Law Student Named Inaugural American Bar Association Consortium Fellow

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Dana McGee

Third-year law student Dana McGee has been selected as the American Bar Association's inaugural Legal Education Police Practices Consortium Fellow.

The ABA Legal Education Police Practices Consortium was formed to contribute to the national effort to examine and address legal issues in policing and public safety, including conduct, oversight and the evolving nature of police work. The consortium will leverage the ABA's expertise in developing model police practices and that of participating ABA-accredited law schools to collaborate on projects to develop and implement better police practices throughout the United States.

As a fellow, McGee will undertake myriad tasks including conducting a police organizational survey to determine local policing contacts, their chain of command and local agencies currently working with and/or on policing issues.

"Policing practices has been an area of concern across the country," School of Law Dean Alena Allen said. "I am excited that University of Arkansas students like Dana will have an opportunity to help work with police departments to increase public safety for all."

"I am grateful for this opportunity to focus on my passion and thrilled to serve in a fellowship dedicated to reforming local and national police practices across America," McGee said. "My heart weeps every time I think of the generational pain resulting from the disproportional impact of overly excessive police policies on Black and Brown communities who deserve access to justice and the ability to trust and depend on the officers sworn to protect and serve them."

McGee is passionate about criminal justice and has gained experience as a Public Service Fellow at the Shelby County Public Defender's Law office, an extern at the United Stated Federal Public Defender's Office in the Western District of Arkansas, law clerk at the Bogart and Associates Immigration Law Firm and as a Rule 15 Student Attorney in the law school's Criminal Defense Clinic.

McGee is the chair of the Honor Council, chair of the Anti-Bias and Racism Taskforce, note and comment editor of the Arkansas Journal of Food Law and Policy and the chief justice of the Graduate and Professional Student Congress. She previously served as the vice president of the Black Law Student Association and the vice president of the Criminal Law Society.

About the School of Law: The law school offers a competitive J.D. as well as an advanced LL.M. program, which are taught by nationally recognized faculty. The school offers unique opportunities for students to participate in pro bono work, externships, live client clinics, competitions, and food and agriculture initiatives. The school strives to identify, discuss, and challenge issues of race, color, ethnicity, and the impact(s) they have on students, faculty, and staff members in an effort to achieve a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community. From admitting the Six Pioneers who were the first African American students to attend law school in the South without a court order to graduating governors, judges, prosecutors, and faculty who went on to become President of the United States and Secretary of State, the law school has a rich history and culture. Follows us at @uarklaw.