The College of Law congratulates several graduates who have secured positions as judicial clerks as well as students who have excelled during 2020-2021 in their pro bono activities.
Seven students have been selected to fulfill judicial clerk positions across the country throughout the coming year, including:
Kaleb Byars, who will clerk for Judge Thomas Varlan, United States District Court in Knoxville throughout the coming year and for Judge Ralph Erickson, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit in Fargo, North Dakota beginning summer of 2022;
Johnny Cerisano, who will clerk for Judge Thomas Anderson of the United States District Court in Jackson, Tennessee;
Landon Foody, who will clerk for Judge Ernest Robles, United States Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles, California;
Joseph Kerstiens, who will clerk for Judge Kristi Johnson, United States District Court in Jackson, Mississippi;
Rob Meyer, who will clerk for Judge Martin Reidinger, United States District Court in Asheville, North Carolina;
Mason Rush, who will clerk for Chancellors Jeffrey Atherton and Pamela Fleenor, Tennessee Chancery Court in Chattanooga, Tennessee; and
Mason Shelton who will clerk for Judge Gregory Taddonio, United States Bankruptcy Court in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Graduating students who participated in UT Pro Bono throughout the academic year had opportunities to complete work in the Knoxville area and beyond through virtual connections.
The class of 2021 completed more than 4,200 hours of pro bono service during their years at the College of Law. Students with the most hours accumulated are Natalie Loless Linck with 501.5 hours; Gordon Pera with 472 hours; and Abena Tawiah with 306 hours.
In addition, third-year students Matt Arent, McKay DeVault, Halle Hammond, Mark Kelly, Gordon Pera and Brandon Townsend were recognized for their outstanding commitment to the Virtual Legal Advice Clinic.
Second-year students Jodie Bush, Katherine Sands and Jordan Franklin served 464, 452 and 302.5 hours respectively; while first-year students Meghan Denniston, Georgia Miller and Molly Green completed 27, 20 and 16 hours of service.