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 University of Massachusetts School of Law:
Outstanding Clinic Team: Daniela D’Arcangelo and Diana Turcios
Working as a team, Daniela D’Arcangelo and Diana Turcios’ dedication to social justice and to empowering their clients was evident throughout their client representation and their work with the community. Their empathy ensured that their clients truly viewed them as their advocates. Daniela and Diana worked tirelessly with one of their clients who had a particularly traumatic experience, recognizing the effects of this trauma on the client’s ability to tell their story. When it became clear that this client had not been entirely forthcoming about their situation, Daniela and Diana continued to display grace and empathy. The client explained that it was seeing how much Daniela and Diana cared and were willing to fight for them that led them to be more truthful. Throughout this experience, they never lost sight of the systemic factors giving rise to the situation that led the client to make the decisions they did. Since completing the clinic, Daniela and Diana have continued supporting the immigrant community and the work of the clinic.
Outstanding Externship Student Award: Timothy Trocchio
During Timothy Trocchio’s externship with a criminal defense attorney, he consistently demonstrated a commitment to client-centered lawyering, high-quality advocacy, and professional growth. His willingness to confront complex and ethically challenging cases — including representation that stirred personal conflict — reflects his remarkable maturity and integrity. Tim embraced difficult moments with thoughtfulness, ultimately deepening his understanding of the attorney’s duty of zealous advocacy and the emotional resilience required in criminal practice.
Tim’s excellence extended into the seminar component. His reflections were among the most thoughtful and self-aware I have encountered, demonstrating a keen ability to link real-world experiences with broader legal and ethical principles. He explored topics such as the importance of courtroom professionalism, the emotional challenges of criminal defense work, and the growth mindset necessary for professional development.
Tim demonstrated collaboration by forging meaningful professional relationships with attorneys, court staff, and fellow externs. His contributions to classroom discussions and his willingness to offer support and insights to his peers enriched the learning environment. Tim’s placement also strengthened our clinical community’s reputation: he impressed not only his supervising attorney but many UMASS Law alumni and practicing lawyers he encountered.
Tim embodies the values CLEA seeks to cultivate: he is not only prepared to succeed as a new attorney, but he is also poised to grow into a thoughtful, ethical, and community-centered leader.
Tim’s combination of technical skill, ethical engagement, professional reflection, and commitment to service makes him a standout candidate for this award.
