The APDA Board of Directors will meet sometime in May to consider nominations for annual awards.  A list of the awards is attached.  If you would like to nominate someone in any of the award categories identified below, please contact your agency’s Director.  The deadline for receipt of nominations  is  April 30, 2018.   

The Outstanding Attorney Award recognizes an attorney who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, done outstanding work or made a significant impact for our clients.

The Outstanding Paraprofessional Award recognizes a paralegal, investigator or mitigation specialist who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, done outstanding work or made a significant impact for our clients.

The Outstanding Administrative Professional Award recognizes a legal secretary, secretary or administrative assistant who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, done outstanding work or made a significant impact for our clients.

The Outstanding Performance Award recognizes performance and contribution that does not fit into the other categories.

The “Rising Star” Award recognizes an attorney with less than five years of experience who has demonstrated skills and dedication and achieved accomplishments beyond his or her experience level.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a member of a Public Defender office or program who has dedicated his or her career to indigent representation and has unfailingly exemplified the core values of indigent representation: high quality representation, equal justice, and recognition of the humanity and dignity of indigent individuals.

The Gideon Award recognizes an individual who has made a substantial, long-term contribution to indigent representation, whether or not a current member of a Public Defender office or program.

The Robert J. Hooker Award recognizes a private attorney, attorneys or firm that have provided extraordinary assistance to a public defender or public defender client without regard to the financial, political or other costs of such assistance.

The Outstanding Contract Attorney Award recognizes a contract attorney who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, done outstanding work or made a significant impact for our clients.