Celebrating King Hall Event Honors Outstanding Faculty and Staff

May 20, 2026

On April 29, UC Davis School of Law recognized faculty and staff excellence at its annual Celebrating King Hall event.

Professor Carter “Cappy” White, who is retiring after a remarkable, 27-year run as director of the Civil Rights Clinic, received the 2026 Distinguished Teaching Award. Professor Menesh Patel, the previous year’s DTA recipient, presented the award to White during the celebration in the King Hall courtyard.

2026 Distinguished Teaching Award winner Professor Cappy White and Professor Menesh Patel

Dean and event emcee Jessica Berg introduced Professor Emeritus Ed Imwinkelried, who was recognized with UC Davis’ 2025-26 Distinguished Emeritus Award for his continued contributions to the field of scientific evidence. Professor of Neurological Surgery Emeritus James Boggan presented the award to Imwinkelried on behalf of the campus Emeriti Association.

UC Davis Distinguished Emeritus Award recipient Professor Ed Imwinkelried and Dean Jessica Berg

Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Donna Shestowsky announced three more faculty awards, honoring Professors Brian Soucek (Distinguished Research Award) and Katherine Florey (Outstanding Faculty Service Award) and adjunct Professor and Third Appellate District Associate Justice Shama Mesiwala ’98 (Distinguished Visiting Lecturer Award).

Distinguished Research Award recipient Professor Brian Soucek and Senior Associate Dean Donna Shestowsky

Soucek’s book, The Opinionated University, drew widespread notice upon its release earlier this year. He also received the Association of American Law Schools’ inaugural Art Law Scholarship Award. Florey served on the 1L Curriculum Committee, chaired the Committee on Learning Outcomes and helped lead the Tribal Justice Project. Mesiwala has taught Appellate Advocacy to more than 900 students over 13 years and is integral to the success of the annual Neumiller Moot Court Competition. Mesiwala also delivered the keynote speech at UC Davis Law’s Class of 2026 commencement.

Andrea Lopez Arguello of the IT department was recognized with the Outstanding Staff Award. Berg noted that “Andrea’s attention to detail and ability to anticipate and quickly fix issues make her work seem seamless” while handling law school events and daily classroom instruction.

Dean Berg (third from left with Craig Compton, Lisa Carlock, Sofia Parino, Denise Martin and Dom Ayotte of the Career Services office, recipient of the Outstanding Team Award

Berg presented the Outstanding Team Award to the Career Services office (Charles “Dom” Ayotte, Natalie Butcher, Lisa Carlock, Craig Compton, Denise Martin, Sofia Parino and Kimberly Thomas). “With trademark enthusiasm, creativity adaptability, Career Services has deftly navigated a rapidly evolving legal recruiting environment,” Berg said.