Southern Miss Legal Studies

For the last week of instruction, our Capstone students participated in a new program, the Etiquette Dinner! 🍽🍝

Our students were led by Mrs. Linda Montgomery, an etiquette instructor who has over 50 years of experience. Through lessons on manners across multiple meal formats, proper introductions to colleagues, and how place settings work, our students are prepared to enter the professional world. ⚖💼

On Monday, our LGL 310 Mock Trial class competed as four distinct teams in two rounds, trying the case of the State of Midlands v. Martin, the 2025-2026 collegiate case.

Over the two hours, each team mastered examinations and cross-examinations, entered exhibits, and honed the art of objection. One round resulted in a Not Guilty verdict, and the other ended in a hung jury. Our students exemplified courtroom excellence and dedication to the case. 🌟

We are so proud of all our students in LGL 310 this semester! We are also incredibly grateful to adjunct professor Ward Conville for dedicating his time to these students and for serving as the judge for both rounds.

to the 2026 Legal Studies Award Winners! 💐🏆

We are so proud of these students and all of their accomplishments through the 2025-2026 academic year!

⭐️ Outstanding Student in Legal Studies: Aurora Breland
⭐️ Ronald G. Marquardt Award in Paralegal Studies: Shine Fail and Erin Hanson
⭐️ Frank D. Montague, Jr., Award in Pre-Law Studies: Allee Gay and Eleanor Detweiler (not pictured)

Please congratulate these stars when you see them!

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On Sept. 16, our program hosted its annual Dinner with a Dozen Legal Eagles, bringing together distinguished attorney alumni and current students for an evening of mentorship and connection. 🦅⚖️

Our alumni generously shared their experiences in law school, navigating career paths, managing post-graduate life, and financing legal education. Their insight provided students with invaluable guidance as they prepared for their own professional journeys.

This year’s event drew record attendance and was made possible with the support of the USM School of Social Science and Global Studies and the Student Alumni Association at Southern Miss! Thank you!

We extend our sincere gratitude to the alumni who dedicated their time and expertise to empower the next generation of Legal Eagles. Your commitment to student success continues to strengthen the Southern Miss legacy. 💛

Very exciting event tonight!!! 🗽🇺🇸

ADDRESS TONIGHT: Dr. Mary Anne Franks on “The Promise of the Constitution” ⚖🗽

Dr. Mary Anne Franks, a professor at George Washington University Law School, specializes in the First and Second Amendments as well as law and technology. Following the release of her second book, Fearless Speech, Dr. Franks will discuss the Constitution’s impact and the ongoing debates over its meaning in our daily lives.

She holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and both a D.Phil. and M.Phil. from Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar. Dr. Franks also serves as President of the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating cyber harassment, nonconsensual po*******hy, and online abuse through legislation, technology policy reform, and victim support.

We are deeply grateful to Dr. Franks for her time this evening and to Mr. Newman for coordinating this event. Please join us via Zoom (QR on the second slide). 🎤🇺🇸


📷: Cover photo by the Panther, the student newspaper of Miami Palmetto Senior High School

⚖⭐ 2025 has finally arrived! ⭐⚖

We are thrilled to kick off this exciting week with you as you explore the legal field and potential career paths, connect with law schools, and meet our accomplished alumni! Each day offers something new and exciting — all for YOU!

Please join us throughout the week! SMTTT! ☝🖤

Ani Dunkerson, Pre-Law BA and Co-President of , recently served our campus community as a GEWW leader! 🦅💛

As a GEWW leader, Ani introduced freshman and transfer students to our great campus traditions, facilitated move-in days, and led them through their first action-packed days on campus as Golden Eagles. ☝🖤

We are so proud of Ani and her leadership!

As proclaimed by Congress, today is ! ⚖️
Best wishes to all of the outstanding paralegals who have graduated from Southern Miss since the program's inception in 1978. The tradition will continue with a great incoming class this Fall! 💌