Chief Justice Marshall Award

Robinson Everett Life Award

Outstanding
Lawyer Awards

ABA Award Programs

ANNUAL AWARDS - THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION

American Bar Association Young Lawyer Award:  The Young Lawyer Division of the American Bar Association annually names an "Outstanding Young Military Service Lawyer Award" for each service.  The recipient must be under 36 years of age, or admitted to practice law for less than 5 years.  The awards are presented during the ABA Annual Convention in August (which, in 2006, will be in Honolulu!).  Nominations will be due in April.  Click here for a copy of the 2005 nomination package.

American Bar Association Standing Committee on Armed Forces Law Outstanding Military Service Career Judge Advocate Award:  This award is presented each year to one recipient from each service.  The recipient must be at least 36 years of age.  The awards are presented during the Keith E. Nelson memorial luncheon at the ABA Annual Convention in August.  Click here for a copy of the 2005 nomination package.

American Bar Association Standing Committee on Armed Forces Law Writing Award:  This award is presented annually to a Judge Advocate who authors or co-authors an outstanding literary publication, first appearing in the preceding calendar year, which advances the interests of military law or military lawyers.  Click here for additional information.

American Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP) Essay Contest:  The annual LAMP Essay Contest invites submissions that challenge conventional wisdom by proposing modifications to current directives, policies, customs, or practices relating to military legal assistance and preventive law.  Click here for additional information. 

The following awards are presented by the ABA Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division.  They are not specifically directed towards Judge Advocates, but Judge Advocates may nonetheless be eligible:

Dorsey Award
The Dorsey Award honors an outstanding public defender or legal aid lawyer. The Award was named on behalf of the late Charles H. Dorsey, Jr., long-time Executive Director of Maryland's Legal Aid Bureau, Inc. and a champion of the poor and underprivileged. 

Hodson Award
The Hodson Award recognizes sustained outstanding service or a specific extraordinary accomplishment by a government or public sector law office. (This is not an award for an individual). The award is named in honor of the distinguished public service career of Major General Kenneth J. Hodson, a former Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army. 

Nelson Award
The Nelson Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the ABA by an individual government or public sector lawyer. The Award was established as a tribute to the late L. Clair Nelson, who contributed his loyalty, time and extraordinary talent to the ABA. 

For information on submitting nominations for the Dorsey, Hodson, or Nelson awards, contact Theona Salmon at 202-662-1023, or visit "www.governmentlawyer.org," or write:

American Bar Association
Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division
Awards Committee
740 15th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005-1022