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    Awards

    Awards

    The Standing Committee honors the contribution of exceptional practitioners of national security law.

    The Morris I. Leibman Award in Law and National Security

    The Morris I. Leibman Award in Law and National Security, established by the Standing Committee on Law and National Security in 1997, honors the memory of Morris I. Leibman, a distinguished lawyer, co-founder of the Standing Committee, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Award recognizes the examples of Mr. Leibman’s lifelong dedication to the rule of law, leadership in the field of law and national security affairs, and continuing support for those engaged in the field.

    Persons eligible for the Award must have demonstrated a sustained commitment to and made exceptional contributions to the field of law and national security; whether through government service, legal scholarship or otherwise, their professional accomplishments must have notably benefitted or advanced the field of law and national security affairs.

    Nomination Criteria and Application Requirements

    ABA News

    (May 9, 2025) Stewart A. Baker (center) with Lala Qadir (left) and chair Stephen Preston (right)

    (May 9, 2025) Stewart A. Baker (center) with Lala Qadir (left) and chair Stephen Preston (right)

    Photo courtesy of American Bar Association

    (May 9, 2025) Jamie Gorelick (center) with Lala Qadir (left) and chair Stephen Preston (right)

    (May 9, 2025) Jamie Gorelick (center) with Lala Qadir (left) and chair Stephen Preston (right)

    Photo courtesy of American Bar Association

    ABA News

    (June 6, 2024) Judge Royce C. Lamberth (center) with Lala Qadir (left) and chair Stephen Preston (right)

    (June 6, 2024) Judge Royce C. Lamberth (center) with Lala Qadir (left) and chair Stephen Preston (right)

    Photo courtesy of American Bar Association

    (November 18,2022) Stephen Dycus (left), William C. Banks (center) Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker (Right)

    (November 18,2022) Stephen Dycus (left), William C. Banks (center) Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker (Right)

    Photo courtesy of Professor Robert Turner

    (2013) James McPherson (Left), Judge William Sessions (center) and Harvey Rishikof (Right)

    (2013) James McPherson (Left), Judge William Sessions (center) and Harvey Rishikof (Right)

    Liebman Award Recipients

    The Award was presented for the first time in the Fall of 1997, posthumously to John H. McNeill (Department of Defense) at the Committee’s “Annual Review of the field of National Security Law” Conference. It has been awarded 11 times.

    1997

    John H. McNeill

    U.S. Department of Defense

    1999

    Mark Richard and Judge Robinson Everett

    U.S. Department of Justice (Richard) and Duke University School of Law (Everett)

    2004

    Dan McMichael

    Founding Associate of the Committee

    2006

    Howard Levie

    Adjunct Professor, Naval War College

    2010

    Richard Friedman

    Senior Fellow, Urban and National Security Affairs, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs

    2012

    John Norton Moore

    Walter L. Johnson Professor of Law and Director, Center for National Security Law, University of Virginia School of Law

    2013

    The Honorable William S. Sessions

    Founding Member, The Constitution Project's Task Force on Detainee Treatment

    2015

    The Honorable Robert S. Mueller III

    Partner, WilmerHale, Former Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation

    2022

    Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker

    Dean Emerita of the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, former General Counsel NSA and CIA

    2022

    Stephen Dycus

    Professor of Law Emeritus, Vermont Law School

    2024

    Royce C. Lamberth

    Senior Judge, United States District Court for the District of Columbia

    2025

    Stewart A. Baker

    Former Partner, Steptoe

    2025

    Jamie Gorelick

    Partner, WilmerHale

    The William H. Webster Profiles in Leadership Awards

    The Standing Committee on Law and National Security was proud to join with The National Economic Security Alliance in cosponsoring The William H. Webster Profiles in Leadership Awards.  Held on Friday, October 7, 2022, this prestigious awards program tracks Judge Webster’s seven decades of patriotic public service and is focused on recognizing individuals who have maintained the highest standards of public service, trademarks of Judge Webster’s dedicated service to the country.

    (October 7, 2022) Harvey Rishikof (left), Holly McMahon (center) and the Honorable William Webster (Right)

    (October 7, 2022) Harvey Rishikof (left), Holly McMahon (center) and the Honorable William Webster (Right)