The ACB Class of 2022 Distinguished Students
Claudia Springer , Novo Advisors
This year ’ s class of Distinguished Students was once again truly exceptional . Winning students were first nominated by law schools in the circuits whose turn it was to select a student most deserving of this prestigious award . This year the nominating Circuits were the Second , Fifth , Sixth , Seventh , Eighth and Tenth Circuits . Our committee members from those Circuits included Richard Seltzer , Kristi Johnson , Taft McKinstry , Cathy Steege , Charlie Coleman and Ken Cannon .
Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Distinguished Students Award ! And our thanks to Claudia Springer who led the effort . The 2022 Distinguished Students Award are as follows :
From the Second Circuit : Ben Weissler , who is a 3L at Columbia University Law School . Ben won the American Bankruptcy Law Journal prize in 2021 and the Best in Class award in Bankruptcy Law during the Fall of 2020 . Ben ’ s bankruptcy law professor called him an “ extraordinary student ” and only the second student in his 25 years of teaching who earned an A + in both his bankruptcy and Commercial finance courses . Retired Judge Robert Gerber for whom Ben interned also applauded Ben ’ s acumen . Ben ’ s love of bankruptcy is driven by the fact that it is an interdisciplinary field combining aspects of litigation , transactional law and finance .
After graduating , Ben will be joining Davis Polk in NY . Ben ’ s favorite hobby is his love of puzzles , including the New York Times crossword .
From the Fifth Circuit : Abigail Emery who is a 3L at The University of Texas School of Law . Abigail is the president of the Texas Business Law Society and a research assistant for Professor Angela Littwin on the issue of “ coerced debt ” and its effect on divorced women . Abigail served on the Duberstein Bankruptcy moot court team and was the best oral advocate in 2021 . Professor Jay Westbrook shared that “ Ms . Emery was in my classes last year in secured credit and bankruptcy . ... She is not only bright , but she works hard , always a winning combination .” Professor Littwin noted that Abigail has “ impressive analytical skills and tremendous coding skills .” Abigail received glowing recommendations from Judge Marvin Isgur and Bill Wallander of Vinson & Elkins , for whom Abigail worked during the summer of 2021 . Abigail enjoys bankruptcy because it combines aspects of litigation and transactional law . Abigail will be clerking for Judge Isgur in the Fall of 2022 and , after the clerkship , will join the Restructuring and Reorganization practice group at Vinson & Elkins . Abigail ’ s hobby is baking , having been a professional baker during college and she is also a Shakespeare enthusiast .
From the Sixth Circuit : Khalil Bryant who is a 3L at Vanderbilt Law School .. Khalil ’ s nominating professor , Yesha Yadav , noted that Khalil is a brilliant student who “ stood
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