Graduates in Elon Law’s Class of 2020 were recognized in an online program 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 2020 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.
The awards program for the Class of 2020 was held via Zoom to promote the health and wellness of graduates and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
- Kevin Leonel Acuña
- Edwina Osaremwindamen Oluwasikemi Avbuere
- Kia LaShon Barrett
- Sarah Victoria Byrd
- Christine Elizabeth Cline
- Hunter David Cornelius
- Samantha D. Dudley
- Victoria Ashley Ford
- Madison Nicole Guttry
- Zachary James Kiffmeyer
- Julianna Rose Kober
- Brooke Taylor LaMachio
- Michael T. Logsdon II
- McCathern Marie Painter
- Benjamin Sanders Parsons
- Travis James Poulos
- Dillon Michael Quinn
- Casey Taylor Robinson
- Kathryn Joyce Romo
- Christopher Ryan Schroeder
- Victoria Lynn Stout
- Spenser Marie Sullivan
- Daniel H. Walsh
- Megan D. Wilson-Bost
- Hunter B. Winstead
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.
- Melenni Balbach
- Melissa Rae Buck
- McCathern Marie Painter
- Alexandria Danielle Smith
- Christopher Grant Smith
- Megan D. Wilson-Bost
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.
- Melenni Balbach
- Kia LaShon Barrett
- Melissa Rae Buck
- Hunter David Cornelius
- Julianna Rose Kober
- McCathern Marie Painter
- Casey Taylor Robinson
- Alexandria Danielle Smith
- Christopher Grant Smith
- Megan D. Wilson-Bost
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.
- Melenni Balbach
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.
- Michael T. Logsdon II
Excellence in Legal Research & Writing Awards
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:
- Hunter David Cornelius
- Kjirsten Corinna Durand-Johnson
- Samantha D. Dudley
- Victoria Ashley Ford
- Timisha Dominque Henley
- Heather M. Kindley
- Benjamin Sanders Parsons
- Travis James Poulos
- Spenser Marie Sullivan
- Kathryn Joyce Romo
- Daniel H. Walsh
- Hunter B. Winstead
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 2020 were:
- Kevin Leonel Acuña
- William Shawver Adams
- Melenni Balbach
- Kia LaShon Barrett
- Amber L. Cain
- Brandon Lee Casey
- Christine Elizabeth Cline
- Anissa Cottrell
- Andrew Ryan Denoff
- Kjirsten Corinna Durand-Johnson
- Michael John Fiori
- Madison Nicole Guttry
- Heather M. Kindley
- Julianna Rose Kober
- Brooke Taylor LaMachio
- Ty Eric Morley
- McCathern Marie Painter
- Salvatore Popolillo III
- George Duncan Regan Jr.
- Christopher Ryan Schroeder
- Christopher Grant Smith
- Ashley Elizabeth Stewart
- Almeric Leander Thomas
- Megan D. Wilson-Bost
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.
- Molly Lyle Brazil
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.
- Samantha D. Dudley
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.
- Victoria Charlene Corey
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.
- Megan D. Wilson-Bost
Pro Bono Recognition
Awards recognize 21 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.
- Kevin Leonel Acuña
- Madeline O. Baruch
- Kelley Elizabeth Brosky
- Makayla Caliri
- Mackenzie Adair Carpenter
- Victoria Charlene Corey
- Tyler Jeremey Crima
- Sarah Lowman Ensley
- Alisha Brianna Harris
- Cynthia Elizabeth Hernandez
- Rachel Eleanor James
- Julianna Rose Kober
- Brooke Taylor LaMachio
- Jessica Lynn Norum
- Kairah Pippenger
- Dillon Michael Quinn
- Aaliyah Janai Russell
- Jaz Autumn Sarriera
- Victoria Lynn Stout
- Spenser Marie Sullivan
- Hannah Nnenna Whaley
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.
- Julianna Rose Kober
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.
- Evan Austin Tarver
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.
- Anissa Cottrell