Joanna Robinson
Litigation is Joanna Robinson's passion. After graduating in May 2011, Joanna, a native of Jamaica who also holds both U.S. and British citizenship, will take both the Tennessee and the Florida bar examinations before moving to London, where she will pursue an LL.M. in international commercial litigation at Queen Mary University. "I want to be prepared for the complexity of international litigation," Robinson said.
In 2010, Robinson became the first recipient of the Anthony Mansfield Litigation Skills Scholarship, a new scholarship specifically earmarked for third-year students who plan to pursue a career in litigation. Robinson was a prime candidate thanks to her focus on preparing for a career as a litigator throughout law school as well as her successes in Vanderbilt's 2010 Moot Court competition, in which she and partner Cherrelle Hooper were finalists, and in the Domestic Violence Clinic, where she represented clients in Nashville courts. "It was such an honor to receive recognition from the school in this way," Robinson said, "and it was such a practical help for me. I met with Mrs. Mansfield, whose husband this scholarship honors, and I really just thanked her for being willing to think about students who were already attending law school when this scholarship was created."
The Mansfield Scholarship will be awarded annually to a student who has excelled in litigation, who is nominated by Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs Susan Kay. Criteria for the scholarship are outstanding participation in the Moot Court program; excellent academic performance in litigation-related subjects such as evidence, civil procedure and criminal procedure; and positive involvement in litigation-related skills such as trial advocacy, negotiation, externships and clinical courses. Robinson spent both summers during law school working for the Miami-Dade Office of the State Attorney in Florida, and she appreciated the fact that "This award actually recognizes your ability and drive and passion for litigation."
The scholarship was established beginning in 2003 by James H. Hancock '66, M. William Munno and John E. Tavss '79, all of whom were friends and colleague of Anthony Mansfield '68, to honor Mansfield's memory. "So often in law school, you're only recognized for exams," Robinson said. "Litigation is my niche; it's what I love. The fact that the school recognized my passion for litigation really means a great deal. Knowing that donors endowed this scholarship to benefit people like me inspires me to want to give back to this community when I'm able."
Joanna Robinson '11
- Currently studying for an LL.M. at Queen Mary University, London
- First recipient of the Anthony Mansfield Litigation Skills Scholarship
- Moot Court Competition finalist