Law schools', state and local bar associations', courts', law firms', and not-for-profit law-related organizations' professionalism programs, initiatives, and projects are eligible for the Awards. Programs, initiatives, and projects submitted for consideration must be ongoing, easily replicated, and have operated for at least one year prior to the entry deadline. Programs , initiatives, and projects should fall under the broad definition of professionalism, including those which enhance diversity, equity and inclusion, civility, access to justice, and the well-being of the profession. Past Gambrell Award winning programs and projects are ineligible. Please Note: Submitted Nominations are maintained and will be considered for two years: the award year of submission and the following award year. Programs nominated but not selected for the Award may not be submitted in consecutive years (e.g., a program/project nominated but not selected for the Award in 2022 should not submit a new application before 2024).
Judging Criteria:
The purpose of the E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Awards is to recognize effective, on-going professionalism programs, initiatives, and projects developed by law schools, bar associations, courts, and not-for-profit legal organizations that help preserve, promote, and enhance within the entire legal community the highest principles of professionalism, including integrity, civility, competence, fairness, well-being, diversity, inclusion, independence, courage, respect, access to justice, and dedication to the legal profession and to public service. The entries will be reviewed under the direction of the ABA Standing Committee on Professionalism. Factors that will be considered in selecting the winning nominations will be the distinguishing and particularly meritorious features of the program, including but limited to: Overall quality of the program Ease with which other interested groups throughout the country can replicate the program Established history and success of the program Likelihood of continuation of the program Breadth of the program for all experience levels of law students and/orlawyers Proactive nature of the program Effectiveness of the program