U.S. DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SPEAK AT SCHOOL OF LAW GRADUATION

Abstract

Tuesday, May 7, 2002

WRITER: Molly Barrett, (706) 542-5172 CONTACT: Marc Galvin, (706) 542-0335, magalvin@uga.edu

U.S. DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SPEAK AT SCHOOL OF LAW GRADUATION

ATHENS, Ga. - U.S. Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson will deliver the address at the University of Georgia School of Law's commencement exercises on Saturday, May 18. Ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. in front of the law school on North Campus or, in case of rain, in Stegeman Coliseum.

The University of Georgia School of Law will confer Juris Doctor degrees upon approximately 230 students who have successfully completed three years of legal study. Twenty-three Master of Laws students, who have finished a one-year course of graduate legal studies, will also be recognized.

Thompson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Deputy Attorney General on May 10, 2001. At this time, he was serving as an adjunct professor at the School of Law. Previously, Thompson was a partner at King & Spalding in Atlanta. From 1982-86, he was the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia where he directed the Southeastern Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and served on the attorney general's Economic Crime Council. In July 1995, he was appointed Independent Counsel for the Department of Housing and Urban Development Investigation by the Special Panel of the U.S. Circuit Court Judges appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court. In April 2000, Thompson was selected to chair the Judicial Review Commission of Foreign Asset Control, which was established to conduct a complete review of judicial, regulatory and administrative authorities relating to the imposition of economic sanctions.

Thompson graduated cum laude from Culver-Stockton College, where he served as a member of the Board of Trustees. He received his masters degree in 1969 from Michigan State University and his law degree in 1974 from the University of Michigan. Thompson was the recipient of the Outstanding Litigator Award by the Atlanta Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and the A.T. Walden Award for Outstanding Lawyer by the Gate City Bar Association.

Kevin J. McDonough of Richmond Hill and Ryan P. Reavis of Atlanta, president and vice-president respectively of the 2002 graduating class, will speak on behalf of the students. Christopher M. Rosselli of Richland, Wash., gift chair of the graduating class, will present the 2002 class donation. The graduates have elected Hosch Professor Dan T. Coenen and Callaway Professor Ronald L. Carlson to serve as honorary marshals and read the names of the graduates. Dana B. Miles, president of the Law School Association, will welcome graduates into the organization's membership. Other speakers include UGA President Michael F. Adams, School of Law Dean David E. Shipley, School of Law Associate Deans Paul M. Kurtz and Gabriel M. Wilner.

Music will be provided by The Athens Brass. Athens-Clarke County Sheriff Ira Edwards Jr. will lead the graduation procession, in keeping with the ceremonial role of the local sheriff in university commencements since the early 1800s.

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