UT College of Law professor Jerry Black was honored with the B. Rex McGee Award for the Pursuit of Legal Excellence on Nov. 15. Black's legal career has revolved around public interest.

The Rex McGee award is presented to those of the legal field who display traits of the late Rex McGee. The traits that must be exhibited include "maintaining excellence in legal scholarship, practicing the profession with civility, devoting time and mentoring young lawyers, and maintaining respect and empathy for individuals brought within the justice system."

Black worked with Legal Services of Nashville as a staff attorney, was executive director of the Knoxville Legal Aid Society, and was also director and administrator of clinical programs at Vanderbilt University. Black spent five years, from 1981 to 1986, as director of the UT Legal Clinic. He was acting director from 1990 to 1991, as well as the 1993 spring semester and the 2002 fall semester. He is still a member of the clinic faculty.

In August of 2003, he was honored by the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense on the grounds of presenting his students and peers with a lifetime of dedication to teaching "the goals, aspirations, and principles of quality criminal defense."

He has received a number of other awards for his contribution to the legal world such as the Richard Jacobson Award in 2002 and Harold C. Warner Outstanding Faculty Service Award in 1991 and 1998.