J. D. Suayan News


Chatham County man sentenced for receiving child pornography

A Chatham County resident has been sentenced to over eight years in federal prison for receiving child pornography.


Mercer honors seven alumni during annual awards dinner

Seven distinguished alumni of Mercer University were honored for their significant contributions during the ninth annual Alumni and Friends Awards Reception and Dinner on November 1, coinciding with the Homecoming celebrations.


Federal indictment targets multi-county drug trafficking ring

Eleven individuals have been indicted on charges related to a drug trafficking operation spanning multiple counties, following the unsealing of a federal indictment.


Insurance Information Institute CEO: Georgia is 'the number one judicial hellhole' for legal abuse

Sean Kevelighan, CEO of the Insurance Information Institute, said legal abuse has made Georgia “the number one judicial hellhole" because of the negative impact on consumers.


University of Georgia School of Law adds five attorneys to clinical program

The University of Georgia School of Law has expanded its clinical program with the addition of five new attorneys in 2024. This move aligns with the school's commitment to providing quality legal education and services to underserved communities.


Georgia law schools achieve highest bar pass rate in a decade

School of Law Dean Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge was featured in a recent Law360 article discussing the achievements of the School of Law. The institution has led Georgia's law schools in first-time bar passage for the 11th consecutive year. This success contributes to raising the state's bar pass rate to a ten-year high.


Lori A. Ringhand discusses "Rescuing Reynolds" at University of Wisconsin

Hosch Professor and Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor Lori A. Ringhand recently presented a talk titled “Rescuing Reynolds” at the Wisconsin Discussion Group on Constitutionalism. The event took place at the University of Wisconsin Law School in September.


Justice Department finds unconstitutional conditions in Georgia prisons

The Justice Department announced its findings that conditions in Georgia's prisons violate the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution.


Attorney pleads guilty to obtaining fraudulent economic injury disaster loans

Sanjay Patel, a former Georgia-based real estate attorney, has admitted to fraudulently securing nearly $300,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) during the COVID-19 pandemic and laundering over $250,000 through his attorney escrow account from unrelated investor fraud schemes.


Stone Mountain man convicted for murder and tampering with evidence

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against a Stone Mountain man accused of killing a local pastor who was trying to counsel him and then attempting to cover up the crime by setting her van on fire.


Book by Lori A. Ringhand reviewed in Political Science Quarterly

Hosch Professor and Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor Lori A. Ringhand's book "Supreme Bias: Gender and Race in U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings" (Stanford University Press, 2023), co-authored with C.L. Boyd and P.M. Collins, was reviewed by Kirsten Widner in Political Science Quarterly. The review was published on September 4, 2024.


Decatur man sentenced to life plus five years after deadly attempted robbery

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against a Decatur man accused of participating in an attempted armed robbery that resulted in the death of Charles Lewis, 31.


Gov. Kemp on job creation: ‘our approach is bringing sustained opportunity for the people of our state’

Governor Brian Kemp stated in an August 29 announcement that business recruitment and expansion in Georgia have continued in fiscal year 2024, with more than $20.3 billion in investments between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.


Motocross coach sentenced for multiple child exploitation offenses

Ryan Meyung, a motocross instructor who traveled the country building motocross tracks and mentoring children, has been sentenced for multiple child exploitation offenses.


Lithonia man sentenced to life for home invasion rape of ex-girlfriend

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston has announced a jury conviction in the case against a Lithonia man accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s home and sexually assaulting her.


Kemp on tort reform listening tour: ‘I’m ensuring we listen to all stakeholders’

Gov. Brian Kemp announced during the 2024 Georgia Chamber Congressional Luncheon that he is initiating a listening tour to gather feedback from businesses regarding the impact of the state’s legal climate.


Beasley Allen Law Firm announces $6 million commercial vehicle case settlement

A $6 million settlement has been reached in a commercial vehicle case, according to the Beasley Allen Law Firm. The firm, which has been operating for over 40 years, emphasizes its commitment to "helping those who need it most."


Four faculty earn new titles at School of Law

Congratulations to the four School of Law faculty members who have been promoted or awarded new titles. Professor Nathan S. Chapman now holds the Cleveland Distinguished Chair of Law, Veteran Legal Clinic Director Alexander W. "Alex" Scherr is now a full Clinical Professor, First Amendment Clinic Director Clare R. Norins is now a Clinical Associate Professor and Instruction and Faculty Services Librarian Savanna Nolan now holds the rank of Law Librarian III.


Convicted felon returns to federal prison after new crimes

ATLANTA - Mamadou D’Jire, a previously convicted felon, has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing a firearm while illegally selling drugs, damaging a government vehicle while fleeing from law enforcement, and for violating the terms of his supervised release.


RAND report finds rising insurance costs driven by increased court filings, larger jury awards

A report from the research institution RAND, released on July 9, found that factors including larger jury awards and an increase in court filings are contributing to social inflation, meaning insurance costs are growing faster than overall economic inflation.