Headnoter - January 2025
WELCOME BACK
Welcome back Phis and Happy New Year!
Spring Semester is approaching, and we are excited to welcome new members to Phi Delta Phi. We cannot wait for all the events and initiations held by our Inns and Halls this semester.
It is going to be a busy winter and spring. We have big plans for this semester, so be on the lookout for announcements on new seminars, programs, ethics month, Graduate & Inn of the Year awards, initiations and officer elections. As always, we know our student officers will be up to the task and will lead their Inns and Halls throughout the semester.
Stay up to date on our ever-expanding events and important deadlines by syncing the Phi Delta Phi Calendar to your device.?
THE 2024 BALFOUR SCHOLARSHIPS
Congratulations to our 2024 Balfour Scholarship recipients! Although we had many qualified candidates, the winners truly exemplified the dedication to the principles and objectives of Phi Delta Phi. Congratulations!
The process of narrowing down a large applicant pool is a challenging one, especially when it is composed of so many highly qualified candidates. We want to thank all the applicants for applying and for everything that they have given Phi Delta Phi.
2024 Balfour Scholarship Recipient: Layce Yamauchi is a 3L at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai‘i. As the current Magister of the Richardson Inn of Phi Delta Phi, she led efforts to reactivate the chapter, reestablishing its presence within the legal and broader community through service initiatives and member engagement. After graduating, Layce will serve as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert J. Faris of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawai‘i, pursuing her interest in insolvency law.
2024 International Exchange Scholarship Recipient: Henrik Nolte is a member of the Richard von Weizs?cker Inn in Tübingen, Germany, where he has served for over seven years, i.a. as Magister, Vice-Magister, and Historian. After graduating from the University of Tübingen School of Law with studies abroad at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA) and Peking University (China), he is currently pursuing a PhD at the Chair for Law and Artificial Intelligence in Tübingen with a focus on AI, technology, and cybersecurity law. To advance his research, Henrik plans to pursue an LL.M. in the United States in 2025. He is grateful for the recognition of his commitment and work for Phi Delta Phi through the Balfour International Exchange Scholarship and is excited to be an ambassador for the organization during his further studies abroad.
NEW CHARTERS
We are thrilled to announce the charter of The College of New Jersey Pre-Law Hall! The College of New Jersey Pre-Law Hall embodies the values and vision of our society, and we are excited to see the incredible contributions they will make. The Hall's dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence are truly inspiring. A special thanks to Magister, Amelia Laubsch, for making this happen! Please join us in welcoming The College of New Jersey Pre-Law Hall and celebrating this exciting new beginning. We look forward to supporting their journey and witnessing the positive impact they will have on our society.
We are also thrilled to announce the charter of the University of Georgia Pre-Law Hall! A special thanks to Magister, Allison Lin, and the chartering officer board for making this happen! The new members showed passion and determination throughout the chartering process. They have done so much work to bring PDP to UGA, and we could not be prouder to welcome them to the Phi Delta Phi family. Please join us in welcoming the University of Georgia Pre-Law Hall and celebrating this exciting new beginning. We look forward to supporting their journey and witnessing the positive impact they will have on our society.
MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Raeanne M. Beckner is a 2L at Penn State Law and serves as Magister of the John Reed Inn chapter of Phi Delta Phi. She works as an Honors Intern with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and serves as a Clinical Student for the Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic, providing business formation assistance and drafting contracts for startups. Raeanne’s leadership extends to her roles as a Law Lion Student Ambassador and a member of the Penn State Law Academic Affairs and Honor Code Committees.
A summa cum laude graduate of West Virginia University, Raeanne earned dual degrees in Journalism and Multidisciplinary Studies and was named a WVU Foundation Outstanding Senior, placing her in the top 1% of graduates. She served as Managing Editor of The Daily Athenaeum, leading a 50-person team and successfully transitioning the publication to a digital-first model, doubling its online traffic. Raeanne was also a Teaching Assistant for multiple courses, including Media Law and Ethics, worked for the Provost and the West Virginia Innocence Project, and was an Orientation Leader, guiding thousands during her tenure.
Beyond academics, Raeanne was active in her service sorority, Omega Phi Alpha, holding leadership roles such as Membership Director and Social Chair. Her dedication to service, networking, leadership, and storytelling aligns with her passion for media, sports, and entertainment law, where she aspires to combine her creativity, advocacy, and passion to make a lasting impact.
领英推荐
At Penn State Law, Raeanne serves as 2L Justice for the Student Bar Association, promoting student engagement. She also competes on the Moot Court Executive Board’s Sports Law Team, addressing complex copyright and contractual issues at national competitions. Her undergraduate achievements include being named to WVU’s Homecoming Court, WVU Foundation’s Outstanding Senior, a College of Media Top Scholar, an Eberly College Scholar, and a Milan Puskar Leadership Scholar.
BARRISTER BRIEFS
Justice Daniel Keyworth Topp - Osgoode Inn -?was called to the Ontario bar in 2002. After articling at Sutts Strosberg Law Firm and becoming a junior lawyer with Ducharme Fox, LLP, he started his own firm where he has been a sole practitioner, focusing exclusively on criminal law for the last 22 years. Justice Topp is bilingual and has conducted matters in both English and French.
Justice Topp was awarded the 2023 Professional of the Year by the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce as someone who demonstrates excellence in their field of business and positively influences the community. He has been a guest speaker for Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education (PRIDE) training sessions for adoptive parents as well as a member of the Windsor-Essex Ontario Justice Education Network Committee. Justice Topp has also been an active member of the Windsor-Essex Law Association and the Community Legal Aid Advisory Board.
He has coached little league baseball for the Windsor South Canadians and was elected as chair of the Southwood Public School parent council.
Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas has assigned Justice Topp to Windsor.
Hon. George Mentz JD MBA? - Black Inn - Awarded High Title of Nobility of Datuk Seri by Sultan of Kampar.?
Hon. George Mentz JD MBA was?honored on Sepember 14th in Pekanbaru Indonesia by the (Raj) Sultan of Kampar with the award of the Malay/Indonesian Noble Title of:? ?"Datuk Seri"? ? ?His Royal Highness Tuanku Seri Paduka Duli Yang Mulia Sultan Tuan Besar Agung (TSPDYM STBA) Muhammad Yunus Abdullah Rahmadsyah Al-Haj, Sovereign of the Diraja Airtiris Melayu Kampar Sultanate, Bestowed the Noble Title of "Datuk Seri" with counsel and oversight of the elders and governmental bodies to American Lawyer Comm’r George Mentz, JD MBA.
This esteemed title, Datuk Seri bestowed to George Mentz, represents the **Order of the Noble Seri Mahkota* of the Diraja Airtiris Melayu Kampar Sultanate (D.M.S.M.K.D.), bearing the honorific title of Yang Berbahagia (YB) (The Honourable) Datuk Seri Diraja Airtiris Melayu Kampar.? ?The singular title of Datuk is an amazing award much like a Baron while the Datuk Seri is higher and akin to a Viscount Title if compared to European Nobility. The wife of the Datuk Seri carries the title of? "Datin Seri".
The conferment signifies high recognition of Commissioner George Mentz’s educational contributions to society and is a symbol of cross-cultural and interfaith unity.?
INN ANNIVERSARIES
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Phi Delta Phi, unlike other legal associations, does not charge annual membership dues. After paying the initial membership fee while in law school, one becomes a member for life. By contrast, bar association fees are typically quite steep, and a lawyer must pay annually to maintain his or her membership.
Since 1869, Phi Delta Phi has endeavored to defend the dignity of our profession and instill respect for all lawyers, whether they be young barristers or seasoned professionals. Our mission has always been made possible through the generosity of our members and those who support our goals. Without your support, we would not have been able to advance our mission.
That is why we are asking you to donate today — whatever you can — so that Phi Delta Phi can continue to promote legal ethics and enhance the image of our profession. Won’t you share your success with our cherished and noble Society? Simply put, our future, and the future of our profession, depend on it.