UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LAW CENTER DEAN’S AWARDS 2012 Wednesday, April 25, 2012 5:00 PM Krost Auditorium COVER GRAPHICS: Sheila Childers Gus A. Schill, Jr. Scholarship for Ethics in Representation The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize personal and professional attributes that contribute to excellence in the practicing attorney. The recipient demonstrates academic promise, financial need, leadership potential, social conscience, and commitment to underserved populations. Donor:Anonymous Recipient: Nancy M. Molina Gus A. Schill, Jr. Maritime Law and Professionalism Scholarship Awarded to a third year student in recognition of his dedication to the study of maritime law and professionalism. Donor: Friends of Gus A. Schill Recipient: J. Tanner Honea Ron Bass Scholarship The Ron Bass scholarship is given in memory of Ron Bass, a solo practitioner who had a strong belief in civil liberties and a sincere interest in making a positive difference in his clients’ lives. This scholarship will be awarded to a continuing student who shows a sincere interest in civil liberties and/or making a difference in others’ lives as demonstrated through volunteer activities, coursework, and other relevant factors, and is in need of scholarship support for the continuation of her education. Donor: Meyer Levy Charitable Foundation Recipient: Casey L. Jordan Marvin Nathan ’66 Fellowship Awarded to a student to work as a fellow with the Anti-Defamation League. Donor: Marlene Nathan Meyerson Family Foundation & Marvin Nathan Recipient: Minator Azemi Robert C. Sohns ‘72 Fellowship Awarded to a student who has shown interest in public service. This student will serve as a summer intern at Lone Star Legal Aid. Donor: Robert C. Sohns Recipient: Alexander C. Hunt Jackson Lewis Scholarship Awarded to a student from a group underrepresented in the legal profession and who has demonstrated an interest in the study and practice of labor and employment law. Donor: Jackson Lewis LLP Recipient: Tracie M. Hall Judge Mary Bacon ‘72 Scholarship Awarded to a current law student exemplifying professionalism while maintaining two generation households living at the same residence. Donor: Friends and Family of Judge Mary Bacon Recipient: Suchismita Pahi Gulf Coast Power Association (GCPA) David Oliver Memorial Scholarship Awarded to students who have excelled in coursework or written papers that have a significant electricity component. Donor: Gulf Coast Power Association Recipients: Andrew S. Campbell Jesica Rivero Gilbert Annie Kwan Nathan W. Stone 1 Houston Bar Association, Oil, Gas & Mineral Law Scholarship Awarded to a student who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and an interest in Oil and Gas. Donor: HBA Oil, Gas & Mineral Section Recipient: Natasha B. Breaux Texas State Bar Oil and Gas Section Scholarship Awarded to a student who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and an interest in Oil and Gas. Donor: Texas State Bar Oil and Gas Section Recipients: Lindsey F. Blankenau Jillian M. Rae ConocoPhillips Energy Studies Award Awarded to a third year law student in the Energy Studies Program on the basis of scholarship and interest in the field. Donor: ConocoPhillips, Inc. Recipient: Ryan T. Becker Jacqueline Lang Weaver Excellence Award in Oil & Gas Awarded to the student who has demonstrated the highest degree of excellence in studies relating to the field of Oil and Gas Law. Donor: James L. Connor, III Recipient: Benjamin W. Walther Buck J. Wynne Memorial Scholarship The State Bar of Texas Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section established this scholarship in memory of Buck J. Wynne, a prominent environmental attorney who died in 1996. It is awarded to the top students in introductory environmental law classes. Donor: State Bar of Texas Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section Recipient: Jennifer C. Smith 2 James E. Crowther Scholarship Awarded to students committed to public interest work. Donor: The Hobby Foundation Recipients: Cara H. Johnson Ryan C. Myers Lisa M. Steffek AT&T Pro Bono Fellowship This fellowship is awarded to a student who has a commitment to public service and will be working full-time for a public interest or government agency during the summer. Donor: AT&T Services, Inc. Recipient: Cara H. Johnson Sondra Tennessee Scholarship Awarded to a law student who has overcome hardships and demonstrated commitment to the study of law. Donor:Anonymous Recipient: Ollachi Enzé Holman Barbara H. Fritz Scholarship Awarded to a student who has shown academic execellence, financial need and a non-traditional educational path, in fulfilling professional aspirations. Donor: The Family and Friends of Barbara H. Fritz Recipient: Lisa M. Steffek Celia Figueroa ‘94 Memorial Scholarship The Celia Figueroa Scholarship was established in honor of the late Celia Figueroa by her family, friends, and employer, BBVA Bancomer USA, for whom she served as General Counsel. The Scholarship is to be awarded annually to a UHLC student who has displayed excellence in her studies and service to the Law Center community. Preference will be given to a 2L who has family obligations and/or whose career involves international business experience. Donor: Recipient: Bancomer Transfer Services, Inc. and Friends and Family of Celia Figueroa Irma de Jesus Jacobson Nancy Snyder-Nepo ‘00 Scholarship In memory of Nancy Snyder-Nepo, a lawyer and mother, who lost her life to cancer at a young age. This scholarship is awarded to provide financial assistance for a Law Center student who is balancing the role of parent and student. Donor: Family and Friends of Nancy Snyder-Nepo Recipient: Megan L. Davis Mr. and Mrs. Larry W. Fultz Memorial Scholarship Awarded to students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. Donor: Friends of Mr. and Mrs. Larry W. Fultz Recipients: Nicholas Brown Melissa R. Morris Juliana Ong Michael D. Stewart Srimath S. Subasinghe Samson Memorial Animal Law Scholarship This scholarship is in memory of Moe and Louis Nasr’s beloved German Shepherd dog, Samson. Awarded to a student who has demonstrated a passion for and commitment to animal advocacy. Donor: Mr. & Mrs. Moe Nasr Recipient: Casey E. Holder Andy B. Thigpen ‘93 Scholarship Andrew “Andy” Byron Thigpen ‘93 believed in obtaining justice for “the little guy” through practicing law with honor. He was inspired by both literature and attorneys around him who practiced with integrity. This scholarship is awarded to the student who wrote the best essay describing her extracurricular activities and how she balances her “life in the law” with her personal life. Donor: Friends of Andy Thigpen Recipient: Ashley M. Hymel Phyllis Randolph Frye Writing Competition Award For the best paper in topics relating to an area of law (i.e. family, employment, education K-12, insurance, criminal) dealing with gender identity or gender expression, with preference given to transgender and intersex issues. Donor: Judge Phyllis R. Frye Recipient: Cristian Rosas-Grillet, “Born This Way: A Comparison of the Asylum Law of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom as Applied to Transgender Individuals” Ewer-Oren J.D. Health Law Writing Award Awarded to a J.D. student who produced the best Health Law-related research paper. Donor: Professor Laura Oren Recipient: 1st Place - Stacey Neumann, “Traumatic Brain Injury and Football: Tackling the Issue of Concussions and Football Helmet Safety” 2nd Place - Qiang Hao, “Who Has Control Over Your Gene? – Privacy and Security Concerns of Individual Whole Genome Information in an E-Health Era” 3 Ann Dinsmore Forman AWIL Award In memory of the co-founder and founding president of the Association of Women in Law, Ann Dinsmore Forman, this award is presented to the students who best exemplify advocacy of matters of particular concern to the Association of Women in Law. Donor: Friends of Ann Dinsmore Forman Recipients: Kathy M. Goodwin Cara H. Johnson Ann Dinsmore Forman Memorial Child Advocacy Award Ann Forman spent nearly her entire professional life in the Travis County District Attorney’s Office in its unit devoted to the protection of abused and neglected children. She was a tireless advocate for her charges, and an inspiration to all who knew her. This scholarship is awarded to the students whose careers demonstrate a high level of commitment to the welfare of abused or neglected children, or other children with special needs. Donor: Friends of Ann Dinsmore Forman Recipients: Shiloh A. Carter Cara H. Johnson Alumni Association Scholarship Awarded to students exhibiting leadership, character and involvement in extracurricular activities. Preference is given to students who have volunteered with the Law Gala and Auction. Donor: Annual Law Gala and Auction Recipients: Ashley D. Foret Tamecia G. Harris Katherine L. Petroski Claire V. Smith Scholarship Awarded to assist a law student in fulfilling her professional aspirations. Donor: Claire V. Smith Charitable Foundation Recipient: Mary Catherine G. Isensee Yale Rosenberg Memorial Prize Awarded for the best student paper in Administrative Law, Civil Procedure, Federal Jusirdiction or Jewish Law. Donor: Friends of Yale Rosenberg Recipients: David J. Hrncir, “Regulating Through Rules: Suggested Changes in the Federal Regulation of Veterinary Compounding” Matthew C. Hoffman, “Fast’s Four Factors: A Solution to Similarly Situated Discovery Disputes in FLSA Collective Actions” Prudential Life Insurance Scholarship Awarded to students in the Health Law Program who have exhibited academic excellence. Donor: Prudential Life Insurance Company Recipients: Stephanie M. Eberhardt Viana Hodge Ryan R. Ingraham Houston Intellectual Property Law Association (HIPLA) Scholarship Awarded to students who demonstrate interest in intellectual property through coursework, prior internships, prior employment and participation in student organizations. Donor:HIPLA Recipients: Blaine A. Larson Priya G. Prasad Eleanor L. Tyson 4 UH Law Center AIPLEF Jan Jancin Award 2010 Nominee Awarded to the Law Center’s sole nominee to a national scholarship competition conducted by the American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation (AIPLEF), an organization formed by the nation’s preeminent IP bar organization, the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA). The scholarship is in honor of the late Jan Jancin, who served not only as President of AIPLA, but served with distinction in several other leadership roles within the intellectual property bar. Donor: Institute for Intellectual Property and Information Law Recipient: Darren Smith IPIL Co-Directors Award Awarded for the best student‑authored paper in the field of intellectual property and information law from a seminar course taught by IPIL core faculty. Donor: Institute for Intellectual Property and Information Law Recipient: Blake D. Stovall UH Law Center 2010 IPIL Award for Distinguished Accomplishment Awarded to a student who has exemplified excellence in intellectual property academic studies and is interested in pursuing a career in intellectual property or information law. Donor: Institute for Intellectual Property and Information Law Recipient: Priya G. Prasad Houston Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Section Award Awarded to a current law student who demonstrates academic merit and an interest in corporate law through course work. Donor: HBA Corporate Counsel Section Recipient: Juliana Ong IPSO Service Award Awarded to a member of the Intellectual Property Student Organization (IPSO) for outstanding contributions to the community of students studying intellectual property and information law at the Law Center. Donor: Institute for Intellectual Property and Information Law Recipient: Sujohn Das Houston Bar Association, Probate, Trusts and Estates Award Awarded to a law student who has shown exemplary success in coursework related to probate. Donor: HBA Probate, Trusts & Estates Section Recipient: Robert S. Griffin Houston Bar Association - Real Estate Law Section Award Awarded to the top student in advanced Real Estate courses. Donor: HBA Real Estate Law Section Recipient: Briggs A. Knight Black Law Student Association (BLSA) Alumni Scholarship This award was established by the BLSA Alumni to assist a student member of the organization in her quest for professional success. Donor: Alumni of the Black Law Students Association Recipient: Janese N. Golden-Dews 5 Sam Williamson Fellowship in Immigration Law This scholarship was created in memory of Sam Williamson, a tireless advocate for immigrants. His career spanned more than five decades during which he fought fiercely for the rights of his clients. It is awarded to a student who is committed to the practice of immigration law. Donor: Family and friends of Sam Williamson Recipient: Dyan E. Parada Joseph Vail Memorial Scholarship To honor the memory of Joseph Vail, Director of the Immigration Clinic, this award is given to a student who has demonstrated interest in immigration law and also great advocacy on behalf of immigrants through course work and involvement with the clinic. Donor: Friends and Family of Joseph Vail Recipient: Andrea L. Penedo Irving J. Weiner Memorial Scholarship Awarded to a student working in the Legal Aid Clinic Donor: Mrs. Irving J. Weiner and friends of Irving J. Weiner Recipient: Sarah P. Loeffler ALI-ABA Scholarship and Leadership Award Awarded to the law student in the graduating class who best represents a combination of scholarship and leadership. Donor: American Law Institute-ABA Committee on Continuing Professional Education Recipient: Garrett Gibson 6 American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence Awarded to the student who receives the highest grade in Bankruptcy. Donor: Thatcher Proffitt & Wood LLP Recipient: Pamela L.Taylor DeAnna Mack’08 Memorial Scholarship This scholarship is awarded in memory of DeAnna Mack who died at young age shortly after graduating from the Law Center. Donor: Jones McClure Publishing, Inc. and Friends and Family of DeAnna Mack Recipient: Brandi J. Croffie Irene Merker Rosenberg Child Advocacy Scholarship In memory of Irene Merker Rosenberg, a scholar and advocate of children’s rights, this scholarship is designed for law students who are interested in working in the area of children and the law. In addition to providing a financial scholarship the program also provides advanced educational opportunities, career counseling and year-round employment opportunities to students committed to advancing the legal interests of children. Donor: University of Houston Law Center Recipients: Shiloh A. Carter Alexander C. Hunt Cara H. Johnson Janice Y. Lu Katherine B. Quinn Ubani E. Ukuku Chloe L. Walker Patricia H. Zesut Judge Shearn Smith Scholarship Awarded to second- and third- year law students who have demonstrated the greatest improvement in the study of law. Donor: Friends of Judge Shearn Smith Recipients: James D. Cypert Briana L. Deane Sabrina K. Johnson Jordan M. Rolfe Barksdale Stevens Award Awarded to a deserving third- year law student who is active and shows interest in the Law Center. Donor: BakerBotts LLP Recipient: Tamecia G. Harris Caroline Hirsch (Vanik) Beers ‘97 Award Awarded to law students who are single parents and have a love of the law and a committment to social service. Donor: Lauren and Lindsay Vanik and Caroline Vanik Beers Recipients: Ollachi Enzé Holman Vi T. Tran J. Huey O’Toole Award Awarded to a student of outstanding character who has exhibited academic excellence in family law courses. Donor: Friends and family of J. Huey O’Toole Recipient: Sarah P. Loeffler Gil Epstein ‘94 Scholarship Awarded to a student who plans to be a criminal lawyer and has shown the greatest promise in that regard. Donor: Friends and Family of Gil Epstein Recipient: Mallory A. Mc Kenney Joan Garfinkel Glantz Scholarship Awarded for the best paper on Civil Liberties. Donor: Professor Irene Rosenberg, Fay Garfinkel Recipient: Marcella C. Burke John O’Quinn ‘67 Memorial Scholarship In memory of John O’Quinn, one the nations leading attorneys, this scholarship is awarded to a deserving student who is involved in the Houston Law Review and The Advocates. Donor: The John O’Quinn Memorial Fund Recipient: Frank O. Carroll, III International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award Awarded to a student explemifying outstanding ability in courtroom advocacy. Donor: Mr. Donald F. O’Brien Recipient: Whitney D. Wester The Order of the 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 Order also provides national recognition for individuals who have excelled in advocacy and service at their respective schools. In 1973, Martindale-Hubbell, Inc. acknowledged the distinction of being selected to membership in the Order by agreeing to list it among the scholastic distinctions included in a lawyer’s biographical sketch. Recipients: Frank O. Carroll, III Matthew A. Copeland Garrett Gibson Bradford J. Hendrickson Kelsey Ann King Mark E. Mitchell Allison E. Moore Dennis Siaw-Lattey Continued 7 Whitney D. Wester Andrea Victoria Ruth Zepeda James Edmund Kemp Scholarship In memory of James Edmund Kemp, this scholarship was created to to provide financial assistance to UH Law Center students who are balancing financing their legal education along with other financial obligations. Donor: Judy Amonett (‘03) Recipients: Rebecca Farrell Tracie M. Hall Jerry W. Mason Pegah Rahgozar W. Harold Sellers Scholarship Awarded to a student who demonstrates strong academics and financial need. Donor: W. Harold Sellers Recipient: Kausthub Kumar Robert Allen Memorial Student Excellence Fund In memory of Robert Allen, this scholarship was established to provide assistance to a part-time student who has a passion for the law. Donor: Elizabeth Allen Recipient: Shiloh A. Carter Nathan, Sommers & Jacobs Scholarship Awarded to a student who has demonstrated academic achievement and a commitment to the Law Center. Donor: Nathan, Sommers & Jacobs, A professional corporation Recipient: Michael J. Hoffman Hutcheson & Grundy Scholarship Awarded to assist a second year student to fulfill professional aspirations based on demonstrated leadership, extracurricular involvement and potential for successful study in law school. Donor: Hutcheson & Grundy LLP Recipient: Jeffrey S. Adams 8 Alicia Jewel / Mehaffey & Weber Scholarship In memory of Alicia Jewell a 1990 graduate who lost her life in an automobile accident. This scholarship was created to assist an outstanding 1L or 2L female student who shows not only scholarship but also leadership abilities and who is in need of scholarship support for the continuation of her education. Donor: Mehaffey & Weber and Friends of Alicia Jewell Recipient: Nancy M. Molina Murray M. Nusynowitz Memorial Fund Awarded to law students who are active in the recruitment and admissions process. Donor: Friends and Family of Murray M. Nusynowitz Recipients: Nandini Kavuri Aman Fissihaie National Order of Scribes Awarded to graduating law students who demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism and are outstanding legal writers. Donor: Order of Scribes Recipients: Eileen Boyce Cory Fox Matthew Hoffman Legal Research & Writing Best Brief Award Awarded to the best appellate brief written by current first students. Briefs were judged by practicing attorneys in the Houston area. Donor: Liskow & Lewis Recipient: Michael J. Hoffman LEX AWARDS Awarded to students receiving the highest grade in a first year course. Recipients: Constitutional Law Contracts Criminal Law Andrew S. Campbell Scott P. Armstrong Shaun A. Cassin Erin Monroe Nicholas Brown David J. Hrncir Ryan C. Myers Laura W. Duncan Lisa M. Scharf Michael D. Stewart Modinat A. Kotun Katherine M. Witty Michael D. Poynter Procedure I Property Torts Sanjay Bapat Lindsey F. Blankenau Ashlin C. Aldinger Nicholas Brown Michael D. Stewart Nicholas Brown Alyssa J. Ladd Srimath S. Subasinghe Megan A. Ceder Joshua D. Lee Robert D. Ward Scott W. Kendall Srimath S. Subasinghe Kourtney L. Osegueda David J. Rusk Legal Research and Writing Dino Arslanagic Daniel F. Dries Poh Cheng Neoh Katherine A. Barnhill Laura W. Duncan Clint R. Reed Yanet M. Benitez Rissel C. Durand Rebekah D. Reneau Evan C. Blankenau Kate C. Ferrell Islara U. Rodriguez Natasha B. Breaux Kelly R. Ferrell Michael I. Schneider Nicholas Brown Edward B. Goolsby Benjamin F. Smith Andrew C. Bueso Michael J. Hoffman Joseph R. Struble Shaun A. Cassin Lee B. Hunt Srimath S. Subasinghe Brendan Conley Zeeshan H. Malik Robert D. Ward Peter D. Danysh Daniela T. Martinez Emily L. Williams Kelsey Del Rio Sofia Morales Administrative Law Intro to American Law Law Practice Strategies Jonathan H. Harder Tiago António Martins Da Cruz Jillian M. Rae Angela S. Odensky Poverty Law Practice Katherine A. Barnhill Natasha B. Breaux Jennifer B. Caplan Sandra L. Garcia Statutory Interpretation & Reasoning David J. Hrncir Texas Consumer Law Davis A. Zapffe 9 2012 SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWS Awarded for public interest work with an agency that has limited financial support. Phillip A. Baggett Lillian A. Baker Joshua A. Barron Yanet M. Benitez Darren A. Braun Paige A. Cantrell Shiloh A. Carter Amy D. Demmler Stephanie M. Eberhardt Mili Gosar Tracie M. Hall L. Ariell Hardy Brandy A. Howard Cara H. Johnson Paul Kharmats Blair J. Leake Olivia R. Mathias Nancy M. Molina Ballari Mukherjee Kevin D. O’Brien Emma R. Raimi-Zlatic Justin K. Ratley Amir Roohi Jenna S. Saldana James M. Santangelo Lisa M. Steffek Alexandra L.Vickery Drew J. Willey Julia Y. Zhang Texas Innocence Network (Non-Capital Division) United States Embassy, Niamey, Niger US Attorney’s Office, District of Nevada Disability Rights Texas Blair County District Attorney’s Office PEMEX Galveston County District Attorney’s Office Harris County District Attorney’s Office US Attorney’s Office – SD Texas Children at Risk Lone Star Legal Aid US Attorney’s Office – SD Texas City of Austin Bay Area Legal Aid Lone Star Legal Aid Harris County District Attorney’s Office Kids in Need of Defense, Inc. Disability Rights Texas TIRR Memorial Hermann – ILRU Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid – Houston United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Harris County District Attorney’s Office Catholic Charities of Central Texas Disability Rights Texas Harris County District Attorney’s Office Center for Children, Law & Policy DHS, ICE, Office of Chief Counsel Texas Innocence Network (Capital Division) Beijing Arbitration Commission