Vanderbilt University Law School

Class of 1957

Notes posted in the order they were received, with the newest posts on top.)

Jim Neal of Neal & Harwell was among several Vanderbilt Law alumni who have been listed as "Best Lawyers in America" each year for the entire 25 years the listing has been published. Others including Ted Pappas '49, James Gooch '67, Jim Cheek '67, Bill Ozier '69, Aubrey Harwell Jr. '71, Mike Kaplan '71 and R. Grafton Brown '59.

William H. Vaughn Jr. died on January 6, 2009, in Charleston, South Carolina. He was born April 21, 1930, in Ashland, Kentucky, and earned both his undergraduate and law degrees at Vanderbilt. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and then served as a Naval Reserve Officer for more than 20 years. He was dedicated to the practice of law, especially to admiralty law, and served as the General Counsel for the South Carolina State Ports Authority for more than 30 years. Bill was a member of the Carolina Yacht Club, St. David's Society, the Propeller Club of Charleston, and one of the first Eagle Scouts in Kentucky. He was an avid runner who would often be seen running around the Charleston Battery. He is survived by his wife, Mary Barnwell Vaughn, two sons and a daughter, and three grandchildren. Posted 2-8-09

Jim Gilliland and his wife, Lucia Gilliland, were both honored with 2006 Diversity Memphis Humanitarian Awards. Jim joined the firm that became Glankler Brown after serving in the U.S. Navy for four years. He also earned his undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt. From 1993-1997, Jim served by presidential appointment and Senate confirmation as the general counsel of the United States Department of Agriculture. He has been on numerous boards and served as chairman for the boards of the Liberty Bowl, the Memphis Arts Council, LeMoyne-Owen College and the M.K. Gandhi Institute. Lucia serves on the boards of the National Civil Rights Museum, Leadership Academy Advisory and the Riverfront Development Corporation. She has previously served on the board of the Memphis Development Foundation, Goals for Memphis, Tennessee Bicentennial Commission, Leadership Memphis and United Way Memphis.

Do you have news you would like to share or just want to let everyone know what you are up to these days? Submit your class note online, e-mail Grace Renshaw or call 615-322-2606.

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