Congratulations to Christina Piecora, 2015 Recipient of the Justice Harold Birns Award

St. John’s University School of Law’s Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development would like to congratulate Christina Piecora, the 2015 recipient of the Justice Harold Birns Award, given at graduation to the student who publishes the best note in a student journal.  This marks the second consecutive year in which a member of JCRED has earned this tremendous honor. Christina’s note, “Targeting the Vulnerable: Prison Sexual Assault – Our Constitutional and Moral to Protect Prisoners From This Cruel and Unusual Punishment,” had previously been awarded JCRED’s 2014 Best Note and will be published in the journal in the coming months.

Again, from the entire staff at JCRED, congratulations to Christina on your accomplishment!

Congratulations to Christina Piecora and Omar Subat for their Best JCRED Student Notes of 2014

The Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights and the Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development held their annual Perspectives on Justice Writing Competition: Best Notes Award Ceremony on October 20, 2014, in the Atrium. The purpose of the Best Notes Award Ceremony is “to recognize and to celebrate [JCRED] students [in JCRED’s Perspective on Justice course] who worked hard throughout the year to produce extraordinary legal scholarship,” as mentioned by Professor Rosa Castello during her opening speech. Christina Piecora, the first place winner, and Omar Subat, the second place winner were honored during the ceremony. Ms. Piecora’s note was titled, “Targeting the Vulnerable: Prison Sexual Assault – Our Constitutional and Moral Duty to Protect Prisoners From This Cruel and Unusual Punishment,” and Mr. Subat’s note was titled, “Who Has Standing? Why the Supreme Court’s Holding in Hollingsworth v. Perry Empowers Politicians at the Expense of Citizens.” Both students presented their notes during the award ceremony. Students, faculty members, friends, and family members all attended the event to celebrate Piecora’s and Subat’s well deserved accomplishments.