Purpose of the Award

Achieving greater diversity in the legal profession depends upon recognition of the contributions of individuals from many different backgrounds, including those people of varying sexual orientations and gender identities. The purpose of the Award is to recognize those lawyers, members of the judiciary and legal academia who have effected real change to remove barriers on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in the legal profession and the world, nation, state and/or locale, and to recognize those who have championed diversity for the LGBT community, both within the legal profession and impacting the greater human universe.

Criteria

Nominations, via e-format, must be supported by a narrative and appropriate documentation, with the following criteria:

(a) the nominated individual, without regard to ABA membership or nationality, must be a lawyer, member of the judiciary, or a legal academic, who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of LGBT individuals in the legal profession and/or to LGBT legal issues; and

(b) the nominee must epitomize excellence in practice, law-related research and writing or jurisprudence; and

(c) the nominee must exemplify leadership and determination, within and/or outside the LGBT community, or impacting the LGBT community; and

(d) the nominee must have effected change that resulted in a positive impact for the LGBT community and inspired others to act; and

(e) the nominee (absent contingencies such as exile, detention, or restriction on travel due to the circumstances justifying the award) must agree to be present in person to receive the award when it is presented.

(f) no preference is given to a nominee's lifetime body of work over a single event or case. Letters of support of the nominee must also be provided.

Nomination Application Requirements

A. Nomination Form - Complete and submit the online nomination form.

This Form must be submitted for both new nominations and repeated nominations.

B. Nominee's Resume - Include the nominee's resume or biography describing his or her background and contributions.

C. Award Criteria Narrative - Describe, in 600 words, how the nominee has made a significant contribution to the advancement of LGBT individuals in the legal profession and/or to LGBT legal issues. These contributions may include, but not be limited to:

(1) Excellence in practice, law-related research and writing, or jurisprudence;

(2) Demonstrated leadership and determination, within and/or outside the LGBT community, which positively impacts the LGBT community; or

(3) Participation in efforts to bring about change that resulted in a positive impact for the LGBT community and inspired others to act.

D. Articles and Letters - No more than three (3) letters of support from individuals and organizations, any submissions in excess of 3 will be discarded.

E. Complete Submission Package - In order to be considered, all of the above items must be received by the Commission by the close of business (6 p.m. ET U.S.) on May 31, 2013.    

Rules

A. Submission of materials: All materials other than the on-line Nomination Form must be submitted electronically & sent to: sogi@americanbar.org

B. Include the nominator's and the nominee's name in the subject line.

C. Articles can be submitted via live URL links or PDF files.

D. The Nomination Form and your supporting materials constitute the SOLE basis for the nomination.

E. Materials will not be returned

F. No member of the SOGI Commission or liaison is eligible.