2026 Winners

1st PLACE WINNER

David Hahn

Wake Forest University School of Law

The Post-Pandemic Convergence: Reconciling the Analysis of Remote Work as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the ADA

David Hahn is a third-year law student at Wake Forest University School of Law, where he is a Leadership and Character in the Law Cohort Scholar and a board member of the Wake Forest Law Review. Before law school, David earned his bachelor’s degree from Furman University and spent four years working in international trade, where his experience managing teams during the COVID-19 pandemic inspired this paper. Following graduation, David will move to Charlotte, NC, to begin his legal career.

2nd PLACE WINNER

Audrey Creason

University of South Carolina

Long COVID as an Emerging Disability Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

Audrey is a third-year law student at the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.A. in Business Administration and a minor in Political Science. Throughout law school, she has gained experience across a range of practice areas, including a clerkship with the South Carolina Department of Insurance Fraud and an externship with Samsung Electronics Home Appliances’ in-house legal team. Following graduation, Audrey plans to stay in South Carolina as she begins her legal career. She wants to thank Professor Ray Douglas for his guidance and feedback during the drafting of this paper, and her friends and family, whose work in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic inspired it.

3rd PLACE WINNER

Rashaud Conway

Western New England University School of Law

The Impact of the Severe or Pervasive Standard on Black Employees in the Workplace

Rashaud is a third-year law student at Western New England University School of Law. Before attending law school, Rashaud graduated from Trinity College with a B.A. in Public Policy & Law and a minor in African American Studies. While at Trinity, he interned at the State of CT Office of the Governor and worked as an Assistant Site Coordinator for the VITA Tax Clinic. Rashaud now serves as a Student Representative on the Student Bar Association and as Vice President of the Labor & Employment Law Society. He is also a student advocate in the Small Business Clinic, helping local entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate transactional business matters. Alongside his academic work, Rashaud develops practical experience at civil litigation and family law firms. He would like to thank Professor Tolulope Odunsi-Nelson for her support and guidance with his paper. Upon graduation, Rashaud is planning to stay in New England to begin his legal career.