Awards
The Notre Dame Law Association Board has adopted an awards program to honor outstanding Notre Dame Lawyers. Awards include:
Edward Murphy Award
Awarded to Notre Dame Lawyers in private practice who have distinguished themselves in the profession of law, exhibited the highest professional competence and compassion and are guided by the high moral and religious values that Notre Dame represents.
Guidelines:
This award is named after Professor Edward Murphy, a popular and respected teacher at Notre Dame Law School who practiced his Catholic faith daily. The awardee preferably would be an outstanding lawyer or judge who has distinguished himself or herself in the law profession. Private practice is intended to include any lawyer practicing as a solo lawyer, in a law firm, or as in-house counsel for a private enterprise. This person would be someone who has devoted service to his or her church and has a reputation for being ethical, professional and faithful to moral and religious values.
William Lewers Award
Awarded to Notre Dame Lawyers who have made outstanding contributions in the area of civil and human rights or social justice.
Guidelines:
This award is named for Fr. William Lewers, a longtime and outstanding faculty member of the Notre Dame Law School who also directed the Center for Civil and Human Rights of the Notre Dame Law School. The awardee would be a person who has devoted outstanding service in the area of civil and human rights or who has worked for social justice.
Michael McCafferty Award
Awarded to Notre Dame Lawyers or NDLS faculty members or administrators who have rendered distinguished service to the University of Notre Dame.
Guidelines:
This award is named for Fr. Michael McCafferty, a popular teacher at Notre Dame Law School whose life was shortened by cancer. The awardee would be someone who has devoted outstanding and special service to the University of Notre Dame. It could be someone who has expended substantial time and effort as part of alumni association activities, or someone who has raised substantial funds for the University, or someone who has been an outstanding faculty member or administrator at the law school.
St. Thomas More Award
Awarded to Notre Dame Lawyers who have distinguished themselves as jurists or public servants, while exhibiting uncompromising integrity and loyalty to conscience.
Guidelines:
This award is named for St. Thomas More who has been the model for Catholic lawyers for centuries. Thomas More was chancellor of England during the reign of Henry VIII and followed the principle: Do what is right, cost what it may. Awardees would be Notre Dame Lawyers who have been judges or in public service, including lawyers working in local, state or national government positions or serving as elected representatives.
St. Yves Award
Awarded to Notre Dame Lawyers who have performed a particular number of hours of service each year or a particular level of financial support for law-related service projects.
Guidelines:
This award is named after St. Yves and is intended to create awareness and support for public interest law. Awarded to Notre Dame Lawyers who have devoted substantial pro bono legal services or financial support (1) to disadvantaged persons or organizations serving disadvantaged persons or (2) for the public good.
Award Recipients
Edward Murphy Award
Dean David T. Link, ’58, ’61 J.D., 2002
John F. Crowley, ’92 J.D., 2007
Michael McCafferty Award
Carl F. Eiberger, ’52, ’54 J.D., 2002
John F. Sandner, ’68 J.D., 2007
Fernand N. “Tex” Dutile, ’65 J.D., 2008
Thomas R. Curtin, ’68 J.D., 2010
Professor Thomas L. Shaffer, ’61 J.D., 2012
Charlie A. Weiss, '68 J.D., 2013
Honorable Kenneth F. Ripple, 2014
Carol Ann Mooney, ’77 J.D., 2016
Professor Joseph P. Bauer, 2021
St. Thomas More Award
Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, 2004
Dean Patricia A. O’Hara, ’74 J.D., 2009
Judge Federico A. Moreno, ’74 BA, 2013
John Suthers, ’74 BA, 2017
St. Yves Award
James B. Flickinger, ’71 J.D., 2002
Darrell R. Gordon, ’88, ’89 MSA, 2007
William Lewers Award
Donald A. Wich, Jr., ’69, ’72 J.D., 2002
Robert M. Greene, ’69 J.D., 2009
John Lancaster, '67, '74 J.D., 2023
Selection Process
Awards are given no more frequently than annually, and there is no requirement to give each award annually. The selection process is as follows:
The Awards Committee will receive nominees from any board member, any member of the Law School faculty or administration, any Law School Advisory Board member or any Notre Dame Lawyers. The Awards Committee will review the nominations and make recommendations to the Board at its spring and fall meetings. The Notre Dame Law Association Board by majority vote will determine the awardees. The awardees will be invited to the University at either the spring and/or fall meetings to receive the awards. Consideration will be given to presenting the awards at the Blue Gold Game and/or at a football game in the fall.
Award Nominations
To nominate yourself or someone you know, please click here to access the NDLA Awards Nomination form. Contact Law School Alumni Relations at lawalum@nd.edu or (574-631-6891) for more information.