Professor Patel to Receive 2025 Distinguished Teaching Award

Professor Menesh Patel is the recipient of UC Davis School of Law’s 2025 Distinguished Teaching Award. The award, supported by the generosity of Bill and Sally Rutter, honors “law teachers who give stellar performances in the classroom.”

Patel will accept the award at the annual “Celebrating King Hall” ceremony on April 9 at the law school.

A faculty member since 2018, Patel teaches the 1L Lawyering Process course, Business Associations, Securities Regulation, and various business and corporate law electives. This past year, he generously undertook a teaching overload to step in to lead the Lawyering Process program.

Students and other nominators emphasized the clarity of his instruction, his kindness and thoughtfulness both inside and outside the classroom, his invaluable career guidance throughout students’ time at King Hall, and his commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. He was also described as passionate about teaching and entertaining in the classroom.

This year, complete nominations were received for Professors Albert Lin, Robert Mullaney, Darien Shanske, Brian Soucek and Mary Ziegler. Congratulations to each nominee for excellence in teaching.

Special thanks to the selection committee: Professor and 2022 Distinguished Teaching Award recipient Karrigan Börk, Alumni Board President Errol Dauis ’11 and Law Students Association President Elisabet Lindskog ’26. Thank you as well to the students, alumni and faculty for the nominations.