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    Keynote Speakers

    Thurgood Marshall Award

    Founded in 1966, the ABA's Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice (formerly Individual Rights and Responsibilities) is dedicated to fostering a greater appreciation and understanding of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights among members of the bar and the general public. Through education and advocacy, CRSJ expresses the legal profession's commitment to work to achieve the American ideals of justice, freedom, and equality for all through the legal system. The Thurgood Marshall Award was established in 1992 to help further these goals.

    The Thurgood Marshall Award is named for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who epitomized individual commitment, in word and action, to the cause of civil rights in this country. The award is intended to recognize similar long-term contributions by other members of the legal profession to the advancement of civil rights, civil liberties, and human rights in the United States. Justice Marshall received the inaugural award in 1992.

    Past Keynote Speakers

    • 2024 Award - A performance by the civil rights rock band The Coolerators. The Coolerators features eight legal champions for civil rights, including: Eva Paterson on vocals; lawyer Elizabeth Cabraser on drums; former Presidio Trust president and current Fire Commissioner Paula Collins and arbitrator and mediator Cheryl Stevens on vocals; mediator and labor arbitrator Bob Hirsch on guitar; the Honorable Brad Seligman on guitar, harmonica and vocals; USF law professor Bill Hing on bass guitar; and Bill Tamayo on keyboards and accordion. 
    • 2023 Award - Kristen Clarke
    • 2022 Award - Elaine R. Jones
    • 2021 Award - No keynote, mulitple speakers throughout the virtual celebration
    • 2020 Award - Valerie Jarrett
    • 2019 Award - Rhiannon Giddens (performance)
    • 2018 Award - Sherrilyn Ifill
    • 2017 Award - Dean Erwin Chemerinsky
    • 2016 Award - Bryan Stevenson
    • 2015 Award - Scott Turow
    • 2014 Award - Professor Lani Guinier
    • 2013 Award - James J. Brosnahan
    • 2012 Award - Geoffrey Stone
    • 2011 Award - Justice Rosalie Abella
    • 2010 Award - Pamela S. Karlan
    • 2009 Award - Hon. Abner J. Mikva
    • 2008 Award - John Payton
    • 2007 Award - Hon. Thelton E. Henderson
    • 2006 Award - Hon. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI)
    • 2005 Award - U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens
    • 2004 Award - Rev. Joseph A. Lowery
    • 2003 Award - Justice Joyce Kennard
    • 2002 Award - Roger Wilkens
    • 2001 Award - Professor Charles J. Ogletree, Jr.
    • 2000 Award - Gay McDougall
    • 1999 Award - Hon. William F. Winter
    • 1998 Award - Hon. Shirley S. Abrahamson
    • 1997 Award - Hon. Martha Craig Daughtrey
    • 1996 Award - Elaine R. Jones
    • 1995 Award - Hon. Leon Higginbotham
    • 1994 Award - Congressman John Lewis (D-GA)
    • 1993 Award - Ambassador Andrew Young
    • 1992 Award - Philip A. Lacovara, Welcome; Stephen L. Carter, Reflection; and Karen Hastie Williams, Presentation (no keynote for presentation to Justice Thurgood Marshall himself)