Celebrating 2021 award winners

Posted on: May 24, 2021; Updated on: May 24, 2021
By Rob Schaller, schallew@law.sc.edu

Each year the School of Law recognizes outstanding achievement and accomplishments by its students, faculty and staff by naming recipients of awards for scholarship, professional accomplishment and exemplary service. For the 2020-2021 academic year, we are proud to announce the recipients of the following named awards:

Brandon Carl Adams

G.G. Dowling Student Award

This award is presented to a student who exemplifies outstanding qualities of integrity, concern for others and demonstrated legal scholarship achievement.

D. Russell Barlow II

Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough Center on Professionalism Award

This award is presented annually by the Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough Center on Professionalism to the student who demonstrates the highest commitment to the standards of professionalism of the South Carolina Bar through representation of clients in a Law School clinical course.

Caroline Kaye Buchanan

Senator Burnet R. Maybank Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1984 by the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity to honor Senator and former Governor Burnet R. Maybank. It is awarded to a South Carolina resident who demonstrates commitment to public service, scholastic achievement and high moral character.

Kathryn Emily Cox

Irving Steinberg Memorial Scholarship

This award is presented to the student with the highest grade in Worker's Compensation.

Katherine Elizabeth Engels

I.M. Goldberg South Carolina Bar Foundation Award

This scholarship was created by the South Carolina Bar Foundation in honor of I. M. Goldberg, a prominent Charleston attorney who specialized in family law. It is awarded each year to a student who has demonstrated a commitment to family law.

Allison Mary Fuller

Albert C. Todd, III Estate Planning Award

This award is given to a third-year student in memory of Al Todd, a respected Columbia attorney and UofSC Law graduate, who was well known for his national reputation as an estate planning and ethics expert. Selected by the estate planning faculty, the recipient is a third-year student who exhibits an interest and ability in estate planning and who possesses the personal qualities Al Todd exemplified, such as academic aptitude, integrity, industry, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Arthur B. Custy Memorial Scholarship

This award was established in 1986 by his family to honor his memory. It is given to the best student in taxation class, as selected by the Dean of the Law School and the Tax Faculty.

Ariyana Nicole Gore

Compleat Lawyer Bronze Medal

The Compleat Lawyer Awards were established in 1992 by the University of South Carolina School of Law Alumni Council to recognize outstanding attorneys and exceptional graduating students for their accomplishments. The Bronze Award is presented at Commencement to three graduating law students who, through their performance in law school and their relationships with students and professors, have demonstrated their potential to be outstanding attorneys. Recipients possess the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism.

D. Reece Williams III Trial Advocacy Award

This award honors one of South Carolina’s most distinguished lawyers, who is known for his professional demeanor and exemplary skills in the courtroom. It is awarded to the winning team at the conclusion of the Law School’s Fall Mock Trial Competition.

Matthe McCauley Henderson

SBA Service Award

This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership and service to the law school through student bar activities.

Brett Aaron Lonadier

John O. MacDougall Family Law Award

Mr. MacDougall is a 1971 graduate of the School of Law, served as president of the South Carolina Bar, the South Carolina Bar Foundation, and the South Carolina Association for Justice, as well as in numerous leadership roles in community and professional organizations. The MacDougall Family Law Award recognizes the student with the highest grade in Family Law.

Suha Suhail Najjar

Claude N. Sapp Award Scholarship

This award is presented to the member of the graduating class chosen by his or her classmates as possessing the best combination of scholarship, leadership, and industry.

Zachary Brice Ohanesian

Hugh L. Willcox Pro Bono Award

This award was established in 1994 by the family of Hugh L. Wilcox in his memory. The award is given to a deserving student who demonstrates a dedication to public service as well as a commitment to the Law School and legal education. Selected by Pam Robinson and the Dean of the Law School.

Angelica Christina Padgett

Children's Law Concentration Distinguished Student Award

This award is given to an outstanding third-year law student in the University of South Carolina School of Law’s Children’s Law Concentration Program who has demonstrated outstanding scholarship, leadership, and service to Children’s Law.

Anna Catherine Parham

Robert T. Bockman Award

This award goes to a student who has advanced the goals of the University of South Carolina's Moot Court Bar and who exemplifies the attributes of a skilled appellate advocate.

Roberts Senior Class Writing Award

This award was established in 1995 by Edward C. Roberts, Law School Class of 1962, for outstanding writing by a graduating student. The recipient of this award receives an engraved silver cup and a monetary gift.

Michael Robert Parks

John R. Holland Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded by the School of Law to a third year student who has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to extracurricular activities with consideration also being give to academic performance.

Niki Dipak Patel

Compleat Lawyer Bronze Medal

Claudia Camby Rafi

SBA Committed Student Award

This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership and service to the Law School through student bar activities.

Ryan Tucker Romano

Arthur B. Custy Memorial Scholarship

This award was established in 1986 by his family to honor his memory. It is given to the best student in taxation class, as selected by the Dean of the Law School and the Tax Faculty.

Compleat Lawyer Bronze Medal

South Carolina Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel Award

In 2014, the South Carolina Chapter of the Association established an award to recognize a third-year law student with a demonstrated interest in business and corporate law, as evidenced by academic achievement in business courses, summer clerkship experience focusing in business law, and work experience before or during law school. The recipient is chosen by the law school business faculty.

Heidi Rose Sinsley

Outstanding Pro Bono Award

This award is presented to students who demonstrate a commitment to public service through Pro Bono activities.

Lucille Banks Smith

Tanya A. Gee Warriors for Justice Award

This award is presented to a UofSC Law student or students who successfully complete a juvenile justice clinic or another clinic in which students represent one or more criminal or juvenile defendants, or a student or students working in the office of a state or federal public defender.

Kristen Aurora Soucey

Outstanding Pro Bono Award

This award is presented to students who demonstrate a commitment to public service through Pro Bono activities.

Morgan Elizabeth Spires

Cy Young Award

This award is presented to the member of the third-year class with the highest cumulative GPA based on grades received by the end of the fall term.

Dean's Medallion

This medallion is presented each May to the graduate with the highest cumulative GPA, including their final semester.

Chance Taylor Sturup

American College of Trial Lawyers Award

The award was created by the American College of Trial Lawyers and is presented to the best student trial advocate.

D. Reece Williams III Trial Advocacy Award

Ca'Dedra Ali Sullivan

Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough Center on Professionalism Award

Tanya A. Gee Warriors for Justice Award

Zachary Aaron Turner

SBA Committed Student Award

This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership and service to the Law School through student bar activities.

Destinee Simone Wilson

D. Reece Williams III Trial Advocacy Award

G.G. Dowling Student Award

This award is presented to a student who exemplifies outstanding qualities of integrity, concern for others and demonstrated legal scholarship achievement.

Outstanding Pro Bono Award

This award is presented to students who demonstrate a commitment to public service through Pro Bono activities.

Nikesh Amin

Joseph O. Rogers Bicentennial Fellowship

This scholarship was established by the Rogers family in memory of Joseph O. Rogers, Jr., a 1951 graduate of the UofSC School of Law. The recipient is a rising third-year student who exemplifies the highest ideals of the legal profession as evidenced by adherence to strict ethical standards; diligent preparation; decent, civil, and courteous conduct, and fidelity and loyalty to fellow students and the legal profession.

Diana August

Capers Bouton Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1994 by William Bouton and friends to honor the memory of Capers Bouton. Rising 2nd and 3rd Year students who maintain a GPA of 2.75 and are employed while in law school are elligible for the Scholarship. Recipients are chosen by the Bouton family.

Andrew C. Brehmer

Sherod H. Eadon Scholarship Award

This scholarship was endowed by the family of Lynwood Hightower to honor Sherod Eadon, a 1979 UofSC Law graduate, a great South Carolina lawyer, and an outstanding man. It is presented each year to a student or students who exhibit an interest and ability in trial advocacy and who possesses those personal qualities representative of Sherod Eadon, such as academic excellence, integrity, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Darcy Compton

Susan McCrary Scholarship

This scholarship is given in memory of Susan McCrary, a member of the Class of 2000, who died in an automobile accident during her second year of law school. This award is presented to a rising third-year student who has actively participated in student volunteer organizations such as the Pro Bono program and the James Louis Petigru Public Interest Law Society.

Madison Cooper

Outstanding Pro Bono Award

This award is presented to students who demonstrate a commitment to public service through Pro Bono activities.

Michael Crump

Outstanding Pro Bono Award

This award is presented to students who demonstrate a commitment to public service through Pro Bono activities.

William DuBose

Barney O. Smith National Trial Competition

This award is given annually to the students who advance the furthest in the Barney O. Smith National Trial Competition.

Elizabeth French

Victor Michalewitz Award

This award is presented to the second year student who writes the best comment or note for the South Carolina Law Review.

Summer Giles

Barney O. Smith National Trial Competition Award

This award is given annually to the students who advance the furthest in the Barney O. Smith National Trial Competition.

Alex Glunt

Jackson Lewis Employment & Labor Law Endowed Award

This award is given by the University of South Carolina School of Law Scholarship Committee to deserving 2nd or 3rd year law students interested in pursuing careers in employmnet and labor law.

Robert W. Foster Sr. Alternative Dispute Resolution Award

This award was established to recognize a student who has demonstrated an interest in issues relating to alternative forms of dispute resolution, based on performance in a course, a skills competition, or in a paper on the topic.

Molly Sue Harmon

Robert McCormick Figg Jr. Trial Advocacy Award

This award is presented by the South Carolina Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers and is named in honor of the late Dean Figg, who was a distinguished member of the South Carolina trial bar, the dean of the law school during the 1960s, and a founder of the S.C. Chapter of the American College of Trial Lawyers. The award is given for excellence in trial advocacy skills and professional demeanor as demonstrated in the classroom or in trial competitions.

Megan Helton

Susan McCrary Volunteer of the Award

This award is selected by the members of Women in Law for dedicated service to the organization and its activities.

Matthew Looper

Barney O. Smith National Trial Competition Award

This award is given annually to the students who advance the furthest in the Barney O. Smith National Trial Competition.

Valentina Mejia

Outstanding Pro Bono Award

This award is presented to students who demonstrate a commitment to public service through Pro Bono activities.

Morgan Elizabeth Monroe

Luther M. Lee Scholarship

This scholarship was established in honor of Luther Lee, a legendary trial practitioner in Columbia and a pioneer of personal injury trial practice. It is awarded each year to a student whose primary interest is in a career as a trial lawyer. The recipient is chosen by members of the Lee family and Mr. Lee’s law firm.

Nicole Pares

Susan McCrary Scholarship

Sagar Patadia

A. Kim Technology Award

This award is presented to a third-year law student who has exhibited an interest in the field of technology, such as intellectual property, e-discovery or legal aspects of web and mobile technologies, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous vehicles, or robotics.

Tia Reed

D. Reece Williams III Trial Advocacy Award

Max Seferian

Outstanding Pro Bono Award

This award is presented to students who demonstrate a commitment to public service through Pro Bono activities.

Robert Tiro

Mark Blickle Scholarship Award

This award is given annually to the student who presents the best oral argument at the J. Woodrow Lewis Moot Court Competition. The award was created by friends and family in memory of Mark Blickle, a member of the Class of 1981.

Meghan Wicker

Coleman Karesh Scholarship

This scholarship goes to the member of the second-year class with the highest cumulative GPA.

Kaiya Andrews

Outstanding Pro Bono Award

This award is presented to students who demonstrate a commitment to public service through Pro Bono activities.

Elisabeth Bulzomi

Richard J. Foster Scholarship

This award is presented to the member or members of the first year class with the highest cumulative GPA.

Grace Driggers

Richard J. Foster Scholarship

This award is presented to the member or members of the first year class with the highest cumulative GPA.

Christel Purvis

Joe McNulty Memorial Scholarship

Joe McNulty started law school in August 2012, having already fought cancer for two years to fulfill his dream of attending law school. His determination to study law never wavered even as his health began to fail towards the end of his first semester. To honor Joe’s remarkable dedication to his calling, his excellence as a student, his kindness to his fellow students, and his unwavering vision of law as a public service, Joe’s family, friends, and classmates have established the Joe McNulty Memorial Scholarship. The School of Law recognizes a member of the law school student body who has demonstrated the same characteristics of caring, civility, and kindness that we remember in Joe.

Trutum Umsted

Karen M. Lee Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1982 by Karen Lee's classmates to honor her memory. This award is given to a rising 2nd year law student who is dedicated to academic pursuits with a genuine concern for the welfare of fellow classmates.

Madison Westerholt

Stanley H. Kohn Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a rising second- or third-year student who is a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and who demonstrates scholastic achievement and high moral character.

Derek Black

Outstanding Faculty Publication Award

Professor Black is presented with an Outstanding Faculty Publication Award for his book Schoolhouse Burning: Public Education and the Assault on American Democracy (Public Affairs).

Elizabeth Chambliss

G.G. Dowling Faculty Award

This award is given to a faculty member who typifies to his or her colleagues outstanding qualities of integrity, concern for others, and legal scholarship.

Thomas Crocker

Outstanding Faculty Publication Award

Professor Crocker is presented with an Outstanding Faculty Publication Award for his book Overcoming Necessity: Emergency, Constraint, and the Meanings of American Constitutionalism (Yale University Press).

Tessa Davis

Outstanding Faculty Service Award

This award is given to a faculty member who gives unselfishly of his or her time to serve on university and law school committees and to serve their community.

Josh Gupta-Kagan

Outstanding Faculty Publication Award

Professor Gupta-Kagan is presented with an Outstanding Faculty Publication Award for his article America’s Hidden Foster Care System, 72 Stan. L. Rev. 841 (2020).

Susan Kuo

Outstanding Faculty Member Award

This award is chosen by a panel of students from nominations by the entire student body and is based upon the faculty member's contribution to the overall excellence of the academic experience, not only through teaching, but also through availability to students outside of class for mentoring, advisement, and other appropriate assistance.

Seth Stoughton

Best Classroom Teacher Award

In 2008, an award was created to recognize the Law School’s Best Classroom Teacher. The winner of this award is chosen by a panel of students from nominations provided by the entire student body.

Outstanding Faculty Publication Award

Professor Stoughton is presented with an Outstanding Faculty Publication Award for his book Evaluating Police Uses of Force (NYU Press).

Randall Wilcox

Outstanding Staff Service Award

This award recognizes a staff person who exhibits a professional and conscientious attitude, works willingly as part of a team, and is dedicated to helping others.

Joseph F. Rice School of Law