American University Washington College of Law honored the exceptional achievements of its graduating students at the fourth annual Commencement Awards Ceremony held on the eve of commencement. The ceremony, led by Senior Associate Dean Lise Beske and Interim Dean Heather Hughes, celebrated students who have demonstrated academic excellence, professional responsibility, outstanding scholarship, and significant contributions to the law school community.

"Although we will celebrate tomorrow as an entire class, we wanted to take an additional opportunity to recognize particular graduates for their hard work, dedication, and achievement," said Dean Hughes. "Congratulations on these remarkable accomplishments."

Honoring Excellence Across Disciplines

Katharine Cuneo received the prestigious Mooers Trophy for excellence in trial advocacy.

Mark Rodriguez and David Stout received the Anthony Morella Professionalism Award for exemplifying the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in the Trial Advocacy Program.

Lucas Lapergue and Maria Vitoria Cirillo received accolades for their outstanding work in the International Legal Studies Program (LLM).
 

The Clinical Program Dean's Award for Professional Responsibility honored five students for excellence in clinical practice: Leena Alsayab, Lauren Bower, Aashni Kamra, Audrey Miller, and Sydney Mosier.

Ashira Chugh and Tara Rangat earned the Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA) Outstanding Clinic Team Award.

Nicole Hurst received the Professor Andrew E. Taslitz Award, presented to a graduating student who has been outstanding in criminal justice.


Tyanna Robinson received the Corrine Parver Health Law Award, presented to a student who has been outstanding in health law.

Kurt Bauer received the Clair A. Cripe Award, presented to a graduating student who has been outstanding in correction law.

Jordan Stevenson received the Pro Bono Excellence Award for contributing the most hours to pro bono service during their time at WCL, with an impressive 803 hours.

Celebrating Scholarly Impact

This year's scholarship awards recognized students for excellence in published work across WCL's journals and beyond.

• Connor Locke – Administrative Law Review, "First & Goal for Labor: How the Department of Labor Can Capitalize on a Recent Win for College Athletes"
• HaMin Jeong – Business Law Review, "Cloudy Oversight: How Administrative Conflict Over International Airline Alliances' Antitrust Immunity Harms Consumers of Commercial Air Transportation"
• Johanna Leffler – International Law Review, "Martinique's Octroi de Mer: Ancient Dock Dues Threaten the Integrity of the European Union's (EU) Internal Market and Contribute to the Cost of Living Crisis"
• Michelle Runco – Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law, "Postpartum Psychosis: Where the Insanity Defense Falls Short"
• Hannah Jacobs – Law Review (Lura E. Turley Prize), "Federal Compassionate Release Rules: Defining the Contours of Analyses Under the 'Other Reasons' Bucket"
• Katie DePalma – T. Morton McDonald Scholarship Award, "Fragmented Truth, Fragile Law: Institutional Truth-Telling and Rule of Law Recovery," published in The Global Studies Law Review at Washington University

Faculty-Voted Distinctions

The Outstanding Graduate Award (JD), presented to a graduating student with high academic merit and appreciable involvement with a student group, was awarded to Nicole Devereaux and Caitlen Moser.

The WCL Alumni Award, recognizing substantial contribution to student activities and the progress of the law school, was presented to Katharine Cuneo, Bailey Fisher, and Tabitha Pitzer.

The ceremony concluded with a reception in the Commons, where students, faculty, and families gathered to celebrate. Graduates were also invited to officially join the AUWCL Alumni Association as its fourth inducting class.

"This is a wonderful day in the life of American University Washington College of Law," said Dean Hughes. "We are so proud of you and excited to see all you will achieve as graduates."

View the full photo gallery here.