Award Ceremony Celebrates Class of 2008's Contributions and Achievements
On May 10, the Law School community gathered in Kimball Theatre with soon-to-be graduates, their families and friends to celebrate the Class of 2008's contributions and achievements. Interim Dean Lynda Butler, joined by faculty, administrators, and a member of the SBA, presented awards and special recognitions. Following the ceremony, class members and guests enjoyed a reception in the historic Wren Building's courtyard.
The annual rite began with a procession of faculty and administrators led by outgoing SBA President Sarah Fulton '08 who bore aloft the Law School's mace. Photo by Colonial Photography.
The following awards and special recognitions were celebrated during the ceremony:
Order of the Coif, Class of 2008
Membership in the Order of the Coif is the highest academic honor a law student can achieve. It is equivalent to membership in Phi Beta Kappa for undergraduates and recognizes the scholastic achievements of law students selected from the upper ten percent of their class. Members of the Class of 2008 inducted into the Order of the Coif were Ann M. Battle, James J. Bilsborrow, Kathryn B. Codd, Frank E. Correll Jr., James M. DeLesDernier, Gregory V. Demo, William N. Federspiel, Christopher W. Hammond, Jocelyn S. Kempema, Kristin N. Koernig, Michael N. Kourabas, Benjamin K. Lusty, Amy M. Markopoulos, Stephanie J. Novak, Thomas E. Robertson, Isaac B. Rosenberg, Mark D. Sameit, Andrew W. Scott, Michele L. Slachetka, Lindsey Soffes, and Joshua S. Whitley.
Order of the Coif, Honorary Member
Coif chapters may elect to honorary membership "those who as lawyers, judges and teachers have attained high distinction for their scholarly or professional accomplishments." The William & Mary chapter inducted Anita O. Poston '74 as an honorary member of the Order of the Coif.
In her remarks, the Dean noted that Poston earned her bachelor's degree, with honors, from the University of Maryland and was a member of the Law Review while at William & Mary. She earned her J.D. seven years before the Law School received its chapter of Order of the Coif.
Butler hailed Poston as a "successful student," "successful lawyer," and "successful public servant." She is a partner with Vandeventer Black in Norfolk, where she concentrates her practice on business, health care and airports. Butler enumerated Poston's many professional distinctions including past and current service on a wide range of boards of directors including those of Towne Bank-Norfolk, ACCESS Scholarship Foundation, the Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association, the Norfolk School Board, Virginia Women's Attorneys Board, the Health Lawyers Association and American Inns of Court. Poston also is past president of the Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Associations and the Virginia Bar Association, and is a member of William & Mary's Board of Visitors and the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners. She has received a number of awards recognizing her civic contributions, including the 1992 Professional Woman of Hampton Roads Award and the Law School Association's 2001 Citizen-Lawyers Award, among others.
Dean's Certificates
Each year the Dean recognizes members of the graduating class whose efforts on behalf of the Law School community have been especially compelling. Receiving this recognition were Wesley D. Allen, Ryan R. Brady, David T. Bules, Christi A. Cassel, Jennie G. Cordis, Joycelyn J. Powe Eason, Sarah A. Fulton, Shana A. Hofstetter, Sarah G. Landres, Amy M. Markopoulos, Katy M. Mikols, John D. Newton, Kelly J. Pereira, Lawrence J. Perrone, Thomas E. Robertson, Andrew W. Scott, Tara A. St. Angelo, Alison D. Stuart, Megan Tumi, Julie A. Wenell and Joshua S. Whitley.
In addition, Dean Butler asked class members to stand and be recognized if they had participated in any of the Law School's 38 service, special interest or competitive organizations, or four student-edited journals.
Order of Barristers
The Order of Barristers is a national honor society that recognizes individuals who have contributed substantially in an oral argument program either in the administration of an advocacy program or in the development of advocacy skills through competition. Inductees from the Class of 2008 were James J. Bilsborrow, M. Cabell Clay, Bradford P. Meacham, Lawrence J. Perrone, Thomas E. Robertson, Ryan J. Stevens, Alison D. Stuart, and Joshua S. Whitley.
Virginia Trial Lawyers Award
This award recognizes a graduating student who has excelled in the skills of trial advocacy. The 2008 recipient was Joshua S. Whitley.
ABA-BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Health Law
This award is presented by the ABA-BNA to recognize the student who has demonstrated superior work in the study of health law. The award was presented to Collin F. Imhof.
Academic Support Program Teaching Assistants
Each year, the Law School chooses a select group of students to work in the Academic Support Program to help their peers maximize their academic success. Recognized for their contributions as ASP Teaching Assistants were Jacqueline Lai Chung, James M. DeLesDernier, Gregory V. Demo, Kristin N. Koernig, Benjamin K. Lusty, John J. Miller, Stephanie G. Novak, Thomas E. Robertson, Issac B. Rosenberg and John T. Stapleford.
Benjamin Rush Scholars
Benjamin Rush Scholars are a select group of law students who have distinguished themselves by their research in the "Health Law and Policy" class. They are responsible for choosing the annual recipient of the Benjamin Rush Medal. This year's scholars from the Class of 2008 were Carrie C. Boyd, David T. Bules, Brian M. Glass, Julianna Frisch, Collin F. Imhof and Robert J. Noble.
Burton Award
The Burton Awards for Legal Achievement recognize excellent writers at the nation's law schools and law firms. Emily P. Reuter will receive a Burton Award at a special program at the Library of Congress in June for her note published in the William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal.
Drapers' Scholar
Each year the Law School selects one graduating student as the recipient of the Drapers' Scholarship. The Drapers' Scholar studies for one year at Queen Mary and Westfield College of the University of London, earning an LL.M. degree. Shana A. Hofstetter was named the 2008-09 Drapers' Scholar.
William and Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review Award for Excellence in Scholarship
This award recognizes a third-year student on the review for making a superior contribution to scholarship. The recipient was Timothy Koslowski.
Equal Justice America Virginia Post Graduate Fellowship
The EJA Virginia Post Graduate Fellowship is part of the "Virginians for Equal Justice" program created in 2007 by Equal Justice America to retain the skills of Virginia law students to work for legal aid organizations in the Commonwealth. The EJA Virginia Post Graduate Fellowship was awarded to Geraldine M. Doetzer.
Ewell Award
Ewell Awards are given each year to a select number of students who have contributed significantly to the life of the College. Victoria L. Starks was one of the 2008 recipients of this award.
Family Law Book Award
The Family Law Section of the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers co-sponsor a Family Law Book Award to be presented to a graduating student at each Virginia law school who has demonstrated the most promise and potential for the practice of family law. The 2008 recipient was Diana C. Holl.
William Hamilton Prize
The recipient of this prize is chosen by law faculty and recognizes outstanding performance in legal history. The 2008 recipients were Philip M. Emswiler and Matthew P. Kertz.
Honor Council
The honor system among students is one of the oldest and most important traditions of William & Mary dating back to 1779. The following were recognized for serving on the Honor Council: Ryan R. Brady, David T. Bules, Megan M. Erb, Christopher L. Lindsey, David A. Peters, Barbara E. Rosenblatt, Kia L. Scott, and Victoria L. Starks.
Kruchko & Fries Award
The generosity of the firm Kruchko & Fries makes possible the annual recognition of a graduating student who has excelled in labor law and employment relations. The recipient is selected by law faculty who teach labor and employment law. The 2008 recipient was William H. Shakely.
Law Journals
The Dean asked students to stand if they had served on one of the Law School's four student-edited journals: the William and Mary Law Review, the William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal, the William and Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review, and the William and Mary Journal of Women and the Law. The Dean told the audience that these four journals published a combined 5,315 pages of legal scholarship in the past year, in 16 issues.
Legal Skills Scholar Award
This award is given annually by the Legal Skills Program to recognize graduating students who have received Honors in at least three semesters of Legal Skills, the Law School's two-year program in legal research, writing, professional responsibility and lawyering skills. Those recognized this year were Darren J. Abernethy, Megan E. Alexander, Kyle R. Bahr, James J. Bilsborrow, Carrie C. Boyd, Christi A. Cassel, Catherine A. Cayce, Frank E. Correll, Geraldine M. Doetzer, Joycelyn J. Powe Eason, Shalanda N. Franklin, Dana R. Harmeyer, Diana C. Holl, William L. Holt, Kristin N. Koernig, Timothy Kozlowski, Kathryn A. Lawrence, Amy M. Markopoulos, Scott C. Miller, Stephanie J. Novak, Matthew D. Purcell, Isaac B. Rosenberg, Emily P. Reuter, Armita T. Schacht, Bryan C.R. Skeen, Michele L. Slachetka, Lindsey S. Soffes, Melissa J. Sonnon, Matthew A. Stuart, Lindsey R. Vaala, Bin Wang, Julie A. Wenell, Kimberly A. Wilson, and Kurt M. Wolber.
Legal Skills Teaching Assistants
The Legal Skills Program chooses a select group of third-year students each year to serve as junior partners of Legal Skills law firms. The following junior partners were recognized for their contributions: Kyle R. Bahr, Jennie G. Cordis, Geraldine M. Dotzer, Diana C. Holl, Sarah G. Landres, Kathryn A. Lawrence-Swanjord, Matthew D. Purcell, Armita T. Schacht, Bryan C.R. Skeen, Jesse A. St. Cyr, Christina T. Trotta and Megan Tumi.
National Association of Women Lawyers Award
This award recognizes a student who has contributed to the advancement of women in society. The 2008 recipient was Geraldine M. Doetzer.
Esther Peterson Public Interest Fellowship
The Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, sponsors a one-year fellowship at its national office focusing on consumer advocacy projects such as health care reform, product safety, access to affordable financial services, food safety, telecommunications and other consumer issues. The fellowship was awarded to Jesse A. Chasick.
Phoenix Award
Recipients of the Phoenix Award are chosen by the College's Division of Student Affairs. The award recognizes a select number of students for their commitment to others and exemplary leadership without regard for personal sacrifice. This honor went to Jason F. Zellman.
Spong Professionalism Award
This award is given to a third-year law student or students who best exemplify professionalism and ethics in the Legal Skills Program. The 2008 recipients were Kyle R. Bahr and Geraldine M. Doetzer.
Student Admission Ambassadors
The Office of Admission recognized the following members of the class for their personal commitment and contributions to our recruitment efforts: Wesley D. Allen, David T. Bules, Christi A. Cassel, Shalanda N. Franklin, Sarah A. Fulton, William M. Hildbold, John J. Miller, Mathew D. Purcell, Thomas E. Robertson, Bryan C. R. Skeen, Brian S. Suh, Bryan W. Thompson, and Megan Tumi.
Student Alumni/Development Ambassador
The Office of Development and Alumni Affairs recognized Timothy Kozlowski for his invaluable contributions to the office's endeavors.
Student Bar Association
The following were recognized for their distinguished service to the Student Bar Association: Wesley D. Allen, Sarah A. Fulton, Jillian E. Kipp, Scott C. Miller, Nathan A. Pollard, and Thomas E. Robertson.
Therapeutic Jurisprudence Award
This award is conferred by the Therapeutic Jurisprudence Program to a student who exemplifies the mission of therapeutic jurisprudence in the law and society. The award was presented to Kyle R. Bahr.
Thomas Jefferson Prize
This prize is given by the Institute of Bill of Rights Law for the best student note selected for publication in the William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal. The 2008 recipient was Emily P. Reuter.
Tournament Winners
Dean Butler noted that the Law School has a 'multi-faceted, vibrant moot court program," which includes the Bushrod Tournament and the long-running Spong Invitational Moot Court Tournament.
She added that our much younger Trial Team has come into its own in recent years and our Alternative Dispute Resolution Group, the most recent addition to the program, had a very satisfying year laying the foundation for great things to come.
In the 2007-08 academic year, the Law School fielded teams in approximately13 moot court tournaments, in 11 mock trial competitions, and in four alternative dispute resolution competitions.
The following were recognized for their accomplishments as 3Ls:
Moot Court
Daniel G. Kruger and Thomas E. Robertson took first place honors in the UNC-CH Craven Competition. Lawrence J. Perrone also took first place honors in the Mardi Gras Appellate Sports Law Tournament. A W&M team was runner-up in the Regent University National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition. Michael J. Stanton received Second Best Oralist and the team received fifth Best Brief. Benjamin K. Lusty was on the team that advanced to the semi-finals in the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition. Thomas W. Bruno moved on to the October Finals in the Jerome Prince Memorial Evidence Competition.
Trial Team
Gregory V. Demo placed second in the ABA Labor & Employment Law Trial Advocacy Competition.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Team
Victoria L. Starks placed tenth in the ABA Client Counseling Competition.
Trial Advocacy Teaching Assistant
The Trial Advocacy faculty recognized Joycelyn J. Powe Eason for her dedicated service as teaching assistant.
Virginia Bar Association Community Servants
Since 2006, the Virginia Bar Association has recognized students at Virginia's law schools who provide at least 35 hours of pro bono legal service or non-legal service to charitable, religious, civic, governmental and educational organizations or causes for the good of the community. In his remarks, Associate Dean Rob Kaplan noted that the class upheld the Law School's Citizen Lawyer tradition: 94 class members participated in this initiative and their combined efforts exceeded 3,500 hours. The following received certificates of recognition with their diplomas: Darren J. Abernathy, Wesley D. Allen, Demar T. Alley, Kyle R. Bahr, Keith H. Bensten, James J. Bilsborrow, Jonathan B. Bolls, Carrie C. Boyd, Ryan R. Brady, Thomas W. Bruno, Aida R. Carini, Christi A. Cassel, Catherine A. Cayce, Jesse A. Chasick, M. Cabell Clay, Kathryn B. Codd, Sarah H. Cohn, Jennie G. Cordis, Frank E. Correll Jr., Geraldine M. Doetzer, Layne M. Dreyer, Joycelyn J. Powe Eason, Emily E. Eineman, Megan M. Erb, Adam L. Evans, Matthew P. Forgue, Shalanda N. Franklin, Sarah A. Fulton, Cara M. Goeller, Dana R. Harmeyer, Carrie M. Harris, Kristina M. Hofmann, Shana A. Hofstetter, William L. Holt, Timothy S. Hoseth, Jing Jin, Matthew P. Kertz, You Lee Hee Kim, Michael N. Kourabas, Timothy Kozlowski, Joseph A. Krawczel, Sarah G. Landres, Brandi A. Law, Kathryn A. Lawrence, Daniel B. Leary, Christopher L. Lindsey, Evan R. Manning, Amy M. Markopoulos, Angelaine H. Mason, Katy M. Mikols, John J. Miller, Sarah B. Miller, Scott C. Miller, Asim H. Modi, Jessica Moran, Stephen W. Nesspor, John D. Newton, Nathan A. Pollard, Alisson O. Pouille, Matthew D. Purcell, Emily P. Reuter, Bradley A. Ridlehoover, Isaac B. Rosenberg, Kimberly M. Rosensteel, Lavonda I. Rowe, Mark D. Sameit, Armita T. Schacht, Heidi G. Schultz, Christopher D. Sells, William H. Shakely, Michele L. Slachetka, William W. Sleeth, Loren C. Smith, Melissa J. Sonnon, Tara A. St. Angelo, Michael J. Stanton, Victoria L. Starks, Andrea M. Stevens, Ryan J. Stevens, Aaron W. Stewart, Jason L. Stickler, Laurissa Stokes, Matthew A. Stuart, Amanda S. Tapscott, Megan Tumi, Lindsey R. Vaala, Bin Wang, Julie A. Wenell, Shukita L. Whitaker, Erica N. White, Jennifer C. White, Joshua S. Whitley, Kimberly A. Wilson, and Hao Wu.
William and Mary Journal of Women and the Law - Outstanding Member
Cara M. Goeller was recognized for her outstanding dedication to and support of the journal.
William and Mary Law Review - Best Student Note
This award recognized James J. Billsborrow as having written the most outstanding student note published in the current volume of the Law Review.