Cumberland School of Law

William G. Ross, the Albert P. Brewer Professor of Law and Ethics, testified recently at a hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives examining proposals to alter the number of Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The hearing was held May 21 in Washington, D.C., before the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on Courts. Ross was one of four experts, including Harvard Law Professor Nikolas Bowie, who discussed the constitutional and institutional implications of altering the size of the nation's highest court.

Ross shared his scholarly perspective on the constitutional, institutional and practical considerations surrounding changes to the Court's composition, drawing on his extensive research in constitutional law and legal history.

A nationally recognized scholar in constitutional law, legal history and legal ethics, Ross has published books and articles that include discussions of efforts to curtail the Court's power and to alter its composition. In 2021, he submitted written testimony at the request of the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States on related questions.

Ross's participation in the congressional hearing underscores Cumberland's commitment to contributing to important national conversations on the rule of law and the structure of American government.

Now in session: Cumberland School of Law summer study abroad!

This week, our law students arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland, to kick off the 2026 summer study abroad programs.

The Edinburgh program offers a unique opportunity to engage with international legal perspectives while experiencing the culture, history and tradition that shape the Scottish legal system.

We look forward to sharing more from their journey, as well as experiences from our students headed to Cambridge, England, and Reykjavik, Iceland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇬🇧 🇮🇸

Another Cumberland lawyer on the bench!

Congratulations to Hunter Fikes, JD '14, who has been appointed as district judge in Marion County, Alabama, filling a vacancy left by the recent retirement of longtime District Judge Mark Hammitte.

thealabamanewswire.com/news/local/ivey-names-hunter-fikes-new-marion-county-district-judge/article_b02d8a6a-8cd3-46d9-bc1b-27330779331b.html

Ivey names Hunter Fikes new Marion County District Judge By: STAFF WRITER

In the May episode of Cumberland Research Radio, Brigham Daniels, professor and co-director of the Wallace Stegner Center for Land, Resources and the Environment at The University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, talks with Dean Blake Hudson about the environmental importance of, and threats to, the Great Salt Lake and federal, state and local efforts to save it.

Listen to "Saving the Great Salt Lake" on Spotify or Apple podcasts.

samford.edu/law/podcast

Since graduating from Cumberland School of Law in 2023, Capt. Walker McCrary has launched a career defined by service, leadership and advocacy through the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps.

This month, McCrary is transitioning into a new role as trial counsel for the 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command at Smith Barrack Kaserne in Baumholder, Germany.

“While at Cumberland, I was able to develop my negotiation, adaptability and client control skills that have directly translated to skills needed to advise commanders on military justice, administrative and fiscal law issues.” McCrary said. “Cumberland’s advocacy program directly impacted my ability to advise commanders, lead soldiers and litigate within the military justice system.”

Read Capt. McCrary's story: samford.edu/law/news/2026/Walker-McCrary-Takes-on-Military-Counsel-Role

Cumberland School of Law's Dean's List recognizes excellence in academic achievement including students whose end-of-semester GPA is 3.3 or higher.

Congratulations to the students who qualified for the spring 2026 Dean's List.

samford.edu/law/files/Deans-List.pdf

Associate Professor Maryam Stevenson is contributing to an important national conversation on health care access through her recent scholarly publication in the Georgetown Immigration Law Journal.

In her newest published article, “Doctor, Doctor: Reforming Physician Immigration Policy to Improve Access to Healthcare,” Stevenson examines how current U.S. immigration policies affect the availability of physicians, particularly in underserved communities. Drawing on her expertise in immigration law, she analyzes the structural barriers that limit foreign-trained doctors from practicing in the United States and proposes reforms aimed at strengthening the health care workforce.

Her work highlights the intersection of immigration law and public health, emphasizing how policy decisions can directly shape access to care. By identifying inefficiencies in existing visa programs and regulatory frameworks, the article outlines practical, policy-driven solutions to address physician shortages nationwide.

samford.edu/law/faculty/Cumberland-Law-Professor-Publishes-on-Physician-Immigration-Policy-in-Georgetown-Immigration-Law-Journal

Service is at the heart of Cumberland School of Law’s mission and the legal profession—and these students lived it out this year.

Congratulations to our 2025–26 Spirit of Service Award recipients: Maddie Brown, Chandler Campbell, Maya Shah, Jordan Smith and Sydney Smith.

By volunteering more than 35 hours of service each, they gave their time to initiatives like wills clinics, and blood, food and clothing drives, and supported partners including Birmingham Jumpstart, Jefferson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Women’s Missionary Union, Angel Tree and more.

Their dedication to serving others makes a lasting impact in Birmingham and beyond!

Cumberland School of Law has expanded upon its 3+3 partnerships, signing an agreement with Jacksonville State University. This partnership creates an accelerated pathway for qualified students to earn both their undergraduate and law degrees in just six years, reducing time and cost to complete both.

Through the program, qualified students may complete their first year of law school coursework during their senior year, with those credits counting toward their undergraduate degree.

Learn more: samford.edu/law/news/2026/Cumberland-Expands-3-3-Partnerships-Announces-Accelerated-Pathway-with-Jacksonville-State-University