Georgia State University College of Law’s new Order of the Coif chapter inducted 64 alumni in a ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 10. The new members were sworn in by Mary F. Radford, professor of law and president of the Georgia State chapter.
The Order of the Coif recognizes law students who rank in the top 10 percent of their classes and honors lawyers, judges and teachers who attain a high distinction for their scholarly or professional accomplishments. In a chapter’s inaugural year, it is allowed to induct students from the previous three years.
“The inductees from the classes of 2014, 2015 and 2016 should be commended on their hard work that makes this recognition possible,” said Catherine C. Henson (J.D. ’89), who was inducted as an honorary member. “No one ends up in the top ten percent of the class accidentally. We all know how much effort goes into this accomplishment.”
Henson was inducted as an honorary member representing the previous classes, 1984-2013, because of the example she sets for the students, Georgia State University and the community at large, Steven J. Kaminshine, dean and professor of law, said.
"I am incredibly honored to have been selected as the honorary member,” Henson said. “There are certainly many, many alums from past classes who graduated in the top 10 percent of their classes who also deserve this recognition, so I share it with all of them.
“I believe that regardless of our talents, we all have the ability to give back and make our world a better place. I hope that those of you inducted here tonight - the best and the brightest that the College of Law has to offer - will far exceed our expectations in impacting the world we live in a positive way. Congratulations.”
Georgia State Law is one of only two law schools accepted this year into the national honors society for legal education.
“We are proud of our alumni and faculty whose excellence led to our membership in the esteemed Order of the Coif,” Kaminshine said. “These outstanding former students are among the best serving in the legal profession today, and are deserving of this honor.”
Coif membership is selective; before this year, only seven new chapters had been approved since 2000.
“It not only is an enormous achievement for the college of law, but also a testament to the caliber and quality of our students,” said Jessica Gabel Cino, associate dean for academic affairs and associate professor. “Even though we are a youthful school by number, this honor demonstrates our reputation nationally.”
Henson said she appreciated the faculty’s dedication to their students. “The College of Law being awarded a chapter of the Order of the Coif is a true testament to the quality of the faculty, past and present. They are the ones that made this happen and deserve the credit,” she said.