Professor Nell J. Newton named as Interim Dean of Wake Forest Law
Professor Nell Jessup Newton, Notre Dame Law School’s 10th dean for ten years, has been named as interim dean for Wake Forest School of Law. She is a leader in legal education and has been for more than 20 years. In addition, she has served as dean of prominent law schools nationwide since 1998.
Through her leadership, Notre Dame increased the size of its Law School faculty through lateral and entry-level hires. She also built curricular strengths for law students focusing on business, international law and intellectual property. In addition to these curricular focuses, Professor Newton initiated the launch of a Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, a Community Development Clinic and an Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Clinic. Professor Newton also stewarded eight new programs of study at Notre Dame that allows students to develop expertise in specialized areas of law and policy to this day.
Read more about Professor Newton's appointment as Interim Dean here.
Wake Law Ends Historic Fundraising Year with $14.3 Million in Gifts and Pledges
The Development department is pleased to announce historical levels of support in fiscal year 2022. A record-breaking $11.3M in pledges, including $3M in total cash, and a new record of $1.27M in cash gifts to the Law Annual Fund, contributed to Wake Law’s most successful fundraising year to date. This level of support represents 26 new and increased scholarships with approximately $3.8M going directly to the students that need it the most. Additionally, this record includes 37 major gifts and 3 principal gifts of $1M+ showing that the Law School is set on a healthy growth trajectory.
“This historic year represents a major milestone for the School of Law. Deep philanthropic commitment from our alumni and friends community is vital to the future success of Wake Law, enabling us to rise in the rankings, support our students and faculty, and strengthen the school’s reputation among peer institutions. Thank you to everyone who helped make this landmark year achievable” Logan Roach, Assistant Dean of Development, School of Law.
As the momentum continues into the new year and you begin thinking about the philanthropic contributions you wish to make, the Development team is eager and ready to meet with you.
Please reach out to us with any questions at lawalum@wfu.edu.
EVENTS
Law Alumni Events
Law Alumni Weekend; September 16 - 18
This year’s Law Alumni Weekend will be held in conjunction with the University's Homecoming events offering an abundance of opportunities to celebrate with friends, family, and classmates! Alumni can register for both Law School only events and various family friendly Homecoming events on the Homecoming website. Note that registration closes on September 8 at 9:00am ET.
Find out more about the Law Alumni Weekend events and register here.
Deacs Day of Giving; October 4
Support Wake Forest School of Law on Deacs Day of Giving, October 4, 2022! In this 24-hour fundraising drive, your participation allows us to create significant opportunities for our students including those students involved in BLSA, LLSA, Trial Team and Moot Court. For more information on Deacs Day of Giving and how to participate the day of, please review the Frequently Asked Questions here.
Veterans Day Ceremony; November 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.
In addition to this celebration, Veterans Legal Clinic Client Mr. Brown will be receiving his long-awaited Purple Heart Award during the November 12 Wake Forest Football game against University of North Carolina.
More information to come about this event.
STUDENT FOCUS
Class of 2025 breaks records to become one of the highest credentialed classes of Wake Forest Law
On Monday, August 15, the Class of 2025 entered Worrell Professional Center as the newest members of the Wake Forest Law community. Excited to embark on their legal journey, the students filled the law school’s auditorium to officially kick off Foundations Week. Interim Assistant Dean of Student Affairs & Executive Strategy Branden Nicholson was the first to welcome the students.
The Class of 2025 is composed of 159 students from 100 different undergraduate institutions across 32 states. The median age of the class is 24 years old and the students' ages range from age 44 to age 18.
The class enters the law school with a median 165 LSAT score. In addition to setting the record for the highest median LSAT score, the Class of 2025 has the second-highest GPA median of 3.72. These statistics are preliminary until official reporting concludes on October 5 of this year.
Read more about the Class of 2025 here, and watch highlights from the Foundations Week 2022 Day of Service here.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
William "Bill" Reingold (JD '83)
The Winston-Salem Journal and Senior Services announces William "Bill" Reingold as one of the "7 Over Seventy" honorees for 2022.
The "7 over Seventy" awards recognize the contributions of older adults who have greatly impacted Forsyth County through their community service, civic and social engagement, and/or career accomplishments. Past honorees represent a wonderfully diverse swath of people who share one thing in common—a love for their community.
Read more about Bill's contributions to the Forsyth County community and his career here.
FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP & RESEARCH
Alyse Bertenthal
- Research Presentation, "Water Thieves", Natural Resources Law Teachers Institute (June 1, 2022)
Chris Coughlin
- Research Presentation, “Developments in Patient Policy", American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 45th Annual Health Law Professors Conference (June 2, 2022)
Marie-Amélie George
- Speaking Appearance, "Legal Challenges to State Actions Affecting the Rights of LGBTQ+ Persons", Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, EPA (June 15, 2022
Ester Hong
- Research Presentation, "Transforming the Carceral State", Virtual Criminal Law Workshop (June 8, 2022)
Eleanor Morales
- Speaking Appearance, "Discharge Characterizations and VA Benefits", Army Trial Defense Service for the Southeastern Region (June 8, 2022)
Ellen Murphy
- Speaking Appearance, "Teaching Tips for New Law Professors", West Academic (June 22, 2022)
Omari Simmons
- Speaking Appearance, "Political Risk Management", The Independent Director Initiative (August 16, 2022)
Ron Wright
- Research Presentation, "Interstate and Intrastate Variation" (June 22, 2022)
- Speaking Appearance, "Partnership Prosecution", Law and Society Association Annual Meeting (July 16, 2022)
- Speaking Appearance, "Interstate and Intrastate Variation", Crimfest 2022 (July 18, 2022)
- Speaking Appearance, "Prosecution Amid Political Contestation and Polarization", International Legal Ethics Conference (August 13, 2022)
FACULTY IN THE MEDIA
Meghan Boone
Professor Meghan Boone was interviewed several times about the impact of Roe v. Wade being overturned in June. She spoke with WFAE about laws that have regulated abortion in North Carolina dating back to 1881. Professor Boone also collaborated with other professors, including Marie-Amélie George, on a research report with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She was also a guest on WFMY to speak on the North Carolina 20-week abortion ban that was reinstated by a federal judge in July.
Marie-Amélie George
Professor Marie-Amelie George was interviewed by a number of groups about LGBTQ+ history and civil rights and reproductive rights. She spoke with Newsweek about the history of Pride month and the Stonewall Riots. She spoke about the future of marriage equality in relation to Roe v. Wade being overturned in June. Professor George also collaborated with other professors, including Meghan Boone, on a research report with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Laura Graham
Professor Laura Graham spoke with Legal Talk Network in a special podcast episode about Gen Z's impact in the legal world.
Scott Schang
Professor Scott Schang continues to be a leading expert in environmental law. In an article for the Winston-Salem Journal, Professor Schang speaks on how the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June could be signaling reversals to climate change laws.
LEADERSHIP, ACCOMPLISHMENTS & AWARDS
Wake Forest Law Professor Carol Anderson Retires
Professor Carol Anderson, a leading trial advocacy educator, retired in July of 2022 from Wake Forest Law. During her time at Wake Forest Law, Professor Anderson taught hundreds of students about the complex topic of Trial Advocacy. She coached trial teams for years, leading to consistent competition victories. Graduates and fellow professors across her career at Wake Forest Law submitted messages, photos and video clips thanking Professor Anderson for her dedication to legal education and congratulations on her retirement. The entire Wake Forest Law community thanks Professor Anderson for her immeasurable contributions to students, faculty and staff alike.
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.