AJMLS Announces Outstanding Students of the Semester for Spring 2025

Amari Abbasi 1L

Amira Abbasi is a full-time 1L student with a strong interest in pursuing a career in sports and entertainment law.  Amira is currently a member of the Caribbean, Hispanic and Latino Law Students Association and the Sports and Entertainment Legal Society.  She is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society and graduated magna cum laude from Mercer University.  Amira is drawn to sports and entertainment law because it is a dynamic field that intersects with various areas of law, offering diverse opportunities to support others and make a meaningful impact. Her definition of an outstanding student is “someone who consistently goes above and beyond expectations and who shows initiative, perseverance, and a strong commitment to academic and personal success.”

Tyler McGrath 1L

Tyler McGrath is a full-time 1L and is planning to return to active duty in the United States Army as part of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps.  Tyler is currently a class representative for section B and is also working to create a Mentorship Program with the Marion T. Pope chapter of the American Inns of Court. Tyler received three CALI awards the first semester of law school and is interested in becoming a JAG because he loves this country and loves being able to serve. His definition of an outstanding law student is “someone who strives to be the very best in every area, serves their fellow classmates by always being willing to assist and help in any way possible, and who continuously seeks the next challenge.”

Aniyah Vines 1L

Aniyah Vines is a part-time 1L student. During her 1L year, she made the Dean’s List and was crowned Miss Junior Royale 2025. She is a member of the Black Law Students Association and recently accepted a summer internship in litigation at the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund. Aniya received a CALI award in Legal Writing Research and Analysis and is interested in becoming a criminal defense lawyer because she believes in helping to transform the justice system into one that represents all of the people that it serves. Her definition of an outstanding law student is “someone who sets a goal, creates a plan, stays consistent, and reaches it.”

Piaja Brooks 2L

Piaja Brooks is a rising full-time 3L with a passion for criminal law. Her interest in this area stems from a commitment to ensuring the Constitution stands on its promises for all people, and helping reform communities affected by mass incarceration. During the 2024-2025 academic year, Piaja served as President of the Black Law Students Association, Training Director for the Peer Mentoring Program, and a member of the Moot Court team.  These experiences have enriched her understanding of advocacy and leadership. Her definition of an outstanding law student is “someone who shows up as their authentic self to build community and leverages their legal education to serve others.”

Austin Cauffman 2L

Austin Cauffman is a rising full-time 3L. He is interested in practicing Real Estate Law when he graduates and is currently a member of Law Journal, the mock trial team, and the moot court team.  He is also a peer mentor, co-director of professional development for the Peer Mentoring Program, and a legal writing TA.  He is interested in becoming a real estate attorney because he enjoys being able to meet people everyday and helping them navigate the major life decision of purchasing a home. His definition of an outstanding law student is “someone who shows up everyday and gets the job done in a professional manner.”

Taylor Williams 2L

Taylor Amber Williams is a full-time 2L who is originally from Miami, Florida. She currently serves as a member of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School’s Moot Court team and will be the SBA Secretary for the 2025–2026 school year. Taylor also served as Secretary of the Christian Legal Society, earned an honors grade in Torts I, and was recently awarded the Judge Renata Turner Scholarship. These experiences helped shape her passion for advocacy and public service. Taylor intends to practice criminal litigation upon graduation because she wants to help those who cannot help themselves, and she believes the best way to do that is through the criminal justice system. To Taylor, an outstanding law student is “someone who not only strives for academic success but also works to positively impact their school and community—leaving it better than when they arrived.”

Terah Harris 3L

Terah Harris is a full-time, graduating 3L. She is passionate about Personal Injury, Family Law, and Criminal Defense—areas where she believes legal advocacy can make a deep, lasting impact. She is drawn to these areas of law because she wants to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives—whether it is protecting someone’s rights, advocating for justice, or helping families through difficult times. Throughout law school, Terah has been involved with BLSA, CERLS, and RELS, where she found both purpose and community.  She is proud to have received a CALI Award and been named to the Dean’s List three times, and she stayed grounded by remaining active in her community as an assistant cheer coach and by volunteering. To Terah, an outstanding law student is “someone who stays true to themselves while working to make the legal field more just, compassionate, and inclusive for everyone.”

Bindi Patel 3L

Bindi Patel is a graduating student! Over the past three years, she has grown so much—learning valuable lessons, meeting amazing people, and discovering opportunities that shaped her journey. She found a passion for transactional work, especially in Real Estate and Tax Law, through classes that helped her realize what she would genuinely enjoy practicing. She has been active on campus, serving as Secretary of the Student Bar Association Executive Board for the 2024–2025 academic year, a Peer Mentor, an AJMLS Student Ambassador, and a LexisNexis student associate. These roles allowed her to connect with others and give back to the AJMLS community. Bindi believes an outstanding law student is “someone who leads with purpose, serves others, and measures success by the impact they make on the legal field—not just personal gains.”

Andres Rincon 3L

Andres Rincon, Jr. is a 3L part-time evening student who is passionate about immigration law and has been working in the field for the past five years. He is a Peer Mentor, the Co-President of the Caribbean, Hispanic, and Latino Law Student Association (“CHALLSA”), and the recipient of the TL4JGA Future Trial Lawyer Scholarship for the Spring 2025 semester, which recognized Andres for his commitment to becoming a future trial lawyer with a focus on immigration law. To this end, Andres has engaged in several internships and has logged over 100 hours of pro-bono work with nonprofits. Andres’ devotion for immigration law began when he witnessed injustice in the treatment of immigrants, particularly immigrant children, and a gap of information and knowledge in the immigrant community. Andres’ definition of an outstanding law student is “a student who learns legal principles in the classroom and seeks opportunities to apply those legal principles in their field of interest.”

Jasmine Knight 4L

Jasmine Knight is a Part-Time Evening 4L. She is interested in Criminal Law and plans to work in the criminal law space upon graduation. She is currently President of the Criminal Law Society and Executive Director of the Peer Mentoring Program. While in law school, Jasmine has maintained employment at the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office as a Law Clerk. She also earned the CALI Award in Critical Race Theory and Constitutional Law II and made the Dean’s List four times. Jasmine wants to work in prosecution because she loves to help people. Her passion for service is specifically in crimes against women and children.  

Sandy Miller 4L

Sandy Miller is a part-time 4L student, and she served as Director of Moot Court and as a peer mentor during her time at AJMLS.  Additionally, she is a founding board member of a nonprofit youth baseball organization, reflecting her commitment to leadership both within and beyond the legal profession. Sandy is passionate about civil litigation and personal injury law, with a particular focus on advocating for individuals navigating complex legal challenges. Her interest in litigation stems from over a decade of experience as a paralegal, where she found purpose in helping injured clients tell their stories and obtain justice. Sandy’s definition of an outstanding law student is “someone who lifts others while striving for excellence themselves.”