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Cumberland Dedicates the Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton Advanced Advocacy Courtroom
Cumberland School of Law prides itself on the high quality of its advocacy program, producing lawyers who are ready for practice. Over the past several years, a centerpiece of the law school’s advocacy training has been the Advanced Trial Advocacy course. That course, which is limited to 12 students a semester, emphasizes the use of real-world skills and technology. The Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton Advanced Advocacy Courtroom is an important part of the Advanced Trial Advocacy course and the law school’s overall advocacy program. At the dedication ceremony in his opening remarks, Samford University President Andrew Westmoreland gave a “heartfelt thanks” to those who have been called to be advocates and thanked Hare Wynn for its generosity. President Westmoreland's remarks were followed by remarks from Scott Powell, a 1978 graduate of Cumberland School of Law and partner at Hare Wynn. Powell noted this gift went along with the vision of the founders of the Hare Wynn (Francis Hare Sr., Carl Wynn, Neal Newell and Alex Newton) and their commitment to better the legal profession. The partnership is a perfect fit for Cumberland School of Law and Hare Wynn, because each is nationally recognized for advocacy. In 2012, U.S. News & World Report ranked Cumberland School of Law fourth among all U.S. law schools in trial advocacy education. In 2011, Hare Wynn was recognized by the National Law Journal on its “Plaintiffs’ Hot List.” For this list, the National Law Journal asks its readers to identify law firms in the United States that have “done exemplary, cutting-edge work on the plaintiffs’ side.” Judge Joel Dubina, a 1973 graduate of Cumberland School of Law and chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, was the featured speaker at the dedication ceremony. He was introduced by John L. Carroll, dean and Ethel P. Malugen Professor of Law. Dean Carroll noted, “Judge Dubina is a model of what a lawyer should be” and that he was a “lawyer’s lawyer” and now a “judge’s judge.”
Professor Deborah Young, director of Cumberland School of Law’s Center for Advocacy and Clinical Education and former assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, gave the closing remarks. Professor Young teaches the Advanced Trial Advocacy course. She stated that she has the best job of all, because she gets to watch “each student master legal skills as the semester goes on.” Professor Young thanked the many lawyers who dedicate their time to teach and to train the next generation of Cumberland School of Law lawyers. Top Picture: From left, Samford University President Andrew Westmoreland, Dean John L. Carroll, D. Leon Ashford (Hare Wynn), Judge Joel F. Dubina and Scott A. Powell (Hare Wynn) Bottom Picture: A student demonstrates the technology in the Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton Advanced Advocacy Courtroom to attendees of the dedication luncheon.
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law dedicated its newly named Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton Advanced Advocacy Courtroom on Monday, Feb. 18. A large group of judges, lawyers and students attended the ceremony. This partnership between Cumberland School of Law and law firm Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton [Hare Wynn] ensures for years to come that the law school will continue to train students in one of the finest technologically advanced teaching courtrooms in the country.
Judge Dubina explained how he had seen technology in courtrooms change over the last 40 years. He stated that the bench is “dependent on ethical and highly trained lawyers.” Judge Dubina thanked Hare Wynn for investing in the next generation of lawyers.