RALEIGH, N.C. – One of Campbell Law’s most iconic figures has announced her decision to retire. Professor Margaret Person Currin, who first joined the Campbell Law faculty in 1981, will step away from her full-time teaching duties following spring commencement exercises on May 13. In addition to her faculty and administrative roles, Currin was the first student to matriculate in Campbell Law’s historic charter class in 1976.
“Margaret Currin and Campbell Law go hand-in-hand,” said Campbell Law Dean J. Rich Leonard. “She is the living embodiment of what Dr. Wiggins envisioned for our law school and will be hard to replace.
“She excelled in the classroom as a student, made a meaningful difference in administering justice as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and founded our nationally known externship program that has prepared many classes of Campbell Law attorneys to hit the ground running as they entered legal practice. This place simply will not be the same without her.”
During her 30 years in legal education and law school administration, Currin has taught a variety of subjects and led numerous departments at Campbell Law. She first joined the law school faculty in 1981 as an assistant dean and professor, and later served as an associate dean overseeing academic, student, and administrative affairs. She has taught countless students in the areas of government litigation, federal crimes, scientific evidence, election and lobby law, administrative law, and professional responsibility.
Currin also single-handedly built the Campbell Law Externship Program, working with students as they gain experience in public service, non-profit, corporate, and pro bono environments. The National Jurist ranked Campbell Law’s program 27th nationally in September 2013. Eighty-five percent of recent graduates completed one or more externships as a part of Campbell Law’s signature program.
“My time at Campbell Law has been very special, both as a student and as a member of the faculty and administration,” said Currin. “I am thankful for the many friendships formed along the way, including countless members of our legal community who have enabled our externship program to grow, succeed, and benefit so many of our students.
“I will certainly miss seeing our students and my wonderful colleagues every day.”
President Ronald Reagan nominated Currin as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina in March 1988, a role in which she served until April 1993. As U.S. Attorney, Currin represented the interests of the U.S. in all civil and criminal matters throughout the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Few people in the Raleigh legal community have gone above and beyond in assisting numerous civic, professional, and public service organizations as Currin. She was president of the National Association of Former United States Attorneys, served on and chaired the Wake County Board of Elections, served as General Counsel for a state party and other political committees, and served on the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Committee with the North Carolina State Board of Elections. She has also represented political committees before the Federal Election Commission.
In October 2015 Currin was reappointed to the North Carolina Rules Review Commission, to which she was initially appointed in June 2011 and reappointed in 2013. She has served as both first vice chairman and chairman of the commission. In December 2015 she was elected to the Wake County Bar Association/Tenth Judicial District Board of Directors. Currin serves on several North Carolina Bar Association councils, including the NCBA BarCARES Board of Directors.
“News of the impending retirement of long time valued and trusted faculty colleagues is always bittersweet,” said Campbell University Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost Dr. Mark L. Hammond. “We are very happy to see them move into this much deserved stage of life, but we will dearly miss seeing them on a daily basis on our campuses.
“Such is the case when I heard about Margaret Currin’s retirement at the end of this academic year. Margaret represents precisely the type of Campbell Law alumna whom we strive to produce-a person with the highest integrity and passion for excellence in legal education that exemplifies a fine example of how to live a just and purposeful life. I have thoroughly enjoyed working as her colleague and wish for her a wonderful and restful retirement.”
Currin graduated second in her class from Campbell Law in 1979. She clerked for the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia during law school, and later served as a legislative assistant and as legislative director/legal counsel to U.S. Senator John Tower. Prior to Campbell Law, she earned an A.B. from Meredith College in 1972.
Currin resides in Raleigh with her husband, Sam. They are the proud parents of Thomas, a 2010 Campbell Law graduate.
Campbell Law will immediately begin a national search to find its next externship program director.
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Since its founding in 1976, Campbell Law School has developed lawyers who possess moral conviction, social compassion and professional competence, and who view the law as a calling to serve others. The school has been recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as having the nation’s top Professionalism Program and by the American Academy of Trial Lawyers for having the nation’s best Trial Advocacy Program. Campbell Law boasts more than 3,800 alumni, including more than 3,000 who reside and work in North Carolina. In September 2009, Campbell Law relocated to a state-of-the-art building in downtown Raleigh. For more information, visit http://law.campbell.edu.
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