The National Latina/o Law Student Association (NLLSA) alumni group recognized NIU College of Law Professor Robert L. Jones with the Outstanding Coach and Mentor award at its annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, in October.
The 2016 NLLSA meeting focused on the role of Latina/o law students in an increasingly globalized world and featured a conference at Harvard Law School and Boston College as well as a national moot court competition at Suffolk University.
Professor Jones serves as faculty advisor for NIU College of Law’s Latina/o Law Student Association and coaches its moot court teams at the NLLSA national competition. He also teaches first year Civil Procedure and Evidence, among other courses.
The Outstanding Coach and Mentor award was presented by NIU College of Law alumnus Omar Salguero (’12), who praised Professor Jones’ leadership and tireless support for Latina/o law students at the College of Law.
NIU College of Law Dean Eric Dannenmaier congratulated Professor Jones on receiving the national award, citing him as “an outstanding example of Northern Law’s commitment to our students and their success.” Dannenmaier added that “Professor Jones is an exceptional teacher and student mentor, and his work has an impact well beyond the classroom.”
Third-year law student Miranda E. Hernandez, who was part of the NIU College of Law moot court team in Boston, said, “having Professor Jones as a coach and professor has been my favorite experience as a student. He truly has the gift of teaching and bringing the best out of his students.” Hernandez noted that “all four NLLSA moot court competitors were more than ready to compete and were so thankful to have him as a coach. Professor Jones not only helped make us practice-ready, he created a team of life-long relationships.”
Northern Law’s Latina/o Law Student Association (LLSA) is one of 25 student organizations at the College of Law that emphasize service and sponsor co-curricular activities. LLSA sends students to the national conference every year, and several Northern Law students and alumni hold national leadership roles in NLLSA.
