A Message from Dean Aiken
Dear Wake Forest Law community,
The first signs of spring have arrived at Wake Forest University. Spring break was last week and our community is energized for the busy few weeks before the end of the academic year and a real graduation.
February 2022 was filled with conversations and actions around making Wake Forest Law a stronger, more inclusive, and impactful institution.
Our Black Law Student Association (BLSA) hosted an event about biases that hurt and isolate students, faculty, and staff in and out of the classroom. This was an important discussion and the room was overflowing with participants. Drawing from personal experiences, the BLSA created scenarios incorporating incidences of implicit bias and put faculty, students, and staff into small groups to discuss. When the small groups reported about the shared insights reflected by their problem, there was lively discussion, meaningful interaction, and often recognition of the ways many of us had, generally unconsciously, reinforced bias. Due to the robust discussion, we did not get through all of the examples and are planning a second iteration for the near future.
In addition to the necessary conversations about bias, our faculty were leaders in the discussions of discrimination and environmental health surrounding the Winston Weaver Company fertilizer fire. Winston-Salem community leaders and Winston Salem State and Wake Forest Law faculty experts participated in a panel in which we learned about the history of the neighborhood and how the terrifying event at Winston Weaver Company helped us better understand issues of environmental justice.
Wake Forest Law continues to prove that we are a leader in all aspects of the legal world. Our law school is a place where students can communicate across differences, effectively identify and solve problems, and, importantly, engage in active reflection about our experiences. Our community has never been perfect, but we continue to look towards the future and the role Wake Forest Law plays in creating a better world.
Pro humanitate,
OUR PEOPLE
Law School Deconstructed: Addressing Our Biases Together
Students who come to law school from historically underrepresented backgrounds often experience incidents stemming from unconscious bias, and even acts of conscious prejudice that they are all too often unable to adequately address in a constructive way. This inability to express their concerns has a negative impact on their ability to learn and perform in the demanding academic environment of a law school setting. On February 18, 2022, the Black Law Student Association (BLSA) of Wake Forest Law, aided by the school’s faculty Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, hosted Law School Deconstructed: Participation and Performance, an event designed to address these sensitive dynamics through thoughtful, open discussion.
The event drew an overflow crowd to an exercise where attendees were grouped together to review and discuss testimonials submitted by people in our community who had experienced incidents of subconscious or implicit bias within the law school. Students, faculty, and staff read and discussed the testimonials together. Having to reflect on the impacts the incidents have on those who experience them with members of the community who don't typically engage in these types of discussions together was key to the success of the exercise.
The event is part of a concerted, intentional effort by students, faculty, staff and administration to foster a law school culture that actively addresses issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in productive and constructive ways. A follow up event is being planned for later in the spring.
STUDENT FOCUS
2022 Wake Forest Journal of Business & Intellectual Property Law Symposium
On February 25, the Wake Forest Law Journal of Business and Intellectual Property Law (JBIPL) partnered with the Wake Forest University Center for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability for a symposium. The topic? The examination of sustainability in small and medium enterprises.
The symposium was titled “SME Sustainability: An Integrative Business Model for the Future.” At the center of SME sustainability is corporate responsibility and a movement to reframe business objectives and missions into principles that aim to reconcile economic activity with social and environmental goals.
Experts and Wake Forest faculty members with backgrounds in business and sustainability contributed their perspectives on SME sustainability expansion in the United States, and the future of corporate responsibility within SMEs. The symposium was presented in partnership with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the Center for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability. Speakers included Wake Forest Law and Graduate School faculty Alan Palmiter, Keith Robinson, Simone Rose, and Stan Meiburg. They integrated their experiences, scholarly works, and expertise in three panels and direct conversation among other invited speakers.
JBIPL students worked alongside other Wake Forest University programs and organizations for this event as a part of President Susan Wente’s goal of radical collaboration within and outside of the Wake Forest University community.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Kerrie Edmondson (JD '18)
Kerrie Edmondson (JD ‘18) is an Associate Attorney at Winston & Strawn LLP in Charlotte, North Carolina, one of the law firms representing the U.S. women’s soccer team in their lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation. It was the dream assignment for her, as she is both a soccer player and an attorney who is passionate about helping athletes. Being part of the team that helped U.S. women’s soccer achieve a landmark settlement that is being seen as a significant precedent in the ongoing struggle for women to achieve equal pay for equal work is already a highlight in her young career.
After graduating from Wake Forest Law, Edmondson went to work in the New York City office of Winston & Strawn before moving to Charlotte. She is licensed to practice in both states, so many of the cases she takes on are from both locations.
“I think Wake Forest Law helped prepare me for my work by encouraging me to think analytically and tackle legal issues with confidence” said Edmondson when asked about her success, “I know how to analyze the legal issues and facts for each case, think critically, and frame things persuasively. The conversations we had with professors in small classes where we explored theories and ideas freely are unique to Wake Law.”
FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP & RESEARCH
Alyse Bertenthal
- Panelist, “Women in Public Interest and Academia”, WFU Women in Law (Feb. 10, 2022)
- Research Presentation, “Enforcing Environmental Justice”, University of Richmond School of Law (Feb. 11, 2022)
- Panelist, “What the Winston Weaver Fire Tells Us About Social & Environmental Justice”, Wake Forest School of Law (Feb. 24, 2022)
Meghan Boone
- Panelist, “Reconsidering RBG & HHK Sex-Based Discrimination Casebook” (Feb. 4, 2022)
- Speaking Appearance, “Lactation Law”, University of Miami (Feb. 8, 2022)
Tanya Marsh
- Speaker, “Cemetery Law and Eminent Domain”, International Rights of Way Association Monthly Meeting (Feb. 9, 2022)
Eleanor Morales
- Panelist, “Contemporary Legal Issues Facing Military Attorneys”, UNC Festival of Legal Learning (Feb. 3, 2022)
Sid Shapiro
- Panelist, “Forced Arbitration Workers and Marginalized Communities”, Center for Progressive Reform and Georgetown Law Workers Rights Institute (Feb. 16, 2022)
FACULTY IN THE MEDIA
Kami Chavis
Professor Kami Chavis, Director of the Criminal Justice Program at Wake Forest Law and Vice Provost of Wake Forest University, continued to serve as an expert in local and national news coverage of recent criminal justice issues. Professor Chavis was asked to comment by ABC News about the Ahmaud Arbery federal hate crime trial.
Marie-Amelie George
Professor Marie-Amelie George was quoted in an editorial piece for the Houston Chronicle about Governor Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton’s legal opinions over anti-LGBTQ. The article is titled “Editorial: Abbott and and Paxton, don’t threaten parents of trans kids and their doctors”.
Mark Hall
Professor Mark Hall, a health law expert, spoke with Modern Healthcare in an article called “Insurers stretched provider bonuses, quality investment to avoid rebates, CMS says”.
Raina Haque
Professor of practice of technology Raina Haque was featured in an article from UNC Law Magazine titled “Digital Lawyering”, in which Professor Haque says that lawyers have to stay up-to-date on technological advances and what the court of public opinion is saying.
Sarah Morath
Professor Sarah Morath published an editorial piece titled “Plastic pollution is a global problem - here’s how to design an effective treaty to curb it” for The Conversation.
Scott Schang
Professor Scott Schang spoke to the Winston-Salem Journal about the Winston Weaver Co. Fire that disproportionately impacted marginalized communities in an article titled “Plant fire illuminates historical risk faced by communities of color”.
Sid Shapiro
Professor Sid Shapiro continues to be a leading expert in environmental law. Professor Shapiro spoke with ClimateWire, Inside EPA, and the Center for Progressive Reform Blog about the impacts of the Winston Weaver Co. Fire that occurred at the beginning of February. Professor Shapiro also spoke about OSHA’s lack of ability to enforce COVID-19 vaccination mandates on the Rick Smith Radio Show and Inside OSHA Online.
Ron Wright
Professor Ron Wright continues to be an expert on criminal justice throughout numerous different topics. This month, he was quoted in a Washington Post article titled “Fight crime or reform policing? As homicides spike, mayors nationwide insist they can do both”.
EVENTS
Save the Date: Law Alumni Events Across the Country
It is time for Wake Forest Law Alumni to connect in person again!
From March through June, Wake Forest Law Alumni are hosting multiple networking events across the country. For all event dates and locations, please visit the Wake Forest Law Alumni Website.
An event for Young Alumni will be held at The Avenue Raleigh on April 7 from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Hosted by Rose Council member, Sarah Spangenburg (JD '19). Register for this event here.
An all-Law Alumni reception for those in the New York City area will be held on April 13 at 6:30 PM. Hosted by alumnus and Law Board of Visitor member Chris Greco (JD '07). Register for this event here.
Save the Date: Law Alumni Weekend 2022
September 16-18
Brand new this year -- Law Alumni Weekend will be held in conjunction with Homecoming! Along with Law School-only events held in Worrell Professional Center, all law alumni are welcomed back for all the weekend festivities, and Law School classes ending in 2 or 7 will be celebrating their reunions.
In case you missed it: White House recognized collaboration between Wake Forest’s law and medical schools to address the eviction crisis
In the wake of the housing and eviction crisis precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a call to action to the legal profession to address access to justice and increase housing stability in communities across the nation.
Nearly five months later, at a virtual event on Jan. 28, Wake Forest Law student Katie Merlin (JD ’22) spoke to senior administration officials about Wake Forest Law’s efforts to swiftly answer that call by partnering with Wake Forest School of Medicine and others across the University and local community to respond to the crisis and provide legal services to Winston-Salem residents at risk of eviction.
In Case you Missed It: The Cheslie C. Kryst Advocacy and Social Justice Law Scholarship Announced
Wake Forest University School of Law is pleased to announce the establishment of the Cheslie C. Kryst Advocacy and Social Justice Law Scholarship. This partnership with Poyner Spruill LLP is meant to honor the legacy of Cheslie Kryst.
From her time at Wake Forest University School of Law, to her professional contributions both as an attorney and the firm’s first Diversity Advisor, to her time serving in the law school’s Board of Visitors. Her commitment and contribution to our profession has been significant, powerful, and important.
Cheslie’s scholarship will be awarded annually to students from underrepresented backgrounds who demonstrate a passion for the pursuit of social justice and civil rights causes after graduation.
The Cheslie C. Kryst Advocacy and Social Justice Law Scholarship will enable generations of law students to earn their law degrees, who will then go on to make the kind of meaningful and lasting impact on the world Cheslie made during her life.
To make a gift to the Cheslie C. Kryst Advocacy and Social Justice Law Scholarship, please visit wfu.law/cheslie to make a gift online, or contact Logan Roach, Assistant Dean of Development, Wake Forest School of Law, at: roachlp@wfu.edu or 336-758-2676.
The mission of Wake Forest Law is to advance the cause of justice by creating knowledge and educating students to meet the legal needs of the world with confidence, character, and creativity. We instill in students a respect for the law, a devotion to the ideal of service, and a commitment to professional values. We educate students from around the world in a richly diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.
Legal Briefs is a publication of Wake Forest University School of Law.