At the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, we are charged to promote greater integrity, professionalism, and civility among all Illinois lawyers and judges. Over the years, we have found that we aren’t the only ones in the profession looking to make a difference.
Through our Lawyer Spotlight Program and other educational initiatives, we have found that many lawyers in our state, and even across the country, are working to ensure that legal professionals adhere to a higher standard of civility in and outside of the workplace.
One of the organizations actively promoting civility in the legal profession is the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Professionalism. In fact, since 1991, this standing committee has honored legal organizations and professionals who showcase excellence and innovation in professionalism programming through its Gambrell Professionalism Awards.
The E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Awards were named after the former ABA and American Bar Foundation President E. Smythe Gambrell. Back in the 1920’s, he founded the Legal Aid Society in Atlanta, GA.
Past recipients include, Abby Ruth, who accepted the Award for the SMU Dedman School of Law’s Professionalism Initiative; Aaron B. Greenbaum and Judy Perry Martinez who accepted the Award for the New Orleans Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Big Easy Bootcamp; and many more.
This year, three recipients will receive a $3,500 prize along with the title, which will be presented at the ABA Annual Meeting on August 3, 2018 in Chicago, IL.
Nominations for the 2018 Gambrell Professionalism Awards are currently open. To nominate a colleague or organization promoting these standards of professionalism and educating the profession must complete a nomination form to be considered. The submission deadline for this year’s awards is on March 31, 2018.
For more information about the 2018 Gambrell Professionalism Awards and the nomination process, please reach out to Senior Counsel, Theresa Gronkiewicz by email or phone at 312-988-5299.