2025 CLEA Awards for Outstanding Clinical and Externship Students: Syracuse’s Derion Reed, Shekinah Henderson, Angela Hamilton and Alyssa Maldonado 

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 Syracuse University College of Law 

Outstanding Clinic Team Award: Derion Reed, Shekinah Henderson, and Angela Hamilton 

We proudly nominate Derion Reed, Shekinah Henderson, and Angela Hamilton for the CLEA Outstanding Clinic Team Award for their exceptional work in the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Law Clinic (VLC). This team demonstrated unparalleled excellence in managing federal litigation at the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Derion, Shekinah, and Angela exhibited remarkable skill in representing clients. They meticulously reviewed the appellate record, uncovering critical legal arguments that strengthened their client’s claim. Their written advocacy showcased their ability to navigate complex federal litigation with precision and compassion. Their collaborative approach was seamless, with each member contributing unique insights while fostering a unified strategy, making it impossible to single out one individual.

The team’s collaboration was a cornerstone of their success. They leveraged diverse perspectives, dividing tasks efficiently while maintaining open communication to ensure cohesive representation. The team excelled in reflective analysis, grappling with legal, ethical, and strategic challenges inherent in veterans’ law. Their discussions revealed deep thoughtfulness, exploring how to balance zealous advocacy with empathy for clients’ unique struggles.

Their synergy amplified their impact, setting a model for teamwork in high-stakes litigation.

Beyond their casework, Derion, Shekinah, and Angela contributed significantly to the VLC as a whole. They were all involved with the VLC for multiple semesters beyond their initial commitment, and were a “go-to” team for difficult and challenging cases. Their mentorship of newer students strengthened the clinic’s supportive culture.

This team’s dedication, skill, and collaborative spirit embody the CLEA Award’s ideals. Their contributions have left a lasting mark on our clinic, the legal community, and the veterans they served.

Outstanding Externship Student Award: Alyssa Maldonado 

We proudly nominate Alyssa Maldonado for the CLEA Outstanding Externship Student Award. Alyssa has demonstrated excellence in her externship placements and seminar components through her efforts in taking placements that specifically enhance and expand her experiential learning, with a focus on her post graduate endeavors, and through her conscientious attendance, reflection, and participation in the accompanying externship seminars.

Alyssa completed two part-time externships over the course of two full semesters. Her first externship over her 2L year was a judicial placement with the Honorable Therese Wiley Dancks, US Magistrate Judge for the Norther District of New York. In her 3L year, Alyssa externed at Syracuse Research Corporation (SRC) assisting the in-house legal team with complex legal compliance and policy issues. Alyssa was also the recipient of the College of Law’s Externship Opportunity Award for the Spring 2025 semester.

Throughout these placements, Alyssa continued to excel in her academic career and, because of her efforts academically and experientially, has secured post graduate employment with a reputable Central New York law firm, and has also secured a judicial clerkship with a federal judge in the Northern District of New York for the 2026-2027 term.

Alyssa’s valuable work and dedication, and commitment to her externship placements and beyond, are deserving of recognition.