Awards


Nominations

Award nominations are accepted each year from the first Tuesday in August to the first Tuesday in October.

A link to the nomination form is available on this page during the nomination window.

NAWL Rising List recipients are announced in February. All other award recipients are announced starting in April.


Overall Award Requirements

  • Past honorees are not eligible for the same award in a subsequent year.
  • Self-nominations are encouraged.
  • Nominees must be lawyers in good standing.

Awards Presented in the Spring

NAWL Rising List
Since 2021, the NAWL Rising List recognizes early- to mid-career attorneys committed to NAWL’s mission by either advancing women in the profession or advocating for women under the law.
View past recipients.

Outstanding Law Student Award
NAWL's Outstanding Law Student Award is presented to one student in the graduating class of participating ABA-approved law schools who demonstrated academic achievement; exhibited motivation, tenacity, and enthusiasm; contributed to the advancement of women in society; promoted issues and concerns of women in the legal profession; and earned the respect of the dean and law faculty.

View more information.

Awards Presented at NAWL's Annual Meeting in July

Arabella Babb Mansfield Award
The highest award recognizing women in the legal profession, the Arabella Babb Mansfield Award is presented in recognition of lifetime professional achievement, positive influence, and valuable contribution to women in the law and in society. The award is the oldest award given by the National Association of Women Lawyers and is named after the first woman admitted to a state bar in the United States. In special circumstances, this award can be presented to an organization.

View past recipients.

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.

View past recipients.

Lead By Example Award
Because women are still not equally represented in the legal profession, NAWL celebrates the men in positions of power who strive to close the gap. The Lead By Example Award is presented to a male leader who is demonstrably responsible for increased leadership and career progression opportunities for women lawyers in his organization and beyond. For example, if in-house, he has a high percentage of direct female reports, with women in key positions, such as head of litigation. In firms, there is a high percentage of women equity partners, women are present in significant numbers on important committees, and there are significant numbers of female relationship managers. Endorsements from women lawyers whom the nominee has mentored or sponsored are encouraged.

View past recipients.

Public Service Award
The Public Service Award is presented to a lawyer who has demonstrated dedication and commitment to exemplary public service and social responsibility. Their work includes either advancing women in the profession or fighting for women under the law. In special circumstances, this award can be presented to an organization.

View past recipients.

President’s Award
The President's Award is presented by the current NAWL President to an organization that has championed policies, programs, and procedures to retain, promote, and advance women attorneys.

View past recipients.

Virginia S. Mueller Outstanding Member Award
The Virginia S. Mueller Outstanding Member Award recognizes members for exemplary contributions to NAWL.

View past recipients.

Awards No Longer Presented

Challenge Award
The Challenge Award was presented to in-house legal departments that had either met or adopted the hiring, retention, promotion, and general employment practices and procedures suggested to meet NAWL's
One-Third By 2020 Challenge. The goal of the Challenge was to increase the representation of women to one-third of leadership positions in the legal profession and to increase the number of diverse women attorneys (including women of color and LGBTQIA+ people) by one-third in every segment of the legal profession.

View recipients.

Leadership Award
The Leadership Award was presented to individuals in the community whose personal contributions helped advance women lawyers and promote diversity in the legal profession.

View recipients.

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