Page | 1

SRBLSA REGIONAL CONVENTION

The 40th Annual Southern Regional Convention will be hosted in Raleigh, NC. Alexis Carr, the Convention Coordinator, and her committee are working to ensure that this convention will provide beneficial information, networking opportunities and other aspects that will leverage law students and graduates.

Some of the Workshops for the convention include:

*Path to Becoming General Counsel

*Race & Gender in the Legal Profession

*A Guide to Sports and Entertainment Law

*Using Your JD for More than Lawyering

For more information please visit The Southern Regional Convention

Website We look forward to meeting you in

Raleigh!

ISSUE 2

YEAR 2011

VOLUME 1

AT A GLANCE ................ …………….. 1

UPCOMING EVENTS ....... ……………..1 SRBLSA CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT………..2

SRBLSA SERVICE…………………….3

SRBLSA SALUTES …………………….4

OPPORTUNITIES ………………………4

SRBLSA Focus “Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.”

~Aristotle

At a Glance

Upcoming Events

Southern Regional Convention

January 12-16, Raleigh, NC

Southern Regional Job Fair

January 14, Raleigh, NC

Southern Regional Community

Service January 13, Raleigh, NC

REGIONAL CONVENTION JANUARY 12-16, 2011

Hi BLSA Family,

2011 has arrived and the first order of business is this year’s 40th Regional Convention! Below are some important links that are significant

to the business and success of the convention. Please take a look at each of the links and turn in any applicable information. The SRBLSA

E- Board is excited to meet all those that will be in attendance at the Convention.

CHAPTER OF THE YEAR

APPLICATIONS

SRBLSA Chapter of the Year deadline has been extended

(Click on the link below)

Chapter of the Year Documents

SRBLSA ELECTIONS

Holding a SRBLSA Executive Board position is a great opportunity to

travel, network, and meet some of your future colleagues from various schools

throughout the country (Click on the link below)

SRBLSA Election Documents

SRBLSA CONSTITUTION AND

BYLAW PROPOSALS

Members can only make proposed amendments to the SRBLSA bylaws. Proposal forms must submitted by

January 10th, 2011.

(Click on the links below)

Constitution Bylaws

Proposal Forms

Page | 2

Happy New year BLSA members! As we all prepare to return to our law school routine I challenge everyone to go into this next semester and continue into the New Year with a different outlook and perspective from that of last year. Some of us, the privileged few, will embark on the last semester of law school, while others will further advance our law school careers. Despite our individual directions, take the opportunity to set goals that you know will enhance some aspect of your life. For instance create a list of influential people that you want to meet this year, challenge yourself to try something new each month (step outside your comfort zone), reconnect with old friends, and take a moment each day to reflect and relax. Overall, as law students we may become consumed with our studies; however, never lose sight of the bigger picture. Thus, my greatest challenge to everyone is to live a fulfilling life in which the occasional monotony of law school and your everyday routine do not overshadow your multifaceted personality. Because you are not just a law student; you are that, and so much more!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

BLSA Chapter Spotlight

NEW YEAR’S CHALLENGE!

UT BLSA Black History Month

On February 18, 2010, BLSA was honored to have Rita

Geier give a presentation to the student body. In 1968,

Ms. Geier sued the state of Tennessee to desegregate its

higher education systems and she prevailed. Ms. Geier

was named associate to UT Knoxville Chancellor Loren

Crabtree, and has been charged with helping lead

intercultural efforts and implement goals of the

university's diversity plan and Ready for the World

initiative.

UT BLSA Haiti Ball

In lieu of our annual Mardi Gras Ball, this year we decided that we

would support Haiti after the devastating earthquake that hit in early

January 2010. And so, the UT Chapter of BLSA with the help of other

law school organizations hosted a Masquerade Ball. One-half of all

the proceeds raised went to the “Doctors Without Borders Emergency

Relief Fund.” We chose DWB because it has been working in Haiti

for 19 years. At the time they were operating three emergency

hospitals in Port-au- Prince, and had mobilized a large emergency

response to the disaster. Our contribution was to help enable DWB to

send additional doctors and medical equipment to Haiti. The

following law school organizations helped promote the event and

helped sell tickets: Student Bar Association, Law Women, LAMBDA,

Environmental Law Organization, and Phi Alpha Delta. We also

received generous sponsorship from the following law organizations:

Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis (law firm, Kramer Rayson (law

firm), and Lexis Nexis (research organization). Professors and fellow

law students were also encouraged to donate money if they were not

able to attend the event.

With the sponsorship, donations and the proceeds from the

sales of tickets, we were able to raise and donate $3000 to Doctors

Without Borders.

Emory BLSA Members with the Honorable

Judge Hatchett

Boys & Girls Club Halloween Party

University of Tennessee College of Law

University of Mississippi School of Law

Emory University School of Law

University of Mississippi School of Law

Page | 3

“Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life…” ~Marian Wright Elderman

SRBLSA SERVICE

Though not nearly all, here are a few great examples of service occurring within our Region:

Wake Forest University School of Law The BLSA Chapter at Wake Forest School of Law recently collected over 300 items of professional clothing

that they donated to local shelters for the benefit of male and female residents beginning their career search. Additionally, the Chapter participated in Project Pumpkin to provide a safe environment for

children to celebrate Halloween with games and goodies.

Barry College of Law In the previous months, Barry College of Law's BLSA Chapter participated in raising awareness of various health issues by taking part in The Heart Walk, The Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon, and The Making

Strides Walk. The Chapter also demonstrated its commitment to the needs of our planet by co-hosting an Environmental Justice Summit on the Campus of Barry University.

Georgia State Law School

The Georgia State Law School BLSA Chapter has served both its members and its community this fall with an Academic Retreat for its Chapter's incoming 1Ls as well as staging a Mock Contracts Exam for them. Among its services to its local community, the Chapter partnered with King Middle School to assist its

students on the Moot Court Team.

Charleston School of Law This fall, Charleston School of Law BLSA members sponsored a fall coat drive and donated the coats to Tri-County Ministries. Additionally, the chapter held its Annual Law School-Wide Community Service Event of

providing gifts to children through the Angel Tree project.

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Legal Eagles is one of the innovative programs sponsored by The University of Memphis BLSA Chapter. BLSA

members have partnered with a local Elementary School and formed an afterschool program focused on teaching 4th and 5th graders about the many facts of the law. The BLSA members role play, tutor, and provide

the children with a safe, encouraging environment in which to learn and express themselves.

University of Miami School of Law In the Fall semester, the University of Miami BLSA members gathered to participate in three uplifting

community service activities. BLSA members took part in a park restoration project, participated in the annual Ghandi Day of Service working at Zoo Miami, and hosted two activity booths at the annual Canes Carnival that

the University of Miami School of Law hosts for children and youth in the West Grove area.

Cumberland School of Law BLSA members at the Cumberland School of Law recently hosted a Soles 4 Souls shoe drive. The chapter

collected over 100 pairs of shoes which they donated to the Soles 4 Souls International Charity.

Vanderbilt University School of Law The Vanderbilt Chapter of BLSA served its membership, campus body and others as host of the Tennessee Alliance of Black Lawyers’ Law Student Conference. The Chapter, along with one of the Conference’s esteemed speakers, the General Counsel of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, led a discussion on Leadership, Ethics and Legal Opportunities in the Federal Sector.

John Marshall Law School The members of the John Marshall Law School BLSA have furthered the educational efforts of many deserving

students by helping to distribute over 2,000 book bags, complete with school supplies, to underprivileged students in the Atlanta-Metro area.

St. Thomas University School of Law

Once a month throughout the fall, volunteers from St. Thomas University’s BLSA Chapter committed 3+ hours of their time in offering their support to families with children in need of medical care. BLSA members assisted

these families in various ways to overcome the everyday obstacles associated with their children’s medical needs.

Loyola University School of Law

The BLSA Chapter at Loyola has served its community through education and awareness. BLSA Members completed the Annual Angola Trip in which a chartered bus of Loyola law students and faculty visited the

Angola Prison to bring awareness to the percentage of incarcerated African American males in the adult prison system.

University of Georgia School of Law

BLSA members at the University of Georgia School of Law organized a successful four-week long donation drive in support of Hope House, a local assisted-living facility for individuals with mental health disorders. The BLSA

members were able to collect various items that were needed by the Hope House including new and used household furniture, appliances, and other items.

SRBLSA Community Service Initiatives

Reminder: The 2010-2011 SRBLSA Community Service Initiatives are: 1. Rendering Effective Activism in Communities Together (REACT) 2. Human Rights 3. Homelessness

Page | 4

Oliver White Hill, Sr. Social Action Award

- Deadline: February 28, 2011

o Apply today!

Johnnie L. Cochran Social Consciousness Award

- Deadline: February 28, 2011

o Apply today!

NBLSA's 2011 Lobby Day

- Meet your legislators. Make a difference. Registration closes January 21, 2011. Register today!

4lawschoool.com

- list of internships in various legal areas http://www.4lawschool.com/internships.htm

University of Memphis School of Law

Sasha Gilmore- Small Business Clinic

Geoffrey Lewis- Disability Law

Jessica Reeves- 1L Law Alumni Scholarship Recipient

Elizabeth McClellan- Wrote a winning journal article to be published

Tulane University Law School

Sabine Baptiste-- Maritime Law Journal

Sam Ford -- Environmental Law Journal

Andrea Holmes -- Mock Trial

Tela Justice and Chad Sanders -- Journal of Technology and Intellectual Property

Jamal Knight – Sports Lawyers Journal

Erin Sanders -- ADR Moot Court

Joy Green - Received a financial scholarship from the Louisiana Black Judges Association.

University of Arkansas School of Law

Kambira Jones and Glenn Cason- University of Arkansas School of Law Trial Advocacy

Champions

Cordell Simmons- Honor Council for the Law School

Johnathan Udoka and Dewayne Whitmore- Law Review

Khadijah Abdullah, Journal of Islamic Law and Culture; Junior Editor

Emory University School of Law

Andrew Cooper- "Best Advocate Award" at the Michigan State University College Of Law

National Trial Advocacy Competition.

April Ross, 3L, and Holly Sheffield, 2L- WON the Regional ABA Section of Labor and

Employment Law’s Law Student Trial Advocacy Competition.

o They will move on to compete at the National Competition in Los Angeles January 29-

30.

Samford University Cumberland School of Law

Courtney Snelling - Winning the Magic City Bar Association Scholarship for 2010.

University of Georgia School of Law

Emmanuel Azih - Awarded the Finnegan Diversity IP Scholarship and the Donald W.

Banner Diversity Scholarship.

Lindsey Buckner - Awarded the Wyckliffe A. Knox, Jr. Law School Scholarship.

Kimberly Jones - Named Miss Black Georgia USA 2010 and First Runner up to Miss Black

USA 2010.

Jennifer McNeely - Semi finalist in the Talmadge Moot Court Competition.

Christopher Stokes- Awarded the Black Faculty and Staff Organization’s (BFSO) Founders

Award Stokes, based on outstanding leadership and scholarship at the University of Georgia.

LOOKING FOR LIFE OUTSIDE

OF LAW SCHOOL ?

Do not miss Out on these Opportunities

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises." ~Demosthenes

SRBLSA SALUTES….

To submit an article or information to SRBLSA Focus

please e-mail the editor, Ashley Pruitt

communications.srblsa@gmail.com .

Suggestions

Visit free Museums

Attend a Play

Play an intramural

sport

Typically every local

newspaper has a “Things

to Do section.” Check it

out and try some of the

activities that are taking

place in your area!