Writing the Next Chapter of Belmont Law Together |
Greetings Alumni!
I am so excited to be sending you the fall edition of our College of Law newsletter as the new dean of Belmont Law! Although Dean Alberto Gonzales will certainly be a hard act to follow, I am thrilled for the opportunity to lead the law school forward as it looks towards its third decade of graduating practice-ready attorneys who are shaping the future practice of law. As someone who has been with the College of Law since 2013, I am immensely proud of what Belmont Law has accomplished and so excited as I think about all of the momentum we have looking ahead.
This fall, we welcomed our largest first year class ever with 147 students. They are an impressive group with a median LSAT score of 162, median GPA of 3.80, and with 54% hailing from outside the state of Tennessee. The Baskin is abuzz with the excited energy of our first-year students, the busy activity of our second-year students, and the eager anticipation of the future for our third-year students. As I settle into the role of dean, I am looking forward to engaging with our alumni, through our active and engaged Alumni Council, and at all of our events throughout the year. We have a wide variety of opportunities to revisit your law school stomping grounds through programs such as Belmont Law Review and Belmont Law Journal symposia and networking events, Inn of Court gatherings, career services activities including mock interviews and mock networking events, and other continuing legal education programs. Even if you are not able to visit us here on campus, we would love to hear about what you are doing and continue to serve as a resource for job opportunities and other alumni connection points. I am always immensely proud of all that our alumni are accomplishing not just here in Nashville (which is impressive!) but also throughout the state and country. With almost a quarter of our current third-year students planning to take a bar exam in a state other than Tennessee this year, our network is spreading far and wide. I am excited to consider ways to create a sense of community and belonging for all of our Belmont Law alums, whether you are still close to the Baskin or miles away. Although you may not still be wandering our halls on a regular basis, you are still in our hearts and we want to be sure to stay connected.
As I begin this new leadership role, I feel so lucky to be supported and bolstered by such an inspiring team of faculty and staff. We are thrilled to welcome some new faculty: Nino Monea, Kaleigh Ruiz, and Kathryn Booth to support our dynamic curriculum, and some new staff members: Tiffany Russell and Savannah Quintero, to support our experiential learning program and our pro bono and public interest initiatives.
Belmont Law’s future is bright, and I am looking forward to building on all of the continued success and momentum of this impressive program. I am hopeful to see you around campus, town, the state, or abroad soon and, in the meantime, I will continue to celebrate you and all of your amazing accomplishments and successes.
With appreciation and warm regards,
Deborah R. Farringer,
Dean and Doyle Rogers Distinguished Professor of Law
|
|
|
|
|
| What a Moment for Alumna Ashley Upkins, '14 |
As president of the National Bar Association, Upkins recently welcomed legal professionals from across the country to Nashville for the organization’s 101st Annual Convention where she sat down for a conversation with former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Upkins made history when she became the first woman from Tennessee elected president of the National Bar Association in 2024.
It’s so exciting to see a Belmont alumna leading on a national stage and bringing an important gathering of the legal community to Nashville.
|
|
|
|
| 📣Belmont Law Review Fall Symposium
250 Years of Independence: The Interconnection Between American Law and History
September 18th.
|
|
|
|
| 📣Class of 2016 Reunion Weekend
September 25-26.
|
|
| |
| 📣Inaugural BUCOL Alumni Council CLE
Law Firm Processes, Finances and Trust Accounting Obligations, presented by Knight Lancaster (c'19)
BUCOL Alumni on the State of Practice in 2026, presented by a diverse panel of alumni from the classes of 2018-2025
October 9, 1-4pm ♦ 2.5 hours Free CLE
|
|
| |
|
📣Next Stop in our Meet the Dean Series: September 29th at the offices of Bass Berry & Sims.
|
*If you or your firm are interested in hosting an event for our Meet the Dean Series, please reach out to us here.*
|
|
| |
|
|
Alix Rogers, '18 was named a “Top 40 Young Lawyer” by the American Bar Association. The “On The Rise” program recognizes ABA young lawyer members who exemplify high achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and legal and community service. Rogers leads the Career & Professional Development Office at Belmont Law, where she helps students build their professional identities and prepare for success in an evolving legal profession. Read more about her background or see the full list of honorees.
|
|
|
|
Outstanding Legal Writing Award |
Congratulations to Erik Halvorson, '22, for receiving the Tennessee Bar Association’s prestigious Justice Joseph W. Henry Award for Outstanding Legal Writing on June 12 during the TBA Annual Convention in Knoxville.
Established more than 40 years ago, the award recognizes the most outstanding article published in the Tennessee Bar Journal during the preceding year. Halvorson was honored for co-authoring the article, “One Domino Falls: Tennessee Supreme Court Reshapes Foreclosure Claims,” which appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of the journal.
|
The Impact of Alumni Mentors |
For 2L Dalton Sherrod, a connection with Belmont Law alumnus Alex Schramkowski, '23 made a meaningful difference during his first year of law school. Through Belmont Law’s attorney mentoring program, Sherrod found guidance, encouragement and a firsthand perspective on the legal profession.
|
Support Our Future Legal Leaders
Your gift to the College of Law helps prepare the next generation of transformative legal professionals. Join us in shaping the future of legal education and practice.
|
|
|
|
Class Notes and Additional News
|
✍️ Jaz Boon, '14 has been appointed to the Metro Nashville Electric Power Board.
✍️ Elizabeth Lombardi, '18 recently joined Spirit Music Group as Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs.
✍️ Knight Lancaster, '19 will become the next Author of Attorney's Handbook of Accounting, Auditing and Financial Reporting, 4th Edition Pub. 32, published by Mathew Bender & Company, Inc. (LexisNexis).
✍️ Nate Conder, '21 has joined the litigation team at the law firm of Barrett McNagny LLP, in Fort Wayne, IN.
✍️ Carly Moses, ’25 has joined the law firm of Starnes Davis Florie LLP as an associate attorney in the firm’s Franklin, TN office.
|
✍️ Alumni Spotlight: Complete this form to share your professional achievements for our next newsletter!
✍️ Briefcase: Is your Briefcase profile up to date? View job opportunities, recruit Belmont law students or connect with fellow alumni.
✍️ Stay Connected: Update your contact information to receive future newsletters and alumni updates.
|
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
1900 Belmont Blvd | Nashville, TN 37212 US
|
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|
