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Federal Labor & Employment Law Attorney of the Year Award

Federal Labor and Employment Attorney of the Year Award: 2023 Award Recipient Kerry Leibig with EEOC Vice Chair Jocelyn Samuels

Federal Labor and Employment Attorney of the Year Award: 2023 Award Recipient Kerry Leibig with EEOC Vice Chair Jocelyn Samuels

The American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the  Federal Labor and Employment Attorney of the Year Award for outstanding achievement in government service by a federal practitioner.

The Section is concerned with fairness and equal opportunity in our nation’s workplaces. Section members represent employees, employers, unions, third party neutrals and workplace advocates. We partner with dedicated civil servants who implement and enforce our nation’s labor and employment laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures. However, the Section recognizes that our federal partners are often underappreciated and not adequately recognized for their accomplishments.

This prestigious award is a salute to federal labor and employment lawyers and their many accomplishments. Any career attorney in the field who has made a significant contribution to the field is eligible for nomination. All nominations will be considered. The honoree will be chosen based on his or her commitment to government service, demonstrated contribution to the legal profession and sustained excellence in the quality of their work product. The FLEAYA trophy is accompanied by an expense paid trip to the Section Annual Conference.   

Download Award guidelines (PDF) here.

The Federal Labor and Employment Attorney of the Year Award is a symbol of public/private partnership in the furtherance of fairness and equal opportunity. We encourage you to share this information with your friends and colleagues. By nominating a government attorney for the FLEAYA, you are showing your appreciation for our nation’s talented career service lawyers.

Nominations must be received by July 31, 2024. Download nomination form (PDF) here.

Past Award Recipients

2023
Kerry Leibig
, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

2022
Timothy D. Hauser, U.S. Department of Justice - EBSA

2021
Louis Lopez, U.S. Department of Justice

2020
Orlando J. Pannocchia, U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Solicitor

2018
Mark Maxin, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

2017
Katherine Bissell, U.S. Department of Labor

2016
Barry J. Kearney, National Labor Relations Board

2013
Adele Rapport

2011
Lafe Solomon, National Labor Relations Board

2010
Peter Sutton, Federal Labor Relations Authority

2009
Peggy Mastroianni, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

2008
Edward Clair, U.S. Department of Labor

2007
Vincent Blackwood, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Harold Datz, National Labor Relations Board

2006
Robert Canino, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Stanley Zirkin, National Labor Relations Board

Presentation of the 2020 Federal Labor and Employment Attorney of the Year Award by Section Vice Chair Douglas E. Dexter