University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law student Danielle Basdekis ’26 has been named a 2026 National Jurist law student of the year, joining seven other students from across the country in this year’s cohort. The highly competitive honor recognizes students who are leaders at their law schools: “advocates, builders and changemakers — using their time in law school not just to prepare for practice, but to make a difference now.”
“We are proud that Danielle has received this national recognition,” said Maryland Carey Law Associate Dean for Student Affairs Erica Smith, who works closely with Basdekis on service projects. “She is an extraordinary student whose leadership has significantly enriched our community.”
Set to graduate in May, Basdekis has been making a difference from the moment she stepped into the law school as a 1L and joined the Executive Council of the Student Bar Association (SBA) as the 1L representative. Since then, she has risen through progressive leadership positions to become executive president of the organization, now presiding over the Executive Council and serving as the SBA representative to the law school’s Faculty Council.
Along the way, she advocated for students and built community at the law school through initiatives including the Thurgood Marshall Week of Service, featuring fundraising events and activities to support Baltimore non-profits and youth programs, and a mock negotiation event in collaboration with Baltimore Outreach for Student Success (BOSS), which encouraged Baltimore youth to explore the legal field and service opportunities in the community.
Basdekis is also making a difference through her engagement with the Maryland Public Interest Law Project (MPILP) board, for which she was president last year and is treasurer this year. MPILP is a 501(c)(3) student-run non-profit organization that provides summer funding for students who wish to engage in unpaid public interest internships. Under her leadership, the 2025 MPILP Annual Goods and Services Auction raised approximately $24,000 to go toward student grants.
Additionally, Basdekis is a Maryland Carey Law peer advisor, mentoring and supporting first-year law students. In this position, she plans and organizes various activities to help new students navigate their journey, both academically and personally.
Basdekis has also spent her summers making a difference in the Baltimore community, working at FreeState Justice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing legal services to low-income LGBTQ+ Marylanders, and the Office of the Legal Counsel at Baltimore City Public Schools.
A leader academically, she served as executive symposium and articles editor for the Maryland Law Review. Basdekis was also selected as a research assistant to Professor Paula Monopoli, director of Maryland Carey Law’s renowned Women, Leadership & Equality Program, and honored as a Rose Zetzer Fellow, a position awarded to students in the program who demonstrate a strong intellectual interest and commitment to women and leadership issues through their academic pursuits, community involvement, and experience.
“Being named a National Jurist Law Student of the Year is completely a reflection of the wonderful support system I have at Maryland Carey Law. I am truly overwhelmed by this recognition,” said Basdekis. “During my time here, I have had the opportunity to grow and impact the school because of my wonderful classmates who have become lifelong friends, and incredible mentorship from faculty.”
The National Jurist honor comes on the heels of Basdekis’s selection as UMB Student of the Year, for which she was recognized during Founders Week in the fall.
After graduation, she will clerk for Justice Angela M. Eaves on the Supreme Court of Maryland.