The sections recognized members and community leaders for their contributions to the legal profession and the administration of justice.
The Philadelphia Bar Association recognized outstanding members of the legal community throughout November and December with 2025 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): Hon. Karen Y. Simmons, Philadelphia Municipal Court, First Judicial District, and Hon. Rose Marie DeFino-Nastasi, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, First Judicial District
- Henry Czajkowski Award (recognizes a non-lawyer who has made outstanding contributions to the administration of justice): Elaine Ratliff, deputy director, Office of Judicial Records, First Judicial District
- The Hon. Frederica Massiah-Jackson Community Justice Engagement Award: Nationalities Service Center and HIAS-Pennsylvania
Family Law Section
- Herbert R. Weiman, Sr. & Jr. Award: Hon.Deborah Canty, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, First Judicial District
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): Wesley Allen, senior attorney, Family Advocate Unit, Community Legal Services
- Hon. Louis H. Pollak Award (given annually to a Judge who embodies Judge Pollak’s commitment to public service): Hon. Gerald A. McHugh, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Real Property Section
- Harris Ominsky Award (presented to a pre-eminent real estate attorney who practices, or has practiced, law in Philadelphia): Hon. Ann Butchart, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, First Judicial District
- Good Deed Award (recognizes individuals or groups that provide exemplary service to the community): Green Street Monthly Meeting of Friends in Germantown
State Civil Litigation Section
- Hon. Alex Bonavitacola Award (recognizes an individual or group for lasting contributions and dedication to the Philadelphia Court system): Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Hon. Kevin M. Dougherty
- Lifetime Achievement Award: the late Hon. Angelo J. Foglietta, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, First Judicial District
Young Lawyers Division
- Craig M. Perry Service Award (recognizes a young lawyer for their exceptional pro bono and community service efforts): Damali Martin, attorney, Cozen O’Connor
- F. Sean Peretta Service Award (recognizes a community member who exhibits exceptional community service): Elizabeth Perez, director of intake and pro bono services, Support Center for Child Advocates
- Vision Award (recognizes individuals or groups who support the Young Lawyers Division in its philanthropic mission and public service works): Community Legal Services Justice Rising Advocates
Workers’ Compensation Section
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Hon. Scott Olin, retired judge, Southeastern District of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Office of Adjudication
- DEI Scholarship: Priya Ahmad, Temple University Beasley School of Law
In addition, in June the Workers’ Compensation Section honored Hon. Todd Seelig, Judge Manager, Southeastern District of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Office of Adjudication with the Martha Hampton Award, which commemorates the service, dignity, professionalism and dedication exemplified by Hampton during her years of practice.
