Ronald M. Dworkin, the Frank Henry Sommer Professor of Law at the New York University School of Law and professor of jurisprudence at Oxford University, will receive the 2006 Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Law at the Founder's Day ceremony Wednesday, April 12.
Professor Dworkin was chosen by a committee within the University Law School. According to Mary Carlson, senior writer for public affairs, this committee consists of two faculty members, two alumni of the Law School, and Law School Dean John C. Jeffries. The committee members are appointed by University President John T. Casteen,III,and serve a three-year term on the committee selection board, Carlson added.
To choose the winner of the prestigious award, the committee canvasses the law faculty for nominations, and the committee meets to determine the winner. The winner chosen often has ties to the University, but they are not a requirement for selection, Carlson said.
"The list of the people that have won the award in the past includes the most established lawyers in the country. We try to pick people who have been transcendently accomplished as lawyers, but also embody Jeffersonian ideals of community service. Most have been judges, but we also try to include representatives from the practicing bar," Jeffries said.
The foundation is celebrating the thirtieth year for the law portion of the medal this year. The Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation that has owned and operated Monticello since 1923.
A winner is also chosen in architecture, Carlson said.
Past winners of the law medal have been Sandra Day O'Connor, celebrated civil rights attorney Elaine Jones, Law '99, Judge Patricia Wald and William H. Rehnquist, among others.
According to Carlson, the award has no specific criteria but was established to reward those involved in law who combine professional distinction with public service.
"Professor Dworkin exemplifies the Jeffersonian ideal of law practice and community service to a remarkable degree. He has been published widely, written on a variety of legal and philosophical issues and social issues, such as the involvement between civil rights and law," Carlson said.
This award is the highest honor granted to a member of the law community outside of the University, since the University grants no honorary degrees.
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