Law Commons^™

Awards For Outstanding Achievement, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

The Law School's programs of study are available for students who want to concentrate on a particular area of the law. Students are not required to choose one of these programs, and none of them has an application process. The programs simply serve as guides to help students identify courses and experiential learning opportunities that align with their interests. Annually, outstanding achievement is awarded to the top student(s) in each program.

National Association Of Women Lawyers Award, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

For scholarship, motivation, and contribution to the advancement of women in society.

Saint Ivo Kermartin Mediation Award, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

First awarded in 2024, the St. Ivo Kermartin Mediation Award recognizes an outstanding student mediator who is selected by the Mediation Clinic faculty.

About St. Ivo Kermartin: Ivo Helory, a legal scholar from Kermartin, France, served as an ecclesiastical judge in the diocese of Rennes and Treguier, becoming known as an of the poor. From Catholic Online.

Edward J. Kelly Prize In Elder Law, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

The Elder Law Prize is intended to advance the study of elder law and to encourage and assist Notre Dame Law students who may have an interest in this field. This award is given annually to the NDLS student who has written the best essay, article, or legal brief on a topic relating to elder law. Due to a gift from the Retirement Research Foundation on behalf of Mr. Ed Kelly, the winner of the award will receive a monetary prize.

Blsa Staff Appreciation Award, Black Law Students Association, Ndls

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

The award is given to a Law School or community member for consistently contributing time and assistance to further BLSA’s goals and objectives.

Champions For Justice Award, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

The students recognized during the Champion for Justice reception have exemplified Father Theodore Hesburgh’s call to hunger for justice and “realize that competence in the law without compassion leads the lawyer to use the law for other purposes than the works of justice and blinds him to the sad plight of persons who suffer injustice for want of a lawyer champion.”

The following graduating law students have exhibited extraordinary commitment to public service during their time in law school. Through their participation in summer internships and/or law school clinics and externships, they have demonstrated a lasting commitment to serving others …

Thomas L. Shaffer Public Interest Fellowship, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

The Shaffer Fellowship, named in honor of former dean and professor Thomas L. Shaffer and funded by donor support, is awarded yearly to two members of Notre Dame Law School’s graduating class. The fellows’ salaries and benefits are covered while they work for two years at a nonprofit organization providing legal services to low-income or other underrepresented populations. The award was previously called the Notre Dame Law Fellowship.

Notre Dame Law School Distinguished Staff Award, Student Bar Association

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

Recognizes a member of the Law School staff that has exhibited excellence in leadership, dedication, and professionalism.

Sister Jean Lenz, O.S.F. Leadership Award, University Of Notre Dame, Division Of Student Affairs

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

One of the University of Notre Dame's Division of Student Affairs awards is the Sister Jean Lenz, O.S.F. Leadership Award. Annually it honors a post-baccalaureate student who has displayed leadership in promoting a more diverse, inclusive campus community for students.

Blsa Annual Awards, Black Law Students Association, Ndls

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

The award is given to a Law School or community member for consistently contributing time and assistance to further BLSA’s goals and objectives.

John Copeland Nagle Award For Student Writing Excellence In Environmental Law, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

John Copeland Nagle, a beloved Notre Dame Law School professor, died suddenly in 2019. His research integrated his lifelong faith in Jesus Christ with his passion for the environment. To honor his memory, his family has endowed the John Copeland Nagle Award for Student Writing in Environmental Law, a $5,000 prize presented each year to the Notre Dame law student author of the best paper written in the field of environmental law.

Diane A. Desierto Excellence In Ll.M. And J.S.D. Student Support Award, Black Law Students Association, Ndls

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

This award is named after Professor Dr. Diane A. Desierto, Faculty Director of the L.L.M. Program in International Human Rights Law. The award honors a faculty member who, like Professor Desierto, models intention and compassion in supporting and advocating for the Black Law Students Association's L.L.M. and J.S.D. students both inside and outside of the classroom.

Allison T. Dang Award Of Service, Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

Presented to a student who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, service, and support to the APALSA community and fellow AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) students. This award recognizes an individual who has selflessly worked to support the needs of others and embody a spirit of care and service.

Edward S. Kiel Alumnus Of The Year Award, Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

Presented to a Notre Dame Law AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) alumnus who has achieved a remarkable and exemplary legal journey, with accomplishments not confined to any particular field of law or practice area. The award is named for the Honorable Edward S. Kiel, the first AAPI graduate of Notre Dame Law School to be appointed to the federal bench, whose pioneering accomplishments serve as an inspiration to the legal community.

Max Gaston Legacy Of Leadership Award, Black Law Students Association, Ndls

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

This award honors the legacy of Max Gaston, acknowledging his exceptional leadership in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for the members of the Notre Dame Black Law Students Association. His commitment to mentorship, recruitment, and academic support has left a lasting impact on the community, empowering generations of Black law professionals to thrive.

Servicio Con Distinción Award, Hispanic Law Students Association

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

This award honors a third-year law student in the Notre Dame Hispanic Law Students Association whose efforts to support Hispanic students through leadership and dedication throughout their time on the Notre Dame campus have greatly improved the experience of and strengthened the community of Hispanic law students.

Kopko Family Law Fellowship, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

Established through the generosity of Frederick H. Kopko, Jr. ’80 J.D. in honor of his late wife Mary Beth, The Kopko Family Law Fellowship each year will support Notre Dame Law students who are committed to pursuing careers in public service and advancing social justice. The fellowship provides both financial assistance and opportunities for professional development. The Kopko Family Fellowship is merit-based and awarded to first-year J.D. candidates who are committed to a career in public service and social justice, including fields such as the judiciary and academia.

Salvi Mock Trial Fellow Award, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

Each year, third-year students with a demonstrated, ongoing commitment to Mock Trial will be considered for selection as Fellows. Selected students will receive a monetary award that can be used at their discretion and be recognized for their dedication to the program.

The gift will provide vital support for team site visits to observe trial attorneys in practice and for travel to competitions across the country. Through this investment, the Salvi family is strengthening Notre Dame Mock Trial’s national presence while advancing the Law School’s mission to prepare advocates who pursue justice with skill and integrity.

A. Harold Weber Writing Award, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

For Excellence in Legal Writing

Chosen by a faculty panel based on the student’s writing submission.

What will it profit you to know all the law and the prophets if you lack the power to make these clear to others? – Lloyd T. Stryker

Alvin Mckenna Alumnus Of The Year Award, Black Law Students Association, Ndls

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

Presented by BLSA to a graduate who distinguishes him/herself with the African American legal community and through support of BLSA programs & activities. The honoree also demonstrates a commitment to service through active involvement within the community.

Captain William O. Mclean Award, Student Bar Association

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

Notre Dame Law School Community Citizenship Award

Conrad Kellenberg Award, Student Bar Association

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

In honor of Professor Conrad Kellenberg’s fifty years of service to the Notre Dame Law School and the local community, this award is annually given to a graduating student chosen by the 3L class. The recipient has dedicated substantial time to improving the community through service. In keeping with the legacy Professor Kellenberg created, such service includes participation in the Notre Dame Legal Aid Clinic, volunteering at local community organizations, and to mentoring youth in the South Bend area.

Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Student Award, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

Chosen by the Clinical faculty for outstanding contributions to the Law School’s clinics through excellence in clinical work.

Edward F. Barrett Award For Trial Advocacy, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

The advocate champions the cause entrusted to him honorably and with the courage born of competence, to the end that justice shall prevail.

This award recognizes outstanding achievement in the art of trial advocacy. Chosen by the Trial Advocacy faculty and established in honor of Professor Edward F. Barrett.

Charles Crutchfield Professorial Excellence Award, Black Law Students Association, Ndls

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

Named in honor of the first African American member of the Notre Dame Law School Faculty, the Black Law Student Association presents the award to a current professor, who like Professor Crutchfield, demonstrates a commitment to diversity both in and outside of the classroom, as evidenced by scholarship and personal example.

Arthur A. May Award, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

Arthur May received his LL.B. from the Notre Dame Law School in 1947. For over 45 years, Mr. May served as a role model for young attorneys in the development of their trial advocacy skills.

Chosen by the Moot Court Trial Team faculty, this award is presented annually to a member of the Notre Dame Barristers Team (Moot Court Trial Team) who demonstrates a commitment to professional ethical standards and who exhibits excellence in trial advocacy.

Dean Konop Legal Aid Award, Notre Dame Law School

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

For outstanding participation as a member of the Notre Dame Law School Legal Aid and Defender Association established by his family in memory of Thomas F. Konop, Dean Notre Dame Law School 1923-1941

The Prohibition Of Force Is The First Principle Of International Humanitarian Law, Mary Ellen O'Connell

Journal Articles

This article tracks the decline of respect for the prohibition of force, IHL, and human rights law. At the same time, it will clarify the inter-relationship of the three bodies of international law relevant to armed conflict. The article also considers why presidents first began to “abandon peace.” The evidence indicates that a major reason involves the influence of realist political theory. Realism asserts that national security is attained by amassing and demonstrating superior military capability. A president who follows the theory will defy the law against the use of force. Following realism is also at odds with the empirical …

The Object Of Interpretation, Francisco J. Urbina

Journal Articles

This Article provides an account of the object of legal interpretation. It examines various potential objects: text, lawmaking choice, practice, and order. The Article argues for a pluralist conception of the object of interpretation, according to which all of these alternatives are possible objects. In making this argument, the Article puts forth an account of the nature of the object of interpretation. The object of legal interpretation is, in essence, what is treated as a source of law, a fact that is recognized as generating law. As such, which alternative is exactly the object of interpretation in a given context …

Two Questions For School-Choice Funding After Carson, Nicole Stelle Garnett, John A. Meiser

Journal Articles

In a series of recent cases, the Supreme Court of the United States has made clear that the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause prohibits religious discrimination in public benefit programs. That is, when the government creates a public benefit program, the Free Exercise Clause prohibits it from excluding private entities from participating because of their religious character or status or because they engage in religious conduct. This essay addresses two questions raised left unresolved by these cases and flags a third. The first question is, what is private? The religious nondiscrimination principle applies only when the government aids private conduct. …