UGA LAW PROFESSOR RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL LEGAL EDUCATION AWARD

Abstract

Thursday, May 11, 2000

WRITER: Kathy R. Pharr, (706) 542-5172, pharr@arches.uga.edu

CONTACT: Ron Carlson, (706) 542-5186

UGA LAW PROFESSOR RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL LEGAL EDUCATION AWARD

ATHENS, Ga. - Ron Carlson, Fuller E. Callaway Professor at the University of Georgia School of Law, has been named as one of two national recipients of this year's Harrison Tweed Award for Special Merit in Continuing Legal Education. Carlson, a renowned expert in criminal law, will receive the award from the American Law Institute-American Bar Association during a ceremony in New York City on July 9.

Tweed Award recipients are recognized for significant contributions to continuing legal education at the national or state level, as well as career achievements in advancing the education of the bar. Harrison Tweed (1885-1969) was a member of the New York City Bar who served as president of the American Law Institute and first chairman of the ALI-ABA Committee on Continuing Professional Education.

"Every scholar has an obligation to give back a significant part of his wisdom to the profession," said Carlson. "Raising the public's level of understanding of the law is also very important. I hope my contributions in these regards have enhanced the professionalism of the bar as well as the public's knowledge of high-profile legal issues."

Carlson, a UGA law faculty member since 1984, has written 13 books dealing with trial advocacy and evidence as well as numerous articles in professional journals. He lectures at legal education seminars across the country, and frequently leads seminars for judges and lawyers in Georgia. Rich Reaves, executive director of the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education, headquartered at UGA, says Carlson presents a minimum of one program each year. "Ron's programs are usually for superior and state court judges in Georgia, and they very much enjoy his presentations," Reaves said. "He has a very effective manner and is excellent at addressing 'gray area' questions for the judges." Steve Harper, associate director for programs at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (also headquartered at UGA) concurs, citing Carlson's seven programs in the last nine years. "I have substituted in Ron's law school classes, and I note in his students a level of preparation that I wish I could instill in mine," said Harper, who also serves as an adjunct trial practice professor. "He transmits that same kind of energy and enthusiasm through entertaining educational programs for lawyers, and always receives outstanding evaluations."

Carlson also educates the general public about the law through his comments on high-profile cases, which are widely distributed in national media outlets including CNN, C-SPAN, COURT TV, and USA Today. He has twice argued before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Carlson was presented with a special citation from the Federal Bar Association in 1981 for his service on its continuing education board and for his scholarly writings which "have earned him a national reading audience among judges, lawyers and law students." In 1987, he was named by the Roscoe Pound Foundation as recipient of its prestigious Richard Jacobsen Award, in recognition of "his demonstrated excellence over the years in teaching trial advocacy principles." In 1989, he received the University of Georgia's highest honor for instruction, the Josiah Meigs Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 1992, the Federal Bar Association conferred its highest award upon him, the Earl W. Kintner Award for Distinguished Service.

"Ron Carlson is an extraordinarily gifted teacher," said UGA law dean David Shipley. "I have watched Ron make difficult evidentiary rules come alive for a class of 100 law students, and he is just as effective with experienced litigators and seasoned judges. The Tweed Award is a great honor for Ron Carlson and the law school."

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A photograph of Prof. Ron Carlson is available electronically via UGA Communications' Photographic Services Web Site at http://photo.alumni.uga.edu/photohome.htm

Once there, you may obtain a password, then search for Carlson by name.

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