May 12, 2009
CONTACT
David N. Hefner
Director of Communications and Marketing
Walter F. George School of Law
Mercer University
478.301.5000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Students elect new SBA president at Mercer Law School
Palmares first Asian American woman to hold coveted student post
MACON, Ga. – Rizza Charmaine Palmares, a rising third-year law student from Savannah, Ga., was recently elected president of the Student Bar Association at Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. Palmares, whose parents are from the Philippines and who considers herself Asian American, is the first Asian American woman elected as SBA president at Mercer Law School. Among other important functions, the SBA acts as the voice of the student body at the law school.
“I’m thrilled to be in such a respected position that allows me to make a difference at Mercer Law School during what I believe to be transformative years in its storied history,” said Palmares, a 2007 Mercer University graduate who served as president of both her freshman and sophomore undergraduate classes. “The SBA will continue to ensure that our reputation increases positively in the eyes of prospective students, those in the legal field, and others in the professional community. In addition, the SBA will continue to bring services, events and programs that will work toward the betterment of Mercer Law and the community.”
Palmares said her parents came to the United States 25 years ago “for the sole purpose of providing a better life for their future family.” Palmares is the oldest of three siblings. In high school at Calvary Day School, she was president of the senior class, the National Honor Society, and the French Club. She was also vice president of the Chatham County Youth Commission, which allowed her to travel across the nation speaking about issues affecting youth.
A business management major at Mercer University, Palmares spent her junior year abroad at Britain’s prestigious University of Oxford, studying European politics, communications and culture, British literature, and World Religions.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she entered Mercer Law School and has subsequently interned at a Savannah firm specializing in real estate, trademark, and corporate law. This summer, Palmares is interning at Savannah-based firm Savage, Turner, Pinson & Karsman.
“My heritage is really important to me,” Palmares said. “I really want to return to Savannah, because I would be the only Filipino lawyer, and there is a really large Filipino community in Savannah.”
Mary Donovan, assistant dean of students at Mercer Law School, said Palmares’ prior leadership experiences are a definite advantage.
“Ms. Palmares is a proven leader and is respected by the students, faculty, and the administration at Mercer Law School,” Donovan said. “I look forward to working with her and the other members of our Student Bar Association next year.”
Other officers of the Mercer Law School 2009-2010 SBA include: John Franklin, vice president; Rachel Wilson, treasurer; Blade Thompson, secretary; Barclay Taylor, third-year (3L) representative; Spencer Freeman, 3L representative; Charlie Grimsley, 3L representative; Christopher Steele, second-year (2L) representative; Lucie Hartman, 2L representative; T.J. Evans, 2L representative; Brittany Flowe, ABA chair; Leigh Anne Landis, ABA vice chair; Bethany Whetzel, 3L concerns committee; Chase Swanson, intramurals chair; Jennifer Sutton, social committee chair; and Michael Rivera, social committee vice chair.
About Mercer Law School
Founded in 1873, the Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law is one of the oldest law schools in the United States and the first one in the state of Georgia accredited by the American Bar Association. Mercer Law School’s educational philosophy is based on a broadly shared commitment to prepare students for the high-quality, general practice of law in a day-to-day learning environment that is both strongly supportive and consistently professional. Its innovative Woodruff Curriculum – which focuses on ethics and practical skills amid small class sizes – earned the Gambrell Professionalism Award from the ABA for its “depth of excellence.”
With an enrollment of about 400 students, taught by some of the sharpest legal minds in the country, Mercer Law School has been listed among the nation’s top law schools and is nationally recognized for its exceptional programs in legal writing, moot court, public interest, and professionalism and ethics. For more information about Mercer Law School, visit www.law.mercer.edu or call 478.301.5000.
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