Judge William H. Shaw III and Gilbert Teal ’91 Honored with Annual St. George Tucker Awards
Adjunct law professors often work behind the scenes, balancing professional careers with the demands of teaching. And their impact is profound.
On Thursday, August 21, William & Mary Law School honored two such individuals during a reception celebrating the new academic year and welcoming adjunct faculty.
“We simply could not deliver our J.D. and LL.M. programs without the practical experience each of you brings to your classes,” said Katey Howerton, Associate Dean for Advancement and CEO of the William & Mary Law School Foundation. “In my travels, I hear all the time about how adjuncts helped provide the real-world know-how that send our alumni on to rewarding careers in the law.”
Retired Circuit Court Judge William H. Shaw III and Gilbert Earle Teal II ’91 each received the 2025-26 St. George Tucker Adjunct Professorship Award, which recognizes an outstanding member of the Law School’s adjunct faculty for service on behalf of students, and is selected by nomination from the Law School Community.
This is the first year where more than one adjunct professor was honored.
Judge Shaw served 11 years as a Circuit Court Judge in the 9th Circuit, primarily hearing cases in Gloucester, Mathews, and Middlesex Counties. He presided in the General District Court beginning in 1994. His private practice of law included all types of civil matters, from personal injury to divorce and real estate. He also served as Commonwealth’s Attorney for Gloucester and was elected President of the Commonwealth’s Attorneys Association, a statewide policy-making body for Virginia prosecutors.
Judge Shaw has taught Virginia Criminal Procedure and Trial Advocacy at William & Mary Law since 2005. Students consistently praise his ability to make the law come alive, to connect theory with practice, and to challenge them to think critically and ethically.
Gilbert Earle Teal II is not only a member of William & Mary’s J.D. Class of 1991, but also earned an M.A. from the U.S. Naval War College, an M.P.A. from George Mason University, and a B.S. from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. A legal expert of wide range, Teal worked with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and NASA. Currently he is Counsel at Naval Sea Systems Command-Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion & Repair Newport News.
At William & Mary, Teal has taught Government Contracts since 2008 and has been a tireless mentor. His door is always open, his advice always thoughtful, and his encouragement always sincere.
“Together, these legal experts have helped shape the next generation of lawyers—not just with knowledge, but with compassion, integrity, and a deep sense of purpose,” Howerton said as she offered a toast. “To Judge Shaw and Gil Teal—for your dedication, your brilliance, and your unwavering commitment to our students. May your impact continue to ripple through our hallways and the legal world for years to come.”
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St. George Tucker (1752-1827), the second professor of law at William & Mary, succeeded George Wythe on the faculty and was a pioneer in legal education. He drafted a formal description of the requirements for a law degree at the College, which included an exacting schedule of qualifying examinations in subjects such as history and government. Tucker’s course material was published in 1803 as the first American edition of Blackstone’s Commentaries. For much of the early 19th century, this volume was considered the leading authority on American law. Tucker was also a distinguished judge, serving on both the state and federal benches for more than 30 years.