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Sincere Appreciation to Outgoing Alumni Board Members!
On behalf of the Mercer University School of Law students, alumni, faculty and staff, we would like to thank the following alumni for their gift of time, talent, and resources that help make our law school the special place that it is!

Ann Bishop, '76, Board of Visitors, Member since July 2010, Chair, July 2017- June 2019
The Honorable Thomas E. Cauthorn, III ,'72, Board of Visitors, Member, July 2013 - June 2019
Jonathan L. Bledsoe, '02, Alumni Association Board of Directors, Member, July 2013 - June 2019
James E. Messer, '93, Alumni Association Board of Directors, Member, July 2013 - June 2019
Wendy Vonnegut, '89, Alumni Association Board of Directors, Member, July 2013 - June 2019
Jason Todd Allen '06
A Car Dealer's Lawyer
Jason Todd Allen returned to Florida following graduation from Mercer Law in 2006. He began his career as a staff attorney for then Florida Speaker of the House Marco Rubio, working on a variety of legal issues including constitutional questions. After leaving the House, Allen worked as a clerk for Florida Supreme Court Justice Ricky Polston.

Allen joined the law firm of Bass Sox Mercer in 2009 to represent car dealers at the height of GM and Chrysler’s bankruptcy issues. He is now a shareholder with the firm. You can learn more about his career path and his advice prospective and current law students in this Q&A .
2019 Commencement & Alumni Hooders
Mercer University School of Law awarded 129 Juris Doctor degrees during its commencement exercises on May 11 at Hawkins Arena in Macon.

Sally Yates, former U.S. deputy attorney general and current partner in King & Spalding’s Special Matters and Government Investigations practice, addressed the graduates and received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University.

Sixteen alumni participated in the commencement exercises as hooders to members of the graduating class.

  • Virgil L. Adams, ’80, hooded his cousin Jamara Edward Shipp.
  • Jonathan L. Bledsoe, ’02, hooded his nephew Noah Thomas Bledsoe.
  • C. Elizabeth DeVaughn Costner, ’93, hooded her niece Amzie Amanda Harper.
  • Sarah Tifton Downie, ’77, hooded her son Alex Emerson Downie.
  • Benjamin W. Hardin, Jr., cum laude, ’85, father, and Mattie H. Tondreault, ’15, sister, hooded Benjamin Waldrop Hardin, III.
  • Thomas L. Kirbo, III, ’67, grandfather, and Dorothy Kirbo McCranie ’99, aunt, hooded Aurora Olivia-Lynn Kirbo.
  • Ian A. McIntyre, ’17, hooded his wife Jordan Morris McIntyre. 
  • The Honorable David L. Mincey, ’11, hooded his cousin Benjamin Carl Davidson.
  • The Honorable F. Gates Peed, ’82, hooded his son Simon Mikell Peed.
  • Dennis Smejkal, ’87, hooded his son James Ruben Smejkal.
  • Tash Van Dora, ’18, hooded his father-in-law Richard W. Jenkins.
  • Mark C. Walker, Sr., ’87 and Mary H. Walker, ’87, hooded their son Mark Coleman Walker, Jr.
  • Melvin B. Wright, ’85, hooded his nephew, Robert Glenn Wright.
Law Day Celebration Brings Georgia Supreme Court and Portraits Unveiling for Judge Miller and Judge Sands
Mercer Law School celebrated Law Day on Friday, April 12, with numerous activities including hosting the Georgia Supreme Court for oral arguments, honoring two distinguished alumni and presenting the final round of the annual first-year Hugh Lawson Moot Court Competition.

The Supreme Court of Georgia heard oral arguments in the morning, which included Professor Sarah Gerwig-Moore arguing on behalf of a client in Mercer Law’s Habeas Project. The visit provided an opportunity for students and the local community to observe the Court in action.

In the afternoon, Chief Justice Harold D. Melton of the Georgia Supreme Court gave the Law Day keynote address.
Additionally, the Law School unveiled two new portraits – one of Judge Louis Sands, ’74, and one of Judge Yvette Miller, ’80. Sands serves as Senior U.S. District Court Judge in the Middle District of Georgia, and Miller serves as the first African-American female chief judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals.

The portraits were commissioned by the Black Law Students Alumni Council and painted by artist Steve Moppert. The Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys and friends of the University also generously supported the commission of the portraits.

The day concluded with the final round of the annual first-year Hugh Lawson Moot Court Competition – a longstanding intraschool competition exclusively for first-year students. Judges for the final round of the competition included Georgia Supreme Court Justices John Ellington and Michael Boggs, ’90, Dwight Davis, ’82, third-year student and moot court chair Leesa Guarnotta and third-year student and 2017 winner of the competition Lois C. Weldon. First-year students Christopher Wood and Jordan Popkin were finalists with Wood winning the competition and securing the King & Spalding Cup.

View photos from the Law Day Celebration and Reception .
New Bar Preparation Initiatives
Mercer Law School is committed to helping its graduates pass the Bar Exam on their first attempt. The Law School is continuing many efforts for third-year students, such as offering a semester-long Bar Preparation class, providing bar prep tools such as AdaptiBar software for multi-state questions
at a reduced cost, adding evaluated Multistate Performance Test-style questions (MPT) into Intro Week, offering an MPT workshop series during the year, and providing an alumni bar mentoring program over the summer with one-on-one feedback.

This year, we are offering new programs for first- and second-year students. At the end of this academic year, we administered a 1L Barbri diagnostic exam that tests a student's proficiency in substantive law, reading comprehension, analysis and application. The diagnostic result is a tool that each student can use for the next two years of study. Each student receives a Student Score Report Summary that includes a "target score" to help them identify areas where they excel as well as areas that course use additional attention. We are also working with the Bar Success Committee and faculty members to ensure the results are incorporated throughout the next two years.

Additionally, we partnered with Themis Bar Review to create a summer program for rising 3Ls that will review two of the most heavily tested bar exam topics in Constitutional Law and Evidence. The online program will include four modules, two in Constitutional Law and two in Evidence. They are as follows:

Constitutional Law
  1. Equal Protection, Privileges & Immunities, and Prohibited Legislation
  2. The First Amendment

Evidence
  1. Presentation of Evidence, Relevance, and Character & Habit Evidence 
  2. Hearsay and Exceptions

We are hopeful these new tools will help us equip our students earlier in the process and will provide us additional feedback on ways we can better educate and prepare our students for the Bar Exam.
SAVE THE DATE

Class of 1974 Reunion
Friday, November 8, 2019
Mercer University School of Law

Homecoming Tailgate
Saturday, November 9, 2019
12:00 p.m.
Mercer University Black Field

Class of 1969 50-Year Reunion
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Mercer University School of Law

Annual Alumni Dinner
Saturday , February 29, 2020
Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead


If your graduation year ends in 4 or 9, this is your reunion year! Please contact Cheryll King ( king@law.mercer.edu) to inquire or help plan your event.

Check our calendar for updated information, registration information and new events.
For inquiries, suggestions or sponsor opportunities, please contact Cheryll King ( king_c@law.mercer.edu ). 
Wallace E. Harrell, ’54 , was appointed chief magistrate judge of Glynn County in April 2019. Harrell was previously deputy magistrate judge and a partner at Gilbert Harrell Sumerford & Martin in Brunswick for 55 years.

G. Douglas Dillard, ’67 , established Dillard Sellers, a zoning and land use law firm in Atlanta. Dillard was formerly a partner at Pursley Friese Torgrimson.

Hugh P. Thompson, ’69 , is among 12 individuals who will be awarded the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Daily Report for leaving a lasting imprint on the legal community of Georgia. Thompson was chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court and is enjoying retirement in Milledgeville with his wife, Jane.

Ann B. Bishop, ’76, joined Hall Booth Smith PC as of counsel in its Atlanta office. Bishop was formerly with Sponsler Bishop Koren & Hammer PA.

Michael S. Meyer von Bremen, ’83 , was appointed to the Dougherty Magistrate Court taking the seat of retiring judge John F. Salter, effective May 24, 2019. Meyer von Bremen is managing partner of Hall Booth Smith PC in Albany.

W. Joseph Hollis, Jr., ’85 , was honored by the Chattanooga Bar Foundation as one of five new Fellows in 2019. The guidelines for selection provide that only lawyers who have “devotion to the legal profession, adhering to the highest standards of professional ethics, and for distinguished service to the organized Bar and the community” are honored as Fellows. Hollis practices civil litigation with the firm of Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell PLC in its Chattanooga location.

D. Fred Lee, ’85 , joined Drew Eckl & Farnham as a partner and opened the Drew Eckl Albany location on March 1. Lee is formerly a partner in the Lee Orlowski firm.

Sarah S. Harris, ’86 , was recognized by the Council of Probate Judges of Georgia with the 2019 Outstanding Probate Judge of the Year Award. Harris served as the Council's president during the 2018-19 term and was instrumental in achieving the Council's goals. Harris is the first female probate judge of Bibb County.

Anita Wallace Thomas, ’89 , was re-elected to the State Bar of Georgia's Board of Governors representing Atlanta Circuit Post 39. Wallace Thomas is a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and serves as a member of the law school’s Board of Visitors.

Sally B. Akins, ’90 , was elected secretary for the State Bar of Georgia. Akins will be presented the 2019 Distinguished Leader Award by the Daily Report for achieving impressive results in 2018 and demonstrating clear leadership skills that helped achieve those results. She is a partner at Ellis Painter Ratterree & Adams in Savannah.

J. Jeffrey Deery, ’90 , has been named chairman of the Board of Trustees of ELEVATE Orlando, a Central Florida nonprofit organization that equips and empowers underserved youth with in-school instruction, 24/7 mentoring and postsecondary preparation. Deery is a shareholder with the law firm of Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman P.A. in Orlando, Florida.

Denise D. Dell-Powell, ’91 , joined Dean Mead in Orlando, Florida, as chair of the bankruptcy and creditor's rights practice group. Dell-Powell was previously with Burr Forman.

Jeffrey A. Watkins, ’92 , was appointed superior court judge on the Cherokee Judicial Circuit by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. 

Shondeana C. Morris, ’97 , was appointed judge on the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit Superior Court by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Morris is a former deputy district attorney in Fulton County, assistant solicitor for the City of Atlanta, and has been a DeKalb State Court judge since 2017. She is vice president of the Mercer BLSA Alumni Council.

Kimberly A. Reid, ’97 , was named Sylvester city attorney. Reid served as interim city attorney since July 2018.

Matthew R. Hall, ’00 , joined Mercer University as an assistant general counsel. Hall was previously with Spivey Pope Green & Greer in Macon.

Robin Ann Golivesky, ’01 , started her own firm, The Law Office of Robin A. Golivesky LLC, specializing in the area of workers' compensation.

Adam M. Walters, ’02 , was selected by the American Health Lawyers Association to serve as vice-chair of the Physician Organizations Practice Group for the 2019-2021 term.

Jason E. Downey, ’03 , was appointed to the State Board of Education by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, representing the 8th Congressional District. Downey is senior trial attorney for the Law Office of Nancy Phillips in Macon.

Carl R. Varnedoe, ’03 , was re-elected to the State Bar of Georgia's Board of Governors representing Atlantic Circuit Post 2. Varnedoe practices catastrophic injury and wrongful death law at Jones Osteen Jones in Hinesville.

Matthew M. Myers, ’03 , announced the formation of his new firm, Myers Law Group, which is a dedicated real estate law firm serving Middle Georgia and beyond. Myers Law Group’s practice areas include commercial real estate, corporate transactions, residential real estate and tax beneficial transactions.

Walter B. Yarbrough, ’03 , joined Taylor English Duma LLP in Atlanta as part of the firm’s expansion of its insurance defense practice. Yarbrough will focus on transportation and trucking litigation, governmental and constitutional litigation and insurance defense.

Brandon L. Peak, ’04 , was elected to the State Bar of Georgia Board of Governors as representative for Chattahoochee Circuit Post 2. Peak is a partner at Butler Wooten Peak in Columbus.

Jill U. Edmondson, ’05 , joined Georgia Power as the new ethics and concerns manager in January 2019. Edmondson was previously with The Home Depot for 13 years. She serves as a member of the Mercer Law School Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Phillip Eubanks, ’09 , joined the music and technology company Q&A in May 2019 as the company’s chief operating officer. Eubanks was formerly the global head of strategy and operations for the creator services division of Spotify.

Nicole W. Hull, ’09 , was appointed as a member of the Supreme Court of Georgia's Commission on Dispute Resolution. Hull has her own law firm in Athens and is currently director of the Academy of Dispute Resolution.

Jennifer S. Lowndes, ’09 , joined Holland & Knight's Orlando office as a partner in its construction law practice. Lowndes was most recently a partner at Jones Walker in Atlanta.

M. Cayce Myers, ’09 , was promoted to associate professor with tenure at Virginia Tech.

Sunny R. Sandos, ’09 , was hired as staff attorney for Johnson City, Tennessee. Sandos is the first woman to hold that position. She was most recently executive director of planned giving for East Tennessee State University.
 
Rizza P. O'Connor, ’10 , will be recognized by the Daily Report with the 2019 On the Rise Award given to promising lawyers under the age of 40. O'Connor is chief magistrate in Toombs County and current president of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia.

Erica L. Opitz, ’10 , was promoted to shareholder at Chamberlain Hrdlicka. Opitz practices corporate, securities and finance law and often serves as outside general counsel to her clients.

Dustin E. Davies, ’11 , was named partner at Hasty Pope LLP in Gainesville. Davies is a Young Alumni Council member representing Mercer Law Class of 2011.

Tyler James Oldenburg, ’11 , was selected as vice-chair of The Players. The Players annually combines the best field in golf with the world-class venue that is The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Proceeds benefit Northeast Florida charities and have totaled $100 million since the event moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1977, including a record $9 million generated in 2018.

Christopher A. Steele, ’11 , was promoted to shareholder at Chamberlain Hrdlicka. Steele practices trusts and estates law in the firm's Atlanta office.

Janene D. Browder, ’12 , joined the Georgia Department of Law as assistant attorney general in the Regulated Industries and Professions Division. Browder was previously with the Georgia Department of Community Health.

Ronald E. Daniels, ’12 , was elected secretary of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia starting June 2019. Daniels practices consumer law in Eastman and Perry.

Norbert D. “Bert” Hummel IV, ’12 , will serve as president-elect of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia starting June 2019. Hummel works at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in Atlanta.

Benjamin A. Vaughn, ’12 , was appointed as the new county attorney by the Butts County Board of Commissioners. Vaughn is also the Monroe County attorney and the attorney for the Monroe County school board.

Mattie Hardin Tondreault, ’15 , joined the law firm of Hardin & Ball in Lakeland, Florida, as an associate practicing focusing on civil litigation. Tondreault was formerly an assistant state attorney in Bartow, Florida.

Alisha A. Dickie, ’16 , joined the firm of Drew Eckl & Farnham LLP as an associate focusing her civil litigation practice on premises liability and insurance defense. Dickie was formerly with Moore Ingram Johnson & Steele.

Kyle C. Owenby, ’16 , received the 2019 Public Service Award from the Georgia Chapter of the International Association of Special Investigation Units for his work prosecuting insurance fraud. Owenby is an assistant district attorney in Macon.

Joseph R. Padgett, ’16 , joined Roden Law as an associate in its Brunswick office. Padgett was formerly with Hall Booth and Smith.

Email your update to news@law.mercer.edu
In Memory
William A. Crawford, Jr., ’49 , of Palm Harbor, Florida, March 9.

Robert Edward Barfield, ’53 , of Amarillo, Texas, March 19.

Paul C. Armitage, ’61 , of Greenville, South Carolina, March 14.

Frank W. Armstrong, III, ’64 , of Gainesville, May 16.

Jesse M. Cleveland, Jr., ’68 , of Conyers, April 6.

Denis Alan Braslow, III, ’69 , of Pensacola, Florida, April 18.

James M. Wootan, ’69 , of Macon, April 21.

Dale L. Buchanan, ’75 , of Chattanooga, Tennessee, February 28.

Thomas Mark Moss, ’81 , of Buford, April 4.

Phillip W. Subacz, ’17 , of Atlanta, April 6.
Mercer Law Items Available at the Bookstore