Third-year Temple Law student Emily Bock has been named a Law Student of the Year by National Jurist Magazine. She is one of 25 students nationwide to earn the honor.
“What makes a law student amazing?” begins the article in the Spring issue of the magazine. “We asked more than 200 of the nation’s law schools for stories of their most devoted students with unparalleled attitudes. We asked for leaders. We asked for character.”
There is no question that Bock has demonstrated these qualities in abundance. In recounting her achievements, the magazine traces her work with the National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women in Philadelphia and the Employment Unit of Community Legal Services (CLS) prior to arriving at Temple, and then describes her involvement in restorative justice efforts at Graterford Prison and her work in launching the NLG Expungement Project.
“I’m delighted for Emily, but not surprised,” said Director of Public Interest Programs Lisa Hurlbutt. “She is a leader in a community of leaders, where many of her colleagues are also doing amazing work that is worthy of recognition. To me, what makes Emily stand out is her professional maturity – her ability to balance priorities and commitments with her signature blend of idealism, strategy, humility, and persistence.”
Bock was also recently honored with the 2015 Merit Distinction award from PSJD, a public service initiative from the National Association for Law Placement (NALP). Only three law students nationwide receive such recognition from PJSD each year. “Emily is a tireless advocate for low-income individuals,” wrote attorneys at Community Legal Services (CLS) in support of that honor, “especially those who have been involved in conflict with the criminal justice system. She goes above and beyond for her clients, and is also thinking about how she can have a broader impact.”
National Jurist’s profile of Bock is available here.