Recognitions & Awards

Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence (Valedictorian)

This award is given to the valedictorian from each of the school’s divisions (full-time and part-time).

The Honorable Harold R. Banke Advocacy Award

This award is given to the outstanding student participant on a mock trial competition team.

John Marshall Law School Outstanding Graduate Award

This award is given annually to one graduate in each of the school’s divisions (part-time and full-time) who best demonstrates standards of competence and professionalism, a strong social conscience, high ethical standards, and a commitment to the improvement of the legal system and society, as determined by the Faculty on recommendation of the Honors and Awards Committee.

The Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears Pro Bono Award

This award is given to the graduating student with the highest overall pro bono hours.

Excellence in Pro Bono Service Award

This award is given to any graduating student who is in the top 10% of total pro bono hours accumulated during their law school career.

Pro Bono Distinction Award

This distinction is given to students who have completed 75 hours or more of pro bono work during their law school career.

John Marshall Law School Award for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy

This award is given to the outstanding student participant on a John Marshall Law School moot court competition team.

CALI Award

A CALI Award is given to the student receiving the highest grade in each section of each required course.

Book Award

This award is given to any student who receives two or more CALI Awards as a John Marshall Law School student.

Dean’s List

A student who attains a semester grade point average of 3.00 or higher will be placed on the Dean’s List for that semester.

Graduate Honors

Summa Cum Laude. A summa cum laude graduate must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher as of commencement, must be in the top 2% of graduates by rank, and must have completed all academic work required for the receipt of the Juris Doctor degree.
Magna Cum Laude. A magna cum laude graduate must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher as of commencement, must be in the top 10% of graduates by rank, and must have completed all academic work required for the receipt of the Juris Doctor degree.
Cum Laude. A cum laude graduate must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher as of commencement, must be in the top 20% of graduates by rank, and must have completed all academic work required for the receipt of the Juris Doctor degree.