Nelson Award Nominations

About

The Nelson Award was established as a tribute to the late L. Clair Nelson, who served as a Council member of the Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division. He contributed his loyalty, time and extraordinary talent to American Bar Association activities and held numerous leadership positions within the ABA. The Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the ABA by a government or public sector lawyer, and all government and public sector lawyers are eligible nominees. The Division will consider an individual's specific extraordinary accomplishments as well as sustained superior contributions to the ABA over a number of years.

2025 Nominations Process

Please email your nomination as a PDF document to [email protected]. Please put "Award Submission" in the subject line. Nominations are due by 5:00 pm Eastern on April 7, 2025.

Nominee Information Required^*

1. Full name, title, address, telephone number, e-mail address of nominee, and percentage of funding provided to the nominee's office by the government. Also provide a complete list of the states/jurisdictions (including bar admission dates) in which the nominee is licensed to practice law.
2. Summary of nominee's outstanding service and/or achievements (25 to 100 words).
3. Detailed narrative explanation of the nominee's service to the ABA including the following information: how the nominee's service is outstanding, significant and "above the call of duty”; the time frame of the service; and assessment of the impact of the extraordinary service. (600 to 800 words).
4. Contact information for three references who are familiar with nominee's achievements.
5. Specifically for the nominator: provide contact information and a brief statement about yourself including any information that would assist the Awards Committee in evaluating the nomination.

^{* The Awards Committee is unable to review supplemental materials in addition to what is required above.}