Professor Robert Klonoff Receives 2020 Leo Levenson Award

“A law professor wears many hats, but none is more important than teaching. It is an awesome responsibility to train the next generation of leaders.”

Bob Klonoff

The Leo Levenson Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Robert Klonoff, Jordan D. Schnitzer Professor of Law by Anne Cox ’20 in a virtual ceremony on June 2, 2020.

“That first day, and in all the days to come, Professor Klonoff reminded us that we were exactly where we needed to be,” said Cox during the presentation. “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 wait list 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. Professor Klonoff is generous with his time, his expertise, his resources, and his feedback. His gift seems to be understanding students’ personalities and styles of learning and then giving them the information in exactly that manner.”

Receiving the award, Klonoff said, “A law professor wears many hats, but none is more important than teaching. 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 Levenson (1903–1981) was a distinguished attorney, Oregon State Bar member, and highly respected instructor who taught at the law school for many years.