How do I nominate someone for this award?
Please visit ambar.org/SEERawards to submit a nomination. Nominations are due by May 31.
Government Attorney of the Year Award
The Environment, Energy, and Resources Government Attorney of the Year Award recognizes exceptional achievement by federal, state, tribal, or local government attorneys who have worked or are working in the field of environment, energy, or natural resources and are esteemed by their peers and viewed as having consistently achieved distinction in an exemplary way. The award is for sustained career achievement, not simply individual projects or recent accomplishments.
Who is eligible for this award?
Eligible individuals who may be nominated include currently serving, or recently retired, career attorneys for federal, state, tribal, or local governmental entities within the United States. Nominated practitioners must also be in good standing with the attorney licensing authority in the jurisdiction in which they practice.
Individuals who have been Section Council members, officers, or ABA staff within two years of the year of nomination and their immediate families and household members, are not eligible to receive the Award. Self-nominations are not accepted. Individuals must be at least 18 years old at the time of nomination.
What is the award process?
Nominations will be made through an online survey system. You will provide brief information about your nominee. The Section's awards committee will review your nomination and let you know if they need additinal information. Once the nomination period closes, the Awards Committee will review all nominations and make a recommendation to the Section's Council for its final approval. You will be notified either way if your nominee was selected.
When are the awards bestowed?
This award is bestowed in the fall each year.
Past Recipients
2023
William Brighton, Assistant Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, U.S. Department of Justice
2022
Kevin Bromberg, former Assistant Chief Counsel for Environmental Policy, Office of Advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration
Nancy B. Firestone, Judge, United States Court of Federal Claims and former Associate Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (1989-1992)
2021
Harvey C. Sweitzer, Supervisory Administrative Law Judge, Departmental Cases Hearings Division, Office of Hearings and Appeals, United States Department of the Interior
2020
Jim Shore, General Counsel, Seminole Tribe of Florida
Karen Wardzinski, Section Chief, Law and Policy, Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice
2019
Barry Breen, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Office of Land and Emergency Management, U.S. EPA
2018
Walter Mugdan, Deputy Regional Administrator, U.S. EPA Region 2
2017
John C. Cruden, Former Acting Assistant Attorney General, Environmental and Natural Resources Division; United States Department of Justice
2016
James G. Van Ness, Senior Associate General Counsel (Environment, Energy & Installations), Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Defense
2015
James Lofton, U.S. Department of Justice
2014
Clive J. Strong, Chief of the Natural Resources Division of the Idaho Attorney General's Office, State of Idaho
2013
Michael J. Myers, Assistant Attorney General, State of New York
2012
Brenda Mallory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2011
Bruce Gelber, U.S. Department of Justice
2010
Paul B. Smyth, U.S. Department of the Interior