K. R. Nelson News


Two gang members convicted in murder; one suspect remains at large

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston has announced the conviction of two men in connection with the murder of a transgender woman. On October 4, jurors found JaQuan Brooks, 25, and Davonte Fore, 26, guilty on multiple charges including Malice Murder and Felony Murder for the death of Skyler Gilmore (legal name Chase Gilmore), who was killed on June 4, 2021.


Eleventh Circuit invites applications for bankruptcy judge position in Atlanta

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit is inviting applications for a United States Bankruptcy Judge position in Atlanta. This appointment will be for a term of fourteen years and will serve the Northern District of Georgia.


Department of Justice awards $700K grant to combat gun violence in Atlanta

The Department of Justice has allocated nearly $700,000 to the City of Atlanta to support the Atlanta Police Department's (APD) efforts in establishing an Atlanta Crime Gun Intelligence Center. This initiative aims to tackle violent crime in the area.


Taylor co-presents on active learning at AALL Annual Meeting

Clinical Services and Research Librarian Amy Taylor participated in a presentation at the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) 2024 Annual Meeting. The session, titled "Experience Active Learning Implementation," included co-presenters W. Moore, S. Nolan, and H. Simmons.


Uber Health, AmerigroupGeorgia and GPCA to expand access to maternal health care

Uber Health has announced its commitment to improving maternal health by providing access to support like meals, goods, and groceries through a new maternal health program, according to a news release from Uber Health.


Justice Department finds unconstitutional conditions in Georgia prisons

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia has released findings from a multi-year investigation, concluding that the Georgia Department of Corrections is violating the constitutional rights of incarcerated individuals by failing to protect them from widespread physical violence and harm. The 94-page report indicates that violence in Georgia prisons has worsened over recent years.


Southern District of Georgia courthouses close due to Hurricane Helene

Due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, all courthouses in the Southern District of Georgia will remain closed on Monday, September 30, 2024. Further, the Augusta Courthouse will be closed on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 and Wednesday, October 2, 2024. Please check back for further updates regarding courthouse closures and reopenings.


Amazon's national wage increases affects 34,000 across Georgia

Amazon has announced a pay increase for its front-line team members that brings the average total compensation for workers to $29, affecting the 34,000 jobs held by workers across the state of Georgia. The wage increases totaled an additional $2.2 billion of investment nationwide.


Uber announces expansion of autonomous ride-hailing with Waymo

Uber has announced an expansion of its partnership with Waymo to offer Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing services in Austin and Atlanta through the Uber app. The service is set to launch in early 2025.


John Marshall Law School celebrates women's contributions

Since Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School’s (AJMLS) earliest graduating classes in the 1930s, women have been prominent in the student body, student organizations, and alumni. John Marshall’s commitment to educating law students of all genders dates back to its founding, as evidenced by an exhibit on the 19th floor outside classrooms 1951 and 1952.


Glynn County man sentenced for distributing sexually exploitive photos

A Glynn County man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to distributing images of child sexual exploitation and abuse.


Lagrange man sentenced for street gang act violations related to neo-nazi hate group

On September 11, 2024, in the Superior Court of Troup County, Hunter Blake Harrington, now 24, pleaded guilty to six violations of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. He also faced one count each of Possession of a Sawed-off Shotgun, Possession of a Sawed-off Rifle, and Unlawful Possession of a Silencer. Under a negotiated plea agreement, Coweta Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Markette Baker sentenced Harrington to 40 years, with the first 15 years to be served in prison. Harrington entered “best interest” guilty pleas to the Street Gang Act...


Former NFL player sentenced for PPP loan fraud during COVID-19 pandemic

Travis Lee Harris has been sentenced to federal prison for wire fraud related to his fraudulent acquisition of a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan amounting to nearly $1,000,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Convicted felon sentenced for shooting at police officer in Cartersville

ROME, Ga. - Jose Rivera has been sentenced to federal prison for the possession of a stolen firearm, which he discharged at a Cartersville police officer, and for the possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.


New case management orders issued in Ozempic litigation

The latest developments in the Ozempic litigation have been marked by a series of Case Management Orders (CMOs) overseen by Judge Karen Marston in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The case involves personal injury claims related to severe stomach issues, intraoperative aspiration, blindness, and other serious injuries. In the past month, eight new CMOs have been entered.


Former Atlanta CFO sentenced over multi-year fraud scheme

The City of Atlanta’s former Chief Financial Officer, Jimmie “Jim” A. Beard, has been sentenced to federal prison for a multi-year scheme involving theft of funds, purchase and possession of two machine guns, and obstructing federal tax laws using altered documents and a fake business.


Dennis and Rodrigues assume new roles at School of Law

Congratulations to Andrea L. Dennis and Usha R. Rodrigues for being named associate deans at the School of Law. Dennis will oversee academic affairs and student life, while Rodrigues will support the school's faculty in pursuit of world-class scholarship and extramural funding.


Institute for Legal Reform: ‘the public is now inundated with manipulative legal advertising’

The Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, stated in an August 16 post that "manipulative" advertisements from trial lawyers can mislead viewers by implying that a medication is unsafe, potentially causing consumers to stop taking prescribed medications and leading to adverse health effects.


Law school welcomes four new professors

The School of Law is pleased to welcome four new professors this fall. Prof. Pamela Foohey will teach Bankruptcy, Secured Transactions, and a Bankruptcy Practice Seminar; Asst. Professor Assaf Harpaz will teach Federal Income Tax and Taxation of Business Enterprises; Asst. Prof. Desirée LeClercq will teach International Trade and Workers' Rights, International Labor Law, International Law, and U.S. Labor Law; and Asst. Prof. Meighan Parker will teach The Law of American Health Care and Torts.


Judicial Conference seeks public comment on proposed rule amendments

The Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure has approved the publication of proposed amendments to several federal rules and forms. The committee is inviting public comments on these amendments by February 17, 2025.