Woodruff Award of Excellence Recipient, Stephen Greenway
Stephen Greenway, ’24, graduated from The University of Georgia (2017) with a degree in international affairs believing that service in the military would help him build character and develop strong leadership skills. The Marietta, Georgia, native began his career in the Army (2017-2021) as an infantry officer with the First Calvary Division based in Fort Cavazos, Texas. Twice he was deployed to Eastern Europe. In 2018 he served with a team of military advisors to the Georgian National Army as they prepared to defend against Russian threats.
Stephen is the 2024 recipient of the Woodruff Award of Excellence, Mercer Law School’s most prestigious award. Given to the graduating student who had the highest grade point average at the end of five semesters, the award honors George Waldo Woodruff, distinguished businessman, proponent of education, and friend of Mercer University School of Law.
What lead you to military service after undergraduate school? I grew up during the War on Terror in which many American citizens decided to enlist or commission into the military to protect our freedoms. Growing up, I was deeply inspired by these acts of service by ordinary Americans. I considered them heroes.
What lead you to want to attend law school and to have a career in the legal field? My father is a real estate attorney, so I always had a strong interest in the legal field. Discussions about the Supreme Court and constitutional issues were always a source of conversation around our kitchen table. As I began to look for a second career after my service in the Army, I saw serving my community as an attorney as a natural extension of the commitment to service I had already made while serving the military.
Why did you choose Mercer Law School? I chose Mercer Law because of its reputation for producing service-driven leaders. Attorney General Griffin Bell, Governor Nathan Deal, and Chief Justice Michael Boggs are some of my favorite examples. I wanted to be part of Mercer Law’s distinguished legacy of serving the State of Georgia and the nation in the law.
What is the difference in a judicial intern and a judicial extern with the Supreme Court of Georgia? How did you learn about/secure the positions? Usually an internship takes place when school is out of session, while an externship takes place during the law school semester. I loved my first internship with the Georgia Supreme Court so much that I applied for a second externship so that I could continue to improve my writing and research skills. In terms of securing these positions, doing well in your classes, especially your first year, is crucial.
Will you start your career with King & Spalding immediately after graduation? I am quite honored to have received an offer from King & Spalding, a firm where so many Mercer Lawyers have practiced, including Griffin Bell and Robert Steed. I will join King & Spalding after completing my judicial clerkships with the Georgia Supreme Court and the federal courts in Atlanta. My three judicial clerkships are: Georgia Supreme Court with Justice Warren (2024-2025), United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia with Judge Ray (2025-2026), and United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit with Judge Branch (2026-2027).
What kind of law are you interested in practicing? I am most interested in appellate, constitutional, and administrative law. I also hope to have a strong practice in pre-trial and dispositive motions. I think it’s important to seek a diversity of work and professional relationships and be a team player for the firm.
What is the best thing about Mercer Law? Mercer Law is a supportive and service-driven community of law students in pursuit of excellence. Many of the opportunities I have received would never have been possible without the support of my classmates. They helped me with studying for classes, applying to clerkships, and conducting mock interviews. I’ve made lifelong friends here. I have been truly blessed.
