AJS Awards

Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award

Dwight D. Opperman Award

Toni House Journalism Award
Justice Award
Herbert Harley Award
Special Merit Citation

Kathleen M. Sampson Access to Justice Award
 

The Devitt Award is named for the late Judge Edward J. Devitt and honors annually an Article III judge of national stature.

Deanell Reece Tacha, Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, has been selected as the recipient of the 26th Annual Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award.  Tacha was chosen be a three-member panel chaired by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr.  To view the News Release announcing Judge Tacha as the recipient, click here.

The recipient of the 25th Annual Devitt Award was Carolyn Dineen King, Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.  Click here for details.

For a complete list of past recipients, click here.

The American Judicature Society created the Opperman Award in honor of Dwight D. Opperman, the former chairman and CEO of West Publishing Company. The Opperman Award is presented annually to a state judge of a trial or appellate court who has had a career of distinguished judicial service.

Recipient of the Fifth Annual Dwight D. Opperman Award for Judicial Excellence will be Judith S. Kaye, Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals.  This award will be presented to her later in the year.  To view the News Release announcing this honor, click here.

Previous Opperman Award recipients include:

2004: Shirley S. Abrahamson, Chief Justice, Wisconsin Supreme Court
2005: Ruth V. McGregor, Chief Justice, Arizona Supreme Court
2006: Ronald M. George, Chief Justice, California Supreme Court

2007: Pascal Calogero, Jr. Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court

Named after the late Toni House, this award is given annually to recognize a journalist for outstanding news reporting that enhances public understanding of the courts and/or significantly improves the administration of justice.

Howard Witt, national correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, has been chosen to receive the 10th Annual Toni House Journalism Award.  Witt is the Tribune's Southwest bureau chief based out of Houston.  To view the News Release, click here.

The 2007 (9th Annual) Toni House Award was presented to a team of Chicago Tribune journalists at a ceremony in Chicago.  Click here for details.

For a list of past recipients, click here.

The Justice Award is the highest award given by the American Judicature Society.  It recognizes significant contributions to improving the administration of justice in the United States.

Arizona attorney Larry A. Hammond was been selected as the 2008 Justice Award recipient.  Click here to view the media release.  Click here to view details about this year's event On the Field at Scottsdale Stadium, make a donation in honor of Mr. Hammond.  Soon we will be adding photos from the event.

For a complete list of past Justice Award recipients, click here.

Named after the founder of AJS, the Harley Award is the Society's premier state award and is reserved for individuals or entities that make outstanding efforts and contributions that substantially improve the administration of justice in their state. 

Charles A. Weiss, former Missouri Bar President, was presented the Harley Award by Justice Richard Teitelman at a ceremony during the annual meeting of the Missouri Bar/Judicial Conference in St. Louis, MO.  Click here for details.

Retired Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, Hon. Louis A. Lavorato, was presented the Harley Award by Neal Sonnett, AJS President at a retirement ceremony in the Iowa Judicial Building in Des Moines.  Click here for details.

Intended to allow recognition of projects and efforts that benefit some aspect of the judicial system including those that are narrowly focused or time specific. 

On May 18, 2007, the AJS Board of Directors approved the creation of the Kathleen M. Sampson Access to Justice Award, after long-time AJS Senior Program Associate Kathleen M. Sampson. 

This award is given annually to an individual or organization to recognize extraordinary contributions to ensuring access to justice for all. 

If you know an individual or organization that should be considered for this year's Access to Justice Award, please complete the following nomination form and return it to the AJS headquarters by June 30, 2008.