Duke Law School’s Alumni Association announced the 2022 Alumni Award winners who will be honored for their civic service, excellence in education, professional achievements, and contributions to the legal profession.
Among this year’s recipients are U.S. District Judge J. Michelle Childs, a 2016 graduate of Duke Law’s Judicial Studies LL.M. program, who will receive the Charles S. Murphy Award for Achievement in Civic Service, and David F. Levi, director of the Bolch Judicial Institute, who will receive the A. Kenneth Pye Award for Excellence in Education.
“It is an honor to receive an award named for Dean Pye, who was himself such an innovative dean and educator,” said Levi. “My deanship and association with Duke have been among the most satisfying parts of my professional life. I can think of few things more rewarding than working with students to help them get the most from their legal education and then seeing them succeed in their careers and lives. Many thanks to the Law Alumni Association for this kind recognition and for all they do to help make the Duke Law community so great.”
In addition to receiving this award, Judge Childs will also serve as the distinguished speaker at Duke Law’s convocation in May. “As much of the world now knows, Michelle Childs is a brilliant and accomplished jurist who has had an exceptionally dynamic legal career,” said Kerry Abrams, dean of Duke Law School, in a recent press release.
Established in 1985, the Charles S. Murphy Award honors a graduate’s commitment to the common good through his or her service to the community or dedication to education. The A. Kenneth Pye award honors a graduate or other member of the Duke Law community whose work in education reflects former Dean A. Kenneth Pye’s life and ideals. To learn more about this and other awards presented by the Duke Law Alumni Association, visit their website at law.duke.edu/alumni/engage/alumniawards/.