ABA Seeks Nominees for E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award

CHICAGO, Jan. 7, 2004–Nominations are now open for the 14th Annual E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Awards, recognizing law schools, bar associations, law firms and non-profit organizations for projects that enhance professionalism among lawyers.

The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Professionalism will present up to three awards of $3,500 each during the ABA 2004 Annual Meeting next August in Atlanta. The award is named for E. Smythe Gambrell, who served as president of both the ABA and the American Bar Foundation in 1955-56. Gambrell founded the Legal Aid Society in Atlanta, where he practiced law from 1922 to 1986.

Entry forms and guidelines for nominations are due March 31.

Last year’s recipients were:

• Campbell University School of Law, which provides a comprehensive professionalism experience during the first year of law school study;
• The Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough Center on Professionalism at the University of South Carolina School of Law, which has implemented initiatives that lead students, lawyers, judges and academics to think about professionalism issues more frequently and more carefully; and
• The Houston Bar Association, which has a comprehensive program designed to increase professionalism in relationships among its members and in their relationships with judges and the public.

The ABA Standing Committee on Professionalism promotes within the legal profession principles of professionalism, integrity, competence, fairness, independence, courage, respect for the legal system and devotion to public service.

The American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership association in the world. With more than 400,000 members, the ABA provides law school accreditation, continuing legal education, information about the law, programs to assist lawyers and judges in their work, and initiatives to improve the legal system for the public.