Awards + Recognitions

Click here for award information and the nomination form.

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 36101

The 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:

Halron Turner
Chatom
2023

Tazewell T. Shepard
Huntsville
2022

Christina D. Crow
Union Springs
2021

Tom Heflin
Sheffield
2020

J. Mark White
Birmingham
2019

Hon. Michael F. Bolin
Birmingham
2018

Alyce Manley Spruell
Tuscaloosa
2017

W. N. “Rocky” Watson
Fort Payne
2016

Billy C. Bedsole
Mobile
2015

Richard H. Gill
Montgomery
2015

James S. Ward
Birmingham
2015

David M. Wooldridge
Birmingham
2013

Ben H. Harris, Jr.
Mobile
2010

Robert A. Huffaker
Montgomery
2010

David R. Boyd
Montgomery
2006

E. T. Brown, Jr.
Birmingham
2003

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 36101-0671

The 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:

Cole Portis
Maibeth J. Porter
2023

Michael Ballard
2022

LaBella A. McCallum
2021

Harlan I. Prater, IV
2020

Michael E. Upchurch
2020

W. Percy Badham, III
2019

J. Douglas McElvy
2019

Billy C. Bedsole
2018

Samuel N. Crosby
2017

Charles W. Gamble
2016

J. Anthony McLain
2014

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 36101-0671

The 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:

Eddie Hardaway, Jr.
Circuit Judge
17th Judicial Circuit
2023

Gaines C. McCorquodale
Circuit Judge
1st Judicial Circuit
2022

Brendette Brown Green
Circuit Judge
10th Judicial Circuit, Civil Division
2021

Madeline Hughes Haikala
United States District Judge
Northern District of Alabama
2020

Elisabeth A. French
Circuit Judge
10^th Judicial Circuit, Civil Division
2019

Harold V. Hughston, Jr.
Circuit Judge
31^st Judicial Circuit
2018

John E. Ott
Chief Magistrate
United States District Court
Northern District of Alabama
2017

Burt Smithart
Circuit Judge
3^rd Judicial Circuit
2016

Langford Floyd
Circuit Judge
28^th Judicial Circuit
2015

Edward E. Carnes
United States Court of Appeals
Eleventh Circuit
2014

Eugene R. Verin
Circuit Judge
10^th Judicial Circuit, Domestic Relations, Bessemer Division
2013

Philip Ben McLauchlin, Jr.
Circuit Judge
Thirty-third Judicial Circuit
2012

Joel F. Dubina
United States Court of Appeals
Eleventh Circuit
2011

Sue Bell Cobb
Chief Justice
Supreme Court of Alabama
2010

Champ Lyons, Jr.
Associate Justice
Supreme Court of Alabama
2009

Randall L. Cole
Circuit Judge
Ninth Judicial Circuit
2007

U.W. Clemon
United States District Judge
Northern District of Alabama
2006

Scott Vowell
Circuit Judge
Tenth Judicial Circuit
2005

Pete Johnson
District Judge
Tenth Judicial Circuit
2004

Charles R. Butler, Jr.
United States District Judge
Southern District of Alabama
2003

Jerry L. Fielding
Circuit Judge
Twenty-ninth Judicial Circuit
2002

Sandra Hendrickson Storm
Circuit Judge
Tenth Judicial Circuit
2001

Ira DeMent
United States District Judge
Middle District of Alabama
1998

Alva Hugh Maddox
Associate Justice
Supreme Court of Alabama
1997

Ralph D. Cook
Associate Justice
Supreme Court of Alabama
1996

William R. Gordon
Circuit Judge
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit
1994

Sam C. Pointer, Jr.
United States District Judge
Northern District of Alabama
1993

David A. Rains
Circuit Judge
Ninth Judicial Circuit
1991

Joseph D. Phelps
Circuit Judge
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit
1990

James O. Haley
Circuit Judge
Tenth Judicial Circuit
1989

Seybourn H. Lynne
Senior United States District Judge
Northern District of Alabama
1989

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:

2022
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 Award

2022
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, Tuscaloosa

1998
Hugh M. Lee, Tuscaloosa
Nancy Stuart, Montgomery
Phillip D. Mitchell, II, Decatur

1997
Anne Mitchell, Birmingham
Donna W. Smalley, Tuscaloosa
Baldwin County Bar Association

1996
Pamela H. Bucy, Tuscaloosa
Luke Coley, Mobile
Al L. Vreeland, Tuscaloosa

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:

1. the name and contact information of the nominee,
2. the nominee’s career background, and
3. 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 jbuettner@birminghambar.org by March 15.

PAST RECIPIENTS:

Celia Collins
2023

Judge Carole Smitherman
2022

Jacqueline Austin
2021

Augusta Dowd
2020

Merceria L. Ludgood
2019

Alyce Manley Spruell
2018

Martha Jane Patton
2017

Sharon G. Yates
2016

Caryl P. Privett
2015

Ernestine S. Sapp
2014

Mary Lee Stapp
2013

Marjorie Fine Knowles
2012

Carol Jean Smith
2011

Sara Dominick Clark
2010

Frankie Fields Smith
2009

Louise Ingram Turner
2008

Jane Kimbrough Dishuck
2008

Camille W. Cook
2007

Mahala Ashley Dickerson
2006

Phyllis S. Nesbitt
2005

Nina Miglionico
2004

Alice F. Lee
2003

Janie Ledlow Shores
2002

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:

1. Demonstration of a continual commitment to those around her as a mentor,
2. A sustained level of leadership throughout her career,
3. 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,
4. Member in good standing with the Alabama State Bar, and
5. 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 jbuettner@birminghambar.org by March 15.

PAST RECIPIENTS:

Leslie R. Barineau
2023

Justice Sue Bell Cobb
2022

Lenora Pate
2021

Christy Crow
2020

Allison Skinner
2019

Kathy Miller
2018

Maibeth Porter
2017

Judge Tammy Montgomery
2016

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:

1. demonstrated dedication to the development and delivery of legal services to persons of limited means or low income communities through a pro bono program;
2. contributed significant work toward developing innovative approaches to delivery of volunteer legal services;
3. participated in an activity that resulted in satisfying previously unmet needs or in extending services to underserved segments of the population; OR
4. 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 linda.lund@alabar.org.

PAST RECIPIENTS:

Tom Methvin
2014

Alyce Spruell
2013

Sam Crosby
2012

Judge Harold Albritton
2011

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:

Rebekah McKinney
2023

Terri O. Tompkins
Pat Sefton
Raymond Bell
Leon Hampton
2022

Ellen Brooks
2021

Allison Skinner
2020