College of Law News

He had been told once that studying law wouldn't be the right career for him, but Andrew Hughes’ interest in law school resurfaced in 2021 as he watched Joyette Holmes, then the special prosecutor appointed to the Ahmaud Arbery case, navigate the national spotlight with what struck him as integrity and transparency.

Alex Fennell (J.D. ’25) wanted to better understand legal obstacles faced by her community when she applied to Georgia State Law and turned her experiences challenging injustice into legislative drafting success.

Georgia Supreme Court Justice Shawn LaGrua (J.D. ‘87), who holds the distinction of being the first graduate of Georgia State University College of Law to sit on the state’s highest court, gave the address for the Spring Commencement and Hooding Ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2025.

Once a student-athlete at Stanford University, Corbett competed on the swimming and diving team while earning a B.A. in psychology with a minor in political science. After graduation, she spent more than six years in the tech sector working with Palantir Technologies.

Bliss is one of two people to receive the 2025 William Pincus Award for Outstanding Service and Commitment to Clinical Legal Education from the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).

The Georgia State University College of Law now has the highest bar exam passage rate for first-time test takers in the state of Georgia, at 73.9 percent.

The Graduate School at Georgia State University earned recognition for several of its programs in the latest U.S. News & World Report survey of "Best Graduate Schools." 

The Georgia General Assembly House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 356 written by Georgia State Law students recognizing the history and legacy of Georgia State University College of Law and honoring excellence in clinical legal education.

Barry Friedman, the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Professor of Law and director of the Policing Project at New York University School of Law, delivered the 69th Henry J. Miller Distinguished Lecture at Georgia State University College of Law. Friedman lecture, entitled “Big Brother, Big Data.”  

Lina Machado Bejarano (J.D. '19), received the Cameron J. Miller Award for Excellence and Community Service. This award included a $10,000 donation, which Machado directed to the Georgia State Law Immigration Clinic.

Melanie Sallis (J.D. ’25), a student at Georgia State University College of Law, is the winner of the Recording Academy’s annual Entertainment Law Initiative (ELI) Writing Contest for her essay, "Beyond Takedowns: Expanding Music Monetization Tools toSupport All Artists."

Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs spoke to students about drafting sound and effective public policy during a visit to Derrick Alexander Pope's Legislative Drafting Seminar at Georgia State Law.

Daniel E. Dawes, the senior vice president of Global Health and founding dean of the School of Global Health at Meharry Medical College, delivered the inaugural Charity Scott Lecture on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at Georgia State University College of Law.

Professor Leslie Wolf is a part of a research team that has been provided $1.9 million to conduct research designed to increase participation in biomedical studies by involving participants in the research design process.

The nine-story Research Tower represents a crucial step forward in Georgia State’s strategic commitment to research and innovation and to increasing placemaking efforts in the downtown community.

Law students and identical twins, Amani and Ayanna Grant (J.D. ‘25), have shared a journey of resilience and determination that has led them both to pursue law degrees at Georgia State University College of Law.

Attorney Adwoa Ghartey-Tagoe Seymour (J.D. ‘06) gave the commencement address for the Georgia State University College of Law December Class of 2024.

Georgia State Law hosted a luncheon honoring the 20th anniversary of the Health Law Partnership (HeLP), a medical-legal partnership (MLP) among Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Georgia State University College of Law.

Among a landscape of full-time professors, teaching librarians, clinical professors, lecturers and academic professionals, Georgia State University College of Law counts another key faculty role among its ranks: the adjunct faculty who combine their practical experience in the legal field with a passion for teaching.

Children’s Constitutional Rights Professor Tanya Washington has been appointed the Marjorie F. Knowles Chair in Law. Her appointment went into effect on August 1, 2024.

Each fall, all Georgia State College of Law graduates who passed the bar exam have the opportunity to return to their alma mater to be sworn into the Fulton County Superior Court, the Court of Appeals and/or the Supreme Court of Georgia.

J. Antonio DelCampo (J.D. ‘94)  and Brittanie Browning (B.A. ‘10/J.D. ‘14) discuss the importance of building experience during law school by getting involved early.

In the summer of 2024, Atlanta native Courtney-Simone Graves (J.D. ‘25) traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to help facilitate an annual conference on Urban Law and Policy titled “Study Space XIII: Rio de Janeiro, Creating Resilient Cities.”  

On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Georgia State University College of Law hosted the Supreme Court of Georgia for oral arguments. The court’s tradition of convening outside its downtown Atlanta courtroom promotes accessibility and transparency and created a unique opportunity for law students and the public to observe the state’s judicial process firsthand.

Kat Albrecht and Adam Pah have helped develop SCALES, the nation’s first AI-powered open data network providing free access to federal court records.

Best Lawyers has recognized Georgia State Law alumna Malissa Patel (J.D. ‘18) in their “Ones to Watch” cohort for 2025.

Georgia State University College of Law inducted 30 new student honorees and two honorary alumni into the Order of the Coif and the Order of Barristers on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2024.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the watershed Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W. Supreme Court decision, the Center for Law, Health & Society at Georgia State Law convened faculty, students, alumni and friends of the college to reflect on the progress made in disability rights since 1999...

Liz Harding (J.D. ‘26) student at Georgia State University, is excelling in her fight to end youth homelessness in Atlanta and beyond.

Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Law Jonathan Todres has been named the Catherine C. Henson Professor of Law.

Richard L. Hasen, the Gary T. Schwartz Endowed Chair in Law, a professor of political science and the director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA School of Law, delivered the 68th Henry J. Miller Distinguished Lecture on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at Georgia State University College of Law.

Tia L. Gibbs, director of academic advisement and bar success, has had a semester full of noteworthy achievements, earning recognition from prestigious organizations across the country.

Jason Poulos (B.S. ‘92, J.D. ‘97) is the first adjunct faculty member to receive the new Roy M. Sobelson Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching.

This past summer three Georgia State University College of Law students were named 2024 Justice John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellows.

Founded in the spring of 2024 and set to launch this fall, the Community Development & Entrepreneurship Law Clinic (CDELC) at Georgia State University College of Law will serve as metro Atlanta's sole law school-based transactional law clinic. It will be one of a few places providing free legal services for start-up enterprises.

This is the second-highest total in university history, and the fifth year in a row the university has topped $140 million in grants.

This fall, students at Georgia State University College of Law will have the unique opportunity to delve into the legal aspects of Issa Rae’s career under the guidance of Professor Mo Ivory.

Professor of Law Anne Tucker was appointed as the new associate dean for research and faculty development for Georgia State Law on August 1, 2024.

This year, something different happened under the gold dome. Four weeks after the legislators left town, Georgia State University College of Law students in Adjunct Professor Derrick Alexander Pope’s Legislative Drafting Seminar course donned the role of lawmakers.  

Joy Hong (J.D. ’24) spent much of her childhood moving around the country due to her dad’s position with the United Methodist Church.

The appointment of Distinguished University Professor at Georgia State is intended to recognize a sustained and outstanding record in scholarship and instruction, and to provide the impetus for continuing high achievement.

“Dad would have been proud.”

The sentiment shared by Hector Rojas’ (J.D. ’17) clients in November 2023 after he successfully secured an almost $19 million verdict in their father’s wrongful death lawsuit could have also applied to the Morgan & Morgan law firm partner’s own father.

Jarvarus Gresham (J.D. ‘19) has experienced the College of Law from many different angles: as a student, an alumnus recently appointed as executive committee secretary for the Law Alumni Council, and now a generous donor and adjunct faculty member.

Baylee Culverhouse is an Atlanta-based attorney at Morris, Manning & Martin, where she primarily handles regulatory litigation for healthcare clients.

Duncan de la Feld (J.D. ’24) has a gift for language and a love for volunteering. These two characteristics have been the underpinnings of his life choices.

On paper, Singleton is the director of facilities but to the College of Law community, he is a super volunteer, a protector, an advisor and one of the biggest cheerleaders for students, faculty, staff and alumni. On April 1, 2024, a chapter ended for Singleton, marking his last day on duty at the law school as he steps into the world of retirement.

Families, faculty and friends all gathered on Friday, May 10, 2024, for the Georgia State University College of Law’s Spring Commencement & Hooding Ceremony to mark the culmination of the graduates' hard work and dedication to achieving their dreams. 

Before Ryan Jones (J.D. 24’) started law school, he spent a few years as one of the top 15 spoken-word artists in the world.

Cara McClellan (J.D. ’24) was 51 when she quit her job and started law school. While her colleagues at TTI, an electronics-components distributor, were supportive of her decision, McClellan joked that they probably thought she was having a mid-life crisis.

Rob Weber, associate professor of law, is the recipient of a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award in Law at the University of Trento in Italy.

Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Courtney Anderson has been appointed interim dean of Georgia State University College of Law beginning on July 1, 2024. Sam Donaldson, professor of law, will move into Anderson’s position and serve as the interim associate dean of Academic Affairs starting May 1.

Georgia State University College of Law has the best Health Care Law Programs in the nation according to the 2024 Best Law Schools rankings by U.S. News & World Report. 

Every spring, Georgia State University College of Law celebrates Honors Day by recognizing student accomplishments, including academic and extracurricular achievements. This year, more than 250 students received awards at a ceremony on Monday, April 1, 2024, at the College of Law.

LaVonda N. Reed, dean of the Georgia State University College of Law, has been appointed as dean of the School of Law at the University of Baltimore effective July 1.

Georgia is noted in the report for following best practices for incorporating well-designed trigger mechanisms in its tax relief measures to help limit the volatility and unpredictability associated with its changes in tax policy.

Before her professional career began, Olusheun Olupitan (J.D. ‘26) started work in global healthcare during a summer assignment as an undergraduate student nurse in Bhopal, India.

Georgia State University College of Law faculty understand this need and designed the Legal Analytics & Innovation Initiative (LAII) to equip students with the competitive skills desired by law firms and other companies that align with the emerging technological environment.

Twenty years after founding the Center for Law, Health & Society (CLHS) at Georgia State University College of Law and co-founding the Health Law Partnership (HeLP) the legacy of the late Professor Emerita Charity Scott lives on through her countless contributions and the newly minted Charity Scott Lecture Series.

Now Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Law Leslie Wolf has a new title to add to her list of accomplishments: Ben F. Johnson Jr. Chair in Law.

Each year at the Georgia State University College of Law’s Scholarship Donor and Recipient Recognition Luncheon, the college honors its generous donors and students who are scholarship recipients. The students are able to meet their donors in person and express their gratitude.

Georgia State’s 40 Under 40 program annually celebrates the most influential and accomplished Georgia State graduates who embody the values of the university.

A group of trailblazing Georgia State University College of Law Students are set to make history as they prepare to head to Paris, France in July for the 2024 Olympic games.

Deepa Varadarajan, associate professor of law, published her debut novel “Late Bloomers,” (Random House), which has been chosen as a Target Book Club Pick and landed on summer reading lists in magazines such as Southern Living, Good Housekeeping and Real Simple.

Ted Afield, associate dean for Experiential Education and director of the Philip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, has secured additional grant funding, doubling the size of its federal grant dollars for 2023.

Samir Abdullahi (M.P.P. ’10) leads Select Fulton, the economic and workforce development unit of Fulton County government, as director of economic development for the county.

As technology and artificial intelligence (AI) continue to advance and transform occupations and industries, many attorneys and law students fear the risk of AI taking over legal work and threatening jobs in the profession. However, veteran technology law expert Janine Anthony Bowen (J.D. ’98) takes a different approach.

“You have more power today than you did yesterday,” Attorney Joshua Schiffer (J.D. ’02) told graduates of the Georgia State University College of Law December Class of 2023. “I urge you to share your power with your community. Wield it with love.”

At the heart of DeChino Duke’s (J.D. ’23) law school journey lies a remarkable initiative—the inception of the Transactional Law Society at Georgia State University College of Law. For him, the seeds of this organization sprouted from an altruistic place.

For more than two decades, Joshua Schiffer (J.D. ’02) championed thousands of clients, guiding them through trials, appeals, and the complexities of the legal system.

Delores Varner, LMSW, MATS, was honored for her remarkable achievements and commitment to improving outcomes for at-risk children and their families that inspire future generations of social workers.

At a time when legal education calls for innovation, timeliness, and a progressive approach, Georgia State University College of Law Adjunct Professor Chris Timmons is at the forefront of the movement with a new jury selection course.

Bride helped lead a study that provides the first set of principles aimed at preventing or reducing secondary traumatic stress. He now works with others to have the principles adopted and incorporated into curriculums and professional training programs across the globe.

Georgia State University College of Law hosted a U.S. Senate Human Rights Subcommittee public hearing led by U.S. Georgia Senator and U.S. Senate Human Rights Subcommittee Chairman Jon Ossoff on Oct. 30.

Expert panels discuss how to navigate the fast-changing world of AI, IP and copyright law

Johnson received the Early Career Research Impact Award in Social and Behavioral Science.

One Georgia State University College of Law student has always been an advocate for expanding her horizons. Now, as the Georgia State University 2023 “Study Abroad Student of the Year,” Niki Nourollahi (J.D. '23) traces her global journey back to her childhood growing up in Atlanta, Georgia.

A multidisciplinary research team led by the City of Atlanta and Georgia State University was recently announced as one of four statewide winners of the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation’s 2023 Community Research Grant.

This fall, Professors Anne Tucker and Jonathan Todres begin an enriching journey of scholarly engagement and leadership development.

Professor of law Cortney Lollar has joined Georgia State University College of Law as the new Faculty Director of the Center for Access to Justice (A2J).

For the fall 2023 academic year, law students will study the legal life of Grammy® award-nominated, multiplatinum recording artist and serial entrepreneur Rick Ross.

The Center for Professional Development & Career Strategies is a one-stop shop for professional development, career counseling, resume and cover letter reviews, networking opportunities and more for College of Law students.

At age 27, Hayden launched the Grace Hayden Impact Scholarship to support students with a demonstrated interest in economics.

Kyle Hildebrand (J.D. ’24) is the recipient of the LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s 2023 Student Leadership Award. This is the association’s highest award, which recognizes two law students annually for demonstrating leadership at their school and in the community, especially in the area of LGBTQ+ equality.

When Georgia State University College of Law alumni get together, good things happen. That’s what Jon Gallant (J.D. ‘05) and Ramsey Knowles (J.D. ‘05) learned when they decided to pivot in their own established legal careers to build the Knowles Gallant law firm almost five years ago.

Corneill Stephens, professor of law, director of Lawyering Advocacy at Georgia State University College of Law, and the longest-serving faculty member of the College, was recently appointed the L. Lynn Hogue Professor of Law.

Georgia State University College of Law was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Georgia State University Women's Philanthropy Network (WPN). The grant aims to empower and support public interest law students.

During the 2023 grant cycle, the Women’s Philanthropy Network is providing more than $300,000 in funding support to nine college- and unit-level initiatives.

Shila Hawk (Ph.D. ’15) and Capt. Aprille Moore (B.S. ’05) were among a 20-member delegation that recently returned to Georgia from Israel after an intensive two weeks of public safety leadership training with the country’s top police executives.

Three College of Law students have received the new Urban Transformations Fellowship which engages students in transdisciplinary research and problem-solving, as well as real-world exposure to pressing concerns, such as climate change and gentrification.

College of Law Children’s Constitutional Rights Professor Tanya Washington is part of the Advancement of Children’s Constitutional Rights, a consortium of three law professors connecting teaching, research, scholarship and advocacy to develop and promote constitutional frameworks that center children in four substantive areas.

The Georgia State University College of Law Class of 2023 dedicated their class gift campaign to honoring the memory of classmate Alexandra "Alex" Patafio after her untimely death in October, establishing the Alex Patafio Public Interest Law Scholarship.

When Adenike Tijani (J.D. ‘23) started her first semester at Georgia State University College of Law, she already knew she would be balancing her classes with not only a job but a toddler and a new baby at home.

Dan Wingate (J.D. ’23) was sitting in a court hearing for a co-worker when he realized that the legal system needed more people who were equipped and eager to represent individuals who faced discrimination.

Each year, Georgia State University College of Law sends a team of students to compete at the Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition (NELMCC), one of the country’s largest interschool competitions for moot court.

As a middle schooler in southern Turkey, Husrev Ayten (LL.M. ’23) wanted to grow up to be the most influential person he knew: the governor of his home province.

Her mentors taught her to “refuse to be denied,” a quote that resonated when she received a rejection letter from Georgia State Law but eventually appealed the decision – an action that was foreign to her.

Georgia State University College of Law’s Health Law program ranks No. 1 among the 2023-2024 Best Law Schools by U.S. News & World Report.

Pro bono work represented only a fraction of Alex Patafio's selfless service. She was a third-year law student at Georgia State University College of Law.

On July 26, 2023, Morgan Cronin (J.D./M.S.H.A. ’23) will be taking the Georgia Bar Exam. The date is special for many reasons, it marks one year since she donated part of her liver to her younger brother.

When Professor of Practice Moraima “Mo” Ivory proposed the Entertainment, Sports and Media Law (ESML) Initiative to Georgia State University College of Law, she factored in three core components: curriculum, continuing legal education events and mentorship.

The Center for Law, Health & Society congratulates recipients of the Health Law Clinic and Law Review awards for 2023.

Since September 2017, Pro Bono Settlement Days have become a fixture of the Philip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic at Georgia State University College of Law.

The International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) Announces the recipients of the 2023 Influential Women in Legal Technology. Since 2020, ILTA has annually honored outstanding women leaders in the global legal technology community.

Over spring break 2023, 44 GSU Law students participated in Alternative Spring Break service trips all over the state of Georgia. Having been selected through an application process earlier in the spring semester, our four different groups headed out on Sunday, March 12th to begin their week-long dive into housing instability, domestic violence prevention, community economic development, or rural justice.

Five alumni from the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, along with the college’s senior director of development, Amanda Puché, were among the 40 remarkable alumni under the age of 40 recently honored by the Georgia State University Alumni Association.

On May 12, 2023, Peynado (J.D. '14) will add a new title to her litany of accomplishments, when she delivers the keynote address at the Georgia State University College of Law Hooding and Commencement Ceremony.

Over spring break 2023, 44 GSU Law students participated in Alternative Spring Break service trips all over the state of Georgia. Having been selected through an application process earlier in the spring semester, our four different groups headed out on Sunday, March 12th to begin their week-long dive into housing instability, domestic violence prevention, community economic development, or rural justice.

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the death of our colleague and friend Charity Scott. She passed away on March 18, 2023, after a long battle with cancer.

Applications are now open for an internal grant program that supports professional and artistic activities.

On December 7, Katie Beno-Valencia (J.D. ’24) and Angela Flores (J.D. ’24) were the lead advocates in a Merits hearing before an Atlanta immigration judge with a 96.9 percent denial rate.

Paul Lombardo, Regents’ professor, and Bobby Lee Cook professor of law is well known for his expertise in bioethics, medical history, and the law.

Associate Professor of Law Courtney Anderson is taking a new step in her academic career. She has been appointed associate dean for academic affairs, effective March 1, 2023.

Funded by a five-year, $2.8 million grant from the National Institute on Aging, a multi-institutional team lead by Jalayne Arias, Associate Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences in the Georgia State University School of Public Health, will identify and evaluate barriers and facilitators to sharing research data.

Riti Sarangi (B.S. ’21) built a picture-perfect resume — one that helped her get admitted into Columbia University’s master’s program in public health — by focusing on campus engagement.

The $300,000 grant will help fund new GSUPEP instructional classes at the U.S. Federal Penitentiary and expand current course offerings at Department of Juvenile Justice facilities in Georgia.

Life as a legal scholar requires a dedicated immersion into one’s specialty, countless hours of study, and a commitment to growth. Many work with the hope of receiving an appointment to chair in law, and after many years of hard work, a College of Law legal scholar has reached this well-deserved achievement.

Started in 2018, Georgia State’s 40 Under 40 program annually celebrates the most influential and accomplished Georgia State graduates who embody the values of the university.

The five-year grant to Georgia State will train social work students to work in K-12 schools.

MPA alums Jannine Miller ('02), Ann L. Hanlon ('04) and Jerry Gonzalez ('05) join Georgia State President M. Brian Blake and Amb. Andrew Young, who was recognized as a “living legend.”

Sass ranks among the nation’s top education scholars according to the 2023 Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings.

Leading e-cigarette researchers are urging the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to correct misinformation overstating the dangers of e-cigarettes.

U.S. counties with a higher percentage of people identified as “digitally excluded” saw higher COVID-19 case and death rates throughout the pandemic and lower vaccination rates, suggesting increased vulnerability among this population to future disease.

After going full time with her studies during the pandemic, she’s graduating in December with a job lined up at the Atlanta-based international firm of King & Spalding.

Georgia State will honor Myra Payne Elliott, 90, with a degree and confer posthumous degrees to the late Barbara Pace Hunt and Iris Mae Welch at the university’s December commencement. In 1956, the women sued to desegregate Georgia State and won. Their victory paved the way for the integration of universities in the South.

The American Cancer Society is funding research on the effect of eliminating health insurance cost-sharing on the use of cancer prevention and early detection services by Michael Pesko and his team.

A team of legal tech and innovation students from Georgia State University College of Law became semi-finalists in the National Legal Innovations Tournament hosted by Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law.

Lauren Sudeall, professor of law and director of the Center for Access to Justice at Georgia State University College of Law is one of 32 individuals elected to the American Law Institute cohort.

The National Institutes of Health has awarded Michael Pesko $2.65 million in renewal funding for a five-year study to evaluate the effects of e-cigarette policies on youth tobacco use.

They will develop a first-of-its-kind model that will reveal the fuller impact of climate change and climate policy on regional and national financial systems and economies.

Monita Porter (B.A.’16, B.S.’16, M.I.S. ’21) helps leverage the success of Black-owned businesses as the assistant deputy director at the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce.

Georgia State University President Dr. M. Brian Blake highlighted his commitment to research and innovation during his recent investiture.

Charlotte Alexander, Perry Binder, and Susan Willey of Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business were recently recognized with best paper awards at the annual conference of the Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB).

“Almost every decision that I have made about my career has been influenced by my desire to make life better for someone else,” said Shannan Young (J.D. ’23), who admits that her life is completely different from what she envisioned as a child and a young adult.

In 1982, Georgia State University College of Law welcomed 200 Juris Doctor candidates to the new school’s home, the first floor of Georgia State’s Urban Life building—just a short walk to the State Capitol, courts, and numerous law firms.

Jennifer Kusovschi (B.S. ’17, M.I.S. ’22) earned a master’s degree in Biomedical Science and Enterprise while participating full time in a research fellowship at the CDC and directing a choir for young women at her church.

Associate Professor Frances Chen received nearly $590,000 to conduct a three-year study of probation and parole officer (PPO) stress and PPO-client relationships.

The Georgia State University Alumni Association has named three new members to its Board of Directors and 18 new members to the Young Alumni Council board.

The American Bar Association (ABA) will honor Anamaria Hazard (J.D. ’15) with the Up & Comers Award at its annual meeting in Chicago, on Aug. 5.

Kevin Richardson, one part of the “Central Park Five,” now known as the “Exonerated Five,” shared his experience with the Georgia State University College of Law community after spending seven years behind bars for a crime that he didn’t commit.

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has appointed and reappointed seven faculty at Georgia State with the designation of Regents’ Professor, the highest professorial rank within the state’s system of public colleges and universities.

Pearson, a 2022 Georgia State 40 Under 40 honoree, is a victims’ rights advocate with a long-held belief that it’s her duty to give back to her community.

Jennifer Cline (J.D. ’03) received the sixth annual Chief Justice P. Harris Hines Award for Outstanding Advocacy for Children on June 3, at the State Bar of Georgia’s annual meeting.

Georgia State’s Center for Access to Justice works to ensure that everyone — even the most disenfranchised — receives a fair shot in the court of law. The team has uncovered systemic issues and unequal representation.

While earning his JD from Georgia State, Jarter Gao worked in the College of Law’s Philip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic. In collaboration with faculty and supervising attorneys, he represented clients unable to afford legal representation in federal income or employment tax disputes with the Internal Revenue Service.

Growing up, Tamia Robinson (J.D. ’24) didn’t find many people who looked like her in her small hometown in South Florida.

Today, Zala is an executive legal assistant at Joel Cohen Attorney at Law, LLC. He makes time to perform as a musician, describing a “rebirth” of his musical career.

The new university initiative establishes interdisciplinary research hubs to address some of society’s most pressing issues, including pandemic preparedness, climate solutions, crime victim protection, equity and access, and public health.

Eyal Aharoni's research finds that judges reduce prison sentences when they have more information about the full costs and benefits involved.

The first time Samantha Hooper (J.D. ’22) played a female character in the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, she felt a sense of ease she’d never experienced before.

Melissa Davies (J.D.’22) has a big heart and her cat’s paw print on her ankle. After her graduation from Georgia State College of Law, Davies will take on a new mission—working as a judicial clerk.

The Georgia State University College of Law class of 2022 came together to celebrate at the Commencement and Hooding Ceremony on May 13 at the Center Parc Credit Union Stadium.

Dagem Araya (J.D. ’22) was horrified. The woman weeping before him in court had lost her six-year-old child to a sudden bout of pneumonia days before.

Seeking the South’s next great social entrepreneur? You’ll find her in Davynn Brown (J.D.’22), a powerhouse of cultural knowledge, intellectual drive, and big-hearted community-building.

Using a new grant, environmental health researchers at Georgia State are examining the effects of air pollution in metro Atlanta childcare centers.

Far from the typical classroom experience, a number of Georgia State’s undergraduate and graduate courses offer students unexpected lessons — sometimes in unexpected places.

“So, what are we going to do?” Steph Iasiello (J.D.’23) asked law students one day during Professor Russell Covey’s wrongful convictions course after the group spent an entire class session reviewing documents and exhibits related to Melissa Lucio’s case.

Ashe Family Chair Professor of Law Eric Segall and Assistant Professor of Law Anthony Kreis are the leading legal experts providing media commentary about the leaked SCOTUS draft that threatens to overrule Roe v. Wade.

Using a new grant, environmental health researchers at Georgia State are examining the effects of air pollution in metro Atlanta childcare centers.

Instead of catching up on sleep and the latest Netflix shows during spring break, Anja Minninger (J.D. ’24) worked with advocates to assist survivors of domestic violence...

Warren, who was the chief assistant district attorney for the Douglas County District Attorney's Office, was sworn in on March 16, 2022.

Award-winning Civil Rights Attorney Mawuli “Mel” Davis (J.D. ’02) will deliver the keynote address for the College of Law's Commencement and Hooding ceremony on Friday, May 13.

Georgia State will award Chris “Ludacris” Bridges an honorary degree at commencement on May 4.

In fall 2022, Georgia State University College of Law will welcome four new assistant professors of law, and one new visiting assistant professor to its team.

When HeLP Clinic Supervising Attorney Christina Scott (J.D.’18) takes on a case, she’s ready to fight for her client as long as it takes.

Mary Cash (J.D./M.C.R.P ’25) is passionate about two things: historic preservation and the southeast.

The College of Law honored Jones (J.D. ’00) with the 2022 Ben F. Johnson Jr. Public Service Award in a virtual ceremony on March 8.

Tiffany Bracewell (J.D. ’14), Alan Long (J.D. ’16), and Majda Muhic (J.D. ’17) each played a role in Inman’s habeas corpus case. Muhic and another law alum, Michael Williford (J.D. ’17), began investigating the case and advocating for Inman while attending the College of Law.

Georgia State University College of Law and Alterity ADR explore a joint venture to enhance learning and training, pipeline development and broader access to ADR services.

During Chastang's tenure, she helped create the Atlanta Bar Association’s Minority and Diversity Clerkship Program and Black Law Students Association.

An American Bar Endowment grant that was awarded to Georgia State University College of Law’s Immigration Clinic is proving to have a big impact on the lives of asylum seekers in Georgia.

Professor and legal historian Paul Lombardo on the continued legal and ethical significance of the American eugenics movement.

In just two months, Georgia State Law students assisted in interviewing 354 tenants over more than 250 hours and obtaining more than $2.5 million in rental assistance for clients in need across 100 cities in the state of Georgia.

Scott, who is a HeLP Clinic alum, joins the College of Law faculty after spending several years as a staff attorney for HeLP, where she worked closely with clients.

The team concluded their semester by securing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits during a court hearing in front of an administrative law judge with the Social Security Administration.

The 40 Under 40 program honors, recognizes and celebrates the most influential and impactful Georgia State graduates under the age of 40 who embody the values of the university.

The former teacher and current Doraville City Council member and Georgia State Law student is working to make a difference.

Steve Harvey is the subject of the third installment of the “Legal Life of…” course taught by Entertainment, Sports & Media Law Initiative director, Professor Mo Ivory.

Satterfield leads a team of legal project managers, knowledge management lawyers, and innovation professionals to find new ways of delivering legal services, whether that is developing a product or designing a new workflow.

Before he was in the third graduating class from Georgia State College of Law, Maxwell was a band director, school administrator, and builder of kitchen cabinets.

Graduates who passed the July bar exam were sworn into the Georgia Superior Court, Court of Appeals and/or the Supreme Court of Georgia during the event.

Professors John Marshall and Ryan Rowberry are co-editors of the Handbook on Disaster Law and Policy, which is set to be published by Cambridge University Press.

Law professor Erin Fuse Brown studies the many ways in which Americans are ill-served by the nation’s healthcare system. But change could be on the horizon.

The College of Law’s rate was 86.0 percent for first-time test takers and 81.1 percent overall. This puts the College of Law ahead of the overall state average of 73.2 percent.

In Intellectual Property law, Lee enjoys problem-solving and wrapping her head around bigger abstract ideas such as how to protect a creation or brand.

Georgia State University College of Law has the best health law program in the country, according to the new 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Dean LaVonda Reed is making history as the first Black woman to lead Georgia State University College of Law. Her experience rising the ranks in both academia and the legal field create a strong foundation to lead in achieving the College of Law’s goals.

The Pro Bono Program at the College of Law spent this week celebrating its volunteers and partner organizations through events and outreach.

The Georgia native says when it came time for her to choose a law school, she was drawn to the diversity in age and life skills that Georgia State Law’s student body had.

The event “Modern-Day Eugenics and Reproductive Injustice,” was co-sponsored by the Center for Law, Health & Society, Center for Access to Justice, and Immigration Clinic.

The Georgia State University Law Review will offer a new way to explore recently passed legislation at its inaugural Legislative Forum on Oct. 29.

Turner incorporated Illuminate Justice, a 501(c)3 focused on education and prevention of human trafficking. Her goal is to also create a legal clinic.

After working as a paralegal for 22 years, Rebecca Penar (J.D. ’23) decided to finally take the leap she had been thinking about on and off for years and attend law school.

Casablanca helps immigrant families realize the American dream as the Chair of Immigration Planning and Compliance Practice at Akerman LLP in Miami.

Georgia State Law students, faculty and alumni gathered Monday for a celebration of The Order of the Coif and The Order of Barristers.

Knowles was the first woman to lead the College of Law and was a guiding force in developing Georgia State Law to become the esteemed institution it is today.

Cunningham offered to provide a neutral analysis based on empirical research of the meaning of three key words relating to the admissibility of evidence in a murder case.

This academic year, in addition to medical students and residents, the HeLP clinic has a Georgia State University Master of Social Work student who is completing her field placement at HeLP.

Another school year has introduced another innovative course as part of the Entertainment, Sports & Media Law Initiative with the addition of Sneaker Law.

Launched in 2016, the Center created a space within the University to focus on how lower-income and other marginalized people navigate the civil and criminal legal systems in the South.

It was when Lisa Bliss was a student in the civil practice law clinic during law school when she realized her true dream job: becoming a clinical professor.

With the fall semester underway Dean Reed has had the opportunity to get to know the students, faculty and staff that make the College of Law unique. Here, we get to know more about her vision for the College and her goals as dean.

Following a week of orientation, the College of Law offered participation in an Afternoon of Service to demonstrate how giving back is part of the culture at Georgia State Law from day one of the students’ legal careers.

Professor Jonathan Todres collaborated with Lauren Meeler (J.D. ’22) to co-author an article titled Confronting Housing Insecurity—A Key to Getting Kids Back to School that was published in JAMA Pediatrics.

Kierra spent her first year of law school as the 1L rep for the Pro Bono Program and is excited to hit the ground running as the student director heading into her 2L year.

The health law program at Georgia State Law continues to expand, most recently by announcing the endowment of the Health Law Scholarship.

Courtney Anderson’s research centers around health equity for the lower-class and people of color, an area where many health issues were exacerbated because of the pandemic.

In our “Catching Up with Emeriti Faculty” series, we interview retired faculty members about their experiences at Georgia State and what they’re up to now.

When it came time to deciding where he wanted to study law, Franco said what stuck out to him about Georgia State was the friendliness and camaraderie among students.

The daughter of Vietnamese refugees, Georgia State College of Law student Melinda Nguyen is focused on finding a way to use her law degree to help people.

While his original intent was to eventually practice law, Lucido has worked up the ranks at the CDC where he currently sits as an Associate Director for Policy, External Relations and Communications.

Sudeall came to the College of Law in 2012 and is the founding faculty director of the Center for Access to Justice, where she conducts research on access to justice issues and teaches an Access to Justice course.

Their practice has evolved over the years to meet the needs of their community but covers most kinds of non-domestic litigation, along with estate planning.

Paul Lombardo, the Bobby Lee Cook Professor of Law, was named the 2021 recipient of the prestigious Jay Healey Teaching Award.

Rafus is two years out of law school and has really hit the ground running. The first thing he did as a sworn attorney in Georgia was argue before the Georgia Supreme Court.

Her theatre background gave Lewis an inherent ability to talk in front of people and stand on her feet, both required parts of litigation, but the appeal for Lewis goes far beyond that.

Madeline Ross (J.D. ’21) knew growing up she either wanted to be a prosecutor or a nurse. “I know those sound very different, but they have the commonality of service,” she explained.

Jennifer McCall (J.D. ’13) did not take the most traditional route to become a successful family law attorney, but the challenges she faced along the way only helped shape the attorney she has become.

With more than 25 years of experience, she’s handled claims related to products liability, automobile liability, premises liability, mass torts defense and beyond. However, litigation isn’t where she thought her career would take her.

Georgia State College of Law graduates once again earn the overall highest bar passage rate for the February 2021 exam with a rate of 77.6 percent.

The college not only offers a certificate in IP, but also provides an array of courses to cater to students that are interested in a variety of subject areas.

The personalized events were chosen to ensure comfort and safety for all parties involved while still recognizing the graduates’ accomplishments.

It didn’t take long for Hillary Rightler (J.D. ’10) to earn her way up to partner at Kilpatrick Townsend. The College of Law graduate specializes in white collar criminal defense matters working with multinational corporations around the world.

Shreepal Zala had a successful career as a professional musician, but he wanted more. He enrolled at the College of Law to expand his career as lawyer, educator and musician.

Seeking justice for victims fuels Naeem Ramatally (J.D. ’12) as a legal advisor for the Miami-Dade Police Department. The South Florida native works alongside police officers to promote justice.

DelCampo currently has his own litigation firm, works as a mediator and sits on the Executive Committee of the State Bar of Georgia, as the incoming Treasurer.

LaVonda N. Reed, associate provost for faculty affairs at Syracuse University, has been named dean of the College of Law at Georgia State University. Reed will be the seventh dean in the college’s history and the first African American to lead the College of Law.

Seibert is graduating with his J.D. and a certificate in Health Law. He is also one of two recipients of the 2021 Charity Scott Health Law Award.

Land use law expert and professor Julian Juergensmeyer retires after more than 55 years of teaching, research, and making urban development more equitable.

Zainab Okunowo worked as an attorney working on behalf of children in Nigeria. After coming to the U.S., she enrolled in the LL.M. program at Georgia State Law so that she can make a difference for kids here.

Using big data analysis, associate professor Charlotte Alexander is decoding #MeToo defenses.

A new Georgia State lab is focused on how e-scooters and other forms of micromobility are remaking the landscape for commuters in Atlanta and beyond.

Professor Brandy Owens Domengeaux encourages Georgia State College of Law students to excel and stay true to themselves as they pursue careers in law.

When it came to deciding where to attend law school, Martin knew the College of Law’s downtown location and large alumni network made it the right choice for her.

Lee joined the faculty in 2020 and teaches Corporations, International Business Transactions, International Trade Law and Law and Economic Development.

Georgia State College of Law helped Jeffrey Gaba and his son Nick Gaba carve their own paths in the profession.

Teaching Lawyering: Foundations is not the only time Vath enters a classroom at Georgia State, she is also working towards earning her Ph.D. in English, Composition & Rhetoric.

Hayes knew early on that she wanted to be an attorney. Partially because she was known in her family to be skilled at arguing, but also because was able to see the ins and outs of the business from family members who were attorneys.

Georgia State University College of Law first-year law students share how their pro bono and volunteer experiences have made an impact thus far.

Georgia State University College of Law graduates William Hale and Brett Sanders were the first to earn the Certificate in Legal Analytics & Innovation.

The College of Law's downtown location and strong sense of community have propelled Natalie deLatour toward her dream of practicing big corporate and real estate law.

Patel operates his own personal injury firm aimed at providing affordable services to people in need. The flexibility and independence that comes with owning his own firm has always driven his legal career.

Georgia State University College of Law has the best health law program in the country, according to the new 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

The clinic hosted the event the week of March 8th, with the goal of settling cases for clients with IRS attorneys to avoid having to continue to Tax Court.

The JD/MBA dual-degree program at Georgia State allows Cole Hobbs to combine his love of music and entertainment with business savvy. He hopes to become head of legal at a record label.

She teaches Torts, Constitutional Tort Litigation and Employment Law. Though the opportunity to teach torts is what motivated Timmons to become a law professor.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (J.D. ’94) will serve as the keynote speaker at the Law Review Symposium on Friday, March 26. This year's theme is “Social Justice and Racial Equality: What's Next?"

Jindia is currently living in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands where he is the Chief Legal and Compliance Officer for Cane Bay Partners.

Boyer spent two years at the Douglas County Juvenile Court as a delinquent case manager before deciding to attend Georgia State Law to maximize his impact.

In the Georgia State Law Center for the Study of Comparative Metropolitan Growth, Karen Johnston works to find practical solutions to global issues facing cities, from housing to public transit.

For students in the Georgia State College of Law off-campus Mediation Clinic, the backlog of eviction cases created by the initial shutdown of the courts has expanded hands-on learning opportunities.

Georgia State Law emeriti faculty Lynn Hogue and Sylvia Caley share their memories of the college's beginnings and how they're involved after retirement.

Ekhlas researched the options for LL.M. bar track programs that would help prepare him to get his license in the United States. He says it was clear from the moment he walked into the College of Law that it was a great fit for him.

For the last five years she’s enjoyed teaching foreign-trained attorneys in the LL.M. program, but this semester she is taking on a new challenge. Butler designed a health law research course in support of the Center for Law, Health & Society.

College of Law student Jeannine Holmes (J.D. ’22) has made history as the first Black editor-in-chief of the Law Review.

Between owning a practice in Atlanta, developing an app with potential to be used by lawyers around the world, and spending time with his family, he doesn’t have many moments to spare but wouldn’t have it any other way.

Through the Georgia State College of Law advocacy program and externship opportunities, Bryce Boggs is on track to become a formidable litigator.

As a Georgia State Law student, Furhawn Shah wanted help domestic violence survivors get justice. Now, he's doing that and more as an assistant district attorney in Fulton County.

In the new Hip-Hop and the Law course, students discuss the many ways in which hip-hop artists interact with the legal system.

The program’s goal was to prepare attendees, which included undergraduate, graduate and law students, how best to seek roles and be on the frontlines in tackling the current housing crisis.

The Georgia State University College of Law Immigration Clinic was awarded a grant from the American Bar Endowment to train attorneys on how to advocate for noncitizens who have been unlawfully denied work permits.

Georgia State Law allowed Johnson-Long to continue her work in Atlanta while getting the opportunity to learn from several faculty members who are also doing important abolitionist legal work.

Georgia State Law professor Neil Kinkopf's scholarship on presidential power has led him from the Justice Department and testifying before Congress.

Georgia State Law honored attorneys Robert B. Remar and Bernard Taylor Sr. with the Ben F. Johnson Jr. Public Service Award for their work with the ACLU, Anti-Defamation League and UNICEF.

As executive director of the Georgia State College of Law Legal Analytics & Innovation Initiative, Ben Chapman equips students with the skills to use algorithms, data analytics and machine learning to make a positive impact on the legal profession.

Having students roll up their sleeves and dive into big, complicated contracts might not be expected in a typical law school course, but that’s exactly how Associate Professor of Law Robert Weber teaches his students.

This Black History Month, we’ve decided to reflect on the courage and commitment of our Black students and faculty who have fought for equity and inclusion over the years.

Last fall, attorney Kendall Minter taught Copyright and Music Publishing, a new course in the Entertainment, Sports and Media Law Initiative, focused on the creation, protection and exploitation of intellectual property in the music industry.