2014 WINNERS

1st PLACE WINNER

Andrew M. Witko

Francis King Carey School of Law, University of Maryland, Class Of 2014

Andrew M. Witko – Evolving Causation Standards and Their Post-Nassar Application to Retaliation Claims Under the False Claims Act

Andy Witko joined The Employment Law Group in 2012 as a law clerk in the firm’s litigation division. In that capacity, he supported TELG’s attorneys in a diverse array of employment matters, including whistleblower retaliation, employment discrimination, non-compete enforcement and invalidation, wage and hour, and qui tam cases. He has played an active role at trial and in other proceedings before federal, state and administrative tribunals. In October 2013, TELG promoted Mr. Witko to its evaluation team where he assists the firm’s partners in vetting cases and selecting clients.Prior to joining TELG, Mr. Witko served as the Director of Federal Solutions for an information technology and management consulting company. He has provided acquisition support, business process re-engineering, and technology advisement services for civilian and defense agencies across the federal government. Mr. Witko graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland’s Francis King Carey School of Law in May 2014. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Richmond with a double major in Economics and Urban Practice & Policy and a minor in Rhetoric & Communications. He is married to Claire Shoolin Witko and currently resides in Washington, D.C.

2nd PLACE WINNER

Jody Lopez-Jacobs

Beasley School of Law, Temple University, Class Of 2014

Jody Lopez-Jacobs – Who Owns the Tips? Chevron and Tip Ownership Under the FLS A

Jody Lopez-Jacobs is a 3L at Temple Law. He is currently on the editorial board for Temple Law Review. Before and during law school, he worked at law firms that advocated for the rights of employees. Jody decided to go to law school in large part because he felt that he could help more folks if he had a J.D. While in law school, Jody continued to look for similar opportunities to help workers and other people in need of legal services. He is doing a clinical this Fall with the Sheller Center for Social Justice, where he will help non-English speaking workers get minimum wage and overtime payments that they are entitled to under federal and state law. While in law school, Jody also discovered that he is interested in criminal justice reform. After law school, he hopes to find a position where he can continue to help workers but also address criminal justice issues, such as helping returning citizens successfully integrate themselves into the community and become productive members of society.

3rd PLACE WINNER

Timothy Farmer

Sturm College of Law, University of Denver, Class Of 2014

Timothy Farmer - Sturm College of Law, University of Denver, Class Of 2014

Timothy Farmer is an evening student at the University Of Denver Sturm College Of Law. After completing his undergraduate degree at Louisiana State University, Tim became a 7th grade reading teacher in Jacksonville, Florida through the Teach for America program. During his time in the classroom, he recognized the need to improve both the education system and the teaching profession, which prompted Tim to pursue his legal education. Tim will graduate law school in December of 2014 and plans to pursue a career as an attorney for school districts, charter schools, private schools, colleges, universities, or any other educational entities.