Law professor to receive top faculty award from Alumni Association

The College of Law Alumni Association has selected Judy Stinson, associate dean for academic affairs and clinical professor, as the recipient of the 2012 Outstanding Faculty Member Award.

“She is truly a talented professional who has led the way to the writing program achieving the honors and recognition it so deserves,” said K Royal, a 2004 College of Law alumna and board member of the Alumni Association. “And she just never stops. It is clear her passions lie with the legal profession and doing her part – and then some – to contribute to the quality of those who choose to serve in the profession.”

The Association will recognize Stinson at its Annual Alumni Luncheon, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, 122 N. 2nd St., on Feb. 23. Former mayor of Phoenix and College of Law alumnus Phil Gordon will deliver the keynote address. For tickets, go to www.law.asu.edu.

Each year, the Association seeks to award a faculty member for their contributions to the College of Law and its alumni. Stinson was recognized particularly for her contributions to the legal writing program, which is nationally ranked in the top 10 by U.S. News & World Report.

“I am very honored – I take my teaching and mentoring students seriously, and am fortunate to have been able to maintain a lot of friendships with former students,” Stinson said.  “ASU has a tremendous alumni base, and I am incredibly grateful for this award.”

Stinson’s research and teaching focuses on Legal Method and Writing, Appellate Advocacy, and Sexual Orientation and the Law. Stinson published the advanced text, "The Tao of Legal Writing," and co-authored "Examples & Explanations: Legal Writing" (due this summer).  She has given numerous presentations in the legal-writing arena in addition to speaking about the legal education more generally and issues related to same-sex relationships. She is the advisor for the Women Law Students’ Association and OUTLaw. Stinson is a past-president of the Association of Legal Writing Directors and a member of the Legal Writing Institute, and she is active in State Bar of Arizona committees.