Law School honors Teaching Award winners

The Indiana University Maurer School of Law recognized some of its finest teachers on April 20, during the School's annual Teaching Awards ceremony.

"Today we recognize that the heart of any law school is its teachers," Dean Lauren Robel said. "This is an opportunity to pause and recognize some of our best teachers. We are fortunate to have a faculty that takes so seriously the quality of its teaching."

David Williams, the John S. Hastings Professor of Law, was honored with the Leon H. Wallace Teaching Award, the Law School's top teaching prize, which he also won in 1996.

Williams, a leading constitutional scholar and executive director of the Center for Constitutional Democracy, was recognized for his commitment to his students during the ceremony.

"It's hard to communicate how much teaching means to me," Williams said. "My students are a gift to me. You teach me. I know what a miracle that gift is, and I know that a miracle is this Law School."

Robel said Williams brings an enthusiasm to the classroom that gets all of his students involved.

"Your students recognize you as one of the smartest, most compelling, and sensitive teachers we have," Robel said. "It is a privilege to have a professor like him on our faculty. He has a genuine passion for the material that is evident both in and out of the classroom."

Trustees Awards were presented to Leandra Lederman, the William W. Oliver Professor of Tax Law; Mark Need, JD'92, clinical associate professor of law and the director of the Elmore Entrepreneurship Law Clinic; and Gene Shreve, the Richard S. Melvin Professor of Law. Trustees Awards recognize excellence in teaching, and are awarded by a committee that reviews student and faculty nominations. Carwina Weng, director of the Disability Law Clinic, was presented the Leonard D. Fromm Faculty Public Interest Award for her tireless work to help clients obtain Social Security and Medicaid benefits.

Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Mary Ellen Diekhoff, JD'86, who teaches Trial Advocacy, was honored with the Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year Award.

"I love teaching this course," Diekhoff said. "Practicing law is something I always thought was the most noble profession, and I'm proud to help you all learn more about it. The education you'll get here is the best."