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    Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award

    2024 Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award Nominations

    The Tax Section pleased to announce that we are accepting nominations for the 2024 Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award given to an individual or law firm for sustained and outstanding achievements in pro bono activities in the tax law.  Nominations are due November 20, 2023. Find the nomination form here.

    The criteria for selection of an individual recipient of the award (whether living or deceased) are that (i) the individual is or was a tax professional and a member of the Section of Taxation; and (ii) the individual has, through years of service, demonstrated an ongoing commitment to pro bono activities, particularly in the areas of federal and state taxation. 

    The criteria for selection of a law firm or other organization recipient are that (i) the law firm or organization includes members of the Section of Taxation; and (ii) the law firm or organization has, through years of service of its attorneys or other tax practitioners, demonstrated an ongoing commitment to pro bono activities, particularly in the areas of federal and state taxation.

    What is the Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award?

    This award was established in 2002 to recognize one or more individuals or organizations for outstanding and sustained achievements in pro bono activities in tax law. In 2007 the award was renamed in honor of the late Janet Spragens, who received the award in 2006 in recognition of her dedication to the development of low income taxpayer clinics throughout the United States.

    History of the Award

    The Pro Bono Award was established in 2002. Its name was changed to the Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award in 2007 to honor the work and legacy of the late Janet Spragens, founder of the first low-income tax clinic now named for her at the Washington College of Law at American University. Professor Spragens worked for many years to ensure representation for low-income taxpayers. The award is presented each year to an individual, law firm or organization that has demonstrated outstanding and sustained commitment to pro bono legal services, particularly with respect to federal and state tax law.

    2023 Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award Recipients

    The Tax Section announced the recipients of the 2023 Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award at the Section Luncheon & Plenary Session at the 2023 Midyear Tax Meeting, held February 9-11, 2023 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront in San Diego, California.

    Congratulations to Craig Bell and Sheri Dillon! Listen to their acceptance speeches, and learn more about their pro bono careers, below. 

    Above: Craig Bell's acceptance speech at the Section Luncheon & PLenary Session at the 2023 Midyear Tax Meeting in San Diego, CA. He is introducted by C. Wells Hall, III, the 2022-2023 Tax Section Chair.

    Craig Bell

    Craig Bell has volunteered for the Community Tax Law Project (CTLP) in Richmond, VA almost since its inception, providing thousands of hours of services to hundreds of taxpayers. He also served on the CTLP board from 2001-2004 and assists with fundraising and financial contributions. In addition to CTLP, he started a tax clinic at the William and Mary Law School where he teaches students legal skills and the importance of pro bono work and handles client work. He has received numerous awards for his commitment to public service including from the ABA LAMP Committee for his work with military personnel. The Tax Section is pleased to add to the list of groups applauding his decades of contributions.

    Above: Sheri Dillon's acceptance speech at the Section Luncheon & PLenary Session at the 2023 Midyear Tax Meeting in San Diego, CA. He is introducted by C. Wells Hall, III, the 2022-2023 Tax Section Chair.

    Sheri Dillon

    Sheri Dillon recently served as the Vice Chair for Pro Bono and Outreach for the Tax Section. Her selection for this role was a testament to her commitment to advancing equal representation in the tax system. In 2015 she brought a clinic, the Washington DC Center for Public Interest Tax Law, to her firm. Through this clinic she has personally provided pro bono support and representation to hundreds of taxpayers across the country and created meaningful opportunities for other lawyers. She regularly provides national leadership and advocacy for the needs of unrepresented taxpayers. She also launched the first Giving Day last year raising double the initial fundraising goal for the Tax Section’s TAPS Endowment Fund.  Sheri continues to play a key role nationally both in ensuring individual taxpayers receive representation regardless of their ability to pay for an attorney and in advancing the needs of unrepresented and low-income taxpayers throughout the tax system and the tax law community. We all benefit from her leadership. 

    Past Award Recipients