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  • December 20, 2017

    Call for Nominations: Know an Outstanding Lawyer, Jurist, Legal Worker, or Law Student?

    Do you know someone deserving of recognition? Nominate them for an award – the deadlines are fast approaching for 2018.

    Dec. 20, 2017 – The State Bar annually recognizes attorneys, judges, law firms, organizations, and law students who have made outstanding pro bono, public and government service, or public education contributions.

    If you know of an individual or organization that should be recognized, contact the State Bar by the end of the business day of the dates noted below.

    The awards needing nominations are:

    Lifetime and Outstanding Jurists – Nominations Due Feb. 12

    The State Bar’s Bench and Bar Committee is seeking nominations for the 2018 Judge of the Year and 2018 Lifetime Jurist Achievement Awards.

    • The Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award recognizes a jurist who has served more than one full term as a circuit court judge and has demonstrated outstanding, long-term judicial service during his or her years as a sitting 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. 2

    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.

    Awards are given to recognize efforts that 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. 15

    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 Megan Kenney. Questions? Contact her at (800) 728-7788 ext. 6190 or (608) 250-6190.

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

    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 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

    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 worked to fulfill 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 WisBar.org 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

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

    The criteria for the award include: 1) membership in the GLD with at least five years of service as a government lawyer; 2) involvement in State Bar activities and accomplishments in the legal profession outside the State Bar; 3) service to government, citizens, and other government attorneys; 4) 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.

    Senior Lawyers Division Leonard L. Loeb Award – Nominations Due Feb. 15

    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 demonstrate the following: 1) made significant contributions to the legal community; 2) shown respect for the legal system; 3) demonstrated a love for the law and what it seeks to accomplish; 4) has high ideals and personal character; 5) has involvement in community organizations; and 6) has participated in local and State Bar activities.

    For more information, visit the SLD webpage on WisBar.org 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. 19

    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 Nov. 15, 2017, issue of InsideTrack.

    Join in the Awards Celebration June 21

    The awards will be presented at the Member Recognition Celebration at the 2018 State Bar Annual Meeting & Conference. The conference will be held June 21-22, 2018, at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva.


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