The Cumberland Lawyer Special Edition Spring 2012 1 T Cumberland School of Law Celebrates 50 Years at Samford University his year, Cumberland School of Law celebrates 50 years at Samford University. This picture depicts one of the first moot court law classes at Samford in Robinson Hall during its construction. Can you identify the students in this picture? Write us, or send an email Tto [email protected]. We’ll include their names in the next issue of The Cumberland Lawyer. q 50 Years of Growth 4 In this special edition, Cumberland School of Law celebrates 50 years at Samford University and the growth from then to now. 13 A Win Like No Other For the first time in history, the law school took home the first- place win at the prestigious Tournament of Champions. A Birthday Surprise 16 Former Professor Frank Donaldson celebrated his 90th birthday with family and more than 300 of his Cumberland friends. Cumberland’s Atticus 25 Governor Albert Brewer received the esteemed presidential seal for his service to Samford and the state of Alabama. 3 Cumberland Briefs 29 Class Notes 18 Alumni 32 In Memoriam 26 Student Spotlight 33 Births 27 Faculty and Staff Notes The Cumberland Lawyer is a semiannual Contact Cumberland School of Law publication of the Cumberland School of We need your help to make The Law, Samford University. Cumberland Lawyer useful to alumni. Send us your comments and ideas for Editor Lauren McCaghren alumni profiles, articles and ongoing Director of features in addition to your personal Creative Services Janica York Carter alumni updates. Assistant Director of Creative Services Laine Williams Contact: Anne Marovich Graphic Designer Monica Washington Cumberland School of Law Samford University 800 Lakeshore Drive Birmingham, AL 35229 1-800-888-7248 205-726-2057 fax [email protected] ©2012 Samford University Produced by Samford Office of Marketing and Communication Samford University is an Equal Opportunity Institution that complies with applicable law prohibiting discrimination in its educational and employment policies and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or national or ethnic origin. From the Dean I r. Andrew Westmoreland, president of were times in the early days after the When I am talking to prospective Samford University, has a wonderful move from Lebanon to Samford that students about Cumberland, I often point Dway of reminding us that our present Cumberland was in serious trouble of to you as the finest examples of our successes are due to the hard work of losing its accreditation. In all candor, we profession and the embodiment of all the those who came before us. In his words, exist as a law school today because Dean values that Cumberland seeks to instill. I “We sit in the shade of trees we did not Weeks would not let us die. We all owe also tell them that I have had many titles plant.” him a tremendous debt. in my life but the proudest title I have is We are in days of unparalleled We also owe a tremendous debt to the one I share with you—I am a success at the law school. It is important, the people featured in this edition of The Cumberland lawyer. as we approach our 50th anniversary on Cumberland Lawyer—Professor Frank Thanks to you for all you do for the Samford campus and we celebrate Donaldson, Governor Albert Brewer and Cumberland. those successes, to remember that our Dean Jim Lewis. They all planted trees in present successes are due to the hard work whose shade we bask. of so many people who preceded us at We also owe a tremendous debt to this place. you, our alumni, spread throughout the It is particularly appropriate that we country. By the way you live your lives remember Dean Arthur Weeks. As I have and pursue your careers, you are the best John L. Carroll learned since I have been the dean, there example of the good things we do here. Dean and Ethel P. Malugen Professor of Law 2 CumberlanDbRIeFS The World’s a Stage Adjunct professor Kimberly West brought out the bard in law school students during her Shakespeare and trial advocacy class fall semester. Students analyzed trial scenes from different Shakespearian plays, applying the language and techniques for modern use. In place of a final exam, groups crafted trials from The number of Cumberland School of Law alumni living the material, complete with depositions from the characters and around the world has reached a new high, surpassing 8,000 modern lawyers. Shakespeare can breathe easy—his work was with the graduation of the Class of 2011. found to still be relevant. The Duke of Cornwall, however, was found guilty of battery. We saw that one coming. Flowering Relationship A Professorial Wedding The alumni relations offices of both Cumberland School of Professor Howard Walthall entered into his own binding Law and Samford University joined forces for the first time to contract on July 30, 2011, when he said “I do” to Dr. host two great events in the fall semester. A reception for alumni Rosemary Fisk, the associate dean of the Howard College of who hold undergraduate degrees from Samford and graduate Arts and Sciences and an English professor at Samford degrees from Cumberland was hosted by President University. The two met over their shared interest in bike riding Westmoreland at his home in September. Another reception was and Samford basketball. They can be found participating in the held at the Rayburn building in Washington, D.C., for graduates Old Howard 100 bike ride each year and at the occasional of Samford’s Brock School of Business and Cumberland School Samford basketball game with one of the grandkids. of Law. Both events provided expanded networking opportuni- ties for graduates, and President Westmoreland and Dean Carroll Office Fire managed to keep bantering to a minimum. In an attempt to make our British international students feel more at home, Pam Nelson, director of Student Services, Student Survey hosted a mini bonfire in her office on Guy Fawkes Day. A regularly celebrated tradition in England, commemorative 80% of law school students believe a woman will become bonfires and fireworks are lit across the country celebrating the president in their lifetime. capture of Guy Fawkes on November 5. The Birmingham celebration consisted of a large candle and mini marshmal- 57% of Cumberland School of Law students believe the lows—no harm was done to the facilities. Supreme Court is more likely to affirm a right to gay marriage than the Affordable Healthcare Act. Dean’s Report Corrections 70% of law school students believe flying cars are more William Stancil Starnes ’72 is a member of the Caruther’s likely than elimination of the federal deficit. Giving Society and was a Class of 1972 giving participant. 48% of Cumberland School of Law students cite the The recipient of the 2011 J. Morris and Eula Mae Brown Internet as their primary news source. Scholarship was Matthew Couch. The 2012 recipient is Kelly Speir. What’s Your Cumberland Law IQ? 50th Anniversary Edition hen Howard College acquired c. Cordell Hull Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Hull received Cumberland School of Law in 1961 d. Nathanial Green the Nobel Peace Prize in 1945 for his role W for a sum of $125,000, the contract in establishing the United Nations. The outlined that Howard College would Answer: c, Cordell Hull portrait is displayed above the bench in obtain a portrait of what man who is now the John L. Carroll Moot Courtroom on prominently displayed within the law Cordell Hull graduated from Cumberland the first floor of the law school (see school? School of Law in 1891 and is best known portrait on page 2). q as the longest serving secretary of state, a. Memory Leake Robinson holding the position for 11 years (1933– b. Arthur Weeks 1944) in the administration of President 3 50 Years of Growing Together by Brad Bishop n 1997, professors David Langum university to another, passing from it. Ultimately, Howard College President and Howard Walthall wrote a Cumberland University to Leslie Wright, former Chancellor Idefinitive history of Cumberland Birmingham, Alabama’s Howard Harwell Davis and Howard College School of Law, beginning with its College (now Samford University) trustees agreed to Weeks’ proposition establishment in 1847 in Lebanon, Tenn., in 1961. and purchased Cumberland School of as part of Cumberland University. They This year is the 50th anniversary of Law and all its assets for $125,000, much presented this summary on the cover of Cumberland School of Law’s partnership to the chagrin of Memphis State their book, From Maverick to Mainstream: with Samford University, and what a University and other Tennessee institu- success story it has been. The hero of the tions interested in purchasing the school. Cumberland School of Law holds a acquisition was Arthur Weeks, a The first law school class on the unique place in the history of Birmingham lawyer who had been a Howard College campus enrolled 63 American legal education. As the former dean at the Tennessee school. students—28 first-year students and 35 premier law school in the South in Enrollment had declined in Lebanon, transfers from the Lebanon campus. the nineteenth century, Cumberland and the school was in danger of losing Classes were held in an unfinished trained two United States Supreme both American Bar Association [ABA] portion of the third floor of Harwell G. Court justices, nine senators, a and Association of American Law Davis Library. Weeks was appointed secretary of state, and scores of other Schools [AALS] accreditation.