University of Arkansas Student Wins National Award for Bankruptcy Law

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Erin Hawkes

Erin Hawkes, a third-year student at the University of Arkansas School of Law, was named Distinguished Law Student for the Eighth Circuit by the American College of Bankruptcy. The award honors Hawkes as the outstanding bankruptcy law student in the region that includes Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

“The School of Law community is proud of Erin for earning this tremendous honor,” said Dean Stacy L. Leeds. “Prestigious national awards like this speak to the talent and hard work of our students and to the teaching and mentoring that our faculty provide them.”

“My interest in bankruptcy law began when I took a class from Jim Longino (adjunct professor of law),” said Hawkes. “He encouraged me to continue my studies in this field, and he nominated me for this award. I also externed with Judge Ben Barry (U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge for the Eastern and Western District of Arkansas) and really took a liking to it.”

Hawkes will receive her award during an all-expense-paid trip to the American College of Bankruptcy’s annual induction ceremony and events in Washington D.C. on March 16-17. The induction ceremony will take place at the U.S. Supreme Court in the Great Hall, and will be presided over by Paul M. Singer, Chair of the College.

The American College of Bankruptcy is an honorary professional and educational association of bankruptcy and insolvency professionals. The College plays an important role in sustaining professional excellence. College Fellows include commercial and consumer bankruptcy attorneys, insolvency accountants, turnaround and workout specialists, law professors, judges, government officials and others involved in the bankruptcy and insolvency community.