Rutgers Law School’s “Power of Attorney” podcast is now a three-time recipient of Anthem Awards. This year, the podcast won gold for Podcast or Audio and silver for Special Projects in the Human & Civil Rights category. This category honors organizations or work that protects, defends, and advances the rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality regardless of race, religion, or other historically underrepresented characteristics.
Presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, the Anthem Awards is the largest and most comprehensive social impact award. Judges selected the winners from a pool of more than 2,000 submissions from 42 countries. Launched in 2021, the Anthem Awards honors the purpose and mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide by amplifying the voices that spark global change.
“This has been a challenging year for the impact sector, but the winners of the 5th Annual Anthem Awards have shown their resilience and continued commitment to a better tomorrow,” said Patricia McLoughlin, general manager of the Anthem Awards.
The winning episode, “RICAP, Rutgers' Rapid Response Program, and Protecting International Students,” was a special conversation with Professor David Noll, guest host; Dean Johanna Bond, host; and guests Jason Hernandez, director of the Rutgers Immigrant Community Assistance Project (RICAP) and Professor Randi Mandelbaum, associate dean for Clinical Education at Rutgers Law in Newark. Dean Bond, who proposed the idea of the Rapid Response Team and secured funding for it, was concerned about Rutgers students who might be vulnerable to enforcement actions by ICE. The group discussed concerns facing international students, resources available to them through RICAP, and the formation of the Rapid Response Team who are providing aid to students encountering emergency immigration circumstances.
Professor Mandelbaum said, “I am not only thrilled that the podcast is being recognized, but also the incredible and important work of RICAP and its rapid response efforts. Efforts, such as RICAP, that support our immigrant and international students in these challenging times are what make Rutgers such a special institution.” Bond added, “We are student-centered in everything we do at Rutgers Law School, and the Rapid Response Team and RICAP are excellent examples of that unwavering commitment to our students’ flourishing inside and outside of the classroom.”
The Power of Attorney first won an Anthem Award silver distinction in the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Podcast & Media category in 2024. The series is an inside look at the power of a legal education for everyone and what it means to be a lawyer. Guests include a wide array of people who are underrepresented in the legal profession but also demonstrate the power of determination and perseverance that translate to any life situation. The goal is to show that any and everyone has access to a legal education and has the right to pursue their dreams regardless of background.
“I’m thrilled that the Power of Attorney earned not one, but two Anthem Awards,” said Dean Bond. “This achievement reflects the dedication and creativity of our team, whose hard work brings meaningful conversations about the evolving landscape of law, legal education, and justice to the forefront. These honors affirm the importance of sharing that knowledge with everyone.”
This recognition is the latest in a series of honors this year for the Power of Attorney. In May, the podcast received a 2025 Award of Distinction from the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts. In July, "A Million Podcasts" listed Power of Attorney at #20 in its list of the top 70 podcasts for law students. It is also the highest-ranking law school podcast on the list.
The series is produced by Rutgers Law Digital Marketing and Media Producer Nathaniel Nakao, and executive produced by Shanida Carter, Rutgers Law Director of Marketing and Communications.