2024 CLEA Awards for Outstanding Clinical and Externship Students: Baltimore’s Devante Jones and Ouranitsa Abbas

Each year, the Clinical Legal Education Association invites law schools to nominate students as their Outstanding Clinic Student or Team and Outstanding Externship student. This series includes submissions from law schools celebrating their outstanding students. 

From the University of Baltimore School of Law: 

Outstanding Clinic Student Award: Devante Jones of the Criminal Defense and Advocacy Clinic

Nominated by Prof. Katie Kronick and Johnny Kerr, Devante’s advocacy skills and ability to build trust with his clients are exceptional. In a case where the client’s prospects at trial seemed dim, but the plea offer was even worse, Devante won on two of three counts and convinced the judge of the fairness of halving the requested sentence. Invited back by his professors for a second semester, Devante also prepared an excellent suppression motion and ultimately negotiated a very good plea for the client. We are proud to have Mr. Devante Jones representing our law school in court and in the community.

Outstanding Externship Student Award: Ouranitsa Abbas

Nominated with enthusiasm by Prof. Neha Lall, Ouranitsa Abbas is committed to putting her principles into action through public service and by giving back to the university. Through externships with the Office of the Public Defender, the Department of Justice, and the Baltimore City Circuit Court, she eagerly engaged in the crucial lawyering skill of self-reflection and fostered a supportive learning community among her peers. As well, she participated in the Innocence Project Clinic, completed over 200 pro bono hours, and served as a tutor and academic coach. Reflecting the best of UB Law, we are pleased to honor Ms. Ouranitsa Abbas.