Public Lawyer Section Awards

Each year the Public Lawyer Section recognizes outstanding public lawyers and judges who have made extraordinary and exemplary contributions to the state and the justice system. There are five categories of awards:

• 2026 Distinguished Public Lawyer Award Winner: William Ring
• 2026 John Belatti Public Lawyer Career Achievement Award Winners: Regina Nassen and Thomas Stoxen
• 2026 Justice Michael D. Ryan Judicial Award of Excellence Winner: The Hon. Marianne T. Bayardi
• 2026 Rising Star Award Winner: Krystal De La Ossa
• 2026 Grant Woods Service to Law and Community Award Winner: Suzanne Teeple

You can learn more about these awards here: Nomination Criteria.

For a list of award winners since 1990,click here.