Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law began commencement weekend festivities last Thursday with two receptions honoring the JD and LL.M. classes of 2016.

On Thursday evening, students gathered with family and Fowler School of Law administrators, faculty and staff for the annual graduation banquet at the Turnip Rose Event Center in Costa Mesa. The banquet offers an opportunity to celebrate the students’ accomplishments with family and friends, and to socialize with faculty and staff members.

The evening included an awards ceremony honoring students’ academic performances during their three years at Fowler School of Law.

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Jade McKenzie accepts the Honor Scholar Award



The
Honor Scholar (Valedictorian) Award and the Carmelina Doti Excellence Award
are presented annually by the dean and faculty of the law school to the graduating senior who has achieved the highest grade point average in the graduating class. This year’s recipient was Jade McKenzie.

Kaitlin Peterson was the recipient of the
Distinguished Graduate Award
, presented annually to the graduating senior whose scholarship, ethics and service exemplify the highest ideals of the legal profession.

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Nelson Vu accepts the Deans Award



The
Dean’s Award
is presented annually by the dean to the graduating senior whose leadership and service to the school and its students represent a significant contribution to the development of the law school. The 2016 recipient was Nelson Vu.

The
Professionalism Award
is presented annually by the Fowler School of Law dean and faculty to the graduate who has represented the law school to the legal profession and community in a distinctively significant manner. The 2016 Professionalism Award recipient was Jessica Roundy.

April Cristal was the 2016
National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) Award
. The NAWL award is selected by the faculty and presented annually by NAWL to the graduating senior who contributes to the advancement of women in society; promotes issues and concerns of women in the legal profession; exhibits motivation, tenacity and enthusiasm; demonstrates academic achievement; and has earned the respect of the Fowler School of Law dean and faculty.

The
American Law Institute-Continuing Legal Education (ALI-CLE) Award
went to Jeremy Talcott. The ALI-CLE award is selected by the faculty and presented annually in recognition for being the graduate in the law school class who best represents a combination of scholarship and leadership, the qualities embodied by the ALI-CLE parent organization.

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National Order of Scribes Award recipients



The
National Order of Scribes Awards
are selected by the faculty and presented annually by the American Society of Legal Writers to the five graduates who have demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism and who are outstanding
legal writers. The 2016 award winners were:

  • George Anezinos

  • Tristan Espinosa

  • Daniel Ferguson

  • Lorin Herzfeldt

  • Jacob Shin

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Earlier in the day, LL.M. graduates met in Kennedy Hall for a private reception recognizing their accomplishments, prior to the official commencement ceremony on Friday. Graduating students Rahil Attawala, Chinweike Peter Ezike, Oghenetuvie Loveth Omasheye and Sonya Jifkins served as class speakers, thanking their families, Fowler School of Law faculty and fellow graduates for their support and help in reaching their goal.
Watch a webcast of the LL.M. reception ceremony.

See a slideshow of the 2016 JD banquet and LL.M. reception
.