After earning his bachelor’s degrees from UGA, Charlie Bailey worked for two political campaigns including Mark F. Taylor’s (J.D.’82) 2006 campaign for governor of Georgia and James Marlow’s Congressional campaign. After working on those campaigns, he came back to the university for law school. During his first year of law school, Bailey won the 2008 J. Ralph Beaird Closing Argument Competition and was elected the president of the first-year class. Then, he was elected president of the second-year class and also won the J. Melvin England Mock Trial Competition. This past spring, Bailey was elected president of the Student Bar Association at the law school. Bailey spent his first and second summers working as a summer associate for the Barnes Law Group. He also worked this summer with District Attorney Ken Mauldin in Athens. He hopes to make a career working as a litigator, as he has developed a love for the courtroom.
Hometown:
Pine Mountain, Ga.
High School:
Harris County High School
Degree objective:
Juris doctor
Other degrees:
A.B. in religion, University of Georgia
A.B. in political science, University of Georgia
Expected graduation:
Spring 2010
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
I would consider working on several political campaigns and participating in student government both in undergrad and law school as the highlights of my time at UGA so far. Since I came to Athens, I’ve worked as the political coordinator on a congressional campaign and a campaign for governor, as well as serving as campaign manager for another congressional campaign. By serving as a senator and committee chairman in undergrad and president of my class in law school, I’ve been able to respond to the needs of the students and do my best to affect positive changes in student life. I was also honored to receive the Governor’s and Charter Scholarships in undergrad. And in law school, I was lucky enough to win the J. Ralph Beaird Closing Argument Competition and the J. Melvin England Mock Trial Competition. I was also nominated to be a member of the State Bar’s Professionalism Committee.
Current Employment:
This past two summers, I worked at the Barnes Law Group in Marietta, Ga. I received a legal education in and of itself clerking for some of the best litigators in the state, including Georgia’s former governor, Roy Barnes, an alumnus of Georgia Law. Working there, I was able to gain experience in several practice areas, including plaintiff’s litigation, complex business litigation and estate law. I also spent the last month of this summer and continue to work for District Attorney Ken Mauldin, who is a Georgia Law grad.
Family Ties to UGA:
My mother, uncle, grandfather, and grandmother all graduated from UGA. My great-grandfather attended UGA for a time.
I chose to attend UGA because…
…I have enjoyed coming to Athens and been a Dawg fan my entire life. So when I combined that allegiance with the academic reputation of the State’s flagship university, the decision was pretty clear. I have never regretted that decision and have great love for and devotion to the university.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
…tailgating on North Campus on a fall day and attending a great game with 92,746 of my friends in Sanford Stadium. There’s not a prettier place in the state than North Campus of the University of Georgia on gameday. The beauty of campus combined with the camaraderie of the student body and alumni of UGA create a special environment for any friend of the university.
When I have free time, I like…
…sports and politics. I obsessively follow the Dawgs, the Braves, the Falcons and the Hawks. I’m a hometown team guy. And after working on several political campaigns, I enjoy being a political spectator now. I also play intramural football, basketball and softball with my friends. In general, I like to be around my friends, to enjoy conversation and to meet new people.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
…dive off a 30 ft. cliff called Chimney Rock at Lake Harding. Although I meant to go in hands first, I did not consider how my body might turn while falling 30 ft. My back ended up connecting with the water first! I had no serious injuries, but my back was bright red for a couple of days.
My favorite place to study is…
…the Carl E. Sanders Reading Room in the Law Library. Even though I might be in the middle of reading a thrilling bit of case law, I can look out the two-floor, wall to wall windows and see quite a striking view of Herty Field.
My favorite professor is…
…Tom Eaton. He taught me Torts in my first year of law school. Professor Eaton was able to use humor, intellect and a tough Socratic style to get across to us thick-headed law students some of the most complex rules of law that we studied in our first year. He has also been more than willing to give us some perspective on law school and ourselves, should we start thinking we are something truly special. And I am always thankful that he let me finish ahead of him in a game of Texas Hold ‘em in front of my friends.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…my grandfather, Charlie Bailey, one of the grandfathers for whom I am named. I never knew him because he died when my dad was 5 years old. I have been told by people who knew him that I am somewhat like him, and would very much like to see for myself.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
…play for the Atlanta Hawks. Basketball has always been my favorite sport to play, and growing up I used to tell folks that I was going to play in the NBA. My stature and lack of true skill had something else to say about that, but if I was a guaranteed success, I would get myself on that court.
After graduation, I plan to…
…practice law, though I’m not sure yet which practice area. I’m most interested in plaintiff’s work and criminal prosecution, so will most likely end up in one of those fields.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
…my trip to Knoxville during my freshman year to attend the UGA-Tennessee football game. We won on one of the greatest finishes in UGA history, and my buddy and I ended up on the front of the Knoxville News-Sentinel Sunday Sports Page. It was the first big win of the Coach Richt era, and I was glad to be able to be there.
