The 2012 John Marshall Law School Alumni Association scholarship winners are (seated) Brian Gorka and Rebecca Pierce and (standing, from left) Blake Korb, Nicole Chaney and Joseph Sheahan.
The John Marshall Law School Alumni Association presented seven students with alumni scholarships. Nicole Chaney, Brian Gorka, Blake Korb, Rebecca Pierce, Joseph Sheahan, Robert White and Amanda Wyzykowski were recognized at the association’s annual meeting June 8, 2012. Each received a $5,000 scholarship.
“The alumni association is delighted to offer these scholarships to seven outstanding students,” said Michael Favia, president of the alumni association. “Donations from our annual Freedom Award and Distinguished Service Awards Luncheon help fund these scholarships. We all recognize the expense of a law school education today and hope we can make an impact in helping reduce the debt of these students.”
Nicole Chaney—The 3L is serving on the Review of Intellectual Property Law, and is board secretary for the International Law Society. She also is a member of Phi Alpha Delta, the Women’s Law Caucus and the National Lawyers’ Guild. Chaney is serving as the office manager for the Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic and has volunteered with the Illinois Legal Aid Online pro bono project.
Brian Gorka—The 3L serves on the Moot Court Honors Council and was on the Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Honors Council. He recently completed a clerkship with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. He also worked with2007 alumna Health Stenmark through the Alumni Mentor Program and said the experience has led him to a career path in litigation. He is the son of Paul Gorka (JD ’80).
Blake Korb—The 3L student is a member of The John Marshall Law Review staff. She also serves on the Women’s Law Caucus, the Environmental Law Society and the 1L Mentor Program, in addition to working for the Office of Admission as a student ambassador. Korb is clerking this summer for the Illinois Attorney General’s Office-Environmental Division. She has clerked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Illinois Law Group. Since October 2010, she has been serving as liaison for the Center for Real Estate Law to the U.S. Green Building Council. She hopes to practice environmental law.
Rebecca Pierce—The 2L’s first profession was a firefighter/paramedic and later she worked for the McHenry County Department of Health in the Environmental Health Division. She then earned a nursing degree and worked in a hospital setting. At John Marshall, Pierce received the CALI Award for highest class grades in Civil Procedure I and Contracts II, and won the best brief honor in the Spring 2012 Dean Fred F. Herzog Moot Court Competition. She serves on the Professionalism and Engagement Student Advisory Board and volunteers as a student ambassador. Pierce is the daughter of alumnus William W. Pierce (JD ’75).
Joseph Sheahan—The 3L is a staff editor for The John Marshall Law Review, and an associate justice for the Moot Court Honors Program. He is a 2012 Herzog Scholar and received the CALI Award for the highest grade in Torts. A member of Phi Delta Phi, and Brehon Society, Sheahan also was a spring 2012 Evan A. Evans Constitutional Law Moot Court team which advanced to the semi-final round and earned the Best Brief Award. He continues to work for Global Health Ministry and is a law clerk at Ottosen, Britz, Kelly, Cooper, Gilbert & DiNolfo Ltd. Currently he is a summer associate at Pretzel & Stouffer, Chtd.
Robert White—The 2L is an evening student who continues working at a police officer for the Carol Stream Police Department. He also is chairman of the Village of Winfield Economic Development Task Force. At John Marshall White received CALI Awards in Contracts I, Lawyering Skills I and Estates and Trusts, and received the Best Memorandum Award in Lawyering Skills I.
Amanda Wyzykowski—The 3L is pursuing a JD certificate in elder law, and is a law clerk/intern this summer with the AARP Foundation Litigation in Washington, DC. She also has volunteered at the Center for Disability and Elder Law’s Pro Se Adult Guardianship Help Desk and clerked at the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office. Wyzykowski is a member of Phi Delta Phi fraternity and the Elder Law Society student organization and worked on its spring 2012 fundraiser.
