M. Ashley Dickerson Diversity Award
The M. Ashley Dickerson Diversity Award is presented to a lawyer who has demonstrably promoted and advanced women and diversity in the legal profession. Measurable metrics supporting women and attorneys from underrepresented backgrounds (including people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities) are encouraged. This award is named after trailblazer Mahala Ashley Dickerson, NAWL’s first African-American President (1984-85). In special circumstances, this award can be presented to an organization.
2024
Jenny Yang
Former Deputy Assistant to the President
for Racial Justice and Equity
2023
Yvette Ostolaza
Management Committee Chair,
Sidley Austin LLP
2022
D'Arcy Kemnitz
Executive Director,
LGBTQ+ Bar Association
2021
Nicole Duckett
General Counsel and Vice President,
LA Clippers
2020
Sherrilyn Ifill
President and Director-Counsel,
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.
2019
Grace E. Speights
Global Leader,
Labor and Employment Practice,
Morgan Lewis
2018
Sandra Phillips Rogers
Group Vice President, Chief Legal Officer,
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary,
Toyota Motor North America
2017
Hon. Wilhelmina M. Wright
Judge for the U.S. District Court for
the District of Minnesota
2016
Sheri Lynn Johnson
Associate Dean for Public Engagement and the James and Mark Flanagan Professor of Law
Cornell Law School
2015
JoAnne A. Epps
Dean
Temple Law School
2014
Kim M. Keenan
General Counsel,
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
(Image courtesy of JAMS)
2013
Veta T. Richardson
President & CEO,
Association of Corporate Counsel
(Image courtesy of Association of Corporate Counsel)
2012
Leslie M. Turner
Senior VP & General Counsel,
The Hershey Company
(Image courtesy of University of Georgia School of Law)
2011
Michele Coleman Mayes
Senior Vice President and General Counsel,
Allstate Insurance Company
2010
Debra Lee
Chairman and CEO,
BET Networks
(Image courtesy of Black Entertainment Television)
2009
Holly Fujie
President,
California Bar Association
(Image courtesy of Berkeley Law)
2008
Suzanne B. Goldberg
Professor,
Columbia Law School
(Image courtesy of Columbia Law)
2008
Hon. Deborah A. Batts
U.S. District Judge,
Southern District of New York
(Image courtesy of The New York Times)
2007
Laurie N. Robinson
Assistant General Counsel
CBS Broadcasting
(Image courtesy of Indiana University)
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