According to the publisher, “Americans fear crime, are rattled by race and avoid honest discussions of both. Anxiety, denial, miscommunication, and ignorance abound. Imaginary connections between minorities and crime become real, self-fulfilling prophecies and authentic links to race, class, gender and crime go unexplored. Katheryn Russell-Brown, author of the highly acclaimed The Color of Crime, makes her way through this intellectual minefield, determined to shed light on the most persistent and perplexing domestic policy issues.”

Using social science research, case law, and official crime data for support, Russell-Brown challenges the conventional wisdom about the relationship between crime and race. The final chapter is devoted to “race facts” — 20 facts one should know to engage in an informed conversation about race, crime and justice. Innovative, well- researched and meticulously documented, Underground Codes makes a case for greater public invovlement in discussions of crime and race and how these are topics are publicly framed.

“No doubt, there are some lawyers out there of whom we’re not so proud, but most lawyers and judges I’ve actually known, primarily through my activity in the Business Section of The Florida Bar, are outstanding people: hard working people of integrity who give generously of their time in the public’s interest. It’s a shame the story of the ‘good lawyer’ isn’t more widely told. “I encourage students to become involved in the development and improvement of the law, benefitting and protecting society through their participation. Having served on the Bar’s Business Law Section Executive Board for 12 years, I’ve made valuable contacts that have greatly benefitted my students, and built long-standing relationships. It’s been both gratifying and fun.”

Education/Background

LL.M.,University of Michigan; J.D., Loyola University; B.S., Physics, University of California at Los Angeles. Law Review, Student Teaching Fellow, Saint Thomas More Law Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Nu (National Jesuit Honor Society). University of Florida Professor since 1981; Gerald A. Sohn Research Scholar since 1999. Widely published in the areas of bankruptcy, liens and consumer credit. Involved in drafting and re-drafting Florida legislation. Taught at law schools of the University of South Dakota, Rutgers and New York University. Former mechanical engineer, McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company.

Member: American Bar, California Bar and Florida Bar Associations; Florida Bar’s Business Law Section’s Executive Council, Bankruptcy /UCC Committee, Legislation Committee. Reporter (Chief Draftsman): Special Committee on Post Judgment Creditor Remedies.

What You May Not Know

Davis’ wife also is a lawyer, specializing in child abuse law. They have two daughters — one a college sophomore and the other a high school junior — and both have competed in the sport of crew as members of Gainesville Area Rowing, a club for which Davis has served as an officer and member of the Executive Committee. Davis played basketball in his youth, and is a big Gator sports fan — particularly in the areas of basketball, football and track. He also enjoys cooking.

Jeff Kottkamp (UF JD 87). Kottkamp was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, District 74, in 2000 and subsequently re-elected. His committee memberships include the Judiciary, Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining, State Administration, Policy, Select Committee on Article V, Procedures, Subcommittee on Rules, Select Committee of the Whole and Subcommittee on Judicial Appropriations. Prior committees include Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Judicial Oversight, Claims and House Redistricting. Prior to his election to the House, he was licensed to practice law in Florida, 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and U.S. Supreme Court, Certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a county and circuit court mediator, and adjunct professor at Southwest Florida College of Business (1995). He was a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Sidney Aronovitz in 1991 and law clerk to U.S. Court Judge Joe Eaton in 1990.