Message from Leadership
Dear Wake Forest Law Alumni,
With the start of a new academic year here at Wake Forest Law, the halls are full again, our 1Ls are starting to find their footing, and returning students are settling back into the rhythms of classes, studying, externships, and the many opportunities that make their time here so meaningful.
While each student has their own unique experience at Wake Forest Law, there’s a great sense of community as well. Events and programs like symposia, student organizations, competitions, and pro bono work bring people together and create a sense of belonging and camaraderie that our Law School is known for.
As alumni, you play a pivotal role in ensuring that sense of connection remains front and center at Wake Forest Law. Whether you mentor a student, hire a graduate, attend an alumni gathering, or make a gift, you are helping to strengthen our community.
This fall, I hope you’ll find a way to reconnect with us and with one another. We have many opportunities ahead to gather, celebrate, and engage with the Law School, including Law Alumni Weekend. Our team, and everyone at Wake Forest Law, would love to see you there or at another alumni event.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this edition of the Legal Deacon Digest and the stories of our alumni, students, and faculty. There’s no shortage of Legal Deacs doing incredible work and showing the world what an amazing community we have. Thanks for being one of those Legal Deacs.
Sincerely,
Logan Roach (’07)
Assistant Dean for Development
Wake Forest University School of Law
Submit a Class Note!
Support Wake Forest Law!
Spotlights
Alumni
- The Wake Forest Law Office of Development and Alumni Engagement is pleased to announce the appointment of 22 new members to the Law Board of Visitors and Rose Council. These alumni and friends of the Law School began their three-year terms on July 1, 2026, bringing with them a wealth of experience and a shared passion for advancing the mission of Wake Forest Law.
- In July, Wake Forest Law 2026 graduates took the North Carolina bar exam for the first time, resulting in a bar passage rate of 93.33% — more than 10 points higher than the overall North Carolina bar passage rate.
- Faran Kiani’s (LLM ’26) article, “The Identity Gap: Why Executive Order 14306 Needs a Legislative Answer,” was recently published in the Harvard Journal of Law & Technology.
 It was Law Alumni Weekend 2025 when Bill Davis (JD ’66) and Will Boyce (JD ’26) first met in what felt like a cosmic alignment of the universe. A gentleman lawyer with an impressive 59-year career and a young man soon to embark on his own legal career. A founder and an editor of the first Wake Forest Law Review and the current editor-in-chief, their time at Wake Forest Law separated by six decades. Learn more about Will, Bill, and the Wake Forest Law Review.- A year of programming focused on inclusion, connection, and community engagement through the North Carolina Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division has earned national recognition for two projects co-led by Smith Debnam attorney Taylor Gibbs (JD ’24)
Promotions, New Positions, and Recognitions
- Kathryn Moore (JD ’14) has joined national law firm Bass, Berry & Sims as a member in the firm’s newly launched Chicago office
- The following Cranfill Sumner LLP attorneys were listed among the Lawyers of the Year for Best Lawyers: James Black (JD ’99), Pat Flanagan (JD ’90), and Robert Griffin (JD ’86)
- The following Cranfill Sumner LLP attorneys were listed in Best Lawyers 2027: Andy Avram (’82, JD ’90), Pat Flanagan (JD ’90), Todd King (’98, JD ’02), Brad Kline (JD ’05), Jerri Simmons (JD ’10), Nick Valaoras (’89, JD ’92), James Black (JD ’99), Robert Griffin (JD ’86), Dan Katzenbach (JD ’97), David Rhoades (JD, MBA ’89), Ryan Shuirman (JD ’99), and Ted Smyth (JD ’81)
- Rick Kopf (JD ’81) was recently recognized on the Woodward/White Inc. 2027 “Best Lawyers in America” directory, which was based on his work in his role at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, PC
Students
- Meet the JD Class of 2029!
 Wake Forest Law’s Class of 2029 wrapped up Foundations Week by volunteering at sites throughout the community. This year’s volunteer locations included Humane Society of Forsyth County (HSFC), LEAD Girls of NC, Senior Services, Inc. & Williams Adult Day Center, Habitat for Humanity Restore, A Bed and A Book, Second Harvest Food Bank, Bookmarks, Kaleideum, Odd Fellows Cemetery, and SECU Family House of Winston-Salem.- Jalila Hader (SJD ’30) recently co-authored an article titled “Exploring Webs of Care: Social Love Within Women’s Movements,” in Social Sciences, exploring how care, solidarity, friendship, and social love operate within women’s movements and help sustain activists and collective struggles, particularly in difficult and challenging circumstances
- Meet the newly elected 2026-2027 Honor Council board!
Faculty
- Congratulations to the following faculty members who achieved tenure, received promotions, or stepped into new associate dean roles this academic year:
- Alyse Bertenthal — professor of law
- Meghan Boone — associate dean of research
- Marie-Amélie George — associate dean for strategic initiatives
- Brenda Gibson — professor of law
- Ellie Morales (JD ’10) — associate clinical professor of law
- Keith Robinson — associate dean for academic affairs
- Abel Rodríguez — associate professor of law
  Wake Forest Law was delighted to welcome two new faculty members to our community: Professors Sania Anwar and Kristie Bluett. Professor Sania R. Anwar joined Wake Forest Law as an assistant professor of law. Her research areas include law and philosophy, theoretical foundations of private law, and equality. Professor Kristie Bluett joined the Wake Forest Law LegalWriting faculty as an assistant professor of legal writing. An expert in international human rights law, her scholarship focuses on international migration and sex-based discrimination. Learn more about them.- Professor Ellen Murphy (JD ’02) has been appointed to the 2026-2027 American Bar Association Standing Committee on Professional Regulation
- In her recent article featured in The Conversation, Professor Sarah Morath analyzes a case before the US Supreme Court involving Monsanto’s Roundup, glyphosate, and the limits of state authority in consumer protection
- Since piloting the Engaged Scholarship (ES) Grant Program, Wake Forest Law has seen a significant increase across metrics measuring social media and article engagement. Learn more about the ES Pilot Grant Program and its impact.
- Professor Marie-Amélie George, an expert in LGBTQ+ rights, examines the recent Supreme Court ruling that states can restrict who participates on women’s and girls’ sports teams based on a student’s sex assigned at birth in her article featured in The Conversation
- Associate Dean Tanya D. Marsh, an expert in funeral and cemetery law, was quoted in a CNN article, “A greener way to bury the dead is gaining ground — and sparking backlash”
- Professor Audra Lyn Savage published an article in the BYU Law Review titled “Slavery and the Myth of Religious Liberty.” The article fills a gap in the Supreme Court’s religious liberty narrative by examining the historical role of law and religion in the development of slavery in America.
- Professor Emeritus Mark Hall was recently quoted in The Washington Post article, “How hospital monopolies are driving up the cost of your health care.” Professor Emeritus Hall shares insight into the history of hospital consolidation in Asheville and the end of state oversight of Mission Health.
- Professor Brenda D. Gibson is a co-recipient of the 2026 Association of Legal Writing Directors (ALWD) Diversity Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion and demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing historically underrepresented groups within the legal writing community
- Professor Meghan Boone published an article in SMU Scholar titled “The Pregnancy Draft,” which compares abortion bans to military conscription. The article breaks down how the state compels service in each context and what rights and protections are available to those affected.
- Professor Scott Schang published an op-ed in the Washington Examiner titled “Trump gets full say over the White House lawn. His EPA is taking away yours.” The article examines proposed changes to environmental permitting for data centers and what they could mean for public participation in the decision-making process.
- Professor Nia Johnson published an op-ed in Essence Magazine titled “On Angel Murdock And When The Community Scams The Community,” in which she examines a viral social media hoax and considers the broader harms that can result when identity, representation, and credibility are used for online influence
Events
Where are we going next?
- There’s never been a better time to reconnect, and Wake Forest Law would love to be the highlight of your calendar this fall. So, break your routine for the best of reasons and enjoy time surrounded by friends and nostalgia at Law Alumni Weekend 2026. Registration is now open! Join us November 6-8 for a weekend to remember, including food, fellowship, football, and catching up with old friends. Don’t miss out! Register here.
Noteworthy
- Law Merch Online Pop-Up Store
The Wake Forest Law fall merch pop-up store is live! With two design themes and 28 apparel options, there’s something for every Legal Deac! And with a $13 flat shipping fee, this is a great opportunity to join forces with friends and stock up in a single order. Get something for yourself, pick up gifts for family and friends, or get a head start on holiday shopping—all for one low delivery cost. Items will be produced and shipped after the store closes on October 19.
- While AI can be a powerful tool for lawyers, it’s critical to prepare law students to use AI and other technologies responsibly, effectively, and ethically. Read about our intentional approach to AI — as guided by the Wake Forest Law Engagement Framework for Artificial Intelligence and Legal Education — on our new AI @ Wake Forest Law webpages.
 Thank you, Wake Forest Law community! With your support, Wake Forest Law raised more than $6.69 million for scholarships in FY26. We also set new records for the Wake Forest Fund for the School of Law, raising more than $1.4 million, and for Deacs Day of Giving, which brought in more than $240,000 in a single day. Thank you for making this possible and creating meaningful opportunities for our students!
Hiring?
Post a job for students or alumni
Career assistance?
The Office of Career and Professional Development is here to help!
Get involved!
Check out our volunteer opportunities to learn more.
Follow Us
   
|
