Spotlight on the Alumni Recognition Luncheon

Spotlight on: Alumni Recognition Luncheon

 

Each year, Capital University Law School hosts the Alumni Recognition Luncheon.  This annual event honors Capital University Law School Alumni who have made an impact in the Law School, the field of law, or the community!

This year, the following alumni will be presented with awards:

Gretchen K. Mote, L’78

            The Josiah H. Blackmore, II              Award                                          (L-R: Gretchen Mote, Erika Smitherman, Hannah Botkin                                                                          Doty. Gregory S. Lashutka, and Celia Kilgard Schnupp).

                                                                  Source: Law.Capital.Edu 

The Josiah H. Blackmore Dean’s Award recognizes outstanding service to the Law School and the Dean’s Office.  The award is named in honor of Capital’s University’s former president, Law School Dean and professor emeritus.  President Blackmore’s influence in the history and continued viability of the Law School cannot be underestimated.

Erika Smitherman, L’00

            Alumni Outstanding Service Award

The Alumni Outstanding Service Award is given annually to a Capital University Law School JD alumnus/alumna who has performed significant voluntary service, beyond the call of business or professional duty, to his/her community and/or Capital University Law School. 

Hannah Botkin-Doty, L’13

            G.O.L.D Award

The G.O.L.D Award is given annually to a Capital University Law School JD “Graduate of the Last Decade” who has made significant achievements in his/her occupation and has made notable contributions to the legal profession and/or the Law School. 

Gregory S. Lashutka, L’74

            Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award

The Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award is given annually to a Capital University Law School JD alumnus/alumna who has made significant achievements in his/her legal occupation and has made notable contributions to the legal profession, community and the Law School through his/her activities and accomplishments.

Celia Kilgard Schnupp, L’09

            Young Alumnus of the Year Award  

The Young Alumnus of the Year Award is given annually to a living, Capital University Law School JD alumnus/alumna who is 40 years old or younger and who has made significant achievements in his/her legal occupation and has made notable contributions to the legal profession and the community. 

The 13^th Annual Alumni Recognition Reception will be held:

Friday, April 13, 2018
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM   
Sheraton Columbus Hotel on Capitol Square

For more information, including how to nominate alumni and faculty for 2019, please visit: http://law.capital.edu/AlumniRecognitionLuncheon/

Congratulations to the 2018 Recipients!!!

Pro Bono: What is it? Why you should do it.

Growing up, I was always told to give back and to help others less fortunate than myself.  I remember thinking at first, it was annoying, time consuming, and if I’m not getting paid, why should I waste my time?  However, after starting a community service project (granted, required by my parents), I quickly learned that it was more than just helping others, it was helping myself grow as an individual and leader as I learned compassion, empathy, and how to assist others who could not afford assistance themselves.

Flash-forward to today, I have spent a majority of my life helping others free of charge, whether it’s been volunteering for the Children’s Hospital, or through the Ronald McDonald House.  When I came to Law School, I figured I wouldn’t have enough time to give back…that was until I learned about pro-bono.  Pro Bono is essentially taking on a case free of charge, or at least giving someone brief advice on how to proceed with a legal issue.  In the Columbus Legal Community, we have a plethora of Pro Bono Programs ranging from weekly brief advice clinics, to tax clinics where those who fall below the poverty line are able to get their taxes completed free of charge.  While helping others may seem annoying, time consuming, or even “worthless,” here are some of the reasons you SHOULD do Pro Bono.  

You Help Yourself by Helping Others: Pro Bono is helping people who do not have the means to help themselves.  By helping these individuals with their legal issues, you gain a greater perspective on which you are and are able to better prioritize what issues are genuinely important to you.  You get to see how lucky you are, and how much people appreciate even the simplest acts of kindness.  For many of us, we were raised privileged with strong families, wealth, and opportunities that were immeasurable.  With Pro Bono, you are helping someone who perhaps is the exact opposite, giving you a chance to learn that sometimes, the little things are not worth stressing over, even in the classroom.

You Learn to Prioritize: When you commit to pro-bono, you make a commitment to help out, either as an attorney or a law student.  When you do this, you should follow through.  Following through helps you to prioritize how you get your work done and how you spend your days.  For example, if you know you have two hours between classes, maybe get your work done for the coming day and outline then, rather than wait and say you have too much to do, so you cannot attend pro bono. 

People Really Need You: We sometimes forget when we are self-sufficient that people really need us sometimes.  Without you being at a Pro Bono event, a client may miss necessary legal advice to help them keep a roof over their heads or feed their children. 

It Looks Really Good:  When you came to Law School, I’m sure you thought, as I did, I’m going to be top of the class, land a job at a massive firm, and make six figures before 30.  To me, that’s what originally looked REALLY good.  However, as I went through 1L and realized that job opportunities are limited, I saw how important pro bono was to your resume AND to lawyer’s reputations as well.  Employers LOVE seeing that you give back and are active beyond the confines of your job.  It shows them that you are the “jack of all trades” and are more marketable for them as a company.  Second, it shows that all lawyers are not money hungry.  One of my professors stated it best, the client comes in and sees that the attorney bills $300/hour, and assumes all of that goes to the attorney.  Well, outside the legal community, this is the opinion of most that attorneys are money hungry individuals, just out to protect and benefit themselves.  Pro Bono debunks that myth by reminding the general public that it’s NOT just about money. 

It’s Fun:  In what environment, especially as a law student, do you get to meet attorneys from multiple walks of life that are not your professors, or a wide range of clients, each with a story to tell?  As a law student, you’re learning how the law works and the origins behind why the law is what it is.  With pro bono, you see how the law works and how attorneys use it in the every day.  It’s a great opportunity to work with others, meet attorneys, and, it’s pretty fun!

The Capital Law Community Strives for Excellence, and part of that is through Pro Bono.  The Law School boasts many pro bono opportunities.  From three legal clinics, to VITA, our volunteer income tax service, there is no shortage of Pro Bono opportunities.  For more information, please visit http://law.capital.edu/GettingInvolvedProBono/ to learn more about how to get involved!

Still don't believe me? Check out this wonderful piece on pro bono! 

https://abovethelaw.com/2018/02/the-overlooked-importance-of-firm-pro-bono-work/

Images Courtesy of: http://www.lglegalgroup.eu/pro-bono/

http://connect.informs.org/probonoanalytics/home

http://mavenagency.com/blog/2014/10/promote-law-firms-pro-bono-work/