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Nominations

The ABA’s "On the Rise – Top 40 Young Lawyers" Award program provides national recognition of ABA Young Lawyers Division members who exemplify a broad range of high achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and service to the profession and their communities. Apply or nominate some today via the online form!

Current Winners

Past Winners

Eligibility (2023 Award)

  • The Nominee is a lawyer member of the American Bar Association in good standing.
  • The Nominee was 36 years of age or younger and/or had been licensed for 10 years or fewer as of September 1, 2023.
  • The Nominee is a licensed attorney in the United States or one of its territories.
  • Past honorees are not eligible.
  • Self-nominating is allowed.

Nomination Information

  • Nominations may only be submitted via the online form.
  • The Selection Committee will not disclose the information outside of the closed selection process.  However, nominators are solely responsible for determining the types of information they are permitted to disclose to the Selection Committee.
  • Nominees may also be asked for additional information during the selection process, if deemed necessary.

Nomination Process and Notification

  • The 2023 On the Rise application is now open!

National Recognition

On the Rise – Top 40 Young Lawyers Honorees will receive national recognition in ABA print publications, online and via social media.

Questions

If you have any questions or need clarification, please contact Yadira Martinez.

FAQ

If I am nominated more than once or submit more than one application, are my chances of winning greater?

No, The OTR awards are given to those that meet the criteria and exemplify a broad range of high achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and service to the profession and their communities. They are chosen by a judging committee and only one submission per person will be read.

What do I do if, I nominate someone, and they do not finish the application?

Incomplete applications will be disqualified, so be sure to inform your nominee to visit the link and complete the remaining information needed.

Can I nominate myself or do I need someone to nominate me?

Yes, all self-nominations are welcome, and you do not need someone to nominate you.

Can I view the questions before I submit my application?

Yes, you can find the list of questions here. You can also find the link for the questions on the second page of the application.

What if I do not finish my application?

Incomplete applications are not recorded, therefore are disqualified. You will receive a thank you message at the end and confirmation that your submission was recorded.