Mercer School of Law announces 2021 graduate awards

MACON – Several graduates who were honored with awards recognizing their scholastic achievements and professional and personal leadership during their tenure at Mercer University School of Law were recognized during an awards ceremony on May 13.

The Brainerd Currie Honor Society recognizes third-year students who have distinguished themselves by maintaining superior scholastic records and making significant contributions in such areas as research and writing, law review, and moot court. Candidates for the Brainerd Currie Honor Society are:

The Order of Barristers is a national honorary organization devoted to encouraging oral advocacy and brief writing skills. Students who have excelled in appellate practice and moot court competition are annually inducted into the Mercer chapter of the Order of Barristers. The 2021 inductees are:

Elina V. Gutsaeva received the American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence. This award honors a student who demonstrates superior proficiency in the study of bankruptcy law.

Jameson M. Fisher received the American Law Institute CLE Scholarship and Leadership Award. This award recognizes a law student who best represents a combination of scholarship and leadership.   

Rachel G. Ness-Maddox received the John William Barnett Prize for Academic Excellence. This award honors a student who is ranked first in the class at the time of commencement.

Rachel G. Ness-Maddox received the Clover Award. This award honors a student who has excelled in indigent defense and social justice lawyering.

Betty Michelle LaFontaine received the Custer-Tuggle Award of Excellence in Family Law. This award honors a student who displays outstanding skills in domestic relations law.

Rachel G. Ness-Maddox received the Faculty Award to Outstanding Senior. This award honors a student who has displayed significant academic and leadership qualities.

Macelyne Alaine Williams received the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers Outstanding Law Student Award. This award honors a student who has demonstrated concern for helping others and has provided great service to the community while studying law.

Breyana Fleming-Dutch received the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Award. This award honors a student who has excelled in trial practice and procedure.

Patrick David Hitt received the James C. Estes Moot Court Award. This award is given to a member of the third-year class in recognition of outstanding performance in moot court competition.

Lauren Nicole James and Summer Ortiz received the James C. Rehberg Award. This award honors a student who best exemplifies the standards of professionalism and expertise in real estate law set by Rehberg, a former professor at Mercer Law School for whom the award is named.

Mercer-Oxford Human Rights Scholars are students who have a demonstrated expertise in, and commitment to, international law and human rights. The 2021 scholars are:

Robert Stephen Poydasheff III received the Mercer Law Distinguished Leader Award. This award honors a student who has demonstrated the traits and qualities expected of a good and effective leader.

Kimberly Megan Mimbs received the Mercer Law Distinguished Service Award. This award from the dean honors a student who demonstrates outstanding public service to the Law School and/or the community.

Sandra Davis received the Judge Richard Mills Prize for Outstanding Law Review Service. This award honors a graduating law student who is a current member of Mercer Law Review in recognition of outstanding contributions and service to the publication of the law review.

Lauren Nicole James received the Nadler Award. This award is given to the editor-in-chief of Mercer Law Review.

Paige MacKenzie Miller received the National Association of Women Lawyers Award. This award honors an outstanding woman law student who shows promise to contribute in the future to the advancement of women in society and who presents a personable and professional image.

The Order of Scribes is an honorary organization of the American Society of Legal Scholars that recognizes students who excelled in legal writing. The 2021 inductees are:

The Outstanding Solicitor Award is given to graduating seniors who have excelled in client counseling and negotiation competitions. The 2021 recipients are:

Alex Elizabeth Mooring received the Rusty Gunn Award. This award honors a student who quietly leads with strength, intelligence and good humor, and is held in the highest regard by fellow students and the faculty.

Dontez M. Mars received the Ruth T. West Award for Advocacy and Leadership. This award honors a student who is recognized at Mercer Law School for contribution to the programs at the Law School, advocacy and leadership.

Breyana Fleming-Dutch received the Judge Louis Sands Legal Eagle Prize. This award assist a third-year law student who has demonstrated financial need, has a demonstrated commitment to public service or community service, and has performed well academically to provide financial assistance with bar preparation. 

Wes Taylor received the State Bar of Georgia Environmental Law Award. This award honors a student for outstanding performance in environmental law.

Victoria Elise Bethel received the State Bar of Georgia Real Property Award. This award honors a student for outstanding performance in the area of real property law.

Alexus May Lee Holton received the State Bar of Georgia Tax Award. This award honors a student for outstanding performance in the area of tax law.

Rachel G. Ness-Maddox received the Walker P. Johnson Jr. Memorial Award. This award honors a student who has demonstrated excellence in litigation skills and a keen sense of professionalism and ethics.

Donna Ann Davis received the Workers Compensation Book Award. This award honors a student who demonstrates the best performance in workers’ compensation.