Awards & Recognitions
Awards Nominations
It is that time of the year again when nominations are made for awards that are presented at the State Bar annual meeting in July. We have many great bar leaders and volunteers who are very deserving of being recognized for their hard work and dedication to our bar. Your input and nominations are very important to ensure the appropriate recognition of those people who have done so much to advance our profession and our State Bar.
To submit a nomination or if you have any questions about any of the awards or who might have received these awards in the past, please contact chad.coker@alabar.org.
Awards Information
The Judicial Award of Merit
The Judicial Award of Merit was established in 1987. The award is not necessarily an annual award. It must be presented to a judge who is not retired, whether state or federal court, trial or appellate, who is determined to have contributed significantly to the administration of justice in Alabama. The recipient is presented with a crystal gavel bearing the state bar seal and the year of presentation at the Alabama State Bar Annual Meeting.
Nominations are considered by the Judicial Conference for the State of Alabama Committee which then makes a recommendation to the board of bar commissioners with respect to a nominee or whether the award should be presented in any given year.
Nominations should include a detailed biographical profile of the nominee and a narrative outlining the significant contribution(s) the nominee has made to the administration of justice. Nominations may be supported with letters of endorsement.
The Alabama State Bar Board of Bar Commissioners will receive nominations for the state bar’s Judicial Award of Merit through March 15. Nominations should be mailed to:
Board of Bar Commissioners
P.O. Box 671
Montgomery, AL 36101-0671
Judicial Award of Merit Past Recipients
Robert L. Minor
Presiding District Judge
30th Judicial Circuit
2025
John H. Graham
Presiding Circuit Judge
38th Judicial Circuit
2024
Eddie Hardaway, Jr.
Circuit Judge
17th Judicial Circuit
2023
Gaines C. McCorquodale
Circuit Judge
1st Judicial Circuit
2022
Brendette Brown Green
Circuit Judge
10th Judicial Circuit, Civil Division
2021
Madeline Hughes Haikala
United States District Judge
Northern District of Alabama
2020
Elisabeth A. French
Circuit Judge
10th Judicial Circuit, Civil Division
2019
Harold V. Hughston, Jr.
Circuit Judge
31st Judicial Circuit
2018
John E. Ott
Chief Magistrate
United States District Court
Northern District of Alabama
2017
Burt Smithart
Circuit Judge
3rd Judicial Circuit
2016
Langford Floyd
Circuit Judge
28th Judicial Circuit
2015
Edward E. Carnes
United States Court of Appeals
Eleventh Circuit
2014
Eugene R. Verin
Circuit Judge
10th Judicial Circuit, Domestic Relations, Bessemer Division
2013
Philip Ben McLauchlin, Jr.
Circuit Judge
Thirty-third Judicial Circuit
2012
Joel F. Dubina
United States Court of Appeals
Eleventh Circuit
2011
Sue Bell Cobb
Chief Justice
Supreme Court of Alabama
2010
Champ Lyons, Jr.
Associate Justice
Supreme Court of Alabama
2009
Randall L. Cole
Circuit Judge
Ninth Judicial Circuit
2007
U.W. Clemon
United States District Judge
Northern District of Alabama
2006
Scott Vowell
Circuit Judge
Tenth Judicial Circuit
2005
Pete Johnson
District Judge
Tenth Judicial Circuit
2004
Charles R. Butler, Jr.
United States District Judge
Southern District of Alabama
2003
Jerry L. Fielding
Circuit Judge
Twenty-ninth Judicial Circuit
2002
Sandra Hendrickson Storm
Circuit Judge
Tenth Judicial Circuit
2001
Ira DeMent
United States District Judge
Middle District of Alabama
1998
Alva Hugh Maddox
Associate Justice
Supreme Court of Alabama
1997
Ralph D. Cook
Associate Justice
Supreme Court of Alabama
1996
William R. Gordon
Circuit Judge
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit
1994
Sam C. Pointer, Jr.
United States District Judge
Northern District of Alabama
1993
David A. Rains
Circuit Judge
Ninth Judicial Circuit
1991
Joseph D. Phelps
Circuit Judge
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit
1990
James O. Haley
Circuit Judge
Tenth Judicial Circuit
1989
Seybourn H. Lynne
Senior United States District Judge
Northern District of Alabama
1989
Michael D. Ermert Award of Merit
This award is given for outstanding constructive service to the legal profession in Alabama. The recipient or recipients of this award are chosen by the president of the Alabama State Bar, and the award is presented at the Alabama State Bar’s annual meeting. The recipient or recipients must be or have been licensed as an attorney in Alabama. It is not required that this award be presented every year. This award recipient is presented to the Board of Bar Commissioners for approval.
Michael D. Ermert Award of Merit Past Recipients
H. Thomas “Tom” Heflin, Jr.
2025
Cassandra Adams
2024
Rebekah McKinney
2023
Terri O. Tompkins
Pat Sefton
Raymond Bell
Leon Hampton
2022
Ellen Brooks
2021
Allison Skinner
2020
Tony McLain Professionalism Award
The purpose of the J. Anthony “Tony” McLain Professionalism Award is to honor the leadership of Tony McLain and to encourage the emulation of his deep devotion to professionalism and service to the Alabama State Bar by recognizing outstanding, long-term and distinguished service in the advancement of professionalism by living members of the Alabama State Bar.
Nominations are considered by a five member committee which makes a recommendation to the Board of Bar Commissioners with respect to a nominee or whether the award should be presented in any given year. The award will be presented at a ceremony during the Annual Meeting of the Alabama State Bar.
The Board of Bar Commissioners of the Alabama State Bar will receive nominations for the J. Anthony “Tony” McLain Professionalism Award through March 15. Nominations should be prepared using this form and mailed to:
Alabama State Bar
P. O. Box 671
Montgomery, AL 36101-0671
J. Anthony “Tony” McLain Professionalism Award Past Recipients
Sharon D. Stuart
Birmingham
2025
John Watson
Birmingham
2024
Cole Portis
Maibeth J. Porter
2023
Michael Ballard
2022
LaBella A. McCallum
2021
Harlan I. Prater, IV
2020
Michael E. Upchurch
2020
W. Percy Badham, III
2019
J. Douglas McElvy
2019
Billy C. Bedsole
2018
Samuel N. Crosby
2017
Charles W. Gamble
2016
J. Anthony McLain
2014
Bill Scruggs Service to the Bar Award
The William D. “Bill” Scruggs, Jr. Service to the Bar Award is given to those members of the Alabama State Bar that have made significant contribution(s) and outstanding, long-term service to the bar.
The Bill Scruggs Service to the Bar Award was established in 2002 to honor the memory of and accomplishments on behalf of the bar of former state bar President Bill Scruggs. The award is not necessarily an annual award. It must be presented in recognition of outstanding and long-term service by living members of the bar of this state to the Alabama State Bar as an organization. Nominations are considered by a five-member committee which makes a recommendation to the Board of Bar Commissioners with respect to a nominee or whether the award should be presented in any given year. The award will be presented at a ceremony during the Annual Meeting of the Alabama State Bar.
The Board of Bar Commissioners of the Alabama State Bar will receive nominations for the William D.”Bill” Scruggs, Jr. Service to the Bar Award through March 15. Nominations should be prepared using this form and mailed to:
Alabama State Bar
P.O. Box 671
Montgomery, AL 36101
Bill Scruggs Service to the Bar Award Past Recipients
D. Marcel Black
Muscle Shoals
2025
Sam Crosby
Daphne
2024
Halron Turner
Chatom
2023
Tazewell T. Shepard
Huntsville
2022
Christina D. Crow
Union Springs
2021
Tom Heflin
Sheffield
2020
J. Mark White
Birmingham
2019
Hon. Michael F. Bolin
Birmingham
2018
Alyce Manley Spruell
Tuscaloosa
2017
W. N. “Rocky” Watson
Fort Payne
2016
Billy C. Bedsole
Mobile
2015
Richard H. Gill
Montgomery
2015
James S. Ward
Birmingham
2015
David M. Wooldridge
Birmingham
2013
Ben H. Harris, Jr.
Mobile
2010
Robert A. Huffaker
Montgomery
2010
David R. Boyd
Montgomery
2006
E. T. Brown, Jr.
Birmingham
2003
Commissioners Award
This award is given to recognize individuals who have had a long-standing commitment to the improvement of the administration of justice in Alabama. The recipient or recipients of this award are chosen by the president of the Alabama State Bar, and the award is presented at the Alabama State Bar’s annual meeting. The recipient or recipients of this award must be or have been a member of the Board of Bar Commissioners. It is not required that this award be presented every year. This award recipient is presented to the Board of Bar Commissioners for approval.
Commissioners Award Past Recipients
H. Jerome Thompson
2025
Jeanne Marie Leslie Service Award
This award recognizes exemplary service to lawyers in need in the areas of substance abuse and mental health and is presented by the Alabama Lawyer Assistance Program Committee.
Jeanne Marie Leslie Service Award Past Recipients
G. Douglas Benson
2025
Pro Bono Awards
The Alabama State Bar Pro Bono Awards recognize the outstanding pro bono efforts of attorneys, mediators, law firms and law students in the state. The award criteria includes but is not limited to the following: the total number of pro bono hours or complexity of cases handled, impact of the pro bono work and benefit for the poor, particular expertise provided or the particular need satisfied, successful recruitment of other attorneys for pro bono representation, and proven commitment to delivery of quality legal services to the poor and to providing equal access to legal services. Awards are presented at the Annual Meeting of the Alabama State Bar.
Please use this nomination form and return by April 1 using the instructions provided.
Pro Bono Awards Past Recipients
2025
Michael W. Jackson (Albert L. Vreeland Award)
Charles L. Denaburg (Mediator Award)
Jefferson County District Court Mediation Program (Firm/Group Award)
Savannah G. Nelson – Jones School of Law (Law Student Award)
2024
David Weston (Albert Vreeland Award)
Holly L. Sawyer (Mediator Award)
Tuscaloosa County Bar Association (Firm/Group Award)
Rolanda Tina Turner (Law Student Award)
Michael L. Forton (Public Interest Attorney Award)
2023
Tara Rose (Albert Vreeland Award)
Jon E. Lewis (Mediator Award)
Bradley Arant Cummings, LLP-Montgomery Office (Firm/Group Award)
Anna M Spidle (Law Student Award)
Kelly F. McTear (Public Interest Attorney Award
2022
Timothy J. F. Gallagher (Albert Vreeland Award)
Brian D. Hayes (Mediator Award)
Alabama Bankruptcy Assistance Project Advisory Council, statewide (Firm/Group Award)
Lucas Lopez (Law Student Award)
2021
Thomas Ryan, Jr. (Albert Vreeland Award)
R. Boyd Miller (Mediator Award)
Carr Allison (Firm/Group Award)
Joseph Antonio Holley (Law Student Award)
2020
E. Peyton Faulk (Albert Vreeland Award)
Susan M. Donovan (Mediator Award)
Gaines, Gault & Hendrix, P.C. (Firm/Group Award)
Mindy Kidd (Law Student Award)
2019
Tazewell Shepard (Albert Vreeland Award)
Robin Burrell (Mediator Award)
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP (Firm/Group Award)
Lauren A. James (Law Student Award)
2018
Jana Russell Garner (Albert Vreeland Award)
Faith Whidden-Buster (Mediator Award)
Balch & Bingham, LLP (Firm/Group Award)
Lea Luterstein (Law Student Award)
2017
Richard P. Carmody (Albert Vreeland Award)
Sarah C. Bowers (Mediator Award)
NXTSTEP Family Law, P.C.( Firm/Group Award)
Jessica Chang (Law Student Award)
2016
Jeanne Dowdle Rasco (Albert Vreeland Award)
Cassandra W. Adams (Mediator Award)
Baker Donnelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz (Firm/Group Award)
Carly Calhoun, University of Alabama School of Law (Law Student Award)
2015
Amy S. Creech (Albert Vreeland Award)
Jana Russell Garner (Mediator Award)
Cumberland Public Interest and Community Service Organization (Firm/Group Award)
Bradley C. Hargett, University of Alabama School of Law (Law Student Award)
2014
Jeffery C. Smith (Albert Vreeland Award)
James N. Walter, Jr. (Mediator Award)
Siniard, Timberlake & League, PC (Law Firm Award)
Matthew Ward, Jones School of Law (Law Student Award)
2013
Royal Dumas (Albert Vreeland Award)
Jefferson County District Court Mediation Project (Mediator Award)
Warren & Simpson (Law Firm Award)
Virginia Lemon, Jones School of Law (Law Student Award)
2012
Gregory H. Hawley & Hon. J. Scott Vowell (Albert Vreeland Award)
D. Robert Stankoski (Mediator Award)
Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles (Law Firm Award)
Students of the University of Alabama Clinical Programs (Law Student Award)
2011
Edward A. Hosp, Montgomery (Albert Vreeland Award)
Clarence A. Giles, Mobile (Mediator Award)
McCallum, Methvin & Terrell, P. C, Birmingham (Law Firm/Group Award)
Stephen K. Hudgens, Cumberland School of Law (Law Student Award)
2010
Henry Callaway, Mobile (Albert Vreeland Award)
Robert Creveling, Birmingham – (Mediator Award)
Adams & Reese, LLP (Law Firm/Group Category)
Clayton R. Tartt, Jones School of Law – (Law Student Category)
2009
Christopher J. Williams, Birmingham (Albert L. Vreeland Award)
The Birmingham Homeless Experience Legal Protection (HELP) program, Birmingham (Firm or Group Award)
Alyson Hood, Cumberland School of Law, (Law Student Award)
Charles H. Booth, Birmingham (Mediator Award)
2008
Sister Lynn Marie McKenzie, Cullman (Albert L. Vreeland Award)
Alford, Clausen & McDonald, LLC, Mobile (Firm/Group Award
Sigfredo Rubio, Cumberland School of Law(Law Student Award)
Douglas L. Key, Birmingham (Mediator Award)
2007
Gilbert B. Laden, Mobile (Albert L. Vreeland Award)
Maynard, Cooper & Gale (Law Firm/Group Award)
Eddie L. Koen, Jr., Cumberland School of Law (Law Student Award)
Louis C. Colley, Prattville (Mediator Award)
2006
Henry H. Caddell, Mobile (Individual Attorney Award)
Disaster Relief Committee Young Lawyers Section (Law Firm/Group Award)
Tamara J. Watson, University of Alabama School of Law (Law Student Award)
2005
Franklin Louis Shuford, Jr, Mobile (Individual Attorney Award)
Ball, Ball, Matthews & Novak, Montgomery (Law Firm/Group Award)
Lindsay Stengle, Cumberland School of Law (Law Student Award)
2004
Allison L. Alford, Montgomery (Individual Attorney Award)
Maynard Cooper & Gale (Law Firm/Group Award)
2003
E. Patrick Hill, Huntsville (Individual Attorney Award)
Cunningham, Bounds, Yance, Crowder & Brown, Mobile (Law firm/Group Award)
William J. N. Coxwell, University of Alabama (Law Student Award)
2002
J. Timothy Smith, Hoover (Individual Attorney Award)
Hand Arendall, Mobile (Law Firm/Group Award)
Melissa Briggs Hutchens, University of Alabama (Law Student Award)
2001
William H. Roe, Oneonta (Individual Attorney Award)
Berkowitz, Lefkovits, Isom & Kushner, Birmingham (Law Firm/Group Award)
University of Alabama School of Law Public Interest Institute, Tuscaloosa (Law Student Award)
2000
Kelli Hogue-Mauro, Birmingham, (Individual Attorney Award)
Alabama and the Mobile County Pro Bono Program Founders, Mobile, Alabama (Law Firm/Group Award)
C. Robin Kelley, Tuscaloosa, University of Alabama (Law Student Award)
1999
James R. Seale, Montgomery
Melinda M. Waters, Montgomery
Victor H. Lott, Mobile
Kim Oliver Ward, Montgomery
Kenneth C. Randall, Tuscaloosa
1999
James R. Seale, Montgomery
Melinda M. Waters, Montgomery
Victor H. Lott, Mobile
Kim Oliver Ward, Montgomery
Kenneth C. Randall, Tuscaloosa
1998
Hugh M. Lee, Tuscaloosa
Nancy Stuart, Montgomery
Phillip D. Mitchell, II, Decatur
1997
Anne Mitchell, Birmingham
Donna W. Smalley, Tuscaloosa
Baldwin County Bar Association
1996
Pamela H. Bucy, Tuscaloosa
Luke Coley, Mobile
Al L. Vreeland, Tuscaloosa
Maud McLure Kelly Award
The Women’s Section of the Alabama State Bar is currently seeking nominations for the Maud McLure Kelly Award.
The award, named for the first woman admitted to practice law in Alabama, is presented each year by the Women’s Section to a female attorney who has made a lasting impact on the legal profession and has been a pioneer and leader within the state. The Women’s Section is honored to present this award named after a woman whose commitment to women’s rights was and continues to be an inspiration for all women in Alabama. Previous recipients are listed below.
Nominations should include, at a minimum, the following elements:
- the name and contact information of the nominee,
- the nominee’s career background, and
- information and documentation demonstrating how the nominee has been a pioneer and has made a lasting impact on the Alabama legal profession.
Letters or emails of recommendation and support are encouraged. This award is traditionally presented at the luncheon hosted by the Women’s Section at the State Bar’s Annual Meeting.
Please send nomination materials to Women’s Section Chair Felicia Long via email at flong@hillhillcarter.com by March 15.
Maud McLure Kelly Award Past Recipients
Hon. Tamara Harris Johnson
2025
Hon. Inge Prytz Johnson
2024
Celia Collins
2023
Judge Carole Smitherman
2022
Jacqueline Austin
2021
Augusta Dowd
2020
Merceria L. Ludgood
2019
Alyce Manley Spruell
2018
Martha Jane Patton
2017
Sharon G. Yates
2016
Caryl P. Privett
2015
Ernestine S. Sapp
2014
Mary Lee Stapp
2013
Marjorie Fine Knowles
2012
Carol Jean Smith
2011
Sara Dominick Clark
2010
Frankie Fields Smith
2009
Louise Ingram Turner
2008
Jane Kimbrough Dishuck
2008
Camille W. Cook
2007
Mahala Ashley Dickerson
2006
Phyllis S. Nesbitt
2005
Nina Miglionico
2004
Alice F. Lee
2003
Janie Ledlow Shores
2002
Susan Bevill Livingston Award
This award is presented by the Women’s Section in memory of Susan Bevill Livingston who practiced law at Balch & Bingham. The criteria for this award are the following elements and nominations should include information and materials that reflect all of these elements:
- Demonstration of a continual commitment to those around her as a mentor,
- A sustained level of leadership throughout her career,
- A commitment to her community in which she practices, such as, but not limited to, bar related activities, community service and/or activities which benefit women in the legal field and/or in her community,
- Member in good standing with the Alabama State Bar, and
- At least ten (10) years of cumulative practice in the field of law.
This award may be given posthumously. This award is traditionally presented at a special reception.
Please send nominations to Women’s Section Chair Felicia Long via email at flong@hillhillcarter.com by March 15.
Susan Bevill Livingston Award Past Recipients
Sherrie Phillips
2025
Kim Bessiere Martin
2024
Leslie R. Barineau
2023
Justice Sue Bell Cobb
2022
Lenora Pate
2021
Christy Crow
2020
Allison Skinner
2019
Kathy Miller
2018
Maibeth Porter
2017
Judge Tammy Montgomery
2016
Harold Albritton Pro Bono Leadership Award
The Harold Albritton Pro Bono Leadership Award seeks to identify and honor individual lawyers who through their leadership and commitment have enhanced the human dignity of others by improving pro bono legal services to our state’s poor and disadvantaged. The award will be presented during Pro Bono Month (October).
In order to nominate an individual for this award, please submit no more than two single-spaced pages that provide specific, concrete examples of the nominee’s performance of as many of the following criteria as apply:
- demonstrated dedication to the development and delivery of legal services to persons of limited means or low income communities through a pro bono program;
- contributed significant work toward developing innovative approaches to delivery of volunteer legal services;
- participated in an activity that resulted in satisfying previously unmet needs or in extending services to underserved segments of the population; OR
- successfully achieved legislation or rule changes that contributed substantially to legal services to persons of limited means or low income communities.
To the extent appropriate, include in the award criteria narrative a description of any bar association activities applicable to the above criteria.
Nominations must be submitted by August 1, to ASB Volunteer Lawyers Program Director Hilaire Armstrong via email at hilaire.armstrong@alabar.org.
Harold Albritton Pro Bono Leadership Award Past Recipients
Tom Methvin
2014
Alyce Spruell
2013
Sam Crosby
2012
Judge Harold Albritton
2011
Presidents Award
Presidents Award Past Recipients
Forrest S. Latta
2025
Jesse Price Evans III Award
Jesse Price Evans III Award Past Recipients
Sam Irby
Taze Shepard (posthumously)
2025