Herbert Harley Award
 

Procedure

1. Anyone may nominate any person or entity to receive a Harley Award.

2. A completed nomination form with particular attention paid to the requirement that the nominee’s specific accomplishments must be filled out and received by staff no less than 90 days before the nominator wishes to have the award presented to the recipient.  

3. Nominators should demonstrate to the AJS Awards Committee that this individual or entity is truly deserving of the Herbert Harley Award.  Why does your candidate stand out from others in the legal system, including judges, lawyers and activist laypeople? 

4. After the nomination, and any supporting materials are received, the nomination is submitted to the AJS Awards Committee.  

5. Since approval is not assured, it is preferable that individual or entity not be contacted prior to a favorable decision.  In the event the nomination is approved, the nominator is contacted to facilitate the planning of the presentation.

6. An award citation is prepared and a press release is sent to appropriate individuals and organizations prior to the award presentation.

Guidelines

• Only one Herbert Harley Award may be given annually in each state. 

• Current directors will not be considered for an award during their term of service or for one year thereafter.

• The nominee’s efforts must in some reasonable and identifiable way have furthered the goals of AJS.  Documentation of this should be provided by the person making the nomination.

• Award nominees should be recognized for accomplishments that have gone above and beyond normal or required duties and responsibilities.

Presentation Suggestions

• Luncheon or dinner in honor of recipient.

• Reception held in local historic building, courthouse or state capitol building, or other public site.

• Luncheon or dinner of well-attended civic gathering or local bar meeting.

• Federal Circuit Judicial Conference or State Judicial Conference.

• Law Day ceremonies.

• Benefits or dinners for legal assistance programs.

Examples

Hon. Theodore McMillian for his outstanding contributions in improving the juvenile justice system in Missouri.

Charles A. Horsky, a Washington, D.C. lawyer, for providing the leadership that resulted in the founding of the Council for Court Excellence - an organization dedicated to expanding citizen understanding of the courts.

Frances W. Hurst, a non-lawyer, for her major contributions to the improvement of the judicial conduct standards in Wisconsin.

President Jimmy Carter, while Governor of Georgia, for instituting merit selection of judges by executive order.

If you have any questions about the information found on this page, please contact AJS at (800) 626-4089.