Springtime is awards season for both faculty and students. Today, we’re celebrating clinical professor of law Julie McConnell, whom the YWCA of Greater Richmond selected as one of eight Outstanding Women honorees.

“Julie is being honored for extending pro bono representation for immigrant children and incarcerated youth through her leadership of the Children’s Defense Clinic at University of Richmond, juvenile justice reform efforts, and work to educate law professionals,” reads the YWCA citation.

At Richmond Law, McConnell mentors young lawyers-to-be on how to handle complex cases of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and elder abuse affecting vulnerable, but resilient populations. McConnell also directs of Richmond Law’s Children’s Defense Clinic, where she teaches law students how to best represent children and families facing extreme poverty with delinquency cases and special immigrant juvenile status hearings.

We’re proud of the leadership that McConnell shows on these important issues. And we’re also thankful for the many others who recognize her expertise. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe appointed McConnell recently to serve on the Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice, and the Virginia Bar Association tapped her to serve on the Commission on the Needs of Children.