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Dean’s Welcome
The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law has an outstanding program of legal education, one that enables its graduates to succeed from the very beginning of their careers. Our rigorous practical education equips students with the tools required for both professional excellence and an understanding of ethical responsibilities in the practice of law. As a result of an outstanding faculty and an emphasis on teaching and individual attention, our students pass the bar and find employment at rates that historically are among the best in Tennessee and that favorably compare with the nation’s finest law schools. In January 2010, we moved to a superb law school facility in the completely renovated former United States Custom House, Court House, and Post Office, one of the most attractive historic buildings in downtown Memphis. In addition to the grandeur of the restored original federal district courtroom, the facility features well-designed classrooms, a spacious and inviting library, ample study and student activity space, the Legal Clinic, numerous lounges and reception areas, and stateof-the-art technology. The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is a significant part of the extraordinary renaissance occurring in downtown Memphis. Overlooking the Mississippi River, our new home is located just blocks from the state and federal courts, in the heart of the region’s most important concentration of law firms, government offices, and cultural attractions. Our new location enhances an already strong relationship with the legal community and greatly increases the opportunities for meaningful externship and clerking experiences during law school. We are pleased you are considering the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law as you plan for a legal career. We are building upon our tradition of educational excellence. It is an ideal time for you to join our diverse student body, which regularly brings many talents and a broad range of experiences to the educational environment. I invite you to schedule a visit and experience for yourself all we have to offer.
With regards,
Kevin H. Smith Dean and Thomas B. Preston Professor of Law
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CONTENTS Dean’s Welcome
1
The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law 2 The University of Memphis
3
The Building
4
The Plough Foundation Law Library and Information Technology 7 The Academic Program
8
The University of Memphis Legal Clinic 12
Preparation for Tomorrow
Joint- and Dual-Degree Programs
15
Academic Support and Writing Center
15
Faculty
16
The Honor Council
17
Student Organizations
18
Moot Court
19
The University of Memphis Law Review 20 Mental Health Law & Policy Journal 20 Financial Aid and Tuition Costs
21
Career Services
24
University Services
26
A City Full of Energy
27
Admissions
30
Orientation
34
Visiting the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
35
2
The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law:
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The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law offers an outstanding tradition of teaching the analytical skills necessary to practice law, along with the practical skills of research, writing, and oral advocacy. Our placement rate consistently exceeds the national average. Our more than 5,000 graduates work in all 50 states and have attained prominence as lawyers, judges, and public officials. Our academic program is thorough and intensive, providing our students with the skills and knowledge required for the successful practice of law. Strong cocurricular offerings complement our academic programs, providing students with numerous opportunities to further enhance their skills and knowledge. These opportunities, combined with our dedicated faculty and challenging curriculum, make the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law an excellent choice for your legal career.
The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Mission Statement The law school is a state-assisted school in an urban environment committed to the education of its students, to the academic and scholarly accomplishments of its faculty and students, and to the improvement of the legal profession and the advancement of justice in our community, state, and nation through principles of professional responsibility and equal opportunity.
The University of Memphis: A Proud Tradition
As a regional center for education, service, and research, the University of Memphis is an ideal home for the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. The University is one of the largest institutions of the Tennessee Board of Regents system, with an enrollment of over 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The University of Memphis is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis was founded in response to widespread interest in developing a full-time, accredited law program to serve the Mid-South. The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law was founded in 1962 and was accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) in 1965. The school was named in honor of Dr. Cecil C. Humphreys, thenPresident of Memphis State University and an educator of great distinction. Dr. Humphreys spearheaded the group that worked with the state legislature and the ABA to establish and obtain accreditation for the law school. The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is an active member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS). memphis.edu/law
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The Building Over the past 125 years, the building that now houses the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law has served as a U.S. Custom House, a courthouse, and a Post Office. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Constructed in the 1880s, the original building reflected the Italianate Revival style, had four floors, and was considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the South. The building grew along with downtown Memphis. During several projects, limestone was added on the exterior of the building and marble was added to the interior. While the Custom House and Federal Court relocated, the Post Office maintained some offices in the building until the law school renovation began in early 2008.
West Ten n esse e S t a t e Norma l Sc hool f ounde d 1884
1912
Custo m H o u se bui l di ng de si g ne d an d constr u c tio n s t a r t e d
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Architects discovered and restored beautiful woodwork and intricate, hand-painted stencil designs. Wainscot paneling was repaired and relocated to various parts of the building. Original plaster decorations were restored, such as those on the ceiling in the Historic Courtroom. In January 2010, nearly 500 students, professors, and staff began occupying the now 169,000-square-foot building, which functions as a state-of-the-art, twenty-first century learning environment, complete with wireless Internet access, an open and accessible law library, and all the comforts of a modern, high-tech facility. Despite the renovations, the building retains much of its historic look.
C o l l e ge ge t s u n i v e r s i t y s t at u s a n d b e c o me s M e mp h i s S t at e U n i v e rsit y 1957
Cec il C. H u mp h r ey s Sc h o o l o f L aw mo v es in t o it s fir st b u ild in g
1962
C e c i l C . H u mp h r e y s S c h o o l o f L aw is founded
1963
1965
Cec il C. H u mp h r ey s Sc h o o l o f L aw ac c r ed it ed b y t h e A BA
FACI LIT Y FACTS · $42 million renovation to
· “Smart Classrooms”: Ability to
transform building to state-ofthe-art legal education facility.
podcast, each student has individual electrical outlet for laptop use and tiered seating.
· Tennessee marble throughout
· The architect, Bill Nixon, calls
building inspired the color scheme.
· 24-hour Security: Students have 24/7 card access to the building.
· The Plough Foundation Law Library: five floors, including a rare book room. Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law building addition completed on main campus 1972
1980
Custom House building placed on National Reg ister of Historic Places
University name becomes University of Memphis 1994
the Gordon Ball Scenic Reading Room the “jewel box” of the building, because it features a window that stretches for 200 feet and offers an unmatched view of the Mississippi River.
School of Law opens law building at 1 Nor th Front Street, Memphis, TN
2001
School of Law becomes member of the Association of American Law Schools
2010
2012
School of Law celebrates 50th anniversary
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Five bronze doors greet law school students, staff, and visitors in the east lobby, the main reception, and security area. Just around the corner stand bronzefronted elevators and a ceremonial staircase. On the third floor sits the 1886/1929 U.S. Courtroom, which has been beautifully renovated and serves as the law school’s principal courtroom for Moot Court competitions and for visiting courts. The Plough Foundation Law Library encompasses all five floors of the south wing. The glass-walled Gordon Ball Scenic Reading Room is located on the top floor, overlooking the Mississippi River. The building’s north wing is home to faculty and administrative offices, as well as a large student lounge, study areas, and a bookstore. With its own entrance from Front Street, the bottom level of the building contains the Legal Clinic, student lockers, and student organization offices. Situated in the center-rear of the facility are five state-of-the-art classrooms, which were incorporated into the 1903 addition to the building. Combining both historic and modern elements, the home of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law will continue to serve the Memphis community for decades to come.
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The Plough Foundation Law Library and Information Technology The law library serves as a resource for students, faculty members, and local judges and attorneys. The library’s collection includes primary resources in both federal law and the law of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The collection contains practice materials, international and comparative law resources, court records and briefs, treatises, legal newspapers, and historical archives. Students have numerous options for locations in the library to study. Many study areas, including the reading room, provide scenic views of the Mississippi River. Carrels and study tables are located throughout the library, as are study rooms of various sizes. Students can also access one of the law school’s two open-air, second-floor terraces from the library. Using University ID swipe cards, students have around-the-clock access to the library and computer labs.
Technology has become an integral part of both studying and practicing law. Law students have Internet access, including email, through their University computer accounts. Students can access their University accounts and library online resources from the campus-wide wireless network and also from home. Our computer labs provide access to online research services and instructional materials for law students, as well as free access to standard office software. First-year students are introduced to both traditional and computerized methods of legal research in their Legal Methods course. The law school subscribes to several online legal information resources, including LexisNexis and Westlaw.
LI B R A RY FACTS · The Plough Foundation Law Library houses approximately 270,000 volumes, which require nearly five miles of shelving.
· Online legal databases are available to students wherever they have Internet access.
· Occupying portions of all five floors, the law library takes up about one-third of the entire building.
· The spacious library holds 186 single-student workspaces and numerous study rooms.
· Two of the original depository safes remain. One safe, which is now used as a study room, is affectionately called “the vault.”
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The Academic Program: Training for Practice
Our challenging curriculum reflects the goal of the school—to train students to practice law. The law school operates on the semester system, and attaining the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree requires 90 semester-hours. In addition to a full-time program, the law school offers a limited number of seats for part-time students. Part-time students attend classes with full-time students and have a reduced class load of 8-11 hours per semester. The first-year class is divided into two sections to facilitate active participation in all facets of the first-year curriculum. The first-year curriculum introduces students to core areas of law and to the building blocks of law practice. The goal of the first-year curriculum is to introduce students to the unique way lawyers reason and solve problems. An important aspect of the curriculum is a course in Legal Methods that focuses on the skills required to practice law, including legal analysis, legal research, and legal writing. First-year students also have the opportunity to participate in an intra-school Moot Court competition.
First-Year Curriculum Fall
Hours
Spring
Hours
Civil Procedure I* ............................. 3
Civil Procedure II* ............................2
Property I ............................................ 3
Property II ...........................................2
Torts I*.................................................. 3
Torts II*.................................................2
Legal Methods I*.............................. 3
Legal Methods II* .............................2
Criminal Law* .................................... 3
Contracts* ...........................................4 Constitutional Law ...........................4
Total
15 (required)
16 (required)
* First-Year, Part-Time Curriculum. Part-time students have the same course requirements as full-time students.
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Second- and Third-Year Curriculum Second- and third-year students continue training for the practice of law through a variety of required and elective courses. Second-year students are required to take Evidence in either the fall or spring semester. Other requirements include a course in Professional Responsibility; an advanced writing and research class; and a legal skills course, such as a legal clinic, an externship, or a practice skills course. In order to become well-versed in a variety of areas, students are also required to take two courses from both the Statutory Courses Menu and the Practice Foundation Courses Menu. Statutory Course Menu • Commercial Paper • Income Tax • Sales • Secured Transactions • Corporate Tax Practice Foundation Course Menu • Business Organizations • Decedents’ Estates • Family Law • Administrative Law • Criminal Procedure
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Externships: Experiential Learning Partnerships in the Legal Community The law school also offers numerous for-credit externships to upper-level students seeking to learn and gain experience through work in a wide variety of supervised, off-campus legal settings. Student externs concurrently enroll in a seminar course designed to allow for ongoing reflection upon the many legal, ethical, and professional issues arising in their externship placements. The following are some of the externships available to University of Memphis law students. Judicial Externships • U.S. Bankruptcy Court • U.S. District Court • U.S. Immigration Court • Tennessee Court of Appeals • Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals • Shelby County Circuit Court Criminal Justice Externships • U.S Attorney’s Office • Federal Public Defender’s Office • Shelby County Attorney General’s Office • Shelby County Public Defender’s Office Administrative Agencies • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission • National Labor Relations Board Local Government • Memphis City Attorney’s Office Non-Profit Legal Services • Memphis Area Legal Services • Community Legal Center – Immigrant Justice Program
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Areas of Study The upper-level curriculum offers a wide range of elective courses in which students develop substantive legal knowledge and fundamental skills while focusing on particular areas of interest. Courses in practice skills such as trial advocacy, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution also are offered. For more information on courses and areas of study, refer to our website at memphis.edu/law/currentstudents/academics. All students are governed by the Academic Regulations of the law school. These regulations set forth requirements for good academic standing, exams, student conduct, and graduation. The Academic Regulations can be found at memphis.edu/law/ currentstudents/academics.
Pro Bono Graduation Requirement The pro bono graduation requirement reflects the law school’s commitment to the highest standards of the legal profession. Pro bono work is legal work provided without compensation and is part of the lawyer’s professional responsibility. Before graduation, each student must perform 40 hours of uncompensated, law- or school-related public service.
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The University of Memphis Legal Clinic: Hands-On Learning Through Supervised, Live-Client Representation
Housed within the law school facility, the University of Memphis Legal Clinic is both a law office serving low-income individuals in and around Memphis and a highly specialized classroom in which upper-level students continue to develop the fundamental lawyering skills and professional judgment they will use in full-time practice. In this academic practice setting, student attorneys utilize the vehicle of faculty-supervised, live-client representation to engage in the examination of law and advocacy and navigate ethical, substantive, procedural, and evidentiary issues. To maximize the learning opportunities, Clinic students participate in classroom seminars, in-class case rounds and presentations, case team meetings, and group and individual simulations. Student attorneys also gain exposure to collaborative lawyering, working together with supervising faculty members and class members to address the many case, office, and time-management issues arising each day in their representations. Ultimately, each Clinic student earns invaluable experience in client interviewing and counseling; drafting pleadings, motions, briefs, orders, advance directives, correspondence, and other legal documents; representing clients in negotiations, mediations, hearings, and trials; and otherwise interacting with court officials, members of the bar, and other legal decision makers. Current clinical course offerings include the Child and Family Litigation Clinic, the Elder Law Clinic, and the Civil Litigation Clinic.
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The Child and Family Litigation Clinic addresses the core legal skills through representing the child in context. Under the direction of Professor Christina Zawisza, student attorneys are exposed to problem solving, co-counseling, collaboration, meeting facilitation, and multi-disciplinary consultation and practice that are essential in today’s law practice. Broadly grouped as “child advocacy,” clinic cases offer practice in “holistic” child representation, including child abuse and neglect, foster care, delinquency, child custody, adoption, special education, and mental health, indeed, any legal forum necessary to meet a child’s needs. Student attorneys also experience different roles and responsibilities, e.g., in one case representing a child’s best interests, in another, representing a child’s legal interests or expressed wishes, or in yet another scenario, representing the child’s parent to promote the child’s welfare. Through giving a vulnerable population a voice in the legal system, the Child and Family Litigation Clinic awakens a necessary spirit of compassion, a sense of fairness, and an understanding of equal justice within students who will be tomorrow’s litigators, advocates, lawmakers, and judges. The Elder Law Clinic serves indigent elderly clients and introduces students to the tenets of elder law practice developed by the National Elder Law Foundation. Under the direction of Professor Donna Harkness, student attorneys develop core legal skills through representation of elderly clients across a broad range of substantive areas, including wills and advance directives, consumer protection, financial exploitation, predatory lending, real property and insurance contract issues, grandparent adoption, Medicaid, Medicare, other healthcare issues and Social Security. Student attorneys also gain practical experience in problem solving, case analysis, transactional practice, administrative advocacy, and litigation in General Sessions, Circuit, Chancery, and Probate Courts of Shelby County. As advocates for the elderly, student attorneys experience an inter-generational connection that allows them to contemplate the effect our system of justice has had on the lives of a prior generation. This unique perspective challenges students to evaluate the progress made toward attainment of access to justice during the last century and to consider the shortcomings that remain to be addressed as they embark on their legal careers.
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In the Civil Litigation Clinic, upper-level law students utilize the vehicle of supervised, live-client representation law students to further develop the essential litigation-related skills they will need to address the ever-changing needs of their own future clients. Under the ongoing supervision of Professor Danny Schaffzin, student attorneys represent indigent clients in a variety of cases—generally arising from consumer protection, debtor-creditor, and landlord-tenant disputes—pending in the General Sessions, Circuit, or Chancery Courts of Shelby County. Over the course of a given representation, a student attorney will interview and counsel the client, analyze and hone case theory, and perform all necessary legal research and drafting. The student attorney will also assume primary responsibility for all case-related discovery and fact investigation, negotiation, and advocacy before the court, including case management conferences, oral arguments, hearings, and trials. Beyond their case work, Civil Litigation students partake in projects aimed at improving access to justice, enhancing communitywide understanding of the laws, and protecting the rights of tenants, debtors, and consumers.
While working for their clients, Civil Litigation Clinic students participate in case supervision sessions, classroom seminars, case rounds, simulations, and other exercises designed to promote learning through reflection and skills development at both practical and theoretical levels. Having had the opportunity to experience the ethical, professional, and other day-to-day challenges facing all legal practitioners, students graduate from the Civil Litigation Clinic with a greater readiness to engage in day-to-day legal practice and a more finely-tuned ability to see the law in context.
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Joint- and Dual-Degree Programs J.D./M.B.A.: For those students interested in both law and business management, the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, in coordination with the Fogelman College of Business and Economics, offers a degree program leading to both the J.D. and M.B.A. in less time than would be required to complete both programs independently. Enrollment is dependent on being accepted separately into both schools. J.D./M.A.: Students with an interest in public policy should explore the dual-degree program leading to both the J.D. and M.A. in Political Science. Enrollment is dependent on being accepted separately into both schools. The Political Science Department will accept LSAT scores in lieu of the GRE. To learn more about joint- and dual-degree programs, visit memphis.edu/law/futurestudents.
Academic Support and Writing Center The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law has an Academic Support Program open to all first-year students. This program is designed to provide first-year students with the tools necessary for academic success, and it offers both individual tutoring conducted by upper-level law students and group workshops led by the Director of Academic Support. In addition, students in Legal Methods can take advantage of the law school’s Writing Center. The Writing Center is designed to help first-year law students acclimate to the rigors of legal writing.
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Faculty:
Engaging Students in the Study of Law The faculty at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is a true teaching faculty consisting of accomplished practitioners and experienced teachers. Intellectually rigorous classes emphasize fundamental legal principles and policies, and the members of the faculty seek to foster lively classroom debate and challenging discussion. Our faculty has an open-door policy and welcomes the opportunity to work with and mentor students. Interaction with students continues beyond classwork through faculty involvement in co-curricular activities, such as serving as Moot Court and Mock Trial team coaches and acting as advisors for The University of Memphis Law Review and the Mental Health Law & Policy Journal. Faculty members teach by example. Many work on national, state, and local professional committees and commissions, and engage in other public service activities. Faculty members publish a variety of textbooks, articles, and other scholarly works, while maintaining their focus on teaching and preparing students for the practice of law. For more information on our faculty, visit memphis.edu/law/facultystaff.
FAC U LT Y FACTS
· 67% have degrees from top-50 law schools. · 52% graduated from top-25 law schools. · 27 full-time faculty members, including 11 women; 26 adjunct faculty.
· 7 hold LL.M.; 6 hold M.A./M.B.A./ M.L.S.; 2 hold Ph.D.
· 5 hold endowed chairs or professorships. · 4 clerked in federal courts; 1 clerked in the Central Court of Budapest.
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The Honor Council The legal profession is a self-regulated profession, meaning judges and lawyers determine their own professional standards and enforce them. That tradition of self-regulation starts in the law school with the Honor Code and Honor Council. The Honor Code is a code of professional and academic standards. The Honor Council enforces the Honor Code. The Honor Council is composed of eleven law students elected by the student body. The Honor Council investigates and prosecutes alleged violations of the Honor Code. All first-year law students will take an oath at law school orientation to honor the values reflected in the Code. To learn more about the Honor Council, visit memphis.edu/law/currentstudents.
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Student Organizations: Student Bar Association
Students have many opportunities to broaden their law school experience beyond the classroom through organizations such as the Student Bar Association (SBA). The Student Bar Association represents the interests of the student body and works closely with faculty and administrators. Membership is automatically conferred on all law students upon enrollment. Some of the other activities sponsored by SBA include: • • • • •
Speaker events Golf Tournament Race Judicata, a 5K race benefiting Memphis Area Legal Services Barristers’ Ball, a formal event in the fall semester Flaw Review, a lighthearted spoof of the law school life
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law has a variety of student-led organizations to enrich the law school experience. These organizations represent a wide range of legal areas, allowing students to find a group related to their own legal interests. Student organizations include: • Association of Women Attorneys • Black Law Students Association • Christian Legal Society • Federalist Society • Intellectual Property Law Society • International Law Society • Memphis Law Animal Advocacy • Mental Health Law Society • Outlaw • Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity • Public Action Law Society • Sports and Entertainment Law Society • Student Bar Association • Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association
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Moot Court Our strong Moot Court program offers students a way to prepare for the challenges of life in the courtroom. Nationally recognized for outstanding work in oral and written advocacy, the Moot Court program has established a tradition of excellence. First-year students begin their involvement in oral advocacy with participation in the Freshman Moot Court competition, an intra-school competition held each spring. Second- and third-year students have the opportunity to become members of one of our traveling teams (which represent the school in Moot Court, Mock Trial, and alternative dispute resolution competitions) and may participate in intra-school appellate and trial advocacy competitions run by the Moot Court Board.
M O OT CO U R T : A DIST I NG U I S H E D H I STO RY
2011 Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition National Champions
ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition REGIONAL CHAMPION - 2011, 2010, 2008, 2006 NATIONAL SECOND PLACE - 2008 NATIONAL BEST ADVOCATE - 2008 REGIONAL FINALIST - 2007 NATIONAL NINTH PLACE - 2006 REGIONAL SEMIFINALIST - 2005 National Moot Court Competition NATIONAL SECOND PLACE - 2006 REGIONAL FINALIST - 2008, 2006, 1999, 1993 BEST ORAL ADVOCATE FINAL ROUND - 2006 BEST BRIEF, REGION VII - 2010, 2001 NATIONAL QUARTERFINALIST - 1999, 1993 National Environmental Moot Court Competition NATIONAL FINALIST - 2007, 1997 NATIONAL QUARTERFINALIST - 2006 NATIONAL SEMIFINALIST - 2005, 2004, 2000 NATIONAL QUARTERFINALIST - 2002 Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition NATIONAL FINALIST - 2010 REGIONAL CHAMPION - 2010 NATIONAL THIRD PLACE - 2007 REGIONAL THIRD PLACE - 2007 REGIONAL BEST ADVOCATE - 2001 Robert F. Wagner, Sr., National Labor and Employment Law Competition SECOND PLACE RESPONDENT BRIEF - 2005 NATIONAL SEMIFINALIST - 2003 BEST PETITIONER BRIEF - 2003 NATIONAL QUARTERFINALIST - 2000 NATIONAL CHAMPION - 1996, 1994, 1993 National Mock Trial Competition NATIONAL QUARTERFINALIST - 2001, 1993, 1994 REGION IV CHAMPION - 2001, 1993-1998 ATLA National Mock Trial Competition REGIONAL CHAMPION - 1996 National Institute of Trial Advocacy Tournament of Champions INVITED - 1998, 1994 SEMIFINALIST - 1995 National Student Trial Advocacy Competition REGIONAL CHAMPION - 1997, 1994 Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition National Champions - 2011 Regional Finalists - 2011, 2010 Duberstein Moot Court Competition Third Place - 2011
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The University of Memphis Law Review The University of Memphis Law Review is a scholarly journal containing articles written by legal scholars, including law professors, judges, and practitioners, as well as selected student works known as Notes and Comments. Like most law reviews, The University of Memphis Law Review is student-run and edited. Students select and edit the articles to be published, manage and market the law review, and perform all related publishing tasks. The law review is published quarterly, with one issue being devoted to an annual symposium in a specialized area. The symposium brings leading scholars from across the nation to the law school to make a presentation and publish a related paper in the symposium issue. The law review enjoys tremendous office space, occupying the entire south wing of the fourth floor. Law review is traditionally regarded as the highest academic honor in legal education. Students with a minimum grade point average of 2.50 have the opportunity to compete to join the law review during a Write-On Competition that occurs shortly after the first-year exams have been completed. Law review members may then apply for positions on the editorial board in the spring of their second year.
Mental Health Law & Policy Journal 2011-2012 is the inaugural year for the Mental Health Law & Policy Journal, the first journal in the United States to specialize in mental health law and policy. The Journal’s interdisciplinary staff is comprised of advanced law students and graduate students from a variety of relevant disciplines. The Journal maintains a peer-review component for all published articles by way of a Board of Advisors, made up of distinguished scholars in mental health law from across the nation.
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Financial Aid and Tuition Costs: Making Law School Affordable
Ranked among the top 10 “Best Value” law schools in the country*, the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law offers affordable tuition. Tennessee residents benefit from the law school’s status as a state-assisted institution of higher learning. The estimated full-time tuition and fee rate (including library fees for 31 credits) for the 2011-2012 academic year is $15,710 for residents. The non-resident tuition and fee rate (including library fees for 31 credits) is $37,582 for the same period.
The Facts on Loans, Federal Work Study, and Scholarships • Nearly 80% of law school students finance their education through student loans. This includes Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans, and alternative loans. The Federal Work Study Program is also an option for some students. • Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1, 2012. • The Financial Aid Office establishes a yearly budget that includes tuition and fees, room and board, books, and miscellaneous items. This annual cost of attendance is the basis for determining the maximum loan amount that the student, resident or non-resident, is eligible to borrow while enrolled at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.
For more information about federal financial aid, please contact: Ms. DebraAnn Brown Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid The University of Memphis 103 Wilder Tower Memphis, TN 38152-3520 Direct 901.678.3737 Main 901.678.4825 Fax 901.678.3590 dbrown@memphis.edu
*
preLaw - Fall 2010
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• There are a number of scholarships awarded by the law school. Through state appropriations and the generous donations of law school alumni and friends, over $735,231 in scholarship assistance was awarded during the past academic year. Awards range from $1,000 to full in-state tuition. Information is available online at memphis.edu/law/futurestudents. • Any demonstrated financial need scholarships require that the applicant complete the FAFSA. • Memphis Access and Diversity Law Scholarships: The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is committed to diversity and recognizes the educational benefits of diversity in the classroom. The law school aims to matriculate students from diverse backgrounds and circumstances who are capable of successfully participating in the law school’s curricular and co-curricular programs. The Tennessee Board of Regents has allocated funds for the Memphis Access and Diversity Law Scholarship for Tennessee residents at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must complete the questions and follow the instructions on the application for admission. • Completion of the FAFSA is done online at fafsa.gov. The University of Memphis’ federal school code is 003509 and the priority deadline for financial aid is February 15, 2012.
F I NA NCIA L A I D CH ECKL I ST
· File your income taxes early. · Apply for a PIN at pin.ed.gov. · Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov by February 15, 2012. · List the University of Memphis’ 6-digit federal school code: 003509.
· Check myMemphis (under Account$ tab) for status updates. · Sign up for eRefunds via the Bursar’s Office website at bf.memphis.edu/finance/bursar/.
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2011-2012 Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance In-State
Out-of-State
$15,090
$36,962
$620
$620
Books/Supplies
$1,875
$1,875
Room/Board
$9,084
$9,084
Transportation
$2,095
$2,095
Miscellaneous/Personal
$2,651
$2,651
$31,415
$53,287
Tuition/Fee Rate (31 credit hours) Library Fee ($20/credit hour, 31 hours)
Total
Non-Resident Tuition Waivers and Border County Tuition Waivers A non-Tennessee resident may qualify for in-state tuition if he or she lives in one of the five counties that border Shelby County, Tennessee, and provides proof of residency, such as a copy of a lease agreement. This plan is available to students who reside in Crittenden County, Arkansas, and the following counties in Mississippi: DeSoto County, Marshall County, Tate County, and Tunica County. Students who live in one of these counties can qualify for in-state tuition rates by completing an application for Border County Tuition Waiver and providing proof of residency. The Border County Tuition Waiver Application is available in the Law Admissions Office. Contact the Law Admissions Office for further information at lawadmissions@memphis.edu.
Veteran Tuition and Fees Deferment Service members, veterans, and dependents of veterans who are eligible beneficiaries of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs education benefits or other governmentally funded educational assistance, subject to the conditions set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated Section 49-7-104 as amended, may elect, upon formal application, to defer payment of required tuition and fees until the final day of the term for which the deferment has been requested. Application for the deferment must be made no later than 14 days after the beginning of the term, and the amount of the deferment shall not exceed the total monetary benefits to be received for the term. Students who have been granted deferments are expected to make timely payments on their outstanding tuition and fees balances once education benefits are being delivered, and eligibility for such deferment shall terminate if the student fails to abide by an applicable rule or regulation, or to act in good faith in making timely payments. This notice is published pursuant to Public Chapter 279, Acts of 2003, effective July 1, 2003. Further information is available at memphis.edu/ registrar/student/register/veterans. By law, the University of Memphis may award a set maximum amount of financial aid. If additional loan funds are needed, please refer to the Aid Programs section for Law Students on the Student Financial Aid Office’s website (memphis.edu/financialaid).
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Career Services:
Achieving Your Professional Goals Employment Statistics The Career Services Office (CSO) is committed to assisting students and graduates of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law with their job search and professional development needs. The CSO’s staff strives to maximize students’ employment by marketing to employers and promoting placement opportunities to the students. Throughout the year, the CSO presents numerous programs and panels that offer students and alumni opportunities to learn about a variety of career paths and effective job search strategies and to network with practicing attorneys and fellow law school alumni. The CSO is designed to teach career planning and job search skills, as well as to facilitate access to employers and employment resources.
Employment Opportunities We invite employers onto the campus in the fall and spring for on-campus interviews. The program attracts law firms, government agencies, corporations, and public interest employers. In addition to our on-campus interviewing program, the CSO maintains an online searchable database of current legal employment opportunities for students and alumni. The database is updated on an almost daily basis and is accessible 24 hours a day from any computer. Furthermore, the CSO looks for employment opportunities for students outside of Tennessee. We participate in career fairs throughout the year, and students interested in getting exposure to employers outside of Memphis are encouraged to participate and sign up for these job fairs. In addition, graduates have access to our alumni network which includes alumni located throughout all 50 states. The Career Services Office uses Symplicity, a web-based recruiting system, to manage all aspects of the legal recruitment process. Symplicity provides students with access to information about employers, job postings, on-campus interview programs and events. Similarly, employers are invited to post law clerk/attorney postings, participate in on-campus interview programs, and have access to a database of Memphis law student and alumni resumes through Symplicity. 24
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Employment Statistics Our students succeed in the legal job market. We have a long tradition of employment rates exceeding the national average. Our graduates work in a variety of capacities from judicial clerkships to private practice to non-legal jobs.
CL ASS OF 2010 P R ACTICE AR EA E M P LOYM E NT STAT I ST I CS
Private Practice Business/Industry
61% 6%
Public Interest
3%
LL.M./Academic Programs
6%
Government
13%
Placement Rate
Judicial Clerkships
11%
Average Starting Salary
85.9% $58,990
Recent State of Tennessee Bar Pass History 2005 July: U of M 91%, State 81%
2008 July: U of M 94%, State 86%
2006 Feb.: U of M 95%, State 76%
2009 Feb.: U of M 69%, State 59%
2006 July: U of M 94%, State 80%
2009 July: U of M 90%, State 81%
2007 Feb.: U of M 85%, State 69%
2010 Feb.: U of M 75%, State 64%
2007 July: U of M 96%, State 83%
2010 July: U of M 90%, State 83%
2008 Feb.: U of M 86%, State 71%
2011 Feb.: U of M 100%, State 67%
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University Services As a part of the University of Memphis, students at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law have access to a wide range of activities and amenities that are available to all University students, including free admission to all Tiger athletic events, free use of the campus recreation center, access to the student health center, and student discounts around the city.
Tiger Sports Known around the nation as a top-notch basketball school, the University of Memphis is known in the Mid-South and Conference USA as a powerhouse in all its athletics. The law school’s downtown location is within walking distance of the FedExForum, where the Tiger community cheers on the celebrated men’s basketball team. As a law student at the University of Memphis, you will have access to a wide range of Division 1-A sporting events, including: • • • • • •
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Football Men’s and Women’s Basketball Baseball and Softball Men’s and Women’s Soccer Volleyball Men’s and Women’s Golf
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Campus Recreation Intramural Services Located on the main campus, Campus Recreation Intramural Services offers many programs and services available to law school students, including: • A state-of-the-art sports and fitness center, with free weights and exercise machines, cardio training, and basketball, tennis, volleyball, and racquetball courts • An aquatics center that features an indoor and an outdoor Olympic-size pool • Intramural sports, including basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, and ultimate frisbee • Free and discounted workout classes, fitness assessments, massages, and personal training For more information on the University’s Campus Recreation Intramural Services, please refer to memphis.edu/cris.
Other Services The law school’s location houses a bookstore. Students are also within walking distance of local restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
A City Full of Energy:
Connecting with the Memphis Community Memphis Facts Population: The metropolitan area has a population of approximately 1.3 million, making it the second-largest metropolitan area in Tennessee. Location: Memphis is situated at the intersection of Interstates 40 and 55, has an international airport, is positioned on the widest part of the Mississippi River, and is seated at the corner of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Cost of Living: The overall cost of living in Memphis is 11.3% below the national average. Housing costs are 22.1% below the national average. Climate: The average high temperature of Memphis is about 72째 F. The average precipitation is about 55 inches over the course of the year. Memphis receives just under five inches of snow annually.
DISTAN C ES Little Rock, Arkansas
137 miles
Jackson, Mississippi
210 miles
Nashville, Tennessee
213 miles
Birmingham, Alabama
238 miles
Atlanta, Georgia
384 miles
Knoxville, Tennessee
391 miles
New Orleans, Louisiana
398 miles
Nashville
Knoxville
Memphis
Little Rock
Atlanta Birmingham
Jackson
New Orleans
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The Mid-South Legal Community As the legal hub in the Mid-South, Memphis provides unique networking advantages for the law student. Approximately 3,400 licensed attorneys practice in Shelby County, home to: • Hundreds of law firms, ranging from single-attorney to 90-plus attorneys • International corporations, such as FedEx, AutoZone, and International Paper • State and federal courts • Many government agencies
“Walking in Memphis”: Things to Do Throughout the City Got a dollar? Then you can afford a trolley ticket that will lead you to an exciting time in downtown Memphis. Enjoy a night out downtown, a visit to one of Memphis’ 18 unique museums, an evening of cheering for the NBA Grizzlies, or a picnic in part of our 300 acres of scenic parks. Memphis has many unique neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Harbor Town and Mud Island provide affordable living options along the Mississippi River. The CooperYoung Historic District is home to the Cooper-Young Festival and an eclectic grouping of restaurants and shops. World-famous Beale Street is walking distance from the law school, providing live music nightly and serving as a premier entertainment district. The city of Memphis has all of the perks of a large urban center, but with the laid-back pace of a smaller city. Memphians enjoy good music, good food, and people whose diverse interests make the city what it is. It’s easy to start the day off in a quiet art museum and end up at an exciting blues concert at night. The locals here are more than happy to share their passion for the city. It’s no surprise that Memphis is mentioned in more song lyrics than any other city in the world; it’s a city full of heart and soul, black and white, secular and non-secular, conservative and liberal. But the difference is that in Memphis, rather than clashing, each of these things has a strong presence and helps balance the city. While Memphis definitely maintains its Southern charm, the innovative business and cultural aspects of the city make it a great place to begin a legal career.
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No matter what you’re looking for in a city, Memphis has it. Sports
Tourist Attractions & Parks
• University of Memphis Tigers
• Elvis Presley’s Graceland
• NBA Memphis Grizzlies
• National Civil Rights Museum
• Triple A Baseball Memphis Redbirds
• Beale Street
Music & the Arts • The Orpheum Theatre
• Memphis Zoo • The Pink Palace Museum
• Dixon Gallery and Gardens
• Shelby Farms, one of the nation’s largest urban parks – five times larger than New York City’s Central Park
• Sun Studio
• Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
• Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
• STAX Museum of American Soul Music • FedExForum Concert Venue • Ballet Memphis & Opera Memphis • Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Special Events • Memphis in May (including Beale Street Music Festival, World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and Sunset Symphony) • FedEx St. Jude Classic Golf PGA Tour Tournament • Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and Cellular South Cup
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Admissions:
Applying to Law School The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is committed to developing a student body that represents a wide variety of social, economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds and experiences. In attempting to attract a diverse student population, the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law has developed a selection process that provides a full review of qualified applicants, including those from minority and non-traditional student groups. Admission is competitive, and admissions decisions are based on the merits of each applicant. One class is admitted each year for the fall semester only. Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited, four-year institution or equivalent foreign degree program prior to enrolling. Applicants must have an LSAT score current in a five-year period. For the 2012 application, applicants must have taken the LSAT in June 2007 or later. A significant factor in the admissions decision process is the admission index, which is based on the undergraduate grade point average and the LSAT score. The undergraduate grade point average used in the admission index is the cumulative grade point average found on the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report. Also considered are factors deemed to be predictive of success in law as set forth in the application, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and the applicant’s CAS report. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, overall academic record, co-curricular activities, community involvement, employment, and other life experiences. As a publicly assisted institution of the State of Tennessee, residents of the state may be given preference in selection. Nonresident applicants, however, are encouraged to apply.
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The Process Our admissions process seeks those applicants with the greatest chance for success, both in their education and in their future careers. As a result, admission into the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is competitive. You must complete the following steps to be considered for admission. Application: An online application is available through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) or at memphis.edu/law/futurestudents. The non-refundable application fee of $25 ($40 for foreign students) is paid to LSAC when submitting the online application. A PDF version of the application can be found at memphis.edu/law/futurestudents. If using the PDF version, please send the $25 application fee with the application. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2012. Law School Admission Test: An applicant must have a score from an LSAT taken between June 2007 and February 2012. Your highest LSAT score and your undergraduate GPA are used to factor the admission index. Applicants are encouraged to explain in an addendum any variance in LSAT scores. To register for the LSAT, please visit lsac.org. Undergraduate Degree: To be considered for admission in 2012, applicants must have completed or be in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited fouryear institution or foreign equivalent prior to enrollment. Credential Assembly Service (CAS): Each applicant must register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law utilizes CAS, an LSAC service, to provide a report and summary of each applicant’s undergraduate transcripts and LSAT score(s). Once your application is received, the Law Admissions Office automatically requests your CAS report. It is your responsibility to register with and pay any applicable fees to LSAC. Registration information for the LSAT or the CAS is available at lsac.org or 215.968.1001.
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Letters of Recommendation: Students are encouraged to submit letters of recommendation addressing their potential for academic success. Up to three letters are suggested and should be submitted through CAS. Students are encouraged to have letters of recommendation in their files by the March 1 deadline, as review of a file awaiting letters of recommendation will not be postponed. Residency: All applicants must complete the Residency section of the application. If you are uncertain whether you may claim Tennessee resident status, consult the Tennessee Board of Regents classification policy at memphis.edu/admissions/residency. Non-Resident Statement: In addition to the personal statement, non-resident applicants are required to include a separate statement detailing reasons for wanting to attend the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. This statement is a required component for non-resident applicants. Explanation of Admonitory Action: If the answer to any item in the admonitory section of the application is “yes,” the applicant MUST provide a full and detailed explanation. Copies of relevant court or other official documents should accompany the application. Instructions for completing this section are on the application. NOTE: You must notify the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of any criminal charges or arrests that occur between acceptance and graduation from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.
A P P LICA NT TO-DO L I ST · Complete an Undergraduate Degree
· Take the LSAT · Register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
· Complete Application by March 1, 2012
· Pay $25 ($40 for International Applicants) Application Fee
· Write Personal Statement · Submit Letters of Recommendation (strongly encouraged)
· Explain Admonitory Action (if applicable)
· Complete Non-Resident Statement (if applicable)
· Complete Residency Section of the Application
Apply for: · Scholarships (optional)
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· TIP (optional)
PROFILE OF THE 2011 ENTERING CLASS
Scholarships: Complete the questions on the application and submit necessary supplemental information to apply for first-year scholarships. For more information on scholarships, visit memphis.edu/law/futurestudents/ scholarships. Tennessee Institute for Pre-Law (TIP): Each summer the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law operates the TIP summer program. This program is for Tennessee residents and border county residents (see the Border County Tuition Waiver section for list of applicable counties) from diverse backgrounds who are not admitted through the regular admission process, but who show potential for the study of law. For more information, please visit memphis.edu/law/ futurestudents/guide/prelaw.
Transfer and Visiting Students The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law accepts a limited number of transfer and visiting students each year. For further information and instructions on how to apply, please refer to the application at memphis.edu/law/futurestudents/guide.
Number of Students Matriculated
144
Number of Students Admitted
302
Applications Received
869
Median LSAT/GPA 155/3.42 75% LSAT/GPA
157/3.62
25% LSAT/GPA
153/3.09
Male Enrollment
60%
Female Enrollment
40%
Minority Enrollment
15%
Age Range Average Age
21-46 25
Undergraduate Institutions Represented 54 Students Holding Graduate Degrees Total Law School Enrollment
12 424
The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is ranked among the nation’s top 10 “Best Value” law schools, top 10 in Nation for Quality of Life (Princeton Review) and top 10 Most Popular U.S. Law Schools (U.S. News and World Report).
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Orientation:
Beginning Your Legal Education Before classes begin each year, first-year students are required to participate in a mandatory orientation program. During orientation, the new incoming class is divided into small groups of about 10-12 students by Legal Methods sections. Upper-class students serve as orientation leaders for each group. The focus of orientation is to convey essential study skills and information about the law school. Our orientation program also provides a chance for new students to interact with upper-class students, professors and their new classmates before the first day of school. The program consists of a student panel and the first Legal Methods class of the year. First-year students will have an opportunity to go on a tour of the law school and meet with student organization members at the Student Organization Fair. Several downtown restaurants, local businesses, and cultural venues will be on hand to give students a glimpse of life in Memphis beyond the classroom.
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Visiting the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law: Tours and Class Visits
Prospective students are encouraged to visit the law school. Tours are offered throughout the year. During the tour, a law student ambassador from the Law Admissions Office will guide you through the facility and answer any questions you may have. Tour times may vary. Please consult memphis.edu/law/futurestudents/visit for updated times. Tours are not available on school holidays or weekends. Prospective students also have the opportunity to visit a firstyear class. Class visits are possible most days of the week, but an appointment is required. Please contact Admissions at 901.678.5403 or email lawadmissions@memphis.edu to schedule your visit. We look forward to making your appointment.
Parking and Accommodations Two visitor parking spots and four handicapped parking spots are located on the north side of the building. In addition, numerous well-marked parking garages are located within a few blocks of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. For locations of close parking garages, as well as nearby hotels, please visit memphis.edu/law/futurestudents/visit.
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Location and Other Contact Information 1 North Front Street Memphis, TN 38103-2189 Main Admissions Office Security/Lobby
901.678.2421 901.678.5403 901.678.4075
The University of Memphis offers equal educational opportunity to all persons without regard to race, religion, sex, creed, color, national origin, age, or disability. The University does not discriminate on these bases in recruitment and admission of students or in the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by federal laws and regulations. The designated coordinators for University compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, are the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer. Information in this document will be provided in alternate format upon request. The University of Memphis is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action University. It is committed to the education of a non-racially identifiable student body. The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS). The ABA may be contacted at: Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar, 321 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-7598, telephone 312.988.6738; americanbar.org/aba.html. The AALS may be contacted at 1201 Connecticut Ave, N.W. Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036-2717, telephone 202.296.8851; aals.org/. The University of Memphis is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s, first professional, master’s, educational specialist’s, and doctoral degrees. The University of Memphis School of Law does not discriminate in admissions or employment on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation. UOM050-FY1112/4M HOT GRAPHICS 5241 ELMORE ROAD MEMPHIS TN 38134
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