News Releases

Mitchell Addresses Maine Law School Graduates

May 26, 2007

For more information, contact Bob Caswell of USM Public Affairs at caswell@usm.maine.edu, 780-4200 (o), 939-2377 (cell), 839-2026 (h).

Citing one of the nation's founding principles of equal justice under the law, former Senator George J. Mitchell told graduates of the University of Maine School of Law, "You must never forget that the United States was a great nation long before it was a great economic and military power."

Mitchell was the keynote speaker at ceremonies held Saturday, May 26, in Merrill Auditorium, Portland.  "What you do in the practice of law," he told the 85 graduates, "will be important." He also urged graduates to find fulfillment and self-respect through service to others

Student speaker Patrick D. Thornton of South Portland, who earned his undergraduate degree at USM in 2004, asked his classmates to put their traits of collegiality, a strong work ethic and pragmatism to good use in their personal and professional lives. "I'm proud of what we have done, " he said, "and what we will do."

Former Scarborough resident Ira J. Waldman, a 1976 graduate of the School of Law, received the L. Kinvin Wroth Award. Waldman, a partner in the Los Angeles firm of Cox, Castle & Nicholson, is a former in-house counsel at UNUM. He remains active in alumni activities at Bates College, where he earned an undergraduate degree in 1973, and serves on the School of Law Foundation Board.

The University of Maine School of Law is an administrative unit of the University of Southern Maine.

The following awards were presented at the ceremony.

The Faculty Scholastic Achievement Award - is given to the member of the senior class who achieves, over three years of law study, the highest academic average.  Recipient:  Heather Sanbon, Portland, Me.

The Faculty Significant Achievement Awards - are presented to graduates whose academic performance and overall contribution to the school have been outstanding. Recipients:  Ryan Dumais, Winthrop, Me.; Judith Lewis, Old Orchard Beach, Me.; Kenleigh Nicoletta, Fryeburg, Me.; Sara Stewart, North Yarmouth, Me.

The Gignoux Award for Appellate Advocacy - is presented to the graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in advocacy skills through clinical practice, moot court, or other curricular or extra curricular programs.  Recipient: Lindsay Hocking, Tenants Harbor, Me.

 The Faculty Award for Trial Advocacy - is given for outstanding performance in advocacy courses. Recipient: Brianne Martin, Georgetown, Me.

The Edward S. Godfrey Leadership Award -  is given to the student who has made the most significant contribution to a student-edited law journal during his/her years at the law school. Recipients: Heather Sanborn, Portland, Me.; Benjamin Jenkins, Prospect, Me.

Faculty Award for Community Service - is given to the student who has done significant work in bringing together the Law School community and the community at large.  Recipient: Rebecca Hershey, Portland, Me.

Wernick Prize for Legal Writing - is given to the student who has submitted the best piece of legal scholarship during the year.  Recipient: Caroline Wilshusen, Gorham, Me. "Re-imagining a Balanced and Just Juvenile Justice System: The Practice of Waiver in Light of Roper v. Simmons."

 Independent Writing Project is awarded for the best Independent Writing Project.   Recipient: Caroline Wilshusen, Gorham, Me. "Re-imagining a Balanced and Just Juvenile Justice System: The Practice of Waiver in Light of Roper v. Simmons."

 ALI/ABA Scholarship and Leadership Award - is given to the law student in the 2007 graduating class who best represents a combination of scholarship and leadership.  Recipient: Heather Sanborn, Portland, Me.

ABA/BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Intellectual Property Law - is given for excellence in intellectual property law courses.  Recipient: Bryan Weber, Haddonfield, N.J.

ABA/BNA Award for Excellence in Labor and Employment Law - is given for excellence in labor and employment law courses.  Recipient:  Heidi Hart, Westbrook, Me.

ABA/BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Health Law - is given for excellence in health law courses.  Recipient: Temma Stout, Portland, Me.

American Bankruptcy Institute Medal for Excellence in Bankruptcy Studies - is given for excellence in bankruptcy studies.  Recipient: John Wheatley, Portland, Me.

American Bankruptcy Journal Award. Recipient: Joy Moore, Fairbanks, AK

Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Awards - are presented by faculty for outstanding performance in selected areas of the curriculum.  Recipients:

Business & Commercial Law: Heather Sanborn, Portland, Me.

Criminal Law & Procedure: Judith Lewis, Old Orchard Beach, Me.

Environmental Law/Marine Resources: Erica Fuller, Ipswich, Mass.

Taxation: Colleen Mathews, Gardiner, Me.; Kenleigh Nicoletta, Fryeburg, Me.

National Association of Women Lawyers Recognition Award - is given to a graduate who has contributed to the advancement of women in society and promoted issues and concerns of women in the legal profession.  Recipient: Nancy Walworth, Lewiston, Me.

The Maine State Bar Association Pro Bono Student Award - is given to the student whose legal service to the community, without compensation or academic credit, exemplifies the legal profession's tradition of pro bono service.  The recipient is selected by the Law School's dean and faculty after consultation with the president of the Maine State Bar Association.  Recipient: Carol Copeland, Kennebunk, Me.

Clinical Legal Education Association Award - is presented by the clinical faculty for excellence in clinical fieldwork based on ethical and high-quality representation provided to clients and the community, and for exemplary thoughtfulness in exploring lawyering issues and skills in an accompanying seminar.  Recipients: Brianne Martin, Georgetown, Me.; Caroline Wilshusen, Gorham, Me.

The Law Alumni Association Award - is given to an outstanding member of the senior class.  Recipient:  Judith Lewis, Old Orchard Beach, Me.

Clegg Award (presented by A. J. Hungerford) - Recipients:  1st: Aaron King, Hampden, Me., "Medical Market Failure in Maine"; 2nd: Matthew Libby, Hanson, Mass.,  "Deregulating the Electricity Market"; 3rd: Judith Lewis, Old Orchard Beach, Me., "Setting the Wrong Right."

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