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Awards Ceremony Celebrates the Class of 2013's Achievements and Contributions

On Saturday, May 11, the Law School community gathered in Colonial Williamsburg's Kimball Theatre with soon-to-be-graduates, their families and friends to celebrate the Class of 2013’s contributions and achievements. Dean Davison M. Douglas presented awards and special recognitions with help from faculty, administrators and staff, and representatives of the Student Bar Association and Honor Council. Following the ceremony, class members and guests enjoyed a reception at the Law School.

The following awards and special recognitions were celebrated during the ceremony:

Order of the Coif

Order of the Coif, Class of 2013
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 2013 inducted into the Order of the Coif were: Laura E. Bain, Thomas P. Burnham, Laura K. Doore, Zachary A. Gennett, Bryan U. Gividen, Travis C. Gunn, Alexander B. Horning, Jillian M. Jacobs, Brian G. Kelley, Kandyce L. Korotky, Kelsey N. Kremer, William Z. Louden, Samuel G. Mann, Barbara J. Marmet, Megan E. Mitchell, Nicholas J. Murgolo, Anna E. Pulliam, Shanna M. Reulbach, Anisa A. Somani, Vladislava Soshkina, Rebecca L. Van Derlaske, and Katherine E. Ward.

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 of the Order of the Coif was established in 1981; those chosen as honorary members graduated prior to 1981, and have achieved distinction as law students and as professionals. William & Mary law faculty who are Coif members select the graduate who will receive this honor. This year, the faculty voted to induct Charles F. Midkiff ’70 as an honorary member of the Order of the Coif. Originally from the Virginia Beach area, Midkiff, received a B.S. in business administration/ management from Old Dominion University. While in law school, he served as editor-in-chief of the William and Mary Law Review and was a member of the Student Bar Association and ROTC. After serving in Vietnam and earning a Bronze Star, he worked for Richmond law firm Christian & Barton until 1987, when he started his own thriving firm, Midkiff, Muncie & Ross. An expert in energy law, professional malpractice defense, and civil litigation, he has been named to the list of the Best Lawyers in America every year since 1995, as well as the list of Virginia Super Lawyers every year since 2006. He also served as a member of the Law School alumni association board and on his 30th and 40th reunion gift committees.  

 Academic Awards

ABA State and Local Government Law Award
This award, whose recipient is chosen by faculty who teach land use and local government law, recognizes outstanding performance in this area of study. The recipient was Alexander B. Horning.

ABA-BNA Award for Excellence in Health Law
This award recognizes outstanding performance in the study of health law. Shanna M. Reulbach received this award.

ABA-BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Intellectual Property Law
Faculty who teach intellectual property chose the award recipient for his or her outstanding performance in this area of study. Devanie A. DuFour and Jarred O. Taylor III were the recipients of this award.

ALI-CLE Scholarship and Leadership Award
This award recognizes a student who best exemplifies a combination of scholarship and leadership. The award was presented to Thomas P. Burnham.

American Bankruptcy Institute Award
This award recognizes outstanding performance in bankruptcy law. Lauren A. Ford was the recipient of this award.

Benjamin Rush Scholars
Named for the "Physician of the Revolution," the Benjamin Rush Scholars are a select group of students who have distinguished themselves by their research for the Health Law and Policy class. The scholars are responsible for choosing the annual recipient of the Benjamin Rush Medal for Advancement of American Health Law. This year's Class of 2013 Scholars were Spencer A. Bryson and Difie M. Osborne.

Excellence in Legal Writing Award
The Graduate Legal Writing Award is given to the student or students who have demonstrated the highest level of legal writing skill during study for the LL.M. degree. The 2013 recipients were Li Dai, Hua Deng, Shan Luo, and Jia Wang.

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 this 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 2013 recipient from the Law School was Jillian M. Jacobs.

Graduate Academic Excellence Award
This honor is awarded to a student or students who achieve the highest level of academic performance during study for the LL.M. degree. The recipients were Li Dai, Hua Deng, Elizabeth R. Holden, and Jia Wang.

Hamilton Prize
This prize is awarded to the student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in legal history. This year Timothy M. Turtoro received the prize.

Herrmann Prize
This prize is awarded to the student who in the opinion of the Dean, the President of the National Center for State Courts, and the Director of the Center for Legal and Court Technology has demonstrated the greatest potential in making future contributions to the enhancement of the efficient administration of justice through the innovative use of technology.  The recipient of this year's award was Melanie F. Fradette.

John E. Donaldson Award
Named in honor of John E. Donaldson, the Ball Professor Emeritus who taught for 35 years at William & Mary Law School, this new award goes to the most outstanding tax student or students. The inaugural Donaldson Award went to Kandyce L. Korotky and Kelsey N. Kremer.

Kruchko & Fries Award
The generosity of the Baltimore-based firm of Kruchko & Fries makes possible the annual recognition of a graduating student or students who have excelled in labor law and employment relations. The recipient is selected by faculty who specialize in this area of law. The 2013 recipients were Rachel F. Gillen and Alexzandria A. Poole.

Legal Skills Scholar Award
The Legal Skills Program annually presents this award to recognize graduating students who have received Honors in at least three semesters of Legal Skills, the Law School's program in legal research, writing, professional responsibility, and lawyering skills. Those recognized this year were 2013 Legal Skills Scholars Patrick C. Berry, Anna T. Birkenheier, Andrea R. Booden, Daniel R. Borchert II, Thomas P. Burnham, Brian J. Daly, Matthew R. DeAtley, Daniel E. Doty, Devanie A. DuFour, Tiffany M. Ferris, John A. Fisher, William B. Fiske, Melanie F. Fradette, Thomas A. Garnett, Marissa N. Goldberg, Naomi M. Harralson, John B. Hoke, Laura E. Householder,  Kacie E. Inman, Anna M. Killius, Marien A. Levy, Lyndsay M. Lujan, Jalyce E. Mangum, Samuel G. Mann, Barbara J. Marmet, Adam S. McGonigle, Deena K. Mueller, Sean R. Renaghan, Merideth B. Snow, Anisa A. Somani, Vladislava Soshkina, Jordan E. Stanaway, Lee E. Tankle, Jarred O. Taylor III, Stephen V. Torok, Rebecca L. Van Derlaske, Tessa M. Vinson, Katherine E. Ward, Andrew J. Wolf, and Merry E. Wulff.

National Association of Women Lawyers Award

This award recognizes a student or students who have contributed to the advancement of women in society by promoting issues and concerns of women in the legal profession, exhibiting motivation, tenacity and enthusiasm, demonstrating academic achievement, and earning the respect of the Dean and faculty. The 2013 recipients were Jules C. Irvin-Rooney and Lyndsay M. Lujan.

Order of Barristers

The Order of Barristers, chartered in 1970, is a national honor society that recognizes "graduating law students who excelled as student advocates in written and oral advocacy activities and competitions--moot court, mock trial, and ADR." Certificates were presented to the following inductees: Jessica L. Delaney, Thomas A. Garnett, Rachel F. Gillen, Anna G. Gillespie, Janani J. Iyengar, Aaron L. Jones, Alexa R. Roggenkamp, and Reid C. Schweitzer.

Virginia Trial Lawyers Award

This award recognizes a graduating student, or students, for excellence in trial advocacy skills. The 2013 recipient was Janani J. Iyengar.

Journals and Competition Teams

Law Journals

Dean Douglas asked students who had served on the Law School's five student-edited journals to stand and be recognized. He lauded them for their many hours of work that resulted, collectively, in the publication of well in excess of 5,000 pages of legal scholarship in the past year.

He also shared the results of the 2012 law journal rankings, which saw the school's journals ranked among the most highly cited publications in their fields:

The William and Mary Law Review is the 19th most-cited general interest law review in the country.

The William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal is the second most-cited specialty law review in the field of civil rights, and the third most cited specialty law review in the field of constitutional law.

The William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review is the most-cited specialty law review in the field of energy law, and the eleventh most-cited specialty law review in the field of environmental law.

The William & Mary Journal of Women and the Law is the tenth most-cited specialty law review in the fields of gender studies, women, and sexuality.

Finally, the school’s newest law review, the William & Mary Business Law Review, is the eleventh most-cited specialty law review in the field of corporate law and business associations, and the 29th most-cited specialty law review in the field of commercial law. In addition, of the 58 student-edited law reviews established since 2010, the Business Law Review is the second most-cited journal, trailing only the Harvard National Security Journal.

The following special recognitions for journal staff also were given during the awards ceremony:

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal - Thomas Jefferson Prize
The Thomas Jefferson Prize is awarded every year to the author of the best student note during the journal's end-of-year banquet. It is given for the contribution that best addresses a novel and timely issue in constitutional law in a clear and persuasive manner. Emilie A. Whitehurst received the Thomas Jefferson Prize.

William & Mary Business Law Review - Best Student Note
Jeffrey L. Bingham received this award in recognition of having written the most outstanding student note published in the Business Law Review.

William & Mary Business Law Review - Outstanding Members
Anna T. Birkenheier and Daniel R. Borchert II were recognized for their outstanding dedication to and support of the journal.

William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review Award for Excellence in Scholarship                                                

This award recognizes the most outstanding student note published in the Environmental Law and Policy Review. The recipient was William B. Fiske.

William & Mary Journal of Women and the Law - Best Student Note
The award was conferred upon Jason M. Rea.

William and Mary Law Review – Best Student Note
Jarred O. Taylor III was the 2013 winner.

Competition Team Awards
Dean Douglas noted that William & Mary’s competitive teams have enjoyed remarkable success. Participation on the Moot Court, National Trial, and Alternative Dispute Resolution teams help students hone their skills as they vie in competitions against students from other schools.

Members of the Class of 2013 who participated in Moot Court enjoyed considerable success:

Jessica L. Delaney: Finalist & the Best Oralist for the Final Round in the Preliminary Rounds at 2012 Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Tournament; Member, Quarterfinalist team at the 2012 Chicago Bar Association National Moot Court Tournament.

Lauren M. Fibel: Member of Quarterfinalist Team at the Fall 2012 Leroy R. Hassell National Moot Court Tournament.

Rachel F. Gillen: Quarterfinalist and writer of the Best Brief at 2012 Ruby R. Vale Interschool Corporate Moot Court Competition;  Region 4 Semifinalist for 2012-13 New York City Bar Association National Championship; Semifinalist and Third Best Brief at Pace International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition.

Bryan U. Gividen: Finalist and Second Best Oralist at the Spring 2012 Leroy R. Hassell National Moot Court Tournament.

James E. Gross: Finalist at the Spring 2012 Leroy R. Hassell National Moot Court Tournament.

Candace T. Headen: Quarterfinalist at the Fall 2012 Leroy R. Hassell National Moot Court Tournament.

Barbara J. Marmet: Semifinalist at 2013 Weschler Criminal Procedure Moot Court Tournament.

Alexander D. O’Dell: Quarterfinalist at the Fall 2012 Leroy R. Hassell National Moot Court Tournament.

Gregory R. Singer: member of the best New Team at Spring 2013 Judge John R. Brown Admiralty Moot Court Competition.

Nicholas S. Singer: Member of the Best New Team at Spring 2013 Judge John R. Brown Admiralty Moot Court Competition.

Michelle L. Sudano: Quarterfinalist and writer of the Best Brief at the 2012 Ruby R. Vale Interschool Corporate Moot Court Competition; Region 4 Semifinalist for 2012-13 New York City Bar Association National Championship.

Tessa M. Vinson: Finalist for the 2012 Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Tournament;  Quarterfinalist at the 2012 Chicago Bar Association National Moot Court Tournament.

Melanie R. Walter: Fifth Best Oralist at the Stetson International Environmental Law Moot Court Tournament.

Ashley N. Wright: Semifinalist at the 2013 Pace International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition.

W&M’s Trial Team also has enjoyed great success in recent years:

Dwayne U. Barrs, Jr.: Best Advocate at 2013 South Texas Mock Trial Challenge.

Dennis A. DeMarco: Finalist Team at 2013 ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law's Student Trial Advocacy Competition; National Qualifier Team at 2013 Texas Young Lawyer's Association National Trial Competition.

Lauren M. Fibel: Finalist Team at 2013 ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law's Student Trial Advocacy Competition; Quarterfinalist Team at 2013 George Mason University Costello National Criminal Law Trial Competition.

Thomas A. Garnett: Finalist Team at 2011 ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law's Student Trial Advocacy Competition; Quarterfinalist Team at 2013 Texas Young Lawyer's Association National Trial Competition.

Anna G. Gillespie: Finalist Team at 2011 ABA Section of  Labor and Employment  Law's Student Trial Advocacy Competition; Semi-Finalist Team at 2012 ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law's Student Trial Advocacy Competition.

James W. Gorsuch: National Qualifier Team at 2013 Texas Young Lawyer's Association National Trial Competition.

Janani J. Iyengar: First Place Team and Best Advocate at 2011 Stetson National Pre-trial Competition; Second Place Defense Team at 2013 Academy of Trial Lawyers Competition.

Aaron L. Jones: Semi-finalist Team at 2011 Puerto Rico Trial Advocacy Competition; Quarterfinalist Team at 2012 Capital City Challenge; Quarterfinalist Team at 2013 Capital City Challenge.

Abigail  L. Paules: Quarterfinalist Team at 2013 Capital City Challenge.

Vladislava Soshkina: National Qualifier Team at 2013 Texas Young Lawyer's Association National Trial Competition.

William & Mary’s newer Alternative Dispute Resolution Team also enjoyed success:

Mary E. Button: Member, Third Place team, ABA National Arbitration Tournament 2011.

Justin J. Mahramas: Member, First Place team, ABA Regional Negotiation Tournament Member, Semi-finalist team, ABA National Negotiation Tournament.

Gregory R. Singer: Member, Third Place team, ABA National Arbitration Tournament 2011.

Tax Competition Team
Kandyce L. Korotky and Katherine E. Ward: Won Second Place at the ABA Tax Competition, a competition at which 88 law schools competed.

 Professionalism Awards

Gambrell Professionalism Award
This award honors students from each of the Legal Skills law offices who best represent professionalism, public service, integrity, and dedication to the improvement of lawyering skills.  Gambrell Award recipients were Anna T. Birkenheier, Andrea R. Booden, Dennis A. DeMarco, William B. Fiske, Melanie F. Fradette, Thomas A. Garnett, James E. Gross, John B. Hoke, Kacie E. Inman, Barbara J. Marmet, Merideth B. Snow, Anisa A. Somani, Jarred O. Taylor III, and Lee E. Tankle.

Presidential Management Fellowship Finalists
Associate Dean Robert E. Kaplan recognized the finalists for Presidential Management Fellowships. They were Graham M. Chilton and Rachel T. Provencher. The Program's purpose is to "attract to the Federal service outstanding men and women from a variety of academic disciplines and career paths who have a clear interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs."

Spong Professionalism Award
This award is given by the Society of the Alumni of the College of William & Mary to a third-year law student who best exemplifies professionalism and ethics in the Legal Skills Program. It honors the memory of William B. Spong, Jr. (1920-97) who served as Dean of the Law School from 1976 to 1985. Before entering academia, Dean Spong represented Virginia in the U.S. Senate from 1966 to 1973, and had served previously as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia State Senate. This year's award was given to Lee E. Tankle.

Service Awards

Academic Support Program Teaching Assistants
Each year, a select group of 2L and 3L students are selected to serve as teaching assistants in the first-year courses. This is a very competitive selection process, and these students are tasked with the responsibility of helping new students master subjects in their first year of law school. The following graduating students were recognized for their contributions over the past two years: Thomas P. Burnham, Alexander B. Horning, Janani J. Iyengar, Jillian M. Jacobs, Amanda C. Lowther, Bonnie M. Mangold, Jay R. Mangold, Jr., Nicholas J. Murgolo, Anna E. Pulliam, Christopher A. Sickles, Anisa A. Somani, Vladislava Soshkina, Rebecca L. Van Derlaske, and Katherine E. Ward.

BLSA Recognition
The Dean noted that the Black Law Students Association is among the most active service-focused groups at the Law School. Through the Thanksgiving Basket Collection, for instance, BLSA, law students, and faculty helped contribute almost 4,200 articles of food to feed needy families on the Peninsula. He asked that BLSA members stand and be recognized.

“This group engages in an extraordinary number of public service projects throughout the year.”

Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Student Award
This award is given to a student who shows excellence in the fieldwork component of the clinical course based on the quality of the student's performance in representing individual clients or in undertaking group advocacy or policy reform projects; excellence in the seminar component of the clinical course based on the quality of the student's self-reflection in exploring the legal, ethical, strategic, and other pertinent issues raised in the particular clinic; and the extent of the student's contribution to the clinical community. The Class of 2013 recipient was Jessica L. Delaney.

Community Involvement Award   
The award is given to graduating students in the Master of Laws in the American Legal System (LL.M.) program who have made outstanding contributions to the local community as volunteers. This year's recipients were Humira M. Noorestan and Yujian Zhang.

Dean's Certificates
Each year the Dean recognizes select members of the graduating class whose efforts on behalf of the Law School community have been especially outstanding.  Awarded Dean's Certificates in recognition of their outstanding service were Anna T. Birkenheier, Thomas P. Burnham, Thomas S. Chlebeck, Diana J. Cooper, Jessica L. Delaney, Daniel E. Doty, Wesley J. Evans, Bryan U. Gividen, Jules C. Irvin-Rooney, Janani J. Iyengar, Dominick R. Littman, Lyndsay M. Lujan, Rachel L. Procopio, Shanna M. Reulbach, Bailey Roese, Mary-Carson Saunders, Patrick S. Slebonick, Merideth B. Snow, Vladislava Soshkina, Lee E. Tankle, Stephen V. Torok, and Amelia I. Vance.

Ewell Award
In 1987, the W&M Student Assembly established an award to honor well-rounded students--both graduate and undergraduate--who best exemplified a liberal arts education through their activities as well as studies. The award was named in honor of Benjamin Stoddert Ewell, the College's 16th president, who by ringing the Wren Building bell during the Civil War kept the spirit of the College alive until the students returned to campus. This year, two law students received this honor: Kevin N. Barrett and Anna E. Pulliam.

George Wythe Society Award
Created in 2013, the George Wythe Society Award honors a faculty or staff member who performs outstanding service to the Law School community and demonstrates fidelity to those qualities of character, leadership, and selfless service that distinguished the life of George Wythe. President of the Wythe Society Dominick R. Littman presented the inaugural George Wythe Society Award to Fredric Lederer, Chancellor Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Legal and Court Technology. Citing his more than 30 years at the Law School and entire life devoted to serving other people, whether as a JAG officer, retired colonel, prosecutor, defense attorney, or trial judge, Littman said Lederer is “one of the best professors, not only at William & Mary, but anywhere.”

(SBA) Honor Council Recognition
The student body's honor system, which protects the environment of honesty and integrity, is one of the oldest and most important traditions of William & Mary and dates back to 1779. Recognized members of the Class of 2013 for their service on Honor Council were Laura K. Doore, Elizabeth L. Epps, Wesley J. Evans, Candace T. Headen, Oriana F. Madeira, and Sarah B. Seufer.

Legal Practice Writing Fellows
Legal Practice Writing Fellows help incoming first-year students master such difficult tasks as legal writing, brief writing, negotiations, mediations, and client interviews. The Legal Skills Program expressed its indebtedness to the following Writing  Fellows for 2013: Thomas P. Burnham, Tricia L. Brown, Jessica L. Delaney, Wesley J. Evans, Tiffany M. Ferris, Amanda C. Lowther, Jalyce E. Mangum, Adam S. McGonigle, Paige S. Nestel, Rachel T. Provencher, Sean R. Renaghan, Alexa R. Roggenkamp, Vladislava Soshkina, Michelle L. Sudano, and Emilie A. Whitehurst.

The Lewis B. Puller, Jr., Veterans Benefits Clinic Award for Excellence
Students who have represented our nation's military heroes by participating in the Puller Clinic and who have emulated the characteristics of selfless service and professionalism are recognized with the clinic's Award for Excellence. The award was presented to the following members of the Class of 2013: Kevin N. Barrett, James M. Brazas, Diana J. Cooper, Aaron L. Jones, Thomas M. Joraanstad, Marien A. Levy, Dustin J. Lujan, Travis Roberts, Reid C. Schweitzer, Joseph V. Sherman, Evin C. Stovall, Michelle L. Sudano, Lauren E. Sutphin, Andrew J. Wolf, and Merry E. Wulff.

Special Education Advocacy Award
This award recognizes outstanding service to children with special needs and their families by a student who participated in the Special Education Advocacy Clinic.  The award is made possible by the generosity of Claire Maddox '05 and Robert Ribble in honor of Evan and in memory of Brooks. The recipient was Brian J. Daly.

Student Admission Ambassadors

Associate Dean for Admission Faye Shealy recognized the following students for their personal commitment, dedication and contributions to our recruitment efforts: Kevin N. Barrett, Matthew V. Bradshaw, Laura K. Doore, Lauren M. Fibel, Lauren A. Ford, Bryan U. Gividen, Laura E. Householder, Jillian M. Jacobs, Bonnie M. Mangold, Jay R. Mangold, Jr., Samuel G. Mann, Alexzandria A. Poole, Vladislava Soshkina, Lee E. Tankle, Gabriel A. Walker, and Katherine E. Ward.

Student Bar Association Recognition

The following members of the class were recognized for their significant contributions to the Law School through their work with the Student Bar Association. 2012-13 SBA President Lee E. Tankle and incoming SBA President Sean Radomski presented certificates of recognition to Kevin N. Barrett, Kelci A.-M. Block, Spencer A. Bryson, Eric M. Charity, Shaoyan Y. Chen, Megan M. Cowles, Dennis A. DeMarco, Lauren M. Fibel, Patricia Kim, Sarah E. Melchior, Alexzandria A. Poole, Matthew R. Roman, Vladislava Soshkina, and Lee E. Tankle.

Public Service Certificates

Members of each graduating class who contributed at least 35 hours of pro bono legal service or volunteer service to the local community are designated as William & Mary Community Servants. Dean Kaplan asked the audience to recognize the 42 Community Servants from the J.D. and LL.M. Classes of 2013. They included Kevin N. Barrett, Matthew V. Bradshaw, Alexander P. Conser, Diana J. Cooper, Megan M. Cowles, Jessica L. Delaney, Elizabeth L. Epps, Lindsey J. Gill, Bryan U. Gividen, Gary D. Godman, James W. Gorsuch, Maxwell C. Hlavin, Zachary P. Hunt , Jules C. Irvin-Rooney, Jillian M. Jacobs, Jinson P. Kim, Cari B. LaSala, Dominick R. Littman, Barbara J. Marmet, Sarah E. Melchior, Nicholas J. Murgolo, Peter C. Newman, Colleen M. Nichols, Stefan M. Oehrlein, Pamela E. Palmer, Rakesh J. Parikh, Alexzandria A. Poole, Jesse D. Pound, Rachel L. Procopio, Anna E. Pulliam, Daniel S. Reeves, Sean R. Renaghan, Shanna M. Reulbach, Bailey Roese, Lily A. Saffer, Joseph V. Sherman , Julie C. Smith, Vanessa E. Steltenpohl, Patrick H. Taylor, Johannes L. Vermandel, and Andrew J. Wolf.