Distinguished Alumni Award
The 300 year-old statue of Lady Justice that graces the fountain at Römer Square in Frankfurt, Germany, stands without a blindfold, in contrast to other depictions of her. She faces the town hall directly as reminder to the town governors to treat the citizens fairly.
About the Award
Sponsored by the University of San Diego School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Distinguished Alumni Award is the school's highest honor bestowed upon alumni.
The award is presented to law school alumni who have distinguished themselves in the legal field or other chosen profession at an exemplary level and who embody the high ethical standards and commitment to community service USD School of Law seeks to instill in its graduates.
Each spring, a nominating committee considers candidates for the award and a recipient or recipients are selected by the committee and then approved by the Law Alumni Association Board of Directors. To submit information on a prospective candidate, please e-mail the Office of Development and Alumni Relations or call (619) 260-4692.
In the fall of the same year, the award or awards are presented at a luncheon honoring the recipient or recipients. Although there are nominees each year, the award is only given when the honor is appropriate.
Since its inception in 1977, the award has been given to more than 60 law school alumni.
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Vickie E. Turner ’82 (Watch bio video) Hon. Michael D. Wellington ’71 (Watch bio video) |
| 2008 | Hon. Richard M. Aronson ’75 (Watch bio video) Dennis J. Doucette ’86 (Watch bio video) Lynne R. Lasry ’79 (Watch bio video) |
| 2007 | Hon. Patricia D. Benke ’74 Jack Wm. Hodges ’75 Michael J. Rider ’83 |
| 2006 | G. Edward Arledge ’73 Thompson Fetter ’67 |
| 2005 | James C. Krause ’75 Michael E. Shames ’83 |
| 2004 | Alan K. Brubaker ’76 |
| 2003 | Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. ’87 Hon. Peter W. Bowie ’71 |
| 2002 | John R. (“Jack”) McGrory ’81 Gary W. Schons ’76 |
| 2001 | Hon. Michael J. Streit ’75 Hon. Thomas J. Whelan ’65 |
| 2000 | Abby B. Silverman ’79 |
| 1999 | Patricia A. McQuater ’78 |
| 1998 | Hon. Frederic L. Link ’68 Michael T. Thorsnes ’68 |
| 1997 | Kathleen G. McGuinness ’77 |
| 1996 | Hon. Federico Castro ’71 |
| 1995 | Hon. Steven R. Denton ’75 |
| 1994 | Mary E. Harvey ’59* |
| 1993 | Hon. Richard D. Huffman (Honorary Degree) Brian E. Michaels ’68 |
| 1992 | Hon. David B. Moon Jr. ’67 |
| 1991 | Hon. H. Lawrence Garrett III ’72 |
| 1990 | Josiah L. Neeper (Honorary Degree) Virginia C. Nelson ’79 |
| 1989 | Hon. H. Wesley Pratt ’79 |
| 1988 | Sheldon Krantz, Former Dean and Professor of Law |
| 1987 | Award not presented this year |
| 1986 | Hon. G. Dennis Adams ’65 |
| 1985 | Craig D. Higgs ’69 |
| 1984 | Hon. Gilbert Nares ’67 Peter K. Nunez ’70 |
| 1983 | Hon. Robert C. Baxley ’64* Hon. Joseph O. Littlejohn ’72 Maj. Gen. Edward J. Philbin ’65 |
| 1982 | Robert F. Adelizzi ’63 Thomas H. Ault ’72 Hon. Victor E. Ramirez ’73 |
| 1981 | Sister Sally M. Furay ’72 Hon. Napoleon A. Jones Jr. ’71 Alex L. Landon '71 |
| 1980 | Nancy H. Ely-Raphel ’68 Hon. Susan P. Finlay ’72 Gerald L. McMahon ’64 |
| 1979 | Hon. Robert J. Cooney ’58* Lynn A. Schenk ’70 Sen. Robert J. Wilson ’68 |
| 1978 | Hon. Herbert Katz ’62 Hon. Judith N. Keep ’70* James A. Longtin ’62 Delroy M. Richardson ’69* Thomas E. Sharkey ’59 |
| 1977 | Hon. Carlos A. Cazares ’66* Gerald L. McMahon ’64 Hon. Sheridan E. Reed ’70 Jane S. Wiegand ’71 D. Dwight Worden ’74 |
*Deceased
