The UConn Law Class of 2025 has selected Professor Rachel Timm to receive the Perry Zirkel ’76 Distinguished Teaching Award.

“I am truly honored to receive this award,” Timm said. “I am grateful to be in a profession that allows me to help students grow—not just academically, but also personally and professionally, in ways that align with their true identities. Every year, I learn so much from my students.”

Timm, who joined UConn Law in 2019, teaches legal practice courses, including Interviewing, Counseling and Negotiation, and Research and Writing.

Timm’s nomination praises her for unparalleled dedication to her students as well as for being genuine and encouraging, calling her an example of outstanding commitment to the practice of teaching.

“She takes the time to get to know each student personally and creates a learning environment in which students feel confident and empowered,” the nomination reads. “Professor Timm gives students lessons on how to better serve clients through lessons in cross-cultural lawyering, encourages students to rethink the utility of norms within the legal profession, and gives students resources to maintain mental wellness.”

It goes on to say that because of Timm, students are better prepared to serve clients, themselves, and their communities.

“I’m delighted to see the graduating class award this well-deserved honor to Professor Timm, which is a wonderful recognition of her impact on our law school community,” Dean Eboni S. Nelson said. “She is an excellent educator who is committed to her students’ success and development. We greatly appreciate her many contributions to UConn Law and beyond.”

The teaching award was established in 2016 through the generosity of Perry Zirkel, who graduated from UConn School of Law in 1976. He became a professor of education and law at Lehigh University and served as dean of the university’s College of Education. The UConn Neag School of Education also honors a faculty member each year with the Dr. Perry A. Zirkel Distinguished Teaching Award. The Neag School will announce its 2025 award recipient in May.

Alumni and current students are invited to nominate faculty members for the award and a committee of four graduating students chose five finalists. The entire graduating class is invited to vote to choose the winner, who is presented with the award at commencement.

Past winners are Professors Bethany Berger in 2024, Leslie Levin in 2023, Mary Beattie in 2022, Julia Simon-Kerr in 2021, Jessica Rubin in 2020, Alexandra Lahav in 2019, Paul Chill in 2018, Richard Pomp in 2017, and Jeremy McClane in 2016.