Attorney awards are plentiful, though sometimes misleading to the general public. Some awards carry outstanding prestige and even financial stipends, while others are just an easy way to toot your own horn. So, beware. With increasing competition, law firms are looking for ways to differentiate themselves while still staying within the bar rules. Most awards that you have heard of are, in fact, paid advertisements rather than something that was earned, with a few exceptions. The more obscure awards that were actually earned are known only to the attorneys belonging to a particular bar association who paid attention during the annual convention’s dinner. With that being said, we are an SEO agency, and our job is to increase Google rankings for our clients. Even the “unearned” awards play a factor in rankings, for better or worse. We have compiled the following list of awards. Be cautious when utilizing these awards in your marketing, as many bar associations are beginning to issue warnings and reminders about attorney advertising.
Most Recognizable Awards for Attorneys
Best Lawyers This is one of our favorite awards to suggest to clients because it has a good balance between cost and value. The benefit is that you get an icon that can be used on your website and a link back to your website, which can help with SEO.
SuperLawyers This award system is owned by FindLaw and Thompson Reuters. Not only is SuperLawyers an award that can be placed on your website along with a link to your website, but it is also a well-kept directory that frequently ranks in the search engines. This is one of the most expensive awards to purchase, if not the most. According to SuperLawyers, this award represents only 5% of attorneys in each state.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings At one point in time, this was considered the gold standard in attorney ratings. The problem is that the public doesn’t know what it means to have this rating. Out of all the awards, this is probably the most meaningful because of the effort placed in attaining the rating. You can’t just buy it, though it does cost money.
AVVO Rating Another main rating that you will see used is the AVVO rating, which is a composite score. You can learn more by clicking the link above.
Highest honor bestowed by the ABA Law Practice Division
Outstanding lifetime achievement in the field of law practice management
Martha Fay Africa Golden Hammer Award (The Golden Hammer)
Recognizes the work of individuals/entities that help promote women and diverse attorneys in the division, the ABA, and the profession
Robert P. Wilkins Award
Acknowledges excellence in the division’s periodical publications: Law Practice, Law Practice Today, and Law Technology Today
3 Categories:
Overall Achievement in Division Publications – excelled beyond the standard obligations and contributed significantly through innovation and creativity to the division’s publications
Best Feature Article
Best Column
James I. Keane Award
Recognizes law offices that developed legal service innovations delivered over the internet
Innovative delivery of personal legal services
Law Practice Division Fellowship Program
Provides a chance to make lasting connections with industry thought leaders in the business of practicing law.
“Recognizes brilliant legal work, advocacy of pro bono service, dedication to the cause of equal justice for all, and promotion of the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in the law”
Robert W. Meserve Award
National recognition for a senior lawyer
Broad range of high achievement / innovation / vision / leadership and legal service to Senior Lawyers Division
Named after first Chair of the ABA Senior Lawyers Division.
Awarded to attorneys/legal service providers/organizations
Directly represented specific victims in court
Or, who worked to promote/implement policies to improve the treatment of crime victims in CJ system
Livingston Hall Juvenile Justice Award
Awarded to active member of bar who devotes a significant portion of his/her legal practice to youth and children
Norm Maleng Minister of Justice Award
Bestowed on a prosecutor who embodies the principles enunciated in the ABA standards for CJ, Prosecution, function, particularly that “the Duty of the prosecutor is to seek justice, not merely convict.”
Raeder-Taslitz Award
Given to a law professor
Significant contribution to promoting public understanding of CJ, justice and fairness in CJ system or best practices on the part of lawyers and judges.
Top 40 ABA young lawyers who exemplify broad range of high achievement
Outstanding Young Military Service Lawyer Award
Recognizes dedication/excellence of young military attorneys in each of the five uniformed services
YLD Scholarship Program
Provides partial conference funding and opportunity to become more involved in division for Minority, Solo/Small Firm, Government, Private Sector, and Military Service Attorneys.
Law Day Art Contest
Gives students the opportunity to express their ideas about the Law Day theme and achieve recognition for their work
Embracing Diversity Challenge
Recognizes and awards top young lawyer organizations and law student programs that increase diversity in the pipeline to the legal profession
YLD Subgrant Program
Provides funding for activities that benefit local communities / leaders or members
Rosner & Rosner Young Lawyer Professionalism Award
Recognizes and encourages young lawyers who are dedicated to lawyer professionalism
Honors young lawyer commitment to legal and judicial ethics, lawyer professionalism, client protection and professional regulation
John J. Curtin Fellowship
Pays a $3,500 stipend to three law students who spend the summer months working for a bar association or legal services program designed to prevent homelessness or assist homeless or indigent clients or their advocates.
Law Student Program of the Year
Given in recognition of the best student-organized educational program or public service project of the year focusing on issues in the field of environmental, energy, or natural resources law
Emerging Young Lawyers in Healthcare Award
For young lawyer Section members who exemplify a broad range of achievement, vision, leadership, and legal and community service in health law
New/Young Labor & Employment Lawyer Award
Recognizes up to two individuals new/young lawyers in the Section of Labor and Employment Law
Jefferson B. Fordham Awards
Honors the accomplishments of practitioners and institutions active in the varied areas of practice associated with state, local, regional and tribal government law
State & Local Government Student Awards
For academic excellence achieved in a course completed in Land Use Law or Local Government Law
Janet D. Steiger Fellowship
Eight- to ten-week paid Fellowship provides law students an opportunity to work in the consumer protection and antitrust departments of state and territorial offices of Attorneys General throughout the United States
Gelhorn-Sargentich Law Student Essay Award Competition
Encourages law students to become involved in the administrative law practice fields, and to encourage scholarship in these fields by awarding $5,000
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of ABA awards and fellowships for young people. Click on link above to see additional awards and programs.
Essay that promotes the greatest interest in the field of Family Law
Jean Crowe Pro Bono Award
Recognizes those who have made a difference by offering services on a pro bono basis
Family Law Fellowship Program
Open to family attorneys who demonstrate financial need and
meet diversity criteria, or
work in legal services or non-profit legal organizations whose work centers around providing free or low-cost family legal services to individuals in traditionally underserved diverse communities.
Recognizes AAJ member of at least 20 years’ standing
Recognizes a distinguished career that has significantly advanced the rights of the wrongfully injured
Harry M. Philo Award
Recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the civil justice system
Advanced the safety and protection of American consumers
Steven J. Sharp Public Service Award
Recognizes plaintiffs and the attorneys of plaintiff whose cases help tell the story of the American Civil Justice System
David S. Shrager President’s Award
Recognizes AAJ member who has demonstrated former AAJ President David Shrager’s passion for the law and trial bar
Outstanding contribution to civil justice and to the work of AAJ
Howard Twiggs Award
Recognizes AAJ member of at least 10 years
Passion, civility, cordiality, and professionalism reflect the high standards set by Howard Twiggs
Howard was a selfless and tireless worker who always put the welfare of his clients and the AAJ ahead of any personal glory.
Distinguished Service Award
Recognizes members of the AAJ Board of Governors who have been of special assistance to the President of the Association
Wiedemann & Wysocki Award
Recognizes AAJ members who have made outstanding efforts to support AAJ PAC and advance AAJ’s political priorities
Fritz Wiedemann and James Anthony Wysocki are two New Orleans attorneys who died in a plane crash following an assignment for AAJ PAC
Certificates of Recognition
Recognize outstanding service to AAJ through fundraising, membership, or education
Heavy Lifting Award
Given to individuals who show exemplary leadership in fundraising
Pro Bono Award
AAJ members who have gone above and beyond by taking on a case voluntarily as a public service
International Trial Lawyer Leadership Award
Given to a non-U.S. trial lawyer who has contributed significantly to the development of international relations and exchange of information among plaintiff lawyers
AAJ Partnership Award
Recognizes someone from state, local or jurisdictional trial lawyer organization who has promoted a spirit of support between AAJ and the affiliated organization, as well as between AAJ and NATLE
Whose service to the affiliated organization has strengthened the civil justice system
Leonard Ring Champion of Justice
AAJ member of at least 10 years
Outstanding integrity and overall character have demonstrated Leonard Ring’s devotion to human and civil rights
Distinguished service in advancing AAJ’s mission and growth
Hall of Fame Award
Presented posthumously to AAJ member no sooner than 3 years after his/her death
Significant contribution to the civil justice system
Integrity / character
the Stalwarts Committee votes upon and forwards the names of prospective honorees to the AAJ Board which votes on the recommended nominations
Above and Beyond Award
Exceptional contributions to sustain and strengthen the organization
Leonard Ring Champion of Justice Awards
For outstanding integrity and overall character and has demonstrated devotion to human and civil rights
Leonard Weinglass In Defense of Civil Liberties Awards
Honors an attorney or civil rights advocate who has made a noteworthy contribution to the defense of civil rights by bringing, trying, or resolving a suit
Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Soaring Eagle Award
Presented to an attorney who, despite the challenges of his/her own journey, has made outstanding efforts/contributions to the legal profession
F. Scott Baldwin Award
F. Scott Baldwin, a world-renowned trial lawyer
presented in recognition of the legendary degree of excellence and compassion that Scott has brought to the profession and the significant time he has invested in training, preparing, and encouraging lawyers to the profession
Tonahill Award
Awarded for outstanding service to and support of consumers and the trial bar
AAJ Paralegal of the Year
Awarded to outstanding and exemplary paralegal
Marie Lambert Award
Exemplary leadership to the profession, community, AAJ and to the Women Trial Lawyers Caucus
Other Lawyer Awards
Some of the awards listed below may be very prestigious, though not necessarily an indication of quality. However, we see the awards below less frequently. Some are actually more prestigious since they aren’t paid for.
Gladiator Law Marketing: An Award-Winning SEO Law Marketing Agency
At Gladiator Law Marketing, we understand the power and prestige of awards, because we have won many ourselves. Our outstanding team works overtime to create unique and compelling branding, SEO, content, websites, and online campaigns for law firms that spotlight the skills and achievements of our clients. To learn more about how Gladiator can boost your marketing efforts, call us for a free consultation at 888-683-3212.