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Selvey named first recipient of NIU Law Mandell Advocacy Scholarship

December 3, 2014
First-year law student Chelsea Selvey is the first recipient of the Lenny B. Mandell Scholarship.

First-year law student Chelsea Selvey is the first recipient of the Lenny B. Mandell Scholarship.

Northern Illinois University College of Law student Chelsea Selvey is the first recipient of the Leonard B. Mandell Scholarship. Named in honor of Lenny Mandell, NIU Law’s former Associate Dean of Student Services and Faculty Advisor for the Moot Court Society, the scholarship is awarded to a first-year law student who has demonstrated an interest in trial and appellate advocacy.

Two NIU Law alumni – Austin Bartlett (’00), partner, Adler Murphy & McQuillen LLP and Bob Meltzer (’85), CEO, VISANOW Global Immigration – gave lead gifts in establishing the scholarship in honor of Lenny Mandell.

“Through his leadership, dedication, perseverance, and personal sacrifice, Dean Mandell created a top-notch Moot Court program, producing outstanding appellate advocates,” said Meltzer. Echoing his sentiments, Bartlett also was excited to create this scholarship to thank Dean Mandell for “all he has done personally and professionally for me and the College of Law.”

“I am very pleased with Chelsea’s selection as the scholarship’s first recipient,” said Mandell. “She is a sterling example of the type of student we would like to honor as she served as the president of the Mock Trial Club in her undergraduate years at Northern Illinois University and received top honors in the competitions in which she participated. We hope this scholarship will encourage her to continue her interest in advocacy.”

An NIU graduate, Selvey served as the president of the school’s Mock Trial Club.

“Even as an undergraduate, I knew I wanted to be a trial attorney, and the Mock Trial Club gave me a taste of the courtroom experience. I am honored to be recognized for my contributions as I continue my involvement with trial advocacy competitions at NIU Law,” said Selvey.

Dean Mandell served as the long-time faculty advisor to the NIU Law Moot Court Society and coordinator of the annual Prize Moot Court competition. He brought together volunteer judges to serve in the competition, including NIU Law alumni and sitting judges and justices from all levels of the state and federal courts. Teams that excel in the competition have then been chosen to represent NIU Law in external moot court competitions during their third year of law school.

This competition was renamed the Lenny B. Mandell Moot Court Competition beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, the same year that Dean Mandell achieved professor emeritus status.

“Professor Mandell put his heart and soul into building a successful Moot Court program at NIU Law for over 30 years,” said Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea. “We will continue to honor his commitment to our students’ success with this scholarship, which will encourage talented students to pursue advocacy-related activities and careers.”