‘First African Americans on the North Carolina Bench’ traveling exhibit on display at Wake County Justice Center
Campbell Law School’s traveling exhibit honoring the contributions of pioneering African American judges in North Carolina was once again on display at the Wake County Justice Center in honor of Black History Month. The exhibit features Judge Elreta Melton Alexander-Ralston, Judge Sammie Chess, Jr., Judge Clifton E. Johnson, Judge Richard C. Erwin, former Chief Justice Henry Frye, Judge Cy A. Grant Sr., Judge Allyson K. Duncan and former Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson. The exhibit remained on display through February, said Campbell Law alumnus and Wake County Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway ’86. “We are thankful for the opportunity to once again showcase this outstanding exhibit in the Wake County Courthouse,” Ridgeway said. “We are honored to help educate the public on the important contributions made to our profession by the pioneers featured in the display.” Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law celebrates Black History Month 2025
Campbell Law's Black Law Student Association (BLSA) members celebrated Black History Month 2025 with a number of displays throughout the law school as well as events including a screening of the documentary of "Family Tree," an impactful documentary that explores the challenges and triumphs of African-American land ownership. Following the screening, attendees were treated to a moderated discussion with Edna and Tyrone Williams of Fourtee Acres Farm of Enfield, N.C., and dinner. BLSA members closed out the month with a celebration featuring both Ethiopian and American cuisine, music and conversation!
Campbell Law is looking for a few good judges
Campbell Law is co-hosting the 2025 Regional Tournament for the national American Advocates for Justice (AAJ) Student Trial Advocacy Competition (STAC) on March 7-9. The other co-hosts are Milberg Law and the University of South Carolina. Each year, AAJ hosts the STAC, showcasing top future trial lawyers. This tournament is one of the premier trial advocacy competitions in the country, and the winning team members are awarded a scholarship and invited to join AAJ at its annual convention in July. With 16 teams – two from Campbell Law — set to compete in person in the Regional Tournament, the competition will be held in the Wake County Courthouse beginning Friday, March 7, and continuing through Sunday, March 9. There is a need for judges throughout the tournament. Judges can use this link to signup.
N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson to speak at Campbell Law graduation ceremony
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson will offer the commencement address at Campbell Law’s 47th annual hooding and graduation ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2025, Dean J. Rich Leonard has announced. The celebration is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Memorial Auditorium in the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh. "It will be a true honor to speak at Campbell Law’s commencement ceremony and to meet the next generation of North Carolina’s attorneys,” said Jackson, who became the state’s 51st attorney general on Jan. 1, 2025. “These graduates will provide remarkable leadership in our state and beyond.” Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law ranks among ‘Most Devout’ for fourth time since 2019
Campbell Law has been ranked once again among the most devout Christian law schools in the nation by preLaw magazine, a National Jurist publication, in its Winter 2025 edition. Every two years, preLaw magazine spotlights the country’s “Most Devout Law Schools.” Campbell Law, which is among the 46 law schools in the U.S. that have ties to faith, has been ranked 19th in recognition of its devoutness, which is determined by how much emphasis a school places on religion in its curriculum, faculty makeup and daily campus life. This is the fourth time the law school has ranked among the magazine’s Top 20 “most devout” since 2019. Campbell Law is the only law school in North Carolina to be included in the ranking since that time. Learn more at this link.
Two Campbell Law students earn Stubbs Bankruptcy Fellowships
Two current Campbell Law students studying bankruptcy law have earned the Stubbs Bankruptcy Fellowships. Mike Boswell ‘25 and Nicholas Whitley ‘25 have each earned a $5,000 scholarship after completing the three bankruptcy courses offered by the law school, Dean J. Rich Leonard has announced. Thanks to Stubbs’ generous donation, a total of eight law students have earned the Stubbs Bankruptcy Fellowship since 2023. The courses include the Stubbs Bankruptcy Clinic taught by Director Ciara Rogers of Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC. Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law advocates finish as NTC regional champions, regional finalists
Both of Campbell Law School’s two competing teams advanced into the finals at the National Trial Competition (NTC) for Region 5 on Jan. 31-Feb. 2, held at the University of South Carolina, with one team advancing as Regional Champions. Zannah Tyndall ‘25 and Austin Graham ‘25, who were proudly coached by Jacob Morse ‘17, finished as Regional Champions after defeating William and Mary law school in the championship round, and are now headed to the 50th anniversary of the National Finals on April 2-6 at the Harris County Courthouse in Houston, Texas, where they will compete along with other regional winners from across the United States. Samantha Border ‘25 and Megan Pope ‘25, who were proudly coached by Maria Hawkins ‘12, finished as finalists. Border also brought home an Outstanding Advocate Award. “Our students demonstrated considerable talent in the courtrooms in Columbia and put themselves in a position to win after weeks of hard work and practice with their peers and volunteer jurors,” Morse said. “For the third year in a row, the NTC Finals will have a Campbell team competing, and that is no coincidence.” Learn more at this link.
Vis Moot Teams gear up for Hong Kong, Vienna competitions
A team of eight law students from Campbell Law has been gearing up for two prestigious international legal competitions known throughout the world: The 32nd Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna, Austria, April 11-17, and the 22st Vis East Moot in Hong Kong, China, March 30-April 6. The Vis Moots offer law students unique opportunities to dive deep into international commercial arbitration. Campbell Law’s 2024-25 team consists of two third-year students, Sofia Gomez-Ayala and Jessica Osborn, and six second-year students, Imani Henderson, Lara Innes, Cole Maimone, Cole Rasenberger, Nicholas Wilkins and Meghan Drum, each bringing unique strengths and perspectives to the competition. Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law teams reach finals in 2025 ABA Client Counseling Competition Regionals, head to nationals
Campbell Law advocates made it to the finals in yet another regional championship this time at the 2025 American Bar Association (ABA) Regional Client Counseling Competition in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Dean J. Rich Leonard has announced. Both Campbell teams and one team from Stetson University made it into the finals. Third-year students Kendall Barbour and Dakhari Davis were proudly coached by Grace Massarelli ’21. The team has been invited to participate in the 2024-2025 Client Counseling National Finals on March 15-16, 2025, in Missouri, said Director of Competitive Advocacy René Shekmer. Third-year students Hannah Brown and Sara Wilder Bryant, who finished third, were proudly coached by Skylar Gallagher ‘19. Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law advocates compete in Nashville, Oklahoma City and New Orleans
Campbell Law students form Plaintiffs’ Advocacy & Litigation Society (PALS) organization
Campbell Law students have formed a new organization known as the Plaintiffs’ Advocacy & Litigation Society (PALS). The student-led organization was co-founded by Jessica McClellan ‘25, Talley Ridgeway ‘26, Emmy Barcelona ‘26, Allison Wade ‘25 and Garrett Anderson ’25, who make up the inaugural executive board. “PALS was created to meet students’ growing interest in connecting with plaintiff’s attorneys and gaining a deeper understanding of the realities of trial practice,” explained McClellan. “Our goal is to foster a welcoming community for aspiring trial lawyers, providing mentorship, practical insights and professional development opportunities." Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law students volunteer at naturalization clinic on MLK Day
Campbell Law students partnered with Catholic Charities to hold a naturalization clinic for immigrants on Martin Luther King Day 2025. The clinic, which was held at Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry and Outreach Center, served nearly 20 clients, said Madison Bennett ‘25, who is one of the leaders of Campbell Law’s pro bono Immigration and Refugee Rights Project (IRRP). “We had 17 law school student volunteers, which was a record for me in holding these naturalization clinics,” Bennett said. Local attorneys and experts in the field of refugee issues were on hand to help supervise the law students as they assisted in giving the immigrants information about aid they may be eligible for, including temporary protected status, humanitarian re-parole and employment authorization. Learn more at this link.
The annual Campbell Law Student Bar Association Golf Tournament is fast approaching, and will take place on Friday, March 21, at Eagle Ridge Golf Club with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Registration includes lunch and access to the driving range and putting green. Ticket prices are $30 for students, $50 for family, faculty and staff, $75 for alumni and $100 for attorneys. The tournament will have four (4) players on each team. If you are a single player without a team, you will automatically be assigned to a team with other single players. There will be prizes for first place, second place, third place, the longest drive and closest to the pin. All proceeds go to the Campbell Law Student Bar Association, which is responsible for planning a wide variety of law school events and providing funding to all student organizations on campus. For questions or sponsorships, contact SBA President Cole Hallum '25 at cshallum0629@email.campbell.edu or SBA Student Life Chair Evey Morris '26 at eemorris0327@email.campbell.edu. To sponsor or register for the golf tournament, visit this link.
Assistant Professor Nicole Ligon publishes article in Penn State Law Review
Campbell Law Assistant Professor Nicole Ligon has had an article published in the Penn State Law Review. The article, titled “In Support of Free Speech on Food Production,” was published on Feb. 12 and focuses on “food disparagement laws” and state laws aimed at stifling undercover investigations into agricultural practices on farms and plants. Learn more at this link.
Assistant Professor Chris Cox publishes article in Southern Illinois University Law Journal
Campbell Law Assistant Professor Chris Cox has recently published an article in the Southern Illinois University Law Journal. The article, titled "Empirically Testing the ‘Unbiased Fact Finder[s],’” explores criminal justice decision-making within the context of the military justice system. Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law Review to host annual symposium, CLE on March 20
The Campbell Law Review has announced registration is now open for its 2025 Symposium, "Navigating New Boundaries: Agency Law’s Next Chapter in North Carolina," set for March 20, 2025. The symposium will bring together legal scholars, practitioners and policymakers to discuss the evolving landscape of administrative law at both the federal and state levels. "Our distinguished panelists will explore recent developments and their impact on agencies, courts and regulated industries," according to Campbell Law Review Vol. 47 Symposium Editor Sara Wilder Bryant '25. The evening will begin with a networking hour at 5, followed by the program at 6, with dinner provided. Attorneys in attendance will be eligible for CLE credit. Space is limited, so sign up soon to reserve your spot at this link. Campbell Law students are invited to sign up to be waitlisted at this link. Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law Alumna Spotlight: Zoey Howe ’24
Zoey Howe ’24 is currently serving as the Higher Education Law Fellow in the Office of University Counsel at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. While at Campbell Law School she interned with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, where she had the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in immigration law and participate in the adjudication of immigrant applications. She was also a member of Women In Law, the Campbell Law Innocence Pro Bono Project, the Campbell Law Sports and Entertainment Law Society and she served as an executive board member for the Campbell Law Democrats. 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 External Relations and Events Coordinator Sharon Sparks at ssparks@campbell.edu or Director of Communications and Marketing Lisa Snedeker at lsnedeker@campbell.edu.
SAVE THE DATE
- Annual Scholarship Luncheon March 6
- AAJ STAC Regional Competition March 7-9
- Campbell Law Review Symposium March 20
- SBA Annual Golf Fundraiser Tournament March 21
- Campbell Law CU Baseball Game March 22
- Family Law Day and Awards Banquet March 29
- Admitted Students Day April 5
- Blanchard Community Law Clinic Fundraiser April 8
- Alumni Association Reunion for Classes of 1980, 1985, 1995, 2000, 2015 and 2020 on May 3
- Campbell Law Hooding and Commencement May 9
- Alumni Association Annual CLE October 24
Get your Campbell Law swag
Looking for Campbell Law apparel? Our Campbell Law brand shop is ready and open for business! All orders are made on demand and ship in approximately 15 days. We have T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, sweaters, jackets, hats, scarves, tumblers, coasters and more! Click here to shop.
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 2021! 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.