Jim Rosenblatt, the former MC Law dean had the honor of introducing Nunnelee’s father, Alan, the U.S. Representative for Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District, as guest speaker for the school’s 2012 Commencement.
He well remembers the day Reed Nunnelee '06, '12 graduated from the Mississippi College School of Law.
“Rep. Nunnelee’s opening line was, ‘Dean Rosenblatt, thanks for the accolades, but of all the titles I have had, the one I am most proud of is father,’” Rosenblatt recalled. “I know Reed was as proud of his father that day as was his father of him.”
Tragically, Rep. Nunnelee died less than three years later. But his son is continuing his father’s legacy with distinction as a valued member of the Butler Snow law firm’s Finance, Real Estate and Restructuring Group in Ridgeland.
For his service to the community, Nunnelee has been selected by the National Alumni Association at Mississippi College as MC’s 2024 Young Alumnus of the Year. The association bestows the honor to MC graduates 40 years of age or younger who have rendered distinguished service to their college, church and community.
“There are so many qualified candidates, I’m humbled to have been selected and honored that MC thinks I’m representing the college well,” Nunnelee said.
Nunnelee earned his B.A. in history magna cum laude while playing varsity baseball and participating in the Shawreth men’s service club. He continued his superior work at MC Law, serving as an associate editor on the Mississippi College Law Review and earning his degree summa cum laude.
Upon graduating from MC Law, he worked at the Brunini law firm in Jackson before joining Butler Snow in 2018.
“Reed has distinguished himself in practice with his knowledge of the law, his business sense, and a work ethic he inherited from his father,” Rosenblatt said.
Selected as a Mid-South Rising Star for Business/Corporate, Nunnelee has been featured numerous times in various business areas in “Best Lawyers in America.”
Michael Wright, dean of enrollment services at MC, said Nunnelee is a “phenomenal choice” to wear the mantle of MC’s Young Alumnus of the Year.
“He’s an incredible husband to Kemily and dad to Thomas, Harper, Jane Allen, and Lucy,” Wright said. “In every aspect of his life, he lives out Col. 3:23, whether it’s coaching those amazing kiddos in one of their many sports, practicing law better than Matlock, running superhuman distances like Pheidippides, serving at Pinelake Church, or simply being the best friend anyone could have - it’s always done in a God-honoring, Jesus-glorifying way.”
Nunnelee and other outstanding MC alumni were recognized during the Homecoming 2024 National Alumni Association Awards Brunch on Saturday, Oct. 26, in Anderson Hall in the B.C. Rogers Student Center.
