Professionalism Award

The Professionalism Award is annually awarded to a lawyer or judge who has significantly contributed to the enhancement of professionalism in the Greater Cleveland legal community by exemplifying the goals of the Ohio Supreme Court's "A Lawyer's Creed" and "A Lawyer's Aspirational Ideals" and by furthering the ideals expressed in the mission of the CMBA.  Click here to view the award criteria.

How do you submit a nomination?

Nominations for the 2019 award will be accepted beginning in January 2019.  At that time, please submit a letter explaining why you believe a particular person should receive this honor based on the award criteria. Nominations should include a short CV or resume and up to three letters of support.

Distinguished Honorees

	Avery S. Friedman Founder, Avery Friedman & Associates 2017		David A. Kutik Partner, Jones Day 2016
	Hon. Michael P. Donnelly Judge, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas 2015		Jacqueline Johnson Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Ohio  2014
	Hugh Stanley, Jr. Partner, Tucker Ellis 2014		John H. Lawson Private practice 2013
	Ann C. Rowland Assistant United States Attorney 2012		Michael M. Hughes, Sr. (posthumously) Of counsel, Frantz Ward LLP 2012
	Thomas S. Kilbane (posthumously) Partner, Squire Sanders Dempsey LLP 2011		Ian N. Friedman Founder, Ian N. Friedman Associates LLC 2010
	Frank R. DeSantis Partner, Thompson Hine 2009		Hugh E. McKay  Partner-in-charge, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP 2008
	Deborah A. Coleman  Partner, Hahn Loeser + Parks LLP 2007		C. Lyonel Jones (posthumously) Director, The Legal Aid Society of Clevealnd 2006
	Charles F. Clarke Partner, Squire Sanders Dempsey LLP 2005		Niki Z. Schwartz Partner, Schwartz, Kushner, Rendon Co., LPA 2004
	Mark O'Neill Of counsel, Weston Hurd 2003		Hon. Patricia A. Hemann  Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Ohio 2002
	Marvin L. Karp Partner, Ulmer & Berne LLP 2001