WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2019 — The American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section will honor George Washington University law professor Joan E. Schaffner with its Andrew C. Hecker Memorial Award, which recognizes a person who consistently demonstrates the qualities of leadership, outreach, enthusiasm, professionalism and pride in TIPS and its accomplishments.
The award will be presented at the section’s Fall Leadership Meeting in Wailea, Hawaii, during the TIPS Plenary Session on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 5-6 p.m. at Grand Wailea Hotel.
“Joan Schaffner has been, and continues to be, an outstanding and enthusiastic leader who continually demonstrates her pride in TIPS through her dedicated work over the years. We are grateful to recognize Joan by bestowing the Hecker Award to her,” said Thea M. Capone, TIPS chair.
Schaffner is an associate professor of law at the George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she is an active member of the D.C. Bar. Professor Schaffner worked at the law firm of Irell & Manella in Los Angeles before joining GW Law.
Schaffner teaches Civil Procedure, Remedies and Sexuality and the Law. She is the faculty advisor to Lambda Law, the LGBT student organization at GW Law. Schaffner directs the GW Animal Law focus area and has presented on animal law panels and conferences worldwide. Her most recent book, “Introduction to Animals and the Law,” was published by Palgrave MacMillan in 2011 as part of their Animal Ethics Series. She is a co-author and editor of two books published by the American Bar Association: “A Lawyer’s Guide to Dangerous Dog Issues” (2009) and “Litigating Animal Law Disputes: A Complete Guide for Lawyers” (2009).
She is active in various organizations including Past chair of TIPS Animal Law Committee; founding chair and immediate past chair of the AALS Section on Animal Law; and Fellow, Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. In August 2013, Schaffner received the ABA TIPS Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award, and she previously served on the ABA TIPS Council.
Schaffner received her J.D. from the University of Southern California.
Watch a tribute: The Andrew C. Hecker Memorial Award
Click here for a photo of Schaffner.
There is no charge for media covering this event. To register, please contact Robert Robinson at 202-662-1097 or Robert.Robinson@americanbar.org.
The ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section unites plaintiff, defense, insurance and corporate counsel to advance the civil justice system. TIPS is a national source of expertise in tort, trial and insurance practice and brings lawyers together to share information and speak out on issues of importance. The section has over 14,000 members and more than 30 general committees that focus on substantive and procedural matters in areas across the broad spectrum of civil law and practice. For more information about the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section visit the TIPS website, www.americanbar.org/tips.
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