ASL, Wellmont illuminate health care act

the magazine of the Appalachian School of Law

Spring/Summer 2012

the current

Also inside

Remembering Blackwell, Sutin, and Dales

qq A fond farewell to the Class of 2012

Forging aheadIncoming dean detailsnext goals for ASL

the currentis published twice a year by

the Appalachian School of Law. Send

comments, questions, and alumni

updates to current@asl.edu.

Editor, designer: Saundra Latham

Photos: Taylor Burgess unless otherwise credited; Class Notes photos courtesy

of alumni; Herman mug (pg. 5) courtesy of Maryann Herman; McKechnie mug

(pg. 13), Marcum mug (pg. 15) and gala/golf photos (pg. 15) by Jason McGlothlin

Contributors: Lucy McGough; Saundra Latham; Stewart Harris; Sandy McGloth-

lin; Jina Sauls; all Class Notes submissions courtesy of alumni

tt The Current is now online! Go to issuu.com/appalachian_school_of_law

to read this issue and previous editions.

Editor’s note: Lucy S. McGough will

become�the�Appalachian�School�of �Law’s

eighth�dean�on�July�1.

Ihave�been�asked�if �I�wanted�to�share�my

vision�of �ASL,�and�I�quickly�agreed,

though�just�as�quickly,�I�want�to�deny

any�notion�that�my�vision�is�any�different

than�that�held�by�most�of �you.

The�dean�whom�I�most�admired�was

Louisiana�State�Dean�Bill�Hawkland,�one

of �the�drafters�of �the�Uniform�Commercial

Code�and�a�member�of �the�Illinois�Law�fac-

ulty�who,�some�say,�“defected”�to�deaning.

Bill�liked�to�explain�that�he�did�not�dictate

where�the�sidewalks�were�to�be�poured.�In-

stead,�he�would�wait�to�see�where�the�paths

were�worn�in�the�grass�and�put�the�walks

where�the�walkers�wanted�them�to�be.�

That’s�a�metaphor�for�leadership�of �the

collective�constituencies.�I�spent�a�lot�of �my

time�in�November�and�again�in�February�try-

ing�to�discern�where�the�various�groups�–

faculty,�students,�alumni�and�trustees�–

wanted�those�walks�to�be.�I�firmly�believe

that�listening�to�others�to�divine�their�vision

is�leadership.

Everyone�wants�for�ASL�to�grow�in�all

sorts�of �ways.�We�certainly�want�to�continue

to�improve�bar�passage�and�create�more�op-

tions�for�graduates�in�their�search�for�a�pro-

fessional�niche.�Steps�have�already�been�taken

by�Dean�Wes Shinn,�with�my�blessing,�to

hire�a�new�Director�of �Admissions,�Mary

Ragland.�In�addition,�though�it’s�hard�to�let

Tommy Sangchompuphen go,�we�look�for-

ward�to�the�arrival�of �Maryann Herman,

who�will�take�the�reins�of �the�Academic�

Success�program.�Empowering�those�who

are�here�to�become�licensed�professionals�is�

a�critical�promise�of �our�mission.�

We�are�also�devoting�more�of �the�budget

in�support�of �Career�Services�and�the�inde-

fatigable Janie Castle.�Before�the�fall,�we

hope�to�have�a�new�software�system�in�place

to�facilitate�her�communication�with�students

about�internship�and�job�opportunities�and

to�provide�additional�support�for�programs.

We�should�also�all�acknowledge�that�the�staff

members�provide�the�engine�for�ASL�to�sur-

vive�and,�more�than�that,�detail�a�route�for

the�realization�of �our�aspirations.

We�want�to�enrich�the�possibilities�for

specialization�for�graduates.�As�you�know,�we

are�adding�a�specialty�in�natural�resources�law

and�all�sorts�of �professional�enhancements

through�the�Natural�Resources�Center.�We

are�so�honored�that�Elizabeth McClanahan

of �the�Virginia�Supreme�Court�has�agreed�

to�direct�these�new�initiatives.�A�colonial

mansion,�the�Bunn-Richardson�House,�has

been�acquired�as�a�home�for�the�center�and

various�student�organizations.�Plans�are�afoot

to�expand�current�environmental�law�offer-

ings�to�provide�specialty�courses�for�students,

a�joint-degree�collaboration,�and�several�con-

tinuing�legal�education�programs�for�alums

and�other�members�of �the�bar.�This�enrich-

ment�will�come�at�no�expense�to�the�existing

commitment�to�alternative�forms�of �dispute

resolution�that�we�consider�essential�to�grads’

professional�development.�

We�want�to�build�a�sturdier�scaffolding�for

the�ASL�of �the�future�by�enhancing�our�en-

dowments�and�seeking�foundation�support

for�our�mission.�To�this�end,�we�have�hired�a

new�Director�of �Development,�Karen Har-

vey.�In�order�to�secure�alumni�support,�we

need�to�regard�current�students�as�“alumni-

in-residence.”�To�that�end,�we�pledge�to�re-

spond�to�student�concerns.�We�also�know

educational�debt�can�suffocate�professional

dean’s perspective

“Much is afoot at the AppalachianSchool of Law:There is great optimism aboutthe future ... for realizing both immediate andlong-term goals.”

Louisiana State University

ASL was named one of the top schools in the nation

for externships by preLaw magazine, a national publication

targeted at college students interested in going to law school.

ASL, which was ranked ninth on the magazine’s list, requires all

students to complete an externship after their 1L year. For six weeks,

students earn three hours of academic credit by spending at least

200 hours working in a judge's chambers, public law office, or public

interest organization.

tt Externships earn recognition

choice.�With�increased�endowments,�we

hope�to�hold�tuition�at�affordable�levels.

With�my�support,�in�April,�key�faculty

hosted�a�student-faculty�forum,�the�first�of

what�I�hope�will�be�a�regular�community

meeting�for�the�sharing�of �constructive

complaints�about�present�policies.�I�use

“constructive”�not�in�an�exclusive�sense�

of �forbidding�negative�comments�but�in

the�positive�sense�of �providing�criticism

that�leads�to�suggestions�for�solutions.��

For�example,�in�my�experience�partici-

pating�in�the�ABA�accreditation�process,

when�the�Accreditation�Team�meets�with

concerned�students,�invariably�there�are

two�concerns:�not�enough�jobs�are�pro-

duced�by�the�Career�Services�Department,

and�parking�options�are�limited�and�lousy,

given�the�tuition�we�are�paying.�Note�that

while�these�criticisms�are�real�and�deeply

felt,�they�are�concerns�of �the�current�stu-

dent�body.�It’s�when�current�students�con-

front�the�larger�issues�of �barriers�to�the

school’s�emergence�as�a�leader�in�legal�

education�and�a�leader�in�service�to�the

underserved�that�we�are�all�engaged�to

find�long-term�solutions.��

The�most�troubling�comment�at�the

forum�was�a�student’s�charge�that�the

name�and�mission�of �ASL�was�a�hin-

drance�in�retaining�law�students�and�in

employment.�That�speaker�had�not�done

his/her�homework.��In�legal�education

circles�and�major�hiring�markets,�ASL�

enjoys�name�and�mission�recognition�and

is�highly�respected�for�its�success�in�teach-

ing�and�professional�preparation.�You

need�not�worry�about�this

school’s�reputation.

I�hope�you�will�come�along�with�me:

ASL’s�mission�will�not�change.�We�will

continue�to�seek�those�who�have�realized

that�they�learn�best�under�an�intimate�

faculty-student�mentoring�model.�We�will

recruit�those�who�want�to�live�in�a�stun-

ningly�beautiful�small�community�and�

who�think�potluck�dinners�with�faculty

and�staff �are�cool.�We�will�support�and

nurture�those�who�respond�to�an�ideal�

of �public�service,�whether�within�a�large

firm�with�a�public�service�commitment�

or�as�a�county�attorney�or�public�defender.

These�are�equally�life-affirming�profes-

sional�goals.�We�will�support�our�alumni

with�continuing�career�advice�about�op-

portunities�and�connections:�This�is�a�life-

time�partnership�in�the�law.

None�of �these�pledges�could�be

realized�without�faculty�support.�I

am�amazed�at�the�energy�and�commitment

of �these�souls.�On�any�afternoon�at�many

law�schools,�tumbleweeds�blow�down�the

halls�with�no�faculty�member�in�sight.�This

ASL�faculty�works�more�hours�for�less�pay

than�any�faculty�of �whom�I�am�aware.

They�actually�care�what�happens�to�you

beyond�the�end�of �their�courses.

Much�is�afoot�at�the�Appalachian

School�of �Law:�There�is�great�optimism

about�the�future�and�enormous�commit-

ment�for�realizing�both�immediate�and

long-term�goals.�We�hope�you�will�recom-

mit�to�this�vision,�which�you�either�know-

ingly�or�unknowingly�wed�when�you�chose

ASL.�This�law�school�now�has�18�years�of

experience.�We�now�enter�the�middle

years.�As�Robert�Browning�said�in�his�love

poem�“Rabbi�Ben�Ezra”:�“The�best�is�yet

to�be.�The�last�for�which�the�first�was

made.”�n

Jesse Markley ’12 speaks with incoming Dean Lucy McGough. ASL held a

reception in McGough’s honor during a campus visit in February.

Spring/Summer 2012 n 3

dean’s perspective

4 n the Current

around campus

Experts�in�health�care,�law,�and

insurance�gathered�to�discuss

federal�health�care�reform�in�an

April�panel�cosponsored�by�ASL�and

Wellmont�Health�System.�The�event,�held

at�Bristol�Regional�Medical�Center�in�

Tennessee,�was�broadcast�live�at�ASL.

The�panel,�“Health�Care�at�the�Cross-

roads:�Charting�Our�Country’s�Future,”

focused�on�the�debate�surrounding�the

Patient�Protection�and�Affordable�Care

Act.�Panelists�were�ASL�Professors�

Stewart Harris and�Doug McKechnie,�

Virginia�Attorney�General�Ken Cuc-

cinelli,�Wellmont�President�and�CEO

Margaret “Denny” DeNarvaez,�CVA

Heart�Institute�President�and�Executive

Medical�Director�Gerald Grant Black-

well,�Virginia�Court�of �Appeals�Judge

Stephen McCullough,�and�Diane

Boyle,�vice�president�of �federal�govern-

ment�relations�for�the�National�Associa-

tion�of �Insurance�and�Financial�Advisors.

David Bailey,�host�of �“This�Week�in

Richmond,”�was�the�event’s�moderator.�

McCullough�noted�that�on�one�side

of �the�issue�are�those�who�believe�the

Constitution�“represents�a�profound

viewpoint”�about�how�to�govern,�and

that�it’s�the�states,�not�the�federal�govern-

ment,�that�should�have�the�power�when�it

comes�to�health�care.�Others,�he�said,

argue�that�what�was�important�when�the

Constitution�was�written�has�naturally

evolved,�and�big�problems�require�big�in-

tervention.�

Cuccinelli�said�Virginia�was�the�first

state�to�sue�over�health�care�reform.�“The

bill�is�about�health�insurance�and�health

care�…�the�lawsuit�is�about�liberty.�If

Congress�can�order�you�to�buy�insurance,

they�can�order�you�to�buy�a�car,�they�can

order�you�to�buy�asparagus,�they�can

order�you�to�buy�a�gym�membership.”�

Harris�took�the�opposing�view,�saying

that�“that�horse�done�left�the�barn”�be-

cause,�in�part,�health�care�is�so�unique.

“The�federal�government�has�man-

dated�…�people�who�run�hospitals�pro-

vide�you�with�health�care.�We�decided�as�

a�society�years�ago�that�we�wouldn’t�leave

people�to�die�in�the�street.”�

Harris�said�the�insured�are�already�pay-

ing�for�the�uninsured�to�receive�care,�and

the�federal�government�is�already�exercis-

ing�its�power�to�regulate�commerce�via

health�care.�“I�think�of �this�as�the�‘anti-

freeloader�statute.’�”

Boyle�said�the�crucial�parts�of �health

care�reform�are�access�and�affordability.

“If �you�make�health�care�more�afford-

able,�you�address�a�large�part�of �that�ac-

cess�issue,”�she�said.�

DeNarvaez�said�reform�has�to�focus

on�the�front�end�of �health�care�–�preven-

tative�steps�–�rather�than�the�back�end.

We�are�“going�to�have�to�work�harder�on

creating�wellness�as�an�agenda,�and�not

just�illness�and�treatment,”�she�added.

Blackwell�argued�that�health�care�re-

form�is�a�“very�complicated�topic�that�is

being�posited�as�having�simple�solutions,”

but�that�isn’t�true.�In�the�end,�tort�reform

is�crucial�to�reform,�he�said,�or�“the�costs

are�not�going�to�be�driven�down.�In�our

emergency�rooms,�the�only�way�doctors

can�get�in�trouble�is�if �they�undertest.”�

Cuccinelli�traveled�to�Grundy�to�meet

with�faculty,�staff,�and�students�at�ASL

the�day�after�the�panel.

The�Supreme�Court�heard�a�case�on

the�topic,�Florida et al v. United States De-

partment of Health and Human Services,�in

March.�A�ruling�is�expected�in�late�June. n

ASL, Wellmont team up in health debate

Wellmont Health System

Moderator David Bailey introduces panelists during a forum on health care reform cosponsored by ASL and Wellmont Health

System in Bristol, Tenn. The forum, held in April, can be viewed online at www.ustream.tv/recorded/21727701.

Pat Baker will represent ASL at the

Southeastern Association of Law

Schools (SEALS) New Scholars work-

shop in Florida in July. He has written

“The Case Backlog Before the Federal

Mine Safety Health Review Commis-

sion: Why Reforming the Commis-

sion’s Role and the Hearing Procedure

will Present a Viable Solution to Case

Gridlock,” publication forthcoming.

Judie Barger’s “Innocence Found:

Retribution, Capital Punishment and

the Eighth Amendment” has been ac-

cepted by the Loyola of Los Angeles

Law Review and will appear as lead

article in fall 2012.

Mark Belleville presented to the Ap-

palachian Trail Conservancy on “Con-

tracts 101: How to Avoid Liability,” and

“Appalachian Wind Wars: Harnessing

the Wind Energy of the Appalachian

Highlands in a Sustainable Way.” He

also recently participated in a panel

discussion for the Radford University

Pre-Law Society on non-traditional

ways to use your law degree.

Charlie Condon’s “RFID and Privacy:

A Look at Where the ‘Chips’ are

Falling,” was published in the fall/win-

ter 2011 edition of the Appalachian

Journal of Law.

Stewart Harris’ 2009 article “Some-

times We Really Do Suck” was se-

lected for inclusion in Techniques

for Teaching Law 2. His new article,

“Which Bible? Which God?” will be

published in the Appalachian Journal

of Law this fall. He will be speaking at

the University of Tennessee’s College

of Law on the role of law professors

in political debates in July.

Derrick Howard lectured on human

trafficking to the International Law

Society in spring 2012. He was also a

lecturer at the University of Kentucky

College of Law’s Developing Ideas

Conference in summer 2011 and par-

ticipated in the New Scholar workshop

at SEALS. His “The Appearance of So-

lidity: Legal Implementation of the

Human Right to Water in the United

States,” appeared in the fall/winter

2011 edition of the Appalachian

Journal of Law.

Kendall Isaac’s “Resolving Race Dis-

crimination in Employment Disputes

Through Mediation: A Win-Win for all

Parties” is being published in the

American Journal of Mediation, Spring

2012. His article “Is American Law

Behind the Times for not Outlawing

Workplace Bullying?” will be pub-

lished in the Spring/Summer issue of

the ABA Employment Law and Litiga-

tion Newsletter. He presented on "En-

trepreneurship and the Law” at the

London, Ohio, Correctional Institute

in December and on “Using ADR as

a Remedy for Workplace Bullying”

to the Virginia Mediation Network in

March and the Minorities in ADR Con-

ference in Columbus, Ohio, in May.

He will present on the same topic as a

new scholar at SEALS in July. Isaac also

co-presented on “Employer Implica-

tions on Conducting Background

Checks in a Post-9/11 Environment”

in April at the Society of Business,

Industry, and Economics Conference

in Florida.

Faculty Scholarship Award Winner –

Doug McKechnie’s “The Death of the

Public Figure Doctrine: How the Inter-

net and the Westboro Baptist Church

continued on page 13

Bowers, Herman to be newest faculty additionsJames Bowers

is�a�Montana�native

and�was�recently�the

Oliver�P.�Stockwell

Professor�of �Law�at

Louisiana�State�Uni-

versity,�where�he

taught�since�1982.

He�is�also�chair�of

the�American�Asso-

ciation�of �Law�Schools�Section�on�Law

and�Economics.�He�holds�a�bachelor’s

and�bachelor�of �laws�from�Yale�Univer-

sity.�He�has�taught�Contracts,�Uniform

Commercial�Code-

Sales,�Secured�Trans-

actions,�and�a�Legal

Scholarship�Seminar.

Before�joining�the

faculty�at�LSU,�he

taught�at�Texas�Tech

University�Law

School�in�Lubbock

and�William�Mitchell

College�of �Law�in�St.�Paul,�Minn.�He�also

spent�eight�years�in�private�practice�in

Minnesota.�He�is�husband�of �incoming

Dean�Lucy McGough.

Maryann Herman will�be�directing

ASL’s�Academic�Success�program.�Her-

man�has�served�as�the�Director�of �Edito-

rial�at�BARBRI�Inc.�for�the�past�four

years,�and�was�a�senior�attorney�editor

with�BARBRI�before�that.�She�also

served�as�a�staff �attorney�with�the

Chicago�Legal�Clinic.�Herman�holds�a

J.D.,�cum�laude,�from�Wayne�State�Uni-

versity,�where�she�was�editor�of �the

Wayne Law Review. She�earned�her�bache-

lor’s�at�Siena�Heights�College�in�Adrian,

Mich.,�and�is�licensed�to�practice�in

Illinois�and�Michigan.�n

Bowers Herman

Recent Faculty Scholarship

Spring/Summer 2012 n 5

faculty spotlight

Members of the ASL community take a load off

during a bike trip on the Creeper Trail, which runs

between Abingdon and Damascus, Va. (1) ... Professor

Stewart Harris gets cozy in the hot seat during a

student-organized “roast” (2) ... Members of the ASL

Softball team take a break from competition during

the University of Virginia Law Softball Invitational in

Charlottesville, Va. (3) ... ASL and the Buchanan

County Sheriff’s Office pause to remember Deputies

Neil Justus and Billy Stiltner, killed near Vansant

in March last year (4) ... Dean Wes Shinn presents

Elisabeth Griffith ‘12 with the Sutin Soul of ASL

Award during the annual awards banquet in March at

Mountain Mission School (5).

around campus

6 n the Current

1 2

3

4 5

Sandy McGlothlin

Maggie Ransone

Akiah Highsmith

Runners take to the Grundy streets during the annual

Memorial 5K run in March (6) ... Nicole Lawson ‘12 and

Sarah Brown ‘12 of ASL Cares snap a picture with

Laura Donahue, center, Virginia State Director for the

Humane Society of the United States, who spoke on

campus in April (7) ... Students load up on southern fare

during a campuswide barbecue hosted by the Student

Bar Association in March (8) ... Members of the ASL

community pitch in to spruce up their surroundings

during Campus Beautification Day in April (9).

around campus

Spring/Summer 2012 n 7

6

7

8 9

8 n the Current

ASL�held�its�13th�annual�commencement�May�5�at

Riverview�Elementary-Middle�School,�recognizing�the

91�members�of �the�Class�of �2012.�The�new�graduates

mean�ASL�now�has�more�than�1,000�alumni.

The�ceremony�was�Dean�Wes Shinn’s sixth�and�final�com-

mencement�as�leader�of �ASL.�The�graduates,�he�said,�were�be-

coming�“students�of �the�law�for�life.”�He�also�urged�graduates

to�acknowledge�the�family�and

friends�who�encouraged�them

during�their�studies,�prompting

a�standing�ovation�in�honor�of

the�audience�of �supporters.�

The�commencement

speaker�was�Beverly Perdue,

the�governor�of �North�Car-

olina�and�a�Buchanan�County

native.�She�was�introduced�by

Associate�Dean�Sandra Mc-

Glothlin,�who�noted�that

Perdue�grew�up�in�Harman

a�coal�miner’s�daughter.�She

started�at�Grundy�High�when�it�was�still�in�the�building�that

now�houses�ASL�and�eventually�graduated�third�in�her�class.

She�was�elected�to�the�North�Carolina�House�in�1986�and�

became�the�first�female�governor�of �North�Carolina�in�2009,

“shattering�the�glass�ceiling,”�McGlothlin�said.�

Perdue�encouraged�the�graduates�to�take�time�to�think

about�where�their�journey�has�led�and�where�they�want�it�to

lead�next.�“We�have�very�few�opportunities�to�think�about�our

hopes,�the�people�we�love,�the�choices�we’ve�made�or�might

have�made,”�she�said.�“My�team�calls�it�a�‘moment�of �magni-

fied�purpose.’�My�hope�for�you�is�that�you�take�a�few�minutes

for�your�personal�moment�of �magnified�purpose.”�

The�ceremony’s�student�speaker,�an�honor�that�goes�to�

the�student�who�graduates�first�in�his�or�her�class,�was�Daniel

Newby ’12,�a�native�of �Johnson�City�who�graduated�from

East�Tennessee�State�University.�

“We�made�it�to�the�law�school�finish�line,”�he�said.�While

hurdles�such�as�the�bar�exam�remained,�he�noted,�they�didn’t

reduce�the�significance

of �the�achievement�that

was�finishing�law�school.�

ASL�Alumni�Associa-

tion�President�Suzanne

Kerney-Quillen ’03

issued�the�alumni�chal-

lenge�to�the�new�gradu-

ates,�noting�that�the

Class�of �2012�meant�that

ASL�now�has�more�than

1,000�alumni,�“an�incred-

ible�milestone.”�Previous

graduates�had�laid�the

groundwork�for�the�newest�alums’�success,�she�said,�“and�your

success�will�pave�the�way�for�future�students�of �ASL.”�Ker-

ney-Quillen�also�presented�Newby�with�the�Sutin-Blackwell

Award�for�Excellence�for�graduating�first�in�his�class.�

McGlothlin�presented�the�graduates�with�their�hoods,�

and�Shinn�awarded�the�degrees.�Professor�Stephen P. Par-

sons gave�the�invocation�and�benediction.�Pianist�Terry

Ratliff and�the�Appalachian�Highlanders�Pipes�&�Drums�

provided�music.�Faculty�members�formally�welcomed�all�

graduates�to�the�profession�with�a�handshake�after�the�cere-

mony,�a�tradition�instituted�at�last�year’s�commencement.�n

The Class of 2012

“You are stars,and there arepeople all overwho need to beinspired by stars.”

— North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue

Akiah Highsmith

2012 commencement• Dominick M. Angotta

• Courtney Lynn Armstrong

• Claude Addison Barnhill

• William Blake Belcher

• Joseph Michael Birchfield

• Bradley S. Blanchard

• Sarah Kathryn Brown

• James Anthony Burdoff III

• Richard Joseph Burningham

• Jeffrey Ellis Caudill

• Evan Heath Chaffin

• Alex Anderson Chesnut

• Adam Storm Chess

• Hansi Stevenson Chowdhry

• Joshua Greg Cohen

• Morgan Hall Constantino

• James Richard Cook II

• John Michael Crotts

• Jacob L. Davidson

• Steven Craig Davis

• Alexander N. DerGarabedian

• William B. Divis

• Curtis Edward Dotson

• Brandie Inez Eaton

• Joshua R. Evans

• Jennifer Leigh Ferrara

• Ryan Christopher Frank

• James Paul Glover

• Brandi Nicole Goad

• Elisabeth Nicole Griffith

• Ralph Joseph Hagy

• Meka Danielle Hall

• T. Brooke Howard II

• Amber Lee Howe

• Laura Ashley Humphries

• Penny Sueann Mullins Hunter

• Garylene Ana Joji Dedoyco Javier

• Jennifer Gail Jones

• Robert Bruce Josey Jr.

• David Thomas Kasper

• Pamela Sinclair Keeling

• Jamie Clifton King

• Samantha Eve LaRoche

• Brandi Lee Olive Lawrence

• Nicole Amber Lawson

• Brooke Ashley Lewis

• Bethany Michelle Long

• Danny Lee Lunsford Jr.

• Katherine M. Madon

• Jesse C. Markley

• Lance V. McFadden

• Lucille C. McGee

• Kathryn Emily Mooney

• Eugena Moulton

• Daniel Armon Newby

• Patrick Richard Newlun

• Edward Nicholson

• Brittani O’Brien

• Ashley Elizabeth Owen-Cunningham

• Elena Georgiev Patarinski

• Ankur R. Patel

• George Anderson Payne Jr.

• Tania Razara Perez Rodriguez

• Sean F. Pinner

• Valerie Elaine Powell

• Bryan Linzie Ragland

• Noorassa Aroosha Rahimzadeh

• Chloe Denise Richland

• John Ross Rogers

• Stephen Patrick Shepard

• Joshua Gentry Shrieves

• Jonathan Louis Silvester

• Charles Wade Simmons

• Shelly Lynette Smith

• Alexandra James Smith

• John Stanley Stacy II

• Jason Adden Stegner

• Gary Wayne Stiltner

• Kevin Ray Sullivan

• Jessica Brooke Taylor

• Tracy D. Taylor

• Alexis Christine Thore

• Neal Robert Tucker

• Carl Eric von Kleist II

• Stephen Lee Walters Jr.

• Erin A. Waugh

• Brian Andrew Wenham

• Gregory T. Whitley

• Robert Samuel Willett

• Phoenicia D. Williams

• Domica Martha Winstead

Spring/Summer 2012 n 9

Akiah Highsmith

10 n the Current

the heart the soul the spirit... of ASL

TOM BLACKWELL

As remembered by

Professor Stewart Harris

On�January�16,�2012,�it�was�precisely�

10�years�since�our�friend�and�colleague

Tom Blackwell was�suddenly,�brutally,

and�senselessly�murdered.�We�miss�him

and�we�mourn�him�still.

Tom�was�a�devoted�husband�to�Lisa

Blackwell and�a�wonderful�father�to�Zeb,

Jillian,�and Zeke. My�office�was�next�to

his.�Although�we�had�known�each�other

only�a�few�months,�we�were�already�good

friends.�On�the�day�before�he�died,�Tom

and�I�had�a�conversation�about�his�chil-

dren,�who�had�spent�the�previous�after-

noon�playing�with�Priscilla’s�and�my�chil-

dren�at�our�home.�I�commented�that�his

kids�were�extraordinarily�well-behaved,�in-

telligent,�and�–�surprisingly�for�such�young

children�–�even�witty.��I�told�him�that�I

hoped�they�would�come�over�many�times

in�the�years�to�come.�Tom’s�response:

“Well,�it’s�hard�to�believe�that�I�could�pro-

duce�such�good�kids,�but�I�guess�I�have�to

agree�with�you.”�He�paused,�and�then

added,�“It�must�be�their�mother’s�

influence.”

Tom’s�career�achievements,�though�

always�secondary�to�his�family�commit-

ments,�were�impressive�right�from�the�

beginning.�I�remember�one�conversation

we�had�about�scores�on�the�LSAT,�the�Law

School�Admission�Test.�After�a�little�prod-

ding�from�Lisa,�Tom�told�the�story�of �his

own�experience�with�the�LSAT.��He�said

that�he�had�given�a�friend�a�ride�to�the

exam,�and�that�the�friend�had�suggested

that,�rather�than�waiting�in�the�car�all�day,

Tom�should�take�the�test,�too.�So�he�did:

Without�studying,�without�knowing�any-

thing�about�the�LSAT,�Tom�took�the�test,

cold.�He�scored�in�the�top�1�percent�and,

indeed,�came�very�close�to�achieving�a�per-

fect�800.��

Later,�after�breezing�through�Duke�Law

School,�Tom�had�a�long�and�successful�ca-

reer�in�private�practice�until�he�decided�to

begin�teaching.��He�started�as�an�adjunct�at

Texas�Wesleyan�School�of �Law�while�still

maintaining�his�private�practice�and�while

going�to�the�University�of �Texas�at�Arling-

Many thought ASL could not survive after January 16, 2002 – a new institution,

just provisionally accredited, improbably located, and in a challenging professional

environment. The fact that we are here today, a decade later, as a thriving academic

community, remembering, is a testament to the contributions of our three friends

and colleagues.

– Dean Wes Shinn

January 16, 2002 memorial

ton�to�begin�his�Ph.D.�in�mathematics.�He

then�taught�full-time�at�Chicago-Kent�and

finally�came�to�the�Appalachian�School�of

Law.�He�was�one�of �the�finest�teachers�I

have�ever�known.

Tom�was�also�a�giver�to�this�commu-

nity.�A�few�weeks�before�he�died,�he�and

his�entire�family�performed�in�the�Christ-

mas�show�at�the�Mountain�Mission

School.�(It�wasn’t�enough,�you�see,�for�the

Blackwell�kids�to�be�brilliant,�polite,�and

funny�–�they�also�had�to�be�musical.)��Tom

pounded�nails�and�got�his�boots�muddy

volunteering�with�a�local�community

group�that�renovates�the�homes�of �low-in-

come�families.�And�his�contributions�to

the�law�school�were�too�numerous�to�list.

It�suffices�to�say�that�without�Tom,�ASL

would�not�have�had�a�website�until�much

later,�would�not�have�nearly�the�respect�it

had�already�earned�in�the�legal�education

community,�and�would�not�have�been�the

wonderful�place�it�was�before�he�died.

I�am�pleased�to�report�that,�in�the

10�years�since�the�death�of �their�husband

and�father,�the�Blackwells�have�done�well.

Tom’s�kids�did�come�over�to�our�house

many�times�and�played�with�our�children

frequently�until�the�Blackwells�moved�back

to�Texas�in�2005.�Lisa�recently�completed�a

master’s�degree�in�counseling.�Zeb�gradu-

ated�from�Princeton�in�2009,�Jillian�will

graduate�from�the�University�of �Pennsyl-

vania�this�year,�and�Zeke�is�a�member�of

the�Class�of �2013�at�Yale.�The�institutions

Tom�served�have�also�carried�on�his�work.

The�Association�of �Legal�Writing�Direc-

tors�has�established�an�annual�award�in

Tom’s�honor.��

ASL�obtained�its�final�accreditation�in

2006�and�continues�to�thrive�as�the�town

of �Grundy�is�reborn�around�it.��

Tom�came�to�ASL�because�he�wanted

to�help�create�a�law�school�where�one�was

truly�needed,�a�law�school�that�would�pro-

duce�lawyers�who�cared�about�more�than

money�and�prestige,�lawyers�who�would

devote�themselves�to�service�and�to�justice.

He�wanted�to�help�people�who�otherwise

would�never�have�had�a�chance�to�obtain�a

legal�education.�As�the�past�decade�has

amply�demonstrated,�Tom�achieved�his

goals,�to�a�greater�extent�than�he�could

have�known.

n n n

TONY SUTIN

As remembered by

Associate Dean Sandra McGlothlin

On�January�16,�2002,�when�Dean�Tony

Sutin died,�many�thought�that�the�Ap-

palachian�School�of �Law�would�die�along

with�him.�They�were�wrong.

Tony�Sutin�graduated�from�high�school

in�Bellport,�N.Y.,�as�valedictorian�of �his

class.�He�graduated�with�honors�from

Brandeis�University�and�graduated�cum

laude�from�Harvard�Law�School.�

He�was�a�judicial�law�clerk�for�the�U.S.

District�Court�under�the�guidance�of

Judge�Barefoot�Sanders.�He�was�a�partner

in�the�Washington,�D.C.,�firm�of �Hogan

and�Hartson�before�accepting�a�position�in

the�U.S.�Department�of �Justice,�where�he

served�in�various�positions�until�he�was�ap-

pointed�by�Attorney�General�Janet�Reno

to�serve�as�Acting�Assistant�Attorney�Gen-

eral.

Then,�in�September�1997,�Tony�con-

tacted�the�Appalachian�School�of �Law�to

find�out�if �they�anticipated�expanding�their

faculty�the�next�fall,�and,�if �so,�he�ex-

pressed�his�interest�in�being�considered�for

any�openings.�In�November�of �that�year,

after�an�initial�interview�with�some�repre-

sentatives�of �the�school,�Tony�wrote�in�a

letter�to�ASL,�“I�believe�I�share�the

founders’�vision�of �what�the�school�can

and�should�be,�and�would�enjoy�the�oppor-

tunity�to�participate�in�bringing�that�vision

to�fruition.”��

You�see,�there�was�no�need�to�sell�him

on�the�mission�of �the�school.�It�was�con-

sistent�with�how�he�lived�his�life�and�with

what�he�wanted�to�do.

So�in�1999,�Tony�Sutin�left�a�position�as

Acting�Assistant�Attorney�General�of �the

United�States�to�become�an�assistant�pro-

fessor�at�a�start-up�law�school�in�rural�Vir-

ginia�that�was�still�unaccredited.

Tony�and�his�wife,�Margaret,�who�also

became�a�professor�at�ASL,�and�their�son,

Henry,�who�they�adopted�in�1998�from

Russia,�moved�to�Grundy�in�1999.�In

2000,�although�he�had�been�at�the�school

less�than�a�year,�the�faculty�and�Board�of

Trustees�asked�Tony�to�serve�as�dean.

In�May�2000,�the�school�graduated

its�first�class.�Shortly�thereafter,�Tony�faced

his�biggest�challenge:�to�get�ASL�accred-

ited.�In�April�2001,�Tony’s�hard�work�paid

continued on page 12

Members of the ASL community release balloons in memory of those killed and

wounded in the January 2002 shooting during a 10-year anniversary memorial.

Spring/Summer 2012 n 11

continued from page 11

off:�The�ABA�granted�ASL�provisional�

accreditation.

Tony�was�not�just�a�leader.�He�was�a

leader�who�genuinely�cared�about�all�of

those�around�him.�Tony�reached�out�to�

assist�those�who�struggled,�even�his�own

future�assailant,�buying�him�a�laptop,�pay-

ing�his�electric�bill,�and�counseling�him�re-

peatedly�on�his�classwork.�

Something�I�vividly�remember�being

said�about�Tony�by�a�colleague�from�his

D.C.�law�firm�at�his�memorial�service�was

that�“Tony�was�just�as�kind�and�consider-

ate�to�the�guy�that�took�the�trash�out�of

his�office�everyday�as�he�was�to�his�boss,

the�Attorney�General�of �the�United

States.”�That�quote�was�a�real�inspiration

to�me.�I�find�it�popping�up�in�my�memory

quite�often.

In�2001,�shortly�before�his�tragic�death,

Tony�and�his�wife,�Margaret,�adopted�a�lit-

tle�girl,�Clara,�from�China.�Tony�and�Mar-

garet�liked�the�idea�of �raising�their�kids�in

a�small�town.�They�adapted�easily.�Tony

walked�to�school�in�the�mornings�and�fre-

quently�joined�Henry�for�“Dads�&

Donuts”�get-togethers�at�the�public�li-

brary.�It�was�common�to�see�Margaret�and

the�children�visiting�with�Tony�in�his�of-

fice�at�lunchtime.

Tony�Sutin�did�not�die�in�vain.�After

that�tragic�day�in�January�2002,�the�Ap-

palachian�School�of �Law�did�not�perish,

but�instead,�it�thrived.�By�the�following�

semester,�six�new�professors�had�joined

the�faculty,�and�student�applications�were

up�more�than�50�percent.

There�is�a�quote�that�I�think�best�sums

up�Tony�Sutin’s�dedication�to�ASL.�It

comes�from�Ted�Kennedy’s�concession

speech�in�his�campaign�for�nomination

as�the�Democratic�presidential�candidate

against�incumbent�Jimmy�Carter,�a�cam-

paign�that�Tony�had�been�a�part�of.�The

quote�goes�like�this:�“For�me,�a�few�hours

ago,�this�campaign�came�to�an�end.�For�all

those�whose�cares�have�been�our�concern,

the�work�goes�on,�the�cause�endures,�the

hope�still�lives,�and�the�dream�shall�never

die.”

n n n

ANGELA DALES

As remembered by

Community Service Director Jina Sauls

On�January�16,�2002,�Angela Denise

Dales died�tragically�in�a�shooting�at�ASL.

This�senseless�act�devastated�the�entire

ASL�community.��

One decade later, their memories live on ...In 2003, a year after her husband’s

death, Lisa Blackwell presented the

first Thomas F. Blackwell Memorial

Award for outstanding achievement

in the field of legal writing to Richard

Neumann of Hofstra University School

of Law. The Blackwells’ children, Zeb,

Jillian, and Zeke, were also on hand

for the occasion.

The honor has been bestowed each

year since at the meeting of the Asso-

ciation of Legal Writing Directors and

has become one of the most coveted

in legal writing. Recipients must have

“made an outstanding contribution”

to legal writing through exemplary

teaching and fruitful efforts to advance

the field. They receive a $1,000 prize,

a plaque, and a desk lamp. The lamp’s

meaning is two-fold: It symbolizes the

light Blackwell “shed on his students

and colleagues” and pays homage to

his love of light bulb jokes.

The 2012 winner of the 10th annual

Blackwell Award was Suzanne Rowe,

director of the Legal Research and

Writing Program at the University of

Oregon. A plaque listing all winners is

on display at ASL.

The Blackwell Award is one notable

example of the ways his memory, as

well as those of Tony Sutin and An-

gela Dales, lives on. ASL’s chapter of

the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity is also

named for Blackwell, and an ASL pro-

fessorship bears his name.

Sutin’s name graces a public service

fellowship at Harvard University and

an annual award, the L. Anthony Sutin

Civic Imagination Award, given by the

Department of Justice. ASL’s chapter of

Phi Alpha Delta bears his name, and

ASL established the L. Anthony Sutin

professorship, held by Dean Wes

Shinn.

Angela Dales’ name graces ASL’s

Student Services office and student

scholarship program. Route 624 from

U.S. 460 to the Buchanan County line,

which traverses Dales’ Garden Creek

home, was renamed the Angela Dales

Memorial Highway.

ASL continues to honor Blackwell,

Sutin, and Dales every year with the

Memorial 5K, and the school’s annual

memorial awards – The Blackwell

Heart of ASL award, Sutin Soul of ASL

award, and Dales Spirit of ASL award –

recognize students who embody the

character of each person. The trio of

trees in front of ASL’s visitor parking

lot also memorializes the three.

Zeke, Lisa, and Jillian Blackwell

present Suzanne Rowe, second from

right, with the 2012 Thomas F. Blackwell

Memorial Award in Washington.

12 n the Current

Lisa Blackwell

January 16, 2002 memorial

continued from page 5

Spawned a Killer” will be pub-

lished in the University of Cali-

fornia Hastings College of Law

Journal in the fall. He will mod-

erate a panel on “Evaluating

Student Performance and Pro-

viding Feedback” at SEALS in

July, where he will also present

on “Supreme Court and Legisla-

tive Update: Individual Rights.”

He spoke on “A License to

Speak Freely on Matters of Pub-

lic Concern: Everything Old is New Again,” at the South-

eastern Law Scholars Conference in Charleston, S.C., in

October 2011.

Alan Oxford’s “When Agents Attack: Judicial Misinter-

pretation of Vicarious Liability Under ‘Aided in Accom-

plishing the Tort by the Existence of the Agency Relation’

and the Restatement 3rd's Failure to Properly ‘Restate’

the Ill-fated AS:219(2)(d) Provision,” will be published in

Oklahoma City University Law Review this summer. His

article “O Brother, Where Art Thou and Thine Unequal

Share?: Simplifying the Computation of Unequal Inheri-

tance Shares With a ‘Count-the-Shares’ Approach,” will

be published in the Quinnipiac Probate Law Journal,

spring 2012.

Paula Young’s “The Crisis in Insurance Coverage for

Mediators – Part 2: Even Lawyer-Mediators are ‘Going

Bare’” is forthcoming in the American Journal of Media-

tors. She presented on “Malpractice, Ethics, and UPL

Claims Against Mediators: How the Ethical Mediator Can

Avoid Them,” at the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution

14th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., in April.

She also spoke on “Updating Your Agreement to Mediate

and Opening Orientation to Reflect the Requirements of

the Revised SOEs,” at the Annual Spring Training Confer-

ence of the Virginia Mediation Network in Richmond in

March. She was a Faculty Workshop Presenter at the

Quinnipiac-Yale Dispute Resolution Workshop in Con-

necticut in March and at the Salmon P. Chase College of

Law in Kentucky in April. Young also was a presenter and

panelist at the annual Fall Training Conference of the Vir-

ginia Mediation Network in September 2011 as well as a

presenter and trainer for the Collaborative Law Process

Collaborative Professionals of Roanoke in July 2011.

Angela�exemplified�the�mission�and�the�spirit�of �ASL.

She�was�born�and�raised�in�Buchanan�County,�Virginia.��

Angela’s�father�was�a�coal�miner,�and�her�mother�worked�as

a�cook�in�the�local�school�system.�Angela�possessed�a�desire

to�learn�and�was�determined�to�succeed.�

She�graduated�third�in�her�class�from�Garden�High

School.�She�was�an�honor�student�at�Virginia�Intermont

College.�She�graduated�with�a�double�major�in�English�and

political�science�and�received�the�school’s�highest�awards.

While�at�Virginia�Intermont�College,�Angela�also�partici-

pated�in�the�Worrell�Honor’s�Program�for�Studies�Abroad,

wherein�she�studied�at�the�University�of �Munich�in�Munich,

Germany.��

After�returning�to�Virginia,�Angela�enrolled�in�graduate

school�at�Radford�University�and�later�accepted�a�position

at�ASL�as�an�admissions�counselor.�Adversity�was�not�a

word�that�she�ever�recognized.�As�a�single�mother,�she�con-

tinued�to�perform�work�toward�her�graduate�degree�while

she�spent�a�lot�of �time�traveling�to�showcase�the�law�school.

She�personally�recruited�many�of �the�students�in�the�earlier

classes�to�ASL.��

As�a�member�of �the�charter�class�at�ASL,�I�met�Angela

while�she�was�working�in�admissions.�Angela�was�an�ab-

solutely�beautiful�human�being.�After�only�a�few�conversa-

tions�and�interactions�with�Angela,�I�realized�her�beauty

radiated�from�within.�Angela�was�a�loving�daughter�and�sis-

ter�and�a�devoted�mother�to�her�daughter,�Rebecca.�Angela

was�a�selfless,�giving�person.�You�could�see�this�just�by�look-

ing�in�her�eyes.�She�cared�about�people�and�always�put�oth-

ers�before�herself.�She�loved�to�do�things,�buy�things�or

make�things�for�other�people.�She�never�expected�anything

in�return.�She�possessed�an�innate�ability�to�make�those

around�her�feel�important�and�appreciated.�Her�laughter�

was�contagious�and�her�smile�could�brighten�any�room.���

Angela�believed�that�ASL�would�produce�attorneys�who

would�benefit�society.�She�enjoyed�working�for�ASL.�She

loved�it�so�much�that�she�recruited�herself.�This�did�not

come�as�a�surprise�to�some�members�of �the�Dales�family.

They�could�feel�her�energy.�She�was�excited�about�the�op-

portunity�to�attend�law�school�and�to�fuel�her�passion�for

learning.���

At�the�time�of �her�death,�Angela�was�a�1L�at�ASL.�

Not�unlike�some�of �the�students�in�attendance�today,�An-

gela�probably�spent�the�initial�days�of �that�spring�semester

anxiously�awaiting�her�first�grades.�She�excelled�as�a�student

at�ASL�and�earned�the�distinction�of �being�on�the�Dean’s

List.�She�had�also�been�elected�treasurer�of �Phi�Alpha�Delta,

one�of �the�first�student�organizations�on�campus.��

Angela�was�drawn�to�ASL�by�its�mission,�and�she�

believed�in�it.�Her�dream�will�live�on�as�ASL�graduates�

become�citizen�lawyers.�Angela�will�forever�remain�in�the

hearts�of �all�those�who�knew�her.�As�poet�Thomas�Camp-

bell�once�wrote,�“To�live�in�the�hearts�we�leave�behind�is�not

to�die.”�n

Spring/Summer 2012 n 13

McKechnie

2001

Clayton M. Craft ’01 has�released�

his�first�novel,�entitled�The HawkenEye.

The�young�adult�fantasy�novel�came�

after�years�of �reflection�on�his�childhood�

survival�of �cancer.�It�is�available�at�

Amazon.com�and�barnesandnoble.com.

He�currently�serves�as�vice�president�of

SunTrust�as�their�real�estate�officer�for

Western�Virginia.�Photo 1.

2006

In�November�2011,�Meg Sagi ’06

started�a�new�position�as�the�special

prosecutor�at�the�District�Attorney’s�

Office�for�DUI�and�Vehicular�Homicide

crimes�in�the�23rd�Judicial�District�of

Tennessee,�just�west�of �Nashville.�Previ-

ously,�she�was�the�special�prosecutor�for

domestic�crimes�in�the�jurisdiction�for

the�past�five�years.�Her�office�is�now�lo-

cated�in�Ashland�City,�Tenn.�

Jeremy Williams ’06 and�his�wife,

Meghann,�welcomed�Christopher�Cooper

Williams�on�March�6,�2012.�He�weighed�

9�pounds,�2�ounces,�and�was�born�in

Wilmington,�N.C.,�where�the�family�lives.�

Jeremy�is�working�for�Baker�&�Colby,

PLLC.�Photo 2.

2007

Jason Little ’07 accepted�a�position�

with�Steptoe�and�Johnson�PLLC�in�their

Charleston,�W.Va.,�office�in�December.

His�practice�focuses�primarily�on�energy

and�mineral�law,�and�specifically�oil�and

gas�related�to�the�Marcellus�and�Utica

Shale�areas�in�West�Virginia,�Pennsylva-

nia,�and�Ohio.�His�wife,�Jamie Webb

Little ’07,�accepted�a�position�at�the

Boone�County,�W.Va.,�prosecutor’s�office

in�March.�They�live�in�Charleston.�

Photo 5.

Erica Edanasu Parish ’07 and�Brendan

Erich�Roche�were�married�on�Sept.�10,

2011,�at�Emory�United�Methodist

Church�on�the�campus�of �Emory�&

Henry�College�in�Emory,�Va.�Erica�is�li-

censed�in�Virginia�and�Tennessee�and�is

currently�a�judicial�law�clerk�to�the�Hon.

Elizabeth McClanahan on�the

Supreme�Court�of �Virginia.�Brendan�is

an�assistant�commonwealth’s�attorney�in

Smyth�County,�Virginia.�They�live�in

Abingdon,�Va.�Photo 6.

Jonathan Roberts ’07 is�sole�practi-

tioner�and�owner�of �Wohlford�&�Roberts

in�Tennessee.�It�is�a�general�law�practice,

but�Roberts�specializes�in�plaintiff ’s�liti-

gation,�criminal�defense,�and�domestic

relations�law.�He�lives�in�Bristol,�Tenn.,

and�practices�law�all�over�the�state.�He

recently�helped�secure�a�$16�million�ver-

dict�for�a�client�in�a�wrongful-death�case.

Artie Vaughn ’07 and�his�wife,�Leeatra,

welcomed�daughter�Kimberly�Grace

Vaughn�on�Nov.�4,�2011,�at�David�Grant

Medical�Center�in�California.�The�family

is�stationed�at�Travis�Air�Force�Base�in

California,�where�Artie�serves�as�Chief �

of �Operations�Law.

Christopher Young ’07 recently�opened

his�own�law�practice,�The�Young�Law

Firm�PLLC,�in�Washington,�D.C.�His

practice�areas�are�nationwide�federal�

criminal�defense�on�the�trial�and�appel-

late�level,�as�well�as�general�civil�litigation

in�federal�court.�He�represents�clients�at

the�trial�level�and�appellate�level,�and

those�looking�for�other�means�of �post-

conviction�relief.���

class notes

14 n the Current

1 2

3 4

2009

Joshua Ferrell ’09 is�opening�the�Ferrell�Law�Office�in

Williamson,�W.Va.,�where�he�will�live.�The�general�law�practice

will�handle�areas�including�coal�mining�accidents�and�deaths,�

personal�injury,�family�law,�and�criminal�law.�

Amber Floyd Lee ’09 and�McKenna�L.�Cox�have�formed�Cox

and�Lee�PLLC�in�downtown�Johnson�City,�Tenn.�McKenna�and

Amber�both�worked�at�Legal�Aid�of �East�Tennessee�before�leav-

ing�to�open�the�practice.�The�civil�litigation�firm�specializes�in

domestic�relations,�immigration,�trusts�and�estates,�and�employ-

ment�discrimination.

2010

David Horton ’10 joined�the�public�defender’s�office�of �the

10th�judicial�circuit�of �Florida�in�November�2010.�He�won�the

“trial�dog”�award�for�most�jury�trials�in�2011.�He�recently�moved

to�defend�juveniles�and�was�on�the�local�news�handling�a�deten-

tion�hearing�for�a�14-year-old�charged�with�attempted�murder.

He�was�published�in�the�Appalachian Law Review in�2011.�Photo 4.

Nicholas M. Verna ’10 accepted�a�position�as�Of �Counsel�with

the�Gerber�Animal�Law�Center�in�Raleigh,�N.C.,�specializing�in

animal�law.�He�has�also�been�made�chairman�of �Wake�County

Bar�Association’s�community�service�subcommittee.�Photo 3.

2011

David Barnette ’11 recently�opened�his�office�in�Kingsport,

Tenn.�He�is�currently�practicing�criminal,�landlord/tenant�and

debtor/creditor�law,�but�plans�to�engage�in�other�fields�as�well.���

Justin Marcum ’11 was�sworn�in�to

the�West�Virginia�House�of �Delegates

in�January.�Marcum�represents�Mingo

and�Wayne�counties�and�is�a�member�

of �the�education�committee�and�political

subdivision�committee.�During�his�time

at�ASL,�Marcum,�a�former�miner,�penned

a�resolution�calling�for�a�day�of �apprecia-

tion�for�coal�miners�that�was�passed�in

the�West�Virginia�legislature�and�U.S.

Congress.�He�has�been�active�in�politics

as�former�leader�of �Mingo�County’s�Young�Democrats.�He�lives

with�wife�Latisha�in�Williamson,�W.Va.

Justin Plummer ’11 is�employed�with�Shapiro�and�Ingle�LLP

in�Charlotte,�N.C.�He�is�focusing�on�bankruptcy�and�foreclosure

work.

Spring/Summer 2012 n 15

tt Save the date

5 6

class notes

Marcum

ASL will host its annual gala at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, in

the courtyard. The event will feature live music, a catered dinner,

and a raffle. It will also serve as the official welcome of incoming

Dean Lucy McGough. Cocktail attire is suggested. For more details,

contact Development Director Karen Harvey at kharvey@asl.edu.

The annual golf tournament will also be held August 18

at Willowbrook Country Club. Morning and afternoon tee times

will be available. For more details, contact Professor Tom Scott

at trs@asl.edu.

the currentAppalachian School of Law

P.O. Box 2825Grundy, VA 24614

www.asl.edu

NONPROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDNORTH TAZEWELL, VA 24630

PERMIT NO. 20

Give. Why? To pay it forward.

To boost your degree’s value.

To keep making a difference.

For these reasons and more,

consider making a donation to

the Appalachian School of Law’s

Alumni Fund. For more details

or to make a donation, please

contact Director of Development

Karen Harvey at kharvey@asl.edu

or 276-935-4349, ext. 1241.