Savannah Whittemore
United States Experience
Fulbright Scholar
I am researching topics related to identifying hate speech on online plat- forms in an original project titled, “A Language Gradient: A Tool for the Early Identification of Hate Speech.” My project aims to create a tool for identifying suspected hate speech that can be used both in the private sector (e.g., by social media companies when regulating user-generated content) and by governments, NGO and IGOs when responding to suspected genocide. I am serving as a visiting international researcher at the Institute for Diaspora and Genocide Studies at the Ruhr-University in Bochum. As a part of my day to day role, I collaborate with professors
in both German and English while providing support for the Institute by editing articles in both German and English for publication.
My research is sponsored by the Fulbright US Student Program with additional funding coming from the Germanistic Society of America, which selected only 2 Fulbright grantees for sponsorship in the 2023-2024 grant period. The Fulbright US Student Program is designed to expand individual perspectives through academic and professional advancement and cross-cultural dialogue. Fulbright awards individuals who represent a commitment to continuing their academic mission while representing the US abroad.
Teaching Assistant
As a teaching assistant for the course, “Political and Civil Rights,” I sup- ported Professor Yvette Butler with all matters related to course content and generally acted as her “right-hand man.” My work included:
• Updating the materials related to the “Political and Civil Rights” course on issues pertaining to the U.S. Supreme Court 2021-2022 term, including but not limited to topic areas such as abortion rights, the right to bear arms, and health care law.
• Transforming in-person class material to an online platform for course instruction.
Research Assistant
In my final year of law school, in addition to my legal studies, I supported Professors Yvette Butler and Molly Fergusson in their research and publications regarding Mississippi and Federal Civil Procedure as well as Supreme Court case law. My work included:
• Researching contemporary topics in criminal law and prison reforms for Prof. Butler by using legal platforms such as Westlaw, Lexis Nexis, and Bloomberg Law.
• Writing in-depth memoranda summarizing recent developments in po- litical and civil rights law such as the impact of the US Supreme Court decisions on everyday Americans lives, and discussing the same with the professors.
• Preparing their scholarly journal entries for publication, e.g., proof- reading and ensuring that the entries comply with recognized publica- tion standards (Bluebook).
• Supported Prof. Molly Fergusson in writing her treatise on Mississippi Civil Procedure by researching relevant state laws and decisions on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and creating citations for the relevant information.
Legal Intern
I assisted top German litigators and managing partners, in intellectual property matters for IP specialty firm. My work included:
• Performing feature analysis on European and U.S. patents.
• Conducting extensive statutory research on Article 8(1) Council Regu-
lation (EC) No 6/2002 on Community Designs for a case argued be- fore the European Union General Court, Lego A/S v EUIPO and Delta Sport Handelskontor GmbH.
• Summarizing the similarities and differences between statutory case law and legal concepts for infringement and invalidity proceedings in the European Union and U.S. in memos and briefs written for manag- ing partners.
• Drafting, editing, and finalizing opinion letters to clients on legal strategies for patent litigation.
Law Clerk
Hughes Brown PLLC is a specialty real-estate law firm. In this role, I assisted with all aspects of real property transactions. My work included:
• Drafting documents related to real property transactions, e.g., preliminary property title opinions, final title certificates, and loan commitments.
• Compiling loan documents for banks as a part of the mortgage application process.
• Facilitating real estate closings between buyers and sellers.
Legal Research Intern
The University of Mississippi’s Medical Center is the largest not-for-profit hospital in the state of Mississippi. I worked for the the Office of the General Counsel in providing in-house legal services on a variety of topics. My work included:
• Conducting research projects for the Deputy General Counsel on EMTALA, Medicaid, and Billing matters.
• Collecting and analyzing relevant data, legal documents, and case law to provide summaries and analysis.
• Filing legal documents in the context on ongoing litigation, e.g., complaints, responses, and motions to dismiss.
Judicial Law Clerk
I discussed pending cases, drafted opinions, and attended trials for the Honorable Judge Jacqueline Mask on issues including divorce, child custody matters, adoptions, and relevant evidence law.
Education
Juris Doctorate
Organizations/ Honors:
• First University of Mississippi School of Law Student to receive a Fulbright
Scholarship, Spring 2023
• Served as Director for the Child Advocacy Pro Bono Clinic where I oversaw the
writing of reports acting as court-appointed advocates for children in divorce,
child custody, and adoption proceedings (Guardians ad Litem), Spring 2023
• Received the university’s award recognizing exceptional pro bono work for the Child Advocacy Pro Bono Clinic, Spring 2023 (286 hours)
• First University of Mississippi student to receive an internship through the German American Exchange program, Spring 2022
• Completed a First Amendment Independent Study for the University of Missis- sippi Office of the General Counsel on speech related activities by creating ma- terials on relevant legal principles (e.g., time place and manner restrictions for Student Body events) for new student orientation and faculty training sessions, Spring 2022
Original Research and Written Scholarship: “Cop Out: How Qualified Immunity Diminishes First Amendment Rights” (2021)
Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and German
Organizations/ Honors:
• I was chosen as the Martin Study Abroad Scholarship recipient out of 10 stu-
dents in the German Language Department to support my study abroad experi-
ence, Spring 2019
• I was chosen as the Eickhorst Fund Scholarship recipient due to my ongoing
academic success and commitment to the German Language Program, Spring
2019
• German Club: Treasurer and Secretary, Fall 2016-Spring 2020
• Member of the Order of Omega Honors Society, the Delta Phi Alpha Honors
Society, and the Rho Lambda Honors Society
• Chancellor’s Honor Roll (Fall 2016, Spring 2018, Fall 2019, and Spring 2020)
• Director of the College of Liberal Arts Student Leadership Council, Fall 2019
• College Panhellenic Standards Board Leader, Fall 2018
• Alpha Delta Pi Sorority Executive Board Positions: New Member Coordinator
and Panhellenic Delegate
Original Research and Written Thesis: “Applying International Law to the Regu- lation of Media Incited Genocide: Rwanda and Myanmar” (2020)
