Legal Deacon Digest – June 2024
Message from Leadership Welcome to summer and the close of another successful academic year. With the Class of 2024 joining the ranks of our alumni community on May 17, I’d like to reflect on the meaning of the term “community”—which, as the student, faculty, and alumni achievements highlighted in this issue of the Legal Deacon Digest illustrate, defines every aspect of Wake Forest Law. This year, I was honored to address the Class of 2024 during Commencement. It was a humbling feeling, in part because I recalled my own graduation from Wake Forest Law and the “friends that I made while at Wake Law who have become like family and the faculty who welcomed me and made me feel at home.” The student speaker, Jada Williams (JD/MDiv ’24) also spoke of the strong bonds formed here at the Law School, reflecting that “the way this community has held one another has been beautiful to both watch and be a part of.” This sense of community, as you will see below, enables Wake Forest Law to embrace the concept of radical collaboration in legal education, public engagement, and interdisciplinary research and scholarship to bring people together and develop novel solutions to contemporary problems. So, take a few minutes and enjoy learning about our community through the student experiences, faculty scholarship, and alumni accomplishments in this issue of the Legal Deacon Digest. And remember, plan to come back and visit Wake Forest Law during Law Alumni Weekend (September 13-15), or whenever you can. As I closed my Commencement address and remind you now: “when you come back to Wake Forest and the halls of Worrell, you’ll always be welcomed home.” Thank you for your support, your engagement, and for being an integral part of the Wake Law community. Warmest regards, Christine Coughlin (JD ’90, P ’20, P ’27) 
Spotlights Alumni Bonita J. Brown (’94, JD ’97) has been named the 14th Chancellor of Winston-Salem State University. Brown recently served as the Interim President at Northern Kentucky University (NKU). Prior to that, she served as the Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for NKU, where she led the campus in implementing Success by Design, the university’s strategic plan solely focused on student success. Read more about President Brown in the 2023 issue of The Jurist. We are saddened about the recent passing of former North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge John Charles Martin (’65, JD ’67). Judge Martin was elected to the Court of Appeals in 1984 where he served as Judge and Chief Judge for 25 years. Read more about Judge Martin’s life and legacy here. Matthew Houston (JD ’13) was recently appointed Special Superior Court Judge by the North Carolina General Assembly. “Matt is an amazing person, both in terms of intellect and character, and he is going to go far,” says Wake Forest Law Professor Harold Lloyd. Read more about Judge Houston’s appointment. Judge Laura Pierro (JD ’97) took over the role of executive director at the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission. “Having spent the last 25 years pursuing justice while abiding due process, I am cognizant that there is no greater injustice than someone who has been wrongfully convicted,” says Judge Pierro. “I am therefore prepared to work diligently in this new role and embrace any challenges that lie ahead.” Read more about Judge Pierro’s new role. Leo Daughtry (’62, JD ’65, GP ’20, GP ’24), has published a novel, Talmadge Farm, which follows the intertwined destinies of three unforgettable families as they navigate the tumultuous currents of societal evolution. Check out Talmadge Farm! The North Carolina State Bar presented Smith Anderson attorney James K. “Jim” Dorsett (JD ’77) with its John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award, in recognition of his work to strengthen regulation of the legal profession in the public interest, enhance legal education, further the public’s understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system, and encourage professionalism among Bar members. Read more here. Kamay Lafalaise (JD ’14) will be competing on season 14 of MasterChef, hosted by Gordon Ramsay. Says Kamay, “While thousands of home cooks apply each year, I was one of the lucky few invited to showcase my cooking talent this year. This season’s theme is MasterChef Generations, and I am proud to share that my audition dish earned me a spot on Team Millennial!” If you’d like to keep up with her progress on the show, you can tune in every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. Read more about Kamay’s cooking. A number of Wake Forest Law alumni are being honored at North Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s Icons and Phenoms event on June 13. This prestigious event celebrates the achievements and contributions of the region’s most accomplished and promising legal professionals. Learn more about the honorees or register for the event. Students Congratulations to the Class of 2024! Check out this video of Commencement day’s festivities. On Saturday, April 6, 2024, the Black Law Students Association hosted its annual scholarship banquet. The event theme was “Breaking the Stigma,” in memory of Wake Forest Law alumna Cheslie Kryst (JD/MBA ’17). Wake Forest Law Professor Brenda Gibson was honored with the Cheslie Kryst Legacy Award. Visit this link to learn more about Cheslie’s memoir. Congratulations to Daniel Wilkes (JD ’24) for receiving the 2024 Smith Anderson Law Firm Pro Bono Award for Exceptional Service! The Smith Anderson Pro Bono Award honors an outstanding law student who exhibits passion, creativity, dedication, and commitment to serving people in need through pro bono service. Visit the link to learn more about Daniel and the award. The Wake Law Softball Team (“Gold Sox”) advanced to the Round of 16 at the UVA Law Softball Invitation in early April. President of the Wake Law Softball Team, Brooke Meadowcroft (JD ’24), said, “I would like to thank the players of each team, without whom this organization would not be possible. I am thankful for how dedicated, caring, and excited everyone has been to participate in this experience, and am gracious that you all gave up your Sundays to attend weekly practices. Likewise, the Wake Law students who drove to Charlottesville to watch their friends play are deserving of a massive thank you for making sure our team players felt supported throughout this experience.” The Wake Forest Journal of Business and Intellectual Property Law and the Center for Bioethics, Health & Society hosted Revolutionizing Wellness: Legal Frameworks and Implications Surrounding Regenerative Healthcare Spring 2024 Symposium. Symposium panelist experts discussed the FDA’s Role in Regenerative Healthcare, Bioethics and the Law in Regenerative Healthcare, and Going to Market and the Future of Business in Regenerative Medicine. Professors Sid Shapiro and Chris Coughlin, as well as law fellow Joe Singleton, served as panelists. Check out the end-of-the-year report for the Wake Forest Law Pro Bono Project. The report highlights the Project’s student leaders and accomplishments from this past academic year Faculty On May 21, 2024, The American Law Institute (ALI), voted to approve the Restatement of the Law Third, Torts: Medical Malpractice—co-led by Professor Mark Hall—concluding five years of work focused on identifying and clearly stating the law of medical malpractice in the United States. Read more about Restatements in the 2023 issue of The Jurist. Congratulations to Professors Meghan Boone, Marie-Amélie George, and Brenda Gibson on achieving tenure! Their extensive and distinguished scholarship, teaching, and mentorship have left an indelible mark on our academic community. Read more here. From reviewing bodycam footage to learning about cannabis law, Wake Forest Law offered some exciting new courses this past spring! Learn more. The IP Law Spring 2024 Newsletter outlines programming, class offerings, and the research our faculty is conducting in the Program for Intellectual Property, Technology, Business, and Innovation. Check it out here. Three faculty members have new books out this year! Professor Sidney Shapiro recently co-authored a book titled How Government Built America with Joseph Tomain, Dean Emeritus of the University of Cincinnati College of Law. The book challenges growing anti-government rhetoric by highlighting the role that government has played in partnering with markets to build the United States. You can order your copy here. Professor Marie-Amélie George published Family Matters: Queer Households and the Half-Century Struggle for Legal Recognition. The book uncovers the decades of advocacy that reshaped the place of same-sex sexuality in American law and society—and ultimately made marriage equality possible. You can order your copy here. Professor Gregory Parks’ recent book, The Law of Fraternities and Sororities, seeks to offer an overview of the legal landscape of the critical issues that collegiate Greek-letter fraternities and sororities should understand and integrate into their day-to-day work. You can order your copy here. The Faculty Scholarship Booklet is a compilation of scholarly publications, media articles and mentions, and books and book chapters from 2021-2023. Check it out here. Professor Raina Haque’s paper titled “The Non-Obvious Razor & Generative AI,” was recently listed on SSRN’s Top Ten Download list under the category of Intellectual Property: Patent Law eJournal and LSN: Patent (Topic). Professor Sarah Morath published an article on the American Bar Association webpage titled “Our Recycling Problem.” Read it here. Professor Ron Wright was recently appointed to the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution at John Jay College advisory board. Professor Alyse Bertenthal has been selected as an Access to Justice Scholar with the American Bar Foundation. Professor Scott Schang was honored as a “Champion of Change” at the 11th annual Wake Forest University Campus Sustainability Awards ceremony. Enjoy this episode of Expert Encounters with Professor Sarah Morath who talks about plastics, the environment, and the law. 
Events Where are we going next? Don’t miss the invitations to these alumni events, update your contact information in Wake Network before we head your way! We’ll continue to update our Alumni Events page as new events are added. Charlotte, NC | Law Alumni Reception | NCBA Annual Meeting Virtual Event | Online Book Chat: How Government Built America John’s Island, SC | Law Alumni Reception Raleigh, Charlotte, & Winston-Salem | Summer Happy Hours Save the Date: Law Alumni & Homecoming Weekend is September 13-15, 2024. Law alumni and their families and friends are invited back to campus for a weekend of festivities, and Law School classes ending in 4 or 9 will celebrate their reunions. Registration will open in mid-July and will be sent via email. Don’t miss out – update your contact information on Wake Network and check the Law Alumni Weekend and Homecoming website often! 
Noteworthy The Legal Deac podcast is back! The latest episode explores the intricacies and inequities around heirs’ property, and how students involved in Wake Forest Law’s Heirs’ Property Project work to get justice for these North Carolinian families. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow Dean Andy Klein on LinkedIn to see more about what Wake Forest Law is up to! The Veterans Legal Clinic received the 2024 Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA) Award for Excellence in a Public Interest Case or Project in honor of their work to secure unjustly denied benefits and honors for a veteran. What is one of the most meaningful connections you made during law school? Let us know and your response could be featured in the upcoming issue of the Jurist! Hiring? Career assistance? Get involved? Give? Follow Us |
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