Each year, Samford University Cumberland School of Law announces faculty award recipients. On Thursday, May 1, the below faculty members were honored with these awards for their excellence in scholarship and teaching during the 2024-25 school year. 

The Lightfoot, Franklin & White Faculty Scholarship Award is given to a faculty member based on scholarly work published in the past year. When choosing the recipient, the selection committee considers clarity of expression, thoroughness of research and analysis, scope and depth of subjects covered, difficulty and complexity of analysis, originality of study, and the actual or likely impact of the work. 

Associate professor Chinelo Diké-Minor is recognized for her impactful scholarship in health law and criminal law. Her work addresses criminal health care fraud, grand jury, and right to counsel issues, with recent publications advancing health law and public policy. She received the award for her article “The Devil Made Me Do It: An Argument for Expanding the Anti-Kickback Statute to Cover Private Payers” which was published in the Connecticut Law Review. Other articles by Diké-Minor are “The Untold Story of the United States’ Anti-Kickback Laws” which was published by the Rutgers Journal of Law and Public Policy, and “Be Careful What You Wish For: An Overreliance on Telemedicine Could Harm Health Equity,” which was published by the Annals of Health Law and Life Sciences. 

The prolific scholarship of Alyssa DiRusso, the Palmer Professor of Law, focuses on wills, trusts, tax law and nonprofit organizations. Her recent publications reflect a deep commitment to advancing the field of estate planning and charitable giving. She received the award for her book Federal Taxation of Wealth Transfers: Cases and Problems, Fifth Edition. She is also the co-author of the first and second editions of Wills, Trusts, and Estates in Focus. 

David Smolin, the Harwell G. Davis Professor of Constitutional Law and director of Cumberland’s Center for Children, Law and Ethics, is honored for his work addressing global issues such as adoption ethics, child trafficking and religious liberty. His recent publications include “How and Why the Church Should Adopt a Transitional Justice Framework to Abuse in Catholic Contexts” (Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors), “Facing the Past: Policies and Practices for Responses to Illegal Intercountry Adoptions” (Eleven, an international academic publisher in the field of law, criminology, public administration and political science), and “Surrogacy, Intermediaries, and the Sale of Children” (Research Handbook on Surrogacy and the Law). 

The Harvey S. Jackson Excellence in Teaching Award is presented annually to faculty members who demonstrate exceptional mastery of their subject matter, effectively convey complex information to students, and exhibit a deep enthusiasm for teaching. Recipients of this award are recognized for their innovation in the classroom, commitment to excellence, and dedication to supporting and mentoring students. 

Associate professor Layne Keele received the award for teaching first-year Contracts. Keele brings deep expertise in contracts, conflict of laws and pretrial practice to Cumberland. Known for his clarity, enthusiasm and commitment to student success, he draws on experience from his prior roles in legal practice and academia. Multiple nominations by students noted Keele’s ability to explain the complexity of contract law in ways that are accessible and practical. He engages students using methods such as nontraditional debates, mock arguments and cold calling. His excellence in foundational legal education makes him a standout, highly respected mentor for first-year law students. 

Matt Woodham, associate professor and assistant director of advocacy programs, received the award for teaching upper-level Trial Advocacy courses, particularly Basic Skills in Trial Advocacy. A 2015 Cumberland alumnus and accomplished litigator, Woodham brings real-world courtroom experience and a passion for advocacy into the classroom. He is highly regarded by students for believing in their ability to be advocates and to speak effectively in public as well as for his ability to make the intricacies of trial understandable. His work with the National Trial Team, his authorship of trial casefiles, and his excellence in teaching demonstrate his deep commitment to student development and innovation in legal education. 

Brian Turner, a partner at Gregory Fann Turner Law LLC, received the Outstanding Adjunct Award for teaching Negotiations. A 1995 Cumberland alumnus, he focuses on domestic relations, mediation and alternative dispute resolution. He is a registered mediator for Alabama civil and appellate courts, has held leadership roles within state and local bar associations and is a member of the American Bar Association’s Family Law and Dispute Resolution Sections. Student nominations for Turner noted, with admiration, the respect he demands from and gives to his students. He was also commended for his ability to make class manageable, engaging and enjoyable.