Kennedy gives back to U of M School of Law

Law Talk profile for The Memphis Daily News

Sept. 16, 2010

When it comes to his inspiration for entering the legal profession, David S. Kennedy, chief judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee, gives a nod to his father and to Atticus Finch, Harper Lee’s stalwart symbol of fairness for a generation in her novel “To Kill A Mockingbird.”

When it comes to his actually becoming an attorney, Kennedy acknowledges the local law school.

“I owe a deep debt of gratitude to the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law,” Kennedy said. “Without this law school, I would not be here today in the capacity of a member of the legal profession, or as a federal bankruptcy judge. I highly respect and admire the law school and its local and national impact, which is very significant in so many different ways.”

Kennedy, 66, has given back to his alma mater as a member of the adjunct faculty since 1981, saying he “loves the classroom” and by sitting on the alumni board for several years. He was named president of that board in July … (read more)