The Lawyers Club of San Diego honored third-year student Elizabeth Knowles on Thursday, December 15, as the second recipient of the Lawyers Club of San Diego Women and the Law Project Scholarship at Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Knowles was introduced by TJSL Dean Rudy Hasl, in front of about 300 judges, attorneys and other members of the legal community, at the Lawyers Club Annual Holiday Luncheon at the Westin San Diego.
“At TJSL, we consider Elizabeth Knowles a ‘superstar student’,” said Dean Hasl. “When you think of any significant activity within the law school, Elizabeth Knowles has been a key part of working with other students to energize them for the betterment of the entire enterprise.”
Some of Knowles' many achievements at TJSL include: Thomas Jefferson Law Review, Staff Associate; Moot Court Honor Society; Public Interest Law Foundation, President, 2010 – 2011; Student Organization President of the Year, 2010 – 2011; American Bar Association Judicial Clerkship Program Participant; and Equal Justice Works Summercorps Member.
Knowles, who will graduate in May 2012, was one of three San Diego law students who received a $2,000 scholarship at the luncheon.
“We look at these three recipients and say this is the future of our profession: what a great reason to be optimistic,” said Dean Hasl.
Knowles also has been a Legal Orientation Program Intern with the ABA Immigration Justice Project, a law clerk in the Unaccompanied Minors Program with the Casa Cornella Law Center and a legal intern with the California Innocence Project.
“Law school has been a very special time in my life,” explained Knowles. “I’d like to just say that I am grateful to the Lawyers Club and to my school for this incredible experience.”
Dean Hasl said he is not only proud of Knowles but he is also proud of the partnership with this organization. “I would also like to acknowledge the relationship that we have developed with the Lawyers Club in recognizing the truly extraordinary law students at each of our local law schools.”
TJSL established the scholarship in collaboration with Lawyers Club to recognize a TJSL student in good standing who demonstrates support of the mission of Lawyers Club.
“As a mom, I hope that what my experience as a law student will teach my daughter is that you can achieve success and find fulfillment through service to others.”
Among her supporters present were Knowles’ boyfriend as well as a group of TJSL professors and administrators, including Professors Julie Greenberg, Claire Wright, Marybeth Herald and Judi Sanzo, Assistant Deans Karen Goyette and Lori Wulfemeyer and several TJSL alumni also attended the luncheon. The scholarship is designated to help with the expense of tuition and books.