Graduates in Elon Law’s Class of 2018 were recognized 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 2018 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. 14 evening awards ceremony in the law school library, Elon Law Dean Luke Bierman accepted a class gift from Areion Gamble L’18 and Adam Etzel L’18. The graduating class, as a legacy to their alma mater, created a new resource in the Office of Career and Student Development to provide financial assistance to future Elon Law students in personal and family crisis.
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.
- Rachel Adekanye
- Rebecca Anderson
- J.R. Bales
- Timaura Barfield
- Catherine Bryant
- Anthony DeLucia
- Charles Draeger
- Adam Etzel
- Jordan Hensley
- Ashley Henson
- Tia Hudgins
- Rebecca Kilmon
- Elizabeth Koeman
- Robert Martin
- Olivia Matte
- Haley Mendola
- Stephanie Del Real Peterson
- Jesse Peterson
- Elizabeth Ray
- Charles Sexton
- Chelsea Townsend
- Sarah Trombley
- Joseph Turner
- David Wheaton Jr.
- Richard Williams
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.
- Rachel Adekanye
- Areion Gamble
- Grace Lay
- Shianne LeGrand
- Mariah Murray
- Markietta Owens
- Jeffrey Porter Jr.
- Tracy Preville
- Chelsea Townsend
- Kendell Williams
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.
- Timaura Barfield
- Anthony DeLucia
- Adam Etzel
- Areion Gamble
- Jordan Hensley
- Grace Lay
- Olivia Matte
- Haley Mendola
- Jeffrey Porter Jr.
- Chelsea Townsend
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.
- Jeffrey Porter Jr.
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.
- Jordan Hensley
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:
- Timaura Barfield
- Marcus Brinkley
- Julia Brown
- Rebecca Kilmon, Editor in Chief
- Olivia Matte
- Jeffrey Porter Jr.
- Bradley Rooney
- Ziaedeen Saadat
- Charles Sexton
- Alishia Tidwell
- Madison Thornton
- Walter Tuttle
- David Wheaton Jr.
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:
- Catherine Bryant
- Nicole DeBartolo
- Lauren Franklin
- Ryan Gobble
- Courtney Grigsby
- Asia Lance
- Grace Lay
- Sarah Price
- Morgan Ricci
- Helen Tsiolkas, Editor in Chief
- Walter Tuttle
- Theodore West
- Matthew Wolf
Academic Excellence Awards
Academic Teaching Fellows
Academic Teaching 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 Teaching Fellows from the Class of 2018 were:
- Rachel Adekanye
- Rebecca Anderson
- Timaura Barfield
- Christopher Gillespie
- Courtney Grigsby
- Asia Lance
- Stephanie Del Real Peterson
- Sarah Trombley
- Helen Tsiolkas
- Matthew Wolf
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.
- Ashley Henson
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.
- Olivia Matte
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 study of criminal law, his main area of scholarship.
- Jesse Peterson
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.
- Lauren Franklin
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.
- Rachel Adekanye
- Katherine Bordwine
- Celsey Fannin
- Areion Gamble
- Olivia Lambert-Tucker
- Grace Lay
- Jared Lumley
- Olivia Matte
- Haley Mendola
- Mariah Murray
- Tracy Preville
- Ziaedeen Saadat
- Lauren Simms
- Alexis Sylvester
- Alishia Tidwell
- Chelsea Townsend
- Joseph Turner
- David Wheaton Jr.
- Richard Williams
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.
- Alishia Tidwell
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.
- Olivia Lambert-Tucker
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.
- Grace Lay