The Leo Levinson Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Professor Robert Klonoff by graduating student Anne Cox ’20 in a virtual ceremony on June 2, 2020.
The graduating class votes and selects The Leo Levinson Award each year, honoring a full-time professor whose teaching has had a particular impact on the class.
In presenting the award, Anne Cox noted her first class as a 1L with Professor Klonoff, Civil Procedure. “That first day, and in all the days to come, Professor Klonoff reminded us that we were exactly where we needed to be. He took pains to make sure we understood the material from all angles. In the end, Civil Procedure was so popular everyone wanted to take Federal Courts and Complex Litigation with him, creating a waitlist in those classes.”
“A born teacher and joyful conversationalist, it is his dedication to his students that allows his teaching skills to take on a new life,” stated Cox in her speech. “Professor Klonoff is generous with his time, his expertise, his resources, and his feedback,” she continued. “His gift seems to be understanding students’ personalities and styles of learning and then giving them the information in exactly that manner.”
Professor Klonoff was honored to receive the award. “A law professor wears many hats, but none is more important than teaching,” stated Professor Klonoff in his acceptance speech. “It is an awesome responsibility to train the next generation of leaders. I reject the saying that old dogs can’t learn new tricks. I learn from my students every day and at 65 I am still a work in progress. From the bottom of my heart, I thank the graduating class for giving me this award.”
Leo Levinson (1903–1981), for whom this award is named, was a distinguished attorney, Oregon State Bar member, and highly respected instructor who taught at the law school for many years.
