William Rutter Award for Teaching Excellence

William Rutter Award for Teaching Excellence

The Rutter Award recognizes UC Law SF faculty for outstanding commitment to classroom teaching. Founded by philanthropist, lawyer, and legal education publisher William Rutter in 1979, the award honors professors at California’s top law schools.  

Professor Emily Murphy wins 2024 Rutter Award for Teaching Excellence

Emily Murphy stands behind a lectern to deliver a speech.

 

UC Law SF Professor Emily Murphy received the Rutter Award for Teaching Excellence in a ceremony March 12, 2005. 

The selection committee recognized Murphy’s commitment to pedagogical innovation, scholarly and rigorous approach to teaching and learning, and ability to inspire students to strive to achieve the highest standards of excellence.  

“I take my students extremely seriously and I take my responsibility to them extremely seriously,” Murphy said. “I think that being taken seriously is a prerequisite for trust, which is a prerequisite for learning.”

 

Nomination & Selection

The 2024 selection committee included Provost & Academic Dean Morris Ratner, last year’s recipient Professor Stefano Moscato, UCLAS President Millie Wong, and UC Law SF alum Manpreet Bhandal (’24).  

The Rutter Endowment provides UC Law SF with an annual award of $15,000 for the recipient.