Nov. 20, 2019 – Know someone who deserves recognition for their hard work?

Each year, the State Bar of Wisconsin celebrates attorneys, judges, law firms, organizations, and law students who have made outstanding pro bono, public and government service, or public education contributions.

Let us know of an individual or organization who should be recognized. Please contact the State Bar by the end of the business day on the dates noted below.

The awards will be presented at the Member Recognition Celebration on June 11, 2020, as part of the State Bar Annual Meeting & Conference, June 11-12, 2020, at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake.

The awards needing nominations are:

Lifetime and Outstanding Jurists – Nominations Due Jan. 31, 2020

The State Bar’s Bench and Bar Committee is seeking nominations for the 2020 Judge of the Year and 2020 Lifetime Jurist Achievement awards.

The Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award recognizes a jurist who has demonstrated outstanding, long-term judicial service during his or her years as a circuit court judge. The nominee may currently hold a judicial position or be retired.

The Judge of the Year Award recognizes a sitting circuit court judge who has improved the judicial system during the past year by his or her leadership in advancing the quality of justice, judicial education, or innovative programs. High ideals, personal character, judicial competence, and community involvement are hallmarks of the award recipient.

Find out more about the 2019 Lifetime Jurist and Judge of the Year recipients.

To nominate a judge, submit a nomination form, a letter outlining the judge’s accomplishments, and three to five letters of recommendation. More information and nomination forms are available on WisBar.org for the Lifetime Jurist and Judge of the Year awards.

Submit nominations via email to Cale Battles, or by mail to: Bench and Bar Committee, Judicial Awards Subcommittee, c/o Cale Battles State Bar of Wisconsin, P.O. Box 7158, Madison, WI 53707.

The Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer Award – Nominations Due Feb. 15, 2020

The Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer Award celebrates an individual who contributes to and enhances diversity and inclusion within the Wisconsin legal profession. Please take a brief moment to nominate yourself or a colleague so that we can recognize their achievements.

The committee is seeking nominations for an individual who:

• is a State Bar member in good standing;

• shows dedicated service to their clients and to the legal profession as a whole; and

• has participated in activities that increase the public’s awareness of diversity and inclusion efforts in the legal profession.

Nominations should include a brief description of why the individual should be nominated and how their work meets the award criteria.

Submit nominations to the Diversity & Inclusion Outreach Coordinator via email or mail to: Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer Award, c/o Bryant Park, 5302 Eastpark Blvd, P.O. Box 7158, Madison, WI 53707.

Pro Bono Service Attorneys and Organizations – Nominations Due Feb. 15, 2020

The Legal Assistance Committee recognizes attorneys or organizations for their outstanding pro bono service. The Pro Bono Attorney of the Year and Pro Bono Firm/Organization of the Year awards honor attorneys in private, government, or corporate practice. Pro bono projects by private law firms, bar associations, or other organizations may also be recognized.

The awards recognize those who provide legal services to low- and moderate-income people, explore new ways to increase the accessibility of legal services, provide encouragement and assistance to others in improving legal services delivery, or promote pro bono service for Wisconsin lawyers.

For more information and the nomination form, contact Jeff Brown via email or at (800) 728-7788 ext. 6177, (608) 250-6177, or go to the online nomination form.

Outstanding Public Interest Lawyer or Law Student, and Ryan Klesh Public Interest Legal Worker – Nominations Due Jan. 31, 2020

The Public Interest Law Section seeks nominations for:

• The Dan Tuchscherer Outstanding Public Interest Law Attorney Award, which recognizes a lawyer who has demonstrated a selfless, lifetime commitment to working in the public interest, both inside and outside the field of law.

• The Outstanding Public Interest Law Student Award for the U.W. and Marquette law schools recognizes students with a demonstrated commitment to working in the public interest and helping others. Nominees should also exhibit exceptional volunteer work or activism in their communities.

• The Ryan Klesh Public Interest Legal Worker Award, named in honor of Ryan Klesh who was an outstanding administrative staff person at Legal Action of Wisconsin, recognizes an individual who captures the essence of his selflessness, work ethic, and humor in working to seek justice for low-income neighbors, family, and friends.

To make a nomination for one of these awards, write a letter about how that person fits the criteria above and send your nomination, along with the person’s resume, to Kim Burns via email or at (800) 728-7788 ext. 6190 or (608) 250-6190.

Wisconsin Law Foundation Gordon Sinykin Award – Nominations Due Jan. 31, 2020

The Wisconsin Law Foundation seeks nominations for the Gordon Sinykin Award of Excellence. The award recognizes a lawyer, law firm, or group of lawyers who are State Bar members and have accomplished a single significant work in a law-related education or public service project in the preceding year.

Find the nomination procedures and form on the Awards of Excellence webpage. For more information, contact Beth Drake at WLF-Fellows@wisbar.org, (800) 728-7788 ext. 6171, or (608) 250-6171.

Nonresident Lawyers Division Founder’s Award – Nominations Due Feb. 15, 2020

The Founder’s Award, presented by the Nonresident Lawyers Division (NRLD), recognizes a nonresident member who has brought positive change to the division and has actively participated in State Bar activities for many years.

The criteria for the award include:

• has worked for many years on NRLD projects, the board of directors, etc.;

• has been active in the work of the State Bar of Wisconsin (before, during, and after activity in NRLD);

• blends consistent hard work with humor, talent, mentorship, camaraderie, and high ethical and personal behavior; and

• is viewed by colleagues as one who brought leadership and positive changes to the division.

For more information, visit the NRLD webpage or contact Michelle Sherbinow via email or at (800) 444-9404 ext. 6184 or (608) 250-6184.

Senior Lawyers Division Leonard L. Loeb Award – Nominations Due Dec. 1, 2019

The Senior Lawyers Division (SLD) seeks candidates for the annual Leonard L. Loeb Award. The award recognizes a lawyer who has made significant contributions to the legal community, has shown respect for the legal system, and has demonstrated a love for the law and what it seeks to accomplish. Nominees must be 60 years or older, have helped to improve the legal system, and have shown leadership in advancing the quality of justice for all.

Nominees considered will have:

• made significant contributions to the legal community;

• shown respect for the legal system;

• demonstrated a love for the law and what it seeks to accomplish;

• displayed high ideals and personal character;

• been involved in community organizations; and

• participated in local and State Bar activities.

For more information, visit theSLD webpage or contact Michelle Sherbinow via email or at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6184, or (608) 250-6184.

Young Lawyers Division Outstanding Mentor and Young Lawyer Awards – Nominations Due Feb. 15, 2020

The Young Lawyers Division (YLD) asks you to help it pay tribute to an outstanding young lawyer and to an outstanding mentor to recognize the investment that mentor has made in your future.

The YLD Outstanding Mentor Award recognizes a mentor with six or more years of practice experience, who is a State Bar member in good standing. Lawyers who currently sit on the YLD board or on the State Bar Board of Governors are not eligible for the award.

The YLD is also seeking nominations for its Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. The award honors a young lawyer who has made an impact in his or her practice area, service to the bar, and service to the community.

For more information, contact Michelle Sherbinow via email or at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6184, or (608) 250-6184.