The Sutin Prize is presented annually to the law student or students who best demonstrate outstanding commitment to JURIST and its public service mission. The Sutin Prize is named in memory of JURIST Contributing Editor and Appalachian School of Law Dean Anthony L. Sutin (1959-2002), who dedicated his life in legal education to helping others.

Dean Sutin devoted most of his career to public service of various sorts at the US Department of Justice, at Hogan & Hartson in Washington as an election law attorney, and then as a law professor and dean. Years ago - even before the turn of the millennium - he saw JURIST as a uniquely powerful instrument for bringing informed legal news and analysis to everyone. As he was situated in relatively isolated Grundy, Virginia, Dean Sutin knew how critical that access was.

Tragically, Dean Sutin was killed in a shooting spree at the Appalachian School of Law in 2002. His widow, Margaret Lawton, very kindly consented to JURIST naming this award after him.

JURIST is honored to acknowledge the outstanding students who have carried on Dean Sutin's legacy.