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.
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
Nominations for the 2021 William K. Thomas Professionalism Award are now being accepted through Friday, April 23, 2021. Please submit a letter explaining why you believe a particular lawyer or judge should receive the award based on the award criteria. Nominations should include a short CV or resume and up to three letters of support. Submit nominations to:
Ethics and Professionalism Committee
Attn: Jay Milano, Chair
1375 East 9th Street, Floor 2
Cleveland, OH 44114
Or email to Heather Zirke at hzirke@clemetrobar.org
Distinguished Honorees
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Justice Melody J. Stewart Supreme Court of Ohio 2019 |
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Hazel Gutierrez Remesch Legal Aid Society of Cleveland 2020 |
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Mario Ciano Reminger Co., LPA 2018 |
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Susan J. Becker Cleveland-Marshall College of Law 2018 |
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Avery S. Friedman Founder, Avery Friedman & Associates 2017 |
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David A. Kutik Partner, Jones Day 2016 |
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Hon. Michael P. Donnelly Judge, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas 2015 |
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Jacqueline Johnson Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Ohio 2014 |
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Hugh Stanley, Jr. Partner, Tucker Ellis 2014 |
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John H. Lawson Private practice 2013 |
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Ann C. Rowland Assistant United States Attorney 2012 |
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Michael M. Hughes, Sr. (posthumously) Of counsel, Frantz Ward LLP 2012 |
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Thomas S. Kilbane (posthumously) Partner, Squire Sanders Dempsey LLP 2011 |
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Ian N. Friedman Founder, Ian N. Friedman Associates LLC 2010 |
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Frank R. DeSantis Partner, Thompson Hine 2009 |
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Hugh E. McKay Partner-in-charge, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP 2008 |
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Deborah A. Coleman Partner, Hahn Loeser + Parks LLP 2007 |
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C. Lyonel Jones (posthumously) Director, The Legal Aid Society of Clevealnd 2006 |
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Charles F. Clarke Partner, Squire Sanders Dempsey LLP 2005 |
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Niki Z. Schwartz Partner, Schwartz, Kushner, Rendon Co., LPA 2004 |
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Mark O'Neill Of counsel, Weston Hurd 2003 |
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Hon. Patricia A. Hemann Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Ohio 2002 |
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Marvin L. Karp Partner, Ulmer & Berne LLP 2001 |