Excellence Awards
The Section annually recognizes solo and small firm practitioners with the Section’s Excellence in Practice and Excellence in Service awards. The honorees are recognized and celebrated annually at the Solo and Small Firm Summit.
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.
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.
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