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Campbell Law’s annual scholarship luncheon celebrates donors, recipients

Campbell Law held its annual Scholarship Appreciation Luncheon for donors and their recipients on March 5. More than 130 donors, alumni, students, faculty and staff members attended the event, including numerous distinguished Campbell Law alumni and former faculty members. The event was hosted by Dean J. Rich Leonard, who is in his 13th year leading the law school. “Thank all of you for being here, financing law school has just gotten more complicated for the new classes coming in, there are severe borrowing limitations and we are all trying to figure it out,” he said. “I say that because the supplemental money that you all provide is going to be even more critical in the future.” Learn more at this link.

ABA announces Campbell Law’s ultimate bar passage rate at 96.2 percent

Campbell Law’s ultimate bar passage rate is 96.2 percent, according to the most recent data on bar passage released by the American Bar Association (ABA)’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. The ABA released the latest comprehensive set of data on bar passage outcomes for ABA-approved law schools earlier this month. The new data shows that in the aggregate, 96.2 percent of 2023 law graduates who sat for a bar exam passed it within two years of graduation. Learn more at this link.

Campbell Law Class of 2026 secures highest number of judicial clerkships in school history

Campbell Law is celebrating a historic milestone as the Class of 2026 secures the highest number of judicial clerkships in the school’s 50-year history, which it is celebrating this year. Fourteen graduates will begin their legal careers serving judges across North Carolina and beyond, marking a significant achievement for the law school and its longstanding commitment to practical training and professional readiness, said Assistant Dean of Career Services and Professional Development Mallory Underwood. Learn more at this link.

Campbell Law advocates beat UCLA to win national AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition

After a team of Campbell Law advocates Haydn Bauer '26, Beau Marlette 26, Mikenna Morrison '27 and Caroline Shabet '27 won the Regional AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition on March 8, in Columbia, S.C., the team went on to defeat a team from UCLA law school to win the national AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition on March 29 in New Orleans! Marlette was also named National Best Advocate. The team is proudly coached by Director of Competitive Advocacy Rene Shekmer. Learn more at this link.

Campbell Law advocates win National Bayou Challenge Mock Trial Competition

Campbell Law advocates won the National Bayou Challenge Mock Trial Competition held March 13-15 at Louisiana State University law school in Baton Rouge. The team was made up of second-year law students Aidan Connor '27, Steven Downs '27, Caitlin Heidel '27 and Courtney Rea '27. “Heidel was also named Best Overall Oralist and Connor won the award for Best Cross Examination,” said the team’s coach, Director of Competitive Advocacy Rene Shekmer. The team was also coached by Director of Advocacy and Professor Chris Cox. Learn more at this link.

Campbell Law recognizes academic achievements, contributions at 49th annual Law Awards banquet

Campbell Law awarded and recognized distinguished members of the law school community for their academic achievements and contributions at the 49th annual Family Day Law Awards banquet, which was organized by the Student Bar Association (SBA) and held on Saturday, March 21, at the Sheraton City Center. Learn more at this link.

Women In Law celebrates 50 years of Campbell Law alumnae achievements with panel, reception

In honor of Campbell Law's 50th anniversary, members of the student-led Women in Law group hosted a panel commemorating 50 years of Campbell Law — specifically 50 years of women at the law school on March 26. The event, which was attended by more than 100 alumni, current students, faculty and staff, brought together a distinguished panel that included the Honorable Judge Jane Gray ’79, the Honorable N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall ’81, Vice Dean Raven Byrne ’06 and Raleigh attorney Amy Clay ’16. The discussion was moderated by Professor Emerita Margaret Currin ’79, a member of the first graduating class. The panelists shared their professional journeys and reflected on how their time at Campbell Law helped shape their paths in the legal field. A networking reception sponsored by Ellis Winters and Lexis Nexis followed in the Pope Foyer and members of Women in Law created a commemorative event booklet highlighting women from the Campbell Law community. "The event was a meaningful reflection on the past and a celebration of the future, honoring the women who have helped define Campbell Law for the last half-century while inspiring the next generation of legal professionals," says WIL President Katelyn Gallimore '26. Find more photos at this link.

Four students receive final Judge Robert Farmer Fellowships

The final four recipients of the Judge Robert Farmer Fellowships, which support law students working in the Wake County justice system over the summer, have been announced by Dean J. Rich Leonard. They are Helen Alexander ’28 (District Attorney's Office) and Madison Dyal ’27, Hailey Prevatte ’28 and Caroline Shabet ’27  (Public Defender's Office). The Fellowship, which was initially announced in May 2020, provides a $2,500 stipend to each recipient. Learn more at this link.

Campbell Law students, faculty and N.C. judges travel to Nottingham, England, to earn LL.M.

Campbell Law students, faculty and North Carolina judges traveled to Nottingham Law School in England over Spring Break as part of a unique collaboration between Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and the law school. The program, which began in 2017, provides an opportunity for Campbell Law students to develop high-level research and writing skills through the completion of an LL.M. in International Legal Studies that they can complete alongside their JD degree. Learn more at this link.

Campbell Law’s LeAnn Cain ’26 wins high merit award at 2026 Wiggins Memorial Symposium

Campbell Law’s LeAnn Cain ’26 presented her research at the 16th annual Wiggins Memorial Library Academic Symposium, where she debuted her project, “When Women Bear the Ultimate Responsibility: Gendered Blame in Criminal Prosecutions.” Her work was featured among the many student research projects, posters and creative works showcased across Campbell University’s academic disciplines on March 24. Cain’s presentation earned her a high merit award, which means she scored within the Top 10 percent of her category. Learn more at this link.

Campbell Law Review hosts symposium

Campbell Law celebrates Women's History Month

Campbell Law celebrated Women's History Month with a series of blog and social media posts featuring a number of current law students including Emma Baynard '26, LeAnn Cain '26, Melissa Dean '26, Dominique Frederick '26, Katelyn Gallimore '26, Jessica Griffin '26, Awa Mbai '27, Talley Ridgeway '26, Brooke Salgado '26 and Brittany Swanger '26.

Brittany Swanger ’27, Grace Whittemore ’27 named 2026 Richard A. Lord Moot Court Competition champions

A strong field of advocates competed in the 2026 Richard A. Lord Intramural Moot Court Competition, culminating in a final round that highlighted both exceptional student advocacy and the deep traditions that define this annual event, organizers said. The competition is sponsored and organized by the Old Kivett Advocacy Council. Brittany Swanger ’27 and Grace Whittemore ’27 emerged as the competition’s champions, capping a standout performance that also earned them the award for Best Brief. Their written advocacy placed them at the top of the field, and Whittemore further distinguished herself by receiving the Rick Edmundson Award for Best Oralist. Several teams delivered notable performances throughout the competition, said Director of Competitive Advocacy Rene Shekmer. Tanner Boone ’27 and Sabrina Hess ’27 were recognized as Best Brief Runners-Up for their strong written submission. Finalists Jackson Haskell ’27 and Rachael Cheeseman ’27 advanced through multiple rounds to earn a place in the final argument, demonstrating impressive preparation and poise, Shekmer said. Learn more at this link.

Campbell Law advocates win AtlAS Vis Pre-Moot Competition

Campbell Law advocates won the second edition of the AtlAS Vis Pre-Moot Competition held on March 6-7  in Atlanta, Georgia. The prevailing team, representing Campbell Law, consisted of Edmund Gunther ’26 and Abigail Sholes ’27. The second place in the teams’ tournament was occupied by advocates from the University of South Carolina. Additionally, Campbell Law’s Gunther won best oralist. The team is coached by Professor Raluca Papadima and Nicholas Wilkins ’26. In the general rounds, Campbell Law was represented by Suzy Brito Lagunas ’27, Mariana Bijelac ’27, Sholes and Gunther. Based on the results of the team in the general rounds, Campbell Law advanced to the final round of the competition, against University of South Carolina, and won the final through the efforts of Gunther and Sholes. Learn more at this link.

Darren Stephens ’26 finishes in Top 5 at 2026 Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition

Campbell Law's Darren Stephens ’26 delivered an exceptional performance at the 2026 Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition, finishing among the top five advocates out of roughly 150 students from law schools across the country. “His placement puts him in the highest tier of competitors at one of the nation’s most respected advocacy events,” said Director of Competitive Advocacy Rene Shekmer. Stephens competed as part of a three‑member team with William Alfonso ’26 and Kevin Goodman ’27. The group was coached by Margaret Westbrook and Lydia Carpenter ’20, who guided the students through months of preparation and practice. “Their combined effort resulted in a strong showing for the team and a standout individual achievement for Stephens,” Shekmer added. Learn more at this link.

2026 Spring Break Civil Rights Tour

2026 SBA Fundraiser Golf Tournament

Registration now open for 2026 On-Campus Recruiting and Resume Collect

Registration is now open for employers who would like to join Campbell Law’s 2026 On-Campus Recruiting and Resume Collect program. Email lawcareercenter@campbell.edu for a schedule or a link to register. "Whether you are recruiting for a summer intern or a post graduate, entry-level position, we would be delighted to introduce you to our talented students," said Assistant Dean of Career and Professional Development Mallory Underwood. Campbell Law prides itself on training students to be great lawyers. Whether you are recruiting students for summer 2027 internships or postgraduate opportunities, we invite you to join us for our 2026 On-Campus Interview and Resume Collect recruiting program. We now offer even more flexible recruiting options throughout the year to best accommodate your hiring needs. We look forward to introducing you to our talented students! Registration is now OPEN for Sessions 6-10. Learn more at this link.

Alumni News and Class Notes now available online

Did you get married, have a baby, get a promotion, get elected, retire or experience any other exciting life change? We want to hear about it! Submit your alumni note for inclusion in our newly published online Alumni News and Class Notes at this link. Send your updates to Coordinator of External Events Sharon Sparks at ssparks@campbell.edu or Director of Communications and Marketing Lisa Snedeker at lsnedeker@campbell.edu.