Law School Celebrates Contributions and Achievements of J.D. Class of 2019
Recognitions
Alyssa Kaiser, 2018-19 Student Bar Association President, carried in the Law School's mace at the start of the May 11 event at Kimball Theatre.
Photo by David F. Morrill
ORDER OF THE COIF
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 those law students who rank, without rounding, in the top 10 percent of their class.
Class of 2019 inductees:
Natsumi Antweiler
Samantha N. Becker
Brooke E. Boyd
Matthew T. Butler
Jennifer S. Carroll
Noah C. Chauvin
Gailen R. Davis
Emma M. Dolgos
Bethany J. Fogerty
Elizabeth T. Fouhey
Corey E. Hall
Charles M. Harrell
Megan E. Italiano
Evan D. Lewis
Kristin K. McCarthy
Whitney M. Nixdorf
Carly B. Robinson
Samuel J. Rouleau
Matthew K. Sarfan
Rachel L. Schuman
Rachael E. Sharp-Stevenson
Matthew R. Strauser
Kyle M. Wood
COMPETITION TEAM RECOGNITIONS
Dean Douglas highlighted some of the many successes students achieved who participated in the Moot Court Program, National Trial Team, or the Alternative Dispute Resolution Team.
The Moot Court Program finished the year ranked 8th in the country (having been 10th one year ago). Among the team’s highlights, a William & Mary team placed second at the Hunton Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship. The National Trial Team also enjoyed a terrific year. Among its significant wins, a team from William & Mary won the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County (Gourley) Trial Competition; it was the 6th time in 10 years that a William & Mary team has taken home that trophy. Members of our Alternative Dispute Resolution Team won the National Basketball Mediation Competition, and also advanced to the semi-finals of an international mediation tournament in Athens, Greece. One of our students garnered the tournament’s Best Advocate Award.
Order of Barristers
The Order of Barristers is a national honor society that recognizes graduating law students who have excelled as members of advocacy competition teams or in service to an advocacy program. Only 10 students can be selected each year.
Class of 2019 inductees:
Jonathan A. Barsky
Alyson M. Brown
Jennifer S. Carroll
Daniel J. Cohen
Evan J. Gottstein
Martin D. Page
Afton J. Paris
Christina M. Romine
Matthew R. Strauser
Kyle M. Wood
Order of Barristers, Honorary Inductee
William & Mary Law School recognized a member of the legal profession who has attained distinction, and been selected by the faculty committee, to honorary membership in The Order of Barristers.
2019 Honorary Inductee:
Professor Jennifer Franklin, Coach of the William & Mary Law School Moot Court Team
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.
Class of 2019 recipient: Kristin K. McCarthy
American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence Award
This award recognizes outstanding performance in bankruptcy law.
Class of 2019 recipient: John A. Fogle
ALI-CLE Scholarship & Leadership Award
This award recognizes students who best exemplify a combination of scholarship and leadership.
Class of 2019 recipient: Bethany J. Fogerty
Carter Kaplan & Co. International Financial Law Award
This award recognizes student excellence in international financial law.
Class of 2019 recipient: Emily M. Fornshell
John E. Donaldson Tax Award
Named in honor of John E. Donaldson, Ball Professor of Law Emeritus, who taught for 35 years at the Law School, this award goes to the most outstanding tax student or students.
Class of 2019 recipients: Stephen M. Andino and Michael J. Raposa
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.
Class of 2019 recipient: Elizabeth P. Lester-Abdulla
William Hamilton Prize
The William Hamilton Prize is awarded to the student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in legal history.
Class of 2019 recipient: Joseph A. Cahoon
John G. Kruchko Award in Labor and Employment Law
The generosity of the firm of Kruchko & Fries made possible the annual recognition of a graduating student who has excelled in labor law and employment relations. The recipient is selected by faculty who specialize in this area of law.
Class of 2019 recipient: Alyson M. Brown
National Association of Women Lawyers Award
This award recognizes a student who contributes to the advancement of women in society; promotes issues and concerns of women in the legal profession; exhibits motivation, tenacity and enthusiasm; demonstrates academic achievement; and earns the respect of the dean and faculty.
Class of 2019 recipient: Mara E. Shingleton
Virginia Trial Lawyers Award
This award recognizes a graduating student for excellence in trial advocacy skills.
Class of 2019 recipient: Mara E. Shingleton
William & Mary Law Award for Excellence in Health Law
This award recognizes a graduating student (or students) for outstanding performance in the study of health law.
Class of 2019 recipients: Charles M. Harrell and Svitlana Makoviy
William & Mary Law Award for Excellence in the Study of Intellectual Property Law
Faculty who teach intellectual property choose the award recipient for his or her outstanding performance in this area of study.
Class of 2019 recipient: Gabrielle J. Eriquez
LAW JOURNALS
Dean Douglas noted that our five law journals published approximately 6,300 pages of legal scholarship this year and asked that students who participated in journals stand and be recognized. Our journals are among the most-cited publications in the country, he told the audience, and shared the following facts about their impact: The William & Mary Law Review is the 22nd most-cited general interest law review in the country. The William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal is the 2nd most-cited specialty law review in the field of civil rights, and the 2nd most-cited specialty law review in the field of constitutional law. The William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review is the 2nd most-cited specialty law review in the field of energy law, and the 7th most-cited specialty law review in the field of environmental law. The William & Mary Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice (formerly Journal of Women and the Law) is the 11th most-cited specialty law review in the fields of gender studies, women, and sexuality. Finally, the William & Mary Business Law Review is the 8th most-cited student-edited law review in the field of corporate law and business associations.
The following members of the class received recognitions at the awards ceremony.
William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Best Student Note
Class of 2019 recipient: Elisha D. Teibel
William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal, Thomas Jefferson Prize
Class of 2019 recipient: Andrew D. Cunningham
William & Mary Business Law Review, Best Student Note
Class of 2019 recipient: James M. McClure
William & Mary Business Law Review, Outstanding Member
Class of 2019 recipient: Chelsie D. Rimel
William & Mary Journal of Race, Gender & Social Justice, Best Student Note
Class of 2019 recipient: Lauren F. Oberheim
William & Mary Journal of Race, Gender & Social Justice, Outstanding Member
Class of 2019 recipient: Elizabeth M. Kemp
William & Mary Law Review, Best Student Note
Class of 2019 recipient: John R. Bobka
PROFESSIONALISM AWARDS
Gambrell Professionalism Award
This award honors students who best represent professionalism, public service, integrity, and dedication to the improvement of lawyering skills.
Class of 2019 recipients:
Stephen M. Andino
Natsumi Antweiler
Bethany J. Fogerty
Kristi N. Gennette
Deborah S. Goodwin
Corey E. Hall
Elizabeth P. Lester-Abdalla
Eric S. Lynch
Kristin K. McCarthy
Rosemary K. McGuirk
Whitney M. Nixdorf
Victoria D. Pretlow
Michael J. Raposa
Rachel L. Schuman
Matthew R. Strauser
Tessa B. Tilton
Kyle M. Wood
Spong Professionalism Award
This award is given by the Society of the Alumni of William & Mary to a third-year law student who best exemplifies professionalism and ethics in the Legal Practice Program. It honors the memory of William B. Spong, Jr., 1920-1997, 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.
Class of 2019 recipient: Whitney M. Nixdorf
SERVICE AWARDS
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.
Class of 2019 recipients:
Jennifer S. Carroll
Noah C. Chauvin
Andrew D. Cunningham
Gailen R. Davis
Emma M. Dolgos
Alyssa L. Kaiser
Sarah R. Kaiser
Eydsa M. LaPaz
Elizabeth P. Lester-Abdalla
Alexandra D. Maher
Alexandra M. Mays
Zachary A. McDonnell
Scott T. McMurtry
Jacquelyn N. Miner
Marissa L. Morte
Jada L. Moss
Pauline Hanh Nhi Nguyen
George O. Nwanze, Jr.
Afton J. Paris
Natasha N. Phidd
Kelly A. Rondinelli
Daniel Shin
Matthew R. Strauser
Ryan L. Walkenhorst
Lindsay A. Whitlow
Alison E. Wrynn
Benjamin Ewell Awards
The William & Mary Student Assembly established an award in 1987 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 William & Mary alive until students returned to campus.
Class of 2019 recipients: Gailen R. Davis and Eydsa M. La Paz
Black Law Student Association Recognition
Dean Douglas spoke about one student organization with a particularly robust commitment to service: the Black Law Students Association (BLSA). This student group, he told the audience, sponsors an extraordinary range of events and service activities. Events in the past year included a year-long Speaker Series, BLSA Annual Symposium, and BLSA Oliver Hill Scholarship Brunch. Service activities included, for example, the Week of Service, alternative school visits, and the annual Thanksgiving food drive (with over 4,000 plus items collected this year). BLSA members also participated in the Walk for Freedom March.
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 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.
Class of 2019 recipient: Jacquelyn N. Miner
George Wythe Society Award
This award is bestowed by the George Wythe Society and recognizes a member of the Law School community who performs outstanding service and demonstrates fidelity to those qualities of character, leadership, and selfless service that distinguished the life of George Wythe.
Class of 2019 recipient: Jessica A. Fetzer
Honor Council Recognition
The following members of the class were recognized for participating with distinction on the Honor Council:
William C. Brown III
Jennifer S. Carroll
Noah C. Chauvin
Danielle E. Makia
Alexandra M. Mays
Michael J. Raposa
Kelly A. Rondinelli
Hannah H. Sherman
Evan X. Tucker
Daniel Urena
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.
Class of 2019 recipient: Emily T. Lienard
Student Bar Association Recognition
This recognition is awarded to members of the class who have participated with distinction in the Student Bar Association.
Certificates of recognition were presented to:
Juan J. Abad
Curtis R. Boggs
Jessica A. Fetzer
Miranda N. Gilbert
Alyssa L. Kaiser
Reeana B. Keenan
Eydsa M. La Paz
Jose R. Lavergne
Hannah M. Littlefield
James M. McClure
Anthony K. Onuoha
Lindsey A. Whitlow
Presidential Management Fellowship Finalists
Class of 2019 members who were finalists for Presidential Management Fellowships were recognized during the afternoon. 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."
The following members of the class were recognized as finalists:
Lauren E. Allen
Christopher L. Everett
Alyssa L. Kaiser
Eric S. Lynch
William & Mary Public Service Awards
Members of each graduating class who have distinguished themselves through volunteer service to clients, organizations, and causes that better their communities are recognized with William & Mary Public Service Awards.
Class of 2019 honorees:
Hassan O. Abdelhalim
Abdulmalik I. Alhazzaa
Lauren E. Allen
Stephen M. Andino
Chasity L. Bailey
Vinayak K. Balasubramanian
Adam E. Baldarelli
Samantha N. Becker
William T. Bishop
Dorronda R. Bordley
Cody N. Brandon
Manda P. Brefo
William C. Brown III
Lindsay K. Bunting Eubanks
Nathan T. Burchard
Matthew T. Butler
Ciara L. Chambers
Daniel J. Cohen
Martin Culig
Andrew D. Cunningham
Gailen R. Davis
Emma M. Dolgos
Sylvia C. Donahoo
Jessica A. Fetzer
Emily M. Fornshell
Lila M. Friedlander
Deborah S. Goodwin
Andrea M. Gumushian
Krystal A. Gurnell
Bryony E. Harris
Noelle M. Harvey
Susan Hallie Hovey-Murray
Jesse E. Hudson III
Lydia Jamil
Grant L. Jones
Alyssa R. Kaiser
Reeana B. Keenen
Elizabeth M. Kemp
Eydsa M. La Paz
Amber F. Leasure-Earnhardt
Elizabeth P. Lester-Abdalla
Hannah M. Littlefield
Tenese L. Lockhart
Eric S. Lynch
Juliana M. Lyons
Alexandra D. Maher
Danielle E. Makia
Kristin K. McCarthy
Allison R. McClung
Zachary A. McDonnell
Jacqueline N. Miner
Marissa L. Morte
Jada L. Moss
Kaili C. Moss
Pauline H. Nguyen
Jonathan Park
Devon J. Parsons
Natasha N. Phidd
Julia C. Phillips
Halie M. Pizzagoni
Victoria D. Pretlow
Matthew J. Revis
Bailey M. Robbins
Christina M. Romine
Kelsey R. Ruszkowski
Matthew K. Sarfan
Rachael E. Sharp-Stevenson
Mason C. Shefa
Hannah H. Sherman
Alannah L. Shubrick
Sarah J. Silberman
Mathew A. Snarr
Jakob T. Stalnaker
Matthew R. Strauser
Shannon A. Temlak
Evan X. Tucker
Daniel Urena
Kendall R. von Michalofski
Ryan L. Walkenhorst
Alison E. Wrynn
Kristen C. Yarows
James M. Zaleski
Kaitlin M. Zimmer
About William & Mary Law School
Thomas Jefferson founded William & Mary Law School in 1779 to train leaders for the new nation. Now in its third century, America's oldest law school continues its historic mission of educating citizen lawyers who are prepared both to lead and to serve.