LSU Law Dean Alena M. Allen has announced that Class of 2025 graduates Justin Benton Alford Jr., Daniel Gunn, and Kayla Kennedy Meyers have been selected for the inaugural Dean’s Awards.
Alford, a Baton Rouge native who served as 2024-25 LSU Law Student Bar Association (SBA) executive president, was selected for the Dean’s Award for Leadership in recognition of his demonstrated leadership and contributions to the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center.
Gunn, a Baton Rouge native, will receive the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement throughout his time at the Law Center.
Meyers, a Prairieville native, was selected for the Dean’s Award for Service/Citizenship in recognition of the extensive pro bono work she completed during her time at LSU Law as well as her commitment to various community service initiatives.
“The Dean’s Awards were created to recognize members of the graduating class who have gone above and beyond to excel in their legal studies, give back to our community, and invest in the next generation of LSU Law students,” Allen said. “Each of the inaugural Dean’s Awards honorees is more than deserving of this great honor, and I know they will continue to make our LSU Law family proud as they now embark upon their legal careers.”
LSU Law students, faculty, and staff submitted nominations for two of the Dean’s Awards this spring. A committee convened by the dean to review the nominations and selected finalists for the awards, and the dean selected the honorees. The LSU Law Dean’s Council is generously funding a $500 award to each of the honorees.
Alford earned his undergraduate degree in political science and philosophy at Tulane University, where he was a member of the Tulane Marching Band. During his time at LSU Law, Alford served as a summer law clerk at U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana and several Baton Rouge law firms.
Gunn earned his undergraduate degree in accounting and Master of Accountancy from LSU. During his time at LSU Law, he served as a Senior Associate for Louisiana Law Review, graduating summa cum laude and as a member of The Order of the Coif, the highest honor a law student can receive.
Meyers earned her undergraduate degree in political science and sociology from LSU, graduating cum laude. At LSU Law, she represented clients as a student-attorney in the Juvenile Defense Clinic and Wrongful Conviction Clinic, and was recognized for completing more than 50 hours of pro bono work during her final year of studies.
LSU Law held commencement exercises for the Class of 2025 on Friday, May 16, at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on the LSU campus.
See a full listing of the LSU Law Class of 2025 graduates.
See a photo gallery from the LSU Law Class of 2025 Commencement.
