2024 Awards Nominations
It is that time of the year again when nominations are made for awards that are presented at the State Bar annual meeting in June. We have many great bar leaders and volunteers who are very deserving of being recognized for their hard work and dedication to our bar. Your input and nominations are very important to insure the appropriate recognition of those people who have done so much to advance our profession and our State Bar.
The Judicial Award of Merit – This award is presented to a judge who is not retired, whether state or federal court, trial or appellate, who has contributed significantly to the administration of justice in Alabama. Deadline for nominations is March 15, 2024. This award recipient is selected by the Judicial Conference for the State of Alabama Committee and presented to the Board of Bar Commissioners for approval.
Michael D. Ermert Award of Merit –This award is given for outstanding constructive service to the legal profession in Alabama. The recipient or recipients of this award are chosen by the president of the Alabama State Bar, and the award is presented at the Alabama State Bar’s annual meeting. The recipient or recipients must be or have been licensed as an attorney in Alabama. It is not required that this award be presented every year. This award recipient is presented to the Board of Bar Commissioners for approval.
Tony McLain Professionalism Award – This award recognizes outstanding, long-term, and distinguished service in the advancement of professionalism by living members of the Alabama State Bar. Nominations deadline is March 15, 2024. The award recipient is selected by a five member committee which makes a recommendation to the Board of Bar Commissioners for approval. The nomination form can be found below.
Bill Scruggs Service to the Bar Award – This award is given to those members of the Alabama State Bar who have made significant contribution(s) and given outstanding long-term service to the Bar. Deadline for nominations is March 15, 2024. The award recipient is selected by a five member committee which makes a recommendation to the Board of Bar Commissioners for approval. The nomination form can be found below.
Commissioners Award – This award is given to recognize individuals who have had a long-standing commitment to the improvement of the administration of justice in Alabama. The recipient or recipients of this award are chosen by the president of the Alabama State Bar, and the award is presented at the Alabama State Bar’s annual meeting. The recipient or recipients of this award must be or have been a member of the Board of Bar Commissioners. It is not required that this award be presented every year. This award recipient is presented to the Board of Bar Commissioners for approval.
Nominations can be emailed directly to [email protected]. If you have any questions about any of the awards or who might have received these awards in the past, please contact me.
- Alabama Lawyers Hall of Fame
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Click here for award information and the nomination form.
- The William D.”Bill” Scruggs, Jr. Service to the Bar Award
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The Board of Bar Commissioners of the Alabama State Bar will receive nominations for the William D.”Bill” Scruggs, Jr. Service to the Bar Award through March 15. Nominations should be prepared using this form and mailed to:
Alabama State Bar
P.O. Box 671
Montgomery, AL 36101The William D. “Bill” Scruggs, Jr. Service to the Bar Award is given to those members of the Alabama State Bar that have made significant contribution(s) and outstanding, long-term service to the bar.
The Bill Scruggs Service to the Bar Award was established in 2002 to honor the memory of and accomplishments on behalf of the bar of former state bar President Bill Scruggs. The award is not necessarily an annual award. It must be presented in recognition of outstanding and long-term service by living members of the bar of this state to the Alabama State Bar as an organization. Nominations are considered by a five-member committee which makes a recommendation to the Board of Bar Commissioners with respect to a nominee or whether the award should be presented in any given year. The award will be presented at a ceremony during the Annual Meeting of the Alabama State Bar.
PAST RECIPIENTS:
Sam Crosby
Daphne
2024Halron Turner
Chatom
2023Tazewell T. Shepard
Huntsville
2022Christina D. Crow
Union Springs
2021Tom Heflin
Sheffield
2020J. Mark White
Birmingham
2019Hon. Michael F. Bolin
Birmingham
2018Alyce Manley Spruell
Tuscaloosa
2017W. N. “Rocky” Watson
Fort Payne
2016Billy C. Bedsole
Mobile
2015Richard H. Gill
Montgomery
2015James S. Ward
Birmingham
2015David M. Wooldridge
Birmingham
2013Ben H. Harris, Jr.
Mobile
2010Robert A. Huffaker
Montgomery
2010David R. Boyd
Montgomery
2006E. T. Brown, Jr.
Birmingham
2003 - J. Anthony “Tony” McLain Professionalism Award
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The Board of Bar Commissioners of the Alabama State Bar will receive nominations for the J. Anthony “Tony” McLain Professionalism Award through March 15. Nominations should be prepared using this form and mailed to:
Alabama State Bar
P. O. Box 671
Montgomery, AL 36101-0671The purpose of the J. Anthony “Tony” McLain Professionalism Award is to honor the leadership of Tony McLain and to encourage the emulation of his deep devotion to professionalism and service to the Alabama State Bar by recognizing outstanding, long-term and distinguished service in the advancement of professionalism by living members of the Alabama State Bar.
Nominations are considered by a five member committee which makes a recommendation to the Board of Bar Commissioners with respect to a nominee or whether the award should be presented in any given year. The award will be presented at a ceremony during the Annual Meeting of the Alabama State Bar.
PAST RECIPIENTS:
John Watson
Birmingham
2024Cole Portis
Maibeth J. Porter
2023Michael Ballard
2022LaBella A. McCallum
2021Harlan I. Prater, IV
2020Michael E. Upchurch
2020W. Percy Badham, III
2019J. Douglas McElvy
2019Billy C. Bedsole
2018Samuel N. Crosby
2017Charles W. Gamble
2016J. Anthony McLain
2014 - Judicial Award of Merit
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The Alabama State Bar Board of Bar Commissioners will receive nominations for the state bar’s Judicial Award of Merit through March 15. Nominations should be mailed to:
Board of Bar Commissioners
P.O. Box 671
Montgomery, AL 36101-0671The Judicial Award of Merit was established in 1987. The award is not necessarily an annual award. It must be presented to a judge who is not retired, whether state or federal court, trial or appellate, who is determined to have contributed significantly to the administration of justice in Alabama. The recipient is presented with a crystal gavel bearing the state bar seal and the year of presentation at the Alabama State Bar Annual Meeting.
Nominations are considered by the Judicial Conference for the State of Alabama Committee which then makes a recommendation to the board of bar commissioners with respect to a nominee or whether the award should be presented in any given year.
Nominations should include a detailed biographical profile of the nominee and a narrative outlining the significant contribution(s) the nominee has made to the administration of justice. Nominations may be supported with letters of endorsement.
PAST RECIPIENTS:
John H. Graham
Presiding Circuit Judge
38th Judicial Circuit
2024Eddie Hardaway, Jr.
Circuit Judge
17th Judicial Circuit
2023Gaines C. McCorquodale
Circuit Judge
1st Judicial Circuit
2022Brendette Brown Green
Circuit Judge
10th Judicial Circuit, Civil Division
2021Madeline Hughes Haikala
United States District Judge
Northern District of Alabama
2020Elisabeth A. French
Circuit Judge
10th Judicial Circuit, Civil Division
2019Harold V. Hughston, Jr.
Circuit Judge
31st Judicial Circuit
2018John E. Ott
Chief Magistrate
United States District Court
Northern District of Alabama
2017Burt Smithart
Circuit Judge
3rd Judicial Circuit
2016Langford Floyd
Circuit Judge
28th Judicial Circuit
2015Edward E. Carnes
United States Court of Appeals
Eleventh Circuit
2014Eugene R. Verin
Circuit Judge
10th Judicial Circuit, Domestic Relations, Bessemer Division
2013Philip Ben McLauchlin, Jr.
Circuit Judge
Thirty-third Judicial Circuit
2012Joel F. Dubina
United States Court of Appeals
Eleventh Circuit
2011Sue Bell Cobb
Chief Justice
Supreme Court of Alabama
2010Champ Lyons, Jr.
Associate Justice
Supreme Court of Alabama
2009Randall L. Cole
Circuit Judge
Ninth Judicial Circuit
2007U.W. Clemon
United States District Judge
Northern District of Alabama
2006Scott Vowell
Circuit Judge
Tenth Judicial Circuit
2005Pete Johnson
District Judge
Tenth Judicial Circuit
2004Charles R. Butler, Jr.
United States District Judge
Southern District of Alabama
2003Jerry L. Fielding
Circuit Judge
Twenty-ninth Judicial Circuit
2002Sandra Hendrickson Storm
Circuit Judge
Tenth Judicial Circuit
2001Ira DeMent
United States District Judge
Middle District of Alabama
1998Alva Hugh Maddox
Associate Justice
Supreme Court of Alabama
1997Ralph D. Cook
Associate Justice
Supreme Court of Alabama
1996William R. Gordon
Circuit Judge
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit
1994Sam C. Pointer, Jr.
United States District Judge
Northern District of Alabama
1993David A. Rains
Circuit Judge
Ninth Judicial Circuit
1991Joseph D. Phelps
Circuit Judge
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit
1990James O. Haley
Circuit Judge
Tenth Judicial Circuit
1989Seybourn H. Lynne
Senior United States District Judge
Northern District of Alabama
1989 - Pro Bono Awards
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The Alabama State Bar Pro Bono Awards recognize the outstanding pro bono efforts of attorneys, mediators, law firms and law students in the state. The award criteria includes but is not limited to the following: the total number of pro bono hours or complexity of cases handled, impact of the pro bono work and benefit for the poor, particular expertise provided or the particular need satisfied, successful recruitment of other attorneys for pro bono representation, and proven commitment to delivery of quality legal services to the poor and to providing equal access to legal services. Awards are presented at the Annual Meeting of the Alabama State Bar.
Please use this nomination form and return by April 1 using the instructions provided.
PAST RECIPIENTS:
2024
David Weston (Albert Vreeland Award)
Holly L. Sawyer (Mediator Award)
Tuscaloosa County Bar Association (Firm/Group Award)
Rolanda Tina Turner (Law Student Award)
Michael L. Forton (Public Interest Attorney Award)2023
Tara Rose (Albert Vreeland Award)
Jon E. Lewis (Mediator Award)
Bradley Arant Cummings, LLP-Montgomery Office (Firm/Group Award)
Anna M Spidle (Law Student Award)
Kelly F. McTear (Public Interest Attorney Award2022
Timothy J. F. Gallagher (Albert Vreeland Award)
Brian D. Hayes (Mediator Award)
Alabama Bankruptcy Assistance Project Advisory Council, statewide (Firm/Group Award)
Lucas Lopez (Law Student Award)2021
Thomas Ryan, Jr. (Albert Vreeland Award)
R. Boyd Miller (Mediator Award)
Carr Allison (Firm/Group Award)
Joseph Antonio Holley (Law Student Award)2020
E. Peyton Faulk (Albert Vreeland Award)
Susan M. Donovan (Mediator Award)
Gaines, Gault & Hendrix, P.C. (Firm/Group Award)
Mindy Kidd (Law Student Award)2019
Tazewell Shepard (Albert Vreeland Award)
Robin Burrell (Mediator Award)
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP (Firm/Group Award)
Lauren A. James (Law Student Award)2018
Jana Russell Garner (Albert Vreeland Award)
Faith Whidden-Buster (Mediator Award)
Balch & Bingham, LLP (Firm/Group Award)
Lea Luterstein (Law Student Award)2017
Richard P. Carmody (Albert Vreeland Award)
Sarah C. Bowers (Mediator Award)
NXTSTEP Family Law, P.C.( Firm/Group Award)
Jessica Chang (Law Student Award)2016
Jeanne Dowdle Rasco (Albert Vreeland Award)
Cassandra W. Adams (Mediator Award)
Baker Donnelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz (Firm/Group Award)
Carly Calhoun, University of Alabama School of Law (Law Student Award)2015
Amy S. Creech (Albert Vreeland Award)
Jana Russell Garner (Mediator Award)
Cumberland Public Interest and Community Service Organization (Firm/Group Award)
Bradley C. Hargett, University of Alabama School of Law (Law Student Award)2014
Jeffery C. Smith (Albert Vreeland Award)
James N. Walter, Jr. (Mediator Award)
Siniard, Timberlake & League, PC (Law Firm Award)
Matthew Ward, Jones School of Law (Law Student Award)2013
Royal Dumas (Albert Vreeland Award)
Jefferson County District Court Mediation Project (Mediator Award)
Warren & Simpson (Law Firm Award)
Virginia Lemon, Jones School of Law (Law Student Award)2012
Gregory H. Hawley & Hon. J. Scott Vowell (Albert Vreeland Award)
D. Robert Stankoski (Mediator Award)
Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles (Law Firm Award)
Students of the University of Alabama Clinical Programs (Law Student Award)2011
Edward A. Hosp, Montgomery (Albert Vreeland Award)
Clarence A. Giles, Mobile (Mediator Award)
McCallum, Methvin & Terrell, P. C, Birmingham (Law Firm/Group Award)
Stephen K. Hudgens, Cumberland School of Law (Law Student Award)2010
Henry Callaway, Mobile (Albert Vreeland Award)
Robert Creveling, Birmingham – (Mediator Award)
Adams & Reese, LLP (Law Firm/Group Category)
Clayton R. Tartt, Jones School of Law – (Law Student Category)2009
Christopher J. Williams, Birmingham (Albert L. Vreeland Award)
The Birmingham Homeless Experience Legal Protection (HELP) program, Birmingham (Firm or Group Award)
Alyson Hood, Cumberland School of Law, (Law Student Award)
Charles H. Booth, Birmingham (Mediator Award)2008
Sister Lynn Marie McKenzie, Cullman (Albert L. Vreeland Award)
Alford, Clausen & McDonald, LLC, Mobile (Firm/Group Award
Sigfredo Rubio, Cumberland School of Law(Law Student Award)
Douglas L. Key, Birmingham (Mediator Award)2007
Gilbert B. Laden, Mobile (Albert L. Vreeland Award)
Maynard, Cooper & Gale (Law Firm/Group Award)
Eddie L. Koen, Jr., Cumberland School of Law (Law Student Award)
Louis C. Colley, Prattville (Mediator Award)2006
Henry H. Caddell, Mobile (Individual Attorney Award)
Disaster Relief Committee Young Lawyers Section (Law Firm/Group Award)
Tamara J. Watson, University of Alabama School of Law (Law Student Award)2005
Franklin Louis Shuford, Jr, Mobile (Individual Attorney Award)
Ball, Ball, Matthews & Novak, Montgomery (Law Firm/Group Award)
Lindsay Stengle, Cumberland School of Law (Law Student Award)2004
Allison L. Alford, Montgomery (Individual Attorney Award)
Maynard Cooper & Gale (Law Firm/Group Award)2003
E. Patrick Hill, Huntsville (Individual Attorney Award)
Cunningham, Bounds, Yance, Crowder & Brown, Mobile (Law firm/Group Award)
William J. N. Coxwell, University of Alabama (Law Student Award)2002
J. Timothy Smith, Hoover (Individual Attorney Award)
Hand Arendall, Mobile (Law Firm/Group Award)
Melissa Briggs Hutchens, University of Alabama (Law Student Award)2001
William H. Roe, Oneonta (Individual Attorney Award)
Berkowitz, Lefkovits, Isom & Kushner, Birmingham (Law Firm/Group Award)
University of Alabama School of Law Public Interest Institute, Tuscaloosa (Law Student Award)2000
Kelli Hogue-Mauro, Birmingham, (Individual Attorney Award)
Alabama and the Mobile County Pro Bono Program Founders, Mobile, Alabama (Law Firm/Group Award)
C. Robin Kelley, Tuscaloosa, University of Alabama (Law Student Award)1999
James R. Seale, Montgomery
Melinda M. Waters, Montgomery
Victor H. Lott, Mobile
Kim Oliver Ward, Montgomery
Kenneth C. Randall, Tuscaloosa1998
Hugh M. Lee, Tuscaloosa
Nancy Stuart, Montgomery
Phillip D. Mitchell, II, Decatur1997
Anne Mitchell, Birmingham
Donna W. Smalley, Tuscaloosa
Baldwin County Bar Association1996
Pamela H. Bucy, Tuscaloosa
Luke Coley, Mobile
Al L. Vreeland, Tuscaloosa - Maud McLure Kelly Award
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The Women’s Section of the Alabama State Bar is currently seeking nominations for the Maud McLure Kelly Award.
The award, named for the first woman admitted to practice law in Alabama, is presented each year by the Women’s Section to a female attorney who has made a lasting impact on the legal profession and has been a pioneer and leader within the state. The Women’s Section is honored to present this award named after a woman whose commitment to women’s rights was and continues to be an inspiration for all women in Alabama. Previous recipients are listed below.
Nominations should include, at a minimum, the following elements:
- the name and contact information of the nominee,
- the nominee’s career background, and
- information and documentation demonstrating how the nominee has been a pioneer and has made a lasting impact on the Alabama legal profession.
Letters or emails of recommendation and support are encouraged. This award is traditionally presented at the luncheon hosted by the Women’s Section at the State Bar’s Annual Meeting.
Please send nomination materials to Women’s Section Chair Jennifer Buettner Bates via email at [email protected] by March 15.
PAST RECIPIENTS:
Hon. Inge Prytz Johnson
2024Celia Collins
2023Judge Carole Smitherman
2022Jacqueline Austin
2021Augusta Dowd
2020Merceria L. Ludgood
2019Alyce Manley Spruell
2018Martha Jane Patton
2017Sharon G. Yates
2016Caryl P. Privett
2015Ernestine S. Sapp
2014Mary Lee Stapp
2013Marjorie Fine Knowles
2012Carol Jean Smith
2011Sara Dominick Clark
2010Frankie Fields Smith
2009Louise Ingram Turner
2008Jane Kimbrough Dishuck
2008Camille W. Cook
2007Mahala Ashley Dickerson
2006Phyllis S. Nesbitt
2005Nina Miglionico
2004Alice F. Lee
2003Janie Ledlow Shores
2002 - Susan Bevill Livingston Award
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This award is presented by the Women’s Section in memory of Susan Bevill Livingston who practiced law at Balch & Bingham. The criteria for this award are the following elements and nominations should include information and materials that reflect all of these elements:
- Demonstration of a continual commitment to those around her as a mentor,
- A sustained level of leadership throughout her career,
- A commitment to her community in which she practices, such as, but not limited to, bar related activities, community service and/or activities which benefit women in the legal field and/or in her community,
- Member in good standing with the Alabama State Bar, and
- At least ten (10) years of cumulative practice in the field of law.
This award may be given posthumously. This award is traditionally presented at a special reception.
Please send nominations to Women’s Section Chair Jennifer Buettner Bates via email at [email protected] by March 15.
PAST RECIPIENTS:
Kim Bessiere Martin
2024Leslie R. Barineau
2023Justice Sue Bell Cobb
2022Lenora Pate
2021Christy Crow
2020Allison Skinner
2019Kathy Miller
2018Maibeth Porter
2017Judge Tammy Montgomery
2016 - Harold Albritton Pro Bono Leadership Award
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The Harold Albritton Pro Bono Leadership Award seeks to identify and honor individual lawyers who through their leadership and commitment have enhanced the human dignity of others by improving pro bono legal services to our state’s poor and disadvantaged. The award will be presented during Pro Bono Month (October).
In order to nominate an individual for this award, please submit no more than two single-spaced pages that provide specific, concrete examples of the nominee’s performance of as many of the following criteria as apply:
- demonstrated dedication to the development and delivery of legal services to persons of limited means or low income communities through a pro bono program;
- contributed significant work toward developing innovative approaches to delivery of volunteer legal services;
- participated in an activity that resulted in satisfying previously unmet needs or in extending services to underserved segments of the population; OR
- successfully achieved legislation or rule changes that contributed substantially to legal services to persons of limited means or low income communities.
To the extent appropriate, include in the award criteria narrative a description of any bar association activities applicable to the above criteria.
Nominations must be submitted by August 1, to ASB Volunteer Lawyers Program Director Linda Lund via email at [email protected].
PAST RECIPIENTS:
Tom Methvin
2014Alyce Spruell
2013Sam Crosby
2012Judge Harold Albritton
2011 - Michael D. Ermert Award of Merit
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The Michael D. Ermert Award of Merit is the highest honor given by the Alabama State Bar to a lawyer, and serves to recognize outstanding constructive service to the legal profession in Alabama.
PAST RECIPIENTS:
Cassandra Adams
2024Rebekah McKinney
2023Terri O. Tompkins
Pat Sefton
Raymond Bell
Leon Hampton
2022Ellen Brooks
2021Allison Skinner
2020