Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) was featured in the May/June 2026 issue of The Atlanta Lawyer, with recognition highlighting both the institution’s commitment to experiential legal education and the scholarly contributions of its faculty and Law Journal.
The issue showcases AJMLS as a place where legal education, public service, and thought leadership intersect, demonstrating the law school’s impact on conversations shaping Georgia’s legal profession.
One feature in the issue spotlighted Professor Jeffrey A. Van Detta in The Legal Minute column (pages 20 & 21), where he shared his perspective on the continuing impact of Georgia’s Tort Reform Act of 2025. In discussing the legislation one year after its enactment, Professor Van Detta observed that:
“One year in, the best we can say is that the proverbial jury is very much still out on the Georgia Tort Reform Act of 2025.”
The article recognized Professor Van Detta’s extensive expertise in tort law, noting that he has taught Torts for more than 25 years and is a published scholar in the field. It also highlighted his leadership in organizing the John Marshall Law Journal’s Annual CLE Symposium on the Tort Reform Act, which brought together scholars, practitioners, and legal professionals to examine the far-reaching implications of the legislation.
Professor Van Detta further noted that while proponents viewed the legislation as a significant victory for tort reform, many questions remain unanswered and will likely require years of litigation and judicial interpretation to resolve. Among the issues he identified were constitutional questions, the long-term impact of the Act’s procedural reforms, and how courts will interpret key provisions affecting premises liability, trial practice, and access to justice.
An additional feature appeared in the Atlanta Bar Association Criminal Law Section’s year-end update (pages 37 & 38), which highlighted a joint breakfast hosted by AJMLS for members of the Criminal Law Section and Public Interest Law Section. During the event, attendees toured the law school’s Criminal and Civil Justice Institute (CCJI) and learned more about its mission to advance practical legal education and expand access to justice. The publication noted that students and faculty provided participants with an in-depth look at the Institute’s work and recognized Dean Martin Ellin and Professor Jonathan Rapping for their hospitality and commitment to developing the next generation of advocates. The Criminal Law Section also made a donation in support of the Institute’s mission.
Together, these features demonstrate how AJMLS brings legal issues into public conversation while producing scholarship that helps inform policy and practice throughout Georgia.