Graduates in Elon Law’s Class of 2019 were recognized Friday with school and professional honors for advocacy, legal writing and research, academic excellence, and excellence in service.
Top students in Elon Law’s Class of 2019 were recognized on the eve of their Commencement with awards that celebrated their academic achievements, their service to the public and the law school, and advocacy skills honed through national competitions.
Following the Dec. 13 awards ceremony in the law school library, Elon Law Dean Luke Bierman accepted a class gift from Sadie Huggins L’19, Reed Kegel L’19 and Crystal Mahannah L’19. The trio and their classmates raised more than $2,000 to support an emergency fund managed by the Office of Career and Student Development to provide financial assistance to future Elon Law students in personal and family crisis.
“As Elon Law graduates, you are ambassadors of our school,” Assistant Dean Barbara Cini L’13 said in her own remarks welcoming graduates to the Elon Law Alumni Association. “Now, more than ever, you are the guardians of Elon Law’s reputation. How you conduct yourself, how you advocate for clients, how you contribute to the profession and to your communities, all reflect on your alma mater.
“By standing here today, on the eve of graduation, you have already demonstrated the work ethic and the drive to succeed as Elon Law alumni.”
Excellence in Advocacy Awards
Moot Court Board
Members of Elon Law’s Moot Court Board made significant contributions to the growth and success of the program when they competed in moot court competitions across the country, hosting two Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competitions at Elon Law, and coordinating the school’s largest ever intramural moot court competition.
- Brandon Lewis Ballard
- William Donald Bomar
- Jon Therron Causey
- Mackenzie Grace Ceraso
- Emily Benson Chatzky
- Kenneth Logan DeHart
- Jonathan C. Dickey
- Preston Harry Edwards
- Richard Lewis Glenn III
- Cody Jeremiah Jones
- Mackenzie Ryan Karnes
- Alexa Noelle Litt
- Haley Marie Lohr
- Jaclyn Frances McKeon
- Deborah Michelle Mergner
- Kelli Patrice Rawlinson
- Jana Newcomer Schaal
- Michelle Janae Scott
- Samantha Lee Smith
- William Christopher Tarpley
- Hannah G. Tombaugh
- Anastasia F. Tramontozzi
- Karah Frances Yager
- Lauren Nicole Zickert
Trial Advocacy Board
Elon Law’s Trial Advocacy Board, commonly referred to as the Mock Trial Competition Team, was created in 2010 and members compete in regional and national civil and criminal trial team competitions with other law schools.
- Michael Magdy Fanous
- James Harris II
- Joshua Landreth
- Ahmed Mohamed
- Daniel T. Perry IV
Order of Barristers
The Order of Barristers is a national honorary organization whose purpose is the encouragement of oral advocacy and brief writing skills through effective law school oral advocacy programs. The award honors students who have excelled in moot court and/or mock trial competitions or who have made significant overall contributions to these programs at Elon Law.
- Jon Therron Causey
- Michael Magdy Fanous
- James Harris II
- Cody Jeremiah Jones
- Joshua Landreth
- Haley Marie Lohr
- Ahmed Mohamed
- Daniel T. Perry IV
- Kelli Patrice Rawlinson
- Michelle Janae Scott
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
This award recognizes a graduating student who has demonstrated a commitment to public service and excellence in trial and/or appellate advocacy skills.
- Ahmed Mohamed
International Academy of Trial Lawyers
This award recognizes a graduating student who demonstrates a strong interest and ability in trial advocacy by high achievement in trial practice, evidence, and pleading and procedure courses.
- Kenneth Logan DeHart
Excellence in Legal Research & Writing Awards
The Elon Business Law Journal
The Elon Business Law Journal is focused on publishing content related to recent developments in the law that have a significant impact on the business community. Journal staff were:
- Myles C. Owens IV
- Daniel Niles May
- Hollie Elizabeth DeBaro
- Jacob Oliver Pickett
- Kelsey Lane Martin
- Jacquelyn Renee Gauntlett
- William Christopher Tarpley
- Bradlee Katherine Suggs
- Corey Neil Lengyel
Elon Law Review
The Elon Law Review was established in 2008 as the student-run and student-edited scholarly journal of the Elon University School of Law. Law Review staff were:
- Emily Benson Chatzky
- Savannah E. Fox
- Jana Newcomer Schaal
- Anna Kathryn Barnes
- Brandon Lewis Ballard
- Zachary Wayne Green
- Kathryn Magoon
- Mackenzie Grace Ceraso
- Haley Marie Lohr
- Rebecca Hubbard Elliott
- Mackenzie Ryan Karnes
- Joshua Tyler Lemon
Academic Excellence Awards
Academic Fellows
Academic Fellows are upper-level students selected for their academic achievement, commitment to the Elon Law community, aptitude for expert learning strategies, and interest in education. Academic Fellows from the Class of 2019 were:
- Brandon Lewis Ballard
- Kelsey Anne Brey
- Ryan Anthony Bristow
- Jonathan C. Dickey
- Heidi Lynn Eggles
- James Harris II
- Sadie Lea Huggins
- Jonathan Samuel Kidd
- Hannah Grace Lindsley
- Kelsey Lane Martin
- Cody Earl McPherson
- Jana Newcomer Schaal
- Bradlee Katherine Suggs
- Samantha Louise Yantz
North Carolina Chapter AAML Award
The North Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Award is given annually to the student that demonstrates an active interest and competency in family law, as well as exhibits the ethics and skills to elevate the practice of family law, as evidenced through exceptional performance in class, leadership in clinic, and/or involvement in research and publication on family law topics.
- Jacklyn Frances McKeon
ALI-CLE Award
The American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education Scholarship and Leadership Award is offered to a graduating law student who best represents a combination of scholarship and leadership.
- Zachary Wayne Green
Michael L. Rich Memorial Award for Excellence in Criminal Law Studies
The Michael L. Rich Memorial Award for Excellence in Criminal Law Studies was created by Elon Law faculty to honor the memory of Professor Mike Rich, the Maurice Jennings Emerging Scholar and associate professor of law. Professor Rich died on December 7, 2016, and leaves an immeasurable legacy of teaching, scholarship, and mentorship. Further building on this legacy, the Class of December 2017, the last class to have been taught by Professor Rich, elected to fund this award as their class gift. This award recognizes excellence in the study of criminal law, his main area of scholarship.
- Kenneth Logan DeHart
Excellence in Service Awards
National Association of Women Lawyers Outstanding Law Student Award
Honorees of this award contributes to the advancement of women in society; promote issues and concerns of women in the legal profession; exhibits motivation, tenacity, and enthusiasm; demonstrate high academic achievement; and earn the respect of students, faculty and staff.
- Haley Marie Lohr
Pro Bono Awards
Awards recognize 18 graduates who successfully completed 75 or more pro bono hours during their time as students. Each graduate receives two awards – one from the North Carolina Bar Association and one from the law school – recognizing their commitment to pro bono work as law students.
- Abigail Jane Blatt
- Haylea Nicole Carter
- Emily Benson Chatzky
- Savannah Rose Eliseo-Tackett
- Jacquelyn Renee Gauntlett
- Stephanie Kathleen Gordon
- Haley Caroline Honeycutt
- Sadie Lea Huggins
- Hannah Faith Joly
- Je’vonne V. Knox
- Joshua Landreth
- Hannah Grace Lindsley
- Crystal Rose Mahannah
- Kelsey Lane Martin
- Jaclyn Frances McKeon
- Deborah Michelle Mergner
- Ahmed Mohamed
- Ciara Dominique Moore
- Kayla S. Neil
- Rolie Brozas Ohl
- Thomas James Renda
- Sara Caraway Royster
- Alexandria Christine Shahade
- Meaghan Leigh Silva
- Anastasia F. Tramontozzi
- Tiffani Amber Wardle
- Karah Frances Yager
- Lauren Nicole Zickert
North Carolina Student Pro Bono Award
The North Carolina State Bar annually awards one student at each North Carolina law school with a special award for individual service.
- Deborah Michelle Mergner
CLEA Outstanding Student Award
The Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Student Award is given annually to one student who excels in the field work component of a clinical course determined by the quality of the student’s performance in assisting or representing individual or organizational clients or in undertaking advocacy, community development, education, or policy reform projects; excels in the seminar component of a clinical course determined by the quality of the student’s thoughtfulness and self-reflection in exploring the legal, ethical, strategic, professional, and other pertinent issues raised in the particular clinic; and who makes superior contributions (in nature and extent) to the clinical community of Elon Law.
- Jonathan Samuel Kidd
Distinguished Service Award
Each year the law school solicits nominations from faculty, staff and students for the Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes one graduating student for service to the law school through engagement in and contribution to the life of the school and demonstrated commitment to its mission.
- Haylea Nicole Carter