Dean's Blog

As I will tell anyone who will listen, we have a very unique law school because of the wonderful relationship between the students and faculty. Last semester, some faculty decided that we could enhance that relationship even furhter by creating series of book clubs at the law school. Faculty members would volunteer their time to host groups of 8 students to discuss a work of fact or fiction of the faculty members' choosing. This would give the students the opportunity to get to know the faculty and would create an environment for the discussion of interesting and controversial issues.

Cumberland has a long history with the new vice-president, former Senator Joseph Biden. While I was a student here from 1971-1974, Vice-president Biden spoke twice - once as part of our Cordell Hull Speaker's Program and once at what was then the Law Week Banquet. What I remember most is how gracious he was. He was eager to engage the students and was happy to be here at Cumberland.

He later paid other visits to the law school and struck up friendships with some of our students that have lasted throughout the years.

The second semester is off to a great start with one exception. It was 12 degrees in Birmingham this morning. The good thing is that it will be back up in the 60's next week.

I wanted to use my first blog of the New Year to highlight some of our alumni and faculty and what their accomplishments.

This past week, I found myself in Washington D.C. speaking for the ALI-ABA again on the topic of the discovery of electronically stored information. As always, I spent time with some of our alums. I met with Bob Stropp '75, Bob Dawson '71 and Jerry Kennedy '84. Bob Stropp practices labor law from the union side with Mooney, Green, Baker & Sandoin. Bob and I were close friends in law school. Bob Dawson is the principal partner in Dawson & Associates one of the country's premier governmental affairs entities. Jerry Kennedy has been in governmental affairs and now teaches.

As a way of saying thanks to significant law school donors, the law school hosts "donor dinners" in various places. Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the donor dinner at The Pillars in Mobile. The dinner was attended by Bill Wasden '81 and Forrest Latta '83, Pete Mackey '83, Marion Quina '74, Judge Virgil Pittman and their spouses. These events are always great fun and provides me an easy way to learn the wonderful things our alumni are doing.