Class Day Awards

This annual award is given to a student at each law school who has demonstrated excellence in a clinical course.

The criteria for the award are:

1.      excellence in the field work component of the clinical course determined by the quality of the student's performance in assisting or representing individual clients or in undertaking group advocacy or policy reform projects;

2.      excellence in the seminar component of the clinical course determined by the quality of the student's thoughtfulness and self  reflection in exploring the legal, ethical, strategic and other pertinent issues raised by the particular clinic; and

3.      the nature and extent of the student's contribution to the clinical community at that school, if relevant.

The full-time clinical faculty at each law school that has faculty who are members of CLEA will choose the nominee at their law school who should receive the award.

Established in loving memory of Herman J. Finn, School of Law-Camden Class of 1930, by his daughter, Jessica Finn Waxman, this award will be presented to the graduating student who demonstrates superior academic achievement in Professional Responsibility or related classes, and demonstrates the greatest commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards of the legal profession.

This award, an honorary scroll, is presented annually to a graduating student of each participating law school. The criteria for the recipient is a student who demonstrates an overall ability in trial advocacy by high achievement in trial practice, evidence, and pleading and procedure courses.

This award is given to a law student at each of the Philadelphia-area law schools to a student who has shown outstanding abilities in the area of trial advocacy.

This award is presented to a graduating student or students who excelled in a clinical course by demonstrating excellence in classroom work and providing outstanding client representation during the course. Reed Smith is proud to support the efforts of students who provide meaningful assistance to clients with nowhere else to turn, which is consistent with the law firm's commitment to the pro bono ethic.

This award is dedicated by family and friends to the memory of a well-loved member of the Class of 1989 who served as Assistant Burlington County Prosecutor until his untimely death in April of 1991. The award goes to a graduating student or students with good academic standing and demonstrated interest in and commitment to the support of justice through prosecution or service as a judicial clerk.

This award is presented to a student who has demonstrated the highest caliber of advocacy on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered (LGBT) community. Advocacy can be in the form of oral or written lawyering pursuant to pro bono, clinical or externship work, volunteering, lobbying, leadership, scholarship that advances LGBT civil rights or any other criteria that generally shows a commitment to lawyering on behalf of the LGBT community. This award is funded by Professor Jason Cohen.