09/17/2007
OXFORD, Miss. – Respected broadcaster and Court TV newsman
Jack Ford is slated to speak on how the media and legal
practice are influenced by high profile cases Friday (Sept.
21) at the University of Mississippi School of Law.
Ford, a co-host on the daily TV trial program “Banfield &
Ford: Courtside” with fellow news veteran Ashleigh
Banfield, speaks at 1:30 p.m. in the William Ethridge Jr.
Moot Court Room in the Lamar Law Center. The title of his
address is “High Profile Cases and their Impact on the
Legal Profession and the Media.”
Formerly, Ford hosted the ESPN show “The Sports Reporters
II” for one year and later co-hosted the nationally
syndicated talk show “Ali & Jack.” His broadcast career
began in 1984 at New York’s WCBS-TV as the legal
commentator, and he became one of Court TV’s first anchors
from 1991 to 1994. Afterward, he worked as an NBC News
chief legal correspondent appearing on “NBC Nightly News,”
“The Today Show” and “Dateline,” in addition to serving as
co-anchor for “The Weekend Today Show.” In 1999, Ford
became an ABC anchor/correspondent for “Good Morning
America” and “20/20.”
Law Dean Samuel M. Davis said Ford is uniquely qualified to
talk about high profile cases.
“As a former prosecutor and attorney in private practice,
he was involved in several high profile cases, and as an
anchor on Court TV and a former anchor on other networks,
including the Weekend Today Show,’ he makes a thoughtful,
dynamic and informative presentation,” Davis said. “He was
an instant hit when he spoke to our law students a few
years ago, and I am sure our current students will be
equally impressed with his charm and presence.”
Before his career in broadcast journalism, Ford studied at
Yale University and later attended Fordham University
School of Law. His knowledge of legal work stems from his
three years of experience as a New Jersey prosecutor and
his later entrance into private practice. He taught as an
adjunct professor of law at Fordham and authored articles
for a range of legal publications.
Ford’s exceptional broadcast work has been honored with two
Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, an American Radio and
Television Award, the National Headliner Award and the
March of Dimes FDR Award. In 1997, he received the NCAA
Silver Anniversary Award, and People magazine recognized
him as the “Sexiest News Anchor” in 1999.
For additional information or assistance related to a
disability, contact Connie Lamb at 662-915-6900 or
clamb@olemiss.edu. For more information about the School
of Law, visit