Two UGA Law Students Honored at Graduation

Tuesday, June 6, 2000 WRITER: Matt Haney, (706) 542-5172 CONTACT: Kathy R. Pharr, (706) 542-5172, pharr@arches.uga.edu LOCAL UGA LAW STUDENT HONORED AT GRADUATION ATHENS, Ga. - Curtis A. Kleem of Powder Springs, a May 2000 graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law, has been presented with the law school\u27s prestigious William King Meadow Award. The award is given annually to the law graduate who best exemplifies the integrity, sense of responsibility, and high standards of the legal profession and who has the keen sense of humor necessary to afford a proper human perspective to the resolution of legal problems. The award, established in 1991 by the will of Emily Tichenor, is named for her friend and attorney William King Meadow, a long-time partner in the Atlanta law firm of King & Spalding. Kleem received his undergraduate degree from Berry College, majoring in history with a minor in education. He then served as a houeseparent at two different foster homes. Before enrolling in law school, he earned a master\u27s degree in social work at UGA. He is the son of William and Linda Kleem of Powder Springs. Kleem was very active as a law student, serving as president of the Christian Legal Society, as a participant in the civil externship program and as executive notes editor of the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law. Kleem was awarded both the Castellow and Regents scholarships while in law school. Upon graduation, he will begin working as a judicial clerk in the Conasauga Judicial Circuit in Dalton. His ultimate goal, announced in his application to the UGA law school, is to strive to make a positive difference in the lives of children, youth and their families. Curtis is a solid student, always prepared and willing to participate in the give and take of the law school classroom, said Associate Dean Paul Kurtz, who presented the award. He gets along extremely well with his classmates and has an excellent sense of humor and a sense of himself. Kleem was selected for the honor by a student/faculty committee which reviewed nominations by the graduating class. In the nomination offered by a classmate, Kleem was described as a person with unfailing integrity, honesty, and respect. He was further described as being a leader of his peers and admired for his rich sense of humor. [He] never fails to treat people with respect. # # Tuesday, June 6, 2000 WRITER: Matt Haney, (706) 542-5172 CONTACT: Kathy R. Pharr, (706) 542-5172, pharr@arches.uga.edu LOCAL UGA LAW STUDENT HONORED AT GRADUATION ATHENS, Ga. - Shelley A. Senterfitt of Atlanta, a May 2000 graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law, has been presented with the law school\u27s prestigious Ellen Jordan Award for Public Interest Law. The award recognizes exceptional commitment to and achievement in the practice of public interest law. It is named for the late Ellen Jordan, a former UGA law professor and associate dean who also served as associate vice president for academic affairs at the University of Georgia. Senterfitt was extremely active in law school, participating in the Equal Justice Foundation, the Women Law Students Association, the Stonewall Alliance and the Student Bar Association. She was also very active in the moot court program as both a team member and a coach. Senterfitt participated both in the Prosecutorial Clinic and in the Public Interest Practicum, where she delivered legal services to imprisoned mothers who needed help caring for their children. Upon graduation, she will serve as a judicial law clerk for Judge Orinda Evans of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta. Shelley has been an outstanding student in the classroom, always willing to contribute in a thoughtful and provocative way to the class discussion, said Associate Dean Paul Kurtz, who presented the award. Senterfitt graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina where she majored in women\u27s studies. While at UNC, she worked for NC Equity, a public policy agency for women\u27s and family issues, and was on the Chancellor\u27s Task Force on Women\u27s Issues at Carolina. Senterfitt served for two years as administrator of the Georgia Commission on Family Violence before enrolling in law school at UGA. Senterfitt is the daughter of Jack and Trisha Senterfitt of Atlanta. #