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October 2022 Legal Briefs News from Wake Forest Law

Deacs Day of Giving

Thank you to the 144 alumni and friends who participated in Deacs Day of Giving on October 4. With your support, the School of Law raised over $88,000 for the Law Fund, BLSA, LLSA, Moot Court and Trial Team groups. The School of Law also had the highest participation* rate of any of the units beating the Business School, Athletics and the College, earning the victorious top spot in the Unit Challenge!

*Participation for Deacs Day of Giving is based on total donations to each unit from the previous year

Beyond Innocence: Darryl Hunt and the Fight for Justice in America Archive Event

Wake Forest University School of Law hosted an exhibit and panel discussion titled “Beyond Innocence: Darryl Hunt and the Fight for Justice in America” at Worrell Professional Center on September 29, 2022. The event introduced the “Darryl Hunt and Hunt Trials” archive collection and the book Beyond Innocence: The Life Sentence of Darryl Hunt written by Wake Forest University Professor of the Practice Phoebe Zerwick.

Darryl Hunt, who was twice wrongfully convicted of the murder of a local newspaper editor, served nearly 20 years before the crime was solved with DNA evidence in 2003. During this time, Wake Forest Law Professor Mark Rabil, who was his attorney from 1984 to 2007, worked tirelessly to prove Mr. Hunt's innocence. He was aided in his efforts by an award-winning series of articles by Professor Zerwick in the Winston-Salem Journal.

The collection is a living archive of trial transcripts, motions, exhibits, newspaper articles, personal notes, and other correspondence between Darryl Hunt, his attorneys, and his supporters. Professor Zerwick read excerpts from letters Hunt had written to Professor Rabil about his time in prison and how it inspired his advocacy for those wrongfully convicted. Professor Rabil spoke about how, despite the efforts of Hunt and others, wrongful imprisonment is still an issue plaguing the justice system.

Law Alumni Weekend 2022

This year, Law Alumni Weekend was held in conjunction with Wake Forest University Homecoming. Wake Law alumni were able to reconnect with classmates, faculty, and staff all weekend long at a number of events, such as Party So Dear, Law Alumni Reunion dinner, and the Law Alumni Tailgate! We are pleased to share the Law Alumni Weekend photo gallery with you. Please take a few minutes to offer feedback with this survey - regardless of attendance. Continue to share your own photos using #WFULAW.

Wondering about how to remain connected to Wake Forest Law?

  • Attend Events - Alumni receptions, happy hours, mentoring opportunities, etc. Also join WakeCommunities events such as Game watches, museum tours, service projects, and more. When a group of Deacons gets together, it's going to be a good time.
  • Lend Your Expertise - Faculty, administrators, and student groups will often look for industry experts to provide guidance and insight. Answer that call and share your experiences by emailing lawalum@wfu.edu.
  • Mentor or Hire Wake Law Students - The Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD) works tirelessly with faculty and staff to prepare students to be superstars in the legal field. On Campus Interviews (OCIs) at Wake Law are also a great reason to return to campus.
  • Show Humanitate - When you're doing good in your community, wear your Wake gear proudly. Pro Humanitate is WFU's "secret sauce" so be generous with your time and talent "For Humanity."
  • Give As You Are Able - The opportunity that was afforded to you to attend Wake Forest Law is one that you can offer to the next generation. Whether you support scholarships, research, or student organizations, you are able to impact the future of this institution.

EVENTS

Law Alumni Reception: Wilmington, NC; Oct. 13

It’s time for Wake Forest Law Alumni to connect in person again!

For our law alumni in Wilmington, there will be a reception hosted by Jim Hickmon (JD ’01) tonight, Thursday, October 13 from 5:00-7:30 PM at the Carolina Yacht Club. Walk in guests are welcome if you have not already RSVPed.

Sager Series Speaker Event; Nov. 3

On November 3, 2022, Wake Forest University School of Law will host Marilyn T. McClure-Demers, Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Nationwide, as a distinguished guest of the 2022 Sager Distinguished Speaker Series. Please find Marilyn's bio below. The event will take place from 12 noon until 1:00 pm in the Large Courtroom - Room 1312.

The Sager Distinguished Speaker Series is named for Wake Forest alumnus Thomas Sager (JD ’76), former vice president and general counsel for Dupont Co., and current partner at Ballard Spahr LLP. Sager was a strong and early proponent of diversity in the legal profession and helped pioneer the DuPont Convergence and Law Firm Partnering Program, or DuPont Legal Model, an industry benchmark that has received national acclaim for its innovative approach to the business of practicing law.

Wake Forest Law students, faculty, and staff may register here.

Wake Forest Law alumni may register here.

Conversation and Book Signing

Author Corban Addison of Wastelands: The True Story of Farm Country on Trial; Nov. 9

Imagine your ancestral home suddenly being sprayed with hog manure that gets on your clothes, kitchen countertops, and eating utensils. Imagine a multibillion dollar corporation creating similar situations across predominantly Black and Hispanic counties in eastern North Carolina under the protection of the North Carolina legislature. Imagine after years of frustration and futility, an impassioned cadre of local residents, led by a team of intrepid and dedicated Wake Forest-trained lawyers, files lawsuits against one of the world’s most powerful companies—and, miraculously, they win.

Join us for a discussion with Corban Addison, author of Wastelands: The True Story of Farm Country on Trial, and Mona Lisa Wallace (JD '79, P '08), lead plaintiffs’ attorney in the lawsuits that brought the concentrated animal feeding industry to heel. This discussion is co-sponsored by Yadkin Riverkeeper.

Register for the event here.

Veterans Day Celebrations

Veterans Day Ceremony; Nov. 11

Over the last academic year, the Wake Forest Law Veterans Legal Clinic has successfully secured corrections to several of its clients' military records that have resulted in their recognition as veterans under the law. The Veterans Day ceremony will honor and recognize a few of these veterans for their service to our country. The ceremony will be held on Veterans Day, November 11th, at noon in the law school courtyard.

Learn more about this event here.

Purple Heart Ceremony; Nov. 12

Veterans Legal Clinic client Mr. James Brown will be awarded his long-awaited Purple Heart for injuries sustained during combat in the Korean War. The ceremony will be held during halftime of the November 12th Wake Forest vs University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill football game. Come out and celebrate this moment Mr. Brown has waited for over 70 years.

STUDENT FOCUS

Students passionate about Pro Bono work receive real-world experience.

From the very first week of the Fall 2022 semester, Pro Bono students started their projects with the passion for law and desire for practice that drove them into this type of work.

The Wake Forest Law Pro Bono Project's mission is to provide high-quality legal services at no fee, or a substantially reduced expense, to individuals in need while creating a lifelong commitment to pro bono work among Wake Forest Law students. Through this mission, the Pro Bono Project helps the local community with various legal topics, including expungements, healthcare advocacy, teen court, and wills.

Thus far this school year, the Pro Bono Project has held multiple in-person clinics focusing on expungements and wills. Students have been hands-on with every client that has arrived during clinic hours through reviewing client records, using their honed writing skills, and developing professional relationships.

Students are also working heavily with Teen Court this semester, where they serve as mentors and co-counsel for teen attorneys as they defend and prosecute first-time juvenile offenders. Recently, Wake Forest Law Alumna Dawnielle Grace (JD '16) spoke to WFMY News 2 about how her experience with the program led her to Wake Forest Law.

To find out more about the Wake Forest Law Pro Bono Project, visit their website here and click here to support the Pro Bono Project's activities.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Welcome New Wake Forest Law School Board Members

Law Board of Visitors: Craig Baldauf (JD '96), Chris Green (JD '00), Eric Rogers (JD '91), Leslie Sample (JD '12), Wade Sample (JD '12), David Knight (JD'94)

General Council Advisory Committee: Sara Carlton (JD '00), Steven Franklin (JD '16), Katie Heath (JD '12), Jesse Hynes (JD '14), Darren Lindamood ('08, JD '11), Killoran Long (JD '20)

Rose Council: Meredith Pace Brewer (JD '17), Rhett Butler (JD '18), Ashley Chandler (JD '18), Sarah Riedl Clark (JD '13), Chase Edmunds (JD '21), Dylan Greenwood (JD '13), Sophia Pappalardo (JD '20), Graham Pitman (JD '22), Sarah Saint (JD '17), Brooks, Keebler Straz (JD '21)

FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP & RESEARCH

Timothy Davis

  • Book release, Sports Law: Learning the Law, book release by the Carolina Academic Press (forthcoming Nov. 2022)
  • Journal article, "America's Race-Based Caste Structure: Its impact in College and Professional Sports", 9 Texas A&M Law Review 599 (2022)
  • Edited chapter, "Athlete Eligibility Requirements and Legal Issues 2.0", Handbook on International Sports Law (2nd Ed.)

Brenda Gibson

  • Journal article, "Teaching in the Midst of Trauma", LWI: The Journal of the Legal Writing Institute (forthcoming in Vol. 27)
  • Journal article, "The Heir's Property Problem: Racial Caste Origins & Systemic Effects in the Black Community", The City University of New York (CUNY) Law Review (forthcoming)

Mark Hall

  • Chapter in edited collection, "Restatement of Medical Liability, Preliminary Draft No. 3", American Law Institute (Sept. 1, 2022)

Raina Haque

Ellen Murphy

  • Speaking Appearance, "Ethics CLE", High Point University (Sept. 28, 2022)

Gregory Parks

  • Journal article, "The Color of Law Review", Boston University Law Review (forthcoming)
  • Journal article, "Whiteness as Ideology", Case Western Law Review (forthcoming)

FACULTY IN THE MEDIA

Gregory Parks

Professor Gregory Parks, a nationally known expert on the psychology of hazing, was featured on Dr. Phil on Wednesday, September 21's episode, “Deadly Brotherhood: The Fight to Stop College Hazing,” and shares four factors that motivate college students to join fraternities and sororities.

Mark Rabil

Professor Mark Rabil, the Director of the Wake Forest Law Innocence & Justice Clinic, was featured in a news article by The Winston-Salem Journal about an ongoing case in Forsyth County, NC. Professor Rabil spoke to the importance of DNA testing in cases that can determine innocence.

Sid Shapiro

Professor Sid Shapiro wrote an op-ed piece for the Center for Progressive Reform titled "Congress Must Protect Workers from Extreme Heat — Now". Professor Shapiro writes about how those who work outside in the heat need more protection that legislation can help provide.

LEADERSHIP, ACCOMPLISHMENTS & AWARDS

Wake Forest Law Professor Timothy Davis appointed to the Board of Trustees of the National Conference of Bar Examiners

The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) announced that Wake Forest Law Professor Timothy Davis has been elected to its Board of Trustees. NCBE develops the licensing tests used by most states for admission to the bar.

Professor Davis is the John W. and Ruth H. Turnage Professor of Law for Wake Forest Law. He teaches and writes about Contracts, UCC Article 2, and Sports Law. One of the country’s best known sports law scholars, he has co-authored Sports Law and Regulation: Cases, Materials, and Problems (Wolters Kluwer), The Business of Sports Agents (Univ. of Pennsylvania Press), and Understanding Sports Law (Carolina Academic Press), a treatise, which will be published in August 2022.

Congratulations to Professor Davis on this important appointment! Read the full announcement from the NCBE here.

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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.

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