Student Awards

Don W. Sears, Dean from 1968–1973, was strongly committed to ethics, legal education, and to the profession. He oversaw the expansion of the Fleming building’s administrative “tower” section and the Rothgerber Library addition, served on the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, and was committed to increasing diversity in both the faculty and student body―he hired the first female faculty member and first minority visiting faculty member. The faculty presents this award to a student in each class who has made the greatest contributions to the classroom learning experience.

2025

• 3L – Mariah Bowman
• 2L – M.R. Dickey
• 1L – Cate Costley

2024

• 3L – Michaela Calhoun
• 2L – David Churchwell
• 1L – Abby Souder

2023

• 3L – Marina Fleming
• 2L – Jemil Kassahun
• 1L – Zafar Ahsan

Edward C. King’s commitment to service was evidenced by his 23-year tenure as dean from 1940–1963. He modeled the ideals he preached, including a spirit of service to the university, the bench, the bar, and the community. He spearheaded the development and construction of the Fleming Law building, instituted the law school’s first scholarship programs in 1953, and sought to help those in need by connecting the faculty to the university and the wider community. The faculty presents this award to a student whose outstanding leadership & achievement exemplify Dean King’s ideals.

2025

• Mariah Bowman

2024

• Jemil Kassahun

2023

• Alyssa Ortiz

These awards are presented to students for outstanding commitment and excellence in clinical education.

2025

• Dane Fogdall
• Kayla Noble
• Jess Sneesby
• Clara Yardley

2024

• Charlotte Goodenow
• Jong Rak Koh

2023

• Marina Fleming

George Bermant was a United States Navy veteran and graduate of the University of Southern California and Yale Law School. At the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, he specialized in corporate and securities law and was a nationally recognized authority in the field. A fund was created to honor George’s career and provide encouragement to new generations of corporate lawyers. These awards are granted annually from the Bermant fund to the students who demonstrate the best academic performance in corporate and securities law.

2025

• Madeline Finlayson

2024

• John Henry Verhoff

2023

• Tyler Alberts

George Bermant was a United States Navy veteran and graduate of the University of Southern California and Yale Law School. At the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, he specialized in corporate and securities law and was a nationally recognized authority in the field. A fund was created to honor George’s career and provide encouragement to new generations of corporate lawyers. These awards are granted annually from the Bermant fund to the students who demonstrate the best academic performance in corporate and securities law.

2024

• Austin McCleery

2023

• Danilo Gjukovikj

This award, established in 2009, recognizes and acknowledges a student who has made an outstanding contribution to the Center’s work and whose association with the Center has been marked by a generous spirit.

2025

• Obie Johnson

2024

• Sierra Meggitt

2023

• Brendan Barbara

This award is granted annually by the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment to a third-year student whose contributions to the field of natural resources best reflect the ideals displayed by Gary Bryner during the course of his work.

2025

• Mariah Bowman

2024

• Riley Varner

2023

• Matthew von Werder

This award is in memory of David Sutcliffe, a law student at Colorado Law who, in his second year of law school, was one of eight people killed in 1993 when a gunman entered a San Francisco law firm and started shooting. David is remembered, by his classmates and others who knew him, as down to earth and everybody's friend. In David's memory, the Student Bar Association established this award as a means of recognizing outstanding student contributions to the school community.

2025

• Adora Bertero

2024

• Stephanie Reifenberg

2023

• Essence Duncan

Through this award, the school recognizes a 2L, 3L, and a LLM student who has contributed significantly to the improvement of the experience of other students by providing mentorship, advice, and support.

2025

• 3L – Jong Rak Koh
• 2L – Rhodes Evans
• LLM – Kylie Rollé​

2024

• 3L – Evan Mahon
• 2L – Nicole Bishay
• LLM – Rina Mehana

2023

• 3L – Nell Tooley
• 2L – Caitlin Dacus
• LLM – Jack Magee

The third-year class presents this award to the third-year student who contributed the most to the school community.

2025

• Adora Bertero

2024

• Caitlin Dacus

2023

• Larrisa Alire

This honor is awarded to a law student who has demonstrated dedication to educating others about legal issues affecting the Asian Pacific American community, service that promotes understanding of cultural traditions, and strong leadership ability. In accordance with University policy, this award is open to all CU Law students and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, political philosophy, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in accordance with state, federal, and Regent law.

2025

• Nicole Bishay

2024

• Leonard Nguyen

2023

• Kelsea Suarez

Established by the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association and the Latinx Law Student Association, this honor is awarded to a law student who has demonstrated dedication to educating others about legal issues affecting the Latinx community, service that promotes understanding of cultural traditions, and strong leadership ability. In accordance with University policy, this award is open to all CU Law students and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, political philosophy, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in accordance with state, federal, and Regent law.

2025

• Carmen Mangaña​

2024

• Ashley Stephens

2023

• Emiliano Salazar
• Larrisa Alire

This honor is awarded to a law student who has demonstrated dedication to educating others about legal issues affecting the Native American community, service that promotes understanding of cultural traditions, and strong leadership ability in federal Indian and Tribal Law. In accordance with University policy, this award is open to all CU Law students and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, political philosophy, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in accordance with state, federal, and Regent law.

2025

• Celene Olguin

2024

• T.J. Stokes

2023

• Siena Kalina

Established by the OUTLaw Student Group Organization, this award recognizes a graduating student that dedicated thoughtful and significant service to the LGBTQ community and strong leadership ability in issues that impact the LGBTQ community. In accordance with University policy, this award is open to all CU Law students and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, political philosophy, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in accordance with state, federal, and Regent law.

2025

• Adora Bertero

2024

• Caitlin Dacus

2023

• Mel Roeder

This honor is awarded to a graduating student who has shown dedication to legal issues related to racial justice and leadership ability in and fostering connection across cultural differences. In accordance with University policy, this award is open to all CU Law students and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, political philosophy, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in accordance with state, federal, and Regent law.

2025

• Hannah Ahders

2024

• Malia Eastman

2023

• Kelsea Suarez

This award is presented to a student that dedicated thoughtful and significant service to the Military and Veteran community or has demonstrated strong leadership ability in issues that impact the Military and Veteran community. In accordance with University policy, this award is open to all CU Law students and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, political philosophy, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in accordance with state, federal, and Regent law.

2025

• Brian G. Wagner

2024

• Jong Rak Koh

2023

• Zachary Cohen

This honor is awarded to a law student who has demonstrated dedication and strong leadership ability to educating others about legal issues affecting women. In accordance with University policy, this award is open to all CU Law students and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, political philosophy, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in accordance with state, federal, and Regent law.

2025

• Devin Schultze

2024

• Alison Noon McMahon

2023

• Nell Tooley

This award is given by the Sam Cary Bar Association in honor of Irving P. Andrews, a Denver trial attorney who, in his 40 years of practice, has exemplified the best of what lawyers are to their clients, their communities, and to the profession. The student receiving this award has shown the same service, intellect, and commitment. In accordance with University policy, this award is open to all CU Law students and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, political philosophy, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in accordance with state, federal, and Regent law.

2025

• Ursula Davy

2024

• Michaela Calhoun

2023

• Zachary Levi

Since 2004, the third-year class has presented this special award in appreciation of a new faculty member who has shown great service to students and to law school life, both inside and outside the classroom.

2025

• Professor Racehorse

2024

• Professor Matsumoto

2023

• Professor Amanda Parsons

This honor is awarded by the student body in appreciation of the outstanding and exceptional effort faculty members have made to enhance students’ educational experience, both inside and outside the classroom.

2025

• Professor Skinner-Thompson

2024

• Professor Benhalim

2023

• Professor Fred Bloom

Starting as the Humanist Award in 1979, the award was originally given to a faculty member, first presented to Dean Don Sears. It was reconceived 10 years later to the Humanitarian Award and honors the staff member who has done the most to make the school a more tolerable and humane place for students. The Class of 2002 renamed the award in honor of former registrar and six-time winner Barbara Leggate (retired, 2002), known for her compassionate concern for all students.

2025

• Alan Schieve

2024

• Teresa Coberly

2023

• Yesenia Delgado

2025

• McKale Walker

The C.A.R.E. Pledge is modeled after the successful Public Service Pledge, and requires individuals to complete 50 hours over their three years of law school on educational activities about social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

2025

• Natalie Mousa

2024

• Alison Noon McMahon

2025

• Abigail Kovar – 880.2 hours

2024

• Simon Furney – 992 hours

2023

• Jonathan Kopkin – 664 hours