The Bench & Bar magazine is published to provide members of the KBA with information that will increase their knowledge of the law, improve the practice of law, and assist in improving the quality of legal services for the citizenry.
Issue link: https://kentuckybenchandbar.epubxp.com/i/546018
UK Law Class of 2015 Leaves a Legacy The Class of 2015 was the first class to participate in the newly created UK Law Legacy Program . The class raised more than $1,000 as part of a pay-it-forward initiative to build a philanthropic spirit while students are still in law school. Dean David A. Brennen explained the new Legacy Program, "This program allows students to show appreciation for their education and experiences at UK Law by bestowing a gift to the law school that will last beyond their time as students. In participat- ing, 3L students continue a long tradition of alumni support at UK Law and ensure that future students have the same outstanding experience that they did." Class of 2015 students Elizabeth Combs , Kevin Havelda , Ben Monarch and Aurelia Skipworth joined efforts with faculty to encourage their class to make a suggested donation of $20.15 to honor their year of graduation. The class reached an outstanding donor participation rate of 39 percent! Kevin Havelda , Class of 2015 student and member of the Legacy Program committee described the importance of student giving. "UK College of Law had given us so much already: incredible professors, connections in the legal community, and the prepara- tion necessary for life after graduation. It is essential that we contin- ue the culture of giving before we leave the doors, in order to continue to add value to our education even before we left." Aurelia Skipworth agreed, "UK Law has an atmosphere that devel- oped me into a better student, better professional, and a better person. It was important for me to give so other students can not only experience, but they can further develop the atmosphere of excellence at UK Law while becoming the best that they can be." The money raised by the Class of 2015 will be used to purchase artwork for the Limestone lobby entrance into the law school. The exiting 3L class voted and selected local artist Enrique Gonzalez to produce an original painting to be displayed for the law school community to enjoy. Albanian Judges Visit Campus On April 16, 2015, UK Law and the Patterson School of Diploma- cy were pleased to welcome to campus, in partnership with Assis- tant U.S. Attorney David Grise (UK Law '83) and U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove (UK Law '89), seven judges from the Al- banian School of Magistrates. The Albanian School of Magistrates provides initial legal training and is the sole provider of Continuing Legal Education for judges and prosecutors. The judges (Sokol Sadushaj, Dashamir Kore, Marjana Semini, Arta Mandro, Vangjel Kosta, Ador Koleka, and Jetnor Tafilaj) served on a panel during a student assembly with Grise and Professor Marianna Jackson Clay served as moderator. They discussed the similarities and differences between the judicial and legal education systems of Albania and the United States. Albania has a civil law system which has significant differences from the common law system at work in the United States. A few exam- ples of this include no juries, minimal application of case law, and a preference for educational institutions designed specifically for judges and prosecutors. During their visit, the Albanian judges had an opportunity to meet with faculty and staff in charge of several UK Law programs that were of special interest to them. "The visiting delegation was de- lighted to hear ways the College of Law has incorporated practical application of legal principles into its curriculum, including litigation skills courses, mock negotiations, legal research and writing classes, and legal and tax preparation clinics," Grise said. He noted that due to the nature of their work at the Albanian School of Magis- trates, the judges "were impressed with the College of Law's active CLE program." The academic experience for UK Law students is enhanced when exposed to outside judiciary proceedings and policies. However, it's more than just students who gain from this exposure; there is much to be said on the importance of judiciaries from different countries getting together to discuss their systems and procedures. "Many developing nations have benefited greatly from a continuing rela- tionship with a U.S. law school. This is particularly true of nations which emerged from communist governments within the last 25 years, which have no history of adversarial proceedings or inde- pendent judiciaries. The relationship also assists the U.S. Institution by exposing its faculty to the advantages of alternative systems and teaching methods," Grise explained. Developing Ideas Conference The University of Kentucky College of Law (UK Law) hosted its fifth Developing Ideas Conference on May 20, 2015. Eighteen un- tenured and recently tenured law faculty from a variety of law schools discussed research papers that they were currently working on or were planning to work on this summer. While many of the participants hailed from Kentucky and nearby states, such as Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee, others came from as far away as New York, Texas, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida. The one-day conference allowed participants to share their devel- oping ideas in an informal, supportive and engaging environment. The participants were divided into four groups of four or five per- sons. Each participant made a short presentation, which was fol- lowed by comments from the rest of the group. Several members of the UK Law faculty participated in these sessions and served as moderators. 36 B&B; • 7.15 C O L U M N S UK