The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law Black Law Students Association (BLSA) on Feb. 27 held its 50th annual scholarship and awards banquet celebrating the accomplishments of BLSA alumni and students. For the first time, the event took place at the M&T Bank Exchange, a gracious venue situated a block from the law school in downtown Baltimore.
The banquet theme was “Commemorating the Past to Champion the Future,” which played out during the program as current students were honored alongside legal legends. Emcees for the evening were BLSA executive board members Imani Vice ’26 and Ebony Sampson ’27.
BLSA selected Chief Judge George Russell, III ’91 as the 2025 Alumni of the Year Award recipient. Nominated to the federal bench in 2011 by then President Barack Obama, he is chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The Alumni of the Year Award is presented to a Black Law Students Association graduate who has committed their career to bringing about meaningful legal and political change addressing the needs and concerns of the Black community.
The 1991 Maryland Carey Law graduate offered the evening’s keynote address in which he shared insights on the value of mentorship. “We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us,” he said, alluding to the evening’s theme.
Another highlight was the recognition of standout BLSA students with awards and scholarships.
Millicent Sasu ’25 received the A.J. Cooper Award. Sasu is a member of the National Trial Team and president of the Baltimore Outreach for Student Success, which supports Baltimore City youth through tutoring and mentorship. After graduation, Sasu will spend a year clerking at the Circuit Court for Howard County and plans on pursuing a career as a youth defender.
The Honorable William H. and Madeline W. Murphy BLSA Scholarship went to Ikenna Mbaruguru ’26, treasurer of BLSA. Mbaruguru is a staff editor on the Maryland Journal of International Law and a member of both the Bankruptcy Moot Court and the BLSA ADR teams. This summer, Mbaruguru will join Ropes & Gray LLP as a summer associate.
BLSA’s 2025 Unsung Hero was LaQuan Bates ’25, who has served as president of the Maryland Cyber Law and Data Privacy Association and treasurer of the Maryland Intellectual Property Association. After graduation, Bates will join Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP as an associate.
First-generation college graduate and law student Samari Price ’27 received the 1L Book Scholarship.
The 2025 Diversity Award, which is presented to an organization in the greater Baltimore-Washington, DC area that advances diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and promotes social justice, was presented to Brown Goldstein & Levy. Managing Partner Jessie Weber accepted the award, saying that Brown Goldstein & Levy is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion because “it’s the right thing to do and it’s good for business.”
BLSA recognized Tiffany Harvey ’06, a principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs, as Practitioner of the Year. Dean Renée Hutchins Laurent was named Administrator of the Year, and Assistant Professor Christopher Mathis was the recipient of this year’s Professor of the Year honor.
In a break from tradition, Professor Larry Gibson, instead of a current BLSA student, presented the award to Mathis, and it was revealed that the Professor of the Year Award was renamed the Larry S. Gibson Distinguished Professor of the Year Award.
Gibson, who retires this summer after 50 years at Maryland Carey Law and is the longtime faculty advisor for BLSA, was awarded the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
BLSA President Micah Yarbray ’26, concluded the program, saying, “Cheers to 50 years!” She also thanked the following event sponsors:
Gold Level Sponsors:
- Gallagher Evelius & Jones LLP
Silver Level Sponsors:
- Miles & Stockbridge P.C.
- Saul Ewing LLP
Bronze Level Sponsors:
- Gordon Feinblatt LLC
- Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
- Semmes Bowen & Semmes
- Venable LLP
- Womble Bond Dickinson LLP
Supporters:
- Ballard Spahr LLP
- Offit Kurman