Students honored at Class Day 2026

A number of Harvard Law students from the Class of 2025 were recognized for their contributions during the Class Day ceremony on May 27, honored for their outstanding leadership, citizenship, compassion, and dedication to their studies and the profession.

Academic Awards

Fay Diploma

Abigail L. Simon

Sears Prize

Morgan and Helen Chu Prize

• Kirsten S. Mettler II
• Anoushka Soni
• Justin Xu

Dean’s Community Impact Award

For his work as an admissions fellow, a student government representative, a journal editor, a student practice organization board member, a social planner for his law school section, a college teaching fellow, and a pre-law mentor, Patrick Healy is the recipient of the inaugural Dean’s Community Impact Award, which celebrates a student who has fostered connection or has meaningfully improved relationships within the student body.

Yvonne L. Smith Award

Zane Daniels’ community-building efforts, particularly on behalf of transfers, have earned him this year’s Yvonne L. Smith Award. The award recognizes a student showing an exemplary dedication to supporting others and was named for the much-loved administrator of the Board of Student Advisers, who retired in 2023 after 46 years at the law school.

Ralph D. Gants Access to Justice Award

Tabitha Escalante is the recipient of the Ralph D. Gants Access to Justice Award. As executive director of both Harvard Defenders and Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project this year, Escalante is honored for her outstanding dedication to advocating for those involved in the criminal legal system.

The award commemorates the legacy of the late Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants ’80, who was a champion of social justice advocacy. This recognition is given to a student who demonstrates commitment to improving access to justice and leadership in working to remove systemic barriers that prevent equal justice for all.

David A. Grossman Exemplary Clinical Student Award

Jett Watson is the recipient of the David A. Grossman Exemplary Clinical Student Award. The award is given each year in honor of David Grossman ’88, who was faculty director of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, was a longtime director of the Housing Law Clinic of Harvard Law’s WilmerHale Legal Services Center, and was a champion of Harvard Law’s clinical programs who devoted his life to the pursuit of justice.

Andrew L. Kaufman Pro Bono Service Award

Micael Ben Guzman is the recipient of the Andrew L. Kaufman Pro Bono Service Award. The award, granted in honor of Professor Andrew Kaufman ’54 who spearheaded creation of the Pro Bono Program at Harvard Law School, is given to a graduating J.D. student who exemplifies a pro bono spirit and an extraordinary commitment to delivering high-quality legal services to disadvantaged communities. During law school, Guzman contributed more than 2,100 pro bono hours, a number that represents countless conversations supporting clients, late night case work, and advocacy efforts for housing and immigrant justice.

William J. Stuntz Memorial Award for Justice, Human Dignity, and Compassion

Jordan Hoogsteden’s zeal and sensitivity, along with a distinguished Harvard Law record that includes his presidency of the Harvard Defenders, have earned him this year’s William J. Stuntz Memorial Award for Justice, Human Dignity, and Compassion. The award recognizes a graduating student who has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to those principles.

The Frank S. Righeimer Jr. Prize for Student Citizenship

James Morrison came into law school with a strong sense of community, having dealt with the isolation of the COVID pandemic during his last two years as an undergrad. His community-building efforts at the law school have earned him this year’s Frank S. Righeimer Jr. Prize for Student Citizenship. 

The David Westfall Memorial Award

For his efforts building community and welcoming others at Harvard Law School, Felipe Lobo Koerich is the recipient of this year’s David Westfall Memorial Award for Community Leadership, which honors a graduating Harvard Law School student with outstanding contributions to creating community within their first-year section and class.

Kristen P. Muniz Memorial Award

Emily Berry and Divya Kumar are the recipients of the Kristin P. Muniz Memorial Award, bestowed in memory of a beloved Criminal Justice Institute senior clinical instructor to honor students who exemplify her commitment to justice and superb client-centered representation.

Dean’s Award for Community Leadership

This year, twelve students were honored with the Dean’s Award for Community Leadership, which recognize graduates who contribute time and energy to making the Harvard Law School community a better place through involvement in student organizations and journals, community service groups, clinics, and through individual efforts. This year’s recipients are: