Pepperdine Caruso Law Students Receive Outstanding Student Awards 2022 by Clinical Legal Education Association

Three Pepperdine Caruso Law students are the recipients of outstanding student awards by the Clinical Legal Education Association. Recent graduate Michael Briggs and rising third-year student Kevin Kilroy were awarded the Outstanding Clinic Team Award for their demonstrated excellence in their representation of their transgender, human trafficking client.

All semester, Michael and Kevin demonstrated excellence in their representation of their transgender, human trafficking client. They established rapport early and communicated regularly with their client, and gleaned additional information through trauma-informed interviewing and counseling to better portray their client's criminal convictions as result of sex trafficking. Kevin and Michael also edited the client's declaration and pleadings with more trans-inclusive language. Their contribution to the clinic for future students, as well as the broader community at Pepperdine and the legal community combatting sex trafficking in Los Angeles cannot be overstated. Michael and Kevin embody the intent and spirit this award seeks to honor.

In addition, rising third-year student Felicia Forman excelled in her work with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office Sex Crimes Division. Her work supervisor noted that, "Felicia is committed to helping victims of sexual abuse become survivors. She has incredible drive, an outstanding work ethic and she takes the initiative to find ways to help all of the attorneys here at Stuart House. Felicia will be an outstanding lawyer and our Deputy In Charge continues to tell her that having her as a law clerk is like having another Deputy District Attorney in the office. I am looking forward to Felicia working with us again next semester."