Enthusiasm for the achievements of Elon Law students and for Elon Law’s leadership role in the innovation of legal education infused the law school’s eighth annual Friends & Family Day on Sept. 19.
The event welcomed hundreds of parents, siblings, extended family members and friends of Elon Law students for fellowship and conversation with students, faculty and alumni. It also enabled friends and family members to experience aspects of life as an Elon Law student, including moot court presentations and law courses led by several of Elon Law’s dynamic faculty members.
“I still love you mom and dad, but I can’t call you every day any more,” said first-year Elon Law student Michael Yoder, explaining the rigorous academic environment and dynamic legal practice experiences that keep students fully engaged at the law school.
Yoder presented on a panel of students that included Sean McLeod and Jennifer Podelco, both members of the Class of May 2017, and Laura Sloane, Class of 2016.
“We have the unique opportunity to help shape the law and to help shape legal thinking,” McLeod said of his role as a member of the Elon Law Review editorial board, encouraging first-year students to take advantage of the array of resources at Elon Law. “The professors here are very helpful. They’re more than happy to meet with you. Take advantage of all of those opportunities.”
“Judge Gale is really welcoming to students,” Podelco said of the Chief Judge presiding over the North Carolina Business Court that is housed at Elon Law. “He encourages us to stop in and visit and observe court proceedings any time.”
In addition to moderating the student panel, Elon Law’s 2015-16 Student Bar Association president Matt Millisor, Class of 2016, provided welcoming remarks at Friends & Family Day, together with Elon Law Dean Luke Bierman, Associate Director of the Office of Student and Professional Life Melissa Duncan, and Assistant Dean for Development Danny Gatling.
A panel of alumni shared insights about professional life after Elon Law. That panel was moderated by Marissa Kuzbyt, Class of 2016, and featured the following alumni: Chuck Ivey L’09, attorney with Ivey, McClellan; Jennifer Bowden L’09, attorney with R. Steve Bowden & Associates; Jennifer Reutter L’10 and Adam Spivey L’13, attorneys with Rossabi Black Slaughter, P.A.; and, Melissa Westmoreland L’12, attorney with Brock & Scott, PLLC.
Senior Associate Dean Alan Woodlief introduced a simulated moot court presentation, serving as a judge along with alumna Melanie Crenshow ’98, L’09, an attorney with Coltrane & Overfield, PLLC, and Elon Law Professor Scott Gaylord.
Elon Law students Elizabeth Coltrane and Morgan Meyers, both members of the Class of 2016, engaged in the moot court simulation that was observed by friends and family members both in person in Elon Law’s Robert E. Long Courtroom and through live-cast video in the classroom.
In collaboration with Elon Law’s Office of Student and Professional Life, the student committee that led planning for the 2015 Friends & Family Day included Anne Evangelista, Matt Millisor and Jordan Stomean, all members of the Class of 2016, and Leah Britt, Class of May 2017.
To conclude the day’s events, attendees enjoyed torts, evidence and property courses taught by Elon Law professors Enrique Armijo, Mike Rich and Steven Friedland, respectively. The event also included a silent auction that raised funds in support of student scholarships at Elon Law.
Elon University School of Law is leading innovation in legal education by integrating traditional classroom instruction with highly experiential full-time residencies-in-practice in a logically sequenced program of professional preparation.This unique approach to legal education provides graduates with the knowl- edge, skills and ethics focus necessary to excel as 21st century lawyers. Designed to accelerate professional maturation, Elon Law’s ground- breaking approach is accomplished in two and one-half years, which provides distinctive value by lowering tuition and permitting graduates early entry into their professional careers.
Learn more at law.elon.edu.
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