ASU Law JD and MSLB Class of 2025 celebrate resilience and growth

The Spring 2025 graduation dinner and awards banquet on April 23 was more than a formal send-off. For JD and MSLB graduates from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, it was a heartfelt pause and moment to reflect on years of rigorous study, deep friendships and personal transformation. 

With the final exams and papers in the rearview mirror and convocation just days away, the evening offered a chance for students to take a breath, be celebrated among their peers and recognize just how far they’ve come.

For some, earning a JD from ASU Law will be their biggest accomplishment yet. For others, it's the first step in a long journey still unfolding. But one emotion echoed among the ceremony: it was “bittersweet.”

“What stands out to me and my colleagues about the Class of 2025 is that you have been exceptional in your many professional accomplishments, but also prioritized being kind and supportive of one another,” Willard H. Pedrick Dean, Regents and Foundation Professor of Law Stacy Leeds said in her remarks. “And after several years of re-engaging with the world socially, you are also the class that brought back fun and a sense of normalcy to the law school environment.”

Among those preparing to take their next steps is Kelsey Higgins, a concurrent JD and MSLB student who will be starting a position in civil litigation at a Phoenix law firm.

“Since I’m the first to graduate with a law degree from my family, it means a lot because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. “I’m fortunate to have the ability to do it.”

JD student speaker Brooke Norton took the stage to reflect on her law school journey that’s been marked by leadership and service, including roles in Jurimetrics, the Women Law Students’ Association and as an ambassador for the admissions team.

“Law school seemed to be a far-off dream,” she told the crowd of classmates.

That dream, for her, continues with a clerkship at the Arizona Supreme Court.

In a night full of applause and emotion, the banquet also honored faculty members who helped shape the Class of 2025. Don Gibson, professor of practice, received the MSLB Faculty of the Year award.

“Being rewarded for doing something you love to do is a tremendous honor,” he said. “Thank you for making me do my best work.”

Ann Ching, clinical professor of law, who was named JD Faculty of the Year, used the moment to encourage graduates to pursue justice and integrity in their legal careers.

Adjunct Mark House received recognition as JD Adjunct Faculty of the Year.

As the evening came to a close, the Class of 2025 stepped out quietly, honoring the last few years that shaped them and all the friendships that carried them through.

For more information on the Spring 2025 Convocation ceremonies, visit https://law.asu.edu/convocation. 

Juris Doctor Awards

Alan A. Matheson Service Award 

This award recognizes a student for outstanding service to ASU Law.

Princewill C. Ekwuribe

American Board Of Trial Advocates Bill Jones Trial Advocacy Award

This award recognizes the student who has demonstrated excellence in trial advocacy, professionalism and academic performance.

Amy Nicole Lundy

Benson Immigration Public Interest Award 

This award, established by alumna and New York Law School Professor Lenni B. Benson ’83, is presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated a commitment to practice or advocacy in U.S. immigration law.

Alejandro Urbina-Bernal

Carey Armstrong Prize for Achievement in Public Service

This award recognizes the student with the greatest contribution to public service and exemplifies “doing good while doing well” at ASU Law.

Ryan Andrew Larson

David Ali Chami Prize for Public Interest

This award recognizes the graduating student who not only dedicated countless pro bono hours to those in need, but also made a substantial impact on that population. This award also recognizes the student's contribution to strengthening ASU Law’s local and national reputation. 

Brooke Norton

International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award

This award recognizes the outstanding student(s) in trial advocacy and clinical work.

Sadie Grace Red Eagle & Hayley Lanae Worrell

Janet S. Mueller Oral Advocacy Award

This award recognizes the student who has excelled in oral advocacy and moot court competition.

McKenna I. Hunter

John J. Ross Award

This award recognizes the student who has excelled in business law, including business organizations, securities regulations, and commercial transactions.

Alex S. Occhionero

John S. Armstrong Award

This award is selected by the faculty on the basis of academic performance and contributions to ASU Law.

Rosemarie C. McCormack

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Award

Given by Jacqueline Norton (JD ’76) and the Honorable Barry Silverman ( JD ’76) in honor of Justice O’Connor. The award recognizes excellence in Constitutional Law studies.

Calre Kimiko Remy

Judge Mary M. Schroeder Federal Practice Award

This award recognizes the student who has demonstrated excellence in academic achievement and shown particular interest in a federal practice area.

Natalie Heun

Liburdi Family Public Policy Award

This award honors the student who has made substantial contributions to public policy issues

or who has accepted or is pursuing a job in public policy development.

Charles Miller
 

The Mary M. Schroeder Public Interest Prize

This prize recognizes the student who has committed to practice in public interest law upon admission to the Bar.

Levi Cade Bevis

National Association of Women Lawyers Outstanding Graduate Award

This award recognizes the student who has contributed to the advancement of women in society, promotes issues and concerns of women in the legal profession, exhibits motivation,

tenacity and enthusiasm, and demonstrates high academic achievement.

Victoria Oglesby

Nick M. Patel & Bob Dauber Excellence in Negotiation Award

This award recognizes the student who has demonstrated excellence in negotiation theory and practice.

Kenneth C. Bellows

Paul Holloway Trial Advocacy Award

This award honors the student who has earned a Trial Advocacy Certificate and whose advocacy skills are most reflective of the fulfillment of the program’s goals.

Darci Kim Botsch

The Strouse Prize

This prize recognizes the student whose academic strengths, contributions to the Center for Law, Science and Innovation, and personal qualities closely mirror those of beloved faculty member, Professor Dan Strouse.

Bennett Cooper Houck

Juris Doctor Dean’s Awards

This award recognizes students with outstanding character, contributions to ASU Law, and/or academic performance.

Alyannah Alette Buhman

Adam James Bixby

Noemi Bekteshi

Faith Nicole Ha-Kyeong Bittner

Jesse A. Cresap

Josefina Marie Diego Garcia

Kevin Andy Garcia

Alessandra Villa Gualtieri

Jasmine Held-Hernandez

Nicolette Catherine Hazelett

Emery R. Olarte

Olivia Lechnir Franklin

Denalis Frances Lukcinsky

Kaitlyn Michelle Vance

Lyth S. Shahin

Kiara Rose Sims

Randall J. Tallent

Victoria Ann Warkins

Isabella Santos

Beau Julian-Rascoll Ressa

Andrew Richard Ford

Order of the Barristers

The Order of Barristers is a national honorary organization whose purpose is the encouragement of oral advocacy and brief writing skills through effective law school appellate moot court and mock trial programs. The Order recognizes graduating law students who have excelled in moot court and mock trial activities while at ASU Law.

Adam Bixby

Darci Botsch

Jesse Cresap

Jeri Fromme

Josefina Garcia

McKenna Hunter

Rachel Kaplan

Charles Maxwell Lombardi

Amy Lundy

Brooke Norton

Tory Stoldorf

Bryan Toliver

Outstanding Master of Law Graduate Award (LLM)

Awarded to a student who demonstrates academic achievement and professional leadership and enhances the reputation of the law school beyond the legal community.

Amrita Parmeshwar Vyas

University Outstanding Graduate Award

This award is only given to one graduate degree student from each college. Award recipients have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, with special attention to extracurricular activities and service at the college.

Denali Frances Lukacinsky

Master of Sports Law and Business (MSLB) Awards

Rodney K. Smith Founders Award

This award recognizes the student who represents academic excellence as well as dedication and service to the Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business program, the ASU Law community and the sports industry.

Drew Schott

MSLB Dean’s Award

This award recognizes students with outstanding character, contributions to ASU Law and/or academic performance.

Alicia Szewc

Brandon Rudd

Emanuel Valencia

Gigi Gaspar

Justin De Haas

Matt Joanes

Danielle Gershen

Kyle Goodier 

Written by Crystal Jimenez