two years, during which time he was deployed to Haiti, where he directed the force protection and coun- terintelligence operations for the mili- tary there. Baldwin was eventually pro- moted to captain and assigned to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, and U.S. Army While at Fort Bragg, Baldwin was information. This is the “cloak and dag- Special Operations Command. En route recruited into a specialized unit conduct- ger’ aspect of military intelligence, often to Ft. Bragg, Baldwin made a detour to ing human intelligence operations, which involving secrets passed during clandes- Ft. Benning, Georgia, for airborne train- refers to intelligence gathering through tine meetings under the cover of darkness. ing, where he learned how to “success- interrogations, interviews, or conversa- Baldwin’s several years of training fully fall out of an airplane and survive tions with people – friendly, neutral, or and operation with the unit included the experience.” hostile – who have access to pertinent a deployment to Afghanistan during

War and Peace of Mind Cpt. Daniel Cummins ’08 In a few short months, Daniel Cummins went from president of the Law Student Bar Association at MCSOL to legal assistance attorney for the 1st Cavalry Division and Multi-National Division-Bagh- dad in Iraq. Cummins provides legal services to some 30,000 soldiers, seeing 8-12 clients every day, seven days a week. Their legal issues include divorce, custody and child support, and landlord/tenant issues, taxes, and estate planning; since the soldiers he serves have come to Iraq from every corner of America, Cummins is required to practice the laws of all 50 states. ✯ “These soldiers are under a lot of stress, away from their families, and dealing with the realities of war. My main responsibility and my greatest reward is alleviating some of that stress through the law,” Cpt. Cummins says. “I work with about 30 attorneys here, and it’s a different environment than a typical law firm. There is a sense of selflessness that binds us together. These young men and women have a lot going on here in Iraq. If we attorneys can give them some peace of mind, we’ve done our job.”

amıcus | 38 the home of the Brave

“I was drawn to the law because of the similarities between the law and intelligence,” Baldwin says. “Both offer a mentally stimulating environment that changes often and great flexibility in areas of specialization that allow a person to move among interests that other professions simply can’t match.” — Cpt. Clay Baldwin

Operation Enduring Freedom. He re- that changes often and great flexibility in While it may seem strange to hear a ceived the Bronze Star for his service areas of specialization that allow a per- former Military Intelligence officer de- in Afghanistan. The citation reads, “for son to move among interests that other scribe corporate law as “exciting,” it’s not meritorious achievement in the perfor- professions simply can’t match.” the adrenaline rush, the danger, or the mance of outstanding service…while Baldwin hopes to channel the expe- covert operations that Baldwin misses conducting sensitive and high-risk oper- rience he gained working with businesses most about the military. Instead, it’s the ations directed against terrorist and and governments overseas into a career people with whom he served. insurgency groups in support of Opera- in international business law. “The soldiers, noncommissioned offi- tion Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. “There was a time when only large cers, and officers I have served with over Captain Baldwin’s superb operational corporations operated internationally, but the years are the best people I have ever skills, leadership, and commitment to that’s no longer the case,” Baldwin says. known,” Baldwin says. “There is a level the mission contributed greatly to the “Small and medium-sized businesses must of respect, trust, and camaraderie that face the reality of a globalized market- success of United States forces in Opera- comes only when people have sacrificed place in order to succeed. These compa- tion Enduring Freedom.” and faced danger together. The military, nies don’t typically have in-house coun- Baldwin left active duty in 2004 and without a doubt, produces men and sel to guide them in areas that appear to spent three years circling the globe as an women of the highest caliber.” be pure business decisions, but can have operations officer in the clandestine Baldwin is often asked whether the severe legal consequences. I intend to service of the Central Intelligence Agen- fill that gap. cloak-and-dagger aspect of Military Intel- cy (CIA), before enrolling in MCSOL “Business transactional and regulatory ligence portrayed in books and movies in 2007. Today he serves with the intel- compliance law is not new in Missis- is accurate. ligence and security section at the Joint sippi, but the specialty of applying these “About 99 percent of intelligence Force Headquarters of the Mississippi areas to Mississippi businesses in the work is sitting in front of computers Army/Air National Guard and is a third- global market is a new concept emerg- and maps, and it involves a lot of writ- year law student at MCSOL. ing in the Mississippi legal arena,” Bald- ing, briefing, and planning,” he says. “I was drawn to the law because of win continues. “My ultimate goal is to “Then in certain areas, that last one the similarities between the law and help Mississippi businesses enter the glob- percent of the time, you get to step back intelligence,” Baldwin says. “Both offer al marketplace and thrive. I get excited and say ’Wow, this is what they write a mentally stimulating environment just talking about it.” the books about.’”

Following a Legacy Lt. Col. Thomas Ray ’85 Tom Ray served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps for 20 years, retiring as a Lieuten- ant Colonel and then serving as a senior trial attorney with the Army. As of June 2009, Lt. Col. Ray is an administrative law judge for the Social Security Administration in Washington, D.C. Asked to choose a most memorable moment from his military career, Ray describes the inspiration he drew from those who served before him. ✯ “If you had asked me this while I was still on active duty I might have pointed to that first murder case I prosecuted or to that big class action lawsuit that I had to defend in federal court, but now, quite frankly, the most memorable and moving moments were the staff rides,” Ray says. “Army officers go on staff rides to visit significant battlefields and discuss the troop movements, critical decisions, and strategies of the battle. You see the places where men died for their country. You cannot help but be moved and better appreciate the importance of our military and the sacrifices so many have made for our freedoms.”

amıcus | 39 the home of the Brave

Mississippi College School of Law recognizes and thanks the following students and alumni who have made personal and professional sacrifices to serve our country. If you are a student or alumnus who has served in the military and your service is not recognized below, please send your service information to Dana Terry, MCSOL director of communications and public relations, at [email protected].

1962 J.Gary Massey Kenneth Hall Patrick Shanley Michael Hugh C. Army Air Force Army Dickinson Montgomery, Jr. Germany Navy Army 1980 1989 Persian Gulf Michael Stephan Roth 1999 Wallace McCollum Navy Russell Lockey Benjamin Henley Wayne Wood Air Force Coast Guard Air Force 1990 Army Southeast Asia Birger Kristian Leopold Joh 2006 Alaskan Command Rasmussen Headquarters 1981 Navy Reserve Damon Carpenter Navy Clarence Giles Eduardo Martinez Air Force Army National 1966 Naval Reserve Benjamin Wise Murray Guard Naval Reserve Tracy Chapman McNeely Navy David Trewolla 1991 Army 2000 Navy Randy Patterson Dennis DeBar, Jr. H. Rusty Comley Okinawa and Army 1974 Air Force Army Diego Garcia Roger Clapp 1992 Lacey Steven Clifton Jeffery Air Force 1983 Michael White Navy Marine Corps Reserve Dennis Smith Marcia Davis Army 2002 Eric Jungbauer Army National Army Southeast Asia D. Christopher Army Guard 1985 1993 Daniel Balkans Naval Reserve 1975 Mark Brewer Brian Sullivan Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Chris Thomas T. Frank Collins Army Army Kuwait and Saudi Arabia Iraq Army National Guard Marines Rita Jones Iraq Ken Chennault 1994 Air Force 1976 Army Thomas 2007 Jan Butler 2003 Iraq Dickerhoof Andrew Boysen Army Jonathan Bullock Army Army Chu Lai, RVN Anthony O’Malley Army Qatar and Kuwait Navy Afghanistan Mark Majors George Gunter Mediterranean Sea Army National 1995 Ted Lampton Army National Guard Guard Thomas Ray Thomas Cluff Jr. Coast Guard Army Air Force Iraq Israel Allen McDaniel 1978 Ramona Seabron- 1996 Henry Cook Army National Herman O. Michael Turello Guard Williams Army Turner, Jr. Army Iraq Army Reserve Vietnam Army Afghanistan and Iraq Korea 2008 Kurt Kilpatrick 2004 1997 Jason Alexander Navy Chris Hennis 1986 Teresa Blount Navy Various Locations Marines Deborah Haffey Birmingham Persian Gulf, with the U.S. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Army Reserve Army Afghanistan, Kosovo, Western Navy Seabees Kosovo Danny Ruhl Sahara 1987 Navy 1979 Kelly Dunbar 1998 Daniel Cummins Patricia Bennett Army Christopher 2005 Army Army Reserve Gilbert Walter Beesley Iraq 1988 Marine Corps Reserve Navy 1980 Daniel Baker Mel Williams Paul DeHoff Army National David Morrow, Jr. Stephen Brown Army Army Guard Air Force Marines Iraq

Specific locations listed indicate combat tours.

amıcus | 40 Maurice Joseph, Dean Jim Rosenblatt and Herman Hines

Honoring Those Who Opened Doors Last November, Mississippi College the Herman and Martha Hinds Schol- that the building on Griffith Street was School of Law presented two longtime arship at MCSOL. made available in a timely manner for the friends of the law school with honorary “There has been no more faithful and law school’s occupancy. A lifelong Jack- master of laws degrees in recognition of longstanding friend to Mississippi Col- son resident, Joseph continues to support their outstanding service to the law school. lege School of Law than Herman Hines,” the city’s cultural, educational, and indus- Honoree Herman Hines was instru- said Dean Jim Rosenblatt. “We are pleased trial development. Joseph’s daughter, mental in coordinating and champion- to have associated with our law school a Meril, graduated from MCSOL in 1980. ing the fundraising effort that allowed gentleman who enjoys such respect in the “I value the long relationship the law Mississippi College to purchase the Jack- community. We are inspired by Herman school has enjoyed with Maurice Joseph,” son School of Law in 1975. Hines attend- Hines’ leadership, his care for people, Dean Rosenblatt said. “In addition to his ed the Jackson School of Law before and his wisdom.” efforts on behalf of MCSOL, he com- pursuing a career in banking. He is the A master of laws degree was also mands a wealth of information about former CEO and chairman of Deposit presented to Maurice Joseph, the found- Jackson and its history and is always Guaranty National Bank. Hines contin- er of Maurice H. Joseph, Inc., a success- pleased to answer my questions. Consis- ues to assist the law school with fund- ful commercial real estate development tent with his business slogan, ‘Maurice raising today and has also established firm. Joseph was instrumental in ensuring Jospeh knows real estate.’”

Former Recipients of the Master of Laws Degree Include:

Presented July 9, 2007 at First Baptist Church, Jackson: Mrs. Hayes Callicutt • Xavier M. “Mike” Frascogna Jr. ’72 Kenneth G. Perry • C. Robert Ridgway III ’37 • The Honorable James W. Smith ’72

Presented November 16, 2007 at MCSOL: D. Carl Black Jr. ’63 • Woods Eastland • M. L. “Matt” Holleman III The Honorable Dan M. Lee ’48 • The Honorable Robert P. Sugg Jr. ’40

amıcus | 41 And the Award Goes to… Mississippi College School of Law held its annual Law Day awards ceremony on April 17, 2009. MCSOL Dean Jim Rosenblatt and Associate Dean Phillip McIntosh served as masters of ceremonies, acknowledging outstanding achievements and commitment to the law school on the part of MCSOL students, faculty, and staff. “Law Day is a wonderful tradition at the Mississippi College School of Law,” said Dean Jim Rosenblatt. “It’s an honor to recognize our students for their academic and leadership achievements and to celebrate the generosity of our supporters. The long list of honorees is a testimony to the success of not only those individuals honored, but of our law school as a whole.”

Faculty and Staff Awards Professor of the Year Professor Jeffrey Jackson Professor Shirley Norwood Jones Faculty Collegiality Award Professor Carol West Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association Award Professor Celie Edwards Faculty Professionalism Award Professors Chris Lund and Greg Bowman First Year Professor of the Year Professor Donald Campbell Adjunct Professor of the Year Justice Jess Dickinson and Ken Harmon Staff Employee of the Year Kristie Hairston

Contractor of the Year Award Lt. Frank Alexander of Pendleton Security

Student Awards Mississippi Bar – Fellows of Young Lawyers Zandrea King American Board of Trial Advocates Award Penny Lawson Adams and Reese Pro Bono Award Brad Kerwin ALI/ABA Award Wells Griffith

amıcus | 42 Professor Lauren Cliatt Justice Jess Dickinson Christopher Lund Frisby Griffing Marble Adjunct Professor Faculty Professionalism Award Scholarship of the Year

Student Awards LSBA President’s Award Mississippi Bar MLI Press / Brad Kerwin Foundation Lenore Prather Association of Legal John Dollarhide Scholarship Awards Administrators Frisby Griffing Marble Gary Thompson Leon Cameron Leigh Watkins Scholarship Sarah Beth Wilson Charlie Carr Marcus Bryant Paytreen Davidson M. Judith Barnett ’99 Misti Landry Bryant Mississippi Bar Evelyn Holden Award Leon Cameron Section Awards Penny Lawson Jennifer Kizer Lauren Cliatt Clint Martin Business Ben Morgan Jennifer Norris R. Jess Brown Award Taylor Polk Clay Baldwin Scherrie Prince Kimberly Sweeney Crystal Welch Joseph “Joey” Estates & Trusts Center for Justice Awards Wayne Phillips, Jr. Matthew Courtner Erik Faries Personal Courage Award Memorial Award Todd Thornburg Sarah Reese Family Marc Bryant Grace Skertich Grace Skertich Phi Delta Phi Awards Victor & Gayle Mavar Health Timothy Anzenberger John M. Colette ’85 Award Scholarship Jo Claire Yeter Andrew Speir Bill Barrett Mitch Owen Dunbar Watt Brett Richards Litigation Judge John R. Virginia Turnage Gene Taylor Rankin County Bar Countiss III ’56 Garner Wetzel Nick Crawford Association Award Memorial Scholarship Lee Hill Award McGlinchey Real Property Brittany Rosen Stafford Award Jesse Granneman Regions Bank Award Christopher Meredith Jeremy Clay Judge Sebe Dale Mississippi Chapter Ashley Nader Memorial Scholarship Sue Riggan Millette of the Federal Kaytie Pickett Lauren Cliatt Scholarship Bar Association – The Celena Rouse Susan King Robert Hauberg Award Gwen and John Deakle ’75 Carson Thurman John Dollarhide Sports & Entertainment Scholarship Society’s Most Valuable Clint Martin Mission First Legal Aid Mississippi College Law Person Award Office Top Volunteers Alumni Award Chris Smith Dean’s LSBA Matthew Harris Krissy Casey Leadership Award Kristy Kleine Ryan Revere Betty B. Tucker ’38 Award Wells Griffith Pat Zimmerman Amanda Woodruff Mississippi Corporate Peter L. Doran ’88 Mississippi Association of Counsel Scholarship Marie Upton Scholarship Memorial Scholarship County Board Attorneys Morgan Holder Jim Myers Pamela Grady Clay Baldwin Jason Varnado Mississippi Defense John B. Farese Trial Mississippi Association Lawyers Association – Sam Wilkins Advocate Award for Justice – The Reginald Gray Criminal Law Award Keith Aiken Roy Noble Lee Award Memorial Award Chase Brown Bart Cannon Brandi Denton Lee Hill Wright Law Firm Herman & Martha Mississippi Bankruptcy Mississippi Women Family Law Award Hines Award Conference Lawyers Association Award Ryan Skertich Theresa Neyland William Ballard Kimberly Cheatham Gene Taylor

amıcus | 43 “The Good Old Days” Establishing Precedent By Judge Mary Libby Payne

In the 1970s, the law school was back corner of the law book stacks. The machine, and the ATM, then turn right, housed in the second floor of the Learn- room was sided on the north and west then left, then right again, and come to ing Resources Center of Speed Library by windowless outside walls. The south the second office on the left.” on the main Mississippi College campus side was a shelf of law books and the John e-mailed back something like in Clinton with classes held in buildings east side of the “office” consisted of a this: “Gee, in my day we had never heard all over the place. Faculty offices lined door attached to a bookshelf on one of latte, had nothing resembling a vend- the sides of the law library and the side and to the north wall with chicken ing machine, and certainly had no need administrative staff offices were in a wire on the other. The width of that for an ATM (even if they had been invent- square island toward the back of the spacious room was the size of two book- ed) because none of us had any money.” main room. That room served as the shelves plus the aisle between them. Today’s MCSOL students might feel reading room, the student center (with- out any possibility of food and/or cof- John Daniels ’79, a former manag- sorry for John and his classmates, who fee), a waiting room for visits with the ing editor of the Law Review, and I were suffered through law school in cramped dean or faculty, and a general gathering reminiscing about those good old days spaces with few amenities, until I add place for creating and spreading rumors. not too long ago. I invited John to come that those class members paid approxi- It was a red-letter day when the law visit me sometime and gave him direc- mately $58 per semester hour to attend school was given a copy machine by the tions to my office. I told him, “I’m in the MCSOL. Our amenities at the law back stairway for its exclusive use. new student center on Griffith Street school today are wonderful by compari- Organized in the summer of 1977, facing the patio. Go into the student son, but there is a reason they call it the Law Review was given a room at the center, past the Starbucks, the vending “the good old days.”

Mary Libby Payne has been with the Mississippi College School of Law since 1975, serving as founding dean and professor of law. She is currently the MCSOL Scholar in Residence and Professor Emerita.

amıcus | 44 Judge Shirley has dedicated himself to making a difference in the lives of young people while serving You as an example of judicial integrity. Learn Some– thing New Every Day

CLE Alumni Spotlight Judge Shirley is the Youth Court decisions for children and their families, Judge John N. Shirley ’88 Judge for Pearl, Mississippi, and a and that he is an outstanding example Rankin County Justice Court Judge but of someone who has allowed nothing to he has not allowed his busy schedule to stand in his way when it comes to his preclude his willingness to serve the life’s mission. community. Judge Shirley is always will- Judge Shirley and his wife of 25 years, ing to assist MCSOL, not only judging Martha, have two daughters, Alisha and moot court arguments, but also recruit- Rachel. The Shirleys live in Brandon and ing many of his fellow judges for this attend Pinelake Church. important service to the law school. Virtually every time Judge Shirley visits Upcoming CLE Events the MCSOL campus, he finds time to July 23 The MCSOL CLE Office is Fortu- talk with and mentor law students. CLE Marathon nate to have many knowledgeable and But of the many services Judge Shir- July 24 CLE Marathon effective volunteer presenters from the ley provides to MCSOL, his contribu- August 7 Metro Jackson area, but when it comes tions to the CLE Office are perhaps the Mini CLE Marathon to attention to detail and willingness to most outstanding. Judge Shirley is pleased August 14 help others learn about his areas of to share his vast knowledge and experi- Guardian Ad Litem Training expertise, few compare to Judge John ence with children and family issues with August 21 N. Shirley ’88. guardians ad litem, juvenile defenders, Juvenile Defender Training Judge Shirley began his career in the and others in need of practical, accurate September 11 field of computer science, but his deci- information on the prosecution of child Internet Resources sion to attend law school led him to his abuse, testimony by children, youth court for the Practitioner true calling in life, which is ministering practice, mental and substance abuse November 6 Guardian Ad Litem Training to troubled youths and their families. disorders, family law, and related topics. Whether it’s through his work with the Judge Shirley’s attention to detail, TO BE ANNOUNCED Mississippi Supreme Court Commission knowledge of current laws and decisions, Law & Faith Symposium on Domestic Abuse Issues and the Mis- and willingness to serve on planning Healthcare Symposium sissippi Council of Youth Court Judges committees for CLE are without equal. Environmental Law CLE or providing services for the Mississippi Anyone who attends one of his CLE Commission on Judicial Performance, sessions leaves knowing several things MCSOL Alumni: Mention this coupon

Judge Shirley has dedicated himself to for certain – that Judge Shirley’s infor- when registering for any CLE event making a difference in the lives of young mation has been thoroughly researched people while serving as an example of and tested in the courts, that his life’s and receive a 25% discount. judicial integrity. work is centered around making the best

amıcus | 45 Let the Good Times Roll Alumni and Reunion Weekend

The good times were indeed rolling day with difficult choices that implicate cess of our law school and its students.” at MCSOL Alumni and Reunion Week- not only the law, but also the very core “It’s a true honor to be recognized end events held at the new Jackson Con- meaning of professional responsibility,” by Mississippi College School of Law,” vention Complex April 17-18. More than said McCann. “And bear in mind, just said Williamson, director of corporate 100 MCSOL alumni and guests attend- like pro athletes, we, too, have been en- compliance at Mississippi Children’s ed this year’s gathering, taking advan- trusted with the public’s confidence and Home Services. “I’m proud of my law tage of the opportunity to reconnect with the obligation to preserve it.” degree, in part due to the amount of old friends. work and dedication it takes to obtain a “We were very pleased with the suc- “Our goal was to J.D., and also because of the excellent cess of this event,” said Whitney Whit- treat our alums to a reputation that MCSOL holds in the tington, MCSOL director of alumni fun-filled event and also legal and business communities in Mis- relations. “MCSOL has a unique group to instill even more pride in sissippi and nationwide. I look forward of alumni who provide a great deal of to watching our law school continue to support to the school. We were excited them as MCSOL graduates. grow in stature from the ‘best kept secret to see our alums, including several who Based on the feedback of the South’ to the ‘best law school you traveled a great distance to be here.” we’ve received, I think can attend for professional development This year marked the inauguration this was a successful event and legal training.’” of silent and live auctions as part of the on both counts.” Alumni and Reunion Weekend con- festivities. Alumni and guests placed their cluded the morning following the din- bids on more than 40 items from trips Whitney Whittington, ner, when alumni were welcomed back Director of Alumni Relations to artwork to special events with law to campus for a breakfast gathering with school faculty, with proceeds going to The evening concluded with the pre- Dean Jim Rosenblatt and several MCSOL MCSOL Annual Giving. One of the sentation of the Lawyer of the Year professors. highlighted items was an original water- Award to Bob Anderson ’84 and the “This weekend was a chance not only color painting of the law school created Young Lawyer of the Year award to for old friends to get together, but also especially for the event by renowned local Tina Williamson ’04. for us to showcase everything that’s hap- artist Wyatt Waters. “I am very flattered to have received pening at the law school today,” Whit- The law school welcomed back Profes- this award,” said Anderson, senior counsel tington said. “Our goal was to treat our sor Michael McCann as the guest speak- with Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & alums to a fun-filled event and also to er for the reunion dinner. McCann com- Cannada, PLLC. “My motivation for giv- instill even more pride in them as MCSOL bined his two passions – sports and law ing time and resources to MCSOL is sim- graduates. Based on the feedback we’ve – in an informative and witty address. ple. MCSOL has helped me enjoy success, received, I think this was a successful “As lawyers, we’re confronted every and I want to be a part of the future suc- event on both counts.”

Above: Lawyer of the Year, Bob Anderson; Local artist Wyatt Waters; Professor Michael McCann; Young Lawyer of the Year, Tina Williamson

amıcus | 46 alumni | gatherings

1 2

3 “Going back to law school at the age of 45 and with a family to take care of didn’t seem realistic, or even possible, but MCSOL helped me make it happen. I attend alumni events not only to see old friends, but also to show my appreciation to the law school. Mississippi College School of Law made it possible for me to earn a law degree and enjoy a career I might otherwise never have had.” — D. J. Horecky ’85

4 5

6 Thank Goodness It’s Wednesday First Friday is now First Wednesday. All MCSOL alumni are invited to the law school on the first Wednesday of each month for a complimentary luncheon. Join fellow MCSOL graduates and professors for the chance to network and enjoy a hot meal. First Wednesday kicks off on August 5 and runs through December 2.

1: Monroe, LA Alumni Gathering / 2: Gulfport Alumni Gathering / 3: Mobile, AL Alumni Gathering / 4: First Friday Alumni Lunch 5: St. Paddy’s Day Parade / 6: Tupelo Alumni Gathering

amıcus | 47 Hot Off MLithe Press

Mississippi Rules Annotated of limitations, including Hurricane Katrina- Rules Annotated, MS Chancery Practice, 2009–2010 related changes. and the MS Jury: Law and Practice. Dean Mary Miller $135.00 Damages Law for MLI Appellate Case Mississippi Rules Annotated is the most Mississippi Trial Practice Update Bulletin comprehensive compilation of case anno- John Corlew Dean Mary Miller tations for the civil procedure, evidence $295.00 Fee varies and appellate court rules available on the This publication addresses all elements of (contact the MLi office for specifics at market. The 2009-2010 edition has been tort damages, including suggested jury 601.925.7107 or [email protected]) updated to include rules, amendments and instructions. In addition, the book cata- MLi Press offers an e-mail subscription case annotations through November 1, logues more than 200 million dollar ver- service delivering weekly summaries of all 2008. In this edition, the annotations are dicts in all 22 Mississippi Circuit Court published Mississippi Supreme Court and arranged topically, making it easier to pin- Districts and Federal Courts. Court of Appeals opinions, usually within point cases that discuss a particular portion a day following hand down. The facts and of a rule. Mississippi Appellate Practice legal analysis are presented in a concise Luther Munford format which allows attorneys to deter- Mississippi Limitations $295.00 of Actions 2009–2010 This comprehensive guide to appellate mine quickly if the case is one which is Thomas Walter practice in Mississippi includes appeals to pertinent to their practice. A hypertext $99.95 trial courts, with checklists, forms, table of link to the opinion on the official Supreme Mississippi Limitations of Actions is a valu- authorities and index. New features in this Court web site is included for ease in able reference source for attorneys faced edition include new case citations for viewing the full text opinion. The summa- with possible time bars to actions. This pub- 2001–2006, cross references to Encyclo- ries are available in WordPerfect or Micro- lication covers all major changes in the law pedia of MS Law, MS Civil Procedure, MS soft Word format.

order form for all MLi Press Publications

❑ 2009-2010 Mississippi Rules Annotated ❑ mississippi limitations of actions ❑ MLi Case Update Bulletin ❑ Damages Law for Mississippi Trial Practice ❑ Mississippi Appellate Practice

nAME ______fIRM nAME ______shIPPING aDDRESS ______cITY______sTATE ______zIP ______tYPE OF pAYMENT: ❑ Cash ❑ check ❑ visa ❑ Master Card ❑ American Express ❑ Discover

Full Name on Credit Card ______Credit Card Number ______

Billing Address ______

Expiration Date ______Security code (3 digit number on back of card) ______

Signature ______

You may also order on line at www.law.mc.edu/mli/index.html MLi Press / PO Box 1127 / Jackson, MS 39215 S&H FOR ALL PUBLICATIONS: $10 for 1 book / $16 for 2-4 books / $22 for 5-10 books / $40 for 11 or more books

amıcus | 48 class | action

Please send your Class Action North Carolina magazine. The recognition 1990 updates to Whitney Whittington is based on surveys of more than 18,000 Wendy Moore Shelton serves as municipal at [email protected]. attorneys across North Carolina. judge in Bentonia, Mississippi. 1974 Robert M. Morgan was appointed to the Tood Inman Woods was named one of the Dennis Carl Smith, longtime vice presi- executive committee of the Elder Law Sec- “Legal Elite” for Corporate Council for tion of the Florida Bar. He co-authored the dent and news director at WLBT-TV in Lowe’s Companies in Business North Caro- article Good Ethics = Good Business presented Jackson, was inducted into the Mississippi lina magazine. The recognition is based Associated Press Broadcasters Association at the 20th Annual National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Conference. on surveys of more than 18,000 attorneys Hall of Fame in April 2009. across North Carolina. 1987 1977 1991 Gerald J. “Joey” Diaz Jr. is wrapping up Robert G. “Bob” Anderson was named Mis- Julie Even Clancy was appointed by the his term as the 45th president of the Mis- sissippi College School of Law’s Lawyer of sissippi Trial Lawyers Association. Diaz was the Year for 2008-2009. mayor and city council of Dallas, Texas, as named the association’s president during 1988 a judge for the City of Dallas. She lives in the annual convention banquet in New Gaston Charles “Chuck” Bordis IV was Dallas with her husband, Danny Clancy Orleans in June 2008. appointed Chancery Court Judge for Jack- ’91, and their children, Dylan, Ryan, and Kylie Ann. 1981 son by Governor Haley Barber and will Phillip Wayne Broadhead was named a life serve through January 2011. Jon Stephen Kennedy was the graduation member of the Mississippi Public Defend- 1989 speaker for students receiving undergrad- ers Association at the spring conference in Chuck D’Wayne Barlow won his case before uate degrees in the School of Business, May 2009. the U.S. Supreme Court, Entergy Corp. vs. School of Education, the Cooper School Riverkeeper, Inc., et. al. Barlow was on the 1983 of Missions and Biblical Studies, and the brief while outside counsel argued. Barlow Winters School of Music at William Carey Marcia Davis became a board certified civil spoke at a national forum on “Greening The University in Hattiesburg. An attorney with trial lawyer in 2006. She was appointed by Grid” hosted by Lewis & Clark Law School Governor Charlie Crist to Florida’s 8th Judi- in Portland, Oregon, in April. Baker Donelson in Jackson, Kennedy spe- cial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commit- cializes in the defense of product liability tee in 2008 and also serves as president of Betty Ruth S. Fox has joined Watkins & suits against automobile manufacturers and the International Paso Horse Federation. Eager as counsel. has participated in several trials resulting 1985 James Trey Phillips has been appointed in defense verdicts for these clients. He is a Cynthia Lee Brewer was named a group director of the Public Protection Division member of the Mississippi Defense Law- facilitator to a group of 13 new judges from for the Louisiana Department of Justice, yers Association and the American Auto- across the nation for the National Judicial Office of the Attorney General. He will motive Product Liability Subcommittee. supervise a staff of 15 attorneys handling College in Reno, Nevada, in April. This is her 1992 second time to serve as a student teacher. litigation relating to class/mass actions, anti- trust, unfair/deceptive practices, tobacco David Lee Harrell is with the insurance regu- Gerald A. “Jeb” Jeutter Jr. was named one of settlement, housing discrimination, and latory practice group of Baker, Donelson, the “Legal Elite” in bankruptcy in Business insurance receiverships. Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC.

Calling The COP On Rob Hildum The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) presented District of Columbia Deputy Attorney General Rob Hildum ’91 with its prestigious Chief of Police (COP) Medal of Merit award. • The COP Medal of Merit is given to outstanding indi- viduals who work with law enforcement agencies other than the police department and whose actions have significantly enhanced MPD’s ability to prevent crime and ensure public safety in the District of Columbia. • In his position as deputy attorney general, Hildum has assisted the District’s efforts to address juvenile crime issues and prosecutions through new legislation and civil litigation. He assisted MPD in developing its general order on pretrial eyewitness identification, and was instrumental in estab- lishing subpoena guidelines for MPD detectives to use at late hours when such usage will facilitate an urgent criminal investigation. The MPD describes Hildum as “always making himself available at all hours of the day and night. His dedication to the citizens and MPD has made Washington, D.C., a better place to live, work, and visit.”

amıcus | 49 class | action

1995 1997 Michael K. Graves has joined Walker Brown, Christi Gandy Anderson joined the Mis- Brown & Graves. He will continue his prac- sissippi Bar staff as investigator. tice in commercial and general litigation, Jeffrey Allan Styres was promoted to senior zoning and land use, and creditors’ rights. associate counsel in the legal department of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company in Jackson. Styres serves as an Claudia Nancy adjunct professor in Mississippi College’s Cha-lian Lehrer School of Business. Stephen Smith Ashley Jr. was named one of Lisa Aruini Lehrer, her husband, Brian, the “Legal Elite” in intellectual property for and their five-year-old son, Colton Lewis, announce the newest addition to their Business North Carolina magazine. The rec- ognition is based on surveys of more than family, Claudia Nancy Cha-lian Lehrer, Sophia and Anna born July 19, 2007 in the Peoples Repub- Caroline Hardy 18,000 attorneys across North Carolina. lic of China, Jiangxi Province, ShangRao. 1998 Katharine M. Hardy writes “Two girls are Claudia was placed in her mother’s arms on Tricia Ann LoVerne Beale and her husband double the fun!” Pictured are her daughters, June 29, 2008 and arrived in the United celebrated the birth of a son, Blake, in Sophia (2) and Anna Caroline (1). States on July 10, 2008. Lehrer has accept- July 2008. ed a part-time position with Barrett Lazar, Manning Todd Russell was cast in the role William Buckley Stewart was selected as a LLC in Maywood, New Jersey, in order to of Aslan in a theater production of Narnia shareholder with Copeland, Cook, Taylor spend more time at home. in December of 2008 in Montgomery, Ala- & Bush, P.A. in Ridgeland, Mississippi. 1993 bama. His son, Andy, played the role of Ed- Michael Edward Gieger’s legal department mund and his daughter, Ellie, was the fox. Jenny Tennyson and her husband, Robert, welcomed a son, Isaac Lee Tennyson, on with Quest was named the best legal depart- 1996 September 25, 2008. ment in the United States by Corporate Mariano Javier Barvie and his wife welcomed Counsel magazine. Last year’s winner was twins in October of 2008. 1999 General Electric. Quest topped McDonald’s Barry C. Campbell was listed as a 2008 Andrea La’Verne Ford Edney serves as the and Caterpillar in this year’s competition. Mid-South “Rising Star” by Mid-South attorney contact for Brunini, Grantham, Wendy Walker Martin Simmons was named Super Lawyers. Grower & Hewes’ new family law practice. Queen Jolliet XLIII for the Krewe of Tri- Clair Williams Ketner was recognized as Cities 43rd annual Carnival Ball on Janu- Stephen Louis Dillard was named a “Rising one of Mississippi’s 50 leading business- ary 17, 2009 in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Star” by Super Lawyers of Georgia. He is women by Mississippi Business Journal. 1994 employed with the James, Bates, Pope & Spivey law firm in Macon. Rebecca McRae Langston and her hus- Todd Inman Woods was named one of band, Shane, welcomed a son on February the “Legal Elite” in corporate council in E. Paxton Warner joined the United 12, 2009. Business North Carolina magazine. The rec- States Attorney’s Office for the Southern ognition is based on surveys of more than District of Texas, Brownsville Division, in Jeffrey Padgett has received his guardian 18,000 attorneys across North Carolina. the Civil Division. ad litem and juvenile defender certification.

Klingfuss Hits a High Note Jeff Klingfuss ’92, special assistant attorney general for the State of Mississippi, received the President’s Volunteer Service Award bronze medal for community service. Established in 2003, the award is given by the President of the United States and honors individuals, families, and groups who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service over a 12- month period. • In 2008, Klingfuss volunteered more than 100 hours of service as a musician for two churches, New Hope Lutheran Church and Alexander Memorial Presbyterian Church, both located in Attala County, Mississippi. • “The satisfaction of assisting these congregations in fulfilling their ministry in the community is rewarding in itself,” Klingfuss says. “To be presented with this award for meaning- ful work I enjoy doing is an added honor.” • In recognition of his service to the law school, Klingfuss was also named MCSOL’s 2008-09 Volunteer of the Year. Klingfuss serves as an adjunct professor and is a regular presenter at CLE courses. • “Jeff consistently earns the most favorable comments from students and CLE attendees,” says MCSOL Dean Jim Rosenblatt. “I could listen to him speak on any topic.”

amıcus | 50 class | action

William Clinton Pentecost and his wife Thomas James Evans opened his own prac- Bobby “Joey” Hood and his wife welcomed a celebrated the birth of a son, Jonathan Trey tice, Law Offices of Timothy J. Evans, in son, Jonah, on July 3, 2008. Hood recently Pentecost, on February 9, 2009. December 2008. opened a law office in Ackerman, Mississippi. Joseph Anthony Sclafani was named one of David Lee Gladden, Jr. and his wife, Whit- John Wimberly Kitchens and his wife wel- Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 40 Under ney Warner Gladden ’07, celebrated the comed a son, John W. “Jack” Kitchens, Jr. 40 in 2009. birth of their son, Tucker David Gladden, in June 2008. on December 5, 2008. 2000 Matthew Warren Kitchens joined the Van Walker Reece Gibson was selected as a Laura McKinley Glaze was elected secre- Winkle Law Firm’s construction and pro- shareholder with Copeland, Cook, Taylor tary-treasurer of the Hinds County Bar fessional design group. Association. & Bush, P.A. in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Kevin Alan Rogers and his wife, Amy, wel- Benny M. “Mac” May has joined Dunbar Angela Johnson Hulsey and her husband, comed a daughter, Brianna Katelin Rog- Monroe, P.A. Attorneys at Law. Brad, welcomed a son in March. ers, on August 4, 2008. She joins big sister Victoria Haley Rogers. Michelle Barlow Mims and her husband, James Joseph McNamara IV was named one of Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 40 Jon Jerdone Mims ’01 welcomed a daugh- 2004 Under 40 in 2009. ter, Kara Paige Mims, on May 20, 2008. Amanda Green Alexander was elected pres- John Alexander Purvis was elected director ident of the Mississippi Women Lawyers Michael Earl Phillips was selected for share- of the Bar’s Young Lawyers Division for the Association (MWLA), a statewide organi- holder status at Wilkins, Stephens & Tip- zation founded to enhance and develop Jackson, Hinds Post VI. ton, P.A. in Jackson, Mississippi. the image of lawyers in Mississippi, pro- Jennifer Garvin Rush and her husband, mote fellowship among the members of 2001 John, welcomed their second daughter, Kate the legal community, and advance women Garrett P. LaBorde was appointed the ABA Loflin Rush, on July 31, 2008. in the legal profession. Young Lawyers Division 2009-2010 law practice management vice-chair. Sylvia Thomas McDaniel and her husband, Michael, celebrated the birth of twin daugh- ters, Ruby Sinclair McDaniel and Charlotte Reeves McDaniel, on December 17, 2007. Jon Jerdone Mims and his wife Michelle Barlow Mims ’00 welcomed a daughter, Kara Paige Mims, on May 20, 2008. Addison G. Tatum Grace Tyler Baker Charles “Charlie” Russell and his wife, Ash- ley, welcomed a daughter, Isabel Beasley Gwennetta LaVon Holloway Tatum and Jennifer Tyler Baker and her husband, Roy, Russell, on February 9, 2009. her husband, Joe ’96, welcomed a daughter, welcomed a daughter, Grace Tyler Baker, on 2002 Addison G. Tatum, on October 20, 2008. February 12, 2009. Jenny serves as president Kristin Burnett Barber and her husband 2003 of the Harrison County Bar Association and welcomed a daughter, Anna McKinley Bar- John Adams Feild and his wife celebrated was elected director of the Bar’s Young Law- ber, on June 25, 2008. the arrival of a son, Adams Feild. yers Division for Coastal District II.

Alexander Heads Mississippi Women Lawyers Association Amanda Green Alexander ’04 is serving as president of the Mississippi Women Lawyers Association (MWLA) for 2008-09. MWLA is a statewide organization founded to enhance the image of lawyers in Mississippi, promote fellowship among the members of the legal community, and advance women in the legal profession. • “I’m delight- ed to have the opportunity to serve as president of MWLA during this exciting time,” Alexander says. “Our theme for this year is ’MWLA: Leading and Inspiring Change in Our Community.’ We’re working to inspire great things in our community and profession.” • A key MWLA project in 2009 has been the Inspiring Readers Program, through which the organization provided summer reading books to children in low-income families. • Alexander is a member of both the Mississippi Bar and the District of Colum- bia Bar. A shareholder with the Jackson-based firm Alexander & Watson, P.A., she represents businesses and organizations in the areas of worker’s compensation and labor and employment law, and also practices family law, including wills and estates. Alexander is an adjunct professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Jackson State University.

amıcus | 51 class | action

David Christian Brown and Kristi Rae Patrick Alexander Vogel was inducted to the Kristi Rae Rogers and David Christian Rogers ’05 were married June 13, 2009 in Cambridge Who’s Who Executive, Profes- Brown ’04 were married June 13, 2009 in New Orleans. sional, and Entrepreneurial Registry for New Orleans. showing dedication, leadership, and excel- Shunda Lakeshia Pounders and Toney Anth- lence in all aspects of legal services. He is 2006 ony Baldwin were married June 20, 2009. an attorney with O’Neil, Parker & Wil- Jason Scott Gilbert and his wife, Caroline, liamson, PLLC in Knoxville, Tennessee. welcomed their first child, Garrett Jack- son Gilbert, on October 19, 2008. Bethany Williamson Walker and David Walker ’08 welcomed a son, William Pace Bryan Sinclair Hawkins and his wife Walker, on Friday, August 1, 2008. He was celebrated the birth of their first child, 9lbs. 2oz. and 21 ½ inches long. Cooper Sinclair Hawkins, on January 26, 2009. Katina Seymour “Tina” Williamson was named director of corporate compliance Alexander Dunlap Kassoff and his wife with Mississippi Children’s Home Services. welcomed a daughter, Mariel Kassoff, in Madison Elizabeth Reso She was also named Mississippi College 2008. School of Law’s Young Lawyer of the Year Matthew W. Kitchens has joined The Van Melissa Ann Nunley Reso and her hus- for 2008-2009. Winkle Law firm in Asheville, NC. He is band, Michael, welcomed a daughter, Mad- 2005 a part of the firm’s construction and pro- ison Elizabeth, on January 15, 2009. She Benjamin Russell Henley and his wife, Lind- fessional design group. weighed 7lbs., 4oz. sey, welcomed a son in December, 2008.

Callee Roberts Joshua Jamison Jay Harper Korsak Swords Jr. Dianne Roberts and her husband wel- Joshua Jamison Swords and his wife, Kim, Dean Wayne Korsak and his wife wel- comed a daughter, Callee, on August 29, welcomed a son, Joshua Jamison Swords comed their first child, Jay Harper Kor- 2008. She weighed 5lb. 14oz. and was 18 Jr., on October 27, 2008. sak, on March 11, 2008. inches long.

MCSOL Alumni Named Outstanding Women Lawyers Two MCSOL graduates were the top honorees at the Mississippi Women Lawyers Association’s 15th Annual Outstanding Women Lawyers awards ceremony in May. • In recognition of her tireless work for those in need, Patti Gandy ’98 was named the 2009 Out- standing Woman Lawyer of the Year. Gandy is the founding director of the Mission First Legal Aid Office, which provides legal services to low-income residents in the Jackson area. A graduate of Missis- sippi College, Gandy operated a legal support employment agency prior to enrolling in law school. In 2006, Gandy gave up a prestigious partnership track position with Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & Cannada, PLLC, the largest law firm based in Mississippi, and took a hefty pay cut to become the director of the Legal Aid Office, a joint effort of MCSOL and Mission First, a neighborhood outreach ministry. • U.S. Federal Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson ’85 was presented with the MWLA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The first African American female appointed to the federal bench in the Southern District of Mississippi, Anderson worked as a secretary and a pub- lic school music teacher prior to enrolling in law school in 1981. Her illustrious legal career includes service as a law clerk for the Mississippi Supreme Court (1985-87), district attorney for the Seventh Judicial Court District (1987-99), and assistant United States attorney (1996-2006). As assistant U.S. attorney, Anderson worked primarily in the criminal division, where she was coordinator of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a national initiative mandated by the President to reduce gun violence. • Congratulations to Patti Gandy and Judge Linda Anderson for their service to and success in the legal profession and recognition they bring to MCSOL as alumni.

Above: Patti Gandy and Judge Linda Anderson

amıcus | 52 class | action

2007 Ryanne Elizabeth Duffie appears every Kelly Nappier Clay and her husband wel- other week on Jackson’s WLEZ FM at comed a child in 2008. 100.2 from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on In Memoriam “Film Club Radio” as the show’s resident Whitney Warner Gladden and her hus- 1948 entertainment attorney. The show is also band, David Lee Gladden Jr. ’02, welcomed Grover C. Clark, Jr. passed away on Janu- broadcast online at www.wlezfm.com. a son, Tucker David Gladden, on Decem- ary 16, 2009. Mr. Clark graduated from ber 5, 2008. William D. Edwards accepted a position Millsaps College, where he served as presi- at Holbrook Peterson & Smith in Knox- dent of the senior class, was voted captain ville, Tennessee. and most valuable player of the football Leslie Townsend Foster was named an team, was president of the “M” Club, and associate at the law firm of Spears, Moore, was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Rebman & Williams, P.C. in Chattanooga, and Sigma Rho Chi fraternities. Mr. Clark Tennessee. taught math and science and was also Marshall Allen Hollis and Erin Elise Brown employed by Universal Credit Co. before ’09 were married May 30, 2009 at First being commissioned into the Navy as an Nicolas L. Haigler Baptist Church in Weaver, Alabama. ensign in 1943. He served as a lieutenant Thomas William Ikard attended tax school aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bennington, Nicolas L. Haigler was elected to the board at the University of Florida. participating in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Following World War II, Mr. of directors of the popular Carolina Caril- Francis Draper Ingram and her husband, Clark earned his J.D. from the Jackson lon Holiday Parade. This annual holiday Russell, celebrated the birth of their son, School of Law and was admitted to the event in Columbia features the Miss Car- Pierce Nelson Ingram, on July 21, 2008. olina Carillon Pageant, a 5K race, and the He weighed 8lbs. and was 21 inches long. State Bar in 1948. He worked in the con- downtown parade, which showcases doz- sumer finance business, serving as an exec- ens of floats, marching bands, drill teams, Lindsay Conway Thomas joined McGlinch- utive officer of White System of Jackson, ey Stafford as an associate in the firm’s and live performances. Inc., and was a founding member of the Jackson office. She practices in the com- Board of Directors of Consumer National Pamela Marcengill Hitchcock and her hus- mercial litigation section. Bank. Mr. Clark attended Galloway Memo- band celebrated the birth of a daughter, Tay- David Lee Walker and his wife, Bethany lor Anne Hitchcock, on May 1, 2009. She rial United Methodist Church. He was a ’04, welcomed a son, William Pace Walker, charter member and past president of the weighed 7lbs., 8oz. and was 20 inches long. on August 1, 2008. Sertoma Club of Jackson, treasurer of the Amanda Grace Kisner and her husband 2009 Jackson Jaycees, the 1968 Millsaps Alum- welcomed a son, Holden, on December Erin Elise Brown and Marshall Allen Hol- ni Fund Chairman, and a member of the 18, 2008. lis ’08 were married May 30, 2009 at First Colonial Country Club. Mr. Clark is sur- Baptist Church in Weaver, Alabama. Stephen L. Thomas was named a “local vived by his wife of 69 years, Frances, and litigation star” by Benchmark Litigation, his children and grandchildren. 2009 Edition. Theodore G. Huffman passed away on Beverly Nicole Walker passed the Arizona Thursday, May 7, 2009 in Woodlands, Bar exam in 2008. Texas. Mr. Huffman had retired after many 2008 years of service at the Veterans Adminis- Joslyn Anthony passed the Illinois Bar in tration in Jackson, Mississippi. He received 2008. his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from David Ford Berry married on June 14, Tyson Charles Bryant the University of Mississippi, then earned 2008. He is employed with Deaton & his J.D. from the Jackson School of Law. Daniel in Flowood, Mississippi. Marcus “Marc” Charles Bryant and his Mr. Huffman served in the Army and later wife, Mandy, celebrated the arrival of a son, in the Air Force Strategic Air Command Lisa Jenkins Chandler is a partner at Murray Tyson Charles Bryant, on April 30, 2009. both during WWII and the Korean War, & Chandler at Law in Natchez, Mississippi. Todd Martin Thornburg and his wife, Val- and remained in the Reserves until 1959, Keating Simmons Coleman is engaged to erie, welcomed a daughter, Cecile Helen retiring as a captain. Mr. Huffman worked marry Patrick Haynes Lowery on July Thornburg, on May 7, 2009. as a rating specialist for the Veterans Ad- 18, 2009. 2010 ministration in Jackson before retiring and Linda Faye Cooper joined Wise Carter Victor Benjamin “Ben” Tremonte and his relocating to the Houston area to be near Child & Carraway, where she practices in wife, Molly, celebrated the arrival of a son, his grandchildren. He is survived by his the areas of commercial litigation and Michael Nicholas Tremonte, on Decem- wife of 69 years, Frances, and his children appellate practice. ber 16, 2008. and grandchildren.

amıcus | 53 class | action

1949 1959 University of Mississippi and his master’s Robert A. Biggs, Jr. died September 7, John Harris “Bubber” White Jr. passed away in journalism from Louisiana State Univer- 2008. Mr. Biggs graduated from North- on April 7, 2009, in McComb, Mississippi, sity. Mr. André worked for the Mississippi western University in Evanston, Illinois, where he was a lifelong resident. Mr. White Attorney General’s office, and retired as risk with a master’s degree in music. He worked graduated from the University of Mississippi manager for the University of Mississippi as a basketball coach, school band director, School of Business and earned his J.D. Medical Center. He was a member of the and educator in Metropolis, Illinois; years from the Jackson School of Law. Prior to Rotary Club of North Jackson. For many later, the citizens of Metropolis bestowed enrolling in law school, he served two years’ years he was a communicant of St. Andrew’s upon him the title of “Honorary Super- active duty in Korea as a member of the Cathedral, where he served on the Vestry. man.” Mr. Biggs enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard. Mr. White practiced law In recent years he became a member of St. Air Corps during World War II and was for 46 years, during which time he also Philip’s Episcopal Church. stationed in the Pacific theatre, where he served as a selectman for the City of Mc- served as a pilot and ultimately rose to the Comb, the McComb city judge, and the 1968 rank of captain. After the war, Mr. Biggs Summit town judge, as well as launching Leman Gandy of Greenwood, Mississippi, earned his J.D. from the Jackson School the Work Program for Youth, which has passed away on March 25, 2009. Mr. Gan- of Law, practiced law, and became the since been adopted by many cities in Mis- dy served in the U.S. Marines and as a president and CEO of the Jackson and sissippi. In 1966, Mr. White received the Mississippi state trooper. In the late 1970s, Greenville plants of Barq’s Bottling Com- McComb Jaycees’ Distinguished Service he was instrumental in helping establish pany and the executive director and gen- Award as the Outstanding Young Man of D’Iberville as a city. He was a member of eral counsel of the Mississippi Soft Drink the Year. He was a member of the Main Valley Hill Baptist Church in Greenwood. Association. He also served the state of Street Association, the Pike County Cham- 1971 Mississippi as ad valorem tax commis- ber of Commerce, and the United Givers, Jerry Blakeney passed away on May 6, sioner during the term of Gov. John Bell and served on the McComb/Pike County 2009. Mr. Blakeney served in the Nation- Williams. He was a member of the Missis- Economic Development Board. He was a al Guard’s 114th MP for eight years. sippi Bar Association and of First Presby- member and a Paul Harris Fellow of the While working full time and raising a fam- terian Church, where he was a member of McComb Rotary Club, and had 45 years’ ily, he received his Juris Doctorate from the choir. He was married to the late Lady perfect attendance. Mr. White served as an the Jackson School of Law in 1971. He was Rachel Conner Biggs and is survived by elder and a deacon of J.J. White Memo- an executive vice president with Andrew his children and grandchildren. rial Presbyterian Church, where he taught Jackson Life and later formed The Plan- Robert Chadwick passed away on February the men’s Bible class for 37 years. He also ning Group, LTD, specializing in estate 18, 2009. A World War II veteran, Mr. served as moderator of the Session, trustee law and financial planning. Mr. Blakeney Chadwick is survived by his wife, Helen. for the church, and chairman of the Judicial was a lifetime member of the Million Committee for the Presbytery. Mr. White Dollar Round Table and a member of the 1954 served the legal profession as president of National Association of Life Underwriters, Joe G. Moss passed away on March 22, the Pike County Bar Association, president Financial Planning Association, Mississippi 2009. Mr. Moss was a combat veteran of of the Mississippi Judges Association, pres- Bar Association, and American Bar Asso- World War II, serving in the 281st Com- ident of the Mississippi Municipal Attor- ciation, and was named Distinguished bat Engineer Battalion of the U.S. Third neys Association, and a member of the Faculty Associate in the LSU School of Army and earning three battle stars for his Mississippi Board of Bar Commissioners. Insurance. Mr. Blakeney served as a board service in France, Belgium, Germany, and He was an ombudsman for the Mississippi member of Rankin Medical Center, Hinds Austria. Mr. Moss served in the Mississippi National Guard and received the Seven Seals General Hospital, and Hinds Community House of Representatives from 1956-1974, Award for his service as the state assistant College. He was a member of Oakdale chairing the Education Ways and Means ombudsman for the Employer Support of Baptist Church. Mr. Blakeney is survived and Public Utilities committees, as well as the Guard and Reserve. Mr. White is sur- by his wife Joan, and his children, grand serving on the State Building Commission vived by his wife, Sue, and his children children, and great-grandchildren. and PEER Committee. In 1978, he was and grandchildren. elected Chancery Judge for the 5th Chan- 1973 cery Court District, where he served as 1966 Tommy A. Horne passed away December Chancellor-senior status. Moss was named Carl Ferdinand André of Jackson passed 31, 2008, in Lonoke, Arkansas. Mr. Horne Mississippi College School of Law’s Alum- away on July 23, 2008. Mr. André was a was a graduate of the University of Southern nus of the Year in 1985 and Hinds Com- writer and retired attorney, and had been Mississippi and Mississippi College School munity College’s Alumnus of the Year in a resident of Jackson, Mississippi, since of Law and was a practicing attorney until 2004. He was a deacon of First Baptist the conclusion of his Air Force service in his retirement. He was a Christian, Mason, Church of Raymond. 1955. He earned his B.A. degree at the Shriner, a veteran of the United States Army

amıcus | 54 class | action

and Navy, and served in the Mississippi He is survived by his wife, Mary, and his Petal Kiwanis Club, and served as trea- State Legislature for 30 years. He is sur- children and grandchildren. surer of Beta Sigma Phi. She served on the vived by his wife, Elizabeth, and his chil- board of directors of the Pine Belt Area 1979 dren and grandchildren. Girl Scouts, Gulf Coast March of Dimes, Horace S. Scruggs passed away on April and the Pine Burr Country Club, and on 1974 29, 2009 in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Mr. the Forrest County Democratic Executive William H. Gray passed away on August Scruggs was a Vietnam veteran, having Committee. She also served as organist for 8, 2008. served in the U.S. Navy. He was an avid the Wiggins Presbyterian Church for 12 sailor and a member of the Bay-Waveland years. She is survived by her daughter. 1978 Yacht Club. He is survived by his wife, John Luther Hathcock passed away on Charleen Benigno. 2007 September 19, 2008. Mr. Hathcock grad- Brian Jay Evans passed away on Septem- uated from Delta State University in 1969 1987 ber 4, 2008. Following his high school and attended law school while flying for Penny Jones Alexander passed away July graduation, Mr. Evans enlisted in the Navy 12, 2008. Ms. Alexander graduated from Braniff Airlines as a commercial pilot. He and completed naval intelligence school the University of Southern Mississippi with practiced law in Jackson, Mississippi, then in Norfolk, Virginia. During the course of highest honors and received her J.D. from his enlistment, he was stationed in San moved to Houston, Texas, in 1982 to work Mississippi College School of Law. While Diego and Lemoore, California. Following in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Hathcock attending law school, she was employed by his honorable discharge, Mr. Evans attend- also worked for Continental Airlines and the Office of the Attorney General of the ed Georgia Southern University, Atlantic as a private pilot while in Texas. In 1989, State of Mississippi in the Criminal Appel- Armstrong State University, the University he joined Federal Express. Mr. Hathcock late Division. Ms. Alexander practiced law of Georgia, and Savannah State University, relocated to Little Rock in 1992 and con- in the city of Petal for 20 years and was a graduating with a bachelor of science in tinued working for 19 years, flying 727s member of the Mississippi Bar, South Cen- history in 2004. He received his J.D. from and MD11s and serving as an instructor tral Bar, and Women’s Bar Association. She Mississippi College School of Law in 2007, of classroom and simulator training. A served two terms on the Board of Alder- then practiced criminal law in New Orleans. veteran of the United States Air Force, man for the City of Wiggins, was a mem- His is survived by his fiancée, Rachel Yas- Mr. Hathcock flew missions in Vietnam. ber of the Stone County Jaycettes and the beck, and his parents.

Legal Rendering

Renowned artist Wyatt Waters captures a picture-perfect day on the MCSOL campus in this original watercolor painting, now available as a limited edition print.

24” w x 18” h Each print signed and numbered by Wyatt Waters $100.00 plus $5.00 shipping All proceeds benefit the Annual Giving Program.

To order, please call Whitney Whittington in the Alumni Office at 601.925.7175 or order online at http://law. mc.edu/wyattwaters.html.

amıcus | 55 closing | statement

You Can Handle the Truth Is the legal work different than that by Thomas M. Ray of civilian lawyers? There are some unique Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired) customs and procedures, but that is true of most courts. I spent a lot of my time Judge Advocate General’s Corps in the JAG Corps working criminal cas- es and civil litigation. The military rules of evidence are almost identical to the federal rules of criminal evidence. It’s true that courts-martial do not require unan- imous verdicts, but neither do the crim- inal courts of my home state of Louisi- ana. As for civil litigation, the federal rules are the rules that we use as we work in Federal Court. I must say there were times when I simply forgot I was in the military because the legal work was so similar and Ask the average civilian what they I was so busy doing it. know about the The Judge Advocate I have been asked if being a JAG is as General’s Corps (JAG Corps), the legal exciting as it is portrayed on television or branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, and in the movies. Did I mention I sometimes they’ll probably share something they’ve flew to work in a helicopter? One of my seen in a movie, TV show, or even a civil cases was used as the “inspiration” commercial. As a retired Army Judge for an episode of the “JAG” television Advocate General, I’d like to answer series. While I was working as a prosecu- some of the questions I’ve been asked tor, a TV producer came to my office to about what JAG service is really like. ask about the court-martial process. Alas, First, are those recruiting ads true? I didn’t get to see my name in lights, as Believe it or not, yes. JAG officers get a they decided the way we handled courts lot of responsibility right off the bat. I was too similar to the civilian world. walked into my first office and was told They ended up with a portrayal that they on the first day that I would be one of thought would be more interesting, but only two attorneys prosecuting a murder that was also completely inaccurate. So, case. That case was tried within six months was it really exciting? Well, let’s just say of my arrival and I took care of direct that I joined thinking I would only serve testimony and cross-examination of over three years, but I stayed for 20. 20 witnesses, including several experts. Finally, isn’t it dangerous? As a JAG Does JAG duty take you to exciting one is not just a lawyer, one is also a mil- locations? Yes, it can. I have worked as a itary officer. That comes with many lawyer on four continents. My jobs includ- privileges and benefits, but also with ed flying by helicopter over the mountains many responsibilities and challenges. of Sinai, Egypt, to visit clients (I have a JAGs have served and are serving now in photo of my boots hanging out the open dangerous places around the world. door); driving on the autobahn at over They do so with great pride that they are 110 miles an hour (legally) to check up on supporting their country. They also know subordinates in offices throughout Ger- that they are working with great people. many; working near the demilitarized I have worked for outstanding people zone in South Korea and stepping into that I would follow anywhere, including the usually forbidden North; and deploy- dangerous places. I just don’t say that. I ing to Israel to provide legal services to our have done that and I would do it again Patriot missile crews during the Gulf War. – without a TV camera in sight.

amıcus | 56 Thank You. MCSOL annual Giving report 2009

Dear Alumni and Friends of MCSOL, Thank you for your support of Mississippi College School of Law. Over the last three years as Annual Giving Chairman, I have seen the amazing generosity of this community grow. We are fortunate to have the support of alumni, parents, students, and friends who John England believe in MCSOL.

I am proud of what my law school has accomplished and what it will continue to do in the future. I have enjoyed serving as your Annual Giving Chairman. It has been a rewarding challenge as I have seen my classmates and colleagues give back to our institution. I am pleased to announce Lucien Bourgeois ’80 as my successor. I have complete confidence that he will take our Annual Giving Program to new levels.

Thank you again for your support to the 2008-2009 Annual Giving program. I appreciate your commitment to making MCSOL great.

With many thanks,

John England ’91 Annual Giving Chairman j annual GIVING report j

Honor Roll of Donors

1937 1979 1988 1997 C. Robert Ridgway, III Professor Patricia W. Bennett Bobby Lloyd Dallas James Richard Schnurr Beth C. Clay Trent D. Laviano Jerrold John Scholtens 1947 Lee W. Cline Joan E. Myers Christopher Collins Van Cleave Harry D. Owen Hugh Dennis Keating Danny G. Schulman 1989 1998 1949 Jeffrey Brian Austin James Bruce Bryant Lee R. Spence Meta Swain Copeland 1980 Sandra Miller McDaniel Vic C. Bailey, III William Easom Jones, III 1957 Lucien L. Bourgeois Dr. Victoria Ann 1990 Joann Pettit Neil James N. Bullock Stringfellow Lowery Timothy C. Kramer Merrida P. Coxwell, Jr. John Lewis Pannier Vann Keith Parrott 1964 Jan D. Garrick Christopher H. Negem The Honorable Thomas P. Givens Patrick Brian Shanley Charles E. Griffin, II Dr. William R.Townsend, Jr. Eugene C. Tullos Kristina Joelle Dabbs Stewart Marie W. Halvatzis Morgan Stuart Templeton George Scott Luter 1991 1966 John Frederick England James W. Abernethy, Jr. Billy Ray Ready 1999 Professor Angela Mae Kupenda David A. Yost Delicia Bryant Arnold 1968 Lynn Plimpton Ladner Anthony Bradley Berner C. Mitchell Fikes 1981 Leigh Ann Herman Prine Christa Rouse Bishop Henry J. Applewhite, II Mary Jacqueline Watson Easley 1969 A. Scott Cumbest 1992 Claiborne Hambrick Ferguson David L. Cobb James R. Hartzog Nathan S. Farmer J. Wriley McKeown The Honorable Ray H. John Christopher Klotz Susan Durham McNamara Montgomery 1982 Lisa A. Arduini Lehrer Bridgforth Rimes Rutledge Forrest W. Stringfellow N. Lester Clark, Jr. Kurt Lundgren John GordonSims, III Sanford Cole Thomas Joan Marie Malbrough Louwlynn Vanzetta Williams Robert Hansford Tyler 1971 Hubert Wesley Williams, III David C. Barton 2000 Byron W. Hughes 1983 Jeffrey Allen Davis Jameson Lewis Gregg 1993 Susan Leah Roberts 1973 William Carl Borgersen The Honorable Thomas H. Bates 1984 Katrina Bibb Gibbs 2001 William C. Dimitri Alicia Anne Schweigert J. Kyle Fulcher 1974 William Jon Gardner Hedelund Lee Joseph Hunter The Honorable The Honorable Tomie T. Green George M. Snellings, IV Mary Michelle Largent Purvis Roger Clifford Clapp Dennis John Gruttadaro John Robert Still Jeffrey Raymond Worley Sharon P. Leggett Dennis W. Miller Todd Nathan Thriffiley Hugh C. Redhead 2002 Dennis Carl Smith 1985 1994 Jonathan Kirk Clark Bruce Kevin Adamski David Christopher Daniel Timothy Kevin Byrne Sheryl Stryker Johnson 1975 The Honorable Herbert Courtney Yvonne Woodard Jicka Thornton Russell Nobile Anthony Rex Gabbert Patricia Dawn Green Linda Dixon Rigsby Dorothy Griffin Horecky 1976 Mueller Mark Allan Rowe Ann M. Hopper Gerald A. Jeutter, Jr. James Ashley Ogden Olivia Taylor Rowe J. Paul Laughlin Dana Kendall Phillips 1977 Lt. Col. Thomas M. Ray 2003 Gerald Joseph Diaz, Jr. The Honorable Seth Magill Hunter Linda A. Thompson 1995 Charles Luther Guest, Sr. Timothy Douglas Gray Rebecca Ann Keith Victor Jerald Roberts Daniel Wesley Kitchens Jennifer James Selby 1986 Stacy Louise Neames 1978 Paul E. Rogers Frank Mell Ferrell 1996 2004 Lt. Col. Andy K. Hughes 1987 Danielle Karie Brewer Jennifer Tyler Baker Chester Ray Jones Marvin John Bobinger, III Rajeev Kumar Chopra Paul Eric Bond Rowan H.Taylor, Jr. The Honorable The Honorable Mark Lora Morgan Gipson Marvin Lee Waldrep James Kent McDaniel Wayne Reeves Amber DePriest Massengill j annual GIVING report j

Honor Roll of Donors

2004 Friends of the Law School Lee Carter Massengill Clifford B. Ammons, Sr. Cory Louis Radicioni Peter H. Barrett Katina Seymour Williamson Brehm T. Bell Boackle Law Firm 2005 Julian B. Brackin, Jr. Walter Fred Beesley Dean John C. Brown Charles Gray Blackwell, Jr. Thorne G. Butler George Sammons Clark Burrow Robert L. Carroll Krista Celeste Rhemann Beth C. Clay ’79 William Patton Vines Sandra T. Commiskey Paulette Katherine Cook 2006 Deaton & Daniel, PA Ian Lawrence Baker Dobbs & Dutro Ryan Matthew Berry Dorothy L. Blossman Charitable Julian Byron Brackin, III Foundation Hugh Ruston Comley Dorcas Dunlop Alexander Dunlap Kassoff Dean Patricia H. Evans Shannon Coghlan Kuykendall Dr. Harry Lee Hetherington Lincoln Rees Hodges 2007 Daniel L. Kessler, Jr. Christopher Daniel Adams Tim Lawrence Jamie Hardison-Edwards Holly S. Markham Ashley Buckman Schepens Teresa Jerell Milstead Stacy E. Shurman Denise Morgan 2008 Joe Owen Clifford Barnes Ammons, Jr. James C. Parks David Ford Berry, IV Kathleen O. Petchel Lisa Ray Colonias Robert M. Morgan & Associates Carolyn Mae Gramlich Stephen W. Rosenblatt Nancy-Jane McMichael Karam Franklin Rosenblatt Matthew Wayne Lynch The Honorable Leslie H. April Nicole Walker Southwick Wendy Michelle Yuan Tatum & Wade PLLC Ruth Teague 2009 Robert S. Tew Leon Phillips Cameron The Northrop Gumman Lincoln Reese Hodges Foundation Juan Ricardo McCullum TWORDC Foundation Seth Michael Moyers Tammy T. Upton Jessica Suzanne Pitts Hope B. Weaver Kristy Diana Shelton Whitney Keene Whittington Amanda Murray Terry Hilary J. Zimmerman

MCSOL Scholarship News

Mississippi College School of Law is pleased to announce the establishment of the M. Judith Barnett ’99 Endowed Scholarship Fund which will allow the Law School to make an award at Law Day each year to a student who is a single parent with financial need.

Judy Barnett (left) was pleased to present the first award to second-year law student Jennifer Kizer ’10 at the Law Day ceremony on April 17, 2009. Level of Giving

151 Club Frank Mell Ferrell ’78 Holly S. Markham Ruth Teague ($1-$151) The Honorable Amber DePriest Massengill ’04 Morgan Stuart Templeton ’98 Christopher Daniel Adams ’07 Anthony Rex Gabbert ’85 Lee Carter Massengill ’04 Amanda Murry Terry ’09 Clifford B. Ammons, Jr. ’08 William Jon Gardner ’84 Juan Ricardo McCullum ’09 Dr. William R.Townsend, Jr. ’90 Delicia Bryant Arnold ’99 Katrina Bibb Gibbs ’93 Sandra Miller McDaniel ’89 Tammy T. Upton Jeffrey Brian Austin ’98 Lora Morgan Gipson ’04 J. Wriley McKeown ’99 William Patton Vines ’05 Vic C. Bailey, III ’80 Carolyn Mae Gramlich ’08 Susan Durham McNamara ’99 April Nicole Walker ’08 Jennifer Tyler Baker ’04 The Honorable Teresa Jerell Milstead Hope B. Weaver The Honorable Tomie T. Green ’84 The Honorable Ray Whitney Keene Whittington Thomas H. Bates ’73 Jameson Lewis Gregg ’83 H. Montgomery ’69 Louwlynn Vanzetta Williams ’99 Walter Fred Beesley ’05 Charles E. Griffin, II ’80 Seth Michael Moyers ’09 Jeffrey Raymond Worley ’01 Brehm T. Bell Marie W. Halvatzis ’80 Joan E. Myers ’88 Wendy Michelle Yuan ’08 Anthony Bradley Berner ’99 Jamie Hardison-Edwards ’07 Stacy Louise Neames ’03 Solicitors Club Ryan Matthew Berry ’06 James R. Hartzog ’81 Christopher H. Negem ’90 ($152-$249) David Ford Berry, IV ’08 Alicia Anne Joann Pettit Neil ’57 Henry J. Applewhite, II ’81 Christa Rouse Bishop ’99 Schweigert Hedelund ’93 John Lewis Pannier ’98 David C. Barton ’71 Charles Gray Blackwell, Jr. ’05 Lincoln Rees Hodges ’09 Vann Keith Parrott ’98 Rajeev Kumar Chopra ’96 Boackle Law Firm Lee Joseph Hunter ’01 Dana Kendall Phillips ’94 Jonathan Kirk Clark ’02 Paul Eric Bond ’04 Seth Magill Hunter ’03 Jessica Suzanne Pitts ’09 David L. Cobb ’69 William Carl Borgersen ’93 Yvonne Woodard Jicka ’94 Mary Michelle Largent Purvis ’01 Lisa Ray Colonias ’08 Julian Byron Brackin, III ’06 Sheryl Stryker Johnson ’02 Cory Louis Radicioni ’04 Hugh Ruston Comley ’06 Chester Ray Jones ’78 Billy Ray Ready ’80 Dean John C. Brown Paulette Katherine Cook James Bruce Bryant ’89 William Easom Jones, III ’98 Krista Celeste Rhemann ’05 Herbert Courtney ’75 James N. Bullock ’80 Nancy-Jane McMichael Karam ’08 Susan Leah Roberts ’00 David Christopher Daniel ’02 George Sammons Clark Burrow ’05 Rebecca Ann Keith ’03 Paul E. Rogers ’86 Nathan S. Farmer ’92 Leon Phillips Cameron ’09 Daniel Wesley Kitchens ’03 Franklin Rosenblatt Jan D. Garrick ’80 Robert L. Carroll Dr. Angela Mae Kupenda ’91 Mark Allan Rowe ’02 Dennis John Gruttadaro ’84 N. Lester Clark, Jr. ’82 Shannon Coghlan Kuykendall ’06 Olivia Taylor Rowe ’02 Ann M. Hopper ’76 Lee W. Cline ’79 Lynn Plimpton Ladner ’91 Bridgforth Rimes Rutledge ’99 Byron W. Hughes ’71 Sandra T. Commiskey Trent D. Laviano ’88 Ashley Buckman Schepens ’07 Timothy C. Kramer ’90 Meta Swain Copeland ’98 Sharon P. Leggett ’74 Jennifer James Selby ’95 J. Paul Laughlin ’85 Jeffrey Allen Davis ’00 Lisa A. Arduini Lehrer ’92 Abe Quint Shafer ’95 Thornton Russell Nobile ’02 Deaton & Daniel, PA Dr. Victoria Ann Kristy Diana Shelton ’09 Leigh Ann Herman Prine ’91 William C. Dimitri ’84 Stringfellow Lowery ’89 Stacy E. Shurman ’07 Hugh C. Redhead ’74 Dorcas Dunlop Kurt Lundgren ’92 John Gordon Sims, III ’99 Linda Dixon Rigsby ’02 Mary Jacqueline Watson Easley ’99 George Scott Luter ’80 Dennis Carl Smith ’74 Robert M. Morgan & Associates P A Dean Patrica H. Evans Matthew Wayne Lynch ’08 Lee R. Spence ’49 Jerrold John Scholtens ’97 j annual GIVING report j

Level of Giving

Barrister’s Society Lt. Col. Andy K. Hughes ’78 Robert S. Tew The Honorable ($250-$999) Dr. Jeffrey Joseph Jackson Sanford Cole Thomas ’82 Linda A. Thompson ’85 James W. Abernethy, Jr. ’66 Alexander Dunlap Kassoff ’06 Todd Nathan Thriffiley ’93 Christopher Collins Van Cleave ’97 Clifford B. Ammons, Sr. Hugh Dennis Keating ’79 Robert Hansford Tyler ’82 Wayne Parker Investments Ian Lawrence Baker ’06 Daniel L. Kessler, Jr. Marvin Lee Waldrep ’78 Peter H. Barrett John Christopher Klotz ’92 Hubert Wesley Williams, III ’92 Law Fellows Joan Marie Malbrough ’92 Katina Seymour Williamson ’04 Dr. Patricia W. Bennett ’79 ($2,500-$4,999) The Honorable David A. Yost ’80 Marvin John Bobinger, III ’87 The Northrop Gumman James Kent McDaniel ’86 Hilary J. Zimmerman Danielle Karie Brewer ’96 Dennis W. Miller ’84 Foundation Thorne G. Butler Mississippi Association for Justice Associate Law Fellows TWORDC Foundation Timothy Kevin Byrne ’94 Harry D. Owen ’47 ($1,000-$2,499) The Honorable James C. Parks Bruce Kevin Adamski ’85 Deans’ Circle Roger Clifford Clapp ’74 Lt. Col. Thomas M. Ray ’85 Bobby Lloyd Dallas ’88 ($5,000-$9,999) Merrida P. Coxwell, Jr. ’80 The Honorable Dorothy L. Blossman Charitable Lucien L. Bourgeois ’80 A. Scott Cumbest ’81 Mark Wayne Reeves ’96 Foundation Julian B. Brackin Jr. Gerald Joseph Diaz, Jr. ’77 Victor Jerald Roberts ’77 John Frederick England ’91 Joe Owen Dobbs & Dutro Stephen W. Rosenblatt Timothy Douglas Gray ’95 The Honorable Leslie H. Southwick Claiborne Hambrick Ferguson ’99 James Richard Schnurr ’97 Gerald A. Jeutter, Jr. ’85 Eugene C. Tullos ’64 C. Mitchell Fikes ’68 Danny G. Schulman ’79 Tim Lawrence John Raymond Tullos ’73 J. Kyle Fulcher ’01 Patrick Brian Shanley ’98 Denise Morgan The Honorable George M. Snellings, IV ’93 Patricia Dawn Green Mueller ’94 Thomas P. Givens ’64 Kristina Joelle Dabbs Stewart ’98 Kathleen O. Petchel The Capital Circle Charles Luther Guest, Sr. ’77 John Robert Still ’93 C. Robert Ridgway, III ’37 ($10,000 and above) Dr. Harry Lee Hetherington Forrest W. Stringfellow ’69 Dean James H. Rosenblatt The Clay Firm Dorothy Griffin Horecky ’85 Tatum & Wade, PLLC Rowan H.Taylor, Jr. ’78 James Ashley Ogden ’94

The following donors have given generously to one of our legal aid programs, Mission First or Children’s Legal Aid

Carroll Warren & Parker PLLC Mr. David Christopher Daniel ’02 Mississippi Bar Foundation, Inc. Christian Legal Society Mr. Dean Michael Johnson ’05 Mississippi Court Advocacy Computer & Communications Ms. Ann Gilda Lawson Industry Association Mr. John Richard Lewis ’92 & Justice Institute, Inc.

The following donors have given to Law School Funds or Scholarships, which include: the Betty B. Tucker Scholarship Fund, the Butler Snow Scholarship Fund, the Hearin Law Fund, the Herman & Martha Hines Scholarship Fund, the Margaret Graham Patterson Scholarship Fund, the Moller-Miller LRAP Fund and the Honorable John R. Countiss III Scholarship Fund.

Adams and Reese LLP Robert A. Colavolpe Lori Keeton Mississippi Corporate American Board John Mark Colette ’85 Fredna Kilcommins Counsel Association of Trial Advocates Copeland, Cook, Taylor McGlinchey Stafford PLLC Mississippi Defense Mary D. Applewhite & Bush, P.A. Samuel Martin Millette, Jr. ’87 Lawyers Association Association of Legal John R. Countiss, IV Mississippi Association for Justice The Honorable Mary Libby Payne Administrators, MS Chapter David Christopher Daniel ’02 Mississippi Bar Rankin County Bar Association AT&T Mississippi Dr. Cecile C. Edwards Foundation, Inc. Regions Bank Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Farese, Farese & Farese, P.A. Claudia Moon Robert F. Wilkins Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC Stacie Gardner Mississippi Association of County Law Firm, PLLC Balch & Bingham LLP Dr. Daniel Cannon Hall Board Attorneys Robert M. Hearin Foundation Mary Judith Barnett ’99 Heilman Kennedy Graham, P.A. Mississippi Bankruptcy Watkins & Eager, PLLC Barvie Law Firm J. Herman Hines Conference, Inc. Watkins Ludlam Winter & Bradley Arant Rose & White LLP Seth Magill Hunter ’03 Mississippi Bar Fellows of the Stennis, P.A. Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Jeffery P. Reynolds PA Young Lawyers Katina Williamson ’04 Hewes, PLLC Dean Michael Johnson ’05 Mississippi Bar Sections Fund Wise Carter Child & Caraway, P.A. Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens Sheryl Stryker Johnson ’02 Mississippi Chapter Federal Women Lawyers Association & Cannada, PLLC Dr. Shirley Norwood Jones Bar Association Wright Law Firm j annual GIVING report j

MCSOL Alumni Gathering Hosts

Julian Byron “Buddy” Brackin, Jr. Rebecca (McRae, ’99) and Shane Langston Peter H. Barrett Raymond A. McCleod ’80 Amy (Lawhon, ’98) and Joseph Greenwald ’97 Janelle and George (’93) Snellings Reeve G. “Jay” Jacobus ’84 The Hon. Robert H. Walker ’78

MCSOL Alumni Auction Participants

The Alluvian Hotel Jess Dickinson The Malouf Family Dean Jim Rosenblatt Amerigo Billy Duckworth David N. McCarty ’04 Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Robert G. Anderson ’87 John F. England ’91 C.R. McCord Bridgforth Rutledge ’99 Back Yard Burgers Dean Patricia Evans Juan R. McCullum ’09 Debbie Shands Crystal J. Bender ’09 Deborah B. Foley MCSOL CLE Kim Sims Monti Caldwell Bishop ’95 Patricia C. Gandy ’98 Mark Millet John Gordon “Trae” Sims, III ’99 Lucien L. Bourgeois ’80 Dr. and Mrs. Bill Godfrey Derek Milner Justice Jim Smith ’72 Craig E. Brasfield ’81 Preston Wells Griffith, III ’09 Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Springwater Ranch Ashley Carole Buckman ’10 Gluckstadt Dental Group MLI Press Leigh Ann Tabor-Gentry ’08 Thorne G. Butler Pamela L. Hancock ’97 Bobby Moak Gwennetta Halloway Tatum ’01 Camp Skyline George Healy ’85 Paul Moak Joe Nathan Tatum ’96 Professor Donald E. Campbell, DJ Horecky ’85 Nil’s and Angela’s Gallery Jewelers Dana Terry II ’01 Professor Jeffrey Jackson The Old Capitol Inn The Honorable Char Pam Jacobus and Jay Jacobus ’84 The Parker House Linda Thompson ’85 Shannon Collins ’06 Juniker’s Jewelers Wayne Parker Tico’s Steakhouse Cooke, Douglass, Farr, Lemons Brad Kerwin ’09 Marie Quinn Dr. William R. Townsend, Jr. ’90 Courthouse Raquet Proffessor Victoria Rankin First Development Cynthia C. Tyler ’86 and Fitness Club Stringfellow Lowery ’98 Authority Jerry R. Wallace ’81 Covey Rise Lodge LSBA Reunion Country Club Wyatt Waters The Dancing Rabbit Golf Club Governor Ray Mabus Krista C. Rhemann ’09 Bryan Williamson Michelle Daniel Matthew T. Mallory ’03 Judge Samac Richardson ’75 Katina Seymour Williamson ’04 David Christopher Daniel ’02 Mike Maloney ’80 Linda Robertson Miller Woods

The following gave generously to The Building Campaign

AT&T Higher Education/ June DeHart ’81 Professor James Larry Lee ’65 Phelps Dunbar, LLP Cultural Matching Gift Program Walter William Dukes ’78 The Honorable Tom S. Lee ’63 Linda Orlansky Posner ’92 Proffessor Meredith Blair Aden Andrea La’Verne Ford Edney ’96 Professor Victoria Ann Prudential Foundation Kelly Riley Blackwood ’99 Entergy Corporation Stringfellow Lowery ’98 R and Z Investments, LTD Proffessor Gregory Wells Bowman Jonathan Michael Farris ’98 Hunter W. Lundy ’80 Jerry Dale Riley ’88 Brunini, Grantham, Grower Robert Morris Hadden ’97 Mississippi Bar Sections Fund Dean James H. Rosenblatt & Hewes, PLLC, Proffessor Shelton N. Hand, Jr. ’65 The Honorable Joseph Anthony Sclafani ’99 Professor Donald Douglas E. Hassell ’78 James Kent McDaniel ’86 Dean Clinton Wesley Shinn Eugene Campbell, II Eric Wynn Hospodor ’05 Dean Phillip Lee McIntosh Tabor, Chhabra & Gibbs, P.A. Proffessor Deborah Challener Professor Jeffrey Jackson Charles V. McTeer Nina S. Tollison ’82 Copeland, Cook, Taylor Bettie Ruth Johnson ’81 Mid State Construction & Bush, P.A., Proffessor Judith Jones Johnson Harold D. Miller, Jr. William Farley Travis ’80 Cosmich, Simmons William Easom Jones, III ’98 Dennis W. Miller ’84 Keith Whiteman Turner ’98 & Brown, PLLC, Proffessor Shirley Terry Kennedy ’91 John D. Moore ’97 Wayne Parker Investments Daniel, Coker, Horton Proffessor Gregg W. Kettles James Ray Mozingo ’78 Michael Wayne White ’92 & Bell, P.A., Proffessor Angela Mae Kupenda ’91 Dr. Melinda M. Mullins James G. Wyly, III ’80 The Capital Circle Membership in the Capital Circle represents the highest level of giving recognition at Mississippi College School of Law.

The Capital Circle at Mississippi College School of Law is an annual recognition (June 1 – May 31) of those alumni and friends who support the law school with contributions of $10,000 and above to any fund.

To join the Capital Circle, contact Thorne Butler, Director of Alumni & Development, at [email protected] or 601.925.7172.

AT&T Mississippi Mississippi Bar Foundation, Inc.

Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association

Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & Cannada, PLLC James Ashley Ogden ’94

Beth C. Clay ’79 Phelps Dunbar, LLP

Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A. R and Z Investments, LTD.

Entergy Corporation Robert M. Hearin Foundation

John Richard Lewis ’92 Dean James H. Rosenblatt

Hunter W. Lundy ’80 Wayne Parker Investments The Heritage Society

The MCSOL Heritage Society honors those who make planned gifts to the law school, including provisions for MCSOL in wills, life insurance policies, and other types of gifts that become effective at the end of a donor’s lifetime. • Mark Sledge ’80, a partner in the Jackson- based firm of Grenfell, Sledge and Stevens, is one of the Heritage Society’s newest members. • On the Cover: Sledge made a gift of $100,000 to MCSOL through life insurance. “By using the money that MCSOL honors the men I was gifting to MCSOL on an annual basis and purchasing a life insurance policy benefitting and women who serve the law school, I was able to substantially increase the overall value of my gift,” Sledge in the courtroom and explains. “I’m happy to make a planned gift today that will benefit the law school tomorrow. on the battlefield. • “I would recommend that every alumnus who has not visited the law school in several years make a visit to see the great transformation that has occurred there,” Sledge continues. credits “A short visit will make them proud of their school and want to become actively involved.” MCSOL Heritage Society Members: D. Carl Black, Jr. ’63 • Thorne G. Butler • Lee Cline ’79 Mississippi College Herman Hines • The Honorable Rex Gabbert ’85 • Robert L. Lyle ’88 • David McCarty ’04 • J. Michael School of Law Maloney ’80 • Dean Jim Rosenblatt • Mark Sledge ’80 • Professor J. Allen Smith (deceased) • Lowell Stephens ’56 Amicus Mississippi College School of Law offers its students a broad based legal education in Summer 2009 a supportive, collegial environment. Theoretical teaching is complemented by experiential Dean learning and skills training. Our new downtown campus in the state capital allows our students Jim Rosenblatt to interact with attorneys and judges. Applicants are automatically considered for generous Editor/Director The Charitable Gift Annuity academic merit scholarships and your tuition is guaranteed not to increase during law school. of Public Relations A Gift to MCSOL that Returns the Favor to You Come for a visit, attend a class, meet our students, and see the opportunities awaiting you. Call Dana Terry our admissions office at 601.925.7152, email [email protected], or visit www.law.mc.edu. Director of You’ve heard the old adage that it’s steady stream of income. With a gift of Perhaps best of all, John is celebrated Annual Giving and better to give than to receive. But with a $10,000 to Mississippi College School as a major donor to MCSOL. Alumni Relations charitable gift annuity, you do yourself of Law, John sets up an annuity that pays Whitney Whittington * This figure is calculated using quarterly a favor when you contribute to Missis- him $630 annually in quarterly install- payments and a 2.4 percent charitable mid- www.law.mc.edu Director of Alumni sippi College School of Law. ments (6.3 percent of his $10,000 gift). Accredited by the American Bar Association and a member of the Association term federal rate, a figure used by the IRS in and Development A charitable gift annuity provides As a result of his generosity, John of American Law Schools and the International Association of Law Schools determining the future value of a gift. Thorne Butler annuity payments to you for your entire will also be able to claim a charitable life in exchange for a gift to MCSOL. deduction of $4,170 on his income tax Contributing Editor After your lifetime, the balance is avail- return in the year he makes the gift.* At One Life Two Life Marlo Kirkpatrick able to help support the law school. We John’s 28 percent annual income tax rate, your rate of your rate of Designer use the annuity rates recommended by this saves him $1,168, making his out- age return ages return Alecia Porch the American Council on Gift Annui- of-pocket cost for the gift only $8,832. 50 4.4% 50/55 3.9% ties. These rates are the same for men Taking into account his tax savings, with Photography and women and are slightly lower for each annual annuity payment of $630, 55 4.8% 55/60 4.4% Robby Followell 60 5.0% 60/65 4.8% Greg Jenson two annuitants of the same age. he is actually receiving 7.1 percent of his Jay Thomas Here’s an example of how a charita- out-of-pocket cost. 65 5.3% 65/70 5.0% Hubert Worley ble gift annuity works. John, age 75, has Assuming John lives to his life expec- 70 5.7% 70/75 5.3% long wanted to make a significant gift to tancy of age 87, nearly three-fourths of 75 6.3% 75/80 5.8% Copy Editor Mississippi College School of Law, but the annuity installments he receives will Sissy Yerger 80 7.1% 80/85 6.5% he doesn’t want to give up the security of be non-taxable. To realize the same 85 8.1% 85 7.5% Contact Amicus receiving income payments from his assets. after-tax amount to spend or reinvest, 151 East Griffith Street With a charitable gift annuity, John can an all-taxable return would have to be 90+ 9.5% 90/95+ 9.0% Jackson, MS 39201 make a charitable gift and still receive a 9.2 percent on net cost for these years. 601.925.7148 [email protected] Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Jackson, MS Permit #967 A CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

Mississippi College School of Law Mississippi College School of Law / summer 2009 151 East Griffith Street amıcus Jackson, Ms 39201

The Home of the Brave MCSOL Salutes Our Students and Alumni in the Military

Mark Your Calendar

First Friday Alumni and is now First Reunion Weekend Wednesday April 30 – May 1, 2010 Join us for lunch with Location TBA Dean Jim Rosenblatt 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Area Alumni in the MCSOL Gatherings Student Center To find out when Dean Rosenblatt will be in your area, August 5 visit http://law.mc.edu/alumni/ September 2 upcoming_events.htm October 7 To RSVP or for November 4 more information December 2 about these events, contact: Family Day Whitney Whittington, February 19, 2010 Director of Annual Giving and MCSOL Alumni Relations at 601.925.7175 Campus or [email protected]