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LAW NOTES spring 2017
MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN It seems the spring semester at UK Law flew by and another academic year has come to an end. Last month, we awarded 113 graduates with Juris Doctor degrees at a commencement ceremony held at the Singletary Center for the Arts. We also hosted our seventh annual golf tournament at the world class Keene Trace Golf Club. This year’s tournament, a four-person team best ball scramble, resulted in $6,000 in profit to benefit students at the law school. Since its inception in 2011, the golf tournament has netted nearly $75,000 to support student scholarships and place students in public interest positions. The college also continued one of its signature pro bono efforts – the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. This year, a total of 40 volunteers, including 28 law students and two law alumni, prepared and filed 518 tax returns, saving clients over $100,000 in preparation fees. Clients received $497,960 in federal refunds and $45,120 in state refunds. Finally, faculty and staff have been busy moving from the College of Law building to the former Seminary in order to begin our highly anticipated renovation and expansion project. Our world-class, accessible faculty continue to thrive. Professor Melynda Price was selected as UK Law’s University Research Professor for the 2017-18 academic year; Professor Richard Underwood went from scholarly professor to award-winning author after taking home two Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) for his book, CrimeSong: True Crime Stories From Southern Murder Ballads; and finally, Professor Richard C. Ausness spearheaded the sixth annual Developing Ideas Conference, held at the Hilary J. Boone Center on May 17. I look forward to honoring our distinguished alumni at our Annual Hall of Fame and Alumni Awards Reception. This year’s event will take place at the Owensboro Convention Center on June 21. As always, I hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones well. David A. Brennen Dean and Professor of Law
THE TASSEL WAS WORTH THE HASSLE: UK LAW HONORS CLASS OF 2017 AT SPRING COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY Every spring, the University of Kentucky College of Law hosts its commencement ceremony. Though the commencement format may rarely change, there is noticeable difference in seeing how each graduating class leaves its own unique mark. Friday, May 6, was dedicated to celebrating the Class of 2017. 113 eager law students walked across the stage in the Singletary Center for the Arts ready to claim their award for three years of hard work: a UK Law diploma. “Today is a day of joy – for graduates and for all of us here today. We all share your sense of accomplishment, your sense of relief, and your sense of anticipation about the future,” said David A. Brennen, Dean at UK Law. Dean Brennen went on to note the many accomplishments of this remarkable class. In just three years, these students achieved the extraordinary. Through various activities, such as the VITA Clinic, co-curricular legal skills enhancement activities, legal symposia, a new lecture series, StreetLaw and more, the Class of 2017 demonstrated an outward-focus that will continue to serve them as they begin their careers in law. As a further demonstration of a special type of commitment to UK Law, the Class of 2017 came together to “give back.” As a result of financial donations by the class, artwork will be placed in the new law building. After Dean Brennen presented members of the graduating class with certificates signifying attainment of the degree of Juris Doctor, Noelle True, College of Law Alumni Association President, wrapped up the ceremony by welcoming the new graduates to the legal profession. She left them with a parting line from Robert Fulghum’s All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. “And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together. So, congratulations. Welcome to the profession. And let’s stick together.”