The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga announced that an investment has been made by Jerry Summers and the law firm of Summers, Rufolo and Rogers in the amount of $100,000 to provide scholarships for students of the university’s Criminal Justice program. This educational award will be issued annually, and will alternate its focus each year between students who wish to become prosecuting attorneys and those with aspirations of becoming a defense attorney.
“UTC greatly appreciates Mr. Summers’s years of loyal support in making Chattanooga better by helping students accomplish their career goals in the field of criminal justice,” said Dr. Karen McGuffee, associate professor and Criminal Justice Program Coordinator. “The generosity of this gift will help many young men and women realize both personal and professional success. Thank you.”
Jerry Summers is a graduate of Sewanee-The University of the South, and received his law degree from The University of Tennessee at Knoxville. An experienced trial lawyer and founding member of Summers, Rufolo and Rogers, Mr. Summers has served in numerous legal capacities such as an assistant district attorney, criminal defense attorney, personal injury lawyer and labor lawyer. He has argued cases before the United States and Tennessee Supreme Courts and has played a significant role in several landmark decisions in both civil and criminal law. Mr. Summers is one of three attorneys in Tennessee invited to join the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. He is active in numerous legal and community groups and has served on the boards of Area IV Special Olympics, Orange Grove Center (for the mentally and physically impaired), CADAS (treatment of alcohol/drug abuse), and several others. In January 2016, Mr. Summers authored the book "Rush to Justice? Tennessee's Forgotten Trial of the Century – Schoolfield 1958".
Additionally, attorney and law firm partner Jeff Rufolo is a UTC graduate and former Southern Conference wrestling champion. Mr. Rufulo continues his commitment to UTC by serving as voluntary legal advisor to the university’s varsity wrestling team. He has also recently been selected for membership in the American College of Trial Lawyers.