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    The Justice and Rule of Law Award

    This prestigious Award was established by the American Bar Association to recognize those dedicated to the improvement of the administration of justice. Presentation of the Justice and Rule of Law Award takes place at the ABA Annual Meeting.

    Criteria for Selection

    The Award may be presented to any individual or organization who has made a positive national impact on the justice system and preserving the rule of law.

    Nominees may be a judge, nonlawyer, lawyer, or organization. Eligibility is open to any individual or group responsible for extraordinary improvement to the administration of justice and preserving the rule of law in the categories of:

    • Judicial Independence
    • Justice System Reform
    • Public Awareness about the Justice System and the Rule of Law

    Nomination Guidelines

    The deadline for nominations is April 18, 2025. Nominations should include:

    • Resume or biographical sketch
    • Description of the contribution and impact
    • Letters of support (limit of 5) for the nomination
    • The name of the person(s) or organization making the nomination
    • Non-disclosure agreement
    Nomination Form

    Past Recipients

    • 2024: National Judicial College
    • 2019: Judge M. Margaret McKeown, United States Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (read remarks)
    • 2018: Mr. Juan Cartagena, President and General Counsel, LatinoJustice PRLDEF (New York, NY)
    • 2017: Judge Andre M. Davis, Senior Judge, United States Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 
    • 2016: Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman (ret.), New York Court of Appeals 
    • 2015: Chief Justice Randall Shepard (ret.)  (Indianapolis, IN)
    • 2014: Mary Campbell McQueen (Williamsburg, VA)
    • 2013: Chief Judge Robert M. Bell (Baltimore, MD)
    • 2012: Rebecca Love Kourlis (Denver, CO)
    • 2011: Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (Phoenix, AZ) and William H. Neukom (San Francisco, CA)
    • 2010: Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson (Madison, WI)
    • 2009: Edward W. Madeira, Jr. (Philadelphia, PA)
    • 2008: Judge Deanell Reece Tacha (Lawrence, KS)
    • 2007: Chief Justice Ronald George (San Francisco, CA)
    • 2006: Judge Norma L. Shapiro (Philadelphia, PA)
    • 2005: Judge Judith S. Kaye (New York, NY)
    • 2004: William T. Coleman, Jr. (Washington, D.C.)
    • 2003: Senator Howell Heflin (State of Alabama)
    • 2002: Justice Anthony Kennedy (U.S. Supreme Court)
    • 2001: Governor Tom Ridge (State of Pennsylvania)