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2023 Award Recipients

Difference Maker Award

Barbara Glesner Fines

University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
Kansas City, MO

Making a Difference by Breaking Barriers

Russell E. Lovell II and David S. Walker

Drake Law School
Des Moines, IA

Making a Difference through Community Service

Judge Odell G. McGhee

Des Moines, IA

Making a Difference through Pro Bono Work

Iowa-Nebraska NAACP Legal Redress Committee

Des Moines, IA

Making a Difference through Service to the Profession

Kelly J. Adams

Alpha Omega Law Office, LLC
Chadds Ford, PA

About the Awards

The ABA Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division's (GPSolo) Difference Makers Awards recognize extraordinary individuals who “make a difference” by breaking down barriers, through community service, pro bono work, or service to the profession. Nominees are encouraged to be members of the ABA and GPSolo.

Difference Maker

This award honors a deserving individual who is an attorney or non-attorney: (a) who has made a difference in the local community and (b) who lives in the local geographic area where the Division is meeting and where the Difference Makers Awards program is being held.

Making a Difference by Breaking Barriers

This award honors an attorney living or deceased who broke barriers for gender, color, disabilities, or sexual orientation.

Making a Difference through Community Service

This award honors an attorney living or deceased who made a significant lifetime contribution to the local community through community service (not necessarily through bar work or pro bono work per se).

Making a Difference through Pro Bono Work

This award honors an attorney, law firm, corporate legal department, government attorney office, or institution in the legal profession that has made an outstanding commitment to volunteer legal services for the poor and disadvantaged. (Recognizes an outstanding local attorney or group that does pro bono work.)

Making a Difference through Service to the Profession

This award honors an attorney living or deceased who made a significant contribution to the legal profession through service to the profession (i.e. frequent activities in bar associations, committees and services).