Elon Law honors student excellence in the Class of 2021

Top students in Elon Law’s Class of 2021 were recognized on December 8 with awards that celebrated their academic achievements, their service to the public and the law school, and advocacy skills honed through national competitions.

The awards program was held via Zoom to promote the health and wellness of graduates and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commencement for the Class of 2021 takes place December 11, 2021, at 11 a.m. in Alumni Gym on main campus.

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 the largest ever Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competitions at Elon Law, and coordinating the school’s intramural moot court competition.

• Destinee Astheimer
• Jacob Beeson
• Johnna Brooks
• Kimberly Clark
• Michael Cline
• Eric Cunningham
• Joseph De Mond
• Daniel Esposito
• Michael Hammersley
• Lauren Hausman
• Aerin Hickey
• Jessica Lynn Leach
• Thomas Mahon
• Cameron Nieters
• Allison Dixon
• Megan Reilly-Dreas
• Cassidy Richardson
• Mary Beth Royal
• Emily Slusser
• Zoé Stein
• Riley Sullivan
• Allison Thomas
• Sidney Vaught
• Mara Weisman
• Savannah Williamson
• Jared Willis

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. Competitions provide opportunities for Elon law students to develop and practice trial advocacy skills before distinguished members of the bar and bench.

• Reyona Hammond
• Luke Landis
• Gabriella Lopez
• Thomas Mahon
• Cameron Nieters
• Anna Robertson

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.

• Goodrich Thiel III

International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Award

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.

• Daniel Esposito

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.

• Johnna Brooks
• Kimberly Clark
• Michael Hammersley
• Reyona Hammond
• Lauren Hausman
• Jessica Lynn Leach
• Gabriella Lopez
• Cameron Nieters
• Emily Slusser
• Zoé Stein

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 2021 were:

• Destinee Astheimer
• Johnna Brooks
• Jacqueline Cajigal
• Henry Carkhuff
• Michael Cline
• Mike Davis
• Daniel Esposito
• Alexis Gadzinski
• Michael Hammersley
• Lauren Hausman
• John Brady Hess
• Aerin Hickey
• Mallory Hopkins
• Kaitlyn Jackson
• Kionie James
• Ayo Kuforiji
• Jessica Leach
• Samuel Luchansky
• Zackary Martinez
• Megan Reilly-Dreas
• Kaleigh Reynolds
• Mary Beth Royal
• Emily Slusser
• Mara Weisman

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. With each issue, the Elon Law Review strives to advance legal education and scholarship through the intelligent discussion and analysis of the law. Law Review staff were:

• Jared Willis, Editor in Chief
• Aerin Hickey
• Eric Cunningham
• Alaina Cooper
• Lauren Hausman
• Mallory Hopkins
• Samuel Luchansky
• Jessica Lynn Leach
• Valerie Lott
• Gabriella Lopez
• Anna Robertson
• Alexis Gadzinski
• Meghan Macleay
• Andrew Parks Carter
• Michael Cline

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.

• Jessica Lynn Leach

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.

• Allison Thomas

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.

• Allison Thomas

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.

• Johnna Brooks

Pro Bono Recognition

Awards recognize 29 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.

• Destinee Astheimer
• Kirk Carson
• Taylor Cobb
• Joseph De Mond
• Madison Fields
• Amy Grener
• Stephanie Grove
• Rosa Hannah
• Kionie James
• Melanie Kendrick
• Ayo Kuforiji
• Jessica Lynn Leach
• Kathryn Levonick
• Valerie Lott
• Anna Marquardt
• Zackary Martinez
• Mackenzie Mills
• Tessa Olinger
• Allison Dixon
• Kyle Pierce
• Shannon Prom Burnett
• Megan Reilly-Dreas
• MaKenzie Rowland
• M.J. Segal
• Hunter Smith
• Barbara Spencer
• Emily Squicciarini
• Ataesheeana “Tae” Storr
• Allison Thomas
• Sidney Vaught
• Mallory Ward

North Carolina State Bar 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.

• Allison Thomas

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.

• Zoé Stein

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.

From a nomination: “This person has worked diligently, selflessly, and consistently to ensure that her classmates – and members of other classes – have the tools they need in order to succeed in law school. As the former president of BLSA, she planned and hosted study sessions for 1Ls who not only needed assistance with academic content, but also needed a feeling of community and resilience. She served as a teaching assistant for Professor Perkins’ civil procedure class during the Fall 2020 trimester, and always made time to mentor students in the process. She successfully held other roles at the law school, managed her time to excel in her courses, and unintentionally served as a beacon of light and perseverance for many students. She is an excellent leader and colleague, and I am confident that she will make an amazing lawyer as well.”

In recognition of her commitment to the law school and inspiring others around her, the 2021 Elon Law Distinguished Service Award was presented to Ataesheeana “Tae” Storr.