University of Georgia

Advocate

11 jurists connect with students in the classroom

Connecting students with jurists – who are pillars of the legal profession – is an essential part of a first-rate legal education and allows students to learn of the benefits of public service. During the spring 2020 semester, judges from across the nation visited campus during which they taught classes on a variety of subjects. These jurists included:

photo of judges

Top row (l. to r.): Judge Adalberto Jordan, Judge Jeffrey Sutton, Judge Stephanie Thacker, Judge Timothy Batten (J.D.’84), Justice David Nahmias. Bottom row (l. to r.): Justice Keith Blackwell (J.D.’99), Justice Nels Peterson, Justice Sarah Warren, Judge James Bodiford, Judge Walter Davis. Not pictured Judge Gabriel Bradford  (J.D.’03).

  • Court of Appeals Judge for the Eleventh Circuit Adalberto Jordan, who taught the course Oral and Written Advocacy.
  • Court of Appeals Judge for the Sixth Circuit Jeffrey Sutton, who taught two class sessions on his book 51 Imperfect Solutions: States and the Making of American Constitutional Law, which concerns state constitutions.
  • Court of Appeals Judge for the Fourth Circuit Stephanie D. Thacker, who served as the School of Law’s fifth Edenfield Jurist in Residence, who taught the course Persuading the Judge and Jury.
  • District Court Judge for the Northern District of Georgia Timothy C. Batten Sr. (J.D.’84), who serves as the law school’s instructor-in-residence at its Atlanta facility
  • Georgia Supreme Court Presiding Justice David E. Nahmias, who co-taught a class focusing on the structural provisions of the Georgia Constitution.
  • Georgia Supreme Court Justice Keith R. Blackwell (J.D.’99), who co-taught a class focusing on individual rights under the Georgia Constitution.
  • Georgia Supreme Court Justice Nels S.D. Peterson, who co-taught a class focusing on individual rights under the Georgia Constitution.
  • Georgia Supreme Court Justice Sarah Warren, who co-taught a class focusing on the structural provisions of the Georgia Constitution.
  • Cobb County Superior Court Senior Judge James G. Bodiford, who served as the School of Law’s inaugural P. Harris Hines “Be Kind” Jurist in Residence and co-taught a mini-course on special challenges in trying a high-profile criminal case.
  • Jefferson Municipal Court Judge Gabriel Bradford (J.D.’03), who taught the law school’s solo and small firm practice course.
  • Georgia Business Court Judge Walter W. Davis, who co-taught a securities enforcement course.