VOL. 129 | NO. 186 | Wednesday, September 24, 2014
NEWSMAKERS
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Johnson Named Memphis Law School Registrar
By Kate Simone
Jamie M. Johnson has joined the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law as law school registrar.
In her new role, Johnson will have direct oversight of the registrar’s office and duties relating to enrollment verification, managing student’s academic records, and ensuring the accuracy, integrity, maintenance and delivery of all law school institutional data. Johnson will also work closely with the dean of academic affairs to administer exams, determine class rank and report grades.
Hometown: Memphis
Experience: B.A. in government and women’s studies from Georgetown University, 2001. Juris doctorate with a certificate in Environmental Law from Lewis & Clark Law School, 2007. Associate attorney with the Law Office of Edward Bearman, 2007-2014. Founded Memphis Public Interest Law Center in 2011.
Family: Husband, Nolan; daughter, Ruby; dog, Rufus.
Favorite quote: “Coming home from very lonely places all of us go a little mad; whether from a great personal success, or just an all-night drive, we are the sole survivors of a world no one else has ever seen.” –John le Carre
Favorite movie: “Reality Bites”
The sports team(s) you root for: (Trick question?!) Tigers.
What’s playing on your stereo right now? “Rockabye Baby: Lullaby Renditions of the Police”
Activities you enjoy outside of work: Any adventure with Nolan and Ruby.
What talent do you wish you had? I wish I had whatever talents are required to be a graffiti artist.
Who has had the greatest influence on you and why? Carrie Sue Casey has had the greatest influence on me because she introduced me to women’s studies, which gave me confidence in my instincts and taught me how to be a critical thinker.
What attracted you to the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law? I was drawn to Memphis Law because it is a community-based law school – which is good for our students, good for community members who need legal help, and therefore, good for Memphis.
What are your goals in your new position? I want to use technology to help students get the most of their legal education.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment? My greatest accomplishment is natural childbirth.
If you could give one piece of advice to young people, what would it be? It is important to follow your dreams, but it is an imperative that you balance pursuit of your dreams with fiscal responsibility.
John Newman has joined the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law as a visiting assistant professor. Newman will teach conflicts of law and civil procedure. He previously practiced as an honors program trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, antitrust division, in Washington, D.C., and maintained an active pro bono practice in Washington.
Clarence A. Wilbon has joined Adams and Reese LLP as a partner in its Memphis office. Wilbon represents clients in commercial and financial services litigation and product liability defense. He formerly was a partner at Bass, Berry & Sims, where he spent 11 years.
The Law Chapter of the University of Memphis Alumni Association has honored members of the Memphis-area legal community with 2014 Pillars of Excellence Awards: Judge Arthur T. Bennett, Judge David R. Farmer, Albert C. Harvey, Charles F. Newman, Max Shelton and Maurice Wexler. The Pillars of Excellence Award recognizes attorneys who have made significant contributions to the practice of law in their civic and professional lives.
ProTech Systems Group has added three new employees at its Memphis headquarters. Kathryn Clark has joined as an accountant, responsible for all aspects of the company’s payroll and invoicing for its staffing division. Melisa Elliot has joined as an account manager, focused on growing sales in the Managed Services division. And Daphnia Hill has joined as an account executive and professional staffing recruiter, working to provide qualified candidates for clients.
Kenny Crenshaw, owner of Herbi-Systems, has been awarded the inaugural Workhorse Award by the national trade association Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). Crenshaw was honored for his 11-year commitment to the Renewal & Remembrance project at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
Five attorneys from Allen, Summers, Simpson, Lillie & Gresham PLLC have been selected as 2014 Mid-South Super Lawyers by Thompson Reuters: Robert Green, civil litigation defense; Jim Summers, construction litigation; and Richard Allen, Jim Simpson and Kirk Caraway, employment and labor. Jessica Benton and Harry Lebair IV were selected as Mid-South Rising Stars for construction litigation.
Jim Summers and Robert Green of Allen, Summers, Simpson, Lillie & Gresham PLLC have been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America for 2014. Summers was also selected as Best Lawyers’ “Lawyer of the Year in Construction Litigation” for 2014 in Memphis.