ALUMNI
Your connection to Georgia State Law doesn’t end at graduation. The connections you make at GSU 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.
Tower to Trenches
Tower to the Trenches is a monthly CLE series for Georgia State Law alumni. The monthly sessions are led by Georgia State Law faculty and alumni who are experts in specific practice areas. The program features a 40-minute faculty presentation, 60-minute panel discussion, and 20-minute question and answer session with faculty, panel and attendees.
UPDATE COMING SOON
Reunion
The College of Law hosts a reunion for graduates of certain class years each spring. The reunion for 2021 was cancelled due to COVID-19. The GSU Law Alumni Reunion will be scheduled when we are able to host an in-person reunion. At that time, we will host both of our 2021 & 2022 reunions.
UPDATE COMING SOON
Swearing in Ceremonies
Please join us for the 2021 Swearing-in Ceremonies for the Georgia Superior Court, the Court of Appeals of Georgia and the Supreme Court of Georgia.
Date: Friday, November 19, 2021
Location: College of Law, Knowles Conference Center, 85 Park Place NE, Atlanta, GA
Time: 10 – 11 a.m.
Special Note: Participants arrive no later than 9:40 a.m. sharp to participate in the Swearing-in Ceremonies.
Who is Eligible?
All College of Law alumni in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia, including newly minted lawyers, are eligible to participate in the admission to one or all three courts.
How do I Participate?
- HAND DELIVER your original Certificate of Eligibility from the Supreme Court of Georgia Board of Bar Examiners and Applications to the Court of Appeals of Georgia and the Supreme Court of Georgia to:Maria Johnson – Office of Development & Alumni Relations
Georgia State University College of Law
85 Park Place, Atlanta, GA, 30303
- The College of Law cannot accept other methods of delivery.
- All certificates and applications must be delivered no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, November 5, 2021.
- Please contact Maria at mailto:mjohnson69@gsu.edu or 404.413-9026 to schedule a time to deliver your application.
- Maria will be available on the following dates and times to accept your documents:Monday through Friday
Morning Hours: 8 a.m. – Noon
Afternoon Hours: 1 – 2 p.m. - Applications submitted after the November 5 deadline of 2 p.m. will NOT be accepted due to the court processing deadline.
- You may NOT drop your paperwork off at the front desk or leave it with anyone other than Maria.
- After delivering your original certificate and applications for the Court of Appeals of Georgia and the Supreme Court of Georgia, you are eligible to participate in the Virtual Court Swearing-in Ceremony.
- Your RSVP is NOT confirmed until payment and original paperwork are received in the Development Office at the law school.
STATE BAR OF GEORGIA – FORM SUBMISSION & PAYMENT INFO
- HAND DELIVER Original Certificate of Eligibility for State Bar of Georgia to Maria Johnson.
- Cost: Admission to Georgia Superior Court is complimentary by the law school.
COURT OF APPEALS OF GEORGIA & SUPREME COURT OF GEORGIA – FORM SUBMISSION & PAYMENT INFO
- Professors Cass Brewer and Kendall Kerew have agreed to sponsor and endorse the applications of licensed Georgia attorneys, including newly minted lawyers (College of Law alumni only) for admission to the Court of Appeals of Georgia and the Supreme Court of Georgia.
- HAND DELIVER applications for the Court of Appeals of Georgia and/or Supreme Court of Georgia to Maria Johnson. The College of Law cannot accept other methods of delivery.
- Court of Appeals of Georgia Admissions Application
- Supreme Court of Georgia Admissions
- Cost:
$30 Fee- Admission to the Court of Appeals of Georgia
$30 Fee – Admission to the Supreme Court of Georgia
INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFTER THE CEREMONY
You will receive the link of the live-stream swearing-in ceremonies to share with your family and friends.
Instructions from the Fulton County Superior Court
- Following the ceremonies, you will be receiving an email from Nick Cotten, Fulton County Superior Court, asking for your signature via docusign.
- Please be mindful your membership application to the State Bar of Georgia cannot be submitted until the swearing-in order has been signed by all parties.
- You must access the State Bar of Georgia Membership Department to obtain forms and information about the membership fees, visit www.gabar.org or call 404.527.8777 for further information.
Questions?
Contact Maria Johnson in the Office of Development & Alumni Relations at mjohnson69@gsu.edu or 404-413-9026.
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.
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