Every year, the Public Law Section presents this award to recognize a public law practitioner who has provided outstanding service to the public and possesses an exemplary reputation in the legal community and the highest of ethical standards. In 2008, the Public Law Section named the award in honor of now-retired Chief Justice Ronald M. George in recognition of his distinguished career dedicated to serving the public and longtime support of the Section.
The Executive Committee supports the goal of diversity in membership and leadership. As such, promoting and achieving diversity is considered carefully in selecting an outstanding member of the State Bar who practices public law as the Ronald M. George Public Lawyer of the Year.
Each year the Public Law Section honors a public lawyer selected by the Public Law Section Executive Committee from nominations sent in by members of the Section and the public at large.
Below is a list of Public Law Section honorees from 1998 to the present, with links to more information about them. In addition, the Section also gave the award in 1995 to Anthony Alperin, in 1994 to N. Eugene Hill, in 1993 to Elizabeth Strauss, and in 1991 to Ted Prim.