Prizes and Awards

PRIZES AWARDED TO MAY 2012 GRADUATES

John Ordronaux Prize, awarded annually to the J.D. degree candidate for general proficiency in legal study. The prize usually recognizes the student achieving the highest academic average in each graduating class:

Sophie Alexandra Staples-Vangel ’12

Walter Gellhorn Prize, awarded annually to an LL.M. degree candidate graduating with the highest academic average, for outstanding proficiency in legal study:

Clayton Darryl Bangsund ’12 LL.M.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Prize, awarded annually to J.D. degree candidates who earned James Kent academic honors for outstanding academic achievement for all three years (1L, 2L, and 3L years): 

Bethany Marie Bates ’12
Lena Husani Hughes ’12
Thomas Gregory Sprankling ’12
Sophie Alexandra Staples-Vangel ’12
Leonid Traps ’12

David Berger Memorial Prize, given to third-year students interested in international law and world peace, and who have demonstrated educational excellence in the field of international law:

Jacob Harold Johnston ’12
Zhuo Jun Jennifer Lim ’12 

E.B. Convers Prize, awarded annually to the member of the graduating class who wrote the best original essay on a legal subject:

Neal Ramesh Ubriani ’12
“Redistricting the Empire State: A Non-Partisan Proposal for the New York State Legislature” 

Wilfred Feinberg Prize, awarded to the Law student who does the best work in an area related to the work of the federal courts:

Lena Husani Hughes ’12

Alfred A. Forsyth Prize, awarded annually to one or more outstanding students in the field of environmental law who, in the judgment of the School, have demonstrated qualities of intellect and selfless dedication to the advancement of environmental law: 

Lauren Cole Daniel ’12
Briana Elizabeth Dema ’12
Jessica Anne Wentz ’12

Andrew D. Fried Memorial Prize, awarded for the best student essay(s) to be published this year in the Columbia Journal of Law and the Arts on a subject in the field of intellectual property and related law:

Jocelyn Virginia Hanamirian ’12
“The Right to Remain Anonymous: Anonymous Speakers, Confidential Sources and the Public Good”

  John Leo Schwab III ’12
“Audiovisual Works and the Work for Hire Doctrine in the Internet Age”

Carroll G. Harper Prize, awarded to one or more members of the graduating class who have attained the highest standards of achievement in intellectual property studies and writing:

Carrie Jean Bodner ’12
Melissa Yaffa Lerner ’12

Pauline Berman Heller Prize, awarded annually to the graduating student who has displayed the most outstanding record of academic achievement in the service of gender equality in law, business, or society, as expressed through his or her classroom performance, scholarly research, or other relevant activities:

Andrea Lynn Johnson ’12

Allan Morrow Sexuality and Gender Law Prize, awarded upon graduation from the Law School to one or more students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the furtherance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights:

Hillary Anne Schneller ’12 

Jane Marks Murphy Prize, awarded annually to the students who display exceptional interest and proficiency in clinical offerings, and who give promise of a professional career, applying the highest standards of the lawyer’s craft to service of the public interest:

Jennifer Kermeen Albrecht ’12
Tess Margaret Cohen ’12
Jessica Louise Hallett ’12
Carla Laroche ’12
Christopher Lacovara ’12
Shawn Kelly Watts ’12

Outstanding Student Award, presented by the Clinical Legal Education Association to a student nominated by the faculty of Columbia Law School for excellence in clinical fieldwork based on the high quality of representation provided clients and for outstanding participation in an accompanying clinical seminar as determined by exemplary thoughtfulness and self reflectiveness in exploring pertinent legal and lawyering issues:

Christina Louise Golden ’12

Edwin Parker Prize, awarded to students who excelled in the study of international or comparative law, as nominated by members of the faculty and selected by the Columbia Law School professor who is director of the Parker School of Foreign and Comparative Law:

Cheng (Michelle) Chen ’12
Rodd Michael Izadnia ’12
Janine Natoma Morna ’12
Elizabeth Anne Sheargold ’12 LL.M.

The Michael D. Remer Memorial Award, awarded annually and presented by the Kernochan Center to a graduating student whose activities and academic achievements demonstrate an interest in and aptitude for the fields of arts and copyright law:

 Kathryn Ann Feiereisel ’12

Samuel I. Rosenman Prize, awarded to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence in public law courses and outstanding qualities and leadership in the Law School, or activities related to the Law School in the University community:

Maren Rebecca Hulden ’12 

Emil Schlesinger Labor Prize, awarded annually to the student(s) most proficient in the study of labor law:

Amanda Elizabeth Bell ’12

Whitney North Seymour Medal, awarded annually to one or more students who, in the judgment of the instructors in trial advocacy, show the greatest promise of becoming distinguished trial advocates:

Matthew Henry Ladner ’12
Jaclyn Michele Neely ’12
Jeffrey Pan ’12

Valentin J.T. Wertheimer Prize, awarded annually to a Law School student whose work demonstrates the most creative, thoughtful approach to labor law, equal employment law, public or private sector collective bargaining, labor conflict resolution, or employment security: 

Christina Chu Ma ’12

 Jeffrey Williams Memorial Prize for Critical Rights Analysis, awarded annually to the student who writes the best paper in critical theory:

  Erica Ann Selig ’12