Family of Longtime Law Professor and Alumnus Create Scholarships at The John Marshall Law School

CHICAGO, March 26, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Two scholarship opportunities have been created at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, thanks to an alumnus and the family of a longtime professor at the school. Joseph J. Duffy (JD '79) and children of Professor Samuel T. Lawton, Jr., each established a permanent scholarship at the school.

"We are very grateful to the Lawton family and Joe Duffy for these generous gifts," Dean John E. Corkery said.

Joseph J. Duffy Trial Advocacy Scholarship

Joseph J. Duffy pledged $25,000 to establish a scholarship to help aspiring trial attorneys. Duffy is a founding principal of Stetler, Duffy & Rotert, Ltd., and is an accomplished trial lawyer with an extensive record of representing white collar defendants and clients in complex business transactions.

"As a proud alum, I wanted to express my appreciation to JMLS by creating a scholarship to support law students who strive to become trial lawyers," Duffy said.

Duffy's support helps bolster John Marshall's tradition in recognizing the significance of trial advocacy. The law school's trial advocacy program recently was ranked No. 16 in the country in the 2016 U.S. News & World Report's Best Graduate Schools.

Samuel T. Lawton, Jr. Scholarship

The children of Professor Samuel T. Lawton, Jr. donated more than $26,000 to endow a scholarship in their father's name.

Mary Larson, Nancy Lawton and Sam Lawton III provided funding for the Samuel T. Lawton, Jr. Scholarship at John Marshall. The scholarship provides assistance to second- and third-year students in memory of Professor Lawton, a John Marshall faculty member for nearly 50 years. Professor Lawton focused on environmental and local government law, serving as chair of the Illinois Air Pollution Control Board, board member of the Environmental Protection Act, and City Council member and mayor of Highland Park, Ill.

"Samuel Lawton served on the faculty of John Marshall from 1955 until his death in 2003. His children wish to continue his commitment to support the legal education of law students in environmental awareness," daughter Nancy Lawton said.
 
Their gift will make permanent at John Marshall a scholarship begun by Lawton's late wife, Mary, a former Loyola University Chicago professor.
 
These scholarships are just two major gifts that John Marshall received thanks to the generous support of friends and alumni. To learn more about John Marshall scholarships and donor-funded opportunities, please visit here or contact Christine Kraly at ckraly@jmls.edu.