MEMPHIS LAW
location + prestige WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
CECIL C. HUMPHREYS SCHOOL OF LAW
memphis.edu/law
Choosing a law school is a big decision. There are a lot of factors to consider, like how to pay for it, the type of experience you are looking for, opportunities for success and the location of the school. Occasionally, it might even feel like information overload at a time when you’re in need of clarity and guidance. That’s why this viewbook attempts to set out information as clearly as possible, giving you the information you need to make the best decision in a straightforward and helpful manner. Of course, this is just a bit of the icing on the cake that is Memphis Law. For more in-depth information and guidance, visit memphis.edu/law for additional details about anything you see in these pages.
Memphis Law | 1
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DEAN’S NOTE I am proud and extremely grateful to be dean of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. This is a dynamic law school and city. It’s where I have grown from a junior faculty member to the first female dean of the law school, working on a number of initiatives and partnerships that are important not just for our University, but for our community as a whole. This city is where I’ve chosen to raise my family, not only because my career is here, but because I feel that it is the best place to do so in terms of opportunities and quality of life. When facing the decision of which law school to attend, I can think of no better place than Memphis Law. From my own personal experience, I can attest that you will benefit from a combination of rich academic and cultural experiences and the development of relevant employment skills and relationships. Whether you want to develop expertise to provide general legal services or develop expertise in a specialized area of law, our faculty and academic programs will prepare you for where you want to go. Post-pandemic, we continue to move forward into a future composed of both unknown and familiar variables. However, I want to stress just how truly excited I am by the possibilities these situations present us. We’ve spent the past year redefining old cultural narratives and embracing new creative approaches, in the legal education sector, the legal field as a whole and in society writ large. I look forward to seeing this creativity and momentum continue. As evidenced by the many success stories of our faculty, staff and students over the past year, we can and will continue to deliver high-quality legal education, regardless of circumstances, at any time or place. As you may already be aware, our location in downtown Memphis allows our students to get the best of both worlds. Being located in the heart of the legal and economic community allows our students to participate in numerous innovative legal clinics and externships in various law offices, businesses and courtrooms, all literally just steps away from our classrooms and available nowhere else. This great
advantage has continued to hold true, despite the challenges the pandemic threw at us and will continue to bear fruit for our students going forward. Our metropolitan location has allowed us to build relationships and partnerships for years, which we could not have done anywhere else. These same strong partnerships and stalwart relationships are what allowed our students to work alongside seasoned legal professionals in our legal clinics and externships throughout the pandemic to help provide quality legal services via a variety of new means. Our students were on the front lines of learning how to practice in whatever situations and environments arose as a result of COVID-19, and the work they performed and lessons they learned would not have been possible anywhere else. On top of the advantages to your education and career, living in Memphis means you’ll be able to take advantage of all the benefits of a big city, but without the usual hefty price tag. One of the most attractive features of life in Memphis is a remarkably low cost of living. In fact, it’s 20% below the national average. From the price of dinner to the cost to heat and cool your home, the price of daily life in Memphis makes less of a dent in your disposable income than it would in other cities. Those savings mean more when you consider our perpetual standing as one of the “best value” law schools in the nation, meaning you will likely have much less debt upon graduation than you would elsewhere, while living in a city that is more affordable to enjoy your life. Additionally, more of your paycheck from your new job can go to things besides bills, since you’ll have such a high chance of employment soon after graduation. With an 85% employment rate for our recent graduates, we were proudly included among preLaw Magazine’s recent “Employment Honor Roll” award winners. Great things are happening on the bluffs of the Mississippi River at Memphis Law. We look forward to meeting you here! Katharine T. Schaffzin Dean & Professor of Law
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TOP OF THE CLASS Our accolades and rankings don’t just make us feel proud. They give you an idea of what coming to Memphis Law really encompasses.
#4
MOST AFFORDABLE CITY IN THE U.S. FORBES MAGAZINE
NATIONALLY RANKED LEGAL WRITING PROGRAM (#61) U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
BEST LAW SCHOOL BUILDING IN THE NATION (THREE-TIME WINNER) PRELAW MAGAZINE
85%
TOP
5
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OVERALL EMPLOYMENT RATE FOR RECENT GRADUATES DATA FROM CLASSES 2018-2020
MOST AFFORDABLE OUT-OF-STATE LAW SCHOOL TUITION & FEES IN THE COUNTRY
RANKED AS
“ONE OF THE BEST LAW SCHOOLS FOR DIVERSITY” IN THE COUNTRY (13th) PRELAW MAGAZINE
5 TOP
CITIES FOR MILLENNIALS TIME MAGAZINE
MOST AFFORDABLE LAW SCHOOL TUITION & FEES IN TENNESSEE (IN-STATE AND OUT-OF-STATE)
EMPLOYMENT HONOR ROLL MEMBER PRELAW MAGAZINE 2019
NATIONALLY RANKED CLINICAL TRAINING PROGRAM (#64) U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
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me + memphis law The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is uniquely exceptional in many ways, all of which prepare you for success at every stage of your career. We provide a strong foundation built on EDUCATION, with a strong core curriculum that is set up to help you excel in your future legal career and pass the bar. Our faculty consists of brilliant and approachable men and women, whose dedication to their students is made clear at every turn. They are adept at not only teaching students the legal skills necessary to succeed after law school but are also devoted to guiding and supporting our students as they pursue their J.D. degree.
Your education at Memphis Law will inevitably lead you into the greater Memphis COMMUNITY. Our location in downtown Memphis is undeniably beneficial to you as a student. We are not only in the heart of the legal community – walking distance to courts, government offices and law firms – but we also are situated in the middle of the downtown Memphis community, which has become one of the fastest-growing and most desirable downtowns in the country. With affordable costs of living and a vibrant social and recreational scene, Memphis is a destination for those looking to have fun, experience some
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authentic culture and grow into their new life. You will also become a part of the larger Memphis Law network with access to our wide-ranging alumni community throughout the city, state and country. Being the only public law school in a large metropolitan city in the Mid-South area, we have alumni in the majority of major corporations, law firms, business sectors and areas of government, which is always a strong advantage for any young graduate looking for connections. The OPPORTUNITIES you gain via our educational program and community connections allow you to be prepared for realworld success, where your legal skills will be applied directly and in a practical manner, helping further your education with real-world scenarios, but also making a direct impact on the Memphis community through our unique partnerships and programming. Our Externship Program, Legal Clinic and variety of partnerships throughout Memphis utilize our strong connections in the Mid-South to help our students become practice-ready before leaving law school.
A strong foundation built on education, with a strong core curriculum set up to help you excel in your future legal career and pass the bar exam Memphis Law | 7
skills + experience There are a lot of things you’ll need to consider about law school, but one of the most important parts of your decision will be the quality of education you’ll receive while pursuing your J.D. degree. The academic program at Memphis Law prepares you to actually practice law, not just to think like an attorney. That’s because our commitment to diversity carries over to our belief that attorneys come in as many forms as there are students in law school, and we are able to provide you with the type of legal education that fits whatever your future career may be, while maximizing your options.
Additionally, we have programs and experts in place to make sure you excel at the bar exam upon graduation. Tennessee also has recently adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which means that graduates who take the UBE earn a portable score that can be used to apply for admission in other UBE jurisdictions. All of this means you are prepared to succeed, both in law school and beyond.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Memphis Law operates on the semester system and requires 90 semester hours for the J.D. degree. A fulltime student is required to enroll in at least 12 hours each semester. Students in the full-time program normally graduate in three years. Summer classes are sometimes available, and students can graduate after five semesters and two summer sessions of full-time study. First-year students will enroll in a set of required core courses. Second- and third-year students may customize their curriculum with a range of recommended and elective courses, seminars and externships. In addition to the required core courses, students must meet additional graduation requirements, including: • Advanced writing requirement • Pro bono requirement • Six credit hours of experiential learning
We have programs and experts in place to make sure you excel at the bar exam upon graduation. 8 | memphis.edu/law
FIRST YEAR
SECOND YEAR Constitutional Law Evidence
FALL TERM Contracts I Torts I Legal Methods I Civil Procedure I Property I
*A student is required to complete Evidence and Constitutional Law by the end of spring of the second year. If a student takes either or both courses in the summer term between the first and second year, this requirement will be satisfied.
SPRING TERM Contacts II Torts II Legal Methods II Civil Procedure II Property II Criminal Law
• JD/MBA
SECOND OR THIRD YEAR
A. Professional Responsibility and B. Two Courses in both the Statutory Menu and Practice Foundation Menu: STATUTORY MENU Corporate Tax Fair Employment Practice Income Taxation Legislation Sales Secured Transactions Labor Law
WE ALSO OFFER A NUMBER OF DUAL- AND JOINT-DEGREE PROGRAMS AS WELL AS CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING:
PRACTICE FOUNDATION MENU Administrative Law Business Organizations Decedents’ Estates Family Law Conflicts of Laws Remedies
• JD/MA in Political Science • JD/MPH • Fast-Track MPH • Certificate in Advocacy • Certificate in Business Law • Certificate in Health Law • Certificate in Tax Law
C. Criminal Procedure I D. Bar Exam Preparation Course
“Lawyers and clerks alike spend the majority of their time researching and writing, so acquiring a strong foundation during 1L year in learning how to effectively and efficiently research legal issues, as well as conveying that research in the most cogent way, is essential to any successful legal career.” – DAVID W. MARSHBURN (JD ’17) Memphis Law | 9
value
Memphis Law has been a tremendous value in legal education for years. With reliably consistent “best value” rankings, combined with the affordability of living in Memphis, it is easy to see why it’s the perfect combination of value for your money.
2021-22 ANNUAL TUITION AND FEES Entire Academic Year/Two Semesters In-State:
$19,498*
From the price of a night out on Beale Street to the low cost of a downtown apartment, daily life in Memphis simply takes a smaller bite out of your wallet.
Out-of-State:
$24,294*
In fact, Memphis Law is one of the MOST AFFORDABLE law schools in the entire country. We have the lowest in-state AND out-of-state law school tuition and fees in Tennessee and are in the TOP 5 for most affordable outof-state law school tuition in the entire country.*
Room and Board:
$10,425
Books/Supplies:
$1,969
Transportation:
$2,534
Additionally, Memphis Law’s out-of-state tuition comes in as more affordable than the in-state tuition of 80% of all law schools in the country, meaning that no matter where you are from, Memphis Law is likely one of the most affordable law schools for you to attend. In fact, there are 26 states (including D.C.) where it is more expensive for a student to attend their in-state law school, rather than pay Memphis Law’s more affordable out-of-state tuition.
Miscellaneous:
$3,270
*Information and comparisons compiled using 2020 ABA 509 reports from accredited law schools in the U.S.
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Estimated Expenses
*Based on full-time enrollment for the academic year. Part-time tuition and fees are billed by the credit hour. Tuition and fees above include a $20 per credit hour law library fee with no maximum (30 hours for entering students in the 2021-22 academic year).
BAR PREPARATION
In addition to what you learn in your law school classes and the commercial bar review courses, the University of Memphis School of Law also offers workshops and programs designed to help you assess and practice the skills necessary for passing the bar. These workshops cover each part of the bar exam – the essay, multiple choice and performance test portions. Thus, you have the opportunity to not only learn the appropriate substance but to also hone the necessary skills related to each portion of the bar exam. Our curriculum also includes a required upper-level bar preparation course for graduation. This is a course to help graduating students prepare for the bar exam both by reviewing some substantive law and instructing on how successfully to navigate multiple-choice, essay and Multistate Performance Test questions. The class reviews substantive criminal law, constitutional law and tort law. Students answer simulated multistate and essay questions and receive regular feedback on their performance. There will be graded mid-term and final examinations and a graded Multistate Performance Test. It’s important to remember that this course is in addition to, not a substitute for, a summer bar exam preparation course. The UNIFORM BAR EXAM (UBE) also should be a factor in your law school consideration. More than two-thirds of states in the U.S., including Tennessee, have adopted the UBE, which is a uniformly administered and graded bar exam with a portable score that can be used to apply for bar admission in other participating UBE states or jurisdictions. Attending law school at Memphis Law means that you’ll have the advantage of portability, with your bar exam score being transferable to other UBE jurisdictions across the country.
REQUIRED
UPPER-LEVEL BAR PREP COURSE
UBE & MEMPHIS LAW =
PRACTICE ANYWHERE
EXPANSIVE
BAR PREP COURSES & WORKSHOPS OFFERED
INNOVATIVE
BAR MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
That means, more than ever before, you really can practice anywhere with a law degree from Memphis Law.
94% BAR PASSAGE
RATE ON FEB. 2021 EXAM
14% BAR PASSAGE INCREASE FROM 2018-20
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PROFESSOR DESHUN HARRIS 12 | memphis.edu/law
A NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF BAR PREPARATION PROFESSOR DESHUN HARRIS At Memphis Law, we are committed to our graduates’ success on the bar exam. We have worked hard to increase and stabilize bar passage rates. To support our work to improve bar passage, we use research and data to guide the changes we make for our student success. We continue to evaluate our curriculum and bar/academic support offerings to ensure that our students learn the law and learn the strategies necessary to pass the bar exam (in addition to becoming good lawyers). Our bar efforts include extending opportunities for third-year law students. We currently offer a required spring third-year bar course. In that course, students learn the different components of the bar exam and develop strategies to prepare for each component. We also offer an elective bar course in the fall focused on the written portions of the bar exam. The idea behind extending bar preparation into the third-year law students’ fall semester is to give our students more time to learn how to prepare for the bar exam, instead of waiting until the spring, which may be too late. Because most graduates prepare for the bar exam alone and online, we have increased opportunities for our graduates to interact with others as they prepare for the bar exam. Each summer, students have access to workshops that explore each component of the exam and provide practical advice about preparing for the bar exam. This year we provided stress management activities. We also connect each student with an alumni mentor.
COVID-19 required our law school to pivot from preparing our students from a traditional, in-person bar examination to a remote bar examination for Oct. 2020, Feb. 2021 and July 2021. The remote bar examination meant our students took an exam solely on their personal computers with every question provided through online software and in a location of their choosing (e.g., their homes, hotels or other locations). We incorporated instruction to students about how to make this transition from paper tests to an online bar exam in our bar course and the summer workshops. We also provided spaces at the law school for our graduates to sit for their remote exam, so they could have a quiet space with reliable internet. The exam is expected to return to its traditional in-person form in Feb. 2022. However, the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) has indicated the exam will have a major overhaul. The NCBE anticipates they will debut a new generation bar exam that will test fewer subjects of law, include integrative questions that will expand beyond traditional test questions, like multiple-choice or essays, and assess additional practice skills. These changes are expected to take place in the next four to five years. Thus, we are preparing to make changes now to ensure we continue to prepare our students to pass the bar examination now and in the future.
“I always wanted to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Law is a poetic dance that requires you to paint some vivid factual pictures to get your point across. Memphis Law helped me learn that.”
– BRANDON BOYKIN (JD ’16) Memphis Law | 13
faculty
Memphis Law faculty bring both distinguished scholarship and a depth of experience to their roles as your dedicated educators and legal mentors. Faculty include experts in aviation law, gun rights, health care, patent law, trademarks and copyrights, corporations, constitutional law and many more areas of expertise.
EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
Our professors have extensive real-world expertise that refines their classroom teaching abilities. Memphis Law faculty also includes former federal law clerks, authors of leading legal scholarship, experienced trial and corporate attorneys, Department of Justice trial attorneys, authors of widely utilized casebooks and law school course materials and advisors to the U.S. Senate and government committees.
DEDICATION
Our professors’ strong background in the law and their realworld experience are the foundation for our faculty’s excellence, but Memphis Law is also full of professors who have a true passion for teaching and instruction. Our professors are often found in discussions with students long after class has ended in order to walk through a lesson more clearly. Many of them have
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open office hours and encourage students to drop by whenever they feel the need to ask more questions or are looking for guidance in their studies. Not only are they engaged in making Memphis Law a better place, but many are in active leadership roles in helping make Memphis an even more remarkable city through their extensive community work with local non-profits, activism and cause-related efforts and legal public service.
CONNECTION
These are the types of professors you’ll remember long after you leave law school. Our faculty are the ones invited to the weddings of former students or swearing-in ceremonies. They are the type of mentors that former students call for opinions once they are practicing. You’ll want to drop by to visit them when you’re nearby. This is the sort of relationship our faculty fosters amongst our students, and it’s what puts your education over the top.
FACULTY PROFILE
PROFESSOR DEMETRIA FRANK Our diversity program is led by Professor Demetria Frank, who looks at diversity as something that helps to contribute to the intellectual discourse and inclusive environment here at Memphis Law. Her inspirational community and teaching efforts help our students achieve the highest academic standards, while helping to make the law school open and innovative for all of our students. Professor Frank, a member of our law faculty as well as the director of the law school’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, has worked to address diversity-related issues that are echoed across the spectrum in the City of Memphis. She is the primary individual responsible for ensuring that these important initiatives are addressed, focused on and incorporated into the law school’s growth and success. Professor Frank’s highly regarded expertise on issues involving systemic bias and inequity, community development, federal court
litigation practice and the overgrowth of the detention and prison industries has resulted in a variety of new partnerships and relationships on behalf of the law school, and her work has helped make the Office of Diversity and Inclusion even more impactful in its efforts to help both Memphis Law students and the community. By helping to expose our students to the diversity-related issues found throughout the world, she is helping to prepare our students to deal with them immediately. A native of Houston, Texas, Professor Frank attended the University of Texas School of Law and began her legal career as a toxic tort litigation attorney before moving into the public sector as a community prosecutor in the Dallas City Attorney’s Office. She also served as an associate judge for the City of Dallas before joining the academic realm and ultimately becoming a vital piece of the Memphis Law team in June 2013.
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CECIL C. HUMPHREYS SCHOOL OF LAW FACULTY Lynda Black Associate Professor of Law
Regina Lambert Hillman Clinical Assistant Professor of Law | Legal Methods Coordinator
Ralph Brashier Cecil C. Humphreys Professor of Law
D.R. Jones Associate Professor of Law Director of Law Library
Demetria Frank Associate Professor of Law | Director of Diversity & Inclusion
Carrie Eaker Kerley Clinical Assistant Professor of Law
Ronnie Gipson Assistant Professor of Law
Daniel Kiel FedEx Professor of Law
Donna Harkness CELA, Professor of Clinical Law | Director, Elder Law Clinic
William Kratzke Cecil C. Humphreys Professor of Law
DeShun Harris Assistant Professor of Clinical Law | Director of Bar Preparation
Barbara Kritchevsky Cecil C. Humphreys Professor of Law Director of Advocacy
Peter Letsou Professor of Law
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Boris Mamlyuk Associate Professor of Law
Daniel Schaffzin Associate Professor of Law | Director of Experiential Learning
Mary Morris Clinical Assistant Professor of Law
Katharine Schaffzin Dean | Professor of Law
Steven Mulroy Bredesen Professor of Law
Kevin Smith Thomas B. Preston Professor of Law
Katy Ramsey Mason Assistant Professor of Law | Director, MedicalLegal Partnership Clinic
Nicole Tuchinda Visiting Assistant Professor of Law
Timothy Peterkin Visiting Assistant Professor of Law
Anna Vescovo Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor of Law
David Romantz Associate Professor of Law | Olin Atkins University Professor
Jodi Wilson Associate Dean for Academic Affairs | Associate Professor of Law
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experiential learning Hands-on experience is one of the keys to leaving law school ready to practice. Memphis Law’s Experiential Learning Program, consisting of our legal clinics and externship program, helps our students do more than just learn the law. It provides a unique blend of legal advocacy, hands-on training and intensive learning.
From students working with the city to remove blighted properties throughout Memphis, to partnerships that allow children and families to find legal solutions to medical problems and even a policy lab designed to help students examine and influence the law itself, Memphis Law is invested in broadening our students’ educational experience in innovative new ways. These unique real-world learning opportunities are still one of our great strengths at Memphis Law, no matter what the health crisis may bring. Our innovative experiential learning program and location have allowed us to build relationships and partnerships for years, which we could not have done anywhere else. And in times like these, our students are now on the front lines of learning how to practice in whatever situation and environments arise as a result of the impact COVID-19 has on
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the changing legal world. Our students are working alongside seasoned legal veterans in our legal clinics and externship programs as they learn how to provide quality legal services to clients via a variety of new means. We could not do this without our years of strong partnerships and experience as a result of our location in Memphis and the legal community. These real-world educational opportunities prepare students for success after law school like nothing else can.
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NEW CASES
600+
LAWSUITS
100+
COURT APPEARANCES
Student attorneys in the Neighborhood Preservation Clinic filed 67 new cases seeking to abate the nuisance condition of badly neglected, vacant and abandoned properties throughout the City of Memphis. Collectively, clinic students represented the City of Memphis in more than 600 Tennessee Neighborhood Preservation Act lawsuits and made more than 100 virtual and in-person court appearances before the Shelby County Environmental Court iin the 2020-21 academic year.
60+
CASES The MLP Clinic represented children and families in more than 60 cases in 2019-20 in a variety of settings, such as housing, insurance, education, family stability and more. Hundreds of clients have been helped by the MLP Clinic in the last few years alone.
22
APPEALS Students in the Housing Adjudication Clinic presided over 22 appeals in 2020.
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CASES Students in the Elder Law Clinic handled 188 cases for senior citizens in need from 2019-21. Case matters involved document drafting, wills, powers of attorney, affidavits of heirship, conservatorships, landlord/tenant issues, probate issues, grandparent adoption, small estate matters, mortgage defaults and much more.
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EXTERNSHIPS Students in the Summer 2020 and Summer 2021 Externship Course completed 161 externships in a variety of prestigious field placements.
“My externships gave me an opportunity to build a positive relationship and reputation with various members of the legal community. In many regards the experience, knowledge, skills, reputation and relationships that were fostered through these externships were significant in making me a desirable applicant for my federal judicial clerkship.” – DEVON MUSE, (JD ’17) Memphis Law | 19
CLINICS
Neighborhood Preservation Clinic
Elder Law Clinic
The University of Memphis Neighborhood Preservation Clinic represents the City of Memphis in public nuisance lawsuits seeking recourse against the owners of badly neglected, vacant and abandoned properties. Clinic students investigate property ownership and conditions; communicate with field code enforcement professionals; and research, prepare and file civil cases alleging claims arising under the Tennessee Neighborhood Preservation Act.
This clinic gives student attorneys the unique opportunity to represent senior citizens across a broad range of areas, including consumer protection, financial exploitation, conservatorship, real-world property issues, grandparent adoption, healthcare, social security and wills and advanced directives.
Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic Through a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and Memphis Area Legal Services, our Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic (MLP Clinic) allows Memphis Law students to represent low-income pediatric patients and their families at Le Bonheur. This gives them the unique opportunity to address the legal and social issues that impact child and family health through direct legal services, education and systemic advocacy.
Housing Adjudication Clinic The University of Memphis Housing Adjudication Clinic presents students with the unique opportunity to study law and lawyering from the standpoint of the administrative law judge rather than that of direct client representative. Students are assigned to investigate, research, hear, adjudicate and issue written opinions ruling on administrative appeals involving participants in the Memphis Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher Program, while also being exposed to federal fair housing law and procedure.
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Mediation Clinic Guided by one of the city’s top Rule 31 Listed Mediators and Tennessee Supreme Court Approved Rule 31 Trainer, students in the Mediation Clinic study mediation from the inside out, analyzing in detail the communicative, strategic and ethical dimensions of specific interventions that mediators make in the context of particular cases. This clinic primarily focuses on the students as the mediators, but the students also are asked to consider the issues from other points of view: as the disputant, as an attorney representing a client in mediation and in the capacity of advising an organizational client about dispute resolution options.
EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Stepping outside the traditional classroom, externship students learn by doing and observing, further developing essential research and writing skills, communication abilities and problem-solving techniques under the direction of local judges and attorneys. To maximize this experiential learning opportunity, externship students simultaneously participate in a faculty-led seminar designed to introduce the essential habits of the reflective practitioner and assessment of the skills, relationships, issues and mindsets that prevail in the practice setting.
EXTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS Judicial Placements • United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit • United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee • U.S. Immigration Court • Tennessee Supreme Court • Shelby County Circuit Court • Shelby County Environmental Court
Health Practice Placements • Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corporation – General Legal • Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corporation – Labor and Employment • Medtronic Corporation – Office of Ethics and Compliance • Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare • Regional One Health • St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – Office of Legal Services
Criminal Practice Placements • United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee • Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee • Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office • Shelby County Public Defender’s Office • Office of the District Attorney for the 25th Judicial District (TN) • Office of the Public Defender for the 25th Judicial District (TN)
Social Justice/Community Law Office Placements • Advocates for Immigrant Rights • Bass, Berry, and Sims Pro Bono Internship Program • Disability Rights Tennessee • Community Legal Center – Immigration Justice Program • Florida Department of Children and Families Child Services • Legal Aid of Arkansas • Memphis Area Legal Services – Consumer Unit • Memphis Area Legal Services – Fair Housing Center • Memphis Area Legal Services – Family Law Unit • Memphis Area Legal Services – Low Income Taxpayer Unit • Memphis Area Legal Services – Restoration of Rights Project • Mid-South Immigration Advocates • Neighborhood Preservation, Inc. • Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence • West Tennessee Legal Services
Government/Administrative Agency Placements • U.S. Department of Homeland Security • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – Hearings Unit • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – Legal Unit • City of Memphis Attorney’s Office – Litigation Unit • City of Memphis Attorney’s Office – Transactional Unit • Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • U.S. Navy JAG Corps
In-House Counsel Placements • Ducks Unlimited – Office of Land Protection • FedEx Corporation • FedEx Express, Inc. • FedEx Logistics, Inc. • University of Memphis - Office of University Counsel
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culture + soul MEMPHIS IS A PLACE WHERE HISTORY WAS MADE – AND WHERE YOU CAN STAND IN THE SAME SPOTS WHERE MUSICAL LEGENDS, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS AND BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURS MADE THEIR MARK.
MEMPHIS LAW CAN TAKE YOU ANYWHERE, AND IT’S ALSO RIGHT WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.
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Whether you’re talking about our many community partnerships that enhance your education, the incredibly affordable cost of living in Memphis, the resurgence of downtown and our core neighborhoods that are filling with residents flocking from cities like Nashville and Austin looking for more affordability and authentic vibes, the increasingly visible park and outdoor recreation scene happening in our community, or our vast alumni network throughout the country; our Memphis Law community is one of our most important assets. You’ll find that it can take you anywhere, and it’s also right where you want to be.
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the city
Memphis is authentic. There’s just something about it that draws people in. It’s made up of people who are driven, creative and passionate about the Bluff City itself. Whether it’s the grit and grind nature of Memphians that our NBA Memphis Grizzlies embody or our thriving historic downtown and resurgent neighborhoods throughout the city, Memphis is quickly being recognized by the rest of the country as the place to be. It’s a place where you can trace the roots of blues, soul and rock and roll – and then hear who’s making musical history here today. It’s a city where BBQ is a way of life – and innovative and awardwinning culinary trends are developed daily. Memphis is a place where history was made – and where you can stand in the same spots where musical legends, civil rights leaders and business entrepreneurs made their mark. Memphis is like nowhere else.
The Memphis music scene offers everything from outdoor festivals and energetic bar shows to huge arena tours and classical orchestras. You can cheer on your new home team with Memphis Grizzlies NBA basketball, 901 FC Soccer, Redbirds Triple-A baseball, plus your very own University of Memphis Tigers plethora of teams. If you’re more into playing the sports yourself, you’ve got ample opportunities and beautiful spaces for running, biking, kayaking and rock climbing, and plenty of gyms, classes and leagues for adults and kids.
Memphis is a very special place, with a character, texture and feel that doesn’t exist in the same way in any other city.
As for the food scene, we’ve got you covered. From awardwinning fine dining to beloved local holes-in-the-wall, we’ve got cuisines for every palate and preference. Wash it all down with some craft beers from the exploding local beer scene, or a cocktail from some of our creative bartenders across the city, and then pop into one of our unique local coffee shops for some locally roasted and wide range of coffees.
One of the best things about the city is variety. Whatever your interests or passions, you can find a way to get involved: music, food, arts, sports, outdoors, volunteering and much more.
From Downtown to East Memphis, and from Midtown to the suburbs, there’s something for everyone, and the best part is, it’s always close and always more affordable than you expect.
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MEMPHIS
AT A GLANCE
5 MILLION
PEOPLE LIVE IN TH E MID- SO U T H
1.3 MILLION
RESIDE IN MEMPHIS
20.8 MIN Average Commute Time
160+ Parks & Green Spaces
DEMOGRAPHICS
1 HR 48 MIN Average Flight Time to Memphis for Direct Flights
Memphis’ Cost of Living is
Age
DEMOGRAPHICS Race & Ethnicity
40.1%
African American | 47.4% Caucasian | 42.5% Hispanic/Latino | 5.6% Asian | 2.1% Two or More / Other | 1.8% American Indian | .3%
25-54
21.1%
20.1% 0-14
20% LOWER
13.5%
55-74
15-24
5.2%
than the National Average
75+ 0
15
25
55
75
Median Age: 36.5
80.3 O Summer Average
105.4
Atlanta
101.8
Nashville
50O
60 O
70 O
80 O
99.2
Charlotte Memphis
64.7 O Year-round Average
113.2
Dallas
Indianapolis
CLIMATE 48.5 O Winter Average
COST OF LIVING Denver
40+ Golf Courses
97.0 92.8 80.6
3rd LARGEST MARKET
for Millennial Home Buyers
234 Days Average Sunshine
69% Average Relative Humidity
51.3 in. Annual Average Rainfall
Source: Memphis Chamber - Greater Memphis Relocation Guide
Memphis Law | 25
#1
TOP 15 U.S. CITIES WITH
WOMEN-OWNED
EMERGING DOWNTOWNS LIST
AMERICAN EXPRESS SURVEY 2017
FORBES
METRO FOR
BUSINESS GROWTH
4
TOP MARKET FOR
MILLENNIALS
WITH THE RIGHT “LIVE/ WORK/PLAY” ENVIRONMENT THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
#1 CITY FOR
BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES BLACK TECH 2018
MEMPHIS NAMED
“TOP MARKET FOR JOB SEEKERS” INDEED.COM 2018
MEMPHIS NAMED
“THE BEST OVERALL DESTINATION” TRIPSAVVY 2019
MEMPHIS IS CONSISTENTLY NAMED AS
ONE OF THE MOST AFFORDABLE CITIES HUFFINGTON POST AND KIPLINGER
TOP 5 CITIES FOR MILLENNIALS
(POPULATION GROWTH)
MEMPHIS NAMED
“THE BEST FOOD TOWN IN AMERICA” ALTON BROWN, THE TRAVEL CHANNEL
TIME MAGAZINE
MEMPHIS NAMED
THE “NEXT HOT SOUTHERN CITY” MOST IMPROVED
CITY FOR CYCLING BICYCLING MAGAZINE
26 | memphis.edu/law
TRAVEL & LEISURE MAGAZINE
LOCATION Located in the middle of the Memphis legal community, Memphis Law is within walking distance of state and federal courts and the majority of government offices. In an average year, we also host more than 50 conferences, professional networking receptions and continuing education seminars – not to mention additional legal fora, panels and job fairs – with our legal community, all of which are open and free to our students.
Additionally, our location in downtown Memphis and our premier facilities have allowed our students to participate in unique and informal programs with former United States attorney generals, United States Supreme Court justices, Tennessee Supreme Court justices, United Nation ambassadors, civil rights leaders, and numerous high-profile attorneys, businessmen and women, and state and federal politicians.
Let’s not forget the many opportunities to watch real courts in action in our historic courtroom overlooking downtown Memphis. Our students have had the opportunity to attend court proceedings for the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Tennessee Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee and the Tennessee Court of Appeals (civil and criminal), as well as many local court proceedings and trials.
Our location also affords us the unique ability to form partnerships that help to expand our disciplines, such as our partnerships with the City of Memphis, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, the Memphis Bar Association and many local nonprofits. This location, within the legal community and in our exciting downtown, will impact your education and experience you receive during your time in law school; in turn, that education and experience will help you succeed wherever you go in your career.
Memphis Law | 27
LOCATION 28 | memphis.edu/law
1.0 mi
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
1.0 mi
Juvenile Court
1.2 mi
Memphis Housing Authority
0.6 mi
U.S. District Court
0.6 mi
IRS Offices
0.4 mi
0.6 mi
Shelby County Government Services
Memphis City Court
1.5 mi
Methodist Le Bonheur
CECIL C. HUMPHREYS SCHOOL OF LAW
0.4 mi Memphis City Hall
100 ft
1.5 mi
Memphis Area Legal Services
Shelby County Health Department
0.3 mi
Memphis Bar Association
0.4 mi
Environmental Court
0.4 mi
Shelby County Courthouse
Memphis Law | 29
alumni community Our alumni network spreads throughout the country, with successful graduates working in an astonishing number of fields, business sectors, concentrations, firms and industries. This network of success is just one of the tools given to Memphis Law students and graduates. We’ve been successfully training new attorneys for over 50 years, and we’re excited to help you on your road to future legal success with the help of our alumni community along the way.
Rep. Steve Cohen (JD ’73) U.S. Congressman, Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District
The Hon. Bernice Donald (JD ’79) U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Gregory Duckett (JD ’85) Senior Vice President & Corporate Counsel, Baptist Memorial Healthcare
The Hon. Holly M. Kirby (JD ’82) Associate Justice, Tennessee Supreme Court
Caroline Hunter (JD ’00) Vice Chairwoman, Federal Election Commission
The Hon. Roger Page (JD ’84) Associate Justice, Tennessee Supreme Court
Terrence Reed (JD ’00) Managing Director of Employment Litigation at FedEx Corporation
Rep. David Kustoff (JD ’92) Congressman, Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District
Kenneth Walker (JD ’13) General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, Shelby County Schools
Amber Floyd (JD ’10) General Counsel, Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
Mayor Jim Strickland (JD ’89) City of Memphis
30 | memphis.edu/law
ALUMNI PROFILE
JUDGE DIANE VESCOVO (JD ’80)
CHIEF UNITED STATES FEDERAL MAGISTRATE JUDGE FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE (RETIRED) A person’s flesh and blood relatives may make up their closest family, but for Judge Diane Vescovo, recently retired Chief United States Federal Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Tennessee, her ties to the University of Memphis School of Law are almost as strong. Her support and dedication to the law school, as well as the greater University of Memphis, has helped the law school evolve into the jewel that it is today. She’s been involved with the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Alumni Chapter since 2000, where she’s served as president and in many other esteemed roles such as a member of the Law School Dean Selection Committee, the ABA Accreditation Committee and the Law School Grand Opening Gala Committee (as co-chair). She’s also served as a member of the University of Memphis Board of Visitors, the Tiger Scholarship Fund Board of Directors and the National Board of Directors for the UofM Alumni Association. “Our law school serves the entire city and as it thrives and does well, so does the city,” says Vescovo of her belief in the benefits of the University having a thriving law school. She’s often found herself in a position to help define the future of the University of Memphis School of Law, but Vescovo also has been an integral part in getting the law school to where it is today, literally. She notes that three of her proudest accomplishments have been her role in the law school moving downtown to its new home in the beautifully restored historic building at 1 North Front Street; her part in conceptualizing and implementing what is now the Pillars of Excellence Awards Dinner; and co-chairing the committee that oversaw the Grand Opening Gala of the building itself, which was in most Memphians’ opinions the event of the year in 2010.
Memphis Law | 31
ALUMNI PROFILE REP. STEVE COHEN (JD ’73)
U.S. CONGRESSMAN, TENNESSEE’S 9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Rep. Steve Cohen represents the 9th Congressional District in Tennessee and its approximately 710,000 constituents who live in Memphis. After wrapping up law school at the University of Memphis in 1973, Rep. Cohen spent three years as a legal advisor to the Memphis Police Department and then served as a Shelby County Commissioner during the late 70s. He was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly in 1982 and would go on to become a stalwart of the state legislature for the next 24 years, with a reputation as an intelligent tactician and progressively minded advocate. Since his election as a U.S. Congressman in 2006, Cohen has earned a reputation as a champion of civil rights and justice, with appointments to the highly influential Judiciary Committee, the House Democratic Steering Committee and the House Ethics Committee.
ALUMNI PROFILE
JUDGE BERNICE DONALD (JD ’79)
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT Judge Bernice Donald has spent her life breaking down barriers and being the “first” to achieve a great many things. The term “trailblazer” does not begin to sum up her self-forged path. As a child, she was among the first four African American students to integrate Olive Branch, Miss., schools. Not too long after graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, where she was a first-generation college student, she was elected to the criminal division of Shelby County General Sessions Court, making her the first female African American judge in Tennessee history. In 1988, Donald was appointed as a judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee, making her the first female African American bankruptcy judge in the nation. Breaking down yet another barrier, she was nominated by President Bill Clinton to serve as the first African American female U.S. District Judge in the Western District of Tennessee, where she remained until her present appointment in 2010. The trend continued with that appointment as well, with President Barack Obama nominating her in December 2010 to serve as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, once again making her the first African American female to sit on that court. Her lifelong tendency of being a “first” extends off the bench as well. She was the first African American and the first female to serve as president of the American Bar Foundation, the nation’s leading research institute for the empirical study of the law, and formally served as the secretary of the American Bar Association — once again as the first African American woman to do so. 32 | memphis.edu/law
STUDENT LIFE & COMMUNITY Two of the most valuable resources students find at Memphis Law are the people they meet and the community they build.
by our Student Affairs Offices to counseling services and mentor programs provided by the greater University and local Bar.
Our students are at the center of a vibrant school and downtown community. Whether it’s attending classes, organizing numerous events, lectures, and service projects or volunteering time with our many student organizations, Memphis Law students bring their idealism and passion into every aspect of their law school lifestyle.
Memphis Law also has a number of active student organizations that offer our students many opportunities to engage with the community, foster relationships, develop connections with practicing attorneys and potential employers and lay the foundation for professional and personal relationships for years to come. These organizations host a variety of events, debates, panel discussions, community service activities and valuable networking opportunities throughout the year.
There is a wealth of different perspectives and backgrounds that our students bring to the table that make for extremely rich conversations and experiences. The relationships and friendships forged while in law school carry over throughout the rest of students’ personal and professional lives. The value of interacting with classmates, who are in the trenches with you, is invaluable, and it makes for a collegial atmosphere that is strengthened even further by the efforts of our faculty, staff and student body. Through it all, the law school also provides a range of important services for its students – from academic success programs offered
Our student organizations are also being nationally recognized for their efforts. In 2021, the law school’s Black Law Students Association was named a National Chapter of the Year in recognition of the events and community service its members carried out in a time upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the national win, the Memphis Law chapter was recognized as the Southern Regional small chapter of the year.
Memphis Law | 33
diversity + inclusion Memphis Law has been nationally recognized for our diversity efforts, which is appropriate in a diverse city like Memphis. We also are proudly the MOST diverse public law school in Tennessee and one of the most affordable law schools for students from any background to attend. We define diversity broadly to include several aspects of human differences that contribute to the intellectual discourse and inclusive environment at the University of Memphis School of Law. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion collaborates with a variety of law school offices and community groups to ensure a diverse and inclusive law school environment. These collaborations allow us to develop and implement initiatives that increase the access, admission, retention and graduation of diverse students.
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR There’s so much more to Memphis Law than its dynamic faculty, proximity to downtown and state-ofthe-art learning facility. As demonstrated by our numerous programs dedicated to public service and law school access, we are also a learning institution that recognizes the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in fulfilling our mission. According to the U.S. Supreme Court in Grutter v. Bollinger, “student body diversity promotes learning outcomes and ‘better prepares students for an increasingly diverse workforce and society and better prepares them as professionals.’” We gain strength and insight from the various nationalities, ethnicities, backgrounds and identities represented at Memphis Law. We encourage the expression of diverse viewpoints in and outside of our classrooms and support diverse programming that provokes thoughtful and often difficult conversations. Our faculty, staff and students stand committed to building a collaborative and inclusive community that prepares students with the necessary skills to effectively connect with diverse communities well beyond time spent in law school. We are excited that you are considering the University of Memphis as you plan your legal career. Know that our commitment to the key values of diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental to our success and the support of our students. Demetria Frank | Director of Diversity & Inclusion | Associate Professor of Law
34 | memphis.edu/law
STUDENT PROFILE
DEMARCUS AND BETHANY DAVIS Demarcus Davis and his daughter Bethany Davis are sharing a unique experience. The father/daughter duo are both currently enrolled at Memphis Law, working toward their own respective dreams. One seeks to build upon a successful 20-year career in counseling, and the other is beginning to find her own path to success, but both agree that sharing this experience together makes the journey more memorable and slightly less daunting. “We didn’t plan to attend law school together,” said Demarcus. “We each made our decisions independently. It just so happens that this was the best choice for each of us. I was just excited that she chose Memphis, because it meant we could do this together.” Both of them recall coming to the decision to attend law school independently from each other, but they definitely started the actual journey together. They even studied for theMaier LSAT together Salameh and sat right next to each other while taking the test itself. Now their journey continues together at Memphis Law.
RANKED AS
“ONE OF THE BEST LAW SCHOOLS FOR DIVERSITY” IN THE COUNTRY (13th) PRELAW MAGAZINE
MORE THAN
50%
OF OUR FACULTY ARE
FEMALE
15%
OF OUR CURRENT
STUDENT BODY ARE FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE GRADUATES
RANKED AS A
BEST BARGAIN LAW SCHOOL
FOR BLACK STUDENTS
TOP 5
BEST REGIONAL LAW SCHOOLS FOR BLACK STUDENTS
LAWYERS OF COLOR MAGAZINE
“MOST DIVERSE LAW SCHOOL” PRELAW MAGAZINE
LAWYERS OF COLOR MAGAZINE
Memphis Law | 35
ADMISSIONS & ACCESS
Our access initiatives and recruiting efforts work to ensure prospective students from historically underrepresented populations have access to information regarding the legal profession, the law school admission process and financial aid opportunities. Access and pipelining initiatives include: • Diversity & PreLaw Week • Tennessee Institute for Pre-Law (TIP) Admissions by Performance Program • LSAC PLUS Program • Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) in partnership with the Memphis Bar Association • Law Day, Street Law and Youth Advocacy Camps
• Summer Trial & Advocacy Institute for high school students
DIVERSITY & PRELAW WEEK This annual recruitment event celebrates and promotes the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion at Memphis Law. Participants will learn about diverse student experiences and organizations, and gain valuable information about the law school admissions process and legal careers. Each spring, this event brings more than 100 prospective law students to the law school for events highlighting topics relevant to diverse and first-generation students, faculty and practicing attorneys.
TENNESSEE INSTITUTE FOR PRE-LAW (TIP)
The Tennessee Institute for Pre-Law (TIP) is the Office of Diversity’s elite program promoting a diverse student community at Memphis Law. It is the State of Tennessee’s only “admission by performance”
36 | memphis.edu/law
program and consists of five weeks of classroom instruction and assessment that simulate the first-year law school curriculum. TIP classes are taught by Memphis Law professors, with students having peer and faculty mentors who assist them in getting acclimated to law school, its culture and various legal environments. Our TIP students also receive various forms of support that foster success during their first year of law school. Applicants who are invited to enroll in TIP and successfully complete the program requirements over the summer are eligible for admission to Memphis Law the following fall.
PRELAW UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARS PROGRAM The Law School Admissions Council Prelaw Undergrad Scholars (PLUS) Program at the University of Memphis School of Law invites currently enrolled college freshmen and sophomores from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds for a firsthand introduction to the legal field. Over the five-week program in June-July, students take courses in Torts or Contracts, Legal Writing, Appellate Advocacy and meet practicing attorneys, judges and other legal professionals offering advice on navigating legal careers. The program is free to participants, and students receive a $1,000 stipend and an LSAC fee waiver for successful completion.
INCLUSION & RETENTION
The Office of Diversity & Inclusion provides a number of programs that promote inclusion and encourage cultural competence of Memphis Law students.
MEMPHIS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
CULTURALLY COMPETENT LAWYERING WORKSHOP SERIES
The Memphis Professional Development Program is a mentoring program designed to support diverse and firstgeneration Memphis Law students by providing mentoring and other professional development opportunities that maximize potential in law school and beyond. Utilizing a team mentoring model, students gain a team of mentors that address the intersectionality of a legal career, lasting relationships and opportunities to connect with members of the legal profession from different practice areas and with varying levels of experience.
The Culturally Competent Lawyering Workshop Series promotes culturally competent Memphis Law graduates that appreciate the various demographics and identities that they might someday represent. Beginning during orientation, Memphis Law students are encouraged to consider the professional responsibility of culturally competent client services as well as exploration of self, culture and society. Past workshops have included discussion of topics such as implicit bias in lawyer decision making and cultivating effective cross-cultural lawyer-client relationships.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE The Diversity & Inclusion Committee is a volunteer group of students, faculty and staff dedicated to improving the cultural climate for all members of the Memphis Law community. Those serving on this committee directly impact the climate for inclusion by providing feedback and insight on projects such as the Memphis Law Annual Climate & Inclusion Survey, Diversity Week and the Memphis Professional Development Program.
TIP Program – a unique admission by performance program for Tennessee and border-county residents who are from diverse backgrounds and circumstances Memphis Law | 37
DIVERSITY-FOCUSED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS Many Memphis Law students participate in student organizations with diversity related missions. Memphis Law’s Black Law Students Association was even recently named a National Chapter of the Year in 2021 and in addition to the national win, were also recognized as the Southern Regional small chapter of the year. Student organizations with diversity related missions and/ or regularly host inclusive programming include: • American Constitution Society (ACS) • Association of Women Attorneys (AWA) • Black Law Students Association (BLSA) • Christian Legal Society • Jewish Law Student Association • Hispanic Law Student Association (HLSA) • International Law Students Association (ILSA) • OutLaw • Public Action Law Society • Phi Alpha Delta • Student Bar Association (SBA) • Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (TACDL) • Street Law • Memphis Law +1
AWARD-WINNING ADVOCACY TEAMS The University of Memphis School of Law’s Black Law Student’s Association (BLSA) had two advocacy teams excel in a number of advocacy competitions in the past year. Memphis Law’s BLSA teams placed in the Top 3 in both the Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition and the Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition, with both teams progressing to the National Competition.
FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS The Office of Diversity encourages programs dedicated to removing socioeconomic barriers to law school. Scholarships available to entering Memphis Law students include academic merit awards, diversity awards and awards for students with demonstrated financial need. Diverse students who meet academic and residency requirements may also be eligible for the Memphis Access & Diversity Law Scholarship. Prospective students must complete a Memphis Law application for admission to be considered for merit and diversity awards. Through state appropriations and the generous donations of law school alumni and friends, over $700,000 in scholarship assistance has been awarded to eligible students in previous academic years. Scholarship awards typically range from $1,000 to full in-state tuition. For more information on the Office of Diversity & Inclusion and its programming, contact: Demetria D. Frank Associate Professor of Law, Director of Diversity & Inclusion 901.678.4948 lawdiversity@memphis.edu
“One of the best decisions I ever made was attending the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. My years at the law school were truly a transformational experience in my life and positively changed the trajectory of my future. The law school prepared me to be a leader in the legal community and compete with colleagues who attended Ivy League law schools, resulting in massive debt. One of the law school’s top assets is the expertise and accessibility of the professors, who passed along their wisdom to the students, while making the classes interesting and stimulating. I also made lifelong friends at the University of Memphis law school, and I value those relationships to this day. I fervently believe that the University of Memphis law school is one of the most underrated, yet premier law schools in the country, and I’m proud to be an alumnus.” – Terrence Reed (JD ’00) Managing Director of Employment Litigation at Federal Express Corporation 38 | memphis.edu/law
character + beauty Simply put, Memphis Law has the best law school building and facilities in the country.
That’s no empty boast either. In comprehensive rankings from preLaw Magazine and the National Jurist, Memphis Law has been named the best building and law school facility THREE TIMES, making us the only school to “three-peat” as the No. 1 award winner. These accolades come approximately nine years after the law school relocated from the main University of Memphis campus to the historic former U.S. Customs House/
Courthouse/Post Office at 1 North Front Street, which underwent a $42 million renovation and upgrade before the law school moved into the facility in 2010. The historical austerity of the building, coupled with modern charms and new technology, proved be to a winning combination. As a student here, you’ll be able to take advantage of our technological and facility upgrades and advances in learning environments. This is an inspiring place to go to law school, and it’s a place where you’ll not only feel at home for the next three years, but a part of the reason you’ll be proud to go to Memphis Law.
Memphis Law | 39
goals + purpose
40 | memphis.edu/law
REAL LEARNING. REAL SUCCESS. THAT’S WHAT MEMPHIS LAW OFFERS OUR STUDENTS AND GRADUATES.
Memphis Law | 41
CAREER SERVICES OFFICE With in-depth assistance from our Career Services Office (CSO), our students find the career that best suits them. The CSO helps students to develop their job search skills and assist with faculty and alumni relationships that can lead to real-world employment. The Memphis Law CSO offers a wide range of career development assistance and opportunities for our students, such as: INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING Our students can set up one-on-one counseling appointments with our qualified CSO staff to review résumés, cover letters or to just talk about specific career goals. Our experienced staff of counselors will even review your materials and return them to you, critiqued and with notes, within approximately two days. MOCK INTERVIEW TRAINING Mock interviews provide our students with the opportunity to practice their interview skills in a realistic setting and to receive feedback to improve performance. The CSO holds mock interviews before on-campus employer interviews at the beginning of each semester. Local attorneys conduct
the mock interviews. Interview sessions typically last 30 minutes and include feedback from the participating attorneys at the end of the session. The attorneys who participate in our mock interviews are often the same attorneys who conduct on-campus interviews. SEMINARS AND EVENTS CSO presents many events throughout the year to familiarize our students with basics such as writing résumés, and to expose students to a variety of practice areas. Panel discussions, career fairs and other CSO events bring attorneys and students together to explore career possibilities. CSO RESOURCE CENTER The CSO library contains career books, interview guides, lists of Tennessee law firms broken down by city and other helpful publications. There are also a number of CSO-created templates for résumés, cover letters and more available to our students. The CSO also houses a work area with computers and a laser printer that may be used by students and alumni for the exclusive purpose of preparing résumés, cover letters and other correspondence related to their job search.
Our students can set up one-on-one appointments with our qualified CSO Staff. 42 | memphis.edu/law
JOB POSTINGS Our CSO staff works tirelessly to help our students find open employment positions across the country. These positions are posted in Symplicity and shared between our counselors and students. The relationships created and nurtured by our staff and counselors result in many unique employment opportunities for our students and graduates.
2019 EMPLOYMENT HONOR ROLL MEMBER PRELAW MAGAZINE
JOB FAIRS Students at Memphis Law are annually invited, through our Career Services Office, to a number of different job fairs throughout the year. ON-CAMPUS RECRUITING The CSO coordinates numerous on-campus job interviews in both the fall and spring semesters for our students.
CLASS OF 2020 AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT
53%
LAW FIRMS
19%
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
85%
OVERALL EMPLOYMENT RATE FOR RECENT GRADUATES DATA FROM CLASSES 2018-20
8%
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP
12%
GOVERNMENT
8%
PUBLIC INTEREST
“Have a plan. Be flexible. Be willing to adapt and learn. Search out great and interesting opportunities that can help expand your vision and always keep your end goal in mind.”
– HUGH CROSS (JD ’18) Memphis Law | 43
SCHOLARSHIPS We understand that paying for school is an important factor in your decision-making process. At Memphis Law, we are committed to helping students minimize costs. Our tuition compares favorably to other public law schools; and our downtown location, within walking distance to most students’ apartments and homes with inexpensive parking nearby, makes it possible to keep living expenses reasonable in a city hailed by many national publications as being one of the most affordable in the country. A number of scholarships are available to entering students, including academic merit awards, diversity awards and
44 | memphis.edu/law
awards for students with demonstrated financial need. Some scholarship awards are based on the information provided in the application, while others require additional information. If you are interested in being considered for first-year scholarships, you are encouraged to complete the optional application questions and submit any necessary information. Scholarship award letters are usually sent by April 1. Through state appropriations and the generous donations of law school alumni and friends, over $600,000 in scholarship assistance has traditionally been awarded in previous academic years. Awards range from $1,000 to full in-state tuition.
EXTENDED EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES Alternative Spring Break Having recently celebrated it’s 10-year anniversary as the first student-led spring break program in the country to recruit from law schools across the country, this week-long program, run by our Public Action Law Society, seeks to help low-income individuals needing legal representation while also providing law students the opportunity to gain legal experience.
Pro Bono Memphis Law is one of a select group of law schools in the country that requires students to engage in pro bono work. Students are required to complete 40 hours of supervised pro bono work in order to graduate, giving them unique opportunities throughout Memphis while strengthening their ties to the community.
Law Review Our prestigious, student-run journal of legal scholarship is published four times a year with student editors making all editorial decisions, along with a faculty advisor, and drawing submissions by prominent academics from across the country.
Legal Methods Our rigorous required first-year legal research, writing and analysis course gives students excellent preparation for the increasing complexity of practice in today’s legal environment.
Mediation Under the guidance of one of the Mid-South’s highly regarded Rule 31 Listed Mediators, students get real world experience being co-mediators in General Sessions Court, as well as actual Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Mediator training and ongoing observations of mediations in various courts and administrative proceedings.
Moot Court Our Moot Court program excels in both appellate and trial advocacy, with many in-school and travel-team competitions under its purview.
Tax Workshops More than 100 federal tax returns were filed by students in our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program last year.
Street Law Our Street Law program currently serves two local inner-city schools where student members and professors teach on a weekly or monthly basis. Their role is to engage the students around topics of law, democracy, human rights and local issues, all while bridging the gap between today’s youth and the law, and to inspire students on to professional careers.
Medical-Legal Partnership The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital form the Memphis CHiLD (Children’s Health Law Directive), the first medical-legal partnership of its kind in the region, encompassing all of Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. In addition to a variety of training programs and educational, bi-directional partnerships, Memphis CHiLD also consists of an on-site Legal Clinic located at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital where Memphis law students, working under the supervision of a devoted clinical professor and a MALS staff attorney, have devoted space to work on cases and referrals, meet with patients/clients and conduct training sessions. Medical professionals and Le Bonheur residents have access to the clinic as well and have direct involvement in the Memphis CHiLD Medical Legal-Partnership Clinic training sessions and learning opportunities available through the program.
Mock Trial Memphis Law gives students the opportunity to take their advocacy skills to the next level with both an inschool mock trial competition and a historically successful National Mock Trial Competition travel team. Memphis Law | 45
PARTNERSHIPS + PROGRAMS
INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH LAW & POLICY (iHeLP) The Institute for Health Law & Policy at the University of Memphis is an innovative leader in educating the next generation of health lawyers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to advance health through law and policy. The Institute for Health Law & Policy has a core mission designed to prepare the next generation of health lawyers for practice in today’s complex and ever-changing health care environment and also with the skill set and dexterity to adapt practice to the issues and needs of tomorrow.
46 | memphis.edu/law
Our graduates provide informed legal counsel, can break down complex legal issues for diverse, nonlaw audiences and have the foresight to identify and potentially avert future legal issues. They represent a vision of preventive, relational lawyering attuned to the utmost professionalism and highest ethical standards in dealing with clients, affected parties, organizations and the community. Critically, they also recognize the role of law as a service profession, and the need for lawyers who are ready, willing and able to engage in and with the community, beyond their own clients, to advance the community’s health through use of law and policy.
ADVANCED CRIMINAL PROSECUTION INTERSESSION
This course is offered for one week a year and is composed of veteran criminal prosecutors from across the state, with highly coveted, and limited, spots for Memphis Law students. This experiential course gives our students interested in advanced criminal prosecution a rare opportunity to learn in a “master class” setting with experienced prosecutors from across the state of Tennessee presenting instruction on all aspects of criminal trial practice, including jury selection, pretrial motions, opening statements, direct and cross examinations, evidentiary objections and closing arguments. Students even receive direct critique from experienced veteran prosecutors, giving them learning opportunities far ahead of normal standards.
ADVOCACY PROGRAM Memphis Law is dedicated to recognizing and fostering excellence in both appellate and trial advocacy. Our strong Moot Court program offers our students a way to prepare for the challenges of life in the courtroom and is nationally recognized for outstanding work in oral and written advocacy. Our students progress from fundamental legal doctrine and theory in first-year courses to increasingly more sophisticated and complex substantive and procedural issues in the second. The Advocacy program and our travel teams place students in the center of the litigation process, as they begin to assimilate the skills and strategies they will need as practicing attorneys. The various Moot Court and Mock Trial competitions that we field teams in give students additional opportunities to hone those skills, as they face off against their peers and some of the top law school teams in the country. Our travel teams have had quite a bit of success in the past several years.
National Moot Court Competition Team
ABA National Appellate Advocacy Team The ABA National Appellate Advocacy Team was named Regional Champion at the 2019 Philadelphia Regional Competition. The team then competed in the National competition in Chicago, where they advanced to the Nationals Top 16. In 2020, our 3L team reached the regional finals once again and won Best Brief in their region, with one team member named a Top 10 Advocate in the region. In 2021, the team again achieved success with a trip to the regional semifinals, where one Memphis Law student won the award for fifth-best advocate in the region.
Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Team One of the University of Memphis Law School Duberstein Bankruptcy teams competed and won the United States Sixth Circuit’s inaugural Shapero Cup Regional Duberstein Competition in 2019.
The 2019-20 National Moot Court team was named the Moot Court Region VII Champion, defeating the University of Tennessee in the final round and having a 3L team member named as the Best Oral Advocate. The team was coached by Professor Barbara Kritchevsky.
Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Team
Wagner Moot Court Team
BLSA Mock Trial Team
The Memphis Law Wagner Moot Court Team finished as the National Runner-Up in the 43rd Annual Robert F. Wagner Labor and Employment Law Moot Court Competition in 2019. The Memphis team argued in six rounds over the three-day competition and reached the national championship round.
Memphis Law’s Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition team was a Top 3 team in the 2021 Regional Competition and advanced to the National Competition Finals. This team also won Best Respondent brief in the 2021 competition.
Memphis Law’s Black Law Students Association’s Mock Trial Team placed in the Top 3 in the 2021 Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition and advanced to the National Competition Finals.
Memphis Law | 47
ADMI SSION PROC ESS
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ADMISSION PROCESS CHECKLIST ☐ APPLICATION (REQUIRED)
Our online application is available through LSAC. Be sure to complete all questions accurately, include your name and LSAC account number on any addenda. The non-binding Early Admission deadline is December 1. The priority deadline for scholarship consideration is March 15. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with June LSAT administration being the last test considered.
☐ CREDENTIAL ASSEMBLY SERVICE (CAS) (REQUIRED)
Applicants for the next entering class must have an LSAT score that is current and taken within the last 64 months. LSAC will not release a CAS report until they receive an original transcript from every undergraduate institution you have attended, including summer sessions and study abroad programs. It is the applicant’s responsibility to monitor the status of his/her LSAC account.
☐ PERSONAL STATEMENT (REQUIRED)
Each applicant is required to submit a personal statement. This statement provides the opportunity to describe your background and any unique experiences, characteristics or circumstances you want the admissions committee to consider. You should explain your desire to study law, why you believe you will be a successful law student and what you plan to do with your law degree. You are encouraged to explain your interest in attending our law school and may discuss any information not otherwise apparent from your application, including family members who are graduates of the University of Memphis School of Law. Limit your personal statement to no more than 1,000 words.
DECISION TIMELINE (DECEMBER–JULY) Applicants will receive an email with a link to our website and code to establish an account to check the status of their application. An email will be sent once the file is complete. Final decisions are emailed to the applicant’s primary email address in their application. Non-binding Early Admission decisions will
☐ ADMONITORY ACTION EXPLANATION (IF APPLICABLE)
be made before December
☐ LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (OPTIONAL)
made between December
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit up to three letters of recommendation addressing their potential for academic success. When possible, letters should come from professors if you are currently in college or have recently graduated. The letters should be sent to LSAC to be included with your CAS report. If a file is complete by March 15, file review will not be delayed if letters have not been received.
☐ TIP STATEMENT (REQUIRED FOR ALL TIP APPLICANTS)
31. Most decisions are and April. After being admitted, a seat deposit of $250 is due by midApril or two weeks after notice of admission, whichever is the later date.
If eligible, apply for the Tennessee Institute for Pre-Law (TIP), an admission by performance program for Tennessee and border county residents from diverse backgrounds who are not admitted through the regular admissions process, but who show potential for success in the study of law. To find out more about TIP, visit memphis.edu/law/about/tip.php.
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FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP CHECKLIST ☐ APPLY FOR AN FSA ID at https://fsaid.ed.gov.
☐ COMPLETE THE FAFSA
at https://fafsa.ed.gov, available October 1 for the next academic year.
☐ USE PRIOR YEAR’S INCOME TAX
For example, the 2021-22 FAFSA will require 2020 income tax information.
☐ USE UofM’S FEDERAL SCHOOL CODE
List the University of Memphis’ 6-digit federal school code: 003509
CONTACT
University of Memphis School of Law 1 North Front Street Memphis, TN 38103 901.678.5403 901.678.0741 (fax) lawadmissions@memphis.edu memphis.edu/law Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) 215.968.1001 lsac.org
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CECIL C. HUM PHREYS SCHOOL OF LAW Memphis Law | 51
MEMPHIS LAW
EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS CLASS OF 2018-2020
EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES*
58% PRIVATE
PRACTICE
9% GOVERNMENT/ MILITARY
10% JUDICIAL
CLERKSHIPS
15% BUSINESS
239/283 TOTAL 10 MONTHS AFTER GRADUATION
84% PLACEMENT RATE
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
94% FULL-TIME 6% PART-TIME 92% LONG-TERM 8% SHORT-TERM
EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES
75% BAR ADMISSION REQUIRED 0% NON-PROFESSIONAL 21% JD ADVANTAGE 4% PROFESSIONAL
5% PUBLIC
INTEREST
2% ACADEMIC * of those employed
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APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 15 TUITION & FEES 2021-22 RESIDENT: $19,498 NON-RESIDENT: $24,294
MEMPHIS LAW ENTERING CLASS PROFILE CLASS OF 2024
825
75%
54%
25%
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
MALE ENROLLMENT
46%
FEMALE ENROLLMENT
21-50
AGE RANGE
31%
RACIAL MINORITY ENROLLMENT
TENNESSEE RESIDENTS
NON-RESIDENTS
31%
FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE GRADUATES
118
STUDENTS CURRENTLY IN FIRST-YEAR CLASS
349
TOTAL LAW SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
157/3.68 75% LSAT/GPA
154/3.36 50% LSAT/GPA
152/3.03 25% LSAT/GPA *Statistics as 8/16/21
25
AVERAGE STUDENT AGE
Admissions Office | 1 North Front Street | Memphis, TN 38103 | 901.678.5403 lawadmissions@memphis.edu | memphis.edu/law Memphis Law | 53
1 NORTH FRONT STREET MEMPHIS, TN 38103-2189 uofmlaw.memphis.edu
The University of Memphis is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action University. It is committed to the education of a non-racially identifiable student body. UOM034-FY2122/5C Paulsen