Thurgood Marshall Award

Established by the Section in 1992, the Award honors U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who epitomized individual commitment, in word and action, to the cause of civil rights in this country. Justice Marshall himself received the inaugural award.

Honoring Congressman John Lewis at the 2019 ABA Annual Meeting

About the Recipient

The Section is honored and privileged that this year’s Thurgood Marshall Awardee will be the legendary John Lewis, one of the original 13 Freedom Riders, a founding member and Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the only one of the “Big Six” civil rights leaders who organized the 1964 March on Washington still living, a 17 term congressional leader, and one of only two Lifetime Achievement recipients of the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award.

Submit a Nomination for 2020 Today!

Do you know an exceptional individual who has dedicated him/herself to the fight for civil and human rights? Nominations for the 2020 Thurgood Marshall Award are now open. Submissions are open until Tuesday, October 1, 2019.

See - Instructions

Recognizing our Sponsors

Huge thanks to the 2019 Thurgood Marshall Award Dinner sponsors for your tremendous support of the Section and the honoree.

See - our Sponsors

About the Award

Established by the Section in 1992, the award honors 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 recognizes 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.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Saturday, Aug. 1 | Chicago, IL

Join us at the 2020 Thurgood Marshall Award Dinner and support the Section’s charitable programs throughout the year. Our generous sponsors support programs that ensure that protection of civil rights remains a focus of legal and policy decisions. Information on 2020 sponsorship opportunities forthcoming.

Past Recipients & Keynote Speakers

The Thurgood Marshall Award was established in 1992 to further the goals of achieving the American ideals of justice, freedom, and equality. Read on to find out who the Section has honored in past years.

2020 Annual Meeting Information

The 2020 ABA Annual meeting will take place in Chicago, IL, on July 29 - August 4.. Registration, a calendar of events, and hotel and meeting information will be made available at a later date.