Mitchell Galloway ’19 has been selected for the prestigious Department of Justice Honors Program for entry-level attorneys. Galloway will join the Criminal Enforcement Section of DOJ’s Tax Division this fall in Washington, D.C., after earning his J.D. in May.
The Attorney General’s Honors Program is the premier entry-level program for federal attorneys; candidates are selected based on academic achievement, a demonstrated commitment to government service, leadership, and journal and moot court experience during law school, among other qualifications.
Galloway worked for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee during summer 2018 and interned for Chief Judge Waverly Crenshaw ’81 of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee during summer 2017. He earned his undergraduate degree in accounting summa cum laude as well as his MBA from Freed-Hardeman University.
He was an articles editor for the Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law in 2018-19, and his Note, “The States Have Spoken: Allow Expanded Media Coverage of the Federal Courts,” was published in the journal’s March 2019 issue. “I surveyed all 50 states to examine their policies and courtroom procedures governing electronic media coverage in courtrooms,” Galloway said. ”Ninety percent of states allow cameras in both trial and appellate courts to some extent. I proposed that federal courts adopt rules similar to the rules used in most states.”
When Galloway considered applying for the Department of Justice’s Honors Program, he was mentored by colleagues at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. “They were incredibly helpful,” he said. “One was a former trial attorney in the Tax Division, and his advice was invaluable while I prepared my application.” Galloway’s position in the Department of Justice’s Honors Program requires a three-year commitment to government service.
Galloway was interested in tax law and found that his undergraduate degree in accounting provided a good background. He took upper-level courses in Federal Tax Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, and Trial Advocacy.
Galloway also served as a research assistant for Nancy King, a criminal procedure expert who holds the Lee S. and Charles A. Speir Chair in Law, while at Vanderbilt. “I became interested in criminal law while interning for Judge Crenshaw but knew that I wanted to use my business education in my legal career,” he said. “Researching for Professor King provided me the opportunity to learn more about white-collar crime. After those experiences, I knew I wanted to prosecute tax and financial crimes; DOJ’s Tax Division is a great place for that.”
“Securing a position through the Department of Justice Honors Program is an incredible honor,” said Spring Miller, assistant dean for public interest. “We are thrilled that Mitchell will have the opportunity to put his talents and public service commitment in action in the Criminal Tax Division.”
At Vanderbilt, Galloway was a Feidler Family Scholar and a Glenna K. and Thomas J. Trimble Scholar. He served as treasurer of the Vanderbilt Bar Association during his 3L year as well as on the Hyatt Student Activities Board. He is a native of Tupelo, Mississippi.