Nominate a Colleague for Annual State Bar Awards
By Nina Benham, Board and Member Services Specialist
February 7, 2011
Here's your chance to see that your
colleagues, deserving of recognition, receive their just
rewards. Nominations for the annual State Bar awards are now
being accepted through February 28, 2011 at 5:00
p.m. (with one exception noted below). Nominations
for all categories should be submitted to: State Bar Awards, c/o
Nina Benham, 4201 N. 24th St., Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85016-6288.
Nominations can be in the form of a letter, describing the
individual's accomplishments following the award criteria. The
criteria for each award is listed.
The Board of Governors approved the creation of the following
awards to be presented at the annual Bar Convention:
Award of Appreciation: to be presented to
that individual(s) who is not a member of the Bar in recognition of
outstanding service toward the creation of a better public
understanding of the legal profession and the administration of
justice, the judiciary or the legislative process. (Award
established in 1988)
Award of Special Merit: to be presented
to that member(s) of the State Bar of Arizona who has made
significant contributions to the furtherance of public
understanding of the legal system, the administration of justice
and confidence in the legal profession. (Award established in
1988)
James A. Walsh Outstanding Jurist Award:
to be presented to that judge whose career exemplifies the highest
standards of judicial conduct for integrity and independence; who
is knowledgeable of the law and faithful to it; who is unswayed by
partisan interests, public clamor or fear of criticism; who is
patient, dignified and courteous to all who appear before him; and
who endeavors to improve the administration of justice and public
understanding of, and respect for, the role of law in our
society. (Award established in 1989)
Member of the Year Award: to be presented
to that attorney(s) who has rendered extraordinary contributions to
the programs and activities of the State Bar in the prior
year. Hundreds, even thousands, of the Bar's members
contribute their time and talent to the work of the Bar, but this
award is limited to that individual(s) whose contributions are
exceptional. (Award established in 1991)
Sharon A. Fullmer Legal Aid Attorney of the Year
Award: to be presented to that legal services lawyer
in Arizona whose service to low-income people encompasses both
aggressive advocacy on behalf of individuals in extreme need as
well as impact advocacy designed to address systemic issues
affecting significant numbers of low-income people. (Award
established in 1997)
Tom Karas Criminal Justice Award: to be
presented to that criminal defense practitioner who during his or
her career has worked tirelessly to advance the principles of
criminal justice by representing clients or the public with
integrity, fairness, tenacity, creativity, brilliance and above all
professionalism. (Award established 2004; amended language
3/17/06)
Michael C. Cudahy Criminal Justice Award:
to be presented to the criminal law prosecutor who during his or
her career has worked tirelessly to advance the principles of
criminal justice by representing the public's interest with
integrity, fairness, tenacity, creativity, brilliance and above
all, professionalism. (Award established 3/17/06)
Hon. John R. Sticht Excellence in Disabilities
Accessibility Award: (Deadline to apply is April
30)Awarded to private and/or public legal employers for their
efforts to improve access to the Arizona judicial system for
persons with disabilities in the legal profession, including
lawyers, paralegals and court and law firm staff. The awards are
presented at the State Bar Convention, and at a ceremony at the
State Capitol in July, the annual anniversary of the passage of the
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The Pima County Public
Defender's Office was honored in 2010.