The ABA Standing Committee on Professionalism is accepting nominations for its annual E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Awards. The award recognizes exceptional professionalism programs at law schools, bar associations, courts, and other legal organizations. Nominations will be accepted until March 31, 2020.
In 2020, the ABA will recognize up to three programs. Honorees will be awarded a $3,500 prize provided by the E. Smythe Gambrell Fund for Professionalism. The awards will be presented on July 31, 2020, at the NABE/NCBP/NCBF Joint Luncheon during the ABA 2020 Annual Meeting in Chicago.
To be considered for the Gambrell Professionalism Awards, a program should “preserve, promote, and enhance within the entire legal community the highest principles of professionalism, including integrity, civility, competence, fairness, diversity, inclusion, independence, courage, respect, and dedication to the legal profession and to public service.” The program must be ongoing, easily replicated, and in operation for it least one year prior to the entry deadline.
The Gambrell Professionalism Awards were established in 1991 and are named for E. Smythe Gambrell, ABA and American Bar Foundation president from 1955 to 1956. Gambrell founded the Legal Aid Society in Atlanta, where he practiced law from 1922 until his death in 1986.
Past recipients have included the Dallas Bar Association Day of Civility, the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society Pathways and Pipelines to Success program, and the Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program (CAMP).
To nominate a program, download and complete the 2020 nomination form on the ABA’s website. Award recipients will be notified in June.
For more information, please contact Theresa Gronkiewicz, Senior Counsel of the ABA Standing Committee on Professionalism, at (312) 988-5299 or by email at Theresa.gronkiewicz@americanbar.org.
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