Inequality, injustice, forgiveness, redemption, abortion rights, eavesdropping on privileged conversations, affirmative action and modern-day slavery are the focus of works recognized in the American Bar Association’s 2023 Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts. The awards acknowledge outstanding work that fosters the American public’s understanding of law and the legal system. They are the ABA’s highest honor in recognition of this purpose.
July 24, 2023 Top Legal News of the Week
ABA announces 2023 winners of Silver Gavel Awards
ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross will present the awards at the 65th Anniversary Silver Gavel Awards Presentation on July 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The event is free and open to the public and also will be livestreamed.
This year the ABA awarded nine Silver Gavels and five honorable mentions among 30 finalists chosen from 165 entries in the categories of books, commentary, documentaries, drama and literature, magazines, multimedia, newspapers, radio and television.
The Silver Gavel honorees are:
- BOOKS
“The Other Side of Prospect,” in which author Nicholas Dawidoff tells a story through interrelated experiences of how the injustices of inequality and racism perpetuate through generations. - COMMENTARY
“The Maddening Irrelevance of Charlie Vaughn’s Innocence,” is about the injustice of a severely intellectually disabled man who has spent more than 30 years in an Arkansas prison and how, “the system doesn’t care if he’s actually guilty.” - DOCUMENTARIES
“When Claude Got Shot,” is about three strangers who are connected by one weekend of gun violence and their journey back to forgiveness. - DRAMA & LITERATURE
“Take My Hand,” a literary work inspired by true events about a Black nurse in post-segregation Alabama who stands up for her patients. - MAGAZINES
“The Rogue Court that Paved the Way for Roe’s Demise,” a magazine article about the partisan movement by four judges on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to redefine constitutional precedent. - MULTIMEDIA
“Eavesdropping in Maine Jails,” a multimedia collaboration to highlight what is going on in county jails in Maine when jailed defendants speak with their attorneys. - NEWSPAPERS
“Captive No More: One SC Man’s Journey to Freedom After Years in Modern-day Slavery,” a newspaper special report about the modern-day slavery atrocities a man endured in South Carolina. - RADIO
“Affirmative Action Faces Toughest Test in a Generation,” a podcast exploring the latest affirmative action cases in higher education. - TELEVISION
“The CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell: Roe v Wade,” a television program that reviews the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision.
Related links:
- To register for the July 25 in-person or streamed event, click here.
- Division for Public Education
- For complete list of the winners and honorable mentions, go to Silver Gavel (americanbar.org).
- Silver Gavel Awards selection criteria and entry requirements
- ABA Journal