Reflections - Texas Wesleyan School of Law - Texas Wesleyan ...

Photo by Dan Brothers
around
campus
A city attorney panel comprised of representatives from Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Arlington and the law firm of Taylor, Olson, Adkins,
Sralla & Elam, LLP, discussed the various measures their municipalities took in regard to urban drilling. The panel was one of three
that took place as part of the Urban Gas Drilling Symposium.
economic aspects – was really beneficial,”
Burt said.
Other topics that were covered by
presenters at the symposium included
taxation, bankruptcy and leasing rights.
“So many businesses and residents of the
DFW area are affected by the Barnett
Shale,” Burt said. “We wanted to present
a broad range of topics that would benefit
people across the legal community.”
Scholarship recognizes
outstanding advocacy work
3L Anna Summersett was awarded the first
ever Texas Wesleyan University School of
Law Advocacy Scholarship.
“Anna’s law school advocacy career has great
consistency and breadth,” Vince Cruz Jr.,
adjunct professor and director of advocacy
programs, said. “She is also a great leader
and exhibits professionalism and leadership
in all she does. Her accomplishments are
evident on multiple levels.”
Summersett has participated in several
moot court and trial advocacy programs
and competitions during her law school
career. She received second place briefwriting
honors at the National Criminal
Procedure Competition and received first
place at the Texas Wesleyan School of Law
1L and 2L Moot Court Competitions.
The scholarship was initiated by Nicole
Williams, an associate with Thompson
& Knight, LLP. Williams has been an
active participant in Texas Wesleyan
School of Law’s advocacy programs and
serves as a judge for the law school’s moot
court competitions. Thompson & Knight
matched Williams’ contribution to make
the advocacy scholarship possible.
“The advocacy scholarship was created to
reward those students who commit so much
of their time and themselves to not just their
own advocacy skills, but to increasing the
reputation of the school,” Williams said.
“Anna has been a very successful advocate
and brief writer as well as an asset to the
advocacy program in her administrative
and ambassadorial duties. She made a
great impression on me and others at my
firm through her natural advocacy talent,
work ethic and personality.
“I am so pleased to have been a part of
the excellent advocacy program at Texas
Wesleyan School of Law and to have been
able to get my firm, Thompson & Knight,
LLP, involved to see the program and its
outstanding students.”
Roland Johnson addresses
class of 2009
Roland Johnson, at the time president-elect of
the State Bar of Texas, was the guest speaker
at the Texas Wesleyan University School of
Law spring hooding ceremony, held May 15.
As he addressed the class, Johnson
encouraged graduates to remember the day
and to draw strength from it in challenging
times ahead.
“There is no greater need than now for
lawyers who have genuine personal values
10
and professional identity,” Johnson said,
referring to current societal challenges.
“Our communities need your best
judgment.”
Johnson told the class that despite the large
number of lawyers in practice today, there
is still a need for practitioners who will
recognize and work for the challenges that
haunt modern society.
“During these hard times is when you
and I have the greatest opportunity to
grow,” Johnson said. “Let’s become
indispensable by knowing the struggles
of our communities. What we don’t have
enough of are lawyers who are willing to
stand in the gap between what is and what
should be for our cities and communities.”
The two additional featured speakers,
both elected by the graduating class, were
graduate Coleman Anglin and Professor
Lynne Rambo.
In recognition of her 748.25 hours of
pro bono service, Brittany Lannen
received the Equal Justice Award, which
is given to a member of each graduating
class in recognition of outstanding pro
bono service. Sharon Diaz received the
MacLean Boulware Award, which is
given to a faculty-selected graduate who
has demonstrated high moral character
during his or her law school career and
exhibits the potential and desire to become
a successful, ethically conscious attorney.
The ceremony took place at the Fort Worth
Convention Center. Each candidate was
presented with a purple academic hood,
the color for the academic discipline of
law. Texas Wesleyan University President
Harold G. Jeffcoat conferred degrees.
Issues in Art Law draws
widespread audience
What began as a preparatory lecture for
Texas Wesleyan law students who were
to attend a summer art law class in Santa
Fe quickly developed into an open event
that not only included students, but also
various members of the North Texas art and
legal communities.
More than 50 people attended the
colloquium Issues in Art Law at Texas