At the annual Law Alumni Celebration of Achievement, Santa Clara Law honors alumni and members of the law school community with the Alumni Special Achievement Award, the Owens Lawyer of the Year Award, the Amicus Award and the Rising Star Award
About the Alumni Special Achievement Award
The Alumni Special Achievement Award was established by Santa Clara University School of Law’s Alumni Association to publicly recognize outstanding achievements of their alumni. Recipients have distinguished themselves in their profession, community, and in service to humanity. The award is based on a variety of factors, including community service, youth activities, career achievement, community educational involvement, professional and community honors, business and professional leadership, and education honors and SCU involvement.
Alumni Special Achievement Award Winners
2020 - Rebecca Jones BA ‘83
2019 - Keith Wattley JD ’99
2018 - Colleen T. Davies JD ’83
2017 - Julie Mar-Spinola JD ’87
2016 - J. Casey McGlynn B.S. ’75
2015 - Mr. Paul L. ‘Chip’ Lion III JD ’82
2014 - Mr. Howard Charney ’73 MBA
2013 - Ms. Dorian E. Daley ’86 JD
2010 - Ms. Marjorie Cohn ’75 JD
2010 - Mr. Phil Sims ’71 JD
2009 - Mr. W. David P. Carey III ’81 JD
2009 - The Honorable Jean High Wetenkamp ’76 JD
2008 - Mr. Salvador Liccardo ’56U ’61 JD
2008 - Mr. Rodney Moore ’85 JD
2008 - Ms. Catherine Sprinkles ’73 JD
2007 - Mr. Ted Biagini ’62U ’64 JD
2007 - Mr. William T. Loris ’68U ’72 JD
2006 - Mr. John C. Cruden ’74 JD
2006 - Ms. Naomi Young ’74 JD
2006 - The Honorable James Wright ’43U ’49 JD
2005 - Professor Kyong-Whan “Kenny” Ahn ’85 JD
2005 - The Honorable Eileen Kato ’80 JD
2005 - The Honorable Eugene Premo ’57U ’62 JD
2005 - Mr. Richard Watters ’73 JD
2004 - The Honorable Phyllis Hamilton ’76 JD ’08H
2004 - The Honorable Eugene Hyman ’77 JD
2004 - Major General Thomas J. Romig
2004 - Gordon T. Yamate ’80 JD
2003 - Ms. Mary Alexander ’82 JD ’03H
2003 - The Honorable Robert Durham ’72 JD
2003 - Mr. Tom Dunlap ’79 JD
2003 - Mr. Albert Ruffo ’31U ’36 JD
2002 - Mr. Ronald Malone ’71 JD
2002 - Mr. Leon Panetta ’60U ’63 JD ’88H
2002 - Mr. Charles Paul ’75 JD
2002 - Ms. Rolanda Pierre-Dixon ’80 JD
2001 - The Honorable Zoe Lofgren ’75 JD ‘99H
2001 - The Honorable Edward Panelli ’53U ’55 JD ’86H
2001 - Mr. Arturo Jaramillo ’75 JD
2001 - The Honorable Brien Collins ’70U ’73 JD
About the Owens Lawyer of the Year
The Edwin J. Owens Lawyer of the Year, an award given to a distinguished member of the law school community who is devoted to the highest ideals of the profession and has made significant contributions to the University, the community, and the law. First awarded in 1966, the Owens award is named for Edwin J. Owens, a longtime dean of the law school who was later a superior court judge.
Owens Lawyer of the Year Honorees
2020 – Professor Emeritus Kenneth Manaster
2019 – Mike Gencarella JD ’97
2018 – Philip L. Gregory JD/MBA ’80
2017 – Donald J. Polden
2016 – The Honorable Phyllis J. Hamilton JD ’76
2015 – Professor Cynthia A. Mertens
2014 – The Honorable James C. Emerson ’73 JD
2013 – Professor Robert W. Peterson
2010 – Mr. Gordon Yamate ’80 JD
2009 – Mr. Ronald J. Malone ’71 JD
2008 – Fr. Paul J. Goda, S.J.
2007 – The Honorable Raymond J. Davilla, Jr. ’62U ’72 JD
2006 – Mr. William B. Clayton Jr. ’71 U ’74 JD
2005 – Professor Mack A. Player Dean Law School 1994-2003
2004 – Mr. John R. Williams ’65 JD
2003 – The Honorable John S. McInerny ’49U ’54 JD
2002 – The Honorable Mary J. Levinger ’73 JD
2001 – Mr. Daniel J. Kelly ’69 JD
2000 – The Honorable Jesus Valencia ’82 JD
1999 – Ms. Joan R. Gallo ’75 JD
1998 – Ms. Georgia E. Bacil ’79 JD
1997 – Professor Gerald F. Uelmen Dean Law School 1986-1994
1996 – Mr. Frederick M. Gonzalez ’71U ’73B ’77 JD
1995 – The Honorable Zoe Lofgren ’75 JD ’99H
1994 – The Honorable Risë R. Pichon ’73U ’76 JD
1993 – Mr. Michael A. Espy ’78 JD
1992 – Ms. Catherine Sprinkles ’73 JD
1991 – The Honorable Eugene Premo ’57U ’62 JD
1990 – Dr. Richard L. Rykoff Acting Dean ’85 – ’86
1989 – Ms. Mary B. Emery ’63 Associate Dean
1988 – The Honorable Philip H. Pennypacker ’72L
1987 – The Honorable Brien Collins ’70U ’73 JD
1986 – Mr. Theodore J. Biagini ’62U ’64 JD
1985 – Mr. George J. Alexander, Dean Law School 1970-1985
1984 – Mr. William E. Glennon ’66 JD
1983 – Mr. Alan A. Parker ’64 JD
1982 – Justice Edward Panelli ’53U ’55 JD ’86H
1981 – The Honorable Marcel B. Poche
1980 – The Honorable Jerome A. Smith ’65 JD
1979 – The Honorable Peter L. Anello ’40U ’48 JD
1978 – The Honorable Noel E. Manoukian ’64L
1977 – The Honorable James A. Wright ’43U ’49 JD
1976 – Mr. Anthony T. Oliver Jr. ’51U ’53 JD
1975 – Mr. George A. Strong ’55 JD ’93H Associate Dean
1974 – Mr. Louis P. Bergna ’44U ’48 JD
1973 – Mr. Richard A. McCormick ’36U ’38 JD
1972 – The Honorable Wayne M. Kanemoto ’42 JD
1972 – Mr. Michael di Leonardo ’50 JD
1971 – Mr. Austen D. Warburton ’41 JD
1970 – Mr. Leon Panetta ’60U ’63 JD ’88H
1969 – The Honorable John D. Foley
1968 – Mr. Albert J. Ruffo ’31U ’36 JD
1967 – Mr. Harold R. McKinnon ’15 JD
1966 – The Honorable Edwin J. Owens
About the Santa Clara Law Amicus Award
The Santa Clara Law Amicus Award was established in 2009 to recognize a non-alumnus who has demonstrated the highest level of leadership in the legal profession and the community, while significantly advancing the mission and reputation of Santa Clara Law.
Amicus Award Honorees
2020 – Paul Gentzkow
2019 – Michael E. Engh, S.J.
2018 – The Honorable Edward J. Davila
2017 – John Ottoboni BA ’69
2016 – Katharine Alexander
2015 – The Honorable Socrates P. Manoukian
2014 – Mr. Joseph W. Cotchett
2013 – Mr. Edwin H. Taylor (1939-2012)
2010 – The Honorable Ronald Whyte
2009 – Mr. Larry W. Sonsini ’04H
About the Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award began in 2013 to recognize a Santa Clara Law graduate who has distinguished him/herself after less than ten years in practice and has demonstrated impact in the community through their service and commitment to the law.
Rising Star Honoree
2020 – Nicole Shanahan JD ’14
2019 – Rachel Fischbein JD ’12
2018 – Karen M. Schulz JD ’10
2017 – Jennifer Leung JD ’08
2016 – Christopher Boscia JD ’08
2015 – Kevin J. Albanese BS ’96, JD ’08
2014 – Ms. Karin Frenza Cogbill ’06 JD
2013 – Mr. David J. Tsai ’06 JD