Emory Law students achieve national recognition

Throughout this academic year, Emory Law students celebrated a remarkable array of accomplishments, showcasing their diverse talents and dedication to legal excellence. From national recognition in legal writing and top placements in prestigious moot court competitions to impactful entrepreneurial ventures and securing highly competitive public interest fellowships, these students are examples of the flourishing Emory leadership hopes to foster in its students.  

Congratulations to Lane Cannon 25L on the publication of her poem, "Those Dam Fish,” in The YLD Review. Inspired by the court case Tennessee Valley Authority v. Hill and the snail darter’s unexpected impact on environmental law, Lane’s work originated in Professor Matthew Lawrence's "Poet Lawreate" competition. Read the whole poem on page 22 of the Fall 2024 issue of The YLD Review.  

Gabriella Haedelt 26L, Thomas Lynch 26L, Jack Tolbert 26L, and Michael Wolf 26L and coaches Claudia Cornelison 25L, Dean Mattschull 25L, and Christopher Katrakis 24L, placed in the top 8 teams of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition US National Rounds, Eastern Regional. Special recognition is also due to Tolbert, who earned the third-best oralist award.    

As regional quarterfinalists, Emory Law’s team advanced to the International Rounds of the Jessup in Washington, D.C., where they represented the United States. The Jessup is the oldest and largest moot court competition in the world, this year featuring more than 800 law schools from over 100 countries. This also marks the second consecutive year in which Emory Law’s Jessup team has qualified for the International Rounds.    

Josh Blackman 25L received the Burton Distinguished Legal Writing Award. This national honor recognizes outstanding legal writing that demonstrates creativity, knowledge, and mastery of the law. Blackman is among just 20 law students selected for this distinction and was recognized during the 2025 Burton Awards on May 19, 2025, at the Library of Congress.   

Caroline Parks 26L, Emma Shokeir 25L, Jasmine Mathis 26L, Jada Bowden 25L, Akosua Asafu-Adjaye Frimpong 26L, and Adji Ostin 26L represented Emory Law at the Wayne State Taft Transactional Law Invitational Negotiation Competition. Carline Parks, Mathis, and Frimpong earned second place for their side of the deal.     

Benedict Owanga 24L was named a 2025 Emory Entrepreneur Award honoree. As founder of Owanga, a company working to launch Congo’s first battery manufacturing plant and increase access to electricity in underserved communities across the continent, Benedict is creating jobs and spearheading a sustainable long-term infrastructure across African communities. Learn more about his story on the Emory Entrepreneur Awards website - https://lnkd.in/eFmtB_6g    

Three members of the Emory Law community were selected for the 2025 Equal Justice Works Fellowship, a nationally recognized program supporting public interest law careers. Rachel Kennedy 23L and Hannah Krawczyk 25L will work with host organizations throughout the South, while Taylor Reilly 26L will complete her fellowship in Washington, DC. Each will focus on a self-designed project advancing access to justice through legal advocacy.  

Congratulations to these students—and all others—who boast individual and group accomplishments that reflect their commitment to the rule of law and their rigorous academic work.