Jacob S. Sonner ’14 wins prestigious national writing award

Law student Jake Sonner ’14 has been awarded the 2014 Distinguished Legal Writing Award from the Burton Foundation for his article in the Buffalo Law Review’s August 2013 issue, “A Crack in the Floodgates: New York’s Fourth Department, the PLCAA, and the Future of Gun Litigation after Williams v. Beemiller.”  The Burton Award is only given to 15 authors from entries submitted by the nation’s top law schools.

Sonner will receive his award at the 15th anniversary being held on June 9th at the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.  This year’s program is dedicated to rewarding great achievements in law, with a special emphasis on writing and reform. Award winners are selected by law school professors and judges, including professors from Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School, and Stanford Law School.

A western New York native, Jacob S. Sonner received bachelor’s degrees in journalism/mass communications and history from St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, NY in 2011.  In May, he received his JD from SUNY Buffalo Law School. 

While in law school, Mr. Sonner worked as a law clerk with Legal Services for the Elderly, Disabled or Disadvantaged of Western New York and as a research assistant for SUNY Buffalo’s Lecturer in Law, Legal Analysis, Writing and Research, Christine Pedigo Bartholomew.  Mr. Sonner also served as an Executive Publications Editor with the Buffalo Law Review.  He will join Damon Morey LLP in Buffalo as an associate attorney.