The Red Velvet Lawyer

Distinguished Alumni of the  Appalachian School of Law:   Commonwealth's Attorney  Gerald Arrington Gerald D. Arrington serves as the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Buchanan County, Virginia. As Commonwealth’s Attorney, he is the county’s top prosecutor and prosecutes its most important and highest profile cases, including murder, robberies, multi-count drug indictments, and crimes against children. Gerald grew up and lives in the small community of Breaks, Virginia, near The Breaks Interstate Park , about 35 minutes from the law school campus. He lives with his wife and two sons. He graduated from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise in 2001, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Government. During his college career, he worked two jobs to help pay for his education and served as a co-captain for the college’s mock trial team. In 2004, he graduated magna cum laude from the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia.

Appalachian School of Law Criminal Law Society The Criminal Law Society is one of the oldest student organizations on campus. Mission Statement The Criminal Law Society furthers, within the law school and the legal community, education about criminal law issues. It also provides a forum for individuals within the law school to express views about criminal law. Activities and Events The CLS sponsors the annual Barrister's Ball, a black-tie event that benefits local charities. It also hosts an annual Opening Statement Competition.  The Criminal Law Society also invites speakers and hosts panel discussions on current topics of interest in criminal law.  It collaborated with the Innocence Project to bring Daryl Hunt to campus to discuss his exoneration in 2005 after DNA evidence matched an incarcerated man with the crime scene.  That man later admitted the crime. In 2011, it hosted a debate between Tamara Neo (Rep.) a