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Awards
Nominations for the 2025 CLA Awards are being accepted
Note: The nomination period is May 1, 12:00 AM PST – July 18, 11:59 PM PST
CLA issues a variety of awards annually that celebrate attorneys, judges, and programs that demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to promoting justice and high ethical standards.
Many of the award recipients have worked with vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, low-income farm workers, and communities whose primary language is not English. The awards will be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting in September. Each award has its own deadline and application. If you know a colleague or acquaintance who you think deserves to be recognized, we encourage you to nominate them. For questions about the nomination process, please email: initiatives@calawyers.org.
Why Nominate?
Help us recognize individuals and organizations making a meaningful impact in the legal community. These awards celebrate those who embody the values of justice, service, and professional excellence. Ideal nominees:
- Expand access to justice and make the legal system more equitable
- Contribute lasting value to legal education and the profession
- Champion diversity in the legal field
- Engage the public through civics education and awareness
- Uphold strong ethical and professional standards
- Provide critical legal services to low-income or underserved communities
If you know someone who reflects any of these values, we encourage you to submit a nomination and help us celebrate their contributions.
Aranda Award
Honors a judge who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to improving access to our courts, and who has significantly improved access for low-and moderate-income Californians.
Bernard E. Witkin Medal
Recognizes attorneys and non-attorneys who, through a career of extraordinary service, have made significant contributions to the quality of justice and legal scholarship in California.
Diversity Awards
Recognizes outstanding efforts made by a law firm, bar association, or organization to promote diversity in the legal profession, in their organization or among their peers.
Excellence in Civics Engagement Award
Honors a California attorney who has championed the advancement of civics programs, campaigns, projects or efforts that promote the understanding of civics and the 3rd branch of government.
Harry B. Sondheim Professional Responsibility Award
Honors an attorney who has demonstrated long-term commitment to legal services and who has personally engaged in significant work extending legal services to the poor. This award is co-presented with the California Commission on Access to Justice and the Legal Aid Association of California.
Loren Miller Legal Services Award
Recognizes attorneys committed to legal services and significantly extending legal services to underserved populations.
Other Awards
Legislator of the Year
This distinguished award is given to a member of the California State Assembly and/or Senate who has championed the advancement of the legal profession and issues important to the legal profession. For questions about the nomination process, please email: initiatives@calawyers.org.
Nominees will have:
- Provided outstanding support to the state legislature
- Championed the advancement of the legal profession
- Championed advancement of issues important to the profession including lawyer excellence, diversity and inclusion, the administration of and access to justice
This award is selected by CLA’s Governmental Affairs Committee. For more information, please contact Saul Bercovitch, Director of Governmental Affairs at Saul.Bercovitch@calawyers.org.
The California Lawyers Association also issues the Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services. To learn more, click here.