News from September 2024


Xavier R. Brown receives Ed Wilker Memorial Egalitarian Award

Congratulations to Assistant Dean for Admissions, Diversity and Inclusion & Strategic Initiatives Xavier R. Brown for receiving the UGA Black Faculty and Staff Organization's Ed Wilker Memorial Egalitarian Award. Named in honor of the late Ed Wilker who was a founding member of the BFSO, the award recognizes staff members who demonstrate occupational excellence consistently.


Mercer Law staff member supports teen girls through mentorship initiative

Najiva Timothee identified a need for mentorship among teen girls in Macon-Bibb County and decided to address it by creating the Girls Dig Deeper Initiative. Timothee, who works as an administrative support associate at Mercer Law School, mentors dozens of teen girls each year through this program.


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.


South Carolina man sentenced for shipping counterfeit fentanyl pills

Onesepherous L. Grissette has been sentenced to federal prison for shipping thousands of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl from South Carolina to North Georgia using the U.S. Mail.


Two convicted in fatal shooting linked to Hazlehurst street gang

On September 25, 2024, a Jeff Davis County jury found Daimon Smith, 20, and Jermon Rountree, 19, of Hazlehurst, Georgia, guilty of Felony Murder. The charges also included two counts of Aggravated Assault, two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and five counts of Violation of Street Gang and Terrorism Prevention Act. Both defendants were acquitted on one count of Violation of Street Gang and Terrorism Prevention Act.


Cartersville man sentenced for producing child pornography

Ian Alicea Prewett has been sentenced to federal prison for enticing children to perform sexual acts for the purpose of producing child pornography.


Brown receives Ed Wilker Memorial Egalitarian Award for occupational excellence

Xavier R. Brown, the Assistant Dean for Admissions, Diversity and Inclusion & Strategic Initiatives, has been honored with the UGA Black Faculty and Staff Organization's Ed Wilker Memorial Egalitarian Award. This award is named after Ed Wilker, a founding member of the BFSO. It acknowledges staff members who consistently demonstrate occupational excellence.


Milot featured in Newsweek on Americans' trust issues with pet care

Lisa Milot, Stanton Distinguished Professor in Canine Welfare Law and Practicum in Animal Welfare Skills Director, was featured in Newsweek. The article discusses the opinion of Americans regarding their trust in neighbors to watch their pets. Titled “Americans don’t trust their neighbors with their pets,” it was written by Liz O’Connell and published on September 28, 2024. The article was also republished by the Miami Herald.


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.


UGA School of Law receives $5M donation from Stanton Foundation

The University of Georgia School of Law has announced a $5 million donation from the Stanton Foundation, marking the largest gift in the school's history. The funds will support the First Amendment Clinic through an endowment.


U.S. District Court for Northern Georgia announces delayed opening due to weather

On Friday, September 27, 2024, all divisions of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia will be delayed two hours due to inclement weather.


Richmond County man sentenced for threatening Augusta's Social Security office

A Richmond County man has been sentenced to federal prison for threatening to blow up Augusta’s Social Security office. Keyon Tishaye Dickens, 39, of Augusta, received a 36-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to using a telephone to make a threat to injure a person or damage a building by explosives. U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall also mandated that Dickens serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.


Man sentenced for manufacturing ghost guns and drug possession

Richard Eric Greeson has been sentenced to federal prison for manufacturing and selling unserialized and untraceable rifles, known as "ghost guns," and possessing methamphetamine.


Olive Garden partners with Uber for delivery program

Darden Restaurants, Inc., the parent company of Olive Garden, has announced a multi-year exclusive delivery partnership with Uber Technologies, Inc. set to begin with Olive Garden in late 2024.


UGA closes main campus Sept. 26-27 due to Hurricane Helene

The University of Georgia (UGA) has announced the closure of its main campus on September 26 and 27 due to the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Helene. The decision was made with the safety of faculty, staff, and students in mind as forecasters predict heavy rain and high winds in the Athens area.


University of Georgia closes main campus due to Hurricane Helene

The University of Georgia (UGA) has announced the closure of its main campus on September 26 and 27 due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Helene. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain and high winds, potentially reaching unprecedented levels in the Athens area. The decision was made with the safety and security of faculty, staff, and students in mind.


Randy Beck publishes article in SMU Law Review

Marshall Chair of Constitutional Law Randy Beck has published an article titled "A Role Model Among Law Professors" in the 77th volume of the SMU Law Review, page 341, dated 2024.


Georgia Court of Appeals cites Carlson's book for evidentiary standards

Ronald L. Carlson's book, "Carlson on Evidence" (co-authored with M. Carlson), was recently cited by the Georgia Court of Appeals in the case Baker v. Cuthbertson. The court referenced the book to explain the standard for measuring prejudice in a civil case when a party claims prejudicial evidence was used against them at trial.


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.


Harpaz recognized at JIEL Junior Faculty Forum

Assistant Professor Assaf Harpaz was selected as a laureate at the Journal of International Economic Law Junior Faculty Forum, where he presented “Global Tax Wars and the Shift to Source-Based Taxation” during September.