Students Win Awards for Highest GPAs

Haley Gorman ’24 and Kevin Hoang ’25 were recently recognized for having the highest GPAs in their classes at the University of Virginia School of Law.

Gorman received the Jackson Walker LLP Award for the highest GPA after four semesters, while Hoang won the Carl M. Franklin Prize for earning the highest GPA after two semesters. Recipients for the awards receive a cash prize and have their names engraved on plaques in Hunton Andrews Kurth Hall.

At UVA Law, Gorman, of Western Springs, Illinois, is articles development editor of the Virginia Law Review, works as a research assistant for Dean Risa Goluboff and Professor Payvand Ahdout, and won the Carl M. Franklin Prize in 2022. She earned a bachelor’s degree in government and history from the College of William & Mary.

Hoang, a native of Katy, Texas, and a Karsh-Dillard Scholar, is an editorial board member of the Virginia Law Review, diversity and inclusion chair for the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, a participant in the Environmental Law and Community Engagement Clinic, a Peer Advisor and a research assistant for Professor A. E. Dick Howard ’61. Before law school, he studied biochemistry and international relations at the University of Texas at Austin.

Gorman and Hoang recently answered some questions about their law school journey so far and how they balance their personal lives and academics.

Why did you decide to go to law school?

Gorman: Ever since watching “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” in high school, I thought practicing law might be an interesting way to contribute to my community. Once I got to William & Mary, I was able to explore further and discovered a love of constitutional law during a course on civil rights and civil liberties. Engaging with that case law and history expanded my view of how law makes — or fails to make — a concrete difference in the lives of people across the country and introduced me to the major questions about our legal system that led me to law school.

Hoang: The divergent disciplines I studied as an undergraduate trained me to think in different ways. I had the detail-oriented, molecular training from biochemistry and the global, macroscopic perspective of international relations. Those academic fields also exposed me to complex issues at their nexus — climate action, vaccine politics, public health crises — and these issues often brought with them even more complex legal questions. I came to law school to apply the interdisciplinary academic training I have received to tackle these issues as best as I can.

What clinic or class has been the most rewarding to you and why?

Gorman: Dean Goluboff’s Constitutional Law II seminar, which focused on whether the Constitution provides protection against the harms of poverty. In addition to walking us through the historical high- and low-water marks of that protection, Dean Goluboff challenged each student to consider how we might interpret the Constitution to provide widespread economic security. It was incredible to be surrounded by classmates who are so passionate about working through the problems presented by this area of law, knowing that we all shared a common goal.

Hoang: I really enjoyed Professor George Cohen’s Contracts class. Professor Cohen is a fantastic, effective professor, and his class taught me to be creative in forming arguments, translating ideas from one concept to another and making the most of the facts given. He is also the sweetest person at the Law School, and it has been such a privilege to have him as a mentor. Contracts was the first class of my 1L year, and his passion for not only the subject but for supporting his students has been emblematic of the academic excellence and kindness I have experienced in my time at UVA Law, starting on that first day.

What are your future career plans?

Gorman: After graduation, I will clerk for Chief Judge David Barron of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit from 2024-25, and for U.S. Judge Jesse Furman of the Southern District of New York from 2026-27.

Hoang: I hope to clerk after law school. I would love the opportunity to learn from the diverse and expansive expertise of a judge on the federal bench. I plan on working in commercial litigation and intellectual property in Texas, and I look forward to applying the perspective and knowledge I’ve gained from my time in law school to my practice.

What is something you’re passionate about outside of classes?

Gorman: Outside of classes, I love spending time outdoors, whether that’s canoeing, rafting or exploring the best spots to catch a sunrise around Charlottesville. One of my favorite things about being at UVA is how accessible nature is, even during the busier times of the school year. Finding time for trips with friends to see this part of the country has been the highlight of my time in law school so far, and I hope will continue to play a huge role in my final year.

Hoang: I am a massive pickleball fanatic! It is such a fun and accessible pastime that gets me out of the library and into the beautiful Charlottesville weather. I’ve loved playing and connecting with friends outside of class. I’m also a huge “Survivor” fan — the new season just started in September, and some friends and I have been watching the episodes live every week since law school started. In college, I ran “Survivor” tournaments for my friends, and I’ve been itching to start up those tournaments at UVA as well!

What do you think has contributed to your success in law school?

Gorman: The support of professors and peers, who have encouraged me and helped me find direction amid the seemingly endless questions that law school courses raise. As someone who doesn’t naturally gravitate toward theory, I have benefited so much from working through legal questions with (very patient) friends and mentors over the last couple of years. Likewise, I couldn’t imagine law school without friends who remind each other to step away from schoolwork and find balance week to week.

Hoang: Undoubtedly my support circle. I talk with my sister and parents back in Texas all the time, and hearing from home always puts work and classes into perspective for me. I also live with one of my childhood best friends who is pursuing her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at UVA, and having a piece of home in Charlottesville has kept me grounded and focused. My friends and classmates here at UVA Law have also been instrumental to my success. Talking through constitutional issues and building arguments with such brilliant classmates has sharpened my legal mindset. The warmth and generosity of my classmates has also helped me succeed — any time I missed class or didn’t understand something, there were always countless people willing to help. To everyone that has helped me in these first two years — thank you so much.