The Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL) presented Jenna Rubin (J.D. ’16) with its annual Outstanding Law Student Award. She was one of five students honored at the GAWL Annual Awards Dinner in May.
Kelly Cahill Timmons, associate dean for student affairs and associate professor of law, nominated Rubin for the award, which recognizes female law students’ commitment to excellence and an aptitude for leadership and philanthropy.
“I was completely surprised and flattered by the recognition. During law school I engaged in several areas related to women's issues, but never really considered myself a women's issue advocate,” Rubin said. “It was wonderful to cap off my law school experience with recognition of my hard work.”
Rubin published a note in the Georgia State University Law Review about children and worked with organizations representing domestic violence victims in protective order proceedings during her last semester at Georgia State Law. She decided to attend law school after teaching special education at a Title I school.
“When I was assigned a special education classroom, I had to teach myself the special education laws because I was not trained in them,” she said. “I quickly realized I was one of very few people who consistently advocated for my students’ rights as prescribed by law. I wanted to go to law school to make a bigger difference.”
Rubin works as a staff attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.
Founded in 1928, GAWL is the premiere association for women lawyers throughout Georgia, providing networking opportunities, personal and professional development programs, leadership training and community outreach to its members. Learn more at gawl.org.