The Philadelphia Bar Association recognized outstanding members of the legal community throughout November and December with 2023 Section awards. Below is a full list of recipients, including the Section giving the award and a description of the award criteria:
Criminal Justice Section
- Thurgood Marshall Award (recognizes a member or nonmember for long-time service to the legal profession that exemplifies Justice Thurgood Marshall’s career): David Rudovsky, founding partner, Kairys, Rudovsky, Messing, Feinberg & Lin, LLP, and Hon. Lucretia Clemons, Court of Common Pleas, First Judicial District
- The inaugural Hon. Frederica Massiah-Jackson Community Justice Engagement Award: Rev. Michelle Simmons, founder and executive director of Why Not Prosper
- Henry Czajkowski Award (recognizes a non-lawyer who has made outstanding contributions to the administration of justice): Mark H. Bergstrom, executive director, Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing
- Cesare Beccaria Award (presented with The Justinian Society of Philadelphia; recognizes a member of the Bar Association who exemplifies the ideals of the career of the 18th century Italian whose writings presaged the dawn of the modern penal system): Sara Jacobson, executive director, Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania
Family Law Section
- Herbert R. Weiman, Sr. & Jr. Award: Sarah R. Katz, clinical professor of law, Temple University Beasley School of Law
Public Interest Section
- Bending the Arc Award (recognizes a legal services advocate or public defender or a public interest lawyer working with a nonprofit that serves a charitable or public interest purpose): Maureen Olives, Philadelphia Legal Assistance
- Hon. Louis H. Pollak Award (given annually to a Judge who embodies Judge Pollak’s commitment to public service): Hon. L. Felipe Restrepo, Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Real Property Section
- Harris Ominsky Award (presented to a pre-eminent real estate attorney who practices, or has practiced, law in Philadelphia): Marilyn Z. Kutler, former partner at Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP
- Good Deed Award (recognizes individuals or groups that provide exemplary service to the community): Regional Housing Legal Services
State Civil Litigation Section
- Hon. Alex Bonavitacola Award (recognizes an individual or group for lasting contributions and dedication to the Philadelphia Court system): First Judicial District outgoing President Judge Idee C. Fox
- Lifetime Achievement Award: First Judicial District outgoing Administrative Judge Hon. Lisette Shirdan-Harris
Young Lawyers Division
- Craig M. Perry Service Award (recognizes a young lawyer for their exceptional pro bono and community service efforts): Staff of Philadelphia VIP
- F. Sean Peretta Service Award (recognizes a community member who exhibits exceptional community service): Shahirah Brown, assistant general counsel, School District of Philadelphia
- Vision Award (recognizes individuals or groups who support the Young Lawyers Division in its philanthropic mission and public service works): Philadelphia Bar Association Commission on Judicial Selection & Retention
Workers’ Compensation Section
- DEI Scholarship: Joan Fernandez, Temple University Beasley School of Law
In addition, in June the Workers’ Compensation Section honored the late Patrick M. Donan with the Martha Hampton Award, which commemorates the service, dignity, professionalism and dedication exemplified by Hampton during her years of practice. Donan died on November 6.
