J. N. Schierl News


Emma Hetherington featured in Red Roof Inn sex trafficking case coverage

Clinical Associate Professor and Wilbanks Child Endangerment and Sexual Exploitation Clinic Director Emma M. Hetherington was featured in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution regarding sex trafficking allegations at an Atlanta hotel. The article titled "Red Roof Inn settles landmark sex trafficking case mid-trial" was written by Rosie Manins and published on June 27, 2024. The article was reprinted in other media outlets including the Chicago Tribune.


Northern District of Georgia to host virtual POWER Act event on July 19

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia will join district courts nationwide to present the 2024 Virtual POWER Act Event on July 19, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET. The event aims to promote pro bono services to empower survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It will emphasize the impact of pro bono representation and advocacy in the lives of victims and survivors of violence and abuse.


Jason A. Cade featured in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on immigration issues

Associate Dean and Hosch Professor Jason A. Cade was featured in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution regarding the Southern Poverty Law Center's Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative. The article titled "For migrants in Georgia, fighting deportation will become harder. Here's why." was written by Lautaro Grinspan and published on June 26, 2024.


Professor Usha Rodrigues featured in Reuters article on Delaware law changes

University Professor and Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues was featured in a Reuters article regarding changes to the Delaware General Corporation Law. The article, titled "Delaware law to allow big investors greater sway over US corporate boards," was written by Tom Hals and published on June 25, 2024.


Usha Rodrigues featured in Daily Report on Delaware corporate law changes

University Professor and Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law Usha Rodrigues was featured in the Daily Report regarding proposed changes to the Delaware General Corporation Law. The article, titled "Rare Opposition to Proposed Del. Corporate Law Changes Is Voiced to House Committee," was written by Ellen Bardash and published on June 18, 2024.


Harpaz featured in Newsweek discussing federal income tax elimination

Assistant Professor Assaf Harpaz was featured in Newsweek regarding the impact of eliminating the federal income tax by creating an "all tariff policy." The article titled "Warning Issued Over Donald Trump's Income Tax Plans" was written by Giulia Carbonaro and published on June 17, 2024.


West discusses Supreme Court ideology and the press at Colorado workshop

Sonja R. West, the Brumby Distinguished Professor in First Amendment Law, presented "Supreme Court Ideology and the Press" alongside R.A. Jones at the "Rocky Mountain First Amendment All Stars" workshop. The event was sponsored by the University of Colorado Law School.


Librarian Rachel Evans publishes leadership article in AALL Spectrum

Rachel Evans, Metadata Services & Special Collections Librarian, has published an article titled "Making the Ask: How to Gain Leadership Experience at Work in a Non-Supervisory Role" in the latest edition of AALL Spectrum. The article appears in volume 28 on page 34 and includes contributions from A. Abdullah, H. Bakken, V. Horton, and J. Tubinis.


Deadline approaches for Camp Lejeune Justice Act claims

The deadline to submit claims under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) is August 10, 2024. Those affected by toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune must act swiftly and ensure their claims meet specific criteria to be considered valid.


Concerns rise over safety of unregulated kratom market

Kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia and scientifically known as Mitragyna speciosa, has evolved into a billion-dollar industry in the United States. The plant's compounds interact with opioid receptors in the brain, resulting in effects that range from stimulation at low doses to sedation and euphoria at higher doses.


Georgia siblings sentenced for defrauding COVID-19 relief programs

Two Georgia siblings have been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to repay stolen funds after pleading guilty in a fraud conspiracy. La’Kyera Me’Lika Thurmond, 35, of Snellville, Ga., and Brandon Jamal Thurmond, 34, of Lilburn, Ga., were sentenced in U.S. District Court after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Each was sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered the siblings to pay $140,228...


Brunswick man convicted in aggravated assault case

District Attorney Keith Higgins announced that on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Michael Purnell, 59, of Brunswick, GA, was found guilty of aggravated battery. The Glynn County jury deliberated and returned their guilty verdict in under 30 minutes.


Coweta jury convicts Derrious Daniel; judge sentences him to life without parole

On May 10, 2024, a Coweta County jury found Derrious Bernard Daniel, 22, of Grantville, Georgia, guilty of felony murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, three counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The charges relate to the shooting death of Dustin Scott Parrott on February 17, 2023, in Newnan, Georgia.


UGA Law School Dean Steps Down After Decade Of Service

Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge, the dean of the University of Georgia School of Law since 2015, has announced his decision to return to the faculty at the end of this year. During his tenure as dean, Rutledge oversaw a period of historic rankings and fundraising records for the law school, along with an expansion in student financial aid. The institution was also consistently recognized as one of the nation’s best returns on investment in legal education.


Five Georgia men sentenced for large-scale dog fighting operation

Five men from middle Georgia have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a large-scale dog fighting operation. The 96 dogs rescued from the operation were found during searches conducted as part of an investigation into a drug trafficking conspiracy in Laurens, Treutlen, Johnson, and Emanuel Counties, according to Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Two individuals implicated in the dog-fighting operation were also sentenced in connection with the drug-trafficking conspiracy.


Hedge funds, trial lawyers responsible for rising car insurance costs for Georgia drivers

Recent reports indicate that the participation of third-party financiers in the legal system is resulting in a significant number of lawsuits and escalating litigation costs. This trend is contributing to increased car insurance costs for policyholders in Georgia and raising national security concerns.