Awards and Honors

Special Recognition Awards

Chief Judge Edward D. Re Commencement Award

Established in honor and memory of Chief Judge Edward D. Re, an honor graduate of the class of 1943, who was Chief Judge Emeritus of the U.S. Court of International Trade and served as a professor at St. John’s University School of Law. Awarded to the students in the graduating class who are selected by the Dean based on outstanding scholarship and service.

• Nicholas Clausen
• Eqra Muhammad
• Regina Yoo

Daniel A. Furlong Award

Awarded to students in the graduating class who, in the opinion of the Dean, have rendered outstanding service and leadership to the Law School community.

• Levi Griesing  
• Aisha Sabar
• Kayla Zorn

National Association of Women Lawyers Award

Awarded to an outstanding law graduate of each American Bar Association approved law school who shows promise to contribute to the advancement of women in society.

• Arielle Sanders

Academic Excellence Awards

Joseph Kerzner Prize

Established through a generous endowment from Joseph Kerzner and awarded to the student in the graduating class who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average.

• Olivia Santora

Esterina Giuliani Award

Established by Esterina Giuliani ’06 and awarded to the student in the part-time division who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average.

• Shereeza Ahmad

Michele G. Falkow Excellence in Legal Writing Award

The Michele G. Falkow Excellence in Legal Writing Award was established in memory of Michele G. Falkow, a former School of Law Assistant Professor of Legal Writing, and is awarded each year to the first-year student who submits the best brief in the Legal Analysis, Writing and Research course.

• LeeAnna Diffley

American Bankruptcy Institute Medal for Excellence in Bankruptcy Studies

Awarded to the J.D. and LL.M. students in the graduating class who have demonstrated excellence in the study of Bankruptcy Law.

• Alyssa DiBenedetto (J.D.)
• Jonathan Carelli  (LL.M.)

Justice Harold Birns Award

Established by Renee Birns in memory of her husband, Justice Harold Birns, an honor graduate of the class of 1937, and awarded to the student in the graduating class who has published the best note in a student journal.

• Monserrat Perez  

Beatrice Levine Awards

Established by Beatrice Levine in memory of Abraham, Gussie, and Max Levine and awarded to students who achieve the highest grades in Property; Drafting: Real Estate Transactions; and Condominiums, Cooperatives & Homeowner Associations, respectively.

• Daniel McClure (Property)
• Michael Streit (Property)
• Jonah Yochai (Property)
• Aisha Sabar (Condos, Coops, and Homeowners Assoc.)

Cornelius W. Wickersham, Jr. Award

Established by the Federal Bar Council and awarded to the student in the graduating class who achieves the highest grade in Constitutional Law.

• Jonah Yochai

Dean Mary C. Daly Memorial Award

Established by alumni and friends in memory of Dean Mary C. Daly, former Dean and John V. Brennan Professor of Law and Ethics (2004– 2008) and awarded to the student in the graduating class who has achieved the highest grade in Professional Responsibility.

• Alicia Mayo
• Aisha Sabar
• Olivia Santora

International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award

Awarded to the student in the graduating class who achieves the highest grade in Evidence.

• Levi Griesing
• Ashley Romeo
• Jonah Yochai

Justice David T. Gibbons Award

Established by the Bar Association of Nassau County, New York and members of the Gibbons family in memory of the late Justice David T. Gibbons, a member of the class of 1949, and awarded to the student in the part-time division who has achieved the highest grade in Evidence.

• Michael Connery

Justice Louis Wallach Memorial Award

Established by friends and family of the late Justice Louis Wallach, a graduate of the class of 1946, and awarded to the student in the graduating class who achieves the highest grade in New York Practice.

• Kevin Duffy

Morton Wasserman Award

Established by Frances Wasserman in memory of her husband, Morton Wasserman, and awarded to the student in the graduating class who achieves the highest grade in Introduction to Intellectual Property.

• Ruishi Li 

Ned D. Frank Award

Established by Justice and Mrs. Harry B. Frank to perpetuate the memory of their son, Ned D. Frank, a member of the class of 1960, and awarded to the student in the graduating class who achieves the highest grade in Criminal Law.

• Levi Griesing
• Simon Lee
• Caitlin Maley
• Olivia Santora
• Jonah Yochai

Rita Giannone Memorial Award

Established by friends and family in memory of Rita Giannone, a member of the class of 1981, and awarded to the student in the part- time division of the graduating class who has achieved the highest grade in Constitutional Law.

• Shereeza Ahmad
• Faith Alicandro

Springer Legislative Award

Established by Adele I. Springer ’30 in honor of her brother, Jack Springer ’33 to encourage appreciation of the law-making process and the enactment of worthwhile legislation, and awarded to the student in the graduating class who achieves the highest grade in a legislation course.

• Emmanuel Gonzalez Martinez

Timothy J. Meehan Memorial Award

Established by the family and friends of the late Timothy J. Meehan, a member of the class of 1974, and awarded to the student in the graduating class who achieves the highest grade in Real Estate Transactions.

• John Stiglmeier

The Wann Family Foundation Award

Established by Robert Wann, Jr. ʼ07 and awarded to the students in the graduating class who achieve the highest grade in each of the following courses: Business Planning, Consumer Protection, Corporate Finance, and Securities Regulation.

• Barbara DiSclafani (Corporate Finance)
• Latif Pelinku (Securities Regulation)
   

Appellate and Trial Advocacy Excellence Awards

Center for Trial and Appellate Advocacy Award for Excellence in Mock Trial

Awarded to the graduating member of the Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute who best demonstrated talent in the art and science of trial advocacy through external competitions.

• Levi Greising

Center for Trial and Appellate Advocacy Award for Excellence in Moot Court

Awarded to the graduating member of the Moot Court Honor Society who best demonstrated talent in the art and science of appellate advocacy through external competitions.

• Eva Blashkevich

Academic Excellence in Trial Advocacy Awards

Awarded to the students in the Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute and the Moot Court Honor Society who received the highest grades in Trial Advocacy (PTAI) and Appellate Advocacy-Moot Court, respectively. 

• Seth Woodhall (Appellate Advocacy – Moot Court)
• Stephanie Besen (Trial Advocacy)

Justice Albert H. Bosch Award

Established by Justice Albert H. Bosch, a graduate of the class of 1933, and awarded to the students in the graduating class who have demonstrated excellence in the area of appellate advocacy and trial advocacy.

• Joseph Parone (Appellate Advocacy)
• Sarah Wilkinson (Trial Advocacy)

New York City Trial Lawyers Alliance Trial Advocacy Award

Awarded to the student in the graduating class who has shown excellence in civil trial advocacy.

• Jared Rios 

Tyler Ramaker Memorial Award

Established by the family and friends of the late Tyler Ramaker, a member of the Moot Court Honor Society, and awarded to the graduating Moot Court student who demonstrates outstanding service, leadership through action, dedication, and cooperative teamwork.

• Eva Blashkevich

Public Interest Awards

Dianne Marie Arrue Memorial Award

Established by the classmates of the late Dianne Marie Arrue, a student committed to public interest work and service, and awarded to a graduate who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to public interest work.

• Janet Wong 

School of Law Alumni Association Pro Bono Award

Established by the School of Law Alumni Association and awarded to the student in the graduating class who contributed the highest number of pro bono hours.

• Priscila Ruiz

Pro Bono Service Award

Awarded to the students who, in furtherance of the goal that members of the legal profession and those aspiring to enter the legal profession have a special professional responsibility to assist in providing quality legal services to those who cannot afford them, successfully completed at least 500 hours of pro bono work prior to graduation.

• Dyg Abang Ishak
• Shereeza Ahmad
• Melanie Albicocco
• Amanda Alongi
• Nkiru Anyaegbunam
• Marleny Argueta
• Mosammet Asma
• Nicholos Bangaree
• Isabella Bernato
• Stephanie Besen
• David Betesh
• Peja Breuler
• Zach Brochu
• Sam Chen
• Naisha Chowdhury
• Ted Chritton
• Peter Clancy
• Chancelor Claypool
• Emily Cullen
• Sam D’Alba
• Katerina Denora
• Matthew DeStefano
• Kaitlyn DeYulio
• Isaiah Dickerson
• Melanie Dolgonos
• Yenta Dostova
• Tyge Duffy
• Nicolas Espinosa
• Stephanie Estrine
• Michael Galletti
• Bella Garabedian
• Lincoln Gee
• Rebecca Goldstein
• Alexa Graham
• Gianna Grillo
• Christina Grochowski
• Michael Hamberger
• Alexandra Harris
• Arielle Hassan
• Jack Hersko
• Oksana Holovka
• Ethan Hourizadeh
• Maria Kaganis
• Carolann Kenny Lawrence
• Ori Kopilev
• Colton Lake
• Celine Lawrence
• Christian Lee
• Yan Lee
• Byron Lo
• Palak Maniani
• Elior Matayev
• Alicia Mayo
• Peter McGuirk
• Brendan McLaughlin
• Carmella Mae Mendoza
• Thomas Menechella
• Kalina Mesrobian
• Simran Mohan
• Adam Mokbel
• Elijah Motoyama
• Batool Mulla
• Adam Munnell
• Jenna Muro
• Aniqah Nashiat
• Elizabeth Nealon
• Kevin Parente
• Joseph Parone
• Latif Pelinku
• Shmuel Perman
• Anna Pierratos
• Daniela Ras
• Julia Remick
• Victoria Rey
• Alexandra Reynolds
• Jared Rios
• Juliana Risi
• Kimberly Robinson
• Francheska Rodriguez
• Ashley Romeo
• Priscila Ruiz
• Aisha Sabar
• Elizabeth Sack
• Arielle Sanders
• Gul Sanga
• Yehuda Sarao
• Jake Smith
• Ryan Stempel
• John Stiglmeier
• Hannah Stubbs
• Caitlin Stylianou
• Caitlin Sullivan
• Adancia Suzan
• Alice Tepler
• Zayda Torres
• Nick Treibman
• Zahra Uzohue
• Jamie Vang
• Elizabeth Wallach
• Sarah Wilkinson
• Janet Wong
• Seth Woodhall
• Regina Yoo
• Kayla Zorn

Excellence in Experiential Education Awards

St. Vincent de Paul Clinic Awards

Awarded to the students who made the most outstanding overall contribution to each of the following clinics: Bankruptcy Advocacy Clinic; Child Advocacy Clinic; Consumer Justice for the Elderly: Litigation Clinic; Criminal Defense & Advocacy Clinic; Domestic Violence Litigation Clinic; Economic Justice Clinic; Prosecution Clinic; Refugee and Immigrant Rights Litigation Clinic; Securities Arbitration Clinic; and Tenants' Rights Advocacy Clinic.

• Anna Pierratos (Bankruptcy Advocacy Clinic)
• Arielle Sanders (Child Advocacy Clinic)
• Nkiru Anyaegbunam (Consumer Justice for the Elderly: Litigation Clinic)
• Sophia Francisco (Criminal Defense and Advocacy Clinic)
• Rebecca Goldstein (Criminal Defense and Advocacy Clinic)
• Alexis Brooker (Domestic Violence Litigation Clinic)
• Caitlin Maley (Economic Justice Clinic)
• Thomas Menechella (Prosecution Clinic)
• Priscila Ruiz (Refugee and Immigrant Rights Litigation Clinic)
• Ashley Romeo (Securities Arbitration Clinic)
• Melanie Albicocco (Tenants’ Rights Advocacy Clinic)

LL.M. Achievement Awards

Outstanding Academic Achievement Award - LL.M. Programs

Awarded to the students in the graduating class who achieve the highest grade point average in each of the Master’s Degree programs.

• Nicolo Zamboni (Bankruptcy)
• Tanjim Haque (Real Estate)
• Tiphaine Marlange (Transnational Legal Practice)
• Morena Talia (U.S. Legal Studies)

Applied Legal Skills Award

Awarded to the LL.M. student who has demonstrated excellence in applied legal skills.

• Anna Dimova
• Elif Ekiz 

Excellence in Legal Writing Award

Awarded to the student who has demonstrated superior academic performance in two sections of Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing.

• Elif Ekiz

Excellence in Transnational Legal Practice

Awarded to the LL.M. student in Transnational Legal Practice who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement over two semesters in required Transnational Legal Practice courses.

• Kinga Pieszczoch

Global Leadership Award

Awarded to LL.M. students from either the USLS or TLP Program who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and citizenship within the St. John’s Law Community.

• Kinga Pieszczoch (Transnational Legal Practice)
• Gloria Genao Diaz (U.S. Legal Studies) 

Latin Honors - J.D.

Summa Cum Laude

• LeeAnna Diffley
• Olivia Santora
• Jonah Yochai

Magna Cum Laude

• Carl DAlba
• Levi Griesing
• Christina Grochowski
• Jennifer Gubitz
• Caitlin Maley
• Alicia Mayo
• Aisha Sabar
• John Stiglmeier
• Michael Streit
• Alice Tepler
• Jamie Vang

Cum Laude

• Chris Battaglia
• Isabella Bernato
• Stephanie Besen
• Sharon Bustamante-Marcillo
• Patrick Casey
• Nicholas Clausen
• Eleanor Conlon
• Emily Cullen
• Daniel Denaroso
• Joseph DeRicco
• Kevin Duffy
• Nicolas Espinosa
• Bella Garabedian
• Asma Halimi
• Zachary Hanft
• Oksana Holovka
• Nadia Iqbal
• Harris Joslin
• Simon Lee
• Ruishi Li
• Rati Lolashvili
• Palak Maniani
• Daniel McClure
• Thomas Menechella
• Aniqah Nashiat
• Richard Ortiz
• Latif Pelinku
• Julia Remick
• Victoria Rey
• Jared Rios
• Ashley Romeo
• Megan Russelman
• Steven Shvarts
• Dina Travis
• Nicholas Treibman
• Sarah Wilkinson
• Allison Wlazlo
• Janet Wong
• Seth Woodhall
• Kayla Zorn

Dean’s List - J.D.

• Nkiru Anyaegbunam
• Chris Battaglia
• Isabella Bernato
• Stephanie Besen
• Sharon Bustamante-Marcillo
• Samantha Caraballo
• Patrick Casey
• Nicholas Clausen
• Eleanor Conlon
• Emily Cullen
• Carl DAlba
• Daniel Denaroso
• Joseph DeRicco
• LeeAnna Diffley
• Melanie Dolgonos
• Kevin Duffy
• Nicolas Espinosa
• Michael Galletti
• Bella Garabedian
• Alexa Graham
• Levi Griesing
• Christina Grochowski
• Jennifer Gubitz
• Asma Halimi
• Zachary Hanft
• Oksana Holovka
• Nadia Iqbal
• Harris Joslin
• Simon Lee
• Ruishi Li
• Rati Lolashvili
• Caitlin Maley
• Palak Maniani
• Alicia Mayo
• Daniel McClure
• Thomas Menechella
• Kalina Mesrobian
• Batool Mulla
• Jenna Muro
• Aniqah Nashiat
• Patrick Nolan
• Richard Ortiz
• Joseph Parone
• Nicolas Pastor Vasquez
• Latif Pelinku
• Julia Remick
• Victoria Rey
• Jared Rios
• Ashley Romeo
• Megan Russelman
• Aisha Sabar
• Olivia Santora
• Steven Shvarts
• John Stiglmeier
• Michael Streit
• Alice Tepler
• Dina Travis
• Nicholas Treibman
• Jamie Vang
• Elizabeth Wallach
• Sarah Wilkinson
• Allison Wlazlo
• Janet Wong
• Seth Woodhall
• Elshaday Yeshitila Yilma
• Jonah Yochai
• Kayla Zorn

Latin Honors - LL.M.

Summa Cum Laude

Bankruptcy:

• Nicolo Zamboni

Transnational Legal Practice:

• YiXuan Huang
• Tiphaine Marlange
• Nino Touya

U.S. Legal Studies:

• Anna Dimova
• Elif Ekiz
• Christopher Gaton
• Morena Talia

Magna Cum Laude

Bankruptcy:

• Rashid Alomary

Real Estate:

• Tanjim Haque

Transnational Legal Practice:

• Kinga Pieszczoch

U.S. Legal Studies:

• Evgheni Dimoglo
• Md Hossain
• Junior Nunez Fernandez
• Janelle Pierre
• Gregory Takessian
• Jianglin Wang

Cum Laude

Bankruptcy:

• Justin St. Amour

U.S. Legal Studies:

• Gloria Genao Diaz
• Rongliang Liu
• David Parra

Dean’s List – LL.M.

Bankruptcy:

• Nicolo Zamboni

Real Estate:

• Tanjim Haque

Transnational Legal Practice:

• YiXuan Huang
• Tiphaine Marlange
• Nino Touya

U.S. Legal Studies:

• Evgheni Dimoglo
• Anna Dimova
• Elif Ekiz
• Christopher Gaton
• Gloria Genao Diaz
• Md Hossain
• Junior Nunez Fernandez
• Janelle Pierre
• Gregory Takessian
• Morena Talia
• Jianglin Wang