The Law School is incredibly proud of its graduates. Your perseverance and resilience during this challenging time is a testament to your professionalism and work ethic. 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).
Mats Rosén, full-time program
Undergraduate institution:
Colorado State University
Favorite AJMLS memory:
One of my most favorite memories from AJMLS is competing in the Regional portion of the 2022 National Appellate Advocacy Competition hosted by the ABA and beating one of the teams that ended up making it to the National portion of the competition.
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
I hope to secure a position as a Judicial Clerk or some comparable position with one of the State or Federal courts in Georgia. Upon completion of such a position I aspire to become a civil litigator with a large firm in the metro Atlanta area.
Lauren Boffill, part-time program
Outstanding Graduate Awards
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.
Joseph Everette Bush
Undergraduate institution:
University of South Carolina, Upstate
Favorite AJMLS memory:
There are too many good memories. I thrived on the camaraderie and shared experience of law school. It is easier to slog through when you know you aren’t alone. Of all my memories of John Marshall, I will cherish my friendships the most. I couldn’t have done it without my colleagues.
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
I hope to be given the opportunity to serve as a judicial clerk. Should that opportunity not arise, I look forward to serving the people of Georgia, either in public service or private practice. Further down the road I hope to sit on the bench at some level.
Joshua Harris Elbaz
Undergraduate institution:
Georgia Gwinnett College
Favorite AJMLS memory:
My favorite memory at AJMLS was the orientation week before 1L year.
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
My plans and dream after the bar is to work as an ADA for the district attorneys office in Gwinnett County and then eventually become a criminal defense attorney.
Shombraya Eulaijah Goodman
Undergraduate institution:
The Ohio State University
Favorite AJMLS memory:
My fondest memory at AJMLS was the Barristers’ Ball. After being remote and not able to connect with my peers, it was refreshing to party with the students and faculty. It was a night to remember.
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
After the bar exam I plan to be a business law associate. I’m interested in corporate securities, venture capitalist, and mergers and acquisitions. Hopefully, I can combine the law with my mathematical background.
Mats Donald Rosén
Undergraduate institution:
Colorado State University
Favorite AJMLS memory:
One of my most favorite memories from AJMLS is competing in the Regional portion of the 2022 National Appellate Advocacy Competition hosted by the ABA and beating one of the teams that ended up making it to the National portion of the competition.
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
I hope to secure a position as a Judicial Clerk or some comparable position with one of the State or Federal courts in Georgia. Upon completion of such a position I aspire to become a civil litigator with a large firm in the metro Atlanta area.
Kamali C. Thompson
Lauren Boffill
Excellence In Appellate Advocacy
This award is given to the outstanding student participant on a John Marshall Law School moot court competition team.
Mats Donald Rosén
Undergraduate institution:
Colorado State University
Favorite AJMLS memory:
One of my most favorite memories from AJMLS is competing in the Regional portion of the 2022 National Appellate Advocacy Competition hosted by the ABA and beating one of the teams that ended up making it to the National portion of the competition.
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
I hope to secure a position as a Judicial Clerk or some comparable position with one of the State or Federal courts in Georgia. Upon completion of such a position I aspire to become a civil litigator with a large firm in the metro Atlanta area.
Excellence In Pro Bono
This award is given to those students whose pro bono hours are among the top 10% earned in the graduating class. This award is not merit-based.
Joshua Harris Elbaz
Undergraduate institution:
Georgia Gwinnett College
Favorite AJMLS memory:
My favorite memory at AJMLS was the orientation week before 1L year.
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
My plans and dream after the bar is to work as an ADA for the district attorneys office in Gwinnett County and then eventually become a criminal defense attorney.
Nicole Alexandria Rizza
Undergraduate institution:
Georgia State University
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
Will be a family law associate at Meriwether & Tharp.
Timothy Orange
Undergraduate institution:
North Greenville University, Kaplan University
Favorite AJMLS memory:
Graduation was for sure my best memory of AJMLS.
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
I am currently working as a pre-bar associate with Atlanta Divorce Law Group. Once I pass the bar, I will become an Associate Attorney here. The goal is to be here as long as possible gaining as much experience as I can under Retired Judge John Sumner, Esq. At some point, I hope to open up my own firm in North Georgia and then grow and build that firm to expand into South Carolina and potentially Florida. I plan to sit for the Bar in South Carolina in February 2023, after passing the Georgia Bar in July 2022. I plan to advocate strongly for good fathers and help all clients through one of the hardest times in their lives.
Edward J. Henning Award For Excellence In Dispute Resolution
This award is given to an outstanding ADR student at each of the state’s five ABA-accredited law schools. These awards are given in memory of Ed Henning, one of the “founding fathers” of mediation in Georgia.
Andreas Mettler
Undergraduate institution:
Kennesaw State University
Favorite AJMLS memory:
My favorite memories have to be meeting, working, and learning from each of my professors and fellow classmates.
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
Working, learning, and someday maybe even starting my own firm.
American Bankruptcy Institute Medal Of Excellence
This award is presented to the student with the highest grade in a bankruptcy course or other area of bankruptcy scholarship.
Antonio Ali Pishvai
Undergraduate institution:
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne
Favorite AJMLS memory:
My favorite memory from attending Atlanta’s John Marshall Law As a part-time evening student, my favorite memories from AJMLS were meeting other working professionals who also decided to finally give their dreams a chance and go for their law degree, and making lifelong friendships with those in my cohort.
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
Upon passing the bar exam, I hope to work as a solo practitioner or in a small firm in the greater Atlanta area.
The Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears Pro Bono Award
The Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears Pro Bono Award is given to the graduate whose pro bono work has demonstrated outstanding commitment to legal services for underserved communities and their work was impactful.
Derek Andrew Law
Undergraduate institution:
Georgia State University
Favorite AJMLS memory:
My favorite memory from attending Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School was representing the school as a coach in a national moot court competition. My team members Grace Gomez and Carolina Melguizo were wonderful advocates, and being able to work with these two was a highlight of my law school career.
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
I aim to work in South Atlanta as a criminal defense attorney with the firm I interned with all through law school, Sexton and Moody, P.C.
I wish the founder the founder of Sexton and Moody, P.C., the notorious Lee Sexton, was able to see this accomplishment. He unfortunately passed last fall. I would like to thank the wonderful attorneys that were my role models through this process: Lee Sexton, Brad Moody, James Boles, and Joanna Hobgood.
I also could not have achieved such an accomplishment without my family and friends that played a pivotal role as my support team.
Carolina Arias-Cediel
Order Of Quill
The Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) Order of the Quill (“Order”) is an honor society that recognizes significant academic achievement in designated required doctrinal courses (“Quill” courses). Students who achieve the required cumulative grade point average in the Quill courses will be eligible for admission into the Order. Members of the Order shall receive certificates of membership and be recognized at graduation.
Lauren Boffill, Scholar
Joseph Everette Bush, Scholar
Undergraduate institution:
University of South Carolina, Upstate
Favorite AJMLS memory:
There are too many good memories. I thrived on the camaraderie and shared experience of law school. It is easier to slog through when you know you aren’t alone. Of all my memories of John Marshall, I will cherish my friendships the most. I couldn’t have done it without my colleagues.
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
I hope to be given the opportunity to serve as a judicial clerk. Should that opportunity not arise, I look forward to serving the people of Georgia, either in public service or private practice. Further down the road I hope to sit on the bench at some level.
Mats Donald Rosén, Honor Scholars and Marshall of the Order
Undergraduate institution:
Colorado State University
Favorite AJMLS memory:
One of my most favorite memories from AJMLS is competing in the Regional portion of the 2022 National Appellate Advocacy Competition hosted by the ABA and beating one of the teams that ended up making it to the National portion of the competition.
Plans/dreams after the bar exam:
I hope to secure a position as a Judicial Clerk or some comparable position with one of the State or Federal courts in Georgia. Upon completion of such a position I aspire to become a civil litigator with a large firm in the metro Atlanta area.