The Maurice A. Deane School of Law held its annual Graduates Celebration and Awards Ceremony on Monday, May 16, 2016. Administrators, faculty members, friends and families joined Hofstra Law graduates at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse at Hofstra University to honor their outstanding achievements as law school students.
Teacher of the Year Miriam R. Albert, professor of skills and faculty advisor for the J.D./M.B.A. Program, delivered remarks, telling the graduates, “You came in as nervous 1Ls and you leave us as capable new lawyers.” Student Bar Association President Justin Worth shared in his remarks, “All that I’ve done for this school, this school has done so much more for me.” And Class Speaker Declan McPherson concluded with an inspirational exhortation: “Remember that the road that led you here was built on faith, fear and family. And it’s that same road that will lead you past every challenge after today.”
The following select 2016 graduation awards were presented at the Graduates Celebration and Awards Ceremony:
Maurice A. Deane Award — Michael Senders
Outstanding Law Student Award — Michael Senders
Distinguished Service to the School Award — Peter Guinnane, Chibogu Nneka Nzekwu and Justin Worth
Third-Year Scholastic Achievement Award — Peter Guinnane, Brianne Richards and Michael Senders
Gina Maria Escarce Memorial Scholarship — John Konz, Royce Liu and Leron Solomon
The William Eric Goldberg Endowed Memorial Scholarship — Emmanuel Bello, Tyler Margolis and Amanda Ward
The Honorable David A. Paterson Graduation Award in Public Service — Declan McPherson, Laisa Pertet and Ivy Waisbord
Pro Bono Service Award of Excellence — Dana Dohn, Devin Millbower and Felicia Winder
Pro Bono Leadership Award — Thomas Manzi and Jamie Reeves
Hofstra Law Review Alumni Writing Award — Jeremy Schara
Marvin Gutter ’76 Graduate Award in Tax Law — Amanda Ward
Leon Stern Criminal Courts Bar Association of Nassau County Award — Laisa Pertet
Deborah Sloyer Memorial Scholarship in Trial Advocacy — Craig Marinaro and Jeremy Schara
Ruskin Moscou Faltischek Endowed Award for Outstanding Appellate Advocacy — Nicole Della Ragione
New York City Trial Lawyers Alliance Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy — Lauren Reilly, Kyle Schiedo and Helene Weiss
Judge Edward Hart Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Trial Advocacy — Carissa Danesi, Brianne Richards and Felicia Winder
Stephanie E. Kupferman Juvenile Justice Endowed Scholarship — Felicia Winder
Benjamin Weintraub and Alan N. Resnick Bankruptcy Law Award — Andrew Alfano and Caroline Gange
Herman Hillman Real Estate Award — Michael Senders and Thomas Wolinetz
