Class of 2020 Graduation Award Recipients

The Law School customarily announces some awards for the graduating class at graduation, as well as listing some of the previously announced awards in the graduation program.  

The recipients of the awards who are announced today, May 16, do not know in advance that they have received them. These awards are given based on the recommendation of the faculty, and we are truly honored to have had these graduates as members of our community over the last three years.  

Virginia State Bar Family Law Book Award

The Virginia State Bar Family Law Award was established by the Family Law Section of the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. It is presented to the graduating student who has demonstrated the most promise and potential for the practice of family law.  

The 2020 recipient of the Family Law Award is Erin Lee Seagears.

Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Trial Advocacy Award

The Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Trial Advocacy Award is presented to a graduate who shows particular promise in the field of trial advocacy and who intends to take the Virginia Bar.

The 2020 recipient of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Trial Advocacy Award is Amanda Lynne Swanson.

Eppa Hunton IV Memorial Book Award

The Eppa Hunton IV Memorial Book Award was given by the associates of the law firm of Hunton Andrews Kurth in honor of the late Mr. Hunton, Class of 1927. The award is presented to a graduate who demonstrates unusual aptitude in litigation courses, and who shows a keen awareness and understanding of the lawyer's ethical and professional responsibility.  

The 2020 recipient of the Eppa Hunton Award is Corey M. Parker.   

John M. Olin Prize in Law and Economics

The John M. Olin Prize in Law and Economics is presented to a student who has produced outstanding written work in the field of law and economics. 

The 2020 recipient of the Olin Prize is Maha Albesharah, who receives this Prize for her paper “How to Create an Attractive Legal System for Foreign Direct Investments? The Kuwait Case.”  

Earle K. Shawe Labor Relations Award

The Earle K. Shawe Labor Relations Award was established by Mr. Shawe, Class of 1934, and is presented to the graduate who shows the greatest promise in the field of labor relations.  

The 2020 recipient of the Shawe Award is Nicholas S. Allen.

Edwin S. Cohen Tax Prize

The Edward S. Cohen Tax Prize was established by the late Professor Cohen and is presented to the graduate who has demonstrated superior scholarship in the tax field. 

The 2020 recipient of the Cohen Tax Prize is Griffin P. Peeples.

Pro Bono Award

The Pro Bono Award is given to the graduate who contributed the most to the Law School’s Pro Bono Program:

The 2020 recipient of the Pro Bono Award is Miranda K. Russell.

Mortimer Caplin Public Service Award

The Mortimer Caplin Public Service Award was established by Mr. Caplin, Class of 1940, who has long been associated with the law faculty and the Law School.  It is presented to a graduate entering a career in the public service sector who demonstrates the qualities of leadership, integrity and service to others.  

The 2020 recipient of the Caplin Award is Manal W Cheema. 

Herbert Kramer/Herbert Bangel Community Service Award

The Herbert Kramer/Herbert Bangel Community Service Award was established by the late Mr. Kramer, Class of 1952, and is presented to the graduate who has contributed the most to the community during his or her time in Law School. 

The 2020 recipient of the Community Service Award is Erin Lee Seagears.

Roger and Madeleine Traynor Prize

The Roger and Madeleine Traynor Prize was established by the late Chief Justice Traynor and his wife and is presented to two graduates who have produced outstanding written work.  

The first recipient of the 2020 Traynor Prize is Justin William Aimonetti. He receives the award for his paper “Colonial Virginia: The Incubator of Judicial Review.” 

The second recipient of the Traynor Prize is Henry J. Dickman. He wins the award for his paper “Conflicts of Precedent.”

LL.M. Graduation Award

The LL.M. Graduation Award is presented by vote of the faculty to an outstanding member of the graduating LL.M. class.  

The 2020 recipient of the LL.M. Graduation Award is Krzysztof Kolakowski.

Robert E. Goldsten Award for Distinction in the Classroom

The Robert E. Goldsten Award for Distinction in the Classroom was established by Mr. Goldsten, Class of 1940, and is presented by vote of the faculty to the graduate who has contributed the most to classroom education by his or her outstanding recitation and discussion.  

The 2020 recipient of the Goldsten Award is Alexandra Dade Butler.  

Z Society Shannon Award

The Z Society Shannon Award was established by the Z Society to promote outstanding scholarship at the University and is presented to the graduate with the highest academic record after five semesters.

The 2020 recipient of the Z Society Shannon Award is Mariette Grace Peltier.

Thomas Marshall Miller Prize

The Thomas Marshall Miller Prize was established by Emily Miller Danton in honor of her father and is presented by vote of the faculty to an outstanding and deserving member of the graduating class.  

The 2020 recipient of the Miller Prize is Kareem W Ramadan.

James C. Slaughter Honor Award

The James C. Slaughter Honor Award was established in honor of the late Mr. Slaughter, Class of 1951, and is presented by vote of the faculty to an outstanding member of the graduating class.  

The 2020 recipient of the Slaughter Award is Laura Elizabeth Toulme.

Margaret G. Hyde Award

The Margaret G. Hyde Award was established by the late Forrest J. Hyde, Jr., Class of 1915, and is presented by vote of the faculty to the graduate whose scholarship, character, personality, activities in the affairs of the school, and promise of achievement have entitled him or her to special recognition. 

The 2020 recipient of the Hyde Award is Manal W Cheema. 
 

Awards Previously Conferred

In addition to the awards announced today, the Law School recognizes the following award winners who have previously been announced:

Powell Fellowship for Legal Service

Named in honor of former Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr., given to a graduating student or judicial clerk to enable them to work in public interest law and to enhance their delivery of legal services to the poor: Kevin Wayne Jackson

Daniel Rosenbloom Award

Given to a student or students whose unselfish contributions have enhanced the academic experience of their fellow students: Jasmine Tyler Lee

Ritter Prize

Given to rising third-year students exemplifying extraordinary honor, character and integrity: Molly Masten Cain, Manal W Cheema, Eleanora Maria Kaloyeropoulou, Read William Mills 

Gregory H. Swanson Award

Given to the students who demonstrate courage, perseverance and a commitment to justice within the community: Erin Lee Seagears (2020), Michele St Julien (2019)

Carl M. Franklin Prize

Given to the second-year student with the highest academic record after two semesters: Nicholas S. Allen

Jackson Walker Award

Given to the third-year student with the highest academic record after four semesters: Nicholas S. Allen

National Association of Women Lawyers Award

Given to an outstanding graduate who promises to contribute to the advancement of women in society: Manal W Cheema

James M. Shoemaker, Jr. Moot Court Award

Given to the final round participants in the William Minor Lile Moot Court Competition: Henry J. Dickman, Megan June Mers, Abbey M. Thornhill, Katherine Iva Whisenhunt

Kingdon Moot Court Prize

Given to the winners of the William Minor Lile Moot Court Competition: Henry J. Dickman, Megan June Mers

Stephen Pierre Traynor Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy

Given to the best oral advocate in the final round of the William Minor Lile Moot Court Competition: Abbey M. Thornhill

Clair Corcoran Award

Given to a second-year student or students who have demonstrated the most commitment to public interest work: Mariette Grace Peltier, Samantha Joan Thoma

Pro Bono Service Awards

Given to graduates who have successfully fulfilled the requirements of the Law School’s Pro Bono Program:

Hamna S. Ahmad, Justin William Aimonetti, Nicholas S. Allen, Jamie Reneé Almallen,  Kayla Michelle Armstrong, Thomas E. Barnett-Young, Brooke Leigh Bean, Grace Green Bevilacqua, Nellie Christine Black, Anna Gertrude Bobrow, Alex C. Boota, Simonne A. Brousseau, Emily Anne Brown, Zachary M. Brown, James Andrew Butkus, Alexandra Dade Butler, Mary Elizabeth Keys Buttitta, Molly Masten Cain, Paola Camacho, Mika Bray Carlin, Elizabeth A. Charles, Manal W Cheema, Princelee Clesca, Samuel T. Connor, Jessica E. Conover, Kaitlin N. Cottle, Katherine Mary Rebecca Daw, Jacqueline A. DeJournett, Robert T. Denney, Suzanne Deuster, Jordin A. Dickerson, Jacob Michael Donnelly, Maria Sofia Downham, Anna V. Durham, Edward Benjamin Elron, Colleen Ann Gallagher, Raymond Michael Gans, Nicole Diane Gilson, Lise K. Guerrier, Zachary William Michael Hearn, Ethan Mayer Heben, Robert Rame French Hemstreet, Sarah E. Houston, Moussa Ismail, Kevin Wayne Jackson, Janice O. Johnson, William Tazewell Jones II, Jessica Leigh Joyce, Krzysztof Kolakowski, Jasmine Tyler Lee, Brandon T. Leppke, Joseph A. Lopresti, Jr., Mary E. Maerz, Mark D. Marciszewski, Emily K. Massengill, Shira G. Mendelsohn, Megan June Mers, Jackson Alexander Myers, Anna R. Noone, Christopher William Palermo-Re, Corey M. Parker, Kavya Parsa, Mariette Grace Peltier, Diane Michelle Philips, Tyler Craig Pittinger, Grace Powell, Kareem W Ramadan, Caroline E. Ramsey, Rachel Konheim Davidson Raycraft, Anna Mayfield Rennich, Jane K. Riddle, Elizabeth Christabel Riegel, Devin J. Rivero, Mark Henry Russell, Miranda K. Russell, Austin Marie Schlatter, Erin Lee Seagears, Timothy P. Sensenig, Thalia T. Spinrad, Kimberly Brooke Swann, Samantha Joan Thoma, William M. Tucker, Elizabeth A. Volz, Alexis Nicole Wallace, Jun Wang, Hunter G. Waters, Lena Welch, Jacob D. Wiener, Edward August Wixler II, Christiana M. Zgourides.