CAMPBELL LAW SIDEBAR
JULY 2023
Campbell Law students study abroad in Cambridge, England
Campbell Law students embarked on a five-week summer program in late June, joined by Samford University Cumberland School of Law students in England. The historical setting of Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge became the backdrop for their comparative study of U.S., British and European Union law. The group explored iconic landmarks, including the Inns of Court, Westminster Parliament, Buckingham Palace, and the famous Big Ben in London. Engaging in a Shakespeare Trial Advocacy master class was a highlight, followed by a memorable workshop with a talented actor from The Globe Theater. Beyond cultural experiences, the students delved into "Global Issues: Education as a Human Right" with Professor Lisa Lukasik from Campbell Law, and the art of persuasion with Professor McInerney from Cumberland Law. The group engaged in elective classes after completing "Law & History of the European Union." Dean J. Rich Leonard arrived at Cambridge University to lecture students as the program concluded in late July. Learn more at this link.
Florida Law Review article reveals Campbell Law grads outperform on bar exam
Two law school professors have published an article ranking Campbell Law School among the top schools that consistently overperform on the bar exam. Professor Christopher J. Ryan of the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law in Louisville, Kentucky, and Professor Derek T. Muller of the University of Notre Dame School of Law have published, “The Secret Sauce: Examining Law Schools that Overperform on the Bar Exam,” in the University of Florida Law Review. The article is based on a study released in February 2022. Campbell Law comes in at 11th in the article’s findings, sandwiched between the University of Virginia Law School and Yale University Law School. Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law dean, faculty present at 15th Global Legal Skills Conference on July 31
Dean J. Rich Leonard, Professor Caitlin Swift and Nottingham Law School Deputy Dean Matthew Homewood were among the speakers at the Legal Writing Institute’s 15th Global Legal Skills Conference at Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University in Nottingham, United Kingdom, on July 31. The conference ran from Sunday, July 30, until Tuesday, Aug. 1. Dean Leonard, Professor Swift and Dean Homewood discussed “Developing Global Legal Research and Writing Skills Through a Unique UK-US Collaboration” during one of the sessions. Learn more at this link.
Professor Kelly Cline joins Campbell Law
Dean J. Rich Leonard has announced Kelly Cline, a former associate at Chapman and Cutler LLP in New York, will join Campbell Law effective Aug. 11, 2023, as assistant professor. Cline will bring her background in corporate law to the classroom, where she will teach Business Organizations, Business Planning and Corporate Finance. In her most recent role at Chapman and Cutler, Cline was a member of the commercial lending and mergers and acquisitions teams. As the sole attorney in a family of nurses and engineers, her practice focused on financing companies in the life sciences industry. Cline has also served as in-house counsel. Prior to joining Chapman and Cutler LLP, Cline served as in-house counsel at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York. Originally from Bath, North Carolina, Cline said she is excited to return to her home state to contribute to the legal community. Learn more at this link.
WCBA Foundation grants 2023 scholarship to Scott Daubenspeck ‘25
The Wake County Bar Association (WCBA) Foundation Scholarship has been granted to Campbell Law’s Scott Daubenspeck ‘25 for this academic year. Daubenspeck, who lives in Raleigh, received $5,000, the WCBA’s Stephanie McGee announced. The WCBA scholarships are awarded annually to law students or persons about to enter law school who have Wake County ties and are funded through donations, the annual golf tournament and late fees from district bar dues. Daubenspeck’s studies are focused on family law and he spent this summer interning with the Fresh Start Family Law firm, where he had the opportunity to draft pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, subpoenas, court orders, correspondence. Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law’s Abigail Jenkins receives NCBA scholarship
Abigail Jenkins ‘25, a rising second-year student at Campbell Law, has received a scholarship from the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA)’s Government & Public Sector Section. This annual award recognizes law students interning in unpaid summer positions within federal, state or local government offices throughout North Carolina. The Government & Public Sector Section awarded four scholarships, each valued at $1,000, to deserving students who demonstrated a strong commitment to serving in government or public sector law offices. Jenkins is currently interning at the North Carolina Department of Justice. Learn more at this link.
N.C. Lawyers Weekly names Dean J. Rich Leonard, alumna among legal icons
Dean J. Rich Leonard and alumna Shelby D. Benton ‘85 have been recognized as legal icons by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly. This award honors senior leaders within the legal community who have left an indelible mark in their respective fields, according to the newspaper. “Icons are senior leaders of the legal community who have made their mark, in the courtroom or the boardroom, in their law firms or legal departments, with community organizations, and with local, state and national bar associations.” On July 20, North Carolina Lawyers Weekly celebrated the accomplishments of the Icons Class of 2023 at the Hilton Charlotte University Place. Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law Spotlights
Anthony Maier ’24 is a rising third-year student at Campbell Law, where he has a strong interest in corporate law and transactional work. Learn more about Maier here. Asia Lowe ’23 is a current third-year Campbell Law student, who plans to graduate in December 2023 and sit for the February 2024 bar exam. Learn more about Lowe here. Jacob Stewart is an accomplished 2023 graduate of Campbell Law, who was on Law Review and served as a Legal Writing Scholar. He graduated cum laude in May. Learn more about Stewart here. Jason White is a rising third-year student at Campbell Law, where he is involved in Moot Court and the Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA). Learn more about White here. Christian Smith-Bishop graduated from Campbell Law magna cum laude in 2023. While in law school, Smith-Bishop worked as a legal extern for the Durham City Attorney’s Office and the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice. Learn more about Smith-Bishop here.
Innovate Capital Business Law Clinic accepting applications for clients for Fall 2023
Campbell Law’s Innovate Capital Business Law Clinic is looking for a few good entrepreneurs or start-ups to receive free legal services in the fall of 2023. The clinic and its student attorneys strive to provide area businesses with specialized legal services needed to scale and grow. Clinic Director Benji Jones utilizes decades of experience working with start-ups to supervise up to eight third-year Campbell Law students. The Clinic is located in Raleigh Founded in the Raleigh warehouse district. “We are looking for about a dozen start-up businesses,” said Jones, who is also the Clinic’s co-founder. “The value of the free services they receive may range from several thousand dollars to more than $10,000.” Interested applicants should complete an online questionnaire at this link as soon as possible. Selections will be made in August 2023. Learn more at this link.
SAVE THE DATE
- Campbell Law Advantage Orientation Begins August 4
- 5th Annual Bike Ride Fundraiser October 21
- Annual Alumni Association CLE October 27
- U.S Supreme Court Swearing-in Trip November 6
- FLEX JD Program Information Session November 8
Are you a Campbell Law judge?
If you or anyone you know is a Campbell Law alumna/nus and also a current or past judge, we are expanding our "Judges of Campbell Law" wall we unveiled in October! The exhibit honors alumni who have served on a variety of judicial benches. Read more at this link. Please contact Coordinator of External Relations Sharon Sparks at ssparks@campbell.edu or call 919-865-4652 for more information.