The Spirit of Excellence Awards celebrate the efforts and accomplishments of lawyers who work to promote a more racially and ethnically diverse legal profession. Awards are presented to lawyers who excel in their professional settings; who personify excellence on the national, state, or local level; and who have demonstrated a commitment to racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession.

2012-2013 Spirit Committee

Renie Grohl, Chair

Lael Echo-Hawk

F. John Garza

Guy Rounsaville, Jr.

2013 Honorees
(left to right)

Thomas A. Saenz
President and General Counsel
MALDEF
Los Angeles, CA

Myles V. Lynk
Peter Kiewit Foundation Professor of Law
and the Legal Profession
Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Stacy L. Leeds
Dean, University of Arkansas School of Law
Fayetteville, AR

M. Javade Chaudhri
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Sempra Energy
San Diego, CA

Dr. Walter L. Sutton, Jr.
Associate General Counsel
Legal Administration and External Relations
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Bentonville, AR

Prof. Jenny Rivera (not shown)
Professor of Law
Director, Center for Latino and Latina Rights and Equality
CUNY School of Law
New York, NY

Get their full interviews here.

PAST SPIRIT RECIPIENTS