William & Mary Law Students Learn Finer Points of Property Law at American Law Institute-CLE’s 40th Eminent Domain Conference
Eminent Domain Preston Ball ’23, Shelly Vallone ’23, Elizabeth Sockwell ’23, Visiting Professor Robert H. Thomas, and Michael Davis ’23 catch up at the ALI-CLE Eminent Domain Conference
Eminent Domain Shelly Vallone '23 thanked the members and the organization for the Toby Prince Brigham Scholar scholarship, which she said “changed her life.”
Eminent Domain Owners Counsel of America (OCA) Executive Director Leslie Fields introduced Shelly Vallone as the 2023 Toby Prince Brigham Scholar.
A strong contingent of William & Mary Law students and alumni attended the 40th American Law Institute-CLE Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation Conference, held from February 2-4 in Austin, Texas.
Four William & Mary students—Preston Ball ’23, Shelly Vallone ’23, Elizabeth Sockwell ’23, and Michael Davis ’23—received two and a half days of intense instruction in eminent domain practice and theory, just compensation, takings, property law and property rights, and appraisal practice. The students were also able to meet with lawyers from across the country, and in various practices ranging from private practice in large and small firms, government service, the legal academy, and public interest.
Justice Jimmy Blacklock of the Supreme Court of Texas, and judges from other courts also attended and spoke at the Conference. The feedback from the lawyers, professors and other industry professionals in attendance was very positive, and several expressed admiration for the students’ willingness and motivation to attend this advanced-level course, and their maturity and ability to engage.
This marks the fifth year that William & Mary Law students have joined the conference. And one of them came away with a scholarship.
Immediately following the conference, Owners Counsel of America (OCA) Executive Director Leslie Fields introduced Shelly Vallone as the 2023 Toby Prince Brigham Scholar.
Vallone thanked the members and the organization for the scholarship, which she said “changed her life.” In part because of the award of the scholarship, she was offered and has accepted a position following graduation with the Maryland firm Miller, Miller & Canby, where she will be practicing property and eminent domain law.
Vallone expressed gratitude for the prior scholarship winner’s guidance through the ALI-CLE Conference, and promised to do the same for next year’s scholarship winner.
“Shelly is a worthy awardee, and her presence at the conference reflects well on William & Mary Law,” said Robert H. Thomas, the Joseph T. Waldo Visiting Chair in Property Rights Law at William & Mary Law School, who was also in attendance and served as a conference planning chair.
The scholarship given to Vallone is named in honor of the late Toby Prince Brigham, founding partner of Brigham Moore LLP. Brigham and Gideon Kanner, Professor of Law Emeritus at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, are the inspiration for William & Mary Law School’s annual Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference, now in its 20th year and renowned for its outstanding panel discussions, Property Rights Prize, and Journal.
Vallone joins a growing number of William & Mary Law students (and now alumni) who have benefitted from their William & Mary legal education and connection. The program has helped place students in positions in Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, Hawaii, West Virginia, and California, and elsewhere, in a variety of positions including private practice, government service, and judicial clerkships.
About William & Mary Law School
Thomas Jefferson founded William & Mary Law School in 1779 to train leaders for the new nation. Now in its third century, America’s first law school continues its historic mission of educating citizen lawyers who are prepared both to lead and to serve.