Awards Criteria

This award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the legal field with an emphasis on the contributions made in the past year.

Criteria:

• An attorney who has demonstrated the skills, ethics and dedication to advancing and protecting the rights of individuals and the American Justice System.
• The lawyer is a dedicated member of ATLA and has been actively involved in ATLA activities.
• The lawyer is involved in local civic/community activities.

Nomination:

Nomination of potential candidates will be made by the Executive Director, President, Paralegal/Legal Assistant Division Co-Chairs and the general membership. The ATLA Awards Committee shall select the recipient of this award and the award will be confirmed by the Board of Governors.

This person must be an outstanding jurist who is dedicated to the preservation of individual rights and free and fair access to the courts.

Criteria:

• The jurist is dedicated to the preservation of the American Justice System and the right to trial by jury.
• The jurist has a reputation for protecting the rights of litigants and understands the litigant’s right to be heard without undue influence or interference from the jurist and recognizes the dignity of litigants and their advocates.

Nomination:

The nomination will be from the ATLA Board of Governors and general membership of the association. The ATLA Awards Committee shall select the recipient of this award and the award will be confirmed by the Board of Governors.

Outstanding Paralegal/Legal Assistant Award

This award is given in recognition of outstanding service to and support of the legal profession with an emphasis on contributions made in the past year.

Criteria:

• A Paralegal/Legal Assistant who consistently demonstrates the skill, professionalism and dedication to advancing the efficient and effective operation of the law office.
• The Paralegal/Legal Assistant is a member of ATLA.
• The Paralegal/Legal Assistant is involved in local civic/community activities.
• The Paralegal/Legal Assistant is dedicated to ATLA and its mission.

Nomination:

Nomination of potential candidates will be made by the Executive Director, President, Paralegal/Legal Assistant Division Co-Chairs and the general membership. The ATLA Awards Committee shall select the recipient of this award and the award will be confirmed by the Board of Governors.

Outstanding Member New Lawyer Division

This award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the legal field with emphasis on the contributions made in the immediate past year.

Criteria:

• An attorney who has demonstrated the skills, ethics and dedication to advancing and protecting the rights of individuals and the American Justice System.
• The lawyer is a member of ATLA and has been actively involved in ATLA activities.
• The attorney is involved in local civic/community activities.
• The attorney shows leadership potential and dedication to ATLA.
• A member of the ATLA New Lawyers Division.

Nomination:

The nomination will be from the ATLA Board of Governors and the ATLA New Lawyers Division and the ATLA Awards Committee shall select the recipient of this award and the award will be confirmed by the Board of Governors.

Consumer Advocate Award

This award is given in recognition of outstanding legislative contributions to the administration of justice in Arkansas.

Criteria:

• The recipient should have sponsored legislation in behalf of ATLA or have been outspoken on issues to the administration of justice.
• The legislator should actively promote legislation on behalf of consumers.
• The legislator should exhibit leadership skills and dedication to the preservation of the jury system.
• The legislator should promote the legal profession and the attorney’s role in that system.

Nomination:

The Executive Director, Director of Politics and Governmental Relations, President and Chair of the Legislative Committee & ATLA Legislative Representative shall recommend potential candidates to the Awards Committee. The ATLA Awards Committee shall select the recipient of this award and the award will be confirmed by the Board of Governors.

Citizen Merit Award

This award is given to an individual or group who has made an important contribution to society by either fostering greater public understanding of the rights and liberties that the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association seeks to preserve or furthering the public’s knowledge in regard to the prevention of injury.

Nomination:

Nomination of potential candidates will be made by the Public Relations Committee after consultation with the ATLA Executive Director and President. The ATLA Awards Committee shall select the recipient of this award and the award will be confirmed by the Board of Governors. In any given year an award may not be given if the ATLA Awards Committee deems that there is no one qualified to receive the award.

Roxanne Wilson Advocacy Award

The Roxanne Wilson Advocacy Award is given to those ATLA members whose love of the law, the legal profession and advancement of advocacy is reflective of those same qualities of the late Roxanne Wilson, for whom the award is named.

Criteria:

• Outstanding jurist and barristers may receive this award but the true prerequisite for nomination should be a strong love of the profession, and a demonstration of dedication to family, the community and ATLA.
• The recipient should also be an activist in the advancement and improvement of the legal system and the legal profession and in the defense of those who cannot find justice for themselves.

Nomination:

The nomination will be from the ATLA Board of Governors and general membership of the association.  The ATLA Awards Committee shall select the recipient of this award and the award will be confirmed by the Board of Governors.

Henry Woods Lifetime Achievement Award

This award is given in recognition, memory and honor of the late United States District Judge Henry Woods and his many contributions and a lifetime of dedicated service to the civil justice system, the legal profession and to ATLA.

Criteria:

This award is intended to be a very special award that is not necessarily presented each year. It is intended to recognize a lawyer in practice for more than 25 years who has devoted his or her career to helping injured victims, consumers and who has championed the causes of those who lack money, education or the ability to protect their own rights.

Other criteria to consider:

• Recipient must be a member of ATLA or, if presented posthumously, the honoree was a member of ATLA during most of his/her career.
• His/her work demonstrates a compassion and commitment to advocacy on behalf of the injured consumer as well as exemplifying the skills, ethics and integrity embodied in the mission of this organization.
• The individual may have made an outstanding contribution to the public interest by trying or settling a precedent-setting case or he or she may have pursued a change in the law that benefits the injured consumer to this day.
• The individual has contributed to the advancement of the profession and improvement of this great state through teaching, public service, charitable giving or other service.