At the biennial Celebration of Achievement and Inclusive Excellence Awards, Santa Clara Law honors alumni and members of the law school community with the Alumni Special Achievement Award, the Owens Lawyer of the Year Award, the Amicus Award, the Inclusive Excellence Award (formerly the Diversity Award/Honorees of the Diversity & Inclusion Gala), and the Alumni Rising Star Award.
About the Inclusive Excellence Award
The Santa Clara Law Inclusive Excellence Award honors an outstanding alumnus or law community member for his or her work in the area of diversity and inclusion. The honor recognizes an individual with a demonstrated long-term commitment to promoting diversity in the profession as well as outstanding personal leadership or groundbreaking achievements in the diversity space. This award is a culmination of the previous awards from the formers Diversity and Inclusion Gala, as well as the former Diversity Award from Celebration of Achievement. These two events were combined in 2025 to recognize our most important honors in one night.
Inclusive Excellence Honoree
2025 – David Tsai ’06
2025 – Donald J. Polden, Dean Emeritus (2003-2013)
2024 – Carlos Rosario ’11
2023 – Akshay Verma ’06
2021 – Nahal Iravani-Sani ’93
2019 – Honorable Shelyna V. Brown ’96
2018 – Lizbeth Mateo ’16
2017 – Jim Obergefell
2016 – Allonn E. Levy ’96
2016 – The Honorable Paul S. Grewal
2015 – Jeanette Leach
2015 – The Honorable Tani Cantil-Sakauye
2014 – Michelle A. Banks
2014 – Luis J. Rodriguez ’92
About the Santa Clara Law Amicus Award
The Santa Clara Law Amicus Award was established in 2009 to recognize a non-alumnus who has demonstrated the highest level of leadership in the legal profession and the community, while significantly advancing the mission and reputation of Santa Clara Law.
Amicus Award Honorees
2025 – Steven Skikos
2023 – Paul Gentzkow
2019 – Michael E. Engh, S.J.
2018 – The Honorable Edward J. Davila
2017 – John Ottoboni
2016 – Katharine Alexander
2015 – The Honorable Socrates P. Manoukian
2014 – Joseph W. Cotchett
2013 – Edwin H. Taylor
2010 – The Honorable Ronald Whyte
2009 – Larry W. Sonsini
About the Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award began in 2013 to recognize a Santa Clara Law graduate who has distinguished him/herself after less than ten years in practice and has demonstrated impact in the community through their service and commitment to the law.
Rising Star Honoree
2025 - Madhumita “Mita” Datta JD ’16
2023 – Nicole Shanahan JD ’14
2019 – Rachel Fischbein JD ’12
2018 – Karen M. Schulz JD ’10
2017 – Jennifer Leung JD ’08
2016 – Christopher Boscia JD ’08
2015 – Kevin J. Albanese BS ’96, JD ’08
2014 – Karin Frenza Cogbill ’06 JD
2013 – David J. Tsai ’06 JD
About the Owens Lawyer of the Year
The Edwin J. Owens Lawyer of the Year, an award given to a distinguished member of the law school community who is devoted to the highest ideals of the profession and has made significant contributions to the University, the community, and the law. First awarded in 1966, the Owens award is named for Edwin J. Owens, a longtime dean of the law school who was later a superior court judge.
Owens Lawyer of the Year Honorees
2025 – Omar Habbas JD ’85
2023 – Professor Emeritus Kenneth Manaster
2019 – Mr. Mike Gencarella JD ’97
2018 – Mr. Philip L. Gregory JD/MBA ’80
2017 – Professor Donald J. Polden, Dean Emeritus 2003-2013
2016 – The Honorable Phyllis J. Hamilton JD ’76
2015 – Professor Cynthia A. Mertens
2014 – The Honorable James C. Emerson ’73 JD
2013 – Professor Robert W. Peterson
2010 – Mr. Gordon Yamate ’80 JD
2009 – Mr. Ronald J. Malone ’71 JD
2008 – Fr. Paul J. Goda, S.J.
2007 – The Honorable Raymond J. Davilla, Jr. ’62U ’72 JD
2006 – Mr. William B. Clayton Jr. ’71U ’74 JD
2005 – Professor Mack A. Player, Dean Emeritus 1994-2003
2004 – Mr. John R. Williams ’65 JD
2003 – The Honorable John S. McInerny ’49U ’54 JD
2002 – The Honorable Mary J. Levinger ’73 JD
2001 – Mr. Daniel J. Kelly ’69 JD
2000 – The Honorable Jesus Valencia ’82 JD
1999 – Ms. Joan R. Gallo ’75 JD
1998 – Ms. Georgia E. Bacil ’79 JD
1997 – Professor Gerald F. Uelmen, Dean Emeritus 1986-1994
1996 – Mr. Frederick M. Gonzalez ’71U ’73B ’77 JD
1995 – The Honorable Zoe Lofgren ’75 JD ’99H
1994 – The Honorable Risë R. Pichon ’73U ’76 JD
1993 – Mr. Michael A. Espy ’78 JD
1992 – Ms. Catherine Sprinkles ’73 JD
1991 – The Honorable Eugene Premo ’57U ’62 JD
1990 – Dr. Richard L. Rykoff Dean Emeritus (1985-1986)
1989 – Ms. Mary B. Emery ’63 Associate Dean
1988 – The Honorable Philip H. Pennypacker ’72L
1987 – The Honorable Brien Collins ’70U ’73 JD
1986 – Mr. Theodore J. Biagini ’62U ’64 JD
1985 – Mr. George J. Alexander, Dean Emeritus 1970-1985
1984 – Mr. William E. Glennon ’66 JD
1983 – Mr. Alan A. Parker ’64 JD
1982 – Justice Edward Panelli ’53U ’55 JD ’86H
1981 – The Honorable Marcel B. Poche
1980 – The Honorable Jerome A. Smith ’65 JD
1979 – The Honorable Peter L. Anello ’40U ’48 JD
1978 – The Honorable Noel E. Manoukian ’64L
1977 – The Honorable James A. Wright ’43U ’49 JD
1976 – Mr. Anthony T. Oliver Jr. ’51U ’53 JD
1975 – Mr. George A. Strong ’55 JD ’93H Associate Dean
1974 – Mr. Louis P. Bergna ’44U ’48 JD
1973 – Mr. Richard A. McCormick ’36U ’38 JD
1972 – The Honorable Wayne M. Kanemoto ’42 JD
1972 – Mr. Michael di Leonardo ’50 JD
1971 – Mr. Austen D. Warburton ’41 JD
1970 – Mr. Leon Panetta ’60U ’63 JD ’88H
1969 – The Honorable John D. Foley
1968 – Mr. Albert J. Ruffo ’31U ’36 JD
1967 – Mr. Harold R. McKinnon ’15 JD
1966 – The Honorable Edwin J. Owens, Dean Emeritus (1933-1953)
About the Alumni Special Achievement Award
The Alumni Special Achievement Award was established by Santa Clara University School of Law’s Alumni Association to publicly recognize outstanding achievements of their alumni. Recipients have distinguished themselves in their profession, community, and in service to humanity. The award is based on a variety of factors, including community service, youth activities, career achievement, community educational involvement, professional and community honors, business and professional leadership, and education honors and SCU involvement.
Alumni Special Achievement Award Winners
2025 – Molly A. McDonald JD '95
2023 – Ms. Rebecca Jones BA ‘83, JD ‘87
2019 – Mr. Keith Wattley JD ’99
2018 – Ms. Colleen T. Davies JD ’83
2017 – Ms. Julie Mar-Spinola JD ’87
2016 – Mr. J. Casey McGlynn B.S. ’75, JD ’78
2015 – Mr. Paul L. ‘Chip’ Lion III JD ’82
2014 – Mr. Howard Charney ’73 MBA, ’77 JD
2013 – Ms. Dorian E. Daley ’86 JD
2010 – Mr. Phil Sims ’71 JD
2010 – Ms. Marjorie Cohn ’75 JD
2009 – The Honorable Jean High Wetenkamp ’76 JD
2009 – Mr. W. David P. Carey III ’81 JD
2008 – Ms. Catherine Sprinkles ’73 JD
2008 – Mr. Rodney Moore ’85 JD
2008 – Mr. Salvador Liccardo ’56U ’61 JD
2007 – Mr. William T. Loris ’68U ’72 JD
2007 – Mr. Ted Biagini ’62U ’64 JD
2006 – The Honorable James Wright ’43U ’49 JD
2006 – Ms. Naomi Young ’74 JD
2006 – Mr. John C. Cruden ’74 JD
2005 – Mr. Richard Watters ’73 JD
2005 – The Honorable Eugene Premo ’57U ’62 JD
2005 – The Honorable Eileen Kato ’80 JD
2005 – Professor Kyong-Whan “Kenny” Ahn ’85 JD
2004 – Mr. Gordon T. Yamate ’80 JD
2004 – Major General Thomas J. Romig, US Army, retired ’80 JD
2004 – The Honorable Eugene Hyman ’77 JD
2004 – The Honorable Phyllis Hamilton ’76 JD ’08H
2003 – Mr. Albert Ruffo ’31U ’36 JD
2003 – Mr. Tom Dunlap ’79 JD
2003 – The Honorable Robert Durham ’72 JD
2003 – Ms. Mary Alexander ’82 JD ’03H
2002 – Ms. Rolanda Pierre-Dixon ’80 JD
2002 – Mr. Charles Paul ’75 JD
2002 – Mr. Leon Panetta ’60U ’63 JD ’88H
2002 – Mr. Ronald Malone ’71 JD
2001 – Mr. Arturo Jaramillo ’75 JD
2001 – The Honorable Edward Panelli ’53U ’55 JD ’86H
2001 – The Honorable Zoe Lofgren ’75 JD ‘99H
2001 – The Honorable Brien Collins ’70U ’73 JD