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Alumni Events

Class Cocktail Parties


Cynthia Ross, JD '80, and Mitzi Young, JD '80

Nick Gingold


Rick Dandrea, JD '80, John Hay, Jr., JD '80, Mary Porter, JD '80, and Steve Bobo, JD '80

Nick Gingold


Chris Kimball, JD '05, Katherine McKnight, JD '08, and Manuel Cordovez, JD '05

Lela Dehne


Jonathan Greenblatt, JD '80, former Dean Frederick M. Lawrence, and Linda Adams

Nick Gingold


Phil Morton, JD '05, and Kristin Adair, JD '06

Lela Dehne

The Stockton Guard


The Stockton Guard

Abdul El-Tayef


Irving Fleishman, LLB '51, and Linda Fleishman

Abdul El-Tayef


George Stathopoulos, LLB '60, Alan Hutchison, JD '60, Irving Salem, JD '60, Mel Garbow, JD '60, Anthony Vance, JD '60

Abdul El-Tayef

Alumni Weekend 2010

A record number of GW Law alumni and friends returned to campus in October for Alumni Weekend—an annual highlight of the Law School calendar. More than 500 participants attended a wide range of events throughout the weekend—from Law School tours and faculty lectures to class-specific gatherings.

A number of alumni were honored with prestigious awards during Alumni Weekend:

•  Michael Avenatti, JD '00, received the University's Recent Alumni Achievement Award.
•  Douglas E. Davidson, JD '71, received the Jacob Burns Award for Extraordinary Service to The George Washington University Law School.
•  Gregory Garre, JD '91, received the University's Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award.
•  Carmen Milagros Ortiz, JD '81, received the J. William Fulbright Distinguished Public Service Award from the George Washington Law Alumni Association.

Other highlights of the weekend included:

•  Stockton Guard luncheon and induction, celebrating the classes of 1970 and earlier
•  Tours of the Law School led by student volunteers
•  State of the Law School address
•  Class cocktail parties
•  Run the Sites led by student volunteers
•  Bus tour of Washington, D.C.
•  Black Law Alumni Association meeting
•  Latino Law Alumni Association meeting
•  LLM lunch and meeting
•  Ice cream social on the Stockton Hall patio
•  Presentation and lecture by the Center for Law, Economics & Finance (C-LEAF)
•  Lecture by Professor Jonathan Turley
•  Class Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the National Museum of the American Indian

Additional photos of Alumni Weekend festivities can be viewed at http://gwlaw.smugmug.com.

Ice Cream Social


Weston D. Burnett, JD '75, LLM '83, and James Graham, JD '00

Abdul El-Tayef


Donell Hicks, JD '00, and Denise Hicks-Barnes

Abdul El-Tayef


Augustus Roessner, Michael Roessner, JD '00, Asa Roessner, and Acadia Roessner, MA '07

Abdul El-Tayef

Alumni Weekend Lectures


Arthur E. Wilmarth, Jr., professor of law, Lawrence E. Mitchell, Theodore Rinehart Professor of Business Law; executive director, Center for Law, Economics & Finance (C-LEAF)

Abdul El-Tayef


Jonathan Turley, J.B. and Maurice Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law; director of the Environmental Law Advocacy Center; executive director, Project for Older Prisoners

Abdul El-Tayef

Class Dinner & Awards Ceremony


Carmen M. Ortiz, JD '81, United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts and recipient of the J. William Fulbright Distinguished Public Service Award, with Interim Dean Gregory E. Maggs

Abdul El-Tayef


Christina Guerola Sarchio, JD '95, Chad Sarchio, JD '95, Deané Fenstermaker, associate director of law development

Abdul El-Tayef



Douglas E. Davidson, JD '71, chairman emeritus of the GW Law Board of Advisors and recipient of the Jacob Burns Award for Extraordinary Service to The George Washington University Law School, with Interim Dean Gregory E. Maggs

Abdul El-Tayef


Professor Emeritus and former Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Research Development Eric Sirulnik reconnected with Mary L. Schapiro, JD '80, 29th chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at the Class Dinner and Award Ceremony during Alumni Weekend.

Abdul El-Tayef

Reunion Classes Present Scholarship Gifts


Weston D. Burnett, JD '75, LLM '83, Earle H. O'Donnell, JD '75, and William J. Mutryn, II, JD '75, with former Dean Lawrence.

Abdul El-Tayef

The Class Dinner and Alumni Awards Presentation, held at the National Museum of the American Indian on
Oct. 2, was a highlight of Alumni Weekend 2010. Members of reunion classes and other graduates greeted old friends, reconnected with GW Law faculty members, and enjoyed an unforgettable evening.

Two classes presented gifts to endow scholarship funds honoring their respective classes. Together, they raised more than $666,000 by Alumni Weekend 2010 to support scholarships. Members of the GW Law Class of 1975 celebrated their 35th reunion by presenting a class gift of $513,259 at the dinner. The committee was chaired by Earle H. O'Donnell and Weston D. Burnett, and included Thomas L. Mills and William J. Mutryn, II.

The Class of 1980 honored its 30th reunion with a gift of $153,122.50. Jonathan Greenblatt chaired the committee, which included Mark Berthiaume, Matt Brief, Warren Feldman, John Hay, Jr., and Dick Langan.

Three new awards were introduced at the Class Dinner: the Barron Cup, the Friedenthal Bowl and the Dean's Cup. The Barron Cup, named for GW Law Professor and former Dean Jerome A. Barron, honors the section with the highest participation rate in the class gift campaign. The Barron Cup was presented to Kaitlin Donley and Jessica Katz of Section 12 in the Class of 2010 with 75 percent participation.

The Friedenthal Bowl honors former GW Law Dean Jack H. Friedenthal and is awarded to the class that raises the most money in its reunion year. The Dean's Cup is given to the class with the highest percentage of participation in the gift campaign. Gifts received through the end of the reunion calendar year count toward the total. Awardees will be announced in the GW Law Summer 2011 issue.

Thanks to all who participated in the 2010 Class Gift Campaign! Your successful fundraising efforts create a lasting legacy, ensuring that outstanding students will continue to be able to benefit from a GW Law education.


Former SBA President John Sorrenti, JD '10, Maggie Yates, JD '10, and Section 12 committee members Jessica Katz, JD '10, and Kaitlin Donley, JD '10, flank former dean and current professor Jerome A. Barron, namesake of a new award honoring the highest participation by class section.

Abdul El-Tayef


Mark Berthiaume, JD '80, John J. Hay, Jr., JD '80, Robert J. Gordon, JD '80, Jonathan L Greenblatt, JD '80, and Matthew J. Brief, JD '80, with former Dean Lawrence.

Abdul El-Tayef

GW Law Grads Receive Prestigious Awards


Michael J. Avenatti, JD '00, Interim Dean Gregory E. Maggs, and Gregory G. Garre, JD '91

Dave Scavone

Two accomplished GW Law graduates received the GW Alumni Association's most prestigious award during Alumni Weekend 2010. Gregory G. Garre, JD '91, and Michael J. Avenatti, JD '00, were honored with five others at the 74th annual Alumni Achievement Awards ceremony on Sept. 30, 2010.

Mr. Garre received a Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, recognizing his service to the nation as 44th solicitor general. Now a partner at Latham & Watkins LLP, he chairs the firm's Supreme Court and appellate practice. He has argued numerous high-profile cases before the Supreme Court and the courts of appeals.

Mr. Avenatti's reputation as one of the foremost trial lawyers in the country earned him a Recent Alumni Achievement Award. Selected as one of "California's Top 20 Lawyers under 40," Mr. Avenatti also received the Orange County Trial Lawyer of the Year Award. He began his legal career at O'Melveny & Myers, LLP and in 2007 Mr. Avenatti and two other attorneys formed Eagan, O'Malley & Avenatti, LLP.


Hugh Steinberger, LLB '50, Grace Ferrill, LLB '50, Fritz Kahn, LLB '50, Interim Dean and professor of law, Gregory E. Maggs, Duard Barnes, LLB '50, and Al Boyer, JD '50

Sarah Cone

Class of 1950 Reunion Luncheon

Members of the class of 1950 gathered for a luncheon in celebration of their 60th reunion on Nov. 16. Guests reminisced over lunch in the Frederick M. Lawrence Student Conference Center.

Additional photos of the event can be viewed at http://gwlaw.smugmug.com.

Alumni Events Recap

•  Alumni, students, faculty, and staff participated on the GW Law team in the annual Lawyers Have Heart race in Washington, D.C., benefiting the American Heart Association.
•  New alumni enjoyed much-needed relaxation during a bar break at the Law School. The event, co-hosted by the Alumni Relations Office and Student Affairs Office, offered chair massages, healthy snacks, meditation, and other stress-reducing activities for our most recent graduates as they studied for their bar exams.
•  We kicked off Alumni Weekend in style with alumni receptions in Washington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
•  Alumni, faculty, and students gathered at the American Bar Association's annual meeting in San Francisco, where GW Law's student newspaper Nota Bene won the Law School Newspaper Award.
•  We celebrated in New Orleans with an alumni reception at the National Bar Association's annual convention.
•  New York alumni enjoyed a night at the ballpark with a group outing to a Yankees game.
•  Col. Michael Benjamin and Alice Eldridge hosted small dinners with government contracts alumni in Washington, D.C.
•  Internationally, alumni gathered for dinners in London, Tokyo, and Seoul.
•  Our intellectual property alumni enjoyed a reception during the American Intellectual Property Law Association's annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
•  GW Law and the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland co-hosted a lecture and reception featuring author and journalist Joan Biskupic in Greenbelt, Md.
•  Alumni and students spent an evening networking and trying for turkeys at Lucky Strike Lanes in Washington, D.C.

Upcoming Events

Save the date for the following GW Law Alumni events:

Fri., Feb. 25, 2011 – Government Procurement Law Program's Annual Alumni & Friends Luncheon at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Wed., March 9, 2011 – Ann Arbor Alumni & Admitted Student Reception, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Thurs., March 10, 2011 – Chicago Alumni & Admitted Student Reception, Chicago

Wed., March 16, 2011 – Seattle Alumni & Admitted Student Reception, Seattle

Sat., March 19, 2011 – Salt Lake City Alumni & Admitted Student Luncheon, Salt Lake City

Mon., March 21, 2011 – Denver Alumni & Admitted Student Reception, Denver

Tues., March 22, 2011 – Houston Alumni & Admitted Student Reception, Houston

Wed., March 23, 2011 – New York Alumni & Admitted Student Reception, New York

Wed., March 23, 2011 – New Orleans Alumni & Admitted Student Dinner, New Orleans

Thurs., March 24, 2011 – Philadelphia Alumni & Admitted Student Reception, Philadelphia

Mon., March 28, 2011 – Los Angeles Alumni & Admitted Student Reception, Los Angeles

Tues., March 29, 2011 – Atlanta Alumni & Admitted Student Reception, Atlanta

Wed., March 30, 2011 – Miami Alumni & Admitted Student Reception, Miami

Thurs., March 31, 2011 – Boston Alumni & Admitted Student Reception, Boston

Sat., April 30, 2011 – GW Law Golf Outing, Westfields Golf Club, Clifton, Va.

Thurs., Sept. 15 – Sun., Sept. 18, 2011 – Alumni Weekend 2011

Please visit the GW Law Alumni website at www.law.gwu.edu/Alumni for details on these and other upcoming law alumni events around the globe.

2011 Class Committee Contact Information

Class of 2006

Matthew Benz
Sarah Dean
Phara Serle Guberman
Eric Koester
Erin Plasteras
Magin Puig Monsen
Alejandro Rosenberg
Amir Shaikh
Philip Warrick
Will Wilder
Jonathan Willingham
Allison Young
V. David Zvenyach

Class of 2001

Andrea Agathoklis
Melissa Dulski
Robert Garagiola
Melissa Henke
James Pizzirusso
Rodney Pratt
Alexandra Rose
Janeen Thomas
Shannon Weinberg
Keren Levy Weiss

Class of 1996

Ariel Devine
Alexander Hadjis, LLM
Matthew Keiser
Seth Lundy
Michael McKeon
Brian Nester
Rebecca Pearson, LLM
Jonathan Tarnow

Class of 1991

Arturo Carrillo
Joseph Edmondson
Kevin C. Fitzgerald
Gregory Garre
Marc Gross
Eric Horvitz  
Christopher Keough
Robert Kiesel
Mitchell Mackler
Dana Nifosi
Jonathan Wilson

Class of 1986

Glenn Garnes
Nancy Spodick Healey
Bradford Irelan
Paul Khoury
Marjorie Lynch
Francisco Montero
Bernard Nigro
Samuel Racoosin
Rick Richmond
Dean Rutley
Tali Segal
Eric Settle
Jerry Spitz
Martha Wyrsch

Class of 1981

Jill Kotvis
Robert Litowitz
Andrew Perellis
Mark Stilwell
Susan Neuberger Weller

Class of 1976

Roy Baldwin
Richard Baum
Richard Champion
Alan Dubin
Eric Honick
Gerald Laporte
Alan Nadel

Class of 1971

James Carr
Daniel Clements
Douglas Davidson
Judith Dobkin
Steven Goldberg
Susan Low
Greggory Mendenhall
Marybeth Peters
Larry O'Rourke
Teresa Schwartz
James Shulman  

Class of 1966

John Beemer
Craig Distelhorst
Lawrence Durkin
Randall Ishmael
A. Sidney Katz
Phoebe Perper

Class of 1961

Col. Ernest Auerbach
Bernard Gild
Morton Goldstein
R. Browne Greene
William Holt
The Hon. Lawrence Margolis  
Francis O'Rourke
Daniel Sachs
Robert Sandler
The Hon. ThomasSmegal
W. John Swartz
William Thornton
James Wray

Save the Date for Alumni Weekend 2011

Alumni Weekend 2010 was the biggest, most well-attended reunion weekend ever. Let's keep the momentum going for Alumni Weekend 2011! Mark your calendars for Sept. 15 to 17; we look forward to welcoming you back to Foggy Bottom.