Harvey Johnston receives Lawrence Grauman Award

R. Harvey Johnston, a 1972 Brandeis School of Law graduate, received the Lawrence Grauman Award during last week’s Alumni Awards Luncheon held at The Galt House. The Lawrence Grauman Award is the highest alumni tribute from the Law School.

Johnston provided the keynote speech, offering up the following advice to attendees: “It is very important to be dependable. Be the Bus,” referencing Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer Jerome “The Bus” Bettis.

Johnston said he has had a challenging fall season, but it was made special because of the recognition from Brandeis School of Law. He also joked about receiving two D’s in his real estate law courses while attending school, and brought his transcript for proof.

“There is hope for everyone,” he said.

Johnston concluded his speech with a Winston Churchill quote: “This award is great, but what you do for others is more important. You make a living out of what you get. You make a life out of what you give.”

Other honorees in attendance this year included:

  • Doug Farnsley (’76), Distinguished Alumnus. Farnsley is a member of Stites & Harbison and current president of the Kentucky Bar Association.
  • Justice David Barber (’80), Distinguished Alumnus. Barber was appointed to the Supreme Court of Kentucky in March.
  • Gene Price (’88), Distinguished Alumnus. Price is a Rear Admiral and deputy commander of the U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet of the United States Navy. He is also a member of Frost Brown Todd LLC.
  • Carole Christian (’88), Distinguished Alumna. Christian has spent her entire career at Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs and is an equity partner there.
  • Daniel Cameron (’11), Recent Alumnus Award. Cameron is the legal counsel for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
  • Ellen M. Hesen (’84), Gail Robinson Award. Hesen is the chief of staff in the Office of the Mayor for the Louisville Metro Government.
  • Tom FitzGerald, Dean’s Service Award. FitzGerald has been the director of the Kentucky Resources Council since 1984. He has been an adjunct professor of Energy and Environmental Law at Brandeis School of Law since 1986. He received his JD from the UK College of Law in 1980.
  • Professor Laura Rothstein, Excellence in Teaching Award. Rothstein joined the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law as professor and dean in 2000, serving as dean until 2005. She has taught a number of subjects during her 39 years in legal education.
  • Demetrius Holloway (’00), Alumni Fellow. Holloway is a member of Stites & Harbison’s Employment Law Service Group and is also an affiliated member of the Business Litigation Service Group and Torts & Insurance Practice Service Group.
  • Margaret Bratcher, Outstanding Staff Member. Bratcher is an administrative associate for Brandeis School of Law and is responsible for paying invoices and monitoring procurement card transactions. She has been with the Law School since 2000.

Award winners were introduced by Kristie Wetterer from the Alumni Council. Laura Brock, from the UofL Alumni Association also provided remarks, while Dean Susan Duncan gave an update on the State of the Law School.

Sponsors for the Alumni Awards Luncheon included Charles E. Moore; Frost Brown Todd LLC; Stites & Harbison PLLC; Reynolds, Johnston, Hinton & Pepper LLP; University of Louisville Alumni Association; Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs LLP; Dinsmore & Shohl LLP; The Honorable Patricia Fitzgerald; Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC.