ASL's Professor Priscilla Harris assists Graduate with Bar Prep

I just have to say that I am so thankful for Prof. P. Harris. I am in the thick of bar prep materials and I was struggling with the torts covered in advanced torts, which I did not take. Prof. Harris was in Philadelphia for a conference and took the time to sit with me and go over some of my weaknesses and traps, offering advice and helping refine legal principles that my outlines weren't making clear. It is truly only at ASL that this type of above and beyond help exists. I increased my score by another 10% thanks to her help. I just had to write and sing her praises, I am so very thankful.

 

Sincerely,

Katherine Kennedy, J.D.

Judicial Fellow for the Honorable D. Webster Keogh
Trial Division of the First Judicial District

The 2013 Governor's Bowl Chamber of Commerce Challenge

The Governor’s Office has again challenged Virginia Chambers of Commerce to collect food for area pantries during the summer months, when donations typically decline. Last year, Buchanan County won the award for small chambers, and ASL was a major contributor toward that.

 

This year’s competition runs from Memorial Day to July 4^th, so we are getting a bit of a late start but still have a few weeks to collect non-expired food. Please take your contributions to the backroom of the Library, where a box will be located. Those who wish to make financial contributions, which count as 4 pounds per dollar, can write checks to “Feeding America SWVA” and send them to Karen Harvey kharvey@asl.edu 276-244-1241.

ASL Lower Level Almost Completed

ASL Joins Yellow Ribbon Program for Veterans

 

 Grundy, VA – The Appalachian School of Law (ASL) has been officially designated a Yellow Ribbon School for the 2013-14 academic year. Up to four students who have served in the Armed Forces will be awarded $5,000 in Yellow Ribbon funds, which will be matched by the Veterans Administration (VA). The Post-9/11 GI Bill also pays up to $18,077.50 per academic year for private schools to veterans with 100 percent eligibility.

The Yellow Ribbon Program allows ASL, a private institution, and the VA to provide matching funds to cover all or a portion of the outstanding amount of established charges not covered under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. These students, then, will receive a total of $28,077.50 for tuition. ASL’s annual tuition is $31,000.

Eligible veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements) or their designated transferees may receive this funding. The criteria are:

·         Served an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of at least 36 months;

·         Honorably discharged from active duty for a service connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001;

·         A dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based on a veteran’s service under the eligibility criteria listed above.

For information about financial aid at ASL, contact David Brookshire, Financial Aid Officer, at 276-244-1211. For additional information on the Yellow Ribbon Program, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and other education programs from the VA, visit: http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/yellow_ribbon_program.html.


 

ASL Natural Resources Program Keeps Up Rapid Pace

From Professor Patrick R. Baker,  Associate Professor of Law and Institutional Development and Strategic Planning Chair:

  Despite the cold winter and tepid spring, ASL’s Natural Resources Program has been hot, hot, hot.  Building on the new natural resources classes approved by the faculty in the fall, the faculty adopted a Certificate in Natural Resources Law, so that students can highlight for prospective employers their experience, commitment to natural resources, and expertise.  Also, the faculty also approved a more flexible schedule that will allow 2Ls to take natural resources related courses for the first time.  Additionally, ASL will offer will offer four summer courses in a short course two week format in August. As part of the offerings, Oil & Gas Law and The Law of Renewables will be taught during the first two weeks of the month.  The plan is to offer more summer courses in the future in order to increase course offerings to ASL students and attract non-ASL students. 

   The Natural Resources Committee and Task Force continue to focus their efforts on the Governor’s First Biennial Natural Resources and Energy Law Symposium.  ASL is partnering with the Governor’s Office of Virginia in sponsoring this event as the official launch of ASL’s Natural Resources Law Program.  The event will be kicked off on September 22nd with a reception at the Olde Farm.  On Monday the venue will switch to the Higher Education Center in Abingdon.  The event will commence with a keynote address by James W. McGlothlin, founder of United Coal, and the Symposium will cover such timely topics as National Energy Policy, EPA Air Regulations, the BP Deepwater Horizon Spill, the Effect of Wall Street Reforms on Energy Markets, and New and Emerging Technologies.  For more information please visit http://www.asl.edu/The-Program/Natural-Resources-Law/Natural-Resources-and-Energy-Law-Symposium.html. 

ASL’s students continue to shine in moot court competitions, as ASL was runner-up at the 72-team National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition held at Pace University Law School.  Also, the Appalachian Natural Resources Law Journal continued its growth as the faculty voted to allow editors and senior staff of the ANRLJ to receive academic credit for their work.  The ANRLJ is prepared to publish papers from the Symposium in 2013-14, in addition to putting out its own edition in the spring and cite-checking/editing EMLF’s Annual Institute in the fall.  Finally, ASL has expanded its externship program to include “premier” internships for rising 2Ls that include opportunities focused on mineral, energy and environmental law.  In fact, we have two rising 3Ls and two rising 2Ls serving at “premier” internships and externships at U.S. EPA.  The Natural Resources Law Program continues to grow and impress.  Please join us in Abingdon for the Symposium on September 22nd and 23rd for an outstanding event. 

 

ASL Graduate Christopher R. Fortier Named Young Lawyer of the Year

 

The Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference will present its 2013 R. Edwin Burnette Jr. Young Lawyer of the Year Award to Christopher R. Fortier of Vienna.

The award recognizes young lawyers who demonstrate dedicated service to the conference, the legal profession, and the community. It is named in honor of Lynchburg Judge R. Edwin Burnette Jr., past president of the VSB (1993-1994) and the YLC (1985-1986). The award will be presented on June 14, 2013, at the Virginia State Bar Annual Meeting in Virginia Beach.

Fortier has been chair of the Young Lawyers Conference annual Professional Development Conference for two years and last year expanded that program from Richmond to a second location in Northern Virginia. He also has planned to expand it to Hampton Roads later this year. The Professional Development Conference provides courses in basic substantive legal skill training to Virginia lawyers.

YLC president Brian R. Charville noted that Fortier worked with attorneys at Hunton & Williams and the VSB staff to expand the program and arranged for attendees and presenters at both locations. “In his work on the PDC he has demonstrated creativity, implementing skills, and a real selflessness in service of the program and its participants.”

Fortier also founded the Professional Development Series, which he envisioned in late 2012 as a vehicle for broadcasting YLC programs and other bar organizations' content throughout the bar year, one program each week. He recorded the Professional Development Conference segments and content from other bar organizations including the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyer’s Division and developed a schedule to air the programs. He also has worked with VSB staff to develop a website and its contents. “While the PDS is still quite new and its effects aren't yet known, there is no doubt that Chris's vision and hard work have led to the creation of a useful practice resource for the YLC's members,” Charville wrote. “Chris simply has enviable abilities to brainstorm and implement programs that serve our profession well.”

Fortier is a graduate of James Madison University and the Appalachian School of Law. He grew up in Poquoson and he and his wife Brittany live and practice law in Vienna.