The 48th annual Advocates’ Prize competition concluded Thursday, October 26, 2023. Sponsored by the Moot Court Board and the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution, the competition requires students to write an appellate brief that is evaluated by a panel of scoring judges and deliver two oral arguments before a panel of attorneys.
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee retired in 2023 after serving on the state’s highest court for 15 years. In her wake, she leaves a celebrated legacy of fair decision-making and a desire to ensure justice for every citizen. Childhood in the Courtroom Growing up in Madisonville, Tennessee, Sharon G.
Sometimes we choose our careers. Sometimes they choose us. When Justice Dwight E. Tarwater (UT Law, ’80) entered the legal profession more than four decades ago, he put aside ambitions of working as a public servant.
Judge Camille R. McMullen (UT Law, ’96) believes relationship building is key to a successful judicial system. “You have to be able to genuinely understand and build trust with the people who are serving with you in the same capacity, who also have a role in developing the law,” McMullen explains. “It really does matter.
Judge Hector Sanchez (UT Law, ’14) turned his own challenging personal experiences into a commitment to serving others. In 2022, Governor Bill Lee appointed Sanchez to fill a vacancy in the Sixth Judicial District Criminal Court. “I consider that my biggest professional success,” Sanchez says.
Max Williams once dreamed of a theatrical career. Now a second-year UT Law student, he hopes to bring about positive change in the world by taking on a different role. Williams earned his undergraduate degree in theater, with minors in dance and music.
I am pleased to share the appointments of seven new members to our distinguished faculty at the University of Tennessee College of Law. These talented scholars and teachers bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and immense talent that will further enrich our vibrant law school community.
For the second year in a row, the University of Tennessee College of Law welcomed its most highly credentialed class. The 143 students in the Class of 2026 boast a median GPA of 3.78 and a median LSAT of 162, the strongest numbers in school history.
A $2 million gift has been made to the University of Tennessee College of Law in the name of the Chattanooga-based law firm of Summers, Rufolo & Rodgers, P.C.