Dec. 19, 2018 – 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.

This year, the State Bar will also honor a champion of diversity with the inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Award presented by the Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Committee.

It celebrates a State Bar member who contributes to and enhances diversity and inclusion within the Wisconsin legal profession, says committee member Andrew J. Chevrez.

“This award highlights the importance of having leaders on the issue of diversity and inclusion – those who are leaders by their actions and commitment, who are an inspiration to others,” Chevrez said.

The Inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Award – Nominations Due Feb. 15, 2019

The committee is seeking nominations for an individual who:

1. is a State Bar member in good standing;

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

3. 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 via email to Bryant Park, committee liaison, or to: 5302 Eastpark Blvd, PO Box 7158, Madison, WI 53707.

Nominate a Colleague for These Additional Awards

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 needing nominations are:

Lifetime and Outstanding Jurists – Nominations Due Jan. 31, 2019

The State Bar’s Bench and Bar Committee is seeking nominations for the 2019 Judge of the Year and 2019 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.

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.

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

Pro Bono Service Attorneys and Organizations – Nominations Due Feb. 8, 2019

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 a nomination form, contact Jeff Brown 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, 2019

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 recognizes an individual who captures the essence of Klesh's 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 Rachael Schaefer. Questions? Contact her at (800) 728-7788 ext. 6190 or (608) 250-6190.

Public Education Attorney of the Year – Nominations Due Feb. 2, 2019

The Public Education Committee seeks nominations for the Public Education Attorney of the Year Award. This award honors an attorney who has demonstrated excellence in promoting and supporting statewide efforts to educate the public, encouraging understanding and respect for the legal system, and fostering an appreciation of the rights and responsibilities of all persons under the law.

For more information, contact Katie Wilcox at (800) 728-7788 ext. 6191 or (608) 250-6191.

Wisconsin Law Foundation Gordon Sinykin Award – Nominations Due Jan. 31, 2019

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.

The nomination procedures and form can be found 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.

Government Lawyers Division Service Award – Nominations Due Feb. 15, 2019

The Government Lawyers Division (GLD) is seeking nominations for its Government Lawyers Division Service Award. “Government lawyers perform outstanding work that impacts their communities and the legal profession on a daily basis,” said GLD Past President Mary Schanning.

The criteria for the award include:

• membership in the GLD with at least five years of service as a government lawyer;

• involvement in State Bar activities and accomplishments in the legal profession outside the State Bar;

• service to government, citizens, and other government attorneys; and

• activities that increase the public’s respect for government lawyers and promote government legal work as a rewarding career choice.

The nomination should include a brief description of why the individual should be nominated and how their work as a government lawyer meets the award criteria.

For more information contact Bryant Park at (800) 444-9404 ext. 6181 or (608) 250-6181. Nominations may be submitted via email or to Bryant Park at 5302 Eastpark Blvd, P.O. Box 7158, Madison, WI 53707.

Nonresident Lawyers Division Founder’s Award – Nominations Due March 15, 2019

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.

NRLD members may submit nominations to Julie Wills at jwills@wisbar.org no later than 4 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2019.

Please include the following: the name, a picture, resume, and a nomination letter explaining why nominee meets the criteria.

Senior Lawyers Division Leonard L. Loeb Award – Nominations Due Feb. 15, 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 the SLD webpage or contact Bryant Park at (800) 444-9404 ext. 6181 or (608) 250-6181.

Young Lawyers Division Outstanding Mentor and Young Lawyer Awards – Nominations Due Jan. 18, 2019

The Young Lawyers Division asks you to help it pay tribute to an outstanding lawyer and to recognize the investment that your mentor has made in your future. For more information on the Young Lawyers Division’s Outstanding Mentor and Outstanding Young Lawyer Awards, see the article “Nominate an Outstanding Mentor or Young Lawyer,” in the Dec. 5, 2019, issue of InsideTrack.