The official Facebook account for Samford University's Cumberland School of Law. Second, Lawyering and Legal Reasoning. Third, our location.
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Founded in 1847, Cumberland School of Law is one of the nation's oldest law schools and is nationally recognized for trial advocacy and quality instruction. Our Juris Doctor curriculum trains students to practice in all areas of law, including corporate law, trial advocacy, health law, environmental law and public interest law. There are three components to the law school that combine to create it
s successful academic environment:
First, the collegial, scholarly interaction between its faculty and students. Known on and off campus simply as LLR, this comprehensive, cutting-edge writing course gives each first-year student hands-on experience in skills that range from the initial client interview through the preparation and presentation of an appellate brief. Cumberland School of Law is situated on Samford University’s campus near downtown Birmingham, one of the legal hubs of the Southeast. Our proximity to this dynamic market offers our students an environment rich with opportunities for externships and extracurricular activities that enhance the classroom experience. In addition to the Juris Doctor degree, Cumberland School of Law offers the Master of Laws (LL.M.) for lawyers and Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) for nonlawyers, both completely online. Cumberland School of Law is part of Samford University, which is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Have you heard the latest episode of Cumberland Research Radio?
Currently the primary federal anti-kickback statute, which helps combat health insurance fraud, only applies when kickbacks are given for services provided by government health insurance plans like Medicare and Medicaid. Cumberland School of Law’s Chinelo Dike-Minor discusses why these consumer protections should be extended to private health insurance programs.
Listen today on Apple and Spotify podcasts.
Mark your calendars for the 2024 National Trial Competition regionals on Feb. 16-18! Interested in being a judge? Check out the link below to sign up TODAY! www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BA4A82AA4FCC16-46426104-ntcregional
Discover the difference you can make at Cumberland School of Law.👉 Through our collegial, scholarly environment, our Juris Doctor (JD) curriculum prepares students for a successful legal career. ⭐️ Learn more about our JD program here: www.samford.edu/law/juris-doctor
We are so thankful for our Cumberland School of Law community today and every day. Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁
🏆Regional Negotiation Co-champions!
🇺🇸 Nationals bound!
Cumberland School of Law’s National Negotiation Team competed in the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Regional Negotiation Competition, Nov. 10-12. Two team members advanced to the final round as the #2 seed, were named co-champions of the region, and will advance to the ABA’s National Negotiation Competition in Chicago in February.
Representing Cumberland School of Law were third-year students Jackson Herring, Asia Oden and Elisabeth McDonald, and second-year students Zane Mitchell, William Taylor II and Riley Reynolds. From the team, McDonald and Mitchell participated in the finals and were named co-champions of the regional competition.
Ben Warren, JD ’18, serves as the head negotiation coach for Cumberland School of Law. He said, “I could not be prouder of these students. Not only did they win, but they did so with the utmost professionalism. While only one of our teams made it into the final round, another team narrowly lost one ballot and missed the final round by 1.5 points. We look forward to continuing to represent Cumberland in February during the national competition.”
This effort is a testament to Cumberland School of Law’s commitment to providing excellent advocacy training in all areas of advocacy including trial, moot court, negotiation and arbitration.
Sara Williams, JD ’06, visiting director of advocacy, said, “The performance of our national negotiation teams over the weekend was nothing short of outstanding. Our team advancing to nationals had some of the highest scores for this competition nationwide. This is a testament to their dedication, but also to the dedication and skill of their talented coaches who give so much of their time in preparing these students.”
Professor Brannon Denning was a panelist at an Ole Miss law school symposium last Friday entitled, “Status of the Second Amendment: Who Has the Right to Bear Arms?”. Great job, Professor Denning! 👏
Samford University Cumberland School of Law’s National Arbitration Team competed in the American Bar Association’s (ABA) regional arbitration competition, Nov. 10-12. Two Cumberland School of Law teams competed in the event hosted by Mississippi College of Law where one team finished third overall.
Cumberland’s “Team Blue” included third-year students Jacob Bruner and Brittney Sanders and second-year students Keeton Cross and Jasmine Paynter. “Team Red” included third-year students BriAnna Tomlin and Ford Waters and second-year students Elley Smith and Hannah Walters.
Of 10 total teams in the preliminary round, Team Red went into the semifinals as the #2 seed and fell short of the finals by only one ballot. The team placed third overall in the competition, finishing only behind Texas Tech University School of Law who took both first and second place.
Both Cumberland School of Law teams were coached by alumni J.C. Lentine, JD ’20, and Anthony Bowling, JD ’17.
Read more here: /www.samford.edu/law/news/2023/Cumberland-School-of-Law-National-Arbitration-Team-Finishes-Third-in-ABA-Regional-Competition?image
Cumberland School of Law’s Master of Laws (LLM) prepares students for professional careers through real-world courses and training and encourages graduates to pursue relevant professional credentials from industry-leading organizations.
Upon completion of this online program, students will be equipped to:
📊 Utilize legal databases to access the primary sources of law in the United States: statutes, regulations and court decisions.
🔑 Analyze key issues in policy and compliance from ethical, legal and economic perspectives.
✏️Interpret and evaluate cost effectiveness and outcomes used in decision making.
📢Communicate complex ideas, orally and in writing, using legal and industry-specific terminology.
Explore our LLM concentrations today.
Samford University Cumberland School of Law and the Birmingham Bar Foundation partnered to host oral arguments of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals in Samford’s Wright Center, Nov. 16, 2023. This event brought together Samford undergraduate students, Cumberland School of Law students and high school students from the Birmingham area for a truly unique educational experience.
Blake Hudson, dean of Cumberland School of Law, provided the welcome. He said, “The court coming here is a tremendous opportunity for our community to see the criminal justice system in action. It is an opportunity to inspire a new generation of young adults to pursue a career in law so that they can positively impact the lives of others in our community.”
Read more here: www.samford.edu/law/news/2023/Live-Oral-Arguments-of-the-Alabama-Court-of-Criminal-Appeals-Provide-a-Unique-Experience-for-Samford-Students
Jill Rothstein, LL.M. '20, reflects on her Master of Laws experience at Cumberland School of Law.
She said, "I have a keen interest in the intersection of the profession of law and the business of legal enterprise. A great law firm, no matter the size, will run better if the lawyers have an Idea of how to budget for a specific matter how to hire the right person to work for them, how to protect their clients privacy, or how to make sure that they are managing their firm's risk properly. When I learned that I could get an LL.M. in this area of study - increase my professional value while feeding my curiosity - l knew Cumberland was the program for me. The course work is practical and intended to translate to success in the business of operating a law firm. Law school taught me to think like a lawyer. Earning my LL.M. from Cumberland School of Law taught me to think like a COO."
While a student in the program, Rothstein participated in the legal operations concentration. She is the associate general counsel at Womble Bond Dickinson LLP in Greenville, South Carolina. Learn more about our LL.M. program here: samford.edu/go/llm
Last week, Cumberland School of Law alumnus Jimmy Rane, JD '71, was inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame Class of 2023.⭐️
➡️James W. “Jimmy” Rane is the founder, chairman and CEO of Great Southern Wood Preserving, Inc., a company he founded in Abbeville, Alabama, in 1970. He has since grown this company to become one of the world’s largest manufacturers of pressure-treated lumber.
Congratulations, Jimmy, on this fantastic accomplishment! ✨
Jimmy Rane is the fourth from the left.
We’re honored to have Monica Slater working with us in the law library this semester as a George A. Strait Fellow.
As part of the fellowship, Ms. Slater is required to complete work hours at a host library.
Ms. Slater, who has an interest in law library reference services and general law library operations, is a student in the Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) program at the University of Alabama. She holds a Juris Doctor (JD) from the Birmingham School of Law. Currently, Ms. Slater works at the Birmingham Public Library, where she is a Passport Acceptance Agent (Library Assistant III).
Want to learn more about Professor Denning's newest book? 👉Check out this week's issue of The Samford Crimson! 📰
Join us THIS Thursday for oral arguments! Cumberland School of Law and the Birmingham Bar Foundation are partnering to host oral arguments of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals.
Fashion Friday, anyone? 👔 ✨
Several Samford leaders attend the Alabama Business Hall of Fame Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 9. There, Cumberland School of Law alumnus Jimmy Rane, JD ’71, and Samford supporter Mike Thompson, president of Fairway Investments, were inducted into the prestigious group.
Pictured are Bo Kerr, assistant vice president of university advancement, Blake Hudson, dean of Cumberland School of Law, President Beck Taylor, and Chad Carson, dean of Brock School of Business.
📢Chinelo Dike-Minor, assistant professor of law in Samford University's Cumberland School of Law, was a presenter at the 17th Annual Health Law Symposium presented by the Loyola University Chicago's Beazley Institute for Health Law and Policy in conjunction with Annals of Health Law and Life Sciences.
⭐️The 2023 symposium explored the intersection of health care fraud and abuse with health equity and highlighted the need for broader changes in the fraud and abuse space to reflect evolving health care needs, delivery systems and equity concerns.
➡️Dike-Minor's presentation was entitled "Be Careful What You Wish For: An Overreliance on Telemedicine Could Harm Health Equity."
📣 We are excited to announce the launch of our new alumni directory. With a strong community of over 9,000+ living alumni, our goal is to facilitate connections among our graduates across the country.
👉 The alumni directory is a valuable resource that shares the names and class years of our alumni, organized by geographic location. Whether you’re seeking professional networking opportunities or hoping to reconnect with old classmates, this directory can be helpful to you.
📞 We believe that this directory will strengthen our alumni network and create opportunities for collaboration, mentorship and friendship. Don’t miss out on this chance to reconnect and grow with your fellow alumni. To receive a copy of the directory, please email the Office of Alumni Relations at [email protected].
📢CHECK IT OUT: ICYMI, our new podcast, Cumberland Research Radio, is now live. And, as a special surprise, we have published not one, but TWO inaugural episodes!
Listen to “How Creepy Quirks of State Law Affect Trust and Estate Law” and “Did Mark Twain Violate Former Slave Mary Ann Cord’s Common Law Copyright Protections?” on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Learn more: https://www.samford.edu/law/podcast
Elevate your career possibilities with a Master of Studies (MSL) in Law from Cumberland School of Law. Some fast facts about our MSL program include ... ⏬
🗓️24 months to complete
🖇️4 concentrations offered
🙋13 students in a course
🏆Top 31 Best Online Master of Studies in Law Program – The Princeton Review
Discover the difference here: www.samford.edu/law/master-of-studies-in-law
📢Cumberland School of Law National Trial Team members Alexandra Sexton, Treasure Sutton, Grayson Walden, John West, Nicole Fried and Keneshia Mahan reached the National Championship round and finished second in this year’s National Civil Trial Competition hosted by Loyola Los Angeles Law School, Nov. 3-6. 👉In addition to the team’s success, Sexton was recognized with the Best Advocate Award in the final round.🏆
Read more here: www.samford.edu/law/news/2023/Cumberland-School-of-Law-National-Trial-Team-Places-Second-in-National-Civil-Trial-Team-Competition?image
Meet Natalie Beckerink, one of Cumberland School of Law's lead ambassadors.
She commented on her journey to Cumberland, saying, "My Cumberland story is so fun to tell because it all is a great testament to the Lord’s perfect timing. When I was a junior in high school I fell in love with Samford’s undergrad and had considered doing the 3+3 program they offer with Cumberland. Long story short, I ended up going to Auburn instead and I kind of left my Samford dream in high school. I applied to about eleven law schools, but funny enough, the first application I submitted was to Cumberland. After I was accepted, I took a trip with my family on a random day in January 2021 just to walk around, and it just felt right. There’s no other way to describe it. I knew it was a good school that produced good lawyers and I felt led to go there. That night I made my decision before even hearing back from some of the other schools I applied to. I still say choosing Cumberland has been one of my best decisions."
Read more about Natalie and her journey here: www.samford.edu/law/directory/student-ambassadors/Beckerink-Natalie
Cumberland School of Law has announced two new live client clinics for students to expand their legal knowledge and gain experience in specific areas of law. The Contracts and Risk Management Clinic and the Cumberland Parole Clinic will provide opportunities for students to immerse themselves in the legal profession through a hands-on approach.
The Contracts and Risk Management Clinic provides the opportunity for Cumberland second-year students and third-year students to learn about the legal implications of construction, insurance and surety contracts.
The Cumberland Parole Clinic has partnered with Redemption Earned, a nonprofit formed by retired Supreme Court of Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb. The mission of Redemption Earned is to identify, assist and represent worthy individuals who have spent decades behind bars. These individuals have demonstrated that they are transformed and have earned parole or work release.
Read more here: www.samford.edu/law/news/2023/Cumberland-School-of-Law-Expands-Clinical-Offerings-with-Two-New-Live-Client-Clinics
Cumberland School of Law’s Externship Program provides opportunities for students to gain experience in the legal world and apply their classroom knowledge.
Redemption Earned is a nonprofit created by Sue Bell Cobb, former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Their mission is to identify, assist and represent incarcerated individuals who are worthy of parole or work release.
Sydney Moore, a second-year student at Cumberland School of Law, recently won parole for a Redemption Earned client on Oct. 31. Moore is currently a legal extern at Redemption Earned through Cumberland School of Law’s externship program.
Moore said, “Through this program and my externship, I have been able to gain valuable skills and knowledge regarding the parole and work release systems in Alabama and client advocacy.”
Read more here: https://www.samford.edu/law/news/2023/Cumberland-School-of-Law-student-Sydney-Moore-wins-Parole-for-Redemption-Earned-Client?image
👉 Meet Sadler McKeen, our second lead ambassador. He shared some advice for incoming law students, saying, "Try new things. A lot of us come to law school with some idea of what we want to do, but there is no telling how many doors can be opened during law school. Maintaining an open mind creates many opportunities that students didn’t necessarily expect to have but may completely change what one wants to do with the rest of their life."
Read more about Sadler and his journey here: www.samford.edu/law/directory/student-ambassadors/McKeen-Sadler
Cumberland School of Law’s Dean Blake Hudson was recently featured in a national story by ABC News. In the story, Hudson, an environmental law expert, comments on a highway project threatening a local community near Elba, Alabama. 👉The new project has caused major flooding, threatening their community and homes. Read more and watch the full story by ABC News here: https://abcnews.go.com/US/black-alabamans-highway-project-caused-major-flooding-threatening/story?id=104048378
Every year during pro bono month, law schools across Alabama have a friendly competition that challenges all the first-year students to sign the pro bono pledge. 📝
This pledge reflects students' promise to do pro bono work during their time at law school and when they become a practicing attorney.
This year, Cumberland School of Law has won the competition thanks to our dedicated class of 2026! 🎉
Cumberland School of Law student Rolanda Tina Turner attended the Alabama Board of Bar Commissioners meeting in Montgomery, Alabama, as part of pro bono month.
Turner commented on her experience, saying, "The meeting was not only enlightening but also a remarkable chance to represent Cumberland School of Law. I met a wide array of individuals, engaged in meaningful discussions and learned about the exciting developments on the horizon for Alabama, courtesy of the Board of Bar Commissioners. It's a tremendous privilege to have been nominated by Cumberland in recognition of my outstanding pro bono and public service efforts throughout the year."
We are continuing our academic program adviser features with Heather Averett. Get to know Heather below! ⬇️
👉What student groups do you advise?
"I primarily advise our graduate students, Master of Business Administration and Master of Accountancy. However, I do fill in from time to time for our undergraduate students."
❓How long have you worked at Samford and/or in higher education/advising?
"I worked for seven years in the Career Development Office at Samford, left for a few years for the corporate world and returned to Samford almost two years ago to Brock School of Business."
✏️What’s your favorite thing about our business school/students?
"There is never a dull day in the business school! Our students are a talented and diverse group and I love getting to know each of them individually. In addition, we have the best Academic Programs Office staff in higher education. It is such a fantastic team that works so tirelessly to serve our school and students."
🍎What’s one fun fact someone may be surprised to know about you?
"I was a food editor for the lifestyle publishing group, Time Inc., including Southern Living and Cooking Light magazines, before coming to Samford. I consider myself a foodie despite the fact that I really don’t cook very often."
Mark your calendars! Cumberland School of Law and the Birmingham Bar Foundation will partner to host oral arguments of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. Join us Nov. 16 from 9 – 11:30 a.m. in Samford's Wright Center.
T-minus three days until the new episode of Cumberland Research Radio. 👀 🎙️
Cumberland School of Law’s National Negotiation Team competed in the Villanova Law E-sports Negotiation Competition, Oct. 20-21, 2023. 👉 Two Cumberland School of Law teams were represented in the competition where one finished as the runner-up. The virtual event is designed to provide law students the opportunity to practice their contract negotiation skills in a professional e-sports context. ‼️
Sara Williams, JD ’06, visiting director of advocacy programs, said, “I am exceedingly proud of our Negotiation team for their hard work and performance at this competition. I am really excited about the future and growth of the ADR arm of our advocacy program as our coaches and students continue to find opportunities to showcase the training they are provided here at Cumberland across the country."
Read more here: www.samford.edu/law/news/2023/Cumberland-School-of-Law-National-Negotiation-Team-Finishes-as-Runner-Up-in-E-sports-Negotiation-Competition
Brannon P. Denning, Starnes Professor of Law at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, released his new book, "To Trust the People with Arms: The Supreme Court and the Second Amendment".
Co-authored with Robert J. Cottrol, Harold Paul Green Research Professor of Law and professor of history and sociology at George Washington University, the book was published on Oct. 6 by the University Press of Kansas. It explores the complex legal history of how the right to bear arms was widely accepted during the nation’s founding, was near extinction in the late 20th century, and is now experiencing a rebirth in the Supreme Court in the 21st century.
Learn more about his book here: www.samford.edu/law/news/2023/Denning-Publishes-New-Book-To-Trust-the-People-with-Arms-The-Supreme-Court-and-the-Second-Amendment?image
Join us on Nov. 3 from 2 - 5:30 p.m. for Cumberland School of Law's Fall Open House! Learn more with the link below.
www.samford.edu/law/events/Cumberland-School-of-Law-Fall-Open-House
Thank you to all of our sponsors who made our Alumni Reunion Reception a huge success!
Platinum:
☑️Rushton, Stakely, Johnston & Garrett P.A.
Gold:
⭐️Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
⭐️Cunningham Bounds
⭐️Dunn & Associates, LLC
⭐️Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP
⭐️Melton Espy & Williams P.C.
⭐️Mann & Potter PC
⭐️Mark A. Jackson, P.C.
Today, we honor and celebrate Carla Crowder, our 2023 Friend of Cumberland award recipient. Crowder is the executive director of Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. Crowder has three decades of experience in criminal justice reform as a journalist and civil rights attorney. She has represented dozens of incarcerated Alabamians and recently won release for 12 men originally sentenced to die in prison.
As a friend of Cumberland School of Law, she speaks to first-year students in criminal law classes, has offered internships to students, and has served as a mentor to many. When speaking of her experience of connecting to Cumberland School of Law students, she noted, “it's important to me as an advocate for criminal justice reform in Alabama to help law students understand the immense human rights challenges in Alabama's prison system. These future lawyers have the ability to shape our state in ways that will create more justice, equity and mercy for future generations of Alabamians. Every time I speak at Cumberland and visit with students, I'm encouraged by such deep and heartfelt interest in creating a more just and fair Alabama.” Thank you for your constant support, Carla! Read more here: https://www.samford.edu/law/news/2023/Cumberland-School-of-Law-Announces-its-2023-Distinguished-Alumni-Awards
Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law is nationally recognized for trial advocacy training and currently ranks 4th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The 2023-24 competition season is off to a good start with a team of Cumberland School of Law student advocates securing third place and a Best Advocate Award in The Verdict Trial Competition.
Students Lauren Briscoe, Christi Smith, Connor Sorrells, Sarah Grace Strength and Heather Adams represented Cumberland School of Law at the competition hosted by UCLA, Oct. 6-8. Smith was the recipient of the Best Advocate Award.
Read more here: www.samford.edu/law/news/2023/Cumberland-School-of-Law-Secures-Third-Place-in-The-Verdict-Trial-Competition
Today we honor and celebrate alumnus Bill Bensinger '98, J.D. '03, as our Volunteer of the Year! Currently a partner at Christian & Small LLP, he has given back to his law school by mentoring students as a coach of moot court competition teams since 2008. As a coach, he has helped students prepare for oral arguments by talking through difficult issues of bankruptcy law, organizing practice rounds with local lawyers and bankruptcy judges, and sharpening students’ presentations. He holds his teams to high standards of preparation and professionalism.
In 2023, Bensinger’s team advanced to the round of 16 of the Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition and both members of the team won individual awards for outstanding advocacy. His volunteer service has enhanced those students’ law school experiences while also meeting Cumberland School of Law’s educational mission.Thank you, Bill, for your hard work and dedication to the Cumberland community. Read more here: https://www.samford.edu/law/news/2023/Cumberland-School-of-Law-Announces-its-2023-Distinguished-Alumni-Awards.
Today we honor and celebrate our Distinguished Young Alumna of the Year, Hilaire Armstrong '12, J.D., M.B.A. '16. Armstrong, pro bono clinic coordinator for the Alabama State Bar, has focused her career on public interest work. Explaining her passion, she said, “It’s what I love to do. I believe everybody has a purpose in life, and mine is to help people.”
We are so proud to have such amazing alumni like Hilaire who are creating positive change in their careers. Congratulations, Hilaire! Read more here: https://www.samford.edu/law/news/2023/Cumberland-School-of-Law-Announces-its-2023-Distinguished-Alumni-Awards.
Judge Jim Roberts, J.D. ’94, has been named our Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. Roberts, director of National Trial Teams and circuit court judge for Alabama’s Sixth Judicial Circuit, has been a mainstay of the program since 1998. During his tenure, Cumberland’s trial teams have won numerous regional and national trial competitions, several professionalism awards and many individual advocacy awards. Cumberland has been consistently ranked as one of the top 10 trial advocacy programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report (currently 4th for 2024), and in other ranking systems.
Matt Woodham, J.D. ’15, assistant director of advocacy programs, said, “Almost everything that makes Cumberland’s advocacy program what it is today can be directly traced to Judge Roberts. When he began teaching, we had two trial team coaches and, if we were lucky, Cumberland was represented in two national competitions each year. Twenty-five years, and many championships later, our program consists of 16 extraordinary coaches who lead our students in roughly a dozen premier competitions each year. All of those coaches have one thing in common: we are all Judge’s students. We are all better lawyers, better teachers and better people because of the incredible contributions that he has made to Cumberland.”
Read more about Roberts' contributions and his steadfast leadership here: https://www.samford.edu/law/news/2023/Cumberland-School-of-Law-Announces-its-2023-Distinguished-Alumni-Awards.
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL
35229
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Mary Claire Pouncey, vice president of the Student Bar Association, expresses the student body's excitement to network with Cumberland School of Law alumni and friends at our reunion events on Saturday, April 2. The deadline to register for the signature event is next Friday, March 25. A list of the day's events and registration information may be found here: https://www.samford.edu/cumberlandlaw/175. #CumberlandLaw175 #CultureCommunityService
Cumberland School of Law is a great place to study, but when you’re looking at law schools to attend, it’s important to consider the city you’ll be living in, too. Join four Cumberland students as they share why they love going to law school in Birmingham, Alabama.
Samford University Student National Pharmaceu
Lakeshore Drive
Samford University - University Library
Lakeshore Drive
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
Barber Motorsports Parkway
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
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