"Excellence in Advocacy” Award


I. History and Purpose

The "Excellence in Advocacy Award" is designed to honor lawyers who have distinguish themselves over a number of years by their professionalism, intelligence, creativity, judgment, personality, sensitivity, civility, advocacy skills, community involvement, efforts to educate newer attorneys, and effective representation of their clients both in and outside of the courtroom. It also recognizes contributions beyond their normal roles as an advocate.

This honor may be made to a present and/or former practicing attorney who has served as a pillar of the bar. The Excellence in Advocacy Award will be presented to the recipient or a member of the recipient's family, or other representative (if the recipient is deceased or cannot otherwise be in attendance) at the OACTA Annual Meeting.

Your participation in the nominating process is vital, and ensures that all of those who deserve recognition will have the opportunity to be duly considered for this prestigious award.


II. Nomination Process and Format

The sponsor of a nominee must be a current OACTA member in good standing. The sponsor may nominate anyone who meets the following criteria:

(1) The person has practiced law for at least 25 years, or, in the case of present or past member of the judiciary, at least 15 years;

(2) The person shall meet or during the time that he or she practiced, the person met OACTA eligibility requirements.

(3) It is not necessary that the nominee be currently living and/or practicing law or be a member of OACTA.

To ensure the individual given the Excellence in Advocacy Award is worthy of this honor, the Board of Trustees has adopted criteria that will be considered in both nominating and selecting, the honoree.

The criteria are, as follows:

A. A reputation for representing clients effectively.

B. Demonstrated advocacy skills.

C. A reputation for professionalism and civility.

D. Good judgment in the preparation of trial matters and appeals.

E. Civic, community and bar activities.

The sponsor is encouraged to address as many of these criteria as possible in submitting an accurate and convincing presentation advocating his or her nominee. As an alternative, the sponsor may submit a detailed resume of the nominee, or a brief resume augmented with a short written summary of applicable criteria relative to the nominee.

III. Procedure for Selection of Award Winner and Presentation of Award

A. The Awards committee shall review all nominations submitted. From the nominations submitted by OACTA members, the committee shall select up to five deserving candidates as semi-finalists for the award. The rationale for the selection of such candidates shall be set forth by the nomination committee in a memorandum to OACTA's past presidents. It is not required that this award be distributed annually.


B. The names of the nominees along with the memorandum relating to the action taken by the committee shall be submitted to the past presidents to review and then select up to three finalists for the award. A memorandum reflecting the action of the past presidents shall then be submitted to OACTA's Board of Trustees for selection of the award winner.


C. At the OACTA Board of Trustees' next regular meeting, the winner or winners of the Excellence in Advocacy Award will be selected by the Board of Trustees. The winner of the award, or a family member of any deceased attorney who is selected as the award winner, will be apprised of such selection, with the individual's name being disclosed in the literature promoting the Annual Meeting, in the newsletters sent before the Annual Meeting and on the Web page.


D. The award will then be presented at OACTA's next Annual Meeting, where a plaque reflecting the award of this honor will be presented to the winner and/or a family member or representative of any deceased or otherwise absent winner.