The annual Spirit of Excellence Awards celebrate the accomplishments of lawyers who promote a more racially and ethnically diverse legal profession.

“Mary was the highest-ranking Native American in the Clinton White House,” said commission Chair Reginald M. Turner. “During her time in the White House, Mary was the architect for a historic Native American policy initiative, which spanned areas such as health care, economic development, education, the digital divide and criminal justice issues.  This initiative resulted in an increase in funding of $1.1 billion for Native American programs across all federal agencies.”

Smith advances diversity in the legal profession through her participation in the American Bar Association, the National Native American Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association and its Alliance for Women.

In 2009, Smith was elected the first Native American woman to the ABA’s Board of Governors in the association’s more than 130-year history.   That same year Smith completed a three-year term with the Commission on Women in the Profession, where she was the only enrolled tribal member of the commission in its entire history.  She was the chair of the Women of Color Committee and directed the Women of Color Research Initiative, a nationally known research program that has developed seminal national research and landmark reporting on the hiring and retention of women of color in the legal profession.

Smith has focused her diversity and inclusion efforts on promoting issues of importance to women of color and Native Americans.  Her work in the White House lives on today.  Smith coordinated the legal issues related to Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments, which requires federal agencies to establish regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal officials in the development of federal policies that have tribal implications.  This executive order is still in effect and provides the current guidance for all federal agencies.

The Spirit of Excellence award will be presented during the 2012 ABA Midyear Meeting, Feb. 4, in New Orleans.

The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession is a catalyst to change the legal profession to reflect the society it serves.  It helps racially and ethnically diverse lawyers advance their careers and standing in the profession.  Its leadership, programs and information help the profession understand and eliminate racism, bigotry and discrimination.  The Commission works to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession, and thus enrich it.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the world’s largest voluntary professional membership organization.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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The annual Spirit of Excellence Awards celebrate the accomplishments of lawyers who promote a more racially and ethnically diverse legal profession.

“Nance is a trailblazer, becoming both the first female and first black female dean of a college or school in the history of the University of Arkansas,” said commission Chair Reginald M. Turner.  Nance works tirelessly to further diversity and social change in the legal community.  At the University of Arkansas, where she began teaching law in 1994, Nance has served as a mentor to dozens of women and a positive example to countless more.  During her tenure as dean, Nance oversaw a dramatic climb in the law school’s national ranking and reputation.  She encouraged students to contribute their time and talent to the community; during the 2010-11 academic year, school of law students provided more than 3,300 hours of pro bono service.  Nance’s efforts to create a welcoming, inclusive community helped the law school increase its minority enrollment to more than 20 percent.

Nance has received many awards for her work in diversity, including the American Association for Affirmative Action’s 2007 Arthur Fletcher Award, the University of Arkansas Black Alumni Society 2007 Honorary Alumni Award, the 2009 T.E. Patterson Education Award from the Arkansas Black Democratic Caucus, and the inaugural 2010 Judge Andree Layton Roaf Award.  “Nance is a leader who embraces the best we can be as a profession,” said Turner.

Nance has served as past chair of the American Association of Law Schools Employment Discrimination and Labor & Employment Law sections.  Her leadership within the ABA includes serving as co-chair of the Equal Opportunity in the Law Committee of the Labor and Employment Law Section, and as an at-large member of the Labor and Employment Law Section’s Council.

The Spirit of Excellence Awards will be presented during the 2012 ABA Midyear Meeting, Feb. 4, in New Orleans.

The ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession is a catalyst to change the legal profession to reflect the society it serves.  It helps racially and ethnically diverse lawyers advance their careers and standing in the profession.  Its leadership, programs and information help the profession understand and eliminate racism, bigotry and discrimination.  The Commission works to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession, and thus enrich it.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the world’s largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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The annual Spirit of Excellence Awards celebrate the accomplishments of lawyers who promote a more racially and ethnically diverse legal profession.

“Justice Moreno is truly deserving of the Spirit of Excellence Award,” said commission Chair Reginald M. Turner.  “His 24 years as a judge in state and federal courts have left a legacy that holds civil rights and equality in the highest regards.”

Moreno became a justice on the California Supreme Court in 2001.  Since then, he authored 144 majority opinions and made important judicial contributions in many areas of the law.

During his tenure with the California Supreme Court, Moreno co-chaired the Santa Clara County Bar Association’s President’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Diversity in the Legal Profession in Silicon Valley.  This commission completed a 60-page report on the lack of minority representation in Silicon Valley, the problems within and ways to fix these problems.  Moreno and co-chair Bruce Sewell wrote a commentary to the San Jose Mercury News to raise awareness about these issues, and urged an addition of a “diversity” element to U.S. News and World Report’s law school rankings.

Moreno is a current member of the California State Bar Council on Access and Fairness, whose primary focus is diversity in the legal profession.  He is the 2011 recipient of the council’s Diversity Award.

Throughout his judicial career, Moreno has spoken to several minority bar associations, including the Los Angeles Korean Bar, various African-American lawyer groups, the California State Bar and the American Bar Association, on the importance of representation of all racial and ethnic groups in the judiciary and the profession.

The award will be presented Feb. 4, 2012, during the ABA Midyear Meeting in New Orleans.

The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession is a catalyst to change the legal profession to reflect the society it serves.  It helps racially and ethnically diverse lawyers advance their careers and standing in the profession.  Its leadership, programs and information help the profession understand and eliminate racism, bigotry and discrimination.  The Commission works to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession, and thus enrich it.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the world’s largest voluntary professional membership organization.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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The annual Spirit of Excellence Awards celebrate the accomplishments of lawyers who promote a more racially and ethnically diverse legal profession.

“Justice Maes’ devotion to racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession is evident in her positive influence in the New Mexico legal community,” commission Chair Reginald M. Turner said of the state’s first Hispanic female chief justice.

After becoming the first Hispanic female law student at the University of New Mexico School of Law, Maes went on to pave a path for all Hispanic women, earning the National Hispanic Bar Association’s “Latina Lawyer of the Year” award in 1999.  The following year, she was considered one of “The 100 Most Influential Hispanics” by Hispanic Business magazine.  In 2009, Maes was given the SAGE 20 Women Making a Difference award by SAGE Magazine.

As justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, Maes authored opinions in complex cases, supervised the judiciary’s automation department and lobbied for the judiciary’s budget.  During her term as chief justice, her initiatives included changes to the process for divorce proceedings, designation of Children’s Court judges, better treatment of jurors and improved court security.

The Spirit of Excellence award will be presented during the 2012 ABA Midyear Meeting, Feb. 4, in New Orleans.

The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession is a catalyst to change the legal profession to reflect the society it serves.  It helps racially and ethnically diverse lawyers advance their careers and standing in the profession.  Its leadership, programs and information help the profession understand and eliminate racism, bigotry and discrimination.  The Commission works to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession, and thus enrich it.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the world’s largest voluntary professional membership organization.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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The annual Spirit of Excellence Awards celebrate the accomplishments of lawyers who promote a more racially and ethnically diverse legal profession.

“Fong has been a mentor for countless people of color in this country.  His advancement is evident in the Asian Pacific American community,” said commission Chair Reginald M. Turner.

Fong currently serves as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Prior to joining DHS in May 2009, Fong served as chief legal officer and secretary of Cardinal Health, Inc.  His tenure at this Fortune 20 global public health care company earned him a spot as one of the “20 Most Influential General Counsel” by the National Law Journal.  He was the only Asian Pacific American chief legal officer of a Fortune 50 company at that time.  In addition to this, he was one of the first Asian Pacific American partners at Covington & Burling, an influential Washington, D.C., law firm, where he was a member of the firm’s Diversity Committee and vice chair of its Public Service Committee.

To promote diversity at DHS, Fong helped establish a new employee organization, the DHS Asian American and Pacific Islander Network.  While at Cardinal Health, Fong chaired its Corporate Diversity and Inclusion Council and created the Asian Pacific American Network, helping Cardinal Health win awards for its diversity efforts.  In a previous position at General Electric, Fong helped lead the Asian Pacific American Forum as an employee network.

“In his work with, and leadership of, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Greater Washington D.C. Area (APABA-DC),” Turner explains, “Fong strengthened the Coalition of Bar Associations of Color, working with the bar associations to set up meetings with D.C. officials.”  For his efforts to promote diversity and his other accomplishments, Fong has been honored with NAPABA’s Trailblazer Award, APABA-DC’s Pioneer Award, and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund’s “Justice in Action” Award.  He currently serves as a member of President Obama’s Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

The Spirit of Excellence award will be presented during the 2012 ABA Midyear Meeting, Feb. 4, in New Orleans.

The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession is a catalyst to change the legal profession to reflect the society it serves.  It helps racially and ethnically diverse lawyers advance their careers and standing in the profession.  Its leadership, programs and information help the profession understand and eliminate racism, bigotry and discrimination.  The Commission works to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession, and thus enrich it.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the world’s largest voluntary professional membership organization.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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“Daniels paved the way to success for many lawyers of color,” said commission Chair Reginald M. Turner.  ”He has made positive contributions to the profession, lawyers of color and to the community in his decades of service.  He has enriched the profession with his many outstanding contributions and achievements.  As a role model, he mentored and encouraged other lawyers to support future generations of lawyers of color.”

As a member of numerous organizations (current chair of Greater Milwaukee Foundation, former president of the American College of Real Estate lawyers, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, BMO Harris, Greater Milwaukee Committee, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Boys and Girls Club, Medical College of Wisconsin and a host of other boards), Daniels has also exposed lawyers of color to the meaning of giving back to the community.

As Quarles & Brady’s first lawyer of color, first partner of color and first chairman of color, Daniels became a mentor to many young associates and law students of color.  Daniels is also the only African-American chairman in the AmLaw 200; Daniels was named one of the “50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America” by the National Law Journal in 2008.  Since ascending to the chairmanship of Quarles and Brady LLP, Daniels has extended the firm’s national and international reach, and the firm now has offices in seven U.S. cities and Shanghai.

The award will be presented Feb. 4, during the 2012 ABA Midyear Meeting in New Orleans.

The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Legal Profession is a catalyst to change the legal profession to reflect the society it serves. It helps racially and ethnically diverse lawyers advance their careers and standing in the profession. Its leadership, programs and information help the profession understand and eliminate racism, bigotry and discrimination. The Commission works to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession, and thus enrich it.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is world’s largest voluntary professional membership organization.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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The ABA Medal recognizes exceptionally distinguished service by a lawyer or lawyers to the cause of American jurisprudence. The medal’s recipient is chosen by the ABA’s Board of Governors.

“It’s an honor to present the ABA Medal to David and Ted,” said ABA President Stephen N. Zack. “Our courts are being starved for lack of funding. Through their leadership on the Task Force on Preservation of the Justice System, David and Ted have effectively worked to protect the third co-equal branch of government and our constitutional democracy.”

Boies is the founder and chairman of Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, in Armonk, N.Y. He is widely regarded as one of the nation’s preeminent trial lawyers. Boies has been named “Lawyer of the Year” by the National Law Journal and “Commercial Litigator of the Year” by Who’s Who. Time Magazine selected him in 2010 as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

In 1998-2000, Boies served as special trial counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice in its antitrust suit against Microsoft. Boies also served as lead counsel for former Vice President Al Gore in litigation relating to the 2000 election Florida vote count. In 2008 Boies successfully defended NASCAR against antitrust charges, and in 2010 and 2011 he represented plaintiffs suing to enjoin California’s ban on gay marriage as violative of the federal Constitution.

Olson is a partner in Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher’s Washington, D.C., office and is one of the nation’s premier appellate and U.S. Supreme Court advocates. The National Law Journal has repeatedly listed him as one of America’s Most Influential Lawyers. The American Lawyer and Legal Times have characterized Olson as one of America’s leading advocates.

Olson was solicitor general of the United States from 2001–2004, and from 1981–1984 he was assistant attorney general in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel in the U.S. Department of Justice. Time Magazine selected him in 2010 as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He has argued dozens of cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including the two Bush v. Gore cases arising from the 2000 presidential election.

The ABA Medal is given only in years when the ABA Board of Governors determines a nominee has provided exceptional and distinguished service to the law and the legal profession. Among previous recipients are legendary justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, including Oliver Wendell Holmes, Felix Frankfurter, Thurgood Marshall, William J. Brennan Jr., Sandra Day O’Connor and Anthony Kennedy. Other recipients include Watergate Special Prosecutor Leon Jaworski; human rights activist Father Robert Drinan; co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, William H. Gates Sr.; and Judge Patricia Wald, member of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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The award will be presented to Henderson at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 7 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel Grand Ballroom, during the section’s James K. Carroll Leadership and Awards Dinner of the 2011 ABA Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada.

Henderson has served as Cornell’s Frank B. Ingersoll Professor of Law since 1984. He has testified many times before congressional committees and state legislatures on matters relating to tort and products liability law and currently serves as a special master in the World Trade Center “first responders” litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Prior to teaching at Cornell University Law School, Henderson served as a visiting professor at Brooklyn Law School (fall 1994), Cornell Law School (fall 1983), University of Virginia (1978-1979) and University of Colorado (1975-1976). He was also a professor at Boston University School of Law (1967-1984) and has taught subjects including torts, products liability, insurance, environmental law, legal process, law and the behavioral sciences, trusts and estates, and estate planning.

Prior to his work in academia, Henderson served as a law clerk for Judge Warren L. Jones of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (1962-1963).

Henderson earned his Master of Laws from Harvard Law School in 1964, his Bachelor of Laws from Harvard Law School in 1962 and his Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University in 1959.

Henderson is involved in a number of organizations including the American Law Institute and Association of the Bar of the City of New York. He served as advisor and co-reporter for the Institute’s revision of the products liability portions of the Restatement of the Law of Torts (1992-1998), and was chairman of the Association of American Law School’s Torts Section (1985-86).

The ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section unites plaintiff, defense, insurance, and corporate counsel to advance the civil justice system. TIPS is a national source of expertise in tort, trial and insurance practice and brings lawyers together to share information and speak out on issues of importance. The section has about 25,000 members and 32 general committees that focus on substantive and procedural matters in areas across the broad spectrum of civil law and practice. For more information about the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section visit the TIPS website, www.americanbar.org/tips.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the world’s largest voluntary professional membership organization.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

The award will be presented to Jordan at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel Grand Ballroom, during the section’s James K. Carroll Leadership Awards Dinner of the 2011 ABA Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada.

Jordan is currently a self-employed lawyer, arbitrator, mediator and expert witness in insurance and reinsurance disputes, and serves as a consultant and expert witness in insurance coverage and bad-faith litigation. He also serves as an arbitrator for the New York City Civil Courts and has handled more than 800 cases during the last several years. In addition, he serves as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. Jordan is the former vice president and counsel for State Farm Insurance Companies.

Jordan’s leadership and involvement with the ABA is long and varied and includes serving as past chair of the ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section and as the TIPS representative in the ABA House of Delegates. He chaired the ABA working group charged with creating the ABA Task Force on Federal Class Action Legislation, and as co-chair of the ABA/TIPS Task Force on Asbestos Litigation. Jordan is also a member of the ABA Government Affairs Committee, and past-chair and current member of the TIPS Government Affairs Committee.

He earned his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in economics from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Penn. In addition, Jordan has served in the U.S. Navy.

Jordan is a member of the ABA, Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association, Texas State Bar Association, Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, Defense Research Institute, CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution, National Institute For Dispute Resolution, College of the State Bar of Texas, Association of the Bar of the City of New York, New York State Bar Association, ARIAS (AIDA Reinsurance and Insurance Society), Association for Conflict Resolution and The Insurance Federation of New York. He is also a member of the ABA Government Affairs Committee, and past chair and current member of the TIPS Government Affairs Committee.

In 2009, Jordan received a special award from TIPS for his leadership role as chair of the TIPS Disaster Insurance Task Force, which brought together all sides of disaster insurance to create seven ABA policy resolutions, which were passed by the House of Delegates during the 2009 ABA Midyear Meeting in Boston. In 2009, he also received the first annual LexisNexis Award as Insurance Lawyer of the Year. In 2005, Jordan was named Arbitrator of the Year by the Association of Arbitrators of the Civil Courts of the City of New York.

The ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section unites plaintiff, defense, insurance, and corporate counsel to advance the civil justice system. TIPS is a national source of expertise in tort, trial and insurance practice and brings lawyers together to share information and speak out on issues of importance. The section has about 25,000 members and 32 general committees that focus on substantive and procedural matters in areas across the broad spectrum of civil law and practice. For more information about the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section visit the TIPS website, www.americanbar.org/tips.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the world’s largest voluntary professional membership organization.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

The award will be presented during the ABA Annual Meeting in Toronto at the TIPS Animal Law Committee Awards Reception, Aug. 6, at 4 p.m. at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.

“Rebecca Huss is one of the leading voices in the country on the laws regarding companion animals and service animals,” said TIPS Animal Law Committee Chair Mariann Sullivan. “Her work has brought much illumination to the confusing patchwork of laws that govern our relationships with these animals. In addition, her work as the court-appointed special master/guardian in the Michael Vick dog fighting prosecution was truly groundbreaking in encouraging the recognition of the American pit bull terriers seized in that case as crime victims.”

Huss teaches courses in business associations, mergers and acquisitions, animal law, securities regulation and business planning, and has fostered a popular and active animal law program. Prior to beginning this position in 2004, she served as an associate professor of law (2002-2004) and assistant professor of law (1999-2002). Huss was a visiting professor of law at Stetson University College of Law (fall semester 2006), the University of Iowa College of Law (summer session 2006) and Notre Dame Law School (spring semester 2005).

Prior to joining the law faculty, she also served as an attorney for the Fort Dodge Animal Health Division of Wyeth (1998-1999), an associate in the corporate department of Husch Blackwell Sanders (1996-1998) and as an associate in the corporate finance and business/tax/ international departments of Perkins Coie (1992-1994).

Huss earned her Master of Laws in international and comparative law from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1995, her Juris Doctor magna cum laude in 1992 from the University of Richmond School of Law in Richmond, Va., and her Bachelor of Arts in 1989 from the University of Northern Iowa, where she minored in international studies and graduated with highest honors.

She is actively involved in many organizations including the American Bar Association’s Section of Business Law and the American Veterinary Medical Law Association. Huss is a founding member of the TIPS Animal Law Committee in which she has actively participated since its founding in 2004 and currently serves as chair-elect-designee, vice-chair and co-chair of its Companion Animal Subcommittee. She also served as co-chair of the Indiana State Bar Association’s Special Committee on Animal Law and chair of the American Association of Law Schools Animal Law Section.

Huss is renowned for her service as guardian/special master handling the disposition of the dogs seized in the Michael Vick dog-fighting prosecution, which involved working intimately with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to provide for the humane disposition of the dogs. She also played an instrumental role in the drafting and ultimate adoption of ABA Resolution 108B, urging all federal, state, territorial and local legislative bodies and governmental agencies to enact laws and implement policies to ensure the humane treatment and disposition of seized animals in a timely manner, which was approved by the ABA House of Delegates in February 2011.

She has been the recipient of many awards including the U.S. Department of Justice, National Asset Forfeiture Award for Outstanding Investigation or Case (July 2009); 2008 President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency and Executive Council on Integrity and Efficiency Award for Excellence; Award of Excellence from the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; and the 2008 Law Enforcement Public Service Award from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section unites plaintiff, defense, insurance, and corporate counsel to advance the civil justice system. TIPS is a national source of expertise in tort, trial and insurance practice and brings lawyers together to share information and speak out on issues of importance. The section has about 25,000 members and 32 general committees that focus on substantive and procedural matters in areas across the broad spectrum of civil law and practice. For more information about the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section visit the TIPS website, www.americanbar.org/tips.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the world’s largest voluntary professional membership organization.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.