E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award

The E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Awards, administered by the ABA Standing Commit­tee on Professionalism and supported by the E. Smythe Gambrell Fund for Professionalism, recognizes the nation’s exemplary, innovative, and on-going professionalism programs in law schools, bar associations, courts and other legal organiza­tions that help ensure the maintenance of the highest principles of integrity and dedication to the legal profession and the public. Each award carries a $3,500 prize. 

The Gambrell Awards were established in 1991 and are named for E. Smythe Gambrell, ABA and American Bar Foundation president from 1955 to 1956. Gambrell founded the Legal Aid Society in Atlanta, where he practiced law from 1922 until his death in 1986.

Nominations For the 2019 Award
are now Closed.

The Gambrell Awards will be presented on August 9, 2019 at the NABE/NCBP/NCBF joint luncheon held during the American Bar Association’s 2019 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA.

Questions regarding the awards should be directed to Senior Counsel, Theresa Gronkiewicz
at (312) 988- 5299 or via email

2018 Award Recipients

1. The Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association Tour de Courts Program The Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association Tour de Courts Program, an innovative new lawyer orientation program that promotes collegiality and professionalism. New lawyers interact and network with other lawyers in the community, judges, community leaders, and bar leadership by participating in various events, including tours of all levels of the local court system led by judges where they receive practical information about the judicial system, lunch meetings with lawyers, judges and bar leadership and informal roundtable discussions. Learn more
2. The George Washington University Law School Inns of Court/Foundations of Practice ProgramThe George Washington University Law School Inns of Court/Foundations of Practice Program, a fully integrated voluntary program for first-year law students designed to help students acquire, internalize and demonstrate critical professional skills. Students are assigned to one of six Inns of Court and participate in various workshops, including legal writing, career counseling, networking, and wellbeing programs that help students build emotional resilience, manage stress, and empower them to flourish in law school and their legal careers. Students who complete the program earn the Dean’s Recognition for Professional Development, a notable distinction acknowledged by many legal employers. Learn more
3. The Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program (CAMP)The Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program (CAMP), is a voluntary mentoring program designed to promote professional identity in the legal profession, excellence in the service to clients and strong relationships between the bar, courts, law schools, clients and the public. CAMP distinguishes itself with a unique mentoring curriculum that serves lawyers at all stages of practice, consisting of eight mentoring tracks that provide resources and tools for professional growth, incorporating principles of professionalism, ethics, law practice management, and access to justice. Learn more
   
4. The Baylor Law School Practice Ready ProgramThe Baylor Law School Practice Ready Program, a robust and innovate mandatory course requiring students to complete a minimum of 18 credit hours over their three years at Baylor in programs offering more than fifty learning opportunities divided into six categories: law practice, career building, practical skills, professional formation and leadership, professionalism and ethics, and wellness.  Baylor’s “goal is to produce professionals who are truly ‘practice ready’ by focusing on the most important professional development skills necessary for new lawyers to succeed in the practice of law. Learn more

Past award recipients