In attendance at the annual meeting of the American Bar Association (ABA) in Denver, Colorado, Santa Clara Law Professor Thiadora Pina represented Santa Clara Law in receiving the 2023 E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award.
As one of three recipients of the prestigious award, Santa Clara Law’s Critical Lawyering Skills Seminar was selected for national recognition by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Professionalism. The award recognizes “exemplary, innovative, and ongoing professionalism programs [that] help ensure the maintenance of the highest principles of integrity and dedication to the legal profession and the public.” The award is accompanied by a cash prize of $3,500.
The Gambrell Award judges found that Santa Clara Law’s Critical Lawyering Skills Seminar—directed and managed by Professor Pina—stands out for its deep commitment to helping students think strategically about their professional identity and the critical skills they need to successfully practice law.
As the lead author of Essential Lawyering Skills: A Companion Guide to Neil W. Hamilton’s ROADMAP, Professor Pina was also individually commended for her development of the book. The book, co-authored with Professors Laura Jacobus and Rupa Bhandari, is the primary volume of work studied in the Critical Lawyers Skills Seminar. The ABA’s Standing Committee further applauded Professor Pina on the successful implementation of an “innovative and effective program well worth of emulation throughout the nation.”
The Critical Lawyering Skills Seminar is a mandatory, 1-credit first-year course taken by all 1L students at Santa Clara Law. The course aims to develop the professional, intelligent, and value-driven identity that defines the Santa Clara Law graduate.
