Law School recognizes student, faculty excellence

Charleston 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

• 1L Professor of the Year: Professor Lisa Smith-Butler
• Professor of the Year: Dylan Malagrino
• Pro Bono Populi: Ebone Ivory
• Faculty Mentor: Professor William Janssen
• SBA Senator of the Year: Jazmyne Gleaton
• Adjunct Professor of the Year: Professor Trey Jameson
• Civility Award: Samuel Lipman
• KJ Williams Award: Daniel Sterbens
• Andy Abrams Excellence Award: Professor William Janssen

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