ALUMNI
Your connection to Georgia State University College of Law doesn’t end at graduation. The connections you make at Georgia State Law are lifelong.
As a College of Law graduate, we are invested in your success. We offer mock interviews, resume and cover letter critiques, and more through the Center for Professional Development & Career Services. In addition, we host in-person and virtual alumni events and invite alumni to return to campus to collaborate with faculty, speak to students and volunteer. You also have the ability to make a positive impact on our college by hiring a graduate or making a donation.
Get connected and stay connected. That’s #TheStateWay.
40th Anniversary Celebration
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Join Georgia State University College of Law for our 40th Anniversary Celebration Reception. On September 13, 1982, Georgia State University College of Law opened its doors and welcomed its first class of 200 juris doctor candidates, taught by six professors. This was a direct result of the college’s Founding Dean Ben F. Johnson Jr. and many others who shared a common goal to answer the demand for a part-time and evening accredited law school in Atlanta, Georgia.
To acknowledge this important milestone, we have a full day of events planned as we pay homage to our founders and show our appreciation to everyone who has played a part in our growth and success over the years.
Location: College of Law, 85 Park Place NE, Atlanta, GA
Time: 2 – 2:45 p.m.
Retaking of contracts with Professor Stephens
Case for Professor Stephens’ Class
Location: Ceremonial Courtroom
Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Tower to Trenches CLE Program: Impact of Remote Work on the Supervision and Mentoring of Staff and Young Attorneys and Challenges Related to Remote Litigation and Client Relationships
Location: Ceremonial Courtroom
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Anniversary Celebration Reception
Location: Catherine Henson Atrium
Please register by Monday, August 29, 2022
Dress: Business Attire
Note: All events will take place inside the Georgia State University College of Law building located at 85 Park Place NE, Atlanta, Georgia
Parking – T Deck
43 Auburn Avenue • $10
MARTA – Peachtree Center Station
Georgia State Law is less than a block from the station at the corner of John Wesley Dobbs Avenue and Park Place
Alumni Calendar
Center for Professional Development & Career Strategies
Support from the Center for Professional Development & Career Strategies doesn’t stop once you land your first job. We make a lifelong commitment to all Georgia State Law graduates. Whether you are pursuing your first or fourth job, we can help you with job leads, alumni connections, resume review and interview skills.
Job Search
CPD is committed to helping Georgia State Law graduates succeed. Available jobs are posted in Symplicity, which is accessible to students and alumni with logins. Students and alumni may view all job postings, including positions for experienced attorneys.
Resume Review and Interview Prep
CPD offers resume review, cover letter editing and interview preparation services for alumni.
Staying in Touch
When you change jobs or career status, submit a Class Notes Form. By keeping us updated with your successes, we can better support new and upcoming graduates as they seek internships and employment.
Another way to stay in touch with Georgia State Law is to return to campus for speaking engagements and other programs. Contact CPD if you or your company can participate in speaking engagements, on-campus interviews, networking events or job fairs.
Hire Georgia State Law
If you plan to hire an attorney, summer associate or law clerk within the next year, our CPD team can help you find your next great hire. Learn the benefits and resources available to employers on the Hire Georgia State Law page.
Center for Professional Development & Career Strategies Team
Share Your News!
Class Notes Form
Ben F. Johnson, Jr. Public Service Award
The Ben F. Johnson Jr. Public Service Award is presented each year to a living Georgia attorney whose accomplishments reflect the tradition of public service that our founding dean, Ben F. Johnson Jr., exemplified during his life. Throughout his career, Johnson helped argue a case before the Georgia Supreme Court in 1962, successfully challenging a state law that denied tax exemptions to integrated private schools. He also sought support for a program to help recruit minority law students during his years as dean of Emory University School of Law.
Johnson was elected to a state senate seat representing DeKalb County, serving in the Legislature from 1962-1969. He was the principal author of the legislation creating the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). At Georgia State Law, he helped make possible the return of ABA-accredited, part-time legal education to Atlanta students.
Nominations
Recipients are living Georgia attorneys whose overall accomplishments reflect the high tradition of selfless public service that our founding dean exemplified during his career and life.
Nomination Materials:
- Nomination Letter under 2,500 words
- Nominee’s CV or resume
- News accounts of their public service
- Supporting letters describing their public service
If you know a lawyer who exemplifies these qualities, submit your letter of nomination and any supporting materials by 5 p.m. on October 29th.
The Ben F. Johnson Jr. Public Service Award Selection Committee will announce the recipient during Spring 2022.
Congratulations to Dawn M. Jones
2022 Ben F. Johnson Jr. Public Service Award Recipient
Past Recipients
- 2021: Bernard Taylor Sr.
- 2020: Robert B. Remar
- 2019: Mawuli Mel Davis (J.D. ’02)
- 2018: Edward J. ‘Jack’ Hardin
- 2017: Bobby Lee Cook
- 2016: Aimee Maxwell (M.Ed ’83, J.D. ’87)
- 2015: Rita A. Sheffey
- 2014: Miles J. Alexander
- 2013: Judith A. O’Brien
- 2012: Randall L. Hughes
- 2011: Emmet J. Bondurant
- 2010: Horace Sibley
- 2009: Steven Gottlieb
- 2008: Honorable Orinda D. Evans
- 2007: John T. Marshall
- 2006: Linda K. DiSantis (B.A. ’85, J.D. ’88)
- 2005: Honorable Anthony A. Alaimo
- 2004: Honorable Robert Benham
- 2003: Stephen B. Bright
- 2002: Honorable Griffin B. Bell
- 2001: Clifford Oxford
- 2000: Honorable Luther A. Alverson
- 1999: Paul Cadenhead
- 1998: Randolph W. Thrower
- 1997: Honorable Dorothy Toth Beasley
- 1996: Honorable Harold G. Clarke
- 1995: Donald L. Hollowell
- 1994: Honorable Elbert P. Tuttle
Law Alumni Council
The Law Alumni Council is the governing body of the College of Law Alumni Association. The purpose of the council is to build the reputation of the College of Law, raise money, and create connections between students and alumni. The council also advises the dean on issues and opportunities in legal education and other alumni interests.
The council consists of up to two representatives from each graduating class. Members of the council are nominated by faculty, staff and administrators. Nominations are sent to the Office of Development & Alumni Relations and the council’s executive committee. Council members are expected to attend regular meetings and give of their time, talents and treasures to GSU Law.
Executive Committee
President (Interim)
Brett Switzer (J.D. ’12)
Vice President
Bob Watts (J.D. ’14)
Secretary
Ramona Condell (J.D. ’13)
Class Representatives
1989
- Michael Manely
1993
- C.R. Wright
1994
- Marlo Leach
1997
- Joe Farrell
- Joe O’Kelley Jr.
1998
- Chris Chan
1999
- Carrie Young
2000
- John Merritt
2001
- D’Ree Cooper
2002
- Stephanie Everett
- Josh Schiffer
2005
- Ramsey Knowles
2006
- Graham McDonald
- Lisa Payrow
2007
- Matthew Kaynard
2008
- Shelley Momo
- Nicola Pasquarelli
2009
- Noelle Whitmire
2010
- Jason Wiggam
2011
- Maria Batres
- Brian Cuhna
2012
- Kristen Spires-Williams
2013
- Ramona Condell
- David Emadi
- Lauren Smith
2014
- Michelli Rivera
2015
- Allison Averbuch
- Kevin Coleman
- Anamaria Hazard
2016
- Luke Donohue
- William King
- John Martin
2017
- Ryan Brown
- Pierre-Joseph Noebes
- Alex Stone
2018
- Reena Patel
- Qudsia Shafiq
- Michelle Wilco
2019
- Jarvarus Gresham
- Monica Laredo-Ruiz
The Class Gift Campaign Scholarship Fund, an enduring legacy class gift program, was created by the Class of 2008. Class Gift Campaign funds now provide both immediate and ongoing financial support to students at the College of Law.
An annual scholarship is awarded to a deserving student from the subsequent year’s entering class, and a portion of the gift goes toward an endowment that grows over time to support additional scholarships.
The goal of the Class Gift Campaign is to reach 100 percent participation from the graduating class. A gift of any amount is included in the overall participation percentage and provides financial support to an incoming law student.
Class Gift Campaign donors receive:
- Recognition in the official Hooding Ceremony printed program (if the gift is received by April 19th).
- Recognition in the college’s annual fund report with all fellow law graduates who contribute annually.
- Recognition on the campaign plaque.
- The satisfaction of helping to provide an affordable legal education to a future alumnus/a, colleague or friend.
Ways to Give Back
There are many ways to support the College of Law. Find the area of need that resonates with you. Donors who contribute more than $1,000 each year qualify for the Dean’s Club membership, the law school’s annual leadership donor society.
Fund for Law
Unrestricted gifts to the Fund for Law help guarantee a dependable, ongoing source of support for the college’s annual operating budget and other important needs. Right now, you can leave lasting mark by naming a locker in the College of Law. For $1,000, your legacy can help us burn brighter.
Program Specific
Another way to have a positive impact is to support student activities, programs, clinics and centers.
Scholarships
Scholarships help us to attract the most talented students from all walks of life. State restrictions on funding allocation make it impossible for the college to fund its own scholarships. This means that private giving makes a GSU Law education available to a diverse student body.
CONTACT
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 4037
Atlanta, GA 30302-4037
Physical Address
85 Park Place NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
