College of Law 2023 Viewbook

J U R I S D O C TO R

COLLEGE OF LAW

Welcome to Belmont Law. Lawyers are a tremendous force for good. At Belmont Law we believe lawyers have a special responsibility in American society. We value public service, and our goal is to produce leaders in the bar and in our community. We incorporate ethics, professionalism and integrity into everything we do. We believe law students become professionals on the day they enter law school, rather than on the day they graduate.

During my career as a lawyer I have witnessed numerous changes in our profession. For one, law firms today expect new lawyers to “hit the ground running.” Consequently, the Belmont Law faculty of experienced teachers, scholars and practicing attorneys integrate traditional legal analysis and practical legal skills, with the goal of graduating practice-ready attorneys for today’s global market.

Additionally, today it is more common for someone with a law degree to have multiple careers with different employers.

A quality legal education is the foundation that provides the flexibility to pursue one’s dreams. We take seriously our obligation to help prepare our students to make the choices that will lead to a more productive and satisfying life.

We hope you will take the opportunity to review our website and learn more. We also invite you to visit us in the vibrant city of Nashville. It would be my pleasure to meet with you personally to explore how Belmont Law can prepare you to become a successful attorney, as well as the many opportunities to serve others with a law degree.

Hope to see you soon,

A L B E R TO R . G O N Z A L E S Dean and Doyle Rogers Distinguished Professor of Law

QUALIT Y L EGA L

EDU CATION in Tennessee’s capital city

S T U D E N T to F A C U L T Y

RATIO 18:1 One of Forbes’ F A S T E S T

GROW I NG CITIES IN AMERICA

W H Y B E L M O N T L AW

INDUSTRIES IN THE “IT” CITY Music and Sports Entertainment

The mission of Belmont University College of Law is to prepare qualified students with an excellent understanding of the law that will equip them to become professional counselors, advocates and judges; researchers,

Government Non-Profits

teachers and philosophers of the law; entrepreneurs; and engaged

Health Care Management

citizens. Belmont University College of Law is committed to the Christian

Corporate Operations

tradition. We believe that instilling the highest standards of personal and

Advertising and Media

professional conduct is our ethical and communal responsibility. We seek

Tourism

to ensure that the knowledge and values that we transmit to our students serve the ends of justice.

Located 2 miles from

DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE Practice-oriented program just

ST EP S FR OM

MUSIC ROW

S H E R I E E D WA R D S Vice President, Corporate & Legal, SVMIC

RUSS MILLER

Past President, Tennessee Bar Association

Member Bass, Berry & Sims PLC

“I have had the pleasure of mentoring

“We have had tremendous success hiring

students through the Belmont Law

Belmont Law students through our

F R A N K G . C L E M E N T, J R .

Tennessee Court of Appeals

“I have had the pleasure to work with several Belmont College of Law students as interns and three graduates as law clerks in my chambers. I am consistently impressed with their commitment to the profession and ability to quickly learn how to accomplish the task at hand.”

Inn of Court. Through one-on-one

summer associate program over the

mentorship and working on legal

past five years. Belmont Law students

education presentations, I have been

have impressed our attorneys with their

impressed with the students’ intellectual

strong work ethic, professionalism

curiosity, dedication to studies,

and the quality of their work. We will

professionalism and ability to interact

continue to look to Belmont in the

with attorneys, judges and fellow law

future for law students that have the

students on a high level.”

potential to be great lawyers.”

ACADEMICS J U R I S D O C TO R P R O G R A M Belmont Law offers an innovative curriculum that integrates traditional legal analysis and practical legal skills. Each semester of the JD curriculum builds upon the prior semester. One unique aspect of Belmont Law’s curriculum is the practicum required each semester. Through practicum work, students become proficient in the practice of law. Students must also complete a rigorous writing requirement during their second or third year in order to graduate.

PRACTICAL LEGAL SKILLS Legal Research & Writing Client Interviewing & Counseling Litigation Negotiation

PA R T N E R S H I P P R O G R A M S

P R O F E S S O R L U C I A N D E R VA N Director of Criminal Justice Studies

JD + MBA PROGRAM Complete both degrees in 3 years with the Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business.

3 + 3 PROGRAMS Earn a BA or BS along with a JD through one of Belmont’s approved 3 + 3 programs.

C E R T I F I C AT E S

PROFESSOR D E B O R A H FA R R I N G E R Director of Health Law Studies

Our three certificate programs reflect top industries in Middle Tennessee.

Students may earn a certificate in addition to their JD within the threeyear curriculum. Completion of a certificate indicates to prospective employers that a student has specialized knowledge in their chosen field.

Students obtaining a certificate will receive a notation on their transcript.

C R I M I N A L L AW C E R T I F I C AT E H E A LT H L AW C E R T I F I C AT E E N T E R TA I N M E N T & M U S I C B U S I N E S S L AW C E R T I F I C AT E

PROFESSOR LOREN MULRAINE Director of Music & Entertainment Law Studies

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

R E A L -WO R L D E X P E R I E N C E S Belmont students have held summer, full-time, and field placement experiences in more than 200 organizations world-wide. Field placements allow students to earn credit-hours working in live-client situations, under the direct supervisor of an attorney. Experiences include: • Tennessee Court of Appeals • Disability Rights Tennessee • Tennessee Bureau of Investigation • Metropolitan Nashville Public Defender’s Office • Nashville Predators • Davidson County Department of Children’s Services

NASHVILLE IS OUR LEGAL CLINIC Nashville combines big-city charisma with small-town charm to create an enriching experience for Belmont Law students.

As Tennessee’s capitol city, Nashville is a major urban, government and not-for-profit center. Nashville is music, sports, and culture; quiet parks and rowdy festivals; cowboy boots and business suits. Welcome to Music City.

• United States Attorney’s Office—Middle District of Tennessee • Nashville Metropolitan Council • Tennessee Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts • Tennessee Attorney General—Consumer Advocate and Protection Division • BMI • CMA • CMT • Eventbrite • The Tennessee Titans

B OA R D O F A D V O C AT E S The Board of Advocates at Belmont University College of Law is a great opportunity to get involved on campus, sharpen your practical legal skills, and form a sense of community with your law school peers. Our Board of Advocates is comprised of three types of teams: Moot Court, Mock Trial, and Transactional.

Teams compete and win championships on the regional and national levels.

Professor Amy Moore, Director of Advocacy, with one of Belmont’s award-winning teams.

I N T E R N AT I O N A L EXPERIENCES Belmont students have opportunities to study aboard through classes like Belmont Legal Globalization.

Students continued their studies of international white collar crime in Australia, where they met with the Consulate General and various members of the U.S. Law enforcement community at the U.S. Consulate in Sydney to learn about their international law enforcement operations.

Belmont Law students enjoyed Australian excursions outside of meetings with top government officials and hands-on experiences with their judicial system.

PROFESSOR KRISTI ARTH Director of Field Placements Professor Arth ensures our students have success finding legal opportunities throughout the world.

PUBLIC INTEREST PRO BONO CLINICS

SPECIALIZED CAREER SERVICES

Belmont partners with community organizations to put on pro bono

The Office of Career and Professional Development offers specialized career

legal clinics in the Middle Tennessee area. Our students have had the

counseling to students seeking public interest careers. Services include

opportunity to volunteer with several groups including, but not limited to:

resume and cover letter review, individual coaching, and public interest

• Expungement Clinics

job search strategies. The Office regularly hosts programming focused on

• Estate Planning Clinics • Free Legal Answers Clinics

public interest careers and even has a Public Interest Coordinator to assist students interested in this legal practice.

• Debt and Bankruptcy Clinics

L AW S T U D E N T S F O R J U S T I C E

• Immigration Clinics

Belmont encourages students to complete the Pro Bono Pledge by performing 50 or more hours of pro bono service during their law school careers. These students are recognized at graduation and are named a Law Student for Justice by the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Belmont Law students partnered with the Tennessee Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division and the

Belmont Law students partnered with Doors

Administrative Office of the Courts Access to Justice Initiative to launch the first ever Essential Documents for

of Hope, a re-entry program representative,

Essential Workers clinic. Volunteer attorneys met with officers from the Franklin Police Department to draft

and TN Supreme Court Access to Justice to

and execute Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Advanced Healthcare Directives. Law students and Belmont staff

offer legal aid at the Rutherford County Adult

served as witnesses for the estate documents.

Detention Center and Work Center.

M E N TO R S H I P A N D D E V E L O P M E N T

AT TO R N E Y M E N TO R S

JESSICA GAPP Class of 2020

The opportunity to connect with judges and attorneys in a structured format on a monthly basis is an invaluable benefit offered to first-year students through our chapter of the American Inns of Court.

P E E R M E N TO R S Match with a 2L or 3L through our Peer Mentor Program to receive

“As the first person in my family to go to law school...I felt like I was navigating a foreign land without a compass. That all changed when I met my attorney mentor.

From our first meeting until today, my

advice on class preparation, exams, outlining, summer internships, and

mentor has been a constant source of

networking within the student body.

guidance, stress-relief, and friendship.”

YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY

1 L TO L AW Y E R

FALL

1L

Professional Development Week Meet legal professionals at the Employer Information Day and on-campus interviews Apply for summer legal positions or field placements

FALL

2L

Meet your attorney mentor Monthly American Inn of Court meetings begin Meet with the Office of Career & Professional Development for resume coaching, cover letter writing, interview and application workshops

1L

SPRING

Begin student membership in the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) Continue & strengthen relationship with Inn of Court attorney mentor On-Campus Interviews (OCI’s)

Professional Development Week Network through special-interest student organizations Apply for summer legal positions or field placements Grow professional identity through specialized coaching and workshops

FALL

3L

Professional Development Week Bar Refresher Course Finalize after-grad employment

2L SPRING Renew your student membership in the TBA Check our career portal bi-weekly for job postings

3L SPRING

CAREER SERVICES THE OFFICE OF CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Office of Career and Professional Development prepares students for success through individualized coaching, small group workshops, and employer fairs. On-campus interviews, mock interviews, internships, and assistance with job placement are just some of the services provided.

Resume writing Career advising Personalized employer communication strategies Job search strategies

G R A D U AT E E M P L O Y M E N T C AT E G O R I E S 56% FIRMS 15% BUSINESS & INDUSTRY 12% GOVERNMENT 9 % P U B L I C I N T E R E S T & E D U C AT I O N

ABA employment data from the most recent reported class

8% JUDICIAL CLERKSHIPS

Employer fairs and on campus interviews are just a couple ways our students connect with others, creating a strong employment success rate.

Belmont Law graduates are practicing all over the United States and provide a robust alumni base for extensive networking opportunities.

FA C U LT Y Belmont Law’s faculty is highly experienced and well-credentialed. Visit belmont.edu/law to learn more about our 20 full-time faculty members.

EXPERIENCED

TEACHERS

PROFESSOR L U C I A N D E R VA N Director of Criminal Justice Studies Chair of the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section Global White Collar Crime Institute

PROFESSOR TRACEY CARTER

Chair of the ABA Commission on the American Jury

Director of Academic Success

Immediate Past Chair of the ABA CJS

1993 Truman Scholar

Professor Dervan has twice appeared before the United States House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee, and has testified before the Federal Senate of Brazil

Former Chief Diversity Officer, Tennessee State University Former Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Division of the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office

PROFESSOR T I M OT H Y C H I N A R I S Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association’s General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm Section Tennessee Bar Association Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee Member Tennessee Bar Association Attorney Well-Being Committee Member Former Ethics Director of the Florida Bar

PROFESSOR DEBORAH FA R R I N G E R

Immediate past chair, Florida Bar Committee on Professionalism

Director of Health Law Studies Former Senior Associate General Counsel, Vanderbilt University Faculty Supervisor for the Belmont Health Law Journal Coach - Moot Court Transactional Team

D E A N A L B E R TO GONZALES 80th Attorney General of the United States Former White House Counsel to the President

Seasoned

LEADERS

Former General Counsel to the Texas Governor Former Texas Secretary of State Previous Justice of the Texas Supreme Court

PRACTICING

Attorneys

PROFESSOR LOREN MULRAINE Director of Music & Entertainment Law Studies

PROFESSOR D AV I D H U D S O N Author, co-author, or co-editor of more than 40 books Justice Robert H. Jackson Legal Fellow for the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education

Legal clients have included Grammy, Dove and Stellar award winners, gold, platinum and multi-platinum selling artists, producers and songwriters, filmmakers, independent labels and management companies Of counsel with Bone McAllester Norton, PLLC

PROFESSOR TO R R Y J O H N S O N Three-term former District Attorney General of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Served on the American Bar Association’s Task Force on the Federalization of Criminal Law Serves on the steering committee of the Tennessee Criminal Justice Reinvestment Task Force

First Amendment Fellow for the Freedom Forum Institute Former resident scholar, First Amendment Center

PROFESSOR CHARLES TROST Past Commissioner of Revenue for the State of Tennessee

PROFESSOR HAROLD SEE

Life Member of the Uniform Law Commission

Retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama

Tennessee Uniform Law Commissioner

Contributing editor to the Federal Circuit Bar Journal

Reporter Draftsman of the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws—Executive Committee, Treasurer

PROFESSOR ELIZABETH USMAN Served as a law clerk to Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Former articles editor on the Boston College Law Review and graduated Order of the Coif

LEGAL

SC HOLA RS

PROGRAM OUTCOMES #1

IN THE NATION

94% EMPLOYMENT RATE 2022 Graduating Class

FOR HIGHEST ULTIMATE BAR PASSAGE RATE TWO YEARS IN A ROW American Bar Association

TOP 10 BEST VALUE PRIVATE SCHOOLS PreLaw Magazine

#6 IN THE NATION 2019 First Time Bar Pass Rate

ALUMNI SUCCESS

Belmont alumni are contributing to their communities all over the United States. They return for symposiums and other special events to connect with our students.

JESSICA BUTLER Class of 2019, Assistant Public Defender – Appellate Division “Belmont Law strives to make every student practice-ready with a wide offering of practical experiences, from summer internships to the Board of Advocates competition teams. Through the field placement program, I was able to gain exposure to several areas of practice, with placements at the Nashville District Attorney’s Office, the 21st Judicial District Public Defender, and even a semester clerkship on the Tennessee Court of Appeals. These opportunities gave me the perfect foundation for my current work in indigent appellate defense.”

J O E S TO VA L L Class of 2018, Marine Corps Judge Advocate ( JAG) “I felt a sense of comfort knowing that I was always welcome to walk into any of the faculties’ offices to discuss school, career goals, or even life in general. It is truly a one-of-a-kind support staff you have at your fingertips.

Furthermore, Belmont promised to have me practice-ready coming out of school, and it followed through on that promise. Thanks in large part to Belmont Law, I am confident that when my time comes, I will serve my country and my Marines in an exceptional manner.”

EMMIE FUTRELL Class of 2018, Associate at Ortale Kelley “The individualized coaching that I received through Moot Court and my professors’ determined dedication to my legal education not only gave me the skills I needed to feel confident and prepared to seamlessly begin arguing motions and conducting bench trials, but also gave me the confidence I needed to patiently and earnestly attain my dream job.”

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

THOMAS STEELE Class of 2020

MICAH BARRETT Class of 2023

“Unlike the typical persona of law school, Belmont is not at all a cut-throat or ultra-competitive atmosphere. While every student

JOSEPH NORTH Class of 2020

“I chose Belmont Law because it

strives to do well and works really

is highly respected not only by

hard, there is an overall atmosphere

the community but also future

of camaraderie and kindness. My

“I chose Belmont Law because its

employers. In addition, Belmont

experience here is that the students

sincere culture and challenging

Law offers practicum courses that

and faculty want you to succeed, and

curriculum are perfectly suited for

provide real world practice and

most are more than happy to help

grooming ambitious law students

creates practice ready attorneys.”

you however they can.”

into confident legal professionals.”

S T U D E N T O R G A N I Z AT I O N S & J O U R N A L S BELMONT LAW REVIEW The Law Review publishes an annual journal, consisting of articles written by attorneys, professors and scholars, and notes written by Law Review members.

BOARD OF ADVOCATES Students have the opportunity to practice trial advocacy, appellate advocacy and arbitration.

• Mock Trial (AAJ) • Moot Court (NAAC) • Transactional Team (Health Law)

AMERICAN CONSTITUTION SOCIETY BLACK LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY CRIMINAL LAW SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT LAW SOCIETY FAMILY LAW SOCIETY FEDERALIST SOCIETY HEALTH LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION LATINO LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION LEGAL AID SOCIETY OUTLAW STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION WOMEN’S LAW STUDENT ORGANIZATION

CURRICULUM

F I R S T Y E A R ( F U N D A M E N TA L Y E A R ) FALL SEMESTER

SPRING SEMESTER

Course

Credits

Course

Credits

Civil Procedure I: Mechanics

3

Civil Procedure II: Jurisdiction

3

Contracts & Sales

4

Constitutional Law I: Powers & Structures

3

Practicum – Legal Information & Communication I

3

Criminal Law

3

Torts

4

Practicum – Legal Information & Communication II

3

Property

3

Total Credits

14

Total Credits

15

SECOND YEAR (EXPERTISE YEAR) FALL SEMESTER

SPRING SEMESTER

Course

Credits

Constitutional Law II: Individual Rights

3

Elective Evidence

4

Practicum

Course

Credits

Business Associations

4

Criminal Constitutional Law

3

Elective Practicum

Wills & Trusts

3

Professional Responsibility

3

Total Credits

12–17

Total Credits

12–17

T H I R D Y E A R ( C A P S TO N E Y E A R ) FALL SEMESTER Course

SPRING SEMESTER Credits

Course

Credits

Elective

Bar Refresher Course II

6

Elective

Elective

Practicum

Elective

Elective

Practicum

Bar Refresher Course I

6

Secured Transactions

2

Total Credits

12–17

Total Credits

12–17

Students must complete a rigorous writing requirement during their 2L or 3L year.

Total Credits Required to Graduate: 88

PRACTICUM OPTIONS One practicum course is required each semester. Practicum courses are typically smaller classes (20 students or less) to allow students to dive into the practical aspects of the law.

Advanced Trial Advocacy

q

Entertainment Law Practicum

Board of Advocates Competition

q

Film and Television Transactional Law

Family Law Practicum

 Client Interviewing, Counseling

¢ q

Negotiations

Field Placement

¢

Non-Profit Organizations

Healthcare Fraud and Abuse

¢

Health Law Blog

Immigration Law Practicum

¢

Health Law Practicum

Judiciary Practicum

¢

Mediation

¢

Medical Malpractice

¢

Practical Issues in the Judiciary

 ¢ 

& Communication 

Criminal Procedure



Estate Planning



Legal Technology Practicum



Practical Issues in Criminal Law



Sentencing Law



Trial Advocacy

¢ q

Alternative Dispute Resolution

¢ q

Contract Drafting

Estate Planning

Law Office Management

Advanced Legal Research

Legal Globalization and Comparative Law: Australia Pretrial Litigation Real Estate Transactions

Applied Legal Ethics

ELECTIVE OPTIONS Belmont Law Journal

q

International Business Transactions

Education Law

Health Care Fraud and Abuse Regulation

q

Law & Economics

Environmental Law



Immigration Law

q

Mass Media Law

Estate & Gift Taxation



Juvenile Law

¢ q

Mediation

Family Law



National Security Law

q

Sports Law

Federal Courts



State Constitutional Law

q

Trademark Law

¢ 

White Collar Crimes

¢

Administrative Law

Land Use



W rongful Convictions: Reasons & Remedies

¢

Biomedical Ethics

Law Review

¢

Disability Law

Remedies

q

Copyright Law

¢

Employment Law

q

Cyber Law

¢

Health Care Blog

q

Debtor-Creditor Law

¢

Health Care Business and Finance

Business Torts

¢

Health Law

Law of Private Practice

¢

Insurance Law

Race and the Law

¢

Mental Health Law

Corporate and Partnership Tax

¢

Products Liability

Election Law

¢

Public Health Law

State and Local Taxation

¢

Workers Compensation

 ¢ 

¢ q

Employment Discrimination

q

Entertainment Law

q

Federal Income Taxation

q

Franchising Law

q

Property

KEY  q ¢

Criminal Law Certificate Entertainment & Music Business Law Certificate Health Law Certificate

First Amendment

Sales Separation of Powers

Conflict of Laws Electives and practicums rotate depending on need and interest.

M I L I TA R Y B E N E F I T S Belmont University College of Law is committed to extending Yellow Ribbon Program and Post-9/11 GI-Bill funds to qualified veterans.

View the complete listing at belmont.edu/veterans

21

BELMONT LAW STUDENTS HAVE RECEIVED VETERAN BENEFITS* *Fall 2015–Spring 2020

SCHOLARSHIPS Bruin Tuition Remission Scholarships • Range from 25% to 100% tuition remission Dean’s Scholars Program • 100% tuition remission for select Early Decision Applicants Bell Tower Scholars Program • 50% tuition remission for select AAE Applicants Belmont Alumni Grant • 20% tuition remission to Belmont alumni who do not qualify for other scholarships

60%

STUDENTS RECEIVING SCHOLARSHIPS† †

Median merit scholarship of $36,495 for 2021–2022 academic year

For more information, contact our admissions team at

L AW@BE L MONT.E D U

C O L L E G E O F L AW 1900 Belmont Boulevard Nashville, TN 37212 615.460.8400 belmont.edu/law

@BelmontLaw

@belmont_law

/BelmontUniversityCollegeofLaw

Belmont University College of Law

Belmont University is a Christ-centered community. The University faculty, administration, and staff uphold Jesus as the Christ and as the measure for all things. As a community seeking to uphold Christian standards of morality, ethics, and conduct, Belmont University holds high expectations of each person who chooses to join the community. In compliance with federal law, including provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973/ the Americans with Disabilities Act, Belmont University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, military service, or sexual orientation in its administration of education policies, programs, or activities; its admissions policies; or employment. Consistent with applicable civil rights law, the University seeks employees of Christian faith who are committed to the mission of the University. The University has appointed the Chief Human Resources Officer/Deputy Title IX Coordinator to serve as coordinator of non-discrimination compliance for staff and faculty. The Director of Institutional Equity and Compliance and Title IX Coordinator serves as coordinator of compliance for Title IX (sex discrimination) issues and questions for students.

LAW-23347