2021 Solo and Small Firm Excellence Awards
The Section annually recognizes solo and small firm practitioners with the Section’s Excellence in Practice in Service awards. New for this year is the Small Firm Community Excellence Award. The honorees are recognized and celebrated annually at the Solo and Small Firm Summit.
2021 Excellence In Service Award Recipient Richard Kaplan
Richard D. Kaplan’s gained a reputation over three decades in practice for resolving complex criminal defense matters that threaten livelihoods and reputations. Perhaps of equal importance is his ability to achieve these results quickly, allowing his clients to move past the matter and on with their lives. Read More
NOTE: NOMINATIONS FOR 2021 ARE CLOSED.
Submit a nomination form for the Excellence Awards here.
Excellence in Practice Award
The Solo and Small Firm Section of the California Lawyers Association presents its Excellence in Practice Award to honor a solo or small firm attorney, who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication to the legal profession and has contributed to the betterment of the practice of law. Submit a nomination form for the Excellence Awards here.
Excellence in Practice Award Criteria
Nominee has:
- Demonstrated leadership and dedication to the legal profession
- Contributes to the positive image of the legal
profession, for example:
- Practices law in a highly ethical manner
- Is well regarded by peers
- Demonstrates a strong sense of commitment to the profession
- Achieved exceptional accomplishments in the
practice of law or made a significant, positive impact on the practice of law,
for example:
- Was an instrumental in the passage of legislation
- Authored or co-authored an amicus brief that was submitted on a matter of legal significance
- Tried a significant case
- Brought a significant case of the Court of Appeal or California or United States Supreme Court
- Created or helped further a new or novel practice area or way to practice law
Excellence in Service Award
The Solo and Small Firm Section of the California Lawyers Association presents its Excellence in Service Award to honor a solo or small firm attorney who has devoted significant service to the public and/or legal community. Submit a nomination form for the Excellence Awards here.
Excellence in Service Award Criteria
Nominee has:
- Devoted significant service and made a significant, positive impact on the legal community and/or public, for example:
- Made outstanding contributions to a professional legal organization
- Mentored solo, small fir, and/or young lawyers
- Engaged in activism for a special cause (e.g., diversity in the legal profession or legal education)
- Engaged in significant pro bono work
- Served a legal or non-legal non-profit (i.e., a charitable, cultural, humanitarian, or educational cause) in a significant capacity
Small Firm Community Excellence Award
The Small Firm Community Excellence Award will be given to a firm that demonstrates leadership, dedication, and contributions to the positive image of the legal profession through charitable and pro bono work that has contributed to the community in an impactful way or by the cultural, humanitarian, or educational advancement of others. Small Firms of two to five attorneys may be nominated or self-nominate for this award. Submit a nomination form for the Small Firm Community Excellence Award here.
Small Firm Community Excellence Award Criteria
- Open to all small firms of two to five attorneys who are in good standing with The State Bar of California. Self-nominations for this award are accepted.
- Demonstrates leadership and dedication to the legal profession
- Contributes to the positive image of the legal profession
- Achieved exceptional accomplishments in the practice of law
- Engaged in significant pro bono work or has contributed to the community in an impactful way
- Has contributed to the charitable, cultural, humanitarian, or educational advancement of others
Past Award Recipients
- Meet the 2020 award recipients
- Learn about the 2019 award recipients
- Look back at the 2019 Solo and Small Firm Summit
Solo and Small Firm Section Attorney of the Year Award
The Attorney of the Year Award was replaced with the Excellence in Practice Award and Excellence in Service Award starting in 2019. Click here for a list of past recipients for the Solo and Small Firm Section Attorney of the Year Award.