March 29, 2017

Professors Heilman, Waisman and Stark Receive Southwestern Law School's 2017 Excellence in Teaching Awards

Southwestern Law School is pleased to announce that Professors Dov Waisman, John Heilman, and Edward Stark have been selected to receive the law school’s 2017 Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Dean Susan Prager said, “Southwestern’s faculty has a longstanding commitment to excellence, and it is satisfying to see these honors going to professors who embody the kind of commitment to outstanding teaching and student support that we so highly value.”

Professor Dov Waisman

Professor Dov Waisman has been recognized for his superior work as a First-Year Professor (a faculty member who teaches first-year– or 1L– students). Professor Waisman joined Southwestern in 2007 as a member of the LAWS faculty. In 2013, he became an Associate Professor of Law teaching in the areas of Contracts and Community Property. In presenting this honor, SBA Vice President Moria Desmarais said that students who endorsed Professor Waisman called him, “a true educator, someone who is extremely intelligent, yet approachable to the students that he mentors. Students say that this professor makes Contracts into something that we can all understand and that his ability to engage students makes every lecture one worth showing up for.”

Professor John Heilman

For the fifth consecutive year, Professor John Heilman has been singled out for his outstanding teaching abilities. He has been selected for his work as an Upper Division Professor. Professor Heilman joined Southwestern’s faculty in 2012 and teaches Contracts, Criminal Law and Evidence. Desmarais said that students praised Professor Heilman, calling him an “amazing,” “entertaining,” and “awesome” professor. She explained: “By encouraging questions and discussion, this professor has won over the Southwestern student body as someone who genuinely invests himself in the education of his students. Outside the classroom, this professor goes above and beyond to ensure success for his class.”

Professor Edward Stark ‘79

Professor Edward Stark, a partner at the firm of Cron, Israels & Stark in Santa Monica, has been selected to receive the award in the Outstanding Adjunct Professor category. Professor Stark is one of California’s leading attorneys covering torts, medical malpractice, business litigation and professional licensure defense. He joined the adjunct faculty at Southwestern in 2012 and teaches courses in Medical Malpractice and Remedies. Desmarais said that Professor Stark, “has been described as dedicated and hardworking. He is most noted for bringing his experience and practical insight to the classroom, but what nominators appreciate most about this professor is the respect he gives in return to each and every student in his class.”

Established in 1997, but in its tenth year in the hands of the SBA, the Excellence in Teaching Awards are designed to reinforce the belief that the day-to-day teaching of students is of primary importance. The recipients are recognized by the student body through a unique nomination and selection process in which members of the Southwestern Community submit names for the First-Year, Upper Division and Adjunct categories. The top nominees are chosen by the SBA Board and then voted on by students to determine the winners.