Women’s Law Caucus Presents Awards at Annual Spring Reception

The University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law Women’s Law Caucus presented three awards during the student organization’s spring reception held on March 26 at Clerestory at Greyline in Lexington, Kentucky.

Among the recipients were Melissa Henke, the Robert G. Lawson & William H. Fortune Professor of Law and director of legal research and writing, who received the faculty award; Laura F. Disney, an associate attorney at Porter, Banks, Baldwin & Shaw, PLLC, who received the alumni award; and Katherine Nipper, who received an award granted annually to a rising third-year law student. 

Anita Britton, a UK Rosenberg Law alumna with distinction (Class of 1982), served as the keynote speaker. Britton is an accomplished and well-respected Kentucky attorney, especially in family law. Britton talked about the obstacles she has faced over her long career as a woman in the law, starting in the late-1970s when she first announced that she wanted to go to law school. 

“I had to accept that I was fixing to embark on a course of study and enter a profession that was without question male-dominated, and that I would be doing so with precious few mentors and even allies,” Britton said.

Britton, however, noted improvements in the number of women entering law school today and the support that women in the law receive from their peers.

“It makes me feel good to be able to be with you all and wish you the very best life in the law,” Britton told the students, many of them members of the Women’s Law Caucus, in the crowd.

Second-year law student Alexis Meade-Davidson introduced Henke, the faculty award winner. “She exemplifies what all women in the legal field strive to be: astute, poised, compassionate, and dedicated to serving others,” Meade-Davidson said.

Upon receiving the award, Henke spoke briefly about what it means to “run your own race.” She said that, professionally, it means to be curious, take opportunities, and reflect on what challenges and fulfills you. “Don’t run the race somebody else tells you you’re supposed to – you run your race,” Henke said.

Second-year law student Alexis Mertz introduced the recipient of the Outstanding Attorney Award.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Ms. Disney over the past year, and she has changed my life,” Mertz said. “She exemplifies what it means to be a strong, successful, and compassionate mentor, particularly for young women entering the legal field.”

Disney grew up in a small town in southeastern Kentucky. Disney said she was aware of only one female lawyer in her town, and no one in her family practiced law.

“Somehow, I decided I wanted to be a lawyer very early on despite that, but I didn’t really have anyone I could go to that I knew who could show me what this was all about,” Disney said.

In college, however, she met women in the law who mentored her and helped her as a law student and attorney. Disney said she strives to do the same thing for the next generation of lawyers, and she has remained active at the college since she graduated in 2021.

“I’m trying to provide the kind of mentorship that I had that helped me get to where I am today,” she said.

The Westerfield Award is given annually to a rising third-year law student who has demonstrated excellence in leadership on campus, in the civic sphere, in the arts, or in scholarly research and writing.

Associate Professor Shavonnie Carthens, advisor to the Women’s Law Caucus, said it was difficult to select one student, but the recipient demonstrated leadership in all these areas. Nipper, who didn’t know she would receive the award until it was announced, has interned for a local judge, served as a law school ambassador, and demonstrated academic excellence, among other accomplishments.

The Westerfield Award is named for Rebecca Westerfield, a 1975 graduate of the law school and a former Jefferson County Circuit Court judge.

Since the recipient of the Westerfield Award is unaware of their selection until their name is announced during the reception, Nipper accepted her award but did not speak at the event. Later, however, Nipper expressed her appreciation for Judge Westerfield; Lindley Williams, a third-year law student who has served as Nipper’s mentor and friend as well as president of the Women’s Law Caucus; and faculty and staff.

“Lastly, I’d like to thank my grandmother. I have been living with her throughout law school, and I cannot thank her enough for all her support and encouragement,” Nipper said. “She is truly an inspiration, and I am very grateful to be her granddaughter.”