Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) is incredibly proud of its 2026 valedictorians and salutatorians. Your commencement is a testament to your professionalism and work ethic and we look forward to following your careers and championing all your future successes.
Valedictorians
This award is given to the valedictorian from each of the school’s divisions (full-time and part-time).
Maria Jarman, full-time program
Undergraduate Institution:
Brigham Young University (Provo, UT)
Favorite AJMLS memory:
“I loved attending class and learning from professors who brought years of experience as practicing attorneys to the classroom.”
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
“My plan is to begin my career in prosecution, with the ultimate goal of becoming a state trial judge.”
Justin Huggins, part-time program
Undergraduate Institution:
The University of Tennessee (Chattanooga)
Favorite AJMLS memory:
“1) In Contracts explaining the FFH rule and 2) the last Barristers Ball with my friends.”
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
“After the Georgia and Tennessee bar exams, I plan to work in real estate and business transactions law in Chattanooga, TN. I’ll be joining a small firm with the pursuit of becoming a partner. My main goal is to spend as much time travelling with my wife and daughter.”
Salutatorians
This award is given to the salutatorian from each of the school’s divisions (full-time and part-time).
David Smith, full-time program
Undergraduate Institution:
The University of Georgia
Favorite AJMLS memory:
“The study group that I was a part of in 1L would meet on Sundays and spend hours going over the material for the week. Sometimes we would teach one another subject by subject, sometimes we would argue a topic down to its core, and sometimes we would build outlines and flowcharts together. Throughout the year we refined our methods, and my success in law school would have been severely stymied without working with them. More than anything, Wish Steinmetz, Griffin Lail, Nick Jones, and Jacob Potter helped to teach me the importance of collaboration and the heights that one could achieve by leaning on their peers.”
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
“After graduation from law school and upon passing the Georgia bar I intend to accept an offer from Smith, Cavin & Corbin and practice real estate law, working towards furthering the American dream of homeownership for thousands of families throughout my career.”
Anjali Patel, part-time program
Undergraduate Institution:
University of the South, Sewanee
Favorite AJMLS memory:
“Connecting with Professor Van Detta on the Law Journal and learning the art of scholarly writing.”
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
“I hope to advocate in the health care field, implementing changes for better patient care.”