Campbell Law Career Night introduces students to legal community
More than 300 law students and employers participated in Campbell Law School’s Career Center annual Career Night on Nov. 10. Career Night is a large-scale networking event designed to introduce first-year law students to attorneys from multiple practice settings and areas in the broader legal community, explained Assistant Dean of Career and Professional Development Mallory Underwood. “This is a very special evening, and really the only night like it all year, where we get to bring all of our students and present them to the legal community and give them an opportunity to see how phenomenal both our practicing bar and also our alumni are,” she said. “It’s their first introduction in many ways, and it really sets the stage for a high level of professionalism and the civility and positive, warm community elements that the Campbell Law community is known for.” For the second year, the Career Center’s signature event was held in downtown Raleigh’s Union Station and featured more than 50 employers. Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law raises more than $100k during Campbell Giving Day
The results are in: Campbell Law School raised a total of $104,380 on Giving Day 2025 from 190 online donors thanks to the school’s generous alumni, faculty, staff, students and supporters, Dean J. Rich Leonard announced. “We ended second in the $1,887 challenge (total number of unique individual donors) behind only the Lacrosse Team,” he explained. “No other professional school or unit received more individual donations that day.” The Class of 1996 won the Campbell Law Alumni Association’s award of an additional $5,000 donation for having the most individual class members give. Overall, The Class Alumni Challenge (between alumni classes 1981, 1986, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2016 and 2021) raised a combined $49,145 from 96 individual donors. “We are incredibly thankful for the support of our law school alumni and friends with their participation in the many matching gift challenges as well as the Class Alumni Challenge,” said Director of Development Josh McIntyre. “As a result, our law student scholarships have expanded and Campbell Law will continue to be at the forefront in delivering the best legal education in the classroom and the most experiential learning opportunities through our unrivaled clinical programs.” If you missed the chance to support Campbell Law during Giving Day, you can still make a contribution today using this link or click on the button below.
Campbell Law School former Dean Willis Whichard leaves unmatched legacy of public service
Campbell Law School’s third Dean and former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Willis P. Whichard died Nov. 18, 2025, in Chapel Hill. He was 85. Whichard served as Dean of the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University for seven years, from 1999 to 2006, before returning to private practice. As Dean, Whichard gave Clinical Professor Jon Powell ‘98 the green light to start the Juvenile Justice Project in 2003 with a grant from the Governor’s Crime Commission. It began as a clinical mediation program and served Harnett, Lee and Johnston counties. Juvenile criminal cases from the local district were referred by the district attorney’s office, Department of Juvenile Justice or local schools. The most typical crimes mediated through the program were assault and property crimes. In 2015, the program was renamed the Restorative Justice Clinic making it the law school’s longest running pro bono clinic. “Dean Whichard saw things that others could not see and he led with integrity to see those visions through to reality,” Powell said. “I am fortunate that he saw something in me and we are fortunate as a law school and a state to have had Willis Whichard as a huge part of our community.” Whichard holds the distinction of being the only person in the state to serve in both the North Carolina General Assembly House of Representatives (1970-1974) and the Senate (1974-1980) as well as on both appellate courts, the Court of Appeals (appointed 1980-86) and the Supreme Court of North Carolina (elected 1986-1998). Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law Advocacy Center namesake leaves lasting legacy
A sign that is featured prominently at Campbell Law School’s entrance – the G. Eugene Boyce Center of Advocacy – is a lasting legacy to the man who has given so much to the law school and his community. The law school’s most generous benefactor died on Oct. 28, after more than nine decades of an extraordinary, passionate and purpose-driven life. One of Gene Boyce’s passions was helping young people thrive and in 2015, he and his wife of 71 years, Pat Boyce, donated $500,000 to establish the advocacy center that bears his name. Sadly, Pat Boyce died on Thanksgiving Day. But the couple's generosity will live on through another $2.1 million gift for the law school's Competitive Advocacy Program, bringing their personal donations to more than $10 million. Learn more about the couple's extraordinary gifts at this link.
Gray Fellowships to provide path for state trial judges to earn international LL.M.
Former Wake County District Court Judge Jane Powell Gray ‘79 and attorney Frank Gray have generously agreed to help fund fellowships for state trial judges to earn an LL.M. in International Legal Studies, Dean J. Rich Leonard has announced. Judge Gray and her husband, Frank, have agreed to donate $25,000 to send two North Carolina judges to participate in the Campbell Law program that partners with Nottingham Law School in the United Kingdom to offer an LL.M. degree. The donation comes on the heels of state budget cuts affecting the AOC, Leonard said.“For almost a decade, state trial judges have joined my students as participants in this program,” he explained. “More than two dozen have earned their LL.M. degrees. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has generously supported the judges in this endeavor until this year. Sadly, budgetary constraints have eliminated this support for this year.” The Campbell Law/Nottingham partnership allows Campbell Law students, attorneys and judges to earn an LL.M., which involves online coursework and an in-person component at Nottingham Trent University’s law school. “Our students take an onboarding course here, then travel to Nottingham to present their thesis topic and be assigned a distinguished faculty member to oversee their writing process,” Leonard added. “The relationship between law students and judges has been a hallmark of this program we want to continue. I am glad to announce that it can, due to a generous gift from Judge Jane Gray and her husband, Frank Gray.” Campbell Law will be able to offer two Gray Fellowships of $12,500 each to state trial judges chosen by the AOC to participate in the program, beginning with the 2026 spring semester. “They will join my law students in class this spring, and participate in our spring break trip to Nottingham to enroll in the LL.M. program there,” Leonard said. Learn more at this link.
Hutchens Business Law Clinic is looking for entrepreneurs
Campbell Law's Hutchens Business Law Clinic is looking for a few good entrepreneurs or start-ups to receive free legal services this coming spring. 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 School students. The Clinic is located in Raleigh Founded’s North Street location at 509 West North St. “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 December. Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law advocates win national moot court regional competition
Campbell Law sent two teams of advocates to the New York City Bar National Moot Court Regional Competition on Nov. 15-16 in Richmond, Virginia, one of which brought home a trophy and the best oralist award. Both teams made it to the quarter-finals resulting in a Campbell vs. Campbell round. The first team – Jessica Griffin ‘26, Christian Ray ‘26 and Justin Booker ‘26 with Coach Justin Lockett ‘22 — faced the second team – Robert Massey ‘26 and Shannon Conrad ‘26 with Coach Morgan Pierce ‘18 — with the first team eventually advancing to the semi-finals. The end result? Campbell Law advocates Griffin, Ray and Booker are the NYC National Moot Court Regional Champions. And Griffin was also awarded Best Oralist. The team and their coach will head to the national competition in New York City on Jan. 28-30, 2026. “Congratulations to both teams and their coaches,” said the law school’s Director of Competitive Advocacy Rene Shekmer. “They definitely earned it.” Learn more at this link.
Campbell Law advocates earn best brief award at veterans law competition
A Campbell Law moot court team has won the award “Best Respondent’s Brief” at the 2025 National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition (NVLMCC) in Washington, D.C., over the weekend of Nov. 8-9. Darren Stephens ‘26 and Alexandra Rye ‘27 finished as quarterfinalists in the competition that featured 27 teams from 21 law schools. They were proudly coached by Patrick Wilson and Kirk Warner, said Rene Shekmer, director of the law school’s Competitive Advocacy Program. “The team’s flight to Washington was cancelled by Delta just four hours before they were supposed to leave on Thursday evening,” Shekmer explained. “Coach Wilson switched to a rental car and drove to Washington, D.C., so that they could still compete. One team from the University of Wyoming did not make the competition due to a cancelled flight. Thankfully, Darren and Alexandra made it and represented Campbell Law so well. A huge thank you to Coaches Kirk Warner and Patrick Wilson for the time and experience they put into guiding this winning team.” Learn more at this link.
Darrah Perry ’25 joins Campbell Law as inaugural Wallace Fellow for Experiential Learning
Darrah Perry ‘25 has joined Campbell Law as the inaugural Wallace Fellow for Experiential Learning, Dean J. Rich Leonard has announced. Perry, who was selected by an internal panel of law school faculty and staff, began in her new role on Nov. 17. As the Wallace Fellow for Experiential Learning, she will support the law school’s experiential learning programs, which include externships, advocacy and pro bono services. She will help enhance, manage and administer the Externship Program, which places students in judicial, government, public interest and in-house roles, including developing content and student engagement strategies to raise awareness of experiential learning opportunities. The fellowship aims to cultivate graduates into “servant-leaders,” emphasizing the belief that one must serve before they can lead. Perry says her intellectual curiosity, passion for helping others and enthusiasm for hands-on work have guided her through various career paths including a deep-seated calling to the legal field. Learn more at this link.
Professor Jon Powell ’98 inducted into Wake County Schools Hall of Fame
Campbell Law Clinical Professor Jon Powell ‘98, director of the law school’s Restorative Justice Clinic (RJC), has been inducted into the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) Hall of Fame in recognition of his community service. Powell was among the six new Class of 2025 inductees recognized at WakeEd’s 12th annual Stars of Education Gala, presented by Martin Marietta, on Nov. 5 at the Raleigh Convention Center. WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd) is a business-backed nonprofit organization committed to supporting teachers and students in Wake County Public Schools. Since 2013, the Hall of Fame has recognized those who have made a local impact in the categories of Arts, Athletics, Business, Community Service, Education and Entrepreneurship. “Jon Powell has pioneered restorative practices in schools, courts and prisons,” the WakeEd announcement states. “His work has shaped statewide policy and given victims and offenders a voice in the justice process.” Learn more at this link.
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. 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.
SAVE THE DATE
- Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting December 9
- Winter Break December 22-January 1, 2026
- Spring Semester Classes Begin January 5
- Business North Carolina 2026 Economic Forecast January 9
- MLK Holiday January 19
- Law Board of Visitors Spring Meeting March 20
- Family Day/Law Awards Banquet March 21
- Law Alumni Reunion April 11
- Commencement and Hooding May 8
Check out 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.