The Office of Student Affairs is pleased to announce the names of the students who were selected for the Outstanding Student of the Quarter Award. This award is designed to recognize the contributions and efforts of students who excel in and/or out of the classroom and are dedicated to enriching the law school and greater communities.
1L Class
Timecca Cordero
Timecca Cordero is a 1L student who is a Student Representative of the SBA, and serves on the SBA’s Academic Advisory Committee. Timecca is also a member of the Charlotte E. Ray Law Society (CERLS). She devotes her time to working pro bono at the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation and believes an outstanding law student is “one who has drive to achieve academically by accessing all of AJMLS’s academic resources and being an AJMLS resource!”
Rubi Garcia-Manzo
Rubi Garcia-Manzo is a 1L at AJMLS. Before moving to Georgia in 2019, Rubi held many different leadership positions in college, from student government representative to Vice President of the Mexican American Student Association. In 2018, Rubi found an interest in leadership after interning at the York County Economic Alliance, where she and several other interns created the “YoCo Bloom” Micro-Grant. This grant serves as a stepping stone for organizations and businesses and has created lasting change for the beneficiaries in her hometown of York, Pennsylvania.
During the summer of 2019, Rubi interned in the Office of Governor Tom Wolf, where she assisted with public outreach. After moving to Georgia to pursue a law degree, Rubi received the role of policy co-chair with HYPE (the Hispanic Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs). While Rubi was the policy co-chair of HYPE, her team was able to raise more than ten thousand dollars in funding. One of the most memorable events during her two-year tenure was “pups and politics”, an event that would later be featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Rubi has also served as the Leyendas chair for the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials and was selected to participate in GALEO’s Georgia Institute of Leadership. Rubi’s definition of an outstanding law student is “one who never gives up on their dreams and aspirations and one who takes error and uses it as a mechanism for growth. An outstanding student is one who looks fear and anxiety in the face and says, ‘I will not let you win’, even if that means getting up and trying again tomorrow.”
Suzanne Oldweiler
Suzanne Oldweiler, a 1L in the full-time program, is an Ann Kimsey and John Marshall Scholarship recipient and holds a B.S. in Business Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Suzanne advocates for children in foster care, and she volunteers as a coach for Partners in Change. Suzanne spent four years on Morningside Elementary’s Family Science Night Planning Committee and has volunteered with the Suzuki School, the American Red Cross, and First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. Suzanne served as a Board Member for the Georgia Tech Business Network and as President of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association’s Intown Atlanta Network. Currently, Suzanne holds student memberships with the American Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia.
Prior to law school, Suzanne was promoted to Key Accounts Sales Manager at GRAPHISOFT, a global company providing industry-leading Building Information Modeling software solutions for architecture and design. Suzanne led key account strategy and development in support of business objectives and revenue goals, while launching initiatives such as the Annual Business Review program and the DEI Council. After nearly two decades in the AEC industry, Suzanne brings extensive client advocacy, technology sales, and professional leadership experience to the AJMLS community. In addition, Suzanne is a finisher of the New York and Miami marathons, as well as 17 half-marathons. Suzanne believes that “growth, grit, and curiosity are key traits of outstanding law students. In addition to demonstrating humility and professionalism, such students foster a growth mindset, recognize strengths and blind spots are solution-focused, and stay true to their values. Outstanding law students pair their purpose in law with an unwavering commitment to progress and service.” Suzanne resides in Atlanta with her husband, two daughters, and adopted Chihuahua.
Jodi–Ann Salters
Jodi-Ann Salters is a 1L Student Bar Association Student Representative for Section B. She is a non-traditional student and a UGA alumnae with more than twelve years of leadership and management experience. Jodi-Ann believes in a balanced lifestyle and encourages her peers to do the same. With this in mind, she planned a Section B group study session and a social event to foster inclusivity and team building. Beyond studying and preparing for classes, Jodi-Ann enjoys spending quality time with her husband, children, and friends. Every Saturday, it’s “go Dawgs,” and every Sunday, it’s “go Browns!” Jodi-Ann is interested in becoming an entertainment and immigration lawyer, is a member of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society, and is working tirelessly to expand her professional network. She is also an active member of C.E.R.L.S. (Charlotte E. Ray Legal Society) and BLSA (Black Law Students Association). Jodi-Ann’s definition of an outstanding law student is “a student who is supportive, ethical, scholarly, charitable, and well-balanced. Outstanding law students motivate and encourage those around them to do their best. Law school is challenging but fun, tiring but purposeful, and sometimes depressing but rewarding.” Jodi-Ann believes “the relationships she builds are as meaningful as the new language she is learning.” She is thankful for the collective effort in section B, the team they have assembled, and the honor of representing them.
2L Class
Tiara Clemmons
Tiara L. Clemmons is a 2L student at AJMLS. Tiara currently serves as a Staff Editor for the Law Journal. She has earned CALI awards for both Civil Procedure and Criminal Law and has also received two Outstanding Student of the Quarter Awards. She serves on the Induction Committee for Charlotte E. Ray Legal Society and as a peer mentor, working to bridge the gap between Black women and the legal profession. She is also an active member of the Black Law Students Association. Tiara is passionate about uplifting others and regularly seeks out opportunities to make a positive impact in her community. She volunteered as a student contributor on the fourth edition of “Home for Good: Overcoming Legal Barriers to Reentry in Georgia.” She worked diligently with her colleagues to draft a comprehensive guide aimed at answering practical, legal questions to help those recently released from prison or jail remain in their community. Tiara’s definition of an outstanding law student is one who is “kind, respectful, professional, and always willing to lend a helping hand.”
3L Class
Taylor Blumenthal
Taylor Blumenthal is a 3L in the part-time program. She has received CALI awards in Legal Writing and Civil Procedure, and she recently joined Law Journal as a Staff Editor. Taylor juggles part-time classes, a full-time job as a legal assistant at an immigration law firm, a busy family life, which includes a seven-year-old daughter, two dogs, a cat, and three horses. Before deciding to pursue a legal career, Taylor worked on staff for the Georgia General Assembly. Being immersed in the political world opened her eyes to the important role attorneys play in our everyday lives. Currently, Taylor is undecided about her desired practice area, but she was surprised to find she has an interest in criminal law during a recent judicial clerkship. For now, she plans to continue exploring different options, while working towards graduation in the Spring of 2024. Taylor describes an outstanding law student as, “someone who manages the challenges of law school with integrity, hard work, and intellectual curiosity, showing that they will be a positive force in the world after gaining the power that comes with a law degree.”
Monique Cherry
Monique Cherry is a full-time 3L student and will graduate in May 2023. She has received CALI awards in Criminal Law, Legal Writing, Research & Analysis II, Domestic Relations, and Negotiations. She has served as a teaching assistant for Professor Dalton’s Legal Writing, Research & Analysis I and II courses since the Fall of 2021. Monique is also an academic peer advisor for the Law School, and assists students in navigating course requirements, selecting electives, understanding the requirements for graduation, and finding general course information. She currently serves as the Managing Editor of the Law Journal, where she has been a member since 2021. Monique was invited to join the Journal because she was ranked in the top 10% of her class.
Outside of class, Monique works for two law firms (one in Washington, DC and another in Atlanta, GA). Her work focuses primarily on immigration and criminal litigation. While she is unsure of the area of law in which she will practice upon graduating, her ultimate goal is to break into the world of space law! Monique’s definition of an outstanding student is “someone who is not only dedicated to their schooling and excelling in their courses, but who also demonstrates a commitment to their law school community and student development.” Recognizing that every student at AJMLS is undergoing stress and uncertainty, Monique aims to be a helping hand and voice of encouragement.
Grace Gomez
Grace C. Gomez is a 3L part-time evening program student. Despite working full time as a paralegal and attending AJMLS part time in the evening, she has found the time to be a student ambassador, a staff editor on Law Journal, and a vice-chair of the Advocacy Board. Grace holds a B.A. in Psychology, with a concentration in Sociology, from SUNY Stony Brook University, and an ABA-approved Paralegal Certificate from Marist College. In the 2022 National Appellate Advocacy Competition, she placed in the region’s top 10 oral advocates; that event confirmed that she is interested in litigation, specifically family law and in appellate work. Grace’s definition of an outstanding law student is “someone who tries their best in and out of the classroom, excels academically, and exemplifies the ideals of the profession.”
Chauncey Graham
Chauncey Graham is a 3L in the full-time program. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the John Marshall Law Journal for Volume XVI, 2022-2023. He is also a member of the Black Law Students Association, BLSA’s Fundraising Committee, and the Public Interest Law Society. Chauncey’s definition of an outstanding law student is one “who not only exhibits a passion for learning, but who also is well-rounded and committed to fostering an environment where all students are encouraged to thrive.”
MarQuita Jones
MarQuita Danielle “Danni” Jones is a 3L at AJMLS. She has received a CALI award in Legal Writing, is a member of the John Marshall Law School Law Journal, and has served as a peer mentor. Danielle is also a member of the executive board of the DeKalb Bar Association.
For the past 11 years, Danielle has worked as the Litigation Paralegal and Trial Assistant for Attorney Joe A. Weeks, an alumnus of AJMLS, and she provides mentorship to paralegals at other law firms. Danielle wants to become a trial lawyer, and has a passion for speaking on behalf of those who are unable to speak for themselves. Although Danielle loves civil litigation, her heart and passion are centered around changing lives and helping to restore hope, faith, and trust in our judicial system. Danielle believes that an outstanding law student is “not a perfect student, but a student who works diligently in her academic performance; someone who demonstrates sincere respect and concern for her fellow classmates and her professors; someone who displays a commitment to service within her community and abroad; someone with strong ethics and morals; and someone who, despite obstacles, has a positive attitude, while maintaining integrity and respect for the legal profession.”
Rose Love
Rose Love is a New Jersey-born Georgia Peach and is a 3L student with a background in marketing. She has a desire to bridge the education and wealth gap between black Americans and their counterparts from other racial and ethnic groups. Rose is the founder and Chief Justice of the Charlotte E. Ray Legal Society, and it is the largest organization on campus. Along with the executive board, Rose works diligently to increase the 1L retention rate among black female law students. Rose also serves as a peer mentor and a member of the President’s Corner. Rose also sits on the AJMLS chapter of GAWL’s executive board and is a student mentor for the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers (Big GAWL). This year, Rose was chosen out of thousands of applicants to be 1 of 100 female law students to attend the “Ms. JD” Women in Law Conference in Malibu, California. Moreover, Rose is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Order of Eastern Star P.H.A.
During her tenure at AJMLS, Rose interned at Immigration Hope Atlanta, where she worked on cases
regarding VAWA (Violence Against Women Act). At Immigration Hope Atlanta, Rose helped women of color who were victims of abuse obtain their green cards and a path to legal citizenship. Rose has also had the opportunity to intern at BAJI (Black Alliance for Just Immigration), the country’s largest non-profit organization that caters specifically to black immigrants. It led her to advocate for the injustices inside the immigration camps that house mostly black and brown people, and she has worked on projects involving the murder of George Floyd and its protest. Rose has also done work and research regarding the mutilation of black women’s bodies in Africa. She currently works as a legal redress agent for the NAACP, where she is advocating for criminal justice reform and to correct the inhumane conditions in Georgia’s prison system.
In addition to her many other obligations, Rose also works as an associate at Martin and Associates and has her 3L practice certificate. Rose has already been the first chair in two cases and argued in court, and she settled and won her first case in November. Rose credits Jesus, her parents, and her ancestors for her many accomplishments and is pursuing a law degree in their honor. She believes that an outstanding law student “understands that failure is not final, and that it is the courage to get up and continue that matters”.
Diamond Nimene
Diamond Nimene is a 3L at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. She has received a CALI award in Legal Writing and Research II, and is vice-president of both the Black Law Students Association and the Sports and Entertainment Law Society. Additionally, Diamond serves as a Student Ambassador for the school, the Secretary for the Charlotte E. Ray Legal Society, and a student representative for LexisNexis. She also regularly volunteers her time and efforts to mentor some of her younger classmates, while finding a balance between life and school.
Diamond is interested in becoming a transactional entertainment lawyer (although she has been told she has a knack for litigation). Diamond is a member of many Bar Associations, including the Atlanta Bar, Georgia Bar, Gate City, and the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyer Association. She is working tirelessly to expand her professional network while reaching down to ensure others are able to advance similarly. Diamond’s definition of an outstanding law student is one “who has faced adversity but still journeys forward with humility, ensuring that those experiences instill a commitment to service and devotion to the highest ideals of this wonderful profession.” Diamond is grateful for this honor!
Grant Schrantz
Grant Schrantz is a full-time 3L who serves as the Executive Student Director of the Peer Mentoring Program and the SBA Treasurer.
Under Grant’s leadership, the Peer Mentoring Program has significantly expanded its operations to include taking a larger role in 1L Orientation and setting up a booth at the student organization fair, partnering with the SBA for a Fall Community Service Event with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, producing a PMP Impact video, taking part in producing a promotional video for the PMP/SBA/GAWL/OSA Dream Closet Initiative, starting a PMP Newsletter, and creating a PMP Instagram account for greater 1L and AJMLS awareness of the PMP’s contribution to the AJMLS community.
Under Grant’s leadership, the SBA Treasury has decreased the processing time for Student Organization funds requests, created a routine purchasing schedule for restocking the student lounge through the Beautify AJMLS Committee, and has several more plans for the future, as it is still early in Grant’s tenure.
Grant wants to practice corporate law after passing the bar. He is interested in business transactions and litigation because he prefers to gain a broad base of knowledge.
Grant’s definition of an outstanding student is “a student who goes above and beyond to benefit the AJMLS community through service and leadership.”
4L Class
Jacob Gregory
Jacob Gregory is a 4L in the part-time evening program and is from Atlanta, Georgia. Jacob has received over 20 CALI awards during his time at AJMLS and also has received the Best Oralist Award in his LWRA III class. He currently serves as the Executive Legislative Editor for the school’s Law Journal and wrote his Legislative Summary on Senate Bill 241, a Bill creating implications for Absentee Voting in the state of Georgia. Jacob serves as a Legal Writing Teaching Fellow, assisting in all things Legal Writing. In the future, he seeks to be a civil rights lawyer. Jacob’s definition of an outstanding law student is “one who can explain the law simply.”
Bethany Keyes
Bethany Keyes is a part-time 4L day student. Bethany works part time as a student associate at a local Atlanta law firm. When Bethany is not in school, studying, or working, she enjoys cooking, shopping, and spending time with her significant other, family, and friends. On any given day, you can typically find Bethany with an iced coffee in hand and a smile on her face. One of Bethany’s most recent accomplishments was having an opinion published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Bethany’s definition of an outstanding law student is “one who demonstrates the desire to learn, one who is kind and helpful, and one who is always willing to engage in debate to expand their horizon of knowledge.”
Joseph Maggiano
Joseph Maggiano is a 4L at AJMLS and has achieved Dean’s List three times throughout his law school career. He is a recipient of various awards. Joseph also works as a law clerk for a personal injury firm in the New York/New Jersey area. Joseph is a father of three, and is happily married to his teenage sweetheart, Yralka Maggiano. He proudly says that without her love and support, he could not have embarked on his law school career. Joseph’s goal is to become barred in New York, New Jersey, and Georgia, and to achieve civil trial certification.
Joseph believes that “outstanding students, like outstanding trial lawyers, learn and benefit from their mistakes. A wise man said, ‘there are no lessons in victory, but 1,000 lessons learned from defeat.’ Understanding that we are all imperfect, we learn from our mistakes and move on. We, as students, should not coast on a successful grade or sulk on a bad one. Every day matters in a law student’s career. It is important to start each day with optimism and close with the confident feeling that you gave the day your best effort.”