LBA Annual Awards
Award Nominations
Click the button below to submit your nomination for each category.
Know a Luminary of our Legal Community? Nominate them for an LBA Award!
The LBA is seeking nominations for its highest honors—the annual LBA Awards. Each year, we recognize our members who personify the best of our legal community with their work and professionalism. Do you know someone who deserves recognition? Read below for a description of each award and how you can make a nomination.
AWARD CATEGORIES:
Justice Martin E. Johnstone Special Recognition Award
This award is the highest recognition bestowed upon an LBA member for outstanding participation and partnership within the legal community. An individual deserving of this award has made a significant impact in the Louisville community through professional or volunteer efforts and exemplifies what it means to be a lawyer.
Justice Martin E. Johnstone Special Recognition Award
Previous Winners:
| NAME | YEAR |
| Hon. John G. Heyburn II | 2006 |
| Charles E. Ricketts Jr. | 2007 |
| J. David Niehaus | 2008 |
| Jeffrey A. Been | 2009 |
| A. Robert Doll | 2010 |
| Hon. Sean R. Delahanty | 2011 |
| Thomas A. Williams | 2012 |
| Joseph P. Gutmann | 2013 |
| Raymond M. Burse | 2014 |
| Douglass Fransley | 2015 |
| Edward (Ted) M. King | 2016 |
| Raymond M. Burse | 2017 |
| Joseph H. Cohen | 2018 |
| Robert (Bobby) Haddad | 2019 |
| Michael R. Mazzoli | 2020 |
| Neva-Marie Polley Scott | 2021 |
| Margaret E. Keane | 2022 |
| Amy D. Cubbage | 2023 |
Judge Benjamin F. Shobe Civility & Professionalism Award
Individuals receiving this award have consistently demonstrated adherence to the highest standards of civility, honesty and courtesy in their dealings with clients, opposing parties and counsel, the courts and the general public. They have shown sustained excellence through leadership in the profession.
Judge Benjamin F. Shobe Civility & Professionalism Award
Previous Winners:
| NAME | YEAR |
| John T. Ballentine | 2005 |
| Justice Martin E. Johnstone | 2006 |
| Justice William E. McAnulty Jr. | 2007 |
| Frank P. Doheny Jr. | 2008 |
| Lively M. Wilson | 2009 |
| Linda S. Ewald | 2010 |
| Don H. Major | 2011 |
| Margaret E. Keane | 2012 |
| Asa (Pete) P. Gullett III | 2013 |
| Daniel T. Goyette | 2014 |
| Susan D. Phillips | 2015 |
| Thomas B. Wine | 2016 |
| Charles J. Cronan IV | 2017 |
| Hon. Lisabeth T. Hughes | 2018 |
| K. Gregory Haynes | 2019 |
| Hon. Denise G. Clayton | 2020 |
| D. Scott Furkin | 2021 |
| Lee Edward Sitlinger Jr. | 2022 |
| David A. Lambertus | 2023 |
Robert & Frank E. Haddad Jr. Young Lawyer Award
Nominees for this award must have been practicing as a trial lawyer—either criminal or civil—for less than five years. Nominees must demonstrate an ability to handle complex or unusual trials or appeals and they must have garnered the respect and admiration of the judiciary and of their colleagues.
Robert & Frank E. Haddad Jr. Young Lawyer Award
Previous Winners:
| NAME | YEAR |
| Steven C. Schroering | 1997 |
| Patrick J. Bouldin | 1998 |
| Christopher J. Klein | 1999 |
| Steven R. Romines | 2000 |
| J. Bart McMahon | 2001 |
| Michael S. Jackson | 2002 |
| William E. Sharp | 2003 |
| Brian C. Edwards | 2004 |
| Chastity R. Beyl | 2005 |
| Misty D. Clark | 2005 |
| Daniel M. Alvarez | 2006 |
| Justin C. Brown | 2007 |
| Krsna I. Tibbs | 2008 |
| Casey S. Kimball | 2009 |
| Ashley R. Edwards | 2010 |
| Annie O’Connell | 2011 |
| Ryan T. McCall | 2013 |
| Joshua M. Reho | 2014 |
| Ebert H. Haegele | 2015 |
| Frederick W. Moore III | 2015 |
| Aaron M. Dyke | 2016 |
| John K. Spalding | 2016 |
| A. Matthew Weyand | 2017 |
| Sarah E. Clay | 2018 |
| Madison A. Shoffner | 2018 |
| Lana M. Fazio | 2019 |
| Michael B. Harrell | 2020 |
| Danielle M. Yannelli | 2021 |
| Natalie Johnson | 2022 |
| Melina Hettiaratchi | 2023 |
Judge of the Year Award
This award is presented to a member of the judiciary who has shown judicial integrity and professionalism. A nominee for this award has contributed to the community by volunteering in civic organizations to help promote the image of the legal profession and has established a reputation for integrity, scholarship and professionalism.
Judge of the Year Award
Previous Winners:
| NAME | YEAR |
| Hon. Edmund P. Karem | 1988 |
| Hon. Robert F. Stephens | 1989 |
| Hon. Ellen B. Ewing | 1990 |
| Hon. Thomas A. Ballentine Jr. | 1991 |
| Hon. Benjamin Shobe | 1992 |
| Hon. Virginia Whittinghill | 1193 |
| Hon. William E. McAnulty Jr. | 1994 |
| Justice Charles M. Leibson | 1995 |
| Hon. Thomas J. Knopf | 1996 |
| Hon. Thomas B. Wine | 1997 |
| Hon. Richard J. Fitzgerald | 1998 |
| Hon. Martin E. Johnstone | 1999 |
| Hon. Charles R. Simpson III | 2000 |
| Hon. Boyce F. Martin Jr. | 2001 |
| Hon. Joan L. Byer | 2002 |
| Hon. James M. Shake | 2003 |
| Hon. Stephen M. George | 2004 |
| Hon. Thomas B. Russell | 2005 |
| Hon. Donald E. Armstrong Jr. | 2006 |
| Hon. Steve Mershon | 2007 |
| Hon. Kathleen Voor Montano | 2008 posthumously |
| Hon. Geoffrey P. Morris | 2009 |
| Hon. John G. Heyburn II | 2010 |
| Hon. Patricia Walker FitzGerald | 2011 |
| Hon. Lisabeth T. Hughes | 2012 |
| Hon. Angela McCormick Bisig | 2013 |
| Hon. James D. Moyer | 2014 |
| Hon. Paula F. Sherlock | 2015 |
| Hon. Susan Schultz Gibson | 2016 |
| Hon. David L. Holton II | 2017 |
| Hon. Stephanie Pearce Burke | 2018 |
| Hon. Joseph H. McKinley Jr. | 2019 |
| Hon. Angela McCormick Bisig | 2020 |
| Hon. Tara W. Hagerty | 2020 |
| Hon. Ann Haynie | 2020 |
| Hon. David J. Hale | 2021 |
| Hon. Charles L. Cunningham | 2022 |
| Hon. Mitchell L. Perry | 2023 |
Paul G. Tobin Pro Bono Service Award
This award recognizes the work of LBA members who have unselfishly given time to improve the quality of society through their legal work. Worthy nominees will be LBA members who helped deliver legal services to the disadvantaged through a pro bono program or cause.
Paul G. Tobin Pro Bono Service Award
Previous Winners:
| NAME | YEAR |
| Robert C. Ewald | 1988 |
| Michael G. Whitaker | 1989 |
| Geoffrey P. Morris | 1990 |
| Robert C. Webb | 1991 |
| Larry Simon | 1992 |
| Mason Trenaman | 1992 |
| Linda Atkins | 1993 |
| Tom Atkins | 1993 |
| Martha J. Hasselbacher | 1994 |
| R. James Straus | 1995 |
| Margaret E. Keane | 1996 |
| Bruce A. Brightwell | 1997 |
| David A. Friedman | 1998 |
| Howard & Helmers | 1999 |
| R. Kenyon Meyer | 2000 |
| John E. Selent | 2000 |
| Frank Mascagni III | 2001 |
| Laurel S. Doheny | 2002 |
| Don H. Major | 2003 |
| Samuel L. Greenebaum Public Service Program |
2004 |
| David A. Friedman | 2005 |
| Patrick J. Renn | 2006 |
| Steven R. Romines | 2006 |
| Patrick J. Moran | 2007 |
| David A. Lambertus | 2008 |
| John D. Borders Jr. | 2009 |
| Stites & Harbison | 2010 |
| Bryan N. Coomer | 2011 |
| Shelley M. Santry | 2012 |
| Martha J. Hasselbacher | 2013 |
| Kelly A. Kane | 2014 |
| Jeffrey A. Been | 2015 |
| Shannon R. Fauver | 2016 |
| Jonathan D. Miller | 2017 |
| W. Bronson Howell | 2018 |
| James P. Dilbeck Jr. | 2019 |
| Lea D. Hardwick | 2020 |
| Shelley M. Santry | 2021 |
| No Winner | 2022 |
| Ken J. Mudd | 2023 |
Daniel M. Alvarez Champion for Justice Award
This award is given to a lawyer demonstrating a strong devotion to serving underrepresented individuals or groups by giving a legal voice to those who would otherwise be voiceless. These groups include, but are not limited to, the Hispanic and Latino communities, documented and undocumented immigrants, the LGBTQ community, incarcerated juveniles and indigent criminal defendants.
Daniel M. Alvarez Champion for Justice Award
Previous Winners:
| NAME | YEAR |
| Enid Trucios-Haynes | 2018 |
| Sadiqa N. Reynolds | 2019 |
| Lonita K. Baker | 2020 |
| Rep. Nima Kulkarni | 2021 |
| Ellie Garcia Kerstetter | 2022 |
| Shannon R. Fauver | 2023 |
Judge Richard A. Revell Family Law Award
This award is presented to attorneys at the forefront of new developments in family law practice. They have exhibited dedication to families and children through work both inside and outside the courtroom. Award recipients have made significant contributions to public service in the area of family law and have demonstrated innovation in the performance of their duties.
Judge Richard A. Revell Family Law Award
Previous Winners:
| NAME | YEAR |
| Delores (Dee) Pregliasco | 1995 |
| Judith E. McDonald-Burkman | 1996 |
| Joseph V. Mobley | 1997 |
| William D. Tingley | 1998 |
| William L. Hoge III | 1999 |
| Steven J. Kriegshaber | 2000 |
| Bryan Mark Mulloy | 2001 |
| Douglas Haynes | 2002 |
| Laurel S. Doheny | 2003 |
| G. Phillip Deeb Sr. | 2004 |
| Diana L. Skaggs | 2005 |
| R. Gary Lowen | 2006 |
| Melanie Straw-Boone | 2007 |
| Barbara A. Sullivan | 2008 |
| Richard H. Nash Jr. | 2009 |
| Mark W. Dobbins | 2010 |
| Bonnie M. Brown | 2011 |
| Tara W. Hagerty | 2012 |
| Charles R. Meers | 2013 |
| Neva Polley Scott | 2014 |
| Paul J. Mullins | 2015 |
| W. Waverley Townes | 2016 |
| Hon. Stephen M. George | 2017 |
| Louis I. Waterman | 2018 |
| Emily A. Logan | 2023 |