2021 DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD

THIS YEAR, THREE BRANDEIS LAW FACULTY were presented with a Distinguished Faculty Award for excellence in one of three areas: Outstanding Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity; Distinguished Service and Distinguished Teaching.

These significant awards reflect the depth and breadth of talent at Brandeis Law.

LAURA MCNEAL

OUTSTANDING SCHOLARSHIP, RESEARCH AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY

In light of recent national civil unrest, Professor McNeal’s equity-focused scholarship is especially timely and impactful to communities, especially communities of color. Her groundbreaking scholarship has uniquely positioned her to make meaningful contributions to the national debate on race, law, implicit bias, and constitutional rights as a highly sought-after legal expert on high profile cases, such as the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Trayvon Martin, and other instances of police brutality as a legal analyst on several national networks. McNeal has also presented her scholarship at several prestigious institutions such as Harvard Law School and Columbia University.

CEDRIC MERLIN POWELL

DISTINGUISHED TEACHING

Professor Powell’s classroom is characterized by openness, rigor and engagement as students work to understand the Blackletter law, its underlying concepts and themes, and far-reaching policy implications. Professor Powell tells his students that they must be committed to high quality work, not simply as a source of professional pride, but in the service of their clients in a learned profession.

LISA NICHOLSON

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

Throughout her community engagements and service, Professor Nicholson has selected projects appealing to her interest in social justice, inclusion, and equity. Her goal is to change negative behaviors that affect underrepresented populations, or at least to raise awareness of those behaviors’ effect on others. To Professor Nicholson, the purpose of law schools is to teach not only what the law is, but also to teach what the law can be, and how law school graduates can play a substantial role in helping the law to evolve and improve. Monitor with Kentucky Civic Engagement Table.