As part of a long-standing tradition, the U of A School of Law presented more than 20 graduate awards to the class of 2021 in a virtual ceremony on June 8. The recipients of Latin honors were also recognized.

Each award was created to honor members of the law school community who have excelled in a particular area of endeavor. The awards are endowed, or are funded by, benefactors with important ties to the School of Law.

Awards include the three students with the top scores in the class along with internal and external acknowledgments of academic excellence, pro bono hours provided while in law school and service to the school and community.

"We are incredibly proud of these students who have worked so hard and remained dedicated to educational excellence in an unprecedented and difficult year," said Margaret Sova McCabe, dean of the law school. "We are also grateful to our alumni and friends whose generous contributions made this celebration a possibility."

The 2021 AWARDS AND HONORS

The most prestigious awards of every year are those recognizing overall class rank. Hannah Smith received the outstanding academic achievement award for graduating first in class. Hannah Hines was second in class and received the high academic achievement award. Nick Bell received the academic achievement award for having the third-highest grade point average in the Class of 2021.

Bell was also the recipient of the Joe C. Barrett Commercial Law Award and the Erron and Libby Smith Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Law School Publications Award.

Additional 2021 graduate winners:

• Alexis Bibbs, American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence; Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Clinical Student
• Alexis "Lexi" Acello, Outstanding Contribution to the Law School Community Award; Pro Bono Gold Medallion Recipient
• Courtney Baltz, American Law Institute and Continuing Legal Education Scholarship and Leadership Award; Craig Sterne Memorial Award for Estate Planning and Taxation
• Kara Butler, Robert F. Fussell Pro Bono Award; Pro Bono Gold Medallion Recipient
• Julian Sharp, Bogle-Sharp Award; T.C. and Rosemary Carlson Memorial Award in Constitutional Law
• Jonathan Jenkins, The Legal Aid of Arkansas Pro Bono Student of the Year Award
• Marissa Fennell, Bard Rogan Natural Resources Award
• David Lee, James H. McKenzie Award for Professional Responsibility and Ethics
• Hayden Wyatt, W.J. Arnold Memorial Award for Most Promising Trial Lawyer
• Britannie Gragg, The Medico Legal Prize
• Dawson Floyd, M. Jeff Starling Award for Labor & Employment Law
• Laura Edmonson, Pro Bono Gold Medallion Recipient
• Mara Hayn, Pro Bono Gold Medallion Recipient
• Sarah Koch, Pro Bono Gold Medallion Recipient
• Anna Tanselli, Pro Bono Gold Medallion Recipient
• Rebekah Verhoek, Pro Bono Gold Medallion Recipient
• Alicia Canfield, Pro Bono Silver Medallion Recipient
• Derick Dillard, Pro Bono Silver Medallion Recipient
• Badria Mryyan, Pro Bono Silver Medallion Recipient
• Jordan Sharp, Pro Bono Silver Medallion Recipient
• Chafer Stanley, Pro Bono Silver Medallion Recipient

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.