Nicholas Cerwin, assistant city attorney for the City of West Allis, received the 2024 Young Lawyers Division’s Outstanding Mentor Award. The award pays tribute to a Wisconsin attorney with six or more years of practice who has made an exceptional contribution to the life and career of a young attorney.
Nov. 20, 2024 – Each year, the State Bar of Wisconsin honors attorneys, judges, law firms, legal workers, organizations, and law students who have made outstanding pro bono, public service, or public education contributions.
Let us know of an individual or organization who should be recognized. Nominations are due by the end of the business day on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, for the following awards:
The awards will be presented at the Member Recognition Celebration as part of the State Bar Annual Meeting & Conference on June 19, 2025. In 2025, the conference is June 18-20 at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center in Madison.
The awards calling for nominations are:
Lifetime Jurist and Judge of the Year
The State Bar Bench and Bar Committee is seeking nominations for the Judge of the Year and 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 Lifetime Jurist and Judge of the Year awards, including past 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 Lisa Roys, or by mail to: Bench and Bar Committee Judicial Awards c/o Lisa Roys, State Bar of Wisconsin, P.O. Box 7158, Madison, WI 53707.
The Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer Award
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 these 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
participates in activities that increase the public’s awareness of diversity and inclusion efforts in the legal profession.
Please provide a concise explanation in your nomination detailing why the individual is being nominated and how their contributions enhance diversity and inclusion within the Wisconsin legal profession.
Submit nominations to Jacque Evans, the State Bar Diversity & Inclusion Outreach Coordinator via email or mail to: Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer Award, c/o Jacque Evans, 5302 Eastpark Blvd, P.O. Box 7158, Madison, WI 53707.
Pro Bono Service Attorneys and Organizations
The State Bar 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 State Bar Pro Bono Coordinator Sarah Watson via email or at (800) 728-7788 ext. 6177, (608) 250-6177, or visit the Pro Bono Awards page on Wisbar.org.
Outstanding Public Interest Lawyer, Law Student, and Legal Worker
The State Bar 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 Christine Casey via email or at (800) 728-7788 ext. 6187 or (608) 250-6187.
Wisconsin Law Foundation Gordon Sinykin Award
The Wisconsin Law Foundation seeks nominations for the Gordon Sinykin Award of Excellence. Staying true to the Foundation’s mission, this award recognizes a lawyer, law firm, or groups of State Bar of Wisconsin members for their work on a recent or ongoing law-related education or public service project that promotes public understanding of the law, improves the administration of justice, or provides other law-related public service that impacts Wisconsin residents and/or State Bar members.
Award nominees are individuals or groups of State Bar of Wisconsin members who will be considered for this award based upon their significant efforts put towards a recent or ongoing law-related education or public service-related project.
Find the nomination procedures on the Awards of Excellence webpage, and see past recipients. 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
The Founder’s Award, presented by the State Bar 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. A lawyer meeting the criteria for the award shall:
have worked for many years on NRLD projects, the board of directors, etc.;
been active in the work of the State Bar of Wisconsin (before, during, and after activity in NRLD);
blended consistent hard work with humor, talent, mentorship, camaraderie, and high ethical and personal behavior; and
been viewed by colleagues as one who brought leadership and positive changes to the division.
For more information, contact Karen Beall via email or at (800) 444-9404 ext. 6120 or (608) 250-6120.
Senior Lawyers Division Leonard L. Loeb Award
The State Bar 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:
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made significant contributions to the legal community;
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shown respect for the legal system;
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demonstrated a love for the law and what it seeks to accomplish;
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displayed high ideals and personal character;
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been involved in community organizations; and
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participated in local and State Bar activities.
For more information, visit the SLD webpage or contact Karen Beall via email or at (800) 444-9404 ext. 6120 or (608) 250-6120.
Young Lawyers Division Outstanding Mentor and Young Lawyer Awards
The State Bar 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 mentorship 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 Karen Beall via email or at (800) 444-9404 ext. 6120 or (608) 250-6120.
