Eleven faculty members at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law were honored today (March 28) for their outstanding contributions to academic life in and outside the classroom.
“This is a moment where we get to reflect and be thoughtful about what happens inside our classrooms,” said Indiana Law Dean Christiana Ochoa, introducing the event. “One of the non-negotiables of teaching is showing up every day with energy and enthusiasm, ready to inspire our students in ways that help them learn and understand complicated subjects. This year’s recipients are outstanding examples of teaching excellence.”
The award nominations were reviewed and winners recommended by a three-member student advisory committee, Samantha Jean, Nicholle Vandy, and Kate Leahey. We are proud to recognize the 2024-25 Teaching Award honorees.
Leon H. Wallace Teaching Award winner
Professor Jayanth Krishnan
The Milt and Judi Stewart Professor of Law and the director of the Milt and Judi Stewart Center on the Global Legal Profession, Krishnan teaches courses on property, the legal profession/legal ethics, comparative law, and immigration. He previously won the Wallace Award, the Law School’s highest teaching honor, in 2015.
What our students said: “Professor Krishnan has not only challenged and inspired generations of students, but he’s done so with humility, heart, and an unshakeable commitment to justice. He is more than an exceptional professor. He is a pillar of our Law School and an unwavering advocate for his students and generous mentor and a deeply valued member of our community. I’ve had the privilege of learning from him across three courses, and each one of those experiences has left a lasting mark on my education and personal growth. He brings energy, clarity, and care to every lecture he gives, making intricate legal doctrine accessible while encouraging us to think critically, ask hard questions, and be unafraid to form our own views. His classes are rigorous, but they’re spaces where students feel seen, heard, and most importantly, empowered. Beyond the classroom he exemplifies what it means to be a true mentor. He takes time to check in, to listen, and he reminds us that we belong, even when we might doubt it ourselves. Time and time again you’ll hear that Professor Krishnan is brilliant, generous with his time, and deeply kind. And in a profession that can often feel harsh, that kindness is a form of leadership.”
Trustees’ Teaching Award winners
Valena Beety
Robert H. McKinney Professor of Law
What our students said: “Prof. Beety is a shining example of what this award represents. In courses on criminal law, criminal procedure, and gender in the law, she encourages students not just to understand legal doctrine but to wrestle with the deeper questions of justice, fairness, and the human impact of the law. I’ve come to appreciate how intentional she is about creating a space for reflection and thoughtful conversation. Each class begins with a mindful moment of brief pause that helps us settle in, be present, and reflect. That intentionality, combined with her warmth and care for her students, has made her classroom a transformative space for so many of us.”
Cindy Cho
Lecturer in Law
What our students said: “She is beloved by her Legal Research and Writing students who value the clarity and guidance she brings to a challenging course. She clearly cares about her LRW students and it’s no surprise they see immense growth in their legal skills under her careful instruction. She sets the stage for an exciting and rigorous course from the first day, sharing stories about her most prominent cases as a former federal prosecutor, illustrating the important role criminal procedure plays in both upholding the law and in protecting the constitutional rights of the accused. We will all be better lawyers because of her efforts.”
Robert Downey
Senior Lecturer in Law
What our students said: “Each year Professor Downey faces the challenging task of transforming anxious, wide-eyed first-year students into polished, concise legal writers in just two semesters. He strikes the perfect balance between providing students with the necessary support and giving students the independence they need to develop their own writing schools. He goes beyond teaching them legal writing skills—he also teaches students valuable life lessons, such as the importance of perseverance and humility.”
Gabrielle Goodwin
Assistant Dean for Global Engagement
Senior Lecturer in Law
What our students said: “Professor Goodwin is an outstanding educator and mentor. As director of our Graduate Legal Studies program she plays a pivotal role in guiding international students through the complexities of U.S. law, helping them and instilling in them the analytical skills and confidence they need to thrive not just academically, but professionally. But her impact isn’t limited to the graduate program. As a student in her Legal Writing course I saw firsthand how she empowers students to sharpen their thinking and express themselves with precision and clarity. She holds students to high standards, but always meets them with the support and feedback needed to rise to the occasion. She helps students feel confident and fully integrated into our Law School community, something that for many makes all the difference in the world.”
Andrew Hammond
Associate Professor of Law
What our students said: “Professor Hammond skillfully conveys course material to students at every level. He develops meaningful connections with them and makes an effort to get to know each and every student in his classes. Dozens of Maurer students have described him as the best professor they have ever had. He makes his students excited to come to class every day, ready to learn. Not only is he skilled at conveying the material, he does so in a way that is passionate, thoughtful, and intentional. He really cares about whether students understand the lectures. It’s clear he respects them and wants them to succeed and will go the extra mile to help.”
Jenn Oliva
Professor of Law
Val Nolan Faculty Fellow
What our students said: “Professor Oliva quickly won over the students after joining the faculty in 2023. She is one of the most engaging, knowledgeable, and adept professors I’ve ever had. She cultivates a welcoming environment while also challenging us to meet her demanding standards. She makes every moment of class fun and interesting. Her classes fly by because of her enthusiasm, humor, and passion for the subject. Above all, she cares deeply about her students and goes out of her way to make our law school experience enriching and enjoyable. She brings something very special to the Law School.”
Aviva Orenstein
Professor of Law
Karen Lake Buttrey and Donald W. Buttrey Chair
What our students said: “Professor Orenstein is particularly skilled and engaging as a lecturer, which is evident in her ability to make classes interesting, digestible, and memorable. Her unique abilities and teaching style provides students with the knowledge and skillset that they need to succeed as professionals. Accommodating to students, she still holds them to the highest standards and demands the best of them. Her dedication to her students is commendable.”
Steve Sanders
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Professor of Law
Val Nolan Faculty Fellow
What our students said: “Professor Sanders consistently challenges his students to think critically about the topic at hand. His ability to foster an intellectual environment and encourage independent thought sets him apart. His students appreciate the way he distills Constitutional Law in a way that makes it easy to grasp his explanation of complex topics. He relays information in a nuanced, eloquent way that students at all levels can understand. His excellence in teaching extends not only to the students in his classes, but to the broader law school and legal communities. He is a master at keeping students informed of current events and how they can engage with the law.”
Ryan Scott
Professor of Law
Louis F. Niezer Faculty Fellow
What our students said: “Professor Scott brings keen insights into his classes and weaves important policy elements seamlessly into the doctrine. He taught the entire 1L class last year, nearly 200 students. That in and of itself is a huge task, but he did not sacrifice the quality of his teaching or lessen his focus on student success. He created a practice exam for his students and gave every single one of them individualized feedback. He is truly dedicated to helping his students learn. He brings clarity to the complex topics we discuss. His classes are an excellent blend of lecture- and Socratic-style teaching where he masterfully draws out the key elements of each case and subject, and his enthusiasm makes us excited to learn. He enriches students’ minds and goes above and beyond to help us. Maurer is very lucky and proud to have him on her faculty.”
Adjunct Teaching Award
Rafael Macía Briedis
Visiting Assistant Professor of Law
What our students said: “Professor Maciá is an exceptional educator whose ability to make complex constitutional law concepts accessible and engaging has left a lasting impression on his students. His courses, particularly in Constitutional Law and Constitutional Design, are both rigorous and intellectually stimulating, providing students with the historical and theoretical foundations necessary to understand constitutional systems in depth. His ability to break down intricate legal principles while maintaining a high level of academic rigor sets him apart as an educator. fosters a learning environment that encourages critical thinking and active participation, making constitutional law not just a subject to study, but a field to explore. Professor Maciá’s commitment to ensuring that every student leaves his class with a deeper understanding and appreciation of constitutional democracy exemplifies the qualities that this award is meant to recognize.”