Graduates were recognized in two separate awards programs and at Commencement with school and professional honors for advocacy, academic excellence, and excellence in service.
Top students in Elon Law’s Class of 2022 were recognized on November 16 and December 8 to celebrate their academic achievements, their service to the public and the law school, and advocacy skills honed through national competitions.
Some individual awards were publicized at Commencement on December 9, 2022, on Elon University’s 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.
- Emmanuel Agyemang-Dua
- Kaitlin Krista Amalfitano
- Cameron Alexis Capp
- Jeannette Lee Carson
- Molly Rose Ciaccio
- Kevin Martin Claussen
- James Cardwell Coleman
- Jeanna Nicole Cooper
- Amanda Catherine Couture
- Davis Jaren Andrew Diethrich
- David Joseph DiMaggio
- Emily Joyce Erickson
- Ashley Vanessa Garcia
- Michael Gibeley
- Tamara Malen Gomez
- Brittany Sloane Graybeal
- Jeffrey N. Hudgins
- Madeline Loving Kellas
- Emily Catherine Maggio
- Kylyn Nikole Mondor
- Carson Lee Pace
- Elizabeth Anna Ranson
- Alyiah Smiling
- Rosemary Gene Sparrow
- Morgan Elizabeth Stacy
- Rahwa Theodros
- Morgan Marie Tompkins
- Amanda Elizabeth Wagner
- Jennifer Lynne Weigle
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.
- Jeanna Nicole Cooper
- Dylan Scout Graham
- Thomas Harold Harvey
- Kailyn Lorraine Hutchins
- Kylyn Nikole Mondor
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.
- Morgan Marie Tompkins
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.
- David Joseph DiMaggio
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.
- Emmanuel Agyemang-Dua
- Molly Rose Ciaccio
- Jeanna Nicole Cooper
- Dylan Scout Graham
- Kailyn Lorraine Hutchins
- Emily Catherine Maggio
- Kylyn Nikole Mondor
- Carson Lee Pace
- Morgan Elizabeth Stacy
- Jennifer Lynne Weigle
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:
- Emmanuel Agyemang-Dua
- Heather Elisabeth Andrews
- Theresa Ann Brunner
- Cameron Alexis Capp
- Sterling Randal Chafin
- Derek Chouinard
- Jeanna Nicole Cooper
- Ashley Vanessa Garcia
- Hannah Lauren Gelband
- Brittany Sloane Graybeal
- Cynthia Dawn Hager
- Kailyn Lorraine Hutchins
- Jordan Rose Lockhart
- Emily Catherine Maggio
- William Andrew Mason
- Leah Alexandra McLean
- Violetta Normatova
- Raini Keaton Singleton
- Faisal Sulman
- Rahwa Theodros
- Hannah Cunning Valente
- Victoria Waddell
- Amanda Elizabeth Wagner
- Brittany Dóris Willis
- Karsen Danyél Wright
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:
- Morgan Marie Tompkins, Editor in Chief
- Tamara Malen Gomez
- Emmanuel Agyemang-Dua
- Hannah Lauren Gelband
- Michael Gibeley
- Emily Joyce Erickson
- Cameron Alexis Capp
- Jeffrey N. Hudgins
- Jordan Rose Lockhart
- Victoria Waddell
- Davis Jaren Andrew Diethrich
- Jordyn Levinsky-Carter
- Emily Catherine Maggio
- Kylyn Nikole Mondor
We the People: Elon Law’s Constitutional Law Journal
We the People: Elon Law’s Constitutional Law Journal aspires to promote the contribution of intelligent discussion and analysis of the U.S. Constitution and constitutional law-related issues. The online journal was founded in 2022, aiming to foster healthy dialogue on timely legal issues in a respectful manner that its founders observed is often missing in contemporary debate. We the People staff were:
- David Scott Belisle
- Cynthia Dawn Hager
- Madeline Loving Kellas
- Simi Avakash Patel
- Jennifer Lynne Weigle
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.
- Kailyn Lorraine Hutchins
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.
- Cynthia Dawn Hager
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.
- Jeanna Nicole Cooper
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.
- Ashley Vanessa Garcia
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.
- Tyler James Adkins
- Deidra Ann Alexander
- Kaitlin Krista Amalfitano
- Samantha Lauren Baker
- Victoria Anne Burgess
- Jeannette Lee Carson
- Brianna Nicole Cool
- Alison DeHoek
- Delilah Fladger
- Michael Gibeley
- Dylan Scout Graham
- Brittany Sloane Graybeal
- Cynthia Dawn Hager
- Kailyn Lorraine Hutchins
- Madeline Loving Kellas
- Nicole Kirschler
- Madison Renee Lengel
- Quianna Lewis
- Kylyn Nikole Mondor
- Simi Avakash Patel
- James D. Sharpe, III
- Marissa Ann Thomas
- Hannah Cunning Valente
- Cameron Scott Williams
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.
- Jeannette Lee Carson
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.
- David Joseph DiMaggio
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.
In recognition of her commitment to the law school and inspiring others around her, the 2022 Elon Law Distinguished Service Award was presented to Brittany Sloane Graybeal.