Foundation seeks Medal of Honor Award nominees
The Florida Bar Foundation will be accepting nominations for the 2016 Medal of Honor Awards until February 1.
The Medal of Honor Award is given in two categories. The first category is for members of The Florida Bar, including practicing lawyers, judges, or teachers in the legal field. The second category is for nonlawyers, including lawyers who are not currently practicing. All nominees must be Florida residents.
Nominees in the lawyer category must have a demonstrated dedication to the purpose of The Florida Bar, which strives to inculcate in its members the principles of duty and service to the public, to improve the administration of justice, and to advance the science of jurisprudence.
The 2015 Medal of Honor Award in the lawyer category was presented to Jacksonville attorney and former First District Court of Appeal Judge William A. Van Nortwick, Jr., for his decades in leadership of virtually every statewide organization and committee involving pro bono and legal services in Florida, for leading the One Campaign to promote pro bono work throughout the state, and for serving as a role model for other judges and lawyers, inspiring greater volunteer participation through his example.
Recent recipients of the award include Robert C. Josefsberg of Miami, Hank Coxe of Jacksonville, and former Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth.
Nominees in the nonlawyer category must have made outstanding contributions to the improving the administration of justice in Florida through research, writing, or other deeds of significant character and quality.
Past recipients of the Medal of Honor Award for a nonlawyer include Kathleen “Katie” Self of Sarasota for her pioneering work in the implementation of teen courts across Florida and volunteering her services in establishing the Teen Court of Sarasota; Elizabeth Lander “Budd” Bell of Tallahassee for over four decades of volunteer advocacy to improve the lives of Florida’s children, elderly, and disabled; and Dr. Walter F. Lambert of Miami for his life’s work as a medical advocate for abused and neglected children, and for his significant volunteer work for South Florida children in foster care.
Nominations for The Florida Bar Foundation’s highest honor should describe the specific achievements that would qualify an individual for the Medal of Honor Award, and should include a brief biographical sketch of the nominee.
Nominations can be completed online. Nominations forms also are available from the Foundation and should be sent to: The Florida Bar Foundation, Medal of Honor Awards Program, 875 Concourse Parkway South, Suite 195, Maitland 32751 or via e-mail to [email protected].
