Congratulations to the BLSA Officers

At the April party hosted by The John Marshall Law School's Glenn T. Johnson chapter of the Black Law Students Association, the work of its officers was celebrated. Guests honored (from left) the 2009-2010 officers Calvin Townsend, president; Meta Brown, vice president; Jamila Ahmed, advocate general; and Bettina Stanford, secretary; and the outgoing officers Maria Barlow, president; Grace Okorie, secretary; Merrick Marthol, treasurer; Crystal Brown, vice president; and Brandon DeBerry, advocate general

 Barlow Named 2008 Lawton Scholar

Maria Barlow, a third-year student at The John Marshall Law School, has been selected the 2008 recipient of the Samuel T. Lawton Jr. Memorial Scholarship.

"This scholarship is a wonderful gift and I thank the selection committee for naming me the recipient," Barlow said. "I am looking forward to my career in law and I hope that I can emulate, in some small way, the fine lawyering skills that Professor Lawton gave to his work each day."

The scholarship was established in honor of Adjunct Professor Samuel T. Lawton Jr., who taught at The John Marshall Law School for almost 50 years until his death in 2003. Student recipients are selected based on academic standing and an interest and background in environmental, government, local or public service law, areas to which Lawton devoted his career. Lawton was appointed to the Illinois Air Pollution Control Board and was appointed to the original board by Gov. Richard Ogilvie when Illinois passed its first Environmental Protection Act in 1970. Lawton also served on numerous local government boards and commissions, and his private practice also focused on environmental and local government law as well.

This year, Barlow is serving as president of the Black Law Students Association, and is vice president of the Criminal Law Society. She is a member of the Women's Law Caucus and serves as its diversity chairperson. Barlow, a graduate of Chicago's Kenwood Academy and Northeastern Illinois University, splits her work hours between the Cook County State's Attorney's Office and the City of Chicago Department of Law, Municipal Prosecutions.

She is hoping to work in public service law after her graduation.Barlow and her son, Jaden, live in Chicago's Calumet Heights neighborhood.

Maria Barlow (center) is the 2008 recipient of the Samuel T. Lawton Jr. Memorial Scholarship. Congratulating her are (from left) Professor Susan Connor, a member of the selection committee; Dean John Corkery; Mary Lawton, widow of Samuel Lawton; and Professor Michael Seng, a member of the selection committee.

BLSA Celebrates Alumni Achievements

Members of the Black Law Students Association (standing, from left) Crystal Brown, vice president; Grace Okorie, secretary; Brandon DeBerry, advocate general; and Maria Barlow, president, welcomed Cook County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Starks (J.D. '87) (seated, left) and Cook County Circuit Court Judge Arnette Hubbard (J.D.'69) (seated, right) as guest speakers for the African-American Judges Series in recognition of Black History Month.