Law School recognizes student, faculty excellence

Charleston School of Law

LAW SCHOOL RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE ON AWARDS DAY

Charleston School of Law 20th AnniversaryCharleston School of Law hosted Awards Day to celebrate faculty and student success during the 2024-25 academic year.

Professor Dylan Malagrino has been named Professor of the Year. The honor is given to the faculty member who “exudes superlative teaching ability, effectiveness inside the classroom, availability outside the classroom, and participation in student life.”

Phi Delta Phi also recognized Professor Malagrino as the recipient of the Alex Sanders Award, an honor given for faculty excellence.

Faculty Mentor of the Year was awarded to Professor William Janssen. The honor is presented to the faculty member who demonstrates the “highest level of quality in the mentoring of law students in and out of the classroom.”

Professor Lisa Smith-Butler was recognized as the 1L Professor of the Year, an award given to the faculty member who “instills a love of the law into first-year students and is passionate about shaping young legal minds.”

Dean Jon Marcantel swore in the new Student Bar Association:

  • President: Megan Goldthorpe
  • Vice President: Sofia Santoemma
  • Secretary: Norberto Ortiz Colon
  • Treasurer: Lauren Beau

Michelle Condon, Director of Externships, Public Service and Pro Bono, reported that 57 students completed more than 100 hours of community service. Community service is a core value at Charleston School of Law and was created to instill a commitment to service. Each graduate is required to participate a minimum of 50 hours of pro bono service in the community.

Charleston Law students recorded 17,754 hours of pro bono work during the 2024-25 academic year. Student Bar Association President Sarah Cooper was honored for recording the most Pro Bono hours (493.75), followed by Sydney Rose (486.5), Carlee Lambert (433.25), Rachel Rittleman (376.5) and Chloe Lyda (344).

Associate Dean Nick Sanders announced the 2024-25 student organization awards including:

  • Phi Delta Phi/Alex Sanders Award: Dylan Malagrino
  • Trial Advocacy Board, Best Advocate Award: Lauren Dunn
  • Moot Court Board, Legacy Award: Laura Graves
  • Professionalism Award: Jessica Hernandez

SBA Awards

Additional student awards and scholarships were announced during the ceremony including the following:

  • Michelle Robbins Award: Morgan R. Dickinson
  • Angela Nussbaum Award: Elizabeth A. Steedley
  • Kat Westbrook Rockstar Award: Jessica A. Hernandez
  • Grand Marshal: Bobby Greer
  • Faculty Marshal: Professor Nancy Zisk

CAMPUS NEWS

Briggs (’13) named new CCBA President
March 1, 2026
Former Charleston Law student wins Pro Bono of the Year award
February 28, 2026
Judge Richard Gergel and Unexampled Courage
February 25, 2026
Law & Society Symposium
Law, Autonomy, and the State
February 20, 2026

  • Alumni and Friends Reception: Greenville, South Carolina

    Soby's, Greenville, S.C. 207 South Main Street, Greenville, SC, United States

    Charleston School of Law representatives will be at Soby's in Greenville, South Carolina, on Thursday, March 5, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

  • Trident United Way: Making Choices

    Charleston School of Law Meeting Street, Charleston, SC, United States

    Trident United Way is offering a training program called Making Choices on Monday, March 16, at noon in 219.

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