In advance of the University of Georgia’s observance of Ethics Awareness Week, a former federal judge will visit campus to talk about ethics.
The Honorable Stanley F. Birch Jr. will discuss “Ethics in Dispute Resolution” Nov. 9 at 3:30 p.m. in the Hatton Lovejoy Courtroom of the School of Law. The lecture, which is open and free to the public, will be followed by a reception in the Law School Rotunda.
Birch is a retired judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. At the lecture, he will discuss ethical issues that arise in dispute resolution, including arbitration, mediation and litigation as well as dispute resolution in higher education. The lecture will be followed with a question-and-answer session.
According to Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge, dean of the UGA School of Law, Birch has long been a friend to the law school. While a sitting judge, he hired several UGA alumni as law clerks, including current UGA General Counsel Michael Raeber.
“Judge Birch has vast experience in dispute resolution as a practicing lawyer, judge, arbitrator and mediator,” said Raeber, who will introduce Birch at the lecture. “His lecture will provide keen insight into ethical issues in dispute resolution, while increasing understanding of ethical issues on campus.”
Birch received his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Virginia and his Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in Taxation from the Emory University School of Law.
Prior to his service on the federal bench, Birch was an active trial attorney in private practice focusing on intellectual property and tax matters. He was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush.
After serving on the federal court for more than 20 years, Birch joined the Atlanta office of JAMS, a private alternative dispute resolution firm, in 2010. He has been recognized multiple times by Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer review publication in the legal profession.
In conjunction with the University System of Georgia, the University of Georgia is once again a proud participant of International Fraud Awareness Week. In support of this week, UGA observes Ethics Awareness Week to promote an ethical culture on campus and raise awareness about ethics resources available at UGA. The university’s Internal Auditing Division is leading Ethics Awareness Week, Nov. 13-17.