DEAN'S PROFESSIONALISM AWARD
DEAN'S PROFESSIONALISM AWARD This professionalism initiative is created to help develop thoughtful, competent, and practice-ready lawyers. Here at Ave Maria School of Law we want to ensure that our graduates are compassionate, ethical attorneys who are committed to public service and zealous advocacy on behalf of all clients. The Dean’s Professionalism Award is a prestigious award, presented by our Law School Dean. The award is designed to recognize those students who exemplify the professional character traits that students and attorneys should aspire to: Leadership, Law School and Community Engagement, and Public Service.
The Award seeks to encourage students to understand and internalize the following professional development outcomes the law school seeks all graduates to recognize: Define professionalism, display knowledge of the importance of professionalism in the legal profession and development of professional reputation throughout law school Define professional development, increase awareness of role in professional development and creation of personal professional development plan before graduation Demonstrate knowledge of the importance of service to the community, including the legally underserved Recognize the importance of time management in the profession, develop proper time management strategies, and utilize the time management strategies to allow for internship application & participation at some point throughout law school Recognize the importance of networking in law school and throughout the legal profession, seeking opportunities to network and developing a comfort level with networking
DEAN'S PROFESSIONALISM AWARD Students who earn the Dean’s Award will receive the following: Public recognition during the annual end-of-year celebration A suitable-for-framing certificate The opportunity to indicate this designation on their resumes as a Law School Honor A graduation cord signifying your successful completion of the Dean’s Professionalism Program
In order for students to earn the Dean’s Professionalism Award, there are 3 Pillars of Professionalism that each individual must successfully complete, as specified below. These cumulative objectives may be attained any time during your 3-year tenure as an Ave Maria Law student:
3 Pillars of Professionalism: I. Law School Leadership II. Professional Identity Formation III. Public Service Commitment
I.
Law School Leadership. Any one of the following activities qualifies:
Serve in a leadership position as a Board Member of a Law School Student Organization Gain membership and participate on a Law Journal Gain membership and participate in Moot Court Society Represent Ave Maria Law in a trial or moot court competition Serve as a Department Ambassador or Dean’s Delegate Become a student member of the Inns of Court Become a Law School Student Member Liaison for a voluntary bar association
DEAN'S PROFESSIONALISM AWARD II.
Professional Identity Formation. You must complete both categories (a) and (b). (a). Each semester, the Office of Professional Development will present programs, including workshops, mock interviews, panels and presentations. The workshops and programming focus upon necessary professional development skills. To qualify for the Dean’s Certificate under this section, you must attend at least four (4) programs hosted by the Office of Professional Development during your tenure as an Ave Maria Law student. Your participation is confirmed through the sign-in sheets available at the programs or Zoom registration. You must sign in, log in or register, and stay throughout the program to have the event count towards your award. (b). Attend legal community events and submit a reflective writing summary. Qualifying organizations include programs at American Bar Association, Florida Bar and Sections Events, Collier County Bar Association, Lee County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Collier County Women’s Bar Assoc., Isaac Anderson Bar, SW Florida Federal Bar Association, Lee County Association of Women Lawyers or any other voluntary Bar Association event. In order for the event to qualify, you must attend and/or volunteer at a minimum of two (2) community programs and submit a reflective summary discussing the event and your experience. Also, include a flyer or print out from the event.
DEAN'S PROFESSIONALISM AWARD III.
Public Service. You must complete one of the following options from either category (a) OR (b): (a). Perform at least 40 hours of pro bono legal service while a student at Ave Maria Law. To ensure that your pro bono work qualifies for this designation, students must submit the following to the Office of Professional Development by April 15th of the student’s 3L year: Proposal Form only if choosing your own pro bono site/project Pro Bono Commitment Form All 40 hours logged and confirmed with supervisor’s signature Evaluation Form
Your 40 hours of public service can also be used to qualify you for the Ave Maria Law Pro Bono Recognition Program, which requires 50 hours of pro bono legal service. (b). Complete a minimum 2-credit externship at a public service organization, such as a public defender or legal aid. Please see the Office of Professional Development for opportunities or to ask about qualifying organizations.