Alumni Awards

About Jessica

William & Mary Law School is proud to honor Jessica “Jess” Diane Aber ’06 with the Citizen Lawyer Award, recognizing her extraordinary commitment to justice, service and community. Jess, who passed away in March 2025, devoted her career and her life to the principles that define the
William & Mary tradition.

A member of the Class of 2006, Jess began her legal journey with a federal clerkship in the Eastern District of Virginia before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office for that district in 2009. Over the next twelve years, she built a distinguished career as a federal prosecutor known for integrity, fairness and an unwavering dedication to the rule of law. In 2021, she was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, one of the nation’s most significant and high-profile federal districts.

In that leadership role, Jess oversaw complex prosecutions involving national security, organized crime, public corruption, financial fraud and civil rights. Yet she was equally known for her kindness, humility and commitment to doing the right thing—not for recognition, but because it mattered. As her family and colleagues shared in her obituary, Jess lived a life grounded in “love, kindness, integrity and service,” qualities that shaped both her work and her relationships.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jess gave generously of her time to mentor young people, support community organizations, and uplift those facing hardship. She carried the values of William & Mary Law School with her throughout her life—believing deeply in the power of law to serve others. The Citizen Lawyer Award reflects these ideals. Each year it honors alumni whose lives exemplify leadership, professional excellence and a dedication to the public good. Jess embodied all of these qualities in abundance.

As the Law School community celebrates her legacy, we remember a devoted public servant, a compassionate colleague and an alumna who lived our mission with uncommon grace. Her example continues to inspire our community and will endure in the generations of citizen lawyers who follow.

About Rebecca

The Honorable Rebecca Beach Smith entered service as a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia on October 25, 1989. She served as Chief Judge of the Eastern District of Virginia from 2011 to 2018 and assumed the status of Senior United States District Judge on August 1, 2019. In all three roles, she was the first woman to hold the position. Before becoming a United States District Judge, she was a United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia and prior to that the first woman attorney with the Norfolk law firm of Willcox and Savage, P.C.

Additionally, from 2010 to 2018, Judge Smith served on the Codes of Conduct Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States, serving as Chair of the Committee from 2014 to 2018. Finally, Judge Smith was a founding member of the Virginia Women Attorneys Association (VWAA) and the I’Anson-Hoffman Inn of Court, being the second President of the Inn and now an Emeritus Judicial Member. Importantly, during her judicial tenure, Judge Smith has been a spouse, a mother of two sons and a grandmother of three.

Judge Smith was born and raised in Hopewell, Virginia, and now resides in Norfolk, Virginia. She was valedictorian of her high school class; is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of William & Mary; and received her Master of Planning degree from the University of Virginia, ranking first in her class and being tapped into the Lychnos Society. Judge Smith graduated first in her class from William & Mary Law School, where she was Executive Editor of the Law Review, was named to the Order of the Coif and received the Weber Diploma as the graduate of the Class of 1979 with the greatest professional promise. She was a Director and Past President of the William & Mary Society of the Alumni, receiving the Alumni Medallion in 1997, the highest recognition given to alumni. Her service with various civic and charitable organizations as well as local, state and federal bar associations is too numerous to detail.

Past Citizen Lawyer Award Winners

Past Citizen Lawyer Award Winners

*Deceased