Announcing Our Award Recipients!
The Public Law Section of the California Lawyers Association is honored to select Ryan McGinley-Stempel as the 2025 recipient of the Outstanding Achievement in Public Law (OAPL) Award.
This year’s honor recognizes Ryan’s landmark victory in the California Supreme Court in Stone v. Alameda Health System (2024) 16 Cal.5th 1040—a precedent-setting decision that will have a lasting impact on public agencies and the communities they serve throughout California. In Stone, the California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that public entities are exempt from civil penalties under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Read More
The Public Law Section of the California Lawyers Association is honored to announce that Phillip A. Talbert has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Ronald M. George Public Lawyer of the Year Award.
With more than 31 years of public service in the Department of Justice—including over two decades in the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Eastern District of California—Phil Talbert exemplifies the highest standards of ethical leadership, nonpartisan integrity, and community-centered justice. His career spans multiple presidential administrations, serving as Acting, Interim, and court-appointed United States Attorney, and most recently as the Presidentially-appointed U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of California from 2021 until January 2025. Read More
Outstanding Achievement in Public Law (OAPL) Award
The Outstanding Achievement in Public Law (OAPL) Award recognizes an individual or team for a recent exceptional accomplishment that has improved the lives of Californians through the representation of a local, state, or federal government entity. Achievements may be wide and varied! For example, they could include a precedent-setting court victory, guiding a public entity through a particularly challenging process, or assisting California residents during an emergency event.
The Public Law Section supports the goal of diversity in its membership and leadership. As such, the Public Law Section encourages nominations that represent California’s diversity, including people of color, women and LGBTQ people.
The nomination period for 2025 is now closed.
Ronald M. George Public Lawyer of the Year Award
Every year, the Public Law Section presents the Ronald M. George Public Lawyer of the Year 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 is honored to invite members of the Public Law Section, the State Bar and the public at large to submit nominations for the Ronald M. George Public Lawyer of the Year Award for 2024.
The Executive Committee supports the goal of diversity in the membership and leadership of the State Bar. 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.
The nomination period for 2025 is now closed.