2025 UC Irvine Law Leadership and Service Awards
These awards are created by students, and the recipients are nominated by and chosen by peer vote.
The following awards were presented at the UC Irvine Law Pro Bono and Student Life Awards Ceremony (PDF) on April 16, 2025.
Student Leader Awards
Awarded to one member of each class who stepped up as a leader in the UC Irvine Law community; a person dedicated to the UC Irvine Law mission and committed to living out that mission through his/her leadership on campus.
- Class of 2027: Sondos Elbershawi
- Class of 2026: Hope Weisman
- Class of 2025: Rachel Castillo
- Class of 2025, Grad Tax: Zaq McDaniel
Community Bridge Builder Award
Awarded to one individual from the student body committed to serving the greater community, beyond the borders of UC Irvine, who made a concerted effort to use his/her skills and talents to build community with our surrounding Orange County neighbors.
- Claire Foster, Class of 2025
UC Irvine Law Community Builder Award
Awarded to one individual from the student body committed to strengthening the community within UCI Law, who made a special effort to maintain the unique, collegial culture we are trying to foster within UCI Law.
- Nick Ushiyama, Class of 2025
Trailblazer Awards
Awarded to one student from each class who has started organizations, pushed for progressive policies, or made a concerted effort to bring something new and exciting to our community.
- Class of 2027: Sondos Elbershawi
- Class of 2026: Sukhraj Singh
- Class of 2025: Matthew Hitomi
- Class of 2025, Grad Tax: Sarah Saucedo
UC Irvine Law Legacy Awards
Awarded to members of the Class of 2025 who have gone above and beyond in leaving a special legacy at our law school.
- Rachel Castillo
- Claire Foster
- Alyssa Gonzaga
- Nick Ushiyama
- Romina Zarbaf
Student Group Community Outreach Award
Awarded to the student group that has excelled at reaching out to the community beyond the borders of UC Irvine.
- Law Students for Justice in Palestine (LSJP)
Student Group Enhancing Intellectual Community Award
Awarded to the student group that has used its programming to effectively enrich the intellectual community at UC Irvine.
- Law Students for Justice in Palestine (LSJP)
Student Group Best Event or Project Award
Awarded to the student group deserving of an award for best event or project.
- Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) – New Year Celebration/Lunar New Year Event
Staff Member of the Year
Awarded to a non-dean/non-director staff member in recognition of their work.
- Caleb Sullivan, Director of Career Development
Jordin Wilcher Award for Department of the Year
Awarded to a department or team in recognition of their work.
- Academic Skills Program
Faculty of the Year
Awarded to two faculty members for their outstanding work in teaching, as selected by their students.
- 1L: Professor Ji Seon Song
- Upper-level classes: Professor Shauhin Talesh
Administrator of the Year
Awarded to a dean or director in recognition of their work.
- Dean Austen Parrish