Lecturer Matt Coke Named 2025 Recipient of the James Koshiba Distinguished Lecturer Award

The William S. Richardson School of Law is proud to announce that Lecturer Matt Coke has been named the 2025 recipient of the James Koshiba Distinguished Lecturer Award.

Coke, who has taught at Richardson since 2018, leads LAW 525: Legislation and Statutory Interpretation each semester. His class is regularly in high demand, and students widely praise him for his engaging teaching style and deep commitment to their success.

The James Koshiba Distinguished Lecturer Award is presented annually to recognize a Richardson lecturer who demonstrates exceptional academic leadership and expertise that substantially benefits students and the greater community. The award also supports the law school’s ongoing mission to recruit and retain lecturers of the highest caliber.

Reflecting on the honor, Coke shared:

“I want to extend my sincere thanks to you, our deans for academic affairs, and the law school for this recognition. Over the years, it has been a privilege to be part of the Richardson community and to contribute to the education of our exceptional law students. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to engage with such bright, dedicated future members of the legal profession and to be part of their law school experience.

As a lecturer, I regularly encounter former students in my full-time professional work, and it always makes me smile when I see how they’ve grown into thoughtful, capable practitioners. Watching their development beyond the classroom is both gratifying and affirming. But any success I have had as an instructor is due in large part to the energy, enthusiasm, and intelligence of the students I’ve had the privilege to teach. I am also deeply appreciative of the support of past and present faculty, deans, and staff whose generosity and guidance have made teaching at our law school a true pleasure.

I look forward to continuing to participate in the education of our law students and to contributing to the law school community in the years ahead.”