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. To view the guidelines for this award, click here.

Chief Judge Anthony Scirica and Judge Ann Claire Williams were chosen as joint recipients of the 28th Annual Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award by a three-member panel chaired by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.  Click here to view the News Release.

Judge D. Brock Hornby of the U.S. District Court in Maine was chosen as the recipient of the 27th Annual Devitt Award.  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. 

Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard, of the Indiana Supreme Court, was the Sixth Annual Dwight D. Opperman Award for Judicial Excellence. For a complete list of past recipients, click here.

Nominations for the Seventh Annual Opperman Award are being accepted until October 15, 2010.  For additional information on the criteria and contents of a nomination package, click here.  

Named after the late Toni House, this award recognizes outstanding news reporting that enhances public understanding of the courts and/or significantly improves the administration of justice.  The competition is open to professional journalists working in print, broadcast, or online media.  While entrants will not be eliminated from consideration for a single publication or a series, preference will be given to those who have produced a substantial body of work reflecting a lifetime of contribution to the administration of justice. 

Linda Deutsch and Angie Hendershot are the joint recipients of the 2010 Toni House Journalism Award.  Click here to view the News Release.

For an entry form, to view the entry guidelines, or to see a list of past recipients click on the links indicated. 

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.

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. 

If you wish to nominate an individual or entity for this award, visit our rules/guidelines and fill out the nomination form.

In 2010, AJS has (or will) recognize the following individuals will an AJS Herbert Harley Award: Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey of the Supreme Court of Colorado, and Senator Williams Raggio of the State of Nevada.

A Special Merit Citation is 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.  This award recognizes individuals, publications, state or local courts, organizations and educational institutions that make significant contributions toward improving the justice system. 

To nominate an individual, publication, court, organization or educational institution, visit the rules/guidelines and return the nomination form.

In 2010 AJS recognized the program 7 Reasons to Leave the Party with a Special Merit Citation.  For more details, click here.

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 the Access to Justice Award, please complete the following nomination form and return it to AJS.

In 2010 the Kathleen M Sampson Access to Justice Award will be given to Hon. Gregory J Donat of the Tippecanoe County Court.