Students, Staff & Faculty Honored at Annual Awards Event

Story and Photos by Bronte Lawson Silverstein

Students, staff, and faculty gathered in beautiful 75-degree weather outside of the USC Gould School of Law for the Annual Awards Ceremony, to honor distinguished members of the USC Law community.

Award winners pose with friends and family

Dean Robert K. Rasmussen presented the William A. Rutter Distinguished Teaching Award, but under different circumstances from those of past awards ceremonies.

William Rutter ’55, who established the Rutter Award not only at USC Law but also at the law schools of UC Berkeley, UCLA and UC Davis, died on Feb. 2.

With fellow alumnus Sydney Irmas ’55, Rutter published the popular series of Gilbert’s study guides. He also established the Bay Area Review, which today is part of BARBRI. However he is best remembered for his company, The Rutter Group, which publishes the California Practice Guides that attorneys have consulted and relied upon for decades.

“It is the most prominent and most meaningful teaching award that exists in the country,” Rasmussen said. “Bill Rutter has educated more law students and lawyers than anyone in his generation. He was the preeminent legal educator of his time.”

Paul Rutter remembers his father's USC Law legacy

Rutter’s son Paul, a graduate of UCLA Law, said he has been involved with the Rutter award’s selection process for over 30 years but had never attended the award ceremony.

“This has always been a very special occasion for my father, and today, it is a bittersweet occasion for me,” he said. “I wish my father could be here. He was in love with the USC law school. My dad’s greatest legacy, and what he was most proud of, was the Rutter Award.”

This year’s recipient was Prof. Stephen Rich, who teaches employment discrimination law, constitutional law, constitutional theory, law and psychology, and civil procedure at USC Law.

Nominations noted that his classes are especially engaging and informative, and he was recognized as being a mentor for many of his students.  

“Many students stressed the great and successful lengths to which he went to motivate them and push themselves to excel, not only in his class but generally in law school,” Rasmussen said.

Prof. Rich expressed gratitude for having been chosen as the recipient and was met with resounding applause from fellow faculty members and students.

“Since I see students in their very first semester of their first year, it’s my ambition that at the end of that year, whatever misgivings, fears or doubts that they might have about themselves coming into law school are gone by the time they leave,” Rich said.

Dean Rasmussen presents the Rutter Award to Prof. Rich

Rasmussen also presented the Edward and Eleanor Shattuck Awards, the Miller Johnson Equal Justice Prize and the Mason C. Brown Award to graduating law students.

The Shattuck Awards are given to students who have demonstrated the greatest potential for becoming outstanding members of the bar and whose actions have improved the general quality of life for fellow law students.

Recipient Najeh Baharun ’12, a member of the Student Bar Association (SBA), was credited with his “constant positivity” and “relentless motivation” for helping his fellow law students.

SBA President Natasha Chua Tan ’12, was praised for her “unparalleled commitment to bettering both the academic and social lives of her fellow law students.”

Fellow classmates said Michael Pemstein ’12, the SBA’s academic affairs representative, has worked with the administration to “ensure the continued fairness of academic policy.” He has also served as “a knowledgeable and helpful teacher’s assistant.”

Andrew Quinio ’12 was honored for his “dedication to challenging his fellow students” and “consistently fostering intellectual debate among those with differing political views.” 

Najeh Baharun '12 accepts his Shattuck Award

Maya Sukumar ’12, the 3L class president, was recognized for her dedication to student run programs and her organization of this year’s highly successful peer career fair. She also logged more than 300 hours of volunteer work.

Recipient Annette Wong ’12 was credited as the primary force behind the creation of the Critical Legal Studies Association, where students can examine issues of diversity, race, gender and the law.

The Miller-Johnson Award is given annually to the student who shows the greatest commitment to civil and social justice.

Recipient Jane Tanimura ’12 was recognized for work she has done on behalf of criminal defendants. She has interned with the Office of the Federal Public Defender for California’s Central District and volunteered with the UCLA Re-entry Legal Clinic.

The Mason C. Brown Award recognizes a student who demonstrates a commitment to public interest endeavors and a particular talent for trial work.

This year’s recipient, Ryan Wolfe ’12, approached the podium while holding his newborn baby, to much audience applause.

“Over the last three years, no student has demonstrated a more consistent and tireless dedication to public service,” Rasmussen said.

Ryan Wolfe '12 accepts his award carrying his newborn son

Wolfe has worked for the L.A. County Public Defender’s Office for the past three years, advocating in court for his clients. An active member of PILF, he was the only 2L to volunteer over 100 hours of service. He also earned the highest grade in his trial advocacy class.

Chua Tan announced the association’s faculty and staff award recipients, who left the ceremony with gift baskets full of USC Law merchandise and apparel.

“These awards represent the only student-led recognition at this school,” Chua Tan said. “This is our opportunity to say thank you to our favorite full-time professor, adjunct professor and staff member.”

The SBA received a record 45 nominations, from which they narrowed the list to three final candidates per category.

“For the first time ever, we put power to the people and had a vote and listened to the hundreds of votes that were cast,” Chua Tan announced.  

Outstanding Staff Member of the Year Award went to the “heart and soul” of the Law School Café, Eliza Jones

“Her smile has brightened the law school, particularly the basement, for over seven years,” Chua Tan said.
Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award went to Prof. Reynolds Cafferata, who could not attend the ceremony because he is currently preparing for a hearing at the California Supreme Court.
Students were inspired by “his ability to transform relatively dry subject matter into mysterious and intriguing material. “
Professor of the Year was awarded to Prof. Scott Altman, Vice Dean and Virginia S. and Fred H. Bice Professor of Law.

Some of the first-year students in attendance remarked that the annual awards ceremony inspired them to continue contributing to public service and the betterment of the law school.  

“It was a lovely ceremony,” said Stephanie Krol ’14. “We pushed hard for Professor Altman and so it was inspiring to see that our votes really mattered.”

“It’s inspiring to see how dedicated these students are to helping the school,” said Robert Tian ’14. “The law school has such an amazing sense of community.”