Capital University Law School Graduates Over 180 Students, Honorable Jeffrey S. Sutton Delivers Commencement Address

May 28, 2009

Judge Sutton is presented with an honorary degree from Dean Jack A. Guttenberg. “…Who is the best lawyer—the one who stands out among the rest, the one we all want to be? To me, it’s the lawyer who looks at a legal problem that ten other lawyers can’t solve and who nonetheless sees something that no one else has seen…the great lawyer develops a broad knowledge of the law…[and] a creative legal imagination…” 2009 Commencement remarks by The Hon. Jeffrey S. Sutton, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Capital University Law School graduated 187 J.D., LL.M. and M.T. students on Sunday, May 25. The commencement and hooding ceremony took place at the historic Ohio Theatre.

The Honorable Jeffrey S. Sutton delivered the Law School’s 2009 Commencement address. He also received an honorary degree in recognition of his dedication to the legal profession, public service and his commitment to the judiciary.

Judge Sutton of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, was a partner with the law firm of Jones Day Reavis & Pogue in Columbus, Ohio, and served as Solicitor General for the State of Ohio. A talented advocate, he has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in a dozen cases that have led to landmark decisions. He also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Thomas J. Meskill and U.S. Supreme Court Justices Lewis F. Powell, Jr. (Ret.), and Antonin Scalia.

Class valedictorian John C. Cannizzaro gave remarks on behalf of the Class of 2009. “Never forget the relationships you’ve made here at Capital.  We’ve all been through something incredible, and we’ll always share that bond.  In a few months I’ll be happy to call you all colleagues.  But I’m happier now just knowing that I can call so many of you friends.  Thank you all for making this one of the best experiences of my life, and no matter where you end up, always remember the relationships you built along the way.  I know I will.” John C. Cannizzaro, L’09, Class Valedictorian

2009 Legacy Graduates and their family members (first row, left to right): Summer Gary; Rufus Hurst, L’87, LLM’91; Tracy Hurst; John C. Cannizzaro; John F. Cannizzaro, L’80; Meredith Moriarty. Second row: Terri Jamison-Gary, L’04; Andrew Browell; Douglas K. Browell, L’78; Benjamin Jerome; Emmalyn J. Jerome, L’03; Travis Fulton; Philip J. Fulton, L’80; Melissa Moriarty Gash, L’03. Third row: William Flautt; Joseph Flautt, L’80; Michael Benson; J. Jeffrey Benson, L’82.

The 2009 commencement awards were given to:

• American Law Institute-American Bar Association Scholarship and Leadership Award (for scholarship and leadership) - Rachel L. Lawless
• Dean’s Award (for outstanding leadership and contributions to the Law School) – John C. Cannizzaro, Shantae Decarlow Clayborn, Anthony William Eufinger
• Dean’s Public Service Award (for outstanding public service to the Law School and surrounding community) – Jocelyn Marie Armstrong, Jennifer Collins Karr, Mary Jean Nienaber
• Order of the Barristers (student excellence in moot court, mock trial and brief writing) – Christopher C. Camboni, Anthony William Eufinger, Heather Lane George Myers, Diana E. Hawkins, Justin Richard Hunt, Sarah Beth Kwasigroch, James E. Tebbutt, Mitchell Aaron Tobias, Nicole R. Woods
• Ron Friedman Award (for contributions to the life of the Law School through extracurricular activities) – Delilah Nunez
• Harter Award (for attaining the greatest increase in GPA over the span of one full-time academic year) – Jennifer Collins Karr
• National Association of Women Lawyers Award – Celia M. Kilgard
• American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence – Robert A. Franco
• Pro Bono Honorees – Matthew David Berens, Adam Michael Bragg, Jennifer L. Davidson, Jana Marie Hammer, Rebekah Meister, Laura M. Stanley, Bobbie Lyn Yeager